Fire danger level on the Bitterroot National Forest was raised from “Moderate” to “High” Fire Danger on June 11, due to hotter and drier weather conditions.
When fre danger is “High” fres will start from most causes. The fres will spread rapidly, and short-distance spotting is common. All fne dead fuels ignite readily, and unattended brush and campfres are likely to escape. High intensity burning may develop on slopes or in concentrations of fne fuels. Fires may become serious and their control difcult unless they are hit hard and fast while small.
A High Fire Danger Level means people should be extra vigilant, said Russell Buzzell, Fire Prevention Ofcer. “Campfres should never be left unattended and should be completely
extinguished,” he said.
The public can help by being extremely careful and to remember that it’s everyone’s responsibility to prevent wildland fres.
Those planning camping trips should follow these fre safety tips:
• Keep campfres small and completely extinguish them before leaving camp. The best method is to douse the fre with water, stir the ashes and douse again, making sure that all ashes are cold to the touch. It is illegal to have unattended campfres.
• Smokers should light up only in areas cleared of all fammable debris. Cigarette butts should never be thrown from vehicle windows.
• Those exploring the forest and backcountry in vehicles must stay
on established roads and trails and avoid driving over dry grass and brush that could be ignited by hot exhaust systems.
• Firewood cutters should operate chainsaws equipped with spark arresters in the cool morning hours and keep a shovel and fre extinguisher nearby.
• Fireworks are illegal on public lands: every forest, every campsite, every day. Never light freworks in the woods.
• Take precautions when recreationally shooting. Never shoot into dry vegetation and always make sure you’re shooting in a safe location, away from roads, trails, campsites, and occupied areas. Be aware that shooting exploding targets is prohibited on National Forest System lands. For more information visit https://
www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-beforeyou-go/shooting.
• Know before you go. Always check with your local Ranger District prior to your trip to get the most upto-date information on fre danger and fre restrictions for the area.
For the latest on fre restrictions and local fre information across the state visit www.mtfreinfo.org.
Unmanned aircraft systems should never be fown near or around wildfres. To learn more about Forest Service policy regarding unmanned aircraft systems visit https://www. fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fre/aviation/uas/responsible-use.
Stay in touch with us at https:// www.facebook.com/DiscoverBitterrootNF and www.fs.usda.gov/r01/ bitterroot.
FLAG-FLIPPING: volunteer speaks
Continued from page 1
Community Church.
• Florence Community Craft Bazaar, fund raiser for projects.
• Christmas Share Tree, clothing and gifts for families in need.
• Community Library, in the Gary and Leo’s Florence IGA.
• Dollars for Scholars, continued education funds for Florence Carlton High School graduates. (This year, Milli Shepp and Ethan Horsens each received $1500 scholarships.)
• Little Free Food Pantry
• Parks and Trails, Veterans Banners, American Flags, Spring Greetings, Christmas Wreaths.
• Annual Community Service Award FCC plays a crucial role in improvements and maintenance at the Florence Park, especially HideOut Mountain playground, Willow Springs splash pad and an ice skating rink that converts to a sand volleyball court in summer.
In all of these improvements and projects, you can fnd DeBrito’s hand, and those of his extended family members. DeBrito is proud of the projects facilitated by the Florence Civic Club.
He downplays his role as a club leader (he sits on the board but is not currently an ofcer) and said he prefers to help make sure things get done. He jokes that serving on the board is “a life sentence” and says he’s “been a volunteer forever… I’m a motivator, an instigator. I push things.”
One of his many attempts to serve the community he is so passionate about is the seasonal hanging of the American fag banners that grace the decorative lamp posts along the bike trail.
DeBrito said the lamp posts were installed about 20 years ago when the bike trail went in. The project was paid for with a federal Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) grant which DeBrito and his wife Sharon helped secure. The larger project provided a bike trail which eventually stretched from Missoula to Hamilton alongside Hwy 93. Communities along the way applied for funding for added amenities like landscaping and decorative lighting.
After the Florence segment was completed, “we started experimenting
the Hrs: Fri. - 8 am to 5 pm Sat. 8am - 3pm
with banners, and people were excited,” recalls DeBrito. Now the banners are a part of Florence’s community identity.
is generally pretty conservative, according to DeBrito.
June 27th & 28th Friday 8 am to 5 pm Saturday 8 am to 3 pm
Donations of clean rummage sale items may on Wednesday and Thursday, June 14 & 15 from 11am to 5:30pm call 777-3201, or 777-5126 to arrange donations or drop-offs for the Hrs: Fri. - 8 am to 5 pm Sat. 8am - 3pm
Donations of clean rummage sale items may be dropped of at the Museum on Wednesday and Thursday, June 25 and 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 pm. For
June 16 & 17 Stevensville Heritage Museum • 517 Main St. Stevensville
DeBrito takes the banners down in the fall, cleans and stores them properly, and then installs them every spring, along with other banners that highlight residents of Florence that have served in the military, various holidays, etc.
“It’s not all about me, but I do all the work,” says DeBrito with good humor.
Last week, DeBrito was dismayed to fnd that all the American fag banners had been fipped so that they were hanging upside down. It was clearly a political statement in a community that
DeBrito said a couple of people called and texted him, “and they were fairly upset. They felt it’s not honoring our country.”
Then he got a call from the county commissioners’ ofce, wondering why the fags were upside down.
“I went and changed them out, the frst thing early the next morning,” said DeBrito. “It took almost four hours to switch them back.”
DeBrito said the fags are spaced along more than a mile of the trail. It would take some time for anybody to switch them, “and nobody saw anything.”
Donations of clean rummage sale items may be dropped off at the Museum on Wednesday and Thursday, June 14 & 15 from 11am to 5:30pm call 777-3201, or 777-5126 to arrange donations or drop-offs
DeBrito said he fully understands that the nation is “in distress” right now. “I don’t mind people expressing themselves, but please don’t do it with these.”
“My main message is - you have the right of expression and speech, I support that,” said DeBrito. “It’s not against the law to hang the fag upside down. But this is federal property. If you want to walk on the trail with a fag upside down, or turn the fag upside down on your own property, that’s okay, but please don’t disrupt the community by doing things like this. It’s disrespectful. There was no vandalizing, but this was someone who just wanted to disrupt the peace in our community.”
And, perhaps unwittingly, whoever did this made a lot of extra work for one dedicated volunteer.
Roger DeBrito, Florence Civic Club volunteer, placing a banner on a lamp post in Florence.
Photo courtesy Roger DeBrito.
Gem and mineral society annual show
by John Dowd
The Bitterroot Gem and Mineral Society is gearing up for their biggest and only event of the year. Faith Farley, a member of the Bitterroot Gem and Mineral Society, spoke about their upcoming Gem and Mineral Show, and what it means to them.
The society was organized in 1983, and is a nonproft with the goal of promoting interest and education in geology, earth sciences, mineralogy, paleontology and more. They host feld trips for youth members, school programs, community programs, scholarships and anything else that furthers that mission.
According to Farley, the money for those things comes from the group’s annual Bitterroot Gem and Mineral Show. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to
6 p.m. and Sunday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show will take place at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. The cost to enter the show is $3 for adults, and youth 12-years-old and under enter free.
There will be around 20 vendors from all over the western United States. Farley said they will display lots of variety, including fossils, small gold nuggets, wire wrapping, jewelry, polished rocks, crystals and much more. “Everything people could think of that they might want in the genre, they will fnd it there,” said Farley.
There will also be a fint knapping demonstration, and an adult spin-towin that will include “nice stones,” as Farley described. This will cost $3 to enter. Farley also wanted to highlight that there will be a display set up by the youth members of the society.
Parking will be free, but this year
there will be no food for visitors. According to Farley, “We’ve never not had food there.” She said the food vendor they lined up backed out at the last minute, after they had already advertised for them. Farley found this to be in bad taste. “That was a hurt for us, this year,” said Farley. She added that this was also likely not a good decision for the vendor, as they usually see over 1,200 people over the two-day show, so it can be a huge event.
The show benefts the society’s events, year round, as this is their major fund raiser. According to Farley, this year the event chair was Amber Tyree, and Farley said she has done a fantastic job.
A highlight of their oferings is the scholarship available to high school youth throughout the valley. It is also available to graduating homeschoolers, and amounts to $1,000. The scholar-
ship is for those going into an earth science feld. To apply, students must write up a short essay on why they want the scholarship. Farley described the process as “fairly simple,” but interested youth must provide proof of going into an applicable feld.
The society also hosts classes for all ages in the community, which anyone can attend. These include gold panning, wire wrapping, identifcation and more. They hold feld trips for their youngest members, ages six to 18. In these trips, they go out to explore local places, collect minerals and more.
For those interested in joining the society, the cost is $10 per person, and $20 for a family membership. Interested parties can contact Farley at (406) 961-3347 with questions about the upcoming show, or about the society. The group website is bitterrootgemandmineral.org.
AIRPORT: manager and council speak to claims of dispute
Continued from page 1
required match funds, permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to access FAA funds for several projects. Chief of these was the purchase of a new tank. The airport would then need to wait for the FAA funds to release the funds, and in the meantime would lease the tank from City Services Inc.
