Residential open burning within the Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue District will be allowed beginning Wednesday with a valid burn permit. MCFR officials say while we have received some rain, don’t let the recent moisture create a false sense of security. Fuels protected from rainfall, especially beneath trees and other covered areas, can remain dry and readily available to burn. A debris fire can still escape and spread into surrounding vegetation. Before you burn, remember that a burn permit is required anywhere within the MCFR District. If you live within an Oregon Department of Forestry protected area, you must also follow ODF requirements and restrictions. If you live within the City of The Dalles, you must comply with City rules, and burn barrels are not permitted within the City. Check conditions before lighting your burn, have adequate water and tools available, and never leave a fire unattended. Burn permits and additional information are available at mcfr.org.
Wildfire Risk Reduction On Section Of Indian Creek
A wildfire risk reduction project on a section of Indian Creek between 7th and 8th Streets in Hood River will start next week. Hood River County Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator Elly Wells says it is a small project, but there are six homes within it. She says the Ant Farm Youth Corps Community Wildfire Defense Program out of Clackamas County will be doing the work on this effort, removing brush to reduce fuel continuity and invasive blackberry and ivy. In March a project near 8th Street along Indian Creek Trail took place, and this project is moving eastward from its end point. Removing invasive species will allow native plants to re-sprout and grow in that location, and make it easier to maintain in the future.
Next YouthThink Series Installment To Focus On Adults
The final installment of YouthThink of Wasco County’s “The More You Know” series will be specifically for adults. YouthThink Executive Director Debby Jones says the virtual session on November 12 will be about how parents can make sure they are taking care of themselves. Registration will be available at youththink.net for the 6 p.m. Zoom session on November 12. Jones adds they will be preparing a new parental information series in November, and will be conducting a community survey to learn the topics people would like to cover.
Time Running Out To Get Ballots In
Time is ticking down to get ballots in for Tuesday’s election. Ballots need to be dropped off at official dropboxes by 8 p.m. Tuesday, or be postmarked by Tuesday if mailed. To find out where dropboxes are located, visit County websites for details. Highlights on Tuesday’s ballot in Oregon include the Governor’s race, and Congressional and legislative seats. In Wasco County, there are County Commission races, along with mayoral and City Council seats up for grabs. In the City of Hood River, much discussed bond measures for a new police station and housing issues will be decided. Klickitat and Skamania County ballots both have Commission seats on the ballot, with a contested Sheriff’s race in Klickitat County, along with Congressional and legislative positions, and some statewide ballot measures.
CGCC Preparing Integrated Ag Program Starting Next Fall
Columbia Gorge Community College is preparing to offer a new Integrated Ag Science and Technology program beginning in the fall of 2027. Ed Thomas is the program’s instructor, and says it is designed to address a critical regional workforce gap by providing flexible agricultural training. Thomas adds he has been working with local stakeholders to develop the program to bridge the gap between traditional agronomy and modern, data-driven farming. The program will feature two embedded one-year certificates within the associate’s degree, allowing incumbent workers to upskill easily while offering a full two-year pathway. Those who are interested in the program can email ethomas@cgcc.edu.
CGOA Cabaret Coming Friday
Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association presents its fundraising Cabaret this Friday at The Ruins in Hood River. CGOA’s Stages Musical Theatre is hosting the event, so the Association’s Andrew Kirschbaum says it will feature the group performing past hits that they have done. He adds attendees will have some tasty auction items to bid on in the form of desserts. Doors open Friday evening at 6:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7:15 p.m. The show has sold out the last two years. Tickets are available in advance at gorgeorchestra.org.
October 30-31 Prep Sports Roundup
Friday Schedule
Football
Crook County 23, Hood River Valley 13
Pendleton 42, The Dalles 6
Columbia 56, Stevenson 12
Dufur 61, Joseph 12
Imbler 58, Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat 14
Sherman 36, Echo 32
Ione-Arlington 70, South Wasco 45
Cross Country
Trout Lake’s Meldoy Stock finished second and Felicity Peck fourth in the girls race at the Oregon 2A/1A District 4 Championships at McKay Park in Pendleton. Both advance to the state meet on Saturday in Eugene. The Mustangs finished third as a team. In the boys’ race, Trout Lake’s Joby Steward finished 11th.
Boys Water Polo
Mountain View 10, Hood River Valley 9
Oregon Class 4A Volleyball First Round
The Dalles def. Marshfield 25-18, 25-19, 25-20: The Riverhawks will meet Cascade Christian on Friday at 11 a.m. in North Bend in the quarterfinals of the Oregon Class 4A tournament.
Oregon Class 1A Volleyball Second Round
Sherman def. Prairie City 25-18, 26-24, 25-22: The Huskies will Joseph on Friday at 1 p.m. in the quarterfinals in LaGrande.
