At the Bitterroot Trout Unlimited banquet last week, two local fishermen and writers Bill Bean and Chuck Stranahan each received a Golden Trout Award for their decades of writing about the fishing and the fisheries in the Bitterroot Valley. Bill Bean has been writing fishing related articles for the Ravalli Republic newspaper for over 20 […]
Stevi’s Johnson named Montana School Nurse of the Year
Stevensville School Nurse Connie Johnson was named the Montana School Nurse of the year for 2019-2020 by the Montana Association of School Nurses. The award was presented to Johnson at the MASN business meeting in Bozeman on October 17. Her award will also be acknowledged at the National Association of School Nurses 52nd Annual Conference […]
Ravalli County Recycling still operating, not closed yet
Although the handwriting is on the wall, you might say, marking the coming shutdown of the Ravalli County Recycling Center with closing tentatively set for the end of the year, in the meantime the facility is still open. “We voted to stay open until December 31 if we could,” said Board President Janice Lee. “But […]
Brain cancer survivor reminds us: sometimes cancer can be beaten
Although many lives are lost every day from one sort of cancer or another, sometimes, with the right help at the right time, cancer can be beaten. Lori Meuchel is living proof. She’s a brain cancer survivor. Her doctors don’t talk about “remission.” The term they use is “cancer free.” Meuchel’s doctors estimated that the […]
Climate change of growing concern to Bitterrooters
People around the world are mobilizing, it seems, to press their governments and international corporations for action to address climate change with a growing sense of urgency. Concern also seems to be on the rise a bit here in the Bitterroot. Recently one objector to the Gold Butterfly Project on the Bitterroot National Forest criticized […]
Bitterroot Front Project discussed in Darby
The Bitterroot National Forest held the first in a series of public meetings on the Bitterroot Front Project last Thursday, October 10th at the Darby Community Clubhouse. According to forest officials, the “Bitterroot Front Project” will aim to increase landscape resiliency, provide for public and firefighter safety, reduce fire risk to communities, improve wildlife habitat, […]
Aquatic Center bond and levy on ballot
The Bitterroot Aquatic Center was established about 18 years ago when a $1.8 million bond and levy were passed for construction of the facility. In 2006, another levy was passed for $100,000 to cover the rising costs of operations. Now, according to the center’s manager Fern Schreckendgust, the center is ready, if not over-ready, for […]
Hamilton to see hike in water, sewer rates
At its last meeting in September, the Hamilton City Council approved increases to the monthly base rate charge and usage charge for both water and wastewater. Each will increase by 2.4%. The new rates became effective on September 25. Public Works Director Donny Ramer stated in a memo that small incremental increases in the water […]
In search of roadkill
A few citizen scientist volunteers were out collecting data along Highway 93 in the Bitterroot last week documenting the number and kinds of animals that could be found killed on or beside the road between Hamilton and Florence. Making the ride through the Bitterroot last Thursday, were local cyclist Heather Hicks and Spokane wildlife enthusiast […]
Local elections ballots in mail by end of next week
The regular voter registration deadline passed on October 7 for the Municipal General Election. Eligible people can still vote, however, but will need to appear in person at the Election Office in Hamilton. Ballots will be mailed out on October 18, 2019 and be due by Election Day, November 5. CITY OF HAMILTON A […]
‘Colors of Cancer’ kicks off month of events
October is Colors of Cancer month in the Bitterroot and it began in earnest last Tuesday at the Colors of Cancer “Food Truck” Lunch held in the Emergency Department parking lot at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. Proceeds generated from this Food Truck Lunch and all other Colors of Cancer events during October are donated […]
County sued over wrongful imprisonment
Ravalli County and Ravalli County Deputy Sterling Maus are among three counties and several law enforcement personnel named in a federal lawsuit filed by Paul Jenkins and his children Kenneth Jenkins and Crystal Combs. Jenkins, who served over 23 years in prison under two concurrent life sentences and a concurrent 40-year sentence for burglary with […]