Bitterroot Star - November 13, 2024

Trexler family honored

by Scott Sacry

The Trexler family of the Bitterroot Valley was honored as one of the Great Montana Rodeo Families by the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame at a special banquet in Billings on October 5.

“There are so many deserving families out there,” said Peggy Trexler. “We are pretty humbled by the award. It is quite an honor.”

As the name would suggest, the award honors important Montana rodeo families and the Trexlers certainly qualify.

At the award presentation, the Trexlers were given the following introduction: “The Trexlers are a fve-generation Montana family involved in ranching, showing registered cattle, and working in the legislature for horse racing and rodeo. They’ve had champion bulls, heifers, 4-H steers, four National High School Rodeo qualifers, a Junior High School World Champion, a Reserved Junior High School World Champion, and a CFR qualifer. They are members of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, the American Angus Association, the Montana Angus Association, and the Shorthorn Association.”

The Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame (MPRHWF) is dedicated to honoring Montana professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls who exemplify Montana’s western heritage.

They do this through the maintenance of a monument site located near the entrance to the MetraPark Arena in Billings, Montana. The monument site includes an 18-foot bronze sculpture of six-time World Champion bronc rider Dan Mortensen, with brick and granite walls honoring Montana’s professional rodeo champions, legends, queens and personnel.

“The award is a really special thing for our family,” said Clif Trexler. “It might seem like just another award, but to us, it means the world.”

a barrel racer.

Their son Clifford was born in 1933. Clif grew up raising cattle and ranching on the family ranch and in 1952 he married Jane Sessions of Byrum. They left the family ranch and Clif got a degree in education at Montana State University in Bozeman.

The couple moved to Victor in 1958, where Clif taught junior high and high school science for 24 years, retiring in 1972 and going into real estate.

The couple had three children: Larry, Debbie and Daniel, and they had a ranch and raised Shorthorn cattle. Clif and Larry traveled all over the West showing and selling the cattle.

Debbie was the Montana Shorthorn Lassie Queen in 1974 and she also rode

“We had horses and we ran cattle. So in the big picture, rodeo was just a part of our whole overall lifestyle. It’s hard to separate one from the other. We’re just lucky to be able to do what we love to do, and to be recognized for it is an honor.”

- Larry Trexler

bareback in the Ravalli County Fair.

school rodeos. Karri was an All Around High School Rodeo Cowgirl who made the National High School Rodeo fnals for four years. Karri married Dustin Miles, a bull rider from Whitefsh. They live near Corvallis and their two kids, Hailey and Wyatt, showed livestock in 4H and FFA. Wyatt Miles was last year’s Class A State Champion in the Shot Put. Reed was an All Around High

The Trexler family has deep roots in Montana and the Bitterroot Valley. In 1927,19-year-old Cliford “Trex” Trexler married 15-year-old Marion Nehring and the two began their life at the Nehring Homestead in Byrum,

Daniel married Carrie Fite in 1986. Their two girls, Megan and Kelsey, competed in high school rodeo and Kelsey went to the National High School Rodeo fnals in 2013.

Larry married Peggy Muir and

Montana. They raised cattle and horses, and hunted and trapped. Marion raced horses in Browning and Great Falls and was a saddle bronc rider and

they have been active in ranching and rodeo their whole lives. Their two kids, Reed and Karri, showed market steers in 4H and competed in junior and high

“Rodeo and ranching just kind of all went together for us,” said Larry Trexler. “We had horses and we ran cattle. So in the big picture, rodeo was just a part of our whole overall lifestyle. It’s hard to separate one from the other. We’re just lucky to be able to do what we love to do, and to be recognized for it is an honor.”

Clif Trexler has fond memories of the family’s rodeo heritage and

School Rodeo Cowboy who rode bulls in both college and in the Northern Rodeo Association. He married Kari Tinsley from Dillon and they have two boys, Cole and Cash. Both boys showed market steers and were outstanding in high school rodeo, going to Nationals in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. They are now in college and compete in tie down roping and team roping. Cole is going to college in Dillon and Cash is going to school in New Mexico.

history. “Back in Byrum, when my mother was 13 or 14, she would go to the rodeo and races in Great Falls,” said Clif. “Because it was so far away, she would get up and leave at 3 a.m. so she could make it to the afternoon races. Then after a long day of competing, she would ride back and get home at around 3 a.m. Before and after the races there were all sorts of rodeo events going on. I imagine I’ve seen as much rodeo in my 90 years as anyone around.”

The Trexler family of the Bitterroot Valley was honored as one of the Great Montana Rodeo Families by the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame at a special banquet in Billings on October 5. Photo courtesy of Peggy Trexler.

The Trexler family has a long history of excellence in rodeo. Photo by Scott Sacry.

The riding gloves that Marion Nehring Trexler used in the 1920s while barrel racing and saddle bronc riding in Montana. Photo by Scott Sacry.

Bitter Root Chapter DAR essay contest

If you were a woman in Colonial America, would you have participated in the protests surrounding high taxes on tea and other unpopular laws being implemented by the British in the 1770s?

Middle School students in Missoula and surrounding communities are invited to consider just that by participating in an Essay Contest dubbed “Enjoying a New Kind of Tea Party.” Sponsored by the Bitter Root Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the contest judges will select a winner for each of four grades – 5 th, 6th, 7th and 8th. Winners selected locally will be submitted to compete at the Montana State NSDAR level. State winners at each grade level compete in the Division level and Division winners will compete

nationally.

Deadline to submit an essay for the competition for the Bitter Root Chapter is December 15, 2024. All submissions must be made electronically to info@bitterrootdar. org. Details of the essay rules and submission process are available at local schools and questions may be submitted via the email address noted above. Essays must be 300 to

600 words for students in 5 th grade and 600 to 1,000 words for students in grades 6, 7 or 8. Essays must be typed and have a minimum of four sources noted. The contest is open to all students in grades 5-8 in public, private, parochial or home schooled. Students whose school may not be participating may submit an essay directly to the DAR chapter at info@bitterrootdar.org.

Public Service Commission election results

by Amanda Eggert, Montana Free Press

Republicans have swept the Montana Public Service Commission election, winning each of the three seats open this cycle and maintaining the GOP’s domination of the commission.

Commissioners are tasked with balancing the financial health of investor-owned utilities with the interests of their customers, who cannot shop for other providers.

During this election cycle, voters in or near many of Montana’s largest cities — Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Butte and Helena — were asked to choose between seasoned Republican politicians and political newcomers.

Major campaign issues ranged from recent electricity rate hikes authorized by the current commission

to the fate of Colstrip’s coal-fired power plant amidst uncertainty surrounding federal pollution regulations to how the commission should approach a petition asking the PSC

to incorporate climate impacts in its regulatory role.

In District 2, Montana Sen. Brad Molnar, who has more than three decades of political experience, secured a 21 percentage-point victory over Susan Bilo, a Bozeman-based energy professional. District 2 covers south-central Montana, including most of Billings and part of Bozeman.

Jeff Welborn, a termedout state senator from Dillon who owns a trailer dealership won the seat in District 3.

The closest of the three PSC races was held in District 4, where voters sent incumbent Jennifer Fielder back for a second fouryear term on the commission.

District 4 encompasses the far northwestern corner of Montana, including parts of the Missoula, Bitterroot and Flathead valleys. Fielder garnered 55% of the vote to Elana Evans’ 45%.

Fielder is the current commission vice chair and a former Montana senator who lives in Thompson Falls. She pitched to voters that she’s an experienced and careful regulator who helped turn the PSC’s reputation around following a period of commission infighting that culminated in a pair of lawsuits and a handful of staff departures.

This is likely the last time voters will use the current PSC district boundaries. Earlier this year, a Helena judge deemed the map likely unconstitutional but denied a request for preliminary injunction that had been filed by citizens concerned about gerrymandered districts.

OBSERVER: concerns raised at city council meeting

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those attending the event felt intimidated and threatened and that was unwarranted and not right for Hamilton and Ravalli County. The Bitterroot Star has reached out to Schiewe for comment, but has had no response. Those who attended the Hamilton City Council wanted more than to simply express their concern about Schiewe’s display of weaponry at the costume party. Carlotta Grandstaff reported that she had inquired about the Hamilton council’s willingness to ban firearms in city parks, but learned that the passage of LR-130 in 2020 effectively pro -

hibits municipalities from restricting the carrying of firearms in all but publicly owned and occupied

“People have a right to bear arms,” and that even so, he added, “I think it’s uncouth to show up and display arms at a public gathering.”

- David Bedey, HD 86

buildings. Grandstaff said she then invited HD 86 Representative, David Bedey, to speak about the past legislation and whether a course or change would be possible.

Bedey, who did attend the

council meeting, said that he was happy to do so after Grandstaff had, “brought this unfortunate incident,” to his attention and that he felt it was his duty to provide the requested legislative insight. He then gave the council a brief explanation of the legislative referendum, arguments that had been offered both for and against it, and the results of the vote. He reminded those in attendance that the referendum was passed by the voters of the state by wide margins, including in both Ravalli County and within Hamilton.

“It’s probably not remarkable to know that proponents of this saw this as a means to protect people’s 2nd Amendment rights in open areas, not in buildings,” said Bedey about LR 130. “But the other argument that I found persuasive was the necessity to have consistent firearms regulations across the state. The arguments against it were an

argument that it diminished local control, that this should be handled at the local level, which I think is a good argument. But 2nd Amendment rights, being what they are, I think the majority of Montanans were persuaded to look at this a different way.”

Bedey gave the city council his honest assessment that any attempt to seek a change in state legislation would be unlikely to succeed.

“The statute could be amended, but I am not a politician who’s going to tell you what you want to hear,” he said. “Given the strong positive response from most people’s constituents, I think it’s highly unlikely there will be much of a chance of changing this particular statute in this particular legislature.” Bedey went on to list a number of priorities he sees for upcoming state legislation, including a correctional system that is over capacity, school funding and reauthorization of Medicaid expansion.

Bedey closed by acknowledging that, “People have a right to bear arms,” and that even so, he added, “I think it’s uncouth to show up and display arms at a public gathering.”

Later in the evening, Hamilton Police Chief, Steve Snavely, informed the councilors that he was unable to make a comment about the incident as it was still under active investigation.

Open enrollment for health insurance is here

November 1 marked the ofcial open enrollment period for Americans to enroll in the Marketplace, apply for Medicaid, or change their health care plans to better meet their needs.

This open enrollment period is crucial for the 3,952 Ravalli County residents who lost Medicaid or Healthy Montana Kids coverage because the window for people to re-enroll is closing quickly. People have until January 15, 2025, to reapply, or they may have to wait until November 2025 to apply again.

