I spend a lot of time writing about our focus on our “readers” and I do not use that generic term lightly.

For clearly obvious reasons, readers are the No. 1 priority for EO Media Group but it remains, it seems, a fairly all-encompassing term that can appear to leave a lot of gray area.

However, I don’t believe there should be much gray area. Our readers are our focus but we understand everyone is not the same and tastes, political outlooks and goals differ across a wide spectrum.

I think we — and I — also understand that our success and challenges are interlinked. We are, whether we like it or not, a more interwoven region than ever before. For us it means our news coverage must to only be balanced but also must continue to be relevant not only for the area for which a particular paper stands but for the region as well.

I hope readers understand that while we can seem, at times, to be a far-off entity, we value input and suggestions and look forward to reader interaction. We are, as all newspapers are, a work in progress. We need input from our readers to be better able to craft our coverage to address issues of importance.

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If you missed one or more issues of The Observer this week, here are a couple of items you might have missed.

Isabella Crawford looked at the new climbing center at Eastern Oregon University. Work on the facility is scheduled to begin in August. The upgraded climbing wall is part of a larger $12 million fieldhouse project at the La Grande university

Trish Yerges profiled Elgin Stampeder Betty Lou Martin, who was named the 2022 Elgin Stampede Grand Marshal.

Dick Mason attended EOU’s graduation and did a story about 83-year-old Bob Stubbs, who was formally conferred a bachelor of science degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis on information systems and business administration from the school. 

Next week, look for a story about a time time capsule from Oregon Trail pioneer Ezra Meeker that will be opened on June 23.

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As always, I want to take this opportunity to thank our subscribers for their support. We can’t do this work without you.