The Joan Burchell Fund of the Gorge Community Foundation is taking grant proposals for its annual funding cycle.  The Burchell Fund supports non-profit projects ranging from arts to social services, health care, and the environment.  This year’s grant cycle makes available $10,000.  Over $70,000 has been granted through the fund since its inception in 2010.  Deadline to apply is May 4, go to gorgecf.org for information.

A group put together by the Oregon Zoo will be studying how pikas in region are faring after last year’s Eagle Creek Fire.  American pikas are pint-sized mammals related to rabbits, known for their distinctive high-pitched calls.  They’re often found in rugged high-elevation mountain habitats, but pikas in the Columbia River Gorge are of particular interest because they live at a much lower elevation than any other pika population in the United States.  Cascades Pika Watch is a collaboration of organizations and individual pika researchers convened by the Oregon Zoo.   With a $24,100 Citizen Science grant from the Forest Service, Cascades Pika Watch will work closely with the agency to conduct surveys and collect information to find out how fire affects pika habitat and populations.

There will be a full closure of the Hood River/White Salmon Interstate Bridge for about 30 minutes on Wednesday morning beginning at 5 a.m. as Port crews perform a full-height lift of the bridge’s lift span for maintenance work.  The closure is expected to last approximately 30 minutes while crews grease cables, trunnions, and gears and lubricate the slide joints on the span guides.  Bridge users are encouraged to seek alternate routes and avoid the bridge between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Google held a grand opening for its new facility next to the Columbia Gorge Industrial Center in The Dalles on Thursday.  The first phase of the building has been completed, and Darcy Nothnagle of Google says employees will now start moving in.  Fifty new jobs will be created by the new building.  This is the third building Google has opened in The Dalles.  At the opening Google announced it was giving another $100,000 grant to North Wasco County School District 21 for technology projects, and $50,000 to The Dalles-Wasco County Library District to expand its internet hotspot lending program.

Three bills authored by Washington 14th District State Representative Gina McCabe were signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on Thursday.  One was Erin’s Law, which requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish a coordinated program to provide age-appropriate information and training pertaining to the prevention of sexual abuse of students.  Another will explore ways to expand the availability of sexual assault nurse examiners in hospitals throughout Washington, and the third requires the Washington State Patrol to work with tribal law enforcement and organizations to conduct a study to increase state resources for reporting and identifying missing Native American women throughout Washington.

The Google Wind Challenge and STEM Fair takes place Saturday at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center.  In the Challenge, 39 teams of high school and middle school students from around the region race against the clock in an all-day competition to design and build the strongest and fastest wind turbine.  In addition, Jessica Metta of the Gorge Technology Alliance says the STEM Fair that runs concurrent with the Challenge gives students of all ages a chance to take part in hands-on activities.  The Wind Challenge runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday while the STEM Fair will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fort Dalles Readiness Center.

Baseball Hood River Valley 7, Gresham 3:  The Eagles scored five runs in the first inning on the way to moving their record to 1-1 on the season. Dufur 7, Country Christian 6   Softball Hood River Valley 5, Gresham 0:  Lauren Decker struck out five on the way to pitching a six-hit shutout as HRV won for the second straight time to start the season.  Zoe Munn drove in three runs and Kaylin Winans two for the Eagles. Portland Christian 30, Stevenson 20   Boys Tennis Hood River Valley 8, St. Helens 0 Goldendale 3, Cle Elum-Roslyn 2   Girls Tennis Goldendale 4, Cle Elum-Roslyn 1  

The Columbia Gorge Community College Board of Education is seeking interested people in Hood River and Wasco counties who would like to serve on the panel’s budget committee.  Committee members are appointed to a three-year term.  Those who are interested in being on the CGCC budget committee should send a letter of interest with qualifications, telephone, and address to the Board of Education, Columbia Gorge Community College, at 400 East Scenic Drive in The Dalles, zip code 97058.  Deadline for consideration is April 2.

As we enter into the political season, the City of The Dalles is reminding residents to observe rules on the posting and removing of political signs.  Campaign signs can only be placed on private property, and can be up for the 60 days prior to the election in which candidates or issues are to be voted upon.  In addition, signs must not obstruct vision clearance areas at traffic intersections.  Signs must be removed no later than the fifth day following the election.  For more information, call The Dalles Planning Department at 541-296-5481, extension 1132.

Northern Wasco County PUD will be accepting applications for economic development grants until April 18.  The PUD Board allocated $50,000 this year to help fund local economic development projects.  No application can be for more than $20,000. Applicants must document non-profit status; not be a religious affiliated entity; and have not been funded more than twice in any five-year period.  Projects shall be for infrastructure or property with a life expectancy of at least five years and are located within the Northern Wasco County PUD service area.  A brief history of the requesting organization and description of project should also be included.  Applications may be obtained at the Northern Wasco County PUD Office on 2345 River Road in The Dalles, online at nwascopud.org; or by calling 541-298-3302.