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 Environment
Emily Peterson, aka Zombie, is down to a few hundred miles on the Pacific Crest Trail. But fire is threatening to block the TDHS grad just 30 miles short of the northern terminus. Only time will tell if she makes it or not. The last push of 267 miles from Snoqualmie, Washington to the Canadian border is on.
The Dalles Kiwanis Steak Feed is the hot ticket for Thursday, Sept. 8th at Sorosis Park. The fundraiser in its 66th year is a local favorite and a great chance to have a steak dinner with neighbors and friends while giving back to your community. The weather is supposed to be perfect. Sounds like a win-win-win. Buy tickets here.
TD’s Emily Peterson continues to push on in her goal to hike the entire Pacific Crest Trail this season. She recently surpassed the 2,000-mile marker and will likely make it to Cascade Locks next week. But first a reunion with some new-old friends and some gorgeous scenery.
Columbia Riverkeeper’s new interactive story map, “Water’s Walk Through Hanford,” breaks down some of the most dangerous pollutants and cleanup areas at Hanford, bringing the cleanup to life.
Theresa Dwyer’s home at 909 Union Street was recently given the Beautification Award for August in The Dalles. The home provides a splendid pallet of color for passers-by, and I am sure the neighbors don’t mind the site through their windows, either.
MoCo will locally source their music for the 5-year Anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 6. The Wasco Brothers are headlining the show. The fun begins at 4 p.m. But first, you might want to know something about the family-run operation. Meet Nate Stranz in this quick Q & A.
Al Barton was recently selected as the new Executive Director for the Center for Living after serving for a year as an interim in that position. Barton is picking up the pieces since Dr. June Gower tendered her resignation a year ago. Her tenure of fewer than two years was marked by financial challenges, union organization and substantial loss of employees. “I feel super fortunate,” said Barton on Friday, July 29. “There is plenty to do, and it’s a good time to be doing it.”
"Two years ago, in the middle of the pandemic, Oregonians and the ag industry came to us when they couldn’t move their meat products due to a shortage of inspection services,” said ODA Director Alexis Taylor. “After much hard work, collaboration, and determination, we designed a program that creates additional opportunities for producers and processors to grow and satisfy local demand.”
TDHS Grad Emily Peterson hits midpoint on Pacific Crest Trail on her way to the Canadian Terminus. 1,325 miles down. 1,325 miles to go. Trail magic, chocolate cake, and hope of seeing Oregon in August fuel hiker’s feet.
DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE WATER LOSS, THE CITY IS ASKING ALL PROPERTIES SERVICED BY THE CITY TO CONSERVE WATER. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM WATERING LAWNS AND FLOWERS, WASHING CARS, FILLING POOLS, ETC.
With temps to go triple digits for the next few days, some 10 Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers who previously helped at vaccine clinics will now, for the first time, help at Mid-Columbia Community Action Council’s (MCCAC) cooling center. Here is a complete list of cooling shelters in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat and Skamania counties.
The City of The Dalles Wastewater Treatment Plant discharged effluent (liquid waste or sewage discharged into a the Columbia River) on July 12th that exceeded the plant’s limit for E. coli (Escherichia coli) due to incomplete disinfection. The event has lead to several beach closures in The Columbia River Gorge.
Zach Ryan pays a tribute to Waylon Jennings tonight, July 14, at the Bargeway Pub in The Dalles. It is just one of many great music options this week as art and music is alive and well in the Mid-Columbia. Venues featured this week include Ruins, Everybody’s Brewing, Granada, Double Mountain, TDAC, Zim’s, TD Library, Taphouse, TD Eagles, Stave & Stone, Mt. Hood Winery, WS Library, Jacob Williams, Sunshine, Arlington, TD United Church of Christ, Route 30, Working Hands Beer, River City Saloon, Solera, Grass Valley, White Buffalo, Grateful Vineyard, MC Senior Center, HR Library, HR Elks, Klickitat Canyon Days, Skamania Lodge, Kickstand Coffee
Bringing Jennifer Batten, lead guitarist for Michael Jackson for four world tours, to The Dalles for a fundraiser. That’s just being a Smooth Criminal. Doing it all in the Backyard of the Bargeway Pub this Friday night while supporting The United Way of the Columbia Gorge? Cue the pyrotechnics. And that’s a go on the guitar solo!
Oregon businesses sent a letter asking Oregon elected officials to help remove Lower Snake River dams. The letter signed by close to 70 businesses—addressed to Representative DeFazio, Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden and others—calls on them to support an ongoing collaboration between Tribes, state and federal policymakers, and the Biden Administration to remove the Lower Snake River dams and re-invest in river communities and infrastructure.
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.
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.”
The Climate Resiliency Committee held their first official meeting at The Dalles City Hall at 9 a.m. on July 8th to finalize a regular meeting schedule, elect a chair and finalize the committee’s mission statement.
Recipients of the 2022 Columbia Basin Care Foundation Scholarships are: Hailey Anderson, Gillian Nelson, Mireya Jimenez-Magana, Maritza Vasquez, Karen Jesch.
The concern is that changes, such as rising air and water temperatures, are impacting weather patterns, affecting habitats for plants and animals, and increasing wildfire risk. “This Action Plan is the first of its kind for the National Scenic Area” stated Jessica Olson, Senior Natural Resources Planner who co-authored the plan. “With your help, we will add new information and ideas to improve the plan over time. Please share your comments and creative ideas with us. Where possible, specific suggestions and references to sections of the Management Plan are especially helpful.”
