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COLUMBIA INSIGHT EXCLUSIVE: Investigation finds BNSF railway at fault for Tunnel 5 Fire

Burning adjacent to heavily traveled Washington State Route 14 in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the fire consumed more than 500 acres and destroyed 10 structures, most of them private residences. Now a State of Washington Department of Natural Resources wildland fire investigation report obtained by Columbia Insight has pinpointed debris from brakes and carbon emission particles from a BNSF locomotive engine as the cause of the blaze.

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White Salmon Valley School District Receives $87,325 Grant From Education Foundation

During the spring of last year, the White Salmon Valley School District faced an unprecedented period of challenges characterized by severe budget shortfalls and staffing reductions, impacting students, staff, and community members alike. In response, the White Salmon Valley Education Foundation (WSVEF) quickly stepped forward with an $87,325 grant for the district, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to supporting White Salmon schools.

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Columns, Home Page Sarah Cook Columns, Home Page Sarah Cook

A view from the bus window: Tourism & Belonging on the American Empress Tour

Sarah Cook takes a fresh look at what we see and don’t see about our fair city of TD by taking a window seat on the American Empress tour bus. “This perspective, of course, is hard to access, requiring a strategic bonk on the head or else something oddly formal—a guided tour of your own city, for example—in order to shake something loose and remind you about your surroundings,” Cook said.

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Home Page Columbia Community Connection Home Page Columbia Community Connection

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to Washington Small Businesses

Small nonfarm businesses in six Washington counties and neighboring counties in Oregon are now eligible to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the following primary county that began July 4.

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Teen STEM Leaders Program Continues Thanks to Oregon Community Foundation Grant

The ‘Learning to Lead’ program will continue for the second year thanks to a Career Connected Learning grant awarded to the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub from the Oregon Community Foundation. The grant will continue to allow the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub, in partnership with OSU/Wasco County 4-H, to hire high school students in Hood River, Gilliam, and Wasco Counties to serve as Teen STEM Leaders.

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