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Valley News at a GlanceDaly Hospital installs new medication technologyCapsules available to protect Douglas-fir from beetlesStevi Science Fair resultsQuilting license plate availableSecond round of water right bills go outCalling for nominations for Montana Woman of the YearWinning photo entries on display at museumFood Bank Network gets help from Wal-MartHunters and anglers support roadless conservationMDT now composting roadkillDragon Brigade does wellSchool requests FS access to propertyBirthsDaly Hospital installs new medication technologyMarcus Daly Memorial Hospital recently completed the installation of the Cardinal Health Pyxis MedStation 3000 automated medication management system. This system includes innovative communication and workflow solution tools that support the pharmacy, nursing and material management staffs in their efforts to deliver safe, high quality patient care. Staff was trained and began to work with the system in December and MDMH went live on January 31, 2006 at both the MedSurg and Emergency Room nursing stations. Wendy Hansen, R.N. and Kellie Korman-Jones, R.Ph. received a week of intensive training on the new medication management system at the Cardinal Health training center in San Diego. "This dispensing system is state-of-the-art," said Jones, a staff pharmacist at MDMH who was chosen to lead the implementation team. "We can take medication right to the nurses' fingertips and know that the patient is receiving the proper medication, in the right amount and at the right time." "The medication stations will help provide better communication between pharmacy and nursing that result in better patient care," Hansen said. "The nurses can now sort their patients for each shift and can see the medications that need to be given within that shift. We expect the Pyxis MedStation 3000 system to help the nursing staff simplify their workflow, providing more quality time for patient care," added Hansen. Ultimately, the materials management department at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital will stock other hospital supplies in the Pyxis MedStation 3000 system at both nurses' stations. This will help manage the supplies inventory and provide the needed items to the physicians and nurses. In today's health care setting, a successful patient care experience depends on the combined efforts of efficient, effective care providers. "At Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, we put a priority on the quality of our patient care," said Gary Curran, director of pharmacy. "The Pyxis MedStation 3000 system will enhance the quality of the medication distribution and administration processes. The pharmacist can now review all medication activities at these nursing units. We expect to reduce our medication errors with this new system therefore improving patient safety and satisfaction." Curran said that time to the patient's first dose should be reduced and that the pharmacy is already seeing a drop in the turnaround time for medication orders. Capsules available to protect Douglas-fir from beetlesPrivate landowners with large Douglas-fir trees weakened by fire or in close proximity to areas where the Douglas-fir beetle is striking can protect their trees from bark beetle attack by using a methylcyclohex (MCH) capsule. MCH capsules contain a pheromone, or scent, that is normally released by bark beetles to prevent other beetles from attacking mature Douglas-fir trees. To be effective, the capsules are attached to trees around the perimeter of the area to be protected or placed on individual trees. It is recommended that the capsules be attached to the trees by early April before the bark beetles begin to fly and attack trees. Approximately 30 capsules are needed per acre of land. Capsules will be available at the Darby Ranger District in mid-March. There is no cost to private landowners, but due to a limited supply, capsules will be available on a first come, first served basis and be limited to 50 capsules per landowner. Interested landowners should call the Darby office as soon as possible to reserve capsules. Landowners should have large (greater than 14" diameter) Douglas-fir trees on their property and be in close proximity to the fires of 2000 or within a few miles of recent Douglas-fir beetle attacks. The Forest Service can help determine whether the capsules would be an effective tool for the trees of interested landowners. People that have already reserved their capsules at the Sula Ranger District do not need to do anything further. Private landowners can also now buy MCH capsules directly from the manufacturer. Two companies in Canada produce them and can be reached at: Phero Tech Inc., phone number 604-940-9944 and Synergy Semiochemical Corp, phone 604-522-1121. For more information call Sue Macmeeken, Forest Silviculturist, at 363-7151. Stevi Science Fair resultsThe Stevensville Science Fair was held on February 28. There were 52 projects presented for judging. The following students received Blue Ribbons. 