Bitterroot Star - November 2, 2022

LEGISLATOR: ‘social crusader’ helped shape state

tanans where she is known as a “social crusader.”

Hathaway’s history in Stevens ville is also notable because in 1896 Hathaway owned 40 acres and oper ated a small farm on land where the Stevensville School is now located. In addition, she and her husband, parents, and other relatives are buried at Stevensville’s Maplewood Cem etery.

After her ser vice in the Legis lature, Hathaway eventually headed up Montana’s

largest state agency – what is now the Department of Public Health and Human Services. A book was written about her just before her death in 1955 by MSU Professor Harold Tascher called “Maggie and Montana. The Story of Maggie Smith Hathaway.” Among the many tributes paid to her in the book, Tascher praised her for her “transla tion of ethics into action.”

Hathaway is also one of four women featured in a new documen tary called “The Story of Us: The Women Who Shaped Montana” which made its world premiere in Helena in August 2022 and was recently shown in Missoula.

Interested valley residents can learn more about Hathaway’s con tribution to Montana history at the “Faces of Montana” exhibit at the Ravalli County Museum in Hamil ton. The exhibit will be featured until March 2023.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL THE VOTERS THAT SUPPORTED MY CAMPAIGN JASON ELLSWORTH Republican Senator Re-Elect SD 43

I am very humbled and honored serving the Bitterroot Valley. I am grateful for all of your votes and believing in me. I appreciate all the support I have received from “YOU” the people. I have met many wonderful new friends during this race. As this journey continues, I will be guided by the same principles that I have represented during my service that the voice of our great community will be heard loud and clear in Helena. I will always make myself available to “YOU” the people. Thank you all and God Bless.

Maggie Smith Hathaway is featured, along with Emma A. Ingalls from Kalispell, on a bronze plaque outside of the Sen ate Chambers in the Capitol in Helena.

The cover of a book on Maggie Smith Ha thaway written by MSU Professor Harold Tascher in 1955.

GRIZZLIES: where are they coming from and how many are there

bears expand their range, the SLA is intended to be spatially inclusive of all areas that meet the “may be pres ent” methodology for grizzly bears. The “may be present” methodology is derived from current distributions and verified location data outside of current distributions; not all areas that are designated as “may be present” meet the criteria to be included in current distributions.

Local evaluation is needed by feder al Level 1 ESA Streamlining Teams to determine potential effects of agency actions where grizzly bears “may be present.” Identifying locations where grizzly bears “may be present” will facilitate project planning activities that promote grizzly bear conservation and recovery. The grizzly bear SLA is updated with any new verified sight ings every 90 days. Last updated July 26, 2022 with data from 2012 to July 26, 2022.

Fortin-Noreus said that the aim of the current study was to get more in formation on the number of bears that may be using the Species List Area and determine the sex.

“We don’t know if these are resident bears or bears just passing through,” said Fortin-Noreus. “We don’t know if they are male or female and we don’t know if they are having cubs. So, the goal is to get more infor mation about these bears in the interven ing areas.”

Last year, the first year of the study, there was only one detection, involving two bears at the same site. One of the bears was captured as a conflict bear in the Flint Creek drain

age in 2020 and moved north of In terstate 90. But it was sighted in 2021 along with another grizzly at one of the corral sites. Both were males from the Northern Rockies Ecosystem, but completely unrelated to each other, according to the DNA analysis.

This year the project has a better chance of success, thanks to a con tribution from Defenders of Wildlife. The first year there was only one full-time crew working on the project, but this year Defenders of Wildlife is paying for a second full-time crew. 124 sites were established, mostly on the Sapphire Mountain side of the valley. The sites are visited every month from May through August. So far this year, no Grizzlies have been identified. The two Grizzly bears that were sighted in the Bitterroot River bottom this summer were captured and relocated to the Welcome Creek Wilderness in the Sapphire range but have since left the area and wandered north of Interstate 90.

Fortin-Noreus said that the public can help in the efforts to track these Grizzlies by documenting sightings of a bear with a photograph or a photo graph of a bear track. She cautioned that both black bears and Grizzly bears come in different colors, making

LoLocal evaluation is needed by federal Level 1 ESA Streamlining Teams to determine potential effects of agency actions where grizzly bears “may be present.” Identifying locations where grizzly bears “may be present” will facilitate project planning activ ities that promote grizzly bear conservation and recovery. The grizzly bear SLA is updated with any new verified sightings every 90 days. Last updated July 26, 2022 with data from 2012 to July 26, 2022.

color a poor criteria for identification. Although a person may see a bear and believe it was a grizzly, no sightings are considered “verified” unless made by a trained bear specialist or based on evi dence such as a photograph of the bear or a bear track, or some hair that can be analyzed for DNA identification.

As a side note, Fortin-Noreus said that some “rub trees” have been found where bears naturally scratch them selves on tree trunks and may leave hair samples. She said these trees are being documented and included in the sampling sites for future hair collec tion.

ATTENTION, VOTERS!

There were errors in an ad that was paid for by Sean Ashby that ran on October 19th, 2022.

The name of Greg Chilcott, candidate for County Commissioner, was spelled incorrectly.

Will Lovett Moore, candidate for Representative in HD 87, is running as an INDEPENDENT, not as a Democrat.

The Bitterroot Star is responsible for the errors. We extend our apology.

The middle class is shrinking. Conservative policies that favor wealth, suppress wage growth, make health care, housing and education unaffordable, have squeezed families and enriched the few. The result has been disaster for working people leading to frustration, violence, family breakdown and “deaths of despair”.

To distract people from the wreckage these policies have produced, radicals in the Republican party have increasingly turned to the politics of resentment , where who you hate is more important that what you want. Economic elites have effectively scapegoated black people in the south since the civil war. Today scapegoats includes not only racial minorities , but refugees, women, LGBT people...and liberals.

The US is still a wealthy country, even the poorest are better off than most in the world, but social unrest happens in periods of rising expectations. What poisons those expectations is the unfairness of gross inequality and lack of opportunity. The instability that this brings leads to people looking for a strong leader with simple solutions to complex problems, and many found one in a skilled con man from Manhattan (New York, not Montana).

What stands in the way of demagogue angling to be a dictator is the American liberal tradition : the rule of law, separation of powers and political pluralism, the belief that power should be dispersed among a variety of economic and ideological groups and not held by an elite or group of elites.

The time tested tactic used by the new authoritarians worldwide is misinformation. The Big Lies include a stolen election, an open US southern border, a fake pandemic, a government promoted toxic vaccine, a cabal of Democrat pedophiles, Jewish space lasers, etc. Is the Republic strong enough to withstand this rising tide of illiberalism bordering on fascism? Time will tell, but In my small way, I promise to DEFEND the REPUBLIC

John Schneeberger

Paid for by John Schneeberger for SD 43, PO Box 2213, Hamilton, MT 59840 Dan Brandborg Treasurer, https://schnee4sd43.com/

DEMOCRAT for Senate District 43

So you know what you are voting for:

Elect

Wayne Rusk

ART SHOW: ‘the best of the best’

as painting and sculpting.

There is no charge for admission. There will be wine tasting with Blodgett Canyon Cellars and food will be provided by Moose Creek BBQ. There will also be a raffle with each participating artist contributing an item. “That supports our BRAG arts fund,” said Becker. “We use the money to give out special awards for art entries during the county fair. We want to support people who are creating art.”

There will be a gift wrapping station run by Darby Skills USA - a student-led organization that works on building job and workplace skills.

Selway-Pintler Wilderness Back Country Horsemen 2022 Trail Projects and Youth Education

The Selway-Pintler Wilderness Back Country Horsemen are wrapping up our season of trail projects and youth education programs.

In spite of fire related trail closures and smoke in many of the Bitterroot Canyons this summer, we were able to complete trail maintenance work on Sawtooth, WatchTower, and South Fork of Lost Horse trails in our beautiful Bitterroot Valley.

We participated in youth conservation programs at the Teller Wildlife Youth Expo in May and taught horse and mule packing skills and Light on the Land ethics at the Magruder Ranger Station Youth Camp in July.

Back Country Horsemen are committed to protecting the access of equestrians to public lands. We are devoted equestrians who love to ride and explore new trails. We assist with trail maintenance and improvement projects, keeping trails clear for all user groups.

Come join us at the Three Sisters Group Site Campground at Lake Como on November 12th at noon. We’ll enjoy a weenie roast with pot luck sides to cap off the season.

Our December meeting will be held at the Bitterroot National Forest Office in Hamilton on December 8th at 6 p.m. (Come in the back door)

For additional information please contact: Duane Krowen @ 406-642-3932

“I feel what they do is really important,” said Becker, “and we need to emphasize that.”

Becker said the guild members are really ex cited to be “getting back into the groove” after Covid. “Our goal is to provide a place for our artists to sell their wares and also to promote the value and importance of art to our community.”

Photos of some of the art that will be for sale can be found on BRAG’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook. com/BitterRootArts Guild. Becker posts new photos every day so people can get an idea of what will be available.

Show times are Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Becker will be selling her unique reversible aprons at the show, as well as “snow-dyed” shirts and scarves. “I do like to paint,” said Becker, “but the aprons really sell.”

“Our show starts the holiday season out,” said Becker. “This is go ing to be a really, really festive affair and great show. Nothing but the best of the best.”

Constitutional Conservative Republican for House District 88

“Uniting the Conservative Community of Ravalli County”

by: Rusk for Legislature P.O. Box 531 Corvallis, MT.

A2Z Personnel to sponsor 3rd annual Parade of Trees

A2Z Personnel is once again sponsoring the Parade of Trees in Stevensville. The 3rd annual event will pit businesses against one another in a friendly competition that will award bragging rights to a business and ultimately benefit the Kids Backpack Program so that local school children don’t go hungry on the weekends. Businesses decorate holiday trees and have them up and on display by the Friday of Stevensville Country Christ mas which is December 2nd. The public can view the trees and vote on their favorite. The trees are then auc tioned off in an online auction. Along with the trees, there will be a number of other great auction items.

“We are so excited to see all the amazing creativity from everyone this year,” said Liz Cook with A2Z Person nel. “The last two years businesses have put out some amazing trees and we have raised a lot of money for some of our local charities. The money has stayed right here in our community and this year is no different.”

Cook offered some ideas to help people decide how they want to dec orate their trees: themed trees (such as your favorite Christmas movie, favorite sports theme/team, favorite

color scheme, etc.) Perhaps include gift certificates to your business, can dy, unique ornaments, “mystery” gift boxes, etc. “Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!” said Cook. She said that political themes would not be allowed in the contest.

