03-01-23 issue

New local band brings their own blues sound to Polson

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

POLSON — A new local band held a successful debut recently, aiming to bring some of their favorite blues traditions to Western Montana.

The six-person blues band, Mojo Rising, got its start a few months ago thanks to a party among local musicians. According to two of the band members, lead vocal Jess Hunter and lead

guitar Richard Lecomte, a jam session during that party was what got the whole thing started.

“(Richard and I) were considering doing a coffee shop sort of thing, but then it turned into adding my friends Keryl Lozar and Sid Seay … and next thing you know it’s a six-piece band. It’s just been amazing,” Hunter commented. Lecomte said he end-

ed up bringing in some of his own former bandmates from Missoula to round out their lineup. They were really able to get things going thanks to the Western Montana Musician’s Co-op in Ronan. “It’s all thanks to the WMMC because we wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” Lecomte stated. “They provide the rehearsal space and everything.”

“It’s a great place to get

started, spread your wings on a Saturday night with everybody,” Hunter said of the WMMC. “We’ve been working since October … We’re hoping to create a fun blues atmosphere with some raw, deep, female blues vocals.”

The band is made up of Hunter, also known by her “blues name,” Big Mama Jess; Lecomte, who goes by Brother

ERIC BRUNET PHOTO

Joad on stage; Lozar on drums, Seay on piano, Dan Hollenback on bass, LaBarre Banqueshot on harmonica, and special guest performer from the WMMC, Doug Ruhman.

Naming the band proved to be a challenge. Lecomte explained that several names they hashed out ended up already owned by other bands, so in the end they named the group after his cat, Mojo. “He really digs the blues because whenever I’m practicing or working on material, he sits

right in front of the amp and really gets into the music,” Lecomte explained.

Thanks to the chance meeting between experienced musicians, the group worked hard for the last few months to get some songs together and be ready to play. It all culminated in their debut appearance at The Durham in Polson on Feb. 17.

With their renditions of songs from blues artists such as Howlin’ Wolf and Susan Tedeschi, the band members shared that “Mojo Rising” was able to double the restaurant’s sales for the night and pack the place with listeners.

“It was almost a throwback to solid blues music. It was really good, they’re very good musicians that really jive together,” Tom Durham, owner of The Durham, commented. “Polson really likes when music comes to town, and I feel like it’s needed. The whole thing was just a really good experience.”

“It was a real good night for the band, and a real nice room for live music too,” Lecomte commented.

“We absolutely rocked their music room,” Hunter laughed. “We really like The Durham. Tom has an awesome music room and an awesome space

for a band, and he was super accommodating ... We had so much fun.”

The band has several more performances lined up across Lake County and more of Western Montana, including the KwaTaqNuk, Missoula’s Old Post and plans are underway for the blues festival circuit in the summer. Those interested in seeing them perform live can find out where they’ll be next on their Facebook page at: https:// www.facebook.com/profile.

php?id=100086393007072

“I’m looking to have a good time with my friends and really enjoy the valley music

Land planning overhaul would prioritize proactive urban planning

Bill would require high-level analysis of urban housing needs, limit project-specific public comment

News from Eric Dietrich Montana Free Press

HELENA — Montana lawmakers got an initial look Wednesday at a major land planning bill that aims to overhaul how development decisions are made in and around Montana’s fast-growing urban areas. Senate Bill 382 would require additional planning by local governments, rework how and when residents can participate in planning decisions and, supporters say, make it easier to build the housing necessary to accommodate rapid population growth.

The measure, sponsored by Sen. Forrest Mandeville, R-Columbus, was written in large part by Montana League of Cities and Towns Executive Director Kelly Lynch. It’s described by proponents as the outcome of a yearslong collaborative effort to address long-standing concerns about the state’s often-convoluted land use code — including some of the issues raised last year by Gov. Greg Gianforte’s housing task force.

“Essentially, we do things backward in Montana. And so it’s no surprise that our permitting processes take way too long,” Lynch said Wednesday, describing the current system as driven by project-level review instead of proactive planning. “The whole idea behind this is to flip

that, so that we do the planning and the public participation up front, we front-load it, then as we get to the permitting and the platting that becomes a very administrative process.”

With housing affordability a top-tier issue for the governor and Montana public following years of rising rents and home prices, Republican and Democratic lawmakers at the Legislature have floated an array of ad hoc zoning reform bills this year that would generally rein in city zoning powers in an effort to promote the construction of new urban housing.

House Bill 337, for example, would force cities to allow development on smaller home lots. Senate Bill 323 would require larger cities to allow duplex, triplex and fourplex-style construction in

all residential areas. And House Bill 553 would require local governments to permit accessory dwelling units, or smaller homes built on existing lots.

Supporters of those measures argue that overly burdensome local regulations have discouraged developers from building the homes necessary to keep up with population growth over the past decade, contributing to Montana’s current housing crunch. Those proponents argue that legislative action that forces cities and counties to relax their rules would encourage construction and boost housing supply, eventually giving home sellers and landlords less leverage to maintain high prices.

Local government leaders have opposed those one-off zoning

scene,” Hunter commented. “We want to bring a new sound with a female blues vocalist … I’m hoping that my singing will speak for itself.”

“We’re trying to bring back that blues tradition of going out and doing a really good show and having a blues jam afterward with visiting musicians and people in the area,” Lecomte said. “We take every gig as if it might be the last time we ever get to play or sing, so we’re just going to go out there and put that kind of energy out every single time we play.”

Sports

measures, saying many cities are already taking steps toward zoning reform and arguing the Legislature will throw a wrench in their planning efforts if it steps in with top-down mandates. They’ve pointed to Mandeville’s now-unveiled overhaul bill as a comprehensive alternative that will promote housing construction while maintaining local control of land use decisions.

The bill’s language, Lynch said, has been negotiated over a period of years through a workgroup that brought together city and county governments, land use planners, surveyors, the Montana Building Industry Association and the Montana Association of Realtors.

The 48-page SB 382 would require city and

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county governments in the state’s most-populous counties to expand their proactive planning efforts, producing forward-looking land use plans that inventory existing housing, analyze projected population growth and determine specifically where they’ll allow the construction of enough homes to house future residents.

Those local governments would be required to take specific steps to encourage more housing construction, selecting at least five development-boosting strategies see page 5

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2023

The Valley Journal newspaper (PE 23-190) is published weekly by Valley Journal LLC. Periodicals postage paid at Ronan, MT.

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from page 2

from a menu of 15 options. Those options, many of which parallel proposals included in the ad hoc zoning reform bills, include steps like reducing parking requirements, reducing minimum lot sizes and zoning for higher density near universities and public transit stations.

The bill would also make an explicit effort to shift public participation in land use planning earlier in the process, inviting more public input as growth plans are being written and limiting public comment once specific projects are proposed. While not described as such by the bill’s supporters, that change would in effect reduce the opportunity residents have to rally not-in-my-

backyard-style opposition to subdivisions or buildings when a developer’s proposal meshes with already adopted zoning.

Currently, many proposed developments are subject to votes by elected city and county officials in public meetings regardless of whether they conform with adopted land use goals, a dynamic Lynch said injects unnecessary uncertainty into the development process. Under the process layed out in SB 382, in contrast, proposed projects would generally be approved administratively by a city or county planning director if they’re in “substantial compliance” with adopted regulations and don’t raise unanticipated issues.

The bill would allow an “aggrieved party” to appeal administrative deci-

sions to a planning board, then to a city or county commission and, as a last resort, via a lawsuit filed in state district court.

“We structured this specifically so that it would meet the public’s right to know and participate that we have in the Constitution,” Lynch testified Wednesday.

As introduced, the bill’s provisions would apply by default to counties with at least 70,000 residents as of the 2020 census — Yellowstone, Gallatin, Missoula, Flathead, Gallatin, Cascade, and Lewis and Clark counties — as well as cities and towns in those counties with populations of 5,000 or more. Other local governments would be able to switch to the new planning system on an opt-in basis.

The planning overhaul bill attracted wide-rang-

ing support and some critique as it was heard before the Montana Legislature’s Senate Local Government Committee Wednesday afternoon.

“It requires communities to take responsibility for their growth and do a housing analysis and get their regulations in shape such that their housing needs can be met,” said Sam Sill, a lobbyist for the Montana Association of Realtors.

Other supporters included the state building association, the Montana Association of Planners, the Frontier Institute, University of Montana student government, Americans For Prosperity, Big Sky 55+, Trout Unlimited and the Montana Environmental Information Center.

“One of our biggest concerns environmentally has been that each

Deadlines for property owners upcoming

from the Department of Revenue

HELENA — The Montana Department of Revenue would like to remind owners of real and personal property about several important deadlines approaching soon:

March 1 Due Date

- Business and industrial equipment owners must report their personal property online using the department’s TransAction Portal (TAP) at https:// tap.dor.mt.gov. Businesses have a statutory reporting requirement if their total statewide aggregate market value of

equipment is over $300,000.

- Businesses whose statewide aggregate market value is $300,000 or less are exempt from the business equipment tax. These businesses will not have a reporting requirement in 2023 unless: (1) they have acquired new personal property that would increase their equipment’s aggregate market value above the exemption amount; or (2) the department requests a personal property reporting form be completed.

- Livestock owners must report the number of livestock owned as of February 1 as livestock is subject to the per cap-

ita fees set yearly by the Board of Livestock. Report online using the department’s TransAction Portal (TAP) at https:// MTRevenue.gov/livestock.

- Nonprofit, religious, or charitable organizations and other tax-exempt entities may qualify for a real or personal property tax exemption based on the specific use of the property. If you feel your organization may qualify, Property Tax Exemption applications must be submitted by March 1 to be considered for Tax Year 2023.

