Gladys Rivera was selected to take an open seat on the Hood River City Council.  Rivera was chosen from a field of three applicants to the seat that had been vacated two months ago when Kate McBride was chosen to move into the Mayor’s chair after Paul Blackburn’s resignation.  Rivera said she looked to serve as a bridge for those who are underrepresented in the City, and that there is a need for a better sense of community with an equitable, inclusive environment for all.  Rivera was chosen over Angel Reyes-Borton and former Councilor and mayoral candidate Susan Johnson.  In the first vote of Councilors, Rivera received four voters and Reyes-Borton two to move into a final vote, which Rivera won 5-1.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is taking nominations for its Distinguished Citizens Award through Friday.  Chamber Executive Director Lisa Farquharson is encouraging everyone to nominate deserving individuals that they know.  Categories include outstanding woman, man, volunteer, agricultural person, youth, business, educator, and first responder.  To make a nomination, go to thedalleschamber.com.  Awards will be given at the Chamber’s annual banquet on January 16.

Boys Basketball

Knox Grammar School (Australia) 61, Hood River Valley 44:  A ten-point run by Knox to start the third quarter broke open a close game in the international exhibition.  Josh Pain led Knox with 21 points while Mickey Yoone added 17.  Noah Webster’s 12 led the way for HRV.

Goldendale 52, Columbia 50

Central Christian 60, Horizon Christian 44

Girls Basketball

Columbia 60, Goldendale 55

Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Congressman Greg Walden are welcoming news that the Forest Service has awarded ”call when needed” contracts to providers of wildfire-fighting large air tankers.  The trio pressed for the contracts to be awarded in a September 2019 letter to Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen.  The first solicitation for the contracts was issued in July 2018.  The “call when needed” contracts allow the Forest Service to put approved aircraft into service when those aircraft are needed, and do not require the Forest Service to pay for those aircraft when they are not needed.  Wyden said Oregonians need the broadest possible range of options for fighting wildfires, and Walden added this is welcome progress, but there is more work to do to reduce the threat of wildfires in the West.

The Ports of Cascade Locks and Hood River have reached an agreement to bring the “BreezeBy” electronic tolling system in use on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge to the Bridge of the Gods.  The new system will go live at the Bridge of the Gods on January 6.  In Cascade Locks, BreezeBy transponders will replace the Port of Cascade Locks “Local Stickers” and coupon books that have traditionally provided local commuters with discounted tolls.  Bridge users that have signed up for BreezeBy will pay only $1.25 per crossing of the Bridge of the Gods, and $1.00 at the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge, versus a $2.00 cash toll at both bridges.  Toll rates depend on vehicle class, with larger class vehicle tolls determined by the number of axles.  The Port of Cascade Locks will discontinue sales of coupon books on December 20 and will no longer accept them or local stickers for discounts on February 3.  New BreezeBy accounts can be created online at portofcascadelocks.org.

Free metered parking in downtown Hood River on afternoons during the holiday shopping season is starting today.  Hood River County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kate Schroeder says this year the free parking will be offered from noon to 6 p.m. through December 24.  She says downtown businesses requested the free parking not start until noon to make sure customers get to use the spaces.  Although meter feeding is not necessary during the afternoon hours, all other City parking rules will be enforced.  This includes observing signed time limits on metered parking and reserved parking in the State St., Cascade St., Columbia St. and Front St. parking lots, which require paid passes.  Sunday parking is always free all-day long.

Boys Basketball

South Albany 52, Hood River Valley 47

Lebanon 66, Hood River Valley 60

Lebanon 68, The Dalles 49

South Albany 63, The Dalles 49

Riverside 60, Columbia 37

Stevenson 74, Lyle-Wishram 13

Heppner 54, Dufur 47

Powder Valley 68, Dufur 61

Damascus Christian 48, Horizon Christian 23

Crosshill Christian 52, Horizon Christian 35

Stanfield 49, Sherman 42

Sherman 60, Culver 56

South Wasco 72, Trout Lake 43

South Wasco 85, Klickitat-Glenwood 30

Wahluke 90, Goldendale 49

Girls Basketball

Astoria 83, Hood River Valley 19

Toledo 57, Hood River Valley 13

Crater 41, The Dalles 30

Columbia 40, Riverside 23

Stevenson 67, Lyle-Wishram 23

Lyle-Wishram 40, Klickitat-Glenwood 29

Heppner 47, Dufur 29

Dufur 39, Powder Valley 33

Stanfield 61, Sherman 41

Sherman 43, Central Christian 34

South Wasco 57, Trout Lake 47

South Wasco 56, Klickitat-Glenwood 25

Goldendale 39, Wahluke 11

Wasco County Commissioners passed the first reading of the county’s latest set of updates to the comprehensive plan ordinance this week.  This set focused on open spaces, natural resources, public facilities, and energy conservation sections of the plan.  Commissioner Scott Hege says part of these changes impact the White River Wild and Scenic Area that runs through Tygh Valley area, and he feels the revisions will be beneficial to residents in that area.  The second reading and final passage is expected on December 18.  Next up for Wasco 2040 is dealing with forest lands and recreation.

The White Salmon City Council adopted the municipal budget for 2020.  There are no major changes in their fiscal plan, with outgoing Mayor David Poucher noting they are in a good position.  Poucher presided over his last Council meeting as Mayor this week, as he leaves office at the end of the month after 12 years in the position.  Current Councilor Marla Keethler takes over as Mayor in 2020.

Swimming

Hood River Valley’s boys and girls both rolled to wins over Gresham to start the season.  The boys won 100-49 with both David Hecksel and Connor McElwee each winning two events, while the girls grabbed a 118-52 victory as Sarah Arpag won two races.

Boys Basketball

Washougal 87, Stevenson 49:  The Panthers roared back from a six-point deficit after one quarter.  Washougal’s Jakob Davis had 29 points and 10 rebounds.  Jonathan Blackledge led Stevenson with 19 points.

Girls Basketball

Damascus Christian 56, Trout Lake 48