The Dalles City Council heard two significant proposals on July 14 that could reshape local environmental policy and small business operations, as it considered sweeping new federal floodplain development rules and a possible exception to the city’s strict parking rules for a longtime short-term rental.

Council voted to award a $619,212 professional services contract to Portland-based landscape architecture and urban design firm Walker Macy, LLC for planning and design of the long-anticipated Federal Street Plaza project.

This past weekend, Laurie Branch, her very capable teen helpers, and some awesome horses spent three very hot, grueling days and nights at Fort Dalles Riders Club in order to bring an amazing experience to nine brave young campers.

The law requires producers of packaging, printing and writing paper, and food serviceware to share responsibility for the cost and management of recycling their products after use.

The Dalles City Council could take the next steps in bringing the Federal Street Plaza to fruition in the downtown business district as leaders look to build pedestrian and tourism traffic and bolster the local economy.

“Under these conditions, any ignitions could spread rapidly. Precautions should be taken to prevent the start of new fires. The public is also reminded that drones are not permitted to fly in the fire's airspace. Doing so can cause grounding of all aircraft, hampering effective fire response,”  stated a joint press release from the Oregon Department of Forestry and the State Fire Marshal.

A low-pressure gas line was hit on Garfield Street in White Salmon on July 14, 2023.  Emergency crews are on the scene and going house to house to give notice of evacuation to required properties.

Fire managers say the Boulder Fire is now 10 percent contained and a revised estimate of the blaze shows it at 238 acres. The incident team is loaded with personnel and equipment to battle the blaze burning in downed timber in steep terrain. At the same time, firefighters are continuing to seek out hotspots and flare-ups on the Deschutes River and Devils Butte fires which charred thousands of acres.

Zach Ryan pays a tribute to Waylon Jennings tonight, July 14, at the Bargeway Pub in The Dalles. It is just one of many great music options this week as art and music is alive and well in the Mid-Columbia. Venues featured this week include Ruins, Everybody’s Brewing, Granada, Double Mountain, TDAC, Zim’s, TD Library, Taphouse, TD Eagles, Stave & Stone, Mt. Hood Winery, WS Library, Jacob Williams, Sunshine, Arlington, TD United Church of Christ, Route 30, Working Hands Beer, River City Saloon, Solera, Grass Valley, White Buffalo, Grateful Vineyard, MC Senior Center, HR Library, HR Elks, Klickitat Canyon Days, Skamania Lodge, Kickstand Coffee