Bitterroot Star - April 19, 2023

LAND: Bitterroot landowner talks conservation

Continued from page 1

According to DeVoe, his father bought the property in 1979 with the intention to parcel it of and sell it, making money from its subdivision. When his father passed, the parcel ended up in his sister Sarah’s name, and DeVoe, who had spent much time on the property and appreciated it, knew it was time to act. He brought his sister, who had spent very little, if any, time on the property, to see what it was really about. After seeing the beauty and numerous animals including the elk, they agreed to set it up through a partnership with the Bitter Root Land Trust. She also did so for financial reasons that are available when setting up such an agreement.

“There’s not another place I’ve found with more diverse wildlife in such a small area,” said DeVoe. “The animals are here yearround, and they’ve been here much longer than we have.

You start to take that away, and they’re going to run out of places to live.” DeVoe bought half of the property in order to further preserve and enjoy that half. “I wanted to leave it as natural as possible.”

“For the past 25 years, we’ve leased pasture out for grazing every year to local ranchers. It helps us, because it keeps the fire hazard down and benefits the health of the land, while ofering a place for ranchers to run their cattle during a time when land is getting harder and harder to find around the Bitterroot,” added Charlie. “It’s a win for everybody.”

DeVoe urges other landowners to do the same as he did to preserve the natural majesty of the valley. The land trust aided him in preserving the land in its full acreage, preventing it from ever being subdivided, even after it is passed down through future generations. The agreement also limits

development on the property, acting like a snapshot as it is once it goes into the agreement. For anyone on the fence about putting their property into a similar trust and conserving their property, DeVoe will tell anyone that asks, “Look at what’s going to be there when you’re gone.”

“The momentum we’ve seen by landowners who want to conserve their properties all over the valley, and especially in the Burnt Fork neighborhood, is becoming a national model for conservation in the land trust community,” says Melissa Odell, Lands Director at the Bitter Root Land Trust. “The DeVoe property is a fantastic example of the wide variety of important Bitterroot values that we work with landowners to conserve. The diverse wildlife, water, forest, rangeland and scenic views of open space will be here forever thanks to the vision of Charlie and Sarah. Our community is fortunate to have landowners like the DeVoes, and our landowners are fortunate for the overwhelming support of conservation by our community.”

For more information on the

“If you have an interest in a diverse and stable food supply there is no better organization to belong to than Farmers Union.”

—Jeff Bangs, Inverness, MT JOIN

Bitter

Root Land Trust, interested parties can call (406) 375-0956 or visit www. bitterrootlandtrust.org.

The Bitter Root Land Trust said, “Thanks to the vision of the DeVoes, the property will forever remain as a snapshot as it appears today for future generations, now that it is ofcially conserved.” Photo of DeVoe property courtesy Bitter Root Land Trust.

Elk on the DeVoe property, members of a herd of nearly 300. Photo courtesy Bitter Root Land Trust.

The springtime raft and drift boat hatch is on!

I’ve had enough to do with winter.

It appears that I’m not alone. It also appears that winter is not done toying with us yet. We had 60 and 70-degree weather over the past weekend, with more snow predicted by midweek.

Jan and I enjoyed a late brunch in Stevensville on Sunday, and afterward took an impatient Aussie Shepherd down to the river for a much-needed romp. The parking areas at the fishing access was filled with an assortment of cars and trucks and trailer rigs. There was an over- fow of trailer rigs lined up along the edge of the road between the launch site and another parking lot further down. The place was packed. We watched one boat launch, and then another.

by Chuck Stranahan

“It’s a long way to the Florence Bridge,” I thought, “It’ll be runand-gun fish- ing – no dropping an- chor at a honey hole, at least not for long… “ It was already a couple of hours into the afternoon and they had a long way to go.

At the very least they were getting out to have some fun. So were the people wade fishing further downstream. I smiled a little, and inwardly wished them all well.

We drove just a little further on the road that connects the fishing access to another parking lot by river trail and some covered picnic benches. That lot was nearly full as well, with the overfow of more boat trailer rigs and an assortment of other vehicles. There were a couple of spaces left and we took one of them.

The rigs parked along the road at the access left plenty of room for others to pass by. The launches we watched went smoothly. If there had been others waiting the wait wouldn’t have been for long. We spotted a few people wade fishing downstream from the bridge, and greeted one couple hiking further downstream on the river trail.

“Perfect day for fishing,” I thought. “Little kickups of breeze but no steady wind, just enough to push a few female skwalas of the willows and into the river; just enough overcast to provide some eye relief for the trout as they look toward the surface and wait for another big, dark, stonefy to drift by.

I thought about grabbing the wader bag and a fy rod after Jan and I returned home, but by then it

would have been too late. Another time.

I’ve enjoyed some wonderful foats during this early, impatient, shake-of-the-winter-blahs time of year, exploring and fishing on my own or scouting the river in preparation for future guide trips.

We’d usually find the river pretty much the way we left it. There were usually no surprises in the form of big new snags to contend with. Things would be pretty much in place from the previous fall, unless we’d just passed through a cold-enough winter to freeze the river, and chunks of thawing ice could move things around in the spring.

The Bitterroot, especially during these first few foats of any year, needs to be greeted with caution. Drifting woody debris can lodge anywhere and is always a potential hazard. A foat on this river at low-to-medium fows can be enjoyable, laid-back even, but should never be careless or lazy; the oarsman needs to keep watchful eyes downstream for both the obvious and semi-submerged trees that are constant hazards.

A foat on the Bitterroot is not a boat ride at an amusement park.

As such, the boat needs to be fitted for whatever emergency might present itself.

You never know when an oar blade might hit something you didn’t know was there and slip an oarlock or pop a pin. Carry a spare oar, rigged where it can be grabbed and put into action in a hurry.

There should be Coastguard-approved personal foatation devices along for every passenger. Kids should wear theirs all the time. Adults, hey – my wife Jan has the right idea: she wears an NRS fishing vest built on a PFD design. They are available in both foam and infatable styles. She wears it all the time –no worries about whether to put it on or not when we go for a foat.

A dedicated dry bag carrying an up-to-date first aid kit, patch kit, raingear and dry hoodies are bare minimums to have aboard. If nothing else, there’s peace of mind every time you go out.

County’s Leading Real Estate Firm

Every parking space taken, trailer rigs park along the road, around the bend. Photo by Chuck Stranahan.

Vlasak 406-369-5660

McCluskey 406-360-2563

The right round for the job, bear bullets

Bear season opened this last weekend, and I can only imagine how many hunters found themselves in the woods with big magnum rife cartridges and powerful Spitzer rounds. There is this idea today that I feel is misbegotten.

This is the idea that bears are big animals that need a lot of energy to take down. Though this statement is true on the surface, there is more nuance to it. Most people do not seem to realize there is a massive diference between a black bear and a grizzly bear. I have witnessed .308 rounds bounce of the skull of a grizzly bear, and have known people to take down black bears with as small as a 9mm, though I would not recommend that.

by John Dowd

As with most game, the trick to success is choosing the right round in the right gun at the right time. If there is too much energy, or the shot is illplaced, it will burst through the back of the animal and waste that energy in the dirt. If there is not enough energy, the round will not go deep enough or produce the prime terminal ballistics necessary for a clean and ethical kill. It is a balancing act and takes understanding of the target animal, the ballistics of the ammunition being used, and the situation of the hunt.

Black bears are often compared to deer, but I would add the caveat that they are like a deer wearing armor. The bones of a bear are far thicker that those of a deer, and bears have a lot more mass to deal with, especially in the fall. This means that a hunter will need to employ much more penetration power to get through the hide, the muscle and the fat, let alone the bone. Remember, a bullet is only efective if it can reach the vital

organs and shut down one of three life sustaining systems: circulation, respiratory, or nervous system. However, too much will simply not get the job done. This could result in a long chase and more unintended sufering for the bear.

As for the bullets, there are some basic concepts to keep in mind when choosing the right bullet for the right situation. A bullet has to be moving fast enough to generate enough velocity to expand upon impact. A bullet must be made of soft enough material to expand at the velocity it is traveling at the intended distance. A bullet will

lose velocity over distance. All of these things must be balanced when choosing a good round.

The final piece of the puzzle is the situation of the hunt. Montana bear hunting is generally one of two climates: close and far. Most western hunts are big country hunts, meaning a lot of walking and a lot of glassing. However, bears move mostly in cover, especially during their perspective hunting seasons in Montana. That means a shot at a bear will come on a ridge to ridge shot, or very close.

For long range shots, a good round can be anything from a 30-06 to a .308 Winchester. As long as a person understands the ballistics and the situation, accounts for the terminal ballistics at various ranges, chooses the right bullet and practices, there are a lot of good options that will do the job at extended ranges. However, for the close hunter at sub 150 yards, which may be a more likely scenario, enter the 44 magnum.

I would have no qualms shooting a deer with a .357 Magnum at short range, but once bear comes into the conversation, the bore must go up. Like big game in Africa, bear hunting means muzzle energy is only part of the story. Bullet size and construction start to creep in. This is because an increase in surface area often means an increase in both expansion rate and weight of the projectile.

