History: Feb. 10, 2021 edition

By setting aside an airplane base, Hood River now has the opportunity to become internationally known “in the air,” according to Lieut. Vern U. Ayres, R.M.A., secretary of the Aero Club of Oregon, who was a visitor to the News office on Wednesday. Lieut. Ayers is now engaged in charting the necessary landing fields and sites for hangers in eastern Oregon, having completed his survey of the western and southern half of the state. He hopes to interest local organizations in the permanent establishment of a landing field as a base for circular flights over some of Oregon’s most beautiful scenery and also for commercial trips. — Hood River News

With blood stains upon his shoes, which he cannot explain, Earl Janet, transient laborer, is in the city jail today, believed by police to have some connection with the mysterious killing of Gus Hansen, aged recluse who was found murdered at the foot of a cliff west of the city yesterday. Janet was arrested by the police in a general round-up of suspicious characters in the city, in which eight men were lodged in the city jail. — The Dalles Daily Chronicle

1941 — 80 years ago

While no delegations appeared at the meeting of the Hood River County School Unit Board Wednesday evening, before the meeting came to an end, Secretary Ed. Steele, of the chamber of commerce, appeared to present to the board a plan to establish National Defense schools covering farm mechanics and carpentry, similar to those being established at Hood River High School, in high schools at Parkdale, Odell and Cascade Locks. The board at once adopted the plan and will cooperate with Steele to have these schools open as soon as practicable. Odell High School gymnasium is well adapted for such a project and plenty of students in the valley will be available between the ages of 17-24. — Hood River News

Legislation empowering the Oregon state highway commission to construct of acquire bridges across the Columbia River will be sought by a Mid-Columbia delegation which will converge at Salem tomorrow, when a joint hearing with senate and house committees is scheduled regarding house bill No. 204. Dalles members of the delegation expect to leave here tomorrow morning. Other representatives will be present from Hood River, Bingen and White Salmon in an effort to present a untied front.— The Dalles Daily Chronicle

1961 — 60 years ago

Tapped as Hood River County’s Outstanding Senior Citizen for 1960 Monday evening, Rev. Albert Allen, Rector, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, stood a few quiet moments on the podium with his award that evening, then promised the applauding banquet audience that he would continue to “do my best” for his work and his community. It was a quiet Rev. Allen banquet-goers saw Monday. Saddled with membership on almost every major community committee, he spent most of 1960 in full flight, stirring up interest and enthusiasm in the county’s new Public Affairs forum. — Hood River News

Additional company records received from Fancis Seufert of The Dalles have enhanced “the already magnificent Seufert marine collections” in the Oregon Historical Society library, Portland. The society announced this week that hundreds of photos, thousands of fish packing records and other documentation of the Columbia salmon industry now make up the society’s record of the Seufert Bros. Co. The Seufert Bros. cannery was forced to close at the time The Dalles Dam was constructed.— The Dalles Daily Chronicle

1981 — 40 years ago

Trouble-plagued Crystal Springs Water District, still licking its wounds after a Christmas flood knocked out its main line, had new man-made problems to face this week. The company’s Odell headquarters was stripped by burglars over the weekend and the final list of stolen items looked like the firm’s inventory list. Total loss has tentatively been set at $4,700. The garage, shop and adjacent offices were all gone through with a fine-tooth comb and absolutely scoured of goods. — Hood River News

A new telephone cable underneath the Columbia River was put into service Friday to serve United Telephone Company of the Northwest customers in Stevenson, White Salmon, Bingen, Goldendale and other areas. The new underwater toll cable replaces the section that was strung across the drawspan of the Hood River toll bridge, much like a clothesline. There, the old cable was quite vulnerable to the strong Columbia Gorge winds. “The 12-year-old cable was taking a beating,” said Bob Condon, outside plant engineering supervisor, who oversaw the project for Untied Telephone. “It was cracked and leaking.” — White Salmon Enterprise

The Eastside Water Project was declared complete Monday night with good news for those who helped pay its direct costs. Because federal grants were greater than anticipated, there will be cash refunds and credits to property owners. — The Dalles Daily Chronicle

2001 — 20 years ago

Hood River Valley farmers want a bigger slice of the fruit pie. “It is time to ‘raise a little hell’ when our local grocery store starts selling foreign fruit — directly competing with the local grower who can’t even get back the cost of production,” said Camille Hukari, a local fourth generation fruit grower. Hukari and 14 other orchardists recently formed the Tractor Coalition and staged a parade and rally on Tuesday to bring public attention to the plight of the agricultural industry. — Hood River News

Hank Patton and Jim Bull are planning to turn the former Estey Ranch in Underwood into a world-class site focusing on the science of sustainable resources management and apprenticeships in performing arts. In a $1.62 million transaction that was finalized at the end of December, World Steward — a not-for-profit organization — is developing an ambitious business that will turn the 223-acre property into a hands-on research station and learning facility that will simultaneously focus on sustainable agriculture and performing arts. The Seattle-based Bullitt Foundation sponsored the project. “The Gorge is ready for something like this,” said Hank Patton, president and chairman of Underwood-based World Steward. — White Salmon Enterprise

Need a unique frame for your 2001 eighth grader’s graduation? Want a wooden backing for that favorite middle school photograph? Or do you just feel a special connection to the old gymnasium floor of The Dalles Middle School? The Dalles School Board approved a fundraising plan to put pieces of the old gym floor for sale beginning today. — The Dalles Chronicle