Missoula Food Bank & Community Center is ramping up summer programming! As they prepare to serve over 60,000 free kids’ meals this summer, they have some big volunteer needs. Whether it’s helping to prep and pack all the meals in the kitchen at MFB&CC, or serving lunches to kids at one of the meal sites, they’ve got a job for anyone who is looking to support a hunger free summer through volunteerism!
Come for a two-hour shift this summer to help support one of the programs. There are shifts from 7-9am, 9-11am, 11-1pm, 1-3pm, and 3-5pm
throughout the week. Committing to a weekly shift for just 12 quick weeks is ideal, but there are also fexible scheduling options. There is something for everyone at the food bank.
If you’re more interested in volunteering in one of their other programs this summer, they also have needs boxing groceries in their store, doing data entry, hanging out in the EmPower Place, and more! Many of their volunteer positions are appropriate for all ages and abilities. To apply, go to missoulafoodbank.org and fll out a volunteer application. Someone from the volunteer department will reach out
to you about volunteering this summer and you will work together to create a schedule that suits you best.
The food bank is seeing a higher need than ever in the community with around 1 in 5 Missoulians accessing nutrition assistance through at least one of these programs. As the number of people experiencing food insecurity grows, so does the need for more community support. Missoula Food Bank & Community Center is flled with gratitude for the support of this community when they ask for help.
Missoula Food Bank & Community Center is the primary resource for
emergency food assistance in Missoula County. In 2022, the organization served one in fve people countywide through its choice-model pantry alone. Even more services are provided through rural satellite pantries and specialized programs serving children and seniors. Missoula Food Bank & Community Center is open for distribution Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00am-7:00pm, and Wednesday and Friday from 10:00am-1:00pm. More information about programs, services, and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.missoulafoodbank.org
Become a Bitterroot Explorer with Agents of Discovery
Beginning July 8, players of Agents of Discovery, an educational mobile gaming platform, can participate in the Bitterroot Explorer event. Bitterroot Explorers can earn prizes by showing completed mission screens at participating locations.
“We are thrilled to work with organizations throughout the Bitterroot Valley to encourage kids and their families to learn about the history and ecology of the local area,” said Sandra Broncheau-McFarland, Administrator Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail (NPNHT). “Since first launching in 2019 we have added six new missions and new Agents to guide players along the way.”
Geared toward learners 10 and older, Agents of Discovery is an educational mobile gaming platform designed to get youth and their families outdoors, active, and learning. It is free to download and available in your preferred app store.
The app features engaging, site-specific missions that delve into the rich history, ecology, and natural wonders of the Bitterroot Valley. Players choose their Agents, who guide them through missions packed with challenges, questions, and activities that unlock the unique secrets of each location.
Missions are free to play and, once downloaded, do not require Wi-Fi or a data connection. Players
must be logged into the Agents of Discovery app to save completed missions. The more missions you complete, the more chances you have to win.
There are ten missions in the Bitterroot Valley:
Lolo
Lolo Pass Visitor Center, Nature Walk, Agent It’seYeYe Fort Fizzle Historic Site, A High Passage, Agent It’seYeYe Travelers Rest State Park, Camping with Lewis and Clark, Agent Seaman
Hamilton
River Park, A Nez Perce Camp, Agent It’seYeYe Hieronymos Park, Smokey’s 80th Birthday, Agent Smokey Bear Stevensville Fort Owen State Park, Triumphant Trading Post, Agent Jack Bass Creek Recreation Area, Fire Ecology, Agent Anna Willoughby 40 Environmental Trail, Sustainable Recreation, Agent It’seYeYe
Historic St. Mary’s Mission, History Mission, Agent Tomaso
Darby Lake Como Recreation Area, Nature Walk, Agent Mallard
Busy Independence Day for DNRC frefghters
Fourth of July in southwestern Montana was flled with colorful freworks and celebrations, and a few sparks that went wild. The DNRC Southwestern Land Ofce frefghters responded to 17 wildfres on the Fourth and the days following it. All have been contained and/or controlled, the largest fre being the 7-acre MM 141 Fire in Granite County. What is crucial is that each wildfre was human caused, which means that each wildfre could have been prevented. While fre danger in many areas throughout SWLO is still Moderate, a dry week of above normal temperatures is expected to elevate fre danger quickly. DNRC-SWLO fre managers are asking our public to help them protect lives, property, and our beautiful natural resources by being extremely cautious with their
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activities.
“Many of our recent wildfres were caused by humans lighting freworks in unsafe conditions, however, there were also wildfres started by dragging trailer chains, bonfres, and equipment. These types of wildfre starts often continue through the summer and aren’t just a ‘holiday’ occurrence,” explains Kristin Mortenson, Community Preparedness and Fire Prevention Specialist for the DNRC-SWLO. “Each of our 17 wildfres could have been prevented, so we are asking our public as we head into a hot, dry, and potentially windy weather pattern, to please use extra caution and prevent human-caused wildfres. The safest and least damaging wildfre for our frefghters to fght is the one that doesn’t start.”
On average, 75% of wild-
fres in Montana are human caused. Residents and visitors can reduce fre risk through a few simple actions to protect themselves, their families, and the land:
• Obey all fre restrictions. Visit MTFireInfo. org for information on fre restrictions in place throughout Montana.
• If campfres are allowed, please do not leave your campfre unattended and fully extinguish it before leaving. If it is too hot to touch, then it is too hot to leave.
• Make sure that your trailer chains are not dragging, which can cause sparks.
• If you are thinking about burning debris, make sure that outdoor burning is still allowed. Most SWLO counties have closed outdoor burning due to fre danger.
• Please call 9-1-1 to report a wildfre.
For more information on wildfre prevention, active wildfres, fre restrictions, and wildfre preparedness, please visit www.MTFireInfo. org.
legacy is passed on to Bitterroot youth
collecting household paper products and feminine hygiene products for SAFE at supermarkets, doing food drives and ringing their bells at stores during the holidays to raise money to help others. When Interact members want to initiate other service projects, Rotarians encourage and support them.
One way leadership training is promoted is by sponsoring six local high school sophomores to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp in Livingston. The camp brings together students from across the state and teaches leadership skills, networking with peers, and the chance to learn from community leaders. They learn how to work together to solve local and world-wide challenges and how they can take on a leadership role in promoting service projects in their school and community.
Ofering scholarships to graduating high school students has been a long-standing tradition of Hamilton Rotary and they now ofer six $1,500 scholarships to attend trade schools, certifcation programs or college. In keeping with the Rotary’s history of meeting health challenges and needs, some of those scholarships are specific to graduates interested in a broad spectrum of health-related areas from counseling, phlebotomy and paramedics to LPNs and doctors. They also ofer two $500 scholarships in memory of Robert Leonardi. In keeping with their mission, service to others is an important criteria to qualify for a scholarship.
Major areas of focus for Rotary International are to promote peace, fght disease and provide clean water,
sanitation and hygiene worldwide.
High school students can take advantage of the international programs, coordinated and hosted by Rotary clubs around the world. Dr. Mark Jergens, a longtime local Rotarian, praises these programs of youth saying, “These opportunities are teaching high school students that the world out there is diferent. They become better citizens and leaders and appreciate their own country in a diferent way.”
Students are encouraged and supported to be exchange students themselves and to host students from other countries. Rotary is so committed to international experiences they will also help coordinate with clubs in other countries to facilitate experiences and learning opportunities for individual students with specifc interests.
One recent outstanding international project was when a group of students from Corvallis went to Guatemala and were hosted by Rotary members while they worked on a project to provide safe water for drinking, washing and sanitation. This year students raised $1,600 to sponsor another water project in Guatemala.
Adults involved in these international programs working with youth and also have their own programs. In fact, the Rotary district governor recently reached out to members saying, “After having the opportunity to visit Guatemala this year and seeing the impact of many of our international projects regarding clean water and sanitation, I urge you to consider becoming involved with an international project. We are currently forming small club alliances to complete smaller low-cost international projects
quickly and efciently.”
The Rotary Club of Hamilton has consistently embodied their motto: service above self. Through its diverse projects, community partnerships and global initiatives, they have left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals. As the club continues to grow and evolve, it remains committed to collaborating on local and international projects for the common
good and promoting peace and understanding through youth leadership, service and learning opportunities. For more membership information and to meet others committed to local and international service and youth leadership, interested parties can call (406) 363-2400. Rotary meets on Mondays at noon at BJ’s restaurant and includes informative speakers from the Bitterroot Valley.
Hamilton “painted blue” for Robert’s Run
by Sarah Glass
On Tuesday, July 2nd, the Hamilton Downtown Association “painted the town blue” by hanging banners in Robert’s Run colors to promote the upcoming 1-mile walk, 5K run, and 10K run on August 3rd. For one day out of the year, Hamilton, Montana may take Eugene, Oregon’s TrackTown USA title, if not for the sheer number of competitors present, then at least for the hearts of its runners and the purpose behind their eforts.
About 800 runners attended Robert’s Run last year, with representatives from all 50 states.
“This year, we will have [runners from] all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico, so all of North America,” said the event’s race director, Doug Martin. “We will have about 1,000 runners in person and 1,400 overall.”
Robert’s Run benefts the local Play Like Robert Foundation. The namesake of Robert Leonardi, a joyful nine-old-boy who lost his life to a hitand-run accident on Golf Course Road in 2019, the organization has been a way for the Leonardi family – his parents, Phil and Alyce, and his sister, Meryn – to transform their grief into something meaningful while reminding others to cherish the time they have with the youths in their lives. The list of projects in which the Play Like Robert Foundation has had some hand includes bringing tetherball and basketball hoops to Daly Elementary, shot clocks to numerous Ravalli County high schools, and playground equipment to the Bitterroot Aquatic Center, to name a few.
“I think the cause of the Play Like Robert Foundation is why people are attracted to it,” said Martin, “and then, Phil and Alyce. It’s a great race, but I think most of it is about Phil and Alyce and celebrating Robert’s memory and his spirit.”
Phil and Alyce have a long history of working as educators in Ravalli County. “I coach track and cross-country at Corvallis,” Alyce said, “and when Robert died, the Corvallis runners were what I needed. They were just solid, decent humans. They said, ‘We
will run with you and just let you be and show up every day for you.’”
Not only did the kids Alyce coached continue to show up for her, but community members showed their support for the Leonardi family by joining them in an informal run through downtown Hamilton the day after Robert’s funeral. Years later, people from across the nation continue to come to the town to run, help raise funds for local children’s activities, and to remember Robert.
Robert’s Run organizers plan to recruit a race ambassador with Olympian status for the 2024 event. Galen Rupp, a two-time Olympic medalist in long-distance running, attended last year to host a runner’s clinic and present awards. In 2022, Bernard Legat, a two-time Olympic medal winner in the 1,500-meter race, served as ambassador. Martin said the 2024 ambassador should be known sometime later this week. When asked how they can recruit such famous athletes, Martin’s wife, Heidi, said that Alyce has a friend who works at Nike in Portland, Oregon and that he makes the connection possible.
