Cutler

Whew! What a year.

Even a quick glance at the news that filled our newspapers in La Grande, Pendleton and Baker City illustrates there was plenty going on in our region — and the EO Media Group was there to cover it.

Take The Observer for example. From bear attacks to a man who attempted suicide in a very public way, the La Grande staff was a busy one throughout 2023.

There were other big stories for The Observer, including a train derailment in downtown La Grande, the announcement of a new president at Eastern Oregon University and an ex-employee charged with stealing more than $35,000 from an Elgin business. Also of big news was the announcement that an Arby’s and a Hampton Inn were on their way to town.

In Pendleton one of the biggest stories was an early morning standoff and car chase through Pendleton that led to the arrest of a man.

Also of big interest was the sale of the Pendleton flour mill and the closure of the El Charrito restaurant.

And, of course, the action at the Pendleton Round-Up was also a big story.

At the Baker City Herald one of the biggest stories of the year, based on web views, was the cattle drive that turned into carnage when a Dodge pickup careened through a local rancher’s herd of Angus cows and calves. Five of the animals, and a calf, were killed.

Other newsworthy stories included the closure of the birthing center at the Baker City hospital.

Two Idaho men who died in a plane crash in Hells Canyon also gained a lot of reader interest as did the news that Baker School District Superintendent Erin Lair was to resign in June.

Other Baker County news that drew readers were the tragic story of a 4-year-old boy who was killed by a bus in Halfway, and the fact some Baker City residents wanted the mayor to resign over a Facebook post depicting a swastika.

All of these stories and more made up the heart of our coverage across the region and almost all of them had a common theme:

They were all either local stories or connected to local folks in some fashion.

I’m proud of that, and I’m especially proud of the work our newsrooms accomplished over the past year. I think we strive hard to produce a solid news package throughout each week.

So it was an exciting year for news. Stand by for more excitement and more news in 2024.