Bitterroot Star - May 1, 2024

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and cultural assets.”

Gorski said the efforts on Fort Owen have been truly a group project. “It’s a partnership between citizens of the community and the state organization that managed this place,” stated Gorski. To her, “Stevensville and Ravalli County are important historic resources for the state,” and the location is a powerful “tourism asset and site for historic education.”

According to Gorski, and the state park website, Fort Owen was an outpost established in the early 1850s by John Owen and his Shoshone wife, Nancy. The land was purchased from the Catholic mission that was estab -

to turn away from the project due to lack of funding. They started the nonprofit, Friends of Fort Owen, to help. The organization fundraises, applies for grants and hosts presentations, all to promote and help preserve Fort Owen State Park. They also built, and maintain, the website for the park. When the group started, there was only one parking spot and limited access to it as the park is located on private property. Around the same time, the property came under new ownership, and the new owner was much more interested in helping preserve and promote the site. Myra Yahraus, the owner, worked with

both the state parks and the Friends of Fort Owen to preserve the park. Through everyone’s efforts, the park has slowly been preserved and opened to the public. A big piece to this was a $500,000 grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, secured by Montana State Parks Foundation, for improvements to the site in 2020. The grant was among several others earned by the Friends of Fort Owen, all of which allowed significant improvement of the site.

One of these grants was a $30,000 Rapp Family Foundation grant, along with $30,000 match from a fundraising campaign, for roof replacement of the main building. Another was a $5,000 CARES Act grant to update a previous Assessment and Preservation Plan, with $5,000

lished in the 1840s. The fort was never a military installation, and acted more as a trading post until operations ceased by the 1870s.

The site has the honor of being Montana’s first written conveyance of property, and one of the state’s earliest settlements. After changing hands several times, it ended up in the management of the Montana State Parks program. However, the park system, in Gorski’s words, was, and still is, “woefully underfunded to preserve and manage historic sites in Montana.”

This is why, said Gorski, “it is important for individual groups to step up and help.”

This is what she, and several other community members did in 2018. They didn’t want the state parks program

match. This allowed the site access to a preservation specialist to address and prioritize repair needs. These are just a few of many grants and funds raised in partnership to improve the site for tourism and the preservation of Montana history. Gorski described the Friends of Fort Owen as a “small but mighty group,” impressed with what they have been able to do.

Since these projects, the park now has a new and much larger parking lot, numerous interpretive signs and installations, a decorative tipi out front to draw public eyes and more. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will be holding a grand opening in early June to show off the new additions. The Friends of Fort Owen organization has an annual upcoming work day, on May 23, “for anyone who wants to join in and help us buff up the fort for the summer season,” said Gorski. All participants attending that work day will need work clothes, gloves and hats. Lunch and water will be provided.

For more information on the organization, their efforts and Fort Owen State Park, interested parties can visit friendsoffortowen.org.

With the summer recreation season fast approaching, local volunteers with the SelwayPintler Wilderness Back Country Horsemen (SPWBCH) have put together a schedule trail work to support recreation users of all kinds this summer. In support of the Bitterroot National Forest, the SWPBCH works throughout the summer to clear trails from downed logs, brush, and other obstacles to ensure recreationists have access to the wonderful backcountry our valley has to offer. From May through August, trained volunteers will ride horses and mules (or hike) to destinations leading stock animals that are supplied with trail clearing tools and equipment to accomplish this work.

The list of trails that SPWBCH are scheduled to work on includes: Sawtooth and South Fork of Lost Horse in Hamilton, Blue Joint, Jack the Ripper, Sheephead, and Watchtower off of the West Fork Road, and South Fork of Bear Creek in Victor. To read more about each of these trails, visit the Bitterroot National Forest’s interactive recreation map using the “Find An Area” link at www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/bitterroot

To learn how you can support upcoming summer trail projects for 2024, please join us for “trail talk” and refreshments at the SPWBCH monthly meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hamilton Forest Service Building located at 1801 N. 1st Street, Hamilton, MT. Entry is at the back of the building. For additional information, contact Kathy Hundley at 406-363-8230, visit our website at bchmt.org/spwbch, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Pictured are Board Members, left to right, Margaret Gorski, Lorraine Roach, Sue Kardaras, Chris Weatherly. Board Members not pictured include Ruth Baker and Elizabeth Sperry. Photo courtesy Friends of Fort Owen.

The man in the black hat – Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton

by Kristin Kruse

Steve Holton, Ravalli County Sheriff and Coroner, wears a black hat. Although a black hat is sometimes associated with the ‘bad’ guys, Holton considers himself one of the good guys.

“I never aspired to be sheriff, it just kind of happened,” said Holton in a recent interview with the Bitterroot Star. Originally from the small ranching town of Dell, Holton moved to Hamilton with his family in 1990. His mother was a teacher at Hamilton’s elementary school, and his father a worker at the stockyards in Missoula. Holton graduated from Hamilton High School in 1994 and decided to pursue a career in auto collision repair and refinishing, and moved to Laramie, Wyoming to attend school at Wyoming Technical Institute. Once finished with school, Holton returned to Hamilton and worked out of an auto garage and also did some cabinet making.

He and his wife Michelle were married in 1995 and got busy starting a family. His path into law enforcement began when a friend of his from high school joined the Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy, and Holton decided to give it a go. In 1996 he was sworn in as a reserve deputy, which at the time was a full-time commitment.

Between his reserve position and his regular full-time job, Holton was working 80 plus hours a week. With two young kids at home, and never seeing her husband, Michelle pushed him to apply for a paid position, which he did and in 1999 became a full-time deputy.

“I really wanted to become a sergeant, and hoped to accomplish that in five or so years,” recalls Holton. “I didn’t ever want to be sheriff.”

As his career evolved, he found himself in a variety of positions, including Field Training Officer, Patrol Sergeant, and Patrol Supervisor which, according to Holton, was his favorite job. At one point he injured his ankle and was put on light duty and assigned to work as a detective, which he really enjoyed. In addition to his current workload, Holton is also the Deputy Reserve Coordinator,

Search and Rescue Coordinator, and has been the county’s Crisis Negotiator for several years.

In 2013, his career path changed dramatically when he was appointed Undersheriff, working under Sheriff Chris Hoffman. Hoffman then retired from his position halfway through his term, and Holton was appointed to finish the term. He then ran for Sheriff the next term, and his position as Sheriff was cemented. He plans on running again in 2027.

Holton appointed Jesse Jessop as Undersheriff in 2020. Jessop and Holton are the same age, graduated from high school the same year, grew up in the same area, and had mutual friends, but they had never met. When they did finally meet, Holton said right away, “We are going to be

friends,” and they are.

“We are a great team, we think the same and really compliment each other,” said the Sheriff.

Holton said he has some professional goals that he hopes to achieve.

“I would like to add both deputy and detention officer positions, and build a fully staffed 911 department by making it an attractive career. I’d like to see the department grow to meet the growth of the community. We also are looking to embrace technology.”

On a more personal side of things, Holton’s wife of 29 years, Michelle, owns and operates Hamilton’s wellloved Back Door Deli, which keeps her very busy, according to Holton. The couple have four grown children, Samantha, Jordan, Stephanie and

Delanie, and four grandchildren. As a family they enjoy camping and four-wheeling all over western Montana and eastern Idaho.

When asked how he would describe himself, Sheriff Holton laughed and said, “I’m tired. Actually, what’s more important to me is how my staff sees me.”

When asked to share something that most people do not know about him, Holton stated, “I am an avid reader. I like American and Western history mostly.” He is also a leatherworker, which is something he enjoys when there is a rare moment with nothing going on. “It is a great way for me to unwind and stop thinking about work,” said Holton. He enjoys making belts and wallets and someday hopes to make a saddle.

RUSK is the RIGHT choice for Senate District 44!

• Commissioner and Sheriff Chris Hoffman 2003-2020

• Sheriff Steve Holton 2018-present

• Sen. Fred Thomas 1985-2019

• Commissioner Ray Hawk 2003-2009

• Sen. Bob Lake 2009-2013

• Sen. Rick Laible 2001-2009

• Rep. Ron Stoker 2003-2009

• Rep. Gary MacLaren 2005-2011

• Rep. Ed Greef 2011-2017

• Rep. Sharon Greef 2019-2022

• Rep. Nancy Ballance 2013-2019

• Rep. Dave Bedey 2019-present

Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton. Photo by Kristin Kruse.

Bitterroot College thriving

For more than a dozen years, it has been a distinct privilege to serve the citizens of Ravalli County with educational programming through Bitterroot College and the University of Montana. Bitterroot College is part of the Montana University System (MUS) two-year college system and delivers the comprehensive twoyear college mission which includes transfer education, career technical education, developmental and adult basic education, lifelong learning, and community development (https:// mus.edu/2yr/2-yearMission.pdf).

Bitterroot College is uniquely positioned to meet the education and workforce needs of our valley. It is a college that has the flexibility to respond to the opportunities and challenges that are specific to Hamilton, Stevensville, Corvallis, and other Bitterroot Valley communities. But it also has the financial backing of the Montana University System, which ensures Bitterroot Valley students have access to the highest quality educational resources our state provides.

Under the leadership of Director Kristina Berger, the University of Montana has built an expansive portfolio of programs at Bitterroot College supporting transfer education and innovations such as moving away from the developmental education model in implementing the nationally recognized corequisite model for mathematics and writing and using multiple learning modalities including in-person classes, hyflex, and online course. We have worked closely with industry partners, such as Bitterroot Health, in crafting workforce education programs to improve the economic mobility of Ravalli citizens and their ability to access livable-wage careers, while filling an important niche in the workforce through career and professional technical education. We have helped individuals access high-wage jobs as truck drivers through an innovative commercial driver’s license (CDL) education program that combines online learning (written test) and on-the-road training to help individuals enter the workforce more quickly. The Job Site Ready (JSR) program trains individuals for entry-level construction jobs using short-term education programs and multi-day boot camps. These programs provide examples of Bitterroot College training programs that address local workforce needs and provide rapid training to help individuals access high-demand careers. These programs are employer-driven, based on market data that lead to livable wage

careers.

The Bitterroot College Employer Advisory Committee works closely with the college in identifying needs and developing workforce training programs that serve the local community. Bitterroot College has offered community development education programs in the past, but currently, funding for these programs is distributed among local k-12 school districts in Ravalli County. Each school district utilizes the funding to offer community education programs for local communities.

Bitterroot College is not a community college, rather it is a unit of the University of Montana. Community colleges have a different funding mechanism than other Montana twoyear colleges. Bitterroot College will receive no revenue from the BVCC district levy on the upcoming ballot. This distinction created confusion during past efforts and I want to clarify that the University of Montana intends to continue operations in the Bitterroot, regardless of the BVCC district ballot initiative. We will also be supportive partners if Valley residents choose to support a new community college for the State.

While Bitterroot College leaders are not taking a position on the upcoming levy, it is important that our citizens in the valley understand the facts at hand. Most importantly, Bitterroot College is succeeding like never before, and it will continue to succeed regardless of the levy outcome.

Dr. Tom Gallagher, Associate Vice Provost, Two-year Education & Workforce Development at The University of Montana

$1,000 SCHOLARSHIP

Clarification on school elections

by John Dowd

Four of the seven school districts in the valley will hold school board elections. Ballots were mailed out on April 19 and are due back by May 7 at the latest. Corvallis, Darby and Florence-Carlton will not be holding school board elections, as all the open positions are being filled by incumbents, with no challengers.

Stevensville and Lone Rock school districts submitted the following clarifications to school trustee election information that was published last week. According to staff at both districts, there may be some confusion regarding the process of voting on some of the candidates.

In Stevensville, there are four candidates running for two board positions. Each open position is for a three-year term. Candidates are Nathan Bean, Mandy Conrad, Anne Marie (Gurney) Overstreet and Frances “Frannie” Schmitz.

In addition, candidates Janet Depee, Jennifer Gunterman and Ryan Gilbert are running to represent Lone Rock on the Stevensville School Board. This individual only votes on decisions that affect the high school. In this case, Gilbert is a declared write-in candidate for this position. The position exists because Lone Rock has no high school, and the Stevensville High School District encompasses both the Stevensville and Lone Rock Elementary Districts.

No school districts are running levies during this election cycle.

However, Corvallis and Darby voters will still receive a ballot to vote on the Bitterroot Valley Community College levy issue. Florence-Carlton is not within the college district. Hamilton, Lone Rock, Stevensville and Victor will be holding school board elections and those ballots will also include the community college levy election.

es Standish, and George Armstong Custer, but I don’t know what he stands for other than wanting to make sure his hobby of trapping is enshrined and protected by amending the Constitution (a right that is already assured in our State Constitution, by the way). Having a third Republican and a phony Democrat in the primary is a desperate move on Manzella’s part to split the vote because, in my opinion, she can’t win on her merits (if she has any). It is very clear what she is against, but, based on her track record, I’m hard pressed to find evidence about what she is actually for.

What I do know is, if she wins the primary and the general election, she won’t be representing me. Her record strongly suggests that she has little interest in representing all the residents of her district, working on solving problems that make everyone’s lives’ better or protecting the Montana that we love.

