Rescue crews in Skamania County were able to bring a hiker on Beacon Rock with a debilitating ankle injury to safety on Tuesday. According to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, rescuers made an arduous trek down the top of Beacon Rock with the patient, who was safely transported to an awaiting Skamania County Emergency Medical Services ambulance, which transported him to the hospital for further treatment. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by volunteers from Skamania County Search and Rescue, Skamania County Fire District 5, and North Bonneville Fire Department.
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NCPHD Unveils Tobacco Cessation Videos
North Central Public Health District is introducing three short videos that highlights its free, in-person tobacco cessation counseling program. The videos feature NCPHD’s certified tobacco treatment specialist Jane Palmer and one of her clients who successfully quit a vaping habit that was starting to cause health problems even though he’s only in his 30s. NCPHD offers free nicotine patches, gum and lozenges to anyone 18 and older in Wasco, Sherman and Hood River counties who signs up for cessation services. Palmer has been the tobacco treatment specialist for NCPHD since the free service began in early 2023. The videos can be found at ncphd.org, and the district’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Sign up for the free cessation service by visiting ncphd.org or calling (541) 506-2609.
WAGAP Gets Funding Jump From Area Banks
Washington Gorge Action Programs says it received $35,000 in early annual fundraising donations this month from two local banks to jump-start its end-of-year fundraising campaign. 1st Security Bank donated $7,500 each to the Bingen and Goldendale Food Banks for a total of $15,000, and First Interstate Bank presented $20,000 to WAGAP’s main office in Bingen to support its discretionary fund. WAGAP has a goal of raising $100,000 in local contributions through the end of January. The nonprofit serves low-income individuals and families in Skamania and Klickitat counties with various programs, including food, shelter, housing, energy assistance, care coordination, and more. The organization’s giving campaign season will officially kick off during Thanksgiving week. In addition to financial contributions, Coats for Kids is underway through December for new and like-new coats to be donated for children on both sides of the Columbia River and is arranged in collaboration with area partners including Insitu, The Next Door, Inc., and Mid-Columbia Community Action Council.
CGCC Moves Into Project Planning After Bond Approval
With passage of a $13 million 13-year bond in hand, Columbia Gorge Community College is moving into planning for projects to improve campus security, classrooms, labs, and technology upgrades at its campuses in The Dalles and Hood River. CGCC is making plans to move forward with the projects in its Facilities Master Plan to provide safety, seismic, and technology infrastructure. With facility improvements in the works, college officials say they can now take the next steps on developing new programs to meet the needs of an evolving regional economy. CGCC Vice President of Instructional Services Dr. Jarett Gilbert says they have Agricultural Technology and Behavioral Health programs under development. He adds both are being put together in response to workforce shortages and input from industry and economic development agencies in the Gorge. With passage of the bond measure, CGCC becomes eligible for $5.5 million in state matching funds.
Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps Starts Coat & Blanket Drive
The Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps has launched its annual blanket/coat drive, with three convenient drop-off locations, and will continue collecting items through February. The drive benefits St. Vincent de Paul and other local agencies, with donations of warm blankets, adult-sized coats, and socks accepted. All items must be new, or gently used, washed and in good condition. The three drop-off locations are the North Central Public Health District office at 419 East 7th Street from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays…La Michoacana on 1210 Kelly Avenue from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week…and Grocery Outlet on 1300 West 6th Street from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. The Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps is a volunteer program of North Central Public Health District, and has held an annual blanket drive for the last ten years.
White Salmon Schools Establish Snow Routes For Snowden & Underwood Buses
The White Salmon Valley School District has established snow routes for buses that pick up students that live off Snowden Road and the Cook-Underwood Highway. District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn says difficulties getting buses onto side roads in those higher elevation areas during winter conditions led to putting together alternative locations where students can catch their bus. The alternative locations are at the Underwood Community Center, the Skamania County Road Shop lot, Echo Glen at Snowden Road, and Pyatt Road at Snowden Road.
No One Injured After RV Crashes Into Motel
Remarkably no one was injured in a Monday evening motor vehicle accident which culminated in a recreational vehicle pushing a car into the room of a Hood River motel. According to Hood River Police Lieutenant Don Cheli, the RV driven by a 47-year-old Vancouver woman was northbound on 13th Street near State Street at about 5:30 p.m. Monday when she says another vehicle cut her off, causing her to lose control of the RV. Cheli says the RV struck a southbound vehicle, and then a northbound vehicle approaching the signal light at 13th and Oak. The impact caused the motorhome to strike the nearby retaining wall at Tsuruta Park before crossing through the intersection at a high rate of speed and going into the parking lot of the Adventure Lodge, where it hit a parked car and pushed it into a room of the motel, which the RV also crashed into. Cheli noted the motel was shut down for the week, so there were no occupants in the facility at the time of the accident. No injuries were reported, and the investigation into the accident continues. Anyone who might have information is asked to contact the Hood River Police Department at 541-387-5256.
NORCOR Faces Budget Questions
The Northern Oregon Regional Corrections Facility may be facing one of the biggest fiscal challenges in its 25-year history. The regional jail that serves Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties started the current fiscal year with a $1 million ending fund balance, but that is projected to be all the way down to $40,000 by the start of the next fiscal year on July 1. Hood River County Commissioner Ed Weathers represents Hood River County on the NORCOR board, and he told the County Commission this week that one of the reasons for the budget crunch is a drop in the number of inmates coming from other jurisdictions that contract to use NORCOR when they don’t have enough beds. Weathers said downsizing is an option, but a large reduction in staffing would also reduce the number of inmates the facility can house.
Hood River Schools Add To EV Bus Fleet
The Hood River County School District has been getting more electric-powered buses. Superintendent Bill Newton says they have been successful in receiving $2.8 million in grants, some to pay for solar panels at Wy’east Middle School to allow the gym there to be used as an emergency shelter with a battery that is actually in a bus. In addition, Newton says they have gotten an electric van, two larger EV buses, and charging stations. He notes these buses are effective in the local area. Newton adds the technology behind EV buses continues to improve, making them more efficient.
White Salmon Council Prepares 2025 Budget
The White Salmon City Council will be looking to adopt its 2025 budget at its meeting Wednesday evening. A final public hearing will be held prior to approval. The budget includes the 1% property tax increase the City can adopt. Mayor Marla Keethler says their budget is tight, but they’ve also done a good job of managing it and finding new revenue sources. She notes it is important that they continue to focus on the key goals the community has identified with the resources on hand. Wednesday’s meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the White Salmon Fire Hall.