In brief
State of the Schools community presentation Nov. 19
Community members are invited to attend a State of the Schools Presentation to be held on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Troy High School auditorium. This presentation will outline the activities and goals of the district and give community members an opportunity for questions. The presentation will cover topics from curriculum to athletics and from facilities to technology.
Fox announces recipients of Chrome for Kids
This morning, Attorney General Tim Fox announced the five recipients of the second Montana Department of Justice Chrome for Kids Wish Fund grants at a Helena press conference. The grant funding came from sales of the department’s Motor Vehicle Division’s Chrome for Kids motorcycle license plate. Proceeds from plate sales fund efforts by Montana-based nonprofit organizations to grant wishes to chronically or critically ill Montana children.
“On behalf of the Montana Department of Justice, I’m so pleased to be able to award these grants for the second time in the last two years,” said Attorney General Tim Fox. “It’s only fitting that as we begin this holiday season, we thank Montana’s participating motorcycle owners for their generosity, which will impact our critically ill children and their families in ways beyond measure. I’m always proud to be a Montanan, but never more so than on a day like today,” Attorney General Fox added.
The 2015 recipients of the Chrome for Kids Wish Fund grants are:
• Montana Hope Project’s Give Kids the World Wish Trips. The Montana Hope Project was started by Montana Highway Patrol troopers in 1984 and is sponsored by the Association of Montana Troopers. Its goal is to make dreams come true for Montana children with a critical or life-threatening illness. Grant amount: $12,000.
• Camp Mak-A-Dream/Children’s Oncology Camp Foundation provides a medically supervised, cost-free Montana experience in an intimate community setting to children, young adults, and families affected by cancer. The camp is located near Gold Creek. Grant amount: $10,000.
• Make-A-Wish® Montana fulfills the special wishes of children between the ages of 2 ½ and 18 who have a diagnosed life-threatening medical condition, while including the family in every aspect of their wish. Grant amount: $10,000.
• Bozeman 3 financially supports Gallatin County families whose child has received a cancer diagnosis, provides peer support by connecting Gallatin County families whose children have or have had cancer, and supports pediatric cancer research. Grant amount: $10,000.
• Breathin’ is Believin’: The Cody Dieruf Benefit Foundation, was established in honor of Cody Dieruf, who died from cystic fibrosis in 2005 at the age of 23. The Foundation carries on her legacy and helps other Montana families suffering from this terminal illness by offering emotional support, financial assistance, and educational and cultural opportunities to children and young adults living with cystic fibrosis. Grant amount: $2,850.
Bullock forms clean energy council
Today, Governor Steve Bullock issued an executive order creating the Interim Montana Clean Power Plan Advisory Council. The Council will gather information and provide recommendations on policies and actions necessary for the State of Montana to keep control over its energy future, protecting Montana’s economy and quality of life.
The Council will review applicable memoranda and guidance, information on rate and mass-based compliance tools, economic and reliability modeling, and the work of other states and entities. At the conclusion of this process, the Council will make recommendations to MDEQ regarding the filing of an Initial Submittal and request for an extension under EPA’s §111(d) rules.
“Rolling up our sleeves and getting to work now is critical to keep our energy future in the hands of Montanans,” Bullock said. “We need to move forward with a sense of purpose to ensure the Montana we enjoy today continues to be the Montana future generations inherit.”
Survey open for child needs
Parents or primary caregivers of children aged three to five are asked to please complete a survey at http:/www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2387986/Montana-Preschool-Survey (or go to the Lincoln County Best Beginnings Facebook page and click on the survey link there). The purpose of the survey is to gather information about the needs, availability and access to preschool programs in Lincoln County. Your response to the survey will remain confidential.
Micro-chipping clinic Nov. 24
Kootenai Pets For Life will hold its monthly clinic to insert microchips in pet animals on Tuesday Nov. 24 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at its facility on County Shop Road. Interested persons should call 293-4936 for an appointment. Microchips contain contact information and have been responsible for reuniting lost animals with their humans even from great distances.
Community surveys beginning for new project
In the coming days, students from the University of Montana will be in Libby and Troy to talk with local residents about what we love about living here. This is part of Libby & Troy 2020 — a locally funded, locally driven project commissioned by Lincoln County and the cities of Troy and Libby in partnership with the Kootenai River Development Council. The project aims to build a positive future for our communities.
The success of this project depends on the involvement of as many local folks as possible. So we hope you will consider speaking with the UM students. They’ll be at Libby Ace Hardware (9 a.m. – noon), Rosauers (noon – 4 p.m.) and Cabinet Mountain Brewing Company (4 – 8 p.m.) on Wednesday, Nov. 18; and Steins in Troy on Tuesday, Nov. 17 (2 – 6 p.m.). Students will also be visiting local businesses and other establishments to conduct additional interviews. Wherever you meet them, they’ll be eager to hear your stories.
Community foundation awards grants
The Lincoln County Community Foundation would like to announce the grant recipients for the 2015 grant cycle. Over $8000 was awarded to south Lincoln County non-profit organizations for various projects over the coming year.
These organizations received funding for their projects:
The Heritage Museum: New vermiculite exhibit
Libby Saddle Club and J. Neils Park: Priefert’s horse stock for horse arena
Cabinet Peaks Medical Center Foundation: Thera Tek free standing pulley for rehab clinic in Troy
CARD Foundation: Office equipment
Libby Community Inter-agencies-Lincoln County Crisis Solutions: Siding and roofing materials
Troy Fine Arts Council: Equipment for Healthy Mind and Body at Morrison Elementary
Troy Museum: Flagpoles and flags
Troy Chamber of Commerce: Hanging baskets for Highway 2.
American Legion, Libby: Repair of electrical in kitchen of community room
“The Lincoln County Community Foundation has awarded over $125,000 to county non-profits over the last 15 years. This is remarkable, considering the fact that the total endowment is $215,000”, stated Paula Darko-Hensler, chairperson of the foundation. “This just shows how giving to and growing an endowment like LCCF can benefit future generations. If a person cannot give during their lifetime, LCCF can work with an individual in their estate plan to benefit LCCF. There are certain tax advantages to giving with a planned gift to an endowment. The endowment is managed by the Montana Community Foundation and is inviolate. It will ALWAYS be there.” Gifts are greatly appreciated by the LCCF.
Court of Appeals upholds injunction
Montana Attorney General Tim Fox released the following statement regarding the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upholding an injunction against President Obama’s executive actions on immigration:
“Once again a federal court has agreed with Montana and 25 other states that President Obama acted beyond his authority with his executive action on amnesty and illegal immigration. The president’s duty is to faithfully execute the laws enacted by the peoples’ elected representatives in Congress. He cannot ignore or change those laws to suit his own agenda. Montana will continue to stand up against executive overreach and defend the rule of law whenever necessary.”
Last year Montana and other states filed suit against several executive actions that the president undertook unilaterally, actions that would effectively grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. In February of this year, a federal judge prevented the new program from taking effect. In May, a federal court panel refused to let the program continue while it considered the appeal. Yesterday’s ruling on the appeal is the third time federal courts have sided with Montana and the other states on this legal challenge.
EPA awards grants in Pacific Northwest
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded three environmental education grants totaling $272,992 to non-profit organizations in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. These three projects were selected from a pool 48 grant applications submitted to EPA Region 10.
“The projects that will be carried out as a result of these environmental education grants help increase public awareness about environmental issues,” said David Allnutt, Director of the EPA Region 10 Office of Ecosystems Tribal and Public Affairs. “Not only will participants get firsthand knowledge about the environment and how to protect it, they will reach out to share their learning with others.”