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About The Hood River news. (Hood River, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (April 25, 2015)
Bike Buddy Kid Space – A12 SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE H O M E & GARDEN G O R G E R E A L W EEKEND E DITION E S T A T E Vol. 109, No. 33 May 2015 75 cents 3 Sections, 30 Pages A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E D A L L E S C H R O N I C L E & H O O D R I V E R N E W S HOOD RIVER, OREGON Official Newspaper, City of Hood River and Hood River County ■ SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015 www.hoodrivernews.com Kidnap-rape suspect dies Fellow inmate at NORCOR facility finds Michael Linden dead By PATRICK MULVIHILL News Staff Writer Photo by Patrick Mulvihill PORT CREWS from Peterson Bros. Construction pour a concrete retaining wall Thursday afternoon at the northern end of the Nichols Basin on the Hood River waterfront, part of the Port’s Nichols Basin West Edge trail project. The Port also started pouring concrete for a sidewalk por- tion of the trail on Monday. Gap looms in Port project By PATRICK MULVIHILL News staff writer The Port of Hood River’s dream of a seamless pedestrian path connecting the entire waterfront has hit a major hurdle — a legal gap severs the Port’s and Naito Development LLC’s respective trail plans. The Port discovered in mid-February that its Nichols Basin West Edge trail plans didn’t match those of Naito Devel- opment, which is planning to build a hotel on the south end of the Nichols Boat Basin. Between the two properties is a 7-foot height differential neither par- ties accounted for, a slope too steep for the envisioned paved trail which would lead to a sidewalk on Naito’s property. If the Port and Naito don’t reach an agreement, their respective properties will cut off north and south of the in- cline, leaving the gap as a steep gravel driveway. Port Executive Director Michael McEl- wee said the trail connection issue has “come to a head,” considering Naito De- velopment is already planning construc- tion on its hotel area as early as next week. The Port is already deeply embroiled in construction at the Nichols Basin, fur- ther north. Over the last month, port crews constructed seawalls at the north- ern beach area of the project, and have been filling them with concrete over the last two weeks. The trail connection complication to the south could freeze the Port’s con- struction plans in the upcoming months. “It will affect construction of the road it and will delay us in construction in the south end,” said McElwee. Sixty feet separate the end of the Port’s property from Naito’s — a stone’s throw geographically, but a chasm legally and financially. McElwee described the gap area as “complex” due to its cluster of “oddly shaped property lines.” The proposed West Edge trail is bordered by easements S p o t l i g h t a t u r d a y allocated to Doug Hattenhauer, owner of the adjacent Riverfront 76 gas station, and the Oregon Department of Trans- portation, which protects a portion of the riparian area. Thus, any adjustments would require new permitting and poten- tially expensive construction. The Port is poised to receive roughly $600,000 in state grant funding for the project. However, that doesn’t account for new costs required to connect the trail gap, said McElwee. At a Port Commission meeting Tues- day, members of the Hood River Valley Residents Committee, a local land use watchdog group, urged the port to con- nect the trail gap as soon as possible. “There will never be a cheaper or easi- er time to complete trail construction,” said Heather Staten, executive director of the committee. Staten said the current plan for a grav- el gap, and its heavy incline, would be an ADA accessibility obstacle. A Hood River man accused of eight separate felonies including kidnap and rape was found dead at Northern Oregon Region Corrections Facility in The Dalles Wednesday morning. Michael Scott Linden, 52, who was charged with eight separate felonies including burglary, kidnap- ping, rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, assault, strangula- tion and unlawful use of weapon, was found dead at NORCOR at about 10:58 a.m. Wednesday, April 22. According to NORCOR director Jim Weed, offi- cials were tipped off to Linden’s death by an inmate. “We were noti- fied by an inmate who came to us and said ‘hey, we got trouble,’” said Weed. Weed said the cause of death is pending investigation by Wasco County Sheriff ’s office and The Dalles Police Department. Linden was booked in NORCOR Wednesday, April 15 and arraigned at Michael Scott Linden the Hood River County Courthouse the next day. At a follow-up appear- ance before Judge Karen Ostrye on Monday, April 20, his next appearance was set for May 6. Linden was facing more than 40 years in prison if convicted of the most severe charges levied against him. His bail was set at $100,000. A reported friend of Linden’s, who requested not to be named, said he found posts on Linden’s Face- book page yesterday that read “R.I.P. Scott Linden” and “peace and strength to you, old friend.” The friend said he had mostly lost contact with Linden over the last 20 years, but was close with him in the 1970s and 1980s, when the two attended high school in the Santa Barbara area of Southern Cali- fornia. “He’s a good person … I’m sorry that whatever happened did,” said the friend. Council talks train safety on Monday Train safety, affordable housing, and parking are ongoing issues Hood River City Council will deal with Monday in its regular meeting, 6 p.m. at City Hall. Planning director Cindy Walbridge will give an up- See PORT, Page A11 See TRAIN, Page A11 A weekly series about a day in the life ... Tyson Miller gains ag experience, has fun, in FFA BY TRISHA WALKER News staff writer Photos by Trisha Walker TYSON MILLER, 16, has been busy preparing for the FFA’s 8th annual Steak Feed and Silent Auction, held this Saturday at HRVHS. High school students can take a variety of ag classes, from gardening to wood shop to veterinary science. Tyson Miller, 16, Hood River Valley High School sopho- more, has been busy the past few weeks, helping get ready for the school’s 8th Annual FFA Steak Feed and Silent Auc- tion fundraiser, held today (April 25) in the HRVHS 8th Annual FFA Steak cafeteria and Commons be- Feed and Silent Auction ginning at 6 p.m. will be held April 25 begin- A second-year member of FFA (or Future Farmers of ning at 6 p.m. at the HRVHS America), Miller said that cafeteria and Commons, although the Steak Feed is a 1220 Indian Creek Road, one-night affair, it takes stu- Hood River. Tickets are $10 dents all year to plan: they and are available at the door. are in charge of organizing the event and gathering all of the donations (and, in some cases, crafting or bringing in items themselves), as well as setting up beforehand and cleaning up when it’s over. During the event itself, you’ll find members welcoming guests, serving food and drinks, and See TYSON, Page A11 Four To Go Shred Day is April 25 Helping Hands position opens Tutu Trot returns May 9 Work party at Care Center Cascade Central Credit Union, located at 1206 12th Street, on the Heights in Hood River, is holding their annual Community Shred Day event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 25. There is a three box limit, and while there is no charge for the service, donations will be accepted in support of the CCCU scholarship fund. Helping Hands Against Violence has a new volunteer position open at the shelter for the summer months and be- yond — staff is hoping volunteers will become long-term. Volunteers must have the desire to work with children of all ages and will work with Child Development coordinator to develop activities and take children on local field trips. Must pass background check and sign confidentiality agree- ment. More info at jayce@helpinghandsoregon.org. Be sure to wear a tutu for Lila May’s second annual Tutu Trot, scheduled for May 9 at the Mark O. Hatfield Twin Tunnels Trail beginning at 9 a.m. Walkers and runners can participate in a 3K, 5K, 10K or stroller walk at $20 per entry. Kid race for those 12 and under. Fun, music and medals provided for each participant. Lila May is a local four year old who is bat- tling neuroblastoma. She was diagnosed in Sep- tember 2012 and is currently being treated with radiation at OHSU and by specialists in New York. To donate or for more information, email dtjennybrown@gmail.com or visit www.lilamaytututrot.com. The community is invited to join Hood River Care Center residents, staff and friends to help beautify the grounds April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch and re- freshments will be provided. Donations of flowers, plants, flower pots, dirt, fertilizer, seeds, bulbs, bird and squirrel feeders, tools, watering cans and outdoor furni- ture will be accepted, as well as donations of time. For more information contact Chris- tine Shannon at 541-386-2688 ext. 4621. 7 05105 97630 3