The Dalles municipal budget committee wrapped up its process Tuesday after two evenings of work.  The panel approved the budget as presented by staff for recommendation to the City Council.  City Councilor Tim McGlothlin chaired the committee, and said they finished an in-depth analysis of the budget.  In her budget message, City Manager Julie Krueger told the panel the budget for the 2021-22 Fiscal Year reflects the City Council’s goal of maintaining fiscal stability.  Krueger said the proposed total city budget for FY 2021-22 is up by about three percent from the current fiscal year.  The budget goes before the City Council later this spring.

The Next Door, which services seven different counties in the Mid-Columbia through 40 different agencies, is holding a fundraising drive for its 50th anniversary.  Executive Director Janet Hamada says their goal is to raise $50,000 in $50 donations from 1,000 people.  Hamada noted they have added 15 different programs in the last year to respond to community needs during the pandemic, with a focus on mental health support.  Hamada said monies raised will be spread throughout their programs, with a focus on responding to today’s needs.  To donate, go to nextdoorinc.org.

Baseball Hood River Valley 10, Redmond 7:  Hunter Hough’s two-run double brought home the game winning runs as HRV scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to come back from a 7-3 deficit.  Mason Spellecy drove in four runs on three hits, including two doubles, and Jake Von Lubken homered.   Crook County 8, The Dalles 3:  The Cowboys scored seven runs in the last three innings to grab the win.  Braden Schwartz homered for the Riverhawks.   Dufur sweeps Sherman 12-2 and 20-9   Softball Hood River Valley 17, Redmond 4 Crook County 10, The Dalles 8:  Maddie Troutt hit two home runs and drove in four runs for the Riverhawks, whose comeback after the Cowgirls scored five runs in the third inning fell just short.   Girls Lacrosse Hood River Valley 11, Grant 8:  Emma Kroll scored four goals for the Eagles.

With statewide hospitalization rates leveling, Wasco County is one of 15 counties that will move down from extreme risk to the high risk category on Friday, while Hood River County drops from high risk to moderate risk.  Oregon Governor Kate Brown said Tuesday that the lifting of the extreme risk measures come with “great personal responsibility for us all.  “She added if Oregonians follow health and safety measures and get vaccinated as fast as possible, the state should see COVID-19 case and hospitalization rates decline.  The North Central Public Health District says Wasco County had 68 cases in the latest 14-day lookback, which qualifies for extreme risk, but Brown had previously said counties would not be put in extreme risk unless statewide hospitalization numbers and rates exceeded thresholds.  Brown said counties would only be in extreme risk if 300 or more people were hospitalized with COVID and there’d been a 15 percent increase in the seven-day hospitalization average over the past week.  She said the seven-day average has dropped below 15 percent.  In the high risk category, indoor dining is allowed at 25 percent capacity, gyms can have 25 percent occupancy; and inside visitation is allowed at long-term care facilities.  Faith institutions can have maximum 25 percent occupancy or 150 people, whichever is smaller.

The Hood River County Commission voted to inform the Columbia River Gorge Commission that it intends to adopt recent revisions to the National Scenic Area’s Management Plan into its zoning ordinance, but Commissioners are going to express their unhappiness with how the county has been treated in the process.  Commissioners will insert into their notice that funding for implementing the ordinances does not match the County’s costs, and that their views during the recent management plan revisions went largely unheard.  Commissioner Les Perkins felt work County planning staff did to provide input during the management plan revision process seemed to be ignored.  But Perkins and other commissioners did say it wouldn’t help the community to pull out and have the Gorge Commission handle permits in the National Scenic Area, noting it would make the situation worse for those who live in the Scenic Area.

North Central Public Health District will hold a mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic this Friday that will visit several local restaurant/pubs and offer the one-and-done Johnson & Johnson vaccine, with all participants receiving $10 in tokens for food.  District Health Officer Dr. Mimi McDonell says they are trying to take the vaccine to where people are.  The mobile clinic will run from 5 p.m. until about 9 p.m. on Friday, and will begin at Freebridge Brewing, then at around 6:15 will head to the Bargeway Pub, and then wrap up at about 7:45 p.m. at Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza and Winery.  More establishments may be added later.  Participants will receive the free vaccine and two $5 tokens that can be redeemed Friday evening for food.   Participants will be vaccinated in a van provided by Wasco County, and then will hang out in chairs on the sidewalk for a 15-minute observation period.

Hood River County Health Department is moving toward holding smaller COVID-19 vaccination events.  Department Director Trish Elliott told County Commissioners on Monday that they are moving toward getting away from events that utilize appointments as vaccine becomes more readily available.  She notes that for some people having to make an appointment is a barrier to getting the vaccine.  There will be a drop-in clinic using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hood River County Health Department on 1109 June Street.  For more information go to hrccovid19.org or call 541-387-6911.

The Dalles municipal budget committee started its work on Monday evening.  In her budget message, City Manager Julie Krueger told the panel the budget for the 2021-22 Fiscal Year reflects the City Council’s goal of maintaining fiscal stability.  Krueger said the proposed total city budget for FY 2021-22 is up by about three percent from the current year.  During public testimony before the committee began reviewing the budget with department heads, former Mayor Steve Lawrence called for money to be allocated toward establishing an economic development coordinator to help attract businesses into the downtown area.  The budget committee continues its work Tuesday at 5:30, and the meeting can be accessed via Zoom by going to the City of The Dalles website, thedalles.org.

Work continues to progress toward establishing an energy storage project on former aluminum plant property south of Goldendale along the Columbia River in Klickitat County using a closed hydro system that moves water between two reservoirs to create energy.  Erik Steimle of Rye Development, which is developing the project for Copehagen Investment Partners of Denmark, says they are currently working through Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Washington State Department of Ecology processes that began in 2018.  Steimle says those agencies are working through their own environmental reviews, which should wrap up sometime in 2022, and could allow construction to begin in the 2023-24 timeline.  Steimle says the $2 billion project is estimated to create 3,000 construction jobs while it is being built, and 60 permanent jobs.  

The North Wasco County Education Foundation has received a donation to start movement towards a school-based health center at The Dalles High School.  The foundation says it has received a $200,000 donatoin from long-time Mosier resident and Columbia Gorge Educational Services District board member Susan Gabay in honor of her deceased husband and daughter.  It is estimated establishing a school-based health center in The Dalles will cost between one-to-two million dollars.  The Foundation says it soliciting other contributions while holding the initial donation in an earmarked fund, and it will be a catalyst for applying for grants that require a matching contribution.  Those who would like to donate can do so at northwascoed.org.