Mid-Columbia Economic Development District is holding its annual Columbia Gorge Economic Symposium this Friday in the Gorge Pavilion at Port of Cascade Locks Marina Park. MCEDD Executive Director Jessica Metta says this year’s keynote speaker is futurist Steve Brown to discuss artificial intelligence. The symposium’s business panel includes representatives from Skamania Lodge, Orchard View Farms, Full Sail Brewing, Insitu and other companies to talk about challenges and opportunities within their respective industries. The event also includes presentations about local economic conditions. The event will be held Friday from 8:30 to noon, and to purchase tickets to go to mcedd.org.
The Dalles To Consider STR Moratorium
City officials in The Dalles is considering a moratorium on issuing permits for short-term rentals. City Manager Matthew Klebes says municipal staff are working on putting together a moratorium of up to one year on new short-term rentals to bring back to City Councilors and provide some time to go through their options for STR regulation revisions. Klebes expects staff will have a moratorium document to present to the Council by the end of the year with the goal of a January start date.
Sting Nets Two On Luring Charges
The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office led a multi-agency luring operation in Cascade Locks in late October that resulted in the arrest of two individuals. The Sheriff’s Office says on October 21st, detectives conducted a luring sting with the assistance of the Oregon State Police, Hood River and The Dalles Police, Sherman and Wasco County Sheriff’s Offices, and Homeland Security. The Sheriff’s Office says 26-year-old Abel Cornejo-Reyes of Hillsboro was arrested on charges of Luring a Minor, First Degree Online Sexual Corruption of a Minor, and probation violations. In addition, 58-year-old Joseph Migliaccio of Hood River was arrested on charges of Luring a Minor and First Degree Online Sexual Corruption of a Minor. The Sheriff’s Office did not release any other details about the investigation.
October 31 Prep Sports Roundup
Oregon Class 4A Girls Soccer Playoffs
First Round
The Dalles 2, Newport 0: Ariana Gonzalez scored in the 24th minute off an assist from Lilyana Gonzalez. to give the Riverhawks the lead in the first half. Natalia Elias made it 2-0 in the 77th minute on a spot kick to establish the final margin. The Riverhawks advance to travel to North Marion for a quarterfinal game on Saturday.
Washington District 5 Class 2B Girls Soccer Playoffs
First Round
Cle Elum-Roslyn 3, Goldendale 0: The Timberwolves will play Mabton on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Marquette Stadium in Yakima for a state playoff berth.
Person Dies In Goldendale Fire
One person died in a structure fire late Saturday night in Goldendale. The Goldendale Fire Department says the victim’s body was found after the fire had been knocked down and firefighters could begin what was termed as “heavy mop-up.” Crews had been advised a person could be in the structure as they arrived at the scene of the fire in the 1500 block of South Columbus Avenue, but they could not enter due to the structure being fully involved. The identity of the deceased person has not yet been released. The initial report of a fire came at 10:16 Saturday evening when a Klickitat County Sheriff’s Deputy driving in the area reported it. Once the fire was taken care of, the scene was turned over to the Goldendale Police Department to begin their investigation. Police requested assistance from the Klickitat County Coroner’s Office and Q-Global Fire Investigations. Rural 7 Fire, Klickitat County Emergency Medical Services, Department of Emergency Management, and PUD, and Avista were also involved in responding to the fire.
