The effort to connect the two sections of the Indian Creek Trail in Hood River has cleared a major hurdle with a significant property donation. The Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District says Kenn Francis of PRA/Brookside LLC donated a nine-acre parcel to the district, along with a conservation easement to the City of Hood River, protecting the future trail corridor and ensuring permanent public access. The District says the project now moves into design and permitting, with engineering work planned over the coming year, with more than $120,000 already raised by the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation Foundation to help fund it. When the connection is finished, the Indian Creek Trail will have more than four miles of continuous walking and biking access from downtown Hood River to Barrett Park, while also providing a direct trail connection between Hood River Valley High School and the Columbia Gorge Community College campus.
Category: Uncategorized
Bingen Point/Highway 14 Underpass Opened
A major transportation project in Bingen is now functionally complete, connecting Highway 14, Bingen Point and the Port of Klickitat. The Washington State Department of Transportation marked the milestone Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by city and port officials, BNSF Railway representatives and elected leaders. The $34.3 million project was nearly 12 years in the making and took about a year to build. The centerpiece is a new road underpass beneath the BNSF railroad tracks. Juniper Street now connects Highway 14 and Steuben Street with Bingen Point and the Port of Klickitat — eliminating the need for drivers to cross the tracks. Previously, passing trains could block the crossing for several minutes, backing traffic onto State Route 14 and delaying freight and emergency responders. The project also includes a new roundabout at Highway 14 and Elm Street, designed to improve safety and traffic flow. At the center of the roundabout is a historic pond boat once used to move logs near local mills, highlighting the region’s timber heritage.
No Significant Grasshopper Fire Growth
There was no significant growth on the Grasshopper Fire Thursday. Great Basin Incident Management Team 4 Operations Section Chief Kevin Norton once again said the southwest corner of the fire footprint is where most of their work is focused. Norton says mop-up work is on-going in the northwest corner of the fire. To the east, repair work and cleanup has started. Norton adds fire crews are working with the Oregon Department of Forestry to open roads for access when people are allowed back into some areas within the fire footprint.
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.