The Lucky Horseshoe 4-H Club proudly represents the next generation of leaders from the Stevensville and Lone Rock communities—youth ages six to eighteen who are building bright futures in agriculture, indu stry, college, and beyond. Their hands-on projects, made possible by the generous support of community buyers and donors, are helping them grow into tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and innovators.
RIDGE ANDERSON
RHORIE BOUMA
THE LUCKY HORSESHOE 4-H CLUB THANKS ALL OF OUR SUPPORTERS FROM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND AT THE 2025 RAVALLI COUNTY FAIR. JEMMA BOUMA
KALEB HAWKEY
HENRY KEPHART
WYATT KEPHART
CAYDEN SUTHERLIN Cloverbud
JACKSON TALBOT Cloverbud JOHN TALBOT Cloverbud
REAL ESTATE: board of realtors adjusting to challenge
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of agents, Siphers noted, “Very few agents actually do make a living at this.”
Siphers and most other agents don’t really have a specialty, he said. “You have to really be a generalist, which means you have to do commercial. I do more commercial sales than most of the others. Nationwide, that is where the money is. But it’s a very small portion of sales in the Bitterroot. It’s a little better in Missoula.”
“Commercial is tougher than nails,” he added.
When the “Yellowstone” television series was being filmed in the Bitterroot, the capitalization rate (a percentage that equates to the potential return on the investment) was high, because rental properties
years of detailed records.
The folks from Farmers State Bank said that even though commercial lending rates are currently high, above 7.5%, there are still a lot of commercial deals happening, and owner financing remains a good option.
Storage units are still one of the best commercial investments in the valley, said Siphers, even though with the ubiquitous storage unit businesses it doesn’t seem possible that there could still be a public demand for this service. But, said Siphers, as soon as they
were in high demand. Interestingly, although the series is finished, rents have remained high, and properties are not selling as quickly as they were.
“Rents for 2-bedroom, 2-bath units went from $700 to $1400 in four years,” said Siphers. “That affects employers and workers. It became a problem finding workers because they couldn’t afford to live here… It’s softened a bit now, you can see it softening. Our residential market for single family residences, we now have a 9-month inventory. From a 6-month inventory, it becomes a buyers market, the days on the market are really stretching out.”
Siphers said that it’s a challenging time for the real estate market.
“There are so many variables. We’ve gone from 40 to over 100 average days on the market. Some are not being realistic in their pricing, still thinking it’s what it was a few years ago. The other part is that you’ve got people who are sitting at a 3% interest rate and don’t want to move to 6+%.”
He said that another element is that prices have escalated to the point that locals can’t afford a home. “The National Association of Realtors has recognized Montana as being one of the least affordable places for real estate in the country,” said Siphers. “Average income versus average and median home prices don’t mesh.”
The National Association of Realtors requires a certain amount of outreach to the community, as well as to the agents themselves. This is part of the core standards for membership. Siphers said that the recent panel was an opportunity to discuss various pricing models for commercial real estate. He said there are three appraisal approaches: market comparison by sales history; cost approach – what would it cost to replace plus depreciation; and an income approach – assigning a cap rate falls within that approach. He said that a price could also be some multiple of gross sales. With commercial properties, the bottom line for buyers is a realistic determination of what will be the return on their investment. Siphers mentioned that determining a realistic price is challenging. One problem is that many small business owners don’t keep good records of income and expenses; he advised that anyone thinking of selling a business should make an effort to have at least three
basic goal of SB358 was to protect the aquifers in certain basins. It came out of a Broadwater County decision. But, the bottom line was that it closed the basin, effectively stopping any new wells. Now, it is stupifying to me that, according to the Bureau of Mines and Geology, who were not even on the task force that made these recommendations with regard to these basins, recent studies say we are sitting on top of 600 billion gallons of water in
the valley. We use roughly 4.5 to 6 billion gallons of water per year. There’s plenty of water.
“SB358 would have closed our whole basin which would have skyrocketed bare land prices and stopped construction entirely. It was just absolutely ludicrous.
“We were told by the people in Helena that our organization and our mobilization was instrumental in getting this stopped. It was a big win for our organization.”
Following the panel discussion, the group toured several commercial properties currently for sale. Prices ranged from $175,000 for a stone veneer manufacturing company in the Hamilton area with no land, to a grocery store with various living spaces on several acres of land in the Hamilton area listed at $2,975,000.
are built, they fill up. Another still solid commercial property is mobile home parks, according to Siphers.
“There are lots of moving parts to commercial real estate,” said Siphers. “Farmers State Bank, and other smaller local and regional banks, are pretty flexible in how they can provide financing. Farmers, Stockman, Clearwater, they all are willing to look at this. They have local underwriting authority which is particularly helpful for business owners. There are so many ways to structure the financing.”
The lending bankers who attended the panel concurred, all saying basically that, where there’s a will to make a business sale happen, there is usually a way for them to put together a financing option.
However, Siphers emphasized that the real estate agent has a big responsibility in ensuring that the property is valued correctly.
In the end, “the person who buys a working business who is savvy has in their mind what the risk factors are,” said Siphers. “They decide what it’s worth to them. A willing and able seller and a willing and able buyer will eventually come to terms,” with the help of a good realtor.
The BVBR not only serves its members but it also serves the property owners of the valley whether they’re buying or selling, which in turn has an impact on the population in general, said Siphers.
“With respect to the property owners, we like to think we advocate for private property rights which is a core mission of ours. And with respect to the general public, we have elements of our organization that are sensitive to the fact that we’ve had a meteoric rise in property value which has put pressure on affordable housing. We monitor the Board of Health, the Planning Board, the Department of Environmental Health.”
“One of the things we did as an organization was we mobilized heavily against Senate Bill 358 in this last session,” said Siphers. “The
STEVI: town budget progress halted amid complaints
Stevensville has six parks in town, and historically lots of areas were donated to the town as parks. However, now the small town must upkeep all these areas. The town also hosts some very large events and activities in the parks, such as the Creamery Picnic. These events draw hundreds if not thousands of people from far outside the community.
Stevensville’s parks largely beneft the immediate community, but also the communities outside of Stevensville. Town ofcials also noted that being somewhat central, the Stevensville parks see visitors from both ends of the valley regularly. This is why they are looking at implementing some kind of park district, to help gather funding from outside the Stevensville town limits.
Another major focus will be on infrastructure needs. The growth policy will address the town’s age, and the numerous bonds that have been required to fnd and repair old water and sewer lines as well as other elements of infrastructure.
According to Michalson, the policy will speak to the need for a new water storage tank, because the current one east of town is “old and tired,” as Michalson described. In fact, the last growth policy update, in 2016, was also looking at the water tank issue. Ten years later, Michalson says it is really in need.
Michalson added that the waste water
treatment plant is coming to the end of its life. This, and other projects, are included in the proposed budget, which was meant to be passed at last Thursday night’s council meeting. However, problems arose during the meeting. During the August 28 meeting, numerous comments of concern were made by the public. Many of them were self-professed to be on behalf of Jim Crews, a former Stevensville mayor. Chief of these was a lengthy comment given by Stevensville council member Wally Smith. Crews was unable to attend because he was legally trespassed from Stevensville Town Hall property due to claims of continuous harassment of town employees.
Council member Smith read several letters between Crews and Mayor Michalson. Many of the concerns were confrontational regarding the way the town is being run. These included claims of the relaxed view Crews believes the town is taking on meeting procedures and town policies.
Other concerns were voiced that Crews’ rights were being side-stepped
to continue to listen to more lies, defend myself and subject myself to the existing working conditions at town hall.” She said this was directed at Crews. The article further mentioned “bad behavior” from Crews, who she then mentioned “yelled at and belittled” employees.
