By Joshuah Albert

Lyle, Wash., Feb. 23, 2026 — A Lyle man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson after a barn fire at a Klickitat County sheriff’s deputy’s home last week, according to statements released by the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office and additional information provided by the Washington State Patrol.

All details regarding the fire, investigation and arrest were initially released by the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office. Additional timeline and operational clarification was provided by the Washington State Patrol.

According to the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office, the fire was reported at approximately 10 p.m. Feb. 17, when an off-duty deputy returned home with his wife and young children and noticed a strong gasoline odor. The sheriff’s office stated the deputy was attempting to determine the source of the smell when a barn on the property erupted in flames. Deputies and firefighters responded and extinguished the fire.

The sheriff’s office said its K9 unit tracked a scent from the burned barn to a neighboring residence. Authorities attempted contact with someone inside the home but received no response, according to the sheriff’s office. The deputy’s family was relocated to a motel while investigators processed the scene.

The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office said arson investigators and Washington State Patrol detectives assisted in developing probable cause for a search warrant at a neighboring property located at 6 Lyle-Snowden Road.

In its press release, the sheriff’s office stated Washington State Patrol SWAT had been requested to assist with executing the warrant, but said permission to execute the search warrant was not granted by Washington State Patrol supervisors.

However, the Washington State Patrol disputed that characterization.

Chris Loftis, director of public affairs for the Washington State Patrol, said the request for SWAT assistance was received near the end of the day Feb. 18, and was not denied.

“Any inference that we arbitrarily denied a request for assistance is inaccurate,” Loftis said.

According to Loftis, the warrant had not yet been signed during the initial consultation, and Washington State Patrol SWAT personnel were completing a full-day training operation on the western side of the state.

Loftis said mobilizing SWAT immediately would have required travel across mountain passes and resulted in extended operational hours exceeding 24 consecutive hours, which he said would have created safety concerns.

“Our SWAT unit was still in the process of a day-long training operation on the western side of the state,” Loftis said. “An early Thursday mobilization with the necessary travel across the passes to the east side would have also been tactically impractical and operationally unsafe.”

Loftis said the Washington State Patrol offered to assist either later Thursday or during the day Friday, but Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office personnel decided to proceed with a locally directed operation Thursday.

“KCSO was made aware of WSP’s timing and travel constraints and on-scene KCSO planners decided a locally-directed Thursday operation would be the better option,” Loftis said.

According to the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office, deputies served the search warrant Feb. 19 at the Lyle-Snowden Road residence.

During the operation, the sheriff’s office said a pickup truck driven by 35-year-old Kiva Dobson approached deputies from the rear of the property. The sheriff’s office alleged Dobson attempted to flee in the vehicle, disregarded commands to stop, and collided with a patrol vehicle.

The sheriff’s office reported Dobson exited the vehicle and resisted arrest. Deputies took him into custody after a struggle, according to the agency.

The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office said two deputies were injured during the arrest, with one sustaining a sprained wrist and another suffering a compression fracture to the spine.

Dobson was transported to the Klickitat County Jail and faces charges of first-degree arson, residential burglary and first-degree reckless burning, according to the sheriff’s office. The allegations have not been independently verified in court, and Dobson had not been convicted of the charges as of Monday.

The Washington State Patrol said it was “glad that the suspect was apprehended” and expressed hope that the injured deputies would recover, while also stating it was “happy that the deputy and his family that were originally targets of the suspected arson were unharmed.”

Both agencies said multiple personnel assisted with the investigation, including sheriff’s deputies, detectives, arson investigators, and fire personnel.

From Washington Gorge Action Programs:

By Jennifer Pauletto

Bingen, Wash., Feb. 23, 2026 — Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) today announced the departure of Executive Director Jennifer Pauletto after years of dedicated leadership and service to communities throughout the Columbia River Gorge region. The organization’s Board of Directors has initiated a comprehensive recruitment process to identify the agency’s next Executive Director.

Pauletto has served WAGAP since 2022, first as the Associate Director and then as the Executive Director. She guided the organization through expanded programming, strengthened community partnerships, and found ways to sustain services in a challenging funding climate. During her tenure, WAGAP deepened its impact across housing stability, food security, energy assistance, and supportive services for families and individuals facing economic hardship.

“Jennifer has been an incredible asset for WAGAP and will be sorely missed,” said David Quesnel the Chair of WAGAP’s Board of Directors. The Board is committed to a smooth transition for the staff and community.

Under Pauletto’s direction, WAGAP enhanced cross-sector partnerships, advanced strategic initiatives, and made difficult decisions that positioned the organization for long-term sustainability. Her work has helped ensure that critical services remain accessible to those who need them most across Skamania and Klickitat counties.

“It has been an honor to serve this community alongside an extraordinary team of staff, volunteers, and partners,” Pauletto said. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together and confident that WAGAP will continue to thrive in its mission to eliminate the causes and conditions of poverty in our region.”

WAGAP’s Board of Directors has launched a formal search for the organization’s next Executive Director. The Board is seeking a collaborative and visionary leader who is deeply committed to community action principles, collaboration, and partnership-driven solutions.

The next Executive Director will build upon WAGAP’s strong foundation, guide strategic growth, foster staff development, and strengthen relationships with community partners, funders, and stakeholders.

A detailed position description, qualifications, and application instructions will be posted on WAGAP’s website and distributed through local and regional nonprofit networks. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply and share the opportunity within their professional networks.

#  #  #

Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For 60 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.

From Overwatch Imaging:

By Stephen Babcock

Hood River, Ore., Feb. 24, 2026 — Overwatch Imaging, a developer of autonomous airborne imagery intelligence systems, is honored to announce a donation of $10,000 to strengthen STEM education in the Columbia River Gorge ecosystem.

At Overwatch Imaging’s 10-year anniversary celebration on Feb. 19, founder and CEO Greg Davis presented the donation to the Gorge Technology Alliance (GTA), an organization dedicated to connecting and supporting the local tech community. The funds will sponsor programming for the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub, a department of the Columbia Gorge Education Service District that provides dedicated programming for science, technology, engineering, and math.

“As Overwatch Imaging marks a decade of innovation, we are proud to make this donation to strengthen the connection between the local technology ecosystem and our community,” said Greg Davis, founder and CEO, Overwatch Imaging. “As a business with deep roots in the Gorge that employs many graduates of local schools while also attracting top talent from throughout the region and nation, we truly believe in the importance of a strong local community, and we value the educators, coaches and mentors who provide excellent training for the next generation of engineers, builders, and problem-solvers.”

This donation ensures that the STEM Hub’s robotics programming will be offered to families throughout the Gorge for the 2026-2027 school year. Now in its fourth year, the robotics program has served over 500 students across 12 schools.

“We’re grateful to Overwatch Imaging for providing funding that will support the students, parents, and coaches of our competitive robotics program,” said Julie Cucuel, Director, Columbia River Gorge STEM Hub. “In the Columbia River Gorge, we see over and over again that industry shows up for education with time, resources, and expertise. With their generosity, Overwatch Imaging is making an important commitment to ensure the youth in our community are STEM-literate and future-ready.”

