Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District Rep. Cliff Bentz attended the Rotary Club of The Dal-les meeting at Spooky’s Pizza on Aug. 20, where he was met by a group of protesters outside the restaurant. Pictured, Bentz presents protesters with his own sign. He expressed surprise over the heightened focus on Medicaid provisions in the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) instead of the other elements he said will help the economy.
At right, July and August meant fairs in Hood River, Wasco, Klickitat and Skamania counties. Pictured is Nevaeh Melton and her goat, Princess, at the Klickitat County Fair and Rodeo, held in Goldendale Aug. 13.
Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District Rep. Cliff Bentz attended the Rotary Club of The Dal-les meeting at Spooky’s Pizza on Aug. 20, where he was met by a group of protesters outside the restaurant. Pictured, Bentz presents protesters with his own sign. He expressed surprise over the heightened focus on Medicaid provisions in the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) instead of the other elements he said will help the economy.
Although August was a month full of county fairs featuring award-winning livestock, felines caught the attention of our newsroom: Pawsitivity Cat Rescue was calling on the community for help after saving more than 45 cats from a severe hoarding situation in the Gorge. The cats were discovered living in a tightly packed camping trailer with no electricity or running water, and with a heatwave in full swing, they were at risk until the foster-based nonprofit intervened.
Host Steve Hudson, seen here on registration day, said there were a record number of cars and trucks entered in this year’s Cruise the Gorge.
Kat Tabor photo
From Aug. 8-10, Cruise the Gorge celebrated its 32nd year, bringing hundreds of classic cars, a historic downtown cruise and national television coverage back to The Dalles. Organized by the Mid-Columbia Car Club, the event has grown from fewer than 100 entries in its early years to a multi-day celebration, drawing vehicles and spectators from across the Pacific Northwest. Highlights included the Friday night “Neon Cruise” through downtown, the Saturday “Show in the Shade” at Sorosis Park, and Sunday’s show in Dufur during the Threshing Bee.
While officials in Klickitat County addressed the Burdoin Fire fallout, and with the second phase of cleanup officially delayed, Wasco County allocated a temporary housing site for Rowena Fire victims on Aug. 20. The same day, Rep. Cliff Bentz of Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District took questions at a Rotary Club of The Dalles meeting, subsequently touring The Dalles Watershed and the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic in Maupin. Bentz later announced he will no longer hold in-person events.
At right, July and August meant fairs in Hood River, Wasco, Klickitat and Skamania counties. Pictured is Nevaeh Melton and her goat, Princess, at the Klickitat County Fair and Rodeo, held in Goldendale Aug. 13.
Kat Tabor photo
As students throughout the Gorge returned to school, 167 kids didn’t go where they expected. After Congress failed to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program, the Stevenson-Carson School District was forced to shutter Wind River Middle School, sending students back to Carson Elementary or to Stevenson High School instead.
Also in August, the National Grange honored Lyle Grange President Charlie Deach on Wednesday for his quick action during the Burdoin Fire, which helped save the historic Columbia Grange Hall from destruction in July. And The Sunshine Club, which provides care for older adults with dementia, received a new permanent home adjacent to Spirit of Grace Church in Hood River.
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