Meanwhile, the airport was also able to contact Fuelmaster and convince them to shorten their traditional term agreement for the point of sale system utilized at the Stevensville Airport. That agreement was the question of concern at both the June 2 special Town Council meeting and the June 12 regular Town Council meeting.
On June 12, Germane and the council discussed their fndings. It was discovered that there was no truth behind the allegations of a dispute. There was no documentation of any sale of the fuel tank other than the sale from Hawthorne to City Services Inc. Germane added that a dispute would in fact have no bearing on the Town, were it real or not, as any such agreement would be between external parties regarding ownership; the town would
not be involved.
“We are really removed from that,” said Germane. Because the claims were unsubstantiated, the town council moved forward to unanimously approve the shortened agreement with Fuelmaster.
Moving forward, the Town will be leasing the tank from City Services Inc., and will start operating the point of sale themselves. As soon as they are able to construct their own tank, they will no longer need to lease the City Services Inc. tank. Germane spoke highly of City Services Inc., saying they
were “gracious,” and searched for the “solution that benefted everybody.”
To other claims made by the former airport manager, Germane said the Town of Stevensville, and the Stevensville Airport, have so far “acted reasonably and appropriately,” every step
of the way. He said this just “shows our commitment to the safe and responsible operation of this airport.”
Magnolia ● F ● 4yrs
Magnolia “Maggie” is a German Shepherd. She is a sweet girl that can be shy at first when meeting new people. Maggie is great with kids, dogs, cats, and livestock. This dog also has some basic training. With a slow introduction, Maggie will be your best friend!
10am-4:30pm
SPENDING: council discusses concerns
Continued from page 1
& Finance Assistant First Installment.”
Looking back at the recording of the May 22 meeting, it appears that the use of those funds was clearly explained to the council, and the total cost of the project, around $4,000, was also given to the council. It was passed unanimously. At the June 12 meeting, Brown, after recognizing this fact, stated, “Mistakes were made on both sides.” The council had not done its due diligence in understanding what they were voting on, and the town needed to bring quotes for such a contract forward for the approval of such a project.
The Stevensville Town Purchasing Policy, which is available on the town website, lays these points out. In the policy, it states that written quotes, or bids, must be brought to the council ahead of time.
It seemed the town staf was operating under the statements in the policy 7, a, iii, which read: “For purchases contained in the Department’s current fscal year budget or the Town’s current Capital Improvement budget, Department Supervisors need only get approval by the Mayor prior to purchasing.” However, that is for “pur-
chasing goods.” For “purchasing services,” like the construction or remodeling of a space, the policy states, in 7, b, “All contracts for services must be approved by the Town Council.”
Further, in 7, b, ii it states: “…as per the Town’s policy, any contract must be approved in advance by the Town Council.” Under the second bullet in this section, the policy reads: “Professional Services totaling between $1,501 - $25,000 per agreement.”
The council voted to accept the claims, acknowledging mistakes were made on both sides. Members of the public spoke positively about the discussion, and of the town. One comment by the mayor, after the meeting, echoed the
sentiments heard from the public. Michalson stated, “This is the smoothest I’ve ever seen this town work.”
Craig Thomas, a long-time Stevensville resident present at the meeting, said in all the years he has been in Stevensville, this is the best run he has ever seen. He was impressed at how the town seemed to fnally be working together to move forward on issues, and admit mistakes. According to Michalson, “Good local government is like last night, you have discussion, you have debate, you take a vote and you move on.”
Lighter topics ended the meeting. These included topics brought forth to the council by Stevensville Public Works Director Stephen Lassiter, who announced that they had found a parks manager, who started work on the Monday prior to the meeting. Lassiter said the employee seemed promising and Lassiter was hopeful that this would take some pressure of him. Michalson added that the town has had Lassiter “running this way and that,” at an overwhelming pace, and he has been doing a phenomenal job throughout. The Mayor echoed how the town would improve with some responsibilities being taken of Lassiter’s plate. Lassiter also announced that he recently fnished his drinking water operator certifcation training, and is now certifed.
Another topic brought before the council was the ad-
dition of a statue to commemorate the Scarecrow Festival’s 20th anniversary. Members of both the Scarecrow Festival Committee and the Stevensville Park Board attended to attest to the statue’s importance. According to Loey Knapp, with the Scarecrow Festival Committee, they wanted to make this year special somehow. They decided a great way to do this would be to construct a permanent statue. Upon discussing the best place to put the statue, they landed upon Creamery Park, in downtown Stevensville. As Knapp explained, they came to this conclusion after considering that this would be a better and less intrusive spot, rather than on a corner or near the street.
This statue would take the appearance of a scarecrow, and would be made out of metal. The artist to create the statue would be a local, Laura Newby, owner of Laura Jean Welding. The statue would stand around six feet tall, and would be placed permanently on a three foot by three foot concrete pad. Once built, the statue would require no maintenance, and would cost the town nothing but the permission to erect it. According to Knapp, Newby was told not to make it a “scary” scarecrow, but to “make it beautiful,” and capture the spirit of the scarecrow festival.
Another to speak was a member of the Stevensville Park Board, Renee Endicott. Endicott said the park board unanimously approved the idea, and encouraged the Scarecrow Festival Committee to bring it forward to the council for ofcial approval. She added that it would be “situated in a perfect spot,” and that it would “refect the town beautifully.” The Stevensville Town Council approved the project unanimously.
A drawn example of the proposed statue. Picture courtesy Loey Knapp.
Stevensville Town Council Members Stacey Barkey, Cindy Brown, Samantha Bragg, and Wally SMith, along with Mayor Bob Michalson discussing several issues during the last Stevensville Town Council Meeting. Photo by John Dowd.
by Michael Howell
The Board of Commissioners released its fnal draft of an updated Ravalli County Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) at a meeting on June 10, kicking of a public comment period that will last for 30 days ending on July 10, 2025. Those comments will be used in composing a Final Draft that may be adopted sometime in August. The management policy serves as the basis for communicating and coordinating with the federal government, state government, and their agencies on land and natural resource management issues that impact the local area and economy.
The purpose of the document is to articulate the customs, culture, and natural resource values of Ravalli County; identify resources and land uses that economically or culturally afect the stability and character of the county; recognize the importance of local involvement in federal and state decision-making pertaining to natural resource management on federal and state lands; and provide guidance to the Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners.
DJ&A, a consulting company with an ofce in Missoula, has been coordinating the drafting process which includes a Core Team of local government representatives including Ravalli County Commissioner Jef Burrows, County Forester Gary Oram, County Planner Rob Livesay, Civil Counsel Dillon Ratz, Ofce of Emergency Management Director Erik Hoover, and County Administrator Chris Taggart. Other Core Team members include the director of Ravalli County Economic Authority Julie Foster, Josh Smith from Bitterroot Resource Conservation and Development, Thayer Jacques from Montana Department of Natural Resources and Steve Brown from the Bitterroot National Forest. An initial public meeting was held on March 15 explaining the update process and initiating a public survey that got 123 responses that were used in drafting the update.
This policy replaces the 2012 Bitterroot Valley Natural Resource Use Policy. The updated draft document incorporates many objectives and policies from the 2012 policy that relate to public land use and management. In addition to resource management objectives and strategies, this document
also evaluates the current condition of a variety of natural resources, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
The 106-page document includes chapters flled with detailed information on several resource categories including Recreation and Tourism; Land Management (Timber, Fire, and Fuels); Fish and Wildlife; Water Resources; Agriculture; as well as Air/Climate, Minerals, and Soils.
DJ&A NEPA Project Manager Josh Elliot noted at the meeting that a resource policy like the one being presented is particularly important in counties such as Ravalli County where close to three quarters of the land is federally managed by the U.S. Forest Service. He said a lot of things have changed since the existing plan was adopted in 2012, including the population, the demographics and the economy. A lot of federal and state laws governing land management have also changed. The Bitterroot National Forest is currently working on updating its own Forest Plan and the completed resource assessments and the resource management objectives and strategies for managing resources contained in this updated county policy can play an important role in that process.
Public attendance at the June 10 meeting was sparse, but Marc Cooke from Wolves in the Rockies, a local non-proft located in Stevensville, spoke, saying his group was not anti-livestock or anti-hunting and was instrumental in getting legislation passed to compensate for livestock losses to predators such as wolves, lions and bears. He said they had spent over $11,000 on a single livestock producer in Darby who wants to live and co-exist with carnivores.
“We are putting our money where our mouth is here and across Montana,” said Cooke, adding, “Despite the myth, livestock depredation by wolves is virtually non-existent.”
Montana livestock loss records show over the last fve years with 19,000
cattle, only one loss has been reported in Ravalli County. He said out of four hunting districts in the county, only one was under FWP population goals. And that a FWP study done several years ago showed that carnivores were not the problem.
Cooke noted that recent legislation (HB 554) took away the authority of FWP to classify wolves as either a game animal or a fur bearer. He is afraid that in the next legislative session there will be an efort to classify them as a predator.
“Predators play an important role in maintaining a healthy environment,” said Cooke. “They help balance the ecosystem by controlling the prey populations, promoting diversity, and preventing over-grazing. This balance is crucial for protection of our forests and our grasslands.” He said that trapping and snaring regulations for wolves are not being enforced and said trapping is an antiquated and barbaric practice that we should be moving away from.
