The First Book organization in Hood River and Wasco counties has become Books For Kids Columbia Gorge. The non-profit organization seeks to get books into the hands of underserved young children. The organization’s Nancy Johansen Paul says the main reason for the change is because the national First Book organization will no longer accept checks, and that’s how most local contributors support their efforts. Paul says they have created their own name, but will still be affiliated with the national organization. Gorge Ecumenical Ministries will serve as Books For Kids Columbia Gorge’s fiscal agent. The group will now also be serving Klickitat and Skamania counties.
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CGCC Adds Second Cohort For Aviation Maintenance Program
Columbia Gorge Community College says it has added a second cohort to its new Aviation Maintenance Technology program. A second instructor, Tyson Aldrich will join lead instructor Bryan Despain to allow for the addition of 16 students per year. In addition to starting a second cohort, CGCC is moving the program’s hands-on workspace to the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport. A bill passed in the Oregon Legislature this year enabled instruction to take place in an airport hangar visible from the college’s campus in The Dalles but located in the state of Washington. The program initially launched in the fall of 2022 following official recognition by the Federal Aviation Administration. The new cohort is now open for registration for fall 2023. Classes start September 25th.
Families In The Park Celebrates 40th Season
Families In The Park returns to Hood River’s Jackson Park this month for its 40th anniversary season. The Hood River Lions Club and the Gorge Community Foundation are presenting this year’s five concert series every Thursday night of August that is free to the public. This year’s series starts on Thursday evening with local favorites Hit Machine. The concert begins at 7 p.m. in Jackson Park.
YouthThink Readies For New School Year
As the calendar turns to August, YouthThink of Wasco County is planning for the upcoming school year. Executive Director Debby Jones says they are anxious to work in the County’s schools in a larger way than they have in the past. Jones notes they can help with trainings for staff to deal with classroom behavioral issues. She also says YouthThink will be looking to provide supports to parents of children of all ages through their parenting classes and parenting cafes.
Fire Crews Deal With Brush Fire Along I-84 West Of Cascade Locks
Fire crews dealt with a brush fire on Monday night along Interstate 84 west of Cascade Locks. Cascade Locks Fire and EMS said the fire occurred at milepost 33 west of Dodson near Benson Park. It was about one-half acre in size. Fire progression was stopped fairly quickly, with Corbett Fire District 14 and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area crews assisting. The Oregon Department of Transportation says The Historic Columbia River Highway will remain closed until late today between Oneonta Creek and Multnomah Falls as a result of the fire. The closure will help the crews in their fire suppression efforts in the brush fire two miles east of Multnomah Falls. Access to Multnomah Falls remains open from the parking lot at Interstate 84 Exit 31 or when heading east on the Historic Highway from Bridal Veil Exit 28. Earlier in the day, Hood River fire crews dealt with a small fire near Eliot Park and Indian Creek.
Highway 14 Construction Delays Near Cape Horn To Start
Over the next several months, travelers in Southwest Washington who use Highway 14 through the Gorge should plan ahead for delays east of Washougal. Starting Wednesday, Washington State Department of Transportation contractor crews will begin work to replace an existing damaged debris flow fence located along SR 14 between mileposts 25 and 26 near Cape Horn in Skamania County. The highway through the work zone will be limited to one lane with flaggers from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, with delays of up to 20 minutes. The transportation department says construction activity on Fridays and Saturdays may be needed. Any work occurring on those two days will take place along the westbound shoulder of SR 14 from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. In observance of the Labor Day holiday, no work will be performed between Sunday, Sept. 3 and Tuesday, Sept. 5. During rockfall activity, the debris fence helps contain rocks and debris by holding it between the fence and the slope, reducing the number of rocks and debris that fall onto the road and into the travel lanes of the highway, which improves safety and reduces emergency road closures.
HR County To Up Administrator Salary Range; Hecksel Extends Stay
Hood River County Commissioners came out of an executive session on Monday and approved two motions associated with their on-going search for a new county administrator. One was to accept current administrator Jeff Hecksel’s offer to remain in the position through December 8. Hecksel announced his plans to retire in January, and initially intended to step away from the post in August. The other motion was to reset the upper annual salary limit in their advertising of the administrator’s position to $197,000. Commissioners did not elaborate during open session on why they made that move. When Hecksel was hired seven years ago, the County did take months in their search process, and raised their salary range when they put the vacancy out for a second time.
NDI Purchases Home In The Dalles For Foster Children
The Next Door announced it has purchased a home in The Dalles to care for foster children from throughout Oregon. According to a statement from the non-profit organization, the new home will expand capacity to care for youth in need by providing a home staffed by professionals. The youth will be supervised at all times by team members from The Next Door who have been recruited, trained, and supported. The Next Door indicated it will continue to seek the support and resources of the community to recruit therapeutic foster homes. Many of the youth in the program have trauma backgrounds. Foster parents are provided extensive initial training as well as ongoing trauma-informed training and 24-hour support and guidance.
Veterans Home Seeks Volunteers
The Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles is looking for volunteers. Volunteer Coordinator Linda Waters says the pandemic led to a reduction in the number of volunteers at the facility, but they are now looking to build the program back up. Volunteers are needed for a number of different tasks. Those who are interested in becoming volunteer can go to the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs website and fill out an application, or call Waters at 541-296-7140. The Veterans Home is planning to hold a community social to local residents a chance to learn more about the facility. It will take place on September 27 at 6 p.m.
Newell Fire Fully Contained Over Weekend
Full containment of the Newell Road Fire in east Klickitat County was achieved over the weekend. The size of the fire was placed at 60,551 acres. Northwest Incident Management Team 8 turned over operations control of the fire to local agencies on Sunday. Some smoke will likely remain visible for some time. Klickitat County Emergency Management says if the public notices active fire in the coming days to call 9-1-1 or the County’s non-emergency line at 509-773-4545. Emergency Management also said there are currently two areas with evacuation notices within the fire area. A level 2 “GET SET” is in place for the northern most area, and a level 1 “GET READY” advisory remains around the level 2 area. Recovery and damage assessment activities have begun and the public should monitor the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management webpage or Facebook page for information on reporting damage due to the Newell Road Fire.