The Oregon Health Authority’s Thursday numbers reported one new positive COVID-19 case in both Wasco and Sherman counties.  That moved Wasco County’s total to 205, with the County listing 128 as recovered using a 30-day standard.  Sherman County now has seen 17 total COVID-19 cases…with eight recovered.  No new cases were listed in the Thursday report for Hood River County, which remains at 221 total cases for the pandemic, with the County listing 199 cases as what it terms “released from quarantine” leaving 22 active cases.   Gilliam County remains at four total cases, with two recovered.  The OHA reported 301 new and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Thursday, moving the state’s pandemic total to 24,165.  Four deaths that occurred in the past four days were listed, moving that total to 412.  In Washington, Klickitat County reported five new cases on Wednesday to run its total to 179, 45 of which are active, up two from Tuesday.  Skamania County did not report any new cases in its Thursday update, leaving them at 59, of which 55 are listed as recovered.

North Central Public Health District has been gathering epidemiological data on COVID-19 in Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties breaking down confirmed cases by age group, ethnicity, and other factors.  Now the question is how to use that data to target resources.  District Health Officer Dr. Mimi McDonell says workplace environments are a big factor.  McDonell noted the local numbers in many ways are similar to national trends, particularly showing certain groups of people are disproportionally impacted by COVID-19.

Alice Cannon has been named the City of The Dalles’ Interim Community Development Director.  Cannon will be filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Steve Harris, who served in the position for four years.  Cannon has over 25 years of planning and economic development experience in both public and private sectors, .holding positions with a number of different Oregon municipalities.  Cannon is also a Certified Planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners.  Her first day on the job will be Tuesday.

The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has reduced a Level 3 evacuation advisory in the area of the Sevenmile Hill Fire to Level 1. The Sheriff’s Office announced this morning that those living on Sevenmile Hill Road along Chenoweth Road to the Brownscreek Road intersection to include Oak Hill Drive and McDonald Way can return to their homes, but are encouraged to stay alert in case of a change in weather or fire conditions. A Level 2 advisory for Brownscreek Road to the 4500 block of Cherry Heights Road was fully lifted. Wasco County Emergency Management says containment of a 100-acre wildfire on Sevenmile Hill was estimated to be at 30% by midnight…and crews were working through the night to strengthen fire lines. The Oregon Department of Forestry says the 100-acre wildfire is fully lined…and they were monitoring the fire overnight to ensure there was no rekindling of the fire and the wind did not push embers outside the perimeter. At this time, the cause of the fire is yet to be determined and is under investigation. Any citizen that has information on the fire is encouraged to call 541-296-4626. Please continue to stay out of the area to allow crews to continue work.      

Wasco County’s COVID-19 numbers are starting to show a positive trend.  North Central Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Mimi McDonell told the Wasco County Commission that case counts, rates, and positive test rates all dropped for the week ending August 9.  Wasco County had ten positive COVID-19 cases diagnosed that week, a rate of 37 per 100-thousand residents using the state metrics, and a test positivity rate of 3.1%.  That’s progress toward meeting state requirements to open schools, and McDonell told the Commission while there is still a ways to go to meet them, she believes steps people are taking to stop the spread of COVID are working.  McDonell also said that Wasco County has had nine hospitalizations as a result of COVID, but only one recently.

The White River Fire on the Mount Hood National Forest about eight miles west of Sportsman’s Park is now 150 acres in size.  The U.S. Forest Service says the fire started Monday in the White River drainage near Forest Road 48.  Hand crews with support from a dozer operator are establishing fire line.  Water drops from helicopters have been critical by minimizing the fire’s spread while line is being constructed.  A spot fire was located ½ mile east of the main fire.  Smoke has primarily been carried eastward toward Rock Creek Reservoir and Wamic.  Approximately 60 firefighters are working the fire.  Road closures are in place, including Forest Road 48 (White River Rd) from Forest Road 43 east to Forest Road 4880, Forest Road 3530 (Barlow Rd) from Forest Road 43 east to Forest Creek Campground, and Forest Road 4890 from Forest Road 4880 to Forest Road 48.  Rock Creek Campground is open, but access should be made from the east.

Wasco County Commissioners have approved providing $50,000 towards completing work on the Riverfront Trail Repair and Maintenance Project.  Members of the Riverfront Trail board said the City of The Dalles had already provided $100,000, the Port of The Dalles and Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation District $50,000 apiece, and $28,000 was acquired through fundraising efforts.  Parks and Rec District Executive Director Scott Baker told the Commission this is a long-term investment, noting community support for the Trail.  The Trail committee is still awaiting word on a request to Google for a $37,700 grant that would complete funding for the project.

Youth livestock auctions for 4-H and F-F-A members in Klickitat, Wasco, and Skamania counties are taking place this week and next, replacing auctions that would have been held during county fairs cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Klickitat County auction begins Thursday at 9 a.m. and continues until Friday at 6 p.m., the Wasco County auction starts Saturday at 2 p.m. and runs until Sunday at noon, and the Skamania County auction starts Sunday at 9 a.m. and continues through next Friday at 5 p.m.  Auction Sales Company is hosting both events, and bidders can take part by going to auctionsalesco.com.  The livestock sale provides the 4-H and F-F-A exhibitors with money to put towards college, invest in their own livestock herds, and recover costs of their projects.

Child care providers are getting some new guidelines for operation that will go into effect on September 1.  Nancy Patton of Columbia Gorge Community College’s Child Care Partners says sizes of groups will go back to regular licensing sizes, but providers will still be required to have stable groups, prioritize essential workers, and there will be additional health and safety standards.  Patton says in Wasco County there are 32 vacancies operations as emergency child care with 32 vacancies.  She told Wasco County Commissioners parents looking for child care should call the 2-1-1 line for referrals.  Patten adds 2-1-1 also allows local child care needs to be tracked to help locate new providers.  

Transfer of command of the Mosier Creek Fire went back to The Dalles Unit of the Oregon Department of Forestry on Wednesday morning.  Crews over the last few days have been securing control lines.  The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday afternoon that the Level 2 evacuation advisory area surrounding the fire perimeter has been lowered to Level 1, and all previous Level 1 advisories have now been lifted.  ODF officials say there will continue to be firefighters working in the area to complete further tasks in the mopping up process.  It remains an active fire area and heavy equipment and periods of heavy traffic should be expected.  ODF asks the public to refrain from visiting the area, as fire weakened trees and hot ash pits can be hazardous.