Local News Briefs

EPA and SKC forge partnership

Leaders from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Salish Kootenai College made a strong commitment to building skills and career opportunities for Native American students during a partnership-signing ceremony Oct. 6 in Pablo.

The Memorandum of Understanding between EPA and SKC was signed by Kelly Watkins, chief of staff for Region 8 of the EPA, and SKC President Dr. Sandra Boham. The agreement

will support education STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education), environmental studies and other disciplines through participation in career panels, networking opportunities, internships and collaborating on education activities.

“EPA is invested in recruiting a talented, diverse workforce to fulfill our mission to protect human health and the environment, and we are excited to partner with Salish Kootenai College in this effort,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “EPA looks forward to supporting the college as they help their students build skills and expertise to address environmental concerns and prepare for careers in STEM fields.”

Plans for the agreement include: broadening support for various career fields; federal hiring and resumé workshops for students; career guidance from EPA professionals; presentations by EPA experts at classes and conferences; and exploring opportunities for joint research projects to support student development.

Concrete work continues on Ronan project

This week, Riverside Contracting Inc. crews are pouring concrete for the approaches to the Sinclair gas station and properties on the southbound couplet, the short segment of roadway connecting First Avenue to U.S. Highway 93 in Ronan.

Concrete work is also underway on the sidewalks along the southbound couplet and Round Butte Road, and fencing installation is continuing along U.S. 93.

Crews will be onsite from 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 13, on these projects. No lane closures are expected.

Unrelated to this project, the City of Ronan installed a fire hydrant on the north side of Terrace Lake Road East in front of the Ronan Indian Senior Center last Friday and installed a water pipe across Terrace Lake Road this week, requiring the road to be temporarily closed at the intersection with U.S. 93.

According to the Montana Department of Transportation, the final layer of pavement on the Ronan-North project will be installed in mid-October.

For more information on the Ronan-North project, visit www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/ronanurban/.