In days pre-smokeless powder, black powder large bore rifes were the best option for big game hunters. These were the days of muzzleloading firearms. Since black powder has a soft-cap on velocity that stops just over 1,000 feet per second, the only way to increase muzzle energy was to use a bigger projectile. This often led to “four-bore” and even “two-bore” guns. These huge and heavy rifes were measured in an archaic Euro-

pean bore measurement system that is equivalent to gauge. It measured the number of perfect spears of lead that size that could equal a pound. In other words, a four-bore gun fires round-ball projectiles that weigh up to a fourth of a pound. A one-bore would have fired a full pound of lead. That is, a pound of lead, fired of hand, probably of the shoulder of a fast friend or solid shooting stick. That, or in the case of most 19th century African hunts, the shoulder of a native guide who valued money over their eardrums. Imagine an of-hand projectile weighing that much. The guns were massive.

Bringing this lesson back to the 21st century, larger “bore” means more mass, and mass means more energy dispersed upon impact. This equals crushed bone and mechanically damaged tissue. All of these elements mean that the animal dies quicker, and more humanely. These also mean less chance of the bear getting mad and turning on the hunter.

In today’s world, the types of cartridges that achieve these things are overwhelming, but considering a close ranged hunt, the 44 magnum may be the best way to go. These can be loaded in weights in excess of 240 grains, are moving slow enough to dump their energy into an animal, are moving with enough muzzle energy to punch through bone and tissue and come in a compact enough size to be very comfortable to tote up and down a mountain. Out of a carbine or rife, the longer barrel length lends greatly to the performance of the 44 magnum. Going well over, or near, 1,000 plus feet per second, and with a muzzle energy around 800 foot pounds of energy, the 44 magnum is no slouch. For black bears out to 100 yards, there is scarcely anything more ideal.

Cinnamon bear mom in a tree watches her cubs roughhouse in a clearing below her in the Lolo National forest. Bear numbers collected during the season are an incredibly important tool for Montana Fish Wild Life and Parks to use in bear conservation. Photo by John Dowd.

Pro-housing policies advance at Legislature

I want to take the opportunity this week to highlight a few more of the pro-housing bills we’ve been working on at the Legislature given how critical of an issue housing is for our state. None of these bills will solve all of our housing problems on their own, but the collection of these bills will work together to make sure there is an adequate supply of housing. We’ve seen a lot of people move to Montana in recent years, and there are no signs of it slowing down. Montana is known for its open spaces, and if we want to maintain them and get this housing crisis under control, we need to increase our housing supply with more dense housing in our urban areas.

large single-family residences–within cities. SB 323 also helps combat urban sprawl into our beautiful open spaces by allowing a moderate increase in housing density within the boundaries of city limits. This bill was very popular on both sides of the aisle receiving bipartisan support.

Senate Bill 245, sponsored by Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, will allow multifamily and mixeduse housing to be built in commercial zones. The logic behind the bill is pretty straightforward: if big box stores and parking lots are allowed in one zone of a town, housing should be able to be built there too.

by Jason Ellsworth

Senate Bill 382, sponsored by Sen. Mandeville, R-Columbus, establishes the Montana Land Use Planning Act. This is a major rewrite of Montana’s land use planning laws and would require local governments to establish planning commissions, provide continuous public participation, and adopt land use plans and land use maps. SB 382 requires local governments to analyze expected population trends, take action to meet current and future housing needs, and plan for environmental hazards and other contingencies. This planning process will be helpful in the decision-making process and ensure the best possible outcomes.

Senate Bill 323, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Trebas, R-Great Falls, reforms zoning codes in Montana cities to improve property rights and increase housing options. In cities with at least 5,000 residents, SB 323 would not allow zoning regulations on duplexes to be more restrictive than the requirements for single-family residences. This satisfies a large segment needed for housing–homes that are in the size and price range between apartments and

To serve veterans by providing individual therapeutic services to enhance their mental health and walk beside them guiding them through their journey to strength and overall wellness in their lives.

Our #1 goal is to empower the veteran in becoming a warrior and knowing that they are not alone.

All Montanans know how tough the housing situation is across the state right now. It certainly isn’t something that is easily resolved and can’t be completely fixed by any single bill. We have to increase our housing supply while making sure that we preserve everything that is special about Montana. I am proud to say that these bills do that. These bills will increase our housing supply without sacrificing our open spaces.

Harley 1 and a half year old lab mix.

Harley is a very strong and very smart lady who is quick to learn and eager to please. She loves kids and adores playing with all diferent types of dogs. Ms. Harley needs a fenced yard to deter her from wandering. Harley has a tendency to pull pretty hard on leash, but with some frm and quality training we are confdent this could be trained out of her. Cats are an unknown.

Harley loves water, swimming, and playing tug and fetch!

Jason Ellsworth represents Senate District 43 in the Bitterroot Valley and is the President of the Montana Senate.

Obituaries

Samantha Huber

Samantha Huber died in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 4, 2020. Samantha was a fiery little redhead, active in 4H, rodeo, and gymkhana with her favorite horse, “Jump Out.” She graduated from Corvallis High School, studied civil engineering at Montana State, studied music and international business at UNLV in Las Vegas.

Sam loved people of all races, contributed to elephant and wild horse rescues. She worked for the Henderson, Nevada Fire Department and the police department helping young people deal with their issues such as arson and suicide… Later she was a manager for Human Resources in Las Vegas. She was a talented artist from jewelry, to pottery and wood art.

Samantha is survived by her mother, Kay Huber Gervais, two older brothers, Kris and Brian Swatski, and preceded in death by her dad, Harry Huber. She had many friends who will not forget her. She was intelligent, multi faceted, and fun and had so much to ofer the world.

Loraine Vasil Darlow

Our dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Loraine Vasil Darlow, 92, passed away Monday, April 10, 2023. She was born February 18, 1931 to Christos Dionysios and Ida Belle Drogitis in Opheim, MT. She graduated from the Opheim Senior High School 1948 and went on to complete secretarial training at Northern Montana College in Havre. She married Donald Coburn, Sr. in 1950 and later married John “Jack” C. Darlow, Jr., May 5, 1961 in Helena, Montana. This created a blended family of eight children, Billie J. Miller of Missoula, Daniel (Arlene) Coburn of Stevensville, Donald (Terri) Coburn of Helena, David Darlow (passed away 2009), Mike (Jeanne) Darlow of Boise, ID, Daniel “Boone” (Candelaria) of Saginaw, TX, Gary (Laurie) Darlow of Gillette, WY, and Mark (Tracey) Darlow of Butte.

She worked briefy as a bank secretary, however, her devotion and greatest joy was raising a family. As a child she played clarinet, loved to write poetry, and enjoyed being with her father and mother in whatever they were doing. She had a love for square dancing, family history work, reading, needlework, and oil painting.

She was preceded by her husband and son David, as well as her parents, brother, and three sisters. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 21, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 100 Middle Burnt Fork Rd. Stevensville, Montana. Interment will be at the Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton, MT at 2:30 P.M. also on Friday, April 21, 2023. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

Brian Paul Hoornbeek

Brian Paul Hoornbeek, age 52, of Stevensville MT, passed away peacefully at home on March 9th 2023. Brian was born in Montebello, California on March 24, 1970, and was raised in Stevensville by his father Michael and mother Cecilia. He headed back to California for high school, where he graduated from West Covina, before enlisting in the US Navy. After serving his time honorably, he moved back to Montana where he raised his family. Brian owned and operated a number of businesses throughout his career.

Brian was very thankful for his family and that the lord blessed him with his daughters, Alicia and Cecilia. In life, Brian’s faith was very important to him. He believed that his true life began at the end of August, 2016 when he became a man of God. Through his life he strived to show others who God truly was and how God can change a person’s heart once they yield to Him. He believed that for the first time in his entire life he had peace and joy in his life and that he had found peace with God. An important verse to him was Galations 2:20. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the fesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Services will be held at Roots Church (1625 US-93, Victor, MT 59875), at 3:00 PM on Friday, April 21, 2023. Brian wanted his bibles to be donated and for those wishing to honor his memory, he would have loved for you to share your love for God with others.

“And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

Alfred G. Deschamps Jr.

Frenchtown - Alfred G. Deschamps Jr. ,93, of Frenchtown, MT passed away on Friday, April 7, 2023 at the Mill Creek Ranch. He was born on April 11, 1930 in Missoula, Montana, the son of the late Alfred Eli Sr. and Beatrice Georgianna (Boufard) Deschamps.

As a child Freddie spent many summers Trick Riding and Fancy Roping throughout Western MT at local rodeos. He also participated in roping calves at local rodeos. After graduating from Missoula County High School in 1949, he joined the United States Air Force. During the Korean Confict, Freddie was stationed in the European theater at various Air Force Bases.

After serving four years, he came back to Montana and met his bride-to-be, Rosemary Fay Reinhard, who was completing her degree as a Registered Nurse from St. Patrick School of Nursing. In 1956 they were married and lived on the ranch in Frenchtown, MT. They had three boys, Barry, Bryan and Brett. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Bridger, Darby, Augustus, and Bryanna. Rosemary passed away in 2016 after being married to him for almost 61 years.

