confluence with the Clark Fork River. The proposed rule change removes that exemption and places a full closure to motorized use in a specific portion of the river stating:
“All tributaries, and natural streams, sloughs, and channels flowing into the Bitterroot River between the Woodside Crossing Fishing Access Site and the John and Nancy Owen Fishing Access Site are closed to the use of any motorized watercraft.”
Although it does not mention Mitchell Slough, that branch of the river is apparently being included in the closure. Originally designated as the Right Fork of the St. Mary’s Fork of the Bitterroot River, it is a 17.5 mile long channel of the river running from just north of Corvallis to just south of Stevensville. It was only after a headgate was installed at the top of the channel to stop the spring flooding in order to allow downstream farmers and ranchers to increase their usable acreage that it became referred to locally as Mitchell Slough. According to old timers who fished up and down the slough, and longtime landowners, public access to the river channel was never an issue.
However, controversy began swirling around Mitchell Slough in the early 1990s when a group of new landowners purchased most of the land along the river bottom in the area. New fences posted with “No Fishing, No Hunting, No Trespassing” signs proliferated in the area and fishermen were chased off the slough.
Two young men tested the law by climbing over a posted fence at Bell Crossing in 1991 and a lawsuit was finally filed over the issue by the Bitterroot River Protection Association in 2002. The Bitterroot Conservation District, which issues 310 Permits for working in natural waterways, declared that Mitchell Slough was a ditch because “it had a headgate on it and flowed with diverted water.” Landowners along the slough joined the lawsuit and argued that, because the old
river channel had been altered by the installation of headgates, dredging, re-location in areas and other alterations, it was no longer a natural waterway and was not subject to 310 Law or to Stream Access Law because it was no longer natural.
At the invitation of Huey Lewis, one of the landowners involved in the case, Governor Brian Schweitzer came to the Bitterroot for an on the ground inspection and made his own decision about whether FWP should be supporting BRPA in the case. It looked like the Bitterroot River to him. He decided FWP was right in supporting the case. He was quoted in the New York Times, saying, “If you want to buy a big ranch and you want to have a river and you want privacy, don’t buy in Montana. The rivers belong to the people of Montana.”
The Montana Supreme Court ultimately sided with the Governor, FWP and BRPA, and in a landmark ruling found the landowners’ arguments “absurd,” noting that a ruling in their favor would remove virtually every stream and river in the state from environmental protection and public access.
Despite that ruling the landowners have not given up on discouraging public access to the slough. Owners of the Bitterroot Springs Ranch recently tried to get a 310 Permit to place 16 new fences across the slough in order to better define their property line demarcations, but the permit was denied.
Landowners along the slough, however, are claiming that the current proposal to stop motorized boat access to the slough during the hunting season is not a public access and privacy issue. It is instead a clear issue of fishery and habitat preservation. Although FWP has been denied access to the river through the Bitterroot Springs Ranch for scientific research on the grounds that the Stream Access Law only applies to “recreational access,” the Ranch manager, Roy Fenster, recently produced his own report (Mitchell Slough Sampling and Protocol Data, August 2025) in support of the ban, concluding that, “The
habitat present and channel characteristic data summarized in this report clearly support a change in regulation that would prohibit any and all motorized watercraft from ever operating on the Mitchell. It is simply not a waterway suitable for motorized watercraft without damage to sensitive and important wildlife and fishery habitats.”
His report mentions in the first sentence that the Mitchell Slough will hereafter be referred to as “the Mitchell,” as did most of the studies presented in defense of the landowners’ claims in the Mitchell Slough lawsuit, and describes it as “a heavily modified irrigation purposed waterway initially fed by diversion off the Bitterroot River through a headgate maintained by the Etna Ditch Company.” Ranch managers on the Bitterroot Springs Ranch also continue to refer to it as a ditch when they confront fishermen and floaters as they did this reporter on a canoe float down the slough.
The report was prepared to support a landowner petition for a rule change, but instead FWP presented it as their own recommendation at the February 12, Commission meeting.
The latest proposal in rule change was met with some skepticism by members of the Fish and Wildlife Commission at the meeting.
Region 3 Commissioner Susan Kirby Brooke said immediately that she did not feel comfortable with the proposal, stating “I feel like this came before us with sketchy details and data.”
Jeff Hindoien, chief legal counsel for FWP, said that the agency proposed the rule after Region 2 managers expressed concern about jet boats causing safety issues in such shallow streams and that there had been enforcement issues related to conflict between boaters and landowners.
Region 2 Commissioner Jeff Burrows, who is familiar with Mitchell Slough, also expressed misgivings, stating that the proposal didn’t appear to be backed by scientific data. Other members of the board also expressed skepticism about the proposal.
FWP fisheries chief Adam Strainer admitted that wade-fishing could have similar impacts to jet boats running over shallows. He said native fish could also be affected, but there was a lack of data on the fisheries in the area because FWP biologists have not been allowed access to the area.
FWP fisheries manager Pat Saffel said that there was little data specific to fish in Mitchell Slough but added that they don’t consider it a major spawning area.
Burrows also wondered about the motivation behind the new rule.
“Are we trying to resolve a hunter’s access versus landowner conflict or are we trying to protect a resource?” he asked. He also wondered why, if damage to fish egg nests called “redds” was the issue, wade-fishing which has the same impacts, was still being allowed and also why no other river channels were being considered.
“What I’m hearing right now isn’t jibing, because if there are impacts, you’d close the entire thing, not just a certain section,” Burrows said.
Other members of the Commission also expressed skepticism about the proposal. Region 4 Commissioner K.C. Walsh suggested a working group be established to work out a clear and acceptable solution to everyone’s concerns.
Zach Polanski, who uses a jet boat to access the area near the mouth of Mitchell Slough, said the complaints received by FWP were coming mostly from rich landowners who want privacy for their own fishing and duck hunting. He said the actual use of the area by jet boats is very limited.
“There aren’t 20 boats ripping up this branch,” he said. He and his hunting partner Mark Liedtka both claim that it was Bitterroot Springs Ranch that was mainly pushing for the closure and that the river is basically inaccessible by motor boats within a mile and a half up stream.
They both agree that creeks and tributaries should probably be closed to motor boats but claim that the bottom of Mitchell Slough is deeper, slower moving and too muddy to be conducive to trout spawning and should remain open.
Several conservation organizations have, however, come out in support of the restrictions, citing potential damage to the habitat and the fisheries.
The Commission received over 80 written comments from the public, with over 60 of them against the proposal. Less than 30 were in favor of the restrictions.
Liedtka stated in his written comments, “The river changes year by year and channels/branches are constantly being formed. How is the general public going to know what is opened and closed in the future if this proposal is passed? Just to be clear, the Mitchell branch of the Bitterroot River is not a tributary. It is one of the main branches of the Bitterroot River. In this proposal, FWP states their view that motorized use is unsafe and potentially damaging to habitat. Where is the evidence or how has it been determined to be unsafe? Are there documented accidents that include motorized watercraft?... If mo-
torized use is banned, we will be walking up the channel making contact with the streambed with every footstep. How is that going to be less damaging to native fish?... Historically, jet boat usage on Mitchell branch has only occurred in the lower section where it returns to the main Bitterroot River at Stevensville. The section I access is up from the main river 1 ½ miles, beyond that, there are man-made waterfalls and fences obstructing the ability to go any further. The Mitchell branch forks twice and gets smaller in regards to waterflow and I would support restrictions placed on that section. I would like to propose you keep the first 1 ½ miles of the Mitchell branch of the Bitterroot River open to motorized watercraft under the same regulations as the main Bitterroot River. This section of the river has the waterflow, depth, and width to support safe motorized use without damage to the streambed. This section has excellent waterfowl hunting and should be accessed by all, including hunters with physical limitations.”
Most of the statements in opposition to the closure cited the lack of any credible data that the boats were a safety hazard or doing any harm to the habitat. Many of them stated that privatization was obviously the driving force behind the complaints that were being received. Most of the statements in favor of the restrictions cited potential harms to the fishery habitat by streambed disturbance, and bank erosion and noise disturbance of the fish. While most of the comments were yes or no type responses, several were more nuanced. Joshua Rokosch from Hamilton, for instance, wrote, “regulating side channels as their own entity sets a complex and poor precedent for watershed management. The management should pertain to sections of the watershed as a whole… The Bitterroot River is a dynamic watershed with new channel shifts each year. Trying to regulate channels of the river independently is a poor management practice and a slippery slope for privatization of public waterways… Simply restrict the motorized use on the river using a proper section landmark. Ex. Stevensville Bridge FAS or Florence Bridge FAS. Several years back the regulations included no motorized use upstream of Florence Bridge. That is what should have stayed in place.”
Some supporters of the closure stated that it should be extended to the entire Bitterroot River for all the same reasons.
Alex Hibala from Hamilton stated, “As an angler and hunter I cherish the tenants of the stream access law in Montana however the use of motorized craft in smaller tributary systems should not be allowed. In addition to noise nuisance and the possible use of firearms closer to residential areas along these tributaries, use of motors cannot help but disturb aquatic insect populations and trout spawning habitat far beyond that of walk & wade-in access. I hope the commission approves the proposed rule to prohibit motorized use on tributaries. If it is possible for the Commission to expand the range of this closure beyond the currently proposed limits I would be in support of that as well.”
Despite the Commissioners’ skepticism concerning the proposal as written, they unanimously approved moving it forward in the rule-making process which may include changes to the proposed wording and publishing a final draft and, following a public comment period, holding a public hearing before taking any final action on the proposed rule change. No time frame is set for initiating that review/amendment and approval process and FWP may take the opportunity to do more data and evidence collection.
LAND: know the regulations before you buy,
tructed after December 31, 1982 must be in compliance. Everything before that is grandfathered in, and owners are guaranteed a permit for a replacement system to bring their septic up to code as much as possible. The owner is responsible for installing the new system, and Kent added that there is a fee schedule for this on the Ravalli County Environmental Health website.
A septic permit is good for two years, and can be extended for one additional year. Kent added that there is a lot of good info on these on the website as well, and said Palacio encouraged people to ask questions and reach out. “They are there to work for the public, and they do the best they can,” Kent said about the county employees.
Kent wanted to highlight that once a person gets a permit for their septic system, the county will give them a folder that includes a lot of additional and useful information. This can include things like recommendations on maintenance like pumping schedules, inspections and more. However, Kent wanted to encourage people to have their system checked at least every three to five years.
Another topic was ground water monitoring. Kent wanted to remind people that if they shut off irrigation during monitoring, then pass monitoring, they cannot turn irrigation back on. A property that plans to use irrigation must pass ground water monitoring with their irrigation operating if they want to get their septic permit.
Rob Livesay, with the Ravalli County Planning Department, also gave a presentation. Livesay spoke about the subdivision process. Kent recalled a few of the important details from this presentation as well.
Kent recommends the public look up the “Citizen’s Guide to Subdivision Reviews,” which includes information on the review process for both minor and major subdivisions. This document is available on the Ravalli County Planning website. He added that this will help people understand how these processes work, why they are done, and exemptions.
Kent mentioned the family transfer as a way to be exempt from subdivision regulations. A family transfer allows gifting a portion of land to a family member, with the condition that the land can’t be sold for two years after the transfer, according to Kent. Applying for this exemption allows an owner to avoid going through subdivision review.
Kent said a new affidavit form was passed in 2025. It was created to keep people from using the family transfer as a way to get around subdivision review. However, the form is still being hashed out, as according to Kent it was written in a very confusing way, “but people need to be aware of it,” as that
form is required now.
Kent added that county planning regulations have not been updated since 2012 to match with state regulations. Kent said there have been a lot of changes in that time in the state statutes. He noted that the county is still following the state regulations, however, the language in their documentation is in the process of being updated. Currently, the Ravalli County Planning Board is working to update the county planning regulations to match the language to state law. Once this is done, the changes will go through a public comment period.
The wording is currently being reviewed to get rid of any ambiguity, and Kent expects it will be at least six months before public comment may start. Kent is vice president of the Ravalli County Planning Board and has been on the board for several years. He said they are trying to meet twice a week to get through all the language, but so far they are only about two chapters through a total of about 13. That board also makes their recommendations to the county commissioners on subdivisions. These recommendations are done through the review pro-
cess, and most are to mitigate problems they see in proposals. For example, they did not recommend the recent Sapphire Heights subdivision proposal because they did not find solutions to mitigate various concerns.
