A randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluating the safety and  efficacy of a treatment regimen consisting of the antiviral remdesivir  plus the immunomodulator interferon beta-1a in patients with coronavirus  disease 2019 (COVID-19) has begun. The study, called the Adaptive  COVID-19 Treatment Trial 3 (ACTT 3), is anticipated to enroll more than  1,000 hospitalized adults with COVID-19 at as many as 100 sites in the  United States and abroad. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, is sponsoring the trial.ACTT 3 is the third iteration of NIAID’s Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial (ACTT). ACTT began on Feb. 21 to evaluate remdesivir, an investigational broad-spectrum antiviral  discovered and developed by Gilead Sciences, Inc, of Foster City,  California. A preliminary analysis of ACTT data found that patients who  received remdesivir had a statistically significant shorter time to  recovery compared to patients who received placebo. These results were published on May 22. More detailed information about the results, including more  comprehensive data, will be available in a forthcoming report.Subcutaneous interferon beta-1a, a medication manufactured by Merck  KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is approved in the U.S. and more than 90 other  countries for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The drug is marketed  under the brand name Rebif by EMD Serono, the North American  biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Interferon  beta-1a has the same amino acid sequence as a naturally occurring  protein called interferon beta, which is part of a class of proteins  called type 1 interferons. Infected cells normally produce type 1  interferons to help the immune system fight pathogens, especially  viruses. Interferon beta has both antiviral and anti-inflammatory  properties.

Laboratory studies suggest that the normal interferon response is  suppressed in some people after infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus  that causes COVID-19. In the laboratory, type 1 interferon can inhibit  SARS-CoV-2 and two closely related viruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. In  addition, two small randomized controlled trials suggest that treatment  with interferon beta may benefit patients with COVID-19. The combination  of interferon beta-1a and remdesivir for treating COVID-19 has not been  evaluated in a large, randomized controlled trial.

In accordance with standard clinical research protocols, eligible  patients who provide informed consent will participate in ACTT 3.  Participants must have laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection with  evidence of lung involvement, including a need for supplemental oxygen,  abnormal chest X-rays, or illness requiring mechanical ventilation.  People with confirmed infection who have mild symptoms or no apparent  symptoms will not be included in the study.

ACTT 3 participants are being randomly assigned in a 1-to-1 ratio to  receive either subcutaneous interferon beta-1a plus remdesivir  (combination therapy) or remdesivir alone. Neither the participants nor  the study team will know who is receiving which treatment regimen. All  participants will receive standard doses of remdesivir and either  interferon beta-1a or a placebo. Those in the combination therapy group  will receive interferon beta-1a as a 44-microgram subcutaneous injection  every other day for a total of four doses during hospitalization. Those  in the remdesivir-only group will receive a matching placebo  subcutaneous injection every other day for a total of four doses during  hospitalization.

Investigators will evaluate whether time to recovery is shorter in  the combination therapy group relative to the remdesivir-only group.  Recovery is defined as the participant being well enough for hospital  discharge, meaning the participant either no longer requires  supplemental oxygen or ongoing medical care in the hospital, or is no  longer hospitalized (with or without some limitation on activities).  Recovery is evaluated up until day 29. A key secondary goal of the study  is to compare patient outcomes at day 15 using an ordinal eight-point  scale ranging from fully recovered to death. The trial also will compare  other secondary outcome variables between treatment groups, including  mortality alone. 

An independent data and safety monitoring board (DSMB) will monitor  ongoing results to ensure patient well-being and safety as well as study  integrity. Preliminary results are expected in the fall of 2020.

The second iteration of the Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial, ACTT 2, began on May 8 to evaluate the safety and efficacy of remdesivir plus the  anti-inflammatory drug baricitinib for treating hospitalized adults with  COVID-19. A product licensed to Eli Lilly and Company by Incyte and  marketed under the brand name Olumiant, baricitinib(link is external) is approved in the U.S. and more than 65 other countries as a treatment  for adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.  ACTT 2 closed to enrollment on June 30 after recruiting 1,034  participants at 71 U.S. and international sites.

Additional information about ACTT 3 is available at ClinicalTrials.gov under study identifier NCT04492475.

NIAID conducts and supports research — at NIH, throughout the United  States, and worldwide — to study the causes of infectious and  immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing,  diagnosing and treating these illnesses. News releases, fact sheets and  other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID website. 

     The person had been looking for a bear after hearing a report of tracks in the area.  The bear was believed to be a sub-adult and had been in an old barn eating discarded grain. The incident occurred at an abandoned farm site away from residences.

     Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists and wardens were on scene last night and attempts to find or trap the bear overnight were unsuccessful. FWP staff were back in the area this morning searching for the bear.  With the generous assistance from Two Bear Air, FWP searched the greater area with a helicopter. However, no bears were located, which isn’t surprising as bears will often flee an area after an encounter such as this.  FWP will continue monitoring the situation and trapping efforts.

     The condition of the person involved in the attack is stable with injuries to the arm, hand and back.  

Landowners who see bears or bear sign should notify FWP immediately.  All people in grizzly bear country should carry bear spray and avoid surprising grizzly bears at close range.

     Recently River’s Edge, the printer for the Independent-Observer, the Great Falls Tribune and several other local newspapers gave notice that they are going out of business. 

     Last year New Media Investment Group, a holding company that controls GateHouse Media, acquired Gannett, the owner of USA Today and all their holdings, including the Great Falls Tribune. In their press release, New Media Investment Group announced their intent to move to online publishing only. That was the death knell for River’s Edge.

