Funding for the Columbia River Gorge Commission is included in the Washington State Senate’s budget proposal, but not in the House. 17th District Senator Paul Harris says the Senate fiscal plan appropriated $4.5 million for the Gorge Commission, less than the $5.5 million it was receiving. Harris expects the Gorge Commission to be funded when the two chambers and the Governor hammer out a deal. Harris believe Governor Bob Ferguson will want to provide funding to the Commission, but he isn’t sure to what extent. Under the Columbia River Gorge Compact, the states of Oregon and Washington are to provide the same amount of funding to the Gorge Commission.
Funding For Early Learning Center Suspended
A project to remodel the former Chenowith Middle School in The Dalles to a child care center for up to 200 children along with acting as a climate resiliency hub has lost federal funding it needed to move forward with construction. The Columbia Gorge Education Service District says it was informed a $19.9 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that was formally contracted for in January was suspended. $16.6 million of that grant was to be dedicated to construction costs to remodel and update the facility. In addition, another $1.5 million that would have come from congressionally directed spending was eliminated from the Fiscal Year 2025 federal budget. ESD Superintendent Dana Pedersen called the news disappointing, adding they do remain committed to pursuing every funding option, but right now they don’t have the funding to proceed. Project partners North Wasco County School District 21 and Columbia Gorge Community College echoed that statement.
Entries Now Being Taken For PitchFest
Mid-Columbia Economic Development District has started taking applications for the third annual Gorge PitchFest, to be held May 29 at Granada Theatre in The Dalles. A group of five finalists will be selected from the applicants to pitch their entrepreneurial effort to a group of expert judges for cash awards to invest in the business. MCEDD Venture Catalyst Project Manager Jakob Lillvik says the minimum requirement to apply to take part is to be a registered business. Five prizes will be awarded totaling over $20,000. To apply for Gorge PitchFest, go to mcedd.org. Five finalists will be selected on May 1.
April 1 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 11, The Dalles 5: Kingston McAdam’s two-run double and Bodie Stuben’s two-run single highlighted a six-run fifth inning that propelled the Eagles to the win. Will Booth drove in a pair of runs for the Riverhawks.
Softball
Scappoose 15, The Dalles 0: Scappoose scored nine runs in the first inning to cruise to the win.
Boys Tennis
Hood River Valley 6, Reynolds 2
English Receives Sheriff Of The Year Award
Hood River County Sheriff Matt English was selected as the Sheriff of the Year for 2024-25 by the Western States Sheriffs’ Association. English, who co-chairs the Government Affairs and Public Lands Committee, was recognized with his co-chair, Sheriff Tracy Glover of Kane County, Utah, for their continued work at a national level surrounding Public Lands and federal rulemaking that negatively impacts communities in the west and erodes the Office of Sheriff. For the past year, English has led the efforts to combat a rule proposed by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration of the Department of Labor that the association believes, if implemented, would effectively threaten to end volunteer search and rescue programs in the nation. Additionally, English was appointed this month to the National Sheriffs’ Association Government Affairs committee. He becomes the only Oregon Sheriff to sit on a committee with NSA. The Western States Sheriffs’ Association represents eighteen western states and about 1200 Sheriffs.
CGCC Math Day Set For May 16
Columbia Gorge Community College is now taking registrations for its fourth annual Math Day on May 16 for middle and high school classes. CGCC’s Tom Penberthy it’s a field trip event in which students participate in various sessions that apply math in practical and fun ways. This year’s sessions will include the Mathematical Vibrations of Music, taxi cab math, and a perennial favorite reaching into the health care field, “How Not To Kill Your Patients.” To sign a math class up, teachers can go to cgcc.edu.
Food Bank Impacted By Loss Of Federal Program
The Columbia Gorge Food Bank will be impacted by the cancellation of part of the federal emergency food assistance program. Columbia Gorge Food Bank Executive Director Breen Goodwin says it was a subset of the program called the Commodity Credit Corporation. The cut represents 250-thousand pounds of food in a year, and Goodwin says they are reaching out to donation partners to try to make up for at least some of it. Columbia Gorge Food Bank supplies food pantries throughout Oregon’s Mid-Columbia counties. Goodwin says pantries in the region were averaging 2400 household visits per month last year, and she expects those numbers to grow this year.
SafeSpace Has Plans For Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and SafeSpace Children’s Advocacy Center of the Gorge will be observing it with a number of public events. One is “SafeSpace CAC 101” next Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the center on 206 Wasco Loop in Hood River. Center Executive Director Beatriz Lynch says unfortunately, the number of children they see continues to increase. SafeSpace will host a “Darkness To Light” child sexual abuse prevention training on April 15 at 5:30 p.m., an open house on April 17 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and a discussion of anxiety and depression in children on April 28 at 6 p.m. For information call 541-436-2960.
No Commercial Huckleberry Harvesting On The Pinchot This Year
The Forest Service announced that commercial huckleberry harvesting permits will not be issued for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest this year, citing sustainability concerns, enforcement challenges, and escalating conflicts among harvesters. Personal use gathering will continue under existing guidelines. In a statement, the Forest Service says the decision comes amid increasing pressure from tribal nations, county officials, and local forest users to address declining huckleberry availability, enforcement limitations, and disputes over harvesting rights. By not offering commercial harvesting this year, the Forest Service says it will look address those issues by collaborating with tribal and local partners to develop long-term management solutions. The commercial huckleberry program has been in place since the 1990s, with annual harvests ranging between 50,000 to 70,000 gallons. But the Forest Service says concerns over drought and invasive species impacts, habitat loss, and enforcement challenges require a re-evaluation of commercial harvesting practices.
Work On East 9th At Quinton Street Underway
The Dalles Public Works has begun work on E 9th St. at the intersection with Quinton St. to replace and upgrade a sanitary sewer main and a storm sewer main. Full street closures on E 9th St. from Oregon St. to E 10th St. will remain in place through mid-June. Motor vehicles and bicyclists will be detoured to adjacent side streets. Pedestrian and sidewalk access will remain open. Work hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on each scheduled work day, but the trench must remain open until work is complete. Pavement restoration is expected to be completed later in the year. No parking will be allowed within the project areas to allow room for large equipment to safely work. If you have questions, please contact the Public Works Department at (541) 296-5401.