Forest Service employees snowed in to desk jobs

SUPERIOR – As hard winter weather and blizzard-like conditions hit the area last week, the Forest Service was forced to delay some of their plans. Tawnya Brummett, district ranger for the Superior Ranger District, said a number of small projects are underway. There have already been a few survey crews out investigating places for future projects. While most of these were in lower elevations, the higher than average snowfalls have caused a few delays in the schedule this year. Most of the delays have not been too serious. There are a number of areas in higher elevations where the Forest Service expected delays to occur. In recent years, they have been able to work on some projects in lower elevations all through the winter. This year has been different for the crews as snow has built up in lower elevations. “[The winter weather] impacted us slightly, I would say, just in some of our low elevation projects,” Brummett said. While a number of areas are buried under feet of snow, the Forest Service has had plenty more fieldwork to do in the winter months. With how many winter recreation opportunities there are in the area, lots of work goes into making sure everything is safe. To this end, one thing the Forest Service does is keep an eye on avalanche risks in the area. Each week, rangers go out to look at the avalanche dangers to assess the risks in an area. The Superior Ranger District coordinates their efforts with the Missoula area and ranger districts in the Idaho panhandle to keep an accurate idea of the area’s condition. According to Brummett, the area around the Idaho state line has had especially high avalanche danger the last few weeks. While there have not been any avalanche fatalities in Mineral County, she said there have been a few around other parts of western Montana. Brummett said the Forest Service crews are looking forward to the warmer weather. Once the weather clears and the ground thaws they will be able to start work on more field projects. Until the weather improves the Forest Service employees are busy with office work, such as requesting grants to fund many of their activities. Brummett described this as possibly the least favorite part of the job for many of the employees at the Superior Ranger Station. She said most of them would rather be out in the field working on projects than stuck behind a desk. “There’s always a lot to do,” Brummett said. “But my folks would definitely rather be out in the woods doing it.” The Forest Service has also begun planning their controlled burns for the spring and summer. Brummett said it was also too early to say how the fire season this year would be effected by the snowpack. She said the precipitation in the area was looking good and the moisture levels were healthy. However, a particularly warm period could dry things out quickly and increase the fire risks. The Forest Service has begun hiring for their temporary summer jobs. The most common jobs available are for firefighters and fire support crews. There are also positions available on trail and timber maintenance crews as well as on the Mineral County Resource Advisory Committee. Brummett said she wanted to get the positions filled early so everyone can be ready to go once the season starts.

Tigers reach Idaho state semifinals with win over Horsehoe Bend

The Tiger is still on the prowl. And the hilltop burn barrel dudes are loving every minute of it.

Christopher J. Helm

Christopher J. Helm, (age 30) entered into rest on May 19, 2008 at his home in Littleton, Colo., where he had resided for the past 6 months with his fiancée, Tina. Chris was born in Ronan, Mont., on May 23, 1977 to parents Richard and Donna Helm.

Community Notes

The Alberton Farmers Market is held every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Community Center parking lot.

German Day at Trout Creek School

TROUT CREEK - Tuesday evening, the Trout Creek School after school program learned about a European Country approximately the size of Montana. 

Superior wrestlers compete in national tournament

SUPERIOR - Superior Bobcat wrestlers Anthony Parkin and Bridger LaPierre recently returned from the Disney Duals All-Star tournament in Florida, where they competed against top wrestlers from around the nation.

Column: The Power of the Individual

Chicks 'N' Chaps clinic enjoys success at Fair

Spotlight on the Arts: Catherine Shear

“Spotlight on the Arts” by The Paradise Center honors and encourages students in the arts by highlighting their talent and acknowledging the support they receive through their schools and teachers.

Zero to Five Initiative is focus of Cabin Fever meeting

Helping out the most vulnerable among us is a concept with Biblical roots.

Superior Town Pump receives 'Most Improved' award

The Town Pump/Flying J Travel Plaza in Rocker was recently received the prestigious Diamond Dealer Award from Pilot/Flying J. This is the fourth year in a row that the Town Rocker Town Pump/Flying J has received this designation. The Town Pump/Pilot Travel Plaza in Lolo, Montana also received the Diamond Dealer Award. This was the first year the Lolo location received the award.

COLUMN: Life of a referee

Let me be perfectly clear about this (lots of politicians use that phrase these days), I’m a fan of referees — for the most part.

Big Sky Health designed to answer concerns

Big Sky Health is the Montana answer for healthcare

Noxon teacher honored for excellence

Mrs. Teri Burt has been given the Distinguished Service Award from the Society of Health and Physical Educators of Montana (SHAPEMT). Noxon teacher Mrs. Teri Wilkinson nominated Burt for the award. Burt was surprised and not used to the attention.

Mission Valley Power replaces poles in Hot Springs

Mission Valley Power is currently engaged in a project to replace utility poles in Hot Springs as part of ongoing and standard maintenance procedures. Inspectors with the power company recently surveyed poles in the area and deemed the replacement necessary according to normal operating procedure.

Montana Hunter's Education course ends

The Plains Trap Club held a hunter’s safety education course last Saturday at the shooting range. 

The Lady Eclectic: Local artist launches online store

The development of online craft marketplaces like Etsy has served a unique role in establishing up-and-coming entrepreneurs, small businesses and artisans that otherwise wouldn’t have the means or opportunity to sell their one-of-a-kind creations.

Landslide closes I-90 West to Idaho

ST. REGIS – An overnight landslide has prompted a closure of one of western Montana’s most traveled highways.

Noxon withstands Savage Heat, 3-1

Tournament games not withstanding, it’s probably way too early to anoint a season-opening volleyball game as the game of the season.

Students travel over 300 miles to compete in Olympiad

Melynda Harrison