Page 14 - Flathead Beacon // 9.2.15

NEWS
CITY BEAT
POLSON
CSKT to Commemorate Dam Acquisition
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes invite the community to participate in the commemoration of the tribal acquisition of the Kerr Hydroelectric Project on Sept. 5.
The CSKT is hosting the event at the Joe McDon- ald gymnasium at the Salish Kootenai College campus, 58138 U.S. Highway 93 in Pablo. The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Traditional regalia is welcome, and dancers in rega- lia are welcome to participate in the opening procession of the event.
The CSKT will become the first tribal government to own and operate a major hydroelectric facility. The CSKT paid nearly $18.3 million for the facility, which will be operated by Energy Keepers, Inc., a tribally owned corporation that will sell the electricity it pro- duces on the open market.
The dam, named after the president of Montana Power when it was built, will be renamed, and the CSKT collected ideas from the community in the months lead- ing up to the acquisition. Finley said the Tribal Council has not yet decided on a new name.
“This is a milestone for our community,” said Vernon Finley, tribal council chairman.
“The construction of the Kerr Project in the 1930s marked a time of significant cultural and economic changes for our Tribes. Today as we look to the future, we anticipate that the Project, which once exemplified
FLATHEAD COUNTY
Fair Attendance Sees Dip in Face of Wind, Smoke
The 114th Northwest Montana Fair weathered smoke, windstorms, and rain during its Aug. 18-23 run, and still boasted an attendance of nearly 75,000 people.
According to stats from Flathead County fair manager Mark Campbell, 74,924 people attended events and vis- ited exhibits this year, down 2.35 percent from last year’s fair week.
Grandstand events were down about 3,500 overall when compared to last year, with 14,904 people attend- ing six nights of programs this year compared to 18,358 in 2014.
Campbell also noted that the carnival rides saw an 8 percent decrease in sales, despite prices having remained constant for the last three years. He attributed the decrease to the heavy smoke that blanketed the valley due to wildfire activity.
The 4H and FFA members who raised and showed their livestock were well compensated, Campbell said, with some of the highest prices per pound and a new high total of revenues recorded.
Overall, Campbell said he was happy with how smoothly the fair went, even with the decreased attendance.
“I thought it went very well, considering there’s always some challenges that you really can’t do much with, like the smoke and the wind and dust storm,” Campbell said. “All in all though it was good. This year was smooth, the organization part of it.”
FLATHEAD COUNTY
Man Charged with Negligent Endangerment Following
Evergreen Fire
The Flathead County Attorney’s Office has filed charges against the man who allegedly started a 6.5-acre fire that destroyed at least three homes in Evergreen in early August.
destruction to our way of life, may now help restore and revitalize our Tribes as we continue the important work of protecting our reserved and aboriginal lands, caring for our people, and preserving our cultural resources.”
Finley’s great-grandfather, Koostahtah, was chief of the Kootenai when Kerr Dam was built in the 1930s.
In 1985, FERC issued the dam’s operating license to both Montana Power and the tribes to settle a contested proceeding. Montana Power, which sold its utility assets in 1997, was to operate the project for at least 30 years, after which the tribes would have the option to buy.
KALISPELL
Councilors Invite Residents to Town Hall Meeting
Kalispell City Council members Rod Kuntz and Jim Atkinson invite members of their ward and beyond to join them for an informal town hall meeting at City Hall, on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. Kuntz and Atkinson want to hear from their constituents about their community con- cerns and ideas, and for discussion and questions about how municipal governance works and the challenges involved.
If successful, Kuntz and Atkinson see this first town hall meeting as the beginning of a series to be held on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m., according to city officials. An agenda will not be published, allowing for an informal atmosphere, and discussion of a variety of topics. This will not be an opportunity to voice per- sonal complaints, but rather an opportunity to discuss community issues, according to city officials. No formal
action will be taken at these meetings.
Ward 3 encompasses much of downtown and extends
west into the Foys Lake area. A map of the ward bound- aries can be found at www.kalispell.com under City Council. Kalispell City Hall is located at 201 First Ave- nue East. Town hall meetings will be held in the council chambers.
KALISPELL
Parking District Permits on Sale for Neighborhood
With the enactment of Kalispell City Ordinance 159, the Kalispell Police Department is now selling parking permits for the Flathead High School Neighborhood Parking District. All permits will be sold at the Kalispell Police Department, Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Students/Staff permits will cost $25 each. Cash and checks are accepted but no credit cards.
Residents will need to show proof of residency. IDs or utility bills will be accepted. Two free permits will be issued for each residence. Additional permits will be $25 each, cash or checks only.
The district will feature parking restrictions for Sec- ond Avenue West between Sixth and Ninth streets west; Third Avenue West between Fifth and Ninth streets west; Fourth Avenue West between Eighth and Ninth streets west; and all streets between Fourth Avenue and Second Avenue West.
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Around Flathead High
NEWS
COUNTY BEAT
PAINTING KALISPELL
Jeff Troupe works on an oil painting of the Western Outdoor Store in downtown Kalispell. Troupe is painting many downtown businesses as part of an upcoming show through Wild Eye Artistry. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
According to Deputy County Attorney Kenneth Park, Joseph DeVera was charged with misdemeanor negligent endangerment in Flathead County Justice Court on Aug. 31.
Park said investigators determined the fire was started with a dropped cigarette on the afternoon of Aug. 5. DeVera allegedly tried to put the fire out but it soon spread through a group of homes and outbuildings along Mountain View Drive in Evergreen. At least one person was injured trying to escape the fire, Park said.
The fire resulted in more than $500,000 in damage, according to Park.
Firefighters from across the valley responded to the blaze, which forced the evacuation of numerous homes in the area.
If convicted, DeVera could face a year in jail or a fine of $1,000.
DeVera recently appeared in Flathead County Dis- trict Court on charges of felony theft. According to court documents, DeVera allegedly stole a 2007 Chevy Impala on Aug. 13. He pleaded not guilty to the charges last week and is expected to go to trial early next year.
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM