The Bitterroot Star reached out to the winning candidates in the numerous contested races to comment after the primary election, as well as those moving on to the general election.
HD 88
E lected from the primary, Greg Overstreet will be racing against Evan Schroedel in the general election in November. Both responded to comment, saying:
Greg Overstreet
“T hanks to all of you who voted for me in the primary. I’ll be on the November 3rd ballot for re-election to represent Stevensville and Florence in the Montana House of Representatives. I am already working on legislation to introduce on the first day of the legislative session in January 2027. It’s been an honor to represent you, and I cherish the opportunity to continue to do so.”
Evan Schroedel
“I ’m looking forward to going door-to-door and talking to the voters. Discussing property taxes, water issues, and stopping the Sheep Creek mine. Convincing them that I’m the best choice for house district 88 in November.”
HD 86
Wa yne Rusk was voted in as the
Republican candidate to face Archie Thomas in the General election. The candidates were asked about the coming general election. Rusk beat Kenneth Allen by receiving over 60% of the vote. Allen received 1,030 votes, or 39% to Rusk’s 1636 votes.
Rusk and Thomas responded to comment and will be facing off in the general election in November:
Wayne Rusk
“I would like to thank the ele torate for their patience and discernment in the election of last Tuesday. What I heard on the campaign trail was that people would have their business attended to in the upcoming legislative session rather than be mere spectators of another hyper-partisan showdown. The price of that common ground is, on occasion, to lay aside partisanship—not principles. This is a return voters have a right to expect from their investment in a representative, and one they shall have should they see fit to return me to their service in November.”
Archie Thomas
INV ITAT ION FOR B ID
Big Creek Lakes Reservoir Association is accepting bids for work on BIG CREEK L AKES DAM HEADGATE REPL ACEMENT AND SAFETY UPGRADES project un til 3: 00PM local time on Jun e 30, 2026 by email to gloren son @h ydrometrics com W ork in clu des in stallation of a fabricated slide gate, con crete repair, and fabrication an d in stallation of a g rated walkway Th e project is su pported by and fun ded in part by the DNRC A Pre-Bid Con feren ce will be h eld virtually on J une 18th at 1:00PM. Con tract docu men ts ma y be obtained from the Missoula Plan s Exchang e or by contacting g loren son@h ydrometrics com Jun e 9, 16, 23, 2026 COL- MT-50046 MNAXLP
“I am filed as a Democrat, running as an independent RINO-CRAT in HD86 because thoughtful Republicans and Democrats have more in common than what divides us. Together, we make up the Hamilton community. It is beyond time to return Montana government to normalcy. Montanans are sleepwalking as we lose our healthcare, livelihoods, public lands, and states’ rights to modern-day billionaire interests, similar to the copper kings of the past. This filing does not make me a tax and spend Democrat; it reflects the reality of where I can best serve the people of Hamilton—standing, speaking honestly, and reaching
NOTICE OF RAN DOM AUDIT & OFFICIAL CANVASS
Notice is hereby given that a public post-election audit (pending a recount) of 10% of the voting machines used in the June 2, 2026 Primary Election will be held on the 11th day of June, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., in the basement Election Room of the Ravalli County Justice Building located at 205 Bedford Street in Hamilton Reconciliation of the ballots to be part of the audit will be done beginning approximately 8:00 a m The audit may be continued on June 12th if necessary to complete. If a recount is conducted, the post-election audit will not be held pursuant to MCA 13-17503(5)(b).
The official canvass for the General Election will be held on June 16th, at 2:00 p m , in the Commissioner Conference Room (3rd floor), County Administrative Building, located at 215 South 4th Street, Hamilton
Dated this 4th day of June, 2026 Regina Plettenberg Ravalli County Election Administrator 215 South 4th Street, Suite C Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 375-6550
across the aisle to govern. I thrived for over 50 years as a Hamilton business owner because community members valued my competence. It is my wish to return that trust by being the most competent representative for Hamilton House District 86 in Helena. Please visit rino-crat .com for details.”
HD 85
M ichele Binkley lost to Kim Dailey 43% to 57%. Binkley received 1,420 votes to Dailey’s 1,877. Dailey will go on to the General election against Laura Jackson. Jackson received 679 votes in the Primary. No candidates moving forward for HD 85 responded to comment.
HD 87
Te rry Nelson and Bill Jones will race against each other in the general election. Neither responded to comment.
SD 43
St eve Leuchtman and David Bedey will race against each other in the November General election. Bedey beat Kathy Love for the Republican seat 51% to 49% (3,158 votes to 3,082). Lechtman received 1,493 votes.
Leuchtman commented on the differences between candidates, while Bedey focused on issues he’d like to help address if elected.
Steve Leuchtman
“He ading into the general election, our plans are to highlight the differences (and commonalities) between myself and Rep. Bedey, while showing how a constructive campaign can be run between two knowledgeable people who respect each other even if we don’t always agree. The primary highlighted why we have to get dark money out of politics.”
David Bedey
“I wish to thank the voters of Senate District 43 who were not taken in by the barrage of lies and misinformation that plagued this primary election. Rest assured that I will continue to place allegiance to the Constitution and service to the citizens of the district ahead of blind obedience to any political party and will oppose extreme voices emanating from both parties. Among the policy areas I intend to focus on during the upcoming Legislature are water resources, e.g., exempt wells and the maintenance of dams and irrigation systems; revision of the permitting process for hard rock mining; further property tax relief; and implementation of the recommendations coming out of the School Funding Interim Commission. Bitterrooters share a lot of common ground, and I intend to till it.”
Justice of the Peace
De pt. 1
Jen nifer Bedey Ray commented after the primary election, having earned 66% of the vote of confi -
dence against her opponent, Steve Pearson.
Pearson did not respond for comment, but Ray did, saying:
“I would like to thank the voters of Ravalli County for the vote of confidence. I have been honored to serve as your Justice of the Peace for the last twelve years. I intend to continue running my court with integrity. Judging is not an easy job, applying the laws as written without conjecture, passion or prejudice will remain in the forefront of my work. I will continue serving this community with experience, ethics and honesty. Again thank you for your support!”
Ravalli County C ommissioner
St ephen Kowal beat Matthew Roth 5,630 votes to 4,516, or 55% to 45%. Kowal commented on his plans for the seat of Ravalli County Commissioner District 1:
“I’m deeply grateful to the voters of Ravalli County for entrusting me to serve as your next County Commissioner. Thank you to everyone who voted, shared their thoughts, and supported this campaign — your trust means a great deal to me. I’ve really enjoyed meeting so many wonderful people throughout the valley during the primary. From backyard conversations to community gatherings, hearing your stories, concerns, and hopes for our county has been truly rewarding. I look forward to continuing to listen and learn as we move forward. I’m excited to work alongside our dedicated county employees and serve all the citizens of Ravalli County — protecting the rural roots that make this valley special while being thoughtful and responsible about the future.”
