Dec 8

Dec 8 Local Starbucks boycott puts spotlight on war machine, killings in Gaza, Israel

A group of nine protestors lined the sidewalk of Starbucks reopening at the Corner of Sixth St. and Cherry Heights Rd. in The Dalles in a boycott to bring attention to the killings occurring in the Gaza Strip as the Israel Hamas war thunders.

Dec 8

Dec 8 Improving City Infrastructure: Sanitary Sewer Extension Project Begins on E. 10th St.

Columbia Community Connection

Home Page, The Dalles

The City of The Dalles Public Works will begin installation of a sanitary sewer extension on E. 10th St. between Oregon St. and Quinton St. The purpose of this work is to connect a property to sanitary sewer service. Construction is expected to occur for approximately three days with expected completion by Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

Dec 8

Dec 8 Tri-County Hazardous Waste & Recycling Program to Hold Public Meeting on Dec. 13th

Columbia Community Connection

Home Page, Wasco County, Skamania County, Hood River County

The Steering Committee of the Tri-County (Hood River, Sherman, and Wasco) Hazardous Waste & Recycling Program will hold a meeting on December 13th, from 9 AM to 11 AM. The meeting can also be accessed virtually upon request.

Dec 7

Dec 7 Colonel Wright Troubadours Deck The Dalles with Festive Harmony!

Joshuah Albert

Positive News, The Dalles

The Col. Wright Troubadours, a dynamic group of twelve spirited 4th graders from Colonel Wright Elementary School, took The Dalles Library by storm today, filling the air with the joyous melodies of Christmas. This stop marks just one of their captivating 16 performances on a festive tour that spans the heart of The Dalles.

Dec 7

Dec 7 Adult in Custody Death Under Investigation at NORCOR

Cole Goodwin

The Dalles, Wasco County, Home Page

In the early morning hours of December 7, 2023, an adult in custody at Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facilities (NORCOR) was found deceased.

Dec 7

Dec 7 Community and D21 School Board Discuss Next Steps After School Bond Setback

Cole Goodwin

Home Page, The Dalles, Wasco County

North Wasco County School Board held a work session on December 7th, 2023 to discuss the previous bond effort and next steps for a future bond effort.

Dec 6

Dec 6 GoForth Unveils New EV Charging Station in The Dalles

Cole Goodwin

The Dalles, Wasco County, Home Page

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for a new GoForth charging station which has been installed at 404 W 2nd St.

Dec 6

Dec 6 Governor Kotek Announces $19 Million in Funding for Winter Maintenance

Columbia Community Connection

Wasco County, The Dalles, Home Page

On December 4, Governor Tina Kotek, Senate President Rob Wagner and House Speaker Dan Rayfield jointly announce to commit $19 million to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to help restore winter maintenance services, make safety-focused improvements, and purchase new trucks used for snow plowing.On December 4, Governor Tina Kotek, Senate President Rob Wagner and House Speaker Dan Rayfield jointly announce to commit $19 million to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to help restore winter maintenance services, make safety-focused improvements, and purchase new trucks used for snow plowing.

Dec 6

Dec 6 Bargeway bustin' down the Rainy Day Blues tonight, Dec. 6; Gorge Entertainment packed

Jim Drake

Art, Columns, Entertainment, Home Page

Bargeway Pub & Catering is unpacking a bag of Christmas Magic as they fill the stage with Rich and Blonde tonight, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. Jim Drake delivers a fat candy cane this week in our entertainment guide with shows, films, comedy, and music all over the gorge. Check it out here.

Dec 6

Dec 6 Project ELFF Sees Good Turn Out

Cole Goodwin

Home Page, Positive News, The Dalles, Wasco County

Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue held their 36th Annual Everyone Loves a Firefighter drive-through food drive otherwise known as Project ELFF on Tuesday, Dec. 5 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Dec 6

Dec 6 Goldendale Hosts Town Hall on Houselessness

Cole Goodwin

The Dalles, Wasco County, Klickitat County, Home Page

The City of Goldendale, Klickitat County, Washington Gorge Action Programs and representatives from Recovery Cafe held an in person and virtual town hall on homelessness, drugs, and mental health at the Klickitat County Services building in Goldendale in the Mt. Adams room on December 5, 2023.

