Wasco County had a total of 499 new COVID-19 cases reported in September, a slight decrease from the over 500 of August.  But North Central Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Mimi McDonell told Wasco County Commissioners on Wednesday that the County had its second highest number of cases for a single week reported for the week ending September 26 with 156.  McDonell said a drop in statewide cases and hospitalizations is encouraging.  McDonell reported the number of Wasco County residents over the age of 18 vaccinated against COVID-19 is now at 68.4%.

The Port of Hood River will conduct extensive live load testing on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge from Saturday through October 24.  That’s in response to a lowered load rating imposed by the Oregon Department of Transportation in March.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says the reduced weight limit on the bridge has had significant impacts on some local businesses, and they want to determine if it is feasible to restore the 32-ton weight limit.  Bridge users should expect intermittent single-lane closures between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day throughout the testing period, with delays of approximately 30 minutes possible depending on traffic volume.  Flaggers will direct traffic around the moving work zone.  Full bridge closures are anticipated to take place on October 13, 18, and 20, with delays of 30-45 minutes possible.

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area will conduct prescribed burning in the eastern Gorge later in the week, possibly Friday and Saturday.  This prescribed burning will take place in Washington between Bingen and Lyle, specifically on the ridge located between Catherine and Major Creeks, also known as Tracy Hill.  Prescribed burns reduce excess fuel buildup and minimize the potential for large scale wildfires while improving the overall health and resiliency of ecosystems.  This project is part of a long-term strategy to develop a fire break that can be utilized to help stop a large fire in this area.  Exact dates will depend on weather and moisture conditions.  Smoke may be visible on Washington State Highway 14 and Interstate 84 at times during the burns.  As burn dates are confirmed, details will be posted on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Facebook and Twitter pages.  Anyone with asthma can request to be on an advance call list by calling (503) 522-8377 to provide your name and phone number no later than close of business on Thursday.

The Next Door is preparing to open a youth drop-in center at its office in The Dalles once pandemic conditions allow it.  Heather Howard of The Next Door explains the concept behind the drop-in center for ages 14 to 23 is to provide a place for kids in need to be able to go.  The drop-in center will offer a place for youth to access basic hygiene supplies, food, clothes, showers, laundry, computers, and services.  Howard says they are planning a “pop-up drop-in” at The Next Door on 1311 Kelly Avenue in The Dalles on November 20.

Wasco County Commissioners honored Fair Manager Kay Tenold on her final day on the job before retirement.  Tenold began her involvement with the Fair in 1990, was the first woman to be named to its board in 1992, began acting as volunteer fair manager in 2005, and then was contracted by the County to be manager in 2016.  Tenold said she will miss the people she worked with at the fairgrounds.  Commissioners are presenting Tenold with a commemorative clock in honor of her service.

Boys Soccer Redmond 1, The Dalles 0 Hood River Valley 9, Pendleton 1 Trout Lake 5, Irrigon 1   Girls Soccer Redmond 5, The Dalles 0 King’s Way Christian 4, Columbia 3 Goldendale 7, Mabton 0   Volleyball Columbia def. King’s Way Christian 25-17, 25-23, 25-23 South Wasco def. Klickitat-Glenwood 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-19 Sherman def. Bickleton 23-25, 25-12, 25-18, 25-17

North Central Public Health District has reopened online booking for COVID-19 vaccine clinics, which are moving back up to the Fort Dalles Readiness Center, starting Thursday.  The clinics will offer all three vaccines, the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna, and the one-dose Johnson and Johnson.  The vaccines are free. Clinics will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the next four Thursdays. If needed, time slots will be added to meet additional demand. People can book their own appointments by visiting ncphd.org, or by calling NCPHD at 541-506-2600.  Wasco County residents get a $50 VISA card for the first dose, while supplies last.  Wasco County has vaccinated 71.6 percent of those 18 and up, Sherman County 64.4 percent and Gilliam County 48.1 percent.

October is Fire Prevention Month, and state and local fire officials are asking people to take a moment and make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning properly.  Alison Green of the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office says they are conducting a four-week social media campaign called #KnowYourBeepingAlarm.  One chirp or beep means there is an issue with the alarm getting power, and recurring beeps or three beeps in a row is the smoke alarm telling you it needs to be replaced.  For information on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, go to the Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshal webpage.

Rock blasting to shape the Mitchell Point Tunnel will now begin next Tuesday, October 12.  The Oregon Department of Transportation had originally planned to start later this week.  Once blasting begins, travelers on Interstate 84 between Cascade Locks and Memaloose State Park should plan for long delays Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  During rock blasting, rolling slowdowns in both directions of I-84 will be used to create 20-minute windows where there is no traffic.  Rolling slowdowns are scheduled to occur on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. for up to four weeks.  Travelers should plan for long delays or travel at an alternate time if possible.  This work is part of the effort to build the Mitchell Point Tunnel as part of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.  Crews are forming a new 655-foot tunnel with drilling and rock blasting.  Visit TripCheck.com for schedule updates.  

YouthThink of Wasco County will present a short film via Zoom later this month that looks into a teens’ bedroom for the different hiding places they can use to stash drugs and raise awareness to the challenges facing youth today.  Debby Jones of YouthThink says some products target the vulnerability of youth, and the film “Hiding In Plain Sight” is meant to raise awareness but at the same time not create fear.  Jones says along with the film they will have a question and answer session with various guests.  The film will be presented in Spanish on October 19 and English October 20, both at 6:30 p.m.  Sign-up information will be available at youththink.net and the organization’s Facebook page.