Mark Johnson formally resigned from the Hood River County School Board on Wednesday evening.  The former state legislator stepped down in the wake of allegations that he made a racially-insensitive remark about another legislator while serving as executive director of Oregon Business and Industry, a position he was dismissed from two weeks ago.  Reading a prepared statement at the start of the meeting, Johnson noted his record of supporting policies both on the Hood River school board and in the legislature designed to close the achievement gap for Hispanic students, including establishment of a district equity policy for all students regardless of legal status during his stint as board chair, adding that makes it difficult to accepting that he made the alleged comment in a private meeting.  He said “Such comments don’t reflect who I am, what I believe or the commitment I’ve shown to the issue in my public and personal life.  I simply don’t recall having made the comments attributed to me.  It’s hard to believe I did as they don’t reflect my core values or my manner of speaking.  However, because I’m not in a position to dispute that I made them, I have apologized for them and truly regret any pain they may have caused.”  At the end of the meeting many members of the board thanked Johnson for his service.  One, Julia Garcia-Ramirez, called him a mentor and great board member, but also said while she was sure Johnson’s apology was heartfelt, it doesn’t take away the pain of a racist comment, and that racist behavior cannot be normalized.  District Superintendent Dan Goldman said applications to fill Johnson’s zone six seat will begin to be taken immediately, and will be available on the district’s website.

The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing early Wednesday morning at Celilo Village.  According to the Sheriff’s Office, the incident at about 6:05 Wednesday morning was between a man and a woman.  Both parties were injured, interviewed by police, and then transported to Mid-Columbia Medical Center for treatment.  The Sheriff’s Office said the incident is currently under investigation and there is no risk to the public.  The identities of those involved are not being released due to the active investigation.  Anyone with information on this investigation is encouraged to call The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, 541-506-2580.  The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by Oregon State Police and Columbia River Inter-Tribal law enforcement.

Track and Field Trout Lake won both the boys and girls titles at the Mt. Adams Invitational in Glenwood.  Lyle-Wishram’s Brandon Montoya won three events in boys’ competition, and South Wasco’s Ana Popchock and Trout Lake’s Hannah Funkhouser both had two first place finishes in the girls’ portion of the meet.   Goldendale’s Allison Gilliam and Tiana Watson won two events apiece at a three-school SCAC meet in Highland.   Boys Tennis Hood River Valley 5, Hermiston 3:  The Eagles won three out of four singles matches to win the Columbia River Conference title.   Girls Tennis Hermiston 8, Hood River Valley 0

The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing that took place this morning (Wednesday) in Celilo Village.  Sheriff Lane Magill says investigators are still gathering information, but had no details that he could offer at this time other than confirming the incident occurred.  He added they hope to release more information later today.  

The City of The Dalles has embarked on a study of the compensation packages for exempt employees, such as the City Manager and the police chief, among others, and comparing them with pay scales in similar communities.  Mayor Steve Lawrence says they are trying to get ahead of the curve as baby boomers begin to retire, recruitment becomes a key issue, and the City will need to determine whether pay ranges need to be adjusted.  The City Council approved a two percent cost of living increase for exempt employees this week.

The City of Hood River is forming a committee to address downtown parking issues.  City Councilors Mark Zanmiller and Kate McBride will be on the panel, and City Manager Steve Wheeler says five others will be selected will be involved as well.  There will be two downtown business operators, two building owners, and an at-large representative.  Wheeler says they have been receiving interest in the positions.  The applications are at the City of Hood River’s website.  

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is pressing for more details on how the Forest Service will use a recently passed law to end the practice of “fire borrowing” to pay for fighting catastrophic wildfires to reduce fire danger in the West.  Wyden questioned Forest Service interim chief Vicki Christiansen during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.  Christiansen says they are doing scenario planning now.  Last month, Congress passed the bipartisan Wildfire Disaster Funding Act written by Wyden and Idaho Senator Mike Crapo in 2013.  The new law stops the practice of using fire prevention and other forest health funding accounts to pay to put out large and expensive fires.

Baseball The Dalles 5, Hermiston 2:  Jose Gonzalez pitched a complete game five-hitter and had a two-run single in the first as the Riverhawks pulled even with Hermiston for third in the Columbia River Conference. Pendleton 11, Hood River Valley 1:  Nick Bower’s three-run homer in the first inning set the tone as the Buckaroos pulled two games ahead of HRV atop the CRC. Columbia splits with LaCenter:  The Bruins lost game one 7-4, but came back for a 7-3 to win in game two as Shad Curtis and Jarrin Musgrove drove in two runs apiece.  LaCenter stays a half-game in front of Columbia in the Trico League. King’s Way Christian sweeps Stevenson 10-0 and 24-0. Sherman 20, Dufur 2 Lyle-Klickitat-Wishram sweeps Walla Walla Valley Academy 11-1 and 10-0.   Softball Pendleton 8, Hood River Valley 5:  Rylee Gartner’s three-run walk-off home run capped a four-run seventh inning as the Buckaroos scored the winning runs as they were down to their final out for a second straight time against the Eagles.  Hannah McNerney’s three-run double had given HRV the lead in the fifth inning. Hermiston 11, The Dalles 7 Columbia sweeps Stevenson 20-0 and 26-1:  Mya Aman and Liz Ochoa drove in three runs apiece in game one, while the Bruins scored 23 runs in the second inning of game two. Granger swept Goldendale 15-1 and 16-6.   Boys Soccer Columbia 1, Toledo 1:  Toledo stays one point ahead of Columbia and LaCenter for first in the Trico League.   Boys Tennis Goldendale 5, White Swan 0   Girls Tennis Goldendale 5, White Swan 0   Boys Golf Goldendale finishes third in a four-school tournament at Sage Hills, as the Timberwolves’ Luke Gerchak shoots an 86 to earn medalist honors.

The City of The Dalles budget committee will hold its first meeting this coming Monday evening.  Mayor Steve Lawrence says the City’s books heading into the 2018-19 fiscal year look good, with the unappropriated ending general fund balance and contingency funds in good shape, and the five-year capital improvement plan funded.  Lawrence expects streets to remain a key priority, adding they have some money this year for sidewalk work.  There will also be an emphasis on maintenance and capital improvements.  The first budget committee meeting is this coming Monday at 5:30 p.m. in The Dalles City Hall.  

Fundraising for the reconstruction of Hood River’s Children’s Park is in its final stages.  The City of Hood River and Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District each provided $150,000 in funding, and $100,000 has been raised so far, but City Manager Steve Wheeler says they need another $35,000 to do the complete project.  To donate to the Children’s Park, go to the City of Hood River website.  Volunteers are also being sought to take part in the building of the play structure in early June.