Strengthening STEM education is a key focus area of GTA’s work to bolster the Gorge as a hub of innovation for aerospace and imagery intelligence. Serving as a connecting point between industry and education, the GTA routinely provides connections to mentors, teachers, and speakers for the STEM Hub’s programming.

“Education is foundational to the continued flourishing of our local ecosystem,” said Jason Hartmann, Project Manager, Columbia Gorge Tech Alliance. “As successful businesses like Overwatch Imaging continue to grow, programming provided by the STEM Hub will provide a pipeline for homegrown talent that will help our local economy thrive.”

The donation was announced at the Overwatch Imaging 10-year Anniversary Celebration, which drew about 75 people to the Ruins in Hood River. In addition to the presentation of the check, Davis provided a history of Overwatch Imaging, charting its evolution from a bootstrapped startup to a global provider of AI-enabled sensor autonomy deployed across six continents. The Gorge ecosystem played an important role in the company’s journey from day one, and the company continues to value its role as a longstanding local employer and steward of its rich technology lineage.

About Overwatch Imaging:

Overwatch Imaging is an imagery intelligence technology company working to bring sensor autonomy to time-critical airborne search, detection, tracking and monitoring missions. Our Automated Sensor Operator (ASO) software, native to our own line of purpose-built Smart Sensors and as an upgrade for airborne video gimbal platforms, brings Superhuman Vision and Workload Reduction to users of real-time imagery intelligence systems. We fundamentally believe that modern edge processing and AI-enabled autonomy can perform an important set of time-critical imagery intelligence missions better, faster and more safely than humans can alone.

Founded in 2016 in Hood River, Oregon, we support private sector companies as well as federal, state and local agencies around the world with missions ranging from wildfire mapping and disaster response to law enforcement, border security, maritime domain awareness and tactical intelligence.

About Columbia River Gorge STEM Hub

The Columbia Gorge STEM Hub is on a mission to ensure all Gorge youth are STEM-literate and future-ready. The Hub accomplishes these goals through a Collective Impact model, partnering with schools and districts, community-based organizations and STEM industry leaders to increase access to quality STEM learning experiences for youth. The Hub is supported by the Oregon Department of Education and local donors.

About the Gorge Technology Alliance

The Columbia River Gorge Technology Alliance (Gorge Tech Alliance, GTA) is a professional organization composed of local tech businesses in the bi-state Columbia River Gorge region. Since 2005, the GTA has worked to help start, grow, expand and sustain high-tech companies in the Gorge. By bringing the tech business community together for educational and networking events, the Alliance promotes connections between business, education and government.

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Mt. Hood Stories at Mt. Hood Town Hall

Gather with neighbors and friends this winter to share and listen to true stories on monthly themes. All storytellers are welcome!

Tuesday, Feb. 24, Stories of Love, 6:30-8 p.m.

Little Music City was founded in The Dalles, Oregon by a group of individuals passionate about music and their community. www.littlemusiccity.com/

Tuesday, February 24

Reddy Black Trio at Zim’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Hood River Brewing Co. in Hood River features live music onstage at the taproom from local and regional acts.

Wednesday, Feb. 25, Open Stage, 5:30-8 p.m.

The Lightwell Hotel in Hood River hosts live music in the lobby and other community events.

Live Music with The Lobbyists⁠ - Wednesday Nights, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.⁠

Next Stop - A Comedy Show at Solera Brewery in Parkdale 

Next Stop Comedy brings top stand-up comedians to your favorite local venues! Each show features a novel line-up with acts seen on TV and heard on your favorite podcasts.

For tickets check out: nextstopcomedy.com

The Secret Salsa Society is your place for Salsa Dancing in the Gorge! Join the weekly dance at a fun, local venue. Expect to hear Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha Cha, Timba, Cumbia, and more. Suggested donation $3 per person. All Ages event and Beginners are welcome! Beginner lessons at 6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Feb. 25, Crush Cider Cafe (Hood River), 7-9 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 26

The Mother Hips w/ Lewi Longmire

Thursday, Feb 26

The Ruins in Hood River

6-9 p.m.

Doors at 5:30 p.m. Indoor venue. All-ages.

Tickets are $20 in advance (click here,) or $25 at the door.

Based in Northern California, The Mother Hips headed to New Mexico, spending time at Ghost Ranch before settling in at Jono Manson's Kitchen Sink studio in Santa Fe for sessions in late 2021. Self-produced, When We Disappear features nine new tracks co-written by co-founders Tim Bluhm and Greg Loiacono – collection of lit-pysch rock songs inspired by psychology and literature – as well as a raw, garagey cover of Buffy St. Marie's 1964 addiction song "Codine."

Friday, Feb. 27

Little Music City was founded in The Dalles, Oregon by a group of individuals passionate about music and their community. www.littlemusiccity.com/

Friday, February 27

6:00 PM Tracy Klas at Bargeway Pub

7:00 PM Crawdaddies at Zim’s Sports Bar & Grill

8:00 PM Tyson Huckins at Last Stop Saloon

Tarwater Tavern in White Salmon brings local and regional music to the stage.

Friday, Feb. 27, Live music with Richard Tillinghast, 6-8 p.m.

64 oz. Taphouse in Hood River brings live music to the stage.

Lisa Mann Trio (Blues),  7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 28

The Granada Theater in The Dalles presents 

Syco Billy’s String Band w/Tuesday String Band, 7 p.m.

Syco Billy’s are more than just a band; they are the embodiment of a musical movement that celebrates the timeless beauty of bluegrass while forging a path into uncharted territory. With their exceptional talent, camaraderie, and ability to ignite the stage, this 5-piece new grass string band promises an unforgettable experience that leaves a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to witness their performance.

Tickets at:

granadatheatrethedalles.com/events-and-buy-tickets/2-28-syco-billys-and-tuesday-string-bands/

Vintage Soul at The Ruins

The Ruins in Hood River presents National and Regional touring musical acts, films, and other community events. https://www.theruins.org

Sat, Feb 28

A concert brought to you by Black In The Gorge, in celebration of Black History Month!

Doors at 5:30 p.m. Indoor venue.

Tickets are $25 in advance (click here,) or $30 at the door.

Featuring Oregon Music Hall of Fame inductee Brian Fowxworth and an assortment of Portland's finest Jazz/Soul players, Vintage Soul come to The Ruins for a night of 'That Feel Good Music', as part of Black In The Gorge's Black History Month celebrations.

Sunday, March 1

Phelps Creek Vineyard in Hood River 

Sunday, March 1, The Honeyjays, 5-7 p.m.

Open Mic Night at Trout Lake Hall

The Trout Lake Hall in Trout Lake, Washington brings live music and community events to its historic venue. https://www.troutlakehall.com/

FREE! Open Mic Night every 1st Sunday of the month

hosted by Lincoln Crockett

All Ages, Doors at 5 p.m., Sign up by 5:30 p.m.
Open Mic 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Bring your songs or come to listen. We hear sung and instrumental originals and covers by rockers, campfire folkies, bluegrass pickers, blues hounds, country stalwarts, even had spoken word poetry that went over gangbusters. Music knows no bounds and over its 100+ years this room has heard it all.

