HOOD RIVER — County Chair Mike Oates announced that he will not seek re-election in 2022. Near the end of the Nov. 15 County commissions meeting, Oates declared his intention to step away from the chair position. Oates has been in his current position since December 2019. He hoped his announ…

HOOD RIVER — Newly hired City Manager Abigail Elder, and Community Engagement Coordinator Nubia Sánchez-Contreras jumped right into the swing of things on Nov. 1 when they were given guided tours around City Hall and other departments.

Do you live in Hood River County and need a photo identification? Get or renew your Hood River County (HRC) Community ID card through Dec. 31. The program ends at the end of this year. The card is valid for two years.

HOOD RIVER — During the Nov. 10 meeting of the Hood River County School District Board of Directors, special recognition was given to military veterans who now work for HRCSD.

Horizon Christian senior Augustina Decker was recently selected as a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist. Decker, a resident of The Dalles, is an exceptional young lady well-deserving of such a prestigious accolade.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and classes were suddenly online, a lot of teachers found themselves thrust into different roles. Though many just went from teaching their subject in-person to teaching it in an online format, Jen Hart found herself teaching a new subject entirely.

Hood River County School District held its virtual board meeting Nov. 10. District personnel and board members made the switch from in person to virtual meetings due to safety concerns starting with the Oct. 27 meeting.

Gorge Translink has launched the 2022 Annual GOrge Pass, offering an easy way to travel to and from Portland/Vancouver and around the Columbia Gorge on both sides of the river. Four Gorge transit providers have teamed up to offer the unlimited, fixed route rides with a GOrge Pass:

HOOD RIVER — Hood River County School District Board Members approved an Oregon Department of Education Re-engagement Opportunity Grant of $240,000, received by Hood River Valley High School, at its Oct. 27 virtual board meeting.

When Zulma Ramirez was in middle school, she was at a rough period in her life. Her parents worked in the orchard from sunrise to sunset to provide for their family, and though she was grateful for all they did, it was hard never having them around. She was struggling to adjust and needed so…

HOOD RIVER — On Wednesday, Nov. 10, Sen. Chuck Thomsen (R-Hood River) announced he will not seek re-election in 2022.

Youth Outreach Worker Julio Cobb-Hernandez, center, with co-workers Paola Escobedo (left) and Jesica Campos (right), visited Hood River Middle School Oct. 19 and Hood River Valley High School Oct. 21 (pictured) to make pronoun buttons for students.

Quick-hitting Hood River Valley scored two touchdowns within a minute late in the first half, erasing a 7-6 deficit, enroute to a 19-7 Class 5A state football playoff win Friday at home against South Albany.

CASCADE LOCKS — When Sara Hauman was a contestant on Bravo TV’s “Top Chef Portland,” she said it was hard to live in the moment with the pressure on her to cook at her best. Since she has teamed up with KGW and Travel Oregon to produce the “Oregon in Season” series, she has finally had time …

It almost sounds too good to be true: A cooking class that not only teaches students to follow recipes but also teaches them about flavors and creating their own unique take on a dish. Not only that, but a class that uses whole foods grown, in part, by other students out of the school garden.

Don Nunamaker, well-known in the Hood River community — he opened Don Nunamaker, Realtors, in 1969 — died Oct. 7 at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital at the age of 78.

The co-owners of Working Hands Fermentation — a collaboration between Slopeswell Cider and local brewer Kasey McCullough — have a lot to celebrate.

Hood River joined the global “Walk & Bike to School Day” celebration recently, demonstrating a car-free School Street.

Columbia Gorge CASA Board President Julie Nygaard has announced that Susan Erickson will leave her role as CASA executive director this fall when she and her family move away from the Gorge.

HOOD RIVER — Protesters took to both sides of Eugene Street on Oct. 13 before the Hood River County School District Board Meeting at the Coe Administration Building.

HOOD RIVER — Hood River County School District was notified Aug. 19 that Gov. Kate Brown had issued a new directive legally requiring all K-12 school district staff, substitutes and volunteers to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 18.

HOOD RIVER — A former employee of Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital has a filed a notice of intent to sue Hood River County, Hood River County District Attorney’s Office, former Hood River DA John Sewell, and the State of Oregon, asserting a claim for damages over allegations Sewell vi…

How do you rehearse and perform during lockdown — or after lockdown, with mandated social distancing requirements in place?

HOOD RIVER — When the calendar turns to Nov. 1, the City of Hood River will have a new city manager. Abigail Elder was chosen from a pool of three finalists. Elder’s most recent experience comes from the City of Beaverton where she was the director of community services and engagement. She a…

HOOD RIVER — The Hood River County Board of Commissioners is considering an ordinance to establish a parking permit program for Post Canyon. If adopted, designated fee parking zones on county forest land would be identified with the goal of managing recreational use in the county’s tree farm…

Hood River County Early Childhood Committee’s Drive-Thru Children’s Fair, held at River of Life Assembly on Oct. 2 “was a huge success,” said organizer Terri Vann, with 18 agencies present and more than 150 children served. The health department gave 23 flu shots and a COVID vaccine, and Pro…

More than 100 people gathered in downtown Hood River on Oct. 2 in solidarity with Women’s Marches across the U.S. The Hood River event, held at the corner of Oak and Sixth streets, focused on abortion rights. Guest speakers shared personal stories of abortion, and several pieces of art were …

Hundreds of samples of frames in neat displays, large machines for designing and printing, an English bulldog napping on a little dog bed: These are all things one might see when they enter Picture This Frame & Print, located in Hood River. They’ll also likely see the owner, Terry Hender…

One of the hardest parts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on businesses has been the need to respond to constantly changing conditions. That’s true for Columbia Center for the Arts, Hood River, as well.

As the classic song goes, “you can get anything you want at Alice’s restaurant.” The same holds true at Hood River’s Orchard Lanes in a slightly different way, all you need to do is put some work in to bowl better. Then, you will get what we all want, more strikes and more spares which will produce bigger scores. That makes us bowlers happy.