The Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District has selected a project manager for construction of a new Hood River Aquatic Center. District Executive Director Mark Hickok says the district board selected the Wenaha Group, which worked with the Hood River County School District on the construction of the new May Street Elementary School. The first task will be to decide whether hire an architect first then bring on a contractor, or hire both at the same time and work together. Hickok says they want to be both fiscally responsible and figure out to keep the closure of the pool as short as possible. A bond sale is planned for spring or early summer of 2027. The District has selected an oversight committee for the project, which will construct a new indoor pool at the same location as the current covered pool.
Grasshopper Fire Quiet
Despite slightly warmer weather on Monday, fire activity was quiet on the Grasshopper Fire. Great Basin Team 4 Operations Section Chief Kevin Norton says the southwest corner of the fire remains where most of the work is taking place. Firefighters patrolled containment lines in the north and east regions of the fire to ensure no spots breached containment. Meanwhile, crews utilized excavators, chippers, dump trucks, and other logging equipment to repair past firefighting efforts throughout the fire. Forecasts Tuesday call for westerly winds, cooler temperatures, and a chance of thunderstorms over the Grasshopper Fire. Up to an inch of rain is predicted to fall over the fire Wednesday. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded all Level 2 and Level 1 evacuation notices for Wasco County. Level 3 are still the same and have not been updated.
Work Continues On Austin Fire
Firefighters continue working the Austin Fire in the Mt. Hood National Forest in Clackamas County. Crews conducted burnout operations yesterday along the west, south and east sides of the fire, working to bring flames toward established containment lines. Firefighters are also developing a contingency line along Rhododendron Ridge. Tuesday, crews will improve firelines on the southeast side and work to confine the fire near several Forest Service roads on the northeast. Along the west side, firefighters will strengthen lines near the confluence of the Collawash and Clackamas rivers. The fire has burned about 12,610 acres and remains at zero percent containment. Weather conditions are expected to moderate today before rain moves into the area.
Nevada Street Sewer Project Starts on September 8
The Dalles Public Works Department will begin a sewer service renewal project on Nevada Street on September 8. Nevada Street will be closed to through traffic, including emergency vehicles, between East 17th Street and East 16th Court from Tuesday through Thursday of next week. Drivers and bicyclists will be detoured to nearby streets, while pedestrian and sidewalk access will remain open. Work is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Traffic controls will remain in place after hours because of an open trench. No parking will be allowed in the project area. Questions can be directed to The Dalles Public Works Department at 541-296-5401.
August 31 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Volleyball
Sherman def. Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 25-20, 25-8, 25-11
Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat def. Condon 3-1
Two Die In Plane Crash Near Parkdale
Two Hood River men died Monday in a plane crash in the Parkdale area.
The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office says the single engine plane crashed near an orchard on Trout Creek Ridge Road.
The two occupants of the plane, James Crain and Scott Perry of Hood River, were found deceased.
The Sheriff’s Office says it was notified of a possible plane crash just after 11:30 Monday morning as callers reported varying locations in the Upper Valley.
Deputies were assisted by the Parkdale Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Office plane in searching for the crash, which was located about an hour later.
The aircraft was secured at the scene pending the arrival of investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Families In The Park Concert Cancelled
The Hood River Lions Club announced that the scheduled final Families In The Park concert scheduled for Thursday night has been cancelled.
The Lions Club’s Mike Schend says weather forecasts calling for rain and temperatures forecast in the 50’s led to the decision to cancel the outdoor event at Jackson Park.
The concert featuring Dancehall Days had originally been scheduled for early August to open the series, but was postponed then due to heavy wildfire smoke in the Hood River Valley.
Schend noted they had three great concerts after that initial postponement.
MCCAC Reports Growth In Housing Placements
The Mid-Columbia Community Action Council is reporting record growth in housing placements and shelter services across Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties. MCCAC’s 2024-2025 Annual Report shows the agency helped 221 people secure permanent housing — up 225 percent from the previous year. Overall, housing programs served 909 people, with successful housing outcomes for 547. Eviction Prevention services helped 315 people remain housed, including 172 children and youth. Shelter programs provided more than 26,000 nights of shelter across the three counties. MCCAC also distributed more than $653,000 in utility assistance to 2,700 people. About half were members of Native, Latinx, and other communities of color. The agency assisted 40 veteran households and worked with 149 landlords on housing placements. The full annual report is available at MCCAC.com. MCCAC serves Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties.
FISH Food Bank Sees Substantial Increase In Usage
Hood River County’s FISH Food Bank says it served over 800 families in July, a 28% increase from the same month last year. FISH Board Chair Marianne Durkan says they are seeing an increase in both young families and seniors coming to the food bank. Rising housing and gas costs are having an impact, along with changes in eligibility requirements for SNAP programs. At the same time, FISH is dealing with an increase in food costs. Durkan says they receive substantial community support, which is helping FISH continue to provide services. To donate to FISH, go to fishfoodbank.org.
TD Public Works To Clean Catch Basins In September
The Dalles Public Works crews will begin cleaning stormwater catch basins throughout the city next Tuesday, September 8. The work is expected to continue through October 2 and will help keep stormwater flowing efficiently through the city’s drainage system. Crews will work from the east side of town toward Dry Hollow Road during the week of September 8. The following week, work is expected to move from the west side toward Cherry Heights Road. Beginning September 21, crews plan to clean catch basins between Dry Hollow Road and Cherry Heights Road, south of Fourth Street. Work will take place weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. City officials are asking residents to park in a way that keeps catch basins accessible during those hours. Temporary traffic controls may be in place while crews are working at individual catch basins.