FWP’s Fish and Wildlife Commission has adopted a new regulation for yellow perch in Holter Reservoir near Helena. Effective immediately, the new regulation is 25 perch daily and 50 in possession. Previous regulations allowed both a daily and possession limit of 25 perch. Perch numbers in Holter Reservoir have increased over the past few years. The Upper Missouri River Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan guides Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to maximize fishing opportunities when yellow perch abundance increases above goal objectives in the plan. This is now the case with perch, and the rationale behind the regulation change.

Beaverhead County Sherriff office is responding to reports of a semi and multiple vehicles stuck on the Bannack Bench Road. GPS is rerouting routes from I-15 southbound do to the Monida Pass closure. This route is not passable and the road has been closed. They have placed signs on the road letting drivers know but apparently one of those signs had been knocked down and ran over. We will provide updates on the closure and when it reopens when that information becomes available.

DILLON, Mont. – Montana Western Football has released its schedule for the 2023 season. "We have a good mix of home and away, some new opportunities and a really challenging slate of games to look forward to." Head Football Coach Ryan Nourse said. The Bulldogs will play ten games in total, including a road game with new Frontier Conference member and first-time opponent Arizona Christian University and a first-time opponent in Lewis and Clark College out of Oregon. "2023 will be a tough schedule having both our rivalry games with Montana Tech and Carroll College on the road and travelling in weeks one and two to Eastern Oregon and College of Idaho. It will be a challenge, but one we will be up for." Nourse continued. "We also have some new exciting opportunities with this schedule; playing two teams that UMW has not played before, Lewis and Clark College at home and Arizona Christian University on the road." To view the full schedule and more details, click here.

Workforce & Training Community Forum Dillon, MT March 7th 2023 Accelerate Montana, the workforce development arm of the University of Montana, will be hosting community forums across the state beginning in February and running through the end of March. These forums are meant to bring awareness to the community to the overall AccelerateMT Workforce development programs as well as our incredible partnerships with training partners and workforce agencies. The additional goal is to continue the conversation of community needs as it relates to Students, Employers, and Training availability. The plan is to host a 3-hour event with breakout sessions to reach various community groups. Educators, Employers, and then Student, parents, and the General community. The 3-hour event intends to also feature information booths for partner agencies, such as Job Service, Reach Higher Montana, Career Futures, REO, etc. Event Schedule Main Room · 4pm - 7pm Resource Fair information booths featuring partner Agencies Breakout Room · 4pm - 5pm Educators , Superintendents, Principles, counselors, CTE and Heathcare instructors from area High Schools. This session is intended to bring awareness of Rapid Training Programs as a viable option to future students. Specifically highlighting programs available through UM-Western · 5pm - 6pm Employers, Accelerate MT is more than the Rapid Training program. This session is intended to bring awareness to the area employers the different ways Accelerate MT can provide support. · 6pm - 7pm Community - This session is intended to provide information about Accelerate MT and UM-Western Rapid Training Programs and the various financial resources available to community members to help fund training costs. Event Location: The University of Montana Western Campus STC Great Room 710 S. Atlantic Dillon, MT. 59725 For more information: shane.kravik@mso.umt.edu