“The dynamics in the valley are changing,” said Cooke, “There is only a handful of trappers in the valley and we need to start taking into account the majority and not just the vocal minority on this issue. The majority of people in the valley are animal watchers, not trappers and hunters, and the community plan should refect that.”
Stevensville resident Margaret Gorski stated that 123 responses to the survey associated with the document was simply not a large enough number to be representative of the voice of the entire county and recommended they
think about a more statistically valid survey of some sort that would perhaps broaden the response and help strengthen the document in terms of its use in the Forest Service’s planning process. Skip Kowalski, Stevensville resident, urged the commissioners to take into account other documents and policies relating not just to Forest Service management plans, but on the inter-relationship of those plans and the management of private lands plans such as the Subdivision Planning Act, the Wildlife Strategic Plan, the Wildlife Action Plan and other documents and policies that at least can show the public that there are other laws and documents that can assist in what’s being proposed here.
A copy of the document can be accessed on Ravalli County’s main website: www.ravalli.us and scrolling down to the Homepage News Flash and clicking on DRAFT Natural Resource Management Plan. Public comment can also be entered directly by clicking on NRMP - Comment Form. Public comments are due by July 10, 2025.
The real goal
America is not a serious country in the view of the world. DOGE federal cost cutting, the reconciliation budget, and the federal work force reductions have no defned goals. The actual goal and result is authoritarian control and the resulting corruption. Every administrative action involves three elements: an emergency, an executive order and transactional graft. Political theater is staged in a gold gilded oval ofce complete with seated boot licking department head lackeys; served up regurgitation by the national press corps to the public like fodder through a cow resulting in a product best suited as fertilizer. This sh*t storm of public theater serves to obscure and distract from the long term harm to essential public services, your job or retirement security, public schools, universities, economic markets, tax collection and/ or tax equity and world trade, to name just a few concerns. All this as authoritarian one man rule rapes our nation.
The emperor has no clothes, the Congress no clue and the American people to date think they are watching the last rerun of the “Apprentice” or the soap opera “Days of Our Lives.” Support by silence and cowardice of Senators Steve Daines, Tim Sheehy, Representatives Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing is not a Montana value. The wheels of the justice branch are turning against the regime slower than molasses on a cold day in hell.
What can be done?
Call or email your objections to your representatives and senators daily or as often as you can emotionally stomach. Attend the NO KINGS day rally in Hamilton at Main street and Highway 93, June 14, 9:30-11 a.m. Everyone’s attendance with good humor is needed and welcome to protest against this national comedy of errors.
Archie Thomas & Merry Schrumpf Corvallis
Crypto Corrupto?
Do you understand crypto? I sure as hell don’t. I mean, how is crypto currency not the same thing as counterfeit money? If crypto currency is a thing, then I want to start a donkey turd currency, let’s call it “donko,” from the remaining pile of “pasture mufns” leftover from our beloved donkeys, may they rest in peace.
So, to me and probably a lot of people, crypto currency is fake, or at least, fshy. But what is horrifyingly real is that Steve Daines, Tim Sheehy, and the other Republicans in Congress are about to pass a piece of legislation called the GENIUS Act. Let’s say that your bank goes belly up. Or all the banks. The GENIUS Act would force your bank or credit union to reimburse people who deposited crypto currency (aka “stablecoin”) BEFORE paying of people like you and me who deposited regular, real money.
It’s bad enough that President Donald J. Trump pocketed $1 billion from crypto in just the past nine months. Many of the people who invested in Trump’s meme coin (whatever THAT is) are anonymous foreigners who did so just to gain infuence with Trump so that they would be treated favorably when it comes to US foreign policy and when doing business with Trump and his sons. (Doesn’t that seem a little corrupt to you? Just think if Hillary or Biden had done this.}
But to pass a law that would reassure stablecoin investors, including those investors buying into President Trump’s meme coin, that THEIR
Opinion
money is safe because they will be paid of FIRST in the event of a bank failure before the rest of us with real money is just plain wrong. I mean, where do you think the banks will get the money to pay of crypto depositors? From the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which is money set aside to protect regular people’s deposits, or maybe even straight out of our personal savings and retirement and checking accounts.
Crypto currency and this GENIUS Act boggle my mind. If you feel the same way, Senator Elizabeth Warren gave remarks to the Senate explaining just how bad the GENIUS Act is. You can google “Senator Warren remarks on GENIUS Act” to fnd her explanation on YouTube. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Szo7bN3kdyM.
And also, please call Senator Steve Daines at 1 (202) 224-2651 and Senator Tim Sheehy at 1 (202) 224-2644 and ask them to vote against the GENIUS Act.
Dana Henricks Florence
Cell tower issue
On Wednesday, June 3rd, the County Commissioners heard comments from concerned citizens regarding the proposed 180 foot cell tower to be erected in the Bitterroot Valley.
Major points at the County Commissioners’ meeting:
• This cell tower would be west of Hamilton, on Downing Mountain, in the Black Bear Lane/Owings Creek area. Concern was only for those residents within 300 feet of the proposed tower.
• Cell towers pose a danger of cell tower fres. An installer of cell towers over the past twenty years or so showed slides of half a dozen all-consuming tower-fres.
• The base for the 180’ cell tower (equivalent to a 12-story building in height) would be monstrous, would require massive destruction of the rocky mountainside (how to dig down possibly 12 feet and 20 feet wide—or more) to pour concrete for the base; enormous truck/trailer combinations hauling in enormous machinery, destruction of the canopy over the roadway, and severe destruction of the road. The company ofered $10,000 for road repairs.
• Reports detailing number of trees dying near cell towers, with fewer tree deaths the further one goes away from the tower.
• The same for bee populations; almost non-existent near the towers, increasing to healthier numbers the further you go away from the towers.
• Human health concerns: sleep deprivation, headaches, brain fog (albeit subjective symptoms) for residents living close to towers, with improved health when further away from towers.
• Property devaluation for the above reasons, as well as the aesthetic damage.
• Although this tower (proposed by Vertical Bridges, for T-Mobile) would have “monopine” camoufage to make it appear like an evergreen, it would tower above the forest canopy which is predominately 75-95 feet. And the tower could have a 20’ height extension, if determined it was needed. (During the public comment period, the woman proposing the plan for the “applicant” texted them and they agreed not to consider the 20’ extension of height.)
• This tower would provide access for four cell service providers (at this time).
• Residents cannot at this time
obtain fre insurance. Can the tower obtain fre insurance? And if so, does that insurance cover the houses lost to fre if the tower is the cause of a forest fre? Does the tower remain a charred and useless skeletal structure if ravaged by a forest fre?
Commissioners clarifed that their job is to adhere to the law. In this case, their judgment is to be based upon two criteria: co-location and unique hardship. Co-location means investigating other sites which might perhaps be less problematic and more satisfactory for the tower…two of which were the rife range and the base of Blodgett Canyon. “Unique” implies pertaining to one. Hardships with regard to this proposed tower are not unique to one individual, but to a great number of residents…and the residents of the Bitterroot Valley in toto.
Please continue to submit public comments to the County Commissioners (https://ravalli.us/179/zoning).
Public comment has been extended to 5 PM on Friday, June 13. The fnal meeting, when the decision of the County Commissioners will be made, is scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, 1:30 PM.
Clover Quinn Hamilton
Misleading claims about the Eastside Project
The opinion piece entitled “Massive Deforestation Project Halted” written by Mike Garrity, Executive Director, Alliance for the Wild Rockies, misrepresents both the intent and environmental value of the Forest Service’s Eastside Project in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley. Framing this carefully designed forest restoration efort as “massive deforestation” is not only inaccurate—it’s misleading and harmful to the public understanding of science-based land stewardship.
Let us be clear: the Eastside Project is not a deforestation efort. It is a forest restoration and fuels reduction project, specifcally developed to reduce wildfre risk, restore ecological resilience, and improve wildlife habitat across fre-adapted landscapes. The project will not remove any trees greater than 10 inches in diameter, focusing instead on removing small-diameter trees and ladder fuels that contribute to catastrophic wildfres.
These types of low-impact, science-driven treatments refect the best practices of modern forest management and are designed in collaboration with partners and wildlife specialists to avoid harming sensitive habitat.
Ironically, by halting this project, the groups fling the lawsuit are undermining the very species they claim to protect. Meadows, grasslands, and wetlands are critical to the survival of grizzly bears, particularly in spring and summer when they rely on these open areas to forage for roots, grasses, and berries that help them build up fat reserves before hibernation.
Dense, overgrown forests choke out these habitats. Controlled thinning and prescribed fre are tools used to restore and maintain meadows and early-successional habitats—landscape features that support not only grizzlies but a wide range of species, including deer, elk, and native pollinators.
Additionally, these meadows and wetlands retain snowmelt and gradually release it into streams and rivers, benefting aquatic species and maintaining cool water fows that are essential to fsh like bull trout, another
species listed under the Endangered Species Act.
The claim that the Forest Service ignored bull trout and their critical habitat is misleading. The Eastside Project was designed specifcally to improve watershed conditions by reducing the risk of high-severity wildfre that can destroy streamside vegetation, increase sedimentation, and raise water temperatures—all of which are lethal to bull trout. Treatments near riparian areas are limited, carefully reviewed, and guided by best available science to ensure protection of water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
The article incorrectly portrays the use of a categorical exclusion (CE) as a loophole or illegal shortcut. In fact, this CE was authorized by Congress for exactly this kind of project: hazardous fuels reduction in forests at high risk of wildfre, especially in areas near communities and critical habitat. It is not intended for minor actions like “painting an outhouse”—it is a legal and appropriate tool for implementing time-sensitive, science-backed restoration.
