These six Think City car owners in Union County are impressed with the electric-powered technology and performance of their vehicles. From left, are Steven Bartell, Tempe Bartell, Theresa and Howard Butts, and Stacey and Forrest Warren.

There are currently 110 all electric Think City vehicles cruising Oregon’s city streets, including four that made their clean and quiet debut in Union County.

Eco-technology conscious buyers like Howard and Theresa Butts and Forrest and Stacey Warren of Summerville, and Steven and Tempe Bartell of Imbler all did their home work and could not pass up the opportunity to go electric. After all, it’s good for the environment and even better on the wallet.

Jody Berry of Wild Carrot Herbals brought her family and her business to Wallowa County from the Willamette Valley this summer. The transplanted skin care company has hired two people to help mix, bottle and ship more than 100 products. KATY NESBITT - The Observer

Wild Carrot Herbals moves its operation from  Western Oregon to Enterprise 

Booming cannons sent Wild Carrot Herbals running for the hills from a farm in the lush, green Willamette Valley. 

Far from the thunder of propane cannons used by grass seed farmers to scare off geese, Jody, Michael and Ginger Berry are happily mixing natural skin care concoctions in the basement of the Wallowa Resources Stewardship Center in Enterprise.

Jeanette Thompson, and her grandson, Bryce Thompson, pose with fuel bricks and bags of pellets. Mark Bogart photo

Board gives nod to county purchase of ‘shovel-ready’ lot in Baum Industrial Park 

The Union County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to go ahead with a plan to acquire a 60-acre parcel of large-lot industrial land in the Baum Heavy Industrial Park in Island City. 

Judy Allen

Wallowa County woman embarks on a new career where she works with people in life change, offers her services face-to-face, over the phone and online 

A crowd of senior citizens mingle during Community Connection’s first-ever Customer Appreciation Day Oct. 17 at the Union County Senior Center. The event featured a free turkey dinner, live music and more. Submitted photo

Community Connection of Northeast Oregon threw a party at the Union County Senior Center Oct. 17, hosting a first-ever Customer Appreciation Day during the lunch hour.

Carmen Gentry, Community Connection's Union County manager, said the event was a success, drawing a big crowd.

New Subway shop / Streets Closed for Halloween / Scholarships available 

Work this summer of the IOOF/State Theater Building included repair of broken-out windows on upper floors facing Adams Avenue, and work on the brick parapet. CHRIS BAXTER - The Observer

Rehab project makes rundown building in La Grande marketable 

Historic structure that once housed the Tropidera awaits buyer 

A historically significant but time-ravaged building in downtown La Grande has been returned to marketable condition, thanks to efforts by the city’s Urban Renewal Agency and big financial help from the Oregon Brownfields program. 

The longtime owners of a Chinese restaurant in downtown Baker City decided it was time to hang up their woks.

The Chan family operated Jimmy Chan’s Restaurant on Main Street for nearly 25 years. 

Now that the restaurant is closed, Stella Chan “wants to spend time with her grandkids,” said Heather Himmelsbach, who helped manage the restaurant.

‘Ties to the Land’ targets farm and ranch families who want to preserve their legacy

Succession planning is the subject of a two-part workshop scheduled in Enterprise in November and December.