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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 22 29 XXXVII, Number
Wednesday, March26, 30, 2022 Wednesday, February 2022 Wednesday, January Wednesday, December 14, 2022 Wednesday, February 2,9,2022
www.bitterrootstar.com
Eagles in winterHumane Groundbreaking held for medical Bitter Root Association Three Mile Community Center open ‘Black Tie’ gala to benefit Stevicenter FFA
celebrates new shelter, 50th anniversary speech, occupa-
by Victoria by Victoria Howell by Victoria Howell Howell
shelter. $140,000. a levy, so this won’t have any tional and physical All the money raised, According The park additional impact on people’s therapy after expenses, will services go to the– It’s been a long time to Colleen board made property taxes. The character-building Stevensville FFA chapter forthe including therapy coming, but the new Three Schmiedeke, the decision In addition to thea loan, Bitterroot Health and leadership skills that is up scholarships to attend leaderMile Community Center who serves on to take out a project was paid for by the pool – plus imaging held aup groundbreakby Michael Howell and cutship the ribbon at lastand week’s make the core of theatFFA conferences camps and running. Located 4433 both the park loan to finish Three Mile Community Senior and lab services. ceremony, said concerning theexpensing last Wednesday program help young people and to help with travel Sunnyside Cemetery Road, board and the the project. Center (the official name) Bishop said “It organization’s 50the years oftrips. service, An new open house celebration was for medical develop into engaged comfor all FFA theits center is on the east side community She said they eswhich raised over $80,000 they hope to have held last week at the Bitter Root was started by a bunch of little old munity that make a According to Suthercomplex that will beThe of Lonemembers Rock Park. buildcenter board, worked with through community picnics, ladies in 1972 and it’s still run by a Humane Association’s (BRHA) new positive contribution to their lin, there are 200 members the facility open ing contains a large they started Farmers State rummage sales, bingo nights built just north of meeting communities and to society as enrolled in the local chapter. animal shelter located on Fairgrounds bunch of little old ladies.” room, a warming a working on Bank to keep and donations fromof commuby spring 2023, attheir the kitchen, aStevensville whole lifetimes. She said that ofthat those, 75 are Butts, President of the Road inover Hamilton. The event served state-of-the-art audio visual this ain 2012 their loan Kathie nity members. Other major and they plan corner of Kootenai Jay Meyer, “extremely active.” Throughout double purpose. ItStevensville included Board, said, “This organization has system, anda a1970 gorgeous view a ribbon and incorpopayments contributors were the Three onattend continuing toa Creek Road and High graduate who was the they about of theSchool Bitterroot Mountains totherated reasonable. Mile Fire District, Lone cutting ceremony in honor of new in 2014. come such ayear long way sincethe it was expand services. FFA Chapter President events – for Hwy 93. including the west. She said the Those payRock 50 Park and thecompetiRapp started dozen about years ago. I feel aFamfacility, toursthat of the whole “We’re bringing the year, went on to teach fourth tions and leadership The building is now home total cost is ments come ily Foundation. John Bishop, building, and anBitarray of food and huge sense of responsibility training to honor grade at Stevensville for 25 – and thosecare tripstosaid are costly. the patients, to the senior center and the approximateout of park Schmiedeke there terroot those who have come before us and ” drink inHealth honorCEO, of the organization’s years, and Backpack recently received example, recently Weekend Program ly $500,000. taxes that are itFor were many who said.be asmemmake as good as he itvolunteers can we set 50th birthday. said that Marcus an Honorary American FFA competed in 21 different that serves Lone Rock School. When already being bers helped on theLois project, and HedgeThe private non-profi t organization the course for the next 50 years.” Daly Hospital had degree, the highestpark degree events at John Deere Days in The surrounding conSchmiedeke assessed, TMCSC received reduced peth, chair the McCormack said that the ofDevelwas fisoccer rst organized in 1972. an individual canbaseball receive, forIn 1984, Bozeman. These Career tains and “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, “going beyond valuable daily opment and Leadership Events fields, tennis and volleyball involved,” the is proud that general contractor donated laleen Schmiedeke, Joyce Pando and Wendy Audiss in front of the fundraising campaign to fund the new granddaughter Marcus Daly, gave contributions to of make an ex(CDEs) cover many different said this project courts, a walking path, a playgroup had they