News:
‘A Christmas Carol’ performances in Libby and Troy (posted 11/21/2021)
Presentation of The Pitiful Players
The Pitiful Players present "A Christmas Carol" on Thursday, December 9th and Friday, December 10th at the Dome Theater in Libby, and Saturday, December 11th at the Lincoln Theatre in Troy. All shows start at 7:00pm, and all shows are FREE. For more information, contact Keith Meyers at 406-293-9277 or find them on Facebook.
Fish & Wildlife Commission adopts clarification to Muzzleloader Heritage Season Regulations (posted 10/31/2021)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
HELENA, MONTANA – The Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted a clarification to the muzzleloader heritage hunting season for deer and elk. The commission approved the regulations for the season at its meeting on Aug. 20.
The clarification states that any unused license-permit valid on the last day of the general season (i.e., Nov. 28, 2021) would be valid during the muzzleloader heritage season (Dec. 11 to 19, 2021).
The nine-day season was established when House Bill 242 was passed in the 2021 Legislative Session. The season begins on the second Saturday following the end of the regular season. At its Aug. 20 meeting, the commission adopted the following regulations, most of which are based on language from the statute:
A person may take a deer or elk with a license or permit that is valid on the last day of the general hunting season.
Hunters can use plain lead projectiles and a muzzleloading rifle that is charged with loose black powder, loose pyrodex or an equivalent loose black powder substitute and ignited by a flintlock, wheel lock, matchlock or percussion mechanism using a percussion or musket cap.
The muzzleloading rifle must be a minimum of .45 caliber and may not have more than two barrels.
During the muzzleloader heritage season, hunters may not use a muzzleloading rifle that requires insertion of a cap or primer into the open breech of the barrel (inline), is capable of being loaded from the breech, or is mounted with an optical magnification device.
Use of preprepared paper or metallic cartridges, sabots, gas checks or other similar power and range-enhancing manufactured loads that enclose the projectile from the rifling or bore of the firearm is also prohibited.
For more information on hunting in Montana, visit fwp.mt.gov/hunt.
Commission adjusts Wolf Trapping, Snaring Season, Regulations (posted 10/31/2021)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
HELENA, MONTANA – Looking to minimize the possibility of non-target capture of lynx and grizzly bears, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission made some changes to wolf trapping and snaring regulations for the 2021 season at its meeting Thursday (Oct 29, 2021).
The changes more clearly identify occupied grizzly bear habitat and adjust season dates for wolf trapping and snaring in these areas. The default opening day in areas likely to have grizzly bears will be Dec. 31. However, this date could move earlier if the department determines most grizzly bears are denned for the winter. Outside of these areas the wolf trapping and snaring season will begin Nov. 29, the earliest date identified in state law for wolf trapping seasons.
Additionally, the commission gave the department the flexibility to adjust the opening of wolf trapping and snaring by wolf management unit (WMU), or an aggregation of WMUs, based on conditions on the ground.
The commission also closed snaring for wolves on public land within Lynx Protection Zones. These zones have long been established in Montana trapping regulations and are generally in the greater Yellowstone area and northwest Montana.
Grizzly bears and lynx in Montana are both federally protected under the Endangered Species Act.
All other parts of the wolf hunting and trapping regulations approved by the commission in August remain in place. This includes the wolf harvest thresholds set by FWP administrative region and totaling 450 statewide. The thresholds are intended to allow the commission opportunity to potentially adjust regulations during the season based on wolf harvest by hunters and trappers.
The changes will be reflected in the online version of the wolf hunting and trapping regulations soon.
Grizzly bear captured south of Libby (posted 10/28/2021)
Additional trapping underway for more bears
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
LIBBY, MONTANA - Bear specialists with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service captured a grizzly bear south of Libby on Thursday and are setting traps for any additional bears that may be seeking food sources near residential areas.
On Oct. 28, FWP and USFWS captured a bear that was seeking human-related attractants near Parmenter Creek Road. The adult male is being moved to a remote area in the southern Cabinet Mountains. Camera footage identified additional bears in the area that were getting into human-related attractants. Bear managers set a trap on Oct. 28 in an effort to capture any additional bears.
Bears are actively seeking available food sources in preparation for winter denning. The best way to avoid attracting a bear onto private property is remove or secure food attractants. If a bear does not receive a food reward, it is far less likely to show up in the first place or return. Bears that gain rewards from human food sources can become food conditioned, which means they lose their natural foraging ability and pose an increased risk to human safety. Food rewards can also lead wildlife to become habituated to people, another increased risk to human safety. Both food conditioning and habituation often lead to euthanizing an animal for safety reasons. The most attractants are garbage, pet and livestock food, and fruit trees, but also compost, gardens, outdoor food cookers, and beehives. In the spring, bird feeders are a common attractant as well.
