The Dalles Artist Chris Pothier began installation of the All Together The Dalles Mural at 811 E. Second Street this morning. The mural is a painting of a photomontage of iconic buildings in The Dalles area that are stacked into a mountain within the landscape of The Dalles. Everything seems out of place giving our historic places and landscape an entirely different look and, perhaps, appreciation.

The Hood River Police Department which is currently located in the daylight basement of City Hall, is engaged in new facility planning. The new facility could also potentially house Columbia Gorge Children’s Advocacy Center and a Hood River County Courthouse, although planning around including CGCAC and the County in the project is only in the preliminary stages. The Voter Approved General Obligation Bond which would fund the new facility building project won’t be on ballots until after preliminary design and costs estimates have been made.

Oregon reports 373 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 11 new deaths.

Whispering Pines Estates is requesting City approval to re-plat lots 27, 28, and 29 at 2428, 2434, and 2440 W. 14th Street, The Dalles. in the Whispering Pines Subdivision Phase 3. The re-plat will combine the three lots and divide the combined lot into two separate lots of 9,648 SF and 10,297 Square Feet respectively.

Kaila Garwood is selling the last of her dahlias as frost’s wicked fingers are threatening her pedals. The mother of two has been selling the bouquets from her front porch during the past several weeks. But freezing temperatures will soon have her out of business. She is located at 520 E. 7th St., The Dalles. Forecasters are calling for a low of 27 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday and 23 degrees on Sunday. Oh, snap!

Al Hare is gigging through the virus, but he has had to flex his style. He now focuses on solo and duo performances to accommodate changes at music venues. He has also christened The Dalles “Little Music City” based on the high ratio of music venues per capita in his hometown.

Voters in the mid-Columbia are wasting little time this election season. Ballot returns for the general election are coming in at a record pace in both Wasco and Hood River counties.

Calling all ghosts, goblins, and gremlins, Halloween is just around the corner, and it's your time to shine. On the corner of E 8th and H St. in The Dalles a ninja turtle doll and metal robot are seen frolicking in the yard of spook! Do you have any Halloween themed decorations or costumes plans that will out-do your neighbor? Want a little friendly competition?

Steelhead are now distributed throughout the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River. Anglers are reporting good fishing, with a chance at big B-Run Idaho fish that rest out in the first mile of the river around the mouth.

Yesterday, Dog is My CoPilot paid an unexpected visit to Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport when weather and logistics rerouted them from their usual stop in Troutdale. Dog is My CoPilot is a non-profit organization dedicated to the safe transport of at risk animals in overcrowded shelters at no cost. The plane landed at about 2PM and departed by 3PM. Dog is My CoPilot founder and president Peter Rork M.D. piloted the plane.

Where do you go to reset and refocus? Is it a real place or just a state of mind? People in and around town were asked where they go to relax, what makes it so special, who they enjoy their space with, if COVID-19 has made them feel differently about their happy place, and what they notice about themselves after they leave their calming space. Take a look at the positive outlooks these locals have…

The Hood River City Council directed $195,000 in CARES Act funding to local partners that aid social services agencies, business organizations, and individuals economically impacted by COVID-19.

Columbia Gorge Postpartum Support group supports new parents in the transition from pregnancy to birth, breastfeeding, caring for your new infant, and all aspects of the postpartum experience. they welcome you and your partner to come to weekly meetings to ask questions, make new friends, get lactation and feeding support, and feel connected to others going through a similar experience.

Montira’s Thai Cuisine at 302 W. Second St. is cooking up something good this morning, Wednesday, Oct. 21. Their marketing department - my money is on owner Ken Sommerfelt- is also having a little fun with it.

The City of The Dalles began a search for a new Police Chief on Monday, Oct. 19th. Current Chief Patrick Ashmore said he plans on retiring in April after serving for five years in the position. The salary range for the position is $86,205 to $106,021 annually, not including benefits.

Of the 18,403 ballots sent out for the Nov. 3 general election, 2.,425 have already been returned surpassing return rates during the past two elections, according to statistics provided by Wasco County Clerk Lisa Gambee.

Tom Olson of Dufur excavates dirt and rock while Glenn Harding measures the depth this morning, Tuesday, Oct. 20. The two have good weather to look forward to today with a high of 65 degrees. But prognosticators are calling for a chill over the next four days with highs dropping into the 40s on Friday and Saturday.

The Klickitat Chapter of Trout Unlimited, a local, volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to improving and restoring local rivers and streams, has been entered in the Embrace A Stream Challenge, an online contest sponsored by Orvis and Trout Unlimited. From Nov. 2-8, the chapter has a chance to win its share of $20,000 in cash prizes to help fund the Mile One restoration, an initiative to collaboratively work with the United States Forest Service and other partners to restore habitat, decrease erosion and provide safe access to the lower Klickitat River in Lyle.

The last HISTORY missives were way back in February, when we had five well-attended Regional History Forum programs at the Original Courthouse. The last MUSIC announcement was for the Cascade Singers’ “St. Pat’s at St. Pete’s” event that never happened— you'll recall that March 17, 2020 was the very day everything closed down because of COVID-19. We’re still in the precautionary stages re: the virus. But some things are happening. So get out your calendar and check some links and prepare to find out what’s happening.

Columbia Community Connection News presents a brand new weekly roundup of honest local news. Featuring The Dalles' own Yahaira Alvarez, CCC's newest video journalist.