“It’s such an exciting thing... to have an event of this magnitude growing and bringing people into our town,” said Robin Pruitt of the Hamilton Downtown Association.
For the event which is designed to be all-inclusive, visitors and participants of the August 3rd event can also look forward to a children’s carnival and medals for everyone. Robert loved to play games, said his mother, and loved playing anything for which he could win a prize.
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 12:00 -2:00 P.M. Delicious fair-style menu including burgers, brats, cotton candy, corn dogs, and more! Door prizes and other giveaways! Tours of our beautiful community available.
Run organizers Phil Leonardi, Meryn
A 1-mile, stroller-friendly walk is available for anyone that cannot or does not want to run, as is a virtual option where people can participate by “playing like Robert” and doing family
to promote the
activities.
To sign up for Robert’s Run or learn more about the Play Like Robert Foundation, visit runsignup.com/ Race/MT/Hamilton/RobertsRun
BITTERROOT School of Music
1,
& 8 |
August 5th - 8th
pm
@ Sapphire Community Health Aug. 6 | 3:00-5:30 pm Stevensville @ Kohl Building Parking lot $25 Flat-fee (Cash, Check, and PayPal accepted during School Sports Physicals Event) Please bring a MHSA sports physical form. Call today to schedule your appointment. Discover more about local medical services, providers and healthcare resources at sapphirechc.org or call 406-541-0032.
Robert’s
Leonardi, Heidi Martin, Alyce Leonardi and Doug Martin meet in Downtown Hamilton to see the town “painted blue”
August 3rd event. Photo by Sarah Glass.
VOTE: Darby elects to hold local government review
review in Darby, held between 1994 and 1996, passed 83 for and 43 against. This year’s unofficial vote, determined by the machines, was 91 to 91. After the recount, the final official vote was determined to be 92 for and 91 against.
Plettenberg explained that the machine’s tabulations were perfect. However, there was a human element that determined the outcome.
“People say ‘my vote doesn’t matter,’ but here, one vote made all the difference,” said Plettenberg.
As explained by Plettenberg, ballot forms are placed into tabulation machines that count vote submissions by identifying markings in ovals on the forms. For ovals that are filled in correctly, votes are included into the count according to the corresponding name next to the oval. This process works very similar to standardized testing in schools.
However, if a form is not filled out correctly, due to an overvote, unclear or unreadable marks, has two options filled in or even the slightest mark on both ovals, the ballot is kicked out by the machine. In the vote determining a government review in Darby this latest election, there was a ballot that was kicked out by the machine for one of these reasons.
Additionally, the count the machines recorded ended in a tie, calling for a recount of the votes by hand. This standard procedure led to the commissioners reviewing this particular ballot. Once reviewed, they determined the mark that caused the ballot to be kicked was a “hesitation mark.” This could be many things, including possibly where it appears the voter may have partially filled out one oval, then completely and clearly filled out the other. The commissioners determined that that ballot was voting for the local government review.
According to Plettenberg and the election office, interested candidates must be registered voters in Darby city limits, and may file no later than 5 p.m. on August 12.
There is no filing fee and the runners cannot be elected officials within the local government. There are three study commissioner positions and the top three candidates will be chosen. The ballot to vote on these candidates will appear in November.
Though the qualifications for candidates may be limited, elected study commissioners will undergo training before they begin their review.
To help explain this, Dan Clark, director of the Montana State University Extension Local Government Center, spoke at length during an interview on the process the town will need to go through to facilitate the government review.
plan.
According to Clark, the MSU Extension Local Government Center is providing training statewide to all elected study commissioners in December. The training will be held in various locations around the state, both in person and with online options. This training will be available to the 43 municipalities and 12 counties that elected to host these reviews. Clark said this number is slightly up from the last review in 2014, but the number often fluctuates up and down.
Clark himself has been involved with three of these review cycles. He explained that these reviews are dictated to be offered on ballots by the state constitution. This section speaks on the review and what it may entail.
Also called a voter review, this process takes those eligible to hold public office, and has them dig into their governmental process. Clark said they can generally look at three things, including powers, form and
Clark believes Darby in particular may address a few things. Currently, Darby has a self-governing power, which gives them slightly more freedom. This kind of power allows them to address issues utilizing both what is defined in the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), and what the code does not specifically speak on. “This gives you a little more flexibility to address local issues,” said Clark.
Next, when looking at the form of government, Darby has six different options available to them. Darby currently retains their commission executive charter form of government they voted on in 1996. In this form, both the mayor and the council are elected members of the community. Because of the inherent freedom afforded by their current elected form and powers, Clark believes the town may desire to keep these the same. He believes the big changes may come from looking at the town government plan.
As stated before, Darby has a charter form of government, whereby the town also adopted a charter after that change was made. This
charter is a written plan, similar to a constitution, that directs the powers, obligations and responsibilities of elected town officials in Darby. It spells out the process of electing, defines duties and, according to Clark, may be the focus of the Darby voter review this time around.
This is because, after nearly 20 years, the community may want to adjust and update the language in that charter. According to Clark, this also gives the town the option to readjust to modern interests, whatever those are. “It allows the community, and its form of government, to evolve as the community evolves,” said Clark.
Once the study commission finishes its review, it will make suggestions that will appear on a following election ballot. If these suggestions pass, the study commissioners will stay on long enough to aid with the transition. According to Clark, the elected position of study commissioner essentially expires at the end of 2026, by which they must have suggested their changes.
Clark spoke on these kinds of reviews, saying they are “a great example of the democratic process.” He also said that it is unique to Montana. Clark stated that constitutional conventions are common for many state governments, but something for local and municipal governments, defined within a state constitution, is quite a rare thing. Clark believes this goes back to the ethos of Montanans, and their drive to be independent and to do things their own way.
Interested parties can visit ravalli.us, the county website, for more information about the Darby local government review and how to file for candidacy. Plettenberg stated that parties looking for more in depth information can also look into the Montana Code Annotated, under MCA 7-3-101. Information on how these reviews work can be found in the Montana State Constitution, under Article 11, Section 9.
Response to ‘war against evil’
Revelation 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless...and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fre and sulfur…” As we know, Trump told over 32,000 lies while in ofce.
Exodus 20:16 tells us, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Yet Republicans said the election was stolen by Biden which was also a lie.
Christians also have claimed that there are tunnels under the White House that Democrats use to smuggle children to their pedophile buddies. Christians also claim that the thermometers used to take one’s temperature are actually instruments used to brainwash people.
Christians also claim that during the January 6th insurrection the police and Antifa infltrators caused the violence and the Trump supporters were peaceful.
It is self-evident those that tell these lies are Christians in name only (CINOS). The Bible says these are the “goats” who will be cast into eternal damnation because of their “evil” lies.
Trump lies and cheats on his wives, his taxes, his business dealings and even while he plays golf.
Richard Parker and his MAGA cult members are not following God’s Word, the teachings of Jesus, the example of the Good Samaritan nor the truth. It is sad to see Republicans destroy this country. It is even sadder to see so many Republicans and Christians go to Hell because of their lies, hate, false accusations and undeserved self-righteousness.
Mark Snider Hamilton
Right-wing Christianity
used as a club
In books and the media, I frequently satirize right-wing Christianity. My reason for doing so is because that version of Christianity is the only religion Americans use like a club to impose itself on those who believe diferently. Examples of this include overturning Roe v. Wade, book bans, forcing itself on public schools, bigotry toward the LGTBQ community, and the damage inficted to the environment, human rights, and democracy by right-wing Christian champion and convicted felon, Donald Trump.
On social media, I post a daily series called “God’s B Sides.” I started the series to point out how misleading it is for politicians and clergy to preach “God’s Greatest Hits” while ignoring the huge number of violent, sexually explicit, and misogynistic verses contained within the Bible.
Comments on the series, posted by Christians, have been eye-opening. Many mentioned they didn’t know such verses existed, and most admitted to only reading a small portion of the Bible. That corresponds with polls that indicate only about 20 percent of Christians have read the entire Bible.
Both the Old and New Testaments are equally disrespectful to women. If Montana’s far-right ever gets their way and we follow the southern states by forcing Christianity into our public schools, perhaps students can study these “historical” verses:
“A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.”—1 Timothy 2:11-12
“Blessed is the one who grabs your little children and smashes them against a rock.”—Psalm 137:9
“When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are. If she does not satisfy her owner, he must allow her to be bought back again.”—Exodus 21: 7-8
“There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.”—Ezekiel 23:20
“If men get into a fght with one another, and the wife of one intervenes to rescue her husband from the grip of his opponent by reaching out and seizing his genitals, you shall cut of her hand; show no pity.”—Deuteronomy 25:11-12
“Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.”—Numbers 31:17-18
When politicians claim they will legislate on behalf of their Christian beliefs, they should be asked, “Have you read the entire Bible?” Those who haven’t done so are not only demonstrating extreme laziness for failing to read the only book their religion is based on, but they’re also admitting that less than 5 percent of the Bible, “God’s Greatest Hits,” are all that matter.
Republican politicians from Tim Sheehy to Ryan Zinke to Donald Trump provide a harrowing example of forcing right-wing Christianity on the public without full knowledge of the Bible. As part of their alleged Christian values, they endeavor to steal a woman’s right to control her own body. The same goes for greedy clergy, who know that opposing abortion is a moneymaker. None of those power-hungry people will admit that the Bible—though it states it in its usual misogynistic way—actually approves of abortion by providing instructions on how to force an unfaithful wife to “miscarry” (the word “abortion” didn’t exist back then).
The section is too long to share here, but I encourage people to read Numbers 5:11-31. Since there are roughly 450 English translations of the Bible, not all use the word “miscarry.” The New International Version is a good version to check, as it bypasses the King James Version and was developed by more than 100 scholars working from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Freedom of religion is a cherished value in America, but like all freedoms, it ends when it’s used to cause harm or infringe on the rights of others. America’s founding fathers got it right when they unanimously passed the still-valid Treaty of Tripoli, which states: “As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”
Marty Essen Victor
It’s
meltdown time
Nothing says “threat to democracy” like the obvious realization that your candidate is too old, then having a bunch of donors and the slimiest people on the planet pick your replacement at a convention. To heck with free and fair elections, am I right?
Maybe if Joe had allowed a debate, Democrats wouldn’t be in this position. But I guess by not allowing Secret Service protection to RFK Jr, he thought that problem would take care of itself. I mean seriously - if any family has shown it needs Secret Service protection, aren’t the Kennedys at the top of the list?
Mix in a few bogus trials against your political opponent that all miraculously happen in an election year, radical states trying to remove a duly elected candidate because their fee-fees were hurt, and the actual locking up of his political rivals (not the fake assumptions Joy Reid and Joe Scarborough tell you about), and dang, if it isn’t a lot like a Communist country. We’ve been fghting authoritarianism since smooth bore muskets were used, yet here we are.
