please have patience while we stay live during this process Terms of Service Privacy Policy Subscribe to our mailing list to get a weekly local news recap in your Inbox We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively Anita Anthony Ordway and Karl Vercouteren were honored on Saturday May 3 at the annual luncheon of the Wasco County Pioneers The Association preserves and retains hundreds of historical photos that demonstrate how Wasco County has evolved through transportation business and social change since the westward movement Information and Photo courtesy Carolyn Wood From the Wasco County Pioneers Association: 2025 — Local historians added a couple of names to the pantheon of great ones on Saturday May 3 as the Wasco County Pioneers honored two of their top volunteers and most valuable players The Association named Karl Vercouteren and Anita Anthony Ordway the 2025 Pioneers of the Year at it’s annual luncheon held at the St Attendees had the opportunity to view 30 of the association’s collection of over 250 historic picture boards The meeting was opened by president Steve Conover after a traditional salmon luncheon This year’s Pioneer Man Karl Vercouteran followed the trail to Oregon by auto not covered wagon He came to The Dalles in 1977 from Kentucky to be the pastor of the United Church of Christ His ancestors migrated from Holland and Germany and he and his two brothers were raised in Sheboygan He majored in history nearby at Lakeland University and graduated from UCC Theological Seminary in Minneapolis He wrote for the newspaper; “he wrote for people to understand.” He focused on Pacific Northwest history and found a lot of it in The Dalles With his love of history he joined the Original County Courthouse and scheduled the February Saturday Lectures series each year for 48 years He researched and wrote the Blog that became the text of the two books “All Together The Dalles” & “Too” for the architectural montage at 811 E He was one of the historians researching and selecting the fifteen mural subjects for the Mural Fest of 2022 He also researched and wrote “Now Playing at the Vogt: The Dalles Forgotten Opera House” in 2017 An active Kiwanian Vercouteran organizes the parade lineup for the parades and plans the decorations for the Kiwanis train engine float He plays Christmas songs on the melodica for the Salvation Army donation kettle at Christmas He also promotes information about music events and history happenings to a long list of friends and others by emails He is a highly respected community leader emcee and gardener and the go-to-guy for questions on local life They like to travel to music festivals and back to Wisconsin to visit family They have 2 children Kris and Jacob and one grandchild Pioneer Woman of the Year Anita Anthony Ordway This year’s Pioneer Woman of the Year Anita Anthony Ordway is a 5th generation Oregonian came to America from Ireland and then traveled around Cape Horn by ship to Oregon Grant’s troops on horseback to Fort Dalles They met here and married then homesteaded near Cushing Falls south of Seufert Park on 15 Mile Creek William married Josephine Kneble and enlarged the Cushing Ranch Anthony married Elizabeth Cushing; he helped on the farm and worked for the railroad and telegraph office James Anthony was a farm equipment mechanic repairing tractors and combines for local farmers He married Viola Oades from Pleasant Ridge Wagonblast and Metteer families all early settlers of North Wasco County graduated from The Dalles High School 1960 and attended Beauty school in Walla Walla She married her high school sweet heart Gayle Ordway; he began a career in the Navy in submarines They followed his military career and raised 3 children They returned to the Willamette Valley in 1980 where the children finished school She worked as a secretary for the Tualatin School District and he pursued a career as electrical technician in the telecommunications commissioning telephone systems Upon retirement they returned to The Dalles to live on her grandfather’s farm on Pleasant Ridge where her mother grew up and she has so many fond memories The Ordway’s joined the Pioneer Association and Anita with her expert secretary skills has been the secretary of the Pioneers Association for nearly 10 years She also is a DAR member and is an expert historic costume designer and seamstress She likes all things historic and keeps track of her large extended family and 9 grandchildren Wasco County Pioneer Association holds their annual meeting the first Saturday in May Anyone with an interest in history of Wasco County may become a member For more information contact The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center or the Fort Dalles Museum Lead Editor here at Columbia Community Connection Get local news updates from the Mid-Columbia region in your inbox Columbia Community Connection was established in 2020 as a local honest and digital news source providing meaningful stories and articles CCC News’ primary goal is to inform and elevate all the residents and businesses of the Mid-Columbia Region Contact us: News@columbiacommunityconnection.com - Tel: (541) 980 - 2756 Powered by Immense Imagery Columbia Community Connection409 Lincoln St,The Dalles Privacy Policy Terms of Service three runs and five RBIs for the Riverhawks in their 16-1 win at Madras in a Tri-Valley Conference game There were more than 10,000 votes tallied last week We are accepting Oregon Athlete of the Week nominations To get live updates on your phone — as well as follow your favorite teams and top games — you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App | Download Android App DAN BROODDan Brood who might be the very last of the straight-on place-kickers has been covering high school sports in Oregon for more than 30 years winning multiple awards for writing and photography He started working with SBLive Sports in 2021 © 2025 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death went to join the Lord and her beloved husband on April 29 she was the oldest of three children of John D Peggy attended school in Dayton and was named salutatorian of her graduating class She later graduated from Oregon State College (now OSU) with a degree in home economics She was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority It was at OSC that she met and married her sweetheart Their lives were interrupted by World War II Peggy spent several agonizing months while David was listed as “Missing in Action” after being shot down by German forces both returned to OSC to finish their degrees They then moved to Arlington to operate David’s family farm on Shuttler Flat She was a loving and devoted wife and supported the children’s education at the nearby small Olex school; she was always ready to sew uniforms or costumes as needed She was a mainstay member of the locally renowned “Mikkalo Grange cooks” and prepared summer meals for harvest crews Her large gardens always provided an abundance of fresh produce Peggy also stayed involved in community activities serving a term on the local historical society board and for many years as treasurer of her church David and Peggy retired and moved to The Dalles Traveling quickly became a favorite pastime The couple particularly enjoyed a trip to St Peggy penned and published a small book entitled “A Trip to Siberia,” focusing in large part on the many exotic foods they encountered along the way Peggy was predeceased by her parents; a brother Mary Ann; and husband David (with whom she has spent an astounding 77 wonderful years) Peggy is survived by her son Chris and his wife Denise of Silverton Oregon; daughter Kathleen “Kit” and husband Curtis of Caldwell David Kamo and his wife Rhiannon; and two great-grandchildren on May 10 at The Springs at Mill Creek “Spring Room,” 1201 W 10th St. memorials may be made to the Gilliam County Historical Society of The Dalles United Methodist Church Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements A special thanks to the caring staff of The Springs at Mill Creek as well as the compassionate people at Provident Hospice By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning If you have an existing account with this site you can create an account by clicking on the Log in button below Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today Receive weekly updates on obituaries and death notices Receive updates on upcoming promotions and special sections Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account 2025 — Whether you're crafting a heartfelt Mother’s Day gift or learning to protect yourself and thrive emotionally The Dalles Public Library has a full lineup of events to engage and inspire From hands-on maker sessions to thought-provoking virtual talks there’s something new to discover every week Maker Monday: Mother's Day Tea Towel Sessions 1 - 5Monday Makerspace Teens and adults are invited to create a personalized tea towel using a photo These events will be held in five separate sessions Registration is required and opens April 28 Participants are asked to arrive promptly at their scheduled time Teen Art Club: Needle Felted MushroomsWednesday Meeting RoomJoin artist Jo Wheeler for a hands-on session in needle felting This event is open to teens and focuses on creating whimsical felted mushrooms Virtual Program: How to Use Anxiety to Thrive with Dr Harvard Medical School professor and author of Thriving with Anxiety will teach how to reframe anxiety into a tool for resilience and emotional connection May 10 – Aerial Arts Demo and Do Experience aerial acrobatics and try a few movements yourself during a demonstration from 11 a.m Meeting Room Women of all ages are encouraged to attend this free self-defense class taught by professional trainers from The Dalles For more details or to register for select events, visit thedallespubliclibrary.org. The Dalles City Council passed a new animal ordinance to clarify the types of animals residents can keep on city properties THE DALLES — If you’re a resident of The Dalles considering the urban homestead life you’ll want to check out the city’s newest animal ordinance to ensure that your impending furred or feathered friends are allowed if you were hoping to own a rafter of turkeys a clowder of bobcats or a sounder of swine you may be allowed to keep a tribe of goats a drove of donkeys or a covey of quail with a permit from the city which passed at a regular city council meeting March 24 and will come into effect July 1 centers on clarifying the rules for the types of animals residents can keep rules about animal welfare and neighborly concerns City Attorney Jonathan Kara noted the prior animal code lacked clarity on whether chickens or certain types of rabbits should be considered “livestock” or “household pets,” leading to patchwork interpretation from residents and officials and other similarly sized companion animals are classified as household pets and do not require any additional permit Domesticated rabbits that many owners treat as indoor pets are no longer lumped into the livestock bracket reducing confusion and paperwork for owners The city expanded upon a livestock permit system intended to manage animals that can pose health and nuisance concerns in an urban environment this permit would be for keeping goats or chickens in general — not each goat or chicken the requirement is 20,000 square feet per adult animal with additional space mandated if you surpass one Up to 12 birds with no lot-size requirement Between 13 to 20 birds needing at least 10,000 square feet More than 20 requiring an additional 1,000 square feet per bird Existing permit holders will be grandfathered in certain ways that do not force them to remove animals if they already exceed the new limits though the ordinance sets conditions for compliance and includes potential revocation if a serious nuisance arises Kara said the chief of police may revoke a livestock permit if they find that the animal(s) are no longer in a sanitary condition “which would include animals living in their own filth and prone to disease transmission because of the bacteria and things of that nature.” One of the city’s major concerns was keeping neighbors amicable A notable feature in the revised code is a tightened definition of “continuous annoyance.” The standard is now set so that an animal’s repeated howling or similar noise that lasts for 10 uninterrupted minutes or intermittently 10 minutes in any 30 minute period can be labeled a public nuisance if it’s heard beyond the property line Kara noted this was a robust discussion item at the last city council meeting where residents brought up concerns about livestock noise As charming as the idea of a neighbor goat peering through the fence might sound boundary setbacks are also required for certain species requiring livestock owners to keep their animals away from neighbor’s direct property line The code also notes that if 50% of a property’s neighbors have complaints about livestock Residents of The Dalles brought questions to the city council about particular animals and the potential for some gray areas around the categories we’ve been looking at miniature Highland Scotland calves to buy for weed abatement,” said Debbie Richard noting that the updated code seemingly bars them from within city limits the city’s definitions were overly broad and did not allow for nuance City officials responded by clarifying that while full-size cattle remain explicitly prohibited the ordinance does grant the chief of police broad discretionary authority to consider allowing other animals on a case-by-case basis Kara commented that the main rationale for broadly prohibiting typical cattle is odor shared with the council his plans to establish a self-sufficient urban homestead on his property noting he currently has 18 chickens on his lot Trosper said he would like to raise meat chickens which grow to a harvestable size in 6 to 8 weeks “One of my future plans was to raise about 40 meat birds,” Trosper described “By the time I take them to be harvested in Hillsboro City Manager Matthew Klebes explained that the updated ordinance tries to accommodate exactly these kinds of temporary fluctuations by allowing 1.5 times the number of permitted adults for young poultry under one year old This is designed so owners can expand their flocks seasonally without running afoul of the law or young chickens under the age of year one,” Klebes said Trosper’s vision of 40 meat birds at once likely exceeds what the base code allows on his approximately 6,100-square-foot Kara suggested adding a provision that the chief of police could sign off on an exception would permit Trosper to raise 40 meat birds The council made this amendment before passing the new animal ordinance unanimously For a full look at the amended animal ownership requirements for the city of The Dalles, read the March 24 city council meeting packet at www.thedalles.org/government/meetings___agendas/index.php Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?) Oregon Capital Press presented by Columbia Gorge News Receive weekly updates on local sports news there are no recent results for popular videos This month’s podcast features Amanda Thayer of The Coffee Shop along with The Dalles Main Street’s Cynthia Kortge as we preview First Friday in Downtown TD and look at upcoming events and all the latest news including the recent city approval to move ahead on the Federal Street Plaza We couldn't find the page you were looking for 2025 — Main Street First Friday is hosting Art in the Downtown for May on Friday the 2nd with another great night of specials ART & ARTISTS as we help celebrate the Gorge Artists Open Studios all weekend throughout the scenic Columbia River Gorge Come downtown and find your favorites or discover a new artist or maker and pop-ups happening as we get set to celebrate Mother’s Day next weekend The Artist