didn’t See CENTER, new community center at Lone Rock Park. Photo by V. Howell. construction then the Covid-19 the BRHA on Fairgrounds Road traordinary long-term differareas,but such as public speaking, 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 Bitence the liveslease. of students…” livestock agriculture with in a 99-year Six years later, pandemic hit andjudging, construction costs in the works, but Meyerthe is aBessenyey good example of deeded ter Root Humane Association Board Member Sue McCormack prepares to cut the ribbon skyrocketed. mechanics, veterinary sciencAs a result, the group in 1990, estate there were some John Bishop, pictured fifth from left, leads a gathering of people involved in the celebrating the opening of the new animal shelter in Hamilton. Photo by Michael Howell. the impact of FFA, where es, parliamentary procedures, had to take out a mortgage to finish thepotential land to the organization delays due tofarm the Bitterroot Health building project in a ceremonial groundbreaking. The facility and two more examples are sales, ag issues, meats, on the property that had housed the Sue McCormack, who serves on the current shelter is located. The See SHELTER, page Laura Frazee-Sonsteng and business andsaid2 pandemic. She theat organization’s of directors will be built on land located the corner ofboard Kootenai Creek Road and Hwy 93 management, new building replaces an old building shelter since 1984. Lacey Sutherlin, a couple of agronomy, their to name a few. vision isthe that just north of the Stevensville Junction. cumstances, having She adds thatchoose Stevensville community dyna-by Nathan Boddy FFA members also the Stevensville encountered people most important mos who are heading up what a Supervised Agricultural Christine Staub, a driving falling “quality, victim to mail way to combat facility willtheir besuch more Darby, Victor and Corvallis, as well as been providing they’re calling the “inaugural” Experience (SAE) for force at the Boxxe Shoppe at fraud in the past. Hamilton. abuse is for people of a “medical center” ratherAn than just a Black Tie in the Bitterroot” high school career. SAE accessible, personalized 901 S. 1st Street, was recently As a certified shipto ask questions clinic. She also said that Marcus Daly New Year’s Eve Gala. These is something they create and The new 12-acre campus will health fordepot 90 years. presented with a Certificate of care” ping for FedEx, and start conMurphy. Shethe led the Stevensville FFA Alumni manage like a business, keepwhich isversation a critical access In recent the years, theyShoppe provide primary, care, urgent care and Hospital, Appreciation by Mayor DomiBoxxe with those commissioners through members are co-chairs of this ing records onrated the expenses hospital, was recently #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 by Victoria Howell me like a ton of fundraising event being put on and income, giving them expePolice Chief Stephen Snavely. open package which doesn’t quality by Staub the national ratthat, toskills sum already been hired, along with a nurse nation for invest in all theacommubricks.” by the Alumni to benefit the rience accounting in organizational In his presentation to the City bears its shipping know the details it up, shows the county, ing agency, out of 351 similar facilities. practitioner, and two more doctors Numerous Bald Eagles have been congregating in the Burnt area lately to feed onOverstreet carcasses. was Photos nities of Fork the Bitterroot, Stevensville FFA program. and money management. When it comes Council on March 15th, Chief label. After following of what potential overall, doing very well by Michael These energetic women Snavely said that he wants Both Frazee-Sonsteng by Victoria Howell are being recruited. There will also be hethe said, with clinics in to Covid, Greg Howell. sent home from protocol, and doing victims are told,and but on its tax collections and and the committee of volunSutherlin had high praise for The Bitterroot Overstreet has a NaHamilton Police Department so in the presence of the hospital with she knows that over they showing revenues teers areyou: working with to “become more vocal about Agriculture Education tionalthey Forest (BNF) will The Cowboy Ball the at the Ravalli County message for a witness, Staub was an oxygen tank. are, “often coached 50% of also projections inthe are thinking big for this, teachers who serve host a public meeting Fairgrounds will be held February 12th. This is don’t fool around! the good things that happen able to uncover the He was home for to departments say they areas shipmost while because they are absolutely FFA advisors. “They coach thisOverstreet, Wednesday, March Lacey Sutherlin (left) and Laura Frazee-Sonsteng are co-chairing the inaugural “Black Tie in the the tenth annual event and the way it’s shaping within the community.” Sharunfortunate contents two or three days. ping legal papers or by Michael Howell expenses have onlysaid passionate about the FFA