In Brief

Gas prices continue to fall

Average retail gasoline prices in Montana have fallen 2.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.78 per gallon yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 615 gas outlets in Montana. This compares with the national average that has fallen 5.2 cents per gallon in the last week to $1.74 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. 

Including the change in gas prices in Montana during the past week, prices yesterday were 12.6 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 18.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 24.6 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 43.4 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

FWP completes conservation project

A conservation project protecting 77 acres along the north shore of Flathead Lake was completed last week. The project helps protect the fragile water quality of Flathead Lake and adds to the protection of land used by tens of thousands of migratory birds as an important refueling stop each spring on their long journey from wintering grounds in Mexico to their breeding grounds in Canada. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks purchased this property with funding from the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Grant program.

The newly purchased property will be managed as part of the North Shore Wildlife Management Area which consists of two other parcels already owned and managed by FWP, bringing the total protected acreage to 426 acres. The property is adjacent to the 1,887-acre Flathead Lake Waterfowl Production Area administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and conservation easements held on private land by Montana Land Reliance and Flathead Land Trust. The property will be managed to protect and improve natural riparian/wetland habitats, to continue annual crop production to benefit resident and migratory waterfowl, to improve and maintain habitat for other wildlife, and to provide opportunities for seasonal and compatible public recreation. 

Other benefits of this project include protecting groundwater, surface water and wetlands on or near Flathead Lake. This will help improve or maintain the high water quality of Flathead Lake to benefit aquatic life as well as fish and wildlife habitat. The parcel will provide public opportunities for both wildlife viewing and hunting and will be managed similarly to other public lands on the north shore.

Troy City Council special meeting

Troy City Council will be meeting on Feb. 9, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. regarding litigation.  

The sole agenda item for consideration in this special is a consideration of a confidential litigation report and litigation strategy meeting for the matter of  McDougall v. City of Troy, et al.,  Montana 19th Judicial District Court Cause No. DV-2015-273. The meeting will be closed to the public.

Libby Fine Arts Inc. meeting Feb. 11

The Libby Fine Arts Inc., will hold a meeting on Thursday Feb. 11, at the Treasure Manor activities room at 610 Treasure Ave., Libby, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. All are welcome to join us for an afternoon of fun and creativity. For more information, call Marilyn Irwin at 293-7091 or Joey Barnes at 293-5211.

Spaghetti dinner fundraiser Feb. 19

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser has been scheduled for Feb. 19 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The fundraiser is to help cover the cost of sending Libby student Galen Graziano to Seattle for the North Western Choral Director Association Men’s Honor Choir.

Friends of Scotchman Peaks essay contest

Graduating seniors from high schools in the three counties encompassing the Scotchman Peaks, as well as home-schooled seniors, are invited to submit essays on the theme “A most memorable wilderness experience.”

“We have used this theme for the past few years,” FSPW program coordinator Sandy Compton notes. “It consistently produces some great stories about personal experiences in wild countries. I look forward to reading these every year.”

There is no grade-point average or college entrance requirement for this competition. Winners in each high school will receive a $300 cash prize to be spent in any manner they choose. An additional $300 will be awarded to the best overall essay for the 2016 competition.

The essays may be a first-hand account of an experience of the author or an account of a story related to the author by a friend or relative. The experience may have happened in any wilderness, designated or not, and must portray traditional wilderness activities such as backpacking, camping, hunting, fishing, berry picking, or horseback riding.

Seniors from Sandpoint, Lake Pend Oreille, Forrest M. Bird Charter, Clark Fork, Libby, Troy, Noxon and Thompson Falls High Schools or home-school seniors from Bonner County, Idaho or Sanders or Lincoln Counties, Montana are encouraged to apply. Essays will also be posted to the FSPW website at www.scotchmanpeaks.org and may also appear in local papers as part of the FSPW Voices in the Wilderness project. Deadline for entry is April 15, 2016. The entry form can be downloaded at www.scotchmanpeaks.org/pdfs/2016FSPWScolarshipApplication.pdf or acquired from the student counselors at the respective high schools.