January 24, 2023 3:50 a.m.

The Roseburg Warming Center has been closed sooner than planned, due to plumbing and volunteer issues.

A City of Roseburg release said by mid-afternoon Monday, a plumber had determined that the plumbing system had been clogged by non-flushable wipes. By then, the decision to close for Monday and Tuesday night had already been made and announced to potential guests. A lack of experienced volunteers also contributed to the early closing, according to warming center operator Kimetha Stallings.

This winter, the temporary center is housed at the Roseburg Senior Center on Southeast Stephens Street. The bathroom was not working properly Sunday night, so it was closed. Water began flooding out from the bathroom after breakfast on Monday morning. Several guests stayed to clean up the water.

Stallings plans to set up volunteer training and will seek laundry-day volunteers soon. Porta-potties will be brought in each night the center is open in the future.

Those interested in helping at the facility can sign up at: https://www.facebook.com/Warming.Center.Onward