- Homeowners may qualify for the Land Value Property Tax Assistance program if

project is reviewed independently and that it’s a reactive process rather than proactive,” MEIC staffer Ann Schwend said. “This process, this framework, would really provide the tools and the information and the data that are important to understand those impacts on our resources.”

Some market-focused housing advocates said they wanted stronger language in the housing-focused portion of the bill, tightening the menu of development-boosting strategies so they would give city governments a harder shove.

“We’d just like to see some of that criteria tightened up,” said Jake Brown, a lobbyist for Shelter Whitefish.

Opposition was also heard from the Montana Association of Counties and all three Flathead

County commissioners, who argued the bill would require them to spend taxpayer dollars on detailed planning efforts that are deeply unpopular with their rural residents.

“This bill doesn’t fit Flathead County. We’re largely rural,” said Flathead County Commissioner Brad Abell. “And our citizens in the county don’t want zoning. If you implement zoning, they’ll hang all three of us in the courthouse yard.”

Mandeville, the bill sponsor, said he is working on amendments that would address housing advocates’ concerns and make the new code optin for county governments.

“I think even a lot of the opposition do generally agree with the intent of the bill,” he said.

the department’s appraised market value of their land is more than 150 percent of the department’s appraised market value of their home and other improvements on the land.

April 15 Due Date

- The Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) provides property tax relief to anyone who meets the qualifications and there is no age restriction. To qualify for this program, taxpayers must own and occupy their home as their primary residence and meet the income requirements.

- Montana Disabled Veteran (MDV) Property Tax Relief

helps qualifying 100 percent disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. Like PTAP, taxpayers must own and occupy their home as their primary residence and meet the income requirements to qualify for tax relief.

For applications and forms, taxpayers are encouraged to go online to MTRevenue.gov or contact a Department of Revenue field office.

For questions and more information about qualifications, visit revenue.mt.gov, or call us at 406- 444-6900, or Montana Relay at 711 for hearing impaired.

News

Lawmakers narrowly reject prohibition on medical aid in dying

SB 210 would have removed a legal shield for physicians who prescribe lethal medication at the request of terminally ill patients.

News from Mara Silvers / Montana Free Press

HELENA — A bill that would have allowed criminal penalties for Montana physicians who provide terminally ill patients with medical aid in dying narrowly failed to pass a final vote in the Senate chamber Wednesday, spelling the likely fate of the bill this session.

Senate Bill 210, sponsored by Sen. Carl Glimm, R-Kila, passed an initial vote Tuesday by a twovote margin, with 26 Republicans in favor and a bipartisan coalition of 24 lawmakers voting no. That margin flipped when lawmakers reconsidered the bill Wednesday, with one senator changing his vote in the affirmative and three others switching sides to oppose the bill.

Glimm did not reply to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon about the bill’s outcome.

Appealing for lawmakers’ support on the Senate floor this week, Glimm described medical aid in dying as assisted suicide, a characterization opponents of the bill refuted during a January hearing. SB 210, Glimm said, would send the message that life is valuable.

“We need to be consistent in our message. And we need to tell the citizens of Montana that suicide is not the answer,” Glimm said.

The Senate’s decision to reject

the bill squares with votes in preceding legislative sessions. Similar legislation to SB 210 has been brought consistently since 2009, the year the Montana Supreme Court ruled that physicians who prescribe lethal medications to a terminally ill person at the end of their life can use the patient’s consent as a legal defense to homicide charges. That decision in Baxter v. State created a legal loophole for physicians to prescribe aid in dying for patients.

Though the state doesn’t collect data on how widespread the practice has been since the Baxter decision, the option of medical aid in dying appears to be popular among registered voters.

A recent poll conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research, Inc. on behalf of the national group Compassion & Choices found that between 70% and 80% of Montanans identifying with different political parties said that mentally sound adults with incurable, terminal illnesses, and less than six months to live, should be legally allowed to “obtain prescription medication to pass peacefully in their sleep.” Nearly three-quarters of the 601 Montana voters polled said they would want that option for themselves.

Nine other states and the District of Columbia have legalized the procedure and created parameters for when certain patients can utilize that end-oflife choice. Montana is the only state that permitted the practice through a court ruling, leaving medical providers to follow best practices laid out by other states if they choose to prescribe that medication to patients who request it.

Pamela Brown, an advanced practice registered hospice and palliative care nurse, told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the bill’s hearing in January that only eight out of her more than 300 patients in southwest and central Montana have opted to use medical aid in dying. In those circumstances, Brown said, she required the patient to be mentally sound, not suicidal or depressed, within their last six months of life, able to consume the medication on their own, and proceeding with the informed consent of their family.

“Each one had a completely gentle, pain free, peaceful death surrounded by loved ones,” Brown said. “I believe in the right of Montanans to choose their own paths as they face the end of life.”

More than a dozen others testified against the bill, including representatives of the Montana Hospital Association and the

Montana Medical Association. Some opponents included family members of people who have died after being diagnosed with terminal illnesses who argued for privacy and personal choice in end-of-life medical care.

“This removes an element of privacy that we each hold dear to ourselves,” said Ron Waterman, whose late wife Mignon Waterman, a longtime Montana senator, died from pancreatic cancer in 2017. If faced with a terminal disease like that, he said, “I know my privacy entitles me to make a choice as to the degree of suffering, the amount of dignity and the time of my death.”

SB 210’s six supporters included the conservative Montana Family Foundation, Disability Rights Montana, the Montana Catholic Conference and Lt. Gov. Kristin Juras speaking on behalf of Gov. Greg Gianforte’s administration.

In her testimony to lawmakers, Juras agreed with Glimm

about the need to firmly oppose suicide for any and all Montanans, including older adults and those with terminal medical conditions.

“I think elder people are vulnerable,” Juras said. “I took care of my parents. My father on several occasions said, ‘I don’t want to be a burden. Is there a way that I can go?’ And it was our job as a society, as his children, to stand up and say, ‘You are valuable. You are valuable in the midst of suffering. We are going to get through this. Suicide is not the solution.’”

Lawmakers on the committee eventually voted to pass the bill along party lines, with seven Republicans in favor and four Democrats opposed.

SB 210 has little time to be reconsidered before the Legislature’s transmittal deadline on March 3, the date by which policy bills must pass from one chamber to the other in order to survive.

MPAN PHOTO

Sen. Carl Glimm, R-Kila, presents Senate Bill 210 to lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, 2023.

GPCF shows ‘trust’ in the value of our non-profits

News from Greater Polson Community Foundation

POLSON — The Greater Polson’s non-profit sector adds tremendous value to our community’s well-being. It has for years. Think Boys and Girls Club, Mission Valley Aquatics, FLIC, Polson Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Mission Valley Live, Miracle of America Museum, Helping Hands, Ninepipes Museum, Women 4 Wellness, Mission Valley Animal Shelter, Mission Valley Ice Arena and others. Recognizing the importance of these, and other, organizations, GPCF celebrates February, the month of love with our “We Love our Non-Profits” Trust-Based Grants.

Trust-based grants go to organizations with which we have

worked for years that are important to our community, have earned our community’s trust, and deserve support for general operations.

Trust Based Grant applications are by invitation only by the GPCF Grant Committee and organizations receiving a TBGG may still apply for the annual project granting cycle. The application process and reporting for these unencumbered grant funds is kept simple. Our “trust” reflects confidence in an organization’s board, management, and programs.

We expect to renew these trust grants annually for deserving non-profits and as our experience and awareness of needs grows, we hope (with community support) to invite other organizations to apply for these funds, as well as to increase support for project grants.

We thank the many donors making possible grants totaling $1 million over the past 14 years. We are particularly grateful that the endowment legacy left by John Cowan enabled GPCF to nearly double the amounts initially granted in 2020 and in future years. We know benefits realized through the generosity of our donors depend on the hard work of non-profit volunteers and their employees. To both donors and our non-profits, we owe deep gratitude.

The Greater Polson Community would like to congratulate the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, Boys and Girls Club, and Mission Valley Live for being selected as 2023 Trust Based Grant recipients. We appreciate and acknowledge their continued hard work to make Polson the gem of Flathead Lake.

There’s no place like home...

GPCF PHOTO

The Boys and Girls Club received one of the GPCF’s trust grants this year for doing important work within the community and earning the community’s trust.

courts

Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal

Redwood sentenced for assaulting an officer

POLSON — A Great Falls woman was committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for three years with none of that time suspended for her involvement in a fight with detention staff at the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal jail. The sentence was handed down by Polson Judge Molly Owen on Feb. 22. Tiffany Rose Redwood, 35, entered a plea of guilty to one count of felony assault on a peace or judicial officer during an earlier appearance in Polson District Court. The plea was entered as

part of an agreement that dismisses a second count of assault on a peace or judicial officer and one count of criminal mischief.

According to court records, on July 8, 2022, Redwood fought with two detention officers and at one point bit both officers. One was bit on her finger hard enough to break the skin and draw blood. A third officer had to use his stun gun to bring Redwood under control. Redwood was also accused of causing damage to a video camera in a patrol car by biting through a cable attached to the camera.

Judge Owen gave Redwood credit for having already served 132 days in the Lake County Jail.

Aguilar pleads guilty to felony assault

POLSON — A Ronan man with two prior convictions for partner or family member assault (PFMA) now has a third conviction of the same. Gonzalo J. Aguilar, 37, entered a plea of guilty to felony PFMA, third or subsequent during a change of plea hearing in Polson’s District Court on Feb. 22.

