Hood River County Commissioners approved an unincorporated community plan for Parkdale. County Community Development Director Eric Walker noted comparing the plan to requirements existing today, there are not many substantive differences. Most of the discussion before approval centered on short-term rentals. Walker noted the plan prohibits STR’s on parcels with an accessory dwelling unit or duplex, but it does not outright ban them in Parkdale. Commissioner Ed Weathers acknowledged maintaining workforce housing is a priority, but he joined with other commissioners in not wanting to put different restrictions on Parkdale than the other unincorporated areas of the County. There are currently only two registered STR’s operating in Parkdale, but Commission Chair Jennifer Euwer noted they should be thinking about what could happen years from now.
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TD City Council Holds Another Water Worksession Wednesday
The Dalles City Council on Wednesday will hold its latest worksession towards putting together a capital improvement plan for the aging municipal water infrastructure. This session includes a discussion of a financial analysis and policy to deal with the city’s water system needs. Mayor Rich Mays says the work that needs to be done is fairly well known, but how to pay for it is the question. $164 million worth of priority projects to be targeted for work within the next ten years have been identified, and another set for the next 50 years have also been developed. Wednesday’s worksession begins at 5:30 p.m. in The Dalles City Hall.
Marine Board Open House In Hood River Wednesday
The Oregon State Marine Board will hold an open house on Wednesday in Hood River for recreational boaters and others interested in the agency’s work. It will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Room 1313 in Columbia Gorge Community College in Hood River. A Marine Board spokesperson says the Open House is intended to build relationships with local recreational boaters and hear perspectives on how the agency can improve operations to meet future needs. Staff will be available to answer questions about boating safety, agency policies, plans, regulatory considerations, grants, boating access, revenues and expenditures, safety education, titling and registration, outfitter guides, and the agency’s environmental programs.
Books For Kids Columbia Gorge Trying To Raise $15,000
An organization devoted to putting books in the hands of low-income children in local literacy programs is trying to raise $15,000 by the end of the year. Books for Kids Columbia Gorge focuses on kids up to 18 years old in Hood River, Wasco, Klickitat, and Skamania counties. Books for Kids board chairperson Nancy Paul says getting kids reading is vital to learning. Donations to Books for Kids can be made online at booksforkidscg.org. Donors can choose the county they want their contribution to be focused.
“Pink Friday” Planned For The Dalles
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is planning “Pink Friday” on the Friday before Thanksgiving to bring recognition and business to the community’s smaller boutique stores. Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says those stores can have a hard time competing with the large corporate stores when “Black Friday” arrives the following weekend. Farquharson says a number of stores in downtown The Dalles participated last year. She says usually these stores are staffed by less than five people, and the goal of “Pink Friday” is to get customers into those stores before the big “Black Friday” hubbub the following week.
October 21 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Volleyball
Wilsonville def. Hood River Valley 25-17, 25-11, 25-9
Boys Soccer
Trout Lake-Glenwood 4, Faith Bible 2
Livingstone Adventist Academy 6, Horizon Christian 1
Girls Soccer
Banks 3, Trout Lake-Glenwood 0
Bridge Estimate Sees Large Increase; More Federal Funds Sought
The price tag for a new Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge has gone up substantially, leading Bridge Authority commissioners to authorize increase its request for funding from the federal Bridge Investment Program. The latest cost estimate for a new bridge is $1.12 billion, well up from the $520 million estimate generated in October 2021. Bridge Authority board and Port of Hood River Commissioner Mike Fox told Port Commissioners at their most recent meeting that one big reason for the increase is sharp inflation in the heavy highway construction sector, about 51 percent over the last three years. Additionally, geotechnical site evaluations conducted earlier this year in the Columbia River revealed deeper-than-expected bedrock, which will require foundations on the new bridge to be around 90 feet deeper than originally planned. The Bridge Authority authorized a $532 million request to the federal Bridge Investment Program. A successful grant, in addition to funds already raised and outstanding targeted commitments, would secure a total of $1.12 billion in project funding.
The Dalles Chamber Taking Entries
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is now taking entries for both the Veterans Day Parade on November 11 and the Starlight Parade on November 29. Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says they are encouraging everyone to take part in both events. Applications are available at thedalleschamber.com or at the Chamber office on 404 West 2nd Street. Farquharson adds they have put in a request for a flyover from the military during the Veterans Day parade. The holiday Starlight Parade has a theme of “Toyland on Parade” this year.
The Dalles Public Works Cleaning Downtown Catch Basins
The Dalles Public Works crews will be cleaning storm water catch basins in the Downtown Area at night throughout the week. Cleaning catch basins allows for fast drainage into the storm water conveyance system. Crews are scheduled to work on First, Second, Third and Fourth Streets from the west side of Lincoln Street to the east side roundabout. Work will occur between 9:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. each night. The overnight schedule will cause the least disruption to traffic and businesses. The City is asking that cars are parked so the catch basins are accessible during the night work hours. Temporary traffic controls will not be used during these low traffic hours. Please stay well clear of the vacuum truck when the truck lights are flashing. Basins on W. 6th Street from Cherry Heights Road through W 3rd Place are scheduled to be cleaned shortly this week each day after 7:00 a.m., with traffic controls in place.
October 18-19 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Football
Hood River Valley 20, LaSalle 3: The Eagles limited LaSalle to 69 yards rushing and only four first downs.
The Dalles 34, Parkrose 29
LaCenter 58, Stevenson 6
Sherman 44, Perrydale 12: Jayden Harvins ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns, and Blake Carnine caught two TD passes and had a pair of sacks.
Dufur 44, Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat 0: Nolan Cates scored touchdowns rushing, receiving, and on a kickoff return, while Scott Graham ran for 133 yards on 10 carries.
South Wasco 32, Prairie City 28: Storm McCoy threw a 27-yard TD pass to Gavin Hagan with one second left to win the game for the Redsides.
Goldendale 41, Cle Elum-Roslyn 6
Volleyball
Sherman def. Trout Lake-Klickitat-Glenwood 25-27, 25-15, 25-17, 25-11
Sherman def. South Wasco 28-26, 25-10, 25-20
Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler def. Trout Lake-Klickitat-Glenwood 25-19, 25-20, 25-21
South Wasco def. Spray-Mitchell-Wheeler 25-21, 25-16, 25-15
Lyle-Wishram def. Condon 25-17, 26-24, 25-7
Lyle-Wishram def. Bickleton 3-1
Dufur def. Bickelton 25-12, 25-12, 26-24
Dufur def. Condon 25-22, 25-9, 25-13