Mid-Columbia Today

The show starts with Sarah Fox previewing Season 17 of the Sense of Place series (senseofplace.org), then it's White Salmon Valley School District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn on early enrollment numbers and an update on the K-12 campus project.

In the first half of today's program, Hood River County School District Superintendent Bill Newton talks about various topics, including efforts to encourage school attendance, and an update on long-range planning.  Then it's White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler on adjustments to the 2026 budget and planning for 2027.

In the first portion of the show, Mark talks with Mid-Columbia Center For Living Clinical Supervisor for Jail Diversion and Aid & Assist programs Breana Hesse, then History Museum of Hood River County Executive Director Lisa Commander previews upcoming events and exhibits at the museum.

Today, Janice Crane from the Cascade Locks Historical Museum talks about the upcoming Bridge of the Gods 100th Anniversary Celebration (September 19, noon-8 p.m. at Cascade Locks Marine Park), then after a phone issue Danny Cosgrove of the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center tells us about their upcoming observance of Japanese American history in the Gorge, Apples & Ancestry (September 25-26 at the Discovery Center).

In the first part of the show, Mark talks to Christopher Janetzko and Carol Hayes of Columbia Gorge CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates for Children) about a pair of upcoming fundraising events and the continued need for volunteers to serve as advocates (go to columbiagorgecasa.org for information).  Then, Dr. Ryan Petering from Skyline Health discusses sports medicine and how to deal with injuries without surgery.

Mid-Columbia Community Action Executive Director Leslie Naramore and Shelter Services Manager Liz Leon discuss the beginning of a capital campaign to create a "mini Gloria Center" in Hood River, then Home Visiting Nurse Kate Karlson and Daron Ryan of the Hood River County Health Department talk about expanded services for parents and their children that are now available.    

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 jonined 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.

Mark is back from his vacation! In the first half, Mark talked to Hood River Mayor Paul Blackburn about the new hydroelectric generator the city installed, the progress on Mariposa Village, and animal control in the city. In the second half, Mark talked to Klickitat County Commissioner Ron Ihrig about the busy day of meetings and public hearings the county has planned for tomorrow.

The last day with our guest host Marti Dane! In the first half... Marti talked with Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tammara Tippel about the upcoming events happening in the White Salmon-Bingen area, including the upcoming Huckleberry festival, the Underwood skate night, and the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. In the second half... we listened to an old but still relevant clip from earlier in the month with Dr Mike Foss from Alpine Veterinary, talking about being prepared to move your animals during wildfires, and interacting with the wildlife. 

The second to last day with guest host Marti Dane! In the first half... Marti talked with Teneille Herriges from the Wonderworks Children's Museum about their upcoming annual Touch-A-Truck event this Saturday. In the second half...Marti talked with Hannah Nanda with Gorge Grown about the Hood River Farmer's Market and their upcoming Harvest Dinner fundraiser. 

The third day with guest host Marti Dane. In the first half... Marti talked with Lorraine Lyons and Sharla Weber Mosqueda from Hood River Adopt A Dog about what volunteers do, about their efforts to ensure the financial health of the shelter, and about the canceled Tails on Trails fundraiser. In the second half... Marti talked with White Salmon Valley School District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn about preparing for the upcoming school year and the recent sale of bonds for construction of a new K-12 school. 

The second day with our guest host Marti Dane... In the first half... Marti talked with Hood River County School District Superintendent Bill Newton about preparing for the upcoming school year and the long range planning the school is doing. In the second half... Marti talked to White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler about a recent special meeting about a temporary moratorium on small-box discount stores, a grant from the state for storm damage repair, and happenings around the city. 

The first day with our guest host Marti Dane. In the first half... Marti talked with Port of Hood River Executive Director Kevin Greenwood about the upcoming Port Commission strategic planning session, and getting funding for the new bridge. In the second half... Marti talked with The Dalles Chamber of Commerce CEO Lynn Cox about how the tourism season is going, the Sunny Trail Challenge and upcoming Chamber events. 

