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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent
’ ! l a c o L t a t s e B e h ‘T 37 29 Volume XXXIX, XXXVII, Number Volume XXXVII, Number 28 Volume Number 230 XXXVII, Number
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 Wednesday, February 2022 Wednesday, January Wednesday, July26, 26, 2023 Wednesday, February 2,9,2022
www.bitterrootstar.com
Eagles in winter Groundbreaking for medical center Bitter Root Humane Association National Night Outheld planned for Stevensville Three Mile Community Center open
celebrates new shelter, 50th anniversary speech, occupa-
by Victoria by Victoria Howell Howell
shelter. $140,000. a levy, so this won’t any tional andhave physical According The park additional impact on people’s by John Dowd priming the wall was therapy services – It’s been a long time to Colleen board made property taxes. loaned out by Stevensincluding a loan, therapy coming, Schmiedeke, the decision In addition to theand Bitterroot Health “It’s abut waythe fornew lawThree ville Hardware thethe Mile Community Center is up who serves on to take out a project was paid for by the pool – plus imaging held a groundbreakby Michael Howell and cut the ribbon at last week’s enforcement to interact wall was primed by the and running. Located at 4433 both the park loan to finish Three Mile Community and lab services. ceremony, said concerning the Senior with their community,” Kruse family. ing last Wednesday Sunnyside Cemetery Road, board and the the project. Center (the official name) Bishop said “It said Kristin Kruse celebration with During National organization’s 50 years of service, An openmedical house was for new theits center is on the east side community She said they which raised over $80,000 the Stevensville Police Night Out, the Ravalli 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, Department about the (BRHA) new County Sheriff’s Deladies in 1972 and it’s still run by a Humane Association’s the facility open ing contains a large they started Farmers State rummage sales, bingo nights built just north of meeting upcoming National partment K-9 unit will animal shelter located on Fairgrounds bunch of little old ladies.” room, a warming kitchen, a working on Bank to keep and donations fromof commuby spring 2023, Stevensville at theThe Night event. be doing a drug finding Butts, President of the Road Out in Hamilton. The event served state-of-the-art audio visual this ain 2012 their loan Kathienity members. Other major and that they corner ofand Kootenai program has been demonstration, Lifeplan double purpose. It included Board, said, “This organization has system, a gorgeous view a ribbon and incorpopayments contributors were the Three continuing around for many years, Flighton will land at 5 to p.m. 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 nationwide. However, to kick off theservices. event and expand Hwy 93. the west.including tours of the whole She said the Those payRock 50 Park andago. the Rapp started about years I feel will aFamfacility, this willbuilding only be the Ste-home the fire department “We’re bringing the The isarray now total cost is ments come ily of Foundation. John Bishop, Bitbuilding, and an of food and huge sense responsibility to honor vensville Police Departbe setcare up for participants to the patients, to the senior center and the approximateout of park Schmiedeke said there terroot Health those who have come beforeaus and ” drink in honorCEO, of the organization’s ment’s second year partomany try tovolunteers shoot target Weekend Backpack Program ly $500,000. taxes that are were who he said. make it as good as it can be as we set 50ththat birthday. said Marcus ticipating. with hose. that servesAccording Lone RocktoSchool. When already being helped onthe thefire project, and HedgeThe private non-profi t organization the course for the nextLois 50 years.” Kruse, last year was such There will be a dunk Daly Hospital had The surrounding park conSchmiedeke assessed, TMCSC received reduced chair of the McCormack saidpeth, that the the was fisoccer rst organized in 1972. atains success they decided to In 1984, tank, featuring curand baseball “got really Schmiedeke prices from contractors. The Three Mile Community Senior Center board members, l to r, Colcontinue. rent Stevensville Police organization conducted a successful Countess Margarite Bessenyey, the hospital board, fields, tennis and volleyball involved,” the is proud that general contractor donated laThe event will be Department Chief Mac leen 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 Tuesday, August 1st Sosa, the new officer See CENTER, page 3 new community center at Lone Rock Park. Photo by V. Howell. construction but then the Covid-19 the BRHA on Fairgrounds Road ground andland a covered picnic raised Bitterroot about have to run has been four years Chamber of Commerce Director Al Mitchell holds the group spell-bound as Bitfrom to 8 p.m.lease. at Six years later, Kopsa and