Oregon and Washington fishery managers have decided to continue the one adult hatchery steelhead bag limit through March 31for the ongoing fishery in the mainstem Columbia River from The Dalles Dam upstream to the Highway 395 Bridge near Pasco.  The low pre-season forecast prompted fishery managers to take a conservative approach when setting regulations for the 2020-2021 summer steelhead run.  Although the B-Index summer steelhead run is currently projected at 32,300 fish compared to the preseason expectation of 9,600 fish, fishery managers want to maintain a conservative approach.  Anglers are reminded that permanent regulations will be in effect beginning Jan. 1 for the mainstem Columbia River from the mouth upstream to The Dalles Dam and in the John Day River downstream of Tumwater Falls. See permanent regulations at http://www.eregulations.com/oregon/fishing/.

Long-term care residents and staff in Oregon began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations Monday under a statewide rollout plan that prioritizes Oregonians who have been disproportionally impacted by the pandemic.  Older adults and people with underlying health conditions are more likely to suffer life-threatening health consequences if they contract the virus.  Given that the virus is so contagious, the risks are particularly high for those who live in large group settings.   Because of this, an estimated 22,425 vaccine doses are planned for nursing facilities, and as the rollout continues, additional doses will be allocated to assisted living and residential care facilities.  The OHA says pharmacy partners set up on-site vaccination clinics at the state’s long-term care facilities as well as smaller congregate care settings.  Smaller congregate care settings include adult foster homes and group care homes.

NW Natural says its crews began the process this morning of restoring gas service to about 1,500 customers in White Salmon-Bingen, and expects to start a process for about 4,000 customers in the Hood River Valley on Wednesday that could take several days.  A statement from the company this morning said the restorations will occur in a phased approach as it works with Williams NW Pipeline, which is repairing damage to its district regulator station after a vehicle crashed into it late Sunday night, leading to the shutdown of its gas line.  NW Natural says its schedule is dependent on when Williams completes repairs.  When NW Natural can begin restoring service, technicians will be going door-to-door to affected customers.  Customers do not need to do anything, and should not relight their equipment but wait to be contacted by NW Natural.   If a customer is not home, the technician will leave a door hanger with a phone number to call to schedule a time that works, typically that same day.  NW Natural has brought in extra crews and is receiving additional assistance from other utilities through a mutual assistance program.  Customers may see employees wearing badges from NW Natural, Avista, Cascade or Puget Sound Energy.  All workers will carry ID when they arrive at customer homes and will follow COVID-19 safety protocols.  NW Natural distributed blankets to customers from the Hood River Fire Department last night and will communicate plans for additional resources and distributions later today.

Authorities are reporting COVID-19 related fatalities involving residents of Wasco and Hood River counties.  The North Central Public Health District says a third resident of the Oregon Veterans Home has died as the result of an outbreak there.  The district did not offer an age or gender of the deceased, but did say this was the 20th COVID death in Wasco County.  This person had tested positive last Monday and died the same day.  There has been 32 COVID cases linked to the Oregon Veterans Home outbreak that was first reported on October 25.   Meanwhile, the Oregon Health Authority reported that a 78-year-old woman in Hood River County who tested positive for COVID on December 6 died on Sunday.  There have now been nine COVID-19 deaths in Hood River County according to state statistics.  The OHA reported 11 new confirmed or presumptive COVID-19 cases in Wasco County ten in Hood River County in its Monday report.  Wasco County is now at 797 COVID cases for the pandemic, with 427 listed as recovered defined as 30 days without symptoms and in stable medical condition.  Hood River County is at 719 cases.  Sherman County is now at 30 with 23 recovered, and Gilliam County is at 33 cases with 21 recovered.  The OHA reported on Monday 846 new cases statewide with six deaths, moving the state’s pandemic totals to 103,755 cases and 1,347 deaths.  The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 528, which is two fewer than Sunday.  There are 121 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit beds, which is the same as Sunday.

The Port of Hood River is expecting by the end of the year or early in January to receive notice from the Oregon Department of Transportation requiring a reduction in the weight limit for the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge from 80,000 pounds to 64,000 pounds for most vehicles, and less than that for some specialized hauling vehicles.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee points out this would affect specific types of vehicles, like concrete trucks and dump trucks.  McElwee says the weight reduction will come 30 days after the Port receives notice from ODOT.  He adds large trucks account for about seven percent of the traffic that crosses the bridge.

The Historic Columbia River Highway from Bridal Veil to Ainsworth State Park and Interstate 84 Eastbound exit 41 off-ramp at Eagle Creek will both remain closed until at least Wednesday due to debris slides Sunday during heavy rainfall.  The Oregon Department of Transportation says the highway closure is due to a debris slide from heavy rainfall feeding Mosquito Springs Creek.  About 70 cubic yards of material had blocked the highway by 4 a.m. Sunday between Angel’s Rest and Multnomah Falls.

The Hood River County Health Department said Friday that about 26 residents and 18 employees have tested positive for COVID-19 in an outbreak at Hood River Care Center.  According to a statement from the department, four of the eight deaths that have occurred in the County related to COVID were residents of the Care Center who had tested positive for the virus, but it also noted not all of the deaths were directly due to COVID.  The County has had 113 new COVID cases in the past week, well above last week’s 85 that had been the highest total of the pandemic.  Also, Hood River County Health Officer Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg says the County has not received any COVID vaccine as of Thursday, but expected to receive it very soon.

The North Wasco County School District 21 board voted to support a resolution by the Medford School District calling for state officials to prioritize getting K-5 students back into classrooms and providing the resources and safety measures to do so.  The board also plans to prepare its own resolution on the topic for its next meeting in January.  D-21 board co-chair Jose Aparicio said the Oregon Legislature needs to practice what they preach in regard to education being a priority.  D-21 Superintendent Theresa Peters told the board negotiations with the D-21 Education Association on hybrid learning and the safety concerns of staff are on-going.  Peters added she has been working with the North Central Public Health District limited in-person learning opportunities.  

Hood River City Councilors have approved an ordinance giving the City Manager the discretion to suspend utility shutoff penalties and interest for non-payment of utility charges during a “unusual circumstance impacting the local economy.”  The City had enacted emergency measures at the beginning of the pandemic in March allowing for those moves, but those provisions expired at the beginning of December.  Mayor Kate McBride says this doesn’t really change what the City intends to do during the pandemic, but does give City Manager Rachael Fuller and staff flexibility to make changes as the situation warrants.  The City intends to waive utility late payment fees, interest, and suspend shutoffs for nonpayment until a COVID-19 vaccine is widely available.

The Mid-Columbia Community Action Council and Mid-Columbia Housing Authority say they have received an additional $100,000 from Oregon Housing and Community Services through its Coronavirus Relief Fund to assist area households in keeping up with their rent payments.  The agencies have collaborated to get nearly $900,000 in rental assistance out to households in the region during the pandemic.  The COVID Rent Relief Program provides rental assistance to households who are at or below 80% of the Area Median Income and have experienced a loss of income, compromised health conditions, have been diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19, or at risk of losing housing as a result of public health measures.  Funds are available through December 30 and are available on a first come, first serve basis.  For more information or to apply for the COVID Rent Relief Program, contact Mid-Columbia Housing Authority at 541-296-5462.