Bitterroot Star - February 16, 2022

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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent

‘The 31 29 Volume XXXVII, Number 30 XXXVII, Number 28 Volume XXXVII, Number

’ ! l a c o L Best at

www.bitterrootstar.com

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 Wednesday, February 2022 Wednesday, January 26, Wednesday, February 2,9,2022

Eaglesof in winter Groundbreaking for medical center End an era forheld Stevensville athletics Bitter Root Humane Association

celebrates new shelter, 50th anniversary speech, occupa-

by Victoria Howell

Iconic announcers retiring from school sports events

One day, Jim attended a basket“When Keith Chambers came in as They both remember times when tional and physical ball game at Stevensville at which the coach in 1991, I had a nephew playing the gym would be so full that people services – announcer didn’t show up. Ron Nichon the team, “ said Jim. “It was so would be standingtherapy in the lobby trying including a therapy olas, the principal at the time, asked special.” to hear. Jim became known for botchBitterroot Health Jim if he ing the – plus imaging held a groundbreakby Michael Howell and cut the ribbonpool at last week’s would do proand lab services. ceremony, said concerning the ing last Wednesday it. That was nunciby Victoria Howell Bishop said organization’s 50 years of service, An open house celebration was for its new medical 31 years ation“It of they hope to have held last week at the Bitter Root was started by a bunch of little old ago, and people’s complex that will be Next season, Stevensville High Humane Association’s (BRHA) new ladies in 1972 and the it’s still runopen by a facility he’s been names. built just north of School football and basketball home bunch of little old ladies.” animal shelter located on Fairgrounds announcsaid by spring ofHe 2023, Stevensville at missing the games will be the familiar, yet Kathie Butts, President of the Road in Hamilton. The event served a ing games people and that they plan distinctive, “Voice of the Yellowjackcorner of Kootenai ever since. would Board, said, “This organization double purpose. ItJim included a ribbon ets.” Announcers Pfau and Bill on continuinghas to Creek Road and in honor He worked just cutting ceremony of the new come such a long way since it was McNulty stepped down last week from expand services. alone for a hang Hwy 93. including tours the whole started about 50 years ago. I feel a on afacility, position they have heldoffor decades. “We’re bringing the few years, every John Bishop, Bithuge sense of responsibility to honor building, and an array of food and Both men are firmly woven into the playing word, care to the patients, terroot CEO, those who have come before us and ” drink in honor of the organization’s fabric ofHealth the Stevensville community music out said.be aswaiting and are stepping 50ththat birthday. make it as good as he it can we set said Marcus out of shoes that will of a boomfor the be hard to fill. Lois Hedgethe course for the next 50 years.” The private non-profi t organization Daly Hospital had box, until misproStevensville the McCormack saidpeth, thatchair the of wasPfau firstgraduated organizedfrom in 1972. In 1984, Bill showed nunciaHigh School in 1968.Bessenyey, He returned organization conducted a successful Countess Margarite the hospital board, up with tion. Bill from serving in of Vietnam 1970gave and fundraising campaign to fund the new granddaughter MarcusinDaly, better muwas the said this project married his wife Pat in 1973. Jim and construction but then the Covid-19 the BRHA land on Fairgrounds Road sic equipjokester, has been four years his brother owned a feed mill south Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce Director Al Mitchell holds the group spell-bound as Bitment, a CD atcosts times pandemic hit and construction with a 99-year until lease.retirement. Six years later, of Stevensville Pat in the works, but terplayer Root Humane Association Board Member Sue McCormack prepares to cut the ribbon and verging skyrocketed. As a result, the group in 1990, the Bessenyey estate deeded worked at the school for many years. celebrating the opening pictured from left, leads a gathering people involved in the there were some of the new animalfifth shelter in Hamilton. Photo by Michaelof Howell. CD’s. That John Bishop, inaphad to take out a mortgage to on finish the land totwo the daughters, organization whereand They have Christa delays due to the Bitterroot Health building project in a ceremonial groundbreaking. The facility