All interested Montanans are invited to attend Tuesday’s hour-long meeting.

Tester’s discussion session comes days after he brought U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to Montana to hear directly from residents about border security, commerce, ports of entry and the fight against illegal drugs.

Tester is collecting input from Montanans on the recent decision by the Canadian government to close its side of the Port of Whitetail to traffic from the U.S. in April of 2011. Montanans are asked to submit their feedback to Tester’s website tester.senate.gov/Whitetail.

Before Canada’s announcement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had planned to upgrade the Port of Whitetail and remove asbestos in the buildings there. At Tester’s request, the Department temporarily halted the work in order to gather public input.

Tester’s forum is scheduled to begin Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. in the Nemont Friendship Room of the Daniels County Museum.

Tester will be joined by Michele James, Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

EVENT: Discussion Session with Senator Jon Tester

DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 7, from 3:15-4:15 p.m.

LOCATION: Nemont Friendship Room

Daniels County Museum

7 Old Scobey Road

Kltz/Klan reported last week that Siewing had been charged with 2 counts of felony sexual assault for incidents dating back to the late 1980's.

The Billings Gazette reported on Wednesday that according to court documents, Siewing sexually assaulted one girl several times between 1987 and 1990 and another girl once in 2002 or 2003. The first alleged victim, who is now in her 20's, was between 4 and 8 years old at the time. The second girl was 10 or 11 years old according to the court documents.

The Billings Gazette also reported that the alleged incidents all happened at Siewing's home north of Saco.

Siewing is set to appear in District Court on September 13th and has posted $50,000 bond.

The Glasgow Police Department Violent Crimes Unit conducted the investigation that led to the charges being filed against David Siewing.

“FASTRAK to Homeownership” is an 8-hour course to help prospective homeowners learn the process of home buying. Area professionals will teach topics of: organizing and planning to become a homebuyer, credit counseling (budgeting, credit scores), financing the home loan process and options for down payments and closing costs. The course will also cover homeowners insurance, and home maintenance.

More mortgage lenders are requiring homebuyers to attend this course. People who take this course are 40% less likely to foreclose. This class benefits first-time homebuyers and long-term home buyers re-entering the housing market by teaching what their rights and choices are in the housing market.

Participants will receive certification which can qualify them for down-payment; closing cost and financial assistance from most lending institutions. Certification is given thru Eastern Plains RC&D Conservation; located in Sidney in partnership with Neighborworks Montana, Inc. of Great Falls who is also in partnership with Neighborworks of America housing programs.

This class is taught by Aileen Swinney, a certified housing counselor.

For more information, call Aileen at (406) 433-2103 ext 125

WESTERN DISTRICT
• On Flathead Lake, to protect the bull trout population, the lake trout limit would be raised to 100 daily in possession, with no change to the slot limit.
• On Georgetown Lake, due to an improved brook trout population, the catch-and-release regulation for brook trout would be lifted and two fish could be kept daily.
• On the North and Middle forks of the Flathead River, a size restriction for trout will be dropped to be consistent with regulations recently adopted by Glacier National Park. This change would also help to conserve cutthroat trout by encouraging harvest of rainbow trout.
• On Lake Koocanusa, in an attempt to reverse a bull trout decline, FWP proposes to decrease the harvest from two to one bull trout for anglers with a Bull Trout Catch Card. In addition, the number of lines that anglers may use to fish in open water or through the ice would drop from two to one.
• The one-fish harvest restriction for grayling in Rogers Lake, which was intended to protect a genetic reserve population, would be lifted based on new information revealing that these fish do not possess the desired unique genetic qualities.

CENTRAL FISHING DISTRICT
• With a new management plan, numerous regulation changes are proposed for the upper Missouri River Reservoir Complex—Canyon Ferry, Hauser, Holter reservoirs, Lake Helena and associated river stretches. Regulation changes affect daily and possession limits for northern pike, brown trout, yellow perch and walleye. Most notable is the proposed walleye-limit reduction on Canyon Ferry Reservoir to 10 daily, only four over 16 inches and one over 28 inches; possession limit would be twice daily limit.
• In the Missouri River above Toston Dam, and in the three forks (Madison, Gallatin and Jefferson), to protect the rainbow and brown trout populations, the limit for northern pike would be changed from the Central District standard limit of 10 daily and in possession to no limit.
• On the Missouri River Holter Dam to Black Eagle Dam, to protect the rainbow and brown trout populations, walleye bag limits would be raised from the Central District standard of five daily and 10 in possession to no limit.
• On the Yellowstone River, from the Yellowstone National Park boundary to the I-90 bridge in Billings, to produce more larger fish, the combined trout limit would be changed to four daily, only three of which may be under 18 inches and one over 26 inches.
EASTERN DISTRICT
• On the Yellowstone River, the section between the I-90 Bridge in Billings and the Huntley Diversion Dam is currently regulated to allow two lines with two hooks per line all year. The change would restore this stretch of river to the Eastern District standard of six lines.
Details on the tentative regulations are available for review on the FWP website at http://www.fwp.mt.gov on the Fishing page.

Comments must be received by Sept. 6 by mail to: Don Skaar, Fish Management Section Supervisor, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59601; or by email to: fwpfsh@mt.gov.

The FWP Commission will take final action on the fishing regulations on Oct. 7 in Helena.

Contact your local FSA office at 228-4321, ext. 2 for further details or go online at www.usda.gov.

Keynote speaker, Dr. David Granatstein from Washington State University’s Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, will kick off the seminar with “Farm Sustainability: a Journey or a Destination?” Dr. Granatstein will give a hard look at sustainability of the whole farm, including environmental, social and economic aspects. Dr. Granatstein will speak again in the afternoon to examine “Dryland Grain Cropping Systems that Support Farmers and their Soils.”

Also presenting will be Karri Stroh from FARRMS, the Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resources Management and Sustainability. FARRMS, headquartered in central North Dakota, is an internationally recognized program for education and research on organic topics that bring sustainability to rural communities. Speakers from the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) will also explain the organic provisions of the EQIP program and farmers enrolled in the program will discuss their experiences.

