2008 in review: The last, most notable stores of the year

OCTOBER

The housing market slowed throughout the county as the nation was gripped in an economic recession that made it more difficult for people to obtain credit. According to a local real estate report, the time necessary to sell a house had doubled from the 61-day average in 2005.

The annual Hops Fest in Hood River was termed successful by organizers in spite of heavy rains and an outdoor setting. Twenty-three breweries provided a 100-yard row of taps under large tents as crowds gathered to test the ale and enjoy musical entertainment.

Another annual festival, Harvest Fest, took place under tents at the waterfront and the county fairgrounds in Odell. More than 80 vendors were on hand to offer shoppers everything from fine art glass to door sculpture, ceramics, photography, fiber art and handmade soaps and lotions. Freshly harvested fruit and vegetables from the Hood River Valley were also sold, along with annual and perennial plants.

More than 11,000 ballots were mailed out to registered voters in Hood River County. The electorate was asked to decide between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain for U.S. President, along with a variety of statewide measures. The ballot also included candidate choices for local offices in Cascade Locks and Hood River.

The Hood River City Council sent a letter off to the Bureau of Indian Affairs outlining potential detriments — such as a drain on the emergency services budget — to a casino being sited in Cascade Locks. The letter was termed “fact-free” and discounted by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, which are seeking to construct a gaming facility within the city limits of Cascade Locks.

Resident Tamara Roberts started a petition to gather support for safety improvements at the Hood River intersection of 13th and May streets. The Oregon Department of Transportation has been asked by the City of Hood River to turn over control of that sector of State Highway 281, also known as 13th Street.

NOVEMBER

The Hood River City Police Department suspected that teenagers were behind a criminal mischief spree that damaged 12 vehicles within a one-month period. A high-powered pellet gun was used by unknown suspects to shoot out car windows on weekends. The damage was estimated at more than $5,000.

Ice Fountain Water District completed fortification of its infrastructure to withstand another major debris flow from Mount Hood during heavy autumn rains.

Election 2008 results were tallied and Hood River County backed Sen. Barack Obama in his historical win. The Democratic contender received 6,229 voters to the 3,240 cast for Republican Sen. John McCain, a 64 to 33 percent margin.

Democrat Jeff Merkley beat out incumbent Republican Sen. Gordon Smith and captured a 53 to 43 percent margin of local votes.

District 2 Congressman Greg Walden, who makes his home in Hood River, retained his seat and defeated Democratic challenger Noah Lemas by a local vote of 5,734 to 3,172. Walden earned 70 percent of the vote statewide.

Hood River Democrat Suzanne VanOrman bested Republican Matt Lindland of Eagle Creek for the House District 52 seat being vacated by Rep. Patti Smith, R-Corbett. VanOrman won by a 52.6 margin in Hood River County.

In local races, Hood River voters gave the nod to Arthur Babitz in the race of mayor. The electorate also approved the $6 million bond measure for the fire hall.

In Cascade Locks, Brad Lorang captured the position of mayor and Tiffany Pruit, Kevin Benson and Lance Masters were chosen as new councilors.

Measure 14-33, which grants Cascade Locks voters a say on new taxes and fees, passed by a 53.57 percent margin. Also approved by a 50.84 percent margin was Measure 14-32, which restricts the city from seizing private property without the owner’s consent.

Hood River Chrysler Jeep Dodge closed its doors due to lack of sales brought by the economic recession and 34 people were out of work. The dealership was one 650 to close nationwide within a two-month period.

DECEMBER

The Hood River Lions Foundation awarded $2.1 million in grants to 23 community organizations. The money was donated by an individual who wished to remain anonymous.

The Hood River City Council began discussing a “dark store” code to regulate the appearance of vacant and abandoned commercial buildings and properties. Some citizens and retailers objected to paying a $100 registration fee that would provide owner contact information. The fee was subsequently dropped and the addition to the nuisance laws is expected to be approved on Jan. 12.

David Ryan, owner of Hood River Juice Company, was indicted on six Class-B felony counties for polluting public waterways. He was also charged with two Class-C felony counts of supplying false information to an agent of the state Department of Environmental Quality.

The manufacturing plant owned by Ryan is located at 1590 Country Club Road. According to reports, discarded pulp and wastewater was released illegally into a nearby irrigation ditch, creating algal growth and offensive odors.

Eighteen-year-old Carlos Garcia Luis was sent prison for criminally negligent homicide after killing his roommate, Felipe Dominguez-Chacha, 37. District Attorney John Sewell described the victim being stabbed in the chest 60 times during an altercation as the “more violent case that I’ve ever handled.”

The Hood River County School District began considering how to absorb an expected $498,000 reduction in state revenue for the 2009-10 budget.

A series of winter storms pounded the Northwest and kept Hood River County’s emergency responders running from one accident scene to another. Forty-one calls involving weather-related wrecks occurred during a period of several days. Both Interstate 84 and Washington State Route 14 were closed to travel for three days due to blizzard conditions, shutting Cascade Locks and other Gorge communities off from deliveries.