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August 2 nd  Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Dillon Public Library - COMPUTER CLASS at the Library - anyone needing computer questions answered are welcome to attend. Presented by Tara Stevens from Computer Rescue Service. This class is FREE to the public. Bring your questions in early and place in the box at front desk. August 28, 29 & 30 th  9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Commercial Building at the Beaverhead County Fairgrounds. Dillon Public Library's Annual Labor Day BOOK SALE will be going on. So many books to buy as gifts or for your personal collection. The library will be closed during this time while staff is busy at the fairgrounds. (and Kim gets her yearly 4-H hamburger(s))  We will have a charging station for your phones and other items for purchase.  Books & Babies will begin again in September. First date will be announced soon. September 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Dillon Public Library: WOMEN'S FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOP.  This summer, RDI Financial Wellness, the Montana Cooperative Development Corporation, and the Montana State Library are proud to announce a collaborative effort to empower women across Montana through a series of financial literacy workshops. These workshops aim to provide the essential tools and knowledge to manage finances effectively and confidently. Five workshops will be held at various libraries across the state, offering convenient opportunities for people in different communities to participate. Covering a range of important financial topics, including budgeting, saving, investing, and credit management. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and receive personalized advice from financial experts. Sign up early at: forms.office.com/r/SNGmPqhfi3

The University of Montana Western is excited to welcome new students to campus during New Student Orientation, taking place Thursday, August 14, through Sunday, August 17. Orientation at Montana Western is designed to welcome first-year and transfer students to campus and prepare them for the academic year. Over the four days, students will engage with peers, faculty, and staff through interactive sessions, icebreakers, and team-building activities before classes begin on Monday, August 18. These experiences help build friendships and lay the foundation for a supportive network that extends throughout students’ time at UMW. “By participating in New Student Orientation, students will be introduced to Experience One through immersive, hands-on activities, acquire skills to help them succeed in their university journey, and develop a sense of belonging and connection with other students, faculty, and staff,” said Mike Piazzola, Senior Director of Student Life. Festivities begin on Thursday, August 14, as students move into the UMW residence halls. Members of the campus and Dillon communities are invited to volunteer for Move-In Day to help welcome new students to Montana Western. To sign up, visit  https://www.umwestern.edu/orientation  and complete the “Montana Western Moving Company” form. The ceremonial start of the academic year—Convocation—will be held on Friday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. in the Straugh Gymnasium, followed by the Legacy Plaza Ceremony. A Welcome Lunch for students, families, faculty, and staff will follow on the campus lawn in front of Mathews Hall. Orientation events will continue through the weekend with activities such as hiking to the “M,” axe throwing, floating the Beaverhead River, and other opportunities to explore Dillon and the surrounding area. The weekend will conclude with the Bulldog Feast and the return of an alumni favorite: the Bulldog Brain Teaser! For the full schedule of events, visit  https://www.umwestern.edu/orientation . For more information, please contact Bulldog Life at 406-683-7565.

The Bookstore will be hosting author Donna Erickson Saturday, August 2nd from 1:00-300 for a book signing.  The reading will begin at 1:30 followed by a discussion.  Her book  Rooted at the Edge: Ranching Where the Old West and the New West Collide   paints a portrait of a ranching community steeped in history, conflict, and beauty. In this narrative nonfiction work, Donna Erickson explores the hilly skirt of ground at the northern boundary of Missoula, Montana, separating the town from the wilderness beyond. The North Hills region represents the critical—and often highly personal—issues at play at the edge of many western towns. The urban-rural fringe is both valuable and vulnerable. Across the West, a way of life and a way of work are vanishing. Ranch land is simultaneously cherished by families for the lives they’ve made there and coveted by urban neighbors for open space. Community residents may love a place for its scenery and wildlife habitat while others wish it converted to a commercial parking lot. Complex ecological relationships can be bulldozed in a single afternoon. Rooted at the Edge  conveys, in a way that statistics cannot, what’s at stake when ranches at the urban fringe are threatened. Donna Erickson was raised riding horses, putting up hay, and herding cattle at Skyline Ranch.  Her family’s nearly 1000-acre ranch lies in the North Hills at the edge of Missoula, Montana.  As a young adult she ranched there and on other leased ranches in western Montana.  Many decades later, her life as both a rancher and landscape planner gives Donna a unique perspective on ranching at the edge of a growing western town.  She wrote this book to share stories about a century of change in this iconic landscape and the threats it faces going forward.   If you have any questions or would like to reserve a copy call The Bookstore at 683-6807.

