11/23/22 issue

Climatologists, CSKT address local climate realities

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

FLATHEAD RESERVA

TION — Climate extremes in Montana and possible solutions were the topics of a statewide webinar hosted by the League of Women Voters on Nov. 16.

Speakers included State Climatologist, Kelsey Jensco, Department Head for Histor ic Preservation for the CSKT, Mike Durglo Jr., and Gwen Lankford of the CSKT Climate Change Advisory Committee. Attendees talked through the

local realities of climate change.

Jensco opened things up with an explanation of climatology. While Montana is geograph ically complex, which causes some difficulty when it comes to understanding and predicting future conditions, it is also a headwater state. This means the land area drains from Montana to the Missouri River Basin, the Columbia River Basin and the South Saskatchewan River Basin, leaving Montana with a disproportionate impact on the U.S.

According to studies conduct ed by climatologists, Montana’s average temperature has in creased by .42 degrees Fahren heit per decade over the last 65 years, bringing the current av erage annual temperature to 45 degrees. In comparison, the av erage annual temperature in the U.S. has increased by .26 degrees per decade since 1950.

While longer periods of warmer temperatures might mean longer growing seasons, Jensco explained that it also re sults in an elimination of critical

moisture. Warmer temperatures will result in an earlier snowmelt, resulting in snowpack storage decline by April. This can result in flash droughts brought on by warm temperatures and low rainfall in May and June, which can also lead to an increase in forest fires.

Inversely, the melting of snow pack can swing the issue in the opposite direction and cause ex treme flooding. The combination of earlier melting snow, along with the movement of warm and

PORTER COUNTS / VALLEY JOURNAL PHOTO

wet air from other areas, known as “atmospheric rivers,” can cause the kind of severe flooding event that was wit nessed in Yellowstone early in 2022.

All of this depends on how the state’s unique geography contributes to how much, how fast, and where these changes will occur.

The changing climate has had a notable impact on the Tribes as well, Durglo shared in his presentation. The Tribes have found cultural resourc es are being lost, altered, or destroyed with increasing fre quency in the face of climate change.

“The fact that we are all

connected, as a people - we’re connected to our land, our an imals, and our resources. That is the basis of our spiritual life. It’s our whole being,” Durglo stated.

While much of the dis cussion centered around the consequences of increasingly severe climate extremes, ways to move forward in a positive direction were also discussed.

Durglo shared that the Tribes have been acting on the Tribal Council Resolution, “CSKT Strategic Climate Plan,” first developed back in 2012, to battle climate change, including biocultural restoration efforts and youth education to restore not only ecosystems but also the human and cultural relationships to the land. One way they have

implemented their plan is to replant the valuable resource of whitebark pines by cultivating a nursery of 30,000 of these trees. They are also including the next generation in resto ration projects with youth ed ucational programs to pass on traditional knowledge about whitebark pine forests and ecosystems.

“Those little baby whitebark pines that they planted last year … we won’t see them grow to maturity … it takes 60 to 70 years before those little babies will start producing,” Durglo said. “It’s about what we do for the future, and how we protect future generations.”

Still, Durglo stressed that collaborations are needed to care for the land on a larger scale than just within the Res

ervation boundaries. To that end, Lankford spoke about fo cus on connection and collabo rative efforts and reciprocity as the way forward.

“(Vertical integration) is very, very vulnerable to con solidation of power, consoli dation of greed, consolidation of resources, that makes the entire (population) vulnera ble,” Lankford explained. “In a horizontal integration, if we were to say that all of us were a point on the circle, we would all offer our gifts to that circle to make it stronger … To have a determination and a real investment in that space that brings truly collaborative part nerships to the table is critical.”

Jensco also shared that cli matologists throughout the state are working on a collab

orative framework of stations called “Montana Mesonet” through federal, state, and pri vate partnerships. This paired with expansion and improve ments to climate infrastructure will provide more accurate monitoring allowing officials to make informed respons es and adaptation measures to weather extremes, as well as potentially lead to policy changes.

“We’re all in this boat to gether and we all have to do our part and paddle the boat,” Durglo said.

To learn more about the CSKT Strategic Climate Plan, visit: http://csktclimate.org/

To learn about the Montana Mesonet project, visit: http:// climate.umt.edu/mesonet/ vj

National Republican Senatorial Committee elects Daines Wildlife fencing to be placed near St. Ignatius

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Republicans elected their leadership team for the 118th Congress. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) was elected to serve as Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Commit tee (NRSC). The NRSC is the official campaign organization for Senate Republicans, and its mission is to support and elect Republican Senators and Republican Senate candidates nationwide.

“I’m honored that my col leagues elected me to serve as NRSC Chairman. We are going to fight for every seat and work hard to build a lasting Senate Republican Majority,” Daines said. “The choice for Americans in 2024 will be clear: a Re publican Party that will secure a stronger, brighter future for

America and a Democrat Party that will take our country further down a path toward socialism. We will aggressively hold Senate Democrat candidates account able for being out of touch with their constituents and giving un wavering support of Joe Biden’s radical and woke agenda that has led to rising prices, an energy ca tastrophe and a southern border crisis that is hurting every state across America.”

“Steve Daines and I were elected together and since then I’ve considered him a close friend and strong ally. Steve’s been successful when faced with tough campaigns, and he’s al ways been a friend and colleague you can count on when you need help. I’m confident Steve is the right man to hold Democrats accountable for their harmful policies that have led to crippling inflation, high energy prices, and a crisis at the southern border

that hurts every community in America,” Senator Dan Sullivan said.

“I am proud to support my friend and colleague Steve Daines for Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He represents the best of what our great nation has to offer and is relentless in working hard to broaden eco nomic opportunities for our families. I’m confident that strong campaigns and quality candidates can win no matter the state. If we hope to expand our pro-growth message and build a robust infrastructure to ensure all of our candidates can win, the choice is Steve Daines,” Senator Tim Scott said.

Democrats are defending 23 seats to the GOP’s 10 in the 2024 election cycle. Many Dem ocrat incumbents standing for reelection represent purple and red states.

ST. IGNATIUS — The Montana Department of Transporta tion (MDT) and Montana Fencing have begun work near St. Ignatius on roadside safety improvements to reduce wildlife collisions.

This project is located along US Highway 93 (US 93), be ginning about two miles south of St. Ignatius and heading north roughly five miles. Crews will install fencing in areas where fencing and other wildlife treatments are not already in place. All work is located within existing MDT right of way.

Over the next few months, crews will install wildlife fencing, wildlife jump-outs, and approach treatments including metal wildlife grates, cattle guards, or wildlife guards. These project elements are designed to reduce the likelihood of vehicle collisions with wildlife such as grizzly bears, white-tailed deer, black bears, and mule deer.

Most work will be completed this winter, weather permit ting, with some final approach work to be done in spring of 2023.

The public is encouraged to contact Missoula District Public Relations Specialist, Megan Redmond at 406-3961978 with questions or comments about the project.

Alternative accessible formats of this document will be provided on request. Persons who need an alternative for mat should contact the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Transportation, 2701 Prospect Avenue, PO Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620. Telephone 406-444-5416 or Montana Relay Service at 711.

News from the office of Senator Daines

News from MDT

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Advertising Sales (406) 207-4641 jbeeks@ronan.net

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SUMMER

Montana VA reports shooting incident at Fort Harrison campus

HELENA — A shooting incident occurred at the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center campus at ap proximately 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 17.

The situation has been cleared and the incident is currently under joint investiga tion by the VA Police and the Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

Preliminary details indicate the incident only involved a single person. No other inju ries were reported.

The Montana VA Health Care System is unable to provide more information about the incident. Montana VA defers all ques tions to the Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office at 406-447-8305, as they are investigat ing the incident.

Currently, Fort Harrison VA Med ical Center is safe and secure. The facility is open, and Veterans are being directed to their appointments by staff.

We encourage any Veteran, family member, or friend

concerned about a Vet eran’s mental health to contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800273-8255 and press 1 or text 838255. Trained professionals are also available at www.vet eranscrisisline.net. The lines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. VA Health Care System is here for our Veteran communi ty and has a wealth of mental health resources available.

Montana VA Health Care System takes the safety of its Veterans and staff seriously, and appreciate the quick response and support from the local law en forcement as well as the VA Police.

courts

Perkins pleads not guilty to assault

POLSON — A Kalispell man is ac cused of assaulting his girlfriend for saying she doesn’t feel safe around him.

Douglas James Per kins, 34, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Pol son on Nov. 16 to fel ony partner or family member assault, third or subsequent.

According to court records, on Sept. 15, law enforcement in Kalispell were called to investigate a possible assault victim. The alleged victim stated she suf fered bruising to her face and

arms. She indicated that she sustained the bruises while she was traveling in a car in Polson with Perkins on Sept. 10. The investigation was then transferred to law enforcement in Lake County. A Deputy with the Lake County Sher iff’s office took over the investigation. The deputy was told by the alleged victim that she and Perkins began to argue when

she explained to him that she doesn’t feel safe around him. She then attempted to call a friend to come and pick her up. That’s when Perkins allegedly took her phone, got out of the car they were in and pulled her to the ground. She said Per kins then punched, slapped, and stomped on her multiple times then prevented her from seeking medical attention. Records

show Perkins has at least three other convictions of a sim ilar nature, two in Montana and one in California.

Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial May 5. Perkins re mains in the Lake County jail with bail set at $25,000. He is also being held on a $30,000 warrant from another jurisdiction.

Wishing

News from the Montana VA Health Care System

Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal

Ronan Co-op beer featured in craft brewing magazine

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

RONAN — The Ronan Cooperative Brewery found itself on the pages of Craft Brewing Magazine recently when their Forbidden City Amber was listed as one of contributing editor Kate Ber not’s best beers of 2022.

Described by Craft Beer and Brewing magazine as “one of the most respected voices in beer journalism today,” Bernot reviews beers from throughout the country.

“I’m not sure as far as rank ings of brewing publications, (but) it’s one of my favorites. For us to wind up in that magazine kind of blows my mind,” commented Jim Myers head brewer at Ronan Coop erative.

“A lager-obsessed, sweatall-the-details brewery in pretty much the middle of nowhere is just damn delight ful,” Bernot wrote in her re view of the Düsseldorf-style amber ale. “This altbier is un impeachable, well-attenuated, characterful with a bitterness that just slides in under the tag. I have caught myself day dreaming about this beer.”

While the brewery staff had known Bernot was try ing their beer, Myers said he hadn’t expected their brew to show up on any lists. “What I was really thinking was that we might get some notes (for improvement) back,” Myers stated, “not to show up in Kate’s favorite beers of the year.”

The Forbidden City Am ber was the second beer ever brewed in the Co-op before its doors even opened to the

public. The recipe of brewer and board of directors mem ber Bob Hall, he remembers they brewed a stout on Tues day, then his amber altbier on Thursday, and they’ve never taken it off draft since. One of their most popular beers, the brewers say its sales speak for themselves.

“I had gotten back from a vacation where I’d gone with a brewer friend to Düsseldorf. We’d traipsed around to the different brewpubs and tried the different beers,” Hall

said. “My brewer friend was famous for his altbier … but they make a darker, heavier style and I really liked the lighter styles we were tasting, so I made a recipe inspired by those lighter styles.”

With five malts in the recipe and very few changes made to the formula since its debut, Myers described the amber as similar to an artisanal bread. “There’s a lot of hops in it, but because of some of the complexity of the grains you wouldn’t think of it

as a hoppy beer,” he added.

“We’re really excited to see our beer in the magazine,” Hall said. “We work hard to make very easy-to-drink style beer.”

As for upcoming brews, the Co-op will be holding a release party for its wee heavy beer, a type of Scottish ale, which will be announced on their social media at: face book.com/RonanCoopera tiveBrewery. Their award win ning dunkles bock is still on tap for now, and a Czech dark

will be on the menu as well in the coming months.

“Hopefully it helps us get closer to our mission of downtown revitalization and local sustainability,” Myers commented. “The notoriety is great, I feel privileged and honored to get to be a part of it – so this is really neat, it’s a fun industry a lot of times to be in. But if this helps more money stay in Ronan … then that’s really the goal for me. If that’s what we get, then we’re doing the right thing.”

COURTESY PHOTO

Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission announces schedule

News from the Montana State Legislature

MONTANA — The Mon tana Districting and Apportion ment Commission has released tentative agendas for four meetings it has scheduled during November and December. By the end of the December, the commissioners plan to have a complete state legislative district proposal to submit to the Mon tana Legislature for its review and recommendations. A com plete state legislative proposal includes 100 House districts and 50 Senate districts. The proposal will assign the 25 senators who were elected in 2022 to Senate districts for the final two years of their terms.

Information about each meet

ing is provided on the meeting agenda, including how the public can participate.

