From Katie Raffety Just wanted to pass on a pic of our All Star Band students from this weekend and share the link to the recorded concert with you! I am so proud of their hard work, cumulatively about 15 hours of practice over 2 and a half days and they presented the most beautiful concert featuring three bands, all of which performed a number of works by guest composer and conductor, Julie Giroux. We all enjoyed working with Julie, who none of us realized was as cool as she is until we got to listen to her talk- kids were totally star struck when she listed off a million video games she's worked on (Skyrim being the most recent), and about a dozen big name composers she's collaborated with (one of her first jobs was as an orchestrator for Alan Menken of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast fame in the 90s, not to mention John Williams). She's also won several Emmys and been nominated for a number of Oscars- pretty cool! Thank you so much for your flexibility in their absence last Friday, I so appreciate your support and I know they do too! If you have a minute to enjoy some cool tunes, the concert link is below! You might recognize the accordion player a little more than halfway through- BCHS grad Kristen Cottom (now Guidoni) was featured as a soloist! You can watch the concert here

2023 STATE “A" CHAMPIONSHIP GAME DILLON BEAVERS VS. COLUMBIA FALLS WILDCATS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2023 @ 1:00 PM VIGILANTE STADIUM DILLON, MONTANA TICKET PRICES: ADULTS - $10.00 | STUDENTS - $8.00 TICKET BOOTHS WILL OPEN AT 11:30 AM ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2023 *Tickets Can Be Purchase At The Gate or https://gofan.co/app/school/MHSA* *Season Passes Will Not Be Accepted*

UMW Sports Press Release KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced the pairings of the 2023 NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS) this evening. The Montana Western football team (9-1, 7-1 Frontier), ranked no. 8 in the nation in the final week of the regular season, was selected for a first-round bye and will host an FCS second round matchup. This is the first home NAIA playoff berth since the 1994 season and the fifth playoff berth in school history. The Bulldogs finished the regular season 9-1 (7-1 Frontier) and have won eight-straight games heading into the FCS. A top-5 ranked offense (465.5 yards per game, 3rd), led by Michael Palandri who is eighth in the nation in passing (273.1 yards per game) and Eli Nourse who is the nation's leading receiver (114.2 yards per game). On defense, the Bulldogs have allowed just 19.4 points per game on average and allowed the fewest rushing yards in the conference (76.3 yards per game). More information for the Second-Round game to be announced in the coming week, stay tuned to umwbulldogs.com and @umw_bulldogs on social media for the most up to date information including ticket information, live coverage and the game preview.

UMW Sports Press Release GREAT FALLS, Mont. - The Montana Western volleyball team (21-6) took the Frontier Conference Tournament Championship home as they defeated the RV Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears (21-12) in a five-set victory. "I am so incredibly proud of this team and their perseverance throughout not only this match but the entire season," Head Coach Katie Lovett said. "They have show grit and determination in tough situations and today was no exception. Sky is the limit for this group. I also want to thank all of the alumni who have come through this program and helped build Bulldog Volleyball into what it is today." How It Happened The Bulldogs spent much of the first set chasing the Battlin Bears, falling to a 23-19 deficit in the game. Despite the tough haul, the Bulldogs put together a 6-0 scoring run to win the set that featured a pair of kills from Danyel Martin and a block from Martin and Jaiden Perez . Rocky Mountain took another big jump over the Bulldogs in the second set, outhitting UMW .132 to .045 and winning the set 25-20. The third set showed both team's determination, with neither team taking more than a three-point lead through the entire game. The two teams battled it out in extras with Rocky taking the set 28-26. Down 15-9 in the fourth set, the Bulldogs rallied together to behind a block from Peyton Vogl and Jordan Olson and a service ace from Jazi Smith to bring the score back within three. The Bulldogs tied the game at 18 following a kill from Perez and went on to win the set as the Bulldogs wall at the net recorded three straight blocks. Tied at 9 in the final frame, UMW rode a 5-0 scoring run that saw a pair of kills from Vogl and an ace from Kaylee Fritz . The Bulldogs closed the game on a kill from Olson to win the final set 15-10. Notables The Bulldogs win their first conference title since the 2002 season. In a rematch of last season's Frontier Conference Tournament final, the Bulldogs were able to take down RMC. Smith led the Bulldogs with 16 kills, 19 digs, and three aces. Vogl was unstoppable at the net, posting nine blocks and 15 kills. She also surpassed 500 career kills in today's matchup. Martin had 15 kills and two blocks. Fritz added 30 assists and 16 digs. Up Next The Bulldogs receive the Frontier Conference automatic bid to the NAIA Volleyball Championships and will await the selection show that is scheduled for Monday Nov. 13 at 1pm MT.

