The Hood River County School District is continuing its search to fill vacant positions, particularly bus drivers, custodians, kitchen staff, instructional assistants, and substitute teachers.  District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn says most school districts are in the same situation, and there are a number of reasons why, including limited child care availability, and retired teachers who would normally be available to substitute but not wanting to return during the pandemic.  Polkinghorn did say vaccine mandates are more of a side issue than a driver of the employment shortage, adding over 99 percent of district staff is either vaccinated or have received some kind of exemption.

North Central Public Health District says Mid-Columbia Medical Center has treated about 30 people with COVID-19 with monoclonal antibody treatments.  MCMC has been offering monoclonal antibody treatments for several weeks now.  The treatment is available to those who are at high risk of severe disease and have had symptoms for 10 days or less.  In clinical trials, monoclonal antibody treatments reduced the risk of hospitalization 50 percent.  The antibodies mimic the body’s own immune response to the coronavirus.  NCPHD reported another death in Wasco County from complications of COVID-19.   The district says a woman died September 11 at MCMC after testing positive two days earlier.  It is the 40th COVID-19 related death recorded in Wasco County.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is planning to resume in-person networking events this winter if it is possible.  Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says they are missing in-person connections, but they hope to get those back in January.  Farquharson says the Governmental Affairs meetings are well attended virtually, and plans are in the works to use a hybrid format to keep that online option available.  The Chamber is also planning to hold its annual awards banquet this winter.  It was held virtually one year ago.

Ballots for the November 2 General Election in Washington have been mailed to voters in the state, giving them several days to study the issues and candidates and return their ballots as soon as possible.  Voters have until 8 p.m. November 2 to place their marked ballots in an official ballot drop box anywhere in the state.  Drop-box locations can be found at VoteWA.gov, Washington’s online voter portal.  Ballots may also be returned by U.S. mail – no postage required – but must be postmarked by November 2 in order to be counted. The U.S. Postal Service recommends that ballots should be returned by mail one week before Election Day.  Registered voters who have yet to receive a ballot should contact their county elections office to request a replacement.  Voters can also check their ballot status at VoteWA.gov.  To register to vote or update their registration, people can go online at VoteWA.gov, or print and mail a registration form.  The deadline for county elections offices to receive registrations online or by mail is next Monday, Oct. 25.  After Oct. 25, people can visit a county elections office and register in person during regular business hours and until 8 p.m. the day of the election.

Football Hood River Valley 56, Parkrose 7 Ridgeview 49, The Dalles 12 LaCenter 57, Columbia 0 Stevenson 32, King’s Way Christian 27 Ione-Arlington 46, Dufur 6 South Wasco 53, Huntington 16 Union 34, Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat 26 Goldendale 28, Granger 0   Boys Soccer Horizon Christian 2, Damascus Christian 2   Girls Soccer Catlin Gabel 5, Trout Lake 0   Volleyball Columbia def. Corbett 29-27, 18-25, 15-12 Open Door Christian def. South Wasco 25-23, 25-21, 25-9  

Boys Soccer Hood River Valley 2, Ridgeview 1:  The Eagles solidified their hold on first place in the Intermountain Conference with a second victory this season over the Ravens. The Dalles 4, Crook County 1   Girls Soccer Ridgeview 3, Hood River Valley 0 The Dalles 3, Crook County 0 Seton Catholic 2, Columbia 1 Highland 4, Goldendale 0   Volleyball Ridgeview def. The Dalles 25-27, 25-10, 25-12, 25-16 Redmond def. Hood River Valley 25-6, 25-11, 25-10 Columbia def. Seton Catholic 3-0 Echo def. Sherman 25-16, 25-15, 25-10 South Wasco def. Horizon Christian 25-5, 25-6, 25-6 Stevenson def. Toledo 25-17, 23-25, 25-16, 25-23 Goldendale def. Kittitas 25-12, 25-1, 25-13   Cross Country Hood River Valley won both the boys and girls team titles at a five-school race at Birch Creek Golf Course.  Phoebe Wood won the girls’ race for HRV, while Elliot Hawley was second in the boys’ run.  The Dalles was second in the boys’ standings led by an individual victory for Juan Diego Contreras.  The Riverhawks were third in the girls’ run, with Alaina Cassidy taking sixth.   Isabella Spencer finished first to lead the Stevenson girls to a win at a Central League meet at Toledo.  The Bulldogs finished fourth in the boys’ race.  

Fire season in the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District will terminate at 12:01 Saturday morning.  Burning of slash piles or other debris from forest operations or fuels treatment projects will not be permitted until additional precipitation is received.  Cooler fall temperatures and periodic moisture has reduced fire behavior and improved fuel conditions across the District.  But ODF officials say typically there is an increase in human caused fires just after Fire season ends.  These uncontrolled fires are often linked to careless debris burning or burning in windy conditions and abandoned campfires.  With the termination of fire season, burning yard debris and the use of burn barrels is allowed, but these fires should be kept small, and any surrounding fuel should be cleared away to reduce potential spread.  A fire tool, such as a shovel, and water or a fire extinguisher should be available to help control the fire if needed.  Fires should not be left unattended, should be dead out, and cool to the touch when you leave.  Check with your local fire district for burning regulations in your area, including restrictions on campfires and recreational fires.  Fire Season in the Central Oregon District began June 1^st this year and overall 5,063 acres were burned across Central Oregon District protected lands, 58% of the ten-year average.  Eighty-five percent of the fires were contained at less than ten acres.

The Hood River Valley Harvest Festival is underway this weekend at the Waterfront Event Site.  Hannah Settje of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce says there will be plenty of fresh fruit from local orchards available, and much more.  Harvest Fest is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.  Admission is $10 for adults, and proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test within the last 72 hours is required for admission.  There is rapid testing available on site.

The Federal Highway Administration, Washington State Department of Transportation, and U.S. Forest Service are looking to find ways to reduce congestion and improve safety at popular recreation sites along Highway 14, including Dog Mountain Trailhead.  The study area includes the 71-mile stretch of Highway 14 between Washougal and the eastern boundary of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  The agencies are holding virtual drop-in community conversations today and this coming Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. along with an online open house through November 1.  For more information about the project and the online sessions, visit the project website at sr14study.participate.online/.

In the wake of load testing activities on the Port of Hood River Interstate Bridge causing significant traffic backups on Interstate 84 and Highway 14 on Wednesday, the testing schedule has been altered to eliminate one full day of closures.  The bridge will now be fully closed to all traffic twice on Monday, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., with no full closures scheduled for Wednesday of next week as originally planned.  In response to a lowered load rating imposed by the Oregon Department of Transportation in March, the Port of Hood River has been conducting extensive live load testing on the bridge since last Saturday.  Test results will help determine if it is feasible to restore the prior weight limit for larger commercial trucks and emergency vehicles.  Wireless communications of the testing equipment malfunctioned on Wednesday and extended the closure schedule, leading to the traffic backups.