others. with 5 a 99-year pandemic hitCassie and construction in the works, costs but be ter Root Humane Association Board Member Sue McCormack prepares to cut the ribbon Lewis andthe Clark Park. estate deeded tank tickets will skyrocketed. Dunk As a result, the group in 1990, Bessenyey there some John Bishop, pictured from left, leads a gathering people involved in sold the on celebrating the opening of the new animalfifth shelter in Hamilton. Photo by Michaelof Howell. The same agencies that site,were $1 per ticket had to take out a mortgage to finish the land to the organization where participated last year for three tries. delays 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 is located. The will be there again this There will be She anpage ice See SHELTER, pandemic. said2 shelter since 1984. the organization’s board of directors will be built on land located at the corner of Kootenai Creek Road and Hwy 93 new building replaces year, along with oth- an old building cream truck serving free their vision isthe that just north of the Stevensville Junction. by Nathan Boddy cumstances, having She adds that ers. Some of these will ice cream. Hot dogs and the Stevensville encountered people most include Montana Highwillimportant also be free at Sonia Couillard works on the new mural at Lewis and Clark Park, in Stevensville, before the National Night Out water a driving falling “quality, victim to mail way to Much combat facility will of besuch more Darby, Victor and Corvallis, as well as way Patrol, Stevensville the event. these been providing event.Christine Photo byStaub, John Dowd. force at the Boxxe Shoppe at fraud in the past. abuse is for people Fire Department, Ravalli paid forjust by a of a “medical things center”were rather than Hamilton. accessible, personalized 901 S. 1st Street, was recently Asthat a certified shipto saved ask questions County Sheriff’s Office funds from the able to help paint a mural is ist, Sonia Couillard, is volunteering clinic. 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 conMurphy. Shethe led the K9 unit, Life Flight, Stevensville Podepartment’s Chili being put up in the park, on a mainteher time to do the piece, and was the Hospital, which isversation aCook-Off. critical access provide primary, care, urgent care and In recent years, they Appreciation by Mayor Domithe Boxxe Shoppe with lice Department, and others. According commissioners to Kruse, “This through is those a nance building adjacent to the sports one who did the murals at Burnt Fork hospital,for was rated #4byinlove. the specialty services. have chance nic Farrenkopf and Hamilton legallysteps justified you know and have beenistaking to toMarket, apublic lengthy fund can wander around, therecently tofund interact with field. Stevensville by Visitors Victoria Howell me likein aStevensville. ton of Two physicians Snavely. open acommupackage doesn’t nation for quality by Staub the national rataccounting that, tohave sum already been hired, along with aout nurse participating in various gamesPolice and Chief Stephen all of these first responders and invest in all the The mural will feature scenes of which Parks and Recreation reached to bricks.” In his presentation to the City bears its shipping know the details it up, shows the county, activities hosted by the numerous some fun.” The event is open to all ing agency, out of 351 similar facilities. mountains, animals and more. Kids her to see if she would do the project 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 Chief label. After following of participating what potential overall, doing very well agencies. Some of these activities the public, and the will be15th, able to put their handprints and shehome agreed. Paint andwill supplies by Michael by Victoria Howell are being recruited. There also be he said, with clinics in to Covid, Greg Howell. sent from Snavely said that he wants the protocol, and doing victims are told, but on its tax collections and will include a prize drawing, free departments and agencies encourage in paint on the bottom part of the for the piece has been donated by The Bitterroot Overstreet has a Nathe hospital with Hamilton Police Department so in the presence of she knows that they showing revenues over face-painting and children will be people to come out and join them. mountain scene, as flowers. The artProject 59870 and the sprayer for tional Forest (BNF) will The Cowboy Ball at the 50% Ravalli Countycoached message for you: to “become more vocal about a witness, Staub was an oxygen tank. are, “often of projections in host a public meeting Fairgrounds will be held February is don’t fool around! the good things that happen able to uncover the He was home for to departments say12th. they This are shipmost 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 by Michael Howell expenses havepapers 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 an attorney in 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. 