Kent gave some mitigation examples and things they look at, such as water availability, sanitation, elk migration and other wildlife concerns, water effects downstream, agricultural operations and impacts, the effect on local emergency response like fire and law enforcement, and even light pollution.
One example of mitigation Kent has seen was putting in a huge water tank, and a committed well to feed it, for local fire departments to use. This also services other areas, giving the departments a reliable water source year round. It was a win for all parties, and mitigated the concern of bringing water to service those areas in case of fire.
There are always multiple reviews before anything can be
“They are there to work for the public, and they do the best they can.”
-- Michael Kent, President, Bitterroot Valley Board of Realtors, regarding county employees
approved. Public comment is also important during review.
“It’s a very open process all the way through,” said Kent. He added that written comments from both individuals and agencies/organizations are encouraged and they read all of these.
The final speaker was Jim Nave from the Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), who spoke about water rights. This is a constant issue in the area, and in Montana. Kent recalled that 13,000 to 14,000 water rights still need adjudica-
tion, and these rights could be challenged. There were around 24,000 letters sent to property owners in the valley.
Another change was from HB 681. Kent said that a prior bill, SB 358, which did not pass, was aimed at banning any new wells in several parts of the state, including in Ravalli County. This bill saw “massive outcry against it,” as Kent described. However, HB 681 which was proposed to change the permitting process, did pass and now requires a form that specifies intended use. The law will become effective this year and adds a cost onto adding and using a residential well, 35 gallons per minute or less, not to exceed 10 acre feet per year.
Kent said the DNRC representative noted changes of use need to be filed and some wells that have already been drilled, but never put to use, will need to go through this process.
The next event open to the public sponsored by the Bitterroot Valley Board of Realtors will be on March 14, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Elks Club in Hamilton. That meeting will cover municipalities, with representatives from Darby, Stevensville and Hamilton and the Corvallis/Victor sewer districts. It will also include representatives from the Montana Department of Revenue to talk about property taxes.
Finally, Kent wanted to mention that the Bitterroot Valley Board of Realtors will also be holding a candidate forum in May for all those running for various offices in the House and Senate, County Commissioners and other seats. Kent said they will speak on regulations regarding real estate and visitors should “bring your questions, but bring them cordially, no attacks.” This event is meant to “give all the candidates from both parties a chance to speak.”
Michael Kent, President, Bitterroot Valley Board of Realtors.
Writers’ Circle
Writers’ Circle takes place 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 5:30 at Explore the Arts, 7th and Main Streets, Hamilton. Join in if you have a piece to share, any genre. More information: Star 406-5465344.
Calling local seniors
Attention valley seniors! The Hamilton Senior Center is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, serving a fresh made lunch at a discounted price for seniors. Come and see what fun you can have at the Center socializing and making new friends. Non-seniors are welcome as well. Other activities run daily for Hand and Foot, bridge, ping pong, pinochle, bingo, line dancing classes. Proceeds go to support the center operation. Currently looking for volunteers to become members of the Board of Directors. Other volunteering positions available as well. Call Joesph Bruno, 406-375-5090, for more information.
Center for Spiritual Life
Center For Spiritual Life is a community-led ministry. Each Sunday they have speakers who share their experience of spiritual awakening and growth. They embrace universal principles of oneness and unconditional love in order to create meaningful, fulfilling lives and a world that works for everyone. They respect and welcome all spiritual paths. Center for Spiritual Life is located at 328 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. Service is each Sunday from 9:30 until 10:30. Before service, there is silent meditation from 9:00 to 9:15. Following the service, snacks and beverages are shared along with the opportunity for conversation with the speaker and members.
Weapons Collectors
Society
The Weapons Collectors Society of Montana meets every other month (January, March, May, July, September, November) on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Members display their collections and knowledge of antique, hunting, and recreational firearms and knives. Everyone is welcome.
Marine Corps League
The Marine Corps League welcomes Marines, FMF Navy Personnel and citizens who support the missions of the USMC and the League. The Marine Corps League is the only Federal chartered Marine active/reserve and veteran organization. General meetings are held every 4th Thursday of the month, January through October, 7:30 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge, 125 N. 2nd St., Hamilton. SOS Breakfast with Marines is every 1st Saturday of the month, all year. It is informal; spouses and friends are welcome; all menu options available, plus Marine camaraderie and esprit de corps, 8:30 a.m., Hangar Cafe, Ravalli County Airport, Hamilton. Check out group site on Facebook at: Marine Corps League, Bitterroot Valley Detachment #937, Hamilton. Semper Fidelis!
Quantum Group
Attend the Quantum Group of the Bitterroot to learn how consciousness and the universe work at the subatomic level, and how they correlate to the reality we live in. Listen to presentations, and participate in discussions, on the topic of Quantum Physics and its cousin Metaphysics. No previous knowledge or interest in these fields are required. Quantum Theory and its applications are fascinating and are at the cutting edge of the future of science. Come learn with others. Meets last Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Bitterroot Public Library, downstairs meeting room.
Free community breakfast
Come enjoy a pancake breakfast and meet your neighbors in Victor. Victor Masonic Lodge is hosting the breakfast every 3rd Saturday of each month, starting at 9 a.m. Location is above Farmers Bank on Main Street in Victor.
Woman’s Club
The GFWC Bitterroot Woman’s Club meets the second Saturday of each month, September through May, in the dining hall at the First Presbyterian Church, 1220 W Main Street, Hamilton. The club welcomes new members and for more information check out the website at www.gfwcbitterrootwomansclub. com or contact Carole at 406-2257453.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family, Friends, Caregivers
Support Group Meeting Stevensville - SECOND Monday of the Month, 6:30-8:00 pm, St. Stephens Episcopal Church meeting room, 203 Main Street. Hamilton - FOURTH Monday of the Month, 6:00-7:30 pm, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, basement entrance on Desmet Street, Due to unpredictable weather, please call and leave a message, “NAMI meeting.” Someone will call/text back and confirm the meeting). Sue 406-369-0406 (Stevensville), Nicole 406 214-2649 (Hamilton), or namistevimt@gmail. com
Victor AA Victor AA meets on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at the Victor VFW post.
AARP Tax-Aide
The Stevensville AARP TaxAide site is ready once again to start scheduling appointments for your 2025 tax returns. They will begin preparing returns on February 10. Appointments can be made ONLY by calling 406-2015734. Leave your name and phone number and a volunteer will call you back to schedule the date and time of your appointment. This free service is available to ALL low to moderate income families.
Lenten Fish Dinners
The Stevensville Knights of Columbus annual fish fries start February 20th and will be offered each Friday of Lent until March 27th at the St. Mary’s Family Center. Serving hours are 5 to 7 p.m. and you may dine-in or drive through to pick up a meal. Bring the whole family and enjoy the delicious food. The Knights appreciate your support.
Smart Driver Class
Bitterroot Health Hospital, located at 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton, will host an ALL NEW, four-hour Smart Driver Class on Friday, February 27th from 9 to 11 a.m. While this safe driving strategies class is designed for drivers age 50 and over, all drivers are welcome. This course updates drivers with the latest changes in Montana traffic laws and vehicle safety technology. There are no written exams or driving tests and Montana mandates insurance discounts for qualified participants age 55 and older. The class fee is $20.00 for AARP members; $25.00 for non-members. Pre-registration is advised. To register, call Hamilton Insurance at 406-363-6583. For further information, call Thom Ainsworth at 406-369-0149.
Burgers ‘N Beers
Ravalli County Democrats’
Burgers ’N Beers, an evening of socializing at the Hamilton House Pub at 140 Main, Victor. 4:30pm to (?) EVERY OTHER TUESDAY afternoon starting March 3rd, then the 17th, the 31st and so on. This will be in the game room in the back, north portion of the restaurant. Call 406-880-6823 with any questions.
Chili Cook-Off
The 4th annual Chili Cook-Off, Auction and Fundraising Event to benefit the Stevensville Police Department will be held Saturday, March 21 from 5 to 8 p.m at the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 100 Middle Burnt Fork Road, Stevensville. To enter the chili contest, pick up an entry form at Town Hall or the Police Department during normal business hours. There is a $30 fee to enter the competition. The top three chili entries will earn cash prizes. Tickets for general admission will be on sale at the door for $6 and include chili, a side and a soft drink; children 10 and under are free. There will be raffle prizes and a live auction. Special guests include “DJ Bob the Music Man.” Bring the whole family out for an evening of fun with your community. For more information contact police Chief John Boe at: policechief@townofstevensville.gov.
Donations wanted
Puzzles, Games and Craft Supplies Rummage Sale on April 18th at the Three Mile Community Center. They are accepting donations for this sale. You can bring them to the center on Friday, April 17th from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon and Saturday of the sale 8-10 a.m. What an awesome way to clean out your closets and help upgrade the parking lot. More information at 3milecc.org or call 406-360-3385.
North Valley Library
Library Board Meeting — Wed, Feb 25 at 3pm
Agendas and the Public Participation are posted on the Library’s website. If you are a member of the public and are unable to attend the Board meetings, the Board would still like to hear from you. Email the Director at denisea@northvalleylibrary.org or you can email board members directly. A link to Trustee contact information can be found at montana.gov.
Post #91
Fishing Club
The Fishing Club of Corvallis American Legion Post #91 meets at 6:30 pm, on the first and third Monday of the month, at the Hamilton Masonic Lodge, at 115 South 3rd Street, in Hamilton. Open to all veterans and their families, the Post 91 Fishing Club is all about getting veterans out there and on the water. During the winter months the club teaches an advanced fly rod building class which runs during the winter and early spring. Also, during that time, fly tying is also taking place with instruction. The fishing club provides all the equipment to tie flies. There are several float trips planned for this year. A few of the trips are overnight so veterans can camp and fish some of the best fishing around. In the early summer, a trip to the Missouri River is planned, which will entail a camping experience as well. During the rest of the year, there are casting classes, and clinics to keep the new or old fishermen busy. For more information, call Chris Haxton at 406-531-2184.
Corvallis American Legion Riders
Corvallis American Legion Post #91’s Legion Riders meets at 6:30 pm, on the first Wednesday of the month, in the backroom at BJ’s restaurant, in Hamilton.Open to all veterans and their families, the Post 91 Legion Riders chapter is well
Rapp Family Foundation grant cycle open
The Rapp Family Foundation is in its 35th year of supporting non-profit organizations in Ravalli County. All organizations that have an IRS 501(c)3 letter qualify. Churches are automatically considered 501(c)3 charities, if they meet the criteria required by the IRS and continually adhere to 501(c)3 requirements. Public schools’ tax exempt status under 501(c)3 is not required for such organizations to qualify for private foundation grants. Government entities are also eligible to apply. The Regular Quarterly Grant has a maximum of $5000. Qualified organizations may request an application by emailing: rappapps2024@gmail.com. The deadline for the return of the completed applications is March 13, 2026. Application questions for 2026 have changed so be sure the application you submit is #0212026. If you have questions email: rappapps2024@gmail.com.
known for their charitable work. During the winter months the chapter plans its events for the upcoming year. Some of those events include an annual bear hunt, starting in May and going into June, in Idaho for disabled veterans and their families. Also in June, the chapter conducts the annual Poker Run that takes place in western Montana.
This August, the Post 91 Legion Riders will put on the first Montana Legacy Ride. Since 2006, Riders nationwide have participated in The American Legion Legacy Run, raising money for the Veterans & Children Foundation, which funds American Legion service officer training and provides grants for atrisk minor children of Legionnaires and active-duty military. Besides these events the Post 91 Legion Riders also do local rides and get togethers. For more information, call Don Goodnight at 406-360-5275.
Cruisers Car Club
Corvallis American Legion Post #91’s Cruisers Car Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the backroom at BJ’s Restaurant, in Hamilton. The club consists of members of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion. The club is busy planning for car shows for the upcoming year and wants your involvement. If you own a classic vehicle (20 years or older), and want a social atmosphere centered around your interest in classic vehicles, then you are welcome to be part of the club. For more information, call Bobbi Tucker at 406-369-2411.
Winter storytelling
series
Each Saturday through March 14, Travelers’ Rest State Park will host stories from elders, authors, historians, and naturalists. Join in the programs at the visitor center or online following a Zoom link. Admission to the storytelling programs is $5 per person and free for those under 18 and members of Travelers’ Rest Connection. Find out more about this program and the complete series, including how to join in via Zoom: travelersrest.org/ events/winter-storytelling/.
