A proposal that would have disbanded the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and put its tasks into other agencies will not go forward.  52nd District State Representative Anna Williams said DOGAMI’s budget has passed and the stand-alone agency will continue on.  Williams noted she had heard from many constituents in the district opposed to eliminating the agency.  DOGAMI plays a key role in preparing Oregon for hazards like earthquakes and landslides.

Developers of the Goldendale Pump Storage energy project are hoping construction will begin sometime between 2025 and 2027.  Wasco County Commissioners heard a report on the two-point-five billion dollar project being developed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners in Denmark.  Rye Development Vice President of Project Management Michael Rooney says currently they are involved in the environmental assessment phase, and will be for the next couple of years.  The project is on private land along the Columbia River near the former aluminum smelter site eight miles southeast of Goldendale.

Cross Country Hood River Valley won both the boys and girls Intermountain Conference cross country championships at Sorosis Park.  The Dalles finished second in both races.  The Eagle girls were dominant on the way to their fifth straight league title, taking four of the top seven places.  Chloe Bullock was the individual winner, with Phoebe Wood third, Mieka McKnight sixth, and Sophie Kaden seventh.  The Dalles’ Hanna Ziegenhagen was second, with Emily Johnson of the Riverhawks eighth.  In the boys’ race, HRV grabbed four of the top ten places, topped by Elliott Hawley in third, followed by Jackson Bullock in seventh, Thomas Ziegler in eighth, and William Bunch in tenth.  For The Dalles Juan Diego Contreras took second, Nick Caracciolo in fifth, and Leo Lemann in sixth.   Intermountain Conference Soccer Tournament Boys Semi-Finals Hood River Valley 5, Pendleton 0 Ridgeview 4, The Dalles 1   Girls Semi-Finals Hood River Valley 1, The Dalles 0, overtime:  The Eagles scored in the 97th minute of the game to grab the win, and advance to the championship match against Ridgeview on Friday.

Wasco County Commissioners heard a proposed process for disbursing funds from community service fees paid by Google as part of the Enterprise Zone agreement for construction of its Taylor Lakes facility.  The first three years of fees have gone towards the Columbia Gorge Community College skills center project, but the question revolves around the remaining 12 years of the agreement, staring in January 2023.  County Administrative Services Director Matthew Klebes says this process would leverage the existing Wasco County Economic Development Commission’s annual Community Enhancement Project process to identify potential projects to receive funding.  The Dalles City Council will hear the same proposal on Monday.  County Commission Chair Scott Hege said he wants other taxing districts to weigh in on the proposal.

Fire burned a duplex at 230 East Main in Goldendale on Monday afternoon.  According to the Goldendale Fire Department, the fire occurred around 1:30 p.m., and firefighters arrived to find the duplex fully involved.  Crews were able to contain the fire to the single structure.  Occupants were evacuated safely, and one person was treated by Klickitat County EMS and transported to Klickitat Valley Health.  The cause of the fire is undetermined.  Rural 7 Fire, Klickitat County EMS, Goldendale Police, the County Department of Emergency Management, Klickitat PUD, Avista, and Goldendale Public Works were all involved in responding to the fire.  

Intermountain Conference Volleyball Tournament First Round The Dalles def. Hood River Valley 25-17, 25-18, 25-23:  The Riverhawks will play a semi-final match on Thursday on the road.  

Wasco County’s legal counsel, district attorney, and sheriff advised County Commissioners to let legal proceedings surrounding a voter-approved Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance in Columbia County play out before considering any similar action.  County Commissioner Steve Kramer brought the subject for discussion as the Oregon Legislature considers Senate Bill 554 which authorizes entities that own, occupy or control public buildings to adopt ordinances, rules, or policies limiting or precluding possession of firearms in those buildings by concealed handgun licensees.  The Columbia County ordinance, along with those in Wheeler and Yamhill counties, seek to prohibit the use of county resource to enforce state and federal gun laws.  Wasco County legal counsel Kristen Campbell said that leads to a pre-emption issue, as a County can’t pre-empt state or federal law.  District Attorney Matthew Ellis added the supremacy clause prohibits local laws in conflict with federal statutes, and Sheriff Lane Magill said he was concerned about leaving officers vulnerable to civil lawsuits.

Washington 14th District State Representative Gina Mosbrucker has introduced legislation to help tribal and law enforcement authorities work together to solve cases involving missing and murdered indigenous persons.   House Bill 1571, or “The Bring Them Home Bill,” follows up on two other bills on the subject the Goldendale Republican has introduced and helped pass over the past three years.  Mosbrucker says this bill has five parts, including establishing an Amber Alert-type system.  She adds this bill is being introduced now to set it up for consideration in the 2022 legislative session.  The bill also allows tribal members to pray over a deceased indigenous person without compromising the scene before an autopsy is conducted.

Wasco County has reported only six new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks, but County officials are reminding people to keep observing public health guidelines, noting case rate increases in other parts of the state.  County Commission Chair Scott Hege said this is not the time to let our guard down.  County Administrator Tyler Stone noted people can still use the North Central Public Health District website, ncphd.org, to sign up to be vaccinated.  He added the district is working with the Oregon Health Authority for Wasco County to receive some of the Pfizer vaccine approved for use in 16 and 17-year-olds.

The Hood River County Health Department and Heart of Hospice are holding a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for Cascade Locks residents on Thursday and Sunday.  It will be a walk-in clinic with no appointment necessary, with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that requires just one dose being offered.  Vaccinations are free, with no identification or insurance information required.  Name, date of birth, and address will be requested for the vaccine card.  The clinic will be in the Marine Park Pavilion in Cascade Locks on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  For information call 541-386-1942.