05-24-23 issue

Women 4 Wellness health fair returns

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

PABLO — The Women 4

Wellness event returned last Thursday to the Salish Kootenai College for the first time since the start of COVID-19 and saw great attendance from vendors and visitors alike.

With 83 tables set up in the Joe McDonald Health and Fit-

ness Center, the one-day event provided numerous free health screenings and educational tables from organizations like Lake County Public Health Department, Tribal Health, St. Luke Hospital and many more. The over 30 screenings available included bone density ultrasounds, immunizations, mental health services, breast exams, cervical

screenings, thyroid gland examinations, glucose screenings, chiropractic screenings, and vision screenings, all of which could be costly to have done elsewhere. Even businesses like Dillard’s attended to offer bra fittings, and a Tupperware representative spoke about healthy food options.

New to this year’s health event was the National Autoimmune

Organization that travelled from Clinton Township in Michigan to bring awareness to autoimmune conditions and provide educational materials, as well as resources for patient and caregiver support. Also new this year was Smiles Across Montana, which provides high quality dental services, education, and see page 2

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL

Vicki Fulwiler checked out the health fair for herself between time spent volunteering at the CASA information booth.

community outreach with a team of dentists and hygienists traveling throughout the state to offer preventative dental services.

“There’s lots of availability for a lot of good stuff in there,” volunteer Margaret Fanning said. “I think it’s a wonderful event for women, children, families … giving the community an opportunity to take care of themselves is wonderful.”

The health fair got its start around 2008, with the mission of helping women and men become involved in their health care and to help them take the steps necessary to live healthy lives by focusing on health education and disease prevention through collaboration with local hospitals, medical clinics, and CSKT tribal services throughout our Western Montana corridor. Coordinated by

the Center for Prevention and Wellness Director Kellie Hudson and Eleanor Vizcarra, they explained that volunteers from family practice physicians and specialists, nurse practitioners, medical students, and so many more are who make the event happen.

“We would not be able to offer this big health event without the generosity of the Salish

Kootenai College, sponsors in Lake County, and other Montana state services,” Vizcarra commented.

With the ability for anyone to walk in and get screenings at low or no cost and waiting a few minutes for some of the more popular booths, Women 4 Wellness became the annual checkup for many attendees. The fair had to be put on hold

due to COVID-19 in 2020, though SKC did what it could to continue to provide health screenings with smaller, outdoor health fairs in the years since. However, with a full return to form this year the turnout nearly reached pre-COVID numbers, indicating it had been well missed by the community.

“People have said they’re really glad that it’s back, especially after COVID,” Payton Dupuis shared. “It’s really nice to see the community come together, from Kalispell down to Missoula.”

“You know how many of the generations I’ve seen? Grandkids, mothers, grandmothers … So many people I haven’t seen for years (coming here), it’s super touching,” nurse Nich’e LaRocque commented. “I’ve spent most of my adult life away from here and so to see all the people that I haven’t seen for so long in together, it’s awesome.”

The Women 4 Wellness fair will return again next May. To learn more about the event, visit: https://w4w.skc.edu

TAYLOR DAVISON / VALLEY JOURNAL SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL Jessica Schallock with Fellowship Fitness talks to a health fair attendee about free fitness classes offered to the community.

TAYLOR DAVISON / VALLEY JOURNAL

TAYLOR DAVISON / VALLEY JOURNAL

This Week’s Weather Forecast

Conservation ............... 5 Housing ........................ 7 Chickenpox ................. 8 Valley View .................. 10 STEM mobile .............. 12 Births .......................... 18 Calendar .................... 20 Classifieds ................. 25 SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL

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2023 contact us

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Tester discusses issues impacting Montanans

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

MONTANA — Senator Jon Tester held a rural press phone call recently, opening up discussion about concerns such as the national debt, bank failures, and the continued influx of fentanyl into Montana communities.

Tester began by addressing “the elephant in the room,” the possibility of defaulting on the national debt. “I want to be perfectly clear – defaulting on our debt would crash our economy. And that is not an overstatement, that is a fact,” Tester stated. “It would make life harder for every single family, every single small business, every single family farm in Montana.”

The House has been discussing defaulting on the

national debt in recent days due to narrowly approving a bill to reduce deficits by $4.8 trillion over the next 10 years, including reclaiming unspent COVID funding, eliminating clean energy tax credits, and reversing the student debt forgiveness and repayment plan.

“The debt ceiling is simply about money that’s already been spent,” Tester said. “Money that’s already been appropriated, bills that have already been approved, and it’s no different than if you default on your car loan, or your house loan, or your credit card bill. Things get much more complicated financially and the same thing would happen to the country overall if we were to default.”

Moving on in the discussion, Tester addressed recent

bank failures. As a member of the Senate Banking Committee, Tester said he’s been working to hold regulators and bank executives accountable. The recent bank failure of Silicon Valley Bank has been the largest bank failure since Washington Mutual in 2008.

Former Silicon Valley Bank CEO Greg Becker was interrogated by the senate committee recently, and regulators are being pressured to claw back executive bonuses to individuals like Martin Gruenberg, Chairman of the FDIC Board of Directors.

“It is clear that this was a case of gross mismanagement, not only by the CEO, but by their Board of Directors,” Tester stated.

The conversation then moved on to the issue of fen-

tanyl, the influx of which has impacted numerous families throughout Montana. Part of the new FEND OFF Fentanyl Act, to declare fentanyl a national emergency, Tester said the goal is to give both law enforcement and the Department of Treasury additional tools to pursue both Mexican drug cartels that traffic the drug and Chinese criminal organizations that provide the precursor elements of fentanyl.

Tester who was part of the two-year extension of Title 42 provisions, which were initially put in place as a matter of public health due to COVID-19, despite the government largely considering the pandemic to be over. When asked about the purpose of the legislation,

Tester stated the extension was simply to give the administration another tool to deal with immigration. He also acknowledged that the influx of fentanyl is not directly related to migration traffic.

“(Drug traffickers) are crooked businessmen, but they’re businessmen, nonetheless. These drugs aren’t coming across in backpacks, they’re coming across in trucks and cars at our ports of entry,” Tester commented. “That’s why it’s really important that we get the technology where we can scan these folks coming through. The different issue is illegal immigration. They both deal with a single issue, border security … We need a good immigration policy and we don’t have it right now.”

$500M Available for USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program

News from USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service

WASHINGTON — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service today announced the availability of $500 million in funding to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP leverages a voluntary approach to conservation that expands the reach of conservation efforts and climate-smart agriculture through public-private partnerships. Increased funding for fiscal year 2023 is

made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, and this year’s funding opportunity reflects a concerted effort to streamline and simplify the program.

The application period is now open for RCPP Classic and RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA).

RCPP Classic projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities, in collaboration with project partners. Through RCPP AFA, the lead partner must work directly with agricultural producers to support the development of new conservation structures and

approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic.

Today’s RCPP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) showcases a number of program improvements including the increase of project funding ceilings, the simplification of financial assistance and technical assistance structures, a stronger emphasis on locally led conservation, and easement deed flexibilities.

Up to $500 million will be available through the RCPP for fiscal year 2023, of which up to $50 million will prioritize AFAs with Indian Tribes. Projects selected under

this NOFO may be awarded funding through either the Inflation Reduction Act or Farm Bill 2018. Applications for RCPP climate-related projects will receive priority consideration for Inflation Reduction Act funding. The 2023 RCPP priorities are climate-smart agriculture, urban agriculture and projects and, as a Justice40 covered program, projects that serve underserved farmers and ranchers.

NRCS will accept applications now through Aug. 18, 2023, via the RCPP portal. Please note that to request access to the portal, you must

have a level 2 verified eAuthentication account with USDA. This can be obtained by following the instructions on the USDA eAuthentication page.

Webinar for interested applicants:

NRCS encourages interested applicants to participate in upcoming webinars that will provide general information about this funding announcement. The webinars will take place on May 24 and June 7, from 2-3:30 p.m. ET. Join via this links posted on the RCPP How to Apply website. Additional webinars may be announced as needed.

Judge blocks enforcement of 15-week abortion restriction

The recently signed law was in effect for almost 48 hours.

News from Mara Silvers Montana Free Press

HELENA — A Helena district court judge on Thursday blocked Montana from enforcing a new law that bans the most common abortion procedure after roughly 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The Republican-sponsored House Bill 721 was signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte Tuesday and took effect immediately — a feature not included in the abortion restrictions passed in 2021 that were eventually enjoined while litigation continues.

Planned Parenthood of Montana, one of the abortion providers affected by the new law, filed a motion for a temporary restraining order about two hours after the governor’s office announced he had signed the bill. It was the group’s second attempt to block the law — the first motion, filed in April after the bill passed both chambers of the Legislature but before it was signed by the governor — was denied by a district court judge for being premature.

The judge now presiding over the case, District Court Judge Mike Menahan, did not approve the motion for a temporary restraining order until just after 8:30 a.m. Thursday. That delay left the law in place for almost 48 hours despite Montana’s long-standing constitutional protections for pre-viability abortion, a legal precedent reaffirmed by the state Supreme Court last week.

Planned Parenthood of Montana and Blue Mountain Clinic, an abortion provider in Missoula, told Montana Free Press that the law did not disrupt patient services while it was in effect, but only by coincidence — neither clinic had patients scheduled for the temporarily banned dilation and evacuation procedures this week.

Martha Fuller, CEO and president of the state’s Planned Parenthood affiliate, heralded Menahan’s decision in a Thursday statement.

“Every day Montanans are waking up to new restrictions on their bodily autonomy, confused about what care they can and cannot access in their own communities. As the Legislature and Governor continue to enact unconstitutional laws, Planned Parenthood of Montana remains committed to challenging them in court,” Fuller said. “We’re glad the district court has once again recognized the grave harm these anti-abortion laws will have on people seeking basic health care and stepped in to grant this much-needed relief.”

The new law tasks Attorney General Austin Knudsen with enforcing the restrictions on dilation and evacuation procedures. HB 721 allows for some exemptions for patients with an ectopic pregnancy or life-threatening health complication but threatens providers who violate the law with a felony punishable by a $50,000 fine and between five and 10 years in prison.

Attorney general press secretary Emily Flower said in a statement Tuesday that the state opposed the temporary restraining order for what their office called “Montana’s Dismember-

ment Law.” Flower also denied that HB 721 bans abortion outright, instead saying it limits only a specific procedure.

Attorneys for the state expanded on that argument in a legal brief filed Wednesday and proposed that patients could still terminate pre-viable pregnancies through inducing labor or having a doctor inject a lethal dose of medication to ensure fetal demise before a dilation and evacuation procedure. The filing said HB 721 should remain in effect because of the harm the banned procedures would allegedly cause to fetuses, pregnant patients and society in general.