The initial four draft maps the commission used to gather pub lic comments in the fall are avail able online at the commission’s website. Additional map propos als will also be posted online as they become available.

November 28 through De cember 1 Work Session In formation: During a four-day work session starting at 9 a.m. on November 28, the commis sion will work to craft 100 state House districts. The work session will continue at 9 a.m. on each subsequent day, though the commission may decide not to meet on one or more of the no ticed meeting dates. Up-to-date

information will be available throughout the process at the commission’s website https:// mtredistricting.gov/ Because the commission took public comment on proposed legislative House district maps during 9 public hearings held in August and September. The commission will not take addi tional verbal comment during this work session. However, written comments are always accepted, and the public is en couraged to submit comments that can help improve the quality of the final maps. The public can also watch the meeting in person in Room 102 of the Capitol or stream it live online at the Montana Legislature’s website.

December 10 Public Hear

ing Information: The results of four-day work session will be the focus of a public hearing on December 10. The commis sioners will be taking comments on proposed legislative House district maps, possible House district pairings to create Senate districts, and holdover senator assignments. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. in Room 102 of the State Capitol in Helena. There will also be a Zoom option. Instructions on how to sign up for the Zoom link are available on the December 10 meeting agenda.

December 15 Work Session Information: The commission ers hold a work session starting at 9 a.m. in Room 102 of the State Capitol in Helena. Possi

Christmas wagon rides

with the Live Oak Belgian horses every night!

Santa arrives with the Belgians after the Parade of Lights Dec. 9 and will be on site for visits at 5 p.m. Dec. 10, 16 & 17.

Christmas story hour

each night from 6 to 7 p.m.

reTreet

nonprofit tree contest set up is 10 a.m. - 2p.m. Friday, Dec. 9.

ble work session topics include revisions to the proposed House districts, pairings of House dis tricts to create Senate districts, and assignment of holdover senators to districts. The com mission will not take additional verbal comment during this work session. Written comments are always accepted. The public can also watch the meeting in person in Room 102 of the Cap itol or stream it live online at the Montana Legislature’s website.

December 21 Public Hear ing Information: As required by state law, the commission will hold a public hearing on the en tire state legislative redistricting proposal it plans to submit to the Legislature. The hearing will see page 8

Tester, Collins’ bipartisan bill to support first responders headed to President’s desk

U.S. SENATE — After an ag gressive push from U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), their bipartisan First Re sponders Fair Return for Employees on Their Initial Retirement Earned (RETIRE) Act passed the Senate and is headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The legislation will help federal firefighters, law enforcement of ficers, Customs and Border Protection officials, and other federal employees with potentially dangerous jobs receive their full retirement benefits if they get hurt while on duty.

“Our first responders are the first on the scene to keep Montana families and communities safe, and we owe them their full retirement benefits if they’re hurt on the job, period,” said Tester. “I introduced this bipartisan legislation to make sure the folks who put themselves in harm’s way are made whole and are able to access the enhanced retirement benefits they’ve earned through years of selfless service.”

“As the title of this bill implies, the Fair RETIRE Act brings fairness to the retirement benefits afforded to the brave men and women in federal law enforce

ment who are disabled in the line of duty,” Larry Cosme, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) said. “We applaud Sen. Jon Tester, Sen. Susan Collins, and Rep. Gerry Connolly who have been our tireless congressional champions on this bill since it was first introduced. They have worked closely with FLEOA to de velop and advance this critical legislation each Congress and we are grateful for their efforts and support. We look for ward to seeing President Biden sign the bill into law.”

“Correcting this critical flaw in the law was a top priority for NFFE for years,” stated Randy Erwin, National President of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE).  “Until now, federal first responders who return to work after suffering debilitating job-related injuries could lose their enhanced retirement. When that happens—and it did all too often—the injured first responder would lose thousands of dollars in forfeited re tirement contributions and then have to work years more with painful injuries. The First Responder Fair Retire Act stops this financial insult to physical injury, and I thank Senator Tester for his unrelent ing leadership over many congresses to

get this done. This bill was a bipartisan effort that included Senators Collins, Gillibrand, Risch, King, Daines, and Rosen. On behalf of our nation’s federal first responders, we thank you for your support to protect those injured in the line of duty.”

The First Responders Fair RETIRE Act is also sponsored by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). The House of Representatives passed the legislation in July.

Tester first introduced the legislation in 2016 after hearing the story of Missoula smokejumper Bob Beckley and others like him. Beckley parachuted into the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness area to fight a wildfire and broke his back while on the job managing a wildfire emergen cy. Instead of taking a disability retire ment, he chose to return to the federal workforce. However, because he moved to a less hazardous type of position, he lost his enhanced retirement benefits—he lost his ability to retire after 20 years and his enhanced annuity.  Because of the physically demanding and dangerous nature of federal first respond er jobs, Congress created an accelerated

Disability advocates sue DPHHS for blocking public records release

agencies.

HELENA — Dis ability Rights Montana filed suit today against Montana’s Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) after the agency denied a public records request for materi als related to the hiring of Mike Randol as the Med icaid and Health Services Executive Director.

Montana’s constitutional Right to Know, guaran tees broad public access to documents held by state

The requested docu ments contain information about DPHHS’s hiring priorities and about Ran dol’s qualifications and ex perience. Randol previously oversaw Medicaid pro grams in Iowa and Kansas, both of which moved to privatization during his tenure. Privatization—or “managed care”—shifts Medicaid administration to private, for-profit en tities. Montana used a managed care system in the 1990s, but reassumed

Medicaid administration when managed care proved far worse for patients and providers.

“DPHHS provides es sential services to hundreds of thousands of Montana’s most vulnerable and dis advantaged residents,” said Bernie Franks-Ongoy, Ex ecutive Director of Disabil ity Rights Montana. “State leadership determines the quality and administration of healthcare, community integration, and communi ty-based treatment.”

“Montanans have a

constitutional right to state transparency,” said attorney Niki Zupanic. “DPPHS’s denial of records for a high-level employee is a significant departure from constitutional norms. The State cannot govern in secret.”

DPHHS’s withholding of public records follows other records request denials by the Executive Branch, and has led to other lawsuits, includ ing O’Neill v. Gianforte, which was filed last year.  That case remains pending.

schedule

retirement system and established a mandatory early retirement age of 57 for certain high-risk jobs. These employees pay a higher percentage of their wages toward their retirement, and are entitled to an annuity after 20 years of service. Currently, if they are injured at work and unable to complete their mandatory years of service, funds that they’ve paid into early retirement are eliminated, even if they return to the federal government in a non-6c position.

The First Responders Fair RETIRE Act will allow federal public safety offi cers to retain their enhanced 6c retire ment status if they chose to return to the federal government in a non-6c position after getting injured in the line of duty. They would still be able to retire after 20 years of federal service and will also be eligible to receive a lump sum payment of the benefits owed from their 6c retire ment funds.

The First Responders Fair RETIRE Act is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Fed eration of Federal Employees, the In ternational Association of Fire Fighters, Council of Prison Locals, and the Air Marshal Association.

MT 59620.

from page 7

start at 9 a.m. in Room 102 of the State Capitol in Helena. There will also be a Zoom option.

Instructions on how to sign up for the Zoom link are available on the Dec. 21 meeting agenda.

Written comments are encouraged and accepted at all times.

Written comments may be submitted using the commission’s webform, emailed to districting@ legmt.gov, or mailed to Districting and Appor tionment Commission, PO Box 201706, Helena,

All meetings will be streamed live online at the Montana Legis lature’s website, leg. mt.gov, and broadcast on the Montana Public Affairs Network (MPAN). The commission may change meeting dates or times. Sign up to receive email updates or check the commission’s website for up-to-date information.

Commission web site: https://mtredistrict ing.gov/ Commission staff: dis tricting@legmt.gov or call Rachel Weiss 406444-5367 or Joe Kolman 406-444-3747.

News from the United States Congress

News from Upper Seven Law

Diary of Anne Frank to premiere in Polson

POLSON — Port Polson Players, in association with Mis sion Valley Friends of the Arts, present the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning classic, The Diary of Anne Frank, at Polson’s beautiful Theatre on the Lake over two weekends - Dec. 2-4 and 9-11.

“We felt the play was pretty timely, given the current situa tions across the globe right now,” said Karen Lewing, who directs the cast of ten Mission Valley performers. “We need to hear this story again.”

The show is a drama, of course, recounting the true story of Otto

Frank and his family, forced to hide out during the Nazi occupation of Holland during WWII. But there is a good dose of humor as well.

“The play has warmth, wisdom and just the right amount of lightheartedness to balance the story. And we have the per fect cast to pull it off.

I hope everyone will come see this true classic piece of theatre.”

Curtain times = 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with Sunday mat inees at 2 p.m.

$17 for adults, $16 for students and seniors.

Card carrying veterans = $10 Call 406-883-9212 or portpo lsonplayers.com for reservations for assured seating, although walk-ins are also welcome.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The St. Luke Family at your local, community-owned hospital wishes you and yours a Happy and Memorable Thanksgiving.

- The Heart of Healthcare in the Mission Valley since 1953

News from the Port Polson Players

COURTESY PHOTO

Pictured here Ellie Dupuis appears as Anne Frank. Included in the Mission Valley Cast are Dana Grant as Otto Frank, Jessica Dauterive as Edith Frank, Kyle Stinger and Caroline McDonald as Mr. & Mrs.Van Daan, Kai McDonald as Peter Van Daan, Veronica Marquardt as Margot Frank, Tina Hanken as Meip, Matt Graves as Mr. Kraler, and Ron Martin-Dent as Mr. Dussel.

valley views

Gratitude 2022 - a new perspective

N ovember is typ ically gratitude month. It’s a time for us to take stock of and count our blessings, be ing mindful of them and appreciating all that life has bestowed upon us.

We all know we should practice gratitude every day of the year, but heck, like the song says: one out of twelve ain’t bed.

I love gratitude bet ter than a good turkey gravy poured over a big pile of mashed taters on a cool autumn day in November. And I’ve been known to tout this loudly: “Be grateful right now, or I’ll give you something to be grateful for!”

The last two Novem bers – supposedly grati tude months – have been difficult for me. And, with a sign, I admit this year seems to be mir roring the last two. So, instead of being grateful for the normal things

(which are great to be grateful for, but the way.)

I’m taking a new path, a new route of gratitude. Much like I’ve taken a new route in life.

This year, I am thank ful for memories. And feel ings. And the life I’ve lived so far (been bless ed with so far) because it has been wonderful. We are told not to look back, not to look forward, but to stay in the present, but today I’m indulging myself.

Slices of Life

Jill Pertler Syndicated columnist

I am grateful for the atlas I still keep in the car. You never trusted the app maps on your phone, and preferred to rely on good old paper naviga tion. I no longer use the atlas, but I’ll keep it forev er, because it reminds me of you.

I am grateful for the many years I had someone to dance with at weddings.

I am grateful you got to see our daughter get married and walk her down the aisle at her wedding.

family.

I am grateful for all you did for our family. You were a hands-on dad. You were a loving husband. You took out the trash and cleaned up the cat vomit. You did the dirty work without complaint and often with a smile. You made me my coffee every morning.

I am grateful for your blue eyes and your smile.

help me edit - in your own, new way.

I am grateful for all the times we walked and held hands. I know you did that for me because you know I loved it. Thank you for doing the things I loved, just to make me happy.

award-winning syndi cated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

LETTER POLICY

Today I’m taking a peek at the past - with gratitude. Today I give thanks for 33-plus years of wonderfulness and things that surge the gratitude within me.

I am grateful I need to sleep with a weighted blanket because I was so used to being hugged all night long.

Thankful for Montana

As a fifth-genera tion Montanan, I didn’t choose Montana — Montana chose me. Over 100 years ago, my great-great-grandmother homesteaded 23 miles east of Conrad and that’s how my family made it to the Last Best Place. And

I’ll be forever thankful for that. There is a lot that makes America an exceptional place to live and the Thanksgiving tra dition is one of them. It’s an integral part of our

I am grateful we raised our children together and they got to adult hood (or nearly so) be fore you left this earth.

I am grateful for all the youth football games, the hockey tournaments, the voice recitals and the theater productions we attended together to cel ebrate our kids and our

I’m thankful for the one time you talked me into going for a ride on the jet ski and I held onto you for dear life, because I trusted you and even though the jet ski was far (very far) from my comfort zone, I was able to do it because you were by right my side (or more correctly directly in front of me) during the entire ride.

I am grateful for your proofreading skills. I lost my editor when I lost you, but you continue to

I am grateful for 33 years with my best friend and soulmate. I wouldn’t trade them for anything - not a million or a bil lion dollars. Well, I’d have to think about the billion…

Two years. It’s been two years since you left, and it is so easy to dwell on those two years versus reflecting on the pastthe 33 years that came before that. I don’t want to live in the past, but I don’t want to forget it, either. You gave me the last three decades of your life. What a beautiful gift.

