Iris don’t typically bloom until April. But these, given to us by Victor Johnson, had a mind of their own this odd year as temperatures have been unusually warm.

Leo Ruis, Jose Ledesma, and Aurelio Marquez, above, were putting down their footprint at The Foley in The Dalles on Tuesday, Jan. 9 as strong winds and rain pelted the area. The three work at Schuepbach Builders of Hood River, which is now into building forms to pour a new walkway at the restored Plantation-Colonial Revival at 106 E. Fourth Street.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for North Central Oregon and Southern Washington. A wind advisory for the will be in effect from 4 p.m. January 9, 2024 until 10 a.m. until 4 a.m. Wednesday January 10. 

The Dalles Elks Lodge 303 presented a $15,000.00 check to Meals on Wheels on Thursday January 4, 2024. The Elks annual donation has become especially important in the last two years due to funding cuts.

The vehicle crossed Westcliff Drive and went over an embankment coming to an uncontrolled rest in the parking lot for the Columbia Cliff Villas Hotel in Hood River on Saturday, Jan. 6.

Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC), in collaboration with local and industry partners, is happy to announce a new grant award and a productive community event that engaged local civic and business leaders in guiding the school’s strategic planning.

Over 150 people dressed in their finest royal robes attended The Dalles Wasco County Public Library's second annual Prince and Princess Tea Party on December 29. 

Bingen City Council gives Craig Trummel the nod to fill the vacant council seat. The insurance underwriter has a background as a private practice lawyer and currently works for WFG National Title Insurance. Trummel expressed his interest in the city’s street and water systems, praising the recent work done on Humboldt Street and noting the unique relationship between the Bingen and the City of White Salmon.

This month, we're highlighting several important community initiatives and programs. From new opportunities for youth and adults to essential training for healthcare workers and resources for families, there's valuable information available for all. We encourage you to read on and find out how you can participate in or benefit from these offerings. Stay informed and get involved in making our community a better place for everyone.

Accused former Executive Director of Haven from Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Tara Koch is scheduled to appear on theft, forgery, and identity theft charges in a settlement conference on January 12, 2024. 

As 2023 comes to a close, The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) is thrilled to announce Lars Reierson as the recipient of our Philanthropist of the Year award! This recognition celebrates Lars’ exceptional generosity, significant community involvement, and outstanding philanthropic impact on The Next Door and the Gorge communities we serve. 

The Skamania County Emergency Warming Shelter in Stevenson opens on January 11, 2023. It is expected to be available through mid to late March, depending on weather conditions. The shelter is located near the Hegewald Center and is operated by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).

Musitizen Kane and the Gang at The Bargeway Pub, The Dalles Premier music venue, send 2024 on another harmonic hoorah, coupled with some slick c’tales and steller platters. Need to giggle-proof your week- grab your gig here sans frog con guitari. We got the Gorge’s most comprehensive guide to arts and entertainment here.

Tacos Del Rio, a family Mexican restaurant known for their $1.50 Taco Tuesday specials, closed unexpectedly last month after more than ten years of operation at their downtown location at 421 Union St. in The Dalles.

Sense of Place will feature Salmon at a Crossroads on January 17th, 2024. This event will be offered in person at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River, Oregon, and via livestream. In recent years, sockeye salmon in the Columbia and Snake rivers have experienced devastating mass die-offs, because water temperatures were too hot. The Little White Salmon River and nearby tributaries in the Gorge have also experienced tragic losses.

Misconceptions about mental health and aging include the idea that we can become “too old” for therapy to be of any benefit, as though we were a piece of petrified wood someone was trying to water back to life! It’s worth noting that…older adults often benefit more —and more quickly— from therapy than younger people do.

“We understand that the most fragile in this community will be the ones who feel the most pain, and it is our hope that this action will lead to resolving the city’s concerns quickly. Our last day of operations, until further notice, will be January 5, 2024. We will close at 2:30 PM that day.” - St. Vincent de Paul Society on shuttering its ministry at 315 W. Third Street, The Dalles

Breastfeeding is a complex process that can be a frustration for new moms, but now WIC clients of North Central Public Health District have a certified breastfeeding expert in their corner. Janna Hughitt, a WIC Certifier for NCPHD, recently obtained her certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

Mid-Columbia Community Concert Association (MCCCA) is proud to bring back by popular demand, the 10th Annual Dancing with The Gorge Stars fundraiser. Six local Gorge Stars will compete for your votes at this mid-winter event. Like the reality TV dance show, our contestants learn a dance routine before show time.

When a family struggles to make ends meet, the small things taken for granted can make a huge difference in their quality of life. The Family Resource Center in Goldendale helps to stabilize families with children under age 18 in Klickitat County to prevent child abuse and future houselessness.