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PSA FROM THE CLERK & RECORDER’S OFFICE 2026 MACR SCHOLARSHIPS   REMINDER: MONTANA ASSOCIATION OF CLERK & RECORDER’S SCHOLARSHIPS ARE DUE INTO THE CLERK & RECORDER’S OFFICE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2026.     MONTANA ASSOCIATION OF CLERKS & RECORDERS                                         $1000 SCHOLARSHIP FORMS AVAILABLE                 The Montana Association of Clerks and Recorders is sponsoring two (2) $1000 scholarships for graduating seniors who will be attending an in-state school.   The last day of acceptance for applications is March 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Application forms are now available at the Clerk and Recorder’s office at the courthouse in Dillon or from the Guidance Counselors at the Beaverhead County High School or Lima High School. Completed application forms must be returned to the Clerk and Recorder’s office located at the Beaverhead County courthouse by Friday, March 13, 2026. Applications will be judged on the basis of scholarship, need and school and civic involvement. The two winners and alternates will be notified after May 1, 2026 and the scholarship will be given directly to the school of the student’s choice after the school has accepted the student.     Stacey Reynolds Beaverhead County Clerk & Recorder

Montana Technological University invites high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to Data Science Day. Join our faculty for a day of hands-on challenges where you'll go beyond the numbers to see how data shapes the world. Free lunch provided for all students and teachers. Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | Montana Tech Copper Lounge SCHEDULE 10:00 am                        Welcome 10:10 am                        Session 1: Hidden Patterns: How Data Science Reveals Secrets in Plain Sight 11:00 am                        Lunch 12:10 pm                        Session 2: Fruit Loops vs. Bran Flakes : An Introduction to Cluster Analysis 1:00 pm                          Session 3: From Games to Autonomous Vehicles, an intro to Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence 1:50 pm                          Conclusion Email Hilary Risser ( hrisser@mtech.edu ) to register.

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana City Council Chambers Wednesday, March 11th , 2026 6:00 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE     MAYOR REPORT   A.        APPOINT WALTER “WALLY” CONGDON AS CITY ATTORNEY                         B.        PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS OF SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INTEREST NOT ON THE  AGENDA AND WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY   C.        ADJOURNMENT   PLEASE NOTE: The City of Dillon understands that citizens have the right under the Montana Constitution to observe and participate in local governmental affairs by personally attending all public meetings of the Dillon City Council and other City boards and committees. This meeting is open to the public as normal. Join the meeting with Zoom ID: 770-316-6528, allowing permission for microphone and camera (if using a computer go to https://zoom.us/j/7703166528 ) and use Passcode 4245. Please mute your microphone until you desire to comment. Any problems or questions, call City Hall at 683-4245.

Claire Gay, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. – The University of Montana Western has announced that head men's basketball coach Patrick Jensen has stepped down from his position to pursue other career opportunities. Jensen served as the Bulldogs' head coach for the past three seasons after previously spending five years as an assistant coach in the program. During his three-year tenure as head coach, he compiled an overall record of 50–38. "I have made the difficult decision to step down as the Montana Western men's basketball coach," Jensen said. "Western has been an amazing place for me and my family over the last eight years. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity that Chancellor Reid and Michael Feuling provided me. "To all the players, I can't thank you enough for your dedication and trust in this program. You made these years so enjoyable. I also want to thank our assistant coaches, managers, athletic trainers, and everyone on campus and in the Dillon community for all their support over the years. My wife and I are excited for the next chapter and will always be grateful for everything Montana Western and the Dillon community have meant to us." "I want to thank Coach Jensen for his dedication, hard work and everything he has done for our program and our student-athletes during his time as an assistant coach and over the past three years as head coach," said Montana Western Athletic Director Michael Feuling . "He poured everything he had into this role, and because of that, the future of Bulldog men's basketball remains bright. We are grateful for the impact he made on our student-athletes and our university. I wish him and his wife, Lexi, all the best as they begin their next chapter." Montana Western will begin a national search for its next head men's basketball coach immediately.

