Bitterroot Star - April 6, 2022

Page 1

We sell

licenses

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID STEVENSVILLE MT PERMIT 89

OUTLET STORE

For all your ammunition & Hunting needs

• • 777-2822 • • 4039 HWY 93 N STEVENSVILLE

www.ammoandmorestore.com

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

’ ! l a c o L t e Best a

‘Th 37 29 VolumeXXXVII, XXXVII, Number 30 Volume XXXVII, Number 28 Volume Number 38 XXXVII, Number

Wednesday, March 30, 2022 Wednesday, February 9,2022 2022 Wednesday, January 26, Wednesday, February 2, Wednesday, April 6,

www.bitterrootstar.com

Eagles in winterHumane Groundbreaking held for medical Bitter Root Association County considering un-paving somecenter roads Three Mile Community Center open

celebrates new shelter, 50th anniversary speech, occupa-

by Victoria Howell

byMichael VictoriaHowell Howell by

shelter. After milling the roads, gravel will $140,000. levy,ofsoproperty this won’t have any funding and the fact that when money lion. Theabulk taxes (69%), tional and physical According impact on people’s be hauled in to supplement existing was flush, too much was spent onThe newparkBurrows additional said, goestherapy to the schools – It’sa been a long property taxes.getsservices At meeting on time Wednesday, to Colleen materials if necessary. Typically, for road construction and not enoughboard made while local government only including a therapy coming, but new Three Schmiedeke, In addition the loan,and the Bitterroot Health March 30, thethe Ravalli County Comthe first year, the Commissioners have reserved for future operation andthe decision about 20%. Of that 20%to the Road Mile is response up who serves on take out a cutDepartment project was paid for by the pool –only plus imaging missioners gotHowell an Center earful in authorized dust abatement materimaintenance. As a result, he said,to the Bridge gets 3.52%. held aCommunity groundbreakby Michael and the ribbon at last week’s and running. Located 4433 both theals park Mile Community Senior lab services. to the and BridgeatDepartment’s for the unpaved roads at county county now has more paved roadsloan to finish Burrows Three said that itand was plain the ceremony, said concerning thethat ing lastRoad Wednesday Sunnyside Cemetery Road, board and the the project. Center (the official name) proposal to grind up numerous roads expense. If resources become available than it can maintain. He said the amount of pavement in the system has Bishop said organization’s 50 years of service, “It An open house celebration was for new is medical theits center on theseason. east side community She they whichorraised over $80,000 during theweek coming According in the future, some of the roads could current 500 miles of paved road in thesaidwas to bestarted reduced the funding has to be they hope to have held last at the Bitter Root by a bunch of little old complex that will beTheChilcott, of Commissioner Lone Rock Park. build- center with through community picnics, to Greg mill- board, be proposed for paving. system, given the average lifespanworked of increased. As aand result, theyrun asked ladies in rummage 1972 it’s still by the a Humane Association’s (BRHA) anew the facility open ing contains a large meeting they started Farmers State sales, bingo built just north of ing machine for rent has been located Chilcott explained the proposal as the pavement at 20 years, requires a Road Department to assess the nights paved animal shelter located on Fairgrounds bunch of little old ladies.” room, a warming kitchen, a workingaon Bank to roadways keep and frompotencommuby spring of 2023, Stevensville in Idaho thatatisthe capable of un-paving necessary response to the decline in re-pavement of about 15 miles of deanddonations identify some Kathienity Butts, President of the Road in Hamilton. The event served state-of-the-art audio visual this ain 2012 their loan members. Other major and that they plan the selected sections of road in the federal funding for the road departcrepit road a year. The current budget tial sections of road for un-paving corner of Kootenai double According purpose. Ittoincluded a ribbon Board, said, “Thisdaily organization has system, and a gorgeous view and incorpopayments contributors were the Three county. Road and Bridge ment as Payment In Lieu of Taxes allows for about 5 to 7 miles per year based on average trips and other on continuing to Creek and Mountains of the Road Bitterroot toHorat, 2014. from the National Forest