Gov. Kate Brown spoke on Monday, May 16, about the tough drought conditions that much of the state is dealing with and that is likely to continue. 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 La Grande Observer, here are a couple of items you might have missed.

Of course the big news of the week was the reelection of Paul Anderes to the Union County Board of Commissioners and the passage of a $4.5 million school bond levy by La Grande School District voters.

Reporter Davis Carbaugh reported on nine students currently studying at the Oregon Health & Science University La Grande campus who will embark on a full-week service project in Honduras this June, focusing on health-related outreach and sustainable development. The trip is student organized, with extensive fundraising efforts underway to afford the trip.

Next week, look for a story about some Eastern Oregon University students who are starting a new podcast series.

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