Other highlights include a grain buyers’ panel with a discussion on the latest developments in the organic grain markets. Grain buyers from in and outside the state will speak to the current market trends.A video will feature Herb Sand’s organic grain farm north of Glasgow. The video will follow a year in grain production on the farm from planting to harvest and sale. Sand has been certified organic since long before the USDA organic regulations were published in year 2000. He raises spring wheat, flax and peas and uses sweet clover and peas as green manure crops for soil building. Innovative practices include applying liquid carbon to the soil, vinegar for weed control and molasses for grasshopper control.

The all-day seminar will close with an open discussion forum for growers, moderated by Mikel Lund of Scobey. Lund is also a longtime certified organic farmer with a diverse cropping system and organic livestock.

The seminar includes snacks and a lunch meal featuring organic meat and vegetables from Montana producers.

The Glasgow event is sponsored in part by Kamut International, Montana Milling, West-Dakota Seeds, OFARM, North Central OCIA Chapter, North East OCIA Chapter, Montana Flour and Grain, Timeless Seeds, Montana Department of Agriculture, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and T&E Equipment. This event is also a great opportunity to spread the news about your product, service or organization. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available.

For further information or to register, visit http://www.montanaorganicassociation.org or contact Jim Lindquist at orgwheat@yahoo.com or phone 406-583-7722.

In return since the Friends mailing goes out with a “return address requested” we are able to supply reunion planners with a more current address list than they have. Most of the schools in the county do an All Class Reunion every five years. In five years or ten years you can loose contact with many alumni.

And let me tell you from experience starting from scratch is very hard---been there and done that, don’t want to go back. Once their all class reunions are over they then supply us with a list of all those who have registered for their gathering so that we can up-date our lists. This has been working very well. Having current address also helps Friends Of The Pioneer Museum keep their mailing costs down. We send out between 8500 and 10,000 pieces of mail a year and adding the “return address” request is an added cost even when we get the non-profit rate. You personally can help us keep current by contacting us to make sure your address is up-to-date, when moving leave a forwarding address if you cannot contact us personally. Military addresses---you can also leave a forwarding address. Remember also you do not have to have graduated from a school that you attended at one time to be considered an alumni. The fact that you received part of your education there and have friends that you had to leave behind; this may be a way to renew those old friendships. A number of people have done that and have thoroughly enjoyed it.

We do want to remind those who plan reunions for their classes---and there are some every
year---that this service is also available to them. Also we have created a memorial list for Glasgow alumni who have passed away. At this point there are about 2000 names on that list. These can be sorted by the year in which they graduated and made available to you. A number of classes make a memorial service a part of their reunion. I do not know if the other towns that hold All Class Reunions have memorial lists but you may want to contact them to find out.

As you can see the class lists available to all these communities can be a wonderful tool in planning a reunion whether it be an All Class or one for a certain class. All we ask is that those who are planning a class reunion for their year to PLEASE remember to follow up with the new up-dated list that you get when you register your class members. We are having some problems in that area. So if this resource is going to continue to be available in your planning for a reunion we do need that final step to be completed. We really enjoy working with everyone. Friends Of The Pioneer Museum’s mailing always goes out the second Saturday of October. We welcome all the help we can get on the day that we stuff those approximately 10,000 envelopes. We have fun and we also get the job done. This resource has made possible many of the improvements that have come about at the Pioneer Museum in the last 15 years. It will also help bring about all the future plans being made for the Museum. Remember it is your heritage we are preserving and making available to you and your children and all future generations. Come join us and help make it all possible. You may contact Doris Franzen at 406-228-2082 or E-mail at franznad@nemont.net.

Because fire fighters had worked the previous two days to widen and secure the fire lines around the Raven Rat Patch, the fire did not grow today in spite of the severe weather conditions.

“There was some burning and pretty good smoke columns in the interior portions of the burned area today, but that activity was well within our fire lines,” according to Incident Commander Steve Underwood.

The acreage figure for the fire remained at approximately 26,560 late Thursday and the fire is estimated to be 90 percent contained.

“We’ll keep hand crews and pumper trucks on the fire through Thursday evening as a safety precaution,” Underwood added.

There are still 75 firefighters on the fire.

The Raven Rat Patch Fire is south of the Missouri River along the Skyline and Musselshell trails about 48 miles north of Winnett, Montana. Most of the fire is in northern Petroleum County; however the western edge of the fire is in Fergus County. The Raven Rat Patch Fire started from lightening strikes Saturday afternoon and is burning mostly on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. There is also state and private land within the fire’s perimeter.

Lewistown, MT----Wednesday was another productive day for firefighters on the Raven Rat Patch Fire deep in the Missouri River Breaks north of Winnett, Montana.

Work continued today on interior islands and hand crews and pumper trucks worked the west, south and east perimeter of the fire today. The Missouri River forms the north perimeter of the fire.

The emphasis for today’s work was to continue working on the fire’s east flank and to ensure that hot spots are far enough inside the fire’s perimeter it would be difficult for them to jump established fire lines.

“The work went well today, but tomorrow will be extremely hot and dry with occasional winds which are always a concern,” according to Incident Commander Steve Underwood.

The acreage figure for the fire was revised downward today to 26,568 acres. “This change reflects the opportunity to measure unburned areas inside the fire’s perimeter. It also indicated that fire fighters again held the fire in check today,” Underwood added.

Approximately 85 percent of the Raven Rat Patch Fire is contained and some resources have been released. There are still 75 firefighters on the fire.

The Raven Rat Patch Fire is south of the Missouri River along the Skyline and Musselshell trails about 48 miles north of Winnett, Montana. Most of the fire is in northern Petroleum County; however the western edge of the fire is in Fergus County. The Raven Rat Patch Fire started from lightning strikes Saturday afternoon and is burning mostly on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. There is also state and private land within the fire’s perimeter.

The film is a Documentary of Madame Renaud of Sainte Mere Eglise in Normandy France. Madame Renaud became famous for corresponding with families, and taking care of the graves of American soldiers during the American’s invasion of Normandy during WWII.

