Sunday night at around 9 P.M. A single vehicle wreck was reported on I-15 MM61. According to Montana Highway Patrol, the vehicle was a truck pulling a trailer loaded with a skid steer. The vehicle was traveling southbound when it drifted to the right side of the road. The vehicle then reentered the highway, over corrected and rolled, landing on the roof of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle did not survive the accident. This is a developing story and we will have more information as it becomes available.

Nolan Salix, Youth Program Coordinator of the Youth Employment Program will be the guest speaker at the Rotary meeting on Wednesday, January 25th at noon. He will be talking about ways of serving the community through conservation. 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 . Note: The Rotary Club of Dillon members voted unanimously to switch to a bimonthly (i.e., meeting on every second and fourth Wednesday of the month) meeting schedule for the foreseeable future.

Press release from Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture: 2023 ANNUAL AWARDS Beaverhead Chamber Celebrates 75 Years! Thank you to everyone who made nominations, ALL NOMINEES, and to our SPONSORS! Honorable Mention: PROFESSOR RUTH KING of THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA WESTERN GLASS ARTS PROGRAM for her support of the Beaverhead Treasure Hunt Community Act of Heroism: OFFICER JARED RUMSEY Business Professionals of the Year: BRANDON & TOREE TURNEY of TURNEY REPAIR & TOWING Business Professional of the Year: DR. JEFF FEENSTRA of PURSUIT CHIROPRACTIC & SPORTS PERFORMANCE New Business of the Year: AXMEN FEED WAREHOUSE Outstanding Teacher of the Year (tie): CALEB IGO of BVHD CO. HIGH SCHOOL/BEAVERHEAD FFA and MIKE MORROW, PhD of THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA WESTERN Agri-Business of the Year: EAST BENCH GRAIN, INC. Community Organization of the Year: AMERICAN LEGION|HEALTH EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM Chamber Member of the Year: PIONEER FURNITURE THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS!

The University of Montana Western’s Theatre Department is pleased to present "Every Brilliant Thing" to be performed February 10-12 as part of the 2022-23 Bank of Commerce Performing Arts Series. After completing a successful and moving 44-city tour of Montana in the summer and fall of 2019, theater artists Rosie Seitz Ayers and Ryan Eggensperger are bringing back their anti-suicide production, playwright Duncan MacMillan’s “Every Brilliant Thing”, in an effort to make suicide prevention and awareness accessible and engaging to the students of Montana’s middle and high schools. THE STORY: You’re six years old. Mum’s in hospital. Dad says she’s “done something stupid.” She finds it hard to be happy. So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything that’s worth living for. 1. Ice cream. 2. Kung Fu movies. 3. Burning things. 4. Laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose. 5. Construction cranes. 6. Me. You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling. Soon, the list will take on a life of its own. A play about depression and the lengths we will go to for those we love. Performances will be held at the University of Montana Western’s Beier Auditorium located in Main Hall. Evening shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday with matinee shows available at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. A special free of charge matinee showing will be held Friday, February 10 at 1:00 p.m. for all junior high and high school students in Dillon and the surrounding areas. This show will be free for all students and educators. Please contact stephen.seder@umwestern.edu to reserve seats for your class. In addition to the performances, there will be a pre-show sequence of poetry and artwork highlighting mental health awareness exhibited on stage and in the lobby with a mental health clinician and/or a UMW peer educator present to offer support at each performance. To purchase tickets, please visit the BOC Performing Arts Series Box Office webpage: www.umwestern.edu/bank-of-commerce-performing-arts-series/box-office/ . Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for senior, youth, and military, and free for UMW students who present their Bulldog Cards. Concessions will also be available for purchase (cash only). For more information on “Every Brilliant Thing” and all shows in the BOC series, visit www.umwestern.edu/bank-of-commerce-performing-arts-series/ or contact Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theatre, Stephen Seder: stephen.seder@umwestern.edu or 406-683-7038.