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 part to job vacancies 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 county’s performance have yetto torepbe filled. event. Freeman is also thethat chair of the Rodeo diagnosed with his efforts to teach the new the appointment of two addiClimbing Management AtNathan the second regular by Boddy 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. Social Security according to Ravalli the budgeted funds 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 be held on sentiment Thewill overwhelming in the public should run. He “We’ll do our job, ” Christine said via government FedEx. County CFO Klarryse the Administration. county’s share Stevensville Town Council, on agentbefor 18 yearssoluble, here inbut the Bitterroot, andin also He wentSee through damage material.” Zoom. below than into Boddy. meeting room infor Hamilton was one concern.commenter by John Dowd what projects could feaattaches tightly Thewas customer Sometimes theyto soil aoffrequent Gibson January 27, town clerk Jenelle in the Army for 21 years, his organizational and instructions and a link chemotherapy and But COVID-19 Residents of the Bitterroot Valley were there to COUNTY, 10 on the current site. He then particles See andwill was tracked up and seemed contell theirpage at council meetings during Joan Mell, an attorney sible familiar with the profile of the Berthoud told the council andfused towatch join August the meeting. Five “Sagebrush fundraising skills,down and discipline, haveone been put to in late he was wasthe nosegued joke. “It the documentary Gold” about Last week, the Montana Over back to give background roadways across thehas site, and unvictims that a loved last administration. In from Hamilton, wasgot rec- bad I potential victims, butuse wishes similar public meetings audience thatcancer she was having good as chairwhere oflanded thethe Cowboy Ball committee. thethat problems brought aboutfamiliar by the a lithium told the site and contamination. with mine in a Department of Environmental course of so heron thefelt intests jail,showed or that acontamprize that others within the commu- the committee hopes to raise public comment, Crews told ognized for stepping in (virtual) were held in Nevada desert. Foremost most peoples’ minds, trouble streaming the meet-onthe process, decade with has been won, but a fee needs had been eradicated. like I couldn’t Quality (DEQ) met with citizens Roll explained that Freeman the con- said ination on the surface along old nity would help her look out 2021. council that those makto handle the the prosecution however, was the mineral exploration taking $50,000 this year, forbethe expansion of the rodeo andthe Staub Boxxe to paid for release of the of Darby about the potential futamination was caused by the roadways. Overstreet had breathe, likefor I their ings on the internet. She said safety. At least one In addition the place near thetoheadwaters ofbecame theing West Fork of the should susShoppe, funds. The getting scammers will ture use and currentofsituation of Staub outdoor wood treatment in the The Pentachlorophenol public comment caseload Town Attorney bucking chutes. “They’re just old,” heissaid. surgery on YouTube October was being water the former chanof the potential victims she opportunity to learn Bitterroot River and whether their community willnotthe picious when now commonly use atable legitimate State Superfund Site has located main yard that allowed time for now in the water and has “They need to be replaced. They’re getting banged address the mayor, the Greg Overstreet while he was 23, 2021 for ostomy boarded, or what aided was a resident at a local nel they had wasfate. no longer about participate in face aand similar considering recovered address, butthey will be ready to where the old SW Sawmill and thewater treatment chemicals to dripand formed what call a “plume,” up. Bucking stock can be hard on metal.” removal, the fi nal I imagine audience. He also said, “This hospitalized, and then recovextended nursing facility the process of developworking they had set upMaterials Lastbut April, US Critical (USCM) and the customapproximately grab the package from a porch lumber treatment facility used to onto the ground below treated which DEQ, and other parties, The 10th annual cowboy ball – which actually in the boarding to had be to be provided with a ride isage notForest a question and answer” ering, fromwas Covid-19. ing climbing plan, this USa Critical Metals Service atreatment new Facebook page.notified How- the er’sU.S. and $60,000 in wood and to seep below orbut front door when it arrives. sit. The presentation done at Mell theto soil. have been tracking. The plume started 11 years ago couldn’t be held last year to the bank as well as the colon cancer journey. like,” recalls week’s meeting will cov“It’s public comment. ” did the Town work at no charge of their intentoftothe begin exploring for minerals the session. particular cash, all of to “They alwayshas direct the the request of the of Darby, ThereBoxxe