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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent

’ ! l a c o L t e Best a

‘Th 37 Volume XXXVIII, XXXVII, Number 30 Volume XXXVII, Number 28 Volume Number 15 29 XXXVII, Number

Wednesday, March26, 30, 2022 Wednesday, February Wednesday, January Wednesday, October 26, 2022 Wednesday, February 2,9,2022

www.bitterrootstar.com

Vote for someone you know. Eagles in winter Groundbreaking held for medical center Marlin Ostrander Sr. Bitter Root Association Vote4Marlin.com Three MileHumane Community Center open

“The fence speech, guy”occupa-

celebrates new shelter, 50th anniversary Stevi drug trafficker shelter. COMMISSIONER Dist 3 COUNTY

by Victoria by Victoria Howell Howell

$140,000. a levy, so this won’t have any tional Paid for by Marlin Ostrander Campaign Fund, 106 Riverside Cutoff, Hamilton MTand 59840.physical Libertarian. According The park additional impact on people’s therapy services – It’s been a long time to Colleen board made property taxes. including a therapy coming, but the new Three Schmiedeke, the decision In addition to the loan, the Bitterroot Health Mile Center is up who serves on to take out project was for by the pool – plus imaging held aCommunity groundbreakby Michael Howell anda cut the ribbon atpaid last week’s and running. Located at 4433 both the park loan to finish Three Mile Community and lab services. ceremony, said concerning the Senior ing last Wednesday Sunnyside Cemetery Road, board and the the project. Center (the official name) Bishop said “It organization’s 50 years of service, An new openmedical house celebration was for theits center is on the east side community She said they which raised over $80,000 they hope to have held last week at the Bitter Root was started by a bunch of little old complex that will beThe build- center board, of Lone Rock Park. worked with through community picnics, ladies in 1972 and it’s still run by a Humane Association’s (BRHA) new the facility open ing contains a large they started Farmers State rummage sales, bingo nights built just north of meeting animal shelter located on Fairgrounds bunch of little old ladies.” room, a warming working on Bank to keep and donations fromof commuby spring 2023, Stevensville at the kitchen, a Butts, President of the Road in Hamilton. The event served state-of-the-art audio visual this ain 2012 their loan Kathienity members. Other major and that they plan corner ofand Kootenai double purpose. It included Board, said, “This organization has system, a gorgeous view a ribbon and incorpopayments contributors were the Three on continuing to Creek and Mountains of the Road Bitterroot totherated reasonable. Mile Fireway District, Lone cutting ceremony in honor of new in 2014. come such a long sincethe it was expand Hwy 93. including tours of the whole the west. She said the Those payRock 50 Park andago. theservices. Rapp started about years I feel aFamfacility, “We’re bringing the The building is now home total cost is ments come ily Foundation. John Bishop, Thursday, 13 - Stevensbuilding, and anBitarray of food and hugeOctober sense of responsibility to honor care to the patients, to the senior center and the approximateout of park Schmiedeke said there terroot those who have cometrafficking, before us and ” drink inHealth honorCEO, of the organization’s ville man admits drug Weekend Backpack Program ly $500,000. taxes that are were many volunteers who he said. make it as good as it can be as we set 50ththat birthday. said Marcus that serves Lone Rock School. When already being helped on theLois project, and firearm, money laundering crimes HedgeThe privatehad non-profit organization the course for the next 50 years.” Daly Hospital The surrounding park conSchmiedeke assessed, TMCSC received reduced peth, chair McCormack said that the of the was fisoccer rst organized in 1972. In 1984, after investigators seize thousands tains and baseball “got really Schmiedeke prices from contractors. The Three Mile Community Senior Center board members, l to r, Colorganization conducted a successful Countess Margarite Bessenyey, the hospital board, fields, tennis and volleyball involved,” the is proud that general contractor donated lafentanyl pills in traffic stop; leen Schmiedeke, Joyce Pando and Wendy Audiss in front of the of they fundraising campaign to fund thefind new granddaughter ofpath, Marcus Daly, gave said this project courts, a walking a playgroup had didn’t byBRHA Michael Howell See the CENTER, new community center at Lone Rock Park. Photo by