Market at their new location of 2nd and Court street will have some new vendors for crystals and American Turquoise Jewelry as well as woodturning items Oils from Alexander Smith and Richard Vaughn plus plants The special feature artist this month at the market will be 7-year-old Roslyn Day Barnhouse with her award-winning “Pour Art” where creating and art are always in season just in time to buy some lovely lavender products to give to Mom for Mother's Day will be there selling her handcrafted and adorable stuffed animals a local group of history and art lovers will be here with a beautiful selection of greeting cards featuring images of our historic Saint Peter’s Landmark Chapel to help support the church being open for public viewing this summer Don’t forget to check out what sweet treats and yummy goodness will be available from Rustic Roots and Cupcakes by Cyndi Klindt’s Booksellers will host The Dalles High School Graphic Design students selling their art and offering some tastings of local wine and beverages Vibe Consignment is offering a 50% off rack and Studio Fit is hosting a wine tasting pop-up with Willow Wine Cellars Skookum Outfitters and Wasco County Mercantile will feature art by Todd Simmler Pizza from Pizza The Gathering will be selling slices and the Mercantile will host a new business showcase with items from Heyy Doggy Heyy The Landing is back open to full-time summer hours with LaFogata and the Smoke Wring Come explore and enjoy historic downtown The Dalles Friday The Dalles Main Street is a community-driven organization dedicated to creating and maintaining a vibrant and thriving downtown We foster community awareness of our unique history and work cooperatively with other organizations and businesses on projects that benefit The Dalles and the downtown core The Main Street 4-Point Approach is a nationally recognized process to improve the health of the downtown area and create a prosperous community for all The Dalles Main Street has seen great success in a number of areas Join us this year for a stellar lineup of First Fridays and fundraising events in beautiful historic downtown The Dalles the way you tell your story online can make all the difference was held across from Solstice Pizza on The Hood River Waterfront from 7:30-8:30 p.m and co-workers how much he is loved and missed,” according to a Solstice Facebook post April 11 when police say he attempted to stop thieves from stealing from his vehicle and they hit him with a vehicle as they fled the scene 2025 — Authorities arrested a man from The Dalles suspected of driving the pickup that hit and killed Stephen M according to a press release from the Hood River Police Department The Columbia Gorge Major Crimes Team were scouring The Dalles on Tuesday a houseless man suspected of driving a the stolen Ford F-15- pickup that killed Hayes The Dalles as posted on the Hood River County Sheriff’s Facebook Page Austin Ell found Matthews in a camp behind Sherwin Williams in The Dalles and Matthews fled on a bike towards Safeway where patrol caught him,” said The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy Hood River District Attorney Matthew Ellis listed Matthews as a person of interest and the suspect who was driving the stolen pickup that hit Hayes in a DA’s information filed in Hood River County Circuit Court Matthews was allegedly with William Edward Hardy Jr when they were attempting to steal items from Hayes vehicle near the intersection of June and Fifth streets in Hood River around 3:45 p.m officers found Hayes confronted burglars who were stealing property from his vehicle and was mortally injured while the suspect vehicle attempted to flee the scene according to the Hood River Police statement Hood River Police Chief Neal Holste says 38-year-old Hayes was found laying in the roadway in the area of 5th and June streets Efforts to revive Hayes failed after emergency responders attempted life saving procedures Suspects Hardy and Bowman were arrested by police on Saturday April 12 and were arraigned in Hood River County Circuit Court on April 14 Hardy is being held on bail at NORCOR jail on $1 million bail Bowman is being held at the jail on $100,000 An all out effort was made by police the last several days to find the third suspect according to a Hood River Police press release Hardy and Bowman were both charged with stealing Hayes’ Trek mountain bike and then fleeing as passengers in a white F-150 Ford pickup stolen from Jacobs Solutions which manages the waste water treatment plant in the Port of Hood River They are believed to be accomplices to murder for the hit and run death of Hayes They are believed to be passengers in the pickup that hit Hayes Hardy and Bowman are both charged with murder according to a Hood River District Attorney Information who is the suspected driver in the hit and run killing is being held on the same charges and is currently lodged at NORCOR The Columbia Gorge Major Crimes Team with detectives from the The Dalles Police Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police are assisting the The Hood River Police in the ongoing investigation The Hood River Police Department thanked the Team for their assistance in the press release and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements Libby and Powell Funeral Home is here to assist with caring for you and those you love most We are dedicated to guiding you through difficult circumstances and decisions We can help ensure that your final wishes or the wishes of your loved ones are met with our wide variety of options that can be custom tailored to meet specific needs Contact us today and we will help guide you through your closure 2025 — Hold the Hossenfeffer— There’s no need to stew this Easter The Dalles is bursting with family-friendly fun egg hunts and brunches to keep the bunny hopping all weekend long Whether you’re on the lookout for golden eggs there’s something for every bunny in the Gorge Here's your basketful of events happening in and around The Dalles this Easter season Details: Join a $30 Easter egg hunt event at the art center Location: Lewis and Clark Festival Park on Union Street near the Columbia River Easter Egg Scramble with separate scramble times for age divisions 1 through 10 Free child ID kits courtesy of Guild Mortgage Time: Safety Fair from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM; Egg Hunt begins at 11:00 AM SHARP Details: A free event open to children ages 2–11 Participants should bring their own baskets Details: A scenic train ride featuring visits from the Easter Bunny Details: Celebrate Easter with a special brunch buffet featuring a Waffle Station Description: Celebrate Easter with a delicious brunch buffet featuring a spread of seasonal favorites Reservations: Call the Balch Hotel at (541) 467-2277 to reserve your table 2025 — The Dalles police officer who is currently under the microscope for multiple counts of alleged theft stands accused of stealing money from The Dalles Police Department and submitting false claims of hours worked on his time card according to a Wasco County District Attorney’s information that was filed in circuit court today A Wasco County Grand Jury is hearing the evidence against Officer Jeremy Dutton a 10-plus year member of The Dalles Police force and it is expected to vote next week on whether to indict  Dutton According to the DA’s Information filed today Dutton allegedly committed first-degree theft of $1,000 or more from the City of The Dalles on four separate time periods between May 2023 and January 2025 The Information also alleges false swearing for knowingly submitting overstated time on his time cards and official misconduct on the allegation he falsified timecards and grant reporting with the intent to obtain a benefit  Wasco County District Attorney Kara Davis opened an  investigative grand jury that started on March 12 regarding Officer Dutton.  The purpose of this grand jury is two-fold: to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to  proceed with formal charges against Officer Dutton and to provide guidance to the District  Attorney’s Office regarding the specific charges the state should pursue The investigation into Officer Dutton began after the City of The Dalles Police identified  discrepancies in their records Demonstrating a commitment to transparency and fairness The  Dalles Police Department immediately requested the Oregon State Police to conduct an  independent investigation which resulted in the current charges under review.  the District Attorney’s Office will not call Officer Dutton  as a witness in any case until this case is resolved or the outcome  dictates that this restriction should become permanent that determination will occur at that  time," stated District Attorney Kara Davis.  Officer Dutton has been placed on administrative  leave from The Dalles Police Department.  All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law The grand jury  process is a vital component of our legal system designed to ensure impartiality and  thoroughness in the pursuit of justice.  "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Oregon State Police and the City of The  Dalles Police Department for their swift and cooperative assistance in this matter," said District  Attorney Davis Many small cities are lucky if they have even one working pipe organ somewhere in a church Somewhat like a “pub crawl,” except instead of going to a bar And you get to listen as an organist presents about twenty minutes of music for your enjoyment at each church.  The Dalles does this every other year (biennial) Peter’s Landmark located at the corner of 3rd and Lincoln  Streets next to the city center.   The five organs you will savor are: 1907 Kilgen Organ Opus 3359 at Old St 1954 Wicks  Organ Opus 3434 at United Church of Christ Congregational 1947 Reuter Organ Opus 744 at The  Christian Science Church in The Dalles and the 1976  Phelps-d’Autremont Organ at Zion Lutheran Church ELCA The music will be made by two local organists Garry Estep (and his current protégé) and E.J Howe,  augmented by guest organists from the Portland branch of the American Guild of Organists.  The organ crawl is free and open to the public and the proceeds will go toward the maintenance of these grand instruments.   Get drunk with music from the King of Instruments And enjoy the beauty of being The Dalles.  seen in Wasco County Circuit Court before Judge Marion Weatherford during her sentencing on Thursday Those were the thoughts of one courtroom witness after hearing the sentencing of Tara Koch April 10 before Circuit Court Judge Marion Weatherford Koch was sentenced to four years in prison and two years post-prison supervision She is required to report to NORCOR jail in two weeks She was released to put her 89-year-old mother's medical affairs in order Haven is set to receive $51,757 immediately as a result of the sentencing Investigators seized $26,757.65 from Koch’s personal bank account and her $25,000 in bail is also being put toward payment on the $178,511 in court-ordered restitution Some 50 plus people sat in the courtroom Thursday listening to 7 hours of testimony The room included Koch’s family and friends Haven employees and The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy and former chief Pat Ashmore District Attorneys from Hood River and Wasco County Circuit Court Judge John Wolf was also seen in the hearing sitting with wife Leslie Wolf former Haven Board President and 21-year child abuse and domestic violence prosecutor in Wasco County Most were there to break the blister of anger and public outrage at the near public dismantling of Haven a shelter and program for victims of domestic and sexual abuse Haven came near to folding as Koch’s thefts curtailed donations and ultimately hobbled a program to the point it could no longer protect local abuse victims from their abusers Tara Koch took the leadership role at Haven in 2008 and served for over 13 years taking the small domestic shelter and abuse hotline service with three employees to a program with 21 employees with a budget of more than $1 million annually Koch told the judge that she leaned into grant writing developing marketing materials and building the program and the results of her hard work were lauded and affirmed as women and children were able to escape physical and mental abuse through Haven’s shelter and programs that reached into Wasco She had the full support of her board of directors Haven staff also described Koch as “toxic” and “controlling” and creating an environment of “chaos” in the work place received a letter from the Oregon Department of Revenue regarding a Haven tax debt of over $100,000.00 not only was Haven responsible for this debt 2022 Koch was arrested on 26 counts including theft She told the judge she “heard every word today… I hear frustration I am angry at myself… profoundly sorry… for my actions I was trusted with this amazing organization and I abused that trust… that’s something I face everyday.” Her defense Attorney Jody Vaughn and Koch friends said the 63-year-old had essentially been homeless in the years since her indictment She had only recently found part-time work and rented a rundown apartment while still relying on friends and family for money to make ends meet Those that showed up in Koch’s support testified that Koch was leading a “miserable” life since her aggravated thefts were discovered They also pointed to her history of abuse as a child and as an adult Koch read from a multi-page written statement to the judge describing her career at Haven and repeatedly said she worked 60 to 70 hours per week even when her mental and physical health kept her from sleeping She pointed out numerous times she did not have the support she needed to administrate Haven and also lacked support from the Haven Board She said when COVID hit she was on the verge of breakdown and was asking for help repeatedly and “getting very little” noting she recruited an accountant to join the board who told her it was imperative to get the nonprofits federal and state tax returns completed I wish I could answer that,” she told the judge “I wish I had been a better person and set boundaries.” community service and repaying restitution,” she said Prior to her plea multiple letters were read and people testified to the fact that Koch’s actions had affected them and their ability to help people who were under the thumb of an abuser Current Haven Director Marcelene Kukal Manning told the court she took over after Koch was put on leave Agencies like HAVEN are often the only avenue for women like me to reach safety,” Manning told the court Tara stole the safety from countless survivors and their children We will never know how many survivors were further victimized by Tara Koch… When I stepped into the Interim Executive Director position in October 2021 This great exodus was caused by the lack of financial stability of the agency Neither the Board nor myself could guarantee that Haven doors would remain open for more than a few days at a time All of our funding streams were frozen and we were only able to operate off of the balance in our bank account We found that we were in debt to the IRS for more than $300,000 and $100,000 to the State of Oregon for income related taxes that were never paid we were at risk of having our bank accounts frozen and losing what little money we had We had lost our 501 c 3 status as Tara neglected to file 990’s to the IRS for 3 years We were in breach of contract with all of our funders with some threatening to pull the contracts We could not receive any state or federal funds until we reinstated our 501 c 3 status with the IRS.” Victims advocates outside of Haven were equally impacted directly and within minutes had an answer or we were collaborating together to find solutions It was a great working relationship between programs and