Bitterroot Star

Bitterroot Valley's best source for local news!

Editor

Wind blast through valley

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by John Dowd Last Wednesday, wind and rain swept through the valley. Gusts as high as 88 miles per hour were recorded in the Bitterroot, specifically in Stevensville. The highest […]

Gardner-Wavrant attains Eagle Scout rank

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Thanks to the generosity of several local hardware stores, Liam Gardner-Wavrant, from Scout Troop 1115 in Florence, completed his Eagle Scout project at the IOOF building on Main Street, Stevensville. […]

Stevensville holds Shop With a Cop

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by John Dowd On December 6, the Stevensville Police Department held their annual Shop With a Cop event. This year, officers took 14 local youth shopping for Christmas gifts. Officers […]

Hamilton hosts East/West tourney

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by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor Hamilton hosted the East/West Crossover basketball tournament on Friday, December 19, and Saturday, December 20. The boys and girls teams from Hamilton, Corvallis, East Helena, […]

Basketball roundup

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by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor Darby defeats Victor The boys and girls basketball teams from Victor and Darby squared off in Victor on Thursday, December 18. The two teams were […]

Wrestling wrap-up

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by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor Arlee Christmas Invite Darby and Florence joined nine other high school wrestling teams in Arlee on Saturday, December 20 for the Arlee Christmas Invite.  In the […]

DeWayne Lee Smith

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DeWayne Lee Smith was born July 27, 1933, in Hamilton Montana. He was the youngest of 6 children of George W. and Hattie (Gilbert) Smith. Dewayne’s grandparents James and Buena […]

Holiday light show for a cause

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by John Dowd When it comes to Christmas lights, most people put a few up over the porch, along the roof rim, or simply out in the yard. However, one […]

Update on Darby S&W Sawmill Superfund site

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by Michael Howell The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released an update on December 11 concerning the ongoing sampling activities at the site of the former S&W Sawmill Facility […]

Trautwein wins ‘Justice in Action’ award

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On December 11, 2025, Ravalli County Clerk of District Court, Paige Trautwein, received a statewide, peer-nominated award while attending the MSU Local Government Center’s 40th Anniversary Gala in Helena. As […]

Some words of caution and a plea

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by Michael Howell For whatever reason, U.S. Critical Materials did not share any information with anyone in the Bitterroot, including the Ravalli County Commissioners, about its plans to mine Sheep […]

Hearing – Darby Budget Amendments

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PUBLIC HEARING The Darby Town Council will hold a public hearing  to receive oral and written comment regarding:   ∙ Amend Fiscal Year Budget 2025-2026  The hearing will be held […]

James ‘Jim’ Scothorn

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Stevensville – James Douglas “Jim” Scothorn, 65, passed away on December 7, 2025, in Missoula, Montana, at Community Hospital with his daughter and son by his side. Born on October […]

Lucille ‘Lucy’ Bienusa

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Corvallis – Lucille Adeline Bienusa “Lucy” was 83 years old when she went home to be with her Lord and Savior. Born on July 23, 1942, to Oscar and Florence […]

Thomas ‘Tom’ Ruffatto

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Stevensville – Lifelong resident of the Bitterroot Valley, Thomas (Tom) George Ruffatto, 75, passed away peacefully with his family by his side. Tom was raised in Stevensville, MT, where from […]

Milton E. McQuigg

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In loving memory of Milton E. McQuigg, age 94, who passed away on December 7, 2025 at his home in Hamilton, Montana. Milton was born in Zanesville, Ohio on February […]