dereasonable. Mile Fireway District, Lone cutting ceremony in honor therated new in(PILT) come such a long sincethe it was Department Supervisor Johnof at best. factors. expand Hwy 93. including the west. She saidclined the and was eventually replaced by Those payRock 50 Park and theservices. Rapp started years ago. I feel aFamfacility, tours the whole the estimated cost of the of milling The current Road Levy, the amount Thatabout analysis and prioritization “We’re bringing the The building is now home total cost is ments come ily Foundation. John Bishop, building, and anBitarray of food and huge sense to honor operation, about $20,000 plus staff Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding of money dedicated to the Road and yielded a listofofresponsibility roads and sections of care to the patients, to the senior center and the approximateout of park Schmiedeke said there terroot CEO, have come beforeDrive, us and drinkisinHealth honorthe of the organization’s time, within current operating which then itself declined from about Bridge Department from local proper- those roads who that included Carlton N. ” Weekend Backpack Program ly $500,000. taxes that are were many volunteers who he said. budget forMarcus FY 2021/2022. Horat said $1.5 million in 2009 to $450,000 in ty taxes, does not produce the $4 milBarbara Drive, Court, Teepee make it as goodHelen as it can be as we set 50ththat birthday. said thatthe serves Rock School. When 2022. already being helpedDrive, on theMeadow project, and Hedgethat ideaLone ofhad un-paving was lion budget that it would be required Drive, Wickiup Vista, The private non-profi t roads organization the course for the nextLois 50 years.” Daly Hospital The surrounding park conSchmiedeke assessed, TMCSC received reduced not unique to RavalliinCounty. He said According to Commissioner Jeff to conduct a proper maintenance and Lower Woodchuck Road, Klements peth, chair of McCormack said that the was fi rst organized 1972. In 1984, tains soccer and baseball “got really prices from contractors.the The counties nationwide are considering Burrows,Three the current funding situation replacement schedule. The currentSchmiedeke Mile Community Senior Center board members, l to r, Colorganization conducted a successful Countess Margarite Bessenyey, the hospital board, fields, tennis and volleyball involved,” the is proud that general contractor donated laitgranddaughter for reasons of safety and economics. is a combination of this diminished Levy brings about $1.8 milleen Schmiedeke, Joyce Pando andRoad Wendy Audiss in in front of the fundraising campaign to fund the new ofpath, Marcus Daly, gave said this project courts, a walking a playgroup had they didn’t See ROADS, page 3 See the CENTER, page 3 new community center at Lone Rock Park. Photo by V. Howell. construction but then Covid-19 the BRHA on Fairgrounds Road ground andland a covered picnic raised Bitterroot about have to run has been four years Chamber of Commerce Director Al Mitchell holds the group spell-bound as Bitwith a 99-year lease. Six years later, pandemic hit and construction 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 John Bishop, pictured from left, leads a gathering people involved in the there were some celebrating the opening of the new animalfifth shelter in Hamilton. Photo by Michaelof Howell. had to take out a mortgage to finish the land to the organization where delays due to the Bitterroot project in a ceremonial groundbreaking. The facility on the property that hadHealth housedbuilding the Sue McCormack, who serves on the current shelter is located. The See SHELTER, page pandemic. She said2 theat organization’s of directors will be built on land located the corner ofboard Kootenai Creek Road and Hwy 93 new building replaces an old building shelter since 1984. their vision that just north of the Stevensville Junction. by Nathan Boddy cumstances, having She adds thatisthe by Nathan Boddy while deceptively calm, is ety of floating devices. Many tion is due to the river’s the Stevensville encountered people most important perhaps dangerous of them will have taken no popularity,way afacility fact which will Christine Staub, a driving falling victimthe to most mail to combat such will be more Darby, Victor and Corvallis, as well as been providing “quality, The Bitterroot River will commonly floated stretch of safety measures whatsoevundoubtedly continue to force at the Boxxe Shoppe at fraud in the past. Hamilton. abuse is for people of a “medical