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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent
’ ! l a c o L t e Best a
‘Th 37 29 Volume Number 42 Volume XXXVII, XXXVII, Number 30 Volume XXXVII, Number 28 XXXVII, Number
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 Wednesday, February 2022 Wednesday, January 26, Wednesday, February 2,9, Wednesday, May 4,2022 2022
www.bitterrootstar.com
Eagles in winterHumane Groundbreaking held Association for medical Bitter Root Three Mile Community Centercenter open
celebrates new shelter, 50th anniversary speech, occupa-
by Victoria by Victoria Howell Howell
shelter. $140,000. a levy, so this won’t any tional andhave physical According The park additional impact on people’s therapy services – It’s been a long time to Colleen board made property taxes. including therapy coming, but the new Three Schmiedeke, the decision In addition to thea loan, the Bitterroot Health Mile Community Center is up who serves on to take out a project was paid for by pool – plus imaging held a groundbreakby Michael Howell and cut the ribbon at last week’sthe and running. Located at 4433 both the park loan to finish Three Community and lab services. ceremony, saidMile concerning the Senior ing last Wednesday Sunnyside Cemetery Road, board and the the project. Center (the official name) Bishop said “It organization’s 50 years of service, An new openmedical house celebration was for theits center is on the east side community She said they which raised over $80,000 On Thursday, May 5th and Friday, taking it on from Katie Vennie. The matching funds from local businesses terroot Heritage Civic Group, Bitter they hope to have held last week at the Bitter Root was started by a bunch of little old complex that will beThe build- center board, of Lone Rock Park. worked with through community picnics, May 6th, community members near Water Forum, one of the participating or donors that will help donations Root Humane Association, Bitter Root ladies in 1972 and it’s still run by a Humane Association’s (BRHA) new the facility open ing contains a large meeting they started Farmers State rummage sales, bingo nights built just north of and far have an located opportunity to give nonprofits, works to keep water in the go even further. “For the Bitter Root Land Trust, Bitter Root Water Forum, animal shelter on Fairgrounds bunch of little old ladies.” room, a warming a working on Bank to keep and donations fromof commuby spring 2023, Stevensville at the kitchen, back nonprofit organizations Bitterroot for the Bitterroot, through Water Forum, we have $10,000 in BitterrootButts, Aquatic Center Foundation, President of the Roadtointhe Hamilton. The event served state-of-the-art audio visual this ain 2012 their loan Kathienity members. Other major and that they plan corner of Kootenai that work to makeItthe Bitterroot such on-the-ground restoration projects matching funds thanks to the generBitterroot Celtic Society, Bitterroot double purpose. included Board, said, “This organization has system, and a gorgeous view a ribbon and incorpopayments contributors were the Three on continuing to aCreek special place to Mountains live. Bitterroot Gives inand watershed education. osity of Farmers State Bank, private Cross Country Ski District, Club, Bitterroot and of the Road Bitterroot totherated 2014. reasonable. Mile Fireway Lone cutting ceremony in honor of new come such a long sincethe it was Valley Chorus, Coding for Kids, Daly is a 26-hour online giving event in Donations can be made online at donors, and a private foundation,” expand Hwy 93. including tours of the whole the west. She said the Those payRock 50 Park andago. theservices. Rapp started about years I Emma’s feel aFamfacility, Mansion Preservation Trust, partnership with is Missoula Gives. total cost www.bitterrootgives.org from 5 p.m. says Ocañas. “Having such stellarments come “We’re bringing the The building now home is ily Foundation. John Bishop, Bitbuilding, and an array of food and huge sense of responsibility to honor House, HEARTism Community Cen- ” “Bitterroot Gives and is anthe engaging Thursday, May 5, through 7 p.m. community-wide support means so care to the patients, to the senior center approximateout of park Schmiedeke said there terroot those who have come before us and drink inHealth honor of the organization’s much to us as Bitterroot non-profits. ter, Players, Linda Massa opportunity forCEO, community members Friday, May 6. Offline donations in Weekend Backpack Program ly $500,000. taxes that areHamilton were many who said. make itHome, as good as he itvolunteers can be Patrol, as we set 50thvisitors birthday. said that Marcus It’s impressive to see