At times, we all need a little help. Here in our communities, there are many people who have developmental and intellectual disabilities who have jobs and live independently. But they can't always do it alone. Oftentimes a personal support worker or a job coach is needed to help them in daily or work-related tasks. Is this the job for you? It’s a nice way to earn some extra cash, even get health benefits. Oh, and change a life.

We’re about to have a world-class athletic complex near us. That’s unheard of for a place like the Columbia Gorge. The Maupin Deschutes River Athletic Complex is being built right now. World-class athletes like Usain Bolt could go and set records at that track.

Honu Hawaiian Shave Ice brings a taste of island living to Tygh Valley in Wasco County.

This year’s Wasco County fair will feature a rodeo, demolition derby, 4-H livestock and small animal showings and auctions, Kid’s Day, Farmer’s Fun Day, Cook’s Racing Pigs aka “the fastest bacon in the west”, old fashioned horse-drawn carriage rides, local artisans, agriculturalists, ClockTower Ales beer garden, and live music from Smock Dogs and The Rock Doctors.

600 goats descended on Maupin on Aug. 4th in an effort to restore Bakeoven Creek in its first two miles. Maupin’s Randy Klettke was able to build a team around the idea, bringing the Goat King from Pendleton and some pretty amazing Peruvian goat herders and their trusty guard and herding dogs. It’s the beginning of a long process, but one that could restore salmon spawning beds.

“It’s been a hard year for the growers. We had some labor shortages early on because California’s harvest went later than usual, then we had several rain events that were scary, thankfully those events didn’t do too much damage to the crop. And then we had this heat event that really did damage to the crop,” said Ashley Thompson, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Oregon State University.

Electric Bikes are a new phenomenon and are quite exciting. You’d imagine that everyone including the bike community would love them. That isn’t true at all. There are some bicyclers who aren’t a big fan of them for many reasons.

A second heatwave is hitting the Gorge today, July 29, with temperatures in in the region to cap 100 degrees for the next three days, according to weather forecasters.

Only two days left to enter livestock!

Shellie Campbell, who has been interim director since July 2020, was named director by the NCPHD board of health on July 13. The board is made up of elected officials and citizens from Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties, the area served by NCPHD.

Dufur baseball continues to produce college-level talent in recent years and this upcoming is no different. Led by seniors Carson Smith, Gabe Petroff, Brock LaFavre, and Isaac Anthony, the Rangers are hoping for big things in the upcoming season.

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum celebrates International Owl Awareness Day Wednesday, August 4, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with owl education, games, and pellet dissection clinics.

This week as a part of the Wasco County DA’s Office moved its Crime Victim’s Advocacy services into its own office. James Barber, Victims Advocate Coordinator, said the move is a part of the Office’s plan to create a more welcoming, safe, and accessible space for victims of crimes to seek counsel and advocacy.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including the Hood River County Fair Schedule, Mark Daly’s new release and the Santana-inspired Soul Sacrifice. Read more here.

Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) has been awarded nearly $550,000 to assist Hood River, Wasco and Sherman County residents in keeping current on their household utilities

Former City of The Dalles Police Officer Jeffery Kienlen has given notice that he intends to bring a lawsuit against the City of The Dalles for ‘unlawful termination’ of his employment at the TD Police Department.

Eric Nisley is suing for nearly $3 million in damages. He said his reputation had been tarnished by his removal from the Wasco County DA’s office following a disciplinary 60-day suspension of his license to practice law. The Oregon State bar found that he had lied to investigators no less than six times.

The Soft White Wheat harvest is serving up a little heartbreak this July as farmers are cutting into their fall crops to find wheat heads yielding around 50 percent of a normal year. A smaller harvest and depleted supplies from record sales last year could mean a bounce in price though.

Originally from Grass Valley in Sherman County, Eilene has lived life to the fullest, from raising a family to traveling to 66 different countries she’s made the most of the last 100 years.

“It was kind of a blur, the whole thing happened so quickly,” said Lana Bishop-Atkins, “It took only minutes from the time we saw smoke on the other side of the hill to the time it was within feet of our houses.”