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.

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.