The application to build a hotel on the site of the former Hood River News building has been withdrawn by applicant Line 29 Architecture. The Hood River City Council was scheduled this evening to continue the public hearing on the municipal planning commission denial of a site plan review application for the project. But City Planning Director Dustin Nilsen says Line 29 informed the City late last week they were withdrawing their application. The hotel had been the subject of intense opposition, with those against it claiming it was incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood, and would create parking and traffic problems in the nearby area. The Hood River City Council will still meet tonight at 6 p.m. in Hood River City Hall. The Dalles City Council meets at 5:30 this evening in their chambers. Highlighting their agenda is a contract with Ajax Engineering to proceed with construction of the Federal Street plaza.
TD Outreach Team Emphasizes Ag Labor Needs To Fed Officials
When The Dalles Community Outreach Team made its visit to Washington, D.C. to advocate for local needs to federal officials, one of the subjects they emphasized was the need for area cherry orchardists to have a dependable labor supply for harvests. Port of The Dalles Executive Director and Outreach Team member Andrea Klaas says a key part of the message was emphasizing they need those workers when the fruit is ready to be picked, and that is a narrow window for cherries. Klaas says they told the story of how the cost of doing business for agriculture, from labor costs to tariffs to high fuel costs, keeps increasing and making it difficult for those growing food.
April 10-11 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 12, Ida B. Wells 7: The Eagles recovered from a 7-2 deficit after four innings to grab the win, tying the game with five runs in the fifth inning, then taking the lead on a two-run Tyson Harjo single in the sixth. Harjo pitched 3 1/3 innings of perfect relief. HRV has now won four straight games heading into Tuesday’s Northwest Oregon Conference opener at Parkrose.
The Dalles sweeps Knappa 11-1 and 9-0: Evan Ortega had an inside the park home run, a double, and two runs batted in during the opener, then combined with Gunner Bustos, and Chase Peterson on a one-hitter in the nightcap.
Toutle Lake 13, Columbia 11: The Ducks scored three in the sixth and one in the seventh to pull out the window. Brody Landgren had a four-hit day atop the Bruin lineup.
Charles Wright Academy 12, Columbia 2
Sherman splits with Union, losing game one 6-1, but winning game two 8-4: Creed Weedman drove in two runs while giving up just two hits over 5 2/3 innings in the second contest.
Track and Field
Columbia was first and Stevenson second in both the boys and girls portions of the Howard Kreps Bruin Invitational in White Salmon. Columbia’s Sara Miller won three events and Dufur’s Hailee Pechanec won two in the girls’ compatition, while Stevenson’s Jude Travinski and Trout Lake’s Jayden Kusky won two apiece in the boys’ events.
Hood River Valley’s Diyora Khudoidodova won the girls’ high jump and Syl Perrin won the girls 3,000 meters at the Wilsonville Invitational.
Willow Ziegenhagen won the girls’ javelin and Evelyn Rogers was second in the shot put to highlight The Dalles’ effort at the Need For Speed Invitational at Sherwood.
Horizon Christian’s Charlie Haynie won both the boys’ 110 and 300 meter hurdles at the Lower Columbia Invitational.
Boys Tennis
The Dalles 6, Stanfield 1
Girls Tennis
Hood River Valley 6, Crook County 2
Hood River Valley 7, Caldera 1
The Dalles 5, Stanfield 2
Girls Flag Football
Reynolds 32, The Dalles 6
OSP Asks For Help Solving Pond Contamination Near White River Wildlife Area
The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individual or individuals suspected of contaminating a pond near the White River Wildlife Area in Tygh Valley. The OSP says on March 26, multiple cans of spray foam were located in a small pond bordering the White River Wildlife Area. The cans had been compromised, causing the foam to leak into the water. It appeared that the cans and foam had been there for several days prior to their discovery. Information leading to the identification and citation or arrest of the individuals could yield a reward of $300. Anyone with information may email a tip to TIP@osp.oregon.gov or contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 800-442-2068 or by calling *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Reference case number SP26-100289.
April 9 Prep Sports Roundup
Softball
The Dalles 14, Hood River Valley 1: Morgan Donivan doubled twice and drove in three runs, while Ainslee Eisland hit a two-run homer as the Riverhawks cruised after a seven-run second inning.
