Area briefs
FWP approves relocation of bison
State wildlife officials announced that they will relocate 139 brucellosis-free bison to Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribal lands in northern Montana. The announcement follows the completion of an environmental analysis and public comment period. The analysis concluded that there were no significant issues associated with relocating the animals.
The wild bison were part of a quarantine feasibility study conducted by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in association with the United States Department of Agriculture. The work was aimed at finding a feasible method of producing wild bison free of brucellosis, a disease that can cause some bison, elk, and domestic cattle to abort their first calf. The bison were repeatedly tested and found to be brucellosis free.
Get cooking to stop diabetes with CPMC
Cabinet Peaks Medical Center is joining with the American Diabetes Association in the America Gets Cooking to Stop Diabetes campaign. The initiative is designed to engage and empower Americans to cook nutritious and delicious food and to encourage them to be more active in the fight against diabetes.
Cabinet Peaks will be hosting a lunch and learn event on Nov. 24 at noon to teach area residents about cooking healthy for diabetes. The hospital has three diabetic educators on staff who can provide individual assistance to people with diabetes.
Avid Gardeners last meeting of the year
The Avid Gardeners group will hold their last meeting of the year 2 p.m. Tuesday at the home of Bobbi McCanse, off Bobtail at the end of Indian Pipe Rd. The meeting will include discussion of this year’s gardening adventures and plans for next season. For more information call Bobbi at 816-868-4172.
Daines calls for repeal of Obamacare
Republican Senator-elect Steve Daines of Montana renewed his call for Obamacare to be repaced after a non-partisan study found the President’s signature health care law increases the cost of Montana individual market care premiums by 84 percent.
The study, conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research and published by the Brookings Institution found that the monthly average health insurance premiums in Montana’s individual market increased from $226 to $415 after the passage and implementation of Obamacare, the largest premium increase in the nation.
Hunters Against Hunger donate big game
Hunters who legally harvest big game in Montana can donate some or all of the meat to participating food processors who will process the animals and take the meat to local food banks.
Hunters wishing to donate all or part of their harvest can contact Jeff Gutierrez at the Montana Food Bank Network, 406-721-3825, ext. 232. Hunters will need to leave either the tag or a copy of the tag, if donating part of the meat, with the processor for verification through Fish, Wildlfe & Parks.
Tester calls for low-income assistance
Montana Senator Jon Tester has called upon the Department of Health and Human Services to release federal funds to help low-income households and seniors cover their energy bills during the winter months.
Low-income families and seniors spend a higher proportion of their monthly income on energy-related bills. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides federal money and resources to states to help support these residents.