The City of Hood River will take over ownership of Oregon Highway 281 from its intersection with Oak Street up through the Heights on July 1. City Councilors approved taking over the road from the Oregon Department of Transportation, something the City wanted as it embarks on the Heights Streetscape Plan. Urban Renewal Administrator Will Norris says the City will take over management of the sections of 12th and 13th Streets that are part of Highway 281, which in many cases were already being maintained by the City. ODOT will pay the City $2.3 million as general compensation for the transfer, which is about the cost for grind and overlay of the roadway. The City will also receive over $1.7 million to take responsibility for installing ADA compliant ramps along Taylor Avenue and on 13th Street from Taylor Avenue to Belmont by December 31, 2028. ODOT will retain responsibility for installing ADA compliant ramps everywhere else in the Heights along Highway 281 by December 31, 2032.
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HR Council Moves Hotel Parking To Columbia Lot
The Hood River City Council approved a plan to restrict usage of its hospitality program downtown parking passes to the Columbia Avenue lot between 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. each day, eliminating on-street spaces. The move was made after some downtown businesses said parking availability was being squeezed since the opening of the Lightwell Hotel, which increased use of hospitality parking passes that have been available since 2012. City Councilors noted this will be an interim step as they review a 2019 parking study and update it where needed. It also may spark a renewed conversation about a parking garage in downtown Hood River.
TD Council Approves Water Management Plan Update
The Dalles City Council approved an update to the municipal water management and conservation plan. City Public Works Director Dale McCabe pointed out that unlike when the plan was first developed in 2014, the municipal water system is now seeing water loss above ten percent, which triggers a need to provide the state with an analysis by April 1 of 2028. He says work on that is already underway. McCabe added there are two aging transmission lines that total fourteen miles from the treatment plant to town, and they are trying to be extra diligent in looking at those for leaks. He also says they are targeted for replacement in the recently developed capital improvement plan for the municipal water system.
WAGAP Names New Executive Director
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.
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.