We are headed into the flu season. The Columbia Gorge Respiratory Risk Rating shows the region encompassing Wasco, Hood River, Sherman, and Gilliam counties is starting to see a few more people than normal with the flu. Regional Epidemiologist Marta Fisher says the flu season appears to be getting off to an early start. Fisher does say that conversely, COVID cases have been dropping in recent weeks, and in the past couple of years the COVID season has peak in August on the West Coast. The best way to protect yourself is to get your flu shot and wash your hands. Stay home when you are sick, and cover your cough.
Author: mbailey
Klickitat County Lifting Burn Ban On Friday
The Klickitat County Commission is lifting the Burn Ban within the County as of this coming Friday. The decision was reached on recommendations from the County’s Emergency Management Department and the County’s fire districts. It is based on current and forecasted weather conditions throughout Klickitat County. The ban will be lifted in all three of the County’s burn ban zones. The public is directed to check with the appropriate authorities concerning burning restrictions within the corporate limits of any city or town. Maps detailing the zone boundaries are available to view and download on the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management webpage.
October 13 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Soccer
Centennial 2, Hood River Valley 1
The Dalles 3, Gladstone 3: The draw drops The Dalles into a tie for first in the Tri-Valley Conference with Madras.
Girls Soccer
Hood River Valley 6, Centennial 1: HRV remains tied with Centennial atop the Northwest Oregon Conference.
The Dalles 7, Gladstone 0: The Riverhawks registered their ninth shutout of the season.
King’s Way Christian 1, Columbia 0
Fort Vancouver 3, Stevenson 0
Volleyball
Centennial def. Hood River Valley 25-11, 25-22, 25-13: Centennial moved to 10-0 in the Northwest Oregon Conference.
The Dalles def. Madras 3-0: The Riverhawks stay unbeaten in the TVC.
King’s Way Christian def. Columbia 3-2
Fort Vancouver def. Stevenson 3-1
Dufur def. South Wasco 3-0: The Rangers stay perfect in the Big Sky Conference and clinch at least a share of the league title.
Boys Water Polo
Hood River Valley 19, Hillsboro 5
Skeletal Remains Found On Sherman County Property
The Sherman County Sheriff’s Office says deputies are investigating after skeletal remains were discovered on private property in southern Sherman County. Deputies and the Columbia Gorge Major Crimes Team was activated and responded to the scene on Saturday. According to the Sheriff’s Office, investigators collected the remains, which will be submitted to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office for analysis. Deputy Kyle Burnett is working with the major crimes team and serving as the local contact for the investigation. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to contact Deputy Burnett by email at kburnett@shermancountyor.gov. The investigation is ongoing. The Sheriff’s Office says additional information will be released when it becomes available and appropriate.
HR County Gets Another Dollar Estimate For Prepared Food Tax
Hood River County has received from a second consultant a smaller expected amount of revenue generated from a proposed six percent prepared food and beverage tax. After receiving a $5.6 million estimate for 2028 from a study done by EcoNorthwest, Baker Tilly provided a number in 2026 dollars of $3.1 million. County Administrator Allison Williams says after adjustments for the different years, the gap was $1.7 million, adding reality would probably be in the middle. She says the goal remains to eliminate the County’s $2.1million operating deficit. The County is currently in the beginning stages of an outreach campaign including stakeholder interviews and focus groups, with an eye on putting a measure on the ballot in May.
October 12 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Girls Soccer
Riverdale 3, Trout Lake 1
Volleyball
Columbia def. Fort Vancouver 3-0
Bridge Closures For Vessel Passage On Tuesday
The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge will close twice Tuesday to allow a marine vessel to pass underneath. The bridge is scheduled to close from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Tuesday, and again from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., as the vessel passes through. Federal regulations require the bridge to open for marine traffic when at least 12 hours’ notice is given. The bridge will reopen once the vessel has passed and the lift is complete, but unforeseen delays are possible. If either closure runs longer than scheduled, updates will be posted at PortofHoodRiver.com. Drivers should allow extra travel time during and after both closures as traffic clears.
Multi-Agency Response To Early Saturday Morning Lyle Fire
Lyle Fire and Rescue says multiple RVs, a car, and surrounding grass caught fire early Saturday morning near Lyle Point, prompting a multi-agency response. Fire crews were dispatched just after one A-M following reports of loud explosions and flames several feet high near Cove View Lane, south of the railroad tracks. Officials say the fire spread across about two acres of grass and was moving east toward the Lyle Wastewater Treatment Plant. Firefighters from Lyle and several neighboring districts brought the blaze under control in about an hour and a half. Crews remained on scene for approximately three hours. Lyle Fire and Rescue reports no injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and several law enforcement agencies assisted at the scene.
Single-Vehicle Crash Sparks Brush Fire
Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue says a single-vehicle crash on Highway 30, about a mile west of The Dalles, sparked a brush fire Saturday night. Fire officials say the crash ignited dry vegetation, with flames spreading up a nearby cliff face. Firefighters used extrication tools to free the vehicle’s occupant, provided emergency medical care, and transported the patient. Crews also contained the fire before it could spread further. Highway 30 was temporarily closed during the response. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and Dallesport Fire District assisted. MCFR reminds drivers that dry grass can still ignite in October from vehicle crashes, hot exhaust systems, dragging chains, or vehicle fires.
Agencies Consider The Dalles Waterfront Master Plan
The Port of The Dalles held a worksession recently to prioritize the goals that they have to narrow the focus of what agency staff is working on. One of them is to partner with the City of The Dalles, the Columbia Gorge Urban Renewal Agency, and the Northern Wasco Parks and Recreation District to develop a waterfront master plan from Rock Fort out to Lone Pine. Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says it is a narrow strip of land, but there is the potential to expand the cruise ship dock to follow the design of the original Port Wharf in 1933, opportunities for expanded uses for Riverfront Park, and economic development options.