Update July 23, 10:30 a.m.: Currently, the fire is threatening residential and agricultural lands, critical infrastructure and a natural gas plant. Level 3 - GO NOW: East Road to Sand Ridge Road to the East and Alder Creek South to the Columbia River.  Level 2 - GET SET: Sand Ridge Road to the Klickitat County Line. 

A Sweep Master lost control and rolled down Case Street near the Wasco County Courthouse today, ultimately flipping and coming to a stop in the middle of E. 7th Street. 

Update, July 23, 10:30 a.m. — 100 structures are within the fire’s immediate reach, estimated Spokesman Andy Dwyer. The fire is in the urban interface bringing in engines and firefighters who will work from a defensive tack to keep homes from burning.

There were 21 correct answers including our own Sheriff, Lane Magill. So, we took those entries to the roundhouse and pounded the names and numbers as flat as a penny left on the tracks. We put those pennies in our hobo bag of chance and boiled it in our Buddy Burner until the train pulled out, and we ran halfway down the tracks reaching for the last open car. Ian Creed was inside the door holding out a hand like a magician. In his palm was the penny, lucky number 17 - our train hoppin’ winner.      

The Basalt Commons is a calculated risk that could anchor the east side, which is now home to a new grocery in The Farm Stand and the urban renewal board is seeking new development on the Tony’s Town & Country site. Is The Dalles on the edge of major change? We’ll see as Councilors hear an appeal on the height of the 116-apartment building with commercial space.

Mid-Columbia Economic Development District as operator of The Link Public Transportation, and the City of The Dalles have partnered to offer a free 12-month Gorge Transit Pass to residents living in and employees working in The Dalles’ Central Business Commercial zoning district!

For candidates intending to run in the upcoming November 5, 2024, General Election, packets are now available online and in the City Clerk’s office. Three City Councilor positions are open for election, each with a term of four years.

So put on your Engineer hat and tell us two things: At what restaurant was it stationed in the ‘70s and what was its purpose? Send your answers to tom@cccnews.com by Sunday, July 21 at 7:03 p.m.

Fun’s on a full run at Bargeway with the Josh Day Band on Friday. Gorge Giggin’ Guide growing like Zucchini as Jim Drake brings us another catalog of all things awesome to do this week in The Gorge.

The North Wasco County School District is pleased to announce Sherri Kilgore as the incoming Principal of The Dalles Middle School.

Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Board moves forward on requests from potential developers who would also have to provide information on financing. The Neon Sign Museum, which has proposed using the site for the Jantzen Beach Carousel, will be required to enter the competitive process if it wants to be considered for the site.

If you’ve suffered excessive livestock death losses and grazing or feed losses due to recent wildfires, you may be eligible for disaster assistance programs through the USDA Farm Service Agency.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.