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Spatz Named The Dalles’ Economic Development Officer

Posted on by mbailey

Dan Spatz has been selected as the City of The Dalles’ new Economic Development Officer. It’s a recently created position in the City’s Community Development Department to oversee economic development efforts by coordinating with area partners and assisting property and business owners and developers.  Spatz will also oversee the Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency and serve as the City’s Enterprise Zone Manager.  Spatz has spent the last 15 years as Chief Institutional Advancement Officer and Capital Projects and Community Outreach Director at Columbia Gorge Community College.  He also has previously been economic development coordinator for Wasco County and was interim director for the Port of Klickitat.  Spatz was also on The Dalles City Council from 2008 to 2017.

 

United Way Allocation One Of Biggest Ever

Posted on by mbailey

United Way of the Columbia Gorge is allocating over $300,000 to 27 different non-profit organizations this year in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat, and Skamania counties.  Executive Director Caroline Grew says it’s one of the biggest allocations in their history.  The United Way will hold a fundraising concert next Friday night, July 21, at 5:30 at the Bargeway Pub in The Dalles featuring Huckleberry Road and Jessie Leigh.  Tickets are $25 in advance and available at the Bargeway Pub, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, and online at unitedwaycolumbiagorge.org.  They are $30 at the door.

 

Gorge Discovery Center Looks To Replace HVAC System

Posted on by mbailey

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is going to embark on a fundraising effort to replace its HVAC system.  The building’s air conditioning is not working, and Center Marketing Director Mikey Goyette says they are in the process of arranging its replacement.  Evaporative coolers have been placed around the building to bring the temperature down, but the Center will close at 2 p.m. on days the temperature goes above 95 degrees.  Goyette says they are looking to raise $175,000 to cover the replacement cost, and there is a matching program that will be a part of it.  Goyette says a link to donate will be placed on gorgediscovery.org this week.

Progress Continues On Boulder Fire

Posted on by mbailey

Fire officials continue to report good progress on the Boulder Fire southeast of Mt. Hood on the Barlow Ranger District near Boulder Lake Trailhead.  The fire is at 234 acres in size with a containment level of 5%.  Northwest Team 10 Operations Chief Josh Riepe says crews have been able to reinforce the line on the western flank of the fire.  Riepe says similar actions were taken on the northern flank of the fire, with water being pumped from Boulder Lake.  Crews continue to build handline on the eastern edge of the fire, and a tie-in to dozer line was being worked on at the south end.  Riepe says they hope to have the fire completely lined in a couple of days.  A community meeting has been scheduled for this evening at 7 p.m. in the Wamic Community Hall and on the Mt. Hood National Forest Facebook page.

Highway 14 Reopens

Posted on by mbailey

Washington Highway 14 has reopened through the area of the Tunnel Fire.  The Washington Department of Transportation announced the reopening on Wednesday evening.  The agency is asking travelers to use caution through the fire area.  The highway had been closed in the Underwood area since the Tunnel Fire ignited on July 2.  The Skamania County Public Works Department says Cook-Underwood Road is temporarily closed between mileposts 9 and 12.9.  Only persons residing within this closure will be granted access until further notice.

Devil’s Butte Fire Reaches 75% Containment

Posted on by mbailey

The Devil’s Butte Fire is now at 75% containment.  Size of the fire remains listed at 2,865 acres.  A Type III command team and other resources were transitioning off the fire Wednesday night, and will continue to do so today, with a local Type 4 team taking over today.  Three engines and one Interagency Hotshot crew will remain on the fire.  Firefighters will continue to watch for hotspots and mop-up the fire area within 50-100 feet of the containment lines.  Air resources remain available to assist ground crews if needed.  Some residents are still without power in the fire area, but fire officials say restoration is expected today.  Highway 206 is open through the fire area, but motorists are asked to drive carefully as there will continue to be fire resources on the roadways.

CCA Strategic Plan Getting Put Into Use

Posted on by mbailey

Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River is in the process of putting a five-year strategic plan unveiled a month ago into practice.  Board co-chair Genevieve Scholl says they have short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals.  She says they are looking for new ways to use the building in downtown Hood River, including using gallery space as educational space.  Scholl says they are putting out a call for volunteers at the Center to help establish regular business hours.  To contact the Center, email admin@columbiaarts.org.

Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Replenishing Primary Providers

Posted on by mbailey

Adventist Health Columbia Gorge is reporting they’ve been able to replenish their primary care providers, and they are taking new patients.  Mid-Columbia Medical Center move into the Adventist Health system became official a month ago, and Business Development Director Travis Dray says they are seeing the benefit in recruitment and retention efforts.  Dray adds they have now been able to bring on providers from Knight Cancer Center in Portland three times a week to provide medical oncology services at the Celilo Cancer Center, and are working with them on a long-term plan for that facility.

Man Dies In Highway 197 Accident

Posted on by mbailey

One man died in a single-vehicle accident on Monday afternoon in Wasco County.       According to the Oregon State Police, the accident occurred on Monday just after 2:30 near Highway 197 milepost 31.  The preliminary investigation indicated a pickup truck operated by 79-year-old James Roundtree of Bullhead City, Arizona, was traveling southbound, when for unknown reasons, it left the roadway and rolled multiple times.  Roundtree, who was the only occupant of the truck, was declared deceased at the scene.  The OSP was assisted by Mid Columbia Fire and Rescue, the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, and Oregon Department Of Transportation.

Boulder Fire Remains At 232 Acres

Posted on by mbailey

The size of the Boulder Fire southeast of Mt. Hood on the Barlow Ranger District near Boulder Lake Trailhead remains at 232 acres.  Northwest Team 10 Operations Chief Josh Riepe says that crews have been able to make progress, particularly on the northern edge of the fire.  On Tuesday hotshot crews dealt with ten different spot fires outside of the fire lines, but they prevented any significant growth.  Helicopters have been operating out of Pine Hollow and Dallesport to cool the edge of the Boulder Fire as crews continue road improvements, line construction and hose lays.  Additional heavy equipment such as bulldozers is being used to speed work to complete control lines.  A community meeting has been scheduled for Thursday evening at 7 p.m.. in the Wamic Community Hall and on the Mt. Hood National Forest Facebook page.

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