Issuu

New way to interact with Hamilton PD

by Nathan Boddy

The Hamilton Police Department has adopted usage of a new program aimed at making it easier for the public to communicate with the City of Hamilton. The software, called MyPDConnect, has recently been deployed by Steve Snavely, and will continue under a contract for three years.

MyPDConnect is the creation of an Oregon-based software developer, and refers to itself on its website as a “next generation online reporting and virtual policing solution.” Snavely explained the rationale behind adoption of the software to the Hamilton City Council on both September 16th and October 1st. According to Snavely’s report, the usage of programs like MyPDConnect is, “becoming more and more the norm.” Hamilton will be the second town in Montana to adopt the program, after Whitefsh.

streets since they will not be typing up reports on these online-generated reports.”

When speaking with the Hamilton City Council on September 16th, Snavely had encouraged adoption of the program because he felt it could, “bridge the gaps when we are shortstafed.”

Apart from the police department, however, Snavely would like to see the program utilized for all departments within the city. Complaints about dogs in the park, downed trees or code violations could all be collected using the same platform before being distributed to the appropriate department.

Snavely spoke with the Bitterroot

“This little bit that we can do to help lighten the load to them, I think it’s going to make a tremendous impact.”

The program allows citizens to use an on-line platform to report suspected crimes. The service is not for crimes which are actively in progress, but instead focuses on non-time sensitive crimes such as lost property, theft, fraud or vandalism. Citizens who use the service can input information about the potential crime, and are able to upload photos and videos as well.

“It will free up ofcer time since citizens are reporting it online rather than calling in to dispatch,” said Snavely. “I believe it will free up ofcers to spend more time on the

Steve Snavely

Star about the program, and was hopeful that the program would have its frst positive impact on the area’s Emergency Services dispatch, which is shared valley-wide. When calls come in to EMS, they may be for citizen complaints that are not emergency in nature. This can become a drain on the time and resources of the dispatch service. Snavely sees the MyPDConnect as changing that dynamic by giving less time-critical complaints and concerns another outlet.

“All these calls would typically

come into our dispatch center, who is overworked and understafed,” he said. With MyPDConnect, he says, those non-emergency calls will instead come directly to the Hamilton Police Department.

“This little bit that we can do to help lighten the load to them, I think it’s going to make a tremendous impact.”

There are three ways citizens can access the program. People can call or text the word ‘REPORT’ to: 406-8023622, and a link to the service will then be sent back. Alternatively, citizens can use a QR code which will take them directly to the platform online. Snavely said that many police departments place QR codes to their online policing platforms directly onto their vehicles.

needed. Snavely says he plans to assign the new SRO a full-time position in the Middle School.

Snavely also informed the city council that his department has been awarded a $125,000 grant from the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. The funds will be used to staf a School Resource Ofcer (SRO).

Currently, Hamilton has only one SRO, Patrolman Chris Lueck, who has to spend his time balanced between Daly, Hamilton Middle, and Hamilton High Schools, with attendance at the alternative school as

“I’ve seen some more issues have come up lately with juvenile crime in the middle school,” said Snavely, “so I thought it’d be advantageous to get a full-time SRO.”

In yet another development, Snavely says that the Hamilton PD has now bundled purchases of tasers, vehicle cameras, interview room cameras and body cameras, from the vendor of public safety equipment, Axon. The usage of body cameras is a new development with the Hamilton PD, but Snavely said that Axon was, “the standard in our industry.”

Routine screenings critical for early breast cancer detection

Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of early detection and prevention in the fght against breast cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S., excluding skin cancer, with an alarming statistic showing that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime.

“The signifcance of breast cancer awareness lies in the potential to save lives through education, early detection, and timely medical intervention,” says Johanna Dreiling, MD, Chief Medical Ofcer at Sapphire Community Health in Hamilton. “By raising awareness, we empower women to take charge of their health and encourage them to prioritize regular checkups with their healthcare professionals. These routine wellness exams are

essential in detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages when treatment options and outcomes are most favorable.”

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that develops from breast tissue and, like many other cancers, can spread quickly if not detected and treated early. Mammography, an X-ray imaging of the breast, and clinical breast exams (CBE) are key screening methods. A CBE, performed by a healthcare professional, helps detect abnormalities or changes in breast tissue and serves as an initial screening tool alongside other diagnostic methods.

Survival rates for women diagnosed at Stage 1 of breast cancer are nearly 99% after fve years, but by Stage 3, the survival rate drops to around 86%. The urgency of early detection cannot be overstated. Mammograms and CBEs play critical roles in identifying signs of breast cancer

before symptoms appear, improving the chances of successful treatment.

Dr. Dreiling encourages women aged 40 to 54 to schedule annual mammograms, with women aged 55 and older are advised to discuss their exam frequency with their medical provider, but at least every two years. “Family history, genetic factors, and personal health history may warrant earlier or more frequent screenings, so it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to develop an appropriate plan,” Dr. Dreiling said.

According to the CDC, nearly 25% of women in the recommended age groups have not undergone a mammogram. This gap highlights the ongoing need for education and accessibility to screening services. “One in three women in these age groups is overdue for a mammogram,” said Dr. Dreiling.

“By encouraging conversations around breast health and awareness, we hope

to improve these statistics and save more lives.”

Breast Cancer Awareness Month not only raises awareness of the disease but also fosters an environment where women feel empowered to take proactive steps for their health. “By educating women about the importance of regular check-ups and early detection methods like clinical breast exams and mammography, we aim to reduce the burden of breast cancer in our community,” Dr. Dreiling added. Breast cancer screenings are covered in full or in part by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health insurance plans. For uninsured patients, Sapphire Community Health ofers a sliding fee scale, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to essential care. To schedule an appointment for a breast cancer screening or to learn more about your cancer risk, call (406) 5410032.

HELP: council member seeks to revive bill assistance program

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ing into the program was non-elective for community members. Every ratepayer had to contribute because the amount was included in their monthly billing.

The issue for Barker was that community members had no choice to opt in or out of paying into the fund. “I didn’t think it was right to take away from people like me, who already pay our bills,” said Barker. Barker said she spoke out at one of the town council meetings against the program.

ticipate. In addition, said Barker, MMIA said it was also illegal based on the town government receiving money from all users but selectively assisting certain community members.

“I didn’t think it was right to take away from people like me, who already pay our bills,”

- Stacie Barker

The Help for You program would see continual attention over the years, going through several changes, including a 2016 meeting which changed the percentage people paid into the program, and being suspended a short time in 2017, though it continued to pull money from people’s bills. As of 2016, people paid about $1.50 on each bill into the program. In 2020, Mayor Brandon Dewey’s administration would change and update the qualifcations for program recipients.

Finally, this year, when the town council attended an MMIA training in May, they were told the pro-

However, there are several community members that rely on the program. According to Barker, “I don’t want to see it go away, but let’s do it the right way.” Barker has taken it upon herself to track down

gram could not be run at all, as it was illegal. MMIA reportedly stated that not only was it illegal to run the program without giving users a choice, but it was also illegal for the program to exist having never come before the public in a way that they could par-

a way to maintain such a program for community members in need. She recently reached out to the Stevensville Community Foundation. Because they are an outside non-profit organization, Barker believes they would be able to help set up a way community members could elect to donate. These donations could then be given in “gift” form to the Town, for the express purpose of helping certain individuals pay their bills. Barker said the foundation was a frst point of interest for her because not only do they already do a lot for the community of Stevensville, but they are also already established.

There were around 10 individuals benefting

from the program before it was halted, and at the time of its cancellation, there was only about 40 cents in the fund. Barker is looking at other options to bring the program back to life. If the foundation cannot take the program on, Barker may need to go to state and local funding sources that could help manage such a program.

“It was good intentioned,” said Barker of the previous program. However, she believes it is good that the council stopped it the way it was operating. Now, they can look for a legal way to do it that will continue to beneft the community.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2:00 P.M.

The Hamilton Police Department has announced a new way to interact with the public via MyPDConnect. Photo by Nathan Boddy.

Mass casualty drill event at Hamilton High School

Bitterroot Health will be facilitating an Emergency Preparedness Full Scale Exercise with multiple organizations on Friday, October 18 at the Hamilton High School grounds. Building on the success of previous drills, this event will simulate a Mass Casualty Incident scenario, involving a wide array of community partners committed to enhancing local emergency response capabilities.

“We want the public to be fully aware that the upcoming exercise at

Hamilton High School is a planned mass casualty drill involving multiple local organizations,” said Sara Monroe, EMS Manager at Bitterroot Health. “This realistic simulation will feature a signifcant emergency services presence, including fre, EMS, air medical teams to name a few, with Bitterroot Health mobilizing resources to provide immediate patient care,” Monroe said.

Participating organizations include the Montana Highway Patrol,

Hamilton Police Department, Hamilton Fire Department, Corvallis Fire Department, Victor Fire Department, Stevensville Fire Department, Hamilton High School, Life Flight Network, Community Medical Center, Providence St. Patrick’s Hospital, Rocky Mountain Lab, and the Ravalli County Sherif’s Ofce.

“This exercise is not only crucial for meeting regulatory requirements but also essential for honing our Hospital Incident Command System,”

said William Torres, EMS Director at Bitterroot Health. “By collaborating with our community partners, we aim to strengthen our emergency response capabilities and ensure readiness for any real-life scenarios, but we want to emphasize that this is not a real emergency. Ofcials will be onsite to inform the public and ensure there is no confusion. This drill is an important part of our commitment to keeping our community prepared for any situation.”

SCREAMS: haunted maze celebrates 25 years

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noting the refective white giving a whole new dynamic to fear.

Quinn and Sandy’s son, Ethan, said that he enjoyed working in the snow since it gave him an opportunity for his character to move in new and scary ways. Ethan has grown up with the venue being a big part of his personal experience, and according to Quinn, is taking charge of a lot of it. “He’s the reason I didn’t have much of a summer,” laughed Quinn.

Ethan recalled his frst acting job on the grounds when he was six or seven. His parents wanted to keep him safe in the darkness of the event, and so did what caring parents would do: put him alongside his older brother, Corbin.

“We were in the junkyard,” recalls Ethan with a smile. “We were also under this grate.” The expanded metal grate was above a ditch, requiring visitors to walk over a monstrous set of boys who growled and hammered away from below.

“They wanted to keep me safe because I was really young,” said Ethan, but added that he could barely wait to set of on his own to scare. He also spent several years inhabiting the notorious Chucky Doll costume, but now gives life to a sinister character named Vermin.

Ethan and Sandy are in charge of training the Scream Team members, which does involve a lot more than scaring. Ethan said, “One thing that we like to teach our employees is that you don’t just have to scare them,” and that making folks laugh is always a winner.

Ethan then mentioned another technique he likes to use on visitors, one that made his dad cringe.

“I like to gross them out,” he said.

And, the science backs him up. Mathias Clasen, an associate professor in literature and media at Aarhus University in Denmark, has spent his career studying, ‘Recreational Fear’ and is the Director of the Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus, a research unit dedicated to the scientifc study of recreational fear and horror. Clasen has written multiple books on recreational fear, and even gave a TedX Talk at the Aarhus University in September of 2017.

In his talk, Clasen asks why people would choose to engage with horror movies, books and haunted attrac-

tions when it is a genre that is, “by defnition designed to make its audience feel bad,” and can inspire negative emotions such as disgust, dread, and fear.

The reason, he says, is that human beings evolved in a world full of dangers and threats. In response, humans developed what he calls, “The Evolved Fear System,” with which humankind has kept themselves alert, and therefore, alive.

“In other words,” said Clasen, “our species evolved to be hyper vigilant and highly fearful.”

During his talk, a zombie walks on stage behind him, staggering, blood covered and wearing a sick and vacant expression. Clasen said that even children can instinctually recognize the double threat represented by a zombie.

“It combines the fear of predation with our fear of contagion,” he said. “I mean, look at the poor creature.”

In a fascinating analogy, Clasen compares the act of subjecting ourselves to recreational fear to that of taking your car to the mechanic for a tuneup. Calibrating emergency brakes or airbags, which we hope we never have to use, keeps them in tip-top shape just in case.

“Through exposure to horror,” he said, “you give (The Evolved Fear System) a test run to make sure it runs properly and keep it nicely tuned. It lets us learn how to deal with negative emotions.”

Just south of Victor in the darkened courtyard at the Field of Screams, Liz Cook is in her third year on the job. Her position is to give visitors their last minute instructions before ushering them through the door and into the attraction.

“I see tears and I see people who are super excited,” she said, mentioning all the folks who come from across the country for a visit, including one couple last year who came down from Canada for their anniversary.

Cook, like the entertainers who work the courtyard near the entrance, is always looking out for people whose reactions within the venue could be problematic in any way. Some folks identify themselves as a potential danger due to their potentially physical reaction to jump scares. Others are already in panic mode before approaching the entry.

“I try to read the people,” said Cook. “If they need reassurance, I’ll give it to them, tell them it’ll be fne, that nothing’s real.”

Cook also says that she can usually tell who’s sincerely nervous. “They’re the ones who are talking the most.”

Ultimately, those who are brave enough to enjoy a tuneup to their Evolved Fear System, should take a dark stroll through the feld, feeling their body prepare for fght or fight. As you hear the screams around you, or even scream yourself, be reminded that you are engaging in ancient and innate human communication.

“A scream,” said Mathias Clasen, “tells others to come and help or get the hell out of the way.”

Field of Screams Montana is located at 1497 Highway 93, four and half miles south of Victor. For tickets, dates and times, got to their website at: https://feldofscreamsmt.com/

Roxy (left) and Oslo are deep in character before the frst screams take place. Oslo enjoys lurking through the corn in wait, while Roxy welcomes people to the venue. Occasionally, Roxy sees little ones cry when they come, but says that, “I tell them we’re going to have a good time.” Photo by Nathan Boddy.

