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News:
Special Warning: High Avalanche Danger (posted 1/2/09)
Dangerous conditions for most of all mountain ranges in NW Montana
Stan Bones, USFS Glacier Country Avalanche Center
Special backcountry avalanche warning issued by the U.S. Forest Service Glacier Country Avalanche Center at 7:00 AM, Friday, January 2nd, 2009, for the Glacier Park and Flathead and Kootenai National Forest areas.
HAZARD ANALYSIS: Because of heavy new snowfall, we are currently rating the avalanche danger as HIGH over most all of the mountain ranges of Northwestern Montana.
Beginning late Thursday night a strong Pacific weather system began moving into NW Montana. Locations in the East and West Cabinet Ranges on the Kootenai and in the mountains around the Flathead and Mission valleys registered 0.4-0.8" of new snow water equivalent loading, in a 9-hr period Thursday night and into early Friday morning. This heavy new snowfall combines with 4-5" of new snow water equivalent received over the last seven days. The new snowfall over the last week has begun to completely bury the vegetative and terrain anchors that were widely existing earlier.
The new snowfall is building a more consolidated, dense, slab layer which is now sitting atop the weakly bonded and lower density snow received earlier in December. New snowfall Wednesday was also accompanied by moderate to strong winds in many locations. Conditions have combined to produce an unstable, inverted snowpack with higher density surface snow over-topping less dense, more weakly bonded buried snow.
Because of heavy new snowfall, often combined by ridge and mountaintop winds, unstable slab layers are likely on steep, open terrain in all of the mountainous areas of Northwestern Montana. Both natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Extensive skill, experience, and local knowledge are essential to safely travel in the backcountry currently.
The weather forecast is for snowfall to continue Friday, bringing a total of 6-12" of new snow depth to the valleys and mountains of NW Montana. Temperatures are expected to drop into the teens and single digits Friday night and Saturday as colder air moves in behind the Pacific front. Mountain winds are forecasted to be moderate through the weekend, blowing 5-15 MPH, mostly from the W-SW. These conditions should maintain the avalanche danger at an elevated level through the weekend.
This advisory message will next be updated on Tuesday, January 6th, 2009.
AVALANCHE DANGER RATING KEY
LOW DANGER Snow is generally stable with only isolated areas of instability. Natural avalanches are very unlikely, while human triggered avalanches are unlikely. Backcountry travel is generally safe. Normal caution is advised.
MODERATE DANGER Unstable slab layers are possible on steep terrain. Natural avalanches are unlikely, while human triggered avalanches are possible. Backcountry travelers should use caution in steeper terrain on certain aspects.
CONSIDERABLE DANGER Unstable slab layers are probable on steep terrain. Natural avalanches are possible, while human triggered avalanches are probable. Backcountry travelers should be very cautious in steeper terrain. Be aware of potentially dangerous areas of unstable snow.
HIGH DANGER Unstable slab layers are likely on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Both natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Safest travel is on windward ridges or on lower angle slopes without steeper terrain above.
EXTREME DANGER Extremely unstable slab layers exist on most aspects and slope angles. Widespread natural and human triggered avalanches are certain. Large destructive avalanches are possible. Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided and travel confined to low angle terrain well away from avalanche path runouts.
For more information contact Stan Bones, Flathead National Forest, U.S. Forest Service Glacier Country Avalanche Center, 650 Wolfpack way, Kalispell, MT 59901, Phone: 406-758-5284 phone, Fax: 406-758-5363.
Related Links:
www.weather.gov National Weather Service
Montana cameras Google map showing Road Weather Information Sites
Crystal Creek – US 2 Webcam
State of Montana webcams
More Montana webcams State of Montana list
Turner Ski Area open January 3 & 4 (posted 1/2/09)
40 inches at Summit, 30 inches at the Base
Turner Ski Area opened on Monday, December 29, 2008. They have pPowder conditions with several groomed runs (Pneumonia Ridge, Cabinet Avenue, and No-Go). They will be open Saturday and Sunday, January 3 & 4. Stay tuned for announcements of additional opening days.
