We Sell
licenSeS
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID STEVENSVILLE MT PERMIT 89
777-2822 4039 HWY 93 N STEVENSVILLE
OUTLET STORE
For all your ammunition & Hunting needS
www.ammoandmorestore.com
Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent
’ ! l a c o L t a t s e B ‘The
Find the latest updates and information on the COVID-19 pandemic at www.bitterrootstar.com Volume XXXV, Number 43
406-361-9551
2701 Eastside Highway Stevensville
INC R PR EDIB L ICI 10x NG E 10 1 $ 0x2
4 0 $ 0/mo ! 55/ mo !
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
www.bitterrootstar.com
Fate of Bitterroot College unclear after split vote
Totally Montana
The top seven out of eleven candidates for the seven seats available on the Bitterroot College Board included Janet Woodburn, 4,349 (10.58%); Ran Pigman, 4,144 (10.05%); Don Gardner, 4,067 (9.87%); Gary Carlson, 3,856 (9.35%); Sue Smith, 3,796 (9.21%); Linda Doughty, 3,658 (8.87%); and Marci Smith, 3,618 (8.78%). Other candidates included: Candy Lubansky 3,540 (8.59%); Robert Fiefield, 3,357 (8.14%); Brittny Leatham-Olney, 3,183 (7.72%); and Judith Mott, 3,141 (7.62%). The voters approved the formation of a college district back in 2017 but the legislature’s approval, which is also required by law, was not forthcoming.
Local State Representative David Bedey said that it appeared to lose support because some legislators thought the public was not adequately informed that a levy would be required to support the district. Instead, the legislature authorized the college as a part of the University of Montana system through which it currently receives its funding from within the University’s budget. Bedey said he worked hard to get the issues of the district and the levy combined for a vote but found it was not possible under the law so two separate issues were placed on the ballot. He called the situation “unfortunate” that
Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Jeffery Mangan received a complaint about Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey from Stevensville resident Jim Crews on April 23. Crews lodged a complaint about Dewey’s use of
the Town’s website to comment on and defend himself against the recall petition that is currently being circulated. Crews claims the mayor is using the Town of Stevensville’s resources to disseminate information opposing the recall via the Town website and the town’s
Facebook page. Secondly, he believes that Dewey has apparently authorized the placement of campaign signage in town and outside of town which names his campaign manager. Crews said he believes the
and associated clinics have found themselves, like the rest of us, facing a pandemic crying out for a rapid and unprecedented response on everyone’s part. So this year, Kathy Padilla, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at the hospital, said that the staff felt like it was important to say a big thank you to the
public for the way in which they have stepped up to do their part in facing this public health crisis. “Ravalli County people trust us with their care, and we appreciate that,” said Padilla. “They trust us with their most vulnerable moments, and we appreciate that. They trust us to take care of their
families, their friends and their neighbors and we appreciate that. Now for the last few weeks they have taken care of us by taking care of themselves.” She said that by following the Governor’s directive and the CDC’s
By Michael Howell
The fate of the Bitterroot College District after the May 5, 2020 election is anything but clear as the voters approved the formation of the district by a heavy margin but turned around and declined to approve the levy that would fund it. Both of the closely related issues were placed on the ballot separately and the voters approved the formation of the college district by a vote of 6,280 (58.53%) in favor to 4,450 (41.47%) against. A set of board members was also elected. At the same time voters rejected the levy to support the college by a vote of 5,871(53.03%) against the levy and 5,200 (46.97%) in favor.
See COLLEGE, page 3
Complaint filed over signage, Brewery releases special beer website in Stevi recall effort Chris Anderson, Jake Rausch and Matt Drew celebrate the release of Flip Line Pilsner, Blacksmith Brewery’s creation featuring 100% Montana grown and malted beer, the first of its kind in Montana. Starrett Artists photo.
Blacksmith Brewing Company in Stevensville has released Montana’s first ever 100% Montana grown and malted beer. Blacksmith Brewing Company is excited to announce the release of a new beer that features 100% Montana grown and malted barley from Montana Craft Malt. In early March before the pandemic really started to affect the business for making beer, Jake Rausch, Blacksmith’s head brewer, and the team from Montana Craft Malt got together to brew a batch of beer. This beer is unique in the fact that it is the first beer in Montana to be made using 100% Montana grown and malted barley. It is a goal of Blacksmith Brewing Company
to keep production as local as possible often using hops grown right in the valley. So when they had a chance to be the first to use Montana Craft Malt, they were excited to try it. What resulted from this collaboration was Flip Line Pilsner, which was released this weekend. The beer is light and crisp with a grainy Pilsen malt character and a spicy herbal flavor with hop bitterness created from German noble hops. “I’m so excited to be the first to use Montana Craft Malt’s Pilsen malt to create this pilsner and to support Montana farmers and a new Montana malting plant,” said Jake Rausch, Blacksmith’s Head Brewer. “We were thrilled to work
Election results Florence-Carlton School District Trustees About 30% (1,195) of the registered voters (4,029) turned out for the Florence-Carlton May 5, 2020 school district elections. The top two candidates in the race for two open seats on the Board of Trustees were Bobbie Ketelhut with 674 (33.5%) votes and Lacy Janes with 631 (31.36%). They
mber Reme in n to tur lot al your b
By Michael Howell
See COMPLAINT, page 9
Daly Hospital and nurses play key role in pandemic, thank community for support By Michael Howell
National Hospital Week is following close on the heels of National Nursing Week and, of course, they have a lot to do with one another. This year, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital and the nursing staff at the hospital
See HOSPITAL, page 8
were trailed by Robert Cook with 471 (23.41%); Ckye Thomas with 225 (11.18%); and write-ins 11 (0.55%). Florence Rural Fire District Trustee In the Florence Rural Fire District election Dan Martin was See ELECTION, page 9
Thank you’s have popped up in the Lone Rock area after the recent approval of an operating levy.
Vote for
with Blacksmith and thought that our malted barley was a great fit for their Pilsner,” said Chris Anderson of Montana Craft Malt. “It was exciting to take part in the brew day with Jake and we hope everyone enjoys the new Pilsner.”
RON
Some of the dedicated staff at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital taking a moment to say thank you. Center: Sarah Lidstrom, RN, Clinic Nurse and Educator. Sarah is a Registered Nurse at Corvallis Family Medicine and a Clinic Nurse Educator and a recipient of the 2020 Missoulian’s “Nurses the Heart of Health Care” award. Front, l to r: Heather Swain, AEMT, EMS, Bruce Mosbrucker, Environmental Services, Sharon Colchin, FNP, Medical Provider, Katherine Dexter, FNP, Medical Provider, Crystal Hamilton, CMA, Primary Care Clinics, Vicki Gunther, Patient Access Services. Back, l to r: Bo Hokanson, RN, Medical Surgical Unit, Greg Mcfadden, Facilities, Larry Ingvalson, PTA, Rehabilitation. Amy James-Linton photo.
MARSHALL Paid for by Ron Marshall for HD 87 . 840 South 1st . Hamilton, MT 59840
HD 87