The parking lot and the power for the restrooms at Klindt Cove Park in the Port of The Dalles has been installed, and there will be more development in the spring.  The Port, North Wasco Parks and Recreation, the Kiwanis Club, and others have been partnering to use a state grant to develop the new park.  Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says next year the restrooms will be open year-round, but this winter Parks and Rec will install port-a-potties to ensure the heat is working to prevent the restrooms from freezing.  She adds more work will take place in the spring, including installation of power pedestals for events and landscaping.  Once the park is developed, the parks and recreation district will handle operations and maintenance.

Sign-ups for the Hood River County Christmas Project are underway, and donations are being accepted to help provide food and toys for those receiving assistance.  There are food and toy collection barrels at 22 different locations in the Hood River area, and monetary donations are also being accepted on-line at hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com.  The project’s Bruce Holmson says they try to fill the boxes with items that last beyond the holiday.  Grocery gift cards are also included to help purchase perishable foods, and non-food essentials are also included.  For more information on how to donate, go to hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com.

Cross Country The Hood River Valley girls’ cross country team finished seventh in the championship race at the Nike Northwest Regional meet over the weekend in Boise.  20 teams from eight states in the region were invited to participate in the championship, which was won by Oregon 6A champion Summit. HRV was coming off winning the state 5A title the previous weekend.  Frances Dickinson, the Oregon 5A individual champion, was the top Eagle finisher, taking 29th.  She will be joined by teammates Brinna Weiseth, Josephine Dickinson, and Evelyn Nunez in competing in the Nike Borderclash in Beaverton next weekend, with the top 30 racers from both Oregon and Washington compete in a dual meet for state bragging rights.   Oregon Class 1A Football Quarterfinal Dufur 64, Camas Valley 20:  Asa Farrell rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries and caught four passes for 99 yards and three scores as the three-time reigning champion Rangers secured another semifinal berth. Tanner Masterson ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries and Russell Peters had 14 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery for a score for Dufur.  The Rangers continue their quest for a fourth straight state title when they meet Hosanna Christian in the semi-finals on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Summit High School in Bend.   Washington Class 1B Football Play-In Lyle-Wishram 77, Entiat 22:  Brandon Montoya ran for four touchdowns and caught passes for two more to lead the Cougars to the state quarterfinals.  Kurtis Billette passed for five scores while running for one and catching a TD pass.  Lyle-Wishram faces Naselle in the quarter-finals this weekend.   Washington Class 1A Football First Round Hoquiam 49, Stevenson 0     Oregon Class 5A Water Polo Tournament At Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center in Beaverton Girls Semi-Final:  Hood River Valley 20, Ashland 3 Championship:  West Albany 13, Hood River Valley 9   Boys Semi-Final:  West Albany 15, Hood River Valley 10 Third Place:  Hood River Valley 14, Ashland 9

Updated vote counts In Klickitat County on Thursday saw County Commission position two incumbent David Sauter with 4,573 votes to 1,778 for Raymond Clough, while Sheriff Bob Songer has 4,545 votes to challenger Douglas Charters’ 2,147.  The White Salmon Valley Pool Metropolitan District measure had received 1,608 votes in favor to 1,143 against.  In races for positions on the district board…Lloyd DeKay had 1,212 votes to 630 for Mikael Naramore…Benjamin Briggs had a narrow 963-to-923 lead over Pam Morneault…Troy Witherrite led Michael Oldfather 1,446 to 470…and Karen Skiles had received 1,363 votes to 552 for Jan Brending.  Husum Fire District’s bond measure was being approved 1,111-to-459, and the County Emergency Medical Services District levy was passing 4,959 to 1,654.  Another vote count is to be released late Friday afternoon.

Skamania County wrapped up its final count update until ballots are certified later in the month.  Gabriel Spencer won the election for assessor 3,223 to 1,952 over Tom Dillon, while Adam Kick was successful in his bid to be re-elected as Prosecuting Attorney with 3,033 votes to 2,339 over Dan McGill.  Dan Boyes won the PUD District Commissioner race 2,809 to 2,086 over Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.  The Underwood Parks and Recreation District levy measure had received 306 votes in favor to 175 against, while the Home Valley Water District levy had received 108 votes in favor and 67 against, as both measures had over 60 percent approval rates.

The Hood River Warming Shelter will open for the winter season on Sunday, November 18 at Riverside Community Church.  The shelter will be open from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day to provide a safe place for those who do not have anywhere to go.  Hood River Warming Services Executive Director Sarah Kellums says they host people from all sorts of backgrounds.  Volunteers are being sought to help run the shelter.  For more information go to hoodrivercares.org.

The annual Veterans’ Day parade in The Dalles will take place Monday morning.  It will start at 11 a.m. on Monday at Sixth and Webber, and take the usual route around the downtown area.  Grand marshals will be Lynn Guenther, Ada Wyn Parker, and Roderick Francis Martin.  Two F-15 fighter jets from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing out of Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls.  Following the parade, there will be a potluck at the Oregon Veterans’ Home. Chicken and side dishes will be provided, along with beverages.  Community members are invited to bring a favorite dish to share.

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center will host its annual Columbia River Indian Autumn Gathering on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The Center’s Eloise Russell says neighbors are invited to celebrate the bounty of the Columbia Gorge.  There will be demonstrations of flint knapping, basket making techniques, and traditional games, and a display of gathered foods and medicinal botanicals.  There will be twenty traditional handcraft vendors, presentations, and there will be a salmon lunch available for $15.  Admission is free.

North Wasco County School District 21 board chair Kathy Ursprung expressed disappointment with the outcome of the district’s proposed 20-year bond measure to rebuild four schools during that time period.  Ursprung says the next step will be to look at different alternatives, and take some time to analyze this election before making any decision.  She says the need for new facilities is still there.  The bond measure was rejected by 59 percent of voters.  Ursprung says one of their post-election tasks is to find out why people voted no, adding she hopes more people will be involved planning their next options.

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