V. Howell. pill-making construction but then Covid-19 the on Fairgrounds Road equipment, materials ground andland a covered picnic raised Bitterroot about has been four page years3 Chamber of Commerce Director Al Mitchell holds the group spell-boundhave as Bit-to run with a 99-year lease. Six years later, pandemic hit and construction inJustice the works, costs but The Bitterroot on property--Dept. of ter Root Humane Association Board Member Sue McCormack prepares to cut the ribbon skyrocketed. As a result, the group inNational 1990, theForest Bessenyey estate deeded (BNF) some John Bishop, pictured from left, leads a gathering people involved in the there were celebrating the opening of the new animalfifth shelter in Hamilton. Photo by Michaelof Howell. had to man take out mortgage finish the land to the organization where sponsored a media A Stevensville has aadmitted toto drug trafdelays due to the Bitterroot project in a ceremonial groundbreaking. The facility on the property that hadHealth housedbuilding the Sue McCormack, who serves on the current shelter field trip last weekistolocated. The ficking, firearm and money laundering crimes afSee SHELTER, page 2 pandemic. She said theat organization’s of directors will be built on land located the corner ofboard Kootenai Creek and Hwy 93 thousands new building show off thereplaces results ofan old building shelter since 1984. ter lawRoad enforcement seized of fentanyl their vision isthe that the first fuels reduction and methamphetamine pillsShe from his vehicle in just north of the Stevensville Junction. by Nathan Boddy cumstances, having adds that the Stevensville project to be adminisa Minnesota traffic stop and most foundimportant pill-making encountered people tered by Ravalli County and materials onway his Montana properChristine Staub, a driving falling “quality, victim to mail to combat such facility will be more Darby, Victor and Corvallis, asequipment well as been providing on national forest ty, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. force at the Boxxe Shoppe at fraud in the past. Hamilton. abuse is for people of a “medical center” rather than just a accessible, personalized land. Andrew Amidon, 901 S. 1st Street, was recently As a certified shipto ask questions Andrewclinic. Kyle Whittecar, 37, pleaded guilty to She also said that Marcus Daly The new 12-acre campus will health fordepot 90 years. presented with a Certificate of care” ping for FedEx, and start the conRavalli County’s new possession with intent toMurphy. distribute controlled She led the which isversation a in critical access and Hospital, In recent the years, theyShoppe provide primary, care, urgent care Appreciation by Mayor DomiBoxxe with those forester who started substances, prohibited person possession of a commissioners through hospital, was recently rated #4byinfaces the a specialty services. Two physicians have nic Farrenkopf and Hamilton is legally justified to you know and love. working for the county firearm and money laundering. Whittecar have been taking steps to a lengthy fund fund by Victoria Howell me like a ton of Police Chief Stephen Snavely. open package which Staub doesn’t for quality byto the rat-a last February, adminminimum 10 accounting years lifenational in prison, that, to sum already been hired, along with mandatory a nurse nation invest in all theacommubricks.” In his presentation to the City bears its shipping know the details istered the project and $10 million fine and at least four years of superit up, shows the county, ing agency, out of 351 similar facilities. practitioner, and two more doctors Numerous Bald Eagles have been congregating in the Burnt area lately to feed onOverstreet carcasses. was Photos nities of Fork the Bitterroot, When it comes Council on March 15th, Chief label. After following of what potential conducted the review vised release on the mostoverall, serious crime. doing very well by Michael Howell. Victoria Howell are being recruited. There willby also be he said, with clinics in toof Covid, Greg sent home from Snavely said that he wants the protocol, and doing victims are told, but the finished work. U.S. District Judge Donald W. presidon its taxMolloy collections and The Bitterroot NaOverstreet has a ComHamilton Police Department so in the presence of the hospital with she thatafter they Ravalli County ed. The court will determine anyknows sentence showing revenues over tional Forest (BNF) will The Cowboy Ball atSentencing the 50% Ravalli Countycoached message for Jeff you: to “become more vocal about