DILLON — First responders were called to Kentucky Avenue Wednesday afternoon after a vehicle crashed through a fence and into a residential garage. Dillon Police, Beaverhead County Sheriff’s deputies, and the Dillon Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene where a silver Chevrolet pickup truck had plowed through a fence and into the garage of a home. According to witnesses, the vehicle reportedly came off Oliver Lane, crossed into oncoming traffic on Kentucky Avenue, narrowly missing another vehicle before spinning its tires and crashing into the garage. Officers on scene located alcohol bottles inside the vehicle, and the driver was reportedly showing signs of impairment. Authorities say the driver was transported to the hospital by ambulance following a brief scuffle with police. The incident remains under investigation.

BUTTE, Mont. - Montana Western Women's Basketball player Bailee Sayler earned a spot on the 2025-26 Frontier Conference Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team, the league office announced Wednesday. "Bailee had a strong tournament for us," head coach Ryan Sullivan said. "Scoring 22 and 18 points in back-to-back games. She was consistent and composed in big moments. Her All-Tournament Team selection is well deserved and a credit to the work she's put in all season." Sayler averaged 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals over two games at the Frontier Conference Tournament. The Missoula, Mont., native posted 22 points while shooting 87.5 (7-8) from the floor, 66.7 percent (2-3) from beyond the arc, and 85.7 percent (6-7) from the foul line in the Bulldogs win over three-seed Carroll. She followed that up with 18 points on 60.0 percent (6-10) from the floor, 40.0 percent from three, and 100.0 percent (4-4) from the foul line in the narrow loss to two-seed Montana Tech. 2025-26 Frontier Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team 22 Brooke Badovinac G/F 5-10 SO Montana Tech 11 Tabor Teel F 5-11 SR Dakota State 22 Bailee Sayler F 5-11 SO Montana Western 30 Liv Wangerin G/F 5-9 SR Montana Tech 1 Becky Melcher G 5-8 SR MSU-Northern

University of Montana Western alumna Tana Campbell will present as part of the Young Alums Program, hosted by the Department of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, on Thursday, March 19, at 3:30 p.m. in Main Hall 318. The mission of the Young Alums Program is to provide current students with the opportunity to engage with Montana Western graduates who earned degrees from the Division of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Campbell is a recent graduate of the University of Montana Western, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a minor in Professional Writing. She was also a TRIO student during her time at Western, an experience that helped shape her passion for supporting other students in their academic and professional journeys. During her time at Montana Western, Campbell was actively involved across campus. She managed the Women’s Basketball team, worked in the Communications Department, served as president of the Multicultural Club, and represented students on the AIMA Committee. Following graduation, Campbell joined Salish Kootenai College as a TRIO Career Advisor. In her role, she supports students by helping them navigate scholarship opportunities, develop career plans, strengthen financial literacy, and prepare for success after graduation. The campus community is invited to attend and celebrate this opportunity to connect with a UMW alumna. For more information, please contact Professor Bethany Blankenship at bethany.blankenship@umwestern.edu.

DILLON, Mont.  — The Dillon Volunteer Fire Department responded Tuesday afternoon to a reported tractor fire on Bond Road. According to initial reports, the department was dispatched after a tractor caught fire. Crews responded quickly to the scene, but upon arrival, the tractor was already fully engulfed in flames. People on scene acted fast to prevent the blaze from spreading. Using a chain, they were able to pull the burning tractor away from nearby materials, helping stop the fire from extending beyond the immediate area. Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, but the tractor was declared a total loss.

