WISDOM – A full fishing closure will go into effect on a section of the upper Big Hole River due to low flows. 

The closure begins at the river’s confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River upstream to Saginaw Bridge. This section will be closed to fishing starting at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11. The closure will remain in place until lifted by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in consultation with the Big Hole Watershed Committee, or until Oct. 31. The fishing closure replaces a hoot owl fishing restriction that has been in place here since July 29.  

Flows at a U.S. Geological Survey gauge near Wisdom fell below 20 cubic feet per second on Aug. 8, meeting criteria for the full fishing closure outlined in the Big Hole River Watershed Committee Drought Management Plan. 

Fishing restrictions, such as hoot owl restrictions and full closures, are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when conditions, such as low flows and high water temperatures, combine with other stressors, including catch-and-release fishing. Restrictions are still in place for other waterbodies. Anglers can find a statewide list of current restrictions at fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions.  

All stress to fish at this time of year is cumulative, and anglers should consider fishing in cooler waters during times of low flows and high water temperatures in rivers. Anglers can help reduce stress for fish by following these practices when catching and releasing fish where fishing is allowed, though fish mortality may still occur:  

• Fish during the coolest times of day, where permitted. 
• Land the fish quickly.  
• Wet your hands before handling the fish.  
• Keep the fish in water as much as possible.  
• Remove the hook gently. Using artificial lures with single and barbless hooks can make hook removal faster and easier.  
• If the fish is hooked deeply, you may have to cut the line at the fish’s mouth or consider keeping it if regulations allow.  
• Let the fish recover before releasing it.  

BOZEMAN – Is this a lunchroom or a five-star restaurant? Montana’s K-12 students may wonder after such fare as Bison Barley Soup, Purple Pirate Potatoes and Cherry Berry Sunrise starts appearing on their school lunch menus this year. 

Recipes for those and other dishes were recently published by Montana State University’s Montana Team Nutrition program, which oversaw their development and testing in six Montana schools during the 2021-22 school year. The team is part of MSU’s College of Education, Health and Human Development. It trains and supports Montana K-12 schools in promoting food-based education, fostering positive relationships with food and cultivating healthy school environments.  

The project rolled out in early 2021, after the Montana Office of Public Instruction received a $183,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant for the development of recipes featuring Montana beets, cherries, grains, squash, lentils and bison. Two of the grant’s objectives were to develop school-appropriate recipes with local foods and to educate students about them.  

“This project is a great opportunity to share the uniqueness of Montana agriculture with our students and the rest of the country,” said Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen. “The partnership between my office and MSU’s Montana Team Nutrition continues to focus on student learning while providing locally sourced nutritious meals. I applaud all who were involved in testing and refining these recipes.” 

Molly Stenberg, co-director of Montana Team Nutrition, said the team received 30 recipe suggestions, mostly from school food service programs around the state. Six were selected for testing in Montana school districts based on creativity, inclusion of the featured local ingredients, suitability for school nutrition programs and other factors. 

But the toughest stamp of approval was yet to come: To advance as finalists, recipes needed to be approved by at least 85% of the kids who tried them. Six that made that cut then were handed to Leah Smutko, chef at Fork & Spoon in Bozeman, who, last summer, test-prepared and served each dish three times to Fork and Spoon patrons ranging in age from 1 to 75. Smutko verified that the recipes were accurate, streamlined for commercial kitchen production and ready to be given to school districts to prepare for student meals. 

Montana Team Nutrition marketed the project to districts that “do a good job of from-scratch cooking and already participate in the Montana Harvest of the Month program,” which showcases a different Montana food each month in K-12 schools and afterschool programs, early care and education programs, health care institutions, businesses and organizations, Stenberg said. 

“They know how to do taste-testing with students and incorporate nutrition education in the cafeteria and the classroom,” she said. “The goal is to make kids aware of all the good foods that are grown locally. Then they learn about them in the classroom and taste them in the cafeteria.” 

Students in the six districts that tested the recipes – Belfry, Belgrade, Gardiner, Monforton, Philipsburg and Somers Lakeside – “increased their knowledge about and acceptance of the featured Montana foods,” Stenberg said. After participating in the activities, students selected correct answers to questions about the foods 86% of the time compared to just 60% of the time prior to the activities. 

Before testing a recipe, participating school districts were given a purchasing list so they could acquire ingredients from Montana farmers, meeting the grant’s intention of promoting local food procurement by schools, Stenberg said. 