The first program is hosted by guest speaker, John N. Maclean, who will present online. Login from home or stop by the visitor center to watch the Zoom presentation. Maclean spent thirty years at the Chicago Tribune before taking up a second career as an author. Since then, he has written five nonfiction books about wildland fires. His newest book, “Home Waters: A Chronicle of Family and a River,” continues the family story begun in his father’s book, “A River Runs Through It.” Illustrations from these two books, as well as the 100th anniversary edition of Hemingway’s “Big Two Hearted River,” will also be on display at Travelers’ Rest State Park from Jan. 3- April 30. The one-hour programs run every Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.: Feb. 28: Lee Silliman: Lewis & Clark Illustrated March 7: Dan Hall: Discovering Travelers’ Rest March 14: Ramona Holt: 25 Years of Travelers’ Rest State Park Complimentary warm drinks and treats will be available at all programs. The visitor center will be open after the programs, from noon until 4 p.m. Travelers’ Rest is a significant site for Native Americans and a Lewis and Clark Expedition archaeologically verified campsite. The park hosts many public programs, such as the winter storytelling series. For more information, contact Travelers’ Rest State Park (6717 Hwy 12, Lolo) at 406-273–4253 or visit travelersrest.org under the events page.
Bitterroot Quilters Guild scholarship Applications are being accepted for the Bitterroot Guild Scholarship. A $1000 scholarship will be awarded by the Bitterroot Guild. This scholarship is for a graduating Senior who plans to continue their education through trade school, technical school, community college, or four year college or university. Application guidelines can be obtained from Senior Counselor. Applications need to be received or postmarked by April 15, 2025. Applicants do not need to be a quilter to qualify.
The record high temperature for today is 63° set in 1905. Expect partly cloudy skies tonight with a 65% chance of scattered snow, overnight low of 24°. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph. The wind chill for tonight could reach 18°. The record low for tonight is -11° set in 1993.
with a reading of 24 degrees. Severe cold in Florida claimed three lives and resulted in 250 to 300 million dollars crop damage.
Feb. 26, 1988 - Eight cities in the central and western U.S. reported new record high temperatures for the date, including Lamoni, Iowa with a reading of 67 degrees. Temperatures in North Dakota were as warm as those in Florida.
Support for Big Corral Park
To the Citizens of the Bitterroot Valley, the Ravalli County Commissioners, and the Ravalli County Park Board:
The Bitterroot Valley is defined not only by where we live, but by how we live.
We hike, we walk, we ride, we watch our kids play, and we gather outdoors because open space is not a luxury here, it is part of our way of life. That is why continued support for Big Corral Park matters.
Big Corral Park is one of the few places in and around Hamilton that serves everyone: families with young children, seniors looking for safe walking paths, youth sports teams, casual recreation, and community events. It is accessible, well-used, and already woven into daily life for hundreds of residents. This is not a speculative project or a vanity expense. It is an investment in something people are already using and asking for more of.
As Ravalli County grows, the pressure on public space grows with it. Parks are where growth becomes manageable rather than overwhelming. They reduce congestion elsewhere, improve public health, support youth development, and enhance quality of life without requiring expensive long-term services.
Well-maintained parks are also one of the few public investments that consistently return value, socially, economically, and emotionally to the entire community.
For county commissioners and park board members, supporting Big Corral Park is a chance to demonstrate practical, community-focused leadership. This is about listening to residents who want safe, nearby places to recreate; about planning responsibly for growth; and about maintaining amenities that make the Bitterroot a place people want to stay, raise families, and retire.
For fellow citizens, now is the time to speak up. Parks do not expand or improve on their own. They exist because communities decide they matter. When we invest in shared spaces, we invest in each other.
Big Corral Park is not just land. It is opportunity for connection, health, and a stronger community. Let’s come together choose to support it.
Big Corral Park Supporters: Paula English Carney, Brian Wrede, Clay Moore, Jeff Jones
Gold Butterfly project will have devastating consequences
A hearing held in Montana U.S. District Court (Missoula) last month considered challenges to the Forest Service (FS) proceeding with its planned Gold Butterfly (GB) logging project (extending in the Sapphire Mountains from a little southeast of Stevensville all the way to east of Hamilton). This GB Project has been described as the largest Bitterroot logging project undertaken in decades. While issues raised in the District Court were primarily focused on environmental concerns, it is important to also realize how devastating the GB Project will be for public health, road safety, and tax dollars.
FS filings for the GB Project anticipate 6,000 to 7,000 truckloads of logs taken from this project over 8 years—all to come out one county road (Willow Creek Road). I live on property through which Willow Creek Road passes, having resided there and working in this community for over 45
Opinion
years, and care about those who will be harmed by this Project.
Over 500 households (encompassing an estimated 1200-1300 people) access Willow Creek Road, which is dirt/gravel or chip seal for most of the affected Project length. Utilizing a federal General Accounting Office formula, there is an exponential effect from the likely weight of each loaded log truck, equating to 4,000-7,000 cars passing (likely quickly pulverizing to smithereens even the chip seal portion of the road). A prior Ravalli County publication indicated that a single car traveling an unpaved road once per day for a year will produce one ton of fine dust particles per mile. Thus, small particulate dust created by GB loaded logging trucks will likely be disastrous for many, especially those living near Willow Creek Road.
Ever-increasing studies/articles demonstrate serious health problems resulting from small particulate exposure (referred to as PM 2.5 particles) which penetrate deep into lungs and enter the bloodstream. These can cause severe respiratory issues (such as bronchitis, asthma, or other reduced lung function), cardiovascular disease (such as heart attacks, strokes, or arrhythmia), as well as numerous other diseases (such as cancer, neurologic disorders, damage to brain health, systemic inflammation, kidney failure, urinary tract infections, fluid and electrolyte disorders, etc.). These results can occur from even limited dust submission, much less eight years of exposure (problems further exacerbated by GB controlled burns creating smoke also laden with dangerous particulates).
The economic analysis for the GB Project predicted a nearly $2 million shortfall (some argue much more) not including any road maintenance outside of the FS boundaries, meaningful dust mitigation monitoring, or other public health/safety measures. Despite federal and Montana laws/regulations requiring FS responsibilities for human environmental protection, the FS claims Ravalli County should bear road maintenance burdens. The County says it can’t afford to handle the ongoing road maintenance that should occur, especially given its other obligations and the Project life. And the FS (obviously wanting to hide the dangerous consequences of their Project), refuses to install very inexpensive but reliable air monitors along the road), instead suggesting the adequacy of monitors across Montana in measuring dust from this one little road.
The rationale for the GB Project (like other logging/controlled burn projects), is that it will save the public from forest fires. However, multiple studies demonstrate that such forest “treatments” actually have made forests more vulnerable to wildfires (drying out the forest floor, creating openings that work to funnel strong winds which greatly fan fire flames, etc.) Furthermore, with a drier, hotter evolving climate, the nature of these projects cannot rely on past indices of regrowth and regeneration. Thus, the human sacrifices resulting from the GB Project would be devastating and are simply not justifiable.
Gail Goheen Hamilton
Naïveté
“The quality of being naïve; lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment; innocence or unsophistication.” Some people consider a naïve person to be endearing, cute or innocent. These qualities have their place, but not with the politics of President Trump and his compatriots who are counting on the “naïveté” of the American people to allow him to carry out actions that are destructive to our democracy.
Such is the case when he insists/
demands that States send him the voter registration information for all their citizens. His Department of Justice has sued “Blue States” for this information, leaving “Red States” to make their own decisions. Eileen O’Connor of the Brennan Center for Justice states: “The DOJ has asked states to agree to a ‘confidential memorandum of understanding’ (MOU) in connection with handing over their full voter files. That agreement reveals both the DOJ’s plans to interfere with the states’ authority to run elections and how dangerously insecure the sensitive data will be in the department’s hands. It provides yet more evidence of the administration’s campaign to interfere with upcoming elections.” Elections, whether federal or local, are the responsibility of individual states, in our case, Montana! They are not subject to any federal interference. However, some 10 plus states (“Red States”) so far have turned over this information (including name, date of birth, residential address, driver license number, and partial Social Security numbers) to President Trump and Attorney General, Pam Bondi.
It has been reported that the latest Secretary of State to give away our information is our own SOS Christi Jacobson. The aforementioned MOU requires the Sec of State to delete the names of individuals that Feds determine are not eligible to vote. No criteria is given by the Feds as to how they decide who is not eligible to vote!
To ask Ms. Jacobson what info she did provide and why she would give away our (your) private/personal information to President Trump, you can call her at 406-444-2034 before your name is deleted from the voter rolls!
Tom Tunny Hamilton
What is real story on Sheep Creek?
Having been involved in both national security and technology development aspects of critical materials for years, I was nevertheless only vaguely aware of the Sheep Creek project – primarily from Forest Service notices and spirited social media debate – until last fall. Participating in Montana Tech’s October Energy and Critical Materials Summit gave me the opportunity to learn more about the unique characteristics of the deposit, current advancements in modern mining and materials science, and the proposed exploration plan to determine whether this site could become a responsible domestic source of critical minerals — and an economic contributor for our region.
At the Butte summit, I led a panel which highlighted Montana’s opportunity to build upon our historic natural resource production in ways that increase prosperity and sustainability for the Last Best Place. The key is to emphasize responsible innovation, value-added enterprise, and community conversations, unlocking the gifts, initiative, and values of each community – brightening the future for next generations. Our state already is demonstrating such evolution in agriculture, biotechnology, manufacturing, and information services; energy and critical minerals could be the next chapter - with responsible, constructive development.
Much of the current discussion about mining understandably draws on images from another era. But mining technology, environmental safeguards, and regulatory oversight have advanced significantly. Not all deposits are the same, and not all extraction methods are alike. Experts studying the Sheep Creek deposit indicate that, if development proceeds, it could involve modern drilling and mechanical
processing techniques designed to minimize surface disturbance and avoid older excavation-extensive and chemical-intensive methods. The proposed exploration plan is designed explicitly to gather the scientific data needed to determine feasibility, and to ensure any future activity meets today’s rigorous environmental standards.
The broader context matters. Critical minerals are essential to national defense systems, advanced manufacturing, energy infrastructure, and everyday technologies. Today, the United States relies heavily upon foreign sources, often from countries with far weaker environmental and labor protections than our own. Developing a carefully regulated domestic supply is not just an economic opportunity; it is a matter of national security and responsible global leadership.
The Sheep Creek project is part of the federal FAST-41 transparency process, meaning permitting timelines and documentation are publicly available through the Performance.gov dashboard. US Critical Materials has also made information available online. Institutions such as Montana Tech, the Idaho National Laboratory, and relevant state agencies can play an important role in ensuring the public has access to clear, science-based information as the exploration process moves forward.
Mining, like any major industrial activity, requires careful planning, modern safeguards, and strong oversight. Montana has both the regulatory framework and the technical expertise to hold projects to high standards. If exploration confirms that Sheep Creek can be developed responsibly, it should be evaluated on the basis of current science and modern practice, not assumptions rooted in the distant past.
Montanans value our land, water, and communities. We also value economic opportunity, innovation, and national security. These priorities are not mutually exclusive. But achieving that balance requires honest, informed public dialogue grounded in facts. The Sheep Creek conversation can set an example for how we approach complex issues: with openness, rigor, and respect for both our heritage and our future.
Paul E. Roege, P.E. Corvallis
Complicit with fraud
Minnesota governor Tim Walz and Keith Ellison (AG) and Mayor Frey of Minneapolis were at the very least complicit with all the Somali fraud in Minnesota. They are also creating a mob mentality by their incitement to violence. They have blood on their hands. They are trying hard by this to deflect the investigation of billions in fraud.
Remember the election of TrumpVance. The US voted against four years of illegal aliens, criminal aliens, open borders, woke politics, antisemitism, promoting transgender surgery for children, men in women’s sports. Massive amnesty is what they (the anarchists) want - a permanent voting bloc.
ICE agents are finding and deporting those convicted criminals. 70% are known criminal aliens, 30% are arrested and deported when they are found with these criminals. In red states the local and state cops cooperate with ICE and turn over criminal aliens whey they are in their custody. We have the lowest crime rate in 125 years because of having removed so many criminals out of our cities. 221,000 people have applied to be trained as ICE agents. These patriotic young people elected President Trump and wish to remove Democrats’ new voting bloc.
