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Microphone Blocker for Cybersecurity CAMAS, Wash., Feb. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Colampra announces the launch of its newest cybersecurity product, the Mic-Lock with SOUNDPASS — a device that prevents hackers, apps and government agencies from listening to private conversations on any internet-connected device. Mic-Locks are the only digital signal-blocking devices for microphones on theContinue Reading

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Connecting Communities Throughout the Columbia River Gorge February 1, 2019 Blue Lion Unlimited, LLC announced today they will begin publishing The Gorge Business News (TGBN) newspaper. It will be distributed throughout the Columbia River Gorge on both the Oregon and Washington sides of the river. “It is our hope thatContinue Reading

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  The premier micro-cap conference in the Pacific Northwest, the Robins Equity Research Round-Up, is just a few days away. The fourth annual conference will be held at the Portland Shilo Inn Airport Hotel on September 25th and 26th. Captain Greg Woodridge, US Navy Retired – three time commander ofContinue Reading

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By Marguerite Cleveland Temira Amelia Lital is the architect behind “Temira’s Awesome Travel Advisory Service”. The service is a public Facebook page with almost 5000 followers that track her daily weather forecasts. They are dished up each day with a dose of humor and a photo which just seems toContinue Reading

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Energy Trust of Oregon is now seeking proposals from qualified organizations interested in and capable of providing residential program management services and/or program delivery for specific residential market-focused program offerings. It is Energy Trust board policy and national best practice to periodically put contracts out to bid with the objectiveContinue Reading

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Board acts to reimburse timber counties for timberland set aside for habitat   PACIFIC, SKAMANIA AND WAHKIAKUM COUNTIES TO RECEIVE $3.2 MILLION The state Board of Natural Resources today took action to reimburse three western Washington counties a total of $3.2 million for the transfer of 442 acres of state-ownedContinue Reading

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Travel Oregon recognizes that our region’s legendary rain may be its most famous winter weather pattern, but it’s hardly our only one. Remarkably, sunnier (or snowier) skies are rarely more than a couple hours away. Travel Oregon’s new Oregon Weather Compass is the first-ever mobile site designed to point localContinue Reading

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The Evergreen State will finally have its own statewide magazine with the launch of 1889 Washington’s Magazine in February 2017. Statehood Media today announced its continued expansion in the Pacific Northwest with a bi-monthly lifestyle magazine aimed at inspiring Washingtonians and its visitors to live, think and explore the peaksContinue Reading

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(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today named Eloisa Miller as her Economic and Business Equity Manager. Miller will focus on addressing issues of equity and advancing priorities for Minority-owned, Woman-owned, Emerging Small Businesses, and Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (Certified Firms).   “Eloisa has a strong commitment to equity andContinue Reading

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Gov. Jay Inslee and the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) announced today a new state-federal partnership that will bolster state efforts to improve the physical and mental health of Washington families and transform the state’s Apple Health (Medicaid) program to control costs. After months of detailed negotiations, the HCA—inContinue Reading

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Recognized for Best Broadcast Advertising for 7 Wonders of Oregon Television Spots   Winners of the National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD) 2016 Mercury awards were announced this week during U.S. Travel Association’s annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) conference held this year in Boca Raton, Fla. TheContinue Reading

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Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management and Dark Horse Comics released their newest collaboration just in time to prepare for the Great ShakeOut. This 16-page colorful story sequence teaches tsunami preparedness. SALEM, Ore. — Oct. 12, 2016 — Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management and Dark Horse Comics team up to prepareContinue Reading

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A sudden burst of giggles and chatter fills the halls. At Columbia Basin Care, the elderly residents perk up with anticipation as youngsters rush in to greet the “grandpas and grandmas.”   Columbia Basin Care, a long-term care facility, has partnered with the Head Start preschool program to encourage socializationContinue Reading

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Gov. Jay Inslee and the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) announced today a new state-federal partnership that will bolster state efforts to improve the physical and mental health of Washington families and transform the state’s Apple Health (Medicaid) program to control costs.   After months of detailed negotiations, theContinue Reading

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Oregon state government is launching a new effort to support deaf and hard of hearing Oregonians. Held quarterly, New American Sign Language (ASL) video workshops tap native-speaking ASL interpreters to convert agency messages into video instructions that improve access to online services for these traditionally underserved residents.   In recentContinue Reading