Ravalli County S heriff
St eve Holton won, earning a significant 79% of the vote against Nickolas Monaco’s 21%. That was 8,663 votes to 2,236. Holton responded to the Bitterroot Star, saying:
“I am so grateful for all of the support from the community and our partners during the primary election. Moving forward, my team and I are excited to focus on the public safety needs of Ravalli County and working with our partners to address the mental health crisis in our county.”
The City of Hamilton Planning and Zoning Board has recommended the proposed updates to the City’s subdivision regulations go to public hearing before it goes to City Council for fnal decision. This meeting is an opportunity to learn about the proposed updates and voice questions and concerns to City staff. The intent with the subdivision regulations update is to comply with recent state law changes and ensure the City’s development regulations address community needs and interests as Hamilton continues to grow.
New campground opens near Stevensville
A new campground at the John and Nancy Owen Fishing Access Site (FAS) on the Bitterroot River near Stevensville will open Friday, June 5, expanding public access to the area.
The campground includes four basic campsites and a restroom facility, with amenities such as picnic tables and fire pits. All sites are first-come, first-served. The site also features expanded parking for boat trailers.
In 2021, the owner of the neighboring Fort Owen Ranch donated 6.25 acres to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for the campground expan -
sion. Other recent site improvements include dedicated boat trailer parking and a new vault toilet to support the popular river access.
The John and Nancy Owen FAS also offers a gravel boat launch, shoreline fishing, and day-use parking for passenger vehicles. Visitors can also learn more about John and Nancy Owen at nearby Fort Owen State Park.
Quail Forever demonstrates wildfre prevention can protect communities, power local economies
The Bitterroot Valley in western Montana is stunningly beautiful and dangerously vulnerable.
Ravalli County faces a 90 percent chance of catastrophic wildfre in the next 30 years if nothing changes, making it one of the three highest-risk areas in Montana. But Quail Forever has proven that proactive conservation works, and now they’re looking for partners to scale a model that protects communities, strengthens rural economies, and keeps forests healthy.
Over the past three years, Quail Forever has treated 3,000 acres on the West Fork of Mud Creek, injecting $2.8 million directly into local contracting and creating year-round jobs. The work has reduced the risk of catastrophic fres, improved wildlife habitat, and demonstrated that forest health and economic prosperity go hand in hand. It’s a proof of concept that works. The challenge now is fnding the right partners to deploy it at the scale Western landscapes require.
“This isn’t just about preventing fres,” says Michael Brown, Sagebrush Biome Manager for Quail Forever. “It’s about standing up nature-based economies and putting boots on the ground in rural communities.”
A new way to fund forest health
Quail Forever’s work in the Bitterroot has been testing a radical idea: treat forest restoration like infrastructure. Instead of building projects one piece at a time over decades with uncertain annual appropriations, build the whole thing now and pay for it over time.
“We don’t spend 30 years building a bridge one pylon at a time,” Brown explains. “We build the bridge, then pay for it. We’re taking that same mindset to forest health.”
The approach isn’t theoretical. Quail Forever has already proven the model works through its Community Conservation Program in Oregon, where the organization built a fnancial bridge for ranchers facing similar barriers. In that case, QF covered upfront costs and managed contractors while the landowner repaid their share over ten years, allowing critical conservation to move forward.
Working with Blue Forest Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service, Quail Forever has demonstrated that the same model works for forest health on public lands. Mechanical thinning, prescribed burning, and invasive species control across 3,000 acres in the Bitterroot have supported local contractors, kept crews working year-round, and reduced fre risk in one of Montana’s most threatened landscapes. In Hamilton and surrounding communities, that $2.8 million in local spending has meant paychecks for families, business for equipment suppliers, and economic stability.
But Mud Creek received zero funding for implementation in 2026. Without new partners willing to invest in landscape-scale restoration, the work stops, and the valley waits for fre.
“The longer we wait, the problem grows and gets more unmanageable,” Brown says.
The economics make sense
The barrier to scaling this work isn’t technical. It’s fnancial. And the irony is that billions of federal conservation dollars exist, but much of it never reaches the ground. In 2022 alone, $1 billion in Natural Resources Conservation Service funds went unused because landowners couldn’t navigate barriers such as time constraints, knowledge gaps, and upfront costs that small operations simply can’t absorb.
Forest health treatments can cost $3,000 per acre on small projects, while federal cost-share programs like NRCS cover only about $1,500 per acre. For a landowner with even 20 acres, that’s a $30,000 out-of-pocket expense, making conservation fnancially impossible for most families.
Quail Forever has identifed the solution: coordinate neighboring landowners and connect private land projects to adjacent Forest Service work. When contractors can work across 100 to 150 contiguous acres instead of isolated fve-acre parcels, costs drop to $1,200 to $1,500 per acre, bringing projects within reach of federal cost-share funding.
“The problem isn’t that people don’t want to do the right thing,” Brown says. “It’s that it has to be afordable. By bringing landowners together, we can make good stewardship realistic.”
The model has already attracted interest. One property owner recently wrote a $35,000 personal check to fund Forest Service treatments adjacent to his land, recognizing that fre doesn’t respect property lines and healthy forests beneft everyone. He’s now planning to install signage thanking project partners for their work, bringing visibility to collaborative conservation in a high-trafc area of the valley.
Quail Forever has had conversations with landowners. The model is solid. They just need a partner who can provide the springboard to scale. What’s at stake
The connection between healthy forests and healthy economies is direct. In Montana, big game hunting generates approximately $7.50 per acre in economic activity. When catastrophic fre destroys habitat, that revenue stream disappears, taking with it the guides, outftters, hotels, restaurants, and gear shops that depend on hunters and outdoor recreationists.
“Look at Aberdeen, South Dakota,” Brown says. “Its entire economy runs on a three-month pheasant season. In the West, healthy forests can do the same thing. Conservation drives tourism, recreation, and hunting. It’s an economic engine for rural communities.”
But you can only have hunters, hikers, and fshermen if there’s a place for what they love. By reducing fre risk now, Quail Forever is working to ensure the Bitterroot remains a landscape worth visiting, not a charred reminder of what waited too long.
For Al Eiden, Quail Forever’s Western Regional Director, this work
is about meeting Western communities where they are. “We’re the habitat organization,” he says. “To stay relevant in the West, we have to take on issues that matter to people here, and wildfre is at the top of that list.”
The work on Mud Creek has also opened access for public recreation. By bringing in equipment and crews to treat the forest, Quail Forever created infrastructure that partners later connected to trails and roads. The result is better access to a healthy forest, not just a charred landscape.
“If people can’t access habitat, they don’t care about it,” Brown says. “This has a bigger opportunity to get more people involved, healthier forests, easier to go out and see it, and provide that recreational opportunity for a bunch of folks. And that’s why we got involved in it. It’s happy, healthier forests with better access for more people.”
Better habitat by design
Quail Forever’s forest health work goes beyond basic fuel reduction. The organization is also working to reseed native grasses in the understory after thinning, a practice that prevents invasive weeds from taking over and creates better conditions for wildlife. The result is a habitat that works for forest grouse, elk, deer, and the full range of species that depend on healthy forests.
