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EV Vehicles Available In Car Share Program

The Cities of Bingen and White Salmon are partnering with Oregon non-profit Forth to launch GoForth CarShare, a community carsharing program giving the public access to two all-electric Chevy Bolt vehicles.  Bingen Mayor Catherine Kiewit says Zero-Emissions Access Program grant funding the two cities accessed from the state of Washington to set up the infrastructure and covers the booking platform, vehicle maintenance, and insurance costs, limiting costs passed onto customers.  Using the Miocar Networks app to book trips, community members and visitors can test drive these EVs for a free four-hour ride and then rent them for subsequent trips at $4 per hour or $35 per day with the first 150 miles included.   After that, the cost will be 35 cents per additional mile.  Drivers are responsible for paying bridge tolls.  When fully charged, the vehicles have a range of approximately 250 miles.  To book a GoForth vehicle, community members can download the Miocar Networks app and sign up as a GoForth CarShare member. Members must be at least 21 years old, with a valid US driver’s license and a clean driving record.  The two vehicles each have a dedicated parking space and charging stations next to Daubenspeck Park in Bingen and at 119 NE Church Avenue in White Salmon.

 

Wasco Fair Prep Includes Adding Barn Space

The Wasco County Fair and Rodeo is a week-and-a-half away, and preparations are underway to host a large number of entries.  The Fair’s Zach Harvey says they are at work adding barn space to handle the demand this year, as animal entries through 4-H are up.  Harvey did says they have again been unable to source a carnival for the fair, but the National Guard is bringing things for kids to do, and other activities are planned.  The Fair will run from August 17th to the 20th in Tygh Valley.

Pavement Treatments Continue

City crews and contractors in The Dalles will apply fog seal this week to all streets that received chip seal treatment last month.  These fog projects will require short duration road closures between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at each location.  Detours will be in place during work hours.  Work may continue at these locations through Thursday.  Motorists are asked to proceed with caution in those areas during construction times and observe all temporary traffic control devices.   A full list of projects and program map can be viewed at thedalles.org/summerstreetmaintenance   If you have questions, call The Dalles Public Works Department at (541) 296-5401.

Discovery Center, Gorge Ecology Outdoors Merge

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum and Gorge Ecology Outdoors have announced a merger of the two Gorge-based nonprofit organizations.  In early 2023, the Discovery Center assumed oversight responsibilities and management of all GEO programs, and its organizational and financial responsibilities.   Discovery Center Executive Director Laura Matzer said with GEO programs now part of their organizations, their goal is to give GEO’s vital science-based outdoor programming a strong base for growth, longevity, and visibility.  GEO Board Chair Dan Harkenrider, said the merger was a natural fit, after the two worked in partnership for 15 years to deliver the Gorge Explorers program.  When GEO’s Executive Director, Drew Eastman, announced his intention to step down, GEO’s Board felt that the time might be right to look for increased long-term support and stability in the form of consolidation with their longtime partner.

Fire Northwest Of Lyle Controlled

Firefighters battled a five-to-ten acre fire about six miles northwest of Lyle on Thursday afternoon.  The McGowan Springs fire was first spotted around 1:30 in the afternoon.  Appleton Fire District and Washington Department of Natural Resources crews responded, and air support arrived soon after that.  Firefighters were able to knock down the fire by about 5 p.m.  The fire was on McGowan Road near Cimmiyotti Road.  Level 2 evacuation advisories were put in place for a time, but those were reduced to Level 1 and eventually removed completely by the latter part of the evening.

         

HR County Commission Planning Worksession On Carbon Project

The Hood River County Commission is expected to hold a worksession on a potential carbon project for Hood River County forestlands sometime in the month of August.  For a number of months, the County has been in talks with The Carbon Trust on a project that would see the trust selling carbon credits in County forests that could generate up to $20 million in revenue.  County Forester Doug Thiesies says this kind of project has been examined for over ten years.  A public hearing would be required if County Commissioners decide they want to move forward with the project.

Fire Burns Wheat Near Dufur

A fire burned in wheat Wednesday evening in the area of Roberts Market Road near Dufur.  The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office reports the fire was called in around 6:30 p.m.  Fire crews and local farmers were able to bring in under control within about an hour, and it was in mop-up by 10 p.m.  The fire burned about 15 acres.

Wasco County 4-H Program Sees Enrollment Jump

Wasco County’s 4-H members are getting ready for the upcoming County Fair in Tygh Valley in two weeks.  Wasco County 4-H Program Coordinator Leah Lowe says overall enrollment in the program was up by about 22 percent this year.  That is reflected in the animal entries for the fair.  The annual Wasco County Youth Livestock Auction will take place at the fair on Saturday, August 19 at 3 p.m.  The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is putting together a pool to bid at the auction, call 541-296-2231 to learn how to donate.

Newell Road Fire Damage Report Portal Is Open

Klickitat County has launched the “Newell Road Fire Damage Reporting Portal” on the County Department of Emergency Management’s Webpage.  County residents, property owners, or others adversely affected by the Newell Road Fire are encouraged to submit their contact information through the portal.  Emergency Management officials say once the reporting information is submitted, County offices will contact the reporting individual to obtain additional information, document the losses, and provide information to aid in recovery efforts.  The information that will be reported include the property owners’ name, mailing address, damaged property address, parcel number if known, phone number, owner’s email address, type of property damaged, level of loss, and any additional information the reporter would like to add.  Information associated with the Newell Road Fire will continue to be posted on the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management web and Facebook pages.

Curbing Removed In Front Of TD Chamber For Tour Buses

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the City of The Dalles, is planning to improve accessibility, ease of travel and overall visitor experience for cruise ship passengers on the Chamber’s Hop-On/Hop-Off Tours.  The Dalles Public Works is removing curbing and establishing dedicated bus access along 2nd Street, directly in front of the Chamber office.  The Chamber says this will facilitate a smooth pull-off and drop-off for passengers visiting the historic Original County Courthouse or The Dalles Visitor Information Center.  It also should ease bus ingress and egress onto East 2nd Street.

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