If the Democrat politicians win the House in the mid-terms they will
obstruct every America First agenda Trump has and will vote again to impeach him. If they gain the presidency in 2028 they will immediately go back to all the failed policies of the Obama-Biden presidencies. A vote for Democrats is a vote for lawlessness against the American people and all conservatives!
They (the radical left) are communists, Islamists. They claim they are socialists - so was Hitler (Nazi-onal socialist.) They are atheists and will go back to using lawfare against Jews and Christians. Atheists claim they came from monkeys, therefore they accept no moral compass. The Bible is anathema to them; therefore the Declaration of Independence and the rights in the Constitution are not to be considered.
The Big Beautiful Bill is in effect, controlling costs, no tax on tips, lowering taxes, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security. Trump has secured the border, drastically lowering pharmacy prices and gasoline prices.
Schumer, Democrat minority leader, is talking about shutting down the government again and as a result defunding Homeland Security, which funds FEMA, which helps with national disasters like the big snow and ice storm. DHS also funds ICE. There is an old saying, “Stupid is as stupid does.” Schumer fits the saying!
Every Trump supporter must vote and convince all their friends to vote against every Democrat running for office in the mid-terms. Save our country!
Richard Parker Stevensville
Support for Trump
The last several “Letters to the Editor” pages have been filled with liberal lies and half-truths. The underlying motivation for these writers is TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) – no matter what President Trump does, the liberals will find something wrong with it. The current turmoil over the immigration activities of ICE is an obvious example.
The problems associated with immigration enforcement are a direct result of President Biden and the Democrats. They allowed millions of illegal immigrants to INVADE the United States during Biden’s four years. As I pointed out repeatedly, this was pure treason in my opinion. We were invaded by some people who were looking for a better life, but by not controlling this invasion, we also got unknown numbers of criminals, mentally ill individuals, and potential adversaries. Additionally, our country was flooded with illegal drugs such as Fentanyl which killed hundreds of thousands of our citizens during those four years.
President Trump was elected in large part to stop and correct this invasion. After years of the liberals telling you a lie that the borders were closed when they obviously were not, and then President Biden contending that nothing could be done to stop the invasion until Congress passed legislation, President Trump stopped the invasion within days of taking office.
Newly elected President Trump had also promised to enforce our federal immigration laws and return these illegal aliens to their home countries starting with those who already had criminal records. This is what the ICE and Border Patrol officers are currently doing – enforcing federal immigration law. For state governors and city mayors to publicly declare that they will not cooperate with this enforcement is insurrection, in my opinion.
Clearly, the liberals were trying to flood the country with liberal voters so they could rule forever. This was again demonstrated this past week when the subject of “Voter ID” came up in Washington, D.C. The Democratic leadership immediately came out in force to block any attempt to pass a bill containing this requirement for voting. Polling statistics clearly show and have shown for years that the vast majority of registered voters approve of the requirement for ID when voting. The ONLY reason you can be against this requirement, in my opinion, is if you want to leave open the possibility for cheating. We are currently required to show an ID for almost everything we do these days from getting government benefits, to driving a car, to flying commercially or buying a sixpack of beer at the local Super 1. I would also argue that if there is someone out there who doesn’t have an ID, then I don’t want them voting since the implication to me is that they probably don’t have a clue as to what is going on in this country.
While I don’t agree with everything President Trump is and has been doing, I certainly am elated with many of the accomplishments he has made
during his first year in office:
• stopped several wars across the world including the Gaza Strip war
• stopped Iran’s nuclear program
• convinced the NATO members to increase their military expenditures
• increased our military readiness
• stopped the Global Warming scare
• confronted the drug cartels to include the raid into Venezuela and hitting the boats involved in smuggling
• implemented “tariffs” to level the trade with many other countries
• implemented policies to bring factories back to the USA thus providing more jobs
• increased foreign investment in the USA
• increased economic confidence in our country to where the stock market is at an all-time high.
I could go on but let me end this letter by fully supporting ICE activities. The “demonstrations” in Minnesota were not simply concerned citizens voicing their concerns. They were highly orchestrated and funded by folks who want our country to fail. Spitting on officers, screaming profanity at officers, threatening the officers and their families with death, sitting up road-blocks and invading a church are not part of peaceful demonstrations. It would be nice if we could return to verbal reasoning rather than threatening rhetoric.
Jerry Esmay Stevensville
Open letter to Zinke
Congressman Zinke, I received a survey from your office Tuesday. The survey does not allow me to share my view(s), the survey only provides opportunity to check a box, without actually asking what I (a constituent, a Western Montanan) think.
What I think: you are squandering time my taxes are paying for with this nonsense bill your majority Congress has passed. America needs to be SAVED though this act is not what it purports to be and won’t do it. You know that. You also know that this act is not to make elections that are already secure, more secure. This is a matter of appearing to be working hard. In reality you labor to cloak your party’s ineptitude at governance. Your party is proving to be ineffective. You are carrying your party’s water, not mine. This is, and has been proven to be, a “non-issue” and isn’t worthy of the time your party is investing in it.
Specific to your “survey” my response: This “SAVE” act is not needed. I do not support the Senate passing the SAVE America Act.
It is already illegal for a non-citizen to vote. These PEOPLE are already at risk for breathing and are not going to purposely draw attention to themselves by attempting to vote illegally.
Non-citizens and illegal immigrants seldom vote in federal elections. ANY claim otherwise is bogus.
I do not support requiring a government issued photo ID to vote in federal elections.
Time to go home, Big Brother. Larry Keogh Hamilton
Political silence
A political silence colder than a normal winter has settled across Montana. Where is the governor, Montana Senate and House leadership, the Montana Chamber of Commerce, Montana Farmers Union, Senator Daines, Representative Zinke when the US Supreme Court overrules and eliminates tariffs on farmers, manufacturers and small businesses in Montana? Where is the” relief from tariffs” party? Would they not be celebrating their victory if these tariffs were imposed by the Democrats? Those woke among us? The flaming liberals? The socialists? The baby killing abortionists? The tax and spend whatever?
No, they stand in silent solidarity behind their naked king as he further imposes new uncertain future tariffs on our economy mandated to change or be verified every 150 days. What a State of the Union!
Archie L.Thomas & Merry Schrumpf Corvallis
Government agencies
The Trump administration is bragging about saving billions of dollars by eliminating government agencies and laying workers off, in order to eliminate waste and fraud. I would like to know where the money is going that they claim they are saving. Will we be paying less Federal taxes? Will we
see an increase in our take-home pay? Waste and fraud is not prevalent in most government agencies. The fraud is in the elected body of the Congress and Government Administration. People working in the different agencies, i.e. the Forest Service, the BLM, the CDC, the EPA, OSHA and MSHA, the Social Security Administration, and all other government agencies that serve “We the People,” consider themselves public servants. The elected politicians, including the President and his cabinet, should consider themselves public servants, but it appears they are only concerned with their own desire to become wealthy and to hell with the people! If anyone is at fault it is “We the People.” We elected the wrong people to represent us in Washington. Let’s elect new people next time. Charles Sleath Hamilton
Illegals
Governor Greg Gianforte made Montanans proud by joining with standout conservative leaders like Ron DeSantis in sending our national guard troops not overseas, but to our very own border to assist federal Border Patrol when they were overwhelmed under the Biden administration. Likewise, President Trump has been a leader on border security, inside and outside the country. So it was to my great sadness when a group of 12 Republican House members made a deal with Democrats to create a loophole by which illegal immigrants in Montana could receive driving privilege cards, even though Montana law forbids people in this country illegally from receiving driving licenses.
And this bill, HB 275 from 2025 sponsored by liberal Bozeman Democrat Rep. Ed Staffman, wasn’t the only immigration bill on which this group of legislators chose to defy the governor and, even more importantly, their constituents, by teaming with Democrats to cut a virtual hole in the border fence. Several representatives from this same group joined with Democrats to oppose requiring e-verify usage by businesses, this time SB 329, creating a loophole by which illegal immigrants can take Montana jobs, because nobody is forced to check. Three representatives, David Bedey, John Fitzpatrick and Ken Walsh, voted against working Montanans on both bills. Flathead area Rep. Linda Reksten also sided twice with illegal immigrants in House floor votes.
Montanans believe in a strong, safe border, and have consistently voted for leaders who do as well, from our Governor to our President and all of our federal Representatives. We need to make sure our state representation takes this to heart. Governing Montana means letting your Representative know what you stand for, and therefore what they must stand for in Helena. We are in this together. Sen. Bob Phalen, SD 17 Glendive
What’s the plan?
Dear Jane Lambert,
This letter has been a very, very long time in coming. Sorry for the delay, but I have been mulling over your two letters in the Bitterroot Star from this past fall, where you asked about the Democratic Party platform. In your first letter (September 9), you asked, “What’s the plan?” and in your second letter (October 7, 2025), you wrote that you were still waiting to hear what the Democratic Party’s platform is, asking, “Well, where is it?!”
Well, you can go online and find the Ravalli County Democrats’ positions on 12 specific issues. Here is the link: https://ravdems.com/our-positions/.
And you can find the national Democratic Party platform here: https://democrats.org/wp-content/ uploads/2024/08/FINAL-MASTER-PLATFORM.pdf.
But basically, the Democratic platform can be summed up in just eight words: Democrats value people and the planet over profits.
Just so that this doesn’t come across all “We’re better than you are! Neener, neener, neeeener!,” I want to stress that Republican VOTERS also value people and the planet over profits. Republican VOTERS are good, caring, generous people with big hearts. I know this because I have Republican friends and family members whom I love.
The problem is that Republican POLITICIANS value corporate profits over the well-being of regular Americans like you and me, and over the health of planet earth and every living
species on it. There are exceptions, of course. There are Republican politicians who are not solely driven by the goal of becoming millionaires and billionaires. But those Republican politicians are an endangered species. Remember the shutdown a few months ago? It was the longest in US history. The Democrats were holding out because they wanted a guarantee from the Republicans that the Affordable Care Act subsidies would be protected so that people would not lose their health insurance. But it was a terrible choice they had to make: Let families go without food by letting the Republicans take away their SNAP benefits? Or let people lose their health insurance by letting the Republicans destroy the Affordable Care Act? In the end, the Democrats went with keeping families fed. The battle to save health insurance for millions of Americans would have to be won another day.
The thing is, we are the wealthiest country in the world! We could make sure that everyone has access to affordable health care AND make sure that no one goes to bed hungry AND make sure that every kid gets a quality education so that he or she can get a good-paying job AND protect the health of our planet for future generations.
But our Republican congressmen, Ryan Zinke, Steve Daines, and Tim Sheehe, don’t think these things are important. They think corporate profits are more important than people. That’s why they’re not doing a damn thing to stop the Sheep Creek Mine that is almost certain to poison our beloved Bitterroot River. And that’s why they are still ride or die with a president who just this past week destroyed the EPA regulations that keep our air and water clean.
Do you know that Parkinson’s Disease is now the fastest-growing neurological disease in the world and that scientists now believe that air pollution, water pollution, and pesticides are a bigger cause than a person’s genetics? But corporations and the politicians they “buy” don’t care if they trash the planet and harm people’s health! Environmental regulations made it harder for corporations to make money, so they had to go. Profits over people.
But back to your question, “What is the Democrats’ plan?” I am not an official representative of the Democratic Party, but I would have to say the Democrats’ plan is to elect people who value people and the planet over profits. If we do that much, then we can be sure that our elected officials are doing their best to find solutions to our problems that will help everyday Americans rather than enriching obscenely wealthy individuals and corporations.
Dana Henricks Florence
Thanks to Star
Once again, thank you Bitterroot Star for keeping us updated on the current developments on the Sheep Creek Mine. Your investigative reporting and the clear presentation of the current status of the project are critical to keeping valley residents informed. This mine will affect every one of us and future generations.
Sheryl Olson Hamilton
Representative government or voting app
Fellow restless Americans! I have a solution: Let’s give actual representative government a try and see if the electorate can’t do better than the donor-compromised, lobby-compromised, and Epstein-compromised lot that’s been in power too long. Method: Direct, frequent voting by Montana voters using a voting app that is connected to their lawmaker in Washington and Helena. For all bills, resolutions, motions, amendments, nominations, and treaties, your senators and representatives will have to check the voting app first and see what the constituents are telling them to do. Sorry lobbyists, this senator is hamstrung by the voters! No wiggle room. We’ve had the technology to do this for a couple decades, and since everyone uses apps (phone, texting, map, banking, web browser, etc.) it could be implemented seamlessly. Whattya say, Montana? Do you think we can govern ourselves better than the career politicians are doing?
