Thoughts from the Tractor Seat: When the Crop Is Beautiful but the Check Is Ugly

The 2025 Northwest cherry harvest is wrapping up. The trees gave us some of the best fruit we’ve seen in years—firm, sweet, and picture-perfect. But once again, growers across the region are left shaking their heads and tightening their belts. Because what came in the paycheck didn’t reflect the quality of the crop.

Read More

The Next Door Inc. Launches Spanish Website to Better Serve the Community

For the last several months, The Next Door Inc.’s (TNDI) bilingual Marketing Coordinator and staff members have collaborated to develop TNDI’s first fully translated website in Spanish. TNDI is proud to announce that Spanish-speaking community members and partners can now learn more about The Next Door and its programs at www.nextdoorincespanol.org

Read More

Empty Bowls fundraiser returns Sept. 26 to fight hunger in the Gorge

Empty Bowls fundraiser returns Sept. 26 to fight hunger in the Gorge The event will be held at the CGFB warehouse, 3525 Crates Way in The Dalles. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 7 p.m.

Read More

Thoughts from the Tractor Seat: Why U.S. Farmers Are Being Pushed Off the Shelf

I’ve spent my life growing fruit in the Columbia River Gorge—pears, sweet cherries, and yes, my family has grown peaches in the past. I’ve supported our local creameries and watched our dairy farms fight to survive. So you can imagine how it felt to realize we’re now importing the very foods we produce so well right here at home.

Read More

Local therapist Lizzy Selves Promotes Trauma-Informed Care Through TBRI Classes

 A new series of community classes will offer local caregivers tools to better support children who have experienced trauma, as part of a growing initiative rooted in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) — a therapeutic model designed to promote healing and trust in children from hard places.


Read More
Home Page, Wasco County, Hood River County, Klickitat County, Skamania County Columbia Community Connection Home Page, Wasco County, Hood River County, Klickitat County, Skamania County Columbia Community Connection

Gorge Grown Food Network Celebrates National Farmers Market Week 2025

Gorge Grown Food Network joins farmers and organizers across the county in celebrating National Farmers Market Week from August 3 - 9, 2025. Gorge residents are invited to join in on the fun with numerous opportunities to shop at local farmers’ markets this week.

Read More
Home Page, Hood River County, Wasco County, Klickitat County, Skamania County Columbia Community Connection Home Page, Hood River County, Wasco County, Klickitat County, Skamania County Columbia Community Connection

Providence Hospice Launches In-Person Grief Support Group in White Salmon

NEW In-Person Grief Support Group forming in White Salmon Aug-Nov 2025. If you are grieving due to the death of an important person, or people, Providence Hospice of the Gorge offers free, professionally facilitated grief support groups for adults who are grieving. 


Read More

Thoughts from the Tractor Seat: The Tariff Trap — When Tough Talk Costs Us the Farm

They say tariffs are about fairness. They call them leverage. They tell us to "hold the line" for the good of the nation. But when you’re the one standing in the line of fire, all that tough talk starts to sound a little hollow.

Read More

CCCNews Podcast: Double Mountain Founder Shares Craft Brewing Journey, Philosophy on Beer and Pizza

From aerospace engineer to craft brewing pioneer, Matt Swihart’s path to founding Double Mountain Brewery was anything but ordinary. In a recent appearance on the CCC News Podcast, Swihart shared his story of how passion, persistence, and a touch of rebellion shaped one of Hood River’s most beloved breweries and pubs.

Read More
Home Page, Wasco County, Hood River County, Klickitat County Washington Gorge Action Programs Home Page, Wasco County, Hood River County, Klickitat County Washington Gorge Action Programs

WAGAP Thrift Store closes permanently

It is the end of an era for Second Hand Rose, the community thrift store in Bingen operated by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP). The store, which was already undergoing a remodel to downsize, has officially received notice from the WAGAP Board of Directors, which voted unanimously in June to permanently close the space.

Read More

USDA Offers Aid to Farmers With Crop Losses due to fire, drought in ‘23 & ‘24

Fed creates new $16 billion fund for Local farmers and ranchers impacted by wildfires, drought and other natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. You can now apply for federal assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Disaster Relief Program.

Read More

Parades, Fireworks and Fun Across the Gorge on July 4, 2025

From early-morning runs to late-night fireworks over the Columbia, Gorge communities are celebrating Independence Day with full-day schedules of family-friendly festivities on Thursday, July 4. Whether you're in The Dalles or Stevenson, there’s a celebration nearby for everyone.

Read More
The Dalles, Wasco County, Hood River County, Home Page Mid-Columbia Community Action Council The Dalles, Wasco County, Hood River County, Home Page Mid-Columbia Community Action Council

Neighbor Impact to Provide Weatherization Services for Mid-Columbia Region

Effective July 1, 2025, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) will refer qualifying low-income community members from Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties who are seeking home weatherization services to NeighborImpact, a private not-for-profit organization based out of Redmond, Oregon.

Read More