UMW Sports Press Release LEWISTON, Idaho - The Montana Western women's basketball team (3-2) lost to the No. 17 ranked Eastern Oregon Mountaineers (2-0) 80-78 in an overtime battle. Shainy Mack hit five threes and dropped 26 points in the game, a career high mark. How It Happened The Bulldogs were hot in the first frame, racking up 32 points behind ten points from Jordan Sweeney and nine from Mack. The Bulldogs were unstoppable from the field, hitting 14 of 19 shots. The second frame saw Payton Hagy drop 11 points after she hit three shots from the arc for the Bulldogs. UMW would take a handsome 49-37 lead into the half. The Mounties began to chip away at their lead in the third, bringing the score within sic points following a layup from EOU's Haley Robinett. Sweeney capped off the quarter with a layup and a free throw for a UMW 65-56 lead. EOU grabbed their first lead since the first quarter after a layup from Beverly Slater. Keke Davis answered with a layup to give UMW the lead once more. Mack hit a three with six seconds remaining to tie the game and force overtime for the two teams knotted up at 73. EOU outscored the Bulldogs by two down the stretch and claimed the victory 80-78. Notables The Bulldogs outshot the Mounties 44.1 to 38.1 percent across the matchup. Despite the positive shooting performance, EOU capitalized on second chance points and hit 22 points compared to two from the Bulldogs. EOU also utilized points in the paint, putting up 48 points in the paint with UMW putting in 22. Mack led the Bulldogs with 26 points and three steals. She also added four assists. Sweeney had 21 points, seven assists, and nine rebounds. She also racked up three steals in the game. Hagy hit double-digits, totaling 11 points and adding two rebounds of her own. Up Next The Bulldogs take a week off from play and will travel to Lakeland, Fla. to take on Southeastern University (Fla.) and St. Thomas University (Fla.) next weekend Nov. 17 and 18.

UMW Sports Press Release BUTTE, Mont. - The Montana Western men's basketball team stretched their record to 3-1 on the season as they defeated Northern New Mexico College this afternoon 76-55. Jalyn Stepney led the Bulldogs with 22 points, three steals, and four rebounds. How It Happened The Bulldogs fell early on in the game to NNMC, dropping to a 22-13 deficit with 10:31 remaining in the first half. Abi Adedo made layup that got the Bulldogs back on the board and on the right path. UMW went on to score eight straight points and take a one-point advantage with just over six minutes remaining in the first half. Jacob Ankeny capped off scoring for the half, helping the Bulldogs to a 33-29 lead heading into the half. Stepney wasted little time for the Red and Black, hitting a jumper and knocking down a three-pointer just seconds into the second half. He once again struck with another three at the 15:53 minute mark to give UMW their largest lead of the game thus far at 47-33. UMW continued to keep the Eagles at arm's length throughout the remainder of the game and UMW closed out scoring with a jumper from Michael Haverfield to finish off NNMC 76-55. Notables The Bulldogs held NNMC to a shooting percentage of just 37.7, compared to UMW's 49.2 percent. Jalyn Stepney led the Bulldogs with 22 points, three steals, and four rebounds. Adedo followed with a double-double for the second night in a row, pulling in 11 boards and scoring 15 points. Two more Bulldogs reached double-digit scored with Haverfield hitting 11 and Quincy Taylor knocking down 10 points. Kevin Bethel led with seven assists on the night. Up Next The Bulldogs travel to La Grande, Ore. and will have another matchup with Eastern Oregon next Saturday Nov. 28 at 4:30 p.m.

