ODF Committee to Address Oregon’s Increasing Wildfire Activity
ODF committee begins work on finding solutions to address Oregon’s increasing wildfire activity Oregon experienced a significant increase in wildfires over the past several years. Not only have these fires increased damages and costs to Oregon’s forests, landowners, and local communities but they have stretched the state’s “complete and coordinatedContinue Reading
US Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council Releases 10-year Action Plan
A federal council today released a plan that identifies specific goals, actions, and recommendations for improving the status of urban and community forestry for the U.S. and its territories. The plan serves as a framework for awarding nearly $1 million in U.S. Forest Service grants to organizations, including grassroots nonprofits,Continue Reading
Warren Johnson’s Book Review – Building the Columbia River Highway
The Columbia River, the major waterway in the West, is 1,243 miles long, the repository of waters draining from land area the size of France, consisting of seven states and Canada. The gorge through which it runs was likely created many centuries earlier by a massive flood from a meltingContinue Reading
Energy Trust Helps Oregonians Prepare for Darker Days and Longer Nights
New online tool shows how to make the switch to energy-efficient lighting Oregonians rely more on light bulbs to keep homescozy and bright during the dark days and long nights of winter. Residents can replace their outdated incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting to save energy and money allContinue Reading
Pendleton Round-Up Announces 2016 Queen and Court
QUEEN KYLIE WILLIS Queen Kylie will reign over the 106th Pendleton Round-Up. She is the 20 year old daughter of Craig and Candi Willis of Enterprise, Oregon. A graduate of Enterprise High School, Kylie is now a Dean’s List student at Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho where she studies businessContinue Reading
Pendleton Round-Up Association Installs Four New Directors to the Official Board
The Pendleton Round-Up Association has installed four new Directors to the Official Board of this 105 year old iconic Oregon event. The new directors join a sixteen member board with wide-ranging separate assignments encompassing responsibilities from publicity to hay and barns. New director Tiah DeGrofft will be the 2016 SponsorsContinue Reading
Joule and Red Rock Biofuels Announce Intent to Merge
Joule, the pioneer of liquid fuels from recycled CO2, and Red Rock Biofuels, a leading developer of renewable jet and diesel fuel bio-refineries, today announced their intent to merge. Red Rock adds a proven technology pathway to Joule’s own Helioculture technology and strengthens Joule’s platform for global supply of carbonContinue Reading
Red Rock Reaches Agreement with FedEx Express to Provide Biofuels for Renewable, Low-Carbon Jet Fuel
Red Rock Biofuels LLC, a pioneer in renewable biofuels, announced today that it will produce approximately three million gallons of low-carbon, renewable jet fuel per year for FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX). The agreement runs through 2024, with first delivery expected in 2017. FedEx joins Southwest AirlinesContinue Reading
Taste Washington Announces 2016 Dates — March 31-April 3
Taste Washington Announces 2016 Dates Tickets to the nation’s largest single region wine and food event go on sale December 8 Visit Seattle and Washington State Wine invite wine lovers to mark their calendars; Taste Washington, the nation’s largest single-region wine and food event, will take place March 31-Continue Reading
Oregon Wine Symposium to Feature Session on Wine Business
The Oregon Wine Board will host the 2016 Oregon Wine Symposium on Feb. 23-24 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. The Symposium is expected to gather 1,400 attendees from across the Northwest wine community. Attendees will have an expansive educational opportunity to learn from world renowned wine industry expertsContinue Reading
Columbia Gorge Roads and Bridges in Final transportation Agreement
U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced that he has secured language in the final congressional transportation agreement to help improve roads and bridges in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (NSA). The long-term, bipartisan transportation agreement between the Senate and the House reauthorizes and reforms federal highway, transit,Continue Reading
U.S. Forest Service Releases Road System Analysis Reports
