Columbia Community Connection was established in 2020 as a local, honest and digital news source providing meaningful stories and articles. CCC News’ primary goal is to inform and elevate all the residents and businesses of the Mid-Columbia Region. A rising tide lifts all boats, hop in!
Travis Marston does not currently hold an Oregon State Bar license. Kara has varied work experience as the current DA for Gilliam County, as a public defender, and as an attorney in private practice. Kara has prior governmental experience, which is integral for the DA position. She has a proven track record of litigating difficult criminal cases such as sex offenses, Measure 11 crimes, and other high-level criminal cases. The DA must be able to charge, and litigate, the worst crimes committed in the county; these skills come from courtroom experience and practice.
If you are out and about hiking or biking, or even kayaking, take some seedlings or even tree seeds along, and a trowel, and plant trees, or other vegetation.
“I write to thank you and your staff, especially Cole Goodwin, for the work your publication does in our community. CCCNews does more than just tell our communities stories, they help local organizations engage the community to find solutions to problems.”
I just read the Oregon Public Broadcasting story, "A Klickitat County inmate’s deteriorating health raises new concerns about jail." I was surprised at some of the rationales cited by the Klickitat County Sheriff's Office for what appears to be neglect if not negligence.
When comparing the Democratic and Republican party platforms I read, on the RNC website, “The RNC enthusiastically supports President Trump…” and “Resolved, That the Republican party has and will continue to enthusiastically support the President's America-first agenda.”
The facts are that most often people experience homelessness when all other options have been exhausted, or they are dealing with difficult circumstances that make it hard to retain housing. One of these is drug addiction – which is a disease. The most widely abused drugs are tobacco products and alcohol, which are legal and kill far more people and cost society much more than opiates and other illicit drugs.
Many of our houseless neighbors suffer from ill-addressed mental health conditions and deserve compassion and to not die alone, outside when the temperature drops. Our community should be proud that collectively we were providing critically needed low-barrier shelter, if only temporarily.
It is disheartening to see a “new” political action committee (“PAC”) concerned with crime called Save Wasco County advocate for Mr. Ellis’ removal especially when one of them wore a shirt stating, “Black Guns Matter.” I speculate that these people have limited to no experience dealing with the criminal justice system.
On November 7th we as a community have an opportunity to invest in the students of North Wasco County School District. As a D21 board member, I have been focused on addressing the criticisms we heard about the 2018 bond measure for $235 million. In 2023, we have addressed many of those 2018 criticisms. As a board member, parent, and community member I encourage you to Vote Yes for TDHS!
I don't think it is fair for us to all pay such a large chunk of the cost via our already high property taxes. I would like to see another source of funding contribute to the new school as well.
It is our duty as a community to take care of and upgrade our public educational facilities. We cannot keep kicking this can down the road. Someone paid for our schools, now it is time for us to pay for the schools of the future. It will be a legacy we can be proud of. It will also help our community grow economically, academically, and socially. The schools are the heart of our town.
Now, they want to spend $140 million on a new school! Until our governments get a handle on spending, and reduce tax rates, I will not vote for an additional tax!
Our community deserves a safe, secure, and accessible high school. By now readers know - if they didn’t before this bond - that our existing high school has shortcomings where accessibility, safety, security, and climate control are concerned. We know the cafeteria is grossly under-sized, leading many students to leave the campus during lunch and others to eat while sitting on floors in hallways and stairways.
I find the Sept 24 CCC News article to be a clear & easy read to explain how the combined hard and soft costs for the bond is $772/sqft (blueprints, building permits, student desks) and the hard cost (the physical building) is $509/sqft. The comparison school, Caldera in Bend, was nearly exactly the same.
But time grinds on and this once "state of the art" building has worn out. Building security is now everyone's priority. That was not a major concern when the high school was originally built. If the building isn't safe and secured no amount of training can protect staff and students from harm.
More important than comfort, however, is safety. The most disturbing duty I had as a teacher was participating in “active shooter” drills with my students. Thinking about why we needed such drills was bad enough, but realizing that I could not fit all my students into a place in the classroom where they would all be safe made it so much worse.
When the community sends a positive message about education, by passing school measures, students thrive. It is our generation’s opportunity and responsibility to provide for this and future generations of students in The Dalles.
One thing you may not have considered, however, is what to do with leftover paint in your basement, garage, or attic that is taking up valuable storage space. PaintCare encourages you to think green while you clean by using up, giving away, or recycling leftover paint through the PaintCare program at any of the 188 Oregon drop-off sites.
Babita Kainth has done it again. She is opening Indian Bowl & Roll food cart on the Hood River waterfront on Friday, April 5 at 11 a.m. featuring rolls, bites, and biryani. The native of Chandigarh, India is bringing her authentic flavors just in time for the busy season. It is her fourth cart in The Gorge as her cuisine has customers writing spicy reviews.
