Klickitat County Commissioners walked through the draft of a proposed ordinance to establish permit fees and rules for short-term rentals. Commissioners heard from County Planning Director Scott Edelman and Economic Development Specialist and Natural Resources Project Coordinator Keaton Curtice went through the document, covering everything from the cost of fees and fines, to notice given for violations. Curtice noted the key to the ordinance will be the ability to communicate it to the public. Curtice added they tried to scale down STR rules to the basics, and the ordinance does not seek to limit them. The draft ordinance is now headed to legal counsel for review, and Commissioners plan to discuss it again in two weeks.
Category: Uncategorized
WS Officials Look To Prioritize In 2027 Budget
As White Salmon officials work on budget plans for 2027, one of the guiding principles will be a desire to focus on a bit less, but do it well, complete those projects, and move on from there. Mayor Marla Keethler says they went through the various issues that have been raised at meetings or from constituent input over the last two years, and the number went over 40. She says one of the intentions in the process is to manage and prioritize what the City should do in the coming year. Keethler says they will be going into 2027 with a balanced budget, but Councilors agreed at a recent workshop they need to start planning for how to bring in additional revenue.
October 27 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Soccer
Hood River Valley 9, St. Helens 0
The Dalles 3, North Marion 0: The Dalles defeated the Huskies for the second time this year to win the Tri-Valley Conference championship.
Girls Soccer
Hood River Valley 8, St. Helens 0: The Eagles set up a showdown for the Northwest Oregon Conference championship on Thursday night at Sandy.
The Dalles 10, North Marion 0: The Riverhawks scored in double digits for the first time this year, and move their overall record to 12-0-1.
SW Washington Class 1A District Girls Soccer Tournament
Play-In Round
Columbia 5, Elma 1: The Bruins advance to a first round game at Trico League champion Seton Catholic on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Volleyball
Columbia def. Stevenson 25-4, 25-12, 25-20: The Bruins finish up Trico League play with a victory, and will host Rochester for a Southwest Washington Class 1A District Tournament Play-In game tomorrow at 5 p.m.
Girls Water Polo
Hood River Valley 18, West Albany 1
Boys Water Polo
Hood River Valley 21, West Albany 7: Andrew Stehlik scored seven goals for HRV.
TD Council Waits On City Manager Change Order Authority
The Dalles City Council will wait another two weeks before approving a resolution to allow the City Manager to have the authority to approve change orders on capital projects of up to 20 percent. Two Councilors, Ben Wring and Dan Richardson, were unable to be present at Monday’s meeting. Earlier in the day, Wring had communicated two remaining questions, most notably whether a total dollar amount limit could be included. City Attorney Jonathan Kara said a survey of other Oregon cities found no single statewide standard, adding they had settled on the 20 percent figure after studying change orders the City approved over the last 25 years. Kara added the change order authority is intended to increase efficiency in finishing projects and avoid delays waiting for Council approval that could end up costing even more money. The City Manager currently has authority to make changes up to $100,000. The subject will be discussed again on November 9.
Election Turnout Up From Four Years Ago, Down From 2024
With one week remaining until Election Day, voter turnout in Wasco and Hood River counties is running behind the pace set during the 2024 election, but ahead of 2022. In Wasco County, 4,695 ballots have been returned, representing 24.47 percent turnout. That compares with 5,736 ballots, or 30.42 percent turnout, at the same point in 2024. In 2022, the county had received 4,110 ballots, with turnout at 22.16 percent. In Hood River County, 4,805 ballots have been returned, for a turnout rate of 28.29 percent. At this point in 2024, the county had received 5,521 ballots, representing 32.92 percent turnout. In 2022, 3,825 ballots had been returned, for a turnout rate of 23.53 percent. Both counties are ahead of their 2022 turnout levels but remain behind their 2024 pace.
Pile Burning Planned On Pinchot
Cooler, wetter fall weather is creating favorable conditions for prescribed pile burning on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. On the Mount Adams Ranger District, Forest Service crews plan to begin burning this week along Forest Service Road 66, near South Prairie Lake, the Big Tire junction, and Mann Butte. Trained firefighters will ignite and monitor piles of woody debris when conditions are safe. The material comes from forest thinning and fuels-reduction projects designed to reduce wildfire hazards ahead of next summer. Burning may continue periodically through the spring, as weather and conditions allow. Smoke may be visible from nearby roads, trails, and waterways, but air quality impacts are expected to be minimal. Current air quality information is available at fire.airnow.gov. No closures are anticipated. Firefighters will remain on scene during ignition and patrol the area afterward. The Forest Service asks the public not to report these planned burns. For more information on upcoming operations, visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Facebook page.
Repair Help Available For Low-Income Home Owners In Washington
Low-income homeowners in Klickitat and Skamania counties may qualify for help with essential home repairs through Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation. The organization has received a Washington State Department of Commerce grant to help rural households address health, safety, and home durability issues. To qualify, households must earn no more than 80 percent of the area median income, and homes must need repairs. Eligible properties may include any single-family residential structure. Priority will be given to seniors age 60 and older, people with disabilities, families with children age five and younger, and veterans. Funding is limited, but eligible residents can ask to be added to the program’s waiting list. To learn more or apply, visit Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation’s website at columbiacascadehousingcorp.org, and select the home repair program. You can also email info@columbiacascadehousingcorp.org, or call 541-296-5462.
October 26 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Water Polo
Barlow 17, Hood River Valley 3
Girls Water Polo
Hood River Valley 11, Barlow 7
Ihrig Hopes For Data Center Ordinance By Middle Of Next Year
Klickitat County Commission Chair Ron Ihrig indicated he would like to have a data center ordinance in place by the middle part of next year. Ihrig has a list of things he wants to see in an ordinance governing what the County would require for data center location, including where they would be allowed and water usage. In addition, he says the County has contacted Klickitat PUD about developing language for the structures to have their own power sources. Ihrig also pointed out their noise will have to be addressed. An interim data center ordinance is currently being reviewed with legal counsel, with Ihrig noting they do have outside legal counsel they are working with through the County’s prosecuting attorney’s office that specializes in land use.
Hood River Downtown Urban Renewal District Still Has Funds
The urban renewal district for downtown Hood River still has about a million dollars in it, a few years after work on it was finished out. City Manager Abigail Elder says it is a similar situation as they are dealing with for the Waterfront Urban Renewal District, deciding what to do with the remaining funds so they can close out the district. The Urban Renewal Agency board, which is made up of the Hood River City Council, is currently going through a process of determining potential projects for the $1 million remaining in the Waterfront account.