“Over the past year and a half, thousands of Montanans have seen changes to their health insurance coverage. In Ravalli County, 3,952 have lost Medicaid since 2023,” said Olivia Riutta, Director of Population Health with the Montana Primary Care Association. “The window to get covered again is closing, but it’s not too late. We will do everything possible to reach as many Montanans as possible to get them afordable insurance by the January 15 deadline.”

In the past year, Montana has

also seen a record enrollment in the Marketplace. Of the Ravalli County residents who got health insurance on HealthCare.gov, 89% received tax credits to make their monthly premiums more afordable, and 32% qualifed for plans costing $10 per month or less. For 2024, HealthCare.gov will have plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, Mountain Health COOP, and PacifcSource.

“For anyone who doesn’t have health insurance coverage, now is the time to look at your options,” said Riutta. “Cover Montana navigators are ready to answer questions about health insurance and provide free help so Montanans can fnd and enroll in a plan that meets their health needs and budget, including Montana Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids.”

Like most states, Montana reviewed their entire Medicaid caseloads after a three-year pause during the pandemic. This “unwinding” has removed over 130,000 Montanans from their Medicaid coverage. Approximately 63%, or 85,000, of these

individuals lost coverage due to procedural and administrative hurdles. An additional 42,000 are no longer qualifed for Medicaid because they have a higher income. However, they may be able to enroll in a Marketplace plan and get fnancial help with premiums and out-of-pocket costs if eligible.

“We know that Montanans want health insurance coverage and to have the peace of mind knowing they can see a doctor if they get sick or injured,” said Riutta. “But people are confused about what they qualify for, and Cover Montana is here to help get people the health care they need and can aford.”

The Montana Primary Care Association is a Navigator grantee serving the state of Montana. In September, they were awarded a fve-year grant to continue their statewide work to help underserved communities, consumers, and uninsured Montanans fnd and enroll in quality, afordable health coverage through HealthCare.gov, the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Through Cover Montana, Montanans can learn health insurance

basics, fll out a calculator to see what they qualify for, and connect to an enrollment assister who can walk them through the application and enrollment process. Cover Montana Navigators can provide phone and virtual assistance statewide through the Cover Montana Help Line: (406) 634-3105 or (844) 682-6837. In-person enrollment assistance is available in many areas, including Billings, Bozeman, Helena, Great Falls, Kalispell, and Miles City. To fnd the Navigator closest to you, visit covermt.org/fndlocal-help/. Open Enrollment begins November 1 and runs through January 15. If Montanans need coverage on January 1, they must enroll by December 15. The Montana Primary Care Association is the professional association of Montana health centers, including Federally Qualifed Community Health Centers and urban Indian Health Centers. Its mission is to promote integrated primary healthcare to achieve health and well-being for Montana’s most vulnerable populations.

TURKEY: Victor School fundraises for Thanksgiving

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those not associated with the school.

The program kicks of in early November, when the students make turkey headbands and take a feld trip to the food pantry. There, they get to see the “Clothes Closet” and the “Kids’ Closet,” which are both places locals can donate and receive clothes. During the feld trip, the children learn how people in need can contact the pantry and get clothes, both for adults and for other children. Then, the Victor students are taken to look at the pantry, itself, and they learn about how they can help local families who may not be able to aford a nice Thanksgiving meal.

After treats, juice and many questions, the students return to school and start a couple weeks of fundraising. According to Bradley, the children are always “super curious and ask lots of questions.” It’s one of the biggest things the students look forward to in the year. Bradley believes this is because, not only do they get to leave the classroom and do something a little diferent, but they get to learn about the importance of community. According to Bradley, the fundraiser is so important for the children to participate in because, “everybody comes together to help others, and it teaches good lessons to the kids.”

Every year, the program tries to collect as many turkeys as possible to donate. During the process, students tell everyone they know how to donate to the turkey drive. The school also hosted a community literacy night on Monday and there will be a book fair from Tuesday to Thursday from 7:45 am to 5:30 pm. Community members could learn about donating at both of these events. Outside of that, anyone in the community can donate money at any time to the drive. However, turkeys can only be donated on the collection date. This is because the school does not have freezer space to store all the turkeys. All money donated will be used to purchase more turkeys.

To participate, families can fll out “pledge” forms that say they will donate to the drive. These forms are in the shape of feathers that will be used to decorate a turkey’s tail displayed at the school. This way the children can follow along with how many donations they are getting.

The collection date will be November 21, and that same date the students will take a second feld trip to the pantry, at 9:30 a.m. During that short feld trip, the students will march with their turkeys to drop them of at the food pantry.

Turkeys can be dropped of either in the front offce or in the wheelbarrow in the school playground. All donations are welcome, and turkeys must be dropped of no later than 9:15 a.m. Cash donations can be dropped of at the front ofce at any time before and up to November 21. The teachers and students say anything anyone can do will help. “Even $5, just something that can help go towards buying turkeys for families in need,” said Bradley.

As for when the children deliver the turkeys,

Bradley said “their faces just light up!”

Interested parties that want to donate to the drive can contact the school for more information by calling (406) 642-3221 or by emailing the teachers at montague@victor.k12.mt.us or bradley@victor. k12.mt.us.

Checks should be dropped of at the school, and can be addressed to the Bitterroot Valley Church of the Nazarene, with “turkey drive” in the memo.

Last year’s Turkey Brigade. Photo courtesy Kameron Bradley.

Aborti0n rights initiative passes

by Mara Silvers, Montana Free Press

A constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights in Montana surged to victory last week, with a majority of voters in the state backing the amendment alongside every statewide Republican ofcial on the ballot.

The Associated Press called the initiative in favor of the yes vote for Constitutional Initiative 128 just after 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday. With 87% of statewide votes counted, support for CI-128 held a nearly 15 percentage-point margin over its opposition.

Members of the ballot issue committee backing CI-128, Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights, celebrated the strong showing during a watch party Tuesday evening in downtown Bozeman.

“I believe we have shown each other, and the country, what it means to have Montana values,” said Martha Fuller, CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, one of the groups supporting the constitutional amendment, in a tearful speech near midnight. “To look out for one another. To make decisions for ourselves. That life-saving abortion care is deeply private and only for us and our families, not the government, to decide.”

As Republicans dominated elections up and down Montana’s ticket and nationwide, abortion rights measures passed in many of the states where they were under consideration, including Missouri, Colorado and Nevada. Similar measures failed in Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota.

The state-by-state deliberation on the issue continues a trend that began after the U.S. Supreme Court ended the federal right to pre-viability abortion in 2022. As several states, including Ohio and Kansas, have since passed protective measures, the country’s shifting political landscape has also become more apparent. Opposition to abortion and its accessibility has long been considered a cornerstone of local and national Republican politics, with Democrats seen as the party that supports abortion rights.

Like some other states that expanded protections Tuesday evening, abortion access is currently legal in Montana under existing rights outlined in the state Constitution.

But in statewide advertising and conversations with voters, proponents cast CI-128 as a way to shore up abortion rights and clearly assert defenses for medical decision-making. Republican elected ofcials have in recent years called on the Montana Supreme Court to reverse the decades-old legal precedent fnding pre-viability abortion to be protected under Montana’s right to privacy and have passed a slew of abortion restrictions under Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, who handily won reelection Tuesday night.

“Today Montanans voted overwhelmingly to defend reproductive freedom and enshrine in the state constitution the right to make and carry out their own personal decisions about pregnancy and abortion,” said Christopher Coburn, President of Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights, in a Wednesday morning statement released by the campaign. “Ultimately, voters from across the political spectrum came together to protect access to abortion care, reproductive freedom, and personal privacy.”

As written, CI-128 would explicitly amend the Montana Constitution to include a right to make decisions about one’s own pregnancy, including the right to abortion. It states that the right “shall not be denied or burdened unless justifed by a compelling government interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”

The initiative defnes a government interest as “compelling” 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.”

CI-128 defnes “fetal viability” as 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.”

The initiative would allow state government to regulate abortion after fetal viability unless “in the good faith judgment of a treating health care professional, is medically indicated to pro-

tect the life or health of the pregnant patient.”

Additionally, CI-128 prohibits the government from penalizing or prosecuting a person based on their “actual, potential, perceived, or alleged pregnancy outcomes,” and extends the same protection to anyone who aids or assists another person “in exercising their right to make and carry out decisions about their pregnancy with their voluntary consent.”

MSRR received upwards of $15 million in donations supporting CI-128, largely from national political action committees and wealthy out-of-state donors.

That skew in funding has given rise to repeated attacks from CI-128 opponents, including the conservative Christian advocacy group the Montana Family Foundation, the Montana Catholic Conference and other anti-abortion groups. Opponents have also sought to cast CI-128 as extreme and a dramatic expansion of Montana’s existing protections for abortion access.

Leaders of the Montana Catholic Conference lamented the passage of the amendment in a Wednesday statement, partially attributing its victory to voter misinformation about CI128’s possible ramifcations.

“In honoring the dignity of each person, we strive to build a just society that cares for the most vulnerable, including women who need our support and unborn children who cannot speak for themselves,” the statement said. “Regardless of background, beliefs, or life circumstances, women will fnd compassion, guidance, and pathways to a hopeful future through any Catholic church in our state.”

Coburn told supporters gathered in Bozeman Tuesday that the process of getting CI-128 on the ballot “wasn’t easy at all.”

“Since we fled CI-128, anti-abortion politicians and activists in Montana have tried every trick in the book to block this amendment from the ballot. To block you from being able to vote on this amendment,” Coburn said.

Those challenges began in January when Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen found the proposed measure to be “legally insufcient” by grouping together multiple distinct legal questions about abortion in one amendment.

The Montana Supreme Court later ruled that Knudsen’s fnding was incorrect and that the ballot issue could advance through the multistep process to appear on this fall’s ballot. When MSRR and Knudsen again clashed over how to summarize the proposal on petition gathering forms and to voters, the Montana Supreme Court drafted its own ballot issue statement in an efort to accurately represent the proposal’s contents.

Republican Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen cleared the proposal’s supporters in April to begin collecting the requisite signatures to put CI-128 on the ballot. But in the following months, MSRR stafers and volunteers repeatedly clashed with anti-abortion groups and protesters, many of whom followed signature-gatherers around in an efort to deter voter support.

Confict over the amendment again fared up in July when Jacobsen’s ofce decided to exclude registered voters who were listed as “inactive” from counting toward the signature threshold, reversing longstanding precedent.

