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.

The Dalles Community Development Director Steven Harris will retire on September 4.  City Manager Julie Krueger announced the retirement Monday.  Harris has been with the City since October 2016, and during his tenure has helped return the department to reflect its name by including Urban Renewal, Planning and Economic Development.  Krueger said they will begin recruiting for a replacement.

Duckwall Fruit officials confirmed on Friday some of their employees had tested positive for COVID-19.  A statement issued by company president Ed Weathers indicated four employees had tested positive for the virus, while the Oregon Health Authority said that six cases had been connected to the Odell company.  On Thursday, Hood River County health officials said two of the people who tested positive were from Hood River County, and two were from Wasco County along with another person who was listed as a presumptive case.  Weathers said those who had positive tests last worked on May 21, and tested positive between Monday and today.  They are now in quarantine with no known hospitalizations,  and 20 employees were deemed close contacts and were being contact by health officials.  On Thursday night, Duckwall Fruit shut down its facility for a deep cleaning by a third party, and are working to get all employees tested for COVID-19.  Weathers said that along with the company’s long-standing cleaning and sanitation program, they had initiated a number of preventive measures in February, and are now doing shift entry temperatures with a COVID-19 health questionnaire, hand sanitizing prior to entering the facility, and mandatory face coverings for all employees.  With the current cases, Wasco County has now had 23 positive COVID-19 tests, while Hood River County has had 16.  Wasco County reported 14 have been listed as recovered, while Hood River County lists 12 in that category.  

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.