North Central Public Health District says over 22,400 vaccine doses have been administered in Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties through May 22.  Through that date, 22,455 doses have been administered by a variety of entities in the three-county service area of the district.  Most vaccines are administered by NCPHD, which has held large vaccine clinics for months now, and is starting to transition to smaller clinics.  Local pharmacies are also offering vaccines, and their dose totals are not included in this count.  NCPHD says One Community Health is hosting a Pfizer Party June 11 from 1-6 p.m. at their office in The Dalles, at 1040 Webber St.  The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for those 12 and older.  To register, visit onecommunityhealth.org.  NCPHD has also begun small vaccine clinics Thursdays at noon.  To book an appointment, call 541-506-2600.

White Salmon American Legion Post 87 will host a Memorial Day Service on Monday at 1 p.m. in the White Salmon Cemetery.  The ceremony will honor the service and sacrifice of passing veterans.  Approximately two dozen deceased local veterans will be inducted into the “Walk of Honor” at the cemetery.  Each will be honored with a permanent bronze plaque on the walk.  Attending families of those veterans will presented with an American flag.  Parking and chairs will be available for the event.

A group of five people are challenging the City of Hood River’s recently approved “Middle Housing” ordinance.  They are appealing to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals, claiming inadequate public notice.  The petitioners say the only advance notice of the March 8 City Council hearing on the code change was in the February 17 public notices page of the Columbia Gorge News, and that did not meet legal requirements for notice.  The Council opened the hearing that night and took testimony, and then left the record open and took more testimony the following week before entering into deliberations.

Registration for summer and fall classes at Columbia Gorge Community College is underway with a mixture of on-line and in-person classes.  CGCC President Marta Yera-Cronin says they have scheduled a limited number of in-person summer classes with limited capacity in the room for social distancing, with more planned for fall but maintaining on-line options.  Yera-Cronin adds the school is on track to complete its new skills center and housing unit for the fall, with a ribbon cutting planned for September 11.

Expect smoother travels on Interstate 84 in the Columbia River Gorge this Memorial Day weekend with the re-opening of lanes in two locations that were closed in recent weeks for improvements.  The Oregon Department of Transportation says both lanes re-opened this week in time to help ease the expected rush of travelers over the three-day holiday weekend.  One of them is the right westbound lane just east of Cascade Locks, which closed earlier this month to repair an embankment damaged by a slide.  This work was scheduled for completion in June, but finished ahead of schedule and re-opened Thursday.  An eastbound lane in Hood River, closed for repair and replacement of bridge decks on structures carrying I-84 over Hood River, fully re-opened earlier this week.  The work was part of a project to repair aging structures between Exits 63 and 64.  In June, ODOT says travelers should expect periodic nighttime eastbound lane and ramp closures as crews complete the project.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District is reminding campers of some recent closures and changes to primitive camping near The Dalles Dam that went into effect in November.  Primitive camping is being permitted at Avery Park, Celilo Park, and Rufus Landing until October 31, with camping limited to seven days within a 30-consecutive day period.  There is no public use at Avery Park during commercial treaty fishing season, and tent camping at Celilo Park is on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings only.  The Corps implemented changes – in part – because of illegal dumping, resource destruction and vandalism at the sites.

The deadline to apply for Wasco County’s COVID-19 Emergency Business Grant program has been extended to Monday.   Funds were provided by the State of Oregon, with grants to be made based on the number of employees between 0 and 50, and award amounts ranging from $2,500 to $15,000.  Small businesses with under 25 employees that are over a year old and those most impacted will be prioritized for resources.  Mid-Columbia Economic Development District is working with the County to administer these funds.  Visit mcedd.org/bizgrants for full details.

Boys Basketball Hood River Valley 66, The Dalles 54:  HRV broke open a close game in the fourth quarter to stay unbeaten on the season.  The Riverhawks held a one-point lead after three quarters, but saw HRV go on a 24-11 run in the final eight minutes.   Girls Basketball The Dalles 47, Hood River Valley 38:  Ten-point runs in the second and third quarters by the Riverhawks were the difference in the game.  Jeilane Stewart scored ten of her 15 points in the third to lead The Dalles.  HRV’s Marina Castaneda led all scorers with 19. Onalaska 44, Stevenson 22 Trout Lake 45, Echo 22

Washington Gorge Action Programs says it has closed on a three-bedroom home in Klickitat County that will act as a haven for individuals and families who have been affected by domestic violence and need a transitional space to figure out their next steps.  Klickitat County is one of two counties in Washington State that currently does not have such a facility.  Programs for Peaceful Living direct Kirsten Poole is hoping to have the site up and running by the end of the summer.  Until that time, the organization says it will continue to partner with other regional agencies for domestic violence shelter services.  WAGAP executive director Leslie Naramore credited 14th District State Representative Gina Mosbrucker for securing $250,000 from the state’s capital budget, a large part of the $345,000 raised toward establishing the home.  Cost of the building was just under $280,000, and the remaining funds will go towards remodeling, furnishing, supplying, and operating the shelter.

Plans are in the works for this year’s Klickitat County Fair and Rodeo.  Fair Board President Ron Ihrig told County Commissioners this week that there are still unknowns to deal with, but they are moving forward with putting this year’s event together.  He said they are looking at a fairly normal fair, with some changes, most notably minimal people in enclosed areas, and moving exhibitors that had been under the grandstand outside.  Ihrig says their worst case scenario would be to stretch the fair out over seven days to space out their animal competitions.  He added they’ve been told the governor’s office will be providing guidance to fairs at the beginning of June.  The Klickitat County Fair is scheduled for August 19-22 in Goldendale.