Tree crews began cutting down branches on this Maple at The Dalles Post Office drive-through mail drop-off this morning, July 20.

Employees at Mid Columbia Forest Products have been back to work since July 11 after a fire shut the mill down on West Second Street on June 23. “We were down 12 (business) days,” said Owner Matt McCall today, July 19. “The vacuum system is up and going, but it still needs a few modifications.”

Chenowith Water district has lifted its boil water order after receiving a negative result for the presence of E. coli bacteria in its water system today, July 19. The PUD tested positive for the bacteria on July 14 and 15. E. coli can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. PUD operators added chlorine to the water system over the weekend to kill bacteria.

The Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency Board will meet today, July 19th, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss next steps for the First Street Project, updates to the Urban Renewal Incentive program, and hear an update from City Manager Mathew Klebes on recent staffing transitions at the City of The Dalles.

Pfits Services LLC will be conducting tree trimming and removal services along W. 2nd Street next to the United States Post Office in The Dalles on Wednesday, July 20 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Right lane of W. 2nd Street as well as the sidewalk on the Post Office side of the road will be closed during the process of cutting and removing some trees next to the road.

The City of The Dalles Public Works released a press release on Sunday, July 17th, 2022 alerting the public that discharge to the Columbia River from the City of The Dalles Wastewater Treatment Plant has returned to compliance with permit limits for E. coli.

Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is partnering with Mid Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) and other agencies and nonprofits to provide Emergency Cooling Shelters and relief from unhealthy air quality events for vulnerable populations during this summer’s expected extreme conditions.

The City of The Dalles Wastewater Treatment Plant discharged effluent (liquid waste or sewage discharged into a the Columbia River) on July 12th that exceeded the plant’s limit for E. coli (Escherichia coli) due to incomplete disinfection. The event has lead to several beach closures in The Columbia River Gorge.

With so many people recreating outdoors on a daily basis, it is up to each and every one of us to be responsible recreationalists and stewards for the lands we get to enjoy. Keep these tips in mind and play responsibly!

The Dalles City Council gave the green light on the purchase of equipment and lease of computers costing in total some $440,000 at their regular meeting on Monday, July 11.

A grass fire that took out some trees near Mosier on Wednesday, July 13, set the Fire Boss scooper planes into action for the first time this fire season. The planes, stationed at the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport, are fitted with pontoons that can scoop water from the Columbia River and then make quick strikes on fires. The blaze near Mosier did not have a chance.

Zach Ryan pays a tribute to Waylon Jennings tonight, July 14, at the Bargeway Pub in The Dalles. It is just one of many great music options this week as art and music is alive and well in the Mid-Columbia. Venues featured this week include Ruins, Everybody’s Brewing, Granada, Double Mountain, TDAC, Zim’s, TD Library, Taphouse, TD Eagles, Stave & Stone, Mt. Hood Winery, WS Library, Jacob Williams, Sunshine, Arlington, TD United Church of Christ, Route 30, Working Hands Beer, River City Saloon, Solera, Grass Valley, White Buffalo, Grateful Vineyard, MC Senior Center, HR Library, HR Elks, Klickitat Canyon Days, Skamania Lodge, Kickstand Coffee

Cherry Harvest has been a difficult thing to forecast this year due to cold and wet weather which resulted in later harvest dates. But according to Northwest Cherry Growers we are now one-third of the way through cherry harvest. And at the rate things are going this might be the latest running crop on record.

An abandoned RV caught fire in Dallesport the evening of July 11th, 2022. "When we got on scene it was fully engulfed in flames," said Darren Lacock, Assistant Fire Chief.

The Dalles Art Center has some really exciting things happening right now, here’s a quick run-down: They’s recently published a book about The Dalles, they’ve got a show from acclaimed folk artist Tony Furtado and Summer Art Camps are just around the corner!

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.