The Washington Legislature’s transportation and capital budgets include funds for projects in the 17th District that includes Skamania and Klickitat counties. The transportation budget includes the new Hood River to White Salmon Bridge project with $115 million for this biennium. In the capital budget, there is $3 million for the White Salmon River Conservation Lands acquisition, $2 million for the Trout Lake recreation program, $1.5 million for the White Salmon Valley swimming pool, $1 million for Skyline Health’s critical hospital infrastructure, $940,000 for the Western Skamania County public safety complex, and $618,000 for Klickitat County Courthouse rehabilitation. The final plan leaves $348.8 million in bond capacity available for the 2026 supplemental capital budget.
Author: mbailey
HR School Budget Approved By Committee
The Hood River County School District Budget Committee needed only one meeting to review and approve the proposed budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The Budget Committee approved the proposed budget of $101,861,888 by a 9-3 vote. Additionally, the committee approved the imposition and categorization of ad valorem taxes, including the school district’s permanent tax rate of $4.8119 per $1,000 of assessed value, the $1.25 local option levy, and a general obligation bond levy of $5,232,600, by an 11-1 vote. The budget includes a number of cuts resulting in eliminated positions, as district officials deal will a number of factors including declining enrollment, uncertain funding levels from the state of Oregon, and rising operational costs including jumps in Public Employee Retirement System contributions. With the budget approved, a scheduled May 6 budget meeting has been canceled. The approved budget will move forward to the district board for adoption in June.
May 1 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
The Dalles 12, Molalla 9: The Riverhawks held on through a wild finish that saw the two teams combine for 15 runs in the final two innings. Avery Schwartz doubled and tripled and drove in five runs. The Dalles now leads by Molalla by two games atop the Tri-Valley Conference.
LaCenter 8, Columbia 3
Kalama 29, Stevenson 13
Kittitas sweeps Goldendale 9-3 and 3-2
Softball
The Dalles 11, Molalla 1: Hailey Johnston and Maddie Brock both homered during an eight-run sixth inning that put the game away. Johnston drove in three runs for the Riverhawks,
Columbia 9, LaCenter 7: Joella Bucher doubled twice and tripled, while Kiera Bucher doubled in the go-ahead runs as part of a four-run fifth inning.
Kalama 12, Stevenson 0
Kittitas sweeps Goldendale 23-6 and 15-7
Boys Tennis
Canby 4, Hood River Valley 4
Girls Tennis
Hood River Valley 8, Canby 0
Girls Lacrosse
Hood River Valley 12, Lincoln 11
Boys Volleyball
Parkrose def. Hood River Valley 25-9, 25-16, 25-21
April 30 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 10, Milwaukie 0: Addison Postlewait, Bodie Stuben, and Trevor Jacobs all had two hits and a run batted in as the Eagles won their sixth in a row. Postlewait gave up only two hits and struck out eight in five innings on the mound.
Estacada 7, The Dalles 2: The Rangers jumped ahead early to hand the Riverhawks their first Tri-Valley Conference loss. Cody Agidius drove in the two runs for The Dalles.
Softball
Hood River Valley 18, Milwaukie 0: The Eagles scored 11 runs in the fourth inning on the way to their 12th consecutive win. Grace Rowan drove in three runs with a triple and a double, while Addi Van Metre also drove in three and hit an inside the park home run.
The Dalles 13, Estacada 3: Maddie Brock hit two home runs and drove in four runs. The Riverhawks scored nine runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to blow the game open, and remained a game behind Tri-Valley Conference leader Gladstone.
Track & Field
Centennial topped Hood River Valley in a Northwest Oregon Conference dual meet. Jack Miller and Wyeth Droege won a pair of events for the HRV boys.
Willow Ziegenhagen won a pair of events for The Dalles in a four-school meet at Madras
LaCenter topped Columbia, Stevenson, and Horizon Christian in a four-school meet. In the boys’ portion of the meet, Stevenson’s Jude Travinski and Horizon’s Charlie Haynie and Josiah Roberts won two events apiece. Stevenson’s Olivia Fauth and Horizon’s Hannah Adams each won a pair in the girls’ part of the event.
Boys Soccer
LaCenter 2, Stevenson 0
Columbia 12, Kalama 0
Girls Tennis
The Dalles 4, Riverside 1
The Dalles Council Considers Hearings Officer For Planning Decisions
The Dalles City Council is considering the merits of using a hearings officer to review land-use applications that require decision making beyond administrative processes. Those applications currently go to the Planning Commission, but many jurisdictions in Oregon, including Wasco County, have moved to using a third-party impartial land-use attorney instead. City Manager Matthew Klebes says this would allow the Planning Commission to focus on broader policy issues. Community Development Director Joshua Chandler said staff is proposing allocating $10,000 in the upcoming fiscal year for a hearings officer to deal with what usually is seven to eight applications that require this kind of process. All hearings officer decisions could still be appealed to the City Council. Chandler told the Council, which was generally supportive of the idea, that he will provide more specific information at an upcoming meeting.
