The La Grande City Council accepted a recommendation to explore cost-cutting measures for the city’s aquatics division, which could include privatization of Veteran’s Memorial Pool maintenance. (Chris Baxter/The Observer)

City council approves exploring privatizing maintenance of Veteran’s Memorial Pool 

A motion was moved and seconded Wednesday night to eliminate the city’s parks and recreation department.

Property owners in La Grande’s proposed Economic Improvement District have until June 12 to submit written letters of objection to stop the establishment of the proposed EID. (Chris Baxter/The Observer)

Council puts establishment of proposed district in property owners’ hands 

Property owners within the proposed Economic Improvement District have until June 12 to submit written letters of objection to stop the establishment of the district.

Greater Enterprise Main Streets spearheads effort to place highly visible sign at the entrance to Enterprise; construction of $45,000 project expected to start in spring of 2014 and be completed by 2015

There will be no mistaking where you are when a new Bowlby stone sign is installed along Highway 82 outside of Enterprise.

The final snowpack survey for the Grande Ronde Basin has come in at 25 percent lower than normal for this time of year.

Three berths on the Elgin School Board are up for election, but the race for Position 1 is the only contested race. 

Phillip O’Reilly, Lori Baird and Kathryn Kirby are running for Position 3 on the Union School Board. 

Lack of moisture has officials bracing for active summer fighting forest fires 

Wildfire season is off to an early start in Southwest Oregon, prompting officials around the region to be on guard. All of the fires were human caused, and 64 fires have burned 281 acres on land managed by the state.

Following an ambulance run, EMT-I Stan Grove, left, and paramedic Steve Hogge arrive back at the La Grande Fire Station to await their next call. (Chris Baxter/The Observer)

Union County EMS is a layered system with La Grande Fire and Ambulance serving as sole ALS provider 

by KELLY DUCOTE / The Observer

Two ambulances traveling together may seem inefficient and redundant on the surface. But La Grande Fire Chief Bruce Weimer says it’s part of a system that works for La Grande and the surrounding communities.

La Grande was recently named 38th on a national list of best small cities in America. (Chris Baxter/The Observer)

by ANDREW CUTLER / The Observer

Charles Anderson’s 50-year journey across the country in search of America’s best cities is finally coming to fruition and it has placed La Grande in the discussion as one of America’s best small cities.

By Katy Nesbitt/The Observer

JOSEPH — The Joseph City Council is looking to do some home improvement this summer for city hall and some of its streets in need of repair.