Our good friend Gretchen Kimsey brings us greetings from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church here in The Dalles.

She also said the church is going to flip Tuesday, Feb. 17, on its ear and even add some syrup to the celebration.

The Church is holding Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feed. But not in the morning. Volunteers will be serving pancakes for dinner in a fundraiser set for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the church’s lower level at 1805 Minnesota St.

Local Pancake gourmands can donate an amount of their choosing, Kimsey said, noting that’s the butter that will help The Dalles put food on the table for others. Here’s how.

Proceeds from the feed will benefit the local Food Bank, which serves more than 6,000 people per month.

Investment will bring fiber internet to over 900 homes and businesses in Wasco County 

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 12, 2026 — QLife Network has been awarded a $15.2 million federal grant to expand high-speed fiber internet service to 924 homes and businesses in Northern Wasco County.

For residents in rural pockets west and southwest of The Dalles — where internet speeds can lag or service can be unreliable — the investment means faster connections for remote work, online classes, telehealth appointments and farm operations that increasingly depend on digital tools. For small businesses, it could mean the difference between competing online or falling behind.

The funding comes through the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, known as BEAD, and is part of Oregon’s newly approved final proposal authorized by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. QLife is one of 19 awardees selected statewide to help expand broadband to areas lacking reliable service.

Under the grant, QLife will install more than 30 miles of fiber broadband over the next four years, beginning in rural and unincorporated areas near Chenoweth Creek, Cherry Heights and Browns Creek. The expansion will also reach upland areas between The Dalles and Mosier, along with select homes and businesses along the Columbia River east of The Dalles.

The total project investment is approximately $20 million, including a required local match of about $5 million. The funding will cover engineering, permitting, materials, construction and final deployment. The project is expected to support about 20 jobs.

“This is a defining moment for our community,” said Liz Lance, executive director of QLife Network. “For too long, rural families, farms, and small businesses have been left behind without reliable high-speed internet. This investment allows us to deliver the high-speed internet access they have long deserved.”

The BEAD program, funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, represents the largest broadband investment in Oregon’s history. Statewide, the initiative is expected to connect more than 104,000 unserved and underserved households, healthcare facilities and businesses across 36 counties and seven tribal communities.

“This project strengthens the foundation of our local economy,” said Lee Weinstein, QLife board president. “Reliable broadband supports students, small businesses, healthcare providers and public safety. This investment positions Wasco County for long-term opportunity.”

QLife officials said the organization will provide updates as the project moves through contracting, permitting and construction planning, with additional information to be shared as deployment timelines and service availability are finalized.

QLife Network, founded in 2001, operates a public high-speed fiber optic network serving residents, businesses, schools and public agencies throughout the Mid-Columbia region. More information is available at qlife.net.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 12, 2026 — A 38-year-old houseless man was found deceased Wednesday afternoon near the Interstate 84 westbound on-ramp at Exit 82, north of Home Depot, according to The Dalles Police Department.

Caleb Massengale was discovered around 2:44 p.m. on Feb. 11 by individuals walking in the area, who checked on him and determined he was deceased before contacting authorities, said The Dalles Police Sgt. Douglas Kramer.

Massengale was often seen in the downtown core wearing camouflage face paint, and was somewhat well known with some downtown businesses.

Officers responded to Milepost 82 and are handling the death investigation in coordination with Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg, Wasco County Medical Examiner. Kramer said there were no immediate indications of foul play.

An official cause of death has not been determined. Toxicology results are pending through the medical examiner’s office.

Kramer said Massengale had a history of drug use and had multiple prior contacts with local law enforcement over the years.

“We’ve tried to give him assistance for multiple years,” Kramer said.

The investigation remains ongoing. Additional information may be forthcomeing if released pending the results of the medical examiner’s report.

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Thunder Island Brewing in Cascade Locks presents live music, trivia nights and more.

Be My Valentine Night Market - Wednesday, February 11, from 5-8 p.m. in the Tent featuring local artists and live music from Aram Arslanian!

Shop local art including knits, baked goods, candles, cards, jewelry, clothing, reclaimed art, prints, paintings, hats and so much more!

Aram will be on stage from 5:30-7:30pm!
- Unforgettable 20th century classics as well as a handful from the 21st! Accompanying his rich tenor on both guitar and piano, he enhances the warm and familial atmosphere that you have created for your guests. Some of the artists he emulates are Elton John, Jackson Browne, Tom Petty, Springsteen, Police, Steve Miller, Beatles and MANY more!

The River Room (downstairs) bar will be open with a Foosball tournament happening. Come enjoy our full menu and delicious brews while shopping and catch some live music for a nice evening in our beer garden tent!

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

Wednesday, Feb. 11, Open Stage, 5:30-8 p.m.

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. 11, Crush Cider Cafe (Hood River), 7-9 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 12

Love Stinks: An Anti-Valentine's Party for the Gorge

Sick of Valentine's Day crap? Join us for a hilarious, interactive night with stories, games, comedy, Love Stinks open mic and more.

Tired of heart-shaped everything? Us too.

Join us the Thursday before Valentine's Day for a funny yet cathartic celebration of romantic disasters, dating app nightmares, and the beautiful chaos of being single (or wishing you were).

Featuring local favorite comedic storytellers and hosted by the infamous GALgorithm from the Gorge Dating Show.

Click here for ticket.

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

Thursday, February 12

6:00 PM Jeff Carrell at Bargeway Pub

7:00 PM Jeff Minnick at Last Stop Saloon

Double Mountain Brewery in Hood River brings local and regional music to the stage.

February 12, Live Music featuring Gardentender, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Join us in Hood River for live music by Gardentender. Gardentender is the songwriting duo of  Kyle Glenn and  LINOY- partners in life and music.

Friday, Feb. 13

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

Best Intentions Dance Band 

Friday, February 13

$12 Advance // $15 Day Of Show
6pm Doors / 7pm Show
All Ages

BARN BURNER shows are all about the dancing! No matter who might be on the stage, you are guaranteed to groove.

BEST INTENTIONS

The Best Intentions is a Portland, Oregon-based American roots music dance-band specializing in traditional honkytonk, western swing, and roots rock & roll, but can occasionally be seen dipping its toes into other sub-genres of American music as well. Made up of longtime members of the NW music community, the band features Bret Ervin (Countryside Ride, Barndoor Slammers) on vocals and guitar; Jesse Cunningham (Countryside Ride, Western Supply Co.) on vocals, pedal-steel guitar, and lead guitar; Christine McAllister (Bees in a Bottle, The Good Long Whiles) on vocals and electric bass; and Kevin, the “Shuffle-King,” Major (Countryside Ride, Jackson County Kills, The County Champs) on drums.

Live Music at The Pines

The Pines Tasting Room in Hood River hosts live music featuring local and regional musicians.

Friday, Feb. 13, Big River Blues, 6-9 p.m.

Valentine's Dance at Mid-Columbia Senior Center

1112 W 9th St, The Dalles

$5 per person. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; dancing starts at 6! Join us for a night of fun with door prizes, finger food, a no-host bar, and great live music!

Poetry Open Mic: Voices of the Elements

Friday, Feb 13, 7-9 p.m.

The Dalles Art Center

Experience an evening of poetry, community, and creative expression at TDAC’s first-ever Poetry Open Mic, hosted by local poet Laurel Kirby. Inspired by our current exhibition, Elemental: Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Spirit, this gathering invites writers of all ages and experience levels to share original work connected to the natural forces that shape our world, or pieces that speak directly to their inner spirit. Poets are welcome to read several pieces, depending on poem length and the number of participants. Listeners are warmly encouraged to attend and enjoy the many voices and perspectives within our community. Participation, whether as a poet or a listener, is free of charge. We hope you’ll join us in experiencing the artistry of written and spoken word!

