Bitterroot Star - March 27, 2024

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course. This will allow them to see all of what goes into this kind of project. “You get to see it from the start to the fnish. It’s defnitely awesome!” said Coleen.

Another blessing, according to Bean, was that they were originally going to build the house on the new Habitat for Humanity property obtained in Darby. However, they decided to go with a place in Hamilton. This was fortunate for Dan, whose job as a cemetery technician for Missoula requires him to make that commute every day. For him, the drive is much more viable from Hamilton than from Darby. But, according to Bean, that was not the only reason they decided on Hamilton.

“It just happened, and it was a good happening,” said Bean. He explained that things just worked out the way they needed to and the space became available and the family was ready to proceed. Otherwise, the Darby project would still have taken some time to start. This way, the family could get into a home as soon as possible.

Speed is apparently on their minds, as Bean stated that ofcial construction started Tuesday, prior to this article’s publication. Additionally, Bean optimistically estimated the project to be complete by as early as mid-July. “If we have some help,” said Bean, “we can go pretty fast.”

Speaking about that help and what makes this quick turn around possible, Bean mentioned that they will be receiving assistance from Trapper Creek Job Corps. The corps will aid in laying the foundation, and possibly later with the framing. This will allow the local organization to give their participants on-the-job training, and will save Habitat for Humanity time and money to give this family a home. For the rest of the project, they will use local contractors and all new materials for the house.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Hamilton’s mayor, Dominic Farrenkopf, said, “City council talks a lot about how to deal with the housing concerns within city limits.”

He said this project in particular is a great step to helping provide that to a family, and more.

According to him, it will both, “provide a family with a house,” and it brought out a concerted “community efort… We’re building a house that will one day become a home.”

Reverend David Blackwell, pastor of Florence Carlton Church, was asked to say a few words. Blackwell is the leader of the church the Fernandez family attends and was excited to be present for this important moment in their lives. Addressing the citizens of Hamilton, Blackwell said, “You’re getting four great citizens.” Blackwell then said a prayer over the

project and the family. After that, the mayor, the family, and Bean gathered with shovels to break ground on the site.

According to Mayor Farrenkopf, the city worked with the family and Habitat for Humanity to get this project of the ground. “I try to make housing and building projects possible by working with contractors to put projects together that are quality work and that are aesthetically pleasing,” said Farrenkopf. For him, that second part is paramount. He spoke on “curb appeal” and the pride that it brings to the community. He believes in a ripple efect and that pride in community helps bring a community together.

For Dan, Coleen, William and Lucy, the project has just begun. They will need to uphold their end of the ar-

rangement, putting in at least 500 hours of “sweat equity,” helping to work on and erect the house.

As for Habitat for Humanity, the project in Darby is next, and that property will ft at least two dwellings, allowing Habitat for Humanity to help two more partner families. They hope to begin work there late this summer.

For parties interested in learning more about Habitat for Humanity in Ravalli County, they can search HFH of Ravalli County online, and can fnd them at habitat.org.

Is That Really a Law in Montana? (Part 3)

You asked for it, you got it: more weird Montana laws. I run into lots of people who tell me how much they love hearing about them.

The following laws have been verifed as actually existing.

In Billings, it’s illegal to carry a pea shooter in public. It’s section 18-202 of the Billings City Code. I looked it up.

Another weird law in Billings is that if a band is playing in a club where alcohol is being served, the band cannot leave the stage while performing. It’s section 3-301 of the Billings City Code. I’m sure there’s an interesting story behind why this ordinance was passed.

UPDATE: I am running for the Montana House of Representatives for the Stevensville/Florence district. You can learn more about me and my candidacy at www.GregOverstreet.com. Please vote in the primary election, which is June 4th.

For a copy of this Ask An Attorney column, including hyperlinks to the referenced resources, go to www.OverstreetLawGroup.com/blog

(This information is of a general nature; exceptions to these general statements might exist. This information is for general educational purposes only; no attorney-client relationship with Overstreet Law Group, LLC is formed unless a person enters into a written representation agreement with the frm.)

Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf and Ravalli County HFH Director, Bill Bean, speak during the Groundbreaking ceremony. Photo by John Dowd.

ART: assisted living home honors staf, residents, family

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Wishing you the joy of the Easter promise. May the resurrection of Christ fll your heart with hope.

We invite you to join us this Holy Week at St. Francis of Assisi, 411 S. 5th Street, Hamilton stfrancishamilton.org & St. Mary, 333 Charlos Street, Stevensville stmarystevi.com

• Palm Sunday of the Lord’s PassionMarch 24

Saturday Vigil at 5 p.m. St. Francis of Assisi

8:45 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi

11:00 a.m. at St. Mary

• Holy Thursday - March 28

Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

6:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi

• Good Friday of the Lord’s PassionMarch 29

Noon at St. Francis of Assisi

6:30 p.m. at St. Mary

• Holy Saturday At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter - March 30

8:45 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi

• Easter Sunday - March 31

The Resurrection of the Lord

8:45 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi

11:00 a.m. at St. Mary

Please Note: No Vigil mass at 5pm and NO Reconciliation on Holy Saturday.

decided to retire, they also found that they wanted to make sure the home stayed around. “When the residents come here, they become part of our family,” said Alina. The Gomans wanted to make sure their residents were still looked after. Fortunately, they were contacted by Vicki Moss and her husband Robert.

“We have so much heart and soul into this,” said Alina, and she is optimistic, believing Vicki and her husband will maintain that same care. She also believes that, with Vikki taking the reins, the place will be getting a huge upgrade.

Vikki is a registered nurse and she has nearly 20 years of experience in health care, having worked in the past through Marcus Daly and eventually Partners in Home Care. Much of that time she spent working with the elderly and assisted living places, aiding with medication and other duties requiring registered nurses, which standard staf cannot perform. Through that experience, she got involved with West Hills Assisted Living, and said, “I liked this model the best.”

Vicki ofcially took over in January, but the process started as far back as September. The reason for the slow changeover was for the sake of the residents. This is because, as both women explained, some residents can have great difculties with change, especially in their living space.

“You want the residents to feel safe,” said Vicki, “and if they don’t they may stop eating and you could lose some of them.”

“We believe in aging in place,” said Alina, which involves providing a growing scale of care based on individual resident needs. This is meant to further prevent the need for a resident to move, and thus eliminating as much change as possible. In fact, Vicki and her husband have been helping out and meeting all the residents throughout this time to further smooth out that change.

Along with the change in ownership, the home is celebrating the coming end to a project started in 2019. They are calling their project “Puzzle

a way they could enter their art into the fair as well, entering into a special category for assisted living spaces. They decided to enter a puzzle piece they made with a patriotic theme. The puzzle included an eagle, and the staf and residents brainstormed, eventually adding more to the simple puzzle on a backboard. They added printouts of the constitution, burned the edges and antiqued them to place around the puzzle, and more objects to give it a theme. They then named it “Out of the Ashes.” Their piece earned second place in its category. “Then, all the creative ideas started!” said Alina. The people of West Hills decided to continue work on the other pieces in a similar way, with each having a theme and including real-world objects around the puzzles. The project even brought on the participation of the Moss couple, with Robert making the frames. Alina believes this was a great experience for them all to work together on during the change-over.

The pieces will go into the Explore the Arts Galley for display. Once done there, they will make it to an auction to beneft the Hamilton Christian Academy. West Hills Assisted Living will be donating four of the fve pieces to the academy’s annual auction, which will take place April 5, at 6 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church at 601 W Main, in Hamilton. The auction is a dinner and black-tie event, and participants will need to pre-register to attend. They can do this by contacting the academy by calling (406) 363- 4534, or by going online to their website, hamiltonchristianacademy. org and looking for their Spring Gala Auction.

The original piece that won at the fair will remain displayed in the West Hills Assisted Living home. According to Alina, over 30 people contributed to these pieces, and “a lot of love, a lot of hours and a lot of labor” went into them. “Honestly, I think they are so beautiful,” said Alina. “They turned out a lot better than any of us imagined!”

West Hills Assisted Living is diferent from other assisted living

Masterpiece Collection,” a collection of fve works of art. These pieces were created by taking very large complicated puzzles, all wildlife themed, and gluing them each to a backboard. The puzzles were completed by residents, staf, families and friends, and are considered by those at West Hills to be a culmination of all the love that goes into maintaining the place and the residents themselves.

The idea for the pieces stemmed from the help the home received from the Hamilton Christian Academy in creating their garden. “In return, we decided to do something beautiful for them,” said Alina. At that time, puzzle-doing was in vogue among the residents, and the puzzles for the pieces were fully completed and almost ready to donate as-is. However, after COVID-19 and the pandemic, the puzzles were stored away and left alone.

A resurgence of interest in the pieces came after one of the home’s residents, 98-year-old Betty Barrett, entered the county fair. Apparently, she has entered fairs for years, and often entered a type of freezer jam. This last year, Barrett won frst place overall for her freezer jam. “It was so delicious we could barely keep one jar for the fair!” said Alina.

The home discovered there was

spaces in the sense that it is considered “residential,” said Alina. In this kind of space, residents live as if they were renting it. The space is not a facility, and much more like a regular residential home or apartment. However, residents receive care for all their needs, similar to a standard assisted living facility. Alina compared this to a form of independent living, with a much more involved level of care. Technically, residents can come and go as they please. However, most of the current residents at West Hills need assistance with everything they do. “Most of them are pretty dependent,” said Vicki.

Residents also get to keep their doctor, and staf at the home stay in tight communication with the patients’ doctors. Staf constantly monitor residents and help them stay healthy throughout the day, and are available at night. This is why Alina believes having a registered nurse will be so benefcial, as having one working in the space all the time can provide that service 24/7. They are also a small group, with the home currently having only six residents.

Those interested in touring West Hills Assisted Living can call Vicki at (406) 407-3749 to schedule an appointment.

Betty Barrett holding a jar of her fair-winning raspberry freezer jam. Photo by John Dowd.

Vicki and Robert Moss on either side of the “Out of the Ashes” piece that earned second place at the Ravalli County Fair. Photo by John Dowd.