Business entry forms will be available at A2Z Personnel or directly from Cook. Completed entry forms are due by November 18th. Businesses can pick up their trees for the contest after Thanksgiving at A2Z Personnel and the trees must be decorated and on display by December 2nd at 4 p.m. All trees will be a part of the Very Merry Tree Decorating Contest. The public can vote on the trees from Dec. 2nd through Dec 5th, with the winner announced on Dec. 6th.

“Let’s celebrate our local business es this year, raise money for the kids and spread the Christmas Spirit,” said Cook. “We are going to auction off all the trees and some really great auction items. All the proceeds from this year’s auction will go to the Stevensville school’s backpack program. They need a little extra help this year and we are so glad to be able to help them.”

Stevensville businesses can also participate in the Very Merry Window

Decorating Contest. The public can start viewing and voting on the windows on Dec. 2nd. This contest will run until Dec. 19th with the winner of the window dec orating contest announced later that week.

The Very Merry Yard Decorating Contest will also be taking place. Yards need to be decorated and ready for the public to start viewing and voting on Dec. 12th. The public can vote on their favorite yard from Dec. 12th through Dec. 19th with the winner announced later in that week.

If you have questions or would like to sign up to decorate a tree, window, or yard, email liz@a2zperson nel.net or call her at 406880-2007. If you would like to donate an auction item, you can also reach out to Liz.

Our Valley. Our Values.

Our Future.

Ravalli County Open Lands Bond on Nov. 8th!

Valley Drug’s tree won the Peo ple’ Choice Award in last year’s Parade of Trees.

all see the open Valley land disappear ing and changing. Regardless if you’re a native or call the Valley home now, I would like to ask you to think about what you are willing to invest to keep the Bitterroot Valley open for gener ations to come and VOTE YES on the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond on November 8th.

I encourage you to learn more about the Ravalli County Open Land Bond history and the completed proj ects to date by visiting: https://ravalli. us/189/Open-Lands-Bond-Program . Maria Hipp Darby

Support for Open Lands Bond

We all love living here in the Bitter root Valley, stunning open landscapes, rich and vibrant ranch and farmland, plentiful wildlife and fish and a quiet pastoral way of life. But the times they are a changing and changing fast. The valley is growing more rapidly than ever, new homes and subdivisions are popping up faster than mushrooms after a warm spring rain.

Since being approved by your friends and neighbors in 2006, the Open Lands Program has helped conserve over 10,000 acres in our valley which has included family farms and ranches, critical wildlife and fish habitat, hunting, fishing and recre ational access and community parks and trails. An incredible return for an investment in the future of the land, wildlife, fish and lifestyle so important to each and every one of us.

It’s time to renew our RAVAL LI COUNTY OPEN LANDS BOND, time to ensure that our children and grandchildren can enjoy our land, wa ter, wildlife and the rural values that brought each of us to our valley. With the average Ravalli County household paying less than it costs for a night out at the movies or dinner, it’s a great investment in our valley’s future.

Remember it’s, “Our Valley, Our Values, Our Future.” Please do your part and vote YES on the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond.

Friends of the Lee Metcalf NWR Board Members: Paul Hayes, Tom Puchlerz, Skip Kow alski, Sharon Schroeder, Jim Schroeder, Jay Gore

Support for Open Lands Bond

I am writing to ask you all to consider voting “YES” on November 8th to renew the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond. Here’s why:

I was born and raised in the Bitter root; this is my home. This breathtak ing valley is the home where my chil dren will grow. Over the course of my life, and in the context of my career advising on real estate transactions, I’ve seen and experienced first-hand the dramatic changes that have taken place in our valley (even more rapidly these past few years). The changes are creating a noticeable impact on our way of life in the Bitterroot.

Like many Montanans, I strive to live the agricultural lifestyle. Suburban sprawl and increased land prices have made it almost impossible to afford to live that life. Conserving ranch lands is one of the most important things to me and is a vital part of our heritage. Once a perfectly productive pasture or hay ground becomes a rural sub division, it’s gone – forever. As noted above, the Open Lands program has now conserved over 10,000 acres of ranch and public/recreational land. It is important to me and those who value our heritage to see this continue.

Though it has been hard to watch how much my home has grown and changed, I do understand why people wish to come here. Our community has the opportunity to enjoy a full spectrum of outdoor recreational opportunities. I love that we have many convenient accesses to fly fish on the Bitterroot and I can go elk hunting just minutes from my house. I can take my girls for a drive and still share with them the joy of our beau tiful open landscapes while spotting a variety of wildlife species. We don’t have to take several days off work just to enjoy a hike to a quiet alpine lake and the serenity of nature. Best of all, we have the most kind and neighbor ly people. Our Bitterroot lifestyle is beautiful, simple, and laid back.

The aspects we love about our Val ley, the things that draw people here are the very things that are eroding from our way of life. Preserving the beauty, heritage, and recreational opportunities of our valley is import ant as we’ll never get these back once they’re gone.

It’s important to me to know I can still go enjoy the places I love and that my daughters will do the same. While growth is inevitable, it can happen responsibly with as few regrets as possible; voting “YES” for the Ravalli

Kelly Whitmoyer Corvallis

Have we been here before?

Do you read Heather Cox Rich ardson’s “Letters from an American”? She is a political historian who lives in Maine with her lobsterman husband, teaches at Boston College, has writ ten several very readable books, and started publishing her almost daily letters about current political events on Substack and Facebook in 2019.

I value her especially for her thor ough knowledge of American history, which had always seemed dry as dust to me, and for her ability to look back and show quite concisely how patterns have recurred since our founding.

Perhaps the dominant pattern is traced in her book “How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democ racy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America” (2020), which shows how the ideals of wealth and equality have continuously conflicted for the upper hand here.

In this land of “unlimited opportu nity,” increasingly wealthy plantation owners and then mostly white busi nessmen and politicians have repeat edly felt threatened by growing power among racial minorities, women, and workers below the middle class, and have struck back with political cunning, lies, and violence – specifi cally in the Civil War, rejection of the postwar Reconstruction which became Jim Crow, between the World Wars, and most recently beginning in the 1980s when President Reagan fa mously condemned government as not the solution to the problem, but the problem itself.

In this still-young country, found ed on the equality of all men (which today means all human beings), the government ideally tries to level the playing field so that all Americans have the same opportunities and access to both what we need and what we want in our lives.

Once again, traditionally dominant groups in our society – men, white people, Christians, straight people, the wealthy – are feeling threatened and found a voice in former President Trump, the MAGA crowd, and con spiracy theories.

So the midterm elections on No vember 8th represent another op portunity to demonstrate whether we want to be a country based on wealth and power or on equality and support ed, free opportunity and creativity.

What do you think really makes America great?

Mary Fahnestock-Thomas Hamilton

Vote Republican

Those of you who attended the GOP meeting of candidates last Wednesday at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds in Hamilton heard Ryan Zinke talk about the need for the audience, ordinary Americans, to step up and lead. A similar message is delivered by Lt Gov Mark Robinson of NC in the following linked YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=9HEalzSpHhw. Note also his crucial observation that silence will not win this war with leftists: Consider Robinson’s statement: “Imagine if the Founders had been silent.”

Robinson is more eloquent and more dynamic than Zinke , but the message is the same. We must all do our part, whatever that is, and we all must get out and vote for Republicans, regardless of the lies from the left, or personal and petty animosities toward candidates and each other. What mat ters now is turning back the hordes of socialism and tyranny. What matters now is Saving this remarkable coun try, the United States of America.

As an afterthought, I included the Editor of the Bitterroot Star in the ad dressees for this message because that paper is demonstrably in the progres sive leftist camp as cogently evidenced by the articles printed and not printed in its editorial pages over the past sev eral months. The leftists appear time and again, while the conservatives appear only from time to time.

Marc L. Sabin Corvallis

Support for Tranel

On October 25, the prestigious medical journal, The Lancet, issued a report on fossil fuel’s threat to human health and called for immediate action to reduce fossil fuel use.

On October 26, the UN released a report stating that less than 8% of the countries who had pledged to step up climate action had followed through. While the US did step up with the In flation Reduction Act with renewable energy development and other climate actions, more needs to be done. If

greenhouse gas emissions are not re duced soon, the planet’s temperature will rise past the 1.5 C degree increase, the amount agreed upon to avoid the most extreme effects of climate change in the Paris Accord.

Here in Montana, heat waves, drought, flooding and wildfires are parts of natural cycles, but with the changing climate, their frequency and severity have greatly increased.

While we can all do individual actions to help, we really need elected officials who take the climate crisis se riously and will do something about it. One such candidate is Monica Tranel who is running for the new US House of Representatives seat. She has a long history of working for all Mon tanans, saving us money on utilities, and fighting for fiscal responsibility. She advocates for Montana’s economy by promoting a quick and strong tran sition to clean, renewable energy.

78% of Monica Tranel’s campaign money is from Montana. 92% of Ryan Zinke’s campaign money is from out side of Montana. Monica Tranel will represent everyday Montana people, every day.

Charles Mabbott Darby

Response to Schneeberger

In response to the October 5 letter from John Schneeberger, I find it interesting that he begins by stating that rapid climate change is difficult to tackle with politics yet ends by advo cating government action and voting Democrat as the only solutions.

The 1972 Stockholm earth summit, followed by the UN climate talks from 1992 through 2021, resulted in few sustainable solutions. This November the 27th COP or Convention of Par ties will be held in Egypt. It is called COP 27 because this is the 27th year they’ve been meeting. This UN Cli mate Change Conference has spanned the Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump administrations.

So in 50 years we’ve determined that fossil fuels are consistent but dirty and that renewables are clean but weather dependent. Experts say that it is safer to re-explore clean nuclear energy as a solution. Bjorn Lomberg and Michael Shellenberger, climate and environmental experts, have touted nuclear energy as the only clean sustainable solution. Elon Musk and Bill Gates agree. Advances in nu clear energy indicate that it is far safer than its reputation implies.

In 2021, 61% of US electricity was generated from fossil fuels with renewables generating only 12.2%. Coal is the largest source of electricity globally. Coal power is estimated to kill around 350 times as many people per terawatt hour of energy produced, mostly from air pollution, compared to nuclear power. COP26 declared in 2021 goals to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. How is that possi ble without reliable sources of energy? It takes fossil fuels to reliably produce electricity in order to heat homes, manufacture goods and fertilizer and to transport necessities for living. The US is not compact like Europe and most people must own and drive a car in order to make a living.

The current climate change agenda and fossil fuels regulations are pre mature and destroying the economy, stealing billions from individuals’ 401(k)s and unfairly taxing US citizens through higher costs of most every thing. How can the current adminis tration justify the destruction of our entire economy without any solutions? Europe is now in a slow death spiral with rocketing energy costs the aver age citizen can’t afford all the while making Russia wealthy and stronger on the world stage while we gave up our energy independence. The citizens of Sri Lanka are starving due to their government banning fertilizers caus ing food prices to rise 80%.