The NBC article further stated, “Hofman’s resignation letter, dated June 22, describes similar issues addressed in a letter from just over a year earlier— former town clerk Audrey Tribbensee’s resignation letter.” At that time, Hofman was forced to resign as, “Crews requested Hofman be charged with insubordination and violations of the town’s personnel policy and professionalism policy.”
the restricted access and discontinue his stalking behavior,” words spoken by former Stevensville mayor Brandon Dewey.
Prior to Hofman, Crews was one of
In another article in 2021, “Former Stevensville mayor complains about meeting procedure,” Dewey stated, “The town’s staf, myself and many others in the community have tolerated your bullying and mistreatment longer than anyone should have to.” Again, these were comments directed towards Crews.
There are numerous news references to Crews in this fashion from other individuals in the community and the town staf. It is of note that Jim Crews has fled to run for mayor of Stevensville again.
Near the end of the meeting last week, council members Smith and Cindy Brown stated that they could not vote on the budget because not enough public notice was given, since the meeting notice wasn’t published in the local newspaper, the Bitterroot Star. This turned out to be correct, as the Star mistakenly did not run the notice. The town council decided to re-run the notice, and give the public the appropriate and legally recommended two weeks before they vote to approve it. The notice will let the public know there will be a public hearing before the vote. According to Michalson and town ofcials, this was done to remain transparent and to respect the public’s right to know. The hearing on the budget is scheduled for Thursday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m. at town hall.
Jim Crews
Rapp Family Foundation Grant Applications 3rd Quarter 2025
The Rapp Family Foundation is in its 34th year of supporting non-profit organizations in Ravalli County. All organizations that have an IRS 501(c)3 letter qualify. Churches are automatically considered 501(c)3 charities, if they meet the criteria required by the IRS and continually adhere to 501(c)3 requirements. Public schools tax exempt status under 501(c)3 is not required for such organizations to qualify for private foundation grants. Government entities are also eligible to apply.
The Regular Quarterly Grant has a maximum of $5000. Qualifed organizations may request an application by emailing: rappapps2024@gmail.
com. The deadline for the return of the completed applications is September 12, 2025. Application questions for 2025 have changed so be sure the application you submit is #09122025.
Community Focus Multi-Organizational Grant
This project proposal is structured so that a minimum of 4 non-proft organizations would each contribute their personnel, eforts and funds to create something that enhances the community and that would beneft a wide segment of the population. These applications will be judged on community need and how well all of the organizations contribute to this
efort.
These applications are accepted in the 3rd quarter only. The new forms for those grants will be available about one month before the application deadline which is the 2nd Friday in September. #09122025CFMO Community Impact Grants
In an efort to encourage non-profits to work together the Foundation developed a Community Focus Multi Organizational Grant and a Community Impact Grant. These applications are accepted in the 3rd quarter only. The new forms for those grants will be available about 3 weeks before the application deadline which is the 2nd
Friday in September. The funding amounts for these 2 grants are noted in the instructions. #0912025CI Your application should be structured such that your organization in collaboration with others, would make an impact on a wide segment of the community. Your application will be judged on need, impact and the collaborative efort to cause that impact. These applications are accepted in the 3rd quarter only. The new forms for those grants will be available about 3 weeks before the application deadline which is the 2nd Friday in September. If you have questions email: rappapps2024@gmail.com.
Improvement construction underway at Owen FAS
County responds to scare tactics over lien fraud
by Michael Howell
The Ravalli County Commissioners approved a plan last week presented by Clerk and Recorder Regina Plettenberg to provide a free service for people concerned about fraudulent liens and title transfers being placed against them. According to Plettenberg, her ofce has received a rash of phone calls from citizens in response to a national ad campaign sponsored by a company looking to drum up customers to provide them a similar service.
Title fraud is identity theft: someone pretends to be you and transfers your deed to someone else. For instance, Home Title Lock, a company located in Coral Springs, Florida, states on its website that, “With just a forged signature, anyone can transfer your home’s title, enabling them to drain your equity by taking out loans against your property - leaving you with a legal and fnancial nightmare.” For a hefty fee they will provide 24/7 monitoring to detect any tampering with your title or mortgage and send you a timely alert of any changes to your title. They also claim that their “U. S. based restoration team will spend up to $1 million to fx the fraud and restore your title.”
The Federal Trade Commission, however, issued its own alert a year ago calling home lock insurance, “just a ploy to scare you.”… First know that ‘title lock insurance’ is not title insurance.
“If you are a homeowner, you might remember buying title insurance when you frst bought your house. It protects you against challenges to the title, like a lien you didn’t know about. But ‘title lock insurance’ is diferent - and it’s not insurance at all. Instead it’s a service that claims to monitor your deed to protect you against title fraud. You’d only fnd out AFTER your title got transferred to someone else without your authorization. So much for the lock,” states the FCC.
They point out that title fraud is identity theft and states that “title lock insurance” would not stop that. One of the most efective ways to stop identity theft, which is a key component of deed fraud, they state, is to place a security freeze on your credit fle with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). It prevents anyone from opening a new mortgage or line of credit in your name without your permission.
The Ofce of Consumer Protection at the Montana Department of Justice also provides advice about protecting yourself from identity theft by putting a security freeze on your credit information and ofers a security freeze form letter and more detailed information about the nuts and bolts on-line.
Plettenberg agrees with the FCC and other consumer advocates and calls the advertising “scare tactics.” She said her ofce checks deeds before they
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are transferred and checks the notarization relating to the signatures. She said that if anything were to happen, she would cloud the title and go to the County Attorney, “which is what I would do with one of these anyway.”
“The intent of these ads is to scare people,” said Plettenberg. “And does it happen? I have heard that it does. Do we have incidences like that in Ravalli County? We have not.”
With the Commissioners’ approval, she said she had a plan to provide the same service to county residents for free. She said she looked into it years ago and found it to be too expensive but that prices have now come down. She told the Commissioners she could use funds already available under her current budget to purchase installation of the system for a one-time $4,200 fee and pay the frst $600 annual maintenance fee if the Board would agree to include future annual fees in her regular maintenance budget. The Commissioners approved the plan.
So, Ravalli County residents may now monitor their own property title for free by checking with the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder’s Ofce on-line.
“This is for people who, for instance, know their Homeowners Association may be putting a lien on their property but they plan on contesting it, or the guy that installed my carpet is going to put a lien on my property but I’m going to contest it. That way they can just go online and fnd out instead of calling every week. I think this will be a nice thing to ofer because we are getting these kinds of inquiries more and more,” said Plettenberg.
HELPING EMPLOYERS WITH OUR SERVICES!
WHEN: FRI, SEPT 5, 2025
WHEN: FRI, SEPT 5, 2025
WHERE:
WHERE:
CORVALLIS FIRE HALL 317 WOODSIDE CUTOFF RD CORVALLIS, MT 59828
CORVALLIS FIRE HALL
317 WOODSIDE CUTOFF RD
CORVALLIS, MT 59828
TIMES: 2:00 PM TO 7:00 PM WHAT IS AVAILABLE:
TIMES: 2:00 PM TO 7:00 PM
WHAT IS AVAILABLE:
CHILDHOOD VACCINES & MMR FOR ADULTS
CHILDHOOD VACCINES & MMR FOR ADULTS
(MEASLES MUMPS & RUBELLA)
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Actions are g reater than words
Joe Biden, in his condescending whisper voice, consistently told us that he would fx the border, only if Republicans in Congress would vote to give him more funding. All the news networks followed suit, Democrat Representatives went on the news shows and social media falsely blaming Republicans for the open border. The Ravalli County Democrats also pedaled this propaganda.
Republicans did not vote for that bill because there were billions for Ukraine in there and 90% of the money “for the border” was going to judges and administrative staf to pass Illegal immigrants through the system faster. It was all a talking point for political gain folks and as usual, Joe and the Democrats had zero interest in making this a better country but did have interest in lining their pockets with your money through the Ukraine money laundering scam. Almost a million illegal immigrants were entering the country monthly at the time.
