In Brief

Blood drive Dec. 17

The next American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 17, from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Libby VFW, 114 West Second Street.

To schedule an appointment call Gloria Byrnes at 293-5233.

VA looking for volunteer drivers

The Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and the voluntary services team are in need of volunteer drivers to assist veterans in getting to their medical appointments through the Disabled American Veterans transportation service.

The van from Libby goes to Spokane two times per week, on Tuesday and Thursday. It departs from Libby at 6 a.m. and returns between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information or to volunteer call Jeannie Kyle at 509-434-7019 or James Deen at 509-434-7508.

Troy High School Throwback Night

Troy High School will be hosting their annual Throwback Night of basketball in the old gym. The Trojans will host Noxon, with the girls tipping off at 5 p.m. and the boys at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17.

Admission is free for all Troy alumni.

Audobon bird count Dec. 19

Local bird watchers will participate in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count in the Kootenai Valley on Saturday, Dec. 19. Birders all over the world count birds in their area around the holidays, now the 116th year of this tradition. Those interested in participating, please contact Gene Reckin at 293-9344 or 291-8482.

Snowshoe and cross-country workshop Jan. 22, 2016

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Becoming an Outdoors Woman program is sponsoring a snowshoe and cross country ski workshop Jan. 22-24, 2016, in Thompson Falls.

Those interested in learning or improving their snowshoeing or cross country skiing skills are encouraged to register for the weekend workshop. Participants will also see a skijoring – skiing pulled by a horse – demonstration.

Anyone 18 years of age or older may participate in the BOW workshop. The fee ranges between $140–180 and includes class instruction, meals and lodging at the Bear Creek Resort.

To download a registration form visit the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov, click “Education”, then click “Becoming and Outdoors Woman”.

For more information, call Nancy Fields at 949-412-8561.

Shooting range grant deadline is Feb. 1, 2016

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds shooting range enthusiasts that the new deadline to apply for range development grants is Feb.1, 2016.

Montana’s Shooting Range Grant Program, administered by FWP, provides funding to shooting clubs, organizations, local governments, and school districts to build and improve public shooting ranges throughout the state.

“The new application deadline will allow FWP to distribute grant awards this spring so projects can begin earlier in the construction season,” said Wayde Cooperider, FWP’s Shooting Range Grants Program coordinator in Helena.

To learn more about the Shooting Range Grant Program, and to download this year’s new grant application, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Recreation”, then “Activities” and then “Shooting Ranges”. 

Online registration is available via the Montana Grants & Loans website at https://fundingmt.org. For information call 406-444-9947.

Completed Shooting Range Grant applications may be mailed to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Shooting Range Grant Program, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

Libby Dam flow update

Outflow at Libby Damincreased to  25,000 cfs over a three-hour period starting at 3 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14 and decreased to 20,000 cfs over a two-hour period starting at 10 p.m. 

Load shaping between 20 kcfs and 25 kcfs will continue daily from Tuesday, Dec. 15 until Friday, Dec. 18, increasing over a two-hour period starting at 4 a.m. and decreasing over a two-hour period starting at 10 p.m. each day. 

Kootenai River elevation at Bonners Ferry, Idaho, peaked at 1757.8 feet on Dec. 10, following heavy rains in the Kootenai Valley.

The December water supply forecast for WY 2016 was released Dec. 7, the forecast of 5793 KAF is 98 percent of average, and corresponds to an end of December Flood Risk Management elevation of 2415.3 ft.

FWP to hold public meeting regarding regulations

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) will hold a northwest Montana public meeting on the 2016-2017 hunting regulation proposals at Flathead Valley Community College on Saturday, January 9, 2016. Other informational meetings are scheduled in other towns around the Region as we are invited, but this is the main hearing for the Commissioner to listen and collect public comment from hunters across Region One.

The schedule calls for an open house to be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. where FWP biologists and managers will explain information on wildlife populations and proposed regulations.  The actual hearing will begin at 10 a.m.  Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Gary Wolfe is scheduled to be on hand to listen to comments.  Each member of the public who wishes to speak will have a time allotment for each group of tentative regulations.

Longest Night of the Year Candle Light Service

Christmas can be a painful time for some. The anguish of broken relationships, death of a loved one, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation - all these can make us feel very alone. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone.

Libby United Methodist Church will offer a special “Longest Night” service on Dec. 21 at 7:00pm.

Come out, and join with us in sharing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle - and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of faith background (or lack of it) is welcome.

Local EMT recognized for 20 years of service

Mabel Beito, an emergency medical technician with Fisher River Valley Fire and Rescue, was recently recognized by the Board of Directors of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for 20 consecutive years of service as a nationally-registered EMT.

Beito has also worked with Libby Volunteer Ambulance, Troy Volunteer Ambulance and Lakeside QRU/Ambulance. She has been with Fisher River Valley Fire and Rescue since 2003.

Gas prices fall in Montana

Average retail gasoline prices in Montana have fallen 4.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.17 per gallon yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 615 gas outlets in Montana. This compares with the national average that has fallen 1.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.01 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. 

Areas nearby Montana and their current gas price climate:

Idaho- $2.11 per gallon, up 0.5 cents per gallon from last week.

Billings- $2.16 per gallon, down 5.2 cents per gallon from last week.

Wyoming- $1.99 per gallon, down 6.6 cents per gallon from last week.

Including the change in gas prices in Montana during the past week, prices yesterday were 46.3 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 15.0 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 15.8 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 53.3 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago. 

“We are going to end this year with the lowest gas prices since 2008, and people want to know can it get even lower?  Yes, it can,” says Jeff Pelton, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. “There is simply too much crude oil out there for gas prices not to decline.  The national price decline has stalled and recently nudged up a hair based on localized spikes in the Great Lakes region.  But, the good news is this too shall pass.  Expect refineries to do their part to get through the glut of crude on hand and that will put pressure on gas prices to fall the next month or so.  Unfortunately, not only does Spring bring with it more accommodating weather, it also brings higher gas prices based upon the 1-2 punch of Spring maintenance and the switch-over to more expensive summer blends.” Thur