The Gorge Dating Show

Friday, Feb 13, 7-9 p.m.

The Ruins in Hood River

A Live Audience Game Show Solving the Gorge Dating Problem

Tickets: Advance - $20 | Door - $25. Tickets available here: www.tickettomato.com/event/9811

18+ | Indoor show. | Pets are not allowed. Doors at 6pm.

Come watch (or apply to participate in) a live game show around dating in the Gorge!

The Gorge Dating Show is a weird-but-fun event series for romantics, realists, “I’m in love with my kayak” people, and everyone in between. Whether you’re looking for sparks, sidekicks, or just a good story to tell, we’re here to make meeting people a little less awkward and a lot more fun for everyone involved.

Saturday, Feb. 14

Funkship - Get your Heart on!

February 14, 7 p.m. at The Bingen Theater

The Bingen's Resident Band

Funkship

Get your Heart on!

Annual Mardi Gras Parade and Costume Dance Party

Doors open at 7 p.m.
Parade begins at 7:30 p.m.

Stay after for the dance party and keep the celebration going.

Costumes encouraged. Love in the air, funk in your feet, and samba in your soul. Come celebrate and dance the night away!

www.bigbritches.org/funkship---get-your-heart-on-tickets

Granada Theater The Dalles

Valentine's Day

Saturday, FEBRUARY 14
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre -
Audience Interactive Whodunit
DEATH OF A GANGSTER
Dinner 6:30 p.m.
Show 7:30 p.m.

Tickets:

granadatheatrethedalles.com/events-and-buy-tickets/2-14-murder-mystery-theatre/

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

SPARROW SMITH & THE RESONANT ROGUES

Saturday, February 14

$15 Advance // $20 Day Of Show
6pm Doors / 7pm Show
All Ages

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a little Louisiana flair! Join us for a fun and approachable Cajun Two-Step lesson — perfect for absolute beginners and anyone looking to refresh the basics. We’ll cover basic footwork, connection, and how to turn with ease, so you can dance comfortably with anyone on the floor.

Already have some dance experience? We’ve got bonus tips to elevate your frame, styling, and musicality to match the groove of the band.

Then stick around and kick up your heels to live music from Sparrow Smith & the Resonant Rouges. Sparrow is a beloved multi-instrumentalist from Marshall, NC. Known for her evocative songwriting and vibrant stage presence, she blends Appalachian old-time, Cajun, Zydeco, swing, Cumbia, and Balkan music into a sound that’s as danceable as it is eclectic. Expect banjo, accordion, and bold style in every note.

Dance class is included with admission, but totally optional.

Sunday, Feb. 15

Open Mic at Working Hands

Working Hands Fermentation in Hood River presents live music, trivia nights and more.

Sunday, Feb. 15, Open Mic, 7-9:30 p.m.

A great event for all, performing or witnessing.

(all ages welcome)

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

Sunday, February 15

7:00 PM Rich & Blonde at Last Stop Saloon

Phelps Creek Vineyard in Hood River presents live music in the tasting room with local and regional bands.

Sunday, February 15, Lesley & Friends Music, 5-7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 16

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

Monday, February 16

7:00 PM Al Hare at Last Stop Saloon

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. 11, 2026 — The Cherry Festival, The Dalles’ largest annual event, will move to Fourth Street this April due to the First Street Streetscape Project, a shift that has drawn formal objections from The Dalles Art Center over concerns about lost revenue, access and potential property damage.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce Director Lisa Farquharson said the relocation became necessary last fall when it became clear that construction on First Street between Union and Laughlin streets  would prevent the festival from returning to its traditional First Street location.

City Community Development Director Joshua Chandler told City Councilors in July 2025 his intent was to begin the First Street upgrade in Winter 2026. 

“We thought we might get one more Cherry Festival on First Street,” Farquharson said. “By October, we realized that wasn’t going to happen.”

The Chamber evaluated multiple alternative sites, including Kramer Field, First Street Northwest of Lewis & Clark Festival Park, Sorosis Park and the Columbia Gorge Community College Campus, County Property next to The Dalles Riders Club among others. But she determined they lacked sufficient space, flat ground, power access or proximity to downtown businesses or were also closed for construction. 

Ultimately, Fourth Street was selected, though Farquharson acknowledged the decision came after months of revisions and internal debate.

“We revised this map at least 20 times,” she said. “Power, water, spacing, safety — all of that had to work.”

Carnival revenue a key factor to location

A major factor in the decision was the festival’s carnival component, which Farquharson said generates revenue critical to sustaining the event.

She said the Chamber receives carnival revenue that covers roughly one-third of the total festival cost, which ranges between $50,000 and $60,000 annually

Without the carnival, she said, vendor participation declines and the festival becomes financially unviable.

“If I don’t have the carnival, the vendors don’t want to be here,” Farquharson said. “All those parts work together.”

The carnival is scheduled to begin setup Sunday, April 19, with the festival running April 24-26 and teardown concluding by Tuesday. April 28. That timeline results in up to 10 days of street closure.

Art Center raises formal objection

In a letter to the City Council and Chamber of Commerce, The Dalles Art Center Executive Director Ellen Woods Potter formally objected to the carnival’s placement directly in front of the organization’s building.

Potter wrote that the Art Center’s Garden Party, scheduled for Thursday, April 23, is the organization’s second-largest annual fundraiser and generates nearly 90 percent of its April income.

Restricting access and eliminating close parking, she wrote, would create a “substantial financial loss” for the nonprofit.

The letter also raised concerns about elderly and disabled patron access, potential landscaping damage, vandalism and security issues.

“Placing the carnival in front of businesses that cannot benefit, while causing them significant harm, is fundamentally inequitable,” Potter wrote.

Communication breakdown

The dispute is further complicated by a November email to the Art Center in which Farquharson stated that a Fourth Street footprint was not workable and would no longer be considered.

“…it is clear that a Cherry Festival footprint on 4th Street is not workable for the surrounding businesses,” she wrote in the November 2025 email. “I want to reassure you that we are no longer considering 4th Street as a festival location."

During a recent interview, she confirmed the email in mid-November and at that time she was prepared to cancel the festival entirely due to logistical concerns.

By mid-December, however, after additional discussions with city officials, utilities and downtown businesses, Fourth Street was reconsidered.

Farquharson also acknowledged that the Art Center was inadvertently left off a subsequent email distribution about the reconsideration, which she described as an administrative error.

“I did apologize for leaving her (Woods-Potter) off the email,” Farquharson said, adding that the omission was unintentional.

Mitigation efforts ongoing

Farquharson said the Chamber has offered several mitigation measures, including temporary fencing, dedicated parking, ADA access accommodations and additional marketing support for the Art Center.

She said discussions are ongoing and that the Chamber continues to seek ways to minimize impacts to the Art Center and other affected businesses.

However, Farquharson agreed she and Woods-Potter have not met since November.

“We’re still trying to figure out how to make this work with the least impact possible,” she said.

Balancing impact and economic need

Farquharson said she heard demand for the festival directly from several downtown businesses that rely on Cherry Festival revenue to bridge the period between the holiday season and summer tourism.

