The start of July marks the start of the 2018-19 fiscal year, particularly for many school districts and governmental agencies in Oregon.  But that means budget planners begin to look toward 2019-2020, with a significant increase in Public Employees Retirement System contributions expected.  North Wasco County School District 21 Chief Financial Officer Randy Anderson says they won’t get a PERS increase estimate until this fall.  Anderson is anticipating a five to eight percent increase, adding good returns on investments for the fund are a positive.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked Klickitat County from shutting down fireworks stands operating on tribal trust alloments in Wishram.  The Yakima Herald-Republic reports that U.S. District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice granted the Yakama Nation a temporary two-week order barring the county from taking action on the stands located on trust land outside he borders of the Yakama Nation reservation.  Yakama Nation officials sought the order after Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer issued letters telling tribal members to stop selling fireworks by Wednesday or risk arrest and seizure of their fireworks.  Lawyers for the tribe argued that county officials overstepped their authority.  County Commissioner David Sauter said he was disappointed by the decision, but while after the two weeks have passed the Fourth of July period will have passed before the County gets their day in court, he fully expects the issue to move forward.  County officials say they’re acting to reduce fire danger and that they have the authority because the stands are not located within the actual reservation.

A motorcyclist died in an accident Thursday evening on Highway 35 near Parkdale.  According to the Oregon State Police, the motorcycle operated by 31-year-old Steven Marshall Patrick of Portland was traveling southbound on Highway 35 near milepost 72 when for unknown reasons the motorcycle left the southbound shoulder and crashed into a large gravel shoulder.  The OSP says Patrick suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.  The OSP was assisted at the scene by the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, Parkdale Fire and Rescue, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

As the Fourth of July approaches, fire officials are reminding visitors that fireworks are prohibited on all national forests.  Fireworks are banned on national forests at all times, regardless of weather or conditions.  Violators can be subject to a maximum penalty of a $5,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail.  Additionally, anyone who starts a wildfire can be held liable for suppression costs.  Visitors are also encouraged to practice campfire safety as unattended campfires are the number one source of human-caused wildfires on public land.  Know before you go whether campfires are allowed in the area you are visiting, keep your campfire small and away from flammable material, use a designated campfire ring when available, completely extinguish your campfire by drowning your fire with water and stirring with a shovel, and make sure your campfire is cold to the touch before leaving it.

The U.S. Small Business Administration says there is one month left for small businesses in the region to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury caused by the Eagle Creek Fire.  Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  The low-interest federal disaster loans are available in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, and Wheeler counties in Oregon, and Klickitat and Skamania counties in Washington.  Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. For more information call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  

Wahtonka Community School in The Dalles is starting to accept applications for a lottery that will determine its waiting list for students for the 2018-19 school year.  Wahtonka is transitioning into a charter school, and has been operating within North Wasco County School District 21 for the past four years.  The school uses project based learning which provides the opportunity for students to do community service projects, with students connected to mentors to help them learn real world skills.  The school for grades 9 to 12 has a capacity of 60 students.  The waiting list lottery will take place on August 17.  Parents who would like their child’s name to be entered into the lottery can text school Principal Brian Goodwin at 541.288.6861, or email him at goodwinb@nwasco.k12.or.us.  Include your child’s name, age and year they will be in school next year.  The deadline to enter is 6 p.m. August 16.

Fort Dalles Fourth officials say the carnival operation for the event, Rainier Amusements, was robbed while setting up in downtown The Dalles.  According to a Fort Dalles Fourth Facebook post, thieves stole state of the art ticketing equipment, checks, and credit cards.  Fort Dalles Fourth organizer Nolan Hare is warning people that tickets purchased before the carnival opens (Thursday) are not valid.  The Dalles Police Detective Jamie Carrico added that anyone who tries to use a ticket acquired before today will be questioned by police.  Anyone who may have information about the incident are asked to call The Dalles Police at 541-296-2233.

Columbia Gorge Community College is partnering with the Economic Development Administration and the Oregon Investment Board to try to identify unmet skills in the region’s food and beverage industry.  CGCC Community Outreach Manager Dan Spatz says the college will be using a grant from the EDA to conduct a feasibility study of the industry to find out what the workforce needs are and whether the college can assist in developing that workforce.  That includes determining what the wage scales are, hiring and retention information, and the ability to progress in a career.  The college is taking proposals from consultants interested in conducting the study.

The historic Benson Bridge, located between upper and lower Multnomah Falls, reopened Thursday for the first time since the Eagle Creek Fire.  The remainder of the Larch Mountain Trail, which continues up to the upper viewing platform, remains closed due to damage sustained by last year’s 48,000-acre Eagle Creek Fire.  Many road and trail closures remain in effect in the vicinity of Multnomah Falls due to damage or ongoing hazards, including Angels Rest Trail, Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area, George W. Joseph State Natural Area, most segments of the Gorge 400 and Historic Highway State Trails, and all Forest Service system trails south of Interstate 84 in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area east of Angel’s Rest and west of Cascade Locks.  Please check for closures before heading out for a visit, by checking ReadySetGorge.com.  Violators that enter closed areas are subject to citations and fines.

The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office this morning lifted the Level 1 “get ready” evacuation notice that had been in place for the southeast Maupin area since the Boxcar Fire ignited one week ago.  Fire officials put containment for the Boxcar Fire at 85 percent on Wednesday, and management of the fire location was transferred from a Type 2 team to Type 3 this morning.  The fire burned 100,207 acres.