He has touched hundreds of thousands of people, said Kasey Buckles. Some of the most recognizable programs in our area that prop people up came under his command. What will follow his 43 plus years at the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council, Inc.? Only Jim Slusher knows.

Wasco County had 23 new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, with 17 coming on Saturday. There are no new large outbreaks in the county at this time that meet the threshold of public reporting (five or more cases at businesses with 30 or more employees). Rather, a majority of Saturday’s 17 reported cases were due to family get-togethers. This falls in line with what is being seen throughout Oregon: Social gatherings are a driver in COVID transmission.

Washington Gorge Action Programs is participating in GivingTuesday for the first time this year in an effort to highlight everyone who makes the agency successful, and it will be setting a new goal to raise $50,000 for the Covid-19 Relief Fund which will all go directly back to support Skamania and Klickitat County residents in need.

Cascade Singers won’t be singing this Christmas. They’ll be humming. Christmas “Hum-Along" with limited seating and COViD-19 precautions takes place Friday, Dec. 11, Saturday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 13 at Zion Lutheran Church, 10th and Union Streets in The Dalles.

“The Radio Play Disaster” will be available to watch online at Broadway On Demand on November 13th-14th, and November 20th-21st ONLY and tickets are AVAILABLE NOW. To order yours follow the link. Money from the play will go to funding future high school drama productions.

Winter weather is coming to the PNW this Friday the 13th. The storm is predicted to bring high winds, heavy rains, and snow to Oregon and Washington.

After multiple unfair labor practice violations, Mid-Columbia Center for Living (MCCFL) has reached an agreement with Oregon AFSCME and the workers at MCCFL who are in the midst of bargaining their first contract after their union was certified in July.

Michael Knopf, MCPO, US Navy, Retired led a prayer and shout out to all branches of the Military today, Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial at Sorosis Park in The Dalles. During the Veterans Day event, one member of the Patriot Guard Riders fainted and an ambulance and fire engine arrived to assist.

On Monday, Nov. 9, a video went viral on Twitter showing an individual being refused service based on their political views. A tow truck driver with Rivers Edge contacted through AAA refused towing service to a patron near Dallesport after showing up on the scene and viewing a sticker in support of Joe Biden on the back of their car.

On Oct. 15 Portland General Electric (PGE) permanently shut down Oregon's last coal-fired power plant located in Boardman. The plant was built in 1980 and ever since has caused alarm for environmentalists and gained the attention of regional media due to it being one of the largest single sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the state.

Several groups are set to gather on Veterans Day to pay respects to Veterans and Active Duty men. They are asking locals to observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. in respect to those that have and do serve. They will host a brief gathering at Kelly View Point Memorial across from Sorosis Park at 11:30 a.m. Masks are required and Physical Distancing is requested.

Employees from Columbia Gorge Food Bank, North Central Public Health District, Fish Food Bank, and OSU Cooperative Extension Wasco County are looking for your feedback. This fall, we are gathering information for the latest update of the Columbia Gorge Community Food Assessment.

Sense of Place, a program of Mt. Adams Institute, invites Gorge locals of all ages, both English and Spanish speaking, to share some of their unique life experiences. The program is connecting people from all over the Columbia Gorge with Dear Neighbor, a letter-exchange project that invites those living in the Gorge to write a letter to someone they’ve never met.

John Coats braved the rain this morning, Friday, Nov. 6, making this nice climb up Dry Hollow Road. More rain is expected through the day and then dry out tonight. Temps are supposed to dip this weekend with the low on Sunday in the 20s. Make sure to check out CCC News Let’s Talk tonight. It’s our 2-minute news roundup with entertainment highlights with Yahaira Alvarez.

With brushes in-hand, Kiwanis members spent the beautiful afternoon enjoying the camaraderie and sealing picnic tables and benches at the barbecue area at Sorosis Park. The project has been long-needed at the popular gathering site. The service provided a huge boost to Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation, which received hundreds of hours of free labor.

Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation (NWPRD) have big plans in store for Thompson Park Skate Park in The Dalles. This morning a two-man crew out of Missouri worked to install the first section of the park's upgrade. Two brightly colored rails, a curb spine, and two bench ledges went in today. But that’s just the beginning.

Contractors are making quick work of a houseless shelter project on Bargeway Road today, Nov. 5. While electricity will not be available until next week, a push is on to get them open this weekend as a cold snap is impending.

The unofficial election results for the Mid-Columbia region. Including Wasco county, Hood river county, and Klickitat county.

Cory Spencer and David Parker of Joplin, Missouri began installation of several new features at The Dalles Skate Park this morning, Thursday, Nov 5th. They include pro design rails by Willy Santos, two bench ledges, and a DIY curb spine. The work is expected to be completed today.

The Dalles City Council will welcome just one new City Councilor on Jan. 1 after four contested races on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Dan Richardson grabbed 3,968 votes in his race for Council Position 4 against John Grant, 1,258 votes, and F John Ercole, 596 votes, in unofficial Wasco County Election results. And he’s ready to roll up his sleeves.