This week in history: March 11, 2024

Yesteryears

1924 — 100 years ago

“Of all the activities and interests of local American Legion Posts one of the most important should be some form of community work, which should have as its objects a betterment of conditions in the communities in which those posts are located.” These were the opening lines from a paper delivered by B.H. Snow, Commander of the Hood River Post, American Legion. The work of the Legion in Hood River was referred to, showing some of the many forms of civic work which Legionnaires can fulfill. — Hood River News

Letters from almost every spot on the globe and from many widely separated places in the United States have been received at the sheriff’s office concerning tax statements on property in Wasco County. One letter has been received from South America. — The Dalles Chronicle

The town council Wednesday night purchased 400 feet of 2 ½ inch hose at $1.25 per foot and other accessories for the standardizing of the hydrant connections, subject to the approval of the fire department, which is to pay one-half the cost. — White Salmon Enterprise

"IMMENSE BLACK WALNUT tree, reportedly planted in 1901, came down this week at Ralph Bolen residence, 601 E. 12th Street. Size of the tree, a landmark in that part of the city, is indicated by pictures showing (left) the walnut's branched framework after trimming job was started and (above) Ralph Langston of Langston Tree Service, Clackamas, beside butt end of lot measuring about 10 feet through. Wood is being purchased at Bend for gun stock and other uses." Published in The Dalles Daily Chronicle on March 19, 1964.

1944 — 80 years ago

Sixty-four Mexicans will arrive here on March 19 to work as steady men for 24 growers. Additional orders will be placed twice a month if growers find they are in need of more help. Six hundred Mexicans have been ordered for thinning and cherries, and an additional 600 are expected to be in the valley for the fruit harvest. The apparent shortage of farm labor for the coming season is increasingly evident. As a result, the Hood River County Sub-Labor Committee felt it necessary to institute some rules and regulations to govern farm labor. This is done with the idea that if a concrete program is adhered to many of the problems which have disrupted our labor program in past years will be solved. — Hood River News

The automobile and garage companies of the city gathered last to form a club, the main purpose of which shall be to promote the service education and exchange of ideas along the lines of automotive service in this city. The organization is purely local and was conceived for increasing efficiency in serving the public in these times of emergency and scarcity of help, it was stated. The motto was “Better Service for the Mid-Columbia Area.” — The Dalles Chronicle

B.Z. CORNERS — The Arden Farms have put in quite a feed store at the Harley Fordyce Machine shop. They will also have seeds and other farm needs. They take eggs or what have you in exchange … Mr. and Mrs. Bob Lockhart have bought a two-acre tract in Jewett’s addition at White Salmon and expect to move soon. They intend to put in bulbs and raise regal lily bulbs for sale. They have a number of them in their small place here … — White Salmon Enterprise

1964 — 60 years ago

Columbia Gorge TV, Inc., soon plans to be able to beam Channel 2 to its Mid-Columbia members. The nonprofit organization has filed with the Federal Communications Commission for modifying translator station K70BM on Underwood Mountain to broadcast KATU Channel 2, Portland, Programs. “This should be within 30 days,” said a spokesman for the organization. — Hood River News

Friday, the 13th, was unlucky for Edward Earl (Bud) Wagner Jr., 32, sales manager for Griffith Ford. His car hit an icy spot, crashed into a guard rail, and burned like a torch ... But if it hadn’t been for an alert and quick-thinking member of his own sales staff, Bob Fraley, his address on this Friday the 13th would be the morgue. Fraley and Wagner had been in Portland on business and were rolling home in the early hours of stormy weather ... But while it was sliding and spinning, Fraley was doing some spinning of his own, and seconds later after running against traffic pulled up near the flaming car. He saw the badly injured and dazed Wagner emerge with his clothing on fire. Wagner ran across the two eastbound traffic lanes, and vaulted the center fence, with Fraley in pursuit, pulling off his jacket as he ran. Fraley threw the jacket around Wagner, and then laid him on the pavement to extinguish the flames. — The Dalles Chronicle

1984 — 40 years ago

Boaters, hikers and other pedestrians who want to make their way from the Hood River Village and Port Marina Park areas to downtown Hood River will soon be able to do so without braving the freeway shoulder. The Hood River Port Commission voted at its Monday meeting to call for bids for a pedestrian bridge across the Hood River as soon as specifications are complete. — Hood River News

The Wasco County Court expects to set a public hearing on whether to create a recreation district in The Dalles Urban Area. The court has the authority to create such a district without an election.

... The Dalles City Manager Del Cesar Monday night. He told them that should a district be formed, he assumed the city would lease its fields, Civic Auditorium, parks and swimming pool to the district at $1 a year and the new district would worry about operations and a budget.

Federal officials are investigating what caused a small plane to crash into a steep hillside in the Columbia River Gorge, killing five Alabama family members and an Oregon relative.

The tri-county beef sale has been scheduled for March 23 in The Dalles at Mid-Columbia livestock exchange. About 1,100 head sold last year.

Sponsors are cattlemen in Wasco, Sherman and Klickitat counties. — The Dalles Chronicle

Although it passed the state Legislature and is expected to be signed into law by Gov. John Spellman, Washington residents will get one more Fourth of July to buy firecrackers before a bill banning them takes effect in January 1985. The measure is less restrictive than the pre-1982 safe and sane law, in that it still allows certain aerial devices such as Roman candles and helicopters … — White Salmon Enterprise

B6 HR History class of 2004.JPG — Car for ’04 — A drawing for this 1987 Honda Civic will benefit the June 4 graduation party for the Hood River Valley High School class of 2004, which includes students David Martz, left, Eva Rivera, Maria Martinez, Graham Hay and Michael Kauffman. Dave and Katie Foster donated the car, which needed some fixing up. Apple City Auto Body donated and installed the brand new side molding for the car and did an overall cleanup …
*— March 10, 2004, Hood River News*

2004 — 20 years ago

Property tax rates would stairstep over the next three years under a Local Option Levy that voters will decide upon in the May 20 Primary Election. An additional tax rate of up to $1.50 per $1,000 assessed valuation would be added to Hood River County taxpayers under the three-year levy. Hood River County School District Board of Directors decided Wednesday in its meeting in Parkdale to put the levy on the ballot. — Hood River News

Two senior Corps of Engineers manager from The Dalles Dam are on temporary reassignment in Portland while the federal agency conducts a review of recent oil spills at the local facility. A Corps spokesman emphasized no disciplinary action has been taken against either man, saying the decision was only taken to allow an independent evaluation of procedure and practices ... The Dalles Dam has been the site of three spills in the past eight week,s beginning with a large spill of mineral oil that left traces for miles downriver, followed by two minor oil spills of a few gallons each. — The Dalles Chronicle