Crews dealt with a small grass fire in the Westside area of Hood River on Wednesday afternoon.  The Westside Fire Department indicates it occurred in the Portland Drive and Acree Drive area, and burned about three-quarters of an acre.  No structures were threatened.  Westside, Wy’east, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area crews responded to the scene.

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden pushed for movement on a backlog of forest fuel thinning projects during a committee hearing on Thursday.  In questioning of Forest Service Director of Fire Aviation and Management Shawna Legarza, Wyden was critical of a Forest Service proposal to roll back environmental rules for forest management projects, saying the focus should be on dealing with a backlog of already approved projects to reduce fire risk.  Legarza said they need windows to do prescribed burns and get contracts in place to do the work Wyden describes.

A small fire Tuesday morning in The Dalles provided a reminder that it is fire season in the region.  Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Division Chief Jay Wood says it was actually three small fires that occurred along Highway 197 on a small bank, with two of them merging into one.  He says passers-by stopped and had put out the fires by the time crews arrived.  Size of the fire was very small, about 50 feet long and 15 feet up the bank.  The cause of the fire could not be identified.  Wood added that people should check their safety chains on trailers to make sure they are not dragging and sending out sparks, and don’t throw cigarettes out of vehicles as that also could start a roadside fire.

The Port of The Dalles is continuing to explore the idea of building a food start-up production facility to enhance the regional economy through value-added agriculture.  Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says they’ve been considering that sector for some time.  The Port is conducting an online survey among growers, processors, and other food businesses, and is interested in hearing from people who might like to make use of a commercial food production building.  Results will be used as part of a larger study to determine whether to move forward with facility construction.

The Dalles Sister Cities will host an auction and raffle benefit on Saturday at Sunshine Mill.  “Jubilee for Japan” is a fundraiser for the 2019 student delegation headed to The Dalles’ sister city, Miyoshi City.  “Jubilee for Japan” will be Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Sunshine Mill.

Hood River County Environmental Health says it’s trying to keep up with applications and inspections, but it’s difficult.  The department’s Ian Stromquist says between new construction and regular inspections, they have a full workload.  Stromquist reminds people who are involved in construction and the food industry to plan ahead to allow plenty of time for the department to get to them, adding they want to serve.  He adds the best time to first contact his department is in the design stages of construction.

The Hood River City Council had decided to use procedures adopted in 2011 to fill Council vacancies to select a new Mayor when Paul Blackburn steps down from that post in September.  The City Charter refers to steps to fill a Council vacancy, but not the mayoral position.  Under the 2011 procedures, a notice of vacancy will be published inviting applications from interested qualified candidates.  The City Council will conduct interviews with the applicants, and then vote to pick one to fill the remainder of Blackburn’s term, through the end of 2020.  Councilors plan to start the application process in advance of Blackburn’s formal resignation, but before September.  Blackburn announced recently he would resign in September because his family will be moving out of the area.  In other business, the Hood River Council voted to approve the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Wasco County Commission will hold its budget hearing on Wednesday.  Commission Chair Steve Kramer says they are able to continue services at their current level.  Kramer feels the most significant element of the budget is advancing their contribution to the Public Employees Retirement System in an effort to get out ahead of expected increases.  He says $3.8 million is the amount budgeted for the County’s PERS contribution for 2019-20 in an effort to get ahead of the system’s unfunded liability.  Kramer says the move should save them about $275,000 in the fiscal year 2020-21 budget.  Wednesday’s meeting with hearings on the County budget along with the Extension and Library service district budgets begins at 1 p.m. in the Wasco County Courthouse.

The Dalles City Council approved a municipal budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year, but not before a great deal of discussion on the level of funding for two programs.  Councilors heard testimony advocating the level of funding for the Main Street program be increased from the $35,000 in the budget to $60,000, and YouthThink from $15,000 to $35,000.  Councilor Darcy Long-Curtiss felt the City should make the increases because of the value the programs provide to the community, noting in the case of YouthThink that it should use proceeds from marijuana taxes to help with its drug use prevention education among young people.  Fellow Councilor Rod Runyon noted while he supported both programs, they had the ability to be flexible and make changes down the road.  Other councilors were reticent to reduce the City’s contingency funds.  Councilors voted 4-1 to approve the budget, with Long-Curtiss voting no.

Softball

Makenzie Chambers selection as co-player of the year highlighted a contingent of four Hood River Valley Eagles being selected to the Oregon Class 5A all-state softball squad.  Chambers, who hit .569 with nine home runs and 68 runs batted in, shared player of the year honors with Kiara McCrea of Hillsboro, and was selected as first team catcher.  Also receiving first team honors were outfielder Haylee Baker and designated hitter Aunika Yasui, while pitcher Lauren Decker was named to the second team.  The Dalles’ Kilee Hoylman was named to the third team infield.

Beach Wrestling

Four Hood River wrestlers won titles at the state Beach Wrestling Championships over the weekend in Hood River.  Chad Muenzer won at high school middleweight, Clayton Morris-Reade at high school light heavyweight, Cody Durham in high school heavyweight, and Nigel Bond in open heavyweight.  Dusty Dodge of The Dalles was first in high school heavy middleweight.