The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
Sorted by date Results 251 - 275 of 489
HELENA - Attorney General Tim Fox and Montana Lottery Director Angela Wong cautioned Montanans today about lottery-related scams that have become increasingly prevalent and urged them to be vigilant. "These scams can really impact your finances and cost you tens of thousands of dollars," Attorney General Tim Fox said. "Scammers prey upon people who live alone, and since the pandemic has led to more isolation, bad actors see this current situation as an opportunity to target...
MISSOULA – The 2020 general big game hunting season closed on November 29, with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' west-central Montana check stations reporting above average hunter success in the Bitterroot and Upper Clark Fork, and lower success in the Blackfoot. Hunter numbers at the FWP Darby, Anaconda and Bonner check stations were lower than average, partly a result of reduced staffing and hours of operation due to Covid operating procedures. Those that stopped through t...
MISSOULA – West-central Montana hunter check stations remained steady with hunter traffic over the weekend. Cumulative season harvest totals for elk, white-tailed deer and mule deer are on track with average in some spots and lag a bit behind in other parts of the region. At the check station just south of Darby, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) biologist Rebecca Mowry reported numbers that are on par with the past three years. So far this season, the Darby station has c...
Helena – Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, the Lewis and Clark County Community Development and Planning Department will now see customers by appointment only to protect the health and safety of employees and the public. People should call 406-447-8374 for the following: · Make an appointment to submit an application. · Make an appointment to pick up or pay for a permit. · Make a payment via credit card. · Be directed to the appropriate planning staff member to sc...
HELENA – The Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame recently announced the class of inductees for 2020. MHOF was created to honor individuals, both living and deceased, who have made lasting contributions to the restoration and conservation of Montana's wild animals, places and rivers. The awards also capture the stories of these conservation heroes to enhance public awareness of Montana's conservation history and inspire others to do their part to keep Montana special. The inductees f...
High school seniors are encouraged to read now about available scholarships at DAR.org/national-society/scholarships and plan to apply by no later than January 31, 2021 in one of the 28 different available scholarship fields, including two designated for American Indians. Last year, the Daughters of the American Revolution awarded 83 scholarships totaling more than $280,000 with many of them renewable for multiple years to students from 31 states in the areas of education, history, government, law, MBA, nursing, medicine,...
LINCOLN - The Montana Department of Transportation would like to announce and invite the public to comment on a proposal to replace the bridge on Dalton Mountain Road that crosses over the Blackfoot River in Lewis and Clark County. Proposed work includes removing the existing bridge and constructing a new bridge. The roadway approaches will also be reconstructed as needed to match the grade and width of the new structure. The project is tentatively scheduled for construction...
MISSOULA – Hunter numbers through the west-central Montana wildlife check stations were down through the first two weekends of the big game hunting season, with hunter success holding above average through the Anaconda and Darby stations, while falling below average through Bonner. Overall, Motana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) biologists checked 3,131 hunters with 118 elk, 24 mule deer, 87 white-tailed deer, two black bear, one sheep, one goat and one wolf in the first two w...
prohibitions: • Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization that specifically exempts them from the restrictions. • Any Federal, State or Local Law Enforcement Officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty. • Persons transporting forage or mulch products across restricted areas without unloading or using the products on National Forest System lands, roads or trails. Violation of these...
If an apple a day can keep the doctor away, what will a flu vaccine get you? The answer may be better health today and improved odds of maintaining your brain power in the future. The risks posed by the flu are pretty self-evident for older adults. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-vention (CDC) reported that 35.5 million people in the U.S. contracted the flu, resulting in 34,200 deaths. Of those fatalities, about 75 percent were among people over age 65. While we’re waiting on the COVID-19 vaccine… And the...
Every year hunters across Montana donate thousands of pounds of wild game to local food banks through local meat processors. With the discovery of chronic wasting disease in Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks is urging hunters to have their deer, elk and moose tested and have a negative test result in hand prior to donating no matter where in Montana these animals are harvested. "We know this will be a shift for both hunters and processors, but with a little planning ahead, it...
Alpine Artisans' popular Tour of the Arts returns for its 17th year with one new studio, three new galleries and the Blackfoot Pathways International Sculpture Park joining the dazzling mix of more than 25 artists at work in their studios, galleries and museums scattered throughout the Seeley Lake and the Blackfoot Valleys. Held October 10-11 to capture the height of the colorful yellow and golden Western Larch, the Tour will also kick off Friday afternoon with two water...
Helena – Lewis and Clark County reminds the public placing political signs in County right-of-ways is against Montana law and signs will be removed. While Administrative Rules of Montana 18.6.246 allows for political signs on private property, with permission of the property owner, it says political signs must not be placed on or allow any portion to intrude in the public right-of-way or on public property. Lewis and Clark County will remove any signs it finds in the County right-of-way. People may retrieve their signs at t...
