BPA teams head to state

Areas see grasshopper increase

SANDERS COUNTY – Although grasshopper populations have seen a significant decrease in much of Montana, some areas in Sanders County have experienced a boom in numbers this year.

Tigers prepare for spring track and field season

Thompson Falls trio prepares for golf postseason

The Thompson Falls boys and girls golf coach Mike Bates continues to produce successful teams regardless of his team’s situation.

Hello from the Capitol

Hello from the capitol. This marks the end of week three which was a very busy one for all of us. I introduced three bills so far:  HB119, a bill to revise laws related to volunteer firefighter compensation; HB20, a bill to authorize a county social host liability ordinance and HB253, a bill to provide for recovery of costs for DUI conviction.  There are at least seven more in the hopper. All bills have to be introduced and heard in committee before Feb. 21st and heard on the floor before Feb. 24 or they will die, so as you can see I have my work cut out for me. Last week the hearing of HB20 was one of the highlights of my career; to watch all those kids testify on this bill was a sight to behold. I would like to thank Denyse Traeder of Superior and all the other people for all the hard work they did to put this bill together.   Committee member Liz made a special comment on the integrity and character of all the students who testified.

From tragedy to triumph

Noxon's Jensen wins state shot put crown

After six weeks of refusing to fall down, Noxon's Derek Jensen stood tall atop the medal podium on Saturday, crowned as the state Class C shot put champion; a storybook ending to a struggle that began with the passing of his mother in April.

A wicked problem

As Montana’s top natural resource administrators laid out the grim forecast for this year’s fire season, it became clear that many Western states face the worst wildfire conditions in recorded history. Fuel loads are so high in some areas we are literally just one spark away from record setting catastrophic disaster. All of Montana is vulnerable. Southwest Montana is in particularly high danger this year.

Thompson Falls golf teams stack up

As is the case with most area high school golf teams, large numbers are participating this year as compared to the last two Covid-stifled seasons.

Court order pauses Montana wolf hunts

A Lewis and Clark County District Court judge on Tuesday granted a temporary restraining order truncating the size and scope of wolf hunting season in response to a motion filed last week by conservation groups.

Gianforte reveals budget for 2023 Legislature

Gov. Greg Gianforte unveiled his proposed budget Thursday, a fiscal roadmap that he said is poised to represent the largest tax cut in Montana history.

Montana Republicans expanded access to affordable health care

The United States’s health care system is a mess of complex regulations and layers of bureaucracy. It’s also expensive. But Republicans in the Montana Legislature have made great strides in recent years to address what problems we can at the state level.

Elliott helps small businesses

Editor,

Hot Springs students ready for National Leadership Conference

Hot Springs Chapter of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America joined together with fellow student leaders, members and advisers from across the state at the Billings Convention Center on March 18 to 20 participating in the annual State Leadership Conference.

Medication disposal bags hope to combat opioid crisis

State agencies are working alongside each other to provide at-home medication disposal bags. There will be 1,000 of them, called Deterra Medication Disposal Bags, available in Mineral County, according to Prevention Specialist Stephanie Quick at last week’s Healthy Communities Coalition. The bags will be distributed to the Mineral County Pharmacy, Partnership Health Center in Superior, law enforcement agencies, the county health department and school nurses.

Sanders County in drought region

SANDERS COUNTY – Several counties in western Montana were designated as natural disaster areas last week as the region continues to experience drought following a mild winter with low snowpack and an early summer without much precipitation.

DNRC rep visits county commissioners

SUPERIOR - A representative with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation met with county commissioners last Friday to have them approve the updated fire management plan for Mineral County.

Fish Creek comment period ends

SUPERIOR – The public comment period for the draft management plan on the Fish Creek State Park came to an end last week, ending the discussion on some of the controversial topics.

From your State Senate: with Sen. Jennifer Fielder

Stakes to high to rush decision on water

Down to the last question

Jamie Doran

Keeping in touch

As legislators, we have had some long days and short nights as we head to the midway point of the session, the transmittal deadline for all non-revenue bills.  With transmittal ending on February 24t, we have been hearing an increased number of general bills both in committee and on the floor.