The Columbia Gorge Housing Authority will be receiving a piece of federal funding to help Klickitat and Skamania County adults with disabilities and their families to achieve safe, secure, and stable housing. Washington Senator Patty Murray announced today that Columbia Gorge Housing Authority will receive $188,345 from new Mainstream Housing Vouchers, which are being funded through a 2018 spending bill that passed the Senate. The vouchers will fund local initiatives to help non-elderly, people with disabilities who are at risk of institutionalization or homelessness access affordable housing and other support services. Columbia Gorge Housing Authority chair Gabe Spencer said they plan to leverage this money in the private rental market and collaborate with health and human services partners to provide participants with voluntary supportive services.
TD Main Street Program Looking To Put Up New Lights
The Dalles Main Street program is looking to continue to put up new lights on 2nd Street in downtown that will stay up all year long. They are installing rope lights that change colors to whatever is appropriate for the time of year. Main Street’s Bunny Henningsen says the lights run about $30 apiece, and they have 117 left to purchase, so they are looking for donations to help continue the project. To donate toward the lights, go online to thedallesmainstreet.org.
Man Hit By Truck On I-84 Killed
A 33-year-old man from Biggs Junction was killed early Monday evening when he was fatally struck by a commercial truck while walking on Interstate 84 near milepost 104 in Sherman County. According to the Oregon State Police, the truck was traveling westbound on Interstate 84 in the slow lane at about 5:45 p.m. on Monday when the driver noticed a reflective vest moving around in the lane of travel. The OSP says the driver initially thought the vest was blowing around in the wind, but then realized it was being worn by a pedestrian. The truck swerved to avoid the person, but was unable to avoid striking him. The pedestrian, Alejandro Lozano Rivas, was pronounced dead at the scene. The OSP says the driver, a 31-year-old man from Moscow Mills, Missouri, stopped immediately at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.
Groups File Brief In NORCOR/ICE Appeal
A number of Gorge-based groups have filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of two groups appealing a judge’s ruling that the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility could continue with its contract to detain immigration detainees. Gorge Ecumenical Ministries, Gorge ICE Resistance, Hood River Latino Network, NORCOR Community Resources Coalition, and the Rural Organizing Project say in the brief that NORCOR’s contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement blurs the line between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement, places an unnecessary burden on local resources, and makes many in the community hesitant to ask the police for help. The appeal claims NORCOR is violating a 32-year-old state law prohibiting local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration enforcement. Innovation Law Lab and Oregon Law Center are appealing the judge’s decision made in April that found certain practices by NORCOR were unlawful, but the contract with ICE could continue.
Search For Center For Living Director Continues
Local officials continue to search for a new executive director for Mid-Columbia Center For Living. Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege is the chair of the regional mental health organization that serves Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman counties. Hege says they have been working for a number of months with various partners to get input on what the organization should look for in a new director. Hege says they are looking for someone with a strong sense of leadership to help lead the effort toward mental health. Hege adds they also need someone with good business sense because of the myriad of funding streams that are used to operate the Center.
Marbach Unveils Book On Wednesday
Local author and photographer Peter Marbach will launch his new book “Healing the Big River: Salmon Dreams and the Columbia River Treaty” on Wednesday at Hood River’s Columbia Center for the Arts. The book combines Marbach’s photography with essays from people concerned about the river’s future, many from First Nations. Marbach says he wanted the voice of the book to be from the people of the river. Marbach will give a presentation at Wednesday evening’s book launch, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Columbia Center for the Arts. There is a $10 suggested donation with proceeds benefiting the Center.
Webber Street Railroad Crossing Work Set For Wednesday And Thursday
The Dalles Public Works crews will be painting fresh markings at the Webber Street railroad crossing on Wednesday and Thursday. Work will begin at 7 a.m. both days, weather permitting. The railroad crossing at Webber Street will be closed to all traffic in both directions during working hours from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Motorists, bicycles and pedestrians are asked to use detours around the work zone during work hours. The street will be reopened to the traveling public each day after the paint has dried completely.
West 2nd Project Work Planned For Tuesday
The Dalles Public Works Department will begin a street maintenance project Tuesday on West 2nd Street between Terminal Avenue and Webber Street. The westbound lane of West 2nd will be closed to all traffic during working hours from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Through traffic will be flagged to a single lane next to the construction zone, and delays are expected. The westbound lane will be reopened at the end of the day, and business access will be open at all times. In addition, the Oregon Department of Transportation will close the Interstate 84 westbound exit 84 off-ramp while the work is being done on Tuesday to help prevent accidents in the work zone.
HR Charter Change Proposals Coming Soon
A review committee will soon be presenting some potential changes to Hood River County’s charter to the County Commission. Commission Chair Mike Oates says the review committee has been meeting since spring, and legal counsel has been looking over some of the proposed changes before they go to the County Commission. One change would be to elections for county commissioners and Sheriff. Currently, if a candidate gets over 50 percent in the May primary their name is placed on the November ballot unopposed. Oates says the charter review panel is proposing that if someone gets over 50 percent in May they are declared the winner of the office without going on the November ballot. Another considered change is to increase the term for County Commission Chair from two to four years, like the other commissioners, and another would streamline the ordinance adoption process. If the Commission decides it wants to move forward to charter changes, it would go to the electorate for approval.
State Leads Underscore Port of TD Needs For Land
The Port of The Dalles receives leads from the state of Oregon on businesses looking for places to move to, and while many are for property needs that are larger than this region can accommodate, it does underscore the need for having land identified for economic development. Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says the core of their work is local businesses that are trying to expand. Klaas says the Port of The Dalles only has about 20 acres available for new businesses, and they are looking for higher density employment on those lands than they have in the past.