There was a big turnout on Friday, March 14 for the grand opening of the new VA Clinic in Hamilton. The event featured a ribbon cutting with visiting ofcials, a free lunch and tours. Veterans health care providers were also on hand to talk with folks about the services they provide.
The large crowd included a number of people who were there to express concern over recent cuts to the VA workforce. (A federal judge recently halted the cuts, at least temporarily.) Some people held signs thanking former U.S. Senator Jon Tester, who served as Chairman of the Senate Veterans Afairs Committee and was instrumental in passing a number of bills that directly benefted veterans.
Bill LaCroix, a veteran who held a large sign on Hwy 93 at the turnof to the clinic that said, “How does fring 70,000 VA employees help vets?,” was skeptical about whether the VA could actually provide the necessary services to veterans if the staf cuts get implemented permanently. In an email he sent to the Star, he said, “The new VA chief of staf, Christopher Syrek, claims to be merely paring down the agency to 2019 numbers, inferring, we guess, that it’s therefore no big deal. But isn’t that just the thing with these interesting times? Some high-paid bureaucrat who never had to wait for hours to talk to a human being on a phone to get medical help (which we personally did pre-2019) telling us that’s all we deserved then, and all we deserve now.”
In spite of any concerns expressed, staf at the new clinic is confdent that the Bitterroot Valley’s large number of veterans can now receive good care at the newly constructed facility at 1331 N. 1st Street. The clinic provides 8,000 square feet of space, about six times the size of the old ofce. The clinic includes space for physical and mental exams and consultations, physical therapy, blood draws and other lab work, telehealth and more. The clinic hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The local phone number is 406-3633352.
“Opening this new clinic in
Hamilton is one way that we are trying to fulfll our promise to provide world class healthcare for Montana’s veterans,” said Duane Gill, Montana VA Executive Director, prior to the grand opening. “For nearly a decade, the previous Hamilton CBOC dedicated itself to serving the veterans in this community. While this location served us well for many years, we saw steady growth in the veteran population in and around Ravalli County. With a new and larger location, we are now able to serve more veterans and ofer expanded services to veterans in the Hamilton area.” Veterans, family members, caregivers, and survivors can learn more at va.gov/montana-health-care.
to Missoula for care. Tom Carlson,
telehealth coordinator for Montana VA. He was able to talk with
telehealth appointments through the clinic. Photo by Victoria Howell.
Veterans Bill LaCroix, Michael Helling and Saundra Amsden display a sign on Hwy 93 at the turnoff to the new VA Clinic in Hamilton. According to LaCroix, he didn’t get an answer to his big question at the grand opening. Photo by Victoria Howell.
Another successful Chili Cook-Of
by John Dowd
Over 200 people showed up to the Stevensville Police Department’s third annual Chili Cook-Of, which Stevensville Police Chief John Boe considered a huge success. Boe said he believes everyone had a great time, from what he saw. For his frst community event and fundraiser, he thinks he did well, barring only a few hiccups.
“I’m appreciative of all those who showed up,” said Boe. He wanted to give a huge thank you to all the businesses and public that helped make
he’s hoping to bring down the volume of music and activities. He witnessed a few members of the public who were concerned about the noise level. Boe also wants to work harder to bring in more families and children, saying he would love to have enough children come out that they could do something like rent a bounce house or the like. “It’ll get bigger and better,” said Boe.
As far as entries went, “I felt like it was just the right amount of chili contestants,” said Boe. This year there were 13 entries for the chili
the event happen, through donations or by volunteering. “Their generosity was fantastic!”
Boe spoke about plans for next year, saying there are defnitely some improvements and changes they will make in order to smooth the event. Overall, however, he believes it went well. One of the big changes will be to have the judges arrive early, and begin judging before any of the regular guests arrive. This way, they hope to fnish the judging by the time the public arrives so that nobody will need to wait to start serving up and sampling the entries.
Another change he said they will make regards the noise level. He said
cook-of. The judges were Dennis Toussaint, Kristy Leighty, Amie Hall and Kurt Bjorgen. All said they had never judged chili before and were impressed at the variety, though some said the recipes could have used more beans.
As for the winners, in third place was Ed Wills with his “Elk Surprise” chili. Second place was “Dad’s Recipe,” by Jay Bailey. First place was “Combat Chili,” made by Joy Reed and Norma Pogachar.
In the end, the event raised around $9,500 for the Stevensville Reserve Ofcer Association, which directly benefts the Stevensville Police Department.
Stevensville Police Chief John Boe congratulates the frst place winners, Joy Reed and Norma Pogachar. Photo by John Dowd.
Stevensville Police Chief John Boe congratulates the third place winner, Jay Wills. According to Boe, Wills caught Boe on the road to ask to enter, and said his “chili was gonna be a winner,” according to Boe. Indeed it was. Photo by John Dowd.
According to Joseph, Liberty Mutual did not seem to understand the gravity of the situation and how much time and money it would take to deal with the space. He believed it needed to be condemned.
After many issues, half fnished construction projects and a district of frustrated staf, parents and students, the insurance company spent nearly $2 million trying to deal with the temporary kitchen problems. In the end, they purchased a pre-made metal building to cover the trailers, and fnally the brakes were pressed to halt the project before this structure went up.
When the Insurance company discovered the metal building would not fx the problems with the kitchen camp, they fnally awarded $2.6 million from the excess use policy to address the temporary food problems as the school district saw ft.
According to Joseph, from the beginning, the insurance company should have “let us make the decision that’s best for our community.” Utilizing the go ahead and funding from the insurance, the district chose to go ahead with renovating the blue building, at just over $70,000. This project was fnished by late
2024. With the excess funding, the school also got rid of the trailer “kitchen camp,” and decided to best utilize the excess funding for something else the district desperately needed: a new middle school basketball, PE and Health facility. Additionally, they decided to utilize the pre-made metal building in this project to save costs.
“The greatest need that we had as a school system was another gym,” said Joseph. According to him, athletes often need to come in and start practices as early as 6 a.m., and the one gymnasium space was utilized for all school sports and games across the
district. Some of these games and practices would generally happen at the same time in many other districts. This has led to difcult scheduling conficts.
Additionally, the space is very small, and is also utilized for over a dozen gym classes as well as gatherings, band concerts and much more across all grade levels. This space was built in the 80’s. The school does have an even older gym, built before WWII. This older space is even smaller, the foor is old and uneven and it is utilized for theater and other activities.
not much of one.” Knapp said practices start so early and the schedule is so difcult that some parents will not even let their kids participate in sports.
A new space would provide at least six extra baskets and, “give the kids more access,” and eliminate these super early practices. It would also lead to normal operating times and a much more versatile schedule. Multiple sports would be able to practice at the same time, instead of canceling practices due to scheduling conficts, and the school district would be “fnally getting caught up to other Class A facilities,” said Knapp. “Everybody is going to beneft.”
“It’s been a struggle for 20 years,” said Joseph. “For a Class A school not to have multiple spaces for activities,” it’s really not enough, he said, especially for a district of over 1500 students.
Joseph explained that, of all the projects so far, no taxpayer dollars were used. All the funding has come from the insurance claim. However, the gym and basketball courts, along with the blue building remodel and removal of the kitchen camp, will clean out the rest of the excess use funds. This will still not fnish the gym. For that, the superintendent said the district will need to propose a bond. “To fnish it out, we’re going to need a bond and we’re going to need public input.”
Andy Knapp, a Corvallis High School PE teacher, and varsity girls basketball coach and middle school athletics teacher, talked about the old gym. “If you look at our secondary facility, it’s
The initial construction of the gym will take place on top of the footprint left by the “kitchen camp.” This will be Phase 1. Phase 2 will be determined by the public. The district contracted with Dan McGee and Langlas and Associates, out of Missoula, for the new middle school gymnasium and eventual work on the old cafeteria. They hope this Phase 1 will be fnished by June of 2025.
Eventually the blue building will become part of the charter school for food-to-farm courses and much more. For now they use it for a middle school and high school cafeteria, and to make and transport food to the primary school. As for the old cafeteria/kitchen space, nothing has yet been determined on how to proceed with that space.
“If we had just done this frst and foremost,” said Joseph about the project with the blue building, then it would have saved everyone a lot of time, stress and money. “It’s my job to protect kids,” said Joseph, so he is used to looking at these issues with youth in mind.
For more information on all the projects to date, interested parties can look on the Corvallis District website, under school board agendas and included documentation.
The “blue building,” now being used as the Corvallis School District kitchen and cafeteria, was fnally fnished late 2024. Eventually, the space will be utalized for charter school acivities. Photo by John Dowd.
Corvallis School District plans to utilize the footprint, left behind by the “kitchen camp,” as the site on which to build its new Middle School basketball and athletics structure. Photo by John Dowd.
Elks award grant to Sula Rural Fire Department
by John Dowd
Last week, the Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge awarded the Sula Volunteer Fire Department a grant for $1,555.
According to Denise Hiatt, Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge office manager, the grant was for the department to purchase “sequential road flares” to aid in road safety. Hiatt said Chief McGee stated that there is an increasing danger for firefighters being struck by a vehicle during an on-scene accident while providing aid. This is especially a big concern for Sula because the department responds to a lot of wrecks along the curves south of Darby to the border. At night, there is a high danger of further wrecks or department volunteers being struck on the roads while responding.
Sula was one of the only area fire departments to apply for the grant. In order to receive the grant, first the Montana State Elks Association sends out notices to lodges across the state who then notify local fire departments. The departments then fill out the paper work and send it off to the Montana State Elks Association, which chooses a recipient.
The Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge covers the entire Bitterroot Valley, from Sula to Florence. According to Hiatt, “It’s important that we start informing the community that the Elks Lodge (located in Hamilton) is more than just a place to come have a meal and a drink. We are a community service driven club
and have given thousands to many non-profits in our area.”
The Elks Lodge has been active in Hamilton since 1942. According to Hiatt, the lodge does a lot. Some events are part of greater state-wide Elks Lodge activities, including an Elks hoop-shoot event. For this, youth come out and compete to progress to a state Elks hoop shoot, shooting baskets to win. Hiatt says this is just one of many fun events they host. They also give out scholarships to outstanding students in the valley. They do this independently from other Elks lodges or the state lodge. They also independently provide veterans services and give out dictionaries to third graders in the valley, in conjunction with the Hamilton Rotary Club.
The Lady Elks provide hats, coats and gloves to school children. The Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge donates to safe houses, women’s protection groups, gives meat to those in need during holidays and much more.
When asked why Hiatt and her husband got involved with the program, she said she has only been with the Elks for a year but loves it. She grew up in the valley and always wanted to return. “We’ve just always been involved in the community,” said Hiatt. “I love their mission statement, I love their motto.” That motto is: “Elks care, Elks share.”
For more information or to get involved with the local Elks Lodge, interested parties can look up the Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge #1651 on the elks. org website. The lodge is open Wednesday nights to the public, and provides dinners for $15. It is located at 203 State Street, in Hamilton.
Stockman Bank is pleased to announce Simon McCann’s promotion to Bitterroot Market President.
Stop in and see Simon at our new Stevensville bank!
SIMON MCCANN
BITTERROOT MARKET PRESIDENT
318 MAIN STREET, STEVENSVILLE (406) 258-1365
In the picture from left to right is Larry Seymour, house chairman of the Elks, Michele McGee, the Sula Rural Fire District treasurer and board trustee, Mark McGee, Sula Rural Fire District Chief, Richard Smith, the Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge secretary and Dan York, Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge treasurer. Photo courtesy Denise Hiatt.
Republican chaos
Many Montanans, like people across the country, have a tough time making ends meet and paying bills for essential needs. The Republican party has the political power in our state and nationally. What are these folks with Rs behind their names doing with their power and what are they doing to help the voters who gave them power? Policing the hall bathrooms? Is that helping you fnd afordable childcare? Slapping tarifs on our friendly neighbors, Canada and Mexico? How is that working out for Montana farmers and ranchers trying to make a living selling their products on the global market? How is that helping shoppers aford produce at the grocery store or buy a car or truck built with steel and parts from those countries? Or how does it help a contractor fnd afordable lumber to build needed housing? Making sure the almost nonexistent transgender boy isn’t playing on a girls’ sports team? How is that helping you fnd afordable health care?
Keep in mind that Republican representative, Ryan Zinke, voted for over $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid while the Republican U.S. Congress looks for a way to allocate $4.5 trillion to extend tax breaks for the wealthy. Representative Zinke is more interested in reminding anybody within earshot that he was a Navy Seal and making sure any camera within a half mile captures him wearing his cowboy hat than he is in helping Montanans in need.
The Republicans in power aren’t interested in governing and fnding ways to help the voters who continue to put them in power. Culture wars and chaos aren’t helping Montanans trying to fnd afordable childcare, food, housing and healthcare. These are the issues that are important to families and the issues the Democratic party has always fought for. But these issues keep getting put on the shelf so that those currently in power can showboat and “own the libs.”
Donald Gardner Corvallis
Letter to Congressmen
Dear Senator Sheehy and Congressman Zinke:
I called and I called and I called your Missoula ofces and nobody from either of your ofces returned my call, even though your messages say they will. Based upon your failure to respond, an open letter published in the newspaper might get a public answer.
I simply would like to know when you are planning to hold a town hall meeting in Ravalli County to meet and hear from your constituents. To give you the chance to prepare your answers, I will tell you the questions I plan to ask and why I am asking them.
Question One: Do you support or oppose the decision by the Trump Administration to terminate United States Forest Service employees in Montana? If you support the decision, explain why. If you oppose, what have you done or intend to do to reverse these terminations?
I ask because terminating these employees will directly and indirectly harm the economy and way of life here in Ravalli County. Terminating them will directly harm our county because the incomes of these employees goes directly into our local economy by their purchase of local goods and services. And the work they perform to maintain, preserve and protect our public lands will harm the ways of life for the many Ravalli County residents who rely upon the condition of those lands to live, farm, ranch and recreate. Terminating
Opinion
these Forest Service employees will indirectly harm our county in the form of lost revenue from people outside of Ravalli County who come to our county and other parts of Montana to experience our wilderness, in the form of hiking, hunting, fshing, boating and sightseeing. Limiting public access and degrading of our public lands due to the lack of employees to maintain, preserve and protect them (not to mention the outright closure of national parks) will discourage visitors from coming here.
Question Two: Do you support or oppose the decision by the Trump Administration to terminate employees of the Rocky Mountain Laboratories? If you support the decision, explain why. What does the country have to gain, another epidemic like measles? If you oppose, what have you done or intend to reverse these terminations? Terminating these employees will also directly harm the economy of Ravalli County in the form of their lost income that goes directly into our community by their purchase of local goods and services. Terminating these employees endangers the health of the residents of Ravalli County, the state of Montana, the United States and the rest of the world, because those doctors and scientists work to investigate, understand, cure and eradicate diseases that threaten the lives of all of us.
It is your fundamental duty to hear from your constituents, inform us of where you stand on the issues that impact our lives and take actions that are consistent with our best interests.
Please do not shirk your responsibilities by hiding in Washington D.C. If you are scared to hear from us or are following the orders of your party not to hold town halls, then perhaps you are in the wrong job.
Cherie Garofalo Hamilton
Where is their patriotism?
During the campaign season, neither Tim Sheehy nor Ryan Zinke seemed capable of opening their mouths without bragging, “I am a Navy Seal.” From their words, voters were supposed to assume these two men were brave and patriotic. Instead, what Montanans have witnessed are cowardly men whose actions show they only care about not ofending their easily triggered president and further enriching the rich.
Despite their oath to defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic, they are as silent as navy beans.
For example: On March 9, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly wrote on X: “Just left Ukraine. . . Everyone wants this war to end, but any agreement has to protect Ukraine’s security and can’t be a giveaway to Putin.”
Elon Musk replied to Kelly: “You are a traitor.”
Have either Sheehy or Zinke spoken out that Musk—a man from South Africa who has taken the side of Putin—shouldn’t have inside access to our federal agencies? Of course not.
Think about it. Musk and his young assistants—some he found via internet chat groups—now have deep access to our federal agencies. While various media have reported on the dangers of the information these people could steal from federal computer systems, the far greater danger is code the DOGE team could hide inside those computers before departing.
Elon Musk has now publicly sided with Putin. That alone should put Montana’s Navy Seal representatives on high alert. Hidden code could sit dormant
for years, only to be activated at a time specifed by Putin or some other enemy, foreign or domestic.
It’s time for Sheehy and Zinke to show Montanans the patriotism and bravery they bragged about when they wanted our votes.
Marty Essen Victor
Prosperity for all
The current administration has thus far been consumed with creating chaos, a state of utter confusion, a state of things in which chance is supreme. Disarray, disorder, free-for-all, havoc, and shambles are all bearing witness to the nightmare unfolding before our eyes. This is what the people of this country have received from this new administration. They believe that they can fre people from important positions as well as eliminate agencies that have supported every community in this country.
Marginalizing powerless groups or communities will not lead the U.S. to prosperity. No one is safe until everyone is safe. No one can be secure until everyone is secure. We can no longer prioritize one population of citizens at the expense of the majority of the remaining citizens. Prosperity is not measured by the amount of very wealthy people in this country. Prosperity goes beyond material pleasures. Prosperity transcends material concerns and resides in the quality of our lives and in the health and happiness of our families. Prosperity is present in the strength of our relationships and our trust in community evidenced by our satisfaction at work. Prosperity lives in our shared meaning and purpose and hangs on our potential to participate fully in the life of our society.
Until we fully accept and implement these principles the U.S. will not be able to put the chaos behind us and achieve real prosperity for everyone.
Kerry Hunt Florence
Where are we, America?
I’m a third generation Montana married for 30 years and a father of fve. I was raised and baptized in the Episcopal Church and have a frm belief in my Christian faith. I am writing this letter in regards to the most recent upheaval over the replacement of Ravalli County House District 87 Representative Ron Marshall.
First, a huge thank you to all of the elected members of the RCRCC, whose participation in the Thursday and Friday night meetings resulted in the same three nominees being submitted to the county commissioners. One would think this would bring this matter to a close. Not so much.
Even as I write this letter, vicious and soul wounding attacks on my fellow RCRCC members are unrelenting. These attacks are demeaning and dehumanizing and ultimately insight violence against those we disagree with. Worse, much of this has been done in the name of religion. It is bad enough to make a mockery of our politics, but to do the same of our religion, our Christian faith, is despicable! I can only believe that our community, our state, our country, are better than this.
As I searched for words to write this letter, I believe it is important to understand the separate values of culture, wisdom, and knowledge, knowing that wisdom always trumps knowledge and glorifes culture. When segments of society are reacting or practicing religion in a tribal, national or political sense, invariably groups outside of this
are viewed almost as being subhuman, thus justifying the disrespect of others. I believe true religion is requisite of a code of conduct forever reacting to life‘s situation. Religion is the process of positive thinking, feeling and listening, but most of all acting reverently without exception towards your fellow man, your community, your country, and all things worthy of universal adoration. Without the desire to explore undiscovered realities, ideas and values, we have no religion, no God. I believe true religion employs all of the aforementioned to achieve spiritual attainment. Far too often we are found, shaping our God to our heart, searching for biblical references for political speeches, regardless of context, adorning ourselves in religious symbols with supreme righteousness, on full display. I believe this self disillusionment can only end in dismal failure, as societies will become immature and resort to the simple urges of existence rather than the art of higher living. I would suggest that for true religion one must shape their heart to our God, Jesus Christ.
I would like to close this letter by reminding voters that this country, and these political parties, belong to you. You are the guard rails of our society and everyone of you is greater than you know! God bless you all, and God bless this great country, the United States of America.
Tony Hudson Stevensville
Kudos and bravo!
Kudos and bravo to the Hamilton Players for another terrifc theatrical performance – “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” - “Spamalot.” Of course, Monty Python is eclectic and has the typical “bawdy” tongue-in-cheek humor. But if you do not care for this type of humor - stay home. I am a big fan of Monty Python and I found it hilarious, as did my guests. The lead stars were wonderful and the supporting cast were awesome too.
I know there are a lot of behind the scenes staf, everyone contributed to one fne enjoyable presentation. We are VERY fortunate to have such fne, gifted performers in our community. I support the Playhouse and will continue to attend future plays that are ofered. Bravo, bravo, bravo!
Arlene Helmbrecht
Victor Encouraged, a little
I’m encouraged to see many Bitterrooters voice their deep concerns about Trump/Musk’s ravaging of our democracy on these pages. I’m also saddened by those who are turning a blind eye to, among other things, the ramifcations of indiscriminate and illegal frings of government employees—ramifcations which most certainly afect every Montanan. And on a global scale, who can’t recognize our appalling and momentous shift from a democracy to an oligarchy, one in Putin’s pocket no less, that is occurring daily? From throwing Ukraine under the bus to alienating our European allies to antagonizing our fne neighbor to the north with everything from insane tarifs to threats of annexation…Trump is making international policy decisions that are destabilizing the world order. Make America Great Again? Who are we kidding? I want to encourage all those, like me, who’ve never “spoken out” to do so. Please. We need to raise a deafening roar of resistance that will be heard throughout our beloved state.
Nancy Reece Jones Stevensville
Misuse of taxpayers’ money
It looks like the people in our valley need to calm down! The USFS used to employ one quarter the number of people that they hired, and accomplished four times the amount of work. Haven’t you noticed the lack of personal vehicles in the parking lots of Forest Service ofces since Covid? Where are they? At home working on computers.
What good does that do for our forests? When my husband worked for the Forest Service, people showed up for work, jumped in their trucks and headed out to accomplish work to beneft the forest and the taxpayer. The forest was healthy back then but now has become very unhealthy because of neglect. This is the Department of Agriculture. The forest is not a museum where we come and look but do not touch!
The forest has become an embarrassment for those of us who spent their careers keeping it as healthy as possible.
Please think about it all.
Grace Luibrand Corvallis
It’s all about greed
The Trump administration’s budgetary and personnel cuts are unprecedented in both scale and ruthlessness. I know elections have consequences and the Republican control of the Federal government means that they can legally downsize the government. It is not clear, however, whether they can legally impound funds and disband agencies and programs in contravention of established law. The courts will be busy sorting that out.
What is unique and disturbing is that Trump is having a foreign private billionaire, that has built his business on $38 billion in government contracts, and has billions more in existing contracts, put in charge of downsizing and dismantling departments and ofces that regulates his business. This sort of self-dealing, of which Trump has taken advantage of in his previous administration, is known as corruption. Trump got away with fouting the emoluments clause and overcharging the government to use his properties because the laws did not exist or were toothless because it was inconceivable that a President would be so blatant. The existing ability of the Federal government to prevent the new emerging corruption is also under attack. Through executive order Trump has conducted a wholesale fring of inspector generals, gutted the enforcement of statutes against foreign infuence, suspended enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and summarily fred the head of the government ethics ofce.
The civil service that was based on the rule of law is becoming a thing of the past and the new criteria for public employment is loyalty to Trump. And by that I don’t mean a grand strategy to remake a better government. I mean loyalty to promoting the business interests of Donald Trump and Elon Musk. John Schneeberger Hamilton
Not good governance
Attention, all freedom-loving Montanans! State Senator Theresa Manzella, representing SD 44-Hamilton, head of the so-called “Montana Freedom Caucus,” is once again demonstrating her disregard for our fundamental rights and liberties. Her latest assault on our constitutional freedoms comes in the form of SB 479, a bill that rivals her infamous 2023 proposal, SB 434, A Commission of the States, in its absur-
dity. In 2023, Manzella attempted to undermine the very foundation of our nation by proposing a “commission composed of just nine individuals,” to dictate whether the federal government could introduce any legislation without the commission’s approval in her bill SB 434. This outrageous power grab not only crushed and destroyed the US Constitution and its carefully crafted system of checks and balances but also sought to dump our cherished founding document into the garbage.
During the committee hearing on her bill 434, she brazenly ignored her infamous “JUST SAY WHOA” to big government, as this bill would have cost taxpayers over one million dollars in its frst year alone – and that’s just for ONE person to serve on the commission! But wait, there’s more: this exorbitant price tag doesn’t even include travel or living expenses for these unelected, power-hungry bureaucrats.
Now her bill 479 asserts that an abortion drug is poisoning us and our environment as it is in the water we drink. Her fraudulent claim is based on no study, no proof, no peer reviewed research. An expert on pharmaceuticals in drinking waters stated at the hearing of the bill that there is NO PROOF of her claims. Thus she was shown again to be producing bills that can only be described as “worthless,” wasting time, money, and the energy of our very busy legislators. In 2023, 12 of her 17 bills failed and were not passed. This shocking statistic shows that she is failing the valley. When compared to David Bedey, HD 86, Hamilton, who passed 16 of 18 bills, it is clear that Manzella needs to be “retired” from her position as a state senator. She is NOT producing good legislation for the valley or state.
It’s time for the citizens of Montana to demand an end to Manzella’s relentless attacks on our constitutional rights and freedoms. We must stand together, united in our love for liberty, and reject Manzella whose bills promote a destructive agenda. Let’s reclaim our state from those who seek to control and subjugate us under the guise of “freedom.”
Helen Sabin Corvallis
Brain surgery with a chainsaw
I write to raise a few points that would increase my interest in our local conversations conducted via letters to the editor.
First, consider fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA). Most of our commentary feels like “big hand; little map,” an idiom for an overly generalized view I learned during my Army career. Brain surgery with a chain saw also seems an appropriate metaphor.
Over my working life, I spent decades in and around the federal government in one capacity or another. And while I agree that FWA on the demand side of handouts is real, it is pennies on the dollar compared to the supply side of FWA. Example: big Pharma spends millions to prevent competition from lowering the price of any drug. Consider how hard it was and how long it took for the federal government to negotiate and drive down insulin prices. Some call it fair-market capitalism. I call it moral abuse. The result is undeniable: we pay an extraordinary amount more for medicine than any other industrialized nation. Period.
Fraud, however, is a diferent matter. It should always be referred to the Justice Department for prosecution.
It’s a fact of life that much federal work is done by private sector con-
tractors. Many, but by no means all, game the system constantly to expand the services they ofer, lengthen their contracts, raise their prices, and reduce competition. While federal procurement rules impede many of these shady activities, they get overrun by political deals and serious lobbying. Again, moral abuse to me.
So, let’s talk about FWA more surgically, who’s doing it, why, and how to rein it in. Cutting agencies and fring civil servants is the chain saw approach. We can do better. After the bloodletting, how do we decide what services beneft the common good and how to pay for them?
Secondly, I tire of the “What about’ism… Biden’s, LTGBQ+, trans issues,” and all the other red herrings dangled before us to distract, obfuscate and confuse. Biden is gone; Trump got elected, and he and his team are running the country. They own it all now. What they do is an appropriate topic for discussion.
For example, Mike Mercer, in a comment to a Dana Hendricks Feb.12 letter to the editor in the Bitterroot Star, said “For the sake of argument let’s say everything goes well for the next four years and we get America under full sail, what then?” Great question. That is something useful and important to explore. I would love to hear Ravalli County writers’ opinions about how our country might look and function under a second Trump administration; how day-to-day life will go; and how our economy will thrive or falter. Will we be smarter, richer, and healthier? In other words, what does the next phase of America look like?
Anybody else ready for that?
David Leslie Corvallis
Trump, a malignant narcissist?
The following opinion is based on 20 years as a mental health therapist, 10 as a Certifed Sex Ofender Treatment Provider in Washington State and, after returning to Montana, frequent contact with inmates as a liaison between the local detention center and mental health center.
It seems that from the time Donald Trump frst entered the political scene the media and others have struggled to understand his thinking and subsequent behaviors. He has been described as everything from “sent by God” to “psychopath.” I believe a reasonable and valid approach to begin to understand Trump is to focus on his core personality. Dr. Theodore Millon states in Disorders of Personality, DSM-IV and Beyond, that “personality” is “distinctive patterns of feeling, thinking, coping, and behaving (4);” It is “enduring across time and pervasive across situations (16).” Personality is the bottom line, “entrenched play book” of each and every individual.
It is my opinion that from the beginning, Trump has displayed multiple traits of a psychopath. A number of experts have also described Trump as a Malignant Narcissist. Robert Hare, PhD, (universally recognized leader in psychopathic research) and Paul Babiak PhD, in their book Snakes in Suits, states that “malignant narcissism” is difcult to distinguish from psychopathy” (41). Others have stated that the psychopath is a violent and aggressive variant of Narcissistic Personality Disorder with negligible diferences. I will refer to Malignant Narcissistic Personality Disorder using the acronym MNPD to include psychopathy. A personality disorder does not preclude additional coexisting disorders. The recognition of
MNPD can provide a core level, data-based framework to understand, as well as broadly predict, Trump’s behavior and, equally important, motivation. The universally validated Psychopathy Checklist—Revised (PCL-R), developed by R. Hare, lists 20 specifc personality traits. Generally, the most obvious of these are grandiosity, pathological lying, promiscuous sexual behavior, failure to accept responsibility for behaviors, and consistently perceiving oneself as a victim. Given space limitations, interested readers can fnd the specifc traits, along with in-depth information, on the internet.
It is critical to be aware of the “characterological sadistic” feature of MNPD. Otto Kernberg MD, in Aggression in Personality Disorders and Perversions(23), states that the psychopath experiences “exhilaration and pleasure from the pain and dehumanizing of others.” Individuals “with the syndrome of malignant narcissism ... may consistently attempt to exploit, destroy, symbolically castrate, or dehumanize signifcant others.” This is often referred to as “contemptuous delight”. Kernberg also notes “an incapacity for love”(71). Trump’s comments display this daily with hateful, demeaning remarks and nicknames. It is his stereotypical, narrow, and unwavering response to any perceived criticism, a common response pattern of MNPD. He displays zero compassion or empathy for the human carnage he creates, including the current starvation and deaths of thousands of children in Sudan through slashing programs such as USAID, his promiscuous sexual behaviors (including penetration which is rape by MT law) meant to show power and to humiliate, and the potential or actual fring or fring-rehiring of government employees with no assessment of their value or resultant family turmoil. When challenged about the Vance/Trump maligning of legal Haitian immigrants, he and Vance simply doubled down, increasing the community’s pain as well as signifcant danger. He has mocked the disabled, war veterans, and sexual abuse victims. The list goes on and on. The MNPD not only strives for complete power and control, but gets sadistic enjoyment and pleasure from the destruction, pain, and chaos caused by his pathological needs. This has been consistent throughout Trump’s Presidency and likely throughout his life.
This opinion is just the tip of a very large iceberg. Personally, it has taken time, in-person experience, and training to gain a greater understanding of this population. I hope this writing will help others recognize this pathology. I strongly encourage readers to explore MNPD more thoroughly and form your own conclusions. Hare/Babiak’s “Snakes in Suits” is a readable, informative source.
Jerry Miller Hamilton
Calm down
All I have to say to those writing hysterical letters directed at President Trump is CALM DOWN. Quit fanning the fames of pure hysteria on social media, quit watching ONLY slanted news, and give the President at least six months to get the country back on the right track. It takes some time to overcome four years of totally corrupt misguidance.
Jane Lambert Stevensville
A Course of Love study group
Fridays 10:00 a.m.12:00 noon. Center for Spiritual Life, Hamilton Call: 406-381-6480
MS Support Group
Bitterroot MS Support Group meets every 3rd Thursday of the month in the Gallery room at the Cofee Cup Cafe in Hamilton, 500 S 1st Street, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Have a slice of pie, dinner, or just come to chat with others about living with Multiple Sclerosis. This is a positive and uplifting group that holds open discussions, and the occasional guest speaker. Find more information at www.nationalmssociety.org or contact Jackie Peterson, (970)518-293, jackierpeterson@gmail.com
Republican Central Committee
The Ravalli County Republican Central Committee regular monthly meetings are held the frst Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at The Place Church, 273 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. All are welcome to attend.
Bitterroot Health
Auxiliary
The Bitterroot Health Auxiliary meets the 3rd Monday every month in the Blodgett Conference Roomof the hospital. New volunteers are always welcome. Contact Mark Robinson, Auxiliary VP, (901) 517-8554.
Bitterroot Celtic Society
The Bitterroot Celtic Society meets every 3rd Thursday at 6 p.m. at BJ’s restaurant in Hamilton. The Bitterroot Celtic Society is a passionate group of volunteers, dedicated to keeping the Celtic culture, heritage, and history alive in the Bitterroot Valley. Their biggest event is the Bitterroot Celtic Games and Gathering, held every third weekend in August at the Historic Daly Mansion. They also host a Burns’ Night supper, St. Andrew’s, St. Patrick’s, and Tartan day events. The BCS is a non-proft organization. The public, new members, and the curious are always welcome to attend. For any time changes or additional committee meeting info, follow their Facebook page for updates.
Grief support programs
STEVENSVILLE
Mar. 5th - Mar. 19th, 5:30 - 6:30pm: Expressions of Grief Workshop Series
Ongoing: 1:1 and Group Support
HAMILTON Mar. 20th, 11am2:30pm: NACG 2025
Webcast: Family Dynamics & Grief
Ongoing: 1:1 Support /
Counseling
VIRTUAL / STATE-WIDE
Mar. 6th, 5:30 - 6:30pm: Adult Virtual Roundtable
-- Cultivating Connections:
Building A Grief Team
Mar. 20th, 5:30 - 6:30pm: Adult Virtual Roundtable
-- Touchstones: Living Legacies & Continuing Bonds
Mar. 25th, 9:1510:15am: Grief After Suicide & Traumatic Loss Adult Virtual Support Group
Mar. 25th - May 6th, 5:30 - 7:30pm: Circle of Security Virtual Parenting Group
Ongoing: 1:1 Support / Counseling
Visit tamarackgrc.org to explore Grief Support opportunities, or contact TGRC about receiving support for yourself or a loved one: Missoula/Stevensville: 406-5418472 or info@tamarackgrc. org
Knotty Knitters Guild
Knotty Knitters Guild meets the 4th Tuesday of every month except June, July, August and December at 6 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 275 Hattie Lane, Hamilton.
You can also bring your knitting project to visit and knit with friends or get help with questions on Fridays from 12:00 to 5:00.
AARP tax assistance
AARP Tax-Aide will be ofering free tax preparation services for low to moderate income taxpayers of all ages. Tax preparation began on February 8 and will be at the Stevensville Senior Center on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. The Senior Center WILL NOT schedule those appointments. Call 406201-5734, leave your name and phone number, and a volunteer will call back to schedule your appointment.
Bitterroot Tango Argentine tango lessons each Wednesday evening at 4039 US 93 N, Stevensville. Learn to dance the tango each Wednesday with beginner classes from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., intermediate classes from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. followed by practice and social time to close. Classes are free. For more information about dance parties and guest teachers, fnd them on facebook at Bitterroot tango.
Vet-to-Vet
Veterans looking for a laid-back setting in which to visit with veterans from any period and any branch of service are in luck. Every Friday morning from 6 to 8 a.m., the VVA Chapter 938 sponsors a no-host breakfast at BJ’s Family Restaurant (back room). Come and mingle with those who know where you’re coming from.
Grief Share
Grief Share program to help process grief ofered at Florence Carlton Community Church, 20075 Old Highway
93, Florence, from February 15 to May 10, 2025. Saturdays 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Contact Colleen, (206) 930-2519
North Valley Library
I Keep Hearing About AI, What Is It? — Thurs, Mar 20 at 6:30pm
You’re already using Artifcial Intelligence (AI). If you get directions from Google Maps, beneft (and sometimes sufer) from autocorrect, check the weather on your phone, or watch a show on Netfix, as examples, AI is a part of our daily lives and likely to become even more so. This program is a broad overview of AI. We’ll cover the basic concepts of AI and how it works, how the technology is currently being used, and the latest developments and direction AI is moving in. Zoom option available.
Lunchtime Writing Retreat — Mon, Mar 31 from 12-2pm
Carve out time to write or work on a creative project without the distractions at home. This is the perfect opportunity to commit to your writing practice, fnish that lingering project, or follow wherever your imagination leads. There will be no instructor or requirements. Come by for the entire 2 hours or anytime between 12-2pm. Held on the last Monday of every month in the community room.
Lenten Fish Fries
Knights of Columbus will host Fish Fries every Friday during Lent (March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4 and 11 at St. Mary’s Family Center from 5 to 7 p.m. Menu includes fsh, fries, green beans, mac & cheese, coleslaw, pudding and drink. Cost is $15 per person, $9 for under 12. Drive-thru available.
Brews for Books on tap
Two upcoming Brews for Books pint night fundraisers will beneft the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville. The frst event is planned for Tuesday, March 18, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Backyard Tap House, 281 Rodeo Drive, Florence. This is in conjunction with the taphouse’s bingo night. The second is set for Thursday, April 10, 6 to 8 pm, at Blacksmith Brewery, 114 Main St., Stevensville. Both events are presented by the NVPL Foundation and Friends of the Library. For more information, contact Julie Eberlein at julianne. solberg@gmail.com.
Ravalli Democrats
The Ravalli Democrats invite you to join them at the Backyard Taphouse in Florence every other Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 for what they call Burgers and Beers. March 18, April 1, 15, 29, May 13, 27 etc. 281 Rodeo Drive, east of the trafc light. Questions? 406-880 6823.
Rare earth mining talk
Dr. Philip W. Ramsey will present information on the Sheep Creek Mine at the Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen meeting on March 20. Dr. Ramsey has a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Montana, and he brings a science-based view to discussion of the proposed Sheep Creek Mine. He will discuss rare earth elements and their uses, the process for mining them, the efect of rare earth mining on soil and water quality, problems with disposing of toxic and radioactive waste, and the economics of foreign investment and government subsidies. Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen is a volunteer organization that works to keep trails open for the public. The meeting takes place at the Corvallis Primary School Cafeteria on Eastside Highway in Corvallis, with potluck dinner served at 6:30 p.m. and the general meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. Guests are welcome, and for more information check out the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot. Find them on Facebook at: Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen (BR BCH).
Pachyderm Club
The Bitterroot North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, March 21 at 12 noon at the Frontier Cafe, Hwy 93 in Stevenville. Guest speaker via video conference will be Susie Hedalen, Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Bitterroot North Valley Pachyderm Club meets the frst and third Friday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. The Bitterroot North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
Women and Guns class
Women Only - Introduction to Defensive Handguns, a 2 day class, will be ofered three times at the Whittecar Range in Hamilton. Class 1 will be March 22 and April 5, 2025. Class 2 will be May 24 and June 7, 2025. Class 3 will be August 23 and September 6 2025.
The frst day is designed to assist you in choosing the right handgun for you. There will be discussions on handgun safety, basic operation of revolvers, semi-automatic handguns, and the cartridges used in each type of handgun.
Handguns will be provided so that you may handle the diferent types and models. Ammunition will also be provided for a live fre session on the range. A self defense book (specifcally for women), will also be provided. The legal aspects of the use of deadly force will be addressed in a general manner
There will be a lapse of two to three weeks in order to allow the student to pur-
chase a frearm and become familiar with its operation for the conclusion of training on the second day. Students must provide their own ammunition for day two. The second day will consist of live fre training. The emphasis will be on safe gun handling. All exercises will consist of basic defensive shooting drills and training techniques. The diferent types of ammunition available and their uses will be discussed.
Upon successful completion of the second day, this training will sufce as the required safety class for application to the state for a concealed carry permit.
The class is limited to 10 participants. For an application or further information call Lee at 642-3590 or Jim at 360-8392 or write Box 159, Victor MT 59875.
Fish & Wildlife Assn.
The Ravalli County Fish & Wildlife Association’s general meeting will be Monday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Daly Leach Community Room 1010 West Main in Hamilton. Along with general business, guest speaker will be club member Kelly Snapp, giving a presentation about his Peacock Bass fshing trip in Brazil. Meetings are open to the public. Anyone with an interest in wildlife issues is invited to attend.
Republican Women’s Club
Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, March 25 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speaker will be former HD 87 legislator Ron Marshall. Ravalli County Republican Women meet the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Stroke prevention program
What everyone should know about strokes will be the topic of conversation at North Valley Public Library (NVPL) on Thursday, March 27 at 6pm. After unexpectedly experiencing a stroke herself, a member of our local community initiated this event because, as she can attest, a stroke changes the lives not only of the person who experiences one but also their family. A stroke is not rare—1 in 3 adults have at least one risk factor, and it can happen at any age (cdc.gov 2018-22)—so this program is relevant for everyone.
“I know I’m not the only one who knows at least one person who’s had a stroke,” says Kayli Mafei, Adult Programmer at NVPL. “Three people, actually, and one of them was under age 40. Strokes aren’t something we’re likely to go out and research ourselves, so having an expert from Providence Hospital come and share
the must-knows is a great opportunity for all of us.” Covering topics from lessening your chance of a stroke, how to identify one in yourself and others, and what to do in the case of a stroke, Kristal M. Blanchard with the Montana Stroke Initiative at Providence St. Patrick Hospital will present vital information, share resources, and answer questions. Our community member will also share her frst-hand experience and what she has learned in the recovery process. You are invited to attend in-person at the Library or join virtually at home. Learn more and register at tinyurl. com/nvplbrain.
Mature driving class
Bitterroot Health Hospital, located at 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton, will host an ALL NEW AARP Driver Safety Program on Friday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This new safe driving course is designed for drivers age 50 and over, all drivers are welcome. The new program features laws specifc to Montana, Defensive Driving, Winter Driving and new Vehicle Technologies. There are no driving tests or written exams and, Montana mandates insurance discounts for qualifed drivers. Issued certifcates are good for three years. Class fees are $20.00 for AARP members; $25.00, for non-members. Class size is limited; pre-registration is advised. For class sign up call Hamilton Insurance at 406-363-6583. For further information call Thom Ainsworth, Instructor, at 369-0149.
Life saving class Come learn life saving skills at this Red Cross CPR, AED, First Aid class on Friday, April 4th from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at St Francis, 411 S. 5th in Hamilton. The class will cover Adult, Child and Infant CPR, AED and First Aid to include bleeding and choking management and more. The Red Cross fee is $45 (cash or check). There will be snacks and water (free for “refresher” students). Please wear something comfortable as participants will be practicing on manikins on the foor. After class completion, the Red Cross will email you a certifcate and a link to their complete CPR/First Aid manual. RSVP to Nancy at stfrancishwm@gmail.com
Corvallis United Methodist Church
The Corvallis United Methodist Church is having Good Friday service on April 18 at 4 p.m. Easter Service will be on Sunday, April 20 at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome!
Sports
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
Florence girls end season at state
The Florence girls basketball team was in Missoula on March 13-15 for the Class B State Basketball tournament. The Lady Falcons played inspired basketball, but lost out in the loser’s bracket on Saturday, March 15.
In their opening round on Thursday, Florence lost to Chinook 51-57. This sent them to the loser’s side of the bracket where they defeated Fairview 71-58 on Friday afternoon. This win advanced them to play nemesis Missoula Loyola on Saturday morning. In a classic game, Florence lost to Loyola 47-48. Loyola then defeated Malta to take 3rd place, while Huntley Project defeated Baker to win the championship.
The Florence girls ended the season with a 20-6 record. They were the runners up in both districts and divisionals and played on Saturday at the state tournament. They look poised to have an excellent team next season as standout Kenzy Pickering was the only senior on the team.
Florence has a deep team, and has multiple girls who can make an impact. At the state tournament, Florence 8th grader Ali Meinhold and sophomore Emory Ralston stood out. Meinhold led Florence in scoring in every game at state, and Ralston played with ferce intensity and was a tireless rebounder and defender. The Florence girls will be one of the top Class B teams again next year.
Florence 51, Chinook 57
Florence played the Chinook Sugarbeeters in their opening game on Thursday, March 13. Florence
jumped out to an early 17-13 lead after the 1st quarter and led 26-25 at halftime. The Lady Falcons stalled in the 3rd quarter and trailed 36-43 heading into the 4th. Florence had their chances at the end, but fell short and lost 51-57.
As you would expect from such a close game, the overall team stats were even. But Florence was out-rebounded 25-35 leading to 22 second chance points for Chinook and only 7 second chance points for Florence. Another telling stat was Chinook went 7-14 from the 3-point line while Florence went 2-14.
Individually for Florence, Ali Meinhold had 12 points and 3 steals, Emory Ralston had 10 points and 5 rebounds and played exceptional defense, Taylor Pyette and Maggie Schneiter each had 6 points, Madigan Hurlbert and Shelby Crocker each had 5 points, Jaden Fisher had 3 points, and Kendyl Meinhold and Kenzy Pickering each added 2 points.
Florence 71, Fairview 58
The loss to Chinook sent Florence to the loser’s side of the bracket where they played the Fairview Warriors on Friday. The Lady Falcons went on a 12-0 run in the frst quarter to take an early 20-7 lead. The Lady Falcons continued to dominate in the 2nd quarter and led 40-16 at halftime and 57-31 at the end of three quarters. Fairview narrowed the gap in the 4th, but Florence held on to earn the 71-58 victory.
Florence’s high pressure, full court defense caused 20 turnovers and Florence scored 23 points of those turnovers. Florence’s depth also proved consequential as the Florence bench outscored the Fairview bench 32-0.
Individually for Florence, Ali Meinhold had 14 points and 3 steals, Kenzy Pickering had 12 points and 8 rebounds, Emory Ralston had 9 points and 8 rebounds, Taylor Pyette had 8 points, Jaden Fisher had 7 points, Maggie Schneiter had 6 points, Kendyl Meinhold had 5 points and 4 assists, Alyx Monaco had 4 points and 3 steals, Shelby Crocker had 4 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Madigan Hurlbert added 2 points and 4 rebounds.
Florence 47, Missoula Loyola 48
The Fairview win sent them to play Missoula Loyola, with the winner advancing to the consolation game. This was one of those games where it was a shame that someone had to lose.
Remarkably, this was the ffth matchup between the two teams this season. Florence won the frst matchup, Loyola won a close second game, and Loyola dominated the fnal two games, winning by 18 points and 25 points.
Florence was determined to keep this game close, playing intense defense to start the game, and they led 9-6 after the frst quarter. Florence went cold in the second quarter and trailed 20-23 at halftime.
The second half was a back and forth contest with neither team gaining an advantage - there were seven lead changes and eight ties in the game. The game was destined to come down to
the wire, and it did.
With 57 seconds to play, Florence led 45-43 and Loyola had the ball. Loyola was fouled and made the frst free throw, then missed the second. There was a scramble for the rebound and Loyola got the ball and scored on the inbound play to take a 46-45 lead with 30 seconds to play. Florence lost the ball of their next possession and fouled Loyola who made one of two free throws and Florence trailed 47-45.
On Florence’s next possession, Ali Meinhold, who scored 11 points in the 4th quarter, hit a running one hander to tie the game at 47-47. With seven seconds left in the game, Loyola passed the ball the length of the foor and was fouled on a layup. Loyola missed the frst free throw but made the second. Florence trailed 47-48 and had four seconds to go the length of the foor. Florence inbounded the ball but the Lady Falcons were unable to get a shot of and lost 47-48.
Individually for Florence, Ali Meinhold had 14 points and 4 steals, Emory Ralston had 10 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals, Kenzy Pickering had 6 points and 5 rebounds, Jaden Fisher had 5 points, Madigan Hurlbert had 5 points and 5 rebounds. Kendyl Meinhold had 4 points, 4 assists and 3 steals, and Maggie Schneiter added 3 points.
Stevi’s Wheeler signs with BMCC
Stevensville senior Joey Wheeler signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) in a ceremony at the Stevensville High School on Friday, March 14. BMCC is located in Pendleton, Oregon.
“The coaches reached out to me and I was able to go to the school for a visit,” said Wheeler. “The coaches and the team were all very accepting and it felt like a family to me.”
Wheeler has been a standout catcher for the Stevensville baseball team for the last three years, as well as for the Bitterroot Bucs for the last three years. Wheeler also played on the Stevensville football team.
“I have never coached a player that loves baseball as much as Joey,” said Stevensville baseball head coach Ray Gavlak. “It’s super cool for him to be able to continue playing.”
Wheeler is thinking about studying business at BMCC, but may explore something sports-related like physical therapy. Wheeler hopes to transfer to a four year school after his two years at BMCC.
Blue Mountain Community College is a public community college in Pendleton, Oregon established in 1962. In athletics, the BMCC Timberwolves are a member of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges.
Area athletes sign letters of intent
Athletes from Bitterroot Valley high schools have been busy signing letters of intent to play college sports next year. They will continue to sign as the year progresses, but, so far, the following students have signed to play college sports next year.
Florence: Cole Fowler signed with Rocky Mountain College for football. Ella Goeltz signed with University of Providence for volleyball. Isaac Bates signed with Colorado State University-Pueblo for track. Caleb Katen signed with King University for baseball. Jett
Valley high
are starting to sign letters of intent
Murray signed with the University of Providence for wrestling. CJ Pijanowski signed with Alfred University for men’s cross country. Drew Wagner signed with Montana Western for football. Kyler Harris signed with University of Providence for men’s cross country.
Stevensville: Lilly Newsom signed with Dickinson State University for softball. Joey Wheeler signed with Blue Mountain Community College for baseball.
Hamilton: Evan Bennett signed with Northwest Nazarene University for indoor and outdoor track and cross country. Hannah Hughes signed with Flagler College for women’s soccer.
Corvallis: Drew Lewis signed with Dickinson State University for football. Sophie Cooper signed with the University of Jamestown for softball. Aydan
with MSU-Northern for football.
Mayn signed
Florence 8th grader Ali Meinhold going in for a layup at the Class B State tournament. Meinhold had an outstanding tournament, leading the Lady Falcons in scoring in all three of Florence’s games at state. Photo by Stephanie K Geiser Photography.
Florence sophomore Emory Ralston dives out of bounds to save a ball during the Class B State tournament in Missoula. Ralston played with ferce intensity and was a tireless rebounder and defender during the tournament. Photo by Stephanie K Geiser Photography.
Stevensville senior Joey Wheeler signs his letter of intent to play baseball for Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) in a ceremony at the Stevensville High School on Friday, March 14. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Bitterroot
schoolers
to play college sports next year. Florence’s Isaac Bates (track), Ella Goeltz (volleyball), and Cole Fowler (football) shown here at their signing ceremony. Photo courtesy of Florence Carlton School Activities.
Donacina ‘Donna’ Marie Gandara
Donacina “Donna” Marie Gonzalez Gandara passed away in her home on March 5, 2025 at the age of 108 peacefully after a brief illness. She was born on September 7, 1916 to Refugio and Librada Gonzalez in Granjenal, Michoacan, Mexico.
Her parents moved to Roswell, New Mexico in 1916 during the Mexican Revolution that was fought 1910 to 1920. They returned to Mexico in 1922 to farm. The family again returned to the United States in 1927, settling in the Los Angeles area. In 1929 they came to Stevensville, Montana to work for Amalgamated Sugar Company in the sugar beet industry. The family stayed in the area, eventually purchasing property on Ambrose Creek Road.
Donna was 12 years old and did not speak English when she enrolled in Lone Rock School and was placed in frst grade. She would say, “I got a late start.” Education was important to her and she would emphasize that with the family.
James J. Gandara noticed Donna at a Stevensville High School track event. They eventually met at Donna’s sister’s wedding. Three years later James asked if he could marry Donna but her father refused, telling James that she was too young at 19 to be married. They decided to elope and went to Wallace, Idaho, and were married on August 18, 1935. Their marriage lasted for 72 years together through the highs and lows of life.
Paul Lear of Corvallis hired them to farm with him during the Depression of the 1930’s and through World War II. Donna and James started their family with four daughters during their time there.
In 1951, they leased 80 acres of land from the Bitterroot Stock Farm surrounding the Daly Mansion. As their farming skills improved they increased their lease to 200 acres. They grew sugar beets, hay, grain and began a dairy herd. James often had some of the highest tonnage yields of sugar beets for the Bitterroot. They also increased their family with the birth
of a son and a daughter while living in Hamilton. She became a naturalized citizen in 1955.
They purchased 120 acres north of Corvallis from Lester Wood in 1963. Sugar beets were their primary crop until American Crystal Sugar Company closed their Missoula operation. Next they focused on increasing their dairy herd to 80 animals and growing crops to support the herd until retirement in 1980.
Donna will be remembered for her remarkable age, deep Catholic faith, and loving attitude towards family and friends. She grew a bountiful garden and shared the fresh produce with visitors. Her skill at making delicious handmade tortillas, apple pies, raspberry jam, canned salsa and pepper mix will
Linda Arlene Abdich
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Arlene (Wortman) Abdich, 63, on March 7, 2025. Linda was a loving mother, grandmother, and dear friend to many. Her kindness, care, and willingness to help others will always be remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing her.
Linda was born in Prineville, Oregon, on August 8, 1961, to Arlene and William Wortman. While Linda was in Prineville she enjoyed cooking, camping, and spending time with her friends. Linda moved to Stevensville, Montana, in 2000, where she raised her two daughters and called the area home. For the last 25 years, Linda became a well-known and cherished fgure in the Stevensville community. She was the lady you would always see walking down the street with her beloved black lab (Sadie), smiling and greeting everyone she passed, whether she knew them or not. Her friendly nature and welcoming spirit left a lasting impression on all who crossed her path.
In 1993, Linda married Patrick Abdich. They divorced in later years. During their marriage her two daughters were born. Leah Mariea was born in May 1994 and Katherine (Katie) Arlene was born in April 1995.
Linda was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Rhea and Philip Wortman, maternal
James ‘Jim’ Clyde Swanz
April 8, 1935 - March 10, 2025
James “Jim” Clyde Swanz, 89, beloved husband, father, and “Papa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Monday, March 10, 2025.
Jim was born on April 8, 1935 in Lewistown, Montana, to Raymond and Hazel (Martin) Swanz. The oldest of seven children, he spent his formative years on the family ranch in Utica. Jim graduated from Hobson high school in 1952 and began his college career at Montana State College in Bozeman that fall. In February of 1954, Jim joined the Marines, spent his active duty in San Diego and Korea, and was honorably discharged in February of 1957.
While home on leave in July of 1956, Jim and Jean Archibald rekindled a relationship and became engaged. They were married on June 1, 1957 and moved back to Bozeman where Jim completed his undergraduate degree in Mathematics education. During their stay in Bozeman, Jim and Jean welcomed daughters Pam in 1959 and Patti in 1960. In August of 1961, Jim and family moved to Hamiltion. Son Steven joined the family in 1964.
Jim began his teaching, coaching, and administrative career at Hamilton High School in September of
Death Notices
Norman Howard Lee
HamiltonNorman Howard Lee, 82, of Hamilton passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at his home of natural causes. Memorial services will be held at a later date and will be announced. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
Deborah Chapman HamiltonDeborah Chapman, 70, passed away Monday, March 10, 2025 at Bitterroot Health Marcus Daly Hospital following an extended illness. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com
1961 and retired in June of 1988. Mr. Swanz infuenced the lives of countless students during his 27 years in education.
Outdoor activities were integral to Jim’s life. Whether fshing throughout Montana, hunting with The Big Six, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, camping, or simply mowing the lawn, he was in his element.
Jim was welcomed in Heaven by his parents, brother Dick, and former teaching cronies. IYKYK
He is survived by his wife and best friend of 67 years, Jean (Archibald) Swanz; his daughters Pam (Tony) Murnion and Patti (John) Stevens, and son Steve (Maureen Rintala) Swanz; grandchildren James (Haley Green) Murnion, Stephen Murnion, and Connor (Katie) Murnion, Jessica (Max) Borgardt and Breeanna (Andy) Tallakson, Samantha Swanz, Fallon (Spencer Toycen) Swanz, and Declan (Bryan Torppa) Swanz, Colton (Denise) Rintala and Emma (Garrett) Mirsky; eight great-grandchildren and one on the way; siblings Sandra Cummings, Gayle (Ray) Valentine, Tom Swanz, John (Linda) Swanz, and Cheryl (Bill) Spratt; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim’s family would like to express their deepest
Aaron Renard
Missoula - Aaron Renard, 48, passed away at St Patrick Hospital on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 following a critical injury in an accident in February. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www. brothersmortuary. com
stay with us. Many nieces and nephews spent summers working and playing on the farm. Her personal passions were shopping for shoes, hiking, running and dancing at the weddings of her grandchildren. She mowed her lawn on her riding lawn mower every summer. As she aged she could not move as rapidly and easily, but she would sing to her heart’s content in Spanish.
Donna and James J. Gandara raised six children, Otilia Gail, Dolores Rosalie, Gloria Rebecca, Virginia Rose, James David and Rosanne Marie. Donna was preceded in death by her husband James, daughter and son-in-law Otilia Gail and Don Perry Scott, daughter and son-in-law Gloria Rebecca and Collin Hightower Sr., son-in-law Clinton Taylor, daughterin-law Corinna Carmen Gandara, great granddaughter Braylynn Elizabeth Janes, her parents Refugio and Librada, and eight of her nine siblings, Carmen, Catalina Lopez, Peggy Munoz, Sophie Linares, Joe R., Raymond “Si”, Angelina Larson, and Dolores Ruta. She is survived by her brother Ray and his wife Benny, three of her fve daughters Dolores, Virginia, Rosanne and their spouses Mike Baldwin and Dale Janes, her son James,14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She lived a faith-flled life with humble humility and a positive attitude. It was a blessing that her daughter Dolores lovingly cared and shared the past 17 years living with our mother. God did not forget you, Mom!
Services are Saturday, March 22, 2025 at St. Francis Catholic Church, 411 S. 5th Street, Hamilton, Montana, rosary at 10:30 a.m., mass at 11 a.m., reception at noon. Burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Stevensville, Montana at 2:30 p.m. Whitesitt Funeral Home, Stevensville is caring for the family. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome. com.
grandparents Paul and Clairece Hinchclif, and her parents, William “Bill” and Arlene Wortman.
Linda is survived by her children, Leah Abdich (Aaron), Katie Ranes (Braden), her siblings, Ron (Sandy) Wortman, Phil (Vickie) Wortman, her nieces and nephews Bill Wortman, Rhea (Ben) Cardwell, Kristin (Matthew) Stewart, Rachel Wortman (Howard Ngork), and Gabe Wortman along with numerous other family members.
Linda was overjoyed when she learned she was going to be a grandmother. She couldn’t wait to share the joy of her grandchildren with everyone she met, and she often bragged about them to anyone who would listen. She was incredibly proud of Braelyn and Rhett, and her heart swelled with love for them. She will be deeply missed by her two grandchildren, who were the light of her life.
Linda’s caring nature and generous heart touched everyone she met, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A service to honor Linda’s life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of fowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Stevensville Pantry Partners.
Rest in peace, Linda. Your kindness, love, and gentle spirit will live on in the hearts of those who loved you.
gratitude for the compassionate care provided by the ICU staf at Bitterroot Health. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. April 8, 2025 at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton. Military honors will be presented by the US Marine Corps. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com
In lieu of fowers, the family suggests donations to Bitterroot Land Trust in Jim’s name or a charity of your choice.
Lillian Tharp
Missoula - Lillian Tharp, 22, of Stevensville, passed away at St Patrick Hospital early Saturday morning following a tragic accident. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www. brothersmortuary. com
Michael Stebbins
StevensvilleMichael Stebbins, 69, passed away in the early morning of March 16, 2025 at the Living Centre. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com
Kay Boswell Missoula - Kay Boswell, 72, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of March 16, 2025 at St Patrick Hospital. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www. brothersmortuary. com
Doris June Smith
HamiltonDoris June Smith, 71, passed away at home in the early hours of March 14, 2025. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.
Designing the perfect skwala dry fy
For years they’d show up one night a week at a local brewery for fy tying night. Maybe the still do –I’ve lost track.
The frst couple of diehards would show up after elk season, their numbers would ramp up around Valentine’s Day, and they’d shut down until the next year once fshing started in earnest.
There’d be the good camaraderie and the exchanges that usually occur when fy tyers get together: which particular hair or feather (or fashy new synthetic material) works best for this-or-that fy, what’s the best technique for doing such-and-such.
by Chuck Stranahan
Inevitably, the group efort tended to boil down to fy patterns – the search for a hot new one or the best way to tie an old one.
The approach of the skwala hatch every spring is paralleled by the ramping-up of cabin fever; for this batch of fy tyers it gets worse. Their fraternal bond, surroundings and liquid refreshments might have something to do with their inspiration. More and more stuf gets lashed onto each hook as the evening wears on. The last few inventions that might look like real killers to the brethren at closing time don’t look so hot few days later in the eyes of the trout.
Every year it comes to this: We sit, and wait, and we tie. We think, “maybe this’ll work,” as we strap stuf to the hook, searching for something that might be more efective than what’s out there, and often falling short. I’m as guilty of it as anybody. At the very least, it’s a harmless way to pass the time.
Come spring, however, the question remains: which of these bugs will actually work, or be an improvement over what we’ve had in the past? Very often we stray so far from the past that we forget what worked then, and would still work better than what we’ve come up with recently.
During one long-ago salmon fy season Rick Lester and I teamed up to tie a batch of old hairand-feather patterns that disappeared from widespread use because the materials became scarce. When I was gifted with a treasure trove of this old material Rick and I practically drooled over it. Rick is a highly skilled commercial fy tyer who’s been at it for a long time. He has seen a
lot of “hot”
fy patterns come and go. We surmised that the old patterns would still work, and probably work better, if people could still fsh them.
We were right – and the fun lasted until the materials ran out.
To use a hackneyed phrase, those old fies were designed to catch fsh, not fshermen.
Back to the skwala: There are plenty of commercial skwala patterns that are obviously designed to catch fshermen, not fsh.
So what makes an efective skwala pattern?
Start with the body silhouette. Skwalas are about the same size but slimmer than golden stones.
Next, look at the body color. It can vary through the skwala hatching cycle. At frst, the body may be a color best described as a pale olive dun – a light, grayish-tannish sort of olive color. As the hatch progresses, and some of the frst hatchlings get older (stonefies can live for weeks,) they will gradually darken into a dull brown-olive shade with tinges of amber or dull yellow.
When I’m tying skwala patterns, I blend the body materials to hit the middle of the hatching cycle as there will be light bugs and dark bugs and everything in between on the water at once. I try to include all of the shades the fsh will be seeing. That premise works for the Brindle ‘Chute, and it works equally well for my favorite skwala pattern.
Somewhere in the archives I have a picture of a deep-bellied 28” brown trout, taken on a dry skwala pattern. The guy holding the fsh told me, “It’s in that dubbing blend, Chuck, it’s in the dubbing blend.” I think he was right.
That dubbing blend, along with a peacock herl egg sac and sparse array of hackle and wings combine to make a fy that trout believe. It is designed to catch fsh, not fshermen. It looks skinny, and dull.
Rick Lester said it best: “It’s one of those fies that almost makes you feel the tug of a fsh when you’re tying it on.” It may not be perfect, but for us it’s close enough.
Underside view of a skwala stonefy - artifcials should look like this. Photo courtesy Chuck Stranahan.
Merle Unruh
EASTSIDE: Bitteroot National Forest offcials to assess effects
Continued from page 1
project in December under an abbreviated process called a “Categorical Exclusion,” which does not require the same level of environmental assessment or opportunities for public comment as the usual review process. The Biological Assessments of potential impacts to endangered species included in that 30-page decision was primarily based on what the Forest Service calls “programmatic screens.”
Several conservation organizations, including Friends of the Bitterroot, WildEarth Guardians, Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Native Ecosystems Council and the Center for Biological Diversity, objected to the decision and fled a Notice of Intent to sue in January, citing a lack of detail “about the precise location, timing and scope of the treatments,” among other things.
The groups claimed in the NOI that without this information the Forest
Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service, with whom they are required to consult in the process, would be “unable to adequately assess the project’s efects to bull trout, bull trout critical habitat, grizzly bears, wolverine, and Canada lynx in violation of the ESA.”
In its March 7 letter to the organizations, the Forest Service said that due to new information and updates it rescinded the initial Biological Assessments (BAs) and reinitiated consultation with the USFWS on August 14, 2024 and began conducting informal consultation with the Service since that time. The Forest Service claims to have already submitted several revised BAs to USFW for review.
“Therefore, since reinitiation has begun and consultation is ongoing on the efects of the updated proposed action, all previous consultation processes that have occurred related to the Eastside Forest and Habitat Im-
NOTICE OF CLOSE OF REGULAR VOTER REGISTRATION AND OPTION FOR LATE REGISTRATION
Notice is hereby given that regular* voter registration for the following elections to be held on May 6, 2025, will close at 5 PM on April 7, 2025.
Corvallis Rural Fire District Levy Election
• Darby Rural Fire District Trustee Election
• Sula Rural Fire District Trustee Election
Hamilton School District No. 3 Bond Election
• Any School and/or College District Trustee Elections
*NOTE: If you miss this regular registration deadline, you may still register for the election by showing up at the Ravalli County Election Office up to and including on Election Day. Between noon and the close of business on the day before Election Day, you can complete and submit a voter registration form, but you will need to return to the Ravalli County Election Office on Election Day to pick up and vote a ballot.
All qualified active and inactive registered electors of each district are entitled to vote in said elections.
All electors, as defined in Title 7-33-2106(4), who hold title to lands within a Rural Fire District are eligible to vote in a fire district election.
The above listed elections are being conducted solely by mail ballot. Ballots will automatically be mailed to Active Electors only. If you are a registered voter and do not receive a ballot, contact the county election office to update your information as necessary and receive a ballot.
Persons who wish to register and who are not presently registered may do so by requesting a form for registration by mail or by appearing at the Ravalli County Election Office, 215 South 4th Street, Suite C, Hamilton, Montana. If you have moved, please update your registration information by filling out a new voter registration card and submitting it to the Ravalli County Election Office.
Dated this 12th day of March, 2025 Regina Plettenberg, Ravalli County Election Administrator 215 South 4th Street, Suite C; Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 375-6550
The Eastside Forest and Habitat Improvement Project, a half-million acre project across the Sapphire Front, is on hold as the Bitterroot National Forest consults with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about potential impacts on Endangered Species. Map courtesy USDA.
provement Project will be superseded. Accordingly, your claims of ESA violations relating to the original consultation are moot. The Forest does not intend to implement the project until the reinitiated consultation is complete,” it states in the March 7 letter.
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In a press release Adam Rissien, rewilding manager at Wild Earth Guardians, said that by using a Categorical Exclusion, “the agency was clearly pushing beyond the bounds of its authority, and we’re pleased it’s reversing itself to comply with the law.”
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Noted authors to speak at county museum
by Nathan Boddy
Chapter One Book Store of Hamilton is encouraging area residents to make their way to the Ravalli County Museum on Monday, March 31 at 7 p.m., to attend a conversation with Wall Street Journal contributor Amy Gamerman and Montana-based outdoor science journalist and author, Robert Chaney. Gamerman’s recent book, “The Crazies,” chronicles the confict between a multi-generational Montana rancher whose eforts to develop the wind
resources on his land were pitted against the adjacent billionaire who values mountain views over the specter of spinning turbines.
In her review of Gamerman’s book, Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Sixth Extinction,” says, “A fascinating story about the new energy economy. If you want to understand why change does—or doesn’t—happen in America, read‘The Crazies.’”
Journalist Robert Chaney, who will lead the conversation with Gamerman, has built his own career reporting on the Rocky Mountain West, working with such outlets as the Missoulian, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and the Montana Free Press. Chaney says that Gamerman’s book shines a light on a, “swirl of issues and personalities and policies that are going on in what’s also a very unique mountain range.”
“It just geologically pops up out of the middle of nowhere,” he said of the Crazy Mountains north of Livingston, but added that they are just as likely to be the focal point of diverse interests such as environmental, cultural, recreational and economic, despite being concentrated in a relatively small geographic area.
Similar to the mountain range, which serves as a microcosm for many land use issues in the American West, Chaney sees the journalistic eforts that Gamerman took to report on it as scalable and appropriate tools to inform a curious public.
“You’re taking an opportunity to step back and say not just what happened on this particular mountain range on this particular day, but what does that mean to your relationship with nature? What does that mean to your job and your goals for retirement?” He added that, “It’s looking at things with a much broader perspective, and when people like Amy take the time to fnd a really compelling subject like this and then search out those bigger issues – those bigger topics – that’s a real service to the public and the community at large.”
The benefts to that ‘community at large’ which are ofered by journalists like Gamerman and Chaney can be like a back-stage pass to many im-
portant issues. Chaney, whose book, “Grizzlies in the Driveway,” was released in 2022, says that a journalist’s relationship with the topic they write about can vary in depth, but that the ultimate goal is to provide readers with accurate information, regardless of what the audience may choose to do with it. Some readers may internalize only small parts of a story, he says, while others choose to go deeper.
As an example, Chaney referred to a recent story he’s written about changes within the National Environmental Policy Act, which could signifcantly weaken the reach of those environmental regulations. That story highlighted a complicated set of nested regulations which Chaney says are, “deeply obscure, opaque, legal stuf,” which nonetheless could have substantial impacts on the ground.
“A certain part of the audience is going to see the alarm bell,” he said. “They’re not just going to see a red light at the dashboard, they’re going to see it’s the oil light and not the brake light.”
Whether the source of information is Gamerman’s narrative non-fction book about land conficts in the Crazy Mountains, or Chaney’s extensive writing about critical issues in the Rocky Mountain West, dedicated professionals who use their storytelling skills to inform the public play an important role informing the public.
“It’s like being a referee in a sports match,” said Chaney about his own work as a journalist. “I don’t particularly need to care about whose teams are playing. My job is to follow the First Amendment and keep the public informed about its opportunities, obligations and responsibilities as a part of American society.”
The conversation with Gamerman and Chaney will take place at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford Street in Hamilton, on Monday, March 31 at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by Chapter One Books, and is sure to provide an in-depth look at important land-based topics, by individuals whose job it is to bring complex topics into focus. More information and a link to RSVP are available at: https://www. chapter1bookstore.com.
CITIZENS: hundreds turn out to express concern
Continued from page 1
the lab have asked him to serve as their voice. Employees of RML, he said, are fearful for their jobs and afraid to speak out in defance of the general gag-order they are currently under.
Hasenkrug said that he is aware of approximately 20 RML employees having been terminated, but that some may have been rehired after their positions were then determined to be, “extremely critical.”
“Science is coming to a standstill because they can’t purchase anything,” he said, adding that, although new regulations prohibit new projects, even ongoing studies are stopped due to lack of supplies and agents.
“Nobody knows what’s going on, and the morale is extremely bad,” he said.
Hasenkrug cited a 2023 study by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) which aimed to quantify the economic contributions of the Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Montana. The study concluded that the lab brings an additional $89.2 million in after-tax income into Montana households for consumption and investment. Furthermore, the lab’s presence means that area businesses and non-business organizations receive $231.8 million in additional output or gross receipts each
0
year.
“For every person that works at the lab, there are two people outside the lab that have full-time employment,” said Hasenkrug. “So that’s a huge support for this community.”
Multiple speakers both outside of the Administrative Center, and during the commissioners’ meeting, expressed fear that such wide-spread cuts to the federal workforce are being done as a frst step toward privatization of public lands and dismantling of the federal government at large.
On Wednesday, March 12, Hamilton’s Committee of the Whole, the generalized work-session committee of the City Council, met within the Hamilton Middle School auditorium in order to accommodate well over a hundred people who wished to show their concern.
According to Council President, Robin Pruitt, the committee wanted to use the opportunity to hear concerns directly from the public, and assemble as much information as possible as they consider future steps.
possible ramifcations to our community,” said Pruitt.
And while the room was at capacity, she said that the meeting went smoothly and that in the days following the event, the council has received emails of thanks, and ofers of assistance.
“I think it just felt really good for people to have a voice in all of this,” she said.
“It is the responsibility of this council to be tracking [the DOGE layofs] and to understand the implications and the
It is unknown how the Thursday rulings of two federal District Court judges may impact the mass layofs. Those rulings, one by James Bredar of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and the other by William H. Alsup of the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California, both found that the Trump Administration frings were unlawful, and ordered the reinstatement of thousands of fred federal workers across the nation. Both, however, are temporary and still await fnal decision.
Chapter One Book Store and journalist Robert Chaney will host Wall Street Journal contributor Amy Gamerman at the Ravalli County Museum on Monday, March 31st. Photo by Nathan Boddy.
The Ravalli County Commissioners meeting room was at capacity, with dozens more spilling into the halls and down the stairs of the Administrative Center. Photo by Nathan Boddy.
Legal Notices
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Ty Evaristo Armijo-Dewey, Ty Evaristo Armijo-Dewey, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-412025-0000066-NC
Dept. 2
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change from Ty Evaristo Armijo-Dewey to Ty Evaristo Armijo-Olsen.
The hearing will be on March 27, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 18th day of February, 2025.
/s/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court
By: Michelle Goldman
Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 2-26, 3-5, 3-12, 3-19-25.
MNAXLP
Kyle J. Workman
State Bar No. 65442127 WORKMAN LAW, PLLC
P.O. Box 1167 Hamilton, MT 59840
T: (406) 802-2198
kyle@workmanlawmt. com
Attorney for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: CURTIS HOFFMAN FLATHER, Deceased.
Cause No. DP-41-20240000112-IT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed as 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
FLATHER, the Personal Representative, in care of WORKMAN LAW, PLLC, P.O. Box 1167, Hamilton, Montana 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana the foregoing is true and correct.
Dated this 21st day of February, 2025.
/s/ Paula Flather
Paula Cote Flather Workman Law, PLLC
By: Kyle J. Workman
Attorney for Personal Representative BS 3-5, 3-12, 3-19-25. MNAXLP
TOWN OF STEVENSVILLE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Town of Stevensville is soliciting proposals from qualifed individuals to perform tree trimming services in the town limits of the Town of Stevensville.
The Town of Stevensville experienced tree damage during the windstorm event of August 2024. An arborist has assessed the damaged trees, and 3 trees will need removal, and 50 trees will need pruning.
To review the list, you may make arrangements with town hall. Questions can be directed to the town clerk, townclerk@townofstevensville.gov or call 406777-5271 ext. 102.
Bids are due no later than 03/27/2025 @ 5:00 PM to Town Hall, 206 Buck Street, Stevensville MT, 59870.
Opening of RFP’s will take place at the regular scheduled town council meeting on 3/27/2024 at 6:30 pm, Town Hall, 206 Buck Street, Stevensville, MT 59870
Interested companies can fnd additional information about the RFP’s on the Town of Stevensville’s website at: www.townofstevens-
INVITATION TO BID
STEVENSVILLE AIRPORT
STEVENSVILLE, MONTANA
The Town of Stevensville, Montana is formally requesting bids for construction services for the Self-Serve Fuel Station at the Stevensville Airport. The Town will select one contractor based on the lowest, responsive, and responsible bid submittal that fts within their budget. Parties interested in submitting a bid for this project should contact Sarah Michaelson with Morrison-Maierle at smichaelson@m-m.net or by calling (406) 542.4877. Hard copy bids will be accepted until 5:00 pm local time on Thursday March 27, 2025, at the Stevensville Town Hall, 206 Buck Street, Stevensville, Montana 59870. Bids will be publicly opened at 6:30 pm local time on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the Stevensville Town Council Meeting. The full invitation to bid may be seen on Morrison-Maierle’s website at www.m-m.net (under heading of “About” and “Projects Bidding”). Contract documents will be available for download on the QuestCDN online bidding service (www. QuestCDN.com); the QuestCDN project number is: #9557789. Attest: Jenelle S. Berthoud, Town Clerk BS 3-5, 3-12, 3-19-25. MNAXLP
Megan S. Winderl CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. 99 Marcus Street, 3rd FL Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 218-4888 MeganW@cwlawmt. com Pleadings@cwlawmt. com
Attorneys for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL
Probate No. DP-412025-0000010-IT Dept. No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed as 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 Richard Glen Singleton, the Personal Representative, 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 20th day of January, 2025.
/s/ Richard Glen Singleton
Personal Representative CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C.
Attorney for Personal Representative
By: Megan S. Winderl
BS 3-5, 3-12, 3-19-25.
MNAXLP
INVITATION TO BID ASPHALT PAVING
PROJECTS: NORTH COUNTY
The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners is now accepting proposals for the delivery of 2025 ASPHALT PAVING PROJECTS. Sealed proposals will be received by the Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder at the County Administrative Center, 215 South Fourth Street, Suite “C”, Hamilton, Montana, 59840, until 4 P.M. MST on Monday, March 31, 2025. The proposals received will be publicly opened on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 and
Street, (third foor), Hamilton, MT.
Contract documents may be examined or obtained at the Ravalli County Road & Bridge Department ofce at 244 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, Montana, 59840.
Questions relative to the standard and special provisions may be directed to the Ravalli County Road Department at (406) 3632733. Questions relative to the bid process may be directed to the Ravalli County Commissioners Ofce at (406) 375-6500.
No proposal may be withdrawn after the scheduled time for the public opening of proposals, which is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. MST on Tuesday, April 01, 2025.
Ravalli County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received, to waive informalities therein, to postpone the award of the contract for a period of time not to exceed sixty (60) days and to accept the lowest responsive and responsible proposal determined to be in the best interests of Ravalli County. Chris Taggart, Administrative Assistant Ravalli County Commissioners Ofce BS 3-12, 3-19-25.
MNAXLP
INVITATION TO BID ASPHALT SEAL COAT
The Ravalli County Board of Commissioners is soliciting Request for Proposals for 2025 ASPHALT SEAL COAT to be conducted throughout various County roads in Ravalli County. Proposals will be received by the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite C, (Second Floor) Hamilton, MT. 59840 until 4:00 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2025. Proposals will then be opened by the Ravalli County Commissioners at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 01, 2025 in the Commissioners Conference Room (Third Floor) at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, MT.
/s/ Crystal M. Bauer, Personal Representative BS 3-12, 3-19, 3-26-25. MNAXLP
PUBLIC NOTICE
Bitterroot Backcountry Cyclists (BBC) is partnering with the USDA Forest Service to complete trail clearing on the Bitterroot National Forest (BNF). BBC is currently accepting bids for a service contract for Trail Opening on approximately 100 miles of trails throughout the Montana portion of the BNF, outside of designated Wilderness areas. The type of work includes: “Logging Out” all downed or leaning trees within the clearing limits (width and height); “Brushing” consisting of removal of new vegetative growth that is protruding into the trail; “Loose Rock Removal” of all rock larger than 6” from the trail tread; and “Drainage Clearing” of all drainage structures. The Contractor shall provide all expertise, labor, supervision, services, equipment, mobilization, tools, supplies, permits, licenses, transportation, and incidentals necessary to perform trail opening, for which the desired outcome is in strict accordance with the Standard Trail Plans and Specifcations. Bid packages, including list of trails in scope of project, maps, trail specifcations, and additional details are available by email from bitterrootbackcountrycyclist@ gmail.com or by telephone at 406-381-7903. Bids must be received by April 9, 2025 and will be awarded on or about April 15, 2025. BS 3-19-25. MNAXLP
OG-25-03-101
Legal Notice
For a copy of the Full Request for Proposal and Specifcations for the asphalt seal coat, contact the Ravalli County Road & Bridge Department at 244 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, MT. during regular business hours or by calling 406-363-2733. For questions concerning the Request for oposal process, contact aggart at the Ravalli County Commissioners Ofce – 406-375-6500.
Chris Taggart
Administrative Assistant Ravalli County Commissioners Ofce BS 3-12, 3-19-25. MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARGARET E. BAUER, Deceased. Case No.: DP-41-2025-
Dept. No. 2 NOTICE TO CREDINOTICE 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 Claims must either be mailed to Crystal M. Bauer, Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at 820 River St., Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above-entitled
DATED the 4th day of March 2025.
The Ravalli County Planning Department is inviting public comment on foodplain application (FA25-02) for work proposed within the FEMA regulated foodplain of the Bitterroot River. The applicant is Scott Woolfolk. The purpose of the proposed project is to repair an eroding bank incurred when a mature ponderosa pine with two trunks was blown over during a fall 2024 windstorm. The ponderosa pine and its root wad dislodged from the bank and fell into the Bitterroot River leaving an approximate 5-foot wide by 8-foot long scallop in the existing bank line along the Bitterroot River. The proposed project will use rounded and/or angular rock with willow cuttings to repair the bank and tie into existing riprap rock located upstream and downstream. The project is located at 24 Russell Drive, Hamilton, MT 59840 in Section 36, Township 05 North, Range 21 West, Ravalli County. All work will be completed in accordance with the Ravalli County Floodplain Regulations. Detailed information regarding this application is available for review at the Ravalli County Planning Department at 215 S 4th St, Suite F in Hamilton. Written comments may be mailed, hand-delivered or emailed (planning@rc.mt.gov) and must be received by April 2nd, 2025 (Reference Application #FA-25-02). BS 3-19-25. MNAXLP
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Notice is hereby given to the persons hereinafter named and to whom it may concern. For enforcement of liens in the amount of $1,490, Venture West Storage, LLC, located at 1008 Hwy 93 N. Victor, MT, 59875, will sell the contents of storage unit C11, occupied by Jamie Colledge, at auction to the highest bidder. Auction will be held at Venture West
Storage, unit C11 on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
BS 3-19-25.
MNAXLP
John S. Masar
LionWood Law PLLC
115 W. 3rd St., Ste. 103 Stevensville, MT 59870
(406) 625-2682
jmasar@lionwoodlaw.
com Attorney for Personal Representative
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: JANET
M. JOHNSON, a/k/a Janet Marion Johnson, Deceased Probate No.: DP-25-22 Dept. No.: 1
Howard F. Recht
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 NICOLE L. MCCOLLUM, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at c/o LionWood Law PLLC, 115 W. 3rd Street, Suite 103, Stevensville, Montana 59870, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
DATED this 4th day of March, 2025.
/s/ Nicole L. McCollum Personal Representative
℅ LionWood Law PLLC 115 W. 3rd St., Ste. 103 Stevensville, MT 59870 LionWood Law PLLC
/s/ John S. Masar
Attorney for Personal Representative
BS 3-19, 3-26, 4-2-25. MNAXLP
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
RAVALLI COUNTY AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS
HAMILTON, RAVALLI COUNTY, MONTANA
A.I.P.
-30-0037-0242025 & 3-30-0037-0252025
Separate sealed bids will be received by Ravalli County until 4:00 p.m., local time, April 9, 2025. All bids shall be received by Ravalli County, Clerk & Recorder’s Ofce, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite C in accordance with the Information for Bidders. The bids will be publicly opened, and read aloud on April 10, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Ravalli County Administration Building, Commissioners’ Meeting Room, for the Ravalli County Airport Improvements Project to include the following: Construct Apron Expansion
This work is to include all tools, equipment, materials, and labor to complete this project.
NOTICE OF REQUIREMENT FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TO ENSURE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
41 CFR Part 60-4, Executive Order 11246
1. The Oferor’s or Bidder’s attention is called to the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Construction Contract Specifcations” set forth herein.
2. The goals and timetables for minority and female participation, expressed in percentage terms for the Contractor’s aggregate workforce in each trade on all construction work in the covered area, are as follows:
Timetables
Goals for minority participation for each trade: 2.7% (Applied to Ravalli County)
Goals for female participation in each trade: 6.9%
These goals are applicable to all of the Contractor’s construction work (whether or not it is Federal or federally assisted) performed in the covered area. If the Contractor performs construction work in a geographical area located outside of the covered area, it shall apply
the goals established for such geographical area where the work is actually performed. With regard to this second area, the Contractor also is subject to the goals for both its federally involved and non-federally involved construction.
The Contractor’s compliance with the Executive Order and the regulations in 41 CFR Part 60-4 shall be based on its implementation of the Equal Opportunity Clause, specifc afrmative action obligations required by the specifcations set forth in 41 CFR 60-4.3(a) and its eforts to meet the goals. The hours of minority and female employment and training must be substantially uniform throughout the length of the contract, and in each trade, and the Contractor shall make a good faith efort to employ minorities and women evenly on each of its projects. The transfer of minority or female employees or trainees from Contractor to Contractor or from project to project for the sole purpose of meeting the Contractor’s goals shall be a violation of the contract, the Executive Order and the regulations in 41 CFR Part 60-4. Compliance with the goals will be measured against the total work hours performed.
3. The Contractor shall provide written notifcation to the Director of the Ofce of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) within 10 working days of award of any construction subcontract in excess of $10,000 at any tier for construction work under the contract resulting from this solicitation. The notifcation shall list the name, address, and telephone number of the subcontractor; employer identifcation number of the subcontractor; estimated dollar amount of the subcontract; estimated starting and completion dates of the subcontract; and the geographical area in which the subcontract is to be performed.
4. As used in this notice and in the contract resulting from this solicitation, the “covered area” is State: Montana County: Ravalli City: Hamilton
CIVIL RIGHTS – TITLE VI
ASSURANCE
49 USC § 47123, FAA Order 1400.11 Ravalli County, Mon tana in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 USC §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifes all bidders or oferors that it will afrmatively ensure that for any contract entered into pursuant to this adver tisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be aforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and no businesses will be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin (including limited English profciency), creed, sex (including sex ual orientation and gender identity), age, or disability in consideration for an award.
DISADVANT NESS ENTERPRISE
49 CFR Part 26
The requirements of 49 CFR part 26 apply to this contract. It is the policy of Ravalli County, Montana to practice nondiscrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin in the award or performance of this contract. The Owner encourages participation by all frms qualifying under this solicitation regardless of business size or ownership.
All contracts and sub contracts that result from this solicitation incorporate by reference the pr of 29 CFR part 201, the Fed eral Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), with the same force and efect as if given in full text. The FLSA sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards for full and part-time workers.
The Contractor has full responsibility to monitor compliance to the refer enced statute or regula
tion. The Contractor must address any claims or disputes that arise from this requirement directly with the U.S. Department of Labor –Wage and Hour Division.
TRADE RESTRICTION
CERTIFICATION
49 USC § 50104, 49 CFR Part 30
By submission of an ofer, the Oferor certifes that with respect to this solicitation and any resultant contract, the Oferor –1) is not owned or controlled by one or more citizens of a foreign country included in the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. frms as published by the Ofce of the United States Trade Representative (USTR); 2) has not knowingly entered into any contract or subcontract for this project with a person that is a citizen or national of a foreign country included on the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. frms as published by the USTR; and
3) has not entered into any subcontract for any product to be used on the Federal project that is produced in a foreign country included on the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. frms published by the USTR.
This certifcation concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States of America and the making of a false, fctitious, or fraudulent certifcation may render the maker subject to prosecution under Title 18 USC Section 1001.
The Oferor/Contractor must provide immediate written notice to the Owner if the Oferor/Contractor learns that its certifcation or that of a subcontractor was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances. The Contractor must require subcontractors provide immediate written notice to the Contractor if at any time it learns that its certifcation was erroneous by reason of changed circumstances.
Unless the restrictions of this clause are waived by the Secretary of Transportation in accordance with 49 CFR 30.17, no contract shall
the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. frms published by the USTR or 2) whose subcontractors are owned or controlled by one or more citizens or nationals of a foreign country on such USTR list or
3) who incorporates in the public works project any product of a foreign country on such USTR list.
Nothing contained in the foregoing shall be construed to require establishment of a system of records in order to render, in good faith, the certifcation required by this provision. The knowledge and information of a contractor is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings.
The Oferor agrees that, if awarded a contract resulting from this solicitation, it will incorporate this provision for certifcation without modifcation in all lower tier subcontracts. The Contractor may rely on the certifcation of a prospective subcontractor that it is not a frm from a foreign country included on the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. frms as published by USTR, unless the Oferor has knowledge that the certifcation is erroneous.
This certifcation is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when making an award. If it is later determined that the Contractor or subcontractor knowingly rendered an erroneous certifcation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may direct through the Owner cancellation of the contract or subcontract for default at no cost to the Owner or the FAA.
This project is subject to the Federal provisions, which are hereby incorporated by reference within this Advertisement For Bids: Buy American Preference, Civil Rights – Title VI Assurances, Davis Bacon Requirements, Debarment and Suspension, Lobbying and Infuencing Federal Employees, Procurement of Recovered Materials, and Government-wide Requirements for Drug-free Work-
payments or fnal payment, 2.) Terminate the contract, 3.) Seek suspension/debarment, or 4.) Any other action determined to be appropriate by the Sponsor/Owner or the FAA.
-- (End of Clauses) -Bids will be received on a price basis as described in the Contract Documents. Bid security in the amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bid, which shall be: (1) lawful money of the United States; or (2) a Cashier’s Check, Certifed Check, Bank Money Order or Bank Draft, in any case drawn and issued by a federally chartered or state chartered bank insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation; or (3) a bid bond, guaranty bond, or surety bond executed by a surety corporation authorized to do business in the State of Montana. The bid security shall be made payable to the Owner and failure to enter into a formal contract will result in the Owner retaining the bid security. The successful bidder will be required to enter into a formal contract within the bid period listed in the Contract Documents. Bidder shall be required to provide an insurance certifcation(s), to furnish a Performance Bond, and furnish a labor and materials Payment Bond within ten (10) calendar days from the date the Notice of Award is received. The bonds shall each be equal to 100 percent of the contract amount. The successful Bidder is required to comply with Montana’s Contractor Registration Law in accordance with Title 39, Chapter 9, MCA. Contract Documents may be inspected at many plan exchanges, and at the ofce of the consulting engineer, Robert Peccia & Associates, (3147 Saddle Dr. / P.O. Box 5653, Helena, MT 59604). They may be reviewed, downloaded, and printed at no cost under the “PROJECTS BIDDING” tab at www.rpa-eng.com. All bids must be submitted in a Bidding Documents booklet, provided by the Engineer upon receipt of $25.00 (non-refundable). Alternate forms or copies of the Bidding Documents
tract Documents (including a Bidding Documents booklet) printed by the Engineer are available upon receipt of $500.00 (non-refundable) for each complete set. A pre-bid conference will be held on April 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Ravalli County Airport. Potential bidders are encouraged to visit the site and contact the Engineer (lbowser@rpa-eng. com or 406-447-5000) with any questions. Faxed bids will not be accepted or considered. The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive informalities, and to reject nonconforming, irregular, non-responsive, or conditional bids. Bids may be held by the Owner for a period not to exceed 120 days from the date of the opening for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the qualifcations of the bidder and/or determining bid award based upon available funding prior to award of the Contract. March 19, 2025 RAVALLI COUNTY By /s/ Dan Huls, Chairman BS 3-19, 3-26, 4-2-25. MNAXLP
OG-25-03-111
Legal Notice
The Ravalli County Planning Department is inviting public comment on a foodplain permit to install fber optic cable within the regulatory foodplain of the Bitterroot River. The applicant is Grizzly Broadband. Fiber optic cable installation will occur at multiple locations within the regulatory foodplain, including, Woodside Crossing, Bell Crossing, Florence Bridge/ Klements Lane Area, Three Mile Creek and Eight Mile Creek. All work will occur within State or County Right of-Way and will comply with the Ravalli County Floodplain Regulations. Information regarding this permit is available at the Ravalli County Planning Department at 215 S 4th St, Suite F in Hamilton. Written comments may be mailed, hand-delivered or emailed (planning@rc.mt.gov) and must be received by 5:00 pm, Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025. Reference application