Good Morning Southwest Montana this is your Senator Jeff Welborn coming to you from my office inside the State Capitol in Helena. With week 7 in the books, and the halfway point looming, we are working very long days, to get our work done. A myriad of issues are before us, but some I’d like to touch on, that have huge potential impacts to folks in all corners of my Senate District, are to do with Grizzly Bears, Labor Unions, and Exempt Wells. First, with the federal government showing a possibility of de-listing grizzly bear populations in the Northern Continental Divide, and Yellowstone ecosystems, it could be up to the state to decide how to implement management practices. SB 295 Sponsored by State Sen. Bruce Gillespie (R-Ethridge) and co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 38 Republicans including myself, along with four Democratic legislators, would give the state’s Fish and Wildlife Commission the ability to manage grizzly bears, should they be delisted. It would authorize the Commission to adopt rules on grizzly bears, including allowing livestock owners to take lethal action if the predator is attacking or killing their livestock, establishing a quota for grizzly killings and allow livestock owners to report directly about grizzly bear threats to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Once de-listed, the state has the capability to responsibly manage grizzly bears, and this bill seeks to accomplish that. Simply put, this proposal is a proactive and measured approach. Now shifting gears to labor unions, House Bill 448, Introduced by Rep James Bergstrom, a Republican from Buffalo, would prohibit private sector union contracts that require employees to join a union or otherwise pay fees for their representation. It’s the latest legislative swing at unions in Montana, however we have a deep history in Montana, using a bi-partisan coalition, that has repeatedly resisted right-to-work legislation. This proposal sounds good on the surface, but it a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. Some try to make this issue a stereotypical Democrat-Republican battle, like I mentioned earlier, in Montana there is strong bi-partisan support when it comes to pushback against right to work legislation. My Senate District for instance, runs deep into Silver Bow County, where history tells us that there was blood in the streets, because workers stood together for better wages, and working conditions. I've never supported right to work, and wont be supporting this measure either. I feel it’s best to let the free market work. If a business chooses to use Union Labor, it should remain their choice, on the flip side if a worker chooses to be non-union, they can certainly work for a non- union-shop. HB 448 is essentially identical to the 2021 bill, HB 251. That bill failed in a huge bipartisan fashion . Both bills derive their policy from language circulated by well-funded Out of State, advocacy groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council, more commonly known as ALEC. While the bill title presumes to give workers the freedoms to not join a union, workers already have that right. No one is forced to join a union, not in Montana, nor anywhere else in the country. This bill does not give workers any right they do not already have. Closed shops in which union membership is an exclusive condition of employment – are illegal under the Taft Hartley Act, a 1947 amendment to the National Labor Relations Act . Several large employers in Montana came in opposition as well, asking to let the free market work between Companies and their labor force They feel RTW would send a negative and demoralizing message to those workers, and disrupt workplace relations. I hope we can beat back against this mis-guided policy again this session. One last thing I want to mention is HB 642, and exempt well bill that has just been introduced. Typically any water legislation is vetted through the Interim with stakeholders at the table, this proposal has had none of that vetting, and pick clear winners and losers if passed. Ranchers, farmers, and current water rights holders being the clear loser, with land developers without rights in place, and well drillers being the only ones benefitting from this. I’m asking anyone with an exempt well on your property, or water rights for beneficial use, to weigh in as opposition. You can text me at 406-949-6070 and I will get you in touch with in person hearing information or a Zoom Link to weigh in that way. The hearing is this coming Wednesday in House Natural Resources. Rep Ken Walsh from Twin Bridges sets on that committee, I encourage you to send him an email. Until next week, stay warm, keep yourselves and your families safe, and I wish everyone that is in the middle of calving season all the best.

Commissioner Kent Paulson announced the 2022-2023 Frontier Conference men's and women's basketball conference tournament seedings, first round match-ups, and tournament schedule. The 2022-2023 tournament will be played Sunday, Feb. 26 through Tuesday, Feb. 28 at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, Mont. The Bulldog Men's Basketball team received the No. 6 seed and will be playing the No. 3 seed MSU-Northern on Sunday Feb. 26 at 7PM MST. The Bulldog Women's Basketball team received the No. 2 seed and will be playing the highest remaining seed on Monday Feb. 27. Game time is set for 3PM; however subject to change due to high school challenge games. The Bulldog Women's Basketball team enters the tournament with a record of 12-3 in Frontier Conference play and an overall season record of 24-4. The Bulldogs received the No. 2 seed for the Frontier Conference Tournament that is to be played Feb. 26-28. Full tournament schedule listed below: Quarterfinals - Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 No. 5 Montana Tech vs No. 4 University of Providence, 1 p.m. No. 6 MSU-Northern vs No. 3 Rocky Mountain College, 3 p.m. Semifinals - Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 Lowest remaining seed vs No. 1 Carroll College, 1 p.m.* Highest remaining seed vs No. 2 Montana Western, 3 p.m.* *The starting times for the Monday semi-final round could change due to possible high school challenge games. Championship Games – Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 Women's Championship, Lowest remaining seed vs highest remaining seed 5 p.m. The Bulldog Men's Basketball team enters the tournament with a record of 6-9 in Frontier Conference play and an overall season record of 11-17. The Bulldogs received the No. 6 seed for the Frontier Conference Tournament that is to be played Feb. 26-28. Full tournament schedule below: Quarterfinals - Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 No. 5 Rocky Mountain College vs No. 4 Carroll College, 5 p.m. No. 6 Montana Western vs No. 3 MSU-Northern, 7 p.m. Semifinals - Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 Lowest remaining seed vs No. 1 Montana Tech, 5 p.m.* Highest remaining seed vs No. 2 University of Providence, 7 p.m.* *The starting times for the Monday semi-final round could change due to possible high school challenge games. Championship - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 Lowest remaining seed vs highest remaining seed 7:30 p.m. Tournament Information The tournament will be held at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, Mont. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students with a student ID. Tickets are good for one day of tournament games and must be purchased each day.

