One person was rescued and one person was found deceased after an airplane crashed in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Friday evening. The Washington State Department of Transportation Air Search and Rescue says it was notified at 3:05 Friday afternoon that an aircraft did not arrive at the Hood River Fly-In after breaking away from a three-plane flying formation. The pilots of the other two aircraft in the flying formation reported the missing plane overdue about one and a half hours after landing. WSDOT says the crashed 1943 Stearman Kaydet aircraft departed from the Enumclaw area and stopped at the South Lewis County airport before continuing toward the Columbia River Gorge just before noon. A local Hood River air crew tried to locate the missing plane or detect a distress radio beacon, and cell phone and radar forensics determined that the plane’s flight path ended about 12 miles northwest of Stevenson at 12:59 p.m. Friday afternoon. A rescue helicopter and crew from the United States Coast Guard out of Astoria and ground search and rescue teams from Skamania County discovered the aircraft and occupants a few hours later in the high trees of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says the pilot, 72-year-old Christopher Paulson of Eatonville, Washington, was flown to Portland by Coast Guard helicopter for medical treatment while his passenger, 45-year-old Jed Paul Kelly of Eatonville, succumbed to his injuries.
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Whisky Creek Fire Sees Some Growth On Southwest Flank
The Whisky Creek Fire southeast of Cascade Locks was most active Sunday near the headwaters of Herman Creek, and there was some fire growth on the southwest flank. Size has increased slightly to 2,935 acres, with containment still 25%. A small spot fire is smoldering below the Benson Plateau, but it does not appear to be moving or growing. Firefighters removed structure protection wrap from buildings and signs where there is no longer threat from fire. Fire managers used a reconnaissance flight to scout the north end of the fire for secondary fireline locations. Crews will continue to patrol and monitor the fire both aerially and from the ground. Fire managers are working on a contingency firing plan that could be implemented, if needed in the future. Monday firefighters were connecting the last piece to complete an extensive hose lay northeast of Wahtum Lake.
Crews Expect Busy Day On Williams Mine Fire
Crews on the Williams Mine Fire northwest of Trout Lake say with westerly winds pushing smoke out of the area and clearing the air, they are preparing for a busy day, particularly near the South Climb Trail. Fire managers say activity increased on Sunday as smoke moved out. Crews extinguished a few spots near the edge of the fire, and will continue to monitor areas on the interior of the fire, even though that rarely poses a threat to containment lines. The area of greatest concern continues to be the fire edge in the Morrison Creek drainage, west and northwest of the South Climb Trailhead. Fire managers hope to stall the progression of the fire toward the South Climb Trail until weather conditions turn cooler and possibly rainy Tuesday night and Wednesday. Acreage burned went up slightly to 13,082 acres, and containment remains at 31%.
Transportation Committee Meets In The Dalles Friday
The Oregon Legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation will make a stop in The Dalles on Friday as part of its statewide tour. Hood River County officials plan to make sure they get a message to that panel. County Commission Chair Jennifer Euwer says they want to make sure the committee knows how tight local transportation budgets are. The committee will take a tour of The Dalles-area transportation facilities and have a roundtable discussion with the Lower John Day Commission on Transportation before a public meeting at 5 p.m. Friday in The Dalles Middle School commons that will include a review of state transportation funding followed by public comment.
White Salmon To Observe Suicide Prevention Day Tuesday
The City of White Salmon, in partnership with the downtown businesses along Jewett Avenue, will observe Tuesday. Storefronts along Jewett will display lighted candles in their windows throughout the evening. By lighting candles, communities across the world show solidarity with those who struggle with mental illness, while also remembering the lives lost to suicide. White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler says it is intended that the gentle glow of each candle serves as a beacon of hope, sending a powerful message to those who may feel alone or helpless—that they are seen, supported, and valued. Residents can also participate by placing a candle in their window as a show of unity, hope, and remembrance. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, substance use concerns, or a mental health crisis, you can call, text or chat by dialing 988 to be connected to a trained counselor.
Veterans Stand Down Set For September 25
An event planned later this month will offer Veterans a chance to connect with a variety of services. The “Veterans Stand Down” will be September 25 at The Dalles Civic Auditorium. Wasco County Veterans Services Officer Chelsea Perritt says in the military “stand down” is a reprieve. She adds nationally stand downs are known as a resource fair. This event brings together a number of different groups that offer services and resources to Veterans, involving housing, employment, mental health, substance use, and other topics. The event will be free and open to all Veterans and their families. It will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25 at The Dalles Civic Auditorium.
September 6 Prep Football Scoreboard
Hood River Valley 30, Reynolds 6
The Dalles 27, LaPine 3
Columbia 16, Hoquiam 13
Stevenson 48, Rainier 16
Dufur 46, Touchet (WA) 0
South Wasco 63, Huntington 0
Sherman 44, Imbler 28
Adrian 76, Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat 0
Cantwell Sentenced To 120 Months In Attempted Murder Of Officer
A 26-year-old man received a ten-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to numerous charges, including first degree attempted murder for firing multiple rounds at a law enforcement officer in November 2021. Logan Cantwell pled guilty after a judicial settlement conference on Friday in the Wasco County Courthouse. With his plea, Cantwell admitted to attempting to cause the death of Wasco County Sheriff’s Sgt. Matt Tuia after a high speed chase following an attempted traffic stop in Shaniko. Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis says after one of the tires on Cantwell’s vehicle blew out, when he got out of the vehicle he shot at Tuia’s car, with one of the rounds barely missing Tuia’s left side. Cantwell fled, but was eventually captured in Skamania County, where he was prosecuted for property crimes in Washington. In addition the attempted murder charge, Cantwell pled guilty to criminal mischief and attempt to elude charges in Wasco County, and theft and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charges in Sherman County. He received an 83 month sentence for the Sherman County crimes, which will run concurrently with the Wasco County term. Of the 120 month sentence, Ellis said 90 months must be served day-for-day.
September 5 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Soccer
Hood River Valley at Sandy, ppd.
North Clackamas Christian 7, Horizon Christian 1
Girls Soccer
Sandy at Hood River Valley, ppd.
Volleyball
South Wasco def. Weston-McEwen 25-14, 20-25, 25-23, 23-25, 20-18
Red Flag Warning In Williams Mine Fire Area
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the Williams Mine Fire area northwest of Trout Lake until 11 p.m. Friday night due to expected wind, low relative humidity, and unstable conditions. Officials say fire activity has increased in the last couple of days as fuels have dried out and become more receptive to burning. Easterly winds have moved the fire from the Morrison Creek drainage up Crofton Ridge. Large unburned islands remain inside the fire perimeter, and are expected to burn at some point, but are surrounded by areas where the fuels have already been consumed. Fire officials say that means they will be monitored, but rarely merit any suppression actions. A helicopter does continue to drop water on the eastern edge of the fire in the Mt. Adams Wilderness, looking to keep the fire west of the South Climb Trail and off of the Yakama Nation Reservation. Fire size went up 500 acres to 13,028, while containment remains 31%.