center” many ratherpeople than just a accessible, personalized soon. Drift water in Montana. er. Likewise, even now with increase astosoask 901 S.be 1stwaking Street,up was recently As a certified shipquestions clinic. She also said that Marcus Daly The new 12-acre campus will fordepot 90 years. boatswith and arafts are health behind Three frigid temperatures, few move into the valley. The presented Certificate of care” ping formonths FedEx,from now, and start conMurphy. Shethe led the Hospital, which is a critical access many vehicles, and popular the river’s level will have floaters enter the water with other is that the Bitterroot In recent the years, theyShoppe provide primary, care, urgent care and Appreciation by Mayor DomiBoxxe versation with those commissioners through stretches are already lined returned to more placid services. life jackets. River alengthy meandering river hospital, wasisrecently rated #4by inlove. the specialty Two physicians have nic Farrenkopf and Hamilton is legally justified to you know and have been taking steps to a fund fund by Victoria Howell me like a ton of Police Chief Stephen Snavely. open package which doesn’t by Staub the national rataccounting that, to sum already been hired, along with a nurse nation for quality invest in all theacommubricks.” In his presentation to the City bears its shipping know the details it up, shows the county, ing agency, out of 351 similar facilities. practitioner, and two more doctors Numerous Bald Eagles have been congregating in the Burnt area lately to feed onOverstreet carcasses. was Photos nities of Fork the Bitterroot, When it comes Council on March 15th, Chief label. After following of what potential overall, doing very well by Michael Victoria Howell are being recruited. There willby also be he said, with clinics in to Covid, Greg Howell. sent home from Snavely said that he wants the protocol, and doing victims are told, but on its tax collections and The Bitterroot Overstreet has a NaHamilton Police Department so in the presence of the hospital with she knows that over they showing revenues tional (BNF)School will The Cowboy Ball at the 50% Ravalli Countycoached message for you: to “become more vocal about a witness, Staub was an oxygen tank. are, “often TheForest Stevensville of projections in host a public meeting Fairgrounds will be held February is don’t fool around! able to uncover the He was home for to departments say12th. they This are shipDistrict in conjunction with the good things that happen most while this Wednesday, March the tenth annual event and the way it’s shaping unfortunate contents two or three days. ping legal theOverstreet, local American Legion willwithin the community.” Sharby Michael Howell expenses havepapers only or 30thafrom 6 to 8 p.m. ing his department’s experiof the package: nearlyDuring that time, paperwork.” Other up, it’s going to be an event worthy oftoa23% jubilee host school board candian attorney in amounted of to share information ence with Ms. Staub was one $16,000 in cash, common tactics for and former council member, the public at the next meeting Halfway through date forum on April 13, 2022 celebration. projections due in large private practice in his oxygen level by Victoria Howell regarding the developsuch opportunity. which the customer scammers include the budget year, the from 7 to 8 p.m. in the school part to job vacancies Rod Freeman is the chair of this year’s appears to be continuing when the council considers Stevensville, was went down to 51, ment of a draft forest(Building In early March, a customwas unwittingly send-from a normal of claiming county’s performance multi-purpose room have yetto torepbe filled. event. Freeman is also thethat chair of the Rodeo diagnosed with his efforts to teach the new the appointment of two addiClimbing Management At the second regular er came to the Boxxe Shoppe ing to a scammer in resent the IRS or in is looking pretty good, D). The Stevensville School One big savings was Committee, and the vice chair of the Fair Board, colon cancer in 99. “I jokingly say Plan (CMP). virtual counciltoand mayor how local Chicago, tional council meeting of theThe two-member intending send a package Illinois.members. Social Security according to Ravalli Districts have five candidates the budgeted funds which he’s been onby forNa12 years. A real estate for February of 2021. that 51 is brain Staub of the Boxxe Shoppe. Photo meeting will be held on should run. He “We’ll do our job, ” Christine said FedEx. County