Governor Greg Gianforte today called on legislators to provide Montanans with $2,000 in property tax rebates and permanent, long-term income tax relief without delay. “We want to provide Montana homeowners with $2,000 in property tax rebates over this year and next, and permanent, long-term income tax cuts,” Governor Gianforte said at a press conference in the state capitol. “And this week, we saw that our plan enjoys widespread support. Hardworking Montanans deserve relief, and they deserve it without delay.” During the press conference, the governor highlighted elements of his Budget for Montana Families, which provides Montanans with $1 billion in property and income tax relief, the largest tax cut in Montana history. The governor's budget provides Montanans with $2,000 in property tax rebates for their primary residence over 2023 and 2024. The $500 million proposal represents the largest state-administered tax rebate in the country. Coupled with long-term reforms to increase transparency and accountability and to ease the burden of property taxes on Montanans, the governor’s property tax rebate proposal enjoyed widespread support this week, including seniors, businesses, and local leaders. The governor expressed his appreciation to the bipartisan group of seven legislators who on Wednesday voted to move forward with the proposal for $2,000 property tax rebates. During the press conference, Gov. Gianforte also highlighted his commitment to protecting the Montana way of life, including Montana’s proud Second Amendment heritage. “When you elected me as your governor two years ago, you entrusted me to do two things – two things that I would focus my efforts on,” Gov. Gianforte said. “One, to grow opportunities for Montanans and create a climate where our small businesses can grow and create good-paying Montana jobs. And two, to protect our Montana way of life. That includes protecting our public lands and protecting our constitutional rights.” The governor continued, “Each person’s right to keep and bear arms is part of our state’s, and our nation’s, rich heritage.” Taking on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, the governor announced yesterday, with the Montana Board of Investments, the State of Montana has reaffirmed its commitment to maximizing shareholder returns on the over $26 billion in investments of the state’s financial assets, not advancing a political agenda through ESG investing. ESG investing prioritizes environmental, social, and governance investment principles over traditional investment principles designed to maximize shareholder returns, and ESG investing discriminates against many industries, including the firearms industry. “Activist, woke capitalism through ESG investing is trending on Wall Street,” the governor said. “It puts stakeholders ahead of shareholders.” The governor also reiterated the message he shared at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, the country’s premier tradeshow for the sport shooting, hunting, and outdoors industry, “Montana is open for business, we have a proud Second Amendment heritage, and we welcome gun manufacturers, hunting companies, and folks throughout this industry to come do business in Montana.” “While that message may buck the national trend, that’s a position we’re proud to be in,” Gov. Gianforte said.

The University of Montana Western Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the launch of its new online store umwbulldogsshop.com through a partnership with Advanced-Online. Umwbulldogsshop.com features more than 800 products ranging from clothing and other merchandise featuring the University of Montana Western Athletics branding marks. In addition, certain items can be customized to feature the sport of your choice. A portion of the proceeds from each item sold will benefit the UMW Athletic Department and its student-athletes. Parents, alumni, students and fans can order through a secure online ordering system with their credit card and have the items shipped directly to their door within five business days. Gift certificates can also be purchased online for any special occasion. Throughout the year, umwbulldogsshop.com will run a variety of promotions and discounts on select merchandise. The current Grand Opening sale offers 25 percent off all t-shirt orders through Feb. 28. "This is an exciting opportunity for Bulldog Athletics as we look to continue to enhance our brand by making it easier for fans, alumni, donors and parents to show their support for Bulldog Athletics and the University of Montana Western near and far," Director of Athletics Michael Feuling said. "Receiving a portion of each sale will provide critical funding to provide Championship Experiences for our current and future student-athletes." Access to the shop can be found in the navigation section at the top of the webpage titled "Shop", or by clicking here.