This painfully complicated threat to our planet is real. For fifty years it has been politicized by activists thwarting any viable solutions like nuclear power.

Mr. Schneeberger’s statement that “Trump’s toxic politics of authoritari anism” is germane to the climate crisis is divisive and absurd in that a fouryear administration could hardly have a significant influence in this fifty-year international puzzle. Mr. Schnee burger also writes that an “individual could not reduce their contribution to zero by stepping in front of a speeding bus.” I think an individual can make a difference by voting for candidates that research the issues and offer via ble solutions.

Bonnie Glasser Stevensville

A plea to Libertarian voters

Ed Sperry’s letter to the editor in the 10/26 edition is surprising. He claims that a vote for John Lamb, Lib ertarian candidate for the U.S. House, will take votes from Ryan Zinke and give the election to Monica Tranel. I share his horror at having Tranel rep resent Montana but I would be equally nauseated with Zinke.

The conventional wisdom that Lib ertarians take votes from Republicans is wrong. I ran in 2020 as a Libertar ian and took a higher percentage of votes from the incumbent Democratic candidate than I did from the Repub lican.

Ed missed the reason why people vote for Libertarian candidates. It is not because we really want the same things that the other parties offer but just can’t make up our minds.

It is because we are tired of the business-as-usual approach of Repub licans and Democrats. We are tired of the corruption and dysfunction. We are tired that each side demoniz es the other. We vote for candidates whose party platform is based on the overarching principle that we will not use force or fraud in dealing with other people. We will use that princi ple in deciding to vote for or against any piece of legislation. No, Ed, the differences between Libertarians and Republicans are NOT one of degree. They’re one of principle.

Libertarians want decisions on how our lives will be lived to be made by and for the people who will live with the consequences whether good or bad.

Zinke and Tranel will play the same power game as their predecessors. They are not going to Washington to hand back power to us. Ed admits that “it’s all about power.” They are going to make decisions for us and shove them down our throats.

John Lamb is an honest, family man with no political baggage. He won’t represent the oil and gas indus try (Zinke) or Planned Parenthood (Tranel). He will represent the inter ests of average Montanans like you and me.

Ed admits that Zinke “may not be your choice” even if you are a Repub lican. Does Ed just want us to hold our noses and vote for the “lesser of two evils”? Evil is evil. Vote your conscience; vote for principle; vote Libertarian.

Richard Armerding Missoula

Support for Tranel

The purpose of government is to protect the people from factions of the rich and powerful - Federalist paper #10.

You might have heard that “De mocracy is on the ballot.” Well, a lot of people hold that the republic is on the line in the November 8 ballot. And what’s important here in Montana is winning another seat in the US House. Where revenue bills must originate. Where most appropriation bills orig inate.

Looking at winning House control, Republican leaders in Congress are now proposing reductions in Medicare and Social Security. And canceling some legislation supported by Presi dent Biden. And re-thinking US policy with Ukraine.

From what I have gathered, chanc es are that as of now, the Democratic party will keep control of the House, and the Senate.

Given that reality, a representative Monica Tranel will be more effective for Montana District 1, than would a representative Ryan Zinke.

Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell nailed it. The GOP lacked quality candidates for the Senate. Mehmet Oz, Herschel Walker, even J.D. Vance, may lose their races for the Senate.

For several weeks now, it’s looking like the Republican party will not wind up with 51 or more seats in the US Senate of 100 seats.

For several weeks now, it’s looking like the Republican party will gain a few seats in the US House. But not gain enough seats to win control of the House.

For instance, of the 435 House seats, the Republican party may wind up with 216, or 217 House seats. The Democratic party may wind up as the majority party in the House, say with 219 seats to 216 Republican seats. Or even 218 seats to 217 Republican seats.

Right, Republicans could wind up with 218 or 219 House seats. Even though, in most House races, Repub lican campaign fundraising now lags behind Democratic campaign fund raising.

In a narrowly balanced House,

County Open Lands Bond will help ensure that.

It’s official - Stevi High School will have baseball

The Stevensville Public Schools has officially announced the addition of high school baseball in the Spring of 2023. On October 11th, 2022, the Stevens ville Board of Trustees officially approved the hiring of Ray Gavlak as its first head baseball coach. The commitment to participate required fundraising to overcome financial barriers result ing from start-up costs for equipment, facility needs, and coaching

salaries. In the end, the community rallied to make that happen.

The opportunity for students to participate in high school base ball was made possi ble because of strong community support, according to Activities Director Brian Gum. Key participants in the effort included the STARS Foundation, Stevensville Booster Club, students, parents, and community members.

“As the Activities

Director here in Ste vensville I wanted to see this opportunity fly,” said Gum. “I have previously coached some of these boys that will be involved in the program growing up in Little League and Jr. Babe.

Stevensville is a baseball town, and this is a sport we should compete in

quite well. It was great to see our students, their families, and the town rally for this opportu nity. Right now, we are in the process of pur chasing uniforms and equipment, while look ing forward to hiring an assistant coach as well.”

The Yellowjack ets baseball team will

compete with 18 schools throughout Montana in the inaugural season.

“It is an honor to be the first head baseball coach at Stevensville High School,” said Coach Gavlak. “High school baseball has been a dream of mine for sev eral years. I am excited we are giving the oppor

tunity to the youth in our area to play baseball at the high school level. I am looking forward to what the future holds for this program, given the dedication and strong support of this baseball family and community. Go Jackets!”

Deer, elk check station totals outpacing recent seasons in west-central Montana

After the first two weekends of big game season, west-central Montana hunter check stations are reporting elk and deer harvest totals that are up from last season and the five-year average.

The number of hunter trips through the Darby, Bonner, Anaconda and Fish Creek check stations totaled 3,728 for the first two weekends of the season, right on track with last season at this point, but those hunters checked 149 elk collectively, compared to 92 at this point in 2021. Hunters checked 40 mule deer during the first two weekends of the season, compared to 30 last year, and 148 white-tailed deer, compared to 90 in 2021.

Elk harvest totals are up at all four hunter check stations in the region, but the Darby station has seen the biggest bump. FWP wild life biologist, Rebecca Mowry, said

that the Darby station is seeing strong numbers of harvested elk out of the Big Hole Valley.

“There is more elk hunting opportunity on the general license this year in Hunting District (HD) 321 in the Big Hole, and in gener al, people are reporting seeing a lot of elk around.” Mowry said.

HD 321 also covers more area this year, as a result of recent hunting district boundary ad justments, giving hunters more places to harvest elk on the general license. Forest fires over the past few years have also improved elk forage and habitat in new places.

More liberal hunting regula tions for white-tailed deer have also helped to boost harvest in some parts of the region. The Bonner hunter check station is reporting a harvest of 101 whitetailed deer, many from Blackfoot hunting districts, compared to 67

Martin Kukich, Broker MT/lD GRI, ABR, CNHS, PSA, SFR 406-241-9982 P.O. Box 475 Victor, MT 59875 martykukich@hotmail.com

Investment Property!

at this point in 2021.

The Fish Creek hunter check station doesn’t have as long of a history of operation as the other stations but has become a good tool for tracking trends in the western reaches of the region in recent years. Wildlife biologist Ryan Klimstra has recorded 364 hunters through the station in the first two weekends. Two checked bull elk during the season’s second weekend, while one had a mule deer buck.

“Those that were able to get out enjoyed some nice hunting weather this weekend, and as we get a bit later into the season, ani mals are starting to move around,” Klimstra said.

Hunters must stop at all check stations that they pass, even if they have not harvested any animals. The general big game season runs through Sunday, Nov. 27.

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Sports

Lady Tigers nab big win over Victor

Valley wrestlers hold Battle of ‘Root

Florence blasts Whitehall in playoff victory

by Thomas Spencer

by Thomas Spencer

Florence-Carlton senior QB Patrick Duchien was masterful in Florence’s 47-13 dismantling of Whitehall in the Falcons’ first round Class B state tournament win on October 29th. Duchien passed for 315 yards, ran for 77 yards, and scored 6 total TDs (3 rushing and 3 passing) in front of a lively home crowd. Florence’s execution was crisp and efficient as they method ically moved the ball up and down the field on offense and thwarted Whitehall’s chances on defense.

“I was a proud, proud coach, they channeled a great amount of emotion,” said Heather Berry, head coach of the Darby Tigers, following their dramatic win over valley rival Victor, 51-47. Going into Friday’s game the Lady Tigers had struggled in their first game against the Pirates, but it was a different story this weekend. Coach Berry aimed at clarifying expectations and focusing her athletes on what they could control.

“As always, our defense did its thing and got the stops we needed,” said Florence’s head coach Pat Duchien, “but I’ll have to say, it was the most gelled our offense has been this year. We made the reads, we made the right throws, we made the right adjustments - everyone was on the same page.”

Drawing together all the wrestlers in the valley over the weekend Florence hosted the 2022 Mike McChesney Battle of the ‘Root. And it was once again Corvallis with 99 points that took home the trophy this year, bringing pride and honor to that program. Florence came within striking distance at 70 team points followed by Hamilton at 53 and Stevensville at 47 total points. Besides the team rankings and scores, individual athletes were recognized by the competing schools’ coaches. Jason Davis from Corvallis, wrestling at 138, was recognized as the “Bitterroot Valley Outstanding Wrestler.” Davis pinned Dillon Janes in 2:45. The lone Florence senior, wrestling at 205, was recognized as the Bitterroot Valley Wrestling Ambassador, won by pin in his match earlier in the day against Cadogan Wheat of Hamilton.

Florence WR Tyler Abbot had 9 catches for 136 yards and 2 TDs, Ethan Alexander caught 5 passes for 48 yards and scored a TD, and DE Col ten Rice had 9 tackles, 3 sacks, and took an interception 25 yards into the endzone for a TD.

we’ve been able to achieve this opponents. Kanyon Stoker at

For Florence Head Coach Skip Rosenthal, the event is unique in a variety of ways. He said, “The ‘Root is really a special event. In addition to bragging rights, it is one of the rare opportunities Florence gets a chance to wrestle against the other Bit-

The Lady Pirates controlled the game, much like they did in the first matchup, until late in the fourth quarter. With a minute-forty remaining in the game it was 4143 Pirates and Victor senior Bella Schicilone forced a foul driving the lane and found herself at the foul line with the hope of going up by four. She nailed the first one, 4144, then missed the second. With the ball back, Lady Tiger number 12 Samantha Shull launched up a jumper that banked in. Now in transition racing down the floor, Schicilone drove hard in the paint and drew another foul with the opportunity to extend the Pirate lead. After missing the first, she hit the second, 43-45 Pirates. Then Lady Tigers inbounded the ball rushing down with 47 seconds remaining when freshman Petra Mustafa rebounded the long shot and banked in a basket with a foul sending her

Florence’s reward for the win is a 385 mile trip east to face Huntley Project on Saturday, No vember 5th. The quarterfinal matchup features two of the best teams in Class

opening week win against No. 4 Malta was their closest game all year.