UMW Sports Press Release DILLON, Mont. - The Montana Western football team (9-1) defeated the Eastern Oregon Mountaineers 36-12 at home on senior day to claim an outright conference championship. How It Happened The Bulldogs were the first to strike in the game, marching 87 yards down the field and scoring on a touchdown rush from Michael Palandri with 7:37 left in the first quarter. With a 7-0 lead, the Mounties answered on their own six-minute drive that resulted on a field goal from Ethan Cutler to bring the score to 7-3. On the first play of the second quarter, Palandri hit Eli Nourse in stride for a 66-yard touchdown pass, giving UMW a lead at 14-3. A three and out forced by a pair of pass breakups from Braden Smith and Reese Artz fueled UMW's following drive that saw UMW score once again with another Palandri touchdown rush for three yards. EOU would add another field goal to the score as UMW took a 21-6 lead into the half. The Bulldogs continued their first half dominance as they once again scored on their opening drive of the half, this time on a touchdown pass from Palandri to Dylan Shipley for 14 yards. After trading possessions, UMW punter Eddie Dewart kicked a 52-yard punt to pin EOU on their own four-yard line. The Bulldog defense capitalized on the field position and forced a safety following a penalty on EOU on third and 10. As UMW got the ball on the following drive, Jake Humphrey ran for an 11-yard touchdown rush to cap the Bulldog scoring at 36-6. Though EOU scored once more, the Bulldogs took the win 36-12. Notables The Bulldog offense totaled 440 yards of offense with 284 yard through the air. Palandri threw for 282 yards and completed 21 of 31 attempts. He also added two touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns. UMW claimed the first outright conference championship since the 1994 season, and their first championship since 2021. The UMW defense totaled seven pass breakups and seven tackles for loss. Aiden Prado and Braden Smith each led the Bulldogs with eight tackles apiece. Nourse led Bulldog receivers with 110 receiving yards and a touchdown. Humphrey rushed for 104 yards with a touchdown. Up Next The Bulldogs receive the Frontier Conference automatic bid to the NAIA Football Champions hips and will await selection for the playoffs. The selection show is set for Sunday Nov. 12 at 5pm MT.

The Dillon Beavers beat the Fergus Golden Eagles 26 to 14 Friday night at Vigilante field. The Dillon Beavers finished the first quarter 6 to 0 and went into halftime with a 14 to 0 lead. The Beavers would hold the Golden Eagles scoreless up to the fourth quarter. The eagles would make two touchdowns but not be able to catch up to the lead the beavers set. The Beavers will play again in Dillon for the State Class A title on Saturday November the 18th. Click on image for full photo

BestColleges.com, a leading online resource for students, and leading authority in higher education research and college planning, is pleased to announce that the University of Montana Western has secured the top spot as #1 in “Best Colleges in Montana” for 2023. UMW stands out in the state based on affordability, enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. “Since 2014, our mission has been to provide an objective assessment of relative quality in higher education, taking into account factors such as academic outcomes, affordability, and the breadth and depth of learning opportunities,” said Eden Glass, Best Colleges Communication Associate. Best Colleges evaluate academic quality by examining the number of students graduating in specific majors, indicating a school’s commitment to those programs. Their affordability score considers program cost, student loan rates, and post-graduation loan repayment ability. The fields of academic study at Montana Western include Biology, Business and Technology, Environmental Sciences, Education, English, Equine Studies, Health and Human Performance, Fine Arts, Mathematics, and History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences. Montana Western’s commitment to student engagement and support cultivates a meaningful educational experience, characterized by high academic standards and affordable tuition. Enjoying a strong sense of community, students at the University of Montana Western experience small class sizes and dedicated professors. The 20-acre campus, surrounded by the mountains, rivers, and trails of southwest Montana, provides an immersive environment for the Experience One program, enabling students to refine critical and creative thinking skills essential for success. For more information about Experience One and the University of Montana Western, or to schedule a tour, visit www.umwestern.edu or call 877-683-7331.

CEMETERY COMMITTEE MEETING November 13th , 2023 4:00 P.M. AGENDA 1. Call To Order 2. Update on “Bud” Hughes Headstone Violation 3. City Attorney Update on Ownership of Old Poindexter Cemetery Property 4. List of Projects & Priority for 2024 i. Water System – est. Mainline Replacement and Automation ii. Lawn Mower iii. Weed Control Options 5. Update/Discussion on Plotblox Cemetery Software 6. Discuss Missing Headstone from Poindexter Cemetery 7. Public Comment On Items Of Significant Public Interest Not On The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction Of The City 8. Adjournment Committee Members: George Johnston, Chairperson Diane Armstrong Stephen Sievert

The Beaverhead County Landfill will be going into the winter hours starting this week. The winter hours are Mon thru Sat 10 am to 6 pm and closed Sundays. The landfill will also be closed this Saturday for Veterans Day.

UMW Sports Press Release The 36 team, 85 individuals in the men's race and 36 teams and 88 individuals in the women's 6k race have been announced for the 2023 NAIA Men's and Women's Cross-Country National Championship that will be held on November 17 in Vancouver, Wash. Two individuals from Montana Western qualified to represent the Bulldogs in the races. The women's field will prepare to race on Friday, November 17, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. MT at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Championship Course in Vancouver, Wash. The men's field will prepare to race following the women at 12:30 p.m. MT. "We feel really excited honestly. I was part of a team that was cut short last year. I put the work in and I knew what my sister and I were capable of. I am really excited for what we can both do!" Brant Heiner said. Olivia Heiner will be representing the women's cross country team at the national meet. Heiner earned all-conference honors after she placed ninth in the conference with a race time of 24:16.40 last Friday. Brant Heiner will be representing the men's cross country team at the national meet. He led the Bulldogs with a tenth place finish, good for all-conference honors for the second time in his career. He ran the race in a time of 26:28.50. To view the visitor's guide for information regarding the women's race, click here. To view the visitor's guide for information regarding the men's race, click here.

