The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Columbia River Gorge including the cities of The Dalles, Dufur, Maupin, Hood River, Underwood, Stevenson, Carson, Corbett, and Cascade Locks. The warning remains in effect from 8 a.m. on February 14 until 10 p.m. on Thursday the 15th.  A weather advisory has also been issued for the Simcoe Highlands from Feb. 14-16.

The Port of Hood River’s engineering team is continuing to troubleshoot the lift failure that occurred in December, resulting in some temporary closures.

Each year, the Mid Columbia Health Foundation’s (MCHF) Women’s Giving Circle, donates their dues to local nonprofits. Since it began in 2019, the group has raised over $46,000 for community organizations. For their 2023 annual donation, the Women’s Giving Circle generously selected The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) and the Community Backpack Program as their two recipients! 

The Columbia Gorge Resolution Center is asking citizens to sign a letter of support that will be presented during an upcoming legislative short session in which Wasco County and Mid-Columbia Center for Living will request $36.1 million in funding to build a 16-bed secure mental and behavioral health residential treatment facility (SRTF) and stabilization center on 10th and Walnut in The Dalles, OR.

Sense of Place will feature Grow a Pear on February 21st, 2024. This event will be offered in person at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River, Oregon, and via livestream. Audience members will have the chance to win pear-related prizes, take home freshly ripened, winter pears, and maybe even be selected for an on-stage activity, the Pear Pressure Test! 

The Story Behind ‘Chicken Charlie’s’ Island” is the topic of the first program of the Original Wasco County Courthouse 2024 history forum.  The program begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 at the 1859 Courthouse, 410 West 2nd Place in The Dalles.  

With winter in full force, partners throughout the region have been pooling resources together to help houseless community members cope with potentially life-threatening conditions. To keep this and other efforts going, Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative is extending an open invitation for individuals and organizations to learn more about its members’ work over the past year and their plans for 2024 at its next quarterly meeting from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. on February 13 via Zoom.

February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Teen dating violence doesn’t just affect teens. It also affects parents, teachers, friends, and communities. Around 12% of adolescents report being a victim of physical violence in their dating relationships, according to WhiteHouse.gov, highlighting why it is important for youth to understand how setting boundaries early on can be a great start to a healthy relationship.

The annual PIT Count is a federally mandated survey of people experiencing houselessness in communities across the country. The count, which occurs in late January of every year, plays a critical role in determining the level of state and federal funding communities receive to address houselessness. It also provides key insight into the needs of those impacted by houselessness.

As the Bridge of the Gods reaches its 98th year in service connecting the Oregon community of Cascade Locks with Stevenson and North Bonneville in Washington, the Port of Cascade Locks is thinking about its future. Despite its age, the bridge is in good working order and not in need of a full replacement like the Hood River Bridge and the I-5 Interstate Bridge. However, as with any aging piece of infrastructure, the bridge would benefit from a few key upgrades to improve safety and resilience and extend its usable life.

The Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District is hoping to put a five-year levy on the ballot in May of 2024. The levy would pay to build a new aquatic center, develop Westside Park, and purchase Parkdale Park. But first, they need to secure land for a new aquatic center.

Looking for something to do amid yet another snow day? Here are 8 ideas to keep you sane, entertained, and riding a sweet mental plane.  

The City of the Dalles, The City of Hood River, and Wasco County Offices are closed today due to inclement weather as a winter storm has brought ice, snow, and freezing rain to large swaths of the Northwest.  Tough driving conditions look to continue as heavy snow and ice will move toward thawing and freezing as temps reach above freezing during daytime hours.

A photo of a destroyed OSP patrol vehicle hangs on the wall. It’s a reminder, he said. A reminder of why he does the job. A reminder of the sacrifice it takes. A reminder of what a trooper must be prepared to do to keep people safe.

Hood River County District Attorney Carrie Rasmussen announced today that she will not seek reelection in 2024 and has thrown her support behind Matthew Ellis to fill her position.

The vehicle crossed Westcliff Drive and went over an embankment coming to an uncontrolled rest in the parking lot for the Columbia Cliff Villas Hotel in Hood River on Saturday, Jan. 6.

This month, we're highlighting several important community initiatives and programs. From new opportunities for youth and adults to essential training for healthcare workers and resources for families, there's valuable information available for all. We encourage you to read on and find out how you can participate in or benefit from these offerings. Stay informed and get involved in making our community a better place for everyone.

As 2023 comes to a close, The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) is thrilled to announce Lars Reierson as the recipient of our Philanthropist of the Year award! This recognition celebrates Lars’ exceptional generosity, significant community involvement, and outstanding philanthropic impact on The Next Door and the Gorge communities we serve. 

Sense of Place will feature Salmon at a Crossroads on January 17th, 2024. This event will be offered in person at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River, Oregon, and via livestream. In recent years, sockeye salmon in the Columbia and Snake rivers have experienced devastating mass die-offs, because water temperatures were too hot. The Little White Salmon River and nearby tributaries in the Gorge have also experienced tragic losses.