Columbia Gorge Community College continues to work toward getting an Agricultural Technology program started in the fall of 2026. The program is being developed through collaboration with local and regional orchardists, farmers, vintners, and ranchers to address the need for a skilled local workforce proficient in both traditional ag practices and emerging technologies that could help the businesses thrive in evolving labor and environmental conditions. The program is also intended to create bridges between local high school programs, meaningful college credentials, and in-demand local careers.
Author: mbailey
D21 Board Givers Bernal Positive Evaluation; Contract Extends
The North Wasco County School District 21 board has extended the contract of Superintendent Carolyn Bernal after giving her a positive job evaluation. Bernal’s contact now runs through June 30, 2028. Terms of that contract called for the extension with the good performance evaluation. In a statement read during Thursday night’s D-21 board meeting, Chair David Jones says the evaluation process focused on eight professional standards for superintendents in Oregon and three superintendent goals. Jones said the board would be working with Bernal to develop new district goals.
Newhouse Co-Sponsors Bill To Allow Postal Service To Ship Alcohol
Washington Republican Congressman Dan Newhouse joined Democrat Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia to introduced the USPS Shipping Equity Act that would allow the United States Postal Service to ship alcoholic beverages to consumers. The legislation allows the USPS to ship directly from licensed producers and retailers to consumers over the age of 21, in accordance with state and local laws at the delivery location. The two legislators believe it levels the playing field and increases consumer and manufacturer choice while bringing in millions of dollars in revenue per year. Newhouse says while other carriers deliver alcohol, current law prohibits the United States Postal Service from doing so. He adds the legislation supports small craft breweries and wineries in rural areas like Central Washington and offers new opportunities for market access through the USPS. The legislation is supported by industry partners including the American Craft Spirits Association and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association.
Burn Operations Planned In Mt. Hood Forest
The Mt. Hood National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations over the next few weeks, as weather conditions allow. Forest officials say they will use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation and protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires. Prescribed fire is planned for about 900 acres in an area five miles west of Wamic off Forest Road 48 as early as Tuesday if conditions are favorable. Fire personnel are initially planning to burn up to 100 acres in the Camp Cody burn unit and will continue into the Irrigation burn unit if weather allows. The Rock Creek prescribed fire project encompasses 1,554 acres and is part of the Rocky Restoration Project. The Rocky Restoration Project is intended to improve landscape resilience to disease and fire in addition to improving habitat for the plants, fish, and wildlife species that depend on it.
April 24 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
The Dalles 9, Gladstone 3: The Riverhawks finished a sweep of Gladstone to take control of first place in the Tri-Valley Conference. Avery Schwartz drove in four runs while Finley Corbin had three hits and two RBI.
Columbia 7, Kalama 3: Seth White went four for four to lead the Bruins’ 13 hit attack to score a second straight win over the Chinooks.
King’s Way Christian 24, Stevenson 0
Softball
The Dalles 2. Gladstone 1 (8 innings): Madison Brock singled home Bryce Newby in the bottom of the eighth inning to win it for the Riverhawks. Siyra Faulkner gave up only four hits in going the distance in the circle to pick up the win.
Stevenson 14, King’s Way Christian 6: Rebecca Townsend and Cayden Hulsey-Bible both had three hits and three runs batted in to pace the Bulldogs.
Track and Field
Goldendale’s boys were second and the girls’ fourth at a five-school EWAC Meet at Granger. Matthew Gray won three events for the Timberwolf boys.
Boys Tennis
Hood River Valley 8, Putnam 0
Boys Lacrosse
Oregon Episcopal 13, Hood River Valley 2
Newton Says Many Job Reductions Occurring Through Attrition
Hood River County School District Superintendent Bill Newton told the district board on Wednesday evening that of the 32 full-time equivalent positions being eliminated by budget cuts, approximately 24-and-a-half have been vacated by retirements, resignations, and leaves of absence. Newton says that, along with job transfers, has allowed the district to significantly limit the number of employees receiving reduction in force notices. Still, he added four licensed personnel and one classified staff member received layoff notices and were put on a recall list. Newton says they currently have open two licensed and ten classified positions for the upcoming school year. He says they are roles that have specific licensure or qualifications that do not align with current staff.
Drones Reseeding Natural Grasses In South Wasco County
Progress continues on a project in southern Wasco County funded by an Oregon Department Fish and Wildlife grant to use drones to reseed natural grasses in areas that were burned in the summer of 2023. Dr. Mike Davis of Columbia Gorge Community College, who is one of six ranchers who received the grant, says they are about three-quarters of the way through the project and it is going well. Davis suggested using drones to both do the actual seeding but also multi-spectral imaging of the land beforehand, providing better planning for the project. Davis sees other applications for drones in agriculture, including imaging and data analysis for crop health and field condition monitoring, and targeted application of pesticides to reduce environmental impact.
Cherry Fest Weekend Arrives
Northwest Cherry Festival weekend is arriving in The Dalles. Activity starts downtown, and throughout the community, on Friday and will continue into Sunday. The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Farquharson says this year’s Grand Marshal is orchardist Mel Omeg, and King Bing and Queen Anne are former Oregon State University Extension Agent Lynn Long and his wife Marlene. The carnival on First Street, the vendor market on First and Second streets from Court to Laughlin, and the entertainment stage on Second and Federal will all get started on Friday afternoon.
Bingen-White Salmon Community Cleanup Friday & Saturday
The annual Bingen-White Salmon Community Cleanup is set for Friday and Saturday. It’s put on the Rotary Club of White Salmon and Bingen along with the Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce. The drop-off site is at the Bingen Public Works site off Highway 14 and will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. The Chamber’s Tammara Tippel says the site has various stations for unwanted items to be dropped off. One of the areas is a “freecycle” station where reusable items can be dropped off and picked up for free. It will be open all day Friday and until noon on Saturday. There is a suggested donation of $10 to dispose of items at the cleanup.
April 23 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
The Dalles 9, Gladstone 2: Three Riverhawk pitchers held the Gladiators to one hit as The Dalles moved to 5-0 in the Tri-Valley Conference. Evan Ortega, Trey Hodges, and Hunter Bustos combined in the mound effort.
Softball
Gladstone 7, The Dalles 2: The Gladiators took control with a five-run fourth inning, and stay unbeaten in the Tri-Valley Conference.
Track and Field
Hood River Valley topped Parkrose and host Hillsboro in a three-school Northwest Oregon Conference meet. Sam Knoll and Wyeth Droege won two events apiece for the Eagles.
Columbia’s girls won a Trico League meet in White Salmon. Sara Miller won a pair of events for the Bruins, while Danika Wright did the same for Lyle-Wishram. The CHS boys were third behind Fort Vancouver and Kalama.
Girls Lacrosse
Hood River Valley 15, North Clackamas 1: Anna Rinella and Georgia DeResta scored three goals apiece for HRV, who won their ninth in a row.