Sign-Ups Begin For Hood River County Christmas Project
Sign-ups for the 100th year of the Hood River County Christmas Project are underway. The Project’s Heather Walker says they helped over 800 families with food boxes and gifts, and they expect to help a similar number this year. Hood River County residents who meet eligibility requirements for the SNAP or WIC programs, the Oregon Health Plan, free or reduced price lunches for kids, are in subsidized housing, or receive FISH Food Bank assistance can receive Christmas Project assistance. To register go to hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com. If you don’t have access to the internet you can call 541-329-0901. In person registration is scheduled for November 15th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Cascade Locks City Hall
Klickitat Prevention Coalition Receives Federal Grant Renewal
Our Klickitat Prevention Coalition’s drug prevention work with youth Our Klickitat Prevention Coalition’s drug prevention work with youth Our Klickitat Prevention Coalition’s drug prevention work with youth Our Klickitat Prevention Coalition’s drug prevention work with youth will continue to be funded by the federal Drug Free Communities grant for another five years. Washington Gorge Action Programs says it is the organization’s second and final DFC grant, bringing in $125,000 annually for a total of $625,000 over five years. Local partners must match the grant at 125 percent for the first two years and 150 percent for the remaining three years, bringing a total contribution to youth prevention efforts over five years to $1.5 million. Program Director Joanna Turner says it also gives them time to focus on how to how to sustain the program once the funding ends. The Coalition is currently focusing on three main areas: Directly supporting communities to provide education resulting in harm reduction, supporting CultureSeed, a nonprofit that offers underserved youth long-term outdoor immersion and outdoor mentorship programs with a focus on mental health, and supporting school-based health initiatives with partners. The Drug Free Communities grant is funded and directed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
TD Storm Water Catch Basins Being Cleaned This Week
The Dalles Public Works crews will be cleaning storm water catch basins in the Downtown area this 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, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. each night. Public Works says the overnight schedule will cause the least disruption to traffic and businesses. Motorists are asked to park so the catch basins are accessible during the night. West 6th Street from Cherry Heights Road through West 3rd Place are scheduled to be cleaned shortly after 7:00 a.m., with traffic controls, during the course of the week. Please proceed with caution around work areas. If you have questions, call The Dalles Public Works office at (541) 296-5401.
October 27-28 Prep Sports Roundup
Oregon State Class 4A Volleyball
First Round
The Dalles def. Pendleton 25-21, 25-22, 25-15: The Riverhawks advance to play top-seed Marshfield in the quarterfinals on Friday at 1:15 p.m. in Springfield.
Oregon State Class 1A Volleyball
Trinity Lutheran def. South Wasco 25-20, 25-15, 25-18
Football
Estacada 23, The Dalles 0:
Columbia 50, Fort Vancouver 6: The Bruins snapped an eight-game losing streak by winning their season finale.
Toledo 48, Stevenson 28
Perrydale 52, Dufur 26
Enterprise 56, Lyle-Wishram-Klickitat 6
Imbler 48, Sherman 6
Goldendale 63, Highland 0
District 1 6-Man Championship: Joseph 26, South Wasco 8: The Redsides host Falls City in round one of the state playoffs this weekend.
Boys Water Polo
Hood River Valley 15, Hillsboro 7
Girls Water Polo
Hood River Valley 5, Hillsboro 2
Girls Soccer
King’s Way Christian 4, Columbia 0
October 26 Prep Sports Roundup
Football
Hillsboro 21, Hood River Valley 7
Boys Soccer
Hood River Valley 3, Putnam 2
Girls Soccer
Putnam 9, Hood River Valley 1
Columbia 4, Fort Vancouver 1
Castle Rock 2, Stevenson 1
Goldendale 10, Columbia (Burbank) 0
Volleyball
Columbia def. Seton Catholic 25-20, 25-17, 16-25, 25-17
King’s Way Christian def. Stevenson 25-20, 27-25, 19-25, 25-22
Goldendale def. Highland 3-0
Cross Country
Lilah Zimmerman of Columbia & Daisy Jones of Stevenson each earn invites to state at the girls’ portion of the District IV championships in Woodland. Zimmerman finished fourth and Jones 14th. In the team standings, Columbia was fourth and Stevenson fifth. In the boys’ competition, August Lorincz of CHS also moved to state with a 14th place finish. Columbia was fifth as a team and Stevenson ninth.
Goldendale held off Cle Elum-Roslyn to the with the boys’ title at the EWAC District Championships. Sean Henrikson had the top Timberwolf finish in second, while Raymond Holycross was fifth and Brody Hatfield 10th. In girls’ race, Goldendale’s Emma Meagher advances to state with a third place finish.