Budtender Shayla Engstrom completes a sale Sunday, July 24, 2022, at Kind Leaf in Pendleton. Prices of cannabis products have been trending down statewide compared to last year. Local shops report they remain busy as customers shift to buying less expensive goods.

The notion of slow news week is all myth. Even without any big events, the East Oregonian news team remains plenty busy.

EO news editor Phil Wright reported on the fight on social media between the Morrow County Health District and Boardman Fire Rescue District over which district gets to provide ambulance service in the county. This was just the first look at a dispute that has been brewing for months, so there’s much more to follow.

Wright also had a feature early in the week about how the drop in cannabis is affecting the dispensaries in Pendleton. High prices for fuel, food and utilities have pushed local cannabis customers to shop for less expensive product.

Sports reporter Annie Fowler had a front-page and online centerpiece about how all 2A sized schools in Oregon are going to compete in 9-man football starting in the fall. In addition to reactions from local coaches, Annie dispelled the rumor that along with the smaller teams, the plan would decrease the size of the field from 100 yards to 80. Not so, Annie reported.

New week we publish the special section on the 2022 Umatilla County Fair and Farm-City Pro Rodeo. Please check that out to see not only a number of features on the fair but the many local businesses showing their support.

And on a more somber note, we wish our coworker and colleague Erick Peterson a swift recovery. Erick has thrown his heart into being the editor/senior reporter of the Hermiston Herald, and we hope his leave to focus on his health is a short one.

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