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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent
‘The 36 29 Volume XXXVII, Number 30 XXXVII, Number 28 Volume XXXVII, Number
’ ! l a c o L Best at Wednesday, March26, 23, 2022 Wednesday, February 2022 Wednesday, January Wednesday, February 2,9,2022
www.bitterrootstar.com
Eagles in winter Groundbreaking heldqwiet for medical center ‘Shhh! Be vewy, vewy ...’ Bitter Root Humane Association
Hamilton rabbits, park structures celebratesconsiders new shelter, 50th anniversary
speech, occupational and physical therapy services – including a therapy Bitterroot Health – plus imaging held a groundbreakMichael Howell and cut the ribbonpool at last week’s by Nathan Boddy and lab services. ceremony, said concerning the ing last Wednesday Like Elmer Fudd, Hamilton may soon be hunting Bishop said “It organization’s 50 years of service, An open house celebration was for its new medical rabbits, but perhaps they won’t be as wily as Bugs they hope to have held last week at the Bitter Root was started by a bunch of little old complex thatHamilton will be City Council has begun to Bunny. The Humane Association’s (BRHA) new ladies in 1972 and it’s still run by the facility opena built just the north of consider widespread rabbit population whose bunch of little old ladies.” animal shelter located on Fairgrounds by spring of 2023, Stevensville at the numbers seem to be on the rise. Their presence Kathie Butts, President theplan Road in Hamilton. The event served a and thatof they throughout numerous areas of the city has caused corner of Kootenai Board, said, “This organization double purpose. It included a ribbon many citizens to address their city council represenon continuinghas to Creek Road and cutting ceremony in honor of the new come such a long way since it was tatives, asking for a solution. expand services. Hwy 93. including tours facility, of8th, the whole started about 50 years ago. I feel a On Wednesday, March Mayor Dominic Far“We’re bringing the John reported Bishop, huge sense of responsibility to honor building, and anBitarray food and of the Whole that renkopf to the of Committee care to the patients, terroot Health those who have come before us and ” drink honor of the organization’s he hadindone “aCEO, lot of research and has talked with a said.be as we set lot ofthat people.” Many have expressed their concern 50th birthday. make it as good as he it can said Marcus about the pint-sized individuals who are reportedLois Hedgethe course for the next 50 years.” The private non-profi t organization Daly Hospital had ly doing lot of damage and getting out of hand. McCormack saidpeth, thatchair the of the was firstaorganized in 1972. In 1984, Indeed, anyone who regularly walks organization conducted a successful Countess Margarite Bessenyey, the in Hamilton is hospital board, likely aware of multiple pockets of rabbit populations fundraising campaign to fund the new granddaughter of Marcus Daly, gave said this project within town. Nonetheless, moving forward with a construction but then the Covid-19 the BRHA land on Fairgrounds Road has been four years plan for controlling the rabbit populationBitterroot will take Chamber of Commerce Director Al Mitchell holds the group spell-bound as Bitpandemic hit and construction with aconsideration. 99-year lease. Six years later, some 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 Mayor Farrenkopf has spoken with a trapper who 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 landa to thefor organization where quoted price placement of live-traps, as well as 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 a per rabbit bounty. But even the question of how to See SHELTER, page pandemic. She said2 since 1984. theat organization’s of directors will be built on land located the corner ofboard Kootenai Creek Road and Hwy 93 new building replaces old capture the rabbits can an only bebuilding consideredshelter once the their vision is that Council determines if the rabbits are to be considered just north of the Stevensville Junction. the Stevensville wild or domestic. Feeding of wildlife can lead to an array of negative side effects, both for the wildlife facility will be more Darby, Victor and Corvallis, as well as been providing “quality, of a “medical center” rather than just a Hamilton. accessible, personalized clinic. She also said that Marcus Daly The new 12-acre campus will health care” for 90 years. Murphy. She led the Hospital, is a critical access Halfway provide primary, care, urgent care and In recent years, they One of the ’stick house’ structures in Skalkaho Bendwhich Park. Photo by Nathan Bodcommissioners through hospital, was recently rated #4byinfund the specialty services. Two physicians have have been taking steps to dy. a lengthy fund by Victoria Howell me like a ton of through fiscal nation for quality by rataccounting that, sum human-built they arethe alsonational beingtoprealready been hired, along with a nurse environment, and residents. Domestic invest in all the commubricks.” it up, shows the county, sented with evidence of humans constructing shelters animals, on the other 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 it comes overall, doingMarch very well inby the natural environment. On Tuesday, 8th, hand, cannot be allowed by Michael Victoria Howell are being recruited. There will also be he said, with clinics in to Covid, Greg Howell. sent home from by Victoria Howell
