The Port of Hood River says the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge will be closed for maintenance work during two early morning periods during April. The closure will be on April 3 and April 10. Both will run from 12:30 a.m. until 6 a.m. Work includes completing a bridge gasket replacement on the Oregon side, as well as installing new bridge signage. The Port says it appreciates the public’s patience as it completes critical maintenance to ensure safe and reliable bridge operations.
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Port of Cascade Locks Plan Open House On Campground Proposal
The Port of Cascade Locks will hold an open house in early April on a proposed campground and RV park on property the agency owns on the east side of Cascade Locks. It would have more than 100 sites in an attempt to meet the demand for those type of accommodations in the Gorge. Port officials say it could also help support local businesses, and use its land in a way that benefits Cascade Locks. The open house is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. at the Marine Park Pavilion. Attendees can move through informational display boards at their own pace. Port staff and project team members will be available to answer questions. Comment cards will be available for the public to provider their viewpoint on the proposal.
CGCC Tuition To Remain The Same In 26-27
Columbia Gorge Community College tuition will remain the same in 2026-27. The school’s board of education recently decided that tuition will remain at $125 per credit, plus fees. CGCC Communications Director Tom Penberthy says for a few years, the college has charged more than other community colleges in the state, but that gap is closing. He adds a big reason for the cost difference was the various career and technical classes CGCC offers that require more supplies to run. Penberthy notes CGCC offers a number of opportunities for students to receive scholarships and grants-in-aid to bring down the cost of attending classes.
Gorge Recovery Nearing Building To Begin Services
The non-profit organization Gorge Recovery is nearing leasing building space in The Dalles to provide support and a place to socialize for those recovering from alcohol and substance abuse. Executive Director Ari Gardner says their goal is to provide a place for those who have completed their initial phase of recovery. The Oregon Health Authority has provided a three-year $2 million grant to get the center off the ground. Gardner says that grant can be used for just about every facet of the center’s operation. She hopes the building lease can be arranged in about two months.
March 25 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Castle Rock 9, Columbia 7 (8 innings): The Rockets scored three runs in the seventh to tie then came up with a pair in the extra frame to grab the Trico League win. Samuel Knott homered and drove in three runs for the Bruins.
Seton Catholic 8, Stevenson 2:
Sherman 9, The Dalles JV 8: The Huskies scored four in the bottom of the sixth inning to win it, including a two-run single by Greg Simpson.
Track and Field
Columbia finished second and Stevenson third in a five-school meet at Seton Catholic. Jude Travinski of Stevenson and Columbia’s Sara Miller each won a pair of events.
Two Mid-Columbia Projects Receive ODF Grants
The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Federal Forest Restoration Program is awarding $3 million in planning assistance funding and separate grants of nearly $264,000 to forest collaboratives, including two in the Mid-Columbia area. The Mt. Hood National Forest will receive $500,000 for work in The Dalles Watershed during the 2025-27 biennium. The project is a landscape-scale restoration effort identified as a high priority for wildfire risk reduction in Oregon’s 20-year Landscape Resilience Strategy and the Mt. Hood area all-lands Strategic Action Plan. The ODF says It is responsive to local partnership priorities identified through the Wasco County all-lands group, Hood River All-Lands Partnership, the City of The Dalles, and the Hood River and Wasco County Forest Collaboratives. Wasco Soil and Water Conservation District is receiving a $62,190 Forest Collaborative grant for the Mt. Hood East Zone Forest Collaborative Project supporting collaborative engagement around the South Wasco Ecosystem Restoration effort.
March 24 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Forge Christian (CO) 9, Hood River Valley 3: An eight-run second inning was the difference in the game. HRV got off to a 2-0 lead after an inning and a half, but the Eagle offense was shut down after the first two innings.
Phoenix 7, The Dalles 3: Three-run innings in the second and seventh innings were the difference to give the Pirates the win. Gunner Bustos drove in a pair of runs for the Riverhawks.
Riverside 12, Sherman 11: Riverside scored two in the bottom of the seventh inning to win a back and forth game. Rhyder Smith had three RBI for the Huskies.
Rainier 12, Sherman 4
Softball
Crater 9, Hood River Valley 0
Grants Pass 17, Hood River Valley 2
The Dalles 19, Lost River 0: Madalynn Sagapolutele had two homers and drove in five runs.
The Dalles 15, Milwaukie 1: Ainslee Eiesland drove in four runs on a pair of hits as the Riverhawks stay unbeaten on the season.
TD City Council Approves Franchise Agreement With Chenowith Water
The Dalles City Council approved a franchise agreement with the Chenowith Water PUD to formalize the district’s continued occupancy and use of the City right-of-way. City officials said the two parties have been working on the agreement for months. The agreement does not require the District to build its water system to City water-system design standards, but addresses work that takes place in the municipal right-of-way. City Manager Matthew Klebes says the agreement will take effect July 1, and will gradually increase the percentage of gross revenues the Chenowith district will pay the City, starting at 1% in the upcoming fiscal year, and going up to 5% over the next five years. The City Council approved the agreement unanimously, and the Chenowith Water PUD board approved it last week.
Symposium To Discuss Tree Fruit Economics
Oregon State University will host a day-long symposium on the economics of the tree fruit industry on April 8 at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. OSU Associate Professor of Horticulture Ashley Thompson says expert speakers and panels at the symposium will cover the wide range of financial challenges that orchardists and all farm operations are facing. The symposium will include talks on national trends, understanding cost structures, crop insurance, agricultural overtime, and land market trends. There will also be grower panel discussions about cost management strategies and market diversification. To sign up for the April 8 symposium, call the OSU Extension in Wasco County at 541-296-5494.
Final Cherry Fest Plans Released
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce released the final plans for next month’s re-imagined Northwest Cherry Festival. The festival has had to move off of First Street while City renovations take place, moving the carnival to Lewis and Clark Festival Park and moving other activities around downtown, including Fourth Street. Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says all of the usual parts of the festival have been accounted for, but many will be in different locations. Entries are now being taken for the Cherry Festival parade and the window decorating contest, along with nominations for the Little Royals contest. Details are available at NorthwestCherryFestival.com.