Bringing Jennifer Batten, lead guitarist for Michael Jackson for four world tours, to The Dalles for a fundraiser. That’s just being a Smooth Criminal. Doing it all in the Backyard of the Bargeway Pub this Friday night while supporting The United Way of the Columbia Gorge? Cue the pyrotechnics. And that’s a go on the guitar solo!

"On June 14, 2022, at about 6:30 p.m., Officer Reams, with his field training officer, Perez responded to a report of a swimmer in distress in the Columbia River near the ferry dock,” said The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy. “The Columbia River was extremely high due to continual rains, and there were areas of flooding in the city. Water temperature was 56 degrees in the river.”

St. Vincent de Paul Society’s downtown location is undergoing a beautification process. Volunteer painters Lance Pardee and Galen Ballinger have painted the once gray building a sky colored blue and brightened up the entrance with a mural of a friendly and welcoming sun.

HAVEN from Domestic and Sexual Violence, in The Dalles released an official statement today about the secret indictment of former HAVEN Executive Director, Tara Koch. Koch was arrested Thursday, July 7th, 2022 in Washington County on 26 counts including theft, identity theft and forgery. HAVEN alleges that Koch stole more than $96,200* from HAVEN. Koch will be tried in Wasco County on all 26 charges.

District wildlife biologists will present proposed statewide and local changes to the 2023 hunting seasons, answer questions and ask for attendees’ feedback. A meeting is slated for Thursday, July 14 at 6 p.m. in The Dalles.

Tara Koch, former Executive Director of HAVEN from Domestic and Sexual Violence in The Dalles was arrested Thursday, July 7th, 2022 in Washington County on 26 counts including theft, identity theft and forgery.

Oregon Tradeswomen’s Mary Ann Naylor said it is a perfect time for women and people of color to enter the trade industry. Major projects in the gorge could call for huge demand from skilled professionals. A recent $150,000 grant from Google is opening up opportunities at both state and local levels. “Tell them to be tough-skinned to get through their apprenticeship and the world is your oyster, said local Electrician Brennah Miller, “and you can go anywhere.”

The Climate Resiliency Committee held their first official meeting at The Dalles City Hall at 9 a.m. on July 8th to finalize a regular meeting schedule, elect a chair and finalize the committee’s mission statement.

Goldendale Community Days will kick off on Friday night July 8th at 6:30 p.m. on the Klickitat County Courthouse lawn with a celebration of Goldendale’s Sesquicentennial, which celebrates the 150th anniversary of Goldendale’s founding.

Columbia Gorge Community College has a new club for students interested in social equality: the EQUAL Club.

On February 9, 2022, Dakota Glenn and another person violently confronted a victim at gunpoint in The Dalles. They ransacked his home, stealing some of the few possessions he had. They took him from his home by threatening him with a gun and forced the victim to accompany them across town.

TD Grad Emily Peterson, AKA Zombie, has surpassed 950 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail but not without some major effort. These past 13 days, she has been through big elevation gains and losses covering 7 mountain passes in six days in just one stretch.

Shoes were poppin’ on the Fourth of July in The Dalles as runners lined up for the Rocket Run at Lewis Clark Festival Park at 7 a.m. Harriers put up some good numbers on a picture-perfect morning against the backdrop of the Columbia River along the Riverfront Trail.

A new report from Great Lakes Stakes analyzes UFO and ghost sightings in all 50 states has revealed that Washington is the 3rd most likely state in which supernatural sightings occur.

Tick, tick, tick. One hour to madness. Here we go into the three-day weekend with more things to do than firecrackers have fuses. The Dalles Downtown is kicking things off in an hour with First Friday. More than 30 businesses are staying open late with all sorts of activities happening including live music, specials, drinks, treats and more.

Leta and Tim Barclift found the perfect family to take over Pioneer Electric, their appliance store in downtown The Dalles. And Frankia and Elsherie Long are excited about the opportunity to run their own business, involve their children, and strengthen family ties.

This week’s question of the week is a festive, summery question meant to open the box on good memories of days gone by.

Hattie Fletcher, experienced whitewater rafter shares her first column on whitewater rafting as recreation in the Columbia River Gorge.

To reduce fire risk, some local governments in the Gorge have regulations or bans on the use of fireworks. Those intending to use fireworks to celebrate this Fourth of July, will need to know a few things in order to keep it legal and keep themselves and others safe.

On June 23rd Home at Last Humane Society released the results of a recent community survey that aimed to better understand community priorities for animal management in the region and how to pay for those services. The results revealed that community members value the animal shelter and believe that new and sustainable funding sources must be found to maintain services.