News briefs, June 10

DNR office move

The State of Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Polson Field Office, has moved. The new location is in the Harbour Office Building, across from the Courthouse at 410 First Avenue East, Suite 11.

-Courtesy of Les Thomas, Service Forester

Health Board member needed

The Lake County Commissioners are seeking two citizen volunteers to serve three-year terms on the Lake County Board of Health. The board has regular bimonthly meetings and occasional special meetings to address community health and environmental health issues.

Meetings are normally held during business hours. There is no requirement for applying other than a strong interest in public health.

The Board of Commissioners will accept letters of interest to serve on the board through Monday, July 19, 2010.

Letters should be addressed to the Lake County Commissioners, 106 4th Avenue East, Polson, MT 59860. For further information, contact the commissioners at 883-7204 or lakecommissioners@lakemt.gov.

-Courtesy of Susan

Brueggeman

Jayne chosen for two-day conference

Joey Jayne, of Arlee, was selected as one of two delegates from Montana for Vision 2020's congress focusing on women's leadership and gender equality.

More than 1,000 registered to nominate or become Vision 2020 National Delegates, but in the end it came down to 102 extraordinary women who will serve as chief advocates for women's leadership and equality in their home states.

Jayne is an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of Montana as well as numerous Native American Nations in Idaho, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. Jayne served in the Montana State House of Representatives from 2001-2008. Currently, she is the nurse student recruiter for Salish Kootenai College Nursing Department in Pablo.

Vision 2020 is a national project focused on advancing gender equality by energizing the dialogue about women and leadership. Its first public event takes place on Oct. 21-22, 2010, when a congress of national delegates, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, will meet at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia to launch an action agenda to move America toward equality by 2020, the centennial celebration of the 19th Amendment. The name of the conference is Vision 2020: An American Conversation about Women and Leadership.

The national search for delegates focused on finding women who have demonstrated a commitment to helping women and girls. These delegates are willing to mobilize resources to bring about positive change and implement elements of the decade-long Vision 2020 agenda, signing on for a minimum three-year term following the conference.

Delegate nominations came from individuals and organizations across the country, including Vision 2020 National Allies, U.S. governors, senators and representatives.

For more information about Vision 2020, contact Drexel's Institute for Women's Health and Leadership at vision2020@drexelmed.edu or 215-991-8830.

-Courtesy of Cheryl Soltis

Jones makes Dean's List

Bradley Jones, of Polson, made the 2010 spring semester Dean's List at MSU-Billings.

To be eligible for the MSU-Billings Dean's List, undergraduate students must achieve a minimum 3.50 grade point average. The list includes undergraduate students who earn 12 or more credits which are not of a pass/no pass nature.

-Courtesy of Dan Carter

Country Store donates surplus

The Country Store in Polson donated its surplus to the Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry in Kalispell in order to make room for incoming donations.

-Courtesy of Norma Knutson

Grant on Dean's List

Rebecca Grant, daughter of Elizabeth and Fred Grant, of Polson, has been placed on the Dean's List at Cottey College during the spring 2010 semester.

In order to be on the Dean's List, the student's grade point average must be between a 3.50 and 3.74 with a minimum of 12 credit hours completed.

-Reporter Heidi Hanse

MSU honor roll students

Nineteen former Lake County students made Montana State University's honor rolls for spring semester 2010.

There are two MSU honor roll lists: The President's and the Dean's Honor Roll. Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours to be on either list.

Students with a perfect 4.0 grade point average for the semester were named to the President's Honor Roll. Those from Lake County are Jean-Paul Toussaint, of Charlo, Nathan Friesz, of Polson, Marques Jones, of Ronan, Gregory Loder, of Ronan, and Caitlin Bauer, of St. Ignatius.

Those on the Dean's Honor Roll, needing a grade point average of 3.5 or above, are Adrianna Willoughby, of Arlee; Matthew Beeks, Keegan Bowen, Colleen Devoe, Thomas Elliott, Brittany Gardner, Sierra Kohler, Christopher Mills, Ruth Sheesley, Amy Swinger, Kali Vergeront, all of Polson; Adrianna Potts, of St. Ignatius; and Sarah Guenzler and David Stevens, both of Ronan.

-Courtesy of Carol Schmidt

Pesticide Safety Training for Cherry Farm Workers

Cherry orchards near Flathead Lake will receive free pesticide safety training this summer for employees including seasonal and migrant farm workers. The Montana Department of Agriculture has partnered with Rural Employment Opportunities (REO) to arrange the training for workers.

An informational meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, at the Yellow Bay Clubhouse. Refreshments will be provided. Representatives from the department and REO will discuss federal regulations enforced by the department in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The 1992 federal Worker Protection Standard covers pesticides that are used in the production of agricultural plants on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses. Employers of agricultural workers or pesticide handlers must comply with WPS and must offer pesticide safety training to employees.

REO is a Montana non-profit corporation founded in 1981 to provide education, employment and training services to seasonal and migrant farm and ranch workers. The pesticide safety training will be provided in both English and Spanish and REO staff will be available to train at the work site or anywhere that is convenient for workers and employers.

For additional information contact Sarah Holden in Missoula at (406) 329-1346, by e-mail at saholden@mt.gov or by mail at Montana Department of Agriculture, 2681 Palmer Street Suite G, Missoula, MT 59808.

-Courtesy of Sarah Holden

Dollars for Scholars

Polson Dollars for Scholars awarded 16 scholarships totaling $15,500 to Polson High School seniors and former Polson High School graduates who are currently attending an accredited two-year community college, four-year university or vocational school.

Scholarships were provided to the following senior students: James Bach, son of James and Karen Bach; Staci Benson, daughter of Brad and Debbie Benson; Kaydee Borchers, daughter of Bill and Brenda Borchers; Laura Hart, daughter of George and Sharla Hart and Amanda Fahlstrom; Tamara Heftved, daughter of Keith Heftved and Barbara Heftved; Danielle Kinyon, daughter of Dan and Lisa Kinyon; Christian McCurdy, son of Bill and Lori McCurdy; Nicholas Palmieri, son of Steve and Dolores Palmieri; and Timothy Rausch, son of Dan and Katrina Rausch.

Polson graduates who are currently enrolled in college received the following scholarships: Wendy Clairmont, $1,000 Fred Barnowsky Memorial Scholarship; Graycen Duffy, $1,000 Polson Bay Grocery/Kineas-Mahoney Memorial Scholarship; Katie Hunsucker, $1,000 Continuing Education Scholarship; Isabelle Kuhblank, $1,000 Merle Anderson Memorial Scholarship; Sarah Newton, $1,000 Sue Gregg Lanier Memorial Scholarship; and Caitlin Mahoney, $1,000 Fred Barnowsky Memorial Scholarship.

Polson Dollars for Scholars is a local non-profit organization established in 2002. The purpose of the organization is to expand access to post-secondary educational opportunities for Polson High School graduates. Since its inception, Polson Dollars for Scholars has provided 86 students with $72,450 worth of scholarships.

Tax-deductible donations and fundraisers provide the funds for scholarships as well as individuals setting up a scholarship fund in memory of a loved one. All donations and monies raised goes toward scholarships.

The board of directors is comprised of local volunteers who would like to encourage anyone interested to furthering the goal to please join the organization.

For more information on setting up a scholarship in memory of a loved one or joining our organization please contact board member Chris Strom at 883-4526.

-Courtesy of Chris Strom