Matthew Ellis was sworn in as the new Wasco County District Attorney by Seventh District State Circuit Court Judge Janet Stauffer on Monday, Jan. 4. at the Wasco County Courthouse.

On December 31, 2020, Columbia Basin Care joined a historic moment as employees and residents rolled up their sleeves to be among the first in the nation to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. "I'm so excited!" says Julie Kimbell, a certified medication aide who stands first in line for the Covid-19 vaccine. "Getting this vaccine means I can protect our residents, my family, everyone!"

Wight loss, saying no to things that make you unhappy, trying something new - are all great goals for the new year. But so are attainable goals and they are key to happiness, according to our columnist Erin Peters. When you start thinking about what you want to accomplish, try to make it something you can reach. You should be setting yourself up for success rather than failure. Read more here.

Julio D. Paredes, 85, and his German Pinscher, Buck, 5, put on their coats and braved the rain at Klindt’s Cove in The Port of The Dalles this morning, Jan. 4, 2021. “I’m Buck’s driver,” Paredes said. “I have to do whatever he wants.” The two can look forward to similar weather this week as The Dalles is looking to stay in the upper 40s and low 50’s this week with sporadic rain.

Jeff Teel has been hired as the new Chief Operating Officer at Northern Wasco County PUD, working under PUD General Manager Roger Kline. The PUD and Teel face large challenges as the customer-owned utility continues to provide local residents with inexpensive electricity in an ever-changing environment of power policy.

On Sunday, Dec. 27, the residents and staff of the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles and The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation, two local skilled nursing facilities, were the first in Wasco County to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Dalles’ own Riley Elliott has gained a statewide stage this holiday season. The Middle School student used her iPod and the help of little sister Rozlyn to create a public service announcement on how to stay safe during the holidfays that is now being used on NBC Sports Northwest.

Jim Drake takes us on another adventure in media for just $3.59. Be careful, you might learn something, punk. This week takes a look at Eastwood’s Firefox, balancing world power and the problem with VHS tape.

Randy Olmstead has applied to The Dalles Community Development Department to split 5 lots into 9 on West 12th street near where it intersects with Myrtle St. The request to re-plat asks to create lots ranging in size from 4,025 square feet to 4,921 square feet in the high-density residential zone.

Angelica Carmichael and her daughter Madison and son, Ryan, were reunited with their dog Max on Monday after he was hit by a vehicle and went missing for 19 days. A well-communicated effort by local police, ODOT employees and a veterinarian clinic in The Dalles were able to make it happen.

In-house foodie, Cole Goodwin, gives his take on a taste of history.

In an effort to better inform residents, the North Central Public Health District has created a new website page that provides additional information about the vaccine and its distribution. The site will be updated periodically explaining how vaccines will be administered to locals in the coming days and months.

The Dalles Dog River Pipeline which is responsible for bringing 54% of The Dalles water supply is in need of repair. The pipeline leaks an estimated 1 million gallons per day during the spring months. The Dalles City Council will consider awarding a contract for engineering services for the Dog River Pipeline in early 2021.

On Thursday, Sara Hearn won the coveted Diamond General Manager of the year honor out of a field of more than 1,000 other national and international Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott. “I was not even looking to change jobs”, the Lyle High School grad said of taking a position with the company in The Dalles in 2014. . “I just went to see what they had, and I met Patrick the owner, and it was golden.”

Some 5,000 NW Natural Gas customers in White Salmon and Hood River have lost service, and will not likely see it restored until Tuesday and Wednesday this week, according to company officials.

Six friends from recent graduating classes from The Dalles High School laced up this morning for a little fun run before the holidays. Erin Nelson, Luke McLean lead the pack of pals on Dry Hollow Road this morning. In the back doing their best Rocky Impressions are from left, Mark Feldermen, Molly Nelson, Corey Cameron and John Miller.

Thrift Store Hero Jim Drake makes an outrageous buy this week with two quarters, a dime, a nickel and three pennies. See what our local denizen of all things media stumbled into when 1965 sang out to him like a huge and dark tenor saxophone. Read more here.

Thanks to our readers - CCCNews is carbon neutral with 5 metric tons of high-quality CO2 offsets purchased from Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s improved forest management offsets portfolio. And it was not that difficult or costly as you, our readers, are willing to embrace a digital format and forgo the cost of print and its environmental impact.

Rumors and readers prompt a search for the original Sugar Bowl and we came up with a lot more than that. Thousands of Wasco County kids may have never danced or rode a pony had it not been for the original tavern and ice-cream handout.

Frontline healthcare workers throughout the county to be the first to receive the vaccine