The public is invited to review and comment on the draft 2022-2027 Columbia Gorge Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The strategy covers Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties in Oregon and Klickitat and Skamania Counties in Washington, and is compiled by the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District over several meetings this past year with more than 100 stakeholders. MCEDD Executive Director Jessica Metta said the group looked at COVID-19 impacts and did a deeper dive into demographic and economic data. Economic resiliency is a key part of the strategy, along with addressing housing and child care issues. The draft plan can be found at mcedd.org, and comment is being taken until January 7.
Boys Basketball
Hood River Valley 64, Sandy 63
Parkrose 65, The Dalles 64
Washougal 68, Columbia 48
Horizon Christian 49, St. Stephens Academy 37
South Wasco 77, Irrigon 36
Wahluke 87, Goldendale 76
Girls Basketball
Hood River Valley 47, Gresham 46
The Dalles 48, Parkrose 12: Maria Rojas scored 14 points and Zoe LeBreton 10 to lead the Riverhawks.
Horizon Christian 25, St. Stephens Academy 15
Irrigon 55, South Wasco 47
Goldendale 50, Wahluke 17
The Hood River County Commission decided to allow the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District’s plan to dissolve and reform with a property tax rate of $1.24 per $1,000 of assessed value to pay for construction of a new swimming pool and community center and pay for operation of the district to move on to public hearings, but expressed reservations about allowing it to go to the ballot. Commissioners expressed concerns about combining operations and capital plans that could lead to overall problems with compression down the road. But commissioners also felt they had not set parameters for this kind of proposal, and the public should get a chance to offer their opinion. A public hearing would be held in January.
City Councilors in The Dalles sat down with a consultant hired to conduct the search for a new City Manager to replace the retiring Julie Krueger. The Council gave their opinions of what they would like to see in that position to Bill McDonald of Prothman Company, who said advertising for applicants will begin soon. He will screen the candidates to provide a list of finalists the first week of March. Mayor Rich Mays pointed out that while there are some basic experience and skill requirements they will be looking for, they shouldn’t get too bogged down in specifics. The aim is to have finalists selected for interviews to take place in the middle of March.
The Hood River County Commission decided to wait to get the opinion of Cascade Locks officials before moving forward on adjustments to the four Commissioners districts. A main component of the option that would best balance populations between the four districts out of four possibilities would move Cascade Locks from District 1 including the Westside area to District 4 with the Upper Valley. County Administrator Jeff Hecksel said he will be meeting with Cascade Locks representatives next week, and Commission Chair Mike Oates said they needed to hear the town’s thoughts on that kind of configuration before continuing. The County needs to get the redistricting process finished by the end of January.
Performances at Adult Center Theatre will present “A Holly Jolly Holiday Revue” this Saturday and Sunday at the Hood River Valley Adult Center. Director Kathy Williams says it will be a variety show, with a number of local artists performing. She adds the show was put together with COVID in mind. There will also be an Ugly Sweater Parade at each performance. Performances will be at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Hood River Valley Adult Center. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children, and $25 for families, benefiting the Meals on Wheels program. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required.
The Wasco County Cultural Trust Coalition is now accepting grant applications for 2022 projects. Grants are available to individuals and organizations for projects in the arts, humanities, and heritage. Applications and guidelines can be found on the website: www.wascoculturaltrust.org. Grant applications are available for grant funding for projects occurring from February 1 to December 31 of next year. Grant awards will generally range from $200 to $2000 depending on the number of grants awarded and funds available. The deadline for applications is January 1, 2022 and awards will be announced January 31. Monies for these grants come from the Oregon Cultural Trust, which fosters art and culture throughout the state.
The public is invited to review and comment on the draft 2022-2027 Columbia Gorge Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The strategy covers Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties in Oregon and Klickitat and Skamania Counties in Washington, and is compiled by the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District. It was developed over seven monthly meetings in 2021 with more than 100 participants throughout the series, including local and tribal governments, regional partners, ports, chambers, legislators, state and federal partners, businesses and individuals. A summary of regional economic conditions, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis, an action plan, and evaluation framework are included in the strategy. The draft plan can be found at mcedd.org.
The annual Everyone Loves A Firefighter, or ELFF, canned food drive takes place in The Dalles on Tuesday. Fred Coleman of Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue says they are once again unable to take the fire trucks out to collect donations, but instead they have partnered with The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce to have a reverse parade featuring a number of Starlight Parade floats for people to view as they take their donations to the station at 1400 West 8th between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Tuesday. St. Vincent dePaul, Salvation Army, and the Lions Club are all involved in taking the food donations.
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