Calling all cyclists! Ride the Rapids Deschutes River, a fundraiser cycling event that debuted in South Wasco County in 2021, is back in Tygh Valley on Saturday, May 6th! The fundraiser Cycling Event sponsored by Hood to Coast Productions will benefit local youth sports and activities.

Local Bilingual Family Liaison, Julie Zapien, successfully organized a community fun run and taco feed event centered around celebrating Cesar. E. Chavez and bolstering Latin(e) family engagement at Colonel Wright School in The Dalles, OR. last March.

I found myself perplexed lately by the contentious issue in The Dalles of where to open a shelter for the houseless… I experience this sort of dilemma often. When I am able to empathize with both sides of an issue, I  realize how complex some decisions really are. At times there's no right answer.

A local group of citizens has launched a campaign in a bid to gain community support around building a new high school in The Dalles. The events this weekend and website launch, VoteYESTDHS.org is an initiative of the Political Action Committee, North Wasco Strong Community Schools, and aims to build advocacy and rally community support around the goal for a new high school initiative.

The Bargeway Pub welcomes "Martino" Gerschwitz on Wednesday, April 12. Martin has toured with such bands as "Eric Burdon and the Animals" and "Iron Butterfly". In addition to the music, there are talks on the Volcanic Origins of the Columbia River, Comedians, drum circles and a nice run in Cascade Locks ending at Gorges Beer Co. Want to know more?

The Hood River City Council held a meeting on April 10, 2023, to discuss Juneteenth, a water ordinance, Ruthton Park trailhead, transit, economic development, and a project list totaling $87 million for the proposed Westside Urban Renewal District.

Thirty year old Kyndal Ray, is walking across America for Mental Health Awareness, Recovery, and Habits 365. Kyndal started his journey on January 1st, 2022, with his feet in the Atlantic Ocean at the Jacksonville Beach Pier in Florida. He is heading northwest to put his feet in the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, Washington, on Wednesday April 12th, 2023, which is his four-year drug-free date.

Unbeknownst to the world, the late William Gary Harvey, a Wasco County fence builder, who lived alone created more than 60 abstract paintings and drawings and 4 miniature sculptures from found objects. A selection will be on display to the outside world for the first time at The Dalles Art Center from May 4th to May 27th, 2023.

Mosier Community School Board to hold a meeting about school security after a teacher receives a threat and the school is shuttered for two days.

A suspect wanted for a double homicide in Klickitat County, Washington, was taken into custody early Sunday morning after a standoff with authorities in Jefferson County, Oregon. John Scott Raczykowski, a 29-year-old resident of Rufus, Oregon, was arrested after a short standoff with the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team (CERT).

A Community Cleanup and an Easter Egg Scramble had children and Volunteers on the move Saturday, April 8, as Columbia Gorge Toyota and Honda pulled off a double event giving children some glee and locals some pride after cleaning up parts of West Second and Sixth Streets in The Dalles.

Downtown The Dalles will be bubbling with beverages, flowers, and fun tonight as Downtown The Dalles kicks off its First Friday season with an ode to Spring. Morning Showers are expected to give way to temperatures in the 60s this afternoon, making for great conditions to go sidewalk cruising and boutique beverage consuming.

To complete this paving work, we need to close the entire bridge to all traffic during the nighttime only for two weekends in April. Read here to find all dates and times of closures.

Helping Hands Against Violence in partnership SafeSpace, and the Hood River Library recently installed a unique public community art installation called the Clothesline Project to call attention to Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The installation will be on display on the Hood River Library lawn until April 17th.

Lake Taco, a family owned Mexican restaurant in Hood River has re-opened in their new location and is doing better than ever, thanks to the gorge community rallying to raise over $48,000 in support of this local family and their made-fresh food.

A victim was transported to Mid-Columbia Medical Center where the victim was pronounced deceased. A suspect has been arrested for murder in the first degree and unlawful use of a weapon.

April Power brings musical flowers this week as the Bargeway Pub kicks it off with a show tonight, April 5 at 6 p.m. with Sarah Lodge & Dan Polidori playing an eclectic acoustic blend of top R&B, soul, pop and blues music. It’s just one of the dozens of offerings in music, literature, festivals, art, drum circles, plays, movies and more. Our Jim Drake’s been buzzin’ bringing a bouquet of options in this week’s gorge entertainment guide.

Wasco County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 at 9 a.m. and approved several important items on the agenda. At the top of the list was the YouthThink Overdose Prevention Subcontract between Wasco County and North Central Public Health District which was approved, and will provide much-needed support for the prevention of drug overdoses in local communities.

Sally Johnson comes to The Dalles Arts Center with 12+ years of managing programs, teams, and departments at for-profit and non-profit organizations. Most recently, she was the Director of Business Development for the non-profit organization, Oxbow Farm & Conservation in Carnation, WA.

The 35th Annual Spring Community Clean Up will take place the first Saturday of May. The Dalles residents are encouraged to join in the annual spring cleaning event on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.