Governing is not campaigning. Governing is not bullying those with whom you disagree. Governing means understanding the issues in the district and across the State and being thoughtful about the long-term consequences of the legislation one sponsors or helps to enact. It shouldn’t be about winning one for the Party, furthering one’s own agenda, or punishing those with whom you disagree.

Please, when you vote in the upcoming Primary, vote for the candidate who will listen to and represent all the residents in their district and make a difference for all Montanans. Republicans continually remind everyone that we don’t have a Democracy, but that we have a Representative Republic. If you want to be fairly represented, study and evaluate the candidates and vote accordingly. How well you are represented in Helena depends on it.

Margaret Gorski Stevensville

Support for Sheehy

One of the perils of politics is that when someone votes 90+ percent for the party, it is difficult to do the right thing. Especially the right thing for Montana. Not one peep escaped Sen. Tester’s mouth about yet another ill-conceived dictatorial Biden mandate. Tester may be a Montanan, but his values are exactly the same as Biden’s.

Last year, 84 percent of all cars/ trucks sold in this country were powered by internal combustion engines. Meaning gasoline, diesel, etc.

Biden’s newest folly places Montana residents, ranchers, hunters, boaters, floaters and anyone who tows anything in a serious world of hurt.

Biden dictates that by 2027 the government will restrict internal combustion vehicles to 64 percent of total sold. Worse yet, in eight years, the cap will be 29 percent!! Electric vehicles harm the environment and roads. They’re expensive. Gas taxes drop. EV do not perform well in cold weather. They’re not for rural communities/states. Without massive subsidies (your tax dollars) EV would not be a reality. The list of EV negatives

continues to grow. Where is Tester’s voice on this matter? Tester does not represent me in much of what he says or how he votes. By voting for Tim Sheehy this fall, you will retire Tester to his farm. Tim Sheehy does not approve of stupid Biden/Tester policies. Neither do I. Jim Kalkofen Stevensville

Shiny objects

Tim Sheehy, Ryan Zinke AND Giantfortune are just shiny objects; attractive to Ravens, Magpies, Pack Rats and Birchers.

Character matters. Vote for Montanans. Not carpetbagger shiny objects!

John Grant Hamilton

Support for Tranel

As a long-time resident of Ricketts Road near Hamilton, I was delighted to read that $1 million in federal funding has been earmarked to repair this cracked and pothole-strewn stretch of asphalt.

I was a little confused, however, by our Ravalli County Commissioners’ shameless praise heaped upon Rep. Ryan Zinke who was in town to deliver the supersized cardboard check symbolic of the funds.

Commissioner Greg Chilcott gushed, “Many thanks to Congressman Zinke for bringing these requests full circle. Our county is a great place to live, and we appreciate Congressman Zinke for helping us keep it that way.”

But wait, I thought, where did the funds come from necessary to keep that gigantic check from bouncing?

Unfortunately, the article was missing that detail.

The news story did briefly describe Zinke’s involvement.

Ravalli County made the request through the U.S. House of Representatives Community Project Funding policy, and the funding was approved by the House Appropriations Committee on which Zinke sits.

Now, as a fairly voracious consumer of news, I suspected this funding was part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act approved in Nov. 2021 by the House and Senate and signed into law by President Biden.

Easy to confirm, I told myself, if I contact Zinke’s office and ask.

I called Zinke’s Missoula office. No answer. Just a voicemail message. Called the Bozeman office. Ditto. Of course, his Washington, D.C., office will be staffed, I thought. Same story. I left a message requesting clarification. A week later, no response. Multiple calls. Multiple days. No joy.

So, from here on, I will proceed under the assumption that the $1 million are part of the $1.2 trillion funding package I referenced earlier. If I am in error, I apologize in advance. But I doubt I am.

Zinke is distributing federal funds he had no hand in passing. Remember, the infrastructure act was signed into law on Nov. 15, 2021. Zinke didn’t vote against

this vital legislation any more than he voted for it. Zinke wasn’t in the House of Representatives when the vote happened. In 2017, then-President Trump appointed Zinke as U.S. Secretary of the Interior until 2019 when he was forced out of that job for numerous scandals. That is notable indeed, getting fired for bad behavior by Trump, the prince of bad behavior. Zinke won re-election to the House in 2022, barely beating Democratic challenger Monica Tranel.

Would Zinke have voted for the infrastructure act if he had been in the legislature? We will never know, but Montana’s other GOP lawmakers in Washington, Steve Daines and Matt Rosendale, voted no. Only Democrat Jon Tester voted in favor of the bill.

It’s telling that of the 213 GOP members in the House in 2021, 200 voted no (clerk.house.gov).

Zinke’s involvement in the $1 million for the Ricketts Road project so praised by our commissioners consists of rubber-stamping the county request and delivering a cartoonishly oversized check.

When drivers are enjoying the new pavement on Ricketts Road, they need to thank Democrats for the smooth ride, certainly not Zinke.

Please vote for Monica Tranel in November. We all deserve a smooth ride in more ways than on a newly paved road. Wayne Adair Hamilton

Weeds!

You can PULL ‘em, And then CULL ‘em. You can SPRAY ‘em, Which will SLAY ‘em. You can MOW ‘em, Or you can HOE ‘em!

Just PLEASE, PLEASE, Do what will SLOW ‘em! Jane Lambert Stevensville

Former Ravalli County Weed Board member

Support for Rusk

Wayne Rusk is a candidate I wish each of you knew personally. I am proud to call him a friend after knowing him for several years.

Wayne is representing us now in the Montana Legislature, in House District 88. He proved himself to be a solid conservative this past session and took tough votes that he knew people could question but took them because it was the right thing to do. Looking at a yes or no vote does not tell the whole story. He is happy to answer any questions on the votes he took.

Wayne is running for Senate District 44 and so will still be representing us here in Florence and Stevensville plus the House District south of Stevensville. I just read a letter by Matthew Sullivan in the 4/17 Star. In it he states that Rusk is running to ‘get back at’ Manzella. First of all, with all of the things a candidate

for office goes through, I have NEVER heard Mr. Rusk give any indication he is undertaking this huge task to ‘get back’ at anyone! Wayne is a very principled man who has worked diligently to serve the people of Florence, Stevensville and the State of Montana and Wayne has found common ground where others weren’t even looking and he has done so without compromising his core principles.

Wayne, and his family, are sacrificing a lot to enter this race because he believes the people deserve a choice. We can vote for the incumbent who represents the John Birch Society and who sadly chooses to use every negative trick and untruth in the book to win an election or we can vote for Wayne Rusk. A true conservative, whose optimism and hard work have earned him great respect with his fellow legislators.

As a former legislator here in the valley, I am very proud to endorse Wayne Rusk for SD44.

RUSK or Manzella… pretty darned easy choice!

Sharon Greef Florence

Support for Rusk

I am writing this letter in support of Wayne Rusk and his candidacy for Senate District 44. I had the honor of working with Wayne during the 2023, 68th Legislative Session and was pleased to find him as a thoughtful and honest legislator. It was my observation that he was very respectful of his constituency and wanted to do what was best for Montana.

I have advocated for military and Montana Veteran issues at the state legislature for over 40 years. While Wayne never served, he had a solid commitment to understand our issues, ask probing questions, and make his decisions based on the facts. I was pleased to discover that Wayne Rusk, without fail, was a solid supporter of our Montana Veterans and our National Guard.

I am a 38-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force/Montana National Guard and a former State Representative who has worked with legislators to encourage their understanding and support of the needs of our veterans. The 2023 Session was a particularly brisk session for our veteran and military issues. I tracked dozens of bills in committee and assessed the vote of multiple legislators. In the 33 bills that I used as my measuring stick, I am pleased to report that your Representative, Wayne Rusk, was 100% in voting for our Montana Veterans and military members.

It is because of his solid record with our veterans and National Guard members, I ask you to support the election of Wayne Rusk Senate District 44. Roger Hagan Great Falls

Montanans for Life

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

A Course of Love study

group

Fridays 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Center for Spiritual Life, Hamilton Call: 406-381-6480

Florence American Legion

Florence American Legion Post

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

Yoga for Veterans

FREE to veterans, first responders, and their families! Tuesdays, 1-2pm at the American Legion Post 94 in Stevensville Register at: redwillowlearning.org OR call 406-530-7175. Come see us on 1st Friday in May ‘bout 1800 for more info! We’ll be in front of Active Care Wellness on Main in Stevensville.

MS Support Group

Bitterroot MS Support Group meets every 3rd Thursday of the month in the Gallery room at the Coffee Cup Cafe in Hamilton, 500 S 1st Street, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Have a slice of pie, dinner, or just come to chat with others about living with Multiple Sclerosis. This is a positive and uplifting group that holds open discussions, and the occasional guest speaker. Find more information at www.nationalmssociety.org or contact Jackie Peterson, (970)518-293, jackierpeterson@gmail. com

North County Democrats

The North County Democrats will not be meeting on Thursday evenings again until fall. Feel free to stop by their booth on Saturdays beginning May 4th in Hamilton at the Farmers Market (in American Legion Park), 2nd and Bedford Street. Check out website and newsletter at RavDems.com

Bitterroot Celtic Society

The Bitterroot Celtic Society meets every 3rd Thursday at 6 p.m. at BJ’s restaurant in Hamilton. The Bitterroot Celtic Society is a passionate group of volunteers, dedicated to keeping the Celtic culture, heritage, and history alive in the Bitterroot Valley. Their biggest event is the Bitterroot Celtic Games and Gathering, held every third weekend in August at the Historic Daly Mansion. They also host a Burns’ Night supper, St. Andrew’s, St. Patrick’s, and Tartan day events. The BCS is a non-profit organization. The public, new members, and the curious are always welcome to attend. For any time changes or additional committee meeting info, follow their Facebook page for updates.

NV Library events

Fiber Arts Club—Thur. May 2 at 12pm

Do you enjoy knitting or crocheting, embroidery, hand sewing, or quilting?

Bring your work-in-progress, problem piece, or brand-new pattern and enjoy the company of like-minded crafters

during this informal Fiber Arts Club. All experience levels welcome. Club is held the first Thursday of every month from 121:30pm in the Community Room.

Free Range Arts & Crafts for Adults

---Thur. May 2 at 6pm

The craft vault is open and everything from needle felting to clay sculpting awaits. Enjoy a coloring book, practice with pastels, or bring your own project to finally finish, it’s up to you. Spring Soiree Fundraiser – Sat. May 4 at 5:30pm

An evening of hors d’oeuvres, drinks, raffle, and discussion with Montana authors to benefit North Valley Public Library. Held at the Old Feed Mill Community Room. Tickets required and can be purchased ($25 each) at the Library.

Accordion Club

May 12th, Mother’s Day

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

Pachyderm Club

The Bitterroot North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, May 3, at 12 noon at the Frontier Cafe, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be State Senator Theresa Manzella, SD44. The Bitterroot North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.

Trekker Kids programs

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

May 4: Gift of the Bitterroot/flower art and Indigenous culture May 18: Raptors of the Rockies/ meet real raptors For more information, contact Travelers’ Rest State Park (6717 Hwy 12, Lolo) at 406-273–4253 or visit travelersrest.org under the events page.

Stevensville Garden Club

Stevensville Garden Club’s monthly meeting will be Wednesday, May 1, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 184 Pine Hollow Rd. Missoula County Plant Clinic Coordinator Sandy Perrin will share “Dirty Secrets: Unearth the Art of Soil Testing and Building.” Have you had problems with your garden not growing well? Need to test your soil to figure out what’s going on? Sandy Perrin with Missoula County Extension will give you the soil testing information to help you succeed this year. Common soil amendments will be analyzed for their nutrient components. If you have any plants or questions on something that is bugging you – bring them. A picture or leaf sample is helpful.

National Day of Prayer (Hamilton)

Thursday, May 2nd, 12:00-1:00 pm, Cornerstone Bible Church, 280 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, (406) 3635075. Everyone is invited to join the Ravalli County Ministerial Association for prayer concerning our national and local governments, schools, families and marriages.

National Day of Prayer (Lone Rock)

The National Day of Prayer will be Thursday, May 2nd from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lone Rock Bible Church, 1142 Three Mile Creek Road, Stevensville. Opening with inspirational and patriotic music featuring Linda Lanier. Come join our nation for a time of prayer.

Dances of Universal Peace

The Dances of Universal Peace are simple, meditative circle dances. They use sacred phrases, chants, music and movements from many of the world’s wisdom traditions. The Dances have no performers or audience - new arrivals and experienced dancers form a circle and create the experience together. The leader teaches the words, melody and movement before each Dance. No musical or dance experience is necessary, and everyone is welcome to join in! Kids and donations welcome!

SUNDAY, MAY 5, 4-6 pm at open ended expressive arts center, 201 Daly Avenue, Hamilton. Please call Star for more info, 406-546-5344.

Hamilton school board

Negotiation Committee Meeting

Tuesday – May 7, 2024

11:00 p.m. – District Office Conference Room

The Committee will be meeting with the Montana Federation of Public Employees - #4533 Employee Union

The Committee will be conducting this meeting with live participation Governance Committee Meeting

Thursday – May 9, 2024

12:00 p.m. – District Office Conference Room

The Committee will be conducting this meeting with live participation.

