Governor Steve Bullock today announced the state will soon be able to expand surveillance COVID-19 testing for critical front-line health care personnel, essential workers and other groups thanks to a partnership with Montana State University. “Surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals is a powerful tool in helping slow the spread of the virus in our Montana […]
Archives for July 22, 2020
County fair victim of COVID-19
The Ravalli County Fairgrounds recently posted a notice concerning the cancellation of the main portion of the Ravalli County Fair by Ravalli County Public Health Officer Dr. Carol Calderwood. The announcement contained a disclaimer stating that the decision was not made by department staff or the County Commissioners and is re-printed here: “As some of […]
County public health officer resigns
Ravalli County Public Health Officer Dr. Carol Calderwood has resigned. On Monday July 20, the county’s Public Health Officer issued the following letter of resignation: It is the right time for me to step down as Ravalli County Health Officer and focus on my clinical practice. Sincere thanks to the Elected Officials, to Board of […]
Sheriff won’t enforce Governor’s mask order
Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton has announced that he will not be enforcing Governor Bullock’s directive issued on July 15 requiring all Montanans to wear masks in public. To slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Montana, Governor Bullock issued a directive on July 15, requiring face coverings in certain indoor spaces and for […]
Drive-thru testing provides snapshot of COVID-19 in Ravalli County
On Thursday, July 16, the Montana National Guard and the Ravalli County Public Health Department coordinated their efforts to test people for COVID-19. This was the 22nd testing site the Montana National Guard has done since the onset of the pandemic. The Guard provided the set up, security, and handling of the test samples after […]
Groups sue over Gold Butterfly project on Bitterroot Forest
A lawsuit was filed July 10 in Federal District Court in Missoula challenging the legality of the Bitterroot National Forest’s 55,147-acre Gold Butterfly project and asking the court for injunctive and declaratory relief to stop the proposed timber sales associated with the project. Friends of the Bitterroot and Alliance for the Wild Rockies claim in […]
Weston awarded Montana Law Enforcement Officer of Year
By his own admission, Detective Brad Weston of the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office is “pretty well known” here in the valley. That statement is true for many reasons, and it’s not just in the valley that Weston is well known. The former Hamilton High School athlete, University of Montana football player, basketball referee has been […]
Stevensville council still stalled
On Wednesday, July 14, Stevensville Town Council members Robin Holcomb and Bob Michalson failed to show up for the second time in a row for a council meeting. Chief of Police James Marble was once again dispatched to “compel” council member Holcomb to attend the meeting. Marble reported back that Holcomb did not appear to […]
Shut up, cowboy up, mask up
By Marc Mentel, D.O., President, Montana Medical Association Shut up, cowboy up, mask up, stop COVID and keep Montana open. Wearing a mask and keeping six feet apart from others is the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure Montana businesses remain open during this challenging time. We all have a […]
Don’t let two people decide our fate
By Chris Sheridan, Stevensville So there is currently a small but vocal movement to recall my mayor, Brandon Dewey. A lot of attention is being paid to the recall effort, without any public conversation about how this all plays out if the recall is successful. Bob Michalson, as Town Council President would, in this scenario become […]
For the greater good
By Gary Milner, Corvallis My parents’ formative years were defined by the Great Depression and WWII. My dad served in the Pacific and my mom grew up on an isolated farm that did not receive electricity until 1947. They told me of, and I’ve read about, the home front sacrifices then. Rationing of gas, butter, milk, […]
Masks don’t work
By Dennis Hicks, Hamilton The following is the result of about 20 minutes of research on my part. All of this information is publicly available, is easily found, and would convince any rational adult that mandating mask-wearing is not only foolish, it causes great harm: “It’s for your own good,” is the excuse used by all […]