On December 31, 2020, Columbia Basin Care joined a historic moment as employees and residents rolled up their sleeves to be among the first in the nation to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. "I'm so excited!" says Julie Kimbell, a certified medication aide who stands first in line for the Covid-19 vaccine. "Getting this vaccine means I can protect our residents, my family, everyone!"

Jeff Teel has been hired as the new Chief Operating Officer at Northern Wasco County PUD, working under PUD General Manager Roger Kline. The PUD and Teel face large challenges as the customer-owned utility continues to provide local residents with inexpensive electricity in an ever-changing environment of power policy.

On Sunday, Dec. 27, the residents and staff of the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles and The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation, two local skilled nursing facilities, were the first in Wasco County to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

Sadly, two patients at Mid-Columbia Center in The Dalles died of COVID-19 earlier this week. These mark the 21st and 22nd fatalities in Wasco County related to COVID-19. We extend our deepest sympathies to all the families who have lost loved ones in this pandemic.

Angelica Carmichael and her daughter Madison and son, Ryan, were reunited with their dog Max on Monday after he was hit by a vehicle and went missing for 19 days. A well-communicated effort by local police, ODOT employees and a veterinarian clinic in The Dalles were able to make it happen.

In-house foodie, Cole Goodwin, gives his take on a taste of history.

In an effort to better inform residents, the North Central Public Health District has created a new website page that provides additional information about the vaccine and its distribution. The site will be updated periodically explaining how vaccines will be administered to locals in the coming days and months.

The Dalles Dog River Pipeline which is responsible for bringing 54% of The Dalles water supply is in need of repair. The pipeline leaks an estimated 1 million gallons per day during the spring months. The Dalles City Council will consider awarding a contract for engineering services for the Dog River Pipeline in early 2021.

Thanks to our readers - CCCNews is carbon neutral with 5 metric tons of high-quality CO2 offsets purchased from Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s improved forest management offsets portfolio. And it was not that difficult or costly as you, our readers, are willing to embrace a digital format and forgo the cost of print and its environmental impact.

Frontline healthcare workers throughout the county to be the first to receive the vaccine

Mark and Max share lunch and in downtown The Dalles and talk about what it might take to take our community from surviving to thriving.

The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office is working through a series of reports involving a stolen vehicle from Washington, stolen license plates in Mosier, multiple car prowls in Dufur, and one man fleeing from police in Madras on Saturday afternoon. No one is in jail. But people are missing a lot of their belongings.

City of The Dalles Small Business Relief Grant began accepting applications from eligible small businesses and small non-profits, based in The Dalles, today, Dec. 15. The application period will close at 5 p.m. on December 21, 2020.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has announced a historic equity policy package of $365 million in equity-related decision packages and budget items which would advance equity, increase accountability for police use of excessive force, and invest in equitable access to online learning for students.

Twelve more shelters will be added to the current village for the houseless at the end of Bargeway Road in The Dalles. Once the units are delivered and erected in weeks to come, the shelter village will have grown from 6 units to 18, with the ability to house, at maximum, 36 houseless people from The Dalles.

Local health officials are not expecting coronavirus vaccines to be available in Wasco County this week, but rather, are likely to come in on a second shipment on Dec. 22.

Local businesses hurting from the pandemic can now apply for grants that need to be awarded by the end of the month. MId-Columbia Economic Development District- MCEDD- turned on the online applications this morning.

The City of The Dalles has done it again. City officials are granting $10,000 to Windy River Gleaners so that they can continue to distribute food to local families hard hit by the coronavirus. It is the second such donation in as many weeks.

The Stevenson Warming Shelter is preparing to open soon to provide a safe and warm overnight space for homeless persons during the cold winter season.

Salmon Claus and his helpers need your help to bring the holiday spirit to Tribal Nation Elders, adults, and children living along the Columbia River!