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Lyle Hill Fire Update (as of 7:30 p.m. 6/29/26)

Posted on by mbailey

          Klickitat County Emergency Management reduced the evacuation advisories associated with the Lyle Hill Fire.

          Areas that had been Level 3 “Go Now” have been reduced to Level 2 “Get Set,” and Level 2 areas in the community of Lyle have been lowered to Level 1 “Be Ready.”

          In addition, the Centerville Highway will be open for use as of 9 p.m. tonight.

          Electronic message boards will be used to remind vehicles to use caution and watch for first responders on the road.

          More accurate mapping has reduced the size of the fire to 233 acres.

          The Southeast Washington Type 3 Interagency Team now in command of the fire says crews continued Monday to concentrate on strengthening fire lines and keeping it within its current perimeter after forward progress of the fire was stopped Sunday night.

          Doug’s Beach is closed to recreational use to allow for aircraft to access the water, as is the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail.

          There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire. 

          All firefighting aircraft must be grounded if unmanned aircraft or drones are operating near the fire.

          Lyle Fire and Rescue District 4 is asking for public assistance in the investigation into what stated the fire.

          In conjunction with a Washington Department of Natural Resources fire investigator, they are seeking pictures of videos showing the start of the fire, specifically taken on Sunday afternoon between 1:40 and 1:55.

          Also, investigators would like to know if anyone saw hikers in the area of Riverview Drive in Lyle before 1:40 Sunday afternoon.

          Send any photos videos to Lyle Fire and Rescue with Facebook Messenger.

HR Chamber Director To Step Away

Posted on by mbailey

After more than five years as the leader of Visit Hood River, Chief Executive Officer Katie Kadlub has announced her intention to step down from the role.  Her departure includes her leadership roles at both Visit Hood River and the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce.  Kadlub will play a role in the search and hiring of her successor and will remain in place until mid-December or until the position has been filled and her replacement has been onboarded, whichever comes first.  Chamber officials say Kadlub leaves behind a track record of progress and accomplishments, and significantly improved organizational financial stability.  During Kadlub’s tenure, Visit Hood River introduced the Community Investment Grant Program, launched the stewardship-based “You’re our People” marketing campaign, and made significant progress in the DEI and LGBTQ spaces, as well as the overall inclusivity of Hood River as a travel destination. 

HR County Trailhead Parking Permit Fee Prices To Go Up

Posted on by mbailey

The Hood River County Parking Permit fees at six trailheads is going up starting on Wednesday.  Cost of an annual permit will go up by $15 to $45, with the daily fee increasing from $5 to $10.  The fee parking zones are located near six popular recreation staging areas, including Seven Streams, Post Flats, Family Man, Binns Hill, Kingsley, and Pinemont.  The areas are marked with signage.  The County says parking permit fees directly support the maintenance, development, and management of recreation opportunities and trail systems within the County Forest.  Permits can be purchased online at hoodrivercounty.net/parking-passes or at participating local retailers.

MCCFL Working With OHA To Fund Substance Abuse Treatment Facility

Posted on by mbailey

Mid-Columbia Center For Living is working with the Oregon Health Authority to receive $11 million in funding to establish a 24-bed substance abuse treatment facility for the region.  Center For Living Executive Director Al Barton says they hope to get the details worked out and agreements signed in the next couple of months.  Barton said the facility would be located in The Dalles.  The money comes from two recently passed bills in the Oregon Legislature designed to help fill an identified need for 2500 more substance abuse treatment beds in the state.  Barton noted once the grant agreements are signed, they will be working on tight timelines to actually use the funds.

CGFG Researching USDA Marketing Order For Cherries

Posted on by mbailey

A Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers committee is researching the potential benefits of creating a U.S. Department of Agriculture marketing order for cherries.  Such an order could set fruit quality and size standards.  Oregon Sweet Cherry Commission Chair Ian Chandler says the goal would be to provide better price returns for growers, and create transparency standards with a non-moving target.  If the CGFG committee finds a marketing order would be beneficial, it would go to the Oregon Sweet Cherry Commission, and ultimately involve hearings and a referendum vote.  Washington currently has its own sweet cherry marketing order.

TD Council Approves Change Order For First Street Project

Posted on by mbailey

The Dalles City Council approved a $364,223 change order for the First Street Project after finding a 100-year-old clay sewer main line near First and Court that made it impossible to place heavy machinery at the location for necessary work.  Community Development Director Joshua Chandler says      the location is one of the most complex in the project due to the old sewer pipe, elevated sidewalk structure, underground vault areas, and the proximity of the Baldwin Saloon.  Chandler noted the line is one of the two primary sewer lines in The Dalles.  Even with the added expense, the project remains $781,932 over budget.  The big impact may be extending the length of the project, with the Council also approving a 73-day contract extension for project contractor Ajax Engineering, pushing the completion day to July 13, 2027.

WAGAP Food Network Faces Challenges

Posted on by mbailey

Washington Gorge Action Programs Food Bank Network, like most food pantries around the country, is facing challenges to keep their shelves stocked to meet demand.  WAGAP Food Bank Manager Janeal Booren says her two biggest challenges are in gathering fresh produce and proteins to provide in monthly food boxes.  Booren says while WAGAP still has donors in the area providing fresh produce, a change in federal funding has hurt her ability to purchase more.  Booren says they like to include the fresh foods in their boxes as they tend to be healther than processed food.  WAGAP is now selling tickets to its Food For All fundraiser at AniChe Cellars in Underwood on August 14.  Tickets are available at wagap.org.

Market Conditions For Cherries May Be Stabilizing

Posted on by mbailey

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

Posted on by mbailey

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

Posted on by mbailey

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.

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