News briefs, Aug. 26

One sheep survives

WILD HORSE ISLAND - As it turns out, the bighorn ram that some officials believed may have survived the lightning strike that killed eight rams earlier this month on Wild Horse Island was sick prior to the strike.

He was captured on film with his wounded horn almost a year ago by a local photographer, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park wildlife biologist John Vore said.

"He was probably not part of that group of sheep that were struck," Vore said. "That ram had been out there, he was very thin and not doing well, even before the lighting strike."

Vore speculates the ram was wounded in battle last fall and has been hanging on, barely, since that time. He was last seen with a gaping hole in his horn, looking very weak, even limping and kneeling to eat. There is no news as to whether or not the ram is still on the island.

-Reporter Ali Bronsdon

SSG Collin Crenshaw returns from Korea

Collin Crenshaw, a graduate of Ronan High School, returned from Korea on Aug. 12. Collin has served two tours to Iraq, one tour to Afghanistan and now this latest tour of duty to Korea, as well as his stateside tours of duty in between deployments. Collin has returned to Fort Campbell, Ky., where he will continue to serve with the 101st Airborne Division. Collin is the son of Phillip and Charleen Crenshaw.

-Courtesy of Charleen

Crenshaw

CASA receives national certification

The CASA program of Lake County has just been awarded certification by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. This certification recognizes that CASA of Lake County is in compliance with National CASA's high standards for child advocacy.

According to Michael Piraino, CEO of the National CASA Association, "The National CASA quality assurance process is very rigorous and reflects our commitment to ensure every child we serve has the most powerful volunteer advocate working on their behalf. This certification says that over the past two years, CASA of Lake County has demonstrated to us a strong capacity to provide excellent services to the abused and neglected children within their community."

CASA of Lake County started in July 2004 and currently has 13 community volunteers who have been advocating on behalf of over 120 children in Lake County who have been adjudicated in the courts as "youth in need of care". According to local director Diane Richard, "We have had tremendous support from our volunteers, the court system, the Division of Child and Family Services, and some very generous donors in our area who understand just how vital this program is in our community."

National CASA began in 1976, when a Seattle judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interest of abused and neglected children who are in the court system through no fault of their own. So successful was this Seattle program that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the U.S. Congress encouraged expansion of CASA with the passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act. Today there are more than 950 National CASA member programs across the country, with more than 70,000 men and women serving as CASA or Guardian Ad Litem volunteers.

For information on volunteering as a Board Member or advocate or if you would like to help CASA with a financial donation, please contact Diane Richard at 883-0158.

-Courtesy of Diane Richard

Century 21 photo contest

POLSON - Century 21 Big Sky Real Estate is announcing the launch of the 21st Century Child: Picture the Future photo-sharing contest. By participating, families throughout Polson can help raise money to benefit children and families living with autism.

Nationally, the Century 21 system and its philanthropic partner, Easter Seals, are asking families in the United States, whether personally affected by autism or not, to visit www.21centurychild.com and share a favorite photo of their child (ages five and younger) and an Inspirational message. After the photo is uploaded, participants are encouraged to share their photo and fundraising campaign profile with family, friends and others through their social network. For every photo uploaded, the Century 21 System will make a donation to the cause. The contest will run through Sept. 30.

This innovative photo-sharing campaign unites families to support, inspire and empower those affected by autism. The contestant that generates the highest amount of financial contributions will win a $2,100 Apple gift card. The next six highest fundraisers will win an Apple iPad.

All money raised by the 21st Century Child: Picture the Future photo-sharing contest will help Easter Seals and Act for Autism provide families affected by autism with the assistance they so desperately need, including emotional support, equal access to treatment and innovative coping strategies.

Complete rules and regulations are available at www.21centurychild.com.

-Courtesy of Ric Smith

Jocko Valley Library winners

The Jocko Valley Library of Arlee is proud to announce the winners of the 2010 Summer Reading Program. This summer's program was a great success thanks to all of the wonderful participants, their families and our local sponsors. Family Category Winner: The Rageen Lucy family of Arlee. Preschool through kindergarten category winners: first place: Ryley Mae Martin; second place: Ruby Wieler; third place: Sophia Forgey.

First through fifth grade category winners: first place: Melaia Matt; second place: Bella Starret; third place: Michael Matt.

Sixth through twelfth Grade Category Winners: first place: Taylor Lammerding; second place: Naomi Plant.

Congratulations to all the winners and to all the student readers. When we read we are all winners.

The Jocko Valley Library would like to invite the public to our board meetings held at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of every month at the library.

-Courtesy of Kim Folden

Fish regulation change

Fishing regulations are set every four years; the next major overhaul will be in 2012. However, regulations can be changed in interim years for clarification or conservation purposes.

The following regulations were tentatively adopted by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission for northwest Montana and are out for 30 days public comment through Sept. 6. For Flathead Lake, there will be an increase in the lake trout daily limit from 50 fish to 100 fish under 30", leave the 30"-36" slot limit in place. This change follows the Flathead Co-Management Fisheries Plan to reduce small lake trout to help native fish. During the 2010 Spring Mack Days, 118 anglers met the 50 fish limit.

-Courtesy of John Fraley