Todd Hazelbaker, Director of Operations for the City of Dillon will be the guest speaker at the Rotary meeting on Wednesday, February 22nd at noon. He will be talking about ways of serving the community through potential park improvement projects. Visitors are welcome to attend, and anyone interested in learning more about the Rotary organization is invited to be a guest for lunch. The Rotary Club meets in the Guild Hall of St. James Episcopal Church, located at 203 East Glendale Street. For more information about the Rotary Club, email Matthew Fullerton at matthewfullerton@me.com .

Frontier Conference Commissioner Kent Paulson released the 2022 Academic All-Conference Men's and Women's Cross Country teams today. To be eligible for the team, the student-athlete must be at least a sophomore in standing and maintain a 3.25 GPA. The Montana Western cross country team had five athletes selected to the list.

PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING City Council Chambers Wednesday February 22 nd , 2023 4:00 P.M. AGENDA 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Report on Recruitment of New Park Maintenance Leader 3. Report on Depot Park Parking Plan 4. Discuss with Friends of Jaycee Park Plans for the Summer Season and Winterization of the Splash Pad. 5. Discussion of Adoption of Parks by Organizations 6. Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest not on the Agenda and Within the Jurisdiction of the City. 7. Adjourn Parks Committee Members: Mary Jo O’Rourke – Chair; Raymond Graham; Vacant

UMW Press Release: The Montana Western Rodeo team and Head Coach JT Robbins are excited to announce that Andy and Anna Belle Gaasch, their son Ryan, and his wife Lindsay will be honored during the upcoming Rodeo Banquet as this year’s “Friends of UMW Rodeo.” “Families like the Gaasch’s are vital to Montana Western Rodeo’s success. They don’t think twice about helping out, and I’m so grateful for their generosity. We wouldn’t exist without supporters like them,” said Robbins. The family’s passion for Montana Western Rodeo started when Ryan competed in steer wrestling on the UMW rodeo team in the late 90s. Lindsay played basketball for the Bulldogs and graduated from UMW in 2000. Currently, Ryan is the manager of the Diamond O Ranch while Lindsay manages and is part-owner of The Den Steakhouse. The Den also supports Montana Western Rodeo by hosting the Calcutta fundraiser during the fall college rodeo each year and donates all proceeds from the beverage sales during the Rodeo Banquet back to the program. Andy and Anna Belle both attended Western Montana College in the late 60s and are long-standing supporters of the Dillon community. For several years, Anna Belle volunteered her time by managing the banquet’s silent auction. They continue to support rodeo at the junior high and high school level, traveling across Montana to watch their grandkids, Murphy, Ryder and Piper compete. “We haven’t missed a rodeo yet!” said Anna Belle. The Rodeo Banquet is the largest fundraiser that the UMW rodeo team hosts each year and provides student scholarships, practice opportunities, defrays team travel and lodging costs, and supports the Montana Western home college rodeo each fall. 2021 WPRA Announcer of the Year, Will Rasmussen, will be emceeing this year’s event. Rasmussen grew up in Choteau, Montana, raising horses and cattle on his family’s ranch just outside of town. His family, known to many as the “Rodeoing Rasmussens” has played an integral part in his experiences in both the rodeo world and as a professional announcer. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31st in the Keltz Arena and ticket prices are as follows: Single ticket – $60 Couples ticket – $110 Reserved table of 8 (rows 1-4) – $500 Reserved table of 8 (rows 5-8) – $400 The program is thankful for the support the Dillon and surrounding communities provide each year to all UMW rodeo student-athletes. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Kelly Allen in the UMW Foundation Office: 406-683-7306 or kelly.allen@umwestern.edu . For sponsorship opportunities or to donate to the silent or live auctions, please contact Jolene Robbins: 406-683-7303 or jjolene.robbins@umwestern.edu .

