Parkdale resident and Navy veteran Tracy Wickwire finally received five of the medals he earned though his service in Vietnam, presented by Sen. Jeff Merkley on Nov. 10.
The Columbia River Gorge Quilters’ Guild held their annual quilt show at Hood River County Fairgrounds in Odell Oct. 13-14. Smitty Price of Hood River stands next to the quilt she designed and quilted at the show, saying, “I had been collecting African fabric for many years and decided it was time to create something with them!”
THE GORGE — If the theme of the first six months of 2023 was “the gradual return to normal,” the last half was definitely fire. Wildland and forest fires were a constant in the news, and even those occurring out of state had local connections. The end of the year also saw ballot measures that were months in the making, some successful, others not.
Below is a condensed version of the news carried in our 52 editions last year.
Thick wildfire smoke over the Columbia River catches the light during the Fort Dalles Fireworks show on July 4.
Flora Gibson photo
July
On July 2, the Tunnel 5 fire began along SR-14 near Underwood. This fire proved a huge challenge, with steep terrain and intense winds complicating things for firefighters. Many residents in Underwood were subject to Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations, with lower level evacuations in Bingen and White Salmon. The fire burned for more than two weeks, consuming more than 500 acres and destroying 10 structures. In September, it was found that the cause of the fire was brake debris and carbon emission particles from a Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train traveling through the area.
On July 24, the White Salmon City Council voted 4-1 to approve the West Klickitat Regional Fire Authority, sending it to the November ballot. The measure passed, 817 votes to 497.
August
Former Wasco County District Attorney Eric Nisley was awarded a $430,000 settlement by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum on Aug. 3. Under the suit, Nisley alleged the attorney general’s office wrongly advised the governor to terminate his position.
Hunter Shephard (left) and Soren Chaisson lead the second sack race at the Wasco County children’s fair on Aug. 17.
Flora Gibson photo
In early August, the devastating Maui wildfires had an impact on the entire country, including Copper West Owner and Principal Broker Maui Meyer. Meyer has roots in the town of Lahaina, 80% of which was destroyed in the fires.
September
The toll for the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge increased on Sept. 1, from $2 to $3.50 for cash-paying customers. Those with BreezeBy passes saw their tolls rise from $1 to $1.75.
On Sept. 11, the City of The Dalles filed a public nuisance action against the St. Vincent de Paul Society of The Dalles due to disruptive behavior from their clientele. Several community members living near the facility cited property damage, litter and biohazardous waste as some of the problems they were facing.
Buddhist monks participate in an offering ceremony for the temple’s new statues on Sept. 16.
Flora Gibson photo
The National Neon Sign Museum in The Dalles hosted a community celebration Sept. 12, following the official announcement that it will be the new and permanent home of the historic Jantzen Beach Carousel.
October
The Columbia River Gorge Quilters’ Guild held their annual quilt show at Hood River County Fairgrounds in Odell Oct. 13-14. Smitty Price of Hood River stands next to the quilt she designed and quilted at the show, saying, “I had been collecting African fabric for many years and decided it was time to create something with them!”
Chelsea Marr photo
In the Oct. 4 edition, Columbia Gorge News released its story on the case of Hannah Walker, who died on Oct. 12, 2022, in Trout Lake under suspicious circumstances. Walker’s family alleged mismanagement of the case by the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office.
On Oct. 12, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council celebrated the grand opening of The Annex, which was announced earlier in the year. The shelter has 54 rooms for the unhoused, 15 of which are reserved for families.
November
On Nov. 7, Klickitat County Commissioners held a public meeting where they prepared to sign an ordinance prohibiting large-scale solar development. The county had previously approved moratoriums on solar development proposals over one acre in size, with the most recent being a six-month moratorium enacted on Jan. 10.
Clayton Carter was one of the vendors at the Columbia River Indian Autumn, hosted at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center on Nov. 4.
Alana Lackner photo
Parkdale resident and Navy veteran Tracy Wickwire finally received five of the medals he earned though his service in Vietnam, presented by Sen. Jeff Merkley on Nov. 10.
Fred Crowder photo
Special elections also took place Nov. 7, with the bond for a new high school in The Dalles failing and the proposal for a White Salmon Regional Fire Authority passing.
The Dalles City Council voted to implement a moratorium on short-term rentals on Nov. 27. This decision followed months of discussion after community members voiced concerns about how Airbnbs were affecting their neighborhoods.
December
On Dec. 14, members of the community appeared at the North Wasco County School District regular school board meeting to discuss concerns about bullying. They called for the board to take action, emphasizing the harm bullying can cause.
Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) informed Klickitat County on Dec. 19 that they would be increasing their use of the county’s houseless housing funds. Executive Director Leslie Naramore cited rent increases, job losses, substance abuse and mental health issues as some of the reasons for the increase.
An early morning fire Dec. 22 at Gorge Building Supply in Hood River brought multiple agencies to the Frankton Road site.
Kevin Tokstad photo
In an event reminiscent of the summer months, Dec. 22 brought a fire at Gorge Building Supply in Hood River. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
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