what our cmYouth Lost Trail Ski and to support local nonprofits the form of checks or cash, which can that serves Lone Rock School. When already being helped on theLois project, and HedgeThe private non-profi t organization the courseGuardian for the next 50 Montana years.” munity can accomplish when we do it Montana Fund, and to learn about the variety of great be mailed in or dropped off, are also Daly Hospital had The surrounding park conSchmiedeke assessed, TMCSC received reduced chair the McCormack saidpeth, that the of was fisoccer rstthese organized in 1972. make In 1984, School for the Deaf and Blind, Play impacts organizations in really encouraged. Check with the individual together.” tains and baseball “got Schmiedeke prices from contractors. The Three Mile Community Senior Center board members, l to r, ColTwenty-three local nonprofits Like Robert Foundation, Ravalli our Valley,” said Alex Ocañas, who is nonprofit you would like to support organization conducted a successful Countess Margarite Bessenyey, the hospital board, fields, tennis and volleyball involved,” the is proud that general contractor donated laparticipating year including the Bitter Root Water Forum’s new for details onSchmiedeke, offline donations. leen Joyce Pando andare Wendy Audiss inthis front of the fundraising campaign fund the new granddaughter ofpath, Marcus Daly, gave saidto this project courts, a walking a playgroup had they didn’t See page 43 Bitterroot Health Foundation, lead for community-driven efforts, Many of the organizations secure SeeGIVES, CENTER, new community center at Lone Rock Park. Photo by V. Howell. Bit-have to run construction but then the Covid-19 the BRHA on Fairgrounds Road ground andland a covered picnic raised Bitterroot about has been four page years Chamber of Commerce Director Al Mitchell holds the group spell-bound as Bitwith a 99-year lease. Six years later, pandemic hit and construction in the works, costs but ter Root Humane Association Board Member Sue McCormack prepares to cut the ribbon As a result, the group in 1990, the Bessenyey estate deeded there were some John Bishop, pictured from left, leads a gathering peopleskyrocketed. involved in the celebrating the opening of the new animalfifth shelter in Hamilton. Photo by Michaelof Howell. had to take out a mortgage to finish the land to the organization where delays due to the Bitterroot project in a ceremonial groundbreaking. The facility on the property that hadHealth housedbuilding the Sue McCormack, who serves on the current shelter is located. The See SHELTER, page pandemic. She said2 theat organization’s of directors will be built on land located the corner ofboard Kootenai Creek Road and Hwy 93 new building replaces an old building shelter since 1984. their vision that just north of the Stevensville Junction. by Nathan Boddy cumstances, having She adds thatisthe the Stevensville encountered people most important Christine Staub, a driving falling “quality, victim to mail way to combat facility will besuch more Darby, Victor and Corvallis, as well as been providing been unable to provide force has at the Boxxe Shoppe at fraud in the past. Hamilton. abuse is for people of a “medical center” rather than just a accessible, for those requesting it personalized 901 S.shelter 1st Street, was recently As a certified shipto ask clinic. She also said thatquestions Marcus Daly The new 12-acre campus will care” fordepot 90 years. 66 times the last health nine presented within a Certificate ofmonths ping for FedEx, and start conMurphy. Shethe led the Hospital, which is a critical access because the shelter was at or In recent the years, theyShoppe provide primary, care, urgent care and Appreciation by Mayor DomiBoxxe versation with those commissioners through over capacity. Utilizing abeen $1 istaking hospital, was recently rated #4byinlove. the specialty services. Two physicians have nic Farrenkopf and Hamilton legally justified to you know and have steps to a lengthy fund fund by Victoria Howell me like a ton of million grant awarded to the Police Chief Stephen Snavely. open package which doesn’t by Staub the national rataccounting that, to sum already been hired, along with a nurse nation for quality investMonin all theacommubricks.” City of Hamilton by the In his presentation to the City bears its shipping know the details it up, shows the county, ing agency, out of 351 similar facilities. practitioner, and two more doctors Bald have been congregating in the Burnt area lately to feed onOverstreet carcasses. was Photos nities of Fork the Bitterroot, InNumerous response to anEagles ever-growWhen it comes tana Commerce’s Council onDepartment March 15th,of Chief label. After