News Briefs

Feb. 5, 2009

Water rights meeting in Helena

The monthly water rights negotiation meeting was held in Helena this past week, where a bill to extend the life of the Water Rights Compact Commission is making its way through the Montana legislature.

There were no public comments or questions during the meeting, Cofederated and Salish Kootenai Tribe Natural Resource Department head Clayton Matt said, and “everything went pretty smooth.”

Parties did discuss a compact commission proposal to hold only bimonthly meetings, Matt said. The Tribal council has received a written request for the proposal. 

Commission lawyer Jay Weiner said no decisions have been made on whether the meeting schedule will be altered. He said the February meeting may be affected, but a meeting for March 18 is planned.

The status of SB 29, the bill to extend the duration of reserved water rights compact commission to July 2013, sponsored primarily by Sen. Carol Juneau (D-Browning) was also briefly acknowledged.

The amended bill made its way through the Senate in early January. A hearing for SB 39 was held after the water rights meeting on Jan. 28 in the House Federal Relations, Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

SB 39 passed through the committee on Wednesday, CKST spokesperson Rob McDonald said.

-Reporter Jenna Cederberg

State speech and drama results

BUTTE — Polson’s Drama Team came in second place out of 22 schools, while Ronan’s Danny Beavers was the state champion in Pantomime at the State Class-A Speech, Debate and Drama Tournament in Butte on Jan. 30-31.

The Polson Classical Duo Acting team of Rebecca Grant and Misty Futrell were state champions in their event. The two perform a ladies’ tea party scene from Oscar Wilde’s play, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

*See the complete list online at www.leaderadvertiser.com.

-Reporter Ty Hampton

Pablo bridge meeting planned

PABLO — The Montana Department of Transportation is conducting a public meeting to discuss a proposal to construct a bridge over U.S. Highway 93 at Pablo for the use of pedestrians and bicyclists, a press release said.  The project will build the bridge at mile marker 51.6, adjacent to the Salish and Kootenai College. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Tribal Council Chambers, New Tribal Complex, 42487 Complex Blvd. in Pablo.

-Courtesy of MDOT

Shining Star serves 130 children

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office sponsored “Shining Star” program provided Christmas gifts, essential items, and food for 130 local school children in need for 2008. The sheriff’s office received assistance in the effort from the Polson Wal-Mart and store manager Erin Melugin, collaborating and holding fundraisers and raffles for the charitable cause.

— Reporter Ty Hampton