OUTDOOR CLASSROOM: The wild and scenic Klickitat River as it passes by the KMO park site.
LAURIE WILHITE
WCTU-KAEG COCHAIR
The recently shy sun came out and stayed through the planting day on March 13 for Lyle and Wishram students. This was the second time students have participated in the Trout Unlimited STREAM Explorer program for Klickitat Mile One (KMO) plantings with U.S. Forest Service-Co-
lumbia Gorge Scenic Area botanist, Brance Morefield. KMO is located just one mile upriver from the mouth of the Klickitat River. The acronym STREAM represents the conservation educational components of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Students installed native plants and shrubs to help prevent erosion at the new day-use park. At the end of the STREAM Ex-
plorer planting day, students from the Lyle and Wishram REACH afterschool program—a K-12 academic support program in mathematics and reading—were presented with fishing rods and gear purchased by the Washington Council of Trout Unlimited-Klickitat Alternate Engagement Group (WCTU-KAEG). Each student also received a certificate of appreciation for being a Trout Unlimited
STREAM Explorer and learning the nine elements of a healthy stream. The sun also came out just in time for the WCTU-KAEG volunteer appreciation/near completion event held at KMO on March 22. Special guest speakers, including Barbara Robinson of the Klickitat Trail Conservancy (KTC), helped explain the history of this special site. A KTC
one-mile group hike was led by President Ken Hansen, Steven Woolpert, and Bev Linde from the Lyle trailhead to the site. Margaret Neuman, executive director, spoke about the conservation efforts of her Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group over the years at KMO. She also purchased and brought more Ponderosa Pine and Oregon White Oak trees to
LOU MARZELES
FIFTH SUNDAY SING: Left to right, Marcie Williams, Mary Jo Olson, and Dr. James Ogden will lead an Open Book Hymn Sing this Sunday at Father’s House Fellowship Church.
Fifth Sunday features Open Hymn Sing event
This Sunday, March 30, an “Open Book Hymn Sing” will be held at the Father’s House Fellowship Church (207 South Klickitat) beginning at 6 p.m. This is part of the Fifth Sunday program in which several of the Goldendale area churches meet together at one church building and have an evening service of mostly music whenever there is a month with five Sundays. In times past, open book hymn sings were common. Congregants would take turns choosing favorite hymns. The pianist or other musicians would play the hymn, and a soloist or choral group would lead the congregation in the singing. At the upcoming hymn sing, people in attendance will have three hymnals to choose from. They are: “Hymns For The Family of God” compiled by the
See Sing page A8
Slow progress noted on fentanyl danger
LOU MARZELES
EDITOR
This article marks the 13th in a series in The Sentinel on the dangers of fentanyl. America’s approach to fighting fentanyl overdoses, especially among young people, has been described as being like molasses rolling uphill in winter. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 100 times more potent than morphine, has been a driving force behind the nation’s overdose epidemic, claiming tens of thousands of lives annually. New legislative actions, public health initiatives, and law enforcement strategies unveiled just in this year may show signs of getting the molasses to flow downhill. A significant milestone came on March 14 when the U.S. Senate passed the HALT Fentanyl Act with overwhelming bipartisan support, voting 84-16. Championed by Senator Chuck Grassley and backed by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice, the bill permanently classifies all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Con-
See Fentanyl page B4
AIRPORT DISCORD: Klickitat County and the City of The Dalles are at odds over a decision made by the County regarding the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport.
Dallesport airport caught in County-City crossfire
RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL
Klickitat County and the City of The Dalles appear to have a brewing disagreement over a project to build a special hangar at the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport that would be used to train aviation technicians through Columbia Gorge Community College.
The city and the county are in an unusual 50-50 joint ownership of the airport. By agreement, Klickitat County turns over the day-to-day operation of the airport to The Dalles.
But in the case of this hangar project, The Dalles agreed to let Klickitat County take the lead.
Relations have been cooperative in the past, but at the March 18 meeting, the county did something The Dalles has been arguing against. That was to award a contract for the infrastructure improvements needed without awarding a contract for the building itself. A county official has reportedly said that they won’t even put the building out for bid until the infrastructure is completed.
At a time when every day’s delay sees costs rise and implementation of tariffs may amplify that problem, city officials have questioned that decision.
When asked about that during
the public comment period, Klickitat County Commissioner Lori Zoller responded.
“This has been a very longterm project that both the city and the county have been involved in for many years,” she said. “We’ve tried to keep it on the track of good process with everyone involved and informed. And as of the last few months, because of some differences in just a few people who would like to see something a little different, a lot of misconceptions and miscommunications have been let out.
“Klickitat County has stayed on track. They’ve stayed engaged with the EDA [Economic Development Agreement], they are on board and are approved, as is the FAA and other people who have approved this project for the college hangar. And the college is on board and wants to move forward. And I can tell you there’s been a lot of communication. There’ve been a lot of meetings, communications, emails, up until the point where there was still a difference.
“There was the communication that people weren’t working together, that we weren’t on the same track. And that’s not true. And we’ve even heard from both sides legal counsels that we’re moving the direction that we need to move.”
Commissioner Todd Andrews added:
“I’d just like to say I look forward to to meet with people in The Dalles. I’ve reached out to them. And I think it’s going to be really exciting with everything going on there at the airport, and I think there’s just been a lot of history holding things back.” And Commissioner Ron Ihrig said, “I know this board is just excited to move forward and make sure small differences don’t set us aside and that we look at the big picture. I’ve been involved with bidding projects. I don’t believe we’ll do a bid on the building and then hold that bid for several months. I know there’s an engineering estimate tied to that, that is within the grant funds. And when we get to that, we’ll bid that project out, and hopefully it’ll be less than our engineering estimate. But that’s within line of the grant funding.”
On Wednesday, in response, The Dalles’ City Manager Matthew Klebes issued this statement: “The City is disappointed and increasingly frustrated that Klickitat County Commissioners and staff did not fully address the City’s questions and concerns regarding the Commission’s intent to award the contract Tuesday. To date, the City’s questions and concerns remain unaddressed.
WIKIPEDIA
Donor encourages neighbors to make an impact
An anonymous local donor has offered up to $15,000 for others to match to support the work of Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) in Skamania and Klickitat counties. The offer is open through April and can support any of the agencies’ programs.
“The unwavering support we receive from our community members is inspir-
The Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge will transition to allelectronic tolling on April 1. As part of this change, only the outer lanes will remain open, and the two middle lanes will be blocked off. Drivers should keep moving and not stop at the toll area. The red light will be removed, and signage will be posted to help inform drivers during the transition. Drivers are encouraged to sign up for a BreezeBy
ing,” said Jennifer Pauletto, WAGAP’s executive director. “Our match donor has a focus on Community Action and making an impact at the local level.”
Food banks, emergency housing, energy assistance, care coordination, domestic violence support and prevention, and youth programs are some of the ways that WAGAP helps low-income individuals, families,
account now for a smoother and more affordable experience. BreezeBy allows tolls to be deducted automatically, with passenger vehicles paying just $1.75 per crossing on the Hood River Bridge, compared to $3.50 for nonaccount holders. Enrolled tribal members can apply for a Tribal Member BreezeBy Account for tollfree travel. To sign up, visit portofhoodriver.com to create an account and
and children overcome difficulties. Programs are supported by a wide range of sources, including local, county, state, and federal funding, private foundations, and personal donations.
