Story by Rodger Nichols for Gorge Country Media
Wasco County Commissioners held their first meeting of the new year, and started it with good news from Debbie Jones regarding the opioid settlement funds:
“I am very excited and I want to thank Molly, Kelly and Kristen on applying to the state finally. We’ve been working on this for probably five months. So these are the official contracts.”
The opioid settlement funds are given to the county to distribute the money to groups that are actively engaged in drug prevention and treatment. Just over $428,000 was disbursed to five entities: Gorge Recover Center, Dufur School District, The Next Door, Inc., NORCOR prison and a group named Partnership to End Drug Addiction:
Debbie Jones and Youth Think have been coordinating the efforts in conjunction with other county departments.
it was also the first featuring new commissioner Jeff Justesen, who was elected in November, replacing former chair Steve Kramer, who retired after 12 years.
When County Administrator Tyler Stone presented a new set of policy guidelines for county appointees, Justesen had a chance to make his first motion:
Jeff : “If there’s no questions, I move to approve a Wasco County appointee conduct policy.
Phil: “I second the motion.”
Scott: I’ve got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor say aye.
All:Aye/Aye
Scott: Chair votes yes, it’s unanimous.
Tyer: First motion
Scott: All right.”
And Senior Planner Sean Bailey presented information about the proposed Yellow Rosebush energy project:
“It has roughly the capacity of 800 megawatts along with 800 megawatts of power storage in batteries. The project site is roughly 8,075 acres which includes 4.5 miles of overhead, transmission lines.”
A projected timeline includes start of construction in 2027 and running through 2030 to complete the first phase of the project. The second phase would be completed by 2035.