The U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region released 17 travel analysis reports this week that outline existing road systems and identify opportunities to achieve a more sustainable system of roads for each national forest in the Pacific Northwest. These travel analysis reports are part of nationwide requirement involving national forestsContinue Reading
Join the Forest Service! Agency Hiring for Temporary Spring and Summer Positions
The U.S. Forest Service is gearing up for another round of temporary hiring. From November 30 – December 7, 2015, the agency will be accepting applications for over 1,000 temporary spring and summer jobs in Oregon and Washington. Positions are available in multiple fields, including fire, recreation, natural resources, timber,Continue Reading
Pacific Northwest Region Wins National “Engaging Urban America” Award
“It’s all about the kids,” emphasized Team Lead Shandra Terry upon accepting the Forest Service Chief’s Honor Award for “Engaging Urban America.” The Region 6 Youth Engagement Strategy (YES!) was recognized on December 3, 2015 for winning the National Award, the agency’s highest level of recognition. “It is myContinue Reading
Holy Guacamole That was Good! – El Rio Burrito Bar
I love staying in Hood River while I travel about. I usually stay at the Hood River Hotel, which I highly recommend, and grab a bite to eat somewhere within walking distance. On my last visit I decided to try El Rio Burrito Bar, which is just a couple ofContinue Reading
Community Bank Receives “Outstanding” CRA Performance Rating From FDIC
Community Bank, headquartered in Joseph, Oregon, recently received the highest possible rating from the FDIC for its most recent performance under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 requires federally insured depository institutions to support the borrowing needs of all the communities where they do business,Continue Reading
Greenwood Resources Earns Forest Stewardship Award
GreenWood Resources, Inc., a Portland-based global investment and timber management company, has received a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Leadership Award, which recognizes excellence in the use of FSC-certified products and a commitment to responsible forest management. Thirteen companies from across the country earned awards from FSC, an independent nonprofitContinue Reading
Gorge Residents Among Nurse of the Year Award Winners
Gorge residents Anna Dillon, Jayme Alsup, Lisa Erickson Sosa, and Rachel Crowder, were among 17 exceptional nurses from across Oregon and SW Washington recognized Friday, November 13th, at the fifth annual March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards. With 222 finalists, the state-wide committeeContinue Reading
Mother and Daughters Work with Commitment & Compassion
A nursing home seems an unlikely place for millennials to call home, but for Heather and Sara Sullivan, Columbia Basin Care has long been at the center of their lives. “This is like our home,” says Heather Sullivan, a bubbly blonde, who grew up coming to work with herContinue Reading
Ardent Mills to Help Farmers Double U.S. Organic Wheat Acres by 2019
Anticipating ongoing strong Demand for Organic Grain-based Products, Ardent Mills Takes Bold Action Leading the way to meet growing customer and consumer demand, Ardent Mills, the premier flour-milling and ingredient company, is announcing a new organic initiative committed to helping U.S. wheat growers double organic wheat acres by 2019.Continue Reading
Protecting Ag Land Important as Oregon Hits 4 Million Mark
Oregon’s population now tops 4 million people. Whether the continued population increase negatively impacts agriculture remains to be seen, but the state’s land use protections are more important than ever, according to officials with the Oregon Department of Agriculture. “Two must-haves for Oregon agriculture are land and water,” saysContinue Reading
Up Up! Farm Film Festival: Stewardship of Land
Gorge Grown Food Network & the Rockford Grange present Up Up! Farm Film Festival January 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the Rockrod Grange, 4250 Barrett Drive. A series of independent films & shorts that explore the questions of farmland, access, rural livelihoods and sustainability of people and place. A local,Continue Reading
Small-Cap Equity Investments
By Marc Robins, CFA By the grace of the Gorge Business News’ publisher, I am privileged to write an occasional article about investments, equity investing, the stock market, and essentially what I’ve done for an occupation for 40 years. This column is not an advertisement for my services or aContinue Reading