Now the memo has circulated to the Dem mouthpieces and the Montana Democrats, that Trump has no morals as opposed to something like, oh, I don’t
know, “here’s Joe’s accomplishments” which would be as blank as his stare.
So what does a worthless government leech who’s been milking the system since just after we frst landed on the moon, won’t acknowledge a granddaughter, raped a Senate aide, slept with his babysitter (now wife) while married, blames a truck driver for his frst wife’s death (100% her fault and ruined the driver’s life), showered inappropriately with his daughter (her exact words), used his crack addict son to pedal his infuence abroad extorting tens of millions of $ have? Morals?
The dude has failed as a father, failed as a husband, sure as heck failed as a dog trainer and President, and as we all know is a serial plagiarist and liar. That sets the bar for morals at a new low.
I am so here for the meltdown of Democrat mouthpieces on TV who after lying to you for 3+ years now must admit what any rational person has known. Joe Biden is not ft to be president and more alarmingly…. Who is actually running the country? I can guarantee this: they were not on any ballot you or I saw. More alarmingly, who is going to run the country if he wins? If it gives you comfort, Crackhead Hunter and that grifter parading as a doctor wife of his are advising him. If you’re telling me he’s fne, I highly suggest you sit this one out.
Bill Cavanaugh Corvallis
Response to ‘Urgent call to action for Republicans’
Mrs. Sabin claims “The Republican Party in the valley is under siege.” I couldn’t agree with her more. Yet, Sabin’s opinions lack indisputable FACTS, possibly due to her lack of attending past meetings.
Many of the candidates elected to the Ravalli County Republican Central Committee (RCRCC) in the recent primary were highly recruited and supported by Terry Nelson. Terry is the former chairman of the RCRCC and current Secretary for the MTGOP. Under Mr. Nelson’s 13+ year leadership, the RCRCC has supported “republican” candidates that rank in the lowest percentile of their constituents when graded on supporting Republican values. Most of those candidates lost their primary race to candidates who DO support Republican values.
Mr. Nelson advertised his endorsement for a list of 30 candidates in the Bitterroot Star under the heading “Terry Nelson’s Picks For Ravalli County Republican Central Committee”. Mrs. Sabin lost her bid to join their ranks.
Here are indisputable FACTS about those from Mr. Nelson’s list that were elected.
NONE of these “Republicans” were willing to endorse the Montana State Republican Party Platform at the ofcial swearing-in ceremony held at the RCRCC meeting July 2nd, 2024. The State Republican Platform is adopted by Republican Central Committee members from across this great State via vote.
To avoid declaring allegiance to the Montana Republican Platform these individuals sought out being sworn in by the county election clerk. This is a frst in most people’s memory.
What would you call individuals who seek election to a political party they adamantly oppose the principles of? What could motivate individuals to invest time and money to support such people?
Especially considering the FACT that this particular investor is the recently displaced “leader” of this organization. I have a defnition, what’s yours?
In the 2020, U.S. Supreme Court case California Democratic Party et al., v. Jones, it was held that an open primary (one in which non-members of the party participate) violates the free association
rights of party members. Finding that political parties are private organizations and therefore have the exclusive right to choose who they allow to associate with, and represent them. Montana’s Open primary fies in the face of this SCOTUS ruling. That is one reason we have such a mess in the RCRCC today. Well, that and…
Doug Bohn Victor
The Growing Chainsaw Epidemic
A national chainsaw epidemic exists in America’s woodlands. A recent article in the New York Times titled “Plans for an Ailing Forest Include Logging” exemplifes this trend.
In the article, foresters say that we must cut down forests—including green trees—to arrest the forest health crisis.
According to ofcials interviewed in the article, the problem is that trees are dying from natural causes—drought, beetles, wildfre, and disease. However, ofcials have a solution—kill the trees with chainsaws before any natural source of mortality can occur.
From the Forest Service perspective, natural mortality events like drought, disease, high temperatures, and other processes are unacceptable ways to thin the forest. They assert that we need chainsaw medicine to cure what “ails” the forest.
But here’s the issue. First, foresters defne the problem. To most foresters, trees dying from anything other than a chainsaw is a forest ‘health” problem.
I do not dispute that more trees may be dying than in recent years—this is to be expected, given that we are experiencing some of the worst droughts and highest temperatures in over a thousand years.
Drought, wildfres, disease, higher temperatures, and insects are nature’s way of adjusting forest growth to match today’s climate regime.
In all these cases, natural thinning agents can reduce tree density more efciently than logging for several reasons.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that dead trees are critical components of the forest used by everything from insects to fungi to fsh, birds, mammals, and even geological processes—for example, dead trees falling into a river creates the aquatic habitat for salmon and trout.
Many species live in “mortal fear” of green trees for their very existence depends on a generous supply of snags, down wood, and the gradual physical decay of tree boles and litter that results from high severity blazes, drought, insects and disease.
The expansion of logging ignores the reality that individual trees have diferent genetic adaptations for tolerating drought, insects, disease, and wildfre.
When loggers use chainsaws to cut out half of the trees on a site to “reduce” the density, they may be removing the very trees with these kinds of adaptations and genetic traits that permit survival of high temperatures, wildfres, diseases, and so forth.
This is no diferent than how wolves and other predators afect elk or deer herds. Predators can sense which deer or elk are vulnerable. By removing the weaker animals, the overall health of the deer or elk herd is increased. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that hunters with guns tend to kill the healthier animals in a herd, so they have the exact opposite efect on herd health.
Chainsaw medicine decreases the forest’s natural resistance and degrades forest health. Rather than helping forests gain resistance, the ongoing chainsaw epidemic is the biggest threat to the ecosystem’s long-term stability and resilience. George Wuerthner Eugene, Oregon
Response to ‘war against evil’
Revelation 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless...and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fre and sulfur…” As we know, Trump told over 32,000 lies while in ofce.
Exodus 20:16 tells us, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Yet Republicans said the election was stolen by Biden which was also a lie.
Christians also have claimed that there are tunnels under the White House that Democrats use to smuggle children to their pedophile buddies. Christians also claim that the thermometers used to take one’s temperature are actually instruments used to brainwash people.
Christians also claim that during the January 6th insurrection the police and Antifa infltrators caused the violence and the Trump supporters were peaceful.
It is self-evident those that tell these lies are Christians in name only (CINOS). The Bible says these are the “goats” who will be cast into eternal damnation because of their “evil” lies.
Trump lies and cheats on his wives, his taxes, his business dealings and even while he plays golf.
Richard Parker and his MAGA cult members are not following God’s Word, the teachings of Jesus, the example of the Good Samaritan nor the truth. It is sad to see Republicans destroy this country. It is even sadder to see so many Republicans and Christians go to Hell because of their lies, hate, false accusations and undeserved self-righteousness.
Mark Snider Hamilton
Right-wing Christianity
used as a club
In books and the media, I frequently satirize right-wing Christianity. My reason for doing so is because that version of Christianity is the only religion Americans use like a club to impose itself on those who believe diferently. Examples of this include overturning Roe v. Wade, book bans, forcing itself on public schools, bigotry toward the LGTBQ community, and the damage inficted to the environment, human rights, and democracy by right-wing Christian champion and convicted felon, Donald Trump.
On social media, I post a daily series called “God’s B Sides.” I started the series to point out how misleading it is for politicians and clergy to preach “God’s Greatest Hits” while ignoring the huge number of violent, sexually explicit, and misogynistic verses contained within the Bible.
Comments on the series, posted by Christians, have been eye-opening. Many mentioned they didn’t know such verses existed, and most admitted to only reading a small portion of the Bible. That corresponds with polls that indicate only about 20 percent of Christians have read the entire Bible.
Both the Old and New Testaments are equally disrespectful to women. If Montana’s far-right ever gets their way and we follow the southern states by forcing Christianity into our public schools, perhaps students can study these “historical” verses:
“A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.”—1 Timothy 2:11-12
“Blessed is the one who grabs your little children and smashes them against a rock.”—Psalm 137:9
“When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are. If she does not satisfy her owner, he must allow her to be bought back again.”—Exodus 21: 7-8
“There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.”—Ezekiel 23:20
“If men get into a fght with one another, and the wife of one intervenes to rescue her husband from the grip of his opponent by reaching out and seizing his genitals, you shall cut of her hand; show no pity.”—Deuteronomy 25:11-12
“Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.”—Numbers 31:17-18
When politicians claim they will legislate on behalf of their Christian beliefs, they should be asked, “Have you read the entire Bible?” Those who haven’t done so are not only demonstrating extreme laziness for failing to read the only book their religion is based on, but they’re also admitting that less than 5 percent of the Bible, “God’s Greatest Hits,” are all that matter.
Republican politicians from Tim Sheehy to Ryan Zinke to Donald Trump provide a harrowing example of forcing right-wing Christianity on the public without full knowledge of the Bible. As part of their alleged Christian values, they endeavor to steal a woman’s right to control her own body. The same goes for greedy clergy, who know that opposing abortion is a moneymaker. None of those power-hungry people will admit that the Bible—though it states it in its usual misogynistic way—actually approves of abortion by providing instructions on how to force an unfaithful wife to “miscarry” (the word “abortion” didn’t exist back then).
The section is too long to share here, but I encourage people to read Numbers 5:11-31. Since there are roughly 450 English translations of the Bible, not all use the word “miscarry.” The New International Version is a good version to check, as it bypasses the King James Version and was developed by more than 100 scholars working from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Freedom of religion is a cherished value in America, but like all freedoms, it ends when it’s used to cause harm or infringe on the rights of others. America’s founding fathers got it right when they unanimously passed the still-valid Treaty of Tripoli, which states: “As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”
Marty Essen Victor
It’s
meltdown time
Nothing says “threat to democracy” like the obvious realization that your candidate is too old, then having a bunch of donors and the slimiest people on the planet pick your replacement at a convention. To heck with free and fair elections, am I right?
Maybe if Joe had allowed a debate, Democrats wouldn’t be in this position. But I guess by not allowing Secret Service protection to RFK Jr, he thought that problem would take care of itself. I mean seriously - if any family has shown it needs Secret Service protection, aren’t the Kennedys at the top of the list?
Mix in a few bogus trials against your political opponent that all miraculously happen in an election year, radical states trying to remove a duly elected candidate because their fee-fees were hurt, and the actual locking up of his political rivals (not the fake assumptions Joy Reid and Joe Scarborough tell you about), and dang, if it isn’t a lot like a Communist country. We’ve been fghting authoritarianism since smooth bore muskets were used, yet here we are.
Now the memo has circulated to the Dem mouthpieces and the Montana Democrats, that Trump has no morals as opposed to something like, oh, I don’t
know, “here’s Joe’s accomplishments” which would be as blank as his stare.
