Washington 14th District Congressman Dan Newhouse has joined fourteen other Republican House members in signing a letter to Agriculture Undersecretary Richard Fordyce asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to address understaffing at the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. In the letter, the legislators say without proper staffing, it has become increasingly difficult for offices to implement programs, including the recently established Farmer Bridge Assistance program. The representatives say they have heard from constituents about major delays in application processing, payments, and contract certification over the last several months. While a majority of these concerns have centered around conservation programs and the FBA program, they worry it will be an ongoing issue for all programs under the Farm Production and Conservation mission area that Fordyce oversees. They add USDA deployment of staff to affected county offices a few days a week has been helpful, but it is only a temporary solution to an ongoing problem.
HRPD Plans Drug Take Back Day
The Hood River Police Department is going to take part in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday. It is a safe and free way to dispose of unwanted or expired household medications. Hood River Police will accept them from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Hood River City Hall. Medications in any dosage form will be accepted. Not accepted are herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements, cosmetics, other personal care products, emptied medical devices, batteries, mercury-containing thermometers, sharps, illicit drugs, pet pesticide products, animal medicines, and biologics.
April 22 Prep Sports Roundup
Track and Field
The Dalles topped Gladstone and Molalla in both the boys and girls portions of a three-school Tri-Valley Conference meet. Laura Black won three events for the Riverhawks girls, while Patrick Rankin won two for The Dalles boys.
Stevenson won the boys’ portion of a four school Trico League meet at Columbia, with the host Bruins taking third. Jude Travinski and Brayden Hays won two events each for the Bulldogs. Stevenson was second and Columbia third behind LaCenter in the girls’ half of the meet. Columbia’s Sara Miller and Stevenson’s Mira McIlwain won two events apiece.
Boys Soccer
Fort Vancouver 3, Columbia 2: The Bruins suffered its second loss in 12 Trico League games, dropping its lead over LaCenter atop the standings to a single point. Fort Vancouver moved to within three points with a game in hand.
Onalaska 11, Stevenson 0
Girls Lacrosse
Hood River Valley 20, Camas 10
Bingen-White Salmon Cleanup This Weekend
The Bingen-White Salmon Community Cleanup is set for Friday and Saturday. Put on by the White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Club, it is headquartered again at its traditional location on Bingen Public Works property on Marina Way south of Highway 14. The flow of the site begins with usable items first gleaned by the Gorge Rebuild It Center and The Dalles Freestore, and the remaining usable items placed in the “freecycle” zone for others to claim, before moving on to disposal locations. No refrigerators or freezers will be accepted, and paint cans will not be taken unless the paint is completely dried. For complete information, go to the WA Community Cleanup Facebook page.
WAGAP Continues LIEAP Program Processing
Even though winter has wound down, the Washington Gorge Action Programs continues to process applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, and are still accepting inquiries as well. The program serves about 1500 families, but funding was delayed due to the federal government shutdown. WAGAP’s Rachel Johnson says because of that delay, they are still working through their wait list. She notes it has been perceived as a winter program, but warmer temperatures mean there is demand in the summer as well. For information on the program, call WAGAP at 509-493-2662, ext. 202.
Respite Programs Moving To St. Paul’s Church
Cherry Blossom Respite is relocating its dementia-specific respite care program from Mid-Columbia Senior Center to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in The Dalles beginning on May 5. The program is funded through a grant from the Center for Dementia Respite Innovation, and is designed to provide relief for caregivers supporting people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Program Manager Danette Utley says moving to the new location will allow the program to provide services at a more convenient time from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. She says a morning time is beneficial for participants as that is the best time for cognitive activities, and will give caregivers a time for their own appointments. A light meal will also be provided. Caregivers interested in learning more about dementia-specific respite care can contact Cherry Blossom Respite at 541-288-8315 or email at cherryblossomADP@gmail.com.
Festival Honorees Named
The Northwest Cherry Festival announced its honorees for this weekend’s event. Carmelo and Carmen Gamez will serve as King Bing and Queen Anne. Carmelo Gamez has worked in the local orchard industry for four decades, and sat on a number of local boards, while Carmen is a childcare provider with the Oregon Child Development Coalition. The festival parade grand marshals will be Dave and Karen Cooper. The Cooper Family Orchards has had 150 years of continuous family operation. The Northwest Cherry Festival Parade will start on Saturday morning at 10 from 6th and Webber, taking the usual route through downtown The Dalles.
No Commercial Huckleberry Permits On Pinchot In 2026
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest announced commercial huckleberry permits will again not be issued in 2026. The decision follows months of engagement that included an online public questionnaire, a community roundtable in February, conversations with industry, and government-to-government consultations with tribal nations. The Yakama Nation, Tulalip Tribes, and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians each formally requested permanent cessation of commercial huckleberry harvest on the Forest, saying without a commercial harvest last year tribal gatherers observed improved berry abundance, reduced harassment, and safer gathering conditions. Forest officials say they are initiating a multi-year planning effort to evaluate long-term management options. Huckleberry fields across the Forest are experiencing long-term decline from conifer encroachment, fire suppression, drought, and invasive species. Personal-use huckleberry picking remains open under existing Forest regulations.
TDPD Warns Of Counterfeit Jewelry Scam
The Dalles Police Department says it has received reports of an individual in the area posing as a wealthy seller and offering counterfeit jewelry for cash. The department says this is a scam. The suspect has been approaching people in busy parking lots and is reportedly driving a black 2025 Ford Expedition. The Dalles Police advise you to not engage or make any purchases. If you encounter this individual, report it to local law enforcement.
Applications For 2025 Drought Loans Remain Open
The Small Business Administration says eligible small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat, and Skamania counties have until May 22 to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by drought last summer. SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to small businesses and private non-profits with financial losses directly related to the drought. The program is not available to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises. The loans are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the organization did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster. To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.