Darby boys prevail against Pirates

“To be the best you have to play the best and face a bit of adversity,” said Duchien. “Huntley is very good at what they do and there won’t be many surprises. You know what they’re going to do, you just have to stop it. They run a typical Wing T Offense with a lot of misdirection. They mostly run the ball and will throw it maybe 3-7 times in a game. But when they do throw it they are very effective, and if you’re not ready they will burn you.”

In last year’s postseason, the Falcons had the luxury of all home games; this week they are the road team. “Playing on the road just throws you out of your routine,” said Duchien.

Jonny Williams pinned Jett Murray of Florence in 1:57. For Coach Davis, “Luke Nuttal at 113 beating John Post that was a huge one. That match I figured could go either way.”

“You’re sleeping in a different bed, you’re eating different foods. Everything is just a little off. But that’s all part of the adversity that you have to overcome. We have to keep our minds right this week and improve on our mistakes and do all the little things right. Then we’ll see how it all shakes out.”

That match was important for the Blue Devil victory on the day. The Falcon wrestlers are mostly in the upper-weight classes and dominated in those areas, whereas the Blue Devils won many of the matches in the lower weight classes which ultimately led them to 99 points and first place.

did it well.”

Florence and Huntley Project will play in Worden on Saturday, November 5th at 1 p.m. The winner will play either Boulder or Malta in the state semifinals the following week.

Stevi plays Florence on Senior Night

by Thomas Spencer

practice looked like leading up to this matchup and what they anticipated, Coach Smith said, “We always know that a rival game can go any way, so our biggest advice was to keep our head in the game, play our game and hustle and work together and they definitely worked together! And with a little press the whole game we wanted to slow them down and try taking advantage of a few mistakes.”

Hamilton to host Whitefish in playoff opener Divisional volleyball this week

By the end of the third quarter, this game was still very close, 32-28, but the final score was 41-60. Darby had a great fourth quarter, outscoring the Pirates 28-13. Townsend and Smith both had stellar 4th quarters, each posting 8 and Reed had 6 in that quarter.

“Until the game is over, my only thoughts are to keep putting the ball

The Hamilton football team begins the Class A State tournament on Saturday, November 5th when they host Whitefish at 1 p.m. Hamilton (9-0), the top seed and defending State Class A Champion, had a bye in the first round. Whitefish (7-3) defeated Havre 17-7 in the first round on October 29th. Whitefish is led by dual threat senior QB Fynn Ridge way who has passed for 1684 yards and 15 TDs and has rushed for 1259 yards and 17 TDs on the season.

by Thomas Spencer

On Thursday night the Lady Yellowjackets and community celebrated their seniors from the girls basketball team, cheer, and other extracurricular activities. And although the Lady Jackets did not walk away with a win against Florence, they competed against a strong, well coached team and the atmosphere of the night remained positive and cheerful. The three seniors on the basketball team that were recognized on the night were Hailey Thomas, Kelti Wandler, and Faith Huenergardt.

has the greatest sense of humor and quick wit, which brings a lot of levity to the team, whether during practices, team meetings or games. Kelti is otherwise a quiet person, who brings a competi tive fire to games that is so fun to watch.”

Hamilton’s head coach Bryce Carver feels his team is in good shape going into the playoffs. “We’ve had two weeks to heal all the bruises and bumps,” said Carver. “I tell the kids that most of the other teams have already turned in their gear, so don’t take any second for granted. It sounds cliche, but we really have to take it one game at a time. There are only eight teams left. They will all be good, so we have to be ready every week.”

in the basket, hustle back, play hard defense, and outwork the opponent,” said Smith. “This group of boys never

and play in the varsity game. You saw the players and fans go berserk when Faith al most scored in the first minute of the varsity game!”

The volleyball teams from Hamilton, Stevensville, and Corvallis travel to East Helena for the Western A Divisional tournament on November 3rd-5th. Hamilton is the Southwest’s #1 seed and plays Ronan on Thursday, Novem ber 3rd at 12 noon. Stevensville is the Southwest’s #3 seed and plays Columbia Falls on Thursday, November 3rd at 10 a.m. If Hamilton and Stevensville both win, they will meet in the second round. Corvallis is the Southwest’s #4 seed and plays Polson on Thursday, November 3rd at 4 p.m.

the two teams only separated by 4 and the Falcons also managed to keep that lead in the fourth as well but only outscoring the Yellowjackets by 2 in that quar ter. The final score was 61-43, Florence.

quit, so if we are behind or ahead, it’s not over until the buzzer rings.”

aconda for the 6B district tournament on Saturday, October 29th. In their first round game they lost to Deer Lodge 1-3 (16-25, 25-19, 24-26, 19-25). Mad die Potter had 4 aces and 19 digs, Elise Schneiter had 10 kills, Olivia Coulter had 13 assists. In the consolation game, they defeated Arlee 3-1 (25-18, 25-19, 12-25, 25-19). Maddie Potter had 14 digs and 7 aces, Quinn Skaggs had 9 kills, and Mag gie Schneiter and Olivia Coulter each had 10 assists.

The Jackets were carried by their Captain, junior Clair Hutchinson, who had an out standing night.

Stevi boys drop one to Frenchtown

Carver likes how his team finished the regular season. “I feel like we have played our best in the last two games against Columbia Falls and Libby,” said Carver. “I felt we were really locked in. It’s nice to be peak ing at the right time. The guys are really starting to get it.”

Hamilton has had a lot of postseason experience in recent years. “We’ve been here before and it’s not a shock for us to be in the play offs,” said Carver. “I feel we’ll be able to focus in and get the job done. We know what it takes to make it to the top. That experience gives us a great advantage.”

Stevensville head coach Bill Fulbright, speaking to his experience coaching Hailey Thomas, commented, “I have been privileged to coach Hailey for the past four years. Hailey is one of the toughest young ladies, mentally and physically, you will ever meet, and yet is so com passionate toward everybody around her. She plays her heart out every time she is on the court. I couldn’t ask for a player with a better attitude.”

Finally, speaking to his time with Faith Huenergardt, Ful bright remarked, “Faith has played with our Frosh more team in our program since she was a freshman.

Both teams came out fast and strong in the first quarter, not really giving much up on defense for either team but Stevi managed to come out ahead 10-7 going into the second quarter. But, like she has done many times this sea son, Florence’s Kasidy Yeoman went off in the second quarter with 11 of the Falcons 27 to end the second half.

The Fighting Yellowjackets took on the Broncs of Frenchtown on Saturday in Stevensville. The Yellowjackets came out really strong in the first quarter, beating some tough defensive pressure numerous times and capitalizing on strong drives to the basket and open looks from the floor. The first quarter ended 13-14 Frenchtown where Kellan Beller had 8 in that quarter and was absolutely everywhere. Beller worked strongly defensively and played really strong to the

Faith has a won derfully cheerful, upbeat attitude about everything, and doesn’t let anything get her down. It was an

Hamilton hosts Whitefish on Saturday, November 5th at 1 p.m. The winner will play either Dillon or Billings Central in the state semifinals the following week.

Corvallis earned the #4 seed by winning two play-in games. First, they played Frenchtown on Thursday, Oc tober 27th and won 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-22). Emmy Jessop had 4 aces and 9 assists, Tylin Sorensen had 9 kills, Jessica Saturday had 16 digs, and Olivia Lewis had 6 blocks and 3 aces. This win sent them to Butte Central on Saturday, October 29th to play the Maroons with a ticket to Divisionals on the line. Corval lis lost the first set 25-27, then won three straight (25-23, 25-22, 25-22) to win 3-1.

The Florence girls traveled to An

in the fourth and responded with 9 of their own including 5 from Tad Tackes in that quarter. Beller accounted for 14, Tackes, 9, Travino, 5, and Grazzani had 4 on the night. This Saturday also happened to be Senior Night for the young Stevi squad and in a sea of junior boys, Lorenzo Grazzani stood out as the team’s only senior. Grazzani, an Italian exchange

Florence hosts the Western B Divi sionals on November 3rd-5th. As the #3 seed, Florence plays Thompson Falls on Thursday, November 3rd at 11:45 a.m.

When asked later what he liked about his experience, Grazzani said, “My favorite aspect about being an exchange student is to experience a new type of life and culture with new people and have the opportunity to play basketball at a higher level than before.”

“Claire had a real good game, turning hard work on defense into steals and fast breaks on of fense,” said Fulbright. Hutchin son had 21 on the night, scoring mostly in transition but she was also effective pulling up from the mid and three-point range as well. But the Lady Jackets are most effective in the more runand-gun style of play.

Darby and Victor played in the Dis trict 13C tournament in Missoula. Darby played Valley Christian on Thursday, October 27th and lost 0-3 (19-25, 1125, 8-25). Then on Friday they played Philipsburg and lost 1-3 (13-25, 25-22, 18-25, 23-25).

“They only missed two shots in the 2nd quarter alone,” Fulbright said. That quarter proved to be the defining moment of the game.

Victor played Philipsburg on Thurs day, October 27th and lost 0-3 (12-25, 10-25, 22-25). Then on Friday they played Seeley Swan and lost 0-3 (18-25, 14-25, 19-25).

The third quarter was fairly close with

“I’ve played basketball in Italy for five years,” said Grazzani. “This is my sixth year in a club, because in my country school and sports are separate programs.” Grazzani usually exhibits a positive attitude and it wasn’t surprising to hear his response when asked what he liked most about his team and experience thus far. “I love how we support each other on our team. Our coaches are trying to make us compete and get better every single day.”

“Getting the ball up the floor quickly and without a lot of wasted dribbling is something we have been working on all year,” said Fulbright. “It’s gratify ing to see the progress the girls have made this year, and to see it work effectively during parts of the game.”

The Florence athletes won several matches on the day. Seth Wilson pinned Connor Jessop of Corvallis, Aidyn

to the line and sending a wave of hope to the Darby sideline. Her made basket was thwarted by a line violation, bringing the score to 45-45, Pirate ball.

Strong backcourt pressure from the Tigers forced a bad pass right

momentum, the Lady Tigers marched

Tournament. And if you are a and was followed by Mustafa who had

Darby’s Preston Smith scans Caleb Rockwood and the Pirate defense. Photo by Thomas

Yellowjacket Lorenzo Grazzani (12) , an exchange student from Italy and

Florence’s Luke Maki with the pin at the Battle of the ‘Root wrestling match. Photo by Stephanie K Geiser Photography.