In 1978 he obtained his real estate license and was labeled with the term Realtor Emeritus in 2018 for serving over 40 years as a licensed real estate broker. He owned the real estate company Deschamps and Assoc. In 1989, to celebrate the centennial of Montana statehood, Freddie took his grandfather’s freight wagon and turned it into a chuck wagon. He bought a team of Belgian draft horses and drove them from Roundup, MT to Billings, MT on the “Big Drive of ‘89.” Freddie also gave back to the community. He served on the Western Montana Fair Board for a number of years. He was a director for the Federal Land Bank, helping farmers and ranchers with their financial needs. He was a huge supporter of 4H kids. He supported the University of Montana Rodeo Team as well as the Western Montana Stockman’s Association. The biggest gift he ever gave was the smile on his face because it was contagious.

In lieu of fowers, please make gifts in his honor to Justin Sports Medicine, University of Montana Rodeo Team or the Western Montana Fair sale day to benefit 4H youth.

A funeral will be Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Frenchtown High School Gymnasium with a Celebration of Life to follow. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

Alfred G. Deschamps Jr.

To my wonderful husband, Willie Dail Lambeth, March 9, 1933 – March 11, 2023, born in Claypool, OK. We met on a blind date in Long Beach, CA in 1954. Dail’s southern drawl and sparking blue eyes won me over. We were married in my hometown, Fredericksburg, IA on March 27, 1955.

Dail proudly served aboard the heavy cruiser, USS St. Paul, from 1952 until 1956 as a GM3, during the Korean Confict. Two outstanding children, Randy (Melissa) of Samon, ID and Vanessa of Corvallis, MT were born and raised in CA, OR, ID and MT. Willie, you were very proud of them and loved them very much, always and forever.

You were a perfectionist in your work as a general contractor and also in your many hobbies. You made hardwood furniture, created and sold a unique artist easel along with your oil paintings. You started a successful metal detecting club in Bend, OR where we lived for 40 years. You also tied fies for fishing, enjoyed camping and boating fun as a family.

We were snowbirds for 35 years, going to AZ. It was there that you were able to play your guitar, various other instruments, sing and enjoy your natural talent with other musicians.

We spent several years traveling in our motorhome. What fun… so much to see and appreciate. We settled in Stevensville, MT in 2016. You could walk, smile, stop to visit with other veterans and people… how friendly the young people were. If only Stevi could remain this way. Well, my dear, I could write many pages of our 68 married happy years together, but will say good night for now. You, Randy and Vanessa have been my life.

All my love, from your wife and friend, Phyllis.

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, 406-880-2492.

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 406-5310785.

Victor AA

Alcoholics Anonymous presents The Promises Group discussion meeting on Sundays at 4 p.m. at the Ravalli County Weed District, 121 S. Tudor, Victor. Open to all alcoholics with a desire to stop drinking.

Tax-Aide program

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program will be ofering free tax return services to all ages in Stevensville this year. To schedule an appointment call the Senior Center (406)777-5681 between 10 a.m. and noon on Monday, Wednesday or Friday only.

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 406-5310785.

Ravalli Dems

South County

Join South Ravalli County Democrats for cofee, tea and meet new people twice a month in Hamilton at 10-11 a.m. on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at River Street Dance Theater, 241 N. 2nd. All welcome. Check for any changes at ravdems.com/ newsletter or on Facebook.

Ravalli Dems North County

Join North Ravalli County Democrats for “Burgers and Beer” on Thursday evenings from 4 to 6 at The Backyard Taphouse, 281 Rodeo Drive, of the Eastside Hwy in Florence. This is a rather regular event on Thursdays, BUT not on May 4th. Check online at ravdems.com/newsletter for any changes and other information or on Facebook. All welcome.

CPR class

The Three Mile Community Center is ofering a CPR class on Saturday April 29th at 9 a.m. This class will be taught by Missoula Emergency Services. The fee for just wanting to learn or refresh on CPR is $25.00; if you need to renew your certifcation it’s $35.00. To sign up for the class call 406-544-4994 or 406-7773710 before 4-21.

Coding for Kids

Registration is now open for the Coding for Kids summer programs. Register at www.codingbitterroot.org.

RCEDA

The Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will be holding its regular monthly meeting on

Wednesday, April 19, beginning at 3 p.m. in the RCEDA Conference Room. The meeting is open to the public.

NVP library activities

Library Board Meet-

ing – Wednesday, Apr 19 at 3pm

North Valley Public Library Board of Trustees Meetings are open to the public. If you are a member of the public and are unable to attend the Board meetings, the Board would still like to hear from you. Please email the Director at denisea@northvalleylibrary. org or you can email board members directly. A link to Trustee contact information can be found at Montana.

Gov. Science Squad for ages

8-12 – Wednesday, Apr 19 at 4pm

Explore the universe, both micro and macro, and learn the science mysteries behind the natural word. Expect fun activities with Legos®, paper planes, food, and more. Children will soon be formulating their own hypotheses, experiments, and documentation in order to participate in a grade-free science fair at the end of the summer. Concepts taught are geared towards ages 8-12, but younger scientists/ siblings 6-7 welcome. Parents/caregivers must register themselves as well as each child attending.

Foraging for Wild Mushrooms in Montana –Thursday, Apr 20 at 6:30pm

This virtual presentation by Dr. Cathy Cripps, MSU, covers how to get started collecting wild mushrooms, including how to fnd them, how to pick them, and how to identify them. Choice Montana edibles such as King Boletes, chanterelles, morels, hawk wings, lion’s mane, oysters, and more, are shown in full color and their edible properties described. The general rules for eating wild mushrooms are also important to know. Lastly, a few of the toxic species to be avoided, especially those that have caused poisonings in Montana, will be discussed. Further resources for wild mushroom hunting in Montana are provided. Dr. Cripps will present via zoom from Bozeman while a watch party is held at North Valley Public Library. Registration required for in-person and virtual attendance.

Trout Unlimited

The April 20 BRTU meeting will feature a presentation by MFWP Fisheries Biologist Jason Lindstrom. Jason will provide a status report on the fshery, habitat conditions, and present results from last year’s studies. He will also review the updated Hoot Owl program, and discuss relevant results from the 2023 Legislature as they afect fsheries.

Jason’s talk will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 20 at the Hamilton Elks Club, 203 State Street.

The public is invited to attend and there is no charge for admission.

Plan on coming down early for personality adjustment because starting at 6:15, the Elks will be serving their excellent grilled brats and beer. The brats are steamed in beer before being grilled and then served with fried onions and sauerkraut. Just $10 for a brat and a beer.

If you would like additional information, contact BRTU Chapter President Dave Ward or Marshall Bloom.

Pachyderm Club

The Bitterroot North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, April 21 at noon at The Frontier Cafe, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be Lowell Hochhalter, President/CEO of The LifeGuard Group.

The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.

Bitterroot Health volunteer training

Make 2023 a year to remember with volunteer experiences to beneft our community.

Volunteer introduction/ training meeting on Monday, April 24. Two sessions – noon or 5 p.m. in the Blodgett Conference room at Daly Hospital.

Bitterroot Health Foundation is actively recruiting volunteers to assist with enriching, heart-warming opportunities to serve their neighbors. Join the Auxiliary and connect with other like-minded men and women who give for the greater good.

Talents are needed for hospitality services in the hospital at the welcome desk, gift shop, during blood drives and throughout various departments to help them improve patient experience.

Bitterroot Health Hospice provides specialized training for volunteers to enhance the tender process of end-of-life care and emotional support for family members.

The Foundation is dependent on dozens of volunteers each year to assist with fundraising events and initiatives including annual golf tournaments, 5K, Gala, Festival of Trees, and more.

Find the perfect place for your talents to thrive and make the most of the new year. Commitments can be weekly, monthly or one-time. We’ll fnd the perfect ft for you. For more information, contact the Volunteer Coordinator for Bitterroot Health via email at thessleynguyen@ bitterroothealth.org to to discuss current opportunities.

Fish & Wildlife Assn.

Ravalli County Fish & Wildlfe Association general meeting will be Monday, April 24th, 6:30 p.m. at the Daly Leach Community Room at 1010 West Main St. in Hamilton. Along with regular business, guest speaker will be Cynthie Fisher giving a presentation about some of her hunting experiences in diferent countries. Meetings are open to the public.

Three Mile Irrigation

Three Mile Irrigation Sub District meeting will be Monday, April 24th at 7 p.m. at the Three Mile Community Center, 4433 Sunnyside Cemetery Road, Stevensville.

Republican

Women

Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, April 25 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speakers will be all candidates running for school boards if they choose to attend.

Stevi school board

The Stevensville School Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the Stevensville Music Center Choir Room.

Corvallis Sewer

District

Corvallis County Sewer District monthly meeting will be Tuesday, April 25th at 6:30 p.m. at 234 Brothers Way.

SHS trip fundraiser

A silent auction and spaghetti feed to beneft SHS student travel will be held on Friday, April 28th at 5 p.m. at Stevensville School multi-purpose room. $12 plate for ages 13 and up, $6 plate for students 6 and under. Students are going on a 9-day trip in June 2024. For more information contact Chris Shepherd, 406-8020529.