She estimated that approximately 35 percent of festival attendees come from outside The Dalles and that some hospitality businesses generate $10,000 to $15,000 in revenue during the weekend

“If we don’t have this event, I can’t imagine the impact,” she said.

For the Art Center, the concern remains concentrated and immediate.

Potter’s letter asks who would be held accountable for any financial losses resulting from the closure?

As planning continues, the Fourth Street relocation reflects the difficult tradeoffs facing The Dalles during a season of downtown construction.

For some businesses, Cherry Festival represents a critical economic bridge between winter and summer tourism.

For the nonprofit The Dalles Art Center, the same event represents risk to one of its most important fundraising months.

Whether the move ultimately strengthens downtown or deepens division likely depends more on whether parties can talk, mitigate and rebuild trust before the carnival lights turn on in April.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 11, 2025 — Fast action by a local Oregon State Police Trooper quickly brought a search for a missing woman from Tygh Valley to a close while working a tow-truck detail on Interstate 84 near the Discovery Center exit on Monday night.

He also likely saved her and possibly others from major injury.

On Monday, the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office initiated a silver alert for the woman after she went missing from the Rock Creek community around 4 p.m., according to the sheriff’s log.

At about 8:43 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, Oregon State Police Trooper Nicklus Rumsey was parked on the shoulder of Interstate 84 near milepost 82 eastbound near the Discovery center exit with his emergency lights activated while assisting a tow truck driver.

According to OSP, a vehicle nearly crashed into Rumsey’s patrol car and the tow truck. Rumsey recognized the vehicle, a green Kia, as one associated with the silver alert issued out of Wasco County.

A silver alert is a public notification system designed to quickly locate missing seniors, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other cognitive impairments.

Rumsey stopped the vehicle and confirmed the driver was the missing woman, identified as Linda Lou Shelton, 79, of Tygh Valley. She was safely reunited with her family.

Shelton was submitted to the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles for retesting, according to OSP.

OSP Lt. Jason Calloway praised Rumsey’s quick thinking.

“I’m proud of the officer,” Calloway said. “It was awesome he was able to recognize that vehicle was the one described in the silver alert and that he remembered what to look for all while busy working a different event.”

Keeping Seniors Safe

Calloway added that in cases involving older drivers and possible medical or cognitive issues, families play a critical role.

“They need to pay attention to what is going on with those folks and take action when necessary,” Calloway said. “If there is evidence of medical issues and they’re not safe to drive, families need to step up and take action — whether that’s getting them tested or taking the keys away.”

Calloway said troopers frequently encounter elderly drivers who become disoriented or travel long distances unintentionally, including cases involving wrong-way drivers on highways.

Early intervention by family members, and or primary care doctors he said, can prevent tragedy and protect both the driver and the public.

While surrendering a driver’s license can be difficult after decades behind the wheel, Calloway said “recognizing when it is no longer safe to drive can save lives.”

From Columbia Gorge Community College:

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 9, 2026 — Columbia Gorge Community College instructor Robert Wells-Clark is the 2026 Oregon Career and Technical Education professional of the year.

The Oregon Association for Career and Technical Education (Oregon ACTE) recently bestowed the award on Wells-Clark of The Dalles.

Wells-Clark is training in high-demand technical fields, including advanced manufacturing, fabrication, welding, construction trades, and, in partnership with local industry, specialized skills like CNC programming, CAD design, and 3D printing. The effort supports the local economy in the Gorge and statewide as graduates earn more money and contribute to successful businesses.

The statewide award honors exceptional leadership and innovation in advancing postsecondary career and technical education (CTE). Wells-Clark was selected for his outstanding contributions to program development, student success, and community partnerships throughout the Columbia Gorge region.

“Robert brings remarkable energy and vision to his work at CGCC,” said Dr. Jarett Gilbert, vice president of Instruction at CGCC. “His leadership directly strengthens pathways for students into high-demand technical careers, and this recognition is a testament to his dedication.”

Wells-Clark will be presented his award certificate at the new Industrial Training and Assessment Center Open House Feb. 20th on The Dalles Campus, and formally recognized during the Oregon ACTE Conference, held April 29–May 1, 2026, in Seaside. As Oregon’s state-level award recipient, he will also advance for consideration in the ACTE Region V Post-Secondary Professional of the Year competition, with nominees from 17 western U.S. states.

“It’s an honor to represent Columbia Gorge Community College and our students,” said Wells-Clark. “CTE programs are changing lives across rural Oregon, and I’m grateful to be part of that work.”

For more information about career and technical education programs at Columbia Gorge Community College, visit cgcc.edu/cte.

About Oregon ACTE

The Oregon Association for Career and Technical Education is the professional association dedicated to the advancement of CTE educators and programs statewide. It is affiliated with the national Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE).

About Columbia Gorge Community College

Columbia Gorge Community College serves communities throughout the Mid-Columbia region of Oregon and Washington, offering accessible pathways to education, workforce training, and lifelong learning. Learn more at cgcc.edu.

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 10, 2026 — One person was hospitalized Friday night, Feb. 6, after a structure fire tore through a home in the 3000 block of Mill Creek Road, according to fire and law-enforcement officials.

Crews from Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue responded to the fire at about 9:45 p.m. and arrived to find heavy fire coming from the structure. Fire officials said the occupants were able to exit the residence, though one individual was treated at the scene and transported to a hospital for further evaluation.

Oregon State Police later reported the fire involved a mobile home at 3207 Mill Creek Road with four tenants inside at the time of the blaze. According to police, one tenant — described as non-mobile — was transferred and admitted to the hospital due to injuries. Another tenant who was believed to be in the room where the fire originated could not be located or interviewed.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined and is under investigation. The origin and cause investigation was conducted jointly by Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, with assistance from an accelerant detection canine team. Wasco County Sheriff's Office is leading any potential criminal investigation related to the incident.

Multiple fire and medical units responded, including Medic 21, Engines 21 and 22, Truck 23, Tenders 21 and 23, and command staff. Oregon State Police said a fire marshal from an outside agency also assisted in the investigation. Wasco County PUD and sheriff’s deputies provided support at the scene.

Fire officials said callback personnel and Klickitat County Emergency Medical Services assisted with unrelated EMS calls while crews worked the fire. A fire crew remained on scene overnight.

No further details were immediately available.

The 2026 Oregon Wheat Foundation scholarship recipients are:

George Barnett, Wasco County
Ryder Steward, Gilliam County
Addison Smith, Sherman County
Madison Cranston, Sherman County
Hunter Hansell, Umatilla County
Katelynn Melville, Wallowa County
Owyhee Harguess, Wallowa County
Keira Counsell, Union County
Taylor Weishaar, Union County
Ella Wilde, Baker County
Addie Saunders, Malheur County
Sophia Seeder, Marion County

Scholarship winners are selected on school and community involvement, scholastic performance, and an essay on the wheat industry. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA, according to its website.

Annually, the foundation selects up to 12 graduating high school seniors who are children of a grower member of the Oregon Wheat Growers League, whose parents are employed by a grower member, or who have worked for local growers.

“The Oregon Wheat Foundation is pleased to support such an exceptional group of students this year,” said Amanda Hoey, Oregon Wheat CEO. “These students have a deep commitment to their communities and a bright future.”

The Oregon Wheat Foundation was formed in 1980 to raise funds for specific projects, including the annual scholarship program. The foundation works to promote Oregon’s wheat industry by providing funding for education and the welfare of communities.

For more information, go to owgl.org. Or, to learn more about the scholarships, click here.