So what does a worthless government leech who’s been milking the system since just after we frst landed on the moon, won’t acknowledge a granddaughter, raped a Senate aide, slept with his babysitter (now wife) while married, blames a truck driver for his frst wife’s death (100% her fault and ruined the driver’s life), showered inappropriately with his daughter (her exact words), used his crack addict son to pedal his infuence abroad extorting tens of millions of $ have? Morals?
The dude has failed as a father, failed as a husband, sure as heck failed as a dog trainer and President, and as we all know is a serial plagiarist and liar. That sets the bar for morals at a new low.
I am so here for the meltdown of Democrat mouthpieces on TV who after lying to you for 3+ years now must admit what any rational person has known. Joe Biden is not ft to be president and more alarmingly…. Who is actually running the country? I can guarantee this: they were not on any ballot you or I saw. More alarmingly, who is going to run the country if he wins? If it gives you comfort, Crackhead Hunter and that grifter parading as a doctor wife of his are advising him. If you’re telling me he’s fne, I highly suggest you sit this one out.
Bill Cavanaugh Corvallis
Response to ‘Urgent call to action for Republicans’
Mrs. Sabin claims “The Republican Party in the valley is under siege.” I couldn’t agree with her more. Yet, Sabin’s opinions lack indisputable FACTS, possibly due to her lack of attending past meetings.
Many of the candidates elected to the Ravalli County Republican Central Committee (RCRCC) in the recent primary were highly recruited and supported by Terry Nelson. Terry is the former chairman of the RCRCC and current Secretary for the MTGOP. Under Mr. Nelson’s 13+ year leadership, the RCRCC has supported “republican” candidates that rank in the lowest percentile of their constituents when graded on supporting Republican values. Most of those candidates lost their primary race to candidates who DO support Republican values.
Mr. Nelson advertised his endorsement for a list of 30 candidates in the Bitterroot Star under the heading “Terry Nelson’s Picks For Ravalli County Republican Central Committee”. Mrs. Sabin lost her bid to join their ranks.
Here are indisputable FACTS about those from Mr. Nelson’s list that were elected.
NONE of these “Republicans” were willing to endorse the Montana State Republican Party Platform at the ofcial swearing-in ceremony held at the RCRCC meeting July 2nd, 2024. The State Republican Platform is adopted by Republican Central Committee members from across this great State via vote.
To avoid declaring allegiance to the Montana Republican Platform these individuals sought out being sworn in by the county election clerk. This is a frst in most people’s memory.
What would you call individuals who seek election to a political party they adamantly oppose the principles of? What could motivate individuals to invest time and money to support such people?
Especially considering the FACT that this particular investor is the recently displaced “leader” of this organization. I have a defnition, what’s yours?
In the 2020, U.S. Supreme Court case California Democratic Party et al., v. Jones, it was held that an open primary (one in which non-members of the party participate) violates the free association
rights of party members. Finding that political parties are private organizations and therefore have the exclusive right to choose who they allow to associate with, and represent them. Montana’s Open primary fies in the face of this SCOTUS ruling. That is one reason we have such a mess in the RCRCC today. Well, that and…
Doug Bohn Victor
The Growing Chainsaw Epidemic
A national chainsaw epidemic exists in America’s woodlands. A recent article in the New York Times titled “Plans for an Ailing Forest Include Logging” exemplifes this trend.
In the article, foresters say that we must cut down forests—including green trees—to arrest the forest health crisis.
According to ofcials interviewed in the article, the problem is that trees are dying from natural causes—drought, beetles, wildfre, and disease. However, ofcials have a solution—kill the trees with chainsaws before any natural source of mortality can occur.
From the Forest Service perspective, natural mortality events like drought, disease, high temperatures, and other processes are unacceptable ways to thin the forest. They assert that we need chainsaw medicine to cure what “ails” the forest.
But here’s the issue. First, foresters defne the problem. To most foresters, trees dying from anything other than a chainsaw is a forest ‘health” problem.
I do not dispute that more trees may be dying than in recent years—this is to be expected, given that we are experiencing some of the worst droughts and highest temperatures in over a thousand years.
Drought, wildfres, disease, higher temperatures, and insects are nature’s way of adjusting forest growth to match today’s climate regime.
In all these cases, natural thinning agents can reduce tree density more efciently than logging for several reasons.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that dead trees are critical components of the forest used by everything from insects to fungi to fsh, birds, mammals, and even geological processes—for example, dead trees falling into a river creates the aquatic habitat for salmon and trout.
Many species live in “mortal fear” of green trees for their very existence depends on a generous supply of snags, down wood, and the gradual physical decay of tree boles and litter that results from high severity blazes, drought, insects and disease.
The expansion of logging ignores the reality that individual trees have diferent genetic adaptations for tolerating drought, insects, disease, and wildfre.
When loggers use chainsaws to cut out half of the trees on a site to “reduce” the density, they may be removing the very trees with these kinds of adaptations and genetic traits that permit survival of high temperatures, wildfres, diseases, and so forth.
This is no diferent than how wolves and other predators afect elk or deer herds. Predators can sense which deer or elk are vulnerable. By removing the weaker animals, the overall health of the deer or elk herd is increased. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that hunters with guns tend to kill the healthier animals in a herd, so they have the exact opposite efect on herd health.
Chainsaw medicine decreases the forest’s natural resistance and degrades forest health. Rather than helping forests gain resistance, the ongoing chainsaw epidemic is the biggest threat to the ecosystem’s long-term stability and resilience. George Wuerthner Eugene, Oregon
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 frst Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Florence Rural Fire Hall.
Yoga for Veterans FREE to veterans, frst 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 Cofee 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
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-proft 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.
Hamilton school board
Regular Board Meeting
Tuesday – July 9, 2024 (Tentatively Scheduled)
6:30 p.m. – District Ofce – Conference Room
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 – August 8, 2024
12:00 p.m. – District Ofce Conference Room
The Committee will be conducting this meeting with live participation.
Regular Board Meeting/Final
Budget Hearing
Tuesday – August 13, 2024
6:30 p.m. – District Ofce – Conference Room
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
Special Board Meeting
Wednesday – July 10, 2024
6:30 p.m. – District Ofce – Conference Room
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.
Agenda
1. Call to Order / Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment
4. Adoption of the Resolution to Dispose of Obsolete and Unsuitable Surplus Property (Action)
5. Discussion and Consideration of Prioritizing District Needs and the Tuition Fund Levy Amount for Fiscal Year 2025 (Information)
6. Closing You are encouraged to join the meeting at:https://www.youtube. com/@HSD3Boardmtg
Governance Committee Meeting
There will not be a Governance Committee meeting in July.
Regular Board Meeting
Wednesday – July 24, 2024
6:30 p.m. – District Ofce – Conference Room
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
Special Board Meeting
Wednesday – July 31, 2024
6:30 p.m. – District Ofce – Conference Room
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.
Agenda
1. Call to Order / Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment
4. Discussion and Consideration of Prioritizing District Needs and the Tuition Fund Levy Amount for Fiscal Year 2025 (Information/Action)
5. Closing You are encouraged to join the meeting at:https://www.youtube. com/@HSD3Boardmtg
Governance Committee Meeting
Thursday – August 8, 2024
12:00 p.m. – District Ofce Conference Room
The Committee will be conducting this meeting with live participation. Regular Board Meeting/Final Budget Hearing
Tuesday – August 13, 2024
6:30 p.m. – District Ofce – Conference Room
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
Lone Rock park board
The Lone Rock Park Board will meet Wednesday, July 10th at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 4433 Sunnyside Cemetery Road. Public welcome.
Women Newcomers’ Club
Are you new to the Bitterroot Valley or a long-time resident? You’re invited to join the Bitterroot Women Newcomers’ Club with other interesting and fun women. You are welcome to attend the meeting on July 11th at 10 a.m. at the First Christian Church, 328 Fairgrounds Road in Hamilton. After a short meeting, the Montana DNRC Community Fire Preparedness and the new CWPP will be guest speakers. Come and join this great group of women!
Victor Museum lecture
The Victor Heritage Museum is hosting a talk by Bitterroot Woodwright, Christopher Weatherly on July 11 at 6:30 p.m. Chris will be speaking about the process in resurrecting – recreating – the Blacksmith Shop at St. Mary’s Mission in Stevensville. The fnalization of the project was celebrated at the end of May, 2024. You will learn about the full scope of the project and the accompanying history. Victor Heritage Museum is on the corner of Main & Blake Streets in downtown Victor. There is no charge. All are welcome. We hope to see you, July 11th at 6:30 pm at the Museum.
NV Library events
Fiber Arts Club - Thur. July 11 at 12pm
Do you enjoy knitting or crocheting, embroidery, hand sewing, or quilting?
Bring your work-in-progress, problem piece, or brandnew pattern and enjoy the company of like-minded crafters during this informal Fiber Arts Club. There will be no presenter or expert teacher but rather a cozy place to gather, tea, and
a community of yarn and fber artists like yourself. All experience levels welcome. Club is held the frst Thursday of every month from 12-1:30pm in the Community Room. The New Weird Genre - Thur. July 11 at 6:30pm An audacious genre that defes boundaries, the New Weird is a contemporary form of literature that challenges us to look at the world, and ourselves, in new ways. Innovative, rebellious, and playful, the New Weird draws from science fction, horror, fantasy, detective thrillers, and even poetry, then turns these tropes upside down and inside out, resulting in a genre that is as exciting as it is difcult to pin down. Zoom option available.
Summer Art for Kids ages 5-10Mon. July 15 at 10:30am Calling all crafty kids! Join in this artsy fun program. Lone Rock Kindergarten teacher Crystal Grant presents creative activities. Whether it is painting, drawing, making card, or mobiles, you’ll go home with a handmade treasure in this hand-on learning program. Registration required.
Board Meeting - Wed. July 17 at 3pm
Meetings are open to the public. Agendas and the Public Participation are posted on the Library’s website. If you are a member of the public and are unable to attend the Board meetings, the Board would still like to hear from you. Please email the Director at denisea@northvalleylibrary.org or you can email board members directly. A link to Trustee contact information can be found atMontana.Gov.
BRHA ‘2nd Time Around’
Jewelry Sale
Back by popular demand! The Bitter Root Humane Association thought last year was the end of its very popular jewelry sale but the people have spoken! Generous donations, positive word of mouth and a great cool, calm and central location during Bitterroot Days are all the reasons that BRHA is doing this sale one more time.
Whether you’re looking for a classic vintage look or new glam designs, the Bitter Root Humane Association’s “2nd Time Around Jewelry Sale” has what you’re looking for and more! BRHA invites you to attend on Saturday, July 27th at the Hamilton City Hall-Bedford Building, 223 S. 2nd Street, Hamilton, 10am to 2pm for this fantastic, much
awaited sale.
Donations from generous supporters include all forms of jewelry including vintage delights, precious gems, beautiful costume bling along with other jewelry related items, jewelry boxes, clocks and accessories. If you’re looking for wearable baubles, beautiful gifts or items to repurpose, this event is for you with treasures for everyone.
