Darby Wild West NRA Rodeo: two nights of rodeo action, celebration
The Darby Rodeo Grounds came alive July 31 and August 1 as the annual Wild West Rodeo welcomed spectators from across the Bitterroot Valley and beyond for two nights of exciting rodeo competition, community tradition, and hometown pride.
Fans enjoyed a full slate of rodeo events, including bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, breakaway roping, team roping, and bull riding. Competitors showcased their skill and determination while entertaining packed grandstands throughout the weekend.
Friday night’s performance highlighted the community spirit that makes the Wild West Rodeo, a favorite summer tradition. Local firefighters faced off in the annual Tugof-War fundraiser, raising more than $17,000 in support of area fire departments. The event continues to be one of the rodeo’s most anticipated traditions, drawing enthusiastic participation from firefighters and spectators alike.
The rodeo also took time to recognize local men and women who have recently enlisted in the United States Army, Marine Corps, and Navy, honoring their commitment to serving our country. Their recognition was met with a standing ovation from the crowd. “The Wild West Rodeo is about more than competition—it’s about
bringing our community together to celebrate the western way of life while supporting the people who make our community strong,” said the Darby Rodeo Association.
The Darby Rodeo Association extends its sincere appreciation to the contestants, volunteers, sponsors, firefighters, military families, and fans whose continued support makes the Wild West Rodeo possible each year.
About the Darby Rodeo Association
The Darby Rodeo Association is a nonprofit, tax-deductible community organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the sport of rodeo and the Western way of life. Through high-quality rodeo events, support for youth competitors, and investment in our community, we strive to honor our heritage while building a strong future for rodeo.
WARC: center hosts largest event yet, talks cover crops, berries
a new berry harvester purchased with grant funding, which Schmitt described as a “massive game changer for people who want to grow berries at scale.”
Although unusual weather reduced this year’s honeyberry yields, the plants continued to perform well compared to many other fruit crops that sufered from winter warmth followed by spring frosts. “I genuinely believe it’s the new superfood,” Schmitt said, adding that WARC is “pioneering the potential benefts of this fruit.”
She said the research center’s role is to experiment so commercial growers do not have to risk their livelihoods testing unproven methods themselves. “They don’t have time, energy or resources,” she said, to learn through costly trial and error.
Researchers are also responding to increasing demand for locally grown food. Schmitt highlighted the upcoming Grow Montana Coalition Governor’s Summit, scheduled for Oct. 23-24 in Helena, which aims to increase the share of locally produced food available to Montana consumers from about 3% today to 33%. She noted that roughly 70% of food consumed in Montana was locally produced in 1950.
She also pointed to WARC’s own eforts to support local agriculture, saying more food served at this year’s Field Day dinner came from local producers than ever before. “We wanted to highlight how awesome our local farmers are,” Schmitt said.
Many of this year’s research projects fo-
cused on improving efciency while reducing costs for growers. Zach Miller, WARC superintendent, said the center’s work is driven by “farmer-driven questions,” including how to manage weeds without relying heavily on expensive inputs.
One project tested cover crops and a technique known as occultation, in which researchers cover soil with tarps early in the season. The tarps warm the soil, encouraging weeds to germinate before cutting of sunlight and killing them. As the weeds decompose, they return nutrients to the soil and support benefcial microbes. Miller said the approach prevented more than 90% of weeds in test plots while reducing labor costs.
Researchers are also evaluating nitrogen-fxing cover crops, including Austrian winter peas and hairy vetch, to improve soil fertility for organic vegetable production.
“Organic fertilizer is expensive, and we can get plants to do that work in the of season,” Miller said.
After the event, Miller said he was encouraged by the turnout. “It was great to see all the folks coming out to support local agriculture and what we’re doing to support farmers,” he said.
For Dr. Jessica Torrion, superintendent of MSU’s Northwestern Agricultural Research Center, the value of Field Day lies in giving farmers information they can immediately apply.
She said producers are especially interested in practical technologies and tech-
niques that can improve yields and efciency. At her research center, scientists are working to develop a winter barley variety that can be harvested during traditional of-seasons, providing growers with additional fexibility.
Torrion said events like Field Day also strengthen relationships between researchers and agricultural communities.
Dr. Sreekala Bajwa, dean and director of MSU’s College of Agriculture, said the research centers play a critical role in “translating that research into practice.”
She said WARC is unique among MSU’s research centers because of its emphasis on specialty crops and value-added agriculture.
Rather than selling produce immediately after harvest, growers can increase proftability by turning crops into products such as
jams or other processed foods, Bajwa said. WARC’s research supports production practices across the supply chain, from growing crops to developing higher-value products. With another record turnout and research addressing everything from weed management to berry nutrition, Field Day refected WARC’s mission of helping Montana growers make informed decisions backed by science rather than guesswork.
Photo by John Rudow.
Western Agricultural Reserch Center (WARC) t-shirt worn by a staff member. Photo by John Dowd.
INSURANCE: forum addresses rising insurance costs, impact on local housing market
agents, local business owners, fire council representatives, legislators and community members. Mike Kent, president of the Bitterroot Board of Realtors, said the forum helped attendees better understand why insurance premiums continue to rise.
“It gave them some idea of why rates are going up,” Kent said.
“We were able to have a candid conversation with Realtors about rising insurance coverage,” Brown said, adding that the goal was to provide information that will hopefully make agents’ jobs easier.
According to Kent, insurance affordability has become a growing obstacle for homebuyers. Increasing premiums are factored into monthly mortgage payments. “That affects their buying power,” said Kent, caus -
limits the usefulness of those disclosures.
Countryman noted the lack of standardization and that consumers are often left guessing which areas or characteristics may lead to higher premiums. Brown said, “Insurance companies are getting more sophisticated with how they identify risk.”
Panelists said companies now consider numerous factors including market saturation, slope of the land, tree density, proximity to water and other environmental conditions.
Distance from a fire department is another significant consideration, Countryman said.
During a question-and-answer session, one attendee asked why similar properties in neighboring Idaho sometimes appear to have lower insurance rates.
ing some home sales to collapse before closing.
He said the trend has been building since about 2018, following several catastrophic wildfire seasons in California and Oregon, and has intensified as large fires have continued across the West.
In addition to higher premiums, homeowners are increasingly facing non-renewals from insurance companies. While some insurers are choosing not to renew existing policies, they may offer replacement coverage at substantially higher rates, Kent said.
Countryman added that insurance costs are becoming as significant to household budgets as mortgage payments themselves. “Insurance is starting to have that same weight on the budget,” said Countryman. “It’s pricing people out of homes.”
He also praised the strong turnout, saying the discussions would help provide direct feedback to lawmakers in Helena. ”Having folks here is kind of like bringing Helena to Hamilton,” Countryman said.
Brown mentioned recent House Bill 533, passed during the 2025 Montana Legislature.
