From the editor’s desk:
Published 3:40 pm Friday, February 11, 2022
- Olestra is a fat substitute the FDA approved in 1996 to make snacks and chips guilt-free. However, side effects of the additive include abdominal cramping and loose stools. The fat substitute also inhibits the absorption of vitamins and nutrients. It’s banned in Canada and many European countries.
The Observer reporter Dick Mason had a nice feature on Union County businesses gearing up for this weekend’s Super Bowl. Store owners anticipate being blitzed by waves of customers buying snacks, soft drinks, beer and condiments as fans prepare for the big game.
“The day before the Super Bowl is crazy. It is our most busy day of the year, even busier than New Year’s Eve,” said Fred Bell Jr., who owns La Grande’s Short Stop Xtreme Froyo and Espresso with his wife, Tara.
Dick also reported on Union County’s reaction to the Oregon Health Authority announcement on Monday. Feb. 7, that it will end the requirement masks must be worn in public places indoors no later than March 31. This timeline also applies to mask requirements inside schools. The school mask mandate will be lifted after March 31.
The news that the mask mandate will soon be lifted is being greeted enthusiastically by many people around the county. Union County Commissioner Paul Anderes said he believes the OHA’s decision was made based on sound science.
“It looks like the right thing to do now,” he said, adding he is very happy that schools were included as part of the OHA’s decision.
The Observer reporter Davis Carbaugh this week also delivered a good feature about athletic directors from La Grande, Baker and Pendleton advocating for a larger football league in Eastern Oregon.
During a recent OSAA Football Ad Hoc Committee meeting in Wilsonville on Wednesday, Feb. 2, Pendleton Athletic Director Mike Somnis, La Grande Athletic Director Darren Goodman and Baker Athletic Director Buell Gonzales expressed their concerns about a potential three-team league. In the committee’s update on Feb. 4, the newly proposed Greater Oregon League would include Crook County, Madras and The Dalles.
“Our kids deserve a decent league and the only reason we’re not getting it is because of where our school is,” Somnis told the committee.
Coming up next week, Davis is working on a feature on Idaho Power going to court to gain access to private property so it can conduct various surveys ahead of construction of the massive Boardman to Hemingway transmission line.
