Columbia Community Connection was established in 2020 as a local, honest and digital news source providing meaningful stories and articles. CCC News’ primary goal is to inform and elevate all the residents and businesses of the Mid-Columbia Region. A rising tide lifts all boats, hop in!
All in Education
With the bond measure approved by voters, CGCC is making plans to move forward with the projects approved in the college’s Facilities Master Plan. These investments provide needed safety, seismic, and technology infrastructure upgrades at The Dalles and Hood River campuses
Uplift Local plans to expand coverage of local public meetings in English and Spanish by bringing a national program called Documenters to the Gorge. The program trains and pays people to attend public meetings that journalists can’t get to and take notes. Learn more here and check for your local meeting between Nov. 13 - 20 at different communities in the Gorge.
Old Man Winter is knocking at the door. And time is running out. Snow tires and preparing your house for freezing temperatures, if you have not done it already, is imperative to prevent costly repairs. Here are some basic tips and ideas to prepare.
In collaboration with the Mural Fest this year, The Dalles Main Street will bring back their beloved fundraising event Main Street Uncorked with a Wine Walk throughout historic downtown The Dalles. Get your passport now as Adventist Health sponsors the event which starts with an unveiling of the latest piece of local art!
“Are you kidding me,” said Library Board Member Corliss Marsh this afternoon, Sept. 23. “Thanks for the news. It’s really old and has been needing replacement,” Marsh said of the HVAC system. “Any minute it could go out.”
Policy aligns with research suggesting that limited cell phone use can improve students’ academic performance, mental health, and overall behavior. Students caught using their phones during the school day will have them confiscated and phones will be returned to a parent or guardian. Accommodations have been made for students who rely on their phones for medical reasons.
A staggered start for freshmen, sixth-graders and kindergartners brings the first wave of students back to D21 school in The Dalles today, Sept. 3. All students are expected back in class on Wednesday. Drivers should use extra caution as additional kids hit the street.
The Wasco County Fairgrounds will be hopping today as check-in for 4-H animals begins. Local kids have been working and learning for months in preparation for showing and selling their animals at the fair, which opens to the public on Thursday, Aug. 15 with Family Free Day. Temps are looking favorable, in the 80s the rest of the week, as the fair runs Aug. 15-18 in Tygh Valley.
“#GoFish” may be the hottest hashtag this summer for families in the Mid-Columbia Gorge area because of a free art engagement program for kids at The Dalles Art Center (TDAC). The School of Fish program is the name of the summer program designed to reel in families that provides free take-home art kits packed with art supplies and instructions to make colorful paper salmon!
Over 250 students from North Wasco County School District (both TDHS and Innovations Academy), grades 9-12, gathered together for an event focused on mental health, wellness, and resilience on June 4th.
North Wasco County School District 21 and Union leaders are still embroiled in difficult negotiations about next year's contracts. The district faces a $1.5 million to $2 million financial deficit due to a decline in enrollment. During recent bargaining meetings D21 has proposed what they feel is the best solution to the budget shortfall: capitalizing on staff attrition to cut 10 positions without doing any layoffs.
Photos of the Day: The Dalles High School Graduating class of 2024
“Our students through the years have been able to implement pieces of the program for continuing education, work and life in general,” said lead Career Choices teacher Lori McGuire. “Each student has the opportunity to be successful and this program was able to give them the tools.”
The official graduation for TDHS will be held at Amaton Field on Saturday, June 1 at 10:30 a.m.
Handshakes and smiles were all around as parents clicked photographs and grabbed videos. Elementary teachers were visibly proud, seeing the students they mentored reaching their goal of graduating high school.
Dufur students were awarded $83,000 during the evening. There is more to come from the Jerri Walker Depriest Memorial Scholarship fund which will be awarded during graduation at Henderson Field, on Saturday, June 1st.
The Dalles Wasco County Library will kick off the 2024 summer reading program on Tuesday, June 18th with party complete with bounce houses, face painting, crafts, prizes, and games!
The Dalles High School held a signing day ceremony for Senior Anthony Jara, on May 14th, at 3 p.m. to celebrate the continuation of his education and his continuing football career at Eastern Oregon University.
Seeing the Northern Lights this well usually requires a trip to high latitudes in Alaska or Scandinavian countries, and even then might not be so well observed. This was a Bucket List item I hoped I would live long enough to see. And this was in my backyard!
