Coming into a brand-new position is always difficult. However, doing so during a global pandemic is even more difficult.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and classes were suddenly online, a lot of teachers found themselves thrust into different roles. Though many just went from teaching their subject in-person to teaching it in an online format, Jen Hart found herself teaching a new subject entirely.

When Zulma Ramirez was in middle school, she was at a rough period in her life. Her parents worked in the orchard from sunrise to sunset to provide for their family, and though she was grateful for all they did, it was hard never having them around. She was struggling to adjust and needed so…

Youth Outreach Worker Julio Cobb-Hernandez, center, with co-workers Paola Escobedo (left) and Jesica Campos (right), visited Hood River Middle School Oct. 19 and Hood River Valley High School Oct. 21 (pictured) to make pronoun buttons for students.

It almost sounds too good to be true: A cooking class that not only teaches students to follow recipes but also teaches them about flavors and creating their own unique take on a dish. Not only that, but a class that uses whole foods grown, in part, by other students out of the school garden.

Hood River joined the global “Walk & Bike to School Day” celebration recently, demonstrating a car-free School Street.

Columbia Gorge CASA Board President Julie Nygaard has announced that Susan Erickson will leave her role as CASA executive director this fall when she and her family move away from the Gorge.

How do you rehearse and perform during lockdown — or after lockdown, with mandated social distancing requirements in place?

Group will provide trauma support in the Gorge

Hood River County Early Childhood Committee’s Drive-Thru Children’s Fair, held at River of Life Assembly on Oct. 2 “was a huge success,” said organizer Terri Vann, with 18 agencies present and more than 150 children served. The health department gave 23 flu shots and a COVID vaccine, and Pro…

More than 100 people gathered in downtown Hood River on Oct. 2 in solidarity with Women’s Marches across the U.S. The Hood River event, held at the corner of Oak and Sixth streets, focused on abortion rights. Guest speakers shared personal stories of abortion, and several pieces of art were …

HOOD RIVER — A group of protesters calling for “medical freedom” outside the Coe Administration Building in Hood River Sept. 22, garnering honks by passersby as those arriving for the Hood River County School Board meeting entered the building.

HOOD RIVER — At the Sept. 8 Hood River County School Board Meeting, members unanimously voted to approve an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that would transfer the district’s Community Education recreation and sports programming to Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness month. In a collaboration between Gorge Wellness Alliance, Survivors of Suicide Loss Support group, Hood River Valley High School, Columbia Gorge Community College, Hood River County Library and Hood River County Prevention Department, signs of hope …

HOOD RIVER — Now in its 30th year, the annual Columbia Gorge CROP Hunger Walk is going virtual to keep everyone safe and healthy during the pandemic. Walk alone, with immediate family or in small groups, keeping a safe distance apart.

Hector Hernandez of Hood River was awarded a cash gift and the Paul Harris Fellowship Award by the Hood River Rotary Club on Aug. 18.

Hood River — City of Hood River residents could be smelling strange odors and seeing smoke associated with their household plumbing and the city sewer system during daylight hours Aug. 12-13 as city utility crews “smoke test” the system, according to a press release from the city’s utility d…

One Community Health is hosting a series of back to school health fairs to help kids catch up on their health care before the school year starts, according to a press release. The fairs will take place at One Community Health’s clinics in Hood River and The Dalles and are for kids ages 2-17.

There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than to splash in the cool Columbia River or the falls and streams that feed into it.

Community donates money to help orchard workers stay hydrated during hot summer days

Hood River County Health Department gave a big thanks to all of the volunteers who helped Hood River County reach the 70% vaccination mark with a luncheon June 21 at Toll Bridge Park in Parkdale. Hood River remains a leader among the state.

Gorge Youth Mentoring (GYM), a program of The Next Door, announces its summer-time virtual fundraiser: GYM Gets You Moving!

Carlos Marquez credits his aunt, Maura Rosa Cody, with setting him on his career path. When he was 7, Aunt Rosa died of heart disease, and that impacted him greatly.

ODELL — As Wy’east Middle School students returned to their school campus this spring, they saw the beginning of the Wy’east Bike Park, which was designed to create accessible opportunities for the Odell community to engage in healthy physical activities.

The Central Gorge Master Gardener Association has selected four Master Gardeners as recipients of the Master Gardener of the Year and Behind the Scenes Awards for their contributions to the OSU Extension Central Gorge Master Gardener program.

Cascade Locks Elementary students participated in the first-ever Eagles Flight Jog-A-Thon May 10-14, a weeklong fundraising event that saw kids tracking their movement minutes. On May 12, classes took turns running around a course located on the north end of the field set up by Principal Adr…