Smart Driver Course

Bitterroot Health, (formerly Marcus Daly Hospital), located at 1200 Westwood Drive in Hamilton, will host an ALL NEW Smart Driver Course (formerly ’55 Alive’) on Friday, April 28th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. While this new safe driving strategies class is designed for drivers age 50 and over, all drivers are welcome. The new program now features laws and updates specifc to Montana. Pre-registration is advised. There are no driving tests or written exams and, Montana mandates an insurance discount for qualifed participants There is a class fee of $20.00 for AARP members and $25.00 for non-members. To sign up for the class, call Jones-Korman Insurance at 363-6583 or, for further information, call Thom Ainsworth, Coordinator, at 369-0149.

Educational scholarships available

American Legion Post 91 is sponsoring scholarships for academic or vocational education. The application deadline is April 28th. If you are interested in obtaining fnancial assistance to help you accomplish your goals for the future and can meet the selection criteria that include a relationship to a member of the Post, a relationship to a veteran or active duty military member, or are a veteran yourself, you could be a benefciary of this program. Call Marc Sabin at 406-802-2301 or Don Bratsch at 719-201-1610 to learn if you might qualify and to obtain application materials.

Baby Remembrance Service

You are invited to a special all-faith memorial service on Sunday, April 30th at 3 p.m. at St. Francis, 411 S. 5th St, Hamilton, honoring babies who died during pregnancy or infancy. It is important to honor the life of a baby who has left handprints deep in our hearts, never to be forgotten. Open to everyone. Reception to follow in the Pastoral Life Center.

Pro-Life Bitterroot

Pro-Life Bitterroot will meet Tuesday, May 2nd at 6 p.m. at Kodiak Jax, 6th and Main, in Stevensville. For more information call (406) 407-1254.

National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer will be held Thursday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at Lone Rock Bible Church, 1142 Three Mile Creek Road, Stevensville. Opening with Inspirational and patriotic music featuring Linda Lanier. Come and join our nation for a time of prayer.

Rummage sale

Florence Carlton Community Church will hold its annual rummage sale on Thursday and Friday, May 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations gladly accepted on May 1st, 2nd and 3rd. (Please no TVs or electronics.) The church is located at 20075 Old Highway 93, halfway between Lolo and Florence. For more information call Dace, 406240-6601.

Brews for Books

A Brews for Books fundraiser to beneft the North Valley Public Library will be held on May 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Blacksmith Brewing, 114 Main in Stevensville. Brews for Books is organized and stafed by the all-volunteer NVPL Foundation, which raises funds for the library. Find more information on the foundation’s Facebook page or the library website.

Emergency Preparedness Classes

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting free monthly Emergency Preparedness classes. They are held at 7 p.m. at the Church building located in Hamilton at 401 N. 8th Street. Upcoming topics of discussion include: May 11: “What to Have In Your Food Storage & How To Store It”;

June 8: “Planning A Garden—Saving Seeds”; July 13: “Can’t Use Your Stove?

Cooking With Alternative Methods Using the Cookers We Assembled Earlier As

Well As Other Methods”;

August 10: “Water Bath Canning & Pressure Canning”; September 14: “Basic First Aid & Kits: What to Have and How To Use Them”. You can attend any or all classes.

Classes typically run 60-90 minutes. For the “Alternative Cooking Methods” classes, class size is too large to

complete assembly in class, so sign ups will be made during class for items to be made/completed at a later date. Call 513-312-5494 with questions.

Assistance for Business Clinic

Registration is now open to attend the Assistance for Business Clinic in Hamilton on Tuesday, May 16th. The Assistance for Business Clinics are designed to provide new and established businesses, accountants, bookkeepers, human resource professionals and attorneys with updated information on topics such as: Montana Department of Revenue’s new Form MW-4 and their E-Services, Unemployment Insurance Tax requirements, workers’ compensation coverage, Independent Contractor regulations, using Labor Market Information to make business decisions, the Registered Apprenticeship Program, tax incentives, minimum wage, overtime, new hire reporting, child support services, USERRA laws and regulations. The Clinic will take place at Bitterroot College from 8am-5pm. Light breakfast options and lunch will be provided with your registration. All interested business professionals are encouraged and welcome to attend. Call the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce for registration information.

Looking for the Bitterroot

Crossword Puzzle

Both positions ofer monthly perks. Set your own fexible hours. Be home when kids are out of school. Call, Email or Come by for a job description.

• Part-time Custodian 15-20 hours per week. St. Francis of Assisi 411 S. 5th Street Hamilton 406.363.1385

Mail@StFrancisHamilton.org

by Scott Sacry Sports Editor

Corvallis defeats Stevi in baseball

The Corvallis baseball team hosted Stevensville on Wednesday, April 12th. Corvallis scored 15 total runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings to build their lead and won 18-8 in an ofensive slugfest. Corvallis’s Bryce Cooper had a big game, going 2 for 2, scoring 3 runs, stealing 4 bases, and getting 5 RBI’s. Corvallis’s Charlie Chavez went 4 for 4 and had 3 RBI’s and Mason Anderson went 2 for 4 and had 3 RBI’s. For Stevensville, Clay Umland went 2 for 3 and drove in 3 runs, while Gracen Trevino and Jefrey Berryman each added 2 RBI’s.

Corvallis hosted Frenchtown on Saturday, April 15th and dominated the Broncs, winning 16-2. Corvallis’s Bryce Cooper had another huge game, going 4 for 4 with 6 RBI’s. In support, Reese Earp, Bobby Truc and Maurice Craun each added 2 RBI’s. After losing their first three games of the season, Corvallis has now won 4 straight, outscoring their opponents 52-10 over that stretch.

The Stevensville boys played Frenchtown on Monday, April 10th and were defeated 1-11. The Yellowjackets struggled at the plate with Joey Wheeler and Clay Umland getting the only two hits for Stevensville.

Bitterroot

Most of the Bitterroot Valley schools headed north to Missoula on Saturday, April 15th, to compete in the MCPS Invitational. It was a deep and competitive field with 21 total schools participating, including many AA schools. The competition was strong and, for maybe the first time this year, it was a nice warm day for a track meet. Several Bitterroot Valley athletes had outstanding performances as the warm conditions and the strong competition led to impressive times and marks.

In the girls team standings, Corvallis took 5th, Hamilton was 7th, Stevensville was 10th, Florence was 15th, and Darby was 19th. In the boys team results, Hamilton took 4th, Corvallis took 8th, Florence took 12th, Stevensville was 14th and Darby was 15th.

Hamilton’s Andrew Burrows continued performing at a high level, winning the Shot Put (55-04) and Discus (159-09). Burrows has the best shot put mark and the second best Discus

Softball Roundup

Corvallis defeats Hamilton

The softball teams of Corvallis and Hamilton met in Corvallis on Tuesday, April 11th. Corvallis scored 5 runs in the 1st inning and 7 runs in the 3rd to propel themselves to the 14-4 victory. Corvallis had 14 total hits to Hamilton’s 3 hits. Corvallis’s Ava Loran went 2 for 4 and drove in 4 RBI’s, while Sydney Wolsky and Makaia McEwen each added 2 RBI’s and Jessica Saturday went 3

Hamilton

The Hamilton baseball team had a successful week, defeating East Helena and Frenchtown. On Monday, April 10th, they hosted East Helena. The Broncs opened the game with 7

runs in the 1st inning and cruised to the 12-0 victory. Hamilton pitchers Taylor Nead, Emerson Widmer and Tyce O’Connell combined for the 2-hit shutout. On ofense, Emerson Widmer had a first inning home run and

5 RBI’s for the game, while Andrew Ricklefs had 2 RBI’s.

On Thursday, Hamilton traveled to Frenchtown for an all Broncs showdown. Hamilton scored a run in the top of the 7th inning to get the 5-4 victory. Hamilton’s Jackson Jessop filled up the stat sheet, hitting a home run, stealing 4 bases, scoring 2 runs, and hitting 2 RBI’s. Hamilton is now 5-1 on the season.

Florence

The Florence baseball team had a solid week, winning games against Dillon and East Helena. On Tuesday, April 12th, they traveled to Dillon and won 11-2. They trailed 0-2 after 4 innings but scored 4 runs in the 5th inning and 7 runs in the 7th inning to get the lopsided win. Florence’s pitcher Gabe Philbrick got the win, striking out 8 and only allowing 3 hits over 7 innings. At the plate, Florence’s Jake Roth had 3 RBI’s, Issac Bates went 3 for 4, and Mason Arlington had 2 RBI’s.

On Friday, April 14th, Florence traveled to East Helena and won 4-3. Florence scored on an error in the 8th inning to earn the victory. Florence pitchers Trapper Oster and Cole Fray-Parmantier combined to allow only 3 hits. At the plate, Jake Roth, Gabe Philbrick, and Mason Arlington each had RBI’s. Florence is now 6-3 on the season.

track athletes shine in Missoula

throw in the state this year regardless of class.

Hamilton sophomore

Evan Bennet won the 800m with a blazing time of 156.87, giving him this year’s best time in Class A. Hamilton Freshman Taylor Doleac won the 3200m (9:54.79) giving him the fastest time in Class A this year. Hamilton’s Taylor Searle won the Pole Vault with a vault of 14-07, setting a new meet record and breaking his own school record. Searle has dominated the event this year; his mark of 14-07 is 7 inches better than anyone in the state, regardless of class.

