Bruce Eddy, the new manager of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Northeast Region, with Ben, his family’s Labrador. DICK MASON / The Observer

It is a well maintained yet humble, utilitarian-type building.

The one-story structure is the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Northeast Region office building in La Grande. The building has not changed dramatically since 1994, the year biologist Bruce Eddy took a position in La Grande as a fisheries supervisor.

Research at the Blue Mountain Wildlife Center in Pendleton is showing that nearly all raptors brought into the facility have lead in their systems. Many are suspected of picking up the lead when they feed on dead birds or squirrels, left by hunters, containing shot or bullet fragments. JIM WARD photo

Lead is bad stuff — if you’re talking about its affect on human health that is. People have been suffering from the ill effects of lead poisoning, likely, since it was first discovered. Historians/researchers even suggest lead may have played a key role in the downfall of the Roman Empire centuries ago. Lead pipes brought in water to the Roman palaces, subjecting the hierarchy to its awful side effects. With lead’s known effect on brain function, historians believe Rome’s financial and military shortfalls, in its later years, were brought about by incompetent (lead-poisoned) leaders.

This photo of Bill Brown was taken the 1990s. Brown continued to be active until late in life, taking his last wilderness horseback trip in 2004. Submitted photos

Craig Volosing of Spokane, a good friend of the late Bill Brown, knows the story well.

More than five decades ago Brown was immersed in political hot water.

Still, Brown carefully and cleverly refused to leap out even as the temperature approached the boiling point...

Robert Sweetgall of McCall, Idaho, demonstrates how to Nordic walk at a workshop in La Grande Friday. Sweetgall is the author or co-author of at least 17 books on health and wellness. CHRIS BAXTER / The Observer

Grab a pair of poles, use more muscles, put less stress on joints

whitetails are rarely found in deep forests or at mid- to high-elevation areas. JIM WARD photo

They are an all-season fixture in La Grande — the mule deer that lazily amble along and across the streets.

Occasionally, sharp-eyed drivers and pedestrians will see a whitetailed deer in town. Never, however, anticipate seeing the following — a whitetailed deer strolling across a street as if it does not have a care in the world.

Jim Twisselman cuts deer meat at Union Market Tuesday. DICK MASON / The Observer

UNION — Hunters can be a paradoxical lot.

Many hunters spend months preparing for deer and elk seasons and then days or weeks suffering through uncomfortable conditions before harvesting their animal. Then they curiously neglect taking a few simple steps to preserve the meat.

ADROIT AT DOWNHILL: Kendall Smith, a sophomore at Imbler High School, captured the Oregon Super D mountain bike racing series for the age 18 and under division. TERRY BLANKENSHIP photo

Summerville bicyclist wins prestigious race series

This new ODFW wildlife viewing site tool is linked with Google Maps. A descriptive bubble for each site provides information about the specific species of wildlife people can see.

ODFW Wildlife Viewing Map makes it simpler for Oregonians to answer the question, ‘Where can I go to see wildlife?’

Cecil Churchill, 2012 Oregon State ATA singles champion

ELGIN — Trapshooter Cecil Churchill brought home the 2012 Singles Championship at the 84th annual Oregon State Shoot in Bend, making him the fourth trapshooter from Elgin to earn a championship from the Oregon State Amateur Trapshooting Association.

FRONTIER REVIVAL: James and De Leah Eavenson of Cascade, Idaho, were among 85 participants in the annual Labor Day Weekend rendezvous at the La Grande Rifle and Pistol Club. DICK MASON / The Observer

Black powder enthusiasts put muzzleloader, tomahawk and knife throwing skills to test at annual gathering west of Hilgard