Lawyers for MSRR and another group collecting signatures for ballot amendments CI-126 and CI-127 went to court to ask that the status quo remain in place and that voters on the “inactive” list be counted. State district court judge Mike Menahan of Helena sided with the plaintifs in a temporary ruling later that month.

MSRR later submitted roughly 118,000 signatures collected from volunteer and paid signature gatherers, easily surpassing the required 60,359 statewide.

“Despite their best eforts, they really couldn’t kill her vibe,” Coburn said about CI-128 during Tuesday night remarks. The coalition of groups that made up MSRR, Coburn said, continuously worked “to make sure that voters know what’s actually on the ballot and what’s at stake in this election.”

As of early Wednesday morning, the Associated Press had not called the outcomes for two other constitutional amendments, CI-126 and CI-127. The initiatives propose to remake Montana’s election system through open primaries and a majority-vote requirement for winners.

Election reform initiatives fail

by Alex Sakariassen, Montana Free Press

Montana voters rejected a pair of proposed constitutional amendments to reshape the state’s primary and general elections, with backers of both initiatives conceding defeat Wednesday despite ongoing ballot counts in several counties.

The measures — Constitutional Initiative 126 and CI-127 — would have brought noticeable change to how Montanans select their elected ofcials. The former sought to shift the state from separate party ballots to a single multi-party ballot, with the top four vote-getters in each race advancing to a general election. The latter would have required a candidate to receive a majority of the vote to declare victory in a general election and direct the Legislature to adopt a system for declaring a winner in a no-majority scenario. Those changes would have applied strictly to federal, statewide and legislative races.

With a majority of the ballots counted statewide Wednesday morning, CI-126 had eked out a much closer margin than its general-election-centric counterpart — 48% in support versus 52% in opposition. Defeat was much more decisive for CI-127, which was rejected by 61% of voters as of Wednesday morning’s count.

The initiative-backing group Montanans for Election Reform accepted the defeat of both initiatives around noon Wednesday, noting that despite CI-126’s narrower margin and the ongoing ballot counts in fve major counties, there was no path to victory. MER board member Frank Garner, former Republican state lawmaker from Kalispell, called it a “disappointing day,” attributing the initiative’s uphill battle to powerful outside infuences.

“We fought hard against the entrenched politicians and special interests who didn’t want to give voters more voice and better choices on the ballot because the current system benefts them, not voters,” Garner said in an email statement. “We still believe open primaries are a powerful tool to hold politicians accountable and put the power over our elections back in the hands of voters, but they aren’t the only path forward. We will continue to stand up for freedom and choice in our elections.”

In a later interview with Montana Free Press, Garner described the night as a “roller coaster” and said he was encouraged by the support the initiatives, particularly CI-126, were able to obtain despite their eventual defeat. Change is a hard thing to sell to voters, he continued, especially when it involves as fundamental an institution as the election process.

RED: election leans solidly Republican

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Governor Greg Gianforte fended of a challenge from Democrat Ryan Busse. Gianforte captured 59% of the vote to Busse’s 38%. Republican incumbent Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen defeated Democrat Jesse Mullen, 61% to 35%. Republican incumbent Austin Knudsen retained his seat as Attorney General, defeating Democrat Ben Alke. Republican James Brown defeated Democrat John Repke for the State Auditor position, Republican Susie Hedalen defeated Democrat Shannon O’Brien for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Republican Bowen Greenwood defeated Democrat Erin Farris-Olsen for Clerk of the Supreme Court. Cory Swanson was chosen over Jeremiah Lynch for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (non-partisan) and Katherine Bidegarey was selected over Dan Wilson for Supreme Court Justice #3 (non-partisan). In Senate District 44, Republican incumbent Theresa Manzella won handily, capturing 10,107 votes (71%) to Democrat Cade Scatolini’s 3,992 votes (28%). In House District 86, Republican incumbent David Bedey handily defeated Democrat Jef Kempka, 4,688 (71%) to 1,859 (28%), respectively. Republican incumbent Ron Marshall (HD 86) easily defeated Democrat Tammie Milligan. Newcomer Republicans Kathy Love (HD 85) and Greg Over-

“In my experience, people’s reaction to making institutional changes, if they have some doubt, is not to because the status quo, even if you don’t like it, is still the devil you know and there is some level of comfort in that,” Garner said. “So making the case for institutional change on a process like this, that we’ve done for so long, is a big lift.” MER spent millions of dollars in the weeks leading up to Election Day communicating their arguments to the electorate. Disclosure records from the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices show the group received nearly $13 million since late September from the national nonproft Article IV, which

had already contributed roughly $4 million to MER this year. According to MER spokesperson Caitie Butler, the pre-election funds primarily went toward broadcast and digital advertising, and residents across the state were fooded with thousands of mailers. The group previously attributed the infux of outside fnancial support to a need to compete with the U.S. Senate race for voter attention, and Butler noted that, unlike political candidates, ballot issue committees are not guaranteed discounted rates on public advertising under federal law.

Opponents of CI-126 and CI-127 similarly sought to spread the word of their stance ahead of the polls, with the Montana Freedom Caucus’ political committee dropping several thousand dollars on social media advertising. One such ad appearing on Instagram this week focused on the committee’s belief that CI-127’s passage would prompt the Montana Legislature to adopt ranked-choice voting, a prediction the animated video’s narrator claimed would result in thousands of votes getting “thrown in the trash.”

Lukas Schubert, spokesperson for Montanans for Fair Elections, told MTFP in an email statement that the opposition group was “pleased” by the results of CI-126 and CI-127.

“Out-of-state organizations spent $20 million (accounting for 98% of total funding) in an attempt to purchase changes in Montana’s constitution and the way that we vote,” Schubert wrote. “However, Montanans saw through their scheme to implement a California-style election system that would have created worse election outcomes, and rejected their proposals.”

Both initiatives met with legal hurdles on their path to the ballot over the past year, starting with Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s challenge against CI-126’s legal sufciency in fall 2023 and culminating this summer in a lawsuit over the eligibility of signatures from certain supporters. In the latter case, which also impacted CI-128, Republican Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen sought to disqualify thousands of signatures from Montanans listed as “inactive voters” but was prohibited from doing so by a state district court.

CI-127’s sizable defeat washed across the state, with the majority of voters in all but a handful of counties rejecting the proposed change to Montana’s general elections. CI-126 received a warmer reception in several rural counties with strong Indigenous communities and larger population centers in Bozeman, Butte and Helena, but still failed to secure a simple majority of the vote statewide.

For Garner, who came to this initiative process from a deep background of opposing outside infuence in Montana politics, refecting on other election night developments only strengthened his conviction that voters’ interests would be best served through some sort of reform. That Donald Trump could claim such a resounding victory in Montana on the same night a strong majority of voters across the state embraced protecting abortion rights in their Constitution is, in Garner’s eyes, striking evidence of the diversity of the Montana electorate.

“We don’t always see things the same way, regardless of party labels, and I think that’s one of the things that helped me and drove me to be involved in an initiative like this,” Garner said. “For me, my role is to help make sure that government is serving the needs of this really diverse population that apparently, according to the math, doesn’t see everything exactly the same way.”

Power

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power absolutely corrupts.” Lord Acton, 1887.

Stephanie Mapelli Stevensville

For the love of America

How many lies need to be told

How many rules of law need to be broken

How many lives will be taken

How many commandments will be broken

How many times will common sense be overlooked

How many selfsh deeds will it take to make one happy

How many dollars, millions, or billions will it take to satisfy oneself

How many times will it take for us ALL to realize the above statements are mankind’s destruction.

How long will it take for us to have empathy again

How long will it take for us to have common sense again

How long will it take for us to have dignity, honor, respect, and common compassion for mankind again

What is it going to take for many of us to realize we must not let History repeat itself.

We are a nation of honor, respect, dignity and common sense.

Let us be a nation we want to be.

RESPECT: appreciation – honor - show consideration – admirationvalue

HONOR: faithfulness – decency –honesty – uprightness – nobleness of mind

DIGNITY: proud demeanor – dignifed behavior – respectful deportment

SELFISHNESS: self-seeking – Self concerned – greedy – uncharitable –mean

REALITY: natural – real – truthful – genuine – true to life - precise

PRIDE: satisfaction – comfortgratifcation

RELIGION: belief in God – faith –devotion – worship

You may say to yourself, I know the meaning of these words. I do NOT

Opinion

need or require to be told the meaning of these words. Although these words may have many meanings the basic fact is they are indeed pertinent for the times.

Let us be a nation we want to be.

RESPECT for all, HONOR our fellow man, Have DIGNITY and be self-assured. Take PRIDE in our decisions as an American knowing that one will consider ALL, whatever color, nationality or creed, we may be. Let us be a nation without SELFISHNESS and greed. Cherish and value the majestic power, nobleness, decency, pride, honor, respect and with dignity that is this nation’s most valid characteristics.

Let us move forward in our thought process. The REALITY is for us to be and take pride in our decision making that we are honoring our fellowman no matter who, what, where, or when.

Cynthia Stotz-Capelle Hamilton

Stop hurting our nation

The citizens of this country have voted! Let’s stop calling each other names! Let’s stop judging individuals by the color of their skin, their nationality, their sexuality and their political preferences. A majority of American citizens are not racist, sexiest or homophobic.

The country sufers when those in powerful positions push hateful speech!

I pray things will change and this nation can heal its open wounds.

God Bless you all!

Terrie Wilfong Stevensville

Glad it’s over

Well, the election is fnally over. Anyone else besides me that was sick of all the ads? From my perspective, this was the worst political cycle of my lifetime.

At the national level, it seems that we have forgotten that our governmental philosophy of, “Government of the People, by the People, for the People” is supposed to still be guiding us. Millions of dollars (I heard over $100 million on the Tester/Sheehy

race alone) was spent by both major parties in our state on our national Senate and House races. You couldn’t get away from it. I was even bombarded when wanting to watch a YouTube video and when using my cellphone. I think our representatives should be focused on what is good for Montana citizens and not be infuenced by outof-state money.

The vast majority of the ads, from both parties, were simply accusing the opponents of near if not downright criminal activity. There was also plenty of what I would call “half-truths” where the opponent is accused of supporting a certain position or policy just by association with their political party.

Seems to me that it is time to put some restraints on all of this. How about the requirement for the ads to be “fact checked” by an independent organization before they can be posted? How about encouraging positive ads where the candidate identifes the issues he/she disagrees with his/her competitor on and ofers his/her path to solutions? And, I certainly think there should be a fnancial limit on how much money each candidate can spend. With all the fnancial problems present in our society such as homelessness, grocery infation, housing expense, etc., this money could be better spent elsewhere. Finally, I think each ad needs total transparency as to who is paying for that ad, not just a fash at the end with some unknown committee name.