This attention to detail sets Quail Forever apart. Many thinning projects leave bare ground behind, which quickly becomes choked with weeds. By reseeding with native species, Quail Forever ensures the forest foor becomes more diverse, more resilient, and better for wildlife and fre resistance alike.
The work also opens up forest structure in ways that beneft game species critical to rural economies. Healthier understory forage supports migratory elk and deer herds, and improved forest conditions create better habitat for rufed grouse, blue grouse, and other upland species that draws hunters to the region.
The path forward
What’s happening in the Bitterroot Valley is a blueprint for how conservation can align with economic priorities and community needs. Quail Forever has proven the model works. They’ve demonstrated that treating forest health as essential infrastructure, coordinating across property boundaries, and keeping local contractors working year-round delivers results for communities, wildlife, and economies.
The model is already expanding. The Bear River Watershed, which feeds the Great Salt Lake across Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming, hired its own Community Conservation Program coordinator in spring 2025. Landowners there are already drafting projects to boost agricultural resilience alongside habitat for migratory birds, sage grouse, and mule deer. Wherever local will exists, the program can scale. Now the Bitterroot needs partners who see the value in acting.
The question Quail Forever is asking potential partners is simple: “What would it be worth to you to have the best elk, the best trout, the healthiest forest, now, instead of waiting until fre makes the decision for you?” With the right seed funding, this efort can become self-sustaining in the Bitterroot. It would be a drop in the bucket compared to what fre costs communities, and it would generate local jobs, coordinate landowners, and deploy fexible strategies that help partners who are stuck waiting on uncertain appropriations.
States that depend on hunting and recreation revenue, communities vulnerable to wildfre, private landowners who want to protect their property, and businesses that beneft from intact forests all have a stake in making this work. When the right partner gets involved, Brown believes, the dominoes will fall, and landscape-scale conservation will be in place.
“We keep pushing forward toward a model that works when we connect with the right partners,” Brown says. “The valley attracts people with its beauty. Quail Forever is looking to keep it that way.”
“It’s boots on the ground, it’s innovation, and it’s making a diference,” Eiden says. “The Bitterroot is just the beginning.”
The bottom line Quail Forever has proven that proactive wildfre prevention works: 3,000 acres treated, $2.8 million invested in local economies, and a model that aligns forest health with economic prosperity. The opportunity now is for partners who want to see this scaled across the West before fre makes the choice for them. The model is ready. The teams are ready. What’s needed is a partner willing to invest in the landscape they want, not the charred one they’ll get if they wait. To learn more about options for managing forested properties at scale, reach out to Michael Brown at mbrown@pheasantsforever.org
New campsite at John and Nancy Owen FAS on the Bitterroot River near Stevensville. Photo courtesy Montana FWP.
Remembering the Caddis Variant – my favorite fy
One of my biggest and most memorable trout came on a #12 Light Caddis Variant. The fsh was holding below a large boulder in a long pool on the McCloud River, home of the treasured McCloud River Rainbow. Below it was a rapid called Chatterdown. Its chatter was a high-pitched roar that could be heard a mile downstream. Basically, you could fsh above Chatterdown or below it. The rock outcroppings that defned it didn’t permit a foot-path beside it. There was a bushwhack into the water above Chatterdown, and a better defned trail back to the club cabin below the rapids. The long pool above the rapids was reputed to hold some large fsh but didn’t get fshed much.
pines and ponderosas above a river that crashes between immense boulders to form pools and runs against rugged rock clifs. There were deer and squirrels and enough cougars and bears to keep you ever-respectful on the trails. Along
by Chuck Stranahan
That evening I opted for the wilder, less-fshed section above the rapids – not necessarily in search of bigger trout, but more to satisfy that ache to test the unknown, to explore in wild wonderment rather than revisit the familiar.
The old McCloud River club was lush and primeval: red-barked Manzanita and oak trees mixed with digger
the river there were birds and butterfies – always butterfies – hanging near the ever-present mist from water crashing against the boulders, mist that would unexpectedly ride on a warm breeze and cool your face as you worked your way upstream on a hot day. And the trout – native McCloud River rainbows, trout that had been deemed, before
there were freeways and fshing lodges, when Yellowstone Park was in its infancy, the hardiest trout North America – were as wild and primeval as their surroundings. That is the kind of a trout I hooked. A wild and immensely strong and almost ponderously heavy female rainbow took my fy behind the boulder and jumped upstream, twice, more like a breeching whale than a leaping trout before she turned
downstream and tore deliberately into the rapid. My adrenaline took over and I followed her downstream. When I looked back up, after fnally landing that fsh in the boulder-studded run below, I had only one thought: I could have lost it right there. About 250 feet of rushing water stood about two stories above me, a churning current churning through a boulder pile where a slip would have been fatal.
I’d never do it again. But that one fsh on a Light CV stands alone in my memory. I’ve taken more trout on the Light Caddis Variant than any other fy – there have been other big fsh on the CV, days when it took plenty of fsh, and plenty of days when nothing else worked as well.
It’s a tricky fy to tie and requires some exotic materials. I’m about out – and will be tying a batch soon. Get in touch if you’d like some.
MUSEUM: special displays feature youth of Victor
Continued from page 1
to see the questions prior to the interview to help them prepare good answers. The recorded interviews are available at the library, by access from QR codes scattered on displays in the museum. The QR codes accompany photo boards of these individuals.
According to the interviewees, they were surprised at how good the questions were. These thoughts were voiced by a couple of the museum volunteers who were interviewed.
Joanne Hook and Suzanne Tout found the experience fascinating and wonderful, looking back on their time and memories of the area. They also enjoyed comparing the youth of the day to their own youth.
“It was an educational thing for me as well,” said Hosko. She looked back and said there was a lot they grew up with that many young people could not imagine today. For one, they did not have indoor plumbing in those days and there was not any power until several years after she was born.
The youth of the area display will include pictures of the original school. Tout and Hosko spoke on the tearing down of the building which happened while they were in school. Hosko said the staff put all the books in the bleachers as the different rooms were demolished. Hosko said it was her last year there and the
project was part of a levy that was passed to build a new school.
Mari Nordenstrom, a museum volunteer, spoke of her time growing up in the area. She traveled a lot as a youth, but they always found their way back to Victor. She grew to love this community. Her father was always moving around for work, which she said was another thing many young people of today may not be able to relate to.
The museum includes displays of old fair ribbons from 1912 and the 1920s, school uniforms, 4H history, boy scouts, rainbow girls and much more. There is also a cut-out fish mural, made by Victor School’s Jennifer Ogden’s class.
According to Hosko, “People have put a lot of effort into this. It’s a beautiful display,” and the best they may have ever done, she and other volunteers feel. “They are missing something really great here if they don’t stop in.”
Marylee Bailey, another volunteer, echoed these comments, saying, “It’s pretty miraculous for this little community to have a museum and a group that wants to show off this town.”
Tout added to this, saying the volunteers are an amazing group of people. “I enjoy working here with all these people,” said Tout. Many of the volunteers have been involved with the museum for a very long time. In fact, Judy Thornbrugh,
another volunteer, spoke of the picture of her motherin-law on the wall, who was also the one who initiated the museum.
