The City of Wasco is seeking contractors to replace 140 residential and commercial water meters as part of a public works project, with sealed bids due by 4 p.m. Aug. 28.

Firefighters continue battling the 21,126-acre Grasshopper Fire west of Maupin as crews strengthen containment lines protecting Pine Hollow and Sportsmans Park while smoke creates hazardous air quality across parts of southern Wasco County.

Thirty-three days and more than 1,300 miles into a cross-country bicycle journey, Craig and Melinda Smith and their three children are discovering America, strengthening family bonds and raising money for at-risk youth, one mile at a time.

The Grasshopper Fire expanded to 18,136 acres Tuesday, but firefighters successfully held containment lines protecting Pine Hollow and Sportsman's Park as more than 230 personnel continued battling the blaze under gusty afternoon winds.

At their July 27 meeting, the Hood River City Council voted to refer two general obligation bond measures to voters for the November 3 general election. The decision follows several months of community engagement to refine the proposals and gauge public support for proposed investments in affordable housing and public safety.

Fire activity intensified across Wasco County on Tuesday as the Grasshopper Fire expanded to 13,612 acres, prompting continued Level 3 evacuations near Wamic, Pine Hollow and Sportsman's Park. Meanwhile, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to help cover firefighting costs, while improving conditions on several other regional wildfires allowed evacuation levels to be reduced or lifted in parts of southern Wasco County and the Hay Creek Complex.

Applications are now open for the 2026 Local Government Academy, a free program that gives community members an inside look at how the City of The Dalles operates.

The Gorge Giggin’ Guide wraps up the last week in July and We’re Not Slowing Down! Get ready for Dancing, Open Mic and Jams, Stage Performances and Music from just about every Genre you can think of!
Get Out There!

Maria Theresa's portrait has appeared on more coins than any other person in history, and her famous silver thaler became one of the world's most trusted trade coins. She did not come by it easily,

Firefighters made significant progress Monday on two major wildfires burning in and near Wasco County, holding critical containment lines on the Grasshopper Fire while increasing containment on the smaller Eightmile Fire west of Dufur.

A 29-year-old The Dalles man was arrested early Sunday after allegedly firing multiple shots toward a Hood River County sheriff's deputy and a civilian following a disturbance at a wedding in Odell. No one was injured in the incident, authorities said.

Columbia Center for the Arts and Theatre CamilleLynne present Cabaret, the landmark musical with book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb, running August 7-15 at Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River, Oregon.

The Dalles Public Library has a full lineup of free programs for adults, children, teens and families during the final week of July and the start of August. Registration is required for select events.

Mayor Rich Mays will not seek re-election, opening a three-way race for The Dalles' top office as CCCNews begins its 2026 candidate interview series.

The Cottonwood Fire more than doubled to 14,504 acres Friday after wind-driven growth scorched additional rangeland and wheat fields in Gilliam County, pushing the Hay Creek Complex to nearly 156,000 acres as 950 firefighters converge on one of Oregon's largest active wildfire incidents.

Firefighters are responding to a brush fire in the 8200 block of Eight Mile Road east of The Dalles, where hot, dry weather and gusty winds are creating a high potential for fire growth.

Mid-Columbia wheat growers are reporting a strong harvest, with solid yields and cash prices reaching $6.75 per bushel, though rising production costs continue to squeeze farm profitability.

A Banks-Vernonia trail advocate says community persistence, partnerships and historic preservation transformed an abandoned railroad into an economic asset, offering lessons for the Deschutes railbed.

Imagine 200,000 truckloads of toxic Superfund waste moving from the Portland Harbor to a rural hillside perched 1,000 feet above The Dalles. As the EPA moves toward a cleanup plan, our community is facing a massive logistical and environmental test. Our latest investigation dives into the reality of the "Driveline",the treacherous, steep route these convoys would take, and exposes critical gaps in current PCB (and other superfund toxin’s) monitoring and local oversight. How prepared is Wasco County for the industrial reality of this cleanup? Read the full story to understand the timeline, the financial dependencies, and the urgent need for a modernized approach to public safety before the first truck arrives.

As temperatures topped 100 degrees in The Dalles Wednesday, two sweat-soaked cyclists paused to rest before continuing a two-week bicycle adventure toward Yellowstone, proving some journeys are measured in experiences, not miles.