“The State has determined that this ‘brutal and inhumane procedure’ will ‘coarsen society to … vulnerable and innocent human life,’ and the Montana Constitution permits the State to prohibit the procedure in light of this judgment,” attorneys wrote, quoting a 2007 federal court case. “[T]he Dismemberment Law does not prevent a single woman from having an abortion. Instead, it prohibits a barbaric procedure that causes grievous pain to the unborn child and has substantial health risks for the mother.”

Medical providers in Montana who can provide dilation and evacuation procedures in hospital settings for pregnancy complications would have likely been impacted by the new law if it had remained in effect.

Dr. Sarah Prager, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington who tracks abortion restrictions nationwide, said recent studies have confirmed that abortion restrictions of any sort make patients less safe and increase risks

of maternal mortality. She said the use of inflammatory language such as “dismemberment” and references to patient safety in HB 721 and the state’s legal filings are an effort to distract from the main goal of abortion bans.

“This does not have anything to do with protecting pregnant people. Nor does it have anything to do with protecting embryos or fetuses. And they can use words that make it sound like abortion is barbaric because that is inflammatory and that’s what they’re aiming for, but abortion is health saving for pregnant people. Period. It decreases risk,” Prager said.

Dr. Timothy Mitchell, a maternal fetal medicine specialist in Missoula, said HB 721 would increase complications for his practice when dealing with highrisk pregnancies and hamstring other providers in similar situations. The judge’s decision to temporarily block enforcement of the law, he said, brought him a “much-needed sense of relief” while litigation continues.

“As an obstetrician and maternal-fetal medicine physician, it is my utmost priority to offer comprehensive evidence-based care options when assisting someone facing pregnancy complications. Regrettably, HB 721 limits my ability to do so, leaving me with no choice but to either refer patients out of state or provide care that may entail higher risks,” Mitchell said. “The distressing consequences of similar laws are evident in Idaho, where patients and the obstetrical community are already suffering greatly.”

The Montana Hospital Association and Montana Medical Association declined to com-

ment on the law Wednesday.

A hearing in the case over HB 721 is slated for Tuesday, May 23, in Helena, according to Menahan’s Thursday order. The judge will also consider challenges to other new abortion restrictions on that day, including a ban on abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy that requires an ultrasound before any procedure as well as a state administrative rule restricting how Medicaid funds can be used to cover the cost of medically necessary abortions.

Polson seeks funds for Fourth of July celebration

News from the Polson Chamber of Commerce

POLSON — The Polson Chamber of Commerce is helping to raise funds for the 2023 Fireworks Show and Parade, and we need your help! You will have several opportunities to contribute financially in the weeks leading up to the big event.

The Polson Chamber of Commerce is consistently humbled each year by the overwhelming financial support from the community to ensure that our Fourth of July celebration never has to compromise on quality. Thanks to this community’s unwavering year-over-year commitment, Polson has become a celebrated hotspot to recognize our nation’s Independence Day- and more than ever, we need your help to continue that legacy.

To donate to the fireworks fund, go online or pay by check to the Polson Chamber Fireworks Fund, Polson Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 667, Polson, MT 59860.

Governor promotes housing agenda

News from the office of Governor Gianforte

BOZEMAN — Addressing policymakers at the Western Governors’ Association’s Western Prosperity Roundtable Forum, Governor Greg Gianforte today promoted pro-housing reforms adopted in Montana and championed them as a catalyst for prosperity and increased opportunity.

“The American dream is centered on certain fundamental ideals: earning a good living, raising a family, being a part of a community, retiring comfortably. Owning a home is also foundational to the American dream,” Gov. Gianforte said in remarks to attendees. “A lot of ink has been spilled about how the American dream is dying. I reject that entirely. The American dream is alive and well, and we’ll keep working to ensure more Montanans can realize it.”

Gov. Gianforte continued, “When it comes down to it, the health and wellbeing of our families, our communities, our businesses, and our economy rely on access to affordable, attainable housing. Hardworking Montanans, like teachers, firefighters, and police officers, should be able to live in the communities where they work. They should be part of the fabric of the community where they work. That’s a central tenet of the Ameri-

can dream.”

The governor described how he launched the diverse, bipartisan Housing Task Force in July 2022. He detailed how the task force explored the underlying issues of the state’s housing shortage and provided solutions to increase the supply of housing to make it more affordable and attainable. The recommendations provided a roadmap for lawmakers ahead of the 2023 legislative session.

Gov. Gianforte shared what his administration has accomplished in the last year, including overhauling housing mandates and zoning regulations, encouraging the development of denser housing, streamlining subdivision reviews, and investing in building a more skilled workforce.

“Now is the time for bold, transformational pro-housing reform. Addressing the crisis of a housing supply shortage is a priority for Montanans,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Coming together, we’ve delivered the most meaningful pro-housing reforms in state history.”

“Working together, we’ve taken a series of steps to increase the supply of housing and make it more affordable and accessible. There is no question there is more we must do,” the governor cautioned.

“And I firmly believe other states can do the same – bring people to-

gether, build consensus, and be transformational to make housing more affordable and attainable. Because ultimately, we must remain focused on expanding opportunities so more folks achieve the American dream, including homeownership,” the governor concluded.

After the governor’s remarks, he led a roundtable discussion on state strategies for housing development. Two members of the governor’s Housing Task Force were part of the panel: Chris Dorrington, director of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and task force chair, and Emily Hamilton, senior research fellow and director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center.

“It is great to join the governor and other key leaders from across the West to share thoughtful approaches to the housing crisis, many of those we put to action through the governor’s Housing Task Force,” Dir. Dorrington said.

“The governor’s leadership in creating the Housing Task Force was essential for Montana to address this crisis. Under the direction of Director Dorrington, we brought together many voices on a wide variety housing perspectives and acted with urgency to help the state; most of which came through in legislation this session,” Hamilton said.

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

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 Early Learning Center Assistant (Full time - 10 months)

Salary Range: $15.17-$15.99/hr DOEE

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Director of Academic Success

Salary: $44,310 - $45,656 DOEE

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Salary: $75,000 - $85,000 DOEE

Closing Date Extended to: April 28, 2023, 4:00 PM

SKC Loan Officer / Financial Aid Assistant (12 months)

Salary Range: $17.84 - $18.72 per hour DOEE

Closing Date Extended to: May 19, 2023, 4:00 PM

Early Learning Center (ELC) Lead Toddler Teacher (9.5 months) $22.48 - $23.22 per hour DOEE

Closing Date: May 5, 2023

Custodian Part-time

Salary Range: $13.21 per hour

Closing Date: Until Filled

The Liberal Arts Department is actively seeking adjuncts to teach communications, research writing, humanities, and grant writing courses. Must possess a master’s degree in English, liberal arts field of study, or education. A bachelor’s degree in English, liberal arts field of study, or education with closely related master’s degree will be considered.

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

Chickenpox cases on the rise in youth

Most cases related to shingles exposure, health officials encourage chickenpox vaccination

News from DPHHS

MONTANA — Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials are reporting a recent increase in the number of cases of chickenpox reported in school-aged children.

And, at least half of these infections were acquired from an adult family member with shingles. Chickenpox, or varicella, can be a serious illness and is easily preventable with

vaccination.

“The best way to protect yourself and your child from chickenpox is vaccination,” says Jessica Lopeman, a registered nurse and epidemiologist with DPHHS.

In 2022, there were 23 reported cases of chickenpox in Montana. Cases ranged in individuals from age 1 to over 65. One infant and one young adult required hospitalization.

Early numbers from 2023 show 18 reported cases of chickenpox with no known hospitalizations. Only six cases were reported during the same period last year, which is a 200% increase in cases year-todate. Shingles is not a reportable condition; therefore, there

is no data on the number of cases last year in Montana. Shingles is a reactivation of the varicella virus, the virus that causes chickenpox. It occurs in 1 of 3 persons who have had chickenpox in their lifetime. Shingles has a rash that presents as red bumps and blisters, usually in a narrow area on one side of the body. This rash may be itchy or painful and is contagious until it has scabbed over completely and can be transmitted by direct contact.

However, the virus is almost exclusively transmitted to people who are not vaccinated for chickenpox or have never had it in the past.

Transmission of the virus

may be prevented by covering the shingles rash to prevent contact. The incidence of shingles increases with age, and vaccination against shingles is recommended for persons 50 years and older.

Chickenpox is an illness with a rash and a fever. Like shingles, chicken pox is also caused by the varicella virus. The rash usually appears 14 to 16 days following exposure to the varicella virus but can be as early as 10 days or as long as 21 days.

It is highly contagious to those who are not immune, especially those who have not been vaccinated with two doses of chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox can also be serious, even

100,000 acres of public land unlocked for public access

RYEGATE — Providing public access to over 100,000 acres of public land, Governor Greg Gianforte today celebrated the grand opening of the Big Snowy Mountains Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to Montanans.

The Big Snowy Mountains WMA opened for the first time today after the Montana Land Board, chaired by Gov. Gianforte, approved the purchase of a 5,677-acre ranch in Golden Valley County last fall.

The state purchased the property from Shodair Children’s Hospital (SCH), who acquired the ranch by dona-

tion from Forrest R. Allen, a World War II veteran, philanthropist, conservationist, and farmer.

Joining the governor at the grand opening today, Craig Aasved, CEO of SCH said, “I can’t say thank you enough to all the partners involved in this project. I grew up in the Snowy Mountains on the other side, so to be a part of this is a legacy I’ll cherish forever.”

After acquiring the property, SCH partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) to identify a conservation outcome for the property.

With strong support from Gov. Gianforte, RMEF, and sportsmen and sportswomen across Montana, SCH sold the

land to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in late 2022.

“Only once in a while do days like this happen. Today is historic and epic and it wouldn’t have happened without the leadership of Governor Gianforte,” said Mike Mueller, senior lands program manager for RMEF. “This is really important today – conserving open spaces and promoting recreation.”

As part of the purchase agreement, the governor proposed a covenant to the vesting deed for the property requiring the state keep the land available for cattle grazing.

“We have a vested interest in seeing land conserved for wildlife habitat while also keeping ranchers on

life-threatening, especially in babies, adolescents, adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. The vaccine is excellent at preventing chickenpox by providing 98.3% effectiveness.

“With the recent rise in cases related to shingles exposures, DPHHS is reminding parents and grandparents that shingles can cause chickenpox in unvaccinated persons who have not previously had the virus,” Lopeman said. “It’s important that children are up to date on vaccines, including the chickenpox vaccine, and if someone does develop shingles, keep the shingles rash covered to prevent exposure and transmission of the varicella virus.”

the landscape. This project accomplishes both, and it’s something to be proud of,” the governor said.

Currently under a cattle-grazing lease, the property is entirely native mountain/ foothill and prairie grassland habitats with no farmed or crop land. It provides excellent habitat and access to the Big Snowy’s elk herd, as well as habitat for black bear, mule deer, pronghorn, and at least 22 animals listed as species of concern.

The region also has significance to several tribes in Montana. Representatives of the Crow Tribe, Blackfeet Nation, and Little Shell Tribe attended the grand opening today.

