Free Local News ⭑ The Dalles, Hood River, Dufur, Columbia Gorge, White Salmon, Goldendale & More — Columbia Community Connection News

A woman from The Dalles was killed last night on Interstate 84 when an ambulance left the roadway and struck her while she was changing a tire, according to Oregon State Police.

Jul 17

Jul 17 Soft White Wheat Harvest kicks into gear in TD and east; Kernels full so far

Columbia Basin Care Home The Dalles

Farm & Ranch, Home Page, Wasco County, The Dalles

The annual harvest is a major cash crop for the four-county area including Wasco, Gilliam, Sherman, and Morrow counties, which produces close to half of the 50 million bushels of wheat in Oregon. Cody Darnielle reported that 150 deliveries were made on Monday, July 15, in The Dalles as harvest moves into full swing.

Jul 17

Jul 17 Columbia Basin Care Foundation awards $8,000 in scholarships

Home Page, The Dalles

The future of good health just got brighter, thanks to the Columbia Basin Care Foundation which recently awarded $8,000 in scholarships to three local students pursuing careers in healthcare.

Jul 17

Jul 17 Larch Creek Fire Air support on standby through Thunderstorm, July 17

Scattered thunderstorms and gusty winds impacted Southeast Wasco County and other parts of the state early this morning and only minimally impacted the Larch Creek Fire area.

Jul 17

Jul 17 Larch Creek Fire Evacuations Update, July 16 at 6 p.m.

Although residences in Pine Hollow have been lowered to Level 2, recreation on the reservoir remains closed because of continued operations and weather. We will reassess the morning of Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Fire crews are still in the area.

Jul 16

Jul 16 Sheriff Songer suffers stroke on Friday, taken to Portland; expected to return to job

Home Page, Klickitat County

“Sheriff Songer was evaluated at Klickitat Valley Health and was eventually transported to a Portland hospital for further treatment and evaluation. Sheriff Songer will likely be released to come home within the next few days,” said Klickitat Undersheriff Carmen Knopes.

Jul 16

Jul 16 Firefighters gain on Larch Creek Fire on Monday, July 15; 14 percent contained

The 18,000-plus acre stands at 14 percent contained at a cost of $10.1 million. Well water testing is recommended for properties affected by the Larch Creek Fire. Today, Forecasters are calling for 98 degrees in the region of the fire with winds around 6 mph, according to the National Weather Service. It has issued a Fire Weather Watch in the Larch Creek Fire area.

Jul 16

Jul 16 City of The Dalles Local Government Academy is Now Accepting Applications

City of The Dalles

Home Page, The Dalles

Applications are now open for the 2024 Local Government Academy (LGA), a free program aimed at educating community members about the operations, services, and programs of our local government.

Jul 15

Jul 15 Maupin Chamber launches GoFundMe for Volunteer Firefighters at Larch Creek Fire

“Four local volunteer fire departments are fighting it,” Jordan Belozer said today, July 15. “Fire departments get funded for equipment, but the firefighters are all volunteers.” In fact, most take time off from work to fight fire. Concerned citizens from around the state have called the Maupin Chamber asking how they can help. This fundraiser is the result.

Jul 15

Jul 15 Larch Creek Fire Evacuation Update, Monday, July 15, 10 a.m.

LEVEL 2 - GET SET from Hulse Rd in the north to the White River in the south, east to the Deschutes River and west to Hwy 197. From the west side of the City of Tygh Valley to the intersection of Wamic Market Rd and Fairgrounds Rd., north to the intersection of Fairgrounds Rd. and Shadybrook Rd., east to Hwy 197 and the Deschutes River, from Hwy 197 in the north to the White River in the south. This area has been lowered from Level 3.

Jul 15

Jul 15 Firefighters hold line on Larch Creek Fire on Sunday; Containment at 10 percent

Despite low humidity and high winds predicted to gust to 29 mph on Sunday, July 14, it appears firefighters were able to keep the Larch Creek Fire in check. Winds are predicted to subside for the next few days, reducing the chances of flames breaching the fire lines.

Jul 15

Jul 15 Kelly Ave Kids get 20 percent of Tastyville on July 17

The Next Door

Business, Home Page

The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) and Burgerville in The Dalles are teaming up for a community fundraiser in July! From 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17th. Twenty percent of proceeds will go toward schools tailor-made for local kids.

Jul 14

Jul 14 Big winds expected today in 18,000-acre Larch Creek Fire near Tygh Valley, July 14

“Under these conditions, any ignitions could spread rapidly. Precautions should be taken to prevent the start of new fires. The public is also reminded that drones are not permitted to fly in the fire's airspace. Doing so can cause grounding of all aircraft, hampering effective fire response,” stated a joint press release from the Oregon Department of Forestry and the State Fire Marshal.

Jul 13

Jul 13 Subsiding winds spur firefighters in 13,000-acre Larch Creek Fire; Cost at $6.2 million

Crews took advantage of calmer winds and additional resources on Friday, July 12. Air resources supported crews on the ground with helicopters, single-engine air tankers, and scoopers. On the north side, firefighters reinforced line, and efforts on the east side allowed Highway 216 to reopen.

Jul 12

Jul 12 Grand Jury finds Deputies and Officer involved in shooting was justified

Home Page, The Dalles, Wasco County

Upon the conclusion of the presentation of evidence, the grand jury returned a not true bill today, finding that the use of force by Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputies Tyler Williams and Joshua Augustus, and The Dalles City Police Officer Jeremiah Dutton that resulted in Law’s death was justified and not criminal under Oregon law. Sheriff’s Deputy Kanyon Reams and The Dalles City Police Officers Nolan Randall and Ezequiel Pitones were also on the scene during the incident, but the latter three did not discharge their firearms.

Jul 12

Jul 12 Larch Creek Fire Evacuation Update, July 12, 11:08 a.m.

LEVEL 3 - GO NOW: from Friend Rd in the north down to Rock Creek Dam Rd/Wamic Market Rd. in the south. Tygh Valley Rd. and the White River in the south to Hulse Rd. in the north. Threemile Rd from the west to the Deschutes River on the east.

Jul 12

Jul 12 Winds push Larch Creek Fire near Tygh Valley; Fire jumps Badger Creek Road

Afternoon winds on Thursday pushed the fire south as the fire spread into canyons and draws next to Highway 197 on Wednesday, July 10, and then moved on Thursday toward nearby Highway 216 - the road that leads from 197 to White River Falls on the way to the Deschutes River.

Jul 12

Jul 12 Grand Jury hears officer-involved shooting case today, July 12

“We will present evidence to the citizens of the community that are sitting on this grand jury and they will be asked to determine whether the officer-involved shooting was justified,” District Attorney Matthew Ellis said this morning, July 11. Jimmy L. Ewing, also known as August J. Law was fatally wounded during the shooting.

Jul 11

Jul 11 Larch Creek Fire Evacuation Update, July 11, 4 p.m.