The Washington State Department of Commerce 2023-25 Housing Trust Fund 2024 Supplemental budget includes three million dollars ($3m) in direct appropriation to Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation’s (CCHC) Assisted Living Facility in Western Klickitat County. This $3M award is intended to leverage additional federal, state, and local resources to construct the facility.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s recreation report includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming, hunting, and wildlife viewing.

City of White Salmon Council Member Jim Ransier recently earned a Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).

Possibly the last chance to get free COVID-19 tests mailed to your home from the U.S. government is coming to an end later this week. This Friday, March 8, is the last day to order the free tests. The program is being suspended after Friday.

Hood River Latino Network and the Rural Organizing Project received the keys to open up an Immigrant Help Center (IHC) at 1406 12th St, Suite 2, in Hood River, this week. The IHC will act as a community hub and wrap around service center. Programming will include cultural events, leadership skills development, and assistance navigating mental and health services.

Last weekend I decided to take advantage of the spring (of faux spring) sunshine and engage in one of the Gorge’s most classic weekend activities: a hike followed by food, good wine, and good company at Jacob Williams Winery.

The March 17 deadline to enter your best photos into Friends of The Gorge’s ninth annual photo contest, "GorgeGram: Framed in Beauty," is quickly approaching!

Maryhill Museum of Art, situated on a hilltop overlooking the Columbia River, celebrates the myriad ways in which humans have interacted with this vital waterway in its 2024 special exhibitions, including The Columbia River: Wallula to the Sea and King Salmon. The museum opens for the season on March 15, and the special exhibitions will remain on display through November 15.

The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority board of commissioners on Thursday approved the project team to take the next step in securing a company to lead the design and construction of the new bridge.

What happens when people are treated for mental health conditions and then discharged but have no place to call home? In Skamania and Klickitat counties, the Community Behavioral Health Rental Assistance Program (CBRA) is in place to help people transition from care facilities back to their communities.

“Give for the Gorge was created to help ensure that the Columbia River Gorge and its communities are preserved for future generations of visitors and residents,” said founder and project manager, Sandi Scheinberg. “It will provide a much-needed, ongoing source of funding to eight incredible Gorge-area nonprofits focused on the three areas of greatest need in the Gorge: housing, food security and the environment.”

Goldendale Junior Matthew Gray displayed his athleticism and now has a state wrestling championship to his name. The team finished third in the state 1B/2B team division and several individuals picked up top medals this weekend.

The move is the first step in creating additional, land-efficient housing in the community as a shortage in housing stock has gripped the Gorge and the Pacific Northwest generally.

In an unfortunate accident, a 77-year-old driver from Glenwood was attempting to park her car in front of Everybody's Brewing on Jewett Boulevard in downtown White Salmon, when she ran over the curb and struck two women on Monday, Feb. 12th at about 12:45 p.m.

In what White Salmon Valley School District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn called a timely report, the District presented to the board a breakdown of how the district addresses youth and teen suicide. The report came in the wake of a recent teen suicide at neighboring Hood River Valley High School, where Polkinghorn had once been a teacher and principal.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Columbia River Gorge including the cities of The Dalles, Dufur, Maupin, Hood River, Underwood, Stevenson, Carson, Corbett, and Cascade Locks. The warning remains in effect from 8 a.m. on February 14 until 10 p.m. on Thursday the 15th.  A weather advisory has also been issued for the Simcoe Highlands from Feb. 14-16.

The Port of Hood River’s engineering team is continuing to troubleshoot the lift failure that occurred in December, resulting in some temporary closures.

“Overall, we had great contributions from all players,” said Varsity Coach Chris Siebert. “We started the season slow but have really come on strong in the second half of the season. I am very proud of this team as a first-year Varsity Coach, we have really come together.” 

While the possibility of foul play was a significant concern, authorities say they have found no evidence or probable cause to suspect criminal activity linked to Walker's death. "Though foul play cannot be ruled out completely, there is no evidence or probable cause to believe that a crime was committed," Sheriff Songer added, marking an end to the lengthy investigation.

With our hearts full of gratitude as this year comes to a close, we would like to touch on a couple of different topics. All of us at KCEMS1 would like to express our appreciation to all the first responders who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to helping their neighbors and visitors of Klickitat County during a variety of emergencies.