This is taken directly from the planning department www.co.wasco.or.us/planning/planhome.html

newletter January 2012 with there permission to repost.

Whenever the Planning Department receives a land use application, one of the first steps we have to take is determining the legality of the parcel. Per Section 1.090 of the land use and development ordinance, a parcel is determined to be legal if it was created through one of three ways:

1. a duly recorded partition process OR
2. a duly recorded subdivision OR
3. a deed or sales contract prior to September 4, 1974

September 4, 1974 is the date on which partition laws are recognized to have come into effect throughout Wasco County. Any parcels created by deed or sales contract before this date are considered grandfathered in to the current land use system. Unfortunately, we frequently come across properties that were created illegally -- typically in the late 1970s or early 1980s -- when the county's land use laws were still relatively new.

Take, for example, a farmer in 1977 who owns 400 acres and decides to deed several 30 acre portions of the property to family members without going through the required partition process. Today, the people who own those 30 acre parcels cannot develop their property because their property was not legally created. They cannot build, renovate or replace any structures on the property.

So what can you do if you own property that may have been created illegally?

The state legislature attempted to offer relief to people caught in this unfortunate situation via House Bill 2723, which went into effect on January 1, 2008. House Bill 2723 essentially allows you to trace an illegal property back in time to the date it was created and examine the zoning at that time to determine if it could have been created legally through the county's process.  

Unfortunately, the HB 2723 process does not work for all illegal properties, and even when it works it can be cumbersome. Most importantly, do your due diligence before purchasing or transferring property. Check with the title company to make sure there's a deed for the property recorded before September 4, 1974 AND the legal description matches exactly the legal description on the current deed. If no such deed exists, check with the Planning Department and confirm a recorded partition or subdivision created the parcel legally.

10 things every homeowner should know

Think quick. Where’s your main water valve shut off? Does your homeowners insurance policy give you “replacement coverage” or “actual cash value” for your belongings? If you’re drawing a blank for either of these questions, read on for the top 10 pieces of knowledge that keep homeowners prepared.

1. Read your homeowners insurance policy carefully.
Don’t wait until disaster strikes to discover what’s in your policy — get familiar with it now. Make sure you have "replacement coverage" for your contents instead of “actual cash value.” The latter means that your insurance company will deduct depreciation from the overall value of your contents.

2. Save your home improvement receipts.
Home improvements that add to the value of your home, prolong its useful life, or adapt it to new uses — such as building a deck or adding central air — can pay off when it comes time to sell. The federal government allows a single homeowner $250,000 in tax-free home-sale profit (double that amount for married couples), but money spent on capital improvements is subtracted from your profit, reducing the amount you may have to pay. For more information, visit the IRS website.

3. Know where the main valve shutoffs are located.
Keep your house and its inhabitants safe by learning where your main electrical, water, and gas shutoffs are located. Check at the main breaker panel or outside near a service entrance for your main electrical switch. Your main water shutoff is likely located near your furnace or water heater. The gas shutoff is located near the gas meter, which may be inside or outside the house.

4. Inspect your roof regularly.
Experts recommend getting your roof professionally inspected if it’s more than 12 years old. In the meantime, you can use binoculars to check for deteriorated flashings or broken shingles. If your roof is basically in good shape, it may be necessary to only replace the damaged or missing shingles. Make sure to keep leaves and other debris off the roof — water can get in through your shingles and ultimately to your ceilings.

5. Look for leaks.
Check periodically for water leaks and repair them as soon as possible. The longer you ignore a leak, the more expensive it can become to fix. One way to tell if you have a leak is to turn off all faucets and water-using appliances. Remove the water meter box and see if the flow indicator is moving. If it is, you may have a leak.

6. Don’t neglect your gutters.
Plugged up gutters are disasters waiting to happen. Gutters and downspouts need to be debris-free so they can function properly, diverting water away from the house and basement. Most experts recommend cleaning your gutters no less than twice a year. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, hire a professional.

7. Know your neighbors.
They’re good for more than an occasional cup of sugar. Neighbors can keep an eye on your house, hold onto a spare key or even help you out in an emergency.

8. Weatherproof your house.
A drafty house can be uncomfortable and expensive. Take the time to seal air leaks by caulking and weather stripping your doors and caulking around your windows. Not only will it save you money in reduced utilities bills, it will make you aware of any potential door and window repairs or replacements.

9. When it comes to finding the right contractor, take your time.
Save yourself a possible headache and do your homework. Ask friends, neighbors, and colleagues for recommendations. Get a few estimates in writing,. Avoid advance payments other than a small deposit when the work starts — you should pay only for work that has been completed.

10. Be careful where you store hazardous products.
Don’t store flammables near a furnace, water heater or boiler. Instead, store them in a cool, dry place, preferably on a different shelf from non-hazardous chemicals. Remember to never remove product labels, as they identify the substance and contain important emergency treatment information.

List provided by AHS (American Home Shield)

Please join us for our annual Mutt Mosey September 17th2011. This event is fun for the whole family, with games, prizes and good food. Don’t be left out of this fun event! Itinerary 10:00am Registration and begin walk 12:00pm- 3:00pm Halapalooza begins! Games, fun, food and prizes!

Time: Noon-9pm
Location: Between 5th & 7th Streets and Cascade and Columbia Streets in downtown Hood River

Dates: October 14-16, 2011
Times: Friday 1pm-7pm is Senior Day: Half-price for seniors (65+) all day and lots of senior specials
Saturday 10am-7pm Sunday 10am-5pm

29^th Annual Hood River Valley Harvest Fest

Each fall, Hood River Valley hosts an old-fashioned harvest festival with local produce and food products, arts and crafts, wine- and beer-tastings: all the best our County has to offer.  
You’ll enjoy:

• Produce Row, where you’ll find for purchase Anjou pears, heirloom apples, pumpkins, berries, roasted nuts, and flowers
• A smorgasbord of freshly prepared foods including homemade pies, artisan jams, fresh breads, smoked salmon, chocolate-covered nuts, and more
• Over 100 art vendors, including local Columbia Gorge glass, wood sculpture, ceramics, photography, fiber art, jewelry, unique beauty projects, and much more
• Kids zone with pumpkin and face painting, a petting zoo, balloon twister, and bouncy houses
• The carving of an 800-pound pumpkin by the Guinness Book Record Holder
• Food court with lots of local and traditional favorites
• Columbia Gorge wines and craft beers
• Horse-drawn carriage rides with beautiful Friesian horses
• Plenty of live music in the entertainment tent
• A pie-eating contest!

The weekend festival is held in mid-October on the Hood River waterfront overlooking the Columbia River, where visitors can relax and watch windsurfers and kiteboarders play on the water.