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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent
‘The 33 29 Volume XXXVII, Number 30 XXXVII, Number 28 Volume XXXVII, Number
’ ! l a c o L Best at
www.bitterrootstar.com
Wednesday, March 2,2022 2022 Wednesday, February 2022 Wednesday, January 26, Wednesday, February 2,9,
LifeHouse to provide lifeline celebrates new shelter, 50th anniversary
Eagles in winterHumane Groundbreaking held Association for medical center Bitter Root
speech, occupational and physical therapy services – tually the propertyincluding will accommodate safe house where former victims can The Stevensville couple has three a therapy Bitterroot Health 15 women. safely rebuild their lives. The Lifedaughters and one son. About a year pool – plus imaging held a groundbreakby Michael Howell cut thebeen ribbon at last to week’s honored work with Guard Group is readying LifeHouse ago, they signed a buy/sell agreement and“We’ve andand lab boys services. said concerning the that ing last Wednesday some incredible girls at Crooked Tree Ranch which, in its on a 40-acre property in the Bitterroot ceremony, Bishop saidand organization’s 50 years of service, “It An open house celebration was have come out of sex trafficking initial stages, will accommodate up to where they plan to open a safe house for its new medical we want to have a space for them that six women. for former trafficking victims ages 18 they hope to have held last week at the Bitter Root was started by a bunch of little old complex that will be they can always come home to,” “This is the number one need we’ve and over. The property includes a vaHumane Association’s (BRHA) new ladies in 1972 and it’s still run bysays a the facility open built just north of Tami. of “We want to experience riety of living spaces and outbuildings. bunch little oldthem ladies.” animal shelter located on Fairgrounds seen—to have a place where human by spring of 2023, a Stevensville at the life they never thought wasofpossible.” trafficking victims can be restored and Every bedroom includes a private Kathie Butts, President theplan Road in Hamilton. The event served a by Victoria Howell and thatbeen they corner of Kootenai Thesaid, Hochhalters have overfind the healing they need to successbath. A full spectrum of therapy inBoard, “This organization has double purpose. It included a ribbon on continuing to whelmed by the generosity of peofully rebuild their lives,” Hochhalcluding equine, art, nature, and dance, Creek Road and “Human trafficking is alive andnew cutting ceremony in honor of the come such a long way since it was ple who want to support cause. ter says. “LifeHouse will bring that as well as mental health care, will be expandthis services. Hwy 93.Montana,” well in facility, including says toursLowell of the Hochwhole started about 50 years ago. I feel a Groups, businesses and individuals peace.” available, as well as legal assistance “We’re bringing the halter, ofan the LifeGuard JohnCEO Bishop, Bitof responsibility to honor building, and array of foodGroup, and have sense “adopted” rooms at LifeHouse to Tami and Lowell Hochhalter joined and advocacy. Staff will help survivors huge care to the patients, a non-profit organizaton that works terroot those whoand have come before us and ” drink inHealth honorCEO, of the organization’s the fight against human trafficking integrate into society, by providing a renovate prepare for the new to endbirthday. human trafficking. Very soon said.be as we set 50th make it as good as he it can said that Marcus in 2010 and founded the LifeGuard family-like setting, healthy social inthe Bitterroot Valley will be home to a Lois HedgeSee LIFEHOUSE, page 4 the course for the next 50 years.” The private non-profi t organization Group in Missoula a few years later. teraction, and job preparation. EvenDaly Hospital had McCormack saidpeth, thatchair the of the was first organized in 1972. In 1984, organization conducted a successful Countess Margarite Bessenyey, the hospital board, fundraising campaign to fund the new granddaughter of Marcus Daly, gave said this project construction but then the Covid-19 the BRHA land on Fairgrounds Road has been four years Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce Director Al Mitchell holds the group spell-bound as Bitpandemic hit and construction with a 99-year lease. Six years later, in the works, costs but ter Root Humane Association Board Member Sue McCormack prepares to cut the ribbon skyrocketed. As a result, the group in 1990, the Bessenyey estate deeded John Bishop, pictured from left, leads a gathering people involved in the there were some celebrating the opening of the new animalfifth shelter in Hamilton. Photo by Michaelof Howell. had to take out a mortgage to finish the land to the organization where delays due to the Bitterroot Health building project in a ceremonial groundbreaking. The facility on the property that had housed the Sue McCormack, who serves on the current shelter is located. The See SHELTER, page pandemic. She said2 theat organization’s of directors will be built on land located the corner ofboard Kootenai Creek Road and Hwy 93 new building replaces an old building shelter since 1984. their vision is that just north of the Stevensville Junction. by Nathan Boddy the Stevensville facility will be more Darby, Victor and Corvallis, as well as been providing “quality, Several dozen people arrived on Main Street on Sunday, February of a “medical center” rather than just a Hamilton. accessible, personalized 27th to show their support of community and their mutual belief in clinic. She also said that Marcus Daly The new 12-acre campus will the ‘goodness of people.’ Event organizer, Melissahealth Ryan,care” first came up for 90 years. Murphy. She led the is a critical access with the idea of the ‘Root For the Root’ gatheringIn when she noticed Halfway provide primary, care, urgent care and Hospital, which recent years, they commissioners through that an area man has been posting fliers in and around Hamilton, rated the specialty have hospital, was recently have been taking steps to a lengthy fund#4byinfund by Victoria Howell me likeservices. a ton of Two physicians through fiscal which were negative to several Main Street establishments. Ryan by the national rataccounting that, to sum already been hired, along with a nurse nation for quality invest message in all thewas commubricks.” describes the man as a “false prophet,” whose negative it up, shows the county, ing agency, out of 351 similar facilities. year, county 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, When comes one it she and other locals have chosen to counterbalance. overall, doing very well by Michael Howell. Victoria Howell aresent being recruited. also be “We are a community,” said Ryan. “We are nothegoing let clinics some- in said, to with to Covid, Greg home from There willby by Victoria Howell
Bitterroot property to be new start for rescued human trafficking victims
Celebrating community unity ‘Root for the Root’ held in Hamilton
Surviving COVID
County budget on track Cowboy Ball
scheduled
budget looking good
on its tax collections and body come Overstreet has a in here and try to divide us or create viciousness.” the hospital with showing revenues over a native Montanan and owner of Daly Dog Care south The Cowboy Ball at the 50% Ravalli County messageRyan, for you: an oxygen tank. of projections in Hamilton, Fairgrounds will be held February 12th. Thiswhile is don’tof fool around! said that division is already rearing its head in many 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 See UNITY, page 3 up, it’s going to be an event worthy oftoa23% jubilee an attorney in During that time, amounted of and former member, the show public at the next Halfway through celebration. projections due in large private practice in Drummund Beck, hismeeting oxygen level Carrie Storrow, Melissacouncil Ryan and Edward Ryan by Victoria Howell the budget year, the part jobyear’s vacancies Rod Freeman is the chair of to this toNathan be continuing when the council considers Stevensville, was for community.appears went down to 51, their support Photo by Boddy. 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 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 Bitterroot, county’s share Stevensville Town Council, on agent for 18 years here in the andin also He went through damage material.” was a frequent commenter Gibson January 27, town clerk Jenelle in the Army for 21 years, his organizational and 10 chemotherapy and But COVID-19 See COUNTY, page Joan Mell, an attorney Berthoud told the council and at council meetings during fundraising skills, and discipline, have been put to in late August he was was no joke. “It the last administration. In from Hamilton, wasgot recaudience thatcancer she was having good use as chair of the Cowboy Ball committee. told that the so bad I felt public comment, Crewsa final told ognized for stepping in I couldn’t Freeman said the committee to out raise trouble streaming the meethad been eradicated. like by Nathan Boddy himself has not made NHURD, ashopes spelled in the council thatwhat thosesteps mak-to to handle the prosecution $50,000 this year, forthe the expansionisof the rodeo decision about ordinance, specifically had She said breathe, like I ingsOverstreet on the internet. Unless gotchanan uptakepublic next. comment should to “foster economic vitality ing caseload of Town Attorney bucking chutes. “They’re just getting old,” he said. surgery onyou’ve October was being water the former YouTube coming trip to the U.S. Virgin address The the Hamilton Kmart’s through the redevelopment “They need to be replaced. They’re getting banged mayor, not the Greg Overstreet while he was 23, 2021 for ostomy boarded, or what nel they had wasRico no longer Islands, Puerto or Guam, audience. closing marks a 33-year run up. Bucking stock canand be revitalization,” hard on metal.”within the removal, the fi nal I imagine water He also said, “This hospitalized, and then recovworking they had set up your lastbut chance for the location on the north district.ball – which actually The 10th annual cowboy in the to see a boarding notofa town, question anditanswer” ering, from Covid-19. Mell to be atreatment new Facebook page. HowKmart store is rapidly coming isend where stood Davis says “hopes started 11 years ago but couldn’t