By TOM DIDDEL
Wildlife officials release do not eat advisory for Clark Fork fish
Thursday’s announcement by wildlife officials that fish in the Clark Fork contain levels of pollution that may be harmful came as no surprise to some. According to Grizzly Hackle Manager Rick Marcum, area fishermen have long suspected that the river’s fish have high levels of chemicals in them. Officials advised people not to eat fish caught in a 105 mile stretch of the river from the Smurfit Stone mill site in Missoula to the confluence of the Clark Fork and Flathead rivers near Paradise. (read more) other links: Cleanup
Mountain lions spotted in South Hills area of Missoula
The recent sightings of mountain lions in Missoula’s urban area might just be the result of an expanding deer population within the city. Mountain lions are predators and as such they tend to move to areas in which the hunting is good, unfortunately for Missoula residents that has become their back yards. The Missoula City Council addressed the urban deer problem last year, but failed to come up with a solution that would curb the growth of the population. However, the recent mountain lion sightings might press members of the board to revisit the issue and come up with a viable option. (read more) other links: Hounds
Big Sky Honor Flight carries veterans to DC memorials despite shutdown
Big Sky Honor Flight is a non-profit organization with a goal of taking WWII veterans to Washington DC allowing them to visit the memorials honoring their sacrifices. The organization took over eighty men and women to our nation’s capital this week overcoming the government’s barricades. The non-profit has taken 602 veterans to DC with a total of seven flights. (read more) other links: Honor flight
UM fall victim is recovering after accident
An employee of the University of Montana is recovering at St. Patrick’s Hospital after falling through a skylight at the school’s heating plant. Mike Burke, a 61 year-old head engineer at the school, fell 20 feet while working on equipment at the university. A spokesman for the university stated that it is not unusual for employees to be on the roof of the building checking on equipment. Even so, the accident will be investigated. (read more)
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Tom Diddel has lived in Missoula on and off for nearly thirty-eight years. He enjoys skiing, hiking, and many other outdoor activities. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Montana and is currently working as a Freelance Writer and a Para-Educator.
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