sculptures, a hay maze, scarecrow making and more. The youth participants range in age from 14 to 19 years old. Some are special needs, and some are looking at agriculture as a potential career path.
This event was really youth helping youth. One thing Garber said she was proud of was how the interns built the maze, which has seen a lot of use, even outside of the main Halloween event, the last couple weeks. According to her, “They did it knowing a lot of people were going to enjoy it.” For them, that butterfy efect is integral to what they teach.
This event was part of Cultivating Connections Montana’s “Giveback” initiative, where the interns work to grow food, prepare it, package it and give it back to the community. A big part of that initiative is the number of events, like this last weekend. During the event, youth interns and adult organizations
staf and volunteers dressed up in Halloween costumes and manned several stations. Garber dressed up as an astronaut and helped at the wood-fred pizza station. Garber said it was just great to be outside, even though there was a little drizzle last Saturday.
The event went from 1:30 to 5 p.m. and families with young children were encouraged to attend, and Garber said the goal of this event has been to reach this demographic. “How can we engage people at every level?” Garber said this was their discussion before creating many of their events.
Another big part of Cultivating Connections Montana is the farm stand at Homestead Organics Farm.
Stacey Fetterman, the farm stand
manager and internship program assistant, said the farm stand is a self-serve store, on the honor system. It is an all local store that carries produce and products produced mostly from the local area, and all with connections to Montana. “We strive to support Montana made,” said Fetterman. Everything the store makes goes back into the nonproft, most of which goes to help pay the youth interns. Fetterman said the organization strives to donate about 75% of their products to the community, through other initiatives like Haven House Food Bank, veteran organizations and more. 25% is sold at the farm stand. They also carry other local organizations’ foods and products.
The interns work the farm and help
run the events put on by Cultivating Connections Montana. They also learn to grow their own food and produce products and recipes for food they produce. The youth program has two sessions; one in the fall, and one in the spring. During these sessions, the organization plans and hosts these events.
When asked why she’s involved with this, Fetterman said, “The mission statement for the organization is something like, ‘Change your food, change your life,’ and I really believe that. I really believe in our youth and that we need to spend time with them.”
For more information on Cultivating Connections Montana, interested parties can fnd their website at cultivatingconnectionsmt.org.
Above, visitors take part in the vegetable sculptures part of the event. Below, Havanah Davis, a youth intern with Cultivating Connections Montana, holds a baby chick and mans the booth where young children can interact with baby birds. Photos by John Dowd.
The 2025 Montana big game general hunting season opened Saturday, October 25. Harvest totals were on track with last year’s opener for elk and just above for deer in the west-central part of the state, according to data collected at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife check stations near Anaconda, Bonner, Darby and Fish Creek.
“We had a little wind, rain, and snow this weekend, but that didn’t seem to slow anyone down,” said Kirstie Yeager, FWP wildlife biologist in the upper Clark Fork. “Hunters enjoyed their time in the woods and brought in a few nice animals.”
At the Anaconda hunter check sta-
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primary objective for the entities. That way, they can fne-tune community
and the way the community would like to see these things remedied. According to Arps, it can be a challenge drawing feedback from a community. However, Arps added that there is no such thing as too much, and they want everyone to chime in. “Every single comment is important,” said Arps.
Great West Engineering is providing professional expertise and in helping to quantify all the feedback, which can be a huge task.
According to Kevin Angland, a planner with Great West Engineering, they take all of the feedback and have to fnd a way to make it actionable. Some of the feedback may not necessarily be actionable, or it may be ill-informed concern. According to Arps and Angland, this can actually be a great opportunity to identify gaps in education and communication within the community.
One example of this was a comment from the community survey on more participation in community events and the difculty fnding information on those events. According to Arps, those
tion where Yeager is stationed, hunters checked nine elk and fve deer. On the other side of the region, the hunter check station near Darby saw 87 elk and 23 deer, compared to 72 and 18 on last year’s opening weekend.
“It was a slower start on Saturday due to weather, but the weather wasn’t as bad as initially forecasted, so the harvest picked up on Sunday,” said Rebecca Mowry, FWP wildlife biologist in the Bitterroot Valley. “We had a couple kids come through the Darby station with their frst elk, as well as one adult,” Mowry said.
Elk harvest in the Blackfoot Valley was below last year’s opener, as measured at the check station near Bon-
ner, however a steady fow of whitetail deer came through the check station both Saturday and Sunday along with a handful of mule deer. Males of all three species tended to be on the younger side; however, biologists also reported checking two older buck mule deer at the station.
For the second year in a row, more hunters passed through the stations collectively this opening weekend compared to the year before. The Fish Creek station in Mineral County was busy with hunters and checked eight white-tailed deer, including fve bucks and three does, over the weekend.
Overall, west-central Montana’s four wildlife check stations saw 2,549
hunters collectively compared to 2,378 in the 2024 opener. Those hunters checked 105 elk, compared to 107 in 2024; 27 mule deer, compared to 18 last year; and 80 white-tailed deer, compared to 66.
All hunters must stop at check stations FWP reminds hunters they must stop at all check stations that they pass, even if they have not harvested any animals. Although wildlife check stations sample a relatively small portion of the overall efort and harvest, they capture important trends and biological information, and by stopping you are helping with wildlife management in Montana.
kinds of things are not usually in the purview of a municipality. However, this could be a way the Town website could be improved, and create a more integral relationship between the Town of Stevensville and community members.
Angland spoke on how they process the massive amounts of information they collect, and said their frst step is usually to categorize it, and make goals based on that feedback. Then, Great West Engineering will speak with the planning and zoning board on the feedback. During that time they will go through it piece by piece, issue by issue, like a “heat map.”
According to Angland, after a growth policy is fnished, Great West Engineering will also help fnd fnancial opportunities such as grants, foundations and more, on projects that are decided to take priority.
Angland said, when looking at Stevensville community concerns specifcally, there was an obvious consensus on a few issues. These included housing, which Angland described as a “mixed bag.”
During the open house, it was
apparent that people knew that there needed to be some fx for a lack of housing, especially afordable housing. However, Angland specifed, it seemed there was also some split as far as the type of housing and where to put it. In speaking with community members that attended, some were concerned about the prospect of putting group afordable housing in town, as it could drop property values and take away from the small community feel that Stevensville residents appreciate. There were suggestions of planning afordable housing on the highways, or just outside of town, in order to maintain the current perceived ‘small town charm’ while addressing the need for more housing.
On the other side of that, there were voices for the need to build that housing in town, and the potential for a greater tax base from inside the town limits. This would bring more income for projects, including essential ones like infrastructure, and superfcial ones like beautifcation.
Arps explained that towns and communities need to be specifc with their goals and objectives, because this
can make them more competitive for grants and other resources. The better they do creating their policy, the more it can bring them to the top of the list to receive help. That takes major weight of the shoulders of local taxpayers.
The DOC and the Stevensville Planning and Zoning Board also looked at the old growth policy in order to track previous goals and see that those needs are still being brought to a resolution. Some are even moved to the next phase, and this policy update process tries to keep all that on track.
For those looking for more information, they can speak to the Stevensville Planning and Zoning Board for suggestions. Interested parties can contact the Town of Stevensville for information on board meeting dates and times. According to Arps, there is also a virtual option, in the form of a video group call every two weeks between various partners in the project, including the DOC, Great West Engineering and the board. Arps said everyone is welcome to participate in that, and again, more information can be found by contacting the Town of Stevensville.
WOODCHUCK: preliminary plat approved unanimously
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paying for the water and not getting the beneft,” commented Burrows.
The Commissioners found the impacts on agricultural water use facilities to be sufciently mitigated.
The state criteria for impacts on the Natural Environment with respect to impacts on nearby surface water also became an issue. Commissioner Burrows noted that, according to the developer’s hydrological analysis, Eightmile Creek and Woodchuck Creek are not hydrologically connected to the Deep Basin Fill Aquifer due to a confning layer, therefore, there is no potential for contamination or depletion of these nearby water features. But in the same report it states that some wells on the property may be coming from the shallow basin aquifer created by a confning layer of clay.
Asked which wells would be in the deep aquifer and which would be in the shallow aquifer, hydrologist Howard Newman said there was no way of knowing until the wells were installed.
Newman said that there would be no impact on the creek regardless of which aquifer was being tapped. He
said the deep aquifer was not hydrologically connected to the stream for certain and though the shallow aquifer may or may not be connected to the creek they would still not impact the stream because the groundwater fow in the area was parallel to the creek and not fowing toward it. He said the ground fow in the area where the wells would be installed had been mapped and does not intersect Eightmile Creek.
The developer’s report also indicated that neighboring wells down gradient could experience up to two tenths of a foot drawdown by the proposed groundwater use on the subdivision.
The Commissioners found that the proposed mitigation measures for impacts on the natural environment to be sufciently mitigated. Later in the meeting, however, Donine Delel, a resident living west of the proposed subdivision who had trouble getting connected by phone, made late comments expressing concern that the public information being used to make the decisions about the impacts on water were outdated and that the area had
been severely impacted by drought since that data was collected. She thought an up-to-date study should be done. She said residents in the River View Subdivision to the west were currently measuring wells and have determined that the water table is dropping.
“So all of this development is impacting all of us,” said Delel. “So I want you to know that we are very concerned and when you drop 18 more straws into either the shallow or deep aquifers in this area you are going to impact everyone further down gradient from you.”
The Commissioners’ fnal decision about the subdivision as a whole was that all identifed potential negative impacts on the subdivision had been sufciently mitigated and they approved the
preliminary plat proposal unanimously.
The Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce’s Agriculture and Local Foods Committee will host an open house on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Teller Barn in Corvallis, to recognize Rob Johnson for his lifetime commitment and dedication to the agriculture community in the Bitterroot and across Montana.
Born in eastern Montana near Glendive on a farm where they raised sugar beets, oats, corn and Hereford cattle, Johnson led a cowboy’s life working with horses and herding cattle. In 1957, Johnson joined the frst rodeo team at University of Montana, then went on to Montana State University where he received a B.S. in Agriculture Business. He then graduated with his master’s degree in agriculture economics from the University of Nebraska in 1972. He became the Mineral County Extension agent from 1966-1968, Yellowstone County agent from 1968-1972, then relocated to the Bitterroot to become Ravalli County Extension agent until 2008.
“G. Rob Johnson exemplifes a civic minded community servant,” said Jay Meyer, Johnson’s longtime friend
youth in agriculture, livestock producers, weed management, and so much more,” said Kierstin Schmitt, chair of the Ag and Local Foods Committee and staf at WARC. “We here at WARC are eternally grateful for Rob’s commitment to our Advisory Committee and our work helping farmers and homeowners grow food to feed themselves and others. This event also aligns with MSU College of Agriculture’s Celebrate Ag Week (Nov 3-7) and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to honor Rob.”
The Bitterroot Chamber’s Agriculture and Local Foods Committee started in January 2024 and its mission is “strengthening Bitterroot Valley farmers, ranchers and producers through collaboration, advocacy, and promotion to support our economy, preserve open spaces, and honor our agricultural heritage for present
Any questions about the event can be sent to Kierstin.schmitt@montana.
Rob Johnson. Photo by Perry Backus.
I think we should bring tipis back
I recently inherited a tipi from my great uncle. He was a true mountain man, attending black powder rendezvous events all over the West. He also spent most of his life hunting and fshing the mountains, deserts and valleys of Oregon and the surrounding states. He built naugahyde, wood-frame kayaks and foated raging rivers, with nothing but duck tape as his repair kit. Knowing him was about as close as I could ever come to knowing John Muir.
He was a poet, an astronomer, a librarian, a survivalist, a soldier, a dentist, a trapper, a hunter and a photographer. He must have taken photos of every single plant and animal he saw, no matter how big or how small.
However, one of the greatest things I remember about my Uncle Dean Dowd was his tipi.
Dean set that tipi up nearly every summer until the year he passed away. I was lucky enough to be the one to get it; a tipi he made himself.
by John Dowd
I’ve hiked, backpacked, camped and survived all over the country, but I never have spent an overnight in a legitimate tipi. In fact, I never considered how ingenious they are until receiving the one Dean built. When I got it, it was missing some parts, and at the end, I’m sure he just set up the outer frame for the grandkids, and everything else must have been used until it fell apart.
Bringing that tipi back to life has opened my eyes to a whole forgotten type of tent that really was the best way to camp in this environment we call the American West. There was a pretty good reason Ol’ Dean chose that way to camp.
For starters, I had to fnd the right amount of poles, and found that the number matters, but not as much as I previously thought. The more poles, the less sag there will be in the fnal structure, so having the right number for one’s particular tipi is a balancing act. How many do I want to carry? How many do I need for this thing to be taut?
The next element that blew my mind about the tipi, and the thing that makes them magic in the woods, is the internal lining. I have had to make my own, as the one that Dean had must have disappeared long ago. This is a sheet that runs around the inside of the outer cone, that reaches maybe only head height. It is then tucked in, and the outer cone sits above the ground an inch or two. This creates an air gap between the tipi walls and the liner. It also,
cleverly, creates a thruster efect, allowing the draw of air from the outside, under the outer cone, and between the shell and the liner. What this does is funnel air up, as a fre is kept inside, and the rising heat and smoke causes a suction efect. The result is a signifcant lack of smoke in the tent, and impressive insulation. That fre on the inside is what gave the villages of tipis their nickname, “lanterns on the prairie.”
There was often a foor liner added, and sometimes a second horizontal sheet hung overhead to further insulate the users from the outside environment. Tipis were commonplace across the plains, and into the Rockies. Versions of them were used as far south as Texas, and well up into Canada. They were so efective that many mountain men and pioneers utilized tipis as their portable and seasonal homes. Tipis came as large as 20 or more feet in diameter, or as small as 12 feet. Even the smallest ones could house several people, and that happens to be about the size of Uncle Dean’s.
For me, it will be the perfect hunting tent. Many people today rave about getting hold of a good wall
canvas tent, and those are wonderful. However, they are very European. They are blocky, and need special holes cut for their stoves. I don’t mean to characterize these things as negatives, as they are great tents. However, having now become familiar with the tipi, I can easily say these things give wall tents a real run for their money. Wall tents are argued to be more efcient in their foor plan and use of space, and they could also be considered waterproof in some conditions. But I would also like to attest to the afordability of a good tipi.
Tipis don’t need a stove; they are the stove. Tipis were developed over thousands of years by the native peoples of the Americas, and likely have roots back into Asia and Russia during the Ice Age. They have a long lineage because they simply work, and they work well. On top of all that, I think it to be quite the sight, those little lanterns strewn across prairie-land. I would, myself, love one day perhaps to see those villages of yellow cones, Indian lanterns, camping once more. What a thought that would be. Let’s bring tipis back into style.
Clearwater Credit Union TrailWest Bank
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THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR 46TH ANNUAL MCINTOSH APPLE DAY & 11TH ANNUAL LIQUID APPLE NIGHT A SMASHING SUCCESS!
From, your friends at the Ravalli County Museum & Bitter Root Valley Historical Society
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A special thank you to everyone who contributed to this event behind the scenes, attended the events, helped spread the word and in any way supported the Ravalli County Museum!
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Uncle Dean’s tipi, the last time he set it up at his house in Oregon. Photo by John Dowd.
Losing of minds
The October 15th letter of Jerry Esmay was not 100% correct. In fact, not even close. He furnished to the readers quite an impressive list of what “seems clear” to him to be the evidence that liberals’ minds have been lost. Another example of why anyone who groups together many millions of people as homogeneously identical people based upon what an infnitesimally small number of them may have said, should maybe seek sociological counseling.
Starting with the topic of Middle Eastern peace now being established forever and ever, and full credit owed to Donald Trump, how many of us do you think, Mr. Esmay, are going to wager money that the nearly eight decades of modern history will now be reversed? Maybe I missed something about the just-signed Agreement and the negotiations, but were the actual combatants, whose war was just entirely stopped in its tracks, so much as present? Who from Hamas or Israel attended, negotiated, agreed to the terms and signed? The likelihood that this agreement is more than a pipe dream and only a short paragraph in future history texts is very much as up in the air as are many “peace” deals before it. Place your bets.
Another Esmay attempt to frame liberal thinking as mindless came with the assertion that liberals objected to tightening the U.S. border and Esmay’s recollection that the border was closed in days by Trump. Take a look back at what the liberals were objecting to and you will see the wild, lawless and anti-Constitutional tactics Trump instituted were what drew liberal criticism. Your looking back might do well to expand its scope from what appears you regularly rely upon. Jesse Watters, Maria Bartiromo, Mark Levin, etc.? You’ll do better with actual journalists. Really.
Tarifs are good and a stroke of genius by Trump? Possibly Esmay hasn’t heard, because of where he news-sources, about the disastrous outcomes already being experienced by agriculture. Many other components of our economy also. Who would not mention at least a few of the “on day one” campaign promises like everything would become cheaper, taxation burdens would drop, … blah blah blah. How about the myths about the crime rates going bonkers where Democrats dominate governance? Esmay parroted this b.s. in his paragraph 3, but crime statistics prove the exact opposite! He goes on to criticize those who tried to remind us that the MAGA ambassador-to-the-college-aged, Charlie Kirk, was numerous times not shy about voicing denigration of females, homeless and much more. It wasn’t enough that the folks who have documented Kirk’s character failings always acknowledged that murdering someone was not a remedy to bigotry. No, but now what’s clear is that a solid MAGA missionary must be adored and his 1st Amendment right is limitless and liberals get to play with rulebook B. Esmay doesn’t understand why black citizens are fed up with burying their sons who get snufed by public employees. It’s still a big deal with liberals too, but I won’t waste ink here trying to explain this, which the prior million explanations don’t seem to have been paid attention to. How did Esmay’s paragraph 5 and 6 go? Here we fnd the requisite Far-Right accusation of the Democrats going socially
Opinion
responsible, a terrible thing to folks who can’t get around to reading the Constitution beyond “We the people.” So many must just stop there AND haven’t learned the diferences between “social” and “commune.”
Bill Jones Stevensville
FEMA and King Biden
If you thought federal overreach couldn’t sink any lower, think again. A bombshell report from DHS dropped just days ago, lays bare a chilling truth: starting in September 2021, under President Joe Biden’s direction, FEMA turned disaster relief into a partisan witch hunt. Employees and contractors weren’t just helping hurricane victims or food survivors - they were snooping on their politics, fagging Trump yard signs, gun decals, and even MAGA hats as red fags. These weren’t random jottings; they were deliberate markers to steer aid away from “undesirable” everyday Americans who dared to vote red or own a rife. This isn’t incompetence; it’s calculated cruelty. Picture this: you’re in Kentucky after devastating foods, your home’s washed away, and instead of a FEMA crew at your door, they’re driving past because your porch fag screams the wrong message.
The DHS probe calls it out plain: this info was irrelevant and unnecessary for relief eforts, yet it was collected, stored, and worse, used to discriminate. Political litmus tests for survival? That’s not aid; that’s authoritarianism dressed in bureaucratic khakis. It’s disgusting, a betrayal of the core promise that in America’s darkest hours, government stands for all of us, not just the compliant.
And here’s the kicker that exposes the rot: this is the same crew that spent years screeching about no one is above the law and wielding the No Kings rally cry like a moral scepter. Remember the Biden-Harris war chest ads? No one is above the law. No one is a king. It was their noble vow to check Trump’s supposed strongman vibes, to protect democracy from would-be monarchs. Hypocrisy doesn’t even cover it; this is projection on steroids. If denying aid based on bumper stickers isn’t playing king, what is? Biden’s FEMA didn’t just bend the rules; they forged a crown out of red tape, deciding who lives or rebuilds based on ideology. It’s the very unchecked power they condemned, only now it’s aimed at heartland conservatives, not some imagined autocrat. This proves the No Kings mantra was never about principle - it was a smokescreen for their own royal decrees.
When Trump faced accusations of slow-walking aid (often debunked or contextualized), the outrage was thunderous. But under Biden? Crickets from the media machine that amplifed every Trump tweet. No investigations, no viral hashtags, just quiet complicity until a new administration’s probe cracked it open. Now, with referrals to the DOJ for potential charges, we see the double standard in neon: one side’s discretion is the other’s treason.
America deserves better than this two-tiered tyranny. Congress must haul these FEMA holdovers before hearings, strip the political rot from our relief systems, and enshrine ironclad rules: aid isn’t a loyalty test, it’s a right.
To the Biden apologists still clutching their No Kings signs: save it. Your emperor’s got no clothes, and worse, he’s left foodwaters lapping at the doors of folks you deemed unworthy. Time to drain the swamp, starting with this foul chapter. Our disasters don’t discriminate; neither should our government.
Patty Franklin Hamilton
Hope we can stay on this path
I graduated high school in 1975, a few years after the Vietnam war. I went into logging and even wine grape growing until the economy tanked under Carter. With a wife and two children, jobs hard to fnd, I joined the Army in 1981. My plan was to do 4 years, get the GI bill, go to college and raise my family. My frst duty station was Ft. Campbell, OK, but after a year I was sent to Schofeld Barracks, Hawaii. When my four years was coming up my wife said, this isn’t so bad, civilian life was still rocky, so I decided to make a career out of it. Twenty years later 9/11 happened so I had a couple of tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before I could retire in 2006, I retired to California to help out my parents. My mom died in 2015, my wife unexpectedly in 2017 and my father in 2018.
Always hating California, I moved to Montana. I love this state where personal responsibility is the rule. The bed you make is the one you lay in, nobody owes you anything. Sure, you hit hard times, there’s a hand up, but it’s not a forever handout.
I’ve been reading the Bitterroot Star since I moved here. Reading the opinion page you would think we are from Seattle. I always just let it go; working people don’t have time to write letters and complain about why everything isn’t free.
I fnally reached my breaking point with the October 15th “Voter’s remorse” letter. Nobody in their right mind would want to change their vote to probably the worst possible candidate ever for president, Harris. Just imagine if she were president what the country and world would look like.
The crazy left has always been the squeaky wheel that gets all the attention. I just hope there are enough real Americans to keep this country on the right path.
John Leary Stevensville
Voting is not enough
We are fummoxed. The No Kings rally in Hamilton – over 750 people –brought out old and young and stands in contrast to silence from our friends in the other party. We asked, “Why weren’t there more Republicans in the rally?” The answer shocked us. “They didn’t know about it.” Huh? How could you miss it?
Clearly we operate on diferent wavelengths. How can such an insular place be so divided? Sure, we don’t like Trump and they didn’t like Biden. So what? Both of those guys are thousands and thousands of miles away from us. Don’t say, “Well, we’re polarized.” Who did it to us? Who’s in charge here? FOX and MSNBC don’t live here. We do. Don’t we want to be in charge of our own Valley? I don’t remember why my contractor, a guy who I liked and was friendly with, suddenly and without explanation started treating me as if I had
a disease. Overnight, it seemed. No conversation, no quarrel, no incident to explain it. Just like that. You know, when I grew up my family had friends who liked Richard Nixon while my family loved JFK. We just thought they were temporarily misguided and we played softball together anyway and had BBQs. Not a big deal. You could vote for somebody in the other party without horrifying people. We got sucked into this maelstrom of hate and I, for one, am sick to death of it. We have a citizen legislature instead of a legislature full of cynical politicians for a good reason. The assumption was ordinary people could fgure out how to govern ourselves without toadying to “interests.” I still think that’s true. We could elect friends and neighbors because they were good people, not because they were one party or another. We could disagree on policies without throwing friends in the trash. Maybe my memories are foolish and delusional, but somehow I think not.
Let’s take back our sanity and stop the stupid war against ourselves. Let’s at least try.
Linda Schmitt Corvallis
No kings, except the one I want
No Kings! If these people really thought about what they are pushing, they would abandon their desire for anyone to be (s)elected President, as it is certain that whoever sits in the Oval Ofce acts as a king–pushing laws, writing “executive orders,” fnagling more revenue to spend, fomenting wars to increase their power, etc. However, the “king thing” doesn’t stop with the president. Every single person, from the top dog down to the most local level, who tries to impose his or her will on everyone else, is a wannabe king. There are an incredible amount of people in this world who want to rule, to make their word law, to use force and the threat of violence to show how strong and tough they are. Everywhere, there are kings and most of them have been placed in their position by the “lower-downs” who decided that “our” king is better than “their” king. Yes, that’s right. No Kings mean no kings except the ones we want to rule over us and every political faction promotes this. So, liberals and progressives are comfortable with Democrat kings, but conservatives and Christians prefer to submit to Republican ones. The reality is, though, that no matter which king or whose king is on top, the rights, freedoms, and liberties of the average American continue to be eroded, degraded, and removed. There is only one philosophy which is true to the No Kings concept–anarchy. True-blue unbridled anarchy in which every person is his own sovereign, being respected as such AND respecting the absolute sovereignty of all others. No kings! I agree with that sentiment and, unlike the protesters last Saturday, I try to be consistent with it.
Roger Mitchell Stevensville
Real family values
Across this nation, we are watching something sacred slip quietly away - the will of young people to marry, build a home, and raise children together. It is not that they lack
love, but that the world around them has made family life seem impossible, impractical, or unimportant. For generations, marriage was seen as the beginning of adulthood, the moment a young man and woman joined hands to shape their own destiny. Today, the courage to commit has been replaced by a culture that rewards delay, discourages fatherhood, and too often treats family formation as a luxury instead of the foundation of a strong society.
It is truly not good for a parent or a child to be alone. Every human being needs recognition, appreciation, and the security of belonging. No child can reach full development without the genuine love of a home. Character is formed not only through mind and morals, but through afection and example. Of all the forces that shape us, none are more powerful than the steady warmth of a family. In that shared life, in the daily acts of patience, sacrifce, and forgiveness, both parent and child grow strong together.
Sadly our own government policies have played a role. Under many welfare programs, a young mother receives less help if she marries the father of her child. We have built systems that quietly tell young men, “Your presence makes things harder,” and tell young women, “You are better of alone.” No nation that punishes marriage can long remain strong.
The restoration of the American family must begin with leadership that is unashamed to say that marriage is good, that men and women need each other and that raising children in a stable home is both a private joy and a public virtue. We can and must reform laws that discourage marriage. We can design programs that reward responsibility instead of dependency, and help young families build stability rather than fear losing it. We can lift up stories of real young couples who are doing it right, working hard, building local businesses, buying homes, and giving their children the security of two loving parents.
The task ahead is not political; it is moral and cultural. When we restore the honor of fatherhood and the dignity of motherhood, we restore the strength of America itself. Let us make family life something young people aspire to again. Let’s make marriage the greatest adventure of all.
Tony L. Hudson, President
Save the American West Stevensville
No Kings rallies
750 in Hamilton, 7000 in Missoula, 18,000 in Reno, Nevada (where my wife and I spent the weekend), 15,000 in Boise, Idaho, 7 million nationally and internationally…and not a single arrest that we know of!
Laughter, singing, music, great signs (mostly homemade), FROGS, great energy, and high spirits…those were the hallmarks of “No Kings” rallies on October 18!
All this was happening while our president was celebrating his own events:
• Unrestrained activities of unidentified/masked ICE thugs
• Imposition of National Guard troops in Blue cities
• Blowing up of unidentified boats in the Caribbean and now the Pacific
• Keeping Congress out of session so he has no one to answer to
• Lack of attention to retail prices/tariff effects (see what Ronald Reagan had to say about tariffs!)
• $20 to $40 billion to Argentina to prop up his authoritarian friend while Americans go hungry
• Demolition of the “People’s House” to build his Big Beautiful Dance Hall.
The next “No Kings Rally” will be a bigger, more beautiful event!
Tom Tunny Hamilton
‘The last best hope for mankind’?
T he Federal Circuit Court has ruled that many of the President’s tariffs were imposed illegally, and also that the President, unsurprisingly, exceeded his constitutional authority by unilaterally imposing what amounts to the largest indirect tax on consumers in memory, all without involving Congress.
The ruling was a temporary win for consumers, the economy, and the Rule of Law, at least until October 14, 2025, when the Supreme Court considers the President’s appeal. But, it was clearly another judicial loss for an erratic and unstable president who has unleashed a senseless global trade war against our allies and trading partners. It’s another instance demonstrating a well-worn pattern. He repeatedly sows chaos and reaps damage to the nation’s constitution, credibility and vital interests.
The President wrongly believes that tariffs are the remedy for most of the economic challenges we face today. Unfortunately,
his tariffs are grounded in his unorthodox, 19th century mercantilist view of a world that no longer exists. He refuses to acknowledge the role and benefits of free markets and fair trade to the United States in a competitive global economy that presidents of both parties have embraced for the last 50 years. As we know from our history, isolationism and protectionism are failed policies.
Left unchecked in a fragile economy, the president’s tariffs could easily lead to recession, stagflation, capital flight, and lost jobs. The worst case scenario is another depression, as we know from the history of the 1930s after the Tariff Act of 1930. Aided and abetted by Congressional silence and impotence, Trump’s fiscally irresponsible increase of the national debt; his assault on the Federal Reserve’s independence; and his refusal to accept economic facts has left the nation to flounder in a sea of economic uncertainty.
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide the pending tariffs case. If it reverses the lower courts’ rulings and deems the President’s actions legal, then some variation of the scenarios outlined above will still unfold unless reversed by Congress. If, however, the Supreme Court upholds the lower court‘s decisions, as many expect it will, then the President must go back to where he was on March 31st, before his so-called Liberation Day, and start over. Only legally this time working with Congress.
One of the regrettable things about the mess the President has created is that he had, and does have, legal options under current trade law. But, they are limited by time and amounts, slower to implement, and often require investigations and reports that don’t suit the President’s precipitous and ill-informed judgment.
The President would also likely face claims from importers who paid his “illegal” tariffs when their goods cleared customs. Even if the U.S. Treasury takes an unexpected hit to pay the importers’ claims, how will the ultimate consumer get reimbursed, if at all, for paying higher prices on imported goods or parts that included illegal tariffs? That remains to be seen and perhaps only happens at the ballot box next November.
more chaos and pain in the form of inflated prices, lost jobs and higher unemployment accompanied by slower economic growth, or worse. In spite of his bluster and bray, the President simply doesn’t know how to lead a 237 year old republic of free people that has been the dominant force and leader of the free world for much of the last century, and still remains “the last best hope for mankind.”
Marc Racicot Former Montana Attorney General and Governor
A constituent’s
despair
T o Senator Daines: We are familiar with the “Fall of the Roman Empire.” We are now witnessing the “Fall of the American Experiment.” It seems, Senator, that you are OK with that. No need to open the government. There is nothing left of it.
Ruth Hazelton Hamilton
King Donnie the First
It has been interesting to hear about the “No Kings” protests locally and nationally. While I share the concerns, the US Constitution provides for a powerful executive with all military power under his control. Congress and the courts have no military power to enforce anything, but depend on the willingness of the president to obey the Constitution. Thus the person elected as president can choose to be a constitutional president as the founders intended or he can be king if he chooses.
Before the 2024 election, Trump gave many indications that he had no use for the Constitution, and would prefer to rule as king. He promised that if people voted for him they would not have to vote again. A majority of voters supported him. In a democracy, you can elect a king, but you cannot un-elect him, as kings serve for life. We should not be surprised by King Donnie the First.
As King, he has dramatically increased his personal wealth, as he can get wealthy people and corporations to donate to him for government favors, pardons, and special treatment. In fact he can easily exceed the wealth of Musk, and become the first trillionaire, simply by suing the taxpayers for $1 trillion, then ordering his Justice department to settle out of court. With that settlement, he can then order his Treasury department to write him a check for $1 trillion (tax free, of course), borrowed from the taxpayers and added to the national debt.
Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, the Republican Congress needs to find the courage to intervene immediately to reclaim its constitutional authority over tariffs. If Congress does not stand up to Trump, then next year it’s highly possible voters will blame both the President and Congress, just as they did in the 1930s. After the Smoot-Hawley tariffs, Republicans lost 52 seats in the House of Representatives in 1930 and 101 more in 1932. No matter what happens going forward, the President, with his autocratic compulsions and arrogance, has created an awful mess. The results for the American people will be even
The White House was built as a residence for the president. It is completely inadequate for a king. So do not be surprised if Trump starts to tear down the White House and build more suitable space for a king. Perhaps he will remove the statue of Lincoln, and replace it with a giant golden Trump, so future Americans can revere the man who replaced our inefficient, messy, rule-of-law democracy with an efficient law-by-ruler monarchy. One remaining issue is the order of succession, which is not spelled out in the Constitution. Historically this goes to the king’s family, so we may see Trump’s son as King Donnie the Second in our future. Kirk Thompson Stevensville
Post 94 in Stevensville Register at: redwillowlearning.org OR call 406-530-7175. Come see us on 1st Friday in May ‘bout 1800 for more
info! We’ll be in front of Active Care Wellness on Main in Stevensville
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) 5178554.
Knotty Knitters Guild
Knotty Knitters Guild meets the 4th Tuesday of every month (except July, August, December, and January) 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. Any questions call 406-381-5123 or just show up on Friday!
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.
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
Amateur Radio Club
The Amateur Radio Club
KG7SPL of the Corvallis American Legion Post #91 meets at 6 p.m. on the frst Monday of the month, at the Corvallis Firehall on the Woodside Cutof Road. KG7SPL has a weekly radio net at 7 p.m. Wednesday, starting on 146.580 simplex and then on the club’s repeater located at 147.300 (DSC 703). Each month the club conducts amateur radio testing, a “Fox Hunt” and a HF exercise here in the Bitterroot Valley. Members participate in the ARRL Field Day in June and Winter Field in January. The club conducts Emergency Communications Training, as well as training in antenna construction and diferent amateur radio modes. Every year KG7SPL provides radio coverage for the Corvallis Memorial Day Parade, the Darby Dog Derby, Robert’s Run and other local events. The club has its own radio station and throughout the year holds “Get On The Air” radio nights. This is a very active club and if you have an interest in amateur radio or are already an operator you are encouraged to join. For more information, call club president Mike Nesbihal at 406-552-8696.
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.
Soroptimist International of Hamilton
A volunteer service organization of women to empower, educate and encourage women and girls through scholarships and educational programs. All women are welcome to attend the frst Thursday (business meetings) and second Thursday (community presentation) of each month from 12-1 at BJs Restaurant.
Writers’ Circle
Writers’ Circle takes place 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 5:30 at Explore the Arts, 7th and Main Streets, Hamilton. Join in if you have a piece to share, any genre. More information: Star 406-5465344.
Calling local seniors
Attention valley seniors! The Hamilton Senior Center is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, serving a fresh made lunch at a discounted price for seniors. Come and see what fun you can have at the Center socializing and making new friends. Non-seniors are welcome as well. Other activities run daily for Hand and Foot, bridge, ping pong, pinochle, bingo, line dancing classes. Proceeds go to support the center operation. Currently looking for volunteers to become members of the Board of Directors. Other volunteering positions available as well. Call Joesph Bruno, 406-375-5090, for more information.
Center for Spiritual Living Center For Spiritual Living meets on Sundays at First Christian Church, 328 Fairgrounds Rd, Hamilton. (Spiritual Not Religious) Meditation: 9am - 9:15, Service 9:30 am - 10:30. Fellowship to follow.
Weapons Collectors Society
The Weapons Collectors Society of Montana meets every other month (January, March, May, July, September, November) on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Members display their collections and knowledge of antique, hunting, and recreational frearms and knives. Everyone is welcome.
Marine Corps League
The Marine Corps League welcomes Marines, FMF Navy Personnel and citizens who support the missions of the USMC and the League. The Marine Corps League is the only Federal chartered Marine active/reserve and veteran organization. General meetings are held every 4th Thursday of the month, January through October, 7:30 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge, 125 N. 2nd St., Hamilton. SOS Breakfast with Marines is every 1st Saturday of the month, all year. It is informal; spouses and friends are welcome; all menu options available, plus Marine camaraderie and esprit de corps, 8:30 a.m., Hangar Cafe, Ravalli County Airport, Hamilton. Check out group site on Facebook at: Marine Corps League, Bitterroot Valley Detachment #937, Hamilton. Semper Fidelis!
Free community breakfast
Come enjoy a pancake breakfast and meet your neighbors in Victor.
Victor Masonic Lodge is host-
ing the breakfast every 3rd Saturday of each month, starting at 9 a.m. Location is above Farmers Bank on Main Street in Victor.
North Valley Public Library
It’s Still Alive! Mary Shelley’s Undying Frankenstein — Thurs, Oct 23 at 6:30pm It’s peak season for sightings of Dr. Frankenstein’s creature. Tonight, we’ll join Mary Shelley’s progeny on his haunt through the imaginations of readers and audiences from 1818 to the present. If you’ve ever been curious about one of literature’s most impactful novels or know it well and want to gain deeper insight into some of the many (and still multiplying) interpretations of this imperfect and yet infectious story, this program is for you.
Bat Week Special: Let’s Talk About MT’s Pollinators — Tues, Oct 28 at 6:30pm
The United States is home to countless pollinators, ranging from birds and bats to butterfies and bees. In Montana, we have a multitude of pollinators, which can be found throughout our diverse ecosystems and landscapes. These important pollinators provide essential pollination services to agriculture, home gardens, and native plant biodiversity. This presentation will be focused on learning about the diversity of Montana’s pollinators and understanding pollinator habitat needs, how you can integrate them into your yards and gardens, and how to keep pollinators safe from pesticides through responsible landscaping practices.
Grief Support Group
Fourteen-week grief support group meets each Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 noon beginning Saturday, September 6 at Florence Carlton Community Church, 20075 Old Highway 93, Florence. Feel welcome to attend all or any sessions. Contact Colleen with any questions, 206-9302519.
Beginning square dance lessons
Beginning square dance lessons start October 3 at Lolo Community Center, 12345 US 93, Lolo. No partner required. Lessons 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., $6 each lesson; Oct. 3 & 17, Nov. 7 & 21, Dec 5 & 19. A mainstream dance will follow if you would like to stay and watch the fun! For info call
Butch Suttey at 208-503-0551 or Brenda Ernst at 541-226-6363.
Bridge class
Bridge lessons ofered for anyone wanting to learn the game or brush up on their existing game. Weekly evening classes start Oct. 23 and end Dec. 18. Call for more information: Pam, (406) 361-5723.
Men’s Club: Chess & Checkers
— Thurs, Oct 30 at 2pm
Make connections and conversation over a game of chess or checkers during this informal monthly get-together at North Valley Public Library. All experience levels welcome. And if you’ve never played chess, come and learn! Gameboards provided or you may bring your own. Please arrive at 2pm to ensure a partner.
Pachyderm Club
Philip Ramsey, Ph.D., will give a short talk on “Mining and the Bitterroot” at the Friday, Oct. 31 meeting of the North Valley Pachyderm Club. In his brief talk, Dr. Ramsey will address rare-earth mining and the local environmental impact. Community discussion to follow. The club meets at 1 p.m. at the Frontier Cafe in Stevensville. All are welcome.
Saturday Morning Social for Adults
Saturday Morning Social for Adults starts November 1 at the North Valley Public Library at 208 Main Street in Stevensville in the community room. Director Denise Ard said, “Come chat, do a jigsaw puzzle, play a game, or color pages. As adults, it is sometimes hard to make new friends, sometimes friends move away, or you are the new one to the area. Isolation is a signifcant issue in Montana, but you don’t have to feel isolated or lonely to come and have fun. Maybe you just want to do a puzzle with friendly people or play a game, and talking while coloring pages can be relaxing and fun.” The library will provide tea and cofee. The library will host the Saturday Morning Social for Adults on the frst, third, and ffth Saturdays of the month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The director added, “Starting a new group always has some growing pains. People might not come at the same time. You are encouraged to have a cuppa and start a puzzle or start to color as you wait for others to arrive.”
For more information contact the library at (406-777-5061) or go to the library’s calendar at https:// www.northvalleylibrary.org/ to register. Registration is not required but helpful if you want to receive an email reminder.
Holiday craft show
Calling all vendors and crafters! Craft show November 1, hosted by the Stevensville Senior Center, 100 Mission Street, Stevensville. A 6’x8’ space with table included $20. For application call: Carol Logan at 406-303-1896 or Charlotte Schugardt at 406-7400060.
Grief support group
Coping with Grief and Loss
During the Holidays -- The death of a loved one is one of the most difcult experiences we face in life. You are invited to come share your grief journey, learn how to honor and remember your loved one, and how to care for yourself during the holidays. This 2-hour pre-holidays grief care session ofered 4 times in November and December at St Francis of Assisi, 411 S. 5th St. Hamilton. The group will use the faithbased Griefshare.org program which includes a free helpful handbook, viewing of a short DVD followed by small group sharing. This session is FREE and sponsored by the St Francis of Assisi Caring Hearts Ministry, 411 S. 5th St., Hamilton. RSVP at stfrancishwm@gmail.com or https://www. griefshare.org/fndagroup Four Sessions to Choose from: Sunday, November 16, 1:003:00pm Tuesday, November 18, 3:005:00pm Sunday, December 7, 1:003:00pm Tuesday, December 9, 3:005:00pm
Spouse Grief support group
Coping After the Loss of Your Spouse -- The death of your spouse is one of the most difcult experiences we face in life. You are invited to come share your grief journey, learn helpful ways to cope, ways to honor and remember your loved one, and how to care for yourself. This 2-hour grief care session ofered in November and December at St Francis of Assisi, 411 S. 5th St. Hamilton. The group will use the faithbased Griefshare.org program
which includes a free helpful handbook, viewing of a short DVD followed by small group sharing. This session is FREE and sponsored by the St Francis of Assisi Caring Hearts Ministry, 411 S. 5th St., Hamilton. RSVP at stfrancishwm@gmail.com or https://www griefshare.org/fndagroup
Two Sessions to Choose from: Sunday, November 16, 3:005:00pm Sunday, December 7, 3:005:00pm.
Marine Corps League dinner
The Commandant, ofcers and members of the Bitterroot Valley Detachment #937, Marine Corps League cordially invite you to celebrate the 250th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps at a brief ceremony and dinner on Saturday, November 8. The event will be hosted at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton, commencing at 6:00 p.m. Reservations and prepayment is required.
Who should attend? Marines, their family and friends, FMF Navy personnel, their family and friends, veterans, their family and friends, and Bitterroot Valley citizens who want to show support to “the World’s Finest Fighting Organization.”
Program for the evening includes a no-host social time at 6 p.m. followed by a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Entree options are Sirloin Steak, Chicken Alfredo or Batter Fried Cod with appropriate sides and birthday cake for dessert. Cost is $30.00 per person. Reservation and prepayment should include check payable to MCL937, names of those attending, meals requested for each person, potential oldest or youngest Marine (name, age), afliation (i.e. service branch, family, etc.). Point of contact is Joe Rogish for information and reservations, 2684 Iroquois Trail, Victor, MT 59875; email joseph.rogish@yahoo.com; phone/text 484-643-3982. Deadline for reservations and event prepayment is Saturday, November 1. Semper Fidelis!
Christmas Bazaar
Christmas Bazaar, Nov 22, 8am-2pm at St Francis, 411 S 5th, Hamilton. Beautiful handmade quilts, rafes, home made pasties (elk, beef, bison, veggie), breakfast & lunch items, baked goodies, new Unique Boutique - purses, jewelry & accessories, new Quilter’s Quarters & Kits, holiday & vintage items - something for everyone!
Victor Museum
Chocolate Tasting
The Victor Heritage Museum is holding its annual fund-raising event, The Chocolate Tasting Party and Silent Auction, December 1st, the frst Monday in December 2025, from 3 to 8 p.m. The bidding closes at 7:30 p.m. Out West Wagon Rides will be at the Museum starting at 4 p.m. to give wagon rides around Victor. The Victor School Band will be playing their music for us at the party. Come enjoy the camaraderie, the chocolate, and bidding on the silent auction items. The non-profit Museum’s success has been made possible with the support of the Bitterroot Valley’s people and communities. The Museum is on the corner of Main Street and Blake Street; 125 Blake Street; PO Box 610, Victor, MT 59875. For questions call Suzanne Tout, 406-381-8861, or the Museum, 406-642-3997.
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.
Sports
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
State cross country
The Montana high school cross country season concluded on Saturday, October 25 in Missoula at the University Golf Course with the Montana 2025 Cross Country State Meet.
There were eight total races, as both the boys and girls from Class AA, A, B, and C all had individual races. Team scores are calculated based on the results of a school’s top fve runners.
Class A
The Cross Country teams from Corvallis, Hamilton, and Stevensville participated in the Class A meet. The individual boys winner was Livingston’s Finn Schretenthaler (15:29.7), and the individual girls winner was Billings Central’s Addison Kegel (17:48.8).
Corvallis
The Corvallis boys didn’t have an individual runner in the top 10, but as a team they did exceptionally well as their deep and talented team took 2nd place in Class A. Individually for the Corvallis boys, Jeremy Davidson took 13th (17:05.9), Eider Reed took 17th (17:23.7), Braden Anderson took 20th (17:27.6), Marrek Jessop took 30th (17:46.0), and Liam Harvey took 57th (18:32.3).
The Corvallis girls took 7th place overall. Individually for the Corvallis girls, Cheyenne Herbert took 21st (20:55.7), Audrey Huls took 33rd (21:27.6), Ella Varner took 40th (21:50.7), Ellie Berger took 41st (21:52.3), and Brittany Anderson took 53rd (22:15.7).
Hamilton
The Hamilton boys placed 5th as a team. Individually for the Hamilton boys, Taylor Doleac fnished in 8th place (16:46.1), Benjamin Beare took 9th (16:48.6), Brady DeMoss took 35th (17:58.6), Boston Doleac took 36th (17:59.3), and Kennie Cords took 82nd (19:12.6).
The Hamilton girls took 6th place as a team. Individually for the Hamilton girls, Aleigha Child fnished in 5th place (19:24.2), Reecelyn Walthall took 11th (20:09.6), Maevie Child took 28th (21:10.3), Emma Decker took 63rd (22:45.1), and Mazie Torres took 75th (22:58.9).
Stevensville
The Stevensville boys took 21st as a team. Individually for the Stevensville boys, Benjamin White took 34th (17:51.6), Delaware Braverman took 42nd (18:03.5), Reid White took 118th (20:03.7), Isaac Hays took 122nd (20:13.2), and Waylon Jochim took 124th (20:16.9).
Individually for the Stevensville girls, Irelyn Potts took 135th (25:43.7) and Marta Martin took 138th (26:03.3).
Class B
The Cross Country teams from Darby and Florence participated in the Class B meet. Plains’ John Jermyn was the boys individual champion (16:02.4), and Townsend’s Kyla Meissner was the girls individual champion (19:32.0).
Darby
For the Darby boys, Ben Martin fnished in 6th place (16:55.2), Taylor Graham took 36th (18:34.9), Kasch Neidhardt took 56th (18:57.1), and Mark Sandoval took 173nd (21:28.7).
For the Darby girls, Lily Adair took 32nd (21:43.6), Brooklyn Rogers took 51st (22:21.2), Nayla Schmied took 57th (22:44.4), and Alaina Hein took 113rd (24:47.9).
Florence
The Florence boys took 11th place as a team. Individually for the Florence boys, Seba Schroeder took 16th (17:22.8), Max Rosenthal took 49th (18:51.5), Caden Miller
Volleyball roundup
Florence
The Florence volleyball team hosted rival Missoula Loyola on Thursday, October 23 and won 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-18). For Florence, Emory Ralston had 12 kills, Lexi Danczyk had 4 aces, Maggie Schneiter had 20 assists, and Taylor Pyette had 20 digs.
Hamilton
The Hamilton volleyball team went to Stevensville on Tuesday, October 21, and won 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-18). For Hamilton, Ciara Hanley had 13 kills, Jade Jimenez had 5 aces, Lundyn Murray had 16 digs, Aurie Duncan had 15 assists and 8 digs. Then on Saturday, Oct. 25, Hamilton went to Butte Central and won 3-0 (25-7, 25-13, 25-9). For Hamilton, Ciara Hanley had 6 kills, Carsyn Clack had 4 aces, Lundyn Murray had 9 digs, Aurie Duncan had 18 assists and 8
digs.
Corvallis
The Corvallis volleyball team played at Dillon on Thursday, October 23 and lost 0-3 (21-25, 19-25, 13-25).