passionate advocates I will not take that away from you,” said April Aamodt Gilliam County Victim’s Assistant Director “That being said somewhere along the lines you forgot to do what we as advocates ask the people we work with everyday to do….you didn’t ask for help,” she told Koch tax payers and you decided to charge on a credit card or write a check for your own personal gain at the expense of others Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill called it a “devastated trail of trust” Koch’s actions dismantled a vital safety net,” he testified noting it precipitated the closing of a safe house and forced victims of abuse “back into the hands of their abusers.” Assistant Attorney General Tobias Tingleaf stated the Haven Board met with Koch on September 2 Despite knowing that her fraud had been discovered and being placed on paid leave Koch still took a vacation to Camano Island as the reservation was for six adults and one child This trip was not related to any Haven business purpose Haven intended to terminate the defendant’s employment on October 2 The defendant submitted a 35-page document as part of her resignation The next three pages appear to be a letter that the defendant drafted with some sort of belief that she would be allowed to remain in her position while a new executive director was hired It contains suggestions on how to transition and communicate with employees and community members the remaining 31 pages is some sort of handbook created by the defendant filled full of excuses and the defendant’s suggestions to the board on how Haven should be run The 35 pages are both perplexing and intriguing shedding light on the lack of acceptance of responsibility for her criminal acts and her conscious disregard of the detrimental impacts of her crimes The investigation showed that the defendant had spent Haven funds on her household utilities It seems anytime the defendant thought she could get away with stealing from Haven While Tingleaf was requesting an 8-year prison sentence for Koch her attorney Jody Vaughn asked for a downward departure of a sentence of probation with no prison time Vaughn maintained there was no rehabilitative purpose to putting Koch in prison and put Debbie (Gorski) Alltort on the stand as a authority on women who embezzle Alltort was convicted in 2007 of stealing $94,000 while working for the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center She told the court she entered a cognitive treatment program that helped her uncover the truth about why she stole the money and her work paid off and it made her feel like a “queen” but at the same time she “checked out and let go of all the things that were at the core of who I was.” such as that Koch endured as a child and adult that created the pain in her life which led to the “addictive behavior” of stealing later pointing out that the addiction or theft gave a sense of being “powerful” Alltort testified that in her life after prison she had worked with 300 to 400 women who were caught embezzling and the same patterns were present in them - they were all women mostly in their 40s and 50s and the pain in their past lives turned into the addictive behavior of stealing money responsibility of her life outside of work all contributed to losing herself and her life.” Alltrot said Koch had little to no chance of getting help if she went to prison In her testimony she said of the 1,400 women in Coffee Creek prison on convictions of embezzlement He said Koch was a victim of child abuse and mental abuse and was at an emotional disadvantage (An individual who has experienced or internalizes shame often stemming from negative self-evaluation may engage in behaviors such as self-sabotage to manage or mask these feelings according to theories of Dr A retired local banker and friend of Koch’s also told the judge that she was “appalled at the level of hypocrisy in the court today.” She said Haven and its Board lacked the internal controls to prevent embezzlement and the checks and balances are used unilaterally in professional businesses such as banks “The golden rule is do not give employees the opportunity to embezzle,” she said Prosecutor Tingleaf stated that the crime was analogous to a drunken driver causing a deadly crash “They don’t get probation or a get-out-of-jail-free card,” he said noting the continued comments that the thefts were somehow the fault of the Haven Board were “victim blaming and it continues throughout… I did not hear it — I take full responsibility,” he said The restitution is the tip of the iceberg,” he finished Judge Weatherford then took a 15 minute pause and held counsel with the defense and prosecution in his chambers before he pronounced Koch’s sentence Weatherford made statements toward his impartiality in the case He said he had no prior knowledge of the case before his assignment and knew not of the defendant nor the Haven Board and did not run in social circles within The Dalles community He said he was aware of a Gilliam County Case where Haven helped in creating a good outcome for a victim and that was the breadth of his knowledge concerning Haven Wasco County Circuit Court Judge Marion Weatherford explains his sentence as defendent Tara Koch looks on from the defense table on Thursday “I brought more goodwill than bias,” he stated “I understand the pressures are informed by the past,” he said “where abuses to you made services at Haven more important I don’t know what the soft landing in this case is.” But he said the law was clear in regard to sentencing guide lines for repetitive property crimes as legislators put it into statute in 2009 He said he found no facts supporting an upward or downward departure in the case and so settled on making a mandated sentence under the guidelines Weatherford did retain discretion on whether to make the sentences for theft either concurrent or consecutive - meaning he could either stack them up to 133 months or have them served all at once with a minimum of 24 months He then offered another theory for Koch’s mental breakdown He said Koch experienced “overwhelming stress” as she knew there was no way to hide the overdue taxes “Some day the taxes had to be paid,” he said A day of reckoning was coming… Your stress was knowing what you did would come to light.” Judge Weatherford said the 37-page manifesto that Koch wrote to the Haven Board at the time of her resignation spoke volumes providing a perspective on what Koch did and her ownership of it “It bias’ the victim in your crime,” he said “I’m not outraged but I impose a sentence that is fair and appropriate.” On two counts of first degree aggravated theft Koch was sentenced to two consecutive sentences of 24 months each for a total four- year prison term The remaining 6 charges will be served concurrently Koch must also complete 2 years of post-prison supervision and repay all restitution Haven Director Manning said they were satisfied with the sentence from Judge Weatherford “It will not make HAVEN whole again.  But it is the beginning of a new chapter for HAVEN.  The HAVEN team looks forward to moving on and healing with our community.  We recognize that trust is easily broken and difficult to rebuild.  We have worked tirelessly over the last 3.5 years to keep the doors open and put HAVEN back together We are committed to building an agency that our community can trust A big thank you to all that showed up for HAVEN yesterday in person and online.  It gives me hope for HAVEN's future.” By Robin Denning with additions by Tom Peterson Joann Fabrics in The Dalles has been more than just a store—it’s been a hub for quilters and DIYers who found inspiration among its bolts of fabric the store is set to close as part of a massive wave of 500 store shutdowns nationwide following the company’s second Chapter 11 bankruptcy in less than a year The loss is hitting hard in smaller communities like The Dalles where Joann was often the only dedicated fabric and craft supply store in town With the nearest alternatives miles away or limited to big-box chain aisles many local creators are wondering where they’ll turn next a longtime member of the Columbia River Gorge Quilters Guild Joann’s closing isn’t just about losing a place to buy fabric—it’s the loss of a creative gathering space "The loss of Joann Fabrics and Crafts is the latest casualty in the ongoing struggle for brick-and-mortar stores to remain viable Although the craft industry continues to boom particularly during the long COVID shutdown period has sounded the death knell for innumerable retail stores She reflected on how in-person shopping was part of the creative process—flipping through pattern books chatting with fellow crafters and staff who understood the difference between quilting cotton and apparel fabric "Gone are the days when someone could decide to sew a garment or home decor item and enjoy the process of choosing fabrics and notions," she said "Losing Joann’s isn’t just losing a store; it feels like the loss of a community and the end of an era." said its decision to close hundreds of locations was part of a court-supervised sale process "This was a very difficult decision to make given the major impact we know it will have on our Team Members our customers and all of the communities we serve," the company said in a statement Industry experts say Joann’s decline was years in the making rising competition from retailers like Hobby Lobby and Michaels and customers shifting spending away from pandemic-era crafting booms Retail analyst Neil Saunders pointed out that many Joann stores had become visibly run-down with frequent stock shortages that frustrated long-time customers "A lot of stores were very shabby," Saunders said that just trains customers to go elsewhere." The closure also raises concerns for sewing and crafting groups that relied on Joann Fabrics for last-minute supplies and community connections from smaller independent fabric shops to online retailers While The Dalles still has local stores such as The-Workshop & House of A La Mode and Urban Paper that carry some craft supplies the depth and variety of Joann’s selection will be hard to replace And as another national chain disappears from small-town America it leaves the question—what’s next for local retail The Dalles Main Street’s Cynthia Kortge recently pointed out that this could provide an opportunity for an existing or new well-thought out mom-and-pop shop to come in and fill the vacuum left behind by big-box stores especially for items that local crafters need right away The recent announcement of Staples office store closing in The Dalles may also provide opportunities for savvy local retailers looking to diversify their retail shelves it’s a time of nostalgia and uncertainty for those who have spent years browsing Joann’s aisles its impact—and the community it fostered—won’t be forgotten River City Saloon is now open at the NE corner of Washington and Third streets in The Dalles 2025 — The message from Mike Nagle flashed a giant sign of relief on Tuesday The Barber at Uppercut wrote: “FYI River City Saloon is opening today Joe Kirkwood has been working on the place for months at NE corner of Washington and Third streets and this cat was thirsty for a frosty pint after a laborious conversation with a local attorney the kitchen was working and a majority of the tables were filled myself and my wife Peggy grabbed a table and dug into some amber glasses of bliss The simple menu also had some great starters like ‘Perfectly Crispy’ onion rings that are tender on the inside for $10 Staff was fast and friendly even as they were learning the Point of Sale system in this innaugural day of business Conversation was quick and lively over the crack of pool balls at the table near the entrance Kirkwood is somewhat of a local legend with his eclectic taste in music and he has for years delivered a great diversity of bands when he operated the River City Saloon in Hood River prior to being displaced by the hotel renovation project at 2nd Street and Cascade Avenue March 29 with Balladiers: a Gorge based funk/ jazz/ latin fusion band guaranteed to get the crowd dancing!  Band Jovi The River City Saloon takes advantage of the entire space with a small stage set off in the corner by the windows here Joe Kirkwood was all smiles with the reception of the latest itteration of the River City Saloon now open in The Dalles The Dalles Civic Auditorium Children’s Theatre presents “Aladdin Jr.” Mar brings to life the beloved 1992 Disney film and the 2014 Broadway adaptation It showcases over 30 talented students ages 8-13 from Oregon and Washington in an epic stage production that will surely leave spectators mesmerized Bang the drums!” You are gonna love this exciting stage adaptation of the legendary tale of the lovable thief with a heart of gold wisecracking Genie as they discover mystical caves The musical boasts an array of beloved songs including “Friend Like Me,” “A Whole New World,” and “Prince Ali,” along with new and enchanting tunes added exclusively for the Broadway production The adaptation introduces colorful characters and delivers nonstop adventure promising to be a delightful treat for all attendees Tickets can be purchased at thedallescivic.com or at the door Additional information is available by calling 541-298-8533 Disney’s Aladdin JR. is presented through special arrangement and all materials are provided by Music Theatre International. For more information about licensing Aladdin JR. or other Disney shows, please visit www.DisneyMusicals.com 2025 — China Buffet opened in The Dalles at Cascade Square today offering dozens of entrees ranging from scallops to pork ribs to pizza desserts and a cold table with fresh deserts and salad Locals all over the Gorge descended on the restaurant at 1410 W 6th Street this morning in anticipation of its opening at 11 a.m “We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” said a group in a car next to the buffet at 10:30 a.m “It’s about time the town got something like this,” added Kevin Brehm The restaurant features two buffet lines - one for hot entrees and sides and the other with refreshing fruits and delicous desserts The list of entrees is too long to list - but know that dozens of items ranges from seafood such as clams and scallops to more traditional items such as pork ribs and Mongolian beef The dessert table offers a variety of confections including cookies and tiramisu One family leaving the restaurant said they would definitely be back and they said advised poeple to hold out for the awesome seafood at the end of the entree line China Buffet has both dine in an dine out options The Dalles senior Leighton Voodre at the Seaside Golf Invitational THE DALLES — The Dalles Riverhawks’ Class 4A boys golf team competed in its eighth event of the season April 21 at the Seaside High Invitational tournament in Warrenton The Riverhawk senior duo of Gabriel Hoff and Leighton Voodre both continued to shoot lower scores Voodre recorded his first-ever 18-hole sub 80 round of 79 and Hoff had his career-best score of 87 “It sure felt very satisfying to finally break the 80 score barrier and I really had a blast at Warrenton,” Voodre said He is hoping to qualify for the state tournament May 19-20 “I know the course at regionals is going to playing pretty hard but if I can just keep the ball dry and make some key putts then I think I will have a chance to qualify for state,” he said had a team score of 383 for a 13th place finish in the event They competed in their ninth event April 29 in the 14-team Special District 1 regional preview tournament at Meadow Lakes Golf Course in Prineville The SD1 regional is May 12-13 in Prineville The top-five placing individual golfers advance to state DUFUR — The Dufur High Ranger girls golf team competed in the Mac-Hi Invitational Tournament… there are no recent results for popular images there