Enrollment in the Hood River County School District is essentially the same as it was at the start of last school year. Superintendent Bill Newton says the district currently has 3,810 students, up by two from one year ago, and up 35 from the end of the last school year. He adds that’s a change from what has been a gradual downward trend in the last two years, but also noted they have not seen a bump up in kindergarten and first grade enrollment. Newton says for future planning, it’s difficult to say what the early enrollment numbers mean. He points out much of that will be determined by funding levels the Oregon Legislature establishes in the 2025 session.
Author: mbailey
Scenic Area Managers Lift Campfire & Smoking Restrictions
Cool weather has prompted Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area fire managers to lift all restrictions on campfires, smoking, and other activities, effective Wednesday. Even with the removal of restrictions on scenic area lands, fire managers remind everyone to practice safe campfire principles and be cautious with any potential ignition source, as vegetation remains dry. Scenic Area officials advise when smoking, always dispose of cigarette debris in some type of ashtray, avoid driving and parking in tall grass or on roads with heavy fine fuel accumulations, don’t drag chains while towing, and make sure your campfire is completely out and cold to the touch before leaving. They also note fire restrictions may still be in effect on neighboring State and private lands, so check the regulations of those agencies when recreating.
HR County To Consider Whether To Put Prevention Services In New Department
Hood River County is considering whether to create a Department of Health and Human Services and put the County’s Prevention Department and Veterans Services Officer under that umbrella. That structure was recommended in an organizational assessment one year ago, and with Prevention Department Director Belinda Ballah retiring at the end of the month along with other departures from its staff, County Administrator Allison Williams recommended to the County Commission studying the reorganization now. Williams says she has hired former Hood River City Manager Rachael Fuller to serve as a temporary Prevention Department Director to evaluate the impact of such a move. The Prevention Department is primarily funded through grant monies, and Williams said that would not change.
September 16 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Volleyball
Hood River Valley def. Hillsboro 25-23, 22-25, 25-17, 25-22
Boys Soccer
Trout Lake-Glenwood 4, North Clackamas Christian 0
Damascus Chrisitan 2, Horizon Christian 1
Over 2100 Signed Up So Far For Bridge Walk
Over 2,100 people have signed up so far for the opportunity to walk on the Hood River/White Salmon Interstate Bridge on October 6 in commemoration of the structure’s 100th anniversary. The narrow bridge has never been open to pedestrians. Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood says the public will have a chance to go on to the structure on foot. The bridge will be open to walkers on October 6 from 10 a.m. to noon, while it will be closed to motorists from 9:30 to 12:30. To sign up to walk on the bridge, go to portofhoodriver.com.
Chamber CEO Touts Fishing In The Dalles Area
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson is taking part in Fish Camp, an annual event based out of Peach Beach Park near Maryhill State Park that brings together members of the outdoors media and those in the fishing industry. Farquharson’s mission is to connect with those media members to further engrain The Dalles as a destination for those seeking great places to fish. Farquharson says fishing has become a larger part of the Eastern Gorge tourism sector, noting the Port of The Dalles is reporting at least a 40% increase in dock and boat ramp use. She adds that reflects positively for hotel and restaurant traffic.
Trail Closures Continue For Whisky Creek Fire Area
Hood River County Forestry says progress in Whisky Creek Fire suppression efforts is allowing them to begin phase 2 reopening of trails, roads, staging areas, and Kingsley Campground, but a number of roads and trails remain closed or will be decommissioned. Roads and trails remaining closed include Dead Point Road, Green Point Road, and both Kingsley Road and Upper Trail 180 west of Kingsley Reservoir. Trails having been impacted by contingency fire line construction and will remain closed until repaired include Mitchell Ridge, Baby Heads, and Trail 112. The Borderline and Blade Runner trails have been absorbed by the fireline construction and are now decommissioned, and the County says they will be replaced with comparable alternatives and relocated. Hood River County Forestry also indicated efforts to repair impacted trails will commence once moisture returns and dirt can be compacted.
Whisky Creek Fire Continues To Smolder
The Whisky Creek Fire southeast of Cascade Locks within the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness continues to smolder in dead and downed logs. Fire growth has been minimal, with only eight acres of growth on Sunday putting total acreage at 3,099, while containment remains at 25%. Firefighters have made progress with light repair work on contingency and primary control lines. Monday, crews will work on removing hazard trees that have the potential to impact Forest Road 2820. Primary control lines remain fully intact with hoselays, water tanks, and pumps ready to use if needed, while firefighters continue to patrol the fire perimeter.
Williams Mine Fire Size Stays The Same
The Williams Mine Fire northwest of Trout Lake in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest came out of the weekend at 13,092 acres in size with containment remaining at 31%. Forest Service officials say they are discontinuing daily updates on the fire, noting they will be issued in the future to advise on changes in fire activity. Fire personnel will continue to monitor the fire, extinguish hot areas threatening the control lines, and repairing damage from the suppression work. Forest Service Road 23 south of Forest Service Road 90 is still closed to the public, as is Takhlakh Lake. 119 personnel continue to be assigned to the fire.
September 13 Prep Football Scoreboard
Hood River Valley 24, Grant 13
Astoria 29, The Dalles 0
Columbia River 30, Columbia 14
Elma 26, Stevenson 7
Dufur 58, Imbler 20
Union 48, Sherman 6
Lyle-Klickitat-Wishram 52, Elgin 28
Harper Charter 45, South Wasco 6