The Hood River County Health Department says it is seeing a significant increase in COVID-19 cases associated with local schools.  According to a statement from the Health Department, children could be required to quarantine at home for 14 days if another child in their school cohort tests positive for the virus.  The health department is asking parents to keep their kids home from school when they are not feeling well in order for schools to remain open.  The department also says it has received confirmation the Oregon Health Authority that the County will receive 550 doses of Pfizer vaccine to be distributed to those age 16 and 17.  The Pfizer vaccine is the only one approved for that age group.  Plans are in the works for One Community Health to conduct clinics for those doses at the Hood River Valley High School Health Center, and those will be announced when they are finalized.  The Hood River County Health Department will hold its next vaccination clinic on Thursday at River of Live Assembly in Hood River using the Moderna vaccine, and it’s open to anyone 18 or older.  Appointments are recommended and can be made through hrccovid19.org.  Walk-ins will be welcomed as vaccine supplies allow.

North Central Public Health District is planning a Pfizer vaccine clinic for 16 and 17 year olds and their families at Sid White Field on the Wahtonka campus in The Dalles on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Dubbed “Friday Night Lights!” the Pfizer event will feature music, free pizza, and prizes.  The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine authorized for use in those 16 and older.  To sign up for the Pfizer event visit ncphd.org to book an appointment or call 541-506- 2600 if you need assistance.  The health district also has many openings for Moderna clinics this week.  The Pfizer event has 240 slots and they are likely to fill fast.

The Port of Hood River saw a busy weekend on the Waterfront in recreation areas, with numbers more typical of June rather than April.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says they are currently in the same mode as they ended last year, with restrooms closed and dumpsters out instead of smaller garbage receptacles.  McElwee does say a significant COVID-19 risk level change for Hood River County could restrict access to the boat dock in the Nichols Basin and limit access to the Event Site to pass holders only.  McElwee says they have tentatively set a date of July 1 to return to normal operations, but he adds that date could be pushed back or moved up.  He also says the Port is not scheduling any major events on the Waterfront until after July 1.  

The Oregon Department of Transportation is going to change the configuration of the traffic signals at West 6th and Webber in The Dalles on Thursday night.  To minimize disruption, the work is scheduled at night from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.  Flaggers will be directing traffic on all travel lanes at this intersection. Expect delays.  The purpose of this project is to install new left turn signals for the north and south traveling lanes on Webber Street.  This change is expected to smooth the flow of traffic and improve safety for motorists making left turns.  

North Central Public Health District officials say Wasco County will move up at least one, and likely two, COVID-19 risk categories when they are announced Tuesday.  The new risk level would take effect on Friday.  From April 4 to mid-day Friday, Wasco County has seen 43 new COVID-19 cases.  Lower risk for counties the size of Wasco is less than 30 cases over 14 days, moderate risk is 30 to 44 cases, and high risk is 45 to 59 cases.  The lower risk category allows 50 percent indoor seating capacity at restaurants and a midnight closure.  Moderate risk also allows 50 percent capacity, but an 11 p.m. closure.   The high risk category is 25 percent indoor capacity and an 11 p.m. closure.  Faith institutions can have 75 percent in-person capacity at the lower risk category, 50 percent in the moderate risk, and 25 percent at high risk.  Indoor gyms can have 50 percent capacity at lower and moderate risk and 25 percent at high risk.  Grocery stores and other retail stores can have 75 percent capacity at lower and moderate risk and 50 percent at high risk.

Two bills introduced this session by Washington State 14th District Representative Gina Mosbrucker have been signed by Governor Jay Inslee.  An effort in which Mosbrucker began more than three years ago to create a task force to identify the role of the workplace in helping to curb domestic violence culminated as the governor affixed his signature to House Bill 1315.  It requires the Department of Commerce to convene a task force on domestic violence and workplace resources that would review the role of the workplace in the lives of individuals experiencing domestic violence, the appropriate role of employers and employees in helping to reduce the incidence of domestic violence, and whether legislation is needed to address these issues.  Inslee also signed Mosbrucker’s House Bill 1455, which prohibits the Employment Security Department and Labor and Industries from requiring and using full Social Security numbers from citizens who need their services.  It was written in response to the massive personal data breach in the state Auditor’s Office affecting those who filed for unemployment benefits in 2020.

The Dalles Police Department arrested a man last week in connection with a drive-by shooting at the Police Department headquarters during the early morning hours of March 28 that resulted in two marked police vehicles being struck by bullets.  A 40-year-old man was arrested when a search warrant was executed at 1126 East 8th in The Dalles.  The man was lodged at NORCOR on the charges of attempted assault in the first degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and criminal mischief in the first degree.  Evidence seized at the scene is still being processed and further charges are expected.  The case has been referred to the Wasco County District Attorney.  No one was injured in the shooting incident.

Baseball Hood River Valley splits with Pendleton, losing game one 14-9 and winning game two 11-3. Mountain View sweeps The Dalles 19-1 and 18-0. Columbia splits with Seton Catholic, winning the opener 16-0 and losing the nightcap 8-5. Sherman splits with Pilot Rock, winning 10-2 and losing 23-8. Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat splits with Riverside, winning 4-2 and losing 17-3 LaCenter sweeps Goldendale 16-4 and 15-0   Softball The Dalles 19, Redmond 7 The Dalles 10, Mountain View 0 Pendleton sweeps Hood River Valley 12-2 and 3-2   Track and Field Jordyn Swyers of The Dalles won three events for the Riverhawk boys and Emily Johnson and Ashley Quisenberry won two apiece for the Riverhawk girls in a four-school meet at Sid White Field that include Lyle-Wishram, Klickitat, and Horizon Christian.   Columbia won the girls’ competition in a three-school Trico League meet with SetonCahtolic and Goldendale.  Tiana Watson won three events for the Timberwolves, while Hannah Polkinghorn and Chanele Reyes won two apiece for the Bruins.  LaCenter held off Columbia to win the boys’ portion of the meet.  Juan Acosta and Angel Sanchez each won a pair of events for CHS.

The Hood River City Council approved a five-year utility rate plan that seeks to increase water and sewer revenues by 3% and wastewater revenues by 14%.  Municipal Finance Director Will Norris explains the plan is constructed to both support on-going utility operations while also move toward planned capital improvements.  He adds the plan also intends to incrementally move into alignment the charges users are asked to pay with their impact on the system, generating the revenue increases from the heaviest users of the system.  The plan is also intended to expand utility assistance for rate-burdened households by funding an expanded low-income discount program through the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council.

Democrats have agreed to give up an advantage in redrawing the state’s political districts for the next 10 years in exchange for a commitment from Republicans to stop blocking bills in the Oregon Legislature with delay tactics.  The deal reached Wednesday night gives Republicans as many members as Democrats on redistricting committees in exchange for no longer requiring bills be read in full before a final vote.  While the deal leaves the potential for deadlocked votes for redistricting, Republican 59th District Representative Daniel Bonham points out his party has incentive to reach a deal on legislative districts, with the process shifting to Democrat Secretary of State Shemia Fagan if they can’t pass new boundaries by late September.  Should lawmakers fail to come to an agreement on new Congressional districts, the matter would be settled in the courts.