Downtown activities for The Dalles First Friday got a real boost from local artist Todd Simmler who displayed 30 of his metal sculptures created from found objects at the scrapyard. The creations seemed to set a curious tone for the evening. It was like people were discovering new creatures as they perused Simmler’s pieces.

MoCo will locally source their music for the 5-year Anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 6. The Wasco Brothers are headlining the show. The fun begins at 4 p.m. But first, you might want to know something about the family-run operation. Meet Nate Stranz in this quick Q & A.

Teodolinda Tapia has dreamed of being the owner and cook of her own restaurant for decades. Well, it’s finally coming true as she will bring new life to the defunct Tijuana Restaurant near Dinty’s in east downtown The Dalles. The native of Michoacan, Mexico, intends to enchant locals with her Chili Rellenos in weeks to come.

Some locals in The Dalles may think they’ve had enough cherries to last a lifetime. But the Baldwin Saloon is breathing new life into this familiar fruit. The result? A loving celebration of local foods that satisfies your summer cravings.

"Two years ago, in the middle of the pandemic, Oregonians and the ag industry came to us when they couldn’t move their meat products due to a shortage of inspection services,” said ODA Director Alexis Taylor. “After much hard work, collaboration, and determination, we designed a program that creates additional opportunities for producers and processors to grow and satisfy local demand.”

More than a dozen wheat trucks were lined up this morning, July 27, at Mid-Columbia Producers as the soft white wheat harvest is underway locally and regionally. First glances are noting that yields in some fields are bringing a crop that is 25 to 40 percent above average likely due to the extra rains in May and June.

U.S. Army Corps technicians found the damage to a lower guide wheel July 25, and closed the lock to river traffic. Engineers and operations staff initiated limited lockages on July 26 in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard. “At this point, we’re unsure of what caused the damage to the guide wheel, but our main focus will be getting the lock back into full service,” said Col. Mike Helton

Crews were out early this morning excavating and setting the forms for the foundation on the 33rd Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity home at 800 E. 13th Street in The Dalles.

Employees at Mid Columbia Forest Products have been back to work since July 11 after a fire shut the mill down on West Second Street on June 23. “We were down 12 (business) days,” said Owner Matt McCall today, July 19. “The vacuum system is up and going, but it still needs a few modifications.”

Chenowith Water district has lifted its boil water order after receiving a negative result for the presence of E. coli bacteria in its water system today, July 19. The PUD tested positive for the bacteria on July 14 and 15. E. coli can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. PUD operators added chlorine to the water system over the weekend to kill bacteria.

Pfits Services LLC will be conducting tree trimming and removal services along W. 2nd Street next to the United States Post Office in The Dalles on Wednesday, July 20 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Right lane of W. 2nd Street as well as the sidewalk on the Post Office side of the road will be closed during the process of cutting and removing some trees next to the road.

“There was such an outpouring of responses about impacts of the bridge closure, as well as questions and feedback about the bridge project itself,” said White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler on her Facebook page. “We're hoping to address some of those concerns and give you an idea of where things stand…

At first glance, The Station bar & restaurant is a familiar sight to The Dalles locals: the old Wendy’s building in the middle of the Sixth Street Station food pod. But there’s more going on here than meets the eye.

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

Oregon Tradeswomen’s Mary Ann Naylor said it is a perfect time for women and people of color to enter the trade industry. Major projects in the gorge could call for huge demand from skilled professionals. A recent $150,000 grant from Google is opening up opportunities at both state and local levels. “Tell them to be tough-skinned to get through their apprenticeship and the world is your oyster, said local Electrician Brennah Miller, “and you can go anywhere.”

— July 7 is The Dalles Public Works Director Dave Anderson. — July 14 Supervisor Stevie Stevenson talks about The Next Door Runaway Homeless Youth Services. — July 21 Zoom meeting (no meeting at Spooky’s) City Manager Matthew Klebes addresses his new job. — July 28 is Dennis Knox, President and CEO of Mid-Columbia Medical Center

Alex age 5 and Poppy age 3 participate in First Friday fun in front of Beau Toi Day Spa and Salon on 2nd street downtown The Dalles on July 1st. The theme of this First Friday was Hometown Fourth of July. The event kicked off a weekend of fun leading up to the fireworks display on Monday at 10:00 pm.

Tick, tick, tick. One hour to madness. Here we go into the three-day weekend with more things to do than firecrackers have fuses. The Dalles Downtown is kicking things off in an hour with First Friday. More than 30 businesses are staying open late with all sorts of activities happening including live music, specials, drinks, treats and more.

Leta and Tim Barclift found the perfect family to take over Pioneer Electric, their appliance store in downtown The Dalles. And Frankia and Elsherie Long are excited about the opportunity to run their own business, involve their children, and strengthen family ties.