You might not think so after all the snow we got last week, but Grant County is still in a drought. As we reported last week, the county court made it official on Feb. 15, issuing a disaster declaration and formally requesting the governor to declare a drought emergency. We became only the third county in the state to issue such a declaration so far this year, but you can be sure others will follow suit. The grim fact is that most of the state has been in a drought for years, and Grant County has seen some of the driest conditions during that time. Still, it’s early yet. We could get a reprieve like we did last year, when a wet spring blunted the worst effects of a dry summer. But if we are in for a dry year, the drought declaration paves the way for state and federal assistance that could make a big difference to our livestock producers.

Other stories last week included a report on the county’s efforts to find more money for the sheriff’s office and Justin Davis’ blanket coverage of how our local high school basketball teams fared in their district tournaments, with reports on the Prairie City/Burnt River Panthers and Lady Panthers, the Dayville/Monument Tigers and Lady Tigers, and the Grant Union Prospectors. 

In this week’s Eagle, look for stories on plans for an “agrivoltaics” solar array in Bear Vallley, a mission trip to Nepal by members of a John Day church and more coverage of prep sports.

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

— Bennett Hall