Latest news with #HoodRiver
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Overwatch Imaging Awarded Phase II SBIR by the U.S. Navy
Contract Work Will Deliver Automated AI-Powered Imagery Intelligence Solution HOOD RIVER, Ore., July 14, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Overwatch Imaging, a leader in automated airborne intelligence technology, has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the U.S. Navy (USN) to develop and demonstrate AI-enabled, automated imagery intelligence software for electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor platforms. Under the two-year Phase II effort, Overwatch Imaging will deliver a solution to automate sensor control, real-time AI-based image analysis, data-reduced intelligence packaging, and seamless integration with USN mission systems. The project will provide capabilities compatible across all USN aircraft that lower operator workloads, utilize existing systems and data, increase speed of intelligence delivery, and provide real-time situational awareness to tactical and strategic leadership. This solution will build on Overwatch Imaging's commercially available Automated Sensor Operator (ASO) software, expanding it for USN-specific, joint, and U. S. Coast Guard mission contexts and operational environments. The U.S. Navy published its Priority Technology Areas in a June memo with a goal of "accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies that will allow us to outpace adversaries and ensure readiness in an unpredictable world." The first priority listed in the memo is AI / Autonomy, which is noted as capable of "enabling decision advantage and enhancing the ability of human-machine teaming." Specifically, the AI / Autonomy Level 1 priority is for "AI-driven solutions for real-time data analysis and automated decision-making to enhance operational effectiveness." This work is perfectly aligned with the Navy's technology priority as it enables seamless integration of AI / Autonomy into its existing and new imaging systems, in time to make a difference against current and emerging threats. "This award represents an important step forward in our efforts to deliver a scalable, mission-ready solution for Naval operations facing time-critical detection challenges," said Greg Davis, Founder and CEO of Overwatch Imaging. "By reducing reliance on human operators to perform repetitive and focus intensive EO/IR functions, this solution will accelerate the flow of actionable intelligence while freeing operators to focus on more complex situational awareness and decision-making tasks." This award follows a successful Phase I research effort and reinforces Overwatch Imaging's role as a key innovator in defense-oriented autonomous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Adam Lapierre Marketing Manager I Overwatch Imagingadam@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wyden in Hood River: ‘Very concerned' about Mideast war
HOOD RIVER, Ore. (KOIN) — There were no shortages of people or questions when Sen. Ron Wyden held a town hall in Hood River Saturday afternoon: a potential US involvement in a Middle East war, wildfire relief in the Columbia River Gorge, the proposed sale of public lands among the many topics brought up. Earlier Saturday, reports showed the as Iran and Israel continue their aerial assault. As President Trump met with his national security team, Wyden met with his constituents. Many asked what, exactly, is going on in the Middle East and if the United States will get involved. 'I'm very concerned about it,' Wyden said. 'That's why I'm using my seat on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. I can't talk about classified matters, but I've been all over the state making sure that people understand what the stakes are and unilaterally declaring war is contrary to the Constitution.' Portlanders have become safer drivers over the past decade Much closer to home, Wyden said he checked with fire officials at the Rowena Fire in the Gorge and said he will continue working to get Oregon the resources it needs during what is shaping up as a very long fire season. KOIN 6 News will have more information later in the day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
12-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Oregon wildfire prompts evacuations and closes interstate in Columbia River Gorge
A wildfire in Oregon prompted officials to issue evacuation orders for hundreds of homes and to close nearly 20 miles (32 kilometers) of an interstate in the Columbia River Gorge on Wednesday. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the state's Emergency Conflagration Act for the Rowena Fire, allowing the state fire marshal's department to mobilize resources, the department said in a news release. The agency said it was mobilizing an incident management team and six structural task forces, with three responding Wednesday night and the other three arriving early Thursday. 'This early season conflagration should come as a reminder to Oregonians to be ready for wildfire,' State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. The Oregon Department of Transportation said Interstate 84 was closed between Hood River and The Dalles. Hood River, a popular tourist destination about 55 miles (89 kilometers) east of Portland, is home to some 8,000 people, and more than 15,000 people live in The Dalles further east. Residents of more than 700 homes were ordered to evacuate in an area stretching northwest of The Dalles along I-84 and further inland, according to the Wasco County Sheriff's Office. Residents of more 1,352 homes were told to prepare to leave, including in part of the town's northern end. A middle school in The Dalles was set up as a temporary shelter, while the county fairgrounds opened as a shelter for livestock and horses, the sheriff's office said. Photos shared by the transportation department showed flames burning alongside and in the median of the highway as wind gusts fanned smoke. A water-dropping helicopter and a plane dropping fire retardant helped fight the fire from above. The fire broke out on Wednesday. Department spokesperson David House said in an email that the interstate will be closed indefinitely, 'due not only to the wildfires but also due to the extreme danger of driving in smoke.' Washington state's transportation department said a separate brush fire has closed 8 miles (13 kilometers) of State Route 14, which also runs along the Columbia River.
