The heavy lifting is done — well, at least most of it — and so (barring some last-minute complication), the Observer will be open for business on Monday, Oct. 28 at its new location, 1112 Adams Ave. in the heart of La Grande’s downtown.

If you’ve run across an Observer staff member over the course of the last few weeks and they seemed, well, a little preoccupied, here’s the likely reason: The move was a complicated, challenging affair, with hundreds of details and what must have seemed at times to be an endless supply of boxes to sort through. But our staff members rose to the occasion, even though they still had to attend to their regular responsibilities — covering the news, selling advertisements and working with customers. 

Now — even though we still have some details to work through, just like with any move — we can start settling into our new location, the former site of the Nate Conklin State Farm insurance agency.

We’re planning a number of get-acquainted events at our Adams Avenue location in November.  Keep an eye on the Observer’s Facebook page and our website at lagrandeobserver.com for details about those. But if you’re in the neighborhood and just want to stop by to say hello, feel free to do that.

Of course, it’s not as if the news stops just so we can move, and it’s been a busy stretch for La Grande and Union County news. So it’s possible you might have missed some of these stories that are posted now on the Observer’s website, lagrandeobserver.com:

• A former employee of a La Grande store is facing criminal charges after allegedly stealing what he thought was a winning lottery ticket and trying to cash in. But it was part of an Oregon Lottery sting. 

• “Breakup Season,” the romantic drama filmed in La Grande, had a triumphant screening at the Eastern Oregon Film Festival. The movie now is headed for a limited theatrical release in November and will be available in December on video-on-demand sites. Isabella Crowley was on hand at the La Grande showing, and has this story about the event. Be sure to also check out Isabella’s photo gallery from the screening. 

• A La Grande man was arrested this week after leading law enforcement officers on a pursuit that eventually ended on foot near Interstate 84.

• Federal agents killed two wolves from the Balloon Tree pack, which state officials believe has been responsible for attacks on livestock in Union County. 

We’re working on a new batch of stories for our website and for the printed edition of the East Oregonian newspaper: In the next few days, we’ll have stories about the candidates for Union County sheriff and the county board of commissioners. We’ll have an update on enrollment numbers for Eastern Oregon University, which took an encouraging jump this fall. And we’ll tell you about a local effort to plant and harvest a carrot that can grow outside during cold weather; it’s part of an effort that could extend the growing season.

Most of those stories will appear on our website before they’re printed in the East Oregonian.  

Speaking of our website, here’s something to remember: Even though the printed edition of the East Oregonian that subscribers receive each week features the Observer’s best stories, it doesn’t have enough room for all of our content. For our full news report, you need to keep an eye on our website, lagrandeobserver.com. 

And here’s something else to remember: Your subscription now includes, at no additional charge, access to all of the EO Media Group’s other Eastern Oregon websites, including the East Oregonian, the Wallowa County Chieftain, the Hermiston Herald, the Baker City Herald and the Blue Mountain Eagle. That means you can keep an eye on important news throughout all of Eastern Oregon. 

To access the EO Media Group’s other Eastern Oregon websites:

• Simply register your account on every site you wish to read with the same email address and password you currently use.

• Once you’ve registered, enter your username and password to enjoy the full range of content on that news site.

• You should not have to login again unless you log out, clear history or experience software updates.

• Save your password when prompted by your browser and if you are inadvertently logged out, your browser can fill in your login and password for you. (Only use this option on your personal digital devices.)

To view the latest e-Editions, be sure to register your account and sign in to www.eastoregonian.com.

Sign up for e-newsletters from each website by going to the “Email lists” link on your account dashboard for each site.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us at 800-781-3214 or email support@eomediagroup.com.

If you have comments, questions or story ideas for the Observer, send an email to editor@lagrandeobserver.com. It may take me a few days to get back to you, but I try to answer all the emails I receive.

If you have questions about the East Oregonian’s printed edition, or want to pass along a story idea, send an email to this address: editor@eastoregonian.com. 

Finally, of course, thank you to all of our subscribers. We simply would be unable to do this vital work without your support.

Mike McInally is the associate editor of the La Grande Observer and the editor of the Wallowa County Chieftain.

Photo: The Observer’s new office, at 1112 Adams Ave., will be open for business beginning Monday.