Dec 6

Dec 6 Santa's Reindeer Visit The Dalles

Cole Goodwin

The Dalles, Wasco County, Positive News, Home Page

Two of Santa’s reindeer in training, Cookie and Elf made an appearance at Coastal Farm and Ranch last night to the delight of families who came to see the reindeer and enjoy some free cookies and hot chocolate.

Dec 6

Dec 6 How do you get your news? Oregon News Exploration Conducts Survey In the Gorge

Cole Goodwin

Home Page, The Dalles, Wasco County, Skamania County, Klickitat County, Hood River County

Oregon News Exploration is working with local news outlets and community leaders to get a sense of where Gorge residents get the local information they need.

Dec 5

Dec 5 Inslee previews budget strategy to take down fentanyl

Cole Goodwin

The Dalles, Wasco County, Klickitat County, Home Page

Governor Jay Inslee, convened a roundtable discussion with experts at Evergreen Recovery Center in Everett on Monday to discuss budget changes to address the fentanyl crisis. Inslee has proposed a substantial budget increase which would earmark over $50 million to combat opioid misuse for the 2023–25 biennium.

Dec 5

Dec 5 Hood River Christmas Project Celebrates 100 Years of Giving

Cole Goodwin

The Dalles, Wasco County, Home Page, Hood River County

As the Hood River County Christmas Project (HRCCP) gears up for its 100th year, the spirit of giving is more vibrant than ever. This year's project is set to serve 1,008 households, a first in Christmas Project history and a marker of how this organization continues to strive for new heights in community support and volunteerism.

Dec 5

Dec 5 Single Mother Receives Gift through Underriner Automotive Car Giveaway

Columbia Community Connection

Positive News, Hood River County

On December 7th at 11:00 a.m. PST, one local family from the Columbia Gorge will receive the gift of transportation thanks to The United Way of the Columbia Gorge’s partner Underriner Ford and Nissan of The Dalles.

Dec 4

Dec 4 Let's Get Small: Brockmans mini Christmas curation is bigger than you think

Columbia Community Connection

Art, Columns, Home Page, The Dalles

Bob and Evelyn look like ordinary folks. Don’t be fooled. Sure, they raised two daughters. The Brockman’s house and yard are well kept and the neighbors never complain about them. You’d never suspect they have a secret obsessive interest, mostly hidden from the public eye.

Dec 4

Dec 4 Lyle Coffee: This Veteran Owned Cafe Has a Heart for Local Flavors and Faces

Cole Goodwin

Home Page, Business, Columns

Lyle Coffee is an unexpected delight from start to finish, built inside Lyle’s Old Post Office (1950) on Hwy 14 and 5th Street, Lyle Coffee pairs French Quarter aesthetic and southern hospitality with delicious locally roasted French press coffee, carefully curated pastries and a punk rock playlist filled with girl power bands like Le Tigre and Bikini Kill that are sure to get your morning off to a roaring good start.

Dec 4

Dec 4 Local Teams Qualify for the Oregon State VEX IQ Robotics Championship

Columbia Community Connection

Positive News, The Dalles

Students from Hood River, The Dalles, and WyEast middle schools secured spots to the state championship at the Stuff the Turkey VEX IQ Robotics Tournament in The Dalles the weekend of November 18. These teams will qualify for the chance to showcase their skills at the Oregon State VEX IQ Robotics Championship in Sandy, Oregon, on Saturday, February 24th.

Dec 4

Dec 4 Columbia Area Transit Announces Gorge-to-Mountain Express Service Changes

Columbia Community Connection

Home Page, Hood River County

This year the Gorge-to-Mountain Express(G2M) seasonal service will begin on Saturday, December 16th. The G2M bus connects Hood River, Pine Grove, Mt Hood/Parkdale, Mt. Hood Meadows, and Teacup Nordic Center 7 days a week up to 6 times a day.

Welcome, friends.