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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!”

‘The B Volume XXXV, Number 30

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

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Montana Supreme Court to hear arguments in Christensen appeal

New digs!

By Michael Howell

The Montana Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the appeal of former Florence doctor Chris Christensen. The 72-year-old former physician was charged in 2015 and, following a long jury trial, was convicted of two cases of negligent homicide and 20 counts of drug related charges having to do with opiod medications. He was sentenced to serve 20 years with ten suspended but remains free on bond pending resolution of his appeal. Christensen is challenging the conviction, claiming that a medical doctor cannot be charged with a crime “while acting in the course of professional practice.” Prosecutors claim that Christensen acted outside the course of

Victor Fire Department relocates Marty Zufelp (right) of the Victor Fire Department cleans out his locker at the old station next to the Victor Park. The fire department moved into their new station on Meridian Road on Saturday. The Victor ambulance (above) is backing into its new bay. The new building has been fully remodeled with room for at least fire and rescue vehicles, two training classrooms and offices. Montana Highway Patrol has an office there. They even have their own laundry facilities to take care of turn-out gear that has potentially been exposed to hazardous materials.

Are the kids in your life experiencing a little cabin fever? This Saturday, February 15, they have a chance to get out and explore opportunities for camps and workshops that are taking place throughout the summer. The event will be indoors at Fort Owen Ranch and is free! This event is similar to the Youth Expo that will be held on May 9, 2020, at Teller Wildlife Refuge. According to Tom Powers, one of the organizers of the event, it gives more teens and preteens a chance to see what sort of summer camps are available for those interested in the great outdoors. The representatives from various camps throughout the state will be on hand to offer information regarding when and where the camps are as well as ages for the camps. There will also be drawings for these camps. The horse packing camp will be conducted by the Back Country Horsemen of Montana. Members of the Selway Pintler Wilderness Back Country Horsemen will be helping out with camp opportunities. The summer camp will take place in the Scapegoat Wilderness in late July or Early August. This camp is for

a professional medical practitioner by “freely and liberally dispensing dangerous drugs to drug addicts resulting in the deaths of two patients.”

Rocky Mountain Laboratory to study 2019 novel Coronavirus

Youth Expo and Archery Shoot to be held at Fort Owen Ranch By Jean Schurman

Chris Christensen

“Victim after victim testified about the ease with which Christensen gave them the drugs, often at their own choosing without Christensen performing even the customary basic tasks that would define his actions as being within the course of professional practice,” wrote the prosecutors. Christensen has until March 5 to file a reply brief. The Justices, who have allowed Christensen five filing extensions so far in the appeal process, said they will grant no more extensions. Oral arguments have been set for April 3, at the George Dennison Theatre at the University of Montana in Missoula. There will be an introduction at 9 a.m. and arguments will begin at 9:30 a.m. The court said it would not entertain any requests for rescheduling.

ages 12-17. Another opportunity is the Glacier Institute near Glacier Park. These camps are for all ages from

7 to 17 years of age, with camps beginning in June and running

See YOUTH EXPO, page 2

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (named “2019-nCoV”) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and which continues to expand. According to information on the CDC website, Chinese health officials have reported tens of thousands of infections with 2019-nCoV in China, with the virus reportedly spreading from person-to-person in parts of that country. Infections with 2019-nCoV, most of them associated with travel from Wuhan, also are being reported in a growing number of international locations including the United States. Some person-to-person spread of this virus outside China has been detected. The United States reported the first confirmed instance of

person-to-person spread with this virus on January 30, 2020. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS, SARS, and now with 2019-nCoV. Several research groups in the Laboratory of Virology at Rocky Mountain Laboratories have begun studies of the 2019 novel coronavirus. Some projects already are under way, others will begin shortly. RML scientists have studied a related virus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, since it emerged in 2012 in Saudi Arabia, so they have expertise in this type of research. Their research projects will involve things like: • Learning how the virus

binds to cells so they can develop therapies to prevent the binding and stop infection. • Learning how stable the virus is in the environment. • Establishing an animal model to study the virus. • Testing the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and treatments. If you have general questions about the virus, the CDC has a Novel Coronavirus web page with the latest information: https:// www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index. html. These web pages include more information about symptoms, prevention, and treatment; guidance for healthcare professionals; travel; and a situation summary with the latest news. An overview of NIH coronavirus research is available at: https:// www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/coronaviruses

By Michael Howell

to ask you a few questions. Nine to be exact. Even if someone comes knocking, you don’t have to worry, according to McCarthy. She said in her twenty years of working for the U.S. Census Bureau she has never heard of any action being taken against someone who refused to answer the census. McCarthy is one of four Partnership Specialists going around the state encouraging the establishment of local Complete Count Committees composed of local volunteers who promote the 2020 Census and educate the community about the need for a complete count. The U.S. Census Bureau began hiring Partnership Specialists to carry out the 2020 Census a year ago in January. McCarthy was hired to serve 12

counties in the northeastern corner of the state and three Tribes. Her duties multiplied when the Partnership Specialist for the southwestern portion of the state resigned in September. That specialist had contacted the county, according to Commission Chair Chris Hoffman, and the commission expressed a willingness to help but there was never a follow up. McCarthy apologized for the dropped ball and said she was ready, albeit a bit late, to work on promoting the census. “In the past they have gone out with federal folks,” said McCarthy, “and gone into a community and said, ‘Gee, we think this is the best thing for your com-

2020 U.S. Census about to start in Ravalli County

Alex Sorenson, 4H archery leader for the past 15 years, is in charge of the Archery Shoot at Fort Owen Ranch this Saturday.

9TH ANNUAL COWBOY BALL FEBRUARY 15TH • 5:30PM Tables still available! Call the Fairgrounds 363-3411

Colleen McCarthy, a Partnership Specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, visited with the Ravalli County Commissioners last week, drumming up support for the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census. Collection of census data is set to begin with a letter sent to residents in the first week of March followed on March 12 with the launching of the on-line application site and the activation of the phone line. “What’s different about this census than any other to date,” said McCarthy, “is that you get a chance to respond on-line.” She said every head of household being queried can respond either by going on-line, by phone, or by regular mail. If you don’t, someone may come knocking at your door

See CENSUS, page 2

FIRST INTERSTATE BUILDING Ravalli County Fairgrounds Feed bucket raffle, LIVE Auction, Music by shoDOWN

Page 2 -- Bitterroot Star

Youth Expo continued

through August. The camp at the Theodore Roosevelt Ranch near the town of Dupuyer is a five-day camp for campers 11 to 17, and is held in early August. There will be a drawing for a camp put on by the Montana Wild Sheep Founda-

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

tion. Those camps are held at the Magruder Ranger Station. Trout Unlimited offers a fly fishing camp on the Bitterroot River, and the Montana Bow Hunters offer a camp in June. There will be many opportunities for hands on learning at this week’s expo. The Mule Deer trailer will offer a chance to shoot pellet guns. There is also an

opportunity to sign up for a drawing to participate at the Whittecar Shooting Range on June 24, 2020. Only 24 kids will be drawn from ages 12-17. These youth cannot be part of any shooting team. At that event, the top shooters will receive new 22 rifles. Other displays and booths include the Bear Beware booth with instructions on how to use

bear spray effectively. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks will have a display of animals harvested here in the valley such as deer, elk, sheep, and goats. Kate Davis from Raptors of the Rockies will present a talk on big birds at 2 p.m. In addition to the many booths, there will be a 4H Archery shooting contest with competitors from across the state. Coordinator Alex Sorenson of Stevensville expects 60-80 competitors. There will be divisions for traditional, compound, and Olympic. Olympic bows are recurves with sights and stabilizers on them. This competition will be in another building on the ranch. Fort Owen State Park, adjacent to the ranch, will be open for visitors during the day. Maci MacPherson from Montana FWP will be on hand to share the history of this place. There will be food for purchase. “This event is made possible by all the organizations that support us financially and support our summer camps as well,” said Powers. “We continue to grow with (more) opportunities for our youth. This past year, we were able to send over 200 kids to summer camps and related events across Western Montana. We are so very thankful for Myla Yahraus and her ranch manager, Kent Smartt, for allowing us this opportunity.” For more information, contact Karen at 961-3507, Tom at 531-4224, or Fred at 369-1150.

Census continued

munity’,” said McCarthy. “Most of us, especially in Montana, don’t appreciate the feds coming in and telling us what’s best for us. So, we are coming into the community and asking for volunteers, trusted voices in your community that can help us promote the 2020 Census.” She said that the federal government was ready to provide training and information about the decennial census “and then brainstorm a work plan as to how we can educate the folks in the community and tell them how important the 2020 Census is.” One big reason to not have an undercounted population, according to McCarthy, is money. Money for things such as county roadways, school lunch programs, Head Start, and SNAP programs. All of these programs apportion their funds to the various states according to census data. McCarthy said that about $675 billion is distributed annually to states based on census data. Montana receives about $3 billion of that. Determination of the exact amount is based on census data. The U.S. Census Bureau has identified traditionally under counted communities and Mon-

tana’s Tribal lands are among the under counted. She noted that Montana lost a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives due to a low census count. Those who fail to respond to the first letter in early March by either going on-line, or over the phone, will receive a second letter. If there is still no response, a postcard will be sent out. If the postcard is not responded to, another letter will be sent out. If that letter gets no response, a fifth and final letter will be sent out including a paper form that could be completed and mailed. If there is still no response, a census taker will be sent out to interview the head of household and complete the census on the spot with a laptop computer. McCarthy said that the bureau was looking to hire local people to help in the data collection when it gets to the personal visit phase. She said the census taker position is part time and temporary, usually from sometime in April to sometime in July. The pay is $17 per hour.

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Bitterroot Star -- Page 3

Ballance announces bid for Senate District 44 seat Editor’s Note: Following is Nancy Ballance’s statement of candidacy in her own words.

Last year’s Northern Rodeo Association bull of the year was owned by Red Eye Rodeo of Deer Lodge. The naming rights to the bull was auctioned off at last year’s Cowboy Ball. Here is Miss Rodeo Montana, Kayla Seaman, Landon Gates who the bull was named after, and Kaehl Berg of Red Eye Rodeo. The opportunity to name a bull or bronc will be one of the auction items again this year.

‘Gold buckle dreams’ at 9th annual Cowboy Ball

By Jean Schurman

The ninth annual Bitterroot Cowboy Ball is coming right up on Saturday night! This event is sponsored by the Rockin’ RC Rodeo Committee of the Ravalli County Fair. The doors open at 5:30 with a delicious dinner, games, feed bucket raffles, and a live auction. There are still some tables available and can be reserved by calling the Ravalli County Fair Office at 363-3411. Or, just come to the door that night and pay $10 per person for entry. Each year, the committee earmarks the money for a special project on or around the rodeo arena. This year, the rodeo committee will be raising funds to build a new and larger announcers booth. With more and more technology used to put on a great performance, more room is also

needed. The current announcers booth is no longer adequate. Last year, the money raised from the Cowboy Ball went to seed money for new handicapped seating in the grandstands. The Feed Bucket Raffle is just that. Purchase tickets for the raffle and then select the basket or prize you want, and put the tickets in that feed bucket. The always popular Calf Pie Bingo is back. There are only 52 chances to win. Buy a playing card from one of the rodeo royalty members in attendance and then hope that the calf ‘plops’ on the matching card in the pen. The winner will take home $520. The live auction has many exciting items. One of the most sought after is the naming rights to a bronc or bull from Red Eye Rodeo Company at Deer Lodge. Last year, Julie Fillingham of Re/

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Max Realty bought the rights and named the bull “Landon’s Re/ Max” after a young man who had been severely injured in a car accident. The bull went on to become the bucking bull of the year in the Northern Rodeo Association. These naming rights put a company’s name out in the public all over Montana. There will be a Border Collie/Hanging Tree pup auctioned off; a beautiful leather chair from Bitterroot Furniture, artwork, get-aways out of the valley and in the valley, ski tickets from Lost Trail and much more. The no host dinner is done by UpNSmokin BBQ House which originally was here in the valley but is now in Philipsburg. There is also a no-host bar. Dance from 8 p.m. until 12 midnight with the fabulous tunes of shoDown. They are a great country/rock band that plays lively foot-stomping music from classic rock to modern country. This band brings the party with them and everyone has fun when they are playing. Remember, there are still tables available. Call the Fairgrounds at 363-3411 and reserve one now!

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I am formally announcing that I am running for Senate District 44, the seat occupied for the past eight years by my friend and colleague, Senator Fred Thomas. As most of you know, I am termlimited out of the House and Senator Thomas is term-limited out of the Senate. My House district makes up half of Senator Thomas’ Senate district with the other half represented by Representative Sharon Greef and Ed Greef before Sharon. When I ran for the House, eight years ago, my plan was to hold the House seat for two sessions and see if I could actually make a difference before deciding to continue running. My first term was interesting and productive but it wasn’t until my second term I realized the amount of time it actually takes to achieve lasting change – almost always more than one session. Now, after eight years, I can look back on some major and lasting accomplishments that have benefitted Montana and Ravalli County. As Appropriations Chair and Finance Committee member, I worked on funding and policy for Education, Health & Human Services, Natural Resources, Environmental Quality, Economic Development, Corrections, Infrastructure, Transportation, Livestock, Agriculture and more. And, as much as some politicians like to talk about explosive growth in state government, that simply is not the case under my watch. During my time as Appropriations Chair: • growth in state government has been kept below the growth in Personal Income

Nancy Ballance has announced her candidacy for Senate District 44. • cost of growth in state services has also been kept below the growth in Personal Income • number of state employees has gone down by nearly 400 permanent employees. Other candidates can talk about Big Government growth, but that’s not what happened under my watch. So, after eight years, why continue? I’m termed out in the House - why go on to the Senate? After a lot of soul searching and thinking about playing golf with my husband every day, training my dog, playing with my grandsons, and getting back into my workshop, why not kick back and really retire this time. Why not turn it over to someone else?

The reason is that I have earned a reputation in the legislature of knowing how to pull people together and get things done and many of the things I’ve been working on are not quite done yet. Three areas I feel compelled to continue working on are: Healthcare, Education and Economic Development. Healthcare As Republican legislators, we voted down Medicaid Expansion in 2013 and 2015. But it did pass and over time we saw that the program was providing services to people whose needs were not being met elsewhere. And, without See BALLANCE, page 15

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Page 4 -- Bitterroot Star

Bitterroot Star Editorial Board Michael Howell Victoria Howell

Opinion

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Guest Comment

Stevensville Climate Advisory Board explained By Dempsey Vick, Stevensville Town Council member

I have read some feedback on the Climate Action Advisory Board and felt that since I was the councilmember that spearheaded this resolution, I should be the one to make some explanations about the board and address some concerns. I want to inform you that the primary nature of this board is to design a plan for the town government to use energy in a more efficient manner, such as switching from fluorescent lights to LEDs as an example. More importantly, my hope is for the Climate Action Plan is to be added to the growth policy, which is due to be updated soon. For those that do not know what the growth policy is, this is a regularly updated document that the town uses to prepare itself for increased population. The reasoning for adding the plan to the policy is because it cannot be denied that Stevensville is growing and is continuing to grow, and as this happens, if the town can be more efficient in its usage of energy and other resources, then the cost to live here can be kept low as population increases. Which it is important to act now, rather than react later in the future, when energy costs are higher and makes it harder to act. The other concerns have to do with overstretching of resources, to include

Trump’s trade reality

water/sewer, public health, and public safety; to only mention a few. Most of the concerns that I have read from you mention an increase in taxes to pay for acting to climate change. I understand this as many communities in the nation have increased taxes for concern their climate plans, the design of our board is to operate on donations only. I feel that a free market approach is the best approach to this, and philanthropy is the best way to fund projects such as this. In short, the nature of the board is not to ban wood burning stoves, or to tax cow flatulence; but to design a plan to help prepare our local government for implications of climate change and population growth. This is why I have asked for specific qualifications for the board, and a position that requires no qualification; because the average citizen’s input is just as important as the other members. As with our council meetings and other boards; these meetings will be open to the public and not behind closed doors. If there are any other questions about this project, please do not hesitate to reach out to me by email at Dempsey@townofstevensville. com

Letters

Dear Editor, Economists at the American Farm Bureau estimated that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) would have provided American producers over $4 billion annually in increased sales, but Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement. The eleven remaining countries formed a new TPP,without the United States. This allowed Canada and Australia to sell wheat and beef to Japan on more favorable terms than the United States. Trump had lost markets for U.S. producers, and desperately needed to negotiate an agreement with Japan to fill the hole he had created. However, the U.S.-Japan agreement does not completely cover what the U.S. had gained in the original TPP, and we lost short term and potentially long term markets to Canada and Australia during the two years we were negotiating with Japan. Thus Trump was only able to partially fill he hole he had created. The North America Free Trade Agreement’s (NAFTA) biggest flaw was the lack of a requirement, for Mexico to raise its labor standards. This error has impacted immigration and moved U.S. jobs to Mexico over the last 25 years. Trump’s negotiated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) did not correct this error. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Richard Neal’s nine member committee negotiated an increase in Mexico’s labor standards. The success of those negotiations resulted in a dramatically improved USMCA. Nancy’s USMCA moved the three countries toward Fair Trade with improved labor standards for Mexico, additional environmental commitments, decreased power for multinational corporations, and increased benefits for the middle class in all three countries. The U.S.-China Phase 1

Agreement culminates two devastating years for American producers. Trump had to use $28 billion in taxpayer dollars to prevent a complete wreck in the agricultural economy due to lost markets in China. Even with $28 billion from the U.S. taxpayers, American agriculture is still experiencing record bankruptcies and suicides not seen since the devastating 1980s. Grain prices were on the low end of the price cycle when Trump slapped tariffs on China and they retaliated in kind against American agriculture. However, we generally move from the low end of the price cycle to the high end when two major weather disasters occur and supply is reduced. The drought in Australia and the very wet spring in the U.S. would have moved us to higher prices, but the increased supply due to lack of demand from China prevented that from happening. Trump substituted two very bad years, in regards to price, for what could have been two years of decent prices. What did we gain from this tremendous sacrifice? Trump emphasizes that the Phase 1 Agreement states that China will buy $40 billion in ag products for each of the next two years, much more than they have ever bought before. China emphasizes that per the agreement they will buy to fill their market needs, at global competitive prices as required by the World Trade Organization (WTO). During the two years of the tariff war with the United States, China has diversified their sourcing of agricultural products and has assured these sources that they will continue to buy from them. It appears highly unlikely that China will buy $40 billion per year in ag products from the U.S. in the next two years. To enforce the $40 billion per year, Trump would have to increase tariffs on China. This would likely lead to a decline in the stock market prior to the election, which Trump does not want to occur. Thus, after two devastating years, we are

Bitterroot Star

Office: 115 W. 3rd Street, #108 • Stevensville Mailing: P.O. Box 8 • Stevensville MT 59870 Phone: (406) 777-3928 • Fax: (406) 777-4265 Website: www.bitterrootstar.com E-mail: editor@bitterrootstar.com

right back where we were before tariffs, with China buying to fulfill their market needs at competitive prices. Once again, Trump’s rash actions dug a hole for American producers, and this time Trump claimed victory by simply stopping the digging. Of course, he could start digging again if he attempts to enforce the agreement with additional tariffs. Ron de Yong Kalispell Ron de Yong was Director of Agriculture for Montana for over 9 years, taught agricultural policy and economics at Cal Poly State University for 7 years, and operated a family farm in Kalispell for over 30 years.

Trump lies

Dear Editor, In his first three years of office, Trump has made an astonishing 16,241 documented false or misleading claims. This breathtaking number is composed of 1,999 in 2017, 5,689 in 2018, and 8,155 in 2019. At this rate he should easily hit 20,000 by mid-June of 2020. When it comes to lying, Trump is hands down the very best of any President our country has ever seen! I do not think lying on this scale is a desirable trait in a President. The only person I ever knew personally who lied as prolifically as Trump was involuntarily committed to a state mental institution. I would not want that fellow to have access to the country’s nuclear launch codes. I know most Republicans do not share my concern about having a pathological liar in the White House. Trump’s popularity among Republicans in national polls clearly shows that habitual lying by one of their own is not a deal breaker for them. And you can see in the content of Republican-authored LTEs to the Star - letters which

consistently contain scores of false and misleading “facts” – that lying has become the new normal for Republican political discourse. This is a sad development for our country. David Welch Hamilton

Science, skepticism, and climate change

Dear Editor, On the topic of climate change, there should be no argument—the climate is changing. It is a proven fact. Rick Landry, Corvallis, is correct. He is also on target with his statement about skepticism being a good thing. I agree, and think that this world would be better off if more people actually withheld judgment about any specific issue until they had seen/heard facts and arguments from all sides—then made a decision as to the truth of the matter. In another time, skepticism might have been confused for wisdom. It is also a proven fact that the climate has always been changing. There has never been a time in the history of the world in which the climate has not changed. There is no such thing as “normal” climate. It is constantly fluctuating, getting hotter or colder, moving between warm periods during which both poles have been completely ice-free and cold periods in which a large part of the Earth has been locked in a deep freeze. And everything in between, such as the time we live in now. To say that the climate is changing is to only assert what is a scientifically documented fact. However, to make the claim that this change is human caused (anthropogenic) is another matter entirely. That is not scientific at all, but merely hypothesis based on certain studies which may or may not be accurate. This is the point where we leave science and healthy skepticism behind in

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Just asking

Dear Editor, Climate change has been studied to the point of war between two sides with little knowledge of just how complex our little blue planet is but we speak with great passion about “Consensus” which only means agreeing on something but the “Peer Reviewed” science is never quoted, just a passionate consensus and computer models; where’s the science?. You must prove your case you cannot hammer people into submission to your views, that’s not sportsman like behavior. Your passion will not translate into truth because it is a burning passion, it then becomes rage and people will walk away from that rage. My concern on climate change is whether we can do anything about it or is this pure nature in charge because if it’s a natural reset than we should focus our efforts towards adapting to a new climate reality instead of betting our lives on a “Consensus” without confirmation. I keep reading articles on CO2 buildup and predictions on how it will affect temperatures, crops, droughts, ad infinitum. Question; if heat is trapped by CO2 and is causing earth to warm, then how did all this heat from the sun get through all that CO2 in the first place, is there some kind of CO2 check valve?. If it goes in one direction, logic says it will go in the other direction also. Please show me the science that says heat only goes one way through CO2… just asking. Mike Mercer Stevensville

Wolves, CWD and MtFWP

Publishers - Michael & Victoria Howell Editors - Michael & Victoria Howell Sports Editor - Jean Schurman Advertising Sales Consultants Jean Schurman (239-4354) & Liz Cook (880-2007) Graphic Designer - Deven Monta TheBitterroot Bitterroot Star Star isispublished published weekly weekly at 115 W. 3rd, Street, Suite 108, The at 115 W. 3rd Suite 108, Stevensville,Montana. Montana.Subscriptions Subscriptions are are$40 $50 per per year year in in Ravalli RavalliCounty, Stevensville, County, $60 per out of and county, per year out of state. $50 per year out year of county, $60and out $70 of state. The Postal Service will no longer forward the Bitterroot Star. Address changes to our mailing list are made once a month and can be made by contacting the Star office at 777-3928.

favor of emotional reactions which promote and validate our own viewpoints, many of which border on the religious. Mr. Landry has stated that, “Genuine scientific skepticism is, I agree, a good thing. In fact, it’s the heart of the scientific method. Genuine skeptics don’t come to a conclusion until they have considered the evidence.” Today, the easiest way to gather evidence before coming to a conclusion is to use modern technology, that is to say, Google. To make it even easier, I include these search terms which will give anyone who wants to see a wide range of information. There is grist here for everyone. 1. climate change 97% scientists 2. climate change 31,000 scientists petition Go ahead, search them out and read these articles, studies, and opinions in as reasonable and unbiased manner as you can. Keep in mind that it is very easy to simply read/listen to/approve of what you already believe and discard everything else. Finally, just because a rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere correlates with a rise in humancaused carbon emissions at the same time that the temperature is rising, it does not mean that humans are causing the temperature rise. Science has held this truism for a long, long time: CORRELATION DOES NOT EQUAL CAUSATION. I might say, neither does consensus. After all, 600 years ago, the scientific, popular, nearly universal consensus was that the sun revolved around the earth, which, as everyone knew, was flat. Chances are that 600 years from now, people will look back and marvel at some of the stuff we profess to be absolutely true. Need I say more? Roger Mitchell Stevensville

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Kenneth Bransby www.bransbylaw.com

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Dear Editor, Wolves of the Rockies attended a two-day Montana Environmental Quality Council meeting recently in Helena. During that time, three or more hours were devoted to discussion of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Montana and the Rocky Mountain states. Many experts from other states described the harsh realities and challenges posed by this disease in their respective states, and it provided us with a clear vision of what may soon unfold here in Montana. The EQC or perhaps,

more importantly, the MtFWP wildlife division leadership made no mention of the unintended positive effects of wolves and other predators and the critical role they may play in sanitizing the landscape. Why is that? It is apparent that the state chooses to ignore the fact that its wolf population can serve a vital role in controlling the spread of CWD and other diseases. Wolves tend to kill the weaker animals in a herd, thus culling to a greater or lesser degree some of the CWDaddled animals. Conversely, the absence of predators may allow sick animals a longer period of time in which to transmit diseases like CWD, thus reducing the advantages of the “sanitation effect” wolves and other predators can have on prey species. So why isn’t the Wildlife Division within MtFWP not leading the charge with acknowledging the positive contribution of large carnivores and their sanitizing effect on Montana’s landscape? Their silence on this issue and its overall reluctance to use the best available science in response to CWD and other diseases is both alarming and disappointing. The rhetoric that MtFWP “manages our wildlife responsibly and for all” is disingenuous. It is clearly apparent that the Wildlife Division caters to, or worse yet is an active advocate for, hunting organizations. The needs of so many of us who find intrinsic value in wildlife continue to be ignored. Doesn’t wildlife belong to everyone? Apparently, it is a ‘pay to play system’ in Montana; clearly its policies are crafted to reward hunting organizations for their contributions to the state agency regardless of the science. Scientific scrutiny of hunting as a conservation strategy has raised many unanswered questions about carnivore hunting, specifically. The debate is riddled with disagreements over the value of an animal’s life, the human role in nature, and the effectiveness of lethal and nonlethal management of wildlife. Hunters claim they champion carnivore conservation, provide revenue for management, control growing carnivore populations and reduce attacks on domestic animals. However, it seems most hunters are unsupportive of wolf conservation. In fact, the attitudes to hunting rules, wolf population levels, and sustainability seem inconsistent with hunter stewardship. Thus, it is apparent that hunters often hold attitudes and engage in behaviors that are not supportive of broad based, critical ecological objectives of conservation – as in the case with addressing issues like CWD and other diseases. We understand that attitudes take time to change. But when is it time to begin a vital conversation about the importance of carnivore conservation as it relates to the overall health of our wildlife and the landscape? All Montanans have the right to equal representation when it comes to the decisions made about wildlife in our state – regardless of whether we are members the consumptive community. It’s time to examine the motivation that presently guides the leadership within the wildlife division of MtFWP and reevaluate the ethics, policies and the goals of the agency that is charged with conservation in our state. Natural resources, specifically wildlife on public lands, must be managed to ensure that current and future generations always have wildlife and wild places to enjoy. 0Marc Cooke, President Wolves of the Rockies Stevensville

Letters Policy

Although it is solely at the discretion of the owners/editors, in the interest of promoting free speech it is the policy of the Bitterroot Star to print all letters as space permits, with very few exceptions. If you don’t see yours, call Victoria at 777-3928.

Calendar

Hamilton Senior Center activities

Monday: Lunch 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Cribbage 2nd & 4th week, 1 p.m.; Toenail Care by appt. 1st & last week; Bingo 1st & 3rd week, 5:30-9 p.m. Tuesday: Toastmasters 6:30-8 a.m.; Western Line Dancing 10-11 a.m.; Clogging 1-4 p.m. Wednesday: Lunch 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Bridge for Fun, 10 a.m.; Bridge 1-5 p.m. Friday: Line dancing 10-11:30 a.m.; Lunch 11:45 a.m.12:30 p.m.; Pinochle 1st, 3rd & 5th weeks, 1 p.m. Saturday: Flea market, 2nd week, Sept-May 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Special Bingo 1st week, Oct-May, 12 noon; Sunday: Bridge 1-5 p.m. For info: 363-5181.