Thank you. Jill Pertler is an

Letters to the editor are welcome. The content is the opinion of the letter writer and not the newspaper. The decision to pub lish 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 let ters are published.

Legislative Notes

uniquely American story. For the last 400 years, we have gathered with our families, friends and neighbors to thank God for all that He has given us. But it wasn’t

until 1863, when Presi dent Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November “as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise,” that we cele brated Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

I’ve read Lincoln’s proclamation before my

own family’s Thanks giving dinner. Lincoln speaks of the abundance of the fields, the peace with foreign nations and the health of a growing population, all the while grappling with the Civil War. He writes, “No

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.

Sen. Steve Daines

human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, rev erently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.” And we have celebrated Thanksgiving ever since.

Living in Montana, it’s not hard to find things to fill us with thankfulness and remind us of God’s grace. I’m thankful for our state’s gorgeous public lands. I’m thankful for the wheat fields and their vibrant yellow color. I’m thankful for our Mon tana farmers and ranch ers that put food on our tables. I’m thankful for our first responders that put their lives on the line to protect our

families and communi ties, and for our Mon tana veterans who an swered the call of duty. I’m thankful for the opportunity to wake up every day and serve the people of Montana. I’m thankful to have grown up in the greatest state, in the greatest nation in the world. Most of all, I’m thankful for my family — my sweet wife Cindy, our four children and our four grandchil dren.

The past few years have been difficult for many Montanans be cause of the pandemic and inflation. As we sit around our Thanksgiv ing tables, surrounded by those we love, may we recommit ourselves to our great state, to our exceptional nation, and to each other — because through the highs and lows, Montanans pull together — and that’s how we continue to keep Montana the Last Best Place.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanks giving. It is an honor to serve as Montana’s United States Senator.  vj

Be antibiotics aware: smart use, best care

MONTANA — Department of Public Health and Human Ser vices officials are urging Montanans to be aware of the importance of ap propriate antibiotic use during U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week Nov. 18-24, 2022.

This is an annual ob servance that provides participating organiza tions in the state’s An timicrobial Stewardship Program an opportunity to raise awareness about antibiotic use to combat the threat of antibiotic resistance.

DPHHS officials state that while antibiotics are a common treat ment for numerous bac terial infections, they are not always the answer.

“Antibiotics do not treat the viruses that cause colds, flu, or COVID-19,” said Erika Baldry of the Infection Control and Prevention/Health care-Associated In fection Section (ICP/

HAI) for DPHHS. “We recommend asking your healthcare provider about the most appropriate treatment for you or your loved ones’ illness. If anti biotics are not needed, ask about the best way to feel better while your body fights off the virus.”

DPHHS said there’s several steps patients, caregivers, families, and healthcare profession als can take to improve antibiotic prescribing and use. Some simple steps to take include only prescribing antibiotics when necessary and for only the shortest effective duration, completing the entire prescribed antibi

otic course and only using antibiotics prescribed to you.

Other steps that can be taken to reduce antibiotic resistance include being current on all vaccines, washing hands, keeping wounds clean, and man aging chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Baldry said when an tibiotics aren’t needed, they can cause side effects and lead to antibiotic resistance. “Resistance to antibiotics does not mean that the body is becoming resistant; rather, it means that bacteria develop the ability to defeat the an tibiotics designed to kill them,” she said.

Some resistant bacteria may be very difficult to treat and can spread to other people. According to the Centers for Dis ease Control, each year in the U.S., more than 2.8 million individuals get infected with antibiot ic-resistant bacteria.

DPHHS conducts testing at the Montana Public Health Laboratory (MTPHL) for antibi otic resistant organisms submitted by Montana hospitals, specifically carbapenem-resistant or ganisms.

Carbapenems are a type of antibiotic and organisms resistant to

Thank You

A sincere thank you to all the people who voted for me. A very special thank you to my family, my old and new friends, and neighbors who spent countless hours volunteering. I am so very grateful and proud of the clean, honest and professional campaign that we all were a part of.

Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving.

Shirley

Azzopardi, candidate

for HD 93

‘Small Business Saturday’ & more holiday events planned in valley

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

POLSON — The Saturday after Thanksgiving will see local businesses open their doors for this year’s Small Business Sat urday.

A national movement to en courage support for local econo mies, Polson will participate this year with businesses downtown and the surrounding area open

from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Satur day, Nov. 26. According to Polson Business Community Facebook page, residents spending $100 locally instead of online would generate over $3 million for the community.

Polson’s Small Business Satur day wraps up with the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Lake County Courthouse at 6 p.m. The Parade of Lights in Polson is

St. Ignatius Honor Roll

The following students have met the requirements for the first quarter honor roll at St. Ignatius Middle and High Schools:

6th grade

4.0 – Jared Decker, Hudson Hawkaluk, Leila Hogenson, Johanna Rob ine, Elizabeth Vaughan

3.5-3.99 – Amani An toine, Kaelyn Canfield, Jo seph Cronk, Mason Evans, Grady Hall, Keala Hando, Jazmyne Lamere, Mary Lamere, Raileigh Mc Donald, Isaac Morigeau, Valentina O’Brien, An thony Sheridan, Braxton Wheeler

3.0-3.49 – Trystin Blood, Emma Chris topher, Isaiah Gariepy, Mia Gonzalez, Aliviah Hogge, Easton Larson, Jenai McElderry, Jayah Pierre, Stephen Pinkerton, LeeLyn Shepard, Kyleigha SpottedElk, Kaywin Ste vens

7th Grade

4.0 – Tristan Sheridan, 3.5-3.99 – Gunner

Courville, Revelin Ham mond, Whisper Jungers, Adley Larson, Robert Oliver, DJ Stops, Kiran Thomas, Aiden Umphrey 3.0-3.49 – Evan Flat Lip, Luky Lefthand, Brier Morigeau, Gregory Schimmel, Kurtis Wood, Dakota Zeiler

8th Grade

4.0 – David Broughton, Anna Cronk, Madison Incashola, Lyla Wanberg 3.5-3.99 – Sierra Blood, Kieran Incashola, Sterling Jensen, Dylan Jungers, Avia Lee, Macklen Mc Donald, Nashine Stevens 3.0-3.49 – Ava Clark, Misty Galarneau, Kaleb Gowen, Kamiyah James, Jason Leishman, Van Starkel

9th Grade

4.0 – Lex LaFrombois, Brooklyn McClure, Arian na Robine 3.5 - 3.99 – Sierra Girsch, Brayden Hall, Jake Helser, Leslia Stops, Kitra Thomas, Cora Ward Matt 3.0 - 3.49 – Jayson

planned for the following Friday, Dec. 2. For more details, visit: facebook.com/PolsonBusiness Community

Arlee will hold their Parade of Lights on Nov. 26, beginning at the high school parking lot at 6 p.m. All are welcome to decorate and participate in the parade by lining up early at 5 p.m. The celebration will conclude at the Brown Building with coffee, co

coa, and treats for all.

While Ronan and St. Ignatius may not be officially participating in Small Business Saturday, some businesses may be open for it and residents are encouraged to show their support. Additionally, St. Ignatius will hold its Christ mas Carnival on Dec. 3 in their new St. Ignatius High School gym starting at 2 p.m. Following the carnival at 5:30 p.m., a tree

lighting ceremony and parade of lights will take place.

Ronan will hold their Holiday Treasures event and Parade of Lights on Dec. 9. The parade will start at 6 p.m., travel down Main Street, and then deliver Santa to “Lights Under the Big Sky” at the fairgrounds. “Lights Under the Big Sky” will be held Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17 from 5-9 p.m. at the Ronan Fairgrounds.

antibiotics

from page 11

Brown, Cole Castonguay, Maia Christopher, Milo Crooks, Abigail Gillin, Jacob Piedalue, Krugger Pierce

10th Grade

4.0 – Amelia Cronk, Sawyer Pule, Brooke Tan ner, Isaac Umphrey 3.5 - 3.99 – Isabell Grant, Jack Keast, Kason Page

3.0 - 3.49 – Lloyd Barn aby, McKensey Burke, Ev elyn Pavlock Ferencz, Toni Hadley Houle, Madisyn Hanken, Jarlon Leishman, Cameron Oliver, Abbie Orr

11th Grade

4.0 – Sackett Andres, Elannah Flat Lip 3.5-3.99 – Paisley Couture, Heaven Di az-Morigeau, Brianna Dil lard, Izabel Evans, Rowan McElderry, Sheldon Mc Leod, Jak Starkel

3.0-3.49 –Lita Bourdon, Hannah Gill, Bayleigh Jones, Codiak Killorn, K Kipp, Jasmine McNutt, Keirston Molloy, Dev

on Paulsen, Keithetta Quequesah

12th Grade

4.0 – Hatalie Helser, Elaina Keast, Cassidy Orr, Kooper Page 3.5-3.99 – Emaurice Flat Lip, Natalie Grant, Tre Heath-Lafrombois, Alexis Lamere, Kellen McClure, Erich Mitch ell Morigeau, Canyon Sargent, Gabriel Smith, Kariah Thomas, Bryce Umphrey 3.0-3.49 – Zoran Lafrombois, Joshua Mc Gonigle, Andrew Rush, Matthew Watters

these types of antibiot ics are a public health concern. If an organism is carbapenem-resis tant, that can limit the antibiotic options for treatment.

Antibiotic-resistant germs, including new and emerging resistance, can spread within and between healthcare facilities. These germs can cause infections in patients, called health care-associated infections (HAIs), and can spread to the community or environ ment (soil, water).

So far in 2022, 68 car bapenem-resistant organ isms were submitted to the MTPHL. Out of the 68

The Diary Of Anne Frank

specimens identified this year, two were identified as carbapenemase-pro ducers making them very difficult to treat due to their capability to be resistant to many different antibiotics.

In 2021, a total of 63 carbapenem-resistant samples were submitted and one carbapenemase producer was identified.

For more information about U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week go to: https://www.cdc.gov/ antibiotic-use/week/tool kit.html

To learn more about the Montana Antimicrobial Stewardship Collabora tive go to: https://dphhs. mt.gov/publichealth/ cdepi/AntimicrobialResis tance

Polson appreciates school psychologists, speech pathologists

News

the Polson School District

POLSON — The Polson School District offers a wide range of Special Education ser vices to help students with disabilities learn. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, whose initial iter ation passed into law in 1975 under President Gerald Ford, establishes 13 categories of disabili ty under which a student may qualify. As you can imagine when you look at the array of challeng es young learners may have, it takes an inspired and dedicated group of educators and other professionals to design and implement programs to serve each student’s unique needs.

Across the Polson School District, serving 3-year-old preschool ers through seniors in high school, the district currently has a special education staff of 14 dedicated teachers and 19 paraprofessionals. It varies from year to year, and in recent years, most school districts have had some challenges filling all of their special educa tion staffing positions.

Most rural schools across Montana have found it especially diffi cult to find School Psy chologists, Speech and Language Pathologists,

and paraprofessionals to meet all their needs. This year we are happy to have two freshly mint ed School Psychologist graduates out of the University of Montana working in our Polson school community. We also have two fantastic Speech Pathologists working at Cherry Valley and Linderman School and a local Physical and Occupational Therapist with which we contract part-time for services in those areas. We have been trying to fill anoth er Speech Pathologist position for a couple years and have had a somewhat difficult time filling paraprofessional positions in the last few years. Polson Schools continually look for engaging qualified indi viduals with interest in working with our youth.

It can be an ambitious teaching assignment to work with wide-ranging challenges and abilities, and keeping up with the paperwork and annual team meeting responsi bilities is intensive, but Special Educators are the kind of people you can be inspired by in the little miracles these folks provide every day.

Fred ‘Mister’ Rogers once said, “Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me.” In this Polson community, we are fortu nate to have an inspiring group of talented and dedicated teachers and staff to serve the diverse needs of all our learn ers. Every day we see ordinary heroes at work finding a creative way to teach a new skill, a new concept, a new idea to a learner who is inspired.

Tis the Season

Dear Mission Valley Churches, Community Organizations and Citizens of Lake County,

The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign is just around the corner and we are looking for your support again this year to ring the bell! There will be locations in the Mission Valley at Pablo Fam ily Foods, Ronan Harvest Foods, Rod’s Market in St. Ignatius. In Polson the locations will be Super One and Wal-Mart.

Volunteers are needed to ring the bell at these times: Polson

— Walmart 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Saturday & Sunday

— Super One 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday & Saturday

Ronan

— Harvest Foods 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday & Saturday

Pablo — Family Foods 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday & Friday St. Ignatius

— Rod’s Market noon-5 p.m. Friday & Saturday

We encourage churches and organizations to sign up for a day or two at a time (days are broken into 2-hour shifts). To help facilitate this, we ask that each group have a “contact person” who is responsible for scheduling with the Kettle Coordinator in their area.