Mays Testifies To Congress Support City Ownership Of Watershed Land
The Dalles Mayor Rich Mays testified before a House subcommittee in support of legislation that would give the City ownership of 150 acres of current Forest Service land within The Dalles’ municipal watershed adjacent to the City’s reservoir. Mays says the transfer would make it easier for the City to make needed improvements to reservoir and the Crow Creek Dam, cutting down on the permitting necessary with Forest Service ownership. Mays emphasized the request is not a knock on the Forest Service, noting it has been helpful to the City in past projects. Oregon Second District Congressman Cliff Bentz authored “The Dalles Watershed Development Act” that was heard by the House Natural Resources Committee’s subcommittee on Federal Lands, and he says he’ll continue to work to advance the legislation.
D21 To Open Kindergarten Registration
North Wasco County School District 21 will open Kindergarten registration for the 2025–2026 school year online at its website on Monday. Registration is available for incoming kindergarten students at Chenowith, Colonel Wright, and Dry Hollow elementary schools. Along with general registration, families may also submit interest forms for the Dual Language Immersion program at Chenowith Elementary. The program offers students the opportunity to become bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish, beginning in kindergarten. Parents or guardians must provide documentation during the registration process of proof of age confirming the child will be five years old on or before September 1, two documents showing current residency in D-21, immunization records, and proof of dental and vision screening. Kindergarten open house events are scheduled for May 15 at Dry Hollow, May 29 at Colonel Wright, and June 5 at Chenowith, all from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the evening.
Helping Hands Against Violence Seeks Board Members
Helping Hands Against Violence, a nonprofit organization serving survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking in Hood River County, is actively seeking individuals to join its Board of Directors. A statement from the organization says community members committed to social justice, equity, and empowerment can contribute their expertise and leadership to an organization that has been a lifeline for survivors since 1978. Board members play a pivotal role in guiding HHAV’s strategic direction, ensuring financial stability and upholding the organization’s mission to empower victims, raise public awareness, and maintain a strong volunteer base. Board members attend monthly meetings, participate in committee work, advocate for the organization in the community, and provide financial oversight and fundraising support. Those interested can email Helping Hands Executive Director Stephanie Irving at director@helpinghandsoregon.org.
Open Studios Tour This Weekend
The 19th annual Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour will take place throughout the weekend. Rob Miller says this is their bigger event ever, with 48 artists taking part at 42 different locations from Stevenson to The Dalles. Miller says it’s a chance for people to see and talk to the artists at the place where they create their art. The tour is self-guided, with booklets featuring maps and profiles of all the artists taking part in the event, representing a wide variety of artistic mediums. The studios will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The map booklets are available at area art galleries and at gorgeartists.org.
April 29 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 6, Milwaukie 1: The Eagles scored five runs in the first inning and went on to their fifth straight Northwest Oregon Conference victory. Trevor Jacobs drove in two runs and then struck out five in pitching the final two innings in relief of Bodie Stuben, who gave up only two hits and struck out seven in five innings.
Sherman 8, Stanfield 7: The Huskies had to withstand a seventh-inning rally by the Tigers to hold on for the win. Drake Dark doubled home two runs for Sherman.
LaCenter 12, Columbia 0
Kalama 18, Stevenson 1
Tri-Cities Prep swept Goldendale 11-1 and 10-2
Softball
Hood River Valley 15, Milwaukie 0: Addi Van Metre drove in four runs on two hits during a 12-run first inning, as the Eagles won their ninth in a row. Honey Bryan homered for HRV as part of the big opening frame.
Columbia 6, LaCenter 3: Fiona Grabb drove in a pair of runs for the Bruins.
Kalama 6, Stevenson 2
Goldendale sweeps Tri-Cities Prep 21-5 and 25-6: Hayden Sheridan drove in five runs in the first game and four in the second, while Tessa Larcome knocked home five in the nightcap.
Boys Tennis
Centennial 4, Hood River Valley 4
Girls Tennis
The Dalles 4, Riverside 1
Boys Lacrosse
Hood River Valley 8, Ida B. Wells 6
Girls Lacrosse
Grant 20, Hood River Valley 5: The Generals stayed in first place in the Portland League by snapping the Eagles’ ten-game winning streak.
Boys Golf
Hood River Valley finished second to Seaside at Meadow Lakes in Prineville, while The Dalles was eighth. HRV’s Aksel Betz shot a three-over 75 to finish second while David Shepherd grabbed a tie for fourth with a 77. Leighton Voodre was the top Riverhawk finisher in 21st.