Doug Stebleton, a graduate of Glasgow High School, produced and directed the film. He is currently attending Veterans conventions to promote his film. He plans to return to Glasgow to screen his film for the community and spend time with family and friends.

Siewing allegedly purposely or knowingly subjected another person under the age of 16 years, to sexual contact without consent.

The offenses were allegedly committed during a period of time from 1987 to 2003.

Siewing has posted $50,000 bond and is set to be arraigned on September 13th.

While some firefighters were working on the burn out, others continued building and tending fire lines on other divisions of the fire’s perimeter.

The winds across the fire were mostly calm Tuesday with an occasional breeze out of the west and the temperature stayed in the 80s. However, the weather is predicted to take a turn for the hotter for the next several days and fire officials are keeping approximately 180 firefighters and a full complement of equipment on the fire in the near future.

There was some interior burning today as previously unburned, small islands of vegetation inside the fire’s perimeter lit up, then burned themselves out.

“The fire did create some smoke today, but most of it was from our burn out and the interior islands burning. Firefighters continued putting in long hours today, reinforcing fire lines and keeping the perimeter from growing,” offered Incident Commander Steve Underwood.

The fire’s approximate acreage was around 29,000 acres late Tuesday evening. That figure includes the day’s burn out. When this fire winds down, officials will GPS the exact perimeter and measure the unburned interior islands. “That effort will give us a more precise acreage figure,” Underwood added.”

The Raven Rat Patch Fire is south of the Missouri River along the Skyline and Musselshell trails. Most of the fire is in northern Petroleum County; however the western edge of the fire is in Fergus County. The Raven Rat Patch Fire started from lightening strikes Saturday afternoon and is burning mostly on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. There is also state and private land within the fire’s perimeter.

The current tax assessment is $70 per unit and that will increase to $85 due to the rising costs of fuel, equipment labor and contractor fees for the Valley County Refuse District.

The Valley County Refuse District includes all of Valley County including the incorporated communities of Fort Peck, Nashua, Opheim and Glasgow. The district manages all refuse container sites in Valley County and also the Valley County Landfill.

Rates were also increased for Out of County Tonnage and the rate Contractors pay to dispose of refuse. The Out of county Tonnage Rate increased $3.25 per ton and the Contractor rate increased $5 per ton.

This is the first increase for the Valley County Refuse Tax Assessment since 1993.

Again, firefighters were able to hold the fire’s growth in check.

Late Monday afternoon the estimate size of the fire was increased to 28,415 acres which reflects both improved mapping and today’s burning.

While fire officials are cautiously optimistic about the fire’s status and some initial attack resources were released late Monday afternoon to return to their home stations, most of the firefighters and equipment dispatched to the Raven Rat Patch Fire are still on the fire and expect several more busy days.

If conditions allow (wind, relative humidity, temperature and fuel moisture) fire officials plan to conduct a small burn out tomorrow to secure the east side of the fire.

There are roughly 185 personnel on the fire and the effort is being assisted by three helicopters. Firefighters and equipment on the fire came from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of Montana, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Forest Service, county and rural fire departments and contractors.

“I cannot overstate how extraordinary the firefighting effort was during the initial attack and the early stages of this fire. This fire had all the potential to run out of sight Sunday, but with the combination of good decisions and hard work firefighters were able to catch and hold this fire within reasonable boundaries. It was pretty impressive work,” offered Incident Commander Steve Underwood.

The Raven Rat Patch Fire is south of the Missouri River along the Skyline and Musselshell trails.Most of the fire is in northern Petroleum County; however the western edge of the fire is in Fergus County. The Raven Rat Patch Fire started from lightening strikes Saturday afternoon and is burning mostly on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. There is also state and private land within the fire’s perimeter.

Officials from the Montana Departments of Agriculture and Fish, Wildlife and Parks this week posted notices at boat ramps at Toston Reservoir and the Cottonwood Channel north of Townsend seeking public cooperation to prevent further spread of Eurasian watermilfoil. Suspected watermilfoil at those locations tested positive for the state-listed noxious weed, which crowds out native vegetation and forms thick surface mats that can inhibit boating, swimming and fishing.

In eastern Montana, routine checks for invasive species near a FWP warm water fish hatchery below Fort Peck Dam also revealed Eurasian watermilfoil in a 2-acre patch near the Fort Peck Dredge Cuts fishing access site northwest of the Fort Peck town site.

A multi-agency task force is being assembled to address the problems, said Dave Burch, state weed coordinator at the Montana Department of Agriculture. Control options include use of herbicides, suction dredging, bottom barriers, and lowering water levels behind dams, where possible, to freeze and kill patches in dewatered areas.

"Although this weed is common in the Midwest and in some major recreation sites in western states, this is not good news for Montana," Burch said. The state and scientists have been trying to determine how best to control a much larger watermilfoil infestation in Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Reservoir in northwestern Montana. Agriculture officials have operated mandatory boat check stations in that area this summer, seeking to educate boat owners and prevent the infestations from spreading to new areas.

The new infestations in Cottonwood channel near Townsend and at the Dredge Cuts site near Fort Peck might be easier to eradicate if action can be taken before the patches spread, said Burch and Eileen Ryce, Montana aquatic nuisance species coordinator with FWP. Casual observers may confuse Eurasian watermilfoil with northern milfoil, a native species that is less aggressive and poses fewer conflicts with recreation.

A preliminary survey of Toston Reservoir last week found Eurasian watermilfoil in several locations as well as upstream, indicating that removal of the plant south of Townsend might prove more challenging. Although the weed can spread through river systems by segmentation, it is unlikely to flow naturally below Canyon Ferry Reservoir because water enters the dam's turbines well below plant material floating on the surface, Ryce said.

"Montana's best defense against invasive species is to inspect, clean, and dry boats, trailers, and fishing gear after each use," Ryce said.

