Local briefs: Ronan Chamber’s nonprofit award goes to Boys and Girls Club

The Ronan Chamber of Commerce announced last week that Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County of Montana has been chosen as its Nonprofit of the Year.

Due to the recent coronavirus the chamber was unable to hold its annual awards banquet last spring. After finding no option for a replacement ceremony, members decided to honor award recipients on their Facebook page.

Since 1999, the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County of Montana has been "inspiring and engaging all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens" said the citation, as posted on Facebook. “The club provides youth with a variety of enrichment programs as well as a critical safety net of services including the provision [of] daily meals and snacks, with over 75,000 served this year …”

Pachyderm Club to screen D’Souza film

The Lake County Pachyderm Club meeting Friday will begin 30 minutes early at 11:30 a.m. for a viewing of the political documentary film by Dinesh D’Souza titled "Trump Card!” The film examines the ideas of socialism and the state of politics in America.

The documentary is two hours long so the meeting is planned to end around 1:30 p.m.

Dixon Senior Center offering takeout, delivered meals

Dixon Senior Center is accepting takeout meal requests only in light of the COVID-19 restrictions. Meals will be served at 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. They cost $4 per serving and will be delivered to Dixon residents upon request.

Upcoming meals include pork loin, sweet potatoes, salad, rolls and dessert on Monday, or chicken, vegetable, mashed potatoes, rolls and dessert on Thursday, Nov. 19.

Call 246-3310 to place an order. All ages are welcome.

Meeting to address change to Millie’s Woods hunting closure

The Flathead Reservation Fish & Wildlife Board and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council are accepting public comments on a proposed change to the 2021-22 fishing, bird hunting and recreation regulations.

The proposal would extend the period of closure of tribal lands in the Millie’s Woods area, which begins Sept. 1 each year, through Jan. 30. The existing closure period ends Dec. 1.

A temporary regulation is requested to begin the proposed regulation immediately.

The Division of Fish, Wildlife Recreation and Conservation will hold a public hearing at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 at at 406 Sixth Ave. E in Polson.

Written comments may also be sent to Mr. Craig Morigeau, Flathead Indian Reservation Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board Chair, 406 Sixth Ave. E, Polson, MT, 59860. Comments will be accepted if postmarked no later than Nov. 19. Any person who desires to present oral comment may do so at the public hearing.

St. Joseph Medical Center adds orthopedic surgeon

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson recently announced that Donald Ericksen, MD has joined Providence St. Joseph Center as its new board-certified orthopedic surgeon.

Ericksen most recently practiced at Flathead Valley Orthopedics in Kalispell. His leadership positions include: past president Flathead Valley Orthopedics; past chairman Department of Surgery, Kalispell Regional Medical Center; director sports medicine program, Glacier High School and director Flathead Valley Sports Medicine Foundation.

Ericksen was born in Kalispell. He and wife Sara have three children.

“Dr. Ericksen is an incredible addition to our medical staff! He has a broad set of skills; a wealth of experience and will be immediately available to new and existing patients alike.” said Devin Huntley, chief operating officer of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center.

Montana National Guard soldiers begin yearlong deployment

Approximately 40 soldiers of the 1889th Regional Support Group, headquartered in Butte, deployed Oct. 27th to Fort Bliss, Texas, to conduct required training before deploying to the Southern Command area of responsibility, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The unit will be at Fort Bliss for approximately three weeks conducting their required pre-mobilization trainings, briefings and records review in preparation for the yearlong deployment.

The soldiers will be supporting joint operations, representing all military branches in the Southern Command.

Due to COVID-19 requirements, no departure ceremony was conducted.

Future Fisheries Program grant winter deadline is Nov. 30

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks fisheries staff reminds landowners, watershed groups and others that the next deadline to apply for Future Fisheries Improvement Program grants is Nov. 30.

The goal of FWP's Future Fisheries Program is to restore rivers, streams and lakes to improve Montana’s wild fish habitat. Entities can receive funding for qualifying projects that benefit Montana's wild fish. Each project is assessed by an independent review panel and final funding decisions are made by the Fish & Wildlife Commission.

Typical projects include riparian fencing and off-stream watering sites for livestock, channel restoration, culvert replacement for improved fish passage, planting vegetation to stabilize streambanks and provide shade for cooler water temperatures and more.

To learn more about the Future Fisheries Improvement Program, and to download the grant application form, visit fwp.mt.gov/fishing or call FWP at 406-444-2432.