Home Page, Wasco County, The Dalles, Klickitat County, Skamania County Oregon State University Extension Service Home Page, Wasco County, The Dalles, Klickitat County, Skamania County Oregon State University Extension Service

New Food Security Survey Seeks Voices of Gorge Residents to Shape Local Programs

Oregon State University Extension Service has launched a new Columbia Gorge Food Security Survey to better understand community needs and guide future food-related programs across the region.

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Parades, Fireworks and Fun Across the Gorge on July 4, 2025

From early-morning runs to late-night fireworks over the Columbia, Gorge communities are celebrating Independence Day with full-day schedules of family-friendly festivities on Thursday, July 4. Whether you're in The Dalles or Stevenson, there’s a celebration nearby for everyone.

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The Dalles, Wasco County, Klickitat County, Hood River County, Home Page Columbia Community Connection The Dalles, Wasco County, Klickitat County, Hood River County, Home Page Columbia Community Connection

A Veteran’s Journey: From Hell and Back Through Magic Mushrooms at Vital Reset

Today we speak with "Burton," a 25-year military veteran living with severe PTSD, about his powerful healing journey with psilocybin. Burton shares his transformation—from an angry, unstable, and deeply struggling existence to becoming a calmer, more peaceful version of himself. The psilocybin sessions he experienced at Vital Reset in Hood River reshaped his life in ways that pharmaceuticals and traditional therapy could not. Join us for a deep dive into this raw and profound story of trauma, hope, and healing.

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Home Page, Wasco County, Hood River County, Skamania County, Klickitat County Columbia Community Connection Home Page, Wasco County, Hood River County, Skamania County, Klickitat County Columbia Community Connection

Thoughts from the Tractor Seat: What Should a Dollar Be Worth?

I’ve been thinking a lot about the American dollar. Not the paper itself, but the worth behind it. What should a dollar really be? What should it buy? What does it stand for? From where I sit—on a tractor seat in the cherry orchards of The Dalles—there’s a growing sense that a dollar just doesn’t stretch like it used to. Inputs are up. Groceries are up. Fuel is up. And while prices climb, the value of hard work seems to shrink.

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Home Page, Wasco County, Hood River County, Klickitat County, Skamania County Columbia Community Connection Home Page, Wasco County, Hood River County, Klickitat County, Skamania County Columbia Community Connection

Column: When Local Infrastructure and Global Trade Collide: A Farmer’s Perspective

As I sit here on my tractor seat, the view stretches far beyond my orchard rows. These days, the pressures on family farms stretch just as far—across state lines, trade routes, and policy halls.

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Column: Tariffs Are Still Costing Northwest Fruit Growers

When the U.S. government slapped tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum in 2018—25% on steel and 10% on aluminum—it didn’t take long for the blowback to hit American farmers.

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Hood River County, Home Page, Wasco County, Klickitat County Columbia Community Connection Hood River County, Home Page, Wasco County, Klickitat County Columbia Community Connection

ALLYSHIP 101: NO STUPID QUESTIONS Being a Powerful Ally to LGBTQIA2S+ Friends, Family, and Community Members.

Curious about the ever-expanding alphabet that describes the queer community? Feel shy about asking a sensitive question? Concerned about the safety of people in your life with diverse identities? Just want to know more? This is the event for you.

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Home Page, Wasco County, Hood River County, Klickitat County, Skamania County Washington Gorge Action Programs Home Page, Wasco County, Hood River County, Klickitat County, Skamania County Washington Gorge Action Programs

Report Highlights Income Inequality, Social Isolation

Nearly 40 percent of residents in Klickitat and Skamania counties are served by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP). While poverty has been on the decline since 2015, rates are still higher than the rest of the state, and gaps in income inequality are increasing.

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Home Page, Hood River County, The Dalles, Wasco County, Klickitat County Columbia Community Connection Home Page, Hood River County, The Dalles, Wasco County, Klickitat County Columbia Community Connection

Diversity Whitewater Aims to Grow Local Paddling Community for a 2nd Year

Starting this August, residents around the Columbia River Gorge will have a unique opportunity to learn whitewater hard-shell kayaking for no cost this summer, thanks to a kayak progression program aimed at diversifying paddle sports in the region.

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Home Page, The Dalles, Wasco County, Hood River County, Klickitat County Columbia Community Connection Home Page, The Dalles, Wasco County, Hood River County, Klickitat County Columbia Community Connection

Mental Health, Crisis & Suicide Line Switches to 988 - Klickitat County Health Director Talks Support in the Washington Gorge.

Join us for a conversation with Erinn Quinn & Leah Becknell as they talk with us about the switch to 988, accessing mental health services in Klickitat County and keeping your head space out of the gutter. For more information or to chat with mental health support, call 988 or visit: https://988lifeline.org/

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Positive News, Klickitat County Columbia Community Connection Positive News, Klickitat County Columbia Community Connection

Klickitat County Child Care needs explored at forum in Lyle on May 7

Join other Klickitat County business professionals at this special forum on Workforce Childcare Needs. Guest speakers and committee members will share what they have learned about the affect the childcare crisis is having in our community. Information will be provided on KCCC's work supporting the licensing of new childcare providers in the area.

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Home Page, Wasco County, The Dalles, Hood River County, Klickitat County, Podcast Columbia Community Connection Home Page, Wasco County, The Dalles, Hood River County, Klickitat County, Podcast Columbia Community Connection

CCCNews Podcast: Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee Talks Kids, Screen Time & Balance

In the latest episode of the CCCNews podcast, we sit down with award-winning psychologist and author Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee to explore the impact of screen time on children and families. With a research focus on the mental, physical and relational tolls of over-engagement with technology, Dodgen-Magee offers both science-backed insight and compassionate guidance for parents and caregivers.

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