Sandy Kirkland speaks to an enthusiastic crowd of Scream Team members at the edge of the corn as they prepare to begin their night of serving fear and fun to visitors at the Field of Screams south of Victor. Photo by Nathan Boddy.

‘Shanghaied’ to Moose Creek

My job as a journalist has led to some of the greatest adventures of my life. Often, taking the mundane, and expanding it into the realm of the surreal, and every once in a while, it takes me to far fung places, very much the opposite of the mundane. In Montana, the surreal and the latter are often the norm, when it comes to reporting in the Big Sky state. A couple of weeks ago, I was whisked of into the mountains to cover a group working to repair a remote backcountry airstrip in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. I was joined by Craig Thomas, chair of the Stevensville Airport board. Our ride into the backcountry was supposed to be accompanied by a return fight in the early afternoon. It was a fight that would not happen.

that few in from all over the country to work on this deceptively simple project. And it was deceptively simple. A person on the outside could look at the project and say, “Well, you only put up a couple toilets and some fence.” The reality was, we could not just run down to the hardware store for anything we needed, and power tools were not allowed.

by John Dowd

For context, the airstrip is called Moose Creek, and it takes a person, or mule pack train, roughly four to fve days to hike in. The only way into the little valley is by foot or by air. These realities didn’t sink in until we were told upon landing, “Um, guys, we’re not gonna be able to get you back tonight.”

These words were uttered by the President of the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF), Bill McGlynn. Thomas and I looked at each other, and I began considering the contents of my pockets, and was thankful that I had a water bottle and a jacket.

Sometimes, actually very often, adventure comes out of the bushes and grabs us when we are not ready, especially when we’re pursuing the unknown.

McGlynn subsequently described a front moving in that would ground all aircraft, and that most pilots would not dare get up into it. We were stranded for the night.

I have learned it does a person no good to get upset over the uncontrollable, and that in these moments, the best thing to do is to delve into the controllable. I was there to do a job, and so I would make the most of it.

Much of it came down to logistics, using what little the small aircraft could carry, while in conjunction with a single Kodiak 100 plane that could carry far more. Throughout the day, numerous aircraft took of and landed, until the front moved overhead and all planes stayed on the ground. Additionally, when it costs hundred of dollars for a round trip, it’s logistically too expensive to do a single run for things we could make due without. This also meant that, for Thomas and I, logistically it could be

Early the next morning, at about 2 a.m., Thomas and I started up that wood stove. The conversation began after I voiced my thoughts on the experience. The term “Shanghaied” came to mind in a nostalgic chuckle. The term comes from the early 1850’s, when sailing ships had difculty getting men to sign on to work as sailors. Because this was the mid-19th century, and regulations were “loose,” a very productive way to do this was to send sailors out into the taverns in port towns. The sailors would drink wit, and eventually either drug, or outdrink, able-bodied seamen. Once too intoxicated to remember, or stand, those able-bodied men could very often fnd themselves onboard a ship bound for Australia, Africa or Shanghai. Once awake, and given some cofee, they were informed that since they were out at sea, and had nowhere to go, they might as well roll up their sleeves and help out. They might even get paid.

I can only imagine the feeling and the stress, from my experience, of wanting to reach out to loved ones to let them know everything may be

the fight home the next morning, on the very aircraft that had been fying all the supplies into and out of Moose Creek, Thomas and I smiled. We had gotten to know each other far more than we had bargained for, as well as the incredible men and women of the RAF, the Stevensville Airport Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service, the Idaho Aviation Association (IAA), the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation (SBFC), the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and many more participating representatives. It is an incredible feeling to become a part of such important work, and such a group so committed to preserving what they love for others to enjoy.

Life has a way of sweeping us of our feet and carrying us away. In the old days of seafaring, “crimping” and “shanghaiing,” those able bodied seamen, kidnapped and brought to far-reaching lands, often felt the same. They would tell horrifc stories of kidnapping, shipped away to sea for a year there, and a year back. The tales they wove of adventures in foreign lands, salty sailors’ woes and even battles abroad, would become

I photographed the project, interviewed dozens of people and eventually rolled up my sleeves to get in and help.

Fortunately for the men and women working on the project to replace some outhouses that were destroyed in prior storms, Thomas was the one who designed them. He had planned to assist in the build, but since we were there until the front passed, it became all hands on deck to fnish the toilets. Since I covered the initial construction of the partially completed outhouses, I was familiar with the design and able to ofer additional experience.

Together, the group built hundreds of yards of fence and erected two outhouses. Along the way, I spoke to the nearly 60 volunteers

difcult to get of the ground and get back home.

We were lucky the people out there were incredibly friendly, and empathetic to our plight. It also happened that we few in with the young woman that organized the volunteers who manned the ranger station. On top of that, it was fortunate that very few people say no to McGlynn’s friendly nature. In quick order, we were put up in one of the ranger station bunkhouses, some of which were built in the late 1920’s. We had box spring mattresses, some old sheets and pillows, and we were even able to rustle up some old Forest Service sleeping bags. In the cool early morning hours, we even had access to a fne old wood stove.

alright. I was fortunate that I was able to track down McGlynn and his inReach. I had 160 characters to let my wife know I wouldn’t be home for our planned date night.

The thought that Thomas and I had been Shanghaied became a running joke the next morning, when I went to have cofee with the pilots gathered in the mess building at about 5 a.m. Some of them had heard of the term, while others were intrigued by the similarities to our experience. Though the event had not been planned, or orchestrated on purpose, Thomas and I did indeed fnd ourselves in the service of the RAF, mildly against our wills. However, we would not have changed a thing.

Thinking about our experience on

legend. But these were adventures they would never forget, and forged the men they became.

One can read in history that these men sometimes maintained careers and friendships with the sailors they met, and even the superiors that ordered their kidnapping. It would become a common description in those days that a good sailor could never leave the sea, because it would always call him back. An adventure self-sought is well and good, but the one that seeks you out has a more powerful implication on the fow of life, and what it all really means. Being stranded on that little airstrip, an island in an ocean of pines, became an incredible adventure, indeed, for two able-bodied woodsmen.

Flying over the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness on the way back from Moose Creek. Photo by John Dowd.

Support for Wilson

As a retired Missoula Municipal Court Judge, I write to ask for your support of District Court Judge Dan Wilson, candidate for the Montana Supreme Court. I have known Judge Wilson for many years, and he embodies the qualities we need on the Supreme Court. His background demonstrates a solid foundation to serve the state in that role. He has served as a prosecutor, and defense attorney, a civil attorney, a Justice of the Peace and, for the last eight years, a District Court Judge. He has provided training and mentoring to lower court judges. He is well respected by other judges and would be a valuable member of the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court impacts our daily lives in a variety of ways. We need the best and the brightest to serve on the Court. Judge Wilson is the best qualifed candidate for the job and would serve all Montanans as a fair and balanced justice.

Please join me in supporting Judge Dan Wilson for the Montana Supreme Court.

Hon. Kathleen Jenks, Ret. Missoula

Leave our constitution alone

What’s going on in our beautiful state of Montana? I’m referring to CI-128, the abortion ballot measure. Why is it so important to put this on the ballot? What’s to be accomplished by this initiative if abortion is already legal here? Is it to eliminate parental notifcation for minors seeking abortion? To be able to perform abortions up until birth? To keep abortionists employed? Or to increase taxpayer funded abortion? Unfortunately, it’s all of these. However, the main goal is to permanently establish in our constitution the right “to carry out decisions about one’s own pregnancy, including the right to abortion. This right shall not be denied or burdened unless justifed by a compelling government interest achieved by the least restrictive means.” Huh? I decided to do some digging to see how this misguided initiative is being funded, and what I found is both interesting and troubling. I gathered my data from OpenSecrets.org, MontanaRightNow.com, ballotpedia.org, montanafreepress.org, FollowTheMoney. org, and Montanacc.org. Here’s what I discovered: as of October 6, 2024, over $16,000,000 has been raised in support of CI-128. Of that $16M, Montana Securing Reproductive Rights (MSRR), the Planned Parenthood backed organization behind this initiative, has raised $11,830.17 in donations. That’s it. All the rest of the money has come from out of state; from people and organizations who have no business being involved in Montana politics. For example, from California: Advocacy Action Fund, Delany Family Trust, and Elizabeth Simmons donated a combined total of $4.2M. From Washington, DC: Sixteen-Thirty Fund, The Fairness Project, and Think Big America donated a total of $3.76M. From NY: Michael Bloomberg, the ACLU Foundation, Inc, and Robert Stavis donated a combined total of $2.35M, and from Virginia: The Global Impact Social Welfare Fund donated $2.6M. This is not as much a Montana initiative as a way for out of state liberal organizations to gain even more control over women, one state at a time. Vote NO on CI-128. We do not

Opinion

need to taint our valued constitution with this unnecessary and intrusive initiative bankrolled by out of state dollars. Our future Montanans, the unborn, deserve much better. Becky Grimm Hamilton

Not supporting Tester

In an issue of the Bitterroot Star dated September 18, there was a full page ad with information about Jon Tester. It indicated he was a teacher. He taught music for two years and then moved on to other things. It also says he wanted to ensure every kid in Ravalli County gets a high quality public education. The problem is that he has not done diddly-squat to make that happen after all his years as a legislator. Our students are being denied the education they deserve.

There are seven school districts in Ravalli County. Each district receives a yearly report card from the Ofce of Public Instruction. The latest indicates from 34% to 83% of the PK-5th graders are failing in math, 42% to 63% are failing reading and 33% to 66% are failing in science. Few have mastered the core subjects at their grade levels, yet they are promoted. This is unacceptable and as students are promoted they get further and further behind. Think what that does to a child’s confdence! Got any ideas, Jon? What a travesty!

It says Jon’s eforts are supporting teachers. What a crock! Ravalli County teachers are overworked and underpaid. How about doing something about that as well?

I suggest you go back to Big Sandy and teach music.

Marion Dial Corvallis

Vote Republican

Have you noticed the falling gasoline prices? The Kamala Harris-Biden cabal is selling of more of our fnite oil reserves just before the election. Don’t be fooled, prices will go up after the election. Deception and lies are the name of the political game for the Democrats. George Soros and the DNC are funding all the lies in paper ads and on television in Montana for the Democrats. They are focused on winning the Senate seat for Tester. Tim Sheehy is an honest man who has made a lot of money. At one time I received six ads in the mail denigrating Tim Sheehy to one ad extolling his candidacy. The money from out of state makes the diference. Tester is a Washington bureaucrat living parttime in Montana.

I have a list of conservative judges and other candidates whose ofces may not be listed as Republicans:

James Brown - Auditor; Susie Hedalen - State Superintendent of Schools; Cory Swanson - Chief Justice, MT Supreme Court; Bowen Greenwood - Clerk of MT Supreme Court; Dan Wilson - MT Supreme Court Justice; Jennifer Fielder, Public Service Commissioner, District 4; Jef Welborn - Public Service Commissioner, District 3; Kathy Love, House of Representatives, HD 85; Dave Bedey, House of Representatives, HD 86; Ron Marshall, House of Representatives, HD 87; Greg Overstreet, House of Representatives, HD 88.

Richard Parker Stevensville

Abortion

Abortion, the word that is the most talked about during this elec-

tion period, when SEX is what it’s all about. Are we experiencing a repeat of the time of Noah and the great food? When God said, I am going to destroy all mankind because of their wickedness.

God created sex for procreation to fll and maintain the earth, but mankind has turned sex into the many evils of the day. I understand that children as young as 10-12 have been exposed to porn, and what not else.

When it comes to voting on the abortion issue, I believe that everyone who is beyond childbearing age or other reason that their vote is nothing more than an endorsement for others to have sex, it’s not for them.

As for Hurricane Helene, is it God’s warning?

Roger Radermacher Hamilton

Magic on the way?

I certainly want to feel the magic of “women-in-charge”... think..Statue of Liberty!

Peter Lethenstrom Stevensville

Limerick logic

The Star prints regular musings

With logic I fnd quite confusing.

“Their minds are unbuckled,” I think with a chuckle.

But really, it isn’t amusing. Marshall Bloom Hamilton

Support for Evans for PSC

Your Montana Public Service Commission needs and deserves Elena Evans.

Right now, this 5-person elected commission is in a mess. They’ve been charged with inappropriate spending, such as airline upgrades and expensive computers. But frst and foremost, they have not done their job in protecting Montana consumers in the rates we are charged by utility companies. They have recently allowed a huge rate increase by Northwest Energy -- 28%, and now they are asking the PSC for more. Northwest has not provided the paperwork proof to justify the increase requests. The PSC has been admonished and told to be more accountable and to have more transparency, but these things have not happened.

Elena is a geologist, a grassroots conservationist and is Mom to a young family. She is educated and forthright, and cares about Montanans. She will bring fresh perspective and honesty to the PSC.

Her opponent, Jennifer Fielder, is in charge of the current mess at the PSC. You may recall that she has ties to white supremacists, and is CEO of the Utah-based American Lands Council, which is dedicated to transferring and privatizing public lands.

The choice is obvious. Please vote Elena Evans for Public Service Commission, and begin the fx that the PSC needs – namely, diferent members. Or go ahead and thank Jennifer Fielder and her cohorts when you open your next energy bill.

Peg Brownlee Florence

Why only abortion?

Why is the ONLY issue with liberals/Harris supporters women being able to abort their babies? Why don’t they have ANY concerns about slavery and pedophiles? Odd! Government fgures – over 300,000 CHILDREN – have gone

missing at the border under the Biden-Harris administration. This country has the highest CHILD sex trafcking numbers in the world. Last year, there was a bust in Spokane whereby they rescued small children who were sex slaves - brought over the open southern border.