DW Shumway Stevensville
School board positions, some levies to be on ballot
by Victoria Howell
School board elections will be held this spring. Trustee positions are open at all the valley school districts. Some districts are also running levies which will appear on the ballot. The elections are by mail, with ballots going out in mid-April. They must be received back by May 5. Although the filing deadline for school board trustees has passed, write-in candidates have until March 2nd at 5 p.m. to fill out the necessary paperwork at the office of the school district in which they reside.
In Florence two positions are open. Three people have filed for the open seats: incumbents Bobbie Ketelhut and Lacy Janes, and Virginia Mahn. Florence is not asking for a levy in this election cycle.
Stevensville has three positions
open. Two current board members, Dan Mullan and Ben Meyer, have decided not to run again. Gayle Johnstone has been certified by the county as an official trustee candidate. She is the only candidate that was certified for the two open positions. According to Supt. Jon Konen, write-in candidates for the other position have until March 2nd at 5 p.m. to come into the district office and fill out the paperwork.
An additional open trustee position at Stevensville, vacated by Nathan Bean on February 10th, will be filled by those that send a letter of interest and complete an interview with the school board on March 10th, the day of the next regular board meeting. So far, two people have submitted letters of interest for the one position: Skip Gibbons and Chris McKoy. Anyone else interested in the position has until March 5th
at 4 p.m. to submit a letter of interest to the district office.
Stevensville will also have two levies on the ballot, a technology levy and a safety levy. Voters will be asked to approve a technology levy of $75,000 in both the elementary and high school districts and a safety levy of $175,000 in each district, for a total of $250,000 in each district.
The Lone Rock school district has two open trustee positions. Incumbents Gary Leese and Matt Schaefer have both filed for reelection. If there are no write-in candidates, Leese and Schaefer will be elected by acclamation.
Lone Rock is also running two levies, a technology levy for $100,000 and a school and student safety and security building reserve fund levy for $50,000.
The Victor school district has two
trustee positions open. Three people have filed, incumbent Steven Fryer, and Kendra Hill and Collin Riley. Victor has no levies on the ballot.
Three people have filed for three open positions on the Corvallis school board. They are Becky Anderson, Dan Wolsky and Amy Lewis. All three are incumbents. Corvallis is not running a levy.
In Hamilton, three people have filed for two open board positions. They are incumbent Eli K. Johnson, and Weston D. Harmon and Marisa Neyenhuis.
Hamilton is also running a technology levy for $430,000 and a safety levy for $475,000.
The Darby school board has one trustee position open. One person has filed and that is incumbent Ashley Christopherson.
Darby is not running a levy.
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
State wrestling results
Stevi’s Miller wins state championship
Stevensville junior Rowan Miller won the Class A state championship at the 132 weight class at the Montana all-class state wrestling tournament in Billings on Saturday, February 21.
Miller dominated the 132 weight class at state. In the first round, Miller defeated Jacob Kober of Three Forks by technical fall 20-2. In the quarterfinals, Miller pinned Columbia Falls’ Bradley Beck in 3:27. In the semifinals, Miller defeated Max Kleinke of Sidney by technical fall 19-3. Then finally, in the championship match, Miller pinned Billings Central’s Xander McCann in 50 seconds.
Miller was the only Bitterroot Valley wrestler to win a state title this year.
Also for Stevensville, Ben White took 3rd place at 138, and Todd Whitescarver took 6th place at 144. The Stevensville boys finished in 14th overall.
Class A
The boys and girls wrestling teams from Stevensville, Hamilton, and Corvallis competed in Class A at the Montana all-class state wrestling tournament in Billings on Friday, February, 20 and Saturday, February 21.
The Corvallis boys had a strong season and took 8th at state as a team. Individually for Corvallis, Heavyweight Jesse James took 2nd place. James lost 4-5 in the championship match. Also for Corvallis, Colton Snyder took 3rd place at 175. For Hamilton, Marley Olsen took 7th in the girls 155 division.
Class B
The wrestling teams for Darby and Florence competed in Class B/C at the Montana all-class wrestling tournament in Billings on Friday, February, 20 and Saturday, February 21. In the team standings, Florence took 12th and Darby took 30th.
Victor basketball ends season at Districts
The Victor boys and girls basketball teams played in the District 13C Tournament in Frenchtown on Thursday, February 19 to Saturday, Feb. 21.
Victor girls
The Victor girls were the #5 seed and played #4 Valley Christian on Thursday, February 19. This was an evenly matched game as the two teams split their regular season games. But in this game, Victor fell just short and lost 51-55.
This loss sent Victor to the loser out bracket where they played Lincoln on Saturday, Feb. 21. Victor fought
hard but fell 30-49, thus ending their season. Nichole Bugli led Victor with 18 points.
Victor boys
The Victor boys were the #6 seed on the 13C District Playoff and played the #3 seed Philipsburg in their first round game on Thursday, February 19 in Frenchtown. Victor gave it their all, but lost 46-73. This loss sent them to the loser out bracket where they played Valley Christian on Saturday, Feb. 21. Victor played with grit but lost 48-79, thus ending their season.
Bitterroot basketball bonanza
#8 Florence 65, Thompson Falls 39
The Florence boys hosted Thompson Falls on Friday, February 20. Florence jumped out to a 29-16 halftime lead and didn’t look back as they bounced the Blue Hawks 65-39. Brody Duchien led the scoring with 15 points, Brennan Meinhold had 13, Wes Potter and Koa Laasch each had 9, Bridger Alexander had 7, Donnie Brooks had 6, Levi Winters had 4, and Tian Bradshaw added 2.
#4 Florence 75, Thompson Falls 37
The #4 Florence girls hosted Thompson Falls on Friday, February 20. It was business as usual for the Florence girls as they led 37-11 at halftime and rolled to a 75-37 victory. For Florence, Kendyl Meinhold had one of her best scoring games of the season with 23 points. Maggie Schneiter and Shelby Crocker each had 10, Jaden Fisher had 8, Taylor Pyette had 5, Ali Meinhold had 4, and Madigan Hurlbert added 2. Corvallis 38, Butte Central 45
The Corvallis girls basketball team hosted Butte Central on Saturday,
February 21. Corvallis led after the first quarter but fell behind as the game progressed and trailed 24-38 heading into the fourth quarter. The Blue Devils fought back, but fell short and lost 38-45.
Hamilton 69, Stevensville 40
The Hamilton boys basketball team hosted Stevensville on Thursday, February 19. Hamilton jumped out to a 37-20 halftime lead and cruised in the second half as Hamilton defeated Stevensville 69-40.
For Hamilton, Cartier Ferguson had 21 points and 7 rebounds. Jake McCarthy had 14 points and 6 rebounds. Cooper Weston had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. Cash Lockhart had 10 points and 8 rebounds. Easton Hollis had 6 points and 3 steals. Trevyn Bakken had 6 points and 6 assists.
For Stevensville, Kaden Wyant had 14 points and 3 steals. McCoy Endres had 9 points and 6 rebounds. Jake Tschida had 7 points and 5 rebounds. Luca Schmidt had 5 points. Clay Mc-
Coy had 3 points. Luis Eberhardt had 1 point and 7 rebounds.
Hamilton 46, Stevensville 29
The Hamilton girls basketball team hosted Stevensville on Thursday, February 19. Hamilton took control early and led 14-3 after the first quarter. Stevenville stayed close over the next two quarters and Hamilton led 33-20 going into the fourth quarter. But Hamilton extended their lead in the 4th and won 46-29.
Stevensville 14, #5 Dillon 58
The Stevensville girls went to #5 Dillon on Saturday, February 21. The
and lost 14-58.
Individually for Darby, Eli Spross took 3rd place at 215.
Individually for Florence, Christian Englund took 5th at 190, and Max Rosenthal took 5th at 138.
Stevensville’s Rowan Miller dominated his weight class, winning the Class A State Championship at 132 at the Montana allclass state wrestling tournament in Billings on Saturday, February 21. Photo courtesy of Stevensville Schools.
Stevensville girls had trouble generating offense against a strong Dillon team
Victor’s Whitney Bugli fights for a rebound. The Victor girls were eliminated from the 13C District tournament in Frenchtown on Saturday, February 21. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Hamilton’s Jake McCarthy scored 14 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in Hamilton’s 6940 victory over Stevensville on Thursday, February 19. Photo by Amy McCarthy.
Good Food Store
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John Greef Law Office
Jones Korman Insurance
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Bug Off - Pest Control
Lifeline Creamery & Farm Store
Little Smith Creek Ranch
Lost Horse Lodge
Kim Marthens Beef & Lamb
Mikesell’s Fine Jewelry
Mineshaft Pasty Co
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West Bank
Valley FieldHouse Inc.
Valley Pet Clinic
Weber and Vanorio CPAs PC White Stallion Ranch Wild Mare
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Last year, you helped to complete 5 conservation projects, forever protecting 977 acres of Bitterroot family farms and ranches, river and stream frontage, wildlife habitat, and a new nature park
To learn how your business can partner
Leffingwell Foundation
Below: 472- acre Groff Farm, Victor, conserved in 2025.
Photo by Wide Angle Photography.
Robin Lynn Walker Lynn Shulund
With sorrow today, but hope forever, the family of Robin Lynn Walker announces her passing on February 15, 2026. Because Robin had a deep personal faith in Jesus and the Resurrection, her family knows that her absence now is but for a season. We will see her again, and that reunion will be glorious.
Robin was a woman of deep inner strength, passionate faith, an unwavering commitment to her family, and a welcoming heart for others. She was kind, accepting, and most of all, loving.
Robin was born on January 1, 1946 in Huntington Park, California and spent her childhood in Norwalk and Whittier, CA. Robin was a bit of a formidable tomboy in elementary school and junior high. Other kids learned quickly to not mess with her or her little brother Bill. Robin moved with her family to Cathedral City, CA in 1960. She attended high school in nearby Palm Springs, graduating in 1963. She then attended cosmetology school and graduated in 1964 with her Beautician’s license.
Robin married Richard Cromwell in 1965 and immediately moved to his home in Darby, Montana. Big Sky Country would be her home the rest of her life. Moving from the California desert to rural western Montana was a bit of a culture shock for Robin, but she quickly learned to love Montana with a deep, lifelong passion.
Robin’s and Richard’s first child, Stephanie, was born in 1966. In 1969, son Mason was added to the family. A few years later, after her remarriage to David, “Shark” Walker in 1972, Robin gave birth to her last child, Kirk, in 1973.
Robin’s faith in God defined her core identity. That was obvious if you spent time with her. Most conversations with Robin would include affirmations of her commitment and love for Jesus. She read her wellworn, heavily-highlighted, Bible daily, and if Robin told you she would pray for you, she definitely would. Robin had a second family—a church family—at Darby Foursquare and in home Bible studies she was part of. Robin worked for many years at People’s Market in Darby, serving for many years as the Produce Manager. Later, she worked for the Darby School District as a Teaching Aide. She loved this work and was deeply committed to the success and self-esteem of her many students. This role was more “calling” than job, and she loved the chance to invest in the growth of her students. Over the years, she still received messages of gratitude from “her kids.”
One of Robin’s passions was for a special Montana place, Glacier National Park. She had lived more than twenty years in Montana, but had never been there before she joined her little brother Scott and his wife Kim on one of their many treks to Glacier. Robin
immediately fell in love with the park and joined Scott and Kim many times on later visits to the park. The trio hiked many miles in Glacier. Robin was always energized by the stunning scenery and the animals, especially grizzly bears.
Robin had three children, but she also had a special dog her last few years: an eccentric little Yorkie mix pup named Siri. That little dog meant very much to Robin, and she enthusiastically spoiled it. But Siri gave Robin joy as her health began to decline. In her last few years, Robin struggled with dementia, a relentless foe. Like all things she did, Robin navigated these difficult days with faith and grace. She eventually moved to a memory care unit in Deerlodge, MT, where she resided until her death.
