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News:
Icy conditions lead to accident on McKillop Road (posted 3/9/10)
Libby driver ejected, suffers minor injuries, spends night out in the cold
Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio
The Montana Highway Patrol says Karen Schertel of Libby spent the night in the great outdoors after her vehicle went off McKillop Road Saturday evening about six miles from Happy's Inn about ¾ mile up the Mckillop Road. She had been in the Silver Butte area working for the Census Bureau.
The 51 year old Schertel was reported missing Saturday night. Her husband found her at about 11:42 Sunday morning after hearing Schertel screaming. Montana Highway Patrol says her vehicle slid off the extremely icy McKillop road, going almost 100 feet. The vehicle left no tracks, and landed in trees.
Schertel was ejected from the vehicle about 40 feet from the road.
She, reportedly, suffered minor injuries, including hypothermia from being out all night. Schertel was taken by ALERT helicopter to Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
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Story by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com, e-mail: klcb@frontiernet.net.
Broomsday – Spring Clean-up in Libby (posted 3/9/10)
Sponsored by the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce and Kootenai Disposal
Libby Area Chamber of Commerce
Broomsday is coming!! That means that spring is around the corner and it's time for us to make a clean sweep! Kootenai Disposal is once again partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to clear out the clutter! Dumpsters will be placed around town for you to drop off your items...FREE OF CHARGE!! All we ask is that you please make sure the trash gets in the DUMPSTERS!! Then on the 21st and 22nd of April we will be making our rounds to pick up items that can't be moved to the dumpsters. Please schedule a pick-up with the chamber of Commerce by calling 406-293-4167.
For more information contact:
Dusti L. Thompson
Libby Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 704
Libby, MT 59923
406-293-4167
http://www.libbychamber.org
Libby Logger Baseball 2010 Tournament Dates (posted 3/9/10)
The Libby Loggers are an American Legion affiliated baseball team located in Libby, Montana. The team is made up of 15-19 year-old ballplayers from Libby and Troy. Below is a list of the 2010 tournament dates. There are only a few open spots remaining, so if your team is interested in participating, call or email now.
2010 TOURNAMENT DATES
MAY 21-23: 1st Annual Area 51 Wood Bat Tournament , presented by Area51.com - 6 Teams: Libby Loggers, Eureka Rangers, Missoula Pioneers, Cranbrook Bandits, Strathmore Reds
JUNE 25-27: Big Bucks Tournament - 8 Teams
For more information contact:
Libby Loggers
Kelly Morford - Head Coach
406-291-1564
PO Box 1528
Libby, MT 59923
http://www.eteamz.com/libbyloggersbaseball/
Northwest Montana Hunter/Bowhunter Education Instructors honored (posted 3/9/10)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Hunter and Bowhunter Education Instructors received service awards from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at the annual Region 1 Instructor Workshop held Saturday, March 6 at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell.
All service award recipients receive a plaque; additional awards include: 10 year: engraved knife; 20 year: FWP belt buckle; 30 year: .357 pistol; 40 year: monogrammed jacket; 50 year: Hall of Fame award, scholarship dedication.
Highlights this year included the 20-year Hunter Education awards for Charlie Stafford and Dan Atkinson of the Flathead area, and Bill Witts of Polson; 35-year Hunter Education award for Ray Aylesworth of Ronan; 40-year Hunter Education awards for Don Garner of Kalispell and Paul Murphy of Columbia Falls; and the 45-year Hunter Education award for Leonard Howke of Whitefish. Wayne Crismore of Plains and Challis Crismore of Libby received the 2010 Warden’s Choice awards.
All Hunter and Bowhunter Education Instructors are volunteers for FWP. They provide safety, ethics, and firearms and archery equipment handling training to young students across Montana. In Region 1 (northwest Montana) more than 300 instructors train more than 2,000 students each year.
Service Award recipients in Lincoln County were:
5 Year Award
Jay Sheffield, Libby, Bow/Hunter, Started August 1, 2005
Tony Stephens, Libby, Bow, Started June 10, 2005
David Noble, Libby, Hunter, Started April 15, 2005
Risa Crismore, Libby, Hunter, Started March 16, 2005
Nicole Shaw, Libby, Hunter, Started October 12, 2005
15 Year Award
Timothy Thier, Trego, Bow, Started June 16, 1995
Challis Crismore, Libby, Hunter, Started August 31, 1995
Bears starting to emerge (posted 3/9/10)
Bear tracks reported at Glacier National Park
National Park Service – Glacier National Park media release
WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Bear tracks and a freshly dug hole in the snow indicate some bears are awake and venturing out looking for food in and around Glacier National Park. During the first week of March, there have been three separate sightings of bear tracks throughout the park. Tracks and a large hole dug in the snow were seen by a ranger in the Belly River area. Tracks were also spotted by visitors near Many Glacier and Lake McDonald. Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright remarked, "With these early March reports of bear activity, park visitors are reminded to be alert for bear activity and to be familiar with and comply with safety regulations."
