The Second Annual Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk Family Fun Run in The Dalles got underway this morning, our day of the bird, Nov. 24. More than 200 people showed up in their best Thanksgiving duds. This year, all proceeds will go toward the TD Backpack program and then those dollars will be matched by Columbia Gorge Motors up to $5k.

But through the doors of the former Baldwin Saloon in The Dalles one found warmth and laughter, a large table bristling with life and community in the space now called the Rooted Commons.

The Dalles Salvation Army will host their annual free community thanksgiving meal at St. Mary’s Academy in The Dalles from noon to 3 p.m. on November 24th, 2022. The event will be in-person for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.

The Dalles will kick off the holiday season on Friday November 25th, 2022 with a “Country Christmas” Starlight Parade, a community tree lighting, a downtown family night, a showing of The Grinch, sleigh rides, arts, crafts, a Shop Small event and more!

It’s a gobble-gobble throwdown as local venues stuff the holiday weekend with shows, entertainment, art and music.
Al Hare is kicking it off with a Wild Turkey Party on Wednesday at the Bargeway Pub. Keep it neat, Al. No ice.

Twenty-three-year-old Gabe Eldredge said the halls were a bit lonely when he moved into the new dormitory on the Columbia Gorge Community College campus in The Dalles last year. Not anymore.

The move is just one of the latest as the Hospital is making moves to cut costs while trying to maintain service.

Residents of Grass Valley are still unable to return to their homes this morning, Nov. 21, as possible chemical contamination from a Hemp processing plant fire is assessed.

The Dalles High School has ended yet another action packed fall sports season. Get the highlights here!

Columbia Gorge Community College celebrated Native American Heritage Month with eight-time Grammy Award nominees the Black Lodge Singers at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center, in The Dalles, OR on November 17th. Plus other ways to celebrate Native American Heritage in the Gorge this month.

Fentanyl continues to flow through Oregon. Oregon State Police seizes 12 pounds of the pills near Albany and major busts have been on the rise along with a spike in overdoses from the highly potent synthetic opioid.

Keeping children warm in cold weather is a goal of local winter clothing drives throughout the region. Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) partners with the efforts of Coats for Kids and Skyline Health’s Winter Outerwear Drive to keep kids safe.

MCEDD is now seeking public input on opportunities to create a regional transit system in the Gorge with an online public open house – open now through November 27, 2022. The online open house includes a map that includes new and expanded services and destinations. The survey gives residents the opportunity to add to or modify that map.

Crews were drilling at the corner of Crates Way and River Road on Thursday, Nov. 17, as 12 new power poles will be erected in the Port of The Dalles in weeks to come. The Power poles lead to Google’s new data center site at 3500 River Road.

UPDATE NOV. 17th 2022 at 11:11 p.m.: As of November 17th, 2022 at 11:11 p.m there is an estimated 1 vote left to count in Klickitat County and the voter turnout in Klickitat County is at 72.52%. Klickitat County will certify the election results on the 29th and then send them to the Washington Secretary of State’s Office,. The Secretary of State Office has until Dec. 8th to certify the statewide results.

It’s that plush time of year - holidays on the horizon and great music to be had everywhere. Check out this week’s listing of great arts and entertainment throughout the Gorge. Carrell, Johnson on tap for Saturday, Nov. 19 at Bargeway

From the Columbia River Gorge Commission:

For the first time in the history of the Columbia River Gorge Commission, a member of a federally recognized tribe will lead the organization. During the November 8, 2022, Commission meeting, Carina Miller, of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, was elected as Chair of the Commission.

The Oregon Secretary of State’s office notified OSP that Ballot Measure 114 will go into effect at 12:00 a.m. on December 8, 2022.

Lake Taco, an authentic family Mexican restaurant run by Maria and Enrique Ortega located at 1213 June Street in The Heights of Hood River, is in danger of closing its doors forever. But this family run business isn’t going down without a fight. Lake Taco has started a Kickstarter to help them raise $40,000 to get their business up and running at their new location (606 Oak St.) in downtown Hood River.

North Wasco County Parks and Recreation Executive Director Scott Baker said he was pleased to report that NWCPRD has installed new irrigation, reseeded the lawn, and completed some tree plantings at Sorosis Park as a part of phase one of the Sorosis rehabilitation project.