This Kettle Campaign is vital to meet the needs of Lake County. The Helping Hands Fund, Safe Harbor, Lake County Sheriff, and local Police Departments can assist clients with food, clothing, temporary lodging, transportation, utilities, and personal care supplies because of the funds raised during our Campaign

All these projects and assistance is made possible because of your church or organizations’ willingness to donate time to ring the bell. 90% of the monies raised in the Kettle Campaign stay right here in Lake County. Please contact one of the Kettle Coordinators below to schedule your day. The Campaign will run from the day after Thanksgiving to Dec. 18.

Thank you for your support !

Nancy Hines, Polson, Pablo, and Ronan Coordinator (406) 270-5423

Tobiann Agliano, Coordinator helpinghandsfundassistant@gmail.com

Gretchen Schnitzer, St. Ignatius Coordinator 858-354-8615

Jennifer Rolfsness, Executive Director, Helping Hands 883-8256

from

St. Luke Community Healthcare employees donate holiday fare to local food banks

News from St. Luke Community Healthcare

RONAN — St. Luke Community Healthcare employees recently held a month-long food drive to collect 1,571 pounds of non-perishable food and almost $1,000 to donate to the food banks in Ronan, St. Ignatius, and Polson so they would have essential holiday items on hand going into the holiday season. The four-week interde partmental competition has become a tradition for the organization and comes at an important time for local families.

The drive focuses on hol iday-related baking and cooking items, along with favorite holiday sides and snacks.

The top four depart ments to bring the most items and/or dollars were treated to a pizza party. In addition to the food drive, each department created a donation box for the food. The most creative department was also treated to a pizza party. St. Luke recog nizes that food drives are important to local food banks and can help provide food to the thou sands of individuals they serve.

“Food security plays an important role in good health,” said St. Luke CEO, Steve Todd. “I’m very proud of our 400 team members for find ing yet another way to support their community. The local food pantries provide an invaluable service to their towns and supporting that cause brings out the best in us too.”

To learn more about St. Luke Community Healthcare, visit: www. stlukehealthcare.org. For the latest news and events from St. Luke, like them on Facebook, Insta gram, and Twitter.

COURTESY PHOTOS

TOP: Ronan Bread Basket DonationRonan

RIGHT: Box Decora tion Winner – Envi ronmental Services

Mission Valley Food Pantry Donation – St. Ignatius Polson Loaves & Fish Pantry Donation - Polson

MONTANA — De partment of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials said that increased benefits are now available to families through the Special Sup plemental Nutrition Pro gram for women, infants, and children, commonly known as WIC.

“We want to ensure that WIC recipients and those who are eligible, but not yet enrolled for the program, are aware that benefits increased in Oc tober,” said Kevin Moore, acting WIC Director for DPHHS. “This is great news because we know that with increases in food prices, times are tough for many families. The additional benefit will help families get the nutrition they need.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which funds WIC, in creased the monthly ben efit to buy more fruit and vegetables. Households will now receive $25 per month for children up to age five, $44 for those pregnant, postpartum, or partially breastfeeding, and $49 for those who are fully breastfeeding for fruits and vegetables. On average, this amounts to a monthly benefit increase of 37% for Montana families.

The last time the benefit amounts experienced this large of increase was in 2009.

“When I was first en rolled in WIC, program staff helped ensure my

family had necessary in formation, such as proper nutrition and the benefits of breastfeeding,” said former WIC recipient Whitney Fisher of Hele na. “Program staff helped answer all questions gave us tools to be successful as parents. They just really helped relieve so much angst, and I can’t thank them enough.”

WIC in Montana in cludes 29 local agencies and over 80 clinic sites serving all 56 counties and seven tribal reservations. In Montana, almost 14,000 women, infants and chil dren are enrolled. DPH HS and local WIC offices across the state encourage all those who are interest ed and possibly eligible for the program to apply.

WIC eligibility requires participants to be preg nant, postpartum, breast feeding, or have a child younger than five. Par ticipants must also meet

Nira

She is a very sweet 4-yr-old lab mix. She loves to be with her humans and get all the attention she can handle.

income requirements— making less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level or qualify for Med icaid, SNAP, TANF, or free/reduced school meal program. Specific WIC eligibility guidelines can be found on the DPHHS website.

WIC’s benefits include providing families access to healthy food, breast feeding education, referral to other health and social services, and much more.

WIC is a voluntary pro gram, and participation does not interfere with other programs such as SNAP or Medicaid.

To learn more about WIC or find out if you are eligible, go to www.dphhs. mt.gov/ecfsd/wic/index. Families can also reach out to your local WIC clinic or visit www.signupwic. com. The state office may be reached at 1-800-4334298 or via email at mon tanawicprogram@mt.gov

Huskies beat Bulldogs in state championship

Story and Photos by Porter Counts / Valley Journal

ST. IGNATIUS —

The Mission Bulldogs hosted the Belt Hus kies in the Montana Eight-Man football state championship on Saturday, Nov. 19, losing 52-24. Both teams came into the championship game undefeated. This was Mission’s first foot ball championship game since 1948 and Belt’s first since 1994, with both teams looking to write themselves into the history books.

On a frigid afternoon, both teams struggled getting their respective offenses going with the hard, slick field and cold air affecting both the pass and run games. The Bulldogs scored the first and only points of the first quarter through their tough defensive work. Kenny Ness blocked a Belt punt and it was recovered by Can yon Sargent who ran it back for a touchdown.

In the second quar ter, both teams scored two touchdowns with the Huskies converting both two point conver sions and the Bulldogs missing out on both of theirs. Mission quarter back Kellen McClure through one of his two touchdown passes to Ness after the Huskies’

Garret Metrione had rushed for a one yard touchdown, making the score 12-8. Af ter a 35-yard rushing touchdown from Belts’ Jeremy Nebel, the Bull dogs responded on the defensive end through Chance Bockmans picksix, ending the first half up 18-14.

After the break, the Huskies’ Metrione scored both the third quarters touchdowns to put Belt up 30-18. The Bulldogs scored a beautiful 40-yard pass from McClure to Ness to give Mission High a bit of hope for a big comeback, but the Hus kies were not going to be denied their first title in almost 30 years. Metrione rushed for his fourth touchdown of the day and Ethan Triplett ran for two of his own to finish the game 5224.

“We knew we were in a tough fight, and they came to play,” said Belt head coach Matt Triplett. “Hats off to those guys for playing hard. We threw a cou ple of picks and they were dropping in that zone really hard, so we thought we could just pound the ball a little bit and maybe break one, and the guys just got it done.”

see more photos at valleyjournal.net

Ronan Hall of Fame members announced

RONAN — The Ronan Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce the members of the second class to be inducted into the School District #30/Ronan Hall of Fame. The new members will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Ronan Com munity Center.

In the category of “Distinguished Athlete,” Bob Camel and Monica VanMaanen have been selected. Camel was a three-sport star for the Chiefs and a 1978 grad uate. Camel was named to All-state teams in football and basketball and was a State Cham pion in the 180-yard low hurdles. VanMaanen, a 1991 grad, competed in cross-country, girls’ bas ketball, volleyball, and

track for the Maidens. She was crowned a State Champion as an indi vidual eight times in the sprints and was a member of the State Champion 1600-meter relay team.

Crystal Pitts was cho sen as a “Distinguished Coach or Staff Member.” Pitts was the first woman in Montana hired as the head coach of both boys’ and girls’ high school track programs. She spent 33 years coaching in the

track program, 24 years as head coach.

Gary Hughes, a 1960 RHS graduate, was se lected as a “Distinguished Alumni.” Hughes worked from 1966 to 2000 for the University of Mon tana coordinating ticket sales and athletic events including Montana High School Association championship competi tions. He became just the third-ever recipient of the Grizzly Lifetime Honors

Award in 2021 and was inducted into the Grizzly Hall of Fame.

Dr. Joe McDonald was selected to be inducted as a “Distinguished Com munity Contributor.” Mc Donald came to Ronan as high school principal in 1968 before leaving to start Salish Kootenai Col lege in 1977. The college now has an enrollment of over 600 students and 70 full-time faculty mem bers.

Forest Service unveils Crazy Mountains land swap proposal

If approved, the East Crazy Inspiration Divide Land Exchange would consolidate checkerboard land in the Crazies and execute a smaller land swap in the Big Sky area.

By Amanda Eggert Montana Free Press

MONTANA — More than a year after the Crazy Moun tain Access Project group put a land swap proposal before the Custer Gallatin National Forest, the public has an opportunity to comment on the deal, which seeks to consolidate checker board land in the Crazy Moun tains.

If the swap is approved, the Forest Service will acquire 6,430 acres of private land in exchange for 4,135 acres of federal land. Most of the land that would change ownership is in the Cra zy Mountains, an area with a

complicated ownership pattern where access to a handful of trails historically managed by the Forest Service has become contentious and uncertain. The proposal also involves about 1,000 acres of land near Eglise Peak in the Big Sky area and the transfer of a section of land that includes Smeller Lake from Crazy Mountain Ranch to the Forest Service.

The proposal was initiated by the Yellowstone Club, which has long sought access to Forest Service property adjacent to its existing holdings in order to expand its expert ski offerings. The Yellowstone Club started working with landowners in the Crazies in 2019 to put together a land swap package that would address some areas the Forest Service had identified as being high priorities for that kind of resource-intensive real estate transaction. Last July, the Crazy Mountain Access Project sub mitted a proposal to the Forest Service for review.

If the East Crazy Inspira

tion Divide Land Exchange goes through, the Yellowstone Club will swap 605 acres of its property for 500 acres of Forest Service land. Proponents of the swap would also pay for the con struction of a new Forest Service trail, Sweet Trunk Trail #274, located primarily on federal land along the east side of the Crazies to address contested access on the East Trunk Trail, which the Forest Service would relinquish claims to.

Members of the Crazy Moun tain Access Project urged sup port for the project and touted the process that’s brought the Forest Service to this point.

“The East Crazy (Inspiration Divide) Land Exchange is a pos itive path forward to solving the access issues that have plagued this region for decades,” Melville rancher and CMAP member Nathan Anderson said in a Nov. 9 release about the proposal. “It is the end result of many years of collaborative, grassroots ef forts between the Forest Service, land owners, recreational and

conservation communities. The dialogue and trust that has been created between these entities throughout this process has been invaluable and sets a wonderful example for future projects.”

Brad Wilson, who founded Friends of the Crazy Mountains, a different group focused on maintaining access to historical trails in the area, disputed that characterization in a Nov. 15 conversation with Montana Free Press.

“This is all about Tom Glass and the Yellowstone Club. These are the guys that presented the proposal,” Wilson said, referenc ing one of the two consultants who coordinated meetings of the Crazy Mountain Access Project and helped wrangle brass tacks of the proposal such as grazing and water rights and land deeds.

“This is not a citizen’s proposal.” Glass is the founder of Western Land Group, the firm hired by the Yellowstone Club to work on the swap.

Wilson said years of working on ranches in the range has giv

The 1974 Class A State Champion football team will be inducted as a “Dis tinguished Team.” The team finished the season with a 10-0 record and defeated Glasgow in the State Championship title game.

More detailed infor mation related to the accomplishments of these inductees will soon be available on the Hall of Fame website at: ronan hof.touchpros.com

en him intimate knowledge of the sections being swapped. As proposed, the exchange won’t be a good deal for members of the public, he said. He described the higher-elevation parcels the Forest Service would acquire along the east side of the Crazies as “just shale rock and ice,” while the lowlands that will enter into private ownership offer elk habitat and support public hunt ing opportunities. The lowland parcels also offer more desirable grazing land for private land owners with livestock operations, Wilson said.

Wilson’s concerns about elk habitat were echoed at a Forest Service meeting in Bozeman on Nov. 15 attended by approxi mately 100 people, plus another 20 or 30 who tuned in online.

One Bozeman resident in attendance described the pro cess of resolving issues inherent in the 150-year-old checker board ownership framework as a “nightmare” and said he applauded the Forest Service’s

News from the Ronan Hall of Fame Committee

Court order changes wolf hunting season, effective immediately

316 are north of Yellow stone National Park

HELENA – On Tues day, a District Court in Lewis and Clark County issued a temporary re straining order impacting some of Montana’s wolf hunting and trapping reg ulations. The changes go into effect immediately.

The changes outlined in the temporary restraining order are as follows:

Reinstitutes wolf man agement units (WMU) 110, 313, and 316 as they existed in the 2020 wolf regulations. WMU 110 borders Glacier National Park and WMUs 313 and

Reinstitutes the quotas for WMU 110, 313, 316 as they existed in the 2020 wolf regulations, which are two wolves in WMU 110 and one wolf each in WMU 313 and 316. Cur rently, one wolf has been harvested in WMU 313 and no wolves have been harvested in WMU 316 and 110. Wolf hunting and trapping in WMU 313 is now closed.