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday – May 14, 2024

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

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

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

Governance Committee Meeting

Thursday – June 6, 2024

12:00 p.m. – District Office Conference Room

The Committee will be conducting this meeting with live participation.

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday –June 11, 2024

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

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

You are encouraged to join the meeting

Your Future Begins Here ~ Join the Lucky Friday Team!

We are currently accepting applications for Diesel Mechanic

at:https://www.youtube.com/@HSD3Boardmtg

Lone Rock Park Board

The Lone Rock Park Board will meet Wednesday, May 8th at 7:30 p.m. at Three Mile Community Center, 4433 Sunnyside Cemetery Road. Public welcome.

Wings Pint Night benefit

A Pint Night Fundraiser will be held Saturday, May 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Fin’s Tap House in Corvallis to benefit the Wings Programs Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, located in Corvallis.

Wings serves the local community by being a safety net for equines in the Bitterroot Valley, especially senior owners with senior horses and donkeys. Fin’s will donate a portion of every pint sold to Wings. There will also be some silent auction items, Wings merchandise for sale, and a 50/50 raffle which gives you a chance to win half the total of ticket sales. The other half will be donated to Wings. Come enjoy a pint and some great food, and support a local rescue.

Calf Creek WMA opening date

Calf Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the Bitterroot Valley, just east of Hamilton, has a new opening date of May 15 at noon this year. This is the same seasonal opening day and time as many WMAs around the state.

In past years, the WMA opened on April 15, but elk have consistently been using the WMA later into the spring.

Calf Creek WMA is important winter range for elk, so moving the opener a month later helps reduce stress to the elk and gives them time to move off the WMA and into other areas.

The WMA is open to non-motorized access only from May 15-Dec.1 each year.

Rummage sale

The Florence Carlton Community Church will hold its annual rummage sale on Thursday and Friday, May 16 and 17, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations gladly accepted May 13-15. Please, no TVs or electronics. The church is located at 20075 OLD Highway 93, halfway between Lolo and Florence. For more information call Dace, 406-240-6601.

Memorial Day Dinner

A Memorial Day Dinner and 67th Annual Service will be held May 27 at

Florence Carlton Community Church fellowship hall. Come and honor our military. A flag raising ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. (indoor). Dinner will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Menu will include turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables, rolls and homemade pie. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for under 12 years old. All proceeds go toward local needs and church missions.

Memorial Day activities American Legion Ravalli Post 47 is asking for help in honoring our veterans on Memorial Day. Start your Memorial Day weekend by helping to place white wooden crosses and American Flags on veteran gravesites at Riverview Cemetery on Saturday, May 25th at 9 a.m. rain or shine; water and snacks provided (hosted by the American Legion Ravalli Post 47). The crosses and flags will be collected on Saturday, June 1st at 8 a.m. On Monday, come support Color

Your Future Begins Here – Join the Lucky Friday Team! We are currently accepting applications for Diesel Mechanic Ravalli County Public Health is providing bicycle helmets & skateboarding helmets!

JOB DUTIES include: performing routine and non-routine maintenance activities; perform hour-based service on mobile equipment. Troubleshoot, repair and maintain all of the site’s mobile equipment used in an underground and surface mining environment. Equipment includes (but is not limited to), drills, bolters, haul trucks, graders, dozers, tractors, light vehicles, forklifts etc.

QUALIFICATIONS include:

High School graduate or equivalent.

Associates Degree or Certificate in Automotive or Diesel Technology preferred.

Previous heavy equipment maintenance experience preferred

Previous experience in an underground hardrock mine setting preferred but not mandatory

ABOUT HECLA MINING COMPANY AND THE LUCKY FRIDAY MINE

Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) produces more than 40 percent of all silver in the United States with operating mines in Alaska (Greens Creek), Idaho (Lucky Friday), and Quebec, Canada (Casa Berardi) the Company owns a number of exploration properties and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America.

QUALIFICATIONS include: High School graduate or equivalent.

Supplies are limited, so come to the public health office today located at 205 Bedford, Suite-L in Hamilton or call (406) 375-6672 for more information.

light vehicles,

Because we CARE about our community!

Associates Degree or Certificate in Automotive or Diesel Technology preferred.

Established in 1891, Hecla is headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and has a sister office in Vancouver, B.C. The Company’s common stock has been traded on the New York Stock Exchange for over 50 years.

Previous heavy equipment maintenance experience Previous experience in an underground hardrock mine setting preferred but not mandatory ABOUT HECLA MINING COMPANY AND THE LUCKY FRIDAY MINE

Lucky Friday is a deep underground silver, lead, and zinc mine located in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District in northern Idaho. The mine began operating in 1942 and celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2022. Lucky Friday is located one mile east of Mullan, Idaho, and is adjacent to U.S. Interstate 90. Hecla Limited, Lucky Friday Mine is pleased to offer competitive compensation commensurate with education and experience, and a comprehensive benefits program.

Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) produces more than 40 percent of all silver in the United States with operating mines in Alaska (Greens Creek), Idaho (Lucky Friday), and Quebec, Canada (Casa Berardi) the Company owns a number of exploration properties and p and gold mining districts throughout North America.

Interested candidates must possess or be able to obtain authorization to work in the United States.

Visit our website at www.hecla.com to apply and for more information about Hecla and the Lucky Friday Mine. Hecla Limited, Lucky Friday Mine is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Established in 1891, Hecla is headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and has a sister office in Vancouver, B.C. The Company’s common stock has been traded on the New York Stock Exchange for over 50 years.

Lucky Friday is a deep underground silver, lead, and zinc mine located in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District in northern Idaho. The mine began operating in 1942 and celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2022. Lucky Friday is located one mile east of Mullan, Idaho, and is adjacent to U.S. Interstate 90.

Sports

by Scott Sacry Sports Editor

Ravalli County Track Invitational

On a cold and rainy spring day, the track & field teams for Florence, Stevensville, Hamilton, Corvallis, Darby, and Victor competed in the annual Ravalli County Invitational in Hamilton on Friday, April 26th. Only Bitterroot Valley schools participate in this event, so winners can call themselves the Best of the Bitterroot. The complete results are below.

Ravalli InvitationalCountyResults

Boys

100 Meters

1. Brogan Gard 11.20 Stevensville, 2. Isaac Bates 11.38 Florence, 3. Solomon Morgan 11.40 Corvallis, 4. Riley Reeves 11.49 Florence, 5. McCoy Townsend 11.52 Darby, 6. Payton Ehmann 11.67 Darby

200 Meters

1. Isaac Bates 23.29 Florence, 2. Brogan Gard 23.54 Stevensville, 3. McCoy Townsend 23.83 Darby, 4. Stuart Brennan 23.96 Corvallis, 5. Riley Reeves 24.20 Florence, 6. Trace Chapman 24.53 Hamilton

400 Meters

1. Jake McCarthy 53.66 Hamilton, 2. Ayden Spencer 54.58 Corvallis, 3. Ledge Conner 54.97 Corvallis, 4. Zach Polanski 58.33 Stevensville, 5. Payton Ehmann 58.97 Darby, 6. Harrison Yaskus 1:00.32 Stevensville

800 Meters

1. Jack Davidson 2:03.05 Corvallis, 2. Taggart Jessop 2:09.84 Corvallis, 3. Liam Harvey 2:11.48 Corvallis, 4. Curtis Pijanowski 2:19.96 Florence, 5. Stephan Matveev 2:24.36 Hamilton, 6. Sebastian Schroeder 2:25.07 Florence

1600 Meters

1. Evan Bennett 4:35.54 Hamilton, 2. Taylor Doleac 4:42.40 Hamilton, 3. Curtis Pijanowski 4:52.01 Florence, 4. Ben Martin 4:57.64 Darby, 5. Carter Koerner 5:01.18 Corvallis, 6. Eider Reed 5:07.73 Corvallis

3200 Meters

1. Jeremy Davidson 10:14.79 Corvallis, 2. Bryson Poulsen 10:34.12 Hamilton, 3. Ben Martin 10:40.77 Darby, 4. Marrek Jessop 10:41.58 Corvallis, 5. Taylor Graham 11:36.82 Darby, 6. Marshall Jessop 11:44.37 Corvallis

110m Hurdles

1. Stuart Brennan 15.49 Corvallis, 2. Aiden Carnes 17.10 Hamilton, 3. Tommy Bender 18.27 Hamilton, 4. Caleb Reynoso 19.52 Corvallis, 5. Javin Jessop 19.70 Corvallis, 6. Peyton Long 19.81 Darby

300m Hurdles

1. Noah Guisinger 46.81 Hamilton, 2. Caleb Reynoso 47.06 Corvallis, 3. Javin Jessop 48.65 Corvallis, 4. Erik Potter 48.83 Stevensville, 5. Kennie Cords 49.41 Hamilton, 6. Peyton Long 50.57 Darby

4x100 Relay

1. Corvallis - Logan Avery, Ayden Spencer, Derek Criddle, Solomon Morgan 44.96, 2. Florence - Logan Williams, Mattix Chase, Riley Reeves, Isaac Bates - 45.63m 3. Hamilton - Aiden Carnes, Trace Chapman, Cody Davis, Clayton Beall 46.37, 4. Stevensville - Easton Hollis, Brogan Gard, Shan Madula, Erik Potter 46.72, 5. Darby - McCoy Townsend,

Emerson Atkins, Brad Reasor, Wyatt Miller 47.01, 6. Corvallis - Colt Heiland, Samuel Melott, Caleb Reynoso, Javin Jessop 49.14

4x400 Relay

1. Hamilton - Jake McCarthy, Brayden Lanser, Trace Chapman, Evan Bennett, 3:39.75, 2. Corvallis, Stuart Brennan, Ledge Conner, Jack Davidson, Taggart Jessop - 3:42.63, 3. Hamilton - Regan White, Noah Guisinger, Bryson Poulsen, Cody Davis 3:55.46, 4. Darby - Payton Ehmann, McCoy Townsend, Wyatt Miller, Ben Martin 3:56.11, 5. Stevensville - Zach Polanski, Cody Bradford, Erik Potter, Brogan Gard 3:56.12, 6. Florence - Isaac Bates, Andrew Horsens, Mattix Chase, Logan Williams 3:57.83

Shot Put Unified

1. Carson Alexander 25-01 Florence, 2. Colton Jeppesen 16-04 Hamilton, 3. Tristin Jeppesen 15-00

Hamilton

Shot Put

1. Andrew Burrows 55-04 Hamilton, 2. Wyatt Miles 52-03.5 Corvallis, 3. Isaac Stoker 45-05 Corvallis, 4. Bridger Alexander 43-05.5 Florence, 5. Dallas Nagelhout 40-08.5 Corvallis, 6. AJ Darger 38-05.5 Corvallis

Discus

1. Andrew Burrows 161-11.50

Hamilton, 2. Isaac Stoker 129-06 Corvallis, 3. Ethan Porter 126-01 Florence, 4. Drew Lewis 125-11 Corvallis, 5. Taylor Doleac 125-04.5 Hamilton, 6. AJ Darger 118-08 Corvallis

Javelin

1. Levi Reynoso 173-09 Corvallis, 2. Tyson Bauder 162-10 Hamilton, 3. Hunter Loesch 156-02 Corvallis, 4. Drew Lewis 151-03 Corvallis, 5. Chance Jessop 147-00 Corvallis, 6. Logan Avery 146-10 Corvallis

High Jump

1. Derek Criddle 5-10 Corvallis, 2. Ledge Conner 5-08 Corvallis, 3. Logan Harrison 5-06 Hamilton, 4. Sam DeLong 5-04 Hamilton, 5. Kyle Glasser 5-02 Victor, 6. Blaine Jensen 4-10

Hamilton Pole Vault

1. Aiden Carnes 11-00 Hamilton, 2. Jared Reynoso 10-00 Corvallis, 3. Liam Griffin 9-06 Hamilton, 4. Kaison Weidow 8-00 Corvallis

Long Jump

1. Eli Jones 20-09.75 Victor, 2. Chance Jessop 19-05 Corvallis, 3. Logan Avery 19-03 Corvallis, 4. Tommy Bender 19-02 Hamilton, 5. Marshall Smith 19-01 Hamilton, 6. Stuart Brennan 18-10 Corvallis

Triple Jump

1. Eli Jones 38-07 Victor, 2. Noah Guisinger 36-04.5 Hamilton, 3. Beauden Therrien 34-06 Corvallis, 3. Javin Jessop 34-06 Corvallis, 5. Asher Griffin 34-04 Hamilton, 6. Alex Hauck 34-03 Corvallis

Girls

100 Meters

1. Bailey Kroeker 12.94 Florence, 2. Jillian Huls 13.35 Corvallis, 3. Paige O’Donnell 13.86 Darby, 4. Mia Faulk 14.06 Hamilton, 5. Melissa Daniels 14.11 Stevensville, 6. Hannah Buhler 14.18 Corvallis