Oregon Ranks as one of the Most Burdensome Regulatory States for Small Businesses
Entrepreneurs who plan to settle in Oregon: beware the state’s regulatory challenges. Oregon is the sixth most onerous state in the country for small businesses when it comes to regulatory concerns, according to an exhaustive survey released by the Pacific Research Institute, a San Francisco-based free-market policy advocate. Continue Reading
Happy New Year! – Letter from the Editor
The beginning of a new year is always so exciting to me. I’m never sorry to see an old year go, sometimes I am sentimental about it, other times I’ve been ready to put the year behind me without so much as a small glance back, but I have neverContinue Reading
Backwoods Brewing Company Moving Brewing Facility to Port of Skamania
Backwoods Brewing Company will be moving its brewing facility to the port of Skamania, on the Stevenson, WA waterfront. The move, which will take place in January, 2016 is exclusively for the production side of the company, as the Backwoods Brew Pub will remain at its current location, in Carson,Continue Reading
Pendleton Round-Up Earns Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year Award
By Lori Kimbel On a snowy winter night in December a large group of people braved the blustery weather to gather at the Roy Raley Room at the Pendleton Round-Up Grounds to celebrate the amazing year the Pendleton Round-Up experienced. The culmination of the year came at this year’sContinue Reading
FEMA Denies Inslee’s Request for Individual Assistance Program
Gov. Jay Inslee late yesterday learned the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied his request for the Individual Assistance Program to help families impacted by the summer wildfire season. Had the program been approved, impacted communities would have had access to assistance with the repairs of homes and aid for thingsContinue Reading
USDA Announces Funding to Aid Rural Businesses and Create Jobs
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $12.5 million in loans and grants for 39 projects that will help rural businesses in 21 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. “Supporting small, rural businesses helps create jobs and helps promote entrepreneurship,” Vilsack said. “USDA Rural Development’s field structure enables ourContinue Reading
Hood River Distillers, Inc. Awards Donation to Wrangler® National Patriot™ Program at Pendleton Round-Up
$90k donation resulted from proceeds for 2015 Pendleton® Whisky Limited Edition bottle Hood River Distillers, Inc., the largest and oldest importer, distiller, producer and bottler of distilled spirits in the Northwest, presented a formal donation of $90,000 to the Wrangler® National Patriot™ program at the 105th Pendleton Round-Up onContinue Reading
Business Owners Donate Time and Effort for Hunt of a Lifetime
Recently I was invited to visit with a group of hunters in NE Oregon. Emotions were hidden by dark sunglasses and tears were forced to be unshed as they each explained what makes Hunt of a Lifetime so special to them, as men, as hunters, and as mentors. This wasContinue Reading
It’s a Wrap!
Well, just like that, summer is over, the leaves are starting to fall from the trees and winter is just around the corner. The fires have died down, yet some still burn, the danger however is nothing like it was in the heart of fireseason this year. OfContinue Reading
The Dalles – A City at its Tipping Point
By Srephen Lawrence, Mayor of The Dalles When writers talk about a tipping point, it seems they are talking about an accumulation of events that suddenly cause change to occur through the combined strength or movement of forces. That is exactly what The Dalles is experiencing. Sometimes itContinue Reading
Catalyst Research Management Holds Robins Equity Research Roundup at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson
The first annual Robins Equity Research Roundup, presented by Catalyst Research Management Group, was held at Skamania Lodge October 8th and 9th, and brought small and microcap equities together with portfolio managers, hedge fund managers, retail brokers, mutual fund managers, and individual investors. There is a cluster of people whoContinue Reading
Wildfire taming the beast
Governor Kate Brown invokes the Emergency Conflagration Act on four fires in just 22 days By Lori Kimbel To say this summer’s fire season is one for the record books is an understatement. With more than 7 million acres burned across the lower 48 states, fire crews struggle to containContinue Reading
Let it Rain, Let it Rain, Let it Rain!
