By Creanna Gallegos, for the Sandy Standard The Hull Foundation & Learning Center’s Annual Tea has grown into one of the most cherished traditions in our community. What began 12 years ago, on a Saturday afternoon in 2014, with the intention to bring awareness to Hull Foundation and Learning Center – and our services to the blind community – has evolved into a signature celebration that brings together friends, supporters, volunteers, and guests from across Oregon and beyon

By Dr. Robert Kelly, For The Mountain Times I know magazines and newspapers are not as prevalent as they used to be, but back in the 90s, before smart phones and tech took over, they were consumed vociferously by the public for all the latest news, gossip, and entertainment. One entertainment, celebrity, and pop culture magazine, US Weekly, had a routine section called “Stars, They’re Just Like Us!” and it would showcase random pictures of celebrities doing “normal people”

Understanding Sciatica, Piriformis Syndrome, and What You Can Do About It By Dr. Melanie Brown, Chiropractor, Mountain Life Clinic, for The Mountain Times That deep ache in your glute that won’t go away — especially when sitting or driving — might not just be a sore muscle. For many people, it’s related to irritation of the sciatic nerve, and the source isn’t always where you think. The sciatic nerve starts in the lower spine and travels through the hip and down the leg. It r

By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times Community members are invited to attend the dedication of the Phoenix Room at the Hoodland Bazaar, honoring the memory of Phoenix Susan Lane, who was killed in November 2024. The event will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Hoodland Bazaar, located at 68278 E. Highway 26 in Welches. Organizers say the dedication is intended as a time to remember Lane and recognize the impact she had on those around her. The gathering will also a

By The Mountain Times Staff A major infrastructure project aimed at reducing wildfire risk and improving power reliability is set to begin this May near Mount Hood. Portland General Electric (PGE) will start a two-year effort to move approximately seven miles of overhead power lines underground in the Government Camp area. Construction will take place during the summer months of 2026 and 2027 and will be completed in three main sections. According to PGE, burying the lines wi

By Orchid Health Hoodland Clinic, For The Mountain Times When you walk into the Orchid Health Hoodland Clinic, you are greeted by experts dedicated to the health of our mountain community. However, you might notice different initials after your provider’s name, specifically NP or PA. While these titles might seem random, understanding these roles is key to navigating your healthcare journey with confidence right here in the Mt. Hood corridor. Advanced practice clinicians, inc

Dennis G. Welches You should be receiving your ballots in the mail at the end of April for the May 19th Primary election. All voters, regardless of their party registration, will receive a Nonpartisan Ballot which has Judges, County Commissioners, and other elected positions. It will also have two measures: Statewide Fuel Road Tax Measure and County Public Safety Measure. The November Election is getting a lot of attention, so this Primary Election may be overlooked. Many of

By Rep. Jeff Helfrich, For The Mountain Times As Oregonians get ready to vote in the upcoming primary, a lot of people are thinking about sitting this one out. “It’s just the primary.” That thinking is exactly how nothing changes. Primaries don’t just pick candidates. They decide what direction this state is going to take, long before November ever arrives. And if we’re being honest, the direction we’ve been going isn’t working. You don’t need a report to tell you that. You c

By Pat Erdenberger, For The Mountain Times Most of you know that the mission of the Hoodland Community Planning Organization (HCPO) is to bring County information to our Hoodland community members. Our goal is to provide a resounding voice back to the County. We also provide speaking opportunities of interest to the community. The Hoodland Community Planning Organization Board Meeting will be held May 21, at 7:00 p.m. at the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort. This is a public meeting. T

By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times A passenger was killed Wednesday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 26 near Welches, according to the Oregon State Police. Troopers responded around 3 p.m. April 15 to the crash near milepost 39 in Clackamas County. A white Dodge Ram traveling westbound lost control on a stretch of roadway covered in snow and hail, crossed the highway, went through a ditch and struck a tree head-on, investigators said. Rear passenger Nina Westb