are no recent results for popular commented articles Oregon passed away at the age of 67 on December 24th to Dale and Adoline Martinson in Radcliffe collectively known as the five “R”s: Randy Rick earned his associate’s degree at a community college and later attended Iowa State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Fish and Wildlife Management Rick joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in the Philippines supporting local fisheries having made lifelong friends and cherished memories that would lead to a 34-year career dedicated to monitoring the smolt salmon population in the Columbia River Rick met his second wife of the last sixteen years Rick often said that raising his daughters was the greatest accomplishment of his life he became involved in numerous community projects These included helping build Tree Top Play Park developing the concession stand for the Softball Association Rick enjoyed spending his time remodeling homes photographing the beautiful Pacific Northwest He loved fishing on the Columbia River in his boat and meeting his Wednesday night men’s group for poker You could always count on him to lend a hand Mary Martinson; daughters Hannah and Kelsey Martinson; stepsons Spencer and Casey Dodd; four siblings Randy A Celebration of Life will be held at the Bargeway in The Dalles on May 3rd, 2025, from 2pm - 6pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to ALS Northwest, an organization that was instrumental in supporting Rick and his family, as well as others living with ALS in the area. Visit https://secure.alsnorthwest.org to learn more Please use the Facebook link below to RSVP to the Celebration of Life https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GQHe7qdC3/ Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements 2025 — The Dalles Main Street is excited to announce the First Friday schedule for 2025 which kicks off with its first event on March 7 This month we are excited to welcome the Artisan Market to its new location on 2nd Street with unique gifts The Last Stop Saloon will have a drink and food specials and live music starting at 7 pm Leslie and her staff at Brick City Games are hosting Friday Night Magic the Gathering starting at 5 pm and will also have Girl Scout Cookies for sale to get your Thin Mint fix along with a 50/50 raffle to support the local Distinguished Young Woman program Westwind Frame & Gallery and Susan’s Sewing will be open late with fun discounts and sales Emma’s Bowtique will have special food and drinks along with a clearance sale for the Winter close-out The ladies at The Workshop are open late with a seasonal craft and a pop-up shop with Monica from McLaughlin Lavender Farm Across the street,t Skookum Outfitters is also holding a Winter Closeout sale with items in the shop 40-50% off and the very popular Pizza the Gathering is back again Down at The Landing Smoke Wring BBQ and Dominos Pizza are teaming up to celebrate Read Across America Week Bring a new or gently used children/teen book to help build our new lending library Enjoy a night of family fun as they light the fire pits Suess outfit and receive a FREE slice of PIZZA Donate a book or two and your s’mores kit is FREE as well Patty’s Day we are also hosting a shamrock hunt throughout downtown on Friday evening with a grand prize “pot of gold” raffle for those that participate Pick up your shamrock sheet starting at 4 pm at the Sunshine Mill Full sheets can be turned into Freebridge Brewing at the end of the evening for a chance to win the grand prize pot of gold As TD Main Street continues is building on the success of First Friday events and is now set to hold one every month for the rest of the year in addition to other special events with a wide variety of live entertainment The Dalles Main Street has seen great success in a number of areas including community clean-up 2025 — The Dalles Main Street is excited to announce the first First Friday of the new year 7th from 4-7 pm in historic downtown The Dalles This event is full of sweet treats for all of the special people in your lives as a variety of shops offer extended hours and delicious food and beverages just in time for Valentine’s Day This year the Chocolate Crawl will feature all of your favorite locations Chocolate Drinkes will be served at Wines on Second Some of what to expect includes buy one get one free on all items in store plus a sweet treat with purchase at Pretty Parties Chocolate treats at Vibe Consignment and chocolate truffles at Breezeway Antiques and chocolate espresso martinis at Studio Fit Rivertap will have chocolate-themed desserts and cocktails including chocolate martinis You can find sweet and savory samples from Fein Vanilla Co & chocolate drink specials at Wines on 2nd Emma’s Bowtique will have sweet treats and a free gift with a $50 or more purchase and at Urban Paper Jill will have some excellent discounts and a hot cocoa bar while over at Westwind Frame & Gallery Discounts of public displays of affection will accompany chocolates at Westwind Frame & Gallery and artisan pizza from Pizza The Gathering Next door at Lines of Design and the Travelers Tea Nook will highlight tea and chocolate pairings while across the street Claudia & company at Sigman’s Flowers and Gifts will be giving out samples of Moonstruck chocolate Down at The Workshop they will be crafting and coloring wooden heart ornaments for Valentine's Day as well as featuring their newest addition with the bakery corner Megan from Rustic Roots Baking is going to be doing a bagel bar Cupcakes by Cyndi will have her grab-and-go fridge stocked full of cupcakes for purchase Come find organic chocolate delicacies at Farm Stand Amanda from The Coffee Shop will be doing a hot chocolate bar and teaming up with Smoke Ring BBQ for some savory snacks the owner of Moonbeam Daydream with her new products that they just brought into the shop and will officially launch the brand and assist customers with finding the perfect Moonbean product for their glow-up TD Main Street will host First Friday each month along with two additional signature fundraising events; our Main Street Uncorked Roses & Rose`wine walk in the spring and a community concert this fall Other themed First Friday events will include a treasure hunt in March the Fort Dalles Fourth Block Party in July Veterans Day events in November and the annual Sip & Shop to finish out the year in December We are excited to bring together our downtown businesses and community partners to energize and engage our community throughout the year and appreciate your continued support The Dalles Main Street is a community driven organization dedicated to creating and maintaining a vibrant and thriving downtown The Dalles Main Street has seen great success in a number of areas including community clean up Join us this year for a stellar line up of First Fridays and fundraising events in beautiful historic downtown The Dalles Milt Lamping leaves Staples this afternoon with a several boxes to help his mother-in-law move resident said he was excited to hear news of a new retailer coming to The Dalles 2025 — Owners and operators of the Staples building in The Dalles say the store building will not be empty long.  “We do have a tenant about to sign a lease but I am not able to talk about it yet,” said Darren Dickerhoof Manager of Riviera Enterprises LLC and Dickerhoof Properties based in Corvallis “It’s a national clothing chain that I think the town will like.” Dickerhoof said the company signing the lease hopes to be into the building and operating by the upcoming holiday shopping season.  “We will redo the facade and work on the interior of the building,” he said “It will be awesome for… the town.  We’ll be building on the front of Staples to give it its own identity that will make it look nicer.”  Dickerhoof said the former Staples provided a great location noting there was no major national clothing chain stores between Troutdale  and Hermiston and The Dalles is the shopping hub for the Mid-Columbia.  we will be able to make it public information,” he said on Tuesday “There will probably be building plans that will go to the city within a month or two.” Dickerhoof Properties also manages the Petco Wheatland and Verizon building properties.  The properties have all been held by Riviera Enterprises LLC since 2007.  In total Riviera has 4.4 acres next to Safeway with total real market value for the acreage and buildings appraised at $9.7 million according to Wasco County Tax records.  Staples last day of operation is set for March 21 She helped launch the Habitat ReStore in The Dalles in 2008 She was named The Dalles area "Volunteer of the Year" and served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity She also managed the Senior Center’s “Nu 2 U” shop alongside a "super bunch of dedicated volunteers." Klea had a vibrant spirit and a love for color and crazy patterns Whether it was painting her house purple “because it makes people smile” or organizing Hat Day at church which became a fan favorite she had a way of spreading joy and laughter everywhere she went.  She is survived by her half-brother Art Fox; her children Stuart Donckers and Shari Felton; stepchildren Scott Espy (Diane) and Anjee Stiles (Mike); six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren Donations in her memory may be made to UCC Congregational Church A celebration of life will be held on Saturday April 12th at UCC Congregational Church at 10:00am We encourage all to wear your brightest colors or craziest hat in honor of Klea 2024 — The holiday magic returns to downtown The Dalles on Friday November 29th as the beloved Starlight Parade and Tree Lighting ceremony kick off the season with nostalgic joy the parade takes on the enchanting theme of “Toyland on Parade” bringing cherished memories of childhood toys and holiday wonder to life featuring a spectacular array of glowing floats Here is an older but accurate map of the parade route in The Dalles gather at The Dalles Chamber of Commerce for the festive Tree Lighting Ceremony This cherished community tradition is brought to life by The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce with the generous support of The Dalles Kiwanis Club and Discover Rentals Don’t miss this opportunity to create lasting holiday memories with your family and friends Celebrate the wonder of Toyland and let the holiday magic fill every heart Applications for Parade Participation are Available Online at: www.thedalleschamber.com For more information, please call 541-296-2231 or email events@thedalleschamber.com We look forward to celebrating the magic of the season with you!  To provide value to our members through advocacy and leadership promoting a vigorous economic climate for business — When Haley arrived in The Dalles last June Coming from a small town in Oklahoma where being openly bisexual came with punishment and isolation they found something different—a sense of belonging they had never known before more than 80 people had joined—proof that there was a real hunger for community recalling the flood of messages from people eager for a place to gather The group holds a monthly coffee meetup at The Riv Cafe a casual and welcoming spot where LGBTQ+ people and allies can come together Plans are already in motion for other gatherings—crafting nights and more opportunities to strengthen the bonds of this growing network the creation of this group is an act of both defiance and love Some members have voiced concerns about safety but Haley and others remain steadfast: “We refuse to be erased.” Haley has also joined the local Pride committee further cementing their commitment to ensuring that queer voices in The Dalles are not only present but celebrated “Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere,” Haley says we have to create that space for each other.” and the simple reassurance that no one here is alone To join The Dalles Rainbow Roots exactly 29 years to the day that it opened Pictured is owner Bruce Humphrey in the theater’s concession area THE DALLES — Columbia Cinemas is closed its doors on Jan exactly 29 years to the day after Bruce Humphrey opened the four-screen theater in 1996 He noted that the closure is happening in the midst of numerous other screen closures in Oregon and nationwide The seats just aren’t filling up like they used to “The end of last year and the beginning of this year the attendance just dropped so bad,” he said “The studios just aren’t putting out movies that appeal to people.” “I really miss the days when we were busy because my favorite part of working at a movie theater has been greeting people as they leave and seeing that they had a good time.” particularly sticks out for that thrill of seeing the happiness on theater-goers faces as they left “The adults were so happy that they shared that with their kids,” he said His own taste in movies doesn’t always follow the popular trends he’s aired more eclectic movies that he liked “Haven’t you figured out we don’t do well with the movies you like?” Studios are also simply making fewer movies now People used to go to the movies 5.2 times a year nationwide He sold the property in November to a buyer he did not want to disclose He sold them the theater and the bare lot next to it He believes it is unlikely the theater will reopen He and the new owner had shown it to a few people but didn’t get any interest He’s sold theaters himself that have gone on to become a Goodwill store or Humphrey first got into the theater business in The Dalles when he bought the former Cascade Cinema As for the status of the Hermiston theater “If business doesn’t pick up we might have to make a hard decision in 2027.” He said that theater did real well for the last 8 weeks of 2024 but will probably move to Hermiston full-time Humphrey has always had a love of watching movies in the theater it’s always been being in a room full of strangers I don’t know and hearing people enjoy the same things I’m enjoying when they laugh at the same things I’m laughing at.” I’d watch a movie at home and I’d find myself distracted by devices The focus is the movie when you’re in a movie theater.” He spent $170,000 on the equipment for six screens and the very first showing of the very first 3D movie he heard from some customers that they didn’t like 3D and would not be watching it “It was the biggest mistake I ever made,” he said and it was also “a distraction that takes you out of the story.” including spending $1 million in 2011 to switch to digital format at the three theater locations he operated because he didn’t want to go into debt for the digital changeover “Nobody was interested then because this small a town doesn’t attract anybody unless they’re going to live here and work it,” he said He put the theater back up for sale about a year ago Note: immediately following the electronic submission of a statement of qualification Submitters will receive confirmation their email has been received THE DUTY IS ON THE SUBMITTER TO ENSURE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ARE ATTACHED TO ANY EMAIL BEING SENT TO THE CITY IN RESPONSE TO THIS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS.  The Airport is requesting statements of qualifications from qualified firms to provide aviation planning services for the Airport located at 45 Airport Way in Dallesport This project is anticipated to be funded in full or in part by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) All work is required to comply with all FAA requirements and regulations All work must be conducted in accordance with the solicitation and contract documents The contract awarded through this solicitation will be a personal services agreement.  