A slight rain on Friday in The Dalles and a steady dropping of suspended particulate matter have helped both visibility and air quality to some extent. The Air Quality Index put the Dalles at 74 this afternoon at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18, according to the World Air Quality Project website.Columbia Community Connection serving Wasco, Gilliam and Sherman Counties, The Dalles, Dufur, Tygh Valley, Maupin, Goldendale, Wishram, Dallesport, Lyle, White Salmon, Hood River

Pine trees make up 80% of the tree species in Sorosis Park. But sadly they soon will all be cut down. The Ips Beetle is to blame for this destruction, quickly taking over the pine trees in the park and killing all of them in a short 3-year span. Columbia Community Connection serving Wasco, Gilliam and Sherman Counties, The Dalles, Dufur, Tygh Valley, Maupin, Goldendale, Wishram, Dallesport, Lyle, White Salmon, Hood River

The Ruins: News Update from facebook and Friends

Dianne Espy informed CCC News that her friend, Steve Curtiss, was the gentleman who carved his initials into the stone foundation. Look for an updated story on Monday once we get the chance to sit down and chat with Steve. Many folks on facebook also had the following interesting facts to add about the ruins.

Overgrown and dilapidated stone buildings sit in the hills of Brewery Grade - they are at the front entrance to The Dalles when taking the Interstate 84 exit near the Sunshine Mill. What were they? Columbia Community Connection serving Wasco, Gilliam and Sherman Counties, The Dalles, Dufur, Tygh Valley, Maupin, Goldendale, Wishram, Dallesport, Lyle, White Salmon, Hood River

On Wednesday the 16th the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $2 million in grants to improve the ecology of the Columbia River Basin. Locally, Columbia Riverkeepers received $91,991 for projects to improve water quality and fish habitat in Hood River and Wasco counties.

Kenny Haener of The Dalles gives the power sled a concerted push this morning, Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Gorge Athletic Club on Pamona Street in West The Dalles. The 26-year-old said he had been working out at the gym for the past three years and had dropped from 280 pounds to 225. Columbia Community Connection serving Wasco, Gilliam and Sherman Counties, The Dalles, Dufur, Tygh Valley, Maupin, Goldendale, Wishram, Dallesport, Lyle, White Salmon, Hood River

The smoke is so bad? How bad is it?

It’s so bad that it broke the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Monitoring Station on Cherry Heights in The Dalles.

Lindsay LeBreton is a long-time resident of The Dalles where she lives with her husband Ryan and is raising her family. But she grew up in the small town of Estacada where her parents, Jon and Debbie Kling still reside. The ongoing heartbreak of the Oregon wildfires has recently made way into her hometown of Estacada. CCC News spoke with Lindsey regarding her family’s struggle to leave behind their home and flee to safety.

Starting to exercise or beginning a healthy meal plan can be challenging. It’s easy to slip up and go back to your old ways if you don’t have people to hold you accountable. The best way to get started is to have someone, or a group of people, who are ready and excited to start on their health journey with you.

The Dalles Wasco County Public Library is raffling off Book Boxes for Latinx Heritage month.

The Dalles City Council reaffirmed their decision to deny the 80-unit Grove subdivision in East The Dalles at their meeting on Monday night, Sept. 14, 2020. Councilor Darcy Long-Curtis provided the lone dissenting vote, noting she believed the developer had met planning criteria.

Larry Clark and Bill Mauldin enjoyed a donut together outside of the Bakitchen Bakery on Court Street this morning, Tues., Sept. 15.

The injection of millions of dollars, improved fueling, and a push to provide more facilities, maintenance and avionics has the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport on a roll for 2020 as more pilots are opting to land.

Pete Meyers of Eugene came to The Dalles to try and escape the smoke and see his twin brother, Mark. He did alright on the brother. The smoke, no dice. But that did not deter the family reunion, which brought out a competitive game of Cornhole on Monday, Sept. 14.

A wild Hop plant caught growing alongside Mill Creek. Hops are typically used in beer making, these little nodes are used primarily as a bittering, flavoring, and stability agent. Most of the floral and citrus flavors found in beer are due to hops. Beer making isn’t the only use for these little green puff balls, when steeped as a tea, hops can aid in digestion, due to their anti-inflammatory effects. The oils from hops also make a great agent in soaps, and candles due to their pleasant aromas they give off!

North Wasco County SD will be closed on Monday, Sept 14th, 2020. Our first priority is the health and safety of our students and staff. Due to the hazardous air quality conditions, all district buildings will be closed and staff should stay home. Meals will not be delivered, and curbside pickup will not be available on Monday.

Wildfires are a part of nature; they play a key role in shaping ecosystems by serving as an agent of renewal and change. But the fires we are currently seeing burning in Oregon shouldn’t be reaching their current size and severity, according to a wildfire management student researcher Sima Safavi-Bayat.

Community Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, has been cancelled due to the smoke and hazardous air quality. The event, organized by Columbia Gorge Motors and co-hosted with The Beautification Committee, will push forward with a new event next month. Mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 10th. Meet at Thompson Park on 2nd Street next to the public swimming pool at the Northern Wasco County Aquatic Center.