We are surrounded by some truly amazing people here in the Mid-Columbia. And The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce recognized a few on Thursday, Jan. 27 at its annual Distinguished Citizen Awards. Find out who was recognized and read about their efforts to make our communities a better place to live.

“The daunting and implicit expectations we sometimes have of our loved ones interfere with our ability to care for them, let alone for ourselves; I would not have the framework for attempting to embody this way of living, loving, and showing up if it were not for bell hooks.” - Sarah Cook

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including Curtis James, Willy and Nelson Trio, Sugar Daddies, hapa hillbillies, Al Hare, BBLake, MegaNeil, Megan Alder, Chazing Ebenezer, DJ Budget Money, Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth.

Welcome to Question of the Week, a weekly news column that poses timely questions about life, politics, culture, economics, health, and more to people out and about in our communities. Each column features a question that expresses curiosity about other people’s experiences and deepens our understanding of people from all walks of life.

The Dalles Elks Lodge #303, recently and generously donated $10,746.93 to The Dalles Meals on Wheels program. The donation goes a long way to defraying the cost of the program that served some 50,000 meals in 2020 alone. Volunteers drive the meals to homebound seniors to ensure they get one hot nourishing meal per day.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including Nightlife, Igor and the Red Evlises, toys, Santa, SantaCon, Brigid’s Crossing, Lord of the Rings, Fire Truck Parade, Taylor Beeks and Sam Grotte.

A little snow livened things up in The Dalles this morning as giant flakes came crashing down at around 11 a.m. There was no quit in some of the folks willing to brave the elements.

Dufur puts a unique twist on its Christmas Parade. There’s cocoa, yeah. There’s Santa, sure. But you have not seen anything until you’ve seen tractors festooned in lights and adorned with the trappings of Yuletide joy come rumbling down the street in a blaze of glory.

The 15 Days of Dogs and Cats Holiday Auction is up to $11,000 but still short of its $30,000 goal to cover costs incurred due to COVID. Good news - there is time left to support the shelter. The Auction was recently extended to Wednesday, Dec. 15. Learn more here.

CCCNews has rounded up a good handful of local holiday bazaars for the Mid-Columbia, but we are looking for more. Let us know. Click here to find local offerings or find out how to advertise yours.

The Dalles boys basketball team lost their season opener in a heartbreaking fashion on Tuesday, Dec 7th. The Hawks played the Parkrose Broncos in Parkrose, and it was a tight game going down the stretch.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including magic, Scott Pemberton O Theory, roller skating Santas, AC/DC Tribute, Amber and the Pale Ales, Al Hare, Lindsay Walters, Photo contest, TDHS Jazz Ensemble.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including photos with Santa, Al Hare CGOA Brass, Untethered Soul, Cruise the Gorge, Voci Choir, Cascade Singers, Comedy of Andrew Sleighter, Organ Crawl, Christmas Train, Groove Project, CGCC Online Auction.

Dufur, OR – Gorge robotics students from The Dalles, Dufur and Hood River competed at the Dufur Hat Tip to Service VEX Robotics Tournament that took place on November 13. They did not disappoint.

CCCNews has rounded up a good handful of local holiday bazaars for the Mid-Columbia, but we are looking for more. Let us know. Click here to find local offerings or find out how to advertise yours.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including Polyrhythmics funk, Chihuahua slide guitar, Al & Nolan Hare, Casey Wykes soulful Americana, Robert Henry Country, Erisy Watt Indie Folk, Legend of Johnny Cash and tributes to Patsy Cline

A little rain did not dampen the spirits of parade goers and those participating in The Dalles Veterans Day Parade this morning. Check out our video.

The Springs Maintenance Man Brian Brown gets the heat started for residents of the senior living complex who will flock to the Gary Denney Floor Covering parking lot on West Sixth Street for The Dalles Veterans Day Parade, due to start at 11 a.m.

A real coolness pervaded the auditorium at The Dalles High School tonight, Nov. 10. Just 24 hours before curtain call, a cast of characters sat before Director Lowry Browning. It will be the first time in years that these students will go before a live audience, and they are pumped.

“What happens where the overall pattern of rainfall is decreasing,” asked Dawn Rasmussen. “We may have new pipelines but if there is no water coming down the pipelines what does that do to our community and who is going to win the water war?” Read more here to find out.