Restricts all hunters and trappers to harvesting five wolves total per person, per season.

Prohibits the use of snares as a legal meth

od of take for trapping wolves.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will make legal arguments in this case at a hearing scheduled for Nov. 28. The court has set the temporary restraining order to expire on Nov. 29.

“We have a healthy and stable population of wolves in Montana,” said FWP Director Hank Worsech. “We’ve proven we can manage wolves across the state and will continue to do so. We will comply with the judge’s order and look forward to the opportunity to defend good science and manage ment strategies.”

Energy Share announces help for energy bills

News from Energy Share of Montana

MONTANA — It is no secret that the cost of living is significantly higher than it was a year ago. Things are tough out there for a lot of people. If you or someone you know is struggling to pay their home energy bill, please contact Community Action Partnership of NW Montana (CAPNM) at 406-758-5433 or 1-800-344-5979. You can also visit their website at www.capnm. net. Help is available in various forms such as emergency bill assis tance through Energy Share of Montana or LIHEAP (formerly called LIEAP). CAPNM handles applications for both programs.

Energy Share is for people who are facing a no-heat situation and have no resources to pay the bill them selves. It is important to note that Energy Share assistance is situationally-based, not income-based. Appli cations are considered on a case-by-case basis and reviewed individ ually.

Energy Share is pri vately funded. Assis tance is made possible through the generous donations of individu als, utility companies, electric cooperatives, the propane industry, and large electric users across the state.

If you’re in a posi tion to contribute, you can do so by mailing a check to Energy Share, PO Box 5959,

Helena, MT 59604 or donate online at www. energysharet.com/ donate-now. Energy Share is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donations are tax deductible, and they are directed to be used first in the area from which they came. One hundred percent of your donation will be used to help someone in need. Last but not least, please remember that it is hard to ask for help. If you know someone who really should be on the receiving end of one of these programs but is hesitant to ask, please come alongside them as they reach out for assistance. In Mon tana, neighbors help neighbors and that’s what Energy Share is all about.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill

efforts to resolve issues arising from those com plexities. He added that he has concerns about low er-elevation parcels on the eastern side of the range being removed from public ownership.

“On the face of it, it looks like a good deal. What I have concerns about is that you’re giving up lower-elevation winter ing grounds for elk in ex change for high-elevation [parcels],” he said.

Custer Gallatin National Forest Wildlife Program Manager Josh Hemenway acknowledged the Forest Service’s loss of elk winter range presented by the proposal, but noted that the higher-elevation par cels entering into Forest Service ownership are “beneficial for a number of other species,” a likely ref erence to snow-dependent animals such as Canada lynx and wolverine as well as ungulates like mountain goats adept at navigating steep, rocky terrain. Meeting attendees also flagged concerns about trail maintenance and snowmobile access along the proposed reroute of the Inspiration Divide trail and asked the Forest Service whether the traded parcels in the Crazies are equiv alent in terms of streams and wetlands.

the-ground observations the agency hopes to get next summer in order to ensure there is no clear deficit.

Yellow Mule,” he said, re ferring to a drainage near the two trails that would be impacted by the Big Sky portion of the swap.

Kerry White, a motor ized-use advocate who has previously served in the Montana House of Repre sentatives, voiced concerns that snowmobile access along the Big Sky portion of the exchange involving the Eglise Rock Overlook Trail would be diminished if the swap goes through.

“The [environmental assessment] doesn’t address the impact to winter use at all,” he said, pointing out a section of the 59-page proposal noting that, even with an easement through private sections, the pro posal’s reroute of Eglise Rock Overlook “may create complicated man agement issues particularly in winter as the trail will be challenging to follow in the snow.”

“I think we’re setting up for an enforcement issue on snowmobiling in Third

In an emailed statement, a representative from the Yellowstone Club said the exchange would route the Inspiration Divide trail directly through national forest, an improvement on the trail’s current route, two miles of which cross prop erty held by the Yellow stone Club. He also said the swap involving parcels in Big Sky will be a net win for public recreation ists, who stand to gain im proved access to lower-el evation terrain in exchange for a steeper parcel.

Bozeman-based Pub lic Land Water Access Association Executive Director Drewery Hanes asked whether the Forest Service had thoroughly explored maintenance and ownership records for Rein Lane (formerly Sweetgrass Road) leading into Sweet

from page 18 see page 20

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

Administrative Assistant, Education Division – 12 months full time$16.97 - $19.58 DOEE – Open Until Filled

Administrative Asst. for the Vice President of Academic Affairs - 12 months – full time - $37,106 - $40,727 DOEE - closes on November 14, 2022 at 1 pm

NYCP Grant – College and Career Readiness Coach – 2 positions – full time with benefits – 12 months $17.35 - $20.17 per hour DOEE Job Locations – Polson and Ronan – closes on November 21, 2022 at 1 pm

Director of Human Resources – full time w/benefits - $63,083 - $68,950 – closes on November 21, 2022 at 1 pm

NYCP Grant – Outreach Coordinator – full time w/benefits – 12 months - $17.35$20.17 per hour DOEE – closes on November 21, 2022 at 1 pm

Early Learning Center Lead Toddler Teacher (9 months) - $22.48 - $23.22 per hour DOEE – Open Until Filled

Nursing Clinical Resource Registered Nurse (CRRN)/Assistant Instructor –10 month – full time - DOEE - Open Until Filled - Bachelor’s Degree - $45,178-$48,677, Master’s Degree - $50,130 - $54,136

Clinical Coordinator/Faculty/Nursing - 10 month – full time – DOEE – Open Until Filled, Bachelors Degree - $45,178 - $48,677, Masters Degree - $50,130 - $54,136

Clinical Instructor/Clinical Resource Reg. Nurse – Part time – 14 hours per week - $35.00 per hour, 9 month term – no benefits – open until filled

Health Promotion Practices – Department Chair – 11 months (July off)$45,621 - $48, 185 DOEE – Open Until Filled ** Department Chair stipend of $2,500.00 is in addition to the salary identified

Journey to Wellness Community Outreach Specialist (full time 12 months)$16.54 - $17.40 per hour DOEE – Open Until Filled

Director, Institutional Effectiveness – 12 months - $54,870 - $57,216 – Open until filled

SKC Extension Operations Manager – (12 months) - $20.17 - $23.56 per hour DOEE Open Until Filled

Upward Bound Instructor – 12 months - $17.35 - $20.17 per hour DOEE – open until filled

Forest Service fish biologist Clint Sestrich responded that the agency is working through avail able data on area wetlands in the areas proposed for exchange to pair with on-

Assistant Director of the Center for Prevention & Wellness – $41,648$43,448 DOEE closes on December 9, 2022 4:00pm

Language and Cultural Specialist – $44,310 to $49,003 DOEE closes on December 9, 2022 4:00pm

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

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

grass Canyon to investi gate the viability of a pre scriptive easement claim.

“We just have concerns about ceding so much public access without do ing due diligence, because that’s obviously very hard to walk back,” she said.

Hanes also voiced concern that the swap would effectively close one public trailhead along the eastern side of the Crazy Mountains, concentrating recreational traffic and leading to a situation in which horses or other accommodations would be required for older and less fit individuals to enjoy the trail.

Custer Gallatin Forest Supervisor Mary Erickson replied that the Forest Service doesn’t make a claim to Rein Lane and

described the Forest Ser vice’s history with Sweet grass Trail as “mixed” and involving “many, many decades or permissive use.”

The issue of permissive use plays an import ant role in determining whether a party to an easement dispute can as sert prescriptive rights to a road or trail. Per Montana law, if use is permissive — meaning members of the public obtain land owner permission or sign in before using the route — federal land manag ers have a much weaker claim for the existence of a prescriptive easement if they take the matter to court. (Absent a written or recorded easement, the only way for a party to definitively establish a prescriptive easement is to bring the matter before a judge, who will examine maintenance, use and title records.)

In her introduction to the swap proposal, Erick son described the prospect of securing prescriptive easements in a courtroom as a “long, uncertain pro cess,” and one that the Forest Service uses only as a “tool of last resort.”

Erickson said land exchange proponents have indicated they will continue working toward conservation easements for the sections of Forest Service land that would enter into private owner ship. Switchback Ranch, one of six landowners in the Crazy Mountains trading land as part of the swap, has agreed to put one section of acquired land into a conservation easement in coordination with Helena-based non profit land trust Montana Land Reliance as part of the swap. Switchback Ranch has also agreed to allow tribal access to

Crazy Peak to Crow tribal members, in recognition of the important role the range has played in spiri tual and cultural traditions of the Crow people.

Asked whether the Forest Service would relinquish any claims on Sweetgrass Trail, a histori cal trail that’s appeared on Forest Service maps for decades, Erickson said it would. She said the land owner of the pertinent parcel has indicated they will continue to allow per missive use on Sweetgrass Trail, but added that such an arrangement has not been formally codified in the proposal.

Sweetgrass is one of four trails that inspired a lawsuit between public access advocates and the Forest Service in 2019. Plaintiffs in that suit, including Friends of the Crazy Mountains and the Montana chapter of

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, argued that the Forest Service has succumbed to pressure from politically powerful landowners over the past several years in its deci sion to walk back earlier attempts to defend access to those trails by remov ing threatening signs and locked gates.

Earlier this year, federal judges in Billings sided with the Forest Service in their determination that the Forest Service was within its discretionary authority to alter its ap proach to managing his torical trails. The plaintiffs appealed that ruling, and the parties are currently exploring mediation, according to Matthew Bishop, the attorney rep resenting the plaintiffs.

In the Nov. 15 meeting, Erickson acknowledged both the enormity of the proposal the Forest Ser

vice is considering and its inherent trade-offs.

“They’re really a big deal. They’re long-term commitments of resourc es, long-term choices that affect people and users and habitat forever, really — for decades to come,” she said. “Take the time, read the maps, look at the documents.”

As of Thursday after noon, 17 comments on the proposal had been submitted through the agency’s online portal. The comment period closes Dec. 23.

Disclosure: MTFP Re porter Amanda Eggert is married to John Meyer, executive director of Cotton wood Environmental Law Center, which is involved in unrelated litigation against the Yellowstone Club. Meyer did not contribute to the reporting or writing of this story.

CHRIS BOYER / KESTREL AERIA PHOTO

The Crazy Mountains, viewed to the north-northwest over the West Fork of Duck Creek.

Polson

By Pete Mangels for the Valley Journal

POLSON — I know that this article is writ ten a week in advance of Thanksgiving, but I can safely tell you that I will overeat. I can also tell you that pumpkin spice is out, eggnog is in, and I still have leaves to rake as soon as the snow melts in March.

See’s Candy has arrived. A great holiday gift. Lim ited supply. Hoard them.

ACTIVITIES:  All activities are open to all. Plan a party at the center.

Bowling: Fun league, pay by the daynon-sanctioned, no-tap, Tuesdays, 1 p.m. weekly

Bingo: Fridays, 7 p.m. “Playing Card” bin go first Wednesday and third Thursday

Exercise for mobili ty: Mondays, Wednes days, Fridays, 10:30 –11:30 a.m.

Pinochle: Thursdays, 12:30 –3 p.m. - earlier or later if you wish

Bridge: Tuesdays and Fridays - open for all12:30 p.m.

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

Veterans’ Rep: first Fri day, Dec. 2, and third Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m.-noon

MENU (subject to change): Sit-down, takeout, or delivery, only $5 from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

— Thursdays, Dec. 24: Thanksgiving Dayclosed until Monday - A special thanks to the em ployees, officers, and vol unteers serving the seniors in our community   — Friday, Nov. 25: closed — Monday, Nov. 28: turkey/rice soup, focaccia, green salad, cinnamon apple sauce — Tuesday, Nov. 29: beef stroganoff, pasta, mixed veggies, coleslaw, cookies

— Wednesday, Nov. 30: chicken enchiladas, refried beans, salsa, corn salad, fruit crisp — Thursday, Dec. 1: pork chop, rice, gra vy, green beans, Jell-O, pound cake

— Friday, Dec. 2: fish, mac ‘n cheese, peas, pick led beets, cheesecake bars

The Polson Senior Center is open from 8 a.m.-3p.m. on week days. Lunch is available from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. weekdays. Call: 406883-4735, Email: pol sonseniorcenter@gmail. com; mail or visit us at 504 Third Ave. E.

St. Ignatius

By Barb Plouffe for the Valley Journal

St. Ignatius Senior Center wishes you all a Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful time with family and friends.

— Friday, Nov. 18:lunch at noon- Korean beef, rice, veggies, fruit,

brownies

— Thanksgiving dinner will be sent to Meals On Wheels clients.

