If my memory serves (not always a safe bet these days), I’ve written before about newspaper special sections.

It’s a fair bet to say that nobody gets into journalism because they have a burning desire to produce special sections. Nevertheless, newspapers keep producing these sections, and for generally sound reasons: The revenue they generate helps our bottom line. They offer opportunities for advertisers to connect with customers. And they can be fun for readers.

Some of them actually are fun to produce — but that doesn’t mean it’s not a bit of a pain to find time to work on these sections on top of everything else that’s required to produce the regular paper.

Don’t misunderstand: I’m not really complaining. (Well, OK, maybe a little bit.) But special sections are on my mind now because the Chieftain is in the midst of producing its annual “Discover Wallowa” guide. As you read this, a number of Chieftain staffers and freelancers are working to create a dozen or so stories that will be featured in this year’s section.

If you’re familiar with the section, you know that its centerpiece is what we call the “82 Things” list. Inspired by Highway 82, the key road connecting Wallowa County to the rest of Northeast Oregon, the list contains 82 things that a visitor to the county might want to check out. Of course, alert readers know that not all 82 things in the list are connected with Highway 82; in fact, some things in the list might not be accessible by roadways, period. But it’s a nice round number that serves as a suitable gimmick for the story.

I’m in the midst of trying to update all 82 listings, so if you get a call from me this week, that’s probably the reason why. (I might use email to reach out for some updates.)

But here’s an offer to you: If you know of something that might be a good fit for the list, send me an email at mmcinally@wallowa.com. Include a brief description of why your suggestion belongs on the list — and, if appropriate, include contact information so I can double-check the listing. I’ll work in as many of your suggestions as I can. (It might make the list longer than 82 items, but who’s counting?)

But I need your suggestions by noon on Friday. I have to hand over all the finished content to the section’s designer a week from today.

In the meantime, my experience is that news never slows down to accommodate special sections. Here’s a preview of stories we’re working on at the Chieftain (in many cases, these stories will appear on our website at wallowa.com before they’re printed in the paper):

• A controversial fight over fish-passage rules at Oregon dams landed in court last week — and plans to retrofit Wallowa Lake Dam are at the heart of the dispute. That story is online now.

• The drought-monitor map for Northeast Oregon is looking a lot duller than in previous years — and that’s a good thing for regional farmers and ranchers. That story also is online now.

• Bill Bradshaw reports how the Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office is applying for a multimillion-dollar grant to help upgrade the office’s emergency communications system. 

• The Enterprise Outlaws girls basketball team won a first-round game in the state 2A basketball tournament on Saturday, and now heads to the quarterfinal round Thursday in Pendleton.

• Speaking of sports, this was the first year that the Oregon School Activities Association officially sanctioned girls wrestling as a separate sport. Daniel Brooks is working on a story about how that played out this season in Wallowa County.

• The Wallowa County commissioners are scheduled to gather on Wednesday, Feb. 28 for their second discussion about the Greater Idaho movement. As you know, the movement seeks to realign Eastern Oregon counties with Idaho, which proponents say is a better fit politically, economically and culturally than Western Oregon. Judging by the results of a successful ballot measure last year that mandated these twice-yearly conversations, Wallowa County is closely divided on Greater Idaho. The first discussion on this last year with the commissioners last year was spirited but civil. Let’s hope that continues to be the case. 

The Chieftain will cover the discussion, but we obviously won’t be able to include a story about it in Wednesday’s paper. Look for the story first on our website, wallowa.com.

All of this is part of the Chieftain’s efforts to cover Wallowa County news to the best of our ability. As always, if you have a comment or question about the Chieftain, or want to suggest a story idea, email me at editor@wallowa.com or mmcinally@wallowa.com. 

Meanwhile, if you haven’t already, take a moment to register your subscription for digital access of the Chieftain. Call 541-963-3161 to talk to a member of our customer service staff, who will be happy to walk you through the process. It’s easy, takes just a few moments to set up and allows you to take advantage of our e-edition, app and website delivery along with your print subscription.

Finally, let me take this opportunity to once again thank the Chieftain’s subscribers: It would be impossible for us to do this vital work without your support.

Mike McInally is the editor of the Wallowa County Chieftain. You can email him at editor@wallowa.com or mmcinally@wallowa.com.