Senators, Representative say as long as Montanans are in Iraq, ‘we’re not done'

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) Tuesday released statements in response to the end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq.

Sen. Baucus said: “Bringing our combat troops home from Iraq is the right thing to do. As we welcome our brave service members home, we must also hold in our thoughts and prayers the Montanans and men and women across the country who continue to serve in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We are so fortunate as Americans to have the best military in the world, and proud that more Montanans volunteer for service overseas than anywhere else in the nation. As long as there are American troops still serving in harm’s way, I will continue my commitment to ensuring they have the resources they need to accomplish their mission and come home safely.”

To the editor:

I recently read that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor gave a speech in Billings that criticized the Montana way of electing justices for our Supreme Court. While her answer for improving our system was to take away our right to vote, I believe that increased and improved communication from the candidates is a better answer.

by Boyd Hartwig

Missoula, Saturday, 12:00 p.m. – Fire managers expect to begin downsizing from four crews to two crews on the Alder Creek Fire on Sunday due to current fire activity. The fire perimeter did not increase despite strong winds Thursday evening and Friday and the fire area has experienced significantly lower temperatures and higher humidity the last 36 hours. The wind event associated with Thursday’s cold front tested firelines but the lines held and firefighters began mop up operations Friday.

Residents encouraged to attend public meeting on jobs, economy

by Andrea Helling

Senator Jon Tester will hold a forum in Missoula this Monday, August 30, to hear Montanans’ ideas and concerns on jobs and the economy.

All interested Montanans are invited to attend Monday’s hour-long meeting, which starts at 1:30 p.m.

by Boyd Hartwig

The Lolo National Forest is seeking public comment on an application to bury overhead lines and replace a utility pole on National Forest System Lands near U.S. Highway 12 in the Lolo Creek Drainage.

by Bob Mahon

Meet the Republican candidates for Mineral County offices this Saturday August 28 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The location is the home of Al & Nancy Acheson, 73 Robin Nest Lane - just off Diamond Match Road before the bridge. Hot dogs, soft drinks, punch and cookies will be served.

by Kathy Weber

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator, Max Baucus, today applauded the community efforts that laid the groundwork for one of the world’s most treasured art collections to be housed in Butte for his upcoming Montana Economic Development Summit.

by Boyd Hartwig

Missoula, Aug. 26, 2 p.m. – In preparation for strong winds expected to arrive Thursday associated with a weather front firefighters will use aviation resources to contain spot fires along the southwest/north perimeter of the Alder Creek Fire and assess options for extending handline(s) along the southern edge of the fire. They will also extend a handline on the north end of the fire perimeter to try and secure the north end by tying into an old burn from 2000. Fire managers expect strong southerly winds this evening to produce aggressive burning conditions that will test firelines.

by Larry Copenhaver

The Montana Bowhunters Association, ten Montana rod and gun clubs, and Montana Wildlife Federation joined the effort led the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to achieve a successful delisting of wolves in the Northern Rockies and to seek immediate relief for chronic wolf predation in specific areas. The organizations also call upon FWP to revise the 2005 Elk Management Plan to address the changing landscape that Montana has weathered over the last 5-10 years.

“FWP has shown remarkable leadership in applying a steady hand to the wolf situation. We are all in agreement that it’s time for a solution to the ongoing saga of wolf conservation and management in light of having met the delisting criteria for eight years running,” said Craig Sharpe, Executive Director of Montana Wildlife Federation.

by Boyd Hartwig

Missoula, Aug. 25, 3 p.m. – Firefighters were able to build handline and contain several spot fires along the southwest perimeter of the Alder Creek Fire yesterday evening with the help of helicopter bucket drops and they are using aircraft support again today to contain a spot fire to the southeast. These spot fires are less than one acre but have been producing persistent smoke visible from Stevensville.

Smoke was also produced yesterday evening from a burnout operation that began yesterday morning along the north end of the fire perimeter. The burnout was active yesterday afternoon and evening and continued to achieve tactical objectives by consuming fuel between fireline and the fire perimeter -- creating more buffer depth for firefighters and helping to contain the north perimeter of the fire.