Governor Kate Brown announced new statewide outdoor mask requirements to help stop the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. Effective Friday, August 27, masks will be required in most public outdoor settings, including large outdoor events, where physical distancing is not possible, and regardless of vaccination status.

North Wasco County Public School District 21 hosted a listening session to hear staff and community questions and concerns about returning to full-time in-person learning on August 30th. Stakeholder feedback was then incorporated into D21’s 2021-2022 Back to School Plan during the school board work session.

The goal of the increase would be to help pay for a rate-discount program for low-income Washingtonians.

The Oregon Health Authority’s daily report on COVID-19 cases in Wasco County shows a continuing rise as the Delta variant of the virus is outpacing peak numbers from last fall. Wasco County registered 105 cases in the past three days, Aug. 23- Aug. 25.

A new partnership appears to be brewing in Dufur as some untimely deaths have pushed back the opening of Papa’s Pastime during the past year.

Our Jim Drake zoomed in an interview with Jennifer Batten, whose career as a rock guitarist is most notable for several world tours with the King of Pop, Micheal Jackson. Calling Portland home, Batten has assembled a lineup of NW musicians for her new band, Full Steam, who specialize in 80s rock covers. They’re set to play Thursday in Hood River.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including Lloyd Jones, The Wasco Brothers, Jennifer Batten, Jess Clemens, Becky Kutz and the Richard Morrow Band.

“When I was running to be your Secretary of State, I promised to create a “People’s Commission” of Oregonians who will advise me on redistricting should the task fall to me,” Fagan wrote. “Almost three weeks ago I kept that commitment…”

The Dalles High School Football has started practice this week. With a new head coach at the mantle and not many seniors it’s an interesting season we’re heading into. They’re having a full season this year unlike last year where the Riverhawks went 2-3 on the shortened season.

Thousands flocked to Cascade Locks this weekend, Aug. 20-22, as the annual PCT Days kicked into high gear after a hiatus during COVID. Above - “Wild” - that’s his trail name- ran the obstacle course at the Merrell booth. He knocked it off in 20 seconds while the camera person was also blown over. See black shoes.

Several local clinics are teaming up to give children a healthy head start for the school year with checkups, immunization, even a free backpack with school supplies.

You did it! To celebrate its golden anniversary of service to the Gorge community, The Next Door’s 50th Anniversary Campaign sought to raise $50,000. The community exceeded that goal, gifting over $57,000!

Now in its 12th season, the popular lecture series will kick off with a lecture on the unusual mushrooms of Cascadia

Local nurses held a rally on Aug. 19th, at The Dalles Post Office to push for safe staffing, better patient care, fair wages and respect from Mid-Columbia Medical Center administration. The rally comes after several months of Oregon Nurses Association contract negotiations.

Local nurses will be rallying this evening, Aug. 19th, at The Dalles Post Office as they push for safe staffing, fair wages and respect from Mid-Columbia Medical Center administration.

Pro Motions had it in high gear this morning as they were set to pour some 20 plus yards of concrete into a 10-foot vertical foundation wall at the Recreation Building downtown The Dalles.

Recent chatter about a door opening up on Mt. Adams in an area where the glacier has melted and supposed paranormal activity is occurring- a possible UFO hanger? - provide interesting timing. Our man of reviews’ Jim Drake just happened upon a film of the same subject matter. He even interviewed the directors.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including the Night Farmers Jeff Buehner's The Loyal Order, Suckerpunch and the John Bunzow Band.

Zora Richardson will be taking her talents to Alabama after she wowed judges in Salem on Aug. 7, winning the Oregon Distinguished Young Women’s Program. The ASB President at TDHS said she looked forward to helping out with the 2022 program in Wasco County and thanked those that brought her up.

With a rise of COVID cases and the return of masks in public places, shoppers in The Dalles sounded off on Tuesday, Aug. 17 about having to strap one back on over their ears. Love ‘em, hate ‘em, the embrace and the chafe. Read what they said about it here.