Trump gets in ofce, uses the same powers Biden had available, shuts the border, and crossings are literally zero. No bloated spending bill padding politicians’ wallets, just action.
Trillions of dollars have been shipped of to Ukraine to fght a war with thousands dying yearly. Ukraine President Zelensky has admitted they can’t account for half of the money, and the other half included things like funding pensions for teachers and government ofcials in Ukraine. Meanwhile our own social security system could have used that infux of cash to aid seniors. In addition, trillions of dollars in US military equipment have ended up on the black market and been traced back to Ukraine. The American taxpayer would still be paying for this money laundering Ponzi scheme if Kamala Harris had been elected.
Trump stopped the spending cold and said if the EU wants to give Ukraine military equipment, they can pay for it, we’re done. Then after directing peace in the Middle East, Azerbaijan/Armenia (among others), he does something that was painfully obvious, but Democrats were too inept to see. The way to stop the Ukraine war is not burning our cash and going on 60 minutes to tell Putin “No,” it is direct negotiations with the parties involved. Biden coddled Zelensky. Trump gave him a needed tongue lashing, and put major heat on Putin, then met with him after he had softened up the target. Now peace is possibly in sight.
The Democrats are so desperate to become relevant, that they now have turned to the Epstein fles as their talking point. As if that is the most important issue facing Americans and we are supposed to believe that the corrupt Biden Administration/DOJ, that held that fle for FOUR YEARS, would not have leaked any information pertaining to Trump if he was involved. They didn’t, because he’s not, but Bill Clinton is, however they are trying to defect from all the victories this administration has had in seven short months to better the country, not to mention he has done more to release information pertaining to the fles than Biden ever did. The Democrat party is a clown car, powered by helium, driven by a court jester rooting for the downfall of America. Bill Cavanaugh Corvallis
Chaos
CHAOS “Complete disorder and confusion” or more simply put, “Donald Trump”! President Trump relies on disorder, confusion, and obfuscation to control the narrative of what is going on in America today. In contrast to what President Trump says, inflation is still rising, new job numbers are down, unemployment is up! Interest rates remain high and his reckless tariffs are making everything more expensive, with more to come! Recently, I received a midyear report from our financial advisor. In it he states, “Given the economic distortions witnessed in recent months and the ongoing uncertainty around policy and geopolitics, it is a difficult time to have strong convictions. However, some semblance of clarity is expected in the near future and our base-case view is that the economy will begin to show more definitive adverse effects from trade policy with slower labor demand, weaker growth, and uptick in inflation.” In other words, Trump‘s policies are failing, and we will all pay the price!! CHAOS! Meanwhile, our Republican Senators and Representatives (Daines, Sheehy, Zinke, and Downing) twiddle their thumbs and sing his praises! All this is in addition to the terrible purge he is forcing on members of our community who came to the USA for a better life. Imagine yourself and your family having walked from Guatemala or El Salvador to seek the “American Dream”. Yes, you came and crossed the border illegally, but you have not broken any laws while here. Your wife and children are living in some rundown tenement. You and your wife both work menial jobs that no one else would do to pay the rent and put food on the table for your children. You are doing the best you can to abide by the laws and just “get by”. Along comes Trump‘s ICE squad! They pick you up while you are walking along the street, throw you in the back of a van and take you to some unknown “Alligator Alcatraz” (Florida) or “Speedway Slammer” as the detention center in Indiana is known. From there, you are shipped out, without any legal proceeding, to a prison in El Salvador, Rwanda, or Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) never to be heard from again by your family! Is this the American dream they thought it would be? I urge you to walk in their shoes for a while! The annual Ravalli Fair is coming up this weekend. I urge you all to attend. Make sure to stop by the Lions Club Bingo Booth. You will have a lot of fun, win great prizes, and contribute to many of the needy programs in the community that the Lions Club supports. Thanks!
Thomas Tunny Hamilton
Despicable Trump
D onald Trump’s recent failed attempt at international diplomacy in Alaska was notable for a few things. He apparently doesn’t know that Alaska is a U.S. state, or whether he was going to Alaska or Russia. And he left without having achieved anything in his good ol’ bro talks with Vladimir Putin.
Let’s recap: Putin is a dictator, he attacked the sovereign nation of Ukraine without provocation, kidnapped thousands of Ukrainian children and sent them to live with Russian families, precise locations
unknown. He bombs Ukrainian homes, hospitals and schools. He murders his political opponents by throwing them off tall buildings or by poisoning them. He puts them in far off prisons or has them followed to other counties and poisoned. He is an international thug, wanted for war crimes. There is an international arrest warrant out for him.
And yet Donald Trump invites him to America and gives him a red carpet welcome. Literally, a red carpet was laid for this murderous thug by - wait for it - American Marines.
Americans of all ages and generations have an image of U.S. Marines in our heads. You know the one I’m talking about. It’s famous. Its the one showing six Marines raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi at the battle of Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945. Now we have another image, this one from Aug. 15, 2025, of U.S. Marines on their hands and knees straightening out the red carpet for a wanted international criminal as he greets the only convicted felon to have ever been elected president of the United States.
It’s despicable. Trump is despicable. He deserves neither support nor respect. He deserves contempt.
Carlotta Grandstaff Hamilton
Shameful leaders
Th is is an open letter, in the hopes that the winds will carry it to the addressees.
To all the CEO’s, the senators and congressmen, the judges and justices, to the governors and appointed officials… to all of you who sold your integrity to Donald Trump and his Project 2025 controllers, shame on you.
Individually and collectively, you have virtually destroyed most of the things that have made America great over the last sixty years. Well done!
There is a special room in hell for you. Neville Chamberlain is already there.
David Leslie Corvallis
Bitterroot e mbarrassment
T he 2025 Ravalli County Fair is history, and by all I’ve heard, a very successful event. Thank you Melissa Saville.
But I write to highlight an unsatisfying anecdote that we all need to address. Russell Cleveland, a Stevensville son, and candidate for our congressional district #1 seat, had a booth at the fair. He was physically present for most of Saturday, the 31st. What shocked me was that he reported that more than one or two people passionately called him a “baby killer” and other disgusting epithets. All MAGA crap.
It should worry us all that we still have, in this valley, voters of such wrong-headed beliefs about our politics, civil discourse and the basic respect due everyone. I am deeply embarrassed that my valley neighbors feel that such behavior is acceptable. MAGA leaders, I’m talking
to you. We can, and must, demand better behavior of ourselves and each other.
David Leslie Corvallis
Open letter to commissioners
RE: Changing entry rules/deadlines at the Ravalli County Fair I’m not sure who’s lamebrained idea it was to extend the entry deadlines at the Ravalli County Fair from August 8, 2025 to August 24, 2025, but since it was approved by you three, I will address you all.
There are reasons for the traditional entry timeline, reasons that have served us well for many years. You have apparently decided you know how to run the Fair better and extended the entry deadline. Why? Did your child or grandchild miss the deadline? Did you? What possible reason could there be?
I have volunteered at the Fair for many years now. I was there today, checking in quilts and helping organize entries for the judging that will take place tomorrow. At approximately 3 pm this afternoon, we were informed by the Fair staff that judging will begin at noon Monday, rather than the usual 9 am time slot. This is to allow the office time to input the many late entries, print entry tags for items and prepare the books for judging. Where are you, County Commissioners? After all, this was your idea. Are you in the office doing data entry on the one computer that is used for this task? Are you making copies and collating books until midnight? I think not.