Corvallis took first place in the Battle of the ‘Root. Photo by Stephanie K Geiser Photography.

Scott Sacry Sports Editor

B. In the latest 406mtsports.com’s poll, Huntley Project was ranked No. 2 and Florence was ranked No. 3. Huntley Project is 10-0 on the season

and is fresh off a 52-14 win over Cut Bank in the opening round. Huntley Project has been dominant all season and has yet to be truly tested - a 21-0

Florence’s #15 Patrick Duchien makes a pass while #79 Jared Weaver and #77 Jonathan Luhmann offer protection. Duchien had 6 total TDs in Florence’s 47-13 victory over Whitehall. Photo courtesy of Stephanie K Geiser Photography.

Florence’s #42 Hayden Warriner makes a tackle with #24 Colten Rice coming in for support. Photo courtesy of Stephanie K Geiser Photography.

MAPS student films nominated for national award

nonprofit, MAPS Media Institut, head quartered in Hamilton, made the list.

NATAS is the organization behind the Emmy Awards. It was founded in 1947 to recognize outstanding achieve ments, raise industry standards, and improve the quality of television and advanced media.

“The EMMY Awards are the ‘gold standard’ in the television broadcast industryrecognizing the very best of the best. Similarly, our National Stu dent Produc tion Awards recognize the very best from our industry’s next genera tion of media creators and leaders,” said Terry O’Reil ly, Chairman, NATAS. “The work they’re doing today promises an amazing fu ture aheadfor them, and for the entire television community.”

“The work cre ated by our nominees is exemplary,” said Danielle Mannion, Education Chair, NA TAS. “Each year the students and their teach

ers raise the bar of excellence higher. The future of the industry looks bright with these talented individuals leading the way!”

This year’s submissions were successfully culled from over 2000 entries from the regional chapters of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Entries were judged by selected industry professionals and media academics.

The five MAPS student films nom inated for the National High School Student Production Award represent student voices of students from the following communities:

● Waking the Generations (Fort Belknap, MT), Long Form Non-Fiction

● Peaceful as the Buffalo (Poplar, MT), Long Form Non-Fiction

● No Ordinary Time (Helena, MT), Long Form Non-Fiction

● I Am (Frazer, MT), Short Form Non-Fiction

● I Am a Warrior (Brockton, MT), Short Form Non-Fiction

In the nominated film, Waking the Generations, students from the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation shine a light on the painful and hidden details of their ancestral past to help others understand why their heritage should never be allowed to fade away. This socially relevant film connects how cultural identification today honors the past and can save and preserve an entire way of life for future genera tions. After wrapping this film, several student filmmakers continue to work with MAPS on new film projects.

MAPS and students participating in the Helena College Summer Bridge Program collaborated on nominated, No Ordinary Time. This short-form documentary explores the parallels be tween the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic and the COVID Pandemic.

In the 2020 - 2021 school year, the Fort Peck Community College CHANTÉ Project invited MAPS to partner with them to bring profes sional media arts programming into Brockton, Frazer, Poplar, and Wolf Point schools on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. This collaboration led to an online film course that met weekly and culminated in a two-week in-per son intensive film workshop. The re sult of this workshop is two nominees,

I Am (Frazer, MT) and I Am a Warrior (Brockton, MT).

Through the lens of the MAPS Media Lab, the Statewide Educational Outreach Program of MAPS Media In stitute, Program Director Craig Falcon noted, “Seeing native youth expressing their vision and story through media arts makes my heart sing,” regard ing the Fort Belknap, Poplar, and CHANTÉ Project films.

The final nominated film, Peaceful as the Buffalo, marks MAPS second collaboration with The Buffalo Unity Project, a program created by Poplar Middle School on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. In this film, students and community leaders share their perspectives on the importance of the buffalo for the Assiniboine and Sioux people. This project aims to help stu dents learn that communities thrive when united in a common purpose.

“These nominations are testa ments to the creativity, courage, and determination of Montana’s students. They are also evidence of the amazing things that can come from nonprofits, schools, state/federal agencies, and private businesses working together to provide opportunities that make achievements like these possible,” said Clare Ann Harff, MAPS Executive Director.

The nominated films were made possible with generous support from Brockton High School, Fort Peck Community College CHANTÉ Project, Frazer High School, Greater Montana Foundation, Helena College, Island Mountain Development Group, Na tional Endowment for the Humanities, Poplar Middle School, and MAPS.

Recipients will be announced at the web stream NATAS Award Ceremony on November 17, 2022. The ceremony will be available on NATAS’ dedicated viewing platform powered by Vimeo, available on the web at https://watch. theemmys.tv and via The Emmys® apps for iOS, tvOS, Android, FireTV, Roku, and Samsung TV. MAPS will also post a link on its website’s home page.

For more information about MAPS, and to watch any of the award-win ning and nominated films, please visit: mapsmediainstitute.com .

A season for streamers

It’s like a ritual among river regu lars: The air turns chilly and out come the streamer boxes.

Brown trout get notoriously aggressive this time of year, and the rainbows and cutthroats go on the prowl as the water chills and the days get shorter.

If you’re just getting started with streamers, follow your instincts. You’ll get results if you put a streamer fly where you think a fish might eat it –and make it swim.

You don’t have to match the hatch. Big fish eat little fish all the time. This isn’t the only time of year to fish streamers, but it’s a good time to start.

An easy game

Anybody who can cast fairly decently can fish stream ers– and you might be surprise yourself with the results.

For openers, there are four major food groups in the trout’s stream er diet: Leeches, crayfish, baitfish, and scul pins.

overcast days.

They won’t hurt you. They gener ally tend to swim fairly close to the surface in the same water where trout like to hold. They wiggle in a serpen tine motion when they swim, stopping and starting in a series of short bursts.

When I’m fishing a leech I usually stick with whatev er leader I have on for dry flies. If it’s finer than 3X I’ll cut back into the taper so I can add a 3X tippet to the heavier tapered section.

Chuck Stranahan

Cast a leech pattern up and across, keep the line straight while the fly sinks by flipping (or mending) it on the current, then begin a series of one-foot-persecond strips. Vary this pull length and the speed of your retrieve.

When you get a hit, stick

make a firm back-cast and wait for it to unfurl.

With the heavier conehead bugger, I like to get that dry fly leader off and replace it with about an eight-foot section of 8# Maxima. It’s ugly to cast, but the straight leader gives me better contact with the

fly than a tapered leader.

A #6 Wooly Bugger in brown or olive, maybe with a touch of orange or yellow, serves as a good crawdad representation. The J. J. Special adds rubber legs to the mix.

The sink-tip line comes into its own here. With a sink-tip I use about four feet or less of level leader.

Vary your depth and retrieve until you find what works. Comb the water along the current edges and the bottom of medium speed runs.

Baitfish streamers

unweighted flies to four-inch-long creatures that would also do well in salt water. Just choose something to

Let’s start with leeches. Remember seeing those gooey brown buttons on the rocks in the stream? Those are leech es.

At nightfall they detach from the rocks and elongate themselves and swim around devouring plankton. This time of year they’ll also be out on

with the retrieve that brought it. And you’ll know when you get a hit.

The versatile bugger

Same strategy, basically, for the Wooly Bugger. The added weight will get the fly down quicker and deeper. With a Bugger or any weighted fly,

For my purposes, any thing that swims like a minnow is a baitfish. That category includes actual minnows such as the black-nosed dace and the redside shiner, baby pikeminnows and whitefish, and baby trout. Think about it: trout eat their children. Match the baby rainbow hatch.

Baitfish can be represented by everything from small #8 and #10

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- Supports bills protecting life and your constitutional rights.

- Supports an Article V convention of states to propose constitutional amendments requiring a balanced federal budget and term limits.

- Opposes anti-constitutional “nullification” of federal law.

• Leader - Chairs the joint education appropriations committee.

- Champions increasing career and technical education opportunities.

- Serves on a workgroup crafting commonsense election reforms.

- Spearheading effort to return the Montana values of civility and ethics to Ravalli County politics.

fit your tackle and your mood, and fish.

Retrieve a baitfish fly like a min now. Make it swim where trout are likely to see minnows and chase them down and eat them.

Sculpins

I think of sculpins as separate from the other baitfishes. They don’t swim like a minnow or baby trout. They hug the bottom, usually in the tail-out ends of runs or pools, or along the edges of pocket water.

Sculpins are ugly. They look like baby codfish – and that’s what they are: freshwater codfish. When one gets washed away, it struggles in the cur rent until it regains its equilibrium.

The best sculpin pattern I’ve ever fished has a buoyant deer-hair head and is weighted in the middle. It drifts head-up on a slack line, then dives toward the sinking tip of the fly line when retrieved. This fly produces.

Fish any sculpin pattern in about a two-foot pull, broken into short erratic jerks. Make it look like an ugly little fish that’s scared, and trying to avoid being eaten by a bigger predator.

And brace yourself.

• 4th generation Montanan, born and raised in Hamilton

• retired U.S. Army colonel - combat veteran - West Point professor

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692, Hamilton, MT 59840

Big brown trout like this one eat sculpins.

Chuck’s Sculpin is his favorite fall streamer pattern.

Judge hears testimony in case against vaccine-choice law

by Mara Silvers Montana Free Press

More than a dozen med ical professionals and other witnesses took the stand in federal court last week to urge a judge to overturn portions of House Bill 702, the Montana law that broadly prohibits workplace vaccine mandates and discrimination based on vaccine status.

The bench trial, held in Missoula before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, is intended to decide whether the high-profile law can be en forced in hospitals, physician offices and other health care settings. The legal challenge has been working its way through the court system for over a year.

Plaintiffs include the Montana Medical Association, the Montana Nurses Associ ation, Providence St. Patrick Hospital, doctors’ offices and immunocompromised patients. In court filings and testimony, they have argued HB 702 conflicts with federal requirements and health care providers’ duty to generally provide safe environments for patients and staff.

Additionally, plaintiffs say the law violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. and Montana constitutions by arbitrarily providing longterm care, assisted living and nursing homes more leniency than other health care settings treating similar patients. The elderly and immunocompro mised patients who reside in the exempted facilities, plaintiffs argue, also routinely seek treatment in hospitals, outpatient clinics and private physicians’ offices.

In his opening statement on Monday, attorney Raph Graybill summarized HB 702 as a law that “sabotages public health” and constitutes a “clear and present danger” by interfering with plaintiffs’ ability to use best-practice

disease prevention techniques in health care settings.