and teach all those 30th from 6 to 8 p.m. New Year’s Eve Gala of to the benefit the Stevensville FFAthat program. Victoria Howell. ingBitterroot” his department’s experipackage: nearlyDuring paperwork.” Other it’s going to be an event worthy oftoakids,” jubilee an attorney in time, Photo byup, amounted 23% of program and its benefits to ence to share information with Ms. Staub was one $16,000 in cash, commondue tactics for and former council member, the public at the next Halfway through Sutherlin. celebration. projections in large private practice in will be hismeeting oxygen level by Victoria students. The event Josettescammers Hackett isinclude the Agriregarding theHowell developare $125 per person or $1000 for a will be a tri-tip dinner, cash bar, live year, the such opportunity. which the customer the budget part to job vacancies Rod Freeman is the chair of this year’s appears to be continuing when the councilauction, considers Stevensville, was went downdancing to 51, to the music of held 31st at St. Mary’s In FammentDecember of a draft forest table of a8custom(which includes early March, was champagne unwittingly send-from aand claiming county’s performance have yetto torepbepage filled.3 event. Freeman is also thethat chair of the Rodeo See GALA, diagnosed with normal of his efforts to teach the new the appointment of two addiClimbing Management ily Center starting at 6 p.m. Tickets and some business advertising). There “Shane Clouse & Stomping Ground.” 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, colon cancer in 99. “I jokingly say Plan (CMP). virtual counciltoand mayor how local Chicago, tional council meeting of theThe two-member intending send a package Illinois.members. Security according tobeen Ravalli the Social budgeted funds for which he’s onby forNa12 years. A real estate February of 2021. that 51 is brain Staub of the Boxxe Shoppe. Photo meeting will be held 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 agent for 18 years here in the Bitterroot, andin also He wentSee through damage material.” Zoom. below for than Boddy. Thewas customer Sometimes they a frequent commenter Gibson January 27, town clerk Jenelle in the Army for 21 years, his organizational and instructions and a link chemotherapy and But COVID-19 Seewill COUNTY, seemed con- meetings during tell theirpage 10 at council Joan Mell, an attorney with the profile of the Berthoud the council to late join August thetold meeting. Five andfused fundraising skills, and discipline, haveone been put to in he was wasthe no joke.familiar “It and unOver victims that a loved has the last administration. In from Hamilton, wasgot recpotential victims, butuse wishes similar meetings audience thatcancer she was having familiar good as chair of the Cowboy Ball committee. told thatpublic the so bad I felt with course of her landed in jail, or that a prize that others withinFreeman the commucomment, Crews told ognized forDunham’s stepping in (virtual) were heldthe in meet- the public committee to by Michael Howell “Anything which is injuOne of neighthatsaid she the disregard ofhopes this trouble streaming process, decade with has been won, but acommunity. feeraise needs had been eradicated. like I couldn’t of complaint, stating would her look out 2021. council that indecent those makto handle the the prosecution rious to health, or bors, Abraham Olsen, who likenity found thehelp property owner They need reprimand to $50,000 this to year, to for expansion of the rodeo Staub Boxxe bethe paid forthat release of the had She said andthe breathe, I ingsOverstreet on the internet. forbe their safety. Atinleast one In addition to the The Ravalli County offensive to the senses, or an said he put the petition to“aggressive their comcome from someone who can 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 the former YouTube chanof the potential victims she opportunity to learn Commissioners held a public picious obstruction to the free gether, told the munication.”“They She said the enforceThey’re it.use If we fail to act, this when hasCommissionnow commonly a getting legitimate need to be replaced. banged address the mayor, not use the of Greg Overstreet while he wasor aided 23, 2021 for ostomy boarded, what was a resident at a local nel they had was no longer about and participate in meeting on December 5th to property, so as to interfere ers that the numerous dogs property was trashed and neighborhood will continue to considering recovered address, but will be ready to up.facility Bucking stock can be hard on metal.” removal, theof fidevelopnalhad set up I imagine audience. He also said, “This hospitalized, and then recov- water extended nursing and the process working but they take public comment on the the with the comfortable enjoythat Dunhamapproximately brought to the covered in garbage and feces. suffer. It will degrade… Your customgrab the package from a porch 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, this atreatment new Facebook page. How- er’sis Grantsdale