Gorge News

The Latest News From Columbia Gorge Broadcasters

noreply@blogger.com (Gorge News) — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 12:19:13 PDT

Burnout Operations Continue

Burnout operations on the south end of the Bluegrass Ridge Fire in the Mount Hood Complex were to be continued August 23. Strong winds did lead to extreme fire behavior late Tuesday afternoon and evening, but crews supported by water and retardant drops were able to hold the line. Northwest Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team spokesperson Kim Smolt says they are working to reduce the danger of spot fires from burning snags. Burnout operations went well enough on August 22 to reopen Highway 35 from Cooper Spur Road to White River earlier than planned. The road will operate on the same restrictions it was under before the August 22 burnout, with a pilot car between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and a closure between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Smolt did say some intermittent closures might be necessary to allow for continued burnout activities. Containment is now officially listed at 40 percent. Acreage burned in the complex has reached 1,750 acres, all but 50 involving the Bluegrass Ridge Fire.

Connolly Running Again

Klickitat County Commission candidate Chris Connolly sees jobs, education, and developing strong and healthy communities as the primary issues facing the county. Connolly is running for the Democratic Party nomination in District 2 in the September 19 primary. The Snowden resident wants to see the Commission operate with more transparency, especially in the west end of the county. Connolly is running against Marc Harvey of Lyle for the Democratic nomination. David Sauter of Lyle is unopposed for the Republican spot on the November general election ballot. All three want to succeed Joan Frey, who is not seeking re-election after 16 years on the Commission.

Drug Arrests In The Dalles

The Mid-Columbia Interagency Narcotics Task Force made a number of arrests in two locations in The Dalles last week. According to a Task Force spokesperson, a lengthy investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on Del Vista Drive. The Task Force seized about four grams of methamphetamine, 1-½ ounces of marijuana, a marijuana plant, drug paraphernalia, and stolen property. 46-year-old Evan Lamb the Third and 43-year-old Leah Lamb were arrested, and the Department of Human Services took a 9-year-old child into custody. During the investigation, information was obtained from the suspects that led the team to a residence on Seven Mile Road. At that location, Task Force members seized about two ounces of marijuana, 15 grams of methamphetamine, scales, two handguns, stolen property, and close to $6000 in cash. An ATV quad was also recovered, which was reported stolen by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in May. 30-year-old Mario Molina was arrested for delivery and possession of methamphetamine. Joshua Paul Schull was also arrested as a result of the investigation, for failing to register as a sex offender. The Task Force says the investigation is still continuing, and several more arrests are expected.

HR County Won't Change Measure 37 Process

Hood River County Commissioners have decided not to change any of their processes for dealing with Measure 37 claims. Commissioners reviewed how they direct staff to deal with the property rights measure and how they interpret some of the issues that remain unresolved, particularly whether family members forming a corporation and transfering land assets into it create a new date of ownership. County Administrator David Meriwether says they will continue to interpret it as a transfer of ownership. Meriwether expects the County to receive more guidance on the issues from various court cases around the state. In other business, Commissioners approved a resolution asking the Oregon Department of Human Services initiate the formation of a sewer district in the Windmaster Corner area. The process will eventually lead to a hearing before an administrative law judge, probably in about three months. The County has been seeking a solution to failing septic systems in the Windmaster area for a number of years.

Vance Wants More Communication In Prosecutor's Office

Klickitat County Prosecutor candidate Julie Vance says frustration is what led her to seek election to the office. Vance, who is currently the Goldendale City Prosecutor, believes the County prosecutor's office needs to be run better, and establish better working relationships with law enforcement agencies, the community, and defense attorneys. Vance is opposing incumbent Tim O'Neill in the Republican primary on September 19. No Democratic Party member filed to run for the office.

