THE GORGE — This past year was one of change, disruption and resilience.
Oftentimes, the catalyst came from far beyond the boundaries of our interconnected, rural communities — Salem, Olympia and D.C. — forcing us to adapt. In many ways, the underlying question involved what purpose and who our institutions, from government to nonprofits, should serve.
After Congress failed to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program, Carson’s Wind River Middle School shuttered its doors, all the while districts in Oregon faced severe budget shortfalls due to increased pension payments, declining enrollment and the expiration of pandemic-era relief funds. Some people are on the verge of being uninsured, making the financial outlook of our local hospitals bleaker and potentially reducing the services offered.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture fired three Hood River scientists (and later reinstated one) researching post-harvest disease in pears and sweet cherries. Libraries in Hood River, Wasco and 13 other Oregon counties had to figure out how to keep their courier system functional without federal assistance, and Washington advanced several renewable energy projects, despite opposition from the Yakama Nation.
Arguably most acutely felt, and a prevailing theme across 2025, was the uptick in immigration enforcement. Federal agents have detained more than 50 people from the Gorge since January, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol spokesperson. Just last week, agents arrested both parents of a 7-month-old baby, releasing one later (see related story on A2).
As systems struggled or were given new directives, people didn’t shy away from responding. We saw thousands occupy city streets and corners during multiple Gorge-wide protests, from Bingen to The Dalles, while mutual aid groups expanded their networks and pooled resources during extreme moments of need, like when SNAP benefits temporarily expired. Local governments and school districts listened, and some took protective measures, particularly related to immigrants.
Columbia Gorge News made a concerted effort to distill these larger-than-local shifts to the neighborhood level in 2025, and one feeling was consistent throughout our reporting: uncertainty. Not all changes were policy-related, however.
In June, the Rowena Fire ignited, destroying 61 homes and 91 outbuildings in the unincorporated community, followed by the Burdoin Fire a few weeks later that reduced 17 more homes to scrap metal. Both events were devastating, but the pace at which state and federal agencies reacted made the fallout for those impacted harder to navigate. More recently, a series of atmospheric rivers caused road and school closures, downed powerlines and flooding in some areas. Even three cases of a rare brain disease were detected in Hood River County.
Still, community persisted — victories were had. People donated to fire victims and celebrated Dia de los Muertos. We saw nurses at Providence Hood River and instructors at Columbia Gorge Community College successfully bargain for better wages. Cruise the Gorge graced downtown The Dalles for the 32nd time; likewise, Bingen’s Huckleberry Festival returned to Daubenspeck Park as planned.
While not all emerged unscathed, conservation projects on Rattlesnake Creek and other critical habitats continued. Residents voiced concerns over development projects, like another hotel in downtown Hood River that they viewed as out of place, harmful or unnecessary, and a new pool in White Salmon inched closer to becoming reality. The pear industry faces increasing regulatory and labor costs, yet growers still saw a tremendous harvest.
In clearing a key regulatory hurdle, the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority has more leverage to close a $532 million funding gap for the project that, up until this point, seemed completely infeasible.
Beginning on B1, you’ll find a non-exhaustive collection of the most notable events and stories Columbia Gorge News covered. We hope that looking back will guide your pursuits in 2026.
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