The volunteers also mentioned how a lot of the important information visitors can learn comes from the volunteers themselves. Janet Beer described this, saying, “History is very important here, whether you’re new or you’ve lived here for a long time.” For her, this history that comes from the stories people tell, is history a person cannot find in a book. It also, for her at least, helps find “a deeper appreciation for the area you call home.”
The museum volunteers are excited for the summer. They wanted to comment on the ice cream social event they do. This year, it will take place in Victor Park. It will take place on Aug. 30, the last Sunday in August. According to Tout, the Bitterroot Band will be playing, Out West Wagons will be doing tours around town and there will be plenty of homemade ice cream. They recommend visitors bring lawn chairs. The Victor Heritage Museum is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. They are closed Sunday and Monday. They close for the season Sept. 7. They will only open again during their chocolate tasting event and Victor home coming. For more information, interested parties can contact the museum by calling (406) 642-3997.
The Light Caddis Variant dances high above the water and takes big trout. Photo by Chuck Stranahan.
At left, hats from band. Above, cheer outfts from the Victor area. Photos by John Dowd.
Sports
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
Florence’s Marsh coach of the year
Scott Marsh, Florence’s head golf coach, was named the 2026 Class B Golf Coach of the Year by the Montana Coaches Association for both boys and girls golf.
Marsh has now won the Class B golf girls Coach of the Year for three consecu -
tive years, this is his first time winning the boys Coach of the Year.
The Florence boys golf team won the 2026 Class B State Championship this spring, while the Florence girls took second place.
“Scott is a great coach and an even better person,” said Florence activities director Adam Tranmer. “He will be the first to tell you it’s not him, it’s the kids and while he and I have the same mindset about that, Scott has built
a culture and program that reflects that mindset, and it is second to none.”
Marsh is also the Florence High School principal and is a referee in basketball and football. Marsh has been Florence’s golf coach since Florence started the golf program in 2017. This was Florence’s first boys state title in golf. “This is an honor that needs to be celebrated, recognized and shared,” said Tranmer, “and is very much deserved.”
TRACK: Stevi girls third at state
Continued from page 1
Because of these factors, Corvallis and Hamilton have great participation in their program. For example, at the Ravalli County Invitational hosted by Hamilton on May 8, Corvallis brought 88 athletes, and Hamilton brought 81 athletes. Stevensville brought 34 kids, seven less than Class B Darby.
New coach
Stevensville’s second-year head track coach Chris Jones wants to change all of this. Jones was an assistant coach at Missoula Sentinel before coming to Stevensville. When he moved to the Bitterroot, Jones started looking for a head coaching position. Helping rebuild the Stevensville program piqued his interest. “Something about it just felt right,” said Jones. “I knew we had a lot of work to do, the facilities weren’t in good shape, and participation was low. I won’t lie, it’s been a struggle at times these last couple of years, but it’s been rewarding as well. I was blessed to have six awesome assistants to help me this year in Sydnie Heidtke, Tyler Joyner, Ceara Chavez, Rowley Dupras, Gary Little, and Jay Alif.”
The Bitterroot track community has been supportive of Jones’s eforts. “Spencer
Huls of Corvallis has been so gracious and supportive to us,” said Jones. “He gave me some recommendations for assistant coaches, and lent us their line sprayer to paint lane lines on our track at Stevensville.”
Jones is hoping to help change the culture of track in Stevensville. “One of the biggest challenges I face is changing the kids’ perception of track from an individual sport to a team sport,” said Jones. “I want them to think of a team dynamic. To build a culture where all the athletic teams are supporting each other. There is room for growth at Stevensville, and we can do better.”
The 2026 state meet Stevensville brought three girls to the state tournament in 2026: sophomore Reagan Johnstone, sophomore Eva Brunell, and senior Sophia Hutchison. First-place Havre brought 10 girls, and both second-place Corvallis and fourth-place Hamilton brought 11 girls.
“We knew it was going to be an uphill battle to place at state,” said Jones. “Reagan was in fve events, Sophia in three, and Eva in one. We had an outside chance, but everything needed to fall into place for it to work.”
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And everything fell into place. Johnstone had an epic state meet, winning the 100m and 300m hurdles, taking third in both the 200m and triple jump, and sixth in the long jump. Hutchison won the triple jump and took second in the long jump. And Brunell took ffth in the discus.
State track team standings are often determined by the smallest fractions of a second or inch. This was the case in the 2026 Class A girls team standings. Stevensville scored 53 points to take third place - one point more than fourth place Hamilton, who scored 52 points. With the point totals up in the air until the end, the Stevensville girls peaked at the perfect moment.
“Eva had a personal-best throw on her very last attempt at state, moving her into ffth place for two points,” said Jones. “Sophia won the triple jump by just one inch with a personal-best leap, earning the team ten points. Finally, Reagan secured her best jump of the meet on her last attempt in triple jump, taking third place and scoring six more points.”
Stevensville wouldn’t have won a trophy without those fnal eforts.
“It’s cool how it all worked out - like it was meant to be,” said Jones. “If any of those things hadn’t happened when they did, we wouldn’t have gotten a state trophy.”
Looking forward Jones hopes the girls’ success at state will jump start the program. “We still have a lot of work to do,” said Jones. “We’re certainly going to miss Sophia next year. But our boys saw what the girls did, and they are hungry to succeed as well. I predict that Stevensville will do great things in the next couple of years.”
Florence’s head golf coach, Scott Marsh, was named the 2026 Class B Golf Coach of the Year for boys and girls. Photo courtesy of Adam Tranmer.
Stevensville’s girls track team with their 2026 state Class A third place trophy. L to R, Sophia Hutchison, Eva Brunell and Reagan Johnstone. Photo courtesy of Chris Jones.
Water rights
T he magnitude of the question is soaking in (pun intended).
My first vote was as a Republican and it was for Eisenhower. In the time from that event to present day I have been an active Republican. I have never, in that period of time, missed an opportunity to vote. That act is a privilege created by law and great sacrifice. As Citizens there is a responsibility to vote and I have done so with great pride. We are not Subjects - Yet.
The Gop platform of Montana reads like a mafial manifesto.
The trend toward legislation by adjudication acts to reduce us by rule of law and as such is often deficient in equity. It results in those affected being reduced from Citizen to Subject.
The subject of water rights is exceedingly complex. The extent and complexity are such that it cannot be resolved by presentation in a political format. Such a proposal speaks loudly of the primary motive or proposed intent. It appears to be the same as the proposal to tax small farming activities. It proposes an effort to manipulate circumstance for a great gain for one party at the cost to another. There is no equity.
This platform is of a poor design, executed with deceit and destined to fail.
Where’s the pride in that? What has happened to the GOP that such an activity is proposed? It’s just another indication that the Republicans, like the the Democrats, are racing to failure.
I’m ashamed.
William (Bill) Campbell Conner
Support the RM L team
As Senator Tim Sheehy targets Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) for an Inspector General investigation, he and we should remember the lesson of NASA’s Apollo 13 – a “successful failure.”