Associated Press
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Associated Press
Oregon wildfire closes nearly 20 miles of interstate in Columbia River Gorge
THE DALLES, Ore. (AP) — A wildfire in Oregon prompted officials to close nearly 20 miles (32 kilometers) of an interstate in the Columbia River Gorge on Wednesday as smoke obscured visibility and fire crews responded to the blaze. The Oregon Department of Transportation said Interstate 84 was closed between Hood River and The Dalles. Hood River, a popular tourist destination about 55 miles (89 kilometers) east of Portland, is home to some 8,000 people, and more than 15,000 people live in The Dalles further east. Photos shared by the department showed flames burning alongside and in the median of the highway as wind gusts fanned smoke. A water-dropping helicopter and a plane dropping fire retardant helped fight the fire from above. The fire broke out on Wednesday. Department spokesperson David House said in an email that the interstate will be closed indefinitely, 'due not only to the wildfires but also due to the extreme danger of driving in smoke.' Evacuations were ordered northwest of The Dalles, including along I-84 and areas further inland, according to the Wasco County Sheriff's Office. Two temporary shelters, including one at a middle school, are set to be opened in The Dalles, the sheriff's office said. Washington state's transportation department said a separate brush fire has closed 8 miles (13 kilometers) of State Route 14, which also runs along the Columbia River. Authorities urged people traveling in the area to use alternate routes.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-header-columbia-river-gorge-oregon-CLUMBIARIVERGORGE0525-1d4015326b6e4dceb272deb99cb9dc2b.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
31-05-2025
- General
- Travel + Leisure
This Gorgeous River Canyon Has the Highest Concentration of Waterfalls in North America—and It's Just 10 Minutes From Portland
Appreciate the Columbia River Gorge's natural splendor while catching some wind and waves on the water, hiking to waterfalls, or cycling through rocky tunnels. Refresh yourself at a Nordic-style bathhouse before drifting off to dreamland in chic cabins at Bingen's Society Hotel. Have some of the best barbecue on the West Coast at Hood River's Grasslands Barbecue. Visit in spring to avoid the worst of the crowds, and see the landscape awash in seasonal wildflower blooms. Hang out in riverside towns like Hood River and Cascade Locks, where your post-hike beer comes with unbeatable views. For travelers heading to Portland, Oregon, the two-drop, 620-foot-tall Multnomah Falls in the nearby Columbia River Gorge is usually a must-see. But while the gorge is home to North America's greatest concentration of waterfalls, they're just a drop in the bucket of everything this river canyon has to offer. Stretching over 80 miles in length and reaching depths of up to 4,000 feet, the Columbia River Gorge—a designated National Scenic Area since 1986—is a geological wonder. Formed by volcanoes and carved by Ice Age floods, it's a land of contrasts, where rainforests and woodlands coexist alongside semi-arid grasslands and rugged bluffs. Framed by looming basalt cliffs, the Columbia River cuts through the landscape, marking the boundary between Oregon to the south and Washington to the north. 'The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is the largest and most ecologically diverse scenic area in the nation,' says Krystyna Wolniakowski, the executive director of the Columbia River Gorge Commission, an organization that protects the National Scenic Area. As well as being an outdoorsmen's paradise thanks to its diversity of landscapes, gorge-goers will also find the area is a food haven, with farms, orchards, and an American Viticultural Area wine region that supports 'gorge-to-table' dining. Here's what you need to know before planning a trip to the Columbia River Gorge. The safari style glamping tents at Skamania Lodge. Surrounded by 175 acres of woodlands, the grand Skamania Lodge offers a choose-your-own-adventure style of stay with traditional lodge rooms, cabins, glamping tents, and elevated tree houses. After hiking in nearby