The state of emergency for the City of The Dalles has been extended for another two weeks to May 1. It had been set to expire on April 17, but City Manager Julie Krueger has the ability to extend the state of emergency in two-week increments as long as COVID-19 continues to pose an on-going threat to the health and safety of the City. The state of emergency declaration will be re-evaluated again on the week of April 27 to determine if an additional extension will be required. The Dalles city staff continue to respond to voicemails and emails as quickly as possible during this time.
The Dalles Public Works Department announced the 2020 Community Clean Up has been cancelled. In a statement, the department said to maintain social distancing and minimize the possible spread of COVID-19, it made the decision to cancel the 33rd annual event. Public Works also reminded people that now is not the time to take yard debris and large items to The Dalles Disposal transfer site. The department hopes to hold the event again in 2021.
The Mid-Columbia Economic Resiliency Team is trying to help area businesses get through the COVID-19 crisis. Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tammara Tippel says the team consists of anyone in the region who wants to be a voice on how to strategize to create economic opportunities in the Mid-Columbia area. She adds the group is open to more people taking part, with Jacque Schei at Mid-Columbia Economic Development District the contact person. MCEDD also has resources related to employment, commerce, and economic development posted at their website, mcedd.org.
Klickitat County officials are reminding people not to call 9-1-1 to report suspected violations of Governor Jay Inslee’s order to avoid public gatherings and limiting going out to essential activities or employment in essential services. If the report is about an individual or private group not following the proclamation, call Klickitat County dispatch at 509-773-4545. If it is about a business, go to coronavirus.wa.gov to fill out a form to be forwarded to the appropriate agency. People can still participate in activities such as bike rides, gardening, and dog walking — as long as they follow social distancing rules and stay within their local area.
Skamania County is implementing a temporary emergency ban on small debris burning beginning Tuesday and continuing through next Wednesday, April 22. All issued small debris burn permits in Skamania County will be temporarily invalid and there will not be any new small debris burn permits issued until the temporary small debris ban has been lifted. The projected end date could be extended if weather conditions continue. A statement from the Skamania County Fire Marshal’s office cited dry weather conditions and low humidity. In addition, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources will go to a moderate fire danger level for all lands protected by the DNR. Written permits issued by the DNR for silvicultural burning are only valid at low fire danger.
Latest numbers for COVID-19 cases in the Mid-Columbia region show Klickitat County is at 14 cases as of Monday afternoon, 12 of which are in the central part of the county, and the other two in the western zone. Wasco County is at ten cases, Hood River County remains at four cases, Skamania County three, Sherman County one, and Gilliam County zero. There have been 315 negative COVID-19 tests in Wasco County, 289 in Hood River County, 240 in Klickitat County, and 45 in Skamania County. The Oregon Health Authority released its latest statewide numbers this afternoon, with 57 new COVID-19 cases confirmed, 36 in Multnomah and Washington counties, and one additional death reported. That brings the statewide totals to 1,584 confirmed cases, and 53 deaths. OHA statistics show 23 percent of the COVID-19 cases reported required hospitalization, and there have been 29,537 negative tests. In Washington, the latest statewide numbers from the Department of Health show 10,411 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 508 deaths, and 83,391 negative tests.
A closure of County forestlands has led to more bicycling taking place on roads throughout the Hood River Valley. County Commission Chair Mike Oates says for the most part the forestland closure has been adhered to, adding the increase bicycle traffic on the roads can be managed. He asked both motorists and bicyclists to be aware of each other and share the roads. Oates says County officials are working on how to put together a budget process for the 2020-21 Fiscal Year through all that is currently going on. Hood River County already was in the midst of a budgetary crisis before the pandemic, and has a public safety levy on the May 19 ballot. Local governments have to have budgets prepared by June 30.
Oregon businesses who missed the opportunity to apply for SAIF’s coronavirus worker safety fund have a second chance after the fund reopened with an additional $15 million. The fund was closed five business days after its launch on March 31 after more than 1,300 businesses applied and used the initial $10 million available. The fund is designed to support employee safety, reduce injuries, and decrease exposures by helping businesses impacted by the coronavirus. More than 53,000 SAIF policyholders across the state are eligible for funds. SAIF recommends policyholders submit applications as soon as possible, given how quickly the initial funding was exhausted. The agency does not anticipate additional funding. SAIF policyholders who previously applied do not need to apply again, as applications are still being processed from the first round of funding.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a guide to federal programs that can be used by rural communities, organizations and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. USDA Rural Development says The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide is a resource for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership opportunities to help address the pandemic. USDA has taken actions in an attempt to assist farmers, ranchers, producers, rural communities, and rural-based businesses and organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on these actions, visit www.usda.gov/coronavirus.
The Port of The Dalles public boat launch ramp is still open. Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says the restrooms at the marina are closed, but the ramp remains available for use, with the public asked to maintain social distancing. Klaas says business inquiries about Port properties have ground to a near-halt over the last month. She notes one of the questions for the Port to address over the next few months will be how the agency’s work plan changes, noting she expects a renewed emphasis on business retention while continuing work on pushing for urban growth boundary expansion.
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