Clancy Sivertsen with the Little Shell Tribe said, “This is a big, big deal. Our people lived in this country and they used everything to make their tools, clothing, the whole works for the culture.

This is huge not only for the Little Shell people, but all the people in Montana to have this available. Thank you from the Little Shell.”

Increasing public access to public lands is a top priority for Gov. Gianforte. Since the governor took office, Montanans gained access to a new WMA in the Big Snowy Mountains, a new WMA at Bad Rock Canyon, an expanded WMA at Mount Haggin, and a new state park at Somers Beach.

News from the office of Governor Gianforte

What exactly does Montana’s new obscenity law do?

News from Alex Sakariassen / Montana Free Press

HELENA — Last week, Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a bill that was among the most talked about and contentious of the 2023 session: Montana’s “obscenity bill.” And while the proposal underwent substantial changes to address the concerns of teachers and librarians, there’s a persistent confusion about what the new law actually does.

House Bill 234 began as an effort by Rep. Bob Phalen, R-Lindsay, to crack down on the availability of obscene material to minors. The resulting debate featured members of the self-styled parental rights movement decrying the perceived inappropriate nature of books increasingly under fire nationally. Opposing the bill, a string of public educators and librarians expressed concerns that HB 234 would undermine locally adopted policies related to graphic materials and potentially expose them to criminal charges. As of May 3, the Legislative Services Division had logged 866 public messages in favor of the bill and 1,629 against.

According to Montana School Boards Association Executive Director Lance Melton, part of the problem early on was the section of state obscenity law that HB 234 sought to revise. That section deals specifically with newsstands and other businesses, barring them from displaying sexually explicit material in front of people under 18 and outlining criminal penalties for doing so. HB 234 initially sought to remove decades-old language stipulating that schools, libraries and museums

are not considered commercial establishments.

“The bill started out with so much hot rhetoric around it that it was very difficult to try to work on anything that would solve or reconcile the sort of illogical way the law read to begin with,” Melton told Montana Free Press.

But by the time it reached the Senate floor in April, HB 234 was notably different and, in the words of early critics, largely benign. Sen. Dan Salomon, R-Ronan, carried an amendment clarifying that the public display of obscene material by commercial outlets is a separate and distinct offense from the general dissemination of obscenity to minors — a prohibition that applies to all Montanans, teachers and librarians included. Salomon’s amendment also granted cities, counties and schools the ability to adopt local obscenity policies of their own.

“When it comes down to it, we didn’t really change the law in the sense of, if people have an issue, what constitutes the process that they should go through,” Salomon, who chaired the Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee, told MTFP this week. “Especially if the issue is with a public library or school,

there is a policy in place within that school and within that public library that will deal with that, that explains how the process works. If somebody has an issue with a book and they want it to be reviewed, there is a process for it to be reviewed.”

State Superintendent Elsie Artnzen — an early supporter of HB 234 — told MTFP in an interview Wednesday that Salomon’s amendments made the bill “more structurally sound,” and could fuel additional conversations about library and classroom content in the future.

While some initial critics remain troubled by the criticism leveled against educators and specific nationally targeted books during the debate, Melton and other public education advocates agree the final iteration of HB 234 that became law changes very little in a practical sense. Melton noted that most school districts already have their own local policies to deal with potentially objectionable materials.

“The changes in (the) Senate education (committee) turned this bill into what it should have been to begin with,” Melton said, “which is a clean-up bill clarifying what laws apply to what circumstances.”

valley views When the human gets sick

You don’t appreciate your health - until it’s gone.

Gosh this is true, and I’ve learned it the hard way a few times in my life - the most recently last Tuesday.

I woke up in the middle of the night, sweating (never a good sign). My body ached and I didn’t know it yet, but the headache that was to come was going to be a doozy. I tried to continue sleeping, but you know how that goes with body aches, which were soon accompanied by a fever - as my body fluctuated between hot and cold sweats, like only sickness will do to you.

In the morning, I grabbed a pillow and headed for the couch. I could hardly move. I drifted in and out of sleep.

Until my body aches pulled me back to reality.

My joints shouted in unison, “We hurt! Roll over already!”

While my throbbing head, which threatened to implode the core of my cortex, merely whispered, “Move a muscle and you will die.”

And then my stomach jumped in, in a churning manner. Even water sounded vomit-inducing.

In short, I was afraid to eat, drink or move.

But enough about me.

the attention she usually warrants.

Slices of Life

Jill Pertler Syndicated columnist

Normally when I go to bed, she paroles the house for I don’t know how long. I guess however long a cat paroles a house. But on that night, she followed me right into the bedroom, and couldn’t snuggle close enough.

breath and skin reflected that. I guess it did, because somewhere around 6 a.m. she rolled up in her proverbial cat bundle and surrendered to a sound sleep. Her grunts and peeps gave proof to this and I understood that she understood that I was on the mend.

have language and all, not to mention money, toilets and cable news.

But what do we really know - really?

Let’s defer to the Titanic. It’s probably just the tip of the iceberg - our knowledge about animals and our beloved pets.

In fact, I know it. Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

LETTER POLICY

Midway into the evening (because I was dozing all day) I noticed my cat, sitting still, beside me - just staring. She’d been there all day. She didn’t meow. She didn’t do anything - other than try to shimmy up next to me. She stayed on alert while I slept, although because of my aches I didn’t pay her

I woke up during the middle of the night and she was still there. When I woke again in the wee hours of the morning, she was still beside me, looking at me with her green/ yellow eyes. She wanted to smell my breath and my skin and when doing so attempted to lick both. Not a common cat behavior.

By this time, I was starting to feel a bit better - and hopefully my

Tax cheats and the debt dilemma

Americans have always commonly agreed that taxes are the price of a civilized society. Only relatively recently has the idea that “taxation is theft” been seriously suggested in the public discourse.

People who claim not to believe in government use that belief as justi-

fication to not pay taxes to support it. While tax protesters make up a small minority, few taxpayers probably see supporting government services as a patriotic duty.

believe they are getting their money’s worth.

Legislative Notes

Bob Brown Former MT Secretary of State and State Senate President

“Government waste” is practically a proverb, and people need little convincing to believe examples of it.

This got me to thinking. Do animals worry? Do they experience loss and grief?

When my husband was sick, she was his constant companion - even before we knew he was ill. I think she understood the situation well before any of us humans in the house did. She probably smelled it. Maybe on his breath, or on the sweat on his skin. I wonder how much she remembers about that?

I think oftentimes we sell animals short. We think as humans we are so much further evolved. We

They are far more in tune to their senses and instincts and perhaps - no, likely - that puts them ahead of us on numerous fronts.

I wish my kitty could talk. I wish she could tell me what she knowswhat she really knows.

We haven’t figured out how to do that. How to talk to one another. But we do communicate. She sniffs me. I pet her. She licks me. I kiss her. She purrs. We snuggle. I tell her I love her and in-between purrs, I’m pretty sure she’s telling me the same.

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.

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.

Part of the reason for this is that many don’t

In fact, the American government has almost

always spent more than it has taken in, and it has customarily issued bonds to cover its debts. Over the last century the government has sought to keep tabs on its debt by establishing periodic limits on borrowing. Once limits are reached, new limits must be established so the country can pay

off the last round of borrowing.

Since raising the debt ceiling has been routine, the great strength of our economy has been the assurance of our government’s “full faith and credit.” Investing in American debt has always been the safest way

see page 11

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.

from page 11

of saving. It has also enabled our government to spend beyond its means, and therefore provide us with services and benefits beyond our money’s worth.

Now the incremental limits on short-term deficits have created a national debt of staggering proportions. At well over $30 trillion, it is widely described as unsustainable. But our people have become accustomed to deficit spending and feel entitled to the level of benefits such spending provides. However, our economy’s capacity to pay off the accumulated national debt by a billion here and a billion there, is like trying to empty a horse trough with a coffee cup. So, our leaders have simply tried to keep up with the interest obligations, and that is where we find ourselves today, confronting a borrowing limit that now must be addressed in less than a month when the government won’t be able to pay its bills.

The Republicans say government is too large, and they won’t continue to pay for it by raising taxes on the wealthy as President Biden proposes. The Democrats say they won’t cut the publicly funded programs that the people have become dependent on. But the numbers don’t lie, and posturing politicians can’t hold back time.

It’s been suggested that the President has a Constitutional duty to

implement the laws that are passed by Congress and that any “limit” to prevent him from doing so is unconstitutional. That could be a matter for the courts to decide, but nowhere does the Constitution give the unelected judicial branch of government the power to determine the budget.

What is indisputable is that there is currently a national debt totaling more than any generation alive today can pay. Neither is the fact that fully 99% of Americans who earn a salary follow the law and pay their taxes.

By contrast, some of the wealthiest Americans, whose investment earnings are harder to track, can afford lawyers and accountants to help them dodge their taxes. This is why we hear of billionaires who pay little or no income tax. According to five former IRS Commissioners, Republicans and Democrats, “Uncollected taxes today equal the total taxes paid by the lower 90% of individual taxpayers.” That this has been allowed to happen in a government of laws is an outrage.

While the blame game will continue on, the self-preservation instinct will motivate Democrat and Republican negotiators to come up with a temporary face saving agreement for both. Ultimately though, any legitimate long-term debt solution will require bringing the tax cheats to justice.

Bob Brown is a former MT Secretary of State and State Senate President.

Raffle helps nonprofit music school fund music education

North Valley Music School launches raffle to win a pair of 3-day passes to Under the Big Sky music festival.

News from North Valley Music School

WHITEFISH — North Valley Music School has launched an online charitable raffle to benefit music education, appreciation, and performance efforts in Montana.

The raffle prize is a pair of 3-day passes to the popular Under the Big Sky music festival, a $700 value.

Under the Big Sky is a music festival in Whitefish, Montana, featuring performers

such as Hank Williams Jr., Elle King, The Dead South, and Leanne Rimes. There are more than 30 musical acts lined up for the 2023 festival, which in recent years has drawn tens of thousands of attendees.

The 2023 UTBS festival is scheduled for July 14 through July 16 at Big Mountain Ranch and the highly sought-after tickets are currently sold out. The 3-day passes were donated by Outriders Present and raffle tickets can be purchased by visiting: https://bit.ly/ NVMSUTBS2023

North Valley Music School is Montana’s only nonprofit community music

school and is currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary. Funds raised will support operating costs to provide private lessons, group classes, summer camps, and outreach events to share the life-changing power of music.

Raffle tickets are $50 each and only 200 tickets are available. Raffle closes on July 5, 2023, at 11:00 pm EST. Winner will be drawn and contacted on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Tickets are transferable and make great gifts.

For more information, visit www. northvalleymusicschool.org or call NVMS at 406-8628074.

TikTok ban gets signed into law

News from Eric Dietrich Montana Free Press

HELENA — Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Wednesday that he had signed a bill banning Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok over concerns its data-sharing practices jeopardize user privacy and national security.

The ban, which the governor’s office said was the first of its kind in the nation, is set to take effect Jan. 1, 2024, unless it is blocked in court.

