Metallica selected Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) in a competitive grant to receive $100,000 to transform the future of students in the Mid-Columbia region. Yes, Metallica, the heavy metal band. You know, Shortest Straw, Master of Puppets, Blackened, Enter Sandman, One.

Preparations for a motorcycle ride thru in The Dalles are coming together as local restaurants expect some 1,000 riders to show up this weekend in an effort to raise money for mental health awareness and prevention of youth violence in schools.

Shellie Campbell, who has been interim director since July 2020, was named director by the NCPHD board of health on July 13. The board is made up of elected officials and citizens from Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties, the area served by NCPHD.

The Dalles Cascade Singers are back in action as we prepare for our first live concert in 2021. This Fall concert features music from the hit musicals Anything Goes, West Side Story, Godspell, Rent, and Hamilton. The concert is slated for October and we are inviting new singers to join our group.

Dufur baseball continues to produce college-level talent in recent years and this upcoming is no different. Led by seniors Carson Smith, Gabe Petroff, Brock LaFavre, and Isaac Anthony, the Rangers are hoping for big things in the upcoming season.

North Central Public Health District (NCPHD) learned last week that the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has added one COVID-19 death each to the Wasco County and Sherman County totals. The deaths occurred last December and January, and each happened in another state.

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum celebrates International Owl Awareness Day Wednesday, August 4, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with owl education, games, and pellet dissection clinics.

CGCC students who transfer to Pacific Northwest College of Art at Willamette University are now able to receive a scholarship of $22,000 per year, guaranteed for up to three-and-a-half years, for a total of $77,000.

This week as a part of the Wasco County DA’s Office moved its Crime Victim’s Advocacy services into its own office. James Barber, Victims Advocate Coordinator, said the move is a part of the Office’s plan to create a more welcoming, safe, and accessible space for victims of crimes to seek counsel and advocacy.

Oregon State Park and Forrest Rangers will have the unenviable job of telling campers to put out their fires starting today, July 22, as hot dry weather has put state forests and wildlands at high risk for major blazes.

Some 980 customers lost electrical service this morning in Mosier when a fuse tripped on a Pacific Power Line near Hood River.

We are excited to announce that Jumpstart Basketball Camp will happen this summer!

A big turnout for The Dalles High School summer basketball league has Coach Greg Cummings ecstatic. They have about 30 kids this year which is fantastic and the best summer league in years.

While visiting the Red Apple Fire, Commissioner Franz announced that, due to extreme fire danger and ongoing drought, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources is temporarily closing all recreational and public access to DNR-managed lands in eastern Washington

Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency is requesting approval to demolish a non-contributing historic building.

A fire just east of Pine Meadows Manor near the Discovery Center destroyed a motorhome this morning, July 21. Owners said the vehicle was insured and there was no apparent injury to people, authorities said.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including the Hood River County Fair Schedule, Mark Daly’s new release and the Santana-inspired Soul Sacrifice. Read more here.

Esquites are like creamed corn’s sexy cousin. This snack blends corn, cheese, cream, with a dash of chili lime salt on top all conveniently in a cup of bliss. Because the corn is warm it melts the cheese creating that Instagram-worthy cheese pull.

Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) has been awarded nearly $550,000 to assist Hood River, Wasco and Sherman County residents in keeping current on their household utilities

A man blasting a shotgun at streetlights in downtown Hood River was pursued by police from three counties in the wee hours of July 17, only later to be found via airplane two hours later on Indian Creek Trail.