Some of us may have experienced Apollo 13 in real time and others from the Tom Hanks movie of the same name. In April 1970, halfway on its journey to the moon the spacecraft experienced an on-board explosion: “Okay Houston, we’ve had a problem here.” Solving life-threatening problem after problem, the NASA team safely returned its astronauts to Earth. Apollo 13 is called a “successful failure” because the mission is celebrated as a monumental triumph of human ingenuity, crisis management and teamwork.
In May, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) confirmed two incidents of possible exposure to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever at RML. According to the NIH, “Established procedures for transport, patient care, waste handling, testing and safety were followed by all involved, from lab staff and agency safety and health support to hospital care team and medical specialists. At no time was there any evidence of disease transmission or infection, nor was there ever any risk to staff, caregivers, or the public.” In other words, it was a “successful failure.”
In every field of human endeavor failure happens. RML had a “successful failure”, because the team there knows what it’s doing. Our community ought to recognize, appreciate, support and applaud that rare commodity – competency. Our community ought to stand against – and vote against – ignorant, irresponsible, headline seeking
Bitterroot
to include
Opinion
politicians, like Senator Sheehy’s colleague, Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, who said, “We need to stop any funding of batty research before it causes another pandemic.”
If they wish to be serious and responsible, Senator Sheehy and Senator Ernst would personally visit RML and meet the people who work there, as I was recently privileged to do during a community liaison meeting. They would learn what professionalism, deep scientific knowledge, competency and an abiding dedication to humanity looks like.
Let’s support our friends and neighbors working at RML and stand against politicians trying to gain more cheap political points.
Doug Hatchimonji Hamilton
Memorial Day P arade
Th is is a bit belated but a big THANK YOU to the Corvallis American Legion Post 91 and the Auxiliary for once again hosting a fabulous, enjoyable Memorial Day Parade.
Hosting the parade is a tremendous undertaking-from the registration, security, parade flow, etc. The Legion places over 500 flags at the Corvallis cemetery on Sat. The parade is on Monday. 500 names are solemnly read on Monday honoring a veteran who has passed. A wreath is placed in the river honoring Naval/Coast Guard veterans. Then on Tuesday, the flags are removed. Lots of work is involved for the community and honoring our beloved Veterans.
The parade is a symbol to the community of honoring our Veterans. It’s not about floats, loud cars, ribbons, or long horned steers.
We are honoring our community veterans. We should be thankful for all they do and have done. God bless America. Thank you Corvallis American Legion 91.
Arlene Helmbrecht
Victor
Sheep Creek Mine
O nly when the last tree has died, the last river is poisoned, the last fish has died. Then we will realize we can not eat money.
This land is Sacred. Native Americans used Nez Pierce Pass into Idaho and beyond. What do the Hieroglyphics say up Skalkaho and the massive bone pile from curing their meat in Nez Pierce Pass?
This land is Sacred to me. Born and living here 71 years. Hunting, fishing, recreating. My father was stationed at Magruder Ranger Station on the other side of Nez Pierce Pass.
This land is Sacred to our children, my Granddaughter. What will be left to them?
This land is Sacred to God. We just get the opportunity to be on it.
To the richest and millionaires, the Stock Farm, CB Ranch, Triple Creek Ranch, to name just a few, your houses and land will not be worth a Plug Nickel.
We will, all of us, lose for a bunch of rocks.
A danger foreseen is half avoided. Neil Rose Hamilton
Knowing the signal is only half the story
Recently, while enjoying my morning cup of cofee here in the Bitterroot Valley, I came across an online article discussing the silent hand signal used by victims of abuse to indicate they
is
every Wednesday by Bitterroot
may be in danger. The signal itself has become increasingly recognized across the country, and that is certainly a good thing. Awareness can save lives.
But as I fnished reading the article, one important thought struck me: it explained the signal, yet never explained what a person should actually do if they see someone giving it. That seems like only half the lesson.
Most people now understand that the hand gesture may mean someone is being abused, threatened, or controlled and cannot safely ask for help out loud. Yet many good-hearted people would still freeze in uncertainty if they encountered it in real life. Should they intervene immediately? Call the police? Ask questions? Ignore it in case they misunderstood?
Public education should include those answers as well.
Experts generally advise people to remain calm and avoid confronting a suspected abuser directly. A public confrontation could place the victim in even greater danger. Instead, if possible, safely separate the individual from the situation and ask simple yesor-no questions such as, “Do you need help?” or “Would you like me to call someone?”
If immediate danger exists, contacting law enforcement is appropriate. In other situations, helping the person connect privately with trusted family members, shelters, counselors, or crisis hotlines may be the safest course of action. Just as important is knowing what not to do: do not pressure the person to explain themselves publicly, do not assume you know the entire story, and do not ignore the signal simply because you are uncertain.
In small towns and close-knit communities like Stevensville, we pride ourselves on looking out for one another. That responsibility includes learning not only to recognize silent cries for help, but also how to respond wisely and safely.
Awareness is important. Preparedness is even better.
Sometimes helping someone begins with simply knowing what to do next.
Bob Spitzer Stevensville
The greatest nation
On May 29, my letter to the editor included a graph that I wanted published so that we could see where America actually stands in rankings of major importance to our lives.
The graph did not get posted so I am including in this letter the results of that survey in narrative form.
The survey was conducted by the Commonwealth Fund/World Happiness Report for the Economic Forum of the United Nations with data from 2022–2025.
We Americans believe we are great in all aspects of society. The following results will surprise you!
We Americans believe we are great in Healthcare while we actually rank last among wealthy nations. We believe we are a Happy nation, but the survey shows that we rank number 24 in the world. We believe we have a great Educational system. The results of the survey show that we actually rank 26th in the world. We believe we have great Life Expectancy when in fact, we rank 46th in the world. We believe we have a Free Press while the survey shows that we rank 57th in the world. We believe that our citizens are Socially Mobile. That is “we can move up in the world”, as they say. The survey shows that our social mobility ranks 27th in the world. Finally, in the area of Income Equality, the United States ranks last in the Western world, that is, among all the developed nations.
Newspaper, Co, a division of Mullen Newspapers. The
The survey goes on to show the areas that America is actually Number One at: Imprisoning People, Gun Deaths, School Shootings, Drug Deaths, Medical Bankruptcy, Wealth Inequality among wealthy nations, Maternal Mortality among wealthy nations, Child Poverty among wealthy nations, and in believing that we are #1. Our status has only gotten worse in the last two years, following the election of our current president. Lord knows how long it will take us to be number one in the areas that matter most!
Tom Tunny Hamilton
Good trouble around our megaphone(s)
Please note that this evening’s national TV advertising is depriving down-ballot candidates and ofces of their due airtime and respect. In one fell-swoop, buying our democracy and elections in full view!
Signatures are currently being gathered for Initiative-194 (The Montana Plan), a great opportunity to restore some Montana campaign fnance regulation. Yes, this is the one that will make the federal Citizens-United case irrelevant. But it needs to get on the November ballot by way of enough signatures on petitions to request just that. Good-Government advocates of all persuasions are working on this for YOU. In efect, a decade of stay-in-power stuf has nationalized our elections. Priorities like housing, daycare, to name only a few, left at the wayside for you to continue losing sleep over. A simple adaptation of existing state law provisions can get us back to a semblance of normal: reclaim this State’s authority to defne the powers corporations, PACs, and other artifcial entities can pursue within our boundaries.
