The Google Wind Challenge and STEM Fair takes place Saturday at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center.  In the Challenge, 39 teams of high school and middle school students from around the region race against the clock in an all-day competition to design and build the strongest and fastest wind turbine.  In addition, Jessica Metta of the Gorge Technology Alliance says the STEM Fair that runs concurrent with the Challenge gives students of all ages a chance to take part in hands-on activities.  The Wind Challenge runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday while the STEM Fair will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fort Dalles Readiness Center.

Baseball Hood River Valley 7, Gresham 3:  The Eagles scored five runs in the first inning on the way to moving their record to 1-1 on the season. Dufur 7, Country Christian 6   Softball Hood River Valley 5, Gresham 0:  Lauren Decker struck out five on the way to pitching a six-hit shutout as HRV won for the second straight time to start the season.  Zoe Munn drove in three runs and Kaylin Winans two for the Eagles. Portland Christian 30, Stevenson 20   Boys Tennis Hood River Valley 8, St. Helens 0 Goldendale 3, Cle Elum-Roslyn 2   Girls Tennis Goldendale 4, Cle Elum-Roslyn 1  

The Columbia Gorge Community College Board of Education is seeking interested people in Hood River and Wasco counties who would like to serve on the panel’s budget committee.  Committee members are appointed to a three-year term.  Those who are interested in being on the CGCC budget committee should send a letter of interest with qualifications, telephone, and address to the Board of Education, Columbia Gorge Community College, at 400 East Scenic Drive in The Dalles, zip code 97058.  Deadline for consideration is April 2.

As we enter into the political season, the City of The Dalles is reminding residents to observe rules on the posting and removing of political signs.  Campaign signs can only be placed on private property, and can be up for the 60 days prior to the election in which candidates or issues are to be voted upon.  In addition, signs must not obstruct vision clearance areas at traffic intersections.  Signs must be removed no later than the fifth day following the election.  For more information, call The Dalles Planning Department at 541-296-5481, extension 1132.

Northern Wasco County PUD will be accepting applications for economic development grants until April 18.  The PUD Board allocated $50,000 this year to help fund local economic development projects.  No application can be for more than $20,000. Applicants must document non-profit status; not be a religious affiliated entity; and have not been funded more than twice in any five-year period.  Projects shall be for infrastructure or property with a life expectancy of at least five years and are located within the Northern Wasco County PUD service area.  A brief history of the requesting organization and description of project should also be included.  Applications may be obtained at the Northern Wasco County PUD Office on 2345 River Road in The Dalles, online at nwascopud.org; or by calling 541-298-3302.

Entries are being taken for a pair of Northwest Cherry Festival events.  The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is once again conducting the Northwest Cherry Idol singing contest.  The preliminary round is underway with competitors uploading their videos to our Cherry Idol Facebook event page.   After the preliminary round concludes on April 13th, judges will select the top five adult and kid contestants to move on to sing live at the Cherry Festival.  This contest is open to all ages, with minors under the age of 18 needing written parent consent.  Audio or video clip submissions may be delivered to The Dalles Chamber or uploaded to the Cherry Idol Facebook event page by April 13.  Meanwhile…entries for Little Miss Royal Ann and Little Mr. Royal Andy are being taken at Rivermark Community Credit Union on 1240 West 6th Street in The Dalles.  Drop off a 5 by 7 photo of your child and fill out an application to enter.  Public voting will run from April 9th to the 20th.

Baseball Gresham 11, The Dalles 3:  The Gophers scored four runs in the first inning and built an 8-1 lead after three innings, as the Riverhawks fall to 1-1 on the season.   Softball Hood River Valley 9, Barlow 3 Liberty 6, The Dalles 5   Boys Lacrosse Hood River Valley 10, Westview 6   Girls Lacrosse Hood River Valley 9, St. Mary’s 4:  Kathryn Koenig scored four goals for the Eagles as they won their season opener.

Some area high school students took part in 17-minute walkouts Wednesday morning protesting gun violence.  They took part in a nationwide call to honor the 17 students killed in a shooting at a Parkland, Florida high school and demand stricter gun laws.  A large number of students took part at Hood River Valley High School, gathering near the flagpole at the school’s front entrance.  Hood River County School District Superintendent Dan Goldman estimated about two-thirds of the students at the school took part, noting everything was orderly and students returned to classes after it was over. White Salmon Valley School District Superintendent Jerry Lewis said about 100 students at Columbia High School walked out, adding the event was very peaceful and orderly.

Track and Field Hood River Valley won 11 different events in a season-opening warm-up meet with Hermiston on Tuesday at Henderson Stadium.  The HRV girls won six events, while the boys won five.   Softball Hood River Valley at Barlow, postponed to today River View 19, Goldendale 6   Baseball Dufur 14, Riverside 10 Goldendale 2, River View 1

Wasco County officials are getting ready to jump into their budget process for the 2018-19 fiscal year.  Steve Kramer is representing the County Commission on the budget committee this year, and he says they will be talking next week with department directors about their fiscal plans, noting county staff has been doing preparatory work.  Kramer says the County will again take a conservative approach to the budget.  Kramer adds the County is in “decent” fiscal shape thanks to some hard work over the last decade.