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Meet the New Faces at the PUD

Northern Wasco County PUD’s IT department welcomes 2 workers Kelsey Fork grew up in The Dalles and graduated from what was then The Dalles Wahtonka High School. “I’ve done a lot of administrative professional jobs for the last 10 years or so,” she says. “But a couple of years ago, I started going back to […]

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The Loan Arrangers

Development district helps businesses in the mid-Columbia find their footing They don’t ride into town on white horses, but that’s the way many area business owners think of the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, a regionally focused agency that supports local businesses. The district straddles the Columbia River and includes Wasco, Sherman and Hood River counties […]

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From India With Love

One man’s restaurant dreams bring him to town Story and photo by Rodger Nichols International cuisines are often found in big cities, where there are sufficient populations of different ethnicities to support them. The spread to smaller towns is slower, but options tend to expand as people travel more. Local folks in the baby boomer […]

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Service With A Smile

Northern Wasco County PUD’s newest employees joined the utility’s customer service department in May By Rodger Nichols Juan Hernandez was born in Hood River, but his family moved to The Dalles when he was 10. “I’ve worked in customer service pretty much my whole life,” he says. That experience began right after high school with […]

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A Governor of Our Own

Zenas Ferry Moody was the first governor—and one of the few—to hail from Eastern Oregon By Rodger Nichols Of the 39 governors Oregon has had since statehood, only 6 of have come from Eastern Oregon. Tom McCall, of Prineville, was the most recent—a half-century ago. But the first—and the only one from The Dalles—was Zenas […]

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Get Ready for Summer

Be prepared to help plants through heat and dry weather As the warmer weather returns, it’s time to evaluate your garden for the upcoming summer. Oregon State University Extension Service experts offer tips for preparing for heat and drought. Water Landscape Strategically Water early in the morning when temperatures are lower. Rather than a little […]

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The Godfather of Grapes

Midwesterner makes his name in Columbia Gorge wines By Rodger Nichols Lonnie Wright did not plant the first vineyard in the Columbia River Gorge, nor establish the first winery, but his efforts throughout the years helped turn a few scattered plots of grapes into a thriving industry. Today, more than 40 wineries and 90 vineyards […]

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Generations on the Line

PUD lineworker follows in his father’s footsteps By Rodger Nichols One of Northern Wasco County PUD’s newest employees was born for the job. Apprentice lineman Karl Wilson’s father, Jim, is a lineworker. Karl grew up with the opportunity to travel with Jim to various jobs around the region from their home in Dufur. “He had […]

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Stars and Stripes Forever

With the help of strong leadership, local Scouts display patriotism around The Dalles By Rodger Nichols Ten times a year, the members of Scout Troop 398 in The Dalles rise early with a mission. Teams of adults and Scouts go to work at local cemeteries and along the streets of The Dalles to install 500 […]

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Teaching Safety First

Northern Wasco County PUD’s community outreach starts in first grade By Rodger Nichols Safety is a priority at Northern Wasco County PUD. Part of the PUD’s safety program is outreach to the community, which includes educating children about electrical safety through annual presentations at elementary schools. Northern Wasco County PUD and Wasco Electric Cooperative recently […]