This letter is coming to you with a heavy heart. As I write this letter, smoke from the many forest fires that are burning hot in th PNW lays thick along the street by my house and in my yard. Three men who were fighting one of the beastsContinue Reading
Federal Judge’s Hanford Ruling a Victory for Washington State
Court agrees with AG on deadlines, accountability and need for double-shell tanks SEATTLE — A U.S. District Court judge has agreed with critical components of the Attorney General’s arguments in a lawsuit regarding the cleanup process at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. In a ruling issued Thursday evening, U.S. DistrictContinue Reading
Walgreens and Providence Form Clinical Collaboration
Walgreens and Providence Health & Services form strategic clinical collaboration to improve and coordinate patient care Deerfield, Ill. and Seattle, Wash.—Walgreens and Providence Health & Services today announced a strategic clinical collaboration aimed at coordinating patient care and improving patient access, which plans to bring up to 25 new retailContinue Reading
Governor Brown Invests $250,000 to Expand Diversity Among Portland-Area Startups
Governor Kate Brown and Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency, will invest $250,000 to support a new Inclusive Startup Fund created and initiated by the Portland Development Commission (PDC) and supported by Multnomah County. The fund will invest in Portland-area startups – from across industry – founded by underrepresentedContinue Reading
ODA Gets More Strategic With Agricultural Water Quality
After testing out a new, strategic approach to improving water quality in targeted watersheds of Wasco and Clackamas counties, the Oregon Department of Agriculture is ready to expand the effort to seven new areas around the state, each receiving direct outreach and education as part of the plan to addressContinue Reading
Keeping Oregon Green, One Wildfire at a Time
Smothering smoke. Burning heat. Charred remains. Wildfires are natural disasters that should never be taken lightly. But how do you prepare for something that you know is going to happen, but are not given the when or where on the timing of the strike? Meet the Oregon Rangeland Fire ProtectionContinue Reading
Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Joins Lawsuit Against EPA
As of July 24, 2015, the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association has signed on to a lawsuit through Pacific Legal Foundation against the Environmental Protection Agency and their Waters of the United States rule. Waters of the United States, WOTUS, is a rule proposed by EPA and Army Corps of Engineers that,Continue Reading
Pendleton Woolen Mills Installs New Jacquard Looms
Pendleton Woolen Mills headquartered in Portland, Oregon, a globally celebrated American lifestyle brand, has added new jacquard looms to operations at the company’s original mill in Pendleton, Oregon. These Italian looms from Itema and Swiss jacquard machines from Staubli are equipped with the latest technology and provide high-speed performance. Continue Reading
The Kindness of Strangers In a Time of Need
by Elizabeth Hellstern Sometimes destructive accidents can be a blessed thing. At dusk on June 22, I was crying with relief and giving hugs to strangers in the middle of eastbound Interstate 84. My partner, Owen and I were near Arlington, OR with our 30’ Airstream trailer on its sideContinue Reading
Historic Balch Hotel in Dufur under New Management
Change brings the Balch “to the next level” The 18-room Balch Hotel, a boutique inn located 15 minutes south of The Dalles, Oregon, has completed a lease agreement with Josiah Dean of Abundance Hospitality and Claire Sierra of Bliss Breakthrough to operate the historic landmark. The partnership will provide forContinue Reading
Significant New Resources Arrive in Washington
Just one day following the Obama Administration’s approval of Gov. Jay Inslee’s request for a Federal Emergency Declaration, a new Mobilization Center started being formed at Fairchild Air Force Base to assist with firefighting efforts in Eastern Washington. The Mobilization Center will be a staging area for 20 largeContinue Reading
Wyden, Crapo, Nine Other Senators Pledge to Work Together to Find a Wildfire Funding Solution in the Fall
Wyden-Crapo Wildfire Disaster Funding Act has 16 Senate Cosponsors, support of more than 250 organizations Washington, D.C. Thursday, August 6, 2015 – Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, today secured a commitment from nine other senators from both parties to work together on a bipartisan solution to fixContinue Reading
Rising Firefighting Costs Raises Alarms for Forest Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2015 — For the first time in its 110-year history, the Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is spending more than 50 percent of its budget to suppress the nation’s wildfires. A new report released today by the Forest Service estimates that within aContinue Reading
Wholly Guacamole That Was Good – Bulldog Diner in Rufus
