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Author: mbailey

Water’s Edge Clinics Prep To Reopen At Temporary Locations

Posted on by mbailey

Adventist Health Columbia Gorge is expecting to reopen many of its clinics impacted by wind damage at the River’s Edge building along the Columbia River in The Dalles by Monday.

          Adventist Health officials say Immediate Care will offer same-day appointments at the MCMC Family Medicine Clinic beginning Monday.

          Internal Medicine will be at the Family Medicine Clinic next week, then move to Columbia Crest on December 29.

          Both Cardiology and Orthopedics will start seeing patients Monday at Nichols Landing in Hood River.

          Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy will have a limited reopening Monday at the main hospital in The Dalles for postoperative and urgent patients.

          Sleep Medicine virtual visits will continue for the next several weeks, and relocation and reopening for ENT is still to be determined.

Clinic phones are coming back online, although due to volume callers may have to call back several times.

The extent of damage and a timeline for repairs to the Water’s Edge building is still being determined.

No Damage From Slide Near Wicks Plant

Posted on by mbailey

There was no damage to the Wicks Water Treatment Facility in The Dalles after a small slide above the plant resulted in one large boulder traveling down the slope, knocking down several trees, and coming to rest near the door of the compressor building at the edge of the sediment basin.

The Dalles Public Works officials say the boulder was slowed before causing significant damage to the basin.

Minor damage occurred to a walkway and railing.

No injuries were reported.

A senior engineer with rock slope stability and rock fall analysis experience from Shannon & Wilson, Inc. was on site Thursday morning to conduct a formal analysis and will be providing recommendations.

As a precautionary measure, buildings located directly below the hillside are being kept unoccupied.

The facility remains fully operational and continues to maintain full water treatment functions.

City officials say in the unlikely event of a temporary disruption to treatment operations, the City has adequate water supply available through operation of its wells.

 

City Of White Salmon Finishes Collective Bargaining, Ready To Adopt Budget

Posted on by mbailey

The White Salmon City Council will be voting to adopt its 2026 budget on Wednesday.  The budget vote was delayed two weeks to allow collective bargaining with both municipal employees and police officers to get wrapped up.  Mayor Marla Keethler says they finished it last week.  Keethler says the cost of living adjustment for 2026 ended up at 4%.  She said the agreement will not substantially change the 2026 budget, adding this year they have a much clearer picture of its fiscal standing.  The meeting on Wednesday begins at 6 p.m. in the White Salmon Fire Hall.

Hood River Schools To Ask Legislature To Keep Option Equalization

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The Hood River County School District will be asking Oregon legislators to maintain the local option equalization grant it receives.  The Hood River district is one of four in the state to receive the grant, which school districts receive when its voters pass a local option levy, as has occurred in Hood River County for the last 20 years.  But the Oregon Department of Education has proposed eliminating the grants to meet a requested 2 1/2% to 5% budget cut.  District Superintendent Bill Newton says what the grant provides is important, and also was a promise to district voters as part of supporting the local option levy.  Beaverton, Philomath, and Sweet Home are the other school districts to receive the grant.  The Oregon Legislature convenes in February.

Klickitat PUD Board Approves Rate Increase

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Klickitat Public Utility District’s board approved a 3% electric rate increase as part of adopting its 2026 budget.  The new rates take effect on January 1 and apply across all retail rate classes.  The increase will add an average of $4.46 per month to a residential customer’s bill.  The PUD says its power costs continue to rise due primarily to higher Bonneville Power Administration rates and increased reliance on higher-cost Tier 2 power as customer demand exceeds the PUD’s BPA preference allocation.  BPA increased rates by approximately 4.5% in October 2025.  Additional cost pressures include higher transportation, materials, insurance, and construction expenses.  General operating cost increases account for roughly half of the rate adjustment and will increase KPUD’s annual revenue requirement by approximately $1 million.

TD Public Works Asks Residents To Be Ready For Snow

Posted on by mbailey

The City of The Dalles Public Works says it is making sure equipment is in good repair to prepare for winter storm events, but notes resources will be stretched to capacity once the snows begin, and they will need the public’s help.  Officials say people should make sure they have a snow shovel or snow blower, cooking spray for the snow shovel, so snow won’t stick to the blade, a stiff broom to sweep snow off of porches and decks, waterproof gloves with a good grip; waterproof boots with good traction, and pet-friendly, child-safe, salt-free deicer that won’t harm cement surfaces.   First priority should be to shovel or sand sidewalks adjacent to their homes or businesses within the first two hours of daylight each day.  Shoveled snow should be piled on private property, not in the street, except in the downtown area.  Then help a neighbor clear the sidewalk in front of their home.

Cherry Fest Plans Expected Later In The Week

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The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce plans by the end of the week to release its vision for how the Northwest Cherry Festival will operate and where it will be located while construction takes place o First Street.  Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says a team has spent the last three months has been analyzing different locations.  Farquharson says while the Cherry Fest has grown over the last few years, she says no matter what they come up with, it will not be as large as it has been in the last few years.  She notes that means they probably won’t be able to bring in as much money from the outside as they have been able to in recent years.

Port of Hood River Looks At Airfield Terminal

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The Port of Hood River Commission will discuss moving toward a public terminal at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield during its meeting on Tuesday.  Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood says a terminal would act as an interface with the public.   It would also be set up for use by emergency officials during situations such as a nearby wildfire, and as a resilience center with solar panels to be installed on the building to provide its own power.  Greenwood says there would be leasable space within the building to bring in revenue and provide space for businesses involved in aviation.  Cost of the building is currently projected at $9 million, with the Port seeking grants to pay most of the cost.  Tuesday’s meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the Port of Hood River’s Marina Building conference room.

Search For Missing Climber Suspended

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The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office has suspended recovery operations for a 26-year-old climber from Bend who was last seen attempting to summit Mt. Hood.  The Sheriff’s Office was notified by a climbing partner on Saturday morning that 26-year-old Matthew Aldridge of Bend was overdue after he continued to attempt to reach the summit of Mt. Hood via the Newton Clark Headwall with two others who turned back due to conditions on the mountain.  The Sheriff’s Office initiated an air and ground search that was narrowed to an area near Pea Gravel Ridge above 8400 feet in elevation after phone data suggested a fall.  The first attempt to reach the area with ground searchers on Saturday was unsuccessful due to darkness and unsafe conditions.  On Sunday searchers from the Hood River Crag Rats and Portland Mountain Rescue made it to the likely location previously identified but were unsuccessful in locating any sign of Aldridge.  Due to deteriorating weather and treacherous conditions, the Sheriff’s Office decided at midday Sunday to withdraw searchers and suspend the ground search.  Additional efforts may be attempted as conditions allow, but the search has shifted to a recovery mission.

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