Hood River County Commissioners approved moving forward with a trail for side by side vehicles in the Northwest area of the County forest. A group of county and state agency representatives and the County’s Recreational Trail Committee developed the concept to involve 5.4 miles of recreational trail, 9.3 miles of forest road, and 13 more miles to be converted to trail including utilizing the Whiskey Creek Fire line. County Tree Farm Recreation Manager TJ Moloney says the design allows for a fire break if necessary. Moloney also noted the trail would be accessible from Kingsley and Binns Hill staging areas, and close to campgrounds. Actual development of the trail will require collaborative efforts between users, the County, and state agencies.
HR County Commission Approves Work On Parks Plan
Hood River County Commissioners approved awarding a contract to the firm GreenWorks to develop a master plan for the County parks system. County Parks and Buildings Maintenance Supervisor Matt Jordan says the intent is to put together a plan to present to the Commission in October 2027 that could then be implemented over a ten-year period. He adds along with an assessment of where they are now, there will be a study of camping demand and whether the County is meeting it, and a financial strategy. Cost of the study is not to exceed $166,348, with 75% of the funding for it coming from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s County Opportunity Grant Program.
Klickitat County Commission Gets Trout Lake Comp Plan Update
Klickitat County Commissioners received an update on continuing work on the County’s comprehensive plan for various communities centering on progress dealing with developing a vision for the Trout Lake area. County Senior Planner Evan Evangelopoulos recently discussed results of a citizen survey with the Trout Lake Community Council, and that panel is working with those answers and hopes to be finished in December. Evangelopoulos says they received 55 responses from the community on questions about lifestyle, economy, the built environment, and the natural environment. The County is currently in Phase 2 of the comprehensive plan. There will be a meeting on the plan on November 4 at 6 p.m. in the Trout Lake Grange Hall.
Bend School Shooting Hits School Officials Everywhere Hard
Like other school officials around the country, Hood River County School District Superintendent Bill Newton says news of the shooting at Bend’s Silver Rail Elementary hit hard. Newton says Hood River schools now are set up to have people enter through one main foyer and direct them to the front office before they go in to the rest of the school. He adds a 2016 bond measure led to added security measures that led to doors using card readers rather than keys, and the ability for the doors to be locked throughout the school with the push of a button. Newton says they work with various community partners to maintain emergency plans with procedures in the case of a violent attack on a school, including plans for reunifying students with their parents.
HRPD To Host Medication Take Back Event On Saturday
The Hood River Police Department will host a household medication take-back event this Saturday morning. Community Service Officer Jennifer Kendall says it’s important for medications to be disposed of properly to prevent people from using them improperly. Medications in any dosage form in their original container or sealed bag will be accepted. Items that will not be accepted include herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements, cosmetics, other personal care products, emptied medical devices, batteries, mercury-containing thermometers, sharps, illicit drugs, pet pesticide products, animal medicines, and biologics. The medication take-back event will be Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Hood River Police Department on 207 2nd Street.
October 19 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Soccer
Southwest Christian 5, Trout Lake-Horizon Christian 1
Volleyball
Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat def. Horizon Christian 3-0
HAVEN Walk & Vigil Tuesday
HAVEN from Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Wasco County Domestic Violence Council are inviting the public to their Annual Candlelight Vigil, Tuesday evening at 6, starting at The Dalles Civic Auditorium. The evening will include the Passion Award, survivor stories, and a community walk to the Wasco County Courthouse steps for a candlelight vigil. The organizations say it is a chance for the community to honor survivors, remember those we have lost, and stand together against domestic violence and sexual assault.
Port of HR Says Bridge Maintenance Work To Begin November 2
The Port of Hood River says steel and coating maintenance on the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge has been rescheduled to begin November 2nd. The work is intended to keep the existing bridge operational until a replacement bridge is completed. Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood says after three project delays, they wanted to make sure the contractor had all of its details for the job prepared. The Port says the bridge will be fully closed to vehicle traffic overnight from midnight to 5:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, November 2nd through the 13th. Daytime, single-lane closures are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., November 2nd through 6th, November 16th through 20th, November 23rd and 24th, and weekdays from November 30th through December 11th. Traffic will alternate through one lane during those closures. The Port also warns of additional traffic impacts November 9th through 13th, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge Authority conducts separate field activities. All work is weather-dependent, and the schedule may change. Travelers should plan ahead, allow extra travel time and watch for traffic control. For schedule changes and updates, visit portofhoodriver.com.
HRPD Warns Of Phone Scam
The Hood River Police Department is warning local businesses about a phone scam that has targeted area businesses over the past two days and cost victims thousands of dollars. Police say the caller identifies himself as “Mr. Martinez” or “Matthew Martinez” and tells employees an incoming FedEx shipment is required to pass an upcoming Fire Department inspection. The scammer may then send text messages impersonating the business owner or manager, using their actual name to make the request appear legitimate. According to police, the caller threatens a $10,000 fine if a so-called minimum payment isn’t made immediately. Employees are then pressured to open store safes, withdraw cash and send an international wire transfer through Western Union. The Hood River Police Department is urging business owners and managers to alert employees about the scam and remind them never to authorize payments based solely on unexpected phone calls or text messages. Police say employees should verify any payment request through established company procedures before taking action. Anyone who receives a suspicious call is urged to hang up and report it to the Hood River Police Department.
October 16-17 Prep Sports Roundup
Football
Hood River Valley 54, Parkrose 0
LaGrande 54, The Dalles 6
Columbia 56, Fort Vancouver 6
King’s Way Christian 50, Stevenson 36
Dufur 48, Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat 14
Imbler 46, Sherman 14
Condon 39, South Wasco 7
Cross Country
Trout Lake’s Melody Stock finished first and Felicity Peck sixth in the girls’ race during a meet at Umatilla. Joby Steward took twelfth in the boys’ race.
Volleyball
The Dalles won two out of three matches at a tournament at Marshfield High School in Coos Bay. The Riverhawks defeated Cottage Grove 25-10, 25-13 and Marshfield 25-18, 25-10, and lost to Ashland 18-25, 25-23, 15-13.