Hamilton’s Chesnee Lawerence took 2nd in

Hamilton’s Chesnee Lawerence trying to get over the bar in Missoula at the MCPS Invite on April 15th. Chesnee cleared 11 feet, which is the second highest vault in the state this year. Photo by Scott Sacry.

the girl’s Pole Vault. Her vault of 11-0 is the second highest in the state this year regardless of class.

Corvallis’s Levi Reynoso won the Javelin with a huge throw of 183 ft, the farthest anyone in the state has thrown the Javelin this year.

Corvallis’s Olivia Lewis won the 300m Hurdles (45.75) and took 2nd in the 100m hurdles (15.70).

Lewis’s 300m time is the fastest in the state this year regardless of class. Corvallis’s Alanna Auch won the Discus with a throw of 121-09, which is the farthest throw in the state this year regardless of class.

Stevensville’s Claire Hutchison had an impressive meet. She finished 2nd in the 100m (12.7), the 400m (1:00.03), and the High Jump (5’2). Hutchison has the best Class A times/ marks in the 100m, 400m, and High Jump, and is in the top 5 in the 200m.

Florence’s Kyler Harris took 2nd in the 3200m. His time of 9:55.79 is the fastest time in Class B this year for the 3200m.

Hamilton’s Taylor Doleac and Florence’s Kyler Harris dueling in the 3200m at the MCPS Invite in Missoula on April 15th. Doleac took 1st (9:54.79) and Harris took 2nd (9:55.79) in the event.

for 4. Corvallis’s Melanie Race struck out 8 in the win. Hamilton struggled to generate ofense, with Addison Flynn, Dawsyn Ekin, and Madisen Fischer getting the only hits for the game.

Stevensville

The Stevensville softball team had a busy week, playing three games. On Wednesday, April 12th, they hosted East Helena and lost 4-19. For Stevensville, Morgan Yeager went 2 for 3 and Jaidan Oyler

went 2 for 4. Then on Thursday, they hosted Dillon and had 15 hits en route to a 13-10 victory.

Jaden Fisher had a big game, going 3 for 4, hitting a home run and getting 5 RBI’s, Lilly Newson went 3 for 4 and scored 4 runs, Sophie Berning went 3 for 5 and had an RBI, and Morgan Yeager went 4 for 4 and scored 3 runs. Then on Saturday, they faced a strong Columbia Falls team in Missoula and lost 3-20.

Hamilton tennis dominates Loyola

The Hamilton tennis team dominated Missoula Loyola on Thursday, April 13th. The girls won 5 games to 2, while the boys also won 5 games to 2. In the boys singles matches, Andy Purcell (Hamilton) def. Dillon Taylor 6-2, 6-4. Colin Hanley (Hamilton) def. Nathaniel Read-Smith 6-0, 6-1. Alain Mendizabal (Hamilton) def. Brendan Nedrud 6-4, 6-2. Mathew Camp def. Jacob Rollins (Hamilton) 7-6, 4-6 (10-7). In the boys doubles, Carter Topp / Joe Kirshennman def. Dawson Bergland / Jonah Wilhelm (Hamilton) 6-0. 6-1. Finn Dufresne / Jason Chaplin (Hamilton) def. Sam Caras / Declan

Harrington 6-1, 6-2 In the girls singles, Janessa Chaplin (Hamilton) def. Elise Munding 6-4, 6-1. Ciara Hanley (Hamilton) def. Olivia Wawlsey 6-0, 6-2. Sofie Lewanski (Hamilton) def. Amalee Schneider 6-3, 6-4. Charlie Holmes (Hamilton) def. Sylvie Vondersten 6-1, 4-6 (10-7). In the girls doubles, Ava Bellamah / Gio Horner def. Emma Hollingsworth / Gwen Wolfe (Hamilton) 6-2, 6-2. Megan Reis / Morgan Neibauer def. Sam Geroy / Kristen Jessop (Hamilton) 6-2, 6-4. Alexis Kaul / Anna Twardoski (Hamilton) def. Sammy McHugh / Caitrin Harrington 6-1, 6-1.

Photo by Scott Sacry.

Corvallis’s Mason Anderson pitching against Stevensville on Wednesday, April 12th. Corvallis won 18-8. Photo by Scott Sacry.

Meet your Stevensville trustee candidates

My name is Ben Meyer, and I am running for a three year position at Stevensville.

I’m a product of Stevensville Schools having completed my K-12 education here. My grandmother and father both were career educators in the Stevensville School District dating back to the 1960s. I’m an educator by training and taught high school agriculture science and government in Conrad and Ronan. I previously worked for the Idaho State Board of Education overseeing Idaho’s agriculture education programs and I currently work for the National FFA Organization as a regional administrator. My wife Michelle and I have two daughters in the Stevensville School system. We live on the family ranch east of Stevensville.

I’m running to retain my seat on the board where I serve as the vice-chair. As a trustee, I’ve served on the district’s policy and calendar committees as well as the labor negotiations committee. In the community, I’m the organization leader of Stevensville’s largest 4-H club, a member of the Ravalli County 4-H Advisory Council, an ofcer of the Stevensville FFA Alumni & Supporters, and an active member with Montana Farm Bureau and Montana Farmers Union. I am one of three school trustees serving on the Montana Ofce of Public Instruction’s K-12 Data Task Force. I volunteer at the school and fill

in as a substitute bus driver.

I am a career educator and I understand education both from a pedagogical and business standpoint. I strongly believe that school board’s function is to hire and support good administrators and teachers with a responsibility to equip them with the resources they need to teach. Stevensville teachers carry out amazing things when properly supported by a visionary and forward-looking school board. My support is coupled with a solid sense of fiscal responsibility to the Stevensville taxpayer. Monitoring, understanding, and governing the business decisions of the school district are a key component of my board position and a critical aspect of why I want to continue to serve on the school board. Service to the community of Stevensville. As a product of the Stevensville Schools and a father of two daughters in the school district, I take my connection and commitment to the community of Stevensville seriously and sincerely. As in so many Montana towns, the school in Stevensville is a critical part of the fabric of the community. It is my vision as a board trustee to continue to find new partnerships and opportunities for collaboration between the school and the private sector. Students benefit from community and workforce interaction and public education is more than curriculum and

with 34 years of experience in public education. I have 26 years in the Stevensville School District. I was the principal of Stevensville Junior High School. I was Vice Principal of Stevensville High School. Past District Special Education and 504 Director. I was a classroom instructor (teacher) teaching government and U.S. history. My other applicable Notes:

-President of the Stevensville Teachers Association

-Junior high head football coach

-High school assistant coach

-Eight years as a classroom instructor (teacher) at Victor School District

instruction. I hope to advance Stevensville Schools as an institution that produces graduates who can readily find their place in the workforce and network of our community or wherever they settle in life. I believe in a school system that produces graduates who are career and college ready. As a former career and technical education (CTE) teacher, I know first-hand the value in producing students who are academically successful and have a working knowledge of hands-on, real-world skills. The 2019 school bond that built a modern and fexible CTE department focused in agriculture and industrial trades is a perfect path forward for Stevensville students. I hope to continue advancing this part of our district to make Stevensville the premier school in the valley for graduating students who are both career and college ready.

I believe in Stevensville’s commitment and investment in Career and Technical Education. I believe that preparing students for high skill/high wage careers while in high school will only continue to grow in importance and Stevensville is poised to lead the valley in this efort. I helped author Stevensville’s new policies that encourage work-based learning by sending students out into the community for structured career development experiences while earning a grade. I hope to

School Board while a resident of Victor

As an experienced school trustee I understand the duties and responsibilities associated with being a school board member

My educational background experiences coupled with my previous experiences as a school board member provide me with a unique insight into the operation of a efective school district.

continue supporting the expansion and growth of this program.

I believe in Superintendent Thennis’ call to action to ramp up early childhood education, pre-K through grade 3, to ensure that students have the foundational building blocks to succeed all the way through school and beyond.

I believe in the exceptional volunteer corps that step forward to help during the school day and with the myriad of extracurricular and youth activities that take place at the school beyond the school day. I believe in the school’s current approach that supports this community involvement and the positive development its having for our students.

I acknowledge the district’s declining enrollment and the changing demographics of our community. Stevensville is already, and will continue to be faced with, doing more for our students with less in the budget. I carry a strong sense of duty and responsibility to the taxpayer into decision making processes in recognition of the changing environment Stevensville Schools are facing.

I rely on the notion that throwing money at an issue almost never fixes the issue. Instead, bright ideas and a willingness to find new solutions to both existing and new problems will see us through.

ensure that procedures and protocols are in place in order to provide a safe environment for students and all employees while at school.

My name is Dan Mullan and I am a candidate for one of the two, three year trustee positions on the Stevensville School board.

My Personal background is that I have been a resident of Stevensville for 38 years. I am a retired educator

-Retired from the Montana Army National Guard after 24 years of service

-Board experience

-Elected to a one year term on the Stevensville School Board 2021 through 2022

-Elected to two terms on the Victor

fifth generation Montanan, born and raised in Northwest Montana. I have two children who attend the Stevensville School’s and both are active in school and community programs. I manage the Montana division of a commercial design and construction firm and work with schools across the state helping improve their facilities.

I’ve been fortunate in my role as trustee to be able to participate and lend my knowledge to our recently finished renovation project here at the Stevensville schools.

