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 Klickitat County
April 21st is the last day to sumbit public input on The Lower White Salmon Coalition’s Draft Vision Plan for the lowest six miles of the White Salmon River. The plan envisions the future of conservation, restoration, and recreation on PacifiCorp's 500 plus acres that border both banks of the lower river.
GoForth Electric CarShare, a collaborative partnership between Forth, Mobility Development, and community-owned utilities is expanding its service area in the Columbia River Gorge to include Bingen and White Salmon, Washington. Services in Bingen and White Salmon may begin as early as June of 2023,
“I don’t even remember,” Tracy Zumwalt said of her actions after being awakened to the blaze. “I put on my slippers, grabbed my sweatpants and my purse.” She told her son Matthew “to get up, the house is on fire.”
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.
Lyle, Washington, is coming together for its annual community clean-up starting today, April 14th, and tomorrow, April 15th. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, volunteers and residents will be lending a hand, completing needed projects, and having some fun during the busy spring season.
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?
A suspect wanted for a double homicide in Klickitat County, Washington, was taken into custody early Sunday morning after a standoff with authorities in Jefferson County, Oregon. John Scott Raczykowski, a 29-year-old resident of Rufus, Oregon, was arrested after a short standoff with the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team (CERT).
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.
The Encyclopedic Jim Drake has done it, yet, once again with so many options for music, entertainment, learning and growth that we kind of want to start tapping a high hat and kicking that bass drum. Check out all things fun and fantastic in this week’s edition of This Week in Gorge Entertainment.
Megan, the daughter of Klickitat County Assistant Fire Chief Todd Kindler, was lifeflighted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Joe Burgess also suffered severe injuries and was taken to a separate hospital. They have undergone multiple surgeries and there are still more to come.
Klickitat Lyle Substance Abuse Coaltion (KLASAC) hosted an Opiod Awareness and Noloxone (NARCAN) Training at Lyle Activity Center on March 23rd. The training was aimed at equipping attendees with knowledge on recognizing and responding to opioid overdoses.
Authorities have identified a suspect in the double homicide case near Goldendale, Washington. John Scott Raczykowski, a 31-year-old resident of Rufus, Oregon, is wanted on two counts of murder in the first degree in the deaths of Elisha Ann King, 34, and Jeremy Allen Wyatt, 35.
Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office has hired former gubernatorial and congressional candidate Loren Culp has been hired as the new jail administrator for Klickitat County in Washington. Culp, a prominent Republican, will oversee the county’s 49-bed jail and 14 corrections deputies, as well as transport detainees to and from the courthouse and other jurisdictions.
White Salmon will soon have to say goodbye to Chesser Roe, home to some of the most truly remarkable teas and boba milk tea in the Columbia River Gorge. The locally owned handcrafted-tea shop will close its doors on Saturday March 18th at 5 p.m.
Eli Howard hits the Bargeway on Wednesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. Howard was at The Dalles Art Center last May with his full ensemble, Eli Howard & the Greater Good. Good show! And there is much more on tap in this week’s edition of all things entertainment in the Gorge. St. Patrick’s day be bringing some fine acts and chances to swing your lover to and fro, even some kilts to keep your pint chasing comfortable.
Spring is quickly approaching! Underwood Conservation District is holding its annual TreeFest at Rheingarten Park in White Salmon on Saturday, March 18th, 2023 beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 12:00 noon.
Learn about upcoming events, ways to celebrate Women’s History Month and discover the incredible stories of women who made history in the Mid-Columbia region. From the fierce warrior Colestah to the trailblazing politician Shemia Fagan, these women have left a lasting impact on our community.
A recent call to the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the death of a Cougar kitten. Some locals are upset by latest “removal” but the sheriff’s office policy of hunting cougars with dogs remains intact.
Pedro Garcia is a kind man with a big heart. His path in life has led him to become a Community Health Worker with Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP). It’s a role he had never envisioned, but he loves it.
Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer has big hopes for his final term as sheriff. The 77-year-old, third-term sheriff’s goals for the next four years include: establishing an animal shelter, proclaiming Klickitat County a constitutional county, increasing his posse to 200, and hiring Washington gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp to run the Klickitat County Jail.
