Montana State University’s annual Crop and Pest Management School will not be offered in 2021 due to the pandemic, but pesticide applicators can attend other pest management events for pesticide license credits.

The Crop and Pest Management School is an education and training event that has been held annually for producers, researchers and other agriculture specialists for more than 20 years. It is normally held during the first full week of January. Organizers plan to resume the regular schedule in January 2022.

Other virtual events this fall and winter are available for pesticide applicators to receive credits, including the following:

• The Montana Agricultural Business Association and Montana Grain Elevator Association joint meeting will be held Jan. 26-29. Information is available at mtagbiz.org/mabamgea-annual-convention/.
• MSU Extension’s Pesticide Education Program Webinar Series will offer webinars on Nov. 12, Dec. 8 and Dec. 10. Details and registration information is available at pesticides.montana.edu/events/index.html.
• Montana Department of Agriculture is offering a number of one-hour live webinars this fall on pesticide drift, vertebrate pest control, understanding labels, pesticide safety, pesticide disposal, pesticide containment and what to expect during an inspection. These webinars are scheduled for Oct. 14, 21 and 28 and Nov. 4, 11 and 18. See details at agr.mt.gov/Pesticide-Training-Recertification-Program.

To search for other online pesticide education credit opportunities for private and commercial applicators across the state, visit the Montana Department of Agriculture at mtplants.mt.gov/PesticideApplicator/MeetingSearch.aspx and the MSU Extension Pesticide Education Program at pesticides.montana.edu/events/index.html.

Questions may be directed to Ruth O’Neill at 406-994-5176.

In anticipation this week’s two-day youth deer hunt, Oct. 15 and  16, as well as the general season opener on Oct. 24, Montana Fish,  Wildlife & Parks encourages mail-in certification for eligible  Apprentice Hunters.

COVID-19 safety protocols are in place at FWP offices and lobby  occupancy is limited, therefore wait times outside may be longer than in  years past. If you can, please get your apprentice hunter certified  well before the youth hunt and/or the general season opener.

It’s not too late to complete the certification process by mail if  you act now. The apprentice certification process must take place at the  FWP regional offices. Once the certification process is complete,  licenses may be purchased at any license provider that may be convenient  for you. If you have questions about how to get your apprentice hunter  certified ahead of the rush, please call your regional office as listed  below.

The "Apprentice Hunter" law allows anyone 10 years of age or older to  hunt two license years without completing hunter education. An  apprentice must recertify through an FWP office if taking advantage of  this program for a second year. An apprentice hunter may not obtain a  big horn sheep, black bear, mountain lion, wolf or elk license if under  the age of 15.

The cost of the certification is $5, once that process is complete then you may purchase the applicable licenses.

Apprentice hunters, ages 10-15, may hunt in the two-day youth deer hunt and throughout the general season.

FWP recommends that people interested in this program read the Apprentice Hunter Program packet before seeking certification through your regional office. The packet  outlines guidelines for both the apprentice and the required mentor,  including what apprentices can and cannot do, who can act as a mentor,  and how the certification process works. The application packet is  available on the FWP website.

Regional Headquarters

• Region 1 (Kalispell) 406-752-5501, 490 N. Meridian Rd, Kalispell, MT 59901
• Region 2 (Missoula) 406-542-5500, 3201 Spurgin Rd, Missoula MT 59804
• Region 3 (Bozeman) 406-577-7900, 1400 S. 19th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59718
• Region 4 (Great Falls) 406-454-5840, 4600 Giant Springs Rd, Great Falls, MT 59405
• Region 5 (Billings) 406-247-2940, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive, Billings, MT 59105
• Region 6 (Glasgow) 406-228-3700, 1 Airport Rd, Glasgow, MT 59230
• Region 7 (Miles City) 406-234-0900, 352 I-94 Business Loop, Miles City, MT 59301
• FWP Headquarters front desk 406-444-2535, or Helena Licensing 406-444-2950. P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620.

     The antibody solution being tested in the ITAC trial is  anti-coronavirus hyperimmune intravenous immunoglobulin, or hIVIG. The  antibodies in anti-coronavirus hIVIG come from the liquid portion of  blood, or plasma, donated by healthy people who have recovered from  COVID-19. These antibodies are highly purified and concentrated so that  the anti-coronavirus hIVIG consistently contains several times more  SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies than typically found in the plasma of  people who have recovered from COVID-19.