a witness, Staub was an oxygen tank. are, “often missioner Burrows considering the U.S. Guidelines and of projections in host a public meeting Fairgrounds will factors. be held Sentencing February is don’t around! the good things that happen able to uncover the He was home for to departments say12th. they are shipand fool Bitterroot National other statutory was This set for most while thisOverstreet, Wednesday, March the tenth annual event and the way it’s shaping within the community.” Sharunfortunate contents two or three days. ping legal papers byFeb. Michael Howell Forest Supervisor Mat2, 2023. Whittecar was detained pending expenses have only or 30th from 6 to 8 p.m. ing his department’s experiof the package: nearlyDuring that time, paperwork.” Other up, it’s going to be an event worthy oftoa23% jubilee anthew attorney in Anderson were further proceedings. amounted of to share information ence with Ms. Staub was one $16,000 in cash, common tactics for and former council member, the public at the next meeting Halfway through celebration. both present along The government alleged in court documents projections due in large private practice in his oxygen level by Victoria Howell regarding the developsuch opportunity. which the customer scammers include the budget year, the with BNF fire managepart to job vacancies that on April 27, Whittecar was the driver and Rod Freeman is the chair of this year’s appears to be continuing when the council considers Stevensville, was went down to 51, ment of a draft forest In early March, a customwas unwittingly send-from a normal of claiming to county’s performance that have yetthe torepbe filled. ment, silviculturist and sole occupant of redthe Cadillac when Minevent. Freeman is aalso chair of the Rodeo diagnosed with his efforts to teach the new the appointment of two addiClimbing Management At the second personregular er came to the Boxxe Shoppe ing to a scammer in resent the IRS or in is looking pretty good, One big savings was administrative nesota Highway Patrol stopped him near AlCommittee, and the vice chair of the Fair Board, colon cancer in 99. “I jokingly say Plan (CMP). The virtual counciltoand mayor how local Chicago, tional council members. meeting of the two-member intending send a package Illinois. Social Security according to Ravalli the budgeted funds nel, representatives of exandria, Minnesota. The trooper developed which he’s been onby forNa12 years. A real estate for February of 2021. that 51 is brain Staub of the Boxxe Shoppe. Photo meeting will be held on should run. He “We’ll do our job, ” Christine said via government FedEx. Administration. County CFO Klarryse the county’s share in Stevensville Town Council, on the timber industry, reasonable suspicion that Whittecar was traffickagent for 18 years here in the Bitterroot, and also He wentSee through damage material.” Zoom. below for than Boddy. Thewas customer Sometimes they a frequent commenter Gibson Bureau of Land Maning drugs and searched the vehicle. During the January 27, town clerk Jenelle in the Army for 21 years, his organizational and instructions and a link chemotherapy and But COVID-19 See COUNTY, page 10 seemed con- meetings during will tellintheir andthe other search, trooper located $3,000 cash, three at council Joan Mell, an attorney familiar with the profile the of the Berthoud council toagement, join August thetold meeting. Five andfused fundraising skills, and discipline, haveone been put to in late he was was no joke. “It and unOver the victims that a loved has Montana resource grams of cocaine and 75 blue pills labeled “M30,” the last administration. In from Hamilton, wasgot rec- bad I potential victims, butuse wishes similar meetings audience thatcancer she was having familiar good astesting chair oflanded the Cowboy committee. told thatpublic the felt with course of so her in jail, or a prizein managers. which lab determined toBall bethat fentanyl, that others within the commupublic comment, Crews told ognized for stepping in (virtual) were held in Freeman said the committee hopes to raise trouble streaming the meetthe process, decade with has been won, but a fee needs had been eradicated. like I couldn’t The aim of the work being done in the Trapper-Bunkhouse Fuels Reduction The 130-acre Trapthe center console. In the trunk was a loaded nity would help her look out 2021. the council that those makto handle the prosecution $50,000 this year, for the expansion of the rodeo and Staub the Boxxe to be paid for release of Overstreet had breathe, like I ings on the