I am dedicated to advocating for our students, teachers, staf, and for the families of the Stevensville School District. If elected to continue in my role as a trustee, I will continue to

I am running to ensure the district provides and supports educational and co-curricular opportunities and experiences that assists students in transitioning to the next step. To create well thought out goals for the board and school district that refect and serve the needs of the school and community. To promote a greater role for those associated with the school district and providing input that assists the board in the decision making process. To

focus on:

1) The Stevensville School District providing an excellent education for every Stevensville student.

2) Providing support for our superb teachers and staf, so that they can focus on and excel at their critical roles in educating our children.

3) Ensuring that our students and staf have a safe school to learn and teach in.

4) Ensuring that the Stevensville School District uses our resources to their fullest and is transparent and accountable to our community for our school’s operations. Schools including ours are faced with many challenges with a lot of them stemming from funding short-

Some challenges and issues the district is facing are school financing and budgeting, including failure of current funding sources to keep pace with the operating costs of the district will create significant financial issues for the district. It is critical that the school district plans to use resources efectively and efciently to accomplish the district goals. Careful planning of the budget and monitoring of expenditures will be key if the district is to continue to provide the best education opportunities for our students. The question of future funding will be a significant challenge. A concern the school board and district will face will be whether there will be a need to run a mill levy as a source of future funding.

falls. Our school is challenged by ever increasing operating costs with funding that rarely keeps pace. My experience in managing a successful business gives me the tools and experience to make educated, cost-efective decisions with our limited funds. We need to continue our mission to provide quality facilities paired with our first class teachers and administration so we can continue to provide the best education and opportunities for our students. I am committed to always optimize and leverage the resources we have to their fullest. I would appreciate your vote to retain me as a trustee.

My name is Stacy Kampka and I am running for the Stevensville School Board of Education. My husband and I own and operate Kampka Drywall and Deep Ground Roots Cofee in the Bitterroot Valley. We have five children, one of which have graduated from Stevensville High School, and three who are currently enrolled in the district. Since the early 1900s, my family has played pivotal roles on school boards, booster clubs, and various community organizations to bridge the gap between the district and the citizens of Stevensville.

If I am elected to the school board,

I will be an advocate and voice for our most valuable stakeholders: our students, teachers, and the citizens of Stevensville. This role will require us to work together to achieve better transparency, accountability, and safety for our students and staf.

As I’ve visited with members of the community over the years, I’ve heard their concerns firsthand. Though not an all-inclusive list, some if the biggest concerns are the PHQ9 Depression Questionnaire and Youth Risk Behavior Survey administered to our students in an efort gather information for bureaucrats regarding

for the 2023 School Trustee Election. I have served as a School Board Trustee in Stevensville for several years, and it has been an uncommon honor to represent the Stevensville community and refect the will of our families in my role on the School Board. My mission as a Stevensville School Board Trustee is to faithfully represent the families of our amazing community with objectivity, clarity, and wisdom to ensure our children have the greatest opportunities to fourish and grow.

I firmly believe that now, more than ever, our kids need stability, consistency, and accountability modeled to them in their daily lives. I have had the unique opportunity to develop and display these traits while serving our country as a United States Marine, my communities as a police ofcer, my customers as a business professional, and, during the course of the last sev-

our students’ sexual lifestyles, mental health, and other self-incriminating behaviors, all of which was administered without proper notice to parents, a violation of the US Department of Education regulations. Another common concern I hear from citizens is our students’ lack of preparedness for post-secondary education. Currently, the district’s average ACT scores fall below both the state and national levels, a critical metric utilized by all major colleges and universities to gauge the quality of their applicants. The district proficiency at mathematics is currently at 52%, reading at 45%, and

eral years, as a School Board Trustee in our amazing school district.

For several years, our community has contended with dynamic challenges. Navigating COVID-related restrictions and their efects on our kid’s daily lives, the historic and existential changes in how our students learn, and the cultural and moral decay that has infiltrated every aspect of our children’s formative experience has presented all our families with challenges uncommon to previous generations. During all of this turmoil, I have had the unique privilege to stand on the courage of my convictions and speak truth on behalf of our students and families. This is a responsibility I take very seriously, and I am willing to defend the uniquely inalienable rights of our parents, families, and students to be equal partners in the educational process.

science at 28%, all below the national averages. We can do better, and we must do better.

If I am elected, my commitment to hard work on behalf of our children will not stop until each child is aforded the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. The first step to reaching that goal begins with your support and your vote on Monday, April 17th. Go Jackets!

Our community is a unique, beautiful blend of families with varying perspectives and experiences. It has been my distinct pleasure to see so many of our community members come together to solve seemingly insurmountable challenges to achieve spectacular outcomes for our kids. I would be honored to continue to serve your families and students as a voice on the Stevensville Schools Board of Trustees.

My name is Kristopher McKoy and I’m running for Stevensville School District, School Board Trustee. I am a

My name is Sean Lenahan, and I am seeking reelection to the Stevensville School District Board of Trustees

Ben Meyer

Dan Mullan

Kristopher McKoy

Stacy Kampka

Sean Lenahan

Meet your Hamilton trustee candidates

Eli Johnson

I’ve lived here for about 16 years. I enjoy the outdoors and am an avid fy-fisherman, bow hunter, downhill skier, and love all the outdoors activities this valley and state provide. I have 3 daughters in the Hamilton School system. My oldest graduated in 2021, my middle daughter graduates this year, and my youngest is a freshman at Hamilton High. My wife and I have loved the overall experience of raising our children here and have loved the teachers that have helped guide and shape their lives. I am running for school board in an efort to keep those small town relationships, traditional values and wholesome family-centered infuence in our public education.

As a Dentist with 16 years of experience in running a private practice,

Jef Jones

My name is Jef Jones and I am running for Hamilton School District 3. I grew up in an Air Force family with two sisters moving every 3 years. As a young boy we lived in Germany during the building of the Berlin Wall which I had the experience in time to stand on. Another decade gone by, with a year of college we moved to Italy where I continued my education and traveled from London to Athens. Being an entrepreneur, married, helped raised three children, traveling across this Great Country of ours by way of Big Rig, 18 wheels rolling from

in. We have three awesome kids. Olive is in fourth grade, Rye is in first, and Lark is in pre-k. April is the best doctor around (I may be biased) and the Chief Medical Ofcer at Bitterroot Health. We love this community, and with Lark entering kindergarten next year, I’ll be a parent involved in this district for at least 13 more years.

working with the public on a daily basis, and working with 12 or more employees I have spent a lot of time and efort listening to problems and concerns, then thoughtfully trying to resolve those concerns. I feel like my education and training in the healthcare field and direct public contact give me a unique perspective on current issues facing our district. I have been a soccer coach, basketball coach, softball coach, scout leader, youth leader for my church, volunteer lecturer for the High School, done complimentary dental screenings for both elementary and middle schools, hosted over 30 students in from the High School intern program, and also worked with the Job Corp intern program. Biggest issues facing our schools?

Right now I feel that there is a lot of division and frustration between parents, students, teachers, and administration. Many parents feel unrepresented and unheard. Many teachers feel unsupported by parents at home. Many core values once considered to be fundamentally recognized are being left for a more progressive shift portrayed and celebrated by media and national pressure. The family is the core structure and needs to be represented and respected. I feel that family infuence and teaching in areas or morals, ethics and values that shape who a child is as are being replaced or overridden by a strong pressure in our educational systems to abandon or replace a strong family core and home based teaching of character.

coast to coast. Eventually moving to Hamilton assisting with my parents’ individual care giving. I’m 69 years young and grateful to God for everything. I raised three children, one with special needs. They progressed through the public school system; throughout the trajectory of their education I was a concerned and involved parent. Being an active member of the PTA never hesitating sharing my thoughts, concerns and ideas for improvements. I had great opportunity through school transportation and nutrition interacting with students.

proven project manager for large-scale innovation projects in diverse industries. The nature of this work requires getting up to speed on issues quickly, analyzing complex interconnected systems, and building consensus around paths forward. I communicate clearly and work well in diverse interdisciplinary teams.

I’ve had careers from heavy equipment to Financial Investments. I’ve been involved in Community Service in various cities where I’ve lived. I see opportunity for community involvement with fresh ideas for quality education that supports strong student outcomes, standing with parents for their inalienable parental rights. Recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers with skills in communication, listening, patience and empathy including justified compensation.

My name is Seth GaleWyrick and I am running for the Hamilton School District.

My wife April and I have lived in the Bitterroot for 13 years. My dad grew up on a ranch in Eastern Montana, and my mom in Spokane. I spent my childhood summers on the ranch, in Glacier, and visiting my dad’s college roommate, who was the Superintendent of Hamilton schools for years. This town was at the top of the list when we sought a small, tight-knit community to start a family

I have been on the Hamilton school board for one term. There is a lot to learn about how a district operates, and after three years, I’m starting to wrap my head around it. I would love to apply that learning to a second term. Professionally I’m a biomimicry engineering consultant with a Montana firm called Biomimicry 3.8. We research and apply biological strategies to help companies create innovative new products, processes, and systems. I have a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics and Astronautics from the University of Wisconsin Madison, a Master of Science in Biomimicry from Arizona State, and a Biomimicry Professional Certification emphasizing leadership. My professional and educational experiences have given me a range of skills that fit the school board well. I’m a

Public schools are one of the most important institutions that we have. Our kids are the future, and the fact that every single one of them has access to the same high-quality education is critical. I initially ran for the school board to contribute to my community. As a parent of three, there is no better way than to get involved in the schools. Over the past three years, I’ve learned that we have a great district with amazing teachers backed up by a committed staf and administration. Every day they work towards what is best for the kids. But it’s not easy. Resources are limited. Federal and state laws are a constantly moving target. The world is changing more rapidly than ever, and our schools must continuously adapt. That’s the board’s job, to look at what’s coming, what problems and opportunities

exist today, and help prioritize those things that are in the best interests of the kids, staf, and the community at large. After three years, I continue to believe the school board is the best place for me to contribute.

