It’s early in the tourism season for The Dalles, but there may be a trend toward day trip visitors. The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says the Northwest region as a whole is seeing more day trips than overnight at this point, as the economy plays a role. One way Farquharson sees to help attract the “day trippers” is making sure events going on in The Dalles and the surrounding area are known to the potential visitor. She does add that it’s difficult to really determine the trend for a tourist season until the middle part of July.
Turtles Released In The Gorge
Nineteen northwestern pond turtles reared at the Oregon Zoo were released in the Columbia River Gorge. The species is listed as an endangered species in Washington and a sensitive species in Oregon. The zoo says that since last spring, the turtles have basked in the warmth and light of a simulated summer at the zoo’s conservation lab, growing large enough to have a fighting chance in the wild. Once the turtles reach a weight of about 50 grams, they’re taken to ponds along the Columbia River Gorge, where a team of conservationists returns them to their natural habitat and monitors them for safety. In one study, scientists estimated that 95% of the turtles released back to sites in the Gorge survive annually. The American bullfrog, native to the eastern United States but considered invasive here, is the largest frog species on the continent. It can tip the scales at more than a pound and has been driving pond turtles and a host of other small, vulnerable aquatic species to the brink of extinction.
Crack Sealing Work Planned In The Dalles Through June
The Dalles Public Works crews will be crack sealing asphalt on streets at more than 60 locations throughout the City starting today through the end of June. Work will begin at 7:00 a.m. each morning, weather permitting. No parking signs will be placed on the curb at least 48 hours ahead of scheduled work. Motorists are asked to watch for the crews and avoid driving on rubberized asphalt crack seal until it is set. These projects will require short duration road closures between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at each location for the protection of workers and to allow time for the seal to set. This road work is expected to extend the service life of the pavement structure. Proceed with caution in these areas during construction times and observe all temporary traffic control devices. A full list of projects and a 2025 The Dalles Pavement Preservation Program map can be viewed at thedalles.org/summerstreetmaintenance. If you have questions, contact the Public Works Department at (541) 296-5401.
HRVHS NHS Continues Courtyard Work
The Hood River Valley High School National Honor Society has continued work on enhancing the school courtyard. During the school’s recent Community Work Day. NHS members and volunteers worked to remove five truckloads of overgrown juniper bushes, weeds, and debris, including the removal of four large Bradford pear trees using pickaxes, shovels, and a pulley system. Students then mulched the area, planted native plants, and installed tables and games. By the end of the day, the courtyard had undergone a dramatic transformation, thanks to HRVHS students. The improvements have already given the space new life, with students frequently using the games and seating areas. Before the school year ends, the team hopes to install an above-ground irrigation system with timers. Next school year, they plan to add more trees, flowers, and shrubs—specifically more rhododendrons—and continue enhancing the courtyard’s usability and beauty.
May 16-17 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 10, Hillsboro 4: Davin Snyder went four for four in the leadoff spot while Kingston McAdam went three for five and drove in four runs as the Eagles moved closer to a state playoff berth. They can clinch a post-season spot win a win over Hillsboro on Tuesday at Traner Field.
Molalla 5, The Dalles 3: Molalla grabbed a share of the Tri-Valley Conference championship with the victory. Finley Corbin drove in all three runs for the Riverhawks.
Grant Union swept Sherman 19-3 and 10-0
Softball
Hood River Valley 15, Hillsboro 2: Sarah Mason, Grace Rowan, and Addi Van Metre drove in two runs apiece as the Eagles scored thirteen runs in the third and fourth innings to take control of the game.
The Dalles 11, Molalla 1: Maddie Brock doubled and drove in four runs as the Riverhawks used a four-run second inning and a six-run fourth to win.
Track and Field
Columbia’ Saylor Hague won the girls’ 300 meter hurdles, Samantha Evans of CHS was first in the girls’ high jump, the Bruin girls’ four by 100 meter relay was victorious, and Stevenson’s Dani Wallace won the girls’ discus at the Trico League Championships at LaCenter.
Boys Lacrosse
Hood River Valley 7, Ida B. Wells 6 (OT)
Boys Soccer
Southwest Washington Class 1A District Championship
Columbia 1, Seton Catholic 0: The Bruins scored the game’s only goal in stoppage time when Issac Reynoso headed in a quick touch by Benson Zendt off a midfield free kick by Ulices Huerta. CHS will host either Rochester or Highland in a Washington Class 1A state playoff game on Thursday or Friday.
Traffic Stop Again Leads To Drug Seizure
The Hood River Police Department has made a third seizure of a large amount of drugs as the result of a traffic stop in the last month. According to the HRPD, officers uncovered multiple indicators of criminal activity and impairment after stopping a vehicle that was driving erratically and speeding on Thursday. A voluntary search of the vehicle yielded nearly thirteen pounds of methamphetamine packaged in thirteen individual bindles, along with nearly $10,000 in cash. Earlier traffic stops in late April and early May yielded the seizure of large amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.
TDPD Participates In Buckle Up Campaign
The Dalles Police Department will be joining the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and law enforcement nationwide for the Click It or Ticket high-visibility seat belt enforcement campaign starting on Monday and continuing through the end of the month. A statement by the department says they want to remind people that one of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up for short trips and long ones. The right seat belt fit matters, the shoulder belt should lay flat across the middle of your chest and away from your neck. The lap belt should fit across your hips, not your stomach. Never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm. Despite steady increases in observed seat belt use, approximately half of all passenger vehicle deaths are unrestrained. Buckling up helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle, whereas not buckling up can result in being totally ejected from the vehicle in a crash, which is almost always deadly.
NCPHD Opens Health Vending Machine
North Central Public Health District has opened The Dalles’ first community health and wellness vending machine in partnership with One Community Health. The vending machine, open 24 hours a day outside One Community Health’s clinic in The Dalles at 1040 Webber Street. It’s the first one on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. The health district says the machine is intended to increase access to affordable health and wellness products. The district will fund, maintain, and stock the machine, while One Community Health will house it. The items offered will be dynamic and changing based on community needs and product availability. Currently, the machine offers Naloxone, condom packs, pregnancy tests, menstrual supply packs, and hygiene wipe packs. All of the products offered are free or priced well below retail prices.
May 15 Prep Sports Roundup
Track and Field
Horizon Christian won the boys’ title at the Pilot Rock Invitational. Josiah Roberts, Charlie Haynie, Caleb Caldwell, and the four by 100 meter relay team all had event wins for the Hawks.
Boys Tennis
Hood River Valley’s Judah Caldwell finished fourth in singles at the Northwest Oregon Conference Tournament and advance to the Oregon Class 5A Tournament next weekend.
Girls Tennis
HRV’s Kendall Sales will match up with top-seed Kennedy Harris of LaSalle in the girls’ singles final at the NWOC Tournament, while the Eagles’ Jenna Hager and Poppy Mooney have reached the doubles’ final to face Avalon Donnelly and Kaitlin Carter of LaSalle.
D21 Budget Approved By Committee
The North Wasco County School District 21 budget committee approved a Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget to send the district board for final approval next month. Prior to the approval, interim Chief Financial Officer Randy Anderson outlined for the committee the nine different positions being eliminated, most of which were currently vacant. That includes two middle school teaching positions. Anderson told the committee that’s in response to enrollment that is smaller than it used to be, and both positions were already vacant. Anderson said there was a net reduction of six positions in the district for next year.