Hood River’s Sunshine Club, which provides a day group for people with memory-loss issues, will hold an open house at their new facility both Thursday and Friday. The club has placed a new building on 1128 Tucker Road behind Spirit of Grace Church and FISH Food Bank. The Sunshine Club raised nearly $700,000 to get the building up in less than a year. The sneak peak open house is Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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The Dalles Chamber Launches Holiday Drive
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with The Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul to launch a community-wide collection drive to provide food, clothing, and toys for families in need this holiday season. The drive will continue through December 11, seeking non-perishable food items, gently used coats, hats, and gloves of all sizes and types, and unwrapped new toys for all ages. Eleven different collection barrels have been set up at businesses around The Dalles to take donations, and there is a QR code at each site for those wishing to make monetary donations. They are located at Tonkin of the Gorge, US Market, 6th Street Station Food Cart Pod, Bargeway Pub & Catering, Columbia Gorge Honda & Toyota, Center Market, Sunshine Mill, Brick City Games, Meraki Beauty, Still Waters Massage & Esthetics, and LaGolosa Postre y mas.
Tucker Road Construction South Of Windmaster Next Week
Construction will begin Monday morning on the southbound lane of Tucker Road south of Hood River, approximately 1,000 feet south of Windmaster Corner. Crestline Construction says work on the lane will require flaggers to help motorists navigate the work zone. Motorists heading south on this road can expect minor delays, and are encouraged to find alternate routes, if possible. Work is scheduled to take place from Monday until Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3p.m. Questions can be directed to Crestline Project Manager Sam Krentz at 541-288-8287.
West 6th Paving Work Continues Next Week
West 6th Street in The Dalles between Snipes Street and Chenowith Loop will be reduced to a single southbound lane as work continues on paving the intersection of West 6th and Hostetler. All northbound traffic will be detoured at Snipes around the work area. The detour will be in effect during the paving window which is weather dependent next week. Monday through Friday of next week are all possible paving dates. It is recommended that motorists use alternate routes, obey site traffic control and be aware of the increased construction equipment and activity throughout the duration of the project.
Late Goal Sends Riverhawks To Class 4A Girls Soccer Final
The Dalles Riverhawks advanced to the Oregon Class 4A Girls Soccer Final in the most dramatic way possible. Ariana Gonzalez stole the ball inside the penalty box and used her left foot to put the ball inside the right post and score with four seconds remaining to lift the Riverhawks to a 2-1 semi-final win over Scappoose. The game’s other goals came in the first half. The Dalles scored nine minutes in on a Natalia Elias free kick. But Scappoose came back to tie in the 24th minute on a goal by Amalie Anderson. The two teams then stayed tied until Gonzalez provided her heroics in the waning seconds. The Riverhawks will play Marist in the 4-A final on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Liberty High School in Hillsboro.
Hood River Veterans Day Ceremony Unveils Nisei Highway Marker
American Legion Post 22’s Veterans Day ceremony in Hood River featured the unveiling of the Oregon Nisei Veterans Historical Marker installed on Highway 35 honoring the contributions of second generation Japanese Americans. Post 22 Commander Carl Casey told the gathering that during World War II the names of 16 Nisei soldiers whose names were removed in 1944 from the Hood River community military honor roll that was displayed on the outside wall of the former county courthouse. He pointed out all Veterans deserve our gratitude and respect. Eric Ballinger said his grandfather served in World War II, adding if not for the perseverance of the Nisei, he would not be living their dreams of a better life. His daughter, Mia Ballinger, spoke to the importance of the Highway 35 marker, saying it continues a legacy that should be remembered and commemorated. Afterwards, there was a dedication ceremony for the marker at its location on Highway 35 where the Nisei Veterans Highway sign is located.
Hood River Council Moves Toward Changes To SDC Exemptions
The Hood River City Council gave its approval to having staff prepare a pair of changes to its ordinance that allows full or partial exemptions for systems development charges, specifically to encourage affordable housing developments. One revision would change the current language of “low-income housing” to a more specific definition targeting up to 120 percent of the Area Median Income. Some councilors were hesitant to go that high in AMI, but Councilor Ben Mitchell pointed out Hood River may have the highest housing costs in the state. The other completely removes a federal funding requirement, which addresses an impediment toward giving an SDC exemption to a Habitat for Humanity project. Councilors did decide to leave in a requirement for 40-year deed restrictions to preserve the unit as affordable housing. Municipal staff will bring back ordinance language to the Council’s November 24 meeting.
Rowena Cleanup Discussions Continue
Wasco County and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality officials continue to hash out the details to proceed with cleanup of properties in the Rowena fire area. Commissioner Scott Hege says this resolves around permits that could drive the cost up, and where the money to do the cleanup will come from. Hege noted Oregon 52nd District State Representative Jeff Helfrich is spearheading preparing the financial request to the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board. Hege added that with winter coming, he wants to get the details finished and the cleanup started as soon as possible.
HRVHS Canned Food Drive Starts Next Week
Hood River Valley High School’s student body will be starting their annual Canned Food Drive for FISH Food Bank next week. Both non-perishable food and monetary donations will be accepted beginning next Tuesday, as third period classes compete for prizes and there are various goals set for the school as a whole. But HRVHS ASB President Felipe Mendez says the main motivation is to help the community and those in need. Students will be collecting food and monetary donations at Wal-Mart for four weekends beginning on November 22. A link will be placed on the Hood River Valley High School website beginning November 18 for those wishing to donate online.
Hood River Veterans Day Ceremony Can Be Viewed Online
Registration for Hood River’s Veterans Day ceremony Tuesday morning at the River of Life Assembly Church is at capacity, but it can still be viewed online. Event co-organizer Linda Tamura says it will be available for viewing at Anderson Tribute Center and on its Facebook page, and on Instagram at PDX JACL. The event put by American Legion Post 22 will mark the Oregon Nisei Veterans Historical Marker installed on Highway 35 honoring the contributions of second generation Japanese Americans and officially commemorates Highway 35 as the Oregon Nisei Veterans World War II Memorial Highway. It begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday morning. There will also be a dedication ceremony for the marker at 1 p.m. at its location on Highway 35 where the Nisei Veterans Highway sign is located. The program also will honor 16 Nisei soldiers whose names were removed in 1944 from the Hood River community military honor roll that was displayed on the outside wall of the former county courthouse.