Dillon, MT — The Dillon Cubs showcased strong offensive firepower but ultimately fell to the Butte Miners in a thrilling 14-11 at Ray Lynch Park on Thursday. Despite out-hitting the Miners 16 to 7, the Cubs couldn’t contain the offensive surge from Butte, which collected seven hits but capitalized on key moments to secure the win. Dillon’s hitters kept pace with seven players recording multiple hits, led by Trenton Moreni, Marcus Lagunas, and Jase Alvarez, each with three. The game opened with an early spark from Dillon. Tristan Alvarez singled in the second inning to bring home the first run, and Jase Alvarez added another with a sacrifice fly in the third, giving the Cubs a 2-1 lead. Butte responded swiftly in the bottom of the third, taking the lead with a walk by Colt Hassler and an error that scored three runs, putting the Miners in front 3-2. The tide turned dramatically in the fourth inning when Butte exploded for 10 runs on five hits, including a four-RBI single by Gunnar O’Brien to extend their lead to 13-3. Cohen Hartman pitched for Dillon, surrendering eight runs over three and two-thirds innings while striking out seven. Matthew Donaldson took the mound for Butte, allowing six runs over five innings and striking out five. The Cubs rallied in the later innings, with Moreni driving in three RBIs and Alvarez and teammate Andrew Bartlome adding multiple hits to keep the game competitive. Hartman and others kept fighting, but the Miners displayed patience at the plate, drawing 13 walks and turning the game’s momentum their way. Defensively, Butte turned a key double play, helping to stifle Dillon’s late-inning rally. Overall, it was an exciting clash of offensive firepower, but the Miners' timely hits and disciplined approach edged out the Cubs for the win.

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will hold a free performance of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the University of Montana Western’s Pioneer Federal Amphitheater on Legacy Plaza. Just bring your lawn chair, blanket, and a picnic dinner, and enjoy an evening of live Shakespeare! “As You Like It” speaks to the joy and complexity of love, identity, and the transformative power of nature. This romantic comedy follows Rosalind—one of Shakespeare’s most complex and beloved female characters—as she ventures into the Forest of Arden. Along the way, she encounters a colorful cast of characters and explores themes of love, transformation, and self-discovery. “I’m so delighted to bring  As You Like It  to MSIP!” said Eva Breneman, Director of “As You Like It” .  “It’s a beautiful, funny, thought-provoking play about transformation and the desire to find oneself. It contains yearning and music and one-liners. I love the nature of Rosalind and Orlando’s love story and how they fall in love with each other over the very nature of love. I love the primal idea of going back to nature to find one’s deepest desires—I especially think the citizens of Montana and the mountain West will understand that impulse.” Montana Shakespeare in the Parks has been bringing the timeless works of William Shakespeare to communities across Montana and neighboring states for over 50 years. Renowned for its high-quality, free outdoor performances, the program aims to make the arts accessible to all, fostering a love for theater and literature in audiences of all ages. Each summer, the cast and crew travel thousands of miles to bring Shakespeare’s plays to parks, town squares, and public spaces throughout the region. To see the full Montana Shakespeare in the Parks tour schedule, visit  https://shakespeareintheparks.org . Montana Western’s School of Outreach has brought Montana Shakespeare in the Parks to the Dillon community since 1986 and is a local sponsor of the event. We would like to thank our premier local sponsor, Pioneer Federal Savings & Loan, and our additional local sponsors: McIsaac Appraisal and the UMW Foundation. For more information, please contact School of Outreach Program Coordinator Bethanie Wharton at 406-683-7537 or bethanie.wharton@umwestern.edu .