Bear spray is a highly effective, non-lethal bear deterrent.
Serious injuries caused by bears are rare, but the potential for conflict always exists.
For more information about bears, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/species/bear
|
Kootenai River Stampede donates to Camp Patriot program (posted 10/9/2021)
Helping disabled military veterans
Kootenai River Stampede PRCA Rodeo media release
As a 501c3 organization and in an effort to "give back to the community" as a whole and the military veterans who have given much to protect our Country in particular, The Kootenai River Stampede PRCA Rodeo is committed to supporting the military in various capacities. On September 30, a check was presented to Micah Clark of the Camp Patriot program by Secretary/Treasurer Trisha Davis-Stacy and President Patty Rambo. The funds will be used to fly a disabled veteran to partake in a Camp Patriot event in the near future.
Camp Patriot, also a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in the Yaak, Montana, dedicates its efforts to take combat wounded and disabled veterans on outdoor adventures and provide outdoor recreational therapy. Several memorable Camp Patriot treks have involved successful 14,411-foot accents by wounded and disabled veterans up to the summit of Mount Rainier in Washington State. A video presentation of one of these challenging feats can be viewed on the CP website at www.camppatriot.org
.
.
Libby Heritage Museum cancels Holiday Bazaar (posted 10/9/2021)
Due to COVID-19 concerns
The Heritage Museum media release
After weeks of monitoring the Covid-19 cases in our county, the decision was finally made to cancel The Heritage Museum Holiday Bazaar for the second year. It was not a decision made lightly, but in good conscience it seemed the best way to protect our vendors, shoppers, volunteers, and our community. We sincerely regret not being able to provide this opportunity for the shoppers as well as all the wonderful crafters, artisans, bakers, and other vendors who intended to participate in this year’s event. We wish them the best and look forward to their return next year.
The Heritage Museum stands as an iconic landmark and represents our community’s interest in our history. Even though it has a strong, long lasting appearance, it must have a new roof in the near future or the building and contents will not stand the test of time. In an effort to generate income for lighting, heat and insurance without using money saved for infrastructure our Heritage Museum volunteers will be selling raffle tickets as usual. Edward Jones donated $400.00 for First Prize and The Shed Restaurant donated four $25.00 gift certificates for Second Prize. Their generosity is greatly appreciated. Tickets will be sold at various locations over the next several weeks, or you can email the museum (heritagemuseum@frontier.com) or call and leave a message at 406-293-7521 to buy tickets. The drawing will occur on November 30th.
Pend O’Reille Shores Resort has once again generously donated two 3-Night stays at their resort. These mini vacations will be offered on Facebook as Silent Auctions. The first auction will begin Friday, Nov. 5 at 10:00 AM and end Saturday, Nov. 6 at 4:00 PM. The second auction will begin Friday, Dec. 3 at 10:00 AM and end Saturday, Dec. 4 at 4:00 PM. Details and complete rules will be found on the Silent Auction post at https://www.facebook.com/LibbyHeritageMuseum
Losing a major fundraiser two years in a row can be devastating to a small non-profit. We hope that better days are ahead for everyone. The Heritage Museum is genuinely grateful for the support of this community. We wish the best to all and look forward to a festive Holiday Bazaar in 2022.
Related Links:
www.libbyheritagemuseum.org The Heritage Museum, Libby, Montana
Libby Real Estate – Oct. 1, 2021 (posted 10/9/2021)
Alice Hayes, Team Hayes Realtors LLC
2021 has continued as a ‘wild’ year - but with the ‘rush to buy’ in Montana, our Inventory of Listings is at an all-time low! We are looking for Listings to share with our Buyers. If you have considered selling your home, we would like to visit with you and give you some ideas of how we can help. And you never know - we just might have a very qualified buyer or buyers ‘waiting in the wings’! Fall has arrived - warm days, cool evenings, beautiful fall colors - such a pretty time of the year!
How has the Market been in 2021?
1/1/2021 - 09/30/2021 Real Estate figures were:
194 Residential SALES:
128 Libby; 48 Troy; 18 Yaak
141 Land SALES:
67 Libby; 61 Troy; 13 Yaak
11 Comm/Multi-Family SALES:
7 Libby; 2 Troy; 2 Yaak
44 Residential PENDING:
27 Libby; 15 Troy; 2 Yaak
38 Land PENDING:
22 Libby; 13 Troy; 3 Yaak
2 Comm/Multi-Family PENDING:
1 Libby; 1 Troy
51 Residential ACTIVES:
30 Libby; 15 Troy; 6 Yaak
63 Land ACTIVES:
35 in Libby; 24 in Troy; 4 in Yaak
16 Comm/Multi-Fam ACTIVES:
12 Libby; 4 Troy; 0 Yaak
Interest Rates are truly amazing! Now could be a great time to purchase.
