HOOD RIVER — Port of Hood River property adjacent to the boat basin and Marina Green will someday have a whole new look as the port redevelops the property following replacement of the Hood River Bridge.

The new bridge will be built immediately downstream of the current bridge, largely parallel except on the Oregon shore, where traffic streams will merge where the toll booth now stands. The old bridge will be demolished once the new bridge is completed.

The city is hosting two events at city hall in the coming weeks. The first, a housing town hall and panel discussion, will be held on June 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. The second, a police station open house, will be held June 29 from 5-7 p.m.

Fire Chief John Logan has requested that the city hire Paul Martin as a temporary replacement for a fire fighter/EMT on leave for the month of June. The council approved the hire. Martin was previously employed by the city in the role, so a smooth transition is expected.

The main agenda item was a comprehensive presentation by Jay McLaughlin from Mount Adams Resource Stewards (MARS), who detailed his organization's work in community-based forestry, wildfire mitigation through prescribed burning, and their role as a significant local employer.

HOOD RIVER — Mid Valley Elementary students in Odell marked the last day of school with an official dedication of the school’s new(ish) playground.

Faced with poor snowpack, two irrigation districts, a grower and a conservationist share what they expect this summer