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noreply@blogger.com (Gorge News) — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 12:19:20 PDT

Drug Arrests In The Dalles

The Mid-Columbia Interagency Narcotics Task Force made a number of arrests in two locations in The Dalles last week. According to a Task Force spokesperson, a lengthy investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on Del Vista Drive. The Task Force seized about four grams of methamphetamine, 1-½ ounces of marijuana, a marijuana plant, drug paraphernalia, and stolen property. 46-year-old Evan Lamb the Third and 43-year-old Leah Lamb were arrested, and the Department of Human Services took a 9-year-old child into custody. During the investigation, information was obtained from the suspects that led the team to a residence on Seven Mile Road. At that location, Task Force members seized about two ounces of marijuana, 15 grams of methamphetamine, scales, two handguns, stolen property, and close to $6000 in cash. An ATV quad was also recovered, which was reported stolen by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in May. 30-year-old Mario Molina was arrested for delivery and possession of methamphetamine. Joshua Paul Schull was also arrested as a result of the investigation, for failing to register as a sex offender. The Task Force says the investigation is still continuing, and several more arrests are expected.

HR County Won't Change Measure 37 Process

Hood River County Commissioners have decided not to change any of their processes for dealing with Measure 37 claims. Commissioners reviewed how they direct staff to deal with the property rights measure and how they interpret some of the issues that remain unresolved, particularly whether family members forming a corporation and transfering land assets into it create a new date of ownership. County Administrator David Meriwether says they will continue to interpret it as a transfer of ownership. Meriwether expects the County to receive more guidance on the issues from various court cases around the state. In other business, Commissioners approved a resolution asking the Oregon Department of Human Services initiate the formation of a sewer district in the Windmaster Corner area. The process will eventually lead to a hearing before an administrative law judge, probably in about three months. The County has been seeking a solution to failing septic systems in the Windmaster area for a number of years.

Highway 35 Through Fire Area Closed Temporarily

Highway 35 between White River and Cooper Spur Road has been closed to allow for burnout work on the Bluegrass Ridge Fire in the Mount Hood Complex Tom Berglund of the Northwest Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team says they did deal with downslope winds on August 21, but the fire remained within the lines. Hand lines have been established around a slopover fire that ignited over the weekend. The closure of Highway 35 between White River and Cooper Spur Road began at noon on August 22, and is expected to remain in effect for 24 to 48 hours. Highway 35 between Hood River and Parkdale will continue to remain open. Containment of the complex is now listed at 35 percent, with the complex burning 1480 acres, all but 50 involving the Bluegrass Ridge Fire. There are 708 firefighters on the scene.

Vance Wants More Communication In Prosecutor's Office

Klickitat County Prosecutor candidate Julie Vance says frustration is what led her to seek election to the office. Vance, who is currently the Goldendale City Prosecutor, believes the County prosecutor's office needs to be run better, and establish better working relationships with law enforcement agencies, the community, and defense attorneys. Vance is opposing incumbent Tim O'Neill in the Republican primary on September 19. No Democratic Party member filed to run for the office.

Kramer Field Shed Burns

A storage building at Kramer Field in The Dalles was destroyed by fire early August 22. According to Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, the fire was reported at 1:20 a.m., and destroyed a metal clad 25-foot by 30-foot storage building. They report that no natural or accidental cause for the fire has been found, and The Dalles Police Department will continue to investigate. Anyone with information regarding the fire is asked to call The Dalles Police at 296-2613.

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noreply@blogger.com (Gorge News) — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 11:55:06 PDT

Highway 35 To Be Closed On August 22 For Burnout

Highway 35 between White River and Cooper Spur Road will be closed beginning at noon on August 22 to allow for an expanded burnout effort on the Bluegrass Ridge Fire in the Mount Hood Complex. Kim Smolt of the Northwest Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team says the burnout is needed after some fire slopped over lines on the south side of the complex on Elk Mountain. The slopover burned about 200 additional acres, bring the total amount burned to 1,450 acres. Burnout work on other sections of the fire has moved into the mopup stage. Highway 35 between White River and Cooper Spur Road remains open with restrictions announced on August 18 until noon on August 22. Smolt says the burnout will probably keep that section of the highway closed for 24 to 48 hours. Highway 35 between Hood River and Parkdale will continue to remain open. Containment of the complex is now listed at 30 percent, but the slopover did push back the estimate for full containment to Labor Day.

