Boys Basketball
The Dalles 71, Elma 58
Kalama 76, Columbia 69
Fort Vancouver 95, Stevenson 36
Mannahouse Christian 48, Dufur 41
Girls Basketball
The Dalles 42, Sutherlin 38
Fort Vancouver 43, Stevenson 18
Dufur 57, Mannahouse Christian 12
River Level Falls Well Short Of Forecast, But Some Flooding Reported
The water level on the Hood River fell well short of projections Thursday night, but there are still some road closures today due to water and debris hazards.
Hood River County Public Information Officer Daron Ryan says the Hood River never got above 11 feet, and had receded to below 10 feet Friday morning.
There were several road closures Friday, including Country Club Road from Frankton to Post Canyon…Barrett Drive from Country Club to Markham…Woodworth Drive from Allen Drive to Highway 35…and Highway 35 from the junction with Highway 26 to about halfway to Hood River due to landslides.
In addition…Multnomah, Markham, and Methodist roads are open but were reported to have significant standing water, and should be avoided.
Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District says there are several hazards along the Indian Creek and Westside Community Trails due to the storm, and asks that people avoid these areas until its crew is able to assess conditions and complete cleanup.
Odell Sanitary District reported stormwater and wastewater spilling into Odell Creek. Avoid contact with the creek and stay out of the water until levels have dropped and it is declared safe.
Slides Reported On Area Highways
Continued heavy rain and wind is causing landslides and vegetation impacts on highways in the region.
The Oregon Department of Transportation says a landslide has pushed onto eastbound Interstate 84 about four miles west of Cascade Locks, closing the right lane.
ODOT is asking motorists to watch out for highway crews working in the area.
Highway 35 is closed by a landslide near milepost 73, about 28 miles south of Hood River and 15 miles north of the junction with Highway 26.
And the Historic Columbia River Highway is closed just west of Vista House due to a landslide.
ODOT says they are getting reports of high water, landslides and downed trees and limbs affecting roads across the region.
Drivers should use extra caution if they need to travel anywhere and visit TripCheck.com before hitting the road to make sure their route is clear, plan extra time for their trip or reschedule their trip if possible.
Water’s Edge Clinics Prep To Reopen At Temporary Locations
Adventist Health Columbia Gorge is expecting to reopen many of its clinics impacted by wind damage at the River’s Edge building along the Columbia River in The Dalles by Monday.
Adventist Health officials say Immediate Care will offer same-day appointments at the MCMC Family Medicine Clinic beginning Monday.
Internal Medicine will be at the Family Medicine Clinic next week, then move to Columbia Crest on December 29.
Both Cardiology and Orthopedics will start seeing patients Monday at Nichols Landing in Hood River.
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy will have a limited reopening Monday at the main hospital in The Dalles for postoperative and urgent patients.
Sleep Medicine virtual visits will continue for the next several weeks, and relocation and reopening for ENT is still to be determined.
Clinic phones are coming back online, although due to volume callers may have to call back several times.
The extent of damage and a timeline for repairs to the Water’s Edge building is still being determined.
No Damage From Slide Near Wicks Plant
There was no damage to the Wicks Water Treatment Facility in The Dalles after a small slide above the plant resulted in one large boulder traveling down the slope, knocking down several trees, and coming to rest near the door of the compressor building at the edge of the sediment basin.
The Dalles Public Works officials say the boulder was slowed before causing significant damage to the basin.
Minor damage occurred to a walkway and railing.
No injuries were reported.
A senior engineer with rock slope stability and rock fall analysis experience from Shannon & Wilson, Inc. was on site Thursday morning to conduct a formal analysis and will be providing recommendations.
As a precautionary measure, buildings located directly below the hillside are being kept unoccupied.
The facility remains fully operational and continues to maintain full water treatment functions.
City officials say in the unlikely event of a temporary disruption to treatment operations, the City has adequate water supply available through operation of its wells.
City Of White Salmon Finishes Collective Bargaining, Ready To Adopt Budget
The White Salmon City Council will be voting to adopt its 2026 budget on Wednesday. The budget vote was delayed two weeks to allow collective bargaining with both municipal employees and police officers to get wrapped up. Mayor Marla Keethler says they finished it last week. Keethler says the cost of living adjustment for 2026 ended up at 4%. She said the agreement will not substantially change the 2026 budget, adding this year they have a much clearer picture of its fiscal standing. The meeting on Wednesday begins at 6 p.m. in the White Salmon Fire Hall.
Hood River Schools To Ask Legislature To Keep Option Equalization
The Hood River County School District will be asking Oregon legislators to maintain the local option equalization grant it receives. The Hood River district is one of four in the state to receive the grant, which school districts receive when its voters pass a local option levy, as has occurred in Hood River County for the last 20 years. But the Oregon Department of Education has proposed eliminating the grants to meet a requested 2 1/2% to 5% budget cut. District Superintendent Bill Newton says what the grant provides is important, and also was a promise to district voters as part of supporting the local option levy. Beaverton, Philomath, and Sweet Home are the other school districts to receive the grant. The Oregon Legislature convenes in February.
Klickitat PUD Board Approves Rate Increase
Klickitat Public Utility District’s board approved a 3% electric rate increase as part of adopting its 2026 budget. The new rates take effect on January 1 and apply across all retail rate classes. The increase will add an average of $4.46 per month to a residential customer’s bill. The PUD says its power costs continue to rise due primarily to higher Bonneville Power Administration rates and increased reliance on higher-cost Tier 2 power as customer demand exceeds the PUD’s BPA preference allocation. BPA increased rates by approximately 4.5% in October 2025. Additional cost pressures include higher transportation, materials, insurance, and construction expenses. General operating cost increases account for roughly half of the rate adjustment and will increase KPUD’s annual revenue requirement by approximately $1 million.
TD Public Works Asks Residents To Be Ready For Snow
The City of The Dalles Public Works says it is making sure equipment is in good repair to prepare for winter storm events, but notes resources will be stretched to capacity once the snows begin, and they will need the public’s help. Officials say people should make sure they have a snow shovel or snow blower, cooking spray for the snow shovel, so snow won’t stick to the blade, a stiff broom to sweep snow off of porches and decks, waterproof gloves with a good grip; waterproof boots with good traction, and pet-friendly, child-safe, salt-free deicer that won’t harm cement surfaces. First priority should be to shovel or sand sidewalks adjacent to their homes or businesses within the first two hours of daylight each day. Shoveled snow should be piled on private property, not in the street, except in the downtown area. Then help a neighbor clear the sidewalk in front of their home.
December 15 Prep Basketball Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
Columbia 67, Hockinson 44
Lyle-Wishram 71, Cornerstone Christian 45
Heppner 61, Klickitat-Glenwood 49
Girls Basketball
Irrigon 67, Sherman 35
Heppner 35, Dufur 33