As 2023 comes to a close, The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) is thrilled to announce Lars Reierson as the recipient of our Philanthropist of the Year award! This recognition celebrates Lars’ exceptional generosity, significant community involvement, and outstanding philanthropic impact on The Next Door and the Gorge communities we serve. 

The Skamania County Emergency Warming Shelter in Stevenson opens on January 11, 2023. It is expected to be available through mid to late March, depending on weather conditions. The shelter is located near the Hegewald Center and is operated by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).

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).

Providing an overview of the upcoming winter season for the Mid-Columbia region and North Central Oregon, the forecast aims to deliver concise and practical insights starting today. As of now, precipitation levels hover between 110% and 130% of normal, with temperatures averaging 1 to 3°F above the seasonal average.

The Steering Committee of the Tri-County (Hood River, Sherman, and Wasco) Hazardous Waste & Recycling Program will hold a meeting on December 13th, from 9 AM to 11 AM. The meeting can also be accessed virtually upon request.

Oregon News Exploration is working with local news outlets and community leaders to get a sense of where Gorge residents get the local information they need.

One step at a time is how Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is ensuring a deliberate and thorough approach to its dedicated Equity and Inclusion program. Sasha Bentley is leading the charge as the new Equity and Inclusion director. She is working from the inside out, starting with bringing people together in an equitable and safe work environment.

As the winter months quickly approach, Insitu, Washington Gorge Action Programs, and The Next Door Inc. are teaming up to host a coat drive for local area youth and we need our community’s help! Now through February, you can donate new or like-new outerwear ranging in all sizes from toddlers to teens, with an urgent need for coats and boots for older kids from 12-18 years of age. 

This year’s season of giving campaign, Two for GivingTuesday, will kick off at Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) beginning Tuesday, November 28, 2023.  “We are inviting community members to stop by Stevenson, Bingen, and Goldendale Housing offices to say hello and pick up two free WAGAP shopping bags,” said Jennifer Pauletto, associate director.

Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) is pleased to announce that we are now scheduling appointments for all household types for the December 1, 2023 opening date of our Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). With winter approaching, there will be an increased need for our most vulnerable community members to keep their homes warm and safe throughout the season.

Today, the Oregon Employment Department announced the 2024 contribution rate for Paid Leave in Oregon and the 2024 tax rate for Unemployment Insurance. The department is mailing each employer their annual notice of the new rates. 

Oregon and Washington drivers face some of the nation's most perilous road conditions, with new research pinpointing Washington ranks third in the nation for fatal crashes during bad weather, and has the highest rate of accidents involving 'other' adverse conditions. Oregon has the sixth-highest rate of weather-related driving fatalities in the country.

The call for donors is in high gear to meet the demand for the Tree of Joy holiday gift project in Klickitat and Skamania counties. The goal is to help families in need by providing new essential items, such as winter coats, hats, gloves, clothing, and shoes, with other gifts and toys to brighten a child’s holiday season.

The Columbia Gorge Museum is thrilled to present the extraordinary work of artist Christopher Pothier, whose award-winning contemporary paintings explore an insatiable fascination with the chaos of human nature. Utilizing his prowess with classical oil painting techniques, he employs modern imagery to tell stories.

Skamania and Klickitat County seniors can apply to receive assistance to pay their energy bills through local events held in an ongoing partnership with Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP), local PUDs, and the Skamania and Klickitat County Senior Services. 

On September 13, 2023 the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a report of a female entrapped in Wind River, north of Carson, Washington.

As the sun sets on August, the communities of Hood River, White Salmon and neighboring regions need to gear up for an imminent change: the toll rate hike on the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge. Set to begin September 1st, this alteration has stirred conversations among regular bridge commuters, local businesses, and the Port of Hood River Board of Commissioners.

A fire has been reported to be burning at milepost 52 on SR 14 west of the Dog Mountain Trailhead.

The Dalles, OR, July 17, 2023— Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) has openings for several boards staffed by the organization, including the MCEDD Board of Directors and the MCEDD Loan Administration Board.

A wildfire, known as the Bear Creek Fire (PCC-167), broke out on the afternoon of July 16th, 2023, in Skamania County, Washington, North of Carson. The fire started at approximately 3:33 p.m. and quickly spread in the heavily forested area near Wind River Highway and Bear Creek Road. Officials estimate the fire's size to be around 5 acres, as reported by Air Attack.