The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) recently marked a significant milestone with the first two student graduations of 2024 at its alternative high schools, Klahre House and Kelly Avenue School. These schools serve as beacons of hope for at-risk and disenfranchised youth who have struggled within the traditional public education system.

From the Columbia River to the shores of Mexico, three-time Stand Up Paddleboard World Champion Fiona Wylde has navigated waters around the globe. Now she’s making a splash in her hometown of Hood River with Wylde Wind & Water, a non-profit which aims to create equitable access to water sports through water safety education, youth water sports programs, free community programs for all ages and much more!

The Hood River Latino Network (HRLN) is set to celebrate the grand opening of the new Immigrant Help Center on Saturday, June 15th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1406 12th St. Suite 102 in Hood River.

On Saturday, June 8, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Klickitat County Trout Unlimited will host a Kids Fishing Day event from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is beginner-friendly and open to the public free of charge.

Notice is hereby given of a vacancy on the Hood River City Council, position of Councilor. The term for this vacancy expires on December 31, 2026. 

The Hood River Urban Renewal Agency (URA) has endorsed a letter of support to transfer the jurisdictional transfer of State Highway 281, from Oak Street to Pacific Avenue, in the Heights of Hood River to the City of Hood River. The jurisdictional transfer is a necessary step for the Agency to move forward with The Heights Streetscape Plan.

The Hood River City Council approved a resolution to increase compensation for future City Councilors and Mayors to foster a more inclusive and diverse community leadership. The resolution aims to reduce financial barriers to civic participation and make service on the City Council more accessible and attractive to a diverse range of candidates.

Black in the Gorge will host its second annual Juneteenth celebration at Jackson Park from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on June 16, 2024! Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is a day of reflection and celebration of African American freedom and achievements. The free community event will feature an afternoon filled with plenty of music, food, crafts, dancing, and fun with various activities and a community art project celebrating freedom, liberation, community spirit and the contributions of the Black community in the Columbia Gorge.

The Dalles is set to receive $1 million in grants from the  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up the former Chenowith Middle School and The City’s Westside and Downtown Historic Area.

A card skimmer was discovered at Windmaster Market, a family owned and operated business at 1650 Tucker Rd in Hood River this morning at around 9:20 a.m. Windmaster is the latest in a string of local businesses including Treebird Market, Carson General, the Hood River Walmart and Hood River Astro, that have been targeted by skimmers this week.

The Gorge Festival of Nations Committee, comprised of representatives from the tribes of the Columbia River Gorge, is excited to announce the Gorge Festival of Nations, a one-day cultural celebration on June 15, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Cascade Locks, OR.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, met with health leaders and partners on Thursday in Hood River and The Dalles as part of a series of visits around the state to hear about community health needs.

As of 11 p.m. on May 21st Hood River County’s primary election saw a voter turnout of 47.04%. Election results will be updated again on Tuesday, May 28th, 2024 by 5 p.m. with mailed ballots and again on June 11th at 5 p.m. with resolved challenged ballots.

The Port of Cascade Locks and JettyLight, the company operating the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge, have announced plans for a community celebration of Captain Tom Cramblett that will take place onboard the Sternwheeler on Thursday, May 30th from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. The event is free to the public and light refreshments will be provided.

Frustration over the timing and required payback costs to ODOT bubble over. “It just breaks us, you know, and there's no other option,” said Councilor Megan Saunders. “ Like the option is to spend a bunch of money to get nothing, and we can’t keep doing this.” 

Members of the Portland branch of Jewish Voice for Peace will appear in Hood River on Thursday, May 16, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., to offer a presentation titled "Not in Our Name: Why Jews join Palestinians in saying free Palestine."  The event will take place in the Riverview Room at Riverside Community Church, 317 State St., Hood River.

The Oregon Women Lawyers (OWLs) will be conducting their annual book drive to support the library at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Oregon’s only women’s prison, May 13-29. There will be book collection boxes situated near the court clerks' offices in courthouses at The Dalles, Hood River, Condon, Wasco, and Fossil.

Hood River Latino Network (HRLN) hosted an International Worker’s Day March in the heights of Hood River on May 1 to raise awareness for working conditions and labor rights. 

Hood River Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturday, May 4th from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm in the 5th & Columbia parking lot across from Full Sail Brewing. Market shoppers can enjoy free parking beside the market on the west side of the parking lot, anywhere west of 7th Street or on Wasco Street.

Last Updated 3:30 p.m. April 19, 2024 Fire alarms went off at the historic Timberline Lodge at around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday April 18, due to a fire in the headhouse attic and exterior roof.