No cost or prices for services shall be included in any statement of qualification submitted pursuant to this RFQ The Airport may reject any statement of qualification not in compliance with all prescribed public contracting procedures and requirements and may reject for good cause any or all statements of qualifications upon the Airport finding it is in the public interest to do so The Airport also reserves the right to waive any informality in connection with any statements of qualification or to postpone the award of the contract for 60 days.  No statement of qualification may be withdrawn after the time set for statement of qualification opening or before the award of the contract unless award is delayed for a period exceeding 60 days will be held across from Solstice Pizza on The Hood River Waterfront from 7:30-8:30 p.m 2025 — A Hood River woman and houseless man from The Dalles remain in NORCOR jail this afternoon and charged as accomplices to murder for the hit and run death of Stephen M a beloved member of the Solstice Pizza crew on the HR waterfront were arraigned in Hood River County Circuit Court this morning is also a person of interest and the suspected driver in the crime CCCNews has requested additional information from Hood River Police in regard to whether Matthews is in custody or not and will report when information is made available Hardy and Bowman are both being held on bail Hardy’s was set at $1 million this morning and Bowman’s at $100,000 Hood River Police Chief Neal Holste says 38-year-old Stephen M Hayes was found laying in the roadway in the area of 5th and June streets at around 3:45 p.m Intersection of 5th and June streets in Hood River Hardy stated he has been a lifelong resident of Oregon in his release interview Bowman has a DUI conviction in Benton County from 2017 and has had 30 failure-to-appear charges She also had a violation for possession of less than an ounce of heroin in 2021 and was charged last summer for harassment and criminal trespass in regard to an incident at the Hood River Safeway The release interview states that Bowman was confused on whether she was employed She then went on to say she did an outreach program and she worked for a government agency as an agent for revenue and does some community work Meanwhile, workmates of the deceased Hayes are lamenting the loss of a dear friend, according to a Facebook post on Solstice Wood Fired Pizza “Stephen was one the finest members of our SolCrew We are grieving this wonderfully special human being who died tragically yesterday just trying to do the right thing,” it states and passion for traveling & nature inspire us Please join us at the Waterfront (picnic shelter across from Solstice) from 7:30-8:30 p.m for a candlelight vigil to show his girlfriend and co-workers how much he is loved and missed Let's show how community means showing up to grieve together and strengthens our ability to heal Stephen's beautiful heart and spirit are guiding us People with information regarding the case are asked to call Hood River Police Detective Erin Mason at (541) 387-5257 or email him at e.mason@cityofhoodriver.org Oregon was granted the peace he desired on the evening of March 13 The second child and first-born son of Helen & Gene Lively That’s about all the room there is for a standard obituary if you knew him at all The independent black sheep in our family for sure but in his case this carried an endearing and loving connotation All would agree: He wore his heart on his sleeve every day of his life no matter the cost Always kind and generous to others down on their luck and quick to stick up for the underdog He was also known for the special fondness he reserved for the many (many) stray critters who found their way into his care over the years but what mattered most were the relationships he cherished Probably none more so than his lifelong best friends and hunting “crew”; always his lifelines They perhaps knew him better than anyone else and would gather to tend to a private service in the Catherine Creek Unit in Eastern Oregon he imparted many life lessons we each pass along to our own families now and beloved nieces and nephews are all beneficiaries of his unique perspective on life Preceded in death by his wife of twenty-five years Here is a rendering of what the Sunshine Mill in The Dalles might look like if plans for an 80-room luxury resort are completed 2025 — Local investor and Copa de Vino creator James Martin will present a sweeping transformation of the Sunshine Mill Silos to The Dalles Urban Renewal Board meeting this evening Martin is proposing a large-scale hotel development and resort at the east entrance to the historic The Dalles The proposed project would include 80 rooms within the iconic silos offering 4- or 5-star accommodations to attract affluent travelers and corporate retreats 313 Court Street.“We’re excited about it,” Martin said on Monday “The Mill has been a destination for The Dalles area but we need something more upscale to attract customers with disposable income.” Molli and James Martin at the Sunshine Mill He and wife Molli have traveled around the world and point to the success of several silo buildings reimagined as hotel/spas that draw big numbers.  Quaker Square is a transformed silo in Akron Martin will be at the meeting tonight to gauge community support for the project and is also requesting $250,000 from Urban Renewal to do additional engineering and architectural plans for the estimated $32M-$34 million project.  Martin’s plan also calls for extensive event and meeting space utilizing 24,000 square feet in the Wasco Warehouse and an additional 55,000 square feet for artisan workshops and expanded winery production Martin highlighted the potential of the Mill's rooftop as an observation deck offering sweeping views of the river and transportation hubs including the river and airport.  South Africa is one of the largest tourism draws for the entire country Martin compared the project to successful redevelopments in Oregon and Astoria emphasizing the importance of ambitious planning.  you won’t get yourself on the regional destination map where you want to be,” he said Martin has hired Saddle Peak Hotel Advisors to do the market analysis.  giving insight to what people experience when they plan a resort experience “We already have a fair amount of industry experienced investors that are watching what we are doing,” Martin said “Chris Krause with Saddle Peak analyzed every 4- and 5-star property in the Gorge Who would think Stevenson would have 250 rooms of 4-star accommodations and The Dalles would have none.  Martin expressed confidence in the investment citing the area's history as a trading and transportation hub and the Mill's strategic location at the entrance to the city “Our community lacks that one big thing,” he said “This project is an opportunity we should not miss.” Martin also noted the involvement of industry experts and investors who are optimistic about the hotel’s potential He believes the development will provide long-term economic benefits increasing the city’s tax base and drawing significant tourism “We have a great track record,” Martin added noting loans taken from Urban Renewal to redevelop and improve Sunshine Mill were paid back in 2021 with interest “We wouldn’t be spending our time on this if we didn’t think it was exactly what the community needs.” the Martins hope to break ground in the first quarter of 2026 and with a schedule of finishing the entire project in Spring 2027.  If Martin gains consensus around the project he will also be looking for gap financing and enterprise zone property abatements to make the project pencil.  Martin pointed out that people seeking 4-star accommodations are “more afraid of not getting opportunity to engage and spend money Part of their joy is getting a great experience and they are willing to spend as much as needed They don’t have a price limit - those are the customers we need to attract to The Dalles.  “We used to have 10,000 people through The Dalles on a daily basis coming on trains and riverboats - everything west of The Dalles arrived in The Dalles,” Martin said “and they had the massive Umatilla House (hotel) to meet them We have a history of being that place… We need to tell that story through a re-emergence of our historic property…This is part of us reconnecting with our roots.” went home to be with the LORD on December 26 the fourth son of 9 children born to Martin and Ada Richman He attended school in Tower City and played on the Tower City Clams basketball team the farm until he went to college for a year and then joined the military – the army division- for two After returning home from the army he attended Concordia College in Moorhead worked in a pea cannery in Milton-Free Water Oregon and worked in the wheat harvest in Connell He met Sharyn Louise Abrahamson in North Dakota and married her on December 26 Oregon and Lorne took a job as a manager at Equitable He continued in the job for many years until he started working in real estate development and continued this exciting journey throughout his life had two more sons – Danny and David and then brought a big “surprise” home from their visit to Don Lorne and Sharyn resided for most of their years together in The Dalles area with a few changes of In 1997 Lorne married a long-time acquaintance Beth added two children and 5 grandchildren to the Richman family and Lorne was a strong Christian all his life and a very generous man So many of us remember his yellow legal pads and restaurant napkins with many dreams of which most or all would make a small He was an optimist and we loved him for it His children are Lynn (Tracie) Richman of Silverton; Bruce (Tammy) Richman of The Dalles; Danny (MaryBeth) Richman of The Dalles; David (Carrie) Richman of Haines; Oregon and Julie (Stacy) Adams of Lebanon; Stan (Jenny) Peickert of The Dalles and Cynthia Carty of The Dalles He had 18 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren Lorne is survived by siblings: Don (Mavis) Richman of Bloomington Oregon; Jerry (Della) Richman of Valley City He is preceded in death by his brothers Merwin Lorne was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in The Dalles was good at “staying in touch” with friends and family He had a corny sense of humor and his farm He loved to “make a deal.” His love and his hugs His celebration of life will be January 11 11:00 at Calvary Baptist Church in The Dalles Following the 11:00 service will be a gathering of family and In lieu of flowers and in honor of Lorne’s life and giving spirit the family would like donations to be made to: Two Washington men and their companies were placed on probation for their improper removal of materials laden with asbestos Ronald Chamness of Chamness Dirt Works and Ryan Richter of Horseshoe Grove LLC were sentenced to probation for knowingly violating the Clean Air Act National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants District Court Judge Marco Hernández sentenced Chamness to three years supervised probation and his company to five years of probation Richter was also sentenced to three years probation and his company to five years probation when prosecutors filed information that said they intentionally ignored precautions for the safe removal of friable Chrysotile asbestos and non-friable asbestos in various building materials friable asbestos poses a significant risk if fibers are released into the air whereas non-friable asbestos can still be dangerous but fibers are less likely to be released due to its resistance to deterioration which included a mobile home park and two dilapidated apartment buildings A study done by the previous property owner found more than 5,000 square feet of friable asbestos The DOJ press release stated: “Richter received an asbestos survey completed in 2021 which reported over 5,000 square feet of asbestos within the dilapidated structures Richter also received a demolition estimate from Chamness Dirt Works to sample test and remove asbestos containing materials but excluded the costs for asbestos abatement.” Horsehsoe Grove paid Chamness Dirt Works $49,330 for the demolition Horseshoe Grove failed to implement the necessary precautions for asbestos removal,” said the press release Chamness reportedly did not hire a certified abatement contractor or wet the asbestos-containing debris and dumped the material in a regular landfill Richter and Chamness agreed to conduct asbestos remediation on the property the property has been remediated and cleaned and remaining contaminated materials have been properly disposed the two men and their businesses faced fines up to $500,000 Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation and it was prosecuted by Bryan Chinwuba Street Improvement to increase safety for drivers Crestline Construction will add a center lane and sidwalks to this portion of Sixth Street in The Dalles currently referred to as the westend skinny The area is a hot bed of near misses and full on accidents as the section of road has an intermittent center turn lane 2025 — Crestline Construction is preparing for the $3.5 million West Sixth Street widening project Heavy equipment has moved into level staging areas for equipment and materials between Snipes and Hostetler streets on West Sixth in The Dalles The project will occur between Kentucky Fried Chicken and Spooky’s Restaurant Full street and single lane closures on Sixth Street are expected intermittently during the 5-month construction period Updates on closures will be issued as the project progresses The project is contracted to occur between March 27 and Nov however it is anticipated that most of the work will be completed in October The City of The Dalles contracted to do the work to improve safety The project is designed to create a turn lane through the section of Sixth Street and will add sidewalks “We were out surveying for the project and witnessed a rear-end wreck at 6th and Hostetler,” said City Project Engineer Mike Bosse “It kind of proves there is a need for it.” BJ Hill with Crestline Construction was busy leveling a portion of the former Jones Wrecking Yard on West Sixth and Snipes streets this morning in preparation for the Sixth Street widening project a Crestline Operator was running an excavator to level ground on former Jones Wrecking property near the corner of Snipes and Sixth streets this morning He said heavy equipment - hammers - will be used to loosen and remove rock on the Jones property that fronts Sixth street in days to come The rock and dirt must be removed in order to widen the asphalt road to make room for the turn lane that will go in between Snipes and the Holiday Inn Express Similar rock and dirt removal and asphalt extension will be necessary between John L Scott Realty and Hostetler Street to add the turn lane in that section of the road Heavy equipment has been used to level the lot between John L Heavy equipment operators have also leveled out the vacant lot between John L Scott Realty and Bi-Mart for a second staging area for equipment and materials Some on Facebook have rumored that the site is the future location of an Olive Garden - perhaps The Dalles greatest bit of ongoing Facebook folklore Single lane and entire road closures are expected as sanitary sewer lines and storm drain infrastructure are improved A pump station for the storm drain will be installed across the street from Bi-Mart as well as upgraded sewage pipes and that work requires digging into Sixth Street Storm drain and sewerage drain upgrades will also occur from the entrance to KFC off Snipes Street to Sixth Street The utility work was identified as a project that was needed to upsize on the west end of town “That project was identified years ago and were getting it done at the same time were improving the road.” community members gathered at the cross street of Second and Union streets downtown The Dalles in protest of the Trump Administration The protest was organized by local Indivisible and Wasco County Democrats members Connie Krummrich and Widget Johnson who sent emails to both friends as well as through the respective organizations “We just knew that a lot of people were really wanting to be together and get out and speak our truth and express ourselves and our concerns," Krummrich said The protest is the first of what the two hope are many with Johnson noting that they plan on staging weekly gatherings encouraging anyone who wants to join to attend “We’re going to try to do this every Friday hopefully this is going to an ongoing thing here House to consider The Dalles in Watershed bill Red pin above shows location of Crow Creek Dam in The Dalles Watershed Cliff Bentz has introduced a bill to give 150 acres of U.S Forest Service property near the dam to The City of The Dalles The reservoir is 13 miles northeast of Mount Hood Water is released from it into South Mill Creek that leads to the Wix Water Treatment plant 2025 — The $259 million overhaul of The Dalles Municipal Watersystem is now getting some national-level attention.  Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to transfer 150 acres of U.S Forest Service Land to The City of The Dalles which the city will eventually expand from 900 acre feet of water to 3,000 acre feet in years to come That’s an additional 683.7 million gallons or the entire average flow of the Columbia River at its mouth for 5 minutes and 45 seconds "This transfer is a necessary if The Dalles is to have the opportunity to expand its potable water resources," Congressman Bentz said in a Jan "The cities water security is a top priority and this legislation will provide at length the land needed to meet the city's future growth.” “Climate change forecasts indicate that the Watershed will accumulate less snowpack and more rain in coming years,” said Matthew Klebes “Increased storage of rainfall will be critical to meet the City’s future water demands and provide climate resiliency for the City’s water system The needed capacity and safety enhancements to the dam will be greatly facilitated if the City owns all of the land impacted by the dam and reservoir.” If the act is passed by the House and Senate and signed by Pres. Donald Trump, it will remove red tape as the city currently must apply for and receive a special use permit when using the property.  “Eliminating the special use permit that is up for renewal could save the city and Forest Service an estimated $150,000 in associated administrative costs,” said The Dalles City Manager Matthew Klebes Special use permits are used to manage and regulate activity that involves occupying or using National Forest System lands ensuring they don't harm the environment and are compatible with the public's use of the land including construction of structures Klebes said Bentz introduced the bill after the local Community Outreach Team traveled to Washington “A recent outreach trip… contributed to a visit to our community by the Congressman and his subsequent support and action in submitting this legislation,” Klebes said in an email.  Klebes said the transfer of land will also: Enable efficient operation and enhancements to the Crow Creek Dam and reservoir for safety and capacity improvements Eliminate the need for a perpetual special use permit  Allow the city to implement comprehensive watershed management practices that prioritize water quality and forest health “The City of The Dalles relies on its municipal watershed for 80% of its annual water supply,” Bentz said in the press release “Protecting this watershed is essential to maintaining water quality The proposed transfer will allow the city to expand the size of its reservoir and allow much less red tape in taking action to protect city water infrastructure works and the cities watershed.” met Columbia Gorge News Owner / Publisher Chelsea Marr at The Riv to talk about his third term in office is serving his third term as mayor of The Dalles Mays sat down with Columbia Gorge News at a local coffee shop in September to talk about his mayorship where he served as city manager for 28 years It was a city manager position on the Oregon Coast that brought Mays and his wife to Cannon Beach his daughter’s husband introduced the couple to The Dalles Mays then went back to work after moving and retiring in The Dalles as interim County manager for Clatsop County That decision led him to hold 50 one-on-one coffee meetings with community leaders — and solidified his decision to run for the position Columbia Gorge News asked Mays what he is the most proud of in the community and he said the newest Google data centers are bringing in more revenue than the previous three other agreements combined “There is a misunderstanding of how the money is used so I want to remind the residents that the third data center will bring in $1.8 million a year and we used the first four years of that to pay off the debt associated with the [Columbia Gorge] Community College a housing complex and a skills center,” he said And the city and county will get 10 more years of that money.” One serious need for the money is an upgraded water system The water plant facility is about 75 years old — with some pipes nearing 100 years Wicks Water Plant (the upstream dam) and the water lines connecting the water plant to The Dalles will all need to be renovated at a cost of millions of dollars “… It’s going to be very difficult not to put our share of that revenue toward the water master plan the water system improvements that need to be made because it’s going to run into the tens of millions of dollars,” Mays said “And when you make any improvements to your water and sewer system invariably [that] involves a rate increase and we’re going to try to offset that rate increase in people’s water and sewer bills with the money we’re getting from Google.” Columbia Gorge News asked Mays what he enjoys most about The Dalles “I’m a very downtown-centric person,” he said "I think our downtown is a focal point of our community It’s a place where all the visitors come … I love old historic buildings." He's particularly excited about the Basalt Commons housing project along with Tony's Town and Country redevelopment “I’m also very proud of the fact that before I leave office a place for people to just to come and hang out right in the middle of our downtown I’m really looking forward to getting there,” said Mays Columbia Gorge News also asked Mays about the progress on the 50/50 program he has seen used in other cities where people can replace the sidewalk in front of a house or business and the city would pick up 50% of cost “We put a lot of money into our streets over the last five years Columbia Gorge News wanted to know what Mays sees as the biggest challenge in the community He wants to see The Dalles High School get fixed adding it was disappointing that the bond measure on the ballot this past November 2023 was defeated that the community and district can work together to get a new school built and I think that’s a challenge as the mayor trying to appreciate recruitment issues and problems that happen with this community to try to get people to come and live and work here with the schools [the way] they are," he said 2025 — A Wasco County Grand Jury unanimously found there was enough evidence for District Attorney Kara Davis to move forward with theft charges that are leveled against at City of The Dalles Police Officer Davis said the Grand Jury came to the conclusion on Wednesday March 19 after hearing evidence from the prosecution in the case is accused of first-degree theft of $1,000 or more from the City of The Dalles on four separate time periods between May 2023 and January 2025 The Information also alleges false swearing for knowingly submitting overstated time on his time sheets and official misconduct on the allegation he falsified time sheets and grant reporting with the intent to obtain a benefit Davis opened an  investigative grand jury that started on March 12 regarding Officer Dutton.  that determination will occur at that  time," said Davis last week.  Officer Dutton has been placed on administrative leave from The Dalles Police Department.  2025 — Main Street First Friday is back this week Find great new inventory fresh for the season at all of your favorite stores and stock up for Easter with special discounts and delicious specials at your favorite restaurants The First Friday Spring Release kicks off as we welcome two new businesses to downtown The River City Saloon opened last week in its new location on the corner of 3rd and Kelly and we are excited to have another great live music venue in Little Music City is the new Firefly Clothing Boutique located across the street from Sigman’s Flowers & Gifts You may have seen their fresh new look and mural created by the very talented local artist Jessenia Santana Art out front The Dalles Art Center will be hosting a youth program “Kids Paint Night” with exhibiting artist Kat Carroll Emma’s Bowtique is offering snacks and beverages and 20% off the entire purchase Our friends over at Freebridge Brewing will be offering new spring cocktails and Wines on 2nd will have a special tasting from Fein Vanilla Company Westwind Frame & Gallery is hosting a secret sale and Lines of Design is offering Biscotti while celebrating the Italian heritage in The Dalles Studio Fit will have the new Vuori Spring inventory and sales on items while Vibe Consignment is in the middle of their store-wide Spring Sale this month Merikai Beauty will have 10% off all items and Breezeway Antiques will give away a gift to one lucky customer Skookum Outfitters and Wasco County Mercantile will have a sale on select goods along with Moonbeam Daydream in the store with new Spring products Sigman’s Flowers and Gifts has lots of beautiful gifts for spring and Easter along with fresh bouquets and plants to brighten your day La Fogata and Smoke Wring will be leaning into cherry season with spring-inspired specials they will be hosting a special guest artist along with fresh flowers for the ladies Brick City Games has a table ready for all things Easter with tons of pre-made Easter Baskets and stuffers along with freshly made Nana’s Freeze Dried Candies and Peeps Lilo’s BBQ just launched their new Dole Whip and Acai bowls for a refreshing dessert or snack and 15 Mile Winery has their very popular and refreshing rosé wine and fruit slushie Frosé back for the season The Workshop is hosting Little Slumbers with their DIY Hat Bar and Michelle Haggard Watercolor Cards and we are all helping The Coffee Shop celebrate their 1st Birthday all day long with $1 drinks and a special ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:15 pm with The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce Little Music City has some great live music Friday with Al Hare at the Bargeway Pub and Willie & Nelson at Zim’s Sports Bar 2025 — Police responded to a report of a fire and possible disturbance near W the fire appeared to have been extinguished by the time officers arrived at the scene but the caller refused fire department assistance Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue (MCFR) was still dispatched as a precaution and remained on standby Witnesses reported seeing a man flee the area shortly after the fire started He was described as a white male wearing blue jeans and a gray-and-white checkered flannel shirt One caller told dispatchers the man was last seen heading toward the movie theater on 8th Street Emergency personnel located a small grass fire on the north side of the property The Dalles Police Department issued case number D250589 in connection with the incident The cause of the fire remains under investigation Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) park rangers at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center on Jan to catch a glimpse of bald eagles that congregate near the dam every winter for food The Columbia River Gorge is a prime winter location for migrating eagles due to the abundance of food found along the Columbia River It's typical to see dozens of eagles from the visitor center parking lot and adjacent Seufert Park both open to the public every day from dusk until dawn The visitor center is currently open for eagle viewing Monday through Friday Park rangers will be available to answer questions help people use spotting scopes (provided by the Corps) and teach basic bird identification tips.  The Corps Forest Service and the Rowena Wildlife Clinic The visitor center and event are free and accessible to visitors with disabilities Visitors are encouraged to bring their own scopes Please note that inclement weather may cause the event to be rescheduled To learn more about raptor viewing and educational opportunities in the Columbia Gorge area, check out the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum at www.gorgediscovery.org or the Rowena Wildlife Clinic at www.rowenawildlifeclinic.org The cruise ship American Harmony moored in The Dalles The City of The Dalles has put out a request for proposals for a three-year contract to manage its tourism promotion Responsibilities include promoting the cruise ship industry THE DALLES — If you’ve seen billboards or Facebook ads with the “Explore the Dalles” brand you’ve encountered materials designed to promote tourism to The Dalles This branding was created by The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce in 2015 which contracted with the city to manage tourism promotion almost exclusively since 1977 but that could change at an upcoming city council vote this May the city put out a request for proposals for this three-year contract and have received proposals from entities affiliated with the Granada Theater the Neon Sign Museumand a PR firm from Portland in addition to a proposal from the chamber City Manager Matthew Klebes told Columbia Gorge News the city’s request for proposals is a routine process at the end of the previous provider’s contract is intended to ensure the city is getting the best tourism promotion services for its money “It’s not a reflection of any under performance or anything by the chamber I think we’ve been very pleased with the services they’ve delivered,” Klebes said explaining that this process “provides an open opportunity for everybody to present their most competitive proposal for that contract.” The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce’s contract to manage tourism promotion for the city expires at the end of this fiscal year starting in June The responsibilities of this contract include managing a visitors center; promoting the cruise ship industry; support and recruitment for major city events; media campaigns online on social media and in print publications; and data analysis and market reporting which has facilitated nearly double the revenue growth in tourism taxes in the past 10 years the idea of passing off this award to a new contract comes as a shock “There’s no guarantee I’m going to get the contract,” said Lisa Farquharson CEO of The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce Farquharson said the potential of losing the contract has derailed her planning for the upcoming year including a number of contracts and marketing campaigns “I had to stop all of my future marketing until I know,” she said who operates Pathfinder Writing and Career Services She told Columbia Gorge News she feels the chamber’s budget transparency and data on their deliverables holds to a high standard “I’m concerned about this whole thing going out to bid and so they all want to get their fingers in the pot,” she said Funds for tourism promotion come from a transient lodging tax (TLT) which charges 8% on any time a visitor books a hotel the city anticipated receiving approximately $1.4 million in TLT in the 2024-25 fiscal year the third highest source of revenue behind property taxes and the public utilities district Oregon law currently requires that 70% of