The annual Hood River Fly-In is this weekend at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield and the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum. WAAAM’s Stephanie Hatch says they are expecting planes from the Northwest and beyond to be in attendance. Along with the planes on display, there will be authors, pilot seminars, an open house in WAAAM’s restoration shop, and opportunities to take a ride on a vintage biplane or Ford Trimotor. Tickets are $20 for adults, and $10 for youth. For schedule details, go online to waaamuseum.org.
Author: mbailey
Heights Front-Yard Garden Tour Saturday
Hood River County Oregon State University Extension is holding a front-yard garden tour on the Hood River Heights this Saturday. OSU Extension’s Ashleigh Wajtyna (why-tina) says they scouted 11 different locations on the Heights where the garden can be seen from the sidewalk. Some locations will have a youth activity or other presentation. The tour will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It is self-guided, and maps are available online at the OSU Extension Hood River County webpage, or at the Extension office on 2990 Experiment Station Drive in Hood River.
Whisky Creek Fire Sees Minor Growth
Managers on Wednesday observed minor growth of the Whisky Creek Fire in the east fork of Herman Creek. Acreage burned in the fire southeast of Cascade Locks ticked up slightly to 2,105 acres with that movement. Containment stayed at 25%. Grading operations continued along Forest Service Road 2810. Removal of excess hose and other equipment is taking place, but fire officials say additional hose will be retained near Wahtum Lake as precautionary measure.
Activity Increases On Williams Mine Fire
Hot and dry weather combined with easterly winds led to increased activity on the Williams Mine Fire northwest of Trout Lake. Fire officials say that several interior areas showed visible smoke on Wednesday for the first time in over a week. Crews are monitoring those locations and extinguishing them as needed, but most are in the far interior of the fire and not threatening any control lines. Overnight active burning was inside the Mt. Adams Wilderness in the burn scar of a previous fire. The fire is expected to burn actively again today with hot, dry weather and winds from the east. Size of the Williams Mine Fire was dropped to 12,528 acres due to improved mapping. Containment remains at 31%.
Oak Canyon Fire Evacuation Advisories Dropped To Level 1
The Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center says the Oak Canyon Fire along the Wasco/Sherman County line north of Highway 216 is now 75% contained. Acreage is listed at 15,170. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office says fire crews have been making significant progress on all fronts. Hand crews working on the northeast corner of the fire have focused on establishing fire lines. The south perimeter of the fire also has good containment thanks to dozer lines that have been put in place. The Sheriff’s Office says while the fire has not burned any permanent residences, a few outbuildings have sustained damage. Areas previously under Level 2 and 3 evacuation advisories were dropped to Level 1 Thursday morning. All campgrounds from Maupin to Shears Bridge are now open to overnight camping and recreation. Recreation and access along the lower access road including Buck Hollow to Max Canyon opened this morning.
September 4 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Soccer
Trout Lake 5, Willamette Christian 3
Fugitive From Alabama Indicted On Sex Crimes In Wasco County
A 39-year-old man who is currently a fugitive facing charges in Alabama was indicted in Wasco County on multiple sex crimes against a child under the age of 12. Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis announced that Adam Renk is charged with first degree unlawful sexual penetration, sodomy, and sex abuse. Ellis indicated the charges stemmed from actions that were ongoing in nature and began in Antelope in 2020. Renk has also been charged with several sex crimes in Alabama against an eleven-year-old victim. The victims in the two states are unrelated. Renk posted bond in Alabama and had been released from pre-trial custody. Ellis said when Renk learned he may be possibly charged with further crimes, he fled. Alabama police and federal marshals are attempting to locate Renk, who has ties to Oregon and to Wasco County in particular. He may be traveling in a trailer or a converted ambulance. If anyone has knowledge concerning Renk’s whereabouts, please contact your local law enforcement immediately. Information can be provided to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office. Contact Detective Sergeant Jeff Hall at 541-506-2580.
Oak Canyon Fire Now 75% Contained
The Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center says the Oak Canyon Fire along the Wasco/Sherman County line north of Highway 216 is now 75% contained. Acreage is listed at 15,170. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office says fire crews have been making significant progress on all fronts. Hand crews working on the northeast corner of the fire have focused on establishing fire lines and are confident in their work. The south perimeter of the fire also has good containment thanks to dozer lines that have been put in place. The Sheriff’s Office says while the fire has not burned any permanent residences, a few outbuildings have sustained damage. All campgrounds from Maupin to Shears Bridge are now open to overnight camping and recreation. Recreation and access along the lower access road including Buck Hollow to Max Canyon opened Thursday morning. The Sheriff’s Office says evacuation levels remained in place, but will be reevaluated on Thursday.
Klickitat County Gets Prelim Budget Report Showing Deficit
Klickitat County Commissioners learned on Tuesday that a preliminary budget for 2025 shows expected revenues are over $4.7 million below projected expenses. County Fiscal Manager Jenn Neil gave Commissioners those numbers in advance of the start of budget workshops, noting the budget assumes an 18% decrease in landfill revenues, and drops in sales tax and interest earnings. Commissioner Jacob Anderson says there will be some hard conversations needed over the next few weeks. Commissioners asked Neil for more detail on some of the cost drivers in the budget that have led to the expenses. The County has about $5 million in cash reserves along with another $5 million in emergency funds, but Commissioner Dan Christopher said he would be hard pressed to agree to dipping into those funds.
Wasco County Approves Contract For Wildfire Defense Projects
Wasco County Commissioners approved the contract with the U.S. Forest Service for Community Wildfire Defense Fund projects which will see the County receive $5.94 million for mitigation projects over the next five years. A key part of agreement will allow the County to recruit a Wildfire Coordinator. County Planner Kelly Howsley-Glover says they are already getting interest in that position. That coordinator will do much of the outreach work as the County seeks to increase its resiliency to wildfire. Howsley-Glover noted they will begin formal recruitment once the Forest Service signs off on the agreement.