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Thursday, 28 May 2009 05:47 |
By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
 GROUND BREAKING There was a ceremonial groundbreaking on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the $5.5 million City of Conrad wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Taking part in the groundbreaking, from the left in front are; Agnes Fowler, City Finance Officer; Jerry Paddock, DEQ/SRF; Travis Meyer, Project Engineer; Dick Anderson Construction; Mayor John Shevlin; Randy Roberts, USDA/RD; Josh DeVos, DA; and LeAnn Books Morrison Maierle, Inc. In the back are Bill Strong, Inspector M&,M; Wendy Judisch, City Councilwoman; Rich Anderson, Public Works Director; Bill Emerson, DA; and Darrell Silvan, DA. The major portion of the project is estimated to be completed by Oct. 2010. I-O Photo by Buck Traxler
Years in development and planning, the $5.5 million project is funded with local funds and a combination of grants and loan funds.
The improvements were designed by Morrison-Maierle engineers and will serve a project population base of about 2,577 people.
The city council helped developed the project and associated budget to ensure the costs would be spread equitably among existing system users within Conrad.
Mayor John Shevlin commented, “This will benefit every resident of the City of Conrad as well as allow the city to completely update the existing facility so that it will comply with current discharge standards and meet the future regulatory requirements.”
The proposed improvements will eliminate the regular effluent permit violations that have been the city has had for over fur years form DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) and will upgrade equipment so that it is serviceable and reliable for the next 20 years.
Funding for the project has come through and from the Montana Department of Commerce Treasure State Endowment Program (TSEP); the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Water Resource Development Act of 1990 – Section 595 Funding; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) program; the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development (USDA/RD) loan program; and the Montana DEQ Water Pollution Control State Revolving Fund loan program Randy Roberts from the USDA/RD told the I-O, “This is what we’re all about, helping people and communities.”
Letters from Sen. Max Baucus and Rep. Denny Rehberg were read. Both members of the Congressional delegation noted they were sorry they couldn’t be here, and in their own words congratulated the community on this public health project.
Construction of this project is scheduled to begin in June. It is estimated to be completed by October 2010.
The work project includes: New partially-mixed aerated lagoon system capable of regularly complying with current discharge requirements and greatly improving ammonia reduction.
A new nitrification reactor cell will provide for further ammonia removal to comply with anticipated ammonia limits in 2011.
In addition a new ultraviolet disinfection facility will comply with E. coli Bacteria discharge limits and sludge dredging and in-situ sludge management required by 2011 by the current permit will be attained.
Dick Anderson Construction will be doing the project work. In closing, the Mayor said, “OK, lets move some dirt!”
Travis Meyer of Anderson Construction added, “That’s it, we want to get to work.” |
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Thursday, 28 May 2009 05:40 |
By Adam Jerome, I-O Reporter
 CORONERS INQUEST Pondera County Sherriff Tom Kuka testifies during the coroners inquest into the death of former Conrad resident Terry York this past Wednesday. The County was not found to be responsible for the death by a six member jury. I-O Photo by Adam Jerome
York was taken into custody in February. After being denied bail he was given a ride by the Sheriff’s office out to his residence at 527 Furlough Road to retrieve some medication and to feed his livestock. While there York died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The coroner’s inquest was held to determine what he died from and to see if there was any criminal means that led to his death.
After three hours of testimony the six member jury found that in fact, York had died by his own hands, and that Pondera County was not responsible for his death.
The inquest was presided over by Fergus County Coroner Dick Brown. Choteau County attorney Steve Gannon tried the case, because of a conflict of interest with Pondera County Attorney, Mary Ann Ries.
The inquest featured testimony from Sherriff Tom Kuka, York’s ex-wife, Mary Kay Malloy, Deputy Sherriff Ed Erickson, and State Medical Examiner Gary Dale.
Kuka and Malloy were at the York residence at the time of York’s death. Their testimonies were very similar as they both recounted that fateful day’s activity.