Monday, March 2

Open community bluegrass jam at Hood River Brewing Co., 5:30-8 p.m.

Everybody’s Brewing in White Salmon brings local and regional music to the stage. Monday, March 2, The Last Call (Adventurous Classics and Originals), 6-8 p.m. 

Bluegrass/Old-Time Acoustic Jam at Thunder Island Brewing in Cascade Locks. Come enjoy the Bluegrass/Old-Time Acoustic Jam  the 1st Monday of every month from 5-8 p.m. and share acoustic bluegrass and old-time music with friends. ACOUSTIC stringed instruments only - guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass, dobro, ukulele or other traditional acoustic instruments.

Thanks for Reading! If you enjoyed Gorge Giggin’ Guide Highlights please check out our Local Calendar for a deeper dive into what’s happening in The Gorge! You can even Upload your own event - Subscribe to Stay in the Know!

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 23, 2026 — Dayna Wynn-Elledge has resigned from the North Wasco County School District 21 Board of Directors, stepping down from the Zone 2 position she had held since her appointment in 2023.

Wynn-Elledge declined to discuss the reasons for her departure.

“It is not anyone’s business,” she said Monday. “It was my choice.”

Her resignation creates a vacancy on the seven-member board, which governs policy, budgets and leadership decisions for the district serving The Dalles and surrounding communities.

The district is now seeking applicants to fill the vacant Zone 2 position through an appointment process. Interested residents must be registered voters who have lived within the district and Zone 2 for at least one year. Applications will be accepted through March 27 at 4 p.m., with interviews to be conducted prior to a regular school board meeting and open to the public.

The Zone 2 boundary map is included below, but the map & zone description may also be found on the NWCSD Website, www.nwasco.k12.or.us, under School Board & Board Members.

The appointed position will run through June 30, 2027, completing the remainder of the current term. The seat will then appear on the May 2027 special district election ballot for a full four-year term.

Wynn-Elledge was appointed effective July 1, 2023, to fill the unexpired term of Dawn Rasmussen, who resigned earlier that year. At the time, district officials said Wynn-Elledge brought extensive parent and community involvement to the role, including serving as a parent representative at Brier Terrace Middle School and working as a swim instructor for local youth.

In announcing her appointment in 2023, the district said Wynn-Elledge was committed to helping ensure students developed essential academic skills and emphasized fairness and careful consideration in board decision-making.

School board members in Oregon serve as the governing body of their districts, setting policy, approving budgets and hiring and evaluating the superintendent.

The district has not yet announced when the appointment to fill the Zone 2 vacancy will be made.

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 23, 2026 — Beneath the calm surface of Klindt’s Cove in the Port of The Dalles, Jo Cruz descended into cold, murky water and emerged numerous times, dragging with him an accumulation of roughly '“150 pounds of garbage” pulled from the bottom.

Working alone and paying for the effort himself, Cruz said he coordinated with Northern Wasco Parks & Recreation before beginning the cleanup dive. He recovered discarded cans, metal hardware and even entire garbage cans partially buried in the sediment. Cruz said abandoned fishing gear, including broken lines and ghost nets were also present. He said ghost nets continue trapping and killing fish long after they are lost, noting many exist between Klindt’s Cove and The Dalles Dam.

“Maybe if people see me doing this, they will do something too,” Cruz said.

Cruz said he has also conducted cleanup dives in the Columbia and Deschutes rivers, removing fishing lures, lines and other debris that threaten fish and wildlife. For him, the effort is about protecting the river and setting an example — restoring the water one dive at a time.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 23, 2026 — A cold, steady rain fell across The Dalles this morning, dripping from eaves, pooling along curbs and turning construction sites into slick patches of mud and steel as low clouds swallowed the Columbia Hills and temperatures hovered in the low 40s.

For many residents, the gray skies signaled another drab winter day. But for the crews working beneath them, it was simply Monday.

Across the city of roughly 16,000 people, construction workers climbed in and out of trenches, operated heavy equipment and leaned into the damp chill, continuing projects that could not wait for clear skies. Rainwater beaded on hard hats and ran in rivulets down freshly exposed pipes as the steady rhythm of backhoes and jackhammers echoed through neighborhoods.

At the hospital, Northwest Natural Gas crews completed trench work as the provided maintenance on a gas line that ran several hundred feet through the parking lot.  

Across 19th Street, J&J Construction workers replaced a driveway in the 1600 block, using a backhoe to peel away asphalt and a jackhammer to fracture aging concrete, sending sharp cracks through the damp morning air.

On Laughlin Street in the 400 block, City of The Dalles Public Works crews worked ran pressure washers in the rain to locate and eventually install underground infrastructure for a vacant property, including connection for stormwater connection and two sewer connections. The work, essential but largely unseen once complete, will allow future development to safely tie into the city’s wastewater and stormwater systems.

On First Street downriver of Union Street dock and outside Pacific Coast Producers on First Street, contractors secured a temporary above ground sewer line designed to reroute sewage during daytime construction. The bypass ensures uninterrupted service while permanent improvements are completed beneath the soaked pavement. Nearby, Gary Funderberg and Chris McPherson of Crestline Construction moved between equipment and trench lines, continuing their work despite the steady drizzle.

Just upstream a bit, a man who did not want to be identified, worked on removing items from a houseless encampment near the Fort Rock Campsite. 

His pickup quickly filled with items ranging from copper pipe to blankets. 

Elsewhere across town, similar scenes played out.

The rain is expected to continue through Tuesday, possibly mixing with snow overnight before tapering off midweek, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters expect improving conditions by Thursday, with mostly sunny skies and highs near 50 degrees.

Until then, the work continues.

For those whose jobs unfold outdoors, the wet cold is not an obstacle but a constant companion — another reminder that the city’s progress is built not in perfect conditions, but in the steady, daily toil of workers willing to meet whatever weather arrives.

By Carolyn Wood

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 32, 2026 — Kiwanis March Thursday Lunch Programs:

March 5: Danette Utley (Program Coordinator) and Mike Glover, (Assistant), Cherry Blossom Adult Day Program at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center.

March 12: Eve Elderwell, The Next Door

 March 19: Dr. Ken Lawson, Columbia Gorge Community College

March 26: Business Meeting

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 22, 2026 — The Dalles City Council on Monday will consider adopting a long-range employment land strategy as city planners report a shortage of large industrial sites needed to support future employers.

The City’s updated analysis projects The Dalles could add approximately 2,800 jobs over the next 20 years and estimates between about 46 and 147 acres of employment land will be needed to accommodate that growth. While the City has about 205 acres of buildable employment land remaining within its Urban Growth Boundary, officials say most of the larger parcels needed for major industrial or technology employers have already been developed.

