Winter isn’t my favorite time of year. It is cold and brings snow. The snow requires labor to clear the walks and driving can be treacherous. No, winter isn’t my favorite time of year.

We had had winter off and on, but now the flowers were trying to push through the soil, teasing us towards summer wear, picnics, patio chats and a general feeling of well-being.

Then it happened.

The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is hosting a talk titled “Carnivores and Sustainable Ecosystems’’ by Oregon State University Professor Emeritus Bob Beschta at two locations Wednesday.

The first presentation will be at 9 a.m. at the Whitman Ranger District in Baker City, 3285 11th St.

The second will be at 3 p.m. at the Wallowa Mountains Office in Enterprise, 88401 Highway 82.

Grand Champion Auctioneer Heidi Hill of Union credits her success to practice and patience. Submitted photo

This is one of many reasons Hill is being recognized as the best — the top auctioneer in Oregon.

The Union resident recently was named the 2010 Oregon Grand Champion Auctioneer following the Oregon Auctioneer Association’s bid-calling contest at its annual convention in Portland.

ACTING BAILIFF KIM MCCONNELL CONFERS with prosecution team members Zack Knightlinger, left, and Tim Langerbeck during a break in Teen Court proceedings Tuesday night in the Union County Circuit Court with local attorney Glenn Null presiding as Teen Court Judge. - CHRIS BAXTER / The Observer

But in the end justice would be swift — and merciful.

“Kids have already admitted to whatever they’re here for, and if they successfully complete their sentences, we dismiss their cases,” Union County Juvenile Department Director Jim Brougham told a visitor just before the session opened.

Steelhead are captured as they travel up Spring Creek into the Wallowa Hatchery trap. Seasonal hatchery employees Bud Hook and Pat Horley harvest the fish in the trap under the eye of Hatchery Manager Ron Harrod. - Photos by Ron Osterloh

The constant rushing of the pure, natural spring water that feeds hatchery operations accompanies the work of Hatchery Manager Ron Harrod and his crew. Spawning, harvesting, shipping, rearing and monitoring Wallowa County’s steelhead resource is a huge undertaking.

The Union County Food Bank has received a multi-ton assist from Eastern Oregon University.

EOU has donated 12,994 pounds of food to the Union County Food Bank.

“It is amazing, absolutely amazing,’’ said Carmen Gentry, Union County assistant manager for Community Connection of Northeast Oregon and its food bank manager.

ENTERPRISE — The near full-term infant found dead at Minam State Park March 8 was stillborn, the state medical examiner’s office has determined.

On Tuesday a Wallowa County grand jury issued an indictment charging Olivia Lorraine Soares with second-degree abuse of a corpse and concealing the birth of an infant.

Soares, 21, is from La Grande but her parents live in Wallowa. She is currently not in custody.

Chris Dudley

Dudley is running for governor. Last week he brought his campaign to Enterprise.

“I am of the belief Oregon is not reaching its potential,” said Dudley, a former Portland Trail Blazer who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor.

Becoming a parent is a major life transition.

A good friend of mine told me right after my first child was born that, over time, I would receive the blessing of forgetting what life was like before children. Back when I could sleep the whole night through. Back when going on a date with my husband could be a spur of the moment decision. Back when uninterrupted work time was a given, rather than a carefully orchestrated event.

She was right, of course — that old life does seem so long ago now.

COVE — Members of the Union FFA Chapter recently went to Cove for the district convention and proficiency career development events at Cove Ascension Camp.

Union students who competed were Cassandra Colton, Brooke Roberts, Nicole Roberts, Molly Lively, Drake Davidson, Cody Vanderzanden, Savanna Sheehy, Dolton Opie, Brandon Coon, Briana Tanaka and Katherine Hammond.

The chapter participated in multiple events. The chapter also had the chance to run for a district office, and our own Molly Lively was selected for the position of 2009-2010 District Sentinel.