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Municipal Election Filing Deadline Has Past

The filing deadline for municipal elections has past.  There will be two contested races in The Dalles, including a three-way contest for Mayor to succeed Rich Mays.  Current City Councilor Tim McGlothlin, former Councilor Darcy Long, and Joseph Slusher are the three candidates.  Two people are seeking to replace McGlothlin in Council Position 1:  Tristan Sheppard and Kim Morgan.  Incumbent Scott Randall is the lone candidate for Position 3.  There will be no contested seats in Hood River.  Current Councilor Gladys Rivera is the only candidate for Mayor, as Paul Blackburn did not seek re-election.  And there are three candidates for three Council positions, including incumbents Ben Mitchell and Doug Stepina, along with Kate Hoffman.  Grant Polson is not looking for a second term.  In Cascade Locks, incumbent Mayor Brenda Wood is being challenged by Ashleigh Wajtyna, and there are five City Council hopefuls:  Brian High, Courtnee Kellman, Jaime Rivera, Miranda Audritsh, and Shirelle Price.

 

Bridge Closures Canceled

The Hood River–White Salmon Bridge Authority completed its geotechnical exploration near the Washington shoreline of the existing Hood River-White Salmon Bridge ahead of schedule.  That means all remaining overnight bridge closures scheduled for August and September have been canceled.  They had been scheduled to continue for another two weeks.  The work was being done as part of the preparation for construction of a new bridge.  The Port of Hood River says it appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation while the Bridge Authority completed this work.

CGCC Registration Underway For Fall Term

The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is getting ready for its 2026-27 season to start in September.  The CGOA’s Dan Kenealy says they will be unveiling their schedule at the start of the month, but it will feature five performances of the Jazz Collective, three performance each for the Gorge Sinfonietta and Voci Community Choir, and a production by the Stages Musical Theater this spring.  The first CGOA event for the season will be the End of Summer Big Bands Royale with Michael Paul, the CGOA Jazz Collective Big Band, and the North Portland Big Band on September 10 at 7 p.m. at The Ruins in Hood River.  Tickets will go on sale September 1 at gorgeorchestra.org, when a redesigned website will launch.

CGOA Season Starts In September

The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is getting ready for its 2026-27 season to start in September.  The CGOA’s Dan Kenealy says they will be unveiling their schedule at the start of the month, but it will feature five performances of the Jazz Collective, three performance each for the Gorge Sinfonietta and Voci Community Choir, and a production by the Stages Musical Theater this spring.  The first CGOA event for the season will be the End of Summer Big Bands Royale with Michael Paul, the CGOA Jazz Collective Big Band, and the North Portland Big Band on September 10 at 7 p.m. at The Ruins in Hood River.  Tickets will go on sale September 1 at gorgeorchestra.org, when a redesigned website will launch.

Grasshopper Fire Behavior Increases Wednesday

The Grasshopper Fire saw more aggressive fire behavior Wednesday as winds gusted up to 25 miles per hour.  Firefighters responded with water, hand crews, logging operations and heavy equipment to keep the fire from advancing.  Great Basin Incident Management Team 4 Operations Section Chief Kevin Norton says the northwest and southwest corners remain the focus of their work.  The Grasshopper Fire has burned 93,841 acres and is now 76 percent contained.  The fire camp in Tygh Valley is moving to Mt. Hood Meadows, putting firefighters closer to the most active areas.  That move means increased traffic today and possibly through the weekend, including large trucks, trailers and heavy equipment.  Most vehicles will use the southern route along Highways 216 and 26.  Drivers in those areas are urged to use extra caution.

High Lava Fire Size Increases With Successful Firing Operations

The High Lava Fire, eleven miles northwest of Stabler on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, has grown to 2,771 acres, up from 1,981 acres following successful firing operations.  Containment has increased to 25 percent.  Fire behavior remains light across much of the fire, with only small areas of moderate activity.  Crews Wednesday completed a three-day indirect firing operation, including drone-assisted aerial ignitions in unburned interior pockets.  The work moved the fire’s edge into safer locations and reduced risks to firefighters.  In areas with little fire activity, crews have begun mop-up, extinguishing remaining heat where conditions allow.  Chainsaw crews are also removing hazardous trees and improving access to hot spots.  Construction of contingency lines continues as an additional defense against changing weather.  Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and west winds generally below ten miles per hour are expected today and tomorrow.  Overnight humidity could reach 90 percent or higher.

Mt. Hood Forest Closures Expand Around Austin Fire

The Mount Hood National Forest has expanded an emergency closure around the Austin Fire in the Clackamas River Ranger District.  Fire officials say the closure is needed for public safety and to give firefighters and heavy equipment room to operate safely and efficiently.  The Austin Fire has burned 8,781 acres.  The expanded closure prohibits public entry into the designated area, including travel on Forest Service roads and trails, use of campgrounds, and off-road travel.  Closed roads include portions of Forest Roads 46, 57, 63 and 70, as well as Oregon Highway 224 east of Fish Creek.  Popular recreation areas that are closed include Lake Harriet, Timothy Lake, Bagby Hot Springs and campgrounds along the Clackamas River east of Carter Bridge.  Closure signs are posted at roads, trailheads and other access points.  Officials urge the public to obey the closure and check the Mount Hood National Forest website for the complete closure order and map.

Avery Park Fire Evacuation Advisories Lifted

Klickitat County Emergency Management this morning lifted all evacuation levels issued as a result of Wednesday evening fire near Avery Park.  The area in the vicinity of Avery Park at one point was at Level 3 “Go Now” after the fire broke out in windy conditions near Wishram.  Wishram Heights and Wishram both were at Level 2 Wednesday evening while crews looked to control the fire.  The fire broke out after 5 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.  Crews from throughout the area responded to the fire, which early estimates put at 300 acres in size heading into the night.  Wishram School was closed today due to the fire.

Klickitat County Hearing On RV Parks Continued

A hearing on proposed amendments to Klickitat County’s ordinance governing standards for RV parks was continued to September 15 to allow Planning Director Scott Edelman to continue to get legal consultation on provisions for allowing waivers to the County’s 60 day occupancy limitation to help alleviate workforce housing issues.  Edelman noted there has been estimates of 500 to 2500 long-term construction jobs coming to Klickitat County in the next ten years as the proposed pump storage project, data centers, and wind and solar farms are constructed, and it’s already a challenge for those who get jobs in the County to find housing.  Commissioners would like more specifics on how the limitation would actually be applied, and criteria to consider.

Man Found Dead In Vehicle On Gifford Pinchot Forest

The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an adult male whose body was found inside a vehicle in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.   Deputies responded Sunday to U.S. Forest Service Road 25-0210, after a vehicle was discovered concealed from view along a decommissioned forest road.  During the investigation, a patrol sergeant found the man deceased inside the vehicle.  With help from the Skamania County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, the body was recovered from the remote location.  The Skamania County Coroner’s Office conducted the death investigation in coordination with the Sheriff’s Office.  Investigators say preliminary evidence indicates the death was self-inflicted.  They have found no evidence that anyone else was involved.

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