Hood River County is part of the chorus of local government officials hoping for a special session of the Oregon Legislature to put together a transportation package after the recent regular session ended without one. County Administrator Allison Williams says the transportation package is about more than the Oregon Department of Transportation. It’s also a relationship between the state, counties, and cities, and the local governments continue to fall further behind in maintaining roadways. Williams says the County is hearing concerns from citizens about the level of maintenance and safety for the roadways. She adds Hood River County is already dipping into reserves to put together its current road maintenance program.
Klickitat County Commission Approves EOZ Amendments
Klickitat County Commissioners approved amendments for its Energy Overlay Zone to deal with solar developments and battery energy storage systems. A committee and the Planning Commission made the recommendations to change industrial scale solar development and battery energy storage systems to conditional uses while a more formal ordinance is developed. Planning Director Scott Edelman says this will not stop applications for these projects, but does add a layer of review. He also said it will give the County a better chance of defending areas where such developments are prohibited when applicants go to state Energy Facilities Siting Council. Edelman added an ordinance should reach the Planning Commission for a hearing in September or October, and then would come before the County Commission.
Motorcycling Injured In Accident Near Maryhill
A motorcyclist was injured when he failed to yield the right of way to a truck and trailer at the intersection of Stonehenge Drive and Highway 14 east of Maryhill. According to a Washington State Patrol report, the 66-year-old man from Black Diamond, Washington was northbound on Stonehedge Drive at Highway 14 at around 1:20 on Tuesday afternoon. The WSP says he attempted to turn onto the highway and was struck by the westbound truck driven by a 47-year-old Hood River man. The motorcyclist was taken by LifeFlight to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland for treatment of undisclosed injuries. The truck driver was uninjured.
Search & Rescue Calls Continue Climb In Skamania County
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says it continues to see search and rescue calls increase. In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office says it handled 12 search and rescue missions in June, moving them up to 42 so far in 2025. There were a total of 54 of these calls for the entirety of 2024, and the Sheriff’s Office says it is just entering the normal busy season for search and rescue. Those missions in June ranged from helping climbers on Mt. St. Helens to a person who had a “panic attack” after becoming separated from their hiking party and needed assistance to continue down a trail. The Sheriff’s Office says the calls serve as a reminder to hike within your capabilities, pack plenty of water, tell others where you’re traveling, and always have the ten essentials: navigation tools, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first-aid supplies, fire starter, repair kit and tools, nutrition, hydration, and emergency shelter.
Wy’eth Fire Stopped
Firefighters overnight stopped the forward progression of a fire near Wy’eth Campground east of Cascade Locks. Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area officials said this morning crews have just about completed a handline around the perimeter of the fire and will continue mop up, including decreasing heat in a log deck. The estimated size of the fire has been reduced to ten acres. Evacuation advisories issued on Monday night were lifted Tuesday afternoon. Multiple aircraft responded to assist in the firefighting effort soon after the fire started late Monday afternoon and moved to the northeast.
Hood River Parks & Rec Open House Wednesday At Aquatic Center
The Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District is going to hold a community open house at the Hood River Aquatic Center on Wednesday evening. The district has hired the architectural firm Intergrus to examine facility conditions, give design options, and do a cost analysis for replacing the aging pool. The open house will give an update on current pool conditions, give opportunities to ask questions, conduct facility tours, and allow for public input on what a future pool should include. The open house will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening. There will be free pool admission, food, family fun, and information.
Lampreypalooza Set For Wednesday
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission are inviting the public to Lampreypalooza on Wednesday. It’s an afternoon of science, storytelling, and up-close encounters with one of the Northwest’s most ancient native fish. Lampreypalooza highlights the cultural importance of Pacific lamprey and the efforts to support their recovery. Visitors can explore live demonstrations, hear from Tribal representatives, and see lamprey up close. All events are open to the public and take place at Bonneville Dam. Pacific lamprey are a key species in the Columbia River Basin. They’re culturally significant to Tribal Nations, play an important role in the food web, and have survived hundreds of millions of years of environmental change.
Two Historic Preservation Grants Go To Mid-Columbia Projects
Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, awarded 20 grants totaling $300,000 for historic properties and archaeology projects, including two in the Mid-Columbia area receiving $20,000 each. The City of Wasco is receiving a grant for its continued rehabilitation of the Wasco Train Depot. This grant goes toward repairing the train depot deck platforms. The City of Antelope also was awarded a grant to restore the exterior front windows of the Antelope School building. The grants were in the Preserving Oregon category for properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places and for archaeology projects. These grants are approved by the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation, a nine-member group that reviews nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. The members are professionally recognized in the fields of history, architecture, archaeology and other related disciplines.
4th of July Events Throughout The Region
There are plenty of Fourth of July events going on in the area. In The Dalles, it’s Fort Dalles Fourth with a variety of activities. That includes a Kids’ Fair in City Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., a free community breakfast in City Park at 8 a.m., a block party on 2nd and Monroe from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Hometown USA Parade starting at 10 a.m., a concert with the Gorge Winds Concert Band in City Park at 11 a.m., and the fireworks show on the Columbia River at 10 p.m. For complete details go to fireworksinthedalles.com. In Hood River, there will be a parade at 11 a.m. from 12th and Pacific to Jackson Park, with the community fireworks show at 10 p.m. at the Port of Hood River Waterfront and Marina. To prep for the fireworks show, the Spit will be closed beginning at 9 p.m. Thursday evening until noon on Saturday, while the Sandbar and Marina Beach will close at 7 p.m. Friday evening. The Port of Hood River also reminds those coming to the Marina or Waterfront for the show to expect heavy traffic and delays after the show. In White Salmon, there will be 4th of July parade at 11 a.m. down Jewett Boulevard to Rheingarten Park. In Cascade Locks, Marine Park will host music and food vendors followed by a fireworks show at 10 p.m. The Skamania County Fairgrounds will host Stevenson’s Fourth of July celebration with live music from the Big River Blues Band at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks at dusk. And in Goldendale the annual demolition derby and truck pull will take place at the Klickitat County Fairgrounds.
Fire Southwest Of Dufur Burns Estimated 92 Acres
Forward progress of a fire southwest of Dufur was stopped at an estimated 92 acres. The Larch Creek Fire was reported just before 4 p.m. Thursday. Crews went into the night mopping up the fire. The fire was burning on a ridgeline, which create some problems for firefighters trying to access it. Aerial attack of the fire began fairly quickly, assisting crews in getting forward progress stopped. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office did issue some Level 1 and Level 2 evacuation advisories in the immediate area of the fire, and they remained in place through the night.