According to court records, on Dec. 8, 2022, law enforcement re-

sponded to a report of a domestic disturbance in Ronan. At the scene, the alleged victim indicated that her husband, Aguilar, had punched her in the face after the two had argued and that he was intoxicated at the time. Records show Aguilar has two prior convictions for PFMA, one in Butte city court in 2019 and one in Lewis and Clark Justice Court in 2021.

Judge Molly Owen set a sentencing date of April 12. Aguilar remains in the Lake County jail with bail set at $50,000.

Gianforte highlights efforts to address affordable workforce housing supply

News from the Office of the Governor HELENA — Addressing the Montana Housing Coalition on Feb. 21 at the State Capitol, Governor Greg Gianforte highlighted his administration’s efforts to increase the supply of affordable workforce housing in Montana, calling on the legislature to send pro-housing reforms to his desk.

“Housing is a top priority for Montanans. I hear it over and over from folks throughout the state,” Gianforte said to the coalition at the State Capitol. “To increase the supply of affordable workforce housing, we can’t keep do-

ing the same thing we’ve done year after year after year. The state can’t. And local governments can’t. It hasn’t worked.”

Gianforte continued, “We must change our approach. I’m urging the legislature to get pro-housing reforms to my desk.”

In his remarks, the governor highlighted how the demand for more housing has outpaced homebuilding over the last decade in Montana. Between 2010 and 2020, Montana’s population grew by 9.6 percent, outpacing the state’s housing unit growth of 6.6 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The governor also pointed to rising prices,

mortgage rates, and inflation as making it more difficult for Montanans to own or rent a home, as well as burdensome regulations.

Driven by increased consumer demand, rising inflation, and national supply chain breakdowns, the cost of building a new home has soared, with private residential construction costs skyrocketing 18.4 percent nationally between March 2021 and March 2022, according to the Census Bureau.

Regulations at every level of government drive up the price of newly built homes. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimated government-imposed reg-

ulations account for 23.8 percent of the final price of a new single-family home built for sale.

Last summer, Gov. Gianforte stood up a diverse, bipartisan Housing Task Force to provide recommendations to make housing more affordable and attainable for Montanans.

In line with one of the task force’s recommendations, the governor proposed the Home Ownership Means Economic Security (HOMES) Program in his Budget for Montana Families. Tied to conditions, including increased density, the program invests $200 million to expand water and sewer infrastructure and ulti-

mately increase the supply of affordable workforce housing.

The governor has called

on the legislature to send this bill and other pro-housing reforms to his desk.

2023 ELECTION RESOLUTION

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees for the Ronan/Pablo Elementary School District No. 30 and the Ronan High School District No. 30, shall call for the election of one (1) trustee from District 30-1 and two (2) trustees from District 30-2 to serve for a three (3) year term. The voting shall be by mail ballot election, with the election date of May 2, 2023. If the number of candidates filing for a position or filing a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate under MCA 13-10-211 is equal to the number of positions to be elected, the trustees may give notice that an election will not be held. (MCA 20-3-313)

March 1 and 8, 2023

Tiffany Redwood

Gonzalo Aguilar

Cheerful Heart loses a super volunteer

News from Cheerful Heart

POLSON — Marshall Bjork passed away on Jan. 8. Marshall had a quiet, confident demeanor even when rooting for or promoting his beloved Montana State Bobcats. Marshall gave his loyal and passionate support to any cause he believed in and that benefited Cheerful Heart for 20 years.

Marshall, born in Great Falls in 1937, moved to Polson in 1972 with wife Betty and three school-age children. Marshall’s resume included earning a bachelor’s degree from Montana State University in industrial engineering, serving in the Marine Corps three years and working in the manufacturing industry using his education. After moving to Polson, he and Betty ran a bulk fuel business and a tire store before retiring.

Betty was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in 1995. “Marsh” took care of her, supported her and they made many trips to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where the slower pace and warmer climate helped with healing. Betty is a “miracle” cancer thriver today after effective oncology treatments and Marshall’s loving care. When Cheerful Heart, Inc. was established in 2002, Betty and Marshall jumped in with both feet to build a strong, effective, and caring organization. Betty wrote thank you cards and spent time talking with cancer patients in treatment at the Polson Oncology Clinic on Tuesdays. Marshall became a board member and served as board chair for many years.

Marshall made his mark on the organization. He had great fundraising ideas and wasn’t afraid to spread the word in the community about Cheerful Heart. As a former business owner, he found it easy to twist arms of fellow business and organization leaders asking for donations. The most successful CH fundraiser was the Treasure Fest Garage Sale which raised nearly $25,000 over six years. For all those years Marshall picked up garage sale items throughout the year and stored them in his warehouse until it came time

to move them to the garage sale venue. If necessary, after the sale he would deliver larger sold items. Marshall loved connecting with people. He had great stories to tell about his interactions with folks when he picked up garage sale items or delivered the purchases. He had a great time until he ran out of volunteer steam. The age of the Cheerful Heart volunteers out-distanced the LOVE for the sale. It was tough to end the successful fundraiser.

Marshall continued to provide rides for patients to treatment and medical appointments. He and the CH board were instrumental in helping design and remodel the Oncology Clinic on the third floor of St. Joseph Hospital as it exists today. CH donated $10,000 toward the project in 2010.

Marshall used his carpenter skills to build a ramp for a cancer patient’s home plus several wood stools for the clinic. When the clinic was remodeled and new large recliners were added, Marshall’s stools allowed the shorter patients to sit more comfortably while receiving chemo.

In 2019 Marshall resigned his position on the board. He and Betty left a stronger more effective Cheerful Heart. We miss him!

Marshall Bjork

valley views Remember to check ingredients

It’s no secret that as a society, we’re pretty fond of caffeine.

Caffeine is a vasodilator, which essentially means the more you drink the more your blood vessels expand to allow more blood to your brain and limbs, which is what causes you to feel more awake. With a country and culture as busy as ours, it’s no wonder a majority of the population runs on a cup of coffee or four every day.

But there’s a chance you’re having more caffeine than you think.

Recently, internet sleuths have been turning up more and more

unexpected products that add in a little bit of caffeine to their consumables – a few milligrams to make people feel good when they’re having the product and keep them coming back. A few milligrams doesn’t sound too bad, but then again, how many of us actually know how to quantify caffeine in milligrams off the top of our heads? Here’s a

quick break down of common amounts: An espresso has 63mg of caffeine. An average cup of coffee has between 95140mg of caffeine. Energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster contain 136163mg of caffeine per can. This is where things get weird.

A Charged Lemonade from Panera Bread has 260mg of caffeine per serving of 20 ounces – their small size. The large size at 30 oz has

A way to tackle the housing crisis

There is no singular cause for Montana’s housing crisis. Rising costs of land, materials, and labor combined with people moving into our communities, further straining our infrastructure, has made for an increasingly critical housing situation. On top of that, developers, builders, and local governments are trying to build housing under old, outdated land use and planning statutes from the 1920s.

As an attempted quick fix, many of the housing bills this legislative

session mandate the same zoning rules for all communities across the state. Given my planning experience, I am the first to admit that it is time to update Montana’s zoning rules. But we know that Miles City, Missoula, and Malta do not have the same problems that can be solved with the same solution. The only thing making these communities the same is the M in their name.

Valley Views

390mg, which comes in just under the Food and Drug Administration’s determined maximum safe daily amount for healthy adults of 400mg. The fact that it contains caffeine at all is only stated in the fine print under the bold font of the flavor options, and though it’s called “charged,” who would expect a lemonade to contain more caffeine than an energy drink?

Kashi chocolate granola bars contain around 9mg of caffeine. Dannon coffee yogurt contains 30mg. Again, these are products not typically associated with getting folks awake in the

morning.

Currently, there’s no law from the FDA that requires caffeine labeling beyond the amount of caffeine included as per the requirements of the nutrition facts label. And considering most of us don’t know the milligrams of caffeine in coffee off the top of our head, it can be hard to quantify it when we see an unusually large number.

While caffeine can help to get the day going, having too much can lead to some serious possible medical complications, from kidney issues to strokes. So, to those of us who are

avoiding caffeine for one reason or another, always remember to check the labels on foods and drinks. You might be a bit more caffeinated than you think.

LETTER POLICY

Letters to the editor are welcome. The content is the opinion of the letter writer and not the newspaper. The decision to publish letters is made by the editor.

Letters must be 350 words or less. A writer will only be published twice per month.

The housing bills we have seen fail to address the primary driver of Montana’s housing problems - outdated statutes that no longer reflect the type and pressure of housing development our communities face. Let me give you an example.

When local governments consider a zoning or subdivision permit, they are required to assess

if those permits meet certain criteria. Sounds simple enough. But the kicker is that the criteria is different for every permit. So, every time a developer or builder seeks a permit, the local administrators must do that analysis from scratch with no regard to previous assessments. Our current planning system is a duplicative, labor intensive, bureaucratic process on top of a process that slows down building and stifles new development.

For years, a group of

realtors, builders, legislators, local governments, counties, and municipalities have been working together to create a real plan. Together we developed a comprehensive fix that provides cities and towns the mechanisms to update their zoning, plan for current and future community needs, and simplify the process for developers. This means that more housing can be built while preserving the right for locals to have their say.

SB 382, the Montana

see page 11

Letters may be edited for content or length, or may not be published if considered libelous, in poor taste, spiteful, self-promotional or of limited interest to the general readership. Space limitations also dictate when or if letters are published.

Letters must be signed by the author and name, address and phone number must be included –phone number is for verification purposes only. Letters from organizations must include the name of at least one author.

Please limit “thank you” letters to four people/organizations or less. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday to publish the following week. Opinions expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the newspaper.

