Residents of the City of Hamilton have had an opportunity presented to them through mailers and bills from the city. The supplemental insurance company, Service Lines Warranty of America (SLWA), ofers residential properties an opportunity to insure their private utility water and sewer lines from costly repair. It is critical to understand that not all underground utility lines are the responsibility of the City of Hamilton. In general, a public water main brings residential water to a home’s meter, where it is controlled and measured by city public works. In many cases, that meter lies somewhere near the property boundary. All the pipes on the ‘downstream’ side of that meter and into the home are the sole responsibility of the home owner. The same is true with drain lines: from the sink or toilet all the way to the point where the pipe joins the public sewer line beneath the street or alley, it is the responsibility of the home owner.
The cost of any damage repair, from intrusion of tree roots, pin-hole leaks, freezing pipes, subsidence of ground, etc. is borne by the home owner, not the City of Hamilton. This is an important point in a city where many of the underground private service lines are aging and susceptible to leakage or even catastrophic breaks.
In 2023, the City of Hamilton was approached by SLWA, an afliate of HomeServe, a multinational home emergency repair business based in the U.K. SLWA functions in partnership with the National League of Cities in order to ofer supplemental insurance to residents of partner cities and municipalities. After review, the Public Works Department brought the proposal to the Hamilton City Council on April 16th of this year, where it heard a brief presentation by HomeServe’s Regional Director for Montana, Dennis Lyon, who dialed into the meeting to explain the partnership SLWA was proposing.
“The purpose of our program is that homeowners are frequently unaware of what their lateral line responsibilities are,” said Lyon. “So, our program proactively educates them while providing low-cost solutions that they can voluntarily participate in, that they can opt in or out of at any time. There’s absolutely no cost to the City, and HomeServe administers the program completely. That means the marketing, the billing, the customer service claims, and even contractor vetting and management, which is important. The plans that we ofer contain no deductible, no service fee, no annual or lifetime limits, and also there’s no inspection of a property for a homeowner that chooses to participate. Their coverage begins 30 days after they’ve enrolled. We handle all the claims from beginning to end,
including paying the local contractor directly once the work is complete.”
After a series of questions and deliberation, the Hamilton City Council voted to enter into a limited partnership with SLWA. The arrangement specifes that SLWA will have access to promote its insurance products through the city’s website and on city mailers. While some municipalities accept a 10% revenue sharing from each of the accounts that is generated from this joint outreach, the City Council of Hamilton opted instead to defer that payment in favor of SLWA passing an additional $.50 savings onto each of the residential accounts generated. The City of Hamilton receives no money from SLWA, either directly or indirectly, from purchased
insurance packages.
Myles Meehan of SLWA provided these photos of work they did in the City of Hamilton for a resident whose service lines were in need of replacement. Although the resident had not purchased the SLWA coverage, she had sought city and state assistance for some time before SLWA learned of her situation. Said Meehan about the work they performed, “We did the work in the spirit of goodwill. We thought it would be a good demonstration of what our service does, and at the same time show our commitment to the city.”
themselves from costly repairs to service lines, which include routine annual maintenance, camera inspections of sewer lines, or supplemental insurance from their regular home insurance which may be available upon request.
According to Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf, there may be a beneft to the City when residents purchase the insurance plan insofar as claimants would address their service line problems and repairs directly through SLWA. The City of Hamilton, who does not have responsibility for lateral lines, may be spared signifcant staf time in addressing questions and issues. According to reporting done by David Lazarus of the LA Times, who also reviewed an agreement between the City of Los Angeles and SLWA, citizens have a variety of ways to protect
Ultimately, even though the City does allow SLWA to market itself via city channels (there is currently a link to SLWA on the city’s internet home page), Farrenkopf asserts that citizens need to educate themselves as to their obligations and whether their current home insurance policy may or may not cover problems with their lateral lines.
“You don’t have a choice as to who owns the infrastructure or who’s responsible for it, but you do have the choice to insure it,” said Farrejkopf. “What the city council wants to do is educate people, just learn who owns that infrastructure.”
In this course, you will learn the alphabet in Sign Language, hand shapes for making signs and communicaton in ASL. You will learn through natural communicaton: who, what, where, when, sentences and questons/fngerspelling/nouns/pronouns, etc. Join us for an evening of meetng new people and having a lot of fun!
This is a beginning course exploring the diferent techniques and methods of producing art with colored pencils. Professional quality -colored pencils were frst manufactured as early as 1908 with the German company Faber-Castell. Colored pencils give the artst the ability to draw but at the same tme the pleasure of paintng. Artsts like to use colored pencils because of the control they ofer in their art pieces. This course will give you the necessary skills to use colored pencils in your art creatons. We will explore diferent types of colored pencils from wax based, oil based and watercolor based pencils.
Supplies:
1. Set 24 student-grade colored pencils
2. Vinyl or kneaded eraser
3. Drawing pad size 11 x 14 of good quality drawing paper with good tooth 80 # or greater
4. Coton-tpped swabs
◆ BEGINNING SKETCHBOOK
Instructor: Diana Haker
Class Fee: $25.00
12 Hours/8 Classes
Tuesdays, 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 11, 18, 25 • Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25 • Apr. 1
This is a course for anyone who wants to draw in a sketchbook. This is for anyone who wants to relax and have fun sketching, doodling or making visual ideas. You will discover how fun, imaginatve, illustratve and inspiratonal working in a sketchbook can be. You do not need fancy, expensive supplies. A simple sketchbook with a pencil will work. You will learn many principles that can be applied to your own sketchbook. Remember, you don’t need special skills. This is a course for anyone who wants to draw in a sketchbook or start journaling with sketches. Learn how to relax and have fun sketching, doodling or making visual ideas. You will discover how fun it is to make sketchbooks, journaling and making visual ideas come alive. We will cover other mediums used in sketchbooks such as watercolor, colored pencils, ink, etc. Join us for some creatve fun!
Supplies:
1. Set of diferent pencil sofness HB to 6B
2. Sketchbook bounded 6” x 9” of good quality paper or other size that you would like to try
3. Vinyl or kneaded eraser
4. Black ball point pen
◆ ENERGY MEDICINE - A NEW PARADIGM IN NATURAL HEALING
Instructor: Dr. Bruce J. Grandstaf
Class Fee: $25.00
Instructor Fee: $5.00 (Paid directly to the instructor)
Robert Kennedy stated, “The United States has the highest rate of chronic disease in the world. ” This is an introducton to approaching health restoraton with
energy matching for identfying the cause and correcton of health challenges. How to detect and heal emotonal causes, electro-magnetc causes, structural issues, nutritonal defciencies, food and environmental intolerances, and immune challenges. If these things are of interest to you, this class would be very informatve. Join us for a beter understanding of the health issues that surround our country. Two (2) make -up days for March 5th and 12th will be determined by the partcipants.
◆ SURVIVING THE OUTDOORS - SESSION 1
Instructor: Lee Scharf
Class Fee: $25.00
6 Hours/4 Classes
Mon. & Wed., 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Jan. 27, 29 • Feb. 3, 5
This course will explore how to survive in the outdoors, with the moto being, “Survival favors those most prepared.” We will cover frst -aid, food, water safety, proper clothing, tent, sleeping gear, maps, compass, cell phone, body conditon – mental/physical, medicatons weather reports, and much more! Join us for informatonal sessions on how to prepare for the outdoors!
◆ SURVIVING THE OUTDOORS - SESSION 2
Instructor: Lee Scharf
Class Fee: $25.00
6 Hours/4 Classes
Mon. & Wed., 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Feb. 10, 12, 19, 24
This course will explore how to survive in the outdoors, with the moto being, “Survival favors those most prepared.” We will cover frst -aid, food, water safety, proper clothing, tent, sleeping gear, maps, compass, cell phone, body conditon – mental/physical, medicatons weather reports, and much more! Join us for informatonal sessions on how to prepare for the outdoors!
FOR MORE INFORMATION about the classes being ofered please contact JULIE BACHMAN
● PHONE in your registraton by calling Julie Bachman at (406) 210.5129 afer 4 p.m.
● EMAIL your registraton with your name, address, phone number, & email address, & the name of the adult educaton class with start date & tme to: adulteducaton@lonerockschool.org
Please REGISTER EARLY so that your class will get the number of partcipants needed to ensure that it will not be cancelled.
ALL payments will be collected the FIRST NIGHT of class.
SENIORS (62+) years of age get a 50% DISCOUNT on all class fees. (NOT MATERIAL FEES )
The cost of the class is a one -tme fee.
Eclectic Emporium great ft for historic building
by Kristin Kruse
Most Stevensville residents are familiar with the historic IOOF Hall at 217 Main Street. Built in 1912, it has housed almost everything that you could imagine and at one time was Stevensville’s Town Hall, Firehouse and Police Department. You can actually still see stains on the foor where the fretrucks used to park inside the building. It is one of the few historic buildings still intact on Main Street. Not many know this but there was even a small jail cell in the basement. If walls could talk. It seems only ftting that this unique space is now the home to a new business that sells antiques, along with other interesting items.
The newest tenant, Eclectic Emporium, has opened its doors as of November 1, and owners Larry Smith, Liz Brushia and Jeannie Brushia have been delighted with the interest from the community. Smith is no stranger to the vintage business as he previously owned a vintage clothing shop in Hamilton and has sold his goods at markets as well. He has spent years scouring estate sales for items to add to his large collection and had been looking for a building suitable for a business for over a year.
son. Everything just fell into place.”
“Finding this location was meant to be,” said Smith, “and I believe that things happen for a rea-
Co-owner Liz Brushia is somewhat new to the antique business, but has owned a salon in Florence and worked as a hairdresser for over 20 years. Brushia talked about how she became involved in this new business.
“I used to go along with Larry to estate sales and at one particular sale I saw that everything that hadn’t sold was thrown into a dumpster,” said Brushia. “I watched as the people started dumping beautiful sets of antique china into the garbage and I ran over and stopped them. I took it all, and that is how I became interested in collecting antique glassware. I have an entire storage unit flled with it, and recently provided all of the china for a wedding, mix-matched style.”