Public Nuisance ment of life or property, or property last summer were She also claimed to have per-agoorbut task indoor balancing the many age $60,000Mell in front when it arrives. started 11 years couldn’t be held last year to the bank as well as to the colon cancer journey. like,” recalls week’s meeting will cov“It’s publicinterferes comment.” did the work at no charge to Petition, a petition alleging which unlawfully constantly barking. Heofclaims sonally witnessed abuse of the needs our community the session. particular cash, all “Theyofalways direct the is a ever, members of the public Boxxe Shoppe. due to the pandemic – has been upgraded this The day after that Overstreet. “This er the following agenda thefree which was to to send ‘no signature awho public created by details withof the passage or use, he tried towanted Dunham dogs which were being kept in victim difficult one, it, I empathize. But The mayor had said previousthe town.to“Italk just hadnuisance tried to access the “It’s common sense to me,” year. topics: surgery, he was isfrauduwhen I realized being required,’” she adds. barking dogs at property lo- transaction. in that the customary manner, of about it but found her argua tiny cage. I believe this should be a prily he would be answering publicly thank Joan for helpThesays, Town of Stevensville recognized attorney Joan aMell, she pointing out that red Facebook page said itRoad was not • Review overall “This is you the fitorst year we’ve ever done diagnosed with that I was not lently de- town, The Bank Secrecy Actfully cated on Grantsdale andUnfortunateany navigable lake, river or mentative and unreasonable “I wouldwhen plead with ority. As there are those that questions from the public. ing me and helping the ” flags abound seniors are center, for filling in while town attorney Greg Overstreet objectives and desired accessible. Berthoud asked ly, itstream, dinner,” said Freeman. Theaccountability, University COVID-19. Covid put yourself catered was not manded from ofrefuse 1970 requires banks to owned by Desiree Dunham. canal or basin or any in her response andtaking she made into this neighto take being scammed. “If a person Crews also said that they said Overstreet. outcomes ofas the public ofPictured Montana Catering Service provide had Covid-19. with Mell are, l towill Overstreet, for patience she worked “I was obviously seriously first senior citizen keep track ofr,be withdrawals of The petition contained 38 sig-Staub’s public park, square, street no effort to quiet the dogs. enough. borhood’s shoes,” sheoftold there must those inthe charge is 80 years old, and all a conversations should be prepared for some dinner. Desserts are provided by 4H members. time members of $10,000 or more in order natures and accompanied orhaving highway is a nuisance… A “She immediately became the Commissioners. “What who force them to do so. Our very weakened,” said through the was issues. Mayor Steve Gibson, council members Cindy Brown and they’re coming into the The Boxxe Shoppe’s new location • Provide an update encountered commuSee page 2 sudden “interesting comments” from by various individual publictalks nuisance is one which argumentative with the neighif your children had to listen neighborhood wants to live in Greg Overstreet about his recent brush with death dueSTEVI, tothe Overstreet. “Itformer hit letters Jim Crews, mayor bank to5withdraw $15,000, it Stacie Barker. Photo by Victoria Howell. 901 S. 1st Street inbors, Hamilton. See COWBOY BALL page 4 SURVIVING, page bylyrics Michael Howell peace…” such cirnity.See Staub is of complaint that raisedCovid. manyPhoto affects, at theat same time, an stating, ‘there are no to disgusting blaring by Victoria Howell. See SCAMMERS, page 2 makes my ‘spidy’ sense tingle.” See PLAN, 2 Photo or by neighNathan Boddy. other issues beyondpage the barkentire community covenants or noise ordinances at 10 p.m. while they try to Olsen, who circulated the County Commissioners aping dogs. borhood or any considerable so I can do as I please,’” he sleep? What if Last they week had tothe seeRavalli petition, said he was born in proved adoption of a memorandum of understandThe petition claims that number of persons, although wrote at the top of the petipeople abusing animals on a the house he lives in and they the Ravalli County DUI Task Force and the property is a public nuiextent of the annoyance or tion. daily basis?ing It’swith completely have done nothing to provoke letter the commissioners stated Nationalinflicted Forest 1987 aspen and whitebark MAPS to produceAgency. a video The designed sance under Montana damage uponForest indiAnother neighbor,pine; Hannah out of line and theyMedia need Institute to be Protection by Michael HowellCode to help parents keep tabs on their children’s behavthat “Ravalli County contains recommendations manage timber to provide Plan. may be unequal.” which reads: viduals Sadowski, submitted a letter reprimanded for theirobjects blatant See NUISANCE, page 5 ior. impacts to