by Pat Williams

The 10-year-old boy was selling newspapers outside the newly constructed, luxurious Finlen Hotel in Butte, Montana. His torn jeans and ill-fitting shirt reflected life in the mining city: grit, scruffiness, determination and the promises of tomorrow. No one passed without hearing the boy’s insistent shout, “Hey, paper here – get your newspaper here.”

by Boyd Hartwig

Missoula, MT. August 2, 1 p.m. – The Packer Meadows Fire has increased to 135 acres due to spot fires, but firefighters have contained approximately 75 percent of fire activity and expect to have the main fire as well as numerous spot fires contained by August 4. Three crews were released yesterday and two remain on the fire.

Dear Betty,

My dad had a stroke in May and is recuperating at a nearby nursing home. We’re happy with the care Dad’s getting, especially the rehabilitative therapy. There’s just one problem and it’s driving us (and probably Dad) crazy. His roommate plays his radio full blast and is endlessly chattering. Betty, my dad always loved his “peace and quiet,” so he can’t be liking this. Speech is difficult for dad now, so I approached the roommate myself. But he says he can’t hear at a lower volume and music is the only pleasure he has left. The administrator says no other rooms are available. Is there anything else I can do? —Distressed Daughter

[Editor's note: The meeting location has been changed to the Ambulance Building.]

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice that a public meeting for comments will be held to review Mineral Community Hospital's plan to file an application for Federal Assistance for a Biomass Heating/Cooling System and New Hospital Facility with the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Loan and/or Grant program.

by Joyce Doyle

Can’t get across town to visit the library? No problem. This fall Missoula Public Library will open a new branch at Big Sky High School. In cooperation with Missoula County Public Schools, the new public library branch will operate out of the high school library space where it will offer all the services the main library provides including a rotating collection of books, music and movies, as well as Internet access, online research resources, and library staff to help you find what you need.

by Paula Short

August 2, 2010, 12:00noon, Missoula, Montana – Firefighters continue to mop-up two area fires ignited yesterday afternoon northeast and east of Missoula.

The Game Dreamer Fire was mapped overnight and is 18.5 acres. It was contained last night, though crews will continue to work on hot spots within the fire perimeter. Roughly 35 personnel are assigned to the Game Dreamer Fire.

At approximately 11:20am this morning, firefighters called the Tendoy Gulch Fire contained. Four DNRC Engines and crews will continue to mop-up the fire; approximately 8-10 people are assigned to the Tendoy Gulch Fire.

Both the Tendoy Gulch Fire and the Game Dreamer Fire were caused by lightning from passing thunderstorms over the weekend.

by C.J. Hadley

Emotions are running high on both sides of the immigration issue and Arizona’s attempts to legislate the flow of human traffic. Unfortunately, the mainstream media is missing the real story behind the controversial law and the murder in late March of Arizona rancher Rob Krentz.

Krentz was patrolling his land on an ATV near the Mexican border when he was gunned down by an alleged drug runner, who disappeared into the desert. Krentz had managed to radio for help, which triggered a massive search. He was discovered by a helicopter pilot who sighted the lights on his ATV. It was too late for the respected rancher.


Caption: Rob Krentz was killed in late March on his Arizona ranch by an alleged drug runner.

by Boyd Hartwig

Missoula, MT. July 30, 2 p.m. – Firefighters have improved fireline on the Packer Meadows Fire over the last operational period and have been successful in keeping the fire to 105 acres while they continue to be challenged by hundreds of spot fires outside the fire perimeter. Most of those spot fires are to the north of the fire perimeter.

As temperatures increase during the burning period the spot fires become active and firefighters are able to locate and put them out. Lower temperatures and higher humidity over the last 24 hours – as well as difficult terrain -- have made it more difficult to locate many of the spot fires. Heavy fuel loading has also increased the potential for spot fires.

by Hope Stockwell

Two bipartisan legislative committees that focus on environmental policy issues are seeking comments from the public on legislation they are considering introducing during the 2011 session.

by Joleen Tadej

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said today the female grizzly responsible for injuring two people and killing a Grand Rapids, Mich. man at a campground near Cooke City this week was euthanized, but the bear’s three yearling cubs will be sent to a zoo as soon as possible.