Moreover, contrary to the claim that the public is being shut out, each treatment under this project must go through further environmental review and follow existing laws. The Forest Service has made clear that the location, scope, and timing of treatments will be subject to site-specifc planning before any implementation begins. If the Eastside Project is delayed indefnitely, the result will be more overcrowded forests, greater fre risk, degraded meadows, and worsening habitat conditions for grizzly bears, bull trout and their critical habitat, and other sensitive species like Canada lynx and wolverines.
Instead of helping wildlife, this lawsuit risks increasing the severity of wildfres that can destroy entire watersheds in a matter of days—an outcome that science tells us is far more damaging to threatened species than the carefully targeted, light-touch restoration proposed in this plan.
We should be investing in collaborative, science-informed forest management that restores ecosystem function, protects wildlife, and makes our forests more resilient to wildfre and climate change. The Eastside Project does exactly that. Halting it based on mischaracterizations and procedural technicalities serves neither the public interest nor the long-term health of Montana’s forests and wildlife.
Tyler Durden Florence Montana’s ‘all-of-theabove‘ electric future
For decades, yes decades, devotees of Northwestern Energy have been claiming they support every type of electrical energy production. But in the next breath the defenders of Colstrip assert it takes time to transition from electricity production using fossil fuels to a company which relies on renewables such as wind and solar.
Any declaration that a transition takes time is no longer persuasive. RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute) clearly showed that 763 megawatts (MW) of solar, 918 MW of wind, and 364 MW of battery storage could replace NorthWestern Energy’s current and proposed share of Colstrip plus save ratepayers $529 million over the next few decades.
Utility-scale resources consisting of 34 gigawatts (GW) of solar, 5.5 GW of wind, and 13 GW of batteries came online nationwide during 2024. To
replace NorthWestern Energy’s investment in Colstrip requires only a fraction of what other utility companies installed last year.
Declaring “we need more time” is simply a worn-out excuse for not transitioning to the renewable production of electricity. The technology is readily available now and requires lower capital expenditures than continuing to rely on coal and other fossil fuels as energy sources. Putting of the shift to renewables until some undefned point in the future is both costly for electric consumers and hypocritical.
Colstrip performed minimal upgrades to minimize pollution but invested far less per MW produced than almost all other U.S. utilities that use coal. And now, NorthWestern Energy is using a recent directive by the current administration as its excuse for not implementing much needed additional pollution controls at Colstrip.
Now that utility level batteries are readily available and cost efective, excuses like “the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow” are no longer valid.
Claiming that renewable-energy jobs are mostly temporary construction jobs is untrue. Renewable energy, like any other infrastructure, requires daily management, oversight, and maintenance. Those jobs require highly skilled workers, are not temporary, and usually pay more than jobs at coal-fred plants.
Transitioning away from fossil fuels to renewables to produce electricity is not political unless one believes it should be NorthWestern Energy’s right to endlessly increase rates with minimal oversight.
Renewables cost less for consumers plus reduce pollution and the production of greenhouse gasses, both of which are harming human health and the environment. The continued use of fossil fuels to generate electricity because “that’s the way we’ve always done it” just doesn’t fy. It is past time for NorthWestern Energy to do what is right for its customers.
Michael Hoyt Corvallis
ICE
I am much older than most of your readers. My clear memory goes back
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
to the 1930s and ‘40s. I was born before FDR became president and about the time that Hitler gave his infamous tirade in Munich. I remember hearing thousands of reports of armed thugs breaking into homes and kidnapping innocent civilians, children and elderly. They were murdered or placed into detention camps. Do you notice that history is repeating itself today, every day? We knew them as Gestapo. Today they are called ICE. I will continue to call them Gestapo. How about you? Ron Osborn Hamilton
Future of our natural resources in Ravalli County
If you care about the natural resources in Ravalli County, now is the time to let your voice be heard. The County has released the updated draft of the Bitterroot Valley Natural Resource Policy. It contains Assessments and Management Objectives and Strategies targeted at the resources that contribute to our economy, and quality of life here in the Bitterroot.
Your comments can infuence how the Bitterroot National Forest is managed.
Go to: https://ravalli.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=283
There you will fnd the Draft Policy and Comment Form.
Input and Comments are due by July 15 by 5:00 p.m.
If you have any questions about this process or the Ravalli County Collaborative, call Margaret Gorski, Co-chair, at 406-552-2072.
Margaret Gorski Stevensville
Democrats protected Republican corruption in Legislature
In an absolutely bizarre display of politics, Democratic state senators protected Republican corruption in the recent Montana State Legislature as Republicans tried to root out the unethical and criminal behavior by one of our own. Allow me to explain.
The Montana Constitution allows senators to get rid of one of our col-
leagues for “good cause” via a twothirds vote to expel.
The vast majority of Democrats serving in the State Senate voted three times against expelling Senator Jason Ellsworth from the Senate.
Ellsworth is a Republican senator from Hamilton and former President of the Senate with a long history of criminal, unethical, and disturbing behavior.
He was fned $600,000 by the Federal Trade Commission for unethical business practices against customers of his magazine company.
Ellsworth pled guilty to criminally obstructing a Montana Highway Patrol trooper as he tried to abuse his position as an elected ofcial to get out of a speeding ticket.
He was accused of domestic violence by his ex-fancé, including threatening her with a gun.
Then, after Republicans gave him the boot from his position as President of the Senate, he tried to raid over $170,000 of taxpayer money from the state treasury for his longtime friend and business associate. That action was investigated for months by the Senate Ethics Committee, which determined he broke state ethics rules, failed to disclose a confict of interest, and lied repeatedly during the process.
A supermajority of Republican state senators determined that this pattern of behavior was more than enough “good cause” to expel Ellsworth from the Senate. A majority of the Senate did vote to expel him. But Democrats and the infamous “Nine” Republicans (which include Ellsworth) blocked us from reaching the twothirds threshold to get rid of him, saying his actions didn’t justify expulsion.
Abuse of elected ofce. Obstructing law enforcement. Domestic abuse. An attempt to nab $170,000 from Montana taxpayers. A decades-long pattern of lies and deceit.
All of that and the following Democratic state senators still voted three times to save Ellsworth from losing his position as a state senator: Laura Smith, Mary Ann Dunwell and Janet Ellis of Helena; Ellie Boldman, Shane Morigeau, Willis Curdy and Andrea Olsen of Missoula; Pat Flowers, Cora Neumann and Chris Pope of Bozeman; Sara Novak of Anaconda; Jacinda
Morigeau of Arlee; Susan Webber of Browning; and Jonathan Windy Boy of Box Elder.
These Democrats, “led” by Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, protected and continue to enable Republican corruption in the State Capitol. Sen. Neumann even bragged about it in social media videos, saying “None of us disagree that there are ethics violations” but nevertheless “Democrats and moderate Republicans were able to come together, efectively block expulsion of one of the senators that we’ve been working with and so I’m just really proud of us for holding the line on that.”
The people of Montana deserve better than this. Call the Democrats and tell them to stand against corruption like Republicans are doing.
Rep. Kathy Love, HD 85 Hamilton
Vote for efective leadership
Now that the 2025 Montana legislative session has been gaveled to a close, it’s time to ask ourselves, did our elected legislators do what the voters asked of them? The answer in HD 88 is, no. Freshman legislator Greg Overstreet failed time and again to speak up for and vote in the best interests of the very people who sent him to Helena.
A brief examination of his record makes this evident. He voted against Medicaid expansion, which is a vote against health-care facilities like the one in Stevensville that I’m sure many of us rely on. He also sponsored HB 209, which was a brazen attack on Montana public school funding. He also voted against House Bill 155, which failed, but was an attempt to give property tax relief to Montanans who needed it the most.
In all my conversations with Mr. Overstreet, I have found him very pleasant to talk to. But at the end of the day, he either doesn’t know what Montanans need, or doesn’t care, and his record clearly shows this. Let’s make a better choice in 2026. Evan Schroedel, candidate for HD 88 Florence
The Friends of the Hamilton Schools Foundation
Left to Right: Layna Price, Tricia Wilson, Sierra Berry, Tessa Lewanski, Elaina Lewis, Taylor Bratvold, Finn Dufresne, Isabella Kanenwisher, Jaycie Duce, Evan Bennett, Lauren Nelson, Tyler Jette, Jason Chaplin, Gaven Hansen, Kinga Kari .
Biterroot Health Foundation Gala
•
• Discover the
of Venice at your fngertips with the world-famous Piazza San Marco three minutes away.
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This is the “Stewart” model fnished in Windsor Cherry on select hardwoods and veneers, valued at $6,000. A detailed description can be found at the Biterroot Health Foundation website and a printed version will be provided to all guests at the Gala.
Sports
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
2024-2025 State Champions
Being a state champion is the ultimate goal in high school sports, be it as an individual or as a team. The six Bitterroot Valley high schools have taken home multiple state championships over the years.
