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By Jodi Hausen, courtesy of Montana Free Press It only took four days for 77-year-old Jim Tomlin to go from an amiable and much-loved father, husband, friend, and teacher to Montana’s first death from COVID-19 on Thursday, March 26. Jim Tomlin lived with his wife, Marcia Hunter Tomlin, on Bull Lake about 20 miles south […]

March 27, 2020 As of noon Friday, March 27, 2020.  There is still ONLY ONE case of COVID-19 in Ravalli County. REGARDLESS of what your friend told you, REGARDLESS of what your friend’s friend heard from a law enforcement officer or doctor, or nurse, or EMT or a person that is a reliable source of […]

Governor Steve Bullock today implemented actions to increase the ability of commercial motor carrier vehicles to ensure a supply of food, medical supplies, farm inputs and feed and hay during the COVID-19 emergency. The directive is not in response to shortages of food supplies. Montana’s food supply chain is essential and state and federal food […]

Sheriff Release 03-27-20 Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton reassures Ravalli County citizens that there is NOT a travel ban in effect. Motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists will NOT be stopped or questioned regarding the reasons for their travel. The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office recommend people abide by the Governor’s Stay At Home Order for their own […]

Governor Steve Bullock today announced measures to waive out-of-pocket copayments for low-income Montanans covered by Healthy Montana Kids, ensure Montanans covered by Medicaid won’t lose coverage for inability to pay premiums, and allow immediate registration of out-of-state licensed providers in Montana to strengthen the state’s health care response to COVID-19. “Access to quality health care […]

Montana residents who lose insurance due to the COVID-19 crisis are eligible for free assistance from a local non-profit agency, Montana Navigator.  The agency receives federal funding to assist consumers with enrolling in Medicaid or in private health insurance through provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).   Most consumers sign up during the annual open […]

Governor Steve Bullock this evening announced the first death in Montana of a COVID-19 patient. “I’m heartbroken to learn of Montana’s first death due to COVID-19. Especially during these times, Montana truly is one big small town – this news hits us hard, but we’re in this together. My family and I send our love […]

  Governor Steve Bullock has issued a Directive requiring Montanans to stay home and temporarily closes all nonessential businesses and operations to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The order, which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 28, will buy time for health care workers on the frontlines and seeks to limit long term […]

NorthWestern Energy is prepared and continues to provide reliable, safe energy service as we all work together through this COVID-19 crisis. Our pandemic plan is executed, including protocols to ensure the health of our employees, who keep critical energy services operating. NorthWestern Energy employees are out in our communities, working hard in all conditions. We […]

March 26, 2020 As of noon today, March 26 2020, there is just one reported case of COVID-19 in Ravalli County. Ravalli County COVID-19 Incident Commander Dr. Carol Calderwood: “To help ensure the health and wellbeing of our county residents, returning international travelers must remain at home for 14 days and monitor their health for […]

The health and safety of visitors, as well as Forest Service employees and volunteers, is paramount during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working to meet the social distancing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help reduce the spread of the virus.  To support these efforts, effective March 27, 2020, all Bitterroot National […]

Governor Steve Bullock today issued a directive to ensure all eligible Montanans can safely vote in the 2020 June primary by allowing counties to expand voting by mail and early voting. All counties will be required to implement social distancing measures for election procedures. “This is about protecting Montanans’ right to vote at a time […]