By Lori Kimbel On a recent trip to Portland we faced the dilemma, like so many who live in NE Oregon face, ‘do we face the congestion and grab a quick bite at Bigg’s Junction, or wait to eat once we get to The Dalles’. I would like youContinue Reading
Energy Trust of Oregon Helps Utility Customers Save
Oregon utility customers saved $326 million on energy bills in 2014 Energy Trust of Oregon helped Eastern Oregon utility customers save $1 million at 1,010 locations PENDLETON, Ore. — July 22, 2015 — By the end of 2014, Energy Trust of Oregon had helped utility customers save a recordContinue Reading
Cattle Overtakes Nursery as Oregon’s Top Ag Commodity
For the first time in 20 years, there’s a new leader among Oregon’s diverse agricultural commodities in terms of production value. Cattle and calves has regained the top spot with a record breaking year in 2014, overtaking greenhouse and nursery products. It was 1994 when greenhouse and nursery supplanted cattleContinue Reading
USDA Hears from Oregon Women in Agriculture
About one of every five principal operators of Oregon farms and ranches are female. While that may not seem like a high percentage, it is ten times the percentage found in Georgia. The comparison made quite an impression on the US Department of Agriculture’s number two ranking official who stoppedContinue Reading
Blue Mountain Century Scenic Bikeway Ride Set for September 19 – 20
The Blue Mountain Century Scenic Bikeway is one of the best-of-the-best road bike routes in Oregon. Join a fully supported bicycle tour of the route Sept. 19-20, complete with sag wagons, food and mechanic support. The fourth annual Blue Mountain Century Ride is hosted by local bikeway leaders andContinue Reading
Divide Camp Seeks Post 9-11 Combat Wounded Veteran Applicants
Divide Camp (dividecamp.org), a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to serving Post 9-11 combat wounded veterans, is seeking applicants who would participate in wilderness activities in Northeast Oregon. Travel expenses and accommodations are provided to the veteran guests who visit the former elk hunting camp located in Wallowa County. FromContinue Reading
Experts Predict Oregon Cannabis Industry Will Be Worth Nearly $500 Million in Five Years
SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As Green Technology Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB:GTSO) readies new products and services for entry into Oregon’s adult-use cannabis market, experts now say that the state’s cannabis industry could be worth nearly $500 million by 2020. “Low barriers to entry into this marketplace are what we believe willContinue Reading
Oregon Lawmakers: Get Hemp Pilot Project Ready for Next Season
Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Representatives Peter DeFazio, Kurt Schrader, Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici asked the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Oregon State University (OSU) to implement an industrial hemp pilot project in time for next year’s growing season, in a letter sent today. Continue Reading
Joseph Named Regional Timber Association President
American Forest Resource Council to Have New Executive July 31, 2015 — The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) has named Travis Joseph as its next President. Joseph will join AFRC after eight years in Washington D.C. working for Congressman DeFazio, the House Committee on Natural Resources, and the House CommitteeContinue Reading
Governor Brown Activates Additional 250 Oregon National Guard members for Wildfire Response
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown announced today that she is activating an additional 250 Oregon National Guard members for on-the-ground support to fight wildfires. “With up to a couple months of fire season still ahead of us, and many large fires currently underway, we will need to beContinue Reading
Sean Robbins Stepping Down as Business Oregon Director
Salem, OR—Governor Kate Brown announced today that Sean Robbins will step down as the director of Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency. “I’m grateful to Sean for his leadership and contribution to Business Oregon over the last year,” Governor Brown said. “He crafted a thoughtful vision into anContinue Reading
Construction Trades Endorse Gateway Pacific Terminal Expansion
70,000+ member Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council endorses resolution in support of Gateway Pacific Terminal The 60 affiliated local trade unions of the Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO have announced support for the Gateway Pacific Terminal expansion project (GPT) currently under review in theContinue Reading
Queen of the Mississippi Headed to the Columbia and Snake Rivers
American Cruise Lines double capacity on the Columbia and Snake Rivers American Cruise Lines announced August 3, 2015 the Queen of the Mississippi (to be renamed) will join the Queen of the West in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. This three-year-old vessel, with allContinue Reading
