At the council's Sept. 23 meeting on Monday, Mays recognized the graduates of the city's local government academy. The program is designed to prepare citizens to serve on commissions and committees, and it involves seven, hour-and-a-half sessions on how the city works, with tours of various departments, presentations, demonstrations, and lots of chances to ask questions.

Work will begin soon to replace the existing Tree Top Playground at Sorosis Park in The Dalles. The last day for public access to the playground is Wednesday, September 25. On Thursday, September 26, temporary fencing will be installed around the perimeter of the playground site to promote safety and limit access to the site.

Studies show that children who learn to read early have a much more likely chance of achieving greater success in their later education as well as in the workforce. Local nonprofit Books for Kids Columbia Gorge is on a mission to increase education equity by providing children in Hood River, Wasco, Klickitat, and Skamania Counties with books to keep as their own and is now embarking on a goal to raise $15,000.

Azure Farms held its annual Harvest Festival on Sunday, Sept. 22, bringing the community together for a day of rural traditions and celebrations.

Linda & Kenny McMurry deliver a knock out with their home on 11th Street in The Dalles. The stunner has put a few heads on a swivel as this botanical beauty recently landed a solid punch of color and captured the coveted Beautification Award for September.

Community members are invited to contribute to a Community Voting Zine, a unique project put together by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) to capture the stories, reflections, and artwork of local individuals around the themes of voting, health equity, and civic engagement.

Some are furious over the $14-million Larch Creek Fire that put residents and their stock in peril and burned thousands of acres of property. Yet the man who allegedly caused the blaze is out of jail on bail and is not likely to do much jail time.

“Are you kidding me,” said Library Board Member Corliss Marsh this afternoon, Sept. 23. “Thanks for the news. It’s really old and has been needing replacement,” Marsh said of the HVAC system. “Any minute it could go out.”

Our latest puzzler was much like a real rodeo. A lot of spectators and just a few riders. We had five people put their boots in the stirrups to ride this question for a shot at the winner’s circle.

The event will be held at Sorosis Park in The Dalles. Nancy Richardson reports that more than 80 players will be competing on Saturday, Sept. 21. Action starts at 8 a.m.

Maisy Smith, 5, of The Dalles, lands on her feet to chase after her sister Audrey, 9, this morning at Tree Top Play Park at Sorosis Park. The park will be dismantled in days to come to make way for a brand new play park that will be constructed this fall.

We want to know in which local park this rodeo took place. Send your answers to tom@cccnews.com before 3:39 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22. People sending the correct answer will be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift certificate to Shannon’s Ice Cream.

The West Klickitat Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee, comprised of the Governing Board members, has been diligently working with the assistance of sub-committees since early 2024 to address the necessary formation documents that will be presented for approval at the inaugural WKRFA Meeting on September 30, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.

The Whisky Creek Fire is in steep and rugged terrain within the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness in the Mt. Hood National Forest. The fire remains within the control lines along the southern and eastern edges. The Eagle Creek Fire scar continues to be a barrier along the western and northern edges of the fire.

The Former Director of Haven accused of stealing more than $96,000 from the shelter for domestic and sexual violence is asking 10 of her 26 charges be dismissed because she did not try to hide the theft on credit cards and checks.

Tom Connolly, Director Emeritus of Archeological Research for the University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History, will speak about the Barlow Road and other early roads in our area at St. Paul’s Chapel in The Dalles on Sept. 21 at 10 a.m.

Our mission is to bring valuable educational resources to people in rural, urban, and suburban areas alike. Extension programs focus primarily on healthy living, sustainable gardening, food systems, resilient forests, agriculture, and youth development. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Read here to find out what is in it for you.

Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue Chief set to retire in December. Bob Palmer started with The Dalles Fire Department in 1980 and was an integral player in merging two districts into the fire service we have today that serves 120 square miles and takes some 3,500 calls for help annually.

The ‘Learning to Leads’ program will continue for a third year due to a Career Connected Learning grant awarded to the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub from the Oregon Community Foundation. The grant will continue to allow the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub, in partnership with Oregon State University and Wasco County 4-H, to hire high school students in Hood River, Gilliam, and Wasco Counties to serve as Teen STEM Leaders for the 2024-2025 school year.

This presentation will cover the ongoing efforts of far-right radical groups to recruit local sheriffs into their extremist movements and organize law enforcement officers to undermine our democracy and the rule of law.