Dr. Kyle Richardson, Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Montana Western, has received a $350,721 grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate lesser-known environmental transmission pathways of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Montana’s wild cervid populations. The three-year project will deepen understanding of how CWD may persist and spread through the environment and provide essential data that could influence wildlife management practices across the region. CWD is a fatal neurological condition in deer, elk, and moose caused by prions, which are misfolded proteins that accumulate in the brain and nervous system. Similar to mad cow disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, CWD leads to severe weight loss and eventual death. While most CWD research has focused on direct transmission, such as animal-to-animal contact, Dr. Richardson’s work will explore the largely understudied potential for CWD to be spread through environmental exposure, specifically through soil, vegetation, or water contaminated by infected animals. “Few studies focus on environmental or behavioral pathways for infection because prions are difficult to detect in the environment and because infected animals can appear healthy for years” said Richardson. “Our project aims to fill some of that information gap by examining how prions might persist and move through the environment.” The study will focus on three key questions: Are infected carcasses a source of environmental contamination? Is the amount of environmental contamination linked to CWD prevalence in local deer populations? Which environmental conditions help break down or degrade CWD prions? To answer these questions, Dr. Richardson and his team will place infected deer carcasses at study sites and monitor changes in soil and vegetation prion levels over time. They will also test environmental variables such as temperature, moisture, and ultraviolet exposure to determine how prions degrade. “It’s important to understand how CWD prions are shed into the environment,” Richardson explained. “If we can show that prions leach into soil and vegetation from carcasses, that means we have a major source of disease that isn’t currently being managed. Understanding that risk is critical for both containment and long-term eradication strategies.” Another important aspect of the project is student involvement. Dr. Richardson plans to integrate this research into several biology courses at UMW, including Ecology, Disease Ecology, and Wildlife Ecology and Management. Students will be involved in all phases of the project, from field sampling to lab work and data analysis, and up to three students each year will be hired as paid disease research technicians. “This is exactly the kind of hands-on research experience that UMW’s block schedule is built for,” said Richardson. “It gives students real-world scientific experience while contributing to a broader body of knowledge.” The project also includes collaboration with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks , private landowners, and a network of scientists from across the state and abroad. According to Richardson, the grant will not only boost ongoing research efforts but also highlight the important role student-faculty research plays in shaping UMW’s academic identity. “Five students have already graduated after contributing to this project in its early stages. With continued NSF support, we hope to provide even more students with meaningful research opportunities that prepare them for careers in science and conservation,” he said. For a university known for its innovative experiential learning model, this NSF-funded project represents both a scientific and educational milestone. It supports wildlife conservation in Montana while fostering the next generation of researchers. For more information about this research project, contact Dr. Kyle Richardson at kyle.richardson@umwestern.edu . To learn more about the University of Montana Western, visit www.umwestern.edu or call Admissions at 877-683-7331.

Most property owners should have received their 2025 property reappraisal notices. If you haven’t received yours, please visit property.mt.gov  or call (406) 444-6900. While property values increased due to higher market valuations, new legislation passed this session—House Bill 231 and Senate Bill 542—will generally reduce property taxes for Montana residents, agriculture and small business owners. Eligible taxpayers can also receive a $400 property tax rebate or the full amount of their 2024 tax payment—whichever is less. New customers mention this ad and get 10% off How Montana’s Property Tax Equation Works Montana property taxes are calculated from four key components: ·         Assessed Value  – Set by the Department of Revenue every two years using market data. Unique properties may be assessed using cost-based approaches. ·         Taxable Value  – A percentage of the assessed value, now lowered due to HB 231 and SB 542. In 2025: o    First $400,000 of residential value taxed at 0.76% o    Value between $400,000–$1.5 million taxed at 1.10% o    Value above $1.5 million taxed at 2.20% o    Agricultural property will see rate reduction from 2.16% to 2.05% ·         Mill Levy  – Determined locally by counties, schools, and special districts. A mill equals $1 in tax per $1,000 of taxable value. Counties, cities, and schools are setting their budgets for the next fiscal year. Now is the time to attend budget meetings and reach out to county, city, and school officials before mill levies are finalized. ·         Tax Bill  – Your taxable value multiplied by total mills equals your final bill. Reappraisal Reviews & Appeals If you believe your property’s assessed value is inaccurate, you have 30 days from the notice date to request an informal review (Form AB-26), available at revenue.mt.gov . Supporting documentation—such as recent appraisals or photos—can strengthen your request. A formal appeal is available if needed. Property Tax Assistance Programs ·         Property Tax Assistance Program – Designed to ease burdens for limited or fixed-income Montanans. ·         Disabled Veterans Assistance Program – Reduces property taxes for qualifying disabled veterans. ·         Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit – Offers an income tax credit for eligible seniors, whether they own or rent. For more information about these programs please call your local field office or visit propertytaxhelp.mt.gov . If you have questions or concerns, please reach out. I’m honored to serve House District 69 and remain committed to keeping you informed, supported, and empowered. Contact: Rep. Ken Walsh House District 69 📞 406-596-0418 📧  kenneth.walsh@legmt.gov