Mining company touts its gallium deposits

by Michael Howell

Leading up to its anticipated submission of a Plan of Operations for mining Rare Earth Elements (REE) at its mining claims in the headwaters of the West Fork of the Bitterroot, U.S. Critical Materials recently accelerated its public relations campaign across mining industry websites by accentuating the potential gallium deposits found across the same 6,700 acres of claims.

Gallium is used for semiconductors, 5G technology, smartphones, satellite systems, critical photonics technologies, and especially current and next generation defense systems.

Much of the work in developing production of REE and other critical minerals is being driven and funded to a large degree by the U.S. government, including such federal agencies as the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Bureau of Mines and the Department of Homeland Security.

Preliminary work by U.S. Critical Minerals at its Sheep Creek holdings has benefted from DOD grants as well as cooperation from Montana Tech and the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. They were aided by the U.S

G.S. which conducted laser equipped helicopter surveys to get an assessment of the underground rock formations in the area of their claims.

The interest in gallium entered the spotlight when China recently embargoed the export of gallium. Gallium is consistently listed as the number-one supply risk related to national security, as the USA is 100% dependent on imported gallium, primarily from China.

Tim Moughon, director of the feld intelligence directorate at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, recently spoke to mining sector representatives during a Dec. 8 presentation at the American Exploration & Mining Association annual meeting in Reno, Nevada. He is quoted by Shane Lasley of Metal Tech News in a December 13, 2024 article, saying ““Economic competitiveness is a national security issue. Our ability to maintain our way of life, our ability to maintain our position in the world, our ability to fund our physical security – all of these things are dependent on a strong and robust economy. The mining sector is critically important in this respect. Not only for the GDP output that the mining sector contributes, but even more importantly because of the

key role it plays in providing those critical minerals, critical resources, for the defense industrial base, for the tech sector, and areas like that.”

He told the group that market and geopolitical analysts believe that China’s restriction on exports of gallium, along with germanium and graphite, is likely a retaliatory strike in a technology trade war with the U.S. and other Western nations.

Moughon concluded by saying, “If you want to partner with us, we would be delighted to do that and have a conversation to fgure out how we can further the conversation so that both policymakers at the federal level and you within the sector are all armed with the right information to make the best decisions to advance our homeland security,”

In a press release published by PRNewswire last Friday, James Hedrick, US Critical Materials President, and a 29-year former USGS and Bureau of Mines Rare Earth Commodity Specialist, said, “Not only is our gallium high grade, but we are also confdent that we will be able to create a separation process that will be environmentally respectful. US Critical Materials prime gallium claims average over 300 ppm and go as high as 1370 ppm. Gallium

can be separated proftably at 50 ppm. US Critical Materials looks forward to being the primary gallium producer in the United States.”

Although there is currently one active REE mining operation in the United States, there are no processing facilities in North America. China, which has dominated the processing and separation of rare earths for decades, continues to account for about 85% of global capacity. So the processing and separation of critical minerals like gallium and rare earths is a key link in establishing domestic supply chains in the U.S.

But separating REE and gallium according to Metal Tech News is no easy matter,. “Simply adopting the solvent extraction rare earths separation method used in China, which was developed in the U.S. during the 1950s, is not considered commercially viable in North America due to its labor intensity and environmental footprint.”

US Critical Minerals is pinning its hopes, it appears, on somehow developing a more environmentally friendly way of processing the ore. Moving in this direction, the company announced in December 2023 that it had signed an agreement with Idaho National Laboratories (INL) to develop new rare

earth processing methods including gallium separation.

“It is believed that cutting-edge technologies developed under this Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) could potentially provide environmentally responsible mining and processing to mitigate environmental concerns,” states the company.

“Our latest separation technologies target the energy critical materials and span the entire supply chain from mining to recycle/recovery,” Robert Fox, materials separation and analyses department manager at Idaho National Laboratory, told Metal Tech News in an email. “Our CRADA (cooperative research and development agreement) with US Critical Materials allows us to continue to develop our prowess and to expand our technological solutions to solve rare earth element (REE) challenges.”

US Critical Materials anticipates that patents for new cutting-edge rare earths separation technologies could be applied for by the end of the current eight-month term of its CRADA with Idaho National Lab.

“This research agreement, and the tech that will be developed, will help advance U.S. rare earth processing profciency,” said Hedrick.

BEARS: parties warn against reintroducing grizzly bears into the Bitterroot ecosystem

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on public lands, hunting and trapping restrictions due to grizzly bear occupied areas and many other activities. They note that “forced, man-made reintroduction by moving bears

Yellowstone National Parks to be removed from the Endangered Species List. In their comments on the Bitterroot restoration, the department made it clear the state believes federal

NCDE and occupy the BE, and how much time that might take measured in years.

“The initial phase of BE reoccupation is already under way,” states the

increases probabilities of negative interactions as they adapt to unfamiliar territory and will seek the easiest fast-food sources that will endanger humans and bears.”

They ask, “Does the USFWS assume liability if a human death or injury is caused by a grizzly bear that was translocated to the BE?”

“Today with recovery and the abundance of bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) reintroduction is unjustifable for restoring a population to the BE as bears are dispersing from these areas on their own,” wrote the commissioners. “Grizzly bears are already naturally migrating on their own into the BE and vicinity from the profusion of bears in NCDE and the GYE. Natural recolonization versus reintroduction would likely reduce harmful impacts due to confict prone grizzly bears as humans and bears naturally acclimate.” They also state that reintroduction would likely cause animosity toward grizzly bears “like what happened with the grey wolf reintroduction.”

“Ravalli County strongly opposes reintroduction of grizzly bears into the BE and urges the Service to maintain the status quo of a no-action alternative,” they conclude.

Meanwhile, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks is advocating for grizzlies in ecosystems around Glacier and

ofcials should prioritize delisting those grizzlies before turning attention to the Bitterroot.

According to Wildlife Consultant Mike Bader and Geospatial Analyst and Wildlife Biologist Paul Sieracki, co-authors of a recent study entitled “Natural Grizzly Bear Repopulation in the Greater Bitterroot Ecosystem,” delisting the grizzlies in the Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone ecosystem grizzly populations would be a big mistake. They note in their study what the county commissioners also recognized, that it is precisely the growth of these populations that is enabling the natural reintroduction of grizzlies into the BE.

“Delisting of NCDE and GYE grizzly bears would sound the death knell for natural grizzly bear recovery in the Bitterroot Ecosystem and connectivity between the NCDE and GYE populations. Consider that plans for both ecosystems allow for the populations to each be reduced by several hundred grizzly bears. That means bears on the periphery that are the source of dispersing migrants would be shot, trapped and euthanized at high levels. The spigot would be closed and grizzly bears would be penned within isolated recovery areas that are too small to support viable populations,” states the report.

Their report explains and shows on maps how and where female grizzly bears may expand from the

report, and that the prospects of repopulation through unassisted movements is quite high. “The question is, will the core contiguous population area expand into the BE frst? It is on the edge of it now. Or will dispersers mate and start pockets of demographic activity ahead of the main core in areas like the Ninemile Demographic Connectivity Area and the Sapphire Mountains? It can be said that both are essentially the same thing and are occurring within many areas adjacent to the Bitterroot Ecosystem.”

While the proximity of the core area facilitates this migration, in the case of human-assisted mechanical translocations they are far too close to overcome the return instinct which is very powerful in grizzly bears. The NCDE is a source population for natural emigrations to the BE because the bears work it out on their own without unnatural interventions that require capturing, drugging and transporting bears long distances, which increases the risk of accidental mortality, it states in the report.

“Natural immigration

is a viable strategy which must be considered and fully analyzed in the upcoming EIS,” the report states. “We believe that the law and the science direct that the Bitterroot Ecosystem grizzly bear recovery strategy be based on natural immigration facilitated by protected habitat connectivity areas and with the full protection of the Endangered Species Act.”

The study does not endorse the no-action alternative, however; instead it recommends several actions to encourage and support the natural migration, such as constructing several highway and rail line passage structures across the I-90 and US 93 transportation corridors; extending the Ninemile Demographic Connectivity Area to include the Petty Creek, Northern Bitterroot and Cherry Peak areas and connect the DCA to the Bitterroot and Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystems and expanding the Bitterroot Recovery Area itself; reducing the road densities within and adjacent to connectivity routes; conducting hair trap DNA studies throughout the BE to monitor and evaluate the population status; monitoring during breeding seasons since the presence of males during this period could be an indicator of female presence; and expanding food and attractant storage regulations including garbage.

Tagged grizzly bear. Photo courtesy FWP website.

levels is resulting in an environment that is threatening our future well being. Our only choice of action is to be careful and knowledgeable when we cast our votes. I am a conservative Republican and I am saddened by the events in my Party at the local level by people that call themselves Republicans, but are truly members of the John Birch Party. This party seems to believe that if you don’t believe the way they do you are the enemy and are to be treated as such. This behavior is mirrored by the far left socialist Democrats, and this is exactly why we have the division that results in nothing being done to beneft the citizens these people represent.

We need to wake up and put reasonable people in ofce that have the best interest of the citizens they represent foremost in their minds. We have a Republican primary coming up that gives us that opportunity, and I believe that Wayne Rusk is the only candidate that will work with everyone to beneft all of us. Wayne is knowledgeable of all the issues we face in our county and state, and most importantly, he is committed to fnding solutions, not bragging about the things he voted against. He will listen to everyone, not just those that think like he does. We have other reasonable and knowledgeable elected people from our Valley and Wayne will be an excellent addition to our legislature.

Please think before you vote and vote for Wayne!

Sonny LaSalle Hamiton

Only Americans can save America

The idea that people are helped by separating them from their extended family, and relocating them to where they don’t know the language, are in a foreign culture, and do not share the same values, is insane. When people are uprooted from their history, their culture, and their values, they lose their identity — it is forced homelessness. The various NGO’s that are currently working to “help” illegal immigrants are actually doing great harm, paid for by U.S. tax dollars.