The Task force involving entities that operate facilities in the two sections of the Missouri plans to discuss control options in teleconferences or meetings during the next two weeks, Burch said. Agencies represented include the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, County Weed Districts, Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and the Montana Department of Agriculture.

For more information, contact Dave Burch at (406) 444-3140 or by e-mail at dburch@mt.gov. For information on aquatic invaders and cleaning equipment, go to http://www.fwp.mt.gov and click on "Inspect. Clean Dry."

“The tour is an excellent opportunity for landowners, the general public and resource management professionals to discuss range management issues and share experiences,” said Pat Anderson, Phillips Conservation District Administrator. “We’re excited to be hosting this year and hope to see plenty of folks come out.”

The first day of the tour will head to south Phillips County, stopping at a vantage point where five ranchers will discuss range management practices. Craig French, chairman of the Phillips County Range Committee, will open with an introduction on the tour theme, “Preserving Our Prairie Neighborhood.” Vicki Olson of the Double O Ranch will follow with a talk on homesteads, family roots and the history of land use. Next will be Leo Barthlemess of Barthlemess Ranch, Corp., discussing grazing management , recovering the land and the Taylor Grazing Act. Bill French of French Farming, Inc., will discuss water spreading, water rights and the importance of hay for a healthy range. The stop will wrap up with Kevin Koss of Mule Tracks Cattle Co. and a talk on diversification and innovation in ranching.

Lunch will be served at Bill and Corky French’s place, where diners will be treated to a speaker on south Phillips County history.

After lunch the tour buses will travel to the First Creek Hall to hear Troy and Jess Blunt of T Bar L Ranch, Inc., share their experiences with the Environmental Quality Incentives Program on installing a stockwater pipeline. Paul Johanneson of Triangle Pipeline will also speak on the installation process. The first day will conclude with a stop at the Veseth Cattle Co., where Dale Veseth will give a presentation on collaborative partnerships, the Rancher’s Stewardship Alliance, and weed prevention.

The 2010 Governor’s Range Tour banquet will take place Tuesday evening at the Tin Cup in Malta. Master of Ceremonies will be Ray Beck of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Russell Nemetz of the Northern Ag Network will be the featured speaker.

On day two, the tour heads north from Malta, stopping first at a unique hayfield irrigation system operated by Pete Lumsden of Blooming Prairie, Inc. Marko Manoukian, Phillips County Extension Agent, will touch on the significance of the St. Mary’s Diversion and Malta Irrigation projects for local hay production. Next up is a stop at the Fanning Hill Overlook, where Howie Hammond will discuss local history and the Cottonwood Grazing Association, continuing on to a BLM stockwater catchment, where Howie will speak about the value of BLM leases to his ranching operation. At the next stop, Whitney and Jay Blunt and John Flansaas discuss the next generation of ranchers working with the family.

Lunch will be served at Loring and include presentations. Matt Simonson of the U2 Ranch will discuss livestock grazing in areas with natural gas wells. Richard Dunbar, Phillips County Commissioner, will talk about the tax benefits of natural gas wells, and gas company representatives will describe their efforts to minimize the impacts of natural gas production on livestock and wildlife. Following a closing by Matt Simonson, Phillips Conservation District Vice-Chair, the tour will return to Malta, arriving about 2:30 p.m.

The annual Governor’s Range Tour rotates around the state, highlighting excellence and innovation in natural resource stewardship.

For more information about this year’s tour, contact Anderson at (406) 654-1334 Ext. 3, or Heidi Olbert, Montana DNRC Rangeland Resource Program Coordinator, at (406) 444-6619.

For more information on DNRC’s Rangeland Resource Program, visit the DNRC Web site at http://www.dnrc.mt.gov/cardd/consdist/rangelandmangement.asp

The weather conditions presented the potential for significant growth today, but firefighters were able to line portions of the fire which prevented it from running as much as expected.

The outside perimeter of the fire would cover a rectangle roughly 3 miles by 15 miles. While only portions of that rectangle have burned, the acreage figure was revised upward to around 26,000 acres early Sunday evening. The revised acreage figure reflects normal fire activity through the day Sunday, improved mapping, and the chance to connect all the dots inside that rectangle.

There are roughly 190 personnel on the fire with firefighters and equipment coming from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of Montana, county and rural fire departments and contractors.

Firefighters lined several structures (cow camps with cabins and out buildings) Sunday afternoon and in one instance, removed smoldering shingles from the roof of a cabin just before they broke into flames.

The fire is south of the Missouri River along the Skyline and Musselshell Trials in northern Petroleum County. The Raven Rat Patch Fire started from lightening strikes Saturday afternoon and is burning mostly on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. There is also state and private land within the fire’s perimeter.

The fire received nearly three/tenths of an inch of welcome rain throughout Sunday evening. While this amount of rain did not extinguish the fire it did hold it down and the moist soil becomes another tool firefighters will use to extinguish hot spots.

The rain also made the gumbo road/trail system too wet to use early Monday morning. However, crews will be back on the fire lines by mid-morning Monday.

Firefighters were able to stay ahead of the winds Sunday afternoon and prevented the Raven Rat Patch Fire from growing as much as expected. The estimated acreage figure for the fire is still at 26,000 acres, which includes a burn out on the south side of the fire to prevent it from running across the Musselshell Trail. It will be later in the fire event before an exact burned acreage figure can be calculated.

If there is no unusual fire growth through the day Monday, some of the initial attack fire engines and crews may be released to return to their home units Monday night. Fire officials are pleased with this morning’s fire status, however strong winds forecasted for Monday afternoon are a constant concern.

There are roughly 180 personnel on the fire with firefighters and equipment coming from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of Montana, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Forest Service, county and rural fire departments and contractors.

The Raven Rat Patch Fire is south of the Missouri River along the Skyline and Musselshell trails. Most of the fire is in northern Petroleum County; however the western edge of the fire is in Fergus County. The Raven Rat Patch Fire started from lightening strikes Saturday afternoon and is burning mostly on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. There is also state and private land within the fire’s perimeter.

