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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 20 29 XXXVII, Number
Wednesday, March26, 30, 2022 Wednesday, February 2022 Wednesday, January Wednesday, November 30, 2022 Wednesday, February 2,9,2022
www.bitterrootstar.com
Eagles in winter Groundbreaking held Association forrezoning medical center Bitter Root Humane Hamilton council rejects Three Mile Community Centerrequest open
celebrates new shelter, 50th anniversary speech, occupa-
by Victoria by by Nathan VictoriaBoddy Howell
rational, it’s not the law,” said Nichols. that his business intended to use shelter. how the proposed zoning change and $140,000. a levy, sohad this won’t any tional andhave physical Howell intended apartment complex could be He went on to express his feelingsThe parkwhile making futureimpact decisions, and According additional on people’s therapy services – On November 15th, the reproduced throughout residential arabout the historic value of the existhad doneproperty so with input from city staff. It’sTuesday, been a long time to Colleen board made taxes. including a therapy Hamilton City Council voted unaneas in Hamilton if successfully passed. ing neighborhood, and how he feels The possibleIn lack of support the the coming, but the new Three Schmiedeke, theitdecision addition to thefor loan, Bitterroot Health imously to reject aCenter rezoning request could be threatened if increased densirezoning request bypool howMile is up who serves “If on every single homeowner in to take out a cut the project was paid for by the –council, plus imaging held aCommunity groundbreakby Michael Howell and ribbon atthe last week’s and running. Located at 4433 both thethe park Three Mile Community made by Pigman Builders for a parcel core neighborhoods in Hamilton ty and apartment housing becameloan the to finish ever, would throw that into question. and lab services. ceremony, said concerning the Senior ing last Wednesday Sunnyside Cemetery Road, board and the the project. “If there’s Center (the official name) located at 501 North 5th Street. The completely understood what this case norm. “Right now, this is a block by a disconnect and the Bishop said organization’s 50 years of service, “It An new openmedical house celebration was for theits center is on the east side in order community She saidstaff they doesn’t which raised over request to change the zoning before you was about,” said Stoll, “you block battle,” he said. know what the$80,000 council they hope to have held last week at the Bitter Root was started by a bunch of little old complex that will beThe of allow Lone construction Rock Park. center board, worked with to of abuildhigh density would not only fill this room but you Chip Pigman defended his request wants, wethrough need tocommunity know,” saidpicnics, Pigman. 1972 it’s still run by aor Humane Association’s (BRHA)subnew facility open ing contains a large meeting they started Farmersladies State in rummage sales, bingo nights apartment building would fill the building with a line out by pointing to elements in the compre“Currently, I’mand notthe sure that staff built just north of galvanized animal shelter located on Fairgrounds bunch of little old ladies.” room, apublic warming kitchen,ina opposiworkingthe on door.” Bank to keep and donations fromof commuspring 2023, stantial sentiment hensive plan which encourage a mix myself can use the by new comp plan for Stevensville at the Kathie Butts, President of the Roadand in Hamilton. The event served state-of-the-art audio visual this ain 2012Bob Nicholls also spoke against their loan nity members. Other major tion, caused many to claim that of housing as well as highlighting the any sort of guidance until you guys tell and that they plan corner ofand Kootenai double It included a ribbon Board, said, “This organization has system, a gorgeous and incorpopayments contributors were the Three doing sopurpose. would create anview unwanted the requested rezoning, specifically existing shortage in and around Hamus.” on continuing to Creek of the Road Bitterroot Mountains tothe 2014. his comments at the city’s new Mile Fire District, the Lone cutting ceremony in honor of new inaiming come such aof long way since it was precedent forand increased density inrated ilton. He then went on to say thatreasonable. the The City Hamilton’s new comexpand Hwy 93. the west.including She saidcomprehensive the Those payRock Park and theservices. Rapp Hamilton’s core neighborhoods. plan which envisions decision before the city council would prehensive plan was adopted last aFamstarted about 50 years ago. I feel facility, tours of the whole bringing the The building isarray now of home total cost is ily of Foundation. John Bishop, In her public comment delivered changes in density and housing types be about more than the one parcelments in come August after a responsibility year“We’re of public input and building, and anBitfood and huge sense to honor care to the patients, ” to the senior center and the approximateout of park Schmiedeke said there via Zoom, Linda Stoll said that her integrated within core neighborhoods. question, indicating that the compreterroot those who