The Hood River County Christmas Project is taking applications in its 101st year of helping those in need during the holidays. The project’s Lindsay Holmson says they are taking applications are now from those who would like to receive a food and gift box. Hood River County residents who qualify as low-income in the state of Oregon are eligible to receive the help. Applications are online at hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com, or by calling 541-329-0901. Information on how to donate to the effort or volunteer to help is also available at hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com.
Author: mbailey
Northern Wasco PUD Receives Smart Energy Provider Designation
Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District has been designated as a Smart Energy Provider by the American Public Power Association. The designation is awarded to utilities that demonstrate excellence in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental initiatives. Northern Wasco PUD is Oregon’s sole recipient in the program’s six-year history. The SEP program recognizes close to 100 public power utilities across the nation for their commitment to best practices in energy management. An expert review panel that assesses the utility’s programs in four key areas: Smart Energy Information, Energy Efficiency and Distributed Energy Resources, Environmental and Sustainability Programs, and Communication/Education and Customer Experience. The SEP designation lasts for three years, commencing on December 1.
City of Hood River Asks Residents For Issues
The City of Hood River is asking its residents’ one question in advance of an upcoming City Council goal setting session. City Manager Abigail Elder says they are asking simply what should the Council focus on in the upcoming two years. The goal setting session will try to think big picture and what are the projects the City should focus on. Mayor Paul Blackburn added this is a good opportunity to bring up issues other than housing, which has dominated the Council’s focus for some time.
Klickitat County Works Through Budget
As Klickitat County works through its 2025 budget, it has been able to close what had been a substantial gap between revenues and expenses. County Commissioner Jacob Anderson said they are almost there, with County staff being asked to make final adjustments. Anderson notes they never spend all of what they budget, and they tend to estimate revenues low, and by the end of every year they have more money than they expected. One of the unfunded requirements is a new state requirement for the County to hire a coroner, which will cost about $300,000. Anderson adds they will be incurring some additional costs with the transition of Klickitat County Jail operations from the Sheriff’s Office to its own department.
Truax Named To Hood River County School Board
The Hood River County School District Board has appointed a former member to fill the Position 2 seat left vacant by the resignation of Barb Hosford. Rich Truax was tabbed by the panel to fill out the remainder of Hosford’s term. Truax, a longtime resident of Hood River County, served on the Disrict board from 2015 to 2019, contributing to multiple board activities, including meetings, committee work, financial planning, and campaign support. Truax is currently serving on the district’s Finance Advisory Committee and has participated in the budget and facilities committees and multiple capital bond and levy campaigns. His community involvement includes youth sports coaching, trail development with Hood River Area Trail Stewards, and support for various student activities.
The Dalles Will Enforces Rules Against Election Signs In Right-Of-Way
The City of The Dalles says it will be enforcing the municipal code and removing non-permitted political campaign signs located within the City’s public right-of-way or on other City-owned property. City officials say non-permitted signs located in the public right-of-way is a safety concern—and pursuant to municipal code, the City may remove and immediately confiscate such signs without prior notice. For signs without a visible telephone number or address of the sign’s owner on the sign itself, the City will hold such a confiscated sign for at least 15 days before disposing of it unless the sign’s owner reclaims it. The City will destroy such confiscated signs if unclaimed within that 15-day period. For signs with a visible telephone number or address of the sign’s owner, the person responsible for the sign, or the person that is the subject of the sign’s communication, the City will hold such a confiscated sign for at least 30 days from the time the City contacts such person by telephone or by mail.
South Wasco Resident Deputy Position To Start In 2025
Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill announced the implementation of a South Wasco County Resident Deputy position effective with the start of 2025. In a statement, Magill said Pine Hollow resident Kyle VeraCruz was selected for the position. VeraCruz has eight years of law enforcement experience, and has been with the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office since 2019. Along with patrol duties, VeraCruz has been a field trainer, active shooter response trainer, a search and rescue coordinator, and part of the regional tactical response team. In the resident deputy position, VeraCruz will focus on patrolling an approximately 1,100 square mile area of South Wasco County.
Top Of The World Fire Fully Contained
The Top of the World Fire has been declared fully contained. The fire was on Forest Service land west of the Catherine Creek recreation area in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area between Bingen and Lyle. A Scenic Area spokesperson said within the last few days, firefighters have been able to take advantage of cooler weather and light precipitation to further reinforce containment lines and have completed a containment line around 100% of the fire perimeter. Local fire resources will continue to patrol and monitor the fire area for any smoke or potential additional fire activity. The Catherine Creek trail system and trailhead are open for public use. Visitors should be aware that hazards continue to exist inside the burned area from falling rocks and fire weakened trees, and firefighters will be continuing suppression operations as needed. Extra caution should be used when visiting the area.
Body Recovered Near Bonneville Dam
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a body was recovered in the Columbia River near Bonneville Dam on Saturday morning. KGW reports Bonneville Dam employees discovered the body upriver from the dam just after 10 a.m. The body is now in the hands of the Medical Examiner’s Office and the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. The sheriff’s office said they do not believe the person’s death is the result of foul play, but the incident is still under investigation. The person’s identity has not yet been reported. It is unknown at this time how they died.
Return Rates Above 20 Percent In Hood River & Wasco Counties
Ballot return rates in Hood River and Wasco counties were above 20 percent heading into the weekend. Hood River County ended Friday with 23.14% of ballots returned, or 3,882. Wasco County checked in at 21.45%, or 4,052. Both are well below the return rates of 2020. In Washington, the Secretary of State’s office says 16.68% of ballots have been sent to Skamania County election offices. The Klickitat County rate is much lower at 7.34%.