Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Valley News at a Glance

Baucus bill would scrap public lands fees

No swine flue cases identified in Montana

HealthCare Plus holds Women’s Health Evening

Ravalli County Board of Commissioners Activity Report

Births

Obituaries

As a steadfast advocate of Montana’s outdoor heritage, Senator Max Baucus introduced legislation that would block the U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies from charging Montanans higher fees to access their public lands.

Baucus introduced the Fee Repeal and Expanded Access Act of 2009. Joining him as the lead cosponsor is Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho.

The bill would revoke authority given to the Forest Service in 2004 to institute new fees and increase existing fees at campgrounds, trailheads, and other public areas.

Specifically, the bill repeals the 2004-passed Federal Lands Recreational Enhancement Act, sometimes called the recreational access tax, and reinstates legislation dating back to 1965 that limits the use of fees on public lands.

Baucus, a long-time critic of the fees, said the current system amounts to double taxation.

"Every tax day we pay to use our public lands, we shouldn’t be taxed twice to go fishing, hiking, or camping on our public lands,” Baucus said.  “Paying twice just doesn’t make any sense.”

Montana Senator Jon Tester also cosponsored the legislation.

“Raising fees on hardworking families who want to enjoy their public land isn’t a card we should be playing,” said Tester, who serves as vice chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. “Americans already pay their share for our national forests every April 15. This bill is just common sense.”

Kitty Benzar, president of the Western Slope No-Fee Coalition, hailed the bill.

"This is an exciting step toward restoring access to public lands for all Americans, and not just access for those who can afford to pay extra,” Benzar said. “I’m pleased and grateful for Senator Baucus’ support and we will work hard to get this bill passed and signed into law.”

Baucus’ bill would:

• Repeal the FLREA

• Reinstate the fee authorities established by the 1965 Land and Water Conservation Act

• Reinstate the National Parks Pass system

• Cap the amount that can be charged for entrance to national parks.

Baucus and Crapo introduced similar legislation in 2007.

State health officials are monitoring closely

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced Monday that in response to reported cases of swine influenza in other parts of the country the state is participating in a national effort to be prepared in the event the situation worsens.

As a precautionary measure, a portion of Montana’s allotment of antiviral medication and personal protective equipment from the national stockpile will be moved to storage in the state. Other states have taken similar steps. “This is a situation where we need to be prepared in the event this medication or equipment is needed in the immediate future,” said DPHHS state medical officer Dr. Steve Helgerson.

As of Monday, state health officials confirm no cases of swine influenza have been identified in Montana.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 40 cases of swine influenza infection have been confirmed in five different states including California, Kansas, New York, Ohio and Texas. Only one of the United States patients needed to be hospitalized.  

In addition, several cases have been identified in Canada, and there are an undetermined number of cases, some who have died, in Mexico.

Health officials are working closely with the physicians throughout the state to identify influenza-like illness. “We are continuing influenza surveillance and, especially since seasonal influenza is waning, we are asking doctors who see patients with influenza-like symptoms, to collect a specimen and send it to the DPHHS laboratory for testing,” Helgerson said.

Specimens collected will undergo testing at the state Public Health Laboratory in Helena for certain known, or ‘typeable’, influenza strains. However, if the test results show an unknown strain, then the specimen would be sent to the CDC for further testing to determine whether or not it is swine influenza.

“The DPHHS state laboratory will play an important role in the process,” Helgerson said. “We are monitoring the situation very closely.”

Infection with the current swine influenza virus is being passed from person to person. In the past swine influenza viruses have been transmitted from pigs to humans, but the viruses are not spread by food.

Helgerson said no vaccine is yet available to protect against this infection. However, the same precautions recommended to help limit the spread of seasonal influenza also apply to the swine influenza, including:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

The symptoms of swine influenza are the same as the symptoms of seasonal influenza in humans and include: Fever greater that 100 degrees F, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, and fatigue. Some of the U.S. cases have also reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine influenza.

Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine influenza infection outside the U.S. Like seasonal influenza, swine influenza may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

For more information about the swine influenza investigation go to the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm, or visit the DPHHS website at www.dphhs.mt.gov.

More than 20 women listened intently at the Women’s Health Evening at HealthCare Plus as they learned how to better care for themselves. Certified Compounding Pharmacist Barb Arnold, PharmD RPA, spoke on bio-identical hormone compounding and Dr. Marshall White, MD, spoke about current issues regarding women’s health. There was informative literature handed out for the women to follow up with at home. The ladies received a gift bag, and enjoyed appetizers and wine as part of the event.

HealthCare Plus sponsors informational workshops throughout the year as part of its “Mission to improve the health of our communities by providing the best pharmaceutical, medical equipment and oxygen services in Western Montana.” In the past HCP has sponsored both men’s and women’s health workshops as well as diabetes luncheons and support group, and a sleep apnea support group. To be placed on the HCP mailing list or support group calling lists, call 363-6203.

Week of April 20, 2009

Monday:

• Approved sending Commissioner Kathleen Driscoll to a gravel roads workshop in Hamilton May 5 at a cost of $35.

• Signed a proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Awareness month.

• Signed a proclamation in support of the Silver Star Wounded and Ill veterans.

• Appointed Bessie Bolin and Don Wilson to the Sunnyside Cemetery Board pf Trustees

• Approved the first quarter Human Resource Council’s HOME program grant for $116,784.

