The Oregon Community Foundation announced six non-profit Mid-Columbia recipients as part of its Fall Community Grants programs. Topping the list was the Dufur School District, receiving $20,000 to build a new playground. There were three $15,000 recipients: to the Youth Empowerment Shelter to expand its Pathways Collective programming, to Wylde Wind and Water to hire a volunteer coordinator, and to environmental news organization Columbia Insight for community dialogue events about data centers. The Columbia Gorge Children’s Advocacy Center is receiving a $12,000 grant to bring on and train a new forensic interviewer. And the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is receiving a $5,000 grant to expand Japanese-American cultural programs. The Oregon Community Foundation gave more than $5.3 million to 259 organizations through its Community Grants program.
Housing Summit Set For November 19
The fifth annual Mid-Columbia Housing Stabilization Summit will take place on November 19 at The Dalles Civic Auditorium. The summit is hosted by the Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative, a large group of agencies in the region looking to improve the ability to prevent and end houselessness. Mid-Columbia Community Action Executive Director Leslie Naramore says this year’s event will put the spotlight on those locally who are doing the work to improve housing options. Session topics include civic engagement, fair housing in Oregon, older adults and houselessness, non-profit advocacy, cultural humility, and more. It’s a free event, but registration is required by November 13. To register, go to mccac.com.
Books For Kids Holds Annual Fund Drive
Books For Kids Columbia Gorge is in the midst of its annual fund drive, looking to raise $15,000 by the end of the year to help purchase books for children in Hood River, Wasco, Skamania, and Klickitat counties. Books For Kids provides funds to help teachers in local literacy programs choose books for their students that meet this child’s needs and interests. The organization’s Nadine Klebba says reading is a building block for all education. Last year, Books For Kids reached 1,800 children in the four counties. To donate, go to booksforkidscg.org. You can choose the county where you want your donation to go to.
Nash Named New Hood River Chamber Executive Director
Visit Hood River has named Mallory Nash as its new executive director. Nash will also lead the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, beginning December 1. Nash most recently served as executive director of the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation and the Downtown Pullman Association. She brings more than 10 years of experience in economic development, tourism, business support and community engagement. In Washington, Nash worked with the Main Street program, focusing on downtown business vitality, destination development and community partnerships. She succeeds Katie Kadlub, who announced in June that she would step down after serving as CEO since 2021. As executive director, Nash will oversee existing tourism and chamber programs, work with the board of directors on strategic priorities, and pursue new opportunities for the region.
November 6-7 Prep Sports Roundup
Oregon Class 4A Volleyball at North Bend
The Dalles finished fifth after winning their quarterfinal matchup with Cascade Christian 25-23, 28-26, 17-25, 23-25, 16-14, but dropped the semifinal to eventual champion Valley Catholic 25-17, 25-15, 25-17, and the third place match to Astoria 13-25, 25-22, 25-22, 21-25, 15-10. The Riverhawks’ Jazlynn Morris-Holmes was named to a second team spot on the All-Tournament Team.
Oregon Class 1A Volleyball at LaGrande
Dufur’s quest for a state championship fell just short, losing to North Lake 25-22, 20-25, 25-20, 25-23 in the final. The Rangers got there by defeating Echo 25-18, 25-9, 25-14, and Joseph 14-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-16, 15-10. Dufur’s Hailee Pechanec was a unanimous all-tournament selection, and was joined on the first team by teammate Cadence Young. Ainslee Eiesland was named to the second team. Sherman lost its two matches, to Joseph 25-14, 25-27, 25-11, 25-17, and Echo 25-21, 25-17, 25-20. The Huskies’ Kiara Peters was named second team all-tournament.
Southwest Washington Class 1A Volleyball District Tournament
Hoquiam def. Columbia 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-11
Oregon Class 4A Girls Soccer Tournament
Quarterfinal
The Dalles 3, Estacada 1: The top-seeded Riverhawks allowed their second goal of the season, but dispatched the Tri-Valley Conference rival Rangers behind a hat trick by Ariana Gonzalez. The Riverhawks led 1-0 at half and made it 2-0 in the 47th minute. Estacada pulled within 2-1, but Gonzalez notched her third goal with about 15 minutes left. The Dalles has outscored its opponents 95-2. The Riverhawks host Marist in a semifinal match on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Wahtonka.
Southwest Washington Class 1A Girls Soccer District Tournament
Tenino 2, Columbia 0
Oregon Cross Country Championships at Lane Community College in Eugene
Hood River Valley finished fifth in Class 5A boys. Gus VandenHeuvel was the top Eagle finisher in 29th place. In the 5A girls race, HRV’s Savina Davis was 23rd. The Dalles finished sixth in Class 4A girls, paced by Flamingo Duyck in 28th. The Riverhawks’ Luke Sorenson was 21st in the 4A boys run. In Class 2A/1A girls, Trout Lake’s Melody Stock was third and Felicity Peck tenth. And Trout Lake’s Joby Steward was 37th in the 2A/!A boy’s race.
Washington Cross Country Championships at Sun Willows GC, Pasco
Columbia’s Lilah Zimmerman finished fifth in the girls’ Class 1A run. Stevenson’s Daisy Jones finished in 31st.
Oregon Girls Water Polo Tournament at Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center
Semi-Final
Hood River Valley 20, Willamette 3
Championship
Summit 9, Hood River Valley 1
Oregon Boys Water Polo Tournament at Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center
Semi-Final
Hood River Valley 8, Bend 7
Championship
Mountain View 15, Hood River Valley 8
Oregon Class 1A-8 Man Football Playoffs
First Round
Perrydale 66, Sherman 20
Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation Announces Progress On Two Projects
Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation has announced progress on a pair of affordable housing projects this week. CCHC Executive Director Karen Long says work is getting underway on the 76-unit Lupine Hills development in The Dalles, formally known as Chenowith Housing. Long announced they closed on financing Wednesday, and construction mobilization started Thursday. The project includes twenty units targeted for Veterans, and the remainder towards families. Long added CCHC signed a purchase and sale agreement this week for White Salmon’s Beth-El Shalom Apartments. The 46-unit complex serves senior and disabled households, and CCHC will be rehabilitating the property to preserve the affordable housing stock in White Salmon.
Prescribed Pile Burning Starts On Mt. Hood Forest
Prescribed pile burning is underway across the Mt. Hood National Forest as cooler temperatures and recent precipitation create favorable conditions for fire operations. Forest officials say crews will burn piles of leftover branches, logs and other woody debris intermittently through the fall and winter, as weather conditions allow. Burning locations include areas near The Dalles Watershed along Forest Road 44, Sportsmans Park and Rock Creek, as well as portions of the Grasshopper and Austin fire footprints. Additional sites include several areas in Clackamas County and near the Wapinitia community along Highway 26. Crews have already burned piles over the past week near Tilly Jane Campground, Clear Lake Lookout and Olallie Lake. Officials say smoke may be visible during and shortly after burning, but significant impacts to air quality are not expected. The Mt. Hood National Forest says crews will generally prioritize higher-elevation areas before snow accumulates.
4-H Using Grant To Hire High Schoolers To Assist With STEM Programs
Wasco and Hood River County 4-H is hiring high schoolers to help with after-school STEM programs. Wasco County 4-H STEM Outreach Program Coordinator Susan McCourt says this is a grant-funded program to promote career readiness in high schoolers. Along with the job opportunity, it helps keep the STEM programs hands-on for the middle schoolers involved. McCourt says high schoolers who might be interested in a STEM program job, call her at 541-296-5494.
November 4 Prep Sports Roundup
Wednesday Schedule
Oregon Class 5A Girls Soccer Tournament
First Round
Corvallis 1, Hood River Valley 0: The Spartans’ Zia Wolfgramm scored from the right side of the top of the penalty box with six minutes remaining to lift Corvallis to the win. HRV had most of the scoring chances in the game, particularly in the first half, but could not find the net.
Oregon Class 4A Girls Soccer Tournament
First Round
The Dalles 7, Baker 0: The Riverhawks recorded their fourteenth shutout in 15 games to advance. The Riverhawks got two goals each from Ariana Gonzalez and Leila Garcia ans single tallies from Willow Ziegenhagen, Lilyana Gonzalez and Yaritza Torres-Escobedo.They will host Estacada, a team they defeated twice this year in Tri-Valley Conference play, on Saturday.
Southwest Washington Class 1A Volleyball District Tournament
First Round
LaCenter def. Columbia 3-0
Second Round
Columbia def. Tenino 3-0: The Bruins play Hoquiam at King’s Way Christian on Saturday at 1 p.m. for a berth in the state tournament.
Friday Schedule
Oregon Class 4A Volleyball at North Bend
Quarterfinal
The Dalles vs. Cascade Christian, 11 a.m.
Oregon Class 1A Volleyball at LaGrande
Quarterfinals
Sherman vs. Joseph, 1 p.m.
Dufur vs. Echo, 3 p.m.
Oregon Class 1A-8 Man Football Playoffs
First Round
Sherman at Perrydale, 7 p.m.
Oregon Girls Water Polo Tournament at Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center
Semi-Final
Hood River Valley vs. Ashland or Willamette, 6 p.m.
Oregon Boys Water Polo Tournament at Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center
Semi-Final
Hood River Valley vs. Bend, 8:20 p.m.
Saturday Schedule
Oregon Cross Country Championships at Lane Community College in Eugene
Melody Stock & Felicity Peck, Trout Lake in Class 2A/1A Girls, 9:25 a.m.
Trout Lake in Class 2A/1A Boys, 10 a.m.
The Dalles in Class 4A Girls, 11:45 a.m.
Luke Sorenson $ Lazarus Taylor, The Dalles in Class 4A Boys, 12:20 p.m.
Hood River Valley in Class 5A Girls, 1:45 p.m.
Hood River Valley in Class 5A Boys, 2:20 p.m.
Washington Cross Country Championships at Sun Willows GC, Pasco
Columbia & Stevenson in Class 1A Girls, 10 a.m.
Columbia & Stevenson’s Colton Hollis in Class 1A Boys, noon
Oregon Class 4A Girls Soccer Tournament
Quarterfinal
Estacada at The Dalles, 2 p.m.
Southwest Washington Class 1A Girls Soccer District Tournament
Columbia vs. Tenino at King’s Way Christian, 10 a.m. (winner to state)
Southwest Washington Class 1A Volleyball District Tournament
Columbia vs. Hoquiam at King’s Way Christian, 1 p.m.
Full Sail Sold
A familiar name in the Hood River community is under new ownership.
The Portland Business Journal reports Full Sail Brewing Company, a longtime Hood River brewery and one of Oregon’s craft beer pioneers, has been acquired by Sazerac, a national beverage company based in Louisville, Kentucky.
Full Sail opened in 1987 and helped establish Oregon’s craft brewing industry. The company operates its brewery, along with a pub and restaurant in downtown Hood River.
Its best-known beers include Full Sail Amber and its popular Session series.
Sazerac owns dozens of beverage brands, including Buffalo Trace and Pappy Van Winkle bourbons.
The companies have not yet announced what the acquisition means for Full Sail’s Hood River operations.
However, social media posts by Full Sail employees indicate that the pub has been closed, and the facility will become a fully contract production facility.