We’re a bit spoiled in the Bitterroot because we
have high level athletes, coaches and communities who value high school sports. But winning a state championship is not an easy thing to do. It takes a tremendous amount of time and skill and efort and luck, not to mention that every other athlete and school in the state is shooting for the same thing.
For those few who become state champions, the view from the top of the mountain is a memory that will be with them for the rest of their lives.
The following are the individual and team high school state champions from the Bitterroot Valley for the 2024-2025 school year.
The Corvallis boys 4x100m relay team of Ayden Spencer, Stuart Brennan, Nathan Bales and Solomon Morgan (pictured) won the 2025 Class A state championship with a time of 43.25. Photo by Scott Sacry.
The Corvallis Boys Track team won their third straight Class A boys state championship in 2025. This was Corvallis’s ninth boys state title overall. Photo courtesy of Spencer Huls.
Florence sophmore Kipley Solari won the 2025 Class B individual girls golf state championship. Solari shot a 77 on the second day of the state tournament to win by 4 strokes.
Photo courtesy of Kurt Solari.
Stevensville freshman Reagan Johnstone won the 2025 Class A state championship in both the 100m hurdles (15.17) and the 300m hurdles (45.01). Johnstone also took 2nd in the long jump and 6th in the triple jump. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Florence senior Kyler Harris won the 2025 Class B state championship in the 3200m with a time of 9:34.08. Harris also was the 2023 Class B state champion in the 3200m.
Photo by Scott Sacry.
2024-2025 State Champions
Hamilton junior Ciara Hanley won the 2025 Class A state tennis championship in girls singles. Hanley took 2nd place in 2024 and 5th place in 2023. Photo courtesy of Kelly Hanley.
Hamilton junior Gracie Werst won the 2025 Class A state championship in the girls shot put with a throw of 42’05”. This throw was nearly four feet further than Werst’s previous best before the state meet. Photo by Scott Sacry.
The Florence Girls Golf Team won the 2025 Class B state championship. The members of the team were Kipley Solari, Reese Briney, Lexi Danczyk, Lacie Ketelhut, and Jordan Kidd. Photo courtesy of Florence Carlton School Activities.
Corvallis senior Hunter Loesch won the 2025 Class A state championship in the javelin with a throw of 209’04”. Loesch has the second furthest high school boy’s javelin throw in the nation for 2025. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Corvallis senior Stuart Brennan won the 2025 Class A state championship in the 110m hurdles with a time of 14.53. Brennan was also on Corvallis’s state championship winning 4x100m relay team, and took 5th in the 300m hurdles. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Corvallis junior Ella Varner won the Class A state championship in the triple jump with a jump of 36’05”. Varner was also the 2024 state champion in the long jump and triple jump. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Helen Margaret Sullivan
Helen Margaret Sullivan, 85, of Hamilton, passed away Thursday, May 29, 2025 of metastatic lung cancer. She was born October 9, 1939, in Hardin, Montana to parents Michael and Helen Kuchera. Helen spent her childhood in Hardin. Her family moved to Billings, Montana in 1952, where her father opened Kuchera’s Furniture Store.
Helen graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School in 1957. She then attended Eastern Montana College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education.
Helen met her husband Robert Sullivan (Bob) in December 1957. Following a brief engagement they married on June 21, 1958. In June of 1959 Bob and Helen welcomed daughter Michelle and in June of 1960, daughter Helen Rose.
Her frst teaching job was at St. Pius X Elementary School in Billings. She was hired to teach at Broadwater Elementary. In 1972, Helen and family moved to Missoula. Helen taught 5th & 6th grades at Hellgate Elementary while Bob worked as an insurance adjuster.
After teaching for 28 plus years, Helen retired. She and Bob decided it was time for a new adventure and moved to Portland, Oregon. Not quite ready to enjoy a leisurely retirement, Helen took a position managing Colonial Ofce Campus in Portland, consisting of four,
three story ofce buildings. A true people person, Helen enjoyed the work and the tenants she dealt with on a daily basis. Ten years into the position, she decided it was time to go, but still not time to retire.
In her early 60’s, she joined forces with a friend to purchase and fip houses. She wasn’t one to swing a hammer but she was happy to tackle any of the cleaning, painting or errand running. Finally at 72, Helen told Bob she was done. She was ready to retire.
To keep herself busy, Helen knitted, crocheted and joined the Women’s Auxiliary in Tigard, Oregon, American Legion Post 158. Both Helen and Bob were active members of the Post until they moved to Hamilton in July of 2020.
Bob passed away in June of 2023. Married for almost 65 years Helen was devastated by his loss but found strength and solace from the friends she’d made at the Hamilton Senior Center.
Helen was preceded in death by her father, Michael; mother Helen; brothers Joseph, Michael and Charles; and husband Robert. Survivors include daughters, Michelle (Daniel Thompson); Helen Rose and Dean Howard; brother-in-law Michael Sullivan (Debby); grandchildren, Michael Howard (Keri), Katelyn (Jordan Wiebe); and great grandchildren, Krewz and Harrisyn Wiebe and Hank and Halle Howard.
A memorial service for Helen will be held at
George Frederick Leininger Jr.
“Skip” George Frederick Leininger Jr., 78, of Stevensville passed away on the early morning of June 1, 2025 at his home in the company of his daughter Karen, her partner Ella, and all the animals who loved him dearly.
He was born in Minot, North Dakota to his father George Frederick Leininger Sr. and his mother Eunice Louise McKinney, where he lived with his parents and his little sister Debbie. They spent their childhood playing with the animals at the small nearby zoo and playing with their many cousins and other family. He acquired an early love of amateur radio that he continued throughout his life. He later attended NDSU where he earned his masters in entomology, bachelors in communications, plus more. He loved reading, writing, and learning. He joined the Air Force where he became a navigator on a B-52 bomber during the Vietnam War. He struggled with the difculties living with the trauma from those experiences, having survived being shot down on a few occasions and losing his friends and fellow airmen.
A hippie and a bit of a hermit at heart, he worked many odd jobs after leaving the Air
Force, from writing to veterinary, construction to electronics, he has done so much. His last few jobs included Radio DJ at Z100, and electronics technician at the Fire Lab in Missoula, even being sent to teach the techs at NASA how to properly calibrate the haze meters he so often worked on for the USFS. Skip had been married several times; looking back on it he felt bad like he kept messing up or couldn’t get it quite right, but he had a total of fve children that he loved unconditionally, from the oldest, Sean, Melanie, Dawn, Karen, and the youngest, Christopher (CJ). All he wanted was for them to be happy and know they were loved, and was always happy to hear about his grandkids and the amazing things they were doing.
After being a fghter for many years against numerous health problems, Covid complications fnally strained his transplanted kidney, and his big loving heart failed. We cherished the extra time we had with him watching movies and series, listening to music, and talking. We are happy he is out of pain now, but he will be dearly missed.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.
Carl G. Erickson memorial gathering
Carl G Erickson, Jr. of Corvallis, Montana passed away after several years of illness on Saturday, April 26, 2025
in his home with his wife by his side. A gathering will be held June 20th at 1:00 p.m. at the Daly Leach Community
Earline Esmay Celebration of Life
In honor of Earline’s life, her family will be hosting a celebration of life social from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday, June 21, 2025. This informal social will be held at 205 Church Street, in Stevensville, MT. All acquain-
Death Notices
David New
Hamilton - David New, 44, passed away suddenly and tragically on the morning of Tuesday June 10, 2025. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www. brothersmortuary.com
Wiona Goodrich
Missoula - Longtime Darby resident Wiona Goodrich, 98, passed away after an illness Monday, June 9, 2025 at St. Patrick Hospital. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www. brothersmortuary.com.
Kyle Boushele
Missoula- Kyle Boushele, 40, passed away after a brief illness Thursday, June 12, 2025. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary. com.
Gail Iles
Victor - Gail Iles, 88, passed away after an extended illness Saturday, June 14, 2025 at home surrounded by her loving daughters. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary. com
Room, with Military Honors and a Blessing ofciated by Deacon Jim Kaney to celebrate his life well lived.
tances are welcome to come and share your fond memories. Snacks will be provided.
Conner Lee Reynolds Conner Lee Reynolds, 85, passed away at home Monday, June 9, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary. com.
Marita Mae Moles
Hamilton - Marita Mae Moles, 94, of Hamilton passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Services are pending and will be announced. Condolences may be left for the family at www. dalyleachchapel.com.
Daly-Leach Memorial Chapel in Hamilton on Friday, June 27th at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of sending fowers, the family suggests making a donation to the Hamilton Senior Center.
If my regular fshing friends wanted Pink San Juan Worms I’d ties some for them. So far nobody’s asked.
I think they either love me too much or know better.
When I had my fy shop I discovered that I could tie those things so fast that it made little sense for me to use that time tying patterns that are more difcult and time-consuming, regardless how often those bin ran empty.
by Chuck Stranahan
So I braced myself, dumped a couple-hundred hooks into a purpose-made cup, and dumped a couple-hundred beads in to the adjoining cup. I had a special tool, a Bead Nabber, ready to grab each bead and thread it onto a hook. By the time I had done a couple dozen, I got pretty quick at it.
Next I wrapped a whole skein of special skinny San Juan Worm chenille around an ovaled business card, lit a Bic under a cheap pocket knife blade and cut the exposed portion of the wraps with the hot knife. Zap! Uniform bodies with seared ends, no fraying. Then each worm body got threaded through the bead on each hook.
I fnished each San Juan Worm real quick-like with a few wraps of thread and a cement. In one morning, tying between customers, I had over sixteen-dozen well-tied Beadhead Pink San Juan Worms and a tension hadache. At a cut-rate price they’d get me fve times what I’d make tying my usual fies.
I hated it.
It was the most boring and least satisfying fy tying session in my life.
I could have tied Brindle ‘Chutes that wouldn’t land on their sides. The hackles on those fies wouldn’t come undone. I could have fared the wings on Caddis Variants. Tying those fies right, each time, is challenging and satisfying.
Instead, I did something that left me feeling a little ashamed, like I’d sold out or something.
That, and the fact that I’d never caught a fsh on a San Juan Worm. I could sell them by pointing out how well each one was well-tied, better than any imported San Juan Worm.
But how would I handle questions about how well they fshed?
My brother-in-law was in town and we were
scheduled to go fshing the following day. I knew nobody but family would see me tie on one of those San Juan Worms. I free-drifted it with no indicator (I was desperate to preserve some sense of dignity) and on about the fourth cast hooked a decent-sized trout. Immediately after I released it I changed fies.
Tomorrow I’ll join some wonderful friends at their camp for a couple of days. Part of our get-togethers are the pleasant visits around the fy tying vise when we’re not fshing, sharing some great meals, or singing and visiting around the campfre.
When it comes to fies they have some favorites. Their favorites, it turns out, are my favorites – both to tie and to fsh. They started buying these fies at my shop years ago. Now that shop days are behind me I still enjoy tying Caddis Variants with wings fared just-so, and Brindle ‘Chutes that land postup every time, and stonefies that land like the naturals, making that splat on the water that triggers a trout on the prowl into attacking them.
I like tying those fies. Tying a dozen or two of
them is a complex enough task, despite the repetitive nature of it, that it doesn’t get boring. It’s not the same as production-lining 200 San Juan Worms.
Some people call the nicer fies art, but I don’t.
My fy tying is more an austere sense of form-follows-function design coupled with applied craftsmanship. The fies, themselves, are nice-looking when the materials are good and the time to tie them is right.
The time is always right when the efort isn’t hurried, when a camp table under a pine tree is the tying bench, and good friends or family gather around the fy tying vise to share stories punctuated by gentle laughter.
It all feels right when I tie them - each one becomes a gift that gets a little extra care. The fies from those sessions tend to look good - and might be some of my best work.
The thing that sets those camp fies apart is the place, the gathering of people, and the love that gets tied into each one.
A special time in camp for grandson Nehi and Grandpa Chuck. Photo courtesy Chuck Stranahan.
Zinke requests funding for three Ravalli County projects
Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that he has requested federal funding for 15 projects in Western Montana to improve infrastructure, economic development, and law enforcement capabilities, including three requests for Ravalli County projects.
The requests were submitted to the House Appropriations Committee of which he is a member. The projects would beneft communities in the following counties: Ravalli (3), Missoula (2), Beaverhead, Flathead, Gallatin, Granite, Lake (2), Lincoln (2), Mineral (2), Powell, and Sanders (3). The projects are posted on Congressman Zinke’s website for public inspection.
“Rural America’s infrastructure needs have been ignored for too long, as a member of the Appropriations Committee I can ensure our tax dollars are spent on projects that directly support our communities,” said Zinke. “With the help of county commissioners, mayors, and sherifs, we’ve identifed and nominated strong, shovel-ready projects that refect real community needs and deliver the highest return to Montana taxpayers. These investments will support our law enforcement, expand access to clean water, repair failing infrastructure, and spur economic growth
across Western Montana. This is about building a stronger Montana by making sure our families have access to housing, clean water, and safe streets for generations to come.”
The submissions were made through the U.S. House of Representatives Community Project Funding program, which allows Congress to direct appropriations from specifc grant accounts to eligible projects. All projects must meet the published grant requirements and pass a series of legislative hurdles. Every project must be approved by the House Appropriations Committee, the full House of Representatives and be included in the joint funding package approved by the House and Senate and signed by the President. In Fiscal Year 2024, Zinke successfully secured $35 million in funding for Western Montana.
Ravalli County projects are:
$1,143,000 - Bridge Replacement, Grof Lane
Ravalli County is one of the fastest growing counties in Montana. Grof Lane provides access to larger agricultural tracts in Ravalli County and a future potential public access. The narrow bridges need to be replaced to allow
for safer passage and also to ensure that irrigation water delivery can continue to some larger agricultural water users in the Bitterroot Valley.
$5,500,000 - Old Corvallis Road Repair
The funding would be used for repair of the Old Corvallis Road in the critical north-south transportation corridor of the greater Hamilton area. The Project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because Old Corvallis Road serves as a crucial transportation artery in the greater Hamilton area, connecting the Corvallis community with essential services and employment opportunities in the City of Hamilton, notably a large pharmaceutical facility as well as a soon-to-be residential development that will consist of 140 units. The road sufers from poor pavement conditions and lacks dedicated non-motorized facilities, making walking hazardous. Trafc counts from 2023 reveal an average daily trafc of 2,705 vehicles with an anticipated increase of nearly 50% once the residential development is completed. Addressing these infrastructure challenges is crucial to ensuring safe and efcient travel along Old Corvallis Road.
$10,000,000 - Wastewater Treatment Plant Ravalli County is currently one of the most rapidly developing counties in Montana and one of the greatest in need of afordable housing. One of the greatest barriers to that is the lack of water and sewage treatment capacity. Ravalli county until recently has been forced to send its raw sewage by truck to Missoula county for disposal and treatment. Recently this arrangement was terminated due to Missoula counties own issues with sewage treatment capacity. Currently all sewage pumped from septic tanks in Ravalli county is being disposed of on National Forest lands. This is a concern both environmentally and economically due to the capacity barriers this creates. Septic seepage levels are reaching a dangerous level and because of this the county is limited in new septic permits it can issue to build new homes and dwellings. This new facility would protect drinking water, ease capacity restrictions inhibiting development, and protect environmental quality by keeping septic seepage and human waste out of critical groundwater siphons and the Bitterroot River.
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GET YOUR DEDUCTION AHEAD OF THE YEAR-END! Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous year-end tax credit. Call Heritage for the Blind Today at 1-855- 901-2620 today!
IF YOU HAD KNEE OR HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY and sufered an infection due to use of a Bair Hugger (Blue Blanket), between 2020 and the present time, you may be entitled to compensation. Call attorney Charles H. Johnson 800/535-5727
PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-7621508
SAFE STEP. NORTH AMERICA’S #1 WALK-IN TUB. Comprehensive lifetime warranty.Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Of for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-6012865.
Elementary Teacher Wanted: Springdale Colony, 10 miles southwest of White Sulphur Springs, for grades 1-8, 13 students. Contact Tom for details, 406-202- 7323 or produce@sdcolony.net
GARAGE/SHOP SALE
June 21-22, 9am4pm, 2318 Vista Ridge, Victor MT. Featuring Kayaks, saws, upright freezer, hayrake, railroad lanterns, western table lamp, healthrider exerciser, pellet gun, truck bed cover,
puzzles, household items, toys.
Antiques for Sale -
Virgelle Merc. Presents its Outdoor Antique fea Market Sunday July 13 th 9-5 at the old townsite of Virgelle along the Missouri River. Over an Acre of Antiques and Collectibles. For info call 1-800426-2926 or our website VirgelleMontana.com
FRESH EGGS from Howell’s Happy Hens are back! $5.00/doz. Pick up at Bitterroot Star ofce, 115 W. 3rd, Suite 108, Stevensville.
HUSKY ZERO-TURN RIDING MOWER. RZ5424, 54 INCH, 24HP Kawasaki, very good condition, well-maintained, new belts, plugs, flters, and blades. Manuals and records, $1300. (406) 4992842
LOOKING FOR GOOD READING MATERIAL? Try local author, Jane Lambert’s nationally acclaimed books “Charlie Russell the Cowboy Years” or “Makin’ Tracks with my Horses and Mules.” Both received medals from the Will Rogers Medallion Awards, and both are available at Valley Drug, Stevensville, and at Chapter One, in Hamilton.
TO GIVE AWAYElectric Kenmore Sewing Machine, older. In nice wooden cabinet. Needs cleaning and some adjustment.
Legal Notices
Daniel Browder, Esq.
BROWDER LAW, PLLC
217 N. 3rd St., Ste. J Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: 406-361-3677
Fax: 406-361-2999
Email: browderlawmont@gmail.com
Attorney for Steven D. Nordstrom
MONTANA TWEN-
TY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LEA R. NORDSTROM, Deceased.
Cause No. DP-2025-64
Dept. No. 1
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Steven D. Nordstrom 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 the Personal Representative, Steven D. Nordstrom, return receipt requested, ℅: Browder Law PLLC, 217 North Third Street, Suite J, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
DATED this 29th day of May, 2025. BROWDER LAW, PLLC /s/ Daniel Browder
Attorney for Personal Representative
BS 6-4, 6-11, 6-18-25. MNAXLP
NOTICE
The 2025 Personal Property Tax bills have been mailed. Taxes are due payable before 5 PM are due June 30, 2025. Mail payments must be postmarked by June 30, 2025 or the payment will be returned for additional charges. Please make checks payable to the Ravalli County Treasurer. Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover are accepted. Now accepting On-line payments at www.ravallicounty.mt.gov
Ravalli County Treasurer
Dan Whitesitt, Treasurer
215 S 4th St. Ste H Hamilton MT 59840 406-375-6600
BS 6-4, 6-11, 6-18, 6-25-25.