Much of that development has occurred over the past two decades at the Port of The Dalles. According to Wasco County property records, Google and its affiliated entity Design LLC own approximately 175 acres of industrial land at the Port, where the company has constructed multiple data center facilities. Those projects were approved by local governments beginning in the early 2000s, when officials sought to attract new economic investment following the closure of the region’s aluminum smelter.

As a result, city planners report that while smaller industrial parcels remain available, no sites currently exist in the 30- to 60-acre or 60- to 100-acre range typically required for large industrial developments.

The aluminum smelter that previously operated at the Port of The Dalles employed approximately 500 workers at its peak, according to local historical records. Today, Google’s data center operations employ roughly 200 people locally. City planners note that modern data centers require significantly fewer employees than traditional manufacturing, even as they occupy large industrial sites.

CCCNews covered this point during negotations for two new data centers in the Port of The Dalles back in October 2021 in this story.

From that story:

Economist David Swensen differs in opinion when it comes to the overall benefit to a community for offering huge property tax breaks for companies building data centers. 

He watched it and studied it in West Des Moines, Iowa.

He said of the proposed $1.2 billion Google is willing to spend, a small fraction would go to benefit the community.

He said they should not be given tax breaks unless they produce a lot of high-paying jobs.

Swensen is an award-winning community economics research specialist at Iowa State University and has a Masters’ Degree in Urban and Regional planning. He’s studied data plants in The Dalles.

“These companies come in with a huge number for investment, but it is a red herring,” he said. “The amount of increase it produces in the economy is not in relation to the geographic footprint they create. The leverage they exert over the community is disproportionate to the contribution they commit.”

The City’s industrial land supply is further limited by geographic and regulatory constraints. The Dalles’ Urban Growth Boundary, established under Oregon land-use law and influenced by protections under the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, restricts outward expansion and makes industrial land a finite resource.

City officials say adopting the updated employment land analysis will incorporate current land supply, employment projections and development patterns into the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The analysis, required by the state, does not approve new development or change zoning but provides the planning framework used to guide future economic development and land-use decisions.

Strategic plan

Councilors will also consider adopting the City’s first formal three-year Strategic Plan, covering 2026 through 2028.

The plan identifies five primary focus areas: economic development, housing, historic preservation, tourism and downtown vitality, and transportation improvements. City officials say the shift from annual goal setting to a multi-year strategic plan is intended to provide greater continuity in decision-making and align long-term priorities across city departments.

The plan was developed through strategic workshops involving City Council and staff, along with employee surveys and consultant facilitation. While adoption does not authorize immediate spending, it will guide future budget decisions, infrastructure investments and policy priorities.

Next Door Inc. grant

In a separate agenda item, councilors will review a proposal to provide up to $19,000 in grant funding to The Next Door Inc. to support counseling services for children and families experiencing impacts related to federal immigration enforcement activity.

The funding would come from existing City Manager budget authority and is intended to provide services for families who do not qualify for Oregon Health Plan coverage.

City staff have also taken additional steps following the council’s January resolution addressing community concerns, including publishing informational materials, translating city forms into Spanish and coordinating with local service providers.

Sewer repairs, airport contract

Council members are also expected to approve a $412,995 contract with Vortex Services LLC to rehabilitate sections of the city’s sanitary sewer system using trenchless cured-in-place pipe lining technology. The project was budgeted at $600,000, with the selected bid coming in $187,005 under budget.

Councilors will also consider extending the City’s airport management agreement for up to one year at a cost of $153,900, allowing continued airport operations while officials evaluate longer-term management options.

Mayor Richard Mays has also recommended reappointing Donna Lawrence and Forust Ercole to the Urban Renewal Budget Committee.

Executive session

Following the public meeting, councilors will enter executive session to conduct labor negotiations discussions as permitted under Oregon law.

The Dalles City Council will meet Monday, Feb. 23, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 313 Court St.

Click here to read the agenda and background information.

Agenda references: Employment Opportunities Analysis (Ord. 26-1425); Strategic Plan adoption; Resolution 26-002 grant update; Contract No. 2025-016 sewer lining project.

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 22, 2026 — From LEGO pizza night to Bluey visits and book clubs, The Dalles Public Library offers free February events for all ages, including crafts, classes and games.

Monday, Feb. 23

Maker Monday: DIY Book Light, teens at 3:30 p.m., adults at 5:30 p.m. The Dalles Public Library makerspace. Free. Teens and adults will create a DIY book lamp using paper crafting and conductive tape to build a working light.

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Wellness To-Go Kits for Teens, 4 p.m. The Dalles Public Library. Free. Teens can pick up a kit filled with tools and tips to support mental and physical health. Available while supplies last.

Sci-Fi Book Club: “Recursion” by Blake Crouch, 5–6 p.m. The Dalles Public Library meeting room. Free. Open to adults. Join fellow science fiction readers for discussion. Books are available at the front desk, and light refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Wiggles & Giggles — Special Visit with Bluey and Bingo, 10:30 a.m. The Dalles Public Library. Free. Open to children. Enjoy Bluey-themed games, snacks and photo opportunities.

Mah Jongg Class, 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The Dalles Public Library. Free. Open to teens and adults. Registration required. Corliss Marsh will teach the basics of Mah Jongg in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

Minecraft Club, 3–5 p.m. The Dalles Public Library. Free. Open to tweens and teens. Registration required. Participants will play Minecraft together on the library’s devices and complete challenges.

Thursday, Feb. 26

Family LEGO Pizza Night, 5:30 p.m. The Dalles Public Library. Free. Open to all ages. Enjoy pizza while building creative LEGO projects in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.

Friday, Feb. 27

Fun Fridays, 3:30 p.m. The Dalles Public Library. Free. Open to teens. Weekly activities include crafts, games, trivia and snacks.

Shakespeare Class: Much Ado About … What, Exactly?, 4–6 p.m. The Dalles Public Library. Free. Open to teens and adults. Registration required. This ongoing class explores Shakespearean language, performance and “Much Ado About Nothing.”

The Tea Nook, 5–5:45 p.m. The Dalles Public Library. Free. Open to adults. Explore teas from around the world, learn tea facts and enjoy refreshments in a social setting.

Saturday, Feb. 28

Dr. Seuss Birthday Party, 1–3 p.m. The Dalles Public Library. Free. Open to all ages. Celebrate Dr. Seuss with themed activities, snacks and costumes.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 21, 2026 — A baby grand piano built in 1915 and carried through generations of one Oregon family has found a new home inside Old St. Peter’s Landmark in The Dalles, where its music will once again be heard starting on St. Patrick’s Day.

The five-foot-four-inch Lehr baby grand was delivered Jan. 8 to Old St. Peter’s Landmark Preservation, the nonprofit that maintains the historic church and oversees its use for concerts, weddings and community celebrations. The donation connects more than a century of personal and musical history with one of The Dalles’ most recognizable landmarks.

For Lynne Allen, a docent at the landmark and retired oncology nurse practitioner, the decision to gift the piano was rooted in both memory and purpose.

“A musical instrument needs to be played,” Lynne said. “The music from it needs to be shared.”