— Tuesday, Nov. 22: lunch at noon - creamy Tuscan chicken with pas ta, veggies, fruit, French bread, cookies

— Friday, Nov. 25: We will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

We will start the cook ing classes by Havilah Burton, CSKT Extension Office, on Nov. 15. The classes will be every Tues day for the next six weeks through Dec. 20. Call 406-883-2865 or visit: buyeatlivebetter.org for more information.

Bingo will be played on Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. Come enjoy some fun and stay warm.

The senior citizen members will be helping with the Tree Lighting event at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3.

They will also have a spot at the Community Bazaar at the St. Ignatius School Gym on Dec. 10.

Bonnie Kiser has Gen tle Yoga on Wednesday afternoons at 1 p.m. If you interested, please call Bonnie Kiser at 4062253-0171. Her rates are five sessions for $60.

Our St. Ignatius Senior Center is open to people renting it. If you are inter ested, please call 406-7454462 and leave a message. We will call you back with the information you need.

We hope you enjoy the Thanksgiving week.

PUZZLES

“Get outta here!” “Place Setting” By Doug Burnikel & C.C. Burnikel

Box office receipts

They could use a welcome sight

Beginning stage 51 The Vitamin Shoppe rival

Many Mecca residents 56 Calligrapher’s container 58 Aria, e.g. 61 Dress seen on Indian runways 63 Marathon, e.g. 65 Vice __

Madagascar primates

Functional

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60 Roar __ Roar: “Monsters University” frat 62 Negga of “Passing” 64 Med. specialty 66 Taj Mahal city 68 __ food movement 70 Komodo dragon, e.g. 71 “Thereabouts” 72 Jay of “The Green Hornet” 74 Answer an invite 75 “No __!”: “Sure thing!” 78 Steamy 81 Baked dessert 84 All-Star side 86 Tibetan priest 88 Surrounding vibe 89 Tazo products 91 Careless 93 Setting of the Sandra Bullock film “Gravity” 95 Talk trash about 98 81-Down order 100 Oil producer? 101 Fragrant shrubs 104 Pain in the neck 105 Nebraska natives 106 “They outplayed us” 108 Consecutively 109 Like the most clear sky 110 Monte __ sandwich 112 Actress Witherspoon 115 Promo pro 118 Triangular shoulder muscle, for short

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

CRYPTO-QUOTE

is

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50

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Monterrey jack?

57

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1 “Is anybody here?” ©2022 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. Ben Stone / Valley Journal

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

By: Magi Helena for the Week of Nov. 20, 2022

ARIES (March 21-April 19):

The most memorable masterpiec es are inspired by memorable moments. In the upcoming week, you might be inspired or inspire someone else to make a great effort. Look forward to fun-filled gatherings with your tribe.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You may be attracted to the latest breakthroughs and trends since they could fill a need. The most upto-the-minute news or technology may be fascinating. Test out some thing new in the week ahead.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Projects can trigger your desire to uphold the highest standards. During the upcoming week, you could set a steady pace and use your organizational skills to com plete a plan. Loved ones may break up the monotony.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Think your way out of a box. A bor ing routine might run contrary to your desires in the week ahead. If your bank account is just gathering dust, you may be tempted to break it open and invest your money so it can grow.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Ask yourself if someone’s possible disapproval is a good enough reason not to reach for your dreams. Avoid any obsession with complicated business strategies as the week begins and aim toward fun and laughter.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Great ideas may occupy your mind. However, if you are breaking new ground, you might hit an obstacle too big to handle. Use patience to navigate the ups and downs and occasional dead ends in the week to come.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):

Patience and understanding can pay off in the end. Put your stockpile of diplomacy to good use in the upcoming week. Someone may suspect your motives or push you a little too hard for comfort. Boundary up!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Rethink your priorities. Money is good to have but how you spend it could become more important now. To improve your resources, focus on getting along with coworkers and earn their support in the week to come.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

In the week ahead, you can build a sophisticated strategy to support kindness and tolerance. Your sin cerity can help you persuade loved ones to institute a positive change. Meet new people through a hobby.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):

You understand there are limits but you may be feeling willing to exceed them. You can accomplish a great deal in the week to come through sheer persistence. Extra effort can ensure that your job is on stable ground.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

Any plan to become part of a group or a circle may require exercising mindfulness and diplomacy. Your thoughtful and cautious approach might be helpful in the week ahead when you attend social activities.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

World-weary people may not appreciate your idealism. You could be tempted to sign a contract or make a commitment that takes advantage of your sympathies in the upcoming week. Avoid making impulse decisions.

COMICS

Gear library looks to break down barriers for Montana hunters

Missoula women start service that allows new hunters to borrow equipment and ‘feel really welcome in the space.’

By Cameron Evans Montana Free Press

MISSOULA — Ada Smith didn’t own any camo when she started hunting. Or a range finder, or decoys or turkey calls.

The Ph.D. candidate in the University of Montana College of Forestry was fortunate to befriend a community of adult-onset hunters and mentors who lent her the gear and taught her the skills she needed to hunt.

Among those mentors was DeAnna Bublitz, a founder of DEER Camp, a Missoula-based hunt ing gear library for new hunters.

“DeAnna literally took the shirt off her back to lend me some camo in the early days,” Smith said.

Access to gear poses a challenge for many new hunters, and Bublitz had firsthand knowledge of that after entering the world of hunting as an adult. That knowledge, coupled with a desire to give back to the hunting community, led Bublitz to form DEER Camp with co-founder Made line Damon.

The two met in the spring of 2020 at a wom en’s leadership class at the University of Montana where they developed the idea for the Missou la-based gear library with the goal of making hunt ing more accessible.

“I started brainstorm ing ways I could give back to the hunting world because I wouldn’t be a hunter if I didn’t

have friends that lent me gear and got me to this point,” Bublitz said.

DEER Camp allows new hunters in the Mis soula area to borrow clothing, packs, a vari ety of calls and bugles, decoys, and harnesses, among other things. Anyone who is interested in borrowing or donating gear can email deer campmt@gmail.com or

send a message to DEER Camp’s Instagram, @ deercamp_mt. There is currently no charge for borrowing gear. Bublitz said she hopes to keep the gear library free or offer a sliding scale as the program grows.

The name, DEER Camp, came from re searching old photos of hunting camps.

“We kept seeing this

consistent image of all white older men around a fire or in a log cabin hunting,” Damon said. “There were no women or people of color, so the idea of DEER Camp is to reinvent that image and make it more inclu sive and more accessible to everyone.”

Damon, a hunter since age 12, drew from her background and her

experience helping new students get into hunting and fishing as a student officer for the UM chap ter of Backcountry Hunt ers and Anglers. Bublitz brought her experience as a new hunter trying to enter the field later in life and solicited gear donations from friends and fellow hunters she met throughout her eight-year hunting career and during her time as an ambassador for the Mon tana Wildlife Federation.

Bublitz said DEER Camp has received a lot of support from the hunting community across Montana through donations and partner ships. DEER Camp recently partnered with Hellgate Hunters & An glers, which helped host a gear drive and will soon provide storage space for the gear library that is currently housed in Bub litz’s basement.

Recruiting new hunt ers is a priority for many conservationists. For decades, the number of hunters has steadily dwindled, leading to concerns about a loss of conservation funding at state wildlife agencies that largely rely on the sale of hunting and fish ing licenses.

“Hunting is a really necessary activity for wildlife conservation,” said Damon, who is re searching how racial and gender biases and aca

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEER CAMP

DEER Camp recently partnered with Hellgate Hunters & Anglers, which will soon provide storage space for the gear library that is currently housed at DeAnna Bublitz’s home.

MONTANA — The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced today that donation boxes have been set up at various locations across the state to receive holiday gifts to benefit Montana State Hospital (MSH) patients.

The effort is part of the annual “Gifts With A Lift” program that has played an instrumental role in spreading holiday

cheer to patients for the past 70 years. The program ensures that all state hospital patients have a gift this holiday season.

MSH Gifts With A Lift coordinator George Sich said the program is very important to patients. “The program is such a vital part of the holiday season at MSH,” Sich said. “It’s a great event for both pa tients and staff. And, be cause of the unwavering generosity from Montana

residents, the program continues to be successful year after year.”

The program is joint ly coordinated by the National Alliance for Mental Illness-MT and DPHHS.

Ideas for gift sugges tions include but are not limited to the following: Pocket games/books, socks, T-Shirts/sweat shirts, cards, winter hats/ adult winter gloves, mag azines, phone cards, jack ets, craft kits, batteries, slippers, blankets/ throws,

Gear library

from page 24

demic publishing create gaps in wildlife manage ment and policy.

“We know that the number of hunters has been decreasing for years and years, and we know that the demo graphic composition of hunters is mainly older, white males,” Damon said. “If we really want to keep conservation funding going, we need to be more inclusive and welcoming to other hunters.”

Smith said she ex perienced some of the social barriers associ ated with the hunting world as an adult and as a female.

“I think that the social constraints, in my mind and my experience, have been some of the biggest challenges, and then just the gear,” Smith said. “It’s expen sive. You need a lot of different gear, and most people don’t have thou sands of dollars right off

the bat to spend.”

Understanding the social barriers and eq uity issues surrounding outdoor recreation ac tivities such as hunting has been of increasing interest among schol ars, including Smith. She recently completed a study, “Confidence, community and con servation: Exploring the relationship between self-efficacy and experi ence in female hunters” through her research at the University of Montana.

Smith and her col leagues found that so cial support is important for the recruitment and retention of all female hunters, regardless of skill level or experience.

“That’s one reason why I think DEER Camp is such an important re source to make female hunters and other mi nority hunters feel really welcome in the space,” Smith said.

DEER Camp has hosted various work shops such as a

butchering workshop in partnership with the Missoula Urban Demonstration Project (MUD) and packing workshops held at Free Cycles in Missoula, as well as mentee-mentor meetups.

DEER Camp will continue to host some events, but Bublitz said the focus will remain on filling the need for a gear library.

“A lot of people do ‘learn-to-hunt’ work shops, but there wasn’t a resource for gear,” Bublitz said.

Bublitz is currently working on expand ing the library and connecting with new hunters. DEER Camp is still collecting some bigger-ticket items that hunters have requested, such as optical gear and packs.

“I just want people to know this resource exists,” Bublitz said. “It’s in its infancy, but it is here and we’re get ting stuff into people’s hands now.

headphones, handheld AM/FM radios, postage stamps and stationery. MSH is especially in need of winter coats for men and women in sizes M – 3X. (Larger sizes preferred, hoodies will not be accepted.)

Individuals or service organizations interested in ‘adopting’ a patient are encouraged to contact Sich at 406-693-7086.

Gifts mailed to the hospital should not be wrapped; however, dona tions of wrapping paper and gift boxes are wel come. “Please include a name and address in the package and a return re ceipt so we may acknowl edge the arrival of your

gifts,” Sich said. Gifts or cash dona tions can be mailed to Gifts With A Lift, c/o George Sich, PO Box 300, Montana State Hos pital, Warm Springs, MT 59756. In order to arrive in time for the holidays, gifts should be dropped off or mailed by Dec. 9. Please make checks payable to: Gifts With A Lift.

MSH is the only pub licly operated inpatient psychiatric hospital in the state. It provides treat ment to adults who have serious mental illnesses and who are referred from hospitals, mental health programs, and district courts from across

the state.

Gifts can also be dropped off at any of the following locations:

NAMI Montana

Contact: Colleen Rahn, 406-443-7871

Shawn Gray – please call contact number below to drop off donations 2685 Palmer St., Suite E Missoula, MT 59801

Contact: 406-880-3173

*All donations in Mis soula must be received by 12/6/21

Warm Springs

MT State Hospital  PO Box 300 Warm Springs, MT 59756

Contact: George Sich, 406-693-7086

obituaries

Gene Johnson

POLSON — Gene Wallace Johnson, 78, of Polson passed away on Thursday, Nov. 10, at home. He was born on May 23, 1944, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to Wayne Johnson and Della Hundred mark. He was the youngest of their 11 children.

Gene moved to Polson as a young child and lived there until he joined the Army in 1966 where he served in the Old Guard in Fort Meyer, Virginia. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He also served on the color guard for Robert Kennedy’s funeral. He moved back after his service where he settled to raise his three children. He briefly lived in Medical Lake, Washington, before returning to his beloved Montana to finish out his years.

He worked throughout his life as a carpenter, farm er, millwright, truck driver, and for the department of defense before retiring.

He was a proud member of the NRA, as well as the American Legion and Elks Club. He also was a mem ber of the senior bowling league before his passing.

He was an avid out

doorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, back country excursions on his horses, boating, water skiing, and later golf, and competitive billiards. His children were fortunate to participate in his adven tures and continue to enjoy these activities as well.