Surviving COVID
County budget on track Cowboy Ball
scheduled
budget looking good
its tax collections Director of Parks and Urbanon Forestry, Amy Fox, and to roam throughout Overstreet has a the hospital with showing revenues mentioned that she has recently heard “concernover exthe town unrestrained. The about Cowboy athouses the 50% Ravalli County message for you: an oxygen tank.issues of are projections in pressed theBall stick that in River Park Only when those Fairgrounds will be held February 12th. Thiswhile is don’t fool around! He been was home most departments and Skalkaho Bend Park.” have ironedfor out the tenth annual event and the way it’s shaping Overstreet, two or three days. by Michael Howell expenses have only These informal structures, which often take the would the council be able up, it’s to or beaan event worthy oftoa23% jubilee an attorney in that time, amounted form of agoing lean-to rough approximation of aof toDuring move forward with and former council member, the public at the next Halfway celebration. projections large havethrough periodically sprouted withindue theinundeprivate practice in hismeeting oxygen trapping or a level widespread teepee, by Victoria Howell the budget year, part to jobyear’s vacancies veloped of the Fox that the Rod areas Freeman is parks. the chair ofmentioned this on theto rabbits, appears to be continuing when the council bounty considers Stevensville, was went down 51, performance yetRodeo tonew, be filled. construction of these structures ishave nothing but and deciding whatofwould county’s event. Freeman is also thethat chair of the diagnosed with regular from a normal his efforts to teach the new the appointment of two addiAt the second is looking pretty good, One big savings was infor they can become an issue since they are often used become of the animals. 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 for fires, which are not allowed within city parks. HamMayor Farrenkopf told which he’s been on for 12 years. A real estate February of 2021. that 51 is brain “We’ll do our job, ”other said CFO Klarryse the Bitterroot, county’s in Stevensville Town Council, on government should run. He ilton’s Fire Departments have share both the members of the County agentPolice for 18and years here in the andbeen also He went through damage material.” was a frequent commenter Gibson working with Fox to determine a course of action. council that he “needs January 27, town clerk Jenelle in the Army for 21 years, his organizational and 10 chemotherapy and But COVID-19 See COUNTY, page While Fox acknowledged that some of the strucmarching orders.” 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. “Itcouncil tures are getting somewhat out of hand, she did menWhile the city the last administration. In from Hamilton, wasgot recaudience thatcancer she was having good useshe as wouldn’t chair of the Cowboy told that the so bad Ithe feltimtion that want to stifleBall the committee. interaction will consider public comment, Crews told ognized for stepping in I couldn’t Freeman said the committee hopes to raise of trouble streaming the meethad been eradicated. like that young people have with the natural elements pact of wildlife taking that those to handle the prosecution $50,000 had like I ings onthe themany internet. said the park. this year, for the expansion of the rodeo OneOverstreet of free She range rabbitsthe in council Hamilton. Photo bymakNathan Boddy. upbreathe, residence within the ing public comment should caseload of Town Attorney bucking chutes. “They’re just getting old,” he said. surgery on YouTube October chanwas being water the former “They need to be replaced. They’re getting banged address the mayor, not the Greg Overstreet while he was 23, 2021 for ostomy boarded, or what nel they had was no longer up. Bucking stock can be hard on metal.” removal, the fi nal I imagine water audience. He also said, “This hospitalized, and then recovworking but they had set up The 10th annual cowboy ball – which actually treatment in the boarding to be is not a question and answer” ering, from Covid-19. Mell a new Facebook page. Howstarted 11 years ago but couldn’t be held last year colon cancer journey. like,” recalls session. “It’s public comment.” did the work at no charge to ever, members of the public due to the pandemic – has been upgraded this The day after that Overstreet. “This The mayor had said previous- the town. “I just wanted to who had he tried to access the year. surgery, was is when I realized ly that he would be answering publicly thank Joan for help- The Town of Stevensville attorney Joan aMell, Facebook “This is therecognized first year we’ve ever done fully diagnosedpage withsaid it was not that I was not questions from the public. ing me and helpingtaking the town, ” in while town attorney Greg accessible. catered dinner,” said Freeman. TheOverstreet University COVID-19.Berthoud asked Covid center, for filling Crews also said that they said Overstreet. seriously enough. Montanawith Catering provide the had Covid-19.ofPictured Mell Service are, l towill r, Overstreet, for“I patience as she worked was obviously 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.