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It’s becoming increasingly difficult for older farmers to hand over their operations or keep them in the family. It’s as challenging as ever for younger would-be farm operators to gain access to the land. The graying of Oregon’s farmers and ranchers is an issue receiving a closer look this fallContinue Reading

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There is never a lack of stories when it comes to writing about Northeast Oregon and the Gorge, but there is the lack of time to write them all. With 2016 quickly coming to a close I guess it is time to think about the future and what it mayContinue Reading

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By Lori Kimbel   The second annual Robins Equity Research Roundup, presented by Catalyst Research Management Group, was held in Hood River and brought small and microcap equities together with portfolio managers, hedge fund managers, retail brokers, mutual fund managers, and individual investors.   According to Marc Robins, creator ofContinue Reading

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With winter holidays fast approaching and a time when many people are visiting the Oregon coast, it’s important to know tsunami safety. To that end, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) offers “Tsunami Safe: Hospitality Begins with Safety,” a free program aimed at the hospitality industry along the OregonContinue Reading

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The Oregon Department of Agriculture and US Department of Agriculture have announced this year’s recipients of Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds. In Oregon, nearly $1.7 million will fund 15 projects to help boost the competitiveness of the state’s fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, and other specialty crops.  Continue Reading

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Governor Kate Brown today announced the appointment of Kay Erickson as the Director of the Oregon Employment Department, effective August 16, 2016, pending confirmation by the Oregon Senate. She served as the agency’s acting director since January.   “Kay’s considerable management experience helped her transition quickly and maintain stability atContinue Reading

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by Marc Robins CFA   Nearly two decades ago, I was the CEO of Moonstruck Chocolate for about a year. The Robins Group had been associated with the upstart Chocolatier helping to raise money, give guidance and on a more personal note sponsor and co-finance the “new” Chocolate Café thatContinue Reading

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By Lori Kimbel   Rob Chimelak, board member of Athletes4Cancer and active volunteer at the Hood River Kiteboarding 4 Cancer event, was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer in October of 2012, at the age of 29. It was then and there that he decided he was going to takeContinue Reading

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By Lori Kimbel The 10th Annual Kiteboarding 4 Cancer event in Hood River was pure success. Raising over $194,000 in a single weekend, the event continues to grow in popularity for kiteboarders as well as spectators. The event had 230 kiteboarders participate and approximately 3,000 spectators. On hand were 80Continue Reading

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Gov. Jay Inslee recently announced $12.6 million in Clean Energy Fund grants to five utilities in Washington. The governor made the announcement in Seattle at the Northwest Regional Clean Energy Innovation Partnership Workshop hosted by the University of Washington and the Pacific Northwest National Lab. At the event, the governorContinue Reading

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As part of an improvement project emphasizing good health, Columbia Basin Care is creating a park for residents, families, and staff.   Beep! beep! beep! That’s the music of construction as Columbia Basin Care dramatically improves its outdoor space with the creation of a park featuring a picnic pavilion andContinue Reading

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Wow! What a summer! I hope your summer has been every bit as fun as mine has. This past Saturday I attended the annual Timber Tiger Lodge party, which takes place on the side of the Elkhorn Mountains, overlooking the entire Baker Valley. The food was fabulous, the band wasContinue Reading

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Gorge-wide buy local campaign partners with Chinook Book to make it easier for residents and visitors to locate and support local businesses.     In anticipation of the holiday shopping and giving season, Gorge Owned is partnering with local businesses and Portland-based Chinook Book (www.chinookbook.com) to increase the economic impactContinue Reading

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By Lori Kimbel Twenty seven year old Andrew Muse is living a life full of adventure and excitement. A life many would love to have just a taste of. Traveling the country with his Golden Retriever, canine companion, Kicker, Muse is seen with a genuine smile with each new-found, adrenaline-chargedContinue Reading

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by Norbert Fensterwald Growing up in the 50s and 60s in NE Portland, there weren’t a whole lot of organized things to do or manufactured toys with which to play. We amused ourselves with ball in vacant lots, “Red-light, Green-Light” in the street at night, Army throughout most of theContinue Reading

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At 95, this war veteran plays golf, cracks jokes, and rebounds from a setback.   At 95, Alex Currie has no regrets.   “I had my day in the sun,” says the bright-eyed, chatty man who has lived in The Dalles since 1953 and made his mark as a businessmanContinue Reading

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By Lori Kimbel I met Mattie John Bamman at a travel writer’s conference we were both attending. He was the young man with a witty sense of humor; I was the almost middle-aged woman that laughed at all of his quirky jokes. His easy jovial manner was familiar to meContinue Reading