The piano had been part of Lynne’s family since the early 1900s. It was originally played by her aunt, Ava Steiger, a Baker City musician who studied classical piano and traveled to New York in pursuit of becoming a concert pianist.

“She played beautifully,” Lynne said. “When I was in junior high … one of the sisters at St. Francis school in Baker said, ‘Oh, are you related to Ava Steiger?’ … ‘She played so wonderfully.’”

Over the decades, the piano moved with the family, eventually making its way from Baker City to the Tri-Cities and then to Lynne’s home in The Dalles when she relocated in 2014 to work at Mid-Columbia Medical Center.

In recent years, however, it had fallen silent.

“I felt very sad that no one’s been playing it for a long time,” Lynne said.

When Lynne began volunteering at Old St. Peter’s Landmark, the idea of donating the piano slowly took shape.

“I love St. Peter’s,” she said. “I thought, ‘Wait, I have this baby grand piano.’ It could get played down there and people will enjoy it.”

Linda Miller, president of the Old St. Peter’s Landmark Preservation Board, immediately recognized the instrument’s value. Linda herself took piano lessons as a child on a baby grand inside St. Mary’s Academy in The Dalles in the late 1950s.

“Well, I didn’t want to get rid of it,” Lynne said. “I just wanted it to have a better home.”

Moving the piano into the historic structure required careful coordination.

Alan Eagy, treasurer of the Old St. Peter’s Landmark Preservation Board, said Lester Moving Company handled the delicate task of maneuvering the baby grand piano up a long ramp, through the entrance, and into the main seating area of the historic church. After placing the donated piano upstairs, the crew then removed an older piano from the main floor and carefully carried it down two flights of stairs into the basement.

Alan said watching the movers handle both instruments in the tight, historic space required skill and precision.

“Everybody said you got to get Lester’s,” Alan said. “They did such a wonderful job.”

“It was a great addition,” Alan added. “The next step, we’re going to get it tuned.”

Once restored, the piano is expected to serve both performers and visitors. Old St. Peter’s Landmark hosts concerts throughout the year and already has nine weddings scheduled in 2026 — five more than last year. Volunteers say the instrument will provide a warm and welcoming presence for ceremonies and community events.

“It might be some nice light warm-up music as people are entering,” Alan said.

The piano will make its public debut during the upcoming “St. Pat’s at St. Pete’s” concert featuring the Cascade Singers, part of a long-standing tradition at the landmark.

For Lynne, the donation ensures the instrument will continue doing what it was meant to do — bring people together.

“Music is universal,” she said. “Music is connecting. I think we need everything we can have to connect to one another.”

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 20, 2026 — Wasco County Circuit Court Judge Janet Stauffer sentenced a Portland man convicted at trial of the home-invasion robbery, beating and kidnap of Donald “Donny” Lewis in 2021 to nearly two decades in prison.

Jason McCollum, 50, stood as Stauffer handed down 19 years and 7 months after District Attorney Kara Davis argued the man “had a lack of remorse” and deserved a longer sentence, requesting consecutive sentences for first-degree assault and first-degree kidnapping.

Davis played phone and video calls taken from NORCOR jail this week where McCollum spoke with friends. In the phone calls, McCollum could be heard in a nostalgic conversation about a past crime where one man was killed and another was hit in the head with the claw side of a hammer.

As the call was played, McCollum clenched his right hand, held it with his left and rested his chin on them, his eyes slowly blinking.

The video phone call between McCollum captured him stating that he frequented a Chinese restaurant and bar in downtown The Dalles while on release during his recent trial, spending hundreds of dollars on drinks and gambling with family.

Davis argued that McCollum felt no remorse while his victim, who was bound with zip ties during his beating, still struggles daily from the beating he took during the robbery. McCollum also showed disregard for the law by entering a bar when he was prohibited from doing so in his post-prison supervision from other crimes.

She also pointed out that home invasion robberies are rare, and the Portland men who perpetrated the crime targeted Lewis specifically due to him being elderly.

“This was an extremely horrific crime in our community,” she said, then requested a 230 month sentence.

His defense attorney, Per Olsen, said the calls were a display of old friends who came from a life of drug addiction and crime but were also on their way to recovery and were being supportive of each other as they worked to better their lives.

Olsen pointed out that McCollum had graduated drug treatment in 2016, he had recently been moved to a halfway house, found a job, got his driver’s license and intended to get his commercial driver’s license.

“He’s caught between two worlds,” Olsen said. He asked the judge to give McCollum consecutive sentences and access to drug treatment, education and work programs, which would have kept his prison time to a decade.

Last month Olsen said that he planned to appeal the case as McCollum maintained his innocence at trial, even though his associate Christopher Allan Jaha fingered him at trial.

Stauffer, as was evidenced by her later comments, did not buy it.

Lewis, who still suffers from loose teeth and a floating bone that blurs his vision due to the beating to his face the night of the robbery, chose not to give a victim impact statement.

But his friend David Wilson, an imposing taller man with a long beard, did.

“I saw Donny right after the incident. We didn’t know if he was going to live.”

Wilson said he had known Lewis 35 years and met with him regularly at Mama Jane’s in The Dalles.

“I’ve seen him change. It’s hard for him to express himself. It’s impacted all of his friends.”

Wilson then pointed at McCollum with a finger and said:

“Everyone in this town would like to have 5 minutes with him. Anybody that would kick an old man in the head is a sick son of a… I would like to take care of him.”

Judge Stauffer in her sentencing told McCollum that he had left Lewis “for dead.” She then said she had decided to run consecutive sentences, stating that they had committed a second separate crime when they left Lewis in his home alone, bleeding and bound, with no one aware of his condition.

“It could have been days before he was discovered,” she said, later adding that McCollum was aware of Lewis’s age, an aggravating factor that opened the door to additional time behind bars.

“I did read the letters from family and the report on sobriety,” she said. “But I doubt that after reviewing the video and jail calls.”

She then had McCollum stand in front of the 22 people in the courtroom and gave the scruffy man dressed in orange NORCOR scrubs 235 months in prison with no chance of early release and or access to programs.

She also ordered him to pay restitution of $150, 436 — $150,000 in money stolen from Lewis and $436 for medical bills and repayment to the victim’s compensation fund.

Stauffer left the courtroom and Wasco County Sheriff’s deputies moved near the jury box where McCollum laid his hands on the rail, surrendering.

Manacles were secured to his ankles and wrists as Lewis and his supporters, McCollum’s family, and The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy watched in silence while deputies led him from the courtroom to jail.

Read CCNews’ story on opening statements here.

Read CCCNew’s story about trial days two and three here.

Read CCCNew’s finding of guilty here.

By Joshuah Albert

The Dalles, Ore. Feb. 20, 2026 — The Wasco County Wolf Depredation Compensation Committee will meet Monday evening to review livestock losses, consider funding applications, and continue its work supporting local ranchers affected by wolf activity.

The committee is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in the Kramer Conference Room at 401 E. Third St., with virtual participation also available. Agenda items include reviewing reported wolf depredation from December 2025, approving business members, and discussing funding requests and future meeting dates.

