There has been no change in recycling markets over the past few months since China drastically reduced the amount of contaminants they would accept in any shipment.  Jim Winterbottom of Hood River Garbage and The Dalles Disposal says they have continued to collect curbside co-mingled recyclables…take them to the Wasco County Landfill, and handle them as if they are about to be recycled in hopes of a market rebound.  But he says that won’t be sustainable for much longer, given the financial impacts of paying increased tipping fees at the landfill.  He adds there will be conversations with the nine jurisdictions they serve to see how those governments want to go forward.  Winterbottom says one of the steps they are taking is to educate customers on what can and cannot be recycled and how items should be cleaned before disposal.  He says the hope is they can clean up the recycling stream to the point where they can get it back to market.

Another set of build days for Hood River’s Children’s Park play structure are set for Thursday through Saturday.  The structure was 85 percent complete at the conclusion of seven days of work in early June, and the goal is to finish this week.  Work will take place each day from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and volunteers are needed.  Sign up at cityofhoodriver.com. There is also a need for tools to help finish the structure.  Those willing to lend their tools to the effort can drop them off at the build site today between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.  A list of needed tools is located at cityofhoodriver.com.

School is out in the White Salmon Valley School District, but that does not mean there is no activity taking place.  District Superintendent Jerry Lewis says maintenance work will be taking place at all of their facilities over the next couple of months.  One project that will take place is construction of a livestock pavilion at Columbia High School.  Lewis says supporters of the school’s agriculture program have helped to provide volunteer labor and materials to make this happen.  Lewis says the permitting is done for the 20 foot-by-40 foot building.

North Wasco County School District 21 says it is accepting applications for out-of-district students who wish to pay tuition.  Applicants may apply for any school within the District and will be accepted on a space-available basis.  The cost of tuition for out-of-district students for the 2018-2019 school year is $9,300.00.   An application form may be found on the District’s website, under the scrolling announcements, at nwasco.k12.or.us.  Applications for tuition-based registration must be submitted to the D-21 office no later than August 15.  For additional information, contact the D-21 Superintendent’s Office at 541-506-3420.

The Hood River County Commission voted to adopt an ordinance establishing a three-year pilot program to make community identification cards available.  The program will be funded by private grants and card fees.  Gorge Ecumenical Ministries has received nearly $70,000 in grant funds to launch the program, which is slated to begin as early as January.  The cards are expected to cost $20 each. The County will contract with a local organization to administer the ID program.  Applicants will need several forms of identification and proof of at least 60 days residency in Hood River County to obtain an ID card.  The local ID card cannot be used to buy alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana, and will not be recognized as a form of identification by state or federal officials, or outside of Hood River County.  Proponents of the cards claim changes in federal law make getting state-issued ID more difficult or impossible for some.  Seniors, immigrants unable to gain legal status, survivors of domestic violence, and people who are homeless or who have recently been in jail are all among those who may face additional barriers.  In other business, the Commission approved the 2018-19 fiscal year budget, including use of reserve funds while the panel determines how it would like to seek a measure to increase revenues.

A new facility has opened up at Cottonwood Canyon State Park that will serve as space for an outdoor school and a gathering place for groups.  The Oregon State Parks Department and the Oregon State Parks Foundation cut the ribbon on the Experience Center.  The 1,700 square foot multi-use facility will include classroom space, interpretive displays, activity and meeting areas, a park-specific library, and relaxation and contemplation space.  The Experience Center is the heart of the $1.6 million project, which will ultimately include eight cabins, a restroom and shower facility, and a new group camping area.  The grand opening for the full Experience Center complex is scheduled for September 18.  Cottonwood Canyon State Park is 8,000 acres in size, straddling the John Day River.  The Oregon State Parks Foundation raised $800,000 for the Experience Center build-out.  It was built using a variety of sustainable building practices, including smart site design, and sustainable material and solar energy usage.

Fire damaged a home in White Salmon Friday night.  White Salmon Fire Department Chief Bill Hunsaker says they were called to the two-story home at 425 NW Loop Road at around 9 p.m. Friday.  He estimated 50 percent of the structure was damaged by the fire.  Hunsaker adds the fire started in the area of a bedroom, but no cause has been determined.  He says no one was hurt, and all the occupants in the home got out safely.  The American Red Cross says three adults and three children were impacted by the fire.

The Port of Hood River Commission will conduct the latest in a series of worksessions Tuesday afternoon on the process of replacing the Interstate Bridge.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says it’s intended to be an educational opportunity with people who have experience in developing large projects like replacing the bridge.  The two expert panelists at this session will be Angela Findley from WSP, the engineering firm that will do the environmental impact statement for the bridge, and Lowell Clary of Clary Consulting.  The worksession begins at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Port’s Marina Center conference room.  The public is invited, but seating is limited.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is putting together welcome bags for visitors attending two large-scale youth sports events in the next couple of weeks.  The Ted Walker Swim Meet will take place this weekend, with the Oregon District 5 Little League tournament arriving in The Dalles on June 29.  Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says they are inviting businesses in The Dalles to provide information and offers for the bags that will be distributed to the visiting athletes and their families.  To take part in the welcome bags, call The Dalles Chamber at 541-296-2231.  The deadline is Wednesday.

Advocates of restoring rail passenger service along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge will be meeting in The Dalles on Wednesday.  The Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates are seeking to begin the planning process for an eastern Oregon rail passenger summit, to be held at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande in March, 2019.  The group hopes to generate Columbia Gorge support for restoring rail passenger service between Portland and Boise.  Amtrak’s Pioneer last served The Dalles 20 years ago, when it fell victim to budget cuts.  The group will be hosting presentations on rail advocacy and planning Wednesday at Casa el Mirador in The Dalles, beginning at 11:30 a.m.