The City and County are at a true crossroads when looking to the future - they have the happy problem of a lot of money and how to manage it responsibly. Wednesday’s meeting was a contrast between two ideas. Spend Google dollars as they receive them on worthy projects and or reduce taxes now, or put it into an endowment and have money to use later? Forever.

North Wasco County School District 21 and Union leaders are still embroiled in difficult negotiations about next year's contracts. The district faces a $1.5 million to $2 million financial deficit due to a decline in enrollment. During recent bargaining meetings D21 has proposed what they feel is the best solution to the budget shortfall: capitalizing on staff attrition to cut 10 positions without doing any layoffs.

We’re starting out Impressive with Festival Announcements This Week! Besides Brews and Blues, Mosier and The Festival of Nations in Cascade Locks is kickin’ into gear! Wait, Pride Month is here - and an Ever Expanding list of All Things Music!

The purpose of the debris burn ban is to ensure the safety of Wasco County residents. Human-caused wildfires are the number one cause of wildfire starts in  Oregon and this burn ban aims to reduce that statistic. We urge all residents to abide by these restrictions and educate those who may be unaware of their importance. 

Fifth graders at Colonel Wright Elementary enjoyed a fun-filled water race organized by retired teacher Steve Chance. Mr. Chance, who returned to the school as a substitute teacher this year. Mr. Chance volunteered to revive the event, hoping to pass the event on to his son, a current teacher at the school in the future.

The group will discuss how to use Strategic Investment Program money from Google through recent agreements for the two new data centers being built on former aluminum smelter property in The Port of The Dalles.

The week of June 10, 2024, City and County crews will begin work on several pavement preservation projects. These chip seal projects will require short-duration road closures between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at each location on the date the work is scheduled to take place. Detours will be in place during work hours.

On Saturday, June 8, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Klickitat County Trout Unlimited will host a Kids Fishing Day event from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is beginner-friendly and open to the public free of charge.

Like a June tain, the answers poured out of the ether about the location of this “odd duck” in this week’s Trivia contest. Who knew that this used to be a restaurant for high school kids back in the day? Find out who won this week’s contest and took home the $25 for Shannon’s Ice Cream.

Seven fire agencies pulled together to tackle the problem of creating defensible space as wildfires are expected to be a looming threat in years to come as tinder-dry conditions likely to persist in most of Wasco County.

Photos of the Day: The Dalles High School Graduating class of 2024

The Gorge Pokecenter unveiled its much-anticipated new location at 314 E 2nd St. in a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony orchestrated by The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, May 30.

This odd duck has had a colorful and pressing past in The Dalles. But do you know where it is located? Actual address or what is it in close proximity to? - there might be a pretty good landmark nearby.

Handshakes and smiles were all around as parents clicked photographs and grabbed videos. Elementary teachers were visibly proud, seeing the students they mentored reaching their goal of graduating high school.

Notice is hereby given of a vacancy on the Hood River City Council, position of Councilor. The term for this vacancy expires on December 31, 2026. 

The Hood River Urban Renewal Agency (URA) has endorsed a letter of support to transfer the jurisdictional transfer of State Highway 281, from Oak Street to Pacific Avenue, in the Heights of Hood River to the City of Hood River. The jurisdictional transfer is a necessary step for the Agency to move forward with The Heights Streetscape Plan.

Dufur students were awarded $83,000 during the evening. There is more to come from the Jerri Walker Depriest Memorial Scholarship fund which will be awarded during graduation at Henderson Field, on Saturday, June 1st.

The Hood River City Council approved a resolution to increase compensation for future City Councilors and Mayors to foster a more inclusive and diverse community leadership. The resolution aims to reduce financial barriers to civic participation and make service on the City Council more accessible and attractive to a diverse range of candidates.

Black in the Gorge will host its second annual Juneteenth celebration at Jackson Park from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on June 16, 2024! Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is a day of reflection and celebration of African American freedom and achievements. The free community event will feature an afternoon filled with plenty of music, food, crafts, dancing, and fun with various activities and a community art project celebrating freedom, liberation, community spirit and the contributions of the Black community in the Columbia Gorge.