Stories define us. We learn about each other, acquire knowledge about our region, our county and our towns through stories.

The newspaper business can sometimes lose sight of the fundamental element to our vocation: Telling a good story.

Of course, when I reference “story” I am talking about stories of all kinds backed up by facts. In our current political and cultural epoch, facts are crucial. Not facts twisted to fit a particular political angle, but details that are backed by evidence and, at times, clear statistics.

Our regional newspapers are doorways into the communities we serve but their relevance rests with our ability – and commitment – to reporting facts as part of a good story.

I value and respect the fact that we hold a great responsibility to our readers. A responsibility to strive always to be as value free as possible when we craft our news stories. We don’t always achieve that loft goal but we are always discussing how we can do better.

In the end, we want to be the news source a reader can go to where they know they are receiving a non-biased story with just the facts.

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

With summer lurking and warmer temperatures on the horizon, reporter Jeff Budlong talked to the National Weather Service about the cool, wet spring we’ve had to this point. The story ran earlier this week in The Observer and is worth checking out if you haven’t already.

Another shorter piece worth reading comes from reporter Dick Mason about the results of a recent blood drive in La Grande drawing a total of 232 units of blood, boosting the total number of units donated during 2022 in three two-day blood drives to 678. The strong results mean La Grande, with a pair of two-day blood drives remaining in 2022, is on track to collect 1,130 units for the year, 165 units more than the 965 units collected in 2021 and 487 more than the total of 643 donated in 2020.

Reporter Isabella Crowley attended the June 21 Elgin City Council meeting and reported on the council’s about-face decision to not move forward in bringing back its own police force. The council unanimously voted to move forward with a new contract from the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Next week, look for a story about Jackson Food Stores, which is based in Meridian, Idaho, demolishing and rebuilding a brand new gas station and truck stop on Island Avenue.

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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.