Woodburn Man Drowns In Deschutes River

A rafting accident on the Deschutes River near Maupin claimed the life of a Woodburn man on August 19. According to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, 55-year-old Jaime Garcia was rafting with a group of family and friends in the area of Oak Springs Rapids when he fell out of the raft. Onlookers reported that he was underwater briefly, then came to the surface and was pulled to shore. Garcia was not breathing, so CPR was administered at the scene, but he did not recover. Garcia was reported to have been wearing a life vest at the time of the accident.

McElwee Settling In To Port of HR Position

Michael McElwee is getting settled in to his new position as the Port of Hood River's Executive Director. McElwee has been on the job for about six weeks, and says he has been spending time learning about everything the Port does. He says he is amazed at everything the Port does. McElwee came from the Portland Development Commission where he worked on the Oregon Convention Center district. He says one of the similarities between the two jobs is the number of different stakeholders involved, and the need to find a consensus from the varying viewpoints they bring.

Gorge News From Columbia Gorge Broadcasters

noreply@blogger.com (Gorge News) — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 06:32:44 PDT

Wyden And Smith Release Mt. Hood Wilderness Proposal

Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith have proposed nearly doubling the acreage the House had approved for the first wilderness expansion on Mt. Hood in more than 20 years. Wyden and Smith are asking 125,000 acres be designated wilderness, a 70 percent increase from the existing wilderness area, and more than the 77,000 acres approved by the House in July as part of the Mt. Hood Legacy Act authored by Oregon Congressmen Greg Walden and Earl Blumenauer. Walden and Blumenauer both say they are optimistic about reaching agreement, adding they look forward to seeing the specifics of the Senate proposal. Wyden did say in a press conference to introduce the Senate legislation he did not think the Legacy Act could pass in that chamber with the negotiated settlement for the Cooper Spur area, saying the Forest Service land involved must have an appropriate appraisal in the public interest. But Blumenauer said the Senate package appears to accept the settlement, and Walden noted a General Accounting Office review of the appraisal in the agreement should be ready in a matter of weeks, not months as some news reports indicated.

Fire Burnout Continues

Burnout operations continue on the last remaining fire in the Mount Hood Complex. The size of the Bluegrass Ridge fire is now listed at 1,000 acres. Firefighters on August 18 expect to ignite a large section of unburned area within the line from a helicopter using an aerial ignition device. Northwest Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team spokesman Bernie Pineda says the main thing they need for the burnouts are proper wind conditions. Crews also expect to complete removal of water pumps and hose lay from the Badger Creek Wilderness area, allowing the Forest Service to focus on stabilization and rehabilitation of the burned area. Those efforts will begin immediately and continue for several weeks to months.

Highway 35 Reopens Through Fire Areqa

Highway 35 through the Mount Hood Complex fire area reopened on an intermittent basis on August 17. Between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., public travel will be allowed with no stopping between Cooper Spur Road and the Forest Service Road 48 junction. That section will be closed completely from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and then from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. pilot cars will be used to shuttle traffic between milepost 67 at Pocket Creek to milepost 71 north of Forest Service Road 44. Oregon Department of Transportation spokesman Shawn Ullman says the main concern is to allow aerial operations on the fire to continue safely. Forest Service roads to Mount Hood Meadows and Cloud Cap Inn remain closed. There is a public meeting planned for August 18 at 4 p.m. at the Parkdale Community Center.

Festival of Trees Discontinued

An annual holiday event in the Mid-Columbia is coming to an end An independent group has put together the Festival of Trees in The Dalles for ten years, but the organization has announced the they have now decided to disband to pursue other philanthropic ventures. The Festival annually donated funds to local organizations to benefit patient care. The statement from the group says while this means the Festival of Trees will no longer be a part of the holiday season, it means that others may take the opportunity to fund similar causes. Festival organizers thanked those who have been a part of the event, and they encourage the community to continue to support local charitable programs.