He was a loving father, grandfather, and friend. His family remembers him as compassionate, humor ous, generous, humble, and incredibly down to earth. If heaven is located in Cabe la’s, then we hope he is in Cabela’s.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father; infant son, Dennis; and nine of his brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his companion, Alice Johnson of Polson; brother, Gary Johnson of Queens Creek, Arizona; his son, Jerry Johnson of Hot Springs; his wife, Trisha; his daugh ter, Anna Marie Marshall of Henderson, Nevada, her husband, David and son, Ryan Johnson of North way Alaska; along with his 11 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His family laid him to rest on Nov. 19, 2022.

Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www.lake funeralhomeandcremation. com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Cre matory.

“Promise me you’ll always remember you’re braver than

you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think” - Christo pher Robin

Karol Newgard

POLSON — On the evening of Nov. 16, 2022, Karol Newgard, loving wife, mother, and grand mother passed away at the age of 86 of heart failure, at home.

Karol was born on June 22, 1936, in Kendall, Wisconsin, to Dr. Hiram and Myrtle Koehler. She joined her older brothers William Tippett and Da vid Koehler, whom she adored.

Karol grew up in Polson and loved skiing, ballet and playing in the lake. She graduated high school in 1954. She attended Northern College in Havre and received her teaching certificate. She started her career in a one room schoolhouse near Lolo, just outside of Missoula. On Oct. 13, 1956, she married Jerry Newgard, her one true love. Jerry’s career took them all to Great Falls and then to Billings. In Billings, Karol finished her degree in elementary education with a special education endorsement. They returned to Polson in 1970 where she continued

her teaching career.

Karol taught in Polson for most of her career and was a fantastic teacher. She dearly loved her students and countless times, stu dents and parents would say that she was their most favorite teacher. Teaching truly was her gift. Every child knew they were loved and received a hug before leaving school.

Karol and Jerry worked hard their entire lives but were able to travel on many beautiful trips. They trav eled to the Arctic Circle, New Zealand, Panama, England, Norway, Mexico and to the Holy Land, to name a few. She especially liked warm places.

Other hobbies included decorating and growing beautiful flowers. She loved everything beautiful and her home always reflected that.

Karol loved to entertain and she would always set the most beautiful table. Her hospitality was shown to countless people over the years and she always made them feel welcome at her home. She was a shining light to her family, friends, and community.

Karol loved her best friend, Jerry. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage and their love even up until the end was evident. They always managed to laugh and believe the best in each other.

Although there were hardships and difficult times in her life, they did not define her. Karol’s infectious laughter could

always be heard, and her presence could light up any room. She always kept her faith and loved Jesus. God’s love for Karol became a vital relationship to her. Salvation through Jesus Christ, who in her faith and hope is now in eterni ty. Glory be to God.

Karol was preceded in death by her son, Mark; her parents; and many, many wonderful friends. She is survived by her husband, Jerry of Polson; her son, Paul of Polson; her daughters, Gwen (Jim) of Gilbert, Arizona, and Amy of Ronan; and her three grandchildren, Jordan (Ashley), Luke, Lauren (Karthik); and her great-grandchildren Hayden and Colt.

Funeral services have been held.

Memorials can be made to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch or to the donor’s choice. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www.lakefuneralhomeand cremation.com.

Arrangements are un der the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Cre matory.

Robert Waters

SPOKANE, WASH

INGTON — Robert Douglas Waters (“Bob”), beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grand father and friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Nov. 11, 2022. He was born on April 28, 1930,

in Glendive, Montana, to Ruth (Squires) and Junius Waters. Descending from Montana homesteaders, he spent formative years on a small farm near Bloom field, Montana, where, from a young age, he learned practical skills and a strong work ethic. At age 9, and following the untimely death of his father, Bob moved to Glendive with his mother and sister, at tended Dawson County High School, graduating in 1948.

Bob went on to attend Montana State University, majoring in Agricultural Engineering, graduating in 1952. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Frater nity and joined the Army National Guard as a tank commander. It was also during these years that he met his future wife, Carol Coughlan, who was attending University of Montana at the time. They married in 1955.

Bob worked eight years for Milne Implement in Glendive before becom ing the local wholesale distributor for Chevron Oil Company. While in Glendive he served on the city council and the school board, eventually serving as chairman of the board. In 1968, he sold his Glendive

Bob Waters

Gene Johnson Karol Newgard

Obituaries

from page 26

business, purchased the Chevron distributorship in Plains, Montana, and de veloped this into a thriving regional distributorship for Western Montana.

In Plains, he served on the Plains School Board, was a trustee of the Plains United Methodist Church, coached the high school girls’ tennis team and served as a President of the Corona Ski Club. Bob spent countless hours helping others in the com munity.

As a family man, Bob embraced many outdoor family activities, all new to him. In western Montana, he discovered bicycling, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, backpacking, skiing, and camping. Following his retirement, he and Carol incorporated these passions into travel adventures - bi cycling, kayaking and hik ing all over the world.

Music was a special joy for Bob. He taught himself how to play classical guitar and practiced hours on his clarinet. He and Carol were dedicated members of the local church choir. Day to day, Bob was hap piest when carving wood or working in his work shop making cabinets for friends, family, and church. He specialized in carving Christmas Santas and na tivity sets, most of which he gave away.

Bob loved his family. He was a family man. He had many friends. He was kind and generous. He was a teacher and a consummate learner with a keen and

curious mind. He had a great sense of humor - so many stories and poems. He was creative, tenacious and humble. He liked a good slice of pie.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Junius and Ruth (Squires) Waters; and his sister, Marian (Wa ters) Challender.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; and his chil dren Shannon Nunlist (Mark) of Polson, Michael Waters (Trina) of Lexing ton, Massachusettes, Kerry Hill (Edwin) of Spokane, Washington, and Mark Waters of Spokane, Wash ington. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Services will be held in the chapel at Riverview Retirement Community in Spokane, Washington, on

Saturday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. Condolences may be addressed to Carol Waters at 1801 E Upriver Dr., Spokane, Washington, 99207.

Terry E. Wersonick

GREAT FALLS — Terry E. Wersonick, 60, of Ronan, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls.

Jeffrey Andrews

POLSON — Jeffrey Jay Andrews of Polson passed early Sunday morning, Nov. 13, 2022. He was overcome by cancer at the young age of 64 years. Jeff lived life like every day was his last. One of his favorite

sayings was, “If I drive fast, I don’t have to drive safe near as long.”

Jeff was born on Jan. 21, 1958, in Missou la. Jeff graduated from Sen tinel High School and re ceived a Bach elor of Business degree at the University of Montana. He trained with his father in Missoula to become a State Farm Agent and then received the opportu nity to run his own agency in Polson.

Jeff spent the last 30 years in the Mission Val ley as a State Farm agent. Beyond being an insurance

agent, he happily vol unteered and supported teams and schools. Jeff participated in purchasing 4-H livestock and helping in any way he could with his ranch resources (that he built from the ground up). He loved to see local businesses thrive while supporting community programs and events.

Jeff was first and fore most, Papa. His kids and grandkids were his entire world. He spent countless hours on the road traveling to visit his kids and spend time with his grandbabies. You could find him regu larly giving his grandkids tractor rides or feeding his cows.

Jeff was an avid conser vationist and passed those lessons on to his children. He was very active in the

Mission Valley Elks Club where he climbed many chairs in the local club, holding the position of Ex alted Ruler twice. He was also a long-standing mem ber of Ducks Unlimited and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Jeff had a great love for the outdoors, as well as a love for bowling. He spent many hours working on his golf game, put his heart and soul into working on his ranch and enjoyed passing on his joy of hunt ing, fishing and cooking to his kids.

Whether Jeff was coach ing baseball or coaching at the Ronan Golf Club, hosting various local events, the 4-H and many others; he was very active in the Mission Valley com

Jeffrey Andrews

Obituaries

from page 27 munity. He was always giving back to his community and volunteered his time and re sources to help many kids in need.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Betty An drews and grandparents, Jim and Vi Andrews and Fon and Agnes Dixon.

Jeff was a devoted husband to Michele. He is survived by his brother, Kevin (Wendy); sisters, Julia Jones (Casey), and Gina Lapka (Sparky); father to Chanelle (Vince), JJ (Al ana), Josef, Katie (Ben), and Brennan. He also welcomed Michele’s children Adam, Jane (Josh), and Jacob to the fam ily and was Papa to Brantley, Barron, Scottie Rose, Irelan, Chloe, Lincoln, Dorothy, Milo, Scout, Juniper, Penelope, and Delilah.

He will be incredibly missed by all who were blessed to know him.

In lieu of flowers, our family kindly requests your consid eration for donations to the Jeff Andrews Memorial Golf Fund, which would help fund the Ronan Youth Golf Club. Donations are also welcomed for the Lake County 4-H. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 664 Saint Ignatius, 59865 or donations can be made to any Valley Bank lo cation.

Funeral services have been held.

Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcre mation.com.

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

Wednesday, Nov. 23

Library closes for Thanks giving break

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library will close on Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 4 p.m. and will be closed all day on Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25.

Free meditation classes offered weekly

ZOOM — Mission Moun tain Zen is offering free online meditation classes. Please join the Mission Mountain Zen Center on Wednesday, Nov. 9, and Nov. 16, and on sub sequent Wednesdays, for an online meditation class led by Zen Teacher, Zenku, includ ing meditation instruction, practice and discussion via Zoom. The classes will be each Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. MT. We will cultivate and deepen our centering skills and meditation practice during the class. Please join us and take advantage of this oppor tunity. For more information and a Zoom link to the class call Zenku at 847-721-0665 or email at: Jerry.Smyers@ gmail.com.

drive-thru meal at the parking lot. If you have questions or need additional information, call Kimmi Ashley at 406273-8203.

Annual Thanksgiving din ner set in Ronan

RONAN — The Ronan Community Center is the site for the annual Ronan Com munity Thanksgiving dinner to be served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. This event will be hosted by the Ronan Chamber of Com merce and Tribal Waves. If you have any questions, call Rita at 406-871-1648.

Polson Community Thanksgiving Dinner planned

POLSON — The Polson Community Thanksgiving Dinner will take place on Nov. 24 at the Elks from 11-2 p.m. Meals are for pick-up and de livery only. Early calls or texts to order the number of dinners you desire (406-499-9529), are greatly appreciated. This lets them know how many meals to prepare. As always these meals are free but donations are always gratefully accepted.

Saturday, Nov. 26

see extended calendar at www.valleyjournal.net

Town Saturday’

POLSON — Shop “Small Town Saturday” on Saturday, Nov. 26. Polson tree lighting is at 6 p.m. Businesses will be open until 9 p.m.

Ninepipes holds ‘Holiday Bazaar’

NINEPIPES — Ninepipes Lodge and Museum is the site of a holiday bazaar from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26.

Sunday, Nov. 27

Good Coffee holds tiny/ unusual film festival

Mother Goose

POLSON — Join us at 9:15 a.m. at the North Lake Coun ty Public Library. Mother Goose is geared toward ages 0 to 3, but all are welcome. We encourage parents & caregivers to participate with their children for this early learning time. The doors open at 9 a.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 29

Free bone broth class of fered

Thursday, Nov. 24

Enjoy drive-thru or sitdown Thanksgiving

dinner

Alumni Gratitude

Game played

POLSON — The Polson Pirate Basketball Alumni Gratitude Game will be played on Saturday, Nov. 26, from6-9 p.m. at Linderman Gym. This is a fundraiser with free entry but donations are encouraged. Alumni should contact Jake Halgren at: jhalgren@polson. k12.mt.us for sign up informa tion. Win the chance to throw a pie in the face of a current or former Pirate basketball player.

POLSON — The Tiny and Unusual Film Festival screens new, short, international films on the last Sunday of each month. The next screening will be on Sunday Nov. 27, from 1-3 p.m., at Good Coffee Roasting Company (GCRC), 214 Main St. For this next event there will be seven short films that total one hour in duration. The films are a mixture of animation, comedy and serious subjects. Films are G and PG 13, but may contain adult content. There will be audience participation as each viewer will be able to rate the film, in four categories and the results will be returned to each filmmaker. GCRC and Whistle Back Shop have a wide variety of coffee, tea and bakery treats for your viewing pleasure. Come join us for an afternoon of quality films, coffee and scones. More information can be found at: https://tuff.fasnacht studiosltd.solutions/. A sizzle reel can be viewed at: https:// www.instagram.com/reel/Ck 9TnU9DtGx/

ARLEE — Join friends and neighbors at the Arlee CDC, 92555 US Highway 93, at 1 p.m. for a free class to learn how to make nutrient-dense, flavorful bone broth to serve as is or use as a base for soups, stews and sauces. Space is lim ited so reserve your place by registering at: info@arleecdc. org or calling 406-726-5550. Lunch will be provided.