By dominating our airwaves, the special interests dominate our political process. Don’t be fooled by those business types who have come to like today’s status quo. The Copper-Collar of days gone-by would ft them nicely. I-194 will not silence any individual. The opposition doesn’t even want this on the ballot; actual people rendering a ruling of their own seems to bother them. Enough is enough! Corporate dominance has to be reigned in. The whole System has now been rigged to bias business’ interests over our taxpayers. In some respects, recent years’ practice is how a good number of billionaires became billionaires in the frst place. Lasting Value has gone away in far too many ways. Workers are the source of innovation that Wall Streeters have profted from! To be sure, this is one form of corporate engineering that we can do without. Certainly, something to think about over the next few days. You can probably feel the bipartisan interest in stopping the insane unfairness. The appearance of corrup-tion, if nothing else. But the working-stif’s “window” can always be closed tighter. Local ofcials are much more community-oriented and perhaps more important to long-term viability of our state in these troubling, uncertain times.
The must-read language of I-194 is available at MontanaPlan.org. It will also direct you to opportunities to sign the petition to get the measure on to November’s ballot or get involved further. This could be at least one step toward a healthier democracy and electorate.
Tom Cherry Helena
and
content deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. We
and information that’s important to the people of the Bitterroot Valley. If you have a story idea, or any other concern, call us at 406-777-3928, email: editor@bitterrootstar.com or stop in at our ofce at 115 W. 3rd, #108, Stevensville. The mailing address is P.O. Box
Gerald R. ‘Jerry’ Swanson Obituaries
Gerald R. “Jerry” Swanson, 67, passed away Sunday, May 24, 2026 at his home in Hamilton, MT after a valiant battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was born August 8, 1958 in Northwood, ND, the son of Elmer and Vivienne Swanson.
Jerry was raised in Larimore, ND, graduating from Larimore High School in 1976. He spent many years as a commercial painter before attending Colorado Aero Tech and graduating in 1982 with his aircraft mechanic’s license. This began a 38-year career as a helicopter mechanic until his retirement in 2023. Jerry married his soul mate and the love of his life, Annie McCall at Faith Lutheran Church in Hamilton on October 26, 1985.
Jerry enjoyed being an active member of the Antique Snowmobile Club of America for many years. He loved collecting vintage snowmobiles and tracks, and was well-known for his vast knowledge and passion for them. His many contributions to the aviation industry include obtaining multiple FAA approvals for companies to operate military-surplus aircraft for frefghting, construction, and logging, creating many jobs and constantly improving safety with new upgrades. He mentored many young mechanics and selfessly shared his knowledge and experience with anyone who would listen. Jerry’s friends and family
Death Notices
LeRoy D. Steavens
Hamilton - LeRoy D. Steavens, 93, passed away early in the morning, Saturday, May 30, 2026, at his home with his caregivers at his side. Brothers Mortuary & Crematory are honored to care for Mr. Steavens. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.
Jay Harold Shelly
Florence - Jay Harold Shelly, 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 25, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome. com.
will remember him for his gentle guidance, great sense of humor, and quick wit. He had quite a lot of deep bonds with many friends through the years that were like brothers.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; and his three brothers, Allan, Jim and Gordon Swanson. He was also preceded in death by his two nephews Michael McCall and Brett Mackie.
He is survived by his loving wife, Annie; his daughter, Jenevie Green; two grandsons, Orion Bos and Ellie Cox; nephews, Jesse and Lucas Swanson, Justin McCall, and Travis Mackie, and niece Chantel Mackie. Two sisters-in-law, Carol Anderson (Ivan) and Arliss McCall (Jesse); his brother-in-law, Mike McCall (Christi); and numerous other relatives.
Jerry’s courage and will to live the past four years was truly incredible. He never complained, and always had a positive attitude, looking ahead.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at Faith Lutheran Church in Hamilton with a reception to follow. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
For all of Jerry’s North Dakota friends and family, a second Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, July 19, at 1pm at Good Friends in Larimore, ND with a reception to follow.
Jan A. Brown
Corvallis- Jan A. Brown, 81, of Corvallis passed away Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Community Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer. Private family services are being planned for the summer. Condolences may be left for the family at www. dalyleachchapel. com.
Dr. Clifford James Manley (DVM)
Hamilton - Dr. Cliford James Manley (DVM), 76, of Hamilton passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at his home of natural causes. No formal services will be held. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
Linda D. Crick
Obituaries are $75. Obituaries are limited to 350 words or less. $1 for every 10 extra words.
Hamilton - Linda D. Crick, 85, passed away peacefully early in the morning, Saturday, May 23, 2026, at The Valley Health and Rehab in Hamilton. Brothers Mortuary and Crematory are honored to care for Ms. Crick. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www. brothersmortuary. com.
David A. Brown
StevensvilleDavid A. Brown, 84, passed away in the morning, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with his wife by his side at home. Brothers Mortuary and Crematory are honored to care for Mr. Brown. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www. brothersmortuary. com.
Sue A. Deibert
Corvallis - Sue A. Deibert, 83, passed away in the morning, May 26, 2026, at the Valley Health and Rehab. in Hamilton. Brothers Mortuary and Crematory are honored to care for Mrs Deibert. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www. brothersmortuary. com.
LAB: federal charges against researchers intensify scrutiny of facility
Continued from page 1
ject (WCW), a nonprofit organization that opposes government-funded animal testing. The group recently circulated a whistleblower report alleging federal officials failed to adequately disclose safety incidents at the facility.
The WCW previously campaigned against animal research programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The organization has also recently launched billboard campaigns targeting animal research at RML.
Some of those allegations and the wave of criticism gained traction among Republican lawmakers and conservative activists. Montana Sen. Tim Sheehy said his staff would review the claims and later requested information from the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General regarding laboratory incidents and oversight procedures.
In a May 26 letter, Sheehy asked about reported incidents at RML and any risks posed by what he described as “potentially rogue scientists.” Republican Senators Joni Ernst of Iowa and Rick Scott of Florida also publicly referenced the allegations.
Several of the claims promoted online remain unverified. Among them are assertions that federal officials concealed information about laboratory accidents or an investigation involving Munster before the criminal charges became public.
Federal health officials have acknowledged at least one recent
laboratory exposure incident at Rocky Mountain Laboratories. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the agency under which RML operates, said a report was filed on Feb. 18, 2026 after a researcher experienced a potential exposure to Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus caused by a damaged protective glove while handling laboratory mice.
NIH claimed established safety and reporting procedures were followed and that there was no release of pathogens outside the laboratory or danger to the public.
An NIH official also told local media of a separate incident involving a monkey bite that penetrated protective equipment. The employee was transported to a specialized treatment center in Spokane, Washington, for evaluation and care.