Others assisting in the effort included MSU Extension, which helped promote the recipe contest, and Timeless Seeds in Ulm, which donated the lentils to Fork & Spoon. In addition, the Montana School Nutrition Association, Sprout Oral Health and the Northern Pulse Growers Association contributed $500 cash prizes for the schools that won the recipe contest. 

The completed recipes will be shared nationally through the Institute of Child Nutrition and statewide through the Montana School Nutrition Association, OPI and Montana Harvest of the Month. 

More information and recipe downloads are available on the Montana Team Nutrition website at montana.edu/teamnutrition. 

Bozeman, Mont. – August 10, 2022 – Harmful algae blooms (HAB) are present on Hebgen Reservoir in the northeast portion, in the Grayling Arm area, of the reservoir. Routine monitoring and field testing in the Rainbow Point area of Hebgen Reservoir has detected the presence of an algal toxin, anatoxin-a, that poses a risk to people, pets, and livestock.

Ingestion or prolonged contact with the algal bloom may result in illness, with signs such as muscle twitching, staggering, convulsions, paralysis and death. Importantly, children and pets are more likely to ingest HAB infested waters because they spend most of their time wading in the shallow waters where algae can accumulate, and they have less control over how much water they ingest.

Animals and livestock that drink large amounts of contaminated water, and pets that collect scum on their fur and then ingest it by licking, are at high risk of toxin exposure. Toxin exposure can occur in humans from recreational activities where water might be ingested such as swimming, wind surfing, jet skiing, and water skiing.

Health experts recommend people not swim or take part in activities likely to result in exposure to the toxin in areas where the algal bloom is present. Additionally, pets and livestock should be prevented from entering the water in that area.

Harmful algae blooms (HAB) are present on Hebgen Reservoir in the Rainbow Point boat dock area, of the reservoir.

HABs are caused by blue-green algae that are native to Montana’s freshwater lakes and reservoirs.

Not all varieties of blue-green algae are harmful, but some can produce dangerous toxins. Blue-green algal blooms often look like pea soup, grass clippings or green latex paint. The algae are usually suspended in the water or appear as floating mats.Blue-green algal blooms often look like pea soup, grass clippings or green latex paint. The algae are usually suspended in the water or appear as floating mats.

Advisory signs are at public access points in the Rainbow Point area warning the public that toxic algae has been identified in the water in these areas. At this time there are no other identified blooms affecting other areas of the reservoir.

NorthWestern Energy is monitoring the blooms and will provide updates if additional restrictions are implemented for public safety.

Suspect a HAB? When in doubt, stay out. Do not drink, swallow, or swim in water that shows signs of a HAB and be sure to keep kids, pets, and livestock out too. If you suspect a HAB-related illness in a person or animal call Poison Control 1-800-222-1222 and seek medical attention.

Report a suspected HAB at www.hab.mt.gov or call 1-888-849-2938. You may also report a suspected HAB by calling the Gallatin City-County Health Department Environmental Health at 406-582-3120.

Follow NWE on Facebook or on Twitter (@NWEinfo) and the Gallatin City-County Health Department (@GallatinHealth)

While studying by yourself is possible, it can be slow and difficult. This is why teachers exist, to help make complex topics simpler to understand. However, to make the most out of lectures, you must take notes. It can be difficult for a student that isn’t used to this. Hence, in this article, we’ll be going over 5 easy steps you can apply to take notes in college efficiently.

You would need to take notes to make the most of your time in class. Below are 5 steps you can apply to improve your effectiveness:

Most students don’t like sitting in front because it often puts them within the question-asking range of the teacher. However, to take any notes, you would need to be able to hear what the lecturer is saying. So, ensure early enough for the class to get a good seat. Of course, to make it to class early, you need to sleep early. So, make sure to have a strict sleeping schedule, and if your essay assignments are getting in the way of this, you can always search online for the best essay writing website. You shouldn’t feel shy or uncomfortable sitting in front, especially if you are looking for the best way to take notes.

One thing that’s constant no matter where you sit in class is that you won’t get any note-taking done if you aren't paying attention. It can be easy to lose concentration, especially if your phone is in one hand. So when taking notes, make sure to put aside any electronics that might end up distracting you. Aside from electronics, also avoid classmates that talk a lot during classes. Even if they are your friend, while in class, you need to be able to focus on taking notes correctly.

Before entering any class, you must have all your writing materials ready and available. It’s common for a pen to run dry, so have at least one on standby. For instance, you don’t want to have a bad pen when you’re jotting down instructions for a research paper you’re working on. It would only make it harder for you when you search for “reliable and affordable writers to help write my research paper online.” This way, if your pen stops working, you won’t need to stop writing for long. It will also make it easier to catch up when you borrow someone’s notes.