It has been understood from antiquity that forcing people groups together that do not share core values (it’s called tribalism) has predictable consequences. At frst, they just don’t trust one another; over time they begin to hate one another; and fnally, they will war with one another. Consider the great increase in crime in Europe, especially Germany, since they have received large numbers of “refugees.” The manufactured tribes are beginning to war with one another; even kill one another.

Consider the predictable consequences of forcing together a civilized (Western) culture and a culture that believes any unaccompanied female is fair game for rape. What if the values of one tribe include killing anybody who does not believe the way they believe? Tribalism always results in chaos, and forcing together people who do not share core values always produces tribalism. No humane person would do that on purpose.

America is a unifed culture, E Pluribus Unum, because, from the beginning, immigrants wanted to become Americans. They received nothing from the government, but they learned the language, they adopted American values and work-ethics, and they worked hard to pursue happiness in their new home. Those are the legal immigrants that formed the great melting-pot that comprised American culture.

There have always been diferences in American culture: diferent nationalities, diferent religions, diferent races, but these never divided us, because of the commonly held values rooted in the God-given rights of every individual.

Dennis Hicks Hamilton

Vote Tester out of Montana

Last week I wrote a letter “Take back our country.” I called out Jon Tester as a liar because he votes with the ObamaBiden gang 95% of the time. The name of the Homeland Security head is not Mayor Kas. It is Mayorkas. Mayorkas has claimed for 3+ years to have a “closed border.” He has been impeached by the House of Representatives. When or if the impeachment comes before the Senate, Jon Tester will vote with all the other Democrats to keep Mayorkas in ofce. Mayorkas is a traitor to this country. He has allowed 8 million illegal aliens into this country and approximately 2 million “got aways.” He has allowed the sexual slavery of untold numbers of young girls and women brought in by the Mexican cartels who control the border. The whole gang of Democrats in Washington D.C. and across the country should be thrown out of ofce on Nov. 5th. A good number should be tried for treason.The terrorists (how many?) allowed in will eventually start their atrocities.

Richard Parker Stevensville

Mystery ‘Democrat’

Help us solve this mystery. I was surprised to see an unfamiliar name in the list of people who fled with the state to run for ofce in the Bitterroot. Not that I know all the Democrats, but this name came out of the blue. As Chair of the Ravalli County Central Committee, I make an efort to know our candidates, ensure they have the information they need, and help them meet the various requirements that come with running for ofce.

But “Cade Scatolini” was a curiosity. He signed up to run for Senate District 44, which covers much of Florence, Stevensville and Victor. About 22,00 people live there. My internet search shows Cade is 21, a high school graduate and very little other information.

The job of a Senator is to speak to and for those 22,000 people, write and vote for legislation, collaborate with both parties for the good of the population, and so on.

We love it when Democrats run for ofce. However, I have to say, this one has me stumped. When I reached out I was blocked. “Cease and Desist” his email to me said. No phone number is provided in his listing. His immediate family was shocked when I told them he’s running for ofce. His family, who he lives with, said when I told them he is running, “What? He has no interest in politics.”

I relate this so that voters in SD44 know to be cautious about who they are voting for. As local party leader, I cannot vouch for him. If anyone wants to shed light on his capabilities, please do so. But in the meantime, he’s a mystery.

Linda Schmitt Corvallis

Where do I stand?

Time for another Esmay opinion since my mental abilities were challenged by a letter in last week’s (March 20, 2024) Star. The author of the opinion in question suggested that if you are a Christian, you will stupidly believe anything and everything without question. Well, since I consider myself to be a Christian, I beg to difer. Since this author was using the current Presidential political campaign as their example, let me mention a few of my observations/opinions of what I see occurring in our great nation.

First, my view of the current Presidential candidates happens to be just the opposite – Biden is the dictator rather than Trump. Trump proved his leadership abilities during his frst term which resulted in a booming economy, no wars and expanding fnancial leadership in not only our nation but the world. I don’t see how anyone can say that they are better of after three years of Biden economics. Infation has been rampant, our international infuence has plummeted and the national debt has run through the roof. We are involved in two wars which I believe have occurred because of Biden’s international diplomacy ineptness. Shutting down our fossil fuel production has resulted in a major collapse of our international infuence.

Second, as I’ve stated previously many times, the invasion at our southern border is a major threat in every defnition of the word invasion. Millions (currently at eight to ten million depending on who you listen too) of ILLEGAL immigrants have and continue to invade our country. Several hundred thousand of these folks were never caught so we have no idea who they were and what their intentions might be. Over a hundred thousand of our LEGAL CITIZENS are being killed each year as a direct result of the drugs, primarily Fentanyl, being brought into our country. The only explanation for President Biden allowing this to happen is that he believes that the Democratic party will be able to get voting rights for these people so that the party can rule forever. Again, I consider this to be treason, and I also consider the Democrats to already have blood on their hands through the increased crime that is occurring as a direct result of this invasion. Oh, and yes, President Biden can stop this invasion by simply re-implementing the border policies President Trump had in place when he, Biden, assumed the presidency.

Finally, I continue to be of the opinion that all of the criminal charges against Trump have been trumped up (pun intended). If you have been willing to watch the impeachment hearings on-going in the House of Representatives, you have to be concerned about what the Biden family has been up to. Oh, the Democrats continue to argue that there is no evidence to support anything crooked with the Biden family operation but I beg to difer. While President Biden has continually stated that he was not involved in any of his family member business dealings nor did he even know anything about them, that has been shown to be a BIG FAT LIE! In

my opinion, more than enough evidence has been uncovered to allow the application of the duck comparison -- if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck. I believe the Bidens are guilty of corruption and espionage.

I could go on but hopefully the reader has an accurate picture of where I stand on the current presidential campaign situation. I won’t call anyone who disagrees with me a fool but certainly hope that you will at least click over to Fox News once in a while to see what is really going on in this country.

Jerry Esmay Stevensville

Parental Rights in Education - SB518

Proper parenting is THE MOST important job in the world. Bar none. I salute parents who seek to raise their children to be contributing members of society, morally upright and responsible. Thank you for your tireless eforts. It’s never been an easy job, but the task grows considerably more difcult as the culture war rages on and our society slides down the slippery slope of eliminating absolute truth, and with it, the bright lines that separates right from wrong.

In the 2021 session I sponsored SB 400, which restricts a government entity from interfering with a parent’s fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, healthcare, and mental health of their child. That bill, which is now MCA 40-6-701, also removed immunity protections from government entities and gives Montana parents the ability to sue when they believe their fundamental rights have been violated, and recoup costs if they win. Breaking the immunity protection is huge.

In the most recent session, I sponsored the Parental Rights in Education Act - SB518. This law encourages parental involvement in education by instructing the school board trustees to develop policies to improve parent and teacher cooperation in homework, attendance, and discipline, and to provide parents with information about how to participate in the governance of the school district.

Schools must now develop procedures by which a parent may learn about the course of study and all extracurricular activities their child is involved in. Procedures by which a parent may withdraw and excuse their child from any class or instruction that ofends the parents’ belief system is now law, as well.

Additionally, if a child wishes to use pronouns in school that do not align with the child’s biological sex, written parental permission is now required. The law also protects a teacher’s right of conscience by protecting them from being forced to use pronouns that do not align with a child’s biological sex. This issue has been adjudicated in several courts across the county. You can pretend if you want to, but you can’t force others to pretend with you, and if you’re a minor, you’ll need your parents’ permission.

The new law does not “make nicknames illegal” which is a rumor being perpetrated. All but one Ravalli County legislator voted in support of this good parental rights bill; and that one was my opponent for SD44.

I encourage all citizens to review the Ofce of Public Instructions website at opi.mt.gov. Superintendent Arntzen supports parents as the child’s frst teachers and has created a very comprehensive website for your perusal. Under the tab labeled ESSR (Every Student Succeeds [federal] Act) Report Card you will fnd that our Montana, K-12 students score an average of 21% profciency rating in math, 29% profciency rating in reading, and a

24% profciency rating in science. That’s with the state investing over $13K per student. You can easily fnd the report card on your specifc school.

With those kinds of results, it seems obvious that we need to set aside the identity politics…Critical Race Theory… Social Emotional Learning…and promotion of gender dysphoria, and instead focus on reading, writing and arithmetic, and truth in history. Sen. Theresa Manzellla

SD44 Hamilton

Freedom or political power?

It is hard to live in Western Montana and not be aware of those who came before us. Marcus Daly--the best known of the Copper Kings--founded Hamilton, funded the Bitterroot Valley’s frst hospital, and built the Daly Mansion and Tammany Hall--a castle for his most famous racehorse Tammany.

On the other hand, another of the Copper Kings, William Clark, is most remembered for meddling in politics at a time when state legislatures appointed United States senators. The Montana legislature selected Clark to represent the state as a U.S. senator. But on April 23, 1890, the U.S. Senate refused to seat him as it became glaringly apparent that he had secured the appointment by bribing members of the Montana legislature by paying of mortgages for some, buying ranches for others, setting some up in business, or simply handing out envelopes stufed with cash.

Although Clark was never prosecuted for his unethical and criminal behavior, something good came out of this scandalous afair. On December 4, 1911, the 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratifed, ensuring that citizens vote to choose their U.S. senators, rather than having them selected by corrupt politicians.

Now along comes Theresa Manzella, state senator and chair of the “Montana Freedom Caucus,” openly advocating for the repeal of the 17th Amendment in order to strip you of your right to vote for the U.S. senator of your choice. Whether her conduct is a matter of political design or of ignorance, neither should be tolerated in a state legislator.

This is yet another case of Manzella pursuing her political objectives by attempting to manipulate public opinion with terms like “Freedom” and “We the People” in a manner reminiscent of totalitarians like Maximilian Robespierre, Benito Mussolini, and Fidel Castro. But like the totalitarians who came before her, “Freedom” really means political power and control for the band of the “People” who follow her. Theresa Manzella’s concern is certainly not for the citizens of Montana.

Tony Hudson Stevensville

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous meets Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the United Methodist American Baptist Church on N. 6th St in Hamilton. Use the south door. For more info call 406-304-9197 or 406-369-0458.

