During their March 15th, 2023 meeting, Wasco County Commissioners heard public testimony from the Wasco County Public Library board concerning alleged IGA violations by the City of The Dalles, declared a state of drought emergency, and discussed the State denying the county’s declaration of a state of emergency concerning homelessness.

Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis has released his mid-term report to the public. The report details the DA Office’s challenges and accomplishments over the past two years including staffing, case trends, supporting the creation of speciality treatment and mental health courts, updating policy, resentencing old cases to be consistent with current laws, and more.

The Dalles Cascade Singers and The-Almost-All-Irish-Almost-All-Brass-Band present the annual St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser at St. Peter’s Landmark. This annual event collects donations to benefit the historic St. Peter’s Landmark located at the corner of Lincoln and 3rd Streets. Official festivities commence Friday, March 17th, at 7:00 P.M.

Eli Howard hits the Bargeway on Wednesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. Howard was at The Dalles Art Center last May with his full ensemble, Eli Howard & the Greater Good. Good show! And there is much more on tap in this week’s edition of all things entertainment in the Gorge. St. Patrick’s day be bringing some fine acts and chances to swing your lover to and fro, even some kilts to keep your pint chasing comfortable.

Seventh-Graders at The Dalles Middle School took in some local history today, March 14 as local docents expounded on the history of people featured in the new murals painted in the downtown corridor.

Wasco County has contracted with Hunden Strategic Partners, which is performing an economic and feasibility study for a new indoor and/or outdoor sports facility in The Dalles.

On Monday, March 13, The Dalles Art Center sent out an email letting members know that if $3,500 cannot be raised by March 31, the Board plans on moving ahead with “the painful responsibility of closing The Dalles Art Center by April 15th. This is a public appeal to all residents and businesses to help us avoid such a devastating loss to the community.”

Visit Hood River announced the Community Investment Matching Grant Program application process has opened for 2023. The program is designed to support businesses and community economic vitality in the greater Hood River area. The grant application process will open on March 13, and applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. on April 17. 

Krista Cushman’s Guide to Spring Mushrooms community place based education presentation drew quite the crowd to the Hood River County Library Reading Room on Saturday, March 11th, at 2 p.m.

Spring is quickly approaching! Underwood Conservation District is holding its annual TreeFest at Rheingarten Park in White Salmon on Saturday, March 18th, 2023 beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 12:00 noon. 

Second Saturday piggybacks on The Dalles Little League Field Clean up on Saturday, March 11. Sunny weather and a good crowd made quick work of major clean up as Columbia Gorge Toyota and Honda and The Dalles Beautification Committee pitched in with some 20-plus volunteers.

The Dalles-Wasco County Library hosted a hobbit-approved breakfast event on Saturday, March 11th, in celebration of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel, The Hobbit. The event, titled "Second Breakfast", was a part of the library's two-month long celebration of the book, and brought together families, friends, and individuals from the community to enjoy a morning of fun and food.

“Fortunately they were wearing full safety equipment with self-contained breathing apparatus,” said Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Chief Bob Palmer. “That’s what protected them from being injured far more severely.” The volatile copper naphthenate also in the mix exploded, bending back the top of the metal tank several feet.  The explosion sent a shockwave through the area and a giant ball of fire into the air.

This morning the 55,000-gallon tank was still smoldering as black plumes of smoke filled the air above the silver tanks next to the railroad tracks on Tie Plant Road east of The Dalles Marina. The tank contained copper naphthenate, which is a copper-based, oil-borne wood preservative. It is a replacement for creosote in railroad ties and as a replacement for pentachlorophenol in utility poles, according to Nisus Corp.

Breaking News, follow this thread as we learn more about the incident at Amerities in East The Dalles

The White Salmon Arts Council is teaming up with Margie’s Outdoor Store to provide exposure and more than $1,000 in prize money to area artists for celebrating the local legend of the Klickitat Ape Cat, a mysterious and very large black panther-like creature that has been reported prowling the forests and canyons of the Columbia River Gorge for decades.

Learn about upcoming events, ways to celebrate Women’s History Month and discover the incredible stories of women who made history in the Mid-Columbia region. From the fierce warrior Colestah to the trailblazing politician Shemia Fagan, these women have left a lasting impact on our community.

Step into the journey to the Wizard of Oz!  The Dalles Civic Auditorium will have four performances for you to join in on the events of Dorothy and her friends' travels. 

In this rocking musical, an uber-organized mother (Katherine) and her spontaneous teenage daughter (Ellie) magically swap bodies, and they have just one day to put things right. Masquerading as each other, they must deal with each other’s lives (including impending marriage and teenage romance) and work together to solve the mystery of how to break the spell. 

The Dalles Middle School choir left an indelible impression on the audience during its spring choir concert at Old St. Peter's Landmark Church on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The event was a resounding success, and attendees couldn't stop raving about the exceptional performance of the choir. The music selections were nothing short of amazing, and the students' hard work and dedication shone through in every note.