Editor’s Note: The following story appeared in Friday’s Observer. But due to an editorial error, the entire story did not appear. It runs here in its entirety. 

The La Grande School Board unanimously ratified a three-year contract for the school district’s classified staff Wednesday.

Veterans place wreaths on the gravesites of fellow veterans in Grandview Cemetery as part of a ceremony recognizing “Wreaths Across America” day in La Grande Saturday. The Wreaths Across America organization’s mission is to “Remember the fallen, Honor those who have served and  Teach our children to value freedom.” CHRIS BAXTER / The Observer

Students begin to head home as another school day at Central Elementary School in La Grande comes to an end Friday afternoon. Teachers and staff administrators in the La Grande School District did not report encountering many students Friday who were shaken emotionally by the news of the shooting because few knew about it when the school day ended. CHRIS BAXTER/The Observer

Local school officials say safety remains top priority for staff  

The days before Christmas vacation in schools are normally exciting and festive.

This feeling is now tempered as children, teenagers and educators in Union and Wallowa county schools return to classes after reflecting this weekend on the tragic shooting in Newtown, Conn., which left 27 children and adults dead. 

The instrumental group “Prevailing Wind” creates a traditional holiday ambience for La Grande City Council’s annual Holiday Open House Wednesday evening at City Hall. From left, are Denise Hattan Dave Felley, Don Jensen and Beth Gilmore. This year’s open house commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the construction of the La Grande City Hall building. CHRIS BAXTER/The Observer

Community comes together to celebrate 100th anniversary of construction of city hall 

The La Grande City Council chambers, usually the scene of dry and matter-of-fact governmental proceedings, took on a festive air Wednesday as people gathered to mark the 100th birthday of the construction of City Hall.

Greenwood Elementary students perform in their Winter music program directed by Carla Varland. / CHRIS BAXTER - The Observer 

Sculptures by local artist and center board member Rodd Ambroson adorn the performance space of the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture. KATY NESBITT - The Observer

Most modern-day Wallowa County homesteaders are drawn to this remote corner of the world by its awe inspiring natural beauty.

This natural beauty is manifested in the Wallowa Mountains, Hells Canyon, Wallowa Lake, and the rivers born in the wilderness that drain into the tributaries of the Pacific Ocean.

Improving Enterprise’s water system roject could cost at least $5.7 million

ENTERPRISE — Improving Enterprise’s water distribution and ensuring the stability of its storage will be an on-going discussion for the next 10 years. 

If the city gets everything on its wish list, the total cost could be as much as $5.7 million. 

COVE — Cove School District teachers will receive base salary increases of 1 and 1-1/2 percent over the next two years under a new two-year contract ratified by the school board Tuesday.

Terms of the pact call for teachers to receive a raise in their base pay of 1 percent in 2012-13 and 1-1/2 percent in 2013-14. 

Lt. Col. Jason Lambert (right) commander of the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, hands over the ceremonial Cavalry sabre to Command Sgt. Major Ron Bloker during a change of responsibility ceremony at the La Grande Army National Guard Readiness Center Saturday. PAT CALDWELL photo

LA GRANDE — Transitions are a way of life in a military organization, but that doesn’t mean the process is easy.

Saturday’s Change of Responsibility ceremony at the La Grande Army National Guard Readiness Center is a good case in point. A time-honored ritual, the change of responsibility is a formal procedure that signals the departure of a senior non-commissioned officer and the arrival of a new top NCO.

Local law enforcement officers raid after hours party at Island City restaurant

The Union County Sheriff’s Office stepped up enforcement efforts on underage drinking the first two days of December, raiding big parties in Island City and Union and citing several minors on charges of consumption and possession of alcohol.