VOLUME 99
ISSUE 4
TIMES
FALLON County
BAKER, MONTANA 59313
fctimes@midrivers.com 406-778-3344 $1.00
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
Military airspace concerns added to Keystone pipeline debate . . . By Lori Kesinger A new twist was added to the congressional dispute over the Keystone XL pipeline when Montana’s senators announced a proposed amendment to the bill to block the Air Force training expansion plans over southeastern Montana. The Air Force approved an expansion of the Powder River Training Complex (PRTC) military operating area (MOA) Jan. 16. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must now issue its own record of decision on the plans. The FAA and the Air Force must both approve the project for it to go forward. “Sen. Steve Daines and Sen. Jon Tester have heard from Montanans who are concerned that the military’s presence in the area will jeopardize general aviation safety, interfere with emergency services, and impede economic activity,” a joint statement made by the Senators stated. “Tester and Daines are introducing an amendment to the Keystone bill to prohibit the Air Force from occupying low-level airspace over a crucial onramp for Bakken oil in Baker.” The MOA would expand to approximately 28,000 square miles over Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, making it the largest over the continental United States. The airspace would facilitate low-level,
high speed combat training for B-1 and B-52 crews operating out of Ellsworth and Minot Air Force Bases, schedul4ed to be active 240 days per year, including ten days of large scale exercises. The Air Force claims the expanded area would help aircrews train under realistic scenarios for a full spectrum of operations. “Instead of wasting time, as well as wear and tear on the aircraft, flying to other locations, aircrews would gain increased combat readiness valued at approximately $23M/year by flying in the proposed local training areas, which would allow more crews to get more training with the same number of authorized flight hours.” The expansion could also shield Ellsworth from being shut down under Base Realignment and Closure, a federal cost-cutting program. “This is going to change our way of life in southeastern Montana,” said Roger Meggers, Baker Air Service manager. “I fully support our armed services, but its’ not about national security or training, but about saving Ellsworth.” Most of Fallon County, including the airport, is in the proposed training area and would be affected by the expansion. Baker Municipal Airport has approximately 7,000 operations every year. The expansion would significantly
B-1 Bomber rumbles down the fightline at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, as part of a training mission. disrupt commercial and private aviation and emergency medical flights. The expansion would also stifle economic development and threaten safety in the region. In a study released Nov. 28, the Air Force acknowledged the low-altitude flights and loud sonic booms could startle livestock and residents, as flights break the sound barrier and fly as low as 500 feet in the area. The Air Force has no proposed remediation plan for land and livestock owners in the region. “The Air Force’s decision to move forward with this expansion without adequately addressing Montanans’ concerns is disappointing
and discouraging,” Daines stated. “I strongly urge the FAA to examine Montanans’ wellfounded concerns about the expansion’s impact on pilot safety, emergency services, and economic activity in southeastern Montana, and ensure Montanans’ voices are heard in the final proposal.” “I would like to thank our senators for their continued support,” Meggers said. “I also encourage people to stay in touch with our senators and Gov. Steve Bullock. The more people involved, the more we can be heard. In my opinion, the battle is far from over - it’s just beginning.”
Influenza cases on the rise
Look, I‘m Skating The Fallon County Recreation Department’s Learn to Skate program is a great place to start for any aspiring hockey player or figure skater. For the past five years, Braylea Wyrick, a BHS senior, has been instructing and sharing her love of skating with youth in the program. The Recreation Department offers the lessons to children kindergarten through sixth grade for four weeks in
January on Fridays. It is held at the City of Baker ice rink north of Coldwell Field. Twenty-one children are participating in the program this year. They are required to wear safety helmets. Class instruction includes basic fundamentals on single bladed skates and introduction to hockey and figure skating. “The City ice rink is a wonderful asset to our community in these winter
months,” said Angie Rabbitt, Rec Dept. director. “This designated area is a much safer alternative than skating on Baker Lake.” The ice rink is maintained by the Parks Department and open to the public at no charge. The rink has a warming house for a place to take a break from the elements and outdoor timed lighting for use at night.
By Lori Kesinger “It’s not too late to receive your flu shot,” according to the Fallon County Public Health Department. Influenza is circulating in the community and could become more widespread compared to the past few years. “Influenza activity has increased across the state of Montana during the past few weeks. Last week there were 479 new cases reported. Season to date, 2173 cases have been reported including 270 hospitalizations. Fallon County has also seen an increase in flu activity over the past few weeks. We have had both positive Influenza A and Influenza B reported. The dominant strain reported is Influenza A/H3N2,” said Kim Cuppy, Health Dept. RN. Even though the predominate virus slightly changed so the flu vaccine isn’t as effective, it doesn’t mean it’s not working. An individual may receive protection against three or four strains of influenza depending on the vaccine received. Since there are variations of the flu, the vaccine will likely provide some protection and lessen the severity and duration of flu symptoms. Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness. The flu comes on suddenly, unlike a cold. People who have the flu may have some or all of these symptoms: Fever (not everyone will have a fever) or feeling feverish/chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. People with the flu can make others sick one day before symptoms appear, and up to five days after symptoms begin. Many health departments and physicians recommend a full seven days at home before returning to work or school. The Health Department recommends the following prevention steps. • Stay home when you are sick. By doing this, you help prevent others from catching your illness at work, school, daycare, and the general public. • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after use and wash your hands. If a tissue is not available, cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve not your hand. • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. • Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. If you have questions concerning influenza, call the Fallon County Public Health Department at 406-778-2824.
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POOL TOURNAMENT
Big Game
Fri., Jan. 30 - Local Tournament Sat., Jan. 31 - 8 ball doubles 9 ball singles Sun., Feb. 1 - 8 ball tournament
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