The Sherman County Sheriff’s Office says deputies are investigating after skeletal remains were discovered on private property in southern Sherman County. Deputies and the Columbia Gorge Major Crimes Team was activated and responded to the scene on Saturday. According to the Sheriff’s Office, investigators collected the remains, which will be submitted to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office for analysis. Deputy Kyle Burnett is working with the major crimes team and serving as the local contact for the investigation. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to contact Deputy Burnett by email at kburnett@shermancountyor.gov. The investigation is ongoing. The Sheriff’s Office says additional information will be released when it becomes available and appropriate.
HR County Gets Another Dollar Estimate For Prepared Food Tax
Hood River County has received from a second consultant a smaller expected amount of revenue generated from a proposed six percent prepared food and beverage tax. After receiving a $5.6 million estimate for 2028 from a study done by EcoNorthwest, Baker Tilly provided a number in 2026 dollars of $3.1 million. County Administrator Allison Williams says after adjustments for the different years, the gap was $1.7 million, adding reality would probably be in the middle. She says the goal remains to eliminate the County’s $2.1million operating deficit. The County is currently in the beginning stages of an outreach campaign including stakeholder interviews and focus groups, with an eye on putting a measure on the ballot in May.
October 12 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Girls Soccer
Riverdale 3, Trout Lake 1
Volleyball
Columbia def. Fort Vancouver 3-0
Bridge Closures For Vessel Passage On Tuesday
The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge will close twice Tuesday to allow a marine vessel to pass underneath. The bridge is scheduled to close from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Tuesday, and again from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., as the vessel passes through. Federal regulations require the bridge to open for marine traffic when at least 12 hours’ notice is given. The bridge will reopen once the vessel has passed and the lift is complete, but unforeseen delays are possible. If either closure runs longer than scheduled, updates will be posted at PortofHoodRiver.com. Drivers should allow extra travel time during and after both closures as traffic clears.
Multi-Agency Response To Early Saturday Morning Lyle Fire
Lyle Fire and Rescue says multiple RVs, a car, and surrounding grass caught fire early Saturday morning near Lyle Point, prompting a multi-agency response. Fire crews were dispatched just after one A-M following reports of loud explosions and flames several feet high near Cove View Lane, south of the railroad tracks. Officials say the fire spread across about two acres of grass and was moving east toward the Lyle Wastewater Treatment Plant. Firefighters from Lyle and several neighboring districts brought the blaze under control in about an hour and a half. Crews remained on scene for approximately three hours. Lyle Fire and Rescue reports no injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and several law enforcement agencies assisted at the scene.
Single-Vehicle Crash Sparks Brush Fire
Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue says a single-vehicle crash on Highway 30, about a mile west of The Dalles, sparked a brush fire Saturday night. Fire officials say the crash ignited dry vegetation, with flames spreading up a nearby cliff face. Firefighters used extrication tools to free the vehicle’s occupant, provided emergency medical care, and transported the patient. Crews also contained the fire before it could spread further. Highway 30 was temporarily closed during the response. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and Dallesport Fire District assisted. MCFR reminds drivers that dry grass can still ignite in October from vehicle crashes, hot exhaust systems, dragging chains, or vehicle fires.
Agencies Consider The Dalles Waterfront Master Plan
The Port of The Dalles held a worksession recently to prioritize the goals that they have to narrow the focus of what agency staff is working on. One of them is to partner with the City of The Dalles, the Columbia Gorge Urban Renewal Agency, and the Northern Wasco Parks and Recreation District to develop a waterfront master plan from Rock Fort out to Lone Pine. Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says it is a narrow strip of land, but there is the potential to expand the cruise ship dock to follow the design of the original Port Wharf in 1933, opportunities for expanded uses for Riverfront Park, and economic development options.
October 9 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Football
Hood River Valley 37, Gresham 12
Columbia 58, Mossyrock 16
Dufur 48, Knappa 14
Sherman 54, Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat 8
Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 18, South Wasco 7
Volleyball
Toutle Lake def. Columbia 3-1
Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler def Horizon Christian 25-11, 25-14, 25-8
Cross Country
Hood River Valley’s Savina Davis finished 31st in the girls’ varsity championship division at the Rose City Championship Invitational in Portland
Pinchot Lifts High Lava Fire Closure
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has lifted the closure related to the High Lava Fire. All roads, trails and trailheads within the closure area are now open to the public. That includes the West Crater Trail, West Crater Trailhead and Soda Peaks Trailhead. The fire was first reported July 23rd following a lightning storm. It has burned approximately 2,899 acres and is now 90 percent contained. Officials say the fire has not grown in several weeks, and post-fire suppression repair work is complete. However, visitors are urged to use caution in the burned area. Fire-weakened trees, hidden stump holes, loose rocks and unstable ground may still pose safety hazards. Meanwhile, warm and dry weather continues to keep fire danger at moderate levels across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Industrial Fire Precaution Level One remains in effect in all zones. Visitors should stay alert for changing conditions and any new restrictions.
Harvest Fest Weekend
It is Hood River Valley Harvest Festival weekend, getting started Friday down at the Waterfront Event Site. The three-day event celebrates the region’s fall harvest, featuring local produce, handmade goods, food, music and family activities. More than 80 regional artists, makers and craft vendors fill marketplace tents, while the farmers market offers seasonal favorites, including pears, apples and pumpkins. Visitors can also enjoy local food vendors, live music throughout the weekend, and a full bar featuring regional craft beers, ciders, wines and spirits. Families can head to the kids’ area for free pumpkin painting, games and bounce houses available for an additional fee. The festival runs Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10, and military members and seniors can get discounted admission today for $5. Tickets and additional information are available at visithoodriver.com.