Bitterroot Star - March 30, 2022

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

‘The 37 29 Volume XXXVII, Number 30 XXXVII, Number 28 Volume XXXVII, Number

’ ! l a c o L Best at Wednesday, March26, 30, 2022 Wednesday, February 2022 Wednesday, January Wednesday, February 2,9,2022

www.bitterrootstar.com

Eagles in winter Groundbreaking held Association for medical Bitter Root Three MileHumane Community Centercenter open

celebrates new shelter, 50th anniversary speech, occupa-

by Victoria by Victoria Howell Howell

shelter. a levy, so this won’t any $140,000. tional andhave physical According additional impact on people’s The park therapy services – It’s been a long time to Colleen property taxes. board made including therapy coming, but the new Three Schmiedeke, In addition to thea loan, the the decision Bitterroot Health Mile Community Center is up who serves on project was paid for by to take out a pool – plus imaging held a groundbreakby Michael Howell and cut the ribbon at last week’sthe and running. Located at 4433 both the park loan to finish Three Community and lab services. ceremony, saidMile concerning the Senior ing last Wednesday Sunnyside Cemetery Road, board and the the project. Center (the official name) Bishop said “It organization’s 50 years of service, An new openmedical house celebration was for theits center is on the east side community She said they which raised over $80,000 they hope to have held last week at the Bitter Root was started by a bunch of little old complex that will beThe build- center board, of Lone Rock Park. worked with through community picnics, Humane Association’s (BRHA) new ladies in 1972 and it’s still run by a facility ing contains a large they started Farmers State rummage the sales, bingoopen nights built just north of meeting bunch of little old ladies.” animal shelter located on Fairgrounds room, a warming working on Bank to keep and donations fromof commuby spring 2023, Stevensville at the kitchen, a Butts, President of the Road in Hamilton. The event served state-of-the-art audio visual this ain 2012 their loan Kathienity members. Other major and that they plan corner ofand Kootenai Board, said, “This organization has double purpose. It included system, a gorgeous view a ribbon and incorpopayments contributors were the Three on continuing to Creek and Mountains of the Road Bitterroot totherated reasonable. Mile Fireway District, Lone cutting ceremony in honor of new in 2014. come such a long sincethe it was expand Hwy 93. including tours of the whole the west. She said the Those payRock 50 Park andago. theservices. Rapp facility, started about years I feel aFam“We’re bringing the The building isarray now of home total cost is ments come ily of Foundation. John Bishop, huge sense responsibility to honor building, and anBitfood and care to the patients, to the senior center and the approximateout of park Schmiedeke said there terroot those who have come before us and ” drink inHealth honorCEO, of the organization’s Weekend Backpack Program ly $500,000. taxes that are it as were many who said.be as we 50ththat birthday. make good as he itvolunteers can set said Marcus that serves Lone Rock School. When already being helped on theLois project, and Hedgethe course for the next 50 years.” The private non-profi t organization Daly Hospital hadpark conThe surrounding assessed, TMCSC received reduced Schmiedeke chair McCormack saidpeth, that the of the was fisoccer rst organized in 1972. In 1984, tains and baseball Schmiedeke prices from contractors. The “got really Three Mile Community Senior Center board members, l to r, Colorganization conducted a Countess Margarite Bessenyey, the hospitalsuccessful board, fields, tennis and volleyball is proud that general contractor donated lainvolved,” the leen Schmiedeke, Joyce Pando and Wendy Audiss in front of the fundraising campaign fund the new granddaughter ofpath, Marcus Daly, gave saidto this project courts, a walking a playthey didn’t group had See CENTER, new community center at Lone Rock Park. Photo by V. Howell. construction but then the Covid-19 the BRHA land on Fairgrounds Road ground and a covered picnic raised Bitterroot about has been four page years3 Chamber of Commerce Director Al Mitchell holds the group spell-boundhave as Bit-to run pandemic hit and construction costs with a 99-year lease. Six years later, in the works, but ter Root Humane Association Board Member Sue McCormack prepares to cut the ribbon skyrocketed. As a result, the group in 1990, the Bessenyey estate deeded John Bishop, pictured from left, leads a gathering people involved in the there were some celebrating the opening of the new animalfifth shelter in Hamilton. Photo by Michaelof Howell. had to take out a mortgage to finish the land to the organization where delays due to the Bitterroot Health building project in a ceremonial groundbreaking. The facility on the property that had housed the Sue McCormack, who serves on the current shelter is located. The See SHELTER, page pandemic. She said2 theat organization’s of directors will be built on land located the corner ofboard Kootenai Creek Road and Hwy 93 new building replaces an old building shelter since 1984.

