The United Way of the Columbia Gorge has selected Christine Baratoff as its new Executive Director.  She succeeds Jarrod Holmes, who resigned to pursue other opportunities.  Baratoff is originally from Concord, Massachusetts, and is a graduate of American University in Washington D.C.  She has previously worked as a commercial property manager, finance associate, executive assistant and statistical analyst.  Most recently, Baratoff was the Event Coordinator for the United Way of the Columbia Gorge’s Viva Las Vegas Gala in October 2019.

Highway 141/Jewett Blvd. is closed in both directions from Skyline Blvd. to Dock Grade due a contractor hitting a natural gas line. Northwest Natural is onsite and the line is being repaired.  All traffic should use Alternate 141 to access White Salmon or points west of White Salmon via Highway 141.  The period for repairs is unknown at this time. Please check the City of White Salmon’s website for updates: www.white-salmon.net.

Hood River Police Chief Neal Holste says law enforcement officials chose to err on the side of caution when they chose to make public on Monday that a social media post claimed there would be rioting and looting in Hood River that night.  Holste said his department and the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office worked to confirm the legitimacy of the threat, adding thankfully the night ended with no incidents.  Holste added there have been questions regarding citizens who arrived downtown openly carrying firearms.  He said officers spoke with those individuals about their intentions and emphasized the expectation for the situation to remain peaceful.  Holste added the peaceful protest that did take place on Monday afternoon was civil and respectful, and that Hood River law enforcement is also outraged by the incident that took place in Minneapolis.  Holste noted they will never condone that type of behavior or recklessness from police officers who have a sworn oath to protect people, and that “our nation is in a state of pain, frustration, and sadness, and we must learn from this.”  

The Mid-Columbia again saw an increase in numbers of positive COVID-19 cases Tuesday.  The update released Tuesday afternoon by the Oregon Health Authority added two more to Wasco County’s numbers to run the count there to 26 since statistics began to be compiled, while Hood River County was up by four to 22.  Many of those in the counts have recovered.  However, Hood River County Health Officer Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg said in a Facebook post Tuesday night the County’s number of confirmed or presumptive COVID-19 cases is actually around 30 with three outbreaks in congregate settings or workplaces, but adding they can’t be sure if the clusters were transmitted through workplaces or by group leisure activities in the past two weeks.  Van Tilburg said it’s difficult to give an exact number because multiple counties of residence are involved.  He also did not identify two of the congregate outbreaks outside of the one reported last week at Duckwall Fruit, however the coffee shop Dutch Bros. did release a statement on its website that one of its Hood River employees had tested positive on May 28, and that location is undergoing a deep cleaning before reopening.  Klickitat County is at 29 cases, with the addition of three Bingen residents that County Emergency Management Director Jeff King said were connected to the Duckwall outbreak either by working there or as a family member.  King said they do not foresee a cluster or community spread in Bingen.  The OHA reported 33 new and confirmed cases Tuesday in the state, including three deaths.  Oregon has now had 4,335 COVID-19 cases, with 157 deaths.

The Union Street Undercrossing in The Dalles will be closed to all traffic at times due to high water levels, which is causing water at the undercrossing to be deep enough to be hazardous to vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.  According the Army Corps of Engineers, the high water level of the Bonneville Pool is necessary for flood control due to recent rain and snow melt.    When necessary, Union Street northbound will be closed to through traffic at the railroad tracks, and will be completely closed north of the Hattenhauer access road at 111 West First Street.  Intermittent access to Lewis and Clark Festival Park will be open as river levels allow.  Approaching the undercrossing from the west side, West First Street will be closed to through traffic at Terminal Way and will be completely closed beyond the employee access to the Oregon Cherry Growers Riverside facility.  Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to use Webber Street as an alternate route to access West First Street and the west section of the Riverfront Trail during times the underpass is closed.  The closure may be periodic and sometimes sustained for several days during spring water runoff.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed some facilities at three John Day Lock & Dam recreation sites due to a severe storm that caused extensive damage over the weekend.  Winds between 40 and 50 miles per hour and gusts around 70 miles per hour toppled trees and damaged park facilities.  The day-use parks and restrooms are closed at both LePage Park and Roosevelt Park but boat ramps are open.  At Plymouth Park all facilities have been closed including the boat ramp.  Portland District natural resource specialist Nick Racine says the facilities will remain closed until damage is fully assessed and they can determine the next steps.

YouthThink in Wasco County is focusing on how kids are coping with the loss of school time and other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The organization’s Debby Jones says they are trying to keep kids engaged in life, and while there is physical distancing they want to avoid social distancing.  She adds parents have the opportunity to reconnect with their children.  Jones said the organization has been offering parenting classes online during the pandemic.  Their website is youththink.net.

Testing is underway for Duckwall Fruit employees in the wake of last week’s confirmation that four employees had tested positive for COVID-19.  A statement issued by company president Ed Weathers indicated four employees had tested positive for the virus.  Weathers said those who had positive tests last worked on May 21, and tested positive last week.  They are now in quarantine with no known hospitalizations, and 20 employees were deemed close contacts and were being contacted by health officials.  On Thursday night, Duckwall Fruit shut down its facility for a deep cleaning by a third party, and Weathers said the plant remains closed while employee testing takes place.  Weathers said they had initiated a number of preventive measures in February, including establishing crews that are one week on and one week off in an effort to minimize employee density.  He says they are working with the Oregon Department of Agricue Helture, Hood River County Health Department, and the North Central Public Health District on steps to reopen safely.

Klickitat County’s application to move into Phase 2 of the state of Washington’s reopening guidelines has been approved.  The County learned of the state’s approval Monday.  County officials say any business wanting to open that was required to wait until phase 2 can now reopen following the Safe Start Guidelines.  Each sector has a detailed document with specific industry guidelines.  Information on those guidelines is available through the County’s website.  If circumstances change within the County, such as a significant community transmission, no or minimal access to COVID-19 testing, inadequate surge capacity in the hospital, inadequate personal protective equipment supplies, inadequate case and contact investigations, inadequate isolation or quarantine facilities, or other conditions warranting significant concern, the state could revoke the variance.  Klickitat County also announced its offices and facilities will remain closed until the County can move into Phase 3.

Hood River County Commissioners unanimously approved a 99-year lease of one-and-a-quarter acres of forestland at the end of Dog River Road south of Parkdale to Crystal Springs Water District to construct a reservoir.  The land-use group Thrive Hood River had registered their objections based on the property being a part of the long-discussed land trade involving Mt. Hood Meadows and the Forest Service to head off litigation, and is set to go into mediation.  But Commissioners decided to move ahead with the lease, and Commissioner Bob Benton said it was an odd situation to be in, but felt the project was important enough to the community involved to move forward.  Commissioners voted unanimously to approve entering into the lease.