Taylor Davison Editor, Valley Journal

A Taylor’d Approach

Kelly Lynch Executive Director of the Montana League of Cities and Towns

Pray

Editor, How many Montana people know that $2+ Million came into Montana Counties to help sway the 2022 election? And how many know that Montana is riddled with voter fraud? Even Montana. And our GOP and DNC are both to blame. They just “yawn” and let it go. And look at the mess this country is in. Hanging by a thread and it is on fire. People need to write their legislators, congress people, and start raising hell. I don’t know if this country will even be here by 2024. EMPs are a very real threat, and this admin has so many ties to our enemies, so what was put in place to get ahead of these in the last

housing

admin was done away with in this one. We are sitting ducks. We need lots of prayer, but does God suffer fools?

Grace Larson Kalispell

Believe in others Editor, A ‘political miracle’ popped up for me the other day. It was in the form of absorbing an hour of the Smithsonian TV channels presentation of “Picturing the Obamas.”

Consider this: Our present democratic system of government is in danger of collapse. Our nation has depended upon two main healthy parties functioning with bipartisan sensibilities. The Republican party is presently totally unhealthy and

sick. It is seriously ill without a plan for healing.

The Trump era of political pandemonium is ‘front and center’ in the GOP. Trump’s continuing grip on a substantial number of U.S. voters is a present fact in American politics. So, what is this ‘little miracle’ that jumped out at me? It is that in this hour with “Picturing the Obamas,” I gained the realization that our nation’s democracy will survive and continue. Our sensible, free, and honest thinking citizens in this country will vote for and elect a majority of leaders who will advance our democratic form of government. My belief is this will definitely take place.

Bob McClellan Missoula

from page 10

Land Use Planning Act, is the outcome of our efforts. The bill, sponsored by Senator Mandeville and co-sponsored by Senators Bergtolio, Boldman, Brewster, Fern, Friedel, Karlen, Hertz, and Hopkins, updates Montana’s zoning and planning process so that housing decisions can be made faster and with more consistency.

As a real solution, SB 382 modernizes Montana’s statutes and addresses the specific housing reforms the Governor’s Housing Task Force called for. Specifically, the new planning framework gives local leaders tangible tools to be responsive. It moves public participation and

analysis up to the community-wide planning stages, eliminating duplicity so that the permitting and subdivision process is more efficient.

SB 382 also requires local municipalities to quantify their housing needs and adopt at least five zoning reforms to accommodate those needs while considering the systems and infrastructure unique to each community. Under SB 382, local governments, developers, and community members will all know what is expected of them because they have been part of the decision-making process.

Most importantly, SB 382 will make it faster, cheaper, and easier to build more housing in Montana.

It is time to leave the

1920s behind. SB 382 is the fundamental change we need to our statutes.

Whether you are a neighbor, a builder, or a mayor, everyone benefits from an updated, more predictable, and fair land use and planning process. We hope all legislators can get behind this bill. It is a bill created by Montanans for Montana and is the right step forward for our state.

Kelly Lynch is the Executive Director of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, a nonpartisan, nonprofit association supporting 127 Montana communities to provide resources and advocacy to build and maintain unique, vibrant, healthy, and safe communities.

Montana Public Radio announces new host for Pea Green Boat, special live broadcast

News from MTPR

MISSOULA — Montana Public Radio has announced a new permanent host to the long-running children’s radio show The Pea Green Boat. Vicki Chaney was named the new director of MTPR’s children’s programming in late December.

“I am honored to be the new host of this beloved show each day,” Chaney said. “My goal is daily discovery and delight for listeners of all ages.” Chaney is on-air Monday through Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. MTPR offers six-and-a-half hours of radio for kids and kids at heart each week.

“Vicki brings a depth of knowledge and experience working with students in many settings,” said MTPR program director Michael Marsolek.

“She has a delightful radio presence and a passion for kids, community and connections for our listeners across Montana.”

Pea Green Boat fans also had a chance to meet Chaney and be a part of a special live broadcast from the Missoula Public Library (fourth floor) on Feb. 28. Chaney was joined by musical guests Josh Farmer and Loren Stillman, as well as by some surprise appearances from MTPR staffers.

More on Vicki Chaney

Vicki Chaney is a self-proclaimed storyteller who has spent the most of her life traveling, teaching, and telling stories. She graduated from the University of Montana with a Masters in Theatre and is so excited to be back in Missoula again. On her storytelling journey she has toured with

Missoula Children’s Theatre and CLIMB Children’s theatre of Minneapolis. She was a drama teacher for 23 years, directing plays and teaching theatre in Bellingham, Washington. She recently returns from a nine-year experience of teaching Drama and Art at Ras Tanura International School in Saudi Arabia where she taught students from 83 different countries. While living abroad she traveled with her family to multiple countries, absorbing music, art, and theatre practices wherever she went. When she is not telling stories, Vicki spends time basket weaving, water coloring, hiking, and spending time with her husband and her 15-year-old twins. She also enjoys snuggling with her cat Zora. Learn more about MTPR at: http://mtpr.org.

St. Luke Community Healthcare announces scholarship opportunity

News from St. Luke’s RONAN — Once again, St. Luke Community Healthcare is offering $500 college scholarships to high school seniors at eight area high schools. Counselors at Arlee, Charlo, Hot Springs, Polson, Ronan, St. Ignatius, Two Eagle River School, and Mission Valley Christian Academy have received the scholarship application instruction sheet.

The yearly presentation of $4,000 to local high school graduates is named in honor of

longtime employee and former St. Luke Director of Nursing, Rosemary Miller.

“We hope that the example demonstrated by this exceptional person will inspire others to further their education – particularly in healthcare,” Steve Todd, CEO at St. Luke explained. He added that, “a dependent of a St. Luke employee or a student majoring in a health-related field may be given preference –but certainly those are not the only students who should consider applying.”

The basic criteria for a Rosemary Miller Memorial Scholarship is a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Other factors that are considered include:

- Activities

- Honors

- Awards

- Community Service

- Educational Goals

“The family is thrilled to have our mother’s dedication and commitment to health care recognized in this fashion,” said Leah Emerson, one of five girls and four boys born to Rosemary and Harry Miller.

Emerson noted that

seniors

her mother’s devotion to caring for others inspired all of her daughters to enter professions which focused on human services in some manner, including nursing, early childhood development, speech pathology, and disability services.

Scholarship applications are available at any of the eight high school counselor offices or at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan (107 6th Ave. SW). They must be returned to the attention of Hospital Administration no later than Monday, April 17.

St. Ignatius

By Barb Plouffe for the Valley Journal

ST. IGNATIUS — Just when we thought spring was here Mr. Winter had to give a good dose of snow and brrrrrs. Stay safe and warm. Remember the first day of spring is March 20.

Menu:

— Tuesday, Feb 28: taco hashbrown casserole, corn/bean salad, fruit, lemon cake

— Wednesday, March 1: roast beef, potatoescarrots, Jell-O salad, rolls, pumpkin bread

— Friday, March 3: scalloped potatoes and ham, rolls, veggies, fruit, brownies

— Tuesday, March 7: soup and sandwiches, green salad, French bread, rice Krispie’s treats

— Friday, March 10: barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, veggies, fruit, rolls, birthday lemon cake

If you are interested in a take-out meal, please call by 10 a.m. and leave message if no one answers.

see page 13

Vicki Chaney

Seniors

from page 12

Bonnie Kiser holds Gently Yoga classes on Wednesday afternoons at 1 p.m. If you are interested in take this class call Bonnie at 406-22530171. Her rates are five sessions for $60.

On March 22 there will be QPR (question, persuade, refer) Suicide Prevention course taught at 1 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. This presentation is in cooperation with the St. Ignatius Police Chief. This is an important training as Montana is #1 in the nation for suicides. All are welcome.

On March 18 there will be an AARP Driving Class taught at 1 p.m. Taking this class could lower your car insurance premium.

We need to prepared to set our clocks for Daylight Savings time on March 12.

We will be having a “Rummage Sale” on April 28 and 29. We welcome donations.

May 12 and 13 will be our Mother’s Day Bake Sale and Mother’s Day Raffle. Please mark your calendars

Polson

By Pete Mangels for the Valley Journal

We are seeking an experienced cook for our kitchen. Apply at the center.

Over 200 seniors (so far) have taken advantage of tax filing assistance offered by AARP that is available on Mondays or Thursdays until April 6 or so. Call for an appointment.

Bowling: Fun league, pay by the day. Nonsanctioned, no-tap, Tuesdays, 1 p.m.

Bingo: regular bingo Fri., 7 p.m. “Playing Card” bingo 1st and 3rd Wed.

Exercise: M-W-F, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Pinochle: Thu., 12:15–3 p.m.

Pool: Open table from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.

Tai Ji Quan: Exercise for balance: Tuesdays

Do you like helping others?

10-11 a.m. Wednesday 1-2 p.m.

Veterans’ Rep: March 3 and March 2, 10 a.m. -12 p.m.

Menu (subject to change): Sit-down, takeout, call before 10 a.m. for delivery, only $5. Serving from 11:45 a.m.12:45 p.m.

— Thursday, March 2: chicken parmesan, garlic bread, green beans, cottage cheese, peach cobbler

— Friday, March 3: baked Chicken, sweet potatoes, peas, pear, cheese salad, cookies

— Monday, March 6: creamy chicken soup, cheesy bread, fruit salad, butterscotch pudding

— Tuesday, March 7: cook’s choice

— Wednesday March 8: baked chicken, dumplings, gravy, peas, spinach/bacon/egg salad, cheesecake

The Polson Senior Center, 504 3rd Ave. E, is open from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. on weekdays. Call: 406-883-4735, Email: polsonseniorcenter@ gmail.com

Help bring flower baskets to Polson

News from GPCF POLSON — The Greater Polson Community Foundation needs your help in securing financial support to continue the Polson Hanging Flower Baskets for 2023. For over 20 years these beautiful flower baskets that adorn downtown Polson have been a perfect example of what makes Polson special. This year, the city has elected not to continue the project in conjunction with the Chamber. We were faced with the decision to lose the project this year, or find ways to make it happen for our citizens, visitors and businesses.