Did you know that the Bitter Root Humane Association has been serving our community for 50 years? All proceeds from the sale will go towards helping BRHA continue to care for all the homeless pets that come through its doors. Come see one of the reasons why the BRHA won “Bitterroot’s Best” non-proft for 2024!
NV Library Brews for Books
Upcoming summer Brews for Books pint night fundraisers will beneft the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville.
The frst event is planned for July 12, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Tin Can Bar & Draft Room, 207 Main St. Another event is set for Aug. 13, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at Wildwood Brewery, 4018 U.S. Hwy. 93 North. Both locations are in Stevensville and also serve food. These events are presented by Friends of the Library and the NVPL Foundation. For more information, contact Susan Slemp with Friends of the Library at skslemp@gmail.com.
Driver safety class
Bitterroot Health (formerly Marcus Daly Hospital), located at
by Scott Sacry Sports Editor
Bitterroot Red Sox defeat Bucs
On Sunday, July 7th, the two Bitterroot Valley legion baseball teams, the Red Sox and the Bucs, squared of in Hamilton. The Red Sox took a 5-0 lead after two innings and never looked back, defeating the Bucs 11-3.
For the Red Sox, pitcher Jackson Lubke struck out fve batters and got the win. At the plate, Atticus Southwell had a big game, going 2 for 3 with 5 RBIs. Owen Marston went 3 for 4, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs, Jackson Lubke went 2 for 3 and scored 3 runs, and Hunter Harrness had an RBI.
For the Bucs, Drew Wagner went 2 for 4 with an RBI, Joey Wheeler had
an RBI, and Mason Arlington hit a double and scored a run.
The Bucs and the Red Sox are in the West A Conference of the Montana and Alberta’s Class A American Legion Baseball league. As of July 8th, the Bucs are in 2nd place with a 11-5 conference record and a 22-9 overall record. The Red Sox are in 4th place with a 10-6 conference record and a 16-8 overall record.
Red Sox 6, Missoula Mavericks A 4; Red Sox 11, Mavericks A 4
The Red Sox played a double hitter with the Missoula Maverick A team on
Monday, July 1st and won both games.
In the frst game, they won 6-4. Red Sox pitcher Conner Ekin got the win. At the plate, Brandon Brenneman went 3 for 3 with 4 RBIs, and Reese Earp went 2 for 3 and scored 2 runs. In the second game, the Red Sox won 11-4. Jackson Lubke went 3 for 4 and had 2 RBIs, Reese Earp went 2 for 3 and scored 3 runs, while Atticus Southwell hit a three run double.
Bucs 1, Missoula Mavericks A 4
The Bucs played the Missoula Mavericks A team on Wednesday, July 3rd and lost 1-4. Jake Roth went 2 for 3
with an RBI, Wes Potter went 2 for 3, and both Braelon Bahm and Trapper Oster had doubles.
Bucs 1, Mission Valley Mariners 4; Bucs 6, Mission Valley Mariners 4 The Bucs had a double hitter against the Mission Valley Mariners on Saturday, July 6th. They lost the frst game 1-4, and won the second game 6-4. In the second game, Drew Wagner went 2 for 4 with a home run and an RBI, Chase Wagner went 2 for 4 and scored a run, and Isaiah Testerman went 2 for 3.
Twisted Nut Rodeo and Festival in Darby
The Bitterroot Red Sox defeated the Bitterroot Bucs 11-3 on Sunday, July 7th. The Red Sox are in 4th place in the West A Conference of the Montana and Alberta Class A American Legion Baseball league, with a 10-6 conference record and a 16-8 overall record. Photo by Hope Earp.
The Bitterroot Bucs are in 2nd place in the West A Conference of the Montana and Alberta Class A American Legion Baseball league, with a 11-5 conference record and a 22-9 overall record. Photo by Bitterroot Bucs.
The “Twisted Nut Festival”was held last weekend, in partnership with Bitterroot Health to support cancer and infusion services.
Above, the newly crowned Queen and her court for the Darby Rodeo Association. Queen: Addison Jessop, Princess: Annebelle Waggoner, Lil Miss: Harper Grossi.
Photos courtesy John Rudow.
Montana Bumble Bee Atlas takes fight
Newly
launched community science project seeks volunteers to look
The Montana Bumble Bee Atlas, a collaborative community science project of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the U.S. Forest Service, and Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension, needs community science volunteers to work alongside researchers to understand Montana’s bumble bees. Volunteers will conduct feld surveys across the state to capture, document, and release the bees.
The frst volunteer workshops were scheduled for June 1 in Missoula and June 8 in Bozeman.
Due to Montana’s wild and remote nature, there are many unknowns about the status of bumble bees and the environmental conditions they need to thrive. The Montana Bumble Bee Atlas is designed to fll these information gaps.
“Pollinators play an important role in ecosystem health and sustainability. As such, there is value in understanding the status of all pollinators and specifcally bumble bees across the state of Montana,” said Amand Hendrix, regional botanist for the US Forest Service. “The Bumble Bee Atlas will help fll data gaps and help inform Forest Service land management decisions that may impact at-risk species.”
There are at least three species of conservation concern in Montana, including the western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), the Suckley cuckoo bumble bee (B. suckleyi), and the American bumble bee (B. pensylvanicus).
“Bumble bees face a myriad of threats, from climate change and drought to pesticide use and disease,” said Michelle Toshack, Conservation Biologist for the Xerces Society. “In order to help mitigate these threats, and help imperiled species recover, we need better information about the status of bumble bees. Scientists can’t do this alone—the time is too urgent,
for bumble bees throughout the state
and the need is too great.”
Pollinators play an essential role in sustaining the health of our environment by pollinating fowers in natural areas and contributing to successful harvests on farms. In recent years however, pollinators have experienced declines emphasizing the need for baseline data on bumble bee distribution and species ranges.
“Community science programs are a way for people to truly save the bees, by getting involved in evidence-based research that protects
wild pollinators,” said Marirose Kuhlman, Habitat Coordinator at the Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension. “The Montana Bumble Bee Atlas will have a long-lasting impact on the health of Montana’s bumble bees.”
The project is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) through the U.S. Forest Service. This vital funding allows the Montana Bumble Bee Atlas to gather crucial data on at-risk bumble bee populations and the habitats they use. The
data will help land management agencies make informed decisions about pollinator habitat. Focusing on these critical areas will not only improve the survival of these essential pollinators but also promote healthy ecosystems overall. Additionally, the data will serve as a crucial baseline for measuring the success of future restoration eforts.
For more information about the Montana Bumble Bee Atlas project and to learn how to volunteer, please visit https://www.bumblebeeatlas.org
MDT schedules Bell Crossing open houses
The Montana Department of Transpiration (MDT) invites the public to attend an open house and listening session to discuss the Bell Crossing and US Highway 93 (US 93) intersection.
A trafc study completed within MDT indicates a strong need for safety enhancements at this location. To address this critical need, MDT studied multiple improvement alternatives and would like to discuss design alternatives to enhance safety features and improve trafc fow. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025. A contractor has not yet been selected and many details, including right-of-way impacts, are still undetermined.
Tuesday, July 30
Wednesday, August 14 Thursday, August 29
Bordering landowners will be contacted individually. In addition, if you are unable to attend in person and would like to connect with a member of the project team virtually, please email becca@bigskypublicrelations.com.
With this in mind, MDT and consultants are dedicating the below dates to host three separate six-hour open house events. We encourage residents and commuters to attend to learn more and provide the project team with your feedback to ensure the design best incorporates the unique needs of the community. Times and locations are still being coordinated and more information will be provided as it becomes available. In the meantime, please mark your calendars!
OPEN HOUSE DATES:
Please reach out to becca@bigskypublicrelations.com or call 406-2074484 with project or event questions. The project webpage, including the detailed trafc study, is linked here: https://mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/bellcrossing/.
The Montana Department of Transportation will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this public meeting or need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require an accommodation, contact the Montana Department of Transportation no later than July 23 to advise of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Contact Matt Maze, Ofce of Civil Rights, P.O. Box 201001, Helena, Montana 59620; telephone (406) 4445416; Montana Relay 711; facsimile (406) 444-7243; or e-mail to mmaze@ mt.gov.
Montana bumble bee. Photo courtesy Montana State University.
John Ramseyer Joost
John Ramseyer Joost, 89, of Stevensville, Montana was born on September 19, 1934 in Salt Lake City, Utah to John H. Joost and Martha Ramseyer Joost. He passed away peacefully on July 3, 2024 surrounded by family members.
John was raised on a small dairy farm in Midway, Utah where he helped with milking and other farming responsibilities. He graduated from Wasatch High School in Heber, Utah in 1952 and then studied Animal Husbandry for two years at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah. John met Sylvia Beer on a blind date arranged by a friend and they were later married in November of 1958 in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Together with John’s parents, they moved to Stevensville, Montana in the spring of 1959 where they found a larger farm that would support two families. However, his father only lived about three years after moving to Montana, leaving John to run the farm with the help of many new friends he gained in the Bitterroot Valley. John lived and farmed in the Valley for 62 years before retiring.
John and Sylvia had eight children together, all of whom learned to work on the farm as they grew up. John loved his family dearly and through involving their children in farming responsibilities, he and Sylvia helped each one gain a strong work ethic that has served them well throughout their lives.
John was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus
Betty Lou Carlson
Betty Lou Carlson entered into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at St. Patrick Hospital. She was ninety-seven-years-old. Her sons and daughter were at her bedside.
She was born Betty Lou Dreger on March 26, 1927 in Popple Creek, Wisconsin. She was born on the family farm.
The family relocated to Gays Mills, where Betty spent her childhood years. It was during the Depression, but Betty found four friends her own age and she always recalled special memories from that time period. In her teenage years, Betty moved from the small town of Gays Mills to the big city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin with her family. There Betty attended college, receiving her 2-year rural teaching diploma. Betty always said that she majored in jitterbugging, loving dancing more than studying, even winning a couple of contests.
She married Larry W. Carlson in 1953, making their home in Eau Claire. They had three children, Bill, Tim and Cherie. Larry felt the call of the West, moving his young family to Colorado. In a small town outside of Denver, Larry and Betty (while raising their young family) built a number of new homes to sell, Betty doing the interior design.
With the children grown, Betty now decided it was time to “pull up stakes’” and decided on the Bitterroot Valley for their next chapter. She was gracious, warm
Death Notices
Mary Ann Gruba
Missoula - Mary Ann Gruba, 81, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at Saint Patrick’s Hospital after a short illness. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family. at www.brothersmortuary.com.
Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many diferent church positions including serving in the Spokane Temple for several years. His concern for others and willingness to serve was an example to many. John was also active in the community and enjoyed serving in various capacities including President of the Supply Ditch and as a Board Member for the Union Ditch. He was also an avid supporter of Future Farmers of America and received an award for his involvement. John was always quick to volunteer his time and farming equipment in service of those who needed help.
