A proposed 377-acre conservation easement on land east of Victor has moved one step closer to final approval for a $395,000 grant from Ravalli County’s Open Lands Bond Program. The grant application recently gained unanimous approval from the Open Lands Board and now proceeds to a final decision by the County Commissioners. Land owners Bob […]
Tres Rios Tacos – a roadside attraction in Hall
by Michael Howell There is a new and unique taco shop in Hall, Montana. If you are driving from Deer Lodge and take the turnoff at Drummond, not far along the Pintler Scenic Route to Philipsburg, you pass through the tiny town of Hall and you drive right by the Tres Rios Tacos. If you […]
More being added to Darby’s Sacajawea’s Rest Park
Unveiling scheduled for July 4 Two new display panels are being installed at the Sacajawea’s Rest Park, a small pocket park located right on Main Street in Downtown Darby. The panels depict the two of the national historic trails that pass through Darby. One depicts the entire length of the trail taken by the Lewis […]
Work on forest climbing management plan begins
Protecting nesting golden eagles and peregrine falcons a major concern Stevensville District Ranger Steve Brown hosted the first in a series of planned public meetings in the Bitterroot National Forest’s effort to produce a forest-wide climbing management plan. The first meeting focused primarily on the impacts that recreational climbing can have on cliff nesting raptors […]
Eastside Highway construction project on hold
Work on Montana Department of Transportation’s Eastside Highway construction project south of Stevensville has come to halt. According to Amy Aiello of Big Sky Public Relations who has been working under contract for the company doing the road construction, a statement was issued last week saying that FirstMark Construction has “discontinued their business with the […]
County considers how to spend $8.5 million in ARPA funds
Ravalli County Commissioners are considering how best to spend the $8.5 million that has already been allocated to the county under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for reimbursement for negative impacts related to COVID-19. The funding can be used to cover eligible expenses incurred between March 3, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Chief Financial […]
Corvallis Ag Research Center receives $1.2 million funding for new facility
The Western Agricultural Research Center in Corvallis is set to receive about $1.2 million in funding from the state for construction of a new facility. The funding is included within a broader legislative appropriation of $11 million for improvements to six agricultural experiment stations across the state. In Corvallis the funds will be spent on […]
Conservation groups call for urgent action to protect grizzly bears
In letters sent to federal lawmakers and the Biden administration, numerous conservation organizations are calling for urgent executive and legislative action to bolster grizzly bear recovery, even as western lawmakers and officials seek to remove Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for the threatened species. The letters, sent to Congress, and the various secretaries of the […]
Bitterroot Valley Community College District trustees sworn in
The Montana legislature passed a joint resolution in March creating the Bitterroot Valley Community College District. On Wednesday, May 12, the first Trustees were sworn in by Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntsen. Montana Commissioner of Higher Education Clay Christian was also present and welcomed the new trustees, saying the new community college will […]
Hamilton mayor files for re-election
Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf did not hesitate one second to file as a candidate in the upcoming elections. He hopes desperately to maintain the position. He believes that he has done a good job and would like nothing more than to have the chance to continue serving the public in the same caring fashion that […]
Effort begins on forest Climbing Management Plan
The Bitterroot National Forest is undertaking the development of a comprehensive climbing management plan (CMP), with the purpose of promoting sustainable climbing activities on national forest lands into the future. The plan aims to reduce user conflicts, minimize impacts to resource values, and protect the unique climbing attributes found here on the Bitterroot National Forest. […]
Hamilton approves two subdivisions, water main for lab
The Hamilton City Council approved two subdivisions last month. On April 6, the council approved the Truc Minor Subdivision at 102 Erie on a 5-0 vote (Councilor Pogachar abstained from voting). The subdivision creates 31 residential lots and one church lot on 12.58 acres. According to the minutes, it is single family residential (RS) and […]