haveSee come before us page and 16 drink inHealth honorCEO, of the organization’s REZONING, Weekend Backpack Program ly $500,000. taxes that are were many volunteers who blood ran cold when she considered “The (comprehensive plan) is aspihensive plan was a guiding document 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 the project, and HedgeThe privatehad non-profit organization the course for the nextLois 50 years.” Daly Hospital The surrounding park conSchmiedeke assessed, TMCSC received reduced chair McCormack saidpeth, that the of the was fisoccer rst organized in 1972. In 1984, tains and baseball “got really Schmiedeke prices from contractors. The Three Mile Community Senior Center board members, l to r, Colorganization conducted a Countess Margarite Bessenyey, the hospital board, fields, tennis and volleyball involved,” the is proud that general contractorsuccessful donated laleen Schmiedeke, Joyce Pando and Wendy Audiss in front of the fundraising campaign fund the new granddaughter ofpath, Marcus Daly, gave saidto this project courts, a walking a playgroup had they didn’t See the CENTER, new community center at Lone Rock Park. Photo by V. Howell. construction but then Covid-19 the BRHA on Fairgrounds Road ground andland a covered picnic raised Bitterroot about have to run has been four page years3 Chamber of Commerce Director Al Mitchell holds the group spell-bound as Bitwith a 99-year lease. Six years later, pandemic hit and construction in the works, costs but ter Root Humane Association Board Member Sue McCormack prepares to cut the ribbon skyrocketed. As a result, the group in 1990, the Bessenyey estate deeded were MSU some John Bishop, pictured fifth from left,has leads aan gathering ofHowell. people involved in graduating the there from celebrating the opening of thethere, new animal shelter inFair Hamilton. Photo by Michael by Victoria Howell and 4-H, each Farm been annual event 25 years. While teaching he had to take out a mortgage to finish the land to the organization where College Agriculturedelays and pursuing for 30 years was who expanded toon started the annual Farm due to the Bitterroot Health building project in aand ceremonial groundbreaking. Theoffacility on the property that4th hadGrade housed the Sue McCormack, serves the current shelter is located. The Jay Meyer’s family moved to careers in agriculture. Ben, who She lives include all the 4th grade classes in Fair, a day when his students could See SHELTER, page pandemic. said2 shelter since 1984. theat organization’s of directors will be built on land located the corner ofboard Kootenai Creek Road and Hwy 93 newtheir building an old Burntreplaces Fork ranch eastbuilding of Steon the home place with his family, Ravalli County. He and Colleen, his get a hands-on experience of what their vision that just north of the Stevensville Junction. cumstances, having She adds thatisthe vensville when they were by Nathan Boddy is the Western States the Stevensville encountered people important displaced by Canyon Ferry Relationsmost Administrator Christine Staub, a driving falling “quality, victim to mail way to combat facility will besuch more Darby, Victor and Corvallis, as well as Reservoir in the 1950s. for National FFA. John been providing force at the Boxxe Shoppe at fraud in the past. abuse is for people of a “medical center” ratherAgriculthan just a Jay attended Stevensville previously taught Hamilton. accessible, personalized As a certified shipto ask questions School from the 4th grade 901 S. 1st Street, was recently ture Education and FFADaly clinic. She also said that Marcus The new 12-acre campus will health fordepot 90 years. presented with a Certificate of care” ping for FedEx, and start the conMurphy. She led the on, and joined FFA in 1966. and is currently a grain Hospital, which isversation a critical with access provide primary, care, urgent care and In recent years, they Appreciation by Mayor Domithe Boxxe Shoppe those commissioners through When he graduated from merchant with Alliance hospital, was recently rated #4 in the specialty services. Two physicians have nic Farrenkopf and Hamilton is legally justified to you know and love. have been taking steps to a lengthy fund by fund High School Grain in Illinois, where he by Stevensville Victoria Howell me like a ton of Police Chief Stephen Snavely. open package which doesn’t quality by Staub thelive. national rataccounting that, to sum already been hired, along with a nurse nation for invest in all theacommuin 1970, he was presiand his family Mary bricks.” In his presentation to the City bears its shipping know the details it up, shows the county, dent of the FFA Chapter has been an Extension 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 label. After following of what potential doing and earned FFA State Council on March 15th, Chief specializing invery 4-Hwell by Michael Howell. Victoria HowellAgentoverall, are being recruited. There willby also be he said, with clinics in to Covid, Greg the sent home from Snavely said that he wants the protocol, and doing victims are told, but on its tax collections and Farmer Degree that year. youth and currently owns The Bitterroot Overstreet has a NaHamilton Police Department so in the presence of the hospital with she knows that over they showing revenues Last month, fifty-two years Diamond D Ranch Insurtional Forest (BNF) will The Cowboy Ball at the 50% Ravalli Countycoached message for you: a witness, Staub was an oxygen tank. “often of Montana. projections in later, he was awarded the to “become more vocal about ance hereare, in host a public meeting Fairgrounds will be held February 12th. This is don’t fool around! He was home for the good things that happen able to uncover the to say theyJay are shipmost departments while Honorary American FFA More recently, thisOverstreet, Wednesday, March the tenth annual event and the way it’s shaping within the community.” Sharunfortunate contents two or three days. by Michael Howell servedexpenses havepapers only or Degree, onping the legal local FFA 30th from 6the to highest 8 p.m. degree of the package: nearlyDuring that time, paperwork.” Other up, it’s going to be anAdvisory event worthy ofand jubilee an attorney in can receive. ing his department’s experiamounted toa23% of an individual Board 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. projections due in large private practice in his oxygen level by Victoria Howell He accepted the award in helped start Chapters regarding the developsuch opportunity. which the customer scammers include the budget year, the part to job vacancies Rod Freeman is the chair of this year’s when the council considers Stevensville, went down to 51, October atwas the 95th Nation- appears to be continuing in Victor, Corvallis and ment of a draft forest In early March, a customwas unwittingly send-from a normal of claiming repcounty’s performance have yetto toon be filled. event. Freeman is also thethat chair ofserved the Rodeo diagnosed with Florence. He al FFA Convention in Indihis efforts to teach the new the appointment of two addiClimbing Management At the second regular er came to the Boxxe Shoppe ing to a scammer in resent the IRS or in is looking pretty good, One big savings was Committee, and the vice chair of the Fair Board, the board directors anapolis, Indiana before a 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 with MSU College of for crowdwill of nearly which he’s been onby for 12 the years. A real estate February 2021. that 51 is brain Staub of the Boxxe Shoppe. Photo Nameeting be held70,000. on government should run. He “We’ll do our job, ” Christine said via FedEx. Administration. County CFO Klarryse the county’s share Stevensville Town Council, on Agriculture Foundation. FFA is a school-based agent for 18 years here in the Bitterroot, andin also He went through damage material.” Zoom. See below for than Boddy. Thewas customer Sometimes they a frequent commenter Gibson January 27, town clerk Jenelle Sincehis 2009, he continues national youth in the Army for 21 years, organizational and instructions and a leadership link chemotherapy and But COVID-19 Seewill COUNTY, seemed con- meetings during tell theirpage 10 at council Joan Mell, an attorney to discipline, serve on the board development with the profile of the Berthoud the council to late join thetold meeting. Five andfused fundraising skills, and have been put to in August heorganizawas wasthe no joke.familiar “It and unOver victims that a loved one has the last administration. In from Hamilton, was recwith the Montana FFA tion. The FFA mission is to potential victims, but wishes similar meetings audience thatcancer she was having familiar with good use as chair of the Cowboy Ball committee. told thatpublic the got so bad I felt course of her landed in jail, or that a prize that others withinFreeman the commuFoundation, which raises make were a positive difference comment, Crews told ognized for stepping in (virtual) heldthe in said the committee trouble streaming meet- the public process, decade with has been won,hopes but a to feeraise needs had been eradicated. like I couldn’t nity would help her look out money for scholarships. in the lives of students by 2021. council that those makto handle the the prosecution $50,000 this year, to forbethe expansion of the rodeo andthe Staub Boxxe paid for release of the had breathe, like I ingsOverstreet on the internet. She said for their safety. At least one He is a member of the developing In addition their to thepotential became susShoppe, Staub funds. The scammers will ing public comment should caseload of Town Attorney bucking chutes. “They’re just getting old,” he surgery on October was being water the former YouTube chanof the potential victims she Ravalli County Right to said. for premier leadership, opportunity to learn picious when haswhile now commonly use a getting legitimate “They need to be replaced. They’re address the mayor, not the Greg Overstreet he was 23, 2021 for ostomy boarded, or what aided was a resident at a local Farm and Ranch Boardbanged personal growth nel they had was no and longer about and participate in careerconsidering recovered address, but will be ready to up.facility Bucking stock can be continues hard on metal.” removal, the fidevelopnalhad I imagine He also said, “This hospitalized, and then recov- water extended nursing and and with through agriculthesuccess process of working but they set up the audience. customapproximately grab the package fromthe a porch The 10th annual cowboy ball – which actually in the boarding to had be to be provided with a ride MSU Western Agricultural education. FFA is theer’sisage notand a question and answer” ering, from Covid-19. Mell ing a climbing plan, this atreatment new Facebook page. How$60,000 in or front door when it arrives. started 11the years ago but couldn’t be held last year to the bank as well as to colon cancer journey. like,” recalls ture Research extra-curricular component week’s meeting “It’s public comment.” did the work at no charge particular cash, all of to “They alwaysAdvisory direct the ever, members ofwill thecovpublic the session. Boxxe Shoppe. due to the pandemic Council. – has been upgraded He is chair ofthis the ofday agriculture education. The after that Overstreet. “This er the following agenda details of the which was victim to send it, ‘no signature The mayor had said previousthe town. “I just wanted to who had tried to access the “It’s common sense to me,” Burnt Fork Water ComThe Honorary Degree year. topics: surgery, he was is when I realized transaction. required,’” she adds. ly that he would be answering publicly thankbeing Joan fraudufor help- she The Town of Stevensville recognized attorney Joan aMell, out that red Facebook page said was not mission. The Meyers are “recognizes thoseit who haveUnfortunate• Review overall is the first year we’ve ever done fully diagnosed with that I was not says, pointing“This lently deThe Bank Secrecy Act questions from the public. ing me and helping the town, ” flags abound when seniors are center, for filling in while town attorney Greg Overstreet also active in the Montana gone beyond valuable daily 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 being scammed. “If a person Farm Ravallitheof contributions toworked make an Staub’sCrews said Overstreet. outcomes ofas the public ofPictured Montana Catering Service provide had Covid-19. with Mell are, lBureau, towill Overstreet, for patience she “I was obviously first also said that they seniorseriously citizen enough. keep track ofr, withdrawals is 80 years old, and all of a County Farm Bureau, and extraordinary long-term conversations should be prepared for some Desserts are provided by 4H members. time having members of $10,000 or more in order very weakened,” said through the issues. Mayorthey’re Steve dinner. Gibson, council Cindy Brown and sudden coming into the members The Boxxe Shoppe’s new location • Provide an the Bitter Stock Growers difference in update the lives of encountered the commuSee STEVI, page 2 “interesting comments” from Greg Overstreet talks about his recent brush with death due to Overstreet. “Itformer hit Jim Crews, bank to5withdraw $15,000, it Stacie Barker. by Victoria Association. students, inspiringmayor confi- such cirat 901 S. 1st Street in Hamilton. nity.See See COWBOY BALL page 4 SURVIVING, page by Photo Michael Howell Howell. Staub is Covid. Photo by Victoria Howell. SCAMMERS, makes my ‘spidy’ sense tingle.” InSee reflecting on thepage 2 dence inPLAN, a new generation See page 2 Photo by Nathan Boddy. Jay and Colleen Meyer of Stevensville show off the Honorary American FFA Degree that Jay recentimportance of programs apof agriculturists.” Last week the Ravalli County Commissioners his adoption high school like FFA, Jay said that Jay has spent his entire ly received. This is the highest FFA degree an individual can receive. Jay is wearing proved of a memorandum of understandFFA provides a special life immersed in agriculture. FFA jacket and tie from his high school years. Photo by Victoria Howell. ing with the Ravalli County DUI Task Force and place for certain kids who still raises hay and cattle National Forest 1987 Forest Agency. The letter the commissioners statedInstituteProtection aspen and whitebark pine; MAPS Media to produce a video designed by He Michael Howell need it. Kids find circles of interest on the family ranch. He also taught agriculture is, where our food comes wife of 45 years, raised three chilto help parents keep tabs on their children’s behavthat “Ravalli County objects contains recommendations manage timber to provide Plan. 4th grade at Stevensville School for from, and how it all happens. The dren who were very involvedior. in FFA See JAY MEYER, page 21 concerning the Draft SEIS for forest products and jobs; and to unmitigated impacts to A new record of decision The deadlineHowell closed on if it would be possible by Victoria The DUI Task approved of year, theForce facility tookButterfly. inthe justcreation under by Victoria Howell thewhen Gold Concerncounty was issued 17,wouldretain old growthwith status all envelopes onDecember January 18, forHowell filing objec- to put by Victoria hison property which in effect theinhighway, whichowned/maintained is aastate addressed private land was Mischief$240,000 Room lastand May and the commissioners spent every penny. roads heavy theowner scopeand ofthe the analysis treatment to 2021 accompanied by a to Draft all the doors and Dominic Farrenshutthen off access Stevensville Riverunits. According highway, because nowfrom you’re goingequipment to on it. sold toproject aing new Fish, Wildlife signed off creation tions to theShinn, Draft SupplemenJasmin founder and There The are no paid involved employees; it’s an all-of kopf, activities director put valentine cards in The Stevensville Town Coun- SEIS thatPark, a 20-acre park on the east bank have release two accesses forlogging trucksatrucks, pulling and Parks got involved. once-pritheitems letter quotes the Bittera Forest Service press and mostly, provides a site-speset of easily accessible that hadThe secret hiding tal Environmental Statement volunteer organization. ButtoShinn said executive director of 1 Horse 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 to, of the vate piece now belongs thesome state compartments where someone could stash root Forest Plan’s Forest-wide not limited the impacts cific forest plan amendment about 90% of proposed (Draft SEIS) for the Gold A Time Horse it costs about $200 perfishing month toaim feed Homes inDraft Hamilton, isRescue liked the idea.property. He askedCrews contacted the county aAtsmall piece of park land near the Stevi Wyean at 45 miles per hour - there is aflask developed access site. drugs or hide aand small of whiskey. The was to Willow Creek Road. Due to Management Wildlife Retreatment areas are within defining old-growth stanby Victoria Howell Gates to move the “depot” building demolished to make way for highway All this we have to pay for even when Butterfly Project, a Bitterroot these “gentle giants.” Then there are facility in Corvallis, got a nice asking the bridge, community students Stevensville an item that was at schools and negotiated the donation of the are going to be accidents there.” I think opportunity it’s [the piecetoon to provide parents“But a learning seethe the source Objective “Maintain area designated insect and financial limitadards. Some objections to from the across and freight the river for expansion. we’re closed,” like during the recent 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 theroom west, securing potential Mayorand Steve resource Gibson said he didn’t west] still a viable piece ofto land for the various ways in which any young person can hide Last year envelopes. If you enjoy homemade on theand eastside of thethe valley to a locaThe annual chocolate tasting and pandemic. sufficient habitat tions, Ravalli County would decision were received disease treatment because of the little love this special envelopes presented with aValencheck for sweets $7500 associated costsold-growth to rehabilitate meeting. The land ownership willnew now river access pending outcome of see what use the land is to the town. “Iother city tofrom 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 and bidding on interesting items, tion in downtown Victor. silent auction held on the first MonThe all-volunteer board is Force, comtine’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 of commercial and non-comhad to emptiedismore reallythe popular, and you shouldn’t miss thea24th annual In May ofmember 1992, museum day Michaelson in be December the major mitted to keeping the museum viaAbout years resident. people piece, whichfour adjacent tomostly the Then Council Wolff said he only looked upwhat the for ley. are many cars out said sheadoption, tells“There parents is,so “If you don’t look, accounting fiis rmlocated with branch most can be driven or there, support viable populations ing trees. They claim the area the necessary maintenance having toand do with the Marilyn mercial vegetative treatment than once. growing every year. Chocolate Tasting & Silent Auction on opened in August of 1996 it was fundraiser ofand the found year for thethen Victor ble. They apply for grants whenever ago, a resident came could drop off valenBitterroot River on the northwest side said she had a real problem with old minutes that the land I think it can be used for parking. But 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, potenold-growth dependent during the project, the is impacted by mountain pine December 5th was atacre the Victor formally dedicated. Heritage Museum. “We were looking they can.of “We applied to the State of within a 55,000 area oftoHeritage to Farrenkopf to see tines to fill the enveof the bridge, offered the Town this piece of land. “It’s where two was donated on the condition that looking long term, if you have propSee VALENTINES, page 10 selection It fortakes awarding that giftto tial pets.” See DUI, page 10 rehabilitation of the road afteron the species. ” side The letter notes that to converge, wildlife to and beetle, Douglas-fir bark beetle, Museum. place from 8as aimpacts According Joann Hosko, who for a fundraiser and Jean Woodard Montana forwest a grant to get storage forest inby theRavalli Sapphire Mounin 2017 County for3use roads thetobank is incrediit would be maintained and utilized erty ofestablished theour river, then was online voting and according 1 Horse At A Time was p.m. at theof museum, has served secretary theliability Victor had the idea for the tasting,” building and bathroom joinedthe togethDraft limits scope dwarf mistletoe and the chocolate project is complete. Ravalli Willow