Wednesday, Nov. 30 Firemen to meet

The St. Ignatius Rural Fire District’s will hold their reg ular meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m. at the Fire hall Meeting Room, located at 4 First Ave. in St. Ignatius. For further information con tact Chairman Tim Callahan at 406-745-4112.

Free meditation classes offered weekly

ST. IGNATIUS — The St. Ignatius Senior Citizens Cen ter will serve a free Thanks giving meal on Thursday, Nov. 24, from noon to 2 p.m. The homecooked meal will include turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies, rolls, dessert and a drink. Bring a to-go meal to someone in need, the elderly or the sick. You may join others inside for a sit-down meal or get a

Shop ‘til you drop on ‘Small

Monday, Nov. 28

ZOOM — Mission Moun tain Zen is offering free online meditation classes on Wednes days led by Zen Teacher, Zenku from 6-7:30 p.m. via ZOOM. For more informa tion and a Zoom link call 847721-0665 or email at: Jerry. Smyers@gmail.com. vj

Mondays means

classifieds

Announcements

Auctions

JOHNCO STORAGE: Public sale December 7th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at 808 7th Street East, Polson. Sell to highest bidder for CASH OR CERTI

FIED CHECK ONLY, contents of units 48, 123, AND 270. Units are subject to redemp tion prior to sale time. 406-883-5405.

Events

Virgelle Merc. Antiques presents a real country Christ mas at a real country store Saturday and Sunday Dec. 3rd & 4th. 9 am to 5 pm both days. A variety of antiques and collectibles will be featured at special prices. Refreshments will be served beside the old cook stove. Ph 1-800-4262926 or email virgellemerc@ hotmail.com. website: VirgelleMontana.com

Wanted

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

Irrigation Technician Facil ities Services/Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/30022. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

SNAP-Ed Extension Instruc tors, various locations across Montana. Fun job teaching youth and adults about nutrition, physical activity, food safety and food resource management. For complete description and application instruction, please see msuex tension.org, click on

“Careers.” Screening con tinues. Equal opportunity employer, veterans/disabled.

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN (Fire/Fuels) - 1 or more contract positions

Applicant must possess a high school diploma (or equivalent). At a minimum for Technician, two (2) seasons in fire/fuels related work. FFT2 qualified. Faller 3 (FAL3) qualified. Successful applicant is subject to annual medical examination and work capacity test for arduous positions. Successful applicant must pass both to meet the standards of the Technician position. Ability to successfully complete NWCG developmental training to include but not limited to S-131, S-290 and L-280.

Ability to perform duties under stressful and adverse operat ing conditions, such as long work hours, heavy workloads, emergency situations, adverse working conditions and envi ronmental conditions. Ability to communicate effectively and follow oral/written instructions.

Ability to establish and main tain effective working relation ships with other employees within a diverse workforce.

Applicant must submit a com pleted Tribal application and relevant academic transcripts and training certificates to the Tribal Personnel Department, 406.675.2700 ext. 1259 or vis it the csktribes.org website for the application. Salary $15.56 hour. Closing date will be Thursday, December 8, 2022 @ 5:30 p.m. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test.

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

Project Architect: Planning, Design & Construction –

Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and appli cation procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana.edu/ postings/33010. Equal Op portunity Employer, Veterans/ Disabled.

Interior Designer: Planning, Design & Construction –

Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and appli cation procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana.edu/ postings/33016

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled.

Custodial Supervisor I. **UPDATED SALARY**. Facil ities Services/Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announce- ment and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/33402.

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

PUBLIC HEALTH REGISTERED DIETITIAN TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must be certified as a registered di etitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). A bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics, with 3 years of experience in community health, or a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics, with 1 year of experience in com munity health. A valid driver’s license. 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 informa tion will result in immediate disqualification during the screening process. This is not 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 peri od. Salary is $26.19 to $30.10 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 Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. MST CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

HVAC Maintenance Technician – Air Conditioning/Refrig eration **UPDATED** Facili ties Services/Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/hr/postings/28193 Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

AIDE (Fire/Fuels) 1 OR MORE CONTRACT POSITIONS - FORESTRY DIVISION OF FIRE Applicant must possess a high school diploma (or equiva lent). Three (3) months of gen eral work experience, which can be any work experience. I.E. mowing lawns, bucking hay, etc. to serve on a fuels, engine or monitoring crew. One (1) season of firefighting experience required to serve on the Helitack crew. Training required for the NWCG FFT2 and FAL3 position is not required for initial hire, but must be obtained within the established probation period.

successful applicant is subject to annual medical examination and work capacity test for arduous positions. Successful applicant must pass both to meet the standards of the Technician position. Ability to perform duties under stressful and adverse operating conditions, such as long work hours, heavy workloads, emergency situations, adverse working and environmental conditions. Must possess the ability to verbally communi cate sufficiently to work as a member of a team. Applicant must submit a completed Tribal application and relevant academic transcripts and training certificates to the Tribal Personnel Department, 406.675.2700 ext. 1259 or vis it the csktribes.org website for the application. Salary $15.07 hour. Closing date will be Thursday, December 8, 2022 @ 5:30 p.m. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test.

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

Electrician Foreman Facili ties Services – Montana State

University – Bozeman. For complete job announce- ment and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/32936

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled.

Operator-in-Training Facilities Services/Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application proce dures, click on: https://jobs. montana.edu/postings/33303. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

Position Open

The Town of St. Ignatius, Montana is accepting applica tions for the position of police officer. The applicant shall possess the knowledge, skills and abilities typically obtained through a combination of education and experience such as a Criminal Justice degree, Certification from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and three years’ experience in police patrol and investigation. The applicant must possess a valid Montana Driver’s license or be able to obtain upon employment. The Town of St. Ignatius retains the right to perform a criminal

page 30

APPLIANCE CARE

background check and a personality evaluation on individuals considered for this position. Salary is negotiable based upon education and experience. Applications and job descriptions can be picked up at City Hall in St. Ignatius or Lake County Job Service in Polson. A Standard MT Public Safety Officer Application and resume must be submitted or postmarked by 5 p.m., De cember 6, 2022. Applications shall be mailed to Town of St. Ignatius, Attn: Mayor Daren Incashola, P.O. Box 103, St. Ignatius, MT 59865. The Town of St. Ignatius is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Electrician (Journeyman) Facilities Services/Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announce ment and application procedures, click on: https:// jobs.montana.edu/hr/post ings/29373. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

Contract Specialist Planning, Design & Con struction – Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/33123 Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

Laborer/Equipment

Operator I. **Recent Wage Increase** Facilities Services/ Montana State University –Bozeman. For complete job announcement and appli cation procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana.edu/post ings/30105. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATOR (1 or more positions, Ronan, Hot Springs, Dixon)

TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must possess an associate’s degree in a health related field with a minimum of two years’ working in a public health, community health, or health care setting. Documented ex perience providing education to individuals, families, and

groups. Valid and unrestricted driver’s license. Heart saver CPR or BLS within six months of hire. This position is sub ject to a background check in accordance with Public Law 101-630. All applicants must submit a completed Tribal em ployment application. Copy of relevant academic transcript/ training certifications. Copy of current valid driver’s license. Completed supplemental background questionnaire. Proof of enrollment from a fed erally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT. If claiming veter an’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted.

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDI ATE DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. Salary is $21.80$25.50 per hour, plus benefits, may be employed under a contract. To apply, contact the Tribal Personnel Office at (406) 675-2700, ext. 1040 or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications and full adver tisement are available online at www.csktribes.org. Closing date is Thursday, December 8, 2022 @ 5:30 p.m.(MST)

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

Real Estate

For Rent

For Lease: 3 bedroom, 2 bath home close to Polson golf course and Flathead Lake. $2400 month, includes utilities. No pets. No smoking. Additional mother-in-law quarters available for $1400 month includes utilities. Call 406-249-6689.

For Sale

SLEEPY HOLLOW Real Estate & Personal Property Online Only Auction. Real estate features a 12,000 sq. ft. warehouse w/ offices on 31 acres, Winifred, MT. Bid closes Wed., Nov. 30th, 1p.m. Real Estate starting bid: $160,000. Also selling 5 service pickups, shop tools, three 2000 gal. fuel tanks, office equip. View catalog, terms/conditions & register to bid @ www.ShobeAuction. com. 406-366-5125

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 alterna tors at 55% off retail. If your car or truck in 1997 or older, at this price you can afford to have a spare. Call Jerry at 406-207-4641.

John A. Mercer

Turnage Mercer & Wall, PLLP Attorneys at Law 312 1st St E Polson, MT 59860

Telephone: 406-883-5367 jmercer@turnagemercerwall.com

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: COLLEEN RHEA KELLEY, Deceased.

Cause No.: DP-22-86

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

Public Notices

Legals

Legals

This week's puzzle answers:

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

Crypto-Quote Solution

START WITH WHAT IS RIGHT RATHER THAN WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE.

- FRANZ KAFKA

A written statement of the claim in dicating its basis, the name and ad dress of the claimant, and the amount claimed, may be filed with the Clerk of the District Court, at Polson, Lake County, Montana, or mailed, Return Receipt Requested, to the Personal Representative, c/o TURNAGE MER CER & WALL, PLLP, Attorneys for the Personal Representative, at 312 1st St. E, Polson, MT 59860.

/s/ Mary S. Kelley Mary S. Kelley

Personal Representative Estate of COLLEEN RHEA KELLEY, Deceased.

Nov. 23, 30 and Dec. 7, 2022 MNAXLP

William P. Williams, IV FRENCH, GRAINEY & WILLIAMS, PLLC Attorneys at Law 324 Main SW Ronan, MT 59864 Telephone: (406) 676-4470 bill@fgwilliamslaw.com Attorneys for Personal Representative

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LILA NELSON NORMANDEAU, Deceased.

CAUSE NO. DP-22-82 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed Estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice or said claims will be forever barred as creditors of the decedent.

A written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and ad dress of the claimant, and the amount claimed, must either be mailed to ANN RENEE NORMANDEAU , the Per sonal Representative, return receipt requested, c/o FRENCH, GRAINEY & WILLIAMS, PLLC, 324 Main SW, Ronan, MT 59864, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.

DATED this 8th day of November, 2022.

/s/ Ann Renee Normandeau

ANN RENEE NORMANDEAU, Personal Representative

Nov. 16, 23 and 30, 2022 MNAXLP

Montana 20th Judicial District Court, Lake County

In the matter of the Name Change of

Lisa G. Hayes; Lisa G. Hayes, Petitioner.

Cause No: DV-22-190 Dept. No. 2001

NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Lisa Gay Hayes to Devn Hayes. The hearing will be on Nov. 30, 2022, at 10:00 am. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Lake County. Date: Oct. 24, 2022.

Lyn Fricker

Clerk of District Court

By: Mary Rensvold Deputy Clerk of Court

Nov. 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2022

MNAXLP

John A. Mercer

Turnage Mercer & Wall, PLLP Attorneys at Law 312 1st St E Polson, MT 59860 Telephone: 406-883-5367 jmercer@turnagemercerwall.com

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: AGNES ELIZABETH HAMES, Deceased.

Cause No.: DP-22-85

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

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

A written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and ad dress of the claimant, and the amount claimed, may be filed with the Clerk of the District Court, at Polson, Lake County, Montana, or mailed, Return Receipt Requested, to the Personal Representative, c/o TURNAGE MER CER & WALL, PLLP, Attorneys for the Personal Representative, at 312 1st St. E, Polson, MT 59860.

/s/ Charles Howard Kenney Charles Howard Kenney

Personal Representative Estate of AGNES ELIZABETH HAMES, Deceased.

Nov. 23, 30 and Dec. 7, 2022 MNAXLP

In Re: Conditions at Lake County Jail, Case 9:22-cv-00127-DWM

Notice of Class Action Certification

TO: All persons incarcerated at Lake County Jail as of September 3, 2021 to the present, as well as all current and future inmates.

Dozens of individuals have filed law suits alleging that the conditions of confinement at the Lake County Jail are unconstitutional and illegal. The Court has not ruled on the merits of these claims or Defendants’ defenses.

If you were incarcerated at the Lake County Jail at any time on or after September 3, 2021, you are a mem ber of the class. The class that has been certified is pursuing claims for injunctive and declaratory relief—not money damages.

You do not need to do anything in response to this notice. Do NOT write or telephone the Court if you have any questions about this notice. If you have questions, please contact class counsel at the following:

Timothy M. Bechtold, 406-721-1435, tim@bechtoldlaw.net

Constance Van Kley, 406-306-0330, constance@uppersevenlaw.com P.O. Box 31, Helena, MT 59624

You may read the full Notice of Class Action Certification at uppersevenlaw. com/classnotice.

Nov. 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2022 MNAXLP

YOUR MESSAGE