Public meeting on BNF Climbing Plan

Scammers thwarted, vigilance recognized

County budget on track Cowboy Ball

their vision that She adds thatisthe the Stevensville most important encountered people way to combat Christine Staub, a driving falling “quality, victim to mail facility will besuch more Darby, Victor and Corvallis, as well as been providing abuse is for people force at the Boxxe Shoppe at fraud in the past. Hamilton. of a “medical center” rather than just a accessible, personalized to ask 901 S. 1st Street, was recently As a certified shipclinic. She also said thatquestions Marcus Daly The new 12-acre campus will health fordepot 90 years. and start conpresented with a Certificate of care” ping for FedEx, Murphy. Shethe led the Hospital, which is a critical access In recent the years, theyShoppe provide primary, care, urgent care and versation with those Appreciation by Mayor DomiBoxxe commissioners through hospital, was recently rated #4byinlove. the specialty services. Two physicians have you know and nic Farrenkopf and Hamilton is legally justified to have been taking steps to a lengthy fund fund by Victoria Howell me like a ton of doesn’t Police Chief Stephen Snavely. open package which by Staub the national rataccounting that, to sum already been hired, along with a nurse nation for quality invest in all theacommubricks.” know the details In his presentation to the City bears its shipping it up, shows the county, ing agency, out of 351 similar facilities. practitioner, and two more doctors Numerous Bald Eagles have been congregating in the Burnt area lately to feed onOverstreet carcasses. was Photos nities of Fork the Bitterroot, When it comes Council on March 15th, Chief of what potential label. After following overall, doing very well by Michael Victoria Howell are being recruited. There willby also be he said, with clinics in to Covid, Greg Howell. sent home from Snavely said that he wants the victims are told, but protocol, and doing on its tax collections and The Bitterroot Overstreet has a NaHamilton Police Department she knows that over they so in the presence of the hospital with showing revenues tional Forest (BNF) will The Cowboy Ball at the 50% Ravalli Countycoached message for you: to “become more vocal about are, “often a witness, Staub was an oxygen tank. of projections in host a public meeting Fairgrounds will be held February 12th. is don’t fool around! the good things that happen to say they This are shipable to uncover the He was home for most departments while thisOverstreet, Wednesday, March theMichael tenth annual event andexpenses the waylegal it’s shaping within the community.” Sharping papers unfortunate contents two or three days. by Howell have only or 30th from 6 to 8 p.m. ing his department’s experipaperwork.” Other of the package: nearlyDuring that time, up, it’s going to be an event worthy oftoa23% jubilee an attorney in amounted of to share information ence with Ms. Staub was one commondue tactics for $16,000 in cash, and former council member, the public at the next meeting Halfway through celebration. projections in large private practice in his oxygen level by Victoria Howell regarding the developsuch opportunity. scammers include which the customer the budget year, the part jobyear’s vacancies Rod Freeman is the chair of to this appears to be continuing when the council considers Stevensville, was went down to 51, ment of a draft forest In early March, a customclaiming was unwittingly send-from a normal of county’s performance that have yetto torepbe filled. event. Freeman is also the chair of the Rodeo diagnosed with his efforts to teach the new the appointment of two addiClimbing Management At the second regular er came to the Boxxe Shoppe resent the IRS or in ing to a scammer in is looking pretty good, One big savings was Committee, and the vice chair of the Fair Board, colon cancer in 99. “I jokingly say Plan (CMP). virtual counciltoand mayor how local Chicago, tional council meeting of theThe two-member intending send a package Social Security Illinois.members. according to Ravalli the budgeted funds which he’s been onby forNa12 years. A real estate for February of 2021. that 51 is brain Staub of the Boxxe Shoppe. Photo meeting will be held on should run. He “We’ll do our job, ” Christine said via government FedEx. County CFO Klarryse the Administration. county’s share Stevensville Town Council, on agent for 18 years here in the Bitterroot, andin also He wentSee through damage material.” Zoom. below for than Boddy. The customer Sometimes they was a frequent commenter Gibson January 27, town clerk Jenelle in the Army for 21 years, his organizational and instructions and a link chemotherapy and But COVID-19 See COUNTY, page 10 seemed con- meetings during will tell their