The Skamania County Emergency Warming Shelter near the Hegewald Center in Stevenson will open Thursday (January 11). Washington Gorge Action Programs expects the shelter to be available through mid to late March, depending on weather conditions. Houseless persons needing to escape life-threatening winter weather can access the shelter Thursday through Monday evenings and must check in between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. each night and check out by 7:00 a.m. the next morning. Clients can return for as many nights as needed. The shelter is available to adults, children accompanied by their parents/guardians, and emancipated minors. Unaccompanied minors will be referred to the Youth Empowerment Shelter in The Dalles. If emergency needs arise on Tuesday and Wednesday nights when the shelter is not open, clients can connect with WAGAP during regular office hours for alternate assistance. The WAGAP office in Stevenson is at 683 SW Rock Creek Drive and is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office phone number is 509-427-8229.
NDI Names Reierson Philanthropist Of The Year
The Next Door named Lars Reierson as the recipient of its Philanthropist of the Year award. The organization says over the years, Reierson has helped further its mission of opening doors to new possibilities by strengthening children and families, noting he made a significant contribution to The Next Door in 2020 after hearing there were local families who didn’t have money to buy groceries during the pandemic, and leverages his resources to give to those in need in big ways. Reierson also contributes his time to the community as a volunteer firefighter at the Westside Fire Department and a volunteer ski instructor for the Special Olympics. He’s an advocate for and supporter of Oregon Health and Science University’s Type 1 Diabetes program as well as their program to treat post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans. In an effort to give youth born outside of the U.S. a fair shot at education, Reierson established a scholarship with the Rotary Club in memory of his mother. Reierson was recognized by The Next Door in a private event with organization staff and family in attendance.
Klickitat PUD Raises Rates
Klickitat PUD has raised its rates with the start of the year. During its 2023 rate review, the PUD found the impact due to increases in cost related to wholesale power markets was 9%, so the PUD elected to gradually raise rates over three years, resulting in 3% increases last year, this year, and in 2025. Percentage increases will vary by rate class and component, but the PUD says the average residential customer will see an increase of $5.37 per month. The PUD says regional wholesale power markets continue to see reduced supply and increased demand, raising concerns about power availability at peak times and during extreme weather conditions. The PUD says it has usually aimed for an electric system built with excess capacity. But due to load growth, as expected with the regulatory policy push towards electrification, the excess capacity is depleted and Klickitat PUD needs to build additional system capacity. Rate revenues will go up by 4.5%. Rate changes assessed and approved annually through public process. The 2024 portion was approved during a hearing in December.
January 3 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Basketball
The Dalles 73, Pendleton 67 (2 OT): Zak Poole scored 11 of his 21 points during the overtime sessions to help the Riverhawks grab the win. Henry Begay added 16 points for The Dalles, while Cooper Cummings contributed 11.
LaCenter 79, Stevenson 73: Stevenson’s Kacen Bach had a huge night, leading all scorers with 32 points, making 7 of 13 3-point attempts, to go with nine rebounds, five assists and five steals. But the Wildcats made 11 of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter to hold on for the win.
Seton Catholic 74, Columbia 42: Seton Catholic used a balanced offense to pull away, with four players scoring in double figures. Hunter Wang scored 18 to lead the Bruins.
Girls Basketball
Pendleton 49, The Dalles 38: Sydney Newby led the Riverhawk effort with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 7 steals.
Boys Wrestling
Hood River Valley 60, Parkrose 5: Jacob Smith, Samuel Blosser, and Connor Tennant had victories by fall for the Eagles.
Girls Wrestling
Hood River Valley 48, Parkrose 18: Evolet Ovilo scored a win by fall for HRV.
St Vincent dePaul To Voluntarily Close Pentland Street Facility
Municipal officials in The Dalles say they have been informed the St. Vincent dePaul Society will voluntarily and indefinitely close its facility on Pentland Street between West 2nd and West 3rd on Friday afternoon at 2:30. In a statement, the City said it understood the closure would remain in effect while St. Vincent dePaul works with community stakeholders to address the neighborhood impacts of the facility. The City in October filed public nuisance litigation against St. Vincent dePaul after complaints from neighborhood residents surrounding public health and safety concerns. Those who live near the facility told The Dalles City Council in September they had been victims of property damage or theft, seen people urinating and defecating near the facility and witnessed people dealing or using narcotics. City Manager Matthew Klebes said in light of the voluntary closure, the City will pause its litigation while a solution is developed.
January 2 Prep Basketball Roundup
Tuesday Schedule
Boys Basketball
Canby 76, Hood River Valley 58: Canby went on a 14-point run at the end of the first half to take control of the Northwest Oregon Conference opener for both teams. Jaxon Lawson led the Cougars with 23 points, while Sawyer Clemett had 23 for HRV.
Girls Basketball
Canby 54, Hood River Valley 45: The Cougars came from behind after HRV senior standout Marina Castaneda fouled out with five minutes to play. Castaneda finished with 24 points for the Eagles, while Canby’s Tayla Borntrager had four three-pointers and scored 20 to lead the Cougars.
Stevenson 58, LaCenter 41: The Bulldogs pulled away after the game was tied at halftime. Sofia Spencer scored 18 points, while Becca Townsend and Aria Obias added 13.
Seton Catholic 69, Columbia 19
December 21 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Girls Basketball
Coral Academy (NV) 42, Hood River Valley 34
Corbett 65, The Dalles 36
Aberdeen 50, Columbia 26
Fire At Gorge Building Supply
No damage estimate has been made in an early morning fire at Gorge Building Supply (the former Krieg Millwork and Building Supply) on Hood River’s Frankton Road.
According to fire officials…the blaze broke out at 1:56 this morning, with multiple callers to 911 reporting a fire that was spreading quickly.
A West Side Fire District Unit and Hood River Fire arrived to find a fast-moving fire in several buildings.
Due to the size of the buildings, level of involvement, and the contents, the incident commander requested additional resources to the scene.
Firefighters are presently on scene working with an investigator with the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office (OSFM) to determine the cause and origin. There are no reported injuries.
West Side Fire District was assisted by units from Hood River Fire & EMS, Wy’East Fire District, Cascade Locks Fire, Parkdale Fire, Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue, as well as Klickitat County White Salmon and Bingen Fire.
December 20 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Basketball
Sherman 61, Griswold 17
Girls Basketball
Tikigaq School (Alaska) 47, Hood River Valley 42
Mountain View 63, Columbia 19
Sherman 58, Griswold 30
Girls Wrestling
Natalia Solorio Campos finished second at 190 pounds as Hood River Valley finished seventh at the White Buffalo Invitational in Madras.
Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Tolls To Be Lifted Over Holiday
Crossings of the Hood-River White Salmon Interstate Bridge will be toll free starting at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night through Tuesday morning at 6:00 a.m. The Port of Hood River has traditionally lifted bridge tolls over the holiday, with the hours expanded this year. In addition, the Port offices will be closed on Monday in observance of the Christmas Holiday.