Recreational visitors should travel in groups and make loud noise by calling out and/or clapping their hands at frequent intervals, especially near streams and at blind spots and curves on trails. These actions will help avoid surprise encounters. Do not approach any wildlife; instead, use binoculars, telescopes, or telephoto lenses to get closer looks.
Visitors are also reminded to keep food, garbage and other attractants stored in hard-sided vehicles or bear-proof food storage boxes when not in use. Garbage must be deposited into a bear-resistant trash can or dumpster. These actions help keep bears from becoming conditioned to human food, and help keep park visitors and their personal property safe.
Cartwright added, "It is important to note that Glacier National Park is in the heart of grizzly country. That is one of the reasons many people visit the park each year. We encourage park visitors to carry, and know how to properly use, bear pepper spray as a deterrent for a charging grizzly bear." No single deterrent is 100 percent effective, but compared to all others, including firearms, proper use of bear spray has proven to be the best method for fending off threatening and attacking bears, and for preventing injury to the person and animal involved.
A new federal law that went into effect on February 22, 2010, allows the carrying of firearms within national parks and wildlife refuges consistent with state laws. Glacier managers agree with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks’ statement: "If you are armed, use a firearm only as a last resort. Wounding a bear, even with a large caliber gun, can put you in far greater danger."
According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) investigations of human-bear encounters since 1992, persons encountering grizzlies and defending themselves with firearms suffered injury about 50 percent of the time. During the same period, persons defending themselves with pepper spray escaped injury most of the time and those that were injured experienced shorter duration attacks and less severe injuries.
Web site links of interest:
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Tips for Living and Recreating in Grizzly Bear Country:
http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/grizzly/fact_sheets.htm
• Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Encountering a Bear:
http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/safety/wildlife/bears/bearEncounter.html
• Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Bear Pepper Spray:
http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/safety/wildlife/bears/bearSpray.html
Visitors should report any bear sightings or signs of bear activity to the nearest visitor center, ranger station or by calling 406-888-7800 as soon as possible. This information helps park rangers keep bears away from unnatural food sources, as well as prevents bears from becoming habituated to humans.
Cartwright further noted, "While feeding of any wildlife is illegal in Glacier National Park, these reports of recent bear activity also serves as a reminder to park neighbors that the winter practice of feeding birds should be suspended, as emerging bears in the spring can be attracted to bird feeders as a food source."
Safety recommendations for foot travel while in bear country tend to receive more attention; however, there are other natural hazards that park visitors should be aware of and be prepared for when they venture outdoors. Although famed naturalist and conservationist John Muir once said, "It is far safer to wander into God's woods than to travel on black highways or to stay at home," Glacier National Park can be filled with many potential dangers. "We want everyone to have a safe experience while enjoying the park," said Cartwright.
Go to the park’s web page at
http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/yoursafety.htm for details about: Bears, Water, Wildlife, Mountain Lions and Watch Your Step.
"These potential hazards are not mentioned to scare people but rather to remind everyone to be prepared, be familiar with their equipment and know their personal limitations. Glacier National Park is a wonderland to explore and experience during each of its many seasons, but we want park visitors to have a safe outing," concluded Cartwright.
Four people killed in crash on US. Hwy 2 near Happy’s Inn (posted 3/7/10)
Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio
A fatal two-vehicle crash occurred on Highway 2 near Happy’s Inn Saturday evening at 6:10 pm resulting in four deaths.
According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Bryce Ford, Jacob Colclough, 17, of Libby, was westbound, toward Libby on Highway 2, when he crossed the eastbound lane and across the fog line. Colclough jerked the wheel which caused the vehicle to cross back over the eastbound lane and into the westbound lane. Colclough again overcorrected, the vehicle turned sideways, and rolled into the eastbound lane colliding with an oncoming vehicle driven by Ramona Bauer, 59, of Columbia Falls. Colclough was ejected from his vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.
Ramona Bauer suffered fatal injuries, as did the two juvenile passengers, a 13-year old boy and a 12-year old girl. All died at the scene.
Trooper Ford says all were wearing seatbelts and no one involved in the accident had been drinking.
