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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent
‘The 34 29 Volume XXXVII, Number 30 XXXVII, Number 28 Volume XXXVII, Number
’ ! l a c o L Best at
www.bitterrootstar.com
Wednesday, March 9,2022 2022 Wednesday, February 2022 Wednesday, January 26, Wednesday, February 2,9,
Eagles in winterHumane New foundation to support college Groundbreaking held Association forcommunity medical center Bitter Root by Michael Howell
an associated levy request was not enough to meet the task of designing an improved the BVCC will still offer the speech, occupato fund the new district. As needs for the new the district; but affordable program that same courses and opportutional offered and physical a result the University of it would just barely keep the would have room and monities currently at – dividuals have come together Montana agreed to continue doors open for the current mentum to grow. Bitterroottherapy College services – Associate to form the Bitterroot Valley funding the college programvery limited course options “There is an inaccurate bedegrees, MUS credits, dual including a therapy Bitterroot Health Community College Foundaming in the Bitterroot for a and not even that for very lief that what currently exists credit andpool early–college opplus imaging held aadding groundbreakby Michael and cut the ribbon at last week’s tion, aHowell second pillar couple of years to give the new long. BVCC Board Chair Marin Hamilton—the Bitterroot tions for high school students and lab services. ceremony, said theautonoing lastof Wednesday to one valley’s the newest district board time to transici Smith said that it was clear College UM—is a community – it willconcerning also have the Bishop saida “It organization’s 50 years of service, An open house celebration was for its new medical institutions. Ravalli County tion, get its feet on the ground that the voters recognized the college,” said Smith. “It is mous authority to bring new they hope to have held last week at the Bitter Root was started by a bunch of little old voters approved and establish its own funding need and the value of a locally not.” Smith said the ultimate focus on career and technical complex that willthe be creation Humane Association’s (BRHA) new ladies in education 1972 and the it’s runopen by a of thejust new community college base. controlled community college goal of the Bitterroot Valley andstill industry-recogfacility built north of district in 2021located and a board But the handwriting was for the valley, but they didn’t Community College is tobunch be an ofnized credential programs little old ladies.” animal shelter on Fairgrounds by spring of 2023, Stevensville at the of trustees was elected. on the think they could afford it. So educational and career-trainKathie Butts, President of theplan Road in Hamilton. The But event served a wall from the beginandSee thatLEVY, they page 3 corner of Kootenai the voters declined to approve ning. The transitional funding the new board took on the ing source for all ages. While Board, said, “This organization double purpose. It included a ribbon on continuinghas to Creek Road and cutting ceremony in honor of the new come such a long way since it was expand services. Hwy 93. including tours of the whole facility, started about 50 years ago. I feel a “We’re bringing the John Bishop, huge sense of responsibility to honor building, and anBitarray of food and care to the patients, terroot those who have come before us and ” drink inHealth honorCEO, of the organization’s said.be as we set 50ththat birthday. make it as good as he it can said Marcus Lois Hedgethe course for the next 50 years.” The private non-profi t organization Daly Hospital had Nathan Boddy message about the importance of underEven as many in Montana hope and McCormack saidpeth, thatchair the of the wasby first organized in 1972. In 1984, standing how division can either lead to pray for the peace in Ukraine, global senorganization conducted a successful Countess Margarite Bessenyey, the hospital board, More than eighty area residents opportunities for growth, or tear commu- timent seems to align heavily with those fundraising campaign to fund the new granddaughter of Marcus Daly, gave said this project gathered to show support and who gathered at O’Hara construction but then the Covid-19 thesolidarity BRHA land on Fairgrounds Road has been four years for the people of Commons. OnasWednesday, Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce Director Al Mitchell holds the group spell-bound Bitpandemic hit and construction with a 99-year lease. Sixon years Ukraine in Hamilton Fri-later, March 2, 141 members of in the works, costs but ter Root Humane Association Board Member Sue McCormack prepares to cut the ribbon skyrocketed. As a result, the group in 1990, the Bessenyey estate deeded day, March 4th. The gathering the United Nations General 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 thebegan land to organization at the MineShaft Pasty where Assembly voted to condemn delays due to the Bitterroot Health building project in a ceremonial groundbreaking. The facility on the property that had housed the Sue McCormack, Russia’s who serves on in Ukraine on Second Street The in actions theCompany current shelter is located. See SHELTER, page pandemic. She said2 theat organization’s directors will be built on land located the corner ofboard Kootenai Creek and Hwy 93 downtown Hamilton, with of only Russia,Road Belarus, new building replaces anbefore old building shelter