Robin was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband Richard. She is survived by her husband Shark Walker, daughter Stephanie Mix (Curtis), sons Mason Cromwell and Kirk Walker (Jody), her beloved grandchildren Kensey and Jordan Mix, Dani Crowe, Derek Walker, and Darcy Smith, 3 great grandchildren: Dash, Daya, & Sophie. Also, several nieces and nephews, and her younger brothers Bill and Scott. Services were held Saturday, February 21 at the New Life Four Square Church in Darby. Donations can be made in Robin Walker’s name to a Memorial Scholarship through DCEF (Darby Community Excellence Fund.) Checks can be mailed or dropped off at Darby High School, 209 School Drive. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
Bryron Winslow Caughey
Byron Winslow Caughey, of Hamilton, MT, passed away in his home overlooking the beautiful Bitterroot Mountains on February15th at the age of 68. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Pamela; his sons, Kalen (Kelly, grandchildren Willa and Reece) and Evan (Abigail); and his siblings, George, Joan, and Claire.
Byron loved nature, science, art, the song of a bird, and a gentle rain. He appreciated the unusual and unique qualities of everyone he knew and worked with. In his later life, he was completely enamored with and devoted to his two beautiful granddaughters, Willa and Reece, who captured his heart and brought him immense joy.
From an early age, Byron’s curiosity and creativity led him on many adventures. According to his older brother, George, he snorkeled every inch of Greg Lake in Antrim, NH, as a child and knew the exact location of the freshwater sponges. He later pursued a career in chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received his Ph.D., before making substantial contributions to the field of prion research.
Byron built furniture from walnut, created sculptures, was an exceptional artist and wrote poetry throughout his life. He valued craftsmanship, precision, and the process of making something thoughtful and well made.
He was an excellent cook and approached the kitchen with the same curiosity he brought to everything else, experimenting, combining new ingredients, and refining things over time. Willa and Reece especially loved his apple pancakes, something they came to expect whenever they visited.
His kindness, empathy, and care for others touched many, and he will be sorely missed by the multitude who loved him dearly. He was a man who persistently sought the truth and dove deeply to find it.
His dear friend, Dr. Kim Hasenkrug, offers these words about Byron’s scientific career: “Normally, when a scientific investigator is interested in hiring a new scientist, a call will be placed to the candidate’s Ph.D. advisor to get a recommendation. When Bruce Chesebro offered Byron a job as a Staff Scientist in 1986, that’s not how it went. Instead, Byron’s Ph.D. advisor, the famous University of Wisconsin biochemist, Dr. Willy Gibbons, called Bruce. Bruce soon realized that he was the one being interviewed. Willy said Byron was too special to goanywhere but the best and questioned Bruce extensively. With Willy’s blessing, Byron joined Bruce’s NIAID/NIH group at Rocky Mountain Labs following two years of postdoctoral training at Duke University. Byron’s excellence and insightful productivity propelled him through the ranks to become a tenured Senior Investigator in 1994, and Chief of the TSE/Prion
Biochemistry Section in 2006, a Section he ran until his untimely death. It is difficult to describe the enormous impact that Byron left on the scientific community and biomedicine. During his career, Byron authored and co-authored 263 papers on the biology and biochemistry of prion diseases. His publication list is a “Who’s Who” of the most prestigious biomedical journals in the world and his seminal papers are of such fundamental import that they have been cited thousands of times by other scientists.
When Byron started to study prions, little was known about these nearly indestructible pathogens that had no detectable genetic material and caused terrible and untreatable neurodegenerative diseases. He developed a sort of protein polymerase chain reaction that could propagate otherwise indetectable levels of this pathogen. Byron and his colleagues advanced this assay into the highly sensitive Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) assay that is now used to diagnose Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
Thinking outside the box, he expanded the utility of the assay to the detection of different types of misfolding proteins from diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer’s and Pick disease by testing diagnostically relevant specimens such as cerebrospinal fluid and skin biopsies. Scientists came from all over the world to learn how to perform the RT-QuIC assay in Byron’s lab and apply this knowledge to expanding the number of diseases that could be diagnosed by the RT-QuIC assay.
Knowing that understanding the 3-dimensional
August 5, 1942 – February 14, 2026
Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather. Pro-bowler, fisherman, hunter, contractor, friend. Lynn Shulund packed a lot into his 83 years before he passed away of natural causes on Valentine’s Day at home in Hamilton with his wife Donna.
Lynn was born in Seattle to Everett and Lois Shulund but lived nearly all his life in Montana. He graduated from Havre High School in 1961 with a full scholarship to Montana State College Bozeman for basketball. A natural athlete, he went on to master golf, tennis and racquetball, but it was bowling that eventually brought him fame. Lynn played in bowling leagues in both Missoula and Hamilton and eventually travelled all over the United States to compete (and often win!) in bowling tournaments at the pro level. He is in the Montana Hall of Fame.
Lynn followed in his father’s footsteps and became a licensed contractor, building many homes and businesses in the Bitterroot Valley from the 1970s until his retirement in 2005. The entire Shulund family hunted and fished for sport and sustenance, and Lynn continued to do so into his seventies.
Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, sister Kay Peterson, brother Chuck Shulund, and former wife Bonnie. He is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Donna, his companion since 1987. He is also survived by his brother Ray (Amy) of Spokane, sons Kevin (Kerrie) and Cary (Lauren), stepsons Rodd and Todd Newman, eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Kind, generous, fair and loving. A wonderful Dad, husband, grandfather, provider and friend to many. We will miss you. Family graveside services will be held at the Hamilton Riverview Cemetery at noon on Friday, February 27, 2026. A Celebration of Life and lunch will be held following the graveside service in the Daly-Leach Chapel Community Room at 1 pm.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
structure of prions would provide critical information for the development of therapeutics, Byron (and many others) spent decades working on the intractable problem of solving the crystal structure of a misbehaving protein that would not form crystals.
In 2021, Byron and his colleagues used cryo-EM to finally elucidate the first high resolution structure of a prion, a structure very similar to one he had conceptualized years earlier, by bending foam covered metal wires into spaghetti-like shapes covered in post-it note labels. He would approach this work in his recliner, where the first step would be to put on his signature magnetic ‘snap on’ bifocal glasses that were always at the ready hanging from his neck.
Byron received numerous national and international recognition honors, was awarded 5 US patents, brought over 1.3 million dollars of outside research money into the lab, organized a dozen international meetings, worked tirelessly as an editor and editorial board member for numerous scientific journals, reviewed way too many grant applications, served on a multitude of committees, and trained dozens of Ph.D. students and post-docs, many of whom now run their own labs. Scientists came from all over the world to learn how to perform the RT-QuIC assay in Byron’s lab. He was a highly sought-after speaker at conferences around the world, and when Byron got up to speak, a hush fell over the audience. They knew something interesting and exciting was about to unfold. It may seem hard to fathom how he could get so much done, but Byron had a secret. He didn’t sleep. At least not like a normal human. He catnapped for a couple hours and then went back to work. Most people will never realize how much his work touches our lives, but those who were fortunate to work with him will never forget.”
In lieu of flowers, Byron’s wishes were for donations to the Bitterroot Land Trust or the Nature Conservancy.
Byron will be remembered with an intimate family memorial where his ashes will be spread in the ocean, as was his wish. A memorial gathering for the public will be held at a later date in the spring or summer and will be announced. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
Obituaries
Emogene (Jean) Elizabeth Fassio-Lewis
August 7, 1941 – February 12, 2026
Hamilton - Born to Melvin and Elizabeth Fassio in Price, UT and raised in Missoula, MT, Jean lived every day like the gardens she raised: hardworking, generous, always giving all she could. Together with Phillip and her boys she helped build the dairy farm in Victor MT that became the backbone of this family. Raising four boys and their friends on home-grown vegetables, old dairy cows and sheer grit, while loving every deserving soul who walked through her door.
Jean passed peacefully at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital—eighty-four years of living and loving— with her sons, family and grandchildren gathered around, just what she always wanted.
Survived by her four sons, all Lewis and all still breathing fire: David Lewis and wife Polly (children Amanda, Drew, Chris, Austin); Rodney Lewis and wife Kimber (children Ashley, Marissa); Randy Lewis and wife Jennifer (children Katelyn, Randy Junior, Ryan); Rick Lewis and wife Erica (children Emalie, Mitch); 20 glorious great grandchildren; brothers, Melvin Fassio (son Tony), Bob Parrish; sisters, Susan Klein, Lynne Fassio.
She left behind no strangers—just family, some dirt under her nails, and the quiet pride of a woman who fed and raised us boys, our kin and then some. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.
Phyllis Marie Clevidence
Stevensville - It is with a heavy heart that the family of Phyllis Marie Williamson Clevidence announces her passing at the age of 92. Phyllis was born on Willoughby Lane in Stevensville, Montana on August 15, 1933, and passed peacefully at her home on Willoughby Lane on Sunday, February 15, 2026, with family by her side.
She was preceded in death by her parents Harley and Irene Zeiler Williamson, her brothers Harley Williamson Jr and Marvin Williamson and husband of 62 years, Maynard Harold Clevidence in 2010 and beloved great-grandson Andrew Barry. Phyllis lived a full life raising two children, Steve and Jan, who she was very close to. Phyllis had no end of joy with her five grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, who she was extremely proud of. She will be remembered for her love of birds, the thriving garden, flowers and the yard she made for them, as well as the elaborate, made-from-scratch family dinners and award-winning apple pie.
Phyllis is survived by her son Steve Clevidence (Kay) and daughter Jan Grenfell (Robert), her grandchildren: Dana Jenkins (Steve), Chris Grenfell, Stacy Kampka (Ben), Ryan Clevidence (Tonya), and Sara Clevidence (Mars); her great grandchildren: Bridger (Jamie), Hunter (Spencer), Denver, Logan, Hudson, Alivia (Caydon), Isabella, Ryker, McKenna, Bella, Will, Mason and Georgia; and great-great grandchildren Paxton and Kaysen.
Phyllis was a life-long member of Stevensville Methodist Church. We will miss her but take comfort that she is in the arms of the Lord and with her beloved husband who she missed so much.
Memorials may be made in her honor by donating to the Victor Cemetery (PO Box 1, Victor
MT 59875) or a charity of your choice. The family will be holding a graveside service at the Victor Cemetery on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Special thanks to Bitterroot Hospice and Angels in Guard aide Karen, who took such great care of Phyllis the last year. Their kindness and comfort were appreciated more than words can express. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.
Albert L. Sutherlin
Stevensville - Albert L. Sutherlin, 92, of Stevensville, passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in Hamilton.
Born January 7, 1934, in Missoula, Albert was the first child of Glen and Mable Sutherlin. He and his sister Anna Marie were raised on the family dairy farm two miles south of Stevensville on Eastside Highway.
Albert grew up in a time when paved roads and high-paying jobs were few and far between in the Bitterroot Valley, a time when farming and fishing and hunting were as much a part of a kid’s education as school. Whether hunting pheasant on the farm with his dad, fishing the mountain streams between farm chores, or being a leader in 4-H and FFA, Albert learned the values of hard work, perseverance, service and fun – traits he exhibited throughout his lifetime as a farmer, father and teacher.
Death Notices
Carrol L. ‘Whitey’ Sundet
Carrol L. “Whitey” Sundet, 98, (WW II Veteran) of Darby passed away Monday, Feb. 16 at his home. Military Services were held Tues. Feb. 24th at Lone Pine Cemetery in Darby. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
Steven James Hamilton
Hamilton - Steven James Hamilton, 80, of Hamilton passed away Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 at his home. Private interment will take place at Missoula City Cemetery. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
Edward San Juan
Hamilton - Edward San Juan, 93, passed away peacefully at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Monday, February 16, 2026 with his family by his side. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.
Deborah Sheray
Hamilton - Deborah Sheray, 81, of Conner, passed away in the evening of Wednesday, February 18, 2026 with her husband of 62 years by her side at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com
Edna N. Nasca
Corvallis - Edna N. Nasca, 67 of Corvallis passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2026. A celebration of Edna’s life will be held on July 11, 2026 at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton. Private urn placement will take place at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula.
After graduating from Stevensville High School in 1952, he started school in Bozeman with the goal of becoming an Agriculture Instructor. He completed his degree 27 years later with more than a little practical experience under his belt.
In his first year of college Albert met Mary Alice Hathaway at a Bobcat-Grizzly game and it wasn’t too long before they got married. In 1954, Albert joined the Army and put his tractor-wrenching skills to work as an A and E Mechanic. He did one tour in Northern France and Germany before returning home to meet his first son Glen.