Equipment rentals for skis and snowboards are available in the basement of the lodge. They also have tuning, hot wax, apparel and accessories
Full-day lift tickets are $30 for Adults and $25 for Junior/Seniors. Half-day lift tickets are $25 for Adults and $20 for Junior/Seniors. Season passes are $390 for Adults, $270 for Junior/Seniors, and $845 for a family of 2 adults/2 children (additional children $100).
The ski area is located 22 miles north of Libby. Access is from the Pipe Creek Road, which is paved. Lodging is available in Libby. AMTRAK train service comes into the Libby station. Commercial flights are available into Kalispell and Whitefish, Montana, and Spokane, Washington. Car rental services are available in Libby.
For more information about Turner, call: 406-293-2468 or e-mail contact@skiturner.com. On the web: www.skiturner.com
The Libby Chamber of Commerce has a visitor center on the west side of town, right off US 2. They can provide area information and maps and information about local businesses and services, www.libbychamber.org.
Kootenai Valley Record
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Libby man charged with Christmas shooting of brother (posted 1/2/09)
Kootenai Valley Record
A 35-year-old Libby man was arrested early Christmas Day on charges of attempted deliberate homicide and criminal endangerment after a scuffle between brothers escalated to gunplay.
Kolby Zugg is charged with shooting his brother Austin, 32, once in the abdomen with a .40-caliber pistol. The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. on Dec. 25 at the Zugg family residence off Highway 2 south of Libby.
The dispatcher at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a man believed to have been Kolby Zugg at 1:57 a.m., said LCSO Detective Capt. Jim Sweet. The caller said he needed help, but hung up before the dispatcher could get more information, Sweet said.
"In the background, they could hear fighting and lots of yelling," he said.
The dispatcher tried unsuccessfully to call back, and three minutes later a second 911 call came in with a woman reporting that a domestic dispute was in progress between two brothers. The caller initially said there were no weapons involved, but later said she had "lied" and that there was a gun involved and that "Kolby shot Austin," according to dispatch records.
Sweet said it’s believed that three shots – one of which hit Austin Zugg – were fired, either during or just prior to the second 911 call.
"It wasn’t audible in the 911 call at this point that we can tell," Sweet said.
Both Kolby and Austin Zugg were transported by Libby Volunteer Ambulance to St. John’s Lutheran Hospital. Austin went immediately into surgery, Sweet said, and Kolby was treated and released into police custody. He remained in the county jail on Monday morning; bail had not yet been set.
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Editor’s Note: See the December 30, 2008 edition of the Kootenai Valley Record for the printed version of this story. The Kootenai Valley Record publishes once a week, now on Tuesday, in Libby, Montana. They are a locally owned community newspaper, located at 403 Mineral Avenue in Libby. For in-county and out-of-county subscription information, call 406-293-2424, or e-mail kvrecord@gmail.com.
Kootenai Valley Record
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Commission stands firm on call for Hicks’ removal (posted 1/2/09)
Kootenai Valley Record
The Montana Judicial Standards Commission is holding fast to its recommendation that Justice of the Peace Gary Hicks be permanently removed from office due to ethical violations involving sexual remarks and solicitations toward nine women who appeared in his court.
The commission first recommended Hicks’ removal by the Montana Supreme Court in October, based on testimony offered during a two-day hearing in August. In November, Hicks responded to that recommendation and argued that there was insufficient evidence of "flagrant and severe misconduct" to justify such a severe penalty.
In a recent reply to Hicks’ objections, the commission – represented by attorney Stephen Berg of Kalispell – contends that the case "is largely one of circumstantial evidence punctuated by telling undisputed behavior of Judge Hicks, and corroborating documentary evidence."
