Farmers brace for dry summer

DAVENPORT - Following a week of near-normal rainfall, farmers and residents in Lincoln County are preparing for drier and warmer conditions expected this summer, raising concerns about crop yields and heightened wildfire risks.

Daniel Butler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Spokane office, which serves western Chelan, western Okanogan, and eastern Montana, reported that last week's cooler-than-average temperatures and 50% to 70% chance of precipitation provided temporary relief for the region. However, the reprieve was short-lived. Butler's extended forecast for July, Augus...