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The Renewal Workshop Launches at Sustainable Brands Conference to Redefine Waste in the Apparel Industry New Factory in America Refurbishes Unsold Inventory Creating a Circular Economy for Apparel   The Renewal Workshop partners with the world’s best-loved apparel brands and retailers to refurbish their “unsellable” returns and excess inventory. InContinue Reading

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Here we go, summer is in full swing. It’s time for camping, fishing, bike riding, kayaking, hiking and all other types of outdoor activities.   I was lucky enough to start my summer off at Barton Park in Boring, Oregon where a portion of my family got together to camp,Continue Reading

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USACM Hires Executive Director Michelle McGrath takes the lead at Cider Association The United States Association of Cider Makers announces Michelle McGrath as Executive Director.   “This is an exciting time to be a member of the cider community. The industry as a whole is growing and diversifying rapidly. CiderContinue Reading

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In June of 2016, six teachers and 18 to 24 high school students from rural eastern Oregon communities will spend a week at Oregon’s newest and second largest state park, Cottonwood Canyon State Park in eastern Oregon, as part of the second session of the Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute. HereContinue Reading

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My life is always in some sort of whirlwind it seems, but that’s okay, it keeps me busy doing so many of the things I love.   I hope you find this issue entertaining and informative. I know I have enjoyed putting it all together.   Back in April IContinue Reading

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Travel and tourism industry grows to $10.8 billion, fuels economic activity statewide with travel-related spending and employment   The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, confirms that 2015 was the travel industry’s sixth consecutive year of accelerated growth and economic impact, reaching new heights in revenues for the state. IndependentContinue Reading

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Cormorant Nesting Colony Targeted by Federal Agencies Suffers Complete Failure   On May 19, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that the East Sand Island Cormorant Nesting Colony had suffered catastrophic failure with upwards of 16,000 Double-crested Cormorants abandoning their nests which were then quickly predated by scavengers suchContinue Reading

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By Samara Phelps   Bicycle tourism is alive and well throughout Oregon   How could it not be with awe inspiring landscapes from corner to corner? Do not be fooled, the success of cycling in Oregon is no accident. Passionate cyclists, dedicated community advocates and visionary agencies work to welcomeContinue Reading

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by Marc Robins CFA Nothing confounds me more than the fact that our collective society (and government) is (are) more worried about “Climate Change”, “global warming”, or “Climate Disruption” that may occur some 25 to 50 years out in the future (and the operative word is “may”), while zoonotic viralContinue Reading

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Former industry executive and business-government-economics school dean at Seattle Pacific University will serve as principal adviser to Governor Inslee, director of economic development for the information and communication technology industry sector in Washington state.   The Washington State Department of Commerce announced today that Dr. Joseph Williams will lead theContinue Reading

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Sportsmen have been fighting for years to move these conservation priorities across the finish line   The Senate has just passed a comprehensive energy reform bill that includes key conservation provisions to benefit fish, wildlife, and sportsmen’s access. This is a true bipartisan achievement that highlights our uniquely American conservationContinue Reading

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The Oregon Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network has been awarded national accreditation without conditions by America’s SBDC, its national association. Blue Mountain Community College hosts the local SBDC for northeastern Oregon.   Every five years, SBDC networks throughout the country are required to go through an accreditation process withContinue Reading

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Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner) was honored this week with two prestigious recognitions. The first is from the Oregon Fairs Association (OFA), which supports Oregon’s 36 county fairs. ​Also honoring Rep. Smith was the Oregon Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association (OCAPA), an organization that is working to build Oregon’s economy andContinue Reading

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Governor Kate Brown has announced the appointment of State Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner) to the Small Business Advisory Cabinet. The Cabinet is charged with developing recommendations on how state government can support small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs and advance statewide economic growth. Representative Greg Smith is one of nineContinue Reading

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By Anthony K. Smith   Passed by voters nearly 14 years ago, Measure 25 promised to take the minimum-wage issue out of politics for good, by linking it forever to annual increases in the federal Consumer Price Index.   “Measure 25 fixes the problem, and takes the issue out ofContinue Reading

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By Norbert Fensterwald When the ‘War Department’ and I decided to move-out of the big city and to the Gorge, we knew our period of adjustment to the new environs would take some time and involve an array of activities not previously explored or participated in as “City Mice.” ToContinue Reading