News briefs, May 20

Relay for Life ceremony

The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life is an overnight community celebration where groups of friends, families, neighbors and coworkers form teams to walk or run around a track, to raise spirits, awareness and funds to fight cancer through American Cancer Society research, education, advocacy and patient and family services.

Cancer survivors from the Lake County area are invited to talk the first lap of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life to celebrate their victory over cancer. The event and Survivors Lap will be held at the Polson High School Sports Complex. Each cancer survivor will receive a free T-shirt and gift. Cancer survivors can contact Etta Moore at 883-3077 or Gayle Wilhelm at 471-1452 to register. Families are encouraged to attend.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life Luminaria Ceremony remembers those lost to cancer and honors cancer survivors in Lake County. individuals or companies can make contributions and light a luminaria at the event. Each dedicated luminaria will be displayed at the Relay for Life event held at the Polson High School Sports Complex. Luminaria contributions can be made by calling Deborah Weivoda at 249-9859.

-Reporter Heidi Hanse

Kerr operations update

Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bonneville Power Administration conferred on May 11 regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 11,700 cubic feet per second and the lake elevation, as of May 12 was about 2888.04 feet, which is 4.96 feet from full elevation of 2893 feet. Based on current information, PPL Montana anticipates that the lake elevation will be approximately 2891.65 feet by the end of May.

The final runoff forecast for Flathead Lake prepared by the National Weather Service is 68 percent of average, which has increased form 66 percent in April. The current snow pack is 95 percent of average for this time of year and the natural stream flow for the month of April was about 79 percent of average. If conditions turn out as forecast, it appears that there will be sufficient inflow to fill Flathead Lake to 2893 feet by June 15.

The Kerr hydroelectric project is operated taking into account the May final column runoff forecasts for the May through July period, the current snowpack and current natural stream flows. The inflows are weather dependent and subject to change. Appropriate operational changes will be made, if necessary to respond to weather conditions. If conditions dictate, an ad hoc consultation with the parties involved will occur prior to the next monthly call.

In March 2002, PPL Montana filed a drought management plan (DMP) with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior for approval. In the interim, the department as conducted an environmental review of PPL Montana's proposal and considered alternatives, but a final DMP has not been issued. For the foreseeable future, the operation will continue to be evaluated and adjusted, as appropriate, in consultation with the parties involved and with consideration of the PPL Montana draft DMP criteria. For more information, contact Deb Mullowney, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3508.

-Courtesy of Deb Mullowney

St. Joseph offers digital mammography

POLSON - St. Joseph Medical Center has announced that it will begin providing digital mammography screening beginning Thursday, May 20.

Digital mammography incorporates revolutionary imaging technology that provides incredibly sharp breast images. The images appear on the technologist's monitor in a matter of seconds, there is no waiting for film to develop, which means less time in the for patients.

St. Joe's is committed to the fight against breast cancer. In offering digital mammography, the hospital provides the latest in imaging quality. If you would like to schedule a mammogram beginning May 20 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, please call 406-883-8402.

As part of our long-standing commitment to women's health in the Flathead Valley, St. Joe's and the St. Patrick Hospital and Health Foundation will offer vouchers for free mammograms to those women without the resources to cover this routine preventative exam. Find out if you qualify by contacting your physician.

Digital mammography offers a number of other practical advantages and patient conveniences. It significantly reduces the need for repeat exams due to under or over exposure of film. Digital images are easily stored and transferred electronically, eliminating the dependency on one set of original films, which can be misfiled or lost in transit.

By offering women digital mammograms, St. Joe's hopes to increase the number of area women who follow recommendations for regular screenings. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her life. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman's chance of survival. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 97 percent.

-Courtesy of JoAnn Hoven

Four Lake County students receive scholarships

Arlee seniors April Burnett and Jennifer Keller and Charlo seniors Jessica Anderson and Kristi Fullerton were each named a 2010 Blackfoot Scholarship Winner.

Established in 1996, the scholarship fund was created to support and encourage post-secondary education for member-owners residing in Blackfoot's service territories. The fund awards $500 individual scholarships to outstanding High School students continuing their education in the Fall of 2010.

For the 2010-2011 academic year, Blackfoot received many applications from students living in 15 western Montana communities within their service areas. Selection criteria include: academic performance, letters of recommendation, and a personal letter of application listing activities, goals and achievements. After review, the Board of Trustees selected 32 finalists.

