The Dalles Community Outreach Team has returned from its semi-annual trip to Washington, D.C. to advocate for local projects with federal officials. One of the projects to be discussed is the effort by Columbia Gorge Community College to establish an early learning center with a 200 student capacity. The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says such a center would allow some people to re-enter the workforce, and there are funding opportunities that can be pursued. Farquharson says a study done last year showed no available vacancies for day care in The Dalles.
Author: mbailey
Wonderworks To Temporarily Close October 1
Wonderworks Children’s Museum of the Gorge says it is temporarily going to close its doors on October 1, citing a need to generate more fund donations. In a statement released on its website, the facility’s board of directors indicated that they were able to secure multiple grants to further their mission and make improvements to the museum. However, Wonderworks continues to rely on donations to cover operating costs, and needs to generate more to remain open. The board said it was ‘deeply committed” to ensuring the survival of Wonderworks. Donations can be made on-line at wonderworksgorge.org. The board did say all birthday party reservations are being honored.
Port of HR Gets $2 Million Federal Grant
The Economic Development Administration is awarding a $2 million grant to the Port of Hood River for utilities and transportation infrastructure improvements. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo made the announcement this week. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley indicated the grant will be used to help unlock the potential of the Lot 1 parcel on the eastern edge of the waterfront area and continue the waterfront’s economic success. Fellow Oregon Senator Ron Wyden added the federal investment will build on the Port’s strengths to continue generating jobs and support local businesses. The EDA says its money will be matched by $1.7 million in local funds, and is expected to create seven jobs and generate $390,000 in private investment.
September 26 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Volleyball
Hood River Valley def. Canby 25-20, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22
LaCenter def. Stevenson 25-12, 25-20, 25-17
Castle Rock def. Columbia 3-1
Dufur def. Trout Lake-Klickitat-Glenwood 25-8, 25-11, 25-17
South Wasco def. Horizon Christian at South Wasco 25-8, 25-8, 25-11
Trinity Lutheran def. Sherman 25-16, 25-7, 25-6
Bonanza def. Sherman 3-1
Goldendale def. Walla Walla Valley Academy 3-1
Boys Soccer
Hood River Valley 6, Canby 1
Girls Soccer
Canby 4, Hood River Valley 1
Columbia 1, Castle Rock 0
Cle Elum-Roslyn 9, Goldendale 0
Boys Water Polo
Hood River Valley 8, Summit 7
HR Council Doesn’t Take Action Toward Transportation Code Changes
The Hood River City Council decided not to take any action at this time towards code changes that would allow ride-share companies to operate in the City. Most of the discussion centered on increases in DUII activity in the community, and whether the options for people to get a ride when they are impaired and not get behind the wheel of a car are available. Councilor Mark Zanmiller said he would like the solutions to come from the local level. Local taxi company representatives told the Council they want to be a part of developing more awareness of the rides that are available during the late night hours.
TD Council Gets Update On Housing Needs Analysis
The Dalles City Council received an update on work being done on a housing needs analysis and buildable land inventory update required by state land use planning laws. Councilors did ask consultants working on the update to compile the number of lots over five acres in the City and how many are in different density zones. Mayor Rich Mays says this update faces the same issues those that were done for commercial and industrial lands a few years ago, most notably that they don’t account for lands not being available for development. The update will be going back through the municipal planning commission before returning to City Council later in the fall to be adopted.
Klickitat County Officials Develop 2024 Budget
Klickitat County officials have been working on their budget for 2024. County Commission Chair Dan Christopher says for the most part it is a status quo plan, and very bare bones. He thinks people would be pleased with what they’ve done, but does acknowledge rising costs are becoming a challenge that property tax increases can’t keep up with. He said they did not have to do much in the way of cuts, adding some budgets went down slightly but others went up in the same way.
September 25 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Volleyball
The Dalles def. Gladstone 25-16, 25-12, 25-18
Boys Soccer
The Dalles 1, Madras 0
Trout Lake 9, Central Christian 3
Grand View Christian 8, Horizon Christian 0
Girls Soccer
The Dalles 8, Madras 0
Banks 0, Trout Lake 0
The Dalles Man Victim In Fatal Car Accident
A man from The Dalles died in a motor vehicle accident in Clackamas County early Saturday morning. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office says 21-year-old Giovanny Alberto Avila of The Dalles was found unresponsive in the passenger seat of a car that crashed into dense vegetation shortly before 12:15 Saturday morning in Happy Valley. Avila was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the car, 21-year-old Gavin Elliott Wallis was taken to a hospital and later arrested and booked into the Clackamas County Jail on charges of second degree manslaughter and DUII. The Sheriff’s Office said he was being held without bail, and the case referred to the Clackamas County District Attorney’s office for prosecution.
Extension Of 780 Rand Road Purchase Option Expected
There will likely be an extension of the purchase option for Community Development Partners and Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation to acquire the 780 Rand Road property from the City of Hood River for 129 units of affordable housing. City Manager Abigail Elder says the current option expires at the end of this year, and it will likely take another year to assemble all the financing elements required for the project. CDP expects to apply to the state this fall for low income housing tax credits and private activity bonds. In July the project was approved for over $15 million in Local Innovation and Fast Track funding.