It’s nearly impossible to believe another year has come and almost gone.

Patrick Webb, our dedicated contributor and Washington state’s current feature and sports writer of the year, has his annual look back at some of his favorite people and stories of 2022. He is remarkably engaged in local life and particularly enjoys celebrating the accomplishments of young people. We’re all so lucky to have him.

Andre Stepankowski, whose Pulitzer Prize-level work I so admired during his decades at the Longview Daily News, now writes his insightful columns just for the Observer and our sister publications in EO Media Group. This week, he’s taking a look at Washington state drug laws.

Jeff Clemens, our fearless north county correspondent, continues this week keeping a watchful eye on Pacific County government. At any given time, he has some different set of county employees cheering or cussing him. We’ve never had more thorough county, cops and court coverage. He’s a talent I’ll strive to keep with us in the new year.

Cate Gable, who won first place for column writing for her Coast Chronicles, is such a vital member of our team. I can’t image the Observer without her, and am happy to say that she is still enjoying her front-row seat for all the interesting people and topics here on the peninsula.

Our staff reporters, while squeezing in visits home to see family over Christmas, will keep us up with peninsula news. Last week’s ice storm promises to be only a prelude to a fairly strong low-pressure system offshore early this week. It would be a good time to fill your vehicle with gas and restock emergency supplies just in case we lose power.

The Observer relies on all these fine folks and many more. Thanks to each of them for their enthusiastic participation in this long-lived community project.

We all look forward to spending 2023 covering local news here on the far west edge of America in one of the world’s most blessed places. Thanks for spending a little time with us each week.