On the morning of Sunday May 5, Klickitat County Sheriff’s Deputy and Undersheriff, Tim Neher was seriously injured after being struck on the head with a hammer by a male subject, identified as Christian Ray Smith, age 31, after responding to reports of a male subject having a psychotic episode at Red Barn RV Park in Dallesport.

Readers were flipping their lids this week as they drank down our questions like a delicious root beer float complete with a frothy combination of creamy carbonated pop. Thirty-five people sent in correct answers and were entered into a raffle. And our randomly selected winner is none other than Mary Collins!  

North Wasco County, May 2nd, 2024— The North Wasco County School District is thrilled to announce open enrollment for its Jump Start Kindergarten program, designed to provide incoming kindergartners with a strong foundation before they embark on their elementary school journey in the fall.

The Columbia River Round Dance, hosted by CRITFC is a public event open to everyone. It will take place at The Dalles Readiness Center at 402 E Scenic Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the community dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. All are invited to join in this important gathering as the community comes together to raise awareness of missing and murdered indigenous women/people and promote healing.

Today, Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis announced that 24-year-old Alexander Cruz Pola McGinnis received an 80-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to Domestic Violence Coercion, Assault III and Domestic Violence Assault IV.   He received a sentence of 30 months on the Domestic Violence Coercion, 30 months on the Assault III, and 14 months on the Domestic Violence Assault IV.  All sentences will run consecutive.

This May Dalles Wasco County Library is celebrating Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month, by hosting cultural appreciation events and activities including a poi fire dancing workshop and performance, origami, games, traditional foods, a 1,000 cranes community project and more.

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.