2023: Year in review, Part 1 of 2

Houselessness and mental health continue to be big topics of discussion, and I don’t see that going away anytime soon — because it’s complicated and multi-layered. The same goes for school funding on both sides of the Columbia.

Below is a condensed version of the news carried in our 52 editions this year. Thank you for continuing to support our mission of bringing local news to our region — we appreciate all of you.

January

On Jan. 10, Marta Yera Cronin, president of Columbia Gorge Community College since July 2018, announced her pending resignation to staff and faculty, effective June 30. A national search was underway by mid-March and directors made the decision at the June 20 board meeting to hire Kenneth “Kenny” Lawson, who began in his new role as CGCC president on Aug. 1.

Hood River County Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Oates left the position after four years, with Jennifer Euwer sworn in as new chair, and Leti Moretti and Ed Weathers replacing Bob Benton and Karen Joplin — all three commissioners had decided not to run for reelection.

February

Mid-Columbia Community Action Council announced Feb. 8 that it had finalized the purchase of the Oregon Motor Motel on Second Street in The Dalles to be renovated into a 54-room, 100-bed transitional housing shelter called “The Annex.” The project was a topic of discussion at the Feb. 13 city council meeting, where residents expressed both concerns and support. The facility celebrated its grand opening Oct. 12.

Klickitat County voters approved all ballot proposals for school district replacement and capital levies, enabling Trout Lake, Lyle, and White Salmon Valley school districts to fund operations through 2026. The election was certified Feb. 24.

March

District 21 — The Dalles — Communications Director Stephanie Bowen, with Steve Nelson and Alec Holser of Opsis Architecture, broke down the district’s bond planning efforts during a school board meeting. While the bond amount wasn’t finalized at that time, on June 15 the board approved the bond measure package of $140 million that appeared on the November 2023 ballot. The levy failed by 338 votes.

A March 7 meeting in the Henkle Middle School gym brought White Salmon Valley School District officials and community members together over concerns of a $3.28 million budget shortfall would impact students’ education. The board of directors accepted Superintendent Sean McGeeney resignation at its April 6 meeting, additionally accepting the volunteer services of former Superintendent Jerry Lewis, who retired in 2021, as interim superintendent. The search for a new superintendent began in April, and Hood River County School District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn was ultimately hired for the position, and was sworn in at the July 27 board meeting.

April

An agreement for Mid-Columbia Medical Center (MCMC) to join Adventist Health was approved by state and regulatory bodies, it was announced April 14. Among the provisions of approval are conditions that include Adventist Health’s investment of $100 million over 10 years to ensure MCMC’s operations and maintain existing services. On June 14, the two celebrated their new partnership with a party at MCMC, and announced the facility would be changing its name to Adventist Health Columbia Gorge.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek visited Wasco and Hood River counties in mid-April, where she heard from service providers, stakeholders, and city and county elected officials about top priorities, including housing and homelessness, affordable childcare, and mental health and addiction services.

May

The Port of Hood River and the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project announced they had officially received a portion of the $75 million from Senate Bill 5200 and Washington State Legislature as part of the Move Ahead Washington initiative. With the release of funds, the project has secured roughly 35% of their total funding goal set at $520 million.

The Dalles Art Center, facing closure in March, rebounded in April and by May had hired Sally Johnson as its new executive director, who had been volunteering as interim director since March.

June

June was a difficult month for Columbia Gorge News, as our longtime Managing Editor Mark Gibson died June 23. His last assignment took him to Rheingarten Park for a flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day, June 14. Using his photos and notes, we ran the story “American Legion, Elks mark Flag Day with flag retirement ceremony,” in the June 21 edition.

One of the first of many forest and wildland fires over the summer of 2023 that called for residents to evacuate, the Mile Post 87 Fire, located near E. Second Street and Viewpoint Road in The Dalles, was reported on June 14. A Level 3 evacuation (Go Now) was immediately put into place.

Part 2 will run Jan. 3.