Volunteers are being sought to help with community Thanksgiving dinners in Hood River and Cascade Locks.  Volunteers are needed to help cook, serve, deliver, and clean up.  Those who can lend a hand are asked to call Debby Chenoweth at 541-399-2384 by Thursday (November 15).  The dinners will take place on Thanksgiving Day from noon to 4 p.m. at Riverside Community Church in Hood River and from noon to 2 p.m. at the Cascade Locks Port Pavilion.  Meals will also be delivered to people who may be homebound.  If you need a delivery or know of someone who might want a meal delivered email bnew1@live.com or call 541-399-2384.

Applications are being taken for two open positions representing the agricultural industry on the Wasco County Economic Development Commission.  One of the available spots generally provides representation for dryland crop and cattle producers, while the other focuses on cherries and other fruit producers.  Applicants from anywhere in Wasco County will be accepted, with priority consideration placed on applicants representing those industries.  In order to apply, candidates are asked to submit an interest form by 5 p.m. November 29.  Forms are available electronically at the Wasco County website or at the office of Mid-Columbia Economic Development District at 515 East Second Street in The Dalles.  All interest forms will be reviewed and provided to the Wasco County Development Commission for their consideration and recommendation.  Appointments are made by the Wasco County Board of Commissioners.

Beginning Friday and continuing through December 21st, work on placing conduit and manholes along with hard surface restoration will take place at several locations on West 6^th Street between Webber and Irvine Street in The Dalles.  There will be multiple traffic revisions along West 6^th Street and in the intersections between Webber and Chenoweth Loop Road along with traffic flaggers controlling traffic.  All local businesses and residents will have access.  Construction hours will be between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Dalles City Council and the Wasco County Commission will hold a joint worksession on Monday to discuss what direction to take on building codes management.  The County was going to turn over the function, which had been under the Mid-Columbia Council of Governments until that agency disbanded, to the state until state officials said there would probably not be a local office it that was the case.  The worksession will be on Monday at 5:30 in The Dalles City Hall.

The tree that will be displayed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the Christmas season will make a stop in The Dalles Wednesday morning.  This year’s tree comes from Oregon’s Willamette National Forest, and is making stops in 25 communities along the way.  The theme for the 2018 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is “Find Your Trail!” in recognition of two 2018 anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act and the 175th commemoration of the Oregon Trail.  In November, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will travel eastward from Oregon on the reverse path of the Oregon Trail.  The tree will be at The Dalles City Hall on Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.  Festivities during the tree’s visit to The Dalles will include remarks by public officials, visits with Santa and Smokey Bear, hot cocoa, cookies, candy canes, and live music.  Activities are free and open to the public.

The Dalles HOPE Warming Place Shelter is getting ready to start operation for the winter at the St. Vincent dePaul location on 315 West 3rd in The Dalles.  Georgia Giacobbe says their four month season will start November 18, and the shelter will be open when nighttime temperatures are under 30 degrees including the wind chill or 35 degrees when there is rain or snow.  Shelter hours will be 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.  Giacobbe says they are still in need of volunteers to help run the shelter, and the main requirement is compassion.  Those interested in volunteering for The Dalles Warming Place can call Ed Elliott at 541-386-5857.

Hood River County wrapped up its series of workshops on its budget situation last week.  Commissioners and staff held the open house sessions to educate residents on their budget crunch, and potential options to generate more revenue.  Attendees were asked to give their opinions on a range of possibilities that included a local option levy, a capital improvement levy, a general sales tax, a prepared food and beverage tax, and doing nothing.  County Administrator Jeff Hecksel says they are still tabulating the results, but the prepared food and beverage tax appeared to generate the most support.  Hecksel adds the next step is for the Commission to sort through the input they’ve received.  The Commission has targeted putting a tax measure before votes in May.

The parking lot and the power for the restrooms at Klindt Cove Park in the Port of The Dalles has been installed, and there will be more development in the spring.  The Port, North Wasco Parks and Recreation, the Kiwanis Club, and others have been partnering to use a state grant to develop the new park.  Port Executive Director Andrea Klaas says next year the restrooms will be open year-round, but this winter Parks and Rec will install port-a-potties to ensure the heat is working to prevent the restrooms from freezing.  She adds more work will take place in the spring, including installation of power pedestals for events and landscaping.  Once the park is developed, the parks and recreation district will handle operations and maintenance.

Sign-ups for the Hood River County Christmas Project are underway, and donations are being accepted to help provide food and toys for those receiving assistance.  There are food and toy collection barrels at 22 different locations in the Hood River area, and monetary donations are also being accepted on-line at hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com.  The project’s Bruce Holmson says they try to fill the boxes with items that last beyond the holiday.  Grocery gift cards are also included to help purchase perishable foods, and non-food essentials are also included.  For more information on how to donate, go to hoodrivercountychristmasproject.com.

Cross Country The Hood River Valley girls’ cross country team finished seventh in the championship race at the Nike Northwest Regional meet over the weekend in Boise.  20 teams from eight states in the region were invited to participate in the championship, which was won by Oregon 6A champion Summit. HRV was coming off winning the state 5A title the previous weekend.  Frances Dickinson, the Oregon 5A individual champion, was the top Eagle finisher, taking 29th.  She will be joined by teammates Brinna Weiseth, Josephine Dickinson, and Evelyn Nunez in competing in the Nike Borderclash in Beaverton next weekend, with the top 30 racers from both Oregon and Washington compete in a dual meet for state bragging rights.   Oregon Class 1A Football Quarterfinal Dufur 64, Camas Valley 20:  Asa Farrell rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries and caught four passes for 99 yards and three scores as the three-time reigning champion Rangers secured another semifinal berth. Tanner Masterson ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries and Russell Peters had 14 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery for a score for Dufur.  The Rangers continue their quest for a fourth straight state title when they meet Hosanna Christian in the semi-finals on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Summit High School in Bend.   Washington Class 1B Football Play-In Lyle-Wishram 77, Entiat 22:  Brandon Montoya ran for four touchdowns and caught passes for two more to lead the Cougars to the state quarterfinals.  Kurtis Billette passed for five scores while running for one and catching a TD pass.  Lyle-Wishram faces Naselle in the quarter-finals this weekend.   Washington Class 1A Football First Round Hoquiam 49, Stevenson 0     Oregon Class 5A Water Polo Tournament At Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center in Beaverton Girls Semi-Final:  Hood River Valley 20, Ashland 3 Championship:  West Albany 13, Hood River Valley 9   Boys Semi-Final:  West Albany 15, Hood River Valley 10 Third Place:  Hood River Valley 14, Ashland 9