What think other folks?

Jerry

Esmay Stevensville

And the beat goes on

Now that the election is over and it is clearly evident which direction the mood of the country is headed, what will really change?

One thing that will

not change is foreign policy and America’s penchant for creating and engaging in overseas wars. Trump has famously said that he would end the war in Ukraine in one day if elected. Now is his chance to prove it. How will he do this? More than likely, everything he proposes will only exacerbate the problem and may escalate into a “real” war against Russia.

Likewise, the Middle East. Trump is not going to strong-arm Israel into ending the non-stop wars there. Instead, he will, almost certainly, ramp up the pressure and attacks on the Arab countries and Iran to the point that a full-scale regional war breaks out to the detriment of millions, perhaps billions, of people.

This would not have changed if Kamala Harris had been elected. America’s foreign policy is wedded to the notion that military and fnancial might can be used to browbeat other nations into submission and subjection. The entire governing establishment in Washington is predicated on this premise and nothing will be done to overturn it.

Roger Mitchell Stevensville

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.

Knotty Knitters Guild

Meets the 4th Tuesday of every month except July, August, December, and January at 6 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 275 Hattie Lane, Hamilton. You can also bring your knitting project to visit and knit with friends or get help with questions on Fridays from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Any questions call 406-381-5123 or just show up on Friday!

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

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

Republican Central Committee

The Ravalli County Republican Central Committee regular monthly meetings are held the frst Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at The Place Church, 273 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. All are welcome to attend.

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 Man-

sion. 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 Enroll for Medicaid/MHK with 1-1 Help — Mon., Nov 18

Do you need help making sense of Montana Medicaid? Maybe you lost your Medicaid or Healthy Montana Kids and need help gaining coverage again? Rachel Pauli, Cover Montana Navigator, will be at the Library and ofering private, 1-1 appointments to help you access, understand, and enroll in the Montana Health Insurance Marketplace. Enrollment ends on Dec 15 for coverage that begins on Jan 1. Register at northvalley.librarycalendar.com

Library Board Meeting — Wed. Nov 20 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 at montana.gov.

Hamilton school board Governance Committee Meeting Thursday – December 5, 2024

12:00 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

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday – December 10, 2024

6:30 p.m. – District Ofce –Conference Room. The Board will be conducting this meeting with live participation. In addition to meeting in person, the District will also be streaming the meeting on YouTube.

Grief coping sessions

Coping with Grief and Loss

During the Holidays -- The death of a loved one is one of the most difcult experiences we face in life. You are invited to come share your grief journey, learn how to honor and remember your loved one, and how to care for yourself during the holidays.

Join in for a 2-hour faith-based pre-holidays grief care session ofered 4 times in November and December at St Francis of Assisi, 411 S. 5th St. Hamilton.

This program uses the faithbased Griefshare.org program which includes a free helpful handbook, viewing of a short DVD followed by small group sharing. This session is FREE and sponsored by the St Francis of Assisi Caring Hearts Ministry, 411 S. 5th St., Hamilton. RSVP at stfrancishwm@gmail. com or https://www.griefshare.org/ fndagroup

Four sessions to choose from: Sunday, November 10, 1:003:00pm Tuesday, November 12, 3:005:00pm Sunday, December 8, 1:003:00pm Tuesday, December 10, 3:005:00pm

Wings Equine Rescue pint night

Join the Wings Equine Rescue for a Pint Night at Blacksmith Brewing Company in Stevensville on Nov. 14th, 5-8pm. There will be minis to visit with, silent auction items, Wings logo sweatshirts and t-shirts, a 50/50 rafe and more! The Real Flavors food truck will be there with awesome eats as well! When you sip a pint $1 goes to help support our senior horses and donkeys who need extra care in the winter.

Women Newcomers

Club

Are you new to the Bitterroot Valley or a long time Resident? We would like to invite you to join us. The Bitterroot Women Newcomers Club is a fun group of women. They will be having their annual Holiday Arts, Crafts, and Bake Sale on November 14 at 10 a.m. at The First Christian Church on 328 Fairgrounds Road in Hamiliton. After a short meeting we will open up to shopping, refreshments and socializing. Come and join this great group of women!

Self Defense Seminar

Join us to learn simple, efective real-world skills in a safe and welcoming environment with Mrs. Hish, who has over 15 years experience in self-defense, jiu jitsu, and taekwondo. Where: 1100 Eagles Way, Suite A, Victor. When: Saturday, November 16th at 10am (check in at 9:45). Free. For more info contact (406) 5460643.

Bitterroot Bird Alliance

The November Bitterroot Bird Alliance (the local Audubon chapter) program meeting will feature a local author, Sophie

Osborn. Her new (May) book has received praise from some important bird experts. The meeting will be held on Monday, November 18th, 7 p.m. at Teller’s education room (same parking lot as the Slack Barn).

Selway-Pintler

Wilderness Back

Country Horsemen

Does preserving our wilderness trails, stock packing and making new riding friends sound like fun? If so, you’re invited to attend the Thursday, November 14th SPWBCH general meeting at 6 p.m. at the Bitterroot National Forest building located at 1801 N 1st St in Hamilton. Entry is in the rear of the building. You are also invited to the annual hot dog roast on Saturday, November 16th at Three Sisters Pavilion at Lake Como at 12 noon. Guests are always welcome. For additional information, contact Kathy Hundley at 406-363-8230. Visit the website at bchmt.org/spwbch or follow on Facebook.

St. Francis Christmas

Bazaar

Come visit the Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 23 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St Francis of Assisi at 411 S. 5th St in Hamilton! Enjoy breakfast and lunch served by the Knights of Columbus, baked goodies, pasties, rafes, and hundreds of perfect holiday gift items like hand-made quilts, vintage decor, soaps, emu oil products, lavender items, gift jar mixes and more! Win a wonderful rafe prize: beautiful antique quilt; $100 certifcate for Hamilton Marketplace; homemade goodies and a mystery basket!

Mature driver course

Bitterroot Health (formerly Marcus Daly Hospital), located at 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton, is hosting an ALL NEW 2024 AARP Driver Safety Course on Friday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 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 up-dates specifc to Montana,

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 406-369-0149.

Decoration rummage

sale

A holiday decoration rummage sale will be held Saturday, November 30th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Three Mile Community Center, 4433 Sunnyside Cemetery Road. Buy, sell, bargain, donation! A great opportunity for you to sell or buy used holiday decorations (Christmas, Halloween, Fall, Easter, etc.) Spaces are available for only $15.00, Or you can donate them to the Community Center for them to sell. All funds raised at the event will go towards improving/paving the parking lot. The Community Center will be accepting donations of items Monday, Nov. 25 and Wednesday, Nov. 27 between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. and Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m. to noon.

Victor Museum Chocolate Tasting

The Victor Heritage

by Scott Sacry Sports Editor

Sports Falcons tame Panthers

The Florence Falcon football team defeated the Jeferson Panthers 35-14 in the quarterfnals of the Class B state playofs in Florence on Saturday, November 9.

The win was Florence’s 10th straight victory, and avenged their only loss on the season, which was a 14-21 loss to Jeferson in the frst game of the year.

“We had a great plan coming into the game,” said Florence’s head coach Adam Goodnight. “We just had to give it time and the kids rose to the challenge. They played ticked of because of the previous loss and some other social media stuf. The kids felt disrespected and wanted to prove a point.” And prove a point they did with the 21-point victory.

As was the case last week, Florence got behind early, as Jeferson’s Luke Oxarart scored on a 36-yard TD reception to open the scoring. Florence responded as QB Mason Arlington hit WR Isaac Bates for a 10-yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7.

Neither team scored in the second quarter, although the Falcons had the ball twice inside Jeferson’s 5-yard line without scoring. They failed to convert a 4th and goal in the 1st quarter, and late in the 2nd quarter they threw an interception on the 1-yard line.

So Florence easily could have had a 21-7 halftime lead. For their part, Jefferson had a handful of dropped passes, which, if caught, could have made a diference in the game.

Either way, at halftime it was seemingly anyone’s game to win. But as has been the case over the last four years, Florence found a higher gear and took control of the game.

Jeferson limited Florence’s running game (they only rushed for 66 yards) so the Falcons took to the air.

Led by Arlington, the Falcons took their frst drive of the 2nd half down the feld and scored on a 19-yard Arlington pass to Bridger Alexander. At the end of the 3rd quarter, Florence led 14-7. Florence exploded in the fnal quarter, scoring three touchdowns, thanks in part to two fumble recoveries by Florence’s Bridger Alexander and Lee Blair. Their frst 4th-quarter TD came on a Jake Schneiter 7-yard run, then Bridger Alexander scored on a 4-yard run. Finally, Arlington hit Chase Wagner for a 9-yard TD to increase Florence lead to 35-7, efectively ending the game. Jef-

ferson added a late, long TD reception to make the fnal score of 35-14.

Florence QB Mason Arlington continued to cement his place as one of the top quarterbacks in the state. The left-handed senior completed 22 of 29 passes and threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns.

Florence’s receivers were again outstanding.

Drew Wagner had 6 catches for 128 yards, Bridger Alexander had 6 catches for 125 yards and a TD, and Brody Duchien had 5 receptions for 64 yards. Isaac Bates and Chase Wagner each caught TD passes.

“We have some of the best receivers in the state,” said Goodnight. “Some teams have one, maybe two guys, but we are six men deep at receiver. Also, I have to give a lot of credit to the ofensive line; they have been getting better and better every week and were outstanding.”

On defense, Jake Schneiter, one of Class B’s leading tacklers, had 15 tackles, Drew Wagner had 11 tackles, Mattix Chase and Bridger Alexander each had 10 tackles, and Levi Winters and Mose Smith each had 9 tackles. Florence to face Malta in semifnals

The three-time defending Class B State Champion Falcons have now won 14 straight playof games. Florence advances to the Class B semifnals where they will travel nearly 400 miles to play undefeated and #2 ranked Malta on Saturday, Nov. 16.

“Malta is a great team and they

are 11-0 for a reason,” said Florence head coach Adam Goodnight. “They will be a handful. Their QB is one of the better players in the state, they are balanced on ofense, they can run and pass, and they have great skilled players, so it will be a big challenge for us. Nick is a tremendous coach and he has his team playing at a high level.”

Malta is the top seed out of the North and are 11-0 after defeating Three Forks 59-36 in the quarterfnals. Although Malta’s conference may not be as strong as some, the Mustangs have non-conference wins over Red Lodge (who is in the other semifnal), Jeferson and Missoula Loyola.