concerning the Draft SEIS for forest products and jobs; and to unmitigated A new record of decision The deadlineHowell closed on if it would be possible Victoria The DUI Task approved of year, theForce facility tookButterfly. inthe justcreation under bybyVictoria Howell the Gold Concerncounty owned/maintained was issued on December 17, retain old growth status in all on January 18, forHowell filing objec- to put envelopes by Victoria his property which would in effect with the highway, which is aastate addressed when private land was Mischief$240,000 Room lastand May and the commissioners spent every penny. roads heavy theowner scope 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 and Fish, Wildlife signed off The involved creation tions to the Draft SupplemenJasmin Shinn,director founder and There are no paid employees; it’s an all-of kopf, put valentine cards The activities Stevensville Town Counain 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, SEIS thatPark, 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 developed access drugs or hide aand small of whiskey. The was to Willow Creek Road. Due tois aflask Management Wildlife Re-site. treatment areas are within defining old-growth stanButterfly 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 andhave negotiated are going toand be Iaccidents “But Iabout think the it’s bike [the piece on the we a lot of the stuffdonation going onofinthe our passionate believe inthere.” following concerns pathtoon the by Victoria Howell to provide parents a learning opportunity see the source Objective “Maintain designated for and resource and financial limitadards. Some objections to 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, Mayor Steve Gibson said he didn’t west] still a viable ofto land for parks. We have sixsecuring parks area inpotential town and theinsect rules and using the rules to the Stevensville Cutoff Road. Crews hadthe various ways in which any youngpiece person can hide Last year lopes. sufficient habitat tions, Ravalli County would decision were received disease treatment because ofofthe little this special envelopes presented with aValencheck forNovember $7500 associated costsold-growth to rehabilitate meeting. The land ownership willnew now river and access pending outcome of see what use theenveland is to I’m the town. city tofrom have, whether orabout not you put some things have not the been addressed advantage the citizens… notsubstance ag-“Iother submitted information the At a love special meeting on their use casual inspections. includes nearly 13,000 acres lopes were so full they The project is now 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 that need to be addressed. I use one of gressive to my coworkers and I never bollards on each side of a footbridge 22, the Stevensville Town Council Glenda Wiles, Director of the DUI Task Force, of commercial and non-comhad to be emptied more really popular, and About four years piece, which tomostly the Then Council member Wolff said he looked up the for ley. “There are many cars out thepeople parks every single daying and there’s haveMichaelson been… hassaid anmaintenance opon the path that goes a slough. appointed Nancy Lowell to fillresident. the what sheadoption, tells parents is,so “If you don’t look, accounting fiis rmlocated with aadjacent branch most can beover driven or there, support viable populations trees. They claim area If someone the necessary having to do with the Marilyn mercial vegetative treatment than the once. growing every year. ago, a in resident came drop off valenBitterroot River on the northwest side said she had apotenreal to problem with old minutes and found that the land I see. think it can be used for parking. But then don’t Ifsaid you don’t see, then you don’t stuff that I wanted see is if impacted we could by mountain posing view, I doduring listen to them, Iyou pay Crews the bollards were installed vacancy created by the resignation of ridden, and some just become “pasture located Hamilton. Part of could the logging of old-growth dependent the project, nor the of old growth, pine within a Wolff, 55,000was acre area oftoofthe to Farrenkopf to see tines to fill the enveof the bridge, offered Town this piece of land. “It’s where two was donated on the condition that looking long term, if you have propSee VALENTINES, page 10 get done over five years ago that hasn’t attention to what they say. I don’t rush too close to the bridge, causing a Marilyn whose letter resigselection for awarding that gift tial impacts to wildlife and to pets.” See DUI, page 10 rehabilitation ofto the road afteron the species. ” side The letter that Douglas-fir bark beetle, forest in theRavalli Sapphire Mounin 2017 by County for use roadstouched…” converge, the bankbeetle, is incrediit would be maintained utilized erty ofestablished thenotes river, then been to judgment… the reasonand I want be 1hindrance towest people on certain types nation was read into the record at as thea was online voting and according