internet. She said per-Bunkhouse Fuels Glock semi-automatic handgun and anthe addiProject is to work towards the restoration of the historical landscape which was safety. At for their least17one In addition to the became susShoppe, Staub funds. The scammers will ing public comment should caseload of Town Attorney bucking chutes. “They’re just getting old,” he said. surgery on October was being water tional loaded the former YouTube Pine dominated forest that can be managed by periodic prescribed of the potential victims she magazine. And in the covered spare opportunity to learn chan- a Ponderosa picious when has now commonly use a legitimate “They need to be replaced. They’re getting banged address the mayor, not the Greg Overstreet while he was 23, 2021 for ostomy boarded, or what wheel well was an ammunition box containing See FUELS, page aided was a resident at a local nel they had was no longer about and participate in6 fires. Photo by Michael Howell. recovered address, will ready to up. Bucking stockpackages can be hard on metal.” vacuum-sealed ofbut pills. Inbetotal, there removal, theof fidevelopnalhad set up considering I imagine audience. He also said, “This hospitalized, and then recov- water extended nursing facility and the process working but they the customapproximately grab the package from a porch were 5,096 blue “M30” pills, which contained The 10th annual cowboy ball – which actually in the boarding to had be to be provided with a ride notand a question and answer” ering, from Covid-19. ing a climbing plan, atreatment new Facebook page.this How- er’sisage $60,000Mell in orbut front door when it arrives. fentanyl, and 1,000 orange pills, which contained started 11 years ago couldn’t be held last year to the bank as well as to the colon journey. like,” recalls week’scancer meeting will cov“It’s public comment.” did the work at no charge particular cash, all of to “They always direct the ever, members of the public the session. meth. Boxxe Shoppe. due to the pandemic – has been upgraded this The day after that Overstreet. “This er the following agenda the had said previouswhich was to victim to send it, ‘no signature The of mayor the town. “I just wanted who had he tried to access the details In addition, “It’s common sense to me,” the government alleged Whittecar year. topics: surgery, was isfrauduwhen I realized transaction. being required,’” she adds. ly that he would be answering publicly thank Joan for helpThesays, Town of Stevensville recognized attorney Joan advised he had been working with several she pointing out that red Facebook page said it was not Unfortunate• Review overall “This isthat the first year we’ve ever done aMell, fully diagnosed with that I was not lently deThe Bank Secrecy Act coconspirators to distribute the pills, which apquestions from the public. ing me and helping the town, ” flags abound when seniors are center, for filling in while town attorney Greg Overstreet objectives and desired accessible. catered dinner,” said Freeman. Thebanks University COVID-19.Berthoud asked ly, it was not taking Covid manded from of 1970 requires to peared to be Adderall and Percocet, but he knew being scammed. “If a person Crews also said that they said Overstreet. outcomes of the public Montanawith Catering Service provide theof had Covid-19.ofcontained Pictured Mell are, l towill Overstreet, for“I patience as she worked Staub’s first was obviously seniorseriously citizen enough. keep track ofr, withdrawals is 80 years old, and all of a meth and fentanyl, respectively. conversations should be prepared for some marks dinner. Desserts are provided by 4H members. time having members ofBaucusMayor $10,000 or more in order very weakened,” said through the issues. Steve Gibson, council members Cindy Brown andDrug by Michael Howell ceuticals. The agreement like Senator Max who Theinto government further alleged that the they’re coming the The Boxxe Shoppe’s new location • Provide an update encountered commuSee page 2 sudden “interesting comments” from Greg Overstreet talks about hisofrecent brush with death dueSTEVI, tothe Overstreet. “Itformer hit the beginning construction on was in attendance at the signing Jim Crews, mayor Enforcement after receiving a 4 bank to5withdraw $15,000, it Administration, Stacie Barker. by Victoria at 901 S. 1st Street in Hamilton. nity.See See COWBOY BALL page SURVIVING, page by Photo Michael Howell Howell. such cirCovid. Photo bythe Victoria Howell.planned Bio-Safety ceremony. Staub is A big step forward was taken company’s See SCAMMERS, searched a 