The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce announced it’s 2020 Distinguished Citizens Awards winners.

Rep. Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) hit the ground running Tuesday, Jan. 26, on the first day of public hearings for Ezra’s Law or HB 2339. Bonham has been advocating for the law for several years. It would create a path to 25-year prison sentences for abusers who permanently injure children.

The North Wasco County School District Board unanimously agreed to begin contract negotiations with Dr. Carolyn Bernal of Oxnard, Calif., to become the District 21 permanent superintendent to start on July 1, 2021. “I am thrilled we found someone with her qualifications and experience,” said Board Member Rebecca Thistlethwaite.

“Getting on the Map of the National Vote for Women Trail” is the topic of the first program of the Original Wasco County Courthouse 2021 Regional History Forum. The program begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6.

David Jacobs uses a passive leader while training his Golden Retriever, Teal, on Sandlin Road This morning, Monday, Feb. 1. Jacobs said this was his third Golden as he is an avid duck hunter. But what about that name? Read more.

Updated February 1st, 2021 3:30 PM Public Works has determined the cause of the broken water main. Road closures are expected to be in place all day Sunday January 31, 2021 through February 4, 2021. Some downtown businesses water service will be shut off during the water main repair. Downtown area customers may experience tap water to be discolored from stirred up sediment or milky white caused by tiny air bubbles.

North Central Public Health District reports the 24th death in Wasco county due to COVID-19. A resident of Columbia Basin Care passed away on Jan. 27 at Mid-Columbia Medical Center. The resident tested positive on Jan. 22.

Kerry Cobb features artist Amy Sherald in February’s Art News & Activities newsletter. Amy Sherald is an American painter known for her vivid and colorful portraits of everyday African Americans that she meets on the streets, in cafes, and in her neighborhood. Cobb’s new colorful and inspiring newsletter was born out of a love for art and wanting to connect with others during the pandemic.

Tina Ontiveros's rough house describes an image that is so vivid you can feel the forests and the edge of the Oregon desert- sight, sound and the feel of the air are all wrapped up in her words. The most striking parts of the book are Ontiveros’s thoughts about resilience, embracing trauma scars, and recognizing that the past creates the person you are today.

Tina Ontiveros, a long-time resident of the Gorge, daughter, wife, mother, sister, author, writing teacher and advocate for the disenfranchised living in poverty — she wears many hats. However, the one adjective she does not ascribe to herself is ‘victim.’ Writer Karen Carlin goes deep with Ontiveros about her haunting yet moving memoir in this one-on-one interview.

Oregon Investment Board is unveiling a new video series showcasing their work with businesses in the Columbia River Gorge.

Maybe you want to walk out your front door and climb in your kayak. Maybe you just want to throw a line in the water and wait for the tip of a rod to twinkle. Or maybe you just want to walk a block to your local neighborhood wine bar and liven up a plate of charcuterie with a Cabernet Franc. By all means, go right ahead. But do it in The Dalles.

February’s newsletter is virtually awesome! With virtual entertainment and storytimes. Google applications and activity kits, tween activities, and science also abound. Check it out in this quick read and enrich your or your child’s life.

The Dalles Kiwanis Club will feature speakers Darcy Long-Curtis on the homeless shelter project, Sheriff Lane McGill and Don Warren with an update on Main Street plans. Meetings are held on Thursdays at noon via ZOOM. Learn more here.

Willamette Valley Tree Clearing crews, a contractor for the Bonneville Power Administration, used chainsaws to cut grass, rabbitbrush and sage under a transmission tower near Petersburg School east of The Dalles this morning, Jan. 28.

The North Wasco County School District 21 is poised to enter into contract negotiations to hire Carolyn Bernal of Oxnard, California to be the next Superintendent of The District, starting on July 1, 2021. Read more here.

What is it like to experience houselessness in The Dalles? Cole Goodwin of CCC News lives a day in the life to find out.

NW Natural customers in Oregon can expect a credit on their February bill, as the company issues $9.1 million in bill credits for services provided at the company’s underground natural gas storage facility at Mist, Oregon, as well as from efficient pipeline capacity management. The average credit is expected to be $9.

Learn the indicators of Human Trafficking in your communities. Introducing an anti-trafficking initiative, the Mid-Columbia Human Trafficking Task Force. Created in 2019, this task force is comprised of representation from many organizations from within Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam and Wheeler counties.

The North Central Public Health District has streamlined the scheduling system for receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. A new recently launched web page allows you to sign up for your shot in less than a minute - it only requires your name and your email. You will then get a return email to book a time and day for your vaccination.