After his military service, Albert and Mary returned to Stevensville and had their second son Bob, before returning to Bozeman where Ed was born. Putting school on hold yet again, the family returned to Stevensville to farm and ranch. Before too long, daughter Theresa arrived to “round out the dining
set.”
Albert spent most of the 1950s and 60s farming and ranching with his father and on his own, until 1965 when he returned to Bozeman to go back to school. He returned in 1967 and bought Casey’s Store which he owned until 1969 when he went to work for John Joost at Joost Dairy. He said it was the best job he ever had – he got paid to do something he really liked, and his boys got to learn how to work. After a decade working for Joost, Albert returned to school to complete his degree, graduating in the spring 1978.
At age 45 Albert was hired to teach at Turner High School and moved Mary and Thresa to eastern Montana to embark on a storied 15-year career as a Vocational Ag Instructor. His students benefited from his many years’ experience on the farm as well as his passion for teaching. He had the students
rebuilding tractors, replacing clutches, and winning awards at state competitions. Discipline was not a problem; any kid who acted up was skillfully beaned with an airborne, chalk-covered eraser!
Beyond his job at school, Albert was active in the Turner community as a Lions Club and American Legion member and as a hunter safety instructor and rural fire volunteer. He helped build and develop an indoor shooting range in the old Turner High School gym. During the summer months, he returned to Stevensville to help his son Bob farm.
After retiring from teaching in 1993, Albert and Mary returned to the Bitterroot where Albert worked as a ditch rider for the Woods Park Hunt Ditch and helped out on Bob’s ranch. He made trips back to Turner to hunt and enjoyed time at the family hunting camp in Wise River.
A practical joker, farmer, mechanic, hunter and fisherman, Albert was, first and foremost, a teacher, according to his son Glen, and he passed on what he’d learned in life to his kids and to his students. “He gave us the work ethic we all have.”
Albert was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Anna, and by his wife Mary Alice Hathaway Sutherlin in 2019. He is survived by his sons Glen (Tina), Robert (Laurie), and Ed (Katie), his daughter Theresa Thorsen (Jim), seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services will take place Friday, February 27, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Whitesitt Funeral home. Interment will follow at Victor Cemetery, and a celebration honoring Albert will be held afterwards at the Stevensville Masonic Temple, 300 Church Street. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.
Legal Notices
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County
In the Matter of the Name Change of Jessica Dawn Klingler Herr, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-26-58NC
Dept. No.: 1
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Jessica Dawn Klingler Herr to Jessica Dawn Klinger.
The hearing will be on March 18 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 2nd day of February, 2026.
/s/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court
By: Sarah Sargent Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 2-4, 2-11, 2-18, 2-25-26.
MNAXLP
RAVALLI COUNTY ATTORNEY
Bill Fulbright, County Attorney Ravalli County Courthouse 205 Bedford Street, Suite C Hamilton, MT 59840 rcaoservice@rc.mt.gov
Phone: (406) 375-6750 Ravalli County Public Administrator MONTANA TWENTY FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: SHERRY LEE THOMPSON, Deceased.
Cause No. DP-26-11
Dept. No. 2 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to Ravalli County Public Administrator, 205 Bedford Street, Suite C, Hamilton, MT 59840, return receipt requested, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.
DATED: February 6, 2026 /s/ Bill Fulbright Ravalli County Attorney BS 2-11, 2-18, 2-25-26.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC HEARING
The Darby Planning Board will hold a public hearing to receive all comments both oral and written regarding an annexation request for a portion of Cole Avenue adjacent to the Darby Estates subdivision. The hearing will be held Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at Darby Town Hall, 101 East Tanner Avenue. Information may be obtained by calling Town Hall at (406) 821-3753.
BS 2-18, 2-25-26.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC NOTICE
School Board Trustee Vacancy Stevensville School District, announces the resignation of a School Board Trustee, creating a vacancy on the Board of Trustees.
In accordance with Montana law, the Board of Trustees will appoint a qualified individual to fill the position until May of 2027 election. Individuals interested in being considered for appointment must submit a letter of interest to the District Clerk, Glenda Kearney,at 300 Park Ave, Stevensville MT 59870 or email to Kearneyg@stevensville.k12.mt.us no later than Thursday, March 5th at 4pm. The board will conduct interviews for the open board position during our March 10th board meeting. For additional information, please contact the District Office at 406-777-5481.
BS 2-18, 2-25, 3-4-26. MNAXLP
Public Hearing-Ravalli
County Fee Decrease FOR: Ravalli County Airport Landing Fees
The Board of Ravalli County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 04, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the Ravalli County Administrative Center at 215 S.4th Street, Third Floor Commissioners Conference Room, Hamilton, Montana. The purpose for this public hearing is to take public comment and make a decision, via Resolution, to amend the landing fees / landing weights for the Ravalli County Airport.
If you would like more information contact the Commissioner’s Office at 406-375-6500. If you are unable to attend and would like to make comment you can do so by contacting the Commissioners at the above phone number or by email at commissioners@rc.mt.gov
Chris Taggart Commissioners’ Administrative Assistant BS 2-18, 2-25-26.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC NOTICE OF SURPLUS SALE
Town of Stevensville is conducting a surplus sale of the following three items: 1985 Pierce 55’ Quint Ladder Truck, 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 V6, 1996 GMC 1500 V6
All items are bid on through a closed bid process with starting bids. Viewing of the items and placing of bids will occur 3/2/26-3/6/26 (9am-4pm) and 3/9/26-3/12/26 (9am4pm) . Bidding is closed on 3/12/2026 @ 4:00pm. Opening of the bids will take place at the regularly scheduled town council meeting on 3/12/2026 @ 6:30pm., Town Hall, 206 Buck Street, Stevensville, MT 59870. Bid forms are located at town hall and available on the website through the following link: https://www.townofstevensville.com/administration/page/town-stevensville-surplus-sale
Attest: Jenelle S. Berthoud, Town Clerk BS 2-18, 3-4-26.
MNAXLP
INVITATION TO BID
STEVENSVILLE AIRPORT
STEVENSVILLE, MONTANA
The Town of Stevensville, Montana, is formally requesting bids for construction services for the Pavement Rehabilitation at the Stevensville Airport. The Town will select one contractor based on the lowest, responsive, and responsible bid submittal that fits within their budget. Parties interested in submitting a bid for this project should contact Tyler Reed with Morrison-Maierle at treed@m-m.net or by calling (406) 542.4888. Hard copy bids will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026, at the Stevensville Town Hall, 206 Buck Street, Stevensville, Montana 59870. Bids will be publicly opened during the Stevensville Town Council Meeting, starting at 6:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, March 12th, 2026. The full invitation to bid may be seen on Morrison-Maierle’s website at www.m-m.net (under heading of “About” and “Projects Bidding”). Contract documents will be available for download on the QuestCDN online bidding service (www.QuestCDN.com); the QuestCDN project number is: 10062924. Attest: Jenelle S. Berthoud, Town Clerk BS 2-18, 2-25, 3-4-26.
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO PROTEST TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF Montana Retail On-Premises Consumption Beer and Wine License BURPING DOODLE, LLC (Matthew Blair, Owner(s)) has applied to transfer Montana Retail On-Premises Consumption Beer and Wine License No. 13-8706427-301 to be operated at BLACKSMITH BREWING,
114 Main St, Stevensville, Ravalli County. The public may protest this license transfer in accordance with the law.
Who can protest this transfer? Protests will be accepted from residents of the county of the proposed location Ravalli County, residents of adjoining Montana counties, and residents of adjoining counties in another state if the criteria in 16-4207(4)(d), Montana Code Annotated (MCA), are met.
What information must be included? Protest letters must be legible and contain (1) the protestor’s full name, mailing address, and street address; (2) the license number 13-870-6427-301 and the applicant’s name BURPING DOODLE, LLC; (3) an indication that the letter is intended as a protest; (4) a description of the grounds for protesting; and (5) the protestor’s signature. A letter with multiple signatures will be considered one protest letter.
What are valid protest grounds? The protest may be based on the applicant’s qualifications listed in 16-4401, MCA, or the grounds for denial of an application in 16-4-405, MCA. Examples of valid protest grounds include: (1) the applicant is unlikely to operate the establishment in compliance with the law; (2) the proposed location cannot be properly policed by local authorities; and (3) the welfare of the people in the vicinity of the proposed location will be adversely and seriously affected.
How are protests submitted? Protests must be postmarked to the Department of Revenue, Office of Dispute Resolution, P.O. Box 5805, Helena, Montana 59604-5805 on or before March 7, 2026. What happens if the transfer is protested?
Depending on the number of protests and the protest grounds, a public hearing will be held in Helena or Stevensville. All valid protestors will be notified of the hearing’s time, date and location. Hearings typically are scheduled within 90 days. A protester’s hearing testimony is limited to the grounds in the protester’s letter. Following the hearing, the Department of Revenue will notify the public whether the license transfer is approved or denied.
How can additional information be obtained?
The cited MCA statutes are online at leg.mt.gov/bills/ mca_toc/. Questions may be directed to Megan Spawn, Compliance Specialist for the Department of Revenue’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, at 4445871 or megan.spawn@ mt.gov
BS 2-18, 2-25-26.
MNAXLP
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Provide and Install Security Camera System at Ravalli County Fairgrounds
Ravalli County (hereinafter referred to as “the County”) is seeking Proposals from qualified contractors to provide and install a security camera system at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. This systems is intended to be used as a security tool for events, public meetings, and to protect county property from vandalism, theft, or misuse. The proposed site will be located at the Ravalli County Fair Grounds, 100 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton, MT 59840. Site access will be prohibited during weekends or during pre-scheduled events.
This solicitation shall be awarded pursuant to the Ravalli County Purchasing Policy, as amended, March 25, 2021, and all applicable Montana statutes.
For a full copy of this RFP and or draft contract, please contact Chris Taggart, Administrative Assistant to the Board of County Commissioners at (406) 375-6500 or ctaggart@rc.mt.gov. For information regarding this RFP
and any requirements or specifications, contact Jeff Rodrick at (406) 375-6656 or jrodrick@rc.mt.gov .
PROJECTED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
RFP Legal Ad Issue
Date Wednesday, February 11, 2026
RFP Legal Ad print dates Wednesday, February 25, 2026 and Wednesday March 04, 2026
RFP Proposal Submittal
Deadline Friday, March 06, 2026
Opening of Proposals Monday, March 09, 2026
Intended Date of Contract Award Monday, March 09, 2026
Deadline for Project Completion Friday, June 12, 2026
Deadline for Submission of Final Billing to County Friday, June 19, 2026
BIDDING AND AWARD PROCESS
Two (2) sealed proposals must be submitted to the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite C, Hamilton, MT, 59840 by 4:00 PM on Friday, March 06, 2026 and may be submitted via mail or hand delivered. Proposals must be clearly marked “Fairgrounds Camera Project”. Proposals will be opened by the Ravalli County Commissioners, 215 S. 4th Street, 3rd Floor Conference Room, Hamilton, on Monday, March 09, 2026 at 11:00 AM. The Bid may be awarded by the Commissioners immediately following the openings.
BS 2-25, 3-4-26.
MNAXLP
LEGAL NOTICE
The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will conduct a public hearing for a Ravalli County Open Lands Bond project on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room (Third Floor) of the County Administrative Building located at 215 South 4th Street, Hamilton, MT 59840. The project is called Chesebro Ranch Conservation Easement (251.94 acres). The project is located about 1.5 miles east of the center of Corvallis. Tax IDs: 32110, 32100, 25510, 25520, 24900, and 24700. Bitter Root Land Trust is the applicant. Information describing the proposals are available for inspection on the Ravalli County website at https://ravalli. us/181/Open-Lands-Board and at the Planning Department, located at the County Administrative Building, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite F, Hamilton, MT 59840. Written comments are encouraged to be submitted to the Planning Department prior to the public hearing and will be forwarded to the BCC for consideration at the public hearing. The public may comment verbally or in writing at the hearings. Comments and information submitted at the public hearing will be considered in the decision. Submit email comments to: planning@ rc.mt.gov, and questions can be asked by phone at 406375-6530.
BS 2-25, 3-4-26.
MNAXLP
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Brooke Nentwig, Brooke Nentwig, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-25-492
Dept. No.: 1
Howard Recht
AMENDED NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Brooke Rayann Nentwig to Brooke Rayann Adams.
The hearing will be on April 1, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 12th day of February, 2026.
/s/ Paige Trautwein Clerk of District Court
By: Kimberly Provence Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 2-25, 3-4, 3-11, 3-18-26.
