COMPLAINTS: Commissioners, fair board respond to petition
ment, Ravalli County Fair Board Chair, Don Goodnight, stood to respond. During the fair board meeting, and in a later interview with Goodnight, he stated that this was the frst year Bitterroot Health, who has manned the fair frst aid booth, wanted to be paid for their time. Goodnight also noted that state regulations and liability limitations mean there is actually very little the booth can do to treat anyone, even with members of Bitterroot Heath manning it. Only the rodeo has active EMT presence required.
One comment during the public comment period expressed the claim that there was a lack of entertainment, something Goodnight immediately commented on, saying, “we had tons of entertainment this year,” and “flled every single hour,” on both of the stages,
and all of the grounds.
There were a few concerned vendors speaking about assigned spots changing, and a lack of preference towards local vendors. Goodnight responded to these claims as well, saying that businesses just cannot work that way. The fairgrounds need to operate as a business, so they cannot be selective and everyone needs to play by the same rules.
Another concern was that the internet and wif service was overloaded during much of the fair. Because of this, it was difcult to operate online, to purchase tickets or look them up, which was another complaint. This was the frst year the Ravalli County Fairgrounds used this ticketing system. The system uses QR codes, and was supposed to help streamline everything. The program allowed each person to have their own QR code ticket, which they could buy online or at the gate. These tickets could be printed or kept on a person’s phone.
Much of the concern about the new ticketing system came from the 4H community, who voiced frustrations coming in and out of the fair. These concerns were shared by vendors. It was stated that there was a general lack of consistency and communication between volunteers at the gates and those coming in.
Goodnight commented on this, saying, “This was the frst year, you’re defnitely gonna have those hiccups.”
Goodnight stated in a later interview that in the past they have had physical tickets. This year, attendees who purchased their tickets could bring out their QR codes, or put them on their phones to be scanned to enter the grounds. He said that during the early days of the fair week, there was much confusion over how
the ticketing system worked, on both sides. However, he added that the fairgrounds are trying to treat everybody the same, and tickets are required. This led to confict, as many with the 4H may have expected preferential treatment.
Goodnight noted several cases where 4H adults wanted to ignore requests for tickets, and intended to come in regardless. He said fair volunteers were spit on and pushed by 4H families. There was even a potential assault from an individual against Saville during one of these periods, which he witnessed. Goodnight said Saville was kind enough not to press charges, though she could have.
“We want to work together with the 4H families so that it works better for everyone,” but, “it’s gotta be fair for every single person,” said Goodnight. He then spoke on the merits of the new system, saying this new system will help the fair keep better track of the numbers of attendees as well as information like how many seniors and military members and youth attend, as well as other fgures to help get grants, sponsorships and to better serve the community with what it wants and needs.
Goodnight also addressed that there was no higher cost for 4H attendees, which was a concern mentioned, both during the meeting and in the petition. In fact, he wanted to highlight that the fair actually loses money from the 4H programs because the fairgrounds pays for the judges, ribbons, judge lodging and more. They also upkeep animal stalls.
Many in attendance were spurred on by the petition, and one to speak during the meeting was Jolena Bugli, the person responsible for starting the petition. She claimed that Saville acted unacceptably. However, according to Goodnight, “The petition is riddled with misinformation, inaccurate accounts and one-sided opinion.” Much of the stuf listed is opinion of Saville as a person and the few actionable concerns are decisions that were not in Saville’s wheelhouse to begin with, said Goodnight.
Goodnight wanted to reiterate that Saville “has improved the fair and fairgrounds tremendously,” and, “a lot of these accounts are from people coming in heated already.”. In his experience, having been present during many of these interactions, he said Saville acted defensively, as anyone would.
Goodnight addressed one of the chief complaints against Saville, that
she has been “rude to children and visitors.” Goodnight said these were “baseless.” There were also many others who said Saville was professional and very good with the kids.
In fact, there were several positive comments to this efect about Saville to back Goodnight’s words. These came from sponsors, vendors and fair attendees from the community, as well as some 4H families. Many stated the fair now brings people from all over and from outside of the state, and is known as one of the best fairs to attend and be a part of. Several comments attributed this to Saville’s leadership over the last few years.
Even with the meeting addressing many claims, and the board’s plans to work on issues voiced to the public, Bugli said she would not be dropping the issue. She also claimed that in the past she was kicked out of meetings. In a later interview with Goodnight, he stated that this was false. He has been with the fair commission for almost two years and has not seen her attend meetings.
According to Goodnight, they don’t want to see the 4H go, but the fairgrounds staf has experienced a “sense of entitlement” from the 4H that is unprecedented. “We are a community based facility, we want to work with the public,” but the behavior from them has been “intolerable” this year.
Goodnight clarifed that Saville does not make a lot of the decisions that were brought as concerns. These were mostly board decisions, or those made by the county commissioners. The commissioners are the fnal say when it comes to fnancial decisions. Organizationally, the fair board is in charge. Saville primarily makes “on the fy” decisions when it comes to general operations. She does not have the fnal say.
During the meeting, commissioners said the fair is essentially a business, and it needs to try to be as self-sufcient as possible. However, the commissioners do make several of the decisions, especially regarding funding. Late admissions for 4H was another complaint leveled against Saville. However, Commissioner Burrows spoke up and said that decision was made by the commissioners and led to “unintended consequences.” They apologized.
Another concern from the 4H was the judge pay, and that it is not enough to retain or bring in qualifed judges, and that many who judge do so mostly out of a love for this fair. This is something the fairgrounds would like to remedy, but it comes down to funding. It is also something out of Saville’s control.
Ravalli County Fair Board member Kathleen Castle spoke to ask the community, if they have concerns, please bring them forth, but also bring solutions. They want the help and involvement of the community, and they are always looking for smart solutions to problems, not just the problems themselves.
One idea brought forth was to begin using a wristband system for vendors, 4H and volunteers. This is something Goodnight confrmed they are seriously considering for the next fair.
Another thing noted at the meeting was how a person can get on a fair board meeting agenda. Individuals and organizations are able to contact the fair ofce to request to get onto the agenda. They will need to attend a meeting, voice their concern during public comment, and often the request may get placed on the next meeting’s agenda.
Ravalli County Fair Board meetings are at the fairgrounds every second Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m. A concern was raised that this may not be the most convenient time for everyone. However, the board responded to this, saying it is the best time for the board. Board members are required to take time out of their work and lives to attend, just as the public would be. They are not paid, and they must be there every time, and frankly, the public rarely attends.
STEVI: Town Hall torn on passing budget
positions of the local government. The listing of positions, salaries, and benefts is not required to be part of the budget document.”
The Bitterroot Star reached out to Dan Clark, Director of the MSU Local Government Center and, according to Clark, Smith was correct that the information on employee positions and compensation should be included.
Smith continued to press for budget passage to be postponed again for further review, and the correction of the concerns he brought forth. However, the rest of the council did not agree. Council member Stacie Barker said, “It could have been brought to the town beforehand. Why have we waited so long?... It could have been an easy solution.”
Smith said he did not get the packet or notice the issues until the Tuesday before the meeting. Barker argued that the council received the budget as it appeared in the meeting over a week earlier, a comment that was verifed by town employees during the meeting.
Smith said, “It’s still a problem for the people that it’s not there. They have the right to know.” Smith said he did not believe the public packet was the same as what he was looking at for this meeting.
After his third attempt to pass a motion, Smith collected his stuf and walked out of the meeting. Clark commented on this action, stating, “They have sworn an oath to work together as a council to pass the budget, and to walk out is a behavior that is inconsistent with their oath.” Clark further expressed that council members should act with decorum and respect, and need to get their budget passed. The oath states council members will, “discharge my duties with fdelity.” Clark said Smith’s actions were also “not in good faith,” by not acting as soon as he discovered a concern, prior to a council meeting. According to Clark, a council member can always come to town hall and address issues, and it is in fact their responsibility to do so, and to stay up to date with the contents of the budget.
“You want the city to work, you don’t want to set it up to fail,” added Clark. Unfortunately, Smith was not in attendance during the public comment period that took place after he left, during which members of the public asked questions spurred by Smith’s concerns. Some of his concerns were determined to be invalid or based on misunderstanding of the material. One example was that the budget did not balance. In fact, the $26,000 Smith claimed was unaccounted for was located in another line item, titled “investment accounts.” This accounted for the missing funds. Smith did note, in a later interview, that the format being used by the town for their budget may not be the ofcial one given by the state for municipalities. It is unclear if this is in violation or not.