“Our goal is to help people thrive,” Pauletto said. “We are all better off when people can care for their essential needs and focus on their dreams and aspirations.
receive a transponder by mail. If you prefer not to open an account, tolls can still be paid online at csc.portofhoodriver.com/ paytoll within 14 days of crossing, or by cash/ check at the Port office or 24/7 drop box. Paying after 14 days will result in an administrative fee of $3.00 being added to the toll. For more details, visit portofhoodriver. com, call (541) 386-1645, or email BreezeBy@ portofhoodriver.com.
Our communities become better places for all of us to live when all members have a stable foundation.”
To take advantage of the match offer, Pauletto says donors can stop by their local WAGAP office in Bingen, Stevenson, or Goldendale during regular business hours, make a donation online at https:// www.wagap.org/donate, or mail a donation to WAGAP
Travelers who use the US 97 Biggs Rapid Bridge, also known as the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, should expect delays the next couple of days. In work that started yesterday, Washington State Department of transportation bridge maintenance crews will wash and inspect the US 97 Biggs Rapid/Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, crossing over the Columbia River, south of Goldendale. To
at PO Box 805, Bingen, WA 98605.
“We are so grateful to neighbors like this who step forward to keep our mission alive and well in our rural communities,” Pauletto said as she expressed appreciation for this surprise fundraiser. She noted changes may come from some of the traditional support streams through the state and federal governments, so this
complete the work, crews will close the northbound lane of the bridge, and flaggers will direct traffic to take turns moving through the southbound lane.
What to expect
• Today and tomorrow: Travelers in both directions of US 97 Biggs Rapid Bridge at milepost 0.0, will take turns moving through a single
personal donation is all the more special and demonstrates grassroots efforts of neighbors helping neighbors.
To learn more, the 2025 WAGAP brochure is available in English and Spanish at local offices. Electronic PDFs are available online at www.wagap.org. The nonprofit organization can also be found online on Facebook and Instagram social media.
lane, directed by flaggers, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Travelers should slow down as they approach the work zone, have patience and expect delays.
Know before you go
People can receive realtime travel information via the WSDOT mobile app.
G OLDENDALE ’ S A TTIC
Answer to last week´s Mystery Picture
This week’s Goldendale’s Attic Mystery Picture
Three guys demonstrating their secret arm fold. Well, not a secret any more. Who are these people? Why are they holding up that tree?
What was the occasion? When was this? Where? We’re all questions, and we’re hoping you’re all answers. All we know is this picture ran in
The Sentinel sometime, lost in the annals of yesteryear. If you know anything about it, please send us an email (info@ goldendalesentinel.com),
or give us a call (509-7733777), or drop in at the office—and remember, you’re welcome to come in and take a look at the original photograph.
L OOKING BACK
March 14, 1895 – 130 Years Ago
Lee McElrath and wife left this week for Prineville where Lee will work on a ranch. He will receive five hundred dollars a year for his services. It must be that wages are better in Oregon than here.
March 25, 1915 – 110 Years Ago
Rollie Smith was in the city the fore part of the week for medical treatment. He was unloading a hog from his wagon, and the grunter took a fancy to his thumb, biting the end entirely off. Naturally, the pig suffered the least in the operation. although he might have hastened his transformation into ham and bacon by his untimely bite. What is left of the thumb is getting along nicely.
March 21, 1940 – 85 Years Ago
In a surprise ruling last week, the Yakima Indian Reservation cancelled Yakima County’s right-of-way for the proposed Mt. Adams highway. The cancellation, which forestalls any future attempts to complete the scenic route that was designed as a shortcut between Yakima County and Portland, came from the United States Department of the Interior. The road, had it been completed, would have run from Fort Simcoe to Glenwood where it would have connected with the state secondary roads already constructed in Klickitat County.
March 17, 1955 – 70 Years Ago
Fred Stone is moving his plumbing business into the former location of Allyn’s Building Materials at Main and Chatfield. The Burger Basket will move in Stone’s vacated quarters and will reopen March 23, owners Marshall and Verna Ramsby have reported. [The Burger Basket is now Gee’s Family restaurant.]
March 18, 1965 – 60 Years Ago
Guy Reed Ramsey, Portland author and collector, was a visitor to Goldendale and The Sentinel office on Monday. While here, he completed arrangements for publication of his “History of Klickitat County Post Offices,” which will appear in serial form in The Sentinel starting next week. Later the work will be published in book form, with the addition of more local historical material plus the post office histories of Benton and Franklin counties and will be sold by the Klickitat County Historical Society. This volume then will become a unit of “Postmarked Washington,” Ramsey’s complete postal history of the state.
March 17, 2005 – 20 Years Ago
Following their regular morning service, a groundbreaking service was held at Christ the King Lutheran Church. Approximately 80 people brought their shovels to help kick-start the construction of a new sanctuary. The previous building was lost to fi re more than a year ago.
Points to ponder:
A ton of readers recognized the people in this picture. Nikki Hall sent an email naming all the young ladies, and Erika Beasley and Nancy Cunningham came in and wrote the names for us. Several others also identified all the people.
All the girls were in the 7th grade. The occasion was Goldendale’s hosting of an AAU tournament. The team, known as the
George Juris Head Man of Pioneer Picnic This Year May 23, 1957
George Juris, president of the Alder Creek Pioneer Assn. who has worked on the traditional pioneer picnic at Cleveland every year since 1915, will greet visitors at the event June 14. The 47th renewal of the Flag Day get-together, is expected to attract thousands of pioneer residents and their descendants for the yearly reunion.
Last year the outing was spoiled by an afternoon shower which started about rodeo time. This year the sponsors are hoping for milder weather and a larger turnout.
Mr. Juris will give the address of welcome during the morning program, and he extends a special invitation to all residents of the region.
Juris, who styles himself a part-time farmer, and his wife, Weino, now live at Sunnyside, after residing at Bickleton since their marriage in 1927. Sons Tom and Bob are now farming the home place five miles east of Bickleton, with occasional help from “dad”.
—Richard Lefever Klickitat
County Historical Society
Did you hear about the Dial-A-Prayer service for atheists? You call the number, and no one answers. I was hitchhiking the other day, and a hearse stopped. I said, “No, thanks, I’m not going that far.”
Psychiatrist to patient: “Have you ever believed in reincarnation?” Patient: “Ever since I was a puppy.”
In case Heaven is anything like the IRS, make sure you get a receipt every time you do a good deed.
A man dies and goes to Heaven. He stands before God and sees Jesus sitting at His right hand. But he’s surprised to see a janitor with a mop sitting at God’s left hand. “Who are you?” asks the man. “I’m Cleanliness,” the janitor answers.
Defi nition: Aromatic. An automatic bow.
Defi nition: Boycott. A place to keep male babies.
Son Tom and wife have three children, all favorites of their granddad; Ruth Ann, 4; Ronald, two and half; and Margie, one year.
The 52-year-old Juris, one of the most active men in the community, is president of Yakima-Klickitat County Wheat Growers Association; a director of the Warehouse and Commission Co. of Roosevelt; a past noble grand of the Mabton Masonic Lodge; and a member of the Bickleton Odd Fellows Lodge.