John was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Ethyl Joost, who died as an infant and his sister Virginia (Joost) Atkinson. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sylvia Beer Joost; his sister Barbara Crum of Missoula, MT; his children John B. Joost (Tracy) of South Jordan, UT; Jacque Riley (Gary) of Montverde, FL; Julie Kenley (Doug) of Palmer, AK; Jefrey Joost (Donna) of Parker, CO; Janece Gibson (John) of Bensafrim, Portugal; Jill Skidmore (Rick) of Park City, UT; Jason Joost (Jeanette) of Cape Coral, FL; Jeremy Joost of Stevensville, MT; as well as 26 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 100 Middle Burnt Fork Rd. on July 13, 2024 at 1:30PM. The service will be preceded by a viewing from 12:30 to 1:30 PM. Interment will be at the Victor, Montana
and loving. And never stopped witnessing of her deep faith in the Lord. She even witnessed to wrong numbers on the telephone.
Betty was a lifelong-member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, with her grandfather even having built a still-active church on the family farm, in the late 1800’s. Betty was always very active in the church, whether she was teaching Sunday School, Bible Study or potlucks. Her current church home was First Lutheran in Missoula
The family would like to thank First Lutheran for all the cards and attention they lavished on Betty during her illnesses. Also, thanks to Riverside Senior Home for their constant professional care and always being there for Betty. And thank you to St. Patrick’s 5th foor comfort care unit. It brought hope and peace watching how they cared for Betty in her fnal moments. God’s blessings to all!
She is survived by Tim and Bill Carlson (Dawnita) and Cherie Carlson, her sons and daughter and sister-in-law, Faylene Dreger. She had fve grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. We are comforted knowing we will be reunited in Heaven!
A private family graveside service for Betty was held on Friday, July 5, 2024 at the Victor Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.
Kim Forbes Stevensville - Kim Forbes, 74, passed away Friday, June 21, 2024, surrounded by her loving family after a long struggle with cancer. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.
Ruby Hill
Darby - Ruby Hill, 86, passed away on Monday June 24, 2024. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.
Sharon Jean Turner Missoula/Bonner - Sharon J. Turner (78), passed away early in the morning, Saturday, June 22, 2024 at home surrounded by her family. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary. com.
Patricia A. Hotter
Sula - Patricia A. Hotter, 68, passed away early in the morning, Sunday, June 30, 2024 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.
Cemetery at 5:00PM. The family would like to thank the Bitterroot Health Hospice Care for their support and caregiving.
“Roy Ranch” in Victor conserved forever
Landowner Leaves Legacy in Bitterroot Agriculture Victor landowner Danny Roy is honoring his family’s long standing legacy in Bitterroot agriculture through his decision to conserve his 176-acre Roy Ranch in perpetuity, made possible by a partnership with the Bitter Root Land Trust (BRLT), the Ravalli County Open Lands Program, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The original 1890’s farmhouse, a herd of cattle quietly grazing in the forefront of the Bitterroot Mountains, and the open land surrounding it all are what make this place home to Danny – just as it was for his grandmother, father, mother, aunts, and uncles that worked the land before him. Thanks to the vision of the Roy family and our community’s support for local conservation, it will continue to provide agricultural opportunities in the town of Victor for many years to come. “This ranch means the world to me. It’s the only home I’ve ever known,” says Danny. “The dream of my father, Ivan Roy, was always to keep the entire property preserved for farming and wildlife. I’ve always vowed to honor that dream.” Conserved in partnership with BRLT earlier this year, the nearly 80-yearold family ranch is primarily used for agricultural production, including hay and pasture for cattle. The property’s diverse landscape of timber, wetlands, and open meadows provide exceptional habitat for wildlife, including elk, white tailed deer, sandhill crane, moose, and turkeys. Located in close proximity to several nearby conservation easements, both completed and in-progress in partnership with BRLT, the open space provides a corridor for wildlife to travel safely from the cover of the Bitterroot National Forest to neighboring ranchlands below.
“I love this property for its history and the beauty. Many people stop along the side of my meadow to take pictures of the view of Bear Creek Canyon to the west,” says Danny. “I can’t imagine this property ever being
split or subdivided.”
The viewshed of open space visible to passersby at the intersection of Pleasant View Drive and Red Crow Road will remain for the public to enjoy for future generations. However, while the property is now protected from future development, conservation easements do not require the landowner to allow public access to their property as the property remains privately owned. Conservation easements can be structured to grant permanent public access, but it is the landowner’s decision to do so and is relatively uncommon.
In the case of Roy Ranch, the land will continue to provide agricultural opportunities and habitat for wildlife.
“Danny’s commitment to protecting this beautiful piece of the Bitterroot Valley is a gift to our community,” says Melissa Odell, BRLT Lands Director. “His land is an amazing mix of both productive agricultural land and diverse wildlife habitat for birds, elk herds, and so many other animals that use the forest and pastures here. These values are all made possible thanks to Danny and the Roy family’s long-time care for this land, and their wish to keep it this way for future generations.”
with a 71% passage rate by Ravalli County voters in November 2022. The Open Lands Program provides funding to support landowners who wish to voluntarily conserve their land.
The Roy Ranch conservation easement was funded in part by the Ravalli County Open Lands Program, a local conservation funding program frst approved in 2006 that was renewed
“We are incredibly grateful for Danny’s long-time stewardship and his commitment to leaving a legacy to his family, particularly his parents, in protecting this land,” says Gavin Ricklefs, BRLT Executive Director. “Conserving family legacies like the Roy Ranch starts with the vision and land ethic of local landowners but wouldn’t happen without the support
of the community. Funding from our local partners at the Ravalli County Open Lands Program and our federal partners at the Natural Resource Conservation Service helps make leaving a conservation legacy attainable for Bitterroot landowners.”
Thanks to the vision of the Roy family, the Bitterroot Valley community, the Bitter Root Land Trust, and supporting programs like the Ravalli County Open Lands Program and the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program, 176-acres of Bitterroot land is now protected forever.
Community Medical, Providence to build new rehab hospital
Community Medical Center and Providence St. Patrick Hospital have announced their intent to develop a joint venture partnership that will build and operate a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Missoula.
The new, free-standing facility will help to meet the growing community need for specialized rehabilitation services. Upon completion of this project, Community Medical Center will transition its existing inpatient rehabilitation program to the new rehabilitation hospital, and Providence St. Patrick Hospital will provide supplemental clinical services and administrative support.
“Named as the number one rehab hospital in Montana by U.S. News & World Report, Community Medical Center is a leader in inpatient rehabilitation for patients throughout western Montana and northern Idaho. Due to the growing and aging population in Montana, we have recognized the need for additional capacity and specialization,” said Bonnie Stephens, MD, chief medical officer of Community Medical Center. “A freestanding rehabilitation hospital will allow more patients to receive intensive rehabilitation here in Missoula. We are excited to partner with Providence St. Patrick Hospital, to leverage our shared resources to best serve patients throughout the region as they recover from illness or injury.”
The new rehabilitation hospital will provide intensive nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy services for adults recovering from conditions such as stroke, neurological disease, brain or spinal cord injury, and other debilitating illnesses or injuries. Through investment
in leading-edge technology, adaptive units, multidisciplinary therapy gymnasiums and more, the partners will be able to provide highly specialized care that meets each patient’s unique needs.
“It has been our goal to expand access to specialty care in the Missoula community, and today, we take an important step forward,” said William J. (Bill) Calhoun, chief executive of Providence Montana. “Through our partnership with Community Medical Center, we’re not only establishing a new facility but also expanding a system of care serving our patients with the individualized rehabilitation care they need.”
Upon completion, the rehabilitation hospital will become the first freestanding rehabilitation hospital to be located in Missoula.
About Community Medical Center
Community Medical Center is a health system comprising adult and pediatric health care delivery systems. It is located in Missoula, Montana and is part of Lifepoint Health and Billings Clinic. Community Medical Center is proud to be the only hospital in Montana to earn The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care, Western Montana’s only Chest Pain Accreditation, and the Cancer Center is accredited by the Commission on Cancer for advanced clinical care, scientific research and technological inventions. For more information about Community Medical Center, please call (406) 728-4100 or visit CommunityMed.org. For more information about Lifepoint Health, visit LifepointHealth.net.
About Providence St. Patrick Hospital
Providence has a long tradition of caring for Montana residents since the Sisters of Providence arrived in 1864. St. Patrick Hospital is a regional tertiary care center, operating the area’s only Level II Trauma Center and centers of excellence for cardiac and stroke programs. St. Pat’s provides general acute inpatient services, surgical specialties such as cardiac and orthopedics, labor & delivery, cancer treatment, and neurosciences services. The hospital is the anchor hospital in the largest health network in Western Montana that includes over 40 clinics, 2,500 employees and a Critical Access Hospital in Polson, Montana.
Photo courtesy Community Medical Center and Providence St. Patrick Hospital.
Danny Roy Photo courtesy Bitter Root Land Trust.
Chuck’s (two) favorite midsummer fies
Last week I wrote about the types of fies that should be in every angler’s midsummer fybox. Several of you pressed me to dig deeper: So, Chuck, what are your personal favorites? OK, here goes – but let me start with a story.
Outftter Tony Reinhart rarely mentions what fies his clients use in his weekly newsletters. He’ll tell what setup worked, and when, and what fies were hatching when his clients caught fsh.
around all summer long.
The CV’s also work well for spruce moths, although I tie a specifc variation called the Spruce Moth Variant for spruce moth infestations. The trout, most of the time, don’t care about the diference, although the biggest fsh I hooked that day with Tony was on the bigger Spruce Moth Variant.
by Chuck Stranahan
That’s usually enough – and knowing how the fsh are taking is better information than naming a “hot” fy. If I’m using his reports as intel before I go fshing, I’ll fnd it more useful to know that a dry-dropper rig worked best early-on than to know which dry fy was hot later in the day.
In a recent report Tony said the Brindle ‘Chute was the most efective pattern for his clients on the Bitterroot. If that’s fattery on Tony’s part I’ll take it.
A couple of fies I’ve fshed with Tony are on my favorites list. One is the Brindle ‘Chute and the other is the Light Caddis Variant.
At the end of the day’s fshing a few years back I cut of a #12 Light Caddis Variant and left it in the magnetic fy cup in Tony’s boat. He emailed me later to say that abandoned fy was the hot one for his next four clients– until it broke of in a large trout.
Spruce moth action was heavy on the Blackfoot that year. The #12 Light CV matched the sprucies exceptionally well for Jan and me that day in Tony’s boat.
It’s what Jack Dennis calls a crossover pattern in his hallmark book, Tying Flies With Jack Dennis and Friends.
