Corps, BPA celebrate Bonneville’s 75 years
During the Depression of the 1930s, one of the darkest economic times for the United States, a beacon of light shone forth from a monumental project spanning the Columbia River.
Brown marmorated stink bugs are spreading
Search for egg predator is under way
This invader eats just about everything that is grown commercially in Hood River. They call it the BMSB for short, but its full common name is the brown marmorated stink bug. It’s a name local growers will become very familiar with, very soon.
Cascade Creek fire on Mount Adams rages on
Anyone who looked to the north during daylight hours this week might have thought Mount Adams, the dormant volcano, had come back to life.
One wildfire extinguished, another ignites
Hwy. 141 fire nears containment, Mount Adams fire blazes
One fire comes to a close while another rages into full-gear. Welcome to high fire danger season in the Gorge.
Fire in the Gorge
Highway 141 fire burning near White Salmon
What started as four small fires along Highway 141 in Washington at about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, has now burned over 1,200 acres of open land between White Salmon and Husum. As of press time on Friday morning, officials were reporting a 40 percent containment of the fire.
Candles light way for suicide prevention
Hood River mother brings urgent message
When a family loses a relative to suicide, the survivors bear an especially painful grief.
Extension cord blamed in Eliot Road house fire
According to West Side Fire Marshall Jim Trammel, the Aug. 27 blaze at 3099 Eliot Drive in the Heights began as a failure of an outdoor extension cord. A garage, a motor home and a car were completed destroyed and a modular home received damage. No injuries occurred.
Stabbing suspect is in custody
Rodriguez-Garibo nabbed in Parkdale during night operation
After living off of orchard fruit and hiding out in rugged forest lands since he allegedly stabbed his employer on Aug. 18, suspect Edgar Omar Rodriguez-Garibo, 38, was taken into custody following a nighttime sheriff’s department stake-out on Aug. 25.
Fire guts garage, vehicles
Nobody injured in Monday afternoon Eliot Drive blaze
A giant cloud of billowing, black smoke sent residents to their phones on Monday afternoon as fire blazed through two structures and two vehicles at 3099 Eliot Road.
Travel agent Sue Collins loses small claims case
Mark Flaming awarded $9,346 after proving unauthorized credit card use
With charges on his credit card account totaling over $42,000 for flights that actually cost closer to $18,000, Mark Flaming, of Hood River, sought a civil judgement against Cascade Travel owner Sue Collins in the court room of Judge John A. Olson on Aug. 22.
Columbia Gorge Dance Academy
The company in motion
Great journeys often begin with small steps. In this case, we’re talking dance steps.
Columbia River Gorge Commission adds new members
Blaine replaces Reinig for HRC
Three new commissioners have joined the ranks of the Columbia River Gorge Commission, including one new representative from Hood River.
Mt. Hood orchardist attacked by employee
Sheriff reports suspect Edgar Rodriguez-Garibo still at large
The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a local man who allegedly attacked a woman at a Highway 35 farm on Saturday afternoon. The suspect is identified as Edgar Omar Rodriquez-Garibo, 38.
Healthcare with an alternative view
Osteopathic physician opens integrated medicine practice
The divide between western medical practice and eastern health strategies may be a step closer to harmony with the opening of a new integrative medicine practice under the leadership of Erin Martin, D.O., M.P.H.
Summer Internet scams and squash multiply prodigiously
Get ready for a terrible story from someone you know — but before you get out your wallets, read on.
Fallen firefighters memorial dedication Sunday in Odell
1 p.m. ceremony includes honors for Louis Bud Mohr and John Hazlett
With wildfire season upon us, what better time to recognize and honor those citizens who dedicate their lives to protecting the community from the dangers of fire.
Monks give, receive blessings, farewells
With spiritual blessings for Hood River, the Gorge and the entire world, six Tibetan monks brought the beauty of sand mandala art to Hood River’s library this last week.
Peace Village engages kids in camp with a purpose
Five years ago a group of parents from across faith communities gathered together to share a vision; seeking a way to teach children peace-building skills, and teach them early.
Librarian Steighner to retire
Children’s party planned for Aug. 17
She had been sharing her love of reading with her young son, and then thought about sharing that love with other children. That was the initial enticement that drew veteran children’s librarian Hillary Steighner to apply for the children’s librarian position with the Hood River County Library back in 1987.
Hood River providers organize for uninsured
Hood River County has one of the highest rates of uninsured individuals in the state (about 33 percent versus the state average of 21 percent).
New heights: Tanner Brownback is second 8-year-old in family to summit Hood
Common sense tells us that features like blue eyes or straight hair tend to run in families.
Travel agent arraigned on felony
Police say additional theft charges pending against Sue Collins
Charges and complaints against Cascade Travel owner Sue Collins, are mounting.
To this day, the carousel continues and continues ...
Her eyes were adorned with delicate petals of color. Her smile blazed with the sweetest, unselfconscious joy. As she surveyed her choices, Juliana Moore, 6, selected a brilliant white steed and took the reins.
Idlewild Market meets niche needs
If you’ve got an urgent need for some of life’s basic necessities, Nina Buckley of the newly opened Idlewild Market, on Fourth Street and Cascade Avenue, has got just what you’re looking for.