Other affi liations include the Alder Creek Grange, Klickitat County Livestock Growers Association, the Yakima Valley Shrine Club and the Scottish Rite. He has served as vice-chairman of the County ASC Committee, and as a supervisor of the East Klickitat Soil Conservation District.
This busy man will organize and stage the big reunion in the picturesque park among the pines at tiny Cleveland.
To see the quiet spot at this moment, one would not guess that it will be the site of loud merriment and joy-making on Flag Day, when the old-timers and the youngsters, too, gather for the day-long celebration.
Work on the grandstand and a water pipeline from the well to the concession stands are included in improvement plans for this year, the president stated.
Twenty new picnic tables, built at the sheriff’s office here by jail inmates, have been delivered to the park for picnic use.
Clean up day will be held Saturday, June 8 to get the site ready for the big event the following Friday.
The morning program will include a talk by Roscoe Sheller, Sunnyside author, and the usual lively entertainment and songs. The afternoon arena show will include rodeo and horse racing events.
The traditional dance in the open air pavilion will be held in the evening.
Cyclones, won 1st place in their division. Front row (holding the plaque): Lacey Barrett. 2nd row: Alicia Guzman (Hatfield), Amber Prinzing, Erika Cunningham (Beasley), and Lacey Conroy (Martin). 3rd row: Etta Walker, Kim Henslee (Graham), Tara McConkey (Arndt), Nikki Miller (Hall), and Lindsay Weiss. Back row: Coaches Carl Conroy and Doug Miller.
OpiniOn
Is a reverse mortgage a good idea for someone my age?
Dear Savvy Senior,
What can you tell me about reverse mortgages? When my husband passed away last year my income dropped almost in half, and I’ve been struggling to keep up with my monthly living expenses.
Senior Homeowner
Dear Senior,
For retirees who own their home and want to stay living there, but could use some extra cash, a reverse mortgage is a viable financial tool, but there’s a lot to know and consider to be sure it’s a good option for you.
Let’s start with the basics.
greater of $2,500 or 2 percent of the first $200,000 of your home’s value plus 1 percent of the amount over $200,000. HECM origination fees are capped at $6,000. You’ll also be charged an initial mortgage insurance premium, which is 2 percent of the loan amount, along with closing costs that will likely run several thousand dollars. Any amount you borrow, including these fees and insurance, accrues interest, which means your debt grows over time.
To learn more, see the National Council on Aging’s online booklet “Use Your Home to Stay at Home” at NCOA.org/article/use-your-home-to-stay-at-home.
Also be aware that because reverse mortgages are complex loans, all borrowers are required to get counseling through a HUD approved independent counseling agency before taking one out. Most agencies charge between $125 and $200. To locate one near you, visit Go.usa.gov/v2H, or call (800) 569-4287.
Other options
If a reverse mortgage doesn’t suit you, you could also tap your home equity by getting a regular home equity loan or line of credit. This type of borrowing requires you to make payments, and lenders can freeze or lower limits on lines of credit, but the borrowing costs are much lower. Or you could also sell your home and move somewhere cheaper.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
Savvy Senior, Jim Miller
A reverse mortgage is a unique type of loan that allows older homeowners to borrow money against the equity in their house (or condo) that doesn’t have to be repaid until the homeowner dies, sells the house or moves out for at least 12 months. At that point, you or your heirs will have to pay back the loan plus accrued interest and fees (usually by selling the home), but you will never owe more than the value of your home.
It’s also important to understand that with a reverse mortgage, you, not the bank, own the house, so you’re still required to pay your property taxes, homeowners’ insurance and upkeep. Not paying them can result in foreclosure.
To be eligible, you must be 62 years of age or older, have at least 50 percent equity in your home, and currently be living there.
You will also need to undergo a financial assessment to determine whether you can afford to continue paying your property taxes and insurance. Depending on your financial situation, you may be required to put part of your loan into an escrow account to pay future bills. If the financial assessment finds that you cannot pay your insurance and taxes and have enough cash left to live on, you’ll be denied.
Loan details
More than 90 percent of all reverse mortgages offered are Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM), which are FHA insured and offered through private mortgage lenders and banks. HECM’s have home value limits that vary by county but cannot exceed $1,209,750 in 2025.
How much you can actually get through a reverse mortgage depends on your age (the older you are the more you can get), your home’s value and the prevailing interest rates. Generally, most people can borrow somewhere between 40 and 60 percent of the home’s value. To estimate how much you can borrow, use the reverse mortgage calculator at ReverseMortgage.org.
To receive your money, you can opt for a lump sum, a line of credit, regular monthly checks or a combination of these.
But be aware the reverse mortgages aren’t cheap. You’ll have to pay an origination fee, which is the
THE GOLDENDALE SENTINEL
Official newspaper of Klickitat County, Washington
Established 1879 • Published every Wednesday from offices at 117 W. Main Street • Goldendale, WA 98620 • Telephone: (509) 773-3777
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Editorial: Lou Marzeles, Editor & Publisher
Business and office staff: Owned by Tartan Publications, Inc.
Leslie Geatches, President, Financial management, Special Section production, Ad Design Naomi James, Bookkeeping
Burn-out has got to go
The Festival of Wheels gave it another try this year. It seems the attendance has dwindled to much lower levels than when the event was new, 10 years ago. There are a lot of competing car shows this time of year, so it doesn’t surprise me .
This year Goldendale Motorsports Association and ABATE brought back the burn-out, which was tried several times in the past with questionable benefits to the town. This year someone had the brilliant idea to use the old skateboard park as a place to stage the return of the burnout. It was held on the concrete slab, a tempting medium for anyone inclined to bum rubber. Rednecks of many degrees, punk kids or maybe the little old lady from Pasadena. I personally was left with a bad taste in my mouth and lungs. Even though I made it a point to stay away from the burn-out and was at my home where I thought I would escape the noise and smoke, when the toxic cloud rose from the park and drifted over the Little Klickitat River Park (the swimming pool) on to the kids and families at the pool and on to me while I was sitting on my property. We were contaminated by the toxins in the smoke, and my eyes and throat were imitated, and my lungs filled with carbon monoxide and other cancer causing toxic compounds
for three hours.
I think the city of Goldendale needs to rethink supporting burnouts in our park. Next year don’t issue a permit to any group that wants to burn-out. There are places in the county where it could be held, just not in the city please. I hate toxic smoke, and you should too. On Sept 4 I will be asking the mayor and his administration to make an ordinance forbidding anyone from reckless unsafe burnouts in any ones neighborhood or any street in the Goldendale city limits. I would appreciate some support from like-minded citizens at the council meeting. Let them know how you feel.
Ken McKune Goldendale
I contacted the bank for an explanation. The answer was essentially that “we wouldn’t do that.” Then why is it in your documents, I asked. The answer was to send me up the chain of command. The second person gave the same answer as the first and then was to have me contacted by some-one higher up. That person has not contacted me after more than a week so I am following through on what I told the bank contacts I was going to do—write a letter to the editor to be sure local folks are aware of how Columbia Bank is choosing to deal with its account holders. My concern is that a comment as broad as this opens the door for abuse. I have had no difficulties with our local branch and am sorry that the headquarters has decided to take such a hard line. It ap-pears I will need to look for a bank that does not behave in this manner.
