North Wasco County School District 21 held a worksession to discuss the next steps after last month’s defeat of a $140 million bond measure that would have primarily been used to build a new high school in The Dalles. The two-hour discussion was part debrief of the past election and measure, and part brainstorming on what could pass muster for district voters. One key element is whether an effective campaign for a measure on the May ballot could be put together. D-21 board member Judy Richardson summarized some of what has to be examined, including putting available property the district holds on the market, whether to go back on the ballot in May to build on momentum from the November vote, should new polling be done, and trying to reduce the cost of the bond. The D-21 board next meets in regular session next Thursday (December 14) at 6 p.m. at The Dalles Middle School.
Holiday Fire Truck Parade Set For Hood River County
The annual holiday fire truck parades in Hood River County will take place next week, with area fire departments lighting up their apparatus for the yearly tradition. It kicks off Monday night in the Odell/Pine Grove area, with a static display at the Odell Fire Station from 6 to 6:15 before the trucks weave their way down a myriad of roads before winding up for the night with a static display at the China Gorge Restaurant and Carpool lot. Tuesday the trucks will be in the Parkdale/Dee area, staring with a static display from 6 to 6:15 at the Parkdale station before parading through both communities and stopping with a static display at the Dee Fire Station. The parade will be in Hood River and the Westside area Wednesday, staging at Westside Fire Station 1 at 6 p.m., moving towards a static display at Westside Elementary at 6:45 and then moving through Hood River before finishing at the Front and State parking lots for a static display. And then on Thursday the trucks go to Cascade Locks, staging at the fire department at 6 p.m. and then parading through the town.
December 6 Prep Sports Roundup
Boys Basketball
Hood River Valley 60, Heritage 59: Matthew Fauth scored with 2.8 seconds remaining to give the Eagles their second straight win to start the season. Sawyer Clemett and Ben Bauman scored 14 points apiece to lead HRV, while Brooks Greenwald scored 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter for Heritage.
Columbia 83, Klickitat-Glenwood 47
Girls Basketball
Hood River Valley 54, Heritage 32
Boys Wrestling
Canby 65, Hood River Valley 18
Hood River Valley 61, Woodburn 12: Connor Farlow and Reese Reierson had a pair of wins for HRV.
Mt Hood Climbers Will Need Permit Above 9,500 Feet
Beginning on January 1, Mt. Hood climbers going above an elevation of 9,500 ft. will need a climbing permit. The Mt. Hood Climbing Permit will be available for online purchase as a single trip three-day pass for $20, or an annual pass for $50. The Forest Service says permit fees will fund additional climbing rangers, climbing safety information, and natural resources protection. Every year around 10,000 people attempt to climb Mt. Hood, and in the spring and summer, it is not uncommon for visitors with little or no mountaineering experience to attempt to climb the 11,240-ft. peak. Information from the permit system will also help the forest determine program improvements into the future. No advance reservations are needed. Climbing permits will be available for purchase on Recreation.gov beginning January 1, up to the start of one’s climb. There is no limit on the number of permits issued. More information is available on the Mt. Hood National Forest website.
YouthThink Reminds People To Ask Question
After the recent death of a young person in The Dalles, YouthThink is reminding people of the importance of asking the question “are you thinking about suicide?” YouthThink executive director Debby Jones says some people are concerned asking that question will put the thought in someone’s head, but research shows that won’t happen. She says if the person says they are thinking about suicide, there are resources available to help. Jones notes if you want help in how to ask the question…call the YouthThink office at 541-506-2673, or if you don’t feel like you can ask the question, find someone who can.
Gorge Community Foundation Reaches $500,000 Grant Level
For the first time since it began grantmaking in 2003, the Gorge Community Foundation’s annual grantmaking has reached half a million dollars in a single year.
Foundation Executive Director Jill Burnette made the announcement after December grants were approved by the board of directors at its Monday board meeting. The grants included $393,000 in grants to local organizations and $107,000 in scholarships, all issued during calendar year 2023. Board Chair Gil Sharp said it was remarkable achievement for a small community foundation, and a testament to the generosity of fundholders and the strength of our region’s non-profit organizations. Gorge Community Foundation donor advisors may grant 5% of their fund’s balance each year to qualified non-profit, municipal, and educational institutions. Donor advisors choose a wide variety of causes for their support, including arts and culture, environment, education, youth, health care, sports, animal welfare, seniors, food security, and social services. They are welcome to make contributions to any qualified organizations of their choice with GCF board approval, but most choose to focus their giving in the six counties that comprise the Gorge.
December 4 Prep Sports Roundup
Girls Basketball
Columbia 37, Fort Vancouver 19: Sheyanne Antis scored 11 points to lead the Bruins to the non-league victory.
D21 To Hold Worksession Wednesday On Next Steps After Bond Defeat
The North Wasco County School District 21 Board will hold a worksession Wednesday on their next steps in the wake of the failure in November of the bond measure to build a new high school in The Dalles. D-21 board member Jose Aparicio says they are considering a number of different options, adding the vote was close enough where they can build toward finding a solution, including another try at a bond measure perhaps in May. He does point out that if they were to opt for a May effort, they would need to have an application to seek a $6 million matching grant from the state in by next Thursday. Wednesday’s worksession will begin at 5 p.m. in The Dalles Middle School commons.
Remains Found Of Man Missing For Two Years
The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the remains found in a wooded area in White Salmon in late September are those of a man who went missing two years ago. The Sheriff’s Office says the Clark County Medical Examiner’s office determined the remains belonged to Gary Zosel, who was 41 years of age when he disappeared in December of 2021 from the Snowden area. The Sheriff’s Office indicated Zosel’s mother contacted the Klickitat County Prosecutor’s Office in October and told them her son had not been heard from since he texted her on December 18, 2021. The prosecutor’s office was able to obtain dental charts and X-rays of Zosel, and the Clark County Medical Examiner was then able to make identification. The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone who has information about Zosel’s disappearance or death to contact Detective Sgt. Erik Anderson at 509-773-4455.
ELFF Canned Food Drive Tuesday
The annual ELFF, or “Everyone Loves a Firefighter,” canned food drive will take place Tuesday evening in The Dalles. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Chief Bob Palmer says they again have a number of attractions planned as they collected donations of non-perishable food and cash donations for local food pantries. The Salvation Army, St. Vincent dePaul, and The Dalles Lions Club are partners in the event. It will run from 5 to 9 Tuesday evening at MCFR Fire Station 1 on 1400 West 8th in The Dalles.