following of what potential overall, doing very well by Michael Howell. Victoria Howell ing need for safe, emergency Snavely are being recruited. There willby also be he said, with clinics in to Covid, Greg sent home from CDBG program, this expansion said that he wants the protocol, and doing victims are told, but on its tax collections and shelter for those fleeing domesThe Bitterroot Overstreet has a Nawill provide a safe alternativesotoin the presence of the hospital with Hamilton Police Department she knows that over they showing revenues tic andForest sexual violence in the to “become tional (BNF) will The Cowboy Ball at the 50% Ravalli Countycoached being homeless forabout families fleemessage for you: more vocal a witness, Staub was an oxygen tank. are, “often of projections in Bitterroot Valley, Supporters host a public meeting ing domestic orhappen sexual violence. Fairgrounds will be held February is don’t fool around! the good things that able to uncover the He was home for to departments say12th. they This are shipmost while of Abuse Free Environments, this Wednesday, March “This project is not just an the tenth annual event and the way it’s shaping within the community.” Sharunfortunate contents two or three days. ping legal Overstreet, by Michael Howell expenses havepapers only or SAFE, is beginning a capital ing his 30th from 6 to 8 p.m. option but a necessity. department’s experi- Families of the package: nearlyDuring that time, paperwork.” Other up, it’s going to be an event worthy oftoa23% jubilee an attorney in amounted of campaign, HOME SAFE, to ence to share information experiencing domestic violence with Ms. Staub was one $16,000 in cash, common tactics for and former council member, the public at the next meeting Halfway through celebration. projections due in large private practice in his oxygen level by Victoria Howell raise fundsthe to renovate regarding develop- and such opportunity. often choose between remaining which the customer scammers include the budget year, the part to job vacancies Rod Freeman is the chair of this year’s appears to be continuing when the council considers Stevensville, was went down to 51, ment ofthe a draft forest expand current emergency In in an unsafe or becoming early March,home a customwas unwittingly send-from a normal of claiming county’s performance have yetto torepbe filled. event. Freeman is also thethat chair of the Rodeo diagnosed with his efforts to teach the new the appointment of Climbing Management shelter. The proposed expanAt the second regular homeless without emergencying to a scammer in two addier came to the Boxxe Shoppe resent the IRS or in is looking pretty good, One big savings was Committee, and the vice chair of the Fair Board, colon cancer in 99. “I jokingly say Plan (CMP). virtual council mayor how local Valtional council sion/renovation will double intending shelter services. Bitterroot meeting of theThe two-member toand send a package Chicago, Illinois.members. Social Security according to Ravalli the budgeted funds which he’s been onby forNa12 years. A real estate for February of 2021. that 51 is brain Staub of the Boxxe Shoppe. Photo meetingemergency will be held on bedvia government SAFE’s shelter should run. He have “We’ll do our job, ” Christine said ley survivors will no longer FedEx. County CFO Klarryse the Administration. county’s share Stevensville Town Council, on agent for 18 years here in the Bitterroot, andin also He wentSee through damage material.” Zoom. below than Boddy. capacity. There arefor 2 phases ofThewas to amake this decision.” customer Sometimes they frequent commenterMary Gibson January 27, town clerk Jenelle in the Army for 21 years, his organizational and instructions and a 1link this project. Phase will expand chemotherapy and But COVID-19 Seewill COUNTY, SAFE board chair Joan Mell, an attorney seemed con-former tell theirpage 10 at Lynn, council meetings during with the profile of the Berthoud the council to late join thetold meeting. Five fundraising skills, and discipline, haveone been put to the emergency shelter and and resiin August he was wasthe no joke.familiar “It and chair of the HOME SAFE fused and unOver victims that a loved has thecapital last administration. In from Hamilton, wasgot recpotential victims, butuse wishes similar public meetings dential areas thewas SAFE faciliaudience thatof she having good as chair of the Cowboy Ball committee. told that the cancer so bad I felt campaign familiar with course of her landed in jail, or that a prize that others withinFreeman the commucomment,Director Crews told in (virtual) were in meetty. Phase IIeradicated. willheld expand program said the committee Executive of SAFE ognized for stepping trouble streaming the the public process, decade with has been won,hopes but a to feeraise needs had been like I couldn’t nity would help her look out 2021. for support space edu-andthe council that those makprosecution Stacey Umhey states, “The bestto handle the the this year, to forbethe expansion of the rodeo Staub Boxxe paid for release of the hadgroups, breathe, likefor I their safety.