This past week the East Oregonian presented a solid news package to our readers but I thought the coverage we delivered regarding the visit by Gov. Tina Kotek and EPA Region 10 administrator Casey Sixkiller April 24 was particularly interesting.

Area residents secured the opportunity to talk to these two powerful leaders about the ongoing local nitrate pollution in Morrow and Umatilla counties.

The problem — and it is a major problem — continues to linger in our community and, as we’ve outlined in a number of editorials, the situation is unacceptable.

Yet the visit by the two leaders should give area residents some reassurance that the issue isn’t getting lost in the shuffle. That’s important for a host of obvious reasons.

The situation is complicated and simple at the same time. On one hand, pollution to area wells is a cut-and-dried problem. How to fix that problem isn’t so easy.

The East Oregonian, though, isn’t going to allow this particular local challenge to fade away in terms of our coverage. As with a host of other issues, we will continue to focus on this problem and report on it to the best of our ability. We will devote the necessary resources to keeping our readers informed on solutions. While there is plenty of blame to go around, the aim now I think should be on how we fix the problem.

So, stay tuned, so to speak, as we continue to cover this topic.

You may not know this but eastoregonian.com has so many puzzles for your enjoyment. From traditional crossword puzzles to every kind of Sudoku, we’ve got it. Subscribe now to check them out.

 ———