Columbia Community Connection was established in 2020 as a local, honest and digital news source providing meaningful stories and articles. CCC News’ primary goal is to inform and elevate all the residents and businesses of the Mid-Columbia Region. A rising tide lifts all boats, hop in!
The Dalles Art Center has hired a new executive director, Sally Johnson. Volunteering since March 2023 as interim director and leading a successful financial sustainability plan for The Dalles Art Center with the board of directors, Johnson moves into the permanent role.
The City of Hood River, in collaboration with the Urban Renewal Agency Board (URAB), is making progress in refining the design for the Heights Streetscapes project. Following feedback from community partners and public input, a hybrid design has been selected as the preferred alternative. This design entails a new roundabout, a new traffic light, the closing of Belmont between 12th and 13th, one-way traffic and a bike path on 12th Street, and two-way traffic on 13th Street.
However, representatives from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which provides power to the City of Cascade Locks, have now confirmed to Columbia Insight that BPA does plan to charge the city a higher rate for its electricity due in part to the new data center’s power usage. According to a recent City of Cascade Locks memo obtained by Columbia Insight, these new increased rates are expected to cost the city an additional $570,000 a year.
If you are a water sports enthusiast, an avid fisherman, or just a new boating recreationalist, please come by one of these locations where a team of OSP Troopers will be on hand to assist you with voluntary vessel safety inspections, outlining any safety or legal deficiencies to boat operators/owners, or just to answer any questions you might have.
The Dalles Middle School Music and Theater Department presents Disney’s Moana JR. at The Dalles Middle School on Friday and Saturday, May 12-13, 2023 and Friday and Saturday, May 19-20, 2023. The 90-minute musical adventure, designed for middle school-aged performers, is based on the 2016 Disney film Moana. The seventh and eighth grade cast and crew includes 45 students led by TDMS Music Teacher, Leslie Sullivan.
Set in an old car-wash, in downtown White Salmon, this newly repurposed space may just become your new go-to destination for all things home goods and furniture.
CCCNew’s Robin Denning was getting over a bit of jet lag this morning so took to the trails at Coyote Wall near Old Hwy. 8 in White Salmon and captured these beauties for us.
The driver of a white Chevrolet pickup was reported driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-84 east of The Dalles at 4:11 a.m. The log states that the pickup was traveling at 40 to 45 miles per hour.
Multiple threats in rural Eastern Washington sent schools into lockdowns this afternoon, including schools in White Salmon and Stevenson. While the threat was debunked, lockdown procedures were followed including alerts to parents which created a brief but horrifying panic.
The proposed changes are: 1) to decrease Fixed Routes fares within The Dalles city limits from $1.50 to $1.00 per one-way ride, and 2) to increase Dial-a-Ride service fares within The Dalles city limits from $1.50 to $2.00 per one-way ride. These changes are scheduled to go into effect on May 29, 2023, but could occur later if extra time is needed to address any concerns brought out by this process.
We tip our hats to all who have thrown their hat in the ring or are continuing to serve on a board to support their neighbors and lift up their communities. Thank you. Contested races are for positions in North Wasco County School District, Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Dufur School District, South Wasco County School District, Mosier Fire District and Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation. Election day is May 16.
The meeting held at City Hall drew about 25 audience members, 19 in person, and brought comments from seven different neighbors. Some were concerned The Dalles was going the way of Hood River who logged numerous complaints about short-term rentals until changes were made in their codes.
With 16 races, 61 candidates, and a school levy to research, there is much to weigh before the Hood River County Special Election on May 16th.
The Dalles Middle School pulled out all the stops on Thursday, May 4 as it put together a school-wide Carnival that featured, well, about everything. First responders, popcorn, clowns, traditional dance, hallway guitar players. Oh but why bother reading, take a look for yourself:
The Wasco County Pioneer Association held a successful gathering in The Dalles at St. Mary’s Academy on Saturday, May 6, complete with a salmon and ham lunch and the announcement of its top volunteers. Want to know what follow-through and commitment and cool old photos look like, click here.
On the wild side: Dwinell Country Ales in Goldendale reboots adding a cache of ciders and wines to its wild and sour beer offerings. Feeling puckered? Check them out as they have reopened their tasting room after a three-year hiatus.
The new agreement restores a voice for Washington governments in funding, building, operating and maintaining the new bridge, a crucial interstate link.
Hundreds gathered to raise awareness of missing and murdered indigenous people and promote healing at The Columbia River Round Dance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women on Friday, May 5th, 2023, from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Wahtonka Community School in The Dalles, Oregon.
Even with these chilly spring showers the 2023 Home and Garden Show in Goldendale is off to a strong start. Vendors and customers alike are enjoying chit-chatting while meandering through the many booths. Spirits are high with the collective knowledge that warm weather is just around the corner.
The 1st annual round dance in honor of missing and murdered indigenous people will be held on Friday May 5th, 2023 from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Wahtonka Community School, in The Dalles, OR. The family friendly event is free to attend. All gorge community members, allies, and native people, are invited to gather, dance, raise community awareness, and promote healing together.
