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.

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.

The Dalles cast its spell this weekend as witches, warlocks, and masked revelers filled both the Sunshine Mill and downtown streets for a pair of enchanting events — the 10th Annual Witches Walk and the inaugural Witches Masquerade Ball.

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.

This Week at The Dalles Library: Oct. 20, 2025

Imagine trying to button a shirt while your hands don’t quite do what you tell them to. Voices echo. Lights blur. Simple directions slip away. For millions living with dementia, that’s everyday life.

Local residents in the Columbia River Gorge will join “millions” of Americans nationwide in a coordinated day of nonviolent protest for the second No Kings Day of Action on Saturday, Oct. 18.

Protests are planned for The Dalles, Hood River, White Salmon, Stevenson, Hermiston, and Pendleton.

There were webs, cider, and plenty of giggles at The Dalles Public Library on Tuesday afternoon as kids and parents came together for “Cider & Spiders,” a fall-themed craft and storytime that celebrated all things creepy-crawly.

The Dalles Art Center (TDAC) is excited to announce a new Artist-in-Residence program at Colonel Wright Elementary School, featuring celebrated watercolor artist Elizabeth Zimmerman.

With the continued forecast of cool, wet weather, local Fire Districts, Wasco County, and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) have agreed to lift the seasonal burn ban on October 17th at 12:01 a.m.

All The Best is here in this week’s Giggin’ Guide - Get Out There! Hey, Broomriders! Witches Walk and Parade is this Saturday, Oct. 18 in The Dalles. Cast a spell. Raise some hell.

The library transforms into a hub of autumn magic this week, with hands-on crafts, storytelling, and community fun inspired by the season. Hatch your own “mini water monsters,” craft a witch’s broom, sip cider while making spider art, or gather for Sleepy Hollow movie nights and ghostly art projects.

We have a great night of music arranged for this Friday with the Soulard Boys at the UCC church in The Dalles. This group is a mix of top-tier musicians playing high-energy traditional Irish music.

The Dalles Civic Auditorium is thrilled to announce the return of its Second Annual Haunted House, produced in partnership with Great Skot Productions. This spine-chilling community event will take place on Friday, October 18, from 5:00–9:00 PM at The Dalles Civic Auditorium, during The Witches Walk in downtown The Dalles.

Since June, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) has provided essential recovery services to community members affected by the Rowena Fire, with significant progress in securing long-term housing for displaced residents.

When Chuck Gomez and his wife, Deborah Liddell, bought the long-shuttered Granada Theater in 2017, they weren’t just investing in a building. They were betting on The Dalles’ downtown and its history.

Northern Wasco County People's Utility District (NWCPUD) has earned a place on Oregon Business magazine's “100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon” for 2025, marking the second consecutive year the utility has received this recognition. The utility improved its standing from last year, ranking 16th among Large Organizations with a score of 572.89 out of 700, up from 21st place and 570.29 in 2024.