200 Meters

1. Jenna Ellis 26.99 Hamilton, 2. Bailey Kroeker 27.02 Florence, 3. Sophia Hutchison 28.02 Stevensville, 4. Shaylee Weidow 28.30 Corvallis, 5. Paige O’Donnell 29.36 Darby, 6. Annora Weidow 30.47 Corvallis

400 Meters

1. Annalise Lewis 59.87 Hamilton, 2. Ayslin Jessop 1:04.20 Hamilton, 3. Quinn Skaggs 1:04.86 Florence, 4. Nayla Schmied 1:08.77 Darby, 5. Isaebel Hartsell-Miller Florence 1:12.56

800 Meters

Lily Apedaile 2:31.12 Hamilton, 2. Greta Gantz 2:33.76 Hamilton, 3. Farah Wyche 2:37.62 Corvallis, 4. Hasalyn Schairer 2:38.88 Corvallis, 5. Kaeleigh Trihey 3:14.01 Corvallis

1600 Meters 1. Aleigha Child 5:22.48 Hamilton, 2. Greta Gantz 5:55.14 Hamilton, 3. Autumn Benson 5:58.69 Corvallis, 4. Sierra Wissenbach 6:27.72 Corvallis, 5. Maddy Ondrasek 6:39.07 Florence

3200 Meters

1. Laurie Davidson 12:00.92 Corvallis, 2. Violet Jessop 12:01.00 Corvallis, 3. Lily Adair 12:07.22 Darby, 4. Sierra Berry 13:06.23 Hamilton, 5. Mazie Torres 14:59.67 Hamilton

100m Hurdles

1. Olivia Lewis 15.19 Corvallis, 2. Kiahna Hirmann 17.50 Darby, 3. Natalie Anderson 17.72 Darby, 4. Reagan Burrows 19.14 Hamilton, 5. Kaia Benson 21.09 Corvallis, 6. Cheyenne Knutson 21.15 Corvallis

300m Hurdles

1. Madigan Hurlbert 50.41 Florence, 2. Aubrey Korst 50.84 Hamilton, 3. Reagan Burrows 51.93 Hamilton, 4. Natalie Anderson 52.36 Darby, 5. Kealie Hixson 1:00.05 Stevensville

4x100 Relay 1. Corvallis - Ella Varner, Olivia Lewis, Jillian Huls, Farah Wyche 50.78, 2. Hamilton - Aubrey Korst, Lily Apedaile, Nadia Bruno, Jenna Ellis 51.09, 3. Corvallis - Lauryn Holmberg, Sophie Hagberg, Hannah Buhler, Kate Allen 54.35, 4. Darby - Paige O’Donnell, Hadley Heiland, Kiahna Hirmann, Natalie Anderson 56.17

4x400 Relay

1. HamiltonNadia Bruno, Lily Apedaile, Jenna Ellis, Annalise Lewis 4:15.60, 2. Hamilton - Greta Gantz, Aubrey Korst, Aleigha Child, Ayslin Jessop 4:26.91, 3. Darby - Paige O’Donnell, Kiahna Hirmann, Lily Adair, Natalie Anderson 4:34.25, 4. FlorenceIsaebel Hartsell-Miller, Madigan Hurlbert, Quinn Skaggs, Bailey Kroeker 4:45.70

Shot Put

1. Meredith Buhler 36-04.5 Corvallis, 2. Mya Winkler 36-03

Hamilton, 3. Gracie Werst 35-05 Hamilton, 4. Tyana Jessop 35-02 Hamilton, 5. Ashlynn McKern 35-00 Hamilton, 6. Elaina Lewis 32-07 Hamilton

Shot Put Unified

1. Charli Duffy 14-06 Florence, 2. Rejoice Ralph 13-02 Hamilton, 3. Tabatha Townsend 11-07 Hamilton Discus

1. Alanna Auch 119-01 Corvallis, 2. Mya Winkler 116-02.5 Hamilton, 3. Ayda Griffin 104-02 Hamilton, 4. Tyana Jessop 100-07 Hamilton, 5. Sierra Reed 94-02 Darby, 6. Meredith Buhler 84-08 Corvallis

Javelin

1. Mya Winkler 106-02 Hamilton, 2. Quinn Skaggs 99-03 Florence, 3. Meryn Leonardi 87-03 Hamilton, 4. Lilly Bennett 85-02 Darby, 5. Autumn Benson 81-08 Corvallis, 6. Sierra Reed 78-01 Darby

High Jump

1. Olivia Lewis 4-10 Corvallis, 2. Ayda Griffin 4-06 Hamilton, 3. Laila Smart 4-04 Corvallis, 3. Isaebel Hartsell-Miller 4-04 Florence

Long Jump

1. Sophia Hutchison 16-03 Stevensville, 2. Ella Varner 15-10 Corvallis, 3. Reagan Burrows 15-08 Hamilton, 4. Jillian Huls 15-07 Corvallis, 5. Aislynn Cambell 14-05, Florence, 6. Mia Faulk 14-05 Hamilton

Long Jump Unified

1. Charli Duffy 10-02 Florence, 2. Rejoice Ralph 7-00, Hamilton, 3. Tabatha Townsend 3-00 Hamilton

Triple Jump

1. Lily Apedaile 33-00 Hamilton, 2. Farah Wyche 32-10, Corvallis, 3. Reagan Burrows 32-01 Hamilton, 4. Sophia Hutchison 31-09.5, Stevensville, 5. Mia Faulk 30-07.5 Hamilton, 6. Vivian Potter 30-05.5 Corvallis

Top 10 Meet

Many of the Bitterroot Valley’s best track & field athletes were in Missoula on Tuesday, April 23rd for the annual Top 10 Meet. As the name indicates, the western Montana athletes, regardless of class, with the Top 10 marks in their event are invited. It was a high level competition and many Bitterroot athletes excelled.

The Hamilton girls shot put crew owned the invitation list as 5 of the 10 athletes in this event were from Hamilton. Hamilton’s coach Jake Jessop said, “I have seen this in some running events, but I have never seen 5 out of 10 invitations from one program for a field event.” They finished as follows: Mya Winkler took 2nd (38-03.5), Ashlynn McKern took 4th (3601), Gracie Werst took 6th (35-04.25), Tyana Jessop took 7th (3503.5), and Elaina Lewis

took 8th (33-06). Winkler also finished 3rd in the discus (111-03) and 4th in the javelin (11609). There were four individual winners from the Bitterroot Valley. Corvallis’ Wyatt Miles won the shot put (5610). Hamilton’s Tyson Bauder won the javelin with a massive throw of 199-04. To put Bauder’s throw in perspective, this is the 9th best throw in the entire country so far this year. The Corvallis girls 4x400 relay team won (4:00.47). And Corvallis’ Olivia Lewis won the 300m hurdles with a season’s best time of 43.10. Lewis set the Class A record in the event at State last year at 43.37. Lewis is eyeing the All Class State record of 42.87. Her best time in the event was 42.94 in divisionals last year. State records have to be set at the State Track Meet.

The boys 4x100 relay teams making their final handoffs in the rain at the Ravalli County Invitational in Hamilton on Friday, April 26th. The Corvallis boys ended up winning the event. Photo by Scott Sacry.

Sports Softball at Frenchtown Tournament

All the Bitterroot Valley softball teams played in the Frenchtown Tournament on Friday, April 26th and Saturday, April 27th. For Class A Corvallis, Hamilton, and Stevensville, it gave them a chance to face some different opponents. And for Class B Florence, it gave them a chance to face some tough Class A competition.

Corvallis 7, Ronan 21; Corvallis 16, Browning 1

On Friday, Corvallis lost 7-21 to Ronan and defeated Browning 16-1. In the Ronan game, Ava Loran had 3 RBIs and Jadyn Greenwood scored 3 runs. In the Browning game, Corvallis pitcher Caitlin Nelson had 10 strikeouts and got the win. Also for Corvallis, Sophie Cooper went 2 for 2 and scored 4 runs, and Makaia McEwan had 3 RBIs.

Corvallis 7, MAC 16

On Saturday, Corvallis played MAC and lost 7-16. For Corvallis, Ava Loran went 3 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBIs.

Stevensville 9, Hellgate 5; Stevensville 4, Libby 9

Stevensville defeated Hellgate 9-5 and lost to Libby 4-9 on Friday. In the Hellgate game, Morgan Yeager hit a grand slam and Maddy Davids went 1 for 2 with 3 RBIs. In the Libby game,

Maddix Yeager hit a 2-run home run.

Stevensville 2, Billing Central 9

Stevensville lost to Billings Central 2-9 on Saturday. For Stevensville, Serenity Scott went 1 for 2, and pitcher Morgan Yeager struck out 7 batters.

Stevensville 16, Butte Central 0

Stevensville defeated Butte Central 16-0 on Tuesday, April 23rd. Stevensville pitcher Morgan Yeager got the win, allowing 3 hits and striking out 9. At the plate for Stevi, Maddy Davids went 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs, Layla Brushia went 2 for 3 with an RBI, Olivia Hanson had 2 RBIs, and Lilly Newson went 2 for 2, stole 3 bases and scored 2 runs.

Hamilton 5, MAC 6; Hamilton 1, Laurel 4

On Friday, Hamilton lost to MAC 5-6 and Laurel 1-4. In the MAC game, Mel Race and Thea Jackson both went 2 for 4. In the Laurel game, Addison Flynn and Dawsyn Ekin each had hits.

Hamilton 4, Fergus 16

On Saturday, Hamilton lost to Fergus 4-16. For Hamilton, Cierra Cole hit a grand slam and Dawsyn Ekin went 2 for 3.

Florence 11, Polson 15; Florence 1, Billings Central 10

On Friday, Florence lost to Polson 11-15 and Billings Central 1-10. In the

Polson game, Florence’s Olivia Coulter went 3 for 4 with a home run, Hailey Sutton went 3 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBIs, and Ava Philbrick went 3 for 4 with an RBI. In the Billings Central game, Lily Bender and Maggie Schneider each had hits.

Florence 2, Ronan 4

On Saturday, Florence lost to Ronan 2-4. Olivia Coulter and Dia Jenkins both hit home runs for Florence.

Florence 11, MAC 12

Florence took their first loss of the season on Tuesday, April 23rd against MAC in St. Ignatius. Florence trailed 5-9 going into the 6th, then scored 6 runs to take an 11-9 lead. But MAC had a walk-off HR in the top of the 7th for the victory. For Florence, Taylor Pyette went 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Maggie Schneiter went 3 for 5 with an RBI, Ava Philbrick went 2 for 4 with an RBI, and Hailey Sutton went 2 for 3 with a HR and 2 RBIs.

All

of the

Stevensville’s Perez signs with Bulldogs

Stevensville’s Alexia Perez recently signed her letter of intent to play rugby at Adrian College in Michigan. Perez is excited about the opportunity and plans to study athletic training and physical therapy at Adrian.

“It gives me a great opportunity to play in a great rugby program while attending school,” said Perez. “The athletic training and physical therapy programs are amazing. It’s a five-year program that will result in a masters degree in physical therapy.”

During her time at Stevensville, Perez has been involved in volleyball, basketball, pep club and the Little

got

Bitterroot Baseball Roundup

Florence 11, Corvallis 0

Corvallis hosted Florence on Tuesday, April 23rd in an all-Bitterroot Valley matchup. Florence scored 5 runs in the top of the 6th inning en route to a 11-0 victory. Florence pitcher Trapper Oster struck out 9, only allowed 2 hits, and got the win, while Corvallis pitcher Branden Wiren took the loss. For Florence, Chase Wagner went 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Levi Winters went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs, and Caleb Katen went 2 for 4 and scored 2 runs. For Corvallis, Reese Earp and Andy Pintok each had hits.

Hamilton 8, Stevensville 0 In another all-Bitterroot Valley matchup, Hamilton hosted Stevensville on Thursday, April 25th. The Broncs came away victorious, winning 8-0. Both teams had 5 hits, but Hamilton made the most of their opportunities. For Hamilton, Jackson Lubke went 2 for 3 and scored 3 runs, Boedy

Tadvick had 2 RBIs, and Conner Ekin had an RBI and stole 2 bases. For Stevensville, Drake Springer went 2 for 3, and Cole Germane, Connor Lenahan and Kaden Wyant each had hits.

Corvallis 3, Butte 9

Corvallis went to Butte High on Friday, April 26th and lost 3-9. At the plate for Corvallis, Brandon Brenneman and Joe Hixon each had RBIs, Andy Pintok went 2 for 4, and Charlie Chavez stole two bases.

Stevensville 9, Butte Central 17

Stevensville traveled to Butte Central on Tuesday, April 23rd. The ‘Jackets had plenty of offense but fell 9-17 to the Maroons. For Stevensville, Evan Montague went 3 for 5 with an RBI, Braden Drye went 2 for 4 and scored a run, Joey Wheeler went 2 for 3 and scored 2 runs, and Drake Springer, Shane Ayers, Connor Lenahan, and Treyzan Frost each had RBIs.

Jacket/Big Jacket mentoring program. Perez is part of the Bitterroot Valley Rugby Football Club and has played on their Bitterroot Koa Wahines team for two years.

“I’m most excited about being able to help people maintain a healthy sports career through physical therapy,” said Perez.

