The City of The Dalles Public Works Department has announced that it will begin the first phase of a storm water catch basin project on E. 4th Street and Union Street on March 20, 2023. The project's first construction area will be on E. 4th Street between Union and Court Streets, and the work is expected to be completed on March 22, 2023.

“One of the most exciting bands to come out of Ireland,” The Jeremiahs will be at UCC Church in The Dalles on Tuesday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m. 

Discussion Continues: Teachers, staff and union representatives asked for help from school board members in dealing with students with behavioral issues at The Dalles public schools. Educators have seen an uptick in behavioral problems that started at the beginning of the school year and have continued into March with little change, according to school staff at the meeting. 

People are like bees - as soon as the sun comes out they really start BUZZING. And they’re just as busy. We stumbled onto a hardware parking lot in TD to ask people “What’s your project?” And we got some answers. No lack of workers in this community. Check out what these knuckledusters had to say.

White Salmon will soon have to say goodbye to Chesser Roe, home to some of the most truly remarkable teas and boba milk tea in the Columbia River Gorge. The locally owned handcrafted-tea shop will close its doors on Saturday March 18th at 5 p.m. 

As one long-term community supporter noted, “I went to summer art camp at The Center and have many fond memories. I keep thinking that if 2% of the population in The Dalles committed $10 a month - we can keep this place alive for our kids and grandchildren.”

The first annual Kilt Crawl in downtown TD on St. Paddy’s Day be callin’ out like a wee lamb chased by a fox. You got to save it, laddies. Don’t be afraid. Chase after it ‘til the wind leaves your chest heaving like a donkey on a hillside.

Fort Dalles Museum’s seasonal opening is coming with some interesting new details as the local archive of all things The Dalles has several new exhibits including a curation of an opium pipe, needle and spoon found in a tunnel entrance south of The Dalles Mercantile.

The Martins took a bold dive in the fall of 2020 and purchased the landmark restaurant from Mark Linebarger in the midst of the pandemic.  But, alas, their love of the Baldwin Saloon could not save it. 

During their March 15th, 2023 meeting, Wasco County Commissioners heard public testimony from the Wasco County Public Library board concerning alleged IGA violations by the City of The Dalles, declared a state of drought emergency, and discussed the State denying the county’s declaration of a state of emergency concerning homelessness.

Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis has released his mid-term report to the public. The report details the DA Office’s challenges and accomplishments over the past two years including staffing, case trends, supporting the creation of speciality treatment and mental health courts, updating policy, resentencing old cases to be consistent with current laws, and more.

Eli Howard hits the Bargeway on Wednesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. Howard was at The Dalles Art Center last May with his full ensemble, Eli Howard & the Greater Good. Good show! And there is much more on tap in this week’s edition of all things entertainment in the Gorge. St. Patrick’s day be bringing some fine acts and chances to swing your lover to and fro, even some kilts to keep your pint chasing comfortable.

Wasco County has contracted with Hunden Strategic Partners, which is performing an economic and feasibility study for a new indoor and/or outdoor sports facility in The Dalles.

On Monday, March 13, The Dalles Art Center sent out an email letting members know that if $3,500 cannot be raised by March 31, the Board plans on moving ahead with “the painful responsibility of closing The Dalles Art Center by April 15th. This is a public appeal to all residents and businesses to help us avoid such a devastating loss to the community.”

Visit Hood River announced the Community Investment Matching Grant Program application process has opened for 2023. The program is designed to support businesses and community economic vitality in the greater Hood River area. The grant application process will open on March 13, and applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. on April 17. 

Krista Cushman’s Guide to Spring Mushrooms community place based education presentation drew quite the crowd to the Hood River County Library Reading Room on Saturday, March 11th, at 2 p.m.

Spring is quickly approaching! Underwood Conservation District is holding its annual TreeFest at Rheingarten Park in White Salmon on Saturday, March 18th, 2023 beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 12:00 noon. 

Second Saturday piggybacks on The Dalles Little League Field Clean up on Saturday, March 11. Sunny weather and a good crowd made quick work of major clean up as Columbia Gorge Toyota and Honda and The Dalles Beautification Committee pitched in with some 20-plus volunteers.

The Dalles-Wasco County Library hosted a hobbit-approved breakfast event on Saturday, March 11th, in celebration of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel, The Hobbit. The event, titled "Second Breakfast", was a part of the library's two-month long celebration of the book, and brought together families, friends, and individuals from the community to enjoy a morning of fun and food.

“Fortunately they were wearing full safety equipment with self-contained breathing apparatus,” said Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Chief Bob Palmer. “That’s what protected them from being injured far more severely.” The volatile copper naphthenate also in the mix exploded, bending back the top of the metal tank several feet.  The explosion sent a shockwave through the area and a giant ball of fire into the air.