-Reporter Heidi Hanse

Bears emerging from dens

Bears are just beginning to emerge from dens. Biologists say that males emerge earlier than females, grizzlies earlier than black bears; with the warming weather, more bears will be emerging in the coming weeks.

FWP Bear and Lion Specialist Erik Wenum urges all residents to secure garbage and all attractants. Bird feeders, if they are still up, should be taken in. If a bear is attracted to your property, Wenum advises scaring the bear off with loud noises like banging pots and pans. Wenum asks residents to report any bear activity so that he can monitor problems in each area.

After a bear emerges, it takes a few weeks for its digestive system to get back to normal; the bear has been in the den for four to five months without eating, defecating, or urinating; the stomach and digestive system is empty. The bear starts out eating dry grass or roughage to activate the digestive system.

Hikers should carry pepper spray because grizzlies could be encountered.

To report bear activity, call FWP at 752-5501 on weekdays. You can also contact the sheriff's office and they can get you in touch with Wenum.

-Courtesy of John Fraley

Montana Highway Patrol joins Click It or Ticket

POLSON - In 2008, 12,671 passenger vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle crashes nationwide between the nighttime hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of those who died were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crashes, compared to less than half (45 percent) of the passenger vehicle occupants killed during the daytime hours of 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. The averages in Lake County are comparable to the national statistics.

"Nighttime drivers and passengers continue to be among those least likely to wear seat belts. Consequently, they are also among those most likely to die in motor vehicle crashes. That's why Montana Highway Patrol is supporting enhanced day and night time enforcement of seat belt laws during the May 24 to June 6 Click It or Ticket campaign," said Sergeant Randy Owens.

Montana Highway Patrol joins hundreds of law enforcement officials, highway safety representatives and safety advocates nationwide who have vowed support of the annual mobilization. High-visibility enforcement such as the Click It or Ticket mobilization is credited with increasing the national belt usage rate from 58 percent in 1994 to an observed usage rate of 84 percent in 2009. And seat belt use saves thousands of lives each year across America. In 2008 alone, seat belts saved 13,250 lives nationwide and saved many more vehicle occupants from serious injuries.

"Local motorists should be prepared for stepped up Click It or Ticket activities that will take place around the clock. If law enforcement finds you on the road unbuckled anytime or anywhere, you can expect to get a ticket - not a warning. No excuses and no exceptions," said Sergeant Randy Owens.

Remember this May 24 to June 6: It's Click It or Ticket. Buckle up and encourage your loved ones to do the same. You'll save the cost of a ticket and may even save a life.

-Courtesy of Diane Ward

Charlo, Polson High School graduates receive scholarships

COLUMBIA FALLS - Plum Creek has awarded $1,000 scholarships to four graduates of Charlo and Polson High Schools. Plum Creek annually awards scholarships to exemplary high school seniors who plan to continue their education after graduation. Students are selected based on their academic achievements, participation in extracurricular activities and career goals.

From Charlo High School, Kristi Fullerton, daughter of Kent and Lynn Fullerton of Charlo, plans to major in music education and composition at Concordia College in Minnesota. Fullerton, an Honor Roll student, received the KPAX Student Service Award and the DAR Good Citizen Award. She was also named an Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholar and a Concordia College Presidential Scholar. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the Business Professionals of America and the school choir.

Also from Charlo, Stephanie Maughan, daughter of Ben and Melodie Maughan of Charlo, was Academic All-State and was selected to attend American Legion Auxiliary Montana Girls State. Maughan is an athlete who was a member of the Charlo High volleyball, basketball and track teams, where she was All-Conference. She was a Treasure State Classic player, a Mission Valley All-Star and All-State track.

From Polson, Karissa Koberg, daughter of Bill and Melodie Koberg of Polson, plans to study biochemistry at Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho. She won an All-Conference award for cross-country running. Her activities include playing the piano, singing and gardening.

Also from Polson, Natasha Lafferty, daughter of Art and Donna Lafferty, will major in criminal justice at United Tribes Technical College in North Dakota. An Honor Roll student, Natasha received an Upward Bound Leadership Award in 2008 and 2009 and was a medalist in shot-put at the Montana State Class A Track and Field Meet for two years; and was a member of the Polson varsity track team for four years.

This year, Plum Creek awarded 122 scholarships totaling $167,000 to high school seniors in 13 states. In Montana, 35 students received 2010-11 Plum Creek scholarships totaling $57,000.

-Reporter Heidi Hanse