Horse At A Time was Draft SEIS limits the scope dwarf mistletoe and western the isI complete. Road.member potential river access site. blyCouncil steep… I think there liability forthe recreational purposes within fiveto Ravalli you havethe access tothe potentially consolNovember 10Corvallis. meeting. Lowell wasWillow Creek Bob are Michalson on park board is project because want of cycles. He said bollards are a tains eastbranch of by Shinn in 2018. She’s originally from to JCCS manager, Andrea 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 chosen from among the three candisaid that while he recognized that help improve our town and the things hazard and should be removed. Mayor The original proposal was Simmerman, 1 Horse At A Time Germany where sheI grew around mayor Jimapplied. Crews, the owner of land channel and thethe deepest partAlthough of town, the in general parkand board memof Stevensville. thinkup It’s something dates who The other candiwas passionate about the thatVickie go on Motley, in ourfinancial town make this a project Steve Gibson interrupted Crews’ preburden of the quences analysis to vegetation, officials Crews have stated that withdrawn in August of 2020 horses. She’s always been a horse fan, was one of the top four vote at thewere riverScott on the northeast side project had channel. If you were to develop that ber, said that nothing had been done dates Butler and Wallace he was concerned about Crews’ somebetter place to live.” sentation to say that it was the county, RDO Equipment Co. the pileated woodpecker and is designed to improve agreement with the proposed to Ravalli County andbut believe after Friends theoff Bitterroot getters. she not is especially passionate about attempted to of shut river on for fishing, I wouldattitude. also see Michalson a problem because the access problem been See STEVI, page 16 Smith. Lowell served as theaccess town forest clerk times “aggressive” Although council memberhad Cindy and the town, that has jurisdiction 8571 Running W. Road pine marten. project, the Ravalli County it is contrary to current law resilience to natural check followed in2009. the wake horses. Shepath and her a But andThat Alliance for the Wild for 18 years, from 1991 to She said that since he’s been on the council Brown, who is married to Crews, madedraft over the bike and husband, the bridge. andtoexisting agreements. ”he also “Wethat realize these old growth like fire, 34 insects Commissioners expressed Missoula, MT 59808 retiree, and their two children of a sworn $25,000 giftNovember in November Rockies filed claiming the was in suit on 23. disturbances he’s received emails from Crews the original motion approve Crews, military said County Commissionindicator species are listed in and disease; reduceofsediconcern over impacts to Forest officials alsoabreceived from Supply. relocated Montana and bought a 20406-549-4171 At Tractor the December 8 regular and some them were aggressive. and Michalson seconded it, Brown er GregtoChilcott had told him that agency failed to use the best counacre 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 cil meeting, the council declined to “Being on the park board, are you gostained from voting along with Stacie the County is currently not doing any available science in managing Presenting a check for $7500 from JCCS to Jasmin Shinn (second from left) of 1 Horse At RDOequipment.com money but, according to Shinn, Creek 20 horses. Shebike currently approve the mayor’s of ing to be aggressive to them [the park Barker, and Michalson voted against, maintenance paths. He also roads, Willow Creek Director of the NEPAabout Branch clear on whether there are other watershed; improve A Time Draft Horse Rescue were, l to r: especially Levi Clark, CPA, Andrea Simmerman, JCCS Branch elk habitat and didn’tappointment comJim Crews, board] like that, are you going to be with Lowell casting the lone vote in said that he plans to meet with the taking careformer of draftmayor horsesand is council Office of the Regional Adminbull trout habitat; restore Road. Manager, Willwith Ramsey, CPA. Also pictured is Tiny, the non-profit’s mascot and the ply with the definition of old member, to the park board. able toand work them?” favor. head of the Montana Department an expensive Last CO.COM including RESCUE, page 65 See See GOLD, page •FREEbyESTIMATES INTime. THE BITTERROOT VALLEY• Yproposition. OURH OMEIMPROVEMENThabitat istrator of the Environmental In a letter to the Forest meadows, fi rst horse that was rescued 1 Horse At A Photo byin Victoria Howell.the growth found in the Bitterroot Crews told the council he wanted “I don’t know where the term ‘agLater the agenda, counto serve on the park board “because gressive’ comes in,” said Crews. “I’m cil heard from Crews regarding his See STEVI, page 4
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
Commissioners consider public nuisance petition 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
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