Harris has been in charge of this and is responsible for these numbers - and yet liberals want more of this apparently. Please explain this to me. Clair Bennett Hamilton

Public lands and ethics

The Montana Republican platform clearly states their intention to have public federal lands turned over to the state. (top of page 13)

This is what happened in both North and South Dakota. Once the states owned the lands, they were privatized. If you look at a map, you will see that the Dakotas have scarcely any public lands left. That could be us. Our public lands are the envy of the world! Tim Sheehy recently stepped down as a board member from the “Prosperity and Environmental Research Center.” This group advocates for the privatization of our public lands. Ryan Zinke resigned in disgrace after just one year as the Secretary of the Interior under 18 federal investigations. The investigators found that he was “ethically challenged” and that he made statements that were “made with the overall intent to mislead them.”

I will be voting for our public lands and for people without questionable ethics. I will be voting for Jon Tester and Monica Tranel.

Andy Roubik Corvallis

Governor fulflling promises

We have had four years of leadership by Governor Gianforte and he has fulflled what he promised. We are debt-free, saving taxpayers $40 million, have the largest income tax cut in state history, given property tax rebates for two years, record funding for K-12 schools, signed legislation to protect the unborn and petitioned the Supreme Court, record 24 months of unemployment below 3%, made Montana the #1 state to start a business in the nation, most people employed in state history at 563,000, more than $10 million of grant funding has been allocated to communities and afordable housing organizations to help reduce homelessness and increase housing stability. He donates his salary every quarter.

When the mills shut down, he secured nearly $2 million investment to support displaced lumber workers.

His priorities are jobs and economy, government working for you, health care, education and workforce, safe communities and protecting our way of life.

The Governor’s home needed excessive repairs, so Governor Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte purchased the historic Samuel T. Hauser House, which they will donate to the State of Montana. The home will serve as their primary residence in Helena.

The Gianforte Family Foundation has contributed $118 million, supported 660+ nonproft partners working in Montana in 20 years with over 2,700 grants. The focus is supporting Montana organizations that, in turn, help people in need to improve their lives

in a sustainable way to see our state fourish and that is possible only by individuals and families fourishing— not just economically but physically, mentally, and spiritually as well. It takes a holistic approach.

It has been my honor and privilege to call Governor Greg and First Lady Susan Gianforte my trusted friends for nine years as I continue to help them in their eforts. I have traveled with them, sat beside them in church, and seen them in all walks of life. They represent my values, consider their elected position as serving us, and have so much more that they desire to accomplish for us. Let’s give them four more years.

Pat Earnest Stevensville

Most efective senator

There’s a reason why Senator Tester was ranked one of the most efective senators among all 100 Republicans and Democrats. He GSD (Gets Sh** Done), this time for our healthcare. As a Corvallis resident, I am incredibly grateful to Sen. Jon Tester for improving our healthcare.

Rural hospitals are essential; in a medical emergency, driving to Missoula doesn’t work. Jon has secured hundreds of millions to help Montana’s rural hospitals and including $1 million to support seniors with disabilities in Ravalli County. I recently attended a press conference where Senator Tester spoke about his recent legislation that gave Medicare the ability to negotiate some drug prices for the 1st time in history.

Most importantly, he’s always been on the side of making sure Montana women make their own reproductive and medical decisions – not politicians. Don’t be fooled, Tim Sheehy’s plans include a national abortion ban. He probably doesn’t want me making his medical decisions, and I will not let him, or any politician, make mine.

Tim Sheehy also supports privatizing our rural hospitals which could reduce available services that aren’t proftable in rural communities. Bitterroot Valley hospitals can’t survive without federal funding.

Tim Sheehy has ZERO experience in public ofce, refuses to participate in interviews, is from Minnesota and a puppet for the extremist right-wing faction. He is WRONG for Montana.

Senator Jon Tester FROM Montana and FOR Montana.

Absentee ballots are out… I’m voting for Senator Tester for all he’s done for the Bitterroot Valley and Montana.

Kierstin Schmitt Corvallis Don’t lie about immigrants –lega

l or non

Former President Trump, his running mate, and Republican ofceholders are lying to you when they say that the Biden administration let

13,099 murderers into this country. Democrats, in full election mode, don’t call out this lie in detail because they are convinced that you, the voter, are more interested in whether they are tough on border security than in hearing the truth. This lie was concocted from a letter sent Rep Tony Gonzales from ICE director Lechleitner about how many non-citizens in the country had committed a crime but were not currently in ICE custody, and it included 13,099 convicted of murder. The problem is that this includes individuals who entered this country over the last 40 years. It includes individuals who may be currently incarcerated by federal, state or local law enforcement. It includes immigrants who are not here illegally. Whenever anyone makes the point to a MAGA supporter that illegal immigrants have a much lower crime rate than the US population, they will retort vigorously that “they shouldn’t be here!” That’s a valid point that can be made without lying about immigrants being rapists, murderers and terrorists, imported by the Democrats to win the election. This is because lying is still wrong.

John Schneeberger Hamilton

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Th ursday, October 17th is “Go Purple Day,” a national day of action. Everyone is encouraged to wear all things purple as a symbol of peace, courage, survival, honor, and personal dedication to domestic violence awareness.

Immigration has been much in the news this year. One place to begin learning about Domestic Violence is the other “I” word, incest. Here are a few of the things I learned by researching the context of Tim Sheehy’s position on abortion. The Montana Republican Party Platform calls for a complete ban on Elective Abortions. Pleas by Hamilton Legislator David Bedey at last summer’s GOP Platform Convention to soften this stance were resoundingly rejected. All abortions are elective according to the platform of the Montana Republican Party.

By taking the politically convenient stance of standing for exceptions for incest, rape, and a mother’s health, Tim Sheehy is daring the Montana Republican Party to rebuke him. Just last year, the Executive of the Montana Republican Party rebuked a popular two term Republican Governor, Marc Racicot, for exercising his freedom to vote for the Presidential candidate of his choice. Does Greg Gianforte endorse Tim Sheehy’s stance on abortion?

Because October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I also want to share some of the things I learned about incest and rape attempting to nail down the difference between abortions for exceptions and elective abortions.

· Montana ranks 13th among the 50 states on the incidence of

By Ryan Busse

I’ve put more than 100,000 miles on Montana’s highways over the past year, listening to people in every corner of our state. There are two issues that come up everywhere I go: The frst is Gov. Greg Gianforte’s record high property taxes and the sky-high cost of living here. The second is the governor’s dangerous war on access to our public land and wildlife.

While the cost of living in Montana has skyrocketed, Gov. Gianforte made the problem worse by raising property taxes by as much as 111%. Don’t let him point his fnger at anyone else. The governor is responsible for authorizing the 1.35% residential property tax rate that all homeowners (and renters) have to pay.

What’s worse, while Gov. Gianforte’s tax increase was pricing hardworking Montanans out of their homes, he handed out tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires like himself. In fact, Gov. Gianforte is the only homeowner in his neighborhood who is paying less in property taxes on his privately owned mansion, not more.

Lowering your property taxes is my Day One priority as Montana’s next governor. It’s as simple as lowering the tax rate— something Gianforte refuses to do.

But the governor’s unafordable Montana isn’t the only issue on Montanans’ minds. Gianforte has spent 15 years weakening Montana’s public lands. As a wealthy property owner, he sued the people of Montana to block public access to a river running through his property.

As a congressman, he championed legislation that was the single biggest rollback of

incest. Here are some key statistics on incest in the United States:

· In 1975, the estimated the incidence of incest related pregnancy was estimated at one in a million. With the advent of DNA testing, the prevalence of incest is now estimated to be one in 7,000 and rising. Considering that not all cases of incest will result in pregnancy, the true prevalence of incest in the United States is likely to be even higher. Will the incidence of incest soon outstrip the incidence of Human Trafficking ?

· Between 1980 and 2022, about 15% of families reported an incestuous event.

· About 46% of child rape victims were raped by a family member.

· Only 20% of incest victims report the crime to law enforcement.

· Incest is usually committed by fathers against their daughters, with the average victim age being 8 years old.

Here Is snap shot of the statistics on the incidence of rape in Montana: In 2022, Montana logged 54.4 forcible rapes per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national rate. Montana’s violent crime rate is also higher than the national average, but it’s not among the highest in the country.

• 2018: 51.87 rapes per 100,000 people, a 14.52% decline from 2017

• 2017: 60.68 rapes per 100,000 people, a 5.4% increase from 2016

• 2016: 57.57 rapes per 100,000 people, a 3.88% increase from 2015

• 2015: 55.42 rapes per 100,000 people, a 1.63% increase from 2014

I invite you to join me in making Montana Purple again by voting for Jon Tester for the US Senate and Ryan Busse for Governor of Montana.

Jim Parker Hamilton

And the greatest of these is love

On the day the neurologist turned to my loved one and pronounced unequivocally the diagnosis of a progressive neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson’s), the frst image that came to my mind was of our former president ridiculing Michael J. Fox. Michael was exhibiting dyskinesia related to Parkinson’s.

I felt sad, and angry -- and as a veteran, disenfranchised from a country I no longer recognized. Not only was such a man president, he is now a presidential candidate. And so-called “Christians” cheer. You have a perverted and false idea of Jesus if you think He was capable of anything but love, healing, and compassion. Leprosy was an ugly, necrotic, contagious disease... but Jesus TOUCHED them with love!

There is no love in ridiculing people struggling to overcome untold hardships; and to that point, he told his own nephew that Fred’s son, William, should be left to die due to profound physical and mental challenges related to severe cerebral palsy. (“All in the Family,” by Fred Trump III, was just released.)

Donald’s father may have been named “Fred Christ Trump,” but there is no resemblance to Jesus Christ! Not in him, his father, or his son, Donald. This is NOT a HOLY TRINITY! It is generational grifters manipulating human emotions in evil ways -- striking the most vulnerable.

Worship of a Golden Calf sure put the Israelites in a predicament! Maybe it is time to “awake from your slumber” for “the hour has come”-- to love your neighbor.

Brenda Allington Florence

protected public lands in Montana history.

And over the past four years as governor, Gianforte has deliberately dismantled the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP). He fought to outlaw “corner-crossing,” the long-established right for hunters and anglers to step from one corner of public land to another without even leaving a footprint on private land. Last year in Region Six, under Gianforte’s watch, more mule deer tags went to out-of-staters than to Montanans.

This isn’t a Democrat-versus-Republican issue; it’s a question about what we Montanans want for the future of our state.

Do we want a Montana where wealthy out-of-staters automatically get better access to wildlife and the right to lock ordinary Montanans out of our own public lands? If so, Gianforte may be your candidate.

Or do we want a Montana where everyone is equal when it comes to accessing public lands and wildlife? If so, vote for me, Ryan Busse, to stop Gianforte from his war on our public lands and wildlife.

As a lifelong angler, hunter and frearms executive, I know how infuriating it is to watch Gianforte turn the Montana we love into a playground for wealthy out-of-staters. Lowering property taxes and ensuring the public has access to the land and water they own shouldn’t be a tough ask of any governor. Unfortunately, it is Greg Gianforte’s legacy. I’m running for governor to get your Montana back, because we can’t aford four more

of his dangerous, failed leadership.

A Course of Love study

group

Fridays 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.

Center for Spiritual Life, Hamilton Call: 406-381-6480

Florence American Legion

Florence American Legion Post 134 is having a free pancake breakfast on the frst Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Florence Rural Fire Hall.

Women Newcomers

Club

Are you new to the Bitterroot Valley or a long time resident? You’re invited to join the Bitterroot Women Newcomers Club, a fun group of women. For the October meeting, they will be going to Open Ended Expression Arts at 201 Daly Avenue in Hamilton at 10 a.m.

Yoga for Veterans FREE to veterans, frst responders, and their families! Tuesdays, 1-2pm at the American Legion Post 94 in Stevensville Register at: redwillowlearning.org OR call 406-5307175. Come see us on 1st Friday in May ‘bout 1800 for more info! We’ll be in front of Active Care Wellness on Main in Stevensville

Soroptimist online auction

Now through Thursday, October 17th at 9 p.m., Soroptimist International of Hamilton is conducting an on-line auction to support their scholarship program “Spark The Future” for women and girls. The site for the auction is: sihamilton.org-event tab and catalog or https://virtualauction. bid/SIHSpark2024.

There is something for everyone, over 90 items (with more added each day): a multitude of gift certifcates to local and Missoula restaurants, breweries, cultural events, lodging, car care, blown glass, health and beauty products.

Be a part of helping to educate, encourage, and support women and girls to acquire life-changing skills and become even better attributes to our community, serve as role models for others, and help provide for safe and secure families.

MS Support Group

Bitterroot MS Support Group meets every 3rd Thursday of the month in the Gallery room at the Cofee Cup Cafe in Hamilton, 500 S 1st Street, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Have a slice of pie, dinner, or just come to chat with others about living with Multiple Sclerosis. This is a positive and uplifting group that holds open discussions, and the occasional guest speaker. Find more information at www.nationalmssociety.org or contact Jackie Peterson, (970)518-293, jackierpeterson@gmail.com

Bitterroot Celtic Society

The Bitterroot Celtic Society meets every 3rd Thursday at 6 p.m. at BJ’s restaurant in Hamilton. The Bitterroot Celtic Society is a passionate group of volunteers, dedicated to keeping the Celtic culture, heritage, and history alive in the Bitterroot Valley. Their biggest event is the Bitterroot Celtic Games and Gathering, held every third weekend in August at the Historic Daly Mansion. They also host a Burns’ Night supper, St. Andrew’s, St. Patrick’s, and Tartan day events. The BCS is a non-proft organization. The public, new members, and the curious are always welcome to attend. For any time changes or additional committee

meeting info, follow their Facebook page for updates.