Underwood answered many of these types of questions during the meeting. Another concern was that the town was over-spending, a concern Smith did not bring up during the meeting, but community members did.
According to Underwood, this is a common process towns undergo known as “spending down.” This process can be described with the following example, according to Underwood:
“A person plans their gas bill for
the following month. They come up with a fgure, and proceed through the month with those funds set aside. At the end of the month, the bill is in fact lower, because the person was frugal with their gas spending, and in fact prices fuctuated up and down throughout the month. By the end of that month, the fund put aside for the gas bill has excess funds in it. These funds are then used in the next month’s gas budget planning.”
Planning a budget in this way provides “wiggle room,” and can help avoid not budgeting enough money for a “worst-case-scenario.” It is also a standard practice, and not “unbalancing,” as Clark explained. According to Michalson, last year the town did the same thing, and only used 87%. They carried 13% forward into this year.
A budget therefore could be considered more of an “intent to spend,” and sometimes there can be consequences if this money is not accounted for. That money could be in a “use it or lose it” situation, or a municipality can be said to be under- or over-taxing. According to Clark, the budget process for towns and municipalities is more of a “long term multi-year planning” process.
During Underwood’s explanation at the meeting, he echoed Barker and Clark’s thoughts, saying as a general rule, “If you fnd something, you should bring it forward immediately.”
In a meeting with town ofcials afterwards, Underwood stated that the town is in fact projected to spend around $46,000 more than they will take in. In the past, this number has been far higher. In the last 10 or so years, said Underwood, this has been as much as $80,000. He and other town ofcials confrmed that they are in the process of slowly cutting this down to tighten the budget wherever they can.
One area they can increase income is in water and sewer rates, an option that has been unpopular with the public. According to Michalson, the town will be hosting an expert from Montana Rural Water during the September 25 council meeting, which they encourage the public to attend. Montana Rural Water will be speaking on the importance of implementing standard rates.
At Thursday’s meeting, the Stevensville town council proceeded to vote to pass the budget. However, this was done in error as they did not have a quorum, since council member Cindy Brown was not in attendance and Smith had walked out.
Town ofcials reached out to Clark, and he confrmed the vote was not legal. The council will now consider the budget again at a special town council meeting set for September 23 at 6 p.m.
During an interview after the meeting with town ofcials, including Michalson and Underwood, they expressed concern over the stalling of the passage of the budget. The largest of these is the sewer system. If the budget goes down again, the town will not be able to pay to have the sewer system fxed. That would mean the town’s only recourse would be to go into an emergency session and vote to pay for those fxes. These costs could be signifcantly higher than if the budget were to pass and allow the projects to continue as planned out in the current budget.
According to Underwood, and Public Works Director Stephen Lassiter,
the sewer treatment plant has been on its last legs for some time, with employees coming in during of-hours and weekends to keep the system limping along. The chief problem is the computer management system, which controls the plant. This system is very outdated and continually crashing.
Lassiter added that there are also several pumps out, and they have constantly been having to take pumps from other pits and have an electrician come in and rewire them every time. Lassiter said this process of “playing musical pumps” just cannot continue.
The cost of each pump is a minimum of $6,000, and they need four pumps just to get back to a basic level of function. Additionally, many of these parts are special order, out of Germany, and will take weeks to get.
According to the public works director, the treatment plant is on year 25 of a 20-year lifespan, and is in fact one of the oldest of its kind still in operation in the world. “It’s been bandaged and patched together for so long that the bandaids aren’t holding anymore,” said Lassiter. If they cannot fx it, and the system has more serious problems like it has been firting with, things could be bad. “There is no of switch. It won’t stop coming and it has to go somewhere,” clarifed Lassiter. He wondered how they might convince the community they are going to need to stop using the bathroom.
The budget allotted money for replacement and repair to bring the system back up to modern standards and buy another 20 years. With the system currently hemorrhaging money to avoid fnes, and for repairs and staf overtime, Lassiter says they can’t pass that budget fast enough.
The town also wanted to note that
they are required to turn their budget in by October 1, or 60 days after receiving taxable values from the Montana Department of Revenue at the latest. If they do not, they can be dinged during their annual audit at best, receive serious fnes and more at worst. According to Clark, if they do not pass it, they would fail to meet their statutory obligation, as laid out in MCA 7-6-4003. They also could be at threat of action being brought against the municipality, as laid out on MCA 7-6-4037, if they do not do this within two years.
According to Michalson, all of this stalling is “only hurting the town.”
In an interview with Smith after the meeting, Smith said he backs his decisions. “I did it for myself and for the town.” He is of the opinion that passing the budget as it was could be an illegal act, and he as a council member, and the town ofcials, would be liable for that action. He then reafrmed his actions were on behalf of “the public’s right to know.”
Michalson said the council may consider a response to Smith’s conduct. Municipal code states, in Section 2-55 Rules (Code 1970, 2.12.040):
“The council may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for improper conduct, and expel any member for the same by a two-thirds vote of the members elected, and must keep a journal of the proceedings, which must be open to inspection.”
It should also be noted that the community can always attend any meetings of the town council, and all town ofcials encourage the public to exercise their civil right and responsibility to attend, both budget and regular town meetings, in order to decide for themselves.
Bitterroot Health adds dialysis center
by John Dowd
Last Tuesday, Bitterroot Health and its partners were excited to host a ribbon cutting for a very unique and needed facility. Completed in August and having seen its frst dialysis patient in mid-August, the new Bitterroot Health Dialysis Center will be able to deliver “life saving treatment” to patients in the Bitterroot.
A representative of one of the partners, Dr. Shahid Chaudhary of Tigris Nephrology, said that prior to this facility, local patients faced long drives to Missoula for treatment, sometimes three days a week.
Chaudhary is owner of the nephrology practice, based out of Missoula, and has been doing outreach treatment for eight years serving surrounding communities like Ravalli County. During the ribbon cutting, Chaudhary said there are “so many heartbreaking examples,” of those who passed away and struggled before this facility was built, in this community.
He said he realized early on “the need for patients to receive dialysis locally,” and the need for them to avoid the expense and inconvenience of travel challenges. According to him, they really wanted to “bring the cure closer to home.”
Chaudhary will be the medical director of the new facility. At the start, he or his team will be there three days out of the week. That could change in the future to fll community needs, and can easily be expanded.
Chaudhary and Tigris Nephrology are only one of four partners that
came together to make this facility a reality. The others were Community Medical, Bitterroot Health and Dialysis Clinic, Inc. (DCI).
Another to comment was Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf, on behalf of the city. “This facility is another beneft to the city of Hamilton residents and those in the surrounding area,” said Farrenkopf. “Bitterroot Health continues to be a leader in providing quality medical care. We just welcome doctor Chaudhary and his staf to Hamilton.”
John Bishop, Bitterroot Health CEO, spoke on the challenges of creating the facility. He said the partners came together about three years ago to try to make things happen.
According to Bishop, years ago the idea came across his desk and it was just not possible at the time. “It kinda hurt to see a service that was so needed and know that it wasn’t feasible,” recalls Bishop. Such treatment is expensive to provide and house, and often these facilities require a certain patient load to be practical. However, after
Chaudhary approached to further voice the need and eventually several groups came together, all chipped in to help provide the service.
Eventually, the ball got rolling. During the ribbon cutting, Bishop said, “I’m so grateful to stand here today and see it come to fruition… This whole facility was a product of partnership.”
The facility will start with a single shift for 12 patients. Bishop said this is easy to scale up to two shifts, and they could potentially treat 72 people each week, three times a week.
Another to speak on behalf of Bitterroot Health was Pete Dunn, senior director of specialty services with Bitterroot Health. He described the partnership as “mission driven,” and said everyone had the same mission. He said prior to this facility, Chaudhary was providing outpatient nephrology services for Bitterroot Health patients. Now, there is a committed location for dialysis and a nephrology clinic. However, Bitterroot Health also needed operational expertise for dialysis, which came from DCI, who Dunn said runs the dialysis side of things.
Finally, on behalf of DCI, Stuart Redpath, COO of DCI, spoke on the project.
