The Hood River City Council has decided to progress to a comprehensive downtown parking study after receiving a technical study that included surveys done during off-peak use in February and peak use in July.  Mayor Paul Blackburn says they will move on to a deeper look at the report as they look to make decisions on whether some kind of parking structure is needed.  The downtown parking advisory committee that is already in place will review proposals that are received and select a consultant to continue the project.

New Hood River City Manager Rachel Fuller is getting acclimated to her new job.  Fuller started on the job a week ago, and will be at her first City Council meeting as manager Monday night.  Fuller says she’s received a warm welcome, and right now she is spending a lot of time learning about how the City operates.  Fuller has spent the past six-and-a-half years as the assistant city manager in Gresham, and before that worked for the City of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  Monday’s City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Hood River City Hall.  

Klickitat County has run an internship program this summer to help young people develop skills they can use to acquire jobs.  County Commissioner Jim Sizemore says the program was put together in part as a way to help the County develop its own workforce, but it dovetails to help young people learn how to work.  Six high school students from Goldendale were selected to take part this summer to work in six different departments, and Sizemore hopes it will grow to more opportunities next year and expand further west and east.  He notes it is much more difficult for high schoolers to find summer jobs than it was years ago, especially if they are under the age of 18.

It is still unknown as to when the newly renovated Children’s Park in Hood River will finally open.  Mayor Paul Blackburn says they are frustrated about not being able to open it, but they are waiting until a key part arrives, and it is on back order.  Blackburn says they won’t set a date to open until the parts arrive, adding he hopes they will get here in a timely manner.  City Public Works will be able to do the installation once the parts are in hand.

We are down to the final hours for those interested in running for a municipal office in Hood River and The Dalles.  The deadline to file is at 5 p.m. Tuesday in both cities.  In both communities…the mayoral and three City Council positions will be on the November ballot.  For information on those positions and the requirements and qualifications for running, go to city websites for both Hood River and The Dalles.  

Work on a street cut for a manhole connection will take place just east of the West 2nd and Mount Hood Street intersection in The Dalles Tuesday through Friday.  Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on those days.  The east and west bound lanes will be reduced to one lane in each direction.  The lanes will be shifted to the north and south sides of the street as construction progresses, but will remain open and coned during construction hours.  Traffic signs will be posted in the immediate work areas.

The Port of Hood River Commission identified four properties as priorities for future development after reviewing a recently completely analysis of the Port’s real estate holdings.  Port Commissioners gave staff direction to follow the recommendation of the analysis to the east portion of the Maritime site adjacent to Waterfront Park…property south of the Jensen Building on Portway Avenue, the Barman property adjacent to the Valero gas station on the waterfront, and a lot at the Lower Hanel Mill site.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says their current budget calls for taking steps to develop one or two of those locations.  These properties were identified in part because they were considered prominent in places that can facilitate other development, has the potential for job development with higher-wage jobs, and within the Port’s financial capability to carry out.

The North Wasco County School District 21 Board has filled the vacant zone 1 position on the panel.  D-21 Superintendent Candy Armstrong says Rebecca Thistlewaite was chosen for the seat.  She had previously served on the Mosier Community School board.  Thistlewaite will fill the remainder of the current term for that position, which ends on June 30 of 2019.

Hood River County Sheriff’s deputies are asking for help in locating a 22 year old woman who has been reported as missing.  Alicia Galvez was last seen the evening of July 24 near the area of Tucker Road and Barrett Drive.  Galvez is described as about 5-foot-tall with a slender build.  If you see her or know her whereabouts, contact the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (541) 387-2711 or the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office tipline at (541)-387-7077

In Gilliam County, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal Incident Management Team will be returning to their home jurisdictions today due to the diminished risk to homes as a result of a set of fires.  The Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office has reduced all Level 3 evacuations to Level 2, and Level 2 evacuations were reduced to Level 1.  A wildland incident management team will continue to work with local structural firefighters, as needed, to manage the fires.  On Wednesday night firefighters continued to mop up and patrol the firelines around the Stubblefield Fire, which is now 70%  contained.  The Stubblefield Fire is at 57,703 acres, including the Seale Fire that merged into it.  The fire was active yesterday on the far western flank, crossing Buckskin Canyon, and currently is holding at the ridge above Buckskin Canyon where there is a containment line.  The fire remains on the east side of the John Day River.  The 39,000 acre Jennie’s Peak Fire is 65% contained, and continues to hold along the John Day River, staying north and east of the river.  The Lonerock Fire is now 75% contained and did not grow yesterday, remaining at 5,056 acres.