DILLON, Mont. — The Dillon Public Library is inviting community members to attend a series of Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness programs designed to educate, inform, and strengthen families across Beaverhead County. The series, titled “Strengthening Families, Safeguarding Futures: A Community-Based Approach to Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect,” is presented in conjunction with a grant from the Montana Children's Trust Fund. The grant supports presentations by local and regional authority figures to raise awareness and provide practical tools to prevent child abuse and neglect. The public is encouraged to attend. Light snacks will be provided, and activities will be available for children attending with parents or guardians. Past Presentations January 24 — Heather Denny: Homelessness February 7 — Margaret Kachadurian: Mindfulness for Families February 24 — Natalie Paulbeck and the Dillon Police Department: Solutions to Prevent Sexually Groomed/Trafficked Youth in Our Community Upcoming Presentations March 10 | 5:30 p.m. Representatives from Child and Family Services will present at the Dillon Public Library. March 24 | 5:30 p.m. Representatives from Child and Family Services and the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program will present. March 28 | 11 a.m. Izzi Simonsen – Women’s Resource Center Safe Childhoods: Understanding the Impact of Domestic Violence on Children Izzi Simonsen, Programs Manager at the Women’s Resource Center, has worked with survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families since 2020. Holding bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, along with a Victim Advocacy Certificate from Montana State University Billings, Simonsen is currently pursuing graduate studies at the University of Montana. In this workshop, parents, caregivers, and community members will learn how domestic violence impacts children emotionally, behaviorally, and developmentally. Participants will explore common child reactions and practice practical strategies to help create safe, nurturing environments. April 14 | 6 p.m. Maria Emmer-Aanes April 21 & 28 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. Melissa Winger – Two-Part Course This two-session course focuses on understanding how coping skills and emotional patterns are passed down through families. Parents will learn to recognize their own emotional habits, build awareness around family dynamics, and practice healthier responses to stress and strong emotions. The course aims to strengthen parents’ emotion regulation skills, helping them better connect with and support their children’s emotional development. May 2 Heidi Gibson

BASIN CREEK RESERVOIR  — The Basin Creek Reservoir Fire, located approximately 11 miles south of Butte and one mile southeast of the Basin Creek Picnic Area, remains at 6.7 acres and is now 70% contained. Firefighters continued working the interior of the fire area, searching for visible smoke and pockets of residual heat along the fire’s edge. Crews reinforced previously constructed firelines through ongoing “mop-up” operations to secure containment and prevent flare-ups. Although the fire is within the Basin Creek Watershed Project area, officials confirmed that the Forest Service has not conducted any slash pile burns in the immediate vicinity. Forest Service Law Enforcement is actively investigating the exact cause of the fire. Fire personnel will continue monitoring and strengthening containment efforts until the fire is fully extinguished.

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana City Council Chambers Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 6:00 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE     A.        REVIEW MAYORAL CANDIDATES AND APPOINT NEW MAYOR                         B.        PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS OF SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INTEREST NOT ON THE  AGENDA AND WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY   C.        ADJOURNMENT   PLEASE NOTE: The City of Dillon understands that citizens have the right under the Montana Constitution to observe and participate in local governmental affairs by personally attending all public meetings of the Dillon City Council and other City boards and committees. This meeting is open to the public as normal. Join the meeting with Zoom ID: 770-316-6528, allowing permission for microphone and camera (if using a computer go to https://zoom.us/j/7703166528 ) and use Passcode 4245. Please mute your microphone until you desire to comment. Any problems or questions, call City Hall at 683-4245.

Whitefish, MT  - Today, after more than 30 years in public service and four terms in Congress, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01) announced he will not seek reelection in November. His career includes serving 23 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL officer (1985-2008), four years in the Montana State Senate (2009-2013), two years as Secretary of the Interior under President Donald J. Trump (2017-2019), and four noncontiguous terms in Congress (2015-2017; 2023-2026).  Zinke penned a letter to the people of Montana which can be read here. The following statement can be attributed to Congressman Zinke:   “It has been my highest honor to serve America and the Great State of Montana as a U.S. Navy SEAL Commander, State Senator, Congressman, and the 52nd Secretary of the Interior. It has been my privilege to fight on the front lines defending freedom, faith, family, and the values that make America and Montana strong. Battles are not fought alone, and with your support we have unleashed America’s energy potential, removed excessive regulation, lowered taxes, passed the Great American Outdoors Act to repair and preserve our National Parks and Forests, and saved our treasured public lands from being sold to the highest bidder.   “We have also secured critical funding for Montana bridges, roads, sewer systems, water infrastructure, public access points, conservation projects, and helped thousands of Montanans successfully navigate through the federal bureaucracy to solve real problems that matter to the people that I am honored to represent.  Service is a duty that I will always hold sacred, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.        “As for my service and duty going forward, I have made the decision to leave office at the end of my fourth term and not seek re-election.  I do not take this decision lightly and have informed President Trump, the Governor, and senior leadership of this difficult but necessary decision.   “While my belief in term limits for elected office is a consideration, I have quietly undergone multiple surgeries since I returned to Congress and unfortunately face several more immediately after leaving office. The injuries sustained from a career in Special Operations are not immediately life threatening, but the repair cannot be deferred any longer and recovery will require considerable time with my wife Lola and my family. My judgment and experience tell me it is better for Montana and America to have full-time representation in Congress than run the risk of uncertain absence and missed votes.            “It has been a great privilege to serve Montana and our great Nation as the first U.S. Navy SEAL to serve in the State Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first Montanan to serve as a Cabinet Secretary. May God Bless Montana and all those who defend her.”

