Calling all ghosts, goblins, and gremlins, Halloween is just around the corner, and it's your time to shine. On the corner of E 8th and H St. in The Dalles a ninja turtle doll and metal robot are seen frolicking in the yard of spook! Do you have any Halloween themed decorations or costumes plans that will out-do your neighbor? Want a little friendly competition?

Yesterday, Dog is My CoPilot paid an unexpected visit to Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport when weather and logistics rerouted them from their usual stop in Troutdale. Dog is My CoPilot is a non-profit organization dedicated to the safe transport of at risk animals in overcrowded shelters at no cost. The plane landed at about 2PM and departed by 3PM. Dog is My CoPilot founder and president Peter Rork M.D. piloted the plane.

Where do you go to reset and refocus? Is it a real place or just a state of mind? People in and around town were asked where they go to relax, what makes it so special, who they enjoy their space with, if COVID-19 has made them feel differently about their happy place, and what they notice about themselves after they leave their calming space. Take a look at the positive outlooks these locals have…

Columbia Gorge Postpartum Support group supports new parents in the transition from pregnancy to birth, breastfeeding, caring for your new infant, and all aspects of the postpartum experience. they welcome you and your partner to come to weekly meetings to ask questions, make new friends, get lactation and feeding support, and feel connected to others going through a similar experience.

The City of The Dalles began a search for a new Police Chief on Monday, Oct. 19th. Current Chief Patrick Ashmore said he plans on retiring in April after serving for five years in the position. The salary range for the position is $86,205 to $106,021 annually, not including benefits.

Of the 18,403 ballots sent out for the Nov. 3 general election, 2.,425 have already been returned surpassing return rates during the past two elections, according to statistics provided by Wasco County Clerk Lisa Gambee.

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.

The last HISTORY missives were way back in February, when we had five well-attended Regional History Forum programs at the Original Courthouse. The last MUSIC announcement was for the Cascade Singers’ “St. Pat’s at St. Pete’s” event that never happened— you'll recall that March 17, 2020 was the very day everything closed down because of COVID-19. We’re still in the precautionary stages re: the virus. But some things are happening. So get out your calendar and check some links and prepare to find out what’s happening.

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.

Voters are set to decide the fate of a law that would allow the use of “Magic Mushrooms” in the treatment of mental health conditions. If Oregonians approve the measure, it would make Oregon the first state to legalize the use of psilocybin to treat mental illness in adults 21 years of age and older.

“Friends, Family, Columbia Gorge Community & Extended Relations! Let's watch a movie together~ Gather up your quaran-team and pass around the popcorn!” reads the posting of a facebook event being hosted here in the Gorge.

On October 12th, 2020 a free online screening of GATHER, a powerful documentary about the reclamation of Native Food Sovereignty is being hosted by Kenji Stasiewicz and Sullivan Mackintoch in honor of Indigenous People’s Day.

The Forest Service in collaboration with Oregon Department of Forestry and Washington Department of Natural Resources will continue with controlled burn efforts today in area of Courtney Road between Lyle and Bingen. Crews spent the last two days working in the Catherine Creek and Courtney road areas to create fuel line breaks to prevent large forest fires and to restore Oregon White Oak habitat.

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.

The Sunshine Mill Winery will be hosting film festivals and 3 nights of Halloween themed movies for the month of October. They have converted their gavel lot into a drive-in movie theater equipped with a gigantic viewing screen. The drive up movies at the mill can host around 40 cars, tickets run about $30 a car for each day or each night session of the film festivals and $20 a car for the Halloween movie nights. Add on Snack packages are available for the Halloween movies, costing $10 which includes a soda, popcorn, candy, and a hotdog.

The Dalles City Council Seat Position # 4 is up for grabs with the retirement of Councilor Linda Miller. F. John Ercole, John Grant and Dan Richardson are all vying for the seat. Read there candidate profiles here at Columbia Community Connection.

Challenger Tiffany Prince is challenging incumbent Rod Runyon for The Dalles City Council Position # 5. Read their candidate profiles here at Columbia Community Connection.

Incumbent Rich Mays finds himself up against two challengers in the race for The Dalles City Mayor. Challengers Solea Kabakov and Jason Garrett Gibson are seeking the position. Read their candidate profiles here at Columbia Community Connection.

Dr. John Willer is challenging incumbent Darcy Long-Curtiss for the The Dalles City Council Seat Position #2. Read all about them in these candidate profiles at Columbia Community Connection.

The Nov. 3 general election races for The Dalles City Council and Mayor have a multitude of candidates from which to choose. Each position is contested. And they are all nonpartisan positions. We have candidate profiles on our website.