The committee oversees Wasco County’s participation in Oregon’s Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance County Block Grant Program, a statewide effort created in 2011 to address financial losses suffered by livestock producers due to wolf attacks. The program was established by House Bill 3560 and is administered through the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

At the local level, the Wasco County committee reviews compensation claims from ranchers who lose livestock to confirmed or probable wolf depredation. The committee helps distribute state and federal grant funds to reimburse producers for losses and to support prevention efforts designed to reduce future attacks.

Those prevention measures can include installing protective fencing, funding range riders to monitor livestock, removing carcasses that attract wolves and deploying deterrent devices such as flashing lights and alarm systems. State guidelines require counties to spend at least 30% of program funds on prevention strategies to reduce conflicts before they occur.

The committee itself is made up of a diverse group of stakeholders, including a county commissioner, livestock producers, business representatives and individuals representing wolf conservation interests. This structure is intended to balance economic concerns with wildlife management goals while ensuring decisions reflect local conditions.

Compensation is provided after incidents are investigated and confirmed or classified as probable wolf depredation by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Counties establish compensation rates based on fair market value.

Wasco County is one of 18 counties participating in the program, reflecting the continued presence of wolves across Eastern Oregon and the need for local oversight and support.

By reviewing claims, distributing funds and promoting prevention, the Wasco County Wolf Depredation Compensation Committee serves as a critical link between ranchers, wildlife officials and the broader community.

By Nancy Turner with edits by Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 20, 2026 — Two free adult education courses exploring literature and art will begin in March at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center, offering local residents opportunities to expand their cultural knowledge and creative thinking.

“Exploring the Short Story: Irish and American Literature” and “Random Art” are part of an ongoing series of classes led by instructor Kerry Cobb, an arts and education enthusiast who specializes in literature, art history and cultural studies. The classes are open to the public, and all materials are provided at no cost.

The literature course meets at 10 a.m. on the second Friday of each month in the Deschutes Room and compares short stories from Ireland and the United States under shared themes. Participants read two stories each month — one from each country — and discuss how culture, landscape and history influence storytelling.

The “Random Art” series meets monthly and explores a wide range of artistic genres, movements and artists, helping participants expand their understanding of visual culture and creativity. Both classes are free and open to learners of all experience levels.

The “Random Art” class meets at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. The first six sessions include “Rothko & Hockney” on March 10, “The Spectacular Art of Caravaggio” on April 14, “What Makes a Masterpiece?” on May 12, “Spanish Painters You Should Know” on June 9, “The Art of Painting Women” on July 14, and “Early American Artists” on Aug. 11.

All classes are held at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center. Interested participants can sign up at the front desk.

Enriching the Lives of Elders

A testimonial by Nancy Turner

During the past year I traveled all over Ireland without leaving The Dalles. No hiking over dramatic Irish landscapes, no touring historic sites, or listening to music in pubs. Not that I wouldn’t mind doing so, but I saved myself the expense and challenges of travel simply by attending a class at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center. What I’m telling you here isn’t a travel log. It’s a testimonial. 

In 2024 Kerry Cobb offered a free, year long course on Irish short stories. My attention span could handle short stories. Kerry provided copies of stories printed on real paper, not just a Hyperlink to a URL. The class met once a month for an hour, Friday mornings. I assumed my fellow classmates were retired. Everything was copasetic. 

Kerry provided clear, in-depth guidance to understand and enjoy stories written by such famous writers as Jennifer C. Cornell, Michael McLavery and Sean O’Faoláin, and many more. She knows her stuff. Her love of Ireland and literature is contangeous. 

Irish and American short stories often overlap in craft, but they tend to feel different because they grow out of different histories, different landscapes and ideas about the self. Irish stories have an intimate and unavoidable relationship with a village, a town, pub or farm. The landscape carries emotional and historical weight. Characters are pressured by family expectations, church, class, and local reputation. The stories often rely on understatement, irony and silence. 

This is in contrast to American stories in which the setting can be vast, mobile or symbolic, such as highways, suburbs, frontiers, cites. American characters often have the option – real or imagined – of leaving. There’s an emphasis on space, movement, or reinvention. 

Without leaving my sugawn, (an Irish chair made from wood with a straw rope seat), I learned about Irish history, it’s unique cultural norms, and gained insight into the heartfelt experiences of Irish individuals. 

Kerry Cobb is an arts and education enthusiast active in the adult education programs at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center. She offers engaging classes on literature, art history, and cultures. Her classes are especially geared for older learners. 

From The Wasco County Master Gardener:

By Chrissy Zaugg

Maupin, Ore., Feb. 20, 2026 — The Wasco County Master Gardeners, in collaboration with the Maupin Chamber of Commerce and the Maupin Dig & Hoe Garden Club, are thrilled to announce the return of the 4th Annual Garden Expo. Community members, gardening enthusiasts, and curious newcomers are invited to join the event in Maupin on Saturday, March 14th.

Event Highlights:

• Free Seed Giveaway: Attendees can select from hundreds of varieties of free seeds, a perennial highlight of the expo.

• Ask-a-Master-Gardener: Master Gardeners will be spread throughout the venue, ready to provide personalized advice on your toughest gardening questions, samples, and challenges.

• Local Vendors: Local vendors will be present, offering a selection of plants and seeds. Additionally, the Master Gardeners will have houseplants available by donation.

• Free Swag Bags: The first 100 attendees will receive a swag bag filled with gardening goodies.

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow gardeners and learn more about the Wasco County Master Gardener program, as well as local gardening clubs and initiatives.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, March 14th
Location: Maupin Civic Center, 507 Grant Ave, Maupin, OR 97037
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Admission: Free!

This annual expo serves as a vibrant hub for horticultural knowledge, sustainable gardening practices, and community connection, offering a wealth of resources for both seasoned and novice gardeners in the Columbia Gorge region.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 19, 2026 — Mother Nature is blessing the current contract season as projects in The Dalles are starting blossom with the advent of sunny skies and signed contracts.

Work on two portions of First Street with major utility upgrades a full street renovation between Union and Laughlin streets are underway.

And contractors are also digging in at Lewis & Clark Festival Park with a sculpture fountain upgrade that aims to plug the fountain that has been plagued by vandalism in past years. The liner of the fountain has been cut in years past which causes the pool to leak down.

J.J. Castro Construction were using pick axes and jack hammers as they reset the drainage and filtration system at the fountain this afternoon as the ready the site for a lined full concrete pool that will once again host the Lewis, Clark and Sacagawea pushing a dugout upstream - a sculpture created by local artist Jeff Stewart.

Castro said he expected the work would take about a month, noting the nice weather was helping to move the project along.

Further upriver on First Street Ajax Northwest Construction has brought in equipment and an office on Federal and First street as they prepare to start the streetscape project.

It will begin with some archeological exploration in days to come with some digging of test plots as some of the areas containing historic rock walls have a higher probability of holding significant artifacts.

The Dalles City Council in November awarded a $4.07 million contract to Ajax for the long-planned First Street Streetscape project, a major reconstruction effort aimed at stabilizing deteriorating infrastructure and revitalizing the historic downtown corridor.