     The ITAC investigators hypothesize that giving people  anti-coronavirus hIVIG at the onset of COVID-19 symptoms, before the  body makes a protective immune response on its own, could augment the  natural antibody response to SARS-CoV-2, thereby reducing the risk of  more serious illness and death.

     “Finding safe and effective treatments for COVID-19 is absolutely  critical,” said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “The ITAC trial  will examine whether adding anti-coronavirus hIVIG to a remdesivir  regimen can give the immune system a needed boost to suppress SARS-CoV-2  early in the course of illness, nipping the infection in the bud.” 

     Leading the ITAC trial is Protocol Chair Mark Polizzotto, M.D.,  Ph.D., head of the Therapeutic and Vaccine Research Program at The Kirby  Institute in the University of New South Wales, Sydney. The University  of Minnesota is the coordinating center for the trial, which is being  conducted by the NIAID-funded International Network for Strategic  Initiatives in Global HIV Trials (INSIGHT). While INSIGHT was  established to conduct clinical studies on HIV, it also has been  involved in clinical trials related to influenza-like illness and the  role of anti-influenza hIVIG since 2009. The ITAC trial also is known as  INSIGHT 013.

     Four companies are collaborating to provide anti-coronavirus hIVIG  for the trial: Emergent BioSolutions of Gaithersburg, Maryland; Grifols  S.A. of Barcelona; CSL Behring of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; and  Takeda Pharmaceuticals of Tokyo. The hIVIG from Emergent BioSolutions  and Grifols S.A. was developed with support from the Biomedical Advanced  Research and Development Authority, part of the Office of the Assistant  Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of  Health and Human Services. CSL Behring and Takeda Pharmaceuticals are  providing anti-coronavirus hIVIG on behalf of a partnership of plasma  companies called the CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance.

     Remdesivir is currently recommended for treating certain hospitalized  patients with COVID-19, based on an analysis of available data from the  NIAID-sponsored Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial (ACTT). ACTT found  that hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and lower respiratory tract  involvement who received remdesivir had a statistically significant shorter time to recovery compared to patients who received placebo. Remdesivir is an  investigational broad-spectrum antiviral discovered and developed by  Gilead Sciences, Inc. of Foster City, California.

     The ITAC study team will enroll 500 hospitalized adults ages 18 or  older who provide informed consent, have had COVID-19 symptoms for 12  days or fewer, and do not have life-threatening organ dysfunction or  organ failure. >Enrollment will occur at up to 58 sites in Africa,  Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Study participants will  be assigned at random to receive infusions of either anti-coronavirus  hIVIG and remdesivir or a placebo and remdesivir. Neither the  participants nor the study team will know who is receiving which  treatment regimen.

     hIVIG will be given as a single infusion of 400 milligrams (mg) per  kilogram of current body weight. Remdesivir infusions will be  administered as a 200-mg loading dose followed by a 100-mg once-daily  intravenous maintenance dose during hospitalization for up to 10 days in  total.

The main goal of the ITAC trial is to compare the health status of  participants in the combination treatment group with participants in the  remdesivir-only group on day seven. Health status will be based on an  ordinal outcome with seven mutually exclusive categories ranging from no  limiting symptoms due to COVID-19, to death. These categories capture  the full range of severity experienced by hospitalized patients with  COVID-19, according to the study investigators.

ITAC study participants will be followed for 28 days. If the trial  goes to completion, the primary analysis will be completed after all  participants finish 28 days of follow-up.

An independent data and safety monitoring board (DSMB) will review  interim safety and efficacy data to ensure patient well-being and safety  as well as study integrity.

     The ITAC trial is associated with the Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) public-private partnership. NIH and the Foundation for the NIH created  ACTIV to develop a coordinated research strategy for prioritizing and  speeding development of the most promising treatments and vaccines for  COVID-19. ACTIV-associated trials are sponsored by NIH and have one or  more industry partners. Both Gilead Sciences and Takeda Pharmaceuticals  are ACTIV members.

     Further information about the ITAC trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov under study identifier NCT04546581.

     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.