Although they filed expert testimony and depositions in the case, the attorneys representing the state and the Department of Labor and Industry did not put any witnesses on the stand during court proceedings this week. In oral arguments and briefings, state attorneys have rejected the idea that the law is causing serious hardship for health care providers or patients. Rather, Assistant Solicitor General Brent Mead cast the case as a dispute over the state’s ability to regulate society and protect residents from discrimination “based on their medical choices.”

“The purpose of HB 702 is to prevent discrimination,” Mead said. “It’s not a public health law.”

Sponsored by Republicans during the 2021 Legislature and signed by Gov. Greg Gian forte as part of a wave of back lash against COVID-19-driven public health measures, HB 702 prohibits discrimination based on vaccination status for people seeking public accommodations and employ ment. The law also prohibits workplaces from recording their employees’ vaccination status, although employ ers are allowed to ask staff to supply that information voluntarily. The law applies to vaccines and immuniza tions generally, appearing to conflict with workplace vaccination requirements for other contagious diseases that predate the pandemic.

HB 702 provides some ex ceptions, mainly by allowing vaccine requirements to con tinue in K-12 public schools and daycares. As a result of an amendment proposed by Gianforte, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and long-term care facilities are also exempted to avoid conflicts with federal health authorities and protect the

high-risk elderly residents.

In addition to the case before Molloy, the law is facing two other lawsuits. One challenges its application in private businesses while the other argues it is unenforce able on sovereign tribal lands.

As it relates to COVID-19 vaccinations, the law has been blocked since March for all health care facilities that are required to comply with pandemic-era vaccination requirements set by the fed eral Centers for Medicaid and Medicare, a list that includes hospitals and other health providers. In that decision, Molloy ruled that forcing health care facilities to comply with the state law could cause them irreparable harm by jeopardizing their funding from the federal Medicaid and Medicare programs.

While acknowledging the importance of COVID-19 vaccines in combating the virus, attorneys for plaintiffs have focused in court on how HB 702 preempts existing vaccine requirements in health care settings for other communicable diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, tuberculosis, diph theria, pertussis and hepatitis B. On Tuesday, Providence St. Patrick chief operating officer Kirk Bodlovic testified that the Missoula hospital and St. Joseph Medical Center in Pol son have long required those vaccinations as a condition of employment for their staff and maintain that policy in order to protect their clients and comply with federal guidelines.

Dr. Bonnie Stephens, a pe diatric and neonatal physician and the Chief Medical Officer at Community Medical Center in Missoula, filed expert testi mony stating that it is a “stan dard of care” for providers in a neonatal intensive care unit to be current on a range of vaccines to avoid outbreaks, such as whooping cough,

among patients and staff.

“They themselves are at a higher risk of getting a communicable disease or infectious disease,” Stephens said. “And if they then were to get it, they would place their patient at higher risk.”

In court, plaintiffs also said HB 702 prevents health care employers from record ing the specific vaccinations of their employees, a tool witnesses said helps medical facilities respond to disease outbreaks and keep vulnera ble patients safe from addi tional exposure. Because of the new law, plaintiffs said facilities like St. Patrick and Western Montana Clinic, a private physician office, can’t know for sure which of their employees are up to date on vaccines for flu and other contagions. That, for exam ple, means they can’t reliably accommodate a patient who requests to be treated only by vaccinated staff.

Medical practitioners and researchers, including former Montana State Medical Officer Greg Holzman and Dr. David N. Taylor, the director of clinical research at Bozeman Health, said vaccination is critical in allowing providers to protect against infectious diseases and reduce the spread of viruses. Holzman said vaccines rank higher than personal protective equip ment such as masks in the “hi erarchy of control,” a concept for responding to contagious disease outbreaks.

For example, Holzman said, a neonatal intensive care unit might require a pertussis vaccine for anyone who enters the facility, or an oncology department treating cancer patients could require vaccines as a precaution for anyone who is working with immunosuppressed patients.

“I would want the hospital or the clinic or the dialysis center to be able to make those decisions knowing

their own risk benefits in that community, knowing the type of patients they’re taking care of,” Holzman said.

At times during the trial, state attorneys sought to poke holes in witness testimony and raise doubts about how well COVID-19 vaccinations specifically work to reduce infection. During one line of questioning, state attorney Michael Russell scrutinized a study cited in Taylor’s written testimony, suggesting that research could not definitive ly calculate that millions of COVID-19 infections had been averted because of vaccines.

“You can’t prove a nega tive, can you?” Russell posed.

“What we can prove,” Taylor replied, is that the approved vaccine regimes against COVID-19 had shown “over 90% protective efficacy” and been proven to decrease the spread and serious illness from the coronavirus, particu larly in earlier strains.

“That’s data. That’s solid. That’s not conjecture,” Taylor said.

In court filings and closing statements, state attorneys also tried to undercut plain tiffs’ arguments that HB 702 interfered with providers’ ability to accomodate disabled patients and staff under the Americans with Disabili ties Act. Defense attorneys argued that plaintiffs had not adequately proved that HB 702 runs afoul of the ADA by offering specific evidence.

“You don’t have that documented accommodation request in front of you,” Mead said in closing arguments to Molloy Wednesday morning.

“The plaintiffs did not present you with the information nec essary to prove preemption.”

In testimony last week, plaintiff attorneys presented three immune-suppressed pa tients who have taken special precautions to protect their health during the pandemic. All three said they had tried to

inquire about the vaccination status of their health care providers but were not provided with that information.

Mark Carpenter, a Missoula County resident, took the stand Mon day to explain his experience of seeking medical care for chronic kid ney disease during the pandemic. After six total doses of COVID-19 vaccines and more than one treatment of monoclonal antibodies, Carpenter said he has built up minimal antibodies. Until the passage of HB 702, Carpenter said, it “never occurred” to him to question the staff’s vaccination against dangerous diseases.

In cross-examination, state attorney Russell asked Carpenter if he had ever been denied a request to be treated by vaccinated staff because of his illness. Carpenter, briefly overcome with emotion, said the “horrific experiences” he’s had since receiving his diagnosis hav en’t always allowed for that kind of advanced planning. He recounted one instance when his wife rushed him to the hospital because he was having trouble breathing.

“There’s no time in those circumstances to file a written docu ment,” Carpenter said through tears. “You expect to get care in a health care setting.”

Two more witnesses, Wallace and Diana Jo Page who testified via Zoom from Kalispell, spoke about their health vulnerability because of cancer treatments that suppressed their immune systems. During the pandemic, Diana Jo Page said the couple, both in their 80s, remained distanced from friends and family until vaccines became available. Even then, Diana said, she avoided being taken to the hospital emergency room when she suffered an asthma attack shortly after the Fourth of July because she was nervous about increased exposure to viruses.

While she was acutely worried about encountering other sick patients, Diana said she was also concerned about the vaccination status of her providers.

“They take an oath to do no harm,” Page testified on Tuesday. “I just can’t imagine that a medical facility that is treating people who are vulnerable would not take every precaution that they can to keep their patients safe.”

Citing those concerns, plaintiffs have asked Molloy to permanent ly block the law in most health care settings — places where, plaintiff attorney Justin Cole said Wednesday, “knowledge of immunity status matters the most.” Cole noted that doesn’t mean overturning the law in its entirety.

In his final remarks, Mead attempted to dispel specific arguments listed in the plaintiffs’ case, including that the state was wrong to pass distinct regulations for different types of licensed health care settings. Above all, Mead told Molloy that advancing anti-discrimi nation laws is an inherent part of the state’s ability to regulate how society functions. The state’s prerogative as expressed through HB 702, he said, should not be overruled because of plaintiffs’ nods to federal regulations.

Mead acknowledged that HB 702’s focus on vaccines and vaccine requirements is a “hotly contested issue.” But the plaintiff’s disagree ment over the contents of the bill, he said, doesn’t mean they have a sufficient legal case.

“The Montana Legislature made a choice to protect Montanans from discrimination based on vaccination status,” Mead said. Plain tiffs, he continued, “do have a form and remedy for their preferred choice. It’s just not here and it’s just not this case. It’s two months from now in Helena when the Legislature reconvenes.”

Noting the volume of filings and evidence presented in testimony, Molloy said he would provide a ruling on the merits of the case at a later date.

“It’s likely to be not a great deal of time, but it’s not going to hap pen tomorrow,” he said.

Until then, Molloy said the preliminary injunction allowing health care facilities to require COVID-19 vaccines for their staff remains in place.

Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee accepting proposals

The Ravalli County Re source Advisory Committee (RAC) is now accepting new project proposals for 2023. The project submission deadline is close of business on December 15th, 2022. The RAC is anticipating approximately $200,000 in project funding to award. Funding and administra tion for the Ravalli RAC is provided under the authority of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Deter mination Act.

Projects must benefit Na tional Forest System lands and ecosystems in Ravalli County. Projects must meet established criteria and improve federal lands in the follow ing areas: roads and trails, infra structure mainte nance, soil and forest ecosystem health, watershed restoration, mainte nance and improve ment of wildlife and fish habitat, control of noxious weeds, re-estab lishment of native species.

At least 50% of all project funds are dedicated to restoring streams

and watersheds; or road maintenance, decommis sioning or removal. Projects may be on private land but must show a direct benefit to National Forest System lands.

Project application forms are available online at https://www.fs.usda. gov/Internet/FSE_DOCU MENTS/fseprd680169.pdf. To submit a project propos al, send an application totod. mckay@usda.gov by Decem ber 15th, 2022.

The Ravalli Resource Ad visory Committee will meet in the winter of 2023 to hear project proposals and make

funding recommendations. Meeting dates have not yet been finalized. The RAC is comprised of a group of local citizens representing a wide array of interests. Since 2001, RAC has approved more than $2.65 million in funding for projects that benefit National Forest Sys tem lands in Ravalli County.

For more information on submitting a project pro posal, contact Abbie Jossie, Darby/Sula District Ranger at 406-821-4244 or abbie. jossie@usda.gov or Tod McKay, RAC Coordinator at 406-363-7122.

Sun10:03-12:0310:26-12:26 Mon10:49-12:49-Tue11:12-1:1211:36-1:36

Fri9:33-11:339:56-11:56 Sat10:18-12:1810:41-12:41

Day Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset Wed8:20 a.m.6:18 p.m.4:20 p.m.1:14 a.m. Thu8:22 a.m.6:17 p.m.4:41 p.m.2:33 a.m. Fri8:23 a.m.6:15 p.m.5:00 p.m.3:50 a.m. Sat8:25 a.m.6:14 p.m.5:17 p.m.5:05 a.m. Sun7:26 a.m.5:12 p.m.4:35 p.m.5:19 a.m. Mon7:27 a.m.5:11 p.m.4:55 p.m.6:32 a.m. Tue7:29 a.m.5:10 p.m.5:17 p.m.7:45 a.m.