since 1984. their vision is that moving to the O’Hara ComSyria, North Korea and just north of the Stevensville Junction. mons opposite the Bitterroot Eritrea voting against. In the Stevensville Public Library. The crowd was Washington DC, the passage facility will be more Darby, Victor and Corvallis, as well as been providing “quality, a diverse collection of faces of House Resolution 956 of of a “medical center” rather than just a Hamilton. accessible, personalized both young and old, but the ‘Supporting the People clinic. She also said that Marcus Daly The new 12-acre campus will tone of the event was unwavUkraine,’ echoed that call health care” for 90 years. Murphy. She led the Hospital, which is a critical access ering in its message: division for peace by firmly stating provide primary, care, urgent care and In recent years, they commissioners through and bloodshed in Ukraine is a that the House of Represenhospital, was recently rated the specialty physicians have have been taking steps to a lengthy fund#4byinfund by horror Victoria me likeservices. a ton of Two thatHowell impacts even the tatives, “stands steadfastly, by the national rataccounting that, to sum already been hired, along with a nurse nation for quality invest in all the commubricks.” residents of Montana. staunchly, proudly, and ferOn February 28, it up, shows the county, ing agency, out of 351 similar facilities. practitioner, and two more doctors Numerous Bald Eagles have Burnt area lately to feed onOverstreet carcasses. was Photos nities of Fork the Bitterroot, When it comes Gretchen Strohmaier, thebeen congregating in the vently behind the Ukrainian Stevensville overall, doingarea veryresiwell by Michael Victoria Howell aresent being recruited. also be Pastor of St.Howell. Paul’s Episcopeoplewill inby their fight against he said, with clinics in to Covid, Greg home from There dent Sullivan was on itsHeidi tax collections and pal Church Overstreet hasin a Hamilton, was the hospital with the authoritarian Putin killed in revenues an automobile showing over asked for by event Ravalli County message you: organizers, an oxygen tank. regime.” The Cowboy Ball at the 50% accident on Three Mile of projections in Kristen and Scott HoensAlthough House ResoFairgrounds will be held February 12th.Heidi Thiswhile is don’t fool around! He was home for Creek Road. and most departments tine, owners of MineShaft istenth non-binding, theMichael annual event andexpenses thehusband way have it’s shaping Overstreet, two or three days. lution 956 her Zach by Howell onlylive in Pasty Company, to share it passedup, with it’stremendous going to be an event worthy jubilee the Lone of Rock area an attorney in During that time, amounted toa23% ofwith her thoughts with those in bi-partisan support, with a their three children. and former council member, the public at the next Halfway through celebration. projections due in large private practice in hismeeting oxygen level by Victoria Howell attendance. After a short margin the of 426 to 3.year, Of the Personnel is budget the part to job vacancies Rod Freeman is the chair ofA2Z this year’s when the council considers Stevensville, wasand prayer that appears to be continuing went down to 51, three ‘no,’ introduction votes, one was collecting donations county’s performance that have yet to be filled. Freeman is also the chair of the Rodeo to diagnosed with a normal of Montanaevent. the appointment offrom two addiasserted, “We all gather underhis efforts to teach the new Representative, At the second regular helpof the family through is looking pretty good, One big savings was in Committee, and the Fair Board, colon 99. “I jokingly say Matt Rosendale, tional council members. thecancer umbrella of humanity,” council and mayor how local who hadthe vice chair meeting of theintwo-member the tough times ahead. according to Ravalli the budgeted funds for which he’s“The been on for 12 years. A real estate February of 2021. that 51 is brain stated earlier Strohmaier gave a powerful government should run. He “We’ll do our job, ” said Right now cash or in Countythat CFO Klarryse the county’s share Stevensville Town Council, on agenthas for no 18 legal years here in the Bitterroot, and also He went through damage material.”United States checks can be dropped Gibson (left), Pastor Gretchen Strohmaier at St. January 27, town clerk Jenelle was a frequent commenter in the Army for 21 years, his and to come chemotherapy and But COVID-19or moral obligation See COUNTY, page offorganizational at either of the A2Z10 at council meetings during Joan Mell, an attorney Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hamilton, stands Berthoud told the council and either sideskills, in thisand discipline, fundraising have been put to in late August he was was no joke. “It to the aid of locations in Stevensville with Kristen Hoenstine. Photo foreign conflict.” Rosendale the last administration. In vigil organizer, from Hamilton, wasgot recaudience thatcancer she was having good use as chair of the Cowboy Ball committee. told that the so bad I felt or Hamilton. A memoriby told Nathan Boddy. public comment, Crews ognized for stepping in I couldn’t had recently sponsored a billthe committee Freeman said hopeshas to raise trouble streaming the meethad been eradicated. like al account been set (H.R. 6648), which would the council that those makto handle the prosecution $50,000 this year, for the expansion of the Credit rodeo up at Clearwater had She said breathe, like I ingsOverstreet on the internet. nities apart.caseload of Town