North Central Public Health District reports through the end of the week ending March 6, over 8,400 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in its three-county service area of Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties.  Entities providing vaccines include NCPHD, Mid-Columbia Medical Center, One Community Health, Sherman County Medical Clinic in Moro, Arlington Medical Center, South Gilliam Health Center in Condon and Deschutes Rim Clinic in Maupin.  Local long term care facility residents and staff were vaccinated by national pharmacy chains.  Local pharmacies, including Safeway and Bi-Mart in The Dalles in Wasco County and Murray’s Drug in Condon in Gilliam County are vaccinating people currently.  The NCPHD says Wasco County has vaccinated 19.48 % of its population, Sherman County 20.71% and Gilliam County 20.54%.

The Port of Hood River meets Tuesday, starting with a worksession to discuss future uses of the Ken Jernstedt Airfield.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says they are discussing the core question of “what does the airport want to be” given it is a small visual flight rules airport with an increasing number of people living in proximity to it.  The worksession begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday, and proceeds the Port’s regular meeting begins at 5 p.m.  Log-in information is available at portofhoodriver.com.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is taking requests from Wasco County businesses for two upcoming rounds of free personal protective equipment distributions by Business Oregon, but the deadline to submit request forms is Tuesday at 4 p.m.  One of the rounds of supplies will be distributed on Friday, but the second round is meant to cover the next six months.  Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says businesses need to think long-term for the final round.  Forms are available at thedalleschamber.com.

Washington Gorge Action Programs has hired a Pathways Program Coordinator to support the Native American population in Skamania and Klickitat Counties.  Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs member Shawyna Spino  joined the WAGAP team in October as a youth specialist.  She is a 2020 graduate of Lyle High School.  Spino is working to create a cycle of visitations to places where native people gather, in an effort to make people aware of programs and services that are available, including food banks and housing options within the WAGAP system, and to make referrals to other local programs such as legal assistance and counseling.

Football Hood River Valley 22, Redmond 0:  Trenton Hughes had touchdown runs of 55 and 56 yards in the second half as the Eagles pulled away in a game that was scoreless at halftime. Ryles Buckley intercepted three passes as HRV forced five Panther turnovers on the way to their second consecutive victory.  Tanner Fletcher ran for 110 yards, his ninth straight game over the century mark. The Dalles 27, Putnam 6:  The Riverhawks generated 555 yards in total offense on the way to a season-opening win.  Skyler Leeson ran for an 83 yard touchdown and threw for a score, while Jaxon Pullen had a 70-yard scoring run. LaCenter 42, Columbia 0 Stevenson 18, Morton-White Pass 12 (2 OT):  The Bulldogs get the win after stopping Morton-White Pass at the two-yard line to force overtime. Seton Catholic 36, Goldendale 28:  A Timberwolf comeback bid fell just short as they were stopped at the two-yard line in the final seconds.  Goldendale’s Caleb Smith ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns, while also scoring on an 85-yard kick return. Dufur 40, Crane 18 South Wasco 62, Sherman 44 DeSales 42, Lyle-Wishram 14   Girls Soccer The Dalles 4, Mac-Hi 0 Hermiston 2, Hood River Valley 1 Seton Catholic 2, Columbia 1 Columbia 2, Goldendale 1 Washington Class 2B District Playoff:  Adna 1, Stevenson 0   Boys Soccer Mac-Hi 4, The Dalles 0   Volleyball Redmond def. The Dalles 25-20, 25-16, 26-24 Ridgeview def. Hood River Valley 25-17, 25-9, 25-12 Sisters def. Hood River Valley 25-6, 25-8, 25-13   Cross Country Goldendale was third and Columbia fourth in the Trico League boys’ cross country championships in White Salmon.  Nick Bowdish finished sixth for the Timberwolves, while the Bruins’ Camden Uffleman was seventh.  LaCenter won the team title.  In the girls’ race, Columbia’s Ella Zimmerman had the top local finish in tenth, with Seton Catholic the team champion.

Boys Soccer Hood River.Valley 3, The Dalles 0:  Omar Escobedo and Jaden Dubon scored in the opening eight minutes to get the Eagles off to a quick start.  Cody Cornejo added a late tally in the final minute. Horizon Christian 1, Columbia Christian 1   Girls Soccer Hermiston 4, The Dalles 1   Volleyball Hood River Valley def. The Dalles, 18-25, 25-20, 25-13, 25-22 Goldendale def. King’s Way Christian 25-12, 25-23, 21-25, 20-25, 15-11:  Goldendale goes to 5-0 in the Trico League and takes a two-match lead over King’s Way atop the standings. Columbia def. Seton Catholic 3 games to 2:  First win of the league season for the Bruins. Sherman def. Mitchell-Spray 25-16, 25-16, 25-21 South Wasco def. Klickitat-Glenwood 25-17, 25-9, 25-14 Onalaska def. Stevenson 25-11, 25-8, 25-11   Cross Country Stevenson’s Isabella Spencer finished second in the girls’ race at the Central 2B League Championships in Onalaska.  Spencer finished a little over 43 seconds behind winner Selena Niemi of Kalama.  Stevenson finished fifth in the boys’ team standings.  Yanni Belousov was the top Bulldog finisher in 22nd.

Hood River County moves into Oregon’s COVID-19 lower risk category beginning Friday.  Hood River County Health Department Director Trish Elliott says COVID case numbers have dropped steadily in the last month, with only fifteen in the two-week period that ended last Saturday that resulted in the category change.  Elliott does caution people still need to continue to exercise precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Wasco County remains in the lower risk category after seeing only four new COVID-19 cases in the two-week period that ended last weekend.

Hood River City Manager Rachael Fuller will step down from her position in July.  In her resignation letter, Fuller stated that she had made the “very difficult” decision to move on from her position for personal reasons.  In the letter, Fuller said her last day of work will be July 2, providing time to complete the budget process, get through the worst of the COVID-19 health crisis and finish several key projects.  Fuller added she is committed to a smooth transition and will do whatever she can to support the City Council and the organization in this regard, including being available to assist with projects, if needed.  Mayor Kate McBride said she was sad to lose Fuller as City Manager, but is grateful for her service to the community, especially during the challenges of the past year.  McBride says the Council will decide how to fill the position and will likely request proposals from executive recruiting firms to assist with the search for Fuller’s replacement.

The Klickitat County Health Department on Thursday confirmed the COVID-19 related death of a county resident.  According to the department, the individual was 80 years old and had tested positive for COVID-19.  They were transported to a hospital where they died on Tuesday.  County health officials say this person did have underlying health issues that affected their health in addition to having COVID-19.  Klickitat County has had a total of 743 COVID-19 cases to date and nine deaths.  The health department is investigating any and all close contacts or possible exposures related to this individual.  At this time, it appears that the case was related to community transmission.  Klickitat County Public Health Director Erinn Quinn emphasized the importance of continuing to wear face coverings in public and staying home when feeling sick.

Cross Country The Dalles won the boys’ race and Hood River Valley the girls’ competition in an Intermountain Conference dual at Sorosis Park.  In the boys’ run, Juan Diego Contreras and Nick Caracciolo had a one-two finish for the Riverhawks, with the Eagles’ Thomas Ziegler in third.  In the girls’ race, HRV took five of the top six places, led by individual winner Chloe Bullock.  The Dalles’ Hanna Ziegenhagen finished second.   Volleyball Dufur def. Lyle-Wishram 25-15, 26-24, 25-12 Toutle Lake def. Stevenson 3 games to 0   Girls Soccer Stevenson 2, Winlock 1