Bridge closures flouted, says Klickitat County public works director

“We’ve had people open our closures,” he said, “and drive across the bridges. And because our people removed the barricades and drove across the bridges, the county has now assumed any liability for the last two bridges we’ve done.”

Fortunately, the epoxy appeared to have set up in time. “If that had been a concrete deck, we’d have found out who drove across, because they’d have been stuck in the middle, and nobody could afford the bill that would have been,” Hunter said.

Planning Director Scott Edelman then gave a status update on the proposed solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) ordinance.

“The solar and BESS ordinance is still under review by outside legal counsel,” Edelman said. “He’s shooting for early September to get full comments back, including a draft of our ordinance. He went a little beyond our initial scope, but I think it’s going to be a better product that will move us forward a lot better.”

Commissioners also asked County Administrator Robb Van Cleave, who had planned to leave at the end of the year, to stay on up to six more months to help find his successor.

And in the afternoon session, Jail Administrator Bill Frantz honored Corporal Robert Cooper, who prevented an attempted suicide on July 15.

“Without hesitation, you intervened decisively, removed the ligature from the inmate’s neck and immediately summoned emergency services,” said Frantz, reading from the letter of commendation. “Your alertness, courage and commitment to preserving human life directly contributed to a successful outcome, and I’d like to present you with a lifesaving medal.”

This was not the first time Corporal Cooper has saved an inmate’s life. He performed a similar rescue in August 2023.