Two bills authored by Washington 14th District State Rep. Gina Mosbrucker that would provide additional help for domestic violence victims and work to protect private information in state agencies from cyber hackers passed a Senate committee Wednesday.  House Bill 1315 would create a task force on domestic violence and workplace resources to identify the role of the workplace in helping to curb domestic violence.  The measure passed the House on March 1 with a unanimous vote, and was approved Wednesday in the Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee.  The same committee approved Mosbrucker’s House Bill 1455, which seeks to provide greater security against data breaches within the Employment Security Department and the Department of Labor and Industries.  It asks Employment Security and Labor and Industries to examine their practices of how they disclose individual Social Security numbers in agency correspondence with third party entities.

The Oregon Department of Revenue is joining the IRS and automatically extending the income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year from April 15 to May 17.  Both the IRS and the Oregon Department of Revenue will be providing formal guidance in the coming days.  Individual taxpayers can also postpone state income tax payments for the 2020 tax year due on April 15 to May 17 without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed.  This postponement applies to individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax.  Penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of May 18.  Individual taxpayers will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by May 17.  Individual taxpayers do not need to file any forms or call the Department of Revenue to qualify for this automatic tax filing and payment relief.

Cross Country Hood River Valley grabbed places two through 11 to run by Ridgeview in an Intermountain Conference boys’ cross country race.  Elliott Hawley was second and Thomas Ziegler third to lead the Eagle effort.  HRV also won the girls’ run with Ridgeview fielding an incomplete team.  The Eagles’ Chloe Bullock was the individual winner, with Savanna Pitman in third.   The Dalles used a 1-2-3 finish to defeat Pendleton in an Intermountain Conference boys’ cross country dual.  Juan Diego Contreras finished first, followed by Nick Caracciolo and Leo Lemann.  Pendleton nipped the Riverhawks in the girls’ competition.  The Dalles’ Hanna Ziegenhagen was the individual winner, while teammate Emily Johnson was fourth.   Boys Soccer Hood River Valley 8, Crook County 1   Southwest Washington Class 1A Girls Soccer Tournament Consolation Round Elma 5, Goldendale 1

The Hood River City Council unanimously directed municipal staff to prepare a utility rate setting resolution for the upcoming fiscal year based on the recommendations made by a consulting firm.  It would include rate credits for non-residential stormwater mitigation efforts offset by a broadbased rate increase across all stormwater customers, and water and sewer rate assistance for those making 60 percent below the area median income to be paid for by a broadbased phased-in rate increase across all water and sewer ratepayers.  It also includes a program to provide rate credits applied to electricity bills equal to the water and sewer discounts for low income households where water and sewer charges are included in their rent.  Mayor Kate McBride said the recommendation stems from the most thorough utility rate review the City has undertaken in many years.  The resolution will come back to the Council for a final vote at a future meeting.  

North Central Public Health District is planning for how they will distribute COVID-19 vaccines in their three-county service area as supplies increase.  District Health Officer Dr. Mimi McDonnell told the Wasco County Commission they plan to get doses out in Wasco, Gilliam, and Sherman counties in as many ways as possible in addition to the clinics they currently hold in the Fort Dalles Readiness Center.  McDonell adds the anticipation is as more and more people are vaccinated and supplies increase, the expectation is larger scale events will decrease.

Boys Soccer Clackamas 2, Hood River Valley 0:  Cameron Gaines scored both of the Cavaliers’ goals in the first 21 minutes of the game as the 6A school ran its record to 5-0.   Girls Soccer Madison 3, Hood River Valley 0   Volleyball Pendleton def. Hood River Valley, 3 games to 0 Crook County def. The Dalles 25-16, 25-21, 25-17 Dufur def. South Wasco 25-22, 25-10, 26-24 Sherman def. Bickleton 25-15, 25-17, 25-14   Southwest Washington Class 1A Volleyball Tournament Goldendale def. Tenino 3 games to 0

The Hood River City Council will continue deliberations in two weeks on language for an ordinance to create code to allow construction of what is termed “middle housing,” including duplexes, triplexes, and cottages, in all residential zones in the latest attempt by the City to encourage construction of affordable housing.  But it was apparent Councilors will be approving the ordinance once a number of details are hashed out, including parking requirements.  A second night of testimony brought a mixed bag of public opinion, with some urging passage to create more workforce housing opportunities, while others worried it would change the look and feel of Hood River.  Councilor Erick Haynie is seeking an amendment to require the City to review the code on an annual basis to determine if it is effective.  Deliberations will continue on March 29 at 6 p.m.  

Hood River County Health Department Director Trish Elliott told County Commissioners on Monday that the Oregon Health Authority has indicated starting March 29 the County will start to receive about two thousand doses of COVID-19 vaccine per week.  Elliott says that’s in the vicinity of four times what they currently receive.  Elliott told the Commission they do have a plan for increasing the capacity to provide vaccinations.  She said the health department had administered just under four thousand COVID vaccinations, and their community partners are adding to that amount.  Elliott also said the County has had only six positive COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the last week, and they are only monitoring six active cases at this time.

Boys Soccer Trout Lake 2, Horizon Christian 0   Southwest Washington Class 1A Girls Soccer Playoff Montesano 9, Goldendale 0:  Goldendale plays at Elma in a consolation round match tomorrow at 6 p.m.

The candidate filing deadline for the May 18 Special District elections in Oregon is this Thursday.  Seats on various special district boards including ports and school districts will be on the ballot.  Open positions and filing information, including who has already filed to be on the ballot, are available on elections pages on both the Wasco and Hood River county webpages.  People can also call the Wasco County Clerk’s office at 541-506-2530 or the Hood River County elections office at 541-386-1442 for assistance.  Filings are accepted until 5 p.m. on Thursday.  It is also the last day for someone who has filed to withdraw.