CFO Klarryse running for three seats on onvia government the Administration. county’s share Stevensville Town Council, agent for 18 years here in the Bitterroot, andin also He wentSee through damage material.” Zoom. below for than Boddy. Thewas customer Sometimes they a frequent commenter Gibson the Board oftown Trustees. Each January 27, clerk Jenelle in the Army for 21 years, his organizational and instructions and a link chemotherapy and But COVID-19 Seewill COUNTY, seemed con- meetings during tell theirpage 10 trustee seattold is athe three-year at council Joan Mell, an attorney with the profile of the Berthoud council to late join August the meeting. Five andfused fundraising skills, and discipline, haveone been put to in he seats was wasthe no joke.familiar “It and unOver victims that a loved has term of office. All are the last administration. In from Hamilton, wasgot recpotential victims, butuse wishes similar public meetings audience that she was having good as chair of the Cowboy Ball committee. told that the cancer so bad I felt course of her landed in jail, or that a prize for the combined Stevensville familiar with that others withinFreeman the commucomment, Crews told ognized for stepping in (virtual) were heldthe in meet- the public said the committee trouble streaming process, decade with has been won,hopes but a to feeraise needs had been eradicated. like I couldn’t High School and Stevensville nity would help her look out 2021. the council that those makto handle the prosecution $50,000 this year, for the expansion of the rodeo and Staub the Boxxe to be paid for release of the Overstreet had breathe, like I ings on the internet. She said Elementary School Districts. for their safety. At least one In addition to the became susShoppe, Staub funds. The scammers will ing public comment should caseload of Town Attorney bucking chutes. “They’re just getting old,” he said. surgery on October was being water The high school trustee seat the former YouTube of the potential victims she opportunity to learn chanpicious when haswhile now commonly use a getting legitimate “They need to be replaced. They’re banged representing the Lone Rock address the mayor, not the Greg Overstreet he was 23, 2021 for ostomy boarded, or what aided was a resident at a local nel they had was no longer about and participate in recovered address, buton will be ready to School District does not expireconsidering up.facility Bucking stock can be hard metal.” removal, theof fidevelopnal I imagine He also said, “This hospitalized, and then recov- water extended nursing and the process working but they had set up the audience. customapproximately grab the package fromactually a porch in this election cycle. The 10th annual cowboy ball – which in the boarding to had be to be provided with a ride notand a question and answer” ering, from Covid-19. ing a climbing plan, atreatment new Facebook page.this Hower’sisage $60,000Mell in or front door when it arrives. Candidates listed in alphastarted 11the years ago but couldn’t be held last year to the bank as well as to colon journey. like,” recalls week’scancer meeting “It’s public comment.” did the work at no charge particular cash, all of to “They always direct the ever, members ofwill thecovpublic the session. betical order Boxxe Shoppe. due to the pandemic – has been upgraded this The day afterare: that Overstreet. “This er the following agenda details of the which was victim to send it, ‘no signature The mayor had said previousthe town. “I just wanted to Billy who hadDonaldson tried to access the “It’s common sense to me,” year. topics: surgery, he was isfrauduwhen I realized transaction. being required,’” she adds. ly that he would be answering publicly thank Joan for helpThesays, Town of Stevensville recognized attorney Joan aMell, Stephanie Esch she pointing out that red Facebook page said it was not Unfortunate• Review overall “This is the first year we’ve ever done diagnosed with that I was not lently deThe Bank Secrecy Actfully Tony Hudson questions from the public. ing me and helping the town, ” flags abound when seniors are center, for filling in while town attorney Greg Overstreet objectives and desired accessible. Berthoud asked ly, it was not catered dinner,” said Freeman. Thebanks University COVID-19. taking Covid manded from of 1970 requires to Kris McCoy being scammed. “If a person Crews also said that they said Overstreet. outcomes ofas the public of Montana Catering Service will provide theof had