Columbia Community Connection was established in 2020 as a local, honest and digital news source providing meaningful stories and articles. CCC News’ primary goal is to inform and elevate all the residents and businesses of the Mid-Columbia Region. A rising tide lifts all boats, hop in!
All in Wasco County
Gorge STEM Hub creates Columbia Gorge Career Connect to increase career exposure for local youth, bridging the gap between high school and the workforce through guest speakers, job shadows, and academic internships. The program is seeking matching donations in time and money after receiving a matching grant. Read more here.
Health Officials have upped the ante on vaccinations. Any Wasco County resident who gets vaccinated at the mobile clinic in The Dalles will receive a $50 VISA card. Find out how here.
City of The Dalles Public Works crews worked through the night to repair a water line near the intersection of 14th and Quinton Streets, which has officials recommending they turn off the mains to their houses.
Four OHSU cardiologists are set to discontinue practicing in The Dalles after an agreement between MCMC and OHSU was abruptly ended earlier this month. Neither MCMC CEO Dennis Knox nor OHSU gave a definitive reason for the discontinuation of service. But the results of the decision are clear. Cardiologists are leaving.
A Poke Could be Worth a Million Bucks. Vaccination rates are expected to increase with an announcement by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown of a $1 million lottery prize open to any Oregonian 18 and older with at least one dose of vaccine by June 27.
The Dalles High School’s Drama Group this year has produced an original musical, Young Ben Snipes. The video will be live on Friday, May 21, 2021. The Musical captures the larger-than-life character of Ben Snipes, migrant, cattle-baron, and entrepreneur. Snipes is in the range of heroes that joins the company of famous honorees as Teddy Roosevelt and Will Rogers.
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.