The Annual Colt Challenge and Sale, hosted by the University of Montana Western and the Montana Center for Horsemanship, will take place March 31 and April 1, 2023, at the Montana Center for Horsemanship in Dillon, Montana. Students and colts compete in a series of events that demonstrate their wide range of abilities on the first day, and the following day, a public auction features the colts for sale, with all proceeds reinvested in the program in order to provide scholarships to Natural Horsemanship majors at the University of Montana Western. Schedule of Events: Friday, March 31st Colt Challenge: 9:00 a.m. Saturday, April 1st Preview: 10:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m. Sale: 1:00 p.m. Each colt receives approximately 90 days of Natural Horsemanship training from equine students in the Natural Horsemanship/Equine Studies Bachelor of Science Degree program at Montana Western, under the guidance and leadership of the MCH Natural Horsemanship instructors. This year’s event will showcase 22 best-bred colts donated by some of the finest ranches in the region. The young horses are familiarized with all settings inside and out, including enclosed areas and riding outdoors on the area’s many trails and in the surrounding mountains. They are also exposed to a variety of situations including working with cattle and ropes, loading and unloading from trailers, and many other scenarios a horse and rider might encounter in ranch-work or recreational riding. Simultaneously, both students and instructors develop an in-depth feel for each horse, enabling them to accurately convey this knowledge to potential buyers. The horses and students are featured on Facebook leading up to the main event with information about the colts including their color, conformation, personalities, and skills. More information about the 2023 Colt Challenge and Sale, including the sale catalog, will be available on the University of Montana Western website as the event approaches. Those interested in attending the auction can do so in person, online, or by phone. To bid online, participants must pre-register at least one day prior to the sale. To pre-register, please visit bid.northernlivestockvideo.com and click “Get Approved to Bid.” Participants can then bid online via desktop by visiting www.northernlivestockvideo.com the day of the sale or by downloading the Northern Livestock Auction mobile app. To bid by phone, pre-register by calling Northern Livestock Video Auction at 866-616-5035 before the sale day to obtain a bid number. Bidders can then phone in the day of the sale by calling 406-245-0889. The sale order will be posted on Friday, March 31 by 5:00 p.m. on the Montana Western Colt Challenge and Sale website and Facebook page. The Annual Colt Challenge and Sale corporate sponsors include CHS Inc., New Generation Supplements, Rocky Mountain Supply, and Zinpro Performance Minerals in partnership with the University of Montana Western and the Montana Center for Horsemanship. Saturday’s complimentary lunch is sponsored by Beaverhead Motors. We wish to thank our sponsors for their generous support of the event and the students in the program. The Equine Studies Department at the University of Montana Western offers the nation’s only Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Horsemanship with options in management, psychology, science and instruction, and was ranked among the “Best Equestrian Colleges” by ThoughtCo.com. The Montana Center for Horsemanship is the first and only equine center in the United States that is devoted expressly to promoting ‘Natural Horsemanship.’ With its stables, arenas, riding areas, and instructors, the center serves as the primary facility and progressive teaching resource for Montana Western’s Natural Horsemanship BS curriculum. The MCH teaches the ‘La Cense Method,’ which was developed under William Kriegel, owner of La Cense Montana and Haras de la Cense in France. Mr. Kriegel is also co-founder of MCH, and he has been involved in Natural Horsemanship for many years. The La Cense Method is a progressive, step-by-step process that blends the best of traditional horsemanship training with the art of training and riding horses—all in a manner that works with a horse’s behavior, instincts, and personality. Taking a positive and respectful approach, the La Cense Method gradually builds trust, and frees the horses to be confident in all they are asked to perform. For more information about the Colt Challenge and Sale, please contact Head Natural Horsemanship Instructor, Eric Hoffmann, by email at eric.hoffmann@umwestern.edu or call 406-925-1499.

Three juvenile grizzly bears tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus this fall. The three bears, one near Augusta, one near Dupuyer, and another near Kalispell, were observed to be in poor condition and exhibited disorientation and partial blindness, among other neurological issues. They were euthanized due to their sickness and poor condition. These were the first documented cases of HPAI in grizzly bears. A fox and a skunk in Montana also tested positive for HPAI last year, and the virus has been found in raccoons, black bears and even a coyote in other states and countries. “We suspect these mammals probably get the virus from consuming infected birds,” said FWP Wildlife Veterinarian Jennifer Ramsey. Avian influenza (AI) virus is a naturally occurring virus in birds. AI viruses are classified into two groups, based on the severity of disease they cause in infected poultry. Low pathogenic AI viruses generally cause no clinical illness, or only minor symptoms in birds. HPAI viruses are extremely infectious and fatal to poultry and some species of wild birds. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers risk of HPAI spread to humans to be very low, Montanans should take precautions when handling game birds, sick or dead birds and mammals they find. Whenever possible, avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife. Even if an animal is not suspected to have died from a contagious disease, gloves should always be worn if a dead animal must be handled for disposal. FWP staff would like to know about unusual or unexplained cases of sickness and/or death of wild birds and animals by calling their local wildlife biologist or the wildlife lab in Bozeman at 406-577-7880 or 406-577-7882.