MNAXLP
NOTICE The frst half of the 2025 Mobile Home Taxes are due payable before 5 pm June 30, 2025. We have a Night Drop located at North end of Administration Building in drive thru. Mailed payments must be postmarked by June 30, 2025 or the payment will be returned for penalty and interest. Please make checks payable to the Ravalli wderCounty 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 6-4, 6-11, 6-18, 6-25-25.
MNAXLP
RFP FOR IT SERVICES FOR THE TOWN OF STEVENSVILLE Proposals will be received at the Town Hall 206 Buck Street, Stevensville, MT 59870, until June 24, 2025, at 5:00 pm local time. Original copies must be submitted in a sealed envelope; no faxed or electronic bids will be accepted. Received bids will be
publicly opened and read aloud during the council meeting on Thursday June 26, 2025, at 6:30 pm. The proposal will be awarded at the council meeting on Thursday July 10, 2025, at 6:30 pm.
Additional information about this request for proposal can be viewed on the town’s website townofstevensville.com or by contacting the town clerk at 406-777-5271 ext. 102 Jenelle Berthoud, Town Clerk BS 6-4, 6-18-25.
MNAXLP
Megan S. Winderl CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. 99 Marcus St. 3rd FL Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 218-4888 meganw@cwlawmt. com pleadings@cwlawmt. com Attorneys for Petitioner MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF: JESSICA SCHUELER, Petitioner, vs. MYNOR ROBERTO RABRE CEBALLOS, Respondent. Cause No. DR-412005-0000101-DU Dept. No. 1 Howard F. Recht SUMMONS AND AUTOMATIC ECONOMIC RESTRAINING ORDER THE STATE OF MONTANA SENDS GREETINGS TO: YOU, THE RESPONDENT, ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Petition in this action which is fled in the ofce of the Clerk of the abovenamed Court, a copy of which is served upon you with this Summons, and to fle your answer and serve a copy of your answer upon the Petitioner within twenty-one (21) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service.
If you fail to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Petition. TO PETITIONER AND RESPONDENT: Pursuant to Mont. Code Ann. §40-4-121(3), It is hereby ordered that:
(1) The parties are restrained from transferring, encumbering, concealing or in any way disposing of, without the written consent of the other party or an order of the court, and marital property, except:
(a) for expenses necessary to reasonably maintain the marital standard of living or for the necessities of life, such as food, clothing, shelter, necessary health care expenses, transportation to and from work, and child care, taking into consideration additional living expenses arising out of a party obtaining a second household and current available income.
(b) in the customary and usual course of operating an existing business; or
(c) for the purpose of paying a reasonable amount for professional fees and costs relating to a proceeding under Title 40, chapter 1, part 4, Title 40, chapter 4, or Title 40, chapter 15.
(2) Each party shall fle a notice with the court of any proposed extraordinary expenditure, proposed revocation of a nonprobate transfer, or proposed elimination of a right of survivorship to property at least 14 days before the action is taken.
(a) It must include notice:
(i) the proposed action and when the action is intended to occur; (ii) how the proposed action may impact the marital estate;
and (iii) why the proposed action is necessary at that time.
(b) The notice is not sufcient unless the notice contains the following statement: “The moving party’s proposed action will be permitted without further proceedings or order of the court unless within 14 days of the date of fling of the notice you fle with the court and serve on all persons entitled to notice a response objecting to the proposed action, which states the reasons for your objection.”
(c) If the other party fles an objection to the proposed action before the expiration of the 14-day period, the party proposing to take the action is prohibited from taking the proposed action until the court rules on the proposed action.
(d) The burden of justifying the proposed action is on the party proposing the action. The court may award reasonable attorney fees if a party makes an unreasonable request for or a unreasonable objection to the proposed action.
(e) A “nonprobate transfer” means an instrument, other than a will, that makes the transfer of property on death, including a revocable trust, a pay-on-death account in a fnancial institution, a transfer on death registration of personal property, or revocable transfer on death deed.
(3) The parties are restrained from:
(a) canceling jointly held credit card or terminating signatory authority of the other party on a credit card;
(b) incurring unreasonable debt, including but not limited to further borrowing against any credit line secured by the family residence, further encumbrancing of any assets, or unreasonably using credit cards or cash advances against credit cards, except as provided for in subsections (1)(a) through (1)(c) or subsection (2);
(c) except as allowed by subsections (1)(a) through (1)(c) or subsection (2), making any withdrawal for any purpose or borrowing from any deferred compensation, retirement, proft-sharing, pension, death, or other employee beneft plan or employee savings plan or from any individual retirement account or Keough account;
(d) except as allowed by subsection (1)(a) through (1)(c) or subsection (2), withdrawing or borrowing in any manner all or any part of the cash surrender value of any life insurance policies on either party or any of their children;
(e) changing or in any manner altering the benefciary designation on any life insurance policies on either party or their children or changing or in any manner altering the benefciary on any other account or asset;
(f) canceling, altering, or allowing to lapse any existing property, life automobile, or health insurance policies insuring the parties’ or children’s property or persons;
(g) negotiating any instrument, check, draft, income tax refund, insurance payment, or dividends payable jointly to the parties or individually to the other party without the personal signature or prior written consent of the other party;
(h) opening, diverting, or withholding mail, e-mail, or other electronic communications addressed to the other party, except a party may open e-mail, or other electronic communications addressed to both parties or submit a notice of change of the party’s individual mail, e-mail, or
other electronic addresses; and
(i) without objectively reasonable justifcation, intentionally or knowingly damaging or destroying the property of the parties or of either party during the pendency of this action, specifcally including but not limited to any electronically stored materials, electronic communications, or fnancial records, without order of the court of written consent of the other party.
(4) Unless otherwise ordered by the court, a party is not restrained from:
(a) creating, modifying, or revoking a will;
(b) revoking or changing a power of attorney; or (c) creating an unfunded revocable or irrevocable trust.
(5) This order does not adversely afect the rights, title, or interest of a purchaser, encumbrancer, or lessee for value if the purchaser, encumbrancer, or lessee does not have actual knowledge of this order.
(6) The court may expand, limit, modify, or revoke this order, and nothing prevents either party from requesting such relief. Furthermore, the parties, with joint agreement, may waive in writing some or all of the provisions of this order.
(7) The parties shall serve preliminary fnancial disclosures within 60 days of service of the petition for dissolution, declaration of invalidity of marriage, or legal separation pursuant to §40-4-252.
(8) This order is binding on the petitioner on fling of the petition, and this order is binding on the respondent on service of the petition.
(9) In issuing any temporary orders or in a fnal decree, the court may consider any action taken by the petitioner within a reasonable time prior to fling of the petition that would otherwise have constituted a violation of this order had this order been issued at the time.
(10) Except as otherwise ordered by the court, this order is dissolved on dismissal of the action or grating of the declaration of invalidity, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or other fnal order.
(11) Failure to follow this automatic economic restraining order is subject to enforcement by the court, on a motion to the court. The court may issue any appropriate enforcement order as set forth in [section 1(4)], including, if appropriate, sanction and all remedies for contempt of court.
(12) An automatic economic restraining order entered pursuant to this section, unless otherwise ordered by the court, is dissolved upon dismissal of the action or granting of the petitioner for declaration of invalidity, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or other fnal order.
(13) Nothing in this section precludes a party from applying to the court for an order to expand, limit, modify, or revoke the automatic economic restraining order.
(14) If a party fails to comply with the automatic restraining order, the other party may move the court to grant an appropriate order, including, if appropriate, sanctions and all remedies for contempt of court.
VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE UNDER MCA §§ 45-5-220 OR 45-5-626. DATED: May 7, 2025.
William J. Nelson, Esq. Nelson Law Ofce PLLC 217 North 3rd Street, Suite J Hamilton, MT 59840 Telephone: (406) 3633181 Attorney for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE ESTATE OF: GEORGIA MARCELLA BRISENDINE, Deceased. Cause No. DP-2025-06 Dept. 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 frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to the Personal Representative, MELISSA S. COLLINS, return receipt requested, c/o Nelson Law Ofce PLLC , 217 North Third Street, Suite J, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court. DATED this 3rd day of June 2025.
/s/ William J. Nelson Attorney for Personal Representative /s/ Melissa S. Collins Personal Representative BS 6-11, 6-18, 6-25-25. MNAXLP
Kory Gassmann PO Box 126 Hamilton, MT 59840 Kory@comfortsolutionsmt.com 406-961-4328 MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL JOHN GASSMANN, Decedent. Cause No. DP-25-54 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 (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to the Personal Representative, Kory Gassmann, PO Box 126, Hamilton, Montana 59840, return receipt requested, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
DATED this 29th day of May, 2025. /s/ Kory Michael Gassmann State of Montana ) :ss County of Ravalli ) This instrument was signed or acknowledged before me on May 29th, 2025, by Kory Michael Gassmann.