Darby
took 66th (19:06.3), Jeremy Gaub took 87th (19:33.5), and Wyatt Welling took 109th (20:06.2). The Florence girls took 13th as a team. Individually for the Florence girls, Bailey Kroeker took 15th (20:45.1), Brinley Skaggs took 58th (22:47.5), Maddy Ondrasek took 70th (23:26.6), Averie Bates took 97th (24:17.5), and Lola Bates took 105th (24:29.1).
The Darby girls volleyball team hosted Deer Lodge on Tuesday, October 21, and lost 0-3 (11-25, 18-25, 20-25). Then on Saturday, Oct. 25, the Darby girls traveled to Anaconda and lost 0-3 (8-25, 17-24, 8-25).
Victor
The Victor volleyball team hosted Noxon on Tuesday, October 21 and won 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-15). On Thursday, Oct. 23 they went to Lincoln and lost 0-3 (15-25, 18-25, 16-25). Then on Saturday, Oct. 25, Victor hosted Sheridan and won 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-22).
Stevensville boys soccer falls short at Whitefsh
The Stevensville boys soccer team traveled north to Whitefish on Saturday, October 25 to play the Bulldogs in the Class A State soccer semifinals. The Stevensville boys fought hard and trailed 0-1 at half
Clockwise from top left, Florence’s Seba Schroeder, Darby’s Ben Martin, Stevensville’s Irelyn Potts, Corvallis’s Jeremy Davidson and Hamilton’s Aleigha Child. Photos by Scott Sacry.
Sports
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
Football playoff preview
The 2025 Montana high school football regular season ended last week. The season is over for the Corvallis, Stevensville, and Victor teams, while Darby, Florence, and Hamilton all qualifed for the state playofs, which start this week. Below are previews for each team.
Darby
The Darby football team fnished the season with a 7-2 regular season record and took 3rd in the West conference. Their losses came against Seeley (16-40) and Superior (32-34).
There are four conferences in 8-Player Montana football, the West, East, North, and South. The top four teams from each conference make the playofs, so for the mathematically challenged, that makes for a 16-team playof.
“We are feeling super excited getting into the playofs. It’s been over 20 years since Darby made the playofs legitimately without a forfeit,” said Darby head coach John
Steiner. “We will play Ennis who is a solid football team but is very beatable. I do not feel the South division is as strong as our division. Flint Creek (Drummond) is a very strong program but it drops of quite a bit after them. However, Ennis is by far the next best team. But we are feeling very confdent, especially after this
Football scores
Falcons rough up Rams
The Florence Falcons football team, #6 in the latest 406mtsports. com rankings, hosted rival Missoula Loyola on Friday, October 24 and routed the Rams 42-6. The win was Florence’s ffth in a row, and the Falcons are the #1 seed from the West heading into the Class B state playofs (see playof preview).
October 24th was senior night for the Falcons, and the seniors shined.
Florence senior Brody Duchein continues to impress, as the wide receiver turned quarterback had his best game of the season, completing 18 of 24 passes for a whopping 383 yards and four touchdowns.
Florence senior wide receiver Levi Winters had a monster game with fve receptions for 185 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown reception and a 55-yard touchdown reception.
Also for Florence, senior Chase Wagner had seven catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns, and seniors Chase Mattix and Bridger Alexander each had rushing touchdowns. Alexander also led the defense with 15 total tackles.
Florence’s defense continues to stymie opponents - they held Loyola to only one touchdown and 266 yards of total ofense.
Florence hosts Conrad in the frst round of the Class B state playofs on Saturday, November 1 at 1 p.m.
Broncs beat Blue Devils
Two Bitterroot Valley football foes clashed in Hamilton on Friday, October 24, as the Broncs of Hamilton, ranked #5 in the latest 406mtsports. com poll, hosted the Blue Devils of Corvallis.
The game was spirited and hard hitting, and Hamilton held a slight 6-3 lead after the frst quarter, but from then on it was all Broncs, as Hamilton scored 47 unanswered points to win 53-3. Hamilton QB Cooper Weston completed 13 of 20 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns. Hamilton wide receiver Jackson Lubke had four catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. Hamilton running back Jude Widmer had a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown. Hamilton’s Brandon Saltzman and Everett Stumpf each had rushing touchdowns, and Hamilton’s Kaeden Gum and Luke McCarthy each had receiving touchdowns.
Hamilton’s defense continued to impress, as the Broncs held Corvallis to only three points and 57 yards of total ofense.
Ayden Spencer led Corvallis with 35 yards rushing and 18 yards receiving. Of defense for Corvallis, Marshall Jessop led with 9 total tackles.
Corvallis ends the 2025 season with a 1-7 record. The Blue Devils have a solid core of young players and look poised to come back stronger next season.
Hamilton is 7-1 on the season and rolls into the Class A state playofs as the #2 seed from the Southwest (see playof preview). The Broncs host Bigfork on Friday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.
Darby dominates St. Ignatius
The Darby Tiger football team, #9 in the latest 406mtsports.com poll, hosted St. Ignatius on Friday, October 24. Darby came into the game tied with St. Regis and Superior for the #2 spot in the West conference, so the Tigers needed to win to ensure a playof berth.
Darby left little doubt that they were one of the top teams in the state as they dominated a tough St. Ignatius team and won 64-14. The win propels Darby into the 8-Player State playofs, where they face Ennis on Saturday, November 1 in the opening round (see playof preview).
Darby fnished the regular season with a 7-2 record
“All the guys are feeling super confdent,” said Darby head coach John Steiner. “We just keep getting better each week and as coaches we are really fnding what works and what we do well on ofense and defense.”
Darby’s all-everything senior quarterback McCoy Townsend led the way with 121 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Townsend also threw a touchdown pass. Darby’s Jordan Browning caught three passes for 60 yards with a touchdown, and Browning also ran for 36 yards and a touchdown. Also for Darby, Abe Atkins had a touchdown pass, Eli Jones had a rushing touchdown, and Gavin Anderson had a receiving touchdown.
Stevensville falls to Frenchtown
The Stevensville football team hosted #3 Frenchtown on Friday, October 24 in their fnal game of the season. The ‘Jackets fought hard but didn’t have the depth to compete with the high-powered Broncs and lost 8-49.
Stevensville fnished the season with a 1-8 record, and, although the overall record didn’t refect it, the team showed overall improvement this season and there are signs of optimism moving forward for the football program under new head coach Jack Zilla.
Victor loses to Superior
The Victor football team hosted Superior on Friday, October 24 in their last game of the 2025 season. The Pirates worked hard but fell behind 0-29 after the frst quarter and 0-42 at halftime and weren’t able to rally against the visiting Bobcats and lost 0-42.
Victor fnished the season with a 2-7 record and hopes to rebuild in the ofseason to come back stronger next year.
last dominant victory over Mission.”
Darby plays Ennis in the frst round of the 8-Player State Playofs in Ennis on Saturday, November 1 at 1 p.m. The winner of this game will face the winner of the Fort Benton/ Ekalaka game.
Ennis is the #2 seed from the South and had a 7-1 regular season record. Ennis’s lone loss of the season was a 6-44 loss against undefeated Drummond.
Florence
The Florence football team fnished the season with a 5-3 record and won Class B’s West conference. There are four conferences in Class B, the West, East, North, and South. The top four teams from each conference make the playofs, so there is a feld of 16 teams.
It was a tale of two seasons for the Falcons. They lost their frst three games to Three Forks (the #2 seed from the South), Manhattan (the #1 seed from the south), and Class A Frenchtown (who is a #1 seed in the Class A playofs). Then Florence went on a winning streak, winning their next fve games by a total combined score of 228-18.
In the frst round of the Class B State Playofs, Florence hosts the #4 seed from the North, Conrad, on Saturday, November 1 at 1 p.m. Conrad has a 5-4 record with losses to Boulder, Malta, Glasgow, and Fairfeld. Florence and Conrad’s only common opponent was winless Deer Lodge, who Florence beat 61-6 and Conrad beat 49-0. Conrad
comes into the game with Florence on a two-game losing streak. The winner of this game will play the winner of the Three Forks/Baker game. So a Florence win and a Three Forks win would result in a rematch of Florence’s season opening loss.
Hamilton
The Hamilton football team fnished the season with a 7-1 record and took 2nd in the Southwest conference. Hamilton has a stout defense and a balanced ofense, and their lone loss came against Frenchtown on October 3 where they lost 14-21. Frenchtown took frst in the Southwest conference.
There are four conferences in Class A football, the East, Central, Southwest, and Northwest. The Class A state playofs is comprised of 12 teams; the #1 seed from each conference gets a frst round bye.
Hamilton plays Bigfork, the #3 seed from the Northwest, in the frst round of the Class A State playofs at Hamilton on Friday, October 31 at 7 p.m. The winner of that game plays the #1 team in the state, Billings Central, the following week at Billings. Bigfork was 5-3 in the regular season. They lost to Frenchtown 7-28, Columbia Falls 13-27, and last week they lost to Whitefsh 21-22.
Stevensville Hall of Fame to partner with Stevi High School
The Stevensville Yellowjacket Hall of Fame Committee is now partnering with the Stevensville High School to hold the Stevensville Hall of Fame Induction Gala. The Gala is a special ceremony which honors individuals inducted into the Stevensville Hall of Fame.
For the past couple of years, the Stevensville Yellowjacket Hall of Fame Committee and the STARS Foundation organized the Stevensville Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Gala.
The Committee has postponed this year’s induction ceremony to the fall of 2026 in order to give the school enough time to properly organize the ceremony.
The Stevensville Yellowjacket Hall of Fame Committee released the following statement, “On behalf of the Stevensville Yellowjacket Hall of Fame Committee, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the support and generosity Stevensville STARS
Foundation has shown us over the years. Their commitment has played a key role in helping us honor the athletes, coaches, and community members who have contributed to the proud history of Stevensville High School athletics and extracurricular activities.
“As we continue to grow and evolve, our Hall of Fame Committee has partnered with Stevensville High School to support and expand this event. This shift refects our ongoing mission to engage the school community and ensure that our celebration of excellence continues to inspire future generations of Yellowjackets.
“We deeply value the STARS Foundation’s past contributions and partnership. Their support has truly made a diference, and we will always appreciate the role they played in the success of our eforts.”
For those seeking more information, contact Steve Lewis at lewiss@ stevensville.k12.mt.us.
The Darby, Florence and Hamilton football teams each play state football playoff games this week. Darby plays at Ennis, Florence hosts Conrad, and Hamilton hosts Bigfork.
Above left, Darby’s Gavin Anderson. Above right, (#19) Hamilton’s Jackson Lubke. Photos by Scott Sacry. Belwo, Florence’s Levi Winter. Photo by Stephanie K Geiser Photography.
Herbert Marvin Bounds
Herbert Marvin Bounds, 93, went peacefully home to his Savior on October 17, 2025 in Hamilton, MT. Born March 1, 1932 in Altadena, California to William Marvin Bounds and Dorcas Adelia (Leggett) Bounds.
He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his beloved wife of 71 years, Esther Louise, and his three siblings: AnneBeth Watson, Wesley Bounds, and Ruth Rickert. He is survived by their two adult-children, Carlene, married to Dr. Bill Rupp, and a son, Bobby, married to Tammy. There are three grandchildren: Jim Rupp, married to Tiffany; Tanya Smith married to Matt; Todd Bounds married to Robin. They have eight great grandchildren: Natalie, Ethan and Brody Smith; Maddie, Bella and Layton Rupp; Riley and Piper Bounds.
Having graduated from Pasadena Academy (HS) he married Esther Louise Logsdon just weeks before he was shipped of aboard the Naval USS Pasig during the Korean Confict. Upon his return, Herb became a college athlete playing tennis, baseball and basketball at Pasadena College (later named Point Loma Nazarene Univ.) After graduation he became a high school US history teacher for Temple City HS in CA, as well as coaching in both
basketball and baseball at his alma mater Pasadena College (PLNU). He won many trophies and awards as a player and a coach, but his favorite was being chosen for the NAIA District Three Coach of the Year for the 1968-69 basketball season.
Herb semi-retired in 1974 and he and Esther moved to Hamilton, Montana. Herb built a log cabin for their home and he took the job of Groundskeeper at the Hamilton Golf Course for many years, while Esther worked at Robbins Bookstore. Both were members of Mountain View Wesleyan Church where they served in multiple capacities through the years. Herb was a gentle, patient man, who loved woodworking, fy-fshing and eating ice cream. When Herb was asked just prior to his passing, “What do you want to be remembered for?” He replied, “An average guy who did his best to serve Jesus.” And that and so much more is the legacy he leaves.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com. In lieu of fowers, donations may be made to Gideon’s International, one of Herb’s favorite charities because the Bible had such a signifcant impact on his own life.
Gerald ‘Gerry’ Rotering
Hamilton - Gerald A. “Gerry” Rotering, 52, of Hamilton passed away Thursday, October 23, 2025 at his home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
Karla Charlton Orangevale - Karla Charlton, 89, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Sunday, October 12, 2025. Memories and condolences may be shared at www. brothersmortuary.com
Donna Curtis Cottonwood (UT) - Donna Curtis, 95, passed away overnight on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com
Jeanette Knowles
Hamilton - Jeannette Knowles, 58, passed away unexpectedly at home overnight Monday, October 6, 2025. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com
Danielle Harr
Kalispell - Danielle Harr, 63, of Hamilton, passed away after a long illness at Logan Health, on the morning of Thursday October 9, 2025. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com
Louis ‘Bo’ Lonidier Jr. Missoula - Louis “Bo” Lonidier Jr., of Darby, passed away peacefully in the afternoon of Monday, October 13, 2025 at St. Patrick Hospital with his loving wife by his side. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com
John ‘Jack’ Winthers Victor - John “Jack” R. Winthers, 96, of Victor passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at his home of natural causes. No formal services will be held. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
Robert L. ‘Bob’ Buford Hamilton - Robert L. “Bob” Buford, 82, of Hamilton passed away on Friday, October 17, 2025, at his home due to natural causes. No formal services will be held. Condolences may be left for the family at www. dalyleachchapel.com.
Mark Rhodes Hamilton - Mark Rhodes, 69, has left the planet after “a brief but annoying illness.” The Montana Celebration of Life will be on Summer Solstice.
Richard Allen Burnett Hamilton - Richard Allen Burnett, 75, formerly of Stevensville, passed early in the morning, Thursday, October 23, 2025, at The Living Centre in Stevensville. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com
This is my favorite time of year to fsh.
And this year, especially, there is an immediacy to my need to be out on the river.
The air is washed clean by the autumn rains. There is a fresh dusting of snow lingering in the mountains. Leaves are turning color everywhere. The summer visitors have left, my neighbors are cutting wood or hunting; I can enjoy long stretches of the river in solitude. What more could an angler want?
by Chuck Stranahan
And yet, there is never enough of it. As the nights turn chillier and the days grow noticeably shorter, winter continues to close in one day at a time. You can’t help but notice that, in the midst of beauty that you wish would last forever.
And so, if you’re like me, you fsh.
You fsh just as much to get out as you do to catch trout. You fsh to store up enough of something you fnd out there to get you through the winter, even though it is hard to defne exactly what that something is.
Perhaps it has to do with just savoring the sweetness of it all just one more time, because you know that before too long it won’t be there to savor any more.
For me, solitude also has something to do with it. There is time to refect. The world, on a trout stream in autumn, seems almost overripe with beauty.
So I tie or pick out a few favorite fies. I stuf one pocket of my fshing vest with a handful of fresh local apples and head, in a lazy hurry, for the river. I suit up, spend a few extra minutes tinkering with my leader and tippet and dressing my line, then take an old favorite bamboo rod out of its case and join it. Even though I’m not especially oriented toward material “things”, I have an afection for this painstakingly crafted piece of bamboo much as I do for my father’s old violin.
I step into the stream and feel the tight chill of the current pull against my waders. I half-think about where to cast, how to work the water in front of me. The rest is instinct.
The rhythms of casting and the river’s currents sooth the conscious mind. The senses come
alive and the surroundings seep in.
I hear mental echoes of Willie Nelson’s version of “September Song”, or recall images from Dylan Thomas’ “Poem in October”.
There might be a faint whif of wood smoke on the breeze, mingling with the mossy scents of the river bottom and the dried brush and grasses along its banks. I take a break, sit on an ancient driftwood log high on the bank. There might be a vee of distant geese or an eagle overhead. Everywhere, there is so much beauty.
I stop and look up from my fshing and do a one-eighty or a three-sixty, just to take it in, savor it. I take a tart Macintosh out of my pocket and feel it break against my teeth.
On some days there are fsh. They, too, are resplendent in their autumn colors. The browns, getting territorially aggressive as spawning time nears, are nearly luminous. The rainbows range from golden to bright magenta on their sides.
And the cutthroats seem to beg the question:
just how beautiful can trout be? And why are they so beautiful in the frst place? And why are we equipped to perceive and appreciate that beauty?
These are small questions, but important ones. And these small questions lead to larger ones. The answers, and the directions where they lead, are at once comforting and humbling.
Too soon it will be too cold to go fshing. That’s part of the poignancy that sets in each day out, each time I take down the rod and slip it into its cloth sack and long metal tube.
So I savor each day, savor each moment that I am drawn further into this world of autumn days and trout fshing, grateful that I can do something I love this much and be rejuvenated as it touches the inner core of my being.
And winter is not the dull, fnal death of it. These stored reveries, remembrances of brilliant autumn days on trout streams will get us through. An old poem reminds me: “The autumn leaf is emblazoned with spring’s belief.”
Beautiful autumn on the river. Photo by Jan Stranahan.
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GET YOUR DEDUCTION AHEAD OF THE YEAR-END! Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous year-end tax credit. Call Heritage for the Blind Today at 1-855- 901-2620 today!
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long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-7621508
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FRESH EGGS from Howell’s Happy Hens are back! $5.00/doz. Pick up at Bitterroot Star ofce, 115 W. 3rd, Suite 108, Stevensville.
UPRIGHT FREEZER nice shape, $200. Assorted plastic totes, used only once, $10 each. King mattress set w/mattress protector, clean, includes rails, $150. Serious inquiries, call 406-361-8148.
MONTH TO MONTH RENTAL, furnished apartment on 10 acres with private small yard, gorgeous views in the Stevensville area, $1450/month includes utilities, call for details, available mid August, (818) 921-5275.
alund@cityofconrad.com , 413 S. Main, Conrad, MT 59425
Extension Agent in Roosevelt County, Culbertson, MT. Full time. Exciting job with lots of autonomy! Will develop, implement and evaluate Extension programming. Complete information and to apply: www.montana. edu/extension/careers . In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profle. Montana State University does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law
Extension Agent in
Rosebud/Treasure Counties, Forsyth, MT. Full time. Exciting job with lots of autonomy! Will develop, implement and evaluate Extension programming. Complete information and to apply: www.montana. edu/extension/careers.
City of Conrad Police Department is accepting applications for Full-time Patrol Ofcer. Wages DOE, +Animal Control compensation. Information: cityofconrad.com. Send to:
Legal Notices
Dan O’Brien O’Brien & Pekovitch, PLLP
P.O. Box 1280 113 South 2nd Street West Malta, Montana 59538
Phone: (406) 654-2541
Attorneys for Personal Representative danobrien@coleamestoyobrien.com
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA SUSAN BLAIR, Deceased. Probate No. DP-2025117 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 said deceased 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 be mailed, return receipt requested, to: Gary A. Mitchell, Personal Representative, c/o O’Brien & Pekovitch, P.O. Box 1280, 113 South 2nd Street West, Malta, Montana 59538, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
DATED this 7th day of October 2025.
