It’s that time of year again when the quilters of the Columbia River Gorge and from around the Northwest get to share their craftsmanship by participating in the Columbia River Gorge Quilters Guild Annual Quilt Show. This year's 1st Place Winner of the first-ever Virtual Columbia River Gorge Quilters Guild Quilt Show has an important message to share with all women voters, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+: VOTE girl, you earned it.

The Columbia Gorge Small Business Development Center has launched a new Disaster Recovery Guide for businesses impacted by the recent recession. This guide helps business owners understand and assess their situation so they can make the best decisions in the recovery process.

Steve and Shawn of Kiwi Fence Contractors of The Dalles continued to install a new wrought Iron fence around Colonel Wright Elementary School last week. The gentlemen were enjoying more sky-blue weather with temperatures in the 60s. Suns out, guns out! While freezing temperatures greeted us this morning, Monday, Nov. 2., warmer temperatures are expected this week with a high of 69 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday.

With just four days left to vote in the general election, more than 60 percent of ballots have been returned as of today, Friday, Oct. 30, according to Wasco County Clerk Lisa Gambee.

This display at 4000 Brown’s Creek Road brings a bit of a smile even if it hints at our mortality this morning, Friday, Oct. 30. That’s even more reason to seize the moment. With just a day to go before Halloween locals are dressing up.

Art is abounding this gorgeous Thursday, Oct. 29th. A quick run around The Dalles quickly kicks up several feats in public art.

Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) will be hosting the 2020 Columbia Gorge Economic Symposium virtually on Friday, November 6. Considering recent impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on our regional economy and community, this year’s event will focus on economic and employment trends, as well as the road ahead for recovery and resilience.

Virginia McKay, a 25- plus year veteran with Windy River Gleaners was at it again this morning, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Food boxes were prepared for some 950 people in East The Dalles. Cars were lined up past the overpass on Old Highway 30.

The Next Door is holding its annual Stories of Hope event to raise money and spread awareness to support over two dozen programs aimed at supporting and empowering people with health promotion services, family services, youth services, economic development services, and treatment services in Wasco, Hood River, Skamania, Klickitat, Sherman, Gilliam, and Wheeler counties.

As of this morning, 7,560 of 18,403 ballots for the Nov. 3 general election had been returned in Wasco County, according to Wasco County Clerk Lisa Gambee. These numbers include ballots dropped off over the weekend but not all of the mail, she said.

Assistant Manager Maria Bartlett was messin’ with Squatch at the West Second Street Market across from Casa El Mirador this morning, Monday, Oct. 26. The new mural, painted by Samantha Bates was completed last week. The market is run by Hattenhauer Distributing Company.

The low water level on the Columbia River near the Union Street underpass reveals pilings from the past this Sunday Morning, Oct. 25. Their symmetrical placement and sheer number beg the question of what stood here at one point. If you know, please tell us about them in our new forum feature.

Renaldo Cruz, owner of Tacos Del Rios at 421 Union St., The Dalles, and friend Ignacio Torres work on the last of the season’s peppers on Friday afternoon. Del Diablo peppers, habaneros, and some others that are so hot they that if you write the name down it catches on fire were plucked from plants that saw their last days.

On Sep. 10th state officials and food providers released a statement saying food insecurity has been increasing statewide in Washington and Oregon. Due to the pandemic, this trend is expected to carry on for months ahead. The Lyle Good Food Pantry teamed up with Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) to provide meals to local families and community members. Their efforts in curbing the food insecurity in our region have supplied an average of 50 local families with a food box each month.

The Parade must go on! The Starlight Parade will look a little different this year with a little role reversal. Floats will be parked on 3rd street and the public will drive past to view the decorated floats.

Almost a third of ballots had already been returned to Wasco County this morning, Friday, Oct. 23, according to Wasco County Clerk Lisa Gambee.

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

The Dalles Artist Chris Pothier began installation of the All Together The Dalles Mural at 811 E. Second Street this morning. The mural is a painting of a photomontage of iconic buildings in The Dalles area that are stacked into a mountain within the landscape of The Dalles. Everything seems out of place giving our historic places and landscape an entirely different look and, perhaps, appreciation.

Kaila Garwood is selling the last of her dahlias as frost’s wicked fingers are threatening her pedals. The mother of two has been selling the bouquets from her front porch during the past several weeks. But freezing temperatures will soon have her out of business. She is located at 520 E. 7th St., The Dalles. Forecasters are calling for a low of 27 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday and 23 degrees on Sunday. Oh, snap!

Al Hare is gigging through the virus, but he has had to flex his style. He now focuses on solo and duo performances to accommodate changes at music venues. He has also christened The Dalles “Little Music City” based on the high ratio of music venues per capita in his hometown.