Hard-Charging 4-H Steer gains Michael Phelps moniker after swimming across the Columbia River and running for miles eluding owners and authorities before collapsing near railroad tracks.

The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office announced today it has established a convenient medication take-back program for easy disposal of leftover, unused, and out-of-date prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Kiwanis meetings are held every Thursday at noon at Spooky’s and visitors are welcome.

Mt. Adams Institute’s Sense of Place series continues with "More Than Skinnies & Singletrack: A History of Mountain Biking in Post Canyon," featuring Hood River County Forester Doug Thiesies, trail-builder Gary Paasch, and County Commissioner Arthur Babitz.

It’s a one-two punch with Rich and Blonde on Friday and Zac Grooms on Saturday at the Bargeway Pub and New Year’s Eve provides a huge count down in entertainment this week. Check it all out here in your Gorge-wide Giggin’ Guide.

On Saturday, Dec. 21, The Dalles Public Library hosted a tabletop role-playing game (RPG) event led by Mike Middleton, aimed at introducing new players to the world of Dungeons & Dragons.

Local student musicians joined Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer and his band on stage. Their passion, talent, and energy added an extra special touch to the event, making the celebration even more memorable.

30 local nonprofit partners with United Way were invited to submit nominations for individuals in need of transportation. The final decision was made by a team from Underriner Ford & Nissan in The Dalles, which also volunteered time to ensure the car was in excellent, safe, and reliable condition.

Victor Johnson brings a great set list of holiday music to the Bargeway Pub tonight, Dec. 19, as the Gorge counts it down to Christmas. Find all your local merry-making in this Giggin’ Guide, chock full of film, art, music and joy.

Reflecting on 2024 at Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP), I am filled with immense gratitude and pride for all the WAGAP team has accomplished this year. Our collective strength, commitment, and collaboration have ensured that our agency evolves to meet the ever-changing needs of our community, even in the face of challenges. 

A driver was killed Saturday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash near Cherry Heights Viewpoint, according to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Columbia Gorge Community College was just selected to receive a $1.97 million Department of Energy grant to develop a dedicated additive manufacturing training space, curriculum, and manufacturer assistance program that will promote sustainable manufacturing and material efficiency to the area's small and medium-sized manufacturers

Authorities responded to a reported break-in involving armed suspects Monday morning on West 16th Street, prompting a perimeter search with K-9 units and drone assistance.

There are 100 students in need of various items this winter including jackets, gloves, socks, shoes, card games, board games, etc. There holiday wishes are in envelopes with ages on them located on the tree at the entry of Freebridge Brewing, 710 E. 2nd St., The Dalles. Hours: Wed. - Sat., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. & Sun., 11- 8.

Donors responded to a call to help even more families this holiday season through the Tree of Joy program run by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP), increasing the number of children reached by nearly 100 this year.

Join CCCNew’s Robin Denning, Joshuah Albert & Tom Peterson as they welcome special guests Victor Johnson, Aaron Jalen the Mailman and Christmas Turkey cooking Tipster Colleen Worrell to the all new and all exciting CCCNew’s Christmas Variety Show.

Steve of Steve’s Towing said he still had some irrigation pipes to blow out with the compressor and he also said he was retired from the towing business, noting he missed his due date by eight years. I bet he does not miss the calls on icy cold nights like were about to have. The National Weather Service is forcasting Rain, possibly mixed with snow and freezing rain tonight.

A Carson Washington family is attempting to put their lives back together after a devastating house fire on Tuesday Dec. 10 took the life of one family member and destroyed the home of a single mom raising a 16-year-old son.

A man who allegedly hit another car on Highway 26 in Wasco County, rolled his own pickup, and then fled the scene on foot was arrested late Wednesday.

Santa is stuffing the chimney with some hot tickets as Trout Lake Hall, Everybody’s Brewing and Bargeway tear open some entertainment packages. Hop on this slay ride of entertainment as Saint Drake reins in a heard of art, music and comedy in this giggin’ guide.

"The Port apologizes for the inconvenience caused by this technical failure," said Kevin Greenwood, Port Executive Director. "P-square identified the problem and made corrections early Saturday morning."

This November, Mt. Adams Institute (MAI), a non-profit based in Trout Lake, WA, is inviting the community to “Invest in Connection and Conservation” with their end-of-year giving campaign. Donations will support MAI’a Vetswork, Land Stewards, and Sense of Place programs which work to strengthen Veterans, youth, and our communities' connection to nature.

The emergency water outage will occur on December 11, 2024, starting at 8:00 AM, affecting the area from Forster Ln to Bald Mtn Corners, including HWY 141, Acorn Ln, Arnett Rd, The Knoll Rd, Brislawn Loop, Brislawn Rd, and Pucker Huddle Area.

The Oregon State Police said they received a report around 5:11 p.m. of a person running eastbound on the westbound off-ramp of I-84. Shortly after, the pedestrian was struck between travel lanes by a yellow commercial vehicle pulling a tanker trailer.

The annual Festival of Trees lit up The Dalles Civic Auditorium on the evening of Dec. 6, raising thousands of dollars in funds for local healthcare through an auction of beautifully decorated Christmas trees.

The significance of the decisions will have long-lasting effects on the direction of development in The Dalles while also providing intense capital to ensure safe drinking water for the next 75 years. 

Building owner talks about the potential for the 7,000-square-foot building as he looks to redevelop the space in Downtown The Dalles. Axe throwing and rock climbing are just a few of the ideas that have come through the door so far.

Escape the holiday crowds and experience the warmth and charm of small-town Oregon at Dufur Hometown Christmas on Saturday, December 14. Nestled in the foothills of Mt. Hood on the eastern edge of the Columbia Gorge, Dufur offers a festive day filled with creativity, community, and celebration. 

Jayme Thompson, MSN, RN, has been named Operations Executive/Administrator of Adventist Health Columbia Gorge. Members of the community are invited to meet Thompson during the Festival of Trees on Dec. 7, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., at The Dalles Civic Auditorium.

The Holiday Bazaar Roundup is your source for the latest information on The Gorge’s schedule for Holiday Bazaars and other Holiday Activities such as food drives, parades and making decorations.

Mr. Wood, a Walla Walla/Cree Native, is a composer, singer, and performer of Cree Style Round Dance and Pow Wow music. Thanks to a generous grant from the Wasco County Cultural Trust, Mr. Wood will also perform for the students of Chenowith Elementary School on the afternoon of December 13. The Chenowith program will also include a student performance by the Eagle Quest Drum Group. 

The annual Festival of Trees lit up The Dalles Civic Auditorium on the evening of Dec. 6, raising thousands of dollars in funds for local healthcare through an auction of beautifully decorated Christmas trees.

Kiwanis meetings are held every Thursday at noon at Spooky’s and visitors are welcome.

There will be no Stevenson emergency warming shelter this winter due to minimal use over the past few years. Skamania County Homeless Housing Task Force and Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) have adjusted the units near the Hegewald Center to serve instead as temporary housing for families.

On Saturday, Nov. 16, between noon and 2 p.m. potters and ceramists will sell a wide variety of their functional and non-functional clay pieces beside the Columbia River in the Port of The Dalles. Learn more here.

The scholarship is available through a statewide competitive process for high school seniors who are active in leadership in their city government, community, or school and plan to pursue post-secondary education in fall 2025. Learn more here.

The “Mushroom Hunt,” drew 350 participants to collect stamps from various locations and invited them to attend special events, presentations and demonstrations. More than 30 local businesses participated as those seeking fruiting bodies grew from the Mushroom Gala.

As wildfire increasingly impacts communities across the state, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is working with communities to improve their resilience through newly awarded grant funds. The OSFM awarded $3 million to 40 communities across the state to create defensible space and other wildfire risk reduction projects. 

Kiwanis meetings are held every Thursday at noon at Spooky’s and visitors are welcome.