During the pandemic, Brushia began looking for a new way to make an income and spent countless hours researching and studying how to identify diferent eras and markings.
“I am always looking for things that will bring joy,” said Brushia. “Larry has always been a collector and opening this business has been his dream.”
Eclectic Emporium currently has 24 vendors selling not only antiques but one-of-a-kind artwork, home décor and collectables.
“We have something for everyone’s taste, and we want to invite everybody in,” said Brushia. “We are very open to suggestions, and want community involvement.”
She said there are plans and ideas that have not been put into motion yet, but include the possibility of hosting a Murder Mystery Dinner, utilizing the building for community events and holding recitals for charity. If history, artwork and antiques are your thing, this place is for you. Business hours are 10-6 Monday through Saturday. Stop by for a lively conversation with Larry, Liz and Jeannie and browse the store. You never know what you might fnd.
Owners Larry Smith, Liz Brushia and Jeannie Brushia. Photo by Kristin Kruse.
Antique China. Photo courtesy Richie Brushia.
Logo. Photo courtesy Richie Brushia.
Dr. Anderson welcoming new patients in Stevensville
Bitterroot Health is proud to announce that Dr. Bjorn Anderson, a dedicated family medicine physician, is now accepting new patients at the Stevensville clinic. For individuals or families seeking a trusted primary care provider, Dr. Anderson ofers a personalized approach to health and wellness with a focus on lifestyle and preventative care.
Raised in Bozeman, Dr. Anderson’s passion for medicine stems from a lifetime of exposure to healthcare through his father, an orthopedic surgeon. After years of work in missions, seminary studies, and teaching, Dr. Anderson returned to medicine with a deep commitment to helping patients at every stage of life.
“I believe in working together with my patients to maximize their health and help them achieve their personal goals,” said Dr. Anderson. “I’m especially passionate about fnding ways to integrate lifestyle changes with medicine to support long-term wellness.”
In addition to his medical expertise, Dr. Anderson shares a love for the outdoors that resonates with the Bitterroot Valley community. He enjoys activities like hunting, fy fshing, hiking, trail running, and camping, and values spending time with his family in the area’s natural beauty.
Dr. Anderson is dedicated to building lasting relationships with his patients and supporting their health journeys in meaningful ways. Whether managing chronic conditions, focusing on preventive care, or addressing acute health needs, he is here to provide comprehensive care to individuals and families.
Appointments with Dr. Anderson are available now. Patients can easily schedule an appointment online at BitterrootHealth.org and click on the “Book Appointment” button to search for Dr. Anderson, or call the Stevensville clinic at (406) 777-6002.
LEAD: confusion over notices in Stevensville
Continued from page 1
even need to be. He said the EPA initiated a “lead and copper rule,” which was released in 1988.
The rule defned the way homes could be plumbed. This stopped the use of lead pipes and forced the industry to stop utilizing lead solder. Lassiter added that this latter form of contamination was the most common way people might get exposed to lead. Every new home built after that would be in compliance and these owners can ease a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, for everyone else, Lassiter added that the town also already tests the water every three years. This is DEQ-mandated, and the testing looks for lead across Montana towns. This notice of “unknown service line material” came at a fortuitous time, as well. According to Lassiter, the town tested their water this year. In September, they took samples from 10 random houses, chosen specifcally from older homes, built before 1988. All 10 tested “non-detect,”
meaning there was no lead picked up by the tests.
In addition to those 10, eleven other concerned residents submitted samples for testing from their own homes, some built after 1988. They did this after the notice was sent out by the town. So far, all of those to come back have been “non-detect” as well.
The purpose of the DEQ/EPA notices was to help the EPA determine service line materials across the country. Prior to these notices, Lassiter said the town also sent out a letter in January 2023. That letter was sent to residents asking them to respond, in an attempt to identify the water line material that was used in their own homes. According to Lassiter, the town received “very little participation or feedback.” Of the thousand or so letters that were sent out asking about individual home lines, Lassiter said they received less than 50 responses. Lassiter added, when it comes to service lines in Stevensville, “our responsibility ends at the curb.”
Residents are encouraged to contact the town and identify the water line materials in their homes. To identify line material, the town recommends contacting a plumber or doing a quick search online. According to Lassiter, there are four main line materials a person may fnd their service lines made from. These are copper, PVC, lead or galvanized. The latter of these appears the most like lead, though it is visually less dull in color than lead, and can easily be diferentiated. Copper pipes will obviously be copper or even greenish in color, while lead will often have white rust spots, or dulling over time. PVC is easily recognized as white in color with blue glue marks at the joints.
For questions on how to report service lines, residents can contact the town at (406) 777- 5271. If residents are concerned about one of their lines, they can request a water test kit from the town, at a $20 charge.
Anderson family. Photo courtesy Bitteroot Health.
Photo courtesy Inspect Montana.
Town Pump awards $725,000 for ‘Meals for Backpacks’
The Town Pump Charitable Foundation has awarded 91 grants totaling $725,000 for organizations around the state to fund its 2024 “Meals for Backpacks” program, which supports schools, food banks, and service organizations that provide weekend meal programs for Montana school children.
Locally, Florence, Stevensville and Victor schools and the Three Mile Community Senior Center received grants to provide the weekend meals.
“The Town Pump Charitable
Foundation is committed to providing nourishing food for Montana children,” said Bill McGladdery, director of corporate communications for Town Pump. “Too often children in Montana go hungry over the weekend. The Meals for Backpacks program provides them healthy meals when they are away from school, so they show up on Monday morning healthy and ready to learn.”
Most weekend backpacks include two breakfasts, two lunches, and a snack that replaces the meals chil-
dren would receive at school.
Though the Foundation’s goal this year was to provide $650,000 in grants, McGladdery said the request for assistance exceeded that amount, so the Foundation increased its funding to match the need. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $10,000 and were awarded to large and small communities, including many rural communities across the state.
Research shows that healthy, well-nourished children learn better, are more likely to attend school and
take advantage of educational opportunities, McGladdery said. Benefts of a backpack program include increased test scores, improved attendance, reduced behavioral issues, greater attention span, and quality teaching time for all students, he added.
The Town Pump Charitable Foundation has funded Meals for Backpacks since 2016 with grants now totaling $4.3 million. Last year, the Foundation provided more than $550,000 for the program.
QUILT: club donates to Living Center
its members, the club has 200 quilts on hand. However, according to Freeland, a simple realization of opportunity was the impetus for the mass donation at the Living Centre.
“I was going through my fabrics and I realized that I had a hundred more panels,” said Freeland. “I looked at it and I thought, why am I hanging on to all these?” Freeland explained that she’d been on the way to a quilters meeting at the time, and passed directly by the Living Centre when the idea occurred to her. She put the call out to other members last May, asking for completed quilts by November.
Laurie Gipson joked that quilting tends to be the confuence of two hobbies: collecting and quilting, and that she and other quilters saw this donation project as a way to both reduce their own collection of fabrics while graciously providing something of comfort for others.
Freeland, who admits that she is a “diva” when it comes to the pastime, said that she created 38 of the 112 and, “love(s) to make sure that they go somewhere that someone’s going to appreciate them.”
While the Sapphire Quilt Club accepts donations of fabric, Cari Cloud pointed out that much of the cost of the donation to the Living Centre was borne by members themselves through the usage of fabric that each member had on hand.
“I would say most everybody absorbed 90% of the cost on their own,” she said, adding that the club does purchase the inner batting for quilts, which it is able to do after raising funds through their regular fundraiser.
Alisha Bennet, Activities Director for the Living Centre, was positive that the residents are going to love the gifts.
“They’re gonna love it, the fact that these quilts are so colorful,” she said, saying that one of the farm patterns she’d seen would, “bring them back to home” since there are many farmers among the residents. “Blankets are always a hot commodity around here.”
Centre in Stevensville. Photo by Nathan Boddy.
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Chapter One’s special children’s program
This is a program started in 1992 by Morrill Worcester in the state of Maine to honor the veterans buried in the Arlington Natonal Cemetery. The original intent was to acknowledge the service of the deceased veteran during the Christmas season.
The program has evolved over the years to encourage the placement of holiday wreaths on the veteran graves in all cemeteries. The program now has the following objectves:
2024 was a big year for Chapter One Book Store and Montana Public Radio (MTPR). Both commemorated 50 years of bringing a love for books and the magic of storytelling to children around Montana. To celebrate, they are teaming up for a special storytime at Chapter One Book Store on Saturday, December 14 at 10:30 a.m. The program will include stories from diferent seasonal traditions, kid readers sharing their favorite winter stories and possibly a few four-legged guests on a last minute break from the North Pole.
“We believe that making reading accessible and fun early on leads to a lifetime of learning through books,” says Chapter One co-owner Katrina Mendrey. “It says a lot about our communities that we have been supported for half a century to do the work we do. We thought a celebration was in
order as we gear up for another 50 years.”
Sam Manno and Annie Garde, long-time hosts of MTPR’s “The Pea Green Boat” and “The Children’s Corner,” will help lead the storytime. Though both retired from the programs in 2021, they contributed to one of the nation’s longest running children’s radio programming for nearly 20 years and are excited to carry the tradition on at the bookstore.
“Children’s stories aren’t just for kids,” says Manno. “These stories have a unique ability to communicate important information in succinct and highly efective ways that can move people no matter the age.” For more information about the event and other literary programming for young and old, visit www.chapter1bookstore.com.
The American Legion Fort Owen Post 94, with the generous assistance of a local wreath making family, the Wortmans, was able to place wreaths on veteran graves in the Stevensville area for several years in the past. These folks have again ofered to provide wreaths for this year’s program.
This year the Post members wilI again accomplish a scaled-down version of this previous program at fve of the local cemeteries: Riverside, Maplewood, St. Mary’s, Veterans Park, and Sunnyside. A single, large wreath will be placed at each cemetery. We are also using this program to honor our local “frst responders” and hope to include them in the ceremony at each cemetery.
These ceremonies will be accomplished on Saturday, December 14 using the following schedule:
Community members are strongly encouraged to atend these ceremonies, especially if they have a veteran family member buried in one of these cemeteries.
We want to express our appreciaton to the Wortman family for donatng the wreaths.
