WASCO CO, — As our community marks the one year anniversary of the Rowena Fire, we pause to remember the profound losses experienced on June 11, 2025, and to honor the strength and resiliency of the Rowena community.
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HOOD RIVER — Scenes from the Memorial Day Remember and Honor ceremony at Idlewilde Cemetery. The ceremony included the posting of the colors by the Gorge Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol, the singing of the National Anthem by Grant Hinman, presentation of flowers and memorial markers and …
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The Dalles photographer Gary Elkinton attended the Wasco Memorial Day Parade on May 25. Free, online-only photo gallery.
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Free news: Though official results won’t be posted until June 12, preliminary results are in for the May 19 Primary Election.
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Free news from Uplift Local: The Rural Organizing Project (ROP), an Oregon nonprofit with affiliated groups in Hood River and Wasco counties, has filed a lawsuit alleging that Oregon State Police is violating Oregon’s sanctuary law by allowing federal immigration authorities to access sensitive personal data belonging to state residents.
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Free news: Brady passed away after a heart attack on Election Day, May 19, as ballots streamed back to the Wasco County Clerk’s Office selecting him as the frontrunner in his bid for a second term as county commissioner at 36%.
THE DALLES — Police responded to a person in crisis on The Dalles Bridge on May 19. The person was threatening to jump, Oregon State Police reported.
GOLDENDALE — Two people were arrested on drug charges after an investigation in Goldendale by city police and the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office on May 14, according to a press release from Sheriff Bob Songer’s office.
THE GORGE — The Hood River Farmers Market opened for its 20th season on May 2. Located at 501 Columbia St., hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through November.
Free commentary: The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in the country, but it is also uniquely vulnerable.
The opinions expressed are “your voice,” and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Columbia Gorge News, its staff, publisher or advertisers.
Free news: Hundreds of students from throughout the Columbia Gorge converged on the Port of Hood River May 21 to explore family-wage construction jobs in a “Career and Industry Day” organized by the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge Authority.
This week's free news briefs: Klickitat Wildfire Resource Hub; Klickitat County burn ban; Hazardous Waste & Recycling steering committee; Hood River County School District gets grant; Klickitat Valley Health; Interim Skamania Co. Treasurer; Tooley Water District Board Meeting, May 20; Skamania County Board of Commissioners Meeting, May 19; and White Salmon Community Development Committee Meeting, May 18
What’s Happening is a listing of nonprofit and community events with nominal fees. As a free service of Columbia Gorge, News, items may be edited for length. Notices run as space allows. Send to azizac@gorgenews.com. Full listing always online at columbiagorgenews.com.
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Free news: Brian Heimbigner of Vancouver was the winner of the White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Club Foundation’s Costa Rican adventure that includes a five-night stay at the Vista Ballena Hotel in Costa Rica, plus $1,500 toward airfare and transportation.
Free news in English and Spanish: The City of The Dalles' water system’s Drinking Water Quality Report, also known as Consumer Confidence Report or CCR, for the year of 2025 has been mailed.
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Free news: The University of Oregon Hazards Lab is expanding its wildfire detection network in Wasco County, adding new artificial intelligence-integrated cameras designed to identify smoke within minutes and improve early response in the Columbia Gorge.
Trigger warning: This story deals with topics that concern mental health and suicide.
GOLDENDALE — Public safety remains the top priority for Klickitat County agencies and organizations. Following months of collaborative development, officials are proud to announce the launch of the Klickitat Wildfire Resource Hub, a new digital "one-stop shop" designed to empower residents w…
Free news: Oregon Special Olympics (SOOR) added Cornhole as a new winter sport this year. Hood River Special Olympics answered the call by fielding four 2-person teams.
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Free news: This event has free admission, camping, the Oregon Bluegrass Association Annual Meeting, and a bluegrass championship show on Saturday evening at the Shaniko Schoolhouse.
Free news: Klickitat County is establishing a ban on open outdoor burning for Klickitat County Burn Ban Zone Three beginning June 1 until rescinded.
Free news From April 13–26, employees from Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Google, Hood River County Library District, pFriem Family Brewers, Thunder Island Brewing Co., Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Gorge Happiness, Hood River County, and Wasco County logged trips made without driving alone.
