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Dispatch Squatch

Dispatch Squatch

A mysterious cryptid who occupies the woods of Skamania county, and shares a love of Gorge Gossip.

📍 Skamania County

📬 Letter from the Editor: On Local Journalism, Power, Tech, and What Comes Next

Why does this newsletter exist? In a time of shrinking local papers and growing news deserts, I reflect on how new tools, shared skills, and peer learning can help rural communities like ours reclaim accountability, transparency, and our right to timely local journalism.

🏗 Gorge Bridge Project Cleared to Build, Transit Planning, and Board Members Needed - Winter 2025 Updates

The billion-dollar Hood River–White Salmon bridge replacement project reached a major milestone this winter with federal approval to proceed. Final design is underway, drilling begins in January, and both counties are seeking new volunteer board members to help guide it forward.

🎄 Final Budgets, Fabulous Trees & Final Transitions - Klickitat Cities Round-up Dec '25

From heritage trees to holiday farewells, see what your city councils accomplished to close out 2025. Bingen and White Salmon passed new budgets and safety taxes, Goldendale updated RV rules and weed codes, and TreeFest planning is already in full bloom.

🍝 From Short-Term Rentals to Spaghetti - Dec 2025 Skamania Cities Civic Recap

From million-dollar city reserves and farewell speeches to vacation rental rules and recreation court upgrades, December saw big moves from local leaders across Skamania. Here’s your detailed roundup from Stevenson, North Bonneville, Underwood, and the PUD.

🚤 1% Levy Vote, Winter Emergency, and Boat Launch Changes - Skamania BOCC 12/16-12/17

Skamania commissioners adopted the 2026 county budget (2–1) with a 1% levy increase, approved year-end Supplemental Budget #4, and declared a winter-storm emergency. Earlier in the week they passed a new boat launch ordinance raising fees and limiting out-of-county guide permits.

♻ Airport Additions to Renewables: What Klickitat BOCC Is Working On - 12/16-12/23

Klickitat County wrapped up December with updates on road and bridge projects, park funding requests, wastewater planning in Dallesport, solar and battery siting rules, ADU reform, and staffing changes under a new County Administrator structure.

🔥 Fire Survivors Wait as Gorge Commission Debates Recovery Rules - Dec 2025

The Gorge Commission spent hours debating disaster-recovery rule changes after the Rowena and Burdoin fires. While counties and survivors urged urgent action, unresolved tribal consultation and federal approval concerns stalled a vote, leaving rebuilding timelines uncertain.

👶 Busy Winter in Klickitat: Mental Health, Childcare, and Local Infrastructure - BOCC 11/12-12/12

Klickitat County’s last month of BOCC meetings covered road and bridge bids, budget adjustments, public health and mental-health strain, childcare shortages, wildfire recovery, energy siting debates, and staffing changes, including creation of a County Administrator role. Here’s what happened.

💵 County Budgets, Timber Fears & Overtime Pressures - Skamania BOCC Recap 11/25 - 12/2

Commissioners heard strong public objections to the Underwood zoning ordinance (now delayed), reviewed tight year-end revenues, and grappled with rising jail overtime, delayed state funds, and justice-system staffing strain.

🧠 Mental-Health Crisis Deepens & WIC Shortfalls: Klickitat Board of Health Update Fall 2025

Klickitat’s Board of Health met Nov. 4 to review severe WIC funding shortfalls, rising food and housing insecurity, and plans to expand rural outreach with KVH and Skyline Health. The county is preparing its 2026-28 Community Health Plan amid growing behavioral-health and isolation concerns.