Hood River County School District Chief Financial Officer Mark DeMoss told the district board that the 2026-27 budget will continue the reduction process to set the district up for the 2027-29 biennium. DeMoss gave a budget briefing to the school board, noting there remains variables like Public Employee Retirement System rate increases, potential federal and state funding changes, and the outcome of contract negotiations with licensed staff that are unknown, and may not be known by the time a budget is adopted in late May. District administration will hold budget listening sessions with staff and the community in February and March, with a proposal expected to be ready in early April.
Author: mbailey
Eagle Watch Set For Saturday
The annual Eagle Watch will be Saturday, with an outdoor headquarters at The Dalles Dam and an indoor headquarters at Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. The Dalles Dam Park Ranger Brittney Rittenhouse says the dam has always been a hospitable location for bald eagles to find food during the colder months. At the Dam’s Visitor Center parking lot, there will be rangers available to answer questions about bird identification, and spotting scopes will be set up to look across the Columbia River. At the Discovery Center, the gates will be open to see their bald eagles, Liberty and Ferguson, and other raptors, the Center’s usual raptor show will take place, there will be a table with bird feathers and artificial bones to examine, plus activities for the kids. Eagle Watch activities at both locations will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
January 14 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Basketball
LaGrande 67, The Dalles 61
Wrestling
Stevenson 48, Seton Catholic 24
Stevenson 42, King’s Way Christian 24
Columbia Center For The Arts Seeks Volunteers
Columbia Center for the Arts is looking for volunteers to help in all facets of their operation, including gallery operations and helping to run events. CCA Executive Director Tim Harkins says there are only two paid staff members, so they rely on volunteer contributions and energy. He says their biggest need for volunteers is in the gallery. CCA plans to hold volunteer orientation sessions on January 28 at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. To sign up, go to columbiaarts.org.
January 13 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Basketball
Columbia 64, Castle Rock 44
The Dalles 55, North Marion 40
Lyle-Wishram 65, Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 37
Horizon Christian 54, Trout Lake 21
Echo 50, Sherman 35
Girls Basketball
Trout Lake 40, Horizon Christian 10
Echo 67, Sherman 9
Klickitat County Fire Chiefs Not Happy With Emergency Management Move
A large group of Klickitat County’s fire chiefs, along with the County’s undersheriff, registered their displeasure with County Commissioners over a decision to move the Emergency Management Department into the Public Works Department. High Prairie Fire Chief Sarah Hancock read a letter signed by a dozen of the County’s fire chiefs, criticizing the Commission for not convening the Emergency Management Executive Board and not holding meaningful dialogue with emergency response partners before making the decision that takes effect on Friday. She says that by-passed a joint decision making role outlined in a comprehensive emergency plan signed in April 2025 and required under state law. The fire chiefs asked for a pause on the move and put it before the Emergency Management Executive Board. Commissioner Todd Andrews reiterated that the decision was made due to emergency dispatch staffing concerns, and Commissioner Lori Zoller contended the County has been working on this, and they will be reaching out to stakeholders to ensure there is no void in operations.
HR City Councilors Move To Second Phase Of Bond Surveys
Hood River City Councilors decided to move ahead with more polling for a potential November bond measure, after getting a report from consultants on an initial round of questions. Ben Pantinkin of Pantinkin Research Strategies said the survey of about 400 likely voters in December showed an outdated police facility and the lack of affordable housing were of the most concern for voters. The poll gave voters an option of four different bond packages ranging from $27 million for a variety of different projects to $9 million for just a police station only. Only the $27 million package even received a plurality, but still was under 50% approval, and Pantinkin noted the difficulty in building up to a majority yes vote. The next round of polling will focus on housing and a police facility. The first set of questions did not ask about a bond for just housing or a combination with police.
TD Council Approves Planning Code Updates To Include Hearings Officer
The Dalles City Council approved an ordinance that includes a number of different updates to its planning codes, including using a hearings officer to review quasi-judicial decisions, allowing the Planning Commission to focus on policy matters. Community Development Director Joshua Chandler told the Council the intent is to have a hearings officer in place by mid-April. Changes to procedure and noticing, adjustments to meet state law, and provisions for affordable housing were a part of the revisions. The Council passed the ordinance unanimously.
MCFR Responds To Residential Fire
Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue crews responded early Tuesday afternoon to a residential structure fire near Pentland and Garrison in The Dalles. Crews were able to quickly get the fire knocked down. MCFR says the residents were home at the time and alerted 911, and no injuries were reported. Pentland was closed between West 13th and 14th for a time as crews fought the fire.
Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Approach Lane Closures Thursday
Temporary lane closures will be in place on roadways approaching both ends of the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge on Thursday to support work associated with the Hood River Bridge Replacement Project. The Port of Hood River says the lane closures will be on the Washington side of the bridge Thursday morning from 8:30 a.m. to noon, then move to the Oregon side from noon to 4:30 p.m. The closures are needed to complete on-land geotechnical drilling near the bridge approaches as part of ongoing engineering and design efforts. No work will occur on the bridge deck. Flaggers will be on site to manage traffic safely. Although minimal traffic impacts are anticipated, travelers are encouraged to allow extra time for unforeseen delays.