Blue Skies may be Deceiving

The Dalles will see increasing cloud cover Friday with a high near 43 degrees and calm winds, before a chance of snow develops late Friday night as temperatures drop to around 31 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Light snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible by early Saturday morning. Conditions will transition Saturday to a mix of rain and snow before becoming all rain by the afternoon, with a high again near 43 degrees and light east winds. Rain chances continue into Saturday night and increase Sunday, when temperatures warm slightly with a high near 49 degrees and a 70% chance of rain.

From The City of Hood River:

By Jackie Vanderpuye

Hood River, Ore., Feb. 19, 2026 — Following an extensive search process, the City of Hood River has selected Michael (Josh) Rogers as its new Fire Chief. The search was initiated when Chief Leonard Damian announced his retirement after more than nine years with the City of Hood River Fire Department.

Rogers brings proven leadership experience and a deep understanding of EMS and fire operations to his new position. He began his fire service career as a firefighter/paramedic in Hapeville, Georgia, and later continued his career with the City of Dallas, Oregon, where he has served since 2022. In both departments, he progressed through increasing levels of responsibility, including the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, Shift Commander, and most recently, serving as the Deputy Fire Chief in the City of Dallas. His experience with establishing procedures, mentorship and training, budget reviews, working with healthcare partners, and emergency management position him well to lead the City of Hood River Fire Department.

Rogers was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where growing up in a large, dynamic city shaped his appreciation for community, teamwork, and public service. He spent much of his early career in Atlanta, where he met his wife, Andrea, and the two lived for a decade before relocating to the Pacific Northwest to be closer to her family. While the move marked a significant change, Rogers has embraced the region and now proudly calls the Pacific Northwest home. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, visiting the coast, and following his favorite sports team, the Atlanta Braves.

“Our City is fortunate to welcome a dedicated and experienced fire service leader,” said City Manager Abigail Elder. “Josh understands the challenges and strengths of a modern fire and EMS agency and brings a collaborative approach to serving our community. We look forward to his work with City staff, local area fire departments, and regional partners as we continue our commitment to high-quality emergency fire and medical services.”

Rogers received his Bachelors of Science in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Alabama, holds a Pro Board accredited Fire Officer IV certification, and earned his Executive Fire Officer certificate from the National Fire Academy.

Hood River, Ore., Feb. 19, 2026 — Visit Hood River announces the return of Hood River Winter PrideFest, March 13–14, marking the third year of this signature celebration honoring Hood River’s LGBTQ+ community and welcoming visitors from near and far. Rooted in the region’s winter adventure culture and creative spirit, the weekend delivers an inclusive lineup of events with welcoming experiences for all.

To celebrate, Visit Hood River, the Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance, local businesses, and community partners curate a dynamic weekend of programming, special events, and lodging offers, making Winter PrideFest a must-attend Pacific Northwest winter tradition.

“Winter PrideFest has become a signature celebration of our local and visiting LGBTQ+ community, reflecting Visit Hood River’s continued commitment to inclusivity and creating a welcoming destination for all,” said Katie Kadlub, CEO of Visit Hood River. “With a dynamic lineup of events featuring music, drag, community gatherings, and the welcoming doors of our shops, tasting rooms, pubs, and restaurants, everyone is invited to fully immerse themselves in a weekend centered on connection and celebration.” 

 Winter PrideFest highlights include:

 Friday, March 13:

Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters w/special guest Slutashia, and DJ Chelsea Starr

The Ruins

(6 - 10 p.m. | Ticket Link)

To kick off the electric weekend, West Coast–based Americana rock ’n’ roll band Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters take the stage, joined by special guest Slutashia, returning to bring the house down with her signature drag-rap performance. The night wraps with a high-energy dance party with DJ Chelsea Starr.

Saturday, March 14:

Winter PrideFest Diva Drag Brunch

Hood River Hotel – Emerald Room

(Doors at 11 a.m. | Show noon - 2 p.m. | Ages 21+ | Ticket link; food and alcohol not included)

Enjoy a colorful and spirited Diva Drag Brunch from Justin Buckles Productions, featuring an all-star cast for one of the biggest and best Drag Brunch experiences in the Pacific Northwest. The show includes drag, burlesque, acrobatics, live singing, and more.

 Après Ski Pride Party

Lightwell Hotel – Rooftop Bar

(3 - 6 p.m. | Ages 21+)

Celebrate Winter PrideFest at Rooftop at Lightwell. After a day on the mountain or adventuring in the Gorge, head to Hood River’s only rooftop bar for craft cocktails, live entertainment, and a technicolor sunset. 

 Winter PrideFest Drag Bingo

Hood River Hotel – Emerald Room

(Doors at 6 p.m. | Bingo 7 - 9 p.m. | Ages 21+ | Ticket link)

Dubbed “not your grandma’s bingo,” Riley Burrows hosts an evening of games, laughter, and electrifying drag performances.

 In addition to Pride-focused programming, visitors can enjoy a wide range of winter experiences throughout Hood River. From exploring the scenic Little John Sno-Park to hiking to the stunning Tamanawas Falls, countless winter recreation opportunities are just a short drive from town. Mt. Hood Meadows is easily accessible via the Columbia Area Transit (CAT) Gorge-to-Mountain Express shuttle.

To warm up and unwind, Nordica Haus offers a modern, mobile Nordic sauna experience with climate-controlled changing and gathering spaces designed for comfort and connection.

Food and drink experiences range from iconic breweries like Full Sail Brewing Co. and pFriem Family Brewers to farm-to-table dining throughout the region. The local arts and culture scene offers cozy indoor options, including the History Museum of Hood River County, the Columbia Center for the Arts, and local galleries featuring rotating exhibits and public art.

 Tickets and attendance to Winter Pridefest events are available for individual purchase at visithoodriver.com/event/2026-annual-winter-pridefest/. Local lodging specials are also available at visithoodriver.com/stay/.

 A portion of the proceeds from all Hood River Winter PrideFest events will continue to advance the goals and programs of the Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance, a group of volunteers, organizations, and businesses that work to create a city where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual plus people thrive as healthy and equal members of society. It strives and advocates for respect, equity, justice, and building a safe, peaceful, culturally rich community for LGBTQIA+ people and allies.

For more information about Hood River, visit visithoodriver.com.

For more information on Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance, visit the organization’s Facebook page.

 About Visit Hood River:

Located at the crossroads of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the magnificent Cascade Range and just an hour from Portland, Hood River offers outdoor recreation, dramatic vistas, historic landmarks, bountiful fruit, and fantastic food, wine, beer, and cider. With accommodations ranging from luxury hotels to historic B&Bs, Hood River is a four-season destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, weddings, corporate events, and more. A perennial favorite among travel tastemakers, the destination was most recently named a 2025 Sunset Travel Awards “Top Tastings” winner, following honors as a Best Adventure & Explorations Town (2023) and Nature Lovers Destination (2022) by Sunset. It was also recognized as a Top 10 Wine Destination by Wine Enthusiast (2017) and Best Adventure Town in the West by Sunset (2015). Visit Hood River supports economic development, community development, and destination marketing for Hood River, Cascade Locks, Mosier, Odell, Parkdale, Pine Grove, and Mount Hood. For more information, call 800-366-3530 or visit visithoodriver.com.

