OSU Extension’s Central Gorge Master Gardeners program will begin taking registrations for 2026 on Friday, October 31. Outreach Program Coordinator Megan Wickersham says the title is a bit misleading, saying you don’t have to be a “master gardener” to join. You only have to be interested in gardening and want to learn more. Those who are accepted into the program will take a series of classes during the winter on a wide variety of gardening-related subjects. Then members give back to the community through a variety of projects and outreach programs. To sign up for the Central Gorge Master Gardeners program beginning October 31, go online to centralgorgemga.org.
Author: mbailey
Food Banks Facing Challenges With SNAP Funding In Doubt
With Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds for many in jeopardy for November due to the federal government shutdown, cutbacks as a result of the megabill passed by Congress earlier in the year, and the cancellation of a federal commodities program that helped provided food, area food banks already operating near their limit are facing more pressure. Columbia Gorge Food Bank executive director Breen Goodwin attended a meeting this past week with other regional food bank directors in the state, and all are strategizing how to keep local food pantries supplied. She says it is a challenging situation to be in, but they are continuing to work to supply food for those who need it. About 750,000 Oregonians receive SNAP benefits, half of which are children. Goodwin encouraged those receiving SNAP benefits to keep in contact with their program coordinator to get the latest information on their benefits.
October 24-25 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Football
Hood River Valley 53, David Douglas 6
LaGrande 27, The Dalles 7
Columbia 30, Fort Vancouver 14
Imbler 52, Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat 12
Sherman 27, Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 14
Volleyball
Big Sky Tournament at The Dalles
Semi-finals
Dufur def. Sherman 25-16, 25-15, 25-20
Ione-Arlington def. South Wasco 3-1
Third Place: Sherman def. South Wasco 25-21, 25-15, 25-13
Championship: Dufur def. Ione-Arlington 12-25, 25-27, 25-17, 25-15, 15-10
Boys Water Polo
Summit 16, Hood River Valley 0
Bend 11, Hood River Valley 9
Girls Water Polo
Bend 9, Hood River Valley 3
Boys Soccer
C.S. Lewis Academy 5, Trout Lake-Horizon Christian 4
October 23 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Volleyball
Hood River Valley def. Milwaukie 25-17, 25-17, 25-5
The Dalles def. Molalla 25-18, 25-18, 25-22
Columbia def. Castle Rock 25-19, 25-18, 25-23
Stevenson def. Fort Vancouver 3-0
Boys Soccer
Hood River Valley 4, Hillsboro 0
The Dalles 6, Estacada 0
Girls Soccer
Hood River Valley 3, Hillsboro 1
The Dalles 5, Estacada 0
Cross Country
Columbia was second and Stevenson third in the girls’ race at the Trico League Championships at Vancouver Lake. The Bruins’ Kathryn O’Connor finished second, while Daisy Jones was the top finisher for the Bulldogs in fifth. In the boys’ race Columbia took third with Stevenson fourth. Colby Clark of CHS took seventh individually and Stevenson’s Colton Hollis was eighth. LaCenter won both team titles.
HR Schools Approve Contract For Microgrid System
The Hood River County School District Board approved a just under $1.4 million contract to move forward with a project at Wy’east Middle School to install a microgrid system to include solar, bus charging, and an electric bus powered backup system. The long-discussed project is being funded through a combination of federal, state, and private grants. District Superintendent Bill Newton explains that the solar power generated at the site can be stored for emergency on a special school bus, and then in the case of an outage used to provide power to the Wy’east gymnasiums for use as a shelter. District Chief Financial Officer Mark DeMoss told the board the solar panels should be installed in a couple of months, with full construction taking place over the next year.
CGCC Joins Initiative To Help Rural Colleges Align With Community Needs
Columbia Gorge Community College has recently joined an initiative aimed at helping small, rural colleges align education with real community and workforce needs. CGCC Vice President of Instructional Services Dr. Jarett Gilbert says the school has always been in that space, but now they can work with similar colleges and see what is working around the country. Among new programs that CGCC has in development are Behavioral and Mental Health, Bachelor of Science in Education, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Advanced Manufacturing. Gilbert notes all of the programs being considered are based off of feedback from community partners.
October 22 Prep Sports Roundup
Cross Country
Hood River Valley won the boys’ title at The Happy Hustle at Crystal Lake Sports Park in Corvallis. Sam Knoll finished third and Victor Coffman ninth to lead the Eagles. In the girls’ race, HRV’s Syl Perrin was third and Savina Davis fifth as the Eagles were eighth in the team standings.
Google Passes ASR Center To City Of The Dalles
Google formally passed ownership and operation of a new Aquifer Storage and Recovery Center, along with water rights, to the City of The Dalles at a ribbon cutting event today. Google spent nearly $30 million into the system that can put unused water from the City system into the ground to be recovered when needed during dry periods. The Dalles Mayor Rich Mays says the system will benefit the City, and is a key portion of its water master plan. Google officials noted there is room at the facility, which includes two wells, two reservoirs, and a pumping station, for expansion to add another well and pumping station if needed. Mays noted the facility is on land formerly occupied by an aluminum smelter, and Google took on the cleanup to allow the ASR complex to be built.
HR County Christmas Project Applications Begin Friday
The Hood River County Christmas Project will start taking applications for holiday food and gift boxes on Friday. The Project is in its 102nd year, and last year they served about 975 families in Hood River County, accounting for nearly 4,000 people. That’s about double the number of five years ago. Christmas Project board president Heather Walker says they are expecting similar numbers this year. Walker says open registration online at hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com. Hood River County families who are receiving some kind of social service help or who are a food bank client are eligible for the assistance. Those without Internet access can call 541-329-0901. The email address is info@hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com.
WAGAP Taking Applications & Needs Donors For Tree of Joy
Washington Gorge Action Programs is taking applications from Klickitat and Skamania County families for its Tree of Joy program providing holiday gifts for youth younger than 18 years of age. Those who receive WAGAP services, are on Apple Health insurance, or receive free or reduced school lunches or SNAP benefits are eligible. WAGAP associate director Juan Reyes says they helped around 300 families last year, and they are up to around 400 this year, and they already at 279 applications. WAGAP is encouraging businesses and individuals in Klickitat and Skamania counties to join the effort and adopt one or more children to fulfill their basic winter clothing and outerwear needs, as well as provide gifts based on the family’s wish lists. Families anonymously provide the donors with the age, gender, clothing sizes, and individual wishes of their children. Donors are asked to register by November 14 so they can receive wish lists before the Thanksgiving holiday. For complete application and donation information, go to WAGAP.org.