10/24010/280 10/25010/290 10/26010/300 10/270

10/29583351/290.00" 10/30553350/290.00"

members who work across the aisle

to

and

by

People want affordable pharma ceuticals and health care. People want affordable, clean, durable, level priced energy.

People want legislation to counter act gasoline price gouging enabled by consolidated ownership of petroleum companies.

It’s easy to see attorney Monica Tranel in a bipartisan setting in the House. Presenting evidence how pe troleum companies jacked pump pric es way up over global costs of crude oil. Or, presenting evidence about legal loopholes used by dark money to influence government officials. Pro tecting people from factions of the rich and powerful.

It’s kinda hard imagining, out of Montana financed, oil lobbyist Ryan Zinke, in the House, protecting US consumers from gasoline prices while pumping up excessive profits for oil and gas companies. But maybe that’s my lack of imagination.

Montana District 1 women and men want Congress to pass legislation that will durably protect reproduc tive, also health care, justice rights of women.

Mark your ballot for Monica Tranel to represent all people in Montana District 1!

Bob Williams Stevensville

Support for Tranel

As Americans struggle with high gas prices, oil giants are rolling in massive profits. Exxon Mobile broke records, raking in 19.66 billion and Chevron amassed 11.23 billion in net profits in one quarter. (Missoulian, 10/29/22)

Yet we’re being told by Ryan Zinke, a man infamous for failing to rise to the duty of candor, that the fault all lies with Nancy Pelosi and Monica Tranel.

No wonder the oil industry is one of Zinke’s top donors! He said he was Trump’s Seal, but he’s really the oil industry’s shill, putting their interests

over the stewardship of our environ ment and their profits over us.

His ad wants us to vilify Pelosi and blame Tranel for your pain at the pump. He’s diverting your attention to be afraid of “liberals” as his big oil buddies are picking your pockets and laughing all the way to the bank.

Elections fall between horrible heat bubbles and devastating super storms, but don’t forget that the fossil fuel industry contributes directly to these climate change disasters as much as they do to Zinke’s coffers. The uneth ical oil puppet doesn’t care about you or Montana.

Vote for Monica Tranel and don’t believe the corrupt Big Oil shill.

Wanda LaCroix Missoula

Vote for candidates who will address climate crisis

In the summer of 2017, Internal Medicine Physician and Missoula resi dent Dr. Tom Roberts suffered a major heart attack, despite having no prior symptoms or risk for heart disease. Roberts’ heart attack occurred during a heavy smoke event. He believes, and there is evidence to support, that the smoke event may have caused his heart attack.

“The health effects of wildfire smoke are real. Fortunately, I was near excellent medical care and did well. Now, I pay close attention to air quality and make good choices about limiting my exposure.” – Tom Rob erts, MD

In the West, we are witness to the impacts of changing climate with unprecedented drought, flooding, extreme heat, and fire season starting earlier and lasting longer. Despite our state being spared an early fire season in 2022, 1800 wildfires have burned this year and 70% of our residents live in areas experiencing drought. Record-breaking heat occurred from June through September. Parts of Montana, including Yellowstone National Park, experienced never-be fore-seen flooding this summer.

All of these climate events have hu

man health impacts. Extreme heat is the most dangerous weather event in the U.S., killing more people than any other weather event. Drought leads to more fires and decreased food supply. Wildfire smoke causes lung and heart conditions, including heart attack and stroke, cognitive decline and depression. Pregnant women, infants and children, the elderly and outdoor workers, including firefighters, are particularly vulnerable.

A Missoula Pediatrician, Allison Young, participates in the EPA air quality program to signal to families whether air quality is safe or unsafe for sensitive groups by the color of the flag hanging in the waiting room.

“When infants are sent home from the NICU during hazardous air quality conditions, they don’t always realize the importance of filtering indoor air and when extreme heat conditions are co-occurring, opening the windows is hazardous. Families are often faced with an impossible situation to try to keep their infants safe.” – Allison Young, MD

Despite these alarming climate effects, we all have an opportunity to make a real difference in the future of our state. US citizens have a hardwon right to vote and we can exercise and protect this right by voting on November 8th. By voting up and down the ballot, we choose not only the state-wide and national candidates, but local city, county, school board members and judges as well.

We are members of MT Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, an organization formed from a broad coalition of health professionals in the state, working together to address cli mate change as a public health issue, because the climate crisis threatens the health and future of our communi ties. We urge each and every voter to make their voice heard and to sup port candidates who take the climate crisis seriously and pledge to address this important issue at every level of government.

Hillery Daily, ND, LAc Hamilton

Allison Young, MD, FAAP, Missoula

Emory Hoelscher-Hull, stu dent, Montana State University

Democrats are hope of country

I am writing in response to Patty Franklin’s letter entitled “Democrats are complete failures.’’ It is a matter of public record that the Democrats have accomplished many positive things for Americans including: - Provided millions of Americans with Covid-19 shots saving millions of lives. Provided millions of Americans with economic assistance so they did not lose their homes. Helped school districts reopen when Covid closed schools. Created 6 millions jobs in sectors including teachers, law en forcement, and healthcare workers. Provided infrastructure repairs to our nation’s highways and bridges. Ad vanced clean energy projects. Provid ed 42 million Americans with Internet service. Provided free preschool to 6 million American kids. Reduced healthcare premiums to 9 million Americans. Reduced prescription drug costs to all Americans. Passed legisla tion to reduce hate crimes. Improved security at the nation’s capital to pre vent Republicans from destroying the capital again. Improved funds for our national defense to keep our nation safe. Passed laws to protect Americans against predatory lenders. Passed the first gun safety legislation in 30 years. Provided help for vets suffering from effects of toxic burn pits. Modern ized our nation’s post offices. Passed legislation so women can file lawsuits against those who commit sexual assult.

Democrats have a great record of helping Americans. Prime examples include passing the Social Security Act in 1935 and the Civil Rights Act in 1964. There is legislation now pend ing that the Democrats are trying to pass while the Republicans attempt to block laws that would help Americans of both parties. Democrats are not complete failures, they are the hope of this country.

Mark Snider Hamilton

Are You Prepared For Winter?

Eastside Hwy safety improvements construction completed

The Montana Department of Transpor tation (MDT) and Schellinger Construction have completed roadwork on US Highway 269 (Eastside Highway). Throughout the past two construction seasons, crews improved approxi mately 6 miles of US 269 between Pine Hollow Road and North Birch Creek Road to enhance safety features and offer a smooth travel expe rience.

“The Eastside Highway is a heavily traveled

road. Adding shoulders, flashing lights at in tersections, guardrail and other improvements increases safety on the roadway for drivers. Our number one goal with roadway updates is to improve safety features,” Nate Malmin, Schellinger Construction Project Manager, stated.

“It’s great to see these improvements com pleted,” said MDT Missoula District Construc tion Engineer John Schmidt. “We appreciate everyone’s feedback throughout the project and encourage folks to keep reaching out to our team if you have questions or insights.”

The Montana Department of Transporta tion and Schellinger Construction are grateful for everyone’s patience throughout construc tion.

Questions on the Stevensville Safety Im provement project or other construction proj ects in the Bitterroot area? Contact Becca Ma cLean at becca@bigskpublicrelations.com. You may also visit the project webpage at www.mdt. mt.gov/pubinvolve/southstevi to learn more.

Martin Kukich, Broker MT/lD GRI, ABR, CNHS, PSA, SFR 406-241-9982 P.O. Box 475 Victor, MT 59875 martykukich@hotmail.com

Investment Property!

VA opens telehealth access sites at MT universities

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has opened two new Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations, or ATLAS, sites. One of the new sites is at the University of Montana in Mis soula and the other is at Montana State Universi ty in Bozeman.

“One in ten Montanans are Veterans,” said Montana VA Executive Director Judy Hayman. “Across Montana, we have seen the power of partnerships to help connect Veterans to the ser vices they have earned. Our partners at Montana State University and the University of Montana are a strong example of how Montanans inno vate to support our Veterans.”

The ATLAS sites give student and facul ty Veterans enrolled in VA care through the Montana VA Health Care System the option to connect with their VA providers at either cam pus. ATLAS provides comfortable, private spaces equipped with high-speed internet access, site attendant support and the technology needed for video telehealth visits through VA Video Con nect, VA’s secure videoconferencing app.

“I’m grateful to VA, as well as the state and university system, for seeing Montana as the place to host these first academic VA telehealth sites,” said Joe Schumacher, director of Veter an services at Montana State University. “The more barriers we remove, the more we encour age student Veterans to take advantage of these resources.”

Airbnb potential!

BeautifulCustomFarmhouse Development Potential

ATLAS enables VA to provide services that do not require hands-on exams. These services include mental health appointments, nutrition counseling, select primary care visits and social work assistance. ATLAS sites eliminate potential barriers to care. These include long travel times, transportation costs and poor internet connec tivity — particularly in remote areas.

106 E Waldo Street, Darby

358 Hamilton Heights Road, Corvallis

643 Adirondac Ave, Hamilton, MT 3 bed / 1 bath, 1 car garage w/ alley access, partially fenced big backyard, may be govt loan eligible (RD, VA, FHA) close to stores, Bitterroot River, and trails MLS# 2201609 $274,900

807 W. Main Street, Hamilton CONVENIENT! RESIDENTIAL and/or COMMERCIAL ZONING.

331

Looking for that cute, in town, updated home, here it is. Con venient to all outdoor recreational activities including prime Montana hunting, fishing, & boating. Major rodeos also. Smalltown charm with many small shops to entertain you. This 1994 3 bd/1 bth ranch style home has had numerous upgrades, including a new, covered patio area in the back, and huge, fenced-in backyard. Come and check out this charming home, you won’t be disappointed. MLS #22211206 $399,900

Extra nice, manufactured home with large 3-car garage (ware house) on W. Main St. in Hamilton. Great views of the moun tains out your living room windows. Walk to the river, parks, shopping, hospital/medical offices, Bitterroot College. 2 bed room/2 bath/AC/natural gas with large bonus room between home & garage. Updated flooring plus refreshed cabinets. Extra clean/well maintained. GREAT location for your home business.

“This is groundbreaking,” said Pat Beckwith, director of military and Veteran services at the University of Montana. “No other universities in the nation provide VA telehealth services like this on their campus. We are excited for this opportunity. It’s an innovative and collaborative way to better serve our military affiliated stu dents and staff.”

Come and Check it Out!

Unique custom-built farmhouse. 3 bed / 3 bath on 16+ acres with 360-degree views. Apple orchard, Daly Ditches irrigation. Open concept living; can be divided into 3 separate living quarters with 3 kitchens & 3 granite walk-in showers. Many possibilities for the creative entrepreneur. MLS#22110617 $1,699,900

Unique custom-built country home. 3 bed / 3 bath on 16+ acres with 360 degree views. Apple orchard, yearround creek and Daly Ditches irrigation. Open concept living; can be divided into 3 separate living quarters with 3 kitchens and 3 granite walk-in showers.