In 2024, we had approximately 160 items in our division. It took us from 9 am to 5 pm to complete the judging. This year, we have more than 250 entries… or, that’s how many we know about. Nearly 100 more items to be judged, not counting any late entries. We simply cannot begin the judging at noon and expect to finish at a reasonable hour. Our judges are coming from Idaho; did you plan to put them up overnight when they’re finished? Your actions are disrespectful to the many volunteers who work tirelessly to make our Fair a success. You show no respect for the employees of the Fair, who now have this herculean task to accomplish on top of their planned duties. You owe us all an explanation. Better yet, you owe us an apology. We’ll tough it out this year. I implore you to reverse your decision for the years to come.
Fran Milano, Fair Volunteer Hamilton
2025 Ravalli County Fair!
Top row, “food row,” photo by John Dowd. Second row left and right, mutton busting and mini buckers, photos by John Rudow. Third row left, 4H member washing sheep, photo by John Dowd. Third row right, steer wrestling, photo by John Rudow. Fourth row left, ferris wheel lit up, photo by John Rudow. Fourth row right, Ethan Wright in the youth tractor pull, photo by John Dowd. Bottom row left, Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf and Locea Fifeld at the dunk tank, photo by John Dowd. Bottom row right, 4H sheep showmanship, photo by John Rudow.
Sports
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
Football Roundup
Hamilton routs Ronan
Hamilton started their football season with a bang on Friday, August 29 in Ronan as the Broncs defeated the Chiefs 51-0. Hamilton led 21-0 after the first quarter and 42-0 at halftime to coast to the lopsided victory.
Hamilton’s WR Jackson Lubke had himself a game. Lubke caught three passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns, he added a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown, and had a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown - all in the first half.
Hamilton quarterback Cooper Weston was 7 for 8 for 183 yards and threw for three touchdowns. Running backs Cyrus Cousins and Jude Widmer each rushed for touchdowns, and Kaeden Gum caught a 22-yard TD pass.
Hamilton next plays at Whitefish on Friday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
Florence falls to Three Forks
The Florence football team lost to
Three Forks 25-13 in a clash between two of Montana’s best Class B football teams on Friday, August 29 in Florence. The Wolves pounced quickly and jumped out to a 19-0 halftime lead, but Florence rallied in the second half to make it close. The Falcons had their chances, but were unable to make up the early deficit.
Three Forks’s offense started and stopped with Kanon Reichman - the 6’4”, 220 pound athletic QB was responsible for all the Wolves’s points. Florence’s starting QB Jake Schneiter was injured early in the game and was unable to return, which led to Florence’s slow start. WR Brody Duchien filled in admirably at quarterback for Florence and threw for two second half touchdowns.
Florence’s task doesn’t get any easier this week as they travel to play Class B powerhouse Manhattan on Friday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
Corvallis loses to Polson
Corvallis hosted Polson on
Friday, August 29 and lost 26-6. The game was tied 6-6 at halftime and, after a lightning delay, Polson pulled away in the second half.
Corvallis’s lone touchdown came from a 12-yard pass from quarterback Reese Tucker to Javin Jessop.
“I’m super proud of our players and their ability to make adjustments tonight,” said Corvallis head coach Josh McCrossin. “Polson just made a couple more adjustments and a few more big plays down the stretch in an otherwise tough game. We look forward to the opportunity to reboot this next week and take on Bigfork after another week of practicing as a team.”
Corvallis plays at Bigfork on Friday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
Stevensville falls to Hardin/ Lodge Grass
The Stevensville football team headed east on Friday, August 29 to battle the newly formed Hardin/
Lodge Grass co-op team. The Yellowjackets were able to get some points on the board, but fell 40-14. In week 2, Stevensville heads north to face Libby on Friday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
Victor triumphant over Troy The Victor Pirates traveled to Troy on Saturday, Aug. 30 and won 54-46 in a shootout. Victor jumped out to a 32-20 first half lead, and led 40-26 after three quarters, then held on in the 4th quarter to preserve the eight-point victory. Victor hosts Darby on Saturday, September 6 at 1 p.m.
Darby game cancelled Darby’s game against Plains on Friday, Aug. 29 was cancelled because Plains didn’t have enough players to play.
Darby will now open their season against Bitterroot Valley rival Victor in Victor on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m.
Corvallis boys win at Old Works
The Hamilton and Corvallis golf teams were in Anaconda at the Old Works Golf Club for a tournament on Monday, August 25 and Tuesday, August 26. Individually for the boys, Corvallis’s Brady Powell (69, 69) and Polson’s Max Milton (67, 71) tied for 1st place at six under par. Corval-
lis’s Dylan Wirt (71, 81) and Tag Jessop (73, 79) tied for 5th, and Corvallis’s Coby Powell (78, 81) took 8th.
Individually for the girls, Hamilton’s Cameron Burnett (43, 84) tied for 2nd. Hamilton’s Bryn Cianfone (46, 97) took 9th and Corvallis’s Kristen Race (42, 102) tied for 10th.
In the team standings, the Corvallis boys (Brady Powell, Tag Jessop, Dylan Wirt, and Cody Powell) won, and the Hamilton boys took 6th. The Hamilton girls (Cameron Burnett, Bryn Cianfone, Hayley Weber, Rhain Hollingsworth) took 2nd, and the Corvallis girls took 6th.
Volleyball tip of tournament Cross country in Ronan
The volleyball teams from Florence, Corvallis, Hamilton and Stevensville were at the NW/SW Tip-Off Tournament in Polson on Friday, August 29, and Saturday, August 30.
The tournament pitted teams from seven northwest Montana schools against teams from seven southwest Montana schools - all the Bitterroot Valley schools were on the southwest side. On Friday and Saturday the teams had pool play games to decide their standings from seed one to seed seven. Then in the final game on Saturday, the #1 seed from the NW played the #1 seed from the SW, and so on from the #2 seeds to the #7 seeds.
Corvallis went 2-5 in pool play and was the SW’s #6 seed. In their final
game they defeated the NW’s #6 seed Libby 19-25, 25-17, 15-10.
Florence was the only Class B team in the field as all the other schools were Class A. This didn’t phase the Falcons as they went 7-0 in pool play and got the SW’s #3 seed (tiebreakers were based on point differential). In their final match they defeated the NW’s #3 seed Whitefish 25-18, 25-21. Hamilton went 7-0 in pool play and got the SW’s #2 seed (tiebreakers were based on point differential). In their final match they defeated the NW’s #2 seed Bigfork 25-19, 22-25, 15-9.
Stevensville went 3-4 in pool play to earn the SW’s #5 seed. In their final match they lost to the NW’s #5 seed Ronan 27-28, 25-14, 12-15.
The boys and girls cross country teams from Corvallis, Stevensville, and Hamilton began their seasons at the Canal Run in Ronan on Friday, August 29. In the team standings, the Corvallis boys and girls both took 1st place. The Hamilton boys took 2nd, and the Stevensville boys took 5th.
Individually for the girls, Hamilton’s Aleigha Child won with a time of 21:00.61. Hamilton’s Reecelyn Walthall took 3rd (22:01.29). Corvallis’s Jillian Huls took 4th (22:10.20). Corvallis’s Ella Varner took 5th (22:27.37). Hamilton’s Mazie Torres took 6th (22:38.28). Corvallis’s Cheyenne Herbert took 7th (22:50.17).
Individually for the boys, Hamilton’s Taylor Doleac won with a time of 16:52.00. Corvallis’s Carter Koerner took 2nd (17:17.53). Corvallis’s Marrek Jessop took 4th (17:55.13). Corvallis’s Jeremy Davidson took 5th (18:14.41). Hamilton’s Benjamin Beare took 6th (18:16.82).
Florence’s Bridger Alexander rushes the quarterback in Florence’s game against Three Forks on Friday, August 29 in Florence. Florence lost 25-13. Photo by Scott Sacry.
