White River Falls is a vision of beauty and brute strength, and one that has taken multiple lives over the years for those that choose to swim illegally or are enticed to hike past the safety boundaries into its upper reaches. Saturday, July 9th, was slightly different. It came with a much happier ending. And it highlights the need for those exploring the park to use their best judgment.

Leaving the Hook in Hood River, guests will launch on the Columbia River, paddling and exploring the landscape with guides from Hood River SUP and Kayak. Guides and educators will lead discussions on local birds and the cultural and ecological history of the area throughout the excursion. All kayaking gear and guides are included with the trip reservation.

Oregon Tradeswomen’s Mary Ann Naylor said it is a perfect time for women and people of color to enter the trade industry. Major projects in the gorge could call for huge demand from skilled professionals. A recent $150,000 grant from Google is opening up opportunities at both state and local levels. “Tell them to be tough-skinned to get through their apprenticeship and the world is your oyster, said local Electrician Brennah Miller, “and you can go anywhere.”

Columbia Gorge Community College has a new club for students interested in social equality: the EQUAL Club.

The Mid-Columbia Senior Center is looking for medical equipment donations for its Medical Loan Closet. We are desperately in need of shower chairs, wheelchairs, and 4-wheel walkers (the ones with a seat and brakes). The program is run on donations and props those up who have health and mobility problems. Use the items for a month or a year, whatever is needed. And donate your medical equipment back when it is no longer useful to you.

— July 7 is The Dalles Public Works Director Dave Anderson. — July 14 Supervisor Stevie Stevenson talks about The Next Door Runaway Homeless Youth Services. — July 21 Zoom meeting (no meeting at Spooky’s) City Manager Matthew Klebes addresses his new job. — July 28 is Dennis Knox, President and CEO of Mid-Columbia Medical Center

Check out all the latest entertainment and music news including Ruins, Granada, Columbia Center for Arts, Goldendale, Fort Dalles Riders Club, Bargeway Pub, River City Saloon, Double Mountain, Zim’s, Working Hands Beer, Stave and Stone, White Salmon Library, Kickstand Coffee, HR Library, Jacob Williams, Route 30, Skamania Lodge, Maupin.

Students take on excavators, bulldozers, articulated loaders and graders as they try on careers with Dufur Schools Career and Technical Education. The program looks to fit natural skills to career paths through a series of different opportunities in aviation, health sciences, construction, heavy equipment and more.

Hundreds came to participate in or watch the Columbia Gorge Pride Parade that started at 10 a.m. this morning, June 26, in The Dalles. Participants were joyful about the event but some were also warry as the Roe V. Wade Supreme Court Decision on Friday hinted at the erosion of federally protected same-sex marriage rights.

Too Slim & The Taildraggers will be on tap tonight at the opening of the Stevenson’s Gorge, Blues and Brews Festival. There are a ton of options in days to come for live music and entertainment venues including Bargeway Pub, Ruins, TD Library, HR Library, Working Hands Beer, Double Mountain, The Pines, TD Arts Center, Grateful Vineyard, The Pines, Jacob Williams HR Elks, Route 30, Skamania Lodge, Last Stop Saloon, Maupin, Kickstand Coffee, Stevenson.

Recipients of the 2022 Columbia Basin Care Foundation Scholarships are: Hailey Anderson, Gillian Nelson, Mireya Jimenez-Magana, Maritza Vasquez, Karen Jesch.

This year the Foundation received 50 nominations from fellow educators, supervisors, parents, and others in the community. Not only are the staff and volunteers recognized for their efforts, the winners also receive a $500 cash award. Four winners are chosen each year from a very qualified pool of nominees. Find out who won here.

Goldendale Observatory State Park and the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce hosted a summer solstice celebration from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday June 21st, 2022. Park attendees were invited to celebrate the longest day and shortest night of the year by enjoying a hike around the park, entering a raffle for a chance to win prizes, enjoying some art, food, and drink, looking through three solar telescopes offering different views of the sun, and enjoying interpretive talks from Washington State Park officials.

Ryan LaDouceur, who was raised in The Dalles, is returning to The Dalles to take on the Principal position at The Dalles Middle School. He has more than 16 years of educational experience in schools spanning the globe with stints as an administrator in Japan, China, Germany, and South Korea. He was also a 4A champ while Wrestling with TDHS in 1999 and brings years of coaching experience in the sport.

Over the last decade, there has been one man at the heart of the TDHS alumni Association. In fact, for many, his name has quite literally been synonymous with the association itself. That man is Mike Elston. A 1965 graduate of The Dalles High School, Elston was instrumental in the creation, oversight and continued sustainability of the TDHS alumni group.

Columbia Gorge Community College held an outdoor graduation ceremony in their amphitheater at 3 p.m. on Friday June 17th, 2022. CCCNews would like to extend our congratulations to the graduates on their hard work and perseverance!

Gorge Youth Mentoring provides youth ages 6 to 21 with one-to-one mentoring relationships with adult volunteers in Wasco, Hood River, and Klickitat Counties. Mentors and youth plan their own activities, meeting at least twice a month for a year or more. Program staff provide consistent support for the youth and mentors, organize match events, and are available for ongoing guidance.

On Monday June 13th, Mayor Rich Mays and The Dalles City Council honored six of the Riverhawk Track squad, in recognition of their high achievement at the State meet and their season- or two- of hard work.

Andrew Stanek of Spooky’s Pizza got quite a shock on Thursday morning, June 8, at about 9 a.m. when an employee showed up for work and said there was a man slumped over in a vehicle outside the restaurant.

Check out Maiden NW and this week’s roundup of shows and entertainment, including Zim’s, Granada, Route 30, Working Hands Beer, River City Saloon, Taphouse 64, Tabby’s Hole, Ruins, TD Arts Center, St. Peter’s Landmark, White Salmon Library, Grateful Vineyard, Jackson Park, The Dalles Library.