Washington Gorge Action Programs has named Julie K. Hester as its next Executive Director. She is currently transitioning into the job as she takes over for current director Jennifer Pauletto, who will step down at the end of June. Hester has spent over fifteen years working at the Portland-based National Crime Victim Law Institute. Hester says she was drawn to WAGAP’s focus on expanding opportunities by delivering essential services that lead to self-sufficiency and well-being. Hester joins WAGAP during a challenging time as it navigates funding uncertainty and a rising demand for services.
Category: Uncategorized
Zen Fire At 40% Containment
Containment of the Zen Fire south of Clarno is now at 40%. Central Oregon Fire Information says size of the fire has remained at abuot 1,500 acres. Recent rain has played a key role in moderating fire behavior after strong wind gusts helped drive rapid spread when the fire first ignited. The terrain remains one of the biggest challenges. Much of the fire is burning in steep, rugged areas with limited access, making it difficult for crews to fully map the fire perimeter and establish containment lines. Firefighters are relying on a mix of ground crews, air resources and specialized teams to navigate cliffs and narrow canyon areas. There are no road closures, evacuations or public access restrictions tied to the fire.
May 26 Prep Sports Roundup: Eagles Advance To 5A Baseball Quarterfinals
Oregon Class 5A Baseball First Round
#2 Hood River Valley 8, #15 Crescent Valley 3: Elliott Dillingham’s two-run triple capped a four-run bottom of the third inning that gave the Eagles the lead for good. Dillingham drove in three runs and Kingston McAdam had two RBI to lead HRV to their 21st win of the season. Bodie Stuben struck out six over four innings of scoreless relief on the mound to earn the win for the Eagles. HRV will host tenth-ranked Ridgeview in the quarterfinals on Friday at 5 p.m. at Traner Field.
#10 Ridgeview 6, #7 LaSalle 3
#1 Corvallis 3, #16 Canby 1
#8 Thurston 4, #9 Bend 2
#12 West Albany 5, #5 Crater 2
#4 Summit 8, #13 Eagle Point 0
#14 Silverton 9, #3 North Eugene 1
#6 Central 5, #11 Wilsonville 3
Oregon Class 4A Softball First Round
#14 Hidden Valley at #3 The Dalles, today at 5 p.m. at 16th Street Park…winner plays Gladstone in the quarterfinal on Friday.
#11 Gladstone 5, #6 Central 3
#1 Scappoose 8, #16 Sweet Home 0
#9 Estacada 5, #8 Baker 3
#5 Marist 1, #12 Stayton 0
#4 Astoria 7, #13 North Bend 0
#7 Henley 12, #10 Pendleton 8
#2 St. Helens 11, #15 Junction City 1
Rowena Fire Recovery Effort Nears One Year Mark
As we near the anniversary of the June 11, 2025 Rowena Fire, the Rowena Long-Term Recovery Group says it has so far distributed more than $110,000 in relief funds and $175,000 in donated building materials and tools to survivors. LTRG Co‑Chair and Deputy Director of the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District Andrew Danies says they have made major progress in getting recovery dollars to Rowena survivors, especially for critical needs like septic systems, water wells, temporary housing, work tools, and basic household recovery expenses. But he also notes there is still a long road ahead, with many households still facing major gaps as they work toward stable housing, safe utilities, and long‑term recovery. Other notable activities the Long-Term Recovery Group has been involved in: launching a landslide risk review with weather monitoring for evacuation, helping provide technical assistance including arborist resources, hazard tree contacts, infrastructure analysis, and partner support, and establishing disaster case management and recovery coordination.
TDPD Conducting Seatbelt Enforcement
The Dalles Police is conducting high visibility seatbelt enforcement today in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Transportation. Police officials say the use of seatbelts and restraints greatly reduces the chance of serious injuries and deaths in traffic crashes. In a statement, The Dalles Police says it will be out and about in force to remind the citizens of this community the importance of taking the extra second to secure themselves with a seatbelt. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration forty-nine percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes in 2023 were unrestrained. That’s even though the national compliance rate of vehicle drivers that regularly wear seatbelts is approximately 91 percent. NHTSA has estimated that car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants younger than 1 year old and by 54 percent for toddlers 1 to 4 years old in passenger cars.
Inflation Becoming A Concern For The Dalles Infrastructure Projects
As the City of The Dalles does a number of different street and infrastructure projects, inflation is becoming a concern. The Dalles Mayor Rich Mays says the projects currently underway were bid under budget, but as costs increase, they are receiving requests for change orders as work goes on. Mays adds money from the state for road maintenance may be the biggest concern with the City’s budget, adding it won’t keep pace with inflation, and the needs they have for streets, sidewalks, and handicap ramps at intersections that need to improved.
