The next global pandemic looms. Will Oregon and the world be more prepared?
For generations, we have heard how important it is to read to children. It provides adult time that the child (or children) so often crave. You model reading and share in the adventure or lear…
Tires in a tire store, Spare tire car, Seasonal tire change, Car maintenance and service center. Vehicle tire repair and replacement equipment.
I want to compliment Tom Herrmann for his recent commonsense letter regarding the lockdown phenomenon.
Editor’s Note:
I am very concerned about the increase in hunger during this pandemic. Less than half of families with children are "very confident" they can afford to put food on the table this holiday seaso…
Latest e-Edition
Thanksgiving is a great time for counting our blessings and expressing gratitude. In challenging times, an attitude of gratitude is all the more important, and this year has been one of the mo…
This year 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic has been very challenging.
If you are a supporter of President Donald Trump, there is only one thing worse than losing the election: losing American democracy. There is nothing more American than free and fair elections…
Recounts and legal challenges notwithstanding, it appears Joe Biden will be president on Jan. 20.
One morning last July, I awoke to excruciating stomach pain. When it didn’t subside, I woke my husband and told him I needed to go to the hospital. The nearest emergency room was at Wallowa Me…
I cannot find the words to express my anger that so many people refuse to save lives by wearing masks. What has happened to the brains of those who think they need to go to the bar or restaura…
While we just wrote about this, please consider ordering takeout this weekend from your favorite bar or restaurant.
Once again, the U.S. Marines have met the enemy and prevailed. The whipped enemy is the coronavirus. Marine Training Center San Diego has no COVID-19 infections. The infection rate throughout …
Gov. Kate Brown was justified in taking action to try to reverse Oregon’s unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases over the past couple weeks.
Recently the World Health Organization issued a statement cautioning against the use of lockdowns as the primary means of controlling the COVID-19 virus (The Spectator, Oct. 8). Interestingly,…
The news of skyrocketing numbers of COVID-19 infections across the United States is reminding us of the original meaning of the phrase “going viral.”
This year it is more important than ever to shop local.
To those who may have missed the article in The Observer, Tuesday, Nov. 10, about Mike Benge, a veteran, please read it. It will be life changing. I am grateful I took the time on Veterans Day…
Ever since Oregon voters passed Measure 11 to try to get sentencing for crimes right, people have been looking at the ways Measure 11 can get things wrong.
It’s well that The Observer is happy wolves have made a comeback but wrong to say they don’t need federal protection.
The Eastern Oregon University Board of Trustees meets today, Nov. 12, to vote on its budget for 2020-21, presidential compensation and at the end of meeting — action item No. 13 — consider ren…
As we approach Veterans Day, it’s important to honor the contributions of service members and veterans to our safety and security, and to acknowledge the skills and perspective veteran-owned s…
This Veterans Day across the nation, for the first time since the holiday was conceived in November 1919, there will be no large ceremonies in big cities and small towns in observance to prope…
The morning I turned 18, it was a blindingly hot day in early June. And there were only two items on my agenda: Running to the post office in my little New England town to register for the sel…
The Union County Republican Central Committee’s move to elect a cadre of candidates to the La Grande City Council met with as much success as failure.
Oregon has a new public records advocate. Gov. Kate Brown announced Wednesday the appointment of Todd Albert.
Last week the Trump administration moved forward with its plan to take the gray wolf off the endangered species list in the Lower 48 states. Farm and ranch groups cheered the decision, while p…
It's calm as I write this the day before the 2020 general election.
This is it — Election Day.
Much has been made about President Donald Trump’s unwillingness to agree to a peaceful transition of power should he lose to Democratic challenger Joe Biden on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
That La Grande Mayor Steve Clements is a Democrat is perhaps the least interesting aspect about who he is in terms of his public servant role. That also goes for La Grande City Councilors Nico…
A pet peeve among journalists is when people ask, “Why isn’t the media covering this?” about a topic that every major media outlet in the country has, indeed, covered with multiple articles.
Measure 110 is not a gamble that Oregonians should make. We can all agree that Oregon needs more treatment for those suffering from the crushing devastation of drug addiction. Unfortunately, M…
I am writing in support of Kristine Alf Rippee for Position 4 on the La Grande City Council. She will bring a much-needed fresh perspective to the council. She is energetic, friendly, organize…
First I would like to say I appreciate both candidates for running for the office of mayor of Island City. Serving a small community in a elected position has very few accolades and a lot of c…
If you haven’t done it in past years for whatever reason, now, more than ever it’s time to get your flu shot. Dont take our word for it, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report t…
I rarely write letters to the newspaper. However, I have chose to write in support of David Moyal for La Grande City Council Position 6.
I am writing to endorse Denise Wheeler as a candidate for La Grande City Council. She is an amazing person and will be an incredible addition to the city council.
We are voting for Denise Wheeler for La Grande City Council Position 2. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and musical theater educator with lots of energy to share.
I was asked by a friend this week if I didn't like Cody Bowen. I replied, "Of course I like Cody, but I firmly believe the sheriff's office is a professional place and voting for sheriff shoul…
People struggling in Union County and around the world have been waiting for months for Congress to pass an emergency COVID-19 response bill. What is Congress not understanding about this emergency?
During the six years I spent in prison and the five years I spent on the sex offender registry, one of the many things that played on my mind was that if my case had been heard just a few mile…
I decided to research Walter Pierce, Cornelia Pierce, and the decisions to name the library after Walter Pierce, then rename it for both Pierces.
It appears two people running for La Grande City Council are a family unit. David Moyal and Nicole Howard (different last names) are related and each running for a different position, which al…
To the woman driving up to the food bank: He doesn't care if you get food, get evicted or get sick. He just wants you angry. Trump is not your friend.
I endorse La Grande City Council candidates Alex McHaddad for mayor, Denise Wheeler for Position No. 2, Dr. David Glabe for Position No. 3 and John Bozarth for Position No. 6. I believe this t…
Reading the recent interviews of the two candidates for La Grande mayor left me feeling incredulous and frustrated. The most important issue facing the residents of La Grande and Union County …
When I read of individuals' interest in a candidate's political party affiliation, even regarding a nonpartisan elected position, I wonder why some folks rely so heavily on a political platfor…
I will be voting for Nicole Howard for La Grande City Council. She has been tested over the course of her first term on the council, and she has proven to be rigorously transparent, pragmatic …
I'm dismayed that city politics have seemingly turned partisan. Party positions have no place within city council positions. Unfortunately I've heard party stances from both sides. Diverse opi…
Ever since 1790, when the U.S. Census started keeping track of such things, the migratory flow of non-Indigenous people within the United States has moved from east to west, into lands they er…
I would like to urge everyone to reelect Nicole Howard to the La Grande City Council Position 2. I have known Nicole for 15 years and was her colleague for much of that time at Eastern Oregon …
What choice do we have? From a former liberal Portlander, a gay male with morals, I stand at a crossroads like our country does. I have to choose between two greaseballs, carrying luggage we a…
I will be voting for David Moyal for Position 6 on the La Grande City Council. I have known Mr. Moyal since he moved to La Grande and believe he will be a good addition to the council. He is k…
Two summers ago, my family made the long move from Alaska to La Grande. Through word of mouth, we were fortunate to land in a rental property owned by Dave Moyal. We were struggling to find sh…