The fire has grown to approximately 10,000 acres in size and is burning south of the Missouri River mostly on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. There is also state and private land in the fire’s perimeter.

The fire is burning an along the Skyline and Musselshell Trails in northern Petroleum County.

Today’s combination of fuel, wind, temperature and relative humidity associated with a passing cold front presents the potential for substantial growth.

There are currently 2 helitack crews, 11 fire engines and approximately 80 people assigned to the fire. These resources were dispatched to the original fires, however as the four fires grew together, the resources assigned also combined their efforts. More resources have been ordered and should be on the fire later this afternoon.

The fire is near the popular Chain Buttes and East Indian Butte Block Management Areas and the agencies are concerned there may be bow hunters pursuing antelope in these areas. Recreationists are asked to avoid these areas until the fire is controlled as the increased vehicle traffic as well as potential for quick fire runs may present safety hazards.

The fires were reported Saturday afternoon (August 21) following a small lightning storm that moved through central Montana. Area landowners, grazing permittees, county fire entities, and county commissioners have been notified of the fire.

Ralph Page, a BIA rangeland management specialist from Chinook, says he was driving along U.S. Highway 2 toward Harlem just after noon Wednesday to pick up a load of hay. He says the blast came from a car headed in the opposite direction and it shattered the driver's side window.

Page says he believes that if his truck's window had been rolled down, he would have been shot in the head.

Blaine County Undersheriff Pat Pyette says Page did not get the license plate number of the gray car, and did not know how many occupants were in the car.

Pyette says the shooting is under investigation.

___

Information from: The Great Falls Tribune, http://www.greatfallstribune.com

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

According to this investigative website, Valley County took in $842 in recovery dollars for every resident of the county.

Montana has taken in more federal economic stimulus dollars than all but two other states, according to data compiled by the website.

According to the website, Montana recieved over 1.686 billion in stimulus funds.

To see what projects were funded in Valley County by the stimulus program visit this link
http://projects.propublica.org/recovery/locale/montana/valley

The Oktoberfest activities will include a, hot dog and pie eating contests, Kid’s corner, street vendors, pheasant feather contest, and a tug of war. A new sporting event introduced last year at the Oktoberfest were the Outhouse Races. Start building your unique outhouse and get ready to compete in the Outhouse races down 2nd Ave. So. Rules are available at the Chamber office. Live music will be performed by Dudley and the Deadbeats downtown from 2p-4m.The Merchants will have promotions and sales. The Annual Kiwanis Breakfast will be held from 7a-11a that morning.

This is also the Scottie Homecoming Festival weekend. The Saskatoon Police Pipe Band will participate in the Homecoming parade. They will perform at the Football game, Scottie Booster Tailgate party on Friday September 10. The weekend will conclude Saturday night with the Pipe Band leading the Annual Pub Crawl to local taverns.

With the new school year upon us the Glasgow Chamber reminds residents to,” Buy Locally and the Buck Stays here”.

The Chamber encourages vendors, clubs, organizations and musicians to be a part of this fun Fall event, “ Glasgow Oktoberfest”. For more information contact the Chamber at 406-228-2222 or chamber@glasgowmt.net

William Bigby and Stephanie Everett were arrested on August 10th after a Glasgow business reported the two individuals were using counterfeit money.

The Glasgow Police Department told Kltz/Klan the individuals have been charged with Felony Forgery, Felony Money Laundering, Misdemeanor Obstruction of a Peace Officer and Misdemeanor Theft.

Bond was set at $50,000 for both Bigby and Everett and they are still incarcerated in the Valley County Jail.

Glasgow Police Chief Bruce Barstad told Kltz/Klan that the investigation is continuing.

Tickets are available at Jody’s Conoco, Wells Fargo-Glasgow, VFW Club, First Community Bank-Glasgow, Dairy Queen, the Montana Bar or by calling Brenda Leckie at 263-4246.

Our keynote speaker; Vicki Reynolds, Hero of Hope, is a true inspiration. The luminaria purchased this year broke all previous records, 2496. The rain prevented us from lighting them this year but the ceremony was just as moving. We also had a record 33 teams this year. There were 204 survivors registered, which is another record for your Relay.

Your generosity has helped bring the following to our local Relay area:

1. Cancer Outreach Center - located near the cancer treatment area on the second floor of the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow, 228-3500.

2. Look Good – Feel Better - Willie Plouffe of Expressions in Glasgow can be reached at 228-2499.

3. Reach To Recovery - Bonnie Olson can be reached at 653-2411 at the Roosevelt County Library

4. Lodging, travel arrangements and gas cards can be applied for through the Billings American Cancer Society office by calling 1-406-256-7150.

Additional information on these and many more programs will be provided at a later date.

Unfortunately, we had to postpone the 2010 Chevrolet truck raffle drawing until August 30. There have not been enough tickets sold to reach the breakeven point so we will get tickets out there and if you have not had an opportunity to get your lucky ticket your chance is here. Until the ticket locations are available, please call Brenda Leckie at 263-4246.

Abbey will be in Malta at the request of the Phillips County Commissioners to address the concerns Phillips and Valley County residents have about the possible designation of a national monument in the area. Recently released BLM internal documents mentioning such a monument have raised alarm in local residents.

Phillips County and Valley County Commissioners encourage everyone to attend this important meeting.

