Old Man Winter is knocking at the door. And time is running out. Snow tires and preparing your house for freezing temperatures, if you have not done it already, is imperative to prevent costly repairs. Here are some basic tips and ideas to prepare.

Construction meetings and witching season will keep The Dalles Downtown hopping this week.

We’re thrilled to share that Columbia Gorge Food Bank—serving Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman Counties—is this year’s Turkey Trot beneficiary!

Farmers need predictable access to open markets, fair pricing that reflects the real cost of production, and policies that respect the work of both farm owners and the laborers who keep operations running. Subsidies are a Band-Aid, not a cure.

From haunted walk-throughs and trunk-or-treats to costume contests and live music, the Mid-Columbia Gorge will be crawling with Halloween events for all ages this season. Here’s your guide, sorted by date and location.

It’s a week of chills, crafts, and creativity at The Dalles Public Library. Step into the eerie world of Sleepy Hollow, uncover a murder mystery, craft haunting decorations, or join one of several Halloween-themed family nights. There’s something for every ghost and goblin, from toddlers to teens to adults who still love a good scare.

The Dalles City Council will weigh a $96,000 staffing proposal Monday to strengthen HR and IT capacity. Other agenda items include a $2.29 million airport hangar contract and business license updates.

The Dalles City Council is sniffing out changes to local dog laws Monday, aiming to curb ruff behavior, leash lingering problems, and fetch compliance through a new licensing program set to roll over in 2026.

The Dalles Urban Renewal Agency advanced downtown redevelopment, moving the First Street project to bidding, designating the Tony’s site as a construction yard, and confirming new leadership as the Fermentation Hub project officially withdrew.

Dozens of families displaced by the Rowena wildfire are getting a better night’s sleep thanks to a local business and community partnership.

Stories have the power to heal. Personal stories especially have the power to change lives. In an effort to find more common ground between artists and community members, MediaRites presents The -Ism Storytellers Project, an afternoon of personal stories from the heart, hosted and curated by Larry Toda, MediaRites’ Board Member, who has a family history in The Dalles.

Earlier this month, Tom Peterson posted what the Walldogs are up to now. It’s titled “Little Art City Strikes Again with Umatilla House Restoration.” Simultaneously I was organizing a dozen friends to do a walking tour of murals in the east end of The Dalles. A moment of synchronicity.

Thanks to generous support from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Columbia Gorge STEM Hub - a department within Columbia Gorge Education Service District - has opened its Microgrant program for the 2025–2026 school year.

Klickitat County Childcare Committee (KCCC) has supported the development of a new childcare business in the White Salmon area. It is part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen local infrastructure, providing families with more options.

A local man previously arrested for allegedly firing shots near the Fourth Street grade was taken into custody again after it was reported that a driver crashed into a porch, a boat and a car at near the same location in The Dalles.

The Mid-Columbia is stirring with Halloween spirit this week. Events from The Dalles to Hood River and beyond offer tricks, treats, and tunes for all ages leading into the haunted weekend.

Live music, spooky screenings, and costume parties light up the Gorge this week, from salsa nights and the Rocky Horror 50th anniversary to Funkship’s Halloween dance party, Thunder Island’s Fall Market, and The Granada’s Spooktober Film Festival.

Seventeen-year-old Anastasia Mitsky of The Dalles climbed her glider to 9,800 feet on her third solo flight, riding ridge lift and mountain wave currents in a rare and beautiful flight she will never forget.

From restoring sailboats to helping run a bakery, 17-year-old Anastasia Mitsky’s hands-on education shaped the discipline behind her glider success—proof that a life built on work, curiosity, and family can take a young pilot higher than they might first imagine.

Each year, The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) honors individuals, businesses, and organizations whose collaboration and partnership make a lasting impact on our work and the people we serve. The Community Partner of the Year award highlights those who champion our mission and initiatives, going above and beyond to support and advocate for our programs, clients, and TNDI as a whole.