Stevi Senior Center activities

Monday-Friday: Free coffee, 8-11 a.m., Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Monday: Bridge, 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday: Exercise class, 10-11 a.m. Tuesday: Quilters, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday: Paint with Sue, 1-3 p.m. (1:30 on 3rd Wednesday) Every Other Wednesday: Fiddlers at Lunch 3rd Wednesday: Special Birthday Lunch, 12 noon, with music. Blood pressures taken. 2nd and 4th Thursday: Cribbage at 12:15 pm Friday: Pinochle, 12:15; Monday & Saturday, 7 p.m. For more information call the Center at 777-5681.

Victor Senior Center activities

Monday-Friday - Men’s Coffee, 8 a.m. Monday-Friday - Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Includes main course, salad bar, dessert, beverage. Donation 60 and over $3.50, under 60 $6 (RSVP 642-3320) Tuesdays: Bingo, 6 p.m. Wednesdays: Pinochle with snacks, 7 p.m. Fridays - Ladies’ Coffee, 10 a.m. Everyone welcome. Victor Senior Center is located at 246 5th Avenue.

Florence senior lunches

Lunch is available through the Council on Aging for senior citizens and others in the Florence area on Mondays at the Florence Fire Hall. Serving begins at 11:30 a.m. Prices are: 60 and over $3.50, under 60 - $6.00. For more information, call the Council on Aging at 363-5690.

Lolo senior lunches

Lolo senior lunch group (60+) meet at 11 a.m. at local restaurants for food, friendship and fun. There is a $4 donation but no one is turned away. Congregate lunches through MAS (Missoula Aging Services). Call 529-1819 to schedule your lunch.

Golden Agers

The Golden Age Club is located at 727 S. 5th in Hamilton. The club’s business meeting is held on the first Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. All members are asked to attend to review activities and plan new ones. Cake and ice cream is served. Card games (pinochle, multibid racehorse) are played on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday and 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 1 p.m. There is a $2 charge per person. Exercise classes are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. Blood pressure is

checked every third Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. Guests are welcome. The hall is also available for members to use for personal activities. A monetary donation to cover hall expenses is expected. For more information call 363-0142.

AA meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous meets at the following times and places: Monday: 7 p.m., Spirit of Christ Catholic Church, 5475 Farm Land Road, Lolo Tuesday: 7 p.m., St. Mary’s Parish basement, 333 Charlo Street, Stevensville Wednesday: Big Book Study Meeting, 7 p.m., St. Joseph Mission, 224 Linder Street, Florence Thursday: 7 p.m., St. Mary’s Parish basement, 333 Charlo Street, Stevensville Friday: Discussion Meeting, 7:30 p.m., St. Joseph Mission, 224 Linder Street, Florence 3rd Saturday: Women’s Group, 9:30 a.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church, 224 Linder Street, Florence Sunday: Big Book Study Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Victor Senior Center, 243 5th Ave. Check for local meetings by calling the hotline 1-888-607-2000 or by visiting www.aa-montana. org.

Al-Anon

Stevensville Al-Anon Group meets each Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the small dining room at the Living Centre, 57 Main Street. Anyone who is affected by the compulsive drinking of a relative or friend is invited. For more information call 239-0878.

Narcotics Anon

Narcotics Anonymous meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Parish Center, 411 S. 5th, Hamilton (north entrance).

Free Indeed

Free Indeed, a faith-based addiction support group, meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 230 3rd Avenue in Victor. Contact Donald Layman at 203-8579 or Pastor Jim Landis at 642-9849.

Gamblers Anon

Gamblers Anonymous meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church, 411 S. 5th Street in Hamilton.

Overeaters Anon

Overeaters Anonymous meets every Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church (west door), 1220 W. Main, Hamilton. For more information call 3632512.

Morning TOPS

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a weight loss support group, meets in Stevensville every Thursday at the Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck Street. Weigh-in starts at 8 a.m. and meetings start at 9:30 a.m. Meetings are fun while learning to eat healthier and lose some pounds. Guests are always welcome. Call Becky at 642-6368 or Margie at 375-5439 for more information. Check out the website at www. tops.org.

Evening TOPS

The evening TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter meets every Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Kootenai Creek Village Clubhouse. For information call Judy Burke at 777-2743.

Bitterroot Star -- Page 5

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Saturday Morning TOPS

Saturday Morning TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Saturday morning at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, 200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton. Weigh-in starts at 8 a.m.; meeting at 9 a.m. Call Cindy at 961-0196 (leave contact message) or check facebook page at TOPS “Take Off Pounds Sensibly Hamilton, MT.

Exercise classes

The following sessions, all by donation, are held at St. Francis Pastoral Center, 411 S. 5th: Thursdays: Tai Chi, 4 p.m. Fridays: Tai Chi, 1 p.m. Indoor Walking: Mon-Thurs 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.12 noon. Please log in, 16 laps is a mile!

WIC clinics

Ravalli County WIC is a nutrition education program that serves pregnant, post-partum, and breastfeeding women, children from birth to age 5 and women whose pregnancies have ended early. WIC also welcomes dads, grandparents, and foster families. The WIC program is offered In Hamilton Monday through Thursday 8:30-4:30 at 205 Bedford Street, Suite P, District Courthouse Building in Hamilton. The Stevensville clinic is open on Wednesdays at the United Methodist Church, 216 College Street in Stevensville. The Victor Clinic is the second Tuesday of the month at the Victor Nazarene Church. The Darby clinic is open every month on the third Monday of the month at the Darby Library. Income guidelines are 1-$23,107; 2- $31,284; 3-$39,461; 4-$47,638; 5-$55,815. For each additional family member add $8,177. Call 406-802-7180 for more information or see on Facebook; www. facebook.com/Ravalli-CountyWIC.

Florence American Legion

Florence American Legion Post 134 meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Florence Rural Fire Station. Call Terry Wahl, Commander, at 274-4589 for more information.

Hamilton American Legion

Hamilton American Legion Post 47 invites all veterans and family members of veterans to the monthly meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post at 322 S. 2nd Street.

Stevensville American Legion

The Stevensville American Legion Post 94 meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Post Home on Middle Burnt Fork Road. A veterans’ breakfast is held every Wednesday at 9 a.m. at C.J.’s Den in Stevensville. For more information, contact Chuck at 253-380-7016.

American Legion Auxiliary

Fort Owen Unit 94, Stevensville, American Legion Auxiliary meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Call Cheryl at 531-4132 for more information.

Addresses requested

American Legion Unit 94 is requesting addresses for those serving overseas from family and friends so that they may send Troop Boxes throughout the year.

Contact Carol at 406-529-9908.

Stevi VFW

The Stevensville VFW 1507 meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Frontier Café.

Marine Corps League

The Marine Corps League welcomes all Marines from all eras, along with Corpsmen and Chaplains who have served with the FMF. The League is a national veterans’ organization that include members of all ranks, all MOS, active duty, reserves, honorably discharged veterans and retirees. It carries on the traditions of the Corps, support Marines still serving, and assist those who have left the service when needed. Meetings are on the 4th Thursday of every month, January to October at 7:30 p.m. for general meetings at the Eagles Lodge, 125 N. 2nd Street, Hamilton. Activities include Toys for Tots, Honor Guards for veteran funerals and Color Guards for parade events, rifle and pistol matches, and support of Marines and the community, and a Marine Birthday celebration in November. An SOS Breakfast and informal get-together for members, spouses, family and friends is held every first Saturday at 9:30 a.m. from January to December at the Hangar Cafe, Ravalli County Airport, Hamilton. It’s an opportunity to get acquainted, exchange ideas, and share sea stories from the past. For more information contact Meade Phillips at 520-9916386 or at USMCmeadeMCL@ aol.com or visit www.mclnational. org or www.montanamcl.org .

VA medical rides

The DAV Transportation System has a hub in the Bitterroot with rides available Monday through Friday. To book a ride to your VA Medical appointments, call Dena at 363-8396. Give at least 72 hours notice. The hub is always looking for volunteer drivers. For information call Dena at 363-8396.

Soroptomist

Soroptomist International of Hamilton invites you to join them at their meetings the first and second Thursday of every month, at noon, at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Soroptomist is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls. For more information, contact Dixie Dies at 961-4812.

Rotary Club

The Hamilton Rotary Club meets Mondays, 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. First Street, Hamilton. For information about Rotary, call 363-2960.

Lions Club

The Hamilton Lions Club welcomes you to attend its meetings the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. The club strength – besides being low key and getting a lot done – is helping provide assistance for glasses and hearing aids in Ravalli County. Contact Dixie Dies, 406-3810922, for more information.

Stevi Masons

The Stevensville Masonic Lodge #28 meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 300 Church Street, Stevensville. Stated meetings are on the first Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and special dinners are on the third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. For information or membership email: stevilodge28@ gmail.com.

Victor Masons

Victor Masonic Lodge #43 meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. The Lodge is located on Main above Farmers State Bank. For information on membership, email plycoupe1936@msn.com.

Eastern Star

Naomi Chapter #19, Order of the Eastern Star, meets the first

and third Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Victor Lodge building located on Main Street above Farmers State Bank, Victor. Leona Chapter #31, Order of the Eastern Star, meets the first and third Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Masonic Lodge building, 115 S. 3rd Street (next to the Fire Station), Hamilton. For inquiries contact, email: teslrudd@gmail.com.

BPL storytime

It’s never too early to introduce your baby or toddler to the wonderful world of books and reading. Together you will discover the joy of songs, finger plays, simple books and bouncing rhymes. The toddler storytime for babies through age 2 meets every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library. Toddler storytime lasts approximately 45 minutes. For more information, call 363-1670.

DCPL storytime

Learning to read begins before children start school. Your public library promotes early literacy and social development with weekly programming for children. The Darby Community Public Library offers a weekly Children’s Story Time every Tuesday at 11 a.m. for all children under five years old with a caregiver. Come talk, sing, read, write, and play at your library, 101-1/2 S. Marshall St. Call 821-4771 or email: staff@ darbylibrary.net for information.

NVPL storytime

Story Time is an enriching early learning program for toddlers and preschoolers that takes place on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the North Valley Public Library’s Community Room. Each week has a different theme, and children can listen to entertaining stories, participate in fun songs and learning activities, and create a cool craft! Each Story Time includes a healthy snack and some time to play with new friends. Older and younger siblings are always welcome. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call 406-7775061 or visit northvalleylibrary. org. All library programs are free and open to the public.

Sapphire Quilt Club

The Sapphire Quilt Club meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Stevensville Senior Center, 100 Mission Street. Join this fun group of people to learn about quilting. Beginner to expert quilters welcome. For more information call Anna Arntz at 707-481-3233.

Fiber Arts Guild

Big Sky Fiber Arts Guild meets the last Saturday of every month. If you are a wool spinner or work with fibers, contact Marty at 777-2421 for location or information or visit http://bigskyfiberartsguild.org.

Knitters Guild

The Knotty Knitters Guild of the Bitterroot meets every 4th Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Yarn Center, 110 Pinckney Street, Hamilton. This knitters guild is friendly, fun, and includes knitters of all levels, from beginners to master knitters. All are welcome.

Doll Club

The Bitterroot Blizzard Doll Club meets monthly, usually the second Thursday of the month, to share a passion for dolls, bears, toys, miniatures and paper dolls. Members rotate hosting the meeting so call or email for the time and location of the next meeting. Contact Kay Schrader, 406-3607214, schrader1501@blackfoot. net.

Model train club

The Bitterroot Valley Model Railroaders (BVMRR) run their trains in the basement of the Kohl Building, downtown Stevensville,

ST. STEPHENS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 203 Main MainSt. • Stevensville 203 Stevensville• •777-0028 360-2661

Worship at 12:0011p.m. Sunday Worship AM In this Church there shall In this Church there shall be no outcasts. be no outcasts. on the First Friday of each month from 5 to 7 p.m., or by special request. The BVMRR Club will be running trains every Saturday over the holidays from Nov. 30-Dec. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. If interested in joining the club, contact Tony Oberting at 273-0006.

Radio Club

The Bitterroot Amateur Radio Club meets on the third Monday of every month at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton starting at 7 p.m. Come early and enjoy a meal and fellowship.

Draft Horse and Mule Club

The Bitterroot Draft Horse and Mule Club meets every second Monday of every other month at 7 p.m. at Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck Street, Stevensville. Members drive everything from mini, to mule, to draft horse. Haven’t driven but would like to learn? This is the club for you! Don’t have a horse but would like to get involved? There is always welcome help and there is always a spot on a wagon somewhere. Members do rides as well and have events scheduled throughout the year. For more information call Claudia at 406642-3477.

Three Mile bingo

Bingo is held every first and third Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Three Mile Community/Senior Center, 1064 Three Mile Creek Road. Proceeds go to build a new center. For information call 7773710.

Lolo bingo

Bingo is held every Sunday at the Lolo Community Center from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Doors open at noon, games begin at 1. Food and drinks available. Costs: 3-card pack/13 games is $10; 6-card pack/13 games is $18. Two optional games: 1st game card is $2; 2nd game card is $3.

Toastmasters

Effectively formulate and express your ideas! Bitterroot Toastmasters Club (BTC) meets Tuesdays from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. 4th Street, to support personal development and empower communication and leadership skills. The words we speak convey a great deal! Do you mean what you say when you communicate during a job interview or with your boss, coworkers, and family? Wouldn’t you like to feel more confident, credible, and concise in your speaking presentation? Bitterroot Toastmasters can help! BCT members are given opportunities to wear different hats and fulfill many roles. Visit the website at bitterroot.toastmastersclubs.org or call Mike Turner at 406-360-7262 or Jeanine New at 303-929-2430 for more information.

Clothes Closet

The Stevensville Clothes Closet is a non-profit, free store that serves the people of the Bitterroot Valley by accepting donations of children and adult clothing, shoes, linens, small appliances and kitchenware. They then sort, wash and offer the goods free to the community. The Clothes Closet is located at Middle Burnt Fork and ALC way. It is open for shopping and for donations Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. The Clothes Closet is especially in need of blankets, sheets and comforters. For questions about donations or directions call Gail Fisher at 369-0394 or Molly Hackett at 961-4614. continued on next page

Page 6 -- Bitterroot Star

Family Shelter

The Family Shelter of the Bitterroot meets on the second Friday of each month at 1 p.m. at Canyon View Church, 195 Skalkaho Road. Everyone is welcome.

Men’s Bereavement Breakfast

Marcus Daly Hospice sponsors a Men’s Bereavement Support Breakfast on the second and fourth Friday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Marcus Daly Hospice Dining Room. This breakfast creates a special opportunity for men coping with the death of a spouse or loved one to gather and share their journey of healing. Informal discussions are led by a trained Bereavement Facilitator and address such issues as dealing with grief, loneliness, forming new relationships, single parenting. A donation of $3.00 is appreciated for the meal. For more information call Marcus Daly Bereavement Coordinator at 363-6503.

Breast cancer support group

The Bitterroot Valley breast cancer support group meets the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Daly Leach Memorial Community Room, 1010 W. Main, Hamilton. All are welcome. For information contact Judy Rothie, (406) 564-8613.

Pregnant/new mom groups

Postpartum Support Circle and Baby Bistro (breastfeeding support) meet on the second Thursday of each month and a Prenatal Support Circle meets on the fourth Thursday of the month. All meetings are held at 109 N. 4th St. Suite 104 in Hamilton from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more information, call Sheehan at 6426527 or email bitterrootbreastfeeding@gmail.com.

MomLife

Bitterroot MomLife is a gathering of moms with kids of all ages, meeting twice a month September-May on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Lone Rock Bible Church, 1142 Three Mile Creek Road, Stevensville. Come join in for “grown-up” conversation, brunch, activities, crafts, speakers, Go Deeper discussions and free childcare. For more info call the church office, 777-2592.

Dementia Caregiver Group

Are you a caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other type of dementia? You’re invited to join in an informal group on the second Friday each month at 1 p.m. at The Living Center Chapel (second floor), 63 Main, Stevensville to share your concerns and experiences with others in a same or similar situation. If you would like to attend, your loved one is welcome to visit with facility residents with staff supervision during the meeting time. For more information contact Kati Aiken at Ravalli County Council on Aging, 363-5690.

Parkinson’s support group

A Parkinson’s support group meets the third Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at Sapphire Lutheran Homes. All are welcome. Contact Susan, 369-0535, for more information.

Suicide support group

A support group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 12 noon at Riverfront Mental Health Center, 209 N. 10th, Suite A (blue building), Hamilton. The group is hosted by Ravalli County Suicide Prevention Alliance. For information email: rwetzel@wmmhc.org or phone 375-4095.

NAMI

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) support group for families and friends with a loved one who experience mental challenges, meets the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at Cornerstone Church, 280 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. For more information contact Donna at (406) 381-9884 or Arlene at (406) 239-1708.

Family History Libraries

The Family History Center has two locations here in the Bitterroot Valley: Hamilton and Stevensville. Come research your family history with specialists who are happy and ready to assist you in finding your ancestral records. They can also help you organize photos and stories about people in your family tree. The Family History Center has free access to genealogical sites. You are invited to come and have fun discovering your family history at either of the two Family History Center locations. Hamilton Family History Center Located inside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 401 N 8th Street Hamilton, MT 59840 Ring the bell at the WEST entrance for admittance (up high) Tuesday 11am-3pm Wednesday 11am-3pm and 6pm-8pm Thursday 11am-3pm You may call and schedule private or group appointments by calling 406-363-5146. Stevensville Family History Center Located inside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 100 Middle Burnt Fork Road Stevensville, MT 59870 Ring the bell at the EAST entrance for admittance Monday 12pm-4pm Tuesday 9am-4pm Wednesday 6:30pm-9:00pm Thursday 12pm-4pm

Victor Adult Education Spring 2020 Classes For more information about instructors you can visit our website at www.victor.k12.mt.us To sign up for a class, please call 642-3221

Chickens 101: You’ve always wanted to raise

chickens but never knew where to start. We will start with the basics and move on from there. Here are the topics we will cover each week, (not necessarily in this order) 1)Benefits of chickens for your family 2) Site Selection of your chicken coop, portable vs free standing coop 3) Flock protection 4) Breed selection, buying local or through a hatchery 5) Supplies needed to prepare for the arrival of your baby chicks 6) How to keep your chicks healthy their first month 7) Food, water, shelter, basic and necessary needs for your new hens to survive and thrive 8) Choosing the right food for feather and egg production 9) Good and bad vegetable and fruit treats to share with your flock 10) Common ailments and possible diseases Instructor: Justine Morris Meets: (THURS), beginning March 5th to May 7th at 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Cost $25.00

Gardening 101: You’ve decided to start your

own vegetable garden now what? We will start with the basics and go from there. Here are the topics we will cover each week (not necessarily in this order): 1) Site selection and necessary garden requirements 2) Devotion of time , gardening tools, benefits of raised bed gardening 3) Seeds or Plant, easiest to grow by seeds 4) Organic Gardening /Companion Planting 5) Seed Selection 6) Good bugs vs Bad bugs for your garden 7) Water and Mulch Protection 8) Harvesting the Bounty, Storage of Veggies 9) Frost Protection of plants in Montana 10) Preserving the Bounty, Canning/Freezing Instructor: Justine Morris Meets: (Tues) March 3rd to May 5th 6:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Cost $25.00

Intermediate Mix Media Painting: Bring

your own brushes, paint-thinner in a wide mouth jar with lid and palate (if you have one). Paint and other supplies are provided. Class will be held in the Art Room. Instructor: Steve Wilson. Meets: (THURS, FRI & SAT) Feb. 27th & 28th 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and Feb. 29th 10:00 am – 1:00 p.m. Max of 12. Cost $35.00

Co-Ed Basketball: This class is intended for

those who would like to have fun and play some competitive basketball. Gym Instructor: Tristin Chavez. Meets: (MON) & (THURS) Feb. 24th – May 7th 7:00-9:00 pm. Open enrollment Cost $10 for 11 weeks or $2 a night

Co-Ed Volleyball (Advanced): This Class is

intense and intended for those who have played a lot of volleyball. This is a very competitive group of players. Max 12. Gym Instructor: Amber Kay. Meets: (FRI), beginning March 6th to April 24th at 7:00 pm to 9:00 p.m. Cost: $25.00

Pottery Classes: Two -4 week sessions Instructor: Kelly Price. Classes will be held at Kelly Price Studio in Victor. Beginning Pottery: An introduction to clay for those who have little or no experience with working in clay. Includes basic methods of throwing on the wheel & handbuilding techniques. We will also cover an introduction to glazing & brief overview of firing pottery. Max of 6 students. Meets: Monday evenings, March 4th - April 1st Wed. evenings 6:30-9 pm. Cost $65.00 per student for clay, glaze & firing Intermediate Pottery Class: This class is geared toward the person who has experience on the potter wheel &/or handbuilding with clay who wishes to explore more in-depth challenges. The class will be treated as an independent study so it is advised that students come with a goal or goals in mind ie… make 6 plates; throw 12’ pieces; make a sculpture wall hanging, etc. Max of 6 students. Meets: Wednesday evenings April 8th – May 6th 6:30-9 pm. Cost $65.00 Restorative Yoga: Come join us for an uplifting, restorative yoga class for all levels. Yoga means union and in this class we bring mind, body and spirit into alignment. Each class follows the Akhanda Shakti method for flow, starting with breath work, leading to fiery balance poses and ending with a wisdom nugget that you can bring with you off the mat. Instructor: Danielle Humphry Meets: (Thurs) March 5th to May 7th 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Cost $20.00 OULA: OULA is a high energy workout that combines the depth and soulfulness of a mind-body practice with the carefree playfulness of a living room dance party. Participants are free to let it all out! It’s not about how it looks, it’s about how it feels! Instructor: Liz Gillpatrick Meets: (TUES) March 3rd – April 28th 6:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Cost $20.00

Friday 12pm-4pm You may call and schedule private or group appointments by calling 406-777-5018.

Volunteer opp

The Stevensville Clothes Closet free store is in need of a few volunteers to help sort, wash and hang donated items. The shifts are from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Volunteers can commit to one day per week or all three days. If interested, call manager Gail Fisher at 777-5694. The Clothes Closet is a non-profit free store that accepts donations of clothing, linens and some household items and then offers them to the community free of charge. The Clothes Closet is located at 3862 ALC Way, off of Middle Burnt Fork Road in Stevensville.

Three Mile Coffee Club Three Mile Coffee Club meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at 1064 Three Mile Creek Road. Everyone is welcome. Good coffee, conversation and get to know your neighbors. All ages welcome. For information call Colleen at 777-3710.

Volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed for the Victor Volunteer Fire Department support group. This group provides food for the Wednesday evening meetings of the Victor Fire Department. Support group members are responsible for one week per month only. What you decide to make is up to you, serving about 20 people. Soups, stews, casseroles, etc. and a dessert. Call Sharon at 642-3844 for additional information.

North Valley Library board

The North Valley Public Library Board of Trustees meets the third Wednesday of the month at 3 p.m. at the library at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. Meetings are open to the public and public input is welcomed. The agenda is posted on the front window of the library and on the library’s website at least 48 hours prior to meetings: https://www.northvalleylibrary. org/docs

Quantum Group

The Quantum Group of the Bitterroot is a group of ordinary people determined to learn about quantum theory. They study relevant material (no equations), discuss it and teach one another this most important field of science. The group meets every

other Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Community Center in Hamilton. New members invited and welcomed. Visit the website at www//Quantumgb or e-mail blaise.favara@gmail or call 3630683 for more information.

Drum Circle

Join in on the 2nd and 4th Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring your drum, rattles, and other instruments and be part of the fun. No drums? No worries! There are instruments to share. Meets at The Center for Spiritual Life, 328 Fairground Road, Hamilton. By donation. For information, contact Jerry at 381-7220 (jelb229@aol. com), Facebook at CSLBitterroot or visit the website: CSLBitterroot.org.

Saturday bingo

Special Saturday Bingo is held every third Saturday of the month at Victor Senior Center. Doors open at 12 noon, play at 1 p.m. $1 per card. $1 admission. Must be 18 to play. Snacks and coffee available. Everyone welcome. Call Glenda at 360-3074 for more information.

Socrates Cafe

Socrates Café takes place every other Tuesday evening (May 14) from 7 to 9 p.m. in the meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library. Join in the philosophical discussions. Bring questions to be selected and discussed at the meeting. You are invited to examine, learn and think with others. Learn how others view the world. Together generate community, understanding and change together. Tea, coffee and cookies are provided.

Laundry Love

Laundry Love Hamilton, a monthly laundry event for homeless and low-income individuals/ families, takes place the 2nd Thursday of each month from 5 to 8 p.m. at Fast & Fluffy, 115 Pine Street, Hamilton. 3 loads per individual/family. Check in with a Laundry Love Hamilton volunteer to sign in and receive your washer card. All laundry detergent, fabric softener and quarters will be supplied by Laundry Love Hamilton. Laundry guests must remain on site. Laundry Love Hamilton is made possible by donations, business sponsorships, fundraisers and volunteers. For more information or to inquire on how your business/organization can help, contact Laundry Love Hamilton by email: laundrylovehamiltonmt@gmail. com.

Elks dinner

The Elks Lodge serves dinner every Wednesday evening beginning at 6 p.m. The menu

varies each week and the meals are all delicious. The cost for members is $11 and non-members $12. Coffee is always included. Come and bring a friend. The Lodge is located at 203 State Street in Hamilton behind Neff’s Flooring. For further information call 363-3031.

Nutrition classes

Are you interested in learning how to buy, eat, and live better? Ravalli County and the Montana State University Extension Nutrition Education Program is offering a series of hands on, interactive classes focused on basic nutrition, food preparation, and physical activity on a budget. The class is part of the SNAP-Ed Program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education and provides a free 6-session series of classes designed for families and persons living on a limited income. The series of classes will cover topics including easy meal planning according to MyPlate, ideas for stretching food dollars, tips for increasing physical activity, and tasty ways to eat healthy. Preparation of healthy and inexpensive meals or snacks is a part of every lesson, and taste testing is included! Participants will not only gain valuable skills in providing healthy, balanced meals to their families, they will also receive recipes, fact sheets, and a free kitchen item at each class. Winter classes will be held starting in February 2020 in Stevensville, Victor, and Hamilton. To register for a class, or if you have questions, contact Jennifer Murrillo 375-6609 or Jmurrillo@ rc.mt.gov at the Ravalli County Extension Office. More information and online sign up can be found at the program website www.buyeatlivebetter.org or check out recipes and health tips on the Buy Eat Live Better Facebook and Pinterest pages.

Wed, February 12 Corvallis school board meeting

The Corvallis School Board of Trustees will hold a special session to consider candidates to be interviewed for the position of school district superintendent. The session will be held Wednesday, February 12 at 4 p.m. in the high school library. A review of applications for the position will be led by Kris Goss, MTSBA. Trustees will then consider selection of applicant finalists for interview, select interview dates, and develop interview and candidate meeting schedule, as well as other superintendent search process details.

5th Annual Tipi Rock Yoga Workshop Spring remedieS and rejuvenationS

APRIL 3RD - 5TH

BOULDER HOT SPRINGS, BOULDER MT WEEKEND INCLUDES:

• 2 night stay • 6 meals • 4 yoga sessions • A Yoga Nidra Session • Unlimited Soaks in Boulder Hot Springs Healing Waters

Join Andrea Buchanan for two sessions focusing on achieving better sleep and healthier digestion through a combination of herbal remedies and yoga.

Gretchen Langton will teach two sessions focusing on spinal flexibility and increased balance.

For questions and more information, please call Gretchen at Tipi Rock: 406-207-3738, Andrea at Cedar and Sage Herbals: 406-544-2563 or sign up online at tipirockyoga.com

SOAK, EAT, SLEEP, YOGA, REPEAT 3972 US Highway 93 North Stevensville • 207-3738 www.tipirockyoga.com

BRHA board meeting

Fri, February 14

The Bitter Root Humane Association will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 12 at 5 p.m. in the meeting room at Bouilla, 111 S. Third Street, Hamilton. The public is invited to attend.

Thurs, February 13

Sweetheart Dance

A Sweetheart Dance will be held Friday, February 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lolo Community Center. Ages 16 and up are welcome. Cost $3 per person or $5 per couple. Refreshments, and dance music from all eras. Special appearance by Sparty, the Spartan from Sentinel High School.

Women Newcomer Sat, February 15 Club Are you new to the Bitterroot Valley? Have you recently Adventure series retired? Have you been here for a while and would like to meet new people? If so, the Bitterroot Women Newcomer Club welcomes you to their meeting on Thursday, February 13 at 10 a.m. At 12 noon, a potluck lunch will be held after a business meeting and two guests speakers. For more information call Bonnie at 716773-6106.

Back Country Horsemen

Do you love the rugged beauty of our Montana wilderness? Does preserving our wilderness trails and making new riding friends sound like fun? Would you like to learn how to pack and go on campouts? If so, you’re invited to attend the Thursday, February 13th meeting of the Selway-Pintler Wilderness Back Country Horsemen at 6 p.m. Meeting will be held at the Bitterroot National Forest building located at 1801 N. 1st St in Hamilton. Entry is in the rear of the building. There will be the usual “trail talk” and discussions on summer projects. Valentine desserts and coffee will be served. Guests are always welcome. Owning a horse is not required! For more information call Duane at 642-3932, visit the SPWBCH page on Facebook or at bchmt.org/ wp/spwbch.

“Tissue Paper Flowers” is the topic of the free adventure series for kids on Saturday, February 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford, Hamilton. Add some color to the dreary winter landscape with these easy to make tissue paper flowers! Choose from a rainbow of colors as you fold the layers of paper together, twist. For information call the museum at 363-3338.

Limbaugh benefit

“Fight Like a Girl” benefit dinner for Christina Limbaugh, a young local mom and nurse with Stage 3 breast cancer, will be held Saturday, February 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Eagles Club in Hamilton. Live auction of a Traeger Grill and sculpture by Dusty Raven & Dan Towell, plus silent auction and live DJ.

Cowboy Ball

Round up your friends on Saturday, February 15 for the 9th Annual Cowboy Ball! Shodown will be playing great dance music at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds in Hamilton. They will be joined by Up N Smokin’ who will provide food and libations will be provided by Rainbow Bar. Participate in the feed bucket raffle, live auction, silent auction

Wednesday, February 12, 2020 and calf-pie bingo, all benefitting rodeo grounds improvement projects. The night of fun starts at 5:30 p.m. and goes until midnight. Just $10 gets adults in the door, $5 for students and kids under 5 are free. Reserve a premium table for 8 guests - $250 includes entry and 16 drink tokens. Reserve a regular table for 8 guests - $175 includes entry and 8 drink tokens. Bringing back the ever popular “sweetheart tables,” - reserved tables for 2 including drink tokens for $75. For more info contact fairgrounds@rc.mt.gov or 363-3411.

Mon, February 17 Stevi school menu

Monday: No school - Presidents’ Day Tuesday: Breakfast - K-3 Cereal, 4-12 Donut Holes, fruit, milk; Lunch - Chicken Noodle Casserole, tossed salad with ranch dressing, grapes, bread & butter, milk Wednesday: Breakfast Egg Wraps, fruit, milk; Lunch - Chicken & Cheese Fajitas with peppers & onions, lettuce & salsa, orange slices, bread & butter, milk Thursday: Breakfast - Cinnamon Waffles, fruit, milk; Lunch - Meatballs & Gravy, mashed potatoes, peaches, bread & butter, milk Friday: Breakfast - Blueberry Muffins, fruit, milk; Lunch - Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich, tri-tater hash browns, cinnamon applesauce, bread & butter, milk.

Wed, February 19

Candidate forum

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a candidate forum on Wednesday, February 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the NorthWestern Energy building, 1140 S. First Street, Hamilton. The public is welcome; however, questions will not be allowed.

Thurs, February 20 Sun, February 23 Trout Unlimited

At the Thursday, February 20 meeting of Trout Unlimited, TU special projects manager Christine Brissette will present “What’s new at TU,” an overview of current and proposed BRTU projects. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Elks Club, 203 State Street in Hamilton. The public is invited to attend and there is no charge for admission. Bitterroot TU has been working to make our fishery - and fishing - better since its inception in the 1970’s. In 2017, BRTU’s on-the-ground restoration program got a boost with the hire of Christine Brissette, National TU’s Bitterroot Project Manager. In April 2018, Christine gave a program on a nascent set of fish screen projects and enormous progress has been made since then! Come learn about the projects Christine has been working on in our streams, and hear what’s on the horizon for restoration in the Bitterroot. Christine will also talk about some of the impressive projects TU is leading statewide: Mine restoration in Ninemile Creek, dam removal in the Rattlesnake, irrigation efficiency/fish passage improvement on Clark Fork tributaries and more. For additional information, contact Jeremy Anderson or Greg Chester, or consult the BRTU website.

Get local!

For information about advertising in your local paper, call the Bitterroot Star at 777-3928!

Buy local! 777-3928

Accordion jam

An accordion dance and jam will be held Sunday, February 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Rustic Hut in Florence. Admission is $4 members, $5 guests. Everyone is welcome.

Post 47 Pint Night

The American Legion Ravalli Post 47 is hosting a Pint Night fundraiser on Sunday, February 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Bitterroot Brewery with live music by Steve Winkler, 50/50 raffle, and silent auction. Funds will be used to help support their sponsored community programs (Scout groups, Bitterroot Red Sox, Boys State). Come enjoy a brew and live music and help support these community programs as well! The American Legion Post 47 is a small but mighty not-for-profit veteran organization in Ravalli County located at 322 S. 2nd Ave in Hamilton. The Post just celebrated its 100-year anniversary as the first Post chartered in the Bitterroot Valley after WWI (December 13,

Bitterroot Star -- Page 7

1919). The Post is very active in supporting the community. They sponsor the Bitterroot Red Sox baseball team (which is the only youth baseball program in Montana - the team won Regional Championships 5 of the last 6 years), three local Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops, a teen Venture Group; they render military honors for 10-15 veteran funerals annually in the Bitterroot and Missoula, they teach American flag etiquette at local schools, visit 40-50 veterans living in the local assisted living centers, post 1100+ white crosses on veteran graves at Riverview Cemetery every Memorial Day, and conduct Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies. Additionally, Post 47 gives annual scholarships for high school juniors to attend Boys State and Girls State government leadership immersion programs, hosts the Legion Auxiliary Program and monthly Veteran Benefits Advisor sessions at the Post. A new roof is needed on the old Post building which will cost $25,000. Help Post 47 continue the important community sponsorships that we have done for the past century by attending the upcoming fundraiser.

Valentine’s

Make this a Romantic Night in with . . . Steak . King Crab Legs . Lobster Halibut . Shrimp . Scallops Fresh Chicken . Fresh Produce

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Grand Opening Saturday, February 15th 9am - 4pm 10% off all Poly Lawn Furniture Drawing for $500 Gift Card to Bitterroot Sheds for Purchase of a Storage Shed Free Chocolate Milk for Kids • Free Meat & Cheese Samples Free Coffee & Cinnamon Rolls 4362 Eastside Hwy • Stevensville • 406-361-9186

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Page 8 -- Bitterroot Star

Sat, February 29

Ag soils workshop “Regenerating Ag Soil with Patterns of Diversity” will be presented on Saturday, February 29 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the

Corvallis Grange Hall in Hamilton. You are invited to a presentation on the various organic ways of regenerating agriculture soil. Topics to be discussed include revitalizing soil microbes and fungi, regenerating veggie soils,

Happy Valentine’s Day!

rejuvenating ranchlands, and using animals and plant biomass to restore agriculture soils. Invited speakers include Larry Evans from the Western Montana Mycological Association, John Brown from Charter Ranch, Steve Elliot and

Check our Cha out mpa selection gne !

out Check ery iv our del s! o i t op n

Lucy Brieger of LifeLine Produce, Leon Stangl, Yourganic farmer, and others. This is a free event and drinks will be provided. Bring your own brown bag lunch. Sponsors are welcome to have a display

Grab Something to Eat from our FULL MENU Enjoy it with a Cold Beer or Yummy Cocktail Open 7 Days a Week!

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Full Bar • Sunday Buffet

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Bitterroot Star -- Page 9

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

’s Day e n i t n e l a V 14, 2013 y r a u r b e F Be Mine

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Couples Workshop

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Page 10 -- Bitterroot Star

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Refer a Friend February at Iron Horse Athletic Club! IHAC members who refer a friend will receive $50 in Iron Horse credit, and your friend gets to join with no initiation fee. Bring a friend to join your fitness journey! 99 Marcus Street Hamilton . 406-363-0300 . www.ihacmt.com

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Sports

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

By Jean Schurman Sports Editor

Corvallis girls win in Stevi

Records go out the door when one valley team plays another. Although the Corvallis Blue Devils prevailed against Stevensville, the Lady ‘Jackets gave them a run for the win. The scrappy, young Stevensville team never let up against a taller team, even when they were in foul trouble. Evynne Alexander and freshman Claire Hutchison both were in foul trouble early on for Stevensville whited forced coach Alicia Harris to change her strategy a bit. “We played hard,” she said. “Both (Isabel) Evans and (Madeline) Gilder are big, strong girls and we don’t have a lot of height. That makes it tough when we get into foul trouble.” Although Corvallis led the entire game, the Lady ‘Jackets made a run or two at them. Kennedy Praast sank a long three pointer to spark one surge early in the third quarter. Alexander sank a free throw and a field goal to put Stevensville down by only six points. A bucket by Corvallis’ Hannah Hutchison, and then a hook shot by Evans gave Corvallis the momentum again. “We had some opportunities to work on man (defense) and they came out and switched to a zone and made us change,” said Corvallis coach Andy Knapp. “I think that helped them build some momentum.They knocked down some shots until we got our zone figured out and got things going again.” Harris said she was happy with the movement her team showed when moving the ball around and with their tough defense. Already down in numbers, the team has some additional injuries and illnesses plaguing them right now. “We are the walking wounded,” concluded Harris. Corvallis came back in the fourth quarter and held the Lady ‘Jackets to only nine points while extending their lead. Evans finished with 19 points and Gilder

Stevensville’s Evynne Alexander makes a lay up over Corvallis’ Jenna Jordan. Jean Schurman photo.

Hamilton rebounds after loss

Hamilton lost a tough game on Thursday night to Frenchtown but rallied back for a non conference win over Polson. The Broncs lost to Frenchtown, 57-55, in a thriller in Frenchtown. Hamilton took an early lead in the game, outscoring

Frenchtown by four in the frame. But Frenchtown came back to take the lead throughout the rest of the game. Hamilton coach Travis Blome said Frenchtown’s team is one of the more athletic teams in the state. “They’ve played together quit a bit, and they’re going to a tough match for anyone.”

Hamilton’s Trey Searle sights in on the basket for one of his five three point shots on Friday. Jean Schurman photo.

He said Frenchtown just connected on a few more plays at the end of the game than his team did. “I was proud of our guys for staying and playing together.” Frenchtown 57, Hamilton 55 Hamilton - Trey Searle 18, Carson Rostad 17, Austin Drake 11, Tyler Burrows 6, Josh Dickemore 3. Frenchtown - Cade Baker 14, Ben Larson 9, Hank Rugg 8, Zack Baker 8, Brandon Finley 6, Devin Shelton 6, Tel Arthur 4, Kaiden Romney 2. Friday night, the Broncs took on the Polson Pirates. Polson built up an 8 point lead before Polson got on the board. Hamilton continued to shoot and sent up several long range shots. POlson took a run at Hamilton in the second quarter and got within two points before Hamilton went on a scoring run. Polson was never really out of the game and pulled within four points a couple of times late in the game. “Polson is well coached, a good team,” said Blome. “We knew it was going to be a battle tonight. We are just proud of our guys to maintain their composure and play through some adversity at the end.” He said his team kept their heads down and plowed through the fouls and missed shots late in the game but then came back to hit their free throws when it counted. Hamilton 60, Polson 56 Polson - Trevor Lake 11, Gunner Grisak 10, Colton Graham 10, Anton Lefthand 8, Jarrett

Wilson 7, Ryker Wenderoth 5, Bo Kelley 3, Xavier Fisher 2. Hamilton - Trey Searle 17, Austin Drake 17, Carson Rostad 12, Tyson Rostad 8, Josh Dickemore 5, Tyler Burrows 1. Florence topped ARlee, 62-51. The Falcons were tied at the end of the first quarter with the Warriors but battled and came through in the fourth for the win. Eli Pedersen had 23 points to propel the Falcons to the win. Florence-Carlton 62, Arlee 51 Florence - Eli Pedersen 23; Beau Neal 14; J.P. Briney 10; Creagan Keller 7; Levi Posey 3; Cadence Waller 3; Blake Shoupe 2. Arlee - Cody Tanner 20; Tapit Haynes 13; Levi Fullerton 8; Billy Fisher 5; Zachary Running Crane 3; Micah Johnson 2. Darby continued to win with a victory over Valley Christian and one over Charlo. The Tigers moved up in the conference with a 61-45 win over Valley Christian. Nelson Smith had 28 points while Preston Smith had 12 points. Jordan Anderson had nine points, Gabe Smith had six points and Tyler Davis had six points. Nelson Smith had 24 points for Darby against Charlo while Preston Smith had 17, Gabe Smith had 13 and Tyler Davis had 14 points. Danner Davis added five and William Martin finished out the Tiger scoring with two points.

Bitterroot Star -- Page 11

Valley wrestlers on to State!

The divisional wrestling tournaments were held over the weekend for all classes. The top individuals in each weight class will now move on to the AllClass State Wrestling Tournament in Billings at the Metra this week. The top eight wrestlers in each weight bracket will advance to the tournament for Class A. At 103 pounds, Hamilton’s Andrew Carmody was pinned by Frenchtown’s Landon Stewart. Also advancing at this weight is Kiera Davis of Corvallis who finished eighth. At 113 pounds, Hamilton’s SethAllen finished sixth and will advance Jesse Anson who was third in divisional. Corvallis’ Johnathan Williams finished fifth. Corvallis’ Kanyon Stoker finished seventh at 120. Corvallis will have two wrestlers at 132 pounds in state. James Wissenbach finished third at this weight and Jason Davis finished fifth. At 138 pounds, Hamilton’s Cole Anson finished third. Corvallis’ Nate Davis was seventh. At 145 pounds, Triston Davis continued to dominate with a pin over Ronan’s Kolby Reum. Stevensville’s Aaron added 14. Alexander had 12 points to lead Stevensville. Corvallis is currently in third place in the Southwest A conference with a 9-6 overall record. They defeated Whitefish, 39-31, in non conference action Saturday. Corvallis 50, Stevensville 39 Corvallis - Hannah Hutchison 6, Isabell Evans 19, Brooke Powell 4, Jemma Jordan 2, Ashlynn Nixon 5, Madeline Gilder 14 Stevensville - Maddie Simms 3, Kennedy Praast 6, Syd Paul 3, Kelti Wandler 4, Claire Hutchison 8, Shelby Coleman 3, Evynne Alexander 12. Stevensville fell to Dillon, 44-29, on Saturday. Alexander had 10 points to pace Stevensville. Dillon 44, Stevensville 29 Stevensville - Evynne Alexander 10; Syd Paul 9; Maddie Sims 8; Claire Hutchison 2. Dillon - Kylee Pittman 11; Ainsely Shipman 10; Josey Jones 7; Abby Brevig 4; Lauryn Peterson 3; Jordyn Walker 3; Tylia DeJohn 2. The Lady Broncs of Hamilton defeated the Lady Broncs of Frenchtown in conference play, 40-24. Katelyn Dickemore led all scorers with 14 points. Hamilton’s defense shut Frenchtown down in the second quarter and never let up the rest of the game. They are currently in second place. Hamilton 40, Frenchtown 24 Hamilton - Katelyn Dickemore 14, Rylee Brackman 9, Taryn Searle 7, Maggie Ringer 5, Brynnli Poulsen 3, Emily Wildey 2. Frenchtown - Hope Rebich 8, Lauren Demmons 6, Shelby Smith 5, Kiya Shelton 3, Faith Rebich 2. Florence had a conference win over Arlee on Saturday After a close first quarter, Florence went to work and started making their shots. Sophomore Kasidy Yeoman accounted for 23 of the 59 points

Springer finished sixth at this weight. At 152 pounds, Hamilton’s Ethan Cramer finished seventh. Stevensville’s Dylan Janes was eighth, and Ethan Chavez of Corvallis finished third. Hamilton’s Bridger Williams took first at 160 pounds. At 170 pounds, Noah Hurst came back from an injury to finished fourth. Cody Fisher, also of Hamilton, was sixth. Bryce Weidow of Corvallis was seventh in that weight division. Stevensville’s Sahkaia Wehr finished in fifth place at 182 pounds. Also competing at that weight at state will be Corvallis’ Ben Holtzen. Cadogan Wheat of Hamilton finished fifth at 20-5 and will move on. In the heavyweight division, Hamilton’s Brock Jones finished third. Florence will send seven wrestlers on to Billings. Avery Meinzen finished first at 160 pounds. Kyler Alm finished first at 182 pounds. Kyler Bates finished fourth at 113 pounds. Oliver Post was second at 120. Adyn Meinzen finished third at 132 pounds. Jared Pallo was fourth at 205 and O’Maste Foster finished third at 285 pounds.

Florence scored in the 59-29 win over the Scarletts. Florence 59, Arlee 29 Arlee - Jerny Crawford 8; Peyton Lammerding 7; Bolen Princess 3; Raven Parson 2; McKirah Fisher 2; Halle Adams 2; Lark Thomas 1; Titania Laphaie 1; McKaryss Fisher 0. Florence - Kolbi Wood 2, Emma Stensrud 3, Carina McCollum 5, Kylie Kovatch 4, Kasidy Yeoman 23, Kelsen Zahn 7, Trista Williams 9, Josie Lewis 6. Thursday night, the Lady Falcons were in St. Ignatius for a non conference game. The Lady Bulldogs doubled Florence in the first quarter and built a sizable lead. But Florence came back in the third and were gaining ground when time ran out. The final score: St. Ignatius 53, Florence 50. Lone senior Emma Stensrud scored 20 points for Florence. St. Ignatius 53, Florence 50 Florence Emma Stensrud 20, Kassidy Yeoman 11, Kylie Kovatch 9, Kolbi Wood 4, Trista Williams 4, Kelson Zahn 2. St. Ignatius - Azia Umphrey 25, Karolyna Buck 7, Sydney Brander 6, Olivia Garland 5, Kooper Page 5, Mady Currie 5. Florence topped Bigfork in non conference action on Friday night, 50-40. Darby defeated Valley Christian, 45-26, in 13C action. The Lady Tigers held Valley Christian to only two points in the first quarter and nine in the first half. Darby was led by Lexie Buhler’s 12 points. Darby 45, Valley Christian 26 Valley Christian - Mackenzie Dierking 12, Lanessa Gedney 5, Bella Roff 4, Lanaya Gedney 3, Maggie Harvey 2. Darby - Lexie Buhler 12, Gracie Lang 8, Kimber Schlapman 7, Madison Conner 6, Kara Goodwin 4, Annie Rennaker 4, America Baugus 2, Makena Hawkinson 2. Victor lost to Clark Fork.

Looking for a new member of the family?

Mishka

Call 363-5311 or visit our website at bitterroothumane.org Come see all the wonderful animals waiting for someone special like you!

Bitter Root Humane Association would like to thank:

320 4th Ave PO Box 333 Victor, MT 59875

Hannah Whitney

(406) 642-6800

Page 12--Bitterroot Star

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Springtime is icomin’ in, cucoo Snowpack more than doubles

Ahh, yes... every spring I remember the first lines of that 13th-century poem as song that ushers in the bird songs and budding leaves and blossoms and balmy days... For the record, springtime was spoken and written as sumer then and many of the other words are different, but no matter here except to chase off some pedant who would take delight in pointing out my error.

Flyfishing with Chuck Stranahan You can hear that uplifting song as originally sung on YouTube, if you want to look it up. It may not do much for you, but it does more for me than today’s rap music. The world and the language were different then. You had to learn the Middle English of Chaucer’s era well enough to speak it and think in it to appreciate it. I learned it that well when I attended San Francisco State, home of a wonderful English department – and student riots and flower children and psychedelic drugs in the ‘60’s – a world far removed from the lovely idyllic springtime meadows of Chaucer’s England. The place broke loose every year in the middle of spring semester. Playeth hooky surviveth spring When it did I grabbed a beat-up metal tube with a fly rod in it, stuffed my backpack (a real one, not a book bag) with changes of clothes, a cook set, and an old creel that served as a tackle carryall, strapped on a sleeping bag and canvas tarp rolled in a horseshoe shape around it, and headed north. Public transportation and rides hitched with friends got me there. I’d stay until I was ready to come back. I was a Shasta County boy, and the best rivers in the state had fresh steelhead and native rainbows waiting when I needed a prolonged and unscheduled spring break. My grade point average suffered, but I survived. Learning Middle English was a drudgery, a chore, but for this young scholar innocently

bent on the pursuit of truth and beauty, worth it. The language itself if lyrical and nearly falls off the tongue.

Raineth stop and staineth slop Years later the 20th century poet Ezra Pound wrote a parody that includes lines like this: Raineth is acomin’ down... Raineth stop and staineth slop, and how the wind doth ramm! There’s more. Pound’s parody was about winter. You can look it up, too. As to the rains or the blossoms and bird songs of spring, we’re not there yet. Snow it keeps acomin’ down... pileth up the winter’s curse, which late arriveth in a burst... You can’t look the rest of that one up. It’s mine, not Pound’s. And I just wrote it, here. Tieth fly to idle by Pound was (and this isn’t widely known, even among erudite literary scholars,) a fly tyer. He probably idled away sloppy spring days behind the vise, as I do. Others have joined me of late, and the fly tying classes we’re running this spring are turning out better flies than they ever have before, thanks to a live video screen behind my right shoulder as I tie. Call the shop, 406-363-4197 if you’d like to get in on it. Class or no, there’s no better way to scratch that delayed springtime itch than to tie flies. Springeth late and thus we wait What to do while we’re waiting? For me, it’s time for the annual spring tackle ritual. A quick look through my vest a couple of weeks ago was nearly embarrassing. I’d have a hard time getting through a day’s fishing with things as they are. Before the routine of the chore list, I’ll get rid of the stale trail mix and petrified raisins in the side pockets and dump the accumulated streamside debris I’ve collected along the way. First, safety and comfort: Sunscreen, repellant, first aid kit get refurbished, and the water bottle gets washed. From there I’ll check the tippet spools and tapered leaders. I’ll make notes as to which leaders and fresh spools of tippet I need. Since switching to Trout Hunter leader and tippet I’ve modified my old practice of starting with fresh stuff each season, but I don’t want to press it. Trout Hunter comes in UVresistant packaging. Even their fine diameter tippet, if kept in the vest and away from sunlight will last through a couple of seasons.

Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS 1. Winter sport 4. Uses 10. Speak softly 11. What you watch for a photo 12. Artist’s creation 13. Write in code 14. Paltry 16. Acid 17. El __ (Texas city) 18. CA city 20. Street (abbr.) 22. Reside 26. Tool 29. Rewrote 31. Milder 33. Vane direction 34. Being 35. Untalkative 36. Determines how heavy it is 37. Ocean

DOWN 1. Terror 2. Asian nation 3. Tiny amounts 4. Cain killed him 5. Plastic 6. Circle part 7. Movie star 8. Caps 9. Germ 15. Distress call 19. Boxer Muhammad 21. What babies grow 23. Objects 24. Locus 25. Swelling 26. Some (2 wds.) 27. Citizen of Denmark 28. Baked pasta dish 30. Removes the water 32. Big truck © Feature Exchange

I’m not a fan of those hangs-inthe-sun tippet dispensers. Next, I check the levels of my floatant bottles – one gel type, the other a powder floatant for sprucing up a fly that is waterlogged or slimed by a fish. Replace as needed. Fly boxes get checked for contents – for me, that chore turns into a pleasant afternoon of daydreams and remembrances. There are flies in my boxes

that trigger remembrances of trips and good times with good friends. I’ll linger over those flies, and daydream. When I snap back to reality, I make note of what’s missing, and get busy behind the vise. Reels get cleaned and lubed, fly lines get pulled off the reels into a plastic bucket, and then rewound on the reels through a cloth drenched in 303 – a plasticizer and cleaner that just happens to be the best fly line dressing I know about. My lines last longer, float higher, and shoot further with a dose of 303. Rods get taken out of their cases, joined, and waved around – with each one it’s a little like shaking hands with an old friend. Ferrules on the graphite rods get a wee coat of paraffin. My waders are in good shape this year; Jan gifted me with a new set. The boots, though, need new felt soles. Another pair of wading pants and possibly another new fishing hat are on the list. I don’t like the current new one, and Jan didn’t like the old one. Since she’s my best fishing buddy, I’ll have to take her wishes into consideration. When the weather’s a bit more to my liking, I’ll be ready. Until then, there’s the fly tying bench and the company of new and old friends at the fly shop. It’s a great way to wait for this fisherman’s spring. (Fisherman’s spring - isn’t there a book title? You can look it up.) Author and flytyer Chuck Stranahan can be reached at chuck@chuck-stranahan.com or visit his fly shop at 109 E. Main in Hamilton. Crossword Answers on page 14

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

in Western MT during January Abundant moisture spilled into the Treasure State from the Pacific during January, boosting snowpack in all river basins to near or above normal for February 1. In some locations, the amount of water added to the snowpack was record setting. Between December 30 and February 1, SNOTEL (SNOwpack TELemetry) sites west of the Continental Divide received up to 18 inches of snow water equivalent, roughly proportionate to 100 to 150+ inches of snowfall. Five SNOTEL sites would go on to set new records for monthly totals, and four SNOTEL sites reported their second highest on record. “November and December were particularly dry, resulting in snowpack totals on January 1st that were well below normal in the river basins west of the Divide. The near continuous snowfall and moisture during January was extraordinary, and it helped the river basins to bounce back to near or above normal for snowpack on February 1st. It was quite the month,” said

Lucas Zukiewicz, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service water supply specialist for Montana. “Although snowfall wasn’t record-setting in river basins east of the Divide, it was near to above normal for the month, helping the snowpack to improve in most areas,” said Zukiewicz. Southwest Montana experienced some of the most dramatic increases with the Jefferson and Madison River basins improving from below normal to near normal for snowpack on February 1. The West Yellowstone area, where mountain snowpack feeds the reservoirs supplying water to the Madison River, was well below normal on Janaury 1. “The mountains above Hebgen Lake received significant snowfall this month, helping to not only improve conditions for winter recreation, but water supply prospects this spring and summer,” said Zukiewicz. South-central mountain ranges experienced slight increases in snowpack percentages during the month, while north cen-

tral mountain ranges had a slight decrease from well above normal. “This region had been benefitting from early October snowpack which remained on the ground, keeping snowpack totals near to slightly above normal on January 1st, and it remains there at this time,” according to Zukiewicz. At this point in the winter, around 60% to 70% of the seasonal peak snowpack has typically accumulated in river basins west of the Divide, while 55% to 65% of the seasonal peak snowpack has accumulated east of the Divide. “The coming months will tell us just how full the mountain snowpack “reservoir” is before spring runoff, and early February looks favorable for continued snowfall. Hopefully this wet pattern persists, and we can put some more water in the bank,” said Zukiewicz. Monthly Water Supply Outlook Reports can be found at the website below after the fifth business day of the month: https:// www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/ nrcs/mt/snow/

Fly Fishing Film Festival set

The International Fly Fishing Film Festival will be held Thursday, March 5 at 7 p.m. at the Bedford Building, 223 S. 2nd Street in Hamilton. Join the Bitter Root Water Forum for the 2020 International Fly Fishing Film Festival. The festival will showcase films produced by professional filmmakers from all corners of the globe, highlighting the passion, lifestyle and culture of fly fishing. Bring your fishiest friends to this must-see experience at the Bedford Building. Doors open at 6 p.m. Beer from Bitter Root Brewery will be available for purchase. Plus, a special treat, a screening from local filmmaker and photographer Jessica Haydahl Richardson, “Dropped in the Pacific,” a short film chronicling local women’s fishing adventure to Christmas Island. Tickets are available at the Bitter Root Water Forum office, the Freestone Fly Shop, and the Bitter Root Brewery. They are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Enjoy door prizes and enter a raffle to win a float trip for two with Eddie Olwell of Fishs Eddy O Outfitters.

Strengthening Montana’s Economy Creating High-Wage Jobs Protecting the 2nd Amendment and Public Lands good jobs and the montana way of life GOVERNOR

Paid for by Greg for Montana, Republican, P.O. Box 877 Helena, MT 59624

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Deceased. Case No.: DP-20-07 Dept. No. 2 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed Estate. All persons having & Rubber Stamps claims against the Decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims 123 S. 5TH will be forever barred. Corner of 5th & State Claims must either be mailed to Roberta J. Burruss, the Personal Repin Hamilton resentative, return receipt requested, to Cheeney Law, PLLC, PO Box 212, Service Design - Build Since 1990, Hamilton, MT 59840, or filed with the (406) 581 3014 brett@bitterrootClerk of the above-entitled Court. group.com, www.bitterroottimberDATED this 27th day of January frames.com 2020. DAY ONE 4:00-6:00 PM. /s/ Roberta J. Burruss, Personal LINE NUMBERS GIVEN Representative AFTER 2:00 PM. BS 2-5, 2-12, 2-19-20. MNAXLP 2 per person. MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL FOLLOWING DAYS 9-12 DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE MTFWP is hiring seasonal ESTATE OF KENNETH S. BELL, AIS Watercraft Inspectors stateDeceased. Probate No.: DP-20-3 wide. $13.78/hour. High School Dept. No. 1 Diploma or equivalency and Valid NOTICE TO CREDITORS Drivers License required. Apply NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that online at statecareers.mt.gov. the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the aboveCITY OF LEWISTOWN IS named Estate. All persons having LOOKING FOR A PLANNING claims against the Decedent are DIRECTOR: Ability to respond to required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first development trends. Assists in publication of this notice or said claims long range planning requirements. will be forever barred. Strong communication skills. ColClaims must either be mailed to lege degree in related field plus 3 Vikki L. Williamson Bell, the Peryears related experience. $45,000 sonal Representative, return receipt to $47,000 DOE plus benefits. requested, ℅ John G. Bell, P.O. Box Application and information avail210, Hamilton, MT 59840, or filed with able www.cityoflewistown.com the Clerk of the above-entitled Court. DATED this 3rd day of January 2020. HOME CARE SERVICES /s/ Vikki L. Williamson Bell, Peris hiring caregivers and CNAs. sonal Representative Flexible schedule, competitive BS 2-5, 2-12, 2-19-20. MNAXLP

51 Years of Service

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FARM & GARDEN

WINTER SQUASH, POTATOES. Pro-Mix potting soil. Grain-fed beef and pork and eggs. Moeller’s Nursery, 946 Eastside Hwy, Corvalis. Open daily. 9613389. BAGGED WHOLE-GRAIN livestock feed: wheat, oats, barley. Cracked 3-Way (barley, oats, wheat), new crop hay. GRAIN-FED LOCKER BEEF. Call Russ, 3601125 or 961-3528. PRIVATE TREATY HEREFORD BULLS. MC brand MCMURRY CATTLE BILLING. WEBSITE: mcmurrycattle.com . REASONABLY PRICED PROVEN BALANCED TRAIT GENETICS Delivery available. HP (406) 254 1247. CELL. (406) 697 4040 Email mcmurrycattle@gmail.com FRESH FARM EGGS from pastured free range chickens, delivered daily to the Bitterroot Star, Stevensville. Severson’s natural grass fed ground beef (1-lb packages, $5/lb), also steaks!. Call 777-3928 for availability or just stop by Bitterroot Star at 115 W. 3rd (blue door).

FOR SALE

pay. Apply at 925 N. First Street in Hamilton. Call 375-8637.

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RENTALS ROOM FOR RENT - Bedroom and bath, furnished. Rent negotiable. No pets. Victor. 642-6279.

SERVICES GAUCI DECORATING - Wallpaper removal, Interior/Exterior Painting, drywall repair, texturing. Free estimates. Call John 406239-3116.

LEGAL NOTICES

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Dustin M. Chouinard MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, P.C. 601 S. First Street P.O. Box 515 Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-1110 DustinC@mcpcattorneys.com Attorneys for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT, RAVALLI COUNTY In the Matter of the Estate of ROBERT LEE TOWNSEND a/k/a ROBERT L. TOWNSEND, Deceased. Probate No. DP-20-10 Dept. No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred . Claims must either be mailed to Wayne F. Townsend, the Personal Representative, in care of MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, P.C., 601 S. First Street, P.O. Box 515, Hamilton, Montana 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana that the foregoing is true and correct. ADVERTISING DATED this 27th day of January, 2020. /s/ Wayne F. Townsend, Personal Representative MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, PC /s/ Dustin M. Chouinard, Attorney for Personal Representa-

Naomi J. Cheeney Cheeney Law, PLLC P.O. Box 212 Hamilton, MT 59840 Phone: (406) 363-9060 Attorney for Personal Representa-

MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CHELLIS F. NEWGARD,

Bitterroot Star -- Page 13

20-Word Personal $8.50 20-Word Commercial $10.50 Each Add’l Word - 20¢ Includes Posting to Web Page

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BS 2-5, 2-12, 2-19-20. MNAXLP

Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Cally Lyle Fryer, Cally Lyle Fryer, Petitioner Cause No. DV-20-13/3 Dept. No.: 2 NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Cally Lyle Fryer to Cully Lyle Fryer. The hearing will be on February 27, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County. Dated: January 13, 2020 /s/ Paige Trautwein, Clerk of District Court By: Janenne Sorenson, Deputy Clerk of Court. BS 1-22, 1-29, 2-5, 2-12-20. MNAXLP Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Michael Robert Williams, Michael Robert Williams, Petitioner Cause No. DV-19-414/5 Dept. No.: 2 NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Michael Robert Williams to Gage Alistair Foxlord. The hearing will be on February 27, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Ravalli County. Dated: January 21, 2020 /s/ Paige Trautwein, Clerk of District Court By: Janenne Sorenson, Deputy Clerk of Court. BS 2-5, 2-12, 2-19, 2-26-20. MNAXLP NOTICE OF FILING FOR TRUSTEE CANDIDATES: Lone Rock School District# 13 is looking to fill two (2) Trustee positions for a 3-year term each. If interested in being part of a board that has a focus on high quality education, please file by March 26th, 2020 by 3:00pm with the Business Manager/Clerk at Lone Rock School – 777-3314, or with the Ravalli County Election Office. Forms can be found on the school website. BS 2-5, 3-4-20. MNAXLP PUBLIC NOTICE RAVALLI COUNTY LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE The Ravalli County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will hold its meetings for the year 2020 at 12:30 pm at the Commissioners Meeting Room, 215 S 4th St, Hamilton, Montana on the following dates: February 25, 2020 and October 20, 2020, and at such other times as shall be duly authorized by act of the Committee or its Chairperson. All interested parties are encouraged to attend. The Ravalli County Hazardous Material Emergency Plan, and information filed by covered SARA Title III facilities in Ravalli County may be reviewed during regular business hours by making an appointment with the Ravalli County Office of Emergency Management. Copies of documents may be obtained at this office, and a fee will be charged for copying. Any such request shall be in writing and shall be with respect to a specific facility. For further information on these matters, please contact Erik Hoover, LEPC Chairperson, at 205 Bedford St. Suite J, Hamilton, MT, 59840 or (406) 375-6655. BS 2-12, 2-19-20. MNAXLP

INVITATION TO BID MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners is now accepting proposals for the delivery of 2020 Magnesium Chloride Supply. Sealed proposals will be received by the Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder at the County Administrative Center, 215 South Fourth Street, Suite “C”, Hamilton, Montana, 59840, until Thursday 4 P.M. MST on MARCH 5, 2020. The proposals received will be publicly opened and read aloud at 10:30 a.m. MST on Friday, March 6, 2020 by the Board of County Commissioners in the Commissioners Conference Room located at 215 S. 4th Street, (third floor), Hamilton, MT. Contract documents may be examined or obtained at the Ravalli County Road & Bridge Department office at 244 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, Montana, 59840. Questions relative to the standard and special provisions may be directed to the Ravalli County Road Department at (406) 363-2733. Questions relative to the bid process may be directed to the Ravalli County Commissioners Office at (406) 375-6500. No proposal may be withdrawn after the scheduled time for the public opening of proposals, which is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. MST on Friday, March 16, 2020. Ravalli County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received, to waive informalities therein, to postpone the award of the contract for a period of time not to exceed sixty (60) days and to accept the lowest responsive and responsible proposal determined to be in the best interests of Ravalli County. Chris Taggart, Administrative Assistant Ravalli County Commissioners Office BS 2-12, 2-19-20. MNAXLP INVITATION TO BID HOT PLANT ASPHALT SUPPLY The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners is now accepting proposals for the delivery of 2020 HOT PLANT ASPHALT SUPPLY. Sealed proposals will be received by the Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder ADVERTISING at the County Administrative Center, 215 South Fourth Street, Suite “C”, Hamilton, Montana, 59840, until Thursday 4 P.M. MST on MARCH 5, 2020. The proposals received will be publicly opened and read aloud at 10:00 a.m. MST on Friday, March 6, 2020 by the Board of County Commissioners in the Commissioners Conference Room located at 215 S. 4th Street, (third floor), Hamilton, MT. Contract documents may be examined or obtained at the Ravalli County Road & Bridge Department office at 244 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, Montana, 59840. Questions relative to the standard and special provisions may be directed to the Ravalli County Road Department at (406) 363-2733. Questions relative to the bid process may be directed to the Ravalli County Commissioners Office at (406) 375-6500. No proposal may be withdrawn after the scheduled time for the public opening of proposals, which is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. MST on Friday, March 6, 2020. Ravalli County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received, to waive informalities therein, to postpone the award of the contract for a period of time not to exceed sixty (60) days and to accept the lowest responsive and responsible proposal determined to be in the best interests of Ravalli County.

Chris Taggart, Administrative Assistant Ravalli County Commissioners Office BS 2-12, 2-19-20. MNAXLP INVITATION TO BID EQUIPMENT RENTAL The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners is now accepting proposals for the delivery of 2020 EQUIPMENT RENTAL. Sealed proposals will be received by the Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder at the County Administrative Center, 215 South Fourth Street, Suite “C”, Hamilton, Montana, 59840, until Thursday 4 P.M. MST on MARCH 5, 2020. The proposals received will be publicly opened and read aloud at 11:00 a.m. MST on Friday, March 6, 2020 by the Board of County Commissioners in the Commissioners Conference Room located at 215 S. 4th Street, (third floor), Hamilton, MT. Contract documents may be examined or obtained at the Ravalli County Road & Bridge Department office at 244 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, Montana, 59840. Questions relative to the standard and special provisions may be directed to the Ravalli County Road Department at (406) 363-2733. Questions relative to the bid process may be directed to the Ravalli County Commissioners Office at (406) 375-6500. No proposal may be withdrawn after the scheduled time for the public opening of proposals, which is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. MST on Friday, March 6, 2020. Ravalli County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received, to waive informalities therein, to postpone the award of the contract for a period of time not to exceed sixty (60) days and to accept the lowest responsive and responsible proposal determined to be in the best interests of Ravalli County. Chris Taggart, Administrative Assistant Ravalli County Commissioners Office BS 2-12, 2-19-20. MNAXLP NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Notice is hereby given to the person hereinafter named and to whom it may concern. For enforcement of a lien in the amount of $525, Venture West Storage, LLC, located at 1008 Hwy 93 N. Victor, MT, 59875, will sell the contents of storage unit B-4, occupied by Ryan McLeod, at auction to the highest bidder. Auction will be held at Venture West Storage, unit B-4, on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. BS 2-12-20. MNAXLP MENT

AUDIT PUBLICATION STATE-

An audit of the affairs of Ravalli County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA) has been conducted by JCCS, PC. The audit covered the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. Section 2-7-521, MCA, requires the publication concerning the adult report include a statement that the audit report is on file in its entirety and open to public inspection at the Bitterroot Star, and that the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will send an electronic copy of the audit report to any interested person upon request. Julie M. Foster Executive Director BS 2-10-20. MNAXLP

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Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Page 14--Bitterroot Star

Get local!

Obituaries John Robert ‘Bob’ Burt

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Victor - John Robert “Bob” Burt, 92, of Victor passed away Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at The Living Centre in Stevensville. He was born June 1, 1927 in Salt Lake City, UT, the son of Julius Charles and Thora Myrtle (Madsen) Burt. Bob graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City and then attended the University of Utah. He married LaVon Afton Gerber on September 28, 1958 in Salt Lake City. Bob served in the U.S.

