CCCNews Pod - Honest Local News for the Mid Columbia, Listeners Edition

Advances in cancer treatment are improving survival rates and quality of life for patients, but new trends — including rising cancer rates among younger people — are reshaping how doctors approach care, a local oncologist said during a recent podcast interview.

North Wasco County School District leaders highlighted rising graduation rates, expanding academic programs, and strong student growth during a recent CCCNews podcast, offering a snapshot of progress and ongoing challenges across local schools.In this podcast, CCCNew’s Host Robin Denning chats with Director of Community Engagement Stephanie Bowen,  Director of Teaching Allie Ivey and Superintendent Dr. Carolyn Bernal about graduation rates, measuring success and expanding opportunities for students.

Wasco County commissioner candidate Lisa Gambee said the county must focus on transparency, infrastructure and long-term planning as it navigates growth driven by new revenue and development.Gambee, who is running for Position No. 1 in the May 19 primary election, outlined her priorities during a recent CCCNews podcast interview, pointing to housing affordability, wildfire preparedness and responsible use of public funds.

Wasco County commissioner candidate Dick Schaffeld said the county must rethink how it spends public dollars, arguing for a more balanced approach that benefits the entire region rather than select projects or communities.Sfchaffeld, who is running for Position No. 3 in the May 19 primary election, shared his views during a recent CCCNews podcast interview, where he addressed housing, wildfire preparedness, economic development and the county’s growing revenue from data centers.

Wasco County commissioner candidate John Grant said he would prioritize tax relief, business-friendly policies and housing development as the county manages growth and new revenue tied to data center expansion.Grant, who is running for Position No. 1 in the May 19 primary election, brings a background in business, military service and local civic involvement. He has served on the North Wasco County School District Budget Committee, The Dalles Planning Commission and currently chairs the Wasco County Republicans.

Wasco County commissioner candidate Nichole Biechler said she would focus on collaboration, fiscal responsibility and workforce development as the county navigates growth, housing shortages and rising revenues tied to data center development.

Wasco County commissioner candidate Robb Van Cleave said collaboration, long-term planning, and disciplined use of public funds will be key as the county navigates growth, housing shortages, and rising revenues tied to data center development.

Wasco County Commissioner Phil Brady is making his case for reelection, emphasizing housing development, wildfire preparedness and long-term financial stability as the county enters what he described as a period of growing revenue and opportunity.

Columbia Gorge Community Action is expanding services for people experiencing housing instability as demand continues to grow across Wasco, Hood River and Sherman counties, agency leaders said during a recent podcast interview.Lesley Oats, executive director of Columbia Gorge Community Action, said the Gloria Center — a navigation hub that opened one year ago — has significantly increased access to coordinated services. The center operates as a one-stop location where residents can connect with multiple agencies without traveling across town.

Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill, Hood River County District Attorney Matthew Ellis, Program Manager Rebecca Schilling, and Lead Navigator Nick Smallmon described the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program as a voluntary alternative to jail for people involved in low-level, nonviolent “livability” crimes such as trespass, shoplifting and minor drug possession.

The Millennial Perspective, a column by Robin DenningThe Dalles, Ore., Dec. 23, 2025 - When I wrote a column on big institutions, government, utilities, and trillion-dollar corporations, I owed readers two things at once: a clear point of view and clean, verifiable facts.In my recent column about data centers and public costs, I oversimplified a few details, and while they remain true, it’s not the whole picture. This is the clarification: what was missed, and why the core community question still stands.

The CCS News Podcast sat down this week with three leaders behind the new Community Roots Wellness Hub in White Salmon, a collaborative mental health and community-services space that opened earlier this fall inside the former Comprehensive Healthcare building across from Harvest Market.

On the latest CCCNews Podcast, Executive Director and co-founder Kiara Kashubs described how the Gorge Farmer Collective started in March 2020, when farmers suddenly lost access to restaurants and markets. What began with five farms experimenting with an online marketplace has since expanded to more than 35 producers serving families, schools, food banks, and restaurants across Hood River, White Salmon, The Dalles, Mosier, and Lyle.