CCA Big Sing Fundraiser Friday
Columbia Center For The Arts in Hood River will hold its Big Sing fundraiser this Friday. CCA Executive Director Tim Harkins says they are bringing in the Low Bar Chorale for a unique community sing-a-long. Harkins says they have a goal of raising $40,000, which will be used to continue to expand the offerings at the Center and in its gallery. There will also be food and drink, and a live and silent auction. The event will be this Friday evening at 6 p.m. at Columbia Center for the Arts. Tickets are available at columbiaarts.org.
Temperatures & Wind Lead To Weekend Fires
Warm temperatures, strong winds, and already dry conditions led to a pair of fire in the area on Saturday. A 75-acre fire north of The Dalles Dam led to an evacuation of Horsethief State Park in Klickitat County. It started just after 1:30 Saturday afternoon. Crews from Lyle, Klickitat, Dallesport/Murdock, and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue all took part in the effort to bring the fire under control. Firefighters were able to do that by late Saturday night. Later Saturday afternoon further to the east, I-84 at Biggs Junction was closed for a brief time due to a fire. The Sherman County Sheriff’s Office said there were multiple accidents in the area due to smoke cutting down visibility. Fire departments throughout the area remind everyone that coming off a drier than usual winter and spring, fire danger is high. Many jurisdictions have instituted burn bans. Check with your local fire district for specific information on your location.
May 22-23 Prep Sports Roundup
Track and Field
Hood River Valley’s girls grabbed seven entries to the Oregon Class 5A meet and the boys six out of the Northwest Oregon Conference Championships at Putnam. Georgiana Williams won both the girls’ 100 and 200 meters to highlight the final day of competition for Hood River Valley.
Horizon Christian was the boys’ champion and Trout Lake the girls’ winner at the Oregon Class 1A Special District 3 Championships in Maupin. Lyle-Wishram’s Ezekiel Marble and Trout Lake’s Jayden Kusky each won two events in boys’ competition, while Sherman’s Chloe Simpson, Trout Lake’s Melody Stock, and Dufur’s Jacey Calloway were dual event winners in the girls’ half of the meet.
Tennis
Hood River Valley’s three entries in the Oregon Class 5A Tennis Championships all won their first round match before falling in the quarterfinals. HRV’s Kaylin Mitchell reached the final eight in girls’ singles, as did Charlotte Fuller and Anna Dalbey in girls’ doubles, and Kane & Kash Wagner in boys’ doubles.
The Dalles’ Dante Kim won one out of three matches at the Oregon Class 4A Tennis Championships in boys’ singles.
Stevenson’s Emma Owens won one out of three matches in singles at the Washington Class 1A Tournament in Yakima, while Columbia’s Anya Romero and Gigi Clark lost both of their matches in doubles.
Oregon Class 2A Baseball First Round
Toledo 11, Sherman 1
Baseball
Hood River Valley 13, Centennial 0: Kingston McAdam, Bodie Stuben, and Tyson Harjo had two runs batted in apiece as the Eagles reached the 20 win mark for the first time since 2016.
Softball
Hood River Valley 13, Centennial 9: Isa Rivera went five for five as the Eagles collected 20 hits. Graceyn Hanshaw, Kenadie Lucas, and Reagan Mooney had three RBI apiece as HRV finished the season with a three-game winning streak.
Tuesday Schedule
Oregon Class 5A Baseball First Round
Crescent Valley at Hood River Valley, 5 p.m.
Wednesday Schedule
Oregon Class 4A Softball First Round
Hidden Valley at The Dalles, 5 p.m.
HR County Budget Committee Approves 26-27 Budget
With plenty of reservations, Hood River County’s Budget Committee approved moving on to the County Commission a budget for 2026-27 that puts a twelve-month hiring appropriations freeze in place and spends down reserves by $2.7 million to balance the budget. It came after five meetings in which the panel wrestled with how specific they should be in the direction it gives, all while the County awaits a report from consultants Baker Tilly on how to become more efficient and be able to operate as revenues continue to lag behind increases in expenses. Most of the discussion was around leaving currently vacant positions unfilled, and how much flexibility administrators should have should more vacancies occur. County Commission Chair Jennifer Euwer said Administrator Allison Williams and department heads are going to be the one making the painful job decisions, even though the monetary situation is uncomfortable. The budget now heads to the County Commission for final approval at its June meeting.