Rainy weekend interrupts heatwave

Western Crook County has now been upgraded by the United Stated Drought Monitor as an extreme drought area, a level just short of the highest category of severity recognized by the monitoring system.

This was a realization that has been reiterated almost daily over the last month as the area’s volunteer fire fighters respond to the call, suit up and head out to face yet another blaze.

With this in mind, many a face surely turned upward to the gentle rain over the last few days with a smile of welcome and a hope to be visited again soon.