AGENDA BEAVERHEAD COUNTY/CITY BOARD OF HEALTH Barrett Hospital Board Room Dillon, MT (LUNCH AT 11:30 A.M.) 12:00 p.m., Thursday January 19, 2023 Call meeting to order ~ Establish Quorum 1. Public Health Update 2. Board of Health Authority Discussion/Update a. Interlocal Agreement – Review & Edit Draft 3. DES Update 4. Sanitarian Report 5. Covid-19 Report/Update 6. Public Comment DISCUSSION and/or ACTION ITEMS A. Old Business ~ Approval of October 20, 2022 Minutes B. Public Discussion/Comments on Subjects Under BOH Jurisdiction Not on Agenda C. New business D. Public Discussion/Comments on Subjects Under BOH Jurisdiction Not on Agenda E. Meeting Schedule ~ Next meeting April 20, 2023 F. Adjourn the meeting

The 68th Montana Legislature is officially underway, and we just finished up our second week of business. I’m happy to see Senate Republicans, and some Democrats alike, getting to work on enacting common sense policy for our state. The last time the Legislature met, we successfully passed a conservative & balanced budget, cut taxes for individuals and businesses, secured our Second Amendment rights, invested in public access to our public lands, promoted high speed broadband, and further secured our elections. We also put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to ensure Montanans’ electronic communications are protected from government intrusion, which voters overwhelming adopted in November’s election. Although, we took strides moving our State forward, there is always work to do, let’s start with hunting, wildlife management, and landowner relations. We recently had the first hearing on a bill that will double the annual cap on money that private landowners can receive for allowing public hunters onto their properties via the Block Management Program. Senate Bill 58, introduced by Senator Steve Hinebaugh, a Republican from Glendive, will sustain and improve hunters’ access to many prime hunting grounds located on private property, while benefiting landowners who participate in block management. The bill is a win for taxpayers because block management is funded by hunters, not general taxpayers. It’s also a win for conservation because it allows the state to more effectively manage our wildlife. SB 58 drew universal support in its first committee hearing. Since the last legislative session, three major things have happened that will impact the current session in monumental ways. The first is that Montana now has a record budget surplus in the neighborhood of $2 billion. The second is that Montana’s housing market went from very hot in certain areas to completely unaffordable and unsustainable across much of the state. The third is that voters elected a supermajority of Republicans to the Legislature, something that had never happened before. All of this means we’re entering what we expect to be another historic legislative session. Top of mind for me is providing financial relief to Montanans who are suffering from current inflation and the high cost of living. Perhaps the “worst kept secret,” as Governor Gianforte has put it, is that we’re going to cut taxes again. With our massive budget surplus, we’re looking to pay down the state’s debt to get rid of those existing taxpayer obligations. We’re also working on the specifics of returning hundreds of millions of dollars back to Montana resident taxpayers, whether it be in direct rebates, tax credits, or backfilling programs, and funding projects that will keep tax increases and future spending at a minimum. What ever mix we come up, will be a benefit to you, the tax payer. I’m also working with a bi-partisan group of fellow lawmakers, and a broad group of stakeholders on a long term funding source for both habitat enhancement work and conservation district funding. Most likely looking at a mix of budget surplus, existing habitat program dollars or perhaps marijuana tax dollars to stabilize these programs that are vitally important to rural Montana, over the long haul. We’re also working with the governor on a massive Red Tape Relief project to get rid of unnecessary government regulations that stifle businesses and prevent Montanans from achieving their full potential. On the housing front, we’re again working in conjunction with the governor on a suite of legislative options to make housing more affordable and attainable. I expect to see more state constitutional amendments on the ballot for voters to consider. It takes 100 out of 150 legislators to propose an amendment, and a majority of voters in the next election to actually amend the state’s constitution. Both of those are big hurdles to meet, meaning that amendments need to be clear and have broad support. I most likely won’t be supporting most, if of any of these proposed constitutional changes being proposed, our constitution is for most part working very well as it is, and change sometimes comes with unintended consequences. The Legislature will consider hundreds of additional proposals in the coming months. Every member is there to represent their specific constituents and every lawmaker has their own individual goals and priorities. But the ones I’ve mentioned here are the big ones for the people I represent, and also the ones I expect to define this legislative session. The Legislature is the most transparent and most accessible branch of Montana’s government. It’s also the branch that’s closest to you, the people. Please Testify on bills you care about, whether in person at the Capitol or remotely via Zoom. Make your voice heard by logging in to www.leg.mt.gov Or simply shoot me a text or and email, letting me know what is important to you. Jeff.welborn@legmt.gov Thanks for your time, and please check back again next week, for more from the 68th Legislative Session. Senator Jeff Welborn Montana’s 36th District

