A little Christmas spirit had Tom and Lindsey Giamei putting up this DIY tree on the side of their business, The Workshop at 201 E. 2nd St. this morning, Black Friday, Nov. 27. The couple is also supporting the Festival of Trees program, inviting community members to decorate an ornament for a donation that will help support the Celilo Cancer Center at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles.

Days of hard work and organization came to fruition in the form of succulent turkey, stuffing and mash potatoes drenched in gravy. It is the best time of the year, my friends. And our hats here at CCC News are off to those that make it so!

US postal deliveries this week have already rivaled volume during the week before Christmas last year. Our hats are off to our mail carriers this Thanksgiving. This also reminds us to shop local whenever possible. Like Dean Dollarhide said in a letter to the editor last week, we all need to support our neighbors and friends as we push into the new year as we hope for new beginnings and greater health for all.

Thanksgiving is multicultural and families from different cultures have put their own spin on the holiday with bold flavors, authentic ingredients, and recipes that have been in the family for generations.

The pandemic for your friends and neighbors who were already struggling with poverty, food insecurity, abusive relationships have become almost unbearable. Read more here about one local woman's struggle and how you and The Next Door can help.

The Dalles Community Thanksgiving Meal aims to feed some 700 on Thursday as volunteers are prepping, stirring and cooking for the big day. The annual feed will be different this year with the community meal being replaced with take-out and home delivery. Volunteers are still needed.

Like the gathering of family at the holidays, an old friend will return to us this Friday when a young boy will light the Woolsey Christmas tree east of Sorosis Park the day after Thanksgiving.

The Dalles Kiwanis Programs for December.

Thanks, COVID... No, really! No sarcasm here. If you ask people how COVID-19 has negatively impacted their lives, they could undoubtedly list off a slew of examples. So what about when people were asked about how COVID-19 has positively impacted their 2020 year?

To prepare for the City of Hood River’s annual work plan session early in 2021, City Council seeks community input and ideas on priority projects to help achieve City Council’s goals for the community. Community members are invited to contribute ideas via a print questionnaire or online form.

While an inversion has The Dalles under some thick gray this morning, Sol made a spectacular showing on Friday afternoon. This photo was shot from State Route 14 at 3:30 p.m., looking south toward Mount Hood. While were a bit gray this morning, it is a good time to check out The Radio Play Disaster on Demand by The Dalles High School Drama Department. Click here for link.

Klickitat County Sherriff Bob Songer and Washington State Governor Jay Insee are once again singing a different tune when it comes to COVID-19 restrictions in Klickitat County.

Here's our 2-Minute weekly update to keep you informed in the Mid-Columbia Region. November 20th, 2020.

Bud Hut near Murdock was hit a second time by burglars on Friday, Nov. 20. Three male suspects were caught on a surveillance camera destroying the service door with a sludge hammer during the forced entry. Once inside, they stole thousands of dollars in marijuana and cannabis edibles. The Klickitat County Sheriff’s office was still investigating the case on Friday evening.

John Schacher, 52, with Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation gives the Kubota and Cyclone Rake a workout this morning at City Park in The Dalles. Frosts like the one last night tend to gum things up in the leaf removal game. Forecasters are calling for 28 degrees Fahrenheit Saturday morning with the high around 50.

This wonderfully hilarious production from the comfort of your own home

Sadly, a resident of the Oregon Veterans’ Home who contracted COVID-19 on Oct. 25 passed away on Nov. 16. That marks the 18th death in Wasco County from COVID-19. An outbreak was first reported at the Oregon Veterans’ Home on Oct. 25, and 13 cases are connected to it, including staff, residents and household contacts of staff.

Mark Gunter owner of Gorge Granite Works goes over measurements with Mauricio “Mo” Carrera earlier this year. Carrera, 19, is a recent graduate from The Dalles High School class of 2020. Gunter, originally from Georgia, said his family has quarried granite for years. He originally came to the northwest pursuing a career in fisheries before he became his own boss in The Port of The Dalles and began doing custom Granite work.

Several reports of tire slashings in downtown The Dalles were reported on the 8th, 16th, and 17th of this month. Police have taken photos of all vehicles involved but report no suspect info at this time. Threatening messages reading “GET OUT X” were also left on the doors of the five Commodore residents whose tires were slashed, leaving many afraid to return to their homes.

Emilio Portillo, 18, did a little fishing this morning, Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Taylor Lake before his online classes started at The Dalles High School. The senior said he got to the lake at 8 a.m. and went with some weights and a worm. He said he planned to switch to Power Bait a bit later, noting he believed the lake had recently been stocked with trout.