>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Hawkins, Cimon

Rawlins

Glaze, Hively, Page

Union County government and the county vector control program deserve a heap of  praise for the way they’ve dealt with the local mosquito problem and attendant threats of West Nile virus.

County residents may remember that mosquito populations posed a real threat to public health last summer. There were at least four confirmed cases of West Nile virus, and likely many other cases that went unreported.

In August, the board of county commissioners took decisive action, declaring a state of emergency, mobilizing a response team and mounting a massive public education effort.

For more than 30 years The Observer has considered Wallowa County part of its coverage area.

For many years The Observer had freelance correspondents in Wallowa County. About 15 years ago we added a staff reporter.

Our sports department, at least since the mid-1970s, has considered Wallowa County part of its coverage area.

Sebestyen, Drake

Geyer, Perren, Jones

Somebody in Wallowa County wants to send the county back into the dark ages.

Last week someone marked a swastika in the lawn of Joseph residents Don and Evelyn Swart. The perpetrator(s) also left a note that said, “House next.’’

Why?

Lacey, Johnson

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