Adrian College is a private liberal arts college located in Adrian, Michigan. The Adrian College Bulldogs play in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association conference and are a NCAA Division III school. They added Rugby as a women’s sport in 2021.

Corvallis, Hamilton tennis teams split

The Corvallis tennis team hosted Hamilton on Tuesday, April 23rd in an all-Bitterroot Valley matchup. On a competitive day, the Hamilton boys won 5-2, while the Corvallis girls won 4-3.

Boys Singles

1. (C) Atticus Chavez vs (H) Carden Nelson Hamilton wins 3-6, 1-6

2. (C) Pierce Yaskus vs (H) Micah VanSickle Corvallis wins 6-4, 6-2

3. (C) Bradley Powell vs (H) Jackson Kirkbride Hamilton wins 2-6, 2-6

4. (C) Tucker Freeman vs (H) Cash Hawkes Hamilton wins 7-6 (8-6), 5-7 (7-10) with a 10 point third set tiebreaker

Boys Doubles

1. (C) Emmett Allsop and Brannon Fehr vs (H) Finn Dufresne and Jason Chaplain Hamilton wins 0-6, 3-6

2. (C) Cody Humphrey and Hadley Jessop vs (H) Kaden Carrol Francesco Baruffini Hamilton wins 0-6, 1-6

3. (C) Cooper Gividen and Cody Humphrey vs (H) Matt Clifton and James Tossberg Corvallis wins 6-3, 6-4

Girls Singles

1. (C) Dakota Powell vs (H) Ciara Hanley Hamilton wins 3-6, 3-6

2. (C) Ava Wilcox vs (H) Tallulah Pinjuv Hamilton wins 0-6, 1-6

3. (C) Alana Watt vs (H) Sam Geroy Corvallis wins 6-3, 6-3

4. (C) Sophie Jessop vs (H) Kristen Jessop Corvallis wins 4-6, 6-2 (12-10)

Girls Doubles

1. (C) Jayde Venema and Brecklyn Jessop vs (H) Emma Hollingsworth and Gwen Wolfe Corvallis wins 6-4, 6-4

2. (C) Brooke Child and Anika Allred vs (H) Codie Clarke and Charlie Holmes Hamilton wins 4-6, 6-7 (4-7) in a second set tiebreaker

3.

Florence girls win LSH Spring Swing

The golf teams from Florence and Darby participated in the Loyola Sacred Heart Spring Swing on April 22 & 23 in Missoula. The Florence girls (Kipley Solari, Alyx Monaco, Reese Briney, Alexa McLean) took 1st place. The Florence boys (Brody Duchien, Ethan Alexander, Rollie Fisher, Ian McLean) took 3rd. The Darby boys (Austin Ward, Gus Harrell, Jordan Browning, and Emerson Atkins) took 9th.

Individually for the Florence girls, Kipley Solari took 4th, Alexa McLean took 5th, Reese Briney took 6th, and Lexi Danzcyk took 9th. For the Florence boys, Brodie Duchien took 3rd, Ethan Alexander took 9th, and Rollie Fisher took 14th.

Stevensville’s Alexia Perez signing her letter of intent to play rugby at Adrian College in Michigan. Photo courtesy of Stevensville High School.

Florence pitcher Trapper Oster struck out 9, allowed 2 hits and

the win in Florence’s 11-0 victory over Corvallis on Tuesday, April 23rd in Corvallis. Photo by Scott Sacry.

four

Bitterroot Valley softball teams were at the Frenchtown Tournament on April 26th & 27th. Hamilton’s Mel Race, shown here, had five strikeouts in Hamilton’s loss to MAC on Friday. Photo by Scott Sacry.

(C) Olivia Lawson and Addy Williams vs Anna Twurdoski and Tessa Lewanski Corvallis wins 6-2, 6-2

William E. ‘Bill’ Keiser

William E. “Bill” Keiser, Sr., 82, passed away in the afternoon, Thursday, April 18, 2024, at home in Darby.

William was born July 1, 1941 in Bloomington, Illinois, to Margaret (Lee) and Roland Keiser.

He graduated from high school and went on to drive a concrete truck for the rest of his working life. He worked for Donaldsons and Bitterroot Rock & Ready Mix.

He attended the Christian Church in Hamilton. Bill enjoyed camping and shooting clays at the range.

Bill is survived by his wife, Julienne Montana Keiser in Darby, MT; sons Reagan and Roland Keiser; three grandchildren, Anthony Whitacre, Justin Whitacre, Triston Donald Lee Steen and numerous others.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father, daughter Elizabeth Keiser, son William Keiser Jr., sister Carol Ingram and stepdaughter Robin Dawn Whitacre.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family. at www.brothersmortuary.com.

Corvallis resident Joey “Joe” Kelly passed away due to cancer the night of his 68th birthday, April 11, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. He was born April 11th, 1956 in Manchester, Iowa to Delores Kelly. He grew up in Fayette, Iowa, and graduated in 1975 and later that year joined the U.S. Navy, and was stationed as a Machinist Mate, on the USS Orleck. He was stationed in Washington State where he met and married his wife of 40 years, Wendy Klein, on July 16th, 1983.

The couple moved to Buckley, Washington, where they raised three children, Joshua Kelly, Sarah Novotny, and Allison Walker. Joe lived a fulfilled life, never a dull moment, and never stopped moving. Even when he slept his brain was thinking.

Joe worked at the White River School District as a Maintenance Technician for 33 years of his life. Joe retired in 2017, along with his wife Wendy. They moved to Montana’s Bitterroot Valley that year, and it was his lifelong dream. Joe also worked at the Bitterroot Brewery in Hamilton, Montana. He was retired, but he could never stop working completely.

Joe loved to fly fish, tie flies, hunt, work on anything that ran, mow his lawn, and most importantly love his kids and grandkids. One of his highest moments in life was on a Monday, December 13th, 2021, when he shot his first bull elk in his life at the

age of 65. Joe took great pleasure in family, friends, Montana scenery, and his knowledge of which he has gained in his lifetime. He loved to pass down his knowledge to anyone who would listen to it, and anyone who would take it into their own hands and pass it down generation by generation.

Preceded in death by his mother, Delores Kelly, his brother James Lee, and grandmother Leona Lee, father-in-law David Klein, and his brother-in-law Russ Klein.

Joe is survived by his forever loving wife Wendy Kelly; his three kids, Joshua (Kelsey) Kelly of Jacksboro, Tennessee, Sarah (Steve) Novotny of Ellensburg, Washington, and Allison (Nick Jackson) Walker of Manville, Wyoming; his grandchildren Emily Kelly, Isaac Roseveare, Domenic Piccolo, Chael Novotny, Adalynn Kelly, and Olivia Kelly; his brother Ron (Jeannette) Kelly; his sisters Connie (Rick) Cole, and Cindy (Dale) Olsen; brother-in-law Eric (Danielle) Klein, mother-in-law Joan (Dick) Johnson; numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on July 13th, 2024, at their home in Corvallis. More information to follow. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Prostate Cancer Research. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family. at www.brothersmortuary.com.

Joey ‘Joe’ Kelly

You never know – on the very next cast…

Sometimes you just need to go fishing.

You just need that time alone, time away from what doesn’t give you peace. You might catch a trout or two but that doesn’t really matter. The trout aren’t what you’re after. You need for your peace to return and know, when you fish, that you’re connecting with something greater than yourself that will restore your peace.

by Chuck Stranahan

At other times it’s about being with those rare people with whom you share a special bond – it’s about strengthening the bond and strengthening yourself at the same time. You may not think too much about it, you just know when there’s that opportunity to fish again with certain people, you jump on it. Yeah! You say, let’s go fishing.

That’s what I said and why I said it to the close friends who invited me this time. The bonds initially formed through a fascination with flies and appreciation for what we share on trout streams grew into those kinds of friendships where deeper roots connect and intertwine.

We were basking in the afterglow of a wonderful celebratory evening, an anniversary party for a couple whose marriage stands as a beacon for all who know them. We all saw it clearly in Mike and Lenita that evening: this is what fifty years of marriage looks like, and this is why you make and keep that commitment.

I met Mike when he joined a mutual friend and I on a fishing trip several decades ago. More recently, first Jim and later Troy and Rebecca walked into my fly shop and into my life. We had to celebrate what originally

brought us all together. Nothing else would do but to set a couple of days aside to go fishing.

There might have been a slim chance of catching some trout when we started; we always cling to that hope. But the odds were against us – the sunny weather that made the day pleasant was illusory; the sun brought snowmelt. The water was way too chilly, way too cold for a decent hatch after the sudden drop in temperature that left the trout semi-comatose.

There was only scant insect activity that first day. A few gray drake spinners materialized out of nowhere and disappeared just as quickly when a chilly breeze swept them off the water, but not before Rebecca got a couple of splashy looks on a Brindle ’Chute.

With the wind we headed back to a wonderful dinner that Rebecca had prepped beforehand – when asked earlier “Are you going to stay here and

cook?” she laughed, “No! I’m doing all this now so I can go fishing!”

Mike had special reason to join us briefly on our second day out before returning family: Leni had commissioned a C.F. Burkheimer fly rod to be built as her surprise anniversary gift to Mike. And this is no ordinary fly rod: all Burkheimers are a cut above anything turned out by the bigger factories; this one, custom-fitted for Mike, is one-of-a-kind.

With that 8’9” 5 wt. Burkie in hand his stroke was easier, almost effortless, and his loop was tighter, smoother, and crisper than ever before.

After a while he returned to family. The fish weren’t on but he left with what he came for; an appreciative sense of that fly rod, and time on the stream with friends to commemorate the gift and the occasion.

For all of us there was a unique joy in our moments spent fishing – where

simply being there, again, led to where the warmth and humor flowed freely, and occasionally drifted to deeper levels. There were no fish caught – but like Mike, we were not without what we came to the river for. Without those hours on the water the connections between us would have seemed incomplete. We fished several places, worked familiar water, tried to choose the right methods and flies, encouraged or kidded each other when we were close at hand, or simply gave each other plenty of time and space to be uplifted in our own solitary moments.

The odds of catching fish may have been against us but it didn’t seem like we were on a fool’s errand. Though slim, or even whimsical, there was always the chance for each of us as we carefully worked the seams and foam lines of the timeless currents, that on the very next cast…

Sometimes we fish for the time spent with friends. Photo by Jan Stranahan

GROUNDWATER: Researchers share study results

Continued from page 1

This graph depicting new well installations shows a major drop during the economic downturn in 2008-2011, but otherwise a steady climb. The major purpose being domestic use. Only 4% of well use is for irrigation as most of the irrigation in the valley is from surface water. The amount of groundwater use for different purposes is also changing.

flood irrigation flowing off the fields and not being used by the plants (15%), from BRID leakage (11%),

centrations in response to increased population.

This well in Hamilton cemetery

According to Assistant Professor Sara Edinberg, the number of water wells in the Bitterroot Valley

of precipitation. The remaining 51% of recharge was agricultural practices so changes in land use such as

trends, check wells in high population growth areas specifically, and look for and identify bedrock

has increased from 3,100 wells in 1970 to 25,375 wells in 2023.

gets used for irrigation than groundwater. The com bined use of surface and groundwater totals about 389 million gallons per day.

good with nitrate concentrations almost all running under the 10 mg/L threshold for safe drinking.

Total Dissolved Solids are also mostly all under the recommended threshold of 500 mg/L. There is a cluster of wells in the foothills of the Willow Creek drainage, however, with high levels of naturally occurring arsenic.

The program is monitoring 900 wells for long term water levels across the state and 38 are located in Ravalli County.

Long-term hydrographs showing above average (blue) and below average (red) precipitation in the valley clearly display the three-year drought conditions over the last three years, 2020-2023. The lower graph shows how some well water level trends, like the ones at the Hamilton Cemetery displayed here, generally follow the precipitation trends.

The data indicates that the BRID Canal in a 5.8 mile stretch near Hamilton loses 1.3 to 3.4 cubic feet

The top graph displays the departure of precipitation levels from the average from 1990 through 2023. The blue bars are above average and the red bars show below average precipitation.

The bottom graph shows how water levels in a well at the Hamilton Cemetery generally follow the precipitation trends.

Although water wells do generally follow precipitation trends one thing that can significantly alter the water levels in a well is leakage from a nearby irrigation canal. This is clearly demonstrated in the graph of water levels in wells located downgradient from the Bitter Root Irrigation District (BRID) ditch. The grey areas in the graph in which water levels spike are periods in which the BRID Canal is flowing.

the run-off, keeping it in the aquifer for slow release

Myse said, “Put it into a proposal. We would love to come back.”

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Legal

PUBLIC NOTICE OF SURPLUS SALE

Town of Stevensville is conducting a surplus sale.

All items are bid on through a closed bid process.

Viewing of the items and placing of bids will take place the week of 5/13, 14, 15, 16 (9am-4pm) -5/17/24 (9am12pm). Bidding is closed at 12:00 pm on 5/17/24. Opening of bids for items will take place at the regularly scheduled town council meeting on 5/23/2024 at 6:30 pm, Town Hall, 206 Buck Street, Stevensville, MT 59870. Bid forms are located at town hall. List of items on the website through the following link: https://www.townofstevensville.com/administration/ page/public-notice-surplus-sale

Attest: Jenelle Berthoud, Town Clerk

BS 4/24/24, 5/8/24

MNAXLP

NOTICE OF RFP’S

The Town of Stevensville is currently advertising the following Requests for Proposals for contracted services:

• Audit Services for FY23/24, FY 24/25, FY25/26. Proposals due 5/22/24 at 5:00 pm.