By Lion Milt Fox, for The Mountain Times Thank you for attending our annual Jim Turin Memorial Scholarship Dinner. We had a nice turnout of 80-plus happy customers. The dinner was chaired by Lion Craig Calvert and prepared by a small but great crew of hard working Lions. Proceeds from this dinner help with funding for our Scholarship program. These scholarships are for Oregon Trail School District graduates who are also graduates of Welches School. Thanks also go to St. Mich

By Steve Wilent, For The Mountain Times I recently had the pleasure of visiting Little Crater Lake, one of my favorite places on the Mt. Hood National Forest. The sun was shining, the air warm — t-shirt weather. But in a way it was a bit eerie: It was April 8 at about 3,000 feet in elevation, and there was no snow in sight. In most years, deep snow would make driving to the lake in April impossible. A woman walking her dog on the trail to the lake said, “It’s weird. We should

By Gary Randall, For The Mountain Times Growth is often blamed for what communities feel they are losing. New buildings go up, old ones come down, traffic increases, and familiar places begin to look different. It’s easy to point to growth itself as the problem. But growth isn’t the real enemy. Forgetting is. Towns have always changed. That isn’t new. What is new is how often change happens without any understanding of what came before it. When history is overlooked — or neve

By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times Approximately 95 residents attended an April 1 town hall at Mount Hood Oregon Resort with Clackamas County commissioners to discuss the county’s short-term rental (STR) pilot program in the Mount Hood corridor. Commissioner Diana Helm, Commissioner Paul Savas, and Commission Chair Craig Roberts attended the meeting. The event gave residents a chance to speak directly with county leadership as officials continue evaluating the STR pilot pr

By Amber Ford, The Mountain Times Residents of The Mt. Hood Villages were startled the Sunday evening of April 12th when sirens echoed throughout the community. A car chase involving 19 year old Nicholas Toler of Brightwood turned deadly in the parking lot of Barlow Trail Roadhouse. According to The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office, Oregon State Police Trooper Garrett Bailey attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle Toler was driving near Highway 26 and East Brightwo

By Justin Andress, Mountain Times There’s a little shakeup happening at Mt. Hood Village, a Welches-based community that sits on Highway 26. Longtime employee Brandi Ray has been promoted to Administrative Assistant, and that’s nothing but good news for the mountain community. Mt. Hood Village is a pivotal spot on Mt. Hood, whether you realize it or not. Not only is it home to a core group of tenants, the Village sees a wide array of short-term visitors, too. “Traveling nurse

By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times The Hoodland Senior Center has a new executive director – Laura Peterson steps into the role this month. She succeeds Carianne Stearns, who has served in the position for the past two and a half years. The executive director acts as a link between staff and the board, overseeing daily operations, fundraising, financial management, program development, and public outreach. “It’s a really special place,” Peterson said. “There’s lots to learn

By Mt Hood Cultural Center and Museum The Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum is pleased to announce a new fundraising event, A Journey to the Lost Township of Swim. It's scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum in Government Camp. The morning will begin with a delicious breakfast, followed by a staff-led presentation exploring the history of Swim. Guests will enjoy archival photographs and lesser-known stories before joining a guided wal

By: Amber Ford, The Mountain Times Living so close to the pristine national forest of our beloved Mt. Hood, the many different types of mothers dwelling between The Mt. Hood Villages and the snow covered cap of our beloved volcano vary: bear, wolf, fox, bird, and human. And although these species have vastly different lives and purposes there is one common denominator: the fierce and unconditional love that comes with the title of “mom.” While the number of amazing moms who c

1928-2026 Martha Ellen Mandel, 97, of Sandy, Oregon died in Sandy on March 9, 2026. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1928 to Lena and Alvin Luechauer, along with an identical twin sister, Linda. Both graduated from the University of Washington. Martha worked as a Medical Technologist for several decades before earning a Masters’ degree at the Oregon Health Sciences University and retiring in 1990. She taught at Mount Hood Community College and was an active member of Hoodl