This weekend is Cruise The Gorge weekend in The Dalles. It’s the 30th anniversary of the event that includes the Neon Cruise downtown on Friday evening, then the Show In The Shade on Saturday. Steve Hudson of Mid-Columbia Car Club says they had 160 cars for the show last year, but expect a bigger turnout this year, with pre-registrations nearly double from one year ago. Friday night will again be an open cruise in downtown The Dalles, with no registration required. The Show in the Shade on Saturday is returning to Sorosis Park for the first time since 2019. Complete details on the weekend are available at midcolumbiacarclub.org.
NCPHD Board To Consider District Or County Question Further
The North Central Public Health District Board of Directors decided to gather more information before making a decision on whether to recommend keeping the district as is or going back under Wasco County with Sherman County contracting for services. The board reached a consensus to form workgroups to answer various questions surrounding the issue, including legal responsibilities of the counties and how staff would be transitioned into the County if the district was to be dissolved. Wasco County Administrative Officer Tyler Stone said they would be looking to make sure no harm would be done to staff in a transition. But district board member Bill Lennox felt the employees are looking to the counties to indicate they will be supporters of what their values are. District board chair and Sherman County Commissioner Joan Bird suggested 30 days to gather more information.
Cascade Locks Power Outage Planned
There is a planned power outage for all City of Cascade Locks Power customers from 11 p.m. Wednesday to 4 a.m. Thursday. The City says the Bonneville Power Administration is planning the outage to perform repairs. Only Cascade Locks residents will be impacted. This outage will not include the Dodson and Warrendale area. The Hood River County Health Department advises people to notify the electric company if you use a medical device that requires electricity or take a refrigerated medicine. Cascade Locks City Electric can be reached at 541-374-8484.
D21 Bond Measure Title Filed
The Wasco County Clerk’s office says North Wasco County School District 21 on Monday filed a ballot title for its proposed $140 million bond measure to build a new high school. The Clerk’s office says the ballot title caption is “Bonds to Replace High School, increase safety, hands-on learning.” A full copy of the ballot title can be found on the Wasco County website under the current election section or obtained at the Wasco County Clerk’s office in the Courthouse in The Dalles. The Clerk’s office says any elector dissatisfied with the ballot title may petition the Wasco County Circuit Court for review of the ballot title not later than the seventh business day after the title is filed with the Elections Officer. The last day to file a review is August 16. The measure is to go to the ballot for the November 7 election.
Fire Closes Trails Near Starvation Creek State Park
A quarter-acre fire near Starvation Creek State Park on Monday afternoon forced the closure of trails in that area. The fire was reported after 1 p.m. Monday, a few hours after a thunderstorm had moved through the area. Four firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service – Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest rappelled to the burn area Monday evening, with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources supporting with a Type 2 helicopter. Oregon State Parks reported that Starvation Creek State Park and all of its trails, including the Historic Columbia River Hwy. State Trail, were closed due to what is being called the Warren Creek fire. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area closed the Mt. Defiance Trail and Starvation Ridge Trail. The fire was at about 1,200 feet elevation.
SafeSpace Closes In On Fundraising Goal
SafeSpace Columbia Gorge Children’s Advocacy Center is closing in on their $5 million goal for its new facility on Wasco Loop in Hood River. SafeSpace is currently working on renovations to the building, and is looking to raise another $800,000 to reach its goal. Executive Director Beatriz Lynch says along with the new facility being able to provide a place where children who have been the victims of abuse can get help and share their experience in a comforting environment, they have a goal of providing a location for a children’s mental health hub. SafeSpace is holding its Summer of Hope dinner and live music benefit on August 19 at 6 p.m. at The Barn in Odell. Tickets are $60 per person, and available at safespacecac.org.
EV Vehicles Available In Car Share Program
The Cities of Bingen and White Salmon are partnering with Oregon non-profit Forth to launch GoForth CarShare, a community carsharing program giving the public access to two all-electric Chevy Bolt vehicles. Bingen Mayor Catherine Kiewit says Zero-Emissions Access Program grant funding the two cities accessed from the state of Washington to set up the infrastructure and covers the booking platform, vehicle maintenance, and insurance costs, limiting costs passed onto customers. Using the Miocar Networks app to book trips, community members and visitors can test drive these EVs for a free four-hour ride and then rent them for subsequent trips at $4 per hour or $35 per day with the first 150 miles included. After that, the cost will be 35 cents per additional mile. Drivers are responsible for paying bridge tolls. When fully charged, the vehicles have a range of approximately 250 miles. To book a GoForth vehicle, community members can download the Miocar Networks app and sign up as a GoForth CarShare member. Members must be at least 21 years old, with a valid US driver’s license and a clean driving record. The two vehicles each have a dedicated parking space and charging stations next to Daubenspeck Park in Bingen and at 119 NE Church Avenue in White Salmon.
Wasco Fair Prep Includes Adding Barn Space
The Wasco County Fair and Rodeo is a week-and-a-half away, and preparations are underway to host a large number of entries. The Fair’s Zach Harvey says they are at work adding barn space to handle the demand this year, as animal entries through 4-H are up. Harvey did says they have again been unable to source a carnival for the fair, but the National Guard is bringing things for kids to do, and other activities are planned. The Fair will run from August 17th to the 20th in Tygh Valley.
Pavement Treatments Continue
City crews and contractors in The Dalles will apply fog seal this week to all streets that received chip seal treatment last month. These fog projects will require short duration road closures between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at each location. Detours will be in place during work hours. Work may continue at these locations through Thursday. Motorists are asked to proceed with caution in those areas during construction times and observe all temporary traffic control devices. A full list of projects and program map can be viewed at thedalles.org/summerstreetmaintenance If you have questions, call The Dalles Public Works Department at (541) 296-5401.
Discovery Center, Gorge Ecology Outdoors Merge
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum and Gorge Ecology Outdoors have announced a merger of the two Gorge-based nonprofit organizations. In early 2023, the Discovery Center assumed oversight responsibilities and management of all GEO programs, and its organizational and financial responsibilities. Discovery Center Executive Director Laura Matzer said with GEO programs now part of their organizations, their goal is to give GEO’s vital science-based outdoor programming a strong base for growth, longevity, and visibility. GEO Board Chair Dan Harkenrider, said the merger was a natural fit, after the two worked in partnership for 15 years to deliver the Gorge Explorers program. When GEO’s Executive Director, Drew Eastman, announced his intention to step down, GEO’s Board felt that the time might be right to look for increased long-term support and stability in the form of consolidation with their longtime partner.