Washington Gorge Action Programs’ Tree of Joy holiday program for low-income families in Klickitat and Skamania counties is expanding its registrations to include those beyond its food bank network. Families with children younger than 18 years old who live in Klickitat and Skamania counties and receive either WAGAP services, free or reduced school lunch, Apple Health insurance, or SNAP benefits, are eligible for the program. Applications are available at wagap.org, WAGAP offices in Bingen, Stevenson, and Goldendale, and through the WAGAP Food Bank Network including the organization’s mobile food bank. Applications must be received by November 7. WAGAP’s Juan Reyes says 400 children are expected to benefit from the 2025 Tree of Joy. Donors are asked to register by November 14 so they can receive wish lists before the Thanksgiving holiday and have a couple of weeks to shop. For donors who wish to participate but can’t shop, financial contributions are welcome, and WAGAP staff will do the shopping and wrapping.
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Paving Project Planned For East 12th & Thompson
The intersection of East 12th Street and Thompson in The Dalles will be closed from October 15th to October 17th, during working hours, allowing for the removal, re-grading and paving of the intersection. Paving will happen on October 16th and 17th for the length of the project followed by driveways the following week. During that time, residents are asked to park on the South side of the road on the shoulder to avoid driving/turning on the new asphalt until the end of the day on October 17th. Please be attentive to the directions of construction workers that you may encounter and ask onsite personnel before driving on hot asphalt if you are blocked in by the paving and rolling operation. Those with questions can call Crestline Construction at 541-506-4000.
Kline Named To APPA Board
Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District General Manager and CEO Roger Kline has been named to the American Public Power Association Board of Directors. Kline was tabbed for the position during the APPA fall board meeting in Montreal. APPA board members are chosen to represent ten regions across the country. Kline will represent Region 9, which covers Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Montana. The American Public Power Association is made up of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power approximately 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. It advises on electricity policy, grid technology and operations, and workforce development in support of safe, modern, and resilient utilities.
October 7 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Volleyball
Seton Catholic def. Columbia 25-9, 25-23, 24-26, 25-18
Castle Rock def. Stevenson 3-0
Dufur def. Ione-Arlington 20-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-18
Sherman def. Condon 25-18, 25-9, 25-7
Bickleton def. Trout Lake-Glenwood 25-20, 13-25, 25-16, 26-24
Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler def. Horizon Christian 25-13, 25-11, 25-10
South Wasco def. Riverside 25-22, 25-20, 25-22
Boys Soccer
The Dalles 5, Molalla 0
Girls Soccer
The Dalles 6, Molalla 1
Seton Catholic 6, Columbia 0
Castle Rock 1, Stevenson 0
Cross Country
Columbia was the boys’ winner and Stevenson narrowly won the girls’ competition in a Trico League dual meet. Colton Hollis of Stevenson won the boys’ race and Lilah Zimmerman of CHS took first in the girls’ run.
Klickitat County Commission Waits To Decides On Criminal Justice Tax
Klickitat County Commissioners decided to wait a week before voting on whether to enact a one-tenth of one percent sales tax dedicated to criminal justice. County Treasurer Greg Gallagher estimated the County’s share of such a tax would generate approximately $250,000 for the County itself, $45,000 for the city of Goldendale, $30,000 for White Salmon, and $10,000 for Bingen. The mayors of the three cities all gave comments in favor of proposal, while a handful of citizens in attendance were opposed. The big question is how the County would apportion the money, with the Sheriff’s office, parole and probation, and jail operations all seeking additional funding as costs balloon. Commissioner Todd Andrews said during the meeting he hopes in the next week they can develop more detail on that question. Commissioner Ron Ihrig pointed out the County has been fortunate to have had revenues from the regional landfill, but those have gone down in recent years, and in combination with rising costs the County has a large budget hole to fill.
Quilt Show This Week At Hood River County Fairgrounds
The Columbia River Gorge Quilters Guild will hold its annual show this Friday and Saturday at the Hood River County Fairgrounds. There will be over 170 quilts and quilted items on display, plus special exhibits and featured guest quilter Judith Phelps of Battle Ground, who will discuss her works and use of multiple techniques including applique, paint, thread painting, piecing, and 3-D objects. There will also be some fabric vendors at the show. The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Friday and Saturday at the Hood River County Fairgrounds. Admission is $6.
October 6 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Volleyball
Hood River Valley def. Parkrose 25-16, 25-14, 19-25, 25-10
South Wasco def. Lyle-Wishram 25-18, 25-12, 25-17
Boys Soccer
Trout Lake-Horizon Christian 5, Damascus Christian 1
YouthThink To Host Teen Brain Workshop Thursday
YouthThink of Wasco County will host the first in a series of workshops on understanding the teen brain on Thursday. “The More You Know” will feature Dr. Linda Richter from the Partnership to End Addiction. Richter’s research has involved substance use prevention, vaping, alcohol, and marijuana use. Debby Jones of YouthThink says this will be the start of year-long series with the Partnership to End Addiction. The workshop is Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at The Dalles Middle School. It is a free event.
Bridge Authority Members Visit D.C., Trying To Keep Momentum For Funding
Members of the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority visited Washington, D.C. in September, looking to keep momentum toward getting a new bridge funded. The delegation met with Northwest congressional staffers and transportation agency officials, as an application for $532 million in funding from the federal Bridge Investment Program is being considered. Commission member Eric Wilson said the delegation was encouraged by the positive responses they received, noting funding commitments from both Oregon and Washington help their application. He adds they also on the verge of the Record of Decision for the bridge’s Environmental Impact Statement being finalized, but the federal government shutdown has delayed that. How the federal government shutdown impacts the schedule for considering the Bridge Investment Program application is also unknown.
Klickitat County Burn Ban Stays In Place
The Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management says burn bans throughout the county remain in effect. The Emergency Management Department says it continues to monitor current and future weather forecasts, and takes the recommendations of local fire districts into account before recommending to the Klickitat County Commission when the ban on residential outdoor burning should be rescinded. Once widespread wetting rains begin, the recommendation to the Commission to rescind the ban on residential outdoor burning can be made individually by the County’s three burn ban zones, or done county-wide. The resolutions establishing the burn bans, Klickitat County burn ban maps, as well as what kinds of outdoor burning are allowed, and what is not allowed during a burn ban can be viewed online on the Klickitat County Emergency Management webpage.