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
Soccer season begins
Hamilton
The Hamilton boys and girls soccer teams hosted a pair of Class A soccer juggernauts over the weekend as they played Billings Central on Friday, August 29 and Laurel on Saturday. Both programs are traditional Class A soccer powers, and the Billings Central boys and girls are both the defending Class A state champions.
On Friday against Billings Central, the Hamilton boys lost 3-5 and the Hamilton girls lost 0-4. Then on Saturday against Laurel, the Hamilton boys tied 2-2, while the Hamilton girls lost 1-5
Stevensville
The Stevensville boys hosted Livingston on Thursday, August 28 and lost 4-5. Then on Friday, August 29 ,the Stevensville
boys and girls played at East Helena. The boys won handily 10-2, while the girls game ended in a 0-0 tie.
Corvallis
The Corvallis girls and boys hosted Bigfork on Friday, August 29. The Corvallis boys lost 0-3, while the Corvallis girls lost 0-9.
Then on Saturday, Corvallis hosted Billings Central, the defending boys and girls Class A state champions. The Corvallis boys lost 0-7, while the Corvallis girls lost 0-10.
Sunrise service set for Serrette
The Bitterroot Valley soccer community will have a sunrise remembrance service on Thursday, September 4 at the Stevensville soccer complex to mark the frst anniversary of Ralph Serrette’s passing. Serrette, Stevensville’s longtime men’s head
soccer coach, died on September 4, 2024 at the age of 77. Serrette and Stevensville soccer were intertwined for 30 plus years. Serrette started coaching the Stevensville High School boys team in 1995 and was the program’s only head coach until this season. Organizers ask that the attendees be at the high
school soccer feld by 6:45 a.m. and meet in the fagpole area to be prepared to share the 7:00 a.m. sunrise. Participants are asked to bring a fashlight to make their way to the fagpole area. Light refreshments will be served after. Contact Cathi Cook at (406) 240-3705 for more information.
Menu: Haystack Dinner: All You Can Eat ! Prepared by members of the local Mennonite community
Location: St. Mary’s Parish Family Center 333 Charlos St . Stevensville DATE : Sept 5 2025 ,Dinner 5pm -7pm
Auction 7pm P Bid on a wonderful array of items and services donated by individuals and local businesses. From handcrafted items and artisan goods to gift baskets, baked treats, farm supplies, fresh produce, home services,new buildings and unique experiences, there’s something for everyone! E 100% of proceeds support the Stevensville Mennonite School, Stevensville Mennonite Church is a registered charitable organization, so your donation is fully tax deductible as allowed by law. Receipts for your contribution will be provided We extend our heartfelt thanks for your support! The purpose of this benefit dinner and auction is to raise the funds needed for the local Mennonite children to attend their parochial school. Questions? Call , Caleb 406-552-7924, Loren 406-369-3589 David 406-552-3688
Hamilton goalkeeper Mia Faulk makes a save in Hamilton’s game against Billings Central in Hamilton on Friday, August 29. Hamilton lost 4-0.
Photo by Scott Sacry.
Hamilton and Billings Central players react to a corner kick in their game on Friday, August 29 in Hamilton. Billings Central won 5-3. Photo by Scott Sacry
Corvallis’s Shy Watt corrals the ball in Corvallis’s game against Bigfork on Friday, August 29. The Corvallis girls lost 0-9. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Lowell Frederic Klocke
Lolo - Lowell Frederic Klocke, 63, passed away on August 14, 2025 in Hamilton, Montana. Lowell was born in New Rockford, North Dakota on August 4, 1962 to Louis J. and Ramona M. (Lies) Klocke. Being the youngest of fve children, Lowell was up for the challenge of testing the patience and sanity of his parents and older siblings, solidifying his roles as troublemaker, jokester, prank caller and story teller to his nieces and nephews, and self-proclaimed “coolest uncle.” He always reminded everyone he was the 4-H Wells County King his senior year of high school, although he treated others as the royalty that they were in his life, forming many childhood friendships that lasted his lifetime.
Upon leaving the Klocke Farm, Lowell went on to graduate with his associates degree in civil engineering from the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND in 1982. Lowell had a long and illustrious career of geotechnical engineering, construction testing, and inspection, beginning with 17 years with Braun Intertec, then 15 years as co-owner and Vice President of SK Geotechnical, and ended his career as Construction Services Supervisor with ALLWEST in Missoula, MT.
While working for Braun in Billings, MT, Lowell met the love of his life, Stacey, and married her on June 4, 1988. Their devotion and commitment to growing through the hard times together for their 37 years of marriage was unmatched. Together they raised stepson Joshua, daughters Chelsea and Allison, and youngest son Mason in Butte and then Missoula.
Growing up in Lowell’s home was rarely dull. Lowell is regarded as the original dad of dad jokes, as it was hard to get an answer out of him that was not a corny pun, and he loved to startle his family by blasting and singing AC/DC as loud as possible during road trips. He found joy in pulling his kids on sleds behind the three-wheeler, asking his kids, nieces, and nephews to “Pull My Finger,” and quoting The Wizard of Oz ad nauseam. He loved to bake family recipes, such as his mother’s dinner rolls and caramel rolls, probably all while doing Arnold Schwarzenegger impressions. He enjoyed spending his free time camping in Montana forests with his family or watching movies (although he was often “just resting my
eyes” during them). He proudly wore a ball cap or t-shirt for every school, university, and place of employment his children attended or worked at and tried to attend every sporting, music, or other events whenever possible. He and his wife took in their nieces, nephews, and children’s friends for a soft place to land when they had nowhere else to go.
A central lesson he taught his children was to “never half-ass anything,” and he led by example with his work ethic and love, kindness, and care given to family, friends, and God. Lowell was not without faults; however, he worked every day to be a better version of himself. Lowell’s Catholic faith was central to his life, though never in a way that judged others. Instead, he embodied it: soft-spoken, humble, and generous, always welcoming people in and walking alongside them with respect. Lowell never met a stranger.
Friends often said he not only loved his faith but truly lived it, a man whose love for God overfowed into love for people. He found fulfllment in leading Men’s Catholic Journey weekends in Missoula and speaking with inmates at the Montana State Prison about faith, both of which he did yearly for many years, as well as attending Al-Anon every Sunday after church.
Above all, Lowell will be remembered for his humor, generosity, and the bright light he brought into the world. Whether through his professional work or his service to the church, Lowell poured himself into building foundations - not just of concrete, but of faith, family, and love.
Lowell was embraced in Heaven by his parents, Louis and Ramona (Lies) Klocke, his brother, Louis Klocke, sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Wayne Tunseth, and father-in-law, Robert Reich. Left with decades of fond memories include his beloved wife Stacey; his four children, Joshua (Alicia) Klocke, Chelsea Klocke, Allison (Jared) DeVault, Mason (Crystal) Klocke; his cherished granddaughter, Ava Klocke; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Leon (Jean) Klocke, Lee (Rose) Klocke, and Kathy (Louis) Klocke; his mother-in-law, Charlotte Reich; and countless nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and
William Gordon Becker
June 17, 1946 – July 16, 2025
Bill was called home to be with his maker. Reunited with the love of his life. Together they will have eternal life. He is preceded by his parents Joseph (Gladys) Becker, brothers Dennis, Tim. Nephew JJ. Survived by siblings Ron (Norma) Becker, JoAnn, Deb. Nephews Scott, Cody. Nieces Karla, LaVena, Nicole, Samantha.
Bill was born in Stevensville, MT. In his youth he spent much of the time with his family, which is still spread throughout Montana today. He joined the Navy in 1965. Married his one and only in 1967 and started a family of his own. A millwright by trade, he relocated to Eugene, OR in 1980. After 30 plus years at PM Hagel, he re -
colleagues.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Missoula, MT on Thursday, October 9th, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. A reception with light refreshments will follow.