Maryhill Winery Named Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest
July/August TGBN “Superb winemaking, stunning location, national reach and superb leadership” are just a few reasons why Maryhill Winery is regarded as the region’s leading winery Goldendale, WA Citing the forward-thinking vision of Craig and Vicki Leuthold to build a destination winery in the eastern Columbia River Gorge, and theContinue Reading
A Rogue Place Called Pendleton: Pendleton Pilsner by Rogue Ales
Pendleton, OR. Rogue Ales and Pendleton Woolen Mills announce a collision of Oregon artisans with the unveiling of Rogue Pendleton Pilsner. Brewed at Rogue’s headquarters on the Oregon Coast in Newport, Pendleton Pilsner uses floor malted barley grown on Rogue’s Farm in Tygh Valley and Liberty hops grown atContinue Reading
Ordnance Brewing Announces Taproom Opening
BOARDMAN, OR Ordnance Brewing, the much-anticipated Eastern Oregon craft brewery start-up, announces a limited opening of their taproom, effective immediately. To start, the taproom will be open Saturdays from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM and Sundays from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The brewery and taproom are located atContinue Reading
Business Development Workshop: Marketing Planning
From social media to press releases to public events, marketing your business is a lot of work! By creating a Marketing Plan for your business, you’ll help ensure that your limited time and resources are spent on marketing and PR activities that have the biggest impact. A Marketing Plan willContinue Reading
State Announces $1.6 Million in Public Infrastructure Project Investments in Cowlitz, Okanogan, Skamania, and Whatcom Counties
OLYMPIA, WA – May 21, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $1,672,500 in grants and loans for infrastructure development and economic feasibility studies targeting business growth and job creation in the Port of Woodland, Town of Twisp, Port of Douglas County andContinue Reading
Inaugural RS Aero North Americans to be held in the Gorge
In a little over five weeks, On July 25th, 2015 the first ever international RS Aero event will take place in the breathtaking Cascade Locks, Oregon, just 45 minutes East of Portland. The RS Aero, first launched in March 2014 in the UK, has all but exploded onto the single-handedContinue Reading
Tall Ships to Set Sail on the Columbia River this Summer
STEVENSON, WA PRNewswire/ — This summer, pirate ships will be returning to Skamania Lodge, a Destination Hotel, to give guests the opportunity to cruise the Columbia River like a true buccaneer. One 18th century tall ship replica and one interpretation of a typical early 19th century trading vesselContinue Reading
Prevent your campfire from turning into a wildfire
Sitting around a campfire is one of the special times we all enjoy, but campfires are also a major cause of wildfires. May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and Keep Oregon Green, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal, and the Oregon Department of Forestry urge Oregonians to follow these basicContinue Reading
Getting Burned . . . The Cost of Wildfire . . . $200 Million
The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) spent $200 million putting wildfires out over the past two fire seasons. This does not take into account the dozens of homes lost, the impact to communities, and the loss of valuable natural resources. The cost of fire goes well beyond dollars and cents.Continue Reading
Beach emergency signs in place along the coast
Part of a beach safety project to help emergency personnel respond quickly, the bright yellow signs with bold black letters are installed at state, county and federal beach accesses from the Columbia River jetty to Crissey Field at the California border. Numbered 1 through 197, the signs are designed toContinue Reading
Travel Oregon Invites Explorers to Discover ‘7 Bikes 7 Wonders’
The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, invites adventurers to explore the 7 Wonders of Oregon while engaging in a statewide scavenger hunt with the launch of ‘7 Bikes 7 Wonders.’ Seven of the state’s leading bike builders were tapped to craft a custom bicycle for each Wonder, where theirContinue Reading
The Jennings Hotel – The Hotel that Kickstarter Built
By Lori Kimbel A man on a mission. That phrase describes Greg Hennes to a T. When I met Greg at the bottom of the long stair case that leads to Joseph, Oregon’s 100 year old Jennings Hotel, I could see the dust mask marks on his face and heContinue Reading
John Day River Territory Plans Autumn Bash at Cottonwood Canyon
Wasco, Oregon Let’s face it, most people don’t know much about the John Day River or the amazing country through which it winds. That is a frustrating fact for the businesses that operate here, offering services and goods to visitors. The Painted Hills have been getting attention lately, thanksContinue Reading
OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute Receives Gold-Plus Award for Outstanding Heart Failure Care