Beacon Rock State Park or trying onsite activities like golf, the spa awaits with restorative massages or hot tub soaks before dinner. Located on a working farm and organic apple and pear orchard roughly eight miles from Hood River, Oregon, the five-bedroom, log cabin-style Sakura Ridge has everything you'll need for a romantic getaway: cozily-appointed rooms, soaking tubs, and dreamy views of Mount Hood. Start each day with a breakfast of seasonal, fresh-from-the-farm goodies, and enjoy additional culinary delights like bento boxes and chef-led private dinners. The boutique Society Hotel is set in an old schoolhouse and has the complete traveler accommodation toolkit: bunk rooms, private rooms, and cutesy cabins. Easy on the eyes with its sleek, Scandinavian-style design, the spa and bathhouse is a stand-out perk with a saltwater soaking pool, al-fresco hot pool, cedar sauna, and cold plunge. Open seasonally from late spring to late October, Under Canvas's newest property fully immerses you in the gorge's outdoor splendor with its stylish glamping tents. Glampers can enjoy views of Mount Hood from the site's hilltop perch near White Salmon, Washington, as well as on-site amenities like locally-sourced grub, nightly s'mores, and fun programming, like live music. Harvest your own fruit at the Hood River Fruit Loop. Experience Mt. Hood and the Gorge Chasing waterfalls here is a given, but there's so much more to see and do, outdoorsy or otherwise. 'We encourage people to recreate responsibly when visiting these fragile and beautiful ecosystems,' says a U.S. Forest Service spokesperson, reminding visitors to follow Leave No Trace principles and acquire any necessary permits. Adventure abounds here, both on land and in the water. Hiking is huge, with over 200 trails that delve deep into the woods to lush canyons like Eagle Creek, or head skyward on leg-busting routes with worth-the-pain vistas. 'My personal favorites are hiking up Dog Mountain … for the wildflower bonanza in May, and to Rowena Crest viewpoint,' says Wolniakowski. Cyclists can bike through cliffside tunnels and along car-free sections of Oregon's Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail, and the gorge has watersports-lovers covered with kiteboarding, windsurfing, paddleboarding, whitewater rafting, and kayaking. The Columbia River and its tributaries have anglers firmly on the hook as renowned fishing spots. The spring salmon run brings over a million Chinook, sockeye, and coho, but there's plenty of year-round catches like walleye. If you're lucky, you may get a sturgeon on the line—these prehistoric 'living fossils' are the biggest fish in North America and reach up to 800 pounds. In the fall, head to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery to see spawning coho and Chinook. Okay, you can't find bananas here, but you can find apples, pears, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, and much more growing in abundance, thanks to the Hood River Valley's unique soil composition. Taste the bounty for yourself along the Hood River Fruit Loop, a collection of 32 farmstands, wineries, and eateries spread throughout the valley, and pluck your own seasonal goodies at "U-Pick" farms around the area. Grab a post-hike pint of craft beer or glass of gorge-grown wine; there are roughly 12 craft breweries and over 30 wineries to choose from, plus cideries and distilleries. Sip on high-altitude pinot gris paired with Mount Hood views at Loop de Loop Wines, watch windsurfers as you sample beers made with locally foraged botanicals at Ferment Brewing Company, or enjoy zero-proof cocktails and flights at Wilderton Aperitivo Co., the U.S.'s first non-alcoholic distillery and tasting room. Head to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum to learn more about the area's human history, from ancestral Indigenous residents to Lewis and Clark's voyage. It's also worth making the 45-minute drive from Hood River to Mount Hood for summertime paddleboarding or wintertime skiing. A clear starry night taken in the Columbia River Gorge. Stay up late for stellar stargazing from lookouts like the Vista House at Crown Point, a popular waystop among motorists since the early 1900s, who come to bask in the