/s/Gary A. Mitchell Personal Representative
BS 10-15, 10-22, 1029-25.
MNAXLP PUBLIC NOTICE SURPLUS VEHICLES
The Daly Ditches Irrigation District is accepting sealed bids for the following used vehicles: 1992 Chevrolet 1500 4x4 Truck, standard transmission, non-running. 194,562 miles.
2005 Chevrolet 1500 4x4 Truck, standard transmission,4.8 V-8, runs/drives 247,383 miles.
2005 Ford F-250 Super Duty 4x4 Truck, standard transmission, Gas V-8, runs/drives, Intermittent Dash cluster issue. Parking brakes are not working. 178,589 miles.
2008 Dodge Dakota 4x4 Truck, standard transmission, V-6 runs/drives 121,269 miles
The vehicles are located at 1023 Old Corvallis Road, Corvallis, Montana 59828. Interested parties can view the trucks at that address. The DDID ofce will receive sealed bids located at 1023 Old Corvallis Road, Corvallis, Montana 59828, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., starting October 13, 2025, through November 3, 2025. Sealed bids will then be opened by the DDID Commissioners at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in the conference room at 1023 Old Corvallis Road, Corvallis, Montana. The District Board of Commissioners reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
BS 10-15, 10-22, 1029-25.
MNAXLP
Naomi J. Cheeney Cheeney Law, PLLC PO Box 212 Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: (406) 363-9060
Attorney for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DONNA JEAN TURLEY, Deceased.
Case No.: DP-41-2025119
Dept. No. 2
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the under-
signed 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 James A. Moerkerke, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at Cheeney Law, PLLC, PO Box 212, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court. DATED the 8th day of October 2025. /s/ James A. Moerkerke, Personal Representative BS 10-15, 10-22, 1029-25.
MNAXLP
John D. Greef attorney at law P.O. Box 1926 Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 360-8117
Attorney for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: William L. Clarno, Deceased. Case No.: DP-41-20250000115-IT Department No. 2 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Tracy Clarno 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 Tracy Clarno, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, in c/o John D. Greef, P.O. Box 1926, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court. DATED this 14th day of October, 2025.
/s/John D. Greef Attorney for Personal Representative BS 10-22, 10-29, 115-25. MNAXLP
Megan S. Winderl
CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. 99 Marcus Street, 3rd Floor Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 218-4888 meganw@cwlawmt.com pleadings@cwlawmt. com
Attorney for Petitioner/ Creditor MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY
In the Matter of the Estate of BRIAN LEE COCHRANE, Deceased. Probate No.: DP-412025-000111 Dept. 2 NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that the undersigned have 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 Mary Lou Cochrane, the Personal Representative, in care of CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C., 99 Marcus St. 3rd Floor, 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 10th day of October, 2025. /s/ Mary Lou Cochrane Personal Representative CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C.
Attorney for Personal Representative By: Megan S. Winderl BS 10-22, 10-29, 115-25. MNAXLP
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Alexander Efren Rangel, Alexander Efren Rangel, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-412025-0000372-NC
Dept. 1
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Alexander Efren Rangel to Alexander Caspian Frost.
The hearing will be on December 3, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 21st day of October, 2025.
/s/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court
By: Catherine di Gleria
Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 10-29, 11-5, 11-12, 11-19-25.
MNAXLP
Public Hearing-Ravalli County FEE INCREASE FOR: SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The Board of Ravalli County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 1:30 PM in the Ravalli County Administrative Center at 215 S.4th Street, Third Floor Commissioners Conference Room, Hamilton, MT. The purpose for this public hearing is to take public comment and make a decision by Resolution to amend the Ravalli County Sherif’s Ofce Jail Diversion Fees.
If you would like more information contact the Commissioner’s Ofce at 375-6500. If you are unable to attend and would like to make comment you can do so by contacting the Commissioners at the above phone number or by email at commissioners@rc.mt.gov
Chris Taggart Commissioners’ Administrative Assistant BS 10-29, 11-5-25. MNAXLP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PETITION TO ABANDON A PORTION OF NORTH BLAKE STREET IN VICTOR TOWNSITE
The Board of Ravalli County Commissioners will hold a public hearing Monday, November 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM in the Commissioners Conference room (3rd Floor) at the Ravalli County Administrative Center located at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, Montana. The purpose of this Public Hearing is to take public comment on the Petition submitted by Kara L Andrews, (application No. 227) requesting to abandon a portion of North Blake Street in Victor Townsite; and to take action by Resolution.
If you have any questions, or would like to make a public comment due to your inability to attend this meeting, please contact the Commissioners through either of the following: 215 S. 4th Street, Suite A, Hamilton, Montana 59840 or by phone (406) 375-6500 or by email commissioners@rc.mt.gov.
Chris Taggart
Commissioners Ad-
ministrative Assistant BS 10-29, 11-5, 1112-25.
MNAXLP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS BEFORE THE CITY OF HAMILTON ZONING COMMISSION, PLANNING BOARD, AND CITY COUNCIL
The City of Hamilton is proposing to update the following regulations and plans:
• Title 17 (Zoning) and Chapter 2.44 (Planning Board) of the Hamilton Municipal Code • City of Hamilton Zoning Map; and
• Land Use Framework section of the City of Hamilton Comprehensive Plan (Growth Policy).
More information, including complete drafts of the proposed updates, is available at www.HamiltonZoningUpdate.com or by contacting the Hamilton Planning Department at (406) 363-2101, mrohrbach@cityofhamilton.net, or 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT.
Public Hearings
The City of Hamilton Zoning Commission and Planning Board will hold a joint public hearing to review, take public comment, and consider a recommendation to City Council on the proposed updates on December 1, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
The Hamilton City Council will hold two public hearings to review, take public comment, and make a decision on the proposed updates on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 and Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., during its regular meetings.
Open Houses There will also be four public open houses for the public to learn more about, ask questions, and comment on the proposed updates. Open houses will take place on:
• Thursday, November 13th from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. AND 6:00 – 7:30 pm.
• Wednesday, November 19th from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. AND 6:00 – 7:30 pm. All public hearings and open houses will be on the 2nd foor of Hamilton City Hall, 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT.
At the public hearings any member of the public may attend and make comment in person or remotely. Instructions for remote participation are available on the City of Hamilton website www.cityofhamilton.net, or by contacting mrohrbach@cityofhamilton. net or cityclerk@cityofhamilton.net. Comments prior to the Zoning Commission-Planning Board hearing may be submitted to the Planning Department at mrohrbach@ cityofhamilton.net. Comments after the Zoning Commission-Planning Board hearing may be submitted to the City Clerk at cityclerk@cityofhamilton. net. Comments may also be mailed or delivered in person to 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840.
The City will accept written protests from property owners against the proposals to update the City of Hamilton Zoning Map and/or Title 17 (Zoning) of the Hamilton Municipal Code until Friday, January 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated 76-2-305 a protest may only be submitted by the owner(s) of real property within the City of Hamilton or by owner(s) of real property that lie within 150 feet of Hamilton city limits. The protest must be in writing and must be signed by all owners of the real property. In addition, a sufcient protest must contain 1. a description of the action protested sufcient to identify the action against which the protest is lodged and 2. a list of all owners of the property with the physical address. Signers are encouraged to print their names after their signatures. Proposed zoning amendments may not become efective except upon a favorable vote of two-thirds of the present and voting members of the Hamilton City Council if a protest against a change is signed by the owners of 25% or more of 1.) the area of the lots included in any proposed change or 2.) the lots or units 150 feet from a lot included in a proposed change. A person may in writing withdraw a previ-
ously fled protest at any time prior to fnal action by the City Council. Protests must be delivered to the Hamilton City Clerk, 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840. BS 10-29, 11-5-25. MNAXLP
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Jordan King, Jordan King, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-412025-0000371-NC Dept. 1
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Jordan Briann King to Jordan Briann Hastings. The hearing will be on December 3, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 21st day of October, 2025.
/s/ Paige Trautwein Clerk of District Court By: Michelle Goldman Deputy Clerk of Court BS 10-29, 11-5, 11-12, 11-19-25. MNAXLP
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JOB OPENING
Ravalli County Habitat for Humanity, a leading force in creating strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter, seeks a dynamic and dedicated Executive Director to lead our mission and impact in Ravalli County.
About the Opportunity: The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Ravalli County Habitat for Humanity and its ReStore. Reporting to the Board of Directors, this individual is responsible for providing overall leadership and management for the organization, ensuring alignment with the Habitat for Humanity mission, vision, and strategic goals. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of families and communities by championing affordable housing initiatives, nurturing relationships, and driving sustained growth.
Key Responsibilities: The Executive Director's responsibilities include strategic leadership and operational management, working with the Board on the organization's vision, operations, and fundraising. They oversee various functions, including administration, construction, family services, and volunteer recruitment. This role also involves managing the Habitat ReStore. Resource development is crucial, involving fundraising through donor relationships and seeking grants, as well as ensuring sound financial practices and reporting to the Board. The Director will also engage with the community as a spokesperson and advocate for affordable housing, building relationships with various stakeholders. Leading staff and volunteers by fostering a positive culture and managing recruitment and retention is also a key responsibility.
Qualifications: A Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required. Candidates should have at least 5 years of senior management experience, preferably in a nonprofit setting. Other qualifications include experience in fundraising, strong financial management skills, excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, and proven leadership skills. Knowledge of affordable housing and Habitat for Humanity's mission is desirable, as is a commitment to the organization's values.
Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience.
To Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume to Tina@exitmt.com Join us in building a better future.