Goodnight is excited for the challenge. “They have a balanced ofense

so we need to pay them straight up and play assignment football on defense,” said Goodnight. “On ofense, we also need to be balanced. We didn’t run the ball great against Jeferson, so we need to do better this week, but we have a strong passing game and we’ll lean on that. Our ofensive line has been improving every week and we have some of the best receivers in the state. So mostly we just have to let our playmakers make plays. This time of the year there are no easy games, so we’ll have to coach our butts of and the players will have to play their butts of in order to be successful.”

Florence plays in Malta on Saturday, November 16 at 1 p.m. In the other semifnal game, Red Lodge hosts Manhattan on Saturday.

Florence volleyball dominates divisionals

The Florence volleyball team won the Western B Divisionals Championship in Anaconda on Saturday, November 9. This is the second year in a row they have won Divisionals and the 12th time in the last 15 years. In the Championship game they defeated Anaconda 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-21).

Florence dominated Divisionals like a Republican candidate in a Ravalli County election. That is to say, they rolled through the competition.

In the four games they played, against St. Ignatius, Anaconda, Thompson Falls, and Anaconda again, Florence won all 12 of the sets.

Florence’s Kristy Duchien is in her 10th year as the Falcon head coach. “It may look like it was easy based on the scores,” said Duchien, “but we played a lot of hard games and sets, and we played some tough teams. Our girls have been playing really well and we hope to keep up the momentum going into state.”

Florence is the West’s top seed in the upcoming Class B State Tournament at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman on Nov. 14-16.

“Last year at state we lost our frst game,” said Duchien, “so we went to the losers’ side of the bracket and weren’t able to make it all the way back. This left everyone with a bad taste. Most of the players

from last year are back this year, so that sense of unfnished business has motivated us all year.”

In their opening game at State, Florence plays Huntley Project, the South’s #3 seed, on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 12 p.m. Although they are the #3 seed, Huntley is a formidable opponent. They have won the last three Class B State Championships and six out of the last seven.

“The teams for the South are very strong, so we’re going to have to be at our best,” said Duchien. “Huntley is the real deal. Volleyball is a game of

errors and momentum. Our girls have done a great job responding to adversity by making plays this year. We need to keep this playmaking mentality to be successful at state.”

In their frst round Divisional game on Thursday, Nov. 7, Florence defeated St. Ignatius 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-8). For Florence, Emory Ralston had 4 aces, 11 digs and 2 blocks, Ava Philbrick had 9 kills and 2 blocks, and Maggie Schneiter had 22 In their second round game, also on Thursday, they defeated Anaconda 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-17). For Florence, Emory Ralston had 4 aces, 9 kills and 3 blocks, Maggie Schneiter had 19 assists and 13 digs, and Ava Philbrick had 3 blocks. This sent them to the undefeated semifnal against Thompson Falls on Friday night where they defeated the Blue Hawks 3-0 (27-25, 25-20, 25-21). For Florence, Dia Jenkins had 2 aces and 20 digs, Elise Schneiter had 2 aces, Emory Ralston had 12 kills, Maggie Schneiter had 36 assists, Ava Philbrick had 5 blocks.

Finally, in the championship match on Saturday afternoon, they played Anaconda for a second time and won 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-21) to take the Divisional title. For Florence, Dia Jenkins had 2 aces, Emory Ralston had 10 kills, Maggie Schneiter had 25 assists and 4 blocks, Ava Philbrick had 4 blocks, and Ella Goeltz had 12 digs.

Hamilton, Corvallis end season at divisionals

The volleyball teams from Hamilton and Corvallis were in Corvallis on November 7-9 for the Western A Divisionals. Both teams fought hard but lost out of the tournament, ending their seasons. Corvallis was the Southwest’s #4 seed and played the #1 seed from the Northwest, Whitefsh, in their

frst round game on Thursday, Nov. 8 and lost 0-3 (12-25, 10-25, 16-25). For Corvallis, Britta Iman had 3 kills and 2 blocks, Tyisha Lewis had 3 kills, Kaitlyn Keller had 5 kills and 2 blocks, and Shaylee Weidow had 2 aces and 9 assists. This loss sent Corvallis to the los-

er-out bracket where they lost to Columbia Falls 0-3 (20-25, 22-25, 18-25) on Friday, Nov. 8. Hamilton was the Southwest’s #3 seed and played the Northwest’s #2 seed Poslon in their frst round game on Thursday and were defeated 1-3 (19-25, 25-19, 13-25, 16-25).

This loss sent them to the loser-out bracket where they played Bigfork on Friday and were defeated 1-3 (25-21, 2025, 21-25, 24-26). On Saturday, Dillon defeated Frenchtown in the championship game to claim the Western A Divisional crown.

Florence’s Rollie Fisher and Jake Schneiter coral a Jefferson runner in Florence’s 35-14 quarterfnal win against Jefferson in Florence on Saturday, November 9. Florence travels to Malta for the state semifnal game on Nov. 16. Photo by Scott Sacry.

The Florence volleyball team poses with their Western B Divisional Championship trophy in Anaconda on Saturday, November 9. Florence defeated Anaconda 3-0 in the championship game. Photo by Florence School Activities.

Wings helps horses, and people

by John Dowd

Horse culture runs as deep in Montana as the roots of the mountains. The history of the state, and the people that live here, love the story of horses. However, not everyone that lives here has the ability to give horses the care they need. For those who have grown up with horses, and begin to reach the age where they can’t care for their animals any longer, the options start to look bleak for the horses.

To fll this need, and to help the community look out for these horses, 10 years ago Deborah Lay started the nonproft, Wings. Her program’s focus has become helping the valley’s elderly population as they become unable to care for their horses. Ac-

Some of these horses can be adopted, but that is not the main purpose of the nonproft. According to Lay, they may adopt out only about four or fve horses every year.

Information about adopting can be found on the organization website, where there is also a list of candidate animals. These candidates are listed because many of the horses on site have needs that people may not be able to meet. One example of this is the mini horses, which are often not adopted out, based on specifc feed needs and health issues that arise in miniature and dwarf horses.

“It can be hard enough for them to go into that next step of their lives.” - Deborah Lay

cording to Lay, it is becoming more common that the families that inherit these horses are less capable of, or interested in, housing these horses and caring for them. With their owners having died or having been moved into assisted living, many of these

Though many of the horses cannot be ridden any longer, Lay says they are healthy enough to make fantastic and long lived companion horses. This can be important for the emotional and physical health of other horses.

The facility is home to 24 to 30 horses at any one time, including mini horses. According to Lay, the mini horses are difcult for most people to care for based on their specifc dietary needs. These horse breeds

their volunteers to get their “horse time,” spending quality time with the animals.

In fact, Lay is very committed to the emotional health benefts horses have for people. Equestrian therapy is a mission Lay has always been driven towards. Because of this, Wings is adding more ways to give back to the community, including creating a program for trafcked women to get “horse time.” The nonproft already works with school children, veterans, disabled community members and more, mostly on a one-on-one basis. Some of their annual activities include taking horses to the Sapphire Lutheran Homes concert series and visiting several assisted living centers in the valley with the mini horses to visit elderly and people who are bedridden.

Wings wants to expand to more in-home visits for the elderly and is looking for partnerships to accomplish that. The community is always welcome to call and ask how Wings can bring horses into people’s lives.

Lay said this connection between people and horses is especially important for the elderly community

members who have lost their horses. “They really miss that connection,” said Lay, and that is why they are a major focus for Wings.

Wings will be partnering with Blacksmith Brewing in Stevensville for a pint night called, “Sipping for Seniors.” The event earned the name because the donations will beneft the nonproft’s senior equestrian residents. The pint night will take place November 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. The brewery will donate $1 for every pint sold. There will also be a 50/50 rafe and a silent auction. Donations are welcome as well, and all will go to helping the horses. According to both Weise and Lay, the organization takes no administrative fees from any donations, meaning the two women make nothing for what they do. Because of this, and the expense in caring for so many horses, “we really rely on the community for support,” said Lay. She also added that all the horses they take on are from the Bitterroot Valley community only. “We focus just on the equine needs here.” Parties interested in helping Wings can visit the website at www. wingsprograms.org.

NOTICE OF RANDOM AUDIT & OFFICIAL CANVASS

Notice is hereby given that a public post-election audit (pending a recount) of 10% of the voting machines used in the November 5, 2024 General Election will be held on the 14th day of November, 2024, at approximately 10:00 a.m, in the basement Election Room of the Ravalli County Justice Building located at 205 Bedford Street in Hamilton. Reconciliation of the ballots to be part of the audit will be done beginning approximately 8:00 a.m. The audit may be continued on November 15th if necessary to complete. If a recount is conducted, the post-election audit will not be held pursuant to MCA 13-17-503(5)(b).

The ofcial canvass for the General Election will be held on November 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., in the Commissioner Conference Room (3rd foor), County Administrative Building, located at 215 South 4th Street, Hamilton.

Dated this 29th day of October, 2024

Regina Plettenberg Ravali County Election Administrator

215 South 4th Street, Suite C Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 375-6550

Fundraiser for Chicks N Chaps to help those who have been impacted by breast cancer. We donated over $9,000 to Chicks N Chaps. The money raised here stays in the Bitterroot.

Farmers State Bank

Halo Inc. - Stevensville

A2Z Personnel

Ginny Schuler Dawn Krysa

Christine Dix Jennings Inc. Montana Timber Tech R&R Conner

RBC Sand & Gravel

Rod Clarke Trucking Western Montana Mitigation

Victor Liquor Matt & Theresa Pendergast

Sandy McNamara

Triad Building Components Valley Irrigation

Big Sky Structures (Bitterroot Shedz)

Cash & Go Cars

Elaine Lewis (406 Transport) Tammany Veterinary Hospital

Donaldsons Melissa Odom

Easi (Bitterroot Laundry)

Hamilton Physical Therapy MR Asphalt

Rachel Kramer

RLP Auction Baerlocher Family

Ambrose Vet Clinic Capron Family Dental Darby Rodeo Assoc. Full Tilt Enterprises

takes

we

a

Special Thanks to Justin Grifn, Taven Grifn, Peyton Grifn, Mike Gage, Jamie Stanek, Jamie Harbetts, Chasin ’ Three Productions, Amy James -Linton, Wendy Woods, Bitterroot Star, and many, many more. Please forgive me if I missed someone. A production like this

a village and

have

great village. Jean Schurman

Deborah Lay and Laura Weise with Patches the horse. Photo by John Dowd.

