The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) recently marked a significant milestone with the first two student graduations of 2024 at its alternative high schools, Klahre House and Kelly Avenue School. These schools serve as beacons of hope for at-risk and disenfranchised youth who have struggled within the traditional public education system.

“My daughter’s plaque, she painted in school was part of the play structure,” said Eric Daveno. “I recently moved back and looked for it but decided to wait, kind of odd to see a 60-something on a play structure with no children of his own with him! Lol.”

The City Council of The Dalles has passed Special Ordinance No. 24-601, temporarily banning the use of fireworks within city limits, effective immediately.

Duplex Fire in East The Dalles sends two families scrambling after attic catches fire around 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 13. “Thank God I was there. I couldn’t stand to lose another kid,” Johdon Smith said.

Eric Kallio, performed a live outdoor concert at The Dalles Wasco County Library today June, 14 as a part of the library’s "Lunchtime Concerts on the Deck" series featuring different musicians every Friday in June from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Concert goers enjoyed Kallio’s original folk music and tacos from Tacos Tumbras on the deck.

What year was Tree Top Play Park dedicated? Send your answers to tom@cccnews.com by Sunday, June 16 at 8:13 p.m. Those with the correct answer will be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift certificate to Shannon’s Ice Cream.

But the Beatles, the Fab Four, hated? Mark Thomas said the albums were burned in the bible belt. But why?

The Dalles Moose Lodge 2075, in partnership with the Last Stop Saloon, is gearing up to host "Mom Prom 2024 – A Benefit for Valeria” on June 29 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event aims to rally community support for three-year-old Valeria Alvarez, who is currently battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Proceeds from the event will help support Valeria’s ongoing treatment at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland

Mark Thomas is putting it all together at the Gorge’s best stop for new and used music. Vinyl, CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray, even a few 8-tracks and 45s. And vintage stereo equipment to make it sound freaking awesome! Check him out at 414 E. 2nd St., Monday through Saturday.

“#GoFish” may be the hottest hashtag this summer for families in the Mid-Columbia Gorge area because of a free art engagement program for kids at The Dalles Art Center (TDAC). The School of Fish program is the name of the summer program designed to reel in families that provides free take-home art kits packed with art supplies and instructions to make colorful paper salmon!

June 14, 2024 is the last day for the public to submit public comments on the proposed solid waste permit for Waste Connections Wasco County Landfill to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

For the fourth year in a row, the North Wasco County Education Foundation solicited nominations for their Golden Apple Awards. These awards recognize excellent teachers and other staff in the North Wasco County School District. The program was created to incentivize excellence and honor outstanding staff.

While the national Braver Angels organization was established in 2016, the Columbia Gorge Alliance of Braver Angels is celebrating its first year of operation in July of 2024. Braver Angels is dedicated to bridging the political divide, holding America together, and preserving our democratic republic.

There will be a runoff between Jeff Justesen and Brian Lauterbach in the fall for the Wasco County Commissioner seat — 200 votes separated the candidates in the primary. Justesen garnered 1878 and Lauterbach, 1678. The general election is Nov. 7.

Sherman County’s Violet Woods and The Dalles’ Roberto Rodriguez Perez, and Elizabeth Areco Dorado were awarded scholarships this year through NewSun Energy’s 2nd Annual Climate + Ag Essay Contest.

Giggin’ guide is a monster: Bargeway is rolling with another five days of live music with Al Hare tonight, June 13 for Tacos and Tequila. The Gorge is live with music, comedy, karaoke, and arts and entertainment. Take a deep breath and dive deep right here.

From the Columbia River to the shores of Mexico, three-time Stand Up Paddleboard World Champion Fiona Wylde has navigated waters around the globe. Now she’s making a splash in her hometown of Hood River with Wylde Wind & Water, a non-profit which aims to create equitable access to water sports through water safety education, youth water sports programs, free community programs for all ages and much more!

“I have the best job in The Dalles,” said Executive Director Scott Baker. “I work with awesome people who wake up every day with the goal of making The Dalles an awesome place to live.” There could be a paid position for you on the team. Check out these job opportunities.

The Hood River Urban Renewal District heard a staff presentation on a Middle Housing Incentive Concept proposal that would encourage developers to construct more “middle housing” in Hood River. Middle housing refers to medium-density housing options such as single family homes, cottage clusters and multi-family homes like duplexes, triplexes and quadruplexes. 

The Dalles Kiwanis Club congratulates our graduating High School Key Club members and thanks them and their advisors for their contribution to the community through service projects this year. Under the supervision of their advisors, Kayla Magill and Christina Burk, each of the following members earned a Key Club Graduation Medallion in special recognition of their hard work.