Hood River County Commissioners held another worksession to discuss where they are in examining the county’s budget and revenue challenges, and it has become clear they won’t be advancing a ballot measure in November.  Commissioners are continuing to hold focus group meetings and gather data to determine a course of action that could range from a public safety levy to some kind of sales tax geared toward the tourist industry.  Commission Chair Ron Rivers says the target date at this point is May 2019.  County Commissioners did tell staff to prepare an ordinance for the County to take advantage of the state allowing local governments to establish a three percent tax on the retail sale of recreational marijuana.  That will come to Commission at a future meeting this summer.  

Access to several Port of Hood River waterfront properties will be limited beginning Tuesday as the Hood River Eye Openers Lions Club begins setting up its fireworks display just west of the mouth of the Hood River.  The Spit will be closed from noon Tuesday to noon Thursday.  Access to the sandbar from the Event Site will be closed at 7 p.m. Wednesday.  The sandy area of the Marina Beach will also be closed at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, and once Marina Park parking areas are full, closed signs will be posted at the entrance.  Parking will be free on the 4th on all of the newly metered Port-owned streets, but parking permits are still required for Event Site parking.  Fireworks of any kind are prohibited on all Port properties, including the Marina and Waterfront areas.

Hood River County’s Prevention Department and the Hood River Valley High School Health Media Club has rolled out its sticker shock program, putting a message on beer cases in stores throughout the County reminding people to celebrate the Fourth of July safely.  Prevention Department director Belinda Ballah says the sticker says “Celebrate Independence, not a jail sentence,” a reminder to not provide alcohol to minors and don’t drive under the influence of alcohol.  The sticker program takes place twice a year.  It also is done prior to the Super Bowl.  

Fourth of July activities are set for throughout the region Wednesday.  In Hood River events start with the Kollas/Cramner Memorial Run from the Odell Fire Hall to Hood River’s Jackson Park.  Registration begins at 7 a.m. with walkers starting at 8 a.m. and runners at 9 a.m.  The annual parade on the Heights in Hood River will begin at 10 a.m. with a theme of “Heroes in our Hearts.”  Former City Manager Lynn Guenther will be grand marshal, and lineup begins at 8:30 a.m. on Eliot Drive, with the parade entry fee $10.  A host of family events follow the parade at Jackson Park.  In Odell there will be a parade downtown with lineup at 3:30 p.m. and the parade itself beginning at 4 p.m.  In The Dalles the “Patriots’ Parade” will take place at 10 a.m. on the usual downtown route.  White Salmon’s parade begins at 1 p.m. at Tohomish and Center and winds downtown on Jewett Boulevard to Rheingarten Park, where there will be a picnic, music, and games at 2 p.m.  Fireworks will take place in Hood River at Port Marina Park and in Cascade Locks off Thunder Island, both beginning about 10 p.m.

Downtown Hood River will be hosting a revitalized First Friday event this coming Friday that will include street closures.  Hood River County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michael Glover says Oak Street between First and Sixth will be closed on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  He says there will be a theme each month for First Friday, starting this week with a “Summer Block Party.”  Glover notes they are trying to give more reasons for families and the local community to come to Hood River.  Glover says there has been a large amount of enthusiasm and participation from downtown business owners.

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.