Tom Springs of The Dalles braved the cold weather on his motorcycle this morning to hand off his ballot at The Wasco County Courthouse. It is Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. You have until 8 p.m. to get those ballots dropped. Of the 18,211, ballots sent out, 12,958 had been returned as of this morning, according to Wasco County Clerk Lisa Gambee. That is 71 percent.

Rowena Baptist members gathered at the Post Office in The Dalles tonight at 5: p.m. in a push for their candidate the night before the general election. Supporters in trucks and cars with American Flags also ran the gut on Second and Third Streets honking horns starting around 6 p.m. 11,297 ballots have already been returned in Wasco County as of this morning, Monday, Nov. 2. That’s 62 percent.

Have you gotten your flu shot yet? If not, now is the time! We are getting into cold and flu season and it’s so important for you and your loved ones to cut back on viruses you’re exposed to this winter.

Steve and Shawn of Kiwi Fence Contractors of The Dalles continued to install a new wrought Iron fence around Colonel Wright Elementary School last week. The gentlemen were enjoying more sky-blue weather with temperatures in the 60s. Suns out, guns out! While freezing temperatures greeted us this morning, Monday, Nov. 2., warmer temperatures are expected this week with a high of 69 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday.

With just four days left to vote in the general election, more than 60 percent of ballots have been returned as of today, Friday, Oct. 30, according to Wasco County Clerk Lisa Gambee.

A COVID-19 outbreak has been identified at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles.
Nine cases are identified currently, and include staff, residents, and household contacts of staff.
The initial case was confirmed on Sunday, Oct. 25 and the latest was confirmed today, Friday, Oct. 30.

Staff, teachers, and administrators pulled off some awesome costumes this afternoon, Friday, Oct. 30, as students dawned their own capes, masks, and wigs and came by their schools for a little drive-by celebration.

Here's our weekly news show to keep you informed on news & events in the Mid-Columbia Region.
October 30th, 2020.

The Forest Service and Klickitat Trout Unlimited are proposing a new site development in efforts of enhancing recreation opportunities at the mouth of the Klickitat River. Plans call for adding parking, prohibiting the launch of motorized boats, installing a restroom, and restoring natural vegetation, and eliminating erosion. The proposal intends to improve water quality, scenery, and vegetation in the lower Klickitat National Wild and Scenic River Corridor.

A former marine and a holder of three black belts is putting a family spin on the former Pastime Saloon & Restaurant in Dufur. “This will be a family place,” said new owner Russell Niemeyer. “No hanky-panky going on. And it’s my job to see that it stays that way.”

This display at 4000 Brown’s Creek Road brings a bit of a smile even if it hints at our mortality this morning, Friday, Oct. 30. That’s even more reason to seize the moment. With just a day to go before Halloween locals are dressing up.

Dry Canyon Electric’s Chuck Rystedt watched as his son, Zack dug into a 24-foot pole with his spikes on Thursday morning on Highway 197 near 5-Mile Road. Meanwhile, Zach Reid used a “lasher” to entwine two cables as they were finishing a fiber optic line that runs 15 miles from Dufur School to the Columbia Gorge ESD at the Columbia Gorge Community College Campus in The Dalles.

Art is abounding this gorgeous Thursday, Oct. 29th. A quick run around The Dalles quickly kicks up several feats in public art.

The Dalles City Council is pushing ahead on creating a temporary shelter for the local houseless population. The village of six units is to be located at the end of Terminal Way in a gravel lot between Northwest Natural and Oregon Cherry Growers.

Dawn LeMieux is the program coordinator with The Next Door, through the organization she supports the native families and individuals within our community. Since the pandemic hit, community members in the Celilo Village have faced loss and hardships. With the help of LeMieux The Next Door has supplied an abundance of hope and support for the Celilo Village community in the midst of the pandemic.

Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) will be hosting the 2020 Columbia Gorge Economic Symposium virtually on Friday, November 6. Considering recent impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on our regional economy and community, this year’s event will focus on economic and employment trends, as well as the road ahead for recovery and resilience.

Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) and the Klickitat County Senior Services are assisting seniors to apply for two programs, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Klickitat PUD Senior Discount. Application processes will primarily be handled over the phone this year, rather than in person.

Election ballots in Wasco County should be hand-delivered to dropboxes. The last day to mail them was Tuesday, Oct. 27, according to the Wasco County Election website.

Virginia McKay, a 25- plus year veteran with Windy River Gleaners was at it again this morning, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Food boxes were prepared for some 950 people in East The Dalles. Cars were lined up past the overpass on Old Highway 30.