Volume XX, Number 28

Wednesday, February 9, 2005

Spring is on the way! Around 50 people of all ages gathered at the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge on Ground Hog Day to see if Bitterroot Bill, a local marmot, would see his shadow or not. Bill was a no-show, but as you can see, his stand-in did not see his shadow. Unwilling to trust such a "stuffy" little stand-in, the final forecast was decided by a vote. Michael Howell photo.

Ground Hog Day at the refuge

By Michael Howell

According to reports from the Associated Press, Punxsutawney Phil was hauled out of his home on Ground Hog Day by his top hatted keeper. The famous ground hog saw his shadow and promptly ran back into his den. More...

Commissioners consider pro rata changes

By Michael Howell

Last Thursday, February 3, the Ravalli County Commissioners considered a proposal introduced by Commissioner Betty Lund at a previous meeting to calculate pro rata share for upcoming subdivisions that were applied for within a certain time frame based upon the average pro rata estimates of a former Road Supervisor. More...

The Pro Rata Paradox

By Michael Howell

In a memorandum to the County Commissioners, Planning Director, and Deputy County Attorney, written on January 25, 2005, County Road and Bridge Department Supervisor David Ohnstad, offers his "observations and assessments" about "the pro rata paradox." More...

Hatchery Bend in court again

By Michael Howell

A small four-lot subdivision along Fish Hatchery Road east of Hamilton, called Hatchery Bend Subdivision, has found its way into court for the third time since first being proposed by Joseph and Denise Galbraith in 1997. More...

Neighbors sue developer over water problems

By Michael Howell

Two homeowners next to Creekside Meadows, a large subdivision along Logan Lane located on land recently annexed into the Town of Stevensville, have each filed separate lawsuits against the developer, Ellison Development, LLC, Professional Consultants, Inc. and L.S. Jensen, a local contractor. More...

Bitterroot group supports science in the schools

By Michael Howell

Following a successful battle in the Darby School District against adoption of the Objective Origins policy, a group calling itself Montana Citizens for Quality Science Education has headed to Helena to lobby for legislation in support of a science curricula based upon sound scientific principles and the separation of church and state. More...

Planning Board approves two subdivisions

Big one on the horizon

By Michael Howell

The Ravalli County Planning Board is recommending approval of two subdivisions to the County Commissioners. At its meeting last Wednesday, the Board gave the nod of approval to a small four-lot subdivision with five variances near Florence, called Hidden Valley Estates, and a 17-lot subdivision with one variance, called Park Place Subdivision, located near Stevensville. The Board also heard a preliminary plat proposal for a 127-lot development near Stevensville at the site of the current project called Horizon Development. Although the planning staff recommended approval of only one of the variance requests on Hidden Valley Estates and denial of the rest, the Planning Board recommended approval of all five variances. More...