WIC clinics

2

3

4

5

6

Family Shelter

Stevensville Al-Anon

The Stevensville

Bridge every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Bingo every Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Pokeno 2nd and 4th Friday at 1 p.m. For info or to volunteer call 642-3320.

Hamilton Senior Center

Open for lunch Monday, Wednesday, Friday, serving from 11:30 a.m.12:15 p.m., $5. Line Dancing, Tuesdays, 10-11:30 a.m.

Bridge, Sundays & Wednesdays, 1 p.m. Canasta (Hand and Foot), Mondays, 12:30 p.m. Cards/shufers provided. $2.

Bingo, 1st and 3rd Saturdays, doors open at noon, play starts at 1 pm. $2 entry fee, games $1 each. Must be age 18+.

Ping-Pong, Mondays & Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m.

Toastmasters, Tuesdays, 6:30-8 a.m. Pinochle, Fridays, 1 p.m. All supplies provided. $3. The center is located at 820 N. 4th Street; 406-363-5181.

Golden Age Club

Pinochle every Wednesday, 1 PM. $3, Cofee Provided. Light Exercise Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9-10 AM, $1. Bimonthly Membership Meetings, March 7, May 2, July 11, September 5, November 7.

The Club is located at 727 South 5th Street, Hamilton

Stevi Senior Center

Stevensville Senior Center serves on-site meals Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11:30 a.m.

Cofee Club - Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. Exercise - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.

Pinochle - Mondays & Saturdays, 7 p.m.

Victor Masons

Victor Masonic Lodge 43 meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. on Main Street above Farmers State Bank. For any questions or membership information call 406-381-1250.

Stevensville Masons

Stevensville Masonic Lodge #28 Stated meetings are the frst Thursday of every month at 7:30 pm with dinner for members and family at 6:30 pm. A fellowship pot luck for members and family is held on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm. All Freemasons and those interested in Masonry are invited and welcomed to either event. For more information email papajack222@msn.com.

Sapphire Quilt Club 2nd Tuesday of each month, Senior Citizens Center, Stevensville. Doors open 6 p.m., starts 6:30 p.m.

Parkinson Support Group

The Hamilton Parkinson Disease Group (Movers and Shakers) holds monthly meetings on the 3rd Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at Sapphire Lutheran Homes, 501 N. 10th Street, Hamilton. For information call Ginny Wigen, 406-544-9186.

St. Mary’s Parish Mass Mass is held at St. Mary’s Church in Stevensville every Sunday at 11 a.m. Weekday Mass is celebrated on Tuesday and Thursday at 12 p.m. and Friday’s at 9:30 a.m. (Mass for St. Joseph’s in Florence is still suspended).

St. Francis of Assisi Mass

St. Francis Church Saturday vigil mass at 5 p.m. Sunday mass at 8:45 a.m. and every Wednesday at 12 noon.

Breaking Bread

Free dinners to the Bitterroot community every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Light of hte Valley Church. Join in for a free dinner, a brief message of hope and lots of fellowship! There is a children’s group available for your K-5th graders as well so all can enjoy!

Soul Suppers

Soul Suppers are served every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Stevensville Senior Center, 100 Mission Street. Free homecooked meals with a message. For more information contact Corey at 406214-8708.

Bitterroot Heritage

Civic Group

The Bitterroot Heritage Civic Group, formerly called theSouth Valley Civic Group, has reorganized. New members and volunteers are welcome. Regular meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:15 p.m. at the Darby Library.

Quantum Group

The Quantum Group of the Bitterroot invites you to attend its monthly meetings. You need not have knowledge of quantum physics to enjoy learning about this exciting feld of science that afects our daily lives. Topics alternate each month between science (particles, felds, etc. and their practical applications) and the metaphysical aspects of quantum physics. Meetings feature presentations and discussion.

When: the last Wednesday of each month

Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Bitterroot Public Library, downstairs meeting room, Hamilton.

Am Legion Post 94

Meeting 3rd Tuesday of month, 7 p.m., at the Legion Hall, 754 Middle Burnt Fork Road. For info call Garrick, 541-953-8827.

Am Legion Post 94

Auxiliary

Meetings 1st Tuesday of month, 6:30 p.m., at Legion Hall, 754 Middle Burnt Fork Road. For info call Cheryl, 406-531-4132 or email cherylburgmeier@yahoo.com

VFW Post 1507

VFW Post 1507 meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 108 Main in Victor. For information contact Matt Walker, 541-852-7215.

Am Legion Post 47

American Legion Ravalli Post 47 meets the 2nd Wednesday at 7 p.m. at 322 S. 2nd (corner of Madison next to 2nd St Sushi), Hamilton. Check us out! visit https://www.legion.org/membership/whyjoin

Am Legion Post 134

American Legion Florence Post 134 meets the 1st Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Florence Rural Fire Hall. Contact: Robert Davis, Commander, 949-285-9010.

Am Legion Unit 91

Auxiliary

Corvallis American Legion Auxiliary Unit #91 meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at Corvallis United Methodist Youth Center, 352 Corvallis Cemetery Road. The Auxiliary has programs and projects to support veterans and Americanism. For info call Andrea, 406-381-6239.

Lions Club

The Hamilton Lions Club meets the frst and third Tuesdays at noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. First Street in Hamilton. Guests and prospective members are invited to come and learn more about how Lions fulfll their motto “We Serve.” For more information contact Dan Rothlisberger at 406-363-3879 or check the website: www.hamiltonlions.org.

Blizzard Doll Club

The doll club meets the second Thursday afternoon each month at a member’s home. There is a short business meeting to discuss the club’s charities, its annual doll show, and other business. There is generally a program about dolls, bears, toys, miniatures, paper dolls, and related subjects. And, there is always show-and-tell! Contact Kay Schrader at 406-360-7214 or schrader1501@blackfoot.net

Three Mile bingo

Bingo games are held on the frst and third Tuesdays of the month. Early bird game 6:45 p.m., regular 7 p.m. at Three Mile Community Center, 4433 Sunnyside Cemetery Road. For more information call 406-7773710 or go to 3milecc.org.

Bitterroot Toastmasters

Afraid to speak up at work, your church or in the community? Bitterroot Toastmasters can help you fnd your voice and speak with clarity and confdence. For details about our weekly meetings, call Mike at 406- 360-7262‬.

Amateur Radio Group

The Bitterroot Amateur Radio Group meets the 3rd Monday of every month starting at 7:00 PM in

the back room of BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Contact n6mgml@ gmail.com or visit the web page at W7FTX.org. Come early and enjoy fellowship and a meal.

Socrates Cafe

The Socrates Cafe’ Philosophical Discussion Group welcomes you for a night of inspiring talks on topics ranging from philosophy to social issues to current events. It’s a time of social interaction and enlightenment. The group meets every other Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Bitterroot Public Library downstairs meeting room. Cofee, tea and cookies are provided by the Library. People of all philosophies are encouraged to attend.

Kiwanis

Kiwanis meets every Wednesday at 12 noon at BJ’s restaurant in Hamilton.

John Birch Society

The John Birch Society Ravalli County Chapter meets every Monday at 7 p.m. at 330 3rd Avenue, Victor. For info contact Terri, 406880-2492.

TOPS TOPS Club (Take Of Pounds Sensibly) meets every Thursday morning at Kootenai Creek Village, 43 Club House Way, Stevensville. Guests are welcome, including men. Weigh-in is from 8:30 to 9:10 a.m.; meeting follows until 10:30. A program on sensible eating and weight loss is presented every week along with incentives for weight loss. TOPS is an afordable non proft weight loss support group. For more information call Diana Grifn at 406-531-0785.

Lone Rock Community Network Times for Lone Rock Community Network meetings are changing to an “as requested, as needed” basis. The group will meet periodically for classes, having to do with sustainable and independent living, that are highly relevant to the community. Members will receive email notices of meetings, and they will be posted on Next Door and Facebook. If you’d like to be included, contact Rick Nelson at 406381-1466. Feel free to call or text to suggest topics or hands-on classes. Or, you may just want to get involved with this active, existing network of neighbors that are currently working on projects together.

Selway-Pintler Back Country Horsemen

The Selway-Pintler Wilderness Back Country Horsemen meet the 2nd Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Forest Service ofce in Hamilton (enter through the rear door). Come enjoy refreshments and conversation. For additional information contact Kathy Hundley at 406-363-8230. Visit the website at bchmt.org/wp/spwbch/ or their Facebook page for more information.

continued on next page

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Calendar continued

Montanans for Life

Montanans for Life will hold their monthly meeting on the frst Thursday of every month at 6PM at More to Come Fellowship, 330 3rd Ave., Victor. For more information call (406) 407-1254.

A Course of Love study

group

Fridays 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.

Center for Spiritual Life, Hamilton Call: 406-381-6480

Volunteer at St. Mary’s Mission

Share your talents! If you enjoy history, like to meet people, and be involved in your community, there’s a place for you! No matter your background or level of experience, there’s a role for you to play. Whether you can spare a few hours a week or a month, our schedule is fexible. Join in making a diference and leave a lasting legacy for future generations. Visit the website: saintmarysmission.org or call (406) 777-5734.

Stevi Tax-Aide

AARP Tax-Aide will be ofering free tax preparation services for low to moderate income taxpayers of all ages. Tax preparation is held at the Stevensville Senior Center on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. The Senior Center WILL NOT schedule those appointments. Call 406-201-5734, leave your name and phone number, and a volunteer will call back to schedule your appointment.

Florence American Legion

Florence American Legion Post 134 is having a free pancake breakfast on the frst Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Florence Rural Fire Hall.

North Valley Dems

Join the North Valley Democrats for “Politics and Pals” on Thursdays from 5 to about 7 p.m. at Fireside Pizza, 3885 North U.S. 93. This is due west of the Stevensville Super 1, on the southbound side of the highway. Meeting room is in the back of the restaurant. Check RavDems.com or fnd them on Facebook for info and or changes. The newsletter is at RavDems.com/newsletter.