was about proprion the property that had housed the Sue McCormack, who serves on the current shelter is located. The Jaime, both of whom attended SteSee SHELTER, page 2 ate in his 27 yearssince 1984. pandemic. She said shelter theat organization’s of directors will be built on land located the corner ofboard Kootenai Creek Road and Hwy 93 new building replaces old building vensville Schools K-12.an Jaime is now remarks. ago, and their vision is that an elementary teacher there. just north of the Stevensville Junction. But the rest is Bill McNulty and Jim Pfau announced their last basketball game at Stevensville High Schoolthe last Stevensville Bill graduated from Stevensville these were history. week, after a decades-long run as “The Voice of the Yellowjackets.” High School in 1976. He worked offfacility willthe bethings more Darby, Victor and Corvallis, as well as These been providing “quality, shore in the Louisiana oil fields until of a “medical center” rather than just a that made their announcing unique two have known each other for most “We always tried to raise a little Hamilton. accessible, personalized 1986, when he returned to Montana and fun, and memorable. They would of their lives,health are related by marriage, excitement for the kids and the fans,” clinic. She also said that Marcus Daly The new 12-acre campus will care” for 90 years. and went to school to become a chiMurphy. the make up nicknames forShe theled players. and they are best friends. said Bill.primary, “We promoted the team. We Hospital, which is a critical access provide care, urgent care and ropractor. He opened his practice in In recent years, they commissioners through They would often announce someone’s “Both of us love sports,” said Jim. put signs on Main Street advertising hospital, was recently rated #4byinfund the 1993. Bill’s daughter, Jackie, graduatspecialty Twowould physicians taking stepsheto lengthy birthday, evena though itfund wasn’t the “And we bothhave lovebeen kids.” Jim said the MDT come have and by Victoria HowellHigh School and megames, likeservices. a and ton of ed from Stevensville forbirthday. quality by thethey national rataccounting that, to sum been along nurse nation investplaying in all the commuperson’s And has had nephews at the school already remove them.hired, I would justwith put athem bricks.” worked at the Bitterroot Star during it up, shows the county, ing agency, out of 351 similar facilities. and that’s been fun to announce. up again.” practitioner, and two more doctors Numerous Bald Eagles have been congregating in the Burnt area lately to feed onOverstreet carcasses. was Photos nities of Fork the Bitterroot, it comes See END, page 2 herWhen high school years. overall, doing very well by Michael Victoria Howell aresent being recruited. also be he said, with clinics in to Covid, Greg Howell. home from There willby on its tax collections and Overstreet has a the hospital with showing revenues over The Cowboy Ball at the 50% Ravalli County message for you: an oxygen tank. of projections in Fairgrounds will be held February 12th. Thiswhile is don’t fool around! He was home for most departments theMichael tenth annual event andexpenses the way have it’s shaping Overstreet, two or three days. by Howell only up, it’s going to be an event worthy oftoa23% jubilee an attorney in During that time, amounted of and former council member, the public at the next Halfway through celebration. projections due in large private practice in hismeeting oxygen level by Victoria Howell the budget year, the part jobyear’s vacancies Rod Freeman is the chair of to this appears to be continuing when the council considers Stevensville, was went down to 51, county’s performance have yetRodeo to be filled. event. Freeman is also thethat chair of the diagnosed with from a normal of his efforts to teach the new the appointment of two addiAt the second regular is looking pretty good, One big savings was in Committee, and the vice chair of the Fair Board, colon cancer in 99. “I jokingly say council and mayor how local tional council members. meeting of the two-member according to Ravalli the budgeted funds The landfill started on about highway. which he’s been on for 12 years. A real estate for February of 2021. that 51 is brain government should run. He “We’ll do our job, ” said County CFO Klarryse The National the Bitterroot, county’s share in Stevensville Town Council, on 30 acres of land located Institutes agentsouth for 18ofyears here in the andof also He went through damage material.” was a frequent commenter Gibson Victor where the Bitterroot DisHealth began cleanup operations January 27, town clerk Jenelle in the Army for 21 years, his organizational and 10 chemotherapy and But COVID-19 See COUNTY, page by Nathan Boddy currently in 1994. A pump and groundJoan Mell, an attorney posal Transfer Station Berthoud told the council and at council meetings during fundraising skills, and discipline, have been put to in late August he was was no operates. joke. “It water treatment system were the last administration. In from Hamilton, wasgot recaudience that sheperfect was having good useofas chair installed of the Cowboy Ball committee. told that the so bad In I felt There iscancer no substitute for human 1985 the Department at the time and operated Crews told ognized for stepping in I couldn’t said the committee hopes to discovraise blood. This one fact might give public anyonecomment, pause trouble streaming the meethad been eradicated. like Environmental QualityFreeman conducted until 2012, when it was by Michael Howell the council to handle the prosecution when considering value ofthat those mak$50,000 this year, for that the expansion the rodeo Overstreet had the breathe,a like I ings on the internet. Sheproportional said preliminary assessment of the ered the plume of had underblood donation, especially thepublic fact that comment should caseload of Town Attorney just getting old,” he groundwater in the bucking area andchutes. dis- “They’re gone significant reduction insaid. size. surgery on YouTube October was being water the former chan- givening Department of blood can only be used up several weeksthe af-mayor, not theThe Montana “They need to be replaced. They’re getting banged covered contamination. At least NIH initially provided bottled address Greg Overstreet while he was 23, 2021 for ostomy boarded, or what nelter they had wasInno longer of this year, the Red Environmental Quality (DEQ) has donation. January some of the primaryup. contaminant, forhard landowners in the area Bucking stockwater can be on metal.” removal, thethey finalhad I imagine water audience. He also said, issued “This an Amendment hospitalized,to and recovthethen working but set40% up of the Cross, which provides nation’s blood, Chloroform, may have originated affected by the plume. they The 10th annual cowboy ball – whichLater actually in the is notduring a question from Covid-19. Mell to be Recordering, of Decision (ROD)boarding declared the first ever “blood crisis” the and answer” atreatment new Facebook page. Howfrom chemical laboratory waste drilled deep source wells that started 11 years ago but couldn’t be held last year colon cancer journey. like,” recalls for the”Bitterroot session. “It’s public did the Valley work atSanitary no charge to Omicron surge. According American Red comment. ever, members of the public to the being dumped at the sitetoby Ribi reached contamination due the pandemic – hasbelow been the upgraded this The day after that Overstreet. “This Landfill State Superfund Facility Cross, blood donations in the United States have The mayor had said previous- the town. “I just wanted to Immunochem. The plume was to provide water to impacted who had tried to access the year. (Facility). This amendmentis when I realized surgery, he10% wassince March of 2020, with a 62% declined tracedThe from the dump site located landowners. ly that he would be answering publicly thankoriginal Joan for helpTown of Stevensville attorney Joan aMell, Facebook page said it was will make some changes “This is therecognized first year we’ve ever done fully diagnosed withschool that I was not drop in high and not college drives. on the west side of Highway 93 questions from the public. ing me andROD helping the town, ” center, for filling in while town attorney Greg Overstreet to the original 2002 for taking the accessible. catered dinner,” said Freeman. The University COVID-19.Berthoud asked Covid See WELLS, page 3 to the river located east of the 4 thatfacility. Crews page also said they said Overstreet. seriously Montanawith Catering provide the had Covid-19.ofPictured Mell Service are, l towill r, Overstreet, for“I patience as she worked See BLOOD, was obviously enough. should be prepared for some provided by 4H members. very weakened,” said through the issues. Mayor Steve dinner. Gibson,Desserts council are members Cindy Brown and See page 2 Stacie Barker. Photo by Victoria Howell. “interesting comments” Greg Overstreet talks about his recentfrom brush with death dueSTEVI, to Overstreet. “Itformer hit Jim Crews, mayor See COWBOY BALL page 4 See SURVIVING, page 5 by Michael Howell Covid. Photo by Victoria Howell.

