The Bingen-White Salmon Community Cleanup is set for Friday and Saturday. Put on by the White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Club, it is headquartered again at its traditional location on Bingen Public Works property on Marina Way south of Highway 14. The flow of the site begins with usable items first gleaned by the Gorge Rebuild It Center and The Dalles Freestore, and the remaining usable items placed in the “freecycle” zone for others to claim, before moving on to disposal locations. No refrigerators or freezers will be accepted, and paint cans will not be taken unless the paint is completely dried. For complete information, go to the WA Community Cleanup Facebook page.
WAGAP Continues LIEAP Program Processing
Even though winter has wound down, the Washington Gorge Action Programs continues to process applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, and are still accepting inquiries as well. The program serves about 1500 families, but funding was delayed due to the federal government shutdown. WAGAP’s Rachel Johnson says because of that delay, they are still working through their wait list. She notes it has been perceived as a winter program, but warmer temperatures mean there is demand in the summer as well. For information on the program, call WAGAP at 509-493-2662, ext. 202.
Respite Programs Moving To St. Paul’s Church
Cherry Blossom Respite is relocating its dementia-specific respite care program from Mid-Columbia Senior Center to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in The Dalles beginning on May 5. The program is funded through a grant from the Center for Dementia Respite Innovation, and is designed to provide relief for caregivers supporting people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Program Manager Danette Utley says moving to the new location will allow the program to provide services at a more convenient time from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. She says a morning time is beneficial for participants as that is the best time for cognitive activities, and will give caregivers a time for their own appointments. A light meal will also be provided. Caregivers interested in learning more about dementia-specific respite care can contact Cherry Blossom Respite at 541-288-8315 or email at cherryblossomADP@gmail.com.
Festival Honorees Named
The Northwest Cherry Festival announced its honorees for this weekend’s event. Carmelo and Carmen Gamez will serve as King Bing and Queen Anne. Carmelo Gamez has worked in the local orchard industry for four decades, and sat on a number of local boards, while Carmen is a childcare provider with the Oregon Child Development Coalition. The festival parade grand marshals will be Dave and Karen Cooper. The Cooper Family Orchards has had 150 years of continuous family operation. The Northwest Cherry Festival Parade will start on Saturday morning at 10 from 6th and Webber, taking the usual route through downtown The Dalles.
No Commercial Huckleberry Permits On Pinchot In 2026
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest announced commercial huckleberry permits will again not be issued in 2026. The decision follows months of engagement that included an online public questionnaire, a community roundtable in February, conversations with industry, and government-to-government consultations with tribal nations. The Yakama Nation, Tulalip Tribes, and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians each formally requested permanent cessation of commercial huckleberry harvest on the Forest, saying without a commercial harvest last year tribal gatherers observed improved berry abundance, reduced harassment, and safer gathering conditions. Forest officials say they are initiating a multi-year planning effort to evaluate long-term management options. Huckleberry fields across the Forest are experiencing long-term decline from conifer encroachment, fire suppression, drought, and invasive species. Personal-use huckleberry picking remains open under existing Forest regulations.
TDPD Warns Of Counterfeit Jewelry Scam
The Dalles Police Department says it has received reports of an individual in the area posing as a wealthy seller and offering counterfeit jewelry for cash. The department says this is a scam. The suspect has been approaching people in busy parking lots and is reportedly driving a black 2025 Ford Expedition. The Dalles Police advise you to not engage or make any purchases. If you encounter this individual, report it to local law enforcement.
Applications For 2025 Drought Loans Remain Open
The Small Business Administration says eligible small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat, and Skamania counties have until May 22 to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by drought last summer. SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to small businesses and private non-profits with financial losses directly related to the drought. The program is not available to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises. The loans are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the organization did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster. To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
April 21 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 9, Putnam 6: Tyson Harjo went four for five and drove in two runs while pitching four innings of scoreless relief, as the Eagles won their eighth straight game and stayed unbeaten in the Northwest Oregon Conference. Bodie Stuben went three for four at the plate with three RBI.
Seton Catholic 14, Columbia 1
Stevenson 13, Fort Vancouver 7: The Bulldogs scored three runs in the sixth inning and four in the seventh to grab the win.
Stanfield 9, Sherman 8: Creed Weedman drove in two runs for Sherman, as the Huskies late rally could not overcome an early deficit.
Softball
Putnam 9, Hood River Valley 6: The Eagles’ seventh inning comeback effort fell just short. Honey Wampler-Bryan went three for three and drove in a run.
Seton Catholic 9, Columbia 3: Seton Catholic stayed unbeaten in the Trico League with the win. Joella Posini homered for the Bruins.
Fort Vancouver 20, Stevenson 5
Track and Field
Savina Davis won two events for Hood River Valley in a three-school Northwest Oregon Conference matchup at LaSalle. Parkrose was the boys’ winner, and LaSalle topped the girls’ standings.
Boys Tennis
Hood River Valley 7, Putnam 1
Girls Tennis
Hood River Valley 8, Putnam 0
Boys Golf
The Dalles was fourth in a Tri-Valley Conference tournament at The Dalles Country Club. Andrew Westin fired an 83 to finish third individually.
Girls Golf
Hood River Valley was fourth in a Northwest Oregon Conference Tournament at Stone Creek. Rayla Yasui was the top HRV finisher in 12th.
Boys Lacrosse
Oregon Episcopal 13, Hood River Valley 7
New Bridge Awaits Fed Funding, But Work Continues
The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge project is awaiting word from the Federal Highway Administration on whether it will receive a $532 million Bridge Improvement Program grant during the current funding cycle. The Bridge Authority should learn by September whether they will get the award that would allow construction to begin on the $1.12 billion project. Bridge Authority board co-chair Grant Polson says behind the scenes work continues to be ready for when full funding is achieved, including testing the locations in the Columbia River where the bridge foundations will be. Sixty-percent design work should be ready this summer, and the goal remains for actual construction to begin in the fall of 2027, assuming the federal funding coming through.
Cherry Festival Vendor Market Moves To Future Federal Street Plaza
This year’s vendor market for the Northwest Cherry Festival on Saturday is located where the future Federal Street Plaza will be constructed. The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says the former Tony’s Town and Country lot will also have vendors. Farquharson also says they have about half the usual number of vendors due to space issues and the market operation being shortened to just Saturday, but all the spaces they have are sold. The Community Fair will be on Fourth Street between Federal and Washington, and a Children’s Activity Fair will be located in the parking lot between The Dalles Civic Auditorium and the Medical Arts Building.