Local happenings from around the Columbia River Gorge over the last 6 days, by town.
Last updated 10/30/2026
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10/28/2026
The Braver Angels Columbia Gorge Alliance and the Bingen Theater will screen the documentary A House United on Friday, Oct. 30, at the Bingen Theater, 210 N. Oak St. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the film starts at 7:30, followed by an optional community discussion. Advance tickets are $7; tickets bought on the day are $10. (Braver Angels Columbia Gorge tickets)
10/26/2026
The Dallesport Water District board will hold a show-cause hearing during its regular meeting Wednesday, Oct. 28. The hearing involves Columbia Gorge Regional Airport, the City of The Dalles and Klickitat County. The meeting starts at 2:30 p.m. at the Dallesport Community Center, 136 6th Ave., and the hearing will be called when it comes up on the agenda, no earlier than 2:30 p.m. Issues listed include unpaid water-service and connection obligations, 11 alleged illegal connections, alleged violations of the Water System Plan and water law, and a proposed Certificate of Delinquency. Possible remedies under discussion include a whole-property lien, joint-and-several recovery, maximum penalties and corrective action. The board set the hearing by resolution at an Oct. 20 special meeting. It will review the manager's reports, hear evidence and argument from the airport and each owner, and take public comment, then make findings for each respondent before taking final action. (Dallesport Water District meeting notice, via Gorge Country Media)
10/30/2026
The National Weather Service in Portland has issued Frost Advisories and a Freeze Watch for parts of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington from midnight tonight (Friday) to 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. The advisory area includes the western Columbia River Gorge on the Oregon side above 500 feet. Forecasters give most of the region a 50-90% chance of frost Saturday morning, with similar odds of below-freezing temperatures Sunday and Monday mornings. Saturday is the last day of the frost/freeze headline season (April 1 through Oct. 31), so no more frost or freeze alerts will be issued this year even if cold mornings continue. Cover or bring in sensitive plants. Scattered showers taper off Friday, and the weekend into Monday looks mostly dry. (NWS Portland Area Forecast Discussion)
10/29/2026
The Winter Weather Advisories that the National Weather Service in Portland issued for the north Oregon Cascades and south Washington Cascades expired at 11 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28. Forecasters had expected a trace to 3 inches of additional snow above 4,500 feet, and 3 to 6 inches above 6,000 feet. They said the advisories were mainly a heads-up for hikers and backpackers on the PCT and on forest roads above the main passes. Looking ahead, NWS gives the upper Hood River Valley a 60-90% chance of dropping below freezing Saturday morning, Oct. 31, so frost is possible. Thursday and Friday look mostly dry. (NWS Portland Area Forecast Discussion)
10/28/2026
The National Weather Service in Portland's Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 27) forecast discussion lists no watches, warnings or advisories for Oregon or Washington land areas. Snow levels are expected to fall to about 4,000-4,500 feet Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, which could bring snow to some mountain passes. Rainfall from Wednesday morning to Thursday morning is forecast at about 0.10-0.60 inch in most places, with a 20-50% chance of an inch or more in parts of southwest Washington and the northern Oregon Cascades. Snow levels may drop to 2,500-3,000 feet over the Cascades Wednesday night into Thursday morning, but that period is expected to be mostly dry. Check road conditions before heading over the passes. (NWS Portland Area Forecast Discussion)
10/25/2026
A wetter pattern is moving into the Gorge. The National Weather Service's Sunday forecast for the central Gorge/I-84 corridor calls for rain likely tonight, with fog after midnight. Rain continues Monday, with a partial break Tuesday morning before steadier rain Tuesday night into Wednesday. Highs stay in the mid to upper 50s and lows in the 40s, with west winds of 10-15 mph on Tuesday. No watches, warnings or advisories were in effect for the Gorge as of Sunday morning. Forecasters also expect snow levels to drop to about 5,000 feet, with light snow possible in the Cascades above pass level through Wednesday. (National Weather Service Portland)
10/30/2026
At its Oct. 28 meeting, the Hood River County School District board recognized two Farm to School partners. Gorge Farmers Collective gathers products from regional growers and makers and delivers them to every district school. Viewmont Orchards delivers weekly to school cafeterias, supporting the district's goal of buying all of its apples and pears from Hood River County growers. The district's local food purchases have grown from $60,000 two years ago to a $200,000 goal this school year. (Hood River County School District)
