Drivers using the Hood River–White Salmon Interstate Bridge should prepare for overnight closures and daytime delays starting Monday. The Port of Hood River says steel and coating maintenance will require the bridge to close to all vehicle traffic overnight, Monday through Friday, from midnight to 5:30 a.m. through November 13. In addition, daytime work will also bring single-lane closures next week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Traffic will take turns crossing the bridge in one lane. Additional daytime traffic impacts are expected to continue through December 11. The Port says all work is weather-dependent, and schedules may change. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time to cross the Columbia River.
WAGAP Tree of Joy Program Underway
The Washington Gorge Action Programs’ Tree of Joy program is underway for 2026, recruiting sponsors to purchase gifts for children in need. WAGAP’s Juan Reyes says this year they are collaborating with the Goldendale Giving Tree and the Skamania County Christmas Basket programs to help all three be efficient with donations and help as many families as possible. Reyes says the three programs will direct donors to the correct organization for their area. Information on how to help with the Tree of Joy is available at WAGAP’s Facebook page, with the deadline to sign on as a sponsor for a family on November 16. Cash donations will also be accepted.
White Salmon Preps For Halloween Events
Downtown White Salmon’s annual Halloween festivities will take place on Saturday evening. Jewett Boulevard will be closed to traffic from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to allow the youngsters to enjoy trick-or-treating, and Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tammara Tippel says the Elks Lodge on NE Church Street will host a Trunk or Treat event and the Festival of Light will be in the Bubba’s Brew lot. The Castle of Curiosities at the Masonic Lodge will be open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., while the Costume Parade will lineup at White Salmon City Hall at 5:50 p.m. to head east at 6 p.m. Gardner Funeral Home will be collecting warm clothes and blankets for senior citizens during the event.
Skamania County VSO’s Receive State Honors
The Skamania County Veteran Services Office has earned statewide recognition for significant success in supporting local veterans. At a recent statewide event, Skamania County Veteran Services Officers Shannon See and Mitchell Crawley were recognized for helping veterans in their county receive nearly $2.4 million in benefits during Fiscal Year 2025-26. In addition their work helped increase the number of veterans in Skamania County receiving benefits by 7%. During 2025-26, See and Crawley submitted claims to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that identified more than 320 individual issues, with approval granted for 187 of them. Veterans in Skamania County seeking assistance can call 509-427-3977 for an appointment with the Veteran Services Office, which is located at 710 SE Rock Creek Drive in Stevenson, and open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
TD Council Approves Clarifications To Recreational Property Ordinance
The Dalles City Council approved changes to its recreational property ordinance to clarify requirements while preserving the City’s authority to manage recreational property, protect public safety, and maintain public access. City Attorney Jonathan Kara says the amendments distinguish ordinary public use from activities requiring exclusive reservations or advance City coordination. Mayor Rich Mays says the ordinance was originally passed sixteen months ago to allow recreational uses on appropriate properties like Lewis & Clark Festival Park and the soon to be completed Federal Street Plaza, but the changes are to make it more practical. City Manager Matthew Klebes says the ordinance may continue to evolve as the public recreational spaces are used, and they learn more about those uses.
Klickitat County Looks At Draft Of STR Ordinance
Klickitat County Commissioners walked through the draft of a proposed ordinance to establish permit fees and rules for short-term rentals. Commissioners heard from County Planning Director Scott Edelman and Economic Development Specialist and Natural Resources Project Coordinator Keaton Curtice went through the document, covering everything from the cost of fees and fines, to notice given for violations. Curtice noted the key to the ordinance will be the ability to communicate it to the public. Curtice added they tried to scale down STR rules to the basics, and the ordinance does not seek to limit them. The draft ordinance is now headed to legal counsel for review, and Commissioners plan to discuss it again in two weeks.
WS Officials Look To Prioritize In 2027 Budget
As White Salmon officials work on budget plans for 2027, one of the guiding principles will be a desire to focus on a bit less, but do it well, complete those projects, and move on from there. Mayor Marla Keethler says they went through the various issues that have been raised at meetings or from constituent input over the last two years, and the number went over 40. She says one of the intentions in the process is to manage and prioritize what the City should do in the coming year. Keethler says they will be going into 2027 with a balanced budget, but Councilors agreed at a recent workshop they need to start planning for how to bring in additional revenue.
October 27 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Soccer
Hood River Valley 9, St. Helens 0
The Dalles 3, North Marion 0: The Dalles defeated the Huskies for the second time this year to win the Tri-Valley Conference championship.
Girls Soccer
Hood River Valley 8, St. Helens 0: The Eagles set up a showdown for the Northwest Oregon Conference championship on Thursday night at Sandy.
The Dalles 10, North Marion 0: The Riverhawks scored in double digits for the first time this year, and move their overall record to 12-0-1.
SW Washington Class 1A District Girls Soccer Tournament
Play-In Round
Columbia 5, Elma 1: The Bruins advance to a first round game at Trico League champion Seton Catholic on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Volleyball
Columbia def. Stevenson 25-4, 25-12, 25-20: The Bruins finish up Trico League play with a victory, and will host Rochester for a Southwest Washington Class 1A District Tournament Play-In game tomorrow at 5 p.m.
Girls Water Polo
Hood River Valley 18, West Albany 1
Boys Water Polo
Hood River Valley 21, West Albany 7: Andrew Stehlik scored seven goals for HRV.
TD Council Waits On City Manager Change Order Authority
The Dalles City Council will wait another two weeks before approving a resolution to allow the City Manager to have the authority to approve change orders on capital projects of up to 20 percent. Two Councilors, Ben Wring and Dan Richardson, were unable to be present at Monday’s meeting. Earlier in the day, Wring had communicated two remaining questions, most notably whether a total dollar amount limit could be included. City Attorney Jonathan Kara said a survey of other Oregon cities found no single statewide standard, adding they had settled on the 20 percent figure after studying change orders the City approved over the last 25 years. Kara added the change order authority is intended to increase efficiency in finishing projects and avoid delays waiting for Council approval that could end up costing even more money. The City Manager currently has authority to make changes up to $100,000. The subject will be discussed again on November 9.
Election Turnout Up From Four Years Ago, Down From 2024
With one week remaining until Election Day, voter turnout in Wasco and Hood River counties is running behind the pace set during the 2024 election, but ahead of 2022. In Wasco County, 4,695 ballots have been returned, representing 24.47 percent turnout. That compares with 5,736 ballots, or 30.42 percent turnout, at the same point in 2024. In 2022, the county had received 4,110 ballots, with turnout at 22.16 percent. In Hood River County, 4,805 ballots have been returned, for a turnout rate of 28.29 percent. At this point in 2024, the county had received 5,521 ballots, representing 32.92 percent turnout. In 2022, 3,825 ballots had been returned, for a turnout rate of 23.53 percent. Both counties are ahead of their 2022 turnout levels but remain behind their 2024 pace.