Public Announcement from
Flathead Electric Cooperative
Submitted by Courtney Stone
Early on December 22, Flathead Electric Cooperative’s (FEC) wholesale power provider, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), made FEC aware of an emergency shut down of one of their main delivery points into FEC’s system which caused power outages across Lake Blaine, Many Lakes, and the Echo Lake areas. It is not known when this main delivery point will be re-energized by BPA.
In the interim, FEC is proactively managing this situation to the best of our abilities by re-distributing power from other areas of our service territory. For example, power that would normally come from this main delivery point to Echo Lake is now coming from another area managed by Flathead Electric.
The extremely cold weather is creating additional challenges in distributing load across our system. Until BPA is able to restore their delivery point, FEC needs our members’ assistance to reduce demand on the system.
If you live in the Bigfork, Somers, and east Flathead Valley areas, FEC needs your assistance to reduce demand on the system. Please reduce your unnecessary electric needs as soon as possible (even if you don’t currently have power because it will help us get power restored faster):
Ways you can help:
- Turn your thermostat down by 10 degrees or more.
- Turn off your hot water heaters if you don’t need them at this time.
- Delay your use of your oven, washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher.
- Unplug unneeded electrical equipment including Christmas lights.
It is important to understand that there is not a power shortage in our services area. The problem is that a main delivery point from BPA is down. Your Co-op is doing everything it can do to deliver that power from other areas. You can help your friends and neighbors keep their heat on, or get it back, by reducing your electricity needs. For more information, please visit: flatheadelectric.com/outage
There are several other outages in our area not related to BPA. Crews are working on actively to restore power in these areas.
If you need a warm place to go, please call 406-758-2111. This line has been established by Flathead Emergency Services and has information for anyone looking for shelter.
Locals Brings Holiday Cheer
to Libby Kids Thanks to New Storage Equipment
Submitted by LOR Foundation
Over the past several years, an increasing number of children in Libby have been in need of presents during the holidays.
In response, Our Kids, a local nonprofit, created a community program to match donated gifts with kids. But as donations increased, Our Kids ran into issues organizing and storing all of the toys it receives.
To alleviate the issue, staff from Our Kids reached out to the LOR Foundation, which helped the organization purchase shelving units, locking file cabinets, tagging guns, and other equipment to create a more organized storage facility and bring a Christmas smile to the faces of Libby’s youngsters.
Retraction From last week paper
In the 12-21-22 issue of the Montanian News paper we announced the opening of “Ascending Climbing and fitness”. The name of this Business coming soon is actually “Ascend Climbing and Fitness”. We apologize for the mistake.
Ascend Climbing and
Fitness Coming soon to Libby
Coming Soon. Ascend Climbing and Fitness is coming soon to downtown Libby, Montana. We will be featuring a 24-hr fitness gym with locker rooms and showers, and approximately 1,550 square feet of bouldering walls and roped climbing walls with auto-belays. CAP
All fitness equipment will be new and state-of-the-art, featuring free weights, Nautilus equipment, cardio equipment, and body weight workout equipment. All necessary rock climbing equipment is available for rent if you don’t have your own. This includes shoes, chalk bags, and harnesses.
Courtesy of Ascend Climbing and Fitness
Window Art at Hav-A-Java
Thank you Tabitha Viergutz, window art-Photo Courtesy of Hav a Java