Without your help we will not be able to continue this vibrant downtown tradition that

Charlo School Board Trustee Positions

has enhanced the visual appeal and a big welcome to Polson, creating an inviting place for residents and visitors.

The cost for purchasing the flowering baskets, paying the expenses to water and care for them on a daily basis

is $200 per basket per season.

The Greater Polson Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and has agreed to oversee the project this year. Your generous donation is a tax deductible donation.

Apply today on

website www.mme-mt.org or contact Tony Meyers at 406-676-2563 Applications are also available at our Administration Building in Ronan, 330 Main St SW Ronan MT 59864

We look forward to meeting you!!

with disabilities equal opportiunity.

Charlo School District has three (3) openings for the position of trustee on the Charlo School Board. Interested parties must reside in the Charlo School District. All parties must be a registered voter in the school district. Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy for School Board Trustee are available at the Charlo School District Office located at 404 First Avenue West, Charlo, MT or call Sara at 644-2206 @ ext. 303 to request a petition to be mailed to you. Deadline for filing is March 23, 2023 by 4:00 p.m. with the District Clerk. The election will be held by mail ballot.

Grief training brings support to the Flathead Valley

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

ST. IGNATIUS — Tribal Health recently invited nonprofit Tamarack Grief Resource to bring grief education and resources into the Flathead Valley.

Tamarack, which has its primary office in Missoula with another location in Kalispell and a remote office in Browning, is the only year-round comprehensive grief center in the state of Montana. While they can’t be everywhere at once, the organization prioritizes education and training to support the entire state of Montana, including Lake County.

“A huge piece of what Tamarack does is extend the network of care, to not be the ones that are providing grief support but ask how are we part of a circle of healers and how do we strengthen one another,” Executive Director Tina Barrett explained. “It’s part of our repertoire of how we can engage in the world and so as we’re invited into different circles of community members and professionals that want to have these conversations, we jump at those opportunities.”

The training with Tribal Health, held on Feb. 8, had a focus on grief education, which Barrett explained tackles a few main things: Workplace wellness asks how are we compassionate in workplaces and how are we encouraging compassionate leadership that honors grief experiences, especially after the last couple years of the pandemic that’s rocked so many. Exploring how to shift from supporting an individual to supporting a group and how

to structure groups to honor loss is another key lesson, as well as examining how to set up rituals to honor the significance of an event and create room to transform the energy related to an experience.

This was not the first time the two entities have partnered up to work on providing grief education and resources to members of the valley. They held a similar training approximately two years ago.

The two parties are now examining an ongoing partnership to bring mini camps to kids dealing with grief in Lake County. Mini camps are typically a three-hour afterschool program of grief support to assist kids day-to-day and is sometimes partnered with schools to utilize school counselors. “We strive to partner with local resources who know the community who can illuminate the strengths that bring cultural relevance to the table across what we’re doing,” Barrett stated. Tamarack also offers day and overnight camps in the summer, including A Camp to Remember, which is held at Flathead, Georgetown, or Seeley Lake each year.

Based off the International Association of Trauma’s tri-phasic model, Tamarack’s support options all focus on grounding the grieving and focus on emotional and physical safety before moving into processing and integration.

“(Grief) isn’t something you’re going to get over. You’re not broken. You’re going to carry it with you,” Barrett explained.

“How would you like to honor this relationship as you continue to move through the world?”

No two people will face grief

exactly the same, but Barrett did have some broad strokes advice for those grieving:

— Give yourself permission to grieve in your own way. As explored by nationally recognized grief expert Darcie Sims, there are many ways to grieve. “Some people gain strength from reading and researching and understanding how others’ paths have been, some people gain strength from social gatherings, some people gain strength from rituals, and some people gain strength from compartmentalizing the grief and continuing to go through the motions of a day and following a structure and schedule. It doesn’t mean they’re not grieving, it means it looks different than it might for someone else,” Barrett explained.

— Think about the people that give you the most strength and deliberately reach out to

them, or give yourself permission to create boundaries with those that aren’t giving you strength. “I think many people have great intention, but sometimes how other people speak, or wrap words around their experience, or express their care, cannot always be strengthening,” Barrett said.

— Be gentle with yourself.

And for those offering support to those that are grieving, the biggest key is listening and finding out the ways that person needs to be shown you care and how they can be brought strength, Barrett explained. “We in Montana can have some pressure to be fiercely independent and I think there’s a beauty that comes from community … many of us realize the gift of getting to be there for someone else. So, in reaching out for help, we’re extending that opportunity for

people to engage with us and support us in the way that we would be honored to be invited to support someone.”

Additionally, Barrett emphasized that caretakers should not be afraid to ask for help themselves from others equipped to deal with grief. Barrett said, “Everyone that’s committed to be part of a healing community, when it feels like too much – which it will sometimes, … who can we reach out to? Who can we resource out to, who can we turn to, to be the provider of strength and hope during a time when that’s not what we’re able to do?”

Tamarack offers a wide variety of support and education programs, individual grief counseling and group programs, along with suicide loss support. Many programs are virtual to extend service to

TAYLOR DAVISON / VALLEY JOURNAL

Tamarack’s Executive Director Tina Barrett and Associate Director Meg Smith talk about positive experiences they’ve seen in grief training courses.

from page 14

rural and distant parts of the state. As a nonprofit, they operate off the generosity of community members and emphasize that a gift of any amount at all is helpful. There are many ways to contribute besides monetarily, such as making quilts for those participating in camps and retreats and similar in-kind contributions. “We’re so grateful to have a community that makes this possible,” Barrett commented. “It warms our hearts and helps us do what we do … It’s reassuring and inspiring for us to look around the circle and see all these people that are invested in creating compassionate communities.”

Those interested in setting up training or education with Tamarack, no matter the size of the group or organization, are invited to do so by calling 406541-8472 or going online to: www.tamarackgrc. org. “It starts with a phone call to explore what your hopes or goals are for this time together and how might we be a part of that,” Barrett said. “If we’re supporting one person at a time, we see that here at Tamarack as well, we can support 80 or 100 individuals, but if we’re supporting groups of people, we can support thousands.”

obituaries

Elton Hoyt

RONAN — Elton Ross Hoyt, passed away on Jan. 23, 2023, at St. Luke Hospital in Ronan. He was born on June 21, 1938, in Polson to Edward E. Hoyt and A. Blanche (Howell) Hoyt.

Ross graduated from Polson High School in 1957. He was in the Montana National Guard for seven and a half years. He married Darline Joyce in 1966 and they raised two sons, Chris and Tom. Chris was born in October of 1967 and Tom was adopted in 1974. In 2013 they adopted their daughter, Tammy.

Ross was a rancher, self—employed building contractor and backhoe operator.

After retiring, he spent time woodworking and tending his yard.

Ross had two passions: one was

Proud Community Partner

“We

- Winston Churchill

making sure the Big Arm community had a fire hall. In 1980, he and many volunteers built the Big Arm Fire Hall. He was a volunteer fireman for 20 years. The other passion was the renovation of the Big Arm School to use as a community center. He, along with many volunteers, dedicated to meeting historical requirements, also completed that task.

He was preceded in death by his father (1996); his son, Chris (2009); his mother (2014) and a special aunt, Bonnie Kirsch (2019).

He is survived by his wife, Darline and his Miniature Schnauzer guard dog Susie; his son Tom (Angel); daughter Tammy (fiancéRudy); one granddaughter; two step granddaughters; three grandsons; twin great-granddaughters; his sister, Barbara Hoyt of Kalispell; his

aunt, Jessie Wunderlich of Valier, Montana; two sisters-in-law, Pat (Paul) Ditton of Utah and Debbie Joyce and one brother-in-law, David Joyce (Valerie) of Missouri. He is also survived by numerous cousins locally, throughout Montana and the U.S.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring or early summer 2023.

In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to any of the following: Montana Hope Project, P.O. Box 5927 Helena, MT 59604, (program of Montana Highway Patrol where wishes are granted to sick children); Polson Rural Fire Department, 25B Regatta Road Polson, MT 59860; or Big Arm Association, Box 13, Big Arm, MT 59910, (funds are used for restoration of the Big Arm School); or to a charity of your choice.

PSC urges utility customers to mitigate further cold weather heating bills

News from Montana Public Service Commission

MONTANA — Recent and current cold temperatures across the state have resulted in higher-than-expected energy bills for many Montana residents. Increased utility company operating expenses for some utilities, including local property tax increases which went into effect January 1, may have also contributed to a recent surge in the prices customers are seeing on their bills.

To reduce energy costs, the Montana Public Service Commission encourages consumers to take steps to conserve energy and protect their homes

against the cold. The following energy-saving tips could be especially helpful:

— Set thermostats no higher than 68 degrees;

— Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows;

— Turn water heaters down (to 120 degrees) and install a water-heater insulation blanket;

— Install water saving devices such as flow-restricting showerheads;

— Inspect furnace filters and clean or replace, if dirty;

— Install LED lights in appropriate areas of frequent use;

— Close rooms not in use and seal vents in

non-occupied rooms;

— Close the fireplace flue damper when not in use;

— Turn off lights and energy-using appliances when not in use; and

— If possible, consider upgrading to more energy efficient windows, doors and insulation to minimize impacts from outside temperature fluctuations year-round.