at council Joan Mell, an attorney with the profile of the Berthoud the council to late join August thetold meeting. Five andfused fundraising skills, and discipline, haveone been put to in he was wasthe no joke.familiar “It and unvictims that a loved has Over the last administration. In from Hamilton, wasgot rec- bad I potential victims, butuse wishes similar meetings audience thatcancer she was having familiar good as chair oflanded the Cowboy committee. told thatpublic the felt with in jail, Ball or that a prize course of so her that others withinFreeman the commupublic comment, Crews told ognized for stepping in (virtual) were held in said the committee trouble streaming the meet- the process, has been won,hopes but a to feeraise needs decade with had been eradicated. like I couldn’t nity would help her look out 2021. council that those makto handle the the prosecution this year, to forbethe expansion of the rodeo paid for release of the Staub Boxxe had She said andthe breathe, likefor I their safety.$50,000 ingsOverstreet on the internet. At least one In addition to the funds. just The getting scammers will became sus- comment should Shoppe, ing public caseload of Town Attorney bucking chutes. “They’re old,” he said. surgery on YouTube October chanwasStaub being water the former of the potential victims she opportunity to learn picious when commonly use a getting legitimate haswhile now “They need to be replaced. They’re banged address the mayor, not the Greg Overstreet he was 23, 2021 for ostomy boarded, or what aided was a resident at a local nel they had was no longer about and participate in address, buton will be ready to recovered up.facility Bucking stock can be hard metal.” removal, theof fidevelopnalhad set up considering I imagine audience. He also said, “This hospitalized, and then recov- water extended nursing and the process working but they grab the package fromactually a porch the customapproximately The 10th annual cowboy ball – which in the boarding to had be to be provided with a ride notand a question and answer” ering, from Covid-19. ing a climbing plan, atreatment new Facebook page.this How- er’sisage or front door when it arrives. $60,000Mell in started 11the years ago but couldn’t be held last year to the bank as well as to colon journey. like,” recalls week’scancer meeting “It’s public comment.” did the work at no charge “They always direct the particular cash, all of to ever, members ofwill thecovpublic the session. Boxxe Shoppe. due to the pandemic – has been upgraded this The day after that Overstreet. “This er the following agenda victim to send it, ‘no signature details of the which was The mayor had said previousthe town. “I just wanted to who had he tried to access the “It’s common sense to me,” year. topics: surgery, was isfrauduwhen I realized required,’” she adds. transaction. being ly that he would be answering publicly thank Joan for helpThe Town of Stevensville recognized attorney Joan aMell, she says, pointing“This out that redfirst year we’ve Facebook page said it was not Unfortunate• Review overall is the ever done diagnosed with that I was not lently deThe Bank Secrecy Actfully from the public. ing me and helpingtaking the town, ” center, abound when seniors are for filling in while town Greg objectives and desired accessible. Berthoud asked ly, itquestions catered dinner,” said Freeman. TheOverstreet University COVID-19. Covidflags manded from ofattorney 1970 requires banks to was not being scammed. “If a person said Overstreet. outcomes ofas the public ofPictured Montana Catering Service provide theof had Covid-19. with Mell are, l towill Overstreet, for patience she worked Staub’sCrews “I was obviously seniorseriously citizen enough. keep track ofr, withdrawals first also said that they is 80 years old, and all of a conversations should be prepared for some Desserts are provided 4Hin members. members of $10,000 or by more order time having very weakened,” said through the issues. Mayorthey’re Steve dinner. Gibson, council coming into the members Cindy Brown and The Boxxe Shoppe’s new location • Provide an update encountered See page 2 sudden “interesting comments” Greg Overstreet talks about his recentfrom brush with death dueSTEVI, tothe commuOverstreet. “Itformer hit Jim Crews, mayor bank to5withdraw $15,000, it Stacie Barker. by Victoria at 901 S. 1st Street in Hamilton. nity.See See COWBOY BALL page 4 SURVIVING, page by Photo Michael Howell Howell. Staub is such cirCovid. Photo by Victoria Howell. See SCAMMERS, page 2 makes my ‘spidy’ sense tingle.” See PLAN, page 2 Photo by Nathan Boddy. Last week the Ravalli County Commissioners approved adoption of a memorandum of understanding with the Ravalli County DUI Task Force and letter aspen and whitebark pine; the commissioners statedInstituteProtection National Forest 1987 Forest MAPS Media to produceAgency. a video The designed by Michael Howell help parents on their children’s behavthat “RavallitoCounty objectskeep tabs contains recommendations Plan. manage timber to provide ior. impacts to to unmitigated concerning the Draft SEIS for forest products and jobs; and A new record of decision The deadlineHowell closed on if it would by Victoria be possible The DUI Task approved of by Victoria Howell year, theForce facility tookButterfly. inthe justcreation under county owned/maintained thewhen Gold Concernretain old growth status in all was issued on December 17, on January 18, forHowell filing objec- to put envelopes by Victoria his property which would in effect with the highway, which is aastate addressed the private land was Mischief$240,000 Room lastand May and commissioners spent every penny. theowner scope ofthe the analysis roads heavy 2021 accompanied by a to Draft treatment to Dominic Farrenall the doors and shutthen off access Stevensville Riverunits. According highway, because nowfrom you’re goingequipment to on it. sold toproject aing new and Fish, Wildlife signed off The involved creation tions to the Draft SupplemenThere are no paid employees; it’s an all-of Jasmin Shinn,director founder and kopf, activities put valentine cards in The Stevensville Town CounPark, a 20-acre park on the east bank have two accesses for trucks pulling and Parks got involved. once-priand logging trucks, mostly, theitems letter quotes the BitterSEIS that provides a site-spea Forest Service press release a set of easily accessible that hadThe secret hiding tal Environmental Statement executive director of 1 Horse volunteer organization. ButtoShinn said atwas Sapphire them. Farrenkopf cil split onLutheran whether to accept just toreally the north of the private piece ofthe boats, and you’vebut just come out to, of the vate piece now belongs thesome state compartments where someone could stash root Forest Plan’s Forest-wide cific forest plan amendment about 90% of proposed not limited the impacts (Draft SEIS) for the Gold A Time Horse it costs about $200 perfishing month toaim feedsite. Homes inDraft Hamilton, isRescue liked the idea.property. He askedCrews contacted the county aAtsmall piece of park land near the Stevi Wyean at 45 miles per hour - there developed access drugs or hide aand small of whiskey. The Management Wildlife Re-was treatment areas are within to Willow Creek Road. Due tois aflask defining old-growth stanButterfly Project, a Bitterroot facility Corvallis, gotitem a nice “gentle there are askinginthe community students Stevensville bridge, an that was at schools and negotiated the donation of the are going to be accidents there.” “But I giants.” think opportunity it’sThen [the piece to providethese parents a learning toon seethe the area designated for insect and financial limitasource Objective “Maintain dards. Some objections to securing the veterinary bills, therapy, training, and boost lastForest week when she was to send his athat and daycares to make National project considered atresidents the March 24th council land on the west, potential Mayorand Steve resource Gibson said he didn’t west] still a viable oftoland for the various ways in which any youngpiece person can hide Last year lopes. the disease tions, Ravalli County would sufficient habitat decision were received because of the little love this special envelopes associated costsold-growth to rehabilitate presented with aValencheck for $7500 meeting. The land ownership willnew now river and access pending outcometreatment of see what use theenveland is to the town. “Iother city tofrom have, whether or not you put their substance use casual inspections. includes nearly 13,000 acres lopes were so full they The project is now tine’s Day. decorate them for each revert to the county. The 1.52-acre the access dispute. liability,” Gibson. money into developing it,” said Motnot said be able to accommodate onWhen suitable timberland to dense pockets of only deadsee andady18 deadline from representatives of JCCS, anby the January horses. they’re finally ready Glendathese Wiles, Director of the DUI Task Force, of commercial and non-comhad to be emptied more really popular, and resident. people About years piece, whichfour tomostly the Then Council Wolff Michaelson he looked upwhat the for ley. are many cars out said sheadoption, tells“There parents is,so “If you don’t look, most can be driven or there, accounting fiis rmlocated with aadjacent branch support viable populations ing trees. They claim area said the necessary maintenance having to do member with the Marilyn mercial vegetative treatment than the once. growing every year. ago, a resident came could drop off valenBitterroot River