North Central Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Mimi McDonell told Wasco County Commissioners on Wednesday that point of care rapid testing for COVID-19 has arrived.  McDonell says the district received 5,000 of the BinexNOW antigen card tests, and will be of huge benefit to enable them to move swiftly.  McDonell says they have distributed many of the tests to clinics in Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties, and they will distribute to schools as appropriate.

The White Salmon Valley School District is continuing its planning to return students to the classroom soon. Klickitat County’s COVID numbers remain in a place where the district can move forward.  District Superitendent Jerry Lewis says they are still working on a date for a return, working with the teachers’ association to figure out how to balance their workload to deal with both in-classroom and on-line instruction.  When students return to the building they will be in hybrid learning, with a couple of days each week in classroom and the rest online.  Lewis said their intention remains to give families about a week’s notice before making the change.

Ballots continue to come in to county election offices at a rapid clip with 13 days still remaining in the election cycle.  As of Wednesday morning, Hood River County reports that 22.2% of the ballots it sent out have already been returned, 3,511 out of 15,809 distributed.  And it’s a similar situation in Wasco County, with 3,698 having been received out of the 18,403 mailed out for 20.2%.  In Oregon, ballots must be received in county election offices or official drop boxes by 8 p.m. on November 3.

The pandemic is forcing changes to the annual Hood River County Christmas Project to provide assistance with food and children’s gifts for families in need.  Registrations will be taken online at hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com from November 1 to December 7 from Hood River County families that currently meet State of Oregon low income eligibility standards.  All of the 470 families who participated last year will be contacted by phone to re-register them in so desired.  Individuals and families experiencing homelessness are encouraged to register.  Instead of distributing food boxes in person, all families will be able to choose a food gift card from one of four local grocery stores and a toy gift card for each child from two local stores and an on-line toy company.  The Christmas Project will be coordinating with Hood River Shelter Services and FISH this year to register and deliver their gift cards.   For more information, and to donate or volunteer to help, go to hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com.

The annual free Community Thanksgiving meal in The Dalles will be different this year.  The Salvation Army reports all meals will be “drive-thru take out” or “delivery” because of the pandemic.  All meals must be pre-ordered.  That can be done by calling 541-296-6517 before November 23, which is the Monday before Thanksgiving.  To sign-up to volunteer go to thedalles.salvationarmy.org or call 541-296-6417.

With recent rain, cooler temperatures, and shorter days, fire management personnel on the Mt. Hood National Forest anticipate the start of fall pile burning season to begin as early as this week and continue for the next several weeks.  Piles are from hazardous fuels reduction projects, timber sales, and timber stand improvement projects.  Slash piles are created when timber stands are thinned, as well as when surface fuels are reduced from the forest floor.  The slash is placed in piles and left to cure before burning.  Crews ignite piles in the morning and early afternoon to allow fuels to burn down prior to evening.  Burn units are monitored by firefighters until they are declared out.  Smoke may be visible in the vicinity during ignition operations and for a short time.

The Hood River County Department of Records and Assessment says the Oregon State Police over the weekend recovered several pieces of stolen mail, including some general election ballots.  The ballots belonged to Hood River residents living on Eugene Street, Hazel Street, and Lovers Lane.  Department Deputy Director Darlene Johnson says the ballots were returned to the County elections’ office, and all of the voters were mailed replacement ballots on Monday.  If you live in Hood River County and have not received your ballot, contact the elections’ office at 541-386-1442.

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Gifford Pinchot National Forest will host a firewood cutting event at Tracy Hill, near White Salmon the next two weekends.  The event provides valid permit-holders with firewood while removing flammable woody materials from forest lands that were treated as part of fuels management activities.  The wood includes seasoned Douglas-fir in a range of sizes, easily accessible from decks and other piles of pre-cut rounds.  Wood quantities are limited and not guaranteed.  Gifford Pinchot National Forest firewood permits, which cost $20 per cord, are required, with a maximum purchase of six cords.  Advance purchase of permits are available at the Mt. Adams Ranger Station in Trout Lake, Home Valley Store, Wind River Market in Carson, and Main Street Convenience Store in Stevenson.  Permits will be available on-site on Saturdays.  Gates to the site will be open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays both weekends.  A map to the Tracy Hill site and more details are available on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website.

There will be intermittent single-lane closures at the Washington-side approach to the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday for seasonal street sweeping and debris removal.  Flaggers will direct traffic around the work zone.   Motorists should expect delays of approximately 20-30 minutes depending on traffic volume.  For more information, contact the Port of Hood River via email to porthr@gorge.net.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce has been in discussion with public health officials on a possible way to have a holiday celebration.  Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says they have come up with some unique ideas, but aren’t ready to announce anything until health officials sign off on a plan.  Farquharson said they do know the annual lighting of the Christmas tree outside the Chamber office will be virtual, but they are working with the City’s Beautification Committee to have some community-wide activity in conjunction with that.