Oregon State University Extension will be starting its Master Food Preserver Training in the Mid-Columbia during April.  It is patterned along the lines of the Master Gardeners program.  Extension’s Lauren Kraemer says those who enter the program take about 40 hours of classroom training, and then do 48 hours of volunteer work.  Classes will be held at the Hood River Extension office.  Applications for the Master Food Preserver program will be taken through April 3, and are available at the OSU Extension websites for Hood River and Wasco counties, or call Kraemer at 541-386-3343, extension 258.

The nation’s first government owned and operated recreational marijuana store will open Saturday in North Bonneville.  The North Bonneville Public Development Authority, which was set up by the City Council but is a separate legal entity from the municipal government, says revenues from the store are to be used to support public safety in North Bonneville.  Mayor Don Stevens says they are trying to ensure marijuana sales are done to maximize benefits to the community while minimizing negative consequences.  Development Authority Board President Tim Dudley thinks it can serve as a model for cities and counties in Washington and Oregon who want to take control of the marijuana debate, rather than sitting on the sidelines.  The store is being called “The Cannabis Corner.”

The Hood River County School District is offering a limited number of enrollment spots for students to transfer within and outside the school district.  The district board voted to approve ten students each at Cascade Locks and Parkdale elementary schools and Wy’east Middle School, and 20 spots in Hood River Valley High School’s alternative program.  An application form is available on the district website under the site shortcuts section.  Deadline to apply is April 1.  Information is available by calling the Hood River County School District office at 541-386-2511.

Oregon Class 5-A Boys Basketball Play-In LaSalle 75, Hood River Valley 70:  Keeston Smith scored 27 points to lead the Falcons to the victory in a tightly-contested game, denying the Eagles what would have been their first state playoff berth since 1994.  HRV got off to a quick start, scoring the game’s first nine points and holding the lead for the first three quarters of the game.  But little-used LaSalle sophomore Ange Toku  sparked the Falcons comeback with ten second half points.  Dallas Buckley topped the Eagles with 17 points, 11 in the first quarter, while Skyler Hunter and Austin Clarke added 12 apiece.  The Eagles made 14 three-pointers in the game, while LaSalle made 20 of 22 free throws.  

Oregon Second District Congressman Greg Walden says he was honored to help escort Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into the chambers to make his address to Congress Tuesday, and shares his concerns about negotiations with Iran.  The Hood River Republican says a nuclear Iran poses a threat to America, Israel, and the world.  Netanyahu claimed in the speech the negotiation between the U.S. and Iran will “all but guarantee” Iran will develop nuclear weapons.  But President Barack Obama says Netanyahu made almost the same speech when he warned against the interim deal with Iran that Obama says resulted in a freeze and rolling back of Iran’s nuclear program.

The attorney for the man accused of killing his girlfriend on the Eagle Creek Trail nearly six years ago said during court proceedings Tuesday morning his client is prepared to enter a not guilty plea.  40-year-old Stephen Nichols made a brief Hood River County Circuit Court appearance by video from the Northern Oregon Correctional Facility in The Dalles.  His attorney Mike Arnold spoke by telephone from Portland, and told Judge John Olson that his client was “fully prepared to enter a not guilty plea.”  Olson told him they were not to the point to enter a plea.  A scheduling conference was set for May 11.  Nichols is accused in the death of 23-year-old Rhonda Casto of Portland.

The Hood River County Veterans Services Office is campaigning to get all veterans registered so they receive benefits they are eligible for.  County Veterans Services Officer Les Logsden says there are around 5,000 veterans in the County, but only a little more than a thousand have filed for a claim.  Logsden says many of those who have not signed up could be eligible to receive benefits.  He adds younger veterans who may not have a claim now should still be registered so when the day comes they would like to file a claim, they are already in the system.  For more information on filing for veterans’ benefits in Hood River County call 541-386-1080, or in Wasco County call 541-506-2502.

Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.3 percent in January, down from 6.7 percent in December.  January’s rate was the lowest since July 2008.   It continues a trend of decline dating to May 2009, when Oregon’s rate peaked at 11.9 percent.   The number of unemployed also declined to 124,000, from 138,000 a year ago.   Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 7,600–the fourth time in five months the state has added more than 6,000 jobs.  In addition to Oregon’s continued economic growth, January weather was unusually mild, which allowed many outdoor industries, particularly construction, to keep more workers on the job than they might usually at this time of year.

Tenth-grade students in Washington may be able to take college courses in high school under a bill that cleared the State House on Monday.  The state’s “College in the High School” program is currently offered to high school students in 11th and 12th grades.   College courses are offered for a fee that is substantially less than regular tuition, and the courses can eventually apply to a degree.  It’s become so popular that high school sophomores want to have a chance to also enroll, and 14th District Representative Norm Johnson authored the bill to make that happen.  The measure passed the House with a vote of 96-1.   It now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

If February was any indication, tourism in Hood River is in for another big year.  Hood River County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mike Glover says hotels in Hood River reported more business than usual during February, thanks in part to the mild weather, especially during the Valentine’s/Presidents Day weekend, when most hotels were full.  Glover said it wasn’t just the holiday weekend, but the weekends before and after were also very busy for the lodging properties.  He notes Travel Oregon shows the Mount Hood/Columbia Gorge area has led the state in tourism four of the last six months, with double digit percentage growth.  Glover attributes the growth to a better economy, and a better focus on media relations rather than straight ad buys.