The law requires insurance companies to disclose wildfire risk scores and the specific scoring information used when evaluating homeowners or applicants. Wildfire risk scores are one metric insurers use when determining premiums, but Brown and Countryman said the lack of consistency among insurance companies
Countryman said the differences between western states are often not significant, but noted it may be due to distance from a fire department. According to Countryman, even being more than five miles from a fire station can significantly affect premiums. Insurance companies may also consider whether departments are volunteer or full-time, as well as their staffing levels and funding. Many Montana fire departments rely on volunteers, and much of the state’s rural housing lies beyond that fivemile threshold.
Despite the increasing sophistication of insurance models, panelists said insurers often rely more heavily on regional risk than on mitigation efforts
completed on individual properties. While actions such as fuel reduction around a home may be considered, western Montana as a whole is generally viewed as a high-risk area.
Brown said his office is exploring additional wildfire mitigation efforts, including potential grant opportunities aimed at reducing wildfire risk and improving insurance availability.
Following the event, Brown called the forum a success and said its primary objective was to help real estate professionals better prepare homebuyers for
wanted to hear directly from industry professionals about conditions in the insurance market to
insurance costs before closing.
“The overriding goal of the forum was to get agents thinking about having difficult conversations with prospective home buyers about insurance coverage and price, so no surprises on the back end — post-house sale,” Brown said.
Brown said he also
help identify possible legislative and regulatory solutions ahead of the 2027 Montana Legislature. The Ravalli County forum was the third hosted by Brown’s office, following similar events in Flathead and Lewis and Clark counties. A fourth forum is planned for Gallatin County after Labor Day as officials continue addressing rising insurance premiums and increasing notices of policy non-renewal across Montana.
Slides from the meeting, presented by the State Auditor’s Offce. Above left, non-renewals over the last eight years. At top right displays
heat map. Above shows
US Critical Materials pursues bare minimum evaluation
Bitterroot National Forest begins review for Sheep Creek Exploration Plan
On July 27, 2026, the Bitterroot National Forest announced they are initiating review of the Sheep Creek Mine Exploration Plan under a Categorical Exclusion (CE), the lowest level of environmental review available to them. CE’s are typically used for activities that the Forest has pre-determined to have a low likelihood of signifcant impacts. However, community members agree the plan lacks the detail needed to assess how critical resources — like water quality, public health, fsh and wildlife — will be impacted.
Bitterroot residents, elected ofcials and community organizations initially expressed frustration about the FAST-Track status, but agencies and the exploration company assured the community that the process and public input would not be limited.
A Categorical Exclusion does not require public comment like an Environmental Assessment does. However, the Bitterroot National Forest explains a “comment period is anticipated to begin in August.”
“It’s critical that our community participate in any public comment period ofered to us. It is still within our power to elevate the required review from a Categorical Exclusion to an Environmental Assessment. We encourage people to subscribe to action alerts from DontPolluteTheRoot.com where we’ll be helping people understand the defciencies of the proposal, so folks can submit meaningful comments,” said Alex Ocañas, Manager of Community Conservation with the Bitterroot Water Partnership.
“US Critical Materials continually asks for the lowest level of review possible when it comes to their activities. Earlier this month, they blatantly asked the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to ignore our state review standards. By requesting that DEQ exempt the Sheep Creek Project review under the Metal Mine Reclamation Act (MMRA), USCM sought to avoid Montana’s fundamental mining law. The MMRA holds mining companies to account for mine or exploration clean up and is the basis for bonding (paying for that clean up). DEQ has rejected this absurd request, citing that national security goals don’t override review standards. We agree with DEQ’s assessment and look forward to the state ensuring that USCM’s exploration plan is fully evaluated for environmental and human impacts. We also urge the Forest Service to reject a similar attempt for bare minimum review by requiring an Environmental Assessment,” said David Brooks, Montana Trout Unlimited. The Forest Service can complete one of
three review processes for projects like Sheep Creek Mine. First, an Environmental Assessment (EA) is prepared to determine whether signifcant impacts will occur. Second, if there is any likelihood of signifcant environmental impacts, the Forest Service must prepare a more rigorous Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Finally, under limited circumstances where there is no reasonable likelihood of any environmental impacts, the Forest Service may permit an exploration project under a ‘Categorical Exclusion’ (CE). Notably, a CE is the only of the three processes that does not require any public involvement and a CE is usually not acceptable where ESA-listed species or cultural resources are at risk.
“The Exploration Plan proposes industrial exploration in the headwaters of the West Fork of the Bitterroot, including blasting, drilling, fuel storage, explosives, drilling chemicals, helicopter fights and trucking six million pounds of hazardous material along the river to Conner. The plan is vague or silent regarding water handling, how mine waste would be managed, geochemistry, radioactive materials and asbestos,” said Dr. Phil Ramsey local researcher and expert on the impacts of mining.
“US Critical Materials stated they adjusted the scope of their original exploration plan as a response to community concerns. On the contrary, it’s clear they re-designed the plan in an efort to sidestep our concerns and to limit agency scrutiny. We believe this project requires the highest level of scrutiny possible, without limitation. We urge the Forest Service to require an Environmental Assessment,” said Heather Barber, Executive Director of the Bitterroot Water Partnership.
“The plan is misleading by emphasizing that ‘surface disturbance’ would be less than an acre. Total disturbance and potential negative impact from this project could be huge. US Critical Materials plans for up to 35,000 pounds of toxin-infused materials leaving the site each day, 3,000 helicopter fights and 18,000 feet of total drilling,” said, Dr. Phil Ramsey.
“The public shares our serious concerns. The stakes are high for ESA-listed bull trout and Montana’s state fsh, the native westslope cutthroat trout. The unknowns are too many to count. USCM has provided little baseline data on possible contaminants, like radioactive material in the rock the
company intends to explore. Nor has USCM provided a plan for handling potential surface water runof that would hold up to the potential scale of runof in the Bitterroots. The USFS should require rigorous environmental analysis of these things, as well as a plan for independent monitoring and enforceable safeguards before approving this work,” explained David Brooks, Executive Director of Montana Trout Unlimited. “Fish and all downstream water users deserve at least that.”
“In the Clark Fork Basin, we’ve seen frst-hand how poorly planned, under regulated mining projects have decimated waterways, harmed or eliminated aquatic life and left taxpayers on the hook for decades of cleanup costs,” said Andrew Gorder, Legal Director for the Clark Fork Coalition.
“Against this backdrop, we expect that U.S. Critical Materials and our federal partners will take their obligations to protect Montana’s environment seriously and prepare a full, detailed and transparent accounting of planned exploration activities and potential environmental impacts,” said Gorder.
“Every decision about the proposal to mine in the Bitterroot River’s headwaters needs to be judged by the full range of potential impacts to our waters and our strong, resource-based economies. Local people know best, and will be impacted most, and we have a right to infuence these decisions,” said Ocañas.
