By Lucas Holmgren, The Mountain Times Southwest Washington rivers were once the “Valhalla” of steelhead according to a wise fish conservationist named Dave Brown. As he showed his spring-fed fish rescue facility, he told me about how he’d moved to the area because of the abundance of steelhead born in creeks and rivers like the East Fork Lewis, Salmon Creek, Kalama and many others. Over a few decades he saw the direct decline of what was once a barely-hidden treasure of fishi

By Gary Randall, The Mountain Times Because I’m a landscape photographer, I’m prone to seeking adventure in the outdoors. Sometimes I can be found in the middle of nowhere in the dark photographing the night sky. It’s a common part of my life but it’s not for everyone. It’s certainly not something that my 82-year-old mother does. I was visiting my mom for a few days recently and there was a forecast for a large aurora display and the chance to be able to see the lights with o

By Brittany Kintigh, The Mountain Times On a cloudy fall day, with the sun peeking through, I had the joy of riding along with volunteer Bob Boertien on his Meals on Wheels delivery route from the Hoodland Senior Center (HSC). For 21 years, Bob has dedicated his Mondays to delivering meals to seniors, and his passion shines through in every interaction. For Meals on Wheels to run smoothly, Monday through Thursday two volunteers split a preplanned route, visiting approximately

By MHCC, The Mountain Times The story of former Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) students Misty and Walter Orzechowski stands out as an example of what our students can achieve through growth, hard work, and the right support. Their journey through MHCC’s welding program is not just about learning how to weld. It’s a tale of sibling support, overcoming hardships, and forging new paths. Misty, who worked in fashion for 15 years, was laid off during the pandemic. Her situation

By Lisa Kilder Clackamas Soil & Water Conservation District, The Mountain Times As the soil softens with the early fall rain, it is the perfect time to pull Spurge Laurel. The control tasks you accomplish today will make your forest a better place in the spring! This month the focus is on Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola). This plant, in the Daphne family, is native to Europe. It was introduced in Oregon as an evergreen landscape plant but quickly fell out of favor due to its a