North Valley Library

Role-Playing Games for Teens –Tuesdays at 4pm

Enter the exciting world of RPGs! New campaigns are beginning now for ages 12-18.

Library Board Meeting - Wed. 10/16 at 3pm

Meetings are open to the public. Agendas and the Public Participation are posted on the Library’s website. If you are a member of the public and are unable to attend the Board meetings, the Board would still like to hear from you. Please email the Director at denisea@northvalleylibrary.org or you can email board members directly. A link to Trustee contact information can be found atMontana.Gov

Ghost Stories of the Bitterroot Valley - Thurs. 10/17 at 6pm

As the leaves begin to fall, the stories of the past begin to come alive. Not just the stories you know all too well, but stories that linger in cemeteries and go bump in the night.

Ghost Stories of Western Montana will explore the haunting tales of murder, mystery, and conspiracy in Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley between 1860 and 1945. Come learn about Western Montana’s untold ghost stories...if you dare. If you’re interested in local history with a spooky twist, this fascinating presentation is for you.

Bats of Montana (Zoom Watch Party)- Thurs. 10/24 at 6:30pm Celebrate International Bat Week by learning about Montana bats, their role in the environment, the problems they face, and how we can help.

Bats are an important part of Montana’s ecosystem, but white-nose syndrome is killing of bats across the US and Canada. What can we do to help bats? People can help bats by building bat boxes which can provide clean, safe homes for these important fying mammals. This talk will include simple, printable blueprints for building bat boxes. No power tools? No problem! Resources for vetted, pre-cut bat boxes that you can assemble and paint at home will also be provided.

Trout Unlimited Montana waters are under assault from Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and it seems like every week or so another aquatic alien or terrorist is identifed. Sometimes they are fsh dumped from a home aquarium or live baitbox, or an escapee from an unlicensed private pond, and sometimes they hitchhike on fshing boots, tackle or watercraft from other states. No matter the source, they pose a serious threat to our trout fsheries and streams.

If you would like to learn more and understand what MFWP is doing to protect our resources, attend the BRTU meeting on Thursday, October 17. The program will focus on Aquatic Invasive Species, “plants, animals or pathogens not native to Montana that can cause harm.” MFWP has a vigorous monitoring program, backed up by laws and regulations, to prevent these AIS from getting into the waters and to deal with them if they show up. So far the program has been pretty successful but a slip up or two could produce irremediable damage.

Tayler Templin is the MFWP Northwest Area AIS Supervisor. She will provide an overview of the AIS program and describe some of the challenges and near misses that have been encountered. As the number of anglers and boaters coming to Montana increases, the risk of an AIS

introduction increases pari passu. However, there are some simple steps that we as sportsmen and conservationists can take to minimize risks and to educate others.

The meeting will be at the Hamilton Elks Club at 203 State Street in Hamilton. The program will begin at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 17, but come on down at 5:45 to join TU for a beer and one of the Elks Club legendary brats cooked in beer, grilled and served with onions and ‘kraut.

There is no charge for admission and the public is invited to attend. For more information, contact Dave Ward or Marshall Bloom.

Pachyderm Club

The Bitterroot North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, October 18 at 12 noon at the Frontier Cafe, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be State Representative David Bedey, HD86. The Bitterroot North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.

Artists Along the Bitterroot Studio Tour

An Artists Studio Tour will be held on October 18-20, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00am-5:00pm

Artists Along the Bitterroot is a coalition of artists that ofer a unique opportunity to explore an artist’s workspace, view demonstrations and learn more about their tools and sources of inspiration. Tour the Bitterroot Valley’s fnest art studios, only minutes away from beautiful hiking trails, fshing, scenic views, and local brews. Twenty artists working in a wide range of mediums are opening their studios to visitors of all ages. Meet 28 artists, experience their working spaces and learn their stories! Artists’ mediums include cast bronze, glasswork, photography, printmaking, encaustic mixed media, leather art, concrete sculpting, collage, alcohol dyes, cold wax, oil, pastel acrylic and watercolor painting. Enjoy the scenery of the beautiful Bitterroot Valley as you take the Artists Along the Bitterroot Studio Tour, October 18-20. For map and more information go to artistsalongthebitterroot.com.

Train & Toy Show

The Hamilton Train & Toy Show will be held Sunday, October 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, corner of Adirondac and N. 4th. Admission is free; children welcome with parents. There will be model trains, railroad antiques, collectibles, memorabilia, books and much more for sale and trade. Reserve a table for $15 by contacting Mike Gouse at 406-363-0254. Proceeds beneft the Senior Center.

Three Mile irrigation district

Three Mile Irrigation Sub-district meeting will be held Monday, October 21st at 7:30 p.m. at the Three Mile Community Center, 4433 Sunnyside Cemetery Road.

Bitterroot Bird Alliance

Bitterroot Bird Alliance will meet Monday, October 21 at 7 p.m. at the Teller Wildlife Refuge Education Room in the Slack Barn (a mile north of Corvallis on Chafn Lane). The program: Restoring Whitebark Pine Ecosystems in the Face of Climate Change. Presenter Robert E. Keane is a Research Ecologist Emeritus with the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Bob will discuss the many factors that are causing whitebark pine to decline

across the western U.S., the unique relationship between whitebark pine and Clark’s Nutcracker, and eforts to restore whitebark pine ecosystems. Whitebark pine is an important high-elevation species native to the Bitterroots and many other mountain ranges in the western U.S. and Canada. It was recently listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The meeting is free, and the public is invited to attend. For more information see the Bitterroot Bird Alliance website at www.bitterrootaudubon.org

Hamilton school board

Certifed Negotiations Committee

Meeting

Monday – October 21, 2024

5:00 p.m. – District Ofce Conference Room

The Committee will be conducting this meeting with live participation. In addition to meeting in person, the District will also be streaming the meeting on YouTube. You are encouraged to join the meeting at:https:// www.youtube.com/@HSD3Boardmtg

Certifed Negotiations Committee

Meeting

Monday – October 28, 2024

5:00 p.m. – District Ofce Conference Room

Governance Committee Meeting

Thursday – November 7, 2024

12:00 p.m. – District Ofce Conference Room

Republican Women

Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, October 22 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speakers will be State Senator Theresa Manzella, SD44, Kathy Love, Republican candidate for HD85, and Tom Parrell, who will talk about Charter School Initiatives. Ravalli County Republican Women meet the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Bitterroot

Quilters Guild

Bitterroot Quilters Guild will meet on Wednesday, October 23 at Daly Leach Community Room, 1010 W Main, Hamilton. Doors open at 6 pm for socializing and shopping; the meeting will come to order at 6:30.

There will be a Fat Quarter Drawing, 50/50 Pot, bargain sales at the Ugli Bin as well as member show and tell. Bitterroot Quilters Guild is a non-proft organization, and contributes hundreds of quilts annually to organizations in the Bitterroot Valley like Ravalli County First Responders, SAFE, Headstart, Hospice and more. The group also funds an annual scholarship to high school seniors, as well as annual grants to deserving organizations. Membership in the Guild is open to quilters from beginner through advanced. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend a meeting at no obligation as a guest. To keep abreast of activities, visit the Bitterroot Quilters Guild on Facebook.

Driver safety course

Bitterroot Health (formerly Marcus Daly Hospital), Located at 1200 West-

wood Drive, Hamilton, is hosting an ALL NEW 2024 AARP Driver Safety Course on Friday, October 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This all new safe driving course is designed for drivers age 50 and over, all drivers are welcome. The program features new laws and updates specifc to Montana, Defensive Driving, Winter Driving, new Vehicle Technologies to name a few. Class size is limited; pre-registration is advised. There are no tests or written exams and, Montana mandates insurance discounts for qualifed drivers. Certifcates are now good for three years! Class fee: $20.00, AARP members; $25.00, for non-members. For class sign up, call Hamilton Insurance at 406-363-6583. For further information, call Thom Ainsworth, Instructor, at 406-3690149.

Poets in the ‘Root Nature in nearly all manifestations has inspired poets since there were poets! And at least since the Roman poet Horace wrote Ars Poetica or the Art of Poetry in 19BC, literature, including poetry, sought to both instruct and delight. Poets in the ‘Root combines these two aims in an uncommon but simple way. One person reads a favorite poem or part of a poem that uses an element of nature to convey its message. Most read poems by others, but if you’re a poet, we’d love to hear your work. Then the same or another person gives an explanation (5 minutes max) of some aspect of that nature element. The explanation focuses on nature interpretation, not literary interpretation. Listeners get a bit of poetry and a bit of natural history. Free and open to the public. The program will be hosted by Explore the Arts, at 701 Main, Hamilton, on Saturday, October 26th, at 1 pm. There will be refreshments, including cofee, tea, wine, and snacks! Bitterroot Bird Alliance, the Montana Natural History Center, and Blue Heron Nature Tours are sponsoring this event. If you want to read, provide natural history interpretation or have questions, contact Micki Long at mickilong@gmail.com

RML Community Liaison Group

The Rocky Mountain Laboratories Community Liaison Group (RML CLG) is scheduled to meet on Monday, Oct. 28. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the Seminar Room on the RML campus, 903 S. 4th St. The public is invited to attend and participate in the meeting. People who want to attend can email Susie Miller at RML (Susie. Miller2@nih.gov) by 4 p.m. on Oct. 21 and she will share information on how to attend (e.g. valid photo ID needed). There is no online option for attending.

The tentative agenda includes:

* RML Master Plan update * RML voluntary noise guidelines and monitoring program * August 23 windstorm, campus damage and remediation

* Building 8 tree collapse and damage

* RML campus tree assessments

* Building 34 vivarium fnal report

* Building 31A microscopy center construction project

The RML CLG includes representatives from local government, education, business, medical and emergency services, and community and civic groups. The RML CLG represents a long-term commitment to structured interactions with the community. The group began meeting in 2002.

by Scott Sacry Sports Editor

Sports Class A soccer playoffs begin

The Class A state soccer playofs begin this week. Three Bitterroot Valley teams qualifed for the state tournament: the Stevensville boys, the Hamilton girls, and the Hamilton boys.

The Stevensville boys won the South conference title and are the South’s #1 seed in the state tournament. The ‘Jackets host the North’s #3 team, Libby, on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. The Stevensivlle boys defeated Libby 8-1 on September 28.

The Hamilton girls won the South conference title and are the South’s #1 seed in the state tournament. The

Lady Broncs host the North’s #3 team, Whitefsh, on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. Hamilton and Whitefsh have not played this year. Whitefsh is the defending girls state champion.

The Hamilton boys took 2nd in the South conference and are the South’s #2 seed in the state tournament. The Broncs play the East’s #1 seed, Billings Central, who is 12-0 on the season, on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m at Amend Park in Billings. The Hamilton boys lost to Billings Central 4-0 on Aug. 30 in their frst game of the year.

Soccer Roundup

The Hamilton and Stevensville girls and boys soccer teams played on Tuesday, October 8 in Stevensville. The Hamilton girls won 7-0, while the Stevensville boys won 4-2.

In the girls game, for Hamilton, Victoria Stuart had 3 goals, Anna Lewis had 2 goals and 2 assists, Hannah Hughes had a goal and an assist, Ellie Hughes had a goal, Greta Gantz had 2 assists, and Lauren Nelson had an assist.

In their last game of the regular season, the Hamilton girls hosted Loyola

on Friday, Oct. 11. The two teams tied earlier in the year, but the Lady Broncs dominated this contest, winning 7-2. For Hamilton, Greta Gantz had 3 goals, Ellie Hughes had 2 goals and an assist, Hannah Hughes had a goal and 2 assists, and Anna Lewis had a goal and an assist.

The Corvallis boys and girls ended their season at Polson on Thursday, Oct. 10. The Corvallis boys lost 5-0, while the Corvallis girls lost 3-6. For the Corvallis girls, Farah Wyche, Caitlin Nelson, and Lauryn Holmberg each scored a goal.

Hamilton’s Chloe Greek (#6) kicking the ball away from Stevensville’s Madigan Hurlbert (#20) in Hamilton’s 7-0 win over Stevensville on Oct. 8. The Hamilton girls won the South conference and host Whitefsh in the frst round of the Class A State tournament on Saturday, Oct. 19th. Photo by Scott Sacry.

Hamilton’s Andrew Standaert (#17) and Stevensville’s Anton Ptok (#16) battle for the ball in Stevensville’s 4-2 victory over Hamilton on Oct. 8. Stevensville won the South conference and hosts Libby in the frst round of the Class A State tournament on Saturday, Oct. 19th. The Hamilton boys are the South’s #2 seed and play at Billings Central on Saturday.

Photo by Scott Sacry.

Sports Florence volleyball wins again

The Florence girls continued their winning ways last week, beating Arlee and Darby. They played at Arlee on Tuesday, October 8 and won 3-0 (25-7, 25-8, 25-15). For Florence, Dia Jenkins and Elise Schneiter each

Florence’s Elise Schneiter and Emory Ralston going up for a block. The Florence girls continued their strong play last week, beating both Arlee and Darby 3-0 last week.

by Stephanie K Geiser Photography.

had 6 aces, Ava Philbrick had 7 kills, Maggie Schneiter had 20 assists, and Taylor Pyette had 7 digs. Then on Thursday, Oct. 10, Florence hosted Darby and won 3-0 (257, 25-11, 25-10). For Florence, Emory Ralston had 4 aces and 5 kills, Taylor Pyette had 4 aces, Elise Schneiter had 5 kills and a block, Aislynn Campbell had 5 kills, Maggie Schneiter had 15 assists, Ava Philbrick had a block, and Dia Jenkins had 6 digs.