/s/ Kelly Williams Notary Public of the State of Montana BS 6-11, 6-18, 6-25-25. MNAXLP
Megan S. Winderl
CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. 99 Marcus Street, 3rd Floor Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 218-4888 meganw@cwlawmt. com pleadings@cwlawmt. com
Attorneys for Co-Personal Representatives MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI
COUNTY In the Matter of the Estate of JEANE DORTCH BRUTON, Deceased. Probate No. DP-412025-0000068-II
Dept. No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned have been appointed as Co-Personal Representatives of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Marilyn De Salvo and Clay C. Cherry, the Co-Personal Representatives, in care of CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C., 99 Marcus St. 3rd FL, Hamilton, MT 59840 or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana that the foregoing is true and correct. Dated this 22nd day of May, 2025. /s/ Marilyn De Salvo Co-Personal Representative /s/ Clay C. Cherry Co-Personal Representative CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. Attorney for Personal Representative By: Megan S. Winderl BS 6-11, 6-18, 6-25-25. MNAXLP
Megan S. Winderl
CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. 99 Marcus Street, 3rd Floor Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 218-4888 meganw@cwlawmt. com pleadings@cwlawmt. com Attorneys for Co-Personal Representatives MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY In the Matter of the Estate of CAROLYN LEE DORTCH, Deceased. Probate No. DP-412025-0000067-II Dept. No. 2 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned have been appointed as Co-Personal Representatives of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to Marilyn De Salvo and Clay C. Cherry, the Co-Personal Representatives, in care of CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C., 99 Marcus St. 3rd FL, Hamilton, MT 59840 or fled with the Clerk of the above Court. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana that the foregoing is true and correct. Dated this 22nd day of May, 2025. /s/ Marilyn De Salvo Co-Personal Representative /s/ Clay C. Cherry Co-Personal Representative
CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. Attorney for Personal Representative By: Megan S. Winderl BS 6-11, 6-18, 6-25-25. MNAXLP
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the
Name Change of Teena Barton, Teena Barton, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-412025-0000181-NC Dept. 1
Howard F. Recht
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change from Teena Louise Barton to Teena Louse Reynolds.
The hearing will be on July 16, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 2nd day of June, 2025.
/s/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court
By: Janenne Sorenson
Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 6-11, 6-18, 6-25, 7-2-25.
MNAXLP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
HEARING
Notice is Hereby Given that the Town Council of the Town of Stevensville will hold a Public Hearing on June 26, 2025 @ 6:30 pm for Resolution No. 568, adopting town hall business hours for Fridays be 8:00am-12:00pm.
All interested persons will be given the opportunity to express their opinions regarding the hours of operation for Fridays at town hall. Comments can also be given to the Town Clerk at PO Box 30, Stevensville, MT 59870, email townclerk@townofstevensville.gov<mailto:townclerk@townofstevensville.
gov> or before 5:00 pm in person on the scheduled Town Council meeting day. Questions, comments or more information may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at 406-777-5271
ext. 102.
Attest: Jenelle S. Berthoud, Town Clerk BS 6-11, 6-18-25.
MNAXLP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
HEARINGS BEFORE THE HAMILTON ZONING COMMISSION AND HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL
Zoning Request 202501 & Annexation Request 2025-01-A request by Bridget Joyner of McLeod Property MS, LLC, to annex a tract of land that is currently unzoned and to establish a zoning designation of Local Business District (B-1). The property is approximately 14,068 square feet, and addressed as 245 Marcus Street, Hamilton, MT. The property is identifed by Ravalli County Tax ID # 676600 and Geocode 13-1468-30-3-05-43-0000, and is legally described as:
A tract of land located in Lot 1, Block 3, Daly Acres, Ravalli County, Montana, according to the ofcial recorded plat thereof and being more particularly described as follows:
Beginning at a point 20 feet West of Northeast corner of said Lot 1, this point of beginning being on a westerly side of a certain 40 foot road; thence from said point of beginning West 83 feet; thence South 169.5 feet; thence East 83 feet; thence North 169.5 feet to point of beginning. Recording Reference: Book 192 Deeds, page 113.
The Hamilton Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to take public comment and consider a recommendation on the zone map amendment request on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM on the 2nd foor of Hamilton City Hall, 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT.
The Hamilton City Council will hold public hearings to take public comment and make a decision on the zone map amendment request and the annexation petition on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM, and Tuesday,
August 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM, during its regular meetings on the 2nd foor of Hamilton City Hall, 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT.
The public may attend and make comment in person, or on the Inter net / by phone through Zoom. Instructions are available on the City of Hamilton website www.cityofhamilton.net, or by contacting aenglish@cityofhamilton. net or cityclerk@cityofhamilton.net.
Comments prior to the Zoning Commission meeting may be submitted to the Planning Department at aenglish@cityofhamilton.net. Comments after the Zoning Commission meeting may be submitted to the City Clerk at cityclerk@cityofhamilton.net. Comments for the Planning Department or City Clerk may also be mailed or delivered in person to 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840.
Related materials will be made available on the City of Hamilton website prior to the meetings, and can be obtained by contacting the Planning Department at (406) 363-2101 or aenglish@cityofhamilton. net.
BS 6-18, 6-25-25.
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PUBLIC NOTICE
Stevensville School District Transportation RFP
Stevensville School
District is soliciting bids for student transportation bus contracting services for routes serving students residing within the Stevensville School District beginning in the 20252026 school year for a period of up to fve years. The District is seeking bids for two options: (1) all daily transportation routes as well as for curricular, extracurricular, or other school activities; and (2) nine daily transportation routes. Bid information
packets can be obtained at the District Ofce for the Stevensville School District, 300 Park Avenue, Stevensville, MT 59870 or by calling Dave Thennis at 406-777-5481. Completed bid packets must be received by the District no later than 3:00 PM (MST) on July 7th, 2025. All proposals must be plainly marked “Response To Transportation RFP2025-2030,” and no faxed or emailed proposals will be accepted. Proposals received after this date and time will not be considered. The bid opening date is July 7th, 2025 at 4:00 PM (MST) in the Stevensville School District Ofce located at 300 Park Avenue, Stevensville, MT 59870.
This request for bid responses does not commit the Board of Trustees for Stevensville School District to enter into any agreement, or to pay any expenses incurred in the preparation of any response to this request, or to ultimately procure any contract for the provision of these services. The Board of Trustees expressly reserves the right to waive any formalities and to reject any or all proposals.
BS 6-18, 6-25, 7-2-25.
MNAXLP
BUDGET AMENDMENT RESOLUTION
Stevensville Public School District #2
Ravalli County
At a regular board meeting of the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2, Ravalli County, Montana, held on June 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. the following resolution was introduced:
WHEREAS, the trustees of School District No. 2, Ravalli County, Montana, have made a determination that as a result of an unforeseen need the district’s budget for the retirement fund (114))
does not provide sufcient fnancing to properly maintain and support the district for the entire school; and
WHEREAS, the trustees have determined that an amendment to the Elementary Retirement fund budget in the amount of $75,000.00 is necessary under the provision of Section 20-9-161 (6), MCA; for the purpose of the educational functions of the district and WHEREAS, the anticipated source of fnancing the budget amendment expenditures shall be the Elementary Retirement Reserves;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2, Ravalli County, Montana will meet at 12:00 p.m. on June 26, 2025, for the purpose of considering and adopting the budget amendment.
/s/ Ben Meyer, Chair Board of Trustees
Stevensville Public School District No. 2 /s/ Cristy McLaren
District Clerk Board of Trustees BS 6-18-25. MNAXLP
LEGAL NOTICE Middle Fairview Subdivision (5 Lot Minor Subdivision), Tract C of CS #647364-F, existing Tax ID: 1376372. Ravalli County Planning has received an application for a 5-lot minor subdivision on 20 acres. Direct access to this property is from Fairview Lane (Privately Maintained) and Two Creeks Terrace (Privately Maintained). The subdivision will add approximately 1.5 new children to the Florence School District and 45 new vehicular trips per day to the road system. The application states the subject property does hold 11 water shares from EightMile Creek Irrigation Ditch Company. Stevensville is approximately 14.2 miles
south, being the nearest municipal boundary. Florence is approximately 5.5 miles southwest of the subject property. The subdivision property is located within the Florence School and Rural Fire Districts. The proposed lots will be served by private wells and septic systems. The applicant is Sombra Investments LLC and is represented by Tamara Ross of IMEG Corp. The subdivision is referred to as Middle Fairview Subdivision. A complete copy of the application packet is available for viewing at the Ravalli County Planning Department ofce, in the County Administrative Center, 215 S. 4th St., Suite F, Hamilton, MT 59840. A copy of the Preliminary Plat is posted on our Website at https:// ravalli.us/178/Subdivisions-Exemptions. Written comments are encouraged to be submitted to the Planning Department prior to the hearing, and will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will conduct a Public Hearing to review the proposal Monday, July 7th, 2025 at 09:30 a.m., in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room (Third Floor) at the Administrative Center. The public may comment verbally, or in writing, at the meeting. Comments and information submitted at the public meeting/hearing will be considered in the decision on the subdivision. However, please note that only under select circumstances will new information be allowed into the record after the public hearing. BS 6-18, 6-25-25. MNAXLP
