Ball fields set for construction in C-Falls
The Columbia Falls School Board last week got an update on the Ruder and Glacier Gateway Elementary School projects, set to begin construction this year.
The first construction people could see, however, are the new ball fields between Ruder and Columbia Falls Junior High School. As soon as the frost leaves the ground, work could begin on those, once a contract is let. The fields will go from fence line to fence line between the schools, with a parking lot at the west end, adjacent to the junior high track.
At Ruder, work is slated to begin in June, with the hope of having the existing building and the gym connected by the start of the new school year. Ruder has a budget of $8.1 million that includes a 28,600 square-foot addition and a multipurpose room. The school will have one new east entrance between the existing building and the existing gym. The new addition will come off the existing gym at angle to the west.
Swank Construction has the contract for Ruder and the goal is to have it completed by fall of 2021. The building will be timber frame wherever possible.
“We’re trying to utilize as many local products as possible in this project,” said architect Max Grebe.
Gateway is still in the design stages. The plan is to build a $22.9 million 86,800 square-foot project where the track currently sits. The north wing of the old school will be removed and buses will go from the Truck Route and back onto Fourth Avenue. The school will be a two-story structure to serve 644 students. A completed design will likely be finished in a few months.
— Hungry Horse News
Whitefish library offers curbside service
Stuck inside and wishing you had a good book to enjoy? The Whitefish Community Library is offering curbside service to its patrons.
Those who have a Whitefish library card can request up to 10 items per person for curbside pickup from the library.
The library has closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the meantime, the library is offering curbside pickup on Mondays from noon to 2 p.m., Wednesdays from noon to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m.
There are two ways to place a hold on items for curbside pickup. Patrons can go online to whitefishlibrary.org, click on the Montana Shared Catalog, enter their library card and place their hold. If the items are on the shelf at the Whitefish library, staff will pull the items, check them out, and call the patron to let them know their items are ready for pickup. Items will be held for one week from the date of the call.
Patrons can also call the library at 862-9914, and if necessary, leave a message to place holds. Patrons are advised to have their library card ready because names will not be accepted for checking out an item. When the items become available, they will be checked out and library staff will contact the patron for pickup.
While the library remains closed, staff will be available during pickup times so that items can be picked up at the front entrance.
— Whitefish Pilot
Bigfork Food Bank open one day in April
Customers of the Bigfork Food Bank have no need to panic since the facility has “ample food,” Director Ann Tucker said. However, the food bank will only be open one day in the month of April in an effort to minimize the risk of exposing volunteers to COVID-19, who are essential to food bank operations. Customers will still be able to pick up the same amount of food for the month, but will have to stop by between 1-6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7. The food bank was previously open every Tuesday.
Guests won’t be allowed to shop for items inside the store either, and will instead receive pre-packaged boxes of food based on family size.
Packing the items is labor-intensive — the effort took eight volunteers eight hours last week — but Tucker and her team are working on ways to streamline the process, like organizing items prior to packaging. She is limiting the number of volunteers inside the building.
Tucker has observed an uptick in food bank customers since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Last Tuesday evening, the food bank served 33 families, up from 15 the week before. She noted that figure was abnormally low and they average about 22 families in the evening. During the day the food bank serves 36-38 families.
“As unemployment numbers increase, I don’t know what demands that’s going to make on the food bank,” Tucker said. The level of grocery rescue, or food received from local grocers, have remained constant, Tucker said. The only thing they’re lacking is toilet paper.
If locals wish to donate items besides toilet paper the food bank could use: sugar, flour, rice, pancake mix, mac and cheese, pasta sauce and ramen noodles. Additionally, financial donations are always appreciated.
For those who need assistance, they can simply show up at the next open date and present a government-issued ID for each person in their household.
“We’re just so appreciative of all the help people give us. We’re just very grateful — it just continues to amazing us how this community supports our efforts,” Tucker said.
— Bigfork Eagle
Plains Facebook page creates community resource
The community of Plains is working to help those in need during the COVID-19, or coronavirus, pandemic.
As part of an effort to support the entire community, a Facebook page has been set up where people can post their needs or the needs of other community members. Page members and the general public can read those needs and help fulfill them either directly or by connecting people to get those needs met.
“In these times of uncertainty due to the coronavirus our senior and disabled citizens are some of the most vulnerable,” Plains resident Paula Ivy said. “If you know someone who needs help please encourage them to post on our Facebook page, ‘Plains MT Neighbors Helping Neighbors.’
“We will respond promptly. Additionally, if you are available to help someone else, please check our Facebook page regularly and let us know.”
Ivy said the outpouring of community involvement has been amazing. Within the first three days, the number of page members has grown to almost 400 members.
“Many people in the community have volunteered to pick up and deliver groceries, make washable/reusable face masks, and anything else they can do to help,” Ivy said.
If anyone has a need, please post on the page and someone will respond promptly.
Ivy said there is an effort to get a phone number for the page which would be manned by volunteers, whom would take calls from those whom don’t have internet access.
There is also a flyer at the Plains Post Office with a tear off slip for any one with a need to fill out and turn in to the postal clerk.
— Clark Fork Valley Press
Libby nonprofit created to help seniors
As health experts increasingly caution people to take measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Libby-based Families in Partnership is hoping to make the crisis slightly more bearable for the community’s most vulnerable population.
The Libby-based nonprofit sprang into action last week after one of the organization’s founders asked whether its staff could provide support to Lincoln County’s elderly. Those over age 65 are particularly susceptible to the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
“They were talking about services and what we can do and make sure they have groceries,” said Alexandra Eanes, executive director.
While local supermarkets have begun setting aside hours for the elderly to shop, “some of these people can’t get out of their homes,” she said. “Some of these people can’t get to the store. We’re just trying to deal with the most vulnerable group at this point.”
The nonprofit’s staff is now working with county officials to identify those in need, amass resources and arrange to deliver foodstuffs, Eanes said.
Typically, a delivery person will bring a meal to the front door, wave at the homeowner through the window and leave the food on the front porch or step. There is no person-to-person contact, she said.
According to CDC statistics, eight out of 10 deaths related to COVID-19 have occurred in those 65 and older.
Residents who want to help with what Families in Partnership is calling the “Senior Love” campaign are encouraged to do so, Eanes said. Although the group accepts foodstuffs, the best way to help is by donating money, she said.
She encouraged those interested in pitching in to write a check out to Families in Partnership and label it Senior Love and either drop it off at their Collins Avenue location or mail it to Families in Partnership Incorporated, P.O. Box 762, Libby, MT 59923. Receipts will be provided.
Residents who know of a senior citizen in need are encouraged to contact the nonprofit at 406-293-6242. If it goes to voicemail, leave a message, Eanes said.