bethat heldhe, last year colon cancer journey. like,” recalls session. “It’s to anmembers end. Hamilton Kmart, unrivaled forpublic yearscomment. as the ” did the work at no charge to everything works out,” and ever, of the public due to the pandemic – has been upgraded this The day after that Overstreet. “This one of only fivetoremaining town’s onlyhad bigsaid box previousretailer. that, “The community has The mayor the town. “I just wanted to who had tried access the year. surgery, he was is when I realized Kmart stores in the contiWhile Davis saysbethat he is beenattorney really good to us for the ly that he would answering publicly thank Joan for helpThe Town of Stevensville recognized Joan Facebook page said it was not “This is the first year we’ve ever done aMell, fully diagnosed withStates, that I was not nental United will be unaware of any decisions or last 33 years.” He says that the questions from the public. ing me and helpingtaking the town, ” in while town attorney Overstreet accessible. asked catered dinner,” said Freeman. The University COVID-19. Covid center, for filling closing its Berthoud doors forever this plans with the property or people ofGreg the Bitterroot Valley also saiditself, that they said Overstreet. seriously enough. Montanawith Catering Service provide theKmart had Covid-19.ofPictured Mellhave are, done l towill r,very Overstreet, for patience as she worked “I was obviously month. theCrews big box store its well for should prepared for some provided by 4H members. manager at closurebe leaves a tremendous and he Cindy hopes that Kmart veryRobert weakened,” said through theDavis, issues. Mayor Steve dinner. Gibson,Desserts council are members Brown anddid See page 2 Stacie Barker. Photo by Victoria Howell. “interesting comments” theJim Hamilton been opportunity forhis substantial the same for the community. Greg Overstreet talks about recentfrom brush with death dueSTEVI, to Overstreet. “Itstore, hit has Crews, former mayor See COWBOY BALL page 4 See SURVIVING, page 5 by Michael Howell with Kmart for 35 years. He Photo redevelopment. The parcel Covid. by Victoria Howell. says that while most of their which houses the Kmart store Last week the Ravalli County Commissioners Kmart in Hamilton will closeap26 employees have something is located within the North proved adoption of a memorandum of 33 understandlined up for their future after Hamilton Urban Renewal this month after years at ing with the Ravalli County DUI Task Force the closing, they are okay with District (NHURD), which this location. Photo byand Nathan Agency. The letter aspen and whitebark pine; the commissioners statedInstituteProtection National Forest 1987 Forest MAPS Media to produce a video designed the Michael decision and, “looking was established by the City by Howell Boddy. help parents on their children’s behavforward to moving on.” Davis in 2018. The purpose of the that “RavallitoCounty objectskeep tabs contains recommendations Plan. manage timber to provide ior. impacts to to unmitigated concerning the Draft SEIS for forest products and jobs; and A new record of decision The deadlineHowell closed on if it would by Victoria be possible The DUI Task approved of by Victoria Howell year, theForce facility tookButterfly. inthe justcreation under 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$240,000 Room lastand Mayspent and the commissioners every penny. ing theinvolved scope ofthe thecreation 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 tions to theShinn, Draft Supplemenare no paid employees; it’s an all-of Jasmin 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 executive director of 1 Horsethem. Farrenkopf really volunteer organization. But Shinn said at Sapphire Lutheran 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 (Draft SEIS) for the Gold AtHomes A Time Horse it costs about $200 per month feed inDraft Hamilton, isRescue liked the idea. He asked ing Montana’s Forks to where it to joins drugsRoad. or hide aand small flask of whiskey. The aim was Management Wildlife Re-the treatment areas are within an to Willow Creek Due toWest defining old-growth stanButterfly Project, a Bitterroot facility Corvallis, got a nice “gentle giants.” Then there askinginthe community students at schools constitutional Clark River in Missoula. At to providethese parents aFork learning opportunity toare seethe the area designated for insect and resource and financial limitasource Objective tocan “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 mandate that ways same time, agency adopted a new various in which anythe young person hide Last year lopes. tions,“the Ravalli County would sufficient 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 state and funding procedure called the habitat “Focus their substance use from casual inspections. includes nearly lopes were so full they each person shall Watershed” approach in which the The project is now tine’s Day. decorate them for each onWhen suitable timberland to dense pockets of dead and dy- not be able to accommodate from representatives of JCCS, anby the January 18 deadline horses. they’re finally ready Glendathese Wiles, Director of the DUI Task Force, of commercial and