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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!”
Volume XXXV, Number 3
Established 1985 - Locally owned & independent
107th Creamery Picnic!
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Daines takes a tour of local hospital
Montana Senator Steve Daines was in Hamilton last week and met with Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital CEO John Bishop and toured the hospital’s new surgical center. Daines said that he was visiting hospitals in every corner of the state. “You can’t have a vibrant community without a vibrant hospital,” said Daines. He said Marcus Daly was vital to the community and that rural hospitals are vital to the state’s economy. Daines, who serves on the
Senate Finance Committee, said that he was doing what he could for rural hospitals in Congress. He said he was sponsoring a prescription drug bill that was not the “silver bullet” but might be the “silver buckshot” that we need. He said the bill would lower the cost of prescription drugs. Although Daines announced in his press release that the press was invited to attend, the hospital did not allow the press along on the tour.
Montana Senator Steve Daines, left, has a word with Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital CEO John Bishop before touring the hospital’s new surgery center.
Annual river cleanup set for this Saturday
Thousands of people turned out for the 107th Stevensville Creamery Picnic, sponsored by the Stevensville Civic Club. Main Street was closed as usual on Saturday for the Grand Parade (top and center left) and a portion remained closed all day for firefighter games in the afternoon followed by live music later in the day (center right and bottom). In addition to activities at Lewis & Clark Park, some events were scheduled on Main in response to repeated requests over the years from business owners and the general public to “bring the Picnic back to Main.”
The Bitter Root Water Forum invites you to help clean up the Bitterroot River on Saturday, August 10th at their annual Bitterroot River Clean Up. Volunteers can sign up for walking sites and floating stretches along the Bitterroot from Sula and Painted Rocks to Missoula. Participants are encouraged to bring the trash they find to the Hamilton River Park where the Water Forum will have a large dumpster and a free BBQ for volunteers from 4 pm – 6 pm. “Since the goal is to clean up the full length of the river, it works best to have people sign up in advance, clean up on their own timeline, and then meet up at a centralized location to drop off trash and celebrate with the BBQ,” says Katie Vennie, Bitter Root Water Forum Program Coor-
dinator. Since the Water Forum started hosting the event in 2012, nearly 2,000 pounds of trash has been removed from the River each year during the Clean Up, with last year’s total at 2,290 pounds. The Water Forum hopes that a second year of their Clean Up All Year campaign will reduce the amount of trash found in the river this year. Since April, the Water Forum has distributed re-usable river cleanup bags throughout the valley, partnering with local businesses and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks fishing access sites to place bag stands in places frequented by outdoor enthusiasts. “We want to give people a way to manage trash while they’re on the See RIVER, page 2
New wildland fire engine comes to Stevensville
By Michael Howell
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) officials delivered a new wildland fire engine to the Stevensville Rural Fire Department last week as part of its ongoing County Co-op program. According to Area Manager for the Montana DNRC Southwestern Land Office Mike O’Herron, the program, in which wildland fire engines are stationed in counties around the state, was begun in 1967 when Meagher County received the first rig. The Etna Fire Station received its first wildland fire engine as part of the program in 1996. The program also provides training and help from specialists, including mechanics, when needed. Regional DNRC mechanic Joe Wulfekuhler, who services about 155 vehicles in the region, was on hand for the delivery. He said the 1996 Chevy Type 6 engine that the fire station has used for the last 25 years was well
used and well cared for. He said if the Stevensville Fire Department wanted to keep it they had the option. He said Beaverhead County had already expressed an interest in acquiring it. Wulfekuhler said that the new Type 5 2019 Ford F-550 fire engine that was being delivered holds 500 gallons of water. That’s 300 more gallons than the old Chevy could hold. “We are really proud to give this truck,” said Wulfekuhler. “You took care of the old one and it shows. We appreciate what you do.” Stevensville Rural Fire Chief Rex Olson said that the wildland fire engines were not used as much when they first got one but with all the development that has occurred in the wildland/ urban interface over the last few decades their use has increased dramatically. The new rig will be kept in some new digs as well. The new Etna Fire House is only two years old and is located on Wil-
loughby Road a short drive from the Eastside highway where the engines were previously housed in cramped quarters at Bell Crossing. Olson said that he was glad to accept delivery of the vehicle, but that it was really Bill Anderson that should be accepting it. “He just couldn’t be here today,” said Olson. Area Manager Mike O’Herron said, “This new engine helps the County by increasing the capability of the Stevensville Fire Department to provide fire protection in the Bitterroot valley.” He said it was also an opportunity to remind property owners that they have a role in fire prevention and fire preparedness. “Take a look at firesafemt. org to learn about preparing yourself and your property from wildfire,” he said. A hand-out entitled “Fire in the ROOT” can be obtained at your local fire departments or through Bitterroot RC&D at www. bitterrootrcd.org.
For over 25 years, the Stevensville Rural Fire District has fought widland fires with a 1996 Chevy Type 6 wildland fire engine (left) provided through DNRC’s County Co-op program. Last week the agency brought a replacement (right). On hand to witness the delivery of the new truck were, l to r, DNRC Public Relations Specialist Jordan Koppen, Stevensville Firefighter Bill Perrin, DNRC Area Manager Mike O’Herron, Rep. Theresa Manzella, Stevensville Rural Fire Chief Rex Olson, Rep. Nancy Ballance, HD 87, DNRC Regional Mechanic Joe Wulfekuhler, and Rep. Sharon Greef, HD 88. County Commissioner Greg Chilcott showed up too late for the photo but he did get a chance to tour the new fire house. Michael Howell photo.