In lieu of fowers, donations can be made to the Fessenden-Bowdon Future Farmers of America or the Prison Ministry Team memorial plaque project in his honor.
For FFA, checks can be sent to Fessenden-Bowdon FFA Chapter Fessenden-Bowdon Public School PO Box 67 Fessenden, ND 58438
For the Prison Ministry Team memorial plaque project, checks can be made to “Power of the Crosses LC” and sent to Moe Wosepka 4155 Fox Hollow Dr. Helena, MT 59602
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34–35
Condolences may be left for the family at www. dalyleachchapel.com.
tired. He was part of St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Oktoberfest and Willamette Bethel Boosters. He enjoyed time with family, watching his girls play softball and his passion for woodworking. He had a neighborhood of kids, who all looked up to him with the highest regard. He was patient, wise and strong in his faith.
He lost his love in 2023. He leaves behind his daughters LaTonya Becker and Achelle (Dennis) Jepson. grandkids Justin (Amanda) Lee, Jaime Lee, Chase (Karlee) Jepson, Shelby Jepson, great grandkids Payton, Camden, Jaxon, Kayson, Landon and Adalynn.
Our Dad was a Great Man, who will be missed by all and loved by everyone.
A memorial and prayer service will be held at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Eugene, Oregon on September 20, 2025 at 11 a.m.
It depends on where you fsh; days like this are coming, if they’re not here already.
It may get hot in the afternoon but the morning is cool. During a cool morning there should be a hatch, or the previous night’s hatch will bring some egg-laying females to the water.
Maybe you’ll see both in the small fies on the water and maybe a few half-hearted rises. You match the hatch or try to, but get no takers – or maybe a few dinks.
Worse, you see what appears to be larger fsh barely making a commotion on the surface. So you cast to them, taking pains to get everything right – fy selection, long and light tippet, getting the cast in – but no takers.
by Chuck Stranahan
It can be frustrating, disappointing. That’s the state my friend Bob was in when he walked into my fy shop on a hot late August day, early in the afternoon.
“Chuck, I couldn’t get them to hit anything.”
He described what he had done –stepped down in tippet size, kept his fy on that 2” ribbon of current exactly above the rising fsh, changed fy types –all of it.
“What were you seeing?” I fnally asked him.
“Just these steady rises,” he said.
“Were they leaving bubbles when they came up?” I asked.
He thought for a moment, tried to visualize what he’d seen just hours before.
“No… not that I remember… no,” he answered.
“Were you seeing backs and dorsal fns?”
Bob got excited telling me what he saw and showing me with his hands as he spoke: this long, dorsals this tall, sometimes a follow-through and splash from a tail. He was seeing some big fsh on the surface – seventeen, eighteen inches, some longer.
“Backs, but no bubbles and no heads,” I reconfrmed.
hands eighteen inches apart, “Showing
you this much back,” I said as I shortened the distance by half, “Is probably taking the fy about this far under the surface.”
At that point I held up just one hand, my thumb and index fnger an inch-and-a-half apart.
Bob’s face lit up. He got it.
“This might be worth a try,” I went on.
He was already using a long-enough leader and added tippet section for the water he was fshing. On fat, smooth, slow-moving water I feel naked with less than fourteen feet overall – the tippet never gets less that two feet long and I might start with over thirty inches. Depends – I fgure it out as I go.
Here’s what I showed him: I fsh a small subsurface nymph – small enough to look like another bite of what they’re eating. That might be my favorite blue-winged-olive nymph, the Turkey Baetis or something similar.
There’s so little to the Turkey Baetis in a #16 or #18 that it almost isn’t there. It can be tied in light or dark variations; the basic color is a nondescript tannish olive, and varies with the bug that’s hatching. Getting the size and silhouette right, as these tiny bugs are seen in silhouette as they approach
the surface, is more important.
And here’s the thing, as Bob found out: Fish that won’t break the surface are usually the larger ones, and will lay a few inches under the surface and take in one small bug after another.
Here’s how to fsh it: Cast across-and down, maybe on an upstream reach with the rod to prolong the drift. When the fy is in the strike zone, stop the line momentarily and then release itstopping the line causes the bug to lift. Immediately when you let go, look for any small telltale sign of a strike. Strike at anything – just by tightening up again. if nothing, let it drift another foot, then tighten up again.
The motion attracts the fsh, they’ll hit you on the pause – if not immediately when the motion stops, just as you start another motion.
Bob took it all in, grabbed some Turkey Baetis nymphs and left. The next day he found the same conditions. He took three heavy rainbows over eighteen inches on his frst few casts in the same run where he went fshless the day before.
“They tore the whole run up,” he told me, “I had to move downstream, but kept catching fsh.”
Worth a try, I thought.
DITCH COSTLY
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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.
PLUMS, GRAPES, APPLES. Organically grown. Hand Picked. A dollar a Pound. (406) 369-3212, Hamilton.
YARD SALE - Sept 5th & 6th, 8am to 4pm. 441 Oertli Lane, Hamilton of Blodgett View. Large feld & yard equipment (ie riding lawn mower, battery & gas push lawn mower), Trek bicycle, and more! Cash only.
HUGE YARD SALE! Household items in great condition, women’s clothing, jewelry, books, art, treasures and trinkets! Friday, Sept. 5, 10-5; Sat, Sept. 6, 9-4; Sun 9-12 (bargains galore!). 609 Middle Burnt Fork Rd, Stevensville (2 miles east of LDS Church).
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.
Legal Notices
Montana 21st Judi-
cial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Micalann Campbell, Micalann Campbell, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-41-20250000264-NC
Dept. 2
Jennifer B. Lint
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change from Micalann Rose Campbell to Micalann Rose McCrea.
The hearing will be on September 11, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 29th day of July, 2025.
/s/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court
By: Sarah Sargent
Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 8-13, 8-20, 8-27, 9-3-25.
MNAXLP
John D. Greef Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 1926 Hamilton, MT 59840
406-360-8117
Attorney for Petitioner
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST
JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF: Alivia Marie Gates, Jorden Lynn Lawyer, Petitioner, on behalf of Alivia Marie Gates Case No. DV-41-20250000241-NM
Department No.: 1
NOTICE OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR NAME CHANGE OF MINOR CHILD NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN the Petitioner has asked the Court to change a child’s name from Alivia Marie Gates to Alivia Marie Lawyer. A hearing will be held on the Petition for Name Change on the 24th of September 2025, at the hour of 1:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard in the courtroom of the above court at which time all interested persons may appear and object.
Dated this 6th day of August, 2025.
/S/ Paige Trautwein Clerk of District Court
By: Catherine Di Gleria Deputy Clerk of Court BS 8-13, 8-20, 8-27, 9-3-25.
MNAXLP
John D. Greef Attorney at Law P.O. Box 1926 Hamilton, MT 59840 406-360-8117
Attorney for Petitioner MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF: Alayna Lynn Gates, Jorden Lynn Lawyer, Petitioner, on behalf of Alayna Lynn Gates Case No. DV-41-20250000242-NM Department No.: 2 NOTICE OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR NAME CHANGE OF MINOR CHILD NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN the Petitioner has asked the Court to change a child’s name from Alayna Lynn Gates to Alayna Lynn Lawyer. A hearing will be held on the Petition for Name Change on the 24th of September 2025, at the hour of 1:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard in the courtroom of the above court at which time all interested persons may appear and object. Dated this 6th day of August, 2025. /S/ Paige Trautwein Clerk of District Court By: Catherine Di Gleria Deputy Clerk of Court BS 8-13, 8-20, 8-27, 9-3-25. MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY
In the Matter of the Name Change of Jasiel Reine-Kamil Wade, Collette Dever, Petitioner Cause No.L DV-25-285 Dept. No.: 1
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE OF MINOR CHILD
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court to change a child’s name from Jasiel Reine-Kamil Wade to Jasiel Reine-Kamil Dever. The hearing will be on the 24th of September 2025,at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County.
