-Press Release- Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office On 02/13/23 around 7am, the Beaverhead County Dispatch Center was advised of a BOLO, Be On the Look Out, for a female that had taken four children that she did not have custody of, and fled the state of Utah. The female was armed with firearms and had threatened harm if confronted. Cedar City Utah police were tracking her cell phone and its last known location were south of the Clark Canyon Dam. Deputies rushed to locate the female along with the assistance of Montana Highway Patrol but were unable to locate her due to the information being hours delayed. Around 4pm our dispatch received another tip from a missing children specialist with the State of Montana. They were able to provide new information including; an updated location, vehicle information, and a license plate. They provided information on a U-Haul that was rented by one of the suspects. Quickly using personnel from the Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office, Dillon Police Department, and Montana Highway Patrol, a team was assembled and they began to look for the vehicle. Officers located a twenty-six-foot U-Haul traveling North on I-15 and devised a plan to stop it safely. The U-Haul was stopped just South of Dillon and one male suspect was taken into custody without incident, and one of the four missing children was safely recovered. After further interviews and investigation, it was discovered that the non-custodial mother and three remaining children were at a hotel in Missoula. We were also made aware that she had another 16-year-old male helping her flee with the children. Deputies worked in providing real-time updated information to Missoula Police which led to the location of the female suspect and children. After a nearly four-hour event, Missoula Police were able to safely make entry into the hotel room and arrest the female suspect and safely recover the remaining missing children. In what quickly turned into a multi-agency, and multi-state incident, the suspects were apprehended and all the children were safely returned to their parents. The suspects are pending felony charges of Custodial Interference, Kidnapping, and others. They are awaiting transport back to Utah. Without the quick response from multiple agencies, this may not have ended so successfully. The Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office extends our immense gratitude to our amazing dispatchers, our deputies, the Dillon Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol, the Missoula Police Department and their helpful dispatch center, and the dispatchers and officers of Cedar City Utah. The teamwork and dedication of everyone involved made a serious and dangerous situation turn out with a positive outcome. David Wendt Sheriff, Beaverhead County

HELENA: This coming week we will start voting on the preliminary budgets in our combined House/ Senate Sub Committees, prior to budget moving through the appropriations process. I serve as one of two Senate Republicans that set the budget for all agencies that have to do with natural resources, fish, wildlife, agriculture, environment, livestock, wild land fire fighting, State Parks and transportation. I will be offering some changes to The Governors budget in regards to funding for local conservation districts, I will be asking for an economic study on cold and warm water fisheries Statewide, and will be looking to divert some money for weed control to County weed districts and/ or conservation districts, depending on local preferences with cooperating agencies. I will also be offering amendments to Dept of Transportation Budget for traffic safety and wildlife crossings. I will also be working to fund engineering and re-construction for the Willow Creek Reservoir in Madison County, which serves farmers and outdoor recreation economies in the Eastern flank of my Senate District. I will keep updates coming as we continue to work on these budgets. I will give a wrap up in next weeks column on the entire section of the budget that I over see, and what notable changes we made to the governor’s proposed budget as it moves back to the House side for approval. Shifting gears, I’d like to mention something being proposed to address human trafficking, a horrible epidemic that’s been affecting our state in recent years. Senate Bill 265, which will drastically increase the fines on criminals convicted of human trafficking, will have its first hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow morning. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mark Noland, R-Bigfork, would fine convicted human traffickers $400,000 for their crimes. Currently, fines for human traffickers range from $50,000 to $100,000. I feel that Criminals involved in the heinous crime of human trafficking do it for the money. We have strong jail time already on the books for these crimes, but this bill will make it clear that human trafficking doesn’t pay in Montana. With SB 265, we’re showing that we have zero tolerance for criminals who ruin innocent people’s lives by trafficking them for profit. If you’re caught trafficking human beings in Montana, you will pay for it. Moving to other issues on the minds of most Montanans, lets look at what we are doing to address our housing crisis in Montana. The Senate Local Government will hear a pro-housing bill sponsored by Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, tomorrow afternoon. Senate Bill 245 would reform Montana’s zoning laws to encourage multifamily housing and mixed-use developments in urban areas with existing water and sewer systems. Too often, zoning requirements make it unaffordable or impossible to build affordable housing. This bill is intended to help fix that by creating a regulatory environment that’s more friendly to affordable housing. SB 245 focuses on streamlining regulations on multifamily housing and developments that include both commercial and residential uses by opening up commercially-zoned areas to housing development. In addition to opening commercial areas to housing, SB 245 contains provisions to guard against more creative ways of stifling housing in those zones. The bill clarifies that a city can’t make more stringent hurdles for housing in commercial zones than the city requires in other city zoning jurisdictions. These provisions are poison pill prevention standards meant to make the reforms contained in SB 245 truly have an impact in Montana communities with a need for housing. This past week I had several folks from SW Montana get in touch with me while they were in Helena visiting the legislative process. It’s always nice to visit with folks from home, while they are in town. I had a chance to hear from the Beaverhead Weed District while they were in town for meetings, and also the Education Department at UM- Western. I’d like to give a shout out to both organizations for making Montana a better place. Vikki Howard and Kathy Schipman along with several students, shared with me what the UM Westen Education Dept is doing with partnerships with Montana Tech’s Butte Campus and both Little Big Horn, and Blackfeet Community Colleges, with an outside the box approach to training teachers for the future. My hats off to UM- Western for your thoughtful leadership in higher ed in Montana. I had the honor of hosting two high school seniors in our Senate Page Program this past week. I want to thank Josie Blazer from Ennis, and Gavin Garrison from BCHS, your service to the Montana Senate is appreciated. I wish you both, all the best in your future endeavors, and want you to have smooth sailing as you both wrap up your high school careers.