I originally tied it for a specifc type of light-colored early summer caddisfy, and found that it does well for the little yellow stonefies that are
Simply put, the Light Caddis Variant in sizes #12 and #14 is the fy I build my fy boxes around. Because it looks like so many diferent bugs it is a good searching pattern. It sits light on the water – a good breeze will blow it around, and that adds to its efectiveness. It can be twitched, walked,
or dead-drifted into fsh – but as I remind myself constantly, there’s more to fshing dry fies than the dead drift.
It’s visible – that’s another big plus. So is the fact that it’s durable –think back to Tony’s four days with a single fy and many trout. Some days it’s all I need – and overall, It’s my favorite dry fy.
I’ll fsh other Caddis Variants as well, a tan one and a dun gray one all summer long to match the fights of caddis that I’ll see virtually every evening on every river in the west.
The Brindle ‘Chute? Hey – there’s been plenty written about that fy, including the centerfold spread Dave Hughes put in a magazine several years back. Dave wanted to do me a favor – I was so inundated with orders I couldn’t tie them all, and had people mad at me from coast to coast.
The best Brindle ‘Chutes available these days are from Rick Lester, who
sets up his booth Fridays in front of Burnt Fork Market in Stevensville. I’m still catching up – but there’s hope. Best general sizes for the Brindle ‘Chute are #10 through #14. In #10 the Brindle “Chute does well for the fall drakes, or hecuba hatch and the early season green drakes and brown drakes. In a #12 it’s good for brown drakes and the various gray drakes that we see from late June through July and sometimes into August. Again, like the Caddis Variant, the Brindle ‘Chute is a crossover pattern and works well as a searching pattern. I’ll usually start with one or the other, and switch if I see the need.
Jan’s approach is simpler. She ties on a Brindle ‘Chute in the size she thinks will work best, and from there concentrates on getting the cast in. She knows what’s most important – and catches plenty of fsh.
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Hatch-matcher, crossover pattern, searching pattern - the Brindle ‘Chute. Photo by Chuck Stranahan.
Book Review
Booked for the season
“The Dark! Wild Life in the Mysterious World of Caves” by Lindsey Leigh c.2024, Penguin Workshop
$15.99 96 pages
That hole in the ground goes back quite a ways.
You can see from the opening that the cavern is deep, but you can’t see where it ends. Your eyes simply won’t take you there and now you’re wondering what’s inside. Other creatures? Dirt and bacteria? Maybe danger. Or weirdness? Might be nothing, but read “The Dark! Wild Life in the Mysterious World of Caves” by Lindsey Leigh and learn what’s possible.
So, let’s say you spot a hole in the ground and it looks pretty interesting. How it got there is interesting, too. Some caves are formed when limestone in a rock formation is dissolved by water seepage from rain or a nearby river or lake. Other caves are formed when lava fows close to the ground, when waves from the sea erode coastal rocks, or when ice melts and leaves an open pocket.
Chances are, if you’re a speleologist (someone who studies caves), you know all about stalactites and stalagmites but caves often sport other “structures.” You might see cave popcorn, or “small nubby structures” on the walls. You may fnd cave pearls or cave fowers. Be careful that snottites don’t fall on your shoulder or head!
Go a little deeper, if you dare (and go with an adult), and you might meet “The Three Ts”: troglobites, or creatures that live full-time in the caves; troglophiles, the “part-time cave residents”; or trogloxenes which are, like you, visitors to the cave.
You may be surprised to
know that fsh and scorpions live deep inside the cave. You might already know that bears and bats stay there, too. But did you know that some birds make their daytime homes in caves,
or that some caves may be home to a type of snake that hangs from the ceiling? Or, get this: one cave in Mount Elgon, Kenya, is where elephants visit. They go deep inside and use their
tusks to
by Terry Schlichenmeyer
scrape salt of the cave walls to eat.
How’s that for a spelunking good time?
Now that’s school’s out, there’s one thing your child’s teacher will want you to do: keep your kid reading. “The Dark!” speaks to the heart of curious, adventurous kids with science on their minds and a big love of creepy creatures. It’s humorous and factual, it teaches geology and biology in a kid-friendly way, it’s flled with weird animals that will appeal to this agegroup, and it invites young readers to look for more information on their own.
There’s just one thing it’s missing...
Author Lindsey Leigh doesn’t remind kids not to go into caves alone.
That’s a big oversight inside here. The pages and pages of real, live (but really strange) creatures are like catnip to a kid if a cave is nearby. At least one cautionary word would have been helpful to keep a young spelunker safe. Without that, be sure to be pro-active and talk to your eight-to-12-year-old about safety when you hand them this book. Then watch them devour “The Dark!” Yeah, this book is deep.Posting Date July 8, 2024
The Bookworm Sez, LLC
Antique Outdoor Flea Market. Over an acre of antiques and collectibles from many vendors. Sunday, July 14 th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Virgelle, Montana. Of US Highway 87 between Fort Benton and Big Sandy. Sponsored by Virgelle Merc Antiques. Lunch available. 1-800426-2926 or WWW.VirgelleMontana.com
FRESH EGGS from Howell’s Happy Hens are back! $4.00/doz. Pick up at Bitterroot Star ofce, 115 W. 3rd, Suite 108, Stevensville.
with the North Dakota Secretary of State? Please select MLB Enterprises during your fling. For more information, contact mary. nieuwsma@gmail.com.
JMS Energy is a leader in innovative energy solutions shaping the future of sustainable power. We are hiring a Payroll Manager with a strong background in payroll operations and team management. The ideal candidate will be responsible for efciency in payroll processing and compliance. Interested candidates are invited to send a resume to terridt@ jmsenergy.net.
Connect to the best wireless home internet with EarthLink. Enjoy speeds from 5Gand 4G LTE networks, no contracts, easy installation, and data plans up to 300 GB. Call 855-419-7978.
Get your deduction ahead of the year-end! Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous year-end tax credit. Call Heritage for the Blind Today at 1-855- 901-2620 today!
CITY ATTORNEY –
SPEARFISH, SD. Responsible for providing legal representation to city government. $119,100.80 - $145,121.60. www. cityofspearfsh.com
THE LONE ROCK SCHOOL IS HIRING for the 24-25 SY! Available positions include the following:
K-Ready Paraprofessional
2 Kitchen Workers
1 Bus Driver/Maintenance Position
Please, if you are interested fll out the classifed application at the following address: https://www. lonerockschool.org/page/ employment
Help us fll our positions for the upcoming school year!!!
CAREGIVER SEEKING to fll evening openings (some mornings) to improve quality of life and serve elderly in need of loving care. My goal is to help individuals with daily functions, meal prep, housekeeping and personal hygiene. Excellent references. Iris Schmitt, 406-531-4413.
Switch and save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with fexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time oferget $50 of on any new account. Use code GIFT50. For more information, call 1-877-324-0193
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Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Of for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-601-2865.
WANTED TO BUY: Old Car, Truck, Motorcycle, also old signs and license plates, gas station items or dealership items. Call 406270-8630 any time.
WANTED - USED 3-WHEEL ADULT TRICY-
Legal Notices
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Truly Marie Williams, Jessie Parker, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-24-237
Dept. 2
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 Truly Marie Williams to Truly Marie Parker.
The hearing will be on July 25, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 18th day of June, 2024.
/s/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court
By: Catherine Di Gleria
Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 6-26, 7-3, 7-10, 7-1724.
MNAXLP
Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Lane Russel Williams, Jessie Parker, Petitioner.
Cause No.: DV-24-238
Dept. 2
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 Lane Russel Williams to Lane Russel Parker.
The hearing will be on July 25, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.
DATED this 18th day of June, 2024.
/s/ Paige Trautwein
Clerk of District Court
By: Catherine Di Gleria
Deputy Clerk of Court
BS 6-26, 7-3, 7-10, 7-1724.
MNAXLP
LEGAL NOTICE The Ravalli County Board of Health (BOH) will conduct a Public Meeting to receive citizen comment on a variance requested by Mike and Bonnie Pascucci, for the Property known as 4065 Larkspur Lane, Stevensville, Parcel # 303610. The request is to allow the use of a 3-inch pipe versus a 4-inch pipe, a variance from Montana DEQ-4 4.1.2.1. Property description: IN SESW INDEX 27, CS #4141 TRACT H, 1.54 AC, (SUBJ TO TOD DEED #737955) Information describing the variance request will be available for inspection on July 3, 2024, at the Ravalli County Environmental Health Department, in the Administrative Center, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite D, Hamilton, MT 59840. The public meeting will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room at the Administrative Center. The public may comment verbally, or in writing, at the meeting. Comments and information submitted at the public meeting will be considered in the decision on said variance request.
BS 6-26, 7-3-24. MNAXLP
HON. JENNIFER B. LINT District Judge, Department No. 2 Twenty-First Judicial District Ravalli County Courthouse 205 Bedford Street, Suite B Hamilton, Montana 59840 Telephone: (406) 802-7192 Fax: (406) 802-7199 MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF: C.E.R.L., A Minor Child, TIMOTHY BRIAN SCOTT, JR., Petitioner. Cause No. DA 23-9
Department No. 2 AMENDED SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION AND NOTICE OF HEARING
TO: JEFFREY LAIBLE
Address Unknown
RE: C.E.R.L, DOB: 02/06/2008; Born in Modesto, CA.
YOU, THE RESPONDENT, ARE HEREBY SUMMONED AND NOTIFIED that an Amended Petition for Stepparent Adoption and Termination of Parental
of District
Court for Ravalli County, (406) 375-6710, and is hereby served upon you at this time. NOW, THEREFORE, YOU ARE HEREBY DIRECTED to appear at the hearing regarding the Amended Petition that is set on the 8th day of August, 2024 at 1:30 p.m., at the Ravalli County Courthouse located at 205 Bedford St., Hamilton, Montana, then and there and show cause, if any you may have, why Petitioner should not be granted the relief requested in the Amended Petition.
NOTICE: Your failure to appear or answer will constitute a denial of interest in custody of the child and will result in the Court’s termination of your parental rights to the child.
Electronically Signed By: Hon. Judge Jennifer B. Lint Tue, June 18, 2024 BS 6-26, 7-3, 7-10-24.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE ESTATE OF: MARGARET FAY SEARLE, Deceased.
Cause No. DP-2024-12
Dept. No. 1
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Joy Lee Searle Huntley and Robert Searle have been appointed as the Co-Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to Joy Lee Searle Huntley, Co-Personal Representative, return receipt requested, in care of Datsopoulos, MacDonald & Lind, P.C., Attn: Trent Baker, 201 W. Main Street, Suite 201, Missoula, MT 59802, Robert Searle, Co-Personal Representative, return receipt requested, in care of Montana Legacy Law, PLLC, Attn: Scott Roy McLean, 178 South Second Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 or fled with the Clerk of the above court.
BS 6-26, 7-3, 7-10-24.