Bitterroot Celtic Society

The Bitterroot Celtic Society meets every 3rd Thursday at 6 p.m. at BJ’s restaurant in Hamilton. The Bitterroot Celtic Society is a passionate group of volunteers, dedicated to keeping the Celtic culture, heritage, and history alive in the Bitterroot Valley. Their biggest event is the Bitterroot Celtic Games and Gathering, held every third weekend in August at the Historic

Daly Mansion. They also host a Burns’ Night supper, St. Andrew’s, St. Patrick’s, and Tartan day events. The BCS is a non-proft organization. The public, new members, and the curious are always welcome to attend. For any time changes or additional committee meeting info, follow their Facebook page for updates.

NV Library events Estate Planning for Montanans with Dr. Goetting – Thursday, Mar 28 at 6pm

Think you know who gets your things when you die? Think again! This introduction to estate planning webinar is the perfect starting point for everyone, no wealth or heirloom items required. Lead by MSU Extension Specialist and Professor Dr. Marsha Goetting, this program will explain how Montana laws decide who receives your property when you die without writing a will, how to get started creating your will and other important documents, and more. Participants will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and gain access to many resources.

Read to Dogs at the Library –Monday, Apr 1 at 4:30pm

Certifed Therapy dogs at North Valley Public Library, here to listen to your child’s favorite book from home or one from our shelves. Great for early readers or kids who just love dogs.

All canines are certifed, constantly accompanied by their Pet Partner handlers and ready to listen.

Science Squad for Kids Ages 8-12

– Wednesday, Apr 3 at 2:30pm

Explore the universe, both micro and macro, and learn the science mysteries behind the natural world. Expect fun activities with Legos®, paper planes, experiments, and more. Registration required. This program is for ages 8-12.

Accordion Club

The Accordion Club will hold music jams at the Missoula Senior Center from 1 to 4 p.m. on the following dates:

March 24th April 14th April 28th, Annual Meeting, 12-4 p.m. May 12th, Mother’s Day

Everyone is welcome. $6 fee at the door. Polka, swing, waltz and 2-step dances. Good dance music and fun for all. For more info, contact Helen Steele, 406-369-1839.

Our Savior Lutheran Holy Week

Our Savior Lutheran Church and Preschool is preparing to celebrate Holy Week and Easter. The community is heartily invited to join in.

The Holy Week service schedule follows. Please note, both on Good Friday and on Easter, each service is diferent.

Palm Sunday service —March 24

at 9 am. Holy Wednesday—27th at 7 pm.

Maundy Thursday—28th at 7:30 pm.

Good Friday—29th at 3 and 7:30 pm.

Easter Vigil — Saturday the 30th at 7:30 pm.

Easter day services—7 am and 10 am, with breakfast between services at roughly 9 am.

Our Savior, afliated with the Lutheran Church––Missouri Synod, is located at 184 Pine Hollow Road, south of Stevensville of the Eastside Highway. Call 406-777-5625 Monday through Thursday mornings for more information.

Hamilton school board meetings

Governance Committee Meeting

Wednesday – April 3, 2024

4:00 p.m. – District Ofce Conference Room

The Committee will be conducting this meeting with live participation.

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday – April 9, 2024

6:30 p.m. – Washington Elementary – Room 4

The Board will be conducting this meeting with live participation. In addition to meeting in person, the District will also be streaming the meeting on YouTube.

You are encouraged to join the meeting at:https://www.youtube. com/@HSD3Boardmtg

Easter Brunch & Service

Corvallis United Methodist Church, 352 Cemetery Road, Corvallis, would like to invite everyone to an Easter Brunch at 11:30 a.m. followed by Easter Service at 12:30 p.m., on Easter Sunday, March 31.

Trekker Kids programs

Travelers’ Rest State Park near Lolo began its annual Trekker Kids program series Saturday, March 9. The free, interactive programs are geared towards kids ages 4-10 and their families. The one-hour programs run every other Saturday through May 18 beginning at 11 a.m.:

March 23: All about owls/dissect owl pellets

April 6: Fire in the pines/discover more about wildfre

April 20: Native games

May 4: Gift of the Bitterroot/ fower art and Indigenous culture

May 18: Raptors of the Rockies/meet real raptors For more

information, contact Travelers’ Rest State Park (6717 Hwy 12, Lolo) at 406-273–4253 or visit travelersrest.org under the events page.

‘Protecting the Big Sky’ workshop

The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) is hosting 16 investor protection events across western Montana this March. The events are part of the Protecting the Big Sky tour—a series of educational presentations to inform adults and seniors about common investment scams, and how to detect and prevent fnancial exploitation.

In 2023, consumers reported losing more than $4.6 billion to investment scams nationwide, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Last year, investment scams were the most reported scams in the United States.

There will be presentations on Wednesday, March 27 at the Hamilton Senior Center from 9 to 10 a.m. and at Stockman Bank in downtown Missoula from 1 to 2 p.m. Presentations are free and community members are welcome to attend.

Corvallis Annual Easter Egg Hunt

The Corvallis Community Church will be holding their annual easter egg hunt Sat. March 30 at 10 a.m. The event will take place at the Corvallis Community Events Center, and participants are asked to meet in the football grandstands. For children 2-10 years old. Fore more infor, contact the church at (406) 961-3443.

March for Christ

The Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot is a group of followers of Jesus Christ who have served in the military. They are asking all Christians in the Bitterroot Valley to ‘March for Jesus Christ’ on Saturday, March 30. For more information call Brian Wrede at 406-369-5813 or attend the Christian Veterans of the Bitterroot prayer breakfast at BJ’s every Monday at 7 a.m. You can also go to http://corvallispost91.blogspot.com/ or https://

www.facebook.com/corvallispost91

Pro-Life training

Montanans for Life invites anyone interested in participating in efective pro-life training with Dena Espenscheid, Director of Coalitions and ProLife Training for the Leadership Institute to attend this important meeting. Her expertise and knowledge of how to work in pro-life campaigns and actively participate in the pro-life fght at the local, state, and national levels will beneft all who attend this event. There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required as dinner is provided. The training event is being held on Thursday, April 4th at More to Come Fellowship, 330 3rd Ave in Victor from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. To register: https:// montanansforlife.com/events.

Dances of Universal Peace

The Dances of Universal Peace are inspired by many spiritual traditions. Simple words, movements, and song are taught each time, creating an atmosphere of acceptance, joy and unity. No partner or experience needed. Donations welcome. All are welcome, including children. Sunday April 7, 4-6 p.m. at open ended expressive arts, 201 Daly Ave, Hamilton. Call Star at 406-546-5344 for more information.

Stevi school board

The Stevensville School Board of Trustees will hold a regular board meeting on Tuesday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the MPR Choir Room.

Calendar postings are free to non-proft groups. Submit by emailing to: editor@bitterrootstar.com

by Scott Sacry Sports Editor

The Blue Devil Invitational held

Local high school track teams converged on Corvallis on Saturday, March 23rd for the Blue Devil Invitational, which is traditionally one of the year’s frst track meets. Spring track in Montana is an adventure - you can get sunshine or you can get snow, sometimes both. And for most of the day the weather held, until a rainstorm hit toward the end of the meet.

It generally takes athletes a couple of meets to get up to speed, but there were some impressive individual results on Saturday.

The boys shot put is going to be fun to watch this year as the Bitterroot Valley has two of the top throwers in the state in Corvallis’ Wyatt Miles and Hamilton’s Andrew Burrows. Last year at state, Burrows was the champion and Miles fnished second. On Saturday, Miles unleashed a throw of 59-07 to take frst place. This throw

was further than anyone in the state threw all of last year. Burrows’ mark of 55-11 took second on Saturday. Expect some freworks between these two this year. Burrows also won the discus on Saturday with a throw of 161-00.

Corvallis’ Olivia Lewis is coming of an epic 2023 season where she was the state champion in the 100m hurdles, the 300m hurdles, and the 400m. On Saturday, she won the 100m hurdles (15.58).

Hamilton freshman Annalise Lewis won the 400m (1:01.67) and the 1600m (5:23.64).

Corvallis’ Logan Avery, Stuart Brennan, Derek Criddle, and Solomon Morgan won the 4x100m relay with a great early season time of 44.68.

Hamilton’s Tyson Bauder won the javelin with a throw of 183-10; Bauder was last year’s state champion in the event.

Some other valley winners on Saturday included the following.

For the boys, Stevensville’s Brogan Gard won the 200m (24.43). Hamilton’s Brayden Lanser won the 400m (54.64). Hamilton’s Carter Korst, Brayden Lanser, Bryson Poulsen and Evan Bennett won the 4x400 relay (3:42.37).

For the girls, Hamilton’s Jenna Ellis won the 200m (27.50). Hamilton’s Aleigha Child won the 3200m (11:53.00). Corvallis’ Ella Varner, Olivia Lewis, Jillian Huls and Farah Wyche won the 4x100m relay (51.21). Hamilton’s Tyana Jessop won the shot put (35-00). Hamilton’s Mya Winkler won the discus (126-01). Hamilton’s Aubrey Korst won the pole vault (1000). In the teams standings, the Hamilton boys and girls both took frst place. The Corvallis girls took 2nd, and the Corvallis boys took 3rd. The Stevensville boys took 8th, while the Stevensville girls took 13th. The Florence girls took 6th and the Florence boys took 7th. The Darby girls fnished 12th. And the Victor boys fnished 14th.

Hamilton defeats Dillon in tennis Baseball Roundup

On Saturday, March 23rd, the Hamilton tennis teams hosted Dillon. In the boys matches, Hamilton defeated Dillon 7-0. In the girls matches, Hamilton won 5-2. (H) = Hamilton, (D) = Dillon.

In the boys singles matches:

(H) Andy Purcell def. (D) Carson Fluckinger 6-2, 6-2; (H) Carden Nelson def. (D) Zach Maki 6-2, 6-4; (H) Jackson Kirkbride def. (D) Athan Graham 6-2, 6-2; (H) James Tossberg vs (D) default.

In the boys doubles matches:

(H) Finn Dufresne/Jason Chaplin def.

