Ledger Looking Back 25 Years: August 8, 1996

AUGUST 8, 1996

Jefferson County Health Nurse Paula Anders called the Ledger Friday to ask cooperation in alerting Whitehall area residents to an outbreak of pertussis – whooping cough – in the county. Although none of the latest cases are in Whitehall and most are in the north end of the county, Anders said she is concerned that the disease could spread, especially with school starting soon. A little bit of public education might help nip the spread in the bud, she said. According to an informational flyer from the Center for Disease Control, whooping cough is one of the most deadly diseases of infants and young children. It is highly contagious and caused by a bacteria found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. It can occur at any age, but 75 percent of the reported cases are in children under one year of age.

Fire danger in the Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forest is very high, Forest Service recreation specialist Ron Roginske said Monday. With the curing of vegetation, several fires were started recently by vehicles, he said. To avoid repeating the problem, travelers in the forest should be sure they have an approved, properly-installed and operating exhaust system on their ATV, trailbike or other vehicles, he advises.

“Catalytic converters get extremely hot and will start dry grass on fire,” he warned. Anyone traveling off of Forest System roads (roads with numbers) or starting a campfire outside of a designated camp and picnic grounds must have a shovel and bucket along. Those with pack stock must also have that equipment with them.

Headwaters Resource Area of the Bureau of Land Management will be conducting a wild horse adoption at the Montana Livestock Company in Butte on Saturday, Aug. 24. Approximately 100 horses and 60 burros will be available to pre-approved adopters. Viewing of the animals will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Friday the 23rd and again at 8 a.m. on Saturday the 24th. The adoption will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. The adoption fee is $125 per horse, $75 per burro. There is also an additional $3 brand inspection fee per animal adopted.