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
The public is invited to attend forums to gain deeper insight into the candidates that are applying to be the next president of Columbia Gorge Community College on June 5, 8, 9 and 12 in The Dalles and Hood River as the Columbia Gorge Community College board nears a decision on the institution’s next president.
Van Tilburg has been the Health Officer for Hood River County Health Department for five years. “I love the challenge, the enthusiasm and the impact of public health,” he said. He now serves as health officer for both NCPHD and Hood River County.
Support The Next Door Inc.’s Gorge Youth Mentoring Spring Raffle for your chance to win one of two amazing stays at the Oregon Coast!
Bargeway Pub kicks it off with a Little Music City Showcase of three singer-songwriters on Wednesday, May 24 as venues up and down the Gorge are staging some great talent. Pick a show and go.
More than a hundred anti-hunger advocates and community leaders gathered at the Port of The Dalles May 20th, 2023 to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Columbia Gorge Food Bank warehouse and community food center. Located at 3525 Crates Way in The Dalles, the new, permanent home increases Columbia Gorge Food Bank’s food distribution capacity by over five times its previous facilities, opening a new chapter for communities facing hunger throughout Hood River, Sherman and Wasco counties.
College board members, following recommendations of a 13-member search committee, last week announced the selection of potential successors to Dr. Marta Yera Cronin, who will be leaving the college effective June 30 to assume a community college presidency in Pennsylvania.
“Award Winning Artist Trent Beaver is known as one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier singer-songwriters and he is playing the Bargeway Pub in TD tonight, May 12 starting at 7:00 p.m. It’s just one of many jams to happen this weekend as temps tip into the 90s calling for cutoffs, tanktops and margaritas. Check it all out here with the Gorge’s Prolific One Jim Drake.
We tip our hats to all who have thrown their hat in the ring or are continuing to serve on a board to support their neighbors and lift up their communities. Thank you. Contested races are for positions in North Wasco County School District, Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Dufur School District, South Wasco County School District, Mosier Fire District and Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation. Election day is May 16.
The Wasco County Pioneer Association held a successful gathering in The Dalles at St. Mary’s Academy on Saturday, May 6, complete with a salmon and ham lunch and the announcement of its top volunteers. Want to know what follow-through and commitment and cool old photos look like, click here.
The 1st annual round dance in honor of missing and murdered indigenous people will be held on Friday May 5th, 2023 from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Wahtonka Community School, in The Dalles, OR. The family friendly event is free to attend. All gorge community members, allies, and native people, are invited to gather, dance, raise community awareness, and promote healing together.
Gorge local, Julie Zapien, shares some of the history of Cinco de Mayo plus some of the best ways you can celebrate this holiday on May 5th, 2023. “Many Mexican-Americans (myself included) do still tend to enjoy what the day brings, yet It is a holiday that has more meaning than just tacos and margaritas...” says, Zapien.
Wasco County Innovation Initiative partners have launched a small business pitch competition that invites entrepreneurs in Wasco, Sherman, and Hood River counties to showcase their business ideas and compete for funding and exposure. The competition aims to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation and provide a networking opportunity for participants. Application deadlines are May 17th.
A fire occurred at Hot Wok Restaurant and Lounge located at 600 State St in Lyle, WA in the early afternoon of April 21st, 2023.
Food insecurity is on the rise in Columbia River Gorge communities which heavily rely on imported goods rather than local food systems. Here’s a simple and brief explanation of the problem and some ideas on what you can do to help.
The 35th Annual Spring Community Clean Up will take place the first Saturday of May. The Dalles residents are encouraged to join in our annual spring cleaning event on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Rebel Wear, a locally owned alternative fashion store for teens, elder emo’s, and alternative fashion lovers, located at 116 E 2nd St, The Dalles, OR will host its grand opening on April 20th, 2023 at 12 p.m.
Wasco County Commissioners discussed a variety of matters at the April 19th, 2023 regular board meeting held in The Dalles, OR including a request for waivers from Dufur Ambulance Service Area, and a draft of an agreement for $4.5 million in funding from the State of Oregon Lottery to benefit the Columbia Gorge Resolution Center.
Columbia Gorge Food Bank celebrated the completion of their new warehouse, community food center, and learning kitchen located at 3525 Crates Way, in The Dalles, OR on Thursday April 13th. The new space will allow for increased ease in managing the distribution of approximately 2 million pounds of food to some 6,000 families in the region a year.
The Dalles Wasco County Library has recently installed a short story dispenser on their main floor near the entrance. The interactive installation is a new innovative way to promote literacy and community involvement, allowing people to contribute their own stories and share them with others.
The Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance (CGPA) Columbia Gorge Pride was established in 2017 to create a secure space for the LGBTQIA2S+ community in the Gorge. To further understand the needs and strengths of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in the Columbia River Gorge, CGPA is conducting an online survey.
