The lawsuit filed by Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey aiming to stop the recall vote against him has been fully briefed in Ravalli County District Court. The lawsuit was filed by Dewey against the petition sponsor Leanna Rodabaugh and Election Administrator Regina Plettenberg and challenges the validity of the recall election. He claims that Rodabaugh’s petition […]
Charges against Stevi council president in the works, council member Holcomb retains seat
At a special meeting on Wednesday, July 22, the Stevensville Town Council approved the controversial agreement between the Town and First Call Computer Services for IT services. The non-binding agreement for $78,000 stretching over three years was signed last year by Mayor Brandon Dewey and is the subject of a recall petition against the Mayor […]
Connect 93 – a vision for improving the ‘heart’ of Hamilton
The Hamilton City Planning Department has been working on a plan to improve the area around the city’s central intersection at Main Street/Marcus and Highway 93 since last fall. It is a collaborative project involving the Hamilton Downtown Association and Community Builders, a non-profit that provides communities with tools, information and support to create more […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Health Board hearing on wastewater regs cancelled
The Ravalli County Board of Health hearing last week, scheduled for the first reading of the revised Wastewater Regulations, didn’t just get off to a rocky start, it was scuttled on the rocks and adjourned without ever getting started. With little room for seating, the commissioners’ meeting room quickly filled to overflowing. The County Health […]
Recall effort to remain on hold, judge wants more info
The efforts to recall Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey hit a stumbling block last week that virtually assures there will be no recall election this August despite the fact that sufficient signatures have been gathered to place it on a special ballot. At a hearing on July 9, District Court Judge Howard Recht left the election […]
Stevensville council stopped in its tracks
Two Stevensville Town Council members, Jaime Devlin and Dempsey Vick, tried to compel the other two council members, Bob Michalson and Robin Holcomb, to attend last week’s town council meeting but to no avail. The meeting was subsequently adjourned due to lack of a quorum. Under old business on the agenda was a discussion and […]
Recall petition sponsor cited for disorderly conduct, assault
Leanna Rodabaugh, sponsor of the recall petition against Mayor Brandon Dewey, has been cited for disorderly conduct for her behavior prior to a Town Council meeting being held at the North Valley Public Library on the evening of July 9. Mayor Dewey and Town staff were preparing the meeting room for the public when Rodabaugh […]