The Commission also urges anyone concerned about their ability to afford their heating bills to contact their utility company. The company can discuss payment options, rebates for certain energy efficiency upgrades, and the availability of home energy audits to rec-

ommend energy saving measures.

Concerned customers may also contact local Human Resource Development Counsel offices to learn about LIHEAP and Energy Share or call 211 to learn about other resources that may be available in your community.

It is a common misconception that utility companies are not allowed to disconnect natural gas or electricity during the winter months. Another misconception is that having children in the home of any age prevents disconnection. However, regulated utilities must follow Commission rules prior to proceeding with

a non-pay disconnect during the winter moratorium period of Nov. 1 to April 1.

Companies not regulated by the Commission, such as cooperatives and propane distributors, are not required to obtain Commission approval prior to disconnecting utility service. Those companies may have their own procedures to follow for winter terminations.

For more energy savings tips view the Montana Energy Savers Guidebook published by the Department of Environmental Quality: https://deq.mt.gov/files/ Energy/Documents/mt_ savers_guidebook/web/ MTESG_010118_web.

pdf

The Montana Public Service Commission regulates private, investor-owned natural gas, electric, landline telephone, water and sewer companies, certain motor carriers, and manages safety programs for natural gas pipelines and railroads in Montana. State and federal law requires the Commission to allow regulated utilities to recover their actual costs of providing public utility services. For more information, visit: https://psc. mt.gov or call 1-800-6466150. Follow the Commission at twitter.com/@ MT_PSC or check for updates at facebook.com/ MontanaPSC

Nonprofit receives $750,000 gift to launch eye exam and glasses program for children

News from Mountain Health Gives

HELENA — In October, a newly-formed nonprofit organization, Mountain Health Gives, received a $750,000 gift from a remainder account of a class action lawsuit. The gift was directed to Mountain Health Gives by trial attorney and former Montana State Auditor John Morrison.

The first program of Mountain Health Gives will provide vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses free-of-charge to children in the region. The program is called Little Peeps and is set to launch in 2023.

Little Peeps was chosen as the first program of Mountain Health Gives in part because of a large-scale, randomized

study by Johns Hopkins University, completed in 2021, that found that kids with uncorrected vision are more likely to have low self-esteem, to fall behind in school, and to have behavioral problems. And, according to the Amer-

ican Optometric Association, one in four school-aged children have a vision problem that, if left untreated, will affect their learning and personal development. Common vision problems in children include vision loss, ambly-

opia (lazy eye), strabismus (misalignment of the eyes), refractive errors (nearsightedness and farsightedness), and astigmatism.

In addition, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, it is estimated that only 51% of

kids who are covered by employer insurance plans have an eye exam and glasses benefit and that more than 52,000 children in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming aren’t covered by a health insurance plan at all.

Fortunately, early detection and corrective measures can help prevent eye problems from creating long-term issues for children, giving them the opportunity to achieve better academically and keep pace with their peers.

“I’m glad to have the opportunity to direct this gift to Mountain Health Gives for their Little Peeps program,” Morrison said. “Children’s health has been a focus of our

see page 17

from page 16

giving for a long time and I’m excited that this program will better the lives of kids in our region for years to come.”

Molly Severtson, CFRE, a longtime Montana fundraiser and nonprofit professional was hired in November to serve Mountain Health Gives as their first full-time Executive Director. Severtson said, “We’re looking forward to launching Little Peeps and providing kids who might not otherwise receive an eye exam or glasses with this simple, but life-changing, service.”

It is estimated that the gift directed by Morrison will enable the organization to provide more than 3,000 vision exams and nearly 800 pairs of glasses annually over the course of seven years to children in need, once the program is up and running. Mountain Health Gives will work in cooperation with other organizations in the region which are already offering similar services to children.

Mountain Health Gives was formed by Mountain Health COOP in 2021 to help fill gaps in healthcare for people living in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming – the three states served by the

CO-OP. Mountain Health Gives Board Member Joan Miles said, “Little Peeps will help us identify and rectify gaps in learning ability that many children experience due to vision problems. What a great start for our organization!”

The class action that produced the funds, Butler v. Unified Life Insurance Company, began as an individual claim by a Sidney truck driver against a shortterm medical insurance company for payment of bills related to cancer treatment. Based on facts discovered during the litigation, a national class action was certified to recover system-wide underpayments, and summary judgment was entered in favor of the class.

The suit was eventually settled resulting in payments to more than

Morgana

She is 15 weeks old. She is a super sweet girl who loves play time. She is good with everything and looking for her new home!

17,000 Americans. As happens in class action cases, some class members did not cash their checks, which left residual money in the class common fund. In such situations, the presiding judge may then approve a “cy pres” distribution of the funds to one or more appropriate charities. Butler class residual funds were also contributed to the Breast Cancer Research Fund and the Montana Justice foundation. Learn more about Mountain Health Gives and Little Peeps at www.mountainhealthgives.org and more about Mountain Health CO-OP at www.mountainhealth. coop. If you would like to donate to the effort of Mountain Health

CSKT seeks comments on hunting season draft

Redistricting Commission finishes plan for State Legislative Districts

News from The Montana State Legislature

FLATHEAD RESERVATION — The Flathead Indian Reservation Advisory Board is seeking comments on Draft 2023-2024 for hunting seasons, shooting hours and limits for migratory waterfowl, pheasants and gray partridge for non-member hunters. A copy of the draft regulations can be obtained by contacting Kari Kingery, Tribal Wildlife Program Manager at 406-675-2700, ext. 7217 or by email at kari.kingery@ cskt.org.

Comments on the draft will be accepted through Friday, March 31, and may be sent to CSKT Wildlife Management Program at P.O. Box 278, Pablo, MT 59855 or to kari.kingery@cskt.org.

A public meeting to accept comments will be held in the Tribal Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation, 406 Sixth Ave. E, Polson, from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, March 30.

HELENA — On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission filed the state legislative redistricting plan with the Montana Secretary of State. These House and Senate districts will be used for elections held from 2024 to 2032. Maps of the districts and other reports are available online as is a final report documenting the commission’s work since 2019 to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

The vote records, draft maps, reports prepared for the commission, official audio minutes, summary minutes, copies of written public comment, and other commission materials are maintained on the commission’s website: mtredistricting.gov.

Direct questions about the work can be directed to the Legislative Services Division staff at: districting@legmt.gov, 406-444-3064, or use the webform.

News from the CSKT Natural Resources Department

PUZZLES

GIANT CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Native New Zealander

6. Neighbor of Namibia

12. Adept

15. Aug. follower

19. Absolute

20. Be evasive

21. Diffident

22. Boris Godunov, for one

23. Must, slangily

24. Homegrown

25. The “p” in r.p.m.

26. Brown shade

27. Peanut butter choice

29. Mezzo Berganza

31. Call the shots

33. Coral ___

35. Balloon filler

36. Milk dispenser

38. PC linkup

39. Bulk

42. “Concentration” puzzle 44. ___ Minor 45. Came to 47. Ring bearer, maybe 48. ___ de force 49. Gibson, e.g. 50. Enjoys an e-cig

51. Full of chutzpah

53. Figure out

56. Spuds

57. Indian yogurt dish

58. Amble

59. Locate 60. Bakery buy

62. Big ___ Conference

63. Block

65. Bust, so to speak 69. Put an edge on 70. “I see!”

72. “I ___ you one”

digit once only.

73. Agree

74. Arid

75. Shift, e.g.

78. Software program, briefly

80. More gloomy

82. Gin flavoring

84. Lecterns

87. Dark area

88. Hypothetical hominid

91. Broth

92. 1982 World Cup site

93. Plateaus, with “out”

94. Breakwater

95. Faction

97. Decline

98. Garden plant of the geum genus

99. Curse

100. Handle the food for a party

102. Characteristic carrier

103. Fix, in a way

104. It’s debatable

106. Campaigner, for short

107. Indian prince

109. Basic part.

111. Afro-Cuban dance

114. Beet soup

118. Josip Broz, familiarly

119. “Is that ___?”

121. Familiarize

123. Snow house

124. Drudgery

125. Charge

126. Enumerate

127. Cheap shots

128. “___ bitten, twice shy”

129. “It’s no ___!”

130. Placed one inside the other

131. Native American tent

DOWN

1. Acts clownishly

2. Bit of physics

3. “Beetle Bailey” pooch

4. Comeback

5. Angered

6. Barley bristle

7. “Groovy!”

8. Rich sponge cake

9. Egyptian god

10. Part of a voting machine

11. Some are pale

12. Venom carrier

13. Popular cheese

14. High nest: Var.

15. “Let it stand”

16. Thin cut of meat

17. One who receives a share

18. Exactitude

28. “My ___!”

30. Spartan

32. Tie 34. Long-running disputes

37. Christian name 39. Book before James 40. Otalgia

41. Less robust 43. Have an inspiration?

44. Hurt 46. Soggy obstacle 48. Asian tongue 49. Appropriate

52. Some leaders 54. Nod, maybe

55. Setting for TV’s “Newhart”

56. Beat

59. Clinch, with “up”

61. Danger in a uranium mine

64. Above all else

66. Flying home? 67. Portuguese, e.g.

68. Drive crazy 71. “___ we having fun yet?”

76. Weightlifter’s helper 77. Pole position? 78. Afflict 79. Afghan coin 81. Boot 83. Classic TV canine 85. Budget letters for a homeowner 86. Contemptuous look 88. Alabama slammer ingredient

Park picnic place

Explanatory

Sweetheart

Elbows 96. Complain

Funnies 101. Even though 102. Mouthwash 105. Big mess 106. Blender button 108. Ceiling support

Warning device

Some chips, maybe

High-five, e.g.