DCI is the largest nonproft dialysis organization in the U.S. and they are a nationwide nonprof-
it that helps rural and underserved areas receive dialysis treatment. They are dialysis experts and train and hire staf for several locations, including the new Bitterroot Health Dialysis Center. They are based in Nashville, Tennessee, and have 250 dialysis clinics in 30 states.
According to Redpath, the entire project has been a group efort and he described the partnership as an “unusually philanthropic thing to do.” He added, “Nobody comes to this community to make money.” DCI goes to a lot of places that other groups and even nonprofts may not go, including rural communities like the Bitterroot Valley. In these places there may not be a large proft potential, but for him and DCI, their motivation comes down to their motto: “The patient is our reason for existence.”
Redpath said they feel it is especially important because this treatment “saves lives,” and those who have to receive this type of treatment and who live in these types of areas need to make “long journeys for life saving care for the rest of their lives.” He is proud that they have been able to lessen that burden, together with the other organizations involved.
“Everybody is bringing something to the table,” added Redpath. He described Chaudhary as an “involved and compassionate physician,” and said this facility “is something that really fts well in the campus.”
During the ribbon cutting, Redpath said, “I’m delighted for your community… I’m so proud of what we’ve built together.”
Patients, Bitterroot Health staff, community members and project partners gather around Dr. Shahid Chaudhary, the medical director of the new dialysis center. Chaudhary holds the scissors, ready to cut the ribbon. Photo by John Dowd.
American Legion Fort Owen Post 94 made sure that the community doesn’t forget the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when nearly 3000 people died. Post 94 members lined the Stevensville Cut-off Road with fags at dawn last Thursday and then held a parade and ceremony later that day, with participation from the Stevensville Police Department and Stevensville Fire Department. Photos by Cheryl Burgmeier.
Hamilton mayor responds to opponent’s claims
by John Dowd
Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf, has fled for re-election. Farrenkopf was concerned by the statements in a campaign letter that was sent out to local media outlets by his write-in opponent, James Olsen. In the piece, Olsen stated Farrenkopf received “a raise for the Mayor – which he had requested – of $32,000 a year.” The letter was corrected by Olsen before it ran in the Bitterroot
Star, but according to Farrenkopf, the information was still incorrect. Farrenkopf wanted to provide more information on what he described as his “supposed raise.”
Farrenkopf took ofce in 2018, and when he did he said he inherited the previous mayor’s salary. The Hamilton mayor has a 10-hour-per-week position. During the passage of the last budget, Farrenkopf requested that he be compensated for 15 hours instead of ten, an additional fve hours. Farrenkopf said there was no additional raise, other than the standard Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), which all employees receive across the board.
According to Farrenkopf, he said he works well over 17 hours a week as mayor and as the community has grown the position is now “consuming a lot of my time.”
With the additional hours, in total the Hamilton mayor makes $37,150 annually, meaning compensation for those extra fve hours nets Farrenkopf an extra $12,460.
Farrenkopf also works
full time at Sapphire Lutheran Homes and said he is fortunate that his position there is fexible, regarding hours. He is the facility’s associate administrator and often works 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the clock for Sapphire, and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. as mayor. He also attends all council meetings and numerous other meetings, as well as several events in the community. “I’m very involved in the social fabric of the community,” said Farrenkopf. Born in Hamilton and a graduate of Stevensville High School, Farrenkopf was in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years. He eventually returned to Hamilton 21 years ago. In most of that time, he has worked in senior care. For him, it means “you get to be a servant,” said Farrenkopf. That kind of work, he said, requires a lot of patience, but also means, “you get to solve a lot of problems and help a lot of people.” He said that is similar to what he does as mayor, and he added, “I love serving people.”
Farrenkopf highlighted some of his favorite projects he has been involved in as Hamilton mayor, including the completion of the skate park and justice center, the new fre station, many street projects, upgrading the wastewater treatment plant, replacing several water mains, completing the comprehensive plan (essentially a growth policy) and the work they are doing on the old town
hall restoration and library expansion project.
Farrenkopf has been the mayor for almost eight years, serving out two terms. “So much of the work I do is through the city council,” he said, and he added that Hamilton has been blessed with a great team. For his part, Farrenkopf tries to maintain good relationships with all in the community, all the town ofcials, council and community leadership. “All the workings require a good relationship.” He added a weekly department head meeting to open up better communications and continuity among the many departments, most of which are currently located across the city in several buildings. Farrenkopf said that during those meetings, “we plan, we dream and we try to be good stewards of community resources.” This is all part of what Farrenkopf described as his “hands on approach.”
Farrenkopf wanted to add that he also works with several organizations like Habitat for Humanity, numerous senior groups and SAFE to address the “missing middle,” and help housing costs come down.
The Hamilton mayoral election has two candidates: James Olsen and Dominic Farrenkopf. Mail-in ballots must be turned in by November 4.
MURAL: unique opportunity for diferently abled
Continued from page 1
tion, said Director Jessica Fitzpatrick. Inspired by her daughter, Sequoia, Fitzpatrick founded the organization in 2016 with a group of parents who came together to provide alternative social and educational activities for their children. Since then, HEARTism has grown in membership, and many of the volunteers say they feel like they have found a home within the community. Organization activities include art, music, dance, ftness, summer camps, as well as newly added classes such as Toddler Sensory Play, Adaptive Dance, and Parent Stress Reduction.
“We became the frst certifed autism center in the state of Montana
in 2020,” said Fitzpatrick. “It means all our staf and volunteers have been trained in sensory awareness. We also have two certifed autism specialists, me and one other person.”
Fitzpatrick’s former personal landlady, Joan Heusted, donated the space for the HEARTism community mural. “She said, ‘Would your kids like to paint this?’” Fitzpatrick recalled. “Of course, our kids want to paint this and everything else.”
Fitzpatrick then connected with muralist Sean Riley for the project. Riley recently returned to the Bitterroot Valley to visit family after living and working in Chicago. When asked how he connected with HEARTism, Riley
said he reached out to friends to see how he might go about getting some paint up in his hometown.
“I’ve always been drawn to Montana landscapes and mountainscapes,” said Riley. “It’s how I can continue to connect to [this place] even when I’m not here. I feel like I’m a Chicagoan but also a Montana representative. It’s always just been in my work.”
Art remains a popular HEARTism activity. Volunteers agreed that its art classes are some of the most consistently and enthusiastically attended.
Jean Driesche, a retired art teacher, acts as one of the HEARTism art instructors. Earlier this year, Driesche assisted her students in entering
art at the Ravalli County Fair in both children and adult categories. This provided a special opportunity for HEARTism participants, “where their works were visible to other people,” said Driesche. The young children and adults were heartened about the awards and positive feedback they received. Now, the mural in Hamilton near the Ravalli County Justice Court is another opportunity for the Bitterroot’s diferently abled to let their hearts shine and be seen by the community.
To learn more about the HEARTism Community Center and available activities, you can visit the organization’s Facebook page or go to: heartism406.org.
Merle Unruh
Thoughts on DC crime
I just turned of the news after listening to people ranting and raving about the goings on in DC with the Guard who are there to suppress the crime in the DC area. Who are these that are getting arrested? It’s time to get some statistics on the larger cities in our country on what the percentages are of the young people that can’t read or write, so how could they get a job. So to survive they revert to crime, it’s all that they know. Our judicial system isn’t any smarter, they just let them go. We spend billions to incarcerate criminals who are still no smarter than when they were locked up.
It’s time for change, with the judicial system to start. Let’s start with someone who’s been through the catch and release numerous times, and is before the judge who says ‘I’m going to give you a choice, it’s you that has to decide the route you are going to take. The sentence is, to sentence you to X amount of years or the opportunity to learn how to read and write so that you can support yourself and become a loyal citizen of the community. The reward for this shall be that after X amount of time your record shall be wiped clean. To break the agreement your sentence would revert back to the original long term sentence.’
I would guess that the cost to teach someone to read and write would be far less than long term incarceration.
I thought I had fnished my thoughts but more has come to mind, the horrifc shooting in Minneapolis. I don’t need to elaborate as you get the news. What bothers me is the negative remarks that come out of the mouths of governors and mayors, we don’t need help. To me they don’t know right from wrong which to me is to say it’s OK. If that’s who you are then you’re not ft for the job you’re in. I see it every day in the hate and anger which is nothing more than Satan at work.
