Jul 27

Jul 27 Hood River City Council Selects New Councilor, Amends Short-Term Rental Ordinance

Ben Mitchell is selected to take the seat held by the late Tim Counihan. Lawsuit brings ammendment after City’s short-term ordinances is hit with allegations of discrimination towards property owners living out of state.

Jul 27

Jul 27 Russell Spino: From Longhouse Whip Man to Chief of Police

Columbia Community Connection

Home Page

Long-time Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Enforcement officer Russell Spino (Warm Springs) was promoted to chief, replacing the retiring Mitch Hicks. Spino was born and raised in The Dalles, graduating TDHS in ‘97.

Jul 26

Jul 26 Oregon surpasses million-acre mark in fire season only second to 2020... so far

Joshuah Albert

Home Page, Klickitat County, Skamania County, The Dalles, Wasco County, Hood River County, Environment

As of July 25, more than 1 million acres are estimated to have burned in Oregon as megafires at more than 100,000 acres are burning in three locations in the eastern part of the state.

Jul 26

Jul 26 Whiskey Creek Fire near Cascade Locks bumps to 850 acres; Dozers digging in

Columbia Community Connection

Home Page, Hood River County

Heavy equipment was brought in to assist with clearing roads and creating fuel breaks reopening an Eagle Creek Fire contingency line. Conditions were also favorable for an infra-red flight allowing for better mapping of the area and a more accurate number of acres burned.

Jul 26

Jul 26 Big Horn Fire estimated at 50,000 acres; Weather favorable to containment effort

Tom Peterson

Home Page

Today’s weather brings lower temperatures, lower winds and an increase in relative humidity. All of these work together to reduce the fire’s growth potential. Strike teams, aircraft and dozers are working the estimated 50,000 acre-blaze which is now 21 percent contained and burning 7 miles southeast of Bickleton.

Jul 26

Jul 26 Firefighters make "significant progress" west of Mosier; Burnouts set for today

Tom Peterson

Home Page

“On the northeast side, last night's successful firing operations in the grass are helping secure fire lines,” the update said. “Due to inaccessible areas and steep terrain, firing operations remain the safest and most effective strategy to remove fuels and prevent the spread of the fire.”

Jul 25

Jul 25 PUD, Q-Life team up to deliver high-speed fiber optic internet to all in Wasco County

Tom Peterson

Business, Home Page, Wasco County

The vision of Q-Life is for every address in Wasco County to enjoy a higher quality of life and participate in education, healthcare, and the economy through a high-speed internet connection at a price point that they can afford.

Jul 25

Jul 25 Humane Society gets Cash'd Out at Bargeway; Giggin' Guide grows in August

Jim Drake

Art, Columns, Entertainment, Home Page

Bargeway’s pulling for the dogs… and cats as they bring the Johnny Cash Tribute Band Cash’d Out on Saturday in a benefit for the Columbia Gorge Humane Society. And will Afroman’s Bid for President draw a crowd? Find out all about it in this super-sized gorge guide of all things entertaining.

Jul 25

Jul 25 TD Council affirms Basalt Commons decision for 60-foot height

Tom Peterson

Home Page, The Dalles

In a 5-0 vote Council unanimously affirmed the 60-foot height permit for the Basalt Commons, a mixed-use building for business, and 116 apartments proposed for the former Griffth Motors, a half-acre lot at 523 E. Third Street.

Jul 25

Jul 25 High winds fan Big Horn Fire in Klickitat County; fire doubles to est. 32,000 acres

Tom Peterson

Home Page, Fire

A low-pressure system on Wednesday brought winds at more than 30 mph surging the fire in its southwest corner. Fire managers called in for aerial support as the blaze moved toward the Alderwood area in east Klickitat County.

Jul 25

Jul 25 Sheriff, DA still investigating human-caused Larch Creek Fire near Tygh Valley

Tom Peterson

Home Page, Fire

The Sheriff’s Office has been proactively assessing the situation with the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office as information has become available. At the completion of the investigation, the Sheriff’s Office and the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office will review the findings and determine whether or not and what criminal charges will be filed.

Jul 25

Jul 25 Boil Water Warning in effect for Mosier residents due to system pressure loss

Tom Peterson

Home Page

Due to the loss of water pressure in the city’s distribution system on July 22, 2024, potentially harmful bacteria could be in the water supply. If these bacteria are present, they could make you sick and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems.

Jul 24

Jul 24 Klickitat County Hosts Successful Financial Wellness Fairs to Support Rural Families

Washington Gorge Action Programs

Klickitat County, Home Page

Preventing financial stress for rural families was a primary goal of the recent Financial Wellness Fair series put on by Community Enrichment for Klickitat County (CEKC) and Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) with the help of area partners. Over 200 people participated.

Jul 24

Jul 24 Fire near Mosier at 700 acres; Volunteers thanked; Fuel supplied for generators

Tom Peterson

Home Page, Fire

With lower wind speeds and subdued fire behavior, crews worked to secure more of the fire’s east end with hand line, dozer line, and water drops from helicopters and other air resources. The fire continued to back down on a north-facing ridge along I-84 just west of Mosier and will likely do so through today. Smoke can be observed along the highway.

Jul 23

Jul 23 Davis prevails in Wasco County DA election after hand count completed today, July 23

Tom Peterson

Home Page

“The Wasco County Clerk's Office concluded the demand recount of the District Attorney contest late this afternoon,” said Wasco County Elections Clerk Lisa Gambee in an email. “70 boxes totaling 6,795 ballots have been hand counted. There was no change in the results.

Jul 23

Jul 23 Bickleton/Big Horn Fire Evacuation Update, July 23, 4 p.m.: Klickitat County

Tom Peterson

Home Page, Klickitat County, Fire

As of 7/23/2024 at 12:30 PM and most current:

Level 3 "GO NOW" for North of Alder Creek, West to Crider Valley, East to Peterson; and from East Road to Sand Ridge Rd to the East and Alder Creek south to the Columbia River.

Level 2 "GET SET" for Middle Rd to the West, Coleman Rd to the North, Klickitat County Line to the East; and from Sand Ridge Rd to the Klickitat County Line.

Level 1 "GET READY" Evacuation for North of Coleman Rd to Stegeman and Van Horn, West to East Rd, East to Klickitat County Line.

Jul 23

Jul 23 Oregon Memorial Traveling Wall Visits The Dalles Veterans Home, Honoring Fallen Soldiers

Joshuah Albert

Home Page, The Dalles

The Oregon Memorial Traveling Wall made a poignant visit to the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, honoring fallen soldiers from Oregon.

Jul 23

Jul 23 Fire near Bickleton at 13,000 acres; one firefighter injured; gas plant threatened

Tom Peterson

Home Page

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.

Jul 23

Jul 23 Sweep Master Rolls Down Steep Road, flips in The Dalles; Driver Hospitalized

Joshuah Albert

Home Page, The Dalles

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.

Jul 23

Jul 23 Mosier Fire burning toward I-84; Fast response helps slow blaze; No one reported injured

Tom Peterson

Home Page

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.

Welcome, friends.