Search and Rescue Ice Fishing Derby Submitted by: Mel Rice- Public Relations Officer The Beaverhead County Search and Rescue held its annual Stan Shafer Memorial Ice Fishing Derby Sunday January 15th at Clark Canyon Reservoir. This is one of the unit’s two fund raising activities. The proceeds from the derby are used to support all the unit’s searches/ rescues throughout the year. It was a beautiful day with approximately 400 individuals scattered across the reservoir trying to catch the big money fish or at least get in the winner’s circle by catching the biggest ling or trout by weight. Tara Remely, derby chairperson, was ecstatic about the number of people that showed up to enjoy a great day of fishing and the number of S&R members that worked the derby. She thought this year’s derby came off without any hitches and was a great success. On behalf of the S&R unit we want to thank Tara Remely, derby chairperson, for all the time and effort she puts in each year to make this event a great success. Tara would also like to thank all individuals that purchase derby tickets each year with no intention of going out on the ice fishing. You play a huge part in making this derby the success it is. This year there were 1180 total derby tickets sold. The ticket not only allows the purchaser to fish for money prizes but also allows all ticket holders to be entered into the door prize drawings which are drawn on derby day. This year there were 60 door prizes given away due to the generous donations we receive from businesses around the area. You can check with the individual that sold you your ticket as to whether you won something. We will also be contacting winners by phone and have an evening you will be able to pick up your winnings at the S&R building. Each year the derby sponsors 50/50 splits; we do a split the pot for every $500.00 worth the tickets sold. This year there were 2 $500.00 splits and 1 $150.00 split. The derby pays out eight cash awards in the adult fishing contest and six cash awards in the kids’ contest. In the adult contest S&R pays on the 4 biggest trout and 4 biggest ling turned in by weight. In the kids contest we pay on the top 3 biggest trout and 3 biggest ling by weight. This year’s winners are: Adult Contest: Trout o 1st Place- Richard Reneau Dillon, MT 4 lbs. 06.3 oz. $400.00 o 2nd Place- Christopher Hall Dillon, MT 4 lbs. 04.0 oz. $200.00 o 3rd Place- Braxton Hill Missoula, MT 4 lbs. 03.7 oz. $100.00 o 4th Place- Morgan Zuidema Dillon, MT 4 lbs. 03.1 oz. $ 75.00 Ling o 1st Place- Joshua Barcomb Dillon, MT 4 lbs. 11.4 oz. $400.00 o 2nd Place- Leea Anderson Helena, MT 4 lbs. 05.3 oz. $200.00 o 3rd Place- Rick Nordahl Dillon, MT 4 lbs. 01.7 oz. $125.00 o 4th Place- Dylan Pope Rexburg ID 3 lbs. 5.7 oz. $ 75.00 Kids Contest: Trout o 1st Place- Dean Weidow Hamilton, MT 3 lbs. 14.2 oz $75.00 o 2nd Place- Emmett Holbrook Twin Bridges,MT 3 lbs. 14.2 oz. $50.00 o 3rd Place- Breanna Parke Boulder, MT 2 lbs. 15.9 oz. $25.00 Ling o 1st Place- Dezzirae Sidmore Dillon, MT 3 lbs. 11.0 oz. $150.00 This year there was only one young person to turn in a ling, so it was decided by the derby entourage to pay out the entire moneys allocated for the kids’ ling contest to the one and only entry… On a final note, no one caught either of the tagged fish worth the big bucks. Therefore the bounty on each of those fish goes up. Next year one of the tagged fish will be worth $9000.00 and the other will be worth $6500.00. The Beaverhead S&R also wants to remind all fisherpersons that if you catch one of our tagged fish anytime after the derby, they are each worth $100.00. Keep your eyes open, there’s still money swimming around in the reservoir. On behalf of your Beaverhead Search and Rescue we would like to thank all the businesses and individuals that supported us with donations and ticket purchase for this year’s derby. Also, a hardy thank you goes out to all the S&R members who participated in one way or another putting on this fun event. It is a team effort. “In the Business of Saving Lives”, your Beaverhead SAR Unit. Phots courtesy of Beaverhead Search & Rescue Thank You, Thank You The Beaverhead Search and Rescue would like to thank the following businesses for selling pre-derby tickets for us. Rocky Mountain Supply Bob Wards, Butte The Mini High Peaks FCU Frontier Anglers Womack’s Printing Place Hook & Horn, Wisdom Ralph’s Exxon, Lima The Dell Mercantile We would also like to thank Safeway Foods and Town and Country Foods for allowing us to have our members set up inside their business and sell tickets the weeks before the derby. Thank you all for your generous assistance in making our fish derby such a success.

