A new app allows anglers to bypass the registration station so they can spend more time and earn more money for reeling in voracious salmon-eating predators during this year’s Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Fishery Program. In the past, participants had to drive to a station and register before heading out to fish. Now, almost everything can be done online. Oregon, Washington, and Idaho departments of fish and wildlife all have online angling license programs and the pikeminnow program registration can be completed through the app. Eighteen full-time catch stations will operate along the Columbia and Snake rivers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Four additional satellite stations will also be available during select parts of the season. The satellite stations offer anglers additional pikeminnow harvest opportunities in areas with good fishing during short windows of time. Details on how to register for the program and applicable state fishing regulations are available on the program website, pikeminnow.org.
Mosbrucker Energy Resource Review Bill Signed By Inslee
Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed into law 14th District Representative Gina Mosbrucker’s bill to review the state’s energy grid annually, a little more than a year after he vetoed a similar bill from the Goldendale Republican. Under House Bill 1117, the Department of Commerce and the Utilities and Transportation Commission are directed to convene energy resource adequacy stakeholder meetings at least once a year until 2031. At those meetings, it is required to specifically address the risk of rolling blackouts and inadequacy events, discuss how proposed laws and regulations may require new state policy for resource adequacy, and identify incentives to enhance and ensure resource adequacy. Inslee also signed Mosbrucker’s House Bill 1512. Known as the “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People and Lucian Act,” the bill will provide resources for immediate actions that need to take place when a person vanishes. It is named after four-year-old Lucian Munguia, who was reported missing on September 10 from Sarg Hubbard Park in Yakima and drowned in the Yakima River.
Applications Being Taken For Next Door Youth Summer Employment
Applications are being taken for The Next Door’s Summer Youth Employment program. Next Door Summer Programs Coordinator Mary Ryan says youth 14 to 19 are eligible to apply for the eight-week jobs that will primarily involve working in the outdoors. Applications for crew leaders are also being taken. For application information, go to nextdoorinc.org.
May 2 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 3, LaSalle 0: Jake von Lubken struck out 13 on the way to a three-hit shutout as the Eagles moved into sole possession of fourth place in the Northwest Oregon Conference. The Eagles scored all three of their runs in the sixth inning to grab the win.
King’s Way Christian sweeps Columbia 10-0 and 6-2
Seton Catholic sweeps Stevenson 10-1 and 9-1
Heppner 1, Sherman 0: The Mustangs scored the lone run for the win, moving them even with the Huskies for first in the Big Sky Conference. The two teams play a doubleheader on Saturday in Moro.
Softball
Hood River Valley 21, Parkrose 1: HRV scored 11 runs in the second inning and nine in the third to give the Eagles the win, and keep them in the playoff hunt in the Northwest Oregon Conference. Hailey Stuben homered while Grace Rowan, Abby Kahler, and Mallory McNerney drove in three runs each.
Columbia sweeps King’s Way Christian 7-0 and 12-2: The Bruins move to 14-0 on the season. Mckynzi Gwinn pitched a seven-hit shutout and drove in two runs in the opener, while Macee Barnes, Teagan Blankenship, and Halle Kock drove in two runs apiece in the nightcap.
Seton Catholic sweeps Stevenson 14-3 and 10-8
Track and Field
Storey Woodbury, Damian Simonds, Raymond Holycross, Stephen Pittman, Ada Garner, and Jenna Casey all earned first place finishes for Goldendale at a five-school EWAC Meet at Dayton
Boys Tennis
Hood River Valley 8, Hillsboro 1
Girls Tennis
Hood River Valley 9, Hillsboro 0
Boys Lacrosse
Hood River Valley 7, Central Catholic 3
HR Schools Levy On May 16 Ballot
Hood River County voters now have their ballots that include the Hood River County School District seeking a renewal of its local option levy. The district is asking for a five-year levy, maintaining the same rate of $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed value. A local option levy has been in place since 2004, and it generates about $3.4 million per year to go towards about 35 educational positions in the district. Former district board member Rich Truax points out the levy also generates matching funds from the state, about $728,000 a year. Ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, May 16.
Waters Bill Prohibiting Alcohol/THC Combo Products Signed By Inslee
Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill authored by 17th District Rep. Kevin Waters that will prohibit the sale of products combining alcohol and tetrahydrocannabinol in Washington. House Bill 1772 is Waters’ second bill from the 2023 session to receive the governor’s signature. The bill makes it illegal in Washington to manufacture, import, offer, or sell a consumable product that contains cannabis or any form of THC in combination with beer, wine, spirits, or any other type of liquor in the same product. Waters said mixing alcohol and THC is dangerous. They are both depressant drugs, and Waters noted the Food and Drug Administration warns that alcohol may worsen sedation and drowsiness when combined with THC. The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the 2023 legislative session, which ended on April 23.
May 1 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
The Dalles 3, Estacada 2: Avery Schwartz struck out eight in five innings of relief work while Cooper Klindt had a triple and a double. The Riverhawks moved into a tie for second with Madras in the Tri-Valley Conference.
Softball
The Dalles 14, Estacada 0: The Riverhawks scored eight runs in the first inning and cruised to the win from there. Kennedy Abbas gave up only one hit over five innings, striking out five. The Dalles leads the Tri-Valley Conference by two-and-a-half games over Crook County.
Hood River Valley 13, Hillsboro 2: Abby Kahler drove in three runs to lead the Eagles, as they moved within a game of third place in the Northwest Oregon Conference.
Boys Tennis
Wilsonville 5, Hood River Valley 4
Girls Tennis
Hood River Valley 5, Wilsonville 4
Girls Lacrosse
Lincoln 21, Hood River Valley 8
City Of The Dalles Budget Committee Meets This Week
The City of The Dalles Budget Committee starts its work Monday evening, with meetings planned through Wednesday if necessary. Mayor Rich Mays says the City is in a good fiscal position heading into the 2023-24 budget work. Mays expects much of the budget discussion will take place around the City’s contributions to non-profit entities to support their efforts, as it does every year. This evening’s meeting is set to begin at 5:30 in The Dalles City Hall, with others planned for Tuesday and Wednesday if necessary.
HR Library Brings Back Feast Of Words Gala
The Hood River County Library Foundation’s Feast of Words Gala and Fundraiser returns to the Hood River Library this Saturday for the first time since the pandemic. Michael Schock of the Hood River County Library Foundation says Feast of Words is a party with food, drink, music, and a live auction that brings people into the library. This year’s goal is to raise $35,000 to improve infrastructure at library district facilities and support the new Bookmobile. The gala begins this Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Hood River Library. Tickets are $25 and available at the all three library branches, Waucoma Bookstore, Volcanic Bottle Shoppe, and at hoodriverlibrary.org.
Pitch Competition For Area Businesses
Wasco County Innovation Initiative partners are launching a small business pitch competition that invites entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas and compete to win funding and exposure. The competition is open to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in Wasco, Sherman, and Hood River counties, who are seeking financial support and a platform to showcase their products or services. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch their business idea in front of a panel of judges composed of industry experts and investors during a live event, “Gorge Pitch Fest,” scheduled for June 14 at the Granada Theatre in The Dalles. The winner will receive a grand prize of $7,000 in funding, with additional cash prizes to be awarded for second place, third place, and the audience’s favorite pitch. The application deadline is May 17, and information is available at mcedd.org. Wasco Innovation Initiative partners involved in this event include Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Columbia Gorge Small Business Development Center, Port of The Dalles, Columbia Gorge Community College, Business Oregon and the Wasco County Economic Development Commission.