BUTTE-SILVER BOW LAW ENFORCEMENT MEDIA RELEASE Update 07/21 A person of interest in the fatal hit and run in Butte over the weekend has died by suicide. Additionally, the victim of Friday night’s incident has been I'd as 39 y.o. Duncan Brass On July 19th at approximately 12:30 AM, Butte Police, Butte Fire Rescue, and A-1 Ambulance responded to the intersection of Locust and Garfield Streets in Butte on the report of a vehicle vs pedestrian accident. A 38-year-old Butte man had been struck by a vehicle at that location. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The suspect vehicle had been southbound on Garfield Street at the time of the accident. The suspect vehicle did not stop at the scene and is believed to have continued southbound on Garfield Street to the intersection of Grand Avenue. It is believed the vehicle then turned west on Grand Avenue. The suspect vehicle is believed to be dark in color. As of this release, the suspect vehicle and driver have not been located. Butte Police are being assisted in the investigation by the Montana Highway Patrol and the Butte-Silver Bow Coroner’s office. We are asking anyone with information about who may have been in the accident, or in the area of the accident, to contact our department. We are also reaching out to people who have home security cameras that may have recorded the victim or the suspect vehicle around the time of the accident. The body of the deceased male has been transported to the Montana State Crime Lab for autopsy. Family members of the male have been advised. However, the name of the male is not being released pending notification of additional family members. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department at 406-497-1120. Sheriff Ed Lester

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS July 24th, 2025 City Council Chambers 7:00 P.M.   AGENDA     1.         Call Meeting to Order 2.         Approval of July 10 th , 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes   3.         Review/Approve Waters Variance Request 2025-004 4.         Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not on the Agenda and Within the Jurisdiction of the Board of Adjustments. 5.         Adjourn      Members: Tim Stoker, Joleen Schultz, Diane Armstrong, Mike Watson, Stephen Sievert

On Thursday, July 17th, a fatal crash occurred on Interstate 15 at mile marker 62 at approximately 5:15 PM. The accident involved a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and two motorcycles. The Silverado, driven by a 26-year-old male from Eureka, MT, was traveling southbound. In front was a motorcycle, and next to the truck in the passing lane was another motorcycle. As the driver of the Silverado attempted to overtake the motorcycle directly ahead, he failed to notice the motorcycle in the passing lane. Consequently, the back driver-side door of the Silverado collided with the motorcycle's sidecar. The collision forced the motorcycle into the median, ejecting its rider, an 82-year-old male from Draper, UT. Unfortunately, he sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Authorities do not consider speed to be a contributing factor in the incident; however, they are investigating the potential involvement of drugs and/or alcohol. The identities of those involved are being withheld pending family notifications.

This July, Bannack State Park once again transported visitors back in time with its annual Bannack Days celebration. Participants had the unique opportunity to stroll through the historic streets of Bannack and experience the 1800s through hands-on activities. Visitors engaged in blacksmithing, tin working, and even learned about 19th-century dentistry, among many other historical trades and crafts. The event provides a vivid glimpse into the past and is a favorite tradition for history enthusiasts and families alike. A highlight of the event is the noon shootout in front of Skinner’s Saloon. Attendees were thrilled by a dramatic reenactment of an Old West gunfight, with actors portraying a lively shootout scene. For those who missed the morning activities, the festivities continue today until 4 PM. The event resumes on Sunday from 7 AM to 3:25 PM. A complete list of vendors, events, and entertainers can be found below. Don’t miss the chance to experience the rich history and vibrant atmosphere of Bannack Days at Bannack State Park.

MEETING AGENDA BEAVERHEAD COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE COMMISSIONERS' ROOM, BEAVERHEAD COUNTY COURTHOUSE July 23, 2025 at 10:00 A.M.   Call to Order Roll Call and Introduction of New Members and Guests Approval of July 17, 2024 Meeting Minutes Items for Discussion A.     MCA & ARM Laws regarding the County Transportation Committee 1.   Membership - MCA 20-10-131 2.   Duties-MCA 20-10-132 3.   Meeting Requirements-MCA 20-10-131(3) & ARM 10.7.101(2)(c) 4. Reminders for submission of forms are attached - please share with District Clerk or Transportation Manager. B.      Safety Concerns 1. C.       Road Maintenance, which may affect transportation/bus routes for 2025-2026 1. Items for Action A.     Approval/Disapproval of Bus Routes - maps and route changes/additions 1.      BCHS - Review 2025-2026 routes & agreements for Bus Route #1 i.      Agreement with Butte School District for Melrose Post Office Stop inside Butte's Transportation Area, if needed. 11. Agreement with Melrose School District to allow Dillon Elementary students to ride BCHS bus, if needed. 111.  Motion needed 2.      Reichle – Review 2025-2026 Route - Motion needed 3.      Lima-Review of 2025-2026 Routes 21-1, 21-2, 21-3, 21-4, - Motion needed B.     Individual & Isolation Contracts - approval/disapproval/adjustments 1.      BCHS - - Motion needed 2.      Grant - - Motion needed 3.      Jackson- -Motion needed 4.      Lima - - Motion needed 5.      Polaris - - Motion needed 6.      Wisdom - - Motion needed 7.       Wise River - - Motion needed 8.      Additional Regular Individual Contracts during 2025-2026 school year - Motion needed   Items for August Meeting, if needed A.   Set date and time   Public Comment Adjourn