$50,000 ingsOverstreet on the internet. She said At least one In addition to and the gathering cation programs, path forward was to take immebecame susShoppe, Staub funds. The scammers will ing public comment should caseload of Town Attorney bucking chutes. “They’re just getting old,” he said. surgery on October was being water the formerTo YouTube chanof the potential victims she opportunity to learn activities. date, SAFE has picious diate action to accommodate when haswhile now commonly use a getting legitimate “They need to be replaced. They’re banged address the mayor, not the Greg Overstreet he was 23, 2021 for ostomy boarded, or what aided was a resident at a local nel they had wasmillion, no longer about and participate in moreconsidering raised over $1.5 the Bitterroots need for recovered address, buton will be ready to up.facility Bucking stock can be hard metal.” removal, theof fidevelopnal I imagine He alsogrowing said, “This hospitalized, and then recov- water extended nursing and the process working but they set upmil-the audience. than 63 percent ofhad its $2.3 Emergency housing. None of us customapproximately grab the package fromactually a porch The 10th annual cowboy ball – which in the boarding to had be to be provided with a ride notand athis question ing acapital climbing plan, lion campaign goal, atreatment new Facebook page.this How-and er’sisage $60,000Mell in or front door when it arrives. had projectand on answer” our radar, ering, from Covid-19. started 11the years ago but couldn’t be held last year to the bank as well as to colon journey. like,” recalls week’scancer meeting cov- 1 ofthe session. enough to complete public no charge particular cash, all of to “They always direct the but the“It’s need is socomment. great that” wedid the work at ever, members ofwill thePhase public Boxxe Shoppe. due to the pandemic – has been upgraded this The day after that Overstreet. “This er the following agenda the project, doubling the size of details of the which was victim to send it, ‘no signature have to move on this. You can’t The mayor had said previousthe town. “I just wanted to who had he tried to access the “It’s common sense to me,” year. topics: surgery, was isfrauduwhen I realized SAFE’s emergency shelter from transaction. required,’” she adds. put ahe price tag be onanswering providing a publicly thankbeing ly that would Joan for helpThesays, Town of Stevensville recognized attorney Joan aMell, she pointing out that red page said it was not Unfortunate• Review “This is the first year we’ve ever done diagnosed with that I was not 4Facebook bedrooms tooverall 8. lently deThe Bank Secrecy Actfully safe environment and supports questions from the public. ing me and helping the town, ” flags abound when seniors are The juniors at Victor High School held an alumni prom on Friday, April 29.to center, for filling in while town attorney Greg Overstreet objectives and desired accessible. asked ly, it was catered dinner,” said Freeman. Thebanks University LocatedBerthoud in the Bitterroot COVID-19. taking Covid not manded from of 1970 requires for families as they work toward being scammed. “If a person Former students, and community members attended the affair, theof Crews said thathousing they said Overstreet. outcomes ofas the public ofPictured Montana Catering Service provide Valley, SAFE has been providing had Covid-19. with Mell are, l towill r, withdrawals Overstreet, for patience she worked “I was obviously seriously enough. Staub’s first also senior citizen spouses, keep track of securing affordable is 80 years old, and all ofand a boutonnieres. Classes from with almost all in evening wear, corsages, conversations should be prepared for some emergency shelter, housing, and dinner. Desserts are provided by 4H members. time having members of $10,000 or more in order very weakened,” said and thus a safer future. But the through the issues. Mayorofthey’re Steve council Cindy Brown coming the members The Boxxe Shoppe’s new location fivetothe years ago to the class 1947 Gibson, were ininto attendance. Joy Brown Clarke, and • Provide an update services for those encountered commuSee page 2 sudden “interesting comments” reality that we need from money to death Greg Overstreet talksisabout his recent brush with