God bless America and those who know right from wrong.
Roger Radermacher Hamilton
To MT Congressional Delegation
I realize that your national Republican bosses cautioned you about holding Town Hall meetings during the August recess, I believe that your decision to do that makes you complicit in Trump’s destruction of the US Federal Government.
Let’s face the facts:
Donald Trump is a con man who surrounds himself with Yes Men; you are now some of them.
As a failed businessman, convicted felon, convicted sex ofender and chronic liar, he leads by fear and intimidation. You and your fellow national leaders have a responsibility to stand up for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Thankfully, some federal courts have challenged several of Trump’s attempts to violate civil rights. That can’t be said of this rubberstamp Congress.
Trump stated this week that some Americans would favor a dictatorship. What!? I’ve never heard anything of the sort during my 75 years of Montana citizenship. His corruption of the Department of Justice and the FBI to target his critics is unconscionable.
As a Veteran, I’m shocked by Trump’s actions against military lead-
Opinion
ers of color and women.
Voters will review your performance in the November 2026 midterms and say “Enough is enough.”
Gary Swartz Missoula
Puf of smoke
Some people tend to live life in a frenzy of emotion. They think by voicing their strong opinion, usually with condescending words, they are taking a stand for what is right and doing something honorable. Even when one issue has passed, there is always another to jump on as is evidenced by the opinion page in the paper. I wonder, do these people think they are making a diference in society?
Are people really motivated by sarcasm and nastiness? Some issues are valuable to our faith and families and need to be addressed but is there a better way to help solve the problems than spouting out anger? Many people have lost the ability to reason and debate without losing their cool. They have also lost any sense of respect for our government and those in leadership. There have been great men (Abraham Lincoln for one, known for his humility and compassion on the enslaved as well the soldiers and even his opponents), who have changed the course of a nation for the better. These men have not resorted to anger and vile words, but rather kindness and gentleness.
Often perceived as a weakness, gentleness is a profound strength that requires self-control and courage. Gentleness promotes nonviolent confict resolution resulting in inspiring acts of kindness and building trust and security within a culture. It has the power to unite people regardless of their political beliefs.
It calms fears and provides a sense of security and peace. If we want change in the world, we need to work on being gentle people. We need to consider others better than ourselves and their opinions as valuable as the ones we hold. We need to listen. Living in a frenzy of anger over political issues or leaders (yes, even non gentle leaders), isn’t a catalyst for change but rather just a puf of smoke. Kindness and Gentleness. These are the traits of mature, courageous people and game changers for our world.
Tatjana Horton Hamilton
9/11 almost forgotten in Stevensville
Thanks to the Stevensville Police Department and the Fort Owen, Post 94 of the American Legion for putting together a last-minute ceremony to remind us of the importance of September 11th.
Oh, how quickly we forget important national history defning dates, especially those which are negative in nature. For those of us who remember it, 9/11/01 was a “wakeup” call for acknowledging that evil forces were at work in the world, even in the United States. We have been at war against those evil forces ever since.
We must continue to maintain our vigilance against this evil no matter where it comes from and however it tries to destroy our nation. For me, I will also now remember 9/10/25 as another one of those days where we have been challenged with the killing of Charlie Kirk. The evil this time is being pushed by those cowards who want to eliminate free speech.
Again, thanks to those Stevensville
citizens who helped ensure 9/11 is not forgotten!
Jerry Esmay Stevensville
A big thank you
A big thank you to all those involved in putting out the fags along the Stevensville pathway. A great way to remember the 9/11 terrorist attack. It was beautiful to see and remind us all how fortunate we are to live in this country called America. Looking forward to seeing them again the next appropriate fag-fying day. Grace Wilson Stevensville
Assassin betrayed us all
The assassin betrayed us all. What right did he have to attack a leader in such a barbarous way? Charlie Kirk represented a legitimate point of view shared by thousands of people of good will. He will remain revered by many. He had the courage of his convictions, a quality we should emulate in our own way, based on our own convictions. To quote an unknown scribe, we use “words, not weapons, to resolve our diferences.” We hate that he was taken from all of us. The assassin betrayed us all. Ravalli County Democratic Central Committee: Linda Schmitt, Bill Jones, Bob Stone, Diane Jones, Gil Gale, Brenda Allington, Wayne Adair, Brenda Bolton, Margaret Gorski, Skip Kowalski
Hateful rhetoric from politicians, universities
They (the violent left) murdered Charlie Kirk but, as someone said, “they have created a million more Charlie Kirks.” The left includes Antifa, BLM, all the Democrat Party except a few holdouts to John Kennedy’s party.
It is time for Christians, especially pastors,to speak out against this communist, atheist and evil coming out of our schools, from kindergarten to universities. Left-wing propaganda is pervasive there. Some people are glorifying their approval of the death of Charlie. There is no respect for life on the left. Christians don’t fght by killing the people we disagree with. We pray for them. Charlie Kirk was a peaceful dialoguer, standing efectively for the Bible and Jesus Christ. He stood for truth and for America. He stood for family, country and faith in Christ. He was a father, a beloved husband and man of God. We’re not going to hide from fear of speaking out. Above all, we Republicans must vote, all of us, in the mid-terms. If they gain power they will turn lawfare on all of us, because we elected Pres. Trump. TDS - Trump Derangement Syndrome. Richard Parker Stevensville
Time to wake up
The late comedian George Carlin once said, “It’s called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.”
A Wall Street Journal–NORC poll released this week found that only 25% of Americans believe they have a good chance of improving their standard of living. Nearly 70% said it was no longer possible to work hard and get ahead. A majority of those polled said the generation before them
had an easier time starting a business, buying a home, or staying at home to parent a child.
The fnancial/ economic situation is not improving. It is getting worse, at least according to the jobs reporting. The latest report continues the bad news that encouraged the president to fre the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics because he didn’t like the numbers. It turns out that shooting the messenger does not make the message wrong. Trump’s inconsistent policies on tarifs and economic policy are making business leaders wary of hiring new employees due to anticipation of wildly fuctuating future conditions. Uncertainty is a bad thing for a business.
On the immigration front, there was an ICE raid at a Hyundai battery plant that caught up over 400 South Korean immigrants who were here on work visas. So they got deported despite the visas. Maybe these jobs will be taken by native born citizens. There had been a plan to have massive South Korean investment in the electric vehicle and battery plants in Georgia. Not sure if the deportations will nix that deal. Somehow, I don’t think the current policies will encourage international investment in our country. I thought Trump was supposed to be some great deal maker. Maybe deal breaker is more accurate.
Also, I know that the cost of my groceries has gone up.
I think the immigration dragnet to remove so many immigrants is not well thought out. Over 75% of the people deported so far have no criminal record at all. Most were people working in farm felds or meat processing or construction work. These are needed workers. Many of these jobs are simply being lost, not replaced by native born citizens. So our grocery price goes up because there is less available to sell, housing prices go up because of lack of construction workers, etc. The ripples fow out from the initial disturbance in the pond. Trump is the initial disturbance in our pond. The idea that tarifs are some great income stream is a pipe dream that should have gone up in smoke. The last time they were applied broadly was in the 1930s and they made the Great Depression even worse than the stock market crash. (Look up Smoot-Hawley Tarif Act, signed into law in 1930 by Hoover.) The purpose of the tarifs was to protect domestic businesses from foreign competition. The real result was retaliatory tarifs and a collapse of international trade. The Smoot Hawley Tarif Act became a symbol of failed economic policy. But sure, let’s do this again… The global economy now is more dependent on international trade than it was 100 years ago and we are already seeing a huge loss of international trade since the tarif king’s pronouncements. (In addition to stock market wild swings with each pronouncement.)
Protectionist policies and anti-immigrant sentiment have already harmed our economy. We all could recognize the interdependence of all people, businesses, and governmental bodies. We all do better when we support each other, not try to get ahead by stepping on those who are also working hard to do better. I prefer to buy local so that my dollars stay in my community and not go to some corporate headquarters. I don’t care if the local business is owned by immigrants or not. These would be my neighbors, no matter where they were born.
Toddy Perryman Hamilton
Sports
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
2025 Corvallis XC Invitational
Corvallis hosted the Corvallis XC Invitational on Saturday, September 13. A total of 13 cross country teams, including Darby, Corvallis, Hamilton, and Stevensville, competed in the event. The race consisted of two 1.55 mile loops around the Corvallis football and soccer fields, with the varsity girls running first and the varsity boys running second.