The children's names were not released and the accident is under investigation by the Montana Highway Patrol.
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Story by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com, e-mail: klcb@frontiernet.net.
Asbestos in fire debris poses health hazard (posted 3/7/10)
Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio
According to the Lincoln County Environmental Health Department, the lab that performed the analysis of debris from the Plywood Plant fire, misidentified the type of asbestos as amosite.
It is not. It is anthophyllite (an/tho/fy-lite), a lesser know form of asbestos.
The misidentification makes it no less a threat to Libby's health. Like other forms of asbestos, anthophyllite poses major, serious health problems. It is a carcinogen.
Anthophyllite was widely used in interior and exterior paint products and often co-exists in talc and can be found in talcum powders.
Lincoln County Environmental Health will take more samples. A contractor will be employed to extinguish the smoldering remains of the mill which have continued ot burn for a week. The plan will be to build a containment area for the debris which will later be transfers to the asbestos containment facility at the county landfill.
Contamination from the fire was found at the City Hall, Legion Field and Riverfront Park, Post Trailer Court, the Old Marion Orr place, and ironically, on the roof of the EPA offices.
To complicate things even more, the smoldering laminated beams are releasing formaldehyde into the air.
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Story by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com, e-mail: klcb@frontiernet.net.
March 2010, April-August inflow forecast for Libby Dam. Graphic courtesy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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April-August water supply forecast for Libby Dam (posted 3/6/10)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Click on this link for the Corps of Engineers' final March (April through August) Water Supply Forecast for Libby Dam: April-August Water Supply Forecast for Libby Dam (PDF). The forecast is used to help determine flood control and fisheries operations at Libby Dam.
- The March 2010, April-August inflow forecast for Koocanusa Reservoir is 80% of average (5.084 MAF ~ million acre-feet) - down from 86 % in February, 90% in January, 103% in December, and 109% in November.
- The end-of-March target reservoir elevation is 2444.00' (2459.00' is full pool); elevation as of March 5 was is 2405.60'.
- Koocanusa inflow since March 1 has been ~ 2.3 kcfs.
- Projected flows for the remainder of March are minimum (~4 kcfs), with increases possible for cold snaps and other power emergencies.
Libby Joint Class Reunion July 30-31 (posted 3/6/10)
The Libby High School classes of 1950 to 1960 will hold a joint "Fabulous Fifties Reunion" at the Memorial Center on Friday and Saturday, July 30-31, 2010.
Events will include a registration and social get-together with refreshments and a no-host bar on Friday, July 30. Class photographs will be taken on Friday evening. Saturday's events include a big "Fifties" parade at 10:00 a.m., various tours, a Fifties Program, an auction, and elegant prime rib dinner in the evening. Sunday, August 1st, there will be breakfasts held in different locations for the various classes.
For more information, please call Dolly Purdy at 406-293-6184 or Valerie Crabtree at 406-293-4993. You are encouraged to get your registration forms in early.
Visit the Reunion website at www.alphalibby.com
L.E.A.P presents ‘He’s Alive!’ April 2-4 (posted 3/6/10)
A community church-wide Easter Celebration
Libby Evangelical Association of Pastors (L.E.A.P) will present: "He's Alive!" a dramatization of the events from Passover to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, April 2-4, 7:00 PM.
This presentation is a combination of Choir and Drama that includes cast members from the churches in the community in celebration of Easter. Performance will be held at the Church of the Nazarene, 662 East Horseshoe Drive, in Libby.
Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call 406-293-1884.
Amosite asbestos detected in fire debris (posted 3/6/10)
Caution advised for debris cleanup and handling
Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio
While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is telling you that no Libby Amphibole Asbestos was released in last Thursday night's plywood plant fire, what you are now being told is that amosite, considered to be one of the more hazardous forms of asbestos, was.
The Kootenai Business Park Industrial District has provided preliminary test results from off-site sampling of debris from the Libby Plywood Plant fire. According to the Lincoln County Department of Environmental Health, amosite asbestos was detected at 2% in four of the 13 samples and less than 1% in two others. Chrysotile asbestos was detected in one sample at less than 1%. No other forms of asbestos, meaning tremolite or Libby Amphibole, were detected. Sampling is ongoing , expect further results.
Amosite was a prevalent type of asbestos used in building materials. In this case, the roofing of the former plywood plant that burned Thursday a week ago, releasing and showering Libby with amosite containing debris.