HELENA – A full fishing closure will take effect Saturday, July 19, on the Big Hole River from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to the confluence with North Fork of the Big Hole River. A hoot-owl restriction remains in place on the entire river downstream of the North Fork of the Big Hole River.   A full fishing closure prohibits any fishing on the stretch of water specified. Hoot-owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day. These restrictions will stay in effect until conditions improve.      To check for other restrictions, click here .     FWP's drought policy provides for angling restrictions when flows drop below critical levels for fish, when water quality is diminished or when maximum daily water temperatures reach at least 73 degrees for three consecutive days. Water temperatures of 77 degrees or more can be lethal to trout.      These restrictions are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when water temperatures warm. Restricting angling to only cool morning hours can help reduce catch-and-release mortality.      Catch-and-release anglers can reduce stress on fish by getting them to the net or in hand quickly, keeping them in the water and reviving them prior to releasing them back into the river.       As the summer warms, Montana offers many other angling options with better conditions for fish, including larger lakes or reservoirs, or higher elevation lakes and streams.     Along with monitoring stream temperatures, FWP also monitors stream flows and in some streams holds instream flow water rights. FWP’s water program can issue a call on junior water users, when appropriate, to contribute to stream flows through the late summer and early fall. For more information on FWP water rights, click  here .

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. ZONING COMMISSION Regular Meeting Agenda   1.    Call To Order   2.    Review and Approval of July 8 th , 2025 Minutes   3.    Director of Operations Report   4.    Applications for Zoning Compliance Certificates for Review: 25CUP-002         Lewis                         Home Sales                          400 N Pacific St 2025-036            Benson L&L              Single Family                       82 Thomas Way 2025-037            Reynolds                   Garage                                   625 S Arizona   5.    Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not on the Agenda                   and Within the Jurisdiction of the Zoning Commission.   6.      Adjournment               PLEASE NOTE : A Zoom link is available. Join the meeting with Zoom ID: 770-316-6528,   allowing permission for mic and camera (if using a computer go to            https://zoom.us/j/7703166528 ) and use Passcode 4245 .   z oning Commission Members:   Justin Rooley (Chair), Mike Watson, Russ Schwandt, Anneliese Ripley

VIRGINIA CITY – Lands in Madison County managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks are now under Stage I fire restrictions. Under Stage I restrictions, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire is prohibited unless an exemption is made. People may only smoke within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter clear of flammable materials. People may cook on a liquid petroleum gas or propane stove that can be turned off. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks follows the county’s lead in placing fire restrictions on its properties within a particular county. These restrictions at FWP sites will be in place until further notice. FWP urges people to use caution while recreating due to dry conditions and fire danger. To learn more and to see current fire restrictions for other areas of Montana, click here .

Thursday afternoon proved busy for Dillon emergency responders, as the call initially went out for a fire on Riverside Drive. While crews were en route, another call came in for a fire on Meadowlark Lane, stretching local resources. Thanks to well-practiced training and coordinated efforts, firefighters from the Dillon Volunteer Fire Department, the DNC, and the Forest Service responded strategically to both incidents. Crews split their resources to effectively manage and extinguish the fires, preventing further spread and damage. For more details on the Riverside Drive fire, click here . The Meadowlark Lane fire started near 430 Meadowlark, where neighbors Petra Moller and her husband took quick action. Using garden hoses, they helped contain the fire and stop it from spreading to their property. The blaze burned a camp trailer and several other items in the area. Photo Credit Petra Möller Photo Credit Petra Möller Photo Credit Petra Möller Photo Credit Petra Möller Photo Credit Petra Möller Photo Credit Petra Möller Photo Credit Petra Möller