The Middle School facility is the biggest open question right now. We have put forward a bond proposal that, after two years of community input and expert consultation, we believe is the best compromise for everybody involved. If it passes, we’ll have a significant commitment to deliver on. If it doesn’t pass, it’s not clear what the next step is, but figuring that out will be a key priority. We also must continue to invest in our teachers as there is no more impactful or essential job. In addition, the state threatens to defund the pre-k program that provides incredible value to our youngest students and their families. Trying to figure out how to keep that alive is a significant issue. Finally, we must prioritize and address deferred maintenance to keep our facilities running well into the future.

My name is Eli Johnson and I’m Running for Hamilton School Board. I am a local dentist in Hamilton.

Seth GaleWyrick

Victor wants gardeners

by John Dowd

The Victor Community garden is looking for more gardeners. According to Jill Davies, there is nothing like “growing fresh healthy food that doesn’t have to travel 1,500 miles or more.”

Having started the Sustainable Living Systems organization in 2014, Davies and others involved promoted sustained living tactics in the valley. These included growing one’s own food, constructing with sustainable and recycled materials, the use of solar power and much more. From that sprung the opportunity to partner with the Bitterroot Valley Church of the Nazarene. The church owns five acres, one of which it leases to the Victor Community Garden. To set this arrangement up, Davies collected grants in order to build the well and piping that both the community garden and the church now use, among other things.

The garden started as a way to steer people towards eating healthy and living sustainably by growing their own food. “That is one of our goals, to support the local food system,” added Davies.

The garden has 36 total plots that people can use, 20 of which are already taken. A plot is $35 per year, and the garden provides tools, an automatic watering system, compost and mulch. Each parcel is 20 feet by 20 feet, and there are pathways between all the plots.

Davies explained that they need gardeners because the plots that are not being used grow weeds. According to Davies, the area has good sun exposure, plenty of water and good soil, so it is hard to keep weeds managed unless someone gardens it.

She urges people to take the opportunity to “grow fresh healthy food

that doesn’t have to travel from who knows where,” and because “it’s good exercise.”

All gardening done on the plots must be organic, with no pesticides or herbicides. The compost is collective from all the gardens at the end of the year. There are plenty of pollinators due to the fruit trees and diverse native wildfowers near the location. There is also a shaded picnic area and outhouse.

On Saturday, April 22, Earth Day, the garden will be hosting their annual garden work day. “That would be a good time to come out and take a look,” said Davies, inviting the public to come out. The group will be cultivating soil health and working together to get the garden ready for the season.

For more information about the Victor Community Garden and how to get involved, interested parties can call Davies at (406) 360-1751, or by visiting https://sls.bitterrootcag.org/ victor-community-garden/ and clicking the link at the bottom.

Meet Dr. Cage! Naturopathic Physician

Open House, 12 Noon to 2pm Saturday, April 22nd, 2023

Short presentation, and Questions & Answers

RCEDA Business Center – Conference Room 274 Old Corvallis Rd Hamilton (South Entrance) Dr. Arlan Cage, ND – Wellness Clinic

Now accepting new patients ! 406-361-8073 drcagesays@gmail.com drcagesays.org

The Real Rare Earth STOP THE MINE

SAM SHORT ESTATE

AUCTION - Fri. & Sat., April 28/29, Fairgrounds, Lewistown, MT. Outstanding collection of Indian artifacts, wester art & collectibles. Live auction with internet bidding available @ www. ShobeAuction.com. Info: 406-366-5125.

5th wheel hitch. 16k pullrite. Heavy duty. (928) 420-9234.

POLARIS 600 ATV.

Runs, needs transmission work. $1000, or best ofer. Located in Victor, you haul. 406-303-0354.

Ecogeek LLC dba

Complexly LLC, an employer operating in Missoula, Montana, with ofces in Missoula County, Montana, has an opening for a Digital Media Worker.

Duties include:

Assemble raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producer frst cut that matches the script notes. Mix sound and insert into video for seamless transitions and dialogue using editing software such as Adobe Premier and Final Cut Pro. Review footage and determine best takes. Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, and digital video efects units. Trim and reassemble segments in logical sequences to present coherent stories. Cut shot sequences to make cuts as seamless as possible. Review assembled footage to determine necessary corrections. Manipulate sound and graphics. Program graphic efects. Review and mark up scripts to determine audio and visual efects to complete videos. Mark frames to designate sounds. Record or obtain necessary sounds. Screen videos for feedback. Confer with a Producer about layout/editing approaches to increase entertainment value. Develop post-production models for videos. Collaborate with a Producer on selecting music and developing production scores. Minimum Requirements: Applicants must have 6 months experience in the above listed job duties and a US Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. Qualifed applicants, mail resumes to: Complexly LLC; Attn: Kylie Hannas, HR Business Partner; P.O. Box 8147; Missoula, MT 59807

Corrine Campbell, Physical Therapy/ Myofascial Release, 406-777-2679. Elizabeth Harper-Schurman, Counseling, Coaching, Hypnotherapy. 406-3042517. 5501 Hwy 93N, Ste. 101, Florence, MT.

SNOW SHOVELING AND SNOW PLOWING. 406-207-1793.

HORSE TRIMMING. 30+ years experience. (406) 363-8956.

SPRING ON THE WORK! Licensed residential electrician at your service. We also ofer raw goat milk, and baby goats for sale. Call 406880-5996, email forsakenranch@icloud.com or visit facebook forsakenranchandelectric.

RENTAL IN STEVENSVILLE: 1 BDRM. APT. FULLY FURNISHED utilities, trash included. Additional combo couch/ double bed. Separate ofce space. Photos upon request. Streaming setup. Small pets ok, no smoking. $1200.00 (406) 550-1289.

MOVING?

SWITCH AND SAVE up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with fexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time ofer - get $50 of on any new account. Use code GIFT50. For more information, call 1-877-324-0193.

DISH NETWORK: Only from Dish- 3 year TV Price Guarantee! 99% Signal Reliability, backed by guarantee. Inludes Multi-Sport with NFL Redzone. Switch and get a FREE $100 Gift Card. Call today! 1-855995-3572.

DONATING YOUR VEHICLE? Get more! Free towing. Tax Deductible. Plus a $300 restaurant voucher and a 2-night/3day hotel stay at one of 50 locations. Call Heritage for the Blind to donate your vehicle today - 1-855-9012620.

FREE - Full-sized aluminum and glass truck topper. Call John at 406-379-3230.

Tara Lee Hill Attorney at Law

P.O. Box 211 Lambert, MT 59243

(406) 433-2094

Attorney for the Personal

Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF David Lowell Kemp, Deceased.

Probate No. DP-23-12

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed 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 Kevin Rasmussen, the Personal Representative, return recipt requested, at 565o Homer Davis Road, Shepherd, MT 59079, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.

DATED this 9th day of January, 2023, at Worden, Montana, County of Yellowstone, State of Montana.

/s/ Kevin Rasmussen

Personal Representative of the Estate David Lowell Kemp, Deceased.

BS 4-5, 4-12, 4-19-23.

Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County

In the Matter of the

Name Change of Brittany

Eileen Gail Nelson, Brittany

Eileen Gail Nelson, Petitioner.

Cause No.:Petitioner.

Cause No.: DV-23-62

Dept. 2

NOTICE OF HEARING

ON NAME CHANGE

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Brittany Eileen Gail Nelson, to Brittany Eileen Gail Stump. the hearing will be on May 11, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.

DATED this 6th day of April, 2023. Bill Nelon, Attorney for Petitioner. BS 4-12, 4-19, 4-26, 4-3-23.

John S. Masar

LionWood Law, PLLC 115 W. 3rd St., Ste. 103 Stevensville, MT 59870 (406) 625-2682 jmasar@lionwoodlaw.com

Attorney for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: JEAN ANNABELLE IRVIN, Deceased

Probate No.: DP-23-34

Dept. No.: 2 JENNIFER B. LINT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed 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 DAVID B. IRVIN, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at c/o LionWood Law, PLLC, 115 W. 3rd Street, Suite 103, Stevensville, Montana 59870, or fled with the Clerk of the above Court.