“The Chinese Communist Party using TikTok to spy on Americans, violate their privacy, and collect their personal, private, and sensitive information is well-documented,” Gianforte said in a statement. “Today, Montana takes the most decisive action of any state to protect Montanans’ private data and sensitive personal information

from being harvested by the Chinese Communist Party.”

The company, owned by ByteDance, and the American Civil Liberties Union have said they intend to challenge the law, Senate Bill 419, as a violation of constitutionally protected free speech.

“With this ban, Governor Gianforte and the Montana legislature have trampled on the free speech of hundreds of thousands of Montanans who use the app to express themselves, gather information, and run their small business in the name of anti-Chinese sentiment,” ACLU of Montana Policy Director Keegan Medrano said in a statement.

A TikTok representative also criticized the law in a statement Wednesday.

“Governor Gianforte has signed a bill that infringes on the First Amendment rights of the

people of Montana by unlawfully banning TikTok, a platform that empowers hundreds of thousands of people across the state,” said TikTok spokesperson Brooke Oberwetter. “We want to reassure Montanans that they can continue using TikTok to express themselves, earn a living, and find community as we continue working to defend the rights of our users inside and outside of Montana.”

The law will bar ByteDance from allowing “the operation of tiktok by the company or users” inside Montana’s “territorial jurisdiction” as long as the platform is owned by a company based in China or another country designated a “foreign adversary” by the federal government.

The law will also make it illegal for companies like Apple and Google to let their users download the platform’s app from their respective app stores.

It does not include provisions that would allow the state to prosecute individual Montanans for circumventing the ban.

The law will be enforced by the Montana Department of Justice, which has the power to levy fines of up to $10,000 a day for violations.

Gianforte, a Republican, had previously signaled he would sign the bill in an email exchange where his office suggested amendments that would have expanded the bill’s scope to to apply to all social media platforms that allow users’ personal data to be provided to nations the federal government designates as “foreign adversaries.” Those revisions were nearly identical to an amendment brought by Democrats while the bill was debated on the House floor, where they were resisted by Republican supporters of the ban who argued the changes

would make the bill “unworkable.”

The governor also issued a memo Wednesday directing state agencies to ban the use of other China- and Russia-based social media apps on state devices and networks. That ban, effective June 1, will cover ByteDance apps CapCut and Lemon8 in addition to TikTok, as well as Tencent’s WeChat, Pinduoduo’s Temu and Russia-based Telegram Messenger.

“One of government’s chief responsibilities is to keep its citizens – and their personal, private, sensitive information and data – safe and secure,” Gianforte wrote in that memo. “Foreign adversaries’ collection and use of Montanans’ personal information and data from social media applications infringe on Montanans’ constitutionally guaranteed individual right to privacy.”

First Lady Susan celebrates launch of Mobile STEM Learning Center

BILLINGS — Advancing

her initiatives as Montana’s first lady, Susan Gianforte today joined Spectrum and Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming (GSMW) to cut the ribbon on the GSMW Mobile STEM Learning Center.

“Students who engage in STEM learn how to solve problems, become more confident, and discover doors to greater opportunities,” First Lady Susan Gianforte said. “I appreciate Spectrum and the Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming for partnering to bring STEM opportunities to Montana girls no matter where they live or go to

school.”

During the ceremony, First Lady Gianforte presented GSMW with a $15,000 digital education grant from Spectrum, increasing access to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

As part of Spectrum’s sixyear, $8 million commitment to digital education in Spectrum communities across the country, the grant helps fund the GSMW Mobile STEM Learning Center.

“As one of the largest internet providers in the U.S., Spectrum is committed to supporting local initiatives like

Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming that promote digital literacy and inclusion, and help to educate community members about the value of adopting broadband in their lives so they can succeed in today’s connected society,” said Rahman Khan, Vice President of Community Impact for Charter Communications. “Thank you to First Lady Gianforte for your partnership and support as we strive to increase access to digital education.”

The new GSMW Mobile STEM Learning Center increases access to STEM education, providing underserved girls with empowering, hands-

on STEM learning opportunities in their communities.

Promoting and expanding access to STEM education, particularly for girls and stu-

dents in our rural communities, and boosting literacy to empower more Montana children are the first lady’s chief initiatives.

Carroll College confers degrees to locals

News from Carroll College

HELENA — On Saturday, May 13, Carroll College conferred degrees on 313 graduates of the class of 2023 during its 113th commencement ceremony held in Nelson Stadium.

Below is a list of local Montana students who were candidates for graduation from Carroll College for 2023. To be eligible for graduation honors, a Carroll student must complete 60 hours of coursework at Carroll and graduate with a cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.50. The three levels of honors are cum laude (3.50-3.69), magna cum laude (3.70-3.89), and summa cum laude (3.90-4.0). To be eligible for graduation with distinction, a Carroll student must complete 60 hours of coursework at Carroll, complete the senior thesis with a grade of “B” (3.0) or higher, and graduate with a cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.25.

Arlee — Natalie Marie Yocum, Environmental Science

Taylor Ross Named to SNHU President’s List

News from Southern New Hampshire University

Locals named to RMC’s Dean’s List

Bigfork — Rakiah Leigh Grende, Computer Science, Cum Laude

Plains — Natalee Lynn Deschamps, Chemistry

Polson — Robin M. Erickson, Health Sciences, Cum Laude

MANCHESTER, NH — Taylor Ross of Polson has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Winter 2023 President’s List. The winter terms run from January to May. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

News from RMC BILLINGS — Rocky Mountain College is pleased to announce the undergraduate honor rolls for the 2023 spring semester. The Dean’s List includes the students who earned a grade point average of 3.60 to 3.99 for the semester. High Honors students who maintained a 4.0 GPA will be noted with an asterisk (*).

Bigfork- Beau Santistevan and Isabella Sloan

Charlo- Shyanne Reum* Plains- Coyle Nagy*

Well Child Checks are important throughout childhood, even when your child is healthy. St. Luke incorporates sports physicals into Well Child Checks, allowing students and student athletes a comprehensive visit each year with their trusted primary care doctor.

Well Child Checks are typically covered 100% by insurance

Improving health is important, which is why your child's physician will also focus on:

Development Milestones

Immunizations

Age-Related Health Concerns

Depression & Mental Health Screening

If your student completes a Well Child Check with a Sports Physical, St. Luke will donate $25 to their school's athletic booster club!

Musician co-op brings in musician to teach songwriting

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

RONAN — The Western Montana Musician’s Co-op had their fourth songwriting workshop on Saturday, part of their SongMT series open to all.

The songwriting workshops are open to all and invite those curious about learning to write songs to come and collaborate with a special guest musician and other participants. This workshop’s special guest was Eliza Mary Doyle, an award-winning banjo player from Saskatchewan, Canada.

“We’ve had some really great songwriters come and teach our previous workshops,” the Coop’s Charlie Davis commented. “We feel pretty pleased that our little musician’s co-op is going to have someone of her caliber.”

Doyle ended up attending thanks to co-op member Lydia Conway, a fiddle and guitar player and teacher. According to Davis, Conway and Doyle had

played music together in Colorado and Doyle expressed interest in participating in SongMT.

“I said ‘wow, if she’s willing to come here then yeah, that’d be great,’” Davis laughed. A member of the Canadian bluegrass band The Dead South, which won the Juno award for one of their albums in 2018, Doyle was on tour back east before heading toward Montana.

A typically small and intimate event, this workshop had around ten people in attendance, a few more than previous events.

“(The workshops) kind of sprung from the idea that there’s several of us in the area that would like to learn how to write songs, or, already write songs,” Davis explained. “(It’s) kind of a way for everybody to get together and collaborate and for some newbies to learn things.”

Anyone interested, even those who aren’t the most musically inclined, are welcome to come and learn at the co-op events.

Davis shared that last year, a friend who was staying with them, who had never played an instrument or written a song, first began learning ukulele from her, then decided to attend the workshop. “He’d never written a song in his life, but he wrote two or three songs,” Davis said. A couple of his songs are even being tweaked to be incorporated into the act for the Late Bloomers band. “I even wrote a little song. It’s not much, but it’s the first time I’d ever done anything like that before.”

After the workshop, songwriters were invited to perform their song in a showcase if they so desire. Then, with some help from Conway, Doyle gave a concert to those who attended for only $10 each. While the cover charge is new, it helps the cooperative pay for quality songwriters to come and offer their time and effort to workshop attendees, along with help from sponsors Western

Montana Dentistry and Glacier Bank of Ronan.

“We were pleased to get (the community) involved and get some support from some local businesses,” Davis stated. “It’s a great opportunity … Anybody that shows up is welcome, we’re

Port Polson Players to premiere Steel Magnolias

not going to turn anyone away.” To sign up for the next SongMT workshop, or to see other events coming up in the co-op, visit their website at: MTmusic. org or visit their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/groups/ WMTmusiccoop/

Story and Photo from the Port Polson Players

POLSON — Port Polson Players, in association with Mission Valley Friends of the Arts, open Polson’s beautiful log theatre on the lake with the Southern classic comedy, “Steel Magnolias.” This outstanding production brings this funny, poignant masterpiece to life over two weekends, May 25-28, and June 1-4, with curtain times Thursdays thru Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. Call 406-883-9212 or go to: portpolsonplayers. com for reservations. Pictured here [L to R] Erika Jennison, Ann Peacock, Jeanie Siracusa, Cathy Gillhouse, Veronica Marquardt and Carolyn McDonald all-star in Steel Magnolias, a show made famous both on stage and film.

COURTESY PHOTO

Charlo track teams make top finishes at district, divisionals

News from Glacier Park VFW Post 2252

KALISPELL — The 53-foot trailer that carries “The Wall That Heals” transforms to become a mobile Education Center. The exterior of the trailer features a timeline of “The War and The Wall” and provides additional information about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Additional exhibits give visitors a better understanding of the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the collection of items left at The Wall. Displays include:

Hometown Heroes - Photos of service members on The Wall who list their home of record from the local area.

Map of Vietnam

In Memory Honor Roll - photos of local Vietnam veterans honored through VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home and later died of Vietnam-related illnesses.

A display of items representative of those left at the Wall in Washington, D.C.

Two paper directories allow for names to be found alphabetically.

The Gold Star Bike - Donated to VVMF by the American Gold Star Mothers in 2012, the bike is a Softail Custom Harley that pays tribute to the mothers who lost sons to the Vietnam War.

The exhibit opens Thursday, June 22, and ends on Sunday, June 25, and will be located at Glacier High School Soccer Field, 375 Wolfpack Way, in Kalispell. Free group tours are available (minimum 10 people and up to 100 people can be accommodated). School tours are available on Thursday and Friday. Go to: kalispellvfw.com to make a reservation and for more information.

Bringing The Wall home to communities throughout our country allows the souls enshrined on the Memorial to exist once more among family and friends in the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings. The traveling exhibit provides thousands of veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of facing The Wall to find the strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin.