Ken Margraf Goldendale
Letters from the community
A bad bill
On February 5, 2025, Congress voted on House Concurrent Resolution 14 (H.Con.Res.14), and the resolution passed by a narrow margin of 217-215 votes. This is a budget resolution that seeks to pay out major tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy by cutting lifesaving programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.
I recently received an updated “Terms for Business and Deposit Account Agreement” from Columbia Bank. I am not in the habit of reading the fine print but for some reason this time I did. I came across an “added” line that I found very concerning. Again, this line is both for personal and business accounts. It reads: “We may refuse to open and account and may close your account at any time for any reason or for no reason at all.”
reduction of access, or worse—hospital closures.’ According to Washington State Department of Health data, 20% of Skyline Hospital’s payments came from Medicaid in 2022.”
“For No Reason At All” I particularly found offensive.
According to data from the Washington State Health Care Authority, 70% of the children and 38% of the total population in Congressional District 4 rely on Medicaid. That’s 420,000 people. Rural hospitals also rely on Medicaid to stay open and provide crucial services for their local communities.
Skyline Hospital in White Salmon is one of the hospitals at risk from cuts to Medicaid. According to Sen. Cantwell’s office, “Matt Kollman, CEO of Skyline Hospital in White Salmon, says rural hospitals are often the only nearby care option for residents. Kollman says funding cuts from any source ‘will undoubtedly result in reduction of services,
Our representative, Dan Newhouse, voted for H.Con.Res.14. This is a supreme betrayal of us, his constituents. There is still time to act, however, as H.Con.Res.14 is still being finalized, so please, take this opportunity to call your elected representatives and advocate to save lives. Your representatives are Sen. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Rep. Dan Newhouse.
Scott Riseley Rock Island, Washington
We need truth
Where in the world is Dan Newhouse? It’s clear that he feels no obligation to the thousands of constituents who are reminding him every day that he works for us, not Donald Trump. His responses to emails are the same form letter he has used for
Guidelines for Letters
years that say absolutely nothing.
His lack of interest in his district’s welfare has never been more blatant and shameful. He voted for cuts to Medicaid, affecting over 100,000 people in his district. He is apparently okay with the lies from DOGE as Trump and Musk threaten Social Security, Medicare, and veterans. As a millionaire, Newhouse is choosing to use his Congressional power to help a dangerous tyrant and his cartel of billionaires. He claims concern about the debt ceiling but voted to raise it so tax cuts for the top 10% can be accommodated. He is currently a co-sponsor of an introduced bill that would prevent healthcare professionals from providing emergency care to pregnant women. He is silent on the insane calls by Trump to take over Greenland, Canada and the Panama Canal by force.
District Four residents deserve accountability and truth.
Sue Kusch White Salmon
Letters to the editor should be original and comment on an issue. Deadline for letters is noon Monday for the same week’s paper.
Requests to keep letters exactly as written when published cannot be honored. All letters are subject to editing for grammar, spelling, clarity, and/or brevity.
There is a suggested length limit of about 300 words.
Unsigned letters (including anonymity requests), letters with fictitious signatures, letters with multiple signatures, or letters to public officials are not accepted.
Please keep the tone of letters free of rants, wild speculation, unsubstantiated claims, or pointedly personal comments. Letters that go overboard in these directions will be refused publication.
Writers must include name, city/town of residence, and phone number for verification purposes. (Street address is not required, only city or town.)
is Calendar of Events listing is FREE! Email your event to events@goldendalesentinel.com or call 509773-3777.
Are you in need of an eyecatching display ad to highlight your event? Email us at ads@goldendalesentinel. com. Our friendly, helpful sta would love to help you nd an advertising package that works for your needs and fits your budget! We offer online ads as well— with roughly 18,000 unique hits on our website each month, this is a great way to reach even more people.
WEEKLY AND MONTHLY
Every Wednesday,Monday, and Friday
• Alcoholics Anonymous, Goldendale United Methodist Church, 7-8 p.m.
Monday
• Lyle Lions Meeting 6 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Lyle Lions Community Center.
• Popup Café – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lunch and support group at the Masonic Lodge on Columbus. Café is open weekly on Monday and Wednesday.
• e Coalition for Preventing Abuse in Klickitat County (CPAKC) 4 p.m. every 2nd Monday via Zoom. 509-773-3776 or CPAKC on Facebook.
• Goldendale City Council meetings 6 p.m. 1103 S Columbus 1st and 3rd Monday of every month except on holidays.
• Book Discussion Group meets every third Monday at 11 a.m. – Goldendale Library
• One on One Tech Help 1st Monday of the month 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Goldendale Library, call to set up an appointment 509-773-4487
• Goldendale School Board
Work Session: 2nd Monday of the month at the Primary School Library.
• Goldendale School Board Meeting: 4th Monday of the month at the High School Cafeteria.
Tuesday
• Adult Fiber Art Social Circle: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. at the Goldendale Community Library
• EPIC Youth Center Games:
3 - 4:30 p.m. every Tuesday. All ages welcome though a release of liabilities and parent agreement of conduct must be on le. Youth under the age of 8 must be checked in by a parent. Visit epicyouthcenter.org for forms.
• Wellness Warriors 3 – 4 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Goldendale Library on Burgen Street. Join us as our local health department nurses teach us about di erent wellness topics to keep ourselves safe an healthy. Topics include: Hand Hygiene, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Emotional Health, & Safety/Injury Prevention. All ages are welcome, topics will be covered at an elementary school level.
• Board of County Commissioners meeting every Tuesday Klickitat County Courthouse, 205 S Columbus Goldendale. Visit www.klickitatcounty. org/643/Board-of-CountyCommissioners for information, agenda, and link for Zoom meeting.
• TOPS Club Inc. – Taking Pounds o Sensibly 10 a.m. the Nazarene Church on Grant and Allyn. Questions? Sally/ojala@ gmail.com.
• KC Fair Board Meetings 1st Tuesday of the month is a Workshop, 3rd Tuesday of the month is a Board Meeting.
• Soroptimist International of
Community Events
Goldendale, 5:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Dedicated to helping women and youth in our community and worldwide. All welcome. Contact Betty 509-250-3746.
• BINGO night: 3 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the High Prairie Community Center on Struck Rd. Meals and cards for purchase (discounted kids’ meals) Come meet your neighbours and enjoy some family fun!
Wednesday
• Healing Song Circle: 6:30 –7:30 p.m. every 4th Wednesday of the month, Missing Corner in BZ Corner. Song in healing for our hearts, our communities, and our world. Please come join us for this monthly community o ering. We will be hosting and inviting many songwriters to share their songs too! Super excited to see you there! By donation $10-20, no one turned away. RSVP at laurarosedoctor@ gmail.com, 509-637-9425.
• Family Storytime: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Goldendale Community Library.
• Learn and Play! – 2 – 3 p.m. every 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Goldendale Primary School. Fun and learning for you and your little ones up to 5 years!
• Family Fun Night at the Goldendale American Legion on Broadway St. 4th Wednesday of every month at 6:30
• Free Youth Cooking Classes: 4-6 p.m. every other Wednesday, beginning Sept. 20th, 2023 – June 2024 at The Harbour 125 W. Main St. Goldendale. Children 13+, come join us at the Youth Drop-In Center for free cooking classes. 509-281-0288 or email cassidy@wagap.org
• Snowden Community Council Meetings – 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:30 at the Cherry Lane Fire Station
• Kiwanis 7 a.m. Simcoe Café 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.