Victor woman gets Lance Scholars award
When Taylor McKinley-Whitcomb of Victor was trying to choose a college, she thoroughly explored her options.
“I applied to every college in Montana,” McKinley-Whitcomb said. “My mom and I started touring campuses. When I toured Montana Tech, I felt like I was at home, and I never toured another campus. I was set on Tech.”
McKinley-Whitcomb then set out to fund her education.
“I applied for every scholarship I possibly could,” she said.
McKinley-Whitcomb was selected for the inaugural cohort of Montana Technological University’s Lance Scholars Program. The program annually provides 50 in-state students with the opportunity to receive a $4,000 per year scholarship, renewable for up to an additional three years (up to $16,000 total). It was established through the generosity of Ryan (Petroleum Engineering, ’84) and Lisa Lance. Ryan has served as the CEO of ConocoPhillips since 2012. The Lance family made a $31 million donation to Montana Tech in Spring 2022, most of which is dedicated to the Lance Scholars Program.
“I knew this was something that was going to truly impact me,” McKinley-Whitcomb said. “I had a sigh of relief. It’s such a large scholarship and I have another impactful one from my local community.”
McKinley-Whitcomb enrolled in the Sherry Lesar School of Nursing and was able to meet the Lances at a reception for the Lance Scholars in October.
“You could see the impact they want to make on students with this scholarship,” McKinley-Whitcomb said. “When I met Ryan and Lisa, I could see through the light in their eyes when they saw all of us how much they care about us as students. That was the most heartwarming thing ever.”
McKinley-Whitcomb has worked as a patient sitter at Bitterroot Health, and that has sparked her interest in possibly working in the emergency room, labor and delivery, or the NICU in the future.
In addition to her nursing studies, McKinley-Whitcomb also is a student
of aviation. She has been learning how to fy airplanes since she was 15 years old, and is 12 hours away from earning her private pilot’s license.
McKinley-Whitcomb grew up fying with her dad and her great-grandpa. She has a letter she wrote to her dad as a young girl, asking him to please take her to have breakfast in the airplane, meaning that she was asking him to take her to a little restaurant in the mountains. Her father passed away in the middle of earning her pilot’s license and she paused her lessons, but eventually picked them back up again.
While she will soon have the ability to fy anywhere she wants, McKinley-Whitcomb says she thinks she wants to keep her feet planted in Montana, and serve patients in her home state.
“My heart is in Montana, so I would struggle leaving,” she said.
McKinley-Whitcomb encourages other prospective students to apply for the Lance Scholars Program.
“I can’t wait to see it impact more students at Montana Tech,” she said.
The Lance Scholars Program is open to Montana high school seniors or transfer students who meet the following criteria:
Student must have a 3.0 GPA or higher at time of application.
Student must be a resident of Montana.
Student must be an incoming frstyear, transfer, or a Highlands College student moving to a bachelor’s degree program.
Student must complete the dedicated scholarship application for the Lance Scholars program.
Student must complete the FAFSA.
Applicants will be asked in 3-5 sentences to answer the question: During your time at Montana Tech, what is one thing you’d like to learn or experience that has the ability to efect change in the world?
Upon acceptance to Montana Tech, qualifying students will receive a link to apply for the Lance Scholars Program and submit materials on their personal URL (PURL) page. The deadline to apply is February 15. For more information visit www.mtech. edu/lancescholars.
Photo
Worse than King George
Our founding fathers, like John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Paine, John Penn and Benjamin Franklin, wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence due to the many injustices of King George III. In 1777 they listed a “long train of abuses and usurpations” (the unlawful or violent seizure of a throne, power or government) that King George had unfairly committed towards the colonists.
They stated that King George was a tyrant because “He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.” And, “He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their ofces…”.
Likewise, Trump packed the Supreme Court with partisan loyalists who are protecting him from prosecution for his many crimes. And he is supported by a Congress packed with Republican partisans who support his lawlessness and refuse to impeach him and remove him from ofce.
Our founding fathers also said about King George, “He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.” Trump has repudiated and renounced government authority, laws and responsibility and stated he has the right to control and dictate his will over theirs.
Trump did not win the election, he stole it by Republicans blocking voting, by gerrymandering voting districts and lying to and confusing the masses. Trump wages war against anyone who questions his will or authority be it a Republican or Democrat. To further his control, Trump appoints a cabinet full of inept, unqualifed and corrupt personnel devoted to his beneft, not the country’s.
Our founding fathers stated, “He (King George) has excited domestic insurrections amongst us…”. Trump instigated the January 6th insurrection and called it a “day of love” and called those who destroyed the capital “unbelievable patriots”.
Donald Trump is very much like King George. A Prince (person in power) whose character is thus marked by every act which may defne a Tyrant, is unft to be the ruler of a free people.”
In 1776, King George made a speech in Parliament saying America and the people there were “my subjects” and “my kingdoms” and “my colonies.”
Like King George, Trump claims the secret documents he stole from the White House as his property. He now has his own Congress and Supreme Court supporting his self serving fascist agenda.
Trump boasted in his statement in July 2019 that the Constitution gave him untamed power. “I have an Article II, where I have the right to do whatever I want as president.” And we all know what Trump wants: control, money, power, believers in his demented lies and absolute loyalty.
Trump believes he is “the chosen one” and demands absolute power just like in his failed businesses, and now as president he seeks to obliterate all constraints. He is making King George III look like a saint. The kind of saint just like our forefathers wrote about in the Declaration of Independence.
Mark Snider Hamilton
Real Montana values
There was a time when Montana and the nation had a Republican and
Opinion
a Democratic party that was fscally conservative, socially responsible and dealt with public policy issues that contributed to the common community good. I was born, raised and steeped in that Montana Republican tradition before the term MAGA was popular and when the term “red” meant you were a communist.
Montana had a campaign fnance law that limited corporate money in politics before the Republican Koch brothers fnanced the “Citizens United” Supreme court case overturning the law. We have one of the most progressive and modern State Constitutions in the world, designed by both Republicans and Democrats while seated alphabetically rather than by party during the constitutional convention. This document enshrines, among other rights, Montanans’ rights to a clean environment, the public’s access to government meetings and a strong judicial branch of state government ensuring these constitutional rights. It is currently under full attack by the present Montana Republican party to remove these rights.
Directly from this time came the Montana Coal Trust fund that still helps fund our state government, strong environment regulation protecting our public lands and the public’s right of access to Montana’s streams and rivers. Further, Ravalli County enjoys Senator Lee Metcalf’s (Democrat) Wildlife Preserve and Butte fathered Senator Mike Mansfeld, a legendary Democrat Senate leader and past ambassador in Japan. This list is by no means complete or comprehensive.
As a native Montanan, when I’m asked to leave and not stay and screw up Montana like California by James K Rummell (Ite,11/27/24), I have to ask, where were you the last 70 years and what did you contribute? So you love our mountains, good hunting, fshing and open space; it didn’t get this way because it was MAGA or “red.” Recently even the Montana Republican MAGA legislative rules committee agreed wasting time on gendered bathrooms is not in the interest of good governance. Montana needs help preserving and reserving elements of our hard scramble way of life while thriving in the unsettled present.
Montana doesn’t need more racist transphobic bigoted people running from their self defned crap holes with all the depth of knowledge of a cookie sheet regarding Montana issues and our people.
Archie L Thomas & Merry Schrumpf Corvallis
Let’s go!
Why is it that every time there is a drawn-out election count, the Republican is ahead but the Democrat somehow after 30-40 days wins? Happened in 2020, 22, and 24. Every time! Coincidence? Not a chance. And why does it take a month to “count votes”?
Heck, most recently, Nancy Pelosi had to fy her daughter into a California election to observe, err… garner, err…… print votes. Trump would have a super majority, but Democrats are so afraid of their decades of corruption being exposed that they must cheat to avoid it.
Biden just pardoned his son after lying to the American public (one of 100’s of lies) saying he would not pardon him. We all know the pardon is not as much about his son but covering his own backside for his part in the Ukraine money laundering scheme.
But now….every Democrat/Bureaucrat is looking for a pardon! Jim Clyburn, Adam Schif, Liz Cheney, Anthony Fauci, James Clapper… the list goes on to the point where they
are talking about “blanket pardons.” People who need pardons need them for one reason only. They are guilty as sin, and they know it.
Biden touted a peaceful transition of power recently but has since set the U.S. ablaze and got out his violin. He’s shipping out money and arms to Ukraine in record amounts. Money that one Polish politician said that 50% of goes back to U.S. Democrats. Duh… no kidding, of course it has been. He’s creating WW3, trying to run the economy into the ditch, and trying to derail a cause near and dear to my heart… DOGE.
Government workers are now guaranteed to be able to work from home until 2029! Because of what? The pandemic they created? So, they will continue to NOT work for the American people, post pictures “doing work” in bubble baths, doing dance routines, etc. Trust me, I have friends in government jobs, and they tell me the entitlement and laziness factor is of the charts. Heck, federal employees owe over $1.5 BILLION in back taxes! There are a lot of good federal employees, don’t get me wrong, but there is WAY too much fat in that payroll.
Democrats had no problem confrming a lawyer/politician as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and a lawyer to be head of Homeland Security, but have a problem with a 20-year military veteran as head of the Defense Department, all because they can’t get over the fact that his current job is at Fox News.
Our government needs Trump and DOGE now more than ever.
Bill Cavanaugh Corvallis
Volunteerism in Stevensville
What’s happened to Stevensville? Now with social media, people are willing to complain about something they don’t like, but not willing to help. For instance, the Scarecrow Festival banner. We’ve been trying to get it down since the end of the festival. We’ve contacted the company who hung it, but they are out of town on a job, the fre department, town and anyone with a lift… but there it hangs.
On Saturday, November 23rd, Dina (from Valley Drug) and I tried our best to take the banner down, to no avail. The lift wasn’t high enough and Dina and I are too short. During that time I was directing trafc while Dina was operating the lift. Most drivers were polite as we worked in the pouring rain. Several stopped to make small talk but no one ofered to help. But… several people in their big trucks slammed on their accelerator when it was their turn to pass, endangering people as if we were inconveniencing them on purpose.
On the evening of November 27th, Dina, with help from the owners of Steel Rebel Designs, Kim and Will Hardy, along with Kim’s brother visiting for Thanksgiving, Chief Boe and another ofcer, was fnally able to take the sign down. A big thank you to Stevensville Hardware for donating the use of the lift.
When I moved here 36 years ago, this town was so kind and helpful. As I was building the theatre in town, people (strangers to me) would stop by to help. This happened over and over. Without being asked, people saw a need and stopped to help.
What happened to our wonderful town?
Gretchen Spiess Stevensville
Open letter to Fish and Wildlife Commissioners:
I was very disappointed to see the Commissioner Burrows’ amendment removing all trap and snare setbacks from 16 or more seasonally closed roads in Ravalli County was approved, despite opposition by the preponderance of public comment. There is overwhelming evidence that relaxing these trapping regulations endangers recreation on public lands.
As a practicing veterinarian in Ravalli County for more than 30 years, I have seen my share of traumatic injuries to dogs and other domestic animals from traps and poisonings intended for predators and fur-bearing game.
Until now I have remained silent, but this decision prompts me to speak out. There is a growing number of outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, skiing and snowshoeing with their animal companions in every corner of State and Federal land in Ravalli County. This change threatens their safety, just so trappers won’t have to walk to their traps a slightly longer distance from the popular public trails and areas.
If you must go forward with this decision, I would plead with you to require trappers or FWP to prominently mark trapping areas to warn recreationists and their animals.
Yes, as citizens of the State of Montana we have rights to do many things, but we MUST use those rights responsibly, each and every one of us. Please use your decision-making power to protect members of the public who enjoy our state’s wonderful natural surroundings.
Dr. Linda S. Kaufman Stevensville
Time to wake up
Jared Diamond is the author of “Guns, Germs and Steel” and a winner of the Pulitzer Prize. He wrote another book called “Collapse” which is a must read for anyone that lives in the Bitterroot Valley. The frst chapter in the book is “Modern Montana” and is about the Bitterroot Valley. This is a must read and a wakeup call to people in this valley and, again, a must read. Oh, and by the way, the copyright on this book is 2002. Yes, folks, 2002 and this is 2024.
When you read this book you will discover that nothing has really changed in 22 years except the people born here can no longer aford to live here with land prices sky high and homes being built in the $300k-$500k range. After reading this chapter, you may want to ask yourself what are the politicians we elect really doing for the people of this valley.
We need a 17 million-20 million gallon waste treatment plant in this valley with all the home building with septics being built. Are our County Commissioners and politicians elected to the Legislature in Helena doing anything about this? How about our Governor who is giving back our $2 billion surplus to property tax owners to get re-elected again?
This waste treatment plant for the Bitterroot Valley is important to treat our human waste with the number of homes increasing year by year.
Somebody needs to wake up in the valley since everything is not about public lands, hunting, fshing and hiking, and people have to work one or more service jobs just to make ends meet.
Joseph
G. Gallagher Jr. Stevensville
A Course of Love study group
Fridays 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.
Center for Spiritual Life, Hamilton Call: 406-381-6480
Florence American Legion
Florence American Legion Post 134 is having a free pancake breakfast on the frst Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Florence Rural Fire Hall.
Knotty Knitters Guild
Meets the 4th Tuesday of every month except July, August, December, and January at 6 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 275 Hattie Lane, Hamilton. You can also bring your knitting project to visit and knit with friends or get help with questions on Fridays from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Any questions call 406-381-5123 or just show up on Friday!
Yoga for Veterans
FREE to veterans, frst responders, and their families! Tuesdays, 1-2pm at the American Legion Post 94 in Stevensville Register at: redwillowlearning.org OR call 406-5307175. Come see us on 1st Friday in May ‘bout 1800 for more info! We’ll be in front of Active Care Wellness on Main in Stevensville
MS Support Group
Bitterroot MS Support Group meets every 3rd Thursday of the month in the Gallery room at the Cofee Cup Cafe in Hamilton, 500 S 1st Street, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Have a slice of pie, dinner, or just come to chat with others about living with Multiple Sclerosis. This is a positive and uplifting group that holds open discussions, and the occasional guest speaker. Find more information at www.nationalmssociety.org or contact Jackie Peterson, (970)518-293, jackierpeterson@gmail.com
Republican Central Committee
The Ravalli County Republican Central Committee regular monthly meetings are held the frst Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at The Place Church, 273 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. All are welcome to attend.
Bitterroot Celtic Society
The Bitterroot Celtic Society
meets every 3rd Thursday at 6 p.m. at BJ’s restaurant in Hamilton. The Bitterroot Celtic Society is a passionate group of volunteers, dedicated to keeping the Celtic culture, heritage, and history alive in the Bitterroot Valley. Their biggest event is the Bitterroot Celtic Games and Gathering, held every third weekend in August at the Historic Daly Mansion. They also host a Burns’ Night supper, St. Andrew’s, St. Patrick’s, and Tartan day events. The BCS is a non-proft organization. The public, new members, and the curious are always welcome to attend. For any time changes or additional committee meeting info, follow their Facebook page for updates.
North Valley Library
North Valley Library program
Holiday Escape Room (adults)
— Thursday, Dec 12 & 19, several timeslots available. Trouble is brewing at the North Pole and only you can prevent a holiday disaster! So, choose the friends with whom you’d like to be locked in a room for festive fun and sign-up for your holiday-themed escape room adventure. You will be challenged with solving a variety of riddles, puzzles, and brainteasers. This event is for ages 19+. Go to tinyurl.com/nvplescaperoom for more information and to sign-up
Hamilton school board
Governance Committee Meeting
Thursday – December 5, 2024
12:00 p.m. – District Ofce Conference Room. The Committee will be conducting this meeting with live participation. In addition to meeting in person, the District will also be streaming the meeting on YouTube. You are encouraged to join the meeting at: https://www.youtube. com/@HSD3Boardmtg
Regular Board Meeting
Tuesday – December 10, 2024
6:30 p.m. – District Ofce –Conference Room. The Board will be conducting this meeting with live participation. In addition to meeting in person, the District will also be streaming the meeting on YouTube.
Christmas Bird Count
Bitterroot Bird Alliance is hosting the Annual Christmas Bird Count. Meet at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, December 14th at the Barn at Teller Wildlife Refuge at 1180 Chafn Lane, Corval-
lis. Open to all. Experienced people will be placed with less experienced people. Participate for a half day or full day. Contact Larry Barnes at (208) 471-8297 for more info.
Elks Hoop Shoot
The Bitterroot Valley Elks Hoop Shoot will take place Sunday, December 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. Sign up sheets are at all valley schools. Categories are girls & boys 8-9, girls & boys 10-11, and girls & boys 12-13. For more information gall gail at 406-369-0434.
Mature driver course
Bitterroot Health (formerly Marcus Daly Hospital), located at 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton, is hosting an all-new AARP Driver Safety Course on Friday, December 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This safe driving course is designed for drivers age 50 and over; all drivers are welcome. The program features new laws and updates specifc to Montana, Defensive Driving, Winter Driving, new Vehicle Technologies to name a few. Class size is limited; pre-registration is advised. There are no tests or written exams and Montana mandates insurance discounts for qualifed drivers. Certifcates are now good for three years! Class fee: $20.00 AARP members; $25.00 for non-members. For class sign up, call Hamilton Insurance at 406-363-6583. For further information call Thom Ainsworth, Instructor, at 406369-0149.
Baroque Concert
Bitterroot Baroque is ofering a free Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 22 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 600 S 3rd Street, Hamilton. The program will feature instru-
mental music by Handel, Corrette, and Corelli followed by a Christmas carol sing-along.
Grief coping series
The death of a loved one is one of the most difcult experiences we face in life. Please come share your grief journey with others.
Tuesdays, January 7th – April 1st at 3-5pm at St Francis Pastoral Life Center, 411 S. 5th St, Hamilton
Each session includes a short video featuring interviews with grief recovery experts, real-life stories of people who have experienced the death of a loved one and the opportunity to hear from other participants regarding challenges, questions, and concerns you may encounter in your grief journey. The series will explore dealing with change, guilt, anger, people who don’t understand your grief, tips for preparing for holidays and special occasions, caring for yourself, honoring your loved one and much more.
These faith-based Griefshare. org Sessions are free ($20 donation appreciated for workbook) Register at https://www.grief-
share.org/groups/251057 . For
info, contact Nancy at stfrancishwm@ gmail.com.
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
Sports Wrestling season underway
Wrestling season began for the Bitterroot Valley schools last week. For reference, the boys and girls wrestling teams from Hamilton, Stevensville, Corvallis are in Class A, while the boys and girls teams from Darby and Florence are in Class B.
The teams from Corvallis, Hamilton, Florence and Stevensville were all in Polson for the Owen Invitational on Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8. While Darby was in Cascade for the Cascade Badger Invitational on Thursday, Dec. 6 and Friday, Dec. 7.
The following are the individual results for the Owen Invitational.
For the Corvallis girls , Jocelyn Covington took 1st place at 140, Kaelynn Vanderpool placed 3rd at 110, and Sam Weidow placed 3rd at 190.
For the Corvallis boys , Chase Davis placed 2nd at 103, Aidan, Emerson placed
placed 3rd at Heavyweight.
For the Stevensville girls , Keenya Gibson took 1st place at 130.
For the Stevensville boys , Benjamin White took 1st place at 138, and Todd Whitescarver placed 2nd at 144.
For the Florence boys , Rowan Miller placed 3rd at 132, Landon Serevaag placed 6th at 126, and Max Rosenthal placed 6th at 138.
3rd at 215, Kahle Hill placed 3rd at 118, Sean Davis placed 3rd at 126, Kade Bowles placed 5th at 165, and Colton Snyder placed 5th at 190.
For the Hamilton girls , Payton Boggs placed 6th at 155.
For the Hamilton boys , Jesse James
The following are the individual results for the Cascade Badger Invitational.
For the Darby girls , Logan Paddock placed 2nd at 145.
For the Darby boys , Eli Spross placed 4th at 215, and Shannon Stuart placed 5th at Heavyweight.
High school basketball season begins
The 2024-2025 high school basketball season is underway in the Bitterroot Valley as teams began play last week.
Class A schools Corvallis, Hamilton and Stevensville are in the Southwest A conference. Class B Florence and Darby are in the 6B conference. This will be Darby’s second year in Class B, having moved up from Class C last year for all sports except football. And Class C Victor is in the 13C conference.
All of these teams, besides Stevensville and Hamilton, had games last week.
Corvallis
The Blue Devil basketball teams opened their season against Class B juggernaut Missoula Loyola on Saturday, December 7.
The Corvallis boys went to Missoula and faced arguably one of the
best basketball teams in the state for any classifcation, winners of the last two Class B state championships. Loyola defeated the Blue Devils 9536. The Corvallis girls hosted Loyola and fell 28-62.
Florence
The Falcon boys and girls basketball teams opened their season at Thompson Falls on Friday, Dec. 6th. The Florence girls won handily,
73-42, while the boys fell in a close game, 57-58.
The Florence girls had a balanced attack. Kenzy Pickering led the way with 13 points, followed by Emory Ralston with 12, Jaden Fisher 10, Kendyl Meinhold and Maggie Schneiter each had 8, Ali Meinhold and Shelby Crocker both had 6, Madigan Hurlbert had 4, Taylor Pyette had 3, Alex Nelson had 2, and Alyx Monaco added 1.
13/14C Tip Off Basketball Tournament
The boys and girls basketball teams from Darby and Victor played their frst games of the season in Hamilton at the 13/14C Tip Of Tournament on Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8. The tournament featured teams from 14 area high schools.
The Darby girls played Alberton on Friday and won 65-12. Darby’s Hadley Heiland had a huge game, scoring 25 points by halftime and 30 points for the game. Also for Darby, Georgia Fisher had 13 points, Natalie Anderson had 10 points, Lilly Bennett had 8 points, and Nyna Reasor had 4 points.
On Saturday the Darby girls defeated Hot Springs 45-41.
The Darby boys played Granite on Friday and won 52-36. Darby’s McCoy Townsend led the way with 17 points, Leif Nelson had 16, Jordan Browning had 10, Quinton Woirhaye had 3, and Ben Martin, Colter Bennett, and Oliver Long each added 2.
On Saturday, the Darby boys played Noxon and were defeated 39-69. For Darby, Leif Nelson had 13 points, McCoy Townsend had 9, Jordan Browning had 5, Braydon Lundgren had 4, and Colter Bennett
and Daniel Stewart each added 3.
The Victor boys played Charlo on Friday and lost 15-79. For Victor, River Hare and Kordell Martin each had 4 points, and Raphael Grenon, Koen Nuttall, and Ben Neider each had 2.
On Saturday, Victor played Alberton and lost 18-64. For Victor, Keon Nuttall led the way with 11 points, and Raphael Grenon, Chris Betts and Ben Neider each added 2.
The Victor girls played Charlo on Friday and lost 12-51. For Victor, Asia Parks had 6 points, Whitney Bugli and Nichole Bugli each had 2, and Chloe Pollan and Hannah Buchanan each added a point.
On Saturday, the Victor girls defeated Alberton 49-21.
Victor’s Colin Lewis boxes out a defender in Victor’s game against Alberton on Saturday, December 7th in Hamilton at the 13/14C Tip Off Basketball tournament, Victor was defeated 18-64. The tournament was hosted by Hamilton and featured teams from 14 area high schools. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Corvallis wrestler Jocelyn Covington took 1st place in the girls 140 division at the Owen Invitational in Polson on Saturday, December 7. Photo by Corvallis Schools.
Stevensville wrestler Keenya Gibson took 1st place in the girls 130 division at the Owen Invitational in Polson on Saturday, December 7. Photo courtesy of James Whitescarver.
Stevensville wrestler Benjamin White took 1st place in the boys 138 division at the Owen Invitational in Polson on Saturday, December 7. Photo courtesy of James Whitescarver.
TRAPPING: last-minute amendment to regulations
Continued from page 1
which roads would be ideal to expand trapping opportunities while trying to limit the chances of other recreationists, like snowshoers or cross-country skiers, or their pets, getting caught in traps or disturbing trap lines. He consulted primarily with Foundation for Wildlife Management and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife in formulating his amendment.
The current trap setback regulations were the result of an extensive public process but several comments in opposition to Burrows’ amendment note that this doesn’t seem to be the case with his amendment.
Asked why he didn’t talk to more organizations that had something at stake in terms of recreational interests, he said, “The FWP process moves pretty quickly. But I did send it to the Forest Service for review to see if they saw anything glaring that may cause a problem that I didn’t exempt out. The anti-trapping community was just straight up opposed to it.”
“I think there was probably some misunderstanding of the amendment as well,” he said, “because I saw some comments that I was opening up trails and that all set-backs were of. I talked to a couple of people that were somewhat misinformed about the amendment and thinking it was just a straight free-for-all in Ravalli County which isn’t true. It’s only on closed roads during the trapping season.”
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks opposed the amendment. “The department believes trap setbacks reduce both incidental capture of non-target species and social conficts with recreational non-trapping recreational users of public lands… The amendment reduces the number of routes with setbacks and has real potential to increase non-target captures of domestic dogs and reduce support for recreational trapping. While it is not clear how the amendment will exactly impact trapping eforts, trap captures of target species, conficts and incidental captures of non-target species, or non-trapping recreational use of public routes, all these metrics stand to be infuenced to one degree or another, from one route to another,” it states in their ofcial comment.
Burrows said, “Lake Como already has an area that prohibits trapping so I left that alone. And I didn’t change any of the current prohibitions in areas with heavy recreational use and just looked at roads that I worked with the FS and the trapping groups to close along Lost Horse Creek, Nez Perce Pass Road, Skalkaho Pass and Skalkaho/Rye roads.”
Some roads in high use areas were not exempted, however, such as the closed roads above Bass Creek and Larry Creek. Burrows told the FWP Commission before they adopted the regulations, “In my amendment I tried to capture all the high use areas, but there are some that weren’t captured so the responsibility will be on the trappers to put those traps in good spots.”
Asked if the removal of a 50-foot set-back would make a big diference to the trappers, Burrows said, “Yes, that’s what I’ve been told. I’m not a trapper, but like any hunter knows, the animals use the road just like people. The animals are going to take the path of least resistance. So, the animals are actually walking on the closed roads. That’s where they are at. Now the traps may be placed right on the roads on the seasonally closed roads.”
“Don’t other people use them to hike and ski and walk their dogs,” he was asked.
“Well they do,” said Burrows, “but I think the likelihood of there being confict is going to be relatively low because what the trappers are targeting is those back-country roads, like way up at the back end of the West Fork behind those gated roads where the wolves are travelling. There may be some novice trappers that don’t know any better, but experienced trappers don’t want confict either. I can’t see a trapper setting traps right where he sees human tracks or dog tracks where somebody’s using a road and setting a trap in the middle of it. They are not going to do that. At least I hope not and that’s what I’ve been told.”
“Some areas are closed to motorized vehicles but are open to oversnow vehicles. That’s where they will be trapping, way back up where you’ve got to take a snowmobile to get there,” he said.
When asked about signage to warn people that there might be traps in the road, Burrows said, “I
discussed that and what was said was that there would be confict where somebody is taking down signs and somebody reported it and said they signed it but it got torn down. Or on the other hand, if somebody knows there are traps up a road, they might go up and set them of. I wasn’t completely opposed to them but in discussions those were some of the potential issues with it.
“With ungulates and big game, season settings are every two years, but with wolves, they are on the commissioners’ agenda every year for regulations and season settings,” said Burrows. “So it can be re-looked at if there are conficts. There is no question that the potential for confict increases when you can put traps on the road. I don’t know, but I don’t think it’s going to be a big confict. I think trappers are going to act appropriately and I don’t think they want any confict as well. I think if they see signs of recreational use they are not going to set traps there. Even now with the 50 foot set-back that’s not very far for a dog to wander of a trail or a road.
“I know it’s been a little bit controversial. I think there’s a lot of people who it doesn’t matter much to. I think there are a lot of people, a lot of sportsmen who don’t care that much. I don’t think there’s a lot of people recreating in the areas that they are looking at on these roads. I think a lot of the concerns were among people who thought it meant that it was wide open and that there would be no set-backs anywhere even on the trails. Once I eliminated that concern that took care of the bulk of people because that isn’t even on the table. Now, people know that if you are at a trailhead or on the trails the set-backs still apply, but if you are on a closed road there is potential that there may be a trap on the roadway.”
Burrows told the FWP Commission, “There were some accusations that it was benefting the trappers. I’ll have to agree with that. This amendment is benefcial for trappers. I think it’s going to increase the efciencies of trapping and the trap checks.” He said there was some precedent in Sanders County in Region 1 with rules for removing setbacks but exempting high recreational use areas.
At the meeting, Justin Webb from the Foundation for Wildlife Management said, “We thoroughly appreciate Commissioner Burrows’ research and efort to maximize trapper opportunity while continuing the efort to minimize land user conficts by excluding the roadways being utilized by other land users during this time frame. All too often trappers are unjustly viewed as the cause of all land users conficts any time that they arise, and we hope that it’s noted that trappers have no interest in land user conficts. That’s the last thing that a trapper wants while trapping on the landscape and trappers have just as much right as any other user group. Our hope is that other user groups will be willing to make concessions to avoid conficts just as much as trappers do.”
Representatives from the Montana Trappers Association, Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Montana Fur Harvesters and Outdoor Heritage also endorsed the amendment.
Several organizations and individuals commented in opposition to the amendment.
In response to remarks that incidental captures of grizzlies in a trap are unusual, Chris Servheen, a former grizzly biologist representing the Montana Wildlife Federation, told the commission that FWP has records of at least 17 grizzly bears incidentally caught in wolf or coyote traps.
“These records are only a portion of the total number of such grizzly captures and such traps and snares because the majority of these bears probably leave with these snares on their neck,” said Servheen. “They chew the snare and leave, or they leave with the trap and there’s nothing to report.” He recommended wolf trappers not be allowed to set traps where grizzlies have been seen or documented.