The Latest News From Columbia Gorge Broadcasters

noreply@blogger.com (Gorge News) — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 12:00:26 PDT

Burnout Operations Start While Highway 35 To Be Open Intermittently

After the successful beginning of burnout operations on August 15, crews on the Mount Hood Complex fire spent August 16 mopping up the north side of the Bluegrass Ridge Fire and preparing for further burnouts. The size of the Complex has increased to 880 acres, 850 of which involve the Bluegrass Fire, and the containment estimate is up to 20 percent. Crews will light small strips as conditions permit to remove fuel in an effort to maintain a comparatively low intensity burn on the majority of the fire area. Meanwhile, fire officials announced Highway 35 through the fire area will open on an intermittent basis beginning at 9 p.m. on August 17. Between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., public travel will be allowed with no stopping between Cooper Spur Road and the Forest Service Road 48 junction. That section will be closed completely from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and then from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. pilot cars will be used to shuttle traffic between milepost 67 at Pocket Creek to milepost 71 north of Forest Service Road 44.

Holen Resigns, Cortese Offered Job Back

In the wake of the August 15 recall election, White Salmon Mayor Roger Holen resigned before the August 16 City Council meeting. Even though there were still 245 absentee ballots unreturned to the Klickitat County Auditor's office and the vote would not be certified until August 25, Holen resigned after Tuesday's vote count showed 61 percent of voters were in favor of the recall, 356 in favor to 229 against. Councilor Francis Gaddis was named Mayor Pro Tem, and offered to reinstate former Bingen-White Salmon police chief Rich Cortese, whose firing sparked the recall effort. The Council voted to support the offer, which Gaddis says is open for acceptance for 60 days. In a statement, Gaddis says the termination of Cortese was not the result of problems with his performance as police chief. The City had expected litigation involving Cortese could be resolved at a summary judgment hearing scheduled for August 22, but Gaddis said procedural and factual issues are preventing prompt resolution of the case, and the City wants to avoid additional legal expenses and wants to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Nichols Property Zone Change Moves Closer

Hood River City Councilors approved the first reading of a zone change of the Nichols Boat Works property from industrial to commercial. If approved in a second reading on August 28, it would pave the way for a proposal by Naito Development to build a 90 to 115 room hotel with a restaurant plus apartment or condominium units. City Manager Bob Francis said traffic impacts on the Second Street corridor to State were the main concern for the Council, but an agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation to install a traffic light at 2nd and Oak helped alleviate those worries. All five councilors present at the meeting approved of the zone change, but because there was not a full panel, it will have to go through a second vote in two weeks.

Bingen Upgrading Daubenspeck Park Electric

The City of Bingen is upgrading the electrical system at Daubenspeck Park. Mayor Brian Prigel says the additions of a number of different electrical and water outlets should make it easier to hold festivals and other large events there. Prigel says the City will simply look to recoup park costs with more events in Daubenspeck Park, but adds that a spin-off could be felt by increased business for shops in the community. The upgrades should be ready for next month's Huckleberry Festival.

Izzo Resigns As TD Finance Director

The Finance Director for the City of The Dalles has resigned his position. Dan Izzo also served as the city’s Information Technology Manager. His resignation will become effective in mid-September, following the completion of the fiscal year 2005-06 financial audit. According to City Attorney Gene Parker, Izzo has taken a new position in Wyoming. City Manager Nolan Young praised Izzo in a prepared press release, saying he oversaw modernization of the city’s information and telecommunication system, and coordinated the use of low-interest bonding to accomplish several city projects. Izzo also led the city through seven strong financial audits, and developed a plan to correct deficiencies found in the last audit. The City Manager says that Izzo is leaving the city in a solid financial position, and with an excellent IT system. The city is developing a transition and long-range plan to meet its financial and information technology management needs.