8th Grade 7th Grade Top 8th Grade Projects: Top 7th Grade Projects: The Science Fair director is Terry Rosin. Rosin expressed appreciation to Selway Corporation for their continued support of the Science Fair. They donated Scientific calculators to top 7th and 8th grade project winners. Quilting license plate availableMontana became the first state in the nation to offer a specialty license plate commemorating the fine art of quilting. The plate features three blue and yellow "Montana" quilt blocks on a light blue background, along with the words "Montana Quilter" on the lower margin of the plate. Initial purchase of the plate is $35, with a portion of the fee going directly to the non-profit Eureka Montana Quilt Show (EMQS) organization. Annual renewal cost for the specialty plate is $20, also a donation to EMQS. Personalized plates can be purchased for an additional cost. Sample plates are also available for individuals who collect plates. Purchasing an EMQS plate allows vehicle owners to show their support for the arts as well as make a financial contribution to the non-profit group. For more information, contact your local county license office or the state website for license plates at www.doj.state.mt.us/driving/platedesign/artsculture.asp. Second round of water right bills go outDid you get a bill from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) for water rights in December? If you didn't and have a water well or another water right, you may be receiving one the first few weeks of March. Approximately 17,500 invoices were mailed March 1st by the Dept. of Revenue on behalf of DNRC. According to DNRC Director, Mary Sexton, the second invoice from DNRC affects specific groups of citizens with water rights. "Folks who were previously invoiced for the water rights adjudication fee and didn't file an appeal on that invoice and didn't pay the invoice will be receiving another bill. Those individuals that filed an appeal with the first invoice will not be receiving an additional bill," Sexton explained. Also, Montanans who have a well and a filed water right but did not receive an invoice on the first round of mailings may receive a bill in early March. "It's likely that the water right for that property was in a previous owner's name and that has since been corrected in the State Water Rights Database," Sexton explained. Montana's water rights adjudication process (House Bill 22) is being funded by the fees generated from the invoices. Every Montana water right holder is being assessed a $20 biannual fee until 2015 to generate the funds necessary to examine and decree the remaining 57,000 water rights in Montana. General fund appropriations are also funding the process. The bipartisan Environmental Quality Council, a legislative interim committee, wrote HB22 in 2004. It was sponsored in the 2005 session by Rep. Walter L McNutt (R, Sidney). The bill had widespread support from interim legislative committee members, and passed the House 96-2 and the Senate 44-6. Organizations supporting the bill included the Montana Stockgrowers, the Montana Grain Growers, the Farm Bureau, the Farmers' Union, Trout Unlimited, Conservation Districts, the Montana Association of Counties, the Montana Chamber, and utility companies. Sexton cautions anyone considering not paying the invoice. "According to House Bill 22 language, the Department of Revenue has authority to file a lien against anyone who fails to pay the assessment," Sexton said. "We're encouraging all Montanans assessed the fee to pay it. This legislation truly is to the benefit of every Montanan and the State as a whole. Your water right is a valuable asset, and Montana's right to use Montana's water needs protection from claims by downstream states." Any water right holder who believes that they have been assessed an incorrect fee has a remedy, according to Sexton. They can file an appeal with DNRC, even on this second invoicing, either through their local DNRC Regional Water Office or by using the DNRC website www.dnrc.mt.gov. Any property owner who transferred or sold water rights should check with the local DNRC Regional Office to be sure an Ownership Update Form was filed with the DNRC. If the Ownership Update Form was not filed, people may have been billed for water rights they no longer own. A person who purchased land or property that included water rights should check with the local DNRC Regional Water Office or the website to be certain the water right ownership is accurate. It is important that the current owner of the water right receive notice of the adjudication fees to avoid liens or penalties on their water rights. Those folks who didn't receive a bill but know they have a filed water right are asked to contact their local DNRC Regional Water Office. "If they contact one of our local offices, our staff will help to verify their right and clarify our database," Sexton adds. HB22 also affects those Montanans that have drilled a well for their residences and have not filed their water right, which is required by the 1972 Montana Constitution. "Those folks need to go through the appropriate steps to get that water right filed with DNRC either by utilizing the DNRC website or by visiting their local DNRC Regional Water Office," Sexton explained. As thousands