Dog command

Cheat, slangily

Linda ___, Supergirl’s alias

“Hazel” cartoonist Key

Can you find all the listed words in the grid? Words may appear horizontally, vertically or diagonally, forwards or backwards.

Constellations

TELESCOPIUM TUCANA

DOT-TO-DOT

Starting at 1, connect the dots in numerical order to complete the picture.

MIRROR IMAGE

Which of the four images below is the mirror image of the larger one to the right?

A B C D

SOLUTIONS

8. Gateau, 9. Osiris, 10. Lever, 11. Ales,

Down: 1. Mugs, 2. Atom, 3. Otto, 4. Retort, 5. Irate, 6. Awn, 7. Neat,

Borsch, 118. Tito, 119. All, 121. Orient, 123. Igloo, 124. Toil, 125. Fee, 126. Recite, 127. Slams, 128. Once, 129. Use, 130. Nested, 131. Tepee.

86. Sneer, 88. Amaretto, 89. Pavilion, 90. Exegetic, 91. Beau, 94. Jostles, 96. Crab, 100. Comics,

79. Pul, 81. Oust, 83. Lassie, 85. DIY,

71. Are, 76. Spotter, 77. South, 78. Ail,

54. Cue, 55. Inn, 56. Tired, 59. Sew, 61. Radon, 64. Topmost, 66. Air base, 67. Iberian, 68. Derange,

jump, 48. Thai, 49. Apt, 52. Statesmen,

12. Asp, 13. Cheddar, 14. Eyrie, 15. Stet, 16. Escalope, 17. Partaker, 18. Trueness, 28. Hero, 30. Austere, 32. Cravat, 34. Feuds, 37. Dior, 39. Hebrews, 40. Earache, 41. Frailer, 43. Breathe, 44. Ached, 46. Water

74. Sere, 75. Dress,

Across: 1. Maori, 6. Angola, 12. Ace, 15. Sept, 19. Utter, 20. Weasel, 21. Shy, 22. Tsar, 23. Gotta, 24. Native, 25. Per, 26. Ecru, 27. Smooth, 29. Teresa, 31. Dictate, 33. Reef, 35. Air, 36. Udder, 38. LAN, 39. Heft, 42. Rebus, 44. Asia, 45. Awoke, 47. Ear, 48. Tour, 49. Actor, 50. Vapes, 51. Brash, 53. Decipher,

GIANT CROSSWORD

calendar see extended calendar at www.valleyjournal.net

Wednesday, March 1

Meditation class offered

ZOOM — Join the Mission Mountain Zen Center on Wednesday, Feb. 15, and on subsequent Wednesdays, for an online meditation class led by Zen Teacher, Zenku, including meditation instruction, practice and discussion via Zoom. The classes will be each Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. We will cultivate and deepen our centering skills and meditation practice during the class. Join us and take advantage of this opportunity. For more information and a Zoom link to the class call Zenku at 847-721-0665 or email at Jerry.Smyers@gmail. com.

Chamber luncheon held

POLSON — The Polson Chamber of Commerce will hold their monthly luncheon meeting at the KwaTaqNuk Resort at noon on Wednesday, March 1. Come meet Lauren Oliver, executive director of Mission Mountain Enterprises.

Thursday, March 2

Tax assistance available

POLSON — The Polson Senior Citizen Center will provide tax assistance on Mondays and Thursdays by appointment until April 14. Call 4068834735 to make an appointment.

Library moves

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Li-

brary will be closed Thursday, March 2, through Saturday, March 4, to move to their temporary location at 301 16th Ave. E.

Friday, March 3

Annual Polson Booster Club fundraiser held

POLSON — On Friday, March 3, the annual Polson Booster fundraiser will be held at the Mission Valley Elks Lodge. The evening will begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. the live auction, golden pint drawing, team basket auction, a dessert auction and a 50/50 drawing events will begin. Tickets are $35 or you can purchase a family ticket by contacting a Booster Club member, emailing: polsonboosterclub@gmail.com or calling 406-250-3021.

Tuesday, March 4

Crack some crab, more

POLSON — The Mission Valley Elks Lodge will how their Traditional Crab Crack plus Shrimp event at 6 p.m. on March 4. There are limited tables for reservation. Please see the bartender for details and reservations.

Freezin’ for a reason

POLSON — Join your local law enforcement officers, Special Olympic athletes and volunteers to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Montana. Register at: https://bit.ly/

polson-plunge-reg Too chicken to plunge? You can still get in on the fun by signing up to help – go to: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040945ada82ca4f49-shiver#

Monday, March 6

Join Lake County Republican women

POLSON — Join the Lake County Republican Women’s meeting, with lunch served, at 11:30 a.m. with a meeting to follow at noon at the North Lake County Public Library.

Wednesday, March 8

Spring Job Fair held

POLSON — Job seekers and potential employers take note. The 2023 Lake County Job Fair will take place on Wednesday, March 8, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Red Lion Inn & Suites, 209 Ridgewater Drive. The event is open to the public and there is no fee for job seekers. Employer registration is required to participate. The registration fee is $25 and employers are encouraged to register early as space is limited. Register at: forms. office.com/g/H43rusFBAc or call 406-883-7882 for more information.

Meditation class offered ZOOM — Mission Mountain Zen is offering free online meditation classes on Wednesdays. from 6-7:30 p.m. For a Zoom link to the class call Zenku at 847-721-0665.

Get a job – earn college credits – make a difference!

Full time positions receive the health insurance benefit 12 months a year. Check out the available jobs and detailed job vacancy announcements on the SKC website – www.skc.edu/employment

SKC Extension Operations Manager (Part time - 12 months)

Salary Range: Bachelor’s degree - $20.17 - $23.56 per hour

Salary Range: Master’s degree - $20.73 - $24.12 per hour Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Journey to Wellness Community Outreach (Full time)

Salary Range: $16.54 - $17.40 DOEE per hour Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Outreach Coordinator (12 months - Full time)

Salary Range: $17.35 - $20.17 per hour Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Early Learning Center (ELC) Lead Toddler Teacher (9.5 months)

Salary: $22.48 - $23.22/hour DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Clinical Instructor/Clinical Resource Reg. Nurse Part Time Nursing Dept. (9-month term)

Salary: $35 per hour 14 hours per week Closing Date: Open Until Filled

SKC Bookstore Director (12 months - Full time)

Salary : $40,789 - $45,483 DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

SKC Early Learning Center Assistant (Full time - 10 months)

Salary Range: $15.17-$15.99/hr DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Custodian (Part time)

Salary Range: $13.21/hour Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Director of Academic Success

Salary: $44,310 - $45,656 DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

SKC Wildlife and Fisheries Department, Field and Lab Research Coordinator

Salary: $20.17 - $23.56 per hour DOEE Closing Date: January 27, 2023, 4:00 PM

Administrative Assistant – Natural Resources Division

Salary: $16.97 - $18.28/hr DOEE Closing Date: January 27, 2023, 4:00 PM

Upward Bound Instructor (12 months - Full Time with benefits)

Salary: $17.35 - $20.17/hr DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Climate Hub Program Director - Wildlife & Fisheries Department

Salary: $44,310 - $46,656 DOEE Closing Date: February 10, 2023, 4:00 PM

Health Promotion Practices - Department Chair (11-month position, July off)

Salary: $45,621 - $48,185 DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Salary: $75,000 - $85,000 DOEE Closing Date: March 3, 2023, 4:00 PM

General and Grants Accounting Assistant

Salary: $38,927 - $40,727 DOEE Closing Date: February 24, 2023, 4:00 PM

Assistant Director of Academic Success

Salary Range: $37,106 to $38,927 DOEE Closing Date: March 3, 2023, 4:00 PM

HVAC Maintenance Technician

Salary: $56,043-$63,083 DOEE per hour Closing Date: March 17, 2023, 4:00 PM

Bookstore Sales Clerk (12 months - Full time) $13.53 - $14.16 DOEE per hour Closing Date: March 9, 2023, 4:00 PM

Career Services Coordinator

Salary: $18.28 - $20.02 DOEE per hour Closing Date: March 17, 2023, 4:00 PM

The Liberal Arts Department is actively seeking master’s degree qualified adjuncts to teach communications, research, humanities, and grant writing courses. Any person seeking adjunct employment can contact Ashley Tryon at 406-275-4858.

To apply you must submit an SKC application, resume and applicable transcripts to Human Resources, P.O. Box 70, Pablo, MT 59855. Toll free 877.752.6553, ext. 4985 Direct Dial 406.275.4985/4977

Announcements

Special Notices

FREE high speed internet for those that qualify. Government program for recipients of select programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet service. Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay.

Free shipping & handling.

Call Maxsip Telecom today! 1-866-585-6456

Wanted

WANTED TO BUY

Guns and/or ammunition, old or new.

Whole estates/collections or single pieces.

Fair prices paid. 207-4641

Employment

Help wanted

Want to make a big difference for moms and babies in Montana? Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies-MT is hiring an Executive Director. Learn more at www.hmhb-mt.org

DIRECTOR OF TRIBAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE OFFICE PABLO, MT

The successful applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, resource management, or related field from an accredited university.

