July 15, 2009 03:55 pm
Not all of us are sent to Iraq or Afghanistan to bring terrorists to
justice and bring stability to a troubled part of the world.
But all of us can join in a volunteer army in our own hometowns. We can
step up and serve our communities one small act of service at a time.
Such a volunteer army of movers and shakers, donors and builders has
been instrumental in getting Cove its first football lights. The lights
will make their debut when the first hint of chill enters the air some
September Friday night. The Cove Booster Club arranged a work party to
get the installation done Saturday.
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July 13, 2009 02:26 pm
We love our pets. We love the mobile furballs, ankle biters, you name
it. Oregon is second in the nation behind Maine in cat ownership and
fourth in the nation behind Idaho, Wyoming and Montana in dog ownership.
But for all that love, some pet owners occasionally make boneheaded
decisions — like taking a dog or cat along on a summer trip, and
running into a store “for only a few minutes.” Such a move can be fatal.
It takes just a short time for a dog or cat to get into distress. Even
with the windows partly open, a parked car acts like a bake oven. In a
rather comfortable 72-degree heat, the inside of a parked car can reach
116 degrees in an hour. That’s Death Valley heat. And it can be fatal.
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July 09, 2009 02:53 pm
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Another Northeast Oregon summer tradition takes place this week with the 63rd annual edition of the Elgin Stampede. The popular event kicks off tonight with Family Night and runs daily through Sunday, culminating with the final rodeo performance and the always popular Stampede Challenge event.
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July 07, 2009 03:28 pm
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When it comes to talking about closing roads on the national forest, everyone has an opinion. And numerous opinions have been expressed since the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest announced nearly three years ago that it would be developing a travel management plan for the forest and that the road system would be undergoing scrutiny. After seeking input and developing alternatives, the Wallowa-Whitman is ready to move to the next phase in the process.
Beginning this evening at Cloverleaf Hall in Enterprise, the WWNF will hold a series of public workshops to let the public see the alternatives that make up the Draft Environmental Impact Statement of the Wallowa-Whitman Travel Management Plan. In addition to tonight’s workshop in Enterprise, one is planned Wednesday night at the Blue Mountain Conference Center in La Grande and Thursday night at the Baker City Armory. Each of the workshops runs from 5 to 9 p.m.
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July 02, 2009 03:01 pm
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Even now, in the depths of recession, it’s time to build an environment in which people can think positively about opportunities for growth. The housing project recently begun on the northwest edge of Buffalo Peak Golf Course in Union is one such opportunity. The new project that is slowly taking shape is a sign of re-emerging community vitality and that the region can nurture healthy growth while avoiding willy-nilly, slipshod development.
The window of opportunity may open only briefly for such economic development. It’s important that while remaining fiscally responsible we step through that window. And it’s important we take with us an intelligent plan for growth.
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July 01, 2009 02:42 pm
The Union County Fireworks Action Committee is ready once again to make
sure area residents enjoy a quality fireworks display on the Fourth of
July. The annual celebration with food, fire truck rides and music
begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at Community Stadium. Fireworks follow at
dusk.
The fireworks committee relies solely on donations to make sure the
show happens every year. For many years running, the show has gone on
without interruption. But it wouldn’t and couldn’t happen without the
support of donors and people who buy raffle tickets.
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June 30, 2009 03:05 pm
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Boise Cascade’s decision to close its
La Grande sawmill was a terrible economic blow to the local economy. A reliable mainstay and a vital part of the community’s identity is gone. Let us hope that it is not forever.
As the plant falls silent, the community kisses goodbye millions of dollars that circulated through local businesses. We will all feel the pinch.
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June 29, 2009 03:34 pm
Don’t expect a quick fix when it comes to the La Grande Main Street
program and its goals to improve downtown. Sure, the city has loads of
potential. Attractive shops, dynamic business owners, lots of great
deals, a wonderful shopping experience — all are possible already and
will be improved upon in the future.
Anyone who has followed developments knows that for years advocates
have taken aim at brightening the downtown and trying to reverse the
trend of shoppers escaping to big box stores on the outskirts. Part of
the Oregon Main Street initiative, the La Grande Main Street program is
gearing up to breath new life into downtown.
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June 25, 2009 03:53 pm
Ask anybody in Portland, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago or New York if
they’ve got a 3,500-acre back yard to play in, and they’ll have to tell
you no.
Ask the people of La Grande and Union County the same question, and
they’ll give a resounding yes. The Mount Emily Recreation Area, less
than 15 minutes from downtown La Grande, is bought, paid for and now
open for everybody to enjoy. As back yards go, it’s hard to beat.
The face of Mount Emily has been used for many years for recreation,
but only because the former owners, Forest Capital Partners, and before
that Boise Cascade, allowed access.
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June 24, 2009 03:45 pm
The Connect Oregon grant program for multi-modal transportation
programs has proven to be a shot in the arm for many Oregon
communities. Northeast Oregon residents need look no further than the
excursion cars purchased by the Wallowa Union Railroad, Community
Connection’s transit hub in La Grande and, most recently, the Alicel
grain handling facility, which has combined the resources of private
industry with grant money to benefit the region as a whole.
The new grain storage bins and rail car loading facility, with a total
value of $3.5 million, is the result of a joint project of Pendleton
Grain Growers and Union County Economic Development Corp., with
assistance from Union County. They combined efforts on a project that
will enhance our wheat growers’ ability to store and ship their product.
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Opinion 