Hearts full love Stevi toofrevisit refinancing bonds
DUI Task Lion of the Year! MAPS Force, Ag businesses, meat to partner on processing plants special video benefit from ARPA
Gold Butterfly project draws some objections
Spreading love horse rescue thriving Local draft
As a part of his efforts to defend “Production agriculture is MonLast week the Ravalli County Commissioners apMontana agriculture producers and tana’s number one industry and the proved adoption of a memorandum of understandreduce consolidation in the packing backbone of our economy, and I’m ing with the Ravalli County DUI Task Force and industry by expanding have secured these Ameriletter aspen and whitebark pine; the commissioners statedInstituteProtection Forestto 1987 Forest MAPS Media to produceAgency. a video The designed by Michael Howell local meatNationalproud processing capacity, U.S. SenatorPlan. Jon can Rescue Plan resources that will help parents on their children’s behavthat “RavallitoCounty objectskeep tabs contains recommendations manage timber to provide Tester has secured more than $7.8 farmers, ranchers, ior. impacts to to unmitigated concerning the Draft SEIS for forest products and jobs; and A newsupport record family of decision The deadline closed on Plan by Victoria Howell if it would be possible million in American Rescue meat processors, and small businesses 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, to put envelopes on our state,” said Tester. “ConsolJanuary filing objecfunds for18, 30for Montana small businessacross 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 by ameat Draftpacking treatment units. According to Dominic Farrenall the doors and then es, including 17 meat processing projidation in the industry 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 ects and resources for three new U.S. and anti-competitive behavior by 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 Horse volunteer organization. But Shinn said at Sapphire them. Farrenkopf really Department ofLutheran Agriculture (USDA) theplan big four packers are putting our of the proposed compartments where someone could stash some root Forest Plan’s Forest-wide cific forest amendment about 90% but not limited to, the impacts (Draft SEIS) forprocessing the Gold AtHomes A Time Horse it costs about $200 per month feedwas inDraft Hamilton, isRescue liked the idea.ranchers He asked certified meat facilities. out of business and forcing drugsRoad. or hide a small of whiskey. Thetoaim Management Wildlife Retreatment areas are within an to Willow Creek Due to flask defining old-growth stanButterfly Project, a Bitterroot facility Corvallis, got a nice “gentle giants.” Then there askinginthe community students at schools Hamilton Packing Company will families to pay more for meat at the to providethese parents a learning opportunity toare see the area designated for insect and resource and financial limitasource Objective to “Maintain dards. Some objections to the veterinary training, and boost last week when she to send his residents athatwas and daycares to makestore. These investments will National Forest project receive $450,000 for expansion, state grocery various ways in whichbills, any therapy, young person can hide Last year lopes. tions, Ravalli County woulduse sufficient habitat newenvelopes decision were received disease treatment because of the envelittle love this13,000 special and inspected meat processing expand local processing facilities, other associated costsold-growth to rehabilitate presented with aValencheckacres for equipment $7500 their substance from casual inspections. includes nearly so full they The project is now tine’s Day. decorate them for each upgrades and existing retail. grow small businesses and support not be able to accommodate onWhen suitable timberland to dense pockets oflopes dead were and dyJanuary 18 deadline from representatives of JCCS, anby the 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 Abouthelped four years Tester negotiate the Amergood-paying jobsthe in communities 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 mercial treatment than once. growing every year. ago, a vegetative