dueSTEVI, Overstreet. “Itformer hitexperiencing Jim Crews, mayor bank to5withdraw $15,000, it Stacie Barker. by alumni Victoria Howell. of See 1947, was the queen of the Clarke worked at 901 S. 1stWe Street in Hamilton.class See COWBOY BALLaspage 4 SURVIVING, page domestic or sexual violence by Photo Michael Howellprom. such cirnity. Staub is crowned complete project. can’t Covid. Photo by Victoriathis Howell. Seeshe SCAMMERS, page 2 makes my ‘spidy’ sense tingle.” the school secretary for over 40 years. She commented that had probSee PLAN, page 2 Photo by Nathan Boddy. since 1988. During the last do it alone.” ably punched many of the attendees’Last lunch tickets throughout the years. several years, requests for emerweek the Ravalli County Commissioners apSAFE anticipates providing Clarke is shown here with her son, Rod, class of 1973. Emcee Sam Faucett proved adoption of a memorandum of understandgency shelter have far outpaced 150 adults and children each is in the back. Photo by Laurie Wilde. ing with the Ravalli County DUI Task Force and the organization’s ability to year upon opening its expanded letter the commissioners statedInstituteProtection National Forest 1987 Forest aspen and whitebark pine; MAPS Media to produceAgency. a video The designed meet those requests, and SAFE emergency shelter. by Michael Howell to help parents keep tabs on their children’s behavthat “Ravalli County objects contains recommendations manage timber to provide Plan. ior. impacts to concerning the Draft SEIS for forest products and jobs; and to unmitigated A new record of decision The deadlineHowell closed on if it would be possible Victoria The DUI Task approved of year, theForce facility tookButterfly. inthe justcreation under bybyVictoria Howell thewhen Gold Concerncounty owned/maintained was issued on December 17, retain old growth status in all on January 18, forHowell filing objec- to put envelopes by Victoria his property which would in effect with the highway, which is aastate addressed private land was Mischief$240,000 Room lastand May and the commissioners spent every penny. roads heavy theowner scopeand ofthe the analysis treatment to 2021 accompanied by a to Draft all the doors and Dominic Farrenshutthen off access Stevensville Riverunits. According highway, because nowfrom you’re goingequipment to on it. sold toproject aing new Fish, Wildlife signed off creation tions to theShinn, Draft SupplemenJasmin founder and There The are no paid involved employees; it’s an all-of kopf, activities director put valentine cards in The Stevensville Town Coun- SEIS thatPark, a 20-acre park on the east bank have release two accesses forlogging trucksatrucks, pulling and Parks got involved. once-pritheitems letter quotes the Bittera Forest Service press and mostly, provides a site-speset of easily accessible that hadThe secret hiding tal Environmental Statement volunteer organization. Butdiameter said executive director of 1 Horse atMichael Sapphire Lutheran them. Farrenkopf thinning small timby Howell cant forest health concerns. to natural disturbances (fire,you’ve build up, and stressed treevate cil was split on whether to accept just toreally the north of the private piece ofthe boats, and just come out of the piece now belongs toShinn thesome state compartments where someone could stash root Forest Plan’s Forest-wide but not limited to, the impacts cific forest plan amendment about 90% of proposed (Draft SEIS) for the Gold A Time Horse it costs about $200 perfishing month toaim feed Homes inDraft Hamilton, isRescue liked the idea. He asked ber and vegetation to mainRavalli County currently has insects, and disease) by conditions. Proposed treataAtsmall piece of park land near the property. Crews contacted the county Stevi Wye at 45 miles per hour there and is a developed access drugs or hide a small flask of whiskey. The was to Willow Creek Road. Due“gentle to Management Wildlife Re-site. treatment areas are within an defining old-growth stanButterfly Project, aNational Bitterroot these there are facility inthe Corvallis, gotitem a nice asking community students at schools Stevensville bridge, an that was andrisk negotiated the donation of the forest conditions; are going to be accidents there.” I giants.” think it’sThen [thedesirable piece the tain or restore forest The Bitterroot the greatest from wildmodifying ments include prescribed fire,“But to provide parents a learning opportunity toon see the source Objective “Maintain area designated forhabitat insect resource and financial limitadards. objections to securing the boost last week when she was veterinary bills, therapy, training, and to send his athat daycares to make National Forest project considered atresidents