THE DALLES — A quorum of the Northern Wasco County People's Utility District (NWCPUD) Board of Directors may attend the virtual Oregon People's Utility District Association (OPUDA) Board Meeting on Thursday, May 28. Board members will participate from NWCPUD’s conference room at 2345 River R…
Free news: “This campaign was always a collective effort, and I am deeply proud of the work we did together,” David Osborn said. “Even though we lost, we did essential work."
Free news: After 18 years in the chamber industry, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Lisa Farquharson has made the decision to retire effective June 26.
Eastside Lateral Pipeline talk
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Free news: preliminary results of the May 19 Primary Election as of 10 a.m. May 20.
This free five-part commentary series was provided by MCCAC.
Beginning at 11 a.m., Civil Air Patrol Cadet Color Guard, march in from Tucker Road.
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Free news: Investigators said they believe the 31-year-old man may have driven south of Bend in a dark 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500, Oregon license plate 110NGB. Anyone who sees him is asked to call the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-296-5454.
This week's free news briefs: Pig Bowl nominations; Hood River County School District; North Wasco County Education Foundation (NWCEF); Community Action Network
What’s Happening is a listing of nonprofit and community events with nominal fees. As a free service of Columbia Gorge, News, items may be edited for length. Notices run as space allows. Send to azizac@gorgenews.com. Full listing always online at columbiagorgenews.com.
Free news: Klickitat Valley Health has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2026 list of 100 Critical Access Hospitals to Know, a national recognition of critical access hospitals serving rural communities.
Free news: In 2025, Washington State Fire Agencies reported approximately 2,101 fire incidents in outdoor areas.
Reprinted with permission
Free news: The Skamania County Board of County Commissioners has appointed Emily Sabo to serve as Interim Skamania County Treasurer, effective Monday, May 18.
Free news: The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) awarded the Hood River County School District (HRCSD) a multi-year State Summer Learning Grant, ensuring quality academic and enrichment programming for local students through the summer of 2028.
Free news: The North Wasco County Education Foundation (NWCEF) has announced the recipients of its Spring 2026 Classroom Mini-Grant awards. Educators from across North Wasco County School District 21 were selected for funding this season, totaling $7,265.
THE GORGE — The Community Action Network is a robust state and local force that helps empower hardworking families to achieve economic stability and independence. There are nearly 1,000 agencies across the country working every day to create economic opportunities, strengthen local communiti…
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Free news: Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS) hosted its annual scholarship award ceremony April 23. This community-wide event marked a potential historic milestone, with total awards projected to exceed $500,000, a figure believed to be an all-time record for the community.
Free news: This story was produced by the Oregon Journalism Project, a nonprofit investigative newsroom for the state of Oregon.
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Free news: Families looking for a versatile, alternative educational environment are encouraged to submit their interest before the May 15 deadline.
Free news: The Steering Committee of the Tri-County (Hood River, Sherman, and Wasco) Hazardous Waste & Recycling Program will hold a meeting on June 10 from 9-10 a.m. The meeting can be accessed virtually upon request.
Free news: During the COVID-19 pandemic, some households were allowed to skip renewal interviews. This temporary flexibility ends May 31.
Free news: Oregon’s overdose deaths have decreased over the past two years, according to provisional federal data and a new report released by Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
Final update, free news: White Salmon Valley Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn reported that, at 11:28 a.m. today, the lockdown was lifted for WPSIS, Henkle and Columbia students.
STEVENSON — The Columbia Gorge Museum (CGM) invites the public to celebrate its 31st anniversary on May 16 from noon to 4 p.m., showcasing the great outdoors with themed activities, music, cake, and ice cream. Free and all-ages.
Free editorial: Who do we want to represent us? What do we want to support and fund — or not? Voting is our chance to make our voices heard. Not only that, but it’s also an essential part of any democracy.
HOOD RIVER — The Oregon State Elks Association (OSEA) presented John Buckley with the 2026 Veteran Volunteer of the Year Award at the state Elks convention, held April 23-25 in Seaside. The award honors Elk members who have demonstrated outstanding service to veterans and military members in need in their state.
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