MNAXLP NOTICE OF PENDING ATTACHMENT OF A TAX LIEN
(MCA 15-17-122)
On Thursday, August 1, 2024, by 5:00 pm, the Ravalli County Treasurer will attach a property tax lien to property on which the 2023 taxes are delinquent. The delinquent taxes, including penalties, interest and costs are a lien upon the property and that unless delinquent taxes, penalties, interest and costs are paid prior to August 1, 2024 a tax lien will be attached and may be assigned to a third party.
A complete list of all property on which taxes are delinquent is on fle in the ofce of the Ravalli County Treasurer and is open to public inspection and examination on Monday thru Friday from 8:15 am to 5 pm.
For further information, please contact the Ravalli County Treasurer at 215 S. 4th St., Suite H, Hamilton MT 59840 or at 406-375-6580. BS 6-26, 7-3, 7-10, 7-1724.
MNAXLP
David T. Markette MARKETTE LAW OFFICE
601 S. First Street P.O. Box 515 Hamilton MT 59840 (406) 363-1110 DavidM@markettelaw.com Attorney for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF NENA D. KNIGHT, Deceased. Probate No.: DP-41-20240000047-FI
Dept. No.
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 frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to Jade E. Collins, the Personal Representative, in care of MARKETTE LAW OFFICE, 601 S. First Street, P.O. Box 515, Hamilton, Montana 59840, or fled 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 25th day of June, 2024. /s/ Jade E. Collins, Personal Representative MARKETTE LAW OFFICE
By: David T. Markette Attorney for Personal Representative BS 7-3, 7-10, 7-17-24. MNAXLP
Attorneys for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ALBERTA JEAN JENSEN, Deceased.
Probate No.: DP-41-202473
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 frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.
Claims must either be mailed to Darren Scot Frodsham, the Personal Representative, in care of CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. or fled 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 28th day of June, 2024.
/s/ Darren Scot Frodsham, Personal Representative CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C.
Attorney for Personal Representative By: Dustin M. Chouinard for Megan S. Winderl BS 7-3, 7-10, 7-17-24. MNAXLP
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO PROTEST TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF Montana All-Alcoholic Beverages License
PHILBRICK HOSPITALITY, LLC (Justin Philbrick and Heather Philbrick, Owner(s)) has applied to transfer Montana All-Alcoholic Beverages License No. 13-999-6429-001 to be operated at BEARS LAIR II, 5493 Us Highway 93 N, Florence, Ravalli County. The public may protest this license transfer in accordance with the law. Who can protest this transfer? Protests will be accepted from residents of the county of the proposed location Ravalli County, residents of adjoining Montana counties, and residents of adjoining counties in another state if the criteria in 16-4-207(4)(d), Montana Code Annotated (MCA), are met.
What information must be included? Protest letters must be legible and contain (1) the protestor’s full name, mailing address, and street address; (2) the license number 13-999-6429-001 and the applicant’s name PHILBRICK HOSPITALITY, LLC; (3) an indication that the letter is intended as a protest; (4) a description of the grounds for protesting; and (5) the protestor’s signature. A letter with multiple signatures will be considered one protest letter. What are valid protest grounds? The protest may be based on the applicant’s qualifcations listed in 16-4401, MCA, or the grounds for denial of an application in 16-4-405, MCA. Examples of valid protest grounds include: (1) the applicant is unlikely to operate the establishment in compliance with the law; (2) the proposed location cannot be properly policed by local authorities; and (3) the welfare
of the people in the vicinity of the proposed location will be adversely and seriously afected.
How are protests submitted? Protests must be postmarked to the Department of Revenue, Ofce of Dispute Resolution, P.O. Box 5805, Helena, Montana 59604-5805 on or before July 20, 2024. What happens if the transfer is protested? Depending on the number of protests and the protest grounds, a public hearing will be held in Helena or Florence. All valid protestors will be notifed of the hearing’s time, date and location. Hearings typically are scheduled within 90 days. A protester’s hearing testimony is limited to the grounds in the protester’s letter. Following the hearing, the Department of Revenue will notify the public whether the license transfer is approved or denied.
How can additional information be obtained? The cited MCA statutes are online at leg.mt.gov/bills/mca_toc/. Questions may be directed to Breanna Gill, Compliance Specialist for the Department of Revenue’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, at 444-0710 or Breanna.Gill@mt.gov.
BS 7-3, 7-10-24.
MNAXLP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Hamilton will hold a public hearing on July 16, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. for the purposes of obtaining public comments regarding the city’s community housing need (public facilities, economic development, and housing needs), including the needs of low income persons, to be served by the proposed rehabilitation of a low income multifamily housing project known as The Manor Apartments located at 401 N. 10th Ave. Hamilton, MT 59840 (the “Project”). The Project, which is intended to provide a community beneft, is being developed in conjunction with Sapphire Lutheran Homes, Inc., a Montana nonproft corporation and Sapphire Manor, LLLP, a Montana limited liability limited partnership and will utilize Low Income Housing Tax Credits allocated to the Project by the Montana Board of Housing as well as other funding sources which target low-income housing projects. The public hearing is being hosted by the City Council to gather and hear comment from the community. This project is not currently subject to the approval of the City Council and no decision is expected to come before the City Council regarding the proposed development.
Comments may be given orally at the hearing or submitted in writing to the City Clerk before July 16, 2024. The public hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 223 S. 2nd Street, Hamilton. The public hearing also will be available remotely through the online/phone conferencing platform Zoom. Instructions on joining and participating in the public hearing are available on the City of Hamilton’s website www.cityofhamilton.net or by emailing cityclerk@cityofhamilton.net.
Anyone who would like more information or who wants to submit written comments should contact Rosie Ramer, City of Hamilton City Clerk, at (406) 363-2101 during regular ofce hours, or by mailing to City Clerk, City of Hamilton, 223 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 or via email cityclerk@cityofhamilton.net.
The City of Hamilton will make reasonable accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with a person’s ability to participate in this public hearing. Persons needing an accommodation must notify Rosie Ramer no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2024 which will allow adequate time to make needed arrangements.
BS 7-3, 7-10-24.
MNAXLP
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: DAVID EARL MOREAU, Deceased. Probate No. DP-2024-64 Dept. No. 1
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Schurie Harrison has been appointed as the Co-Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Schurie Harrison, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, in care of Montana Legacy Law, PLLC, 178 South Second Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 or fled with the Clerk of the above court.
BS 7-3, 7-10, 7-17-24.
MNAXLP
PUBLIC NOTICE Holtzen 6 Lot Major Subdivision Variance Request. The applicant is proposing a six lot commercial subdivision located approximately 6 miles south of Victor (Tax ID: 143300). The proposed subdivision fronts US Highway 93 N which is a Non-County-Operated Roadway. The proposed subdivision is served by two existing gravel approaches, both of which are documented in the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) highway plans. The applicant has obtained preliminary MDT approval for both approaches. As part of the subdivision review process, the applicant is required to submit copies of the preliminary and fnal approach permits from MDT. The developer is asking for a variance from RCSR Chapter 12-3-G.2 which states the following: “G. Roadway Standards – Of-Site Improvements Non-County-Operated Roadways (Gravel or Paved). When a subdivision of any number of lots abuts a non-County-Operated roadway, the applicant shall prepare and submit for review and approval a Trafc Impact Analysis consistent with the County’s adopted standards in Appendix H.” The applicant believes RCSR Chapter 123-G.2 should not apply in this case because the regulation omits the scenario of a subdivision abutting a state-maintained highway and may be in confict with state law. The subject property is located in Section 30, Township 07 North, Range 20 West, P.M.M., Ravalli County, Montana. The applicant is Rugged Cross Investments LLC and the consultant is Ron Ewart – Planner of Professional Consultants, Inc. Information describing the proposal is available for inspection at the Planning Department, in the County Administrative Center, 215 S. 4th St., Suite F, Hamilton, MT 59840. Written comments are encouraged to be submitted to the Planning Department prior to the below hearing, and will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will conduct a Public Hearing to review the proposal on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024 at 1:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room (Third Floor) at the Administrative Center. The previously noticed BCC Hearing scheduled for April 11th, 2024 was cancelled. The public may comment verbally, or in writing, at the meeting. Comments and information submitted at the public meeting/hearing will be considered in the decision on the subdivision. However, please note that only under select circumstances will new information be allowed into the record after the public hearing.
BS 7-3, 7-10-24.
MNAXLP
Megan S. Winderl CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. 99 Marcus Street, 3rd Floor Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 218-4888
MeganW@cwlawmt.com Pleadings@cwlawmt.com
Attorneys for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROGER WILLIAMS a/k/a WILLIAM ROGER WILLIAMS, Deceased. Probate No.: DP-41-24-66 Dept. No. 2 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-
Continued on page 18
EN 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 frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to the Ravalli County Council on Aging, by Cathy Orr, Executive Director, the Personal Representative, in care of CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. or fled 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 19th day of June, 2024. /s/ Cathy Orr, Executive Director Ravalli County Council on Aging CHOUINARD & WINDERL, P.C. Attorney for Personal Representative By: Megan S. Winderl BS 7-10, 7-17, 7-24-24.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MILL CREEK IRRIGATION DISTRICT MEETING An annual meeting of the Mill Creek Irrigation District will be held at the Corvallis Grange Hall on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 4:00 pm. The Grange is located at 130 Dutch Hill Road. The status of Mill Lake Dam 5-year inspection, setting the annual share amount, annual fnancial report, update of the Emergency Action Plan and other relevant business will be discussed. For more information, please contact Board Members Tim Abney (406-3813198), Matt Bischof (406880-2364), or Geof Mahar (406-360-6496).
NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS July 10, 2024 City of Hamilton 223 S. 2 nd St. Hamilton, MT 59840 406-363-2101
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Hamilton. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about July 29, 2024, the City of Hamilton (City) will submit a request to the Montana Department of Commerce (Commerce) for the release of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Afordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, and for the release of Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (PL 93-383) to be used by Sapphire Manor, LLLP to undertake a project known as The Manor for the purpose of rehabilitating the interior units and common spaces to include upgrades to the fre suppression system, ventilation, insulation and energy efciency for 60 units of rental housing, located at 401 N. 10th St., Hamilton, Montana. The Manor senior apartment complex will ofer 42 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments in a three-story, single building apartment complex. The project will ofer community gathering spaces, laundry facilities and other amenities. Commerce anticipates allocating $1,900,000 in State HOME funds, and the City anticipates allocating $750,000 in CDBG funds. The total estimated cost of the project is $12,100,000.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City has determined that the project will have no signifcant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on fle at Montana Housing, 301 S. Park Ave., Helena, Montana, and at the City of Hamilton, 223 S. 2 nd St., Hamilton, Montana. The ERR
Legals continued
review
RE-
LEASE OF FUNDS
Commerce will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certifcations for a period of ffteen days follow-
ing the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certifcation was not executed by the Certifying Ofcer of the City; (b) the City has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or fnding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have
committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by Commerce; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written fnding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections regarding HOME funds and/or CDBG funds must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Cheryl Cohen, Montana Housing Di