In a statement following the arrests, NIH said it had taken appropriate action and determined there was no risk to laboratory staff or the surrounding community. The agency emphasized that employees are required to comply with strict rules governing the handling, transport and storage of biological materials.
RML employs roughly 500 people in the Bitterroot Valley and has played a significant role in infectious disease research for decades. Scientists at the facility contributed to research on COVID-19, Ebola, MERS, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other illnesses. Research conducted at the laboratory also helped support development of the
antiviral drug remdesivir.
RML has recently experienced staffing reductions connected to broader federal workforce cuts.
The Bitterroot Star reached out to RML and the NIH for comment. Though they declined an interview, they responded with the prepared statement:
“In January 2026, NIH leadership were made aware of the incident at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport involving NIH staff members. Upon notification, NIH leadership immediately activated established agency protocols to safeguard related laboratory facilities, research materials and biological samples. These actions included securing relevant laboratory spaces, restricting access to affected areas and conducting a comprehensive audit and inventory assessment to verify that all materials were appropriately accounted for, documented and maintained in accordance with all relevant biosafety policies, requirements and procedures. NIH also took appropriate personnel actions and took all relevant steps to confirm that there was no risk at any time to the staff or public in
or around the RML facility. This matter is currently under investigation, and NIH is cooperating fully with law enforcement and appropriate authorities. Because this is an ongoing investigation and personnel matter, we are limited in what additional information we can provide at this time.
NIH is committed to maintaining the highest standards of biosafety, biosecurity and stewardship of research materials. NIH leadership continues to prioritize biosafety across the agency and to promote a strong culture of accountability, compliance and responsible scientific research throughout the biomedical research enterprise.”
Federal prosecutors have not alleged that the Detroit incident created a public health threat, and the criminal case against Munster and Kwe remains pending.
Rocky Mountain Labs. Star fle photo. Monkeypox
SHAKESP EARE
Legal Notices
NOTICE
The frst half of the 2026 Mobile Home Taxes are due payable before 5 pm June 15, 2026. We have a Night Drop located at North end of Administration Building in drive thru. Mailed payments must be postmarked by June 15, 2026 or the payment will be returned for penalty and interest. Please make checks payable to the Ravalli County Treasurer. Master Card, Visa, Discover and American Express cards are accepted. Also accepting online payments at www. Ravalli.us/196/Property-Tax. Paying with Credit/ Debit card will include a 2.15% convenience fee and $1.25 Transaction Fee. Ravalli County Treasurer Dan Whitesitt 215 S 4th St Ste H Hamilton MT 59840 406-375-6600
BS 5-6, 5-13, 5-20, 5-27, 6-3, 6-10-2026.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTYFIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF Carrie Lynn Oury: Carrie Lynn Oury, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-412026-0000200-NC Dept No.: 2 - Jennifer B. Lin NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is a notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Carrie Lynn Oury to Carrie Lynn Candla Aragen. The hearing will be on June 18, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County. Dated May 5, 2026. Paige Trautwein, Clerk of District Court /s/ Catherine Di Gleria, Deputy Clerk of Court BS 5-20, 5-27, 6-3, 6-10-2026.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTYFIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF Michelle Schaefer: Michelle Schaefer,
0
Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-26-181 Dept No.: 1
AMENDED NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is a notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Michelle Rose Schaefer to Michelle Rose Hooper. The hearing will be on July 8, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County.
Dated May 13, 2026. Paige Trautwein, Clerk of District Court /s/ Sarah Gingerich-Sargent, Deputy Clerk of Court BS 5-20, 5-27, 6-3, 6-10-2026.
MNAXLP
John D. Greef
attorney at law P.O. Box 1926 Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 360-8117
Attorney for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: Janice M. Garfeld
Deceased. Case No.: DP-2026-03
Department No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Garry L. Garfeld, Jr. has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Garry L. Garfeld, Jr., the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, in c/o John D. Greef, P.O. Box 1926, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.
DATED this 21st day of May, 2026.
/s/ John D. Greef John D. Greef, Attorney for Personal Representative BS 5-27, 6-3, 6-10, 6-17-2026. MNAXLP
John D. Greef
attorney at law P.O. Box 1926 Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 360-8117
Attorney for Personal Representative
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: Chad Grossenburg, Deceased. Case No.: DP-20260000024
Department No. 2
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that John Michael Grossenbury has been appointed as the 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 frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to John Michael Grossenburg, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, in c/o John D. Greef, P.O. Box 1926, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.
DATED this 21st day of May, 2026. /s/ John D. Greef
John D. Greef, Attorney for Personal Representative BS 5-27, 6-3, 6-10, 6-17-2026. MNAXLP
PUBLIC HEARING
PRELIMINARY
BUDGET HEARING FOR RAVALLI COUNTY
The BOARD OF RAVALLI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS will hold a public hearing on the Preliminary County Operating Budget beginning Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the Commissioners Conference Room located at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, MT. on the 3rd Floor. The Commissioners have compiled the Preliminary Annual Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 and the preliminary budget is on fle and open for inspection in the Ravalli County Commissioners
Ofce located at 215 S. 4th Street, Suite A, (3rd foor), Hamilton, MT. Budgets can be taken out of order listed below, and may be continued into the next date and/or time session if necessary: Commissioners, Justice Court #1, Justice Court #2, General Fund Variable Costs, Treasurer, Forester, Clerk & Recorder/Records Preservation/ County Supt of Schools, Finance, County Attorney, Ofce of Emergency Management, Public Health Nurse/PHEP/MCH/Immunization, Environmental Health, Information Technology, Human Resources, Safety Coordinator, Central Supply, Contributions to Communities, Facilities, Road, Bridge, Weed Control, Fair, Airport, Clerk of District Court, Juvenile Detention, Comprehensive Insurance, Parks, Library, Cemetery, Planning, GIS, Mental Health, Valley Veterans, Economic Development, Extension, Public Safety, Jail Diversion, Animal Protection & Control, Records Retention, Old Courthouse Maintenance, Ravalli County Museum, and 911 County & Enhanced.
Any taxpayer or resident may appear at the hearing and be heard for or against any part of the proposed preliminary budget. The Final Budget will be approved and adopted by Resolution on Thursday, September 03, 2026, at 10:30 AM. If you have any questions, please contact the Commissioner’s Ofce at 375-6500, email at commissioners@ rc.mt.gov or at the above address.
Chris Taggart Commissioners Administrative Assistant BS 6-3, 6-10-2026.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE NAME CHANGE OF Nikolay Pavlovich Shved: Nikolay Pavlovich Shved, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-412026-0000232-NC Dept No.: 1 - Howard F. Recht NOTICE OF HEARING
ON NAME CHANGE
This is a notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Nikolay Pavlovich Shved to Nikolay Garyvich Ackermann. The hearing will be on July 15, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County.
Dated May 29, 2026. Paige Trautwein, Clerk of District Court /s/ Janenne Sorenson, Deputy Clerk of Court BS 6-3, 6-10, 6-17, 6-24-2026. MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE NAME CHANGE OF Daniel Pavlovich Shved: Daniel Pavlovich Shved, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-26-231 Dept No.: 1 NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is a notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Daniel Pavlovich Shved to Daniel Garyvich Ackermann. The hearing will be on July 15, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County.