Attorneyprohibit any militarybucking or security assising public comment should Union. All the chutes. “They’re just getting old,”money he said. surgery on YouTube October chanwas being water the former “Our world is in crisis,” said tance to the Ukraine until such time that will go directly to “They need to be replaced.raised They’re getting banged address the mayor, not the Greg Overstreet while he was 23, they 2021had for was ostomy boarded, what nel no longer Strohmaier. “We’ve been dealing theor U.S. Mexican border is “operationally the family to help cover up. Bucking stock can be hard on metal.” removal,but thethey finalhad set up I imagine water by, amongst audience. He also said, “This hospitalized, and then recovwith the pandemic for nearly two controlled,” other items, working costs and to help Thehardened 10th annual cowboyfuneral ball – which actually treatment in the boarding to be high internally is not a question and answer” ering, from Covid-19. Mell years and with the invasion of a “30-foot a new Facebook page. Howthis now single dad con11 years ago but couldn’t be held last year colon cancer journey. like,” recalls Ukraine,” things feelwork moreatvulnersteel-bollard physicalstarted barrier.” session. “It’s public comment. did the no charge to tinue to raise his kids. ever, members of the public duenotwithstanding, to the pandemic – has been upgraded this Rosendale’s actions The day after that Overstreet. “This able than ever. like The mayor had said previousthe But, town.at“Itimes just wanted tosuch In addition, Cup of who had he tried to access the high levels of support year. for the people this we have three options: we can surgery, was is when I realized Joy Coffee located at the ly that he would be answering publicly thank Joan for helpThe Town of Stevensville recognized attorney Joan and not future of Ukraine seem exactly Facebook move away from others and with“Thistoisbe the first year we’ve ever done aMell, fully diagnosedpage withsaid it was not that I was Stevensville Junction what Gretchen Strohmaier’s message was questions from the public. ing me and helping the town, ” center, for filling in while town attorney Overstreet draw, we can move against others accessible. catered dinner,” The University COVID-19.Berthoud asked taking all Covid willGreg be hosting a fundabout on Friday. She concluded hersaid Freeman. Crews also said that they said Overstreet. in conflict, or we can move with ofPictured Montana Catering provide the had with Mell Service are, lraiser towill r, Overstreet, for“I patience as she worked was obviously seriously enough. on Friday, March remarks by Covid-19. saying, “Let’s stand together others should be prepared for somein solidarity.” dinner. Desserts are provided by 4H members. in our shared humanity, no matter where 11Cindy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. very weakened,” said through the issues. Mayor Steve Gibson, council members Brown and The yellow blue ribbons ofpage we 2 live regardless of the county, country See “interesting comments” For every drink sold, a Greg Overstreet talks about his recentfrom brush with and death dueSTEVI, to Overstreet. “Itformer hit Jim Crews, mayor Stacie Photo by Victoria the Ukrainian flag, as well as the See COWBOY pageto 4 See SURVIVING, page 5Barker. or the continent, weby are just people who Howell. Michael Howell dollar will goBALL directly Covid. Photo by Victoria Howell. candles held by those in attenare part of families. We are mothers, fathe family. dance, were clear signals that a thers, sisters, brothers.Last We week standthe togethRavalli CountyCome Commissioners apon Bitterroot, er and we gain strength. Together weofcall large part of the Bitterroot comproved adoption a memorandum understandlet’s giveofthis family down peace. Together find munity would choose solidarity. ingwe with thehope.” Ravalli County DUI Force andhelp! someTask much needed 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 the Gold Concernretain old growth status in all was issued on December 17, January 18, for filing objec- to put envelopes on a Mischief$240,000 Room lastand Mayspent and the commissioners every penny. ing theinvolved scope ofthe thecreation analysis roads from signed heavy equipment 2021 accompanied treatment units. According to Dominic Farrenall the doors and then by a Draft off There on it. The project tions to theShinn, Draft Supplemenare no paid employees; it’s an all-of Jasmin founder and kopf, activities director put valentine cards in and logging trucks, mostly, the letter quotes the BitterSEIS that provides a site-spea Forest Service press release a set of easily accessible items that had secret hiding tal Environmental Statement County Recycling (RCR)Farrenkopf said Janice Lee, president of Ravalli of shipping it would mean little or Missoula site and drives it backsaid to executive director of 1 Horsethem. volunteer organization. But Shinn atRavalli Sapphire Lutheran really compartments where someone could stash some root Forest Plan’s Forest-wide cific forest plan amendment about 90% of the proposed but not limited to, the impacts and Recycling Works MT will sponsor County Recycling. Only clean, unbrono profit. Then Recycle Works MT, Salt Lake. In Salt Lake, the glass is (Draft SEIS) for the Gold AtHomes A TimeinDraft HorseisRescue it costs about $200 per month toaim feed Hamilton, liked the idea. He asked drugsin or hide arepurposed small flask of whiskey. Theand was Management Wildlife Retreatment areas are within an to Willow Creek Road. Due to defining old-growth