Mid-Columbia Today

To start a holiday-shortened week, Mark talks with Hood River County Administrator Allison Williams and Commission Chair Jennifer Euwer about fire-danger issues and revenue options, then Wasco County Commission Chair Scott Hege goes over the proposed endowment fund under consideration.

On today's show, Mark talks with Dr. Mike Foss from Alpine Veterinary in Hood River about preventing avian influenza in your flock at home, interacting with wildlife, Chronic Wasting Disease, and what to think about when using alternatives to pesticides and herbicides.

On today's show, Caralee Holtmann previews the Huckleberry Festival, September 11-13 in Bingen, then OSU Extension's Paola Escobedo talks about OSU Open Campus and the importance of filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

In the first part of the show, Mark talks with Stephanie Hatch from the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum about the Hood River Fly-In set for September 11-13 (information at waaamuseum.org).  Then The Next Door Executive Director Janet Hamada talks about the recently produced documentary about community health workers in Gorge called "Corazon" that will be the focus of public premieres in September (details at nextdoorinc.org).

In the first half of the show, Mark shares random thoughts on a number of topics, including the news that came out when he was on vacation that Dominguez Family Enterprises will purchase the Lower Hanel Mill property from the Port of Hood River that was going to be the site of an Amazon distribution center, and then he is joined by Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District Executive Director Mark Hickok and District Board Member Christy Christopher about moving toward a new swimming pool and the recent donation of property to complete the Indian Creek Trail.

To start the week...Mark talks with Jaime Rivera of Hood River Valley Parks & Recreation District about fall activities for youth and adults (information at hoodriverparksandrec.org).  Then Marianne Durkan of FISH Food Bank of Hood River County stops in to discuss the increase in request for food help they have seen this summer, particularly among seniors and families, and the increase in cost for FISH to acquire food (donate at fish-food-bank.org).

We talked with Eric Bosler from Oregon Master Gardener Association for the whole show! In the first half... Mark talked with him about the recent emerald ash borer infestation in the Northwest, along with the tree of heaven infestation. In the second half... He and Mark talked about the upcoming Hood River Front Yard Garden Tour on September 12th, how autumn is a good season for planting, and about inoculating a tree. 

In the first half... Mark talked with Dan Kenealy of the Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association about their upcoming 2026-2027 season, including getting ready for their first show in September. In the second half... Mark talked with Dr. Kenneth Lawson, the President of the Columbia Gorge Community College about their upcoming fall semester, how enrollment is going, and the new athletic program for the college. 

In the first half of the show, Mark is joined by Phil Hukari and Tom Ames to talk about the upcoming Hood River Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame events September 11-12 and the inductees that will be honored (the awards banquet will be September 12 at Divots Pavilion at Indian Creek Golf Course, social at 4 p.m. with the dinner and award presentation at 5 p.m., $35 per person).  Then Washington Gorge Action Programs Associate Director Juan Reyes and Education & Engagement Coordinator Christopher Cazares preview a Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event WAGAP is co-hosting with the Gorge Heritage Museum in Bingen on September 10 at 5:30 p.m. celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, and the annual El Grito celebration on September 13 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Rheingarten Park in White Salmon.

On today's show, Mark talks about election turnouts, the lack of candidates in Hood River municipal and county elections, and worries people have become so disenchanted with politics they are tuning out completely, then he's joined by The Dalles Mayor Rich Mays to discuss efforts to protect The Dalles' watershed during the Grasshopper Fire, progress on First Street, and the Basalt Commons project.