Dufur School is nearing completion on upgrades on school buildings, the football field, parking and sidewalks. An $8-million bond approved by 68 percent of voters in 2018 made it possible. Check out the photos and progress here.

Pictured: A rainbow, accompanied by summer storm clouds and blue skies spotted above Mosier on August 20th, 2020. Want to have your photo featured on CCC NEWS? Email photo submissions to news@columbiacommunityconnection.com

Columbia Cinema in The Dalles is going to show its first movie in five months on Friday, Aug. 21, according to theater owner Bruce Humphrey. Unhinged starring Rusell Crowe will hit the screen at 3:30 p.m., he said, thanks to a smaller film company, Solstice Studios, which put the film out to test the waters.

So when she arrived on Monday, Aug. 17, to climb Adams at 12,276 feet with friend David, well, it gave me hope - that we can all fall and get back up, maybe a little stronger.

Joel Hart immediately knew it was strange - the smell of smoke in August on the family homestead three miles south of Mosier. It was a Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020 and the tiny-home builder said the smell got his back up. “I was thinking, ‘man, who is burning this time of year. They can’t be burning?’”

Give yourself lots of grace, but also know that you need to be responsible for your own wellbeing! Whether that means seeking out a counselor, setting aside time to meditate, or finding a friend to go on walks with, you need to know how to take that next step.

Ron Holmes, president of the Northwest Public Power Association presented Rep. Greg Walden with the Homer T. Bone Award this morning, July 18, 2020, for his 30 plus years of representing the people of his district on the issue of power.

Jane Burke and Thor Horgenstad with the American Red Cross are assisting evacuees from the Mosier Creek Fire at the Shilo Inn in east The Dalles. There are still five residents awaiting to return to their homes. Evacuation levels were downgraded, but some roads still remain closed. The 985-acre fire is 65 percent contained, according to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Original Wasco County Courthouse is opening on a limited basis for the remainder of tourist season. The 1859 building at 410 West Second Place, The Dalles, welcomes visitors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday through September.

The Powell Brothers band is set to hit The Dalles this Friday, Aug. 14, at the Bargeway Pub, and the Kingwood Texas Trio plan on laying down some licks with their original set. Free of charge.

The American Red Cross reports that 31 evacuated Mosier residents sought shelter with the American Red Cross at Shilo Inn in The Dalles. Numbers are approximate because evacuees began showing up at Shilo Inn before Red Cross arrived.

“Wondering why the firefighters hadn't arrived, I tried to call 911. No service.” “I got in my car and drove until I could get through to 911 and explain the situation. That's not exactly accurate. I kind of yelled that we needed help right away, that old people couldn't put out this fire, and that the helicopter needed to dump water closer to the house. The nice dispatcher said he'd send help. I think I was in a bit of a panic.”

Update August 21st, 2020 10:00 AM

The Mosier Creek Fire is fully contained.

The highest number of positive cases by age group shows that the 20's-50's age group had the highest number of cases. "We noticed a spike in some of our younger ages" Mimi McDonnel explained.

Prices for cherries were fairly strong as local growers saw higher demand as Washington cherries were hit with a late freeze in the Tri Cities, according to Ashley Thompson, Oregon State University extension agent.

Alexa Strickland got on the board early this morning near the Bargeway Pub on Riverfront Trail on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Her dog, Bizzo, an Australian Shepherd, didn’t mind the run. But he did take a few bites at that leash. 86 degrees Fahrenheit is the predicted high with more wind. Some blowhards calling for 22 mph. The record for heat on this day is 104 degrees and the low… 49. Clouds and and cooler temps are predicted for tomorrow.

130 firefighters continue to staff the Fir Mountain Fire. Operations continue to focus on mop-up of the interior of the fire and locating any hot spots near the perimeter. Helicopters assigned to the fire will be released mid-day today to return to home areas or staff other fires.

Riverbend Community School will be housed on the Columbia Gorge Community campus this year. Formerly called Wahtonka Community School, it will start the year both with a fresh name and a new location.