Soroptimist International of Hood River is thrilled to announce the opening of nominations for the 2024 "Women of Distinction" Awards. These awards aim to recognize remarkable women who have significantly contributed to the betterment of Hood River County or have positively impacted the lives of local women and girls through their professional or volunteer endeavors.

The Dalles Library hosted the first meeting of the “Coffee and Computers with Kimball” on Wednesday, February 21st. Several people showed up needing assistance with their computer problems. Other participants were able to help. This made it an enjoyable evening for all. This club is off to a great start. 

“My entire career as an astronaut basically encompassed the early development, initiation and the building of the space station, and on my last flight in 2016 it was in full operational mode,” Williams said in a recent interview with CCCNews.

A structure fire was reported today at Georgeville Rd, just off of Hwy 97 North of Goldendale.

Gorge Youth Mentoring, also known as GYM, is a community-based program of The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) serving Wasco, Hood River, and Klickitat Counties. GYM pairs local youth, or mentees, ages 6-21 in need of positive role modeling with an adult volunteer mentor based on similar interests, personalities, and needs.

Goldendale High School tennis is underway and second year tennis coach Jenn Neil is looking forward to the 2024 season with anticipation and eagerness to keep the program’s momentum moving forward. 

For the last several months, The Next Door Inc.’s (TNDI) Marketing and Development team has been working on redesigning our organization’s website. The team embarked on this much-needed project at the end of Summer 2023 to rethink the structure of our site and improve its accessibility to the people we serve, our partners, and our community.

Overhead lights will soon illuminate the skate park and pump track during evening hours, a real boon to scooters, skaters, and bike bombers. The lights will become especially nice when the heat hits in coming months and the facility can be used into the evening hours when temperatures drop, said North Wasco County Parks and Recreation Director Scott Baker.

Applications are now being accepted for Visit Hood River’s 2024 Community Investment Matching Grant Program, which is designed to support businesses and community economic vitality in the greater Hood River area. The grant application process will open on March 18, and applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. on April 5.

“Adding a lane for foot and bike traffic will create a much safer experience not only for PCT travelers but for all the people who live and play in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area,” said Mark Larabee, Advocacy Director for the Pacific Crest Trail Association.

Wahtonka graduates get ready to party. An all-school reunion is set for Oct. 12. “There are only 40 total classes who went to Wahtonka High School, and we have had several all-school reunions since some classes are very small,” Charla said.

The city of the Dalles is still taking applications for the Sidewalk Rehabilitation Cost-Share Program. Damaged sidewalks can be challenging for parents pushing strollers, children walking to school, pet owners walking their dogs, and people using wheelchairs, walkers, or canes.

Columbia Gorge Roller Derby All Stars and Blood-n-Gorge both won their first bout of the season on Feb. 24 raising nearly $400 for Culture Seed in the process.

Hood River City Council heard a half hour of public comment both in support and against a ceasefire resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during their regular meeting on March 11, 2024.

Ask Goldendale citizens how they measure the arrival of spring and their answers paint a nice picture of the changing seasons here in Klickitat County. 

State Road 14 is closed east of Lyle due to an accident involving a logging truck. 

The Oregon Human Development Corporation (OHDC) and the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP) are hosting a long sleeve shirt drive to help farmworkers in need mitigate exposure to pesticide residues and reduce direct exposure to heat. 

It’s an all-out shamrock shake at the Bargeway Pub in The Dalles this weekend with an Irish double on Saturday and Sunday. The Gorge be turning green, me lassies, and we’ve put it in a sweet little guide right here for you, with a prelude from James Butler Yeats Drake.

Students from Hood River and The Dalles swept up at the Oregon State VEX Robotics State Championships and earned top honors at both middle school and high school competitions. Teams from The Dalles High School, Middle School, and WyEast walked away as Tournament Champions and Excellence Award Winners, and five teams will advance to the VEX Worlds Competition in Dallas, Texas, from April 24 through May 3. 

The Klickitat County Childcare Committee (KCCC) is back in action after receiving grants totaling $95,000 from the Washington Department of Commerce and Southwest Accountable Community of Health (SWACH). The new funding will allow the group to expand county-wide while maintaining efforts in the Goldendale community. KCCC has also added a Spanish-speaking coordinator to assist applicants seeking to start childcare centers or home-based programs.