Navy as a Seaman First Class until his honorable discharge in 1951. He then retired from the Salt Lake City Fire Department after many years of service. Bob was preceded in death by his daughters, Heather and Julie; and son, Steve. He is survived by his wife, LaVon Burt; his children, Linda Lucky, Diane Taylor, Stan Burt and David Burt; 25 grandchildren and 24 greatgrandchildren. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 10

Allen Duane Luedecke

Allen Luedecke was born June 20, 1939 in Missoula, Montana and died January 30, 2020 in Chico, California. He was preceded in death by his wife, Noel Lang Luedecke; parents Oscar and Dorothy Luedecke; and brother Lloyd Luedecke. He is survived by daughter Susan Gordon Green (David Gordon), son John Michael Luedecke, grandchildren Alexander Green and Clara Green, brother Robert Luedecke (Sharon), and many nieces and nephews. Allen grew up on his parents’ farm located in the Bitterroot Valley near Corvallis, Montana, where he attended grammar and high school. He was a good student. He participated in many school activities and excelled in football and track and field. He played the trumpet and was a member of the high school band, the high school dance band, and choir. Allen was active in the Summerdale 4-H Club and exhibited many farm animals at the Ravalli County Fair. He was often chosen to attend the annual state 4-H Club Congress held in Bozeman. Allen became an avid outdoorsman. He especially enjoyed hunting and trout fishing. He continued to enjoy these activities throughout his life, even though he was stricken with polio in 1955, which resulted in paraplegia, necessitating the use of braces, crutches and eventually a wheelchair. After graduating from high school in 1958 (although he was a member of the class of 1957),

Allen enrolled at the University of Montana. He graduated with BA (1961) and MA (1963) degrees in mathematics. In 1963, he went to work as a systems engineer at Honeywell in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1965, he accepted a systems engineering job at Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory (a non-profit research organization) in Buffalo, New York. He met Noel Carol Lang in Buffalo and they were married on August 13, 1966. In 1967, they moved to

Richard ‘Dick’ Clark Stevensville - Richard “Dick” Clark, 81, of Stevensville passed away of natural causes at St. Patrick Hospital on January 25, 2020. He was born April 11, 1938 in Mandan, ND. He worked in Alaska for 10 years then moved to the Bitterroot and bought the Three Mile Store. Then he worked for Joost Dairy and last he worked as a ditch rider on the Bench. He enjoyed camping and fishing. He is survived by his wife, Antria; step-son, Bill Spooner

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of Missoula; step-daughters, Jamie Dryer of Huson and Alvita Spooner of Alberton; sister Midge Boyles of Tacoma, WA; three nieces and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Wertz; brothers, Gene and Jerry Clark; a sister, Marilyn Quaschnik. At his request, no service will be held. A reception will be held at a later date. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

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Death Notices Michael English

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Hamilton - Michael R. “Mike” English, LCSW, 78, passed away in the night, Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at his home in Hamilton. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.

Roxie Ann Hausauer

Lolo - Roxie Ann Hausauer, 63, of Lolo passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at her home of natural causes. Arrangements are under the care of Whitesitt Funeral Home.

Stevensville - Barney J. Taylor, 89, of Stevensville passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Arrangements are under the care of Whitesitt Funeral Home. Obituary Information There is no charge for publishing death notices in the Bitterroot Star. The cost for publishing obituaries in the Star is $20 which includes a photo. The best way to submit obituaries and photos is by email to: editor@bitterrootstar.com. For more information contact Victoria at 777-3928.

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Minneapolis where Allen rejoined Honeywell. He continued to work there until retiring in 2000. During this time period, Allen held various systems engineering, staff engineering and management positions. Allen and Noel lived in Plymouth (a Minneapolis suburb). Their children attended school in the Wayzata School District. The family enjoyed the many outdoor and cultural activities available in

Minnesota. Allen served two years as president of the Minnesota State Archery Association. During his term. he volunteered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to help pass protective legislation placing hunting restrictions on Minnesota’s black bears. Allen became a skilled target archer and bowhunter. He competed in both indoor and outdoor archery leagues and tournaments. One of his passions was bowhunting in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, including many successful hunts. Camping, fishing and visiting national parks were frequent family activities highlighted by trips to northern Minnesota lakes, the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness, and the Bitterroot and Big Hole rivers of Montana. And yes, even ice fishing in Minnesota was enjoyed. Allen was an avid reader of Western non-fiction and history. Allen’s ashes will be interred at the cemetery in Corvallis, Montana. No funeral will be held. A no-services memorial party will be held at Nash’s on the Esplanade this spring. Family and friends will be notified of the details. Donations in Allen’s memory can be made to the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC), the Butte County Humane Society, or a charity of the donor’s choice. To share your condolences please visit NewtonBracewell. com.

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Bitterroot Star -- Page 15

Stevensville school spelling Bitterroot Library to partner with RML on community tours bee goes into overtime

The Bitterroot Public Library will once again partner with Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in 2020 to offer community tours of RML, but with a new twist: quarterly evening tours will be available for the foreseeable future with the library managing sign ups. The first tour will occur March 12 with registration opening at the library February 12. The quarterly arrangement grew from high community interest in RML shown last summer when the library organized eight separate tours hosting about 170 people. “This sounds like a grand idea,” said Nansu Roddy, BPL Public Services Librarian, of the new quarterly tour arrangement. “What a wonderful community collaboration.” Roddy was

Ballance continued

those services, the cost to the state was much higher than the cost of Medicaid Expansion. We also knew that our local hospital and clinics could not continue to operate with the high level of uncompensated care they experienced before Medicaid Expansion. But we also knew that the system was being abused. People with major assets in money, houses, cars were accessing the program. We knew that some people who were capable of working were choosing not to work but still had access. And we knew that there was undetected fraud and abuse in the system. When the I-185 initiative failed in 2019, we all went into the session knowing some form of Medicaid Expansion would pass. Some of us chose to roll up our sleeves and help craft the most conservative solution possible in the political climate. And some legislators chose not to participate but simply vote “no” to any solution. The reformed program that passed is better than the previous version of Medicaid Expansion but it could have been so much better. The Medicaid reforms are expected to bring down the number of eligible Medicaid Expansion enrollees from the 2018 high of 9% of the population to around 6-7% of the population. Our neighbor, North Dakota, however, is less than 3% of their population, so we still have more work to do. We need a senator with the courage and experience to con-

instrumental in introducing RML community tours through the library in 2014. When she reinitiated the idea last year, both RML and the library were surprised by the overwhelming and positive response. RML found the 2019 community tours to be so effective that lab staff asked if the library would offer them quarterly in 2020. Tours are planned for 20 people each quarter at 6 p.m. on March 12, June 11, September 10 and December 10. If interest exceeds the 20-person limit in a quarter, RML will attempt to add another tour. Registration opens one month before each tour date. As in the past, tours last about an hour and cover the RML history and mission, with a look at the electron microscope section and the training facility for scien-

tists who work in positive-pressure research suits. Questions are encouraged during the tour. RML is part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a component of the National Institutes of Health. Research done by RML scientists – in Hamilton and across the world – focuses on helping develop new and improved diagnostic tests, therapeutics and vaccines for common and exotic diseases. RML will continue offering separate tours to groups, such as schools, but will refer individuals and families in the community to the library to sign up. For more information about the tours and sign up registration dates, call the library at 363-1670.

tinue working on the tough issues, not someone who will simply cast a “no” vote then go home and throw rocks at those who have the courage to do the hard work. Education We have a great start on proficiency learning, giving students more opportunities and more responsibility in their own education. But we are just getting started with a lot more work to do. We need a senator who will work with the schools, not against them. Economic Development We are beginning to see strong business growth in the county but again there is a lot more work to do. The Ravalli Economic Development Authority is taking advantage of every opportunity and we need a senator who will work with them to identify our needs and work to change state programs to meet our needs. A good example is the film industry. We worked to understand the specific type of tax credit that was needed by their industry and developed one that is uniquely Montanan. We also made sure it only applies if the work is done in Montana by Montana workers. Again, it is hard work that takes time and commitment to see it through to the end and make sure it doesn’t get vetoed by the Governor. We need a senator who will work with our business leaders and define state policies that meet their needs. So, that’s why I have decided not to retire but to keep working: • to further limit Medicaid Expansion to those who have no other alternatives;

• to improve education, giving students more opportunity and responsibility over their own education; and • to continue working on growing our economy. That is why I’m running for Senate District 44. You can contact me at 363-8416.

Spelling Bee Champion Cody Bradford (l) came out on top in a stand-off that lasted several rounds against runner up Ethan Huls (r) at this year’s annual Spelling Bee at Stevensville Middle School. In all, there were over 40 contestants, finally getting whittled down to a couple of winners in a marathon Spelling Bee that went on for twenty rounds last week. Michael Howell photos.

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It’s time to bust the myths around cardiology! Celebrate Heart Health month by learning more about taking aspirin, cholesterol treatment, the highs and lows of blood pressure, and more. 5:00 pm: Doors open 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm: Speaker Brett Mollenhauer, NP, Marcus Daly Cardiology and International Heart Institute

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Wednesday, February 25th at MDMH Bleeding injuries can result in a variety of locations: home, workplace or outdoors and usually result from a trauma. Learn the various ways to control bleeding in any environment, whether you only have two hands or a full trauma kit available. *Participants must be registered to attend: (406) 375-4654 or mdmh.org/events 1 hr. classes: 1:00pm - 2:00pm or 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Grants available to benefit Darby

The Montana Community Foundation, Inc. (MCF) announces the opening of a grant cycle to benefit the community and residents of Darby, Montana. Grants will be made from the Darby Town Community Endowment Fund, established at MCF by Richard and Barbara Ackerman in 1999. Applicants must be either a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or an exempt governmental unit. Grants will be up to $4,000. While grants must be used for projects benefiting the Darby community and residents, the grantee organization does not need to be based in Darby. Only one application is allowed per organization. Eligible projects must provide a direct, ongoing benefit to local residents, be sustainable, and

After an extended standoff at the end of a marathon spelling bee at Stevensville Middle School last week, Cody Bradford finally came out on top against runner up Ethan Huls. Bradford finally won the twenty-round event by correctly spelling “contemplate.” The two will go on to compete in the Ravalli County Spelling Bee which will be held at Hamilton Middle School on February 20, at 7 p.m. The Spelling Bee was organized by Stevensville School Librarian Lori Jette. Briana Lipke served as pronouncer, Ellen McKern and Sarah Naseem served as judges, and Linda White and Paula Onstad served as student advocates.

Protecting the Skin You’re In – FREE Thursday, March 19th at MDMH

Concerned about a mole or suspicious spot, breakouts, sun damage, or aging skin? Want to have healthy skin? Learn about some of the most common dermatology conditions and what you can do to keep your skin healthy. 5:00 pm: Doors open, sample and learn about skin care products. 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM: Speaker Angela Covington, MD, Bitterroot Dermatology

address important, unmet needs. Ineligible projects include onetime events, conferences, workshops, planning, research, untested projects, and partisan or sectarian activities. Grant requests are reviewed by the Darby Town Community Endowment Fund Committee. The grant process is competitive; incomplete applications will not be considered. Grant applications will be accepted January 31, 2020 - March 13, 2020. To apply for a grant, access the online application at mtcf.org/ grants. Only online applications will be accepted. For questions, please contact MCF Director of Operations & Grants Jessica Stewart-Kuntz at (406) 441-4950 or jessica@mtcf.org.

Reducing the Risk of Hernia - FREE Thursday, April 16th at MDMH

Hernia, a seemingly simple little word, which can often be complicated, painful, and dangerous if not treated. Learn about the many types of hernias, how diet can increase risks, signs, and symptoms and treatment options. 5:00 pm: Doors open 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm: Speaker Joshua Waggener, MD, Bitterroot Surgical Associates TOP

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Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Page 16--Bitterroot Star

The Bitterroot Star Weather Summary

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Bitterroot Seven Day Forecast

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Mostly Cloudy

Rain & Snow Possible

Mostly Cloudy

Scattered Snow

Mostly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

40 / 23

38 / 28

36 / 24

37 / 25

35 / 27

32 / 20

30 / 18

Local UV Index

Detailed Local Forecast

0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, 6-7: High, 8-10: Very High, 11+: Extreme Exposure

Today we will see mostly cloudy skies, high temperature of 40°, humidity of 66%. Light winds. The record high temperature for today is 55° set in 2011. Expect mostly cloudy skies tonight, overnight low of 23°. Light winds. The record low for tonight is -7° set in 1949. Thursday, skies will be mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain and snow, high temperature of 38°, humidity of 67%. Light winds. Thursday night, skies will be cloudy with a 40% chance of scattered snow, overnight low of 28°.

Weather Trivia

Peak Fishing/Hunting Times This Week

0 - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+

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Feb. 12, 1988 - A classic "Nor'easter" formed off the Carolina coast and intensified as it moved up the Atlantic coast, bringing heavy snow to the entire Northeast. Totals ranged up to 26 inches at Camden, N.Y. and Chester, Mass.

Feb. 13, 1889 - It was the coldest morning of record along the Gulf Coast. The temperature dipped to 7 above zero at New Orleans and Pensacola, Fla. and to -1 degree at Mobile, Alabama. The mercury hit 2 degrees at Tallahassee, the coldest recorded reading for the state of Florida.

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

Peak Times AM PM 2:41-4:41 3:07-5:07 3:33-5:33 3:59-5:59 4:25-6:25 4:50-6:50 5:16-7:16 5:42-7:42

Day Sun Mon Tue

Peak Times AM PM 6:09-8:09 6:35-8:35 7:02-9:02 7:29-9:29 7:56-9:56 8:23-10:23

www.WhatsOurWeather.com

Sun/Moon Chart This Week Day Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

Last 2/15

New 2/23

Sunrise 7:45 a.m. 7:44 a.m. 7:42 a.m. 7:41 a.m. 7:39 a.m. 7:37 a.m. 7:36 a.m.

Sunset 5:55 p.m. 5:57 p.m. 5:58 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:01 p.m. 6:03 p.m. 6:04 p.m.

Moonrise 10:33 p.m. 11:50 p.m. Prev Day 1:06 a.m. 2:20 a.m. 3:30 a.m. 4:34 a.m.

Moonset 9:56 a.m. 10:21 a.m. 10:48 a.m. 11:17 a.m. 11:50 a.m. 12:29 p.m. 1:16 p.m.

First 3/2

Full 3/9

Last Week's Almanac & Growing Degree Days Date 2/3 2/4 2/5 2/6 2/7 2/8 2/9

High 28 31 29 39 36 38 32

Low 9 14 24 29 31 28 15

Normals Precip 36/20 0.00" 36/20 0.03" 36/20 0.17" 36/20 0.15" 37/20 0.06" 37/20 0.14" 37/20 0.00"

Farmer's Growing Degree Days Date Degree Days Date Degree Days 2/3 0 2/7 0 2/4 0 2/8 0 2/5 0 2/9 0 2/6 0 Growing degree days are calculated by taking the average temperature for the day and subtracting the base temperature (50 degrees) from the average to assess how many growing days are attained.

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Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2020. $0 Down, 0% A.P.R. financing for up to 60 months on purchases of select new Kubota L series equipment from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory is available to qualified purchasers through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A.; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Example: 60 monthly payments of $16.67 per $1,000 financed. Offer expires 2/29/20. Terms subject to change. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any liability from the use of this material. For complete warranty, safety, incentive offer and product information, consult your local Dealer or go to KubotaUSA.com.

7550 Thornton Drive, Missoula, MT 59808 • 542-2200

BIG SKY KUBOTA