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 Hood River County
Hood River Library’s First Comic Con event, organized by the Teen Council, Rachel Timmons, Teen Librarian and other library staff brought nearly 70 people out to participate in costume contests, performance, a zine making workshop, a free comic giveaway, button making, game playing, a photo booth and more!
“Award Winning Artist Trent Beaver is known as one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier singer-songwriters and he is playing the Bargeway Pub in TD tonight, May 12 starting at 7:00 p.m. It’s just one of many jams to happen this weekend as temps tip into the 90s calling for cutoffs, tanktops and margaritas. Check it all out here with the Gorge’s Prolific One Jim Drake.
The City of Hood River, in collaboration with the Urban Renewal Agency Board (URAB), is making progress in refining the design for the Heights Streetscapes project. Following feedback from community partners and public input, a hybrid design has been selected as the preferred alternative. This design entails a new roundabout, a new traffic light, the closing of Belmont between 12th and 13th, one-way traffic and a bike path on 12th Street, and two-way traffic on 13th Street.
However, representatives from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which provides power to the City of Cascade Locks, have now confirmed to Columbia Insight that BPA does plan to charge the city a higher rate for its electricity due in part to the new data center’s power usage. According to a recent City of Cascade Locks memo obtained by Columbia Insight, these new increased rates are expected to cost the city an additional $570,000 a year.
With 16 races, 61 candidates, and a school levy to research, there is much to weigh before the Hood River County Special Election on May 16th.
The new agreement restores a voice for Washington governments in funding, building, operating and maintaining the new bridge, a crucial interstate link.
The 1st annual round dance in honor of missing and murdered indigenous people will be held on Friday May 5th, 2023 from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Wahtonka Community School, in The Dalles, OR. The family friendly event is free to attend. All gorge community members, allies, and native people, are invited to gather, dance, raise community awareness, and promote healing together.
Gorge local, Julie Zapien, shares some of the history of Cinco de Mayo plus some of the best ways you can celebrate this holiday on May 5th, 2023. “Many Mexican-Americans (myself included) do still tend to enjoy what the day brings, yet It is a holiday that has more meaning than just tacos and margaritas...” says, Zapien.
Wasco County Innovation Initiative partners have launched a small business pitch competition that invites entrepreneurs in Wasco, Sherman, and Hood River counties to showcase their business ideas and compete for funding and exposure. The competition aims to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation and provide a networking opportunity for participants. Application deadlines are May 17th.
The raffle to support students in The Dalles and Hood River is aiming to put someone in a new car while local communities pay it forward for sports and extra-curricular activities at high schools in TD and HR. Tickets are $10 for a chance to win a new ‘23 Toyota Corolla. The raffle has the potential to bring $150k.
The Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance (CGPA) Columbia Gorge Pride was established in 2017 to create a secure space for the LGBTQIA2S+ community in the Gorge. To further understand the needs and strengths of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in the Columbia River Gorge, CGPA is conducting an online survey.
The Bargeway Pub welcomes "Martino" Gerschwitz on Wednesday, April 12. Martin has toured with such bands as "Eric Burdon and the Animals" and "Iron Butterfly". In addition to the music, there are talks on the Volcanic Origins of the Columbia River, Comedians, drum circles and a nice run in Cascade Locks ending at Gorges Beer Co. Want to know more?
The Hood River City Council held a meeting on April 10, 2023, to discuss Juneteenth, a water ordinance, Ruthton Park trailhead, transit, economic development, and a project list totaling $87 million for the proposed Westside Urban Renewal District.
Thirty year old Kyndal Ray, is walking across America for Mental Health Awareness, Recovery, and Habits 365. Kyndal started his journey on January 1st, 2022, with his feet in the Atlantic Ocean at the Jacksonville Beach Pier in Florida. He is heading northwest to put his feet in the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, Washington, on Wednesday April 12th, 2023, which is his four-year drug-free date.
Columbia Land Trust and Hood River Valley Parks and Rec. is set to hold a ribbon-cutting event on Earth Day, April 22, to celebrate a new half-mile section of the Indian Creek Trail in Hood River. Towards the southern end, there is a nice viewpoint overlooking the Hood River. The land the trail is on adjoins the 400-acre Powerdale Natural Area, which Columbia Land Trust stewards for fish and wildlife habitat, public recreation, and tribal fishing access.
Helping Hands Against Violence in partnership SafeSpace, and the Hood River Library recently installed a unique public community art installation called the Clothesline Project to call attention to Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The installation will be on display on the Hood River Library lawn until April 17th.
The Oregon Historical Society (OHS) is proud to host a free public program on Saturday, April 15, where scholars and community leaders will discuss the history of the Yasui Brothers’ Store in Hood River. The program will take place at 2 pm at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River and will be followed by a casual reception with light refreshments.
Lake Taco, a family owned Mexican restaurant in Hood River has re-opened in their new location and is doing better than ever, thanks to the gorge community rallying to raise over $48,000 in support of this local family and their made-fresh food.
A dozen teens and half as many adults from Hood River and The Dalles spent spring break in Costa Rica, working on a conservation project, learning about cacao and coffee production, coming face to face with wildlife, using their Spanish skills, and enjoying the beauty and hospitality of this Central American country.
The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) has announced the completion of the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) update for 2023. Among the major updates in the 2023 CEDS is an updated regional project priority list.
