Cabinet Peaks announces new medical director of laboratory
Submitted by
Kate Stephens
Cabinet Peaks Medical Center is proud to announce Fernando J. Castro-Silva, MD, (ASCP )SBB, has taken on the roll of medical director of the CPMC Laboratory. Dr.Castro-Silva is Board Certified in Hematopathology Examination and AP/CP Examination by the American Board of Pathology. He received his medical degree at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado where he also completed his Pathology Residency.
Roger Riddle, CPMC Laboratory Manager is thrilled to have Dr. Castro-Silva on board. “Dr. Castro-Silva is a welcomed addition to our Medical Staff here at Cabinet Peaks. He brings with him a wealth of clinical and pathological expertise that will surely and significantly raise the level of care for our patients here in Libby and Troy,” stated Riddle.
Dr. Castro-Silva has been brought on and approved by the Medical Staff to carry out the duties of the Medical Director of Laboratory Services. These duties include complete technical and regulatory oversight, as well as educational responsibilities, for the entire clinical laboratory staff at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center. Dr. Castro-Silva does not live in Lincoln County, but will be on site in the Cabinet Peaks Laboratory on a consistent basis to fulfill his duties as the medical director.
“Dr. Castro-Silva’s background training, technical skills, knowledge of clinical medicine, and his common sense approach provides for a new level of medicine, with the same great care you expect, to be practiced within the scope of the Laboratory for the betterment of the residents of Lincoln County,” added Riddle.
Watercraft users must stop at AIS inspection stations every time
Submitted by MFWP
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ wardens would like to remind watercraft users that they must stop every time they pass an AIS inspection station, even if they have previously been inspected.
For example, if a person goes through an inspection station at 7 a.m. and receives a copy of the watercraft inspection form, and then drives past the same inspection station at 2 p.m. on their way home, they need to stop again.
It’s not uncommon for folks to bypass inspection stations after already being inspected, thinking they are in the clear for the day, or even the weekend, with the copy of the inspection form.
“Montana law requires that Boaters stop every time they encounter and inspection station. Having a copy of a previous inspection will speed things along during an inspection, but it does not give a boater the right to bypass a station,” said FWP Boating Law Administrator Phil Kilbreath.
Vehicles with a vessel that pass an inspection station without stopping will be pulled over.
Boaters can also use the Watercraft Inspection Passport as proof of inspection. Instead of a paper receipt, the inspector will stamp the boat owner’s passport with the station name and date. Passports are issued to boaters at the watercraft inspection stations.
Folks camping at Canyon Ferry or Tiber Reservoirs can get a validation pass to speed the process up at decontamination stations at these reservoirs.
Tips on being prepared for fire season
Submitted by
Matt Rosendale
Insurance Commissioner Matt Rosendale advises Montanans to prepare for this year’s fire season by creating a home inventory and knowing their insurance policy ahead of time.
“Don’t wait until there’s a fire approaching your property to get prepared,” Rosendale said. “People living in the wildland-urban interface or with property in fire-prone areas especially need to take steps ahead of time to be ready for fire season.”
Despite Montana having a strong winter and a wet spring, DRNC is still predicting this year’s fire season could be worse than average.
Rosendale advises Montanans to create a home inventory of possessions that could be damaged or destroyed in a fire. The insurance commissioner’s website has a sample checklist available here. Thorough inventories should include photos and/or video of the property and possessions. Paper inventory lists should be stored in a fireproof safe or at a secondary location, and Rosendale recommends that Montanans keep a digital copy of their inventory online.
Property owners and renters should review their insurance policy and know the details of their coverage. Many policies cover losses indirectly caused by wildfires, such as damage from smoke or fire retardant. Living expenses are often covered in the event of mandatory evacuation, but evacuees will need to keep track of expenses and receipts.
Some property damage may not be covered, or may be limited. Damage to trees, landscaping, and fencing are examples where insurance protection may only apply with capped dollar amounts. Consumers should review their policy and discuss any questions or concerns with their insurance agent.
People who don’t have insurance should get covered now, before their property is at risk. Insurance companies will not write coverage for properties that are at an imminent risk of being destroyed.
After a fire, Montanans should take photos of all damage before it’s cleaned up. If an evacuation occurs, save all receipts of hotel stays and other costs associated with the evacuation, as some of those costs may be covered by insurance if they are documented with receipts.
Montanans who experience losses from wildfire and have questions about their insurance policy or an issue with their insurance company should contact Rosendale’s office at 444-2040 or at csimt.gov.
The insurance commissioner’s website provides additional information for consumers affected by wildfire HERE.
Not all insurance contracts are the same and the protections under a policy can vary greatly. It’s important that policyholders check with their insurance agents or insurance company to verify the protection available under their insurance policy.
Spring 2018 big game survey
results available for northwest Montana
Submitted by MFWP
Surveys help biologists track population trends for deer, elk, bighorn sheep
Results from the spring 2018 big game surveys in northwest Montana are available to view in a new report published this week.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 1 biologists annually conduct spring surveys to evaluate recruitment rates of elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer and bighorn sheep. FWP also conducts annual telephone surveys amongst hunters to gather harvest information. Together, these surveys provide biologists with a picture of big game recruitment and population trends over time. FWP uses this information to recommend hunting season structures (e.g. whether to have a restrictive antlered-buck-only season or allow some antlerless harvest on a general license) and the number of antlerless licenses or permits issued.
These recommendations are provided to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, which is responsible for establishing seasons and the number of licenses or permits issued. The Commission meets every other year to consider major changes to season structures. Region 1 wildlife biologists can adjust the number of antlerless licenses or permits within a range established by the Commission.
Helicopter maintenance and availability issues influenced the number and timing of this year’s spring surveys. Overall, the extended winter resulted in reduced survival of deer fawns and elk calves in some areas of Region 1, but populations remain relatively stable overall.
FWP Region 1 personnel compiled the spring 2018 big game surveys report and it is available to view online, alongside other reports, at http://fwp.mt.gov/regions/r1. It is also attached to this email.