of Montanans are learning more about their water rights due to HB22, often times the DNRC Regional Water Office phone lines are busy. Therefore, the agency has set up a Water Rights Hotline. It is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. "The hotline is another avenue to get answers to some of the specific questions folks may have about their water rights invoice or HB22," Sexton added. The DNRC Water Right Hotline number is (406) 444-9050. As of January 1st, approximately 6,000 water rights have been examined and transmitted for review by the Montana Water Court. The DNRC Water Resources Division has had contact with over 45,000 Montana residents over the same period. Calling for nominations for Montana Woman of the YearThe Montana Woman Foundation (a non-profit organization) is now asking for nominations for the Montana Woman of the Year. Entry deadline is May 1, 2006. The Montana Woman of the Year Program is designed to thank Montana women for helping shape our great state in a positive way. These are the unsung heroes who quietly work to make our world a better place. This is an opportunity to thank that person for being an inspiration and/or role model in your life. Recipients will be announced in the September Issue of Montana Woman Magazine, and the individual chosen as the Montana Woman of the Year will be the Thanksgiving cover story in November. There will be one woman chosen as Woman of the Year, as well as two other finalists. The winner and finalists will all receive various services including, but not limited to: beauty, hair and nail services; health and fitness services; professional improvement; automotive services; gift certificates for services and products; and more. If a recipient(s) is chosen from outside the Flathead Valley, accommodations will be provided for the individual(s) while services/products are received during the month of September. Nomination guidelines: age minimum of 25 years; a Montana resident of 5 years or longer; and a woman of good character who has given more than she has taken from life. To nominate: All nominations must be postmarked by May 1, 2006. Send: a typed 300-word essay explaining why your candidate is an inspiration and should be recognized; a current photograph of your candidate; and three references for the candidate (one professional and two personal). Each nomination should be submitted under separate cover. No self-nominations. Mail nominations to: Montana Woman of the Year, 1103 S. Main, Kalispell MT 59901. For assistance in submitting your nomination for the Montana Woman of the Year, contact the Foundation at 406-755-5753. Winning photo entries on display at museumThe winning entries in the 14th Annual Ernst Peterson Photographic Contest were chosen by the four judges: Jeremy Lurgio, Kelly Gorham, Bob Olson and John Muoio. The photographs will be on exhibit at the Ravalli County Museum, on S. 3rd and Bedford in Hamilton, through April 10. "The contest continues to produce higher quality work each year, which really does raise the bar," states Helen Ann Bibler, Director of the Museum. "The judges had to be even more methodical and their critical eyes had a workout. The show is definitely worth viewing. We encourage everyone who wants to see 'The Best of Montana' to stop by and enjoy the exhibit." The Museum is open from 10 to 4 Thursday, Friday and Monday, from 10 to 2 on Saturday, and from 1 to 4 on Sundays. Admission is free to BRV Historical Society Members; $3 for an adult, $5 a couple and students $1. Photo Contest Winners 2006 Professional Color Professional B&W Color Scenic Color Portrait Color Animal Color Misc. Color Macro Color Flowers B/W Portrait B/W Animal B/W Misc. B/W Scenic B/W Flowers Food Bank Network gets help from Wal-MartThroughout the month of March, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club will team up with America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Food Bank Network to raise money to end hunger. Customers will be asked to be a part of the solution to end hunger by making a donation to America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Food Bank Network. Wal-Mart and Sam's Club will match up to $5 million collected during the campaign for a total contribution of $10 million. "We are proud to join together with America's Second Harvest to help those dealing with the tragedy of hunger in communities throughout America," said Betsy Reithemeyer, vice president of corporate affairs and executive director of the Wal-Mart and Sam's Club Foundation. "The goal of this effort is to help make a difference in the lives of our customers and neighbors in the communities we serve." Paper icon puzzle pieces will be sold throughout the month of March to customers when they check out at participating Wal-Mart stores. Customers will be asked to make a donation of any amount and then sign the puzzle piece paper icon. Wal-Mart will display them in their stores or clubs. A portion of the funds collected through the "Be a Part of the Solution to End Hunger" campaign will return to Montana in the form of nutritious foods. The funds will help America's Second Harvest secure and distribute more nutritious