A complete schedule of Northern Wasco County Parks & Recreation’s upcoming events and activities!

Over 250 people attended Black in the Gorge’s (BIG) 2nd annual Juneteenth celebration at Jackson Park in Hood River on Sunday, June 16. The event featured food, fun, and performances from Boka Marimba Band, dance lessons from African Dance Instructor Ebenezer “Ne” Amartey, the Gorge Freedom Choir, and a DJ.

Just four years after the pine beetle devastation of 2020, Sorosis Park is making a comeback thanks to grants and community fundraising efforts that have paved the way to revitalize the crown jewel of the North Wasco County Parks and Recreation District (NWPRD). Here’s a look at what’s in store for Sorosis Park this season including: a new pavilion, play structure, electrical hookups and more!

The two-story home flanked by gorgeous birch trees sports some of the largest Rhododendrons in The Dalles. Hydrangea and roses and astute detail to ground cover make this home a shaded cool oasis, especially during warm summer days when you can often find Bev and Al on the front porch talking with friends and neighbors.

At 10:30 a.m. this morning, Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis was at the site of the shooting in front of the Astro gas station, 2914 W. Sixth Street. A stolen 10-ton boom truck rammed through the gate at the Crestline Construction yard in the Port of The Dalles. The boom truck struck a police vehicle before the driver was mortally wounded in gunfire, according to police.

Officers and WCSO deputies fired on the driver while the driver directed the truck at officers and failed to yield or follow directions. Two Deputies and one City Officer fired their issued police firearms.

The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) recently marked a significant milestone with the first two student graduations of 2024 at its alternative high schools, Klahre House and Kelly Avenue School. These schools serve as beacons of hope for at-risk and disenfranchised youth who have struggled within the traditional public education system.

“My daughter’s plaque, she painted in school was part of the play structure,” said Eric Daveno. “I recently moved back and looked for it but decided to wait, kind of odd to see a 60-something on a play structure with no children of his own with him! Lol.”

The City Council of The Dalles has passed Special Ordinance No. 24-601, temporarily banning the use of fireworks within city limits, effective immediately.

Duplex Fire in East The Dalles sends two families scrambling after attic catches fire around 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 13. “Thank God I was there. I couldn’t stand to lose another kid,” Johdon Smith said.

Eric Kallio, performed a live outdoor concert at The Dalles Wasco County Library today June, 14 as a part of the library’s "Lunchtime Concerts on the Deck" series featuring different musicians every Friday in June from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Concert goers enjoyed Kallio’s original folk music and tacos from Tacos Tumbras on the deck.

What year was Tree Top Play Park dedicated? Send your answers to tom@cccnews.com by Sunday, June 16 at 8:13 p.m. Those with the correct answer will be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift certificate to Shannon’s Ice Cream.

But the Beatles, the Fab Four, hated? Mark Thomas said the albums were burned in the bible belt. But why?

The Dalles Moose Lodge 2075, in partnership with the Last Stop Saloon, is gearing up to host "Mom Prom 2024 – A Benefit for Valeria” on June 29 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event aims to rally community support for three-year-old Valeria Alvarez, who is currently battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Proceeds from the event will help support Valeria’s ongoing treatment at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland

“#GoFish” may be the hottest hashtag this summer for families in the Mid-Columbia Gorge area because of a free art engagement program for kids at The Dalles Art Center (TDAC). The School of Fish program is the name of the summer program designed to reel in families that provides free take-home art kits packed with art supplies and instructions to make colorful paper salmon!

June 14, 2024 is the last day for the public to submit public comments on the proposed solid waste permit for Waste Connections Wasco County Landfill to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

For the fourth year in a row, the North Wasco County Education Foundation solicited nominations for their Golden Apple Awards. These awards recognize excellent teachers and other staff in the North Wasco County School District. The program was created to incentivize excellence and honor outstanding staff.

While the national Braver Angels organization was established in 2016, the Columbia Gorge Alliance of Braver Angels is celebrating its first year of operation in July of 2024. Braver Angels is dedicated to bridging the political divide, holding America together, and preserving our democratic republic.

There will be a runoff between Jeff Justesen and Brian Lauterbach in the fall for the Wasco County Commissioner seat — 200 votes separated the candidates in the primary. Justesen garnered 1878 and Lauterbach, 1678. The general election is Nov. 7.

Sherman County’s Violet Woods and The Dalles’ Roberto Rodriguez Perez, and Elizabeth Areco Dorado were awarded scholarships this year through NewSun Energy’s 2nd Annual Climate + Ag Essay Contest.