On Saturday, April 27th, Senator Jeff Merkley held his annual Town Hall in Wasco County. At each of his town halls, Senator Merkley presents a flag that was flown at the capital in Washington, D.C. to an organization that he feels has gone above and beyond to serve their community.

North Wasco County School District 21 (NWASCO D21), the second largest employer in The Dalles, and one of the largest employers in the County is grappling with a notable funding deficit, having concluded the previous fiscal year with just over $21,000. The deficit has resulted in the need to make some challenging choices and conflicts with unions that may have far reaching consequences for the community in the upcoming 2024/2025 school year.

Today is the last day to register to vote for the May 21, 2024 Primary Election in Wasco County, OR. The Wasco County Clerk’s Office will stay open through lunch and will close at 5:00 p.m. for anyone who wants to register to vote in person. Residents can also register online at oregonvotes.gov  until 11:59 p.m.

US Senator Jeff Merkley answered questions about housing, high cost of groceries and the possibility of working with former President Donald Trump.

The Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency (CGURA) is seeking public input on the redevelopment of a prime piece of downtown property located at 2nd and Federal street, (the former location of Tony’s Town & Country.)

Join CCCNews as Wasco County Commissioner candidate Dan Richardson dives into his campaign, his background, and his time as a city councilor in The Dalles. This interview gets into some of the more recently heated topics at The Dalles City Council and offers a rare insight into that decision-making process and understanding some of the outcomes families are living with, in The Dalles.

Today, April 24, Google announced it is contributing $50,000 to Dufur School District to support the creation of a new school-based health center designed to expand access to medical care for both students and the broader community. Dufur School will use the funds to purchase a modular building to house the new health center, which will offer medical services to students, staff, and others in the district. 

280 Earth is seeking a 5-year Enterprise Zone Tax Abatement in Wasco County. The CO2 reduction plant is looking at $195 million in investment locally in years to come and is looking for a boost in the form of reduced property taxes from the Port of The Dalles, The City of The Dalles and Wasco County. 

Wasco County Commissioner candidate Jeff Justesen talks to CCCNews about how working on the Juvenile wing of the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility (NORCOR), and his experience coaching has prepared him for the role of Commissioner and made him passionate about supporting services and infrastructure that support youth in Wasco County and being a voice for small rural communities in South County.

Wasco County Commissioners approved a 2023-2025 Child Abuse Multidisciipinary Intervention (CAMI) Fund Grant application. If granted, the grant will bring in $11,310,000 to the county for intervention, assessment and investigation of child abuse.

Henry Begay, of The Dalles High School was signed to Blue Mountain Community College today, April 23 surrounded by his family, friends, coaches and teammates. 

Volunteers joined Friends of the Columbia Gorge and the US Forest Service in removing hundreds of invasive plants at the Balfour-Klickitat Area and Trail last Friday April 23rd. 

It’s all things electric at the Ride & Drive on May 9 in The Dalles. Electric cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, bikes even tractors will be on hand for a test run. Or learn about the electric car share program in The Dalles? It’s happening from 2-6 pm at The Dalles Area Chamber.

“Taking the lessons learned from the pandemic, reliable high-speed internet is just as important as reliable electricity and water. Ensuring safe and affordable provision of essential human services is what utilities do, and what I do,” said Kline.

Brick City & Games won 1st place in the Cherry Festival Window Decorating Contest with 147 votes and an impressive Cherry Festival lego build that filled their display windows. The display, built from hundreds of legos included a model of the Cherry Festival parade, carnival, music stage, vendors, community, and of course, a Brick City Games store.

Riverhawks Track Coach Jill Bell, catches us all up on the accomplishments of TDHS student athletes last week at Sherwood and Crook County. 

The Dalles community gathered in the downtown area for the 2024 Northwest Cherry Festival Parade on April 20 at 10 a.m. Everywhere you looked this year’s festival theme “Cherries on Broadway” was on full display.

Three robotics teams from The Dalles are gearing up to represent the Columbia Gorge area at the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas this May, after successfully achieving their fundraising goal of more than $12,000 thanks to donations from the community and support from Google

Kara Davis, Gilliam County DA and Special Deputy District Attorney in Wasco County joins our team to talk about her campaign and platform for her election. Join in as we listen to her story and key points to how she intends to bring experience and expertise to the office of the District Attorney in Wasco County.

Students from Hood River New School showcased their academic and creative prowess, earning top honors at the Oregon History Day competition and in the renowned Scholastic Art & Writing Awards last weekend.