40-acre parcel of property page Whit-2 makes my ‘spidy’tip, sense tingle.” See PLAN, page 2 Photo by Nathan Boddy. last week when participants Level 2 vaccine production facility Hamilton Mayor Dominic tecar owned near Stevensville. Agents found a Last week the Ravalli County Commissioners apfrom Tonix Pharmaceuticals, the on Old Corvallis Road. Farrenkopf said, “The way things backhoe abutting the entrance to a storage conproved adoption of a memorandum of understandRavalli County Economic DevelAlthough this signature event like this happen is you take some tainer. Inside the container were two pill presses, ing with the Ravalli County DUI Task Force and opment Authority (RCEDA), Ramarked the beginning of a congreat people from some great oralong with Institute dyes, chemicals andAgency. substances Protection The letter theand commissioners stated Forest 1987expected Forest to take aspen and whitebarkyou pine; MAPS Media to produce aother video designed by Michael Howell valli County Government, Rocky National struction period ganizations, blend them indicating the production of counterfeit pills to help parents keep tabs on their children’s behavthatwhat “Ravalli County objects contains recommendations timber to project provideand that’s Mountain Laboratory (RML) and Plan. three years, it also marked themanageget a great with those found in the Minnesota ior.consistent concerning the Draft SEIS for forest products and jobs; and to unmitigated impacts to A new record of decision theby general public gathered to culmination of a combined comwe have here…and I’m ready to traffic stop. There also was a jar containing 240 The deadlineHowell closed on if it would be possible Victoria The DUI Task approved the of year, theForce facility tookButterfly. inbaggie justcreation under by Victoria Howell witness the signing of a developmunity effort lasting a lot longer sign.” He said the city had put a the Gold Concerncounty owned/maintained was issued on December 17, retain old growth status in all grams of fentanyl and a plastic containing on January 18, forHowell filing objec- to put envelopes by Victoria his property which would in effect with the highway, which is aastate addressed when private land was Mischief$240,000 Room lastand May and the commissioners spent every penny. ment Dominic agreement between theall City than that then and involving the efforts lot another 161it. grams fentanyl. roads heavy equipment ing theowner scope ofthe the analysis treatment to 2021 accompanied by a to Draft the doors and Farrenshut off access Stevensville Riverunits. According highway, because nowfrom you’re going to on sold toproject aof new and Fish, Wildlife signed off The involved creation tions to the Draft SupplemenJasmin Shinn, founder and There are no paid employees; it’s an all-of of kopf, Hamilton and Tonix Pharmaof some realinmovers and shakers See TONIX, page 2 While inaccessible custody, called family director put valentine cards The activities Stevensville Town Couna 20-acre park on the east bank have release two accesses forlogging trucksatrucks, pulling and Parks got involved. once-pritheWhittecar letter quotes the Bittera Forest Service press and mostly, SEIS thatPark, provides a site-speset of easily items that hadThe secret hiding tal Environmental Statement volunteer organization. ButtoShinn said executive director of 1 Horse members and directed them to items buried on atwas Sapphire them. Farrenkopf cil split onLutheran whether to accept just toreally the north of the private piece ofthe boats, and you’vebut just come out of the vate piece now belongs thesome state compartments where someone could stash root Forest Plan’s Forest-wide not limited to, the impacts cific forest plan amendment about 90% of proposed (Draft SEIS) for the Gold A Time Horse it costs $200 per“hay.” month toaim feed the property heabout referred towhiskey. as DEA agents Homes inDraft Hamilton, isRescue liked the idea.property. He askedCrews contacted the county aAtsmall piece of park land near the Stevi Wye at 45 miles per hour there and is a developed fishing access site. drugs or hide a small flask of The to Willow Creek Road. Due to Management Wildlife Re-was treatment areas are within an defining old-growth stanButterfly Project, a Bitterroot conducted an“gentle additional search and, approxithese there are facility Corvallis, gotitem a nice askinginthe community students Stevensville bridge, an that was at schools and negotiated the donation of the are going to be accidents there.” “But I giants.” think it’sThen [the piece