• Towing Services for 2 years. Proposals due 5/22/24 at 5:00 pm. Opening of RFP’s will take place at the regular scheduled town council meeting on 5/23/2024 at 6:30 pm, Town Hall, 206 Buck Street, Stevensville, MT 59870

Interested firms and companies can find additional information about the RFP’s on the Town of Stevensville’s website at: www.townofstevensville. com/rfps<http://www.townofstevensville.com/rfps>

Attest: Jenelle Berthoud, Town Clerk

BS 4/24/24, 5/8/24

Return To: Kevin S. Jones Jones & Houston, PLLC 2625 Dearborn Ave., Ste. 102 Missoula, MT 59804

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S

SALE

To be sold for cash at Trustee’s Sale on August 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at the Ravalli County Courthouse, north entrance, main floor lobby, located at 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton, MT 59840, all of Trustee’s right, title and interest to the following-described real property situated in Ravalli County, Montana: A tract of land in the SE1/4 of Section 11, Township 10 North, Range 19 West, P.M.M., Ravalli County, Montana, and being more particularly described as Tract 11-5-B, Certificate of Survey No. 2839. Bianca Kinsey and James Kinsey, as Grantors, conveyed the real property to First American Title Company, as Trustee, to secure an obligation owed to Washington Mutual Bank,

as the original Beneficiary, by Deed of Trust dated December 8, 1997, and recorded December 15, 1997, as Instrument No. 428490, records of the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder. The Beneficiary’s interest in the Deed of Trust was assigned to Personal Investment, Inc. by Assignment recorded December 20, 2017, as Instrument No. 716380, records of the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder. A Substitution of Trustee designating Kevin S. Jones as Successor Trustee was recorded March 29, 2024, as Instrument No. 794888, records of the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder.

The default of the obligation, the performance of which is secured by the aforementioned Trust Indenture, and for which default of this foreclosure is made, is for failure to pay the monthly payments as and when due.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Trust Indenture, the Beneficiary has exercised, and hereby exercises, its option to declare the full amount secured by such Trust Indenture immediately due and payable. There presently is due on said obligation the principal sum of $116,466.44, plus accrued interest of $28,129.99, late charges of $1,996.02, and escrow fees of $7,252.45, for a total amount due of $153,844.90, plus the costs of foreclosure, attorney’s fees, trustee’s fees, escrow closing fees, and other accruing costs.

The Beneficiary has elected, and does hereby elect, to sell the above-described property to satisfy the obligation referenced above. The Beneficiary declares that the Grantor is in default as described above and demands that the Trustee sell the property described above in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Notice.

DATED 4th day of April, 2024.

/s/ Kevin S. Jones, Trustee STATE OF MONTANA) )ss . County of Missoula)

On this 4th day of April, 2024, before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public for the State of Montana, personally appeared Kevin S. Jones, Trustee, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

/s/ Christy Shipp Notary Public for the State of Montana Residing at Missoula, MT. My commission expires May 07, 2025. BS 4-24, 5-1, 5-8-24. MNAXLP

Megan S. Winderl

MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, P.C. 601 South First Street P.O. Box 515 Hamilton, MT 59840

(406) 363-1110

MeganW@mcpcattorneys.

com

Attorneys for Petitioner MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: MYRON ELDON ELLIOTT II, Deceased.

Probate No. DP-24-39

Dept. No. 2

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.

Claims must either be mailed to Diana L. Neaves, the Personal Representative, in care of MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, P.C., 601 S. First Street, P.O. Box 515, Hamilton, Montana 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court.

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana that the foregoing is true and correct.

DATED this 16th day of April, 2024.

/s/ Diana L. Neaves

MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, PC

By: Megan S. Winderl

Attorney for Personal Representative

BS BS 4-24, 5-1, 5-8-24.

MNAXLP

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Darby Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 6:00 PM at the Darby Town Hall, 101 East Tanner Avenue, to receive comments both oral and written regarding the Marge Meadow subdivision located at 308 West Missoula Avenue in Darby. For more information visit Darby Town Hall or call (406) 821-3753. BS 4-24, 5-1-24. MNAXLP

Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County

In the Matter of the Name Change of Stella Tara Holm, Ashley Burgett, Petitioner.

Cause No.: DV-2024-17

Dept. No.: NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE OF MINOR CHILD

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court to change a child’s name from Stella Tara Holm to Stella Sue Burgett.

The hearing will be on May 30, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County. DATED this 22nd day of April, 2024. /s/ Paige Trautwein

Clerk of District Court

By: Kimberly Provence Deputy Clerk of Court

BS 5-1, 5-8, 5-15, 5-22-24.

David T. Markette

MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, P.C.

601 South First Street P.O. Box 515 Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-1110

DavidM@mcpcattorneys. com Attorneys for Petitioner MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: ANNIE A. YENNE, Deceased.

Probate No. DP-41-20240000042-IT

Dept. No. 2 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.

Claims must either be mailed to Randy Maxwell, the Personal Representative, in care of MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, P.C., 601 S. First Street, P.O. Box 515, Hamilton, Montana 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court.

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana that the foregoing is true and correct.

DATED this 26th day of April, 2024.

/s/ Randy Maxwell MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, PC By: David T. Markette

Attorney for Personal Representative

BS 5-1, 5-8, 5-15-24.

RAVALLI COUNTY TAX APPEAL BOARD 2023

SESSION

In accordance with 15-15101(6) MCA, the Ravalli County Tax Appeal Board will be in session from July 1st through December 31st, 2024 for the business of hearing appeals of property valuations set by the Montana Department of Revenue.

Any taxpayer who disagrees with the appraised value of his or her property may file an appeal with the Ravalli County Tax Appeal Board within 30 days of the date on the Notice of Classification and Appraisal or Notice to Change Valuation (assessment notice).

Appeal forms are available at the Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder’s Office 215 S 4th Street, Hamilton, or at the website of the Montana Tax Appeal Board, www.mtab. mt.gov.

Any appeal must be filed with the Office of the County Clerk and Recorder.

Upon receipt of the appeal, the County Tax Appeal Board will notify the appellant and schedule a County hearing.

Dated this 26 day of April, 2024. Regina Plettenberg

Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder BS 5-1-24.

LEGAL NOTICE

The Ravalli County Planning Department is inviting public comment on an after-the-fact floodplain permit application (FA-22-06) for work performed within the FEMA regulated floodplain of the Bitterroot River. The applicant is Russ Fox on behalf of Peter Krause (Sub Peak Inc.). The project stabilized 110 feet of river bank using a bioengineering technique north of Stevensville. The project site is located adjacent to 4858 Osprey Lane, Stevensville, MT in Section 25, Township 10 North, Range 20 West, Ravalli County. Detailed information regarding this application is available for review at the Ravalli County Planning Department at 215 S 4th St, Suite F in Hamilton. Written comments may be mailed, hand-delivered or emailed (planning@rc.mt. gov) and must be received by May 15th, 2024 by 5:00pm (Reference Application #FA-2206). BS 5-1-24.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC

SALE

Notice is hereby given to the persons hereinafter named and to whom it may concern. For enforcement of liens in the amount of $765 and $785, Venture West Storage, LLC, located at 1008 Hwy 93 N. Victor, MT, 59875, will sell the contents of storage unit C5 and E21 occupied by Rebecca Phillips and Donna Bishop, at auction to the highest bidder. Auction will be held at Venture West Storage, unit C5 and unit E21 on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.

BS 5-1-24.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) Purchase of and Removal of the two most northern horse stall buildings at Ravalli County Fairgrounds

The Ravalli County Fairgrounds will be accepting proposals for:

1. The purchase of the two most northern horse stall buildings, which will include deconstruction of and removal of these two horse stalls

2. Clean up shall include cleaning and clearing of all associated debris (screws, nails, wood, tin, metals, etc.).

3. The deconstruction, removal and clean must be completed by Friday, June 14, 2024

1. Sealed bids must be received at the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorders Office at 215 S. 4th Street, Second Floor, Hamilton, MT. 59840 by Friday May 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM. PLEASE mark on the outside sealed proposal bid envelope FAIRGROUNDS HORSE STALL PURCHASE AND REMOVAL, ALONG WITH YOUR COMPANY NAME. 2. Bids will

Local Growers Guide

Local Growers Guide

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

1.PINK GRIZZLY GREENHOUSE

Phone: 406-728-3370

Lolo Location: 11454 Highway 93 South, Lolo. Next to Dairy Queen across from Lolo School. Open May 8 through July 5th each year.

Missoula Location since 1955: 1400 Wyoming Street, Missoula on the corner of Russell and Wyoming Street. Open March 1 through December 22 each year.

• Bedding Plants: Very large selection of annual and perennial flowers. Alyssum, petunias, pansies, marigolds, begonias. Colorful flower baskets and planters. Custom planting available

• Vegetable and herb starts: Organic and conventional. Tomato, pepper, broccoli, cabbage, kale, artichoke, rhubarb, basil, lavender, rosemary, thyme, cucumbers, squash, cantaloupe, melons, zucchini, and many more!

• Seed: organic and conventional. Many varieties of vegetables. Certified organic seed potatoes

• Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries

• Fruit trees, Shade trees, and Shrubs: Apple, cherry, plum, maple trees, aspen, honey locust, crabapple. Potentilla, barberry

• Fertilizer and pest control products, organic and conventional

• Garden tools: shovels, rakes, trowels, deer fence, tree protectors

• Decorative pots, gifts

• Potting soil, peat moss, soil pep bag products

• List of DEER RESISTANT plants!!!

2. WAYNE HERMAN TREES

Call Wayne for more information 531-9009. Just south of the stoplight in Florence. Open May - July 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. everyday. Come check out our FRESH selection of Maple Trees. We also carry most deciduous trees.

3. BROWN’S GREENHOUSE

Family owned & operated. Wholesale & retail. (406) 241-8360 or (406) 531-5210 • 5629 Lower Woodchuck, Florence (8 Mile community, follow signs 1.5 miles north from Eastside Hwy, north of the roundabout.)

Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm, Sat 9am-5pm. Closed Sundays

Mid April through June while supplies last Eight large greenhouses full of annual bedding plant packs, pots and hanging baskets:

• Flowers including pack petunias, marigolds, pansies, alyssum, lobelia, etc.

• Veggies including dozens of varieties of tomatoes & peppers, cole crops, herbs, cucumbers, squash and more; pack, 4” or 6” while supplies last.

• Wide variety of 12” hanging baskets (5,000 to choose from)

10. Moeller’s Nursery

* Specialty large combination baskets

• Official Proven Winner Grower!

• Large specialty planters and color bowls for Mother’s Day

Hwy 93

7. NATURE’S ENHANCEMENT, INC. (406) 777-3560 • 2980 Eastside Hwy. (corner of Bell Crossing & Eastside Hwy.)

Bitterroot Star - Spring in the Bitterroot

flower, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, cucumbers, squash and pumpkins. 11. Beautiful Baskets & More

246 Christofferson Lane, Corvallis

509-936-2706 & 509-936-0963

• Look for our plants at local garden centers in the Bitterroot and Missoula. www.brownsgreeenhousemt.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram

Public Welcome - Open M-F 8 am - 3:30 pmSome Saturdays.

Direct grower prices. Nursery and full-service landscape company. Landscape Services: Complete landscape services including lawn installation, sprinkler systems, custom rock walls, and planting services. We also build patios, decks, fire pits, retaining walls, pathways and water features. Tree services and moving also available!

12. K&S Greenhouse

Nursery: We specialize in Rocky Mountain natives and hardy plant material including instant shade trees, large evergreens, fruit trees, blooming shrubs, colorful groundcovers and wildflowers. Plant sizes range from a 1-gallon container up to a 30-ft. B&B tree. Located on 40 acres in Stevensville. Major credit cards accepted. For examples of landscape projects and our plant catalog visit: www.naturesenhancementinc.com

Come choose from over 100 handmade beautiful baskets. These baskets are some beauty to your deck or patio this summer. We specialize in hanging baskets, bowls, etc. Also check out our large selection of healthy vegetables for your Open 6 days a week. Monday - Saturday Look for our sign on Eastside Highway

961-1612 • 204 Black Lane, Corvallis, a half mile east of the Pharaoplex Open Monday – Saturday, 9am-6pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm. K&S Greenhouse has the healthiest plants in the Bitterroot — and best variety baskets and deck planters. They carry vegetable seeds, onion sets and Montana-certified seed potatoes. They also have herbs and vegetable starts – including 25 tomatoes. Check out their extensive selection of annual and perennial plants, nursery featuring small-caliber ornamental trees, fruit trees and shrubs. www.ksgreenhouse. com

13. Bitterroot Nursery

8. SHADY REST GREENHOUSE (406) 802-4637 - 1911 Eastside Hwy, Corvallis

961-3806 • 3 miles North of Hamilton on the Eastside Hwy.