Stevensville’s 2024-2025 Hall of Fame Inductees

The Stevensville Yellowjacket Hall of Fame committee has selected the Stevensville Yellowjacket Hall of Fame inductees for 2024-2025. The following are the inductees: Ted Ray, Dr. Fred Costello, Billy Wark, Tom Tucker, Mike Goicoechea, Ralph Serrette, Firman Ray, Kim Anderson.

The Stevensville Yellowjacket Hall of Fame was established to create a lasting tribute to groups and individuals who have brought honor to themselves, their school, and the Stevensville community.

Induction into the Stevensville Yellowjacket Hall of Fame is reserved for individuals and teams who

#4 Florence over #6 Eureka

The #4 Florence Falcons (406mtsports. com rankings) traveled north to #6 Eureka on Friday, October 11 in a battle of two of Montana’s top Class B teams. In the end, Florence once again proved why they are the three-time defending state champions as they defeated the Lions 17-0.

The game was fairly close in terms of total yards gained, with Florence gaining 274 total yards (151 passing, 123 rushing) and Eureka gaining 258 total yards (120 passing, 138 rushing). But to win football games you have to score and you have to stop your opponent from

scoring. Florence did both and won for the 6th straight time and improved to 6-1 on the season.

Florence’s quarterback Mason Arlington continued to impress, as the 6’1” senior threw two touchdown passes. The first one was a short pass to Drew Wagner, who rumbled 28 yards for the TD. The second, a perfect 44-yard over-theshoulder strike to speedster Isaac Bates in the 3rd quarter. Florence kicker Cole Fowler made both PATs and also made a 26-yard field goal.

The Falcons host Thompson Falls (2-5) next week, then finish the regular season the following week, Oct. 25, against rival Missoula Loyola.

Hamilton’s upset bid falls short

The Dillon Beavers came into Hamilton on Thursday, October 10th riding high. They were 5-1 on the season and were the #3 ranked Class A team in the state (406mtsports.com). Their only loss was a 22-20 defeat to #1 Frenchtown.

Hamilton came into the game on the other end of the spectrum. The young Broncs team had been competitive, but were 1-4 on the season. In their last game they were defeated 42-0 by #1 Frenchtown.

From the outside looking in, it seemed like an easy win for Dillon. But someone forgot to tell Hamilton they were supposed to get blown out and the game came down to the wire. The Broncs played one of their best games of the year and almost pulled off the upset, but in the end they fell short, losing 13-14.

Hamilton, who plays two quarterbacks, Cooper Weston and Kaeden Gum, scored late in the 2nd quarter when Weston hit wideout Jackson Lubke for a 17-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 7-7 going into halftime.

Dillon scored on their first possession of the second half to take a 14-7 lead. Hamilton responded by scoring early in the 4th quarter on a Gum to Lubke touchdown pass. Unfortunately, the point after was no good, so Hamilton trailed 13-14.

Hamilton still had a chance to win the game in the 4th quarter. They had the ball at their own 20 yard line with two minutes left to play. Two long Weston passes to Lubke and wideout Jake McCarthy set Hamilton up on Dillon’s 35 yard line. But then a Weston pass was deflected and intercepted by the Beavers, and Dillon was able to run out the clock and win the game.

For Hamilton, Jackson Lubke had 6 catches for 85 yards and caught 2 touchdown passes. Gum had 61 yards rushing and 51 yards passing, while Weston passed for 102 yards. Also for Hamilton, Jake McCarthy had 4 catches for 68 yards.

Hamilton is now 1-5 on the season and plays at Corvallis (3-3) this Friday at 7 p.m. in an all-Bitterroot Valley matchup.

Valley football roundup

Stevensville 0, Whitefish 48 Stevensville hosted Whitefish on Friday, Oct. 11 and lost 48-0 to the visiting Bulldogs. The ‘Jackets are now 0-7 on the season. Their task doesn’t get any easier this week as they travel to Frenchtown to take on the top-ranked and undefeated Broncs this Friday.

Darby 28, St. Regis 42

Darby traveled to St. Regis on Friday, Oct. 11 for a Tiger on Tiger showdown. St. Regis jumped out to a 34-8 halftime lead, but Darby

fought back in the second half, outscoring St. Regis 20-8. But it wasn’t enough as Darby lost 42-28 and fell to 3-3 on the season.

Darby plays a tough Seeley-Swan squad this Thursday at 7 p.m. under the lights in Darby.

Victor 20, Troy 62

Victor hosted Troy on Saturday, Oct. 12 and lost 20-62. Victor is now 1-6 on the season and has a bye this week before facing St. Ignatius in their final game of the season on Oct. 26.

have signifcantly contributed to Stevensville High School, accomplished extraordinary feats in extra/co-curricular activities at Stevensville High School, and to acknowledge Stevensville High School graduates who have distinguished themselves in life after high school.

The 20242025 Induction and Awards Ceremony will take place on February 1, 2025 at St. Mary’s Family Center from 6 to 10 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7p.m. A live auction and silent auction hosted by the STARS Foundation will also take place during the event, with all funds going towards new tennis courts and track improvements.

Photo

Obituaries

Vivienne Julia Depee

Vivienne Julia (Baldridge) Depee, is now in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus, and reunited with beloved husband Smokey, daughter Bunny, her parents Archie and Erie, brother Jimmy, grandson Stephen, and so many, many friends. Oh, what a sweet reunion they are sharing.

Vivienne was born to Erie and Archie on November 15, 1933 in the little town of Potlatch, Idaho. From a young age, she was an avid reader and lover of music. She told us many stories of the fun she had during her youth with her brother Gary and sister Janice. She learned to play piano as a little girl and was often “voluntold” to play and sing with her siblings at church. Vivienne also had many wonderful adventures with lifelong school mate and dear friend, Beverly. She always looked forward to weekly cards and letters they shared throughout her life.

She was married to the love of her life and our father, “Smokey” Depee on May 10, 1952. They had much excitement as a young couple moving here and there, making friends and merriment wherever they roamed until his passing. Vivienne didn’t remarry, rather, she cherished her memories of the life they built.

Vivienne is the matriarch of our large family. She was the mother of fve daughters and two sons.

Anthony ‘Tony’ Villarreal

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Dad, Anthony (Tony) B. Villarreal, of Corvallis, Montana, on September 27th, 2024, at the age of 58. Tony passed unexpectedly while fshing in Dogtown Lake, Williams, Arizona. Tony was a one-of-a-kind father to his two boys. He spent his last year traveling and fshing at beautiful lakes and rivers on the West Coast. Tony was born on May 11th, 1966 to Vivian and Ben Villarreal in Vallejo, California. He grew up in Napa and graduated from Napa High School in 1984. In 1989 he met Heather Sisson. In 1993 Tony and Heather were married and left California for the Montana dream he desired for years. They went on to have two beautiful boys and spent 28 years together.

Tony worked hard his whole life either drafting homes or in construction. Beck Builders was his second family here in the Bitterroot for 18 + years and he and Paul had some great times with get-togethers and parties. These parties included participation from Tony, who wore silly outfts, and created silly shows, and skits to entertain the staf. He always participated in the silliest ways.

When Tony and Heather parted ways, Tony met Lisa McKay who he spent the last six years with. They purchased a bus and traveled to see the world and visit family. He was able to retire early, so he and Lisa

Laurie Burnham

Laurie Burnham passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord on September 27, 2024. Laurie was born Laurel Jean Cook on July 8, 1934 at the Grifth Park Maternity Home in Los Angeles, CA, to Jess and Betty Cook. Her brother Alan was 2 ½ when Laurie joined the family. Laurie grew up in South Pasadena, CA and attended Oneonta Grammar School and South Pasadena-San Marino Jr. High and High Schools, graduating with the class of 1952. She completed her education at Pasadena City College and Los Angeles State University in 1957. While in junior high and through PCC her favorite class was gym! In college she received awards in seven diferent sports: feld hockey, basketball, softball, volleyball, speedball, swimming, and badminton (she won many badminton trophies!) – she was a great lover of sports! She loved life in California. Her early jobs were with recreation departments in South Pasadena and Alhambra, CA. Laurie and Fred Burnham were married on September 7, 1957 after having known each other since childhood through church and growing up a street apart. Their frst three years of marriage were spent in Santa Barbara. While there, she worked for the Chamber of Commerce and he for Aerophysics Development Corporation. Following this, they moved to Mountain View, CA to their

began their adventure and spent approximately a year driving around the bus and enjoying retirement.

Tony loved the outdoors and loved to fsh. He also loved to take the kids sledding and have sledding parties at Blue Mountain where many families would meet up and play for the day, sit next to the fre, and laugh.

Tony is survived by his two boys Anthony F. Villarreal and Gabriel H. Villarreal. He is also survived by his sister Seanna Villarreal, and his stepmother Sharon Villarreal.

Tony is preceded in death by his dad Benardo Villarreal, his mother Vivian P. (Banaag)(Villarreal) Lowery, his stepdad, Frank Lowery, and his two stepbrothers Frankie and Johnny Lowrey.

If Tony had one request, he would ask that you remember him for his amazing 4th of July parties. This was his favorite holiday and he loved the freworks he set of in his front yard. He then would save a few for New Year’s Eve to have the next show begin again. So, when you see the freworks on the 4th of July, please remember him and his love for the 4th with smiles and laughter.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Ron and Steve at Brothers Mortuary & Crematory for such great care and help to relieve the many burdens and hardships that came with losing Tony. There was

frst owned home and a brand-new baby, William Bushong Burnham. A year and a half later, Steven DuBois Burnham joined the family. Wonderful neighbors were enjoyed during those years.

In 1962 after visiting family in the Bitter Root Valley, Fred decided to move his family to the beautiful Bitter Root. It was a difcult move for Laurie, as she was a “California Kid” and all her family was there! It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the family’s new state. Barbara Alice Burnham’s arrival a couple of years later completed the family and they enjoyed their 15 year stay in Corvallis prior to moving to Hamilton in 1977.

During the early years of the family’s life in the Bitter Root, Fred was a logger. Laurie would rise before 3 a.m. to prepare Fred’s meals for the day. Laurie kept a garden each summer, and the family was well fed with game meat and canned garden produce. Fred wasn’t seen much during these long days of work, but Sundays and holidays were precious times spent with family and friends. Sunday afternoons from late May through August from the 1960s through the 1980s were enjoyed at Lake Como boating, foating on inner tubes, and cooking over an open fre with dear friends. Many learned to waterski or enjoyed a tow behind their boat.

On April Fool’s Day in 1972, Fred and Laurie purchased a run-down service station on the north side of Hamilton which they named North Side Center (not on the north side anymore!). For the next 40 years Laurie was in her element behind the till either on her own shift or flling in for a scheduled employee and enjoying the many facets of this business through the decades: Gas ‘n Grub, Fun ‘n Games, Spot Free Car Wash, Richland Ice Cream, the deli, and more. She met and loved many valley residents during these years, and she was loved by many in return.

Laurie was a self-described “doer, not a talker” and she did much in her life. Fred and Laurie were both active in Scouting during their years in Corvallis. Laurie was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout Leader. In 1977 she was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service for making an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the Boy Scout Council. Laurie was also a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, following her daughter through the ranks of Girl Scouting and continuing beyond, bringing love and fun to other girls after her daughter was grown.

Laurie loved music and she shared this joy at every opportunity. She was often singing at home and in the car, and by the time her children were toddlers they could each hold their own in simple rounds. She loved campfre songs in Girl Scouts,

Her greatest joy was her family, and what a large family that is. Her home was a haven of warmth and joy, a gathering place for holidays, barbecues, and special occasions. The air was always flled with the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread and buns. She was grandmother to 21 wonderful grandchildren and 33 great grandkids and 4 great great grandkids. Her fridge and mirrors were always full of their pictures and newspaper clippings as she adored and prayed for each of them daily. Vivienne loved her church family. She was an active member of Jesus Community church. The highlight of her week was Wednesday morning, as she hosted bible study in her home for “her ladies” for over 20 years. Vivienne is survived by her daughter Julie Ransier (Greg), Debbie Ransier (Allen), son in law Johnny Miller, son Mike Depee (Leslee), Patty Billing (Ken), Jim Depee (Rita), Teresa Stricklin (Mark), and many grandsons, granddaughters and great and great great grandkids. Memorials can be made to your local Food Bank. A funeral service was held on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at the Whitesitt Funeral Home. Interment took place at the Maplewood Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

nothing less than exceptional care with Tony and getting him home to his kids where he will be spread out across America to honor his dad’s wish to fsh all 50 states. Thank you for all you do!

A memorial will be held on the 4th of July weekend 2025 to celebrate Tony’s life and love for the 4th of July, and what he meant to everyone around him. Please stay tuned for more information.

coached a quartet at Corvallis elementary school, and she and her daughter would often harmonize to entertain visitors or when they were guests at other people’s homes. Laurie was part of vocal groups including a Sweet Adeline quartet dubbed The Sweetest Sounds, a vocal ensemble named Lilies of the Valley, she was a founding member of the Bitterroot Valley Chorus (this year is the 52nd presentation and the frst that Laurie will not be participating in), and she enjoyed leading patriotic songs with her daughter for the annual Veterans Day celebration at the Ravalli County Museum for the past 11 years, as well as singing duets and trios with her husband, daughter, and granddaughter at church.