“The FAST-Track program is designed
for forest roadwork, not industrial mining. It streamlines the permitting process and ofers only the bare minimum public participation. Approving exploration with a Categorical Exclusion, or without an Environmental Assessment, would be the ultimate override of local concerns. It would signal clearly that local Montanans are not valued,” stated David Brooks, of Montana Trout Unlimited. “Despite company rhetoric, that is exactly what USCM wants: zero public input.”
Don’t Pollute the Root will be organizing community members to participate in public comment. Stay connected through DontPolluteTheRoot.com. The initiative is led by the Bitterroot Water Partnership and Montana Trout Unlimited, in partnership with the Clark Fork Coalition, American Rivers, Ravalli County Fish and Wildlife Association, other impact organizations, business owners, and interested citizens who care about the Bitterroot River.
The Forest Service is currently accepting comments at Sheep.Creek.Comments@ usda.gov. These comments are not part of a formal Public Comment period associated with a legally signifcant Environmental Assessment.
Community members can fnd more information at DontPolluteTheRoot.com
The Fast Track Permitting Dashboard for Sheep Creek Project can be accessed at www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/fast-41-transparency-projects/ sheep-creek-project.
Flying over the proposed Sheep Creek Mine area. Photo by John Dowd.
US Critical Materials in Darby
The Sheep Creek mining company, US Critical Materials, new ofce in Darby is an empty shell. About a month ago USCM released a widely spread high priced public relations initiative and new website saying: “U.S. Critical Materials is establishing a local ofce and community space in Darby, Montana, to help strengthen communication and accessibility within the Bitterroot Valley community,” and, “The ofce refects the company’s commitment to maintaining a local presence, supporting open communication, building long-term relationships, increasing accessibility to project information, and participating in the local community.”
The porch light at the ofce is on, but nobody is home. Packaged ofce furniture is lying around still unopened. This does, in deed, “refect the company’s commitment.” USCM’s words often do not match their deeds and are just empty shells meant to fool rubes, which is, apparently, how they view us.
As a private company, USCM does not have to identify investors, allowing them to play a corporate shell game designed to leave a mess behind with no accountability. Privatizing profts from public resources but socializing losses for taxpayers to pay, aka ‘they take the gold and we get the shaft’, is a time-honored mining tradition. Today, no doubt, there are new, improved, more modern mining scams.
Shell games usually involve quickly shufing empty shells hiding a pea. FAST 41 turns out to be a fast one. Last week the FAST 41 “Transparency” Dashboard, that was supposed to keep the public clued in, abruptly “canceled” the EA permitting process that had been identifed since May 2025. No new ‘p’ermitting ‘p’rocess has been identifed. Those ‘p’s are now completely hidden and the expected date of public release is unrevealed. So much for “transparency” and “increasing accessibility to project information”. Send your public comments as soon as possible to sheep.creek.comments@usda.gov.
Larry Campbell Darby
Your neighbors are hungry
I am a volunteer at Hamilton’s Haven House Food Bank. As a result, I have witnessed frst-hand the need of our neighbors for a source of extra food during these hard economic times. While we are grateful to have food banks in Hamilton, Darby, and Stevensville, there is still a need to keep these shelves stocked for our neighbors. Never underestimate the gift of your donation of food or cash to help us help each other.
Sheryl Olson Hamilton
Child abuse
SB99 “Youth Health Protection Act” authored by Senator John Fuller of Kalispell was passed in 2023 and subsequently voided by a District Court Judge.
That bill prohibited medical providers from performing gender-afrming surgical procedures or prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to minors. It prohibited treatments intended to match a gender identity inconsistent with biological sex. Meaningful penalties were established for those who violated the law.
That court decision, in its entirety, is a total disaster in every respect. That fnding constitutes judicial approval of child abuse. Acceptance of child abuse by the courts represents a compromise of the judicial system and cannot be allowed.
Child abuse is what it is and any efort to justify the practice, for any reason, is not acceptable.
Our system relies on the judiciary to establish and maintain equity within the boundaries established as a result of their rulings. A failure to maintain equity within the system can result only in an injustice upon that very society they pledged to serve and protect.
Opinion
The State Legislature acted responsibly in passing the proposal the frst time. They are now required to take action to assure the intent expressed in the original law is not set aside due to judicial bias.
Public dissatisfaction should be expressed to the State Senate to the extent that they will respond appropriately and cause justice (equity) to be restored. Child abuse has no justifcation. Any justifcation claimed is but a means by which particular organizations or persons are attempting to forward their cause by sacrifcing innocent children.
THERE MUST BE ZERO TOLERANCE REGARDING CHILD ABUSE NO MATTER THE MEANS BY WHICH IT IS EXPRESSED. IT IS INCUMBENT UPON THE PUBLIC TO DEMAND LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO OVERCOME THIS JUDICIAL FAILURE. Call your Representatives and speak out about child abuse. Call the Judge and state your dissatisfaction with his fnding. MAKE THE CALLS.
William (Bill) Campbell Conner
Help for valley families
Back to School is nearly here. It can be a very exciting time for young families - fnding out who the kids’ teachers are and who will be in their classes. Getting new clothes and school supplies, and getting into a new routine. For some families it is exciting and fnancially stressful. The Salvation Army, including our local service center, has a back-toschool program to help families in need pay for new clothing and school supplies. Families apply for this program, and awardees will be shopping on August 14th for their clothing and supplies.
Fidelis Temukum, our local service center director, has secured funding for 42 children to shop on the 14th. There are at least 8 children on the waiting list. Let’s help these kids and families.
Please be generous and drop a donation of at the Salvation Army Service Center - 217 N. 3rd St., Suite B2, Hamilton, MT 59840. While you are there you can see the showers, laundry facilities, food pantry, and gift pantry that they provide to help local families in need.
Allie Tossberg Hamilton
What are the roles of government?
Rhetoric using labels such as communists, Marxists, socialists, liberals, and conservatives are frivolous, divisive, and a waste of time. Most people cannot even defne those terms. We would be better served to dialogue about what we believe should be the proper roles of government. Before we get into promoting specifc policies or programs, let’s frst try to identify and come to agreement as to what we conceptually want our governments to do. Then, and only then can we have productive discussions about how our governments should respond.
A commonly held agreement as to what governments should do is a powerful motivator for positive changes. It moves us out of the rut our country currently is in. How do we get to that common agreement? We should work to engage on this subject as groups and communities with a mutual goal of trying to understand each other’s perspectives. Let’s talk about it. Let’s list the agreed upon roles of government for all to see.
The range of perspectives about what we want our governments to do is apparently large. Some want a hands-of approach while others expect governments to be actively engaged on many issues. I suspect the result of our dialogues would land us on a common agreement somewhere between those two views.
