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Hood River City Council Goes With Two Bond Measure Option

Posted on by mbailey

The Hood River City Council decided it will go for two separate $8.7 million bond measures in November, one to renovate the police station in the basement of City Hall and a second floor addition to accommodate staff growth, and another to address housing.  Councilors reached consensus on separating the two issues and the bond amounts fairly easily, with most of the discussion centering on how to define affordable housing in messaging, and whether to go with a guideline of projects for up to 80 percent of affordable median income or 120 percent.  They went with 120 percent, and Councilor Doug Stepina pointed out the growth in the affordability gap for buying homes and the number of people rent burdened are the key messages.  Polling done by Patinkin Research Strategies indicated a combined bond actually had a better chance of success, but Councilors felt the measures should be separated, in part for messaging on the need for an improved police facility.

 

TD Council Amends Nuisance, Traffic Control & Burn Restrictions

Posted on by mbailey

The Dalles City Council adopted an ordinance amending its codes regarding nuisances, traffic control, and burn restrictions.  City Attorney Jonathan Kara said the changes don’t create any new programs, fees or abatement authority, but do clean up language to make existing rules easier to enforce.  One involves clarifying the 120-hour rule for storage parking on streets, which Kara says as written allowed the clock to restart when the vehicle was moved, and the amendment stops that.  Other changes include adding annual interest to nuisance-abatement liens, clarifying the City Manager’s authority for day-to-day administrative implementation of traffic control measures, and allows the City Manager to issue a written order temporarily suspending or limiting yard-debris open burning only when conditions make burning inconsistent with public health, safety, or welfare.

Discovery Center Historic Photo Archives Now Online

Posted on by mbailey

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center has placed its historic photos archive online, where the public can view over 30,600 images from the museum’s photo collection.  A $10,000 grant from the City of The Dalles allowed the archive to be digitized.  Museum Registrar Susan Buce says the photo collection dates back to the 1800’s.  They come from a variety of sources, including The Dalles Chronicle and the Wasco County Pioneer Association.  Many photos have come from the estates of families, and there are over 5,000 photos from the Oregon-California Trail Emigrant Inscription Collection, coming from White Salmon’s James Henderson, who photographed inscriptions left by Oregon Trail pioneers.  The collection can be viewed at gorgediscovery.org.

 

Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Has Critical Access Hospital Status Finalized

Posted on by mbailey
   

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has finalized Adventist Health Columbia Gorge’s designation as a Critical Access Hospital.  A Critical Access Hospital is a special designation by CMS for small, rural hospitals that helps make it possible to provide essential healthcare services to underserved communities.  CAHs receive cost-based reimbursement from the federal government, which allows them to focus on essential services and remain a lifeline for their communities.  Adventist Health joins Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, Skyline Hospital, and Klickitat Valley Health as Critical Access Hospitals in the Gorge.  Adventist Health’s application to become a Critical Access Hospital was approved in May by CMS.  The final step involved the Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits over 15,000 U.S. healthcare organizations, performing an on-site evaluation of Adventist Health Columbia Gorge’s compliance with specific Critical Access conditions.

         

 

CGCC Announces Two New Academic Programs

Posted on by mbailey

Columbia Gorge Community College announced two new academic program, including an Initial Early Childhood Education certificate, offered in both English and Spanish, and an Additive Manufacturing Processes certificate in the college’s Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication program.  The 12-credit Initial Early Childhood Education certificate, designed for part-time students to complete in a year, prepares students to work in childcare centers, preschool programs, and other early learning settings serving children from birth through age eight.  The new Additive Manufacturing Processes certificate requires 36 credits, designed to fit in one full academic year, and positions students at the forefront of modern manufacturing by training them to use CNC manufacturing, 3D design and printing to create parts and products from polymers and metals.  The Additive Manufacturing Processes certificate is part of CGCC’s growing Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication offerings.  Early Childhood Education graduates will help meet the growing demand for qualified teachers and caregivers, while Additive Manufacturing students will bring cutting‑edge technical skills into local shops and industrial workplaces.  Information on both programs is available at cgcc.edu.

 

Blackburn Announces He Will Not Seek Re-election

Posted on by mbailey

Hood River Mayor Paul Blackburn has announced he will not seek re-election in the November election.  Blackburn originally joined Council in 2004 on an appointment, and was elected to the position in 2004.  He was later elected Mayor in November 2014 and re-elected.  Blackburn resigned as mayor in August 2019, when his family moved from the community for two years.  He was elected again in November 2022.  In a statement, Blackburn says he feels honored to have been able to do this work, and is very proud of many accomplishments.  He added it’s been a pleasure working with excellent staff and fellow elected, and it’s time for someone else to take their turn.  Filing for mayor and three City Council seats in Hood River continues through August 25.

East 3rd Water Line Work Starts Monday

Posted on by mbailey

The City of The Dalles Public Works will begin work Monday on the 700 block of East 3rd St to replace a water service line.  One lane closures with no flagging will remain in place during work hours on Monday and possibly through Wednesday.  Work hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on each scheduled work day.  Both lanes will be open outside of the work hours.  Pedestrian and sidewalk access will remain open through the duration of this work.  Proceed with caution in the area during lane closures, and observe all temporary traffic control devices.  No parking will be allowed within the project areas to allow room for large equipment to safely work.

Historic Highway Guardrail Replacement In Fire Area To Start

Posted on by mbailey

Oregon Department of Transportation crews on Monday will begin repairing and replacing approximately 400 timber guardrail posts on the Historic Columbia River Highway between Rowena and The Dalles damaged in the 2025 Rowena Fire.  That work will run from Highway 30 milepost 64 to milepost 71.  The highway remains closed to through traffic between Rowena and The Dalles, but residents of that area will continue to have access to their homes and driveways throughout construction.  Most work will be completed with one lane open and alternating traffic directed by flaggers with minimal delays.  At a few narrow locations, ODOT says crews may need to temporarily close the highway to safely complete work.  If that’s necessary, residents traveling beyond the closure area may need to use Interstate 84.

Bridge Inspection Starts Monday

Posted on by mbailey

The Oregon Department of Transportation will be conducting its bi-annual inspection of the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting this Monday and continuing for two weeks.  The Port of Hood River says these routine inspections help ensure the bridge remains safe and reliable by checking the condition of key structural components and identifying maintenance needs before they become larger issues.  Most inspection activities will take place beneath the bridge.  The Port says minimal traffic impacts are expected, but motorists should use caution and be aware of workers and equipment in the area.

Agencies Conduct Mass Fatality Training

Posted on by mbailey

A number of different regional agencies recently took part in a mass fatality training.  Daron Ryan of the Hood River County Health Department says it is important as a region to practice when a catastrophe strikes.  Ryan says the incident they practiced involved 19 victims.  One of the biggest challenges in this region is the capacity of these agencies to handle a major emergency.  Ryan noted that in this community, a lot of people have multiple responsibilities, and that can complicate response.

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