Laurie was devoted to many organizations and flled many leadership roles in them: her church (the United Methodist American Baptist Church), Republican Women, Beta Sigma Phi, the Hamilton Women’s Golf Association, the Ravalli County Museum, P.E.O., the Bitterroot Valley Chorus, the Bitterroot Secret Garden Tour, the Hospital Auxiliary, a weekly Bible study, and the last few months of her life she added being a member of the Republican Central Committee. Laurie found great joy through the years in a long term “Outdoors Club” consisting of a few families who enjoyed backpacking, biking, and skiing while their children were in junior high and high school and then beyond as empty nesters. Laurie also found great fun participating in plays with the Hamilton Players as well as serving as an usher. In her early years in the Bitter Root, she played women’s basketball and softball, enjoyed square dancing with the Gay Sashays (Laurie sewed matching outfts for herself, her husband, and her young daughter), and in her later years she enjoyed trips to Missoula to Lady Griz games with friends as well as Hamilton High School musical presentations and sporting events.

Laurie was preceded in death by her husband Fred in 2017 and her brother Alan in 2019.

Laurie is survived by her children Bill of Grantsdale, Steve (Katrina) of Naples, ID, Barbara of Darby; grandchildren Heather (Ryan) of Missoula, Hillary Robinson (Trevor) of Hamilton, Jesse Neale of Great Falls, Terry Mavros (Deirdre) of Corvallis, Alicia of Naples, ID, Meredith Yates (Zach) of Napa, CA, and Kara of Provo, UT; and great-grandchildren Grace, Kioni, Zaiden, Linden, Kian, Blakely, Fenn, and Capri.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Daly-Leach Chapel with a reception following in the funeral home’s community room. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.

Gary Paul Wetzsteon

Gary Paul Wetzsteon, 95, passed away September 25, 2024, at St. John’s United in Billings, MT. He was born on April 4, 1929, in Hamilton, MT to Edgar and Helen Wetzsteon of Sula, MT. Gary grew up in Sula on the family cattle ranch, the Lazy J Cross, where his grandparents had homesteaded in the late 1800s. He graduated from Darby High School in 1947. After high school he attended MSU Bozeman where he received a BS degree in Range Management. He was also a proud enrollee of ROTC from 1947 to 1951.

In July of 1951 Gary married the love of his life, Zoe Ann LeSuer in Hamilton, MT. Shortly after their marriage, he reported to Larson Air Force Base near Moses Lake, WA where he began his duties in the U.S. Air Force. Gary would spend two years in the Air Force, starting with his deployment to Tokyo, Japan as frst lieutenant serving as chief courier ofcer during the Korean War. Gary returned to the states, was discharged from the military, and furthered his education by attending grad school at the University of Montana where he earned his certifcation as a Forester. Gary spent his life-long career in land management and forestry. He spent time in Rawlins, WY as a BLM Range Conservationist, in Whitehall, MT as Asst. Ranger for the Jeferson Ranger District, and West Yellowstone, MT as Asst. Ranger of the Gallatin Nat. Forest district. Gary and his young family experienced frsthand the devastating Yellowstone earthquake on Aug. 17, 1959. As Ranger, he received a superior service award for his participation in the Earthquake Rescue Unit. He would become District Ranger in 1960 at Harlowton, MT until 1967 when he was transferred to Red Lodge, MT to become District Ranger of the Custer Nat. Forest for 12 years. The Red Lodge Mountain ski hill was managed by the forest service at that

Death Notices

time, and he was one of the original groomers on the mountain. A most beloved project during his career at Red Lodge was the development of Woodbine Campground on the Stillwater. He considered his fellowship and service organizations as an important part of his life as well; Masons, Shriners, Lions Club, and Kiwanis to name a few. In 1979, Gary transferred to Billings and was a Lands Staf Ofcer of the Custer National Forest until he retired on February 1, 1985.

Gary and Zoe began their retirement years by moving back to the familiar Bitterroot valley, at Sula, MT. Gary built their log home, which was a favorite gathering place for their four daughters and their families. They spent many wonderful years enjoying the beauty of the hayfelds, mountains, and fshing streams before they moved to St. John’s United in Billings, MT in 2008.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Zoe, parents, Edgar and Helen Wetzsteon, his brothers, Gordon, Herald, and Sterling Wetzsteon, and his sister, Peg Windsor.

Gary is survived by his daughters, Patti (Mac) McGahan, Diane (Patrick) Metzger, Nancy (Jay) Billington, and Vicki (Matt) Catingub; grandchildren, Jenny, Cory, Mandi, Malori, Alex, Sarah, Cale, and Kate; and great-grandchildren Leilani, Gabriel, Devon, Castiel, Zahariel, Julia, Jack, Aiden, Fletcher, Romy, and Noah.

Gary had many interests and was always actively engaged in his activities. He and Zoe were life-long members of the Episcopal church, and he spent many Sundays ofciating as a lay reader. He loved his family, his MSU Bobcats, gardening, pitching horseshoes, fy-fshing, cracking jokes, jigsaw puzzles, cribbage, golf, skiing, camping, and reading anything about Montana history.

passed away early Saturday morning, October 12, 2024 at Bitterroot Health in Hamilton after a heart attack, with his brother Edward by his side. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.

A private family service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be left at the Billings Cremation and Burial Services in Billings, MT. (www. billingscremation.com)

In lieu of fowers, please consider making memorial donations to St. John’s United, Rimrock Road,

Kathleen J. Nagy Corvallis - Kathleen J Nagy,

This October, as we observe National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take charge of your well-being and prioritize early detection. Breast cancer remains that most common type of cancer among women. Detecting the disease early can greatly improve treatment outcomes. Talk with your primary care provider about your family history with cancer and screening options during your next wellness exam. Together, we can beat the disease. Take charge of your health. Call today 405-541-0032 to schedule your appointment. Becoming a patient is easy, with little to no wait for scheduling a new patient appointment. Medicaid, Medicare and Uninsured Patients Accepted Serving all of Ravalli County

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72, passed away at home today, Saturday, October 12, 2024, after a long illness, with her son Alex and daughter April by her side. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.

14,980 people in Ravalli County End Medicare beneﬁts for and raise prescription drug costs.

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Angler’s poem in October, verse 2: Skalkaho autumn

Sunday was one of those crisp, clear, Indian Summer days I had been longing for since the smoke cleared. Like a lot of people I feel robbed of summer. Now its counterpart, and always my favorite time of year, is here.

Our neighbors recently invited us to pick MacIntosh apples from their trees. Jan picked the apples and will make a pie. The leaves on our trees turned color and just as soon started blowing of. For just a little while longer, everything is glorious and alive before the onset of winter. Stufng the pocket of my fshing vest with Macintoshes to eat on the stream is a personal autumn ritual I have yet to fulfll, and I’m overdue.

And then there are the creeks: plenty of shade always, and my favorite among them at this time of year is Skalkaho.

Skalkaho Creek isn’t the easiest creek to fsh; getting around on the creek means wading upstream in a creek alley canopied by lush pines, water maples, willows and frs. You bring a short rod, cast in the alley of the stream and count on losing some fies.

by Chuck Stranahan

But for the time being, there are appointments to be kept and a list of home chores to be tightened up on these clear crisp days before the onset of another cold winter.

There’s some comfort in that, ironically, because these stark blue clear-skied days that reawaken the senses yield the worst fshing.

The trout could care less. For them the harsh glare must hurt their eyes. They can’t squint or blink as we do.

They’ll come out and eat in overcast and broken weather, and where there is shade. They don’t really care which.

On days like this I have a few favorite haunts: There are stretches of the West Fork where shadows on the water start mid-afternoon, and where a scant few bugs on the water can bring the trout out.

There are places on the East Fork where the tree-lined banks ward of all but the direct glare of mid-day. And there are a couple of spots near my home in Corvallis where I can approach the river from the east bank in the afternoon and fsh to an outside

The creek tumbles through its bouldered canyon at too steep a grade to allow for long pools, easy casting, and easy wading.

When you fsh Skalkaho, you have to work at it. You fsh one set of pockets, defned by the rocks and current glides between them, and then move, always fghting the current and slippery rocks, to fsh the next set.

But on Sunday afternoon as I do every year, I had a biting urge to fsh Skalkaho.

I thought about my fshing gear, abandoned all summer, what I’d need for a simple trip to Skalkaho Creek, and my favorite October caddis nymph. That big orange nymph is one I enjoy tying and fshing.

On Skalkaho Creek these big orange autumn caddisfies are abundant and the nymphs don’t last long on their way to the surface. Put that artifcial where there might be a trout and it will likely be eaten – by some of the biggest trout in the creek. In the dark small pools among the rocks of Skalkaho Creek the trout take on the deep-hued shades of their surroundings and seem illuminated in them come October.

I thought of those trout and the time Larry Javorsky and I visited the creek. Larry got some wonderful photographs. We vowed to take our boys there. The boys are men now.

Skalkaho (with daddy safely nearby downstream,) and good enough with a fy rod to catch a trout by himself. I remembered other days, with friends and fshing alone – memories of particular fsh, where they were

The home chores are on a downhill pull now; the rest can wait until the weather changes. Until then I plan to get out on my favorite autumn waters – East Fork, West Fork, Woodside, Tucker, Victor, maybe

After many years, Skalkaho beckons me back in October. Photo by Larry Javorsky.

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DOGS: bitterrooter looking at world championships

try to earn points to the world championship.

The continental dry-land championships will take place at the same location the world dry-land championships will in 2025 – in Minocqua, Wisconsin. This year will be Petterson’s frst attempt at the dry-land continental championship. She hopes she will do well, and earn enough points to return again next year for the world championship.

Petterson has a strong background in dog sports in snow, having qualifed this year for Team USA in skijoring for the world championship. She will be going to Norway in February to compete. According to Petterson, Norway is the epicenter of sled racing, skijoring and other “dog powered sports” on snow. “It’s the capital of skijoring!” said Petterson.

Nineteen years ago, Petterson watched one of her frst sled dog races. While she was there, she witnessed skijoring for the frst time, and immediately felt hooked. She described it as an “instant addiction,” and has been participating in the sport ever since. She grew up in Michigan where she

cross country skied, so skijoring was a natural next step. Also, having always possessed a love for dogs, it seemed like the perfect sport for her. She jumped into it with both feet, bred her own dogs and raced with several breeds. In fact, several years ago, she had a Swiss mountain dog named Bridger that was the top in weight pulling in the world for racing dogs. He could pull over 5,000 pounds, and was never beaten, nationally or internationally, for his fve-year career in weight pull. “So, when I was skijoring, I had to hold on for dear life!” said Petterson.

Today, her favorite dog breed to skijor with is the German shorthaired pointer. These are one of the top choices for the sport all over the world, and according to Petterson, it comes down to their speed, temperament, intelligence and the fact that she can also hunt with them. For Petterson, her dogs are her life. She sleeps with them, goes everywhere with them, and trains with them every day. It is almost a full time job, but she loves every minute of it. However, she is not looking forward to traveling with them to Norway,

stating that post COVID-19 restrictions have made traveling with dogs harder, especially in Europe. Another love of Petterson’s is getting people into the sport. She says there are many ways to get into racing with dogs. According to Petterson, all a person needs is a dog. There are races on foot, bike, sled, scooter, skis and more. However, Petterson’s favorites are skijoring and bike-joring. Participants will also want a bungee to connect with the dog, as well as to keep from jerking each other around too hard or causing injury. If they are running, they will need a belt to attach the tether to themselves, and if they are on a bike, sled or scooter, they will attach the bungee tether to the vehicle. There are also diferent kinds of races, involving multiple dogs, distance, sprinting and more. With dry-land and snow, there is something for everyone, says Petterson. She participates chiefy in sprints. These can be from one to fve miles on dry land, and four to six on snow. According to Petterson, each type of race means training the dogs diferently. She compared it to athletes training for marathons versus sprints. If a dog is mainly training for a sprint, then switches to distance, it will slow its pace for the distance, which will hurt

its times in the sprint.

The sport is “growing tremendously in the US,” said Petterson. She hopes their race in Seeley will grow as well. This year they were short on beginner level participants, but they had 26 participants overall. She is hoping for more racers next year.

Petterson started her organization, Bitterroot Dog Powered Sports, to get more people into the sport she loves. It is a lifestyle, and for Petterson there are many reasons to get into it, even just as a side hobby. “It keeps you in shape, because the dogs are ready to go all the time,” said Petterson. Also a vet at Burnt Fork Veterinary Clinic, dog health is extremely important to Petterson. In her experience, most of the problems she sees boil down to the dogs being out of shape, or having mental health issues due to inactivity. She said racing with dogs “keeps them healthier and happier!”

Parties interested in learning more about “dog-powered sports,” can fnd Petterson and her organization, online at www.bitterrootdogpoweredsports. com or on their Facebook page. There, parties can learn more about the various sports and how to get involved. She is also looking for sponsors for her trip to Norway, and information on that is available on the website as well.

Merle Unruh

Teresa Petterson with her dogs in Stevensville. Photo by John Dowd.

Teresa Petterson racing on snow. Photo by Perry Backus.

(1) As used in this section, the term “covered ofce” means the ofce of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, state representative, state senator, United States representative, United States senator, and other ofces as provided by law.

The election for a covered ofce must consist of a primary election followed by a general election in which each of the four candidates for a covered ofce who receive the most votes in the primary election, and only those candidates, shall appear on the general election ballot.

vote. Each qualifed elector may vote for no more than one candidate for each ofce in the primary election.

If it cannot be determined which four candidates received the most votes in the primary election because two or more candidates are tied, the tie shall be broken as provided by law.

If four or fewer candidates for a covered ofce qualify for the primary election ballot, a primary election is not required and all candidates shall appear on the general election ballot.

A space for write-in candidates may appear on the primary election ballot as provided by law.

A candidate may not be required to obtain the endorsement or nomination of any political party or organization in order to qualify for the primary election ballot.