Girls results
In the girls varsity race, Hamilton’s Aleigha Child took first place with a time of 20:02.34, Hamilton’s Reecelyn Walthall took 3rd (20:27.66), Corvallis’s Ella Varner took 4th (20:41.43), Corvallis’s Cheyenne Herbert took 5th (20:58.04), Darby’s Lily Adair took 6th (21:07.40), and Corvallis’s Jillian
Huls took 9th (21:41.79). Stevensville’s highest finisher was Irelyn Potts, who finished 31st (25:03.23).
Boys results In the boys varsity race, John Jermyn of Plains took first (16:08.68).
Hamilton’s Taylor Doleac took 2nd (16:21.76), Darby’s Ben Martin took 3rd (16:28.64), Hamilton’s Benjamin Beare took 6th (16:45.82), Corvallis’s Carter Koerner took 7th (16:59.06), Corvallis’s Marrek Jessop took 8th (16:59.90), Corvallis’s Braden Anderson took 9th (17:33.35), and Corvallis’s Jeremy Davidson took 10th (17:40.11). Stevensville’s highest finisher was Benjamin White, who took 15th (17:50.80).
All the Bitterroot Valley cross country teams will be in Missoula
at the UM Golf Course on Saturday, Sept. 20, for the Mountain West Classic, which is one of the
Hamilton volleyball defeats Stevensville
The Hamilton volleyball team is of to a strong start to the 2025 season. Hamilton has an experienced group led by seniors Aurie Duncan, Ciara Hanley, Lundyn Murray, Jenna Ellis, and Ashlynn McKern. The Broncs also get key contributions from juniors Kaitlyn Snavely and Jade Jimenez, and sophomore Ella Grifn. Expect this group to make a deep postseason run this fall.
Hamilton hosted Stevensville on Thursday, September 11, in a conference battle between two Bitterroot Valley foes. The game was competitive throughout, but Hamilton had too much frepower and won in straight sets, 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-20).
Hamilton ventured north to White-
fsh on Saturday, Sept. 13 and defeated the Bulldogs 3-1 (25-18, 25-22, 21-25, 25-17).
Stevensville traveled to Dillon on Saturday, Sept. 13, and lost to the Beavers 0-3 (15-25, 17-25, 17-25).
Volleyball roundup
Florence keeps dominating
The Florence volleyball team went to Darby on Tuesday, September 9 and won 3-0 (25-6, 25-9, 25-6). For Florence, Emory Ralston had 14 aces and 6 kills, Maggie Schneiter had 13 assists, Lexi Danczyk had 3 blocks, and Taylor Pyette had 4 digs.
Then on Thursday, Sept. 11, Florence
played at Arlee and won 3-0 (25-6, 25-8, 25-3). For Florence, Maggie Schneiter had 8 aces, 17 assists, and 7 digs, and Emory Ralston had 10 kills.
Darby
The Darby volleyball team is in their 3rd season in Class B - before the 20232024 season they were a Class C school. This can be a challenge for the Tigers as their enrollment numbers aren’t as big as some of the bigger Class B schools.
Darby hosted Florence on Tuesday, September 9, and lost 0-3 (6-25, 9-25, 6-25). Then on Thursday, Sept. 11, they
hosted Missoula Loyola and lost 0-3 (625, 6-26, 2-25).
Corvallis Corvallis hosted Ronan on Tuesday, September 9, and lost in a hard fought match 0-3 (25-23, 25-16. 25-18). Then the Blue Devils went to Whitefsh on Saturday, Sept. 13 and lost 0-3 (19-25, 22-25, 10-25).
Victor Victor played Seeley-Swan on Thursday, September 11, and were defeated 0-3 (11-25, 17-25, 19-25).
premier
cross country events in Montana and the Pacific Northwest with over 3000 runners competing.
Hamilton’s Taylor Doleac took 2nd and Darby’s Ben Martin took 3rd in the boys race in the Corvallis XC Invitational on Saturday, September 13 in Corvallis. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Hamilton’s Aleigha Child (1604) won the girls race in the Corvallis XC Invitational on Saturday, September 13 in Corvallis. Hamilton’s Reecelyn Walthall (1609) took 3rd and Corvallis’s Ella Varner (sunglasses) took 4th. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Stevensville’s Kyndahl Plantz goes up for a block in the Stevensville/Hamilton volleyball match in Hamilton on Thursday, September 11. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Hamilton’s Lundyn Murray (left), Jenna Ellis (middle), and Ciara Hanley (right) are part of a strong senior led Broncs volleyball team. Hamilton defeated Stevensville in Hamilton on Thursday, September 11. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Sports
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
Broncs chop down #5 Loggers
The Hamilton Broncs football team hosted the #5 ranked (406mtsports. com) Libby Loggers for their homecoming game on Friday, September 12. On paper it looked to be a close game featuring two undefeated teams, but the actual game wasn’t close. The Broncs controlled the game from start to finish and defeated Libby 40-0.
The Broncs took a 15-0 first quarter lead, thanks to an 8-yard touchdown run from Hamilton QB Cooper Weston and a 30-yard touchdown scamper from RB Jude Widmer. Then over the next two quarters Weston connected with his three favorite receivers for three more touchdowns: an 8-yard TD pass to Easton Hollis, a 56-yard TD pass to Jackson Lubke, and a 20-yard TD pass to Kaeden Gum. Hamilton RB Brayden Lanser finished off the scoring with a 1-yard TD run in the 4th quarter.
Hamilton’s defense only allowed 168 total yards (53 rushing and 115 passing) in the game, while Hamilton’s offense rolled up 544 total yards (246 rushing and 298 passing).
Hamilton RB Jude Widmer had a big game, rushing for 156 yards on 11 carries with a TD. Cooper Weston completed 23 of 34 passes for 287 yards and three TDs. Weston also rushed for a TD. Jackson Lubke led the receivers with 10 receptions for 164 yards and a TD.
Hamilton is now 3-0 on the season. The Broncs have a bye next week, then play at Stevensville on September 26.
Football roundup
Stevensville defeats Livingston Stevensville hosted Livingston on Friday, September 12, and defeated the Rangers 21-0. Stevensville scored two 2nd quarter touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead going into halftime. Then in the second half, the ‘Jackets scored a 4th quarter touchdown to earn the
21-0 victory. The win gives Stevensville their first victory in football since September 2023, when they defeated Ronan.
For Stevensville, Todd Whitescarver rushed for 45 yards, Luca Schmidt threw a 16-yard TD pass to David Laufenberg, Brodie Thoelke and Josh Pfister each had TD runs, and Cash Williams had 12 total tackles.
Stevensville heads south this week to play the Salmon Savages in Idaho on Friday, September 19 at 7 p.m.
Darby routs Warriors
Darby hosted Arlee on Saturday, September 13, and defeated the Warriors 62-12.
Darby’s McCoy Townsend had a monster game. The senior QB rushed for 267 yards and 6 touchdowns, and also passed for 86 yards and a TD. Also for Darby, Eli Jones rushed for 50 yards and scored a TD. Jordan Browning had 50 receiving yards, including a 35-yard TD reception. Reagan Christopherson had numerous tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception, and Gavin Anderson had 3 pass deflections and a 33yard rushing TD.
Darby is now 2-0 on the season. The Tigers host Troy for their homecoming game on Saturday, September 20 at 7 p.m.
Corvallis beaten by Bulldogs Corvallis hosted Whitefish on Friday, September 12, and were defeated 0-45. The score was tied 0-0 after the first
Soccer scores
Stevensville
The Stevensville boys and girls soccer teams hosted Corvallis on Tuesday, September 9. The Stevensville girls won 2-0. Madigan Hurlbert and Addi Nobi each had a goal. The Stevensville boys won 7-1. For Stevensville, Jakob Wenck had a hat trick, and Bryce Morrell, Konsti Parshin, Grayson Powell, and Jacob Shobe each had a goal.