Deborah Lay cleans a mini’s mane. Photo by John Dowd

Sonja Bosworth

Sonja Bosworth of Hamilton, passed away peacefully in her home on October 30, 2024. She was born in 1939 in Auburn, California to Doris (Teagarden) and Rolf Wigaard. Sonja and her brothers, Rolf and Nick, enjoyed their young life as part of a pioneering ski family in the Sierras. Sonja married Bill Bosworth in 1957 and started a family. In 1969 they moved to Tahoe City where they raised their girls. In 1980, they chose the Bitterroot Valley as home.

Many of you may know Sonja as a checker at IGA, selling Viking dogs at the fair with the Sons of Norway, as a league bowler, or quietly attending AlAnon meetings. Wherever you met her, you got to enjoy our sweet frecracker.

What you may not know is that Sonja also attended Job’s Daughters, was a foster mom to two boys in need, a Camp Fire Girls leader, obtained her Class A drivers license and drove a semi-end dump for two years supporting the family. This experience led her to become the frst manager of the Tahoe Area Regional Transit system (TART). Upon moving to Hamilton, she reinvented herself again as a bartender, a cashier, and managed her rental

properties.

As a mom, Sonja let her children wildly explore life. She taught them to fsh, explore Tahoe in a boat, dig in the gold country for old bottles and insulators, and camp under the stars. She rooted them on in all of their sports and when allowed, blew her cow horn with gusto! That spirit was shared with her children, grandchildren, and her great grandchildren.

Our beloved mom was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, her mentor Janet Miller and her cat Mikey. She is survived by her daughters Barbara (Dave) Mackenstadt and Cheryl (Philip) Whitney; her grandchildren Adrien (Levi) Brown, Stephanie (Ian) Whitney, Erik (Bre) Mackenstadt, and Philip Whitney; her great-grandchildren Gwen, Caden, Brenden, Brooklyn, Christian, Regan, and Brynn; her sisters-in-law, Margaret Wigaard and Carol Van Etten; her nieces and nephews; and besties Kay Bells and Evie Hendrickson.

Please come join family and friends on November 27, 2024 at Daly Leach Chapel at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate her spicy 85 years of life. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com. Skol!

Louise May Robinson

Louise May Robinson, aged 86, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2024, at Discovery Care Center, in Hamilton, Montana. She was born on September 26, 1938, in Hamilton, Montana, to Chester Clyde and Alice Leona Summers Robinson. She was a life-long Bitterrooter and loved the valley she lived in. She attended school in Grantsdale and was a 1957 graduate of Hamilton High School. Louise married Jack Champine on May 23, 1959. The couple had four children. They divorced in 1977 and Louise returned to her beloved Bitterroot in 1978. Louise worked in many diferent po-

Betty Reed

sitions throughout her working years, from being a sherif’s ofce dispatcher to managing a small post ofce in Helena, Montana. She enjoyed volunteering at the Senior Center in Hamilton when she retired. Louise’s true calling was her unwavering care of family and friends who were in declining health.

She is survived by her daughters Connie (Mike) Maslowski, of Tucson, AZ; Cheri (Scott) Kois of Loveland, CO; and her son Chris Champine of Washington D.C.; her grandchildren: Bri (Karrick) Kelly; Andrew (Alex) Maslowski; Joshua (Kallie)

Betty Reed of Stevensville passed away peacefully at her home on September 28, 2024. Mom was born on Oct. 7, 1942, in Washington D.C. to Melvin and Helen Olson.

She spent her youth at the family farm in North Dakota during the growing seasons, and winters South, where it was warm. While in high school, the family moved to Bigfork, where she loved to spend her days on the lake with friends.

After graduation, she attended what was then called “beauty school” in Missoula. Upon completion, she met and fell in love with Bob (Robert) Reed. They became what may have been the original “fxer uppers.” Working side by side, they remodeled numerous homes and cabins. They were married 59 years.

Robert Jay (Bob) Nicholson

Robert Jay (Bob) Nicholson, a beloved member of the Corvallis community, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2023, at the age of 89.

Born on September 15, 1935, in Darby, Montana, to Robert S. and Wilma M. Nicholson. He graduated from Darby High School in 1953. During his youth, he was involved in 4-H, rodeo, and worked at area ranches and saw mills. He married Joan Lee Buck on March 27, 1955, and together they built a life in Corvallis.

A dedicated dairy farmer, Bob was deeply involved in his community. He served as a 4-H leader and fair superintendent, a member of the Farm Credit Bank Board, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Board as well as a commissioner and interim director of The Big Ditch. After retiring from dairy farming in 1999, he devoted his time to disaster relief eforts with the American Red Cross and volunteer leadership at his church. For many years, Bob drove patients to Missoula from the Bitterroot to receive cancer and dialysis treatments.

A longtime member of the Corvallis Grange, Bob held various leadership positions at both the local and state levels.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Joan Lee; his four children, Don and his wife Kathy Nicholson, Scott and his wife Marie Nicholson, Todd and his wife Debbie Nicholson, and Tracee and husband Brett Jury; and his grandchildren Sean, Stephanie, Rob, Ceara, Jacob, Sage, Brendan, and Ky. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Judah, Abram, and Ainsley. Bob was extremely proud of his accomplished children and grandchildren.

A memorial service was held November 11th at the Corvallis United Methodist Church. Private interment will take place at the Corvallis Cemetery. Condolences may be left for the family at www. dalyleachchapel.com

The family suggests donations to the Corvallis United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.

James ‘Martin’ Peirce

James Martin Peirce, “Martin,” 88, died peacefully at his home in Victor on November 5, 2024. Martin was born May 15, 1936, in Kearny, NE to James and Mildred (Peck) Peirce. He was raised in Kearny, NE and graduated from Trade School with a Carpentry & Cabinet Making Certifcation in 1954.

He met Janice Rhodes and married on September 26, 1960 in Grand Island, NE. After marriage they moved to Townsend, MT and worked on the Kempton Cattle Ranch in Toston, MT. In 1964, Martin and Jan moved to Victor and worked on the Peirce Cattle Ranch. In 1979, Jan and Martin moved to Florence, MT and they both worked for the Florence Christian School. In 1988, they moved back to Victor, MT to help take care of the

Gordon; Gabrielle Howery, Ben Howery, and Jessica (Ahmed) Samet; and her great grandchildren: Nora and Sloane Kelly; and Elias and Beckham Gordon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter Cindy Champine; her half-brother Everett Robinson; and her sister Patsy Rennaker.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring when the fowers are blooming--as that was her favorite time of year in her Bitterroot Valley. Condolences may be left for the family at www. dalyleachchchapel.com

Mom enjoyed many things, but at the top was time spent with family at home, and all the adventures and memories made while at the cabins. As mom said, “She lived, she died, she grew to hate trees.” (She still had a bit of humor after all the wind storms this year)

You’ll be missed by so many!

Betty is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Bob Reed; and is survived by her sister, Marlene (Rodney); sons Mike (Monique) and Jim (Paris), and daughter Debbie; as well as her grand- and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

As per her request, there will be no formal service. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

ranch and take care of Martin’s parents. In 1997, Jan and Martin opened Peirce Lock & Safe in Hamilton, MT.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Mildred Peirce and his wife Jan Peirce.

Martin is survived by his sister Janice Rathman of Grand Island, NE; two daughters, Renae (Todd) Rasmussen of Polson, MT, and Daile (Jef) Engle of Clarkston, WA; three grandchildren, Eric (Alicia), Aaron (Jacey), MaKayla Rasmussen and 5 +1 on the way great-grandchildren.

A graveside service and burial will be held at the Victor Cemetery, Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

Proposed path preservation on Hwy 93

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) would like to announce and invite the public to comment on a proposal to crack seal and resurface two sections of shareduse path in Ravalli County. The frst path section is adjacent to US Highway 93 (US 93) and extends from mile marker 49.6, north of Hamilton, to mile marker 77, at the Missoula/Ravalli County line. The second path section is along Woodside Cutof Road, also known as Secondary Highway 373 (S 373), from the intersection with US 93 extending east, ending at the intersection with Eastside Highway, also

known as Secondary Highway 269 (S 269), in Corvallis.

Proposed work includes crack sealing and fog sealing, replacing pavement where tree roots need to be removed, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades, and a new overlay in specifc sections where needed. The purpose of the project is to preserve the existing paths and improve non-motorized travel facilities.

Construction is tentatively planned for 2025 depending on completion of design and availability of funds. No new right-of-way or utility relocations will be needed.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) also invites the public to comment on a similar proposal for the path beginning at mile marker 77, at the Missoula/Ravalli County line, and extends north to mile marker 90, ending at the west end of the Buckhouse Bridge south of Missoula. Construction is tentatively planned for 2025 depending on completion of design and availability of funds. No new right-of-way or utility relocations will be needed.

Partnering with the community is an important part of properly planning for future projects. MDT wel-

comes the public to provide ideas and comments on the proposed project. Comments may be submitted online at mdt.mt.gov/contact/comment-form. aspx or in writing to Montana Department of Transportation, Missoula ofce, PO Box 7039, Missoula, MT 59807-7039. Note that comments are for project UPN 10452000. The public is encouraged to contact Missoula District Preconstruction Engineer Joel Boucher at 406-5446107 or email Project Design Engineer Nate Walters at nwalters@mt.gov with questions or comments about the projects.

Christmas Stroll moves to frst Saturday in December

This year the Hamilton Downtown Association is hosting the annual Christmas Stroll and tree lighting on Small Business Saturday, November 30. Traditionally the tree lighting and stroll was held on the Friday after Thanksgiving but due to increasing crowds, and more entertainment, the Downtown Association opted to move it to Saturday to allow for more time for local shopping and strolling throughout the day. All day Saturday the community can enjoy all of the Hamilton Christmas traditions including Christmas carols, local shopping, street vendors, burn barrels, live entertainment, and a Christmas Market. In addition to all of the Hamilton

Death Notices

Traven R. Godfrey

HamiltonTraven R. Godfrey, 58, passed away today Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital as the result of a motor vehicle accident. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family. at www.brothersmortuary.com

Downtown Association Main Street outdoor activities, strollers can warm up inside the Bedford Building on 2nd with Bitterroot Health Foundation Festival of Trees activities all day Saturday and starting on Friday evening the Bitterroot Children’s Museum will be hosting their Gingerbread House competition in the Masonic Lodge on 3rd.

Stroll Main Street and enjoy food vendors and non-profts along Main Street selling hot dogs, brats, soups, hot cocoa and other warm hand held treats. Get warm by the burn barrels with s’mores provided by Explore the Arts.