If we continue on the path we are on, we will continue to talk past each other because we often have diferent expectations for government. I would like to fnd that common agreement. I hope you will solicit and participate in these communications. It won’t
be easy or always comfortable, but I believe it is essential.
Steve Schmidt Darby
Crisis
For all the years of my professional life, I had a sign that hung in my ofce that said, “All Crises Shall Pass!” I truly believed that with time and efort situations that might cause me heartburn would/could be resolved.
The frst four years under DJT was indeed one long CRISIS… every hour of every day! During those years he was on his “good behavior” (good behavior for him!) for he wanted nothing more than a second term…a term that was denied him by the intervention of Joe Biden, who did his darndest to get our country back on track.
No one would have believed that Donald Trump, convicted sex ofender (remember E. Jean Carroll) and convicted business criminal (34 counts) could have resurrected himself and established a winning message for enough people to vote him back into ofce for a second term (notice that there were no charges of Voter fraud in the 2024 election that Trump won!).
And now here we are again facing CRISIS after CRISIS that DJT has inficted upon our country…the abusive and inhumane treatment of our immigrant population, whether they are illegal or legal, the brutal and often illegal operation of Trump‘s ICE troops, the War in Iran that has no end in sight and is now developing into a Middle East regional war, and the lack of afordability for many people when we go to the grocery store or to the gas station!
How many more of these crises do we have to endure?
DJT is out of control! Our Republican Congressmen and Senators are afraid to speak up and must be replaced in the midterm elections by candidates of high moral character.
That will be a good start!
This is our chance
Tom Tunny Hamilton
Are you aware that Montana has never elected a woman to serve as a United States Senator? Well, we have a chance this time. Having a woman on the ballot may cause more women and their spouses, friends and etc. to vote Democrat. If we can do that, Montana will have a very qualifed, United States Senator representing all of us.
Here is the problem. Do you understand that Bodner supporters may be trying to disenfranchise Bankhead voters by causing their voting rights in the primary to be ignored? How many of those voters may now vote Republican because they were not respected by Democrats?
If you are not aware of Alani Bankhead’s qualifcations you might be interested in knowing she is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and was a federal law enforcement ofcer, working to stop terrorists and trafckers. You might also like to know, her focus on child protection and ethical government, are the Montana issues she hears about most while campaigning.
Unless your political afliation is more important than electing a very qualifed person to the US Senate, we can elect the 1st woman United States Senator from Montana.
This is Montana’s chance to elect Alani Bankhead. Let’s Do It!
Diane Thomas-Rupert Stevensville
Chemtrails and social responsibility
The Bitterroot Valley, along with the rest of the United States and much of the world, especially in the most developed nations, is being enveloped with the phenomenon known as “chemtrails”. This can be seen regularly by doing nothing more than looking up into the sky and noticing the numerous white streaks emanating from the high-fying jets criss-crossing the skies. This is, in fact, the most visible evidence that something in
our lives is wrong. While other factors are also noticeable, they are not as plain as chemtrails are. Anyone who wants to can see them. Chemtrails are not contrails. While jets have been expelling burnt fuel and water vapor from their exhausts for at least 75 years, chemtrails were only frst noticed about 30 years ago and have been steadily increasing since then. White streaks which sometimes extend from horizon to horizon, occasionally start and stop as if someone fipped a switch, lingering for long periods of time, blanketing the sky in a milky haze, are not normal products of jet fuel consumption. There can only be one conclusion: they are being deliberately and consciously integrated into the operations of fight patterns everywhere, for some reason, and we are not being told the truth about them. Some people, very powerful people, are imposing them upon us without our consent and permission, and it is time for that to stop. Montana’s Constitution, Article II, Section 3, guarantees that we have the inalienable right to a clean and healthful environment, stressing that “In enjoying these rights, all persons recognize corresponding responsibilities.”, which means that no one can unilaterally (or in cooperation with others) override the right of an individual to live a healthy life. Yet, by inficting these poisonous and toxic particles on us, that right is increasingly trespassed upon. This must be ended. Along with others, I will be stafng a booth at the Ravalli County Fair, September 2-5, to promote awareness about this issue and to discuss it with those interested. If you attend the fair, we will be located at site #40. We invite you to stop by and visit. If you want to become involved and are willing to invest some time, we welcome volunteer participation to help with the efort. If this is you, contact me at zinsser@protonmail.com.
Our future and health are too important to ignore this. Complacency and trust in “experts” are a sure way to disaster. Remember COVID?
As the famous saying goes, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” Now is the time for you to step up to be seen and heard.
Roger Mitchell Stevensville
‘Log it or let it burn’
trope
To those who do not know but might be interested before they default to the “log it or let it burn’ trope: The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) and indeed the Wilderness Act of 1964 were born here in the Bitterroot and in the ofces of exceptional Montana politicians (a dying species here) like Lee Metcalf. This valley was blessed with conservation visionaries like Guy Brandborg (BNF Supervisor, 1935-55), his son, Stewart Brandborg (Ex. Director, Wilderness Society, 1964-76), Doris Milner (kick-butt housewife who loved wild country) and a host of other citizen-activists who saw the critical need for the public to have a say in forest management projects. Drive up to Bare Cone Lookout and take a look at the pyramid-like remnants of the forest on the way up, the result of the misguided “Terrace Logging” debacle that precipitated the Clearcut Crisis, that precipitated the NFMA. There are real consequences to the forest-loving public when they are sidelined and ignored (illegally IMO) by Anderson’s “needs based”, “trust us”, 150,000 acre management unit which, like Jef Lonn points out in his Letter-to-the-Editor a couple weeks ago, includes almost 30,000 acres of commercial “trust us” logging. These forests that we have loved over the decades are the result of those of us who don’t trust loggers, whose primary motivation is to ‘get the cut out’ to do a conscientious job, like they said they were doing in the 60s and 70s with terrace logging. For those who think that logging mature, carbon-storing trees during this time of climate crisis is going to help freproof the forest, I’d say read a book every once in awhile. Never too late to learn.
Bill LaCroix Victor
Bitterroot Star is a team of caring individuals who ethically and responsibly strive to deliver essential news and information to our local community.
Information
Bitterroot Star is published every Wednesday by Bitterroot Star Newspaper, Co, a division of Mullen Newspapers. The advertising and editorial content deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. We strive to include news and information that’s important to the people of the Bitterroot Valley. If you have a story idea, or any other concern, call us at 406-777-3928, email: editor@bitterrootstar.com or stop in at our ofce at 115 W. 3rd, #108, Stevensville. The mailing address is P.O. Box 133, Stevensville MT 59870. Correction Policy Accuracy is important to us. If you see a factual error in a Bitterroot Star news story, please notify the editor immediately and we will print a correction in the next issue. Our View/Letters Bitterroot Star editorials are written from the position of the newspaper. The personal columns and letters appearing on the Opinion page and elsewhere in the paper represent the opinion of single individuals and do not necessarily refect the position of the newspaper.
