A division chief with Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue says the 15 Mile Fire east of The Dalles is being called under control, but not contained. Strong winds in the area during the night grew the fire to an estimated 3500 acres. MCFR Division Chief Jay Wood said this morning containment lines are not completed, but the fire is at 60-to-80 percent containment level. He said the fire has gone past Celilo Village, to where Interstate 84 and Highway 30 turn to the south. Wood said no structures have been lost and there have been no injuries, but farmers have lost some equipment along with grazing land, wheat, and possibly some cattle. Wood said five fire engines and a hand crew of 20 people along with other firefighters are at the scene today. He noted command of the fire is now being split, with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Land Management now taking command of the eastern portion of the fire, while MCFR will do patrol and deal with hot spots on Fifteen Mile Hill and along Interstate 84. Wasco County Emergency Management has confirmed all evacuation orders have been lifted, but caution is advised as firefighting efforts continue in the area and personnel and equipment are still present. The fire began at 5:35 p.m. Thursday near Interstate 84 in the vicinity of mileposts 90 and 91. A public information hotline for the fire has been established at 541-506-2792. Crews from Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Columbia Rural Fire Protection District, Hood River County, Sherman County, Klickitat County, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Land Management have been involved in fighting the fire Interstate 84 is open between The Dalles and Biggs, but motorists are being asked to use caution.
Courtesy Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue
Both the City Councils of The Dalles and Hood River have voted to put proposals for a three percent tax on recreational marijuana sales on the November ballot. State law allows municipalities to establish the tax with voter approval. Hood River City Manager Steve Wheeler says Hood River councilors want to use the proceeds in two areas: public safety funding and drug education. The Dalles City Council had similar thoughts, noting the potential increased law enforcement costs and a need to provide more education to the youth of the community.
City officials in The Dalles say they intend to take steps to improve relations with Native American tribes in the area. Mayor Steve Lawrence will act as the City’s emissary in those efforts to approach both the Warm Springs and Yakama tribes. Lawrence says the first step is to approach the tribes without any kind of agenda being involved. Lawrence indicated the hope of The Dalles is to emulate positive relationships like Pendleton has with the Umatilla tribe and Lincoln City with the Siletz tribe.
As the Fourth of July approaches, the Eyeopeners Lions Club is once again seeking donations to help defray the cost of putting on Hood River’s Independence Day fireworks show. Club President Russ Paddock says the cost of putting on the show increases each year, noting the cost of just the shells this year is $15,000, and there are additional equipment needs as well. Paddock adds with local volunteers producing the show, the cost is greatly reduced from having an outside party come in to put it on. To donate to the Eyeopeners Lions Fireworks effort, mail a check to Lions Fireworks at 1767 12th Street #136 in Hood River, zip code 97031, or go to the Eyeopeners Lions fireworks stand in Cascade Commons Shopping Center.
Fundraising for the Fort Dalles Fourth fireworks show is continuing. Matthew Klebes of The Dalles Main Street says the show by Western Display is billed as the largest in Oregon. He says the fundraising effort is going well at just over $23,000, with a goal of $25,000. Donations can be made at the Fort Dalles Fourth gofundme.com site, or mailed to 710 East 2nd in The Dalles. A complete schedule of Fort Dalles Fourth events is available at fortdallesfourth.com.
Hood River City Councilors discussed staff ideas in an attempt to move forward with zoning code amendments for short-term rentals, but once again there was no movement toward the four votes that would be needed to pass any changes. The concept from staff included allowing currently functioning STR’s in residential zones to continue with proper permitting until there is an ownership change, and as properties change hands it would move toward a cap on STR’s of 100. The Council, down two members for the issue, has been split between a municipal planning commission proposal to require short-term rental owners in residential zones to be primary residents, and a cap and density distribution plan. The subject will return to the Council on July 25.
The Dalles City Council reached decisions on a time, place, and manner ordinance for recreational marijuana businesses. Among the decisions: opting for a 500-foot buffer around schools and parks from retail marijuana outlets, and allowing processing and wholesaling in commercial and light industrial zones in addition to industrial zones recommended by the municipal planning commission. Mayor Steve Lawrence felt the ordinance was covering the ground the Council was looking for. A full ordinance will come to the Council next month. In addition, the Council voted to send a three percent tax on recreational marijuana purchases to the November ballot.
The City of Hood River, Port of Hood River, and the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District are continuing moving toward a model for a dog park on property near the municipal wastewater treatment plant. City Manager Steve Wheeler gave an update on progress to City Councilors, saying the various agencies are reaching agreements in principal to move forward. He expects an arrangement similar to the Hood River Skate Park. Under that kind of agreement, the City would maintain ownership of the property, while the Parks and Recreation District would operate the dog park.
The Dalles City Council honored retiring police chief Jay Waterbury during its meeting on Monday night. Mayor Steve Lawrence presented Waterbury with a memory box featuring all of the shields he wore during his tenure with The Dalles Police Department. Lawrence noted in Waterbury’s 41 years with The Dalles Police, 20 as chief, Waterbury worked under 13 mayors, six City Managers, and 52 councilors, adding Waterbury served his community well. Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police President Jeff Spalding also honored Waterbury with an award, pointing out his work in mentoring leaders. Waterbury and his wife Vicki also received awards from the Oregon Department of Public Safety. A large crowd of community members were in attendance for the ceremony for Waterbury.
The City of Hood River, Hood River County, and the Oregon Department of Transportation are about to enter into an intergovernmental agreement to prepare a Westside Area Concept Plan. That plan would focus on land use and public infrastructure issues to facilitate development of workforce and affordable housing. City Manager Steve Wheeler says the Westside area is a key component to the housing strategy. The City will provide matching funds of just over $23,000 to augment an ODOT grant for the study. A Statement of Work for the study is being reviewed by the Oregon Department of Justice for state approval.
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