To protect Montana businesses and encourage strong cybersecurity practices, the Montana Department of Commerce announced today the launch of the Montana Cybersecurity Program. Through the program, the Department of Commerce will award small to medium-sized Montana businesses up to $8,000 in reimbursement for newly implemented cybersecurity measures paid to an accredited Montana cybersecurity company. “Cyberthreats are a continuous and pervasive danger to the digital assets, intellectual property and personal information upon which much of the real value of a business is determined,” said Scott Osterman, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “We encourage all Montana businesses to use the Montana Cybersecurity Program to gain the expertise and strategies needed to protect their customers, employees and business value from the effects of a cyberattack. No company big or small is immune from these nefarious actors, who can strike anytime from anywhere.” Cyberattacks on all businesses, particularly small to medium-sized businesses, are becoming more frequent, targeted, and complex. The Cybersecurity Program provides funds to directly assist small to medium-sized businesses with cybersecurity monitoring and security. Commerce has allocated approximately $2 million for this purpose. For more information, visit the State of Montana's ARPA website . For eligibility guidelines or to apply to the program, click here . Applications are due by May 30, 2023.

BEAVERHEAD COUNTY MUSEUM Board of Trustees Agenda, Regular Meeting Wednesday, February 15, 2023 @ 5 PM 15 S Montana Street Dillon, Montana 59725 1. Introduction of Guests: 2. Approval of consent agenda: January 18, 2023 3. Trustees (7): John Breen, Lorraine King, Neal Straus, Lee Graves, Aggie Helle, Donna Jones, Mark McGinley 4. Director, Present: Candi Whitworth 5. Trustees Excused Absent: Aggie Helle 6. Treasurer’s Report: Neal Straus a. Budget 7. Association Report: Lynn Giles a. Grants 8. Old Business: a. Infrastructure Money – John Breen b. Update on Furnace and Security System c. Old Depot Theatre Policy – Donna Jones, Lorraine King Neal Straus d. Train Exhibit – Donna Jones 9. New Business: a. Programs – Lorraine King, Lee Graves, Lynn Giles, Candi Whitworth b. Main Museum Exhibits – Lynn Giles, Lorraine King 10. Director’s Report: Candi Whitworth 11. Other Business: 12. Public Discussion: Public comment on items of significant public interest not on the agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Beaverhead County Museum Board of Trustees. 13. Set date of the next meeting: Wednesday March 15, 2023 @ 5pm 14. Adjournment: (The above minutes are from written notes taken by the Museum Director or an assigned individual during the meeting. These minutes are not a transcript, but rather a summary of the proceedings of the meeting.)

First responders were called out Wednesday, February 8, for a semi truck that was struck by a train on highway 91 South. The Semi truck was leaving the Dillon Livestock grounds and crossing the tracks. The driver saw the train was heading northbound down the tracks and tried to speed across the tracks to avoid being hit. The train came into contact with the driver side rear wheels, spinning the semi off the tracks and into the ditch. The driver of the semi was up and moving around talking to first responders at the scene. He was taken to the hospital to be checked out further. The semi was towed from the scene and the train received no apparent damage.