Dated this 12th day of August, 2025..
/s/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court
By: Sarah Sargent Deputy Clerk of Court BS 8-20, 8-27, 9-3, 9-10-25.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY
In the Matter of the Name Change of Jayden Reese-King Wade, Collette Dever, Petitioner Cause No.L DV-25-284
Dept. No.: 1
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE OF MINOR CHILD
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court to change a child’s name from Jayden Reese-King Wade to Jayden Reese-King Dever.
The hearing will be on the 24th of September 2025, at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County.
Dated this 12th day of August, 2025..
/S/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court
By: Sarah Sargent
Deputy Clerk of Court BS 8-20, 8-27, 9-3, 9-10-25.
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: DAVID GEORGE SUMIDA, Deceased. Cause No. DP-41-202541
Dept. No. 2 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, Grace E. Shewmake, 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 12th day of August 2025.
/s/ William J Nelson Attorney for Personal Representative /s/ Angeline Maria Sumida Personal Representative BS 8-20, 8-27, 9-3-25. 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: Scott Kaminski, Deceased.
Case No.: DP-41-20250000093-11
Department No. 2
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that Heidi Kaminski 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 Heidi Kaminski, 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 12th day of August, 2025. s/John D. Greef, Attorney for Personal Representative
BS 8-20, 8-27, 9-3-25. MNAXLP
Daniel Browder, Esq. Browder Law, PLLC 217 North 3rd Street, Suite J Hamilton, MT 59840 Telephone: (406) 3613677 Facsimile: (406) 3612999 browderlawmont@gmail. com
Email:
Attorney for Megan Pfau MONTANA TWENTY FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LEONARD M. PFAU, Deceased. Cause No. DP-2025-92
Dept. No. 1
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Megan Pfau has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against 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, Megan Pfau, return receipt requested, c/o: Browder Law, PLLC, 217 North Third Street, Suite J, Hamilton, Montana, 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
DATED this 8th day of August, 2025.
BROWDER LAW, PLLC /s/ Daniel Browder Attorney for Personal Representative /s/ Megan Pfau, Personal Representative BS 8-20, 8-27, 9-3-25.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY
In the Matter of the Name Change of Jasiel Reine-Kamil Wade, Collette Dever, Petitioner Cause No.L DV-25-285
Dept. No.: 1 NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE OF MINOR CHILD
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court to change a child’s name from Jasiel Reine-Kamil Wade to Jasiel Reine-Kamil Dever.
The hearing will be on the 24th of September 2025,at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County. Dated this 12th day of August, 2025..
/S/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court By: Sarah Sargent
Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 8-20, 8-27, 9-3, 9-10-25.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY
In the Matter of the Name Change of Jayden Reese-King Wade, Collette Dever, Petitioner Cause No.L DV-25-284
Dept. No.: 1
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE OF MINOR CHILD
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court to change a child’s name from Jayden Reese-King Wade to Jayden Reese-King Dever.
The hearing will be on the 24th of September 2025, at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County.
Dated this 12th day of August, 2025..
/s/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court
By: Sarah Sargent
Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 8-20, 8-27, 9-3, 9-10-25.
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: SONJA DARLENE BOSWORTH, Deceased. Cause No. DP-41-2024136 Dept. No. 2 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, Barbara D. Mackenstadt, 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 14th day of August 2025.
/s/ William J Nelson Attorney for Personal Representative /s/ Barbara D. Mackenstadt Personal Representative BS 8-20, 8-27, 9-3-25.
MNAXLP
Kevin S. Jones
Joseph D. Houston
Remy J. Orrantia Jones & Houston, PLLC 2625 Dearborn Ave., Ste. 102 Missoula, MT 59804 (406) 541-3333 kevin@ jonesmtlaw.com joe@jonesmtlaw.com
Attorneys for Personal Representative Michael A. Spranger
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY
IN RE: THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JACQUELYN A. SPRANGER, Deceased.
Dept. No.
Cause No. DP-41-202590 NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Michael A. Spranger has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the Deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of
the frst publication of this Notice, or their claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Jones & Houston, PLLC, Attorneys for the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at 2625 Dearborn Avenue, Ste. 102, Missoula, MT 59804, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana the foregoing is true and correct. Dated this 14th day of August, 2025. /s/ Michael A. Spranger, Personal Representative of the Estate of Jacquelyn A. Spranger /s/ Kevin S. Jones, Attorney for Personal Representative BS 8-20, 8-27, 9-3-25. 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: TIMOTHY T. GUINARD, a/k/a TIMOTHY TODD GUINARD, Deceased.
Probate No.: DP--25- 95 Dept.: 1 HOWARD F. RECHT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the Decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to HELEN J. GUINARD, 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 15the day of August, 2025. /s/ Helen J. Guinard, 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 8-20, 8-27, 9-3-25. MNAXLP
PUBLIC HEARING-RAVALLI COUNTY FEE INCREASE FOR: RAVALLI COUNTY AIRPORT LANDING FEES
The Board of Ravalli County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 11:30 AM in the Ravalli County Administrative Center at 215 S.4th Street, Third Floor Commissioners Conference Room, Hamilton, Montana. The purpose for this public hearing is to take public comment and make a decision, via Resolution, to amend the landing fees / landing weights for the Ravalli County Airport. If you would like more information contact the Commissioner’s Ofce at 406-375-6500. 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 8-27, 9-3-25.
MNAXLP
AUDIT PUBLICATION STATEMENT
The fscal year 2024 audit of Ravalli County has been conducted by Doyle & Associates, P.C. Certifed Public Accountants. The audit covered the year ended June 30, 2024.
Montana Code Annotated (MCA) Section 2-7-521 requires the publication of the following summary of Signifcant Audit Findings. This is only a summary and is not intended to be used as an audit report.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS
The audit report for Ravalli County, Montana, for the year ended June 30, 2024 contained the following independent auditor’s reports:
1. The independent auditor’s report on the County’s basic fnancial statements was unmodifed.
2. The independent auditor’s report on the County’s Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards was unmodifed.
3. The independent auditor’s report on the County’s internal control over fnancial reporting and on compliance and other matters reported one fnding.
4. The independent auditor’s report on the County’s compliance with major programs was unmodifed.
PUBLIC INSPECTION OF AUDIT REPORT
The audit report is on fle in its entirety and open to public inspection at Ravalli County’s business ofce located at 215 S 4th Street Suite B, Hamilton, MT 59840. The County’s management will send a copy of the audit report to any interested person upon request. BS 8-27, 9-10-25. MNAXLP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FY25-26 PRELIMINARY BUDGET & BUDGET AMENDMENTS OF THE FY24-25 BUDGET THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 @ 6:30PM NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council of the Town of Stevensville will hold a public hearing on SEPTEMBER 11, 2025, at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall, 206 Buck Street, Stevensville, Montana 59870 for the purpose of obtaining public comments regarding the preliminary FY25-26 Budget and Budget Amendments to the FY24-25 Budget. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to express their opinions regarding the preliminary budget and budget amendments. Comments may be given orally at the public hearing or submitted in writing via email to townclerk@ townofstevesnville.gov mail to: Town of Stevensville, Attention Town Clerk, PO Box 30, Stevensville, MT 59870 before 5:00 pm on September 11, 2025. Questions, comments or more information may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at 406-777-5271.
Attest: Jenelle Berthoud, Town Clerk BS 9-3, 9-10-25. MNAXLP
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RAVALLI COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING AND COURTHOUSE SNOW REMOVAL
The Ravalli County Board of Commissioners is soliciting request for proposals for snow removal and lawn care for the Ravalli County locations known 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, Montana AND 205 Bedford, Hamilton, Montana.
