The Hood River City Planning Commission took two-and-a-half hours worth of testimony on the proposal to change the zoning of the Morrison Park property at the corner of Wasco and 20th Street from Open Space/Public Facilities to Urban High Density Residential to allow the City to partner with Mid-Columbia Housing Authority on an affordable housing project.  Commissioners heard varied testimony, with some favoring the move as a way to help deal with Hood River’s housing needs, while others said the park is well used by nearby residents.  City Planner Cindy Walbridge says the Planning Commission wants staff to research some questions they had before making any decisions.  The Planning Commission will continue to discuss the rezone proposal on November 7.

Elizabeth Wallis is the new Program Manager for The Dalles Civic Auditorium.  Wallis is replacing Trish Neal who has served in that position since last October when Neal and Sherry Munro, the board Secretary, took over managing The Civic.  Wallis has a strong background in event management as well as running her own business.  She has lived in The Dalles for several years and has a family connection to Rufus.  Wallis assisted in the planning of the Civic’s BeerFest this past June.  She will be coordinating the upcoming Bridal Fair in Feburary 2017.  Neal is leaving The Dalles after four years and moving back to Alaska, while Munro will continue to volunteer at The Civic through at least the first of the year.

Boys Water Polo Hood River Valley 14, Reynolds 11   Girls Water Polo Reynolds 12, Hood River Valley 11, double overtime

A 48-year-old employee at The Dalles Middle School was arrested on two counts of sexual harassment after a student told staff at the school that he had touched her inappropriately and made inappropriate comments.  According to The Dalles Police Detective Sergeant Douglas Kramer and North Wasco County School District 21 Superintendent Candy Armstrong, Jose Luis Martinez-Robledo was arrested at his home last week and lodged at NORCOR, and may face other charges.  Robledo was placed on paid administrative leave by the school district immediately upon receiving the allegation.  Robledo is lodged at NORCOR, and is scheduled to appear in Wasco County Circuit Court on Thursday afternoon.  The investigation is on-going, and anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact The Dalles Police Department Detective Division at 541-296-2613.

The Hood River County Transportation District is seeking feedback on existing bus routes. ideas for new routes, and other ways public transit can benefit the community as it prepares a master plan to expand the area’s public bus service in the near term and looking forward 20 years.  The district has an on-line survey on its website, catransit.org, through October 30, available in both English and Spanish.  Project staff also will be out in the community this month to share information and hear ideas.   On Sunday, staff will be available at an information booth at the Hood River Walmart from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  In late fall, the planning team will hold an open house to present draft concepts.  The Hood River County Transportation District Board of Directors expects to adopt the final plan in April 2017.

The Hood River County Health Department has scheduled two flu shot clinics in the upcoming days.  The first is Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the department office on 1109 June Street.  A second will take place next Monday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Parkdale Fire Department.  The health department will bill insurance, just bring your insurance card to the clinic.  Vaccine will be provided free to the uninsured, with a 15 dollar administration fee to be assessed.

Football Pendleton 33, Hood River Valley 23 Woodburn 27, The Dalles 20 King’s Way Christian 31, Columbia 7 Castle Rock 45, Stevenson 14 Granger 38, Goldendale 14   Volleyball Ione def. Horizon Christian 25-19, 23-25, 25-10, 25-13 Horizon Christian def. Sherman 26-24, 17-25, 25-23, 25-18 South Wasco def. Trinity Lutheran 25-12, 21-25, 25-17, 24-26, 15-8 South Wasco def. Damascus Christian 3 sets to 0  

The 2016 Fire Season for lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District terminated Friday morning.  Powerful winter storms are expected to cross central Oregon starting today, bringing moisture and cooler conditions, reducing the risk of wildfire.  District firefighters have responded to ninety-seven fires in 2016, burning 2,456 acres.  Twenty-three of these fires were caused by lightning, but 77 percent of the fires were human caused.  Topping the list for human-caused fires is escaped debris burns and campfires that are not fully extinguished.  ODF officials still warn that fall weather can vary day to day, and cold temperatures and wind can dry fuels and fan flames when fires are left unattended.

Union Pacific says it has completed its rail fastening system replacement work throughout the eight miles of curved track in the Columbia River Gorge.  The track throughout the curves is now secured with a fastening system that includes spikes instead of lag bolts, enhancing defect detectability during inspections.  That work coming in the wake of last June’s oil train derailment in Mosier.  The company says it has made considerable safety improvements, reducing reportable derailments across the network by 35 percent from 2000 to 2015. In Oregon specifically, Union Pacific reduced reportable derailments by 58 percent from 2000 to 2015.

Football Dufur 74, South Wasco 0 Sherman 69, Arlington 6   Boys Soccer Hood River Valley 8, Pendleton 0 Hermiston 7, The Dalles 0   Girls Soccer Hermiston 3, The Dalles 2 Hood River Valley 6, Pendleton 0 LaCenter 3, Columbia 2 King’s Way Christian 8, Stevenson 0   Volleyball Pendleton def. The Dalles 25-16, 22-25, 22-25, 25-15, 15-12 Hood River Valley def. Hermiston 23-25, 25-13, 25-18, 25-6 Columbia def. Seton Catholic 22-25, 25-21, 26-24, 17-25, 15-6 LaCenter def. Stevenson 25-19, 25-5, 25-16 Dufur def. South Wasco 21-25, 25-14, 25-14, 20-25, 15-6   Cross Country The Dalles boys finished second and the girls fourth at the Wildhorse Invitational in Pendleton.  The Riverhawks’ Ezekiel Stelzer was fourth in the boys race, and Emma Mullins 12th in the girls run.