The Dalles Chronicle

ZILLAH, Wash. (AP) — Debbie Mendoza leaned over to pet the dog she just ruled dangerous. Mendoza, the judge at Zillah Municipal Court, smiled and let Raja, a pit bull, lick her hand. Full Story »

KABUL — U.S. Marines and Afghan troops Friday launched the first offensive since President Barack Obama announced an American troop surge, striking against Taliban communications and supply lines in a southern insurgent stronghold, a military spokesman said. Full Story »

Sometimes, reaching out across the years to reconnect can bring the most surprising results. Roger Howe — insurance agent, search and rescue team member and bowhunter of bears — had just such an experience this year. Full Story »

MEDFORD — Searchers combed icy roads near the crest of the Cascade Range early Thursday, looking for a missing couple who told their children they were seeking a Christmas tree high in the southern Oregon mountains. Full Story »

On Nov. 16, Linda’s husband, Bob, succumbed to widespread cancer after a six-month battle with the disease, and The Dalles lost a key figure in its battle against crime. Full Story »

McALLEN, Texas — Only $26 million of the $1.4 billion authorized to help Mexico and Central America fight organized crime has been spent due to bureaucracy, conditions placed on the funds by Congress and preparations in recipient countries, according to a government report scheduled for release Thursday. Full Story »

Hood River law enforcement officers are asking for public help to find a fugitive wanted in four states. “We have gotten reports that Jack Christopher Glenn is still in town and we want him off the streets,” said Sheriff Detective Gerry Tiffany. Full Story »

The Norwegian Fjords, the Bavarian Alps, Ancient Kyoto, Medieval Grenada and the Columbia River Gorge: What do these places have in common? Among other things, they all made it to the top of a fairly prestigious list of world destinations. Full Story »

The Festival of the Trees will be back for the 14th year on Friday, Dec. 4. The event, set for The Dalles Civic Auditorium ballroom again this year, has reached its capacity of 35 trees. Full Story »

Federal stimulus dollars have enabled the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council to help more low-income families from Wasco, Hood River and Sherman counties during 2009. Full Story »

As part of its water quality monitoring program, Columbia Riverkeeper tests local waterways on a monthly basis for contaminants. Trained volunteers take samples from creeks and rivers around the gorge, which are then analyzed to determine what levels of certain contaminants are in the water. Full Story »

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama plans to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan over six months, an accelerated timetable — with an endgame built in — that would have the first Marines there as early as Christmas, a senior administration official told The Associated Press. Full Story »

EUGENE — A Eugene businessman says he never realized that his printing company was failing because an embezzler was draining its funds from within. Full Story »

SALEM, Ore. — Procedures at a state agency in Salem are being reviewed after confidential records were mishandled. The blunder was made by the Housing and Community Services agency, and put low-income, elderly and disabled residents at risk of becoming targets of identity theft. Full Story »

Thanksgiving morning, several volunteers and employees from Heart of Hospice delivered over 600 carnations to residents and employees of care facilities in Hood River and The Dalles. Full Story »

EUGENE — Oregon and Oregon State are trying to keep preparation for the Civil War completely normal, even though the game itself is anything but ordinary. Full Story »

Linda Jones feels passionately about HB 3508, which passed the Oregon legislature earlier this year. “The state wanted to save money, but it has trivialized my sister’s death,” she said, adding that it has victimized the family — already victims of violent crime — once again. Full Story »