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Calendar
Friday, Sept. 17
Ronan schools hold ‘Child Find’
RONAN — The Ronan/Pablo School District, along with the CDC Centers, will be conducting their annual Child Find free screening on Friday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the K. Wm. Harvey Elementary School. Children ages birth to 5 years old will be screened for delays in speech, language, motor skills and social or basic school readiness skills. This screening is available for those children who currently reside in the Ronan/Pablo School District. Appointments are required and are taken on a first-come-first-served basis. You may make an appointment for your child by calling Janet at 406676-3390 ext. 7450.
Walk-ins will be subject to availability or scheduled for a later date.
Support ‘Stuff the Truck’ event
POLSON — Bring two or more non-perishable food items (per person) to the Friday, Sept. 17 football game between Polson and Ronan and Providence St. Joseph Hospital will cover your admission fee to the football game. The game will be played at Polson High School at 7 p.m. All non-perishable food will be donated to Polson Loaves and Fish Pantry.
Saturday, Sept. 18
Golf for tots
POLSON — Polson Bay Golf Course will host the 6th annual Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots four person golf scramble at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18.
For more information, call 406-883-8230.
Ronan Harvest Festival returns
RONAN — The Ronan Harvest Festival returns on Saturday, Sept. 18. Festivities will be held on the lawn south of Glacier Bank. A vendor market, kids’ games, petting zoo, corn hole tournament and more are planned from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 23
Learn Excel Part II
RONAN — Mission West is offering this free workshop in September to help your business succeed. This class is offered via Zoom. Microsoft Excel is an essential tool for managing your company’s data. Excel II is an intermediate class for students who have a basic knowledge of Excel.
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to: work with lists, work with freeze panes and split panes, use the sort and auto filter functions, use the insert function command to create “IF functions,” use the automatic subtotals and grouping functions, and create and work with charts. Register at: https:// lccdc.ecenterdirect.com/ events or call 406-6765928. Mission West also offers classes through Flathead Valley Community College.
Check them out on their website calendar: https:// missionwestcdp.org/aboutus/workshops-events/ see extended calendar at www.valleyjournal.net
Saturday, Sept. 25
Free entry to Glacier Park
GLACIER PARK — In celebration of National Public Lands Day, Glacier National Park will allow free entry on Saturday, Sept. 25.
New route, farms for Pedal to Plate event
MISSION VALLEY — The annual Mission Mountain Area Pedal to Plate event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 25.
This 30-mile scenic bike tour at the base of the Mission Mountains includes a new route, new farms, a locally-sourced organic food dinner, craft beers, local music and an artisan farmer’s market. Register at: www. bikereg.com/MMAPP. Cost is $70 per person. Check the Facebook page: Pedal2Plate for the most up-to-date information.
Sunday, Sept. 26
Learn about John Muir, Gifford Pinchot
BIGFORK — Take a nature walk on Sunday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m., at the Bigfork Nature Trail in-town trailhead, featuring author John Clayton, discussing the unique lives of John Muir and Gifford Pinchot, who both spent time in and around northwest Montana and the questions their contrasting philosophies raise about “the wild” and our place in it. Contact Kyle Stetler at: kmstetler@ gmail.com for more information.
bowling
Lucky Strike bowling results for the week of Sept. 5-11
Merchant
High Game Scratch: DID NOT BOWL
Tuesday Twister
High Team Game: Ball Babies 807 High Team Series: Ball Babies 2261 High Game Scratch: Sandi Torres 220 High Handicap Game: Sharon Barber 220 Sandi Torres 220 High Series Scratch: Sandi Torres 607 High Series Handicap: Sandi Torres 607
Out-O-Rounders
High Team Game: The Swabbies 991 High Team Series: Junior Tatonkas 2684 High Game Scratch: Dan Cowan 255 High Game Handicap: Scott Heuer 290 High Series Scratch: Shawn Barber 690 Alex Wilson 690 High Series Handicap: Shawon Barber 690 Alex Wilson 690
Wednesday Lucky Ladies
High Team Game: M-5 Sister Wives 850 High Team Series: Jennison Tree 2346 High Game Scratch: Johnie Underwood 224 Scratch Game Hdcap: Jazz Webster 248 High Series Scratch: Karen Bockmuehl 605 High Series Handicap: Johnie Underwood 599 Lady Strikers DID NOT BOWL
Friday Night Mixed
High Team Game: 666 962 High Team Series: 666 2705
Men
High Game Scratch: Jesse Corbett 298 High Game Handicap: Jesse Corbett 298 High Series Scratch: Jesse Corbett 737 High Series Handicap: Jesse Corbett 737
Women
High Game Scratch: Johnie Underwood 225 High Game Handicap: Kim Wieder 250 High Series Scratch: Johnie Underwood 647 High Series Handicap: Johnie Underwood 674
Youth coalition files lawsuit to challenge voter suppression laws
By Rylee Sommers-Flanagan, Upper Seven Law
BILLINGS — Montana Youth Action, Forward Montana Foundation, and Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG) have filed a lawsuit challenging three recently passed laws that restrict young Montanans’ access to voting.