(D) Isaac Sandall/Zach Sandall 6-2, 6-1; (H) Daniel Simmerman/Keaton Martin def. (D) Ben Lund/Declyn

Oswald: 8-1; (H) Kaden Carroll/Micah Van Sickle def. (D) CJ Dorsey/Rowdy Mattison: 6-0, 6-0.

In the girls singles matches: (H) Tallulah Pinjuv def. (D) Brooklyn Williams 6-0, 6-0; (H) Sam Geroy def. (D) Laura Martin 0-6, 7-5 (11-9); (D) Jessica Harmon def. (H) Kristen Jessop: 4-6, retired; (H) Crystal Van Sickle def. (D) Aliyah Reiner 6-0, 6-1.

In the girls doubles matches: (D) Aubrey Hawley/Cayenne McCable def. (H) Emma Hollingsworth/Gwen Wolfe: 6-3, 6-4; (H) Charlie Holmes/ Codie Clarke def. (D) Skyler Lapierre/ Gabby Thomas: 6-0, 6-0; (H) Anna Twardoski/Jasmine Jimenez def.(D) Lily Rhodes/Sam Streadman: 6-1, 6-1.

Florence 6, Stevensville 4 Florence defeated Stevensville 6-4 in Stevensville on Tuesday, March 19th. The Falcons led 4-0 after two innings, then the ‘Jackets scored 3 runs in the 4th to close the gap to 3-4. But Florence held on in the end to earn the victory.

Florence’s Mason Arlington had a busy day; he got the win as the pitcher and had fve strikeouts. Arlington also went 1 for 3 from the plate with 3 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Florence’s Levi Winters went 1 for 3 with an RBI and scored 2 runs. For Stevensville, pitcher Joey Wheeler took the loss, giving up 3 hits and striking out 4 batters. Stevi’s Evan Montague went 2 for 4 with an RBI and Braden Drye went 1 for 3 and scored a run.

Hamilton 1, Florence 0

On Friday, March 22nd, Florence hosted Hamilton, and the Broncs defeated the Falcons 1-0 in a pitcher’s

duel. For Hamilton, Conner Ekin and Cash Lawrence combined for a one hit shutout. For Florence, Trapper Oster and Isaiah Testerman combined to allow one hit and one run. Hamilton’s Connor Ekin scored the game’s only run in the frst inning.

Hamilton 15, Butte Central 0

On Saturday, Hamilton hosted Butte Central and trounced the Maroons 15-0 in three innings. For Hamilton, Andrew Ricklefs went 3 for 3 with 4 RBIs, Atticus Southwell went 2 for 2, had 2 RBIs and scored 2 runs. And Elijah McNair-Neal scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.

Corvallis 10, Dillon 6

On Friday, March 22nd, Corvallis hosted Dillon and won 10-6. Ofensively for Corvallis, Bennet Boelman went 3 for 4, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. Branden Wiren went 1 for 1 with 3 RBIs. Reese Earp went 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Florence’s Mason Arlington was the winning pitcher in Florence’s 6-4 victory over Stevensville in Stevensville on Tuesday, March 19th. Photo by Scott Sacry.

Corvallis’ Wyatt Miles throwing the shot put at the Blue Devil Invitational in Corvallis on Saturday, March 23. Miles’ throw of 59-07 took frst place, and was farther than any throw from all of last year. Photo by Scott Sacry.

Corvallis’ Farah Wyche enters the long jump pit at the Blue Devil Invitational on Saturday, March 23rd. Wyche was part of Corvallis’ winning 4x100m relay team on Saturday. Photo by Scott Sacry.

New UM study reveals unintended consequences of fre suppression

The escalation of extreme wildfres globally has prompted a critical examination of wildfre management strategies. A new study from the University of Montana reveals how fre suppression ensures that wildfres will burn under extreme conditions at high severity, exacerbating the impacts of climate change and fuel accumulation.

The study used computer simulations to show that attempting to suppress all wildfres results in fres burning with more severe ecological impacts, with accelerated increases in burned area beyond those expected from fuel accumulation or climate change.

“Fire suppression has unintended consequences,” said lead author Mark Kreider, a Ph.D. candidate in the forest and conservation sciences program at UM. “We’ve known for a long time that suppressing fres leads to fuel accumulation. Here, we show a separate counter-intuitive outcome.”

Though fre suppression reduces the overall area burned, it mainly eliminates low- and moderate-intensity fres. As a result, the remaining fres are biased to be more extreme, Kreider said. The new studypublished March 25 in Nature Communications, shows how this “suppression bias” causes average fre severity to increase substantially.

“Over a human lifespan, the modeled impacts of the suppression bias outweigh those from fuel accumulation or climate change alone,” he said. “This suggests that suppression may exert a signifcant and underappreciated infuence on patterns of fre globally.”

to increase three to fve times faster over time relative to a world with no suppression.

Suppression, through preferentially removing low- and moderate-severity fre, also raised average fre severity by an amount equivalent to a century of fuel accumulation or climate change.

“By attempting to suppress all fres, we are bringing a more severe future to the present,” said Kreider.

Andrew Larson, Kreider’s Ph.D. adviser and a professor of forest ecology at UM, said this has signifcant impacts on ecosystems.

However, the new fndings also show that allowing more low- and moderate-intensity fre can reduce or reverse the impacts of the suppression bias. Suppression strategies that allow fre to burn under moderate weather conditions – while still suppressing fres during more dangerous fre weather – reduced average fre severity and moderated the rate of burned area increase, the team found.

“It may seem counterintuitive, but our work clearly highlights that part of addressing our nation’s fre crisis is learning how to accept more fres burning when safely possible,”

Kreider said. This approach may be just as efective as other necessary interventions, like mitigating climate change and decreasing unintentional human-related ignitions.

The article, “Fire suppression makes wildfres more severe and accentuates impacts of climate change and fuel accumulation,” was co-authored by Kreider, Larson, Higuera, William Rice, and Nadia White from UM, as well as Sean Parks, an ecologist with the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute.

Kreider also published an article in the Conversation on this topic titled

Kreider led the research as part of his Ph.D. dissertation work with the support of a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

Fire suppression exacerbated the trends already caused by climate change and fuel accumulation, the study found, causing areas burned

“Traditional suppression removes the low-severity fres that help perpetuate healthy forests by consuming fuels and preferentially killing thinbarked tree species,” Larson said. “I wonder how much we are altering natural selection with fre suppression by exposing plants and animals to relatively less low-severity fre and relatively more high-severity fre.”

said Philip Higuera, a co-author and UM professor of fre ecology. “That’s as important as fuels reduction and addressing global warming.”

Developing and implementing technologies and strategies to safely manage wildfres during moderate burning conditions is essential,

“Fighting every wildfre ensures the big fres are more extreme and maybe harm forests’ ability to adapt to climate change.”

New research from the University of Montana suggests attempting to suppress all wildfres causes them to burn with greater severity. UM photo by Tommy Martino.

Chapter One and other downtown businesses for public art

Chapter One recently unveiled two mural designs for a public art installation on the

and

sides of their building. The murals will be installed in July 2024 by North Carolina muralist Britt Flood who was selected after a public call for artists last September. The designs are representative of the Bitterroot’s landscape, but also love for books demonstrated by the Bitterroot’s support of a rural bookstore for 50 years.

Chapter One raised money for the mural by teaming up with twenty-one downtown businesses and individuals including Aura Painting who will prep the surface and several other downtown businesses including Bauder Home, Copper Poppy Boutique, Active

Bitterroot Physical Therapy, Allegra Printing & Marketing, Bitterroot Brewery, the Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement District, Explore the Arts, Geum Consulting, Great Bear Native Plants, K&S Nursery, Montana Home & Land Company, Salon 21, State Farm’s Taylor King, First Montana Title Co., Trapper Peak Law, and Cassen’s Fine Art.

“This level of collaboration between small businesses is one of the essential ingredients to a healthy vibrant downtown,” says Wendy Bauder, Owner of Bauder Home. “We were excited to be able to contribute to this project alongside so many other downtown businesses.”

Chapter One is hopeful this project

will ignite similar projects downtown. “Public art is an important element in bringing people to downtowns. The placement of these murals will help link businesses of main street to our downtown district as well as a wealth of public parking just one block of main street,” says Katrina Mendrey, Chapter One co-owner. Mendrey notes several studies that indicate public art can improve the economic vitality of towns, increasing both the time shoppers spend downtown and also the number of businesses they visit. These studies have also shown increases in public physical and mental health as people have reason to walk and engage with something interesting and beautiful.

But Mendrey contends, it’s not just about the end result. “One of the best things about this project has been seeing how businesses have jumped at the opportunity to team up and work toward a common goal. It’s been really touching the support we have received,” says Mendrey.

Flood is also contributing renditions of the murals for an art sale at Chapter One as part of Hamilton Downtown Association’s May First Friday. Paintings and drawings will be displayed at the bookstore and available for purchase on May 3. For more information on the mural, contributing businesses and how to support public art in Hamilton visit www. chapter1bookstore.com/mural.

Grants awarded to beneft Darby community

The Montana Community Foundation, Inc. (MCF) is pleased to award $7,780 in grants to four organizations that benefit the Darby community. Grants were made from the Darby Town Endowment Fund, established at MCF by Richard and Barbara Ackerman in 1999 and enhanced through generous contributions from community members. In the past five years, the Darby Town Endowment Fund has awarded more than $31,000 to 12 or -

ganizations that improve the quality of life in the Darby community.

Grant requests were reviewed by the Darby Town Endowment Fund Committee. Awardees include:

$660 to the Darby Bread Box to purchase fresh produce year-round for the food bank’s clients.

$4,500 to Darby Rural Fire Department to purchase a thermal imaging camera, allowing the organization to provide a quicker and safer response to emergencies in the area.

$1,000 to Painted Rocks Fire & Rescue for a paramedic course so their EMT can upgrade their medical response to Advance Life Support, allowing them to provide additional emergency services.