resident drop offacross ican Rescue Plancame Act (ARPA), which Montana.” Jim Whitlock, was Of see. theand Year by the Hamilton Lions Club then youLion don’t If you don’t see, then you don’t ridden, some just become “pasture located in Hamilton. Part of could the of old-growth dependent is impacted by mountain pine right, during theawarded project, nor the logging of valenold growth, potenwithin a 55,000 acre area of to Farrenkopf to see tines to fill the enveprovided this funding, and he was the The $7,872,418 in targeted APRA See VALENTINES, page 10 membership. The award is given to a Lion that has demonstrated contribuselection for awarding that gift tial impacts to wildlife and to pets.” See DUI, page after species.” The letter notes that10 beetle,billion Douglas-fir bark beetle, rehabilitation of the road forest in thevoting Sapphire Mounonly Montana statewide official that funding comes from the $1.25 tions above and beyond the Lion Mission1 Horse ‘We Serve’. Jim was also recognized was online and according At A Time was established the Draft SEIS limits the scope Creek Road. State and Local dwarf mistletoe the project is complete. Ravalli supported legislation. ThanksWillow to Coronavirus Fiscal Re- andaswestern tains eastbranch ofthe Corvallis. being a Hamilton Lions Club member for 50in years. no doubt to JCCS manager, Andrea by Shinn 2018.“There She’s was originally from theThe ARPA, Montana’s unemployment lief Fund Tester secured for the state of its environmental consespruce budworm damage. County objects to shifting Bitterroot National Forest original proposal was that Jim should have received this award for his dedication and up commitment to Germany where she grew around Simmerman, 1 Horse At A Time rate is currently at the lowest rateofficials in of Montana to respond to the econom-in general quences analysis to vegetation, Although financial burden of the project have stated that the the Lions but also his outstanding service to his community,” said Dixie Dies, withdrawn in August of 2020 horses. She’s always been a horse fan, was one of the top four vote state history. effects of the pandemic. These funds RDO Equipment Co. to Ravalli andbut believe the pileated woodpecker project isicdesigned to improve agreement with thePresident, proposed Hamilton LionsCounty Club. Whitlock wasis presented his 50-year pin byand after Friends of the Bitterroot getters. she especially passionate about 8571 Running W. Road it is contrary to current law pine marten. project, the Ravalli County forest resilience to natural Lions 2nd Vice District Governor, Brian Gertiser. See GRANTS, page 2 checkfor followed in the wake draft horses. She and her husband, a andThat Alliance the Wild “We and realize these old growth Commissioners expressed and existing agreements. ” Missoula, MT 59808 military retiree, their two children of a $25,000 gift claiming in November Rockies filed suit the disturbances like fire, insects indicator species are listed in Forest officials also received and disease; reduce sediconcern over impacts to relocated to Montana and bought a 20from Tractor Supply. 406-549-4171 agency failed to use the best That sounds a lot of acre farm which ShinnPlan, said but canitsupport the Forest is not comments Strobel mentPresenting sources ina the Willow county andShinn maintained available sciencelike in managing check for $7500 from JCCSowned to Jasmin (second from left) of 1 from HorsePhilip At RDOequipment.com money but, according to Shinn, Creek watershed; improve about 20 horses. She currently Director of the NEPA Branch clear whether there are other roads, especially Willow Creek A Time Draft Horse Rescue were, l to r: Levi Clark, CPA, Andrea Simmerman, JCCS Branch elk habitat and didn’t comtaking care of draft horses is 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 an expensiveYproposition. Last CO.COM including meadows, RESCUE, page 65 See See GOLD, page •FREEbyESTIMATES INTime. THE BITTERROOT VALLEY• OURH OMEIMPROVEMENThabitat In a At letter to the Forest istrator first horse that was rescued 1 Horse A Photo by Victoria Howell. of the Environmental
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