Then on Thursday, Sept. 11, the Stevensville girls hosted Loyola and won 2-0. Paisley Yaskus and Nevaeh Meeder each scored a goal for Stevensville. Then on Saturday, Sept. 13, the Stevensville boys hosted Browning and won 10-0 in 35 minutes (soccer games are stopped when a team is leading by 10 goals). The following Stevensville players had goals: Jacob Shobe, Jakob Wenck, Francesco Zamboni, Bryce Morrell, Emmett Pratt, Ramsel Wilton, Trace Perkins, Braden Drye, Gunner Howe, and Hayden Warrington.
Hamilton
The Hamilton boys and girls soccer teams hosted Frenchtown on Tuesday, September 9. The Hamilton boys won 6-0, and the Hamilton girls won 2-0.
Then on Thursday, Sept. 11, both teams were at Polson where the Hamilton boys tied 0-0, and the Hamilton girls won 1-0.
Corvallis
The Corvallis boys and girls went to Stevensville on Tuesday, September 9. The Corvallis boys lost 1-7, while the Corvallis girls lost 0-2. Then on Thursday, Sept. 11, the Corvallis boys hosted Frenchtown and Corvallis won 2-1.
quarter, but then Whitefish rolled off 45 unanswered points to finish the game.
For Corvallis, Kade Bowles led with 12 total tackles, Marshall Jessop and Javin Jessop each had 8 tackles, and Caleb Johansen had two sacks.
Corvallis is now 0-3 on the season. The Blue Devils have a bye next week, then travel to Butte Central on September 26.
Victor falls to Seeley
Victor traveled to Seeley-Swan on Friday, September 12, to take on the #6 ranked (406mtsports.com) 8-man team in Montana. The high powered Blackhawks jumped out to a 45-0 first quarter lead and didn’t look back, winning 72-6. Victor is now 1-2 on the season. The Pirates play at Arlee on Friday, September 19 at 7 p.m.
Florence games postponed
Florence was set to play Fairfield on Friday, September 12 for their homecoming game, but the game was postponed due to a tragic accident during the homecoming parade (see story on page 1). Class B Florence is scheduled to play at Class A powerhouse Frenchtown on Friday, September 19 at 7 p.m.
Corvallis/Stevi golfers
Invite
The boys and girls golf teams from Corvallis and Stevensville were in Eureka on Thursday, September 11, and Libby on Friday, September 12 for the aptly named Eureka/Libby Invite.
Boys results
The Corvallis boys team of Brady Powell, Tag Jessop, Dylan Wirt, Tanner Sorenson, and Nathan Keller continued their strong play and took frst in the team standings. The Corvallis boys were a combined 24 over par, which bested 2nd place Ronan by a whopping 61 strokes.
Individually for the boys, Corvallis’s Brady Powell took 1st at -7 (67, 69), Corvallis’s Dylan Wirt took 2nd (73, 75), Corvallis’s Tag Jessop took 3rd (76, 74), Tanner Sorenson tied for 5th (79, 83), and Nathan Keller tied
for 13th (95, 83).
The Stevensville boys team of Colton Schiele, Jackson Guenzler, Jerry St. Germain, Ty Umland, and Weston Cotton fnished in 5th place.
Ty Umland was Stevensville’s highest individual fnisher at 19th place (88, 101).
Girls results
The Corvallis girls team of Kristen Race, Gracee Storrud, Tereza Conova, Coco Wheeler, and Vivian Storrud took 2nd place.
Individually, Corvallis’s Kristen Race took 2nd (92, 107), Gracee Storrud took 4th (103, 110), Stevensville’s Olivia Hanson took 6th (113, 105), Corvallis’s Tereza Conova took 7th (108, 113), and Stevensville’s Jocelyn Lambert took 8th (113, 111).
Looking for the Bitterroot Star? It’s FREE on more than 100 newsstands from Lolo to Conner. Or call us at 777-3928 and we’ll let you know where the closest stand is.
Hamilton’s Cooper Weston (#5) pressures Libby’s QB as Hamilton’s Kaeden Gum (#15) jumps to defect the pass. Hamilton defeated Libby 40-0. Photo by Scott Sacry
Stevensville’s Landon Bryan (#2) runs the ball in Stevensville’s game against Livingston on Friday, September 12. The ‘Jackets won 21-0. Photo by John Rudow.
Norman Harvey Thomas
Norman Harvey Thomas, afectionately known as “Norm,” passed away peacefully of natural causes on July 18, 2025, in Stevensville, Montana, at the remarkable age of 91. Born on December 13, 1933, in Rapid City, South Dakota, Norm lived a full and adventurous life defned by a steady sense of humor, generous spirit, and an unwavering dedication to those he loved.
The son of Daisy Helen and Harvey Thomas, both deceased, Norm grew up in the rugged beauty of South Dakota alongside his brother Roy Browning, who also preceded him in death. As soon as he was of age, Norm answered the call to service and joined the Army, an experience that shaped his discipline and strong sense of responsibility. Upon returning home, he followed his dreams skyward and became a pilot—a passion that stayed with him all his days. Whether fying his Cessna solo over the prairies or sharing stories in the hangar, Norm found peace and joy in the clouds.
Life on the ground was equally full. To support his family, Norm worked as a milkman before fnding his calling as a commercial truck driver. On the road, he met the love of his life, Janis “Jan” Claire Thom-
as. Together, Norm and Jan built not only a loving partnership that spanned over 40 years, but also a successful business—N & J Trucking. Their company became a testament to their hard work, grit, and shared dreams. Norm even tried his hand at logging truck work, often loading his own timber, before returning to his frst love: the open road.
Norm’s long and fulflling life stands as a testament to the joy of adventure, the strength of commitment, and the power of humor. He was a man quick with a joke, generous with his time, and ever-ready with a smile. Above all, Norm was a man who helped others. Whether it was a neighbor in need or a friend in trouble, he was always ready to lend a hand. His legacy of kindness, reliability, and good humor lives on in his daughters, Carrie Moor (Wade), Debra Thomas, his three grandsons Brandon Moor, Cameron Fraser, Brendan Lubin, his granddaughter Olivia Schwake and twin great-granddaughters Leilani and Janelle Moor. Though his loving wife Jan, brother Roy Browning, and parents precede him in death, Norm’s memory will forever be cherished.
Norm lived a long and full life, defned by love, laughter, and an irrepressible passion for fight and
NOTICE OF CLOSE OF REGULAR VOTER REGISTRATION AND OPTION FOR LATE REGISTRATION
Notice is hereby given that regular* voter registration for the City of Hamilton, Town of Darby, and Town of Stevensville Municipal Elections to be held on November 4, 2025, will close at 5 PM on October 6, 2025.
*NOTE: If you miss this regular registration deadline, you may still register for the election by showing up at the Ravalli County Elections Office up to and including on Election Day. Between noon and the close of business on the day before Election Day, you can complete and submit a voter registration form, but you will need to return to the Ravalli County Elections Office on Election Day to pick up and vote a ballot.
All qualified active and inactive registered electors of each district are entitled to vote in said elections.
The elections will be conducted solely by mail ballot. Ballots will be mailed on October 17, 2025 to active electors only. If you are a registered voter and do not receive a ballot, contact the county election office to update your information as necessary and receive a ballot.
Persons who wish to register and who are not presently registered may do so by requesting a form for registration by mail or by appearing at the Ravalli County Elections Office, 215 South 4th Street, Suite C, Hamilton, Montana. If you have moved, please update your registration information by filling out a new voter registration form and submitting it to the Ravalli County Elections Office.
Dated this 10th day of September, 2025 Regina Plettenberg, Ravalli County Election Administrator 215 South 4th Street, Suite C; Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 375-6550
adventure. Private services have been held. The family invites all who knew him to remember him as he was—a man always ready to help, to laugh, and to fy.
Death Notices
Paul J. Downhour
Stevensville - Paul J. Downhour, 41, passed away Monday, September 8, 2025 at Hope Hospice Center in Missoula. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www. whitesittfuneralhome.com.
Why we are the sickest nation on earth Why & how we have been betrayed by our medical system & government agencies that are tasked with protecting us e.g. FDA, CDC, NIH, EPA, etc. The current dangers of all vaccines
How the effects of the above can be assessed & neutralized
Paradigm shifts that will promote health i.e. nutrition, structural & emotional health
How energy matching produces accuracy in bringing weak organs & glands back to health
Display Ad
Size: 3 columns wide x 4” long (format to fit)
Publish: September 17 & 24 & October 1, 2025
Bill: Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder 215 South 4th Street, Suite C Hamilton, MT 59840
Please verify publication with an affidavit – Thank you!