$1,620 to the Town of Darby to purchase three picnic tables for Main Street Park, which is

the most utilized park in Darby due to events like the Farmers Market and Last Fridays Music in the Park.

“The Darby Town Endowment Fund Committee is pleased to award grants to these wonderful organizations,” says Barbara Ackerman. “Thank you to the South Valley community for your support in making this happen. We are very fortunate to have the following committee members: Juli Winthers, Teri Mountford, Andy Massie, and Steve Sampietro.”

To support the Darby Town Endowment Fund, donations can be made online at mtcf.org/local-cfs/ darby-town-endowment-fund or mailed to the Montana Community Foundation at PO Box 1145, Helena, MT 59624-1145. Please write “Darby Town Endowment” in the memo line.

For questions, contact Local Community Foundation Program Officer, Taylor Crowl, at (406) 6034913 or taylor@mtcf.org.

The Ides of March – or, what’s an ide, anyway?

For a few days recently it has seemed like spring. Maybe it is.

On the Ancient Roman Calendar the Ides of March occur on March 15. Winter is supposed to separate from spring precisely on March 15, according to the ancient Romans. They never made it to Montana.

On the Modern Montanan Calendar the days of winter and spring bounce around on both sides of March 15. We take the spring weather when we can get it.

“Beware the Ides of March,” one

by Chuck Stranahan

Shakespearian character said, and when that line was spoken, things all-of-a-sudden separated from hunky-dory to going to pot.

In a broader, deeper sense, ides are divisions, separations.

I hit a point every year where I’ve had enough to do with winter.

I chafe at the bit – impatient and housebound, restless and itching. By mid-March I’m ready to spend time outdoors again. The skwala hatch will start soon. As my Texan friends might say, it’s fixin’ to.

There are a few skwala nymphs close to shore, nearly ready to crawl out and hatch, and when two adult flies have been sighted by reliable sources, the hatch is on. We’ll see those #8 brown-olive tinted bugs soon – we’re already seeing their smaller gray cousins, the #12 nemoura stones, and the itty-bitty #18 to #22 black capne, or snowflies as they’re called in other places.

There are also some black midges in the foamy swirls of slow eddies where they hatch. You almost have

to imagine them to see them, but it pays to look –and be sure to have all of those flies along when you go out.

For me, this business of getting out in March and fishing again brings a private inner rejoicing, recalling a time of life-changing personal triumph. I cherish the joy of living in the present each year as the trees bud out and the low level snow melts and creeps into the waterways, bringing new life to every living thing in its path.

Late one February, many moons ago, my wife-to-be Jan invited me to go for a walk along the river. She knew that my health, without going into gruesome detail, was in the tank. My lungs were failing. And without life-giving oxygen I was failing.

fish I take it all in.

I was hesitant, but took up her invitation. I shuffled along at a slow pace for about seventy-five yards before I sat on a log, exhausted. My lungs and bronchia went into spasms. It was ugly. Jan waited. As we walked back to the car she announced, “We’re gonna do this again tomorrow. We’re gonna get those lungs in shape.”

I wondered, then, how I’d stand it.

On each day’s walk we went a little further. By March in that spring of ’97, I was fishing again.

I was walking down trails that I thought I’d never see again – seeing new buds on trees and hearing birds go about their spring business, and fishing – stalking trout, wading to where I could get a decent cast at them, and rejoicing like never before in simply being there.

That same level of inner rejoicing has never left me – not just on the days of spring’s renewal every year, but through the warmer days of summer when everything is green and wildflowers line the banks in certain places, and trout get voracious for golden stones and green drakes and the fishing can be exhilarating.

I rejoice in the changing colors and crisp ripe local apples and balmy-crisp middays of every autumn – the world surrounds and overwhelms me in its beauty. When I

I still rejoice, every time I’m on the right side of that separation, that ide, between the deathly chill of winter and spring’s rebirth of life and the hope – regardless of the season.

This year it will be no different. One of my first fishing trips will be my traditional walk past that log where I had to sit and revive, unable to go further. Sometimes when Jan and I walk past that log, I give voice to the memory.

She remembers, too.

When I’m on my own I walk at a deliberately brisk pace past that log just to celebrate the fact that I can. Every time, I remember – even when I’m on the way to favorite water downstream where I’ll fish again in earnest, again to celebrate the fact that I can.

Stranahan spring casting with mountain backdrop. Photo by Chuck Stranahan.

Local Republican appointed to national board

A local Republican woman leader will serve on the Board of Directors of the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) in 20242025. NFRW President Julie Harris has appointed Deborah Tilden of Stevensville as Chair to the Advocacy Training Committee, which is responsible for issues related to the border crisis, human and sex trafficking, and domestic violence.

The NFRW board met March 14-16 in the Washington, D.C., area to conduct organizational business,

prepare for the upcoming elections, and receive updates on Capitol Hill from Republican elected officials, including U.S. Senators Katie Britt (AL), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), Cynthia Lummis (WY), Ted Budd (NC) and John Cornyn (TX).

“Republican women have an impactful and ambitious agenda in 2024,” Harris said. “We are contributing millions of volunteer hours to reclaim the White House, achieve a stronger majority in the U.S. House, and regain control of the U.S. Senate. And we are advocating to secure

the border, strengthen the economy, and protect parental rights. We are pleased that Deborah Tilden and her team will play a key role in these efforts by sharing her talents and ideas with our members across the nation.”

“We need to put a door on the border,” says Deborah Tilden. “Legal immigration is essential for national security. The blatant abuses of our immigration system, and the current border crisis puts America and its citizens at risk. As well as the (illegal) immigrant populations of

women and children being vulnerable to sex and human trafficking, exploitation and abuse.”

Founded in 1938, the NFRW is the largest grassroots Republican women’s organization in the country. Building leaders, energizing communities and keeping America strong, the NFRW empowers women from all backgrounds in the political process and provides a forum for women to serve as leaders in the political, government, and civic arenas. For more information, visit www. nfrw.org.

Montana preps for abortion access challenges

by Matt Volz KFF Health News

A years-long battle over abortion access in a sprawling and sparsely populated region of the U.S. may come to a head this year in the courts and at the ballot box.

Challenges to several state laws designed to chip away at abortion access are pending in Montana courts. Meanwhile, abortion rights advocates are pushing a ballot initiative that would add extra protections to the state constitution. And two open state Supreme Court seats could shape whether the high court upholds past decisions that protected abortion rights in the state.

Abortion remains legal in the conservative stronghold because of a 25-year-old state Supreme Court ruling that protected it under the right to privacy included in the state’s constitution.

So far, most eforts by Montana’s Republican governor and GOP-led legislature to overcome that obstacle have gone nowhere. Montana courts have blocked multiple laws that would have restricted abortion.

It’s “a very daunting hurdle for those who would seek to undermine abortion access,” said Kal Munis, an assistant professor of political science at Utah Valley University and expert on politics in Montana, his home state.

Munis said to outlaw abortion, voters would need to amend the state constitution or elect Supreme Court justices willing to reverse precedent.

But it is abortion rights advocates who have jumped on the chance to amend the state constitution. A legal fght is brewing over a ballot initiative proposed for the November election that would add abortion protections to the constitution.

Meanwhile, two open state Supreme Court seats are up for elec-

tion, and some of the candidates are signaling that abortion access will be a campaign issue.

Voters have to be thinking about the future of abortion from “multiple fronts,” said Martha Fuller, CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, which is suing to block several anti-abortion laws, backing the proposed constitutional amendment, and monitoring the Supreme Court races.

Montana anti-abortion advocates celebrated when Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte was elected in 2020 after 16 years of Democratic governors and, since 2011, vetoes of anti-abortion laws passed by the Republican-controlled legislature.

From their opponents’ perspective, that change left the courts as the last line of defense of abortion rights, one they are focused on protecting.

Munis and Jessi Bennion, who teaches political science at Montana State University, said abortion rights groups in Montana have momentum after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade.

That decision resulted in voters becoming motivated by the issue and a wave of ballot questions. Montanans, for example, rejected a measure that would have required doctors to provide medical care after premature births and failed abortions, which opponents said was already the law.

For now, Montanans may have abortions any time before fetal viability, which under Montana code is “presumed” to be about 24 weeks into a pregnancy. Patients can go to one of six providers in the state or make a telehealth appointment and receive pills in the mail.

That makes Montana the most abortion-friendly state in the largely conservative and rural region between Minnesota and the Pacifc Northwest.

Montana is sandwiched between Idaho and the Dakotas, which severely restrict abortion. To the south is Wyoming, where abortion pills are available through telehealth, but lawmakers there have passed a bill that could temporarily shutter the only clinic in the state that provides in-person abortions, depending on what action Republican Gov. Mark Gordon takes. Abortion is legal in Canada, Montana’s northern neighbor, but Americans need a passport to travel there.

An attempt to further

cement abortion rights in Montana is facing an obstacle. Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen has rejected the proposed abortion rights constitutional amendment as being legally insufcient, which prompted the campaign behind the initiative to fle a lawsuit. The State Supreme Court will now decide if initiative organizers may proceed with gathering signatures.

Analysts and Montana leaders — including some Republicans — think there’s a good chance voters will approve the constitutional amendment if it appears on the ballot.

“We’re a Republican state, but there’s always historically been a kind of a libertarian streak in it,” said Steve Fitzpatrick, an attorney and the majority leader in the Montana Senate. “It’s not unusual to see Republicans winning up and down the ballot and then seeing something like marijuana be legalized at the same time.”

Abortion will also be an undercurrent in two state Supreme Court races. Chief Justice Mike McGrath and Justice Dirk Sandefur, who both ruled against eforts to unravel the state’s abortion protections, decided not to seek reelection.

Judges don’t run as Democrats or Republicans, but Supreme Court elections have taken a distinct partisan tone in recent years.

Given the recent election wins by abortion rights advocates after Roe v. Wade was overturned, conservatives may choose not to make abortion a campaign issue for these judicial races, according to Munis.

Focusing on abortion “would be a strategic blunder given that they have so many other things that they could talk about instead,” he said.

But the candidates who are viewed as more liberal have strongly signaled their desire to protect abortion rights.