Montana’s general hunting season has reached the midpoint this week with steady hunter numbers and mixed success rates as recorded at game check stations in southwestern Montana. Wildlife biologists with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks use check stations to collect data on hunter participation and success, as well as the species, sex and age class of the animals harvested. This supplements data collected through hunter harvest phone surveys each year. On Nov. 4 and 5, biologists operated four check stations in the region and met with 995 hunters. Those hunters collectively harvested five white-tailed deer, 26 mule deer and 36 elk, among other species. Most areas had relatively mild weather over the weekend. The Alder check station saw 235 hunters and a success rate of 11.4 percent. The long-term averages for the third weekend at this check station are 234 hunters and a success rate of 14 percent. The Cameron check station saw 377 hunters, 5.3 percent of whom were successful. The long-term averages for the third weekend at this check station are 344 hunters and a success rate of 8.4 percent. The Divide check station saw 165 hunters, 11.5 percent of whom were successful. The long-term averages for the third weekend at this check station are 214 hunters and a success rate of 6.9 percent. The Mill Creek check station saw 218 hunters and a success rate of 2.2 percent. The long-term averages for the third weekend at this check station are 197 hunters and a success rate of 4.2 percent. These figures do not account for different hunting season regulations over the years, which have varied from liberal to restrictive for elk and mule deer, depending on population status. Be bear aware FWP reminds hunters that bears will remain active throughout the general season, and hunters should be prepared for bear encounters. Montana is bear country. Grizzly bear populations continue to become denser and more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in more places each year. People who hunt in places that have or may have grizzly bears—which includes areas of Montana west of Billings—should take special precautions: Carry bear spray and practice to be prepared to use it immediately. Look for bear sign and be cautious around creeks and areas with limited visibility. Hunt with a group of people. Making localized noise can help alert bears to your presence. Be aware that elk calls and cover scents can attract bears. Bring the equipment and people needed to help field dress game and remove the meat from the kill site as soon as possible. If you need to leave part of the meat in the field during retrieval, hang it at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 150 yards from the gut pile. Leave it where it can be observed from a distance of at least 200 yards. Upon your return, observe the meat with binoculars. If it has been disturbed or if a bear is in the area, leave and call FWP. For more information and resources on bear safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware .

11/03/23 Friday morning Sheriff’s deputies and highway patrol responded to a single vehicle wreck on the Pioneer Scenic Byway. The wreck was a propane delivery vehicle that had hit an ice patch, jumped the guard rail and went down an embankment. Life Flight was initially called out for the incident but was later determined not to be needed. The propane had bled free from the vehicle and was not considered to be a hazard when first responders arrived. The driver of the vehicle sustained injuries from the crash. Later that day dispatch received a call on I-15 MM7 of a single vehicle crash involving a truck and trailer. The truck was pulling a toy hauler style trailer it began to whip back and forth uncontrollably, and the driver lost control causing the vehicle and trailer to tip on its side and come to a rest blocking a portion of the highway. The driver sustained no injuries.

Beaverhead Search and Rescue News Submitted by: Mel Rice: Public Relations Officer The Beaverhead Search and Rescue held its November meeting on Wednesday the 1st. The meeting was called to order by Vice Commander Shane Puyear. There were 24 members in attendance and 4 guests. It was pointed out that our membership is capped at 60 members and that number has been reached. There were 4 probationary members who had completed their trial year and were voted in as permanent members. Those individuals are: Joe Reyes, Jamie Trivette, Charles Weidow, and James Matthews. When you see these individuals out and about, please congratulate them on their appointment and thank them for their service. Other business included critiques of the last two search/rescues we had in the last month. It was also pointed out there will be Wilderness First Aid training in January. There is good news for all you ice fishermen. The FW&P has authorized us to once again have our annual ice fishing derby at Clark Canyon in January. Tickets, dates, and other info will be coming shortly. I know it’s still hunting season but that is coming to a close and then it’s time for the short poles to come out. We would like to remind everyone to be prepared when you go out to play. It can be a cruel world out there if you’re not prepared. Have fun and be safe, “In the Business of Saving Lives”, your Beaverhead Search and Rescue.