OHSU is the only hospital in the Portland metro area to receive the American Heart Association’s highest distinction for heart failure care The OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute has been awarded the Get With The Guidelines®–Heart Failure Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology FoundationContinue Reading
New Director Leads Columbia Basin Care Facility
THE DALLES, OR — Geoff Gerding took a long and winding route and now he’s right where he belongs. “I always wanted to work in long-term care,” says Gerding, the new executive director of Columbia Basin Care Facility, the only not-for-profit skilled nursing facility in The Dalles. Founded inContinue Reading
Cost Share Reimbursement Available for Oregon’s Certified Organic Growers
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for partial reimbursement for some of the costs paid to become organically certified by a US Department of Agriculture accredited certifier or renew such certification. Oregon growers, processors, and handlers who are certified organic by USDA accredited certifiers are eligible to receiveContinue Reading
ODA Offers Advice on Plants, Pesticides, and Pollinators
When President Obama released the White House’s National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators this spring, it sent a message to every American, including all Oregonians. “One of the things that is being stressed is that government can’t do it all by itself, weContinue Reading
Oregon Farm Bureau Seeks Photos for 2016 Calendar
Oregon Farm Bureau invites the public to submit photos for its 2016 Oregon’s Bounty calendar. The award-winning calendar celebrates all aspects of Oregon agriculture: the products, the people, the production, the landscape, the enjoyment, anything that depicts the beauty, technology, culture, enjoyment, or tradition of family farming and ranching. Continue Reading
Port of Arlington Completes Marina Upgrade Project
Arlington, Oregon The Port of Arlington completes Marina upgrade project and installs new fuel dock. Port of Arlington Marina is located in Arlington, Oregon, on the Columbia River at river mile 241.3 Port of Arlington installs new fuel dock at Port of Arlington Marina, Arlington Oregon, located on theContinue Reading
Announcing the Release of A Better Man, by Rick Steber
A Better Man: The true story of one man’s incredible journey Dave Franke might have been content to lead the life of a simple cowboy. But he believed in the American Dream, and he burned with ambition to make his mark in the world. He parlayed building a single houseContinue Reading
The Oregon Trail A New American Journey By Rinker Buck
Spanning two thousand miles and traversing six states from Missouri to the Pacific coast, the Oregon Trail is the route that made America. In the 15 years before the Civil War, when 400,000 pioneers used the trail to emigrate West—scholars still regard this as the largest land migration in history—itContinue Reading
NE Oregon Company Shifts from Existing Product Line to Commercial Laser Services
For twenty five years Smoke-Wood was a fixture in the Elgin Business Community. After the owner, Al Smolkowski, passed away in May of 2013 his son Kevin had to figure out what to do with the business. “When my dad passed away, we weren’t sure how Smoke-Wood would function withoutContinue Reading
EUGENE AWARDED 2021 IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
During the afternoon session of the second day of its meeting in Beijing, IAAF Council awarded Eugene, USA, the 2021 IAAF World Championships The proposal to award the IAAF’s premier competition to Eugene, bypassing the usual bidding process, was taken in response to what was seen as a uniqueContinue Reading
Let Summer 2015 Begin
It never fails. It seems like I am always writing these letters at midnight, but until I am ready to go to print I just don’t know how I feel about the current issue. Of course after putting the finishing touches on it, it is now 1 a.m., andContinue Reading
Quick Action and Teamwork Protects Sustainable Farm From Wildfire
Quick action and immediate willingness to help a neighbor made a big difference in saving property and wildlife habitat from even worse destruction during Oregon’s first major brush fire of the season. The fire consumed an estimated 40,000 acres in north-central Oregon, according to Boardman Rural Fire Protection DistrictContinue Reading
New Owners at Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins
By Lori Kimbel Richard and Theresa Albert are the proud new owners of Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins in Carson, Washington. “We have looked for properties from coast to coast before we found this place,” said Richard. “We have done our due diligence. While looking for just the right property weContinue Reading
Wolf-impacted counties receive funds from ODA
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has approved $81,300 in funding distributed to nine counties east of the Cascade Mountains as part of the Oregon Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance County Block Grant Program. Funds for 2015 have been distributed for actual livestock losses or injuries caused by wolves, forContinue Reading