on the northwest side said she had a real problem with old minutes and found that the land I think it can be used for parking. But then you don’t see. If you don’t see, then you don’t ridden, some just become “pasture located in Hamilton. Part of the logging of old growth, potenold-growth dependent is impacted by mountain pine during the project, nor the and of within a 55,000was acre area ofto the to Farrenkopf to see tines to fill the enveof the bridge, offered Town this piece of land. “It’s where two was donated on the condition that looking long term, if you have propSee VALENTINES, page 10 selection for awarding that gift tial impacts to wildlife and to pets.” See DUI, page 10 rehabilitation of the road afteron the species. ” side The letter Douglas-fir bark beetle, forest inby theRavalli Sapphire Mounin 2017 for use as a roads converge, the bankbeetle, is incrediit would be maintained and utilized erty west ofestablished thenotes river,that then was online voting County and according 1 Horse At A Time was DrafttoSEIS limits the scope Willow Creek Road.I think there are dwarf mistletoe and the project is complete. Ravalli potential river access site. bly steep… liability for western recreational purposes within five you havethe access potentially consoltains eastbranch of Corvallis. to JCCS manager, Andrea by Shinn in 2018. She’s originally from of its environmental consespruce budworm damage. County objects to shifting Bitterroot National Forest During the tenure of former issues… It is the fastest part of the years. idate highway property into the Town The original proposal was Germany where sheI grew around Simmerman, 1 Horse A Time mayor Jim Crews, the At owner of land channel andthat thethe deepest partAlthough of the in general Vickie Motley, park board memof Stevensville. thinkup It’s quences analysis tosomething vegetation, financial burden of the project officials have stated withdrawn in August of 2020 horses. She’s always been a horse fan, was one of the top four vote at the river on the northeast side project had channel. If you were to develop that ber, said that nothing had been done RDO Equipment Co. to Ravalli County and believe the pileated woodpecker and is designed to improve agreement with the proposed after Friends theoff Bitterroot getters. about attempted to of shut river access on for fishing, I would also see a problem because the access problem had been but she is especially passionate See STEVI, page 16 8571 Running W. Road it is contrary to current law pine marten. project, the Ravalli County forest resilience to natural checkfor followed in the wake draft horses. She and her husband, a andThat Alliance the Wild “We and realize these old growth Commissioners expressed and existing agreements. ” Missoula, MT 59808 military retiree, their two children of a $25,000 gift claiming in November Rockies filed suit the disturbances like fire, insects indicator species are listed in Forest officials also received and disease; reduce sediconcern over impacts to relocated to Montana and bought a 20from Tractor Supply. 406-549-4171 agency failed to use the best That sounds a lot of acre farm which ShinnPlan, said but canitsupport the Forest is not comments Strobel mentPresenting sources ina the Willow county andShinn maintained available sciencelike in managing check for $7500 from JCCSowned to Jasmin (second from left) of 1 from HorsePhilip At RDOequipment.com money but, according to Shinn, Creek watershed; improve about 20 horses. She currently Director of the NEPA Branch clear whether there are other roads, especially Willow Creek A Time Draft Horse Rescue were, l to r: Levi Clark, CPA, Andrea Simmerman, JCCS Branch elk habitat and didn’t comtaking care of draft horses is bull trout habitat; restore Road. Office of the Regional AdminManager, and Will Ramsey, CPA. Also pictured is Tiny, the non-profit’s mascot and the ply with the definition of old an expensiveYproposition. Last CO.COM including meadows, RESCUE, page 65 See See GOLD, page •FREEbyESTIMATES INTime. THE BITTERROOT VALLEY• OURH OMEIMPROVEMENThabitat In a At letter to the Forest istrator first horse that was rescued 1 Horse A Photo by Victoria Howell. of the Environmental by Nathan Boddy

just north of the Stevensville Junction. cumstances, having

Surviving COVID

Halfway through fiscal year, county budget looking good

scheduled

Hearts full love Stevi toofrevisit refinancing bonds

DUI Task Force, MAPS to partner on special video

Gold Butterfly project draws some objections

Spreading love horse Local draft rescue Stevi to return park land thriving to county

Contact us for all your equipment needs. VISIT OUR SHOWROOM IN THE

growth found in the Bitterroot

SOUTHGATE MALL

493-0051


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