Eric Nisley will finish his term as Wasco County District Attorney after the Oregon Supreme Court ruled Thursday he remains the lawful holder of the office despite a 60-day suspension of his law license earlier this year.  In the Court’s ruling, Justice Meagan Flynn wrote that the panel was “persuaded the Legislature did not intend that every suspension of a district attorney’s ability to practice law would create a vacancy in the office.”  Nisley served the suspension starting February 10 when the state’s highest court upheld an Oregon State Bar charge against him.  Nisley lost his re-election bid in May to Matthew Ellis.  His term will run until January, when Ellis is sworn in as the county’s new district attorney.  A lawyer from Oregon’s Department of Justice has been running the Wasco County D.A.’s office since February.

COVID-19 numbers in Oregon have bumped upward, as the Oregon Health Authority’s daily report on Thursday added 382 new confirmed or presumed COVID-19 cases.  That’s the largest single day number since mid-July, and the second time in three days over 325.  OHA officials say it is a reminder of the importance of staying six feet apart from each other; wearing a face covering when six feet of physical distance cannot be maintained and limiting the size of gatherings.  The state reported two deaths that occurred this week, moving that total to 539.  The report listed six new cases in Wasco County, moving the County’s pandemic total number to 279, with 204 listed as recovered using as a metric 30 days from the onset of illness and in stable medical condition.  Hood River County had one additional case, putting its total at 249, with the County’s latest tabulation showing 241 as out of isolation.  Gilliam County remains at eight total cases with four listed as recovered.  Sherman County stays at 18, with 17 listed as recovered.

Showers and breezy conditions were expected to continue across the Riverside Fire area Thursday with cool temperatures and high humidity.  Gusty winds were also expected, especially at higher elevations.  The fire on the Mt. Hood National Forest in Clackamas County is listed at 34% containment, and is 138,029 acres in size.  The fire continues to smolder in areas where heavy fuels including logs, stumps, and deep layers of needles are sheltered from rain.  Firefighters are mopping up and patrolling 90 miles of completed fireline.  Fire crews and heavy equipment continue to expand and strengthen firelines where they can do so safely and effectively.

The U.S. Forest Service and Oregon State Parks have decided to re-open some recreation sites in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area that were closed due to fire danger.  Oregon State Parks is re-opening previously closed parks along the Historic Columbia River Highway from Larch Mountain to Ainsworth as well as the Angel’s Rest Trailhead and trail and Mount Defiance at Starvation Creek.  Scenic Area Manager Lynn Burditt emphasized several sites within the area will not be re-opening.  Public safety closures near Eagle Creek, Herman Creek, and several other locations remain in place and are not related to recent wildfire risks.  To plan around closures and to find open outdoor recreation areas, go online to ReadySetGOrge.com.

Hood River County School District administrators are reporting a good start to distance learning after over a week of being fully underway.  Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn told the District board he has been receiving good reports from most staff, students, and parents he has talked to.  District Curriculum Director Bill Newton added student attendance has been strong.  Newton said they continue to identify areas they need to improve and work on, including connecting with struggling students.  Polkinghorn says in the weeks ahead they will also be focusing on plans for a return to in-person learning in some form once Hood River County meets the metrics to do so.

Fall term at Columbia Gorge Community College begins Monday, with classes continuing to be offered online rather than in person.  But both the The Dalles and Hood River campuses have begun to open on a limited basis, with the library at both locations, the school bookstore, student services, business office, and The Hook café available with reduced hours and COVID-19 limitations.  For hours of operation, go to cgcc.edu.

Over two inches of rain fell Wednesday on the area of the Big Hollow Fire on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  Fire officials said minimal fire movement was observed by firefighters, while heavy fuels such as larger logs and stumps continue to burn in place.  Crews patrolled and worked on clearing fire debris along roadways and containment lines.  The fire remains at 15% containment, and is 24,995 acres in size.  A Level 3 “Go” evacuation order remains in effect for cabins located at Government Mineral Springs near the Trapper Creek Wilderness.  Wind River Highway/Forest Road 30 is still partially closed between the Carson National Fish Hatchery and Curly Creek Road.  It remains open north of Curly Creek Road towards the Lone Butte area.

Rain fell on the Lionshead Fire west of Warm Springs overnight.  The rain was variable, but over an inch fell on some sections of the fire.  Fire officials say that will reduce fire behavior and should allow crews to make more progress.  The wind picked up Wednesday afternoon, resulting in increased burning in green islands well within the fire’s perimeter.  The fire gained some acreage, with size now listed at 203,566 acres, but containment remained at 15%.

Showers and breezy conditions were expected to continue across the Riverside Fire area Thursday with cool temperatures and high humidity.  Gusty winds were also expected, especially at higher elevations.  The fire on the Mt. Hood National Forest in Clackamas County is listed at 34% containment, and is 138,029 acres in size.  The fire continues to smolder in areas where heavy fuels including logs, stumps, and deep layers of needles are sheltered from rain.  Firefighters are mopping up and patrolling 90 miles of completed fireline.  Fire crews and heavy equipment continue to expand and strengthen firelines where they can do so safely and effectively.

The Hood River County Health Department announced Wednesday that the Oregon Health Authority will do drive-thru or walk-up COVID-19 testing in Cascade Locks, Parkdale, and Hood River next week.  The testing events will be this September 29 at the Cascade Locks Marine Park Pavilion, September 30 at Parkdale Elementary School, and October 1 at River of Life Assembly on 979 Tucker Road in Hood River.  Hours for all three days are from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.  No appointment is needed, and you should bring a form of identification and medical insurance card if you have them.  Testing will be done by Medical Teams International.