May 30, 2020 As of 4 p.m. today there is one positive COVID-19 case in Ravalli County. This case is currently in isolation at home. This case is a male, in the age range 50-60. This case is a contact to a previous case. Tests: When COVID-19 testing started, only people that had symptoms were […]
Archives for May 2020
Governor Bullock announces additional support for destination communities and small businesses heading into Phase 2
Bullock requests Yellowstone National Park to reopen effective June 1 Governor Steve Bullock today announced further efforts to protect communities heading into Phase Two of the Reopening the Big Sky Plan on June 1, including additional resources for community testing and contact tracing in high-visitation communities, an informational campaign to educate visitors on responsible travel, […]
Survey: Montana tourism anxious as COVID-19 impacts continue, travelers feel safer
UM News Service Perhaps you heard an overwhelming sigh of relief from Montana tourism businesses when Gov. Steve Bullock announced the June 1 lifting of the 14-day quarantine for people driving into Montana. Forty-four percent of tourism business owners said they have six months or less to survive if the current conditions continued, and […]
DLI highlights resources available to Montana businesses impacted by COVID-19
The Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) today is highlighting state resources available for Montana businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. “We know many Montana businesses are still impacted by COVID-19, which is why we’re here to provide resources and information,” Acting Commissioner Brenda Nordlund said. “A healthy and vital business community is […]
State Fund announces grants for COVID-19 PPE expenses
On Thursday, Montana State Fund (MSF), Montana’s largest workers’ compensation insurance company, announced a personal protective equipment (PPE) grant program designed to assist COVID-19 high-risk and vulnerable frontline businesses and workers. The grants, which consist of infrared thermometers, KN95 and trifold medical masks, will be available to approximately 2,000 MSF policyholders beginning next week. Qualifying […]
Stevi mayor recall petition approved for the ballot
Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder Regina Plettenberg has notified Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey that enough signatures on the recall petition submitted against him had been verified to trigger the next stage in the process in which the Mayor will have until June 4th to respond with a written statement to be placed on the ballot […]
Stevi council in quagmire since COVID-19 emergency declared
The Stevensville Town Council has not legally met since March 20, 2020, the day it adopted its COVID-19 emergency declaration suspending all regular meetings in the face of a looming pandemic. Although the Governor of Montana issued guidelines instructing local government how it could go about holding meetings, including over the internet on Zoom, to […]
Creamery Picnic cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns
The venerable Stevensville Creamery Picnic has been added to the growing list of annual events cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. At a well-advertised but lightly attended special meeting on Thursday, May 21, members of the Stevensville Civic Club voted unanimously to cancel this year’s Creamery Picnic celebration. The 108th Creamery Picnic was scheduled for July […]
Remembering Doc Ward
The valley lost another icon this last week. Dr. Jack Ward, D.V.M. has been around barns and corrals from one end of the valley to the other. He was most noted for his work with ‘Weak Calf Syndrome’ which has been a big problem here in the valley over the years; and his work with […]
American Legion baseball returns
For the first time this year, the crack of the bat was heard in the valley. Spring, and summer, sports had been put on hold while the world came to a standstill with COVID-19 restrictions in place. However, this weekend at the Bitterroot Bucs field in Florence, American Legion baseball played their first game. The […]
Food security
By Walter Schweitzer, President, Montana Farmers Union When I looked up “food security” this definition made the most sense to me. “Food security incorporates a measure of resilience to future disruption or unavailability of critical food supply due to various risk factors including droughts, shipping disruptions, fuel shortages, economic instability, and wars.” COVID-19 has revealed […]
Return to normalcy
By Archie L. Thomas and Merry Schrumpf, Corvallis We love the return to normalcy from the season’s first Hamilton Farmers Market. The hardworking vendors’ first spring harvest is regenerative. In these conflicted times, they further enhance the Bitter Root Valley’s rich sense of community. Even the signs and bumper stickers on display provide revealing unique […]