food to those in need; develop its Agency Sustainability Program to increase the capacity of food that's available to hungry Montanans; and expand its BackPack Program that provides children at risk of hunger with nutritious food during the weekends and outside of school. Aiming to improve the nutritional mix of food distributed to clients, Wal-Mart will help to augment the Montana Food Bank Network's Food Solicitation and Distribution Program and provide healthier options - fresh produce, protein and whole wheat - to the thousands of hungry Montanans relying on food banks throughout the state. Such food items are among those least donated and most difficult to distribute, due to their perishable nature. "We're extremely excited about this partnership", says Peggy Grimes, Executive Director of the Montana Food Bank Network, a member of America's Second Harvest. "It will provide much-needed protein-rich food for the clients served by our agencies." "In recent years, it's become more difficult to provide a nutritious mix of food for our agencies," Grimes says. "The dollars raised through the 'Be A Part of the Solution' Campaign will translate to more nutritious food for the people they serve in communities across Montana." • More than 38 million Americans--including 14 million children--are living on the brink of hunger. The Montana Food Bank Network, located at 5625 Expressway, Missoula, secures and distributes nearly 3.5 million pounds of donated and low cost food and grocery products annually to 153 hunger relief agencies throughout Montana. The Network works to meet the immediate need for food while advocating at the local, state, and national level for policy changes to help eliminate hunger and food insecurity in Montana. The Montana Food Bank Network is a member of America's Second Harvest‹The Nation's Food Bank Network. For more information about the Montana Food Bank Network, please visit www.montanafoodbanknetwork.org. Hunters and anglers support roadless conservationMore than 50 hunters and anglers walked six miles into Helena from the Black Mountain Roadless Area on the Helena National Forest to meet with Governor Schweitzer last week in order to hand deliver to him the Montana Hunters and Anglers Roadless Working Group's Recommendations for the Conservation of Inventoried Roadless Areas in Montana. "I see a group of people who are committed to the ideas of Theodore Roosevelt," said the Governor referring to the group of more than 50 hunters and anglers from all across Montana. "Theodore Roosevelt stood up and said 'I can't accept it’' referring to the wholesale degradation of wildlife and their habitat." The Governor continued by saying that the conservation of Roadless Areas is not a partisan issue, "conservation is an American value," he said to the crowd, most of whom were wearing hunter orange. "In Montana we share the values of conservation," said the Governor in an obviously hoarse speaking voice. The roadless rule petitioning process offered to sate Governors requires states to identify roadless areas in need of protection, plot them on a map, design individual management recommendations for each and then make determinations as to how these recommendations could effect public health and safety, critical wildlife habitat, critical infrastructure (such as utilities and dams), while ensuring that citizens have access to private property. "Any time the [federal] government gives us an opportunity to comment we need to take advantage of it," said Schweitzer. Jim Posowitz of Orion the Hunters institute, one of the marchers and a speaker at the event, said, "We marched today to express our concern for these last roadless wild lands. Doing so is our ethical responsibility as hunters." The Governor added during his speech that, "We need wild places for the next generation. We ought to maintain these wild places." The governor received a standing ovation from the crowd who were bundled up for their long cold walk into town. Chris Marchion, President, Montana Wildlife Federation, said in his statement, "Secure roadless habitat is the core of Montana's world-renowned wildlife legacy. Maintaining the current condition of Roadless Areas is crucial to maintaining our five-week general deer and elk season, the longest general season of all the western states." The Governor has until November 13 to submit a petition. MDT now composting roadkillThrough hard work and innovation, the Montana Department of Transportation consistently strives to create and use the newest groundbreaking concepts to help benefit the environment. For the past year, MDT has been trying something new in order to take care of a gruesome sight so often witnessed by drivers in Montana. Along Montana roads, it is not about the dead skunk in the middle of the road, it is about the dead deer along the side of it. "Composting deer rather than land-filling them, takes care of a big problem," said Cora Helm of MDT environmental services. For a long time, MDT has held an agreement with Fish, Wildlife and Parks that allows MDT to haul deer to nearby remote areas for natural decomposition. However, increased development in Montana has reduced the number