Moose tests positive for Chronic
Wasting
Disease in Troy
First confirmed case of CWD in a moose in
Montana
A moose in northwest Montana tested positive for chronic wasting disease, marking the first time the disease has been detected in the species in Montana.
A hunter harvested the bull moose in late October near Pulpit Mountain west of Quartz Creek and north of Troy. The harvest occurred less than half a mile to the west of the existing Libby CWD Management Zone.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks collected the voluntary sample from the moose and submitted it for testing to the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. The lab identified it to be suspected of CWD infection and confirmed the positive detection with a second test.
CWD was first detected in white-tailed deer in the Libby area earlier this year, leading to the creation of the Libby CWD Management Zone. To date, there have been 30 positive detections in deer. Five of those involved deer harvested by hunters during archery and general hunting season. The detections of infected deer have all occurred within the Libby CWD Management Zone, and all but one has been centralized near the city center.
FWP will continue to conduct CWD surveillance through the hunting season and review sample results after the season to potentially update future sampling efforts. FWP encourages hunters to submit animals for testing in areas adjacent to the Libby CWD Management Zone.
CWD is a fatal disease that can affect the nervous system of mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk and moose. Transmission can most commonly occur through direct contact between cervids, as well as shed in urine, feces, saliva, blood and antler velvet from infected cervids. Carcasses of infected cervids may serve as a source of environmental contamination as well and can infect other cervids that come into contact with that carcass.
There is no known transmission of CWD to humans or other animals, including pets or livestock. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that hunters harvesting a deer, elk, or moose from an area where CWD is known to be present have their animal tested for CWD prior to consuming the meat, and to not consume the meat if the animal tests positive.
For more information, visit fwp.mt.gov/cwd.
Statewide Sampling Information
Submitted by MFWP
City of Troy plans 88th
annual Christmas tree
lighting
On Nov. 30, Troy will join communities across the country in hosting events or engaging members of their community as part of #Rural Homecoming. In its first year, #RuralHomecoming was created to honor rural America and to kickstart a national dialogue on what being rural truly means. These events will bring communities together to celebrate what makes them so special and give current and former residents a reason to reconnect with their hometown.
Troy’s version will be their annual Christmas tree lighting event.
The City of Troy, Troy Ministerial Association, and many community volunteers will host the event at the corner of Kootenai Av. and 2nd Street on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 4:30 until 7:00 p.m.
Each year, since 1931, except one year during the blackout period in WWII, Troy has gathered as a community in their historic downtown to offer a festive and fun event that celebrates the holidays and their local traditions.
During this family-friendly event, Kootenai Ave., between 2nd and 3rd Streets will be closed to allow space for kids and families to gather, to wait for Santa, and to play games. The tree will be lit by a beloved community member, Betty Peterson.
Warming fires will be placed throughout the space. When Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive, there will be time for all of the children to have their turn. Throughout the event, hotdogs, snacks, and hot cider will be available in the theater. Cookies and cocoa will be available outside, closer to the tree. Parking is available along 2nd street and Kootenai Avenue as well as at the Troy Activity Center at Kootenai Ave. and 4th Street. Carolers will be singing Christmas songs before and after the lighting.
Schedule of Events:
4:30-5:45 – Kids’ games begin with prizes for participating
5:00, 5:30, 6:30, 7:00 – Live Christmas skits in the historic Lincoln Theater
5:55 – Arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus
6:00 – Tree Lighting
If anyone would like to contribute to this event, cash donations and cookies can be dropped off at Troy City Hall or Troy Dispatch at 301 E. Kootenai Avenue. If donating cookies, please note if they contain peanuts.
This is a great chance for locals to see one another and for those visiting for the holidays to join in this community gathering. All those who would like to attend are welcome. The volunteers look forward to seeing new and old friends at the Christmas Tree.
Brief History of the Troy Christmas Tree:
The early boom period for Troy ended in 1926 and 1927 when the Great Northern Railway closed its division yard and fires destroyed the mining and sawmill facilities. Despite the following hardships on the town, citizens continued to encourage optimism in the community. In December of 1931, this ponderosa pine was wired with lights by the civic improvement committee and the Troy Commercial Club. Periodic replacements of lights, wire strands and electrical upgrades have maintained this cheery exhibit. Our tree has been lit every Christmas season since 1931, except in a national blackout period during WWII. Our tree is greater than 150 years old and over 80 feet tall. Troy can boast this as the nation’s largest living Christmas tree.
The Rural Homecoming campaign concept was developed by the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) and the LOR Foundation, and includes a number of other partners across the country making this a local opportunity to participate in a national program focused on rural communities.
“Rural Homecoming lets each community tell their own story,” said Nathan Ohle, Executive Director of RCAP. “It provides an opportunity to eliminate misconceptions about rural America by giving communities an opportunity to open their doors to reconnect people with their hometowns. Rural Homecoming is a celebration of what makes rural America so special that empowers each community to tell their story as part of a larger national partnership.”
“We’re all from somewhere,” said LaMonte Guillory, Chief Communications Officer of the LOR Foundation. “Cities or small towns — coastal or inland — East or West — plains or mountains, the concept of Rural Homecoming allows people to connect with their roots and think about where they came from. It also gives us a chance to talk about the innovation and accomplishments that are happening in rural right now, of which there are many.”
About RCAP: RCAP is a network of nonprofit organizations working to ensure rural and small communities throughout the United States have increased capacity to drive access to safe drinking water, sanitary wastewater, economic development and disaster recovery that leads to economic prosperity. To learn more about this work visit: rcap.org.
About LOR: LOR is a foundation that works to increase prosperity in the rural Mountain West, while preserving the character that defines these iconic places. Together with communities, they revitalize main streets, protect clean water supplies, preserve agricultural land and open space, and improve access to the outdoors and recreation.
Submitted by Shawna Kelsey