Family Free Day brought a lot of smiles at the Wasco County Fair on Thursday, Aug. 15. 4-H youths made their showings, tryouts for the next Wasco County Fair Queen were held and games and challenges abounded. That's just the start as the Rodeo starts tonight at 7:30 p.m.

The upcoming Wasco County Fair is set to shine even brighter this weekend, thanks to a drone light show sponsored by Google. The high-tech spectacle, accompanied by music, will take place on both Friday and Saturday nights, offering a stunning and safe alternative to traditional fireworks.

Heavy focus remains on the southeast edge of the Whisky Creek Fire where crews have been able to perform fire suppression activities more directly. The Dozer line has been completed and firefighters are continuing to construct the handline.

Bohn's Printing and Office Supply, Inc., a cornerstone of The Dalles community, is proud to announce the celebration of its 120th anniversary. As one of the oldest family-owned businesses in Oregon, Bohn's Printing has served the community since 1904, providing quality printing and office supplies to generations of residents and businesses.

The evacuation level in the Trout Lake area was also dropped on Wednesday, Aug. 14 from a Level 3 GO NOW to a Level 2 BE SET.  Former Level 2 evacuations are now at Level 1. The 11,000-acre fire burning in heavy timber is now estimated 2 percent contained.

The Dalles Planning Commission will get detailed information about parking this evening as they decide an appeal of the Basalt Commons site plan. The 116-unit apartment building with commercial space would be built at the former Griffith Motors lot, 523 E. Third Street, and would utilize public parking lots and on-street parking for more than 100 vehicles of future residents.

The Oregon Health Authority’s daily report on COVID-19 cases in Wasco County shows a continuing rise as the Delta variant of the virus is outpacing peak numbers from last fall. Wasco County registered 105 cases in the past three days, Aug. 23- Aug. 25.