these taxes go toward tourism promotion with 30% left over for the city’s general fund because The Dalles levied these taxes before this law their current distribution percentages are grandfathered in with 55% going toward tourism promotion and the other 45% going toward the city’s general fund Farquharson said the chamber only sees 30% of those tax dollars to provide the deliverables in their contract with the city “My proposed budget to the city was $460,000 and I’m dealing with neighbors that are in the $1 million range,” she said A few weeks after the city put out their request for bids an addenda was added on March 12 noting that the staff would accept proposals fulfilling only some of the services This means a contractor could make an offer to run the city’s digital tourism marketing without also agreeing to run the visitor’s center Klebes explained that while the chamber previously ran all these services as one unit city staff felt it would be more competitive to potentially split the contract between proposals “The city wanted to reserve the right to award those pieces all together or individually So depending on the strengths of the proposals we received we wanted the most flexibility possible,” he said Chuck Gomez owns and operates the Granada Theater with his wife Debra He views the opportunity to apply for this contract as a more democratized use of the TLT dollars which have been boosted by out-of-town concert goers at the Granada Gomez said he and some individuals he’s spoken with feel “the requirements for the RFP have kind of been written in favor of the chamber’s point of view and approach and not necessarily individual’s points of view.” Gomez has discussed tourism on the KODL radio program “Coffee Break” with program host Al Wynn and former mayor of The Dalles questioning the chamber’s track record with tourism spending and voicing support for “community based tourism.” “We have absolutely no idea what their success rate is in terms of what any goals were.” Columbia Gorge News asked Gomez if he had reviewed the chamber’s annual reports which include a budget presentation similar to the city’s own budgets and granular examples of spending “I really don’t research how they spent their money or how their reports are going I just look at how well they reach out for tourism,” he replied “I just feel that even the chamber doesn’t have a strong sense of what tourism is about.” Gomez criticized the chamber’s emphasis on fishing which he doesn’t see as a particularly strong attraction point you would see a dozen stores that carry tackle and bait,” he said Columbia Gorge News reached out to the Neon Sign Museum but has not received a response at the time this article was printed Is it fair for a business to represent the community owner and operator of Bargeway Pub and Catering expressed concern about potential conflicts of interest when a business takes on promotion for the whole community “If it went to just the Neon Sign Museum or the Granada Klebes says the conditions of the RFP require strict use of these funds by a nonprofit entity exclusively for the purpose of promoting the whole community He noted the ad hoc committee of local business owners community leaders and economic development professionals are reviewing the applicants and weeding out direct conflicts of interest “This tourism services contract is not for any one business or any one particular area of town but for the city of The Dallas as a whole,” he said “This is why we go through a competitive process with a detailed scope of work review criteria.” Drawing attention to a promotional video he commissioned representing the whole of The Dalles Gomez argues that a rising tide lifts all ships hotels and other forms of entertainment in the city He says it should be business owners at the helm of business promotion administrative director for The Dalles Main Street organization works regularly with the chamber in her position promoting downtown businesses She spoke in support of the chamber receiving the contract and have worked towards moving in the right direction putting The Dalles on the map and I think they should be able to continue to do so,” Kortge told Columbia Gorge News changing that would be a detriment to the community.” At the last presentation by the chamber on April 22 Farquharson showed the chamber’s tourism campaigns in print the chamber documented a 4,900% increase in web traffic and we’ve increased tourism,” Farquharson said She explained that targeted digital marketing allows her ad campaigns to select for a specific profile of a “smart visitor” who will spend more money over a multiple-night visit and have a more conscientious attitude toward the community throughout their visit “Not just someone who’s going to come spend the night and go,” she said Datify allows Farquharson to follow a specific user who clicked on one of the “Explore the Dalles” ads and follow the user’s phone all the way through their visit to The Dalles Aggregating this data has helped the chamber hone their strategy for targeting different major cities for potential visitors Gomez hopes to challenge this approach with his track record of out-of-state visitors coming to shows at the Granada as well as his network of media and music business connections “My proposal was to reach out to as many people as possible based on our experience by selling show promotions at the theaters that we’ve owned for 20 years,” said Gomez Gomez pointed to his relationship with George Noory’s “Coast to Coast” radio show on iHeartRadio which tapes annually at the Granada and delivers two promotions per month to the show’s 2.5 million weekly listeners “The first thing they say is ‘the historic Granada Theater in the beautiful town of The Dalles Oregon,’ and that is a strong promotion for our community,” Gomez said When Columbia Gorge News asked Gomez to explain how he’d compete with the chamber’s use of Datify to track and monitor each potential visitor he pointed to his current method of data collection through Grenada ticket sales Granada creating new welcome center regardless of contract If you’ve driven by the Granada Theater recently you might have noticed the marquee saying “Future of Spotlight Tourism Center.” Both Rasmussen and Klebes mentioned noticing the marquee with some level of confusion Gomez clarified that the Granada Theater is in the process of creating a welcome center for tourists and we’re starting to develop our tourism center,” Gomez said “We enjoy reaching out to people and drawing people into our theater and into our community Gomez compares the potential community earnings from tourism to Google’s economic benefit citing spending averages from the Department of Commerce’s National Travel and Tourism Research website “A strong advertising campaign to bring in 50 families a year over the [course of a] year could bring in $4.3 million to the community,” he said “It’s a second Google windfall without any of the concessions that we make to Google He added that he doesn’t think an out-of-town PR company could do nearly as good a job promoting The Dalles as a local resident “Nobody knows the strength of the family better than the family members,” Gomez said you need to be feet on the ground,” she said “You need to be in the community to understand.” Columbia River sturgeon managers played it conservative approving only the first of two proposed The Dalles Pool retention opportunities later this month but they do plan to revisit the fishery following this Saturday’s opener Staffers from ODFW and WDFW had recommended opening both February 15 and the following Thursday but representatives of both agencies’ directors were more hesitant “I’m just in a cautious mood with these sturgeon openers after the 1st maybe unnecessarily so,” stated Tucker Jones the Oregon rep on the call with Washington’s Dr The 1st would the New Year’s Day opener on the Bonneville Pool below The Dalles Pool where high pressure and good fishing saw the recreational guideline of 1,250 fish exceeded by 115 The overage had Jones calling for “an honest conversation with the public” about holding future holiday openers But while there wasn’t any room for any more keeper days on Bonneville only 51 percent of the guideline of 275 sturgeon was caught that same day on The Dalles Pool DFW staffers are modeling a kept catch of 75 this Saturday Anglers will face a cold rain or snow showers while sturgeon will hope they head to the warm confines of the Pacific Northwest Sportsman Show instead Harvert stats from this weekend’s opener should be available by next Tuesday and next week’s Columbia River Compact to set this year’s recreational spring Chinook fishery providing a possible opportunity to dole out another day of sturgeon retention on The Dalles Pool 8 in a show of solidarity with the Latino and immigrant community commented the deportation of workers would be a blow to orchardists around the region He attended alongside many Latino neighbors gathered in solidarity with the Latino and immigrant community on Sixth Street the morning of Feb 8 to protest deportation of undocumented immigrants (previously reported in Columbia Gorge News) “I’m an orchardist here in the Mid-Columbia area or there won’t be any available,” said one attendee who organized the march (his first) with a friend via social media said he wasn’t sure how many people would show up “There’s so much fear right now,” one attendee said before the march began a local protest — part of a national protest — coincided with operations by U.S which detained an unstated number of persons nearby and the people that are scared — we are their voice.” Perez’s parents also protested immigration rights “back in the day .. they’re the stepping stone to why we are here.” As more and more attendees gathered near Webber Street to draw signs and zip-tie Mexican flags to poles Perez picked up a megaphone to emphasize the rules of peaceful protest: No burning out of tires do not retaliate if someone says something racist and everything should remain completely peaceful Perez warned that “there will be hate crimes,” as people could possibly shout words or throw things at protesters it’s going pretty good,” said Perez when the protest reached Cherry Heights Street “I’m glad we’re getting a lot of support from our community .. We were wanting the community to be together in these hard times While that was “just a small [protest] for the community here,” Perez said he hopes to keep organizing “We’re not all mean people like they say in the news .. “They do what they came here to do: Work and raise their families stepping inside the historic Baldwin Saloon in The Dalles is like stepping back in time But what grabs the most attention are the 30 original oil paintings — many by landscape artist Joseph John Englehart — covering the saloon’s walls from ceiling to beadboard Englehart painted hundreds of realist landscapes of the American West in the late 1800s and early 1900s though much about the man himself remains a mystery He was born in Chicago in 1867 — or at least and he claimed he had no written history of his heritage because it was all destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire We couldn’t trace his true origins or tie him to a family back in the Chicago area.” Thiele tracked Englehart’s movements through census records and local business directories often staying in saloons and brothels as he made his way Englehart stayed at the Baldwin Saloon for a time in 1903 because he would very rapidly put out these landscape paintings that varied in size,” Thiele said a lot of different scenes that are very recognizable and would sell easily.” There’s evidence he forged works of more popular painters by taking a postcard image and signing it with a fake name spelled similarly to the original artist’s “We found that he was actually using 23 different name variations of Joseph Englehart or John Englehart and then he was also using completely different names,” Thiele said “Someone speculated that he only painted to earn enough money for his drink and his room Englehart did not appear to have any children though he did leave behind a trail of three wives whom he either divorced or left He was still technically married to the third when he died alone in 1915 and was buried in an unmarked grave in Oakland due to his heavy drinking and his lifestyle I think he pickled himself and died young,” Thiele said that one of the largest public collections of Englehart’s art ended up at a saloon The original Baldwin Saloon opened in the 1870s inside the building at the corner of Court and East First streets That building was long thought to have been built in 1876, but when The Dalles Commercial Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places, it included a detailed history of the Baldwin Saloon building. That application stated the building actually dated to 1877 The same application says the building was originally a restaurant but soon after became a saloon operated by brothers James and John Baldwin It’s unclear exactly how long it operated as a saloon though a reference to “the Baldwin Saloon in The Dalles” appears as late as 1911 in The Oregonian the building was used as a steamboat office a seasonal employment office for the State of Oregon and even coffin storage for the nearby Callaway Mortuary saddle makers Garth and Evelyn Bonney purchased the building and made it the home of Bonney Saddle Shop they sold the building to then married couple Mike Linebarger and Tracey Ramsey who turned it into a restaurant with the historic Baldwin name The new owners removed the acoustic ceiling tiles exposed the brick walls and restored the original fir flooring The antique bar counter now found in the restaurant was added to give the place a historic feel Ramsey said that her former husband had previously worked at McCormick & Schmick’s and Jake’s Seafood in Portland and that the style of those restaurants inspired the Baldwin (Jake’s also has Englehart paintings on the walls “We were looking at old photos of other establishments in that era and we noticed there were nudes or landscapes,” Ramsey said we needed to look for bar nudes or landscapes.” They collected several nudes and paintings of women in flowing gowns for the bar Astley David Middleton Cooper and Wilbur Hayes But the couple fell in love with Englehart’s work after spotting one of his paintings in an antique store They began collecting his art from auctions and flea markets Antique dealers around Oregon would let them know when they had one of his pieces The collection at the Baldwin includes Englehart paintings of Mount Hood The artwork became such a well-known part of the restaurant Linebarger had pamphlets printed about their history “A lot of people would stop in and get a beer but they just wanted to see the paintings,” Ramsey said “I’ve always felt it was a marketing tool.” Linebarger and Ramsey operated the Baldwin until August 2020 when they sold the building and restaurant to Molli and James Martin who also own Sunshine Mill Winery in The Dalles The Martins tried to operate with limited capacity during pandemic restrictions the business reopened in November with new management but under the old Baldwin Saloon name The Martins still own the building but Katie Greenhoot now runs the Baldwin with partner Arius Blaze They took out some of the booths to add space for a pool table shuffleboard and old-timey bowling arcade game They kept most of the high-backed booths to provide seating areas for more intimate conversations we’re working with a platform of that mystique and romance and the history of it.” If you go: The Baldwin Saloon, 205 Court St. in The Dalles, is open 5 p.m.