Troy City Council update
A Troy city council meeting was held Wednesday, Aug. 15 in the Troy city courtroom. On the agenda were reports from the police, city power, and public works departments, and a decision about making Kalispell Avenue a one way street for Morrison Elementary school traffic.
Troy Police Department reported completion of an active shooter course held in Libby and ongoing monthly trainings done in Troy. They also discussed upcoming trainings to keep their skills sharp which may include an Elder Abuse Training, a Tactical Medical Course, Advanced Roadside Impairment Detection, and an Executive Leadership course. They are planning to have a presence at home games with fall sports coming up, and they have also ordered new tasers which will arrive soon.
City Power’s report highlighted five outages over the last month and the reasons why they occurred. Power workers have recently performed maintenance and extra cleaning, they cut a tree off a line on Cox Lane to ensure safety, they replaced two streetlights, and installing 2,200 feet of cable and transformers on Iron Creek Road.
The Public Works Department also discussed completed projects. They have replaced a hydraulic line on a city backhoe, changed the oil in police department cars, fixed all sprinklers in Carr field, replaced some water meters, installed a new barbeque and tables by the fish pond, and built a gravel parking lot.
The school district has come forward with a plan for a more efficient and safer school zone at Morrison Elementary by making Kalispell Avenue one way only.
The city council unanimously approved the suggested change of traffic flow which will create a more efficient student pick up/drop off area. The street will be one-way from the corner of 5th St. and E Kalispell to 4th St. which will be on a trail basis to begin with.
With school starting August 29, the exact start date for the one-way traffic flow has yet to be determined. Plans have been in the works for some time, most likely it will start as soon as appropriate signs and barriers are put into place. The city has made an agreement with the school district to help with costs, paying $1,000 towards materials needed for the project. Business owner, Bonnie Larson, came forward to point out that as part of a small group she helped to remove large shrubs on the school side of the crosswalk at 5th and Missoula making it safer for students crossing and for drivers going back onto the Highway. They will now be able to see traffic better.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for September 19 at 7 p.m., the public is welcome to attend.
Southside Flea Market Opens
The new Libby Southside Flea Market is a place anyone can go to sell pretty much anything. “I think there is a need for something like this because there are a lot of people who live too far out of town to have a successful yard sale,” organizer Kate Witt told The Montanian. With a prime, highly visible location, Witt hopes it will become not only a place to buy and sell, but also a weekly social gathering place, where people can visit, play games ,and have a cup of coffee and a donut. Unlike a farmers market, the Libby flea market welcomes used treasures as well as handmade items, and has no restrictions on what can and cannot be sold. That is “as long as it is legal,” Witt added with a grin.
Now in its third week, the flea market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is located at 36510 Hwy 2, right past The Shed restaurant. Sellers need to bring their own tables and shade canopies and pay a $10 fee for the day. Witt brings coffee and donuts, and sets up the checker board.
Already attracting over 50 customers, the market is clearly on the way for anyone coming into town for summer and fall events. Witt plans to be there every Saturday “…till people stop coming.” For more info call Kate Witt at 291-6177 or stop by any Saturday between 8 and 5.
Forest Fire updates
As of August 19, four major fires continue to burn on the Kootenai National Forest; the Davis Fire, Tenmile fire, Sterling Complex fire, and the Gold Hill fire.
The Davis fire, located on the Three Rivers Ranger District in the Yaak was caused by lightening. It is 7% contained. It has grown to over 6,000 acres since starting on July 29.
The Tenmile and Sterling Complex fires are adjacent to one another and located about 19 miles south of Eureka, east of Lake Koocanusa. The Tenmile fire is now 91% contained and has burned 681 acres, and the Sterling Complex fire is reported at 23% contained and covering 1,216 acres. 250 homes, and radio communication towers are threatened and pre-evacuation orders have been issued.
The Gold Hill fire located 13 miles north of Libby has burned 460 acres and percent containment is not reported.
In addition to the fires on the Kootenai National Forest, a fire is burning near Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park threatening structures and nearing Going to the Sun Road. Numerous other fires throughout the region continue to cause poor air quality.
Smoke from forest fires will likely continues to impact all of Northwestern Montana. You can find out about local air quality status daily by calling the air quality hotline at 293-5644. For air quality throughout the state visit http://todayair.mt.gov.
Stage II fire restrictions remain in effect. Please do not build, maintain, attend, or use a fire or campfire; operate motorized vehicles off of designated trails, or smoke, except within enclosed vehicles, building or other designated areas. From 1 p.m. until 1 a.m. operating internal combustion engines, welding, or operating acetylene or other torches with open flames or using explosives is also banned. For more information about fire restrictions visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/kootenai/
Murder trial returns guilty verdict
Last week Sarah Carpenter was found guilty of deliberate homicide for killing Travis Gillett in the Yaak last year.
The trial took place in District court in Libby. Carpenter’s husband, Ezra Skinner testified against her. Carpenter was in relationships and had children with both Gillett, and Skinner.
Senior Life Solutions Celebrates a year
Cabinet Peaks Medical Center’s Senior Life Solutions Program celebrated their one-year anniversary on July 25, 2018.
Tara Thornock, Senior Life Solutions Program Director, said, “We are so excited to have been here a year. I have seen this program grow, and am so pleased with the way we’ve been able to help our community.”
Senior Life Solutions is an intensive outpatient group therapy program designed to meet the unique needs of older adults, over the age of 65, struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, grief, and other issues related to aging.
Following an individual assessment, participants meet three times per week in a supportive, encouraging group setting. The program staff includes a board-certified psychiatrist, licensed social workers, a registered nurse, and other professionals dedicated to the emotional well-being of the seniors in our community. Individuals can be referred to the program by family members, physicians, or other health professionals.
For more information, call the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center’s Senior Life Solutions program at 406-283-6890.