A big step in construction of the new May Street Elementary School has taken place with a big concrete pour.  Hood River County School District Superintendent Dan Goldman says the project is on schedule, and on budget.  Goldman noted the district received approval for the bond measure paying for the new school and accumulated the proceeds from it ahead of a jump in the construction market, allowing the district to lock in costs that would have skyrocketed a few months later.  Goldman did say getting steel to the May Street site has been an issue, and that’s important to get done so winter work can be done indoors.

With autumn officially arriving this weekend, the race is on to finish road projects before winter.  In White Salmon, Mayor David Poucher says they have plenty of street work to complete.  All of 4th Street is being repaved, and Oak Street is being resurfaced.  Poucher adds White Salmon contracted with Klickitat County so the County crews could do some of these projects.

Boys Soccer LaSalle 3, Hood River Valley 0:  The Eagles fall to 1-3 in non-league play, with all of the losses coming to teams ranked in the top five of the Oregon Class 5A coaches’ poll. Horizon Christian 2, Crosshill Christian 1:  Horizon moves into first place in Special District 7 with the win. Trout Lake 5, Columbia Adventist 0

It’s a bit early to make a final determination, but early indications show a fourth straight year of enrollment decline in the Hood River County School District.  Superintendent Dan Goldman says their numbers are actually a bit higher than originally projected.  He says this year’s decline can be attributed to a large graduating high school class last year along with a reduction in kindergarten numbers.  Goldman notes with four years of decline, there is a definite trend.  That means without funding changes from the Oregon Legislature, the district will have to adjust its organization to reflect the number of students it has.  Goldman does say the district has been taking steps in recent years to be as lean as possible outside of the classroom.

The Dufur School District is seeking approval of a four-million-dollar bond measure during the November election that will allow it to claim a four million dollar matching grant from the state.  The district plans to use the funds to do safety and security improvements, maximize use of existing facilities, re-work some of its transportation services, and increase energy efficiencies in district buildings.  The proposed property tax rate of a $1.71 per thousand dollars of assessed value is lower than the approximately $3 per thousand for the district’s previous bond that was retired in June.  Informational meetings on the bond measure are scheduled for September 19 in the Celilo Village Education Center and September 24, October 15, and October 29 in the Dufur School cafeteria.  All begin at 7 p.m.

The Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport has received a $225,000 federal transportation grant.  It will go towards reconstruction of the taxiway and to reconstruct the airport apron for parking.  Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley made the announcement of the grant, part of the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement program.  More than $2.7 million in federal transportation grants went to eleven Oregon airports.  Merkley said small airports connect rural Oregon to economic opportunity, health care services, and more.

The Mt. Hood National Forest has lifted all campfire, recreational shooting, and OHV use restrictions on areas west of Highway 35 north and south to the forest boundary.  Campfires, recreational shooting, and OHV use are still prohibited for all Forest Service System lands east of Highway 35 and north of Highway 26.  The eastern side of the forest is still very dry and has not had any measurable rain all summer long.  With the lifting of restrictions on the western side of the forest, campfires are now allowed for dispersed and developed camping.  Firewood cutters should take note of changes in Industrial Fire Precaution Level and consult the IFPL phone line or webpage for the most up to date conditions.

Volleyball Ridgeview def. Hood River Valley 25-13, 25-13, 25-23 Crook County def. The Dalles 25-8, 25-16, 25-23 Columbia sweeps Columbia Adventist 3 games to 0 Dufur def. Ione 25-8, 24-26, 25-10, 25-15 Sherman def. Echo 16-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-23 South Wasco def. Condon-Wheeler 25-8, 25-19, 25-11 Trout Lake def. Bickleton 25-15, 25-15, 25-20 Lyle-Wishram def. Klickitat-Glenwood 25-22, 25-11, 25-20 Granger def. Goldendale 25-22, 25-15, 25-20   Boys Soccer Hood River Valley 1, Franklin 0 Horizon Christian 2, Damascus Christian 0 Trout Lake 5, City Christian 0   Girls Soccer Mountain View 1, The Dalles 0 Hood River Valley 1, Franklin 1:  Mira Olson scored the tying goal for HRV in the 62^nd minute. Fort Vancouver 1, Columbia 0 Portland Christian 2, Stevenson 0 Granger 4, Goldendale 0   Boys Water Polo Hood River Valley 11, David Douglas 7   Girls Water Polo Hood River Valley 7, David Douglas 4

The just over one million pound windmill transformer headed for the Rock Creek Substation in the Goldendale area will be transported there on Monday and Tuesday nights.  The Washington State Department of Transportation says the massive piece of equipment will be moved over two nights.  Highway 14 between Roosevelt and the Highway 97 interchange will be fully closed from 10 p.m. Monday until 4 a.m. Tuesday.  There will also be intermittent closures with flagger-controlled traffic on eastbound Highway 14 near Dallesport and on both directions of Highway 97 between Toppenish and the Highways 14 and 97 interchange during those hours.  From 10 p.m. Tuesday until 4 a.m. Wednesday, both directions of Highway 97 between the interchange and Hoctor Road in Goldendale will have intermittent closures with flagger-controlled traffic.  WSP troopers in partnership with Klickitat County Sherrif’s Office will escort the trailer and transformer along the route.

September is National Preparedness Month, and emergency response agencies are reminding people to have a plan should an emergency occur.  Ian Stromquist of the Hood River County Health Department says when agencies talk about emergency preparations, the core is being ready for community isolation, ranging from roads being cut-off to loss of power.  He tells people to think about what they would need for a few days, comparing it to what you would take with you camping.  He also points out people should consider having copies of important documents ready to go, along with considering pet and medication needs.  This Saturday a number of different emergency service agencies will take part in Get Ready The Dalles on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue on 1400 West 8th in The Dalles.