Neita Cecil, The Dalles Chronicle Journalist Profile

Articles

Northwest Cherry Festival: Meet this year’s King Bing and Queen Anne

1 week ago | columbiagorgenews.com | Neita Cecil

By Neita CecilColumbia Gorge NewsTHE DALLES — Lynn Long and his wife Marlene are this year’s King Bing and Queen Anne for the Northwest Cherry Festival in The Dalles, but Lynn is no stranger to being crowned cherry royalty. In 2017, Long had the honor of being named Cherry King at a ceremony in Yakima by the Northwest Cherry Growers Association, a tribute to someone who has impacted the cherry industry.
Measles outbreak: ‘Preventable with vaccination’

2 weeks ago | columbiagorgenews.com | Neita Cecil

THE GORGE — As of March 27, there were 483 confirmed measles cases in 20 states, including Washington, nationwide. That’s nearly 200 more cases than in all of last year. Oregon still has not had a case. The U.S. declared measles eliminated 25 years ago, but that status only holds if an outbreak lasts less than 12 months. Officials worry this outbreak of the highly contagious airborne virus could cost that status. On a recent webinar for reporters, three doctors highlighted key points.
Measles outbreak: ‘Preventable with vaccination’

2 weeks ago | columbiagorgenews.com | Neita Cecil

By Neita CecilColumbia Gorge NewsTHE GORGE — As of March 27, there were 483 confirmed measles cases in 20 states, including Washington, nationwide. That’s nearly 200 more cases than in all of last year. Oregon still has not had a case. The U.S. declared measles eliminated 25 years ago, but that status only holds if an outbreak lasts less than 12 months. Officials worry this outbreak of the highly contagious airborne virus could cost that status.
Officials trained on offering trauma-informed help to sex trafficking survivors

1 month ago | columbiagorgenews.com | Neita Cecil

By Neita CecilColumbia Gorge NewsTHE DALLES — When it comes to interviewing victims of sex trafficking, the best role for police, and one they’re unaccustomed to as take-charge types, is to let a victim advocate lead the way instead. That was the message a Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) detective had last week in The Dalles for a group of law enforcement officers and others who attended a seminar on trauma-informed approaches to serving survivors of sex and labor trafficking. WCSO Det.
Officials trained on offering trauma-informed help to sex trafficking survivors

1 month ago | tncontentexchange.com | Neita Cecil

THE DALLES — When it comes to interviewing victims of sex trafficking, the best role for police, and one they’re unaccustomed to as take-charge types, is to let a victim advocate lead the way instead. That was the message a Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) detective had last week in The Dalles for a group of law enforcement officers and others who attended a seminar on trauma-informed approaches to serving survivors of sex and labor trafficking. WCSO Det.
Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue studies third station

2 months ago | columbiagorgenews.com | Neita Cecil

THE DALLES — Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue (MCFR) is several years into researching whether, and where, to build a third fire station, with a goal of improving response times to a densely populated central section of The Dalles. The gold standard for fire response is getting to a fire within four minutes, 90% of the time, said MCFR Chief David Jensen.
MCFR studies third station

2 months ago | columbiagorgenews.com | Neita Cecil

By Neita CecilColumbia Gorge NewsFull report at columbiagorgenews.com. THE DALLES — Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue (MCFR) is several years into researching whether, and where, to build a third fire station, with a goal of improving response times to a densely populated central section of The Dalles. The gold standard for fire response is getting to a fire within four minutes, 90% of the time, said MCFR Chief David Jensen.
David Jensen named chief at Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue

2 months ago | columbiagorgenews.com | Neita Cecil

THE DALLES — David Jensen, Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue’s (MCFR) new chief, had an ideal career path that leaves him well-positioned for his new role. He was introduced to the fire service just after 9/11, while still in high school at Milton-Freewater in eastern Oregon. He volunteered with a welcoming fire crew. “You see a couple of big incidents happen and you’re like, ‘Yeah, I want to try that out.’“You get to be a part of your community, do something.
Columbia Cinemas has closed

2 months ago | columbiagorgenews.com | Neita Cecil

By Neita CecilColumbia Gorge NewsTHE DALLES — Columbia Cinemas closed its doors on Jan. 26, exactly 29 years to the day after Bruce Humphrey opened the four-screen theater in 1996. He noted that the closure is happening in the midst of numerous other screen closures in Oregon and nationwide. In the last two and a half years, four large theaters, representing 43 screens, have closed in the Portland metro area, including one just last month. The seats just aren’t filling up like they used to.
Jensen named chief at MCFR

2 months ago | columbiagorgenews.com | Neita Cecil

By Neita CecilColumbia Gorge NewsTHE DALLES — David Jensen, Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue’s (MCFR) new chief, had an ideal career path that leaves him well-positioned for his new role. He was introduced to the fire service just after 9/11, while still in high school at Milton-Freewater in eastern Oregon. He volunteered with a welcoming fire crew. “You see a couple of big incidents happen and you’re like, ‘Yeah, I want to try that out.’“You get to be a part of your community, do something.