The Judiciary Committee will meet on February 21st, to go over people who are moving vehicles slightly forward or backwards from the original parking spot in an attempt to avoid having the vehicle towed. As of now a vehicle needs to be moved every 120 hours to avoid being considered abandoned. If a person moves the vehicle a few feet it falls into the current law still leaving what many people perceive as an abandoned vehicle. The committee will be going over new ordinance to help curb parking evasion and help them remove junk and abandoned vehicles that are left on the street.

The new license year opens March 1, which means that is the day you can buy your 2023 hunting and fishing licenses and begin applying for permits and special licenses. The deadline to apply for deer and elk permits is April 1. Applications for most species – deer, elk, antelope, deer B licenses, elk B licenses, antelope B licenses, moose, sheep, goat, bison, bear, turkey – can be made beginning March 1. Hunters and anglers can also take advantage of the MyFWP mobile app, if they haven’t already. The app holds and displays licenses, permits and E-Tags, which can be downloaded and used in the field without cell service. Hunters and anglers will need a MyFWP account to use the app, which is a secure and convenient digital profile that stores licenses, permits and related information. To create a new account, visit the MyFWP login page . Users need to make sure to link their ALS number to the MyFWP account to ensure their hunting and fishing licenses are attached to their MyFWP account. A MyFWP account is not used to apply or make purchases. Purchases and applications are done through the online licensing system. Hunters and anglers can buy licenses and apply for permits on the FWP website beginning at 5 a.m. on March 1; click on “Buy and Apply.” Most FWP offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The licensing call center will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from March 1 through March 31; after April 1, the hours will return to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call center can be reached at 406-444-2950. Remember, if you’re applying for a special license or permit, you will need to have a valid email address. Application deadlines Feb. 15: Smith River Permit March 23: Upper Missouri River Paddlefish harvest tag (white tag) April 1: Deer and elk permits, and non-resident big game combinations May 1: Moose, sheep, goat, bison June 1: Deer B, elk B, antelope

University of Montana Western Chancellor, Michael Reid, has announced the university’s plans for major investments in scholarships, academic programs, athletics, and student wellness as part of the $13M Experience One Campaign. The largest-ever fundraising campaign in UMW’s history will increase scholarship support for students, expand academic programs and the impact of Experience One, create a new Student Wellness Center, and construct a new Sports & Activities Complex on the UMW campus. “Today marks the start of a new and even more vibrant future for the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the University of Montana Western,” said Reid. “Our vision for Montana Western is ambitious, but so too are the goals of our students. Montana Western and the Bulldog Community believe in them, and we want to invest in their future.” With over $11.8 of the $13 million already raised, that message is clearly ringing true. “When we set out on this effort, our goal was to transform the student experience,” said Roxanne Engellant, Executive Director of the University of Montana Western Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of our Bulldog Community, we are well on our way to fulfilling our commitment to our students and our university.” With the support of its generous donors, Montana Western plans to fully fund four priorities, starting with significantly expanding scholarship opportunities for UMW students. The next priority of the campaign focuses on the university’s one of a kind “Experience One” program, which funds experiential and hands-on learning opportunities for students in real-world settings to fully prepare them for their future careers and graduate school programs. To support the mental and physical health and wellbeing of UMW’s students, the third fundraising priority is to create a new Student Wellness Center as part of an expansion and renovation of the front entrance of the existing Bulldog Athletics and Recreation Complex, a project that will be primarily funded through student fees and private support. The final fundraising priority will allow for the design and construction of a new Sports & Activities Complex on 14 acres of land adjacent to campus that John and Phyllis Erb pledged to the university in 2019. Plans for the new Complex reflect the stability of Montana Western, the caliber of its football program, and a desire to foster campus pride among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community. With expanded seating and new amenities, the Complex will significantly enhance the game-day and campus life experience and will aid in recruiting future students and student-athletes. The new Complex will also be available to host local games and events for other community organizations to support the youth of Beaverhead County. The Experience One Campaign has received two of the largest donations in Montana Western’s history – $1+ million from both the Sloan Family Foundation and Jim and Sarah Kennedy. To date, there have been over 240 gifts made to the campaign. In addition to the land pledge from John and Phyllis Erb, other major campaign gifts include $500,000 from the Baty family, $500,000 from Steve and Gretchen Burke, $225,000 from the Harrington/Hirschy family, $200,000 from Greg and Tracy Johnson and Jenny Johnson, $150,000 from the Montana Office of Tourism, $115,000 from Stockman Bank, and $100,000 gifts from Bob and Helen Hanson, Tony Pierce, Matt and Jenny Blades, Beaverhead Motors, and Pioneer Federal Savings & Loan. “The level of enthusiasm, support, and generosity for this effort is a testament to the dedication of our alumni and the greater Bulldog Community,” said Reid. “Anyone who was or is a UMW student, or just loves this university, should take pride in being part of such a vibrant community.” The university plans to break ground as soon as the upcoming academic year for both the Complex and the Student Wellness Center once authorizations by the Board of Regents are obtained. Additional fundraising efforts will be made over the next few months as a general contractor is secured and in-kind contributions for the Complex are considered. “We are thrilled and humbled by the support we have experienced from our Bulldog Community,” said Engellant. “We wish to thank each of our donors, and invite your support as we work together to invest in the future of Montana Western, our students, and our community.” For more information about Montana Western’s fundraising efforts or to support the Experience One Campaign, please contact the University of Montana Western Foundation at 406-683-7305, email roxanne.engellant@umwestern.edu , or visit tinyurl.com/X1-campaign .