Bitterroot Star staf
Legal Notices
ROSS A. DUTTON
485 Sawtooth Lane
Hamilton, MT 59840
Telephone: (406) 363-2626
Co-Personal Representative
DANIEL D. DUTTON
115 Essex Avenue Hamilton, MT 59840
Telephone: (406) 381-8616
Co-Personal Representative
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST
JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF THE
ESTATE OF JOANN K. DUTTON, Deceased.
Probate No. DP-26-87
Department No. 1
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that the undersigned have been appointed Co-Personal Representatives of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to Ross A. Dutton and Dan-
iel D. Dutton, the co-Personal Representatives, return receipt requested, at 485 Sawtooth Lane, Hamilton, Montana 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above-entitled court.
Dated this 14th day of July, 2026.
/s/ROSS A. DUTTON, Co-Personal Representative 485 Sawtooth Lane Hamilton, MT 59840
that John Solheim has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said decedent are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
to John Solheim, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at c/o Montana Legacy Law, PLLC, 178 South 2nd St., Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY
NAME CHANGE OF Jana Miller:
NAME CHANGE
er has asked the District Court for a change of name from Jana Lynelle Miller to Jana Lynell Miller-Page. The hearing will be on September 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County.
District Court
MNAXLP
Legal Notice The Ravalli County Board of Health (BOH) will conduct a Public Meeting to receive public comment on a variance requested by Brian C. Bergerson for the Property at 1499 Meridian Road, Victor, Parcel #894600. The applicant is requesting a variance from the requirement of a minimum of 48 inches of natural soil from ground level to seasonal high groundwater level and allow for a new Wastewater Treatment System. Property description: IN NENE INDEX 13, CS #571 PARCEL 4, 4.50 AC. Information describing the variance request will be available for inspection on August 5, 2026, at the Ravalli County Environmental Health Department, in the Administrative Building, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite D, Hamilton. The public meeting will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room at the Administrative Building located at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton.The public may comment verbally or in writing, at the meeting or online. Comments and information submitted at the public meeting will be considered in the decision on said variance request.
BS 7-29, 8-5-2026.
MNAXLP
NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE TO BE SOLD FOR CASH AT TRUSTEE’S SALE on December 08, 2026, at 10:00 o’clock A.M. (recognized local time) at the Front Door of the Ravalli County Judicial Building, located at, 205 Bedford Street Hamilton, MT 59840, the following described real property, situated in Ravalli County, Montana: The S½ of Lot 1, Block 17,
and may disperse such amounts as may be required to preserve and protect the property and for real property taxes that may become due or delinquent, unless such amounts of taxes are paid by the Grantors. If such amounts are paid by the Benefciary, the amounts or taxes will be added to the obligation secured by the Montana Trust Indenture. Other expenses to be charged against the proceeds of this sale include the Trustee’s fees and attorney’s fees, costs and expenses of the sale, and late charges, if any.
Benefciary has elected and has directed the Trustee to sell the above described property to satisfy the obligation.
The sale is a public sale and any person, including the Benefciary, excepting only the Trustee, may bid at the sale. The bid price must be paid in cash at the time of sale. The conveyance will be made by Trustee’s Deed. The sale purchaser shall be entitled to possession of the property on the 10th day following the sale.
The Grantor, successor in interest to the Grantor, or any other person having an interest in the property, at any time prior to the Trustee’s Sale, may pay to the Benefciary to the successor in interest to the Benefciary the entire amount then due under the Montana Trust Indenture and the obligation secured thereby (including costs and expenses actually incurred and attorney’s fees) other than such portion of the principal as would not then be due had no default occurred and thereby cure the default.
The scheduled Trustee’s sale may be postponed by public proclamation up to ffteen (15) days for any reason, and in the event of a bankruptcy fling, the sale may be postponed by the Trustee for up to one-hundred twenty (120) days by public proclamation at least every thirty
cussed and adopted on August 19th, 2026. If you have any questions, or want a copy of the proposed budget, please contact the Stevensville Rural Fire District at (406)777-7033 please leave a message if no answer or email admin@stevensvilleruralfre.com or at P.O. Box 667, Stevensville, MT 59870. Please make all communications attention: District “Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.” BS 8-5, 8-12-2026.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST
JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE NAME CHANGE OF Ray McKenna: Ray McKenna, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-41-20260000299-NC Dept No.: 1 - Howard F Recht
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is a notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Ray Darcy McKenna to Sarah Ellen Oberhofer. The hearing will be on September 9, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County. Dated July 28, 2026. Paige Trautwein, Clerk of District Court /s/Sarah Gingerich-Sargent, Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 8-5, 8-12, 8-19, 8-262026.
MNAXLP
Daniel Browder, Esq. Browder Law, PLLC 217 North 3rd Street, Suite J Hamilton, MT 59840
Telephone: (406) 361-3677
Facsimile: (406) 361-2999
Email: browderlawmont@ gmail.com
Attorney for Connie K. Gal-
levy for health care premium increases for fscal year ending June 30, 2027. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Library Director Denise Ard at 777-5061.
BS 8-5, 8-12-2026.
MNAXLP
Bitterroot Conservation District Adopted Rules and Appendix
Pursuant to MCA 75-7-117, The Bitterroot Conservation District is required to adopt rules setting standards and guidelines for projects and exclusions within their district that meet, exceed, or are not covered by the minimum standards as found in Administrative Rule 36.2.4.
The 2025 State Legislator adopted SB10, which extended the timeline associated with the review of emergency notifcations when there has been a governor declared state of emergency. The Bitterroot Conservation District will modify its adopted rules according to the 2025 State Legislator mandate concerning the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act (310 Law) as governed by the administration of the district’s stream permitting program and additionally is proposing to add an appendix to its adopted rules. All other changes are formatting changes designed to make the adopted rules easier to use and understand.
A hearing will be held on the 8th of September 2026, 6:30 pm, 1709 North First Street, Hamilton, to provide an opportunity for the public to present views and submit written comments on the adopted rules. Copies of the adopted rules are available by contacting the district at 406361-6181 and/or visit the BCD website at www.bitterrootcd.org.
Written comments must be submitted to the district by 4:00 p.m. on September 7th, 2026.
MNAXLP
Teagan Triplett: Notice is now given, that, pursuant to the provisions of MC 70-6-601, et seq, and the contract you signed, the contents of your storage unit number 18 is now subject to operator’s lien. Unless the accrued balance is paid in full before noon August 6, 2026, the contents will be sold at MT93 Storage, Victor, MT 59875, on August 10, 2026 at 10am.