“We are really excited to see the

Paul A. Middleton

Missoula - Paul A. Middleton, 74, of Victor, passed away today, Saturday November 9, 2024 at St. Patrick Hospital after a brief illness. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family. at www. brothersmortuary. com

Connie Sue Fleischhauer

Victor - Connie Sue Fleischhauer, 65, passed away Monday, November 11, 2024 at home in Victor after an extended illness with her family at her side. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family. at www. brothersmortuary. com

0

community out enjoying Main Street and shopping local all day Saturday,” said Robin Pruitt, HDA Executive Director. “We think the change will be great for everyone. With the addition of the Festival of Trees and the Gingerbread Houses, we feel like there will be something to do all day downtown. We have more entertainment and holiday fun to share with you so stay tuned.”

From 5 to 6 .m. enjoy holiday entertainment by Groovz, Bitterroot Valley Community Choir and more at the main stage under the Bell McCall Awning. At 6 p.m. gather with the community to count down the community Christmas Tree Lighting and

Ann Correll Missoula - Ann Correll, 95, passed away at St. Patrick Hospital on Saturday afternoon, November 2, 2024. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family. at www.brothersmortuary.com

Earl Brandon StevensvilleEarl Brandon, 93, passed away this morning, November 4, 2024, at the Living Centre. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family. at www. brothersmortuary. com .

enjoy an appearance from the big man himself! Extended shopping hours continue until 8 p.m.

Folks wanting to support the HDA Christmas Stroll and Tree Lighting can purchase Commemorative Christmas Ornaments in local shops, or on the HDA website or reach out to become a sponsor. “It takes everyone in the community pitching in to help out to make this magical event that is free to everyone” said Susan Wetzsteon, Executive Assistant. “It truly captures the spirit of the holiday season and we are so grateful for all of the support we get in making it happen.” www.visithamiltonmt.org.

Eileen Roeder StevensvilleEileen Roeder, 86, passed away this morning, November 5, 2024 at the Living Centre, following a brief illness. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family. at www. brothersmortuary. com

Joanne L. McElfresh Stevensville - Joanne L. McElfresh, 90, of Stevensville passed away Sunday, November 10, 2024 at the Living Centre in Stevensville. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the Whitesitt Funeral Home. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

• Adopt a Family

• B.E.A.R

• Biterroot Backcountry Cyclists

• Biterroot Building Industry Assn

• Biterroot Chapter, International Mountain Bike Project

• Biterroot Health Colors of Cancer

• Biterroot Humane Assn/Shelter

• Biter Root Land Trust

• Biterroot Newcomers Club

• Biterroot Performing Arts Council

• Biterroot Water Partnership

• Biterroot Women’s Club

• Biterroot Youth Marksmanship

• BV Board of Realtors

• BV Chamber of Commerce

• Clayworks! of the Biterroot

• Community Movie Night

• Corvallis Civic Group

• Biterroot Celtic Games & Gathering

• Corvallis FFA

• Corvallis School District

• Daly Mansion & Preservation Trust

• Darby Rodeo Association

• Darby School District

• Emma’s House

• Empty Bowls of the Biterroot

• Florence School District

• Habitat for Humanity

• Hamilton Downtown Association

• Hamilton Downtown Foundation

• Hamilton Players

• Hamilton Rotary

• Hamilton School District

• Heartism

• Highway Cleanup Crew

• LifeGuard Group

• Lolo Community Council

• Lost Trail Ski School

• Meals on Wheels

• Missoula Building Industry Assn

• MT Building Industry Assn

• MT Organization of Realtors

• National Assn of Home Builders

• Ravalli County 4-H

• Ravalli County Fair

• Ravalli County Food Banks

• Ravalli County Museum

• Ravalli County Search and Rescue

• Ravalli County Volunteer Fire Depts

• Roberts Run

• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

• S.A.F.E.

• Special Olympics-Biterroot Stars

• Stevensville Heritage Museum

• Stevensville School District

• TEDx HieronymusPark

• Victor Heritage Museum

• Victor School District

• Wounded Warriors

This hunting season – save those hides and feathers!

When my physical therapist told me her husband had already arrowed an elk this archery season I was overjoyed for him but not necessarily surprised.

His dad was an inveterate hunter, willing to track and stalk a trophy animal for miles and days if necessary to make the kill of a lifetime. I’ve known Drew since he was a kid and his old man’s blood runs through his veins. And knowing that, I didn’t ask his wife, while she was working the knots out of my shoulders, if he had saved the hide. The last elk I asked about had to be cached overnight, and then quartered and packed out six miles by a party made up of him, his hunting buddy, and their wives.

by Chuck Stranahan

fortunate for all of us – the hair was beautiful and is still producing some beautiful fies. When I got to Jim’s house he had already washed the hide. To do that I like to lay the hide out skin-side-down, and mix about four or fve good squirts of a grease-cutting dish soap into a fve-gallon bucket of water. I’ll dump the soapy water onto the hair, shampoo it real good with my fngers, and hose it of – starting at the neck and working my way down. You’d be surprise at the amount of dirt, weed seed, and dead bugs you’ll wash out of a clean-looking elk hide.

Then, if weather permits, dry the hide in the sun. Throw it over a fence or sturdy (wet elk and deer hides are heavy!) clothes line, and let it drip and sun-dry for a day or two. If the isn’t cooperative, do the best you can with it, strip the moisture out with a brush or a squeegee and bring it indoors.

Unroll the hide hair-side-down on a sheet of plywood or particle board, and starting at the bottom, tack it out with a tack placed every 8” or so – some closer together, some further apart. I’ve used everything from long carpet tacks to short roofng nails for this purpose – the carpet tacks work best. Trim the ragged edges of the hide as you go.

Then, dry any excess moisture of the fesh and cut and scrape away any remaining fat. A little extra time spent

here pays dividends later. For the fnal cure, for fy tying purposes, I like to use coarse salt and Borax. The procedure is the same for elk, deer, squirrel, or bird skins. I spill the coarse salt liberally all over the hide, about a quarter-inch deep. Then I spill the Borax into the salt, slurrying it with my fngers to make sure the whole hide is in contact with both.

You can get a decent cure with salt only, but consider: another name for fat is fatty acid. The alkaline Borax neutralizes the acid while the salt pulls moisture out of the hide.

I’ll check the hide every couple of days, and where moisture is evident I’ll sprinkle more salt. When the hide is good and dry it’s time to brush the salt of, unpin the hide from the board, and cut it into useful chunks.

The physical therapist wife made a not-so-serious ofer next time for me to hike in and pack the hide out myself if I wanted it, but I declined.

I need enough physical therapy as-is.

Just the previous season another friend ended a multi-year elk hunting drought with a nice bull elk, most of it spent trekking all over the Bitterroots and Big Hole, narrowly missing opportunities at nice bulls every season. He didn’t miss shots – but every year there was at least one story – animals that disappeared over a ridge or into a thicket, we’ve all heard those stories and many of us have told them.

His drought ended with the bull that had the courtesy to walk almost within sight of his pickup truck before stopping and posing for a clean, clear shot. Immediately when he returned home I got a call.

The whole crew of us, four guys who pair up and hunt of fsh together, were running out of elk mane for salmonfy wings, that nice long and fne shoulder hair for golden stones, and the shorter elk body hair that we use for all sorts of fies. Jim’s kill was

At last, the 2024 election has come and gone! We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the Democrats in Ravalli County who participated in our most sacred of democratic responsibilities, being a part of a free and fair election.

Thank you to our candidates who did the heavy lifting of running for office; to our 50 poll watchers; to our hundreds of volunteers who did everything from baking cookies, to organizing rallies, to putting out yard signs, and donating money; and to the thousands who exercised our Constitutional right to vote, expressing our voices and Democratic values

Thank you to the County and all the citizens who worked at the polls and monitored the election. We are proud of the way Ravalli County runs our elections, like a well-tuned clock. An impressive process indeed! No matter how you voted, know that we all live together in this beautiful valley we call home and how important it is for us to work with our friends and neighbors to find common ground to solve problems and create opportunities to make our valley the best place it can be!

Author pretends to sleep while guarding pickup from unwary elk attack. Photo by Chuck Stranahan.

FRESH EGGS from Howell’s Happy Hens are back! $4.00/doz. Pick up at Bitterroot Star ofce, 115 W. 3rd, Suite 108, Stevensville.

GE WASHER AND DRYER. $100 each or $150 for the pair. Purchased new in 2018. Used for four years. No Delivery. Call 1-509-680-8622. Cash only.

AKC BOSTON TERRIER PUPS FOR SALE. 4 Black & White with brindle Males $1,500. 2 Blue & White Males $2,000. Text or Call 406-381-1122 with inquiries or check out our facebook page Van Note Boston Terriers.

ANTIQUES FOR SALE -- Virgelle Merc. Antiques presents a “Real Country Christmas” at a “Real Country Store” Saturday & Sunday, December 7 th and 8 th 9-5 both days, Antiques and Collectibles. Phone 1-800-426-2926 or (406) 378-3110. wwwVirgeleMontana.com. Celebrate the Season at Virgelle, Montana.

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Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County

In the Matter of the Name Change of Michelle Reynoso, Michelle Reynoso, Petitioner.

Cause No.: DV-41-20240000392-NC

Dept. 1

NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change from Michelle Josefna Reynoso to Michelle Josefna Sorenson-Brown..

The hearing will be on December 4, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.

DATED this 23rd day of October, 2024.

/s/ Paige Trautwein

Clerk of District Court

By: Barbara Beavers Deputy Clerk of Court

BS 10-30, 11-6, 11-13, 11-20-24.

MNAXLP

Return To:

Kevin S. Jones Jones & Houston, PLLC

2625 Dearborn Ave., Ste. 102 Missoula, MT 59804

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE

To be sold for cash at Trustee’s Sale on March 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m, at the Ravalli County Courthouse, north entrance, main foor lobby, located at 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton, MT 59840, all of Trustee’s right, title and interest to the following-described real property situated in Ravalli County, Montana:

Lot 18 and the North ½ of Lot 17, Block 2, Pleasantvale Addition to the Town of Stevensville, Ravalli County, Montana, according to the ofcial recorded plat thereof.

EXCEPTING AND RESERVING THEREFROM the Northeast corner of Lot 18, described as beginning at the Northeast corner of said Lot 18; thence due South 20 feet; thence due West 32 feet; thence due North 20 feet; thence East 32 feet to the place of beginning.

Recording Reference: Book 145 of Deeds, Page 309 and Book 230 of Deeds, Page 754.

