Briefs for May 5, 2021
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Get vaccinated Montana
News from Senator Tester and Senator Daines
MONTANA — While it’s true that Senator Steve Daines and Senator Tester don’t always see eye-to-eye on everything, there’s one thing they definitely agree on right now – that every Montanan should get their COVID-19 vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccine is the best shot to get Montana back to normal and our economy back on track. These vaccines are safe, effective and free.
Right now, all Montanans age 16 and older are eligible to get their shot. You can find out where to get your vaccine at: vaccinefinder.org.
Steve and Jon both got their shots – they hope you’ll get yours too.
Watch their joint video at: www.youtube.com/
Caye awarded for work on behalf of children
News from DPHHS
HELENA — Foster parents, child protection workers, youth, and non-profit organizations were honored on Tuesday, April 27, during a virtual awards ceremony as part of the annual Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference sponsored by the Department of Public Health and Human Services.
DPHHS and Montana Children’s Trust Fund representatives honored individuals and organizations from Kalispell, Glendive, Havre, Lolo, Missoula, Miles City, Lodge Grass, Polson, Great Falls and Billings.
MTCTF strategically supports initiatives to effectively strengthen Montana’s families and keep children safe from abuse and neglect. MTCTF honors those who have gone above and beyond to help strengthen children and families.
MTCTF presented many awards to individuals across Montana. Local awardee, Leslie Caye of Polson, was given the “Service to Children Award.”
Daines wants grizzly bears delisted
News from the office of Senator Daines
U.S. SENATE — Senator Daines is highlighting concerns about the out of control grizzly bear population in the state. Alan Redfield, a rancher from Paradise Valley, talked about the importance of delisting the grizzly and returning management back to the state and thanked Daines for his work to get that done.
In a video, Redfield shares the story about what it’s like to live in fear that his family and livestock may be attacked by grizzlies. Redfield also talked about the tragic recent bear mauling in Paradise Valley, something that hits close to home for him.
Daines is working to pass his bill that would delist the grizzly in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
He joined Rep. Matt Rosendale and the entire Wyoming and Idaho delegations in a letter urging Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to listen to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service study that states the grizzly bear has fully recovered in the GYE and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem and delist the grizzly bear.
Get legal form assistance
News from North Lake County Public Library
POLSON — “Court Help Connect” is available at North Lake County Public Library. Do you need help with legal forms? You can use Court Help Connect. Court Help Connect is a free service through the Court Help Program of Montana. You can make an appointment to do a video chat with a trained court staff person at the library on a Kiosk.
Montana conservation projects to receive $10M+
News from the office of Senator Tester
U.S. Senate — Two Montana agricultural and conservation projects are set to receive more than $10 million in critical funding, thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator Jon Tester.
The funding is available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and will help locally-driven public-private partnerships address common natural resource goals while improving agricultural productivity. Tester secured funding for the NRCS in the 2018 Farm Bill.
“Montana’s economy is built on our outdoor spaces, and the agricultural and recreation industries that rely on them,” Tester said. “This funding is good news because it will help conserve and enhance those spaces, creating more opportunity while preserving one-of-a-kind landscapes and ensuring that Montanans can live, work, and recreate here for generations to come.”
The Montana conservation projects that will receive funding are:
Pheasants Forever, Inc. - Big Game Habitat Improvement Project ($6,433,194)
Pheasants Forever, Inc. will engage 13 partner organizations to address threats to big game migration corridors and winter ranges through outreach, technical assistance, and producer contracts. The groups will work with producers to improve grazing operations, restore grassland habitats, and retain intact rangelands. Additional benefits include improved grazing management, improved plant productivity and health, making grassland more resilient to drought, and restoring marginal cropland to perennial grasses.
Five Valleys Land Trust - Flint Creek Valley Conservation Partnership ($3,727,273)
Musicians’ Co-Op holds grand opening
News from Western Montana Musicians' Co-Op
RONAN — The grand opening of the Western Montana Musicians’ Co-Op takes place on Saturday, May 29, from 1-10 p.m. at the Red Poppy Studio in downtown Ronan, at 1 Eisenhower St. SW. There will be live music, 2 food trucks, drinks, and beer. This event is free and open to the public.
REAL ID law requirements extended
News from the office of Senator Daines
U.S. SENATE — The Department of Homeland Security announced Senator Daines’ bill to extend the REAL ID enforcement date became law. It officially extends the REAL ID enforcement date.
“Great news. The deadline for REAL ID has been extended until May 3, 2023. I’ve long pushed for an extension. Montana families don’t need to be worrying about this, especially now,” said Senator Steve Daines
Background:
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the CARES Act into law, which included Daines’ bill to extend the REAL ID enforcement date.
On March 23, 2020, President Trump extended the REAL ID requirements during the coronavirus outbreak, a top priority of Daines.
On March 17, 2020, Daines introduced a bipartisan bill that directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to delay enforcement of REAL ID for at least one year in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Servicemen from Army’s 2nd Infantry sought
News from Second Indianhead Division Association, Inc.
FOX LAKE, ILLINOIS — The Second (Indianhead) Division Association is searching for anyone who served in the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division at any time. For information about the association and our 99th annual reunion in Kansas City, Missouri, from Sept. 29 – Oct. 3, 2021, visit our website at: www.2ida.org or contact Bob Haynes at:
2idahq@comcast.net and 224-225-1202.