If the legislature requires candidates to obtain signatures to qualify for the primary election ballot, the number of signatures required may not exceed 5% of the total votes cast for the candidate elected for the same ofce in the last general election for that ofce.

construed to amend, repeal, or modify Article VI, section 2 of the Montana constitution.

This section does not apply to special elections for covered ofces.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Severability. If a part of [this act] is invalid, all valid parts that are severable from the invalid part remain in efect. If a part of [this act] is invalid in one or more of its applications, the part remains in efect in all valid applications that are severable from the invalid applications.

tied, the elected person shall be determined as provided by law.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Severability. If part of [this act] is invalid, all valid parts that are severable from the invalid part remain in efect. If a part of [this act] is invalid in one or more of its applications, the part remains in efect in all valid applications that are severable from the invalid applications.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Efective date. [This act] is efective January 1, 2025.

CHEENEY LAW, PLLC PO Box 212

Hamilton, MT 59840

Phone: (406) 363-9060

Attorney for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HARRIET NOBLES MCCLELLAND, Deceased. Case No.: DP-41-2024-106

barred. Claims must either be mailed to ASHLEY DAWN LLOYD or CHELSEA RAE LLOYD, the Co-Personal Representatives, in care of CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C., 99 Marcus Street, 3rd FL, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana that the foregoing is true and correct.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Efective date. [This act] is efective January 1, 2025.

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Applicability. [This act] applies to elections for covered ofces as defned in [section 1] held on or after January 1, 2025.

In an election for a covered ofce, the following conditions apply:

All candidates, regardless of political party preference, afliation, nomination or lack of political party preference, afliation, or nomination shall appear on the same primary election ballot separated by ofce.

Qualifed electors, regardless of political party preference or afliation or a lack thereof, may participate in the primary election for each covered ofce for which they are eligible to

A candidate may choose to have displayed next to the candidate’s name on the ballot the candidate’s preference for a political party or that the candidate prefers no political party. The format options must be as follows: “Party Preference _______________________” or “No Party Preference.”

The ballot may not indicate that a candidate has been endorsed by or nominated by any political party.

Each ballot must include a clear and conspicuous statement informing voters that a candidate’s indicated political party preference does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the political party or that the political party approves of or associates with the candidate.

This section may not be

THE COMPLETE TEXT OF CONSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE NO. 127 (CI-127)

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Article IV, section 5 of The Constitution of the State of Montana is amended to read:

Section 5. Result of elections. (1) As used in this section, the term “covered ofce” means the ofce of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, state representative, state senator, United States representative, United States senator, and other ofces as provided by law.

(2) In all elections held by the people for an ofce other than a covered ofce, the person or persons receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected.

(3) In all elections held by the people for a covered ofce, the person receiving a majority of votes as determined as provided by law shall be declared elected. If it cannot be determined which person received a majority of votes because two or more persons are

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Applicability. [This act] applies to elections held on or after January 1, 2025.

THE COMPLETE TEXT OF CONSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE NO. 128 (CI-128)

Article II of The Constitution of The State of Montana is amended by adding a new section 36 that reads:

Section 36. Right to make decisions about pregnancy.

There is a right to make and carry out decisions about one’s own pregnancy, including the right to abortion. This right shall not be denied or burdened unless justifed by a compelling government interest achieved by the least restrictive means.

The government may regulate the provision of abortion care after fetal viability provided that in no circumstance shall the government deny or burden access to an abortion that, in the good faith judgment of a treating health care professional, is medically indicated to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient.

The government shall not penalize, prosecute, or otherwise take adverse action against a person based on the person’s actual, potential, perceived, or alleged pregnancy outcomes. The government shall not penalize, prosecute, or otherwise take adverse action against a person for aiding or assisting another person in exercising their right to make and carry out decisions about their pregnancy with their voluntary consent.

For the purposes of this section:

A government interest is “compelling” only if it clearly and convincingly addresses a medically acknowledged, bona fde health risk to a pregnant patient and does not infringe on the patient’s autonomous decision making.

“Fetal viability” means the point in pregnancy when, in the good faith judgment of a treating health care professional and based on the particular facts of the case, there is a signifcant likelihood of the fetus’s sustained survival outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures.

BS 9-18, 9-25, 10-9, 10-25.

MNAXLP Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County

In the Matter of the Name Change of Kellie Kay Jones, Kellie Kay Korman, Petitioner Cause No.: DV-41-20240000282-NC

Dept. 2 Judge Lint

NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE

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 Terrill Keith McClelland, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at Cheeney Law, PLLC, PO Box 212, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.

DATED the 24 th day of September 2024.

/s/ Terrill Keith McClelland, Personal Representative BS 10-2, 10-9, 10-16-24.

MNAXLP

Naomi J. Cheeney CHEENEY LAW, PLLC PO Box 212 Hamilton, MT 59840 Phone: (406) 363-9060

Attorney for Personal Representative

MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MURIEL W. PARKER, Deceased. Case No.: DP-41-2024-107

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 Thomas G. Parker, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at Cheeney Law, PLLC, PO Box 212, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court. DATED this 27 th day of September 2024.

/s/ Thomas G. Parker, Personal Representative BS 10-2, 10-9, 10-16-24. MNAXLP

Megan S. Winderl

CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. 99 Marcus Street, 3rd FL Hamilton, MT 59840 meganw@cwlawmt.com

Attorneys for Co-Personal Representatives

Dated this 17th day of September, 2024. /s/ Ashley Dawn Lloyd /s/ Chelsea Rae Lloyd CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. By: Megan S. Winderl

Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives BS 10-2, 20-9, 10-16-24. 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: LLOYD D. JAMES, a/k/a Lloyd Donald James, a/k/a “Bud” James, Deceased. Probate No.: DP-41-202494 Dept. No.: 1 HOWARD F. RECHT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the Decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to DAVID JAMES, 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 10th day of September, 2024. DATED this day of September, 2024. /s/ David James, 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 10-2, 10-9, 10-16-24. MNAXLP

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change from Kellie Kay Jones to Kellie Kay Korman.

The hearing will be on October 24, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.

DATED this 19th day of September, 2024.

/s/ Paige Trautwein

MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY In the Matter of the Estate of CORINNE LEE LLOYD, Deceased.

Clerk of District Court

By: Barbara Beavers

Deputy Clerk of Court

BS 9-25, 10-2, 10-9, 1016-24.

MNAXLP

Naomi J. Cheeney

Probate No. DP-41-2024000000037 Dept No. 1 AMENDED 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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING The Board of Ravalli County Commissioners will hold a public meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 10:30 AM in the Commissioners Conference room (3 rd foor) at the Ravalli County Administrative Center located at 215 S. 4 th Street, Hamilton, Montana. The purpose of this public meeting is to consider and take public comment on the frst reading and provisional adoption of Ordinance No. 46, Vicious Dog, Dog at Large, Dog Bites & Rabies Control, repealing Ordinance 37 Dog Protection and Control. The required second reading and possible adoption of Ordinance No. 46 public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 07, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the same location. If you have any questions, or would like to make a public comment due to your inability to attend this meeting, please contact the Commissioners through either of the following :

point of beginning.

Reference: Volume 122, Deeds, page 58.

EXCEPTING THEREFROM Book 223 Deeds, page 420.

Note: Property is shown on Retracement Survey No. 699477-TR. Recording Reference: Document No. 760255; Property Address: 100 S.

1st St W. [sic], Hamilton, MT 59840; Assessment Code: 650700; Geocode: 13-1468-31-301-21-0000

Zoning Request 2024-04 –A request by Joshua Gingerich to amend the zoning of a parcel of land from Local Business District (B-1) to Transitional Neighborhood Business District (B). The parcel is 0.25 acres, located at 561 North Daly Avenue (south of 241 Fairgrounds Road), identifed as Ravalli County Tax ID #761290 and legally described as:

A tract of land in the NW1/4 Section 30, T20W, P.M.M., Ravalli County, Montana, defned as being Parcel A per Certifcate of Survey No. 797631-F thereof, as fled with Ravalli County Records.

The Hamilton Zoning Commission will hold public hearings to provide recommendations on the zone map amendment requests on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 5:30 PM at City Hall, 223 South 2nd Street, LOWER LEVEL, Hamilton, MT.

The Hamilton City Council will hold public hearings to consider approval of the zone map amendment requests and the annexation petition on Tuesday,

November 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM, and Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7:00 PM, during its regular meetings at Hamilton City Hall, 223 South 2nd Street, Second Floor, Hamilton, MT.

The public may attend and make comment in person, or on the Internet / by phone through Zoom. Instructions are available on the City of Hamilton website www.cityofhamilton.net, or by contacting mrud@cityofhamilton.net or cityclerk@cityofhamilton.net. Comments prior to the Zoning Commission meeting may be submitted to the Planning Department at mrud@ cityofhamilton.net. Comments after the Zoning Commission meeting may be submitted to the City Clerk at cityclerk@ cityofhamilton.net. Comments for the Planning Department or City Clerk may also be mailed or delivered in person to 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840. Related materials will be made available on the City of Hamilton website prior to the meetings, and can be obtained by contacting the Planning Department at (406) 363-2101 or mrud@cityofhamilton.net.

BS 10-16, 10-23-24.

MNAXLP

It is my opinion that Tester is a liar.

He lied about shutting the border and voted with Obama, Biden, and Harris to keep it open for 18 years.

He will lie about a vetran to fatten his pocketbook.

Just ask Ronny Jackson or Tim Sheehy.

for Donald Trump and Tim Sheehy.

OG-24-10-407

LEGAL NOTICE

The Ravalli County Planning Department is inviting public comment on foodplain permit application FA-24-12 for work proposed within the FEMA regulated foodplain of the Bitterroot River. The applicant is Mike Sass of MTS Trust. The project is proposing to construct a residence with an attached garage, replace an existing wooden bridge that crosses an irrigation ditch, install a driveway and connect the residence to proposed utilities that exist or will be installed outside the FEMA regulated foodplain such as well and septic. The property is located at 3110 US Highway 93 S, Darby, MT in Section 02, Township 03 North, Range 21 West, Ravalli County. All construction will be completed in accordance with the Ravalli

Stevensville, Montana 59870

County Floodplain Regulations and will be located within the FEMA Flood Fringe area of the foodplain. Detailed information regarding this application is available for review at the Ravalli County Planning Department at 215 S 4th St, Suite F in Hamilton. Written comments may be mailed, hand-delivered or emailed (planning@rc.mt. gov ) and must be received by October 30th, 2024. (Reference Application #FA-24-14). BS 10-16-24.

MNAXLP

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FY23-24 BUDGET AMENDMENTS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2024 @ 6:30PM NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the Town Council of the Town of Stevensville will hold a public hearing on OCTOBER 24, 2024, at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall, 206 Buck Street,

OF ELECTION

All electors, as defined in Title 13, who reside in Ravalli County, are eligible to vote in the election.

An elector can request an absentee ballot by submitting a request to the Election Administrator. Absentee ballots for this election can be obtained until noon on November 4, 2024.

For electors who miss the close of registration deadline, late registration is available through the office of the County Election Administrator until noon on November 4, 2024, and will resume on Election Day, 7 AM to 8 PM.

Early preparation and reconciliation of absentee ballots will be held on October 31 and November 1, 2024 at approximately 10 AM in the basement of the Ravalli County Courthouse, 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton. Continuation of early preparation and reconciliation of absentee ballots, as well as the early counting of absentee ballots, will be conducted on November 4, 2024, at approximately 9 AM, in the basement of the Ravalli County Courthouse, 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton. Public is welcome to observe.

Beginning at approximately 11 AM on Election Day, November 5, 2024, absentee ballots will be opened, reconciled, and counted by a counting center board in the basement of the Ravalli County Courthouse, 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton. No results will be released until after the polls close at 8 PM.

Dated this 2nd day of October, 2024 Regina Plettenberg, Ravalli County Election Administrator 215 South 4th Street, Suite C;

Unstoppable women—ignite your potential

by Syble Solomon

Soroptimist might sound like an unusual name, but it represents a powerful women’s service club in the community. The name comes from the Latin words “soror” (sister) and “optima” (best), embodying the club’s mission to help women be their best. Founded in California in 1921 by 80 professional women, Soroptimist International aims to serve women and girls. They champion women’s rights, create opportunities for education and self-sufciency and promote fellowship. They were so well respected that after World War II, the organization gained consultative status with the United Nations, allowing them to infuence global policies on gender equality.

The Hamilton Soroptimist club, established in 1974, carries forward this international mission by transforming the lives of women and girls. Initially, membership was restricted to working professional women who had to be sponsored and approved by the organization’s members. Today, the club welcomes all women, ofering a supportive community for women of all ages and stages of life.

Hamilton Soroptimist have focused on local health initiatives. One notable fundraiser, MAMMO MAN, featured men from the community dressing in costumes to raise money for mammograms, ensuring access for all women in the valley. To help women with children, the club also collaborated with pediatricians to fund prescriptions for children when parents couldn’t aford them.

Internationally, the Hamilton Soroptimist club participated in the Friends from Afar program, providing microgrants to women in developing countries. Working with Peace Corps volunteers and missionaries, they identifed needs and ensured funds went directly to women for impactful projects. For example, a $50 grant provided stovepipes for every family in one village where women sufered from eye problems due to poor ventilation from the smoke in their huts. This alliance even led to an employer changing the day men were paid to the middle of the week. Since they had to work the next day, they couldn’t stay out socializing and drinking at night and more money made it home to their families.

In recent years, Hamilton Soroptimist has collaborated with SERES, a nonproft in Guatemala and El Salvador, to uplift young women. One recipient was a survivor of the 2018 Volcán de Fuego eruption. It allowed her to start a baking business by providing money for an oven. Life-changing educational opportunities were supported by the other fve grants.

