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 Microwave Tower Fire, burning 5 miles west of Mosier, has grown to 1,306 acres with 53% containment. The fire, which started on July 22, 2024, is believed to be human-caused and is still under investigation. The fire is burning in brush, timber, and grass.
Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) is seeking interested candidates for openings on the MCEDD Board of Directors, particularly those involved with Agriculture, or the Food and Beverage Industry.
A passion for helping others, and seeing the life-changing work done in both the public health and non-profit sectors guided the career path of recently retired North Central Public Health District Director Shellie Campbell.
As of July 25, more than 1 million acres are estimated to have burned in Oregon as megafires at more than 100,000 acres are burning in three locations in the eastern part of the state.
The vision of Q-Life is for every address in Wasco County to enjoy a higher quality of life and participate in education, healthcare, and the economy through a high-speed internet connection at a price point that they can afford.
The Boil Water Advisory currently in effect for Mosier residents will likely be in place until Tuesday, July 30, according to Engineer John Grim.
Mid-Columbia Economic Development District as operator of The Link Public Transportation, and the City of The Dalles have partnered to offer a free 12-month Gorge Transit Pass to residents living in and employees working in The Dalles’ Central Business Commercial zoning district!
For candidates intending to run in the upcoming November 5, 2024, General Election, packets are now available online and in the City Clerk’s office. Three City Councilor positions are open for election, each with a term of four years.
If you’ve suffered excessive livestock death losses and grazing or feed losses due to recent wildfires, you may be eligible for disaster assistance programs through the USDA Farm Service Agency.
The annual harvest is a major cash crop for the four-county area including Wasco, Gilliam, Sherman, and Morrow counties, which produces close to half of the 50 million bushels of wheat in Oregon. Cody Darnielle reported that 150 deliveries were made on Monday, July 15, in The Dalles as harvest moves into full swing.
Upon the conclusion of the presentation of evidence, the grand jury returned a not true bill today, finding that the use of force by Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputies Tyler Williams and Joshua Augustus, and The Dalles City Police Officer Jeremiah Dutton that resulted in Law’s death was justified and not criminal under Oregon law. Sheriff’s Deputy Kanyon Reams and The Dalles City Police Officers Nolan Randall and Ezequiel Pitones were also on the scene during the incident, but the latter three did not discharge their firearms.
Initial attack crews worked through the night putting in dozer lines and burnouts along the east and west flanks from the north down to the unsecured south. The Central Oregon Type 3 Interagency Fire Management Team as well as the Green Incident Management Team from the Oregon State Fire Marshal are in place at the Dufur High School.
Navigating public transit in the Columbia River Gorge can be daunting for many, but Sara Crook, a dedicated ‘Travel Trainer’ with the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) and Columbia Area Transit, is on a mission to change that, one rider at a time.
D21EA President Jodi Ketchum emphasized that the unions now face a critical choice: move forward with the tentative agreement or reopen bargaining.
Join The Dalles community on Thursday, July 4, for a full day of festivities celebrating Independence Day. Start your morning with the Rocket Run along the scenic Columbia River, followed by a free community breakfast and yoga session. Enjoy the charm of the Hometown USA Parade, a concert in City Park, and a lively block party. Cap off the evening with a spectacular fireworks display over the Columbia River. Don’t miss out on this day filled with fun, fitness, and patriotic pride!
Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance (CGPA) celebrated LGBT Pride Month in downtown The Dalles on Saturday, June 29. Hundreds flocked to the event to enjoy celebrating LGBTQ resilience and the fight for equal rights.
The City of The Dalles is seeking community input on tourism and the use of Transient Room Tax (TRT) revenues via a survey available on the City’s website and Facebook page, accepting responses until July 15th at 5:00 PM.
Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis announced the grand jury indicted Noe Zaragoza, Jr. (23) for Murder in the Second Degree, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon With a Firearm, Menacing, and Assault in the Fourth Degree. Zaragoza, Jr. was indicted on Wednesday, June 26.
In a move planned nearly two years ago, the Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) Board of Directors announced that Jennifer Pauletto will be the new executive director as of July 1, 2024. Juan Reyes has been selected to join her as the new associate director.
In anticipation of this summer’s dangerously hot temperatures and wildfire smoke events, Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative partners will have free cooling kits available for houseless residents. They have also compiled lists of local sites where people may seek safety when life-threatening conditions set in.
