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Eric Ballinger and American Legion Post 22 Cmdr. Carl Casey, first and second from left, applaud Mia Ballinger, middle, after she cut the ribbon on a historical marker standing off Oregon Highway 35 on Nov. 11. The marker honors second-generation Japanese American veterans, or Nisei, who served during World War II. 

November began with the federal government shutting down, delaying food benefits and prompting a rapid response from the Columbia Gorge Food Security Coalition.

While this isn’t the first time Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was in the Gorge this year, November saw an uptick in activity, particularly in Hood River and The Dalles. Agents detained at least eight people in the days following Nov. 7 and arrested two more on Nov. 29, one of which took place at The Dalles’ Home Depot. An estimated 200 people protested outside the store a day later. The incidents also sparked numerous and Gorge-wide public and official comments at city and county board meetings in support of immigrants, continuing into December.   

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Above, several people outside of the Home Depot in The Dalles after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested two people Nov. 29, one at that location. 

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Thanks to the generosity of property owner Michael Mills, pictured at right, Hood River Valley’s Parks and Recreation District announced it will purchase Parkdale Park.