This week I had the opportunity to represent EO Media Group and its six east-side publications, including The Observer, at Eastern Oregon University’s Career Expo.

The event offered EOU students and alumni the chance to network and learn about job opportunities in the region.

I have to say that the chance to meet so many students and business owners was worth the time commitment by itself, but the real joy was the opportunity to see so many people gathered in one place.

After two-plus years of masks and social distancing, to see an event of this type as close to “normal” as things were pre-pandemic offered a little sliver of hope that indeed things seem to be normalizing to some degree.

More than 30 businesses took part in the career expo, offering students and alumni the opportunity to explore an untold number of opportunities.

Events like the career expo are excellent opportunities not only for students but for employers. As an employer we secure the chance to meet a host of youth who are close to embarking on a career path and that’s always exciting.

There are plenty of opportunities for employment out there and our news group is no exception. We offer competitive salaries and a great launching pad for anyone interested in journalism.

I was pleased to be able to attend this event and to finally, after so long locked in a pandemic mindset, see people gathering, laughing and learning.

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If you missed one or more issues of The Observer this week, here are a few items you missed out on.

Reporter Dick Mason caught up with students in the La Grande School District who were learning about the fundamentals of electricity during a program titled “Jolts, Volts and Wires” being presented by Michael Kirby, of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s Outreach Team.

Kirby put on demonstrations this week in the gyms of Island City, Central, Willow and Greenwood elementary schools.

Reporter Davis Carbaugh turned in a fine story about the closing of Swartz Ink in downtown La Grande. Owners Ed and Sharon Swartz closed the business at the end of March after 25 years of operation.

Dick also updated readers on the ongoing Finley Creek Jane Doe case. Oregon State Police is planning to have human remains detection dogs search for anything connected to the unidentified woman who was found near Finley Creek, 18 miles north of La Grande, in a shallow grave more than 40 years ago.

Next week look for a story about the La Grande Fire Department and other city agencies still making adjustments to fill staff shortages.

If you’re not already a subscriber to The Observer, I hope you’ll please consider becoming one. Continuing to bring quality stories like this to light depends on support from you.