Fun and learning delivered! Play & Learn is giving away free arts and craft supplies and bilingual activity boxes to families in Wasco, Hood River, Sherman, Gilliam, and Wheeler Counties to help parents and kids fill their time with fun and educational activities.

Tuesday’s election brought a tight race for the Port of The Dalles Position 3 as John Willer and Marcus Swift squared off. Races for Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation as well as the D21 board also had some interesting outcomes. Read more here.

Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue approved a burn ban that will start on June 1

The Dalles Rotary is hosting the Ballot Drive-Thru collection from 7 am - 8 pm on today, May 18 - the final day of the Election.

Wasco County Elections Clerk Lisa Gambee had a challenge for voters this morning. “Make us work,” she said. “We spend our hard-earned tax dollars to send these ballots out. Drop them off,” she said.

At the end of Wednesday, May 12th Wasco County had received 2905 ballots for a 16.05% return rate, according to Wasco County Clerk Lisa Gambee. Voters have until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, to drop off their ballots.

Chelsea Albin of Rivertap shows off a fresh bandaid at Rivertap This morning, May 7. The bar as well as Freebridge Brewing, Bargeway Pub and Sunshine Mill are participating in a mobile vaccination against COVID-19 this evening, Friday, May 7. Participants earn $10 in token to go toward food. Herd immunity just got tasty!

Kite Boarders made an eerie discovery near Lyle on The Columbia River on Thursday, May 6. This boat was found being crushed by big waves and high winds and tangled in some Native American buoys and netting.

UPDATED MAY 7th, 2021 to include comment from Wasco County Republican Committee Chair Betsy Hege “I put together a list of Republican candidates that were running and that list ended up on our website,” said Hege. “I deeply regret it because of what happened.”

With 74 cases of COVID-19 in Wasco County in the most recent 14-day period, and a rapid surge in cases and hospitalizations statewide, the county is one of 15 moving to the extreme risk category on Friday, April 30.

The Original Wasco County Courthouse is opening on a limited basis as the 2021 tourist season begins.

Meet Araceli Avila. She is a community health worker at Mid-Columbia Medical Center who seeks out help for families undergoing health problems, such as COVID-19. She is a part of Bridges to Health. And yes, she makes house calls.

The Volunteer Association of the Mosier Fire Department donated two Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) to the Mosier community on Monday. One will be located at the Senior Center and the other at Breanna’s Mosier Market.

When firefighters arrived at a house fire in Foley Lakes on Wednesday, April 21, they found a double-wide manufactured home with flames coming out the front door and the roof on fire.

North Central Public Health Officer Miriam McDonell announced this morning that Wasco County will move to the high-risk level for COVID-19, requiring restaurants and health facilities to reduce capacities for indoor dining and activities.

Back in 1971, The Next Door was established in direct response to a community need. At that time, the organization served teen boys who were slipping through the cracks; those in trouble with the law, not attending school, and in need of counseling, education, and, most of all, love.

Mark your calendars and be ready to bid on great items starting Tuesday, May 4 through May 11, as Columbia Gorge Community Foundation hosts “Saddle Up and Celebrate,” one of two annual scholarship fundraisers. The need is high as there is currently only enough funding for half of the 70 students applying for scholarships.

A third surge of COVID-19 cases has begun in Wasco County, threatening to curtail gatherings, in-door dining and shopping, among other group activities, according to local health officials.

North Central Public Health District wishes to thank the many volunteers who have helped make possible our ever-larger and more frequent vaccine clinics, as we work together on our best chance to help end the pandemic.