As of 09/30/2021 -
Conforming & FHA Loans: Per Quicken
30-Year Fixed: Interest/3.01%; APR/3.361%
15-Year Fixed: Interest/2.28%; APR/2.811%
TEAM HAYES REALTORS LLC
417 MINERAL AVE, SUITE 1
IN THE MINERAL PLAZA
LIBBY, MONTANA
OFFICE #: 406-293-2725
(Alice) 406-293-8364
(Jim) 406-293-1926
Email:
alice@alicehayes.com
jim@alicehayes.com
Website: www.teamhayesrealtors.com
Sunburst Arts brings music to Eureka (posted 10/9/2021)
Sunburst’s series is held at the Lincoln County High School auditorium in Eureka. Shows begin at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available at the door. Season passes and Patron packages are available at the door or purchased in advance at the Sunburst office. For information, call 406-297-0197 or visit https://www.sunburstarts.org/. Single tickets are $15/person. Students 18 years and younger or adults 90 or older are admitted for free. Season tickets are $60/person. The Patron package ($175) includes two season tickets.
October 14, 2021 America’s Sweethearts
This trio is remarkable and happens to be some of the greatest talent New York City has ever seen. They bring their sweet harmonies and toe tapping numbers to Montana from the Big Apple. What a way to open Sunburst’s 23rd concert season! Don’t miss an opportunity to hear songs from the 40s through the 60s.
Read more here
November 19, 2021 Junior
This band caught our attention the first time we heard it and we knew these musicians would be a big hit for the Tobacco Valley audience. Their sound speaks to us of today and of Montana with a mixture of instruments and vocals you will surely enjoy.
Hear them here - YouTube
December 4: Missoula Children’s Theatre presentation of "The Emperor’s New Clothes" Auditions by local youth grades 1-12 will be on Monday, November 29th at the LCHS auditorium. Rehearsals will be during the week and there will be two public performances on Saturday, December 4th.
January 23, 2022 Bridge & Wolak
Michael Bridge (accordions & piano) and Kornel Wolak (clarinet & piano) form an acclaimed musical duo, who integrate traditional acoustic instruments with 21st century digital technology. They perform their own unique repertoire of classical, world and jazz fusion. Sunburst is pleased to welcome these international musicians to our community’s stage.
www.bridgewolak.com
March 25, 2022 Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin Band
Dee-Dee and her band are hot with just the right mixture of blues and jazz with a few sweet notes thrown in to make this the perfect concert for March. Recognized for her strong voice as well as her performance, Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin gives a show that is everything you could possibly hope for - and more.
www.deedeedarbyduffin.com
April 22, 2022 Dolce Canto
Dolce Canto performs exceptional and diverse choral music with artistry and sensitivity. This Missoula-based eighteen-member choir shares its enthusiasm of sacred and secular music representing various historical periods and musical styles. The perfect finale to our 23rd season.
Listen here
|
EPA deletes portion of Libby, Montana Superfund site from National Priorities List (posted 9/18/2021)
Deletion reflects continued cleanup progress at site
US. Environmental Protection Agency
LIBBY, MONTANA - On September 14, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the deletion of a portion of the Libby Asbestos Superfund site in Libby, Mont. from EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL). EPA and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality have determined that all cleanup activities required for deletion are complete at Operable Unit 8 (OU8) of the site.
"This is the third operable unit deletion at the Libby Asbestos Superfund site in three years, a milestone that demonstrates the progress EPA and our partners have made in the cleanup and restoration of properties in Libby," said Betsy Smidinger, Director of EPA Region 8’s Superfund and Emergency Management Division.
The Libby Asbestos Superfund site was placed on EPA’s NPL in 2002 due to high levels of Libby Amphibole asbestos in and around the communities of Libby and Troy. The site is divided into eight Operable Units. Operable Unit 8 of the site is comprised of roadways and highways in and between the towns of Libby and Troy, including U.S. Highway 2, MT Highway 37 and country roads.
EPA is deleting OU8 based on a determination that no further remediation action is needed to protect human health and the environment. The area will continue to be subject to operation and maintenance activities, including regular reviews to ensure protectiveness of the remedy. EPA will continue to address contamination concerns at the remaining Operable Units of the Libby Asbestos site, including the former mine site.
For more information about the Libby Superfund site, visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/libby-asbestos
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
|