the March 24th council land on the west, potential Mayorand Steve non-commercial Gibson said he didn’t west] still a viable piece oftoland for the thinning, species composition and stand Forest is inviting the public toand fires inSome Montana, with six improving wildlife and various ways in which any young person can hide Last year the envelopes. the disease sufficient old-growth habitat tions, Ravalli County would new decision were received treatment because of little love this Valenspecial envelopes and presented with a check for $7500 other associated costs to rehabilitate meeting. The land ownership will now river access pending outcome of see what use the land is to the town. “I city to have, whether or not you put and commercial harvesting. structure while reducing risks review and make comments communities in the top 10 forage for elk and other big their substance use from casual inspections. includes nearly 13,000 acres lopes were so full they The project is now tine’s decorate them foraccess each revert toDay. the county. The 1.52-acre the dispute. only see liability,” said Gibson. money into developing it,” said MotnotThe be able to accommodate onWhen suitable timberland to byall the January 18 deadline denseanimals; pockets of dead andadythese horses. they’re finally ready from representatives of JCCS, anof proposed activities are of uncharacteristic wildfire on a proposed fuels reduction, Montana communities game and contribGlenda Wiles, Director of the DUI Task Force, of commercial and non-comhad to be emptied more really popular, and About four years resident. Then people piece, which is located adjacent to the structures Council member Marilyn Wolff Michaelson said he looked up the for ley. “There are so many cars out there, not located or described in effects. These activities would vegetation management, and with at risk from uting to the local economy by said what she tells parents is, “If you don’t look, accounting fi rm with a branch adoption, most can be driven or support viable populations ing trees. They claim the area the necessary maintenance mostly having to do with the mercial treatment than once. growing every year. ago,health a vegetative resident came drop offsaid valenBitterroot River on the northwest side she had apotenreal problem with timber old minutes anddetail foundbut that the land I see. think can be used for parking. But then younor don’t If it you don’t see, then you don’t presented as “areas mimic what would be expectforest improvement providing products ridden, and some just become “pasture located in Hamilton. Part of could the wildfire. of old-growth dependent during the project, the logging of old growth, is impacted by mountain pine within aon55,000 acre area ofto the to Farrenkopf to see tines to fill the enveof the bridge, was offered Town this piece of land. “It’s where two was donated on the condition that looking long term, if you have propSee VALENTINES, page 10 of opportunity” for such ed under natural disturbance project the Stevensville The Bitterroot Community and related jobs. selection for awarding that gift tial impacts to wildlife and to pets.” See DUI, page rehabilitation of the road afteron the species. ” of The letter that10 beetle, Douglas-fir bark beetle, activities. forest inby theRanger Sapphire Mounin 2017 Ravalli for useWildfire as a roads converge, incrediit would and utilized erty west side thenotes river, For instance, after regimes theofestablished current cli-then and Darby Districts. Protection Plan, the theybank is The agency states that be maintained was online voting County and according 1 Horse At A Time was DrafttoSEIS limits note the scope dwarf mistletoe and western the project is complete. Ravalli Willow Creek Road.I think there are potential river accessProject site. bly steep… liability for recreational purposes within five you havethe access potentially consolexcluding certain areas Please that The Bitterroot Front dense vegetation conditions tains eastbranch of Corvallis. byfrom Shinn in matic 2018. period. She’s originally from to JCCS manager, Andreanote, has also identified the of its environmental consespruce budworm damage. County objects to shifting Bitterroot National Forest During the tenure of former issues… It is the fastest part of the years. idate highway property into the Town commercial timber harvesting this proposal does not include encompasses approximately project area as a ‘high priority’ in the project area have The original proposal was Simmerman, 1 Horse At A Time Germany where sheI grew up around mayor Jim Crews, the owner of land channel and thethe deepest decreased partAlthough of thethein Vickie park board memof Stevensville. think