Looking back, from July to December

Columbia Gorge News

This concludes our 2024 Year in Review; the following is a condensed version of the news carried in our 52 editions this year. Full report at columbiagorgenews.com.

July

Fire crews were battling a number of fires between The Dallesport and Cascade Locks in July, including the Larch Creek Fire near Friend July 9, the Whiskey Creek Fire south of Cascade Locks July 20 and the Microwave Tower Fire, west of Mosier along the Wasco and Hood River county line, July 22. With these fires came level 3 (“Go Now”) evacuation notices for some residents, and shelters were set up for displaced residents.

After two years of bad crops and glutted markets, 2024’s cherry crop looked “really good,” and cherry prices were back up. July’s high temperatures didn’t have a big effect, though fruit like cherries and pears can’t be handled in temperature more than 90 degrees — but once cooled off, they're fine.

A First Amendment “auditor” — someone who legally films people in public areas, sometimes trying to start interactions or confrontations with officials — filming public meetings and videoing citizens in the street caused a few calls to local police in The Dalles this month. An “auditor” can legally film people, including customers, who are visible from public streets, sidewalks, paths, parks and public offices with the goal of getting a reaction.

August

On Aug. 5, a lightning storm rolled though the Gorge, igniting the Williams Mine Fire three and a half miles northeast of Trout Lake. A forest closure affected the entire Mount Adams wilderness and areas adjacent to the fire. The American Red Cross opened a shelter for evacuated residents at Columbia High School.

A fire that evacuated areas of Bargeway and River roads in The Dalles caused about $2,000,000 in losses, according to reports from state investigators. They found that someone may have set the fire deliberately, but the suspect is still unknown. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue (MCFR) secured the scene and stopped the fire, which was first reported at 3:03 p.m. on Aug. 2. MCFR overhauled facilities at Oregon Trail Mini-Storage, where one building was destroyed.

Also this month, Bohn’s Printing in The Dalles celebrated a major milestone — 120 years of business.

September

In September, scientists recorded six low-intensity earthquakes beneath Mount Adams, marking the 12,276-foot volcano’s most seismically active month since monitoring began in 1982, and the United States Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) detected more in October. With magnitudes ranging from 0.9 to 2.0, the earthquakes didn’t produce any visible shaking.

A 51-year-old man was indicted for crimes involving the ignition of the Larch Creek Fire, Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis, who is handling the case, announced on Sept. 16. A grand jury indicted the man for arson in the second degree and reckless burning.

Work began to replace the existing playground at Sorosis Park in The Dalles Sept. 26. Temporary fencing was installed around the perimeter of the playground site to promote safety and limit access to the site.

October

The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail connecting Hood River and Mosier, closed since the Microwave Tower Fire ignited in July, reopened on Oct. 3. The burned area remained closed, but bikers and others could again travel through the Mosier Twin Tunnels between the East and West Mark O. Hatfield Trailheads.

The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge celebrated its 100th birthday early — the bridge was completed Dec. 6, 1924 — on Oct. 6, mostly due to winter weather concerns. The Port of Hood River closed the bridge to vehicular traffic for three hours, and thousands took advantage of the closure to walk across. Former Hood River Mayor Arthur Babitz drove his Model-T to the Washington side, bringing White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler, Bingen Mayor Catherine Kiewit, and Klickitat County Commissioner Jacob Anderson to the bridge lift span for some commemorative photos. Hood River Mayor Paul Blackburn and Hood River County Commission Chair Jennifer Euwer met the other local leaders in the middle. Anderson and Euwer recreated the 1924 bridge opening by exchanging boxes of fruit and shaking hands.

At its Oct. 21 meeting, the Hood River County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the Parkdale Community Plan. The updated plan was required by the state and meant to guide the unincorporated community’s future growth. Parkdale Sanitary District’s wastewater capacity is at 86%, which drove much of the decision-making.

November

Pedestrians returned to Mitchell Point Tunnel for the first time since it closed in 1953 when Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Oregon Parks Department held a dedication ceremony Nov. 16. The tunnel will open to the public after the winter months.

The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) held its ninth annual symposium on Nov. 1 in The Dalles. City councilors, port directors, scientists and others gathered in the Civic Auditorium to learn about funding opportunities, regional economic trends and challenges facing small businesses.

White Salmon Valley School District (WSVSD) and Washington Gorge Actions Programs (WAGAP) reported finalizing the details of the lease agreement that will bring WAGAP’s free Community Youth Center to the district’s Park Center Building early in 2025.

December

Klickitat County Commissioners heard the first report by new Klickitat County Jail Administrator Bill Frantz at the Dec. 9 meeting. Resolutions moving control of and responsibility to the Klickitat County Jail from the county’s sheriff’s office passed at the Dec. 3 meeting, taking effect at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 4.

Wasco County Commissioners held their final meeting of 2024 on Dec. 18, dealing with year-end housekeeping measures, and honoring people in key county positions who are retiring at the end of the year: Wasco County Chief Appraiser Melanie Brown, County Clerk Lisa Gambee, and Commission Chair Steve Kramer.

And finally, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) helped secure a $2,656,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to build updated filtration infrastructure at the Carson Water Treatment Plant.