Dufur def. Arlington 25-21, 25-19, 25-22: The Rangers will face Echo on Friday at 3 p.m. in LaGrande.
Tuesday Schedule
Oregon Class 5A Boys Soccer Tournament
First Round
Hood River Valley at LaSalle, 7 p.m.
Oregon Class 4A Boys Soccer Tournament
Phoenix at The Dalles, 2 p.m.
Southwest Washington Class 1A Girls Soccer District Tournament
Loser-Out Game
Columbia at King’s Way Christian, 6 p.m.
Oregon Boys Water Polo Tournament
Quarterfinal
Willamette at Hood River Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday Schedule
Oregon Class 5A Girls Soccer Tournament
First Round
Corvallis at Hood River Valley, 6 p.m.
Oregon Class 4A Girls Soccer Tournament
First Round
Baker at The Dalles, 2 p.m.
Southwest Washington Class 1A Volleyball District Tournament
First Round
Columbia vs. LaCenter at King’s Way Christian, 5:30 p.m.
Friday Schedule
Oregon Class 4A Volleyball at North Bend
Quarterfinal
The Dalles vs. Cascade Christian, 11 a.m.
Oregon Class 1A Volleyball at LaGrande
Quarterfinals
Sherman vs. Joseph, 1 p.m.
Dufur vs. Echo, 3 p.m.
Oregon Class 1A-8 Man Football Playoffs
First Round
Sherman at Perrydale, 7 p.m.
Oregon Girls Water Polo Tournament at Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center
Semi-Final
Hood River Valley vs. Ashland or Willamette, 6 p.m.
Oregon Boys Water Polo Tournament at Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center
Semi-Final
Hood River Valley vs. TBA, 8:20 p.m.
Saturday Schedule
Oregon Cross Country Championships at Lane Community College in Eugene
Melody Stock & Felicity Peck, Trout Lake in Class 2A/1A Girls, 9:25 a.m.
Trout Lake in Class 2A/1A Boys, 10 a.m.
The Dalles in Class 4A Girls, 11:45 a.m.
Luke Sorenson $ Lazarus Taylor, The Dalles in Class 4A Boys, 12:20 p.m.
Hood River Valley in Class 5A Girls, 1:45 p.m.
Hood River Valley in Class 5A Boys, 2:20 p.m.
Washington Cross Country Championships at Sun Willows GC, Pasco
Columbia & Stevenson in Class 1A Girls, 10 a.m.
Columbia & Stevenson’s Colton Hollis in Class 1A Boys, noon
HR County Christmas Project Starts To Take Applications
The Hood River County Christmas Project will begin taking registrations on Sunday from those wishing to receive a food box and toys for their children. To qualify, recipients must live in Hood River County, and the family must meet eligibility requirements for Oregon. Applications are available online at hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com, and will be accepted through November 21. Those needing assistance can call 541-329-0901.
The Dalles To Consider Changes To Housing Rules
The City of The Dalles is proposing changes to its housing rules aimed at creating more housing options and speeding up approvals for some projects. The proposal would allow duplex alternatives like triplexes, fourplexes, cottage clusters and townhouses in low-density residential zones. The city also wants to simplify the approval process for eligible projects with one to four homes, generally moving review into the building permit process. Projects with five or more homes would still require a separate site plan review. The changes build on The Dalles’ Housing Production Strategy, adopted last year, and are intended to support homes at a wider range of sizes and prices. The City Planning Commission is scheduled to consider it December 3, with City Council review planned for January 25. Residents can review details and share feedback at thedalles.gov/HousingUpdates.
Halloween Activities Planned In The Area
Halloween activities are scheduled throughout the area on Saturday. The Dalles Main Street is hosting Trick or Treating in downtown The Dalles from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and In Hood River Down Manor will host Trick or Treating at the same time. The Hood River Kids Safe Halloween will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. downtown on Oak Street. Hood River Library will hold its Halloween Party with crafts, treats, and a Glow in the Dark Room from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Downtown White Salmon will be busy tomorrow evening, with Jewett Boulevard closed to traffic from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for trick-or-treating. A costume parade will line up at City Hall at 5:50 p.m. and begin at 6 p.m. The Castle of Curiosities will be open at the White Salmon Masonic Hall from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will also be Trunk or Treat at the 124 NE Church Street parking lot, and the Festival of Light with family friendly harvest games and treats will be in the Bubba’s Brew lot. Gardner Funeral Home will be taking donations of warm clothes and blankets for senior citizens. Hood River Nazarene will hold its Holy-Ween Carnival from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. with carnival games & treats, and the Stevenson Community Library’s Tween and Teen Haunted House will be open from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for ages 9 to 19.