The challenged bills include Senate Bill 169, which changes voter identification requirements and limits the use of student ID; House Bill 506, which prohibits ballot distribution to individuals who will but do not yet meet age and residency-based voter eligibility criteria; and House Bill 176, which eliminates election day registration. The complaint calls out these bills for unconstitutionally burdening Montana’s fundamental right to vote with cause, let alone a compelling reason.
Montanans should take pride in the dramatic increase in youth voter turnout since 2014, when only 18 percent of voters under age 30 casted a ballot. By contrast, in 2020, 56 percent of young Montanans turned out to vote. This rise in the proportion of young Montana voters is among the highest in the nation.
In passing these bills, the Montana State Legislature is punishing young voters who are disproportionately impacted by voter suppression bills.
About bringing this challenge, Scout McMahon, Initiatives Chair of Montana Youth Action issued the following statement:
“Young Montanans are engaged and eager to participate in civic life. But when restrictions are placed on youth, the hurdles imposed make it incredibly difficult for us to make our voices heard. And when the voices of young people are stifled, our democracy fails to reflect the lived experiences of entire generations.
To create lifelong habits of civic engagement and voting, we must be allowed access to the ballot box. HB 506 literally disenfranchises Montana’s youngest voters, making it impossible for certain individuals to receive their ballots in advance of elections, despite being registered and qualified to vote on election day.”
Governor invests nearly $150M water, sewer infrastructure projects
News from the office of
Governor Gianforte
HELENA — Governor Gianforte recently announced the investment of nearly $150 million for water and sewer infrastructure projects across the state.
“Montana is leading the nation in making critical water and sewer infrastructure investments, with more than 80% of them supporting our rural communities,” Governor Gianforte said. “With funds devoted toward constructing new systems and improving existing ones, more Montana communities will have access to reliable, sustainable water and wastewater systems.”
As recommended by the Infrastructure Advisory Commission, $121 million will fund 73 top-ranked competitive grant projects, which the governor announced in mid-August. Each grant has a cap of $2 million per project. Associated Minimum Allocation Grants, totaling $20.2 million will also be awarded for those projects.
The governor is also awarding American Rescue Plan Act Water and Sewer Minimum Allocation Grants totaling $5.8 million to 13 eligible projects.
Project rankings were conducted by a team of technical experts in drinking water, wastewater, engineering, and project management at the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
A website with a dashboard detailing ARPA water and sewer grant project status and statistics as well as an interactive map have now launched and can be found at: arpa-mtdnrc. hub.arcgis.com/pages/ project-applications. To date, the ARPA traffic and inquiries total over 27,000 hits, including the website, articles, community events, forum engagement and a survey, signaling immense public interest in this grant program.
In addition to HB 632 which appropriated ARPA funds for water and sewer competitive grants, the Montana Legislature also appropriated $150 million of ARPA funds for water and sewer minimum allocation grants to towns, cities, and counties. These grants are not competitive. Applications exclusive to minimum allocation grants are being accepted on an ongoing basis until Jan. 1, 2023. Applications must be reviewed for eligibility by DNRC before the agency can recommend those projects to the Infrastructure Advisory Commission.
Applicants for competitive water and sewer grants can visit: arpa.mt.gov to log in to see their final score. Technical assistance will continue to be available.
Some of the local projects found on the site include: Lake County - Lake County/Pleasant View Water and Sewer District; Plains Water Source Replacement; Ronan Water System Improvement; St. Ignatius Sewer Replacement; Lakeside Water and Sewer District Water System Improvements Project; Polson Wastewater Collection System Improvement; Polson Water Distribution System Improvements; Hot Springs Wastewater Preliminary Engineering Report.