It’s (mostly because they were any roadanalysis construction or 144,000 acres of the Bitterfor fuels have reduction tothat reduce ability of the Motley, financial burden of the project quences tosomething vegetation, officials stated general withdrawn in August of 2020 horses. She’s always been a horse fan, was one of the top four vote at the river on the northeast had channel. If you were to develop that ber, said that nothing had been done already logged or burned, a reconstruction in inventoried root mountains from McClainside wildfire threats to lives, propforest to recover from or RDO Equipment Co. the pileated woodpecker and project is designed to improve agreement with the proposed to Ravalli County andbut believe after Friends of the Bitterroot getters. she is especially passionate about attempted to shut off river access on for fishing, I would also see a problem because the access problem had been See STEVI, page total of 55,133 acres remain roadless area,” it states in the16 Creek on the northern end of erty, resources, and commuadapt to future disturbances 8571 Running W. Road pine marten. project, the Ravalli County it is contrary to current law forest resilience to natural That check followed in the wake draft horses. She and her husband, a and Alliance for the Wild where commercial harvesting scoping documents. the forest to Trapper Creek on nities within the Wildland and stressors such as insects, and existing agreements. “WeThe realize these old growth disturbances like(WUI). fire, insects Commissioners Missoula, MT 59808 retiree, and their two children of asouthern $25,000 gift claiming in November Rockies filed end. suit the Urban may take place acrossmilitary the” existing forest and the Interface disease, fire, andexpressed climate indicator species are listed in andObjectives disease; reduce concernFire oversuppression impacts to efForest officials from Tractor Supply. relocated tofuels Montana and bought athese 20406-549-4171 project area. Ofalso the received 55,133 conditions within According to the the For-best of thesediproject change. agency failed to use acre farm which Shinn said can support That sounds like a lot of the Forest Plan, but it is not county owned and maintained comments from Philip Strobel ment sources in the Willow acres of commercial harvestareas will determine the est Service press release, include reducing the current forts since the early 20th cenavailable science in managing Presenting a check for $7500 from JCCS to Jasmin Shinn (second from left) of 1 Horse At RDOequipment.com money but, according to Shinn, and 20 horses. She and currently ing acrossofthe project area, intensity specific types of the Montana Forest Action future wildfireimprove risk to tury have caused Willow a departure roads, Creek Director NEPAabout Branch clear whether there are other Creek watershed; A Time Draft Horse Rescue were, l to r: especially Levi Clark, CPA, Andrea Simmerman, JCCSthe Branch elk habitat and didn’t comfrom historic fire frequencies, just over 13,000 acres falls in vegetation management that Plan recently the is people, private lands, and taking care ofidentified draft horses Office of the Regional Adminbull trout habitat; restore Road. Manager, and Will Ramsey, CPA. Also pictured is Tiny, the non-profit’s mascot and the ply with the definition of old resulting in our current forest inventoried roadless areas. occurs,See and,See in RESCUE, some cases, area as having high wildfire values by reducan expensive Last resource page 65 GOLD, page •FREEbyESTIMATES INTime. THE BITTERROOT VALLEY• Yproposition. OURH OMEIMPROVEMENThabitat CO.COM istrator of the Environmental In acrisis letter to the Forest meadows, firstincluding horse that was rescued 1 Horse At A Photo by Victoria Howell. growth found in the Bitterroot health with high stem “Commercial harvesting risk to communities and ing hazardous forest fuels; densities, hazardous fuels in roadless areas focuses on infrastructure and signifiimproving forest resilience See PROJECT, page 2
‘Bitterroot Gives’ fund drive Thursday, Friday
SAFE funds Public raising Scammers thwarted, vigilance recognized Prom Queen County budget for shelter expansion meeting
Surviving COVID on BNF Campaign has raised more than Climbing 63 percent of goal Plan
on track Cowboy Ball Halfway through fiscal year, county budget looking good
scheduled
Hearts full love Stevi toofrevisit refinancing bonds
DUI Task Force, MAPS to partner on special video
Gold Butterfly project draws some objections
Spreading love horse Local draft rescue Stevi to return park land thriving to county
Forest seeks comment on Bitterroot Front Project
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