The following gifts were awarded for the 2010-2011 academic year:

First Time Recipients IHO or IMO School

Morgan Bell IMO Richard B. Hovland Carroll College
Joseph Bergtoll, Jr. IMO Leonard “Lenny” A. Bollinger U. of N. Dakota
Dillon Billman IMO Margery Engels Bollinger Minneapolis
Media Institute
Anna Breigenzer IRO Tom & Flora Coghland Family Wash. State Univ.
Dillon Cassel IMO LaVonne McFarland MSU-Northern
Chad Dawson IHO Bill & Peggy Pattison Endowment Dickinson State U.
Evan Etchart IMO Doris Arneklev Hopstad Montana State U.
Alexie Grewe IMO Ardis Parke Fuhrman Montana Tech
Nicholas Holom IMO Dork K. Maag Montana State U.
Jordan Koski IMO Jeanette H. Corey Academy of Nail, Skin,
& Hair
Ethan Lee IMO Mabel C. Hovland U. of South Dakota
Emily Morehouse IMO Madeline “Lal” Bing Landes U. of Mary
Brady Smith IMO William F. “Bill” Connors Northland Comm.
College
Corey Smith IRO Herb & Lucille Friedl Family Montana State U.
Elizabeth Swanson IMO Wendy Connors Kambich U. of Idaho

Second Time Recipients

Kelsi Archambeault IHO Charlotte Bruce MSU-Billings
Nathaniel Barstad IHO O. E. & Lois Markle Family St. Edwards Univ.
Kyle Enebo IHO Bill & Peggy Pattison Endowment Dickinson State U.
Marie Fahlgren IRO Russel & Arlene Heacox U. of Montana
Janelle Johnson IHO Sever & Esther Enkerud U. of North Dakota
Whitney Kliewer IMO L. J. & Jean Baker U. of Montana
Tracy Krause IRO Beatrice Trites Family MSU-Northern
Cassandra Lannen IRO James & Eleanor Wedum Family Montana State U.
Marcus Lee IRO Arthur & Audrey Parke U. of North Dakota
Navarr Vaira IMO Jane & Anne Hoffmann Montana State U.
Sarah Waarvik IMO O. E. Markle U. of Montana
Kara Wesen Imo Leonard H. & Kathryn L. Langen U. of Montana

Third Time Applicants

David Dawson IMO Harry Rybock Brigham Young U.
Kevin Durell IRO Leroy & Bess Lockwood Family Montana State U.
Karra Hering IHO Bill & Peggy Pattison Endowment Montana State U.
Curtis Lannen IRO Stannebein Family U. of Idaho
Jesse Lawson IMO Merlin L. Hovland UM College of Tech.
Lawson Moorman IRO Glenn R. & Carolee Grina Wallem Montana State U.
Brandy Morehouse IRO Arthur & Audrey Parke MSU-Billings
Cassidy Nelson IMO Dr. F. M. & Bernice Knierim U. of Montana
Alysa Nichols IMO Dean Rusher U. of Montana
SaraAnn Wiens IRO Ione & Phyllis Kleppin MSU-Billings

Fourth Time Recipients

Denise Enebo IMO John Maag U. of Mary
C. Brianne Saxbury IMO Dr. F. M. & Bernice Knierim Montana State U.

Fifth Time Recipients

Seth Combs IRO Willard & Charlotte Bruce Family Dickinson State U.
Kimberly Swanson IHO Sever & Esther Enkerud U. of Montana

Sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is now open and continues through August 27th.

Producers may offer eligible land for this program at your local FSA office.

CRP participants with contracts expiring September 30, 2010 are eligible to submit offers. Owners and/or operators need to submit offers for these contacts as they are not automatically submitted. Contracts expiring after 2010 are not eligible for this sign up period.

Eligible land is cropland that is planted or considered planted to an agricultural commodity four of the previous six crop years from 2002 to 2007 and is physically capable of being planted in a normal manner to an agricultural commodity. Alfalfa or other multiyear grasses and legumes grown in a rotations (not to exceed 12 years) may be eligible for this sign-up.

To make an offer please contact the Valley County Farm Service Agency at 228-4321.

A public hearing was held on August 12th and several Valley County residents spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance while 1 person spoke against the proposed ordinance.

Most who spoke in favor of the ordinance were from the Park Grove area where a medical marijuana caregiver has established a storefront business.

Kevin Moore spoke against the ordinance and told the commissioners that he owns 7 stores in Montana that sell medical marijuana to over 500 customers. He told the commissioners that they were circumventing state law while pursuing their own agenda against medical marijuana.

After a brief discussion the commissioners voted 3-0 to pass the ordinance which goes into effect immediately.

The ordinance puts new restrictions on medical marijuana in Valley County while requiring that the 19 medical marijuana caregivers in Valley County certify to the County Sanitarian the number of plants in the caregivers possession and the number of qualified patients.

The new ordinance doesn’t effect Valley County residents who live in Glasgow, Fort Peck, Nashua and Opheim

Weaver was arrested August 11th at the Missouri River Outpost in Fort Peck. The VCSO had obtained a search warrant for the Missouri River Outpost earlier in the day and during the search of the building found suspected Hashish and Marijuana.

Weaver has been charged with felony criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, felony criminal manufacture of dangerous drugs and misdemeanor criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

He was incarcerated in the Valley County Jail and was scheduled to appear in front of Valley County Justice of the Peace Linda Hartsock on Thursday.

The Valley County Sherriff’s Office was assited by the Big Muddy River Drug Task Force, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol and Montana Department of Criminal Investigation Drug Task Force.

Thompson, 32, has worked as FWP’s Culbertson-based biologist for the past seven years. He is a native of Butte and holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in animal and range science from Montana State University-Bozeman.

Thompson has extensive experience working with private landowners on habitat and hunting access projects, two areas of work that he’ll continue to pursue vigorously while serving in his new position.

Thompson, who is married and has three children, replaces Mark Sullivan, who now serves as the wildlife program manager for FWP Region 6.

Anderson, 38, has worked as a game warden out of Jordan and Miles City in FWP’s Region 7 and Lewistown in Region 4. He holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from South Dakota State University.

In the Glasgow game warden position, Anderson will be responsible for enforcing FWP’s wildlife and fisheries laws and regulations. He will also work on enhancing public access by working closely with private landowners, land management agencies and various sport groups.

Anderson, who is married and has four children, replaces Ron Howell, who moved to a FWP warden position in Libby.

2nd place went to Shawn Wersal, 3rd place to Fred Potter, 4th place to Christopher Moore and 5th place to Jory Scott.

18 teams competed in the Demolition Derby.