• Trivia at the American Legion every week 6:30 p.m.
• Family Story Time at 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Goldendale Library
• Popup Café – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. lunch and support group at the Masonic Lodge on Columbus until further notice. Café is open weekly on Monday and Wednesday.
• Lyle Community Council Meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30, Lyle Activity Center (308 Klickitat). Meetings also available via Zoom https://lylewa.com/about-us.
ursday
• EPIC Youth Center Games: 6:30 - 8 p.m. every ursday. All ages welcome though a release of liabilities and parent agreement of conduct must be on le. Youth under the age of 8 must be checked in by a parent. Visit epicyouthcenter.org for forms.
• Rosary every ursday evening at 6p.m. at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church 307 Schuster in Goldendale.
• Drinking Democratically 6 - 7:30 p.m. the third ursday of the month. Food and drink available for purchase. Call Carol for location 971-404-1935
• Al Anon Group meets at 7 p.m. at the Nazarene Church 124 W Allyn in Goldendale. Call 509-310-3377 with questions.
• Learn and Play! 10:30 –11:30 a.m. at the White Salmon Library. Stories, songs, puppets, cra s and more for young children (birth through 5yrs) and their parents or caregivers presented by White Salmon Valley Community Library Sta . Free book for each participant provided by the FVRL Foundation.
• Goldendale Grange #49 Meeting – 4th ursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at 228 E Darland in Goldendale • Parent Support Group – 10 a.m. weekly 166 E Jewett Blvd in
White Salmon. Join us for community support at our weekly meeting at! Children are welcome & encouraged. There is a small play area to keep little hands busy. We’d love to see you there!
• Bingo at the Goldendale American Legion Thursdayscard packets go on sale 6:30 p.m. game starts 7 p.m. Food available
• Bingo - High Prairie Community Center, 2nd Thursday of every month, doors open at 6, starts at 6:30. Questions contact Lori Sweeney 503-260-7129
• WAGAP Mobile Food Bank – 1st ursday of the month: 9-10:30 a.m. Wishram school, 10:45 - 11:30 Wishram Heights Housing, 12–2 p.m. Dallesport Community Center, 3-5 p.m. Lyle Lions Club. 3rd ursday of the month: 9-11 a.m. Trout Lake Baptist Church, 12-2 p.m. BZ Corner Community Building. Call 509-493-2662 ext 208 for more information.
• Narcotics Anonymous, 7 - 8 p.m. weekly at the United Methodist Church, 109 E Broadway Goldendale.
Friday
• Open sewing, knitting, or whatever you do every Friday from 1 - 4 p.m. at Wild Da odil and 3C’s Fabric in their new location $10.
• Lyle Community Game Day 1 p.m. the third Friday of every month at the Lyle Lions Community Center.
• Bingo – 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, Mt Adams Elks Lodge 124 NE Church Ave, White Salmon. Doors open at 5:30, Bingo at 6 and the Salmon Run Grill is open from 5:30 –7:30
• Knitting and Stitching Circle 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. White Salmon Community Library
• GamerNoon for teens 3 – 5 p.m. at the Goldendale Library. Come play tabletop and board games.
• Cra ernoons at the Library –every 4th Friday 2:30 – 4 p.m. for ages 7-10 (all ages welcome at the Goldendale Library).
Saturday
• Hope Neighborhood 4 - 5:30 p.m. (winter hours) 115 E Main Street, Goldendale at the Goldendale Senior Center. A time of fellowship, bible reading, and discussion for those seeking to learn and grow in God’s word.
• Art Club: Saturday at 1 p.m. at Apollonia Book Store in Goldendale
• Lyle Lions Pancake Breakfast 1st Saturday of every month 7 a.m. -10 a.m. Omelettes and ham and eggs cooked to order. Endless Pancakes. Location: Lyle Lions Community Center 5th & State Street (Hwy 14).
• Columbia Grange meets the 2nd Saturday of every month.
• Goldendale Aglow Lighthouse meets from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Senior Center 3rd Saturday of every month –, 115 E. Main St. Goldendale
• Family Storytimes 10:30 –11:30 a.m. 1st Saturday of the month @ the Goldendale Library
COMMUNITY
EVENTS
March 27, 2025, 3rd Annual GMS Family Resource Fair: 1 - 6 p.m. at the Goldendale Middle School Gym. Share resources, education and opportunities with families. To reserve a table for your organization please email or call 509-773-4323 or klummio@gsd404.org
March 27, 2025, Goldendale Emergency Microgrid Project Planning Meeting: 5:30 p.m. at the Goldendale High School Cafeteria, Simcoe Dr . Project sponsors want to hear from our community members! How can this microgrid better serve Goldendale? Are there additional ways to use this system to make our town more resilient? e public is invited, and encouraged to attend. For
more info visit: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=uJL_ D0FcZkA or https://kvhealth. net/index.php/kvh/news/goldendale-emergency-microgridproject-a-community-drivenenergy-solution.
March 29, 2025, History of Women’s Clubs & the Public Library: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Goldendale Community Library on West Burgen. Join us to learn more about the history of Women’s Social Clubs and their foundational work of establishing public libraries in Southwest Washington.
March 27, 2025, True Loves: Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 at the Trout Lake Hall 15 Guler Rd, Trout Lake. $20 advance, $25 day of. Listening to the Seattle-based original funk & soul group, True Loves, is like walking down a favorite neighborhood street, slappingve with friends, checking up with clerks in their stores, and smelling the familiar scents of your most cherished locale. e band is its own block party. Together, the group’s live performances have garnered them much acclaim and millions of streams on YouTube.
March 29, 2025, Lilly Hiatt: Doors open at 6, show starts at 7 at the Trout Lake Hall, 15 Guler Rd. Trout Lake. e last few years have been a little hazy for Lilly Hiatt, who nds herself searching for answers on her striking new album, Forever. Forever grapples with growth and change, escape and anxiety, self-loathing and self-love. e songs are intensely vulnerable, full of diaristic snapshots and deeply personal ruminations, but they’re also broad invitations to nd yourself in their un inching emotional excavations. e result is a raw, unvarnished work of love and trust that walks the line between alt-rock muscle and singer/songwriter sensitivity, a bold, guitar-driven exploration of maturity and adulthood from an artist who wants you to know you’re not alone, no matter how lost you may feel.
April 4, 2025, Bickleton Carousel Museum Opens for the season: Friday and Saturdays 10 a.m - 3 p.m., Sundays 12 - 4 p.m.
April 5, 2025, Bickleton Authors Book Signing: 1 - 3 p.m. at the Market Street Cafe in Bickleton. Come meet your local Bickleton authors! Karen (Meyer) Eisenbrey, Bailey McManus, Erica (Jensen) Kingsbury, Peter B. Lewis, Naida Joy (Kelley) Webster, Tami (Berk) Whitmore.
April 8, 2025, Goldendale Emergency Microgrid Project Planning Meeting: 5:30 p.m. at the Goldendale High School Cafeteria, Simcoe Dr project sponsors want to hear from you — our community members! How can this microgrid better serve Goldendale? Are there additional ways to use this system to make our town more resilient? e public is invited, and encouraged to attend. For more info visit: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=uJL_D0FcZkA or https://kvhealth.net/index.php/ kvh/news/goldendale-emergency-microgrid-project-a-community-driven-energy-solution.
