Following a record-breaking week of new COVID-19 cases in Montana, Montana Governor Steve Bullock has issued a new directive. Effective Friday, November 20, the latest directive concerning the COVID-19 pandemic restricts the capacity of restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries and casinos to 50% of normal operating capacity and they must close no later than 10 p.m. […]
Health board won’t enforce mandates despite covid surge
At its last meeting on November 10, the Ravalli County Health Board made it clear in its discussion with officials from the City of Hamilton that it supports the CDC and Public Health recommendations and guidelines concerning masking and social distancing, but the Board is not going to enforce any mandates. It was also made […]
‘Colors of Cancer’ campaign gives way to fundraising launch for MDMH Cancer and Infusion Center
This year’s Colors of Cancer campaign was quite a success, according to one of its main drivers, Stacie Duce, Director of Philanthropy at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. This year, despite the difficulties incurred during a pandemic, the campaign brought in over $55,000. After adding in the $1 for $1 match from the hospital, it brought […]
Stevensville schedules interviews for two vacant council seats
The Stevensville Town Council has received four applications for the two seats on the council that were recently vacated following the resignations of Ward 1 Councilor Bob Michalson and Ward 2 Councilor Robin Holcomb. By the close of the November 18 deadline, four applications had been received, two applications for each ward. Wallace Smith and […]
COVID cases surge nationwide, locally
The Covid-19 pandemic is surging across the nation. According to National Public Radio, last week alone one million new cases of COVID-19 were reported nationwide, averaging 1,000 deaths a day. There have been over 240,000 Covid-related deaths reported nationwide. The rate of increase in active cases is stressing hospitals everywhere in the country, many having […]
Stevensville council moves on
Prior to the resignations submitted by council members Bob Michalson and Robin Holcomb, the Stevensville Town Council had been considering Mr. Michalson’s conduct as well as the town’s policies concerning council member conduct which were adopted following Michalson’s previous resignation. They contemplated removing him from office, or censuring him and removing him from the presidency. […]
Bitterroot Library interested in expanding into fire hall
Bitterroot Public Library Building Director Mark Wetherington told the Hamilton City Council members at their last Committee of the Whole meeting last week that, after hearing the Hamilton Fire Department might be moving out of its current location in the adjacent Fire Hall in a few years, they wondered about the possibility of expanding the […]
Stevensville mayor survives recall, two council members resign
Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey survived the recent recall election against him with a vote of 584 (52%) in favor of keeping him in office and 535 (48%) voting to oust him. The recall petition accused the mayor of violating the law and his oath of office by hiring an IT company without council approval. Following […]
Bench at Skalkaho Bend Park dedicated to Wayne Hedman
Wayne Hedman, who passed away last December, will be remembered by a whole lot of people for the many things he did for them and for this community over the years. He built a pharmacy business based on genuine compassion and consideration for his customers, every one of whom he saw as a potential friend. […]
COVID-19 cases still going up, three more deaths
On Saturday, November 7, Ravalli County Public Health officials announced the deaths of three Ravalli County residents due to complications of COVID-19. This makes a total of eight deaths in the county so far related to COVID-19. The newest deaths included a female in her 80’s, a male in his 80’s and a male in […]
Republicans sweep local, state elections
Ravalli County Election Results Voter turnout was heavy in this election. Statewide, out of 752,551 registered voters, 608,934 or 80.92% cast ballots in the 2020 general election. In Ravalli County, with 33,739 registered voters, 28,828 cast votes in the 2020 general election for an even higher voter turnout of 85.44% Ravalli County voters voted overwhelmingly […]
Noteworthy artifacts found in Fort Owen survey
The initial archeological survey of the grounds that will be covered over by a proposed parking lot at the entrance to historical Fort Owen State Park in Stevensville has already yielded one small artifact that lead archeologist at the site, Dan Hall of Western Cultural, Inc., called “significant.” The item has been identified as a […]