In the first half... we listened to a recap of last night`s Grasshopper Fire Community Meeting in Dufur. In the second half... Mark talked with Columbia Gorge Discovery Center Executive Director Cheryl Ragar about preparing the premises in case of fire, and about the upcoming events in September and October. 

In the first half, Mark talked with Klickitat County Queen Jaylee Phillips about the duties of the queen, and the upcoming festivities. In the second half, Mark talked with Providence Hood River Chief Administrator Rebecca Coplin about the economics of medical care and rising hospital expenses. 

In the first half... Mark talked with Mid-Columbia Community Action Council's Executive Director Leslie Naramore and Development and Partnerships Director Sarah Kellems about their upcoming fundraiser in October, and how the funds are planned to be used to help with their houselessness programming. In the second half... Mark talked with Hood River County Prevention's Amanda Holste about the services they provide and how it has impacted our local community. 

In the first half... Mark talked with Hood River County Administrator Allison Williams about budgeting and possible revenue raising plans for the county. In the second half... Mark talked with Wasco County Commissioner Jeff Justesen about the impact of the Grasshopper fire in the county and on the upcoming county fair. 

In the first half of the show Mark is joined by Mid-Columbia Center For Living Medical Director Dr. Kim Humann and Clinic Director Sheila Oldfield to discuss the Rapid Access Clinic for Opioid Use Disorders, then it's Port of The Dalles Executive Director Andrea Klaas previewing the upcoming Community Outreach Team visit to Washington, D.C. to discuss area needs with representatives and agencies.

Mark talked with Dr. Mike Foss from Alpine Veterinary Hospital for the whole episode. In the first half... Dr. Foss talked with Mark about preparing for wildfires with pets and livestock, how to treat wildlife that is escaping the fire, and about preventing the spread of disease in sheep. In the second half... Mark and Dr. Foss talked about the future of AI in veterinarian medicine. 

In the first half... Mark talked with Kerry Lauristen with the Mid-Columbia Car Club about the 33rd annual Cruise the Gorge classic car show. In the second half, Mark with Leah Lowe with Wasco County 4-H about the upcoming Wasco County Fair starting next week, and about the kids who are selling livestock in the auctions. 

In the first half... Mark talked with Mike Schend from Families in the Park, which produces free family friendly concerts every Thursday in August at Jackson Park in Hood River. In the second half... Mark talked with  Marketing and Development Director Amanda Lawrence from The Next Door about the programs they offer and their upcoming Harvest of Hope fundraiser, celebrating 55 years! 

In the first half...we talked with Cindy Thieman from the Hood River Watershed Group about the impacts of fire on watersheds and about the projects they have going. In the second half... we talked with Debby Jones from YouthThink about their upcoming plans, including talks about ending addiction and the loneliness epidemic in kids. 

In the first half, Mark talked with members of the Hood River Valley Solar Storms Solar Car team, who recently got back from their first Solar Car Challenge in Texas, where they won third place in their division. In the second half, Mark talked with Hood River Sheriff Matt English and Hood River Undersheriff Joel Ives about recent fire evacuations, searches and rescues, and being prepared. 

In the first half...Mark talked with the Maryhill Museum of Arts Executive Director Amy Behrens about the museum's upcoming events, including the Milagro Puppet Theater showing this Saturday and their Educator Free weeks coming up. In the second half...there was no guest, and Mark talked with the producer about social media. 

In the first half... Tay Lynne talked with Mark about Theatre CamilleLynne, a teen community theater company, and their upcoming production of Cabaret at the Columbia Center for Arts. In the second half... Ari Gardner talked with Mark about Gorge Recovery, a peer-led substance abuse recovery community organization, and their new facility in The Dalles.

In the first half... Mark talked with Liz Wilber, the Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation Housing Resource Center Manager about the services they provide and about their plans for community land trust housing in Carson. In the second half... Mark talked with Robert Jamack from the Mid-Columbia Football Officials Association about how to become a sports official for junior sports in our area for the upcoming school year.

