The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) will increase the maximum loan limit for the Oregon Veteran Home Loan for 2023, conforming to loan limits for mortgages set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). ODVA will now accept loans up to the new maximum loan amount of $726,200, an increase of $79,000 from $647,200 in 2022, for funding on or after January 1, 2023. 

Senator Jeff Merkley has announced in-person town halls for Wasco, Hood River, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, Lincoln, Tillamook, and Clatsop counties.

Poker Tournament and Silent Auction on tap at Bargeway Pub as locals pull together to fundraise for Luis Flores who has been stricken with debilitating medical issues. The event is set for Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Bargeway event site on the west side of the restaurant and pub. Read here for more details.

Games abound in this week’s round-up of local social events, music offerings and local shows. Scrabble, pool and poker options sit along side productions such as Dancing with the Gorge Stars at The Dalles High School Auditorium or “Ripchord” at the Bingen Theater.

People are being trafficked every day throughout the world and even here in your own home town. Do you know how to identify a trafficked victim? Read this story to learn the signs.

This year’s regional history forum series includes presentations on the geology of the Columbia River Gorge, local vineyards and wineries, Eleanor Borg, and Fort Dalles.

In this edition of her column Living Well, Donna Henderson, LCSW, psychotherapist, artist and writer based in Maupin, South Wasco County shares the downlow on how shame might be holding you back from success and tips on how to set successful New Year’s Resolutions.

Goldendale City Council approved $1,700 in tourism funding for Goldendale’s 3rd annual LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration which has drawn hundreds of people from around the region two years in a row. But not before one councilor called the Pride event an attempt to erode and destroy traditional values and morals. 

I hit 183 pounds this winter, and I thought a fight with my stomach might help me out. Well, kinda. But I’m still 183 pounds. Oh, and 5’5. I lost a few inches over the years. It got me thinking. Not about the extra weight, but why?  I came up with this, Move. It’s my one-word anthem for the year - move. Anyways, the thought prompted this question of the week as we are six days into the new year. What is your focus for 2023? In one word. 

Comedy, music, a fundraiser for a friend. It’s all happening in the Gorge. Check out our latest listings here.

Winter sports are underway at The Dalles High School. Senior Wrestler Maisie Bandel Ramirez won the 130 lb. title at Girls Pendleton Red Lion Invitational on the December 21st and TDHS’s girls and boys varsity basketball teams both won their games against Pendleton yesterday, January 4th.

Another move downtown has the commercial district shaking. The Salvation Army is headed east to a leased building on Second Street and their old digs are up for sale for $1.65 million. The 0.29-acre lot with 24,000 square feet of building space and 10,000 square feet of parking provides a lot of potential to a would-be investor. Housing, restaurants, food carts? Who knows. Time will tell.

Nancy Turner, local hiker and columnist shares a lesson in the proper use the words “further” and “farther” on the trail.

Justin Moore is stoked with his new role as Executive Chef at the Last Stop Saloon. He said he gained his passion for cooking from his father, Jeffrey Clyde Moore as their large family played host to large family gatherings over the years. Moore was most recently working at the Baldwin Saloon before its closure last fall.

Community Advisory members and the North Wasco County School District in The Dalles met for the fourth time on Wednesday, Dec. 14 as they consider building a new high school to replace the current 1940 facility. 

The discussions have been ongoing since June as community stakeholders advise the School District on the matter of a bond measure for school facilities.

There are some tough decisions to make.  

Winter weather is in full force this weekend.
A winter storm warning is in effect for the Columbia River Gorge 4p.m. December 22nd to 4 a.m. on December 25th.

The Dalles Wasco County Sheriff partnered with Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) staff and volunteers and anonymous donors from the community to deliver some Christmas magic to two families in need on Wednesday December 21st. 

“We love to hear people say they drove by our house and they loved the decorations or that their kids really like Frosty,” said Stephanie Hoffman. “I would miss coming home in the evening or leaving in the morning and seeing the lights. I would miss watching cars slow down to look at the lights. I believe the decorations help people get in the Christmas spirit. As a kid, my parents used to drive us around to look at lights. It was one of my favorite things to do.” 

With freezing rain, snow, and wind chill temperatures projected to be as low as -15 to -25 degrees in the coming days, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council is opening a temporary warming center using St. Vincent de Paul’s building at 315 W. 3rd St. in The Dalles beginning 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 21st, 2022.

“It’s kinda hard for me to do this—it’s a lot of work—but I do enjoy doing it, and I do it because the kids come by and they like seeing everything. I have people who will pull up in front of the house at night and stay for 5 minutes just taking it all in,” said Dorothy Waters. “Some years I think, Well, maybe I shouldn’t…But I always do. Recently a neighbor said, Boy, I’m glad you do this every year, it’s so nice to look at.”