Page 6 - Flathead Beacon // 9.2.15

DATA POINTS
60
Newborn baby boys named William in Montana in 2014, the most popular name in the state, according to the Social Security Administration. The most popular name for baby girls was Emma with 56.
THE GOOD
FOOTBALL SEASON
The Montana Grizzlies opened the college football season with a stunning victory over four-time defending national champion North Dakota State and the Flathead Braves shocked Great Falls C.M. Russell for the first time since 2003.
THE BAD
DROUGHT
While cooler temperatures have helped firefighters gain ground on the vast number of wildfires burning in the region, this corner of the state is still experiencing extreme drought conditions, harming the harvest season and dropping rivers down to historic low streamflows.
$2.1 TRILLION
Value lost in the American stock market over a six-day span last week. After the massive dip, stocks soared on Aug. 26, climbing 619 points, the third- biggest point gain on record.
1.1 MILLION
Gallons of water used to fight the Sheep Fire and others near Essex through Aug. 24. There were 55,400 gallons of fire retardant used to battle the blaze and others in the Thompson-Divide Complex near Glacier Park.
“It’s always fun to see the kids back in school. There’s always a lot of energy and excitement, and you’re always glad to see a new school year get started.”
Mark Flatau, superintendent of public schools in Kalispell.
THIS WEEK’S POLLS FROM FLATHEADBEACON.COM
DID YOU ATTEND THE NORTHWEST MONTANA FAIR?
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE RECENT STOCK MARKET DROP?
DO YOU THINK EXTREME WILDFIRE SEASONS WILL BECOME MORE COMMON?
TOTAL VOTES
TOTAL VOTES
TOTAL VOTES
159
210
276
22% YES 78% NO
33% YES 67% NO
77% YES
23% NO
“The moment will be marked in history as a milestone.”
Brian Lipscomb, CEO of Energy Keepers, Inc., a tribally owned corporation that will take over operations of Kerr Dam near Polson. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will assume ownership with a ceremony Sept. 5 in Pablo, becoming the first tribe in the nation to acquire a major hydroelectric facility.
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM