The Hood River County School District will be asking Oregon legislators to maintain the local option equalization grant it receives. The Hood River district is one of four in the state to receive the grant, which school districts receive when its voters pass a local option levy, as has occurred in Hood River County for the last 20 years. But the Oregon Department of Education has proposed eliminating the grants to meet a requested 2 1/2% to 5% budget cut. District Superintendent Bill Newton says what the grant provides is important, and also was a promise to district voters as part of supporting the local option levy. Beaverton, Philomath, and Sweet Home are the other school districts to receive the grant. The Oregon Legislature convenes in February.
Klickitat PUD Board Approves Rate Increase
Klickitat Public Utility District’s board approved a 3% electric rate increase as part of adopting its 2026 budget. The new rates take effect on January 1 and apply across all retail rate classes. The increase will add an average of $4.46 per month to a residential customer’s bill. The PUD says its power costs continue to rise due primarily to higher Bonneville Power Administration rates and increased reliance on higher-cost Tier 2 power as customer demand exceeds the PUD’s BPA preference allocation. BPA increased rates by approximately 4.5% in October 2025. Additional cost pressures include higher transportation, materials, insurance, and construction expenses. General operating cost increases account for roughly half of the rate adjustment and will increase KPUD’s annual revenue requirement by approximately $1 million.
TD Public Works Asks Residents To Be Ready For Snow
The City of The Dalles Public Works says it is making sure equipment is in good repair to prepare for winter storm events, but notes resources will be stretched to capacity once the snows begin, and they will need the public’s help. Officials say people should make sure they have a snow shovel or snow blower, cooking spray for the snow shovel, so snow won’t stick to the blade, a stiff broom to sweep snow off of porches and decks, waterproof gloves with a good grip; waterproof boots with good traction, and pet-friendly, child-safe, salt-free deicer that won’t harm cement surfaces. First priority should be to shovel or sand sidewalks adjacent to their homes or businesses within the first two hours of daylight each day. Shoveled snow should be piled on private property, not in the street, except in the downtown area. Then help a neighbor clear the sidewalk in front of their home.
December 15 Prep Basketball Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
Columbia 67, Hockinson 44
Lyle-Wishram 71, Cornerstone Christian 45
Heppner 61, Klickitat-Glenwood 49
Girls Basketball
Irrigon 67, Sherman 35
Heppner 35, Dufur 33
Cherry Fest Plans Expected Later In The Week
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce plans by the end of the week to release its vision for how the Northwest Cherry Festival will operate and where it will be located while construction takes place o First Street. Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says a team has spent the last three months has been analyzing different locations. Farquharson says while the Cherry Fest has grown over the last few years, she says no matter what they come up with, it will not be as large as it has been in the last few years. She notes that means they probably won’t be able to bring in as much money from the outside as they have been able to in recent years.
Port of Hood River Looks At Airfield Terminal
The Port of Hood River Commission will discuss moving toward a public terminal at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield during its meeting on Tuesday. Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood says a terminal would act as an interface with the public. It would also be set up for use by emergency officials during situations such as a nearby wildfire, and as a resilience center with solar panels to be installed on the building to provide its own power. Greenwood says there would be leasable space within the building to bring in revenue and provide space for businesses involved in aviation. Cost of the building is currently projected at $9 million, with the Port seeking grants to pay most of the cost. Tuesday’s meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the Port of Hood River’s Marina Building conference room.
Search For Missing Climber Suspended
The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office has suspended recovery operations for a 26-year-old climber from Bend who was last seen attempting to summit Mt. Hood. The Sheriff’s Office was notified by a climbing partner on Saturday morning that 26-year-old Matthew Aldridge of Bend was overdue after he continued to attempt to reach the summit of Mt. Hood via the Newton Clark Headwall with two others who turned back due to conditions on the mountain. The Sheriff’s Office initiated an air and ground search that was narrowed to an area near Pea Gravel Ridge above 8400 feet in elevation after phone data suggested a fall. The first attempt to reach the area with ground searchers on Saturday was unsuccessful due to darkness and unsafe conditions. On Sunday searchers from the Hood River Crag Rats and Portland Mountain Rescue made it to the likely location previously identified but were unsuccessful in locating any sign of Aldridge. Due to deteriorating weather and treacherous conditions, the Sheriff’s Office decided at midday Sunday to withdraw searchers and suspend the ground search. Additional efforts may be attempted as conditions allow, but the search has shifted to a recovery mission.
Wasco County MRC Blanket/Coat Drive Begins
The Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps has launched its annual blanket/coat drive, with four convenient drop-off locations, and will continue collecting items through February. The Corps will be taking donations of blankets, adult-sized coats, socks, boots, tarps, and sleeping bags to benefit St. Vincent de Paul and other local agencies. All items must be new, or gently used, washed and in good condition. The four drop-off locations in The Dalles are the North Central Public Health District office on 419 E. 7th St., La Michoacana on 1210 Kelly Ave., Grocery Outlet at 1300 W. 6th St., and Farmstand on 315 Federal St. If you have any questions, call the North Central Public Health District at (541) 506-2600.
December 12-13 Prep Sports Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
The Dalles 75, Astoria 45
Klickitat-Glenwood 81, Elgin 64
Klickitat-Glenwood 80, Pine Eagle 77
South Wasco 60, Perrydale 23
South Wasco 56, Open Door Christian 48
Horizon Christian 43, St. Stephen’s Academy 39
Crosspoint Christian 55, Sherman 38
Illinois Valley 57, Sherman 32
Eddyville 67, Trout Lake 35
Girls Basketball
The Dalles 57, Astoria 30
Columbia 43, Kalama 35
Trout Lake 57, Eddyville 22
Horizon Christian 36, St. Stephan’s Academy 32
Crosspoint Christian 48, Sherman 26
Sherman 55, Illinois Valley 23
Perrydale 35, South Wasco 27
South Wasco 61, Open Door Christian 21
Boys Wrestling
Hood River Valley took third at the Rick Sanders Invitational at Lincoln High School in Portland. Copeland Louis, Ty Baker, and Owen Watts all earned second place finishes.
The Dalles’ Alfred Brackenbury won four out of five matches to finished second at 190 pounds at the Culver Invitational. The Riverhawks’ Harley Scott was fifth at 144 pounds.
Girls Wrestling
Hood River Valley had two individual champions at the Eagles finished fourth in the team standings at the Rick Sanders Invitational at Portland’s Lincoln High School. Shaylee Chavez was first at 100 pounds, and Valeria Solorio Campos won at 170.
The Dalles’ Marie-Louise McCracken won all four of her matches to win at 122 pounds at the Culver Invitational.
Storms Bring Landslide & Debris Flow Risk To Pinchot Forest
Last week’s storms brought over 16-plus inches of rain to portions of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, resulting in localized flooding and increasing the risk of landslides, debris flows, and downed trees across the Forest. Areas of particular concern include recent burn scars and the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Burned areas have an increased likelihood of landslides, mudslides, flash floods, and debris flows due to the lack of vegetation and unstable soil. The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument can also be an area susceptible to landslides due to the presence of loose volcanic soil. Heavier than normal rainfall can saturate the soil, making it softer and loosen the grip of a tree’s root system, leading to downed trees. Forest managers would like to remind visitors to use caution and do not drive on roads that are underwater or that have been partially washed out from the storm runoff.