Gorge robotics students from The Dalles took top honors at the Oregon State VEX Robotics Championships recently and will advance to the World Finals in Dallas, Texas, May 5-7.

A little competition mixed with teamwork, creativity and innovation makes for a great learning environment. This is the recipe for success in Ms. Julie McIntire’s culinary arts class at TDHS.

Like the smell of that clean shirt? Those brilliant slacks, fresh from the dryer? Pretty sweet, huh? It was never quite so easy. Learn more about the tortured past of laundry in this exciting new exhibition at the Hood River History Museum.

After careful consideration, North Wasco County School District will be moving to make masks optional for students and staff in our school buildings and district properties on March 14th.

Board member Brian Stevens made the motion to select Lopez after noting all of the candidates were well qualified and committed to the community. He also added that Lopez, who resides in Mosier, “checked the box” for representing the people of Zone 1 as Mosier is the densest area of the population in that zone.

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 Al Hare, Gary Pryor, St. Patrick’s Celebration, Tim Mayer CD, Rich Wilkins, Jazz series, Zumba for Y.E.S. House, NW Cherry Festival, Marty Stuart, Modern English, Billy Bob Thornton, Got Your Six, Wayo Hogan, Cici Artemisia, The Riff Ratts, Garrett Brenan, jamgrass, Matt Coughlin and Jugtime Ragband.

As a part of the strategic planning process, the North Wasco County School District has partnered with Public Consulting Group to facilitate focus groups with community members to gather input. Focus groups will begin next week, March 7th. They will be held virtually via Zoom. Learn how to join a group here.

The North Wasco County School Board will interview three candidates at a work session on Monday, March 7, and could appoint a new board member to fill the position of Rebecca Thistlethwaite, who departed in January. Read about each candidate here.

Do you want to become a teacher but can’t move out of The Columbia Gorge to get the needed education? Here’s a solution.

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 Ukraine Food, Warrant, Winger, Outer Orbit, Bridgid’s Crossing, Chasing Ebenezer, Reddy Black Trio, Kenny O3, Albert Nicholas, Gary Pryor, Animal Planet, Pigs on The Wing, Take 3, Big Rap Show, Gorge Music Fest.

Laura Matzer has education and leadership experience in cultural and art museums in the United States and the Middle East. Her work has included the Oman Botanic Garden’s opening. Matzer also led in the development and opening of high-profile museums for Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi.

While facility improvements could eventually enter the conversation, the School District on Tuesday began a holistic approach to gather information and find what is needed to provide a good education to local students. And it’s waiting for input from the community to guide those decisions.

The Dufur School District has been awarded a $125,000 revitalization grant from the Oregon Department of Education to further enhance and develop their career and technical education (CTE) training program for the students of Dufur School, Ranger TECH.

What investments should The Dalles make to ensure that we turn out well-rounded critical thinkers who can see a career path to ensure their employment and purpose? D21 is set to find out on March 1 at a strategic planning meeting set for 6:30 p.m. CCCNews.com, Columbia Community Connection

Eight members of en Taiko, a youth Japanese taiko drum ensemble from Portland, will be here to entertain and educate us on Saturday, March 19th. This program will take place at 11:00 in the John and Jean Thomas Children’s Wing.

North Wasco County School District is pleased to announce the selection of Sandra Harris as the next Human Resources Director for the District. Harris, who has been serving as the Principal at The Dalles Middle School since 2015, will take the reins on her new role this coming July.

As the Vice President of Learning Experiences at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Deb Mumm-Hill led the camps, education, outreach, research, and exhibit-design teams.

The Columbia Gorge Community College Board of Education seeks interested district electors in Hood River and Wasco Counties for consideration to be appointed to a three-year term as a Budget Committee member.

A free concert by Native American Music Award-winning flute musician James Edmund Greeley from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26th at 7 p.m. in the wonderful Old St. Peter’s Landmark.

The Dalles High School (TDHS) Graphic Design Teacher Paula Long is empowering students to explore careers in Graphic Design with hands-on design experience and skill set building.