Faraway fires fuel Gorge haze
Hazy days in the Gorge are a bit of a surprise when normally sky-clearing winds have been blowing. But, as many river users have noticed, haze has been on the daily menu over the last week.
Daily exercise plan thwarts check fraud
HR Sports Club rebounds from major scam
Daily exercise routines promise to bring about good health and longer life. For Clark and Carol Emmerson, one particular daily routine also ensured the survival of their business.
Cascade Travel owner charged with theft
Sue Collins, owner of Cascade Travel in Hood River, has been charged with four misdemeanor counts of theft II, according to Hood River Police Detective Don Cheli, lead investigator on the case. Collins is scheduled to appear in Hood River Circuit Court on Aug. 6.
Speakboxx combines vintage, high-tech
Business ideas run in the family
If vintage, retro and classic are styles that ring your bell, but you still insist on high-tech sound quality, then Luke Nance, 23, has found his target consumer in you.
Recreation renaissance in Cascade Locks
Wayfinding, stewardship, connectivity are keys
Mountain biking, kayaking, cycling, hiking, sailing, kite boarding and windsurfing are more than just great sports activities in the Columbia Gorge. They represent a significant regional economic engine — fueled by growing participation —which yields substantial local spending.
High-speed motorcyclist nabbed in Portland after 135-mph chase on I-84
Imagine cars traveling I-84 at 65 mph looking like a series of turtles in the pathway of an oncoming luge sled. That might have been the effect when a motorcycle driver, traveling at 135 mph, began weaving between the usual traffic stream on the morning of July 19 just outside of Hood River.
Cherries feel sky’s wrath
Thursday night’s second series of thunderstorms raged through the valley with dazzling lightening displays, downpours and even a smattering of hail.
Motorists help take dangerous drivers off Interstate 84
Two incidents happen in five-hour period
“No man is an island” – That old saying took on a new twist July 13, when after a crash, flat tire and 10 miles of erratic driving, a drunk driver was corralled into submission along the shoulder of I-84 by four other drivers.
Walk of Love: Relay for Life returns Saturday
This weekend several people in Hood River will be saved from a premature death. Several more neighbors will be spared surgeries. Your own father or mother may be given 30 extra years of life.
CGCC rewards excellence in 2012
Two outstanding members of the Columbia Gorge Community College faculty and staff have netted awards of excellence for the 2011-12 school year. Both share a dedication and belief in their work that others recognize as extraordinary.
Hood River physician struck on bicycle
Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital surgeon Christeen Osborn, 35, of Hood River, was struck and critically injured at around 1:24 p.m. July 7 while cycling five miles south of Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast.
Rain Storm Results: Cherries doused by cloudbursts
For every cherry farmer, the key to harvest success at this time of year is fruit maturity, timing, weather and a lot of luck.
Coal train derails
While the Hood River City Council has led the way in voicing fiery opposition to coal trains passing through Hood River, the battle over the toxic transports is just beginning. An “up-river” Mesa, Wash., derailment accident on July 2 may just add fuel to those flames.
Walmart: Use it or lose it?
City Council must re-examine Walmart vested right question
Did Walmart lose its right to expand under the Hood River Municipal Code when the store became a nonconforming property and failed to take steps to finish construction?
Orchards affected by ODOT spray
Pear growers report damage to trees, fruit along four highways
While tourists filled the roads during blossom season, an unexpected challenge to local pear orchards quietly took hold amongst those beautiful blooms, along those same roadsides.
County payments moving forward
Last fiscal year, Hood River County received $713,038 to spend in support of schools and roads, as part of the Federal Secure Rural Schools program — a program slated to terminate this year.
Quiet visitor packs potent question for Cascade Locks
A soft-spoken, retired librarian from Michigan arrived in Oregon on June 24 to bring with her a giant-sized and common-sense message: “Buyer beware.”
Westside, District gain new leaders
Members of the Hood River County School District Board welcomed two new leaders into administrative positions for the district during their April board meeting.
Cascade Locks proceeds with Nestlé bottling plant research
“Strategies: Collect the facts both pro and con. Document all facts and sources to ensure fact base authenticity.”
CGCC builds foundation of excellence
Freshman year of college: It is a critical time and one that can propel students forward or sink them into early failure, depending on their experience.
‘Grandma scam’ thwarted
“Hi Grandpa. This is your oldest grandson ... I guess I’m going to need to ask for your help,” said the friendly, familiar voice on the other end of the phone.
CGCC’s Wolff hired
Since 2004, Dr. Susan Wolff has been the chief academic officer at Columbia Gorge Community College — a college that now serves 5,900 students across seven counties in the mid-Columbia region.
Book Stop comes to a halt
The doors of Book Stop, a cozy corner bookstore at Oak and Second streets, flew open in May of 2005. Amongst a similarly strong outpouring of community support, owner Cynthia Christensen is now preparing to close those same doors.
Adult literacy ‘raises all boats together’
CGCC unites people who love to learn
When you meet Rene Santillan, his brilliant smile and friendly nature might easily hide his previous struggles with mastering English. With two and a half years of adult literacy training now completed through Columbia Gorge Community College, Santillan is no longer shy about talking about his future.
Hood River is healthy
County ranked ‘third healthiest in Oregon’
In addition to the many honors Hood River has received through national and regional magazines touting the county as a desirable place to live and play, Hood River can now add a new feather to its already beloved cap.