DILLON, Mont.  — The University of Montana Western will welcome the Montana University System Board of Regents to campus on Wednesday, March 12, for its regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting will be held in the Swysgood Technology Center Great Room on the Montana Western campus. Regents oversee policies and major decisions for the Montana University System, which includes the state’s public colleges and universities. Community members interested in following the discussion can access the full agenda and a live-stream of the meeting online through the Montana University System website at www.mus.edu .

DVFD responded to 10 calls for service during the month of February 2026. 02-02 HWY 278 Grass fire 02-04 Southside Blvd Gas Leak 02-07 S Montana Smoke alarms 02-07 W. Park Grass fire 02-16 N. Walnut Gass Oder 02-17 HWY 41 MM 11.5 MVA 02-19 S Montana Canceled 02-20 N Utah ST Chimney fire 02-20 N Idaho ST Smoke alarms going off 02-25 S Montana Gas Leak February monthly training, there where 3 trainings 2-14-26 We did pump operations of a tender and wildland type 6 unit. 2-17-26 We started the Fire Fighter one operations with interior exterior fire attack along with SCBA training. 2-24-26 Was a continuation of glass house walkthrough of the interior exterior fire attack along with donning of the SCBA unit. Please be safe & take extra time while traveling this time of year as the road conditions can become dangerous without warning.

Firefighters from the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest responded late yesterday afternoon to a reported wildfire in the Basin Creek Reservoir area, approximately 11 miles south of Butte and about one mile southeast of the Basin Creek Picnic Area. The fire was initially estimated at one acre but has since grown to approximately three acres. Crews reported the blaze burning actively in heavy slash and creeping toward nearby timbered areas. No snow is present at the site. Firefighters worked until 7:00 p.m. constructing saw line along the southern edge and portions of the northern perimeter of the fire. These containment lines were then used as buffers to conduct small-scale tactical firing operations, helping remove available fuels from the active fire edge and slow its progression. Although the fire is located within the Basin Creek Watershed Project area, the Forest Service confirmed that no slash piles had been burned in the immediate vicinity prior to the incident. An investigation into the cause of the fire will be conducted by Forest Service Law Enforcement. Additional firefighters are scheduled to join the effort today as crews continue working toward full extinguishment.

BUTTE, Mont. - The four-seed Montana Western men's basketball program (20-9, 15-7 FC) was clipped by five-seed Montana Tech (22-7, 15-7 FC) 93-65 Saturday. "Credit to Tech, they came out ready to go," head coach Patrick Jensen said. "I thought their defensive intensity was the difference, it seemed like we were on our heels most of the night. And that's on me to make sure our guys are ready to go." STAT BREAKDOWN UMW shot 38.1 percent (24-63) from the floor, 27.3 percent (6-22) from three, and 73.3 percent (11-15) from the foul line. Western tallied 22 rebounds, three assists, nine steals, and two blocks. The Bulldogs earned 24 points in the paint, 15 points off turnovers, six second-chance points, and 20 bench points. LEADERBOARD Emanuel Steward led the team with 19 points, followed by Kyle Gruhler with 10. Steward also paced the team with seven boards. David Young tallied team-bests in assists (two) and steals (three). Kolter Merritt and Quincy Taylor swatted one block apiece for the Bulldogs. NOTABLES Steward reached double figures for the 27th time on the year. Young tallied his eighth multi-steal game this season. Every Bulldog who saw action scored at least three points. GAME SUMMARY The Orediggers opened the game on an 11-0 before stretching their lead to 23, 49-26, at the halftime whistle. UMW shot 25.8 percent (8-31) from the floor, 33.3 percent (3-9) from three, and 70.0 percent (7-10) from the foul line in the first half. The Bulldogs showed moxie to start the second half and cut the lead to 14. Montana Tech continued its strong perimeter shooting, however, and put the game out of reach of Western. THE OPPOSITION The Orediggers shot 59.6 percent (34-57) from the field, 50.0 percent (12-24) from three, and 76.5 percent (13-17) from the stripe. They tallied 38 rebounds, 14 assists, four steals, and five blocks. Brayden Koch led all players with 29 points. Hayden Diekhans posted game-highs in both rebounds (nine) and assists (four). Rhett Reynolds and Ethan Venema both registered two blocks while four different players tallied one steal each. LOOKING AHEAD Western now awaits word from the NAIA on a possible national tournament bid.

BUTTE, Mont. - The Montana Western women's basketball program (14-13, 12-11 FC) earned a trip to the Frontier Conference semis with a 65-56 victory over Carroll (19-10, 17-5 FC) Saturday. The Bulldogs showcased an incredible defensive effort, holding the three-seed Fighting Saints under 30.0 percent from the floor and under 20.0 percent from beyond the arc. "We talked this week about how we had to win the game that was going to be played," head coach Ryan Sullivan said. "We did a phenomenal job in the second half of staying even-keel, and I think our seniors really spearheaded that. There wasn't doubt that we were going to have a chance to win the game with the way we have been playing recently, so I am supper proud of them to not flinch against a really good basketball team." STAT BREAKDOWN UMW shot 50.0 percent (24-48) from the floor, 33.3 percent (4-12) from beyond the arc, and 56.5 percent (13-23) from the foul line. Western tallied 44 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and three blocks in the contest. The Bulldogs registered 20 points in the paint, four points off turnovers, two second-chance points, and 26 bench points. LEADERBOARD Bailee Sayler led all players with 22 points, followed by Isabella Lund (16) and Keke Davis (11). Davis earned a double-double with a game-high 11 rebounds while Sayler had nine. Lund and Davis dished out two assists each. Lund, Sayler, and Mila Hawk tallied one steal apiece. Sayler swatted a game-best two blocks. NOTABLES Sayler shot 87.5 percent (7-8) from the floor, 66.7 percent (2-3) from deep, and 85.7 percent (6-7) from the charity stripe. Davis posted her fourth double-double of the season. Bellach drained multiple threes for the third straight game. Lund registered her 16th double-digit scoring effort this season. The Bulldogs pulled down more than 40 rebounds for the ninth time. At least three blocks for the sixth time in the last seven games. Western held its opponent under 30.0 percent from the floor for the fifth time on the campaign. GAME SUMMARY The Bulldogs jumped out to an early five-point lead, but the Saints fought their way back to tie it with just under three minutes to play in the first. Western held a three-point advantage, 14-11, after 10 minutes of action. Carroll took the lead late in the second period, but a buzzer-beating jumper from Davis tied the game at 25 as the teams headed to the locker rooms. UMW shot 43.5 percent (10-23) from the field, 25.0 percent (2-8) from beyond the arc, and 37.5 percent (3-8) from the foul line in the first half. Western locked in after half, building up to an 11-point lead, 45-34, with one quarter remaining. The Saints shot just 13.3 percent (2-15) from the field in the third frame. Carroll fought back within six with five minutes remaining in regulation, but the Bulldogs weathered the storm. Sayler was clutch at the line down the stretch to seal the nine-point win. THE OPPOSITION The Fighting Saints shot 27.7 percent (18-65) from the floor, 15.0 percent (3-20) from distance, and 89.5 percent (17-19) from the foul line. They tallied 31 rebounds, three assists, 10 steals, and one block. Kenzie Allen led the team with 12 points, followed by Meagan Karstetter and Willa Albrecht with 11 apiece. Allen also pulled down a team-best six boards and paced all players with four steals. Jillian Kanduch dished out a team-best two assists while Allen swatted the lone block of the game for Carroll. LOOKING AHEAD The Bulldogs take on two-seed Montana Tech in the conference semis tomorrow. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. MT.