In September of 2021, an illegal tree and brush clear-cut took place along the Riverfront Trail on Port of The Dalles Property, resulting in a criminal case being brought to the Wasco County Circuit Court. This month, Judge Marion T. Weatherford passed judgment on the case, convicting a local man of criminal mischief in the second degree.

The flakes outside are real. Don’t become one. Take a moment to look at all the live entertainment and opportunities to grab a libation, see friends and hear some music or even get into writing your own book. It’s all here in this week’s most-inclusive guide to all things musical and artful in the gorge.

The National Weather Service in Portland, OR has issued a wind chill warning for the Western Columbia River Gorge region, including the cities of Corbett, Rooster Rock, Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, North Bonneville, and Stevenson. The warning will remain in effect from midnight tonight, Wednesday 22,2023 until noon PST on Friday the 24th.

“When you lie to me, I look at the person that is supposed to be a leader of our officers and wonder, where did I fail? Disappointment is huge.”  - Former TD Police Chief Jay Waterbury to Former Police Officer Jeff Kienlen in 2011. Oregon State Bar’s recent opinion dismissing the ethical violation complaint against Eric Nisley and Leslie Wolf also notes that Nisley should have disclosed the above statement in its entirety in regard to former TD police officer Jeff Kienlen.

On February 14th, 2023, Klickitat County held a special election. The ballot included four school levies including Trout Lake School District # 400, White Salmon School District # 405-17 Propositions 1 and 2, and Lyle School District # 406 which all appear to have been passed by Klickitat County voters according to the uncertified results.

William Jones, a 69-year-old resident of Skamania, has been taken into custody after discharging his firearm near his neighbor’s residence. The incident occurred on the early morning of February 20, 2023, on Little Road in Skamania, Washington.

We’ve all had them - that teacher that made us work harder, think deeper and push for something more than we thought we could achieve. That person not only taught us numbers but character, respect and understanding that the system can be changed from within by embracing the rebelliousness of our ideas and applying them with a thoughtful and strategic approach. Honor Them. Name Them. Nominate Them.

Jim Drake takes us on an interview with Cody Johnson, a young composer featured in award-winning video games. His collaboration piece “Vanitas” embraces the social turmoil that many experienced in the last five years. He will be live in concert with three other composers of note this Sunday, Feb. 19 at Wyeast Middle School at 2 p.m. Find out what the younger generation has to say with Jim Drake’s interview here.

The menu was small but deep offering a host of different sandwiches, two soups, chips and cookies. Modestly priced between $8 and $10 a sandwich these bad boys delivered up some satisfaction without breaking the bank.   All four of us salivated over differing items, and we took off our gloves and knocked out a sandwich superfecta to make a New York deli person salivate.

Tofurky, the third most popular US-based manufacturer of plant-based meats, headquarterd in Hood River, OR has been acquired by Morinaga Nutritional Foods, which also purchased Moocho, Tofurky’s sister brand. The sale follows a sustained period of growth in market demand for plant-based foods.

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.

Our Klickitat Prevention Coalition is working on a five-year Drug Free Communities (DFC) grant renewal application. If awarded, it would bring $625,000 to Klickitat County in support of youth through its fiscal agent, Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).

“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.

Klickitat County Sheriff's deputies responded to a domestic violence call at 1110 Loganberry Lane in White Salmon. According to a release from Sheriff Bob Songer, the 911 dispatch informed officers that gunshots were fired and there was a victim with a gunshot wound.

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!