MICHELLE SHARBONO PHOTOS

The Charlo boys track team placed third at the Western C Divisional tournament last weekend. Below: Charlo girls and boys teams placed second at the previous weekend’s (May 13) 14C District tournament.

seniors

Ronan

By Donna Daniels for the Valley Journal

RONAN — The Mission Valley Senior Center is across from St. Luke’s Hospital.

We are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday for lunch and other activities.

Our menu:

— Wednesday, May 24: soup, sandwiches, salad, dessert

— Thursday, May 26: roast beef dinner, potatoes, salad, dessert

— Monday, May 29: closed – Memorial Day

— May 31: spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, dessert

On May 31 Eve Tolbert will be here to check hearing aids from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Area VI Agency on Aging is having a Cookbook Fundraiser. If you would like to submit a recipe, stop in and get a form.

Pinochle is held every Monday from 3:30-6 p.m. at the center. Everyone is welcome.

We also have pool table available Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Come join the fun.

We will be doing a raffle for 4th of July. Tickets are available from a senior member or at the center. The price is one for $1 and six for $5.

Anyone is welcome to our meals no matter yur age. We ask for a $7 donation for our Monday, Wednesday and Friday meals and $10 for our Sunday meal.

If you would like a meal delivered to your business just call us by 10 a.m. Also, we will send you a menu if requested.

Polson

By Pete Mangels for the Valley Journal

POLSON — Last week Armed Forces Day was celebrated. May 29 is Memorial Day. Remember those who are dear to us, particularly those who offered their lives or lost their lives in military service. Patriots all, Heroes all, Remembered Always. Check this newspaper for events scheduled in our community.

Notice to clients receiving meal deliveries: If you will not be available to accept your meal at the time of delivery, you must place a small insulated and iced container outside for storage of your meal until you return. The meal will not be delivered without your presence or an iced container. If you will be unavailable on the day of delivery, please give the center advanced notice of your absence.

We are hiring additional staff for our food service. Stop by for an application. Full time or possible part time. Paid time for holidays and vacations dependent upon longevity. Starting wage DOE. Raises based on performance and longevity TBD.

We are seeking additional members for our Board of Directors. Only one short meeting each month, usually in the a.m. of the second Friday. Volunteer to serve the seniors in the Polson area. We need your help.

Activities:

Bingo: $100 payout on blackout guaranteed - bingo games Fridays at 7 p.m.

- “Playing Card” bingo first and third Wednesday

Meet old friends and create new friendships in a safe and welcoming space.

Exercise: low impact - M-W-F - 10:30–

11:30 a.m. - free, informal, video-assisted Pinochle: Thursdays noon–3 p.m. - we coach and teach - free cookies and advice Pool: open table from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays

Veterans’ Rep: first Friday (June 2) and third Tuesday (June18) from 10 a.m.noon

Mahjong: Wednesdays at noon - we need more game sets      Menu (subject to change): Sit-down or take-out; 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.  call before 10 a.m. for delivery – meals $5

The monthly menu calendar is available at the center or on-line at our web site.

— Thursday, May 25: Polish dogs, baked beans, potato salad, cookies

— Friday, May 26: birthday dinner for lunch - roast beef with all the trimmings and orange fluff desert

— Monday, May 29: closed for Memo-

rial Day

— Tuesday, May 30: chicken strips, tater tots, green salad, fruit

— Wednesday, May 31:  Swiss style hamburger steak, baked potatoes, corn, veg-Jell-O salad, orange cake

We are located at 504 Third Ave. E and are open from 8 a.m.– 3 p.m. on weekdays. Call 406-883-4735 or email us at: polsonseniorcenter@gmail.com. Submit your email address for updates and additional information from the center.

St. Ignatius

By Barb Plouffe for the Valley Journal

ST. IGNATIUS — Thank you to all the people that bought raffle tickets, played bingo and bought baked goods. Your support is much appreciated.

Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy a meal with us. We would love to have old neighbors and new neighbors come and enjoy our meals. If you would like a menu, please call and we can email it to you, you can come pick one up on or we will mail you one. You do not have to be a member of the St. Ignatius Senior Center, but we may ask if you want to join for $10 a year. You don’t have to be a senior to join and support our center.

Menu:

— Wednesday, May 17: supper at 5:30 p.m. - roast turkey, potato medley, broccoli salad, bun, pumpkin snacking cake

— Friday, May 19: lunch at noon - turkey tortilla soup, corn bread, salad, strawberry-rhubarb crisp

— Tuesday, May 23: lunch at noonchicken pot pie, salad, bun, chocolate pudding

— Friday May 26: chunky potato-ham soup, cheesy biscuits, green salad, sweet apple pie

— Tuesday May 30: Asian beef, noodles, Ambrosia fruit salad, bun, oatmeal cookies

If you are interested in a take-out meal, please call 406-745-4462, by 10 a.m. and leave a message.

The St. Ignatius Senior citizen Center is looking for a housekeeper. The job en-

tails a once-a-week cleaning that usually last 3-4 hours. This includes mopping the main hall, dusting, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming the carpet and sofas. All cleaning supplies are provided. If you are interested in the position, call 406-745-4462. If no one answers, please leave a message and we will return your call.

Did you make it to the Women for Wellness and take part in all the health screening they had?

The Foot Hill Club meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. for snacks and cards.

Gently Yoga is held on Wednesdays. If interested, call Bonnie Kiser at 406-22530171. Her rates are five sessions for $60.

If you are in the need of a walker, commode, wheelchair or a high-rise toilet seat, we have these items to share. Call 406745-4462 and leave a message or come in on regular meal day and see what we have.

Our St. Ignatius Senior Center is available to rent. If interested, call 406-7454462 and leave a message. We will call you back with the information you need.

The center has a computer available for use by the public. If you are interested in using the computer, come in on Tuesdays or Fridays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or call and leave a message

If you need help with other areas of your life call the friendly people at Lake County Council on Aging at 406-676-2367.

Funding available for organic producers

News from USDA

BOZEMAN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will cover up to 75% of the costs associated with organic certification, up to $750 per category, through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Montana Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages organic agricultural producers and handlers to apply for OCCSP by Oct. 31, 2023, for expenses incurred from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023.

births

Cal White

POLSON — Cal

Loyal White was born on April 2, 2023, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center’s Nesting Place. He was 20.28 inches long and weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces. Cal’s parents are Kiana Brown and Jarod White of Hot Springs. Cal is welcomed by maternal grandparents, Trisha Johnson and Chad

Brown, and paternal grandparents, Bruce and Julie White. Cal’s maternal great-grandparents are Tony Adams and Debby Adams and his paternal great-grandparents are Bev and Irwin Bangen and Clayton and Gail White.

Levi Jennison

POLSON — Liam and Wyatt Jennison are excited to announce the birth of their little brother, Levi Isaiah Jennison, who was born April 18, 2023, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center’s Nesting Place. He was 19.5 inches long and weighed

6 pounds, 7 ounces. Levi’s parents are Karlee and Sean Jennison of Polson. Levi is welcomed by maternal grandparents, Clint and Katie Cottle and paternal grandparents, Monte Jennison and Laura Rivera.

Landon Eggebrecht

POLSON — Landon Eggebrecht is proud to announce the birth of his little brother, Loki Jay Eggebrecht, born April 21, 2023, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center’s Nesting Place. He was 20.5 inches long and weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces. Loki’s parents are

Natalia and Walter Eggebrecht of Polson. Loki’s maternal grandparents are Jay and Lashell Arlint and his paternal grandparents are Jim Eggebrecht and Doreen Johns.

Cash George

POLSON — Cash Ryker George was born March 31, 2023, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center’s Nesting Place. He was 23 inches long and weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces. Cash’s parents are Krista O’Reilly and Shawn George of Ronan. Cash’s maternal grandparents are Tamra Espinoza and Sean O’Reilly. His

paternal grandparents are Heather Edgington and Mike George.

Ellie Hall

RONAN — Ellie Rene Hall was born on April 29, 2023, at the St. Luke Community Healthcare New Beginnings Birth Center. She measured 6 pounds, 4 ounces and 19 inches long. Parents are Morgan and Cholie Hall of Pablo. Pater-

nal grandfather is Gary Hall of Ronan. Maternal grandparents are Dennis and Nikki Alexander of Polson and Tamara Henifin of Ronan. Ellie joins siblings, Atticus and Remington.

Everly Burns

POLSON — Everly Clara Burns was born on March 25, 2023, at Providence St.

page 18

Cal White Ellie Hall Everly Burns see

from page 17

Joseph Medical Center’s Nesting Place. She was 18.75 inches long and weighed 6 pounds, 15.5 ounces. Everly’s parents are Brandi and Brett Burns of Polson. Everly’s maternal grandparents are Mark and Lisa Mays, and her maternal great-grandmother is Sheri Whiting. Everly’s paternal grandparents are Nick Burns and Cindy Jordan, and her paternal great-grandfather is Jim Burns.

Maddox Harrod

POLSON — Maddox Asher Harrod was born on March 28, 2023, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center’s Nesting Place. He was 20.5 inches long and weighed 9 pounds, 1.3 ounces. Maddox’s parents are Lynell Rose and Brad Harrod of Polson. Maddox is welcomed by maternal grandparents, Linda Sue Racine and Ronnie Rose and paternal grandparents, Dawna Harrod and Lee Rice Harrod. Maddox’s maternal great-grandparents are Alfreda and Calvin Racine and paternal great-grandparents are Brad Harrod and Regina Harrod.

Gerald Burrafato

RONAN — Gerald Peyton Burrafato was born on April 28, 2023, at the St. Luke New Beginnings Birth Center. He measured 7 pounds, 11 ounces and 20.5 inches long. Parents are Damien Burrafato and Emonie Couture of Dixon. Paternal grandparents are Carol Burrafato of St. Ignatius, Tony and

Jamila Barnaby of Arlee, and Richard Lozeau of Dixon. Maternal grandmother is the late Lakishia Curley of Ronan. Gerald joins his sibling, McKenna.

Levi Jennison

POLSON — Liam and Wyatt Jennison are excited to announce the birth of their little brother, Levi Isaiah Jennison, who was born April 18, 2023, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center’s Nesting Place. He was 19.5 inches long and weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces. Levi’s parents are Karlee and Sean Jennison of Polson. Levi is welcomed by maternal grandparents, Clint and Katie Cottle and paternal grandparents, Monte Jennison and Laura Rivera.

Maliyah Blackwolf

POLSON — Maliyah Christine Blackwolf was born on March 26, 2023, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center’s Nesting Place. She was 18 inches long and weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces.

Maliyah’s parents are Myleka Piapot and Daniel Blackwolf Jr. of Ronan. Maliyah is welcomed by maternal grandparents Donella Piapot of Pablo and Craig McCrea of Ronan. Her maternal great-grandparents are Vicki Laforg of Pablo, Darrell and Lisa Piapot of Polson, Carol and Tom Lankford of Ronan, and Bob McCrea of Pablo. Maliyah is also welcomed by paternal grandparents, Hailey James of Billings and Daniel Blackwolf Sr. of Ronan. Her paternal great-grandparents are Evelyn Roundstone of Busby, Thomas James of Lamedeer, Christine Redneck of Lamedeer, and Walter Blackwolf of Lamedeer.