HELENA, Mont. (February 6, 2023) - The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) Aeronautics Board approved over $2.85 million in funding during its Helena meeting January 17 - 18, 2023. The requests were for a variety of improvement projects that focused on runway, taxiway, and apron reconstruction, master plans, lighting enhancements, land easements, perimeter fencing, building construction, and snow removal and weather equipment. A portion of the money awarded in grants and loans each year goes to leverage 90/10 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) match dollars for large airport construction projects. Over $4.3 million was requested by 31 public-use airports across the state. The Board awarded funds for 58 of 69 different project requests for 27 of Montana's public airports, to include federally and non-federally funded projects. Any public airport is eligible to apply for assistance through the loan and grant program. Funds can be used for a wide variety of airport and aviation related projects. Applications for the funding are due for submission to MDT's Aeronautics Division on November 15 each year, and the money is typically awarded in January of the following year. Although the money is awarded in January, the funds are not available until the beginning of the next fiscal year which is July 1. During the meeting, the Montana Aeronautics Board reviews the applications and takes public comment before making final award determinations for the upcoming fiscal year. For more information regarding the program, please contact Karen Hallenbeck, MDT Aeronautics Division, at khallenbeck@mt.gov or call 406-444-9581. The Dillon airport received: Rehabilitate Runway $476,690 (Grant) $89,918 (Loan) Rehabilitate Taxiway $297,840 (Grant) $56,182 (Loan) Construct Taxiway $23,800 (Grant) $2,142 (Loan) Construct Apron [Capacity] $22,250 (Grant) $5,563 (Loan) Rehabilitate Taxiway $2,555 (Grant) $482 (Loan) Rehabilitate Apron $2,555 (Grant) $482 (Loan) Rehabilitate Runway $8,395 (Grant) $1,584 (Loan)

The members of the Dillon Volunteer Fire Department responded to 16 calls for service during the month of January 2023. 01-01 MVA I-15 MM 47 01-06 MVA I-15 MM 59 01-10 Smoke Detector Activation W. Center St 01-14 Smoke Detector Activation W. Center St 01-14 CO Detector Activation Highland Ave 01-16 MVA I-15 MM 58 01-19 Smoke Detector Activation W. Center St 01-22 MVA I-15 MM 63 01-22 MVA I-15 MM 41 01-22 MVA I-15 MM 59 01-24 Cooking Fire S. Atlantic St 01-25 Gas Odor Sweetwater Rd 01-25 Investigation S. Atlantic St 01-25 Gas Odor Driveway Ln 01-26 Chimney Fire Smith Rd 01-30 Smoke S. Pacific St Our members participated in various trainings & training classes in January. The new members (as well as some veteran members) continued the Fire Fighter 1 classes. The Montana State Fire Services Training School conducted 2 separate fire behavior classes, one of which was a dollhouse burn to demonstrate the various effects of ventilation & the limiting of air from an active fire. We have a member who is continuing to work on a fire investigation course certificate & had 2 members attend a 3 day class on IED Search, Bombing Prevention & Protective Measures.

Date:  Tuesday, January 10 Time:  7:00 pm Location:  County Commissioner’s Board Room Call to order Introduction of guests Amendments or changes to agenda Financial Report Fair Manager Report Executive Director Report Board Member Reports Old Business      1.  Electric Project      2.  New Business Correspondence Adjournment

Tuesday February 6, 2023 the Dillon Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call of a chimney fire on South Arizona street. The quick response allowed the fire fighters to knock out the flames with a fire extinguisher and stop the fire from spreading. All three trucks were on scene including the ladder truck that was used to access the top of the roof and help keep the fire contained inside the chimney and damage minimal.

The University of Montana Western played host to elementary and middle school spellers from around the county on Thursday, February 2nd at 1:30 P.M. in the Beier Auditorium in the Main Hall. Students from all grade schools, plus those from Dillon Middle School, and home schools competed for a trip to the Treasure State Spelling Bee on March 11th in Bozeman. After it was all said and done. It came down to two competing for the title. The spellers both had to spell a word correctly then follow it up with one more final spelling, after a little back and forth Abigal Eason was able to best Chase Reasoner and come out on top. Taking home the championship trophy and securing a trip to Bozeman to compete.