10/29/2026
Hood River Police are warning about a scam that has cost local businesses thousands of dollars. The scammer goes by "Mr. Martinez" or "Matthew Martinez" and texts employees while posing as their real managers or business owners, using their actual names. Employees are told they must pay for an upcoming FedEx shipment that's supposedly needed to pass a fire department inspection, or face a $10,000 fine. (Columbia Gorge News)
The Hood River History Museum's 2026 Timewinder Tales program is "From the Glacier to the Gorge: 100 Years of Crag Rats Lore," marking the 100th anniversary of the Hood River search-and-rescue team. There are two shows at The Ruins, 13 Railroad St. The first is Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6). The second is Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. (doors open at 1). Tickets are $30, $25 for museum members and $10 for ages 18 and under. (Nov. 5 tickets; Nov. 8 tickets, Hood River History Museum)
10/28/2026
Riverside Community Church will host its 11th annual free community Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 26, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Riverview Room, 317 State St., with partner Gorge Ecumenical Ministries. All are welcome. The kitchen team plans to serve 250 meals, and there will be live piano music. Volunteers can sign up through SignUpGenius or by calling the church at 541-386-1412. Donations can be made online or by check to Riverside Community Church, PO Box 656, Hood River, OR 97031, with "Thanksgiving Meal" in the memo line. (Riverside Community Church announcement, via Columbia Gorge News; Riverside Community Church)
10/27/2026
Gorge Grown Food Network's Fill Your Pantry bulk-buying market returns Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year it runs as part of the regular Hood River Farmers Market at 501 Columbia St., not as a separate event at the Rockford Grange. Vendors will offer storage crops, meat, fish, honey, cheese, pantry goods and other foods in bulk. SNAP EBT is matched up to $100, so $100 in benefits buys $200 of food. A "Veggie Valet" lets shoppers leave purchases at the info booth and pick them up by car. (Gorge Grown Food Network)
10/25/2026
Helping Hands Against Violence, which provides shelter, safety and advocacy for people experiencing domestic violence, has a new executive director, Kelsey Strand, a Hood River resident for the past 10 years. She succeeds Stephanie Irving, who led the organization for more than 12 years. Helping Hands runs an emergency shelter for six families and transitional housing for three. Its confidential 24-hour crisis line is 541-386-6603. (Helping Hands announcement, via Columbia Community Connection; Helping Hands)
10/30/2026
Steel and coating maintenance on the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge begins Monday, Nov. 2. The bridge will be fully closed to vehicles overnight, midnight to 5:30 a.m., Monday through Friday from Nov. 2 to 13. Daytime single-lane closures, with traffic alternating through one lane, are set for Nov. 2–6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More daytime traffic impacts are scheduled through Dec. 11. All work depends on the weather, and schedules may change, so plan extra travel time. (Port of Hood River)
10/30/2026
Oregon State Police responded to four crashes on wet, slick pavement along I-84 between Hood River and Rowena between 1:42 and 5:10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28. In one, a westbound Multnomah County Sheriff's Office corrections transport truck lost traction near milepost 71, spun and hit a guardrail. Its two deputies were not hurt, and five adults in custody were taken to area hospitals; their injuries were not reported. No injuries were reported in the other three crashes, near mileposts 74, 61 and 70. With wet roads and possible frost this weekend, slow down and check tires. (Columbia Community Connection)
10/28/2026
Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation is taking names for a waiting list for home repair grants in Klickitat and Skamania counties, through the Washington State Department of Commerce Home Repair Grant Program. The grants cover health, safety and durability repairs for low-income rural homeowners earning 80% or less of area median income. Priority goes to seniors 60 and older, people with disabilities, veterans and families with children 5 or younger. Funding is limited. Contact 541-296-5462 or info@columbiacascadehousingcorp.org. (Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation)
10/28/2026