gorge's grandeur. On rare occasions, the northern lights have made appearances. A plate of BBQ and sides from Grasslands BBQ. Experience Mt. Hood and the Gorge Kick off your trip at Sugarpine Drive-In in Troutdale, Oregon, at the gorge's western entrance. Housed in a refurbished 1920s gas station, pull up to the drive-through window to order sumptuous sundaes, simple soft-serves, or hearty soups and sandwiches like waffle-ironed grilled cheese with tomato soup. This Hood River barbecue truck is only open a couple of days a week, but it's worth planning your day around; the Texas-style barbecue is some of the best in the Pacific Northwest. Load up trays with oak-smoked brisket, hatch chile, cheddar sausages, and pulled pork, plus sides like mac and cheese. Go early, though—they sell out fast. Recognized by the James Beard Awards for its outstanding wine program, Hiyu Wine Farm's culinary events are among the Gorge's most coveted seatings. Experience 'sense of place' meals made with seasonal goods grown or foraged on the property, paired with boundary-pushing natural wines. Fuel up for a day of hikes, bike rides, or winery-hopping with breakfast at White Salmon Baking Company. Satisfy savory or sweet cravings with avocado toast or pastries, and grab a Reuben panini for the road. Leavened with wild yeast, the breads are divine, with rotating flavors and varieties. If you think fruit doesn't belong on pizza, this spot for wood-fired pies along the Hood River waterfront may convince you otherwise. Local pears complement blue cheese and caramelized onions, and cherries sing alongside chorizo sausage and goat cheese. For the pizza purists, there are plenty of other options, which also make full use of local ingredients like mushrooms and Columbia River salmon. Wildflower growing in Rowena Crest. Experience Mt. Hood and the Gorge The best time to visit the Columbia River Gorge is late spring through early fall to take full advantage of long, balmy summer days, perfect for being outdoors. At the height of summer, popular sites like Multnomah Falls can get crowded, especially on weekends, so plan your sightseeing accordingly. Springtime is a favorite of locals thanks to vibrant wildflower blooms like lupine and balsamroot, and autumn brings leaf-peeping in the forests and vineyards. Enjoying a boat ride along the Columbia River in Cascade Locks. Experience Mt. Hood and the Gorge With Portland and the Portland International Airport (PDX) being just a 10-minute drive away, the western entrance to the gorge is the best point of access. Traveling by car along Oregon's Highway 84 or Washington's State Route 14 is worth it for the views alone, and it takes about an hour to drive from Portland to Hood River or White Salmon at the gorge's eastern terminus. City view of Hood River from the water. Experience Mt. Hood and the Gorge Known as the windsurfing capital of the world, Hood River is also one of the gorge's main hubs for dining, shopping, and stays. After a Scandinavian breakfast at Broder Øst, spend the day cycling through the surrounding farmlands or riding the Mount Hood Railroad before winding down over beers and 'za at the Waterfront Park. Surrounded by wineries, hiking areas, and rivers with world-class whitewater rafting, Washington's White Salmon sits across the Columbia from Hood River. Even though the great outdoors calls very persistently here, be sure to spend time in town checking out its thriving art scene at galleries and workshops. Situated about halfway through the gorge, this tiny town is worth a stopover. Grab burgers and soft-serve at the retro Eastwind Drive-in, chow down on smoked salmon quesadillas and Columbia-caught fish at the Indigenous-owned Brigham Fish Market, and snap a picture on the Bridge of the Gods. People riding their bikes through The Dalles. Experience Mt. Hood and the Gorge Renting a car gives you the greatest ease of access, but there are ways to go without. The Columbia Gorge Express links Portland, Troutdale, Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, and Hood River on the Oregon side, with select Washington routes during spring and summer. Shuttle services like Sasquatch Shuttle also relieve congestion at popular sites like Multnomah Falls.
