The Laird family would like to thank officer Rumsey for his quick thinking and fast response to an accident that happened on New Years. Examples like this remind us how lