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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent
‘The Volume XXXVII, Number 24
’ ! l a c o L Best at Wednesday, December 29, 2021
www.bitterrootstar.com
Happy New Year! Cimarron Studios
provides valley new relationship with film by Nathan Boddy
The Bitterroot Star circulation crew: Mary Jo, Nichole (supervisor) and Alan. These three prepare your paper for delivery by our carriers every week. All of us at the Star thank you for your support and wish you a healthy and prosperous 2022. Photo by Victoria Howell.
It is no secret that film makers consider Montana to be ‘picture perfect.’ From films like, ‘A River Runs Through It,’ to the more recent ‘Yellowstone’ series, the backdrop of the Treasure State is one that has inspired audiences for years. While Montanans may differ on their opinions about the value of seeing their Kyle Weingart, Director of Operations for Cimarron state portrayed on the Studios in Hamilton, with his wife Zuzu. silver screen, the trend is undeniable and has where people can watch movies, to a even settled into Hamilton in the place where they can be involved with shape of Cimarron Studios, Inc. making them.” which occupies the building once Lawmakers in Helena considered filled by the Pharaohplex Cinema the film industry important to on Old Corvallis Road. While the Montana’s economic health, and Pharaohplex theater will still operate showed it by passing House Bill 293 in a limited capacity on the grounds, (the Montana Economic Development the building itself is now the central Industry Advancement, or MEDIA focus of Cimarron’s Creative Media Act) in 2019. The bill provides tax Campus. According to Kyle Weingart, credits up to 35% for companies Cimarron’s Director of Operations, See CIMARRON, page 3 the location has gone, “from a place
End of an era for Stevi town government by Victoria Howell The Stevensville Town Council held its final meeting of the year, and of its tenure, on December 23. An entirely new council will be seated in January, as well as incoming mayor Steve Gibson. Newly elected council members Stacie Barker and Cindy Brown will be tasked with appointing two additional members to replace
Jaime Devlin and Sydney Allen, both of whom resigned in December. The Town is currently advertising for town council applicants. The 23rd’s meeting agenda was light, since the main agenda item, Carter Dewey, 4, adjourns a public hearing on the his dad’s final meeting as proposed subdivision Mayor of Stevensville.
regulations, was cancelled due to insufficient public notice. Mayor Brandon Dewey said that it would be more appropriate for the new council and mayor to address this item, as any decision on the changes will be handled by them.
The council consented to the appointment of Keith Nyholm and Eric Wilson as Firefighter Cadets. Mayor Dewey reported that the sale of the Willoughby property had closed and $243,000 had been deposited in the bank. Council member Paul Ludington thanked the staff that is continuing See ERA, page 4
‘Red Sleighs’ over the Bitterroot by Victoria Howell
In 2020, the Museum of Mountain Flying initiated the inaugural Red Sleighs over Montana. Project organizers identified nearly 20 rural communities throughout Western Montana with limited economic resources. Volunteers worked with these communities to identify “families in need” as well as general opportunities of giving – “a chance to make children’s wishes come true,”
according to their public relations materials. Organizers recruited local “pilots turned Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus” and “elves” who were able to fly to these communities delivering donated toys, clothing, blankets, and other gifts to nearly 1000 children. Volunteers with the Museum of Mountain Flying and Red Sleighs Over Montana collect hundreds of new items for the children to choose from. They also try to help one or See RED SLEIGHS, page 5
Above: Santa Claus, aka pilot Ernie Hummer, flew his Cessna 182 to the Stevensville Airport last Tuesday, where he handed out presents to students from Stevensville’s second grade classes. Photo by Victoria Howell.