Surviving COVID

County budget on track Cowboy Ball Halfway through fiscal year, county budget looking good

scheduled

Red Cross Hearts full loveContaminated groundwater Stevi toofrevisit refinancing bonds

addressing plume near Victor shrinking blood shortage Some restrictions on shallow well use may be lifted

DUI Task Force, MAPS to partner on special video

Wolff, Michalson appointed to Stevi council

Gold Butterfly project draws some objections

Spreading love horse rescue thriving Local draft

Last week the Ravalli County Commissioners approved adoption of a to memorandum of understandanger… We have to listen and learn. resident of Stevensville for three years, devote the town. “I hope to see a ing with the Ravalli County DUI Task Force and We need to look at the issues that the moving to the Bitterroot from Las community,” he said. “We don’t have Protection Agency. The letter aspen and whitebark pine; the commissioners stated National Forest 1987 Forest MAPS Media Institute to produce a video designed by After Michael Howell interviewing three candidates town has and keep going forward. Vegas. He has been a pastor for 30 to be totally in agreement but we can toCounty help parents keep tabs their children’s “Ravalli objects contains recommendations manage timber toyears. provide for the vacant Ward 1 seat on the Plan. Criticism doesn’t get us anywhere… He said hethat founded his church certainly beon nice… that’s what Ibehavcan ior. impacts tobring toconcerning to unmitigated SEIS for forest products and jobs; and A new record of decision Stevensville Town Council the board.” the He Draft said growth The deadline closed on atifa itspecial by Victoria Howell would be possible The DUI Task approved of by Victoria Howell7, the two-peryear, theForce facility tookButterfly. inthe justcreation under meeting on February and water problems are the biggest county owned/maintained the Gold Concernretain old growth status in all was issued on December 17, January 18, for filing objec- to put envelopes on a Mischief Room last May and the commissioners $240,000 and every penny. son council appointed Marilyn Wolff. issues facing thescope town. He he ing spent the ofthe thesaid analysis roads from signed heavy equipment 2021 accompanied treatment units. According to Dominic Farrenall the doors and then by a Draft off There on it. The project involved creation tions to the2Shinn, Draft SupplemenTheJasmin Ward appointment was tabled would address this “with common are no paid employees; it’s an all-of founder and kopf, activities director put valentine cards in and logging trucks, mostly, the letter quotes the BitterSEIS that provides a site-spea Forest Service press release a set of easily accessible items that had secret hiding tal Environmental Statement since the council was on the sense”organization. and that developers should executive director of 1split Horse volunteer But Shinn saidpay at Sapphire Lutheran them. Farrenkopf really compartments where someone could stash some root Forest Plan’s Forest-wide cific forest plan amendment about 90% of the proposed but not limited to, the impacts appointment of Bob Michalson. At the for infrastructure. He also said the (Draft SEIS) for the Gold AtHomes A TimeinDraft HorseisRescue it costs about $200 per month feed Hamilton, liked the idea. He asked drugsRoad. or hide a“historic small flask of whiskey. Theto aim was Management Wildlife Retreatment areas are within an to Willow Creek Due to defining old-growth stanFebruary 10 regular meeting, Wolff nature of the town should be Butterfly Project, a Bitterroot facility Corvallis, got a nice these “gentle giants.” Then there are askinginthe community students at schools to provide parents a learning opportunity to see the was seated and the three-person counpreserved.” area designated for insect and resource and financial limitasource Objective to “Maintain dards. Some objections to the veterinary bills, therapy, training, and boost lastForest week when she to send his residents athatwas and daycares to make National project various ways in which anyWolff youngtold person can hide cil voted Michalson in on a 3-2 vote, Marilyn the council that Last year lopes. tions, Ravalli County woulduse sufficient habitat newenvelopes decision and were received disease treatment because of the envelittle love this13,000 special other associated costsold-growth to rehabilitate presented with aValencheckacres for $7500 their substance from casual inspections. includes nearly with council member Stacie Barker she has a “long work history with a lopes were so full they The project is now tine’s Day. and non-comdecorate them for each onWhen suitable timberland to dense pockets of dead and dy- not be able to accommodate January 18 deadline from representatives of JCCS, anby the horses. they’re fi ready Glendathese Wiles, Director the DUI Task Force, of commercial casting the dissenting vote. real variety ofofpositions innally managehad to be emptied more really popular, and resident. Then people About four years said what she tells parents is, “If you don’t look, for adoption, most can be driven or accounting fi rm with a branch support viable populations ing trees. They claim the area the necessary maintenance mostly having to do with the At the Februarytreatment 7 meeting, the ment and administration,” and she mercial than once. growing every year. ago, a vegetative resident camePart of could drop off valenthen younor don’t see.and If you don’t see, then you don’tthe ridden, some justgood become “pasture located in Hamilton. the logging of dependent is impacted by mountain pine during the project, thefeels of old growth, potencouncil interviewed three candidates, she isold-growth “very dealing with within a 55,000 acre area of to Farrenkopf to see tines to fill the enveSee VALENTINES, page 10 selectionRodabaugh, for awarding that gift tial impacts to wildlife and to pets.” See DUI, page Leanna Wallace public public issues” and underafter and species. ” The letter notes that10 beetle, Douglas-fir bark beetle, rehabilitation of the road forest in the Sapphire Moun- Smith was Marilyn online voting 1 Horse At A Time was established and Wolff.and according Willow Creek Road. standing what people’s needs are. She dwarf mistletoe and western the project is complete. Ravalli the Draft SEIS limits the scope tains eastbranch of Corvallis. Rodabaugh, an outspoken critic of Marilyn Wolff, at left, joins Cindy Brown and Stacie Barker on the Stevensville Town said she was “aShe’s very originally thoughtfulfrom perto JCCS manager, Andrea by Shinn in 2018. its environmental consespruce budworm damage. County objects to shiftingson” andofcould Bitterroot National Forest The original proposal the previous administration, told the the rules, Germany where sheeasily grew“follow up around Simmerman, 1 Horse At was A Time Council. Wolff was appointed to represent Ward 1, filling the seat of Jaime Devlin quences analysis to vegetation, Although in general financial burden of the project officials have stated that the council that she was “invested in this the laws and the regulations.” withdrawn in August of 2020 horses. She’s always been a horse She fan, was one of the top four vote who resigned in December.agreement Photo by Victoria Howell. RDO Equipment Co.to to Ravalli County and believe the woodpecker project is designed to improve with the proposed town… This is a town that has always said,is “If youpileated wantpassionate the government after Friends of the Bitterroot getters. but she especially aboutand meant acheck lot tofor me.” said isforest not resilience We havetotonatural learn to accept that there’s and started one of in Corvallis. work… you don’t about 8571 Running W. Road it isthem contrary to current law pine marten. project, the Ravalli County That followed in theshe wake draft horses. She andjust her complain husband, a and Alliance the She Wild a single issue person, and that shedisturbances has goinglike to be division in this town, and He has sat on many non-profit boards ” things, you actually get involved to see “We realize these old growth Commissioners expressed and existing agreements. fire, insects Missoula, MT 59808 military retiree, and their two children of a $25,000 gift claiming in November Rockies filed suit the researched a lot of things, attended try and work with it and not over the and has worked with people all over, if you can help.” Wolff said it’s time to species are listed in Forest officials also received disease; reduce sediconcern over impacts to toindicator Montana and bought a 20from Tractor Supply. 406-549-4171 agency failed to use theknow best that Iand many meetings. “I do can top of it.” including Uganda. “Working in the relocated settle some longstanding disputes, get That asaid. lot of acre farm rights which ShinnPlan, said canitsupport the Forest is not comments Strobel sources inalisted the Willow county and maintained help thissounds town,” like she She saidment peoShe the biggest challenges corporate field,from whether orPhilip water settled, get but wells permitavailable science in managing Presenting check for $7500 from JCCSowned to Jasmin Shinn (second left) ofprofit 1 from Horse At RDOequipment.com money but, according toand Shinn, 20and horses. She currently Director ofa possible the NEPAabout Branch clear whether there are other Creek watershed; improve roads, Willow Creek ple know her a baker, a Clothes as water issues, subdivisions, the non-profit, helps me with ted, create a good foundation that A Time Draft Horse Rescue were, l to and r: especially Levi Clark, CPA, Andrea Simmerman, JCCS Branch elk habitat andasdidn’t comtaking volunteer. care of draft horses isissues Closet “There are in purchasing policy. seat on this board,” he said. He said bull trout habitat; restore Road. Office of the Regional AdminManager, and Will Ramsey, CPA. Also pictured is Tiny, the non-profit’s mascot and the ply with the definition of old See STEVI, page an expensive Last this town thatproposition. are fairly deep - there’s Wallace Smith saidby he1 has he’s now retired istrator and hasofthe to See RESCUE, page 16 65 See GOLD, page Inbeen a At letter to the Forest thetime Environmental habitat firstincluding horse thatmeadows, was rescued Horse A Time. Photo by Victoria Howell. growth found in the Bitterroot

by Victoria Howell

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