April 11 - 12, 2025, Centerville Grange Mini Fair: 8 a.m.6 p.m. Mini Fair: Crafts, Art, Sewing, Painting, Food & More – Bring Your Creations, Fun for All! Ages 5 & up bring your creations on April 11th 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and April 12th 8 - 9 a.m. when we will close for judging. Contact Lucille Bevis for more info 509773-9122.
April 12, 2025, Family Fair & Garden Event: 9 a.m. -1 p.m. at the Centerville Grange Hall. Join us for a morning lled with fun and learning! While our local judges evaluate the fair entries, take a break and enjoy some family-friendly activities, including an educational gardening program, gardening
activities, and cra s for the kids. Savor a delicious lunch provided by Centerville Grange #81, and take some time to explore the fantastic entries from our local community members. We look forward to seeing you there!
Questions on Family Gardening Day? Contact: Claudine Mincks at 509.250.0670
April 12, 2025, Goldendale Soroptimist Tea Party: 1 - 4 p.m. at the Goldendale Grange Hall on East Darland. Join us for a tea party and silent auction with a fashion show hosted by Monkeyshines. Tickets are $25. To donate an item call or visit Monkeyshines at 509-250-3835 or stop into the shop at 514 S Columbus.
April 17, 2025, Human Resources 101 Workshop: 6 p.m. at the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce o ce 903 E .Broadway. Presented by Klickitat Valley Health. Join us for an essential Human Resources 101 Workshop, presented by Klickitat Valley Health, designed for small business owners, managers, and anyone responsible for HR functions in their workplace. Limited space, rsvp to 509-7733400 or admin@goldendalechamber.org
April 19, 2025, Seed Exchange: 3 - 5 p.m. 170 Lyle Snowden Rd, Lyle, Domaine Pouillon Please join us for our 5th annual Garden Seed Exchange at the estate! April 19th 3-5 P.M.. is is a free event! You are welcome to bring seeds to share or just come and take some seeds for your garden. Please come share your love, excitement, and ideas for the growing season. We look forward to seeing you. Contact Domaine Pouillon for more information 509-365-2795
April 22, 2025, Mobile Market: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 104 Simcoe Dr DRIVE-THRU distribution, up to 250 families (or while supplies last). Free food items will be distributed including an assortment of nonperishable and fresh items. Free food will be provided to anyone in need of food assistance. Our Mobile Market free food distributions serve people facing hunger. No appointment or documentation required.
April 25 - 27, 2025, Maryhill Ratz 2025 Spring Free-4All Freeride: Spring Free-4-All at Maryhill Loops Road brings friends and world-class athletes together for a weekend of epic riding and racing. Visit www. maryhillratz.com/2025/01/2025spring-registration/for details and to sign up
April 26, 2025, Pacific Northwest Plein Air opening reception: 5 - 7 p.m. at the Maryhill Museum of Art 35 Maryhill Museum Drive, Goldendale. Paci c Northwest Plein Air in the Columbia River Gorge is an outdoor painting event that is hosted by Maryhill Museum of Art. is year marks its 20th anniversary. During the last full week of April, more than 40 artists will travel to the Gorge for four days of painting en plein air. e 2025 juror is Texas artist, Suzie Baker, a past President of Oil Painters of America (2020-22) who will assign awards to a dozen works. Completed paintings will be available for purchase in the museum’s M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Education Center from April 27–May 26, 2025. Juror Suzie Baker and Maryhill Museum of Art’s Curator of Art Dr. Steven L. Grafe will present awards. All works on view will be available for purchase. May 2 - 4, 2025 Home and Garden Show: Join us for the annual Goldendale Home and Garden Show, where we celebrate the best of home improvement, gardening, and community spirit in Klickitat County! is year, we’re working harder than ever to bring you an unforgettable experience with exciting new features and activities. Stay tuned for more details as we nalize our plans. We can’t
wait to see you there and make this year’s Goldendale Home and Garden Show the best one yet! May 3, 2025, SW Fire on the Mountain Half Marathon: 9 a.m. 119 NE Church Ave, White Salmon Fire Department. is is a stunning, point to point, trail half marathon with sweeping views of the White Salmon River Valley and Columbia River Gorge. Race start is at the Husum Fire Station and travel up Indian Creek road to the Weldon Wagon Trail where you will climb 1500’ to epic views. A few miles of gravel and a short road section will bring you to the fully stocked, Cherry Lane Fire Aid Station. Once you are recharged you will dive back into spring ower lined trails and begin your winding decent into the streets of White Salmon and nish at the White Salmon Fire Station. 100% of proceeds of this event will be donated to the Klickitat County Fire Dist. #3 Volunteer Firefighters Association. *Sorry, no dogs. We cross through private land where cows will be out to pasture,. Check-in is at the White Salmon re department starting at 7 a.m.. All participants need to be checked in by 8:20 and will board a bus to shuttle them to the start in Husum. Shuttle bus departs from White Salmon at 8:30 (so allow yourself time to be checked in prior to that). Visit https://ultrasignup.com/register. aspx?did=125064. Hosted by the Columbia Gorge Running Club. May 10, 2025, Goldendale Farmer’s Market Opening Day: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce o ce on E. Broadway. May 10, 2025, Growing rough the Seasons series: 10 - 11:30 a.m. at the Goldendale Community Library on Burgen St. Wild Plant Identification and Foraging with Mike Lummio From garden planning to transplanting to drought tolerance, foraging, harvesting and saving seeds, follow this series through the seasons to learn how to grow and be self-sustaining. For details call 509-773-4487 or visit fvrl.org
May 16 - 18, 2025, Oregon Trail Rally: Oregon Trail is a 3 day rally event that begins in urban Portland, OR and continues through the Columbia Gorge farmlands outside the city. More details coming soon! May 31, 2025 Goldendale Truck and Tractor Pull: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Joe Seller’s place on Hanging Rock Road. Raw power, roaring engines, and the ultimate test of strength—truck & tractor pulling at its nest! Open to all tractors under 6000#, trucks (gas or diesel) 2 and 4 wheel drive, and lawn tractors. Free admission, pulling begins at 1. For more information call or text Tim 509-528-8089 or Jake 509261-1879 goldndaletractorclub@ gmail.com
July 4, 2025, Demolition Derby & Truck Pull: Gates open at 10 a.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $10 seniors and vets, $10 kids 7-13, under 6 is free. Get ready for a heart-pounding day of adrenaline-fueled action, roaring engines, and explosive entertainment!Contact Trucks, big cars & compact classes Over $9,000 in prize money and trophies, $50 entry fee per car if registered before July 4th $75 Entry Fee per car if registered day of event No registrations accepted a er 12 p.m. July 4th Contact information for Rules, Regulations & Registration: Todd Nunn 509-261-0484. Contact information for Vendors & Sponsors: Micki Robinson at 509-250-2001 or mickij_robinson@yahoo.com July 11-12, 2025, Goldendale’s annual Community Days: Get ready for Goldendale Community Days, the biggest summer celebration in town! is annual event brings the community together for a weekend full of excitement, entertainment, and hometown pride.