Servheen also said over a fveyear period FWP has records of 306 nontarget captures of animals in foothold traps, snares and Conibear body traps for smaller animals. Adding, more than 120 of the nontarget animals were dogs.
Dr. Linda Kaufman, longtime veterinarian at Burnt Fork Veterinary Clinic in Stevensville, commented,
“As a practicing veterinarian in Ravalli County for more than 30 years, I have seen my share of traumatic injuries to dogs and other domestic animals from traps and poisonings intended for predators and fur-bearing game.
“Until now I have remained silent, but this decision prompts me to speak out. There is a growing number of outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, skiing and snowshoeing with their animal companions
in every corner of State and Federal land in Ravalli County. This change threatens their safety, just so trappers won’t have to walk to their traps a slightly longer distance from the popular public trails and areas.”
A recent poll by Lake Research Partners for Footloose Montana found that 52% of Montanans oppose trapping, 89% want trap warning signs, 84% want snare warning signs, and 85% support reducing trapping quotas for declining species.
Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service.
Stephen Joseph ‘Steve’ Burgett
Stephen Joseph “Steve” Burgett, 69, passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at his home in Stevensville.
Steve was born on March 23, 1955 in Cortland, NY. He was the second of fve children born to Joe and Martha Burgett. He lived in Homer, NY until 1971 when the family moved to Stevensville, MT. Steve graduated from Stevensville High School in 1974. He worked on the family farm on Grof Lane and raised hogs.
On June 7, 1986, he married Donna Lowry of Stevensville. Together they had two children, Martha and Jake.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Martha, and his younger brother Art.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter, Martha (Travis) Gerten; grandchildren, Silas and Echo Gerten of Sidney, MT; son, Jake Burgett of Kent, WA; brothers, Don Burgett of Seaside, OR and Gary (Kerry) Burgett of Ste -
Laurence J. ‘Larry’ Conklin Sr.
Laurence “Larry” J. Conklin Sr., 85, a cherished husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away on November 20, 2024, in Stevensville, Montana. Born on September 5, 1939, in Woodside, Long Island, New York, to Lawrence and Etta Conklin, Larry lived a life marked by dedication and passion.
In 1957, Larry enlisted in the United States Army, serving honorably in the Ordinance Corps until his discharge in 1961. His commitment to service continued as a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1507, the American Legion Post 94, and the Masonic Lodge, all in Stevensville, Montana. He notably portrayed Meriwether Lewis at reenactments and parades during America’s Bicentennial year in 1976.
Death Notices
Frank E. Bladen
Martha C. Castle
Hamilton - Martha C. Castle, 79, passed away peacefully in the afternoon, Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Bitterroot Health, Marcus Daly Hospital following a brief illness. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary. com.
Hamilton - Frank E. Bladen, 87, passed away peacefully in the afternoon, Thursday, December 5, 2024, with family by his side, at the Remington at the Sapphire Lutheran Home in Hamilton. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary. com.
On October 23, 1971, Larry married Janice “Jan” Kesselbach, and together they shared 53 years of marriage. Larry is survived by his devoted wife, Jan; his son, Laurence Conklin Jr., and daughter-in-law, Carri Ward; his daughter, Christine Conklin Samuels, and son-in-law, Michael and his sister, Marjorie Barber (Davie, FL); as well as several cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren and step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.
A man of faith, Larry served as a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Stevensville for a decade, where he was known for his kindness and dedication to his community. His love for the outdoors
Peter R. Van Deusen
Hamilton - Peter R. Van Deusen, 80, passed away peacefully, this morning, December 1, 2024. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary. com.
Terry F. Tanner
Darby - Terry F. Tanner, 77, passed away at his home following a long illness. Condolences may be shared with the family at www. brothersmortuary.com.
Danielle Katherine Corona
Drummond - Danielle Katherine Corona, 36, of Bismarck, North Dakota, tragically passed away in the early morning of Sunday, November 17, 2024 as the result of a headon vehicle collision on Interstate 90 near Drummond. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary. com.
vensville; sister, Carol (Allen) Teetes of Bruceton Mills, WV.
The family would like to thank the members of the quick response unit of the Stevensville Fire Department and the ambulance members who responded to his home.
Services will be announced at a later date when family and friends can get together. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.
was evident in his passion for hunting, fishing, and camping. Larry also had a special affinity for horses, spending many years grooming and training trotters and pacers for the East Coast circuit.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Karen Margolis and Janice Byron, and one brother, Bruce Conklin.
A memorial service will be held in the spring of 2025, where Larry’s ashes will be lovingly scattered over his favorite hunting spot, a fitting tribute to a life well-lived.
Larry will be remembered for his unwavering love for his family, his community, and the great outdoors. Services to be handled by Whitesitt Funeral Home, Stevensville, MT.
Arthur J. Palecek
Hamilton - Arthur J. Palecek, 72, passed away at home early Thursday morning, November 28, 2024 with his wife Maureen and children by his side after a brief illness. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www. brothersmortuary.com
Roy Ennes Stevensville - Roy Ennes, 85, passed away peacefully at the Living Centre in Stevensville on Tuesday evening, November 26, 2024 with his son Scott and his daughter Karen at his side. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at https://www.brothersmortuary.com/obituary/roy-ennes
Dick Cinfo Stevensville - Dick is dead.
Give a kid the gift of fy tying for Christmas
I got my frst fy tying vise when I was about nine or ten years old. It wasn’t gift-wrapped, and it wasn’t Christmas. It was handed to me by my Godfather, who with my dad was one of my heroes. A few weeks before he had shown me a box of fies he had tied and I was fascinated.
I remember the warm half-smile on Paul’s face when he gave me that vise. It had been his, and had fne jaws for tying small trout fies. I was awestruck. He knew, then, what would likely unfold, but he didn’t know all of it.
some amount of enjoyment, quite likely for many years to come.
Over the years I’ve taught many kids, from about the age I started and on through their teens, how to tie fies.
by Chuck Stranahan
When I was twelve I tied some fies for President Eisenhower, and received a personal letter on White House stationery thanking me for them.
As a teenager I tied fies for my own fshing and for sporting goods stores near my family home. That continued through college. With the campus upheavals of the ‘60’s I left school, worked in Northern California sawmills and pulp mills and started a family. Through all of it, there were orders on my fy tying bench.
When I returned to school fy tying became my sole income. I took on large commercial orders from Orvis, and tied some of those fies, the smaller patterns, on that old vise from Paul.
Eventually I completed school and pursued a career in education. Fly tying was at least an avocation until I made fy fshing my profession, with fy tying at the center of it.
When my Godfather handed me that frst fy tying vise he couldn’t have possibly foreseen the impact it would have on my life.
The gift of fy tying that you give a kid this Christmas may not be that life-changing, but it might. I can’t imagine anyone getting into fy tying and not having it change their life in some way – and it’s certain to bring
Kids love to do things with their hands. They are always busy with something and toy manufacturers, over the years, have sold their parents Silly Putty, Whizzers, Spinners, the list is endless.
Today, the smart phone, joystick and keyboard and attached screens seem to keep kids occupied, channeling their minds Godknows-where, and at least developing their ability to use their thumbs.
I’ve seen many of them lay their tech toys aside, fascinated instead with fy tying materials. There are kids who naturally love to stroke the feathers, feel the fur and hair, wrap the sparkling bright synthetics and natural fbers onto fshhooks and actually make something.
There is something natural and real about fy tying materials that is lacking in a little black box with a joystick or push-buttons. While the tech has evolved in quantum leaps, kids (thank God) haven’t. They still like to explore the natural world and make things. Fly tying gives them a connection and outlet for both. It’s easy (and not too expensive) to get started.
fy shop. The beginning tyer is better of to start with a good vise that is easy to use and holds a hook securely. Scissors are important. Spend around twelve to twenty bucks for a good pair, even for a young tyer.
One option is to get a fy tying kit. If you’re not a fy tyer yourself, get it from a fy shop or on-line source that specializes in fy fshing. The other is to spend about the same amount of money under the guidance of a local
A good quality bobbin with a ceramic tip, hackle pliers that will not break the hackle feathers they are designed to hold, whip fnishing or halfhitch tools and a glue bottle with an air-tight seal round out the list of es-
sentials. Have the fy shop professional select a batch of materials to get the young fy tyer started on Christmas morning. A good illustrated instruction book, or referral to good on-line instructional videos, will direct that Christmas morning enthusiasm into directions that may lead – who knows where? It could be life-changing.
From there, watch as they follow their own interests and explore the wonderful world you have opened to them with the gift of fy tying.
Grandpa Chuck gives granddaughter Sophie the gift of fy tying. Photo by Chuck Stranahan.
Conservative groups see chance to kill Medicaid Expansion
by Katheryn Houghton KFF News
Conservative groups are working to undermine support for Montana’s Medicaid expansion in hopes the state will abandon the program. The rollback would be the frst in the decade since the Afordable Care Act began allowing states to cover more people with low incomes.
Montana’s expansion, which insures roughly 78,800 people, is set to expire next year unless the legislature and governor opt to renew it. Opponents see a rare opportunity to eliminate Medicaid expansion in one of the 40 states that have approved it.
The Foundation for Government Accountability and Paragon Health Institute, think tanks funded by conservative groups, told Montana lawmakers in September that the program’s enrollment and costs are bloated and that the overloaded system harms access to care for the most vulnerable.
Manatt, a consulting frm that has studied Montana’s Medicaid program for years, then presented legislators with the opposite take, stating that more people have access to critical treatment because of Medicaid expansion. Those who support the program say the conservative groups’ arguments are fawed.
State Rep. Bob Keenan, a Republican who chairs the Health and Human Services Interim Budget Committee, which heard the dueling arguments, said the decision to kill or continue Medicaid expansion “comes down to who believes what.”
The expansion program extends Medicaid coverage to adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or nearly $21,000 a year for a single person. Before, the program was largely reserved for children, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. The federal government covers 90% of the expansion cost while states pick up the rest.
National Medicaid researchers have said Montana is the only state considering shelving its expansion in 2025. Others could follow.
New Hampshire legislators in 2023 extended the state’s expansion for seven years and this year blocked legislation to make it permanent. Utah has provisions to scale back or end its Medicaid expansion program if federal contributions drop.
FGA and Paragon have long argued against Medicaid expansion. Tax records show their funders include some large organizations pushing conservative agendas. That includes the 85 Fund, which is backed by Leonard Leo, a conservative activist best known for his eforts to fll the courts with conservative judges.
The president of Paragon Health Institute is Brian Blase, who served as a special assistant to former President Donald Trump and is a visiting fellow at FGA, which quotes him as praising the organization for its “conservative policy wins” across states. He was also announced in 2019 as a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation, which was behind the Project 2025 presidential blueprint, which proposes restricting Medicaid eligibility and benefts.
Paragon spokesperson Anthony Wojtkowiak said its work isn’t directed by any political party or donor. He said Paragon is a nonpartisan nonproft and responds to policymakers interested in learning more about its analyses.
“In the instance of Montana, Paragon does not have a role in the debate around Medicaid expansion, other than
the testimony,” he said.
FGA declined an interview request. As early as last year, the organization began calling on Montana lawmakers to reject reauthorizing the program. It also released a video this year of Montana Republican Rep. Jane Gillette saying the state should allow its expansion to expire.
Gillette requested the FGA and Paragon presentations to state lawmakers, according to Keenan. He said Democratic lawmakers responded by requesting the Manatt presentation.
Manatt’s research was contracted by the Montana Healthcare Foundation, whose mission is to improve the health of Montanans. Its latest report also received support from the state’s hospital association.
The Montana Healthcare Foundation is a funder of KFF Health News, an independent national newsroom that is part of the health information nonproft KFF.
Bryce Ward, a Montana health economist who studies Medicaid expansion, said some of the antiexpansion arguments don’t add up.
For example, Hayden Dublois, FGA’s data and analytics director, told Montana lawmakers that in 2022 72% of able-bodied adults on Montana’s Medicaid program weren’t working. If that data refers to adults without disabilities, that would come to 97,000 jobless Medicaid enrollees, Ward said. He said that’s just shy of the state’s total population who reported no income at the time, most of whom didn’t qualify for Medicaid.
“It’s simply not plausible,” Ward said.
A Manatt report, citing federal survey data, showed 66% of Montana adults on Medicaid have jobs and an additional 11% attend school.
FGA didn’t respond to a request for its data, which Dublois said in the committee hearing came through a state records request.
Jon Ebelt, a spokesperson for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, also declined to comment. As of late October, a KFF Health News records request for the data the state provided FGA was pending.
In his presentation before Montana lawmakers, Blase said the most vulnerable people on Medicaid are worse of due to expansion as resources pool toward new enrollees.
“Some people got more medical care; some people got less medical care,” Blase said.
Reports released by the state show
its standard monthly reimbursement per Medicaid enrollee remained relatively fat for seniors and adults who are blind or have disabilities.
Drew Gonshorowski, a researcher with Paragon, cited data from a federal Medicaid commission that shows that, overall, states spend more on adults who qualifed through the expansion programs than they do on others on Medicaid. That data also shows states spend more on seniors and people with disabilities than on the broader adult population insured by Medicaid, which is also true in Montana.
Nationally, states with expansions spend more money on people enrolled in Medicaid across eligibility groups compared with non-expansion states, according to a KFF report.
Zoe Barnard, a senior adviser for Manatt who worked for Montana’s health department for nearly 10 years, said not only has the state’s uninsured rate dropped by 30% since it expanded Medicaid, but also some specialty services have grown as more people access care.
FGA has long lobbied nonexpansion states, including Texas, Kansas, and Mississippi, to leave Medicaid expansion alone. In February, an FGA representative testifed in support of an Idaho bill that included an expansion
repeal trigger if the state couldn’t meet a set of rules, including instituting work requirements and capping enrollment. The bill failed.
Paragon produced an analysis titled “Resisting the Wave of Medicaid Expansion,” and Blase testifed to Texas lawmakers this year on the value of continuing to keep expansion out of the Lone Star State.
On the federal level, Paragon recently proposed a Medicaid overhaul plan to phase out the federal 90% matching rate for expansion enrollees, among other changes to cut spending. The left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has countered that such ideas would leave more people without care.
In Montana, Republicans are defending a supermajority they didn’t have when a bipartisan group passed the expansion in 2015 and renewed it in 2019. Also unlike before, there’s now a Republican in the governor’s ofce. Gov. Greg Gianforte is up for reelection and has said the safety net is important but shouldn’t get too big.
Keenan, the Republican lawmaker, predicted the expansion debate won’t be clear-cut when legislators convene in January.
“Medicaid expansion is not a yes or no. It’s going to be a negotiated decision,” he said.
Conservative groups are working to undermine support for Montana’s Medicaid expansion ahead of a political fght over whether to keep the program. Photo Courtesy PHOTODISC/GETTY IMAGES.
Book Review
Booked for the season
“Good Reasonable People: The Psychology Behind America’s Dangerous Divide” by Keith Payne
c.2024, Viking
$29.00 272 pages
And there you sat, glowering across the table.
A table rather like the Grand Canyon, or the Pacifc Ocean, and nobody brought a bridge to Thanksgiving dinner. Just like that, politics was served up, your happy holiday got ugly, and you wished you’d stayed home. You’d like a do-over, please, so read “Good Reasonable People” by Keith Payne and deeeeep breath.
Growing up in small-town, whitebread Kentucky, Keith Payne was raised on information that refected his surroundings: Christian, family-oriented, and straight. If he or his classmates asked questions about racism, living “literally... on the line between the North and South,” or their town’s complicated history, he says, teachers often changed the subject.
After moving away from home to go to college, Payne learned about people who weren’t like him, and he assimilated and embraced other ideas and cultures. He became “a secular liberal college professor” who’s distressed today at the divide he sees.
“We need more humanizing,” he says, “because people in our country have been dehumanizing one another a lot.”
To end that, and to pull together again, understand that “there is no liberal mind or conservative mind.” We are all just humans “trying to make sense of the circumstances…”
Our perceptions, he says, spring from “the racial group we are born into,” the social class we attain, and the thought processes we use to protect our mental well-being, which is called the “Psychological Immune System.” We overestimate how bad
things will be and how long we’ll sufer. We want to be good people but we hold ourselves and our tribe
in higher esteem than we do others, adding meaning to even the most meaningless groups in order to
by Terry Schlichenmeyer
inoculate us from things we think we can’t believe. These are the answers to the divide.
Says Payne, “It is time to look plainly at why people believe what they believe, choose what they choose, and want what they want.”
Grrrrrr, your nephew just drives you batty with his ignorance, right? You wish he’d wake up and look around and, yeah, he probably says the same about you. You’ll never understand why he liked that candidate – not unless you read “Good Reasonable People.”
Point fngers, if you must. Blame the polls, lackadaisical voters, electronic media, whatever, then let author Keith Payne re-frame the issues with pages and pages of sense-making “AHA!” moments and forehead smackers. Here, you’ll see that the thought processes and various conceptions leading up to the election have been in plain sight all along – for decades, in fact – and they are explainable, if not understandable. In a small way, Payne goes on to hint at the future and how readers can look at their opponents with compassion and the kind of depth that could eliminate a good amount of anger.
Outwardly, this book isn’t going to change anyone’s political leaning, nor will it change history on a large scale. No, “Good Reasonable People” could be benefcial and will mean something on a one-to-one, individual basis if brokering peace is on the table.
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Legal Notices
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County
In the Matter of the Name Change of Kirsten Joy Roy, Kirsten Joy Roy, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-41-20240000390-NC
Dept. 2
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change from Kirsten Joy Roy to Kirsten Joy O’Leary.
The hearing will be on January 9, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.
The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 15th day of November, 2024.
/s/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court
By: Barbara Beavers
Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 11-20, 11-27, 12-4, 12-11-24.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC NOTICE
Whittecar Rife Range will hold its annual membership meeting on January 9, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Range, 578 Blodgett View Road, Hamilton.
BS 11-27, 12-26-24
MNAXLP
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County
In the Matter of the Name Change of Kathryn Joyce Snyder, Kathryn Joyce Snyder, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-41-20240000412-NC
Dept. 1 NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change from Kathryn Joyce Snyder to Kathryn Joyce Armstrong.
The hearing will be on January 8, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.
The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 13th day of November, 2024.
/s/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court
By: Michelle Goldman
Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 12-4, 12-11, 12-18, 12-25-24.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HAROLD ARTHUR FESSLER, Deceased.
Probate No.: DP-2024129 Dept. No.: 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that Tim Fessler has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed estate. All persons having claims against the said Decedent are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to Tim Fessler, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at c/o Montana Legacy Law, PLLC, 178 South 2nd St., Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.
BS 12-4, 12-11, 12-1824. MNAXLP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA) will hold a public hearing December 18, 2024 beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the RCEDA Conference Room, 274 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton, MT. The RCEDA Board of Commissioners will consider adopting a resolution authorizing participation in the Board of Investments of the State of Montana Short Term Investment Pool (STIP) and authorizing the execution and delivery of documents related thereto. At this time public comment will be taken and considered. All interested parties are encouraged to attend. Written comments on establishing the Resolution may be submitted to Julie Foster, RCEDA Executive Director, 274 Old Corvallis
Road, Suite A, Hamilton, MT 59840 or julie@rceda.org. For further information, call the RCEDA at 406-375-9416.
BS 12-4, 12-11-24.
MNAXLP
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Melissa Ann Dye, Melissa Ann Dye, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-41-20240000413-NC
Dept. 1 Howard F. Recht NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change from Melissa Ann Dye to Melissa Ann Wilde. The hearing will be on January 8, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County. DATED this 13th day of November, 2024. /s/ Paige Trautwein Clerk of District Court By: Michelle Goldman Deputy Clerk of Court BS 12-4, 12-11, 12-18, 12-25-24.