By Tom Peterson with assistance from Aaron Girdham

Parkdale, Ore., Feb. 6, 2026 — U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., spoke Friday during a town hall in the Columbia Gorge, warning that democratic norms in the United States are under direct threat as concerns over immigration enforcement, surveillance, affordability, agricultural consolidation and the 2026 elections dominated the discussion.

About 125 people packed the Mt. Hood Community Center in Hood River, applauding as Merkley entered the room. The event opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, with much of the crowd loudly repeating the word “all” during the phrase “with liberty and justice for all.”

One longtime Parkdale resident said he attended the meeting “to hear what Mr. Merkley has to say that relates to our community.” Asked what he thought of the senator’s work in Oregon, the resident pointed to Merkley’s pamphlet, Ring the Alarm Bells.

“I strongly recommend reading the pamphlet Mr. Merkley wrote for this occasion,” he said. “It contains some very divisive language and comments, such as, ‘Being angry and frustrated alone is depressing and discouraging, but being angry and organized is energizing and effective,’ on page 15.”

He said he believes Merkley’s bills and actions have been harmful to the state and criticized what he described as aggressive language toward the presidential administration. “It’s OK to have a different opinion,” he said, “but that does not mean you must lash out against the other party.”

The resident said he attended because Merkley represents the entire state, not just one political party.

‘Authoritarian assault’ and defending democracy

Merkley described what he called an “authoritarian assault” by the Trump administration and said Americans are confronting conditions few believed possible.

“Who would have ever thought we would be in this situation,” Merkley said, referring to the need to defend democracy in the United States.

He held up a 10-page booklet titled Ring the Alarm Bells, summarizing his 22-hour speech on the U.S. Senate floor outlining what he described as the “10 rules of Trump’s authoritarian playbook.” Merkley said those strategies include voter suppression, intimidation tactics and the consolidation of power among a small number of corporations, including in the technology sector, creating oligarchies capable of setting prices.

Elections and voter intimidation

Merkley said he is deeply concerned about voter intimidation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, particularly following public comments suggesting federal immigration enforcement could be deployed near polling places.

“So after the night before yesterday was when Steve Bannon said to send ICE in,” Merkley said. “I look to the federal laws. The short answer is: federal law doesn’t allow it.”

He said existing federal law already bars federal law enforcement from polling places, but he expressed concern that those protections could be bypassed through an emergency declaration.

“We’re in a place where we normally count on the federal government to follow the law,” Merkley said. “But the problem is this president may declare an emergency and ignore it.”

Merkley said strengthening state and local laws could provide an additional legal backstop.

“If you have state law, you might be able to get court injunctions based on state law,” he said. “That could provide a backup if the federal law is ignored.”

He added that intimidation strategies extend beyond polling places.

“It is the gerrymander, it is a national voter database, it is discouraging vote by mail, and now it is the strategy of sending intimidators,” Merkley said. “We never thought we’d be in a situation where we can’t trust the federal government to run a fair election.”

Immigration enforcement and civil liberties

Much of the discussion focused on immigration enforcement and civil liberties. Jennifer Hacket of Hood River said she attended the town hall to hear directly from Merkley, noting her work with the Hood River Latino Network.

“ICE is having a big impact on this community,” Hacket said. “I’m seeing people’s constitutional rights violated.”

She cited what she described as non-judicial search warrants and said she opposed people being taken from their homes and then denied due process in deportation proceedings.

Merkley publicly thanked Arturo Levya and the Hood River Latino Network, calling the organization “a beacon of hope” for immigrant families in what he described as one of the community’s most vulnerable populations. Members of the network wore shirts reading, “Hunger is a policy choice.”

ICE, sensitive locations and ‘secret police’

Responding to a question from a nurse with Healthcare Without Fear, Merkley said he is working on policies to keep Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers out of sensitive locations such as hospitals and polling places.

“The majority party does not want to fix these things,” Merkley said.

“We now have a secret police in America,” he said, citing ICE officers who he said are not wearing badges, are covering their faces, driving unmarked vehicles and detaining people.

“I’m going to do every damn thing I can do” to stop what he described as illegal ICE enforcement practices, Merkley told the crowd.

Land, water and surveillance concerns

One audience member raised concerns about the recent transfer of U.S. Forest Service land to the City of The Dalles, describing a roughly 150-acre area she said includes the headwaters of the Dog River.

She characterized the transfer as a “water grab” by Google, alleging it would divert water away from Hood River to support data centers in The Dalles and contribute to surveillance of Americans.

In response, Merkley said he opposes facial recognition technology and warned that the federal government currently lacks meaningful policies to address artificial intelligence.

“It’s all a huge threat to privacy and freedom in America,” Merkley said.

He said surveillance authorities expanded after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including provisions of the Patriot Act, have helped normalize facial recognition technologies, including Flock cameras used by law enforcement agencies.

Merkley said AI policy must be debated openly on the floor of the U.S. Senate. When he asked whether the crowd was worried about AI, nearly every hand went up.

Housing, affordability and consolidation

Affordability emerged as the second most common concern Merkley said he hears across Oregon.

“The Federal Poverty Level no longer accurately reflects reality,” he said. “Housing and health care have gone way up, and the GDP is being concentrated at the very top while everyone else is getting squeezed.”

Doug Baker of the Big River Community Land Trust thanked Merkley for supporting legislation that will bring $2 million to affordable housing efforts in Hood River County. Baker said the funding marks the start of Big River’s effort to build 40 homes that will remain “permanently affordable.”

Merkley said the project is one of several recipients under a bill directing $225 million toward community projects statewide, including drinking water and wastewater system improvements.

Merkley also said he supports banning private equity firms and hedge funds from purchasing residential housing, arguing the practice drives up housing costs. He noted that this is one issue on which he and President Trump agree.

Agriculture and fruit growers in the Gorge

Asked about fruit growers in Wasco and Hood River counties, Merkley said consolidation among buyers and processors is a longstanding problem across agricultural markets.

“The consolidation of the middleman is a huge factor,” he said. “We’ve seen it with meat packers—four companies controlling the market—and that kind of informal price-setting is a real problem.”

Merkley said growers have also raised concerns about uncertainty tied to tariffs and trade retaliation.

“With orchards, you don’t just switch crops,” he said. “You plant trees and you’re committed long term.”

He said antitrust enforcement typically runs through the executive branch and the Farm Bill, which has been repeatedly delayed.

“That’s the place where I can try to bring pressure,” Merkley said. “But once folks are consolidated, they’re rarely broken back apart.”

Merkley said he plans to have his field team speak directly with local growers.

“Often co-ops are the response,” he said. “When they’re run by and for orchardists, that’s a beautiful thing—but you have to maintain control.”

Health care and the 2026 elections

Merkley sharply criticized what he called Trump’s “Big Ugly Betrayal,” pointing to cuts in health care tax credits and nutrition assistance while approving $75 billion in funding for ICE.

“Meanwhile, 20 million people are having their health care screwed up,” Merkley said, adding that about 70 percent of those affected live in states that voted for Trump.

He dismissed a recent House vote extending health care tax credits as meaningless, saying the Republican-led Senate has no intention of bringing the measure forward.

“It was cover your ass,” Merkley said.

Merkley said he supports a Medicare option allowing Americans to buy into the program, creating competition he said would lower overall health care costs.

He closed by urging civic engagement ahead of the midterm elections.

“If we’re going to save our republic, the next election matters a hell of a lot,” Merkley said. “On deciding how our country is run.”

