DEER LODGE – The Powell County Board of Health issued a statement June 21 that closed down the majority of activities at the annual Tri-County Fair in Deer Lodge. Lori Drumm, Powell County Health Officer, issued the letter that states, “After a thorough risk assessment, Powell County Public Health (PCPH) has determined that the 2020 Tri-County Fair, including all of its traditional events, is hereby canceled due to health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 Virus.” PCPH did give an exception to those youth involved in the 4H animal show, judging and sales. Those events will be allowed to proceed but will be closed to the general public. Only group leaders, volunteers, participan
PHILIPSBURG – Granite County was one of a few in Montana to avoid infections by the COVID-19 virus until Wednesday afternoon. Chairman of the Granite County Board of Health Mark Ransford identified that the county had incurred its first case that the county’s Incident Management Team was on top of it and addressing the matter. Later Wednesday afternoon, Gem Mountain noted on its Facebook page that the virus had been contracted by one of its workers. Thursday owners Chris Cooney and Kathy Fitzpatrick issued the following statement regarding the infection and his businesses’ response. Covid-19 Update We believe transparency and honesty is best; so here is the best update we can provide at this
PHILIPSBURG – The Granite County Medical Center will begin testing for the COVID-19 virus July 1. Maria Stoppler, GCMC CEO, announced the testing in an email to the Flint Creek Courier Thursday morning. The testing will begin July 1 in Philipsburg at the GCMC facility, with Drummond starting the following week on July 7 at the Clinic in Drummond. Both will be done in a drive-thru format. Dates for the Philipsburg testing are July 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 & 23. Dates for the Drummond testing are July 7, 14, 21 and 28. Testing begins each day at 9 a.m. and ruins until 4 p.m. Cost for the testing is free and is covered by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services. Those wishing to be te
HALL - Wednesday's storm saw a lightning bolt strike hay bales just south of Hall. The Valley Fire District was dispatched to the incident at 5:08 p.m. with four vehicles and multiple volunteer firefighters responding from both Hall and Drummond. The fire got into six bales with several others sustaining surface damage. "The Valley Fire District responded very quickly," said Chuck Johnson who owns Johnson's Tuning Fork Ranch with his wife Shelley. "We were very pleased with how fast they got here and put out the fire." Johnson noted that he and his wife saw a lightning flash that was followed immediately by a thunder clap, identifying it as the likely ignition. The incident lasted approximat
GEORGETOWN LAKE - The Granite County Sheriff's Office had announced that it will conduct a test of the emergency alert system at the Georgetown Lake Dam. The test will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 25. The system exists to alert residents should a breach or other emergency happen at the dam. The Sheriff's Office can be contacted through their Dispatch at 859-3251 with any questions or concerns.
Granite County Commissioners Agenda: June 23, 2020 Meeting Documents: CLICK HERE
GRANITE COUNTY - Local first responders were sent to an accident near mile marker 148 Tuesday night. The Granite County Sheriff's Department and members of the Valley Fire District joined officers from the Montana Highway Patrol at the crash site and to control eastbound traffic. The dispatch was sent out at approximately 8:53 p.m. Two victims of the rollover crash were found on scene, with both having been ejected from the vehicle. Both were treated and transported to Missoula by Powell County Ambulance. The wet and rainy conditions played a role in the accident.
GRANITE COUNTY – Winter Storm Watch in effect from Tuesday, 6:00 PM MDT until Wednesday, 12:00 PM MDT. Source: U.S. National Weather Service. Heavy wet snow is possible. For elevations 5000 feet and higher: total snow accumulations of up to eight inches possible. Locally higher amounts of 12 to 15 inches possible in the highest terrain (above roughly 6500 feet). Affected areas include Butte, Georgetown Lake, Highway 12 Garrison to Elliston, Homestake Pass, and MacDonald Pass. The watch is in effect from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. The NWS states that travel could be very difficult. Backcountry conditions could become difficult, if not dangerous, during this time.
Philipsburg Town Council Agenda: June 16, 2020 PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING July 16th, 2019 7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall Minutes of Prior Meetings Bills Payable Financials OLD BUSINESS FCTA Trail Construction & Maintenance Agreement Law Enforcement Contract Cemetery Agreement Town Health Insurance Coverage Hatcher/Panish Water Claim Finance Committee Update NEW BUSINESS County Planning Board Growth Policy NON AGENDA ITEMS Council Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction ADJOURN
Granite County Commissioners Agenda: June 16, 2020 Download Docs for Meeting HERE
DEER LODGE - The Tri-County Fair Board decided last night that it will go ahead with its August event as originally planned. Eaf Parke, Granite County representative on the board, confirmed that the fair is planned to happen as it normally would. He noted that the board would meet again August 1 to determine if any changes or additional precautions were needed to comply with state guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic. The fair is currently scheduled to take place August 18th through the 23rd at the Deer Lodge County Fair Grounds.
PHILIPSBURG – The tensions that have reared their ugly head across the nation came to Granite County Monday night, but those participating in the protest stated their message effectively without incident or altercation. The protest was in support of George Floyd who died while in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota May 25, 2020. The video of his arrest and death quickly circumvented the globe and has inspired widespread protesting across the country and throughout the world, many of which had devolved into violent confrontations between the participants and law enforcement officers. Monday’s protest in Philipsburg was peaceful, with no incidents of violence reported according to Granite
GRANITE COUNTY – The National Weather Service has issued the following Advisory for our region: Winter Weather Advisory in effect from Sunday, 6:00 PM MDT until Monday, 12:00 PM MDT. Source: U.S. National Weather Service WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM SUNDAY TO NOON MDT MONDAY ABOVE 5500 FEET... * WHAT...Snow expected above 5500 feet. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches. Light accumulations are possible down to 5000 feet. * WHERE...Georgetown Lake, Homestake Pass, and MacDonald Pass. * WHEN...From 6 PM Sunday to noon MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be affected. Poor backcountry conditions are expected. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution wh
Granite County Forest Management Advisory Committee Agenda: June 10, 2020
Granite County Commissioners Agenda: June 9, 2020 Documents for Meeting - CLICK HERE
