Mid-Columbia Community Action is now scheduling appointments for all household types for the December 1 opening date of its Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Community Action’s utility assistance programs help qualified individuals and families stay current on their utility bills. The agency’s Household Utility Assistance team will be scheduling appointments for assistance at their main offices in The Dalles and Hood River, along with outreach appointments in Moro, Maupin and Cascade Locks. In order to apply, call 541-298-5131, ext. 206 in The Dalles or ext. 310 in Hood River. If your call is not answered, leave a message and allow two business days for a return call. Beginning December 1 applications will be available online at mccac.com. Eligibility requirements vary depending on the size of household.
Category: Uncategorized
Wasco County Commissioners Talk With Kramer Field Groups
Wasco County Commissioners recently discussed Kramer Field with groups who use the baseball and softball fields in the western portion of The Dalles. Commissioner Scott Hege says some of the issues the groups have in using the facility have been a result of changes in the County’s lease agreement with Northern Wasco Parks and Recreation District led to some of the problems. Hege believes they can work through it, particularly as the likelihood of the site being used as a new hospital locations in the near future seems to have dimmed. Hege adds the long-term intention is to develop an athletic complex sometime in the future.
Mt. Hood Forest Christmas Tree Permits Available
Christmas tree permits for the Mount Hood National Forest are now available through December online, in person, and from local vendors, or from a Mt. Hood National Forest district office. Permits cost $5 per tree and households can purchase up to five per year. Permits purchased online at www.recreation.gov must be printed and displayed on the vehicle dashboard to be valid. Recreation.gov charges an additional $2.50 service fee per purchase. Traditional orange permits can also be purchased at one of the Forest’s four district offices or from a local vendor. Fourth-grade students with an “Every Kid Outdoors” pass are eligible for one free Christmas tree. To be eligible for the free tree permit, fourth graders must have an Every Kid Outdoors pass. Students can get their free permit by bringing their pass to a district office or online at Recreation.gov. For more information about Every Kid Outdoors, visit www.everykidoutdoors.gov
Hecksel In Find Days Of Governmental Career
Retiring Hood River County Administrator Jeff Hecksel is in the final days of his career, with his final day of work set for December 1. Hecksel had announced his intention to retire at the start of this year. He has spent the final seven years of a 40-year career in government in his current role. Hecksel notes the biggest challenge of his tenure here was probably dealing with the County’s budget issues just before and at the start of the pandemic, adding teamwork got them through it. Hecksel’s successor, Allison Williams, will take over the County Administrator role on December 4.
SHIBA Offers Medicare Assistance
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is underway, continuing through December 7. The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program is available to help Medicare recipients in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, and Wheeler counties navigate the choices involved. SHIBA counselor Sue Ann Arguelles says it’s easy to get confused as far as what to choose and why. Mid-Columbia Senior Center sponsors the program locally. For more information, call 541-288-8341.
November 10-11 Prep Sports Roundup
Oregon Class 5A Boys Soccer Championship at Sherwood
Summit 1, Hood River Valley 0: Summit’s Luca Garza scored on a scramble following a corner kick in the 14th minute for the game’s only goal. Summit dominated play, outshooting HRV 30-3, but the Eagles’ Emmanuel Galindo kept his team in the contest to the end with 13 saves. Hood River managed to put only one shot on target during the contest.
Oregon Class 5A Water Polo Championships at Corvallis
Boys Semi-Final
Hood River Valley 9, Summit 7
Boys Championship
West Albany 11, Hood River Valley 8
Girls Semi-Final
Hood River Valley 14, Summit 8
Girls Championship
Hood River Valley 13, West Albany 10
Oregon Six-Man Football
Quarterfinal
Elkton 58, South Wasco 34
Washington Class 2B Football
First Round
Goldendale 67, Brewster 22: The Timberwolves advance to a quarterfinal game with Okanogan next week.
November 10 Prep Sports Roundup
Oregon Class 5A Water Polo Championships at Corvallis
Boys Semi-Final
Hood River Valley 9, Summit 7: The Eagles will play West Albany in the championship game Saturday at 3 p.m.
Girls Semi-Final
Hood River Valley 14, Summit 8: The Eagles will play West Albany in the championship game Saturday at 4:15 p.m.
Oregon Six-Man Football
Quarterfinal
Elkton 58, South Wasco 34
Washington Class 2B Football
First Round
Goldendale 67, Brewster 22: The Timberwolves advance to a quarterfinal game with Okanogan next week.
Veterans Day Parade Will Happen
The 2023 Veterans Day Parade in The Dalles is back on. The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce reversed course Wednesday morning after announcing on Tuesday evening it was being cancelled. The Chamber had cited a low number of parade entries, indicating they had received less than ten for the Saturday event. But in a statement Wednesday morning, the Chamber said it had heard from community members that said the parade should be held no matter the number of entries. Registrations for Saturday’s parade, scheduled for 11 a.m., are being taken at thedalleschamber.com.
WAGAP Seeks Donations For Tree Of Joy
Washington Gorge Action Programs is asking for donations to help meet demand for its Tree of Joy project in Klickitat and Skamania counties. The goal is to help families in need by providing new essential items, such as winter coats, hats, gloves, clothing, and shoes, with other gifts and toys to brighten a child’s holiday season. WAGAP Executive Director Leslie Naramore says a shift to remote work seems to have disconnected workers from holiday activities with their companies that support local communities, leading to a drop in Tree of Joy donations. Individuals and organizations interested in joining this year’s Tree of Joy effort can contact Modesta Espinoza at clerk@wagap.org or call (509) 493-2662 extension 200. Donor shopping lists will be available by November 21 in advance of Thanksgiving. Gifts should be wrapped, clearly indicate family and child numbers, and be returned to the Bingen Food Bank by December 18, in time for the families to pick gifts up starting December 19.
HRPD Addresses May Street School Congestion
The Hood River Police Department says it met with leadership at May Street Elementary in an effort to address safety concerns related to congestion around the school. The police department says it has received complaints about vehicles idling and blocking Pine, 9th, and 10th Streets around the school. In addition, they have received complaints about “aggressive and unsafe drivers.” The department reminds motorists not to double park or idle around school property. Families are encouraged to use alternative transportation options for going to and from school, including walking, riding, or using the school bus. If picking up a student, park in a legal parking space and walk to drop off or pick up children. There should be no parking and stopping in a traffic lane, street, or road. Hood River Police say they will be in the May Street Elementary area to keep traffic moving.