     As a result, the I-O needed to find a new printer. Pat Lee, the I-O’s publisher, has made arrangements with the The Bozeman Daily Chronicle to do our printing. This requires a change in our deadline from Friday at 5 p.m. to Wednesday at 5 p.m. This change will take effect on June 24. We can’t make any exceptions, so we would appreciate it if everyone who wishes to submit articles, ads, legals, photos, classifieds, etc. will understand and abide by our new deadline.

"Recent calls by some misguided individuals to defund law enforcement agencies in the wake of the George Floyd tragedy are not only reckless overreactions to a serious situation, but are an insult to the thousands of good law enforcement officers across our country who put their lives on the line every day to protect public safety. I am dedicated to equal justice for all, and to ensuring that the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and our Police Safety Officer Standards and Training Council continue to uphold rigorous standards that protect the rights, lives, and property of all."

Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) construction projects will improve sidewalks in the northcentral Montana communities of Rudyard, Shelby, Valier, Conrad, and Fairfield this summer. The construction will focus on improving sidewalk intersection ramps in all the targeted communities. 

The work begins in Rudyard in early May. 

· Rudyard: 

o Reed Street (Main Street) from 1st Avenue to 5thAvenue 

· Shelby 

o US Highway 2 between Adams Avenue and 5th Avenue 

o Oilfield Avenue between 5th and 7thStreets 

o Downtown along US Highway 2 and Montana, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Avenues

· Valier  

o Montana Street from Teton to Railroad Avenue 

· Conrad 

o 4th Avenue Southwest from Sunset Boulevard to Main Street (US Highway 91) 

o Main Street (US Highway 91) from 7th Avenue Southwest to 2nd Avenue Northwest 

· Fairfield

o US Highway 89 from 3rd Avenue South to 4thAvenue North  

Most traffic impacts will be confined to the shoulders of the designated roadways. Drivers and pedestrians should use caution when near the work zones. Signs will be posted in all work areas directing pedestrians around the construction. 

These projects are part of the statewide strategy called the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. The plan addresses mobility needs along state-owned roadways. It will improve access for disabled persons and the general public while increasing safety. 

For updates, questions, comments, or concerns:

• Call the toll-free construction information hotline (800) 514-1898. Please leave a message if there is no answer.

• To subscribe to community specific updates: 

o Rudyard

§ Text “RudyardADA” to 555888

§ Email rudyardada@kljeng.com 

o Shelby 

§ Text “ShelbyADA” to 555888 

§ Email shelbyada@kljeng.com 

o Valier

§ Text “ValierADA” to 555888

§ Email valierada@kljeng.com 

o Conrad 

§ Text “ConradADA” to 555888

§ Email conradada@kljeng.com 

o Fairfield 

§ Text “FairfieldADA” to 555888 

§ Email fairfieldada@kljeng.com 

In addition, questions can always be asked using the email addresses listed above. Information on all work for this project can be found on the MDT website at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/centralMTada/.

When traveling during construction season, watch for the "cone zone" and for workers on the highway. Remember to manage your speed, space, and stress. These workers spend their days working a short distance from fast moving vehicles, and while they make every effort to work safely, they are counting on you to pay attention, slow down, and be careful as you pass through a work zone. The vision for Montana is Zero – Zero fatalities and Zero serious injuries on any public road in the state. Remember to buckle up every time you get into a vehicle and never drive impaired or allow an impaired person to drive. 

The Montana Department of Transportation together with its construction contracting partners continue to take the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. Construction projects on Montana’s roads and bridges are considered an “essential” operation and will continue moving forward as scheduled in 2020. Construction workers will continue several measures to help keep employees, contractors and the public safe during the construction season. Some of the measures include following social distancing and good hygiene guidelines, and not reporting to work if showing symptoms of illness. For more information visit https://covid19.mt.gov/ 

1st Choice Realty Open, Call for appointment 278-9129

1st Liberty Federal Credit Union: Drive thru open  

Branding Iron Open : Bar 2 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.; Restaurant 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Bowling Alley and pool tables closed

Brown-Fitchner & Assoc. Business by phone or email; Open Mon-thurs 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fri 8-3

Coaches Corner: Take out, curbside pickup and delivery. Free masks; 4:30 – 8 PM

Conrad Building Center Open

Country Charm Open Mon-Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. In-store shopping limited to one; curbside delivery

Elings Insurance Office open, appointment recommended  

Folklore: Take out, curbside pickup and delivery. Free masks, 7:30 AM – 2 PM

Gary & Leo’s IGA:  Open, also providing delivery for AT RISK residents, free masks

H & R Realty Open, Call for appointment  271-2080

Home Café: Restaurant seating, open 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Social distance seating to be followed

Independence Bank, Lobby and Drive-thru open.

Java Hut: Delivery and drive thru only. Free masks; 6:30 AM – 1 PM

Main Drive-in  Mon - Sat 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Marias Greenhouse Open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 576-7297

Northern Front Guns and Ammo Open Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Olsons’Drug and Village Drug: Both Open. Both will continue to offer home delivery 

Pet Paws Grooming and Supply Open 10 a.m. - 5 pm. Call for appointment 271-7394

Pondera County Insurance: ? Call for hours 271-2034

Senior Center Open for delivery and pick up only. Call 271-3911 to reserve a meal

Stockman Bank Lobbies open

Subway: Open for pickup and take out 10 AM – 8 PM

Sunset Dental Care Mon - Fre 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Super 8: Closed

The Keg: Open for pickup, takeout and delivery 11 AM – 8 PM

The Independent-Observer:: Lobby Open Hours 8 AM - 5 PM

Town Pump: Open 24 hours.

Windrift Hill Open Mon - Fri 8 a.m.  - 5:30 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.