The Dalles Public Library hosted its gingerbread house-making event for children and families, witnessing a significant turnout. This year marks the second successful run of the event, with all preordered gingerbread houses being claimed before the event started.

Whenever we consider a change in our lives, even a positive one, we encounter the paradox of transformation. On one hand, we are on familiar ground. It may not be the best, but it’s what we’re used to. When we think of making a change, we run the risk of losing our stable ground. We tend to settle for what is familiar. Why rock the boat?

Preparations for operating the Skamania County Emergency Warming Shelter in Stevenson are in progress. An opening date has not yet been announced, but when it opens, it is expected to be available through mid-March. The shelter is located near the Hegewald Center and is operated by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).

In November, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment declined by 7,300 jobs, following a revised loss of 4,300 jobs in October. November’s losses were largest in professional and business services (-2,900 jobs); construction (-1,700); leisure and hospitality (-1,500); financial activities (-1,300); and information (-1,000). The only industry growing substantially in November was health care and social assistance, which added 2,400 jobs.

The Bargeway Pub welcomes Megan Alder to the stage tonight, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. for Waterfront Wednesday. The Premier venue for music continues to offer up the gift of local music through Saturday. Want more? Of course, you do. Check out the Gorge’s most comprehensive guide to arts and entertainment here.

Comunidades and Hood River Latino Network hosted a free International Migrant Day celebration on Monday, Dec. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the White Salmon Grange.

A fire was reported at milepost 50 on I-84 near Cascade Locks on Sunday, Dec.17, at 4:18 p.m.  Cascade Locks Fire and EMS were dispatched to the area and discovered a large cache of railroad ties on private property had caught on fire. 

White Salmon Valley School District swears in new board members, and it’s quite an eclectic mix with decision makers coming from backgrounds including filmmaking, public health and speech pathology.

Mike Salsbury offers this Christmas Card from Goldendale with the sights and thoughts of locals as they have come together to celebrate their town, their people, and being together.

There was a live nativity scene in Sorosis Park this weekend, with lively music and even hot chili being served. This year marks their 46th year hosting this fundraiser, but it will be the 3rd year using live actors. This production was hosted by The Last Days of Jesus Inc., there were also many Churches that helped with the event.

January brings the peak season for bald eagle migration in the Columbia Gorge. This January there will be two events celebrating the bald eagle migration: Wings Over the Columbia Gorge, a free webinar featuring eagle experts on January 4th followed by the 14th annual Eagle Watch at The Dalles Dam on January 20th, featuring live raptor demonstrations, eagle watching, and educational activities.

Two killed in vehicle collision just the beginning as police also arrest two others in near vicinity for drunken driving after their vehicles crash, one hitting an Oregon Department of Transportation pickup and injuring the employee.

The 2.79 acres purchased at 4375 RiverTrail Way near Taylor Lake and the Google 3 data plant were alive with some 15 construction workers today, Dec. 15. They were erecting a demonstration facility to mine the air of its carbon dioxide or CO2, in a step to prevent the earth from getting too hot for humans.

The Hood River City Council convened on Monday, Dec. 11. Councilors heard a presentation from the Hood River Lions Club on expanding playground facilities, as well as a presentation from Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) on new facilities projects to support the effort to end homelessness in the region.

Tonight, Dec. 15, Downtown The Dalles will host the 3rd annual Sip & Shop event from 5 to 8 p.m. The event invites the community to sip wine, shop local, and stroll thier way through historic downtown The Dalles in celebration of the holiday season. 

In this episode of the CCCNews Podcast we interview Kenny LaPoint, the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council Executive Director leading a local and regional effort to end homelessness. In this episode, we talk about MCCAC's collaborative approach to addressing homelessness, the complexities surrounding service-resistant populations, and how MCCAC is working to build a culture of hope in the face of hardship.

The Gorge Technology Alliance (GTA) held its eleventh annual awards program on December 12, 2023, recognizing the Tech Leader and STEM Educator of the Year and honoring all finalists for the two awards. Steve Olson and Jordan Holt, founders of SightLine Applications, were honored as the TechLeaders of the Year.

The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project is moving into the design phase for the new bridge and is seeking members of an advisory committee to help guide this work. The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Aesthetics Committee will have the opportunity to generate ideas and concepts for new bridge aesthetic treatments (aka design features) that will be compiled in an Aesthetics Guidance Memorandum.

The Washington Public Defense Office says a shortage of public defenders and flawed caseload standards have pushed the public defense system to the point of near collapse.

In a significant move towards addressing local housing needs and community concerns, The Dalles City Council approved General Ordinance 23-1404 during their December 11, 2023, meeting. The ordinance amends the city’s comprehensive plan related to housing and adopts a housing and residential lands needs assessment along with a buildable lands inventory update.