The Pesticide Stewardship Partnership program has reported a downward trend in pesticide detections over the last ten years.

An auction to benefit Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association opens on April 8th and runs online through April 11th. The event features almost 100 items: fine art from local artists, delicious and creative dining experiences, and fun outdoor excursions. The nonprofit presents a variety of music via concerts and stage productions in The Columbia Gorge throughout the year. Read more here.

THE DALLES, OR — Offering empowerment through education, the Columbia Basin Care Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for students pursuing healthcare careers.

The $2,500 scholarships support health-related studies in a variety of areas, such as nursing, food and nutrition, public health, social services, and more.

The City of White Salmon will be giving away a tree seedling and free bag of bark mulch for each family, while supplies last. Trees and mulch will be available on a first come, first served basis beginning at 9:00 a.m. in Rheingarten Park at the picnic pavilion in the SE corner of the park.

“St. Pat’s at St. Pete’s” is going virtual this year. It is the 23rd-annual St. Patrick’s Day concert benefiting St. Peter’s Landmark after last year's COVID-19 cancellation. The videotaped program will be posted to YouTube on March 17.

Community Cleanups in The Dalles are rebooting after a hiatus due to the coronavirus.
The next clean-up is scheduled for March 13 at 10 a.m. Meet at Thompson Park. Wear appropriate clothing such as boots and jeans, and gloves are also great for protecting your hands.

A call for volunteers, partners and sponsors is being made to support the Community Cleanup of Bingen - White Salmon, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and will be held Friday and Saturday, May 21-22, in Bingen, Washington. Sign up here.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their All About The Cherry event during the month of July 2021 to highlight the cherry industry.

The quick thinking of several The Dalles Fred Meyers employees has saved the life of a local man who suffered a medical emergency at Fred Meyer.

Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue assisted a man who fell on West Fourth Street on Thursday Morning, March 4. The gentlemen in his 60s was treated and released at Mid-Columbia Medical Center.

Glenn Harding, Tom Olson and Loren Sudan work out the bumps in the gravel fill behind a retaining wall erected in the 400 block of Scenic Drive, this morning, Thursday, March 4.

Gorge Youth Mentoring, a program of The Next Door, shines a spotlight on one of its longest running mentor and mentee matches.

Spring is on its way and considering the oddness of the past year, everyone seems ready for some light and color in their lives. So, this month I’ve chosen some art that celebrates life and renewal that I hope you will enjoy. As always, send me your thoughts, poems, and ideas. I love hearing from you. Warm regards, Kerry Cobb

Eman Queveda, 19, of The Dalles took a little time out on Monday afternoon to test his skills at the skatepark. Below Jake Mick, 27 of Hood River went riding the rails. Lots of sun and 55 degrees made everything alright, and the rest of the week is looking good as well with temperatures hanging in the 50-degree area.

Mid-Columbia Medical Center has an easy and free way to dispose of expired or unwanted medications now. Medications can be dropped off at a kiosk located at the entrance of the MCMC Emergency Department. cccnews.com columbiacommunityconnection.com

The latest Wasco County Library Newsletter is chock full of activities and events for the upcoming month of March. Check it out here.

Rotary members and guests will get a thorough look into Link Transportation at the Club’s meeting set for noon on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Ken Catlin of Beachwood Eatery can bring the wings. The long-time resident of The Dalles said he and his wife, Nancy, were ecstatic to hear that restaurants will be able to open to 25 percent of dine-in capacity next week.

Hosting exchange students goes a long way toward global understanding. The Columbia AFS-USA chapter is currently seeking host family applicants. The program intends to deliver meaningful intercultural experiences that provide the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world. Learn more here.