PRESS RELEASE: 2023 STATE “A" SEMI FINAL ROUND FOOTBALL PLAYOFF GAME DILLON BEAVERS VS. FERGUS GOLDEN EAGLES FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2023 @ 7:00 PM VIGILANTE STADIUM DILLON, MONTANA TICKET PRICES: ADULTS - $10.00 | STUDENTS - $8.00 TICKET BOOTHS WILL OPEN AT 5:30 PM ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2023 *Tickets Can Be Purchase At The Gate or https://gofan.co/app/school/MHSA *Season Passes Will Not Be Accepted*

(Sheridan, Montana, November 3, 2023) – The Ruby Valley Medical Center (RVMC) has purchased the Wagon Wheel Restaurant at 207 North Main Street in Twin Bridges from Janet and Shawn Dustin. The property will be used as the site for the new Twin Bridges Clinic. “The acquisition of the Wagon Wheel property will provide a very convenient location for the Twin Bridges area residents and visitors to access healthcare services and allows us to expand the range of healthcare services to the community,” said Landon Dybdal, CEO of the Ruby Valley Medical Center. The new Twin Bridges Clinic will be approximately the same size as the current Wagon Wheel building, 4100 square feet. Construction is tentatively scheduled to commence in April, 2024. “If we have no issues and everything goes as planned, the new clinic should be completed by the end of 2024,” said Dybdal. The Main Street location on Highway 41 has been determined to be ideal. “All the providers are excited for the opportunity to have a presence on the Main Street in Twin Bridges for the new clinic,” said RVMC’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Roman Hendrickson. Up until three months ago, RVMC’s board and administration had been planning to build the new Twin Bridges Clinic on the property adjacent to the current clinic. However, at the suggestion of RVMC’s CFO, Cole White, the purchase of the Wagon Wheel property was reconsidered when the asking price was reduced. “The old clinic isn’t big enough and would cost more to remodel compared to building a new clinic,” Dybdal said. “Building a new clinic still makes sense with the new property.” Potential sites outside of Twin Bridges were also considered but were determined to be infeasible due to the cost of connecting to or installing sewer, water and power infrastructure. Additional healthcare services at the new Twin Bridges Clinic will include a mobile x-ray machine and CLIA-waived lab testing. CLIA-waived lab tests can be performed by healthcare providers rather than requiring a state certified lab technician. These tests have been determined by the CDC and FDA to be so simple that there is little risk of error. CLIA-waived lab tests include pregnancy testing and some urine tests. Within the next few weeks, RVMC will formally announce an invitation to bid on most of the commercial grade kitchen appliances, cooking utensils, kitchen supplies, furniture, cabinets, fixtures, and the Wagon Wheel log building. Dybdal noted that “we’re going to use some of the kitchen equipment when we expand the Medical Center but we need to have the contents cleared out and the building removed by early 2024.” Additional information and instructions for the invitation to bid will be published in the newspapers serving Madison County.

On Sunday, November 5, 2023. three girls and three boys, ages 8-13, were crowned Champions at the Dillon Elks Lodge “Hoop Shoot”® free throw contest, which took place at BW Lodge Gymnasium in Dillon. The participants, who qualified from their School Hoop Shoot, were from the following towns: Dillon, Sheridan and Twin Bridges. The three first place boys and girls in age categories 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13 were awarded trophies and will advance to the South District Elks Hoop Shoot Competition in Dillon, at Montana Western on January 13, 2024. Below are the results: Girls 8-9 Score 1st – Keegan Porter (Dillon) 12/25 2nd – Emma Cain (Twin Bridges) 7/25 (3/5) 3rd – Ally Nye (Twin Bridges) 7/25 (0/5) Girls 10-11 Score 1st – Kansas Keller (Dillon) 16/25 2nd – Quinn Feenstra (Dillon) 13/25 3rd – Kate Feenstra (Ennis) 12/25 Girls 12-13 Score 1st – Adry Gibson (Dillon) 18/25 2nd – Tenley Keltz (Twin Bridges) 15/25 3rd – River Morris (Twin Bridges) 12/25 Boys 8-9 Score 1st – Kenny Holland (Twin Bridges) 14/25 2nd – Brently Branen (Sheridan) 12/25 3rd – Lincoln Rasch (Dillon) 7/25 Boys 10-11 Score 1st – Austin Blando (Dillon) 13/25 2nd – Braxtyn Feuling (Dillon) 11/25 3rd – Jaxon Schrank (Sheridan) 10/25 Boys 12-13 Score 1st - Noah Feenstra (Dillon) 18/25 2nd – Bentley Hyndman (Sheridan) 16/25