Christopher Clark: Notice is now given, that, pursuant to the provisions of MC 70-6-601, et seq, and the contract you signed, the contents of your storage unit number 53 is now subject to operator’s lien. Unless the accrued balance is paid in full before noon August 6, 2026, the contents will be sold at MT93 Storage, Victor, MT 59875, on August 10, 2026 at 10am. BS 8-5-2026.
MNAXLP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, PRELIMINARY BUDGET, WAGES & SALARIES FOR THE FY26-27 AND BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR FY25-26. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2026 @ 6:30PM NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the Town Council of the Town of Stevensville will hold a public hearing on AUGUST 19, 2026, at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall, 206 Buck Street, Stevensville, Montana 59870 for the purpose of obtaining public comments regarding the preliminary Budget and the Wages & Salaries for FY26-27 and Budget
COUPLE: volunteers speak to four decades of vision
Joe realized the problem could not be solved one patient at a time. Entire villages needed treatment. Sister Mary partnered with Helen Keller International and the World Health Organization to secure medication, and local health workers were trained to recognize and treat the disease across whole communities.
It took years, but it worked.
“The most remarkable medical thing I ever saw in my career was wiping out an epidemic like that,” Joe said. With trachoma under control, another challenge came into focus: cataracts.
Unlike in the United States, where cataract surgery is routine long before vision deteriorates, many Guatemalans simply lived with blindness because surgery was unavailable or out of reach. Some walked for days to reach the clin-
ic. Others were guided by family members because they could no longer make the journey alone.
“In those countries, it’s lifesaving sometimes because they can’t work and feed themselves,” Joe said. “Down there, it’s completely diferent.”
The need was obvious. The obstacle was where to operate.
The clinic lacked a sterile operating room, which forced patients to travel hours for surgery if they could aford the trip at all. Joe still laughs remembering one makeshift operating area. “One time they gave me a room with a dirt foor that I was doing surgery in.”
Now Accepting Contractor Bids!
Groff Family Park, Victor
It wasn’t criticism, just the reality of practicing medicine where resources were scarce, and the need was overwhelming. Volunteers adapted. Equipment was repaired instead of replaced. Supplies were stretched as far as possible.
In 1992, the mission completed its frst dedicated operating room in Santo Tomás. For the frst time, volunteer ophthalmologists could regularly perform cataract surgery at the clinic instead of sending patients elsewhere. It marked the beginning of an eye program designed to outlast the people who created it.
Joe recruited fellow ophthalmologists. Lions Clubs, Rotary organizations and countless donors provided equipment and support. Local physicians, nurses and translators became indispensable partners and ensured the work continued long after visiting volunteers returned home.
Looking back, Joe rarely talks about the surgeries themselves. He remembers the people: children who returned years later as adults, families who welcomed volunteers back every summer and friendships formed despite diferences in language, culture and geography.
Today, the eye clinic in Santo Tomás looks very diferent from the one Joe frst encountered. What began with borrowed rooms and improvised workspaces has grown into a program capable of restoring sight year after year. Roads have improved. Equipment once considered impossible to obtain now arrives through donors and volunteers. Local health workers play a larger role than ever and have helped create a program that is stronger and more sustainable than the one Joe joined.
Perhaps the greatest measure of its success is that it no longer depends on the people who started it.
When Joe returned to active duty with the U.S. Air Force, other ophthalmologists stepped in. Today, another generation carries the mission forward.
Among this year’s team was Bitterroot Valley registered nurse Nancy Dezell, who joined the
The Bitter Root Land Trust is seeking bids from qualified trail builders and contractors for various project needs for the building of the new Groff Family Park in Victor. Projects include paved road approach & gravel parking lot, all-abilities trail system with connecting bridges, staired access on hillside, and more! For more information, visit: bitterrootlandtrust.org or contact rhiannon@bitterrootlandtrust.org | 406-375-0956
Bid deadline: August 14, 2026
mission in 2016 after retiring from a 29-year Air Force career.
“Everyone was humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters in Santo Tomás, Guatemala,” she said.
For Joe and Diana, watching new volunteers embrace the mission has become one of its greatest rewards. Diana’s journals, photographs and clippings now tell a story neither of them imagined when Joe boarded that frst plane. She also raised money by selling handwoven Guatemalan textiles throughout western Montana, supporting the clinic while providing income for Guatemalan families.
“I thought I would be going down and doing my medical thing and coming home,” Joe said, “but they really made us part of their community.”
Diana reached for one fnal photograph. It brought back a conversation from years ago, when she asked Sister Mary Waddell how she described her role as a missionary.
Without hesitation, she answered: “I am the hands of the people of Western Montana.”
For more information, visit seeingagainguatemala.org.
Joe and Diana Kupko of Victor have been among the physicians, nurses and volunteers working to restore the sight of Guatemalans for nearly four decades. Photo courtesy of Mike Hudgins.
Dr. Kupko with a patient in Guatemala. Photo courtesy of Nancy Dezell.
Sports
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
Stevi tennis courts getting facelift
The Stevensville High School tennis courts are getting a makeover this summer thanks to the fundraising eforts of the S.T.A.R.S. (Supporting The Arts, Recreation, and Sports) Foundation, a nonproft, Stevensville-based community group.
The Stevensville tennis courts have been in poor shape for a number of years. As a result, the Stevensville High School tennis team hasn’t been able to host home matches, and players have had to evade massive cracks during practices.
Enter the S.T.A.R.S. Foundation. The group’s goal is to support arts, sports, and recreation in Stevensville, and fxing the tennis courts was at the top of their list of projects to fund. They wanted the school to be able to bring tennis meets and practices back to the campus and the community, and they have been raising money for the project for years.
The foundation is happy to fnally be breaking ground.
“It feels surreal to fnally make movement,” said Lori Lewis, a foundation member. “Watching the transformation is a feeling of success from many hours of hard work. We can’t wait to see the pride and smiles of our student athletes in the spring when they are able to play on the beautiful courts.
These facilities are also available to community members during non-school hours. Everyone can now enjoy a place to play tennis or pickleball all summer long.”
Tennis court construction
The high school tennis courts, which are located of Phillips Street next to the football feld, are currently in the process of being resurfaced. The foundation originally planned to totally redo the courts, but the cost was too much, so they opted for resurfacing.
The $230,063 court renovation project will begin with removing the existing fence, net posts, and nets to make way for a new asphalt overlay. Once paved, crew members will install new post sleeves, reinstall the chain-link fencing, and add north and south entry gates for convenient access. To fnish, the courts will receive an acrylic resurfacer, two coats of traditional red and green color, updated line striping (including two cou-
rts dedicated to pickleball), and brand-new nets.
The construction is currently in a two-week curing process. Once the surface has cured, the surface color and lines will be added, and the courts are set to be complete before school starts.