MNAXLP
CALL FOR BIDS
The BOARD OF RAVALLI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS are seeking bids for Display Advertising for our Ravalli County Ofces in a local newspaper within the County of Ravalli for the calendar year of 2025. Please bid the Display Advertising by the Column Inch.
Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope and clearly marked, “DISPLAY ADVERTISING BID”. The bid must be received by the Clerk & Recorders Ofce at 215 S. 4th Street, Suite C, Hamilton, MT 59840 NO LATER THAN MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2024 AT 4:00 PM.
Bids will then be publically opened and potentially awarded on TUESDAY, December 17, 2024 at 11:30 AM in the Commissioners Conference Room at 215 S. 4th Street, (3rd foor). For further information, contact the Commissioners’ Ofce at 406-375-6500. Chris Taggart Commissioners Administrative Assistant BS 12-4, 12-11-24.
MNAXLP
CALL FOR BIDS
The BOARD OF RAVALLI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS are calling for bids for the printing of legal notices for the Ravalli County Ofces in a local newspaper within the County of Ravalli for the calendar year of 2025. Bids should include the following: Per folio rate (1-100 words) for the frst and each additional insertion. Information that specifcally addresses compliance with Section 18-7-411 and 18-7-201 MCA.
Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope and clearly marked, “LEGAL NOTICE PRINTING BID”. The bid must be received by the Clerk & Recorders Ofce at 215 S. 4th Street, Suite C, Hamilton, MT 59840 NO LATER THAN MONDAY, December 16, 2024 AT 4:00 PM.
Bids will then be publically opened and potentially awarded on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 11:45
AM in the Commissioners Conference Room at 215 S. 4th Street, (3rd foor).
For further information, contact the Commissioners’ Ofce at 406-375-6500
The Ravalli County Board of Commissioners is soliciting request for proposals for snow removal and lawn care for the Ravalli County locations known 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, Montana and 205 Bedford, Hamilton, Montana.
Proposals must be received by the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite C, Hamilton, MT no later than Monday, December 16, 2024 at 4:00 PM.
Proposals will be opened and possibly awarded on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM, in the Commissioners Conference Room at 215 S. 4th Street (third foor), Hamilton, MT.
For a copy of the full request for proposals and specifcation, or if you have any questions regarding the RFP process, please contact the Commissioner’s Administrative Assistant at 215 S. 4th Street, Suite A, Hamilton, Montana or by phone 406 375 6500 during regular business hours.
BS 12-4, 12-11-24.
MNAXLP
RAVALLI COUNTY ATTORNEY
Bill Fulbright, County
Attorney Ravalli County Courthouse 205 Bedford Street, Suite C Hamilton, MT 59840
E-mail: countyattorney@ rc.mt.gov
Phone: (406) 375-6750
Fax: (406) 375-6731
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF:
A.H., A YOUTH IN NEED OF CARE.
Cause No. DN 23-06
Dept. 2
SUMMONS / CITATION FOR PUBLICATION TO: “VERN” YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a Petition for Termination of Parental Rights and Permanent Legal Custody (“the Petition”) regarding, A.H., the child who is the subject of the above-captioned proceedings brought pursuant to Title 41, Chapter 3 of the Montana Code Annotated, has been fled in Cause No. DN 23-06 in Montana Twenty-First Judicial District Court, in Ravalli County by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Child and Family Services Division (CFS), located at 108 Pinkney St, Hamilton, MT 59840.
The Petition requests that CFS be granted the following: Terminating the parental rights of the above-named youth’s biological parents and
granting CFS permanent legal custody of the youth with the right to consent to the youth’s adoption, guardianship, or other permanent placement. A copy of the Petition is fled with the Clerk of District Court for Ravalli County, (406) 375-6710 and is hereby served upon you at this time. The child who is the subject of the proceedings, A.H., was born on November 26, 2010. The child’s mother is Callie Howard. The child’s putative father is Unknown. NOW, THEREFORE, YOU ARE HEREBY DIRECTED to appear at the Status Hearing regarding the Petition that is set on the 19th day of December, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., at the Ravalli County Courthouse located at 205 Bedford St., Hamilton, Montana YOU ARE FURTHER ORDERED to appear for a hearing on CFS’ petition that is set on the 9th day of January, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. at the Ravalli county Courthouse located at 205 Bedford St., Hamilton, Montana, then and there to show, if any you may have, why CFS should not be granted the requested in the Petition.
NOTICE: Your failure to appear at the hearing will constitute a denial of interest in the child, which denial may result, without further notice of this proceeding or any subsequent proceeding, in judgment by default being entered for the relief requested in the Petition. You have the right to be represented by an attorney in these proceedings. If you are unable to aford an attorney, the Court will have an attorney appointed to represent you.
WITNESS my hand and the Seal of this Court this 26th day of November, 2024. (SEAL) Paige Trautwein Clerk of District Court By: Catherine di Gleria Deputy Clerk BS 12-4, 12-11, 12-1824.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC
SALE Notice is hereby given to the persons hereinafter named and to whom it may concern. For enforcement of liens in the amount of $40 and $740, Advanced Storage Solutions, located at 108
Westside Road, Hamilton MT 59840, will sell the contents of storage units #38, and #49, occupied by Tamara Valenzano, at auction to the highest bidder. Auction will be held at Advanced Storage Solutions, Unit #38 and Unit #49 on Thursday, December 12th at 4 pm. BS 12-4, 12-11-24.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Notice is hereby given to the persons hereinafter named and to whom it may concern. For enforcement of liens in the amount of $108 and $750, Advanced Storage Solutions, located at 108 Westside Road, Hamilton MT 59840, will sell the contents of storage units #29, occupied by Robyn Dethlefsen, at auction to the highest bidder. Auction will be held at Advanced Storage Solutions, Unit #29 on Thursday, December 12th at 4 pm. BS 12-4, 12-11-24.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Notice is hereby given to the persons hereinafter named and to whom it may concern. For enforcement of liens in the amount of $480, Advanced Storage Solutions, located at 108 Westside Road, Hamilton MT 59840, will sell the contents of storage units #35 & 37, at auction to the highest bidder. Auction will be held at Advanced Storage Solutions, Unit #35 and Unit #37 on Thursday, December 12th at 4 pm. BS 12-4, 12-11-24.
MNAXLP
OG-24-12-476
LEGAL NOTICE
The Ravalli County Planning Department is inviting public comment on foodplain permit application FA-22-28 for work proposed within the FEMA regulated foodplain of the Bitterroot River. The applicant is Rodney Clarke of RBC Sand and Gravel. The project is proposing to continue operation of an existing gravel mine and expand operations into a 5.2-acre area on the subject property. All other necessary federal, state and local permits have been obtained. A site map is attached with this notice. The
NOTICE OF OPEN OF FILING
property is located at 2905 US Highway 93 S, Darby, MT in Section 35, Township 04 North, Range 21 West, Ravalli County. All construction will be completed in accordance with the Ravalli County Floodplain Regulations and will be located within the FEMA Flood Fringe area of the foodplain. Detailed information regarding this application is available for review at the Ravalli County Planning Department at 215 S 4th St, Suite F in Hamilton. Written comments may be mailed, hand-delivered or emailed (planning@rc.mt. gov) and must be received by December 25th, 2024. (Reference Application #FA-22-28). BS 12-11-24. MNAXLP
CORVALLIS COUNTY
SEWER DISTRICT
The Board of Directors of the Corvallis County Sewer District will hold a Special Board Meeting on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 10:00 am - 317 Woodside Cutof Road, with the following agenda: minutes approval, claims approval, construction update, staf reports, adjourn. This meeting is open to the public. There will be no other regular board meeting held in December. BS 12-11-24. MNAXLP
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Tarcila Rangel Galindo, Tarcila Gloria Galindo, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-24-426 Dept. 2
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a name change from Tarcila Rangel Galindo to Tarcila Gloria Galindo Cisneros. The hearing will be on January 2, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County. DATED this 25th day of November, 2024. /s/ Paige Trautwein Clerk of District Court By: Catherine di Gleria Deputy Clerk of Court BS 12-11, 12-18, 12-2524, 1-1-25. MNAXLP
Notice is hereby given that oath of candidacy filing will open Thursday, December 12, 2024, for the Bitterroot Valley Community College Election to be held on May 6, 2025, for trustees who are elected by voters in said district.
Oath of candidacy forms can be obtained from the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder’s Office located at 215 South 4th Street, Suite C; Hamilton, Montana, or from the Ravalli County Elections website at https://www.ravalli.us/145/Elections. No filing fee is required. The deadline for submitting the oath of candidacy is 5 PM on March 27, 2025.
Dated this 4th day of December, 2024
Regina Plettenberg, Ravalli County Election Administrator 215 South 4th Street, Suite C; Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 375-6550
NOTICE OF OPEN OF FILING
Display Ad
Size: 3 columns wide x 3” long (format to fit)
Notice is hereby given that oath of candidacy filing will open Thursday, December 12, 2024, for Special District Elections to be held for the following commissioners/trustees elected by voters in said districts:
Publish: December 11, 2024
Bill: Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder 215 South 4th Street, Suite C Hamilton, MT 59840
Drainage Districts: Humble, Willow Creek
Please verify publication with an affidavit – Thank you!
Irrigation Districts: Bitterroot, Blodgett Creek, Canyon Creek, Charlos, Daly Ditches, Lomo, Mill Creek, Sunset, Ward
Library District: North Valley Library
Park Districts: Lone Rock, Ravalli Co. Park District No. 2, Stevensville West, Victor
Rural Fire Districts: Corvallis, Darby, Florence, Hamilton, Painted Rocks, Stevensville, Sula, Three Mile, Victor, West Fork
Oath of candidacy forms can be obtained from the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder’s Office located at 215 South 4th Street, Suite C; Hamilton, Montana, or from the Ravalli County Elections website at https://www.ravalli.us/145/Elections. No filing fee is required. The deadline for submitting the oath of candidacy is 5 PM on February 10, 2025.
The Special District Elections will be held on May 6, 2025 for all districts whose commissioners/trustees are not elected by acclamation.
Dated this 4th day of December, 2024 Regina Plettenberg, Ravalli County Election Administrator 215 South 4th Street, Suite C; Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 375-6550