Early autumn days and mahogany duns
A veteran guide once told me that his favorite hatch to guide was mahogany duns.
That surprised me. I’d have expected something like salmonfies or green drakes to be the answer – one of the better-known hatches of bigger bugs that get more publicity and can cause the trout to totally lose their caution for a few days.
To make the most of those hatches, though, you have to be on the water and casting at the right time in the right place. If you do an exciting and upbeat day kind of makes itself.
by Chuck Stranahan
Or you can totally miss it and be on the water with a disappointed client who came with high expectations and found nasty weather and tough fshing. If the trip is just a few days of it can miss the hatch completely. As guides we’d faced those days where we’d work hard under tough conditions for a disgruntled client, trying to fnd ways to turn the day around.
Mahoganies aren’t like that. Most days with mahoganies on the water are pleasant and productive. As mayfies go they’re big enough, usually imitated by size fourteen fies, and plentiful enough to provide some good fshing for several weeks.
They hatch midday, which is nice, too. There’s no need to get on the water early and you can clock of early evening after a full day of fshing. And the beginning angler who might have trouble jamming a big air-resistant salmonfy or hopper pattern through the air won’t have much trouble handling a # 14 Mahogany Dun Parachute: small enough to cast easily, big enough to see on the water, just right.
Part of nature’s built-in cushion is that several species of what we call mahogany duns hatch in western Montana rivers. They’re virtually indistinguishable under fshing conditions. Our most common specie hatches underwater. Some crawl ashore or onto exposed rocks or drying moss to hatch midstream. Each specie designed to survive a wide range of conditions and thrive in
specifc ones. All are members of the genus paraleptophlebia.
Nature works on a system of surpluses and remnants, in an ever-changing dynamic series of interrelated events. The so-called balance of nature, most of the time, isn’t balanced. It is better thought of as a shifting series of imbalances which, by design and over time, work themselves out.
In most years we can depend on decent hatches of mahogany duns to last for several weeks while the early autumn weather is pleasant. We see the sailboat-like dark gray wings of the naturals as they pop out on a current lane from midday into evening, and watch them drift downstream toward the middle of the run or pool.
We put our #14 Mahogany Dun Parachute or Comparadun in line with the parade, and wait for the rise of a good trout right where we saw that fsh take a natural.
Here are some things you can try when the mahogany hatch is slow, and why they might work:
Fish about a #14 Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph as deep as you can, toward the heads of pools and runs, from late morning on – until it doesn’t work and you have to switch fies or methods.
Reason: mahogany mayfy nymphs don’t come to the surface and hatch, the way most mayfies do. They hatch underwater. They leave their nymphal shuck on the bottom and literally fyswim toward the surface. Prior to hatching, they’re stuck in their nymphal shuck underwater.
The shiny bead and fash on the back of the Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph simulates the swollen nymphal wingcase, stretched shiny and bright, ready to pop open and release the adult bug underwater. Trout see these struggling pre-hatch nymphs and eat them.
When the frst few mahogs appear on the surface, or just before if you can anticipate them, you might want to switch to a #14Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle, maybe fshed below a #14 Mahogany Dun, a bigger Brindle ‘Chute, or even a hopper. The movement of soft hackle in the current suggests the wing movement of the natural coming to the surface.
Trout nail these bugs in an unseen frenzy below the surface. The action can be exhilarating if you get in on it.
Fish that soft hackle fy without an indicator like this under hatching mahoganies: Slow draw, pause – slow draw, pause. You’ll have no difculty detecting the strike.
Mahogany Hairwing Dun in #14 is a favorite dry fy pattern. Photo courtesy Chuck Stranahan.
DITCH COSTLY HEATING BILLS with an EPA certifed Central Boiler Classic Edge Titanium HDX OUTDOOR WOOD FURNACE. Call today for efcient warmth! Axmen 7655 US Hwy 10 W Missoula MT 406-7287020 www.axmenmt.com steve@axmen.com
SWITCH AND SAVE UP TO $250/YEAR ON YOUR TALK, TEXT AND DATA. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with fexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time ofer - get $50 of on any new account. Use code GIFT50. For more information, call 1-877324-0193.
CONNECT TO THE BEST WIRELESS HOME INTERNET WITH EARTHLINK. Enjoy speeds from 5Gand 4G LTE networks, no contracts, easy installation, and data plans up to 300 GB. Call 855-419-7978.
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!
PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-7621508
SAFE STEP. NORTH AMERICA’S #1 WALK-IN TUB. Comprehensive lifetime warranty.Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Of for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-6012865.
FRESH EGGS from Howell’s Happy Hens are back! $5.00/doz. Pick up
at Bitterroot Star ofce, 115 W. 3rd, Suite 108, Stevensville.
FOR RENT: 1 BDRM
APT. fully furnished, utilities/trash paid. Rural Stevensville, very quiet neighborhood. $1500 per month, on a month to month contract. Deposits required: Security $400, Cleaning $300. 406-5501289/208-827-3101.
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.
STUDENT IN STEVI, in career training, needs a place to stay. Can help with chores. Call Tom, 406493-4589.
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 .
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
Legal Notices
John D. Greef
Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 1926 Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 360-8117
Attorney for Personal Representative MONTANA TWEN-
TY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: Thomas K. Greenlee, Deceased.
Case No.: DP-41-202500000100-11
Department No. 1
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that Lynne Greenlee 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 Lynne Greenlee, 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 28th day of August, 2025.
s/John D. Greef
John D. Greef, Attorney for Personal Representative BS 9-3, 9-10, 9-17-25. MNAXLP
John S. Masar LionWood Law PLLC 115 W. 3rd St., Ste. 103 Stevensville, MT 59870 (406) 625-2682 jmasar@lionwoodlaw.
com Attorney for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: ALLEN J. HARVEY, a/k/a Allen Joseph Harvey, Deceased.
Probate No.: DP--2599 Dept.: 2
JENNIFER B. LINT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the Decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to ALLEN L. HARVEY, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at c/o LionWood Law PLLC, 115 W. 3rd Street, Suite 103, Stevensville, Montana 59870, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
DATED this 28th day of August, 2025.
/s/ Allen L. Harvey, Personal Representative c/o LionWood Law PLLC 115 W. 3rd St., Ste. 103 Stevensville, MT 59870
LionWood Law PLLC
/s/ John S. Masar
Attorney for Personal Representative
BS 9-3, 9-10, 9-17-25. MNAXLP
Legal Notice
The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will conduct a public hearing for a Ravalli County Open Lands Bond project on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. in the
Commissioners’ Meeting Room (Third Floor) of the County Administrative Building located at 215 South 4th Street, Hamilton, MT 59840. The project is called Bob Lewis Ranch Conservation Easement (230 acres). The project is located at 230 Pine Hollow Road, Stevensville. Bitter Root Land Trust is the applicant. Information describing the proposals are available for inspection on the Ravalli County website at https:// ravalli.us/181/Open-LandsBoard and at the Planning Department, located at the County Administrative Building, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite F, Hamilton, MT 59840. Written comments are encouraged to be submitted to the Planning Department prior to the public hearing and will be forwarded to the BCC for consideration at the public hearing. The public may comment verbally or in writing at the hearings. Comments and information submitted at the public hearing will be considered in the decision. Submit email comments to: planning@rc.mt.gov, and questions can be asked by phone at 406-375-6530.
BS 9-10, 9-17-25.
MNAXLP
Legal Notice
Ravalli County has received an application for a 10-lot major subdivision at 643 Bass Lane, Corvallis, MT 59828. The subdivision is called the Amended Plat (AP) of Lot B, AP#782106, a Portion of Block 1, Hamilton Heights Platted Subdivision. The subdivision property is located within the Corvallis School and Corvallis Rural Fire District. The proposed lots will be served by private wells and septic systems. Irrigation shares associated with the Bitterroot Irrigation District will be severed from the property. The property owners are Dylon and Kayla Day and Amy Lewis. The subdivision consultant is RAM Engineering. A complete copy of the application packet is available for viewing at the Ravalli County Planning Department. A copy of the Preliminary Plat is posted on our Website at https:// ravalli.us/178/Subdivisions-Exemptions. Written comments are encouraged to be submitted to the Planning Department prior to the below Planning Board Meeting and Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Hearing. The Ravalli County Planning Board will conduct a site visit on September 11, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at the project site. The site visit is an opportunity for the Planning Board to view the site and is for informational purposes. The Planning Board Public Meeting to review the proposal is on September 17, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room (Third Floor) at the County Administrative Center (215 S. Fourth Street, Hamilton, MT 59840). The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will conduct a site visit on October 1, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the project site. The site visit is an opportunity for the BCC to view the site and is for informational purposes. The BCC will also hold a Public Hearing to review the proposal on October 2, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room (Third Floor) at the County Administrative Center (215 S. Fourth Street, Hamilton, MT 59840). The public may comment verbally, or
in writing, at the meeting/ hearing. Comments and information submitted at the public meeting/hearing will be considered in the decision on the subdivision.