Governor advances pro-family agenda

HELENA — To support Montana families and help reduce the number of children in foster care, Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill on May 16 into law to establish an adoption tax credit in Montana.

“It’s not enough just to stand for life. We must also do all we can to make Montana families stronger and help them prosper,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Through adoption, parents provide children with the gift of family, and with an adoption tax credit, we’re making it easier for Montanans to open their happy, healthy, loving homes to children.”

Sponsored by Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, R-Kalispell, House Bill 225 makes it easier for

Montanans to open their homes to children by providing an adoption tax credit of $5,000, or $7,500 if the child is adopted within Montana.

“I’ve heard from many families across Montana that have reinforced the importance of this tax credit and the need for our children to find a way forward with a family. We can all agree that children in foster care deserve a hope, a family, and a future, and the families willing to open their loving homes to them need our support,” Rep. Sprunger said.

In 2021, about 3,400 children in Montana were in the foster care system due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Of those children, 680 were waiting to be adopted,

and in 2019, about 1 in 5 Montana kids in the foster care system exited the system through adoption.

Since the governor took office, the state has finalized a total of 725 adoptions since January 2021 with approximately 2,500 children in foster care today.

According to the National Council for Adoption, taxpayers save $15,500 for state and federal expenditures for each child adopted out of the foster care system.

Yet, the high cost of adoption is often an obstacle for families looking to adopt a child.

According to the Family Equality Council, the cost of adoption can exceed $40,000.

The adoption tax credit was a key proposal in the governor’s Budget for Montana Families.

Maddox Harrod

Maliyah Blackwolf

Gerald Burrafato

Gov. Gianforte shaking hands with Rep. Sprunger, the bill’s sponsor, at a May 2023 ceremony.

News from the office of Governor Gianforte

Richard Jessen

RONAN — Richard

Lee Jessen, age 81, passed away on Nov. 19, 2022, at his residence. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 3, at Ronan City Park from noon until 4 p.m. with military honors at 12:30 p.m. Arrangements are under the care of Shrider - Thompson Funeral Home.

Karen Vergeront

POLSON— Karen

Beck Vergeront was born on July 9, 1948, to Sam and Betty Beck in Deer Lodge. She was raised as a country kid of the 50s with neighbors, cousins, and friends. There were blue skies, horses to ride and gates to open. This was also the time that her Grandma Mary made sure she got to Sunday School and her mom had her take piano lessons from Sister Marianna. She attended grade school in Deer Lodge and went to Powell County High where she would make lifelong friends. After high school she attended Flathead Valley College in Kalispell, worked vocational

rehab in Bozeman, spent some time in Lewiston, Idaho, and went back to Deer Lodge before moving to Polson where she would marry Chip Vergeront.

They would live on Tower Road and raise their family in a house that she made into a home. Polson was a good fit for her personality - that she never met a stranger. She would use her piano skills in many ways. She accompanied the Port Polson Players for numerous plays, taught hundreds of students to play the piano, in the Polson Schools she would accompany all grades of choir and she accompanied many students at district and state music festivals. She played at countless church services and would accompany for memorial services

where she would often be complimented by the performer for having the ability to make the songs flow so smooth.

In the 80’s she attended Cursillo at the Lutheran Camp and for the next 23 years she would serve as a member of the music team at Camp Marshall.

When Montana Rock Products employed H2B workers from Mexico, Karen found a new passion, the Spanish language and the Mexican culture. She spent six weeks in Puebla, Mexico, in a Spanish emersion school. Then for a number of years she would travel many backroads of Old Mexico and spending time in the homes of friends in Hueyotlian, Tlaxcala.

As a mother she would say raising kids is like herding cats. She enjoyed each one of them from

infants to young adults and now with families of their own. Somewhat like a Mama Bear encouraging and guiding them but when they crossed the line- they knew it. When she reached retirement age she started substitute teaching at Polson Schools. With her zest for life, she was a remarkable teacher with many teachers requesting her for their classroom. In 2019 she was offered the opportunity to teach music at Valley View and Dayton Schools. She really enjoyed putting together her teaching program and was gratified watching students

learn. Her students did care for her, and it wasn’t unusual while in a store shopping that a young student would come up yelling “Mrs. V” and give her a hug.

In February 2021, after a few events, she was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma brain tumor. With the skill of an incredible medical team and prayer from loved ones, she was able to remain with us for an extra two years, inspiring us to believe we do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord and if we die, we die to the Lord so then, whether we live

or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Earl and Betty Coriell; Sam Beck; and her sisters, Marilyn (Tom) Weingart, Janet (Wayne) Womack.

She is survived by her husband, Chip Vergeront; their children, Jerry (Kim) Vergeront and grandchildren, Megan and Lee; Marc (Becky) Vergeront and granddaughter Lauren; Tawni (Kirk) Murphy and granddaughter, Kylie; Alison (Michael) Pease Vergeront and grandchildren, Rosabella and

Karen Vergeront

Friday, May 26

see extended calendar at www.valleyjournal.net

Shepherd’s Table dinner held

POLSON — A Shepherd’s Table dinner will be held at Journey Be on Friday, May 26, from 5-6:30 p.m. There is no charge and everyone is welcome.

Wednesday, May 31

Art exhibit held

POLSON — The Sandpiper Art Gallery, 306 Main Street, will hold an invitational exhibit of fiber and glass. This exhibit will feature several regional artists and their interpretations of the theme. It will continue until July 19.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library registration kicks off

POLSON — Dolly

Obituaries

Parton’s Imagination Library Registration kicks off Wednesday, May 31, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five. The project was initiated in Montana by First Lady Susan Gianforte and sponsored by the Treasure State Foundation in partnership with The Dollywood Foundation. With the help of the Friends of the North Lake County Public Library, the North Lake County Public Library District is the affiliate for all children in Lake County (except Arlee, which has its own program). On registration day at the library’s temporary, 301 16th Ave. E, there will be goody bags, cookies and drinks. Register online at: www. imaginationlibrary.com or stop in and see us so they may receive a new

from page 19

Ledger; and added son, Rudy (Lupita) Beristain and grandsons Omar and Victor; and sister, Rita Chase, brothers, Steve (Sharon) Beck and Randy (Olivia) Coriell.

Karen died on May 13, 2023, in her home surrounded by family and friends. We would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Lo-

book each month, delivered right to their home.

Saturday, June 3

Enjoy First Saturday event at Ninepipes

CHARLO — The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana summer events include our “First Saturday of the Month” event from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring artists, photographers, writers, craftspeople, musicians, and the Frybread Ladies frying up their specialty frybread. Call 406644-3435 or check our website and social media for updates on monthly featured artisans.

Craft fair, hot dog lunch on tap

POLSON — The second annual “Connecting our Community” vendor/craft fair and see page 21

gan Health in Kalispell, St. Luke’s - Southshore, St. Luke’s - Ronan, St. Joseph’s - Polson, Partners Home Health and Partners Hospice, friends and members of the Karen’s Crew that kept her in their prayers.

Services have been held.

The family requests that remembrances be made in the form of contributions towards a future scholarship in

Karen’s name. Please feel free to send monetary gifts to Alison Vergeront at 48 34th Ave. NE, Great Falls, MT 59404. Messages of condolences may be shared online with the family at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation. com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

from page 20

garage sale will take place from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 301 16th Ave.

E. A hot dog lunch will be available for $2 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Join the ‘Taco throw down’

POLSON — Glacier Brewing Company, 6 10th Ave., will host a Taco Throw Down event by Belly of the Beast and Saddled Up Tacos. Come join us Saturday, June 3, for a taco throw down where our most popular local food vendors are going head-to-head to see who wins the people’s vote. Tickets are $20 and are on sale now. The throw down will take place from 4-8 p.m. and live music, beer, tacos and great company are guaranteed so don’t miss out.

Marty

Marty is a very affectionate 9month old kitten who has been who has been at the shelter since he was 2 months old. He would love to be the center of attention as an only cat with his furrever family!

Sunday, June 4

St. Joseph Scramble held POLSON — The Providence St. Joseph Golf Scramble will take place at the Polson Bay Golf Course. This is a fun four-person scramble will begin at 8 a.m. and go until 5 p.m. Contact polsonbaygolfcours@gmail. com.

Saturday, June 6

Artist event at Ninepipes Museum

CHARLO — The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana will once again hold First Saturday Artist events where featured artists, authors, photographers, musicians or crafts persons exhibit their work. The second event of the summer will take place on Saturday, June 6. Check out the

museum’s Facebook page and social media for updates on monthly featured artists.

Thursday, June 8

Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous in Ronan

RONAN — Ronan Chamber of Commerce will host the 4th annual Mission Valley Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous starting at noon on Thursday, June 8, to Sunday, June 12, at 6 p.m. They are excited to present 13 of the most awesome, talented artists coming from across United States as well as internationally this year. The competition will be intense as they carve a “masterpiece” to be auctioned off on Sunday at 1 p.m. Also, the carvers will do a “quick carve” each of the four days. Some of the “quick carves” will be available for auction on

Friday evening June 9 at 6 p.m.

The competition will be at the Lake County Fairgrounds. We welcome the public to watch these amazing carvers and enjoy the food booths and vendors who will be also on site. No admission fees.

Friday, June 9

Chainsaw carving artist show their skills

RONAN — Watch as amazing works of art are created by international chainsaw carvers at the Fairgrounds in Ronan. The four-day Mission Valley Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous will hold nightly quick-carve auctions, carvings for sale and craft and food vendors.

Homesteader Days held for the 74th time

HOT SPRINGS —

The 74th annual Homesteader Days and Open Rodeo, one of Northwestern Montana’s notto-be-missed signature events, will be held June 9-11 in Hot Springs. Fun-filled family events begin on Friday at noon and ends at 11 p.m. There will be a variety of vendors on Main Street with art, crafts and food. In the evening enjoy music and dancing.

Grizzly Memorial Tourney held

RONAN — Come join the Mission Mountain Chapter of the Grizzly Scholarship Association at their annual Golf for the Griz Memorial Tournament on Friday,

June 9, at the Ronan Golf Course. The four-person scramble begins at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start. Registration fees are $460 per team which includes greens fees, cart, prizes, dinner, and a snack bar buffet. (Rocky Mountain oysters will be served as a special treat.) Extra dinner tickets are available for $25 each. Dinner will be served starting at 4 p.m. There will be a silent auction with lots and a 5050 drawing for a chance to win some cash. Entry deadline is June 8, but entries are accepted on a first- come, first-serve basis and limited to 32 teams. For more informa-

see page 24

Marty

PUZZLES

GIANT CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Chutzpah

6. Instruments for Ravi Shankar

12. PC program

15. ___-American

19. Threadbare

20. Lawrence’s domain

21. Nod, maybe

22. Mouth part

23. ___ squash

24. “Snow White” fairness judge

25. Pilot’s announcement, briefly

26. Plug

27. Portray

29. Interference

31. Railroad support

33. À la mode

35. Pop-ups, e.g.

36. Produce

38. ___ Gabriel

39. Convene

42. Not a soul

44. Green gem

45. Chopin composition

47. Photo ___

48. Song of praise

49. Beach sights

50. Conventions

51. Rocket fuel ingredient, for short

53. Louisiana emblem

56. Least impressive, to a teenager

57. South African veranda

58. Excited

59. Back talk

60. Throat part

62. Cereal grain

63. Sneaks a look

65. ___ spumante

box contains each digit once only.

