Month: January 2013

Mayer ‘connects’ with his adopted home

By CODIE WYERS/Montana State news

Well-known musician and Paradise Valley resident John Mayer, says he has made a “true connection” with Montana after singing for the first times in two years since throat surgery.

Nationally renowned singer guitarist John Mayer performs earlier this month in a benefit for those who battled the Pine Creek Fire last summer.
Nationally renowned singer-guitarist John Mayer performs earlier this month in a benefit for those who battled the Pine Creek Fire last summer.

In a Vootie Productions release Mayer stated “without the tireless effort and dedication of the firefighters of the Pine Creek fire, many more homes and memories would have been destroyed, mine among them.”

Mayer  performed a benefit concert Friday night to raise money for firefighters who fought the Pine Creek fire in Paradise Valley last summer.

Smoke billowed just south of Livingston on Aug. 29as the Pine Creek fire began to rage, swallowing 8,572 acres, according to the Incident Information Center. Five homes and several outbuildings were consumed in the first day, but with the assistance of over 180 individuals “firefighters were able to stop any movement on that [south] flank of the fire by the first of September,”  according to  the Incident Information Center. Continue reading “Mayer ‘connects’ with his adopted home” →

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Meth use unfazed by ad campaign

By BEN HAVENS/Montana State News

Methamphetamine use has not significantly decreased since the implementation of the Montana Meth Project ads in 2005.

The graphic ads depict the adverse affects of meth use in an attempt to dissuade meth use, particularly among the younger demographics.

The Montana Meth Project, which began as a private organization but now operates using state government funds, reports that use of methamphetamine use has decreased among multiple demographics including teenagers since the ads syndication. However, causation is questionable. Continue reading “Meth use unfazed by ad campaign” →

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City considers new tax to fund parks

By MATT PARSONS/Montana State News

Advocates for public parks in Bozeman would like to find a new and better way to fund the growing number of city parks and trails, and that may include a new tax.

On the heels of a $15 million parks and trails bond that was overwhelmingly approved by voters last November, David Cook, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, thinks it’s time to get serious about how the city funds its Parks department.

“Currently their budget comes from the city’s general fund,” he said. “But with the money from the bond there will obviously be a sizable increase in the amount of land requiring maintenance by the city.”

“But none of the money from the parks and trails bond can be allocated for general maintenance, repairs or renovations of existing park land,” Mitch Overton, director of city’s Parks and Recreation Department explains.  “The intent of the bond was to purchase land for preservation, parks and trails.” Continue reading “City considers new tax to fund parks” →

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New Bridger lifts to expand terrain for disabled

By  KAYLEE WALDEN/Montana State News

Disabled skiers and riders will have a much easier time accessing the eastern slopes of Bridger Bowl next winter season.

Bridger officials last week announced plans to make the mountain more handicap accessible and beginner friendly by installing two chairlifts. The current Alpine lift, a bright red, iconic double-chair that has made its rounds since 1967, will be taken down. In its place a pair of new triple chairlifts with loading carpets will be constructed to better service the Alpine terrain area.

Eagle Mount, a nonprofit organization that helps disabled and handicapped people enjoy the mountain, supports Bridger’s decision to replace the lifts.

“Right now, paraplegics can’t ski the terrain accessed by the Alpine chair because the lift cannot accommodate their ski chairs,” said Diana Proemm, the adaptive sports director at Bozeman Eagle Mount. “Many disabled skiers are limited to the Powder Park lift, which only services a handful of trails,” Proemm said. Continue reading “New Bridger lifts to expand terrain for disabled” →

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Campus tobacco ban just so many words?

By MICHELE McDONALD/Montana State News

Montana State University became tobacco-free in August of last year, but MSU police have not issued a single citation for violations and there is no set mechanism in place to enforce the ban, according to campus officials.

Since then, according to campus police, they have not given out a single citation for on-campus tobacco use. In fact, if a repeat or problem violation occurs, it will be handled like any other conduct issue on campus.

According to Montana State University’s health webpage, these issues will be handled either through the Dean of Student’s Office or the employee’s department. Continue reading “Campus tobacco ban just so many words?” →

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Walmart debunks gun sales rumors

By PATRICK HILL/Montana State News

Recent mass shootings have sparked social media site rumors that Walmart is discontinuing the sale of ammunition and the AR style semiautomatic rifle blamed for many shooting deaths.

The rumors  have caused mass buying among consumers, and in years past led to ammo rationing and limits on purchases per day.

But Walmart officials say there’s no basis for the rumors. Continue reading “Walmart debunks gun sales rumors” →

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Fast-a-Thon raises awareness, food for the hungry

By NATHAN VOELLER/Montana State News

Approximately 85 Montana State University students and members of the Bozeman community gathered in the Strand Union Building Thursday to participate in the fourth annual Hunger for Change Fast-a-Thon, an event designed to help counteract the growing issue of hunger in the Bozeman area and raise awareness for the needy.

According to Lori Christenson, program coordinator of the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, requests for emergency food box services have increased by about 7 percent in the last year alone.

Approximately 12.5 percent of community members – or one in eight people – receive varying levels of assistance from the food bank, and an average of 5,861 pounds of food is distributed per operating day, Christenson said.

To contribute to hunger relief efforts, participants in the Fast-a-Thon were encouraged to donate what they normally spend on food for a day or a nonperishable item to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. Monetary donations at the meal alone amounted to more than $300, according to the Diversity Awareness Office. Continue reading “Fast-a-Thon raises awareness, food for the hungry” →

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Montana spared severe flu effects

By KEVIN KNAPEK/Montana State News

While the flu is spreading at epidemic rates on some states, Montana is experiencing a mild flu season compared to other years. And Montana has been spared the vaccine shortages that have plagued some states.

“There were some short-term supply shortages recently,” according to Matt Kelley, health officer at Gallatin City Health Department,  “but so far that has not been a big problem and it did not surface until well after this flu season was under way. If people want a flu shot, they almost surely can find a way to get one.”

There have been six flu deaths and 126 hospitalizations statewide, according to the Montana Department of Health and Human Service. Continue reading “Montana spared severe flu effects” →

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After good start, snowpack tapering off

By JOHN KIRK VINCENT/Montana State News

Snowpack in area mountains has tapered off after getting off to a better than average start this winter. But water content in the snow remains high.

Recent data collected and provided by the National Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) has seen a gradual decrease in snow depth at a number of Gallatin County Snotel sites in the absence of any new substantial snowfall.

Gallatin County  is currently enjoying one of the best regional snowpacks..  The Bozeman Daily Chronicle previously reported an 8 percent increase over early January last year, while the statewide average fell short of last year by 3 percent. Continue reading “After good start, snowpack tapering off” →

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Cops writing numerous cell phone citations

By CASSIDY GEOGHEGAN/Montana State News

In the year since Bozeman banned using handheld cell phones while driving, police have been issuing $100 citations at a rate of about 17 a month, according to the Bozeman Police Department.

In the first month of the ban, last January and February, officers issued some 70 warnings. Since July of last year, the only more recent data available, police have issued 100 citations.

The ban covers handheld device use while driving both a vehicle and a bicycle, and texting, calling or even using your phone on speaker is prohibited. Continue reading “Cops writing numerous cell phone citations” →

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