Boys Basketball
Klickitat-Glenwood 62, Lyle-Wishram 57
South Wasco 72, Echo 31
Girls Basketball
Echo 56, South Wasco 16
Cox Named Explore The Dalles Tourism Director
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce has named Lynn Cox as Tourism Director for Explore The Dalles. Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says Cox brings over two decades of leadership experience in destination marketing, community engagement, and customer experience design, most recently with Intel Corporation’s Sales and Marketing Group. In her new role, Cox will lead destination marketing efforts, manage strategic partnerships, and oversee the promotion of The Dalles as a premier travel and recreation hub in the Pacific Northwest. As Tourism Director, Cox will lead campaigns highlighting local attractions, dining, lodging, and outdoor recreation, while strengthening partnerships with businesses and regional tourism organizations.
Wolf To Take On Presiding Judge Duties
Oregon Seventh District Circuit Court Judge John Wolf has been appointed by Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Meagan A. Flynn to serve as the next presiding judge of the District. Wolf, who has served on the bench since 2011, will begin a two-year term succeeding Judge Karen Ostrye, who has held the presiding judge role since 2022. As presiding judge, Wolf will oversee the district’s judicial administration, including participation in court, county, and public safety committees. He will also supervise the trial court administrator on matters such as budgeting and court operations, while continuing to perform his regular judicial duties such as conducting hearings and trials, and reviewing warrants. The Seventh Judicial District has four elected judges who preside over circuit court cases in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, and Wheeler counties. The presiding judge is nominated by fellow judges in the district and formally appointed by the Chief Justice with input from the other Justices of the Oregon Supreme Court.
Wasco County & Oregon OEM Reach Agreement On Rowena Cleanup
It appears phase two of the Rowena Fire cleanup will get underway next week. Wasco County Administrative Officer Tyler Stone announced at Wednesday’s County Commission meeting that an agreement between the County and the Oregon Office of Emergency Management for the state to spend $3.5 million on the cleanup effort has been executed. Stone expected their contract with Crestline Construction would be completed Wednesday, with mobilization for the work to start next week. Stone says they have received 34 right-of-entry forms from property owners.
More Time To Comment On Hotel Proposal
The Hood River City Planning Commission went into a further comment period for an application for a Site Plan Review permit to build a 135-room hotel on the site of the former Hood River News building on 419 State Street following a two-and-a-half hour public hearing this week. The controversial proposal by applicant Line 29 Architecture has generated significant opposition for a myriad of reasons, most notably for traffic, parking, and building height concerns. The further comment period includes time for all parties to provide evidence and testimony ending December 8, seven more days for all to rebut the new material, and then a final seven-day period for the applicant to deliver a final rebuttal. In final comments during the hearing, Robert Cullen of the hotel development team said they are not asking for exceptions or variances. The Planning Commission will convene again on the application at its January 5 meeting.
Klickitat County To Appoint Interim PA Next Week
Klickitat County Commissioners plan to appoint an interim replacement for outgoing Prosecuting Attorney David Quesnel at their meeting next Tuesday. Quesnel submitted his resignation last week, effective December 14. The County will begin advertising for a replacement to fill the remainder of Quesnel’s term, which runs through the end of 2026. But Commission Chair Ron Ihrig says they need to make an interim appointment to run the prosecuting attorney’s office until a permanent replacement is selected. The Prosecuting Attorney’s position will be up on the election ballot in 2026.
DUII Enforcement Effort Planned For December 19
The Dalles Police Department, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon State Police are planning a high-visibility DUII enforcement for the night of December 19. This impaired-driving saturation is in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Traffic Grant Program. Law enforcement will be out reminding everyone the Holidays are meant for responsible fun times with friends and family, not drunk and/or drugged driving. ODOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say during the December months from 2019 to 2023, there were 4,931 people killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, including 1,038 people in December of 2023. Nighttime driving in December 2023 was significantly more dangerous than daytime driving, with almost half of drivers involved in fatal crashes between the hours of midnight and 2:59 a.m. found to be drunk.
Next Door Annual Appeal Underway
The Next Door is in the midst of its annual appeal. Executive Director Janet Hamada says their goal is to raise $250,000 by the end of January, which is what they have raised in the past few years. The Next Door houses 36 different services that work in Hood River, Wasco, and other counties throughout the region. In the last year, Hamada says they have reached 15,760 people, with 1,058 active clients, the majority of which are children and their parents. To give to The Next Door go online to its website at nextdoorinc.org, or visit their offices on 965 Tucker Road in Hood River or 1113 Kelly Avenue in The Dalles.
Aaron Meyer “Rock The Holidays” Set For Sunday
The United Way of the Columbia Gorge will host the 14th annual Aaron Meyer Christmas Concerts this Sunday. The annual event by the Portland-based rock violinist includes a kids’ concert prior to the regular concert. Gordy Sato of the United Way says the kids’ concert has become just as popular as the main event. Tickets are available for both the 1 p.m. kids concert and the 4 p.m. regular concert at unitedwaycolumbiagorge.org or at Waucoma Bookstore. The concerts benefit the United Way of the Columbia Gorge.
Very Little Testimony On Klickitat County Budget
The Klickitat County Commission held a hearing on the proposed 2026 budget, with very little testimony and the expectation it will be approved next week. Commissioners approved a general fund budget that included the usual one percent property tax increase allowed annually under state law. It also includes reorganization with a County Administrator position, an expectation of combining similar departments for efficiency, and a hiring freeze as the Commission embarks on a three-year effort to optimize the County’s fiscal situation. Commission Chair Ron Ihrig says he appreciated County departments holding the line in their 2026 plans. Commissioners left open the opportunity for written comment on the budget through Friday, and will hold a vote on it at their meeting next Tuesday.