Large selection of locally-grown trees and shrubs, vegetables, bedding plants, kets, perennials, annuals, pottery, garden ornaments, landscape supplies, mulch Open M-F 9-5:30, Sat 9-5, closed Sundays.

Open Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm

14. Evans Ace Hardware

Eastside Hwy

Open since 1958, Shady Rest Greenhouse has been helping grow successful gardens in the valley for 66 years. Carrying a large variety of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, baskets, shrubs, soil and ground cover and more.

363-3351 • 714 N. First (on Hwy 93) Hamilton Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 7 Days a week

Victor Corvallis

9. MOELLER’S NURSERY

406-961-3389 • Since 1971 • ¾ miles South of Corvallis on Eastside Hwy. Check out Mo ellersnursery.com

Open every day in season – April through November (while supplies last)

406-961-3389 • Since 1971 • ¾ miles South of Corvallis on Eastside Hwy. Online ordering at Moellersnursery.com

Open every day in season – April through November (while supplies last)

4. COTTAGE GARDEN GREENHOUSE

777-3061 • 5034 Eastside Hwy. Stevensville, halfway between Stevensville and Florence. Open Mon. to Sat. 9am to 6pm, Sun. 11am-5pm

Evans Ace Hardware is your neighborhood gardening headquarters and Premier dealership. Our certified garden team includes graduates from the SCOTTS They are eager to answer your lawn and gardening questions. Our greenhouse selection of local annuals, perennials, herbs, as well as Montana grown vegetables Brown’s Greenhouse in Florence. Glacier Nursery will be supplying an assortment and shrubs. Convenient bags of soils and amendments are piled high. Evans Ace Understands that spending time in your garden isn’t all about work. everything you need to relax and entertain outdoors as well. Add to your bragging rights with grills and accessories from TRAEGER and WEBER. ensure you consistent value throughout the growing season with national sales now until August. Forget mail in rebates! Take advantage of “INSTANT SAVINGS” for all our rewards members. Stop in and see the newest member of the family, now a Cub Cadet Dealer!

Bedding plants – Large selection of annual & perennial bedding plants: pansies, petunias, lobelia, asters, impatiens, dahlias, geraniums, moss roses, marigolds, alyssum, begonias, osteospernum, and more. Large selection of hanging baskets featuring begonias, fuchsias, super petunias & mixed baskets.

15. COOKS’ Gardens, the Greenhouse 363-0212

Golf Course

Perennials - 140 varieties including bleeding hearts, peonies, columbine, daisies, delphinlupine, sedum, and ornamental grasses. Vegetable bedding plants – Large variety that produce well in the Bitterroot: 50 varieties of tomatoes. 37 varieties of peppers, cukes, melons, squash, broccoli and herbs. MT certified seed potatoes, strawberry plants, asparagus roots.

177 Golf Course Rd • Hamilton. Conveniently located just 2 blocks off of A seasonal greenhouse, Cook’s Gardens offers a selection of unique annuals, perennials, grasses, ornamental succulents, over 20 varieties of tomatoes, other yard art and containers. Always friendly, always helpful, we can recommend for the right spot and we’ll plant up your containers especially for you. April Hours: 10-5, Closed Sundays and Thursdays. May and June hours: Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 11-4

Nursery stock – Shade trees, fruit trees, flowering trees and shrubs. Lilac bushes. Potentillas. Rhubarb plants, gooseberry, raspberry, grape, currant, and honeyberry. Save now on bare root trees and shrubs.

Bedding plants – Large selection of annual & perennial bedding plants: pansies, petunias, lobelia, asters, impatiens, dahlias, geraniums, moss roses, marigolds, alyssum, begonias, osteospernum, and more. Large selection of hanging baskets featuring begonias, fuchsias, super petunias & mixed baskets.

Potting soil, peat moss, and seeds.

Produce – A complete line available in season. Specializing in super sweet sweet corn, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, cucumbers, squash and pumpkins.

10. Moeller’s Nursery

Perennials - 120 varieties including bleeding hearts, peonies, columbine, daisies, delphinium, Lupin, sedum, and ornamental grasses.

With over 30 years of growing in the Bitterroot Valley, CGG provides the best plants and customer service for long-time locals and new-comers alike. Stock up on everything you need for your berry, herb and vegetable gardens then be ready for an abundant feast this summer/fall. Locally grown annuals, hanging baskets, perennials, Montana-hardy roses, and flowering shrubs blooming in every shade imaginable. Visit our website cottagegardengreenhouse.com or follow us on facebook for weekly specials and local gardening advice.

10. K&S GREENHOUSE

Vegetable bedding plants – Large variety that produce well in the Bitterroot: tomatoes, peppers, cukes, melons, squash, broccoli and herbs. MT certified seed potatoes, strawberry plants, asparagus roots. Wall-o-water plant protectors.

961-1612 • 204 Black Lane, Corvallis, a half mile east of the Pharaohplex Theater.

406-961-3389 • Since 1971 • ¾ miles South of Corvallis on Eastside Hwy. Online ordering at Moellersnursery.com

Open every day in season – April through November (while supplies last)

Nursery stock – Shade trees, fruit trees, flowering trees and shrubs. Lilac bushes. Potentillas. Rhubarb plants, gooseberry, raspberry, grape, currant, and honeyberry. Save now on bare root trees and shrubs.

Potting soil, peat moss, and seeds.

• Large selection of Montana hardy berry plants

• Locally grown annuals

• Tomatoes - 28 varieties of cherries, heirlooms & hybrids

• Vegetable starts from asparagus to zucchini

• Hanging baskets for sun or shade

• Perennials that will flourish in your landscape

• Select blooming and shade trees

Call or stop by with your ideas and questions today!

Now accepting VISA/MC.

5. SUPER 1 FOODS

777-7300 • 39 Stevensville Cutoff Rd • Stevensville

363-6200 • 1131 N. 1st Street • Hamilton

Open 7 days a week.

Great selection of quality plants, good prices, and great selections of annuals, vegetables, and new plants weekly from asters to zinnias. Garden supplies and art.

6. STEVENSVILLE COUNTRY STORE

406-777-5527 • 3673 Eastside Hwy - Just south of Stevensville on Eastside Hwy.

Open Monday - Saturday 8am-7pm, Sunday 10am-5pm - countrystore.net

From feed to seed to fencing and hardware, your local Country Store in Stevensville is here for all your Spring needs! We work hard to stock our shelves with the highest quality products from well-respected brands. We have seeds from Burpee, Botanical Interest, BSG Bailey, Rainier Seeds. We also have bedding plants, gardening supplies, and much, much more. And don’t forget about our wide selection of Pet and Livestock Feed supplies. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to deliver a positive customer experience - we have the expertise to help you with all your challenging Spring projects. We look forward to serving you!

16. The Scented Garden and Greenhouse Owner Sandie Fleischmann 406-363-7405 • 285 Grundy Lane, Hamilton (just off Grantsdale Road, 2 blocks Golf Course Road) Watch for the blue and gold signs. Open 10:30-4:30 Mon-Fri, 10-4 Sat, 11-3 Sunday. Organic, homegrown and hand cared for quality plants for all your gardening ing large hardy perennials, and bedding plants too numerous to mention. Gorgeous baskets, deck and container pots. Organic vegetables too! We give you ideas look, with color all year long, that adds quality to your home. Open for the season until October. If you haven’t seen our beautiful gardens, please stop by! You few gardening ideas.

Open Monday – Saturday, 9am-6pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm.

Bedding plants – Large selection of annual & perennial bedding plants: pansies, petunias, lobelia, asters, impatiens, dahlias, geraniums, moss roses, marigolds, alyssum, begonias, osteospernum, and more. Large selection of hanging baskets featuring begonias, fuchsias, super petunias & mixed baskets.

Produce – A complete line available in season. Specializing in super sweet sweet corn, cauli-

K&S Greenhouse has the healthiest plants in the Bitterroot — and best variety of hanging baskets and deck planters. They carry vegetable seeds, onion sets and Montana-certified seed potatoes. They also have herbs and vegetable starts – including 25 varieties of tomatoes. Check out their extensive selection of annual and perennial plants, as well as their nursery featuring small-caliber ornamental trees, fruit trees and shrubs. www.ksgreenhouse.com

11. BITTERROOT NURSERY

Perennials - 120 varieties including bleeding hearts, peonies, columbine, daisies, delphinium, Lupin, sedum, and ornamental grasses.

961-3806 • 3 miles North of Hamilton on the Eastside Hwy.

Vegetable bedding plants – Large variety that produce well in the Bitterroot: tomatoes, peppers, cukes, melons, squash, broccoli and herbs. MT certified seed potatoes, strawberry plants, asparagus roots. Wall-o-water plant protectors.

50+ years of the Bitterroot’s best selection of locally-grown trees and shrubs, vegetables, bedding plants, hanging baskets, perennials, annuals, pottery, garden ornaments, landscape supplies, mulch and more! Open M-F 9-5:30, Sat 9-5, closed Sundays.

Potting soil, peat moss, and seeds.

12. EVANS ACE HARDWARE

Nursery stock – Shade trees, fruit trees, flowering trees and shrubs. Lilac bushes. Potentillas. Rhubarb plants, gooseberry, raspberry, grape, currant, and honeyberry. Save now on bare root trees and shrubs.

Produce – A complete line available in season. Specializing in super sweet sweet corn, cauli-

363-3351 • 714 N. First (on Hwy 93) Hamilton

Open 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Mon - Sat and 8 a.m - 5 p.m. on Sunday

Evans Ace Hardware is your neighborhood gardening headquarters and Premier level STIHL dealership. Our certified garden team is eager to answer your lawn and gardening questions. Our greenhouse has a full selection of local annuals, perennials, herbs, as well as Montana grown vegetables from Brown’s Greenhouse in Florence. Glacier Nursery will be supplying an assortment of trees and shrubs. Convenient bags of soils and amendments are piled high. Evans Ace understands that spending time in your garden isn’t all about work. We have everything you need to relax and entertain outdoors as well.

Add to your bragging rights with grills and accessories from TRAEGER, WEBER, BIG GREEN EGG, GOZNEY, BREEO and More! We can ensure you consistent value throughout the growing season with national sales events from now until August. Forget mail in rebates!

Take advantage of “INSTANT SAVINGS” for all our rewards members.

13. COOKS’ GARDENS, THE GREENHOUSE

363-0212

177 Golf Course Rd • Hamilton. Conveniently located just 2 blocks off of Highway 93.

A seasonal greenhouse, Cook’s Gardens offers a selection of unique annuals, deer resistant perennials, grasses, succulents, over 30 varieties of tomatoes, other veggies, yard art and containers. Always friendly, always helpful, we can recommend the right combo for the right spot and we’ll plant up your contain

ers especially for you.

April Hours: 10-5, Closed Sundays and Thursdays. May and June hours: Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 11-4 Bailey Ln

S. Kootenai Ck Rd

Middle Burnt Fork Rd

Book Review

Booked for the season

“Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals” by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy c.2024, Knopf

$35.00 464 pages

Maybe you have room for one more.

The photo of that rescue animal tugged at your heart. Those soft eyes, the little ears, the fat furry paws, one more dog or cat in the family won’t matter, will it? After all, what’s a house without pets? In the new book “Our Kindred Creatures” by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy, you’ll see how animals moved into our hearts and homes.

In the earliest part of American history, animals were often perceived as tools.

Horses were meant for pulling or carrying. Cattle, for meat or leather. Even the creatures we treasure as pets today were kept around for hunting mice and moose, and that bothered Henry Bergh. He’d seen too many exhausted horses flogged to death on New York streets by frustrated humans and he knew that laws were lax or nonexistent so in 1866, he formed America’s first animal protection organization.

It took time to change minds, though: new local laws meant new ways of perceiving animals as living beings, rather than as equipment. The enforcement of such laws was helped along by social pressure aimed at animal abusers, meant to stop their violent actions, and the sentiment spread: in 1872, Congress passed a law to make railroad cars for cattle more humane. Other influential activists joined Bergh in his work to change the way animals were treated in America and over time, animal protection societies sprung up all over the U.S. to protect all creatures. By extension, those societies helped clean up the environment: when horses weren’t abused on the streets, fewer of

by Terry Schlichenmeyer

household status and medical schools started using fewer live animals to train new physicians. Attitudes toward animals-as-entertainment changed, including the lives of circus elephants and racehorses. And in 1874, Bergh saw a need that hadn’t been addressed., which was about the time when his SPCA lobbied to be able to protect children, too...

Here’s a warning about “Our Kindred Creatures”: you’ll find a lot of things in here that are hard-to-read, specifically, details on abused, killed, hurt, and dead animals. You’ll wince. You’ll want to look away. Trust. Be brave, though, and you’ll find a well-packed story of animals, activism, and attitude catching fire. Authors Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy don’t candy-coat this story but they do speak directly to animal lovers with this book, starting the tale early in our nation’s history, moving it toward a subject-within-a-subject. Once you reach the last pages, then, the authors ask you to think further ahead. Can we do even better?