By Senator Jeff Welborn. January 16 11:02 AM Senator Steve Hinebauch, R-Wibaux, has introduced a bill to help maintain and increase hunters’ access to private land through Montana’s popular Block Management Program. Senate Bill 58 would double the limit on the money that landowners can receive for participating in the Block Management Program from the current $25,000 per year to $50,000 per year. The increase would help fairly compensate landowners for voluntarily allowing public hunters onto their properties. I will be supporting this measure for these reasons; Block Management is one of the best and most popular conservation tools we have in Montana and it’s funded by hunters, not taxpayers, It keeps land in private ownership by Montana families for productive uses while also allowing hunters more opportunity to harvest wild game and help responsibly manage our wildlife. Increasing the cap on Block Management is a win for Montana farmers and ranchers, for the hunting public, and for conservation. SB 58 comes at the request of the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Facebook post from Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office: ATTENTION: Local Law Enforcement Officials will be notifying the general public of any active warrants out of Beaverhead County via Facebook. These posts will take place each Wednesday starting in Feb 2023. Information provided: * PHOTO * NAME * CHARGES * BOND INFORMATION If you feel or know that you have an active warrant please contact the courts to resolve this immediately. If you have tips or questions call: Beaverhead Sheriff's Office at 406-683-3700 Dillon Police Department at 406-683-3701

The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that the Montana Emergency Rental Assistance (MERA) program will stop accepting new applications on January 20, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Agency officials said this decision was made in anticipation of limited federal funding. “The MERA program has been instrumental for ensuring people in our state have housing security. Over the past two years, we have provided more than 12,000 Montana households with rent and utility assistance,” said Montana Department of Commerce Director Scott Osterman. “In anticipation of reaching the limits of federal funding for the program, we project that MERA assistance funding will be fully expended this spring. We will implement a freeze in new applications beginning January 20, 2023, in order to continue serving Montanans currently in the program or those who have already applied.” The policy changes are as follows: No new applications will be accepted after 11:59 p.m. on January 20, 2023; any applications received after January 13, 2023 will be processed subject to available funds. This change only impacts households which have never received MERA funding. MERA will continue to support households already staying in hotels or motels; however, the length of stay is capped at three months and the funding is limited to $1,200 per month for stays approved on or after January 14, 2023. Applications that have already been submitted will be reviewed to determine household eligibility for the program; eligible individuals who are currently enrolled in the program will continue to be funded. The pause only affects individuals who have not applied for MERA prior to 11:59 p.m. on January 20. “Pausing new applications now will allow us to take a proactive approach so we can evaluate the best use of the remaining funds, make sure individuals currently accessing the funds have time to prepare for the inevitable end of the program, and possibly extend the program for Montanans who are most in need of the assistance,” said Commerce’s ARPA Housing Program Executive, Melissa Higgins. The MERA program has provided thousands of eligible Montanans with financial support to help pay future and past due rent, and future utilities, including gas, electric, and internet. Since the beginning of the MERA1 and MERA2 programs, more than 12,000 Montana households received assistance with more than $109 million of total funding awarded. The MERA program is funded through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program via the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (MERA1) and was expanded by the American Rescue Plan Act later that year (MERA2). Funding for MERA1 expired on September 30, 2022. Funding for MERA2 does not expire until 2025; however, due to high demand, more than half of the country’s emergency rental programs are on hold, and nearly one-quarter of them are already depleted . The federal allocation for MERA2 was divided into three segments: The first segment Montana received was $60.8 million. In December 2022, the program met the requirements to request a second segment of more than $34.4 million, for a total to date of $95.2 million. Recently, the U.S. Department of Treasury informed the MERA program that if the additional requirements are met, the segment three allocation will be no more than $10.2 million available for Montana. For more information, visit HOUSING.MT.GOV .