The area surrounding the courts will also be improved, which will include concrete slabs at all entrances, decorative rock around
the perimeter of the courts for easy walking, and a slab for portable bleachers. The Stevensville grounds crew of Dave Haacke, Clif Wallace, Pat Ahlin, and Tracey Blyton, along with Superintendent Jon Konen, have provided extra help as needed.
The S.T.A.R.S. Foundation
The S.T.A.R.S. Foundation is a
raising money for large facility projects for several years. They have raised funds through yard sales, chili feeds, fun runs, a Hall of Fame Gala fundraising dinner, and support from a generous donor who provided a one-to-one match for their eforts.
The S.T.A.R.S. Foundation is also pursuing grant money from larger entities outside of the community. “We would like to
501(c)(3) nonproft community group based in Stevensville whose members include Sarah Armijo, Lori Lewis, Renee Endicott, Heidi Yaskus, Stefni Olson, Jane Bigelow, MP Osler, and Mikayla Meier. Besides the tennis courts, they are currently raising funds for a modern paved track at Stevensville High School. Beyond this, the foundation intends to construct a Performing Arts Center for use by both the school and the community.
S.T.A.R.S. fundraising
The foundation has been
invite anyone who is interested in helping with fundraising projects, grant writing, or able to donate monetarily to contact us,” said Lewis.
“S.T.A.R.S. is on a roll and would love to continue pushing for the goals we have,” said Lewis. “If anyone would like to assist in any way, time, funding, gravel, concrete, manpower, we will gladly accept. Please reach out to the foundation. There are banners at the track and court with contact information and a QR code. You can also send an email to stevistarsfoundation@gmail.com. Again, we are very thankful for all of the support to be at this point in construction. Thank you to everyone who has donated.”
Red Sox end season at state
The Bitterroot Red Sox 2026 Legion baseball season came to an end last week at the 2026 Montana/Alberta Class A State tournament. The tournament was held in Dillon from July 29 through August 2.
The Red Sox played three games at state. They lost their first game to the Dillon Cubs 4-5, defeated the Great Falls Chargers 16-2 in their second, and were knocked out after a 0-4 loss to the Belgrade Bandits.
The Red Sox logged another successful year. They finished the season with an impressive 39-4 record, were the Class A West District champions, and qualified for the state tournament.
All-State/All-Conference
Due to their success this season, many Bitterroot Red Sox players were selected for Montana/Alberta American Legion Class A West All-Conference and All-State honors.
The following Red Sox players were named to the All-State team: Cash Lawrence, Boedy Tadvick, and Jude Widmer. The following Red Sox players were named to the All-Conference team: Jackson Lubke, Chase Wagner, and Landon Ekin.
The following Red Sox players were given Honorable Mention recognition: Brady DeMoss and Bridger Huddleston. State game recaps
Red Sox 4, Dillon Cubs 5
The Red Sox played the host team, the Dillon Cubs, in their opening game of the tournament on Wednesday, July 29. The Red Sox jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth inning, but the Cubs scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Red Sox weren’t able to rally and lost 4-5. Both sides had strong pitching; the Red Sox only gave up six hits, while the Cubs allowed only four. At the plate for
the Red Sox, Jude “Take a Sad Song and Make it Better” Widmer hit a threerun triple. Joe “The Show” Hixon went 2-for-2, scored a run, and had an RBI, and Chase “The Thrill of the” Wagner went 1-for-2 and scored a run.
Red Sox 16, Great Falls Chargers 2
The Red Sox rallied in their second game at state on Thursday, July 30, as they defeated the Great Falls Chargers 16-2 in five innings.
Red Sox pitcher Cash “Money” Lawrence only allowed one hit and struck out six batters to get the win. At the plate for the Red Sox, Boedy “Zen Master” Tadvick hit a three-run home run.
“Hey” Jude Widmer went 3 for 4, scored two runs and had four RBIs. Lawrence and “Action” Jackson Lubke both went 2 for 4, scored two runs and had an RBI.
Red Sox 0, Belgrade Bandits 4
The Red Sox lost to the Belgrade Bandits 0-4 in their final game at state and were eliminated from the tournament on Friday, July 31. The Red Sox pitchers only gave up four runs
on nine hits, but the Red Sox were unable to generate enough offense to make up the difference. For the Red Sox, Jude “Don’t Call Me Bellingham” Widmer went
2 for 3. Brady “The Boss” DeMoss, Chase “The Dream” Wagner, and Bridger “Over Troubled Water” Huddleston each had a hit.
The Bitterroot Red Sox American Legion baseball season concluded in Dillon at the Class A State tournament on Friday, July 31. Red Sox players Jude Widmer (left) and Cash Lawrence (right), were both selected to the All-State team along with Boedy Tadvick. Photo by Hope Earp.
The Stevensville High School tennis courts are in the process of being renovated this summer thanks to the fundraising efforts of the S.T.A.R.S. Foundation.
Photos by Scott Sacry and Lori Lewis.
When to go bobber or hopper and dropper
a weighted nymph, same size or one size smaller that a parachute-style dry fly on top. The combination of bugs can vary throughout the season.
Let’s say I’m planning a trip to the Blackfoot, water temps permitting. I’d check that first. If the temperature is a go I’d plan to get on the water early. That is, as soon as I can see to rig my tackle – well before the sun peeks over the eastern ridge.
who will take something else.
by Chuck Stranahan
I’d anticipate a mayfly hatch later in the day. As soon as the water warms just a wee bit, those hatching mayfly nymphs will stir off the bottom and begin their drift to the surface. That nymphal drift will rise in a layer, maintaining about the same distance off the bottom as it rises.
Divers in scuba gear have spotted would-be clouds of insects slowly ascending toward the surface at the same depth for hours before a hatch begins. The trout tend to hang at that depth with them – slowly ascending with the ascending bugs to eat them.
Trout will always eat big stonefly nymphs – we know that. Those bugs take two, three four years to develop. They’re always there and trout feed on them at random.
But trout have this curious habit of zeroing in and feeding reflexively on what’s most available or most easily captured. They’ll ignore everything else. At least most of them will. There’s always the oddball trout
Knowing that, I’ll rig up to get my mayfly nymph down deep where the trout are. I’ll rig it behind a weighted stonefly nymph. A typical rig might be a #14Pheasant Tail tied eighteen inches behind a #8 weighted rubberlegs.
I’ll set my indicator at 1 ½ times the depth I want to fish. The flies don’t dangle straight down They drift and drape through the current at the end of the leader.
And I’ll use as little indicator as necessary – maybe not enough. I can still see it dart when a fish makes a grab.
I’ll expect most hits to oc -
cur on the smaller fly. If not I might change patterns or if I continue to strike out, I’ll take it off, No hatch days can happen. As the day brightens, I’ll gradually shorten the distance between the bobber and flies. When it become practical, I’ll switch to a mayfly parachute-style dry fly on top, and the mayfly nymph below – re -
membering, still, to keep the distance between the dry and dropper at about 1 ½ times the depth I want to fish and shortening as the natural nymphs ascend.
