Gov. Kate Brown spoke on Monday, May 16, about the tough drought conditions that much of the state is dealing with and likely will continue to. Weather is a favorite topic of nearly everyone and the ultimate icebreaker, but this is my old man yells at cloud rant.

The weather just isn’t like it used to be when I was growing up. Summers are hotter, spring and fall just seem to be ideas anymore. It’s just a two-season climate anymore: summer and winter. The word “megadrought” is something I never wanted to write or read about.

In an agricultural region, weather is always important: fire, rain, drought, extreme heat. Here’s to hoping that a year after one of the most intense summers in recorded state history, the weather gives everyone a break.

We could all use it.

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If you missed the latest issue of the Chieftain, here is something you might have missed.

Reporter Bill Bradshaw wrote about Deena McFetridge, the new administrative assistant for the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce. She previously worked as the president of the Joseph Chamber of Commerce. Freelance writer Ann Bloom told the story of Brenda Johnson and her intense 500-kilometer horse race, The Gaucho Derby. Broken nose and all.

Coming next week, read about how to better take care of yourself during May, Mental Health Awareness Month. 

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As always, I want to take this opportunity to thank our subscribers for their support of the Wallowa County Chieftain. We can’t do this work without you.