Update: At their Oct. 27 meeting, Klickitat County commissioners approved the amendment to the six-year Transportation Improvement Program. The amendment adds the Bickleton Highway project. Public Works Director Jeff Hunter said the county has secured about $7 million in federal highway funds for construction of both phases. He called it "the last bad piece" between Rock Creek and Bickleton. No money will be spent on it this year. At the morning workshop, commissioners spent nearly an hour on a draft short-term rental ordinance, discussing neighbor conflicts, a sample fee schedule and notice timing. They asked staff to report back in two weeks. At the afternoon session, many residents, in person and online, urged commissioners to adopt a data center moratorium sooner rather than later. No action on a moratorium was reported. (Klickitat County Board of County Commissioners; meeting recap: Gorge Country Media)
At the commissioners' Oct. 20 workshop, Hunter reported that finishing the Columbia Gorge Community College training hangar will take another $200,000. He said the cost went up because redesigning the building for a larger door delayed the project six months. Hunter presented two ways to pay for it, KCPTA funding or a larger WSDOT loan, and favored the KCPTA option. No final choice was reported. (Klickitat County Board of County Commissioners; meeting recap: Columbia Gorge News)
10/27/2026
Klickitat County commissioners hold two public hearings today, Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 1:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' Room of the County Services Building in Goldendale (also on Zoom, meeting ID 586587651). One hearing is on a 2026 budget amendment totaling $1,607,518 across six funds. The largest requests are $666,792 for the Cumulative Reserve fund and $566,298 for the radio system capital fund. The other is on Amendment #1 to the 2026–2031 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program. Written budget comments go to bocc@klickitatcounty.org, subject "2026-3 BUDGET AMENDMENT," by 1:30 p.m. today. (Budget hearing notice; Transportation program hearing notice)
Data center rules: The county's proposed data center rules have gone to legal review rather than a vote. On Oct. 13, commissioners agreed to send a draft permanent ordinance to outside land-use counsel. Community Development Director Scott Edelman estimated about a month for it to come back. Interim measures, including a possible moratorium, interim zoning or a partial moratorium, went to Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Cranston for review. Residents delivered a petition with 1,024 signatures supporting a one-year moratorium, but no commissioner moved to adopt one. The corrected accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance, pulled from the Oct. 20 consent agenda after its packet version didn't match what the board approved, is expected back today. (Klickitat County Board of County Commissioners; meeting recap: The Skamania Dispatch)
10/28/2026
A semi carrying a fully loaded trailer overturned on westbound I-84 near milepost 71, near Mosier, at about 12:35 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. According to Oregon State Police, the driver lost control while changing lanes to pass, hit the median, crossed back and struck a guardrail before the truck rolled onto its side. No injuries were reported. All westbound lanes and one eastbound lane were closed while the truck was removed. Traffic was moving again by 7 a.m., with some lane closures still in place. OSP said the crash damaged 15 median barriers, 20 rail posts and 15 guardrail sections. The driver, 38, of Portland, was cited for violating the basic speed rule. (Columbia Community Connection; no OSP release had been posted to its FlashAlert feed as of Wednesday)
10/29/2026
Skamania County's Veteran Services Office was recognized at a recent statewide Veteran Service Officer training, according to County Auditor Nathan Phillips. The recognition went to Veteran Service Officers Shannon See and Mitchell Crawley for their work in fiscal year 2025/26. That year, local veterans received about $2.4 million in benefits, and the number of local veterans receiving benefits rose 7%. Of the more than 320 issues identified in claims filed with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 187 were approved. Phillips said the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs has told several counties, Skamania included, that their longstanding funding will expire June 30, 2027, because of a state budget shortfall. He said the program's future is in doubt unless the Legislature acts. The office is at 710 SE Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson, and is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call 509-427-3977. (Columbia Gorge News)
10/28/2026