MNAXLP PUBLIC HEARING
The Darby Town Council will hold a public hearing to receive all comments both oral and written regarding “lncreasing the Water/Sewer Late Fee” The hearing will be held Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 6:00 p.m., at Darby Town Hall 101 East Tanner Avenue. Information may be obtained by calling Town Hall at 406-821-3753. BS 2-25, 3-4-26. MNAXLP
William J. Nelson, Esq. Nelson Law Office PLLC 217 North 3rd Street, Suite J Hamilton, MT 59840 Telephone: (406) 3633181 Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTYFIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE ESTATE OF: CAROL HENSEL, Deceased. Cause No. DP-41-2025131 Dept. No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to the Personal Representative, William J. Nelson, return receipt requested, c/o Nelson Law Office PLLC, 217 North Third Street, Suite J, Hamilton, MT 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court.
DATED 18th day of February 2026. /s/ William J Nelson Personal Representative BS 2-25, 3-4, 3-11-26.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CLIFFORD DOUGLAS MALIN, Deceased.
Probate No.: DP-202618 Dept. No.: 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Heidi Snyder 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 first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to Heidi Snyder, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at c/o Montana Legacy Law, PLLC, 178 South 2nd St., Hamilton, MT 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court.
BS 2-25, 3-4, 3-11-26.
MNAXLP
William J. Nelson, Esq. Nelson Law Office PLLC 217 North 3rd Street, Suite J Hamilton, MT 59840
Telephone: (406) 3633181
Attorney for Sara Ellis, Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTYFIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE ESTATE OF: RICHARD N. ELLIS, Deceased.
Cause No. DP-41-202622
Dept. No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to the Personal Representative, Sara Ellis, return receipt requested, c/o Nelson Law Office PLLC, 217 North Third Street, Suite J, Hamilton, MT 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court. DATED 18th day of February 2026. /s/ William J Nelson Personal Representative BS 2-25, 3-4, 3-11-26. MNAXLP
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Asphalt Seal Coat (Chip Seal) The Ravalli County Board of Commissioners is soliciting Request for Proposals for 2026 ASPHALT SEAL COAT to be conducted throughout various County roads in Ravalli County. Proposals will be received by the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite C, (Second Floor) Hamilton, MT. 59840 until 4:00 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2026. Proposals will then be opened by the Ravalli County Commissioners at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026 in the Commissioners Conference Room (Third Floor) at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, MT. For a copy of the Full Request for Proposal and Specifications for the asphalt seal coat, contact the Ravalli County Road & Bridge Department at 244 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, MT. during regular business hours or by calling 406-3632733. For questions concerning the Request for Proposal process, contact Chris Taggart at the Ravalli County Commissioners Office –406-375-6500. Chris Taggart Administrative Assistant Ravalli County Commissioners Office BS 2-25, 3-4-26. MNAXLP INVITATION TO BID MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners is now accepting proposals for the delivery of 2026 Magnesium Chloride Supply. Sealed proposals must be received by the Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder at the County Administrative Center, 215 South Fourth Street, Suite “C”, Hamilton, Montana, 59840, no later than 4:00 PM MST on Friday, March 13, 2026. The proposals received will be publicly opened on Monday, March 16, 2026 and read aloud at 9:30 a.m. MST by the Board of County Commissioners in the Commissioners Conference Room located at 215 S. 4th Street, (third floor), Hamilton, MT. Contract documents may be examined or obtained at the Ravalli County Road & Bridge Department office at 244 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, Montana, 59840. Questions relative to the standard and special provisions may be directed to the Ravalli County Road Department at (406) 3632733. Questions relative to the bid process may be directed to the Ravalli County Commissioners Office at (406) 375-6500. No proposal may be withdrawn after the scheduled time for the public opening of proposals, which is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. MST on Monday, March 16, 2026. Ravalli County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received, to waive informalities therein, to postpone the award of the contract for a period of time not to exceed sixty (60) days and to accept the lowest responsive and responsible proposal determined to be in the best interests of Ravalli County.
Chris Taggart, Administrative Assistant Ravalli County Commissioners Office BS 2-25, 3-4-26. MNAXLP
Get your fly
we left off our lists.
We were gathered after dinner on the pine-sheltered back deck of a friend’s house one summer evening. We could barely hear, if we listened for it, the flow of the river some distance below in its small canyon below the ridge.
There were six of us, three couples who all fly fished. Naturally, our conversation turned to flies and which ones we liked best.
Our host excused himself and returned with paper and pens. “What I’d like each of you to do,” he said, “Is to write down the flies you want to have with you all the time. No talking to each other, just your own thoughts. I’d like to see how this comes out.”
by Chuck Stranahan
Our can’t-do-without-’em flies tended to be more all-purpose and stored in a general purpose fly box. A separate box for pre-runoff fishing or later for salmonfly time was essential when needed, but what happens if the anticipated hatch doesn’t come off? At that point it’s back to the workhorse fly box.
We were eager to participate. This was not a pre-planned social mixer or party game.
We had questions: “How many should we put down?” “Do you want specific patterns, or generics?” “Dry flies only, or flies in general –nymphs and streamers too?”
“That’s up to you,” our host repeated. We got the idea – and started to think, and write. Before long we were eager to compare notes.
When we finished some lists were short, some were longer and specific. But all seemed to touch the same bases. And we agreed, after some lighthearted kidding, that if we had to trade fly boxes, we’d still catch plenty of trout.
Each box was well-equipped for most of the conditions we’d meet on the stream, most of the time. There were other flies and other boxes for specific hatches, times or places that
INVITATION TO BID
EQUIPMENT RENTAL
The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners is now accepting proposals for the delivery of 2026 EQUIPMENT RENTAL. Sealed proposals must be received by the Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder at the County Administrative Center, 215 South Fourth Street, Suite “C”, Hamilton, Montana, 59840, no later than 4:00 PM MST on Friday, March 13, 2026. The proposals received will be publicly opened on Monday, March 16, 2026 and read aloud at 9:30 AM MST by the Board of County Commissioners in the Commissioners Conference Room located at 215 S. 4th Street, (third floor), Hamilton, MT.
All of our lists included the Adams Parachute in #14 and #16 but we might have a few as small as a #18 or big as a #10. The Adams’ nondescript mix of colors is close enough to a lot of aquatic insects and zeroes in on many small mayflies that are present throughout the season. It’s the first must-have on our lists.
Next was a Yellow Stimulator, in #12 and #14 on up through #8. A big Stimmy works for golden stoneflies and trout will often bang a golden – or a big yellow Stimulator – in the middle of a salmonfly hatch. Throughout the summer a Stimulator might look like any number of things, from grasshoppers to small stoneflies. To a trout it might look like just another bug to eat – and that’s why it works.
The Elk Hair Caddis made most lists. A #14 tan or brown Elk Hair Caddis is most common and will work well all summer. It’s at its
Contract documents may be examined or obtained at the Ravalli County Road & Bridge Department office at 244 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, Montana, 59840. Questions relative to the standard and special provisions may be directed to the Ravalli County Road Department at (406) 3632733. Questions relative to the bid process may be directed to the Ravalli County Commissioners Office at (406) 375-6500. No proposal may be withdrawn after the scheduled time for the public opening of proposals, which is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. MST on Monday, March 16, 2026. Ravalli County reserves
the right to reject any or all proposals received, to waive informalities therein, to postpone the award of the contract for a period of time not to exceed sixty (60) days and to accept the lowest responsive and responsible proposal determined to be in the best interests of Ravalli County. Chris Taggart, Administrative Assistant Ravalli County Commissioners Office BS 2-25, 3-4-26.
MNAXLP
INVITATION TO BID HOT PLANT ASPHALT
SUPPLY
The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners is now accepting proposals for the delivery of 2026 HOT PLANT ASPHALT SUPPLY. Sealed proposals must be received by the Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder at the County Administrative Center, 215 South Fourth Street, Suite “C”, Hamilton, Montana, 59840, no later than 4:00 PM. MST on Friday, March 13, 2026. The proposals received will be publicly opened on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. MST and read aloud by the Board of County Commissioners in the Commissioners Conference Room located at 215 S. 4th Street, (third floor), Hamilton, MT.
Contract documents may be examined or obtained at the Ravalli County Road & Bridge Department office at 244 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, Montana, 59840. Questions relative to the standard and special provisions may be directed to the Ravalli County Road Department at (406) 3632733. Questions relative to the bid process may be directed to the Ravalli County Commissioners Office at (406) 375-6500. No proposal may be withdrawn after the scheduled time for the public opening of proposals, which is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. MST on Monday, March 16, 2026. Ravalli County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received, to waive informalities therein, to postpone the award of the contract for a period of time not to exceed sixty (60) days and to accept the lowest
best when you see trout slashing at flurries of little moth-like flies in the evening, but can take fish all day long. There’s usually a caddisfly ot two flying around and trout are used to taking them.
That takes care of the big three for dry flies. Next on most lists, allowing for specific pattern choices – parachute, comparadun or some other type – were flies for little yellowish-bodied mayflies in #16 and littler olive-bodied mayflies in #18.
From there the lists got increasingly generic. There was a broad range of flies for the three major types of terrestrials in their most common sizes, #8 and #12 for grasshoppers, #14 beetles and #14 ants. Foam-bodied rubberleg flies found their way into this category. They ride low in the water, float forever,
responsive and responsible proposal determined to be in the best interests of Ravalli County. Chris Taggart, Administrative Assistant Ravalli County Commissioners Office BS 2-25, 3-4-26. MNAXLP REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NORTH HAMILTON URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT PROJECT FINANCING CITY OF HAMILTON, MT
The City of Hamilton is seeking proposals from financial institutions to provide up to two loans to the City of Hamilton for North Hamilton Urban Renewal District (NH-URD) public works projects. The repayment source for the loan(s) is the revenue (increment) generated within the NH-URD. The sole security for this loan is the NH-URD revenue. The loan(s) would be for the completion of the following two projects funded by the NH-URD
1. Replacing and deepening the lift station located near GlaxoSmithKline on Old Corvallis Road in Hamilton, MT.
2. Belmont Avenue Wa-
and can be twitched to mimic a struggling insect.
We all listed a broad array of nymphs that could be recategorized as generic hare’s ears, pheasant tails, and peacock-bodied flies in sizes #12 through #16, and a big #4 through #8 stonefly nymph. The bare essential streamer was a Black Wooly Bugger, conehead style or no, in #4 and #8. The Olive Wooly Bugger in #6, it had to be olive according to its strongest adherent, made the list as did a Sparkle Minnow and sculpin. The Pink San Juan Worm had a couple of strong advocates. Whatever we fished, we agreed the most important things were to get the cast in and make sure the leader was right. Even the perfect fly will not produce well otherwise.
ter, Sewer, & Street Improvements. The full request for proposals (RFP), which includes proposal and submittal requirements and selection criteria, is available on the City of Hamilton website at www.cityofhamilton.net and from the Hamilton City Clerk’s Office at 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT. Proposals shall be emailed to the Hamilton City Clerk at cityclerk@cityofhamilton.net by the proposal due date. For alternative delivery methods please contact the City Clerk. Responses must be received by the City Clerk’s Office no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2026. Late responses will not be accepted and any response received after the due date and time will be returned unopened.
The City of Hamilton and its agents reserve the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any formality or technicality. Questions regarding the North Hamilton Urban Renewal District Project Financing RFP may be directed to Hamilton City Planner Matthew Rohrbach, (406) 363- 2101, mrohrbach@cityofhamilton.net. BS 2-25, 3-4-26. MNAXLP
NOTICE OF FILING DEADLINE
Notice is hereby given that Wednesday, the 4th day of March, 2026, at 5 PM, is the final date for filing Declarations for Nomination and Oath of Candidacy forms for all offices for the Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, the 2nd day of June, 2026.
Nominations for the following county offices must be filed by said date and time:
Oath of Candidacy forms for the Bitterroot Conservation District for the following offices must be filed by said date and time: Supervisor: Area 1, Area 3, or Area 5
Statewide and legislative nominations must be filed with the Secretary of State’s Office in Helena, Montana.
Dated this 18th day of February, 2026
Regina Plettenberg, Ravalli County Election Administrator 215 South 4th Street, Suite C; Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 375-6550
Millie the trout shepherd helps the author select a fly. Photo by Chuck Stranahan.
DITCH COSTLY
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