stananother glass recycling event on Saturken, food and beverage containers can another non-profit organization into insulation other Butterfly Project, a Bitterroot facility Corvallis, got a nice these “gentle giants.” Then there are askinginthe community students at schools to provide parents a learning opportunity to see thea day, March 12residents from 10she to 2 p.m. be on this day. area designated for Missoula, found resource a way. They found a veterinary products. Momentum Recycling has insect and and financial limitasource Objective tocan “Maintain dards. Some objections to the bills, therapy, training, and boost lastForest week when to send his aa.m. and daycares to recycled make National project thatwas various ways in which any young person hide at the north endaValenofcheck the Ravalli County to Lee, for disease years peoin the SaltenveLake City thatCounty would other laser system that glass by color. Last year lopes. tions, Ravalli would sufficient old-growth habitat newenvelopes decisionAccording were received treatmentcompany because of little love this special and associated costssorts to rehabilitate presented with for $7500 their substance use from casual inspections. includes nearly 13,000 acres Fairgrounds on Old Corvallis Road in ple have been asking Ravalli County pick up Montana glass and recycle it. Different colors are used for different lopes were so full they The project is now tine’s Day. and non-comdecorate them for each not be ableintoSalt accommodate onWhen suitable timberland to dense recypockets of dead and dy- Recycling January 18 deadline from representatives of JCCS, anby the these horses. they’re finally ready Glenda Director of the DUI Task Force, of commercial Hamilton. Recycling, thereally local non-profit Lake Wiles, products. had Momentum to be emptied more popular, and resident. Then people About four years said what she tells parents is, “If you don’t look, for adoption, most can be driven or accounting fi rm with a branch support viable populations ing trees. They claim the area the necessary maintenance mostly having to do with the It’sabeen five months since the last group, why they couldn’t recycle than City once. sends loaded trucks to MonRecycling Works MT now partmercial vegetative treatment growing every year. ago, resident came drop offcling valenthen younor don’t If you don’t then you don’t ridden, some justsee, become “pasture located in Hamilton. Partday of could the of old-growth dependent is impacted by mountain pine them, during the project, thesee.and logging of old growth, poten- would Bitterroot glass recycling so recyglass. RCR volunteers explain tana, unloads fills their trucks within a 55,000 acre area of to Farrenkopf to see tines to fill the enveSee VALENTINES, page 10 RECYCLING, page selection for awarding that pets.” See DUI, page clers have savingMounup forgift a while, thattobecause is heavy, the cost with glass at Recycling Works of MT’s rehabilitation the road after species.”See The letter notes that103 tial impacts wildlifeglass and to beetle, Douglas-fir bark beetle, forest in thebeen Sapphire was online voting and according Willow Creek Road. 1 Horse At A Time was established dwarf mistletoe and western the project is complete. Ravalli the Draft SEIS limits the scope tains 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 The original proposal Germany where she grew up around Simmerman, 1 Horse At was A Time quences analysis to vegetation, Although in general financial burden of the project officials have stated that the withdrawn of vote 2020 horses. She’s always been a horse fan, was one of in theAugust top four RDO Equipment Co. to Ravalli County andbut believe the pileated woodpecker project is designed to improve agreement with the proposed after Friends of the Bitterroot getters. she is especially passionate aboutand 8571 W. Road it T is R contrary to current lawhorses. pine marten. Ravalli County forest resilience INVITtoEnatural S YOU Tproject, O OUthe RA NNU AL ST PA ICK’S DAYdraft checkfor followed in the wake SheRunning and her husband, a andThat Alliance the Wild “We realize these old growth Commissioners expressed and existing agreements. ” disturbances like fire, insects Missoula, MT 59808 military retiree, and their two children of a $25,000 gift claiming in November Rockies filed suit the species are listed in Forest officials also received and disease; reduce sediconcern over impacts to relocated toindicator 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, about 20 horses. She currently Director of the NEPA Branch clear whether there are other Creek watershed; improve roads, especially Willow Creek Bar opens at 3 pm / Dinner at 6 pm FRIDAY, March 18 203 South 2nd St. Hamilton 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. AlsoYOUR picturedSPOT is Tiny, the non-profit’s mascot and the ply with the definition of old 363-3031 an expensive proposition. Last habitat including meadows, SAVEIn RESCUE, page 65 See See GOLD, page letter to the Forest first horse that was rescued by 1 Horsea At A Time. Photo by Victoria istrator Howell. of the Environmental
celebrates new shelter, 50th anniversary
by Victoria A group of motivated inHowell
In support of Ukraine Funds
Surviving COVID
being raised for County budget Stevi on track Cowboy Ball family scheduled Halfway through fiscal year, county budget looking good
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 rescue thriving Local draft
Glass recycling event this Saturday Contact us for all your equipment needs.
growth found in the Bitterroot