THE GORGE — The Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) board was glad to see their budget grow at their meeting on March 17.

HOOD RIVER — Rooted in the refill culture, Christman has created a refillery in-store. The refillery offers bulk fills with a variety of natural products, allowing customers to bring their own containers or purchase reusable bottles on-site. 

My wife and I are in South San Francisco for our first visit since my son and his wife had their first child, 4-month-old Livia. Since it’s our first grandchild, I’m a little anxious, so I’m trying to prepare myself.

This week's police briefs.

HOOD RIVER — pFriem Family Brewers, Oregon’s second-largest independent beer producer with 120 employees in the Gorge, is eyeing the development of a 5,280 square foot, purpose-built metal building on the south side of its Port of Hood River property to support packaging operations. The preliminary construction estimate is approximately $2.1 million, with potential for minor value engineering reductions.

THE DALLES — Wasco County commissioners voted March 18 to send $5,000 to Oregonians for Floodplain Protection, a coalition challenging how federal regulators plan to carry out Oregon floodplain rules intended to protect endangered salmon and steelhead habitat.

BINGEN — The Bingen City Council met on March 17 to discuss city business and policy. Topics included the proposed underground cable in the Columbia River, the city’s time capsule, a community support statement, and numerous project updates.

HOOD RIVER — Although it’s still more than a year away, construction of a new toll bridge between Hood River and White Salmon presents an early logistical challenge for the two separate entities with the biggest immediate stake in the project — and it centers on toll revenue.

TROUT LAKE — Lights, camera, action … and whitewater! For a second year in a row, the Columbia Gorge Junior Kayak Club (CGJKC) hosted its annual film fundraiser at Trout Lake Hall on Jan. 29, with all proceeds going towards their 2026 programming.

KLICKITAT CO. — Perched above the Klickitat River, a 2,666-acre parcel known as Klickitat Oaks is now accessible to the public after being acquired by the nonprofit Columbia Land Trust.