Locally, the club addresses health and social issues, such as the high cost of personal hygiene products. Without these products, girls may miss school, and women may be unable to work. The Personal Hygiene Products project provides these essential items to SAFE, the Salvation Army, schools and local food pantries.

Domestic violence is another critical issue the Hamilton Soroptimists have taken on. In 1988, Soroptimists partnered with the YWCA in Missoula to establish a crisis hotline and members opened their homes to

women and children in need of safe shelter. Recognizing the scope of the problem, about 35 years ago the club committed to raising $100,000 over fve years to help establish the SAFE (Supporters of Abuse Free Environments) shelter. At the time, it was an enormous amount of money and they immediately embarked on fundraisers. The SAFE shelter ofers emergency and transitional housing, counseling, and other support services for survivors of domestic violence. The club continues to support SAFE’s expansion and programs through donations, including proceeds from the Annual Turtle Race and See’s Candy sales for Valentines Day, Easter and Christmas.

Hamilton Soroptimist scholarships are unique because they include fnancial awards to women over 40 who need the support to pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees, certifcations, trades, or business ventures as they plan for the future. Last year, nearly $40,000 was awarded to 18 women, and since its inception, the club has given over $250,000 in scholarships.

The club also donates to other local organizations, including Linda Massa Youth Homes, Bitterroot Literacy, Genesis House, Emma’s House, and Child Care Resources. Over the years, they have ofered conferences and training programs to help women become more self-sufcient, including workshops on basic plumbing, carpentry, and home repairs. For the past 18 years, they’ve hosted the annual Senior Women’s Tea at Sapphire Lutheran Homes, honoring women in the community over 90.

To keep up with changing times, Soroptimist is strategizing how to best serve the community going forward. This year, the club is piloting a new program with the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce to inspire and equip women with strategies to manage challenges and explore new opportunities in their personal and professional lives. A program to work with high-schoolage girls is also being planned.

Membership in Hamilton Soroptimist not only provides a way to participate in planning the future of the club and help other women and girls, but it also ofers members opportunities to develop leadership skills, broaden their horizons, and engage with the community in meaningful ways. Active participation can range from sharing ideas in a committee, volunteering a few hours to support a project or chairing a committee to provide leadership. Social events and committees make it easy for members to make new friends and build lasting connections.

A free dynamic speakers series for all women in the community is being sponsored by Soroptimists of Hamilton and the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce. Women are often facing overwhelming day-to-day demands from work, school, children, home responsibilities, care-giving, self-care, relationships and more.

This series will provide a much-needed chance to focus on themselves and provide strategies to be empowered with more control in their personal and professional lives. Some attendees will walk away with the confdence, inspiration and motivation to take the necessary steps to meet the challenges they want to face.

Others will get the insights and practical informa-

tion to help them defne those challenges and use both internal strengths and external resources to overcome them.

All presentations will be fun, interactive and relevant. Certifcates of attendance will be provided. Lunch is included and attendees will have the chance to win a surprise gift at each session. Registration is required. Space is limited.

“Breaking Barriers and Building Bonds” with Michelle Needles will defnitely be inspiring. Attendees will learn more about themselves and how to take control of a situation, have a voice, be a powerful presence and connect with others for resources and support. (Sat., Oct. 19th from 9-1 at Bitterroot Inn, childcare available.)

“Establishing Boundaries and Accountability” with Katelyn Andersen addresses those times when women say “yes” to be there for everyone else, but then aren’t able to take care of themselves. Walk away with skills and confdence to say “no,” set boundaries and be accountable to yourself. It builds better relationships and respect at home and work. (Tuesday, Oct 22nd from 12-1 at UofM Bitterroot College.)

“Reclaim Your Time” with Liz Moore addresses balancing family, work and self in a world of constant demands. Attendees will learn practical ways to recharge their energy while meeting daily demands. It may sound impossible, but using a series of skills will help to take control of all those items pulling us in different directions. (Tuesday, Oct. 29th from 12-1 at UofM Bitterroot College.)

“The Art of Resolution” with Cindy Lanier empowers women to thrive in confict. Everyone deals with confict in every part of their lives, but it doesn’t have to be a barrier. Learn how to manage it efectively and turn challenges into opportunities for success. With practical tools and group exercises, you’ll leave empowered to navigate any confict with grace, confdence, and clarity. (Tuesday, Nov. 5th from 12-1 at UofM Bitterroot College.)

“Gratitude to Greatness” with Jane Wolery will make it possible for attendees to transform their lives with simple steps to rewire their brains. Limiting thoughts and self-imposed boundaries can be overcome to expand possibilities and productivity. (Tuesday, Nov. 12th from 12-1 at UofM Bitterroot College.)

The presentations are free, but registration is required. To read more about the presenters and the sessions and register, go to: https://bitterrootchamber.com/womens-speaker-series/

For more information or to join the Soroptimists of Hamilton, contact Marcia Babowicz, President, at marciababo@gmail.com, visit sihamilton.org, or attend a meeting on the frst Thursday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at BJ’s Restaurant.

WHAT IS CI-126?

TOP FOUR OPEN PRIMARY

CI-126 changes primary elections so that all candidates, regardless of party, appear on a single ballot in June and all voters are able to choose between them. The top four candidates, regardless of party, move on to the November election.

BETTER CHOICES ON THE BALLOT

Instead of having your choices restricted because you have to choose just one party’s ballot in the primary, open primaries give you better choices and more voice in our elections. Candidates will still list their party afliation as Republican, Democrat, or third-party, but all candidates appear on one ballot, and you can vote for your top choice, regardless of party.

GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY IN TAXPAYER FUNDED ELECTIONS

Requiring candidates to work to earn our votes will make them more accountable to “we the people,” not party bosses and special interests.

In Montana, we want to be able to vote for our neighbors, not just a political party. Vote YES on CI-126 so you have the freedom to vote for the person, not the party.

USDA partners with businesses to expand access to renewable energy

U.S. Department of Agriculture

(USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced new partnerships with farmers and small businesses across rural Montana to expand access to renewable energy and reduce energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, which focuses on creating opportunities in rural communities while addressing climate change.

“As drivers of our economy, farmers and rural business owners deserve afordable energy,” Deputy Secretary Torres Small said in a national announcement. “That’s why, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, I’m proud to announce an additional $104 million in REAP loans and grants that will lower energy costs for farmers and small businesses, helping them expand their operations while tackling climate change.”

“These REAP investments show our commitment to Montana’s farmers and small businesses in helping

BUTTERFLY:

Continued from page 1

ing in a total net loss of $4.2 million.

them transition to renewable, more afordable energy solutions,” said USDA Rural Development Montana State Director Kathleen Williams. “By expanding renewable energy opportunities in Montana’s rural communities, we are lowering costs for local businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to a more sustainable future. I am proud to see the positive impact these projects will have for our state.”

In Montana, several businesses and farms have been awarded REAP funding to implement energy-efcient projects, including three in Hamilton. These investments will not only lower their operating costs but also contribute to energy savings that beneft local communities.

Here are the REAP investments announced in Montana:

• Chapter One Book Store Inc. (Hamilton, MT) – $10,550: This investment will fund the purchase and installation of new energy-efcient windows, expected to save $2,463 annually. The project will reduce energy usage by 41,107 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, enough to power four homes.

• TJ Electric Inc. (Hamilton, MT) –$40,548: This investment will be used to construct a 26.24 kW solar photovoltaic system, generating 29,717 kWh annually and resulting in $4,624 in energy savings.

• Freightmonster Inc. (Hamilton, MT) – $56,000: This project will install a 44.8 kW solar photovoltaic system for a heavy-haul trucking company, saving $8,087 annually and generating 55,774 kWh, enough to power fve homes.

• Gran Prairie LP (Grass Range, MT) – $28,265: This project involves installing a 20.025-kilowatt (kW) solar array, which will generate 100% of the business’s energy needs, saving $3,585.43 annually and reducing energy usage by 20,482 kWh, enough to power two homes.

• Chris Fritz Farm (Kalispell, MT) – $65,587: The installation of a 50 kW roof-top solar array will save the farm $4,683.68 annually and generate 58,546 kWh of energy, enough to power fve homes.

• Somers Mansion LLC (Somers, MT) – $42,120: This investment will fund the installation of a 31.16 kW

roof-top solar array, saving $2,584.12 in energy costs annually and generating 36,916 kWh, enough to power three homes.

• Revier Transportation LLC (Plains, MT) – $169,893: This project will install solar voltaic systems to support new electric school buses, generating $15,617 annually and saving $39,746 in diesel fuel costs. The system will generate 103,319 kWh annually, enough to power 10 homes.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to expand economic opportunities and improve the quality of life in rural America. The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is a key part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which ensures that 40% of the benefts from certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities. To learn more about how USDA is investing in rural communities, visit the Rural Data Gateway. For more information about USDA Rural Development’s programs and investments, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ mt.

project faces second lawsuit in seven years

Litigants complain that the project is likely to kill whitebark pine trees, a species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Commercial activities are proposed on up to 3,082 acres of white bark pine habitat.

They also note that the Forest Service Record of Decision states, “Approximately 57 percent of treated acres would occur within the Wildland-Urban Interface,” implying that it was using the Bitterroot Community Wildlife Protection Plan which was approved in 2006, but does not include any map delineating that WUI. Instead, they claim, it appears that the Forest Service used the map proposed in 2009/2010 showing a one-mile bufer zone along the entire National Forest boundary, despite the fact that this proposal and associated map was never adopted.

“In other words, although there is available data, the Forest Service did not complete an analysis of the available data on human or structure density to support its delineation of the Project wildland urban interface. Indeed, it appears that the vast majority of private land along the Project area boundary is ‘vacant’ agricultural land with no living units,” it states in the complaint.

Litigants also complain about the amendment to old growth standards that is now included in the project proposal, which allows for leaving a minimum of 10 trees per acre greater than 20 inches diameter basal height (dbh) in Douglas fr type habitat and 8 trees per acre greater than 20 inches dbh in ponderosa pine type habitat, with no minimum requirements for canopy closure, uneven-aged or multi-storied structure; snags per acre over 6 inches dbh or snags per acre over 20 inches dbh; tons per acre for down material greater than 6 inches in diameter; for heart rot and broken tops; or for mosses and lichens.

Michael Garrity, Executive Director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies, said an acre of land is about equal to a football feld in size. “To get a picture of what this proposed amendment to the Forest Plan would allow, picture a football feld with two trees in each end zone, two trees at the ffty yard line and one tree at the 20 and 30 yard lines without any understory and call it old growth forest,” he said.

“Old growth is not just big old trees, it is a complex environment,” said Garrity. “It is not just eight big trees, it is also a thick forest with standing dead trees, dead trees leaning on older trees and trees on the ground and a thick understory. Leaving only eight trees per acre is more like a park, almost the opposite of an old growth forest.

“In other words, the ‘project-specifc’ Forest Plan amendment allows a 46% reduction in large trees per acre, unlimited reduction in canopy closure, and the whittling down of old growth forest stands to stands as small as four acres in size.” Garrity said in terms of the Forest Plan, “It’s a big enough loophole to drive a logging truck through.”

The lawsuit also complains about the lack of monitoring data and lack of disclosure of the project’s impact on the forest “indicator species,” pine marten and pileated woodpecker.

The wildlife report appended to the ROD indicates that the Project would eliminate 2,998 acres of high and moderate quality marten habitat and 2,451 acres of high and moderate quality pileated woodpecker habitat.

“No quantifed, detailed information regarding the acreage of marten and pileated woodpecker habitat removal that will be facilitated by these three amendments is provided to support their conclusion in the ‘Cumulative Efects’ section of the supplemental EIS that the proposed amendment does not

substantially lessen protections for a specifc resource or use or have any substantial impacts to a species or substantially lessen protections for a species,” it states in the complaint. “There is no scientifc evidence that old growth indicator species can survive in what they defne as old growth,” said Garrity.

The complaint also criticizes the “no efect” conclusion for grizzly bears for the Project based on a June 16, 2022 FWS map that does not show grizzly bears as a species that “may be present” in the Project area. Garrity rebuts the claim based on newspaper articles in the Missoulian and the Bitterroot Star regarding numerous grizzly sightings in the Sapphire Mountains. According to Garrity, the confrmed presence of at least three grizzly bears in the Sapphire Mountains in August 2023 was not discussed in the Project EIS.

The complaint also disputes the Forest Service’s claim about no signifcant impact on wolverines, another threatened species. In total, litigants claim, “in 2023 monitoring eforts detected fve wolverines in the Bitterroot National Forest – four males and one female.” Four of them, three males and one female, were detected at a monitoring site directly east of Corvallis and “appear to

be within the Gold Butterfy Project area.”

The lawsuit also complains about “a pattern of non-compliance with the Forest Plan elk habitat standards: “There have been 11 project-specifc amendments related to EHE since the Forest Plan was approved in 1987. There have been 9 project-specifc amendments related to thermal and hiding cover,” the complaint states.

The complaint also states that the Healthy Forests Act requires the Forest Service to follow the Forest Plan but the Gold Butterfy project violates the Forest Plan standards for elk road density and cover. It states that the combined activities of timber harvest, non-commercial thinning and/or prescribed burning will decrease hiding cover for wildlife, including elk, to well below Forest Plan standards.

“I am not sure why the Forest Service thinks the public wants millions of dollars of taxpayer funds spent destroying elk habitat on public lands when there is already a huge problem of elk feeing to private lands where hunting is prohibited,” said Garrity. “It’s no wonder the vast majority of the thousands of people who commented opposed the Gold Butterfy project.”