Neal Creek Forest Products, a local provider of premium firewood, landscaping materials, and snow removal services, has announced the opening of its second location in The Dalles, Oregon. The grand opening celebration will take place on Friday, March 3, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST, with ribbon cutting festivities with The Dalles Chamber of Commerce taking place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. PST.

“Her Name Was Eleanor:  Teacher, Dancer, Equestrian, Activist” is the title of the February 18 program at the Original Wasco County Courthouse, 410 West 2nd Place in The Dalles.  Saturday’s program begins at 1:30 p.m. and is third in a month-long series of presentations.  

Two members of the Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative (MCHC) have been awarded nearly $2 million in support of the effort to address houselessness. Over the next three years, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) will receive $969,600, and Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) will receive $809,603.

The Wasco County Commissioners have declared a state of emergency to address the growing issue of homelessness in the region. The decision was made during a meeting on February 15th, 2023, after the presentation of the Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative's five-year strategic plan to address houselessness in the area. The declaration has been sent to The Office of Emergency Management for further processing.

This Week in Gorge Entertainment: Musician Tony Furtado and Comedian Adam Pasi give locals two great picks this weekend in TD. Furtado plays multiple instruments including some phenomenal slide guitar and banjo hits The Dalles Art Center on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. And just down the street, comedian Adam Pasi will bring his unique flavor of humor to The Granada on the same night. Check out this week’s most comprehensive listing of local entertainment here.

The Dalles Art Center is set to host its first-ever Radiance Block Party featuring a Fire Pit Contest. The event, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Art Center and the Columbia Gorge Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication program.

Congratulations to our cheer team, for bringing home a 3rd place finish at the State Cheer Championships in Oregon City this past weekend! We also want to congratulate the Riverhawks swim team on a phenomenal showing at the District Swim Meet in LaGrande this past weekend!

The stolen Dodge Charger from The Dalles traveled more than 60 miles and was pursued for about a half hour on the backroads off Wasco County and then through The Dalles before spikes were deployed to blow the front tires on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Montira’s Thai Cuisine at 302 W. Second Street in The Dalles is currently closed due to labor shortages, according to its owners. “We’re closed for now. We just don’t have the people to work,” said owner Ken Sommerfelt this afternoon, Feb. 13. Sommerfelt was unable to comment further. 

If you haven’t gotten your booster yet, but are interested, there’s a free, walk-in, 3-day vaccine clinic. It runs from Thursday, Feb. 16 through Saturday, Feb. 18. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, and it will be held at 523 E. 3rd St., which is the former Griffith Motors building, across from Sawyer’s and Grinders Coffee.

The Dalles City Council will hear more about the recent purchase of the Oregon Motor Motel and plans for it to be converted to transitional housing for houseless people living in The Dalles.  Mid-Columbia Community Action Council Exec. Director Kenny LaPoint will provide information on Project Turnkey 2.0 at their regular meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. tonight, Monday, Feb. 13. The meeting will be held at City Hall, 313 Court Street.

Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative has released their 2022 report which offers a snapshot of the affordable housing and houselessness situation in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Skamania, and Klickitat Counties.

Locals are kicking off some parties this afternoon as the 57th Superbowl is set to start at 3:30 p.m. And if our totally unscientific analysis of 9 people means anything, the Eagles are favored to win this year’s Championship. But there is a lot of music, drinks and chili to get through first.

“Through this business deal, Adventist will become the new owner of MCMC,”  according to the notice summary  posted by the Oregon Health Authority “...Adventist says that MCMC will continue to provide its existing health care services, including reproductive health care.”

The Dalles City Manager Matthew Klebes announced today that the City would be taking over the Hospitality role for the Cruise Ships beginning March 1, 2023.

An odd phone call from a concerned citizen led to the quick reporting of a stolen pickup from Camp’s Plumbing in The Dalles, today, Feb. 8. Police pursued the vehicle on Interstate 84 this afternoon even after spike strips were deployed and the tire of the vehicle was punctured. The pickup hit a semi 12 miles east of Pendleton and a man was arrested on allegations of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Show love to your loved ones and your community by celebrating love locally this Valentine’s Day.

The renovation project on The Dalles Bridge over the Columbia River is nearing its completion. ODOT has announced that full weekend closures, which extended into the winter months due to falling behind schedule, are expected to end by the end of February 2023, pending any winter weather delays. 

The Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) has acquired the Oregon Motor Motel, located on the edge of downtown The Dalles, Oregon, with the aim of converting it into transitional housing and shelter. The $3.25 million acquisition was made possible through a $4.27 million grant from the Project Turnkey 2.0 program, which MCCAC applied for at the end of the summer of 2022.

This Saturday night, Feb. 11th celebrates the return of Tommy and Saundra O’Sullivan to Old St. Peter’s Landmark. Currently, on a west coast US tour, the O’Sullivans bring songs and stories from the west coast of Ireland.