to provide parents a learning opportunity toon seethe the source Objective “Maintain area designated for insect and financial limitadards. Some objections to securing the mately 10 feet underground below aofto pile hay,the boost lastForest week when she was veterinary bills, therapy, training, and to send his athat and daycares to make National project considered atresidents the March 24th council land on the west, potential Mayorand Steve resource Gibson said he didn’t west] still a viable piece land for various ways in which any young person canofhide Last year lopes. the disease they discovered afrom large plastic container and two sufficient habitat tions, Ravalli County would decision were received because of the little love this special envelopes presented with aValencheck for $7500 associated costsold-growth to rehabilitate meeting. The land ownership willnew now river and access pending outcometreatment of see what use theenveland is to the town. “Iother city to have, whether or not you put their substance use casual inspections. includes nearly 13,000 acres lopes were so full they The project is now plastic five-gallon buckets. The storage items tine’s Day. decorate them for each revert to the county. The 1.52-acre the access dispute. only see a liability,” said Gibson. money into developing it,” said Motnot be able to accommodate on suitable timberland to by the January 18 deadline dense pockets of dead and dythese horses. When they’re fi nally ready from representatives of JCCS, an Glenda Wiles, Director of the DUI Task Force, of commercial and non-comhad to be emptied more really popular, and contained chemicals, and About years resident. people piece, whichfour tomostly the Then Council Wolff Michaelson he looked upwhat the for ley. are many cars out there, said sheadditional tells“There parents is,so “If you don’t look, accounting fiis rmlocated with aadjacent branch adoption, most can bepowders driven or support viable populations ing trees. They claim area said the necessary maintenance having to do member with the Marilyn mercial vegetative treatment than the once. growing every year. liquids. Agents searched another storage unit ago, a resident came could drop off valenBitterroot River on the northwest side said she had a real problem with old minutes and found that the land I think it can be used for parking. But then younor don’t see.and If you don’t then you don’t ridden, some justsee, become “pasture located in Hamilton. Part of the logging of old growth, potenof old-growth dependent during the project, the is impacted by mountain pine within a 55,000 acre area ofto the used by Whittecar and found multiple boxes by Nathan Boddy Chip Pigman, whoSee wasVALENTINES, unable to attend the first to Farrenkopf to see tines to fill the enveof the bridge, was offered Town this piece of land. “It’s where two was donated on the condition that looking long term, if you have proppage 10 selection for awarding that gift tial impacts to wildlife and to pets.” See DUI, page 10 rehabilitation of the road afteron the species. ” side The letter beetle, Douglas-fir bark beetle, containing various lab equipment consistent with public hearing, stood before it the Commission on forest inby theRavalli Sapphire Mounin 2017 for use as a roads converge, the bank is incrediwould be maintained and utilized erty west ofestablished thenotes river,that then was online voting County and according 1 Horse At A Time was DrafttoSEIS limits the scope dwarf mistletoe and western thetoproject is complete. Creek Road.I think usefive in theRavalli synthesis of chemical materials. DEA Oneast Monday, October 17th, theWillow Hamilton October 17th and encouraged the Commission potential river access site. blyZoning steep… there are liability for recreational purposes within you havethe access potentially consoltains of Corvallis. by Shinn indetermined 2018. She’sthat originally from to JCCS branch manager, Andreadenial of a rezonforensic chemists the items and Commission voted to recommend support the rezoning request. of its environmental consespruce budworm damage. County objects to shifting Bitterroot National Forest During the tenure of former issues… It is the fastest part of the years. idate highway property into the Town The original proposal was Simmerman, 1 Horse At APigman Time Germany where sheIprecursors grew around equipment seized included required ing request bythe Chip for the corner lotandthat “For years we’ve beenin told that the Motley, City wants mayor Jim made Crews, owner of land channel thethe deepest