Tom Olson of Dufur excavates dirt and rock while Glenn Harding measures the depth this morning, Tuesday, Oct. 20. The two have good weather to look forward to today with a high of 65 degrees. But prognosticators are calling for a chill over the next four days with highs dropping into the 40s on Friday and Saturday.

Columbia Community Connection News presents a brand new weekly roundup of honest local news. Featuring The Dalles' own Yahaira Alvarez, CCC's newest video journalist.

Residents of Columbia Basin Care will judge a pet photo contest during the next few weeks. Send in your best pet photo. The announcement of winners and prizes will be announced in November.

Mike Honald of Honald Crane keeps a steady hand on the controls as he maneuvers a box from the top of the roof of Building 1 at Columbia Gorge Community College this morning, Friday, Oct. 16.

When you’re driving east on 12th Street in The Dalles, you can’t miss it. The building comes into view as your rise up on the hill. It seems out of place amongst the homes in East The Dalles. It’s kinda old school. Thompson School, that is.

John Dombroski with Columbia Gorge Food Bank in the Port of The Dalles uses a forklift to move hundreds of pounds of butter this morning, Thursday, Oct. 15. The Food Bank distributes to partner agencies that in turn get the food to residents in Wasco, Sherman, and Hood River counties.

The November 3rd, 2020 General Election is 20 days away and in the next few days, Oregonians will start seeing ballots arriving in their mailboxes.

Mt. Adams Institute is excited to announce the line-up for the popular Sense of Place Lecture Series. Now in its 11th season, the series will feature virtual lectures rather than in-person events as a way to mitigate risks associated with Covid-19. Sense of Place features presenters with a unique knowledge of the Columbia River Gorge and who consider the natural, cultural, and political history that has shaped this place. The presenters can include scientists, tribal members, authors, farmers, and many others from throughout the Pacific Northwest

Anthony Lozano, 36, works on setting up a temporary power service on East 12th St., The Dalles this morning, Tuesday, Oct. 13. The Journeyman Lineman for Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District was making the power available for Joson Singh, who is rehabilitating a building for a new Century Market at 1615 E. 12th Street.

Despite the loss of track meets, basketball, volleyball, and football games, athletes in The Dalles are digging in, attending grueling training, and working out for when the competition will reboot.

Doug West and his bird dog, Wej, who live on west 13th St., washed away the weekend fun this morning, Monday, Oct. 12. West went deer hunting with friend Larry and niece Kamrie in Eastern Oregon near Harper. He said he helped them both get a deer, and he filled his Can-Am all-terrain vehicle with mud in the process. Hunting is just starting for West, who likes to go after the elusive Chucker. This will be Wej’s first season sniffing out the birds in steep canyons.

We have a chance to be a good neighbor in the next couple weeks! Folks have lost everything in Southern Oregon due to wildfire and are asking for our help. Find out how to help here.

My son, K.C. Miller, 15, got this three point buck opening morning. I spotted it, pointed it out, and he brought it down. We were hunting on land owned by a wheat farmer in Dufur - Autumn Loyd.

Join All Together The Dalles for its monthly clean at Thompson Park next to the Northern Wasco County Aquatic Center at 10 a.m. Bring gloves and a mask and be prepared to help beautify our town. Columbia Gorge Toyota, Honda, and The Dalles Beautification Committee are leading the effort. For more information, contact Rachel Carter at 1-208-757-3632.

Sponsored by David Rogers at Seal Kote Plus Inc. - Rowena wildlife clinic has been dedicated to helping injured animals for 20 years. Nestled in Rowena, OR, this non-profit clinic is ready to assist and help native animals of the Columbia River Gorge. Injured animals brought to Rowena are gracefully cared for and released back into their natural habitat after being cared for.

The Beautification Committee for the city of The Dalles awarded Julie and Harley Newland of 419 E. 10th Street the homeowner the beautification award in partnership with Columbia Gorge Real Estate. Columbia Community Connection serving Wasco, Gilliam and Sherman Counties, The Dalles, Dufur, Tygh Valley, Maupin, Goldendale, Wishram, Dallesport, Lyle, White Salmon & Hood River.

Les Kipper got this four-point buck last weekend in Gilliam County. Dave Adams and Michelle Adams spotted the buck while scouting separate sides of a draw and alerted Kipper to its location. Kipper said he got a clear shot at it in the stubble field.

Randonneé carries local roasts made with beans from many different countries including Guatemala, Ethiopia and Mexico.

“I’ve owned 10 Speed Coffee for 15 years,” said McGeeney. “10 Speed Coffee has gone on more of a wholesale route.” Wholesaling coffee requires a lot of consistency as opposed to creativity. For McGeeney there was a strong desire to get to engage with new beans, new roasts and create some truly delicious flavors right here in the gorge. And so Randoneé was born!

Audrey Stephens, a bus driver for District 21 for the past 32 years, enjoyed a little gardening detail this morning, Tuesday, Oct. 6. She and fellow bus driver, Cathy Parke, 23 years a bus driver, said they were working on the flowerbed at the entrance of Dry Hollow Elementary.

Anson Jones felt like leaving catching some air, Monday, Oct. 5. The 14-year-old has been on and, maybe mostly off, his scooter for the past three years. “I come here everyday,” he said of The Dalles Skate Park.