were Shoppe. also several spills on of contamination a general ever, members public due to the pandemic – has been upgraded this The day after that Overstreet. “This ernear the following agenda Sheep Creek where twoThe corporations of the had said previouswhich was tothe site, and run-off carried it into motion victimnortheast, to send it,away ‘no signature mayor theDarby town.Mayor “I just wanted according to Nancy from the who had tried to access thethedetails “It’s common sense to me,” year. topics: surgery, he was isfrauduwhenadjacent I realized hold hundreds of mining claims. Sheep Creek sits transaction. being required,’” she adds. McKinney. ditches and streams. site, traversing with the natural ly that he would be answering publicly thank Joan for helpThesays, Town of Stevensville recognized attorney Joan aMell, she pointing out that red Facebook page said it was not Unfortunate• Review overall “This is the first year we’ve done diagnosed with I was not high in the Bitterroot watershed above Painted lentlythat de- town, The Bank Secrecy Actfully According to DEQ representaRoll also mentioned, “We believe movement of ever the groundwater. questions from the public. ing me and helping the ” flags abound when seniors are center, for filling in while town attorney Greg Overstreet objectives and desired accessible. Berthoud asked catered dinner,” said Freeman. The University COVID-19. taking Covid Rocks Reservoir and near the On its tives, during the sawmill’s ly,Idaho it wasborder. not manded from of 1970 requires banks to there operathat just driving vehicles and Roll also explained that being scammed. “If aback person Crews they said Overstreet. outcomes of the public ofPictured Montana Catering Service provide the had Covid-19. with Mell are, l towill Overstreet, for patience as she worked Sheep “I was obviously enough. Staub’s firstas also senior citizenforth keep track ofr,appears withdrawals website, USCM promotes Creek “onesaid of thattions, severe contamination ofseriously the across the facility tracked has been what to beof a is 80 years old, and all of a conversations should prepared some dinner. Desserts are provided by 4H members. having members of contaminants $10,000 or more in order theweakened,” highest grade rare earth time projects inbe the United forsite very said through the issues. took place due to treatment through the area.” decrease in contamination levels Mayor Steve Gibson, council members Cindy Brown and sudden they’re coming into the The Boxxe Shoppe’s new location • Provide an update encountered commuSee STEVI, page States.” “interesting comments” Greg Overstreet talks about his recent brush withburning death due tothe offrom the wood, and other He2cited studies and numerous the last few years amongst Overstreet. “Itformer hit Jim Crews, mayor bank to5withdraw $15,000, it overHowell. Stacie Barker. Photo by Victoria at 901 S. 1st Street in Hamilton. See COWBOY BALL page 4 See SURVIVING, page by Michael such nity. and Staub istests that Rare earth elements (REE) arecirthose minerals have been done on tingle.” theHowell the plume area, when measureCovid. Photo by Victoria Howell. operations done in the 1960s See SCAMMERS, page 2 makes my ‘spidy’ sense See PLAN, page 2 Photo by Nathan Boddy. critical for many technological components and into the 1980s. area. ments have been compared from week County Commissioners often touted as necessary for green technology. To speak for DEQ on the conRoll explained thatLast there werethe Ravalli 2014 and 2020. However, the approved adoption of a memorandum of understandUSMC’s exploration includes sampling, maptamination was Environmental two main forms of contamination CDDs have increased, possibly ing with the Ravalli County DUI Task Force ping and aerial surveys and is set to conclude Project Manager for the site, Bob on the site. Pentachlorophenol from finding their way intoand the Protection letter the commissioners statedInstitute Forest whitebark pine;and Chlorinated MAPS Media totable. produceAgency. a video The designed October. Howell If the search provesNational successful, the 1987 Forest bybyMichael Roll. He hasaspen beenand dealing with the Dibenzo-p-Diwater help parents on their behavthat “Ravalli County objects contains recommendations manage timber provideoxins (CDDs). Plan. companies hope to convert more than 4,500 acres site for nearly 14 years, andtostartThe to first of these is keep tabs According tochildren’s Roll, the liable ior. into a multi-billion dollar mining operation. Until ed his presentation talking and about water soluble and has been car-to persons were notified in 1997, concerning the Draft SEIS for forest products jobs; and to unmitigated impacts A new record of decision The deadlineHowell closed on if it would by Victoria be possible Task approved the of the exploratory phase is complete, however, the year, theForce facility took inworking justcreation under by Victoria Howell the17, currentretain state of the project. ried by county water deep