Hood River County Commissioners voted unanimously on Friday to lift restrictions on lodging in the County and allow for County parks and developed recreation facilities to reopen by June 8.  The panel had discussed the move at a worksession earlier this week.  Commissioner Les Perkins said he understood that some people are concerned about opening up lodging and parks, but he said the focus needs to be on Governor Kate Brown’s orders on social distancing and group size.  He added everyone needs to follow those guidelines.  The actual opening of County parks and recreation facilities will depend on how long it takes crews to prepare them for use.  The Hood River City Council voted to lift its lodging restrictions earlier in the week.  County Administrator Jeff Hecksel noted a steering committee has begun work on moving toward Phase 2 of reopening, and Commissioners scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday at 2 p.m. to discuss that.

Hood River County health officials announced on Thursday their first positive COVID-19 test results in 18 days.  Five people who are either employees or household members of employees of congregate work settings located in Hood River County either tested positive for COVID-19 or is a presumptive case.  Two of the positive tests are Hood River County residents, while two more positive tests and a presumptive case are Wasco County residents.  The Hood River County Health Department and North Central Public Health District are currently working with all the close contacts of the individuals in Hood River and Wasco counties.  Hood River County’s total of positive COVID-19 tests during the pandemic is now at 14, and Wasco County is at 21.  The Oregon Health Authority reported a total of 49 new confirmed and presumptive cases on Thursday to bring the statewide total 4,086.  There were also three deaths, moving that total to 151.  The Washington State Department of Health on Thursday reported 358 new confirmed cases and 11 deaths.  Washington state totals from the illness caused by the coronavirus are now at 20,764 and deaths at 1,106.

Klickitat County submitted its application Thursday to move into Phase 2 of reopening in Washington.  The County had become eligible to submit an application on Tuesday.  Among the items the County had to account for in the application was a voluntary quarantine and isolation facility at the County Fairgrounds in Goldendale, medical preparedness data, the ability to do contact monitoring, and COVID-19 cases trending downward.  County officials anticipate it will take two to three days to receive state approval, and hope to move into Phase 2 next week.  They are asking businesses to review the state’s Safe Start for Reopening Plan that has guidance and resources specific to various business sectors.

A woman turned herself in to the U.S. Marshals Service in Portland on a warrant involving the stealing of checks from a Hood River dental practice.  The FBI alleges 49-year-old Anndrea D. Jacobs stole checks payable to the clinic worth more than $22,000 between August and October of last year.  Jacobs worked as a contractor for the clinic until her termination this month.  U.S. Magistrate Judge John Acosta in Portland ordered Jacobs be detained pending a continued hearing on the government’s motion to revoke her pretrial release in an older case against her.  Jacobs is scheduled to go trial in August on a separate indictment charging her with similar behavior at a medical practice in LaGrande.  FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation Division agents are working on the case.  

In an effort to stop the spread of what is called “X-Disease” in cherry trees, Oregon State University Extension is offering Mid-Columbia homeowners free testing for backyard cherry trees.  Western X Phytoplasma is a bacteria that can live in the vascular system of the tree and clogs its system, leading to irregular fruit ripening.  It spreads through leaf-hopper insects and root grafting.  OSU Extension Horticulturalist Ashley Thompson says trees that have “X-Disease” need to be removed to prevent that spread, and it’s important homeowners with cherry trees watch for the signs as well, which is why the free testing is being offered.  For information on having a backyard fruit tree tested for “X-Disease,” contact Thompson at 541-296-5494, extension 38255 or email Ashley.Thompson@oregonstate.edu.

Recreation officials are urging people to plan ahead, but be flexible, when going out to use recently opened day-use sites in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  Scenic Area Public Affairs Officer Rachel Pawlitz says the website ReadySetGorge.com can show visitors what is open before driving out, adding people also should pick alternate locations to recreate if they should arrive at their original destination and find it to be crowded.  Recreation sites may open or close with little advance notice, and people are asked to respect any closures posted when you arrive.

A motorcyclist was injured after the motorcycle he was driving hit a deer Thursday afternoon on Highway 142 in Klickitat County.  According to the Washington State Patrol, 62-year-old Clarence Lamping of Goldendale was on his motorcycle going eastbound on Highway 142 at milepost 18 just before 1:30 p.m.  The WSP report says when the motorcycle struck the deer, the driver lost control.  Lamping was taken to Klickitat Valley Hospital in Goldendale for treatment of injuries.

The Hood River County School District has moved Hood River Valley High School principal Rich Polkinghorn into the Superintendent’s role for the 2020-21 academic year.  The district had to find a new superintendent for the upcoming school year when Sara Hahn-Huston resigned earlier this month after only one year in the position.  Polkinghorn told the school board he was humbled by the opportunity, and how he would approach the superintendent’s role would be similar to the way he handled the principal’s job.  Polkinghorn has been a teacher, coach, vice-principal, and principal in the district over 16 years.  The district also announced the selection of Westside Elementary Principal Bill Newton as Director of Curriculum and Instruction to replace Neely Kirwan, who accepted a position in the Hermiston School District.

The Central Oregon District of the Oregon Department of Forestry is declaring fire season on all the lands it protects in Wasco and Hood River counties beginning on Monday.  The initial declaration will mainly pertain to commercial operations on forested land, but will soon be followed up with a Regulated Use Closure that will involve public use restrictions.  Forest Officer Rick Fletcher says after recent rains fuel loading has increased.  Fletcher said the long-term forecast is suggesting an average to just above average fire season.

Four members of Oregon’s Congressional delegation are asking Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen to provide details on the agency’s preparations for the 2020 wildfire season during the coronavirus pandemic.  Republican Greg Walden and Democrats Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, and Suzanne Bonamici sent a letter to Christiansen pushing for information.  They want to know about coordination with federal, state, and local health departments to aid communities impacted by smoke and wildfire, limiting exposure to and transmission of COVID-19, and planning and implementation of forest management and hazardous fuels reduction plans to reduce wildfire spread and prevent coronavirus spread.  In addition, the lawmakers asked the agency to list the status of exclusive use contracts for Type 1 helicopters and fixed wing air tanker contracts, which the representatives say are essential tools in aerial suppression efforts.