Henry Joseph “Hank” Patera
Henry Joseph “Hank” Patera died March 15, 2025, in Goldendale.
WDFW to use drones in Klickitat County
Researchers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will conduct drone surveys over known locations of sandhill cranes in Klickitat County to assess the technology’s effectiveness in population monitoring.
Drone fl ights may occur, weather permitting, during daylight hours from April 2024 through July 2024. Flights will travel over identified state pub-
lic lands and waters in western Klickitat County where sandhill cranes are present. WDFW will seek pre-approval by other private or public landowners should the Department consider fl ights over additional lands.
Flights will be conducted by WDFW staff with FAA Small Unmanned Aircraft System Remote Pilot certification, while following FAA and WDFW policies.
WDFW staff will maintain visual line of sight and an appropriate altitude to avoid disturbances to wildlife or people. The purpose of this research is to capture high quality images of sandhill crane habitats and assess their effectiveness in identifying nest locations. WDFW biologists will also assess the impact of drones on survey coverage and speed.
PRC launches bottle fundraiser
JORDAN MAYBERRY FOR THE SENTINEL
After an eventful 2024, marked by a successful funding campaign for their new center of operations, the Goldendale Pregnancy Resource Center has settled into the new year and begun their regular cycle of fundraisers to support the center. One of them is the baby bottle fundraiser.
Unlike their more public-facing events, the baby bottle fundraiser is focused on local Goldendale churches and is less known. “It is something that we actually do every year,” Goldendale PRC Director Katie Chiles detailed. “It’s pretty common for other organizations for a similar purpose.” Chiles described how the fundraising effort works: “We deliver [empty] baby bottles, or have various churches pick them up, have people fill them with change and bring them back, and it supports the ministry and the Center and reaching out to the community.” Chiles noted the more private nature of the effort. “It definitely doesn’t have the same community-wide visibility as, say, the Walk for Life.” This is not the only privately oriented fundraising event in the regular year. “The other event that we do that has a big fundraising focus, largely for current donors, is our donor appreciation dinner or fundraising banquet, but that is typically in November,” she added. Now comfortable in their new location after a year of significant progress, Chiles expressed satisfaction.
“We’re settled, we’re loving it, it’s working very well.” However, the organization remains focused on its next major goal: establishing a medical clinic. “Last year was a whole different ballgame,” Chiles said. “This year continues to be different because we continue to work on the ultrasound project.” She explained that while the center successfully raised funds for the building, transitioning into a medical clinic involves a more extensive process. “It continues to gain momentum, but it’s an ongoing kind of thing,” Chiles said. “The biggest change we’re slowly working on is the change to being a medical clinic. It’s a huge process, the legal aspect, and also the personnel aspect of it. In order to be a medical clinic, you have to operate under the license of a physician.”
Minor campaigns such as the baby bottle drive are not only designated for the operation costs of the PRC but also for any resources needed to grant the PRC official status as a medical clinic. The search for a physician remains a top priority. “We’re continuing the search for a physician who is a perfect fit for us, and we
are a perfect fit for them,” Chiles detailed. “Given how busy most doctors are, it’s an ongoing process.” Although the Goldendale Pregnancy Resource Center exceeded their $180,000 funding goal in last year’s building campaign, the excess funds were directed toward the maintenance and improvement of their current facility. “None of that was designated for our center’s operating costs,” Chiles clarified, “so the regular fundraisers go to our continued costs, client services, etc.” Annual efforts like the baby bottle drive are intended for this purpose and will now also support ongoing projects. “The ultrasound expenses are included in that general operating budget,” Chiles confirmed.
As the Goldendale Pregnancy Resource Center continues its efforts in 2025, the community’s support remains crucial. Through both public and private fundraising initiatives, the center is on its way to expand its services and reach its long-term goal of providing ultrasound services as part of its general mission.
Gorge Climate Steward Course coming
The Columbia River Gorge Commission will be partnering with Oregon State University Extension to offer a community climate resilience program this spring. The course begins April 8 and runs through June 28. Climate Stewards is a comprehensive climate change education program that prepares community members to communicate with others about climate issues and to engage in local efforts to advance community and ecosystem resilience in a changing climate. The program uses
a curriculum grounded in the latest climate science and research in teaching about climate change, centered on social-emotional and trauma-aware practices. The purpose of Climate Stewards is to build a community of informed, local stewards motivated to act and to build capacity to advance collective solution-oriented projects through community action. Past projects range from restoring a neighborhood wetland to a climate action workshop for local businesses.
Through field trips, in-person sessions, and online learning, participants will explore climate science, climate communication, and climate resilience, and connect with local community members and organizations.
An excellent line-up of local speakers, researchers, panelists, and organizations will share opportunities for climate action in communities across the Columbia Gorge.
To learn more about the course and for registration, visit the link at: beav.es/ CRGCCS.
plant that day. Guests were served lunch provided by the WCTU-KAEG to honor all volunteers. Event participants then planted trees, created a commemorative leather key chain to take home, and strolled around the beautiful KMO site. There are now five large picnic tables, a restroom, and improved parking. Other improvements including some interpretive signage, trail work, and non-motorized boat/ recreational access will soon be completed. Gary Gidley and Laurie Wilhite are cochairs of the local WCTU-KAEG Trout Unlimited group.
The United States Forest Service (USFS) owns the 17 acres under renovation along the Wild and Scenic Klickitat River. The park is called Klickitat Mile One because of its location, just one mile upriver from the mouth of the Klickitat River. It has also been known as “No Name Park” and “County Park,” even though Klickitat County has never owned the 17-acre site. A renaming of this park by the USFS. is underway and will be announced as the project nears completion.
The WCTU-KAEG is one of several partners in this Forest Service project led by Brance Morefield, Botanist. Lyle and Wishram students from the REACH afterschool program first came to plant in November of 2023 with their mentors Kenji Stasiewicz, Megan Winn and Kristen Ringer. Over 200 native plants including milkweed, mock orange, bitter brush, desert parsley, and yarrow were purchased by the WCTUKAEG for the conservation
While the City and Klickitat County have a strong partnership in our shared Columbia Gorge Regional Airport, timely and meaningful communication is essential to maintain that relationship.”
On another issue, West Klickitat County Judge Jeffery Baker spoke on a commissioner discussion about funding an open staff position in the county parole and probation office:
“I hundred percent guarantee you that we will have to cut services if you don’t fund this position. It’s not up for debate. We can’t continue asking these people to work at the level they’re being asked to do it at and provide the services they’re providing without filling the position that’s been open for a number of years. If you don’t fund it, we will cut services.”
In the discussion that followed, Commissioners Zoller and Andrews
project along the Klickitat River at KMO.
Many of the native plants were purchased with a Trout Unlimited National Embrace a Stream Grant. One of the main goals of Trout Unlimited is to protect and enhance habitat for cold water fisheries including salmon, steelhead, and trout. The EAS grant funded approximately $2,000 to purchase the plants that year.
Other volunteers honored included Bill Spalding and Tom Fritsch, local fishermen/project supporters; Rhonna Lee, Don Wilhite, Olivia Holderman, Tony Paolino, Dan Bolton, Bill Weiler, Danny Cosgrove, and Patti Elliott. The Klickitat Trail Conservancy provided an information table about their organization. KTC president, Ken Hansen, and over a dozen hikers joined the day to celebrate the volunteer work of former KTC president and native
indicated an interest in funding the position for six months until they could fi nd a permanent funding stream, but Chair Ron Ihrig said he didn’t want to deal with individual situations, that this needed to be dealt with as part of a much larger discussion.