Covid-19. Pictured with Mell are, l to r, Overstreet, for patience she worked “I was obviously seriously enough. Staub’s first senior citizen keep track of withdrawals Fran Schmitz is 80 years old, and all of a conversations should be prepared for some dinner. Desserts are provided by 4H members. time having members of $10,000 or more in order very weakened,” said through the issues. Mayor Steve Gibson, council members Cindy Brown and All candidates will be they’re coming into the The Boxxe Shoppe’s new location • Provide an update encountered See page 2 sudden “interesting comments” Greg talks about his recentfrom brush with death dueSTEVI, tothe commuOverstreet. “Itformer hit Jimthe Crews, mayor asked same questions byOverstreet bank to5withdraw $15,000, it Stacie Barker. by Victoria at 901 S. and 1st Street See COWBOY BALL page 4 See SURVIVING, page Typical braid logjamin onHamilton. the Bitterroot River. Photo Boddy. by Photo Michael Howell Howell. such cirnity. Staub is by Nathan Covid. Photo by Victoria Howell. See SCAMMERS, page 2 a moderator. Following makes my ‘spidy’ sense tingle.” See PLAN, page the 2 Photo by Nathan Boddy. forum, light refreshments will week the Ravalli County Commissioners with anglers. While the flows, and not long after Although it Last has no rapids, in a wooded valley, meaning apbe provided. proved adoption of a memorandum understandspringtime high water is still that, parades of sun seekers the river seems to claim at that spring floodofcan quickly The public is encouraged ing withyear. the Ravalli County DUI Task Force and a ways off, it bears mentionwill enjoy its warm waters in least one life every Part to attend this informational letter thethis commissioners statedInstituteProtection National 1987 Forest whitebark pine; MAPS Media to produce a video The designed by Michael Howell ing thatForest the Bitterroot River, aspen inner and tubes and a wide variof unfortunate distincSee Agency. RIVER, page 3 event. to help parents keep tabs on their children’s behavthat “Ravalli County objects contains recommendations manage timber to provide Plan. ior. impacts to concerning the Draft SEIS for forest products and jobs; and to unmitigated A new record of decision The deadlineHowell closed on if it would Victoria be possible The DUI Task approved of year, theForce facility tookButterfly. inthe justcreation under bybyVictoria Howell thewhen Gold Concerncounty owned/maintained was issued on December 17, retain old growth status in all on January 18, forHowell filing objec- to put envelopes by Victoria his property which would in effect with the highway, which is aastate addressed private land was Mischief$240,000 Room lastand May and the commissioners spent every penny. roads heavy theowner scopeand ofthe the analysis treatment to 2021 accompanied by a to Draft all the doors and Dominic Farrenshutthen off access Stevensville Riverunits. According highway, because nowfrom you’re goingequipment to on it. sold toproject aing new Fish, Wildlife signed off creation tions to theShinn, Draft SupplemenJasmin founder and There The are no paid involved employees; it’s an all-of kopf, activities director put valentine cards in The Stevensville Town Coun- SEIS thatPark, a 20-acre park on the east bank have release two accesses forlogging trucksatrucks, pulling and Parks got involved. once-pritheitems letter quotes the Bittera Forest Service press and mostly, provides a site-speset of easily accessible that hadThe secret hiding tal Environmental Statement volunteer organization. ButtoShinn said executive director of 1 Horse atwas Sapphire them. Farrenkopf cil split onLutheran whether to accept just toreally the north of the private piece ofthe boats, and you’vebut just come out to, of the vate piece now belongs thesome state compartments where someone could stash root Forest Plan’s Forest-wide not limited the impacts cific forest plan amendment about 90% of proposed (Draft SEIS) for the Gold A Time Horse it costs about $200 perfishing month toaim feed Gallatin County, which spans Bozthe state, arrivals werehour the driving overall, adding more than 18,000 Homes inDraft Hamilton, isRescue liked the idea.property. He askedCrews aAtsmall piece of park land near the contacted the county Stevi Wyenew at 45 miles per - there developed access drugs or hide aand small flask of just whiskey. The was to Willow Creek Road. Due tois abetween Management Wildlife Re-site. treatment areas are within an defining old-growth stan-surrounding Butterfly Project, a