The Dalles Art Center is seeing a renaissance under the leadership of Executive Director Ellen Woods Potter, who joined this week’s “What’s Up, The Dalles” podcast to share big updates on public art, youth programming, and the center’s role in the evolving cultural fabric of downtown.

The latest episode of “What’s Up, The Dalles” brought together community leaders and local entrepreneurs to spotlight downtown revitalization efforts, upcoming fall events, and ongoing investments in The Dalles’ cultural and business landscape.

In a wide-ranging conversation on the CCCNews Podcast, Mid-Columbia Center for Living Executive Director Al Barton warned that looming changes to Medicaid could leave rural Oregonians with fewer behavioral health services — even as demand continues to grow.

As downtown The Dalles continues to grow with new energy and businesses, one Main Street shop owner is reflecting on how far the city has come — and how hard it still is to thrive.

A new series of community classes will offer local caregivers tools to better support children who have experienced trauma, as part of a growing initiative rooted in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) — a therapeutic model designed to promote healing and trust in children from hard places.

From aerospace engineer to craft brewing pioneer, Matt Swihart’s path to founding Double Mountain Brewery was anything but ordinary. In a recent appearance on the CCC News Podcast, Swihart shared his story of how passion, persistence, and a touch of rebellion shaped one of Hood River’s most beloved breweries and pubs.

Content Warning:This episode contains explicit language, discussions of suicide ideation, violence, and the use of psilocybin. It is not suitable for children.Description:Today we speak with "Burton," a 25-year military veteran living with severe PTSD, about his powerful healing journey with psilocybin. Burton shares his transformation—from an angry, unstable, and deeply struggling existence to becoming a calmer, more peaceful version of himself. The psilocybin sessions he experienced at Vital Reset in Hood River reshaped his life in ways that pharmaceuticals and traditional therapy could not. Join us for a deep dive into this raw and profound story of trauma, hope, and healing.

CCCNews welcomes Yahir Santillan-Guzman to the Podcast today, June 18. Yahir of The Dalles inspired us all in 2021 when he was accepted by Harvard, and he did it again several weeks ago when he earned his degree in Economics in just 4 years. Join us for a detailed conversation with this amazing 22-year-old as we journey through his highs and lows at arguably this nation’s most prestigious college. 

In a recent episode of the CCCNews podcast, licensed professional counselor Colleen Worrell joined our host Tom Perterson to discuss mental health, self-care, and strategies for shifting destructive thought patterns.

The Dalles, Ore., June 5, 2025 — Join The Dalles Main Street's Cynthia Kortge and Creative Entrepreneur Luise Langheinrich of Lines of Designs in this month's podcast on everything Downtown The Dalles. Langheinrich dishes on her move to open a fabric shop as Kortge spills the details on Tomorrow's First Friday events.  We also squeeze the grapes on the latest moves by local wineries. 

Superintendent Dr. Carolyn Bernal of D21 joins the CCCNews Podcast today, May 21, to talk innovation in the classroom, student well-being, educational excellence, attendance, and where were at in the process of a school bond.

This month’s podcast features Amanda Thayer of The Coffee Shop along with The Dalles Main Street’s Cynthia Kortge as we preview First Friday in Downtown TD and look at upcoming events and all the latest news, including the recent city approval to move ahead on the Federal Street Plaza.

2022 TDHS Grad Zora Richardson takes us on a deep dive into her life after The Dalles. The unsinkable University of Portland senior maps out her creative trail through theater, music, and study abroad, and the travails of 50 auditions in a single year. Hard? You bet, but worth it.