Proposals must be received by the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite C, Hamilton, MT no later than Friday, September 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM. Proposals will be opened and possibly awarded on Tuesday, October 02, 2025 at 10:30 AM, in the Commissioners Conference Room at 215 S. 4th Street (third foor),
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
MT 59870
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
Life is afordable
Children are treasured, elders are valued
No sales tax
Property taxes reined in
Paychecks enable families to thrive
Ready access to health care
Employees available
Remote jobs incentivized, encouraging residence
Reliable, reasonable, accessible internet
Support for “buy local” initiatives
Prepares citizens for workforce needs current & future
Young people have skills for the jobs of the future
Clean water & air, access to public lands
Fishing, hunting, recreation in public lands secured
County planning preserves our wholesome rural way of life
Water managed as essential resource
Farmers’ & ranchers’ needs prioritized
Data-based water management used as a driver of planning
“Buy local” emphasized in the food supply
Development emphasizes present & future quality of life for all
SCHOOL: administrators looking forward to 2025
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workload and performance over the next couple of years to see if it improves things for everyone. “Those are some of the pieces we are going to focus on to see good data,” said Fisk.
However, not many schools that adopt the shorter week go back to the standard five days. The Florence-Carlton district also heard concern that it might hurt students academically, but Fisk posited that they are planning to use this change to distill down student education, and cut away extra, while maintaining the core education students need to succeed. He said everyone will probably be “pleasantly surprised” with how it may help student performance. Though, it is too early to tell.
Other school systems have adopted a four-day school week and have seen increased academic performance. One school in the valley, notably Victor, adopted a shorter week a number of years ago and has yet to go back. Fisk added that this is not just a change out of the blue and has been something the Florence-Carlton school system has been debating for the last 15 years. According to Fisk, some would say they save 20%, but it isn’t even close to that considering all the factors. Fisk wanted to stress that that was not the intention. He said each day is extended, and they will continue various operations on Fridays, so the savings will be minor, if anything. On Fridays,
they will also have staff training and “Friday School,” so extra academic time doesn’t need to eat into family weekends.
Additional notes from Florence include that this will be the second year of their ‘no cell phone’ policy. High schoolers can have their phones before regular school operating hours, but during the day no phones are allowed. “We want them put away and gone,” said Fisk.
Fisk also recommends parents and others interested in following school operations look into downloading the Florence-Carlton schools app. This gives users immediate access to games, schedules, school events and even what the school will serve each day for lunch.
Stevensville
In Stevensville, there are some more big changes. Jon Konen is the new Stevensville Superintendent, and his predecessor, Dave Thennis, moved down-valley to Hamilton’s school district.
Konen was previously the assis -
tant principal for Stevensville elementary and the K-12 curriculum director. He was also a previous superintendent for Corvallis Schools. As an administrator for the last year, he worked with the staff and said, “We all really jelled together,” and they liked the initiatives the former superintendent put into place. Happy with the way things were going, Konen said they wanted to maintain that momentum.
According to Konen, their goals this year are to focus on “teaching clarity and working as a collaborative team across the school system.” They are adding a new curriculum for English and Language Arts for K-12. The school had a committee last year researching the best practices and came up with a company that fit the school district’s needs. According to Konen, this new curriculum will build grade level to grade level on lessons from previous grade levels, and will focus in the earlier levels on creating a strong phonics background.
Another big change for Stevensville will be following in Florence-Carlton School District’s footsteps, with an update this year to their cell phone policy. The policy will apply to all electronic communication devices, including phones, watches and more. In the Stevensville policy, phones will not be allowed during school hours, except for lunch period for grades 9-12.
When asked about his thoughts on the coming year, Konen said he is “excited to partner with teachers, the community, and especially the parents.” He also said, “I’m just happy to have kids back on campus.”
Hamilton
In the Hamilton School District, Dave Thennis has taken the reins as Superintendent, He moved to Hamilton from being superintendent of the Stevensville School District.
Thennis felt it was an opportunity to advance and take on new challenges. Hamilton is a bigger district and has some new things going on. Thennis cited his strength as a superintendent as “establishing a positive culture,” however, he noted that, “Hamilton already has a strong team that I want to be part of.”
He is excited to help and be a part of the charter school program. He sees it as another way to engage students in different pathways through work and training opportunities, and he is looking forward to strengthening that.
Thennis also added that school was a bit delayed due to a “bat
problem” in the middle school. Some bats had moved in there over the summer, but the problem has been rectified and school has commenced.
Looking at the next year, Thennis said that being new to the district, right now it is going to be about “building relationships and getting to know people.”
Darby In Darby, Superintendent Tony Biesiot spoke about the excitement his district has for the year.
Darby Schools received a Montana Literacy Grant in the spring for more than $1 million. They are looking forward to implementing that over the next few years. That funding is designed for additional services to help increase literacy over four years, and will help further the Darby School District’s mission to bring great opportunities to their area.
As Biesiot stated, “We have a great district; we produce world-class education opportunities in a small town environment.”
Biesiot also added that they will be bringing back their STEAM program and classes. Last year they could not run those classes because they did not have a full-time teacher to lead them. Now, they have one, and are excited to bring those opportunities back.
Darby also has a new playground for the elementary students that was put in over the summer. To build that, the school partnered with local organizations and businesses to make that happen. For Biesiot, that will be one of the highlights for the elementary students, for sure.
All in all, Besiot said he is “excited to be welcoming back the staff and students. It’s a great day to be a Tiger.”
Bird Squawk September is fall migration time!
With the coming of September temperatures are starting to drop, daylight is less, and leaves are turning color. Biologically for birds, the most important factor is length of daylight. In June daylight averages 15 hours 30 minutes. Average in September is 12 hours, 30 minutes. Hormonal changes in birds are triggered by length of daylight causing migration to southern climes as far away as South America.
Fall is a good time to watch your yard for migrants such as White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows, and a variety of warblers. Many of these warblers
are in non-breeding plumage and juveniles making identification a challenge.
One of the most common warblers (170 million) is the Yellow-rumped Warbler. This species is common in the mountains of Montana. Breeding range extends through Canada into Alaska. When they migrate south, thousands pass through Montana in a single night. On the night of 08.25.2025 as I sent this article for publication, 144,200 birds migrated through. They stage in the daytime looking for insects and water. If your yard has dripping water and deciduous trees, with their smorgasbord of insect
“fuels” they can stay several days. There are two recognized sub-species, Audubon and Myrtle Warblers. Prior to 1973 they were considered two separate species, Audubon in the western half of the continent and Myrtle in the eastern part. Today they are a single species – Yellow-rump Warbler. I have seen both sub-species in Montana, but more Audubon than Myrtle.
Spring plumage in males is a gun-metal blue back and nape with a yellow throat in the Audubon and white in the Myrtle. Males have a striking black chest with a large white wing patch, white wing bar, yellow head streak, and white belly.
by Gary Swant
Females are a subdued version of the male with a dark streaked breast and no yellow head stripe. Both have the characteristic yellow rump patch at the base of the long tail.
Fall migration shows subdued colors in both sexes. Males lose the yellow head stripe and have the striped breast like the female. Look for the yellow rump patch for identification.
One clue to this species in the fall is the large number that can be in your yard, 30 or more, gleaning leaves off your deciduous plants. The best way to attract them is to provide a water drip and as many native plants as possible. I have them gleaning leaves on my Paper White Bark Birch tree in large numbers most falls.
You don’t have to travel far to see birds, your backyard can provide hours of enjoyment this fall, especially if you use a listening device. Most insects as well as the birds that feed on them become active between 7 and 9 a.m. Grab a cup of coffee, a field guide, and binoculars and sit on your deck or patio and look and listen to fall migrants. It’s a great way to be in nature, “smelling the roses.” Guaranteed you will see a Yellow-rumped Warbler, plus a lot of other species.
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