Dated May 29, 2026. Paige Trautwein, Clerk of District Court /s/ Catherine Di Gleria, Deputy Clerk of Court BS 6-3, 6-10, 6-17, 6-24-2026.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC HEARING
The Darby Town Council will hold a public hearing regarding the passing of Ordinance 172, Provisions and Regulations to Town Parks. Comments may be given orally at the hearing or submitted in writing before 5:00 p.m. on June 22, 2026. For more information contact Darby Town Hall at (406) 821-3753. The hearing will be held at: Darby Town Hall 101 East Tanner Avenue June 23, 2026 6:00 PM BS 6-10, 6-17-2026. MNAXLP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CITY OF HAMILTON PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD
The City of Hamilton is proposing to update Title 16 (Subdivision Regulations) of the Hamilton Municipal Code. More information, including a complete draft of the proposed update, is available at www.cityofhamilton.net, by contacting the Hamilton Planning Department at (406) 363-2101 ext. 218, mrohrbach@cityofhamilton.net, or visiting Hamilton City Hall at 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT. Public Hearing
The City of Hamilton Planning and Zoning Board will hold a public hearing to review, take public comment, and consider a recommendation to City Council on the proposed Title 16 (Subdivision Regulations) update on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. on the 2nd foor of Hamilton City Hall, 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT. Open Houses There will also be two open houses for the public to learn more about, ask questions, and comment on the proposed update. The open houses will take place on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and will be held on the 2nd foor of Hamilton City Hall, 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT. At the public hearing any member of the public may attend and make comment in person or remotely. Instructions for remote participation are available on the City of Hamilton website www. cityofhamilton.net, or by contacting aenglish@ cityofhamilton.net.
Comments prior to the Planning and Zoning Board hearing may be submitted to the Planning Department by emailing aenglish@cityofhamilton. net. Comments may also be mailed or delivered in person to City of Hamilton Planning Department, 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840. BS 6-10, 6-17-2026. MNAXLP
National Trails Day: the work behind trail maintenance
by Mike Hudgins
Just as the morning sun fully settled into the valley, trucks with horse trailers gathered at Larry Creek near Florence, where volunteers were met with shovels, Pulaskis and chainsaws. After a quick exchange of pleasantries and a safety briefng, they split into teams and spent the day doing the kind of work most hikers and riders never see but that almost always benefts them.
This is National Trails Day in earnest.
Held every frst Saturday in June and established by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day highlights the country’s trail systems and the volunteer labor that keeps them functioning. On June 6 at Larry Creek, the event looked less like a celebration and more like a typical maintenance day. For Brad Pollman, a longtime member of the Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen (BR BCH), that was exactly the point.
“It’s pretty much a typical trail maintenance day,” Pollman said. “We’ve maintained Larry Creek for many years.”
Pollman has worked on the project for more than two decades. Larry Creek is one of several low-elevation routes the group relies on each spring. It opens earlier than higher mountain trails, giving riders a place to condition horses after winter while also ofering a chance to assess and repair damage before heavier summer use begins. “We use that area in the spring to tune our horses up after they’ve been at winter pasture,” Pollman said. “It lets us ride without damaging the resource.”
Volunteers broke into teams and moved along the trail, clearing brush, cutting back overgrowth and removing downed trees. They also maintained drainage systems designed to move water of the trail before it causes erosion. “We cut back brush that could be a hazard,” Pollman said. “We clear down trees. If they’re too big or too challenging, we work with Forest Service saw crews.”
Water management is a major part of the job. Water bars fll with dirt and debris, forcing water to stay on the trail instead of draining of it. “We clean those out so spring and summer rains can shed of the trail,”
he said. “Otherwise, it just erodes it out.”
The BR BCH operates as part of a statewide and national organization that partners with agencies, including the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. “Years ago, we would fnd out after decisions were made that a trail was going to be closed or changed,” Pollman said. “We thought it was smarter to build a working relationship and be part of the decision-making process.”
That involvement helps quantify volunteer labor, which represents millions of dollars in trail maintenance nationwide. But for volunteers, the impact is more immediate: keeping trails open at all.
“If they get too far gone to where there’s a hazard, the federal government has to shut the trail down,” Pollman said. “Once they’re closed, they’re awful hard to bring back.”
Population growth has also shifted use patterns, with more people traveling into the Bitterroot from Missoula and surrounding areas. “That pressure is starting to show up down here,” he said. “Larry Creek is getting hit with it too.”
Addressing that level of trail damage often exceeds what volunteers can handle alone. Larger projects require grants, contracted crews, or agency support. “It depends on the chapter’s abilities,” he said. “Some of it is too physical for our membership now, so we bring in crews to help.”
That aging membership is one of
the organization’s biggest challenges.
“We’re an aging membership, and it’s hard to get young people involved,” Pollman said. He believes part of the issue is a shift in how people relate to public lands. Earlier generations often came from ranching or farming backgrounds. Today, more users are recreational and less familiar with how trails are maintained. “A lot of people don’t realize how these trails got there or what it takes to keep them there,” he said. “They think they just happen.”
to see the results and you’re with a good group of people.” That sense of community carries through the workday and into the project’s end, when crews gather for food and conversation at the trailhead.
“You can’t take people out for six or seven hours of work and not feed them,” he said. “When you feed them, they come back.”
That disconnect is part of why National Trails Day matters. It briefy makes visible the work that is usually invisible. Despite the workload, Pollman said the motivation is simple. “It’s fun,” he said. “You get
As pressure on trails continues to grow, volunteers expect the workload to rise with it. For now, the routine remains the same. Brush gets cleared. Water gets redirected, and trails stay open because people show up to maintain them.
More information about BR BCH and their work is available at bchmt. org/wp/bitterroot/.
Bitter Root Back County Horsemen members meet at Larry Creek near Florence on June 6 – National Trails Day – to highlight the local trail systems and the volunteer labor that keeps them functioning. Photos by Mike Hudgins.
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LOOKING FOR ROOMMATE/CARETAKER, private bed, private bath, rent and compensation negotiable, Call for info at (406) 642-6279.
EXTENSION GRANT AND FISCAL COORDINATOR. Full time. Will support research and funding eforts within MSU Extension. Complete description and how to apply at www. montana.edu/extension/ careers. Screening begins June 8. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profle. Montana State University does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law
FRESH EGGS from Howell’s Happy Hens are back! $5.00/doz. Pick up at Bitterroot Star ofce, 115 W. 3rd, Suite 108, Stevensville.
INDOOR FLEA MARKET - 9-4 - Saturday, June 20, 2026 - Mosaic Church, 206 W Main St., Hamilton: clothes, furniture, vintage treasurers, camping/fshing gear, tools, home decor and more. All Proceeds Support Operation Christmas Child.
GARAGE SALELarge worktable, Ethan Allen day bed w/trundle, baker’s rack, snowman collection, lots of Christmas stuf, kitchen stuf, books, DVDs, and more. June 12 and 13, 9-4, 489 Hidden Valley Rd. South, Florence.