Columbia 12, Stevenson 1: Julia Mullinix drove in five runs on three doubles. Fiona Grabb had three hits and four RBI as the Bruins scored 11 runs in the opening three innings.
Baseball
Columbia 10, Stevenson 3: Cameron Collins had three hits and three runs batted in to pace CHS. Garrick Satuer and Trenton Boydston combined to limit the Bulldogs to one hit.
Track and Field
Wilsonville was the boys’ winner and Putnam topped the girls in a three-school Northwest Oregon Conference meet at Henderson Stadium. HRV’s Matt Trickey won the boys’ 100 and 200 meters, while the Eagles’ Georgiana Williams won the girls’ 100 and 200.
Boys Tennis
LaSalle 7, Hood River Valley 1
The Dalles 5, Sisters 3
Girls Tennis
Hood River Valley 4, LaSalle 4
Boys Volleyball
Barlow def. Hood River Valley 21-25, 13-25, 25-21, 25-11, 15-12
Molalla def. The Dalles 25-18, 25-11, 25-20
Hood River School Officials Continue Budget Discussion
As Hood River County School District board members received an update on budget work, conversation turned toward the proposed move of Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education services from the old Pine Grove School campus to space in Mid-Valley Elementary School. A number of board members asked for more financial detail on what would be save by the move and the potential costs involved to get the Mid-Valley location ready for the program. Superintendent Bill Newton says they will have those numbers for the budget committee in late April, adding there are number of factors involved in the decision, including the age of the building, which is over 100 years old. District Chief Financial Officer Mark DeMoss says the Oregon Department of Education anticipates it will cost $2.5 million over the next ten years to maintain the Pine Grove building in its current condition.
Old Dufur Road Projects Begin Monday
The Dalles Public Works on Monday will begin work on Phase 1 of new utility service installation projects located on Old Dufur Rd, requiring a partial road closure through April 21. A traffic message board will be in place during work hours at the intersection of East 10th and Old Dufur Road reading “One lane road ahead, up to 20 minute wait. Flaggers will direct vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians safely through the work zone as equipment use allows. Work hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on each scheduled work day. The road will reopen at the end of each working day. On April 20 City crews will begin repair of the paved area where new utility services were installed. No parking will be allowed within the project areas to allow room for large equipment to safely work. No parking signs will be placed on road side 48 hours before the project moves into each work area.
Water Main Work To Close Traffic On Highway 141
As work continues on the City of White Salmon’s water transmission main replacement, a full closure of a portion of Washington State Route 141 will be required beginning on Monday. The highway will be closed on weekdays from the intersection of SR 141 and Alternate 141 to the top of Bald Mountain, but will reopen to regular traffic on weekends. During the closure, through traffic will not be allowed within the project area, and drivers will need to use alternate routes. Clearly marked detours and traffic control will be in place to help guide travel and maintain safety. Traffic control and signage will be in place to assist with detours and ensure public safety. Emergency vehicles and school buses will be allowed through the work zone to maintain critical services and access. The closure will continue through May 22.
Fish Passage Operations Start At Dams Friday
Spring fish passage operations begin Friday at federal dams on the lower Columbia River. The timing follows requirements in NOAA Fisheries’ 2014 Supplemental Biological Opinion and recent U.S. District Court orders. The Army Corps of Engineers says this year’s operations call for increased spill — sending more water over dam spillways — up to 125% of state water quality limits in Oregon and Washington for total dissolved gas. Water supply forecasts for 2026 show near-normal conditions in the Columbia River Basin. The April-through-August forecast is 93% of normal at The Dalles Dam. Higher river flows during spring runoff, combined with increased spill, can create faster currents and elevated water levels below dams. River users are encouraged to use caution and always wear a life jacket. The Corps says additional actions to support salmon and steelhead will continue under current biological opinion requirements.
April 8 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 3, Summit 0: Landon Pratt pitched a five-hit shutout as the Eagles defeated last year’s state 5A champions and won their third straight over a top ten opponent. Pratt struck out nine in his first varsity complete game. Kingston McAdam homered for HRV, which moved to 6-3 on the season.
Boys Soccer
Columbia 14, Stevenson 0
Girls Tennis
Columbia 3, Stevenson 3
Girls Flag Football
The Dalles 24, St. Helens 18