Pastor Jay Ashbaucher will do the opening, the Star Spangle Banner will be sung by Erica Hartsock.
Our Flame of Hope Lighters are Steven Jimison and Mike Fairclough of Glasgow Montana . ( We would like to thank our keepers of the flame – Bill and Kareen Nicol.) The Survivor lap will take place with the team laps to follow. Music will be provided for by Valley Sound & Music . Jeff Sather will entertain us with his music also throughout the evening. Vicki Reynolds our 2009 Great West Division Hero of Hope will be giving her testimonial, so come find out what makes her a Hero of Hope as she shares her cancer journey with us. Her husband Joe will be here also. We welcome them from Norris Montana. Our Luminary Service will be begin at 10:00 p.m with the reading of each name.

This is the most special time as the bags are lit, it is quiet and you can walk the track and she all the people who have cancer or those lost to the disease. It is a very moving time and you have to experience it in order to understand it. There will be a caregiver walk to honor the care givers, a Cancer Survivor would not know what to do without these special people in their life as they go through their journey.

Don’t forget to get to check out the remembrance tent in memory and honor of those that have lost the battle. The tent is so nicely done and there is music and a place to sit if you so desire, a great place to take out the time to reflect and remember. In this busy world of ours, it is a welcome retreat. Deb and Tan do a super job each year.

The Live Auction will take place and you won’t want to miss all the wonderful items there are for you to bid on. Be sure and check out the area for team raffles.

The team baskets Silent Auction will run until Saturday a.m. you do not be present to win.
The 2010 Chevy Pickup Truck from Newton Motors will be raffled off also Friday night, so make sure you get your tickets.

This is a great family event and there is something for everyone so come on up to the track and walk around, there will be plenty of food of all kinds, taco in a bag, snow cones, Italian Soda’s are also available for the first time.

Some of the teams will be having a cake decorating contest with a cake walk to follow.
You will want to check out the goodies that Leisha & crew will have behind the grandstand. They always make sure we are well supplied with all kinds of food and hot coffee. Reveille will be done by Brad Persinger and then Leisha and her helpers will be serving our breakfast Saturday a.m. and it is always so good.

Saturday morning is always is fun with team Challenges, musical entertainment, the silent action is held and all the raffles are done also.

There will be a wrap up by Chair Person Brenda Leckie & the organizing committee and then the Victory lap will take place by everybody present to close out the 2010 Event.

This in a no smoking, no pets, no alcohol event. We look forward to seeing each and every one of you. Thank you each one for sharing in our N.E. Montana Relay for Life Passion! Thank you for helping us in the fight against Cancer. Thank you for helping us Celebrate more Birthdays!

Attending the drawing from left to right are: Brian Jenkins, owner of HiLine RadioShack in Havre, Rich Smith of Barkus Hardware; and Murray Barkus, owner of Barkus Hardware in Havre.

The August winner of a trip to Key West, Florida was Paula Halverson of Peerless. This was Paula's second win. She also won the drawing in June for two tickets to anywhere in the United States. Danielle Anderson of Glasgow was the lucky winner of the $200 prize.

2011 Raffle tickets are available NOW. See any board member or stop by the theatre to pick up your ticket for the incredible trip in 2011. You can also call 228-9216 for information.

The National Weather Service is reporting that the weather event that caused the damage to the home wasn't a tornado but instead a macroburst-which happens when a thunderstorm containing rain or hail can't hold the moisture anymore and drops it, pushing a large burst of wind forward when it hits the ground. It could cause winds to go up to 120 miles an ahour and 3 to 4 miles wide.

Reports to Kltz/Klan indicate that crop damage is exceeding 13000 acres destroyed due to high winds and hail in Valley County. The storm also knocked down about 50 power poles in the north Nashua area.

The National Weather Service has released a summary of the storm system, available here.

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GLASGOW MT
222 AM MDT SAT AUG 07 2010

..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..

0641 PM HAIL 12 NW SACO 48.58N 107.53W
08/06/2010 M0.75 PHILLIPS MT TRAINED SPOTTER

0.25 INCHES OF RAIN.

0648 PM HAIL 3 NE SACO 48.50N 107.30W
08/06/2010 M0.88 PHILLIPS MT TRAINED SPOTTER

HAIL WAS COVERING THE GROUND.

0653 PM HAIL 4 N SACO 48.52N 107.33W
08/06/2010 M0.88 PHILLIPS MT TRAINED SPOTTER

0702 PM HAIL 4 N SACO 48.52N 107.33W
08/06/2010 M0.50 PHILLIPS MT PUBLIC

0705 PM TSTM WND GST 3 E SACO 48.45N 107.30W
08/06/2010 M42.00 MPH PHILLIPS MT MESONET

0717 PM HAIL BJORNBERG BRIDGE 48.52N 107.20W
08/06/2010 M0.88 PHILLIPS MT PUBLIC

0.50 INCHES OF RAINFALL

0719 PM HAIL HINSDALE 48.40N 107.09W
08/06/2010 M0.50 VALLEY MT TRAINED SPOTTER

1.00 INCHES OF RAINFALL

0730 PM TSTM WND GST HINSDALE 48.40N 107.09W
08/06/2010 E70.00 MPH VALLEY MT TRAINED SPOTTER

5 INCH TREE BRANCHES BROKEN OUT OF TREES

0740 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 E HINSDALE 48.40N 107.02W
08/06/2010 VALLEY MT PUBLIC

