The Dalles City Council approved an extended five-year Enterprise Zone tax abatement agreement for Worldwide Structures, a California company specializing in constructing affordable home kits that are shipped out to be constructed on site.  The company intends to employ about 50 people when it builds a facility on River Road in The Dalles.  Company President and CEO Craig Novak told the Council that the Native American and Service Disabled-owned business will supply product throughout the West.  The Port and County had already approved the Enterprise Zone agreement, which calls for three years of tax abatements that would extend to five as long as the company meets employment benchmarks.

Hood River City Councilors approved a resolution for racial and social equity within the City.  The over two-page resolution says the City “will fight discrimination and recklessness in all its forms” and described Hood River as “a place of sanctuary and safety” that nurtures “a culture of trust between police, immigrants and communities of color so all residents feel safe in their neighborhoods.”  Mayor Kate McBride says the resolution is one step in a bigger conversation.  The resolution commits the City to review progress and update strategies on an annual basis.

A motorcyclist was injured in a one-car accident on Highway 14 in Klickitat County on Monday afternoon.  According to the Washington State Patrol…63-year-old Donald Janssen of Sequim, Iowa was westbound on Highway 14 at milepost 77 east of Lyle when he struck a rock.  Janssen was injured and taken to Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles.  The WSP says he was wearing a helmet.  The accident occurred just before 3 p.m. on Monday.

Port of Hood River officials say crowding was less of a problem at its Columbia River recreation sites this weekend, thanks in part to a lack of wind.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee said the high temperatures brought out a lot of people getting to the water to cool off, but they were generally well spread out.  Due to the lack of wind there was very limited kiteboarding and windsurfing activity.  McElwee added the “passholder only” stipulation at the Event Site worked well.  He says they were pleased with this past weekend, but adds the big test of steps the Port took last week to limit crowds will be a weekend with high winds and hot temperatures.

Klickitat County hopes to learn Tuesday the new guidelines to apply to the state of Washington to move into a new phase of reopening.  The County had applied to move into Phase 3 a few weeks ago, but that application was returned when Washington Governor Jay Inslee put a pause on the process as the state saw an uptick in COVID-19 cases.  Commissioner David Satuer says there will be a briefing on the subject from health authorities on Tuesday, but beyond updating numbers he does not expect the County to have to gather significant new data for a new application.  Sauter adds County residents having been doing a good job in controlling COVID-19 and need to keep doing what they are doing to stay on that course.

Hood River City Councilors on Monday evening will consider approving an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation to transfer ownership of Oak Street between State Street and 13th from ODOT to the City.  Oak Street is actually State Highway 30, dating back to before the existence of Interstate 84.  The City sought to acquire the ownership when ODOT was going to require removal of parklets currently in use by restaurants on the street to allow outdoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Mayor Kate McBride says while there was urgency to get the agreement done because of that, the move will allow the City to address issues on Oak in a more expeditious manner.  Under the agreement ODOT will bring all ADA ramps within the section to current state standards, and upgrade the pavement between 5th and 13th or provide funds to the City to do so.  The Council will hold a Zoom meeting at 6 p.m., information on how to listen in is available at the City of Hood River website.

Oregon Health Authority officials said during a Friday media briefing that Oregon remains on a troubling COVID-19 trajectory, but they are starting to see hopeful signs even though it is too soon to say how much impact face covering and gathering limitations put into place over the last few weeks are having.  OHA Executive Director Patrick Allen called the coming weeks “pivotal.”  Allen said data is showing social gatherings are still a big source of virus transmission, and state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said modeling is showing face coverings and gathering limitations are helping and need to continue.  Sidelinger says they are seeing actions taken at the end of June and the beginning of July starting to have an effect on transmission in the state, and if people continue with adherence to the recommendations and requirements they can continue to see a decrease.  Sidelinger said under modeling assuming Oregonians follow the state’s COVID-19 guidance, the transmission rate drops to under one, an important mark for bringing the virus under control.

A woman is in custody on numerous charges after setting a fire in the garage of a residence in Carson early Wednesday morning that destroyed a vehicle and damaged the house.  According to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, a review of the homeowner’s security cameras revealed the fire was set by pouring an accelerant around the vehicle in the garage and up to the door leading into the residence.  The Sheriff’s Office also found smoke detectors in the house had been tampered with to make them inoperable.  18-year-old Michaela Cutler of Camas was taken into custody at a nearby hotel, and faces felony charges including attempted murder, first degree arson, burglary, and possession of stolen firearms.  The Sheriff’s Office says Cutler has been arraigned and is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

School officials now have guidance updates from the Oregon Department of Education as they try to determine how to proceed with classes in the fall.  North Wasco County School District 21 Interim Superintendent Theresa Peters says the updates are extensive, adding among what stood out was organizing students in a way where they are exposed to as small a group of fellow students as possible to reduce the opportunities for close contact, and that would be easier to achieve at the elementary level than the secondary level.  Peters says they plan to share their plans with parents in early August and submit them to the North Central Public Health District, then they will receive a final set of guidance updates from the ODE on August 11.

The Forest Service says Herman Creek Trailhead will be temporarily closed for several weeks beginning Tuesday while crews work on removing hazardous trees with laminated root rot within the Herman Creek Horse Camp. Laminated root rot is the most damaging root disease of forest trees in Oregon and Washington.  Infected trees may appear outwardly healthy but are often unstable and can fall without warning.  The removal of hazard trees infected with laminated root rot is necessary for the re-opening of the Herman Creek campground and to prevent the spread of root rot to adjacent areas.  The Herman Creek Trailhead is adjacent to the Horse Camp and provides access to the Mark 0. Hatfield Wilderness, Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, Herman Creek Trail, Gorge 400 Trail, and several additional National Forest System trails.