In other actions, commissioners approved a short plat requested by Joseph and Janis Palmeira, dissolved the Klickitat County Public Corporation, and voted against allowing off-road vehicles on certain county roads.
Under the consent agenda, commissioners approved:
• An amendment to the Disease Prevention & Health Promotion Agreement with the Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of SW WA for 2025.
• Final acceptance and release of retainage for the 2024 annual striping
plant expert Barbara Robinson. Trout Unlimited and Klickitat Trail Conservancy member Dan Enz said, “I had such a wonderful time helping young students from Lyle and Wishram plant native shrubs and trees at Mile One Park alongside the Klickitat River. The children were well behaved and eager to go to work and get their hands dirty. We had a diverse group of volunteers helping the students with this very important effort. The children that participated will see the fruits of their efforts materializing over time. They will take pride in the fact they contributed directly to the beautification of this park. Also, I’m proud of the fact that I contributed to the success of this new park and just maybe helped motivate a child to see the beauty in volunteering.”
If you are interested in volunteering or joining Trout Unlimited, please contact us at klickitattuprojects@ washingtontu.org.
program of $15,846.50.
• A $204,963.36 contract with Specialized Pavement Marking, LLC for white plastic edge lines.
• Final project acceptance and release of $6,495.37 retainage for the “Klickitat County courthouse HVAC replacement project 2022.
• A federal aid project prospectus for the Alderdale fire-damaged guardrail repair project.
• A sub-award agreement with Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH) for help with compliance, disbursement of Opiod Funds and other services.
• Final project acceptance and release of $6,793.02 retainage for the “Klickitat County courthouse HVAC replacement project 2021.
• Approval of “Notice of Request for Proposals”
to use Klickitat County Historic Preservation Funds.
• Concurrence to award bid for the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport Business Park Phase 2 project to Crestline Construction.
• Letter of support to the Klickitat Public Utility District #1 Commissioners in regard to the Dallesport Water District application for Landfill Gas Funding Assistance
Gaithers, copyright 1976; “Worship In Song” copyright 1972 (Nazarene hymnal); and “Songs Of Praise,” copyright 1935 (Gospel Publishing House). Mary Jo Olson and Marcie Williams will lead the singing, and Jim Ogden will provide piano accompaniment for this event. A time of fellowship and light refreshments will follow the hymn sing. Free rides to and from this event will be provided by Ogden’s Mopar Limo Service (General Motors Division). Call or text (509) 250-6147 to arrange a ride.
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Public access is closed to the Klickitat River via the Klickitat River Hatchery site at 300 Fish Hatchery Rd, Glenwood, WA.
The Bonneville Power Administration and the Yakama Nation are upgrading the existing hatchery. The public access closure includes parking and portage on the hatchery grounds during construction.
The Klickitat Hatchery was originally constructed in 1949 and is operated by the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation to rear spring and fall Chinook as well as late run coho salmon. The new construction is focused on improving the river’s spring Chinook population, with plans to increase juvenile production from 600,000 to 800,000 smolts annually.
Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2026 with the first yearlings released from the upgraded facilities in May 2027. Public river access through the site will resume once construction is finished.
For more information, please contact: Mary Todd Haight at BPA, 503-230-3112 or mthaight@bpa.gov.
L W KLICKITAT TRAIL CONSERVANCY TABLE: Barbara Robinson, Sue VanLeuven, and Bill Weiler at volunteer appreciation event at KMO.
L W LEATHERCRAFT: Margaret Neuman, Mid-Columbia Fisheries, makes a commemorative key chain.
The Icons of Goldendale
Agriculture
Headlines & History for Klickitat County since 1879
Headlines & History for Klickitat County since 1879
Photos by local photographers Neil Thompson (top & center) and Steve Nygaard (bottom)
Space is like a giant playground, and in this playground, we have all kinds of cool stuff like satellites, space stations, and rockets that humans have sent up over the years. But, just like in a regular playground, when people leave trash behind, it becomes a problem. Space junk is like trash, but floating around in space. It’s all the leftover bits of rockets, old satellites, and pieces of things that humans have sent into space, and now it’s just floating around in lower earth orbit. Space junk includes tiny paint flecks, old rocket parts, busted satellites, even old tools astronauts might have lost during spacewalks. It can be anything that’s left up there and is no longer working.
Space is like a giant playground, and in this playground, we have all kinds of cool stuff like satellites, space stations, and rockets that humans have sent up there over the years. But, just like in a regular playground, when people leave trash behind, it becomes a problem. Space junk is like that trash, but floating around in space. It’s all the leftover bits of rockets, old satellites, and pieces of things that humans have sent into space, and now they’re just kind of floating around in lower earth orbit. Space junk includes tiny paint flecks, old rocket parts, busted satellites, or even old tools astronauts might have lost during spacewalks. It can be anything that’s left up there and is no longer working.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is a region in space where satellites and the International Space Station (ISS) travel. It’s not too far from Earth—only about 100 to 1,200 miles up—so it’s like the space “neighborhood” closest to us. Satellites in LEO can circle Earth quickly, taking only about 90 minutes to complete one trip around. Unfortunately low Earth orbit is also where most of the space junk is.
Stellar Book !
Videos!
Scan this to watch videos and learn more amazing about Space Debris!
Space Junk
Imagine you’re trying to play a game of tag in that giant space playground, but there are all these flying pieces of junk speeding around. Space junk moves fast, as fast as 17,500 miles per hour. At those speeds, even small pieces of space junk can be like little missiles and at those speeds the junk will win the game of tag. Tag your it would not be a pretty thing. The Kessler Effect explains how dangerous space junk can be. Imagine that all this junk collides with other things in space. When it does, it can break apart into even smaller pieces, and those smaller pieces can go on to crash into other stuff, causing even more tiny pieces. This can create a snowball effect where more and more junk gets made and starts flying around. The Kessler Effect basically says if we don’t clean up some of this junk, space could become like a dangerous traffic jam.
Space Junk Facts !
There are over 500,000 pieces of space junk in orbit.
Space junk can cause catastrophic damage.
Space junk can remain in orbit for hundreds of years.
Space junk travels at speeds of up to 17,500 mph.
The largest piece of space junk is the Envisat satellite.
Space agencies track and catalog space junk.
A collision between two satellites creates more space junk. The first recorded collision of two satellites occurred in 2009.
Space junk can be removed through active debris removal.
Space junk can re-enter the atmosphere and burn up.
Space junk poses a threat to future space exploration.
So, what can we do to fix this mess?
Scientists are already tracking space junk using special telescopes so that they can warn astronauts and satellites to move out of the way if something is coming too close. They are also creating satellites and rockets that can de-orbit themselves, which means they’ll fall back to Earth safely at the end of their life instead of just floating up there forever. Another idea being worked on is developing a robot that flies around in space picking up junk and bringing it back down to Earth where it can be destroyed. One exciting idea includes using powerful lasers to zap space junk, making it burn up in the atmosphere.
Exploring the Dangers in Space by Buffy Silverman
Why did the space junk break up with the satellite? Because it needed some space!