Five (5) years of management experience in an administrative/management capacity. (Experience must include full responsibility in supervision of technical or higher-level employees; full responsibility in work planning, productivity, and reporting of outcomes; and full responsibility for developing budgets for programs, projects, and activities.) A valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications: Five (5) years of management experience in an administrative/ management related function with at least a portion including work in a natural resource related field. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, completed supplemental background questionnaire, a copy of academic transcript, certifications, proof of state licensure, copy of valid driver’s license. If claiming Tribal Preference, proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted. FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. This position is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is negotiable. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040

or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes.org

The closing date will be Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. (MST) CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

Enviro-Tire is hiring for 1 CDL driver. This position is open immediately. No tire loading, drop and hook only. CDL Class A truck driver with doubles endorsement for Montana, Idaho and Washington day runs. Home every night. Work site is in Lonepine, Mt. Year-round, full-time position. Pay $25.00 per hour for experienced, qualified drivers. Mandatory DOT drug testing. Vacation & holiday pay. Office phone and fax (406) 755-7716. enviro-tire@ montanasky.com

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT - TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in an office/clerical related position required. Experience with confidential documents required. Must possess a valid driver’s license. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, a copy of academic transcript, certifications, proof of state licensure, copy of valid driver’s license. If claiming Tribal pref-

erence, proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted. FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. This position is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $15.24$17.52 per hour, plus benefits. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040 or personnel@cskt.org Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes. org. The closing date will be Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. (MST) CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

K-8 MONTANA CERTIFIED TEACHER Mountain View Elementary. Send resume: Mountain View Elementary, Box 1169, Cut Bank, MT 59427. Email questions JerryHofer73@gmail.com or call (404) 336-2638.

COMMUNITY HEALTH REPRESENTATIVE

1 OR MORE POSITIONS (ARLEE, RONAN/PABLO AREA) - TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must have high school diploma or equivalent. A minimum of 2-years’ experience working in the health care setting OR proof of a Certified Nursing Assistant course completion with a minimum of 1 year work as a nursing assistant. AND valid and unrestricted driver’s license. Heartsaver CPR or BLS within six months of hire. Completion of the IHS CHR course within 3 months. Experience with an electronic health record preferred. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, completed supplemental background questionnaire, a copy of academic transcript, certifications, proof of state licensure, copy of valid driver’s license, proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted.

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE

SCREENING PROCESS. This position is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $16.19$18.61 per hour, plus benefits. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040 or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes.org The closing date will be Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. (MST). CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT - PRO Co-op seeking fertilizer delivery truck drivers. Local delivery, Scobey and Plentywood areas this spring. Must have a CDL or be able to obtain before starting; ALSO — FULL-TIME tire truck operator at Opheim location. Full benefit package.

Contact Tanner Trower (406) 487-2612

FINANCIAL

DIVISION OF FIRE

PABLO, MT

The successful applicant must possess high school diploma (or equivalent) is required. Three (3) or more years or either education in an accounting field, or on-the job work experience in accounting.

Current Incident Qualifications as a Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC) and/or Equipment

Time Recorder (EQTR) is preferred but not required. Must possess and maintain a valid Montana state driver’s license for vehicle operation and be insurable under the Tribes’ insurance policy. This position is subject to Pre-Hire Drug Testing Condition of Hire requirements, under the CSKT Tribal Drug and Alcohol Policy. In order to function on Incident Management Teams, a current Incident Qualifications ‘Red” Card is required and must be updated annually, as well as annual physical examination,

SCHOLARSHIP

Let’s Celebrate all of Montana’s High School Seniors with a

We are giving away almost $40,000 in prizes and scholarships!

20-$1,000 Scholarships or Equipment and Tool Packages, 10-Laptops, 10-Tablets , 10 pairs of AirPods, and 25-$100 gift cards to Montana colleges.

as mandated by your fire position, must be completed.

All applicants are required to submit a Tribal application, copies of relevant transcripts and/or certificates, proof of a valid Montana driver’s license and current proof of insurance to the Tribal Personnel Department or call 406.675.2700 ext. 1040 or csktribes.org website for an application. Closing date Thursday, March 9, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and will be required to serve a six month probationary period. CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

TCC OFFICE MANAGER (ELMO) - TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must have an Associate’s Degree in a medical related field or 2 years of related experience and/or training. Must possess a valid driver’s license. All applicants must submit a

High School Seniors:

Tribal application, completed supplemental background questionnaire, a copy of academic transcript, certifications, proof of state licensure, copy of valid driver’s license. If claiming Tribal preference, proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted. FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. This position is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $16.20 -

$18.62 per hour, plus benefits. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040 or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes.org

The closing date will be Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. (MST) CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

HIRING WEATHERIZATION POSITIONS, program manager $20 - $28 DOE and weatherization crew member at $18 - $22/hour, full benefits.

Full job description at Lewistown Job Service or https://www.hrdc6.org/jobs

DENTAL ASSISTANT

1 YEAR TEMPORARY

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT –ST. IGNATIUS

The successful applicant must have a Certificate of Completion in a Dental Assistant

Training Program and/or an AA in a recognized Dental Assistant Training Program and/ or 3 years’ experience. Valid driver’s license. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, a copy of academic transcript, certifications, proof of state licensure, completed supplemental questionnaire, a copy of valid driver’s license. If claiming Tribal preference, proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted. FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION

DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. This position is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not

already employed by the Tribes must pass a prehire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $16.49 - $18.96 per hour. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040 or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes.org

The closing date will be Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. (MST) CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER. ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN DIVISION OF FIRE PABLO, MT

The successful applicant must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Three (3) or more years’ work experience in accounts payable or an equivalent position. Current qualifications as a Personnel

see page 23

public notices

Real Estate For Rent

Legals

Legals

Receipt Requested, to the Personal Representative, c/o TURNAGE MERCER & WALL, PLLP, Attorneys for the Personal Representative, at 312 1st St. E, Polson, MT 59860.

above-entitled estate, and that the address of the Personal Representative is set forth below.

Time Recorder (PTRC) and/ or Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR) is preferred but not required. Must maintain a valid Montana state driver’s license for vehicle operations. This position is subject to pre-hire drug testing, condition of hire requirements under the Tribal Drug and Alcohol Policy. In order to perform in fire suppression positions, a current red card must be updated and a medical standards physical examination must be completed, if needed. All applicants are required to submit a Tribal application, copies of relevant transcripts and/ or certificates, proof of a valid Montana driver’s license to the Tribal Personnel Department or call 406.675.2700 ext. 1040 or csktribes.org website for an application. Closing date

Thursday, March 9, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and will be required to serve a six month probationary period.

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

Multiple options to rent in the upstairs or downstairs of Mission Valley Physical Therapy. Call 883-6863 for more details.

Vehicles

Miscellaneous INVENTORY CLEARANCE SALE

Auto /Truck Starters and Alternators. 305 units, all remanufactured and tested for earlier vehicles, prior to 2000. Closing business. Selling off all rebuilt starters and alternators at 55% off retail. If your car or truck in 1997 or older, at this price you can afford to have a spare. Call Jerry at 406-207-4641.

John A. Mercer

Turnage Mercer & Wall, PLLP Attorneys at Law

312 1st St E Polson, MT 59860 Telephone: 406-883-5367 jmercer@turnagemercerwall.com

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: ARLENE B. TOMPKINS, Deceased.

Cause No.: DP-23-7 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the undersigned has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above-entitled estate, and that the address of the Personal Representative is set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent having claims against the decedent’s estate must present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice, or be forever barred as creditors of the decedent.

A written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and address of the claimant, and the amount claimed, may be filed with the Clerk of the District Court, at Polson, Lake County, Montana, or mailed, Return

/s/ Ted Tompkins

Ted Tompkins

Personal Representative

Estate of ARLENE B. TOMPKINS, Deceased.

Feb.15, 22, and Mar. 1, 2023 MNAXLP

Matthew H. O’Neill Skyler C. Bagley

O’NEILL & BAGLEY LAW OFFICE, PLLP 402 First Street East, Suite 201 P.O. Box 699 Polson, MT 59860

Telephone: (406) 883-5444

Facsimile: (406) 883-1585 matt@polsonlaw.com skyler@polsonlaw.com

Attorneys for Personal Representative

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HARVEY GENE DERBY, Deceased.

CAUSE No. DP-22-95 Hon. MOLLY OWEN NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the undersigned has been appointed as Personal Representative of the

All creditors of the decedent having claims against the decedent’s estate must present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice, or be forever barred as creditors of the decedent.

A written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and address of the claimant, and the amount claimed, may be filed with the Clerk of the 20th Judicial District Court, at 106 4th Ave. East, Polson, Montana 59860, or mailed, Return Receipt Requested, to the Personal Representative, c/o O’NEILL & BAGLEY LAW OFFICE, PLLP , Attorneys for the Personal Representative, at P.O. Box 699, Polson, MT 59860.

/s/ Debra Melvin DEBRA MELVIN

Personal Representative

Estate of Harvey Gene Derby, Deceased.

March 1, 8 and 15, 2023

MISSION VALLEY POWER CONSUMER COUNCIL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Superintendent of Flathead Agency is accepting letters of interest to serve on the Consumer Council for Mission Valley Power. The Consumer Council was created to provide power consumers with the opportunity to participate in the development of utility policy and to hear appeals and

complaints brought by consumers. The Consumer Council was established under the authority of PL93-638, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975.

There are five vacancies to be filled. The vacancies will be appointed as follows: two Lake County Representatives, one with a term ending on September 30, 2024 and one with the term ending on September 30, 2025; a Missoula County Representative and two members-at-large, all with terms ending on September 30, 2025. The present management contract requires that the Consumer Council be made up of at least one Tribal member therefore a Tribal member must fill one of these vacancies. All appointees must reside within Mission Valley Power’s service area. The BIA Flathead Agency Superintendent will make the appointment.

The Flathead Agency Superin- tendent will accept letters of interest up to the close of business on Friday, March 3, 2023.

Mail letters of interest to:

Cheryl Finley Flathead Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs PO Box 40 Pablo, MT 59855

For more information, contact Cheryl Finley at (406) 675-2700, extension 1300.

February 22 and March 1, 2023

MNAXLP