To most readers, the answer will lie in the bulk of this book, as the process from kennel and barn to king-sized bed is presented with support from other parts of history to make a fine story with a few good jaw-droppers included. If you’re an animal lover, all you need to know is that “Our Kindred Creatures” is a book you’ll make room for.

Nose & Throat (406) 375-4499

(406) 375-4119

them died on the sidewalks. But neither Bergh nor his con-

temporaries stopped with horses, pigs, or cattle. Pets enjoyed new

Continued from page 1

Thompson Falls.”

Wayne YOUTH: Organization extending outdoor opportunities

Through more grant writing and local fundraising efforts, Project ASCENT’s first camp took place in Thompson Falls in 2015, became a non profit in 2018, and has been going strong ever since. The adventure camps are four to five days long and available to coed programs, for both boys and girls.

“We like them stinky and sassy,” stated Andrea.

There are currently five unique adventures, including the popular “Pack and Paddle “ adventure, where participants will explore over 30 miles of the Flathead River by kayak, camping along the way. To prepare participants for this adventure, there are instructional sessions in basic kayak skills, including water safety and rescue. Kayakers are also in charge of packing, loading and carrying their own gear each day.

Each adventure has an educational element, with local experts joining the group and teaching them everything, from bear safety, fish identification, and old growth preservation to the rich cultural history of the local tribes. All campers will be taught applicable skills, depending on each camp, including water and rope safety as well as some wilderness first aid.

“The adventures are not over structured, and campers have lots of free time,” said Andrea. “There are 10 kids in each camp, with two full time instructors, which is a great ratio of interaction with adults.” These instructors are extremely well trained, all being certified in WIlderness

Rescue, survival and much more. These “field instructors” are all adept in youth counseling and management, as well as being passionate about the outdoors.

Through a combination of grants and fundraising, all the equipment required for the adventures is provided by the nonprofit, such as tents, backpacks, sleeping bags and all meals.

“Kids can show up with just their clothes and shoes, we’ve got everything else covered!” said Andrea.

The camps are offered at no cost and are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Project ASCENT opens up applications for all their summer adventures on May 1, and the 10 applicants selected for each camp will be notified by June 1.

Project ASCENT will be participating in the Montana Youth Matters Outdoor Experience, on May 4, at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There, they will be joined by over 40 other outdoor, wildlife and conservation organizations, many of which offer camp programs of their own.

Parties interested in learning more about what Project ASCENT does, getting involved or making a donation to help

support their program, can visit them during the experience on May 4, or by visiting Project ASCENT’s website, www.projectascent.org.

They are also hosting their annual Corn Hole Tournament, their biggest fundraiser of the year, in Thompson Falls on Saturday, June 22. The event is open to everyone, with loads of fun, games, silent auction items, food, live music, craft beer and more.

For more information about this event, or to fill out an application for a spot in one of Project ASCENT’s epic adventures, interested persons can visit their website.

Andrea and Rob Christensen. Along with their team of talented board members, Project ASCENT has provided summer adventure opportunities for over 17 years. Their field instructors are some of the most highly trained in the youth outdoor camp space. They focus on wilderness therapy to help youth find a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a path toward prolonged positive mental health. Photo courtesy Project ASCENT.

Local marksmanship club competes at regionals

The Bitterroot Marksmanship Club (BMC), a youth 501c3 air rifle marksmanship club, recently competed at the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) Three Position Western Regionals in Salt Lake City. The event was held on April 19 and 20. The competition was attended by 240 junior athletes from throughout the West including Alaska and Hawaii. As this competition was a qualifier for the National Championships this summer, concurrent regionals were recently held in Alabama and Ohio. The event consisted of 20 shots each in kneeling, standing and prone both days.

The BMC received and accepted an At Large invitation and selected four of their 17 youth athletes to participate. The team was composed of Alaina Hein and Gabe Nott from Darby, Truett Watson from Victor and Alexis Bibby from the West Fork. Two of the youth are homeschooled while

two attend the Darby Public Schools. They competed against the best teams in the West with an average age of 1617 and multi-year marksmanship experience. The BMC is a new club that just started training in late November and the team’s age ranges from 11-14. Prior to departing, the coaches and athletes jointly set a high but attainable team goal of a score of 1850 each day. On Day 1 the team scored 1837, just 13 points below the goal and on Day 2 they exceeded the goal by 15 points with a team score of 1865. Both days’ total scores were new club records and every athlete set new personal bests. The team score was led by Alaina Hein with a twoday cumulative score of 990 closely followed by Gabe Nott with a total of 978. The club finished 63 out of 79 teams nationally, an outstanding result considering the club’s youth and lack of experience.

This was the first major travel-

ing competition by the club. Head Coach Joe Hein stated the following on the athletes’ performance: “Our young team had a great performance throughout the competition, representing the BMC and themselves very well. The athletes showed their competitive spirit by walking into a new range and competing shoulder to shoulder with teams who have years more of experience. I’m excited to see what this group of kids can achieve next season!”

Club Chairman David Naber remarked, “This event was a milestone for our club and marks our entry into

youth competitions at the national level. A successful first participation at an event this large can only come about through the hard work and dedication of our athletes, coaches, committee members and parents. Further, the support we have received over the last two years from the Darby Rodeo Association, the Town of Darby and our generous individual and business donors has been phenomenal. We are grateful and the future is bright!”

Interested youth or donors can visit the club’s website at bitterrootmarksman.com.

• Proven

- Passed most bills of all first-term legislators.

- Ranked in top 15 of all 100 Montana Representatives.

• Conservative

- Cut funding for unneeded state positions.

- Held spending growth to less than the inflation rate.

- Reduced state regulation of local government.

- Supported healthcare reform that helps low-income workers, aids small business, and protects Montana’s hospitals.

• Leader

- Waged successful campaign to expand veteran services.

- Chairing a key education subcommittee.

- Leading the effort to increase vocational education opportunities across Montana.

BMC athletes Alexis Bibby, Alaina Hein, Truett Watson and Gabe Nott. Photo courtesy BMC.

Team shooting standing position. Photo courtesy BMC.

The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) will be hosting a slate of listening sessions throughout the spring to seek input and ideas from producers on areas where the American livestock industry can be strengthened. The next listening session will be hosted on Wednesday,

May 1 at 6 p.m. at the Sutherlin Sale Barn, on 415 Spooner Creek Lane, Stevensville. Food and drinks will be provided and MSGA will host a drawing for a vaccine cooler to one lucky attendee.

The listening sessions are part of the organization’s Producer

Profitability Initiative, a grassroots movement started and led by cattle ranchers who have a vision to create a sustainable future for the American livestock industry. All livestock producers are invited to attend, attendees do not need to be MSGA members. Listening sessions will be

held in partnership with livestock markets throughout Montana from now through May.

“The livestock industry has an opportunity to come together with one another like never before,” said Lesley Robinson, MSGA Vice President and chair of the Producer Profitability Initiative task force. “There are many issues that affect ranchers, and at the end of the day we can agree that keeping land in production agriculture and our industry strong and vibrant for generations to come is something we can all rally around.”

The Producer Profitability Initiative encourages participation from beef producers of all ages, management styles, operations large and small, feedlot operators, affiliate businesses, private property owners, and supporters of the livestock industry whose livelihood and identity are tied to ranching and whose focus is to ensure the sustainability of the American livestock industry while providing security for the domestic food supply.

In February, MSGA released its Producer Profitability Initiative brief that highlighted five initial focus areas – creating a favorable tax climate, improving government programs, minimizing barriers to entry for young or beginning livestock producers, finding solutions for labor challenges, and developing industry mentorship opportunities. For additional in-

Bitter Root Land Trust to bring

Classical Music in the Wild’

The Bitter Root Land Trust (BRLT), a local nonprofit organization that partners with private landowners to protect working farms and ranches, wildlife habitat, and water resources in the Bitterroot Valley, will be hosting a one-time special benefit concert on July 27 for community members to connect with conserved lands through the nationally renowned “In a Landscape: Classical Music in the Wild” concert series.

Held in place of the organization’s annual summer Barn Dance event, which will return in 2025, the piano concert will take place at 5:30 p.m. outdoors on a conserved ranch on Sunset Bench, 160 acres of agricultural land, wildlife habitat, and open space conserved by local landowners Mike Sylvester and Meghan Hanson in partnership with BRLT in 2019.

A unique take on a traditional concert, a Steinway concert grand piano will travel to the Bitterroot on a flatbed trailer which will serve as the stage in the middle of an open hay field. Music played by talented pianist Hunter Noack is then transmitted to concert-goers via wireless headphones (provided), offering a live soundtrack to their experience as they are encouraged to wander throughout the sunny hay fields, a timber forest, and sagebrush meadow – all protected forever thanks to conservation.

America’s most stunning landscapes replace the traditional concert hall. A 1912 Steinway model D concert grand piano travels on a flatbed trailer to awe-inspiring natural landscapes across the West, from national parks to urban oases. Guests are encouraged to wander and explore the surrounding environment while listening to the music through wireless headphones, creating an immersive and intimate experience that fosters a connection with the music, nature, and with one another. Learn more by visiting inalandscape.org.

“We are thrilled to partner with Hunter to bring this opportunity to the Bitterroot Valley,” said Gavin Ricklefs, BRLT Executive Director. “The In a Landscape concert provides a new way for community members to celebrate the beauty of the Bitterroot, the incredible dedication of local landowners to conserving our water, wildlife and working lands, and our community’s incredible support for leaving a legacy of conservation for future generations.”

A conservation celebration will follow the piano concert, where guests will have the opportunity to learn more about conservation projects in the Bitterroot Valley, bid on silent auction items, and enjoy a local duo playing live country music until sundown. Beer, wine and food will be available for purchase.

“This unique experience is something we’re really excited to be able to provide to our community. To give folks the opportunity to visit a property the landowner and BRLT have protected forever with a conservation easement firsthand, making the connection between open space, conservation, and our community’s role in making it possible, is invaluable,” says Stephanie Sipe, BRLT Communications and Outreach Manager.

“This is the Land Trust’s opportunity to thank our

community and local landowners for what they make possible – the continuation of family farms and ranches, irreplaceable agricultural lands, open space, habitat for wildlife, clean water, and places to get outside and recreate.”

Tickets for this event cost $40 and are anticipated to sell out quickly.

A limited number of tickets will be available for sale online starting May 1, 2024. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bitter Root Land Trust website, www.bitterrootlandtrust.org.

“As residents of the Bitterroot, we have all seen the incredible pace of recent growth and change and its longterm impact on the Valley’s farms, ranches, wildlife, and fisheries,” noted Ricklefs. “We are at a critical moment in the Bitterroot’s history. Collectively,

Thursday, May 2nd 11:00 – 12:30

Lone Rock Bible Church 1142 Three Mile Creek Road, Stevensville, MT Guest “Blessed is the nation whose God is THE LORD” Psalm 33:12

NOTICE OF CLOSE OF REGULAR VOTER REGISTRATION AND OPTION FOR LATE REGISTRATION

Notice is hereby given that regular* voter registration for the Federal Primary Election to be held on June 4, 2024, will close at 5:00 PM on May 6, 2024.

*NOTE: If you miss this regular registration deadline, you may still register for the election by showing up at the Ravalli County Elections Office up to and including on Election Day. Between noon and the close of business on the day before Election Day, you can complete and submit a voter registration form, but you will need to return to the Ravalli County Elections Office on Election Day to pick up and vote a ballot.

All active and inactive electors of the County of Ravalli are entitled to vote at said election. Inactive electors may reactivate by appearing at the polling place in order to vote, by requesting an absentee ballot in any election, or by notifying the County Election Administrator in writing of the elector’s current address in the county.

Persons who wish to register and who are not presently registered may do so by requesting a form for registration by mail or by appearing at the Ravalli County Elections Office, 215 South 4th Street, Suite C, Hamilton, Montana. If you have moved, please update your registration information by filling out a new voter registration form and submitting it to the Ravalli County Elections Office.

If you are not sure of your current voter registration status, you can check your status online at https://prodvoterportal.mt.gov, or you can call the Elections Office at 375-6550.

Dated this 11th day of April, 2024

Regina Plettenberg, Ravalli County Election Administrator

215 South 4th Street, Suite C; Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 375-6550

we have the great responsibility and opportunity to protect the things that make this valley so special to each one of us but time is of the essence. The

In a Landscape event will help shine a light on the commitments local landowners and community members are making every day to ensure we protect the Bitterroot we all love.”

businesses and individuals to support this event. Learn more by contacting the Bitter Root Land Trust at 406375-0956 or emailing Lauren Rennaker, BRLT Development Director, at lauren@bitterrootlandtrust.org.

There are varying levels of sponsorship opportunities available for

To learn more about the Bitter Root Land Trust, visit bitterrootlandtrust.org. To learn more about In a Landscape: Classical Music in the Wild, visit inalandscape.org.

Dr. Erikson grew up in Montana and completed her residency in Missoula. She returned to Montana a year ago with her husband, who grew up in Stevensville, and their two young children.

She loves Family Medicine, which offers an opportunity to engage with

Founded in 2016 by classical pianist Hunter Noack, IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild is an outdoor concert series where

Photo courtesy BRLT.