The one issue that remained unresolved is how and where York obtained a gun. As a registered violent offender, York was not able to own a gun. Malloy testified that she did not know of York owning a gun and had no idea where it came from. York’s residence had been searched on previous occasions, and no firearms were ever found.
The gun was reported to be in excellent condition, indicating that the gun was not stored outside.
The State Medical Examiner testified that York had both painkillers and anti-depressants in his system, but he was not under the influence at the time of his death. |
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Thursday, 28 May 2009 05:35 |
 HAPPY TEAM The Cowgirl softball team poses for a picture with their third place trophy on Saturday afternoon. They got their ticket punched for a date at the big dance in Anaconda this weekend where the state meet will be held. I-O Photo by Buck Traxler
Coach Sandy Syvertson’s charges played six games and won four of them on the way to extending their season with a ticket to the big dance in Anaconda this weekend.
Opening the Eastern B/C Divisional Softball tournament, Conrad drew out Polar for their first assignment.
Kasey Brownell and her battery mate Olivia Campbell were on the winning end of a shortened contest, 11-1.
Brownell limited Poplar to three hits. Meanwhile the Cowgirls banged out eight hits led by Kelli Fagan with three. Her sister Samantha went 1-3 with a triple. Brownell, Kaytlin Fowler, Stephanie Murphy, and Sydney Philipps all had safeties in the contest.
Playing the third seeded Glasgow Scotties, Conrad, behind Fowler and battery mate K. Fagan, spotted the eastern team a one run lead that held up until the fourth inning when the Cowgirls tied the contest.
The game stayed that way, tied at 1-1, into extra innings. In the top of the eighth, the Cowgirls got the bases loaded and S. Fagan stroked a two-run RBI single to left and the team came on to win 6-1.
Fowler, K. Fagan, Taylor Johnson, Olivia Campbell all hit singles. The team committed four errors, but Fowler allowed just three scattered hits for the Scotties who had three errors.
Next up for the team was a game with eventual divisional winner Stillwater (Columbus).
Conrad suffered an 8-2 loss and could not capitalize on eight errors that Columbus players committed.
The Cowgirls had four hits, and two errors.
Philipps went 1-3, S. Fagan the same with a triple, and Fowler was 2-3.
Now in loser out play, Conrad next faced up with Colstrip.
The Cowgirl bats roared into life as nine players pounded out 19 hits and put 18 runs across the plate while the Colstrip batters were held to two hits and two runs.
Fowler started the game and Kara Bandow came in to mop it up and give Fowler’s arm a little rest.
Fowler went 4-5 with two RBIs to help her cause. K. Fagan was 2-4, two RBIs; Murphy 1-4, two RBIs; Brownell 1-4-RBI; Johnson 2-4-RBI; Campbell 4-4, two RBIs; S. Fagan 2-4, three RBIs; Philipps 2-4 with a three-bagger, and Brit Greyn 1-4-RBI.
Playing the Scotties for a second time, fans saw a game that was a barnburner.
Conrad opened up with four quick runs, only to see Glasgow answer right back with five of their own. Glasgow went ahead 8—6, a lead they held for two innings.
The Cowgirls put together nine runs over the final four innings to pull out a 15-8 win.
The team committed seven errors that Glasgow couldn’t capitalize on while pounding out 11 hits. Glasgow got their nine runs on eights and had one error.
Fowler went 2-4, Murphy 2-5, Brownell 1-3, Johnson 1-4, Campbell 1-5, S. Fagan 1-5 and Philipps 3-4.
Bandow started the game, Brownell came in to reliever her and Fowler later took over for Brownell.
Playing Shepherd, Conrad opened up with a 1-0 lead and that scored stayed that way until the fifth. The fillies scored five runs without the benefit of a hit and came on to win 11-2.
Conrad got three hits. K. Fagan, went 1-1, Murphy 1-3 and Philipps 1-2. The team committed six errors. The Fillies pounded out 10 hits and had two errors.
The loss gave Conrad a third place in the tourney.
Shepherd would lose to Columbus in the championship match. |
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