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Water rescue training prepares volunteers for emergencies
Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District and Plains Community Ambulance spent last Saturday sharpening their skills on water rescue techniques.
4-H Fair Readiness Day a success
All four local 4-H clubs turned out to the Sanders County Fairgrounds last Saturday ahead of the 2018 fair to get their barns and grass area ready for the abundance of animals and spectators.
This winter, spread holiday cheer, not viruses
“Local schools have been reporting an increased number of students with the ‘flu,’ but what does that really mean?” asked Mineral County Public Health Nurse Barb Jasper.
Piranhas bite off a third place finish at home meet
PLAINS – Piranhas Swim Team showed other Western Montana Federation swim teams that piranhas are greater in numbers this past weekend at their home swim meet, where they took third overall for the first time in over a decade.
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.
Beware deceptive telemarketers
I don't often write letters to the editor but I wanted to relay a incredibly deceptive telemarketing call I just received. While sitting in my office at home, the phone rang and my caller ID said Private Number. Hmm, who could that be? When I answered I was informed by a pleasant young woman stating that she was calling in behalf of the Breast Cancer Relief Foundation that worked to provide support so that women across America could have access to mammograms. I have to admit that my interest was piqued. I work in the medical field and I had honestly never heard of such an organization. More importantly, if there was a way that women in Western Montana could benefit I wanted to know more. “How are they benefited”, I asked. After a very awkward pause the woman said “with the nationwide effort.” Really, “How can they access this assistance” I responded. Another incredibly long pause, then “I would be happy to give you a phone number or the Web site for you to better understand.” “Great”, I responded!
Absentee and early votes soar
If the early voting numbers are any indication, this Election Day will be one for the record books in Montana. If not just for Sanders and Mineral Counties.
Lady Tigers fight hard for two weekend victories
ST. REGIS – The Lady Tigers continued their winning streak last week with two home games against Two Eagle River and Darby.
FWP announces fisheries sampling on walleye on Noxon Reservoir
NOXON - FWP will be initiating walleye research on Noxon Reservoir beginning in early April. Biologists will collect data to determine population demographics, reproductive potential, dietary habits and PCB concentrations within edible portions of walleye. The information will be used in the revised draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and determine if additional consumption advisories are necessary for Noxon’s sport fish.
Piranhas head up to Colombia Falls
After hosting their home swim meet last week, a smaller Plains Piranhas team traveled to Colombia Falls this weekend. Despite their youth and small size, the team competed very well.
Quilts of Valor
Once again local veterans were presented with a gift for their years of service. The Joint Operations of Mariposa presented a small number of men and women with handmade quilts as part of the Quilts of Valor project.
This little piggy...
Mineral County 4-H members showed up on a drizzly Sunday afternoon to get their pigs weighed and tagged for this year’s summer fair.
Harvest ahead of last year as season ends
NORTHWEST MONTANA - At the six northwest Montana check stations, whitetail deer harvest finished ahead of last year’s totals as the season wrapped up on Sunday.
20th Spring Mack Days kicks off March 19
The lake trout angling event, which ends Sunday, May 16, is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes...
Rural schools threatened by dwindling numbers
Like rural school administrators across Montana, Terry Public Schools Superintendent Joe Krause keeps a close eye on his enrollment numbers.
Study says there are too few homes for growing population
The rub, Horowitz said, is that Montana’s population increased by 10% between 2010 and 2020, according to U.S. census data, while the number of housing units in the state grew by only 7%.
Commission to discuss elk hunting access, bird dog seasons
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on several proposals slated to go to the Fish and Wildlife Commission in June. Comment is open through May 11.
SCSO talks budget, changes
THOMPSON FALLS – A number of issues were covered on Wednesday morning at the Sanders County Courthouse as the monthly sheriff’s update was held in the building’s conference room.
FWP visits Trout Creek school program
TROUT CREEK – Children at the Trout Creek after school program at Trout Creek School were in for a special treat last week.
Senator Fielder reaches number two spot in state GOP
Bozeman, MT – With a massive groundswell of support, Northwest Montana’s freshman Senator, Jennifer Fielder (R) Thompson Falls, was elevated to the number two spot in the Montana Republican Party during the state convention June 7-8 in Bozeman.