Oregon’s Wine Industry Contributes $3.35 Billion To Oregon’s Economy
The Oregon wine industry continues to substantially grow its contribution to the state’s economy according to a study released by the Oregon Wine Board today. In 2013 the sum of all economic activity in the state related to Oregon wine was more than $3.35 billion, a 28% growth inContinue Reading
The Rocks District AVA Gains Approval from the TTB
TTB Approves New AVA: The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater located in Northeastern Oregon, within the Walla Walla Valley AVA WALLA WALLA VALLEY, Wash., Feb. 6. 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) today announced it will establish The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater as theContinue Reading
Individual Development Account Program Helps Oregonians Help Themselves
By Lisa Dawson Since 2007, the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District (NEOEDD) has served as the regional administrator for Oregon’s Individual Development Account (IDA) program. This program has been extremely successful for residents in Baker, Union, and Wallowa counties. It’s a renewable program at the state level, and it needsContinue Reading
Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson Appointed as U.S. Travel National Chair
The U.S. Travel Association on Thursday announced the appointment of Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon, as its new national chair. Davidson, who previously served as the association’s first vice chair, succeeds Interstate Hotels & Resorts CEO Jim Abrahamson. “We are thrilled to welcome Todd as our new nationalContinue Reading
Travel Oregon Brings Back Popular ‘7 Wonders of Oregon’ Campaign
The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, is re-launching the state’s most successful marketing campaign to date: “The 7 Wonders of Oregon.” Introduced last spring, the campaign contributed to nearly 10 percent growth in statewide lodging revenue in 2014 over 2013, according to STR, Inc. What’s more, Travel Oregon’s fanContinue Reading
Lucas Oil and Protect The Harvest Join Pendleton Cattle Barons Weekend as Title Sponsor
Pendleton Cattle Barons has joined forces with two of the agriculture industry’s strongest partners and proponents. Lucas Oil and Protect the Harvest have become the title sponsor of Pendleton Cattle Barons Weekend. The Weekend honors Pendleton’s ranching heritage and creates scholarships for area students taking agricultural majors in college orContinue Reading
Cattlemen Care: Always Have, Always Will
By Kayli Hanley On Tuesday, March 31st, the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Executive Board unanimously voted to amend the National Resource Conservation Fee program. The NRCF will now only be assessed in the five, core sage-grouse counties. These counties are, Baker, Malheur, Harney, Lake and Crook. Aside from the amendment statedContinue Reading
Landmark Agreements to Conserve up to 2.3 Million Acres of Sage Grouse Habitat in Oregon
Landowners gain greater regulatory certainty under innovative, voluntary program; Nearly all Oregon’s greater sage-grouse habitat on private, state and federal lands now have conservation agreements. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today joined Oregon Governor Kate Brown and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary Ann Mills toContinue Reading
20 Years of the Wildhorse Resort & Casino
The CTUIR and Wildhorse leadership had a vision and that vision has steadily become a reality By Lori Kimbel When Capital Gaming out of New Jersey first flew over the bare piece of land that would one day become Wildhorse Resort and Casino, they asked themselves, “who wouldContinue Reading
Historical Gilbert Inn in Seaside Offers a Peaceful Getaway
By Lori Kimbel After some pre-travel exploring online, we stumbled across the Historic Gilbert Inn website and knew it was just the kind of place we needed to stay before the long cold winter of northeast Oregon sets in; we were not disappointed with our choice. The QueenContinue Reading
Eagle Cap Excursion Train Announces 2015 Schedule
ELGIN, OREGON__The Friends of the Joseph Branch and Wallowa Union Railroad have announced this year’s schedule for the Eagle Cap Excursion Train. The plan was approved recently by the Wallowa Union Railroad Authority at their January meeting in Wallowa. This is the third year the Friends of the Joseph Branch,Continue Reading
Hood River Distillers, Inc. Salutes United States Armed Forces with a 2015 Limited Edition Bottle
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each 2015 Limited Edition will be donated to the Wrangler® National Patriot™ program. Hood River Distillers, Inc., the largest and oldest importer, distiller, producer and bottler of distilled spirits in the Northwest, today announces a limited edition bottle for Pendleton®Continue Reading