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 8, 2026 — The Dalles Public Library will host a mix of creative workshops, games, and family-friendly Valentine-themed events from Feb. 9 through Feb. 14, with programs for children, teens, and adults throughout the week.

Monday, Feb. 9
Piece by Piece Puzzle Program, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Drop-in jigsaw puzzle program with coffee and light refreshments. Participants may work together or individually. Teens and adults.

Monday, Feb. 9
Dream Study Group: Gifts from Our Subconscious, 5–7:30 p.m. Registration required. Join Nancy Turner, M.Ed., for an exploration of dreams as metaphorical messages offering insight and personal guidance. Adults.

Tuesday, Feb. 10
Obstacle Quest: Library Edition, 3:30 p.m. Team challenges throughout the library with snacks provided. The winning team receives a prize. Teens.

Wednesday, Feb. 11
Adult Art Club: Free Create, 1 p.m. Bring a project or use library supplies in a relaxed creative space to share feedback and ideas. Adults.

Wednesday, Feb. 11
Heart-Shaped Waffles, 2:30–3:30 p.m., teen room. Make heart-shaped waffles and enjoy a Valentine-themed snack activity. Teens.

Thursday, Feb. 12
Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic, 11 a.m.–noon. Virtual author talk with Dr. Lindsey Stewart. Registration required. Adults.

Thursday, Feb. 12
Family STEAM Night, 6 p.m. Build telescopes and, weather permitting, observe the moon and stars outdoors. All ages.

Friday, Feb. 13
Special Fun Friday for Kids: Sugar Rush, 3:30 p.m. Build candy race cars and race them down the Sugar Rush Speedway ramp. Kids.

Friday, Feb. 13
Fun Fridays, 3:30 p.m. Weekly rotating activities including crafts, games and trivia. Teens.

Friday, Feb. 13
Winter 2026: Olympic Games, 5 p.m. Quick 30-minute games in the main part of the library honoring the Winter Olympics. All ages.

Saturday, Feb. 14
Show & Share: Portland Pilots Men’s Basketball Team, 1 p.m. Supersized show-and-tell with basketball tricks and a skills demonstration. All ages.

Saturday, Feb. 14
KidQuest: Adventure Awaits!, 3–4:30 p.m. Role-playing game adventure program for ages 6–11 with snacks. Kids.

Saturday, Feb. 14
Couples Swing Dance – Valentine’s Day, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Registration required. One-hour swing dance session with Don Slusher. Hors d’oeuvres provided. Adults.

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 6, 2026 — Inside the National Neon Sign Museum in The Dalles, about 50 volunteers are donating hundreds of hours to restore the historic Jantzen Beach Carousel, sanding, repairing and repainting century-old wooden horses in a community-driven effort.

This photo gallery provided by Simon Benko captures the hands, paint and patience behind the progress, showcasing volunteers at work as the Jantzen Beach Carousel slowly spins back toward life.

Click here to read CCCNew’s original story on the carousel.

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 6, 2026 — A portion of the First Street parking lot near the corner of Federal and First streets is now closed as work begins on the First Street Streetscaping Project.

The closed area will be used as a laydown yard for materials and equipment supporting the project. The closure is expected to remain in place through May 2027.

Public parking areas west of the Transportation Building remain open and available.

The First Street Streetscaping Project will extend from Union Street to Laughlin Street and includes rebuilding deteriorating retaining walls, sidewalks and curbs, along with new landscaping and a protected bike lane. Engineers estimate the project cost at nearly $7 million, including design and contingencies. The work is being funded through Urban Renewal.

City officials said they appreciate the community’s patience as the downtown improvement project moves forward.

More information and construction impact updates are available at thedalles.org/DTProjects.

A month-long exhibition at Columbia Center for the Arts celebrates Black and BIPOC creativity across mediums—while raising funds for the Black in the Gorge Scholarship Fund

By August Oaks

Hood River, Ore., Feb. 6, 2026 — Columbia Center for the Arts (CCA), in partnership with Black in the Gorge (BiG), is proud to present Black Infinity House, an immersive gallery exhibition featuring Black and BIPOC artists from across the Pacific Northwest. Running February 6 through March 1, 2026, the exhibition is curated by August Oaks and will be on view at Columbia Center for the Arts, 215 Cascade Avenue, Hood River, OR. 

Black Infinity House follows the momentum of 2025’s Rooted in the Gorge exhibit and expands the region’s commitment to celebrating and uplifting BIPOC artists and makers through visibility, community-building, and cultural connection. Featuring a wide range of mediums—including drawing, painting, photography, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, fashion, digital work, and mixed media—the show highlights the breadth of creative talent thriving throughout the Columbia Gorge and beyond. 

At the heart of the exhibition is a concept rooted in the idea that Blackness is infinite—a living, evolving, and expansive cultural force that cannot be reduced to a single definition. 

“The Black Infinity House art exhibit is focused on highlighting the visions, expressions, experiences and imaginations of local, Black artists across multiple mediums,” said curator August Oaks. “This artists’ showcase is an experiential exhibit… meant to demonstrate Black art through the process of its creation, consumption and cultivation.” 

Designed as an experiential “house” within the gallery, Black Infinity House invites visitors to move through three themed spaces:
● The Studio — exploring identity and artistic creation
● The Living Room — centered on culture, gathering, and creative consumption
● The Porch — connecting cultivation, nature, rest, and safe space

“This isn’t some stuffy art show with a few paintings hanging from sterile, white walls. Making art doesn’t feel anything like that… This is an immersive art experience meant to celebrate the vibrant sense of magic that resonates in culture and connectivity,” says Oaks.

The exhibition also features materials and community support from local businesses including Ice Cream for Crow Vintage, ADHD Records, Artifact, Hood River Stationers and the Gorge Rebuild-It Center. 

“It’s been so awesome to be able to collaborate with our local community. The openness and support to not only acknowledge our culture but celebrate our history in such an important and creative way has been so cool and incredibly special,” says Robin Allen of Black in the Gorge.

In addition to celebrating artistic excellence, the exhibition also serves as a fundraiser supporting the Black in the Gorge Scholarship Fund, created to assist Gorge residents who identify as Black/African American, Black biracial, or Black multiracial in pursuing educational goals across all ages and stages of life.

Opening Reception

The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 5:00–7:30 PM, at Columbia Center for the Arts.

Exhibition Details

Black Infinity House
Columbia Center for the Arts 215 Cascade Avenue, Hood River, OR 97031
February 6 – March 1, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, February 6 | 5:00–7:30 PM

About Black in the Gorge Black in the Gorge (BiG) is a local mutual support organization focused on community care, cultural programming, and strengthening connection for Black, biracial, and multiracial residents of the greater Columbia Gorge region. BiG also leads fundraising efforts for the Black in the Gorge Scholarship Fund.

About Columbia Center for the Arts (CCA) is a nonprofit arts organization in Hood River, Oregon, dedicated to enriching the community through visual art exhibitions, performances, and cultural programming. 

Black Infinity House Schedule

Feb. 1–March 1
A gallery-wide celebration of Black and BIPOC artists and creatives, featuring work across multiple mediums in an immersive exhibit experience. Free and open to the public.
Opening reception: Feb. 6, 5:30–8:30 p.m.

Improv with Jade and Emily | Community workshop
Feb. 10, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Drop-in improv night with no experience or sign-up required. Participants are invited to play, laugh and build confidence in a supportive environment. For ages 18 and older. Free.