Known as "brown asbestos", it is banned in most countries because of its toxicity, but is still found in many older products and buildings, and as in this case, poses potential danger. It is highly friable, crumbling easily and releasing airborne fibers that are easily inhaled.
The Department of Environmental Health says they are uncertain of health risks posed to the public, but will continue cleaning up debris as a precaution.
Wet street cleaning methods are being used to clean up debris from Libby area roadways. The city street department and county road crew have completed many streets in their districts. The state highway department will begin vacuuming highways tomorrow morning. All materials will be disposed of at the county's asbestos landfill cell.
A representative from the Industrial District, reportedly Paul Rummelhart, and County Commissioner John Konzen met with state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) officials Thursday in Helena to discuss this situation. The County will continue to work closely with DEQ, EPA and other local agencies.
As a reminder, if you have debris on your property, don't disturb it. If the debris is in an area where you must remove it, wet the material with a fine mist, wear disposable gloves and place the material in a sealable plastic bag. Place the gloves in the bag with the debris and dispose of with your garbage. Do not take the material or bag into your home or car.
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Story by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com, e-mail: klcb@frontiernet.net.
‘Road to Health’ health fair March 27 (posted 3/1/10)
Lab draws for pre-screenings offered at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital will hold their annual Road to Health health fair on Saturday, March 27th at the Memorial Center in Libby, from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. It is free to the public.
There will be free and discounted health screening tests offered in advance of the health fair. The health screening tests include cholesterol, PSA (prostate), glucose, thyroid and others. Lab results will be available at the fair where local medical providers will be on hand to answer questions and provide more information. Lab draws for pre-fair screenings will take place during the weeks of March 8-12 and March 15-19th. Registration is required for all screenings and can be made by calling 406-293-0164 from 10AM to 3PM. Payment for the discount screenings will be required at the time of service. Insurance will not be billed.
On the days of the screening all parties must check in at the front desk of the hospital before they proceed to the lab. Twelve hours of fasting is required for Lipid and Glucose testing. There are no fasting requirements for the other discounted screening tests.
Related Links:
www.sjlh.org St. John’s Lutheran Hospital
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital newsroom
Libby Irish Fair March 13 (posted 3/1/10)
The 15th Annual Libby Irish Fair will be held on Saturday, March 13th at the Memorial Center in Libby. This year the event will feature Dublin Gulch and the Kelly Irish Dancers.
Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Tickets available from Cabinet Books, Mountain Meadows, Rivermist or the Craft Fair.
The Arts & Crafts Fair opens at 10:00 AM featuring live entertainment, raffles, food and more.
For more information call 406-293-6545 or go to www.LibbyIrishFair.org.
Libby
lies in the northwest corner of Montana and is nestled in a valley carved by the
Kootenai River on the flank of the majestic Cabinet Mountain Range and Wilderness
Area. Today
about 2,800 people live within Libby proper. The main industries are lumber and
wood products, mining, tourism and recreation. The movies "The River Wild" and
"Always" were filmed here. Contact the Libby
Chamber of Commerce for brochures, info on lodging and events, general area
information, and contact information for local businesses and services.
SUMMER
When the weather warms and the mountain
snows melt away, the Kootenai National Forest comes alive with over 2.2
million acres of public land as a playground. Mountain trails and lakes
open up, beautiful wildflowers come in bloom, and wildlife have their young.
Libby is the basecamp for the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area, 90-mile
long Lake Koocanusa, the Northwest Peaks Scenic Area, and the Ten Lakes
Scenic Area. There is good access to most of the Forest and plenty of room
to get away from it all!
WINTER
Winter in Montana means snow, and lots
of it! For those who love to play in the deep powder, the Libby area offers tremendous
winter fun. Turner Mountain Ski Area, located
just 22 miles from Libby, offers challenging downhill skiing with a beautiful
view. Their slogan is "steep, deep and cheap", and Turner definitely
lives up to that. It's still fairly undiscovered, so you can escape the crowds
and get the cheapest lift tickets around. For those who love snowmobiling,
there are hundreds of miles of backcountry roads to sled on in the Kootenai National
Forest. Cross-country skiers and ice fishermen also can find solitude on a lake
and miles of quiet forest trails to enjoy the outdoors. Those who are a bit on
the wild and crazy side will love the antics of the Libby Polar Bear Club.
Members take winter-time "swims" in frigid Libby Creek every Sunday
from October to April. Plungers have ranged in age from 3 to 61. As long as the
ice can be broken on the creek, if it has formed, the group will take their plunge,
no matter the temperature.
These people must be
craaaazzzzzy!
Libby
Polar Bear Club
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