THE GORGE — Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) saw fewer students seeking associate degrees and more seeking workforce training — aided by new programs and a grant to help young rural men persist in college — in recent years.
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THE GORGE — Several new associate degrees are available at Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) in the arts and sciences.
The 2026 Hood River Rotary Scholars and Foundation Recipients awards were provided at the May 21 meeting at The Best Western Plus Hood River Inn. Foundation scholarhips provided by: Bernice Hoffman Memorial, Sheppard Family, Ted and Sylvia Brown, Jeldirks Memorial Fund, Alber Memorial Schol…
THE DALLES — The North Wasco County School Board is seeking qualified applicants to fill a vacancy on the Board for the Zone 3 position.
The firm, located in the Tri-Cities, came highly recommended, Polkinghorn said, and has worked with districts in Oregon, Washington, and western Idaho.
Free news: The committee has been touring buildings and identifying the needs at each facility, looking at enrollment and economic projections, and considering financial options for the past year.
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Maryhill Museum of Art after 100 years
Handcrafted bowls of all sizes, shapes and colors lined the tables at the Empty Bowls Fundraiser during the fifth annual White Salmon Art Walk on May 16. The pieces for purchase, each $15, were created and donated by White Salmon Valley School District (WSVSD) 7-12 graders.
THE DALLES — Erica Carillo, of The Dalles Middle School, got a surprise announcement that she was Oregon’s 2026 Education Support Professional of the Year on May 20 amid a student carnival and talent show she organized.
Free news: Hundreds of students from throughout the Columbia Gorge converged on the Port of Hood River May 21 to explore family-wage construction jobs in a “Career and Industry Day” organized by the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge Authority.
WHITE SALMON — “This is the beginning of a dream,” said Ubaldo Hernandez, director and founder of Comunidades. “It’s still a dream but we need to make it happen and we’re going to need the help and support of our community.”
Free news: The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) awarded the Hood River County School District (HRCSD) a multi-year State Summer Learning Grant, ensuring quality academic and enrichment programming for local students through the summer of 2028.
Free news: The North Wasco County Education Foundation (NWCEF) has announced the recipients of its Spring 2026 Classroom Mini-Grant awards. Educators from across North Wasco County School District 21 were selected for funding this season, totaling $7,265.
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Free news: Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS) hosted its annual scholarship award ceremony April 23. This community-wide event marked a potential historic milestone, with total awards projected to exceed $500,000, a figure believed to be an all-time record for the community.
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Free news: Families looking for a versatile, alternative educational environment are encouraged to submit their interest before the May 15 deadline.
Final update, free news: White Salmon Valley Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn reported that, at 11:28 a.m. today, the lockdown was lifted for WPSIS, Henkle and Columbia students.
HOOD RIVER — The History Museum of Hood River County is proud to present Gorge Youth Speaks, a new youth speaker series. The final event of the three-part series will be May 13 at The Ruins in downtown Hood River.
Free news: The Hood River County School District (HRCSD) Budget Committee officially approved the proposed 2026-27 budget during its May 5 meeting.
Free news, online only: Books for Kids Columbia Gorge wants to raise $1,000 by June to buy the magni-tiles and bilingual puzzles needed for four One Community Health clinic lobbies.
WHITE SALMON — On May 14, a trio of Columbia High School juniors will travel to San Francisco to pitch their months-long, user-centered engineering project, which converts color into sound.
OSAA Speech and Debate State Championships took place at Western Oregon University on Apr 23-25. Nineteen Hood River Valley High School students made it to compete against 55 at state.
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