intoThe theDUI water and have been to right the Gold Butterfly. Concernowned/maintained was issued on December old growth status in all on January 18, forHowell filing objec- to put envelopes by Victoria his property which would inthat effect with the highway, which isthe aastate addressed when the private land was Mischiefof Room last May and commissioners $240,000 and spent every penny. He explained they are in the table and across surface the the site. The lead liable party was roads heavy equipment theowner scopeand ofthe the analysis treatment According to 2021 accompanied by a to Draft all the and then Dominic Farrenshut off access Stevensville Riverunits. highway,site. because nowfrom you’re going to on it. sold toproject aing new Fish, Wildlife signed The involved creation of tions to theShinn, Draft SupplemenSeedoors MINE, page 4 feasibility study phase, looking The latter is not very off water Jasmin founder and There are no paid employees; it’s an allSee DEQ, page 6 kopf, director 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. But Shinn said executive director of 1 Horse Sapphire them. Farrenkopf cilatwas split onLutheran whether to accept just toreally the north of the private ofthe boats, and you’vebut just come out to, of the vate piece now belongs toForest-wide thesome state compartments where someone could stash root Forest Plan’s not limited theitimpacts cific forest plan amendment about piece 90% of proposed (Draft SEIS) for the Gold A Time Horse 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 Wye at 45 miles per hour there and is a developed access drugs or hide a small flask of whiskey. The was to Willow Creek Road. Due“gentle to Management Wildlife Re-site. treatment areas are within an defining old-growth stanButterfly Project, a Bitterroot these 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 for insect and financial limitadards. Some objections to securing 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 oftoland for the various ways in which any youngpiece person can hide Last year lopes. the disease 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 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 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, by Nathan Boddy late January of 2021 when he was funds.” Dan Browder, who served as Linof commercial and non-comhad to be emptied more really popular, and About years resident. people piece, whichfour tomostly the Then Council member Wolff Michaelson he looked upwhat the for ley. are many cars there, said sheadoption, tells“There parents is, “If you don’t look, accounting fiis rmlocated with aadjacent branch most can be driven or informed that he the hadMarilyn been on the lawsuit which ton’s attorney inso the suit, saysout that the support viable populations ingplaced trees. They claim the area tosaid necessary maintenance having to do with mercial vegetative treatment thanAccording once. growing every year. ago, a in resident came drop off valenBitterroot River on the northwest side said she had apay, realand problem with in- by mountain old minutes andagainst found the that the land I see. think can be used parking. But then you don’t If you don’t see, then you ridden, and some just become “pasture located Hamilton. Part of could the Terry Linton of Darby has hadlogging leave without was under Linton brought Town of nor Town ofit Darby had nofor reason todon’t use of old-growth dependent during the project, the of old growth, potenis impacted pine within a 55,000was acre area ofto the to Farrenkopf see tines to fill the envethe bridge, offered Town this piece offor land. “It’s of where two was donated onpage thetaken condition that looking long term, if youDUI, have prop-10 See VALENTINES, 10 against aof tough couple oftoyears, but with atial vestigations “abuse leave, insubDarby, actions any absence as grounds selection for awarding that gift pets.” See page rehabilitation ofhim the road afterquarantine species. ”orside The letter notes that impacts to converge, wildlife and tobankbeetle, Douglas-fir bark the beetle, forest in the Sapphire Mounin 2017 by Ravalli County for use as a roads the is incrediit would be maintained and utilized erty on the west of the river, then unanimous ruling by a jury in the Raordination, lack of trust, dereliction of were on account of his absence from for termination, since Linton made up was online voting and according Willow Creek Road. 1 Horse At A Draft Time SEIS was established the limits the scope dwarf mistletoe and western the project is complete. Ravalli potential river accessCourt site. last month, duties, bly steep… I think there are liability for recreational purposesexposure within five youhis have access to potentially consoltains east of Corvallis. valli County District and theft of taxpayer funds.” work following potential to for first absence, and used vacaby Shinn in 2018. She’s originally from to JCCS branch manager, Andrea ofand its environmental consespruce budworm damage. LintonCounty objects