will host a watchfre at Stevensville Veterans Memorial Park on Friday, May 22, as a kick-of to the Memorial Day weekend. A symbolic fre will be continuously attended by at least two Post 94 members from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
By defnition, a watchfre is a fre maintained as a signal or for the use of someone who is on watch. Traditionally, a watchfre took place at the end of a battle. The fre was lit to provide a beacon for those lost so that they could fnd their way home.
Post 94 is using this event to
help raise funds for maintenance of the Post Home on Middle Burnt Fork Road. The Post Home is an historic schoolhouse built in 1912. The school consolidated with Stevensville in 1948 and the building was sold to the Farmers Union. Fort Owen Post 94 purchased the building in 1981 for use as a post home and other community
activities. Years have taken their toll, and the building needs repairs to continue to be utilized for Post meetings and activities. Use of the Post building is provided for free to certain local groups, and also ofered for rent as an event venue. Donations are welcome. 50-50 rafe tickets will be on sale – need
not be present to win.
The public is invited to stop by to chat with friends and veterans as they begin their journey through the week-end, culminating in the 106th Corvallis Memorial Day parade, Monday, May 25, 10:00 a.m. The parade is hosted by Post 91, Corvallis. As always, Post 94 members will participate.
Western Montana Conservation Commission to hold meeting
The Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC) will hold its next two-day meeting on Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Bitterroot River Inn & Conference Center in Hamilton.
The Commission will provide information about their ongoing stormwater, wastewater, aquatic invasive species and education
projects. The frst day of the meeting will conclude with a presentation from the Bitterroot Water Partnership on their restoration projects in the region, and a feld trip to Skalkaho Bend Park.
“We’re excited to highlight how restoration eforts at Hamilton’s Skalkaho Bend Park, along North Burnt Fork Creek and at Tolan Creek address some of the greatest
concerns facing our waters,” said Alex Ocañas of the Bitterroot Water Partnership. “A dynamic group of partners, donors, volunteers and other Bitterroot residents have made these impacts possible, and we look forward to sharing successes on their behalf.”
Additional speakers at the meeting include:
• Matt Zacharias, Field Repre-
DAVID BEDEY
sentative and Veteran Liaison for Representative Zinke, and Ravalli County Commissioner Jef Burrows will discuss federal water and wastewater infrastructure funds secured for Western Montana.
• Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will present on project funding and volunteer monitoring to address nonpoint source pollution.
• Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras will present guidance on navigating potential conficts of interest.
To view the full agenda and register to attend the Zoom meeting, visit the WMCC meetings and events webpage. The meeting is open to the public, and a public comment period will be held each day.
CITY: pond project funded
Continued from page 1
it is a wonderful place for kids to learn, and FWP stocks the pond with rainbow trout.
There are also largemouth bass. The pond is only ten feet deep at the deepest , so the water heats up during the summer. The bass love it and will stay, but the trout often leave into the cooler steam in a culvert and stay there.
The plan is to install fishing platforms and remove dense patches of cattails in certain areas. One of the platforms will stretch off the peninsula, while the other will be a floating platform. These will be removable during winter months and will be roughly 8 feet by 20 feet with ramps.
The funding is part of a reimbursement grant, so the city would submit receipts and be
Carrie Joy Spurrell Williams Obituaries
Florence - Carrie Joy Spurrell Williams was born Jan. 29, 1956 to Lt Col William Alfred Spurrell and Mary Elizabeth (Painter) Spurrell, the second fraternal twin and the youngest of fve children. Carrie had a colorful and well traveled childhood, living in Libya, Washington, Texas, and Saskatchewan, and visiting Missoula, Montana in the summers.
The love story of Carrie’s life began in LaMarque, Texas, where she worked as a teacher’s aide and attended community college. That’s where she met Michael, who was taking night classes as a student engineer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. At 19 years, they both knew within a week that they would marry, and did so six months later. For the next 51 years, they celebrated Feb 17th as their own Valentine’s Day because that was the date they met in 1975.
Before having her own children, Carrie worked with special needs children as a teacher’s aide and volunteered with the Red Cross at a hospital. The skills she learned and practiced proved to be essential when her frstborn child, Priscilla, was severely mentally and physically disabled. Seventeen months later, Benjamin was born, and seven years after that, the family welcomed Virginia. Motherhood did little to slow Carrie down, as she worked hard to improve the quality of education and life for all of her children. She also remained heavily involved in the activities of Air Force Ofcers’ Wives’ Club during Michael’s career, including editing and publishing a monthly magazine and professionally compiling, designing, and publishing a cookbook as a fundraiser.
Carrie had a wonderful singing voice, touring Canada with her Western Christian College Choir, joining Michael’s mother singing with Sweet Adelines in Sacramento and later joining Michael in the Safe Harbor Singers gospel group. With Safe Harbor Singers, Carrie sang on two of their albums and performed in several Central Texas venues.
Toward the end of Michael’s Air Force career, Carrie
Shirley Ann
Bailey
Southlake, TX - Shirley Ann Bailey, lovingly known as “Mimi,” passed away peacefully at the age of ninety-three in Southlake, Texas, on Friday, January 16, after a long and
completed her teaching certifcation with a 3.94 GPA. She taught sixth and seventh grade mathematics and talented and gifted students for several years. She was named in the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, nominated by a student who credited her with their academic success. She also developed curriculum for the talented and gifted program for her school district, taught continuing education at statewide teacher conferences, and was nominated as Texas Talented and Gifted Teacher of the Year.
After leaving the teaching profession, Carrie worked for the University of Texas, retiring as the Tuition Billing Supervisor. Carrie didn’t slow down in retirement, serving with Michael as the Florence, Montana community Red Cross Blood Program Leaders and as treasurer of the Western Montana Military Ofcers Association (WMMOA), and learning to spin fber, weave, quilt, and improve on her sewing skills until her illness.
Carrie and Michael celebrated their 50th anniversary on a long planned cruise in Alaska’s Inside Passage. She was diagnosed with cancer only six weeks after they returned.
Carrie always tried to fnd and share humor and was known for the occasional prank. For example, the frst time that Michael came over to her house, she introduced her 1 year old niece as her own, to see how he would react. But what she was especially known for was her warmth, generosity and attention to detail in personal relationships. The wants and needs of family were never an afterthought – always automat
ic priorities.
She is survived by her husband Michael of Florence, MT, children Priscilla of Austin, TX, Benjamin of Florence, MT, and Virginia (Gin) Williams of Seattle, WA, twin brother Mark Spurrell of Wheelersburg, OH, Daughter in Law Tifany, and grandchildren Asher and Cora Williams of Florence, MT.
Predeceased by father William Spurrell, mother Mary
beautifully lived life.
Born and raised in Stevensville, Montana, Shirley graduated from Stevensville High School in 1950, where she was deeply involved in school life. She participated in chorus, drama club, the school newspaper, and the Future Homemakers of America, where she served in leadership roles. Shirley was also a cheerleader, a member of the drill and physical education teams, and a member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.
Shirley went on to attend Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana, earning her degree in Education in 1952. While in college, she remained active in campus life through the Future Teachers of America and drama club and was awarded the honor of 1951 Homecoming Queen.
Shortly after graduating, Shirley began her teaching career before marrying the love of her life, Higgins Dee Bailey, in 1953. Together, they built a life centered on love, partnership, and family.
As Higgins worked to create opportunities for their family, Shirley was a devoted and supportive wife, providing the steady foundation that held it all together.
She was a dedicated mother to fve children: Brooke, Brente, Clarke, Scott, and Skye; creating a home flled with warmth, care, and unwavering support.
While she was proud of her many accomplishments,
Jose ‘Josie’ Herman Selig
Jose “Josie” Herman Selig, 96, of Ravalli County, Montana died April 21, 2026.
Born in Allegany County, Pennsylvania, she moved to Hamilton, Montana, 10 years ago from Fort Myers, Florida. Prior to moving to Florida, Josie spent many years in the Chicago area where she married and raised her family. Josie had many hobbies and interests, including geology, metaphysical studies, Clipped Wings Club, and her St. Germaine Book Club. Before marrying and starting a family, she led a glamorous life as a fight attendant for TransWorld Airlines (TWA) and would often regale her family and friends with stories about dinners with notable sports
and other celebrities on layovers in New York City, such as Yogi Barra and Paul Harvey. In addition, she was ahead of her time, teaching yoga in the early 1970s, long before it became popular.
She is survived by her children, Jodie (Jim) Hurckes, Stephanie (Scott) Haymond, Brock (Kim) Selig, and Tonie (Ken) Miller, and 16 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren, and her brother, Tony (Evie) Herman, and several nieces and nephews. Josie was preceded in death by her husband, Henry F Selig, brothers Bert and George Herman, her sisters Maryann Hines and Jane Hughes, and her sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Jerry Richard.
Burial and a
In lieu of fowers, and to honor of Carrie’s generous spirit, we request donations to Partners in Home Care, Lifefight Network, or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
“The light has gone out of my life.”
Shirley’s greatest joy and most cherished role was being a grandmother. As “Mimi” to twelve grandchildren: Lacey, Easton, Brittany, Blake, Turner, Trent, Morgan, Warner, Conner, Madison, Rio, and Diva; she was the heart of the family. She loved deeply and unconditionally, making each grandchild feel uniquely seen and cherished. Mimi’s love did not divide across twelve; it multiplied, leaving a lasting impact on each of their lives. She also had seven great-grandchildren: Beckett, Isla, Russell, Brooks, Lillian, Sutton, and Tucker. Shirley will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, strength, and unmistakable spark of sass.
She is survived by her fve children, twelve grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and her loving niece, Betty Lynn Little. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Higgins Bailey; her parents, Henry and Helen Rehberg; her brother, Bill Rehberg; and her nephew, Stephen Rehberg.
A life well lived is measured in love, and Shirley’s was immeasurable. Her legacy lives on in the family she built and the love she gave so freely.
A service celebrating Shirley’s life will be held at Whitesitt Funeral Home on Saturday, May 16 at 1:00 P.M. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www. whitesittfuneralhome.com.
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Spurrell, sister Mary Ann Boote, brother Bill Spurrell, brother Steve Spurrell, mother-in-law Jacque Doyle, and father-in-law Jack Williams.
short service will be at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula, MT at noon on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
SHEEP CREEK: candidates meet for a bi-partisan discussion on mine
stop it. He stated, “How’s that gonna work with a forest service that’s gutted out? How’s that gonna work with an EPA that’s gutted out?”
He believes we should restore stafng to those groups and ask, “what are they going to do for us, as a community?” He also spoke on how important these local elections are in fghting things like the Sheep Creek Mine. “Everything that’s happening, of any importance, is happening at the community level,” said Thomas. “We have a king that’s having a negative impact on our local community.”Thomas fnished, saying, “Talk like a rino-crat, and maybe we can get something done.”
Bill Jones spoke third, as another Democrat. Jones is running for HD 87. He started with some good news, mentioning a potential new Japanese mining venture. Near Minamitorishima Island, the Japanese are conducting deep-sea mining trials to extract critical and rare earth minerals. To Jones, that may hopefully make the prospect of Sheep Creek less appealing to the company, and it may drive the price of these minerals down. “This mine (Sheep Creek) will not be big enough to compete with it,” hoped Jones.
According to Jones, just bringing power up there would be a “multimillion dollar project.” He segued into why this could help the community, as the best solution might be to make things as difcult for the mining companies as possible. One way to do this would be the bonds, which are the money a company puts forward to ensure site clean up.
According to Jones, mining law has not changed since 1880, and this site is on federal land, so there is potentially not much the state can do. It is up to Montana DEQ to issue permits, so, “All the little hurdles we
have, we have to use them.”
Kathy Love spoke next, and echoed some of Jones’s thoughts on creating friction in the process. Love is a Republican representative for HD 85, and is running for the Montana State Senate District (SD) 43.
“We’re all against this mine,” said love. “This is not a political issue, this is a Ravalli County issue.”
She agreed with Jones, saying we should “Make the bonding so prohibitive,” that it dissuades the mining companies. Love added that water is a good way to go after them, with water rights and use already big issues in the area. Addressing how the pollutants could fow downstream into the valley may be an avenue to push back with.
Another point raised by Love was that the Montana Constitution guarantees the “right to a clean and healthy environment.” However, she added, “Montana doesn’t exactly have a stellar record with mining.”
She also addressed Jones’s point that the site is federal property, saying, “It’s on federal land, but it does afect state and county issues.”
Kim Dailey spoke next. Dailey is a Republican Candidate for HD 85. She did not speak long, but pointed out that the mining company will use roads the county pays for. She attended various meetings where the county has met with US Critical Minerals Corp., the company behind the Sheep Creek Mine proposals, and said it has been confusing, at best. According to Dailey, it started as three acres, then 100 acres. However, the claim area is several square miles. To her, “There are just too many issues with the Sheep Creek Mine and I do not support it.”
Hudson then called Ravalli County Sherif Steve Holton up to speak. Holton is running for re-election as the sherif. His comments were also short winded, mainly expressing, “There hasn’t been a single proposal about how we’re gon-
na support public safety,” from the company. “Everybody here is gonna have to foot that bill,” said Holton.
Matthew Roth, a Ravalli County Commissioner candidate, spoke next. He said the current commissioners have done what they can, but he has another idea. For him, it makes a lot of sense to clean and harvest other mines already created, including superfund sites. He explained that with modern technology, we are fnding ways to simultaneously clean sites, as well as collect these critical minerals.
Roth added that these projects will also drive Montanans to those jobs, instead of bringing out-of-state people in to do the research and work. “I have those connections to start that conversation.” Roth fnished, saying, “There’s opportunities greater than the Sheep Creek Mine that can help the state of Montana.”
David Bedey stood to speak. Bedey is the HD 86 representative, and is running as a Republican for SD 43. Bedey started with explaining how he approaches this type of issue, being a legislator. To him, that process starts with gathering a lot of information. In his research and inquiries, Bedey said he has discovered that the company has already submitted another proposal, which has not yet become public.
The next step for Bedey is to establish possible legislative actions, which for him would start with enhancing bonding requirements. Specifcally, he said they should include language that takes the surrounding area further into consideration. He considers these “of-site risks.” He also said they should work to clarify reasons to deny a permit. Language Bedey described as “unclear” at best.
for Ravalli County. After Bedey, an ecologist with MPG Ranch, Dr. Phillip Ramsey, spoke. Ramsey has been a longtime opponent to the Sheep Creek Mine. He started by saying how this series of proposals has been an attempt to “cloak a mining plan as an exploration attempt.” To him, it is all a constant efort that will end up abusing the natural resource and polluting the area. “Do we want to play a game of never-ending wacka-mole?” said Ramsey. “Montana’s mistrust of mining has been well earned.” For him, this needs to be stopped before other companies come along.
He brought up the idea of prohibitive bonds, and how they are supposed to support site clean up. He said they often do not, an issue known as a “bond Gap.”
“The bonds don’t cover the clean up, we do,” said Ramsey. Ramsey explained that the area for the Sheep Creek Mine is also diffcult to work, steep and dangerous, meaning it would be difcult for there not to be issues, accidents and clean up troubles. “Without bond reform, the company isn’t going to cover it, we will,” and “Mining creates waste by design,” with crushed rock and dust. Ramsey believes it is an inevitable process that all that waste will end up going down stream and polluting the area.
would need more exploration, but Howell is hopeful because he has seen it work before.
Another candidate then spoke. Michele Binkley was a former representative for HD 85, and is running again for the same seat. Her only comment was, “Without you, we have nothing. We cannot become complacent.” She encouraged everyone in attendance to go out and participate in more of these events, and keep showing up, pressuring the government and local representatives to do something about the Sheep Creek Mine.
The last candidate to speak was Seth Bodner, an independent running for the U.S. Senate for Montana. He said he is concerned about the mine proposal, and its far reaching efects on the state. “This isn’t a Republican issue, this isn’t a Democrat issue, this is a Montana issue.” His last comment was “Thank you for showing up and making your voices heard.”
Tony Hudson closed the forum, warning against Americans for Prosperity, which he believes has interests in the mine. He said to avoid voting for candidates supported by the group, adding, “They have their hooks in them a bit.”
Hudson then spoke about the future of Montana, saying, “Montana’s largest export is its children,” and much of that is due to job insecurity, low wages for comparable work and a lack of housing.
Bedey also believes those fghting the mine should bring in local stakeholders to the table, including mining organizations like the Montana Mining Association. According to Bedey, mining done irresponsibly will destroy that industry, “which they don’t want.” Bedey closed, saying, “I’m not against mining, but I am pro environmental. I do not believe those two things are mutually exclusive.” And to him, the way the Sheep Creek project has been moving, its interests are not the best
Ramsey believes there are plenty of other old mines, and many new ways to recover critical minerals there. “The right mines of the future will process the waste (from mines) of the past,” said Ramsey. He fnished, talking about how things are backwards. Instead, we should frst process minerals that can come from old mines, then reopen old mines and then open new mines “dead last.”
He added, “Don’t pollute the root, let’s go for it in Butte.”
Michael Howell stood to speak, someone who has been covering the Sheep Creek Mines for years with the Bitterroot Star. He commented that there could be something under the “Cultural Heritage Act,” which would preserve hunting and other recreational uses, while outlawing large scale mining operations, such as Sheep Creek Mines. That avenue
Hudson echoed Ramsey’s words, among others, saying it is imperative to chase this venture of cleaning old superfund sites. “This is a value-creating national enterprise.” He asked that everyone support Montana colleges and institutions that are researching these techniques to process water from legacy mines. For him, it would both solve an ecological problem as well as economic problems. Otherwise, “These mines are going to keep popping up in American rivers.” He does not care if it is in Montana, or somewhere else, “We can stop this.”
Hudson then thanked everyone for attending and said, “We were Americans long before we were Republicans and Democrats,” and that such an issue should not be partisan.
Community is the cure
I’d like to thank Tony Hudson for last week’s discussion of possible methods to stop the Sheep Creek Mine. That discussion further convinced me that “community is the cure,” and that the county-level Republican Party and county officials are circling their wagons to oppose the Sheep Creek Mine. Every proposed defense relies on some combination of state or federal legislative action, the Forest Service, the EPA, and/or Congressional delegation efforts, working alongside Montana DEQ, the university system, or state water quality programs to stop the mine.
The public has clear-eyed opposition to the mine. What remains
of a disarrayed Republican Party is living under the false illusion that a DOGE’d USFS, EPA, and a corrupt federal administration that encourages mine exploration will somehow be the rescuing cavalry. Nothing could be further from the truth. Increased bonding requirements for mining companies will be proposed during the next legislative session. The odds of passage are slim to none, as the blindly loyal Republican Party is more concerned with staying in the good graces of a
rudderless federal administration. Furthermore, the Gianforte administration has never seen a mine it didn’t love, nor a water quality standard it wouldn’t degrade, forfeiting individual Montanans’ rights and Montana’s State’s rights to a dysfunctional federal bureaucracy.
“Community is the cure”—if we show up and stand up. Bookmark “Don’t Pollute the Root” and sign up for their newsletter to stay informed.
My goal as a RINO-Crat Representative for Hamilton HD 86 is to be a working, bipartisan legislator—one who enables legislation protecting Hamilton and Ravalli County from the Sheep Creek Mine, listens to everyone and explores the possibility of establishing a Ravalli County Water Quality District. Check out: rino-crat.com, Facebook: Archie Thomas for Ravalli House District 86.
Legal Notices
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County
In the Matter of the Name
Change of Christine Marie Smith: Christine Marie Smith, Petitioner
Cause No.: DV-41-20260000162-NC
Dept. No.: 1- Howard F. Recht
Notice of Hearing on Name Change
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Christine Marie Smith to Christine Marie Greene. The hearing will be on 06/03/2026 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County.
Date: April 15, 2026. Paige Troutwein, Clerk of Court /s/ Michelle Goldman, Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 4-22, 4-29, 5-6, 5-132026.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST
JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE RICHARD GOLPHENEE, Deceased.
Probate No.: DP-2026-48
Dept. No.: 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Rick Kindle has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said decedent are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to Rick Kindle, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at c/o Montana Legacy Law, PLLC, 178 South 2nd St., Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
BS 4-29, 5-6, 5-13-2026.
MNAXLP
The Town of Darby is accepting sealed bids for the following: 1. 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer 2. 1994 Toyota Truck
3. 2004 Polaris 600cc 4-wheeler w/snowplow.
The vehicles are located at 101 E. Tanner Avenue, Darby. Please specify on the outside of the envelope which vehicle you are bidding on. Sealed bids will be received by the Town of Darby located at 101 E. Tanner Avenue, Darby, until 5 PM on May 26, 2026. Bids will be opened by Town Council on May 26, 2026, at 6 PM.
The Town of Darby reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
BS 5-6, 5-13, 5-20-2026. MNAXLP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA) will hold a public hearing May 20, 2026 beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the RCEDA Conference Room, 274 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton, MT. The RCEDA Board of Commissioners will consider adopting a resolution authorizing participation in the Board of Investments of the State of Montana short Term Investment Pool (STIP) and authorizing the execution and delivery of documents related thereto. At this time public comment will be taken and considered. All interested parties are encouraged to attend. Written comments on establishing the Resolution may be submitted to Julie Foster, RCEDA Executive Director, 274 Old Corvallis Road, Suite A, Hamilton, MT 59840 or julie@rceda.org. For further information, call the RCEDA at 406-375-9416.
BS 5-6, 5-13-2026.
MNAXLP
Request for Proposals Aggregate Crushing Services
The Ravalli County Board of Commissioners is soliciting Request for Proposals for aggregate crushing services for various sites 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 Friday at 4:00 p.m., May 15, 2026. Proposals will then be opened by the Ravalli County Commissioners at 11:00 a.m. on May 18, 2026 in the Commissioners Conference Room (Third Floor) at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, MT. For a copy of the Full Re-
quest for Proposal and Specifcations for the construction seal, 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 Proposal process, contact Chris Taggart at the Ravalli County Commissioners Ofce – 406-375-6500. Chris Taggart, Administrative Assistant Ravalli County Commissioners Ofce BS 5-6, 5-13-2026.
MNAXLP
Call for Bids Construction Remodel –County Attorney’s Ofce Ravalli County Courthouse 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton MT 59840
The Board of Ravalli County Commissioners are calling for bids for a construction remodel project in the County Attorney’s Ofce, located on the main foor of the Ravalli County Courthouse, 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton, MT 59840. The successful bidder will be required to enter into a Contract for Services with Ravalli County.
Bids are due no later than Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM, at the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder’s Ofce, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite C, (Second Floor) Hamilton, MT 59840. Bids must be submitted within a sealed envelope and clearly marked “Construction Remodel in the Ravalli County Attorney’s Ofce”. Bids are scheduled to be opened on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 1:30 PM in the County Commissioners’ meeting room, 215 S. 4th Street (Third Floor), Hamilton MT 59840, followed by possible award.
For a copy of the Full Call for Bids (necessary for bidding), which includes the Demo Plan, Remodel Plan; Electrical Plan; Schedule for bidding, pre-bid walk through for contractors, and anticipated project dates; and Sample Contract for Service, please contact the Commissioner’s Ofce through the following venues: Commissioner’s Ofce – 215 S. 4th Street, Suite A, Hamilton, 59840; 406-375-6500; or commissioners@rc.mt.gov
Chris Taggart Commissioners Administrative Assistant BS 5-6, 5-13-2026. MNAXLP
John D. Greef attorney at law P.O. Box 1926 Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 360-8117
Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: Cliford Merrill Gilstad, Deceased. Case No.: DP-2026-0000031 Department No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Brandy Wagner and Roxanne Wagner have been appointed Co-Personal Representatives 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 Brandy Wagner and Roxanne Wagner, the Co-Personal Representatives, return receipt requested, in c/o John D. Greef, P.O. Box 1926, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court. DATED this 29th day of April, 2026.
/s/John D. Greef
John D. Greef, Attorney for Personal Representative BS 5-6, 5-13, 5-20, 5-272026.
MNAXLP
NOTICE
The 2nd half of the 2025 Real Estate Taxes are due payable before 5 PM, May 31, 2026. We have a Night Drop located at North end of Administration Building in drive thru. Mailed payments, must be postmarked by May 1, 2026 or the payment will be returned for penalty and interest. Please make checks payable to the Ravalli County Treasurer. Master Card, Visa, Discover and American Express cards are accepted. Also accepting online payments at www. Ravalli.us/196/Property-Tax.
Paying with Credit/Debit card will include a 2.15% convenience fee and $1.25 Transaction Fee.
Ravalli County Treasurer
Dan Whitesitt
215 S 4th St Ste H Hamilton MT 59840
406-375-6600
BS 5-6, 5-13, 5-20, 5-272026.
MNAXLP
NOTICE
The frst half of the 2026 Mobile Home Taxes are due payable before 5 pm June 15, 2026. We have a Night Drop located at North end of Administration Building in drive thru. Mailed payments must be postmarked by June 15, 2026 or the payment will be returned for penalty and interest. Please make checks payable to the Ravalli County Treasurer. Master Card, Visa, Discover and American Express cards are accepted. Also accepting online payments at www. Ravalli.us/196/Property-Tax.
Paying with Credit/Debit card will include a 2.15% convenience fee and $1.25 Transaction Fee.
Ravalli County Treasurer
Dan Whitesitt
215 S 4th St Ste H Hamilton MT 59840
406-375-6600
BS 5-6, 5-13, 5-20, 5-27, 6-3, 6-10-2026. MNAXLP
John D. Greef P.O. Box 1926 Hamilton, MT 59840
406-360-8117
Attorney for Petitioner
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF: Heidi Debra Kaminski, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-26-194
Dept No. 2 NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN a hearing upon the Petition for
Name Change will be held on Thursday, the 16th day of June, 2026, at the hour of 1:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard in the courtroom of the above court at which time all interested persons may appear and object.
Dated this 5th day of May, 2026.
/s/John D. Greef, attor ney for Petitioner BS 5-13, 5-20, 5-27, 6-32026.
MNAXLP
REQUEST/CALL FOR BIDS
LEASE OF RAVALLI COUNTY COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY AT 192 KURTZ LANE, HAMILTON, MT
The Board of County Commissioners are calling for bids to lease County Commercial/ Industrial property located at 192 Kurtz Lane in Hamilton, MT 59840. The property contains ofce space (448 SF); a small addition ofce space (304 SF) and a garage (52’X36’ = 1,872 SF; approximately 2,624 SF total).
Bids are due by Friday, May 29, 2026 at 4:00 PM at the Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder’s Ofce located at 215 S. 4th Street Suite C, Hamilton, Montana 59840.
On Wednesday, June 03, 2026, at 10:00 AM, the Ravalli County Commissioners will open the bids received and may possibly award the bid, at that time. Upon award of the successful bidder, the lessee will enter into a contract with Ravalli County (lessor).
For a full Request for Bid, which will include Bidding and Award Process, or to request a site visit, please contact the Commissioner’s Ofce at 406375-6500, email commissioners@rc.mt.gov or visit 215 S. 4th Street, Suite A, Hamilton (3rd foor).
Chris Taggart Commissioners’ Administrative Assistant BS 5-13, 5-20-2026.
MNAXLP
Canyon Creek Irrigation meeting Canyon Creek Irrigation District is holding a shareholders meeting Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton at 7 PM. BS 5-13-2026.
MNAXLP
Bitterroot Conservation District Adopted Rules and Appendix Pursuant to MCA 75-7-117, The Bitterroot Conservation District is required to adopt rules setting standards and guidelines for projects and exclusions within their district that meet, exceed, or are not covered by the minimum standards as found in Administrative Rule 36.2.4.
The 2025 State Legislator adopted SB10, which extended the timeline associated with the review of emergency notifcations when there has been a governor declared state of emergency. The Bitterroot Conservation District will modify its adopted rules according to the 2025 State Legislator mandate and is proposing to add an
appendix to its adopted rules concerning the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act (310 Law) as governed by the administration of the district’s stream permitting program. The proposed appendix will be inserted into the adopted rules to help defne jurisdictional 310 authority concerning: instream woody debris; riparian vegetation; fsh passage at road crossings; irrigation and headgate maintenance; buried utility line crossings; of-stream buried revetments. All other changes are formatting changes designed to make the adopted rules easier to use and understand.
A hearing will be held on the 9 th of June, 2026, 6:00 pm, 1709 North First Street, Hamilton, to provide an opportunity for the public to present views and submit written comments on the appendix to the rules. Copies of the draft appendix are available by contacting the district at 406-361-6181 and/or visit the BCD website at www.bitterrootcd.org. Written comments must be submitted to the district by 4:00 p.m. on June 8 th , 2026. BS 5-13, 5-27-2026.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST
JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF: Medusa the Gypsy Callihan, Medusa the Gypsy Callihan, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-26-196
Dept No. 2 NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is a notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Medusa the Gypsy Callihan to Susan Ann Callihan. The hearing will be on June 18, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County.
Dated May 6, 2026. Paige Trautwein, Clerk of District Court /s/ Catherine Di Gleria, Deputy Clerk of Court BS 5-13, 5-20, 5-27, 6-32026.
MNAXLP
Legal Notice
Candylands Minor Subdivision (5 Lot Minor Subdivision), Amended Plat of Tract A1 of AP 766703, SD#2024-04, Tax ID: 136010. Ravalli County has received an application for a 5-lot minor subdivision, located on AP of Tract A1 of AP 766703, existing Tax ID: 136010. Five Lots on 33.51 acres. Direct access to this property is from US Highway 93 (MDT Maintained) and Orchard Drive (County Maintained). Three Residential lots and two commercial lots are proposed. The subdivision will add approximately one new child to the Corvallis School District and 171 new vehicular trips per day to the road system. Hamilton is approximately one mile south, being the nearest municipal boundary. The subdivision property is located within the Corvallis School and
Rural Fire District. The proposed lots will be served by private wells and septic systems. The applicant is Professional Management Proman LLC, represented by Paul Jessop of Base Line Surveying. The subdivision is referred to as Amended Plat of Tract A1 of AP 766703, Candylands Subdivision. A complete copy of the application packet is available for viewing at the Ravalli County Planning Department ofce, in the County Administrative Center, 215 S. 4th St., Suite F, Hamilton, MT 59840. A copy of the Preliminary Plat is posted on our Website at https:// ravalli.us/178/Subdivisions-Exemptions. Written comments are encouraged to be submitted to the Planning Department prior to the hearing, and will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will conduct a Public Hearing to review the proposal Tuesday, June 4, 2026 at 01:30 p.m., in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room (Third Floor) at the Administrative Center. The public may comment verbally, or in writing, at the meeting. Comments and information submitted at the public meeting/hearing will be considered in the decision on the subdivision. However, please note that only under select circumstances will new information be allowed into the record after the public hearing. BS 5-13, 5-20-2026. MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF: William Aaron Alt, William Aaron Alt, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-26-199 Dept No. 1 NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE This is a notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court
Sports
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
Bitterroot athletes sign letters of intent
College dreams became reality last week for a handful of Bitterroot Valley athletes. As the spring signing period arrives, a deep pool of local talent has begun committing to the colleges.
Stevensville
Stevensville seniors Emma McKoy and Todd Whitescarver recently signed their letters of intent at ceremonies at Stevensville High School.
Emma McKoy signed with Concordia College to play women’s soccer. Concordia College is a four-year liberal arts institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and the Cobbers are a NCAA Division III school.
“I chose Concordia because of the team atmosphere and play style,” said McKoy. “I was able to meet with some of the team and the coach and found the environment to be very positive and supportive. The encouraging team culture reminded me of my home high school team, which played a big role in my drive and passion for soccer today. I also found Concordia to have high-quality facilities and an academically challenging curriculum.” McKoy plans to study health sciences.
Todd Whitescarver signed with Umpqua Community College for wrestling. Umpqua is a public community college near Roseburg, Oregon. The Riverhawks play in the Northwest Athletic Conference.
“I had the opportunity to practice with the team and was impressed by the drive of the athletes,” said Whitescarver. “The atmosphere of the coaches really convinced me that was the place when I told Coach McCoy I wanted to be a college All-American and he promised me if I did everything he said, every day, and gave 100% of myself to his program every day, he would make me what I wanted to be.” Whitescarver plans to enroll in the welding program and study exercise science.
Florence
Seven Florence athletes participated in a signing ceremony at Florence last week. Bridger Alexander signed with Montana Tech (NAIA) for football. Maggie Schneiter signed with Montana Western (NAIA) for volleyball. Kendyl Meinhold signed with Montana Western (NAIA) for basketball. Levi Winters signed with Montana Western (NAIA) for football. Brody Duchien signed with University of
Mary in North Dakota (NCAA DII) for men’s golf. Logan Williams signed with Montana Tech (NAIA) for track. Mattix Chase signed with Simpson University (NAIA) for football.
Hamilton Taylor Doleac signed with Montana State University (NCAA DI) for track and feld. Aurie Duncan signed with Gonzaga University (NCAA DI) for volleyball. Jackson Lubke signed with Walla Walla Community College for baseball. Lundyn Murray signed with Northwest College (WY) (community college) for volleyball. Mariah Johnson signed with Carroll College (NAIA) for softball. Cash Lawrence signed with Tacoma Community College for baseball.
Darby McCoy Townsend signed with Dickinson State University (NAIA) for football.
Corvallis Ella Varner signed with Liberty University (VA) (NCAA DI) for track and feld. Waylon Lendak signed with Minnesota North College - Vermilion, (community college) for baseball. Brady Powell signed with Utah State (NCAA DI) for men’s golf.
Emma McKoy signed with Concordia College to play women’s soccer. Photo courtesy of Dani Smith.
Stevensville’s Todd Whitescarver signed with Umpqua Community College for wrestling. Photo courtesy of Dani Smith.
Multiple Florence athletes signed their letters of intent last week in Florence. Photo courtesy of Florence-Carlton School Activities.
STRICKLAND: American Legion member remembers
warehouse, and how they gave her son a number of parts to play with.
Strickland said no one wanted to “re-classify” the parts again (put them away), so they sent her and her son home with the parts.
Strickland said Dana ended up with a radio mic, an M16 fring pin and a machine gun bolt, among other things.
Strickland had formation at 4:30 p.m., and the babysitter took of at 4, so she or the other soldiers had to go pick her son up. That meant there were many times her son was in formation with them, at fve years old. It happened so often that they joked about putting Dana in uniform and adding him to the headcount. The other guys often fought to go pick Dana up. “The men were fawning over him.”
When in formation, Strickland said Dana sat behind the platoon sergeant. She was in the service from 1974 to 1977, near the end of the Vietnam War era. Strickland spent all her time stateside, and said, “I wish I could have stayed and did more.”
Right before she left the service, she met a guy from the infantry that she would marry. She said they met after she beat him drag racing, in her new ’76 Camaro, the frst new car she ever bought.
They both used the G.I. Bill to go to college, where she studied sales management. This was another skill that would then come in handy later in life. In ’82, she moved home to the valley, after another divorce. She then got a job with the U.S. Forest Service, on a saw crew. When she attended the interview, she was asked “Do you know how to run a chainsaw?”
She answered, “No, but I can learn.” She did and she spent the next summer falling trees. With her military service and disability from medical complications, they had no choice but to hire her.
Eventually, a position opened up in Darby as a clerk/receptionist. Her accounting training gave her a step up. She worked up to
become a purchasing agent in Hamilton, which was a permanent position. She did that for another 19 years. She went on to do a lot more, including work 42 years as a CPR/AED/First aid instructor, 30 years of government contracting, 12 years with the Ravalli County Search and Rescue, a lieutenant with the Ravalli County Reserve Deputy Association, Forest Service Level II Law Enforcement Ofcer for 20 years, Wildfre Investigator for 20 years and much more.
Strickland started with the American Legion in 2020, with Hamilton Post 47. She had actually joined the legion in around the year 2000, but decided to step up and get more involved after her fathers funeral. There was a mess up at the funeral, where the honor guard never showed up. Other people flled those roles, but she felt it was such a huge disrespect to his memory that she vowed never to let that happen again. “Every veteran deserves an honor-guard,” said Strickland.
She is currently the district commander for American Legion District 5, over the Bitterroot Valley and Missoula. She is also fnance ofcer of Hamilton Post 47. Strickland said the organizational skills and structure she learned while in the service have made her who she is today. “I still fall back on what I learned in the army.” She added that it was all because “someone helped stretch the rules a bit to help me get in.”
“Everything that I’ve done as a commander, it’s been documented,” including records to help others fll those roles in the future and to keep everything organized.
“You don’t need to respect the person in the position, you respect the position.” Said Strickland. For her, that always meant a lot. She mentioned driving around in an ofcer’s vehicle which was saluted. She said they were not saluting her, they were saluting the position. That respect made all the diference in everything she was a part of.
18 Nov 23 Dedication of Vets Corner at Willow Ct. Apartments
Chinook helicopters over Gray Army Airfeld at Ft. Lewis in 1977. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.
Local Growers Guide
1. Clean Green Mfg. and Landscaping
Phone: (406) 829-3700
5970 Hwy 93 S., Missoula, next to the Humane Society.
Clean Green Mfg. and Landscaping has been a go-to source for top-notch landscaping materials for over 15 years. We help both residential and commercial clients with all their landscaping, hard scaping, excavation, and landscaping supplies needs. We also do cement curbing.
Our convenient retail location provides a wide range of landscaping supplies, including washed rock, gravel, and boul ders. We keep in stock all the hot new colors and sizes of barks and mulches. Our dirt collection is the best around, from double screened topsoil to garden mix soils made here in the yard using only local materials.
We pride ourselves on our deep roots in the community. Our understanding of the local climate and lifestyle allows us to ofer eco-friendly manufacturing solutions that truly resonate with your needs. Enhance your outdoor space today. Contact us and let’s start your project! Call (406) 829-3700 or email us at clean green406@gmail.com.
2. Pink Grizzly Greenhouse
Phone: 406-728-3370
Lolo Location: 11454 Highway 93 South, Lolo. Next to Dairy Queen across from Lolo School. Open May 8 through July 5th each year.
Missoula Location since 1955: 1400 Wyoming Street, Missoula on the corner of Russell and Wyoming Street. Open March 1 through December 22 each year.
• Bedding Plants: Very large selection of annual and perennial fowers. Alyssum, petunias, pansies, marigolds, begonias. Colorful fower baskets and planters. Cus tom planting available
• Vegetable and herb starts: Organic and conventional. Tomato, pepper, broc coli, cabbage, kale, artichoke, rhubarb, basil, lavender, rosemary, thyme, cucum bers, squash, cantaloupe, melons, zucchi ni, and many more!
• Seed: organic and conventional. Many varieties of vegetables. Certifed organic seed potatoes
• Fruit trees, Shade trees, and Shrubs: Apple, cherry, plum, maple trees, aspen, honey locust, crabapple. Potentilla, bar berry
• Fertilizer and pest control products, organic and conventional
• Garden tools: shovels, rakes, trowels, deer fence, tree protectors
• Decorative pots, gifts
• Potting soil, peat moss, soil pep bag products
• List of DEER RESISTANT plants!!!
3. Brown’s Greenhouse Family owned & operated. Retail & Wholesale. 5629 Lower Woodchuck Road in Florence (8 Mile community, travel east from Highway 93 in Florence, cross the Bitterroot River, then follow signs north out of the roundabout).
Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm, Sat 9am-5pm. Closed Sundays
Mid April through June while supplies last, summer and fall hours vary
Multiple greenhouses full of annual bedding plants, vegetables, baskets, planters and more.
• Standard seed fowers including petunias, marigolds, pansies, alyssum, lobelia, etc.
• Vegetative fowers and accent plants. Everything you need for thrillers, fllers and spillers in your pots.
• Ofcial Proven Winner Grower!
• 12” and larger specialty combo hanging baskets for Mother’s Day and throughout the season.
• Veggies including dozens of varieties of tomatoes & peppers, cole crops, herbs, lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, cucumbers, squash, strawberries, pumpkins, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.
• Perennial and tree selection brought in specifcally for our area.
• Fall mums and seasonal accompanying products available late summer.
• Look for our plants at local garden centers in the Bitterroot and Missoula. www.brownsgreeenhousemt.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram
All items available while supplies last.
4. Wayne Herman Trees
Call Wayne for more information 5319009. Just south of the stoplight in Florence. Open May - July 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. everyday. Come check out our FRESH selection of Maple Trees. We also carry most deciduous trees.
5. Cottage Garden Greenhouse
777-3061 • 5034 Eastside Hwy. Stevensville, halfway between Stevensville and Florence. Open Mon. to Sat. 9am to 6pm, Sun. 11am-5pm With over 30 years of growing in the Bitterroot Valley, CGG provides the best plants and customer service for long-time locals and new-comers alike. Stock up on everything you need for your berry, herb
ing also available! Nursery: We specialize in Rocky Mountain natives and hardy plant material including instant shade trees, large evergreens, fruit trees, blooming shrubs, colorful groundcovers and wildfowers. Plant sizes range from a 1-gallon container up to a 30-ft. B&B tree. Located on 40 acres in Stevensville. Major credit cards accepted. For examples of landscape projects and our plant catalog visit: www.naturesenhancementinc.com
Choose from a variety of maples, aspen, birch, crabapple, willow, fruit trees and more. Our amazing evergreen section is full of varieties of spruce, fr and pine ranging from 4ft. tall to monstrous 20ft. Blue Spruce. Landscape boulders make great accents for any outdoor space. Now with our full line of shrubs, perennials and grasses Vern’s carries everything you need to design your perfect landscape. With over 40 years of experience in the Bitterroot Valley our staf is known for their top-notch customer service so come on in and have a new kind of nursery experience.
14. Evans Ace Hardware 363-3351 • 714 N. First (on Hwy 93) Hamilton
9. Shady Rest Green(406) 802-4637 - 1911 Eastside Hwy, Corvallis Open Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday Open since 1958, Shady Rest Greenhouse has been helping grow successful gardens in the valley for over 60 years. Carrying a large variety of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, baskets, shrubs, soil and ground cover and more.
Open 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Mon - Sat and 8 a.m - 5 p.m. on Sunday Evans Ace Hardware is your neighborhood gardening headquarters and Premier level STIHL dealership. Our certifed garden team is eager to answer your lawn and gardening questions. Our greenhouse has a full selection of local annuals, perennials, herbs, as well as Montana grown vegetables from Brown’s Greenhouse in Florence. Glacier Nursery will be supplying an assortment of trees and shrubs. Convenient bags of soils and amendments are piled high.
shrubs blooming in every shade imaginable. Visit our website cottagegardengreenhouse.com or follow us on facebook at cottagegardengreenhouse or instagram at cottagegardengreenhouse406 for weekly specials and local gardening advice.
• Large selection of Montana hardy berry plants
• Locally grown annuals
• Tomatoes - 28 varieties of cherries, heirlooms & hybrids
• Vegetable starts
• Hanging baskets for sun or shade
• Perennials that will fourish in your landscape
• Select blooming and shade trees
Call or stop by with your ideas and questions today!
Now accepting VISA/MC.
6. Super 1 Foods - Stevensville 777-7300 • 39 Stevensville Cutof Rd • Stevensville 363-6200 • 1131 N. 1st Street • Hamilton Open 7 days a week.
Great selection of quality plants, good prices, and great selections of annuals, vegetables, and new plants weekly from asters to zinnias. Garden supplies and art.
7. Stevensville Country Store 406-777-5527 • 3673 Eastside HwyJust south of Stevensville on Eastside Hwy. Open Monday - Saturday 8am-7pm, Sunday 10am-5pm - countrystore.net
From feed to seed to fencing and hardware, your local Country Store in Stevensville is here for all your Spring needs! We work hard to stock our shelves with the highest quality products from well-respected brands. We have seeds from Burpee, Botanical Interest, BSG Bailey, Rainier Seeds. We also have bedding plants, gardening supplies, and much, much more. And don’t forget about our wide selection of Pet and Livestock Feed supplies. Our friendly and knowledgeable staf is here to deliver a positive customer experiencewe have the expertise to help you with all your challenging Spring projects. We look forward to serving you!
8. Nature’s Enhancement, Inc. (406) 777-3560 • 2980 Eastside Hwy. (corner of Bell Crossing & Eastside Hwy.) Public Welcome - Open M-F 8 am - 3:30 pm - Some Saturdays.
Direct grower prices. Open to the Public. Nursery and full-service landscape company. Landscape Services: Complete landscape services including lawn installation, sprinkler systems, custom rock walls, and planting services. We also build patios, decks, fre pits, retaining walls, pathways and water features. Tree services and mov-
10. Moeller’s Nursery 406-961-3389 • Since 1971 • ¾ miles South of Corvallis on Eastside Hwy. Check out MoellersnursSpring Hours 9-6 daily. Bedding plants – Large selection of annual & perennial bedding plants: pansies, petunias, lobelia, asters, impatiens, dahlias, geraniums, moss roses, marigolds, alyssum, begonias, osteospernum, and more. Large selection of hanging baskets featuring begonias, fuchsias, super petunias & mixed baskets. Perennials - 140 varieties including bleeding hearts, peonies, columbine, daisies, delphinium, lupine, sedum, and ornamental grasses. Vegetable bedding plants – Large variety that produce well in the Bitterroot: 50 varieties of tomatoes. 37 varieties of peppers, cukes, melons, squash, broccoli and herbs. MT certifed seed potatoes, strawberry plants, asparagus roots. Nursery stock – Shade trees, fruit trees, fowering trees and shrubs. Lilac bushes. Potentillas. Rhubarb plants, gooseberry, raspberry, grape, currant, and honeyberry. Save now on bare root trees and shrubs. Potting soil, peat moss, and seeds. Produce – A complete line available in season. Specializing in super sweet sweet corn, caulifower, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, cucumbers, squash and pumpkins.
11. Beautiful Baskets & More
246 Christoferson Lane, Corvallis 509-936-2706 & Kate @ 406-880-0384
Come choose from over 100 handmade beautiful baskets. These baskets are sure to add some beauty to your deck or patio this summer. We specialize in hanging baskets, color bowls, etc. Also check out our selection of healthy vegetables for your garden.
Open 6 days a week. Monday - Saturday
Look for our sign on Eastside Highway
12. K&S Greenhouse 961-1612 • 204 Black Lane, Corvallis. Open Monday – Saturday, 9am-6pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm. K&S Greenhouse is known for some of the healthiest plants in the Bitterroot, along with an exceptional selection of hanging baskets and deck planters.
In early spring, explore a wide variety of bare-root trees and shrubs, along with bareroot strawberries, raspberries, and asparagus—ready to thrive in your garden.
At K&S, you’ll fnd everything you need to grow your own vegetable garden— seeds, onion sets, and Montana-certifed seed potatoes, plus herb and vegetable starts, including more than 25 varieties of tomatoes. Browse a thoughtfully curated selection of annuals and perennials, and discover a nursery flled with ornamental trees, fruit trees, and shrubs—ready to take root in your landscape. Custom container plantings are available. Purchase gift certifcates in-store or at www.ksgreenhouse.com.
13. Vern’s Nursery (406) 360-0170, www.vernsnursery.com 649 Hwy 93 North, Hamilton Vern’s Nursery is a one-of-a-kind nursery in the heart of the Bitterroot Valley. With row upon row of mature ball & burlap trees you’re sure to fnd the right tree for you. We also carry smaller potted trees for those wanting an easier install. Vern’s carries only the best trees suited for the Bitterroot Valley.
Evans Ace understands that spending time in your garden isn’t all about work. We have everything you need to relax and entertain outdoors as well. Add to your bragging rights with grills and accessories from TRAEGER, WEBER, BIG GREEN EGG, GOZNEY, RECTEC, and More! We can ensure you consistent value throughout the growing season with national sales events from now until August. For even more savings Download the Ace App.
15. Cooks’ Gardens, the Greenhouse 363-0212 - 177 Golf Course Rd - Hamilton. Conveniently located just 2 blocks of of Highway 93. A seasonal greenhouse, Cook’s Gardens ofers a selection of unique annuals, deer resistant perennials, grasses, succulents, over 30 varieties of tomatoes, other veggies, yard art and containers. Always friendly, always helpful, we can recommend the right combo for the right spot and we’ll plant up your containers especially for you. April Hours: 10-5, Closed Sundays and Thursdays. May and June hours: Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 11-4
16. The Scented Garden and Greenhouse Owner Sandie Fleischmann 406-363-7405 • 285 Grundy Lane, Hamilton (just of Grantsdale Road, 2 blocks south of Golf Course Road). Watch for the blue and gold signs. Open 10:30 - 4:30 Mon-Fri, 10-4 Sat, 11-3 Sunday. Organic, homegrown and hand cared for quality plants for all your gardening needs, including large hardy perennials, and bedding plants to numerous to mention. Gorgeous hanging baskets, deck and container pots. We give you ideas for your unique look, with color all year long, that adds quality to your home. Open for the season from April until October. If you haven’t seen our beautiful gardens, please stop by! You might even get a few gardening ideas.
17. Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Garden Center & Greenhouse 406-363-7644 - 1189 S. First St. (Hwy 93) Hamilton - South end of Hamilton Open M-Sat, 7:30am-7:00pm, Sunday, 9:30am6:00pm Open All Year!
Murdoch’s is your newest neighborhood Greenhouse. We carry all your gardening essentials. Open all year carrying seasonal plants including a large and eccentric variety of houseplants. Fall bulbs, mums, pansies, Christmas trees (live and cut), Poinsettias, Christmas and Spring cactus, and more. We have a HUGE variety of locally sourced trees, shrubs, vegetables, seeds- both regular and organic,seed starter kits and mini greenhouses, annual bedding plants, hanging baskets, perennials, annuals, fruit trees, berries, bare root berries, seed potatoes, onion sets, Patio Tomatoes ready to go, wide variety of vegetable starts and fowers galore. We carry three types of whiskey barrels, a variety of deck or porch planters & pots, raised garden beds, garden soils and conditioners along with a variety of bark and mulch. We also carry fun garden decorative accents along with chimes, yard furniture and whimsical yard decorations. You can fnd a huge variety of essential garden tools, shade cloth, deer/bird netting, and ground cover to prevent weeds. Check out our huge seasonal isles for all your lawn care needs: You fnd sprinklers large and small, Trimmers& Edgers, Grass & Weed killers, Lawn Safe Weed Killers, Grass and Pasture Seed, Lawn Fertilizers Spot Sprayers, Soil Amendments & Mulch, Garden
Darby community awarded $7,700 in MCF grants
The Montana Community Foundation, Inc. (MCF) is pleased to announce $7,700 in grants to beneft the Darby community.
The grants are from the Darby Town Endowment Fund, established at MCF in 1999 by Richard and Barbara Ackerman and supported by ongoing community contributions. Over the past six years, the Darby Town Endowment Fund has awarded more than $45,000 to 16 organizations that improve the quality of life in the Darby community.
Awardees include:
• Darby Bread Box, with $1,500 to purchase fresh produce for the food bank’s
clients.
• Bitterroot Heritage Center, with $2,000 to create and install informational signage directing visitors to Sacajawea Park, print promotional materials for community events, and support the reinstallation of roadside banners that highlight the town’s heritage.
• Darby Community Public Library, with $890 to purchase a new cataloging computer to replace an aging system.
• Bitterroot Early Learning Network – Evergreen Kids Corner, with $3,310 to replace worn classroom materials for early learning at Little Tigers Child Care.
“The Darby Town Endowment Fund is a great example of how local generosity can create meaningful, lasting change,” said Barbara Ackerman, founding donor and member of the grantmaking committee. “These grants support projects that directly beneft residents today while helping build a stronger Darby for the future.”
Ackerman also thanked the Darby Town Endowment committee members who helped review the applications, including Juli Winthers, Teri Mountford, Andy Massie and Dan Mountford.
MCF proudly partners with donors and
organizations to support a variety of causes and Montana communities through grantmaking. MCF also partners with 45 local community foundation afliates to further statewide philanthropy through grantmaking and building resilient communities. Its afliates ofer annual grants for a broad range of projects to support local community needs.
To see information about grants, the MCF website is viewable at mtcf.org/funding/apply-for-a-grant. To fnd the nearest community foundation afliate, interested persons can visit mtcf.org/impact/local-community-foundations.
Commercial fshing/foating permits available through lottery
A lottery to fll three available permits for commercial fshing and foating on the upper and West Fork of the Bitterroot River is open for entry through May 18, 2026. The upper and West Fork Bitterroot River is a restricted use river, and outftters are required to obtain a permit before conducting commercial operations.
The lottery opened for entry on April 20, and you can still apply online at fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/specialuseriverpermits through May 18.
The three available permits are for a portion of West Fork of the Bitterroot and the upper Bitterroot River from C. Ben White Fishing Access Site (FAS) downstream to Wally Crawford FAS. River access points above C. Ben White FAS are managed by the Forest Service and are not included in this drawing.
The number of commercial permits is capped at 53 annually.
Permits become available periodically when the department conducts a lottery for permits that
have been revoked or abandoned. Three new permittees will be selected from those that enter the lottery. The lottery drawing for permits is scheduled for the week of May 18, 2026. The drawing will be randomized by FWP licensing, and successful applicants will be notifed via email shortly after. Those successful must
then complete an application to receive their permit prior to conducting any commercial use.
Permitted outftters have specifc requirements for operations, and some of the details can be found online at: fwp.mt.gov/
buyandapply/specialuseriverpermits. For more information on the permit lottery and operating requirements, contact FWP Bitterroot District Recreation Manager, Jess Martin, at Jessica.Martin@ mt.gov or 406-273-4253.
Support for Binkley
I spent my career in the Air National Guard and have worked for over 45 years with National Guard, veterans’ services, and military issues in this state. As a former state legislator, I know who stood with us when it counted. That’s why I’m supporting Michelle Binkley as your Representative for House District 85.
I frst met Representative Binkley during the 2023 Legislative Session. I had no idea where she would be as a legislator, but I had to fnd out. What I found was a person who was very focused on supporting her constituents, giving serious consideration on every bill and not following the rest of the sheep, just because the party line was what was expected. That is what every person in HD 85 should expect and be pleased to support.
I looked back at Michelle’s 2023 voting record and was pleased to see that she had a 100% positive voting record on the issues that I tracked for our veterans. What I found Representative Binkley’s focus to be was to listen, learn, consider alternatives, and decide her vote based upon what she thought was best for her district. In those times, she was very supportive of our military and veterans.
Most importantly, Michelle helped defeat the ill-conceived bill called “Defend the Guard.” Don’t let the name fool you — it would do the opposite. I chose to call it “Defund the Guard”. If passed, Montana could lose our National Guard missions entirely and be replaced with only a shell of our current structure. The Department of Defense would simply reassign our missions to other states, taking roughly $132 million a year in federal funding with them.
That’s the money that pays Guard salaries, maintains equipment, and keeps our people ready to respond when Montanans need them — fghting fres, responding to foods and blizzards, aiding in disasters across our wide-open state. Michelle Binkley voted the right way.
So, with my time working with Representative Binkley, I was convinced she always put her constituents frst, would stand up to the dark money groups, party bosses, and out-of-state special interests who are pushing their own agenda at Montana’s expense.
In this race the choice is clear. One candidate has had the back of the Montana National Guard, Montana’s veterans, and most importantly, her constituents. I support Michelle Binkley for election to HD 85, as your next representative.
Roger A. Hagan Retired Chief Master Sergeant, Montana Air National Guard Great Falls (Paid for by Roger A. Hagen.)
Attack ads
The giant postcards fooding our mailboxes make interesting claims against some Republican legislative candidates. For example, Wayne Rusk and David Bedey are accused of “funding radical liberals,” “putting Montana kids in danger,” and “pushing the trans agenda” against kids. How so? According to the ultra-fne print, they voted for House Bill 9 in 2023, (along with 56 other House Republicans). Only 10 Republicans voted “no.” That bill then passed the “woke” Republican-led Senate and was signed by “radical liberal” Governor Greg Gianforte. House Bill 9 authorized grants of $4,000 to $10,000 to 65 organizations around the state. Most were historical and art museums, historical societies, theater companies (including Hamilton Players) and symphonies. They included The Montana Historical Society, The C.M. Russell Museum, and Shakespeare in the Parks. It’s possible that one or more of these organizations may have allowed someone to use their facility who said, wrote, sang, or dramatized something controversial. But it’s a stretch to accuse the majority of Republicans in the Legislature, and Governor Gianforte, of being “Weak, Woke, and too liberal for Montana” because they approved that bill. Apparently this is another dirty trick by the wealthy individuals backing these mailers, to smear primary candidates who haven’t signed onto their agenda. I suspect their real agenda has little to do with “woke” social issues, and more to do with pushing tax and regulatory policies that beneft only the very rich. Before taking any of these attack ads seriously, it’s a
Our Mission
Opinion
good idea to look deeper into the claims made. Considering the kind of character assassination that is routine these days, I applaud the courage of anyone who stands for ofce. Paul Stanton Hamilton
Dark money deception in Hamilton
I recently received a political mailer attacking Representative Dave Bedey, accusing him of “pushing the trans agenda” and “funding the trans agenda with tax dollars.” In tiny, nearly unreadable print at the bottom, the mailer references “HB 9, 2023; HB 9, 2025.”
I looked up these bills. HB 9 appropriates funding for cultural and aesthetic grants—supporting museums, libraries, historical societies, and arts organizations across Montana. The money comes from coal tax trust fund interest, not general tax revenue. There is absolutely nothing in either bill related to LGBTQ issues. Nothing.
Representative Bedey voted for these bills as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. The 2025 committee vote was 22-0—unanimous. All 12 Republicans and all 10 Democrats on the committee voted yes. Both bills passed the full House and Senate and were signed into law by Governor Gianforte.
Based on this mailer’s logic, are all 12 Republicans on the committee, Governor Gianforte, and every legislator who voted yes equally complicit in “supporting the trans and LGBT agenda”? Of course not. None of them are. This is routine governance being twisted into a culture war attack.
The mailer comes from “Accountability in State Government,” based in Lewistown—not in Ravalli County or Dave Bedey’s district. Their website claims they promote “honesty, openness, and responsibility.” Yet this mailer is the opposite: misleading, deceptive, and designed to manipulate voters through fear.
When I searched Montana’s campaign fnance database for this group, I could not locate their registration for 2026. I fled a complaint with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices. The state has since informed me that the committee is, in fact, properly registered. I appreciate this clarifcation.
However, this does not change the disingenuous nature of the mailer. While the committee is registered, their funding sources and expenditures are not easily accessible to voters. We deserve to know who is paying for attack ads in our elections.
More importantly, the content of the mailer is dishonest. It uses infammatory language to deceive voters about what Representative Bedey actually voted for—museum and library funding, not any “trans agenda.” Spreading false information to manipulate voters through fear is wrong, regardless of whether a group is properly registered.
We in Ravalli County should be making decisions about our own representatives based on truth, not misleading claims from groups outside our community spreading lies in tiny print.
Montanans deserve honest campaigns. We deserve to know who’s trying to buy our elections. This mailer is neither honest nor transparent—it’s political propaganda designed to deceive.
We the voters of Ravalli County need to do our homework. Look up the bills ourselves. We should not let anonymous attack ads make our decisions for us.
Klint Cleveland Hamilton
Lone Rock levies
Two fyers came in the mail this week. One asks for a Safety Levy. One asks for a Technology Levy. Both are glossy. Both speak of the children. Both arrive when calf checks are not yet in. I read them twice. Then I read 1 Samuel 8.
Israel asked for a king. Samuel told them what a king would cost: “He will take the tenth of your seed… and ye shall be his servants. And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you.” That was three thousand
years ago. The fyer in your mailbox is the same conversation.
We have been here before, and not only in Scripture. The colonists fought the crown’s quitrents — a small annual rent on land already paid for. The Whiskey Rebellion fought a tax on a still. Howard Jarvis and the kitchen-table revolt of 1978 capped what the assessor could do in California. Each generation has had to relearn the same lesson: a perpetual fee on a paid-for home is not a tax. It is a tenancy.
Begin with a one-room school. Add a building. Add a bus. Add a counselor. Add a second counselor. Add a “safety coordinator.” Add a “technology director.” Add a bond to fund the building. Add a levy to staf the bond. Add a levy to renew the levy. Each step is reasonable in isolation. None of them is reasonable in sequence. The result is what we have: a permanent class of people whose salaries depend on the levy passing. The children are the costume. The salaries are the constituency.
I love these children. I do not believe these levies serve them. I will vote for a school. I will not vote for a campus. I will vote for a teacher. I will not vote for a consultant. I will vote once. I will not vote again next year for the same thing under a new name.
A longer version of this letter, with the history laid out and the Scriptures cited in full, is posted at dolltv.com/the-levy.
“But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fg tree; and none shall make them afraid.” — Micah 4:4
Brian R. Edwards Stevensville
The Dailey Double: Cut Military Pay, Fail Basic Taxes
Kim Dailey is running for HD 85 on a platform of hypocrisy and a stunning inability to read a spreadsheet. When asked which budget item she’d cut frst? she said, “military pay.” According to Dailey, our troops simply “make too much.”
The Problem? That’s not true. Nor is Military pay a state issue. It’s federal! Dailey doesn’t even know which level of governance she is running for! But if it were, she would vote to cut their pay! Nice huh? Vets should remember this when early balloting comes out soon.
When reminded that junior enlisted families are literally on food stamps, Dailey ofered a dismissive, “We did it and so can they.”
Dailey can tell the people bleeding for this country to “suck it up” while bragging about owning fve long-term rental houses and whining about the taxes she must pay on them.
Sounding like a coastal liberal, Dailey grumbled that she wasn’t getting the same “tax break” as single-home owners. There’s just one tiny, embarrassing problem: Montana law already gives her that break.
Long-term rentals qualify for the same lower-tax structure as primary residences. If Kim isn’t seeing that beneft, it’s because she didn’t fll out the paperwork or was too uninformed to know the law exists.
If she can’t manage a fve-house portfolio without tripping over the state code, she has no business touching the state budget.
In contrast, Michele Binkley respects the military and unlike Kim, she can read a tax form. Binkley’s frst priority is sponsoring a bill to remove taxes from military and senior retirement accounts.
She’s even ofered to sit Kim down after the June 2nd primary to teach her how spreadsheets work.
Voters in HD 85 and SD 43 need to be careful. Kim Dailey and Kathy Love don’t know budgeting while Binkley and Bedey do. Rusk in HD86 does too.
If you want to talk to these candidates, show up to the Hamilton Elks Club on May 14th at 5:30 p.m. for the realtors’ debate. You’ll see that Binkley, Rusk, and Bedey know what they’re talking about. Love and Dailey do NOT! Ask them about the funding for HB 8 – see what they say. When ballots come out soon, vote for Bedey, Binkley and Rusk who know what their constituents (and the law) look like as they knock on doors to meet them.
Love and Dailey stay at home, allowing the
election to be bought by the AFP that is funding their campaigns. $30,000 for three months is not chump change. Why is the AFP buying their vote? Does Sheep Creek mine come to the front? Come ask them and fnd out!!
Helen Sabin Corvallis
Sheep Creek, yet again
The music continues, and the shufe is the same. The Forest Service is continuing its policy of non-disclosure. The proponent for the project now promises transparency while stating that the previous proposal was not factual. That, despite previous claims that it was factual.
One cannot help but wonder why the future holds greater promise.
Any future presentation continuing any proposal is akin to saying it’s possible to be a little bit pregnant.
The magnitude is not the problem. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PROPOSAL EXISTS. PERIOD.
Nothing can be said in any context or feld of experience that can justify the proposed project in the Bitterroot Valley. The sacrifce, and that is the right word, is far too great and exceeds any reasonable expectation.
The illustration using a three-legged stool ofers nothing in terms of support simply because it begins with a positive premise in each instance.
The frst was the positive beneft to the economy. Piling up manure doesn’t make it edible. No matter how many ways it’s expressed, the record is clear, and there is no need to repeat it. The Valley would be destroyed in every respect. Agricultural production would be impossible, and the quality of life would decrease to thirdworld levels. So much for the frst leg.
Now the real “shot below the water line” is to bring up national defense.
First, as though a negative outcome would afect national defense. That is indefensible. Contained within the statement is an implication regarding one’s allegiance to the Republic if they do not support his proposal. I would observe that the number of Valley residents who are Veterans probably exceeds his expectations and that their reaction to the aforementioned implication would be less than amicable.
The third leg, being the environmental impact, is an insult to anyone aware of their surroundings and not worthy of further discussion.
To wrap this up, you are asking the community to believe you have the ability to make a stool seat foat in the air. Added to that is the departure of former associates, the contraction of which forces the changes taking place. Said changes are being presented as an efort on your part to reconcile diferences between you and the community. The truth is that the anticipated changes are forced upon you due to circumstance and have nothing to do with reconciliation. You are running out of choices.
The potential of federal funding due to the needs of society, including the military, is the pot of gold you visualize, and that is your goal.
The pot of gold is your objective, not national security. Not a social beneft. You would realize that the unjust beneft while having the Bitterroot Valley pay the price.
NOT TODAY, NOT EVER! GIVE IT UP AND GO AWAY.
William (Bill) Campbell Conner
Take a stand
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame studied responses from 45,000 voting-age Americans, and they found that about half of the U.S. population expresses an attitude of democratic neutrality.
About half the voting-age population is unwilling to either support or oppose public policies and political practices that undermine democracy. That includes voters across the political spectrum, in both political parties, as well as independents.
“These ‘democratic neutrals’ are what the study’s co-authors consider some of the most dangerous voters in the current political environment,” according to the press release from the university.
Democracy is under attack, there is little
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Bitterroot Star editorials are written from the position of the newspaper. The personal columns and letters appearing on the Opinion page and elsewhere in the paper represent the opinion of single individuals and do not necessarily refect the position of the newspaper. The Star welcomes public comment and encourages letters to the editor. Letters on local topics or issues are given priority for publication. Letters should be 450 words or less. Shorter letters generally have a better chance of prompt publication. While letters expressing appreciation for a specifc, out-of-the-ordinary action are welcomed, letters with lists of names of contributors, donors or volunteers are not accepted as letters to the editor. Author’s name, address and phone number (for verifcation, not publication) are required. We do not run letters anonymously. We attempt to run all letters, but reserve the right to edit for length, accuracy, clarity, content and libel. We ask that writers email letters to us, and do not turn them in by hand. This increases the chances the letters will get printed. Our staf already has a full workload.
public support for undemocratic practices, yet about half of Americans are unwilling to express an opinion or take a stand.
Personally, I blame authoritarian backers who make politics look dirty, who own the corporate media that discourage public participation in decision making, who encourage agitators to disrupt public meetings down to the local level, and who oppose funding public education.
I wondered what the experts found so I turned to the research article.
Matthew E.K. Hall, B. Tyler Leigh, and Brittany C. Solomon published their research under the title “The Overlooked Threat of Democratic Neutrality in the USA” in the prestigious journal Nature Human Behaviour.
The problem, as they defned it, is half of us don’t support or oppose undemocratic measures. Half are neutral. By being neutral, a person can become complicit in undemocratic practices such as censoring media outlets, denying election results, and jailing people without due process of the law set by democratic process.
“Neutrality can threaten democracy,” wrote Hall, Leigh, and Solomon.
The neutrality could be an expression of uncertainty, indiference, ambivalence, or conditionality, or an avoidance of expressing opinions.
The authors continued, “Like the few Americans who explicitly endorse violations of democratic norms, democratic neutrals do not seem to care whether politicians undermine democracy.”
The danger is that neutrality is being used by authoritarian and extremist movements, and facilitated by social media, misinformation, and political uncertainty.
Neutrality can erode democracy!
Democracy is a lifestyle of participating in decision making—at the ballot box, at public meetings, in public speech and print.
Democracy depends upon the individual, as well as the minority and the majority, expressing their opinions, saying what they think, on public issues. It is a messy deliberative process that allows each and every one the opportunity to infuence public policies and practices.
Many of us have learned this through our introduction to parliamentary procedure in the Scouts, 4-H, or similar youth groups. As a tool of democracy, parliamentary procedure balanced the rights and considered the opinions of all present. The term parliamentary derived through Middle English and Old French from parler, parlier—to speak, talk. Civics class in public school reinforced the lesson.
Democracy enables a group of people to make fair and equitable decisions.
“We must take sides,” said Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, when accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986.
He explained, “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
We must take sides. It is our right and our
Viewpoint
Anne Millbrooke Bozeman
For a moment, step inside these shoes: You have never committed a crime, and yet you’re locked in a cage inside a windowless warehouse. You’re counting the fruit fies on the ceiling while lying on a metal cot, because there are no books, televisions, or decks of cards to help you pass the time. You’ve packed toilet paper in your ears to mufe the echoing cries of an infant.
You’re thin and frail, because the food you’ve been given is only edible when your hunger pangs are too strong to ignore. Lacking medication, your arthritis has worsened and you keep having heart palpitations. A cage-mate named Gabriel was beaten to the foor last week when he begged to see a doctor. Only when he stopped moving did the guards notice his rash and realize that “sarampión” is Spanish for “measles.” You haven’t seen him since.
It’s for the best that your family knows nothing about any of this. You haven’t spoken with them in almost a year. You hope you’ll be reunited with them soon, unaware that your lawyer’s current priority is keeping you from being deported to an impoverished country where you don’t know anyone: Rwanda or Uzbekistan, perhaps, or maybe Eswatini – a country you don’t even know exists.
You have no idea how lucky you are to be lying on a metal cot, hungry and achy and counting fruit fies. There are 22 of them. You give them names, put them in minuscule jerseys, and quietly channel Al Michaels as you imagine your grandson’s favorite fruit fy football team winning the Super Bowl with a Hail Mary.
You choose to believe that Americans of conscience are calling their representatives on behalf of you and Gabriel and the unvaccinated infant who won’t stop crying. Maybe this nightmare will end soon. You cannot fathom that your neighbors have stopped watching the evening news because they don’t want to know you are narrating fy football games and choking down servings of bug-infested gruel.
Now step out of those shoes: In 1961, President Kennedy said to the Canadian Parliament, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Maybe you are old enough to remember when he frst spoke so eloquently on your behalf: It was on the evening news, back when televisions still had knobs and changing the channel required actual efort.
Karen “Tana” Walsh Hamilton
Homeless outreach
For many years there has been a problem with considerable numbers of people in Ravalli County being homeless. A problem that is getting worse as the County fails to address the rising cost of housing. Until four years ago, or so, the numbers of homeless people were
large and growing. Several organizations were attempting to address the issue and there was a lot of media coverage in both print media in the Valley about those attempts.
In stepped Pastor Harris Himes reaching out to the homeless in the valley with an opportunity to have a place to lay their heads and get shelter at a sliding scale of cost according to the situation of each family. With several buildings on the campus of the Big Sky Christian Center, he started putting together housing for families in all situations. Almost single handedly he took care of the homelessness problem in the County! The numbers have dropped drastically. These people are so grateful for this opportunity to have a “home”. In order to help those still with no home after his buildings were full, he added some trailers and mobile homes to the property that were soon full.
Sanhedrin like, the County started threatening him with their “mighty power”. That was after the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the organization that inspects septic systems in the county, advised Harris that he was following the law.
Some people make fun of Pastor Himes because his sole motivation is to be a Christlike person and house the many people that need it; the least of these, at a cost that they can aford.
Typical of the powerful County Attorney and the County Government in general, they have now fled a preliminary injunction and have caused 28 people to go homeless! The legal charges and threats threaten the rest of the homeless.
There are interesting examples of the use of power and authority in the scriptures. There is the power and authority to reach out and love people and help people do good and grow and be safe. And then there is the use of authority that has no heart. That always hurts. In this situation the use of power and threats is about as anti-Christ-like as possible. They could work with him if they would, but they would rather see people back out in the street as they practice their great “power”. Is that what we want in our beautiful County? Or does caring, love and working together sound like a better way to go, in this situation especially.
Dallas D. Erickson Stevensville
Montana wave
I moved to the Bitterroot Valley from a place south of Darby almost ten years ago. When I settled here, I noticed how almost everyone waved as you passed by each other in your vehicle. I actually saw a report on the local news about the “Montana Wave,” and felt how special it was to be able to recognize your fellow Bitterrooters in this way. I remember thinking, if I waved at people in my former town, it would probably end in a police report, or at least a “fnger wave,” back at me.
But recently I’ve noticed that the Montana wave is hardly used anymore. That’s disappointing to say the least. Let’s bring it back. Maybe not while traveling on Hwy 93, or Eastside
Hwy, but how about Hamilton Heights, or Golf Course, or other non major thoroughfares. Let’s stay friendly Montana. Diferences in opinions, sure, but l say “keep Montana friendly.” James K. Rummell Corvallis
A
vote
for Kowal
Hello neighbors, I have lived and worked in Ravalli County for 19 years. Like most folks here, I want our county commissioner to be someone who can hit the ground running. That’s why I’m voting for Stephen Kowal.
As someone who has spent a 40 year career in fnance, I’ve learned one simple truth: you never put someone in a big leadership role if they haven’t already managed people and budgets. Ravalli County has a 2026 budget of $44.6M and more than 200 employees. County commissioner isn’t a ‘learn on the fy’ position. This is an executive position with risks that are real — costly mistakes, slow decisions, frustrated departments, and poor stewardship of our tax dollars can hurt every family, rancher, and business in our beautiful valley.
Stephen has proven leadership experience. For over 25 years, he has successfully managed teams of people and controlled budgets in demanding environments. He knows how to cut waste, stretch limited resources, get departments and volunteer boards working together, use innovative thinking and deliver real results without burdening taxpayers. He will apply business experience and fnancial expertise where it is needed, including auditing fnancial records if necessary to fnd out where our tax dollars are going.
Until moving here fve years ago, his opponent was a lifelong California public employee. While that dedication is admirable, public service alone has not prepared him for the scale and complexity of managing an entire county’s operations and taxpayer resources.
Another factor in my support for Stephen Kowal is his consistent messaging on growth and protecting our natural resources. Growth and natural resources are critical issues facing Ravalli County and will become more so in the next few years.
Stephen’s platform is THOUGHTFUL GROWTH, RESPONSIBLE SPENDING AND RESILIENT JOBS.
These aren’t just slogans. These are key issues facing Ravalli County in the coming years, and Stephen has done a tremendous amount of research and listening to residents in an efort to address these problems.
We have about 20,000 people voting in this primary, and the Republican primary determines who will be our next new commissioner. Mail-in ballots went out Friday, May 8. As a reminder, ALL of Ravalli County votes for EVERY county commissioner, regardless which district is up for election.
If you want steady, experienced and innovative leadership that protects our valley’s future, I hope you’ll join me in supporting Stephen Kowal for Ravalli County Commissioner. Mike Kaufman Florence
Proven Conservative
MICHELE BINKLEY
WAYNE RUSK
Montana families deserve a representative who answers to them — not to political insiders or party bosses in Helena. Wayne Rusk is a proven conservative that will fight for Montana values.
DEFEND YOUR PROPERTY TAX CUT
PROVEN CONSERVATIVE LEADER
SMALLER, SMARTER GOVERNMENT
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