When writing, try and avoid jotting down everything; instead, go for short summaries that capture the main idea. Attempting to write down everything word for word would not only make it difficult for you to finish, but it will also leave your hand feeling sore afterward. Instead, use abbreviations wherever possible to save space and keep your writing longer.

After writing for a while, you might find yourself coming up with abbreviations as you write along. While these abbreviations might have made sense at the time of writing, you might find it difficult to remember what they mean if you don’t read your notes. This is why it’s essential that you take time to review your notes shortly after writing them. This will allow you to spot any mistakes you might have made and make it easier to understand when you revisit your notes later.

In Conclusion

Note-taking is the first step toward getting good grades. It’s not an easy task, but by following the steps in this article, you should find it easier to accomplish in no time. Hopefully, this article has proved helpful, and you have learned something about taking notes effectively.

Author’s Bio

Eric Wyatt is a freelance writer that has worked with several students. From his interactions with students, he has learned a bit more about modern-day students' challenges. Eric aims to use his article to provide helpful information to students that need it.

The City of Bozeman is seeking proposals from artists to paint artistic designs within “bulbouts” at the intersections of Mendenhall/Black and Babcock/Black in downtown Bozeman. The purpose of the rainbow intersection art is to create a more vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming experience for all folks in the Bozeman community. The city intends to enter into a contract with the selected firm that will include conceptual designs for review, a written implementation plan for coordinating the painting of the designs on the asphalt, a materials list, and coordination of the painting effort on the day of installation over the course of a day during the first week of September. CLICK HERE to submit your proposal.

BILLINGS – Fish, Wildlife & Parks has closed the Stillwater River to all watercraft between Absaroka Fishing Access Site (FAS) and the confluence of the Rosebud River, which is just upstream of Jeffreys Landing FAS.

Working closely with Stillwater County commissioners, FWP is providing an emergency closure of the area until further notice. The closure will begin at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9. The closure is for watercraft on the river, not other river access.

An exposed natural gas pipeline has created a dangerous obstacle in the river and is impeding floaters’ ability to safely negotiate around it. Low water levels have reduced the width of the river and is now forcing floaters to go over the pipeline twice and into a debris pile on the lower portion that could potentially cause injury or drowning.

The pipeline company is working on a solution.

On August 7, 2022, at 12:01pm Gallatin County 911 received a call from a mountain biker who had crashed on Ross Pass. The biker injured their shoulder and requested assistance getting down the trail. The biker had plenty of water and was dressed appropriately for the weather.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the Valley Section responded to Bracket Creek for the rescue. Several OHV teams were able to reach the summit of the pass quickly and then hike to the patient’s location. A medical assessment was conducted and the patient was stabilized by GCSSAR personnel before moving down trail.  The patient was ultimately escorted to the trailhead and released from GCSSAR care.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind everyone recreating in the mountains that accidents can happen to anyone, to bring along plenty of water, a communication/location device, and a first aid kit in case of emergencies.

Cars tend to break down as they get older. You know the car isn't reliable anymore when it gives up on you every other day, and you're tired of paying the repair bills each time. As per an AAA survey, around 25% of Americans couldn't go ahead with their car repairs due to a cash crunch. Moreover, one in eight U.S. citizens wouldn't be able to pay even $1,000 on car repairs. The current financial crisis has only made this situation worse.

So when a car gives up on us in such a dire situation, it's hard not to panic. The fact that you have several other bills to pay means you may have to trim down spending on other more essential needs. But when you have gone through the stream of emotions, take a step back, sit down, and think about how you can get out of this problem.

Car trouble mostly arises with used or older models, and repair costs skyrocket as the necessary parts are unavailable. If you've recently bought a used car, consider getting an extended car warranty from a provider like Endurance. We encourage you to check out Endurance warranty reviews before making up your mind. 

What Should You Do When You Can't Afford Car Repairs?

Try to Negotiate With the Mechanic

Consult your dealer or repair shop about payment options that allow you to be flexible with your finances. Just because you don't have money now doesn't mean you won't have it in the near future. Also consider asking for discounts on repairs. While this may not bear any fruit, it's certainly worth a shot. Lastly, you can explain your financial situation to the repair shop owner, who may empathize with your situation and consider removing a few hundred bucks from your bill.

Speak to Other Repair Shops

If you're seeking an estimate from a car repair shop and feel it's too high, think about getting a second opinion from another repair shop. Keep in mind that this will only work if your car isn't already repaired. So whenever your car breaks down, make sure you get a ballpark figure of how much you need to spend on repairs. Some shops charge based on the type of repairs the car needs, while others charge by the hour. Comparing rates from multiple repair shops could make the decision easier and even help you save some money.

Try Bartering With Friends or Family

If you realize you cannot afford to pay for the repairs, you can try asking your family or friends who are proficient with cars to repair them for you. You can even try asking one of your neighbors to help you out.

Of course, you can't let them do this for free. But instead of cash, you can offer to run errands for them like picking up groceries, housesitting, babysitting, and so on. Or you may have something valuable that could be traded in return for this much-needed repair, like an antique item from your home that you have no use for. 

Pay for Repairs With Your Credit Card

You may find some breathing room for repairs with a monthly credit card billing cycle. It's wiser to choose monthly installment options rather than paying for it in one go. This would be a much smaller blow to your finances than a large one-time payment. While a credit card would let you pay the amount at a later date, make sure you aren't missing monthly payments to avoid paying too much interest over some time. 

Borrow Money From Friends or Family

Nobody understands your financial situation better than your close friends and family. In times of distress, you can always seek the guidance and assistance of your loved ones. Request a short-term personal loan to help repair your car. But remember that you have to chart out a viable plan to pay it back in monthly installments or as a one-time repayment. 

Being unable to pay back the amount in time could irreparably damage your relationship. So stick to your word and make all the promised payments on time, even if they aren't actively asking for it. 

If Nothing Works

In case these solutions don't work, you can take immediate steps like taking public transport like buses or subways to go to work. Commuting this way isn't ideal for everyone, but this could help you keep things steady until you have enough money to pay for the repair. It's important to think of this as a temporary solution. You can even consider carpooling to work with your neighbor until you get back on your feet again. 

If the commute on public transport is taking its toll on you, consider getting a job closer to your home. Although this may not be possible for every profession, it's something you can try discussing with your employer, who may be empathetic to your plight. Alternatively, you could also leave your current job and find something similar close to home. Using public transportation for longer distances can be expensive in the long run, too. 

Conclusion

Take the necessary steps to get your finances back on track, and chart out a plan for your future. If you learn that the repair cost exceeds the value of the car, it's probably better to sell it off. If your car is relatively new, check for its Kelley Blue Book value before speaking to a potential buyer. As for older vehicles, most dealers will buy them for scrap or parts. They could even choose to fix the vehicle and resell it at a profit. 

Being unable to afford a car repair is one of the hardest things to face. But realize that your situation isn't permanent, and if you put your mind to it, financial distress can be overcome. You can even opt for a personal loan to get you out of the rut, provided your credit score is decent. 

While low credit score loans exist, they generally tend to charge steep interest rates. You should always be on the lookout for predatory lending practices that reel you in during your toughest times, only to wreck you later. 

On August 6, 2022, at 8:50pm Gallatin County Dispatch received information that a hiker had severely injured their ankle while hiking on a steep game trail. The hiker was in a group of five and hiking near mile marker 41 on Highway 191.

Several teams from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section responded. Two teams hiked into the area, located the patient, assessed the injuries, and stabilized the injuries. Due to the terrain, the rescue took multiple hours and involved the use of several rope systems to safely move the hiker both up and back down the mountain.

After a very long rescue, about an hour after daylight, the patient and teams made it back to the road. The patient was turned over to an awaiting Big Sky Fire Department ambulance and ultimately transported to the Big Sky Medical Center for further evaluation.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind recreationalists that even a small outing can take a turn for the worst. Always be prepared for the unexpected by having proper safety gear, a basic first aid kit, plenty of water, and proper clothing for the weather.

HELENA -- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on proposed 2022 snowmobile grant proposals. Public comments will be accepted through Monday Sept. 5, at 5 p.m.

Montana’s Snowmobile Program received 25 grant requests and proposes to award $460,000. The program receives funding through snowmobile registrations, gas tax and Snowmobile Trail Pass revenues. Montana’s Snowmobile Program supports projects such as grooming, trail maintenance, signs, ethics education and avalanche safety. Grant awards are allocated by FWP with recommendations from the citizen-based Snowmobile Advisory Committee (SAC).

The public is invited to comment on the funding requests. To submit comments online and see a summary list of the 2022 Snowmobile grant application funding requests, visit  https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/snowmobile.

The public may send comments to FWP Snowmobile Program manager, Seth McArthur, at  fwpsnowmobile@mt.gov.

Full grant information is available by request in the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division office at FWP Headquarters, 1420 E. 6th Ave., Helena, MT 59620.