It wasn’t easy. It took Chase Sam two cycles of applications, several years of effort, and multiple interviews with state senators and congressmen, but he has now realized his long-cherished dream. Chase said his experience with the Wasco County 4-H & TDMS underwater robotics (ROV) program and high school football helped prepare him for the Academy.

The Dalles, OR— On June 15th 2023, The North Wasco County School Board decided on the beginning of a bond campaign to replace outdated structures, enhance security measures, and unlock opportunities for students.

Hood River, OR— After 22 years (Hood River) and 5 years (Wasco) of individual county efforts to improve the literacy of underserved children, First Book Hood River County and First Book Wasco County are combining their literacy efforts and adding Klickitat and Skamania Counties to become “Books for Kids Columbia Gorge”.

Lyle, Washington - Bus drivers from Lyle School District gathered in Lyle and at The Dalles Bridge in protest over the weekend to voice their concerns over a new contract with Mid-Columbia Transportation Cooperative. The picket, organized by the local chapter of the Public School Employees of Washington (PSE) union, aimed to raise awareness about the importance of retaining local bus drivers and protecting their rights.

From the 56 nominations, a selection committee reviewed the applications and selected four winners who each received a $500 cash award.

The Bargeway Pub is priming the pump as they bring Texas Trio Powell Brothers to the stage on Saturday. Jim Drake also jumps into music fest previews in Mosier, Trout Lake, and Arlington while also dishing on the lineups for all the local venues Gorge-wide. Check it all out here.

Dufur School welcomed the incoming class of Freshman on Wednesday, June 1, and also recognized seniors with Scholarship Awards of $135,000. Superintendent, Jack Henderson, asked the seniors if they realized how special these circumstances were at Dufur School, and all of the graduates nodded enthusiastically.

Eli Howard returns to The Dalles tonight, May 31 at the Bargeway Pub, kicking off a week of fun and entertainment, including Blitzen Trapper at The Ruins on Sunday, June 4. Jim Drake also gives us the rundown on Gorge Blues and Brews Fest in Stevenson starting June 24.

The public is invited to attend forums to gain deeper insight into the candidates that are applying to be the next president of Columbia Gorge Community College on June 5, 8, 9 and 12  in The Dalles and Hood River as the Columbia Gorge Community College board nears a decision on the institution’s next president.

Mosier Community School students, teachers, families, and friends gathered together for Family Night on Thursday, May 18th as the Pre-K through grade 5 students unveiled, showcased, and expounded on their project-based creations. It was a frenzy of activity and information covering a myriad of topics.

Hood River New School’s Space Museum event, was an exciting experience that combined education, creativity, and hands-on learning for students of all ages on May 17th, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 220 Clearwater Lane Hood River, OR 97031.

Hit Machine Acoustic Duo is on tap at the Bargeway Pub tonight, May 17 starting at 6 p.m., and then pick any venue you want - there is a lot going on. Drum Circles, Comedians, Film even the bouzouki duo Murray and Magill at Herbring House in TD on Sunday, May 21. Check-in, pick and win. Oh, bouzouki? Right. It’s a stringed Greek instrument in the lute family. But not the Lutefisk family! Never. I wouldn’t lye.

The new location will allow for a larger fair than previous years and is within walking distance of the Indian Creek Trailhead and local bus lines in Hood River, OR.

If you are a water sports enthusiast, an avid fisherman, or just a new boating recreationalist, please come by one of these locations where a team of OSP Troopers will be on hand to assist you with voluntary vessel safety inspections, outlining any safety or legal deficiencies to boat operators/owners, or just to answer any questions you might have.

The Dalles Middle School Music and Theater Department presents Disney’s Moana JR. at The Dalles Middle School on Friday and Saturday, May 12-13, 2023 and Friday and Saturday, May 19-20, 2023. The 90-minute musical adventure, designed for middle school-aged performers, is based on the 2016 Disney film Moana. The seventh and eighth grade cast and crew includes 45 students led by TDMS Music Teacher, Leslie Sullivan.

The Dalles Middle School pulled out all the stops on Thursday, May 4 as it put together a school-wide Carnival that featured, well, about everything. First responders, popcorn, clowns, traditional dance, hallway guitar players. Oh but why bother reading, take a look for yourself:

Even with these chilly spring showers the 2023 Home and Garden Show in Goldendale is off to a strong start. Vendors and customers alike are enjoying chit-chatting while meandering through the many booths. Spirits are high with the collective knowledge that warm weather is just around the corner.

Garbonzo smoother than hummus on that six-string - see him tonight, May 3, at the Bargeway in TD, and while you're at it check out the Gorge’s most inclusive ride down entertainment lane right here. Art, Music, Plays, Film. A cultural blooming onion in your outback. Dunk it in Ranch! Want something now? Check out the CCCNews calendar.

In honor of STEM Week, the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub (a department within the Columbia Gorge Education Service District) will provide free STEM Kits to 70 classrooms, directly impacting 1,500 K-5 elementary students in the Mid-Columbia region.

Working as a leader in school safety and emergency management, I regularly see and hear about young kids struggling with lockdown drills and caring adults, both parents and staff, not knowing what to say or how to have conversations about lockdowns. So Claire Marie wrote a children’s book.