to shiftingtion National Forest During thefeels tenure of former issues… It is the fastest part of out the years. idatetime highway property into the Town Linton finally vindicated. The Bitterroot Those allegations were spelled in a Covid-19. admitted that, on sick leaveup to cover the The original proposal was Simmerman, 1 Horse At A Time Germany where she grew around mayor Jim Crews, the owner of land channel and the deepest part of the Vickie Motley, park board memof Stevensville. I think It’s something financial burden of the project quences analysis to vegetation, officials have stated that the Although in general jury found that the Town of Darby did letter to Linton by then Darby Mayor, two separate occasions, he did isosecond. withdrawn in August of 2020 horses. She’s always been a horse fan, was one of the topnortheast four vote side had at the river on the channel. Ifto you were to develop thatwith the ber,proposed said children that nothing had been done RDO Equipment Co. terminate Linton’s employment withThe letter also added late after his had become “The whole thing woodpecker was preposterthe pileated and project isMatthew designedLocati. improve agreement toofRavalli County andbut believe after Friends of theoff Bitterroot getters. she is especially passionate about attempted to shut river access on for fishing, I would also see a problem because the access problem had been Seeyou’re STEVI, pageto16 out good cause, did violate a provision the phrase, “when the investigation is symptomatic during the pandemic, ous,” said Browder. “If going 8571 Running W. Road pine marten. project, the Ravalli County it is contrary to current law forest resilience to natural That checkfor followed in the wake draft horses. She and her husband, a and Wild of itsAlliance own writtenthe personnel policy, concluded, there will be disciplinary first in the fall of 2020, and again up this elaborate lie about being and existing agreements. ”makeretiree, “We and realize these old growth disturbances like fire, insects Commissioners expressed Missoula, MTwould 59808 their children of a $25,000 gift in November Rockies filed suit claiming the and slandered Linton’s reputation. action(s) taken.” While Linton was in early 2021. However, his lawsuit military told to quarantine, whytwo you use species are listed in and disease; reduce sedi-in a formal concern to that the Forest also received from Tractor Supply. relocated toindicator Montana and a 20406-549-4171 agency failed to use in thethe best Linton’s settlement case will never included review over or impacts expressed Townofficials of Darby was your vacation leave for bought it?” 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 amount to lost wages and fringe beneinvestigation, his employment was subjecting him to contradictory and Browder says that the jury’s conavailable science in managing Presenting a check for $7500 from JCCS to Jasmin Shinn (second from left) of 1 Horse At RDOequipment.com money but,as according to Shinn, Creek watershed; 20 horses. She fits, as well settlement formally ended by Locati inl to February. requirements to hisabout clusion shows thatcurrently the there Townare of Darby roads, Willow Creek Directorrelating of the NEPA Branch clear whether other improve A Time Draft Horse Rescue were, r: especially Levi Clark, irrational CPA, Andrea Simmerman, JCCS Branch elk habitat anda didn’t com- of $75,000 taking care of draft horses is on account of the jury’s finding ofbull inju-trout In his termination letter, Linton was absence following Covid exposure, and had used Linton’s absence and a false Office of the Regional Adminhabitat; restore Road. Manager, and Will Ramsey, CPA. Also pictured is Tiny, the non-profit’s mascot and the ply with the definition of old an expensive proposition. Last CO.COM including rious slanderYby Darby Councilman, once again accused of “abuse of leave, was also accusing him of quarantining narrative about quarantine requireSee RESCUE, page 65 See GOLD, page •FREE ESTIMATES IN THE BITTERROOT VALLEY• OURH OMEIMPROVEMENThabitat In a At letter to the Forest first horse thatmeadows, was rescued by 1 Horse A Time. Photo by Victoria istrator Howell. of the Environmental growth found in the Bitterroot Bill De Spain. insubordination, lack of trust, derehimself in such a way that it amounted The episode began for Linton in liction of duties, and theft of taxpayer to theft of taxpayer funds. See LAWSUIT, page 2
Public Scammers thwarted, vigilance recognized County budget meeting on track on BNF Cowboy Ball Halfway Climbing through fiscal scheduled year, county Plan
Surviving COVID
budget looking good
Hearts full love Stevi toofrevisit refinancing bonds
Sheep Creek mine? Darby Superfund site cleared to build;
council approves initial project only
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
Former Darby employee wins lawsuit against town Contact us for all your equipment needs. VISIT OUR SHOWROOM IN THE
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