Spring break heats up at The Dalles Public Library with free food, games, reptiles, music and hands-on fun for teens, kids, and families all week long.

Oregon’s statewide early childhood literacy nonprofit SMART Reading gave away its 5 millionth book to a child in Oregon at an event at Hayhurst Elementary on March 12, 2026. This marked a major milestone in the organization’s mission to help Oregon students build confidence, improve literacy skills, and develop a lifelong passion for reading.

After a highly successful HOOT fest in The Dalles, Jonathan Zilka and his group of volunteers are bringing the second rendition of The Grand Dalles Music Fest, a 3-day fest featuring jams, dancing and some incredible bands at the end of May.

Move over, Gordon Ramsay! Students from D21 elementary schools transformed the kitchen into a high-stakes arena yesterday, March 18, to battle for the legendary title of Top Chef.

On February 24 & 26, 200 eighth grade students from North Wasco gathered at Columbia Gorge Community College for Next Steps: Careers in the Gorge, a hands-on career exploration experience designed to connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities close to home.

Early childhood education professionals are invited to an engaging, day-long learning experience at the upcoming Journey to the Stars: Building Brains and Supporting Big Feelings conference.

The Dalles High School senior Jonathan Rodriguez Mota received an exciting and unexpected honor yesterday when representatives from Oregon State University’s College of Engineering surprised him on campus with the announcement that he has been selected as a recipient of the highly competitive Engineering Catalyst Scholarship.

The 38th Annual Spring Community Clean Up will take place on the first Saturday of May. The Dalles residents are encouraged to join in our annual spring cleaning event on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

From crafts and storytimes to Pokémon GO walks and guitar lessons, The Dalles Public Library has a full week of free activities for all ages, March 16–21.

From the tractor seat, agriculture often comes down to a very simple equation: costs on one side, returns on the other. For many farmers today, that equation is becoming harder and harder to balance.

Lions from across Eastern Oregon will gather April 10–11, 2026, at the historic Granada Theater for the Oregon Lions District 36G Convention, themed “Stronger Together: Building Our Clubs, One Member at a Time.”

The Coalition of Oregon Public Universities (OPU) and the Oregon Community College Association (OCCA) today expressed appreciation to Oregon legislators for maintaining funding for the Community College Support Fund, the Public University Support Fund, and state-based financial aid programs during the 2026 Legislative Session.

The Next Door Inc.’s (TNDI) annual Raíces Plant Sale is back this spring, and you won’t want to miss it! 

At 9:30 on March 9th, The Dalles Police responded to a 911 call from Fred Meyer Grocery Store on West 6th Street in The Dalles. Initially, the call type was unclear, but with the use of a translation service, the dispatchers were able to determine that there was a gunshot victim at that location.

The Cascade Singers will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a free community concert Tuesday, March 17, at the historic Old St. Peter’s Landmark in The Dalles.

Parenthood can be overwhelming and challenging for many, especially for those without access to the basic necessities every child and parent deserves.

Providence Hospice of the Gorge is offering a series of free, professionally facilitated grief support groups this year for adults coping with the death of a loved one, including a new group forming in The Dalles this spring.

The Dalles Public Library hosts a full week of events including STEAM programs, crafts, music lessons and games for kids, teens and adults.

Labor costs bend upward like a branch in the wind, while cherry prices whip back and forth. Farmers can only take so much strain before something snaps.

A new downtown music and arts festival will bring dozens of performances and community events to The Dalles this weekend as The Dalles Hoot takes over multiple venues March 6–8.