In the first half... there was no guest, so Mark talked about the Grasshopper Fire, the Hay Creek Complex Fire, and new bond measures the City of Hood River passed about housing and police department renovations. In the second half... The Dalles Mayor Rich Mays talked with Mark about passing new archeological funds for the First Street Streetscape project and about the Mayor not running for re-election. 

In the first half... Mark talked to Hood River City Manager Abigail Elder and Mayor Paul Blackburn about the housing crises in Hood River. In the second half... there was no guest and Mark talked about recent changes in sports broadcasting. 

The last day with our guest Marti Dane! Today... Marti talked about the early child-care business accelerator program Child Care Partners at CCGC, about the Hood River Community Outreach Event about Home Energy Efficiency, and whatever else came to mind.  

The fourth day with guest host Marti Dane! In the first half... we talked with History Museum of Hood River County Executive Director Lisa Commander about what events the museum has coming up for the rest of the summer. In the second half... we talked with Columbia Gorge Community College Aviation Program instructor Bryan DeSpain about the program and the new hanger they will use at the regional Dallesport airport. 

On our third day with guest host Marti Dane... In the first half, we talked with Mike Schend about the Hood River County Education Foundation's fundraiser concert on July 23rd with Jennifer Batten and Full Steam at the Ruins, and what they use the funds for. In the second half, we talked with Mary Alejandre and Juan Reyes from WAGAP, and to Joe Gillock from the Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation about their new partnership and housing in Roosevelt. 

The second day with our guest host Marti Dane! In the first half... We talked with Hood River County School District Superintendent  Bill Newton about summer learning programs and prepping for the fall. In the second half... We talked with White Salmon Marla Keethler about upcoming land use public hearings, funding for street improvements, and a new e-bike program. 

The first day in a week hosted by our guest host Marti Dane! In the first half... We talked with Port of Hood River Executive Director Kevin Greenwood about the Amazon deadline to move toward closing on Lower Hanel Mill and about the upcoming ODET bridge inspection. In the second half... We talked with the new Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lynn Cox, getting to know her in her new role. 

In the first half... Mark talked with Klickitat County Sheriff's Candidate Dwayne Matulovich. In the second half... Mark talked with Marti Dane about the nuances of communication.

In the first half... Mark talked with Klickitat County Commission Candidate Gene Klejeski. In the second half... Mark talked with Kalyn Sherwood, the Child and Family Behavioral Health Manager for the Mid-Columbia Center for Living about some of the programs that she helps run for our local children.  

In the first half of the show... Mark talked with Klickitat County Sheriff's Candidate John Bruce. In the second half... White Salmon Valley School District Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn about the timeline for the construction of the K-12 campus.

Hood River County Administrator Allison Williams and Emergency Management Director Katie Skakel talk about preparedness in the first portion of the show, then Mark talks to Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege about the Oak Ranch RV Park proposal.

In the first part of the show, Mark talks with Mid-Columbia Center For Living Child and Family Behavioral Health Manager Kalyn Sherwood before the phone gremlins interrupt them, then Port of The Dalles Executive Director Andrea Klaas is in studio.

In the first portion of the show, Mark talks with Klickitat County Commission incumbent Lori Zoller, then Susan Buce and Kat St. John from the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center annouce a new historic photo archive available at gorgediscovery.org.

Mark talks with Klickitat County Commission Candidate Andy Kallinen in the first half of the show, then in the second half visits with Dr. Steve Matous of Skyline Hospital.

Mid-Columbia Community Action Executive Director Leslie Naramore discusses housing issues, the continued need for cooling supplies, and plans to open the pallet shelters at the Gloria Center of a full-time basis this winter, then Daron Ryan from the Hood River County Health Department talks about summer food safety and a recent regional mass-fatality exercise involving a number of area agencies.