Hood River County Commissioners decided not to make any changes to their current COVID-19 emergency orders.  Commissioners on Monday did discuss whether or not to lift restrictions on lodging, but elected to wait until at least June 1.  County Administrator Jeff Hecksel said as time goes on more and more people from out of the area are coming to use the County’s open forestlands, even though he doesn’t think that represents the majority of users.  He added they are continuing to get reports of good practices by forest users.  The County Commission did continue two hearings to June 1, including on a Crystal Springs Water District easement and lease on County forestland, as they continue to work on how to better hold them and take public input under current restrictions.    

The White Salmon City Council will discuss on Wednesday how they should move forward on both dealing with a moratorium on building in residential zones and an update on the City’s comprehensive plan.  Both are issues that require public input.  Mayor Marla Keethler says it’s not likely they can get back to true public hearings for some time, and they will need to be realistic about what kind of work they can do.  The Council will meet Wednesday at 6 p.m.  For information on how to listen, go to white-salmon.net.

There were no new positive COVID-19 tests reported in Mid-Columbia counties on Monday or Tuesday morning.  Klickitat County is at either 24 or 25 with 21 or 22 in the central part of the County.  Klickitat County officials say Public Health is trying to determine the residency of what would be the 25th case.  Wasco County remains at 18, Hood River County 14, Skamania County 3, and Sherman County 1.  The Oregon Health Authority reported 39 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the state total to 3,726.  Two deaths from COVID-19 was reported in Oregon on Tuesday, moving that total at 140.  The Washington State Department of Health reported the number of deaths in Washington because of the coronavirus went up by one on Monday to 1,002.  It listed the total number of confirmed cases at 18,611, up 178 on Monday.

The Port of Hood River has put together a budget for the 2020-21 Fiscal Year similar to the current fiscal year, but pre-identified reductions to carry out as it deals with pandemic-related revenue losses.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says a loss of revenue from leased properties and the Interstate Bridge are the biggest impacts they are feeling, but the full extent is still unknown.  McElwee says they will be monitoring revenues on a weekly basis, and staff will bring recommendations to the Port Commission when they know the full impact of the pandemic.  McElwee noted their areas to look for reductions would be in capital expenditures and personnel expenses.

The White Salmon Valley Education Foundation will receive $100,000 in funding for the White Salmon Valley School District’s Health and Wellness Center, to be utilized in the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years.   The funding is provided by the Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health, a Vancouver-based nonprofit organization.  The school district and foundation partnered with NorthShore Medical Group to launch a program this school year to provide mental health and substance use services directly to students, thanks to an initial $75,000 grant from the non-profit.  So far this school year, the program has provided 46 students with regular, one-on-one therapy sessions at school with mental health professionals employed by NorthShore.  The $100,000 in new funding will help continue to fund the district’s health and wellness coordinator, and will also launch new programs such as family support groups and mental health training for teachers.

Eric Veach was selected as the new Gifford Pinchot National Forest Supervisor, effective next Tuesday (May 26).   Veach currently serves as the Superintendent of Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward, Alaska.  Veach began his permanent federal career as a Fisheries Biologist on the Payette National Forest, following several seasonal positions working for the U.S. Forest Service and the Nez Perce Tribe.  For the past 20 years he’s worked for the National Park Service in Alaska in a variety of positions.  Veach graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Science.

A single engine plane crashed into the Columbia River near the Port of Cascade Locks Marina on Sunday morning, but the two occupants were able to swim back to shore safely.  According to the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred at about 11:45 Sunday morning.  The Sheriff’s Office says witnesses reported seeing the airplane attempt to land at the Cascade Locks Airfield but it appeared as if the landing gear was not down.  The plane then nosed over toward the river and skipped along the water before coming to rest and sinking within the Coast Guard waterway.  The occupants of the plane, a man and a woman from Bellevue, Washington, were able to swim to shore and were transported to a Portland area hospital for treatment of minor injuries.  The cause of the crash has not yet been determined and will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Bureau.  

The deadline for ballots to be turned in for Oregon’s primary election is Tuesday at 8 p.m.  Ballots can be taken to official drop boxes.  In Hood River County, they are located at the County Administration Building on 601 State in Hood River and at Cascade Locks City Hall.  In Wasco County, ballots can be dropped off in the drop box at the 5th Street entrance to the County Courthouse in The Dalles, and at the Maupin Civic Center.  Ballots in Hood River and Wasco counties feature votes for County Commission and District Attorney, along with primaries for the Oregon’s Second District Congressional seat.  Hood River County voters are being asked to decide on a five-year public safety levy, and there are City Charter revisions proposed in The Dalles.  

The filing deadline passed in Washington on Friday, and there will be a pair of contested Klickitat County Commission races.  In District 1, incumbent Rex Johnston opted not to file for re-election, and the two candidates will be Republican Jacob Anderson and Democrat Joanna Turner.  There are three candidates in District 3 including two Republicans, incumbent Jim Sizemore and Dan Christopher, and Democrat Miland Walling.  In Skamania County there is one contested Commission seat, with Republican incumbent Richard Mahar opposed in District 1 by Jeremy Bechtel.  Tom Lannen is unopposed for re-election in District 2.  There is a three-way race for Position 1 in the 14th Legislative District, as incumbent Republican Chris Corry is challenged by Democrat Tracy Rushing and William Razey, who listed his party affiliation as Education.  Gina Mosbrucker is unopposed for 14th District Position 2 and Curtis King is also unopposed to be re-elected to the State Senate.  Randall Krog was the only candidate to file for Superior Court Position 1 in Klickitat and Skamania counties.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s office announced that the man who was apprehended following a high-speed chase on Interstate 84 through the Gorge on Thursday could face attempted aggravated murder charges in Hood River County.  Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill said court documents indicate 26-year-old Grayson Morris, who was wanted in connection with the murder of his father in Ritzville, Washington, was initially spotted in Hood River County, and while still in the County repeatedly fired his firearm out the window, which troopers perceived as towards them.  The East Multnomah County Major Crimes Team has referred attempted aggravated murder charges to Hood River County law enforcement for investigation.  After the pursuit entered Multnomah County, Morris’ vehicle ran out of gas.  He exited his vehicle and with rifle in hand carjacked another vehicle.  Once the pursuit ended, law enforcement recovered a .30 caliber rifle from the vehicle Morris was stopped in.  Morris is in the Multnomah County Detention Center facing numerous charges.