"Most important is what it all adds up to: a consistent modus operandi in relation to nine women whose dealings with Hicks were independent of each other, a modus operandi with these ingredients: the black robe; the empty courtroom; the absence of witnesses; the fawning flattery; allusions to his dismal marriage; the expression or implication of power to make unpleasant things go away; the self-deprecation of himself as old and fat, but still virile enough to be satisfactory to younger women; the predatory selection of only low-income women, women in failing marriages, women behind bars, as his targets; the impulsivity of uninvited travel to the homes of two of the women, and work place of one, to pursue his quest; and the audacity of giving his calling card to two of the women," Berg wrote in his response for the commission.
During the August hearing before the five-member commission, Hicks denied soliciting sexual contact from any of the women and explained some of the more innocuous allegations as attempts to lighten the mood or make the women feel better about themselves and their situation.
Hicks’ attorney, Tammi Fisher of Kalispell, contended that no evidence suggested Hicks failed to act impartially while dispensing justice, and that Hicks has taken steps to maintain public confidence in his office, such as conducting initial appearances through video link or in the presence of a court clerk, mentoring with a more experienced justice of the peace, and recusing himself from any cases involving the women who filed complaints against him. She argued in favor of an admonition from the Supreme Court rather than removal from office.
"No evidence was presented suggesting Judge Hicks was partial in any proceedings before him?" Berg responded. "This Court is respectfully referred to the Commission’s Findings and Conclusions for a summary of evidence suggesting Judge Hicks was partial in proceedings before him which involved younger, low-income, occasionally imprisoned women from whom he thought he could enlist sexual gratification. He is a threat to such women in Lincoln County. He should be permanently removed from the bench."
Hicks has been suspended with pay since the commission made its initial recommendation in October. Retired Justice of the Peace Terry Utter of Eureka has been hired by Lincoln County to work as a part-time substitute pending a decision by the Supreme Court.
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Editor’s Note: See the December 30, 2008 edition of the Kootenai Valley Record for the printed version of this story. The Kootenai Valley Record publishes once a week, now on Tuesday, in Libby, Montana. They are a locally owned community newspaper, located at 403 Mineral Avenue in Libby. For in-county and out-of-county subscription information, call 406-293-2424, or e-mail kvrecord@gmail.com.
Libby
lies in the northwest corner of Montana and is nestled in a valley carved by the
Kootenai River on the flank of the majestic Cabinet Mountain Range and Wilderness
Area. Today
about 2,800 people live within Libby proper. The main industries are lumber and
wood products, mining, tourism and recreation. The movies "The River Wild" and
"Always" were filmed here. Contact the Libby
Chamber of Commerce for brochures, info on lodging and events, general area
information, and contact information for local businesses and services.
SUMMER
When the weather warms and the mountain
snows melt away, the Kootenai National Forest comes alive with over 2.2
million acres of public land as a playground. Mountain trails and lakes
open up, beautiful wildflowers come in bloom, and wildlife have their young.
Libby is the basecamp for the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area, 90-mile
long Lake Koocanusa, the Northwest Peaks Scenic Area, and the Ten Lakes
Scenic Area. There is good access to most of the Forest and plenty of room
to get away from it all!
WINTER
Winter in Montana means snow, and lots
of it! For those who love to play in the deep powder, the Libby area offers tremendous
winter fun. Turner Mountain Ski Area, located
just 22 miles from Libby, offers challenging downhill skiing with a beautiful
view. Their slogan is "steep, deep and cheap", and Turner definitely
lives up to that. It's still fairly undiscovered, so you can escape the crowds
and get the cheapest lift tickets around. For those who love snowmobiling,
there are hundreds of miles of backcountry roads to sled on in the Kootenai National
Forest. Cross-country skiers and ice fishermen also can find solitude on a lake
and miles of quiet forest trails to enjoy the outdoors. Those who are a bit on
the wild and crazy side will love the antics of the Libby Polar Bear Club.
Members take winter-time "swims" in frigid Libby Creek every Sunday
from October to April. Plungers have ranged in age from 3 to 61. As long as the
ice can be broken on the creek, if it has formed, the group will take their plunge,
no matter the temperature.
These people must be
craaaazzzzzy!
Libby
Polar Bear Club
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