When I’m getting more hits on top than I am underneath, I’ll take the nymph off, lengthen my tippet, and get real serious about fishing the dry fly. If that pattern doesn’t hold,
there’s always
Chuck Stranah an is a nationally published writer, fly tyer and designer who lives in the Bitterroot Valley. He can be reached at chuckstran@gmail. com.
the #8 hopper on top and #8 rubberlegs below.
This cutthroat ate a dropper on the Blackfoot. Note: Fish kept underwater for photo. Photo by Jan Stranahan.
Obituaries
Mary Ann Landy Waymire
In keeping with her independent spirit, Mary Ann Landy Waymire departed from this world on July 4th, 2026 at Hope Hospice Center in Missoula, Montana, surrounded by love and fond memories. Born on August 31, 1940, in Granada Hills, California, Mary lived a life rich in love, laughter, and unparalleled dedication to her family and community.
Mary was the cherished daughter of Genevieve and Henry Landy. She found her soulmate in Bruce Waymire, marrying him on July 9, 1960, and together they embarked on an extraordinary journey. In 1967, they made the life-changing move from Northern California to the Bitterroot Valley in Montana with their two beloved daughters. There, the couple established their legacy by purchasing a ranch in Victor, where Mary became the heart and soul of their Gelbvieh cattle operation. Her tireless dedication earned their cattle numerous accolades at the Ravalli County Fair, with her birthday celebrations often coinciding with the fair, marked by gatherings over pepperoni pizza. Mary was a nurturing and resourceful mother to her daughters, Charlotte Harmon (Dan) and Karen Stulc (Terry), instilling in them the values of hard work and compassion. Her grandchildren, Annie, Jill, Cassidy, and Cayden, along with her great-granddaughter, Junia, were the lights of her life. She also shared a special bond with her loyal
Werner Henry Wolf
dog, Tucker, who was always by her side.
After Bruce’s passing in 2005, Mary honored his memory by exploring the world, visiting places like Alaska, Italy, Spain, Africa, and Australia. Her adventures were a testament to her unyielding spirit and thirst for life. Mary was known for her twinkling eyes and generous heart, always ready to lend a helping hand or ofer a comforting word. Her emotional strength and ferce independence were hallmarks of her character, making her passing on Independence Day a poignant refection of her life’s essence.
Her family extends their deepest gratitude to the caregivers at Bitterroot, Community, and St. Patrick Hospitals, as well as the Hope Hospice Center, for their compassionate care during Mary’s fnal days.
A celebration of Mary’s life will take place on August 31, 2026, at the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton, Montana, where family and friends will gather to honor the remarkable legacy she leaves behind.
In lieu of fowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Bitterroot Humane Society.
Mary will forever be remembered for her boundless love, unwavering dedication, ferce independence and the indelible mark she left on the hearts of all who knew her. As her family, we are profoundly grateful for the time we shared with her and will carry her memory with us always.
Werner Henry Wolf, 85, of Hamilton, passed away on July 26, 2026. He was born on August 10, 1940, in Nürnberg, Germany, to Heinrich and Greta Wolf.
Werner grew up in Germany and later served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966. His service took him back to Germany, stationed in Stuttgart, where he was injured in an accident.
Werner built a long and steady career as a tool - and - die maker with Western Electric/AT&T, where he worked for 30 years. His craftsmanship, precision, and pride in his work were well known among his colleagues.
Werner married Linda (Gibson), the love of his life, and together they built a life grounded in loyalty, humor, and shared adventure. A friend in Sula first invited Werner on a hunting trip to the Bitterroot Valley. From that trip, he fell in love with the valley. After returning home
Death Notices
Karen K. Somerset
Missoula - Karen K. Somerset, 75, passed away early in the morning, Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Community Medical Center in Missoula. Brothers Mortuary & Crematory are honored to care for Ms. Somerset. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.
he told Linda they needed to come back the next year. They did, and in August of 1995, Werner and Linda made Hamilton their home.
Werner was an avid marksman, a renowned gunsmith, and an amateur photographer. He loved hunting and fishing, finding peace and purpose in the outdoors. Werner was preceded in death by his parents, Heinrich and Greta Wolf. He is survived by his wife, Linda; his sons, Werner and Erik; his brother, Haus Günther; his niece and nephews Christopher, Theresa, and Mark; and his grandchildren Joseph Frost and Thomas Wolf.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to any Veterans Association or a charity of your choice, in Werner’s honor.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
Glenna McQuigg
Hamilton - Glenna McQuigg, 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, in the afternoon of Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Brothers Mortuary & Crematory are honored to care for Mrs McQuigg, memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary. com.
CONNECT TO THE BEST
WIRELESS HOME INTERNET WITH EARTHLINK. Enjoy speeds from 5Gand 4G LTE networks, no contracts, easy installation, and data plans up to 300 GB. Call 855-419-7978.
PORTABLE OXYGEN
CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-762-1508
SAFE STEP. NORTH AMERICA’S #1 WALK-IN TUB. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Of for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-601-2865.
REACH CUSTOMERS
ACROSS MONTANA with one easy ad! The MNA SCAN program places your classifed statewide—afordable, simple, and efective. One order, one bill, big results. Contact your
Classifieds
local newspaper or MNA at 406443-2850 or visit mtnewspapers. com today.
SNOWBIRDS! For Sale by owner, Sun City, AZ 2BR/2BA home with 2-car garage in 55+ community on Willow Creek Golf Course, 18th tee. Juli: 619-8467594.
FRESH EGGS from Howell’s Happy Hens are back! $5.00/doz. Pick up at Bitterroot Star ofce, 115 W. 3rd, Suite 108, Stevensville.
TWO AKC REGISTERED ENGLISH BULLDOGS free for adoption if interested contact: lben06331@gmail.com
SECURE OUTDOOR STORAGE. Ideal for RVs, boats, trucks, trailers. Fully enclosed with secure access gate. Located on Grantsdale Rd. $35/month. Call 406-3602732.
BITTERROOT VALLEY EDUCATION COOPERATIVE is looking for a Special Education Paraeducator for our preschool located in Stevensville, MT. Successful applicants must demonstrate the ability to support children of all abilities in a structured preschool setting. We are looking for an individual who is patient, dependable, and committed to helping children learn and grow. Applicants should have stamina and enthusiasm needed to keep pace in an active preschool setting.
Position Details: Part-time position, Schedule: Monday–Thursday, Minimum 7.5-hour day (hours may extend depending on bus routes), Starting wage: $17.00 per hour, Benefts: Position qualifes for health insurance coverage, If you are passionate about supporting young learners and making a positive diference in children’s lives, we encourage you to apply.
Trapper Creek Job Corps winners 250th American Essay Contest
