Thanks for Project Lifesaver

Flathead Valley families who care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia now have an extra measure of security available through Project Lifesaver.

Recently introduced by Flathead Search and Rescue and the Sheriff’s Office, the program uses radio transmitter bracelets to locate individuals who are at risk of wandering off. In addition to patients with dementia, children with autism can also benefit from the bracelets.

This will be a valuable resource for the Flathead. A special thank-you goes to the Glacier Pilot Club for bringing it to the attention of law enforcement officials and to the Flathead Electric Cooperative Round Up for Safety program for supplying a portion of the funding to get Project Lifesaver up and running.

IT’S NOT exactly a major crime wave, but it’s enough to give pause when property crimes are rising in Flathead County.

In just the first 10 days of the month, there were 104 thefts reported to law enforcement agencies. That includes a substantial increase in thefts from vehicles, particularly unlocked vehicles.

Sheriff Chuck Curry has simple advice: “Lock your cars. Don’t leave your iPod laying on your dashboard, your camera laying on your seat, your purse visible, a wallet visible, GPS, guns.”

Long gone are the days of the bucolic Flathead Valley where you never had to lock your house or vehicle.

All of us have a part to play to limit property crime (and keep ourselves from being victimized). We should be vigilant about what’s happening in our neighborhoods and we should all take the basic precautions of locking up our valuables.

IT’S ALWAYS inspiring to see someone do something never done before, and that is what Kalispell resident Jake Bramante has accomplished by hiking every single Glacier National Park trail over a total of 734 miles in one year.

It was an offbeat goal to set his sights on, one that was attainable but certainly difficult. Persistent winter weather and high elevation snow well into spring made 2011 an even more challenging year for Bramante to set off on his quest. But he did just that, carefully planning his hikes within a limited window of opportunity to go the distance.

Congratulations, Jake!