Agencies administering and assisting with the ARPA water and sewer grants include DNRC, the Department of Environmental Quality, and the Department of Commerce.
The next Infrastructure Advisory Commission meeting will be held on Sept. 22. Public comments or letters of support regarding a specific project application can be mailed to: dnrarpa@mt.gov or submitted in the Public Comment Form.
ARPA’s $7M funding helps lower Montanans’ health insurance costs
News from the office of Senator Tester
BIG SANDY — Following his continued push for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to support Montana reinsurance programs and lower the cost of health insurance for Montanans, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced $7,129,995 in additional American Rescue Plan Act funding to reimburse health insurance exchange insurers for certain high-cost claims that would otherwise be paid by consumers and the federal government.
Tester was the only member of Montana’s Congressional delegation to vote in favor of the funding.
“This pandemic is highlighting what we already knew: quality health care is too expensive and hits Montanans pocketbooks hard,” Tester said. “That is why I fought to secure this funding to help lower Montanans’ health insurance costs. Rising health care costs hurt working families and small businesses across our state so we need to continue to work together to provide access to affordable health care.”
States that have section 1332 state-based reinsurance waivers, including Montana, will receive funding to improve access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance coverage. The $7.1 million for Montana’s reinsurance program will reimburse health insurance exchange insurers for certain high-cost claims in the individual health insurance market using a mix of federal pass-through funding and association member assessments.
Gov. Gianforte invests $6M to strengthen Montana’s workforce
News from the office of Governor Gianforte
HELENA — Governor Greg Gianforte recently announced the investment of $6 million to strengthen Montana’s workforce and provide job training to Montanans, particularly to individuals with disabilities and those who have become unemployed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Helping Montanans acquire the in-demand skills needed to fill good-paying jobs is a top priority,” Gov. Gianforte said. “These investments will help more Montana workers access skills training programs, helping them enter or reenter the workforce or boost their careers to the next level while alleviating our workforce shortage in critical industries.”
Gov. Gianforte approved the use of $2 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Employment Engagement Program, which augments the Department of Public Health and Human Services’ Vocational Rehabilitation services.
DPPHS VR provides services to individuals with disabilities to obtain, regain, maintain, and advance in employment. The funding approved will supplement existing VR staff by temporarily adding 10 additional full-time rehabilitation counselors, opening the door to approximately 1,000 additional individuals with disabilities to participate in the program. Approximately 1,300 individuals are on the program’s waitlist.
“This funding is going to have a tremendous impact on the people our agency serves,” DPHHS Director Adam Meier said. “The opportunity to add additional rehabilitation counselors will allow us to work with our clients who are currently on the waiting list. These individuals are ready and willing to work, and just need the opportunity. We’re excited to increase these efforts across the state to connect our clients with training, assisted technology and other tools that will help set them up to successfully enter the work force.”
The governor also approved an additional $4 million in ARPA funds for the Department of Labor & Industry to provide “rapid retraining” services and enroll Montanans in workforce training programs.
The funds will allow the department to utilize an existing state network of contracted workforce program providers to provide critical training, primarily for those who lost their jobs during the pandemic and need new skills to reenter the workforce. The funds will be used to conduct and support short-term skills training for Montanans including displaced workers such as those in Colstrip or St. Regis.
“This funding will enable the department to strengthen our already-robust network of workforce service providers and help more Montanans benefit from the training programs they provide. The end result will be more Montana workers with the skills they need to succeed,” DLI Commissioner Laurie Esau said.
The governor accepted the $6 million funding recommendations from the ARPA Economic Transformation and Stabilization and Workforce Development Programs and Advisory Commission. ARPA advisory commissions comprise state legislators, agency leaders, and administration officials. More information about the advisory commissions may be found at: arpa.mt.gov.
- Adam Meier, Director DPHHS
Montana to modernize old Drought Management Plan
News from the office of Governor Greg Gianforte
HELENA — Governor Greg Gianforte announced efforts to improve Montana drought and water supply planning last week. This planning effort was discussed during the Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Committee meeting. Approved in 1995, the existing Montana Drought Management Plan is slated to be updated with support from a new federal grant.