Creek Road.as potential river accesslocated site. on the bly steep… I think thereofare for western recreational purposes within five you havethe access toSEIS potentially consoltains east Corvallis. by Shinn 2018.control,” She’s originally from to JCCS manager, corner ofbranch Main and Blake inAndrea down- Bitterroot Heritage Museum Boardpart of Directors said Hosko. “We County did it every yeartountil er for in climate saidHosko. of its environmental consespruce budworm damage. objects shifting National Forest During the tenure of former issues… It is the fastest of the years. idate highway property into the Town The original proposal was Simmerman, 1 Horse Awill Time where she grew up around town Victor. All proceeds benefit since its inception, the current Covid hit, and nowpark we’ve missed two Germany “We didn’t get that grant, sosomething we had mayor Jim Crews, the At owner of land channel and thethe deepest partAlthough ofdepot the in general Vickie Motley, board memof Stevensville. Ianalysis think It’s financial burden of the project quences to vegetation, officials have stated that withdrawn in August of 2020 horses. She’s always been a horse fan, was one of the top four vote the museum and this is the major building that houses the museum years.” to raise the money ourselves and get it at the river on the northeast side project had channel. Ifto you were to develop thatwith the ber,proposed said that nothing had County been done RDO Equipment Co. theHosko pileated woodpecker and iswas designed improve agreement andbut believe after Friends of theof Bitterroot getters. she is especially passionate about fundraising the year for this the third depot.also She see said Therethe areaccess a lottoofRavalli expenses in been done.” But said have been attempted toevent shut off river access on for fishing, I would a one problem because problem had Seethere STEVI, page 16 8571 W. pine marten. the Ravalli County the historic it is contrary to current law forest resilience to natural little museum. burned down in 1916 andproject, a second maintaining building, many generous donors in theRoad comcheckfor followed in the wake draft horses. SheRunning and her husband, a andThat Alliance the Wild 1989 a group people depotlike stood a long time next to the expressed which houses an and impressive including the Rapp Family existingamount agreements. ”munity, “We realize these old growth fire,for insects Commissioners Missoula, MT 59808 military retiree, and their two children of aIn$25,000 gift claiming inofNovember Rockies filed suit thewithdisturbances deep roots in Victor met at the home railroad tracks which used to be on the of Victor area history. “Right now we Foundation. “The Rapp Foundation species are listed in and disease; reduce sediconcern over impacts to Forest officials also received from Tractor Supply. relocated toindicator Montana and bought a 20406-549-4171 agency failed to use the best to disof the late Peggylike Thornbrugh west side of Willow the river. Thecounty railroad line and have to replace the 30-year-old heathas been very goodPlan, to us.” acre farm which Shinn said can support That sounds a lot of the Forest but it is not owned maintained comments from Philip Strobel ment sources in the available science in of managing a muse-Presenting a check for $7500 fromofJCCS Jasmining/air Shinn (second from left) of 1said Horse At cuss thebut, possibility was moved to the east side the to river conditioning unit,” board President Tout has served in that RDOequipment.com money accordingcreating to Shinn, 20 horses. She currently roads, Willow Creek Director of the NEPAabout Branch whether thereand are says other watershed; improve Horse Rescue were, lalongto r: especially Levi Clark, president CPA, Andrea Simmerman, Branch elk habitat andAt didn’t com-the oldCreek um for Victor. the time trainA Time andDraft the old depot standing Suzanne Tout.JCCS “It’s failed position clear for about 12 years taking care of draft horses is Office of the Regional Adminbull trout habitat; restore Road. and Will Ramsey, CPA. Also pictured is Tiny, non-profi t’s in mascot the and depot was being used as warehouse. Manager, side Hwy 93 eventually became the five the times already, bothand winter she would like to step back. She has ply with the definition ofaold an expensiveYproposition. Last habitat RESCUE, page 65 See See GOLD, page •FREE INTime. THE BITTERROOT VALLEY• OURH OME IMPROVEMENT CO.COM istrator thethe Environmental In a At letter to the Forest meadows, The group set about and home of Martin’s Inn, by aESTIMATES well-known summer. We also have toofpay high firstincluding horse that was rescued 1 Horse A Photo by Victoria Howell. growth found in the fundraising Bitterroot when they had $2000 they hired Joe cost of insurance, electricity, water. restaurant and bar. That building was See MUSEUM, page 20
Immersed in agriculture
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 to partner on special video
Gold Butterfly project draws some objections
Spreading love horse Local draft rescue Stevi to return park land thriving to county
Victor Heritage Museum to hold chocolate tasting
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