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 17, 2026 — The Dalles Urban Renewal Agency on Tuesday night extended its funding agreements with TD3rd LLC for the Basalt Commons development, preserving up to $1.73 million in urban renewal support for the $31 million mixed-use housing and commercial project planned at 523 E. Third St.

The decision, made during the agency’s regular Feb. 17 meeting, moves the expiration date of the agreements to Aug. 19, 2026. The extension gives developer Mary Hanlon additional time to finalize financing, secure permits and begin construction on the five-story building, which is planned to include 116 apartments, ground-floor commercial space and structured parking.

The project would replace the former Griffith Motors site with one of the largest private residential developments planned in downtown The Dalles in decades.

Hanlon remained hopeful of getting the project underway in her letter to the agency.

“Within three months, we should hear from several third-party entities whose approval we need to proceed,” Hanlon wrote. “Within three months after that, all necessary paperwork, contracts and permits should have been achieved. With this, we could start construction.”

Urban renewal participation includes two major funding components previously approved by the agency: up to $1 million to cover system development charges for the housing units and a separate $730,000 direct equity contribution designed to help close a financing gap caused by rising interest rates, inflation and construction cost increases.

The system development charge funding is paid directly to public agencies on behalf of the project, while the $730,000 contribution provides gap financing intended to make the project financially feasible.

The extension approved Tuesday represents the latest in a series of amendments to the original urban renewal agreement, which was first approved to support redevelopment of the long-vacant downtown parcel. The amendments have primarily focused on extending deadlines and maintaining funding commitments while the developer worked through rising construction costs, financing challenges and third-party approval requirements that have affected multifamily housing projects nationwide.

Wasco County may also play a critical role in advancing the project. The County Commission is currently considering Basalt Commons property and financing but has not yet taken formal action. If approved, county participation could inject several million additional dollars into the project to help close remaining funding gaps, with the expectation that public investment would be repaid over time as the development becomes operational.

Hanlon also emphasized the importance of urban renewal participation in making the project possible.

“We sincerely appreciate your partnership in this essential new construction project in downtown The Dalles,” she wrote. “The project is not viable without the URA participation. We believe that your patience will be rewarded as we are confident that this project will fully perform as anticipated and provide much needed vibrancy and energy to the historic downtown.”

Urban renewal officials said the extension does not increase the previously approved funding amounts but preserves the agency’s commitment while the project moves through its final financing and approval stages.

The Columbia Gateway (The Dalles) Urban Renewal Agency uses tax increment financing to support redevelopment projects intended to stimulate private investment, increase housing supply and revitalize downtown.

By Tom Peterson / photos courtesy The Dalles Police Department

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 16, 2026 — Two Oregon State Police troopers suffered serious injuries Monday morning when an unloaded log truck reportedly failed to stop at the top of the Interstate 84 Exit 87 off-ramp and struck their Fish and Wildlife pickup sending it into a spin, authorities said.

The impact that caved in the passenger side of the pickup, sent twisted and broken rubble skidding all over the overpass bridge, sending local police and emergency responders scrambling.

The crash occurred at about 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 197 and Bret Clodfelter Way near the OSP Office. The intersection is a critical junction connecting Interstate 84 traffic to The Dalles Bridge and Highway 197.

According to The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy, the log truck was exiting westbound Interstate 84 when it failed to stop at the stop sign and collided with the northbound Oregon State Police pickup occupied by two troopers and their police dog, Scout.

The force of the collision was severe enough to spin the vehicles around.

“It whipped them (OSP pickup) around and then caught the other end of the second semi… it took a lot of force to turn it around,” Worthy said.

After striking the police vehicle, the log truck continued through the intersection and collided with a southbound commercial box trailer, Worthy said.

Both injured troopers, assigned to the Oregon State Police Bend Area Command, were transported to Portland-area trauma centers with significant injuries.

The severity of the crash required a large-scale response that stretched The Dalles Police Department’s staffing, Worthy said. Nearly all available officers were committed to securing the scene, managing traffic and assisting with the investigation, while additional personnel were called in on overtime to handle routine calls elsewhere in the city.

Lt. Jason Calloway of Oregon State Police said the crash was emotionally difficult for responding personnel but confirmed both troopers are recovering.

“They are stable and on the road to recovery, and that is good,” Calloway said. “It was a very intense scene and a lot of damage to vehicles.”

The troopers had been assisting with Fish and Wildlife enforcement related to the Columbia River sturgeon fishing opener, part of seasonal patrol efforts that require troopers to travel statewide.

Only 89 Fish and Wildlife troopers serve the entire state of Oregon, Worthy said, requiring specialized units to deploy where enforcement is needed.

Scout, the Fish and Wildlife police dog involved in the crash, was evaluated by a veterinarian and was not injured, authorities said.

The driver of the log truck was treated and released with non-serious injuries. The driver of the second commercial vehicle was not injured, police said.

The crash prompted closure of Highway 197 and Bret Clodfelter Way for most of the day Monday, as investigators examined the scene and cleared debris. Traffic was diverted through alternate routes including Hood River, Biggs Junction and Highway 30.

Because Oregon State Police personnel were involved in the crash, The Dalles Police Department is leading the investigation, with assistance from Oregon State Police collision reconstruction specialists and commercial vehicle inspectors.

Worthy said the investigation will include inspection of the involved vehicles and review of commercial driver logs and mechanical systems.

The crash carried a personal impact, Worthy said.

One of the injured troopers was someone Worthy had trained alongside as a cadet at Cove Palisades in the mid-1990s, when the two also lived together at the Culver fire hall. Worthy said he immediately recognized the trooper’s name when notified of the crash.

“He’s a good buddy — I know him well, and I know his family,” Worthy said. “I was shocked when I found out it was him.”

The crash remains under investigation.

“No citations — no enforcement taken at this time,” Worthy said. “It is ongoing, and anything during the investigation that warrants enforcement, we will take that if we need to.”

Multiple agencies responded to the crash, including Oregon State Police, The Dalles Police Department, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Department of Transportation and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue.

Anyone with information about the wreck is asked to contact The Dalles Police Department at 541-296-2613 and reference case number D26-0261.

Vehicle crashes are one of the most persistent dangers facing law enforcement officers, largely because of the sheer amount of time officers spend on the road. Motor vehicle incidents are the leading cause of on-duty death for law enforcement officers, according to federal safety research, according to the National Library of Medicine. Between 2019 and 2023, more than 230 officers nationwide died accidentally in the line of duty, with 57% killed in vehicle crashes and another 30% struck by vehicles, according to a story by the Associated Press. Officers routinely drive thousands of miles annually responding to calls, conducting patrols and assisting motorists, exposing them to constant traffic risk even outside of enforcement situations.