“With every region of Montana facing severe to extreme drought conditions, this is the time to plan for the future and increase our preparedness statewide,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Drought is having an impact on everyone – from anglers to foresters to agricultural producers.”
Over the next two years, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) will update the Montana Drought Management Plan. The new plan will increase preparedness to meet current and future drought-related challenges across a wide range of water users in the state.
The new plan will improve and formalize the state’s drought preparedness, monitoring, and response. It will also help identify and prioritize drought vulnerabilities and recommend proactive adaptation strategies to reduce the severity and lessen the impacts of drought across communities and individual users in Montana.
The Bureau of Reclamation awarded DNRC a $200,000 grant to support the planning and updating efforts. The grant will be matched with $100,000 in one-time-only funds provided by the Montana Legislature as well as in-kind DNRC staff time. The Planning Section within the Water Management Bureau is coordinating the resources, stakeholders, and collaboration required to complete the update.
The planning effort will involve substantial input and direction from stakeholders, including agency leadership, technical experts, impacted water users, and members of the public. The Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Committee, composed of agency leadership, will participate in the update of the Drought Management Plan and provide general oversight during the planning process.
A new website is being developed to share updates and information about the planning process and to provide an avenue for public comment.
Please visit the Montana DNRC Drought Website for more information.
A new plan will be developed over the next 2 years by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Annual Museum Day celebrated on Sept. 18
MSU News Service
BOZEMAN — Museum Day is a national celebration of curiosity in which participating museums match the free admission policy at the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based museums. It aims to inspire the public, particularly school-aged children and those in underrepresented communities, she said, and it represents a commitment to access, equity and inclusion. This year’s theme is “Experience America.” Museum of the Rockies’ current rotating exhibition is “The Vikings Begin,” which features rare Scandinavian artifacts. Its primary exhibition halls and Taylor Planetarium shows are also available.
Museum Day tickets are available for download at: Smithsonianmag.com/MuseumDay. Visitors who present a Museum Day ticket will gain free entrance for two. One ticket is permitted per email address. For more information visit: Smithsonianmag.com/MuseumDay.
The museum, which is a part of Montana State University, recommends that all individuals, vaccinated or not, wear face masks or coverings indoors.
COURTESY PHOTO Big Mike, a bronze replica of a Tyrannosaurus rex discovered in 1988, greets visitors as they arrive to the Museum of the Rockies.
Tester announces $679,000 UM College of Health
Funding will be used to expand telehealth services to Montana’s underserved, rural, and Tribal communities
News from the office of Senator Tester
BIG SANDY — U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced $679,441 in new Federal Communications Commission pandemic relief funding for the University of Montana College of Health in Missoula to purchase telemedicine kits. The kits will enable critical, remote telehealth services. Funding will also provide internet connected devices for remote patient monitoring services during the pandemic for underserved, rural, and Tribal populations within the state.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that telehealth services are more essential than ever for folks in rural Montana who often need to drive hours to access basic health care,” said Tester. “I’m proud to have secured these resources for the University of Montana College of Health, which will be a game changer for our state’s underserved communities that need it the most, and I will continue to aggressively hold the FCC accountable to ensure that Montana is never left behind.”
Funding for the University of Montana College of Health in Missoula comes in the second round of the FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program Awards, which was established as a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
Audubon offers Jewel Basin hawk watch field trip
News from the Flathead Audubon Society
JEWEL BASIN — Flathead Audubon is offering a field trip to view migrating raptors on Sunday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (approximately). Dan Casey will lead the trip to the Jewel Basin Hawk Watch site. The second half of September offers peak numbers and diversity of passing raptors. Expect to see more than 100 hawks of 10 or more species if conditions are right. Last year the group saw 595 birds on Sept. 21, an all-time high count. This trip involves a 2.2-mile hike of moderate difficulty (each way), gaining 1,400 vertical feet from the Jewel Basin parking lot.
Attendees should wear sturdy footwear. Hiking poles are recommended. You should also bring binoculars, water, lunch and clothing layers for changing weather conditions. The trip will be canceled or rescheduled if weather conditions are unsuitable. The trip is limited to 10 participants. Please contact Dan at 406 270-5941 to sign up and get more information. Carpooling will be encouraged for vaccinated people. The road to the Jewel Basin is rough and parking is limited. The time of the field trip includes both driving from Bigfork and hiking to the viewing area.
This field trip is free and open to the public.