Bitterroot these “gentle giants.” Then there are facility in Corvallis, got a nice eman and many commudemographic force. people 2020 and 2021. asking the bridge, community students Stevensville an item that was at schools and negotiated the donation of the are going to be accidents there.” I think opportunity it’s [the piecetoon to provide parents“But a learning seethe the source Objective “Maintain designated for insect resource and financial limitadards. Some objections to securing thebeen area nities, has years Montana’s Flathead County, which also in- ways Several counties inland western boost lastForest week when she was veterinary bills, therapy, training, and to send his athat and daycares to make National project considered atresidents the March 24th council land on thefor west, potential Mayorand Steve Gibson said he didn’t west] still arural viable piece ofto for the various in which any young person can hide Last year lopes. sufficient old-growth habitat tions, Ravalli County would decision were received disease treatment because of the fastest-growing county, adding cludes Whitefish and Falls, Montana also posted little love this special envelopes presented with aValencheck for $7500 associated costs to eye-catching rehabilitate meeting. The land ownership willnew now river and access pending theoften outcome of see what use theenvelandColumbia is to the town. “Iother city tofrom have, whether or not you put their substance use casual inspections. includes nearly 13,000 acres lopes were so full they The project is now enough people to rank the Bozeman added 3,681 people between July 1, growth figures, adding hundreds of tine’s Day. decorate them for each revert to the county. The 1.52-acre the access dispute. only see a liability,” said Gibson. money into developing it,” said Motnot be able to accommodate on suitable timberland to by the January 18 deadline dense pockets of dead and dythese horses. When they’re fi nally ready from representatives of JCCS, an Glenda Wiles, Director of the DUI Task Force, of commercial and non-comhad toand be emptied moreaccording to really popular, and by Eric Dietrich micropolitan area (officially at “met2020 July 1,said 2021, residents and growing even in About four years resident. people piece, which is located adjacent tomostly the Then Council member Marilyn Wolff Michaelson he looked upwhat the for ley. “There are so many carsfaster out there, said she tells parents is, “If you don’t look, accounting fi rm with a branch adoption, most can be driven or support viable populations ing trees. They claim the area the necessary maintenance having to do with the mercial vegetative treatment than once. Bureau. That’s a 3.5% growing every year. Montana Free on Press ropolitan” status as of 2020) one of the Census percentage terms than Flathead and ago, a resident came could drop off valenBitterroot River the northwest side said she had a real problem with old minutes and found that the land I think it can be used for parking. But then younor don’t see.and If you don’t then you don’t ridden, some justsee, become “pasture located in Hamilton. Part of the logging of old growth, potenof old-growth dependent the iscities impacted by mountain pine during the project, within a 55,000was acre area ofto the the fastest-growing small in the growth rate. Ravalli counties: Mineral (Superior) to Farrenkopf to see tines to fill the enveof the bridge, offered Town this piece of land. “It’s where two was donated on the condition that looking long term, if you have propSee VALENTINES, page 10 selection for awarding that gift tial impacts to wildlife and to pets.” See DUI, page 10 rehabilitation of the road afterBroadwater species. ”(Townsend) The letter that Douglas-fir bark beetle, Bozeman may be Montana’s most nation. South of maintained Missoula, Ravalli County and at 6.5% forest inby theRavalli Sapphire Mounin 2017 County for use as a roads converge, the bankbeetle, is incrediit would be and utilized erty onAt the west side ofestablished thenotes river, then was online voting and according 1 Horse A Time was expensive major city, with the DrafttoSEIS limits the scope dwarf mistletoe and the is complete. Willow Creek Road.Iadded residents grew even faster purposes on aproject percentage basis, Ravalli each, and Sanders (Thompson Falls) potential river access site. the median blyGallatin steep… think 3,211 therenew are liability for western recreational within five you have access potentially consoltains eastbranch of Corvallis. by