The Montana Department of Transportation has closed Interstate 15 from Barretts Exit 56 to the State Line due to severe road conditions and poor visibility. The weather forecast is indicating high winds and snowfall on Monida Pass. Idaho DOT has already closed the pass on their side We are not expecting the road to reopen until conditions improve. For updates you can call 511 or check the Montana Department of Transportation road conditions web site. "MDOT has closed Monida Pass until further notice. For more information or updates dial 511 or 800-226-7623"

Owners of motorboats, sailboats or personal watercraft need to get new, free 2023-2026 validation decals for their watercraft soon. The current red decals expire Feb. 28. Boaters who have permanently registered their boats, sailboats, or PWC must still obtain two free boat validation decals every three years at FWP regional and area offices, or by going to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov/activities/boating . Owners who order validation decals on the FWP website will receive the decals in the mail. Information included on a current boat registration receipt issued by the county treasurer is needed to obtain the decals in person or on FWP's website. For new boat or personal watercraft owners, the county treasurer's office will provide the first set of validation decals when the watercraft is registered. Boat owners will obtain subsequent sets of validation decals at a FWP regional or area office, or online. For more information, visit FWP's website or call 406-444-2535.

XDAY is a free spring preview event for prospective and incoming students and their parents to learn more about Montana Western; plus, all attendees will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 scholarship. If you are considering the University of Montana Western, then you do not want to miss XDAY! What Happens at XDAY? XDAY will be held on two dates in 2023: Friday, March 17th and Friday, March 24th. Check-in opens at 9:00 a.m., and XDAY will begin at 10:00 a.m., starting with a welcome and introduction to Experience One and the block schedule. Attendees will be given a tour of the campus at 10:30 a.m., followed by Academic Exploration at 11:30 a.m. During Academic Exploration, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the many degrees offered by UMW and visit with professors. Lunch will be provided from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., after which there will be an Experience One Forum held by professors, current students, an academic advisor, and a coach. Attendees will be able to ask all kinds of questions about Experience One and life at UMW and hear from everybody on the forum. At 2:00 p.m., there will be a review of the Admissions and Financial Aid process. The winner of the scholarship giveaway will be announced at 2:45 p.m. The event concludes after the scholarship drawing, or you can join us for a tour of the residence halls at 3:00 p.m. and meet our helpful Bulldog Life staff. How do I register for XDAY? XDAY is free to attend, all you need to do is register at https://apply.umwestern.edu/portal/xday-2023 . We look forward to seeing you at this year’s XDAY! What If I’m Unable to Attend XDAY? If you are unable to attend XDAY, you can schedule an individual campus tour led by a current Montana Western student, meet with an Admissions Representative, and request to meet with professors or student support staff from offices including Residence Life, Disability Services, or Financial Aid. You can schedule a Campus Visit using our convenient online form at https://apply.umwestern.edu/portal/campus-visits . If you have any questions or need help with registration for XDAY or a Campus Visit, please call us at 877-683-7331 or email admissions@umwestern.edu . We’re excited to hear from you!