HAY STACKS BLOWN UP FROM WIND GUSTS

0740 PM TSTM WND GST 14 NW GLASGOW 48.37N 106.81W
08/06/2010 E70.00 MPH VALLEY MT TRAINED SPOTTER

0.50 HAIL ALONG WITH THE WIND.

0747 PM HAIL 7 NNW VANDALIA 48.47N 106.99W
08/06/2010 M0.75 VALLEY MT PUBLIC

0800 PM TSTM WND GST PINES REC AREA 47.84N 106.64W
08/06/2010 M45.00 MPH VALLEY MT MESONET

0813 PM TSTM WND GST LUFBOROUGH HILL 47.07N 107.57W
08/06/2010 M48.00 MPH GARFIELD MT MESONET

0818 PM TSTM WND GST 2 W GLASGOW 48.21N 106.69W
08/06/2010 E60.00 MPH VALLEY MT NWS EMPLOYEE

0820 PM HAIL ST MARIE 48.40N 106.55W
08/06/2010 M0.25 VALLEY MT TRAINED SPOTTER

VERY HEAVY RAIN

0823 PM TSTM WND GST 7 N GLASGOW 48.28N 106.54W
08/06/2010 E60.00 MPH VALLEY MT PUBLIC

0830 PM TSTM WND GST 4 NW GLASGOW 48.25N 106.63W
08/06/2010 M58.00 MPH VALLEY MT MESONET

0837 PM TSTM WND GST GLASGOW ASOS 48.21N 106.63W
08/06/2010 M58.00 MPH VALLEY MT ASOS

0841 PM TSTM WND GST 25 N WINNETT 47.24N 108.35W
08/06/2010 M49.00 MPH PETROLEUM MT RAWS STATION

0850 PM TSTM WND GST 1 E GLASGOW 48.20N 106.61W
08/06/2010 M52.00 MPH VALLEY MT MESONET

0920 PM TSTM WND DMG 12 N NASHUA 48.23N 106.35W
08/06/2010 VALLEY MT LAW ENFORCEMENT

LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS A ROOF BLOWN OFF HOME.
POSSIBLE TORNADO.

0941 PM TSTM WND GST 20 S ZORTMAN 47.70N 108.48W
08/06/2010 M47.00 MPH PHILLIPS MT RAWS STATION

0948 PM TSTM WND GST JORDAN AWOS 47.32N 106.94W
08/06/2010 M45.00 MPH GARFIELD MT AWOS

0950 PM TORNADO 10 SW WOLF POINT 47.96N 105.94W
08/06/2010 MCCONE MT LAW ENFORCEMENT

BRIEF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN SOUTH OF MISSOURI RIVER.

0950 PM HAIL WOLF POINT 48.10N 105.65W
08/06/2010 M1.00 ROOSEVELT MT LAW ENFORCEMENT

0952 PM TSTM WND GST 22 N WOLF POINT 48.42N 105.44W
08/06/2010 M61.00 MPH ROOSEVELT MT MESONET

1000 PM HAIL WOLF POINT 48.10N 105.65W
08/06/2010 M0.88 ROOSEVELT MT TRAINED SPOTTER

1022 PM TSTM WND GST 35 NE WINNETT 47.52N 108.05W
08/06/2010 M40.00 MPH PETROLEUM MT RAWS STATION

1025 PM TSTM WND GST 15 NW BRUSETT 47.56N 107.52W
08/06/2010 M56.00 MPH GARFIELD MT RAWS STATION

1025 PM TSTM WND GST 15 NE VIDA 48.04N 105.39W
08/06/2010 E80.00 MPH MCCONE MT PUBLIC

PEA SIZED HAIL.

1030 PM FLOOD 15 SW WOLF POINT 47.94N 105.86W
08/06/2010 MCCONE MT LAW ENFORCEMENT

3 INCHES OF WATER OVER HIGHWAY 528 AT MILE
MARKER 9.

1035 PM HAIL 7 N CIRCLE 47.52N 105.53W
08/06/2010 M1.25 MCCONE MT TRAINED SPOTTER


1055 PM TORNADO RICHEY 47.64N 105.07W
08/06/2010 DAWSON MT LAW ENFORCEMENT

BRIEF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

1105 PM HAIL 1 E RICHEY 47.65N 105.06W
08/06/2010 M0.25 DAWSON MT TRAINED SPOTTER

M38.00 WIND GUST WITH 1.00 INCHES OF RAINFALL

1118 PM TSTM WND GST POPLAR 48.12N 105.07W
08/06/2010 M49.00 MPH ROOSEVELT MT RAWS STATION

1133 PM TSTM WND GST MEDICINE LAKE 48.49N 104.47W
08/06/2010 M56.00 MPH SHERIDAN MT RAWS STATION

0.65 INCHES OF RAINFALL

1135 PM TSTM WND GST 13 NW SIDNEY 47.92N 104.33W
08/06/2010 M52.00 MPH RICHLAND MT MESONET

0900 PM TSTM WND DMG 15 E GLASGOW 48.20N 106.31W
08/06/2010 VALLEY MT TRAINED SPOTTER

CRP participants with contracts expiring September 30, 2010 are eligible to submit offers. Owners and/or operators need to submit offers for these contacts as they are not automatically submitted. Contracts expiring after 2010 are not eligible for this sign up period.

Eligible land is cropland that is planted or considered planted to an agricultural commodity four of the previous six crop years from 2002 to 2007 and is physically capable of being planted in a normal manner to an agricultural commodity. Alfalfa or other multiyear grasses and legumes grown in a rotations (not to exceed 12 years) may be eligible for this sign-up.

The cabins sites at Fort Peck are managed by the Army Corps. Baucus passed a provision in 2000 that allowed Fort Peck cabin owners to buy their lots. The revenue from the lot sales will fund improvements to the CMR Wildlife Refuge. However, the Army Corps has slammed the cabin owners with expensive and unexplained fees and major delays during the process.

“We are concerned that the proposed costs by the Army Corps of Engineers for appraisals and transfer fees may be unacceptably high, especially in light of the substantial funds appropriated by Congress,” the Senators wrote to Lieutenant General Robert L. Van Antwerp with the Army Corps. “Additionally, the length of time to complete these transfers has taken an unacceptable amount of time.”

Baucus and Tester demanded that the Army Corps:

· Review comparable properties to the Ft. Peck Lake cabins and adjust administrative costs accordingly

· Provide a summary and justification of the $6,735 sanitation and survey fees, the $1,481 labor charge, and the $349 per lot fee levied against cabin owners

· Document the use of federal funding for the transfers and prove that the fees levied are not duplicative

· Expedite the lot transfers

Tester last week questioned Army Corps chief Jo-Ellen Darcy on the cabin sales during a Capitol Hill hearing.