non-comhad to be emptied more really popular, and resident. Then people About four years maintain and agency concentrates nonpoint source 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 mercial treatment could drop off valenthan once. growing every year. ago, a vegetative resident came improve a clean and technical aid in a specific then younor don’t see.and If you don’t then you don’t ridden, some justsee, become “pasture located in Hamilton. Part of the logging of old growth, potenof old-growth dependent is impacted by mountain pine during the project, thefunding within a 55,000 acre area of to Farrenkopf to see tines to fill the enveand healthy enwatershed for up to three years. This10 See VALENTINES, page 10 selection for awarding that gift tial impacts to wildlife and to pets.” See DUI, page of the road after species. ” The letter notes that beetle, Douglas-fir bark beetle, rehabilitation forest in the Sapphire Mounvironment.” She targeted approach maximizes the cuwasMichael online voting and according Willow Creek Road. 1 Horse At A Time was established by Howell Draftof SEIS limits the scope dwarf mistletoe and western the project is complete. emphasized the Ravalli mulativethe impact water quality restotains east of Corvallis. to JCCS branch manager, Andrea by Shinn in 2018. She’s originally from word ‘maintain’. within a watershed. of its environmental consespruce budworm damage. County objects to shiftingration projects Bitterroot National Forest The proposal was The original Department ofAt EnvironGermany where she grew up around Simmerman, 1 Horse A Time In 2019, DEQ The Bitterroot was named the Focus quences analysis to vegetation, Although in general financial burden of the project officials have stated that the mental (DEQ) released withdrawn ofhas 2020 horses. She’s always beenina2019 horseand fan,has was oneQuality of in theAugust top four vote adopted a 20Watershed recipient RDO Equipment Co. to Ravalli County andbut believe the pileated woodpecker agetters. draft Bitterroot Nutrient project is designed to improve agreement with the proposed after Friends of theRiver Bitterroot she is especially passionate aboutand year plan to do benefited from the focused funding Protection Plan which indicates the 8571 W.years. Road it is contrary to water current law marten. project, the Ravalli County forest resilience to natural checkfor followed in the wake draft horses. SheRunning andlast herthree husband, a andThat Alliance the Wild long term and aid pine over the river is not impaired. The Nutrient “We realize these old growth Commissioners expressed and existing agreements. ” disturbances like fire, insects Missoula, MT 59808 militaryAccording retiree, and their DeArment, two children of a $25,000 gift claiming in November quality monito John the Rockies filed suit the Protection Plan is a non-regulatory indicator species are listed in Forest officials also received and disease; reduce sediconcern over impacts to toring on the lead scientist for the Clark Fork Coalirelocated to Montana and bought a 20from Tractor Supply. 406-549-4171 agency failed to use the best document, according to Hannah The Bitterroot River Health Check program has been taking water mainstem of the tion who is supervising the Bitterroot Thata sounds like a specialist lot of acre farm which ShinnPlan, said but canitsupport the Forest is not comments Philip Strobel sources in county andShinn maintained Riedl, water quality inmentPresenting available science in managing check for $7500River from JCCSowned to Jasmin (secondDEQ’s from left) of 1 from HorseRiver At samples ona the the Willow Bitterroot annually as part of Montana Bitterroot River monitoring as part of are the other overall RDOequipment.com moneyNonpoint but, according toProgram. Shinn, Creek watershed; improve about 20 horses. She currently Director of the NEPA Branch clear whether there roads, especially Willow Creek DEQ’s Source A2019-2039 Time Draft Horse Rescue were, l to r: LeviWater Clark, CPA, Andrea Simmerman, JCCS Branch elk habitat and didn’t comBitterroot River Long-Term Quality Monitoring from the conflumonitoring being conducted in the taking care draft horses is guidShe said it isofmeant to provide bull trout restore Office of the Regional Manager, and Will Ramsey, CPA.Road. Also pictured Tiny, non-profi t’s mascot and the East AdminPlan.habitat; Kelsey Milner, pictured here, is leaderisof thethe South Mainstem ply with the definition of old ence of the an expensive proposition. Last ance and recommendations in meet- firstincluding See RESCUE, page 65 See GOLD, page In letter to the Forest meadows, horse wasMainstem rescued byteam 1 Horse At A Time. Photo by Victoria istrator Howell. of the Environmental team. Thethat North is aled by Kent Myers. See RIVER, page 2 growth found in the Bitterroot habitat
Hearts full love Stevi toofrevisit refinancing bonds
Hamilton Kmart to close in March DUI Task Force, MAPS to partner on special video
Gold Butterfly project draws some objections
Spreading love horse rescue thriving Local draft
Some good news on water pollution DEQ releases draft Bitterroot River Nutrient Protection Plan
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