Market conditions for cherries may be stabilizing as harvest continues around the Mid-Columbia. Area orchardist and Oregon Sweet Cherry Commission Chair Ian Chandler says they started well, then there was a glut that led to a downturn, but the market is turning upward again. Chandler says they are hitting the Fourth of July window with high quality fruit, even though there was some rain and wind damage in the early part of the season. Labor supply has been good this year. But the big question is whether market prices can overcome input costs that continue to increase.
Zone Change For Wasco Street Townhouses Approved
The Hood River City Council voted to approve a change in zoning from industrial to general commercial for a third-of-an-acre property on 1225 Wasco Street in conjunction with a residential development of eleven two-to-three bedroom townhouses. The property used to be home to windsurf company Northwave, but Capsule Development sought the zone change, agreeing to conditions including the property maintaining the 11-unit residential density and that it won’t include commercial uses that might negatively impact the neighborhood. Some nearby residents objected to the change for a variety of reasons, including view concerns, traffic, and the high density involved. The Council vote was 6-1 in favor of the move, with Grant Polson opposing.
Radio Amateurs of the Gorge Field Day This Weekend
Radio Amateurs of the Gorge will hold its annual Field Day this Saturday at the Westside Fire District training area on 4250 Barrett Drive in Hood River, adjacent to the Rockford Grange. The club provides communications in times of emergency, supports charitable events with radio communications, and offers workshops in amateur radio. The group’s Bill Stenson says amateur radio plays an important role in providing information during emergencies when other channels fail. The public is invited to come and learn about amateur radio and how it works. The Field Day is Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and it is free to attend. There will also be a fire truck for the kids to check out from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
White Salmon Asks For Water Use Curtailment Wednesday
The City of White Salmon is going to perform a water system tie-in on Wednesday as part of its Transmission Main Replacement Project, and will be asking municipal water system customers to significantly reduce use while it takes place. White Salmon officials are asking residents to avoid lawn and landscape irrigation, washing vehicles, filling pools, hot tubs, or water features, power washing, and any other non-essential water use on Wednesday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Officials say maintaining adequate system pressure is critical during this work. Excessive water use could contribute to low-pressure conditions in portions of the distribution system. If system pressure falls below state regulatory requirements, the City may be required to issue a Boil Water Advisory until water quality testing confirms the system remains safe for consumption. Customers may experience temporary fluctuations in water pressure during the tie-in operation. Those with questions can contact White Salmon City Hall at 509-493-1133.
City Of Hood River Breaks With ODOT On Sidewalk Repair
The City of Hood River has decided to work on repairing the sidewalk on 13th Street going to the northwest corner of the intersection with May Street on its own rather than working with the Oregon Department of Transportation. The sidewalk is elevated with aging piers holding them up, and has been closed for a year. City Manager Abigail Elder says the piers have started to crumble, and they were working with ODOT to get repairs, but they have come to the conclusion that what the state agency wanted to do wasn’t affordable. She says the City will do mitigation work to reopen the sidewalk in time for the upcoming school year. Elder says the City will have to fully repair the sidewalk in the next five to ten years.
Truck Driver Injured In Highway 14 Accident
A truck driver was injured in a one-vehicle accident Monday morning on Highway 14 near Wishram. The Washington State Patrol reports the truck and trailer was eastbound on Highway 14 near milepost 93 at around 7:30 a.m. Monday when the driver lost control in a curve. The truck rolled and came to rest on its side on top of the guardrail, blocking the eastbound lane. The driver, a 61-year-old Waterville, Washington man, was transported to Adventist Health Columbia Gorge in The Dalles for what the WSP said was precautionary reasons. The WSP added the driver was being cited for driving at a speed too fast for the conditions.
Highway 97 Accident Sends Two To Hospitals
Two people were injured in a Sunday night motor vehicle accident on Highway 97 just north of the Columbia River. According to the Washington State Patrol, a car operated by a 32-year-old man from Biggs was southbound on Highway 97 at milepost 1. The vehicle struck the guardrail, overcorrected, then hit an SUV before striking the northbound guardrail. The man was taken to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, while the other driver, a 59-year-old woman from Goldendale, was transported to Adventist Health Columbia Gorge in The Dalles.
Hood River Police Report Four Attempts To Start Fire
Hood River Police on Saturday say along with the Hood River Fire Department responded to 4 separate incidents where someone tried starting a fire. The locations of the fires were on Jaymar, the frisbee golf park and two bathrooms at the Marina. Hood River Police are asking if people see any suspicious activity, please call 541-386-2121 or 541-386-2711. If it’s an emergency call 911
Vehicle Hits House
A vehicle went into a house early Saturday morning in Lyle, leading to a fire. Lyle Fire & Rescue District 4 reported the vehicle had traveled eastbound on State Street, departed the roadway, crossed the intersection at 3rd Street, and struck the northwest corner of a house. Neighbors and house occupants had successfully extinguished a small engine compartment fire using a fire extinguisher and garden hose prior to fire crews arriving. Multiple Klickitat County Sheriff’s deputies were present, with all occupants from the vehicle and house accounted for. There were no reported injuries, but significant damage was sustained by both the house and vehicle.
Crews Keep Brush Fire Small
Fire crews held a grass fire south of Highway 14 near Lyle at milepost 72 to less than a quarter acre. Lyle Fire & Rescue District 4 says the fire was situated adjacent to the railroad tracks on the north side, in close proximity to a 20-foot rock cliff. Lyle and Bingen Fire along with Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area crews responded to the fire, which was extinguished in less than an hour. A representative from Burlington Northern Santa Fe responded and ensured train operations were halted for firefighter safety. Crews successfully deployed two hose lines from Highway 14 up over the beach area between the highway and railroad tracks.