***This legal ad will run two times September 10, 2025 and September 17, 2025. Certain date in the September 17, 2025 posting may have passed.
BS 9-10, 9-17-25.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Final Report of the Darby Study Commission is available at https://www. darbymt.net or a printed copy can be picked up at Darby Town Hall 101 E Tanner Ave, Darby M-F 8-5.
BS 9-17, 9-24, 10-1, 10-8-25.
MNAXLP
Wlliam J. Nelson, Esq. Nelson Law Ofce PLLC 217 North 3rd Street, Suite J Hamilton, MT 59840 Telephone: (406) 3633181
Attorney for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE ESTATE OF: LILLIANE MARIE. BRYAN, Deceased.
Cause No. DP-412025-101
Dept. No. 1
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to the Personal Representative, Virginia Paula Carroll, return receipt requested, c/o Nelson Law Ofce PLLC, 217 North Third Street, Suite J, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
DATED 2nd day of September 2025.
/s/ William J Nelson, Attorney for Personal Representative
/s/ Virginia Paula Carroll, Personal Representative
BS 9-10, 9-17, 9-2425.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC HEARING
The Darby Town Council will hold a public hearing to receive oral and written comment regarding: ∙ Amend Fiscal Year Budget 2024-2025
The hearing will be held at:
Darby Town Hall 101 East Tanner Avenue
September 23, 2025
6:00PM.
BS 9-10, 9-17-25.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC HEARING
The Darby Town Council will hold a public hearing to receive oral and written comment regarding the: 2025-2026 ANNUAL BUDGET
T: (406) 802-2198 kyle@workmanlawmt. com courts@workmanlawmt.com
Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY In the Matter of the Estate of CHARLES FRANK WROBLE, JR., Deceased.
Probate No. DP-412025-0000083 Dept. No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned have been appointed as Co-Personal Representatives of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to CHRISTOPHER WROBLE and JANEL ROE, the Co-Personal Representatives, in care of WORKMAN LAW, PLLC, 601 S. First Street, P.O. Box 1167, Hamilton, Montana 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
We declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana that the foregoing is true and correct.
/s/Jane Roe
8/27/25
/s/ Christopher Wroble 8/27/25
WORKMAN LAW, PLLC
By: Kyle J. Workman, Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives BS 9-10, 9-17-9-24-25.
MNAXLP
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Bryan Vamp Earl Perkins, Bryan Vamp Earl Perkins, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-412025-0000313-NC Dept. 2 NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change from Bryan Vamp Earl Perkins to Bryan Earl Perkins.
The hearing will be on October 16, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 8th day of September, 2025.
/s/ Paige Trautwein Clerk of District Court By: Catherine Di Gleria Deputy Clerk of Court BS 9-10, 9-17, 9-24, 10-1-25.
MNAXLP
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) FOR ENGINEERING and GRANT ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
The Bitterroot Conservation District (BCD) is soliciting a Statement of Qualifcations (SOQ) for engineering services for the upgraded design, permitting, construction administration, and grant administration for the BCD Union Diversion Resource Improvements project. The BCD may utilize the selected engineering consultant for grant administration, design, and construction services for other projects related to the diversion
including but not limited to preparation of a Preliminary Engineering Report. Payment terms will be negotiated with the selected engineering consultant.
Responses to this RFQ should include: 1. the engineering frm’s legal name, address, and telephone number; 2. the experience, qualifcations and location of the staf to be assigned to the project; and 3. a description of the frm’s prior experience, including any similar irrigation projects location of project, and names of three (3) references regarding the frm’s performance on irrigation projects.
Respondents will be evaluated according to the following factors: Overall quality of the SOQ (30%); Consultant qualifcations and experience, including reference checks (40%); Prior experience with related projects (20%); Location of frm (10%). The selection of the engineering consultant will be based on the evaluation of the written responses. Considering all factors, the award will be given to the most qualifed consultant whose Statement of Qualifcations is deemed most advantageous. Unsuccessful respondents will be notifed as soon as possible. Questions and responses should be directed to the BCD by phone at 406-361-6181. All SOQs must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. (local time) on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Mail or hand-deliver to Bitterroot Conservation District 1709 North First Street, Hamilton, MT. 59840.
Proposals should provide assurance that the frm has the professional capability to satisfactorily complete all tasks outlined in the detailed RFQ. Please state “Engineering Services Statement of Qualifcations” on the outside of the response package. Include four copies of the Statement of Qualifcations. The SOQ may not exceed a total of 6 (six) one-sided pages, excluding a onepage cover letter and resumes. Minimum font size for all text is 11 pt. This solicitation is being ofered in accordance with federal and state governing procurement of professional services. Accordingly, the BCD reserves the right to negotiate an agreement based on fair and reasonable compensation for the scope of work and services proposed, as well as the right to reject any and all responses deemed unqualifed, unsatisfactory, or inappropriate.
BS 9-17, 10-8-25.
MNAXLP
OG-25-09-392
Legal Notice
The Ravalli County Planning Department is inviting public comment on a foodplain permit to install fber optic cable within the regulatory foodplain of the Bitterroot River. The applicant is Grizzly Broadband. The project is intended to provide fber optic connections to homeowners in the Bell Xing Area, Stevensville (including Bell Xing, Loco Way, Alpenglow Road, River Bend Lane, Beavertail, Bell Pond Way and Bush Creek Road)
All work will occur within existing utility easements (right-of-way) or on private lands with owner permission. Information regarding this permit is available at the Ravalli County Planning Department at 215 S 4th St, Suite F in Hamilton. Written comments may be
mailed, hand-delivered or emailed (planning@rc.mt. gov) and must be received by 5:00 pm, Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Reference application # FA-2516.
BS 9-17-25.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Ravalli County Transportation Committee will meet on the 24th day of September, 2025 at 1:00PM in the Commissioner’s Conference Room at the Administration Building (215 S 4th Street) in Hamilton. The purpose of this meeting will be to approve/make adjustments to school transportation routes and approve any individual transportation contracts for the 2025-26 school year. If you have any questions or comments regarding any school district’s bus routes, please attend the meeting or send them to the Ravalli County Superintendent of Schools, 215 South 4th Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 (email recorder@ rc.mt.gov) prior to September 24th. BS 9-17-25.
MNAXLP
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Leisl Marie Burt, Leisl Marie Burt, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-25-238 Dept. 2 NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Leisl Marie Burt to Leisl Marie DuBose. The hearing will be on October 16, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 11th day of September, 2025. /s/ Paige Trautwein Clerk of District Court By: Catherine Di Gleria Deputy Clerk of Court BS 9-17, 9-24, 10-1, 10-8-25.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT, RAVALLI COUNTY In the Matter of the Guardianship of Braiden Ketron, Charlee Olson, Petitioner, Nicholas Olson, Co-Petitioner Cause No. DG-412025-0000038-GS
NOTICE OF HEARING ON GUARDIANSHIP OF A MINOR CHILD THE STATE OF MONTANA SENDS GREETINGS TO: Sabrina Ketron.
NOTICE IS GIVEN to the birth parent of the minor child above referenced and all other interested persons that Petitioners have fled a petition with the Clerk of this Court to become the guardians of the minor child. The hearing on the Petition will be held at 205 Bedford in Ravalli County on the following date and time: Date: 10/22/2025 at 1:30 p.m. Your failure to attend the hearing may result in the relief requested by the Petitioners being granted.
Dated: September 9, 2025 /s/ Paige Trautwein Clerk of Court By: Michelle Goldman Deputy Clerk of Court BS 9-17, 10-1, 10-825. MNAXLP