Many possibilities for the creative entrepreneur. MLS #22110617 $1,799,900

MLS #22203944 $1,150,000

Victor $950,000

MLS #222043 $399,900

Veterans who want to schedule an appoint ment at either university’s ATLAS site can call 877-468-8387. To learn more about these ATLAS sites, visit the Travis W. Atkins Veteran Support Center at Montana State University and the Military and Veteran Services Office at the University of Montana. For more on the ATLAS pilot program, visit the VA Office of Connected Care website.

406-369-8288.

THE CITY OF WOLF POINT, MONTANA, IS SEEKING A CITY ATTOR NEY. For more information, contact the city clerk at 406-653-1852, ext. 110, or email ctywlfpt@nemont.net.

Locksmith Facilities Services/Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.mon tana.edu/hr/postings/31185

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans Electrician (Journey man) Facilities Services/ Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/hr/postings/29373.

Equal Opportunity Employer,

Veterans/Disabled

Irrigation Techni cian Facilities Services/ Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/30022 Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Laborer/Equipment Operator I. **Recent Wage Increase** Facilities Services/Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.mon tana.edu/postings/30105.

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

Mail Clerk/Carrier I Facilities Services/Mon tana State UniversityBozeman. For complete job announcement and appli cation procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana.edu/ hr/postings/30400. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Custodian I Facilities Services/Montana State University - Bozeman. **UPDATED SALARY **For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.mon tana.edu/postings/29525.

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

Maintenance Paint er Facilities Services/ Montana State University - Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/30461. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Journeyman Carpen ter Facilities Services/ Montana State University - Bozeman. For complete

job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/30789. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Custodian Supervi sor I Facilities Services/ Montana State University - Bozeman. **UPDATED SALARY **For complete job announcement and appli cation procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/30799. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

HVAC Maintenance Technician – Air Condition ing/Refrigeration **UPDAT ED** Facilities Services/ Montana State University –Bozeman. For complete job announcement and appli cation procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana.edu/ hr/postings/31898. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Facilities Engineer Engineering & Utilities/ Montana State University – Bozeman.For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/32010 Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Preventive Mainte nance Manager. Facilities Services- Montana State University – Bozeman. For

complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.mon tana.edu/postings/32290. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

Extension Agent, Ft. Belknap Reservation, MSU Extension. Full time. Will assess local commu nity needs, then develop, implement, and evaluate Extension programming to meet those needs. Excellent positions with outstanding benefits. Complete info and application instructions at msuextension.org, click on “careers.” Equal Opportu nity Employer, Veterans/ Disabled.

Electrician Foreman Facilities Services – Mon tana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/32936. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Bank in Stevensville. Shifts are 10 AM-2:30 PM Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Call Dawn, 406-360-4637

Looking for the Bitterroot Star? It’s FREE on more than 100 newsstands from Lolo to Conner. Or call us at 777-3928 and we’ll let you know where the closest stand is.

SNOW SHOVELING AND SNOW PLOWING. 406-207-1793.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO PROTEST TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP AND LO CATION OF MONTANA ALL-ALCOHOLIC BEV ERAGES LICENSE

FORT OWEN ENTERPRIS ES, LLC (Nathan Bean and Lindsy Bean, Owner(s)) has applied to transfer Montana All-Alcoholic Beverages License No. 13-8706480-001 to be operated at FORT OWEN INN, 3854 Us Highway 93 N, Stevensville, Ravalli County. The public may protest this license transfer in accordance with the law.

Who can protest this transfer? Protests will be accept ed from residents of the county of the proposed location Ravalli County, residents of adjoining Montana counties, and residents of adjoining counties in another state if the criteria in 16-4-207(4) (d), Montana Code Annotated (MCA), are met.

What information must be included? Protest letters must be legible and contain (1) the protestor’s full name, mailing address, and street address; (2) the license number 13-870-6480001 and the applicant’s name FORT OWEN ENTERPRISES, LLC; (3) an indication that the letter is intended as a protest; (4) a description of the grounds for protesting; and (5) the protestor’s signature. A letter with multiple signatures will be considered one protest letter.

What are valid protest grounds? The protest may be based on the applicant’s qualifications listed in 16-4-401, MCA, or the grounds for denial of an application in 16-4-405, MCA. Examples of valid protest grounds include: (1) the applicant is unlikely to operate the estab lishment in compliance with the law; (2) the proposed location cannot be properly policed by local authorities; and (3) the welfare of the people in the vicinity of the proposed location will be adversely and seriously affected.

How are protests submitted? Protests must be postmarked to the Department of Revenue, Office of Dispute Resolution, P.O. Box 5805, Helena, Montana 596045805 on or before November 5,

2022.

What happens if the transfer is protested? Depending on the number of protests and the protest grounds, a public hearing will be held in Helena or Stevensville. All valid protestors will be notified of the hearing’s time, date and loca tion. Hearings typically are sched uled within 90 days. A protester’s hearing testimony is limited to the grounds in the protester’s letter. Following the hearing, the Depart ment of Revenue will notify the public whether the license transfer is approved or denied.

How can additional informa tion be obtained? The cited MCA statutes are online at leg.mt.gov/bills/mca_toc/. Questions may be directed to Bre anna Gill, Compliance Specialist for the Department of Revenue’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, at 444-0710 or Breanna. Gill@mt.gov.

BS 10-26, 11-2-22.

LEGAL NOTICE

The following is the ballot statement of an amendment to the Montana Constitution to be submitted to the voters of the state of Montana at the November 8, 2022 General Election. The text below is being published per the requirement of 13-27-311(2) MCA, by Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 48 AN AMENDMENT TO THE CON STITUTION PROPOSED BY THE LEGISLATURE AN ACT SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELEC TORS OF MONTANA AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE II, SECTION 11, OF THE MON TANA CONSTITUTION TO EXPLICITLY INCLUDE ELEC TRONIC DATA AND COMMU NICATIONS IN SEARCH AND SEIZURE PROTECTIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: C-48 is a constitutional amendment to amend Article II, section 11 of the Montana Constitution to specifically protect electronic data and communica tions from unreasonable search and seizures.

Legals

[] YES on Constitutional Amendment C-48

[] NO on Constitutional Amendment C-48 BS 10-26, 11-2-22.

TANKO LAW OFFICE

BRIAN C. TANKO, ESQ. Montana Bar No. 5194 392 - 1st Avenue East North Kalispell, MT 59901 Tel: (406) 257-3711 Fax: (406) 257-3722 Email: btanko@tankolaw. com Web: www.tankolaw.com

Attorney for Personal Repre sentative

MONTANA TWEN TY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY In Re: The Estate of: BRIAN JOSEPH ADAMS, Deceased.

Cause No.: DP-22-111

Howard F. Recht

District Court Judge

NOTICE TO CREDI TORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representa tive 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 first publication of this Notice or said claims will be forever barred.

Claims must either be mailed to BARTON J. ADAMS, the Personal Representative, to c/o Tanko Law Office, 392 – 1st Avenue E.N., Ka lispell, MT 59901, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.

DATED this 9th day of Sep tember, 2022.

/s/ Barton J. Adams

BARTON J. ADAMS, Person al Representative

Submitted by: TANKO LAW OFFICE /s/ Brian C. Tanko BRIAN C. TANKO, ESQ.

Attorney for Personal Repre sentative BS 10-26, 11-2, 11-9-22.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 150 THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2022 FIRST READING, NOVEMBER 10, 2022 SEC

OND READING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council of the Town of Stevensville will hold 2 public hearings to amend Ordinance No. 150 Sec. 24-174 to include J-turns as a strictly prohibited operation on Main Street in Stevensville, Montana.

Comments may be given orally at the hearings held at Town Hall, 206 Buck Street on Thurs day, October 27, 2022 at 7:00 pm and November 10, 2022 at 7:00 pm. Comments can also be given to the Town Clerk at PO Box 30, Stevensville MT 59870 or before 5:00 pm on the town council scheduled meetings. Questions, comments or more information may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at 406-777-5271.

Attest: Jenelle Berthoud, Town Clerk BS 10-19, 11-2-2022

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

Attorney for Personal Repre sentative

MONTANA TWEN TY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BRIAN NILES MINASIAN, De ceased.

Case No.: DP-22-120 Dept. No. 1

NOTICE TO CREDI

TORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representa tive of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months af ter the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.

Claims must either be mailed to Garrett Minasian, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at Cheeney Law PLLC, PO Box 212, Hamilton, MT 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.

DATED this 25th day of October 2022.

/s/ Garrett Minasian, Person

al Representative BS 11-2, 11-9, 11-16-22.

John S. Masar LionWood Law, PLLC 115 W. 3rd St., Ste. 103 Stevensville, MT 59870 (406) 625-2682 jmasar@lionwoodlaw.com Attorney for Personal Repre sentative\ MONTANA TWEN

TY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: MYRA JANE PELTIER, a/k/a Myra J. Peltier, a/k/a Myra Maris ka Peltier, Deceased. Probate No.: DP-22-117 Dept. No.: 1 HOWARD F. RECHT

NOTICE TO CREDI

TORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representa tive of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the Decedent are required to present their claims within four months af ter the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.

Claims must either be mailed to JAMES MICHAEL PELTIER, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at c/o LionWood Law, PLLC, 115 W. 3rd Street, Suite 103, Stevensville, Montana 59870, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court.

DATED this 17th day of

October, 2022. /s/ James Michael Peltier Personal Representative c/o LionWood Law, PLLC 115 W. 3rd St., Ste. 103 Stevensville, MT 59870 LionWood Law, PLLC /s/ John S. Masar Attorney for Personal Repre sentative BS 11-2, 22-9, 11-16-22.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Thursday, November 10th, 2022, 6:00 p.m.

NOTICE IS HERE BY GIVEN that the Stevensville Town Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, November 10th, 2022, 6:00 p.m. at their regularly scheduled meeting held at Town Hall, 206 Buck Street, Stevens ville, MT 59870 for the purpose of considering an amendment to the Town of Stevensville FY2223 Budget. Comments to be considered may be given orally at the hearing, submitted in writing via email to jenelle@townofste vensville.com<mailto:jenelle@ townofstevensville.com> or US mail to Town Clerk, PO Box 30, Stevensville, MT 59870 before 5:00 p.m. on November 10, 2022. Questions, comments or more information may be obtained by contacting the Town Clerk at 406777-5271.

Attest: Jenelle Berthoud, Town Clerk BS 11/2, 11/9/22

Gary Buchanan