👏 Portland’s elk is back on its pedestal

A Warm Dry Winter Hints at a Tough Summer

Tied with 1934, this was the warmest winter ever recorded in Oregon. And the snowpack, which functions as a reserve of water for the dry summer months, is one third of normal. [Oregon Capital Chronicle]

• Record-breakingly low water: As of April 1, Oregon’s snowpack had the lowest water content ever recorded for this time of year. Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming also set the same record. [Oregonian]
• The concern: “Usually, when we have low snowpack,” said Karin Bumbaco, Washington’s deputy state climatologist, “we have a longer fire season, a bigger window of opportunity for fires to start.” [Oregonian]
• Another key indicator: More 63.5% of Oregon is already experiencing drought conditions, which is a prolonged period of dry weather. [National Integrated Drought Information System]
• An official emergency already: Gov. Tina Kotek has already declared a drought emergency in three counties — months earlier than the first such declaration in past years. [Oregon Capital Chronicle]
• More warm weather impacts: Onion farmers in Malheur County have 800 million pounds of damaged onions — roughly double the normal amount. The weather didn’t get cold enough to keep their warehouses cool and the onions fresh. Oregon grows among the most onions of any state, and, OPB reports, “Malheur County is unofficially known as the largest onion-producing county in the nation.” [OPB]

Abrupt Closure for a Substance Abuse Clinic

A substance abuse clinic in Northeast Portland abruptly shut its doors temporarily, leaving some of its 50 clients in limbo. Volunteers of America Oregon–run Women’s Residential Treatment Center said they needed to close because of internal management issues, and plan to reopen – maybe in a month. But clients reported a chaotic situation where it was not clear if they could find space at another drug-treatment program, and at least one client relapsed. [Portland Mercury]

Spending $56M of Unbudgeted Housing Funds

City Council took the first of two votes toward approving the plan for unspent funds uncovered at the Portland Housing Bureau during the last six months. The plan is to dedicate the money to eviction defense, rent assistance, affordable housing projects, and other projects. [OPB]

2 Shelters To Close, 175 Layoffs

The homeless services nonprofit Sunstone Way is in the process of closing down, and formally notified the state that 175 people will lose their jobs by the end of June. The city is also opting to close two of Sunstone Way’s shelters — in the Centennial neighborhood and the Lloyd District. A third will continue to operate downtown, but under new management. [Willamette Week]