Just a cursory glance out the window indicates winter is here but whatever the weather our news teams across the region are focused on serving readers with the most up-to-date news possible.

Our teams are from varied backgrounds and experiences but they aim to be your go-to news source.

Our ability to be agile and fast regarding delivery of news is one of the most important aspects of our job and one of my top priorities.

When I write “delivery” I mean presenting our readers with a sequence of platforms from which they can stay informed. We offer a robust online presence and hard copy editions of our newspapers that concentrate on local news. The task of delivering news you can use is one none of us – including myself — take lightly. We want to be not only the leader in the region with our news product but, maybe just as important, we want to ensure we give our readers non-biased stories, stories that are reflective of each community in our coverage area but also are useful.

Useful, I think, means a variety of different things to different people but to me it means providing a sense of who we are as a culture and how we can move ahead to make our region a great place to live, work and play.

Because we are all in this together, whether we want to accept that concept or not. What happens in La Grande can — and often does — have an impact in a place like Pendleton or in Hermiston.

That means when we complete stories we understand we do not do so inside a silo. We strive hard to frame our news pieces within the broader context of the region. That, I think, makes us unique in our state where different people with divergent views mix on a daily basis.

Our job is to provide you, the reader, with the best possible review of the news that impacts all of us on a weekly basis. We plan to continue and to enhance that goal throughout the coming year.

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The East Oregonian has taken up residence at its new location. We are now at 1100 Southgate, Suite 6, Pendleton.