One of the great things about living in our area is the amount of summer activities that roll around each year.

All over Northeast Oregon there are a host of different events sprinkled across the summer months. We live in a great area where there is seemingly always something to do, from hiking to hunting to fishing and everything in between.

This weekend, of course, will mark the nation’s birthday. There is nothing quite like a Fourth of July celebration and there will be plenty of fireworks and parades across our great region. The Fourth of July celebration is a good way for all of us to be able to stop, take a look around and remember where we come from and why we still — despite many challenges — live in the greatest nation on the globe.

I hope all of you have the opportunity to participate in a parade or some other weekend holiday event and, as always, please be careful.

This weekend will be a great time not only to celebrate our nation’s birthday but also to relax and take a break from our busy lives.

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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.

In May, the Elgin City Council voted to let its contract with the Union County Sheriff’s Office expire and restart a police department. Within the past week, the city council reversed course, agreed to a new pact with the county and Dick Mason reported this week that the Union County Board of Commissioners ratified the contract this week during its meeting.

Reporter Isabella Crowley showcased how more people have been relying on the regional food bank this spring in Union County, mirroring the trend seen across the state, according to the Northeast Oregon Regional Food Bank — a service of Community Connection — and the Oregon Food Bank.

Next week, look for a story on how La Grande graduate Andrew Peasley is adjusting to his new home — the University of Wyoming.

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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.