Candlemaking with Mister OK’s Essentials (adults only) | Workshop
Feb. 13, 6–7 p.m.
An adults-only candlemaking class designed for an early Valentine’s date night or a Galentine’s outing. Participants will create a candle, learn the basics of candlemaking and stay for a movie. For ages 18 and older.

NOPE | Film screening
Feb. 13, 7 p.m.
An adults-only screening of NOPE, a genre-bending thriller directed by Jordan Peele.

Candlemaking with Mister OK’s Essentials (family friendly) | Workshop
Feb. 14, 11 a.m.–noon
A family-friendly candlemaking workshop where participants can create a candle together while learning the process step by step.

The Wiz | Film screening
Feb. 14, noon
A screening of The Wiz, a musical reimagining of The Wizard of Oz suitable for all ages.

Paint and Sip with Jade | Workshop
Feb. 19, 6–8 p.m.
A guided paint night led by Jade, offering participants the chance to create, unwind and leave with a finished piece. For ages 21 and older.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner | Film screening
Feb. 20, 7 p.m.
A screening of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner in celebration of Sidney Poitier’s birthday.

Intro to pyrography: Keepsake boxes | Workshop
Feb. 21, 1–3 p.m.
A hands-on workshop led by DeLoné introducing the art of pyrography, also known as wood burning. Open to beginners and experienced makers.

Improv with Jade and Emily | Community workshop
Feb. 24, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Another drop-in improv night with no experience or sign-up required. Open to participants ages 18 and older.

Basquiat | Film screening
Feb. 27, 7 p.m.
A screening of Basquiat, exploring the life of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and New York City’s 1980s art scene.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 5, 2026 — Inside the former Elks Lodge in downtown The Dalles, the National Neon Sign Museum glows with neon signs spanning more than 120 years of American roadside history. Upstairs, under a single spotlight, another form of craftsmanship is quietly being brought back to life.

Volunteer Linda Wilson stood beside a carved wooden horse from the historic Jantzen Beach Carousel, brush in hand, carefully painting its ornate exterior.

“I have fun with it,” Wilson said. “I’m mixing a color to make a wash to put scales on the romance side of this one.”

The “romance side,” Wilson explained, is the outward-facing side of the horse — the portion visible to riders as they approach. It is richly detailed and decorative. The opposite side, known as the “money side,” is far plainer, since riders have already paid once it comes into view.

Stamped into the horseshoes are the words “11 Worth,” identifying Leavenworth, Kansas, where the horses were carved and assembled. Wilson said some research points to german prisoners held there during World War I were among the craftsmen responsible for carving and assembling the figures.

Nearly a century of use has left its mark. The horses have undergone multiple repairs and layers of paint over the decades, including copper patches. Epoxy rebuilds of worn features — such as a carved sunflower worn nearly flat after generations of riders brushed past it.

“They are so beautiful,” Wilson said. “It’s an honor to work on them. Someday I’m going to ride one.”

Downstairs, in a brightly lit white room, three women worked steadily on other horses stripped to bare wood. For months, volunteers have been filling cracks and sanding surfaces as part of the painstaking restoration process.

“My intent is to preserve these horses for another 100 years,” said volunteer Therese Wunderlich of The Dalles. “We have spent hundreds of hours sanding. We started using wood filler for the cracks, but found that resin works a lot better.”

The work underway inside the museum is part of a much larger effort to restore the Jantzen Beach Carousel, a massive attraction built in 1921 and brought to Oregon in 1928. In 2023, stewardship of the carousel was awarded to the Neon Sign Museum following a statewide selection process led by Restore Oregon.

The carousel includes more than 80 carved horses and two chariots and is considered one of the largest traditional carousels in the United States.

Kirsten, David and Simon Benko have made the carousel’s revival a family effort. The Benkos said their roles span stewardship, planning, documentation and community outreach, with each contributing to the long-term goal of returning the historic ride to public use while preserving its artistic and historical integrity.

Local artist Denae Manion has spearheaded much of the hands-on restoration, helping organize volunteer efforts and guide painting and surface-finishing techniques. According to the Benkos, Manion’s experience and steady leadership have been central to maintaining consistency and quality across the restoration process as work continues on multiple horses.

Son, Simon Benko said the first year of the project focused largely on research, planning and relationship-building before visible restoration began.

“This is not about rushing,” Simon Benko said. “We’re just stewards of these horses. Our responsibility is to do it right so the next generation has something documented and preserved.”

According to the Benkos, restoration work is being done in “families” of four horses at a time, grouped by style and position on the carousel. More than a dozen horses are currently in progress, with teams handling woodworking, painting and surface preparation.

Shortly after the museum was selected as steward, David Benko attended the 50th annual convention of the National Carousel Association in New England, visiting more than two dozen carousels in several days and building relationships with operators, artists and restorers.

“One woman in her 90s could barely walk off the bus,” David Benko said, recounting his experience during the tour. “Then she saw her horse, recognized it, and suddenly she was running toward it. That’s what this does.”

“That was the moment it really became real,” he said. “You realize not just what you have, but what it can mean to a community.”

Restoration is being done in groups of four horses at a time — often referred to as “families” — based on their placement and design on the carousel. More than a dozen horses are currently in various stages of restoration, with volunteers specializing in woodworking, painting, surface preparation and documentation.

The Benkos said documentation is a central focus of the project, noting that earlier restoration efforts decades ago left little written record. Today’s work is being carefully recorded so future caretakers understand the materials and methods used.

Beyond the technical work, the Benkos said the carousel’s power lies in its ability to connect people across generations, often evoking strong emotional responses tied to memory, art and place.

The restoration is taking place inside the museum, allowing the public to observe the process firsthand. The museum is completing its lower-level Argon Education Center, which will include classrooms, a working neon shop and a dedicated carousel restoration area with live demonstrations.

The museum is also producing a documentary chronicling the carousel’s history and revival. More than 25 interviews have already been recorded as part of the project, according to the Benkos.

Long-term plans call for construction of a dedicated carousel pavilion adjacent to the museum. Early concepts include a fully enclosed structure designed to protect the carousel while making it visible to the public.

Long-term plans call for construction of a dedicated carousel pavilion adjacent to the museum. Early concepts include a fully enclosed structure designed to protect the carousel while making it visible to the public.

The museum hopes to have a significant portion of the carousel restored by 2028, marking 100 years since it arrived in Oregon.

The Benkos said the project is moving forward deliberately, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, education and community involvement.

Volunteers, donations and grant funding continue to be sought as restoration progresses. More information is available at JantzenBeachCarousel.org and through the museum’s social media channels.

From Tammy Kaufman of White Salmon-Bingen Rotary:

Beaverton, Ore., Jan. 29, 2026 — Rotary District 5100 with 62 clubs in northern Oregon and southwest Washington is accepting applications through March 1 for its 2026–27 Global Grant Scholarship, a competitive international study program supported by Rotary International.

The scholarship, funded through The Rotary Foundation, supports professionals pursuing graduate-level study abroad aligned with one of Rotary’s Areas of Focus. Eligible programs include master’s degrees, doctoral programs, certificate programs, or approved research projects, for up to four academic years.

Rotary District 5100 selects one candidate each year to advance to the Global Grant Scholarship application process. The award provides up to $30,000 annually for approved educational expenses.

Rotary’s seven Areas of Focus are peacebuilding and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; community economic development; and protecting the environment.

“This is a high-level study abroad program designed to immerse students in another culture while they study at a foreign university,” said Tamara Kaufman, chair of the district’s Global Scholars Committee. “The selected scholar becomes part of the Rotary family by participating in a club near where they are studying and remaining connected to a club here in our district, which spans northern Oregon and southwest Washington.”

Applicants must already be fluent in the language of instruction, including terminology specific to their field of study, and must have a letter of admission to a foreign academic institution with studies beginning in late summer or early fall 2026. Candidates must also demonstrate a long-term career plan focused on measurable and sustainable change in their chosen field.

“Our motto is Service Above Self,” Kaufman said. “Our goal is for a Global Scholar to help make a positive difference in the world and to maintain a lifelong relationship with Rotary after the scholarship period.”

Kaufman, a member of the White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Club in Washington, said Rotary offers ongoing opportunities for both local and international service.

“We have a tremendous network to do good in the world,” she said. “Our club is currently working on an environmental project in Guatemala and a community economic development project in Kenya, in collaboration with partner clubs in Rotary District 5100 and Rotary clubs on the ground.”

Rotarians, their relatives and Rotary employees are not eligible to apply. Members of Rotaract clubs, Rotary’s global service network for young leaders ages 18 to 30, are eligible.

Applications will be reviewed, and selected candidates will be invited for interviews. The district’s chosen applicant will then work with the committee to apply to The Rotary Foundation for the Global Grant.

More information is available at https://rotarydistrict5100.org/global-scholars/. Applicants must submit a letter of intent, a resume or CV, and letters of reference to RD5100GlobalScholars@gmail.com by March 1, 2026.

About

Rotary District 5100 includes 62 clubs and more than 2,100 members across northern Oregon and southwest Washington. The district focuses on local and global service projects aimed at creating sustainable community impact. Learn more at rotarydistrict5100.org.

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 3, 2026 — Energy company Avangrid Inc. announced Tuesday that two adjacent utility-scale solar projects near Maupin are now operational, marking the first commercial solar facilities of their kind in the county and adding roughly 200 megawatts of alternating-current capacity to the regional power grid.

The projects — Daybreak Solar and Bakeoven Solar — together deliver 269 megawatts of direct-current capacity, or about 200 megawatts alternating current, according to the company. Power from the facilities is being delivered to Portland General Electric through its Green Future Impact program, which allows large industrial and municipal customers to procure new renewable energy resources without shifting additional costs to other ratepayers.

Based on average household electricity use in Oregon, the combined 200 megawatts of alternating-current capacity from the two projects is enough to supply electricity for roughly 40,000 residential homes annually.

Avangrid Chief Executive Officer José Antonio Miranda said the projects represent a major infrastructure investment in Wasco County, citing job creation and grid reliability benefits. Company officials estimate the facilities will generate about $40 million in local tax revenue over their operational life and support several permanent operations and maintenance jobs.

According to the Oregon Department of Energy, both facilities were approved through the state’s Energy Facility Siting Council process and could be built out across more than 3,000 acres and includes a 100-megawatt battery storage system, a collector substation, an operations and maintenance building, and an approximately 11-mile, 230-kilovolt transmission line.

State records show the Energy Facility Siting Council approved a request for amendment in November 2021 that split the original Bakeoven approval into three separate projects — Bakeoven Solar, Daybreak Solar and Sunset Solar — while retaining shared infrastructure across the sites.

Avangrid said construction of the two facilities supported more than 300 construction jobs, primarily filled by local union labor. Contractor Global Electric Inc., which has worked on the Bakeoven site, reported scope that included inverter and transformer installation, photovoltaic module mounting, grounding systems, fiber and SCADA installation, and medium-voltage electrical work.

“Our region has a history of energy production, and now we are finding other ways to harness our abundant regional resources like the Eastern Oregon sunshine and Columbia Gorge Winds to meet growing demand from the new ways we are using electricity,” said Phil Brady, Wasco County Commissioner. “The Daybreak and Bakeoven facilities will help meet our growing demand while contributing to our local economy and supporting our local tax districts such as the Wasco County Library and the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic.”

Electricity from the projects is being procured through PGE’s Green Future Impact program, which serves large customers such as Intel seeking to meet renewable-energy and carbon-reduction goals. Madison West, Intel’s global head of sustainability, said the facilities support the company’s target of achieving 100% renewable electricity across its global operations by 2030.

Avangrid also said it is using sheep grazing at the sites as a vegetation-management strategy to reduce fire risk and maintenance needs. The company reported that approximately 3,000 sheep are being used at the two facilities under agreements with an Oregon sheep rancher.

Avangrid operates about 2.5 gigawatts of generating capacity in Oregon and employs roughly 375 workers statewide. The company opened a national training center in neighboring Sherman County in 2024 and operates more than 80 power projects nationwide with a combined capacity exceeding 10.5 gigawatts.

Tuesday, Feb. 3

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 3

7:00 PM Reddy Black Trio at Zim’s Sports Bar & Grill

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Thunder Island Events

Thunder Island Brewing in Cascade Locks presents live music, trivia nights and more.

We love our community, believe in giving back, and celebrate the organizations that bond our communities. Join us for our Community Night on the first and third Wednesday of the month. We will donate $1.00 of every beverage sold between 5pm and close to a featured non-profit organization.

This week's Launch Party and Troll Hunt Community Night will be benefiting a local non-profit, Main Street Cascade Locks! This event is open to the public and all are welcome to join.

This Launch Party and Troll Hunt (with prizes) will kick off the community-wide centennial of The Bridge of the Gods in October 2026. Main Street Cascade Locks is coordinating with businesses, government agencies, tribal governments and non-profit organizations to present a spectacular festival of events.

Live Music at Tabby’s Hole in One

Tabby’s Hole in One Clubhouse at the Hood River Golf Course presents live music with local and regional bands.

Wednesday, Feb. 4, Open Mic with Kerry Williams, 6-8 p.m.

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. 4, Crush Cider Cafe (Hood River), 7-9 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 5

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

Thursday, February 5

6:00 PM Al Hare at Bargeway Pub

7:00 PM Jeff Minnick at Last Stop Saloon

Music with David Ramirez/Sharon Silva

Live Music at Trout Lake Hall

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

Thursday, February 5th, 2026

$19 Advance // $23 Day Of Show
6pm Doors / 7pm Show
All Ages

DAVID RAMIREZ

David Ramirez took a little time to get back to himself, and now he’s dead set on making music for himself—for the sake of the music, and nothing else. “I love all the records I’ve made in the past,” says Ramirez. “But in making them, there was always the thought in the back of my mind of where and what it could get me. I made both creative and business decisions with a goal in mind; a goal that often never came. This time it was all about just the joy of making it, about having fun with it.”

The Austin, TX-based singer-songwriter—whose career has seen six full-length studio albums, three EPs, countless collaborations, and an illustrious supergroup project in Glorietta—spent a season of rest away from his focus on writing songs. In the wake of the end of a long relationship, he wanted to prioritize processing his grief as a human, not as an artist bleeding onto the page.

SHARON SILVA

Sharon Silva is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter known for her emotionally resonant lyrics and powerful, expressive voice. As a founding member of the indie-folk band The Wild Reeds, Silva helped shape their signature harmony-driven sound before stepping into her solo career.

Friday, Feb. 6

The Quick & Easy Boys w/ Gold Souls

The Ruins in Hood River

Friday, Feb. 6

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

13 Railroad Street

Doors at 5:30pm. Indoor venue. All-ages.

Tickets are $15 in advance (click here,) or $20 at the door.

(Please note: Advance purchase tickets stop being available at 11:59pm the night before the show and then are only available at the door on the day-of. Pets not allowed.)

The Quick & Easy Boys are a power trio out of Portland, Oregon, who create their own blend of rock and roll. Imagine the Minutemen, the Police, and Band of Gypsy’s rolled into one.

Live Music at Trout Lake Hall

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

Friday, February 6th, 2026

$15 Advance // $15 Day Of Show
6pm Doors / 7pm Show
All Ages

THE. MUDDY SOULS

Born in the belly of Eugene, Oregon, The Muddy Souls are a progressive bluegrass band emerging from the Pacific Northwest. Formed in 2018, the band has produced four original albums and played over 300 shows across the US, Canada Europe, and beyond. Through intricately woven arrangements, meaningful lyrics, vocal harmonies, and improvisational jams, this band is sure to get you grooving on the dance floor. The Muddy Souls will take you on a musical journey, opening hearts and nourishing souls.

SKILLETHEAD

ORIGINAL, TRADITIONAL, MODERN

Setting roots in the high and dry Central Oregon desert, Skillethead calls forth the best of bluegrass old and new. They ground themselves firmly in the bluegrass traditions of driving fiddle tunes, layered harmonies, and single mics, all the while weaving in inspiration and originality gleaned from genres far and wide. You can expect to hear a Stanley Brothers number right alongside a stirring original or a rollicking rock cover done in Skillethead's own unique fashion. The spectrum reaches far and wide, the bluegrass universe is expanding, and Skillethead is on that ride!

Live Music at The Pines

The Pines Tasting Room in Hood River hosts live music featuring local and regional musicians.

Friday, Feb. 6, SuperNova (rock), 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 7

An Evening With Shafty (Phish Tribute)

Sat, Feb 07 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The Ruins in Hood River

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

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

(Please note: Advance purchase tickets stop being available at 11:59pm the night before the show and then are only available at the door on the day-of. Pets not allowed.)

Shafty: What began as essentially a goof – a chance to throw down some familiar dancy beats and jam for whoever felt like listening - ultimately lit a spark under the off-the-radar powder keg of Phish fans in the Portland, Oregon music scene. More time was spent talking about the possibility of putting a Phish tribute together than actually practicing, prior to their first performance at local basement pub The Goodfoot Lounge, in February of 2012.

Event by Gorge Roller Derby

The Dalles Readiness Center

A new year and a new season are rolling into The Dalles as Gorge Roller Derby (GRD) opens its 2026 campaign with a fast-paced doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 7, at the The Dalles Readiness Center.

The evening features two full bouts, starting at 4 p.m. with the GRD All Stars taking on a mystery opponent, followed by a 6 p.m. matchup between GRD’s Blood N Gorge and Emerald City Roller Derby. Doors open at 3 p.m., giving fans time to grab seats and soak in the pre-bout buzz before the first whistle.

The event is open to all ages and wheelchair accessible, with children 6 and under admitted free. Limited tickets will be available at the door for $15 general admission and $8 for students.

Hosted at Fort Dalles Readiness Center, 402 E. Scenic Drive, the season opener promises hard hits, quick jams, and the kind of hometown energy Gorge Roller Derby is known for—marking the start of another high-octane season on the track.

All ages – Wheelchair Accessible – 6 & under free

Fort Dalles Readiness Center 402 E Scenic Dr. The Dalles, OR
97058

Doors Open at 3:00PM Bout starts at 4:00PM

LIMITED Tickets are available at the door Regular $15 Students $8

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

Saturday, February 7

6:00 PM Chic Preston at Bargeway Pub

7:00 PM Second Hand Jam at Zim’s Sports Bar & Grill

8:00 PM Al Hare at Last Stop Saloon

Sunday, Feb. 8

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

Sunday, February 8

7:00 PM Rich & Blonde at Last Stop Saloon

Black Infinity House: Art Exhibit

Exhibit runs Feb 07 - March 1,
WED-SUN, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Columbia Center for the Arts, 215 Cascade Avenue, Hood River

“The Black Infinity House art exhibit is focused on highlighting the visions, expressions, experiences and imaginations of local, black artists across multiple mediums.

The premise of the show comes from a concept I grasped when reading The Black Aesthetic II. The early pages of the book’s discussion illuminate the fact that Blackness is infinite. People may try to define what it means to be black; but it comes in all different forms, especially as we, as a people, constantly create new spaces and phenomenal forms of culture in order to to express ourselves and own our incredible power in safe environments —specifically made for us, by us.

This artists’ showcase is an experiential exhibit with three quadrants in the gallery that together are meant to demonstrate black art through the process of its creation, consumption and cultivation. Art will be displayed in three sectors called The Studio, The Living Room, and The Porch, respectively.”
There is no charge for admission.

Monday, Feb. 9

Everybody’s Brewing in White Salmon brings local and regional music to the stage.

Monday, Feb. 9, Reb Conner (Soul, Country, Jazz, Pop), 6-8 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/

Monday, February 9

7:00 PM Al Hare at Last Stop Saloon

Coming Up: Tien Hsieh
Mid Columbia
Community Concert

The Dalles Civic Auditorium, 323 E 4th St, The Dalles

Tuesday, Feb 10

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Tien Hsieh is a formidable virtuoso and also a magnetic musical persona.

TICKETS:

www.midcolumbiacommunityconcerts.com/events/tien-hsieh

About The Event

As one reviewer from the San Francisco bay area recently quoted, "Serious, composed, tiny and full of music, Tien Hsieh lets her artistry on the piano express a warmth and freshness of ideas that surely none but a poet could explain". Another reviewer said she "...delivered electrifying performances of music of monumentally heroic difficulty. Works by Messiaen, Beethoven and finally Liszt's Rhapsodie Espagnole were breathtaking in their technical quality and interpretive maturity." Her Schumann Humoresque, Op. 20 was described as 'Grand, relentless, madness explained, love caught through fingertips and galloping hooves trailing off to pastoral dreams.'

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By Tom Peterson

THE DALLES, Ore., Feb. 2, 2026 — Work is underway at the former Staples building next to Safeway in The Dalles as preparations continue for the arrival of a TJ Maxx clothing store.

This morning, Chris Cruz of Dickerhoof Construction said they expect their portion of the project to take about two months. The work includes shoring interior walls to accommodate changing rooms, installing a new water main, and creating plumbing stub-outs for a restroom at the rear of the building.

The 24,477-square-foot space was gutted last year following the closure of Staples in March 2025. The current phase marks the start of tenant improvements needed before TJ Maxx can begin its own interior build-out.

The project is being managed by Riviera Enterprises LLC and Dickerhoof Properties, which own and lease the building. Earlier plans called for exterior and interior upgrades, including a redesigned facade to give the store a distinct presence within the shopping center.

Developers have previously said the goal is to open the store later this year, potentially in time for back-to-school shopping, though an exact opening date has not been announced.

The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, conducted an operation in the Parkdale area Tuesday morning in an effort to locate a fugitive wanted on multiple local felony charges, according to an announcement on facebook.

The report makes no mention if anyone was arrested.

Locals in Hood River this morning reported seeing the law enforcement officers at the Sheriffs’s Office on Sherman Street and tactical vehicles were observed driving too and from the Parkdale area.

CCCNews has reached out to the Hood River County Sheriff’s office and will report additional information once it is received.

Sheriff’s officials said the operation was focused on locating and apprehending a potentially violent suspect believed to be in the area.

The sheriff’s office also addressed community concerns about possible immigration enforcement activity, stating that it does not assist with immigration enforcement, as prohibited by Oregon state law.