69. Broadcast

70. Mouse catcher

72. Compete

73. “Push th’ Little Daisies” band

74. Back

75. V.I.P.

78. ___ Zedong

80. Charles and others

82. Berry-yielding palm

84. Petals of a flower, collectively

87. Assail

88. Of a heart chamber

91. Big drop

92. “Fear of Flying” author Jong

93. Delhi sides?

94. Hole in the head

95. Catch a glimpse of

97. Period, in Web addresses

98. Cultivated land

99. Soon, to a bard

100. Golfer’s accessory

102. Same: Fr.

103. Building add-on

104. Muhammad’s religion

106. Not go straight

107. Toll road

109. Leading lady

111. Annual 114. Fu ___ mustache

118. Desertlike

119. Rainbow’s shape

121. Provide with equipment

123. Devout 124. Be inclined

125. Biochemistry abbr. 126. Brooks Robinson, e.g.

127. Becomes vapid 128. Irascible

129. High ball 130. Detected

DOWN

1. Actor Pitt

2. Dash

3. Above

4. Unbending

5. Harmony

6. Friend of Frodo

7. Western blue flag, e.g.

8. Bagpiper’s wear

9. Rub

10. Laugh-a-minute folks

11. It’s a wrap

12. Air hero

13. Lower leg covering

14. Necklace item

15. Song and dance, e.g.

16. Steady

17. Musical flourishes.

18. Most frequently

28. Baby

30. Gold-extracting chemical

32. Moisture overload results, in plants

34. Breathtaking part of a sentence?

37. Notion

39. Chupacabra, for one

40. Embodiment 41. It regained independence in 1991

43. Hot, in Vegas 44. Dixie drink 46. 1981 Rush song 48. Mesa dweller

Affairs 52. Self-discipline 54. ___ few rounds 55. Cashew, e.g. 56. ___-guided 59. Schuss, e.g.

61. Nearby 64. Unfolds

66. Beach

67. Business with many cells

68. Administer the oath of office to

71. Chinese dynasty

76. Fed Chair Jay Powell’s concern, with “the”

77. Merchant vessel petty officer

78. Like The Who, in the 60’s

79. “When We Were Kings” subject 81. Comply with 83. Get a payoff 85. ___ gestae

86. Creator of many talking animals

88. Come before 89. Fitted 90. Coming together 91. _ Simone, blues singer 94. Italian province or its capital

96. Overly decorous 100. Unspoiled 101. Block houses

102. Flunky

105. Tangle

106. Democratic Republic of Congo’s old name

108. Certain sorority woman

110. Countercurrent

112. Cupid, to the Greeks

113. Christmas season

115. Stallion, once

116. ___ Bowl

117. The Beatles’ “Back in the ___”

120. Subway alternative

122. “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” character

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

Leaders

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

Down: 1. Brad, 2. Race, 3. Atop, 4. Strict, 5. Synch, 6. Sam, 7. Iris, 8. Tartan, 9. Abrade, 10. Riots, 11. Sari, 12. Ace, 13. Puttees, 14. Pearl, 15. Arts, 16. Footsure, 17. Roulades, 18. Oftenest,

107. Pike, 109. Doyenne, 111. Yearly, 114. Manchu, 118. Arid, 119. Arc, 121. Rig out, 123. Pious, 124. Tend, 125. RNA, 126. Oriole, 127. Palls, 128. Edgy, 129. Lob, 130. Sensed, 131. Altar.

79. Ali, 81. Obey, 83. Cash in, 85. Res, 86. Aesop, 88. Antedate, 89. Tailored, 90. Rallying, 91. Nina, 94. Salerno, 96. Prim, 100. Virgin, 101. Igloos, 102. Menial, 105. Snarl, 106. Zaire, 108. Kappa, 110. Eddy, 112. Eros, 113. Yule, 115. Colt, 116. Hula, 117. U.S.S.R., 120. Cab, 122. Ted.

76. Economy, 77. Bosun, 78. Mod,

34. Comma, 37. Idea, 39. Monster, 40. Epitome, 41. Estonia, 43. On a roll, 44. Julep, 46. Tom Sawyer, 48. Hopi, 49. Dos, 52. Restraint, 54. Go a, 55. Nut, 56. Laser, 59. Ski, 61. Local, 64. Evolves, 66. Seaside, 67. Telecom, 68. Instate, 71. Wei,

28. Tiny, 30. Cyanide, 32. Edemas,

from page 21

tion contact the Ronan Golf Club at 406-6764653. This scramble is sponsored by the Mission Mountain Chapter of the Grizzly Scholarship Association and all proceeds go for Grizzly Athletic Scholarships.

Saturday, June 10

Glacier Bank Golf Tourney held

POLSON — The Glacier Bank Two-Person Better Ball golf tournament will be held at the Polson Bay Golf Course on June 10 and 11. Contact polsonbaygolfcourse@ gmail.com for more infor-

mation.

Chainsaw carving continues

RONAN — Watch as amazing works of art are created by international chainsaw carvers at the Fairgrounds in Ronan. The four-day Mission Valley Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous will hold nightly quick-carve auctions, carvings for sale and craft and food vendors.

View Quilt Show

RONAN — The Mission Mountain Quilt Show will take place in conjunction with the Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous, on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, June 11,

from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in the High School Gymnasium.

Our theme this year is “We the People,” exemplified by this year’s raffle quilt. Additional quilted items will also be for sale along with vendors, a consignment market, a raffle basket and more. Come vote for your favorite quilt. There is no admission fee. The guild supports those who’ve lost their homes to fire by giving Tender Loving Care quilts to fire victims in Ronan, St. Ignatius and Polson communities.

Superoval race at Speedway

POLSON — The Mission Valley Speedway Superoval, 1113 N. Res-

Early Deadlines

ervoir Rd., is the site of the Late Models, Mod 4’s, Hobby Stocks, Hornets and Legends racing. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for children 8-14; children under 7 are free. Seniors 55 and older, military and first responders pay a $10 admission fee. Family (two adults, three kids) is $40 general admission. RV dry camping fee is $50 per one RV. Time trials begin at 6 p.m. and racing begins at 7 p.m. Call 406-212-8159 for more information.

Homesteaders continues for day three

HOT SPRINGS — Kids games, vendors, art and crafts shows, a car show and rodeo continue at the Homesteaders Days

festival from 9 a.m.-2 a.m. on Main Street. The Homesteader Rodeo begins at 6 p.m.

Sunday, June 11

Heritage Keeer Benefit to feature singing, drumming

CHARLO — On

Sunday, June 11, from 2-5 p.m. Heritage Keeper Benefit fundraising event will be held. A ticketed event with music, food, a live auction will feature Native speakers Aspen and Cameron Decker of “Xwlxlilt”, (Salish for Alive and Well), along with Salish singing, drumming and hoop dancing. For more information call 406-644-3435 or check out our website

and Facebook.

Carving auction ends rendezvous

RONAN — Sunday is the final day of the Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous at the Ronan Fairgrounds. The competition will be intense as they carve a “masterpiece” to be auctioned off. The final Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous auction begins at 1 p.m.

Queen size quilt auctioned

RONAN — Mission Mountain Quilt Guild Show A beautiful queen size quilt will be auctioned off on Sunday afternoon.

- Winston Churchill

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WANTED TO BUY Guns and/or ammunition, old or new. Whole estates/ collections or single pieces. Fair prices paid. 406-207-4641

Employment

Help wanted NATIONAL MONITORING CENTER ASSISTANT MANAGER - NATURAL RESOURCE DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must possess a high school diploma or a GED/HiSet. Possession of, or eligibility for, a Montana driver’s license. A minimum of two (2) years of documented and verifiable experience in supervision of 10+ employees, especially within the Tribal organization. Knowledge of the internet and the means of finding and accessing web sites as well as locations of geographical features, states, and cities in the Western United States. Skill in the operation of a personal computer, telephone and handset radio for dispatch. Must be able to type at least 30 words per minute and have the ability to read a map and locate states and cities in the Western United States. Experience in

surfing the Internet. Training or experience with word processing and spreadsheet software WORD and EXCEL. Must be able to open a WORD file, cut and paste a portion of a WORD document, and save the WORD document. Experience in working and communicating with the public, or in an office working with other personnel where communicating information was important to that position. Skill to train and teach other employee’s procedures and policies that are required of their position. Must be able to work throughout the entire shift and be able to stay awake and alert for the duration of the shift. Must be able to communicate clearly by enunciating and speaking words in a clear and understandable manner and be able to write clearly and legibly. Must wear Tribal Government identification and safety apparel as required. All applicants are required to submit a Tribal application, copy of relevant transcripts and/or certificates, a copy of a valid driver’s license and proof of Tribal enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of DD214 must be submitted. 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 serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Failure to submit all of the information above will result in immediate disqual-

ification during the screening process. Salary range is $26.94 to $30.96 per hour, plus benefits. To apply, contact Personnel at 406-675-2700 Ext. 1040. Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes.org. Closing date will be Thursday, June 1, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m.

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

NATIONAL MONITORING CENTER MONITOR (1 OR MORE POSITIONS AVAILABLE)

NATURAL RESOURCE DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must possess a high school diploma or a GED/HiSet. Possession of, or eligibility for, a Montana driver’s license. Must be able to type at least 30 words per minute and have the ability to read a map and locate states and cities in the Western United States. Experience in surfing the Internet. Training or experience with word processing and spreadsheet software WORD and EXCEL. Must be able to open a WORD file, cut and paste a portion of a WORD document, and save the WORD document. Experience in working and communicating with the public, or in an office working with other personnel where communicating information was important to that position. Must be able to work throughout the entire shift and be able to stay awake and alert for the duration of the shift. Must be able to communicate clearly by enunciating and speaking works in a clear and understandable manner. Must be

able to write clearly and legibly. Must wear Tribal Government identification and safety apparel as required. Available

Shifts: Monday-Thursday 10:00 pm - 8:00 am and Thursday-Sunday 10:00 pm -8:00 am. All applicants are required to submit a Tribal application, copy of relevant transcripts and/or certificates, a copy of a valid MT driver’s license and proof of Tribal enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of DD214 must be submitted. 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 serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Failure to submit all of the information above will result in immediate disqualification during the screening process. Salary range is $14.59 to $16.77 per hour, plus benefits. To apply, contact Personnel at 406-675-2700

Ext. 1040. Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes.org. Closing date will be Thursday, June 1st, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m.