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa commercial facility Friday seized more than 3,100 pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl powder, fentanyl pills, and heroin as part of the second largest methamphetamine bust along the southwest border in the history of the CBP, based on information developed by DEA, working jointly with HSI.

“This massive seizure is a testament of what law enforcement agencies can do when we combine forces – prevent over $7 million worth of deadly drugs from entering our country; thus saving countless lives from addiction and overdose deaths,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge John W. Callery. “DEA cherishes our great law enforcement partners in San Diego, especially those who work tirelessly to protect our nation’s borders.  We will continue to work together to disrupt drug trafficking organizations at every opportunity we are given.” 

On Oct. 9, at about 9:45 a.m., a driver arrived at the cargo border crossing with a tractor-trailer shipment that was manifested as medical supplies.  The officer referred the driver, truck, and shipment for a more intensive inspection. 

CBP officers screened the truck using the port’s imaging system, similar to an x-ray, and found anomalies with the rear of the trailer. The conveyance was sent to the dock and a canine alerted to the boxes inside the trailer.  Officers offloaded the shipment and discovered 1,816 packages comingled with the medical supplies that primarily contained clear plastic pipette tips, spray bottles of surface decontaminate, and calibrated pipette tools (used for sampling and dispensing liquid).

“Smugglers will try every way possible to try and get their product across the border and because of the partnership between CBP, Homeland Security Investigations, and DEA, this significant seizure occurred and we stopped them,” said Anne Maricich, acting CBP director of field operations in San Diego.  “I’m proud of the CBP officers’ dedication to our mission; they continue to stop dangerous drugs from entering our communities.”

CBP officers later extracted approximately 3,014 pounds of methamphetamine, 64 pounds of heroin, 29 pounds of fentanyl powder, and almost 37 pounds of fentanyl pills, worth an estimated $7.2 million.  CBP officers seized the narcotics and conveyance.

“This significant seizure is a prime example of how a successful partnership between HSI, CBP, and DEA results in the disruption of transnational criminal organizations while protecting our country from dangerous illicit drugs,” said Juan Munoz, acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI in San Diego. “We will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.”

The driver, a 47–year-old male Mexican citizen, was arrested and turned over the custody of the joint investigative team from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration; he will face criminal charges.

     The Drug Enforcement Administration and Discovery Education have expanded Operation Prevention, a joint effort to curb drug use among students by educating them about the dangers of abuse. In response to growing demand, new modules launched last night build on the original student curriculum, which is geared toward elementary and middle schools students. These new lessons educate young people about the effects of a wider range of drugs and pharmaceuticals on the human body.

     Operation Prevention will host a webinar for educators on October 14 to review the existing curriculum, and showcase the new multi-drug curriculum with a video topic series and activities for grades 3-8, and tips for implementing them within the existing Operation Prevention resources. Educators can register here.

     “The first line in prevention is always education,” said Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea. “By reaching out to youths, presenting them with information to expand their base of knowledge about drugs and drug abuse, we can stem the future tide of misuse, abuse, overdose, and death. If we reach just one child and prevent even one death through this program, we will consider it a success.”

DEA and Discovery Education launched Operation Prevention in 2016 as a three year program for middle and high school students with lessons centered on the dangers of opioid prescription drug abuse. The DEA-funded program was soon expanded to add elementary and Spanish-speaking students. A second expansion added a workplace module to allow businesses to access this important information. The program continues to evolve with a module for Native American/Alaskan Natives in the planning stages.

Young Ag Leadership Conference offers online events

     The tough decision was made to cancel the annual Young Ag Leadership Conference earlier this year.  However, you can still enjoy YALC Online October 20-21 with two free events.

Join us Tuesday, October 20 at 6:30 pm (MST) for Facebook LIVE trivia on the Young Ag Leadership Conference Facebook page. Committee Members Klayton Lohr and Kim Woodring are sure to entertain, as they host YALC Ag Trivia night. Grab some friends and your phone or computer and play along right from the couch.  Stay tuned to the YALC Facebook page for more fun details and sneak peeks of prizes, question topics and more.

On Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30 pm (MST), YALC will feature Kiah Twisselman from California. Kiah will share her wisdom during her keynote, “Living & Leading with a Life of Purpose.”  You can sign up to watch this event live and receive an email of the replay at:  https://my.demio.com/ref/4gWR9QYsUFFiJ0Gz

     Kiah Twisselman is a California cattle rancher turned creative entrepreneur and life coach and a passionate advocate for agriculture. While working for the Kentucky Beef Council, she found a love for design and communications, leading her to start her own business, Burley & Barley, through which she helped farmers and ranchers across the U.S. tell their story. After embarking on her own personal development and health journey, losing over 125 pounds, she discovered her mission to empower others to love themselves to health and happiness, too. After being featured on Good Morning America, People Magazine, Women’s Health, Access Hollywood and more, she is more on fire than ever to share the mindset tools that helped her along her journey with the world. Her entrepreneur journey has since pivoted, now serving clients as a full-time life coach, weight loss coach, and speaker, while still finding ways to integrate the agriculture story along the way. When she’s not coaching, you might find her at a table watercoloring ranch-inspired illustrations, front-porch sitting with her Kentucky gentleman and fiancé Brent, or helping her family on their rural seventh-generation cattle ranch.

     For more information, visit www.mtyalc.com, or visit YALC’s Facebook or Instagram pages.  Thank you to all of the host organizations and loyal sponsors who have made YALC a success for 17 years. 

HELENA – The eighth episode of Attorney General Tim Fox’s “The People’s Lawyer” podcast was released today, featuring an interview between Fox and Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings.

Delaware is unique in that it is one of only a few states and territories in which the attorney general serves as the local prosecutor.  Jennings describes her office’s prosecuting authority, how it may differ from other states, and how this role impacts her approach to working with local law enforcement.  Jennings, who previously served as Chief Deputy Attorney General and State Prosecutor before being elected Delaware’s 46th Attorney General, talks about some of the challenges and benefits of having that prior experience, along with her passion for criminal justice reform.

The bi-weekly podcast is produced by NAAG, of which Fox is president.  A total of twelve episodes run approximately 20 – 30 minutes in length; eleven take the form of a conversation between Fox and his guests.  Episodes address topics such as why careers in public service matter, consumer protection, the importance of government transparency, and a myriad of other issues that face states attorneys general.  “The People’s Lawyer” is available for free download through Podbean and several other major streaming services.  Episodes are also available on the Montana Department of Justice's website.

Fox was elected president of NAAG on December 9, 2019.  The organization was founded in 1907 to help attorneys general fulfill the responsibilities of their office and to assist in the delivery of high-quality legal services to the states and territorial jurisdictions.

ALL EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

Officials at the Montana Department of Justice announced today that Montanans, especially senior citizens, should be aware of a new tactic being used in the old lottery scam.

The new twist works like this:  A scammer calls you, claiming to be from the “Montana State Gaming Commission.” The scammer says if you pay $600, you’ll have a chance to win $1 million.

“Legitimate lotteries never require people to send money to claim a prize or to have a chance at winning,” Attorney General Tim Fox said. “Because older persons are especially vulnerable due to physical and mental decline, social isolation, and their tendency to trust others, the most effective thing we can do to combat this scam is public education.  Remind your parents, grandparents, and elderly friends about the importance of staying vigilant for lottery scams and other rip-offs that can happen if they engage with these callers,” Fox added.

Another red flag?  The “Montana State Gaming Commission” doesn’t exist.  The Gambling Control Division at the Montana Department of Justice is responsible for state gaming regulation.  Angela Nunn, Gambling Control Division Administrator, said, “Real lotteries never contact the winner, or other players, because they don’t know who these people are.  So, keep in mind two things:  If you receive a call claiming to be from the Montana State Gaming Commission, it’s a scam; if you’re asked to send money in relation to lotteries, it’s a scam.”

Nunn also advised Montanans questioning the validity of a contact from the Gambling Control Division to call her office at (406) 444-1971 or email gcd@mt.gov to confirm.

For more information on lottery scams, visit the Montana Lottery’s website, or Montana Department of Justice’s Office of Consumer Protection’s (OCP) information here.  If you or a family member are the victim of a scam, contact local law enforcement.  You may also report scams to OCP by calling 1-800-481-6896 (toll-free) or (406) 444-4500, or by emailing contactocp@mt.gov.

For updates on this and other issues, follow DOJ’s Gambling Control Division and OCPon Facebook.

"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."

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.