The Grasshopper Fire expanded to 18,136 acres Tuesday, but firefighters successfully held containment lines protecting Pine Hollow and Sportsman's Park as more than 230 personnel continued battling the blaze under gusty afternoon winds.

Fire activity intensified across Wasco County on Tuesday as the Grasshopper Fire expanded to 13,612 acres, prompting continued Level 3 evacuations near Wamic, Pine Hollow and Sportsman's Park. Meanwhile, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to help cover firefighting costs, while improving conditions on several other regional wildfires allowed evacuation levels to be reduced or lifted in parts of southern Wasco County and the Hay Creek Complex.

Applications are now open for the 2026 Local Government Academy, a free program that gives community members an inside look at how the City of The Dalles operates.

Firefighters made significant progress Monday on two major wildfires burning in and near Wasco County, holding critical containment lines on the Grasshopper Fire while increasing containment on the smaller Eightmile Fire west of Dufur.

The Dalles Public Library has a full lineup of free programs for adults, children, teens and families during the final week of July and the start of August. Registration is required for select events.

A Banks-Vernonia trail advocate says community persistence, partnerships and historic preservation transformed an abandoned railroad into an economic asset, offering lessons for the Deschutes railbed.

Imagine 200,000 truckloads of toxic Superfund waste moving from the Portland Harbor to a rural hillside perched 1,000 feet above The Dalles. As the EPA moves toward a cleanup plan, our community is facing a massive logistical and environmental test. Our latest investigation dives into the reality of the "Driveline",the treacherous, steep route these convoys would take, and exposes critical gaps in current PCB (and other superfund toxin’s) monitoring and local oversight. How prepared is Wasco County for the industrial reality of this cleanup? Read the full story to understand the timeline, the financial dependencies, and the urgent need for a modernized approach to public safety before the first truck arrives.

Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) is celebrating a joyful addition to The Annex: a brand-new playground on the facility's family side, made possible through generous donations from Google, Granite Construction, and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.

A 28-year-old motorcyclist was airlifted to a Vancouver hospital after crashing along State Route 14 near the Chamberlain Rest Area in Klickitat County. Washington State Patrol said the crash remains under investigation.

National Industrial Training and Assessment Centers network honors CGCC with the Manufacturing Outcomes Award for outstanding real-world support and engagement with small and mid-sized manufacturers

Wildfires sparked by last week's lightning storm continue to burn across the Mid-Columbia, with new evacuation notices issued Sunday in Wasco and Gilliam counties as firefighters battle several large fire complexes.

The Dalles City Council is scheduled to consider two special ordinances at its July 27 meeting, including the annexation of property within the city's urban growth boundary and the approval of a non-exclusive telecommunications franchise for Q-Life Intergovernmental Agency. The proposed ordinances will be available for public review in the council agenda packet beginning July 20, and members of the public may register to testify before the meeting.

The Dalles Public Library has a full week of family-friendly activities, crafts, games and performances scheduled July 19–25, along with opportunities for children and teens to get involved through hands-on learning and creative programs.

The City of The Dalles will apply fog seal to streets treated with chip seal last month, requiring temporary daytime closures on dozens of streets July 20-22.

The City of The Dalles Beautification & Tree Committee is pleased to recognize Judy and Ray Smitke as recipients of the July Beautification Award for their outstanding garden at 2311 Radio Way.

An early morning vegetation fire along Highway 197 is under investigation after reports that individuals were shooting fireworks into dry grass, according to Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue.

Multiple wildfires continued burning across Gilliam, Sherman and Wasco counties Friday morning, prompting evacuations, destroying homes and drawing firefighting resources from across the Mid-Columbia

An allegedly impaired Hood River man was arrested Thursday after Oregon State Police say he rammed multiple vehicles while driving eastbound on Interstate 84 from Mosier before being stopped in The Dalles.

The Wasco County Board of Commissioners appointed Rodger Nichols to fill the seat vacated by Phil Brady, citing his experience, public service and commitment to serve.

Once upon a time I would’ve freaked when I saw this creepy-looking winged creature in my backyard. It looked like an elongated ant, with wings. I thought it was flying ant or a termite and was sorting out how to kill it before my wood siding became its next meal. Fortunately, I didn’t. They’re one of the good guys.