Repairs were completed Tuesday on a water main leak at the Columbia Gorge Community College campus in The Dalles that closed most of the campus on Monday, and still had three buildings shut down Tuesday morning. Buildings 1, 2, and 3 were reopened at around noon Tuesday. Buildings 4 and 5, the Art Building and Regional Skills Center were open at the start of the day. CGCC Communications Director Tom Penberthy says the leak was found to originate under a sidewalk near the campus amphitheater. The Dalles campus will be fully operational Wednesday.
TD Council Approves Planning Commission Changes
The Dalles City Council approved an ordinance to streamline Planning Commission proceedings and setting the stage for using a hearings officer to make quasi-judicial decisions. Mayor Rich Mays notes the move will allow the Planning Commission to focus on legislative matters. The Planning Commission would still hear applications that require a judicial process. Appeals to the City Council remain a part of the process regardless of whether decisions are rendered from the Planning Commission or a hearings officer. An implementation of the hearings officer process will come next, with the expectation to have one in place by April.
Dexter Talks Immigrant Rights With HR Council
Oregon Third District Congresswoman Maxine Dexter spoke to the Hood River City Council on Monday evening about how her office is trying to protect the rights of those detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Dexter says her office has two bilingual caseworkers to serve immigrant families, and advises people to contact them immediately if someone you know has been detained. Dexter added if someone sees a person being detained, it is best to use the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition hotline. Dexter told the Council that the rule of law is not being followed, adding this is about “who we are as Oregon.”
Mt. Hood Forest Christmas Tree Permits Available
Christmas tree permits for Mt. Hood National Forest are now available for purchase. Permits cost $5 per tree and each household can purchase up to five per year. In this area, permits are available at Tum-A-Lum Lumber in Hood River and The Dalles, Dufur Market, and The Way Station in Tygh Valley. They are also available online at Recreation.gov. Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit, which can be obtained on Recreation.gov or at a participating district office. Details about designated cutting areas, permit guidelines, safety & cutting tips, and where permits may be purchased are online at the Mt. Hood National Forest website. It’s important to carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. A tree map is required when harvesting. The Christmas tree program can improve forest health by helping to thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees. In turn, other trees can grow larger and provide forage and open areas to benefit wildlife.
Water Main Leak Closes CGCC The Dalles Campus On Monday
A leak to the water main serving most of the Columbia Gorge Community College campus in The Dalles led to its closure for Monday. CGCC Communications Director Tom Penberthy says the leak was discovered on Sunday afternoon. To prevent any damage to the buildings, the water was turned off. Buildings 1 through 6 and the school’s residence hall lost water service. Penberthy says the leak was isolated Monday morning, so the CGCC residence hall was expected to reopen by early Monday afternoon. Work is continuing on the water main, and Penberthy expects they will have more updates later Monday. The Fort Dalles Readiness Center is on a different water line and remains open. CGCC’s Hood River campus is operating on its normal schedule.
Wasco County Gets E-Board Approval For Rowena Cleanup Funds
Wasco County officials say last week’s approval of $2.5 million in state emergency funds for Rowena Fire debris cleanup is a significant step forward. The Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board voted to approve the allocation representing a large portion of the estimated $3.5 million total cost for the cleanup. Wasco County Commission Chair Scott Hege says the $2.5 million provides the foundation they need to move forward soon with the cleanup and restoration of the Rowena area. Hege says the County is actively pursuing the remaining $1 million needed to fully fund the project, working with the state to secure the final amount through other available programs, adding the County is hopeful and committed to getting the full funding needed so the cleanup can move forward smoothly.
Hood River Council Getting More Development Code Detail
The Hood River City Council this evening will get background from the City’s planning staff on the latest module of proposed development code revisions that will be coming before them next year. City Manager Abigail Elder says this particular discussion will get down to a lot of details for all types of development, including fence heights, driveway space, outdoor lighting, and more. Elder notes next year they will be doing community engagement on the development code, then write the revisions for the City Planning Commission and Council to consider. This evening’s Hood River City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. in City Hall.
Klickitat County Considers Hiring Freeze
Klickitat County Commission Chair Ron Ihrig says they are planning to put a hiring freeze in place by the end of the year. Ihrig says it would be part of the Commission’s goal to stabilize their budget over the next three years. He says he would rather gradually reduce personnel through attrition rather than layoffs in the future. Ihrig did say the freeze would be flexible, recognizing some positions must be filled, and there are some services that are 24-7 in nature. The County will be holding a public hearing on its proposed 2026 budget at its December 2 meeting.
ODOT Opens All Lanes Of I-84 At McCord Creek Bridge
The Oregon Department of Transportation says all travel lanes on Interstate 84 at McCord Creek west of Toothrock Tunnel will be open until early 2026. ODOT is preparing to replace the aging bridge that carries I-84 east over McCord Creek near Warrendale. One travel lane in each direction had been closed since mid-October while crews drilled under the bridges, built a retaining wall and prepped the work zone on the highway for the crossover traffic configuration planned in spring 2026. Crews will continue working underneath I-84 by constructing supports beneath the eastbound bridge through the winter. This work will not affect I-84 travelers. Replacing the bridge will eliminate a dip in the roadway and increase safety, earthquake resilience, and the lifespan of the highway. The northeast Frontage Road on-ramp to eastbound I-84 at the Elowah Falls Trailhead parking lot is also open until early next year.
November 22 Prep Football Roundup
Oregon Class 1A 8-Man Football Semi-Final
Crosspoint Christian 44, Dufur 8: The Warriors raced out to a 30-0 halftime lead as they ran for 252 yards in the first half alone. Nate Gibson was doing most of the damage with rushing touchdowns of 43, two and 14 yards. Defensively, the Warriors gave up only 52 total yards in the first half and just two first downs.
The Rangers showed some life to start the third quarter, taking their opening drive down to the goal line and eventually scoring on a 1-yard TD run from Choice Richards, cutting the deficit to 30-8 after the successful two-point try.
However, the Warriors came right back, picking up a big 4th-and-6 on the ensuing drive and eventually getting a 35-yard TD run from Gibson, who would later score again from 62 yards out.
Oregon Class 1A 6-Man Football Semi-Final
Harper Christian 27, Sherman 6: Harper Charter only led 7-0 at halftime when Madoxx Martinez threw a TD pass to Cope Christensen on the second play of the second quarter. In the second half, Martinez took the opening kickoff for the Hornets for a touchdown, putting Harper up 13-0 early in the third.
Harper scored following the blocked punt that occurred inside the Sherman 20-yard line, Martinez hit Colt Benz for a 15-yard TD pass and catch, followed by the one-point run to put Harper up 20-0 quickly in the third. The Huskies were able to put together a strong drive that ended with a deflected pass from Robert Williams that went right into the hands of Rhyder Smith for a 15-yard TD, cutting the Harper lead to 20-6. But Martinez connected with Richard Joyce up the middle on a 12-yard pass for the score that sealed the win for Harper.