State judges Katherine Bidegaray and Dan Wilson are running for Sandefur’s seat on the high court.

During a campaign event, Bidegaray said she would defend Montanans’ constitutional right to privacy and stand up to “unprecedented attacks” on women’s rights, the Flathead Beacon reported.

Wilson and his campaign did not respond to phone and email messages from KFF Health News.

More from the Mountain States

In the race for chief justice, former federal magistrate judge Jerry Lynch, who is running against Cory Swanson, a county prosecutor backed by Republicans, has been more direct than Bidegaray.

Montanans must be “free from government interference, especially when it comes to reproductive rights,”

Lynch said at a campaign event, according to the Montana Free Press.

Lynch’s candidacy has triggered some early opposition spending. Montanans for Fair Judiciary, a conservative group, sent mailers calling Lynch a “liberal trial lawyer,” the outlet reported.

Swanson told KFF Health News that judges shouldn’t decide how they would rule on abortion or any other topic until a case is before the court.

Fuller said Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana has not yet decided how it will get involved in the Supreme Court races but that it likely will.

“If people are not paying attention to who is making these decisions and who is winning these judicial races, we could lose that ability to have that backstop,” she said.

Regardless of whom voters choose to seat on the court, any change in this election is unlikely to immediately swing a majority of the seven-member court to overturn the 1999 ruling protecting abortion access, according to Bennion.

In Iowa, conservatives were able to reverse a state Supreme Court precedent similar to Montana’s after more Republican-appointed justices joined the bench.

In Montana, the abortion issue is playing out more quickly in the state’s lower courts.

In February, a state court overturned three laws that would have restricted abortion, including a ban on the procedure after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Last year, another state judge temporarily blocked several anti-abortion measures including a ban on the most common abortion procedure used in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Frustrated by the courts, Republican ofcials have also used the executive branch to try to restrict abortions. The Gianforte administration implemented a rule to reduce Medicaid-funded abortions by defning when an abortion is medically necessary, limiting who can perform them, and requiring preauthorization for most cases.

But that rule and a new state law that mirrors it have also been temporarily blocked by a judge. Knudsen has appealed those injunctions, as well as the judge’s ruling from February, to the Montana Supreme Court.

And this month, the high court heard oral arguments as the state attempts to overturn a judicial block of a 2013 law requiring parental consent before a minor may have an abortion.

FRESH EGGS from Howell’s Happy Hens are back! $4.00/doz. Pick up at Bitterroot Star ofce, 115 W. 3rd, Suite 108, Stevensville.

SHIHTZU PUPPIES. 3 females and 2 male. Rare colors, chocolate and black. $2,000. Call 406360-2582 with questions.

SAVE THE DATES!!

April 4-7 .... Huge, complete estate sale right in Stevi. Items from the early 1900’s to 2000’s. Watch for the details in the paper & online.

2021 YAMAHA SIDE BY SIDE Wolverine

RMAX4 XTR, slightly used, one owner, mechanically sound, garaged, LOTS of accessories, $30,000. 16-foot trailer, side by side package, Torsion Axles, 1200 miles, $7000, can be sold separately, call 406777-3022 for more info.

MCNAB PUPPIES FOR SALE. 2 males with all their shots. Highly intelligent and people friendly. Breeders own both parents and the female dame is out of the Gary Williams McNab line. $800 Ph: 805801-6986. We are located in Hamilton.

50% SALE ON ALL BOOKS, Beverly’s Books in Frontier Cafe Mall, Monday - Saturday, Call with question (406) 375-0825.

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER - part-time, newspaper-specifc work. Experience required. Call Victoria for details, 406-207-8793

Dept.

requested, at

DATED this 11th day of March 2024. /s/ Patrick J. Dennis Personal Representative Bjornson Jones Mungas, PLLC

By: Craig Mungas Attorneys for Patrick J. Dennis, Personal Representative BS 3-13, 3-20, 3-27-24.

Kevin S. Jones Joseph D. Houston Jones & Houston, PLLC 2625 Dearborn Ave., Ste. 102 Missoula, MT 59804 (406) 541-3333 kevin@jonesmtlaw.com joe@jonesmtlaw.com

Attorneys for Applicant Kimberly Ann Dean

MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MARI ELIZABETH ACKER, DECEASED Dept. No. 1 Cause No. DP-24-30 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Kimberly Ann Dean has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the Deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this Notice, or their claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Jones & Houston, PLLC, Attorneys for the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at 2625 Dearborn Avenue, Ste. 102, Missoula, MT 59804, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana the foregoing is true and correct.

Dated this 15th day of March, 2024.

/s/ Kimberly Ann Dean, Personal Representative of the Estate of Mari Elizabeth Acker /s/ Kevin S. Jones, Attorney for Personal Representative BS 3-20, 3-27, 4-3-24.

CALL FOR BIDS St. Johnswort Inventory

Description of work: Inventory of St. Johnswort in Ravalli County The Ravalli County Weed District will be accepting bids for Inventorying of all St. Johnswort in Ravalli County. Known infestation areas will be given to the contractor as a starting point. Multiple forms and education materials will be provided to be given to landowners. Once inventory is completed, the contractor will work with Ravalli County Weed District and the Bitterroot National Forest to help develop a plan of action for treatment.

Sealed bids must include the following information in the standard format provided with the contract packet.

Copy of bidder’s commercial applicator’s license Proof of insurance

Bjornson Jones Mungas, PLLC, 2809 Great Northern Loop, Suite 100, Missoula, MT 59808, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.

List of equipment

The amount necessary to provide all labor and equipment and incidentals needed to perform the specifed work and all work must be completed by November 30 th 2024

Description of qualifcation of past experiences

1. Sealed bids must be received at the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorders Ofce at 215 S. 4 th Street, Second Floor, Hamilton, MT. 59840 by FRIDAY April 05, 2024 at 4:00 PM.

2. Bids will then be open and read aloud in the Commissioners Meeting Conference Room at 215 S. 4 th StreetThird Floor on MONDAY, April 08, 2024 at 10:00 AM.

3. On THURSDAY, April 11, 2024 at 10:30 AM, Bid Award will be made by the Commissioners in the Commissioners Meeting Conference Room

4. PLEASE mark the outside sealed bid envelope “St. Johnswort Inventory” (Description of work) AND YOUR COMPANY NAME.

Ravalli County may accept any, part or all of the bids as submitted. To be mailed the complete specifcations of the contract, contact the Ravalli County Weed District at (406)777-5842 and it will be mailed or emailed to you as soon as possible. If you have any questions on the bid process contact the Commissioner’s Ofce at 406-375-6500 or the Ravalli County Weed District at 406-777-5842.

Description of Work to be completed:

This project is to inventory, record, and map the increased visual population of St. Johnswort Ravalli County wide, be in direct contact with landowners, educate landowners and collect important data. Also to work directly with the Ravalli County Weed District and the Bitterroot National Forest in developing a plan of treatment action once all data is collected.

Chris Taggart Commissioners Administrative Assistant BS 3-20, 3-27-24.

Naomi J. Cheeney CHEENEY LAW, PLLC PO Box 212

Hamilton, MT 59840

Phone: (406) 363-9060

Personal Representative

MONTANA TWEN-

TY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROSEMARY HUBBARD LARSON, Deceased.

Case No.: DP-24-28

Dept. No. 2

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named Estate. All persons having claims against the Decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.

Claims must either be mailed to Naomi J. Cheeney, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at Cheeney Law, PLLC, PO Box

212, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.

DATED this 11 th day of March 2024.

/s/ Naomi J. Cheeney, Personal Representative BS 3-20, 3-27, 4-3-24.

LEGAL NOTICE

Holtzen 6 Lot Major Subdivision Variance Request. The applicant is proposing a six lot commercial subdivision located approximately 6 miles south of Victor (Tax ID: 143300). The proposed subdivision fronts US Highway 93 N which is a Non-County-Operated Roadway. The proposed subdivision is served by two existing gravel approaches, both of which are documented in the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) highway plans. The applicant is currently working with MDT on obtaining new approach permits for their project, which will require engineering designs, pavement and improvements. As part of the subdivision review process, the applicant is required to submit copies of the preliminary and fnal approach permits from MDT. The developer is asking for a variance from RCSR Chapter 12-3-G.2 which states the following: “G. Roadway Standards – Of-Site Improvements Non-County-Operated Roadways (Gravel or Paved). When a subdivision of any number of lots abuts a non-County-Operated roadway, the applicant shall prepare and submit for review and approval a Trafc Impact Analysis consistent with the County’s adopted standards in Appendix H.” The applicant believes RCSR Chapter 123-G.2 should not apply in this case because the regulation omits the scenario of a subdivision abutting a state-maintained highway and may be in confict with state law. The subject property is located in Section 30, Township 07 North, Range 20 West, P.M.M., Ravalli County, Montana. The applicant is John Holtzen –Developer and the consultant is Ron Ewart – Planner of Professional Consultants, Inc. Information describing the proposal is available for inspection at the Planning Department, in the County Administrative Center, 215 S. 4th St., Suite F, Hamilton, MT 59840. Written comments are encouraged to be submitted to the Planning Department prior to the below hearing, and will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC).

The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will conduct a Public Hearing to review the proposal on Thursday, April 11th, 2024 at 1:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room (Third Floor) at the Administrative Center. The public may comment verbally, or in writing, at the meeting. Comments and information submitted at the public meeting/hearing will be considered in the decision on the subdivision. However, please note that only under select circumstances will new information be allowed into the record after the public hearing.

BS 3-27, 4-3-24.

Craig Mungas State Bar No. 6746

Bjornson Jones Mungas, PLLC 2809 Great Northern Loop, Ste 100 Missoula, Montana 59808

Telephone: 406-721-8896

Telefax: 406-541-8037

Email: craig@bjornsonlaw.

com Attorneys for Sheree W. Fowler,

Personal Representative

MONTANA TWEN-

TY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: PHILLIP M. FOWLER, Deceased

Dept. No.: 2 Cause No.: DP-24-33

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named Estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to

DATED