Join us for a conversation with Erinn Quinn & Leah Becknell as they talk with us about the switch to 988, accessing mental health services in Klickitat County, and keeping your headspace out of the gutters. For more information or to chat with mental health support, call 988 or visit: https://988lifeline.org/ 

We're joined in the podcast studio today by DeeAnn Bohn and Erica Hernandez to talk about our regions youngest learners. From child directed play groups to getting kids free preschool, we all had a great conversation about the 0-5's local options. For families looking to enroll or learn more about preschool opportunities, Ana recommends visiting Four Rivers Family at their Preschool Connection page: https://fourriversfamily.org/preschool-connection.You can find the calendar of local playgroups here: https://fourriversfamily.org/playandlearn 

In the latest episode of the CCCNews podcast, host Robbin Denning sits down with award-winning psychologist and author Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee to explore the impact of screen time on children and families. With a research focus on the mental, physical, and relational tolls of over-engagement with technology, Dodgen-Magee offers both science-backed insight and compassionate guidance for caregivers.

Celia Peterson a 2019 graduate of The Dalles High School, took her first steps with boyfriend Jensen Douillard of Boulder today as they have set their eyes on the Pacific Crest Trail  - a 2,650-mile journey of the mind and soles from Mexico to Canada. 

Dennis Morgan, a true renaissance man and civic leader, is the Principal Broker and Manager at Copperwest Real Estate in The Dalles. We talk housing stocks, home prices, history, kids, rafting, theatre and interest rates in this all-out CCCNews podcast about TD.

We take it outdoors in the wilds of downtown retail in The Dalles this week with Skookum Outfitter’s Allison Turner as we get the lowdown on upcoming events from TD Main Street’s Cynthia Kortge and a debrief on that delicious Chocolate Crawl and a quick kibosh on the rumor that Rite Aid is closing.  

This week,  Steve Light of Freebridge Brewing brings the Dirty Juicy with The Dalles Main Street's Cynthia Kortge in a discussion of all things downtown TD and, of course, beer and pizza.  Hear about Federal Street Plaza plans, coming local events, new businesses and people and places that make TD great. 

Join CCCNew’s Robin Denning, Joshuah Albert & Tom Peterson as they welcome special guests Victor Johnson, Aaron Jalen the Mailman, and Christmas Turkey cooking Tipster Colleen Worrell to the all-new and all-exciting CCCNew’s Christmas Variety Show. 

Join The Dalles Main Street’s Cynthia Kortge and Lindsay Giamei in this week’s Podcast of What’s Up The Dalles. Learn about the festive list of Christmas happenings in downtown TD and get an update on all the collaborations occurring at The Workshop. Coffee, Cupcakes and DIY! 

Join Cynthia Kortge and Hannah Mapes as we explore what's coming to The Dalles this November. We'll also have the Latest in downtown business news, events, and local gossip.

The program features all the latest scuttlebutt in Downtown TD with The Dalles Main Street’s Cynthia Kortge and CCCNews’ Josh Albert and Tom Peterson.

Join us on the CCCNews Podcast as we delve into the world of Columbia Basin Care, an independent non-profit care facility that has served the Columbia River Gorge for over fifty years. In this episode, we interview Anneta Crown and Keri Dell about why they do the work they do, staffing challenges brought on by the pandemic, career opportunities, scholarships, and free nursing classes available to the community. Whether you’re interested in a career in healthcare or passionate about what it takes to offer gold-star quality care, this episode offers valuable insights into the world of Columbia Basin Care.

Join CCCNews as Wasco County Commissioner candidate Dan Richardson dives into his campaign, his background, and his time as a city councilor in The Dalles. This interview gets into some of the more recently heated topics at The Dalles City Council and offers a rare insight into that decision-making process and understanding some of the outcomes families are living with, in The Dalles. About the Interviewer: Robin is an award-winning filmmaker and a founding member of CCCNews. During election season she consults with and creates media for candidates to bring their platforms to voters, lobbying them towards honest and authentic campaign media. She limits her campaign work to candidates who use verifiable facts in their campaign material and often fact-check the claims they make. Sponsored Content: This content was paid for by Dan Richardson for Wasco County Commissioner.About the Interviewer: Robin is an award-winning filmmaker and a founding member of CCCNews. During election season she consults with and creates media for candidates to bring their platforms to voters, lobbying them towards honest and authentic campaign media. She limits her campaign work to candidates who use verifiable facts in their campaign material and often fact-check the claims they make.Sponsored Content: This content was paid for by Dan Richardson for Wasco County Commissioner.

