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.
HRCSD Summer Food Service Begins Monday
Hood River County School District says its Summer Food Service Program, offering free, nutritious meals and snacks to all children and teens aged 1-18, will get underway on Monday and be available on weekdays through August 21. The federally funded nutrition program ensures that children continue to receive healthy food during the summer months when school is out. The Summer Food Service Program is open to all families without the need for paperwork, income verification, or regard to immigration status. To receive a meal, children can simply drop in during a site’s designated meal times. Many programs also offer fun activities to keep kids active and engaged. A complete schedule of times and locations is available at hoodriver.k12.or.us.
Webber Street Reopens Monday; Closed Again Friday
Webber Street in The Dalles between West 2nd and River Road is about to reopen after a lengthy closure due to Westside Interceptor project. Contractor Crestline Construction says that section will open on Monday morning at 6 a.m., but close again on Friday morning at 6 a.m. for permanent striping of the street. Webber will then reopen by the end of the business day on June 26. During next week’s opening of Webber, access to the Port of The Dalles via Union along West 1st will be closed to allow final grinding, paving, and striping. At any given time, a minimum of two access points to the Port will remain open.
Lampreypalooza Wednesday At Bonneville Dam
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission will host Lampreypalooza on Wednesday at Bonneville Dam. It will be a day of science, storytelling, and up-close encounters with one of the Northwest’s most ancient and culturally significant native fish. Lampreypalooza is a free, family-friendly event highlighting the importance of Pacific lamprey and the collaborative efforts to support their recovery. From 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., visitors can explore interactive exhibits, see live lamprey, and hear from Tribal representatives and fisheries experts across multiple locations at the dam. Events will take place at both the Bonneville Fish Hatchery and the Bradford Island Visitor Center.
HRVHS Students Ready Solar-Powered Car For Texas Race
A group of Hood River Valley High School students have designed and are building a solar-powered car to race in Texas next month. Fifteen members of the Solar Storms are planning to make the trip. The car has been built from scratch by the students, as they designed every piece of the vehicle. Solar Storms captain Isabel Ulland says the goal is to complete in the Solar Car Challenge in Texas, a six-day, 600 mile race across the state. The team is continue to look for sponsors and raise money to pay for the trip to Texas. You can learn more and donate at hrvhsolarcar.org.