Shinn in 2018. She’s originally from to JCCS manager, single-family home price inAndrea Gallatin Bitterroot over the July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 at 3.6% year over year. With Ravalli’s and Lincoln (Libby) at 4.1% and 4.0%, of its environmental consespruce budworm damage. County objects to shifting National Forest During the tenure of former issues… It is the fastest part of the years. idate highway property into the Town The original proposal was Simmerman, 1 Horse At A Time Germany where sheI grew around County approaching $900,000 of period covered the newpart data,: for in general population roughly half board ofburden Flathead’s, respectively. mayor Jim Crews, the owner ofas land channel and theby deepest of the Vickie Motley, park memof Stevensville. thinkup It’s financial of the project quences analysis tosomething vegetation, officials have stated that the Although withdrawn in August of 2020 horses. She’s always been a horse fan, was one of the top four vote February, but population data rean annual increase of 2.7%. But, as the though, that meant fewer new people Those growth trends generally at the river on the northeast side project had channel. If you were to develop that ber, said that nothing had been done RDO Equipment Co. the pileated woodpecker and is designed to improve agreement with the proposed to Ravalli County and believe after Friends Bitterroot getters. she iswith especially passionate leased March 24the byoff theriver U.S.access Census COVID-19 shifted about 1,600. state tax filing dataabout preattempted to of shut on for fishing,pandemic I would also see amigration problem — because the access problem had been but align See STEVI, page 16 8571 Running W. Road pine marten. project, the Ravalli County it is contrary to current law forest resilience to natural Bureau indicates it has forfeited ancheckfor followed in the wake andThat Alliance the Wild patterns, the Kalispell region took Montana as a whole, in compari- draft horses. She and her husband, a existinggrowth agreements. ” “WePOPULATION, realize these old growth like fire, insects Commissioners Missoula, MT 59808 other title: fastest-growing urban disturbances area. Bozeman’s See page 12 military retiree, and their two children of a $25,000 gift claiming in November crown. As is the case across expressed son, posted 1.7% and population Rockies filed suit the species are listed in and disease; reduce sediconcern over impacts to Forest officials also received from Tractor Supply. relocated toindicator Montana and bought a 20406-549-4171 agency failed to use the best acre farm which Shinn said can support That sounds like a lot of the Forest Plan, but it is not county owned and maintained comments from Philip Strobel ment sources in the Willow available science in managing Presenting a check for $7500 from JCCS to Jasmin Shinn (second from left) of 1 Horse At RDOequipment.com money but, according to Shinn, Creek watershed; improve 20 horses. She currently roads, Willow Creek DirectorJCCS of the NEPAabout Branch clear whether there are other A Time Draft Horse Rescue were, l to r: especially Levi Clark, CPA, Andrea Simmerman, Branch elk habitat and didn’t comtaking care of draft horses is Office of the Regional Adminbull trout habitat; restore Road. Manager, and Will Ramsey, CPA. Also pictured is Tiny, the non-profit’s mascot and the ply with the definition of old an expensiveYproposition. Last CO.COM including meadows, RESCUE, page 65 See See GOLD, page •FREEbyESTIMATES INTime. THE BITTERROOT VALLEY• OURH OMEIMPROVEMENThabitat istrator In a At letter to the Forest first horse that was rescued 1 Horse A Photo by Victoria Howell. of the Environmental

Stevi Public Scammers thwarted, vigilance recognized Bitterroot River waking up County budget meeting school on track on BNF board Cowboy Ball Halfway Climbing candidate through fiscal scheduled year, county Plan forum budget

Surviving COVID Hearts full love Stevi toofrevisit

refinancing bonds looking good

DUI Task Force, MAPS to partner on special video

Gold Butterfly project draws some objections

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

Western Montana sees population boom Kalispell state’s fastest growing urban area

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

growth found in the Bitterroot

YOURHOMEIMPROVEMENTCO.COM

SOUTHGATE MALL SOUTHGATE MALL •FREE ESTIMATES IN THE BITTERROOT VALLEY•

493-0051 493-0051


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.