Skamania County's 2027 budget gap was reported at about $1.05 million at an Oct. 5 workshop. By Oct. 20, a commissioner put it at about $545,000. Every department has been asked to cut 8% or find new revenue. Since Oct. 13, the county's HR office has been holding off on filling open positions until the board gives direction; the board has not voted on a freeze. The public hearing on the 2027 preliminary budget is Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 5 p.m. in Courthouse Room 18, Stevenson, and on Zoom. Adoption is expected in December. Written comments go to Clerk of the Board Roni Emerson at roni.emerson@skamaniacounty.gov. (Skamania County Board of Commissioners; meeting recap: The Skamania Dispatch)
10/30/2026
The City of Stevenson has issued a SEPA Determination of Non-significance (SEPA2026-01) for a state waste discharge permit for Backwoods Brewing Company, 40 SW Cascade Ave. The permit covers the brewery's existing industrial wastewater discharge to the city's sewer system and treatment plant, and the state Department of Ecology will issue it. Comments are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, to Lead Land Use Planner Josh Neblock at 509-427-3906 or City Hall, 7121 E. Loop Road, PO Box 371. (City of Stevenson)
10/29/2026
The Stevenson City Council holds a special meeting tonight, Thursday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. to consider and approve an employment agreement for a new city administrator. The notice does not name the candidate. The meeting is at City Hall, 7121 E. Loop Road, and online at stevensonwa.gov/CCmeet. To request accommodations, call 509-427-5970 at least 24 hours ahead. (City of Stevenson)
10/30/2026
The Dalles City Council postponed a proposal that would let the city manager approve cumulative price increases of up to 20% on council-awarded public improvement contracts over $100,000. Councilor Ben Wring asked staff to consider a fixed dollar cap. The item is set to return Nov. 9. City Manager Matthew Klebes also said a new city webpage on Google's data centers, covering water use, infrastructure and tax agreements, is expected to go live in early November. (Columbia Community Connection)
Operation Clean Sweep: City of The Dalles Public Works asks residents to park off the street during sweeper hours (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), clear storm drains in front of their homes, and not rake leaves into the street. Starting Monday, Nov. 2, and running through November, The Dalles Transfer Station, 1317 W. First St., will take yard debris from city residential customers for free, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Use compostable paper bags; plastic bags are not accepted. Questions: Public Works, 541-296-5401; The Dalles Disposal, 541-298-5149. (Gorge Country Media)
The Columbia Gorge Artists League holds a Mini-Art Show at Yvonne's Art Studio, 3735 Klindt Drive. A reception is Friday, Nov. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m., and the exhibit is open Nov. 7 and 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members will show, sell and demonstrate work in pastels, acrylics, jewelry, felting, ceramics, mixed media and painting. Demonstrations may move outside next to the Riverfront Trail if the weather allows. (Columbia Community Connection)
10/28/2026
At its Oct. 26 meeting, The Dalles City Council heard a presentation from Mid-Columbia Community Action Council Executive Director Leslie Naramore on expanding shelter capacity. Naramore said the Gloria Center pallet shelter is expected to open for the season on Nov. 23 and stay open "through March-ish," and that the Hood River shelter will be open year-round once it opens. The council also heard presentations from The Next Door Inc. and the University of Oregon's Community Local News and Information Project. No votes were reported. (City of The Dalles Meetings & Agendas; meeting recap: Gorge Country Media)
10/27/2026
Update: The City of The Dalles has canceled the rest of this year's E. 13th Street pavement preservation project between Washington and Union streets because of the weather forecast. Paving planned for this week (Oct. 26) will not happen. Crews installed new curb ramps throughout the project area this year and filled potholes. The asphalt cutouts around the ramps will be hot-patched this year. Full-width paving from Washington to Union may be rescheduled as early as spring 2027, weather permitting. ADA questions go to ADA Plan Coordinator Michael H. Bosse at 541-296-5401 or ADA@thedalles.gov. (City of The Dalles notice, via Columbia Community Connection)
On Friday, Oct. 23, professional climbers Spencer Hansen and Jeff Mortenson replaced the failing LED lights on The Dalles' hillside holiday star. They used more than 150 feet of new LED rope light. The volunteer Fun Group has maintained the star since 1991 and is now led by Cody Ricks, who takes over from retired leader Kurt Conger. The star will shine nightly from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, starting with the Starlight Parade downtown. Donations can be mailed to the Fun Group, 673 Brentwood Drive East, The Dalles, OR 97058. (Columbia Community Connection)
10/25/2026
