Oregon 30th District State Senator Cliff Bentz has serious concerns with Governor Kate Brown’s proposal to pay down the state’s Medicaid shortfall through a $2 tax increase on tobacco products.  The Republican from Ontario says he understands raising taxes can prevent young people from taking up tobacco use and that is a good thing, but he also doesn’t like the idea of putting the burden of raising revenue for the state on the backs of those who are addicted.  Brown’s plan would earmark 10% of the funds raised through the tobacco tax increase to cessation programs, with the rest going to the state’s Medicaid fund.  Business groups have slammed the idea, saying that high taxes would hurt small businesses and push consumers to find products online or the black market.

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center will host a public memorial for former Wasco County Judge Bill Hulse on Sunday at 2:30.  Hulse passed away on March 11 at the age of 99.  He served as County Judge from 1983 to 1991 during the height of the Rajnesshpuram commune, and local historian Susan Buce says he was instrumental in the establishment of the Discovery Center.  Hulse was a wheat farmer, pilot, helped establish Columbia River Bank, and was president of the Oregon Wheat Association and National Wheat Association.

A newly formed group of local health advocates founded by One Community Health is looking for four local Gorge people to be featured in a mini video documentary entitled “Cultivate: Compassion.”  The Gorge Wellness Alliance is looking for three people between the ages of 16 to 25 and one person over 50 willing to share their story on camera, come across as friendly, likeable, and articulate, and are living positive, productive lives despite mental health or substance abuse challenges.  The mini documentary will be filmed and produced by professional filmmaker Michael Coen of CoenFilm.  Videos will be shared and promoted online through social media and website platforms from GWA partners in the Gorge.  Those interested in learning more can call Colleen Regalbuto a 503-560-6402 by April 26.

Boys Soccer

Columbia 5, Castle Rock 0:  The Bruins take over sole possession of third place in the Trico League with the win.

Boys Lacrosse

Liberty 11, Hood River Valley 10:  The Eagles fall to 3-3 on the season.

Boys Tennis

Goldendale 2, Zillah 2

Girls Tennis

Goldendale 4, Zillah 1

The Wasco County Commission discussed the proposed NORCOR budget that includes a 16 percent increase in operating subsidies from the four participating counties at its worksession on Wednesday.  Commissioners have a number of questions about the reasons for the substantial increase in the document, which will be the subject of a NORCOR budget committee meeting next Thursday.  But Commissioner Scott Hege says their main theme is keeping the partnership between Wasco, Hood River, Sherman, and Gilliam counties together.  He adds they understand they have to keep NORCOR healthy, but there are challenges to increasing the payments that must be discussed clearly.  NORCOR has not had an increase in county contributions for four years.  But Hood River County is dealing with a budget shortfall and has two tax measures on the May 21 ballot to try to generate more revenue.

The Washington State Senate unanimously approved and sent to the governor a bill authored by 14^th District Representative Gina Mosbrucker that would provide information to domestic violence victims about the signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries.  Under the bill, the Department of Social and Health Services would work with the Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Strategic Partnership Advisory Council to develop a statewide website for domestic violence victims with information regarding TBI.  It would increase law enforcement training to recognize the signs and symptoms of TBI and encourage officers responding to domestic violence incidents to inform victims of the website.  The measure previously passed the House and now goes to the governor for his consideration.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has set regulations for a spring Chinook fishery on the Hood River.  It will be open for adult hatchery Chinook from April 15 through June 30 from the mouth to mainstem confluence with the East Fork, and the West Fork from the confluence with the mainstem upstream to the angling deadline 200 feet downstream of Punchbowl Falls.  The catch limit is two adult hatchery salmon per day, and five hatchery jack salmon per day.  All wild Chinook salmon must be released unharmed.  Fishery managers are predicting a relatively strong return of nearly 1,200 hatchery fish for the Hood River, which is slightly less than last year’s strong return.  There will not be a spring salmon season on the Deschutes River this year due to predicted poor returns of both hatchery and wild fish.

North Central Public Health District is participating in the Oregon Health Authority’s Statewide Medical Countermeasures exercise, Operation OX 2019.  The exercise will help the district improve its plan to provide medications or vaccinations when needed.   As part of the exercise, they will be test an open Point of Dispensing on May 1 at Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue on 1400 West 8^th in The Dalles.  The public is invited join in between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day for a drive-through simulation.  No medication/vaccination will be given at the exercise; instead the first 75 participants will receive a free mini first-aid kit.

Softball

Hood River Valley 10, Lakeridge 0:  The Eagles took advantage of three Pacer errors to score seven runs in the fifth inning to bring the game to an end.  HRV pitcher Lauren Decker did not give up a hit over five innings, while Makenzie Chambers drove in three runs.  The Eagles are 8-2 on the season, and will host Ridgeview for a doubleheader tomorrow at 3 p.m. to open the Intermountain Conference schedule.

Track and Field

Columbia’s boys finished first while the girls were third in a five-school meet in White Salmon.  The Bruins’ Chandlor Bucklin won three events in the boys’ competition, while Brandon Montoya of Lyle-Wishram won two.  In the girls’ events, Columbia’ Hannah Polkinghorn and Chanele Reyes won two apiece.

Stevenson’s boys and girls finished second to host Castle Rock in a four-school meet.  Lincoln Krog won three events for Stevenson, while Isabella Spencer was victorious in two.

Goldendale’s boys and girls each took one of three duals in an SCAC meet at Highland.  The Timberwolves’ Ellie Rising won the girls’ 800 meters, while Tiana Watson was first in the girls’ javelin.

The Port of Hood River Commission talked about the future at its spring planning session.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says for the first time they looked at financial projections beyond 2026 that do not include revenues or expenses related to the Interstate Bridge.  2026 is the current goal for a replacement bridge to be in place, and the Port of Hood River may not be involved in its operation.  McElwee says the projections are the beginning of updating the Port’s strategic business plan.  McElwee does point out that 2026 for bridge replacement is the current timeline, but numerous factors could impact when that would actually happen.