(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester’s made-in-Montana legislation, the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act, received a big boost when the U.S. Forest Service signaled it would work to achieve the goals of this collaborative proposal during a hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act is the result of more than a decade of collaboration from local stakeholders who know what’s best for their communities and how to best manage their public lands,” said Test...
HELENA – Governor Steve Bullock today announced additional funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund will be directed to the Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant and Social Services Nonprofit Grant programs to fully address identified needs. Meat processing "The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic have drawn attention to challenges faced by our nation's meat processing systems. And by addressing this complex issue here in Montana, we are building resilience to future s...
Helena - September is National Suicide Prevention Month and marks an opportunity for all Montanans to have a role in preventing suicide in our communities. Each year, more than 45,000 Americans-including more than 6,000 Veterans-die by suicide. In the challenging times of the coronavirus pandemic, now is an ideal time to learn how to "be there" to support ourselves and others. "Suicide is such an important issue to speak about that no person should hesitate to simply begin a conversation," said Montana VA Health Care...
HELENA-The Branch Libraries of the Lewis & Clark Library in East Helena, Augusta, Lincoln and the Bookmobile have teamed up to bring the community six StoryWalk® books that can be enjoyed by everyone. Lewis & Clark Library Bookmobile Librarian Bretagne Byrd explains, "We all know that reading is important and that getting outside for a walk is also important. We put the two together to provide the community a fun learning activity that everyone can enjoy!" Each...
Gov. Steve Bullock announced outbreak response protocols for Montana’s K-12 schools Thursday, sept. 10. The protocols include information on COVID-19 symptoms, when to call for emergency care, determining close contacts, when to quarantine, isolate and recommend testing, and when to allow, screening symptomatic students and staff for testing or isolation, and guidance on athletics and extracurricular activities. The protocol are based on an outbreak response plan developed by Rhode Island and includes best practices from t...
HELENA – Yesterday the Board of County Commissioners appointed Amy Reeves as the new Lewis and Clark County Treasurer/Clerk & Recorder. The appointment comes after the retirement announcement of current Treasurer/Clerk & Recorder Paulette DeHart. DeHart's official resignation date is September 25, 2020. The BoCC received twelve applications, advancing four applicants to an open, panel-style interview on September 8. Reeves has been an employee of the office's accounting d...
Governor Steve Bullock yesterday evening issued an executive order declaring a state of fire emergency due to extremely hazardous wildland fire conditions throughout Montana. "Local, state, and federal partners, and the brave men and women on the front lines are working together to take on this fire season and we are prepared to use every resource available to protect Montana lives and property," said Governor Bullock. "At the same time, I know that Montanans will continue to...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will continue chronic wasting disease surveillance this year in high-priority areas known as Priority Surveillance Areas in northwest, southwest and eastern Montana. Hunters who harvest a deer, elk or moose in these areas are asked to voluntarily submit their animal for sampling to help gather additional data for that area. This information will be used to help inform the best management strategies for the affected hunting districts. This year,...
Although most hunters respect the land, property and wildlife they are hunting, many others do not. FWP would like to remind hunters and all outdoor enthusiasts to be good stewards of the land, and respect both private and public property. Every hunting season, there are reports of vandalizing of Block Management Area (BMA) boxes, hunters driving off road, illegal trespassing, hunters being shot over, littering, and livestock being shot. FWP encourages everyone to be good...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is offering online hunter and bowhunter education courses this year in response to social distancing requirements and restrictions on group gatherings related to Covid-19. To take the online hunter education course, students can register at https://www.hunter-ed.com/montana/. For bowhunter education, please go to https://www.bowhunter-ed.com/montana/. The online courses, which are developed and administered by the outdoor education company...
It's never too early to plan ahead for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Apprentice Hunter Program. FWP encourages early mail-in certification for eligible Apprentice Hunters in order to avoid crowds and frustration prior to season openers and the youth hunt. COVID-19 safety protocols are in place at FWP offices and lobby occupancy is very limited, therefore wait times outside may be long. The "Apprentice Hunter" law allows anyone 10 years of age or older to hunt two license...
Officials at the Montana Department of Justice announced today that Montanans, especially senior citizens, should be aware of a new tactic being used in the old lottery scam. The new twist works like this: A scammer calls you, claiming to be from the "Montana State Gaming Commission." The scammer says if you pay $600, you'll have a chance to win $1 million. "Legitimate lotteries never require people to send money to claim a prize or to have a chance at winning," Attorney...