Whiting-Turner, a contractor on Google's projects in The Dalles, is leasing Port of The Dalles property at 3801 Klindt Drive for about 30 modular offices for its workers. The site is a few hundred feet from Google's Steelhead Way construction site. The lease is month-to-month, and the Port says the property is still for sale. The contractor has also leased about half of a neighboring property for parking. The city said the work was an outright permitted use that didn't require public notice. Some neighbors say they got no advance notice and report early-morning and late-evening construction noise. Neither the Port nor the city has identified a use for the site after the lease. (Columbia Community Connection)
The Dalles Beautification & Tree Committee gave its October 2026 Beautification Award to Manuel and Leticia Elias for their garden at 401 W. 10th St. It is the last award of the 2026 season, and the program returns next year. (City of The Dalles announcement, via Columbia Community Connection)
The North Wasco County School District 21 board has canceled its Thursday, Nov. 5, work session. The beginning-of-year Data Review Work Session moves to Thursday, Dec. 3, at 5 p.m. in the Commons at The Dalles Middle School, 1100 E. 12th St. (Columbia Gorge News; board meetings: NWCSD 21 BoardBook)
10/30/2026
Opening statements were given Wednesday, Oct. 28, in Wasco County Circuit Court in the murder trial of Dan Watson. Watson is accused of killing Amanda Harman, 35, who was found dead in her home off Cherry Heights Road outside The Dalles on March 18, 2023. The prosecution said Watson's DNA was found under Harman's fingernails. The defense argued the DNA evidence was mishandled and that the case is circumstantial. The trial is expected to last about three weeks. (Columbia Community Connection)
Robotics mini-grants from the Gorge Technology Alliance and the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub are back for a fourth year. This year they cover registration, hardware and materials for more than 160 students across the region, so teams pay nothing to take part. Hood River-based Overwatch Imaging contributed $10,000. Participating groups include Dufur School, South Wasco High School, Wasco County 4-H, The Dalles High School, May Street, Westside and Parkdale elementary schools, Hood River Middle School and Gorge Makerspace. (Columbia Community Connection)
10/29/2026
The agenda for the Wasco County Board of Commissioners' regular session on Wednesday, Nov. 4, has been posted. The session starts at 9 a.m. at 401 E. Third St., The Dalles, and is also on Zoom. Discussion items are lifting the county burn ban, a courthouse camera upgrade and the August-September finance report. Presentations are Operation Green Light (Chelsea Perritt, 9:30 a.m.), victim service grants (Karen Schultz, 9:45 a.m.) and the Fifteenmile Basin Study (Chris Kowitz and Robert Wood, 10 a.m.). The consent agenda includes an amendment to the county's public transportation agreement with MCEDD. (Nov. 4 Wasco County BOCC agenda)
10/27/2026
Downtown White Salmon holds its Halloween festivities on Saturday, Oct. 31. Events include downtown trick-or-treating, a costume parade (line up at City Hall, 100 N. Main Ave., at 5:50 p.m.; it steps off at 6 p.m.), the Castle of Curiosities at the Masonic Lodge from 4 to 9 p.m., a Trunk or Treat at the Elks Lodge lot (124 NE Church St.), and a Festival of Light at the Bubba's Brew parking lot. Jewett Blvd. (SR 141) will be closed between Garfield and Estes avenues from 4 to 8 p.m., with traffic detoured onto NE Washington Street. Cars parked in the closure area must be moved by 3:45 p.m. (City of White Salmon)
10/26/2026
The City of White Salmon received a Risk Management Achievement Award from the Association of Washington Cities Risk Management Service Agency (RMSA), presented at AWC's annual meeting in Chelan. The award recognizes the city's proactive work to identify and reduce risks, improve workplace safety, limit potential liabilities and manage insurance costs responsibly. RMSA provides property and liability coverage to 116 Washington cities, towns and special purpose districts. (City of White Salmon)
From The Dalles Witches Walk this weekend to Haunt the Heights, downtown trick-or-treat and White Salmon's costume parade on the 31st, here is every Gorge party, parade and trick-or-treat in one place.
It started with one man selling sprinklers out of the back of his house. Three generations later, contractors and orchardists across five Gorge counties still drive past bigger suppliers to reach the same counter — because the person standing behind it has 47 years of knowing which fitting actually works, and will tell you when you don't need the expensive one.
Columbia Gorge Real Estate Market Watch — September 2026
Updated 10/01/2026
Mortgage rates climbed through September, the Federal Reserve surprised markets with its first rate hike since 2023, and national inventory hit a seven-year high — yet across the Columbia Gorge, the story is split in two…
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