part of the Vickie park board memof Stevensville. thinkup It’s something financial burden of the project quences analysis to vegetation, officials have stated Although general withdrawn in August of vote 2020had horses. She’s always been a horse fan, was one of the topnortheast four fentanyl production. at 501 N. 5th Street. Pigman a zoning you mixed-use housingthat with an emphasis on infill,” he had beenfor at the river on the siderequested had were to develop ber,proposed said that nothing done RDO Equipment Co. the pileated woodpecker and project ischannel. designedIfto improve agreement with the to Ravalli County andbut believe after Friends theoff Bitterroot getters. she isaespecially about Additionally, search of passionate Whittecar’s three designation high density for theon currently said, drawing written elements within theproblem had been attempted toofof shut river access forvacant fishing, I would also seeupon a problem because the access See STEVI, page 16 8571 Running W. Road pine marten. project, the Ravalli County it is contrary to current law forest resilience to natural check followed the wake draftfound horses. Sheappeared and her husband, a cell phones what to be coded andThat Alliance for the Wild lot, with the intention ofin building an eight-unit Hamilton Comprehensive Plan which highlight andbyexisting agreements. ” drug “We and realize these old growth disturbances Commissioners expressed Missoula, MT 59808 language for production and distribution. military retiree, their two children of a $25,000 gift claiming in November housing complex. The Zoning firstlike en-fire, insects benefits of developing in areas already serviced Rockies filed suit the Commission bank to records reflected several tertained the request during regularly schedroads, sewer and water “This indicator species are listed in disease; reduce sediconcern overlines. impacts tohousing definiteForest officialsWhittecar’s also received from Tractor Supply. relocated Montana and bought alarge 20406-549-4171 agency failed to use the best theirand cash deposits and withdrawals. Whittecar was uled monthly meeting on October 3rd. At that time, ly provides that.” acre farm which Shinn said can support That sounds like a lot of the Forest Plan, but it is not county owned and maintained comments from Philip Strobel ment sources in the Willow available science heard in managing Presenting forPigman $7500 from to Jasmin Shinn (second from left) of 1 Horse Atemployed in 2018 and did not have any last the Commission substantial public input ina check alsoJCCS addressed the concerns that many RDOequipment.com money but, according to Shinn, Creek about 20 horses. She currently roads, especially Willow Creek Director of the NEPA Branch clear whether there are other watershed; improve A Time Draft Horse Rescue were, l to r: Levi Clark, CPA, Andrea Simmerman, JCCS Branch elk habitat and didn’t comapparent business accounts reflecting self-emopposition rezoning and ultimately citizens had made about the character of the neightaking caretoofthe draft horsesrequest, is Office of the Regional Adminbull trout habitat; restore Road. Manager, and Will Ramsey, Also pictured Tiny, theRiver, non-profi t’s mascot ply withto thecontinue definition old ployment. decided theofpublic to October borhoodCPA. in the vicinity ofis5th and saying that, and the an expensive Lasthearing RESCUE, page 65 See See GOLD, page •FREEbyESTIMATES INTime. THE BITTERROOT VALLEY• Yproposition. OURH OMEIfor MPROVEMENT CO.COM istrator In a At letter to the Forest habitat fias rstincluding horseasthatmeadows, was rescued 1 Horse A Photo by Victoria Howell. of the Environmental 17th, giving more time public input well growth found in the Bitterroot See ZONING, page 5 See DRUGS, page 5 their own consideration of the proposal.

Fuels reduction project

pleads guilty to charges involving fentanyl, meth

First countyadministered fuels reduction project on national forest land

Public meeting on BNF Climbing Plan

Scammers thwarted, vigilance recognized

Surviving COVID

County budget on track Cowboy Ball Halfway through fiscal year, county budget looking good

scheduled

Hearts full love Stevi toofrevisit refinancing bonds

DUI Task Force, MAPS Agreement signed between City of to partner on Hamilton and Tonix Pharmaceuticals special video Gold Butterfly project draws some objections

Spreading love horse Local draft rescue Stevi to return park land thriving to county

Hamilton zoning commission recommends denial of North 5th rezoning request

SOUTHGATE MALL

493-0051