of areas MDT can haul deer carcasses that are out of the public eye. "It's a gross sight to see dead deer in the back of a truck being hauled to the land fill," said Doug Moeller, MDT district 1 maintenance chief. In the Bitterroot Valley alone, there are as many as 600 to 700 deer killed along the roads each year, and the cost to the state to haul the deer to landfills is approximately $135 per trip. As many as four trips a week occur. By composting deer carcasses, the costs associated with roadkill disposal are reduced, other waste material is utilized, and the compost can be used as starter material for new composting bins. MDT is exploring other possible uses for the compost. In order to get the process underway, last spring Moeller traveled to Maine to learn about a composting process used in some eastern states. When he returned, he and other MDT employees worked hand in hand with Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Ravalli County to help develop the safest composting process available. The composting project involves embedding the deer carcasses in wood chips, sawdust, chipped tree trimmings, and other similar bulking materials within encased bins atop an asphalt mat. The process generates internal temperatures of 150 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, even in the winter. The composting process takes an average of 90 to 120 days to complete and the compost has to be turned at least once during that time period. Outside temperatures and moisture are major factors in the time it takes to complete the cycle. The process is nearly odorless and MDT has not had any problems with scavengers or predators. The only composting site in Montana is located north of Victor on MDT property. The site is more than 300 feet from the highway, and nearly a half-mile from residences and other commercial property. MDT hopes to expand the program throughout Montana to decrease the amount of deer carcasses going to landfills statewide. Currently, there are only a handful of states in the U.S. composting roadkill and Montana is the first state west of the Mississippi to be involved, according to Moeller. In April, Moeller will present to peers in Idaho and Washington the benefits of the composting project. For more information, contact Doug Moeller at (406) 523-5803 or Cora Helm at (406) 444-7659. Dragon Brigade does wellThe Bitterroot Dragon Brigade recently attended its first international tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah. This was the largest event the team has ever competed at with teams coming from as far away as British Columbia. A little overwhelmed, on Friday night the kids competed in a form of sparring in which gymnastic strikes such as cartwheel kicks were allowed. Fighting hard, the team's blackbelt sparring team and the underbelt sparring team both placed 3rd that night. Inspired, the kids attended Saturday's events and rose to the occasion. The team swept the flag sparring division for 11-12 year olds with Ashton Patzer taking 1st, Eric Kercher 2nd, Gabe Hull 3rd, and Becca Lyons 4th. Alex Price and Emily Neville took 1st and 2nd in their sparring division and Colleen McGibben placed in all three of her divisions. Hamilton Tae Kwon-Do's beginner adult and team chaperones had a good showing with Sean Lenahan of Stevensville placing 2nd in forms to teammate David Hunkapiller who placed 1st and David Eggleston, brand new white belt traveling with the team, taking 4th. Both Hunkapiller and Eggleston placed 1st and 2nd respectively in sparring, beating out some more seasoned competitors. The cinderella story for this team was team newcomer Eric Kercher of Corvallis. Eric, an orange belt, placed 1st in forms and sparring in the very competitive 11-12 boys division. This was Eric¹s very first martial arts competition. "It was a testament to his talent and commitment to martial arts," said instructor Chris Devine. Overall, the Dragon Brigade placed in over 40 divisions. School requests FS access to propertyThe Stevensville Ranger District is proposing to authorize construction of approximately 300 feet of single lane road located about two miles southwest of Ambrose Saddle in T9N, R18W, Section 29. Dennis Kimzey, Superintendent of Stevensville Public Schools, has requested this proposal to access the 120 acres of school district property that borders National Forest land. The school district plans to use the land as a field laboratory and desires a safe access route for school buses. Comments on this proposal should be submitted by March 31, 2006, to the Stevensville Ranger District, 88 Main Street, Stevensville MT 59870. Comments should include: 1) name, address, phone number, and organization represented, if any; 2) title of project on which the comments are being submitted; and 3) specific facts and supporting information for the District Ranger to consider. For additional information or a map of the proposal, contact Elizabeth Ballard or District Ranger Dan Ritter at the Stevensville Ranger District, 88. Main, Stevensville MT 59870, 777-5461. BirthsBirths at Marcus Daly Hospital, Hamilton 2-15-06 2-17-06 2-22-06 |
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