Join CCCNews as Wasco County Commissioner candidate Jeff Justesen shares insights from his time at the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility's Juvenile program and his coaching experiences and discover how these roles have shaped his vision for supporting youth services and infrastructure in Wasco County. Jeff also shares how he is eager to represent and amplify the voices of small rural communities in South County, advocating for their unique needs and aspirations.About the Interviewer: Robin is an award-winning filmmaker and a founding member of CCCNews. During election season she consults with and creates media for candidates to bring their platforms to voters, lobbying them towards honest and authentic campaign media. She limits her campaign work to candidates who use verifiable facts in their campaign material and often fact-check the claims they make.Sponsored Content: This content was paid for by Jeff Justesen for Wasco County Commissioner. 

Explicit Content Warning: This podcast contains mentions of sexual violence,  listener discretion is advised. Sponsored Content: This content was paid for in part by the Friends of Kara Davis. About the Interviewer: Robin is an award-winning filmmaker and a founding member of CCCNews. During election season she consults with and creates media for candidates to bring their platforms to voters, lobbying them towards honest and authentic campaign media. She limits her campaign work to candidates who use verifiable facts in their campaign material and often fact-check the claims they make.Kara Davis, Gilliam County DA and Special Deputy district attorney in Wasco County joins our team to talk about her campaign and platform for her election. Join in as we listen to her story and key points to how she intends to bring experience and expertise to the office of the District Attorney in Wasco County 

CCCNew reviews the new indie hit game Palworld

In this episode of the CCCNews Podcast, we interview trans poet and healing arts practitioner Keath Silva,  about his new book of poetry titled King Crone and the Empty Nest, transformational poetry and rites of passage. Keath speaks to underlying health problems caused by not honoring our creative expression, misgendering, embracing authenticity, embodying the king crone archetype as a nonbinary trans man, and shares his message for trans youth.

In this short podcast PSA, CCCNews journalist Cole Goodwin speaks with Shannon O’Brien, Mid-Columbia Human Trafficking Task Force Consultant about the signs of human trafficking, what to do if you suspect someone may be a trafficking victim, and shares a message of hope for survivors. For more on this story visit CCCNews.com

In this episode of the CCCNews Podcast we interview Kenny LaPoint, the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council Executive Director leading a local and regional effort to end homelessness. We discuss MCCAC's collaborative approach to addressing homelessness, complexities surrounding service resistant populations, and how MCCAC is working to build a culture of hope in the face of hardship.

In this episode of the CCCNews podcast, Cole Goodwin tells the story of a local Christmas miracle made possible by a collaboration from Underriner Ford and Nissan, United Way of the Columbia Gorge, and Skamania County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. This is the story of Christina Mott, a selfless, disabled single mother of three, a survivor of domestic violence a parent of a special needs child, and the community that rallied around her to help uplift this deserving local family during a time of significant hardship.Music Credits: Eternal Hope by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100238Artist: http://incompetech.com/

In this special episode, we join Josh and Tom, on guitar, as we read to you "Twas the Night Before Christmas,"  jumpstarting your holiday spirit. We at CCCNews hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

In this episode of the CCCNews Podcast, we interview Scott Baker, executive director of Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation. Baker talks the saving of Sorosis Park, adding a Mountain Bike Skills Park and Pump Track with an eye to the Mill Creek Greenway which will provide kids a safe route to outdoor recreational opportunities downtown and most of all building community.