Firefighters successfully completed burning operations along the western edge of the Austin Fire on the Mt. Hood National Forest in Clackamas County on Sunday, using Forest Road 46 as an indirect fireline. Monday, crews were to continue burning north toward Forest Roads 46 and 4640. On the southwest side, firefighters will strengthen lines along Forest Road 6310 to protect the Collawash River and Forest Road 63. Crews and heavy equipment will also work the east and southeast sides, containing spot fires that crossed Cabin Creek last week. Dry, warm weather, light winds and low humidity made it possible fire activity could increase today, but conditions are expected to moderate tonight. Rain arriving Wednesday could bring one to one-and-a-half inches of precipitation, helping reduce fire activity. The Austin Fire has burned 11,682 acres and remains zero percent contained.
Author: mbailey
Registration For Hood River Parks & Rec Fall Programs
The Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District is taking applications for fall programs for both youth and adults. The youth sports offerings include basketball for 3 to 5 year olds and middle schoolers, soccer for kindergarten through second grade, and dance for ages 4 to 7. District Recreation Supervisor Jaime Rivera emphasizes there is financial assistance available to families to help them afford for their children to take part in the programs. Signups are also being taken for men’s and women’s basketball leagues and an adult tennis program. Detailed information is available at hoodriverparksandrec.org or by calling 541-386-2055.
August 28-29 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Girls Soccer
Western Christian 6, Trout Lake 4
Volleyball
The Dalles def. Tillamook 25-13, 17-25, 25-12, 25-20
Grand View Christian def. Horizon Christian 25-13, 25-14, 25-11
Jewell def. Horizon Christian 25-13, 25-20, 25-22
Horizon Christian def. Portland Waldorf 2-0
Faith Bible def. Horizon Christian 2-0
Willamette Valley Christian def. Horizon Christian 2-0
Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat def. Perrydale 3-1
Donation Lifts Indian Creek Trail Completion Effort
The effort to connect the two sections of the Indian Creek Trail in Hood River has cleared a major hurdle with a significant property donation. The Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District says Kenn Francis of PRA/Brookside LLC donated a nine-acre parcel to the district, along with a conservation easement to the City of Hood River, protecting the future trail corridor and ensuring permanent public access. The District says the project now moves into design and permitting, with engineering work planned over the coming year, with more than $120,000 already raised by the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation Foundation to help fund it. When the connection is finished, the Indian Creek Trail will have more than four miles of continuous walking and biking access from downtown Hood River to Barrett Park, while also providing a direct trail connection between Hood River Valley High School and the Columbia Gorge Community College campus.
Bingen Point/Highway 14 Underpass Opened
A major transportation project in Bingen is now functionally complete, connecting Highway 14, Bingen Point and the Port of Klickitat. The Washington State Department of Transportation marked the milestone Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by city and port officials, BNSF Railway representatives and elected leaders. The $34.3 million project was nearly 12 years in the making and took about a year to build. The centerpiece is a new road underpass beneath the BNSF railroad tracks. Juniper Street now connects Highway 14 and Steuben Street with Bingen Point and the Port of Klickitat — eliminating the need for drivers to cross the tracks. Previously, passing trains could block the crossing for several minutes, backing traffic onto State Route 14 and delaying freight and emergency responders. The project also includes a new roundabout at Highway 14 and Elm Street, designed to improve safety and traffic flow. At the center of the roundabout is a historic pond boat once used to move logs near local mills, highlighting the region’s timber heritage.
No Significant Grasshopper Fire Growth
There was no significant growth on the Grasshopper Fire Thursday. Great Basin Incident Management Team 4 Operations Section Chief Kevin Norton once again said the southwest corner of the fire footprint is where most of their work is focused. Norton says mop-up work is on-going in the northwest corner of the fire. To the east, repair work and cleanup has started. Norton adds fire crews are working with the Oregon Department of Forestry to open roads for access when people are allowed back into some areas within the fire footprint.
Municipal Election Filing Deadline Has Past
The filing deadline for municipal elections has past. There will be two contested races in The Dalles, including a three-way contest for Mayor to succeed Rich Mays. Current City Councilor Tim McGlothlin, former Councilor Darcy Long, and Joseph Slusher are the three candidates. Two people are seeking to replace McGlothlin in Council Position 1: Tristan Sheppard and Kim Morgan. Incumbent Scott Randall is the lone candidate for Position 3. There will be no contested seats in Hood River. Current Councilor Gladys Rivera is the only candidate for Mayor, as Paul Blackburn did not seek re-election. And there are three candidates for three Council positions, including incumbents Ben Mitchell and Doug Stepina, along with Kate Hoffman. Grant Polson is not looking for a second term. In Cascade Locks, incumbent Mayor Brenda Wood is being challenged by Ashleigh Wajtyna, and there are five City Council hopefuls: Brian High, Courtnee Kellman, Jaime Rivera, Miranda Audritsh, and Shirelle Price.
Bridge Closures Canceled
The Hood River–White Salmon Bridge Authority completed its geotechnical exploration near the Washington shoreline of the existing Hood River-White Salmon Bridge ahead of schedule. That means all remaining overnight bridge closures scheduled for August and September have been canceled. They had been scheduled to continue for another two weeks. The work was being done as part of the preparation for construction of a new bridge. The Port of Hood River says it appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation while the Bridge Authority completed this work.
CGCC Registration Underway For Fall Term
The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is getting ready for its 2026-27 season to start in September. The CGOA’s Dan Kenealy says they will be unveiling their schedule at the start of the month, but it will feature five performances of the Jazz Collective, three performance each for the Gorge Sinfonietta and Voci Community Choir, and a production by the Stages Musical Theater this spring. The first CGOA event for the season will be the End of Summer Big Bands Royale with Michael Paul, the CGOA Jazz Collective Big Band, and the North Portland Big Band on September 10 at 7 p.m. at The Ruins in Hood River. Tickets will go on sale September 1 at gorgeorchestra.org, when a redesigned website will launch.
CGOA Season Starts In September
The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is getting ready for its 2026-27 season to start in September. The CGOA’s Dan Kenealy says they will be unveiling their schedule at the start of the month, but it will feature five performances of the Jazz Collective, three performance each for the Gorge Sinfonietta and Voci Community Choir, and a production by the Stages Musical Theater this spring. The first CGOA event for the season will be the End of Summer Big Bands Royale with Michael Paul, the CGOA Jazz Collective Big Band, and the North Portland Big Band on September 10 at 7 p.m. at The Ruins in Hood River. Tickets will go on sale September 1 at gorgeorchestra.org, when a redesigned website will launch.