• Discussed moving election materials to a container unit on the fairgrounds in advance of the 911 dispatch center remodel with Clerk and Recorder Regina Plettenberg.

• Signed an application for a hangar renewal lease for Northwest Insurance

• Discussed renewal of agreement with Western Montana Addiction Services for $34,000 to provide prevention and intervention chemical dependency services. Approved 3-0; voting: Chilcott, Grandstaff, Rokosch.

• Met with Marty Birkeneder, special projects coordinator with the sheriff’s office. Approved the application and submission of a $3.3 million federal stimulus funds grant titled “Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs.” Approved 4-0; voting: Chilcott, Grandstaff, Iman, Rokosch.

• Approved annual lease payment of $66,780 to Black Mountain for accounting and payroll software licensing.

Tuesday:

• Received and opened eight bids for the 911 remodel project. The bids were given to CTA Architects for selection review and recommendation to the commission. Decision scheduled for April 29 at 3 p.m.

Wednesday:

• Awarded a construction bid in the amount of $159,498 to Specialty Excavating of Hamilton for construction of a ped/bike path along Willow Creek Road. Vote: 5-0.

Thursday:

• Rokosch, Driscoll, Iman and Grandstaff participated in a day-long conference in Hamilton titled: “Reason and Respect: A Conference on Civil Discourse” at the invitation of Humanities Montana. Approximately 110 citizens also participated. Chilcott in Sparks, Nevada to attend the National Forest Counties and Schools Coalition conference.

Submitted by Carlotta Grandstaff, chair, and Jim Rokosch, vice-chair, Ravalli County Commission.

Births at Marcus Daly Hospital, Hamilton

4-16-09

Girl, 7 lbs., 15 oz., 20 inches, to Jessi and Jesse Jessop, Pinesdale

4-17-09

Boy, 8 lbs., 14 oz., 21 inches, to Katy Jacobs and Randy Walker, Victor

4-18-09

Boy, 7 lbs., 20 inches, to Amy and Joshua Hundley, Darby

Isabelle Schroeder
1921-2009

Isabelle Schroeder, 87, of Lolo passed away Friday, April 24, 2009 at Hamilton, Montana from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. She was born August 16, 1921 at Florence, the youngest of fifteen children born to John and Mary (Warner) Bentham.

Isabelle was raised in Lolo, and in 1944, she married David Schroeder. During WWII, they worked as welders in the Tacoma, Washington shipyards. She excelled and was the only woman on her shift to be certified for overhead welding. After the war, they returned home to the Bitterroot Valley to ranch on the family place south of Lolo. Isabelle was a loving mother, and together she and Dave raised six children. She enjoyed gardening and was a wonderful cook. Isabelle’s kitchen was a warm and welcoming place, day or night and, the coffee was always on. Cherished memories include the aroma of bread baking and pies and canned produce cooling on the counter. She loved family picnics at the ranch on the banks of the Bitterroot River and at Lolo Hot Springs. Many hours were spent reading to a grandchild on her lap and playing catch and soccer in the front yard. At the age of sixty, Isabelle took up cross country skiing and golf. She loved to walk the loop around the lake in Lolo with friends, swim at a fitness center in Missoula, and times spent with Dave, Mark, Jenny, Woody, and Gracie fishing and camping at area lakes. She was a member of Montana Cowbelles, the Lolo Community Church and served as an Election Judge for many years.

Isabelle is survived by brother Woody Bentham (Gracie), Lolo; sister-in-law Jenny Bentham, Lolo; children: Peggy Carmack (Wayne) Colorado Springs, Colorado; Pat Potter, Issaquah, Washington; Diane Hutchinson (Michael Bosh), Pocatello, Idaho; Bob Schroeder (Joyce) Florence; Jim Schroeder (Sharon), Stevensville; and Sue Smith (Steve Fullerton), Hamilton; grandchildren Scott, Brian, Tracy, David, Jennifer, Michael, Erik, Josh, Will, Clay, Shelby, Colter, Tyler, Jake, Brad and R. Scott;  17 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and her husband Dave.  

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Lolo Community Church. Interment will follow at Florence Carlton Community Church cemetery, followed by a reception at the Lolo Community Church. Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.

Isabelle’s family would like to thank the staff at Valley View Estates for their loving care and compassion.   

Memorials may be made to Lolo Community Church, 11897 Lewis and Clark Drive, Lolo, Montana, 59847 or Alzheimer’s Association-Montana Chapter, 3010 11th Ave North, Billings MT 59101.

Don E. ‘Dusty’ Rhodes
1931-2009

Don E.  "Dusty" Rhodes, 78, former Stevensville area resident, died in Medford, OR on February 5, 2009.

 He is survived by his wife Gloria of Medford; stepchildren: Debbie Corwin of Portland, Major Norman (Jennifer) Ayotte of Ft. Hood, TX, Stacey (Steven) Cooper of Medford, and step-grandson Eric Parmele, Portland, OR; brothers: Weston (Pat) Rhodes, Stevensville and Gary (Grace) Rhodes, of Dayton, MT and Mesa, AZ, and sisters: Beverly Rhodes (Darrell) Glasscock, of Helena, and Sharon Rhodes (Richard) Andriolo of Bozeman.

Memorial Services will be on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville. Burial of Don’s ashes will be at the Riverside Cemetery and a reception will follow at the Stevensville Senior Center.