A Housing Needs Analysis  presented to The Dalles City Council on Monday, Dec. 11, shows a slow down in the rate of future population growth resulting in the projected need for 505 new housing units in The Dalles by 2043. 

In Oregon, there are 5,386 kids in the foster care system and counting. Despite such a tremendous need for foster homes, there is an ongoing shortage of foster families in our communities, our state, and nationwide. This year, The Next Door, Inc. (TNDI) has returned to our roots and stepped up to fill our local need by purchasing a home in The Dalles to provide a safe, nurturing home for displaced youth.

Cookies, Cocoa and Photos with Santa organizers presented Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) with a check for $2,700 on Monday, Dec. 11. 

I don’t think I was more surprised by any movie this year than The Holdovers. I found its initial trailer to be off-putting (I’m just about done watching trailers!), but decided to give it a try anyway after being letdown by several big movies that were out. And I couldn’t have been happier to be wrong!

Jeff Minnick pulls out his guitar for Waterfront Wednesday at the Bargeway Pub tonight, Dec. 13. The veteran player who lives for the pocket will lay down the lyrics tonight at The Dalles’ premier venue. Want more? Of course, you do. Check out the Gorge’s most comprehensive guide to arts and entertainment here.

Multiple Oregon school districts, including Central Linn, Cascade, Colton, Corbett, Condon and Arlington, faced bomb threats on Monday, Dec. 11. In addition to the schools being threatened, two Portland-area synagogues, Neveh Shalom and Beth Israel and some airports were also targeted. FBI agents did not identify which airports had been targeted. Portland International Airport confirmed that they did not receive any threats.

The Dalles City Manager Matthew Klebes has announced changes to the City’s zoom meeting policies following an anti-Semitic “zoom bombing” incident that occurred at the last City Council meeting. Klebes shared that the incident is under FBI investigation and is a part of a recent slew of zoom-bombing and hate speech incidents which have been occurring during online public meetings state-wide.

The Hood River Christmas Project will kicked off a week of volunteering and giving back today. Volunteers filled the community room at Hood River Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, December 11, 2023 to participate in the program which is celebrating its 100th year of giving back to Hood River County.

On December 11, 2023 at approximately 11:30 a.m., Arlington School District received an email advising of a bomb threat. Shortly after, Condon School District received a similar email advising of a bomb threat.

Sign contractors for the Oregon Department of Transportation are working to replace aged and non-compliant freeway signsto increase safety and improve the driving experience for the traveling public on I-84 between exits 82 and 83 today, December 11, 2023.

Mt. Hood Meadows has announced the temporary suspension of their operations through Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, due to warm temperatures and rain causing water oversaturation on the slopes. The resort will reassess conditions on Wednesday and hopes to resume operations as soon as the snowpack sets up.

This past weekend, Dufur transformed into a winter wonderland as the Frontloading Hometown Christmas swept through the town, leaving behind a trail of magic and festive joy. From the Dufur Market to the Balch Hotel, the entire community came alive with a myriad of Christmas-themed events, making it an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike.

Tonight Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer will perform at the 12th Annual Rock the Holidays Benefit Concert to support United Way of the Columbia Gorge! There will be two concerts on Sunday, December 10th in the Gorge Room at the Best Western PLUS Hood River Inn.

The Friends of White Salmon Library hosted a holiday quilt reception and open house at White Salmon Library from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 9. 

Start slicing the lemons and clarifying the butter, it will soon be time to start crackin’ as commercial fishermen have been given the green light on harvesting Dungeness Crab south of Depoe Bay on the Oregon Coast starting Dec. 16.

Providing an overview of the upcoming winter season for the Mid-Columbia region and North Central Oregon, the forecast aims to deliver concise and practical insights starting today. As of now, precipitation levels hover between 110% and 130% of normal, with temperatures averaging 1 to 3°F above the seasonal average.

Underriner Ford and Nissan of The Dalles was filled with tears and laughter on Wednesday as the Mott family gratefully received the gift of free gently used Ford Edge, with a trunk full of Christmas presents, including a $250 gas card.

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.

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.

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.