The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest are hosting one more firewood cutting event this weekend at Tracy Hill northeast of Bingen.  Valid permit-holders can pick up cords of firewood or cut their own.  The firewood is available due to fuel management activities the Forest Service conducted in the area, and includes seasoned Douglas-fir in a range of sizes.  Gates to the site will be open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Valid Gifford Pinchot National Forest Firewood Permits can be purchased onsite Friday and Saturday.  They are also available at the Mt. Adams Ranger Station in Trout Lake, Wind River Market in Carson, Main Street Convenience Store in Stevenson, and the Home Valley Store.  Permits costs $20 for four cords and $30 for six cords.  

The latest findings from Cascades Pika Watch — a collaboration of organizations and individual pika researchers convened by the Oregon Zoo — show the pint-sized mammals are alive and well in the wake of the Eagle Creek Fire.  The fire burned through much of the pika habitat on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. This summer Cascades Pika Watch set out to see how pikas were faring in the areas most affected by the fire and detected pikas at 18 sites out of 45 surveyed — an expected decrease from previous years, but still promising.  American pikas are small mammals related to rabbits, known for their distinctive high-pitched calls.  They’re often found in rugged high-elevation mountain habitats, so pikas in the Gorge are of particular interest because they live at a much lower elevation than any other pika population in the United States.

The North Wasco County School District 21 board will hold a community listening session during its meeting Thursday evening.  The meeting comes in the wake of last week’s defeat at the ballot box of the district’s bond measure to construct new facilities over a 20 year period to replace their aging buildings.  In a statement on the meeting agenda, the board states its goal “is to listen deeply to as many people as possible.”  Each person will be asked to sign a roster and will be given 3-5 minutes to speak depending on the number of participants.  The board will also welcome written input from anyone.  Thursday evening’s meeting begins at 6 p.m. in The Dalles Middle School commons.

Volunteers are being sought to help with community Thanksgiving dinners in Hood River and Cascade Locks.  Volunteers are needed to help cook, serve, deliver, and clean up.  Those who can lend a hand are asked to call Debby Chenoweth at 541-399-2384 by Thursday (November 15).  The dinners will take place on Thanksgiving Day from noon to 4 p.m. at Riverside Community Church in Hood River and from noon to 2 p.m. at the Cascade Locks Port Pavilion.  Meals will also be delivered to people who may be homebound.  If you need a delivery or know of someone who might want a meal delivered email bnew1@live.com or call 541-399-2384.

Applications are being taken for two open positions representing the agricultural industry on the Wasco County Economic Development Commission.  One of the available spots generally provides representation for dryland crop and cattle producers, while the other focuses on cherries and other fruit producers.  Applicants from anywhere in Wasco County will be accepted, with priority consideration placed on applicants representing those industries.  In order to apply, candidates are asked to submit an interest form by 5 p.m. November 29.  Forms are available electronically at the Wasco County website or at the office of Mid-Columbia Economic Development District at 515 East Second Street in The Dalles.  All interest forms will be reviewed and provided to the Wasco County Development Commission for their consideration and recommendation.  Appointments are made by the Wasco County Board of Commissioners.

Beginning Friday and continuing through December 21st, work on placing conduit and manholes along with hard surface restoration will take place at several locations on West 6^th Street between Webber and Irvine Street in The Dalles.  There will be multiple traffic revisions along West 6^th Street and in the intersections between Webber and Chenoweth Loop Road along with traffic flaggers controlling traffic.  All local businesses and residents will have access.  Construction hours will be between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Dalles City Council and the Wasco County Commission will hold a joint worksession on Monday to discuss what direction to take on building codes management.  The County was going to turn over the function, which had been under the Mid-Columbia Council of Governments until that agency disbanded, to the state until state officials said there would probably not be a local office it that was the case.  The worksession will be on Monday at 5:30 in The Dalles City Hall.

The tree that will be displayed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the Christmas season will make a stop in The Dalles Wednesday morning.  This year’s tree comes from Oregon’s Willamette National Forest, and is making stops in 25 communities along the way.  The theme for the 2018 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is “Find Your Trail!” in recognition of two 2018 anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act and the 175th commemoration of the Oregon Trail.  In November, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will travel eastward from Oregon on the reverse path of the Oregon Trail.  The tree will be at The Dalles City Hall on Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.  Festivities during the tree’s visit to The Dalles will include remarks by public officials, visits with Santa and Smokey Bear, hot cocoa, cookies, candy canes, and live music.  Activities are free and open to the public.

The Dalles HOPE Warming Place Shelter is getting ready to start operation for the winter at the St. Vincent dePaul location on 315 West 3rd in The Dalles.  Georgia Giacobbe says their four month season will start November 18, and the shelter will be open when nighttime temperatures are under 30 degrees including the wind chill or 35 degrees when there is rain or snow.  Shelter hours will be 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.  Giacobbe says they are still in need of volunteers to help run the shelter, and the main requirement is compassion.  Those interested in volunteering for The Dalles Warming Place can call Ed Elliott at 541-386-5857.

Hood River County wrapped up its series of workshops on its budget situation last week.  Commissioners and staff held the open house sessions to educate residents on their budget crunch, and potential options to generate more revenue.  Attendees were asked to give their opinions on a range of possibilities that included a local option levy, a capital improvement levy, a general sales tax, a prepared food and beverage tax, and doing nothing.  County Administrator Jeff Hecksel says they are still tabulating the results, but the prepared food and beverage tax appeared to generate the most support.  Hecksel adds the next step is for the Commission to sort through the input they’ve received.  The Commission has targeted putting a tax measure before votes in May.