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

TRANSPORTATION

SPECIALIST - ST. IGNATIUS TRIBAL HEALTH

DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma/GED. Possess a current and valid

Montana driver’s license and be insurable under the Tribes’ fleet policy. Current physical exam or ability to obtain physical exam upon hire. Current on required immunizations or ability to become current upon hire. Verified of recent TB screening or ability to complete the required screening. Certification in CPR/First Aid. Certification in Defensive and Distracted Driving course; or obtain one within 6 months of hire. Certification in Passenger Service and Safety; or obtain one within 6 months of hire. This position is subject to a background check in accordance with Public Law 101-630. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, copy of academic transcripts, certificates and licensure, copy of current valid driver’s license, proof of enrollment in a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of DD214 must be submitted. Failure to submit all of the above information will result in immediate disqualification during the screening process. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by CSKT must pass a prehire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $13.75 to $15.80 per hour, plus benefits. May be employed under contract. To apply, contact Personnel at

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(406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040 or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available on-line at cskt.org. The closing date is Thurs., June 1, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. MST

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

TCC TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST - (Polson) TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma/ GED. Possess a current and valid Montana driver’s license and be insurable under the Tribes’ fleet policy. A current physical exam or ability to obtain physical exam upon hire. Current on required immunizations or ability to become current upon hire. Verified of recent TB screening or ability to complete the required screening. Certification in CPR/First Aid or obtain

one within six months of hire. Certificate in Defensive and Distracted Driving course; or get one within six months of hire. Certificate in Passenger Service and Safety, or obtain one within six months. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, copy of academic transcripts, certificates and licensure, copy of current valid driver’s license, proof of enrollment in a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of DD214 must be submitted. Failure to submit all of the above information will result in immediate disqualification during the screening process. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by CSKT must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $13.58 to $15.60 per hour, plus benefits. May be employed under contract.

To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040

or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available on-line at cskt.org. The closing date is Thurs., June 1, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. MST

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

PREVENTION SPECIALIST

(1 or more positions)

LOCATION NEGOTIABLE TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree in a health related, social work, or human services field, with a minimum of 1 year working in public/community health and/ or prevention OR an Associate degree in a health related, social work or human services field, and a minimum of 3 years working in public/community health and/or prevention OR a minimum of 5 years working in public/community health and/or prevention. Must have a valid driver’s license All applicants must submit a Tribal application, a copy of academic transcripts and certifications, copy of 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 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 $19.98$22.96 per hour, plus benefits. May be employed under contract. 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 Thurs, June 1, 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

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.

Wanted

WANTED!! Any Porsches and exotic cars. Old cars and trucks ‘70s, ‘80s and older. Motorcycles, gas pumps, signs, guns and knives. Collections. Fair cash prices. Glen, 801-361-4022

Legals

Legals

Lyn Fricker Clerk of District Court Lake County Courthouse 106 4th Ave E. Polson, MT 59860 (406) 883-7254

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

classifieds

Legals

cont’d from pg. 26

IN RE THE ADOPTION OF: KALEB RYVER DUFF, Minor Child, JASON WOGSLAND, Petitioner, and JOSHUA JOHN DUFF,

Cause No. DA-23-1

THE STATE OF MONTANA SENDS GREETINGS TO THE ABOVENAMED DEFENDANT JOSHUA JOHN DUFF

You are named in a petition to terminate your parental rights and for adoption of the above named child by the Petitioner. Unless you respond in 21 days, the court may decide against you without you being heard and give Petitioner everything asked for in the petition. You must submit your written response to the Clerk of Court and serve a copy on counsel for the Petitioner within 21 calendar days.

Counsel for the Petitioner is Justin Kalmbach of Kalmbach Law Office, PLLC, PO Box 249, Polson, MT 59860 (406) 883-1159 ext. 2. The 21-day period starts the day after the last date of publication of this notice. If the final day falls on a weekend or court holiday, you may file your response on the next business day. Failure to appear at the hearing constitutes a waiver of your interest in custody of the child and will result in the court’s termination of your rights to the child.

WITNESS my hand and seal of said Court on this 15th day of May, 2023.

Lyn Fricker, Clerk of Court

/s/ Mary Rensvold Deputy Clerk

May 24, 31 and June 7, 2023

MNAXLP

CALL FOR BIDS

The Board of Trustees, School District No. 30, Lake County, Ronan, Montana will accept sealed bids for the following for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years:

Approximately 30,000 gallons of diesel fuel each year for school bus fleet through cardtrol system.

Approximately 5,000 gallons of gasoline each year for school owned vehicles through cardtrol system.

Approximately 50,000 gallons of No. 2 heating Oil, delivered to RMS fuel tank.

Price must be listed on a cost-plus and/or retail-minus basis per gallon. Certification of dealer cost required monthly.

Bids must be delivered to TJ Harold-Marmon, Business Manager/ District Clerk at the District Administration Office at 421 Andrew Street NW, Ronan, Montana on or before 4:00 p.m. on May 31, 2023.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

May 24 and 31, 2023

MNAXLP

St. Ignatius Rural Fire District will hold a preliminary budget meeting for fiscal year 2023-24 on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 6 p.m. in the Fire Hall meeting room.

The sunsetting district equipment levy will be on the agenda as well. For further information contact Chairman Tim Callahan at 406-745-4112.

May 17 and 24, 2023

MNAXLP

Lyn Fricker Clerk of District Court Lake County Courthouse 106 4th Ave E. Polson, MT 59860 (406) 883-7254

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN RE THE ADOPTION OF: KIERRA RAYNE DUFF, Minor Child, JASON WOGSLAND, Petitioner, and JOSHUA JOHN DUFF, Respondent.

Cause No. DA-23-2

Hon. Deborah Kim Christopher SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

THE STATE OF MONTANA SENDS GREETINGS TO THE ABOVENAMED DEFENDANT JOSHUA JOHN DUFF

You are named in a petition to terminate your parental rights and for adoption of the above named child by the Petitioner. Unless you respond in 21 days, the court may decide against you without you being heard

and give Petitioner everything asked for in the petition. You must submit your written response to the Clerk of Court and serve a copy on counsel for the Petitioner within 21 calendar days. Counsel for the Petitioner is Justin Kalmbach of Kalmbach Law Office, PLLC, PO Box 249, Polson, MT 59860 (406) 883-1159 ext. 2. The 21-day period starts the day after the last date of publication of this notice. If the final day falls on a weekend or court holiday, you may file your response on the next business day. Failure to appear at the hearing constitutes a waiver of your interest in custody of the child and will result in the court’s termination of your rights to the child.

WITNESS my hand and seal of said Court on this 15th day of May, 2023.

/s/ Lyn Fricker, Clerk of Court

May 24, 31 and June 7, 2023

MNAXLP

Montana 20th Judicial District Court, Lake County

In the matter of the Name Change of Tanna Marie Baruso; Tanna Marie Baruso, Petitioner.

Cause No: DV-23-70 Dept. MOLLY OWEN

Date: May 15, 2023

/s/ Lyn Fricker Clerk of District Court

May 24, 31 and June 7, 2023

MNAXLP

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Tanna Marie Baruso to Tonna Marie Owen. The hearing will be on July 12, 2023, at 10:00 am. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Lake County.

Respondent.

Hon. Deborah Kim Christopher SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL - SPEECH PATHOLOGIST (1 or More Positions) The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Early Childhood Services

The CSKT Early Childhood Services Department is requesting bids for speech/language services for the period of October 2023 to September 30, 2025.

Scope of work: CSKT Early Childhood Services has an enrollment of about 270+ children ranging from 0 to 5 years of age. Children are screened at least 2 times per school year. In some cases it is recommended that speech/language services may be needed. Head Start/ Early Head Start locations are on the Flathead Reservation – 1 center in Polson, 1 center in Turtle Lake, 2 centers in Pablo, 3 centers in Ronan, 3 centers in Mission, 1 center in Arlee and the potential of home-based services for children 0-5 not enrolled in the program.

The Speech Pathologist will be coordinating with the ECS Special Services Coordinator on referrals for children to receive services. An evaluation will be done by the Speech Pathologist and recommended services will be discussed with the Special Services Coordinator. Once services are started the Speech Pathologist will need to keep case notes on the children they provide services to and keep the Special Services Coordinator updated weekly. Consultation may be requested by parents and/or Early Childhood Services staff on an as needed basis. It is required that the Speech Pathologist be a provider for Medicaid. The Speech Pathologist will be responsible for billing Medicaid or private insurance for the eligible children that receive services. Early Childhood Services will only cover costs for the children who are not on Medicaid or private insurance. It is required that the Pathologist spend at least 80% of his/her time on direct therapy with the child(ren); 15% of his/ her time on documentation; and 5% of time on staffing/parent consulting. It is the Speech Pathologist’s responsibility to provide own training (CEUs) and licensing requirements. ECS will pay mileage from the ECS administrative building to various sites at the federal mileage rate. Specific assessment materials will be provided by ECS.

The Speech/Language services will be needed for variable hours, but will not exceed 40 hours per week.

Early Childhood Services operates from 8 am – 4:30 pm – Monday- Friday. Children are in the centers Monday – Thursday/Friday, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm.

Proposal requirements: Proposals must include

1.) Professional license in the area of Speech/language services. Documented specialized knowledge. Relevant work experience must be shown in a resume or curriculum vitae, including outline of qualifications and appropriate credentials (copies of professional license, specialized training, etc.), and professional references.

2.) Ability to commit up to 40 hrs per week to the provision of this service.

3.) Proof of liability insurance or proof that the individual is an independent contractor.

4.) Proof of Workman’s Comp or exemption certificate.

5.) Description of recent experience in doing this type of work.

6.) Detailed description of cost required to provide this service. Responses should be clear in terms of incidental costs, as well as hourly rates, travel expenses, etc. All proposals are negotiable between Early Childhood Services and the contractor.

Proposals must be received by 4:30 on Thursday June 21, 2023. Mailing address: Early Childhood Services-PO Box 1510- 35455 Mission Drive- St. Ignatius, MT 59865, ATTN: Speech Pathologist RFP.

The proposals will be reviewed with a decision made in the 5 to 10 working days after bid closing.

This is an Indian Preference Proposal. We reserve the right to refuse any or all bids. For more information contact Carrie Antoine or Jody Jones at 406-745-4509.

Indian Preference Certification

This is an Indian preference bid and Tribal contractors who wish to receive Indian preference must obtain a certification by the Indian preference office as a legitimate Indian-owned business prior to submission of the bids. This certification must be included with your RFP response.

The selection of the successful contractor and award of this project will be per the provisions of the CSKT Indian Preference Ordinance 101A. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder/respondent to obtain and provide proof of Indian Preference certification from the Indian Preference Office.

All proposals will become the property of the CSKT Early Childhood Services. The Tribes reserve the right to accept and reject and negotiate any element of any proposals received.