-midnight Wednesday-Saturday. You can find the saloon on Instagram or Facebook at @BaldwinSaloon — Samantha Swindler covers features for The Oregonian/OregonLive and Here is Oregon. Reach her at sswindler@oregonian.com Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com Oregonian Media Group The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of the Oregonian Media Group Advertising Terms & Conditions: Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 1/1/2021) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 5/1/2021) Advertising Terms & Conditions: Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 1/1/2021) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 5/1/2021) passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on April 24 "Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher." Walt was born to Walter and Francis Smith in Myrtle Point OR in 1929.  He was the youngest of 10 children.  Walt was an excellent student and served as president of the student body.  He graduated from Myrtle Point High School before enrolling at Oregon State University Walt transferred to the University of Oregon to enroll in their education program.  There he met his future bride Walt was active in ROTC and while working on his master’s degree he was called to service following the outbreak of the Korean War.  While in training at Fort Benning his bride defied her parents and hopped there on a train from California.  Walt and Beth were wed in 1951 and soon after traveled back to California for more military training.  Walt served in the Army honorably in the Korean War and was awarded the Bronze Star for his acts of bravery.   Walt and Beth immediately returned to the University of Oregon to complete Walt’s graduate program in 1953.  That summer while working on a dairy farm with his brother Walt received a call from the superintendent of schools in The Dalles OR offering him a job.  The young couple packed up and headed to their new home for what they intended to be a five-year stay.  In 1954 three more children.  During this time Walt’s passion for teaching grew and the family decided to make The Dalles their permanent home.   Walt went on to teach English at The Dalles High School for 36 years.  He was a quiet man at home and outside of the classroom but once he stepped foot in that classroom he came alive.  He was full of charisma and had an amazing sense of humor.  He and Les Jensen were always pal-ing around and joking with the students.  While all his children attended The Dalles High School none of them opted or dared to attend his class Walt worked the ticket booths for all three sports seasons at the high school where he got acquainted in a different setting with his students and their parents.  He was known as the “man at the booth.”  He spent most summers working at Stadelman Fruit processing cherries and making ends meet to support his family.  Walt retired from teaching in 1989 making stops at every casino along the way.  He also enjoyed playing golf although he was never very good at it.  Many locals would also remember his daily morning walks around the neighborhood from his home on Jordan Street.  Walt was also a lifelong Ducks sports fan; you could find him in his recliner watching every game possible.   Walt is survived by his devoted wife of 73 years and Gary; grandchildren Melissa and Kayla; and great-grandchildren Trynity the family will not be holding a service.   Walt’s family requests memorials be made in his name to the North Wasco County School District Education Foundation This image released by The Dalles Police Department shows Tyson and Chandra Trezona being arrested on Dec 13th Street in The Dalles after being secretly indicted on charges of stealing HVAC equipment from the National Neon Sign Museum 2025 — A couple suspected of stealing $20,000 of HVAC Units across the street from The Dalles Police Department own a home valued at $500,000 in West the Dalles and drive a newer Toyota Tundra 13th Street have been indicted for first-degree Theft of the HVAC units from The National Neon Sign Museum which is across the street from The Dalles Police Department Multiple warning signs on the couple’s robin’s egg blue house state “No Trespassing” and underneath in Sharpie it is written “will get F’d up.” The signs send a clear message to the hard-working blue-collar neighborhood and to police that it will take the act of a judge to gain access to the Trezona property They told CCCNews they are moving because of the degraded quality of life since the couple moved into the neighborhood in 2023 They say they fear for their young children and are tired of the crime Wasco County Property Records reveal that the Trezona’s bought their home on West 13th for $420,000 in May 2023 with help of a $404,000 loan But neighbors said the family started to unravel after moving in Chandra Trezona lost her job at the Oregon Department of Human Services in September according to one neighbor after police went to the home and an argument between Chandra and police broke out Neighbors said Tyson Trezona began riding his “loud” motocross bike up and down the city streets in the evening disturbing the peace not long after moving in And later the Trezona house was getting many visitors at all hours of the night … the couple appeared to have ‘gone nocturnal’ one neighbor reported their security cameras have captured Trezona’s Tundra drive back and forth along West 13th as much as 40 times in a single night did not run afoul of the law until late in 2024 Court records allege Tyson has been observed stealing tools from work vehicles and even a window-unit AC from a nearby resident’s porch A tarp at the Trezona home can be seen covering the area in front of the garage It is used to obscure items they are moving in and out of their pickup and into their home Here is an image of the tarp obscuring the view into the Trezona driveway next to the garage CCCNews is prevented from entering the Trezona property and knocking on the door to ask their side of the story call the two phone numbers the couple gave in their release agreements The female answering at Tyson Trezona’s phone number said it was a new number she had just received and that she knew nothing of Tyson CCCNews did get ahold of Chandra Trezona on her phone today Here is the timeline of documented allegations against Tyson and Chandra Trezona Tyson Trezona was cited on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm The original felony count stems from a conviction of possession of methamphetamine in Wasco County in 2010 Trezona had a checkered past of theft charges in both California and Oregon HVAC Units at the ReStore on Sixth Street and at the National Neon Sign Museum on Third Street were reported stolen on Nov The National Neon Sign Museum sits across the street from The Dalles Police Department Thieves boldly stole the Museums HVAC units in November 2024 Circuit Court Judge Marion Weatherford issued a bench warrant for Trezona’s arrest when he failed to show up for court on the alleged misdemeanor firearm charge Tyson Trezona was arrested on the failing to go to court He was given a conditional release with no security money required and he was released from NORCOR on Nov Tyson Trezona was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of controlled substances He received a conditional release on the same day While he was free on the conditional release several neighbors said they caught Tyson Trezona on camera carrying stolen tool cases taken from a pickup from a neighbor’s home on Dec The camera footage was used by police to develop probable cause for an arrest warrant as Trezona’s gold Chevrolet Silverado was captured in the footage and Tyson Trezona can be seen carrying the plastic cases out of the neighbors garage The Trezonas were both indicted via a secret indictment in regard to the HVAC Case on Dec 18 and a search warrant to enter their home to arrest the couple was signed by Judge Weatherford police say Chandra and Tyson Trezona stole tools on Dec the night before their house was raided by police Court documents show that the couple was indicted for first-degree theft on suspicion of stealing Milwaukie tool boxes and drills worth more than $1,000 on Dec SWAT teams descended upon the Trezona home on Dec Neighbors were shocked to see an armored vehicle enter the quiet street Police vehicles blocked east and west sides of the road The Dalles Police Departmnt released this photo of the search and arrest made on Tyson and Chandra Trezona on Dec “Officers and deputies from the Northern Oregon Tactical Team served a search warrant after the culmination of an extensive investigation into multiple thefts within The Dalles including the theft of the HVAC system at the Neon Sign Museum on Third Street,” stated The Dalles Police Facebook page “The theft of the HVAC units alone resulted in a loss of over $20,000 to the museum...” and charged them with aggravated first-degree theft for the Neon Sign Museum HVAC units Chandra Trezona was also hit with unlawful possession of methamphetamine at the time of the arrest She posted $500 security on her $5,000 bail and was released on Dec In a pretrial release interview it states that Tyson Trezona was unemployed and he had four parole violations and two contempt of court arrests dating back to 2012 and that he had been arrested four times in 2024 Tyson Trezona’s criminal cases were merged at that time and bail was set at $35,000 He came up with the $3,500 security - 10 percent of bail - on Dec He was at that time required to return to court on all his charges on Feb home camera footage shows a man wearing a hood drive alongside a home on W He gets out of the vehicle and picks up a window AC unit and begins walking back toward his pickup The thief is startled as the homeowner confronts the man with a few choice words The hooded man throws the AC unit in the homeowner's direction and it crashes on the asphalt The hooded man then ran to his pickup and sped off driving south on Hostetler Drive towards 10th Street The homeowner drove his vehicle east on 7th Street hoping to intercept the fleeing pickup He told police he spotted it on 10th and it drove south around Pamona Street TD Police Officer Joe Green reviewed the security camera footage and saw the damaged AC unit The homeowner told Green the pickup had a ladder hanging out the back and Green observed the hooded man’s grey Toyota Tundra had a dent in the truck bed on the driver’s side “After seeing the truck and (the homeowner) explaining that the truck had gone south around Pomona I believed the truck to be Tyson Trezona’s which is consistent with the direction of travel… (the homeowner) had told me but the male’s build is similar to Tyson’s.” Here is an image of the Toyota pickup that police suspect was used in the attempted theft of a window AC Unit on Jan Officer Green said he drove by the Trezona residence and saw a grey Tundra with a dent in the driver’s side of the truck bed “consistent with the dent in the video footage” it was also the same color as the pickup in the footage Green wrote there were only two officers on duty at that time it was determined officers would attempt to contact Tyson at a later time,” he wrote in the report Tyson Trezona was hit with three more indictments on charges of two counts of first-degree theft criminal mischief and criminal trespassing The Wasco County District Attorney alleges he attempted to steal the window AC Unit on West 7th on Jan It alleges he stole a rolling chest and property from a home in The Dalles on Nov It also alleges he and Chandra Trezona worked together to steal the Milwaukie boxes and tools on Dec Tyson’s release agreement was revoked and a bench warrant for his arrest was issued on Jan Wasco County Deputy District Attorney Caleb Berthelsen said Trezona forfeited his bail security of $3,500 when he failed to show at his Feb warrants were issued for his arrest and remain in effect Tyson Trezona remained at large earlier this week Authorities believe he may be in the Portland-Vancouver area Wasco County District Attorney Kara Davis said Tyson Trezona is looking at a maximum of three years in prison if caught and convicted of the alleged crimes Voter approved enhanced sentencing guidelines actually upped the prison time for theft crimes in 2008 The decor of the Sunshine Mill Winery in The Dalles might best be described as “grandma’s bomb shelter.” Framed vintage embroidery pieces hang next to “danger” signs Gold-painted flour chutes frame the back of the bar counter Mini chandeliers provide moody lighting in the cavernous area beneath the former grain silos where thick columns hold up a 7-and-a-half-foot-high concrete ceiling women played mahjong next to an industrial testing mill “It’s fun to watch people who have never been there before because of how long it takes them to get to the bar because there’s just so much to take in,” said Natasha Skov “The thing that surprises them the most is when we tell them this is all the original equipment.” The Sunshine Mill winery opened 15 years ago inside the former Sunshine Biscuit Company flour mill in The Dalles Under the ownership of the Sunshine Biscuit Company, the building was where Wasco County-grown wheat was milled and sent to bakeries that made products such as Cheez-Its and Hydrox cookies visitors can sip wine and snack on small bites next to the original Thomas Edison Motor that once powered one of the largest mills in Oregon once used for moving wheat through the silos’ various levels “We have tables made out of fan guard covers and our bar is an old workbench that we found upstairs,” Skov said That thrifty thinking led to the styling of the tasting room The furniture sprinkled throughout came from family castoffs and The resulting boho vibe is straight out of an Anthropology catalog where customers can sip wine in cozy nooks and corners composed of mismatched chairs and midcentury light fixtures “We had a lot of family members that were kind enough to give us furniture that was sitting in their basement or in their rec room that they weren’t using anymore,” Skov said Community members have contributed not only furniture but also photos of family members at work when the mill was one of the town’s biggest employers according to a 1949 article in The Oregonian The Dalles Sunshine mill was able to handle 10,000 bushels of grain daily But the old mill closed sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s purchased it for what was then Quenett Winery and Copa de Vino The Martins purchased the nearly four-acre property through The Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal District which had taken ownership of the blighted building “We bought it with the intention to level it and build a completely brand-new winery We couldn’t get loans for any development of any sort so we basically worked with what we had with that building.” The preservation of the building turned out to be a blessing and it’s not something brand new and fancy The winery and tasting room opened in May 2010 The production facility is housed in a warehouse next door that dates to 1859 Sunshine Mill has further plans to lean into its unique location by adding a 63-room hotel inside the old silos The proposal would create nine floors of rooms across the mill’s 12 silos “That’s been a vision of ours for a long time,” Skov said “We’re hoping to have our first concept room done in the next year and a half.” visitors can stop by the winery to snack on small plates and try a variety of Sunshine Mill wines There’s also plenty to explore across the first floor of the mill where about 12,000 square feet is open to the public “There’s always something around the corner,” Skov said “I think people are always surprised by the extent of the wandering they can do.” IF YOU GO: The Sunshine Mill Winery, 901 E. Second St. in The Dalles, is open noon-6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and noon-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday. More information about specials and events can be found at sunshinemill.com