A paddleboarder was found deceased in the Columbia River at Viento State Park on Saturday morning. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Dive Rescue and Recovery Team came to the scene at the request of the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office after a report a 40-year-old woman had fallen off her board and went under. Seven divers carried out the search, and she was located deceased about 150 feet from shore in about fifteen feet of water. The dive team indicated the woman was not wearing a life jacket. They added even strong swimmers can get overwhelmed by cold water, so life jackets are a must. The dive team encourages people to wear a life jacket when on the water, always monitor children, and not to consume alcohol, marijuana, and other substances that can affect swimming.
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Teen Dies In Fall
A 17-year-old woman from Happy Valley died after falling at Falls Creek Falls north of Carson. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says the teen fell about 30 feet into Falls Creek on Friday afternoon. She was extricated from the creek and taken by ambulance to an awaiting Life Flight helicopter. The Sheriff’s Office says the hiker succumbed to her injuries at a Portland-area hospital. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team was involved in responding to the fall, along with Skamania County Emergency Medical Services, Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Crag Rats, Skamania County Fire District 1 and Skamania County Fire District 2.
Body Of Man Missing Since November Found in Swift Reservoir
The body of a 72-year-old man missing since last fall has been recovered in Swift Reservoir in Skamania County. The Sheriff’s Office says David Brinkmeyer went missing in November while hunting near the Muddy River. Investigators say Brinkmeyer attempted to cross the Muddy River in an innertube affixed by a rope system to access his hunting camp. The tube overturned, and Brinkmeyer was swept away in the fast-moving water. An extensive search at the time did not locate the man. The recovery of Brinkmeyer’s body was about 12-and-a-half miles away from where he was last seen.
Right-Of-Entry Forms Available For Rowena Fire Property Owners
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office says a Right-of-Entry form has been developed for property owners affected by the Rowena Fire. The form gives permission to the county and state to access your property for the purpose of cleanup activities. Without a signed ROE, a property may not be eligible for cleanup activities. Copies of the ROE forms are available to be emailed. Those who would like one or have questions can call Wasco County Emergency Management at 541-980-0200.
Wasco County Working With DEQ On Cleanup Plan
Wasco County says it working closely with the Department of Environmental Quality to develop a comprehensive debris removal plan for the Rowena Fire area. County officials say the plan is crucial because many wildfire-affected properties may contain potentially toxic chemicals that require specialized handling and disposal. The County is advising that if you return to the wildfire-affected area, they recommend you wear Tyvek coveralls and N95 masks, available for pickup from North Central Public Health District on 419 East 7th in The Dalles and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue on 1400 West 8th in The Dalles during normal business hours. If you cannot wear proper protective clothing, wear long sleeves, pants, and sturdy shoes, and immediately dispose of all clothing worn while reentering your fire-damaged home. Children should not be involved in cleanup activities. The County hopes to have the debris disposal plan in place within two to three weeks.
Skyline Health To Receive $3 Million For Surgical Services Expansion
Skyline Health in White Salmon is slated to receive $3 million as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill that passed the House Appropriations Committee. Washington Fourth District Congressman Dan Newhouse’s office says the funding will help Skyline expand Surgical Services by renovating existing facility space and increasing the capacity of Skyline Health to provide new essential services to meet the current community need and prepare for future growth. Newhouse’s office goes on to say a modern surgical center at Skyline will allow the hospital to recruit specialists and medical staff who will be critical for the hospital’s continued growth of services.
CGCC Awards Diplomas & Certificates At Commencement
Columbia Gorge Community College awarded a total of 131 diplomas and certificates to students who completed their studies during the 2024-25 academic year during its recent commencement ceremony. Among the graduates, 52 were recognized as CGCC Foundation Scholars—students who received scholarship support from the CGCC Foundation, underscoring the college’s commitment to making higher education accessible and affordable for students throughout the Columbia Gorge region. CGCC honored 37 GED graduates, 28 students received their Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degrees and plan to go on to complete their Bachelor degrees at 4-year colleges. CGCC’s Nursing Program celebrated 26 graduates. As part of the ceremony, Christina Knapp was honored as 2025’s Outstanding GED Graduate, Claudia Huila as 2025 Outstanding Graduate, Maria Ortiz the Leonardo da Vinci Distinguished Transfer Student Award, and graduate Lexus Williams and Writing instructor tina ontiveros both received the 2025 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Awards. CGCC recognized Electro-Mechanical Technology instructor Kalie Brunton with the Reine Thomas Faculty Excellence Award, and Equitable Funding Support Navigator Emilie Sanchez-Lopez with the Staff Excellence Award.
Rowena Fire At 96% Containment
Containment for the Rowena Fire was put at 96% on Sunday. Fire officials say crews on Sunday addressed the few remaining areas of suppression repair while the majority began to demobilize and travel home. In the coming week, the Type 3 team will transition out and hand the fire back to local resources. A plan of action has been formed to meet the remaining containment needs for local resources to patrol and monitor. Interior smoke may be present for several weeks if hidden hotspots emerge under heat or wind. Size of the fire has been estimated at 3,600 acres, while the cause remains under investigation. Cost to battle the fire was placed at over $9.23 million.
Mt. Adams And Cascade To Be Subject Of Intersection Evaluation
An Intersection Control Evaluation is going to be added to work on planning a roundabout at the intersection of Mt. Adams Drive and Cascade Avenue on the west side of Hood River. It’s being done at the behest of the Oregon Department of Transportation, which has declared that location a “failed intersection.” City Manager Abigail Elder says this is important to address to provide the opportunity for housing development nearby. The evaluation process will be a collaborative process with the state traffic engineer. It will determine the most appropriate form of traffic control at the intersection given the benefits of each alternative and the right-of-way, environmental, cost, and other constraints.
Dallesport Water Gets $185,000 Grant From Landfill Gas Improvement Fund
The Dallesport Water District will be receiving a $185,000 grant from Klickitat PUD’s Landfill Gas Improvement Fund. Klickitat County Commissioner Todd Andrews says it will be used to provide the system larger ATEC capacity to filter out iron and manganese from Dallesport water. The water district needs to do the work to meet a state requirement. Klickitat County’s public works department will provide assistance in procuring the equipment and installation.