Senator Welborn’s Weekly Report HELENA: First I’m happy to report some progress out of Washington on delisting of the Grizzly Bear. Grizzly bear recovery has been a conservation success in the areas surrounding Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. As we’ve been advocating in the Montana Senate for years, it’s time to recognize this conservation win, remove grizzly bears from endangered listing in those ecosystems, and return management of the bears to the state of Montana. I’m glad to see this step in the right direction from the federal government, now they just need to follow through. Another item we are working on this session, is for Montana to join the National discussion of our foreign adversaries owning Agricultural land and critical infrastructure in Montana. Senator Ken Bogner, a Miles City Republican is proposing legislation to do just that. Senate Bill 203 will had its first hearing last week in the Senate agriculture committee, which I sit on. China especially has shown a concerning interest in acquiring lands and resources in our country that could help them with spying efforts, economic competition, and gaining the upper hand in any conflict with the United States. Foreign adversaries and corporations acting at their behest have no business owning or leasing any part of Montana that is important to our national security. Critical infrastructure is defined in Montana law as systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of the systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters. Senator Bogner has agricultural production land in this proposal both because food security is essential to national security and because of the importance of agriculture to Montana’s economy. I also believe that In the Treasure State, agricultural land is critical infrastructure. Recent news reports have identified increasing concern at the federal level about China and Chinese Communist Party affiliated corporations buying up agricultural land in the United States, including near strategic military facilities in North Dakota and Montana. While introduced specifically with China in mind, the provisions of SB 203 also include Russia, North Korea, and Iran as foreign adversaries identified by the federal government that would be banned from critical infrastructure and agricultural land in Montana. Our adversaries are becoming more sophisticated in how they compete with and threaten the United States economically, culturally, and militarily. While national security is primarily the responsibility of the federal government, keeping our adversaries from buying up critical parts of Montana is something we can achieve at the state legislature with Senate Bill 203. Please stay in touch on any issue that you feel is important. Have a great week.

LOVE FOR DILLON Brought to you by the Dillon Merchants Association in partnership with Pioneer Furniture. Help us spread love and unity within our community! During the month of February, fill out a paper heart and tell us WHY you love or HOW you show your love for our town! Once you turn in your heart, we’ll hang it with pride on the windows of Pioneer Furniture for the whole community to see and enjoy. We hope to have the entire corner of Idaho and Bannack, covered in Love for Dillon. Stop by, read a message, and SHARE THE LOVE! Hearts can be found at Womack’s, 3-D, the ELK’S Lodge, and Pioneer Furniture. Special “thanks” to The Bookstore, Dillon ELKS #1554, Pioneer Furniture, and Docey’s Designs for helping to make this happen!

Barrett Hospital & HealthCare will close its home health & hospice care program. Like many healthcare organizations across the country, Barrett Hospital & HealthCare has felt the impacts of the ongoing labor shortages. Due to these shortages, Barrett Hospital & HealthCare will no longer be able to accept new patients for home health & hospice. Barrett Hospital & HealthCare will continue providing excellent care to the very limited number of patients in the home health & hospice program while plans are developed with family members and other facilities to complete and transition patient care seamlessly. Multiple organizations have expressed an interest to provide some or all of the affected services in the future, and Barrett Hospital & HealthCare is engaging with those organizations to support their efforts. Current home health & hospice staff members will be given an opportunity to transition to other roles within Barrett Hospital & HealthCare once all current patients are discharged from service. “Our community is not exempt from the serious national shortage of healthcare workers. Over the past year, it has become increasingly difficult to find nursing staff to support our home health & hospice program. Home Health & Hospice Manager, Gina Miller, RN and her team have worked hard to help with recruiting and to keep the program going. On behalf of the organization, I appreciate the exhaustive efforts they have made,” says Taylor Rose, Chief Executive Officer. Board of Directors President, Patti Mitchell echoed those sentiments. “Attempting to fill staffing vacancies has been a challenge. The supply of healthcare workers isn’t what it used to be. And at some point, the Board of Directors had to acknowledge that. Many considerations were taken into account as Barrett has provided this service for many, many years. It was not a decision that we made lightly.” About Barrett Hospital & HealthCare: Established in 1922, Barrett Hospital & HealthCare is a non-profit Critical Access Hospital (CAH) and medical clinic provider in Dillon, Montana. Based on The Chartis Center’s Rural Hospital Performance Index, the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) has recognized Barrett Hospital & HealthCare as a Top 20 CAH five times, including in 2022. For more information, visit www.barretthospital.org