DATED this 6th day of April, 2023 /s/ DAVID B. IRVIN

Personal Representative

c/o LionWood Law, PLLC 115 W. 3rd St., Ste. 103 Stevensville, MT 59870

LionWood Law, PLLC /s/ John S. Masar

Attorney for Personal Representative BS 4-12, 4-19, 4-26-23.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTION of Stevensville School District No. 2, Ravalli County, Montana for the Election of two (2) trustees to be elected for a three (3) year term for the Stevensville Elementary/High school district, a one (1) year term for the Stevensville Elementary/High school district. The election will be conducted

solely by mail ballot. Ballots will be mailed to all eligible qualifed electors in the District on April 14, 2023, and must be returned by each voter, to the Ravalli County Election Administrator’s Ofce by mail or in person to the Ravalli County Election Administrator, Ravalli County, 215 S 4th St, Suite C, Hamilton, Montana 59840, during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), weekdays (exclusive of holidays), April 16, 2023 through May 2, 2023, or between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, May 2, 2023.

On Election Day, May 2, 2023, the only places for deposit of voted ballots will be the ofce of the Ravalli County Election Administrator, Ravalli County Administrative Building, 215 S 4th St, Suite C, Hamilton, Montana, which will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Ballots must be received by the County Election Ofce by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. All ballots will be tallied in the election room of the Ravalli County Election Administrator located in the Courthouse at 205 Bedford Street, in Hamilton, on May 2, 2023 in accordance with Montana law with the preliminary results, if known, expected to be released after 8:00 p.m. on that day.

A qualifed voter who will be absent from the District during the time the election is being conducted may:

(a) vote in person in the ofce of the Ravalli County Election Administrator as soon as the ballots are available and until noon on May 1, 2023; or

(b) make a written request prior to noon on May 1, 2023, signed by the applicant and addressed to the ofce of the Ravalli County Election Administrator, that the ballot be mailed to an address other than that which appears on the registration records. All ballots to be mailed will be mailed on April 14, 2023.

An elector may obtain a replacement ballot if their ballot is destroyed, spoiled, lost, or not received by the elector by personally appearing at the ofce of the Ravalli County Election Administrator and by:

(a) signing an afdavit form stating the reason for the request for replacement; and

(b) if the reason given for replacement is “spoiled ballot,” by returning the spoiled ballot to the ofce of the Ravalli County Election Administrator.

Ballots may be returned in person at the place of deposit listed above, or returned by mail. If returning by mail, please use the then-prevailing frst-class-postage price or one Forever Stamp. Postmark date does not apply; ballots returned by mail must be received by the 8:00 p.m. Election Day deadline to be counted.

Please note, all electors, as defned in MCA 20-20-301, are those who reside within the Elementary District and are registered to vote by the close of registration on April 3, 2023. For electors who miss the close of registration deadline, late registration is available through the ofce of the County Election Administrator until noon on May 1, 2023, and will resume on Election Day, May 2, 2023, from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. The following candidates are running for the Elementary/ High School District position of trustee on the Stevensville School Board for a three-year term.

Sean Lenahan

Ben Meyer Dan Mullan

The following candidates are running for the Elementary/ High School District position of trustee on the Stevensville School Board for a one-year term.

Stacy Kampka

Kristopher M McKoy William F. Schiele, Business Manager/Clerk Dated on April 7, 2023 BS 4-12-23.

Title 17 chapters and sections, provide for zoning administrator interpretation of proposed land uses not listed in allowed use tables; revise review criteria for Conditional Use Permits, Variances, and Special Use Permits; codify requirements for records of decision; clarify the role and recommendations of the Planning Board; revise Special Use Permit application procedures; revise development application requirements; revise and provide for common public notice requirements for land use public hearings; and provide processes for which parties may propose certain land use requests. Detailed information is available for review at HamiltonZoningUpdate.com.

The purpose of these public hearings is to consider and take public comment on the proposed zoning text amendments.

The Hamilton Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on this matter on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 5:30 PM at Hamilton City Hall, 223 South 2nd Street, 2nd Floor, Hamilton, MT.

The Hamilton City Council will hold public hearings on this matter on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 7:00 PM, and Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 7:00 PM, during its regular meetings at Hamilton City Hall, 223 South 2nd Street, 2nd Floor, Hamilton, MT.

The public may attend and make comment in person, or on the Internet / by phone through the conferencing platform Zoom. Detailed instructions are available at www.cityofhamilton.net, or by contacting mrud@cityofhamilton.net or cityclerk@cityofhamilton.net.

Comments prior to the Zoning Commission hearing may be submitted to the Planning Department at mrud@ cityofhamilton.net. Comments after the Zoning Commission hearing may be submitted to the City Clerk at cityclerk@ cityofhamilton.net. Comments for the Planning Department or City Clerk may also be mailed or delivered in person to 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840. Related materials are available at www. HamiltonZoningUpdate.com, www.cityofhamilton.net, or by contacting the Planning Department at (406)363-2101.

BS 4-12, 4-19-23.

Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County

In the Matter of the Name Change of Dawson V. Rice Thornton, Dawson V. Rice Thornton, Petitioner.

Cause No.: DV-23-48

Dept. 1

NOTICE OF HEARING

ON NAME CHANGE

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Dawson Vincent Rice Thornton to Dawson Vincent Rice.

The hearing will be on May 10, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.

DATED this 29th day of March, 2023.

Paige Trautwein

Clerk of Court

BY: Barbara Beavers

Deputy Clerk of Court BS 4-12, 4-19, 4-26, 5-3-23.

David T. Markette 601 S. First Street

P.O. Box 515 Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-1110

DavidM@mcpcattorneys. com

Attorney for Defendant

IN THE JUSTICE COURT OF RAVALLI COUNTY, STATE OF MONTANA

Tamara L. Valenzano, Plaintif

Vs. Pigman Commercial Rentals, LLS, Defendant Pigman Commercial Rentals, LLC, a Montana Corporation, Counter-Plaintif

Vs. Tamara L. Valenzano, Counter-Defendant. Cause No.: CV-2022-885

Dept. No. 2 NOTICE OF SALE

To be sold at public sale on the 22nd day of April, 2023 at 9:00 A.M., at 141 Belmont Avenue, Hamilton, MT 59840, the following: The contents of Unit 6 and Unit 9 of said storage facility.

This sale is to be to the highest bidders, to satisfy a judgment of $3,024.38, includ-

ing accrued interest as of April 3, 2023. Interest will continue to accrue at the regular rate of 10.75%.

DATED this 3rd day of April, 2023.

MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, P.C.

By: David T. Markette, Attorney for PCR, LLC

Certifcate of Service I, Loma Jane Glenn, Legal Assistant to David T. Markette of Markette & Chouinard, P.C. do hereby certify that I did on the 3rd day of April, 2023, cause a copy of NOTICE OF SALE to be served by placing a copy of the same in the U.S. Mail, postage afxed, to the following address: Tamara Valenzano 707 State Street Hamilton MT 59840 /s/ Loma Jane Glenn Legal Assistant to David T. Markette BS 4-12, 4-19-23.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Burnt Fork Commission will hold its frst meeting of the 2023 irrigation season on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 8:00 pm at the American Legion Hall, corner of Meyer Lane and Middle Burnt Fork Road, Stevensville. BS 4-19-23.

LEGAL NOTICE

The General Meeting for the Charlos Irrigation District will be held May 9th, 2023 at 7 pm at the Charlos Heights Community Church. BS 4-19, 4-26-23.

SUMMONS SUPERIOR COURT OF ARIZONA, COUNTY OF COCHISE Case Number: CV202200556 Person Filing: Anthony Ramsey 9319 180th St E. Puyallup, WA. 98375 (253) 227-7658 Representing Self Plaintif: Anthony Ramsey vs. Defendants: Sean Ackerman, Cochise County Treasurer, JOHN DOE I-X AND JANE DOE I-X, The unknown personal represen-

tatives, heirs and devisees of any of the above named Defendants, if deceased, THE STATE OF ARIZONA TO THE ABOVE NAMED PARTIES OF INTEREST: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to appear and defend, within the time applicable, in this action in this Court. If served in Arizona, you shall appear and defend within 20 days of service of you of the Summons and Complaint, excluding the day of service. If served outside of Arizona, you shall appear and defend within 30 days of service on you of the Summons and Complaint, excluding the day of service. Direct service is complete when made. Service by publication is complete 30 days after the frst publication. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that if you fail to appear and defend within the time applicable, judgment by default may be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. YOU ARE CAUTIONED that in order to appear and defend, you must fle an Answer or other proper response in writing with the Clerk of this Court, accompanied by the necessary fling fee, within the time required, and you must serve a copy of any Answer or response to the Plaintif. Requests for reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities must be made to the division assigned to the case by parties at least 3 working days in advance of a scheduled court proceeding.

SIGNED AND SEALED this

date: April 4, 2023 Clerk of Superior Court s/ Deputy Clerk BS 4-19, 4-26, 5-3-23.

AUDIT PUBLICATION

STATEMENT

An audit of the afairs of the Stevensville Public Schools, Stevensville, Montana, has been conducted by the frm of Denning, Downey & Associates, P.C. Certifed Public Accountants. The audit covered the fscal year ending June 30, 2022.

Section 2-7-521, MCA, requires that this publication concerning the audit report is on fle in its entirety and open to public inspection at Stevensville School District Business Ofce, 300 Park St. Stevensville, MT.

Sincerely, William F. Schiele

Business Manager/ Clerk BS 4-19-23.

Naomi J. Cheeney Cheeney Law, PLLC PO Box 212 Hamilton, MT 59840

Phone: (406) 363-9060

Attorney for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL