Volume XXI, Number 2

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Bevan Williams, director of Sustainable Living Systems, and intern Mathew Moore are seen here stocking the produce shelves at the Bitterroot Community Market in Stevensville with an assortment of locally grown, organic produce. In the process of forming, the Bitterroot Valley Food Co-op hopes to provide up to six outlets in valley stores for locally raised farm and garden produce by next spring, according to Williams. Michael Howell photo.

Buy fresh, buy local at Bitterroot Community Market

By Michael Howell

The Bitterroot Valley Food Co-op, a cooperative venture in the nascent stages of formation comprised of local food producers and local retailers, already has one foot in the door at the Bitterroot Community Market in Stevensville. Bevan Williams, Director of Sustainable Living Systems, a local organization that is spearheading the formation of the food co-op, said that the aim is to have at least six outlets in the valley by next spring, housed in already existing businesses, offering locally grown and produced food. More...

Fish recovery project hits roadblock

By Michael Howell

A plan to install water siphons under Skalkaho Creek to help restore the fishery has been scuttled due to the refusal of one landowner along the creek to participate in the project, according to state Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials. The siphons are needed to keep fish in Skalkaho Creek from entering the Hedge and Republican Ditches during their annual migration back to the river. More...

Fire season flares up

By Michael Howell

Higher humidity and some moisture tempered fires on the Bitterroot Forest on Monday, but did not stop three fires started by lightning when the a thunder cell came through the valley. Rural fire departments and Forest Service firefighters responded to a fire at the Rifle Range in Hamilton, one near Bass Creek between Florence and Hamilton, and almost at the same time at Bell Crossing two miles north of Victor. All three fires were put out due to the quick response by personnel and equipment as well as timely and accurate reporting of the fires. More...

Schools respond to chemical query

By Michael Howell

Local wildlife rehabilitator Judy Hoy, who has documented many developmental malformations among area wildlife, raised questions at the last County Health Board meeting about the use of pesticides and herbicides at the valley's schools. Hoy complained specifically about an incident two years ago at the Corvallis School and more recently at the Stevensville School District that she believes were inappropriate and constitute a health hazard. Armed with a bundle of recent studies that question the safety of chemicals commonly used to fight weeds and insect pests, Hoy lodged a complaint about their use on school grounds. More...