George Eden and Debra Eden, as Grantors, conveyed the real property to Flying S Title & Escrow – Ravalli County, as Trustee, to secure an obligation owed to Clearwater Credit Union, as Benefciary, by Deed of Trust dated December 15, 2023, as Document No. 792496, records of the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder. A Substitution of Trustee designating Kevin S. Jones as Successor Trustee

was recorded October 8, 2024, as Document No. 799881, records of the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder. The default of the obligation, the performance of which is secured by the aforementioned Deed of Trust, and for which default of this foreclosure is made, is for failure to pay the monthly payments as and when due.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Deed of Trust, the Benefciary has exercised, and hereby exercises, its option to declare the full amount secured by such Deed of Trust immediately due and payable. There presently is due on said obligation the principal sum of $85,393.20, plus interest continuing to accrue at a rate of 8.75% per annum, as of October 15, 2024, plus the costs of foreclosure, attorney’s fees, trustee’s fees, escrow closing fees, and other accruing costs.

The Benefciary has elected, and does hereby elect, to sell the above-described property to satisfy the obligation referenced above. The Benefciary declares that the Grantors are in default as described above and demands that the Trustee sell the property described above in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Notice.

DATED 15th day of October, 2024.

/s/ Kevin S. Jones, Trustee STATE OF MONTANA ss. County of Missoula

On this 15 day of October, 2024, before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public for the State of Montana, personally appeared Kevin S. Jones, Trustee, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year frst above written.

/s/ Christy Shipp Notary Public for the State of Montana residing at Missoula, MT. My Commission Expires May 7, 2025. (SEAL) BS 10-30, 11-6, 11-13-24. MNAXLP

Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: LAUREL C. BURNHAM, Deceased. Cause No. DP-41-20240000116-IT Dept. No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Barbara A. Burnham has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against

the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to the Personal Representative, Barbara A. Burnham, PO Box 444, Darby, MT 59829, return receipt requested, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court. /s/ Barbara A. Burnham Personal Representative BS 10-30, 11-6, 11-13-24. 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 SCOTT OWEN LYNG, Deceased. Case No.: DP-41-2024123

Dept. No. 02

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 JANET J. KOCHIS, 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 1st day of November 2024.

/s/ Janet J. Kochis, Personal Representative BS 11-6, 11-13, 11-20-24.

MNAXLP

Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Colleen Joan Bruce, Colleen Joan Bruce, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-41-20240000389-NC

Dept. 1

NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change from Colleen Joan Bruce to Kelly Jo Bruce.

The hearing will be on December 4, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the

courthouse in Ravalli County.

DATED this 21st day of October, 2024.

/s/ Paige Trautwein Clerk of District Court By: Barbara Beavers Deputy Clerk of Court BS 11-6, 11-13, 11-20, 11-27-24.

MNAXLP

PUBLIC NOTICE – SURPLUS PROPERTY SALE

The Corvallis County Sewer District will accept sealed bids on a surplus outdoor storage shed building, approximately 8’ by 10’ wide and 9’ tall. The shed building is being sold “AS-IS, WHEREIS, WITH NO WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES.” The shed building is currently located at the Corvallis WWTP. The purchaser is solely responsible for loading and transportation of the shed.

Sealed bids including the bidder’s name and contact phone number and the dollar amount ofered must be received no later than Monday, November 25 via postal mail at P.O. Box 134, Corvallis, MT 59828. Please write Att’n: Public Surplus on the envelope. The bid is intended to be opened and awarded on Tuesday, November 26. Final payment must be made by cashier’s check or in cash.

Photos of the shed are available online at bit.ly/3NL2fWr Bidders may arrange an appointment to view the shed by contacting Steve Mosbrucker by call or text during normal business hours at 406370-4832.

BS 11-6, 11-13-24.

MNAXLP

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is Hereby Given that the Town Council of the Town of Stevensville will hold a Public Hearing to amend Ordinance No. 135 Sec.10.06.100 Speed Restrictions (3), updating proposed changes to the Stevensville Trafc Code of the Town of Stevensville to read: “ (h) E. 3rd Street to E. 2nd Street via Railroad Ave” “Future amendments to Sec. 10.06.100 (3) and (4) may be set by resolution.”

1st reading of Ordinance No. 135 will take place at the 11-14-24 Town Council Meeting and the 2nd reading will take place at the 12-12-24 Town Council Meeting. Comments may be given on the 1st reading of Ordinance No. 135 orally at the Public Hearing Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 6:30 pm and at the 2nd reading of Ordinance No. 135 at the Public Hearing on December 12, 2024, at 6:30 pm. Comments can also be given to

the Town Clerk at PO Box 30, Stevensville, MT 59870, email townclerk@townofstevensville.gov<mailto:townclerk@ townofstevensville.gov> or before 5:00 pm in person on the scheduled Town Council meeting day. Questions, comments or more information may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at 406-777-5271.

Attest: Jenelle S. Berthoud, Town Clerk BS 11-6, 12-4-24.

William J. Nelson, Esq. Nelson Law Ofce PLLC 217 North 3rd Street, Suite J Hamilton, MT 59840 Telephone: (406) 363-3181 email: wmziplip@gmail. com MONTANA TWENTY FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE ESTATE OF: ROBERT EDWARD PISCOPO, Deceased. Cause No. DP-41-2024122 Dept. 2

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to the Personal Representative, Linda L. Garstang, return receipt requested, c/o Nelson Law Ofce PLLC , 217 North Third Street, Suite J, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.

DATED this 4th day of November 2024. /s/ Linda L. Garstang Personal Representative BS 11-6, 11-13, 11-20-24. MNAXLP

William J. Nelson, Esq. Nelson Law Ofce PLLC 217 North 3rd Street, Suite J Hamilton, MT 59840 Telephone: (406) 363-3181 email: wmziplip@gmail. com MONTANA TWENTY FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE ESTATE OF: PATRICIA CAROL SABO, Deceased. Cause No. DP-41-2024119 Dept. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed estate. All persons

having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to the Personal Representative, David G. Niles, return receipt requested, c/o Nelson Law Ofce PLLC , 217 North Third Street, Suite J, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.

DATED this 6th day of November 2024. /s/ David G. Niles Personal Representative BS 11-13, 11-20, 11-2724. MNAXLP

Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Aleacia Abigail Ruby Standing Rock, Aleacia Abigail Ruby Standing Rock, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-24-402 Dept. 1

NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME

2024. /s/ Jennifer B. Lint District Court Judge BS 11-13, 11-20, 11-27, 12-4-24. MNAXLP

RADIO: Fullerton works to save local radio recordings

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then broadcast them the next day. Because a system was already in place to record, it became easy for shows to be recorded live, and so many were.

Traditionally, announcers and broadcasters, when they retired, could leave with their recorded shows as mementos. However, many did not, or forgot about them. After years of collecting dust, many of these tapes have hung around the station, and Fullerton, who has a deep love for these historic recordings, has collected them from the station. Some of the oldest date back to the 1960’s, and Fullerton has begun viewing several new broadcasts portraying important events in the valley, and some with relevance to the nation as a whole.

“I’ve always been interested in old radio, so it was a natural outgrowth of what I like to do,” said Fullerton. After retiring from the station, he took a chance approaching the Ravalli County Museum. Luckily for Fullerton, the museum was excited about the prospect, and they agreed to give him space in the basement to work on the recordings. Fullerton comes in a couple times a week to listen and record.

He has discovered that the quality of the tape deck has a lot to do with the playbacks, and so it was imperative to fnd the best one he could. This helped improve the sound quality. Those tapes will break down over time, and have a higher chance of breaking when being played back. Every time one of them is played, there is a chance some of the recording could be lost. Time is short due to the possibility of deterioration, but once played, the recording is run through a high quality sound processor and a computer to maximize the overall quality and to save it on the computer and external storage devices.

Part of the fun and the challenge of the project, according to Fullerton, is the variety of mediums there are, and how it is always a challenge tracking down players for those mediums. He says it’s great that people try to keep recordings of memories, but it’s also important to try to hold onto the technology to play those recordings back. Technology is always changing, and from cassettes to reels, minis-discs to fash drives, it has been a true efort fnding ways to even access these recordings. And what he fnds is often a surprise.

“That’s the part I like most about it, there it is!” said Fullerton when he spoke about the history played back through the tapes. He said it was also like being in the room again at that time, and hearing those events unfold as they were happening. He has heard recordings covering the fres of 2000, listening to interviews and live broadcasts. He listened to recordings of the last passenger train through the valley, in an organized event with Montana Rail Link called the “Santa Express.” Fullerton found pieces from his old mentor, George Solander, who was the original “Voice of the Valley.”

Fullerton discovered a recording of his interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci in 2002 speaking on the Rocky Mountain Lab. In that interview, they discussed funding for the lab, which was in question at the time. He found a recording where the station interviewed Dr. Willy Burgdorfer talking about his discovery of Lyme Disease in the 1980’s. He said there was a “fantasy parade” that the station hosted, where companies bought “foats,” which were larger-than-life ridiculous and impossible parade foats the station made up. In reality, the parade never actually happened but it was broadcast live as if it was. They included crowd sound efects and had fun as if they were there watching these insane things happen.

He even found old recordings of an old-time radio show he wrote called “Cavalcade of Stars.” He said, “I can listen to that over and over again.” The show was written in 1997, and featured the investigator Dick Darkness. The show was written in the style of original radio broadcasts that pre-dated television. It featured three parts, with music in between. The show had sound efects, various actors and took the better part of two hours. “It just takes me right back,” said Fullerton. For Fullerton, it really is a passion project. Many of the recordings he has found have been of him and people he has worked with over the years. The events they covered and captured in these recordings often bring

excitement, and he will say, “Oh yeah, I was there!” He hopes some people who can eventually listen to them will feel the same.

In total, he has hundreds and hundreds of hours of recordings to go through. He started in early March this year, and has made his way through only a sliver of what lies before him.

Eventually, he and the museum will try to get the recordings onto the museum’s system, sorted and indexed, allowing them to be searched and viewed by content. This will all be a monumental task. He estimates the project will be ongoing, and some of the frst recordings may be available next year at the earliest, but it may be longer. The museum will also need to decide how to display them to the public, and what things they may want to hear. Right now, it is all about building a repository of the recordings, and getting them converted to digital so they wont expire.

Another part of Fullerton’s project has been the rediscovery of true community. In the days of radio, when broadcast was a primary medium for the valley, without many other options, the community really came together over events. For Fullerton, it really has been a journey back through the years, with voice as a guide. A worthy project for an old broadcaster.

Steve Fullerton’s set up to record, from old tapes and media, onto a computer. Photo by John Dowd.