Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Board moves forward on requests from potential developers who would also have to provide information on financing. The Neon Sign Museum, which has proposed using the site for the Jantzen Beach Carousel, will be required to enter the competitive process if it wants to be considered for the site.

If you’ve suffered excessive livestock death losses and grazing or feed losses due to recent wildfires, you may be eligible for disaster assistance programs through the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Delfino Hernandez wisely took advantage of the relatively cooler temperatures this morning, July 18, as he installed vinyl flooring in a home on Lincoln Street. the National Weather Service is calling for a high of 94 today and Friday. On Saturday, July 20 we’re looking to tip 103.

A woman from The Dalles was killed last night on Interstate 84 when an ambulance left the roadway and struck her while she was changing a tire, according to Oregon State Police. 

The annual harvest is a major cash crop for the four-county area including Wasco, Gilliam, Sherman, and Morrow counties, which produces close to half of the 50 million bushels of wheat in Oregon. Cody Darnielle reported that 150 deliveries were made on Monday, July 15, in The Dalles as harvest moves into full swing.

The future of good health just got brighter, thanks to the Columbia Basin Care Foundation which recently awarded $8,000 in scholarships to three local students pursuing careers in healthcare.

Scattered thunderstorms and gusty winds impacted Southeast Wasco County and other parts of the state early this morning and only minimally impacted the Larch Creek Fire area.

I discovered that whenever I was engaged in singing (sad or happy songs, it made no difference), I did not feel anxious or depressed. It felt as though the activity of singing changed something in my brain and nervous system. That’s exactly what music does.

Although residences in Pine Hollow have been lowered to Level 2, recreation on the reservoir remains closed because of continued operations and weather. We will reassess the morning of Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Fire crews are still in the area.

“Sheriff Songer was evaluated at Klickitat Valley Health and was eventually transported to a Portland hospital for further treatment and evaluation. Sheriff Songer will likely be released to come home within the next few days,” said Klickitat Undersheriff Carmen Knopes.

The 18,000-plus acre stands at 14 percent contained at a cost of $10.1 million. Well water testing is recommended for properties affected by the Larch Creek Fire. Today, Forecasters are calling for 98 degrees in the region of the fire with winds around 6 mph, according to the National Weather Service. It has issued a Fire Weather Watch in the Larch Creek Fire area.

Applications are now open for the 2024 Local Government Academy (LGA), a free program aimed at educating community members about the operations, services, and programs of our local government.

“Yeah, I buried the nose twice today,” 14-year-old Angelo Fasulo said. “Yeah, I death rolled.”

“Four local volunteer fire departments are fighting it,” Jordan Belozer said today, July 15. “Fire departments get funded for equipment, but the firefighters are all volunteers.” In fact, most take time off from work to fight fire. Concerned citizens from around the state have called the Maupin Chamber asking how they can help. This fundraiser is the result.

LEVEL 2 - GET SET from Hulse Rd in the north to the White River in the south, east to the Deschutes River and west to Hwy 197. From the west side of the City of Tygh Valley to the intersection of Wamic Market Rd and Fairgrounds Rd., north to the intersection of Fairgrounds Rd. and Shadybrook Rd., east to Hwy 197 and the Deschutes River, from Hwy 197 in the north to the White River in the south. This area has been lowered from Level 3.

Despite low humidity and high winds predicted to gust to 29 mph on Sunday, July 14, it appears firefighters were able to keep the Larch Creek Fire in check. Winds are predicted to subside for the next few days, reducing the chances of flames breaching the fire lines.

The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) and Burgerville in The Dalles are teaming up for a community fundraiser in July! From 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17th. Twenty percent of proceeds will go toward schools tailor-made for local kids.

“Under these conditions, any ignitions could spread rapidly. Precautions should be taken to prevent the start of new fires. The public is also reminded that drones are not permitted to fly in the fire's airspace. Doing so can cause grounding of all aircraft, hampering effective fire response,”  stated a joint press release from the Oregon Department of Forestry and the State Fire Marshal.

Crews took advantage of calmer winds and additional resources on Friday, July 12. Air resources supported crews on the ground with helicopters, single-engine air tankers, and scoopers. On the north side, firefighters reinforced line, and efforts on the east side allowed Highway 216 to reopen.

Upon the conclusion of the presentation of evidence, the grand jury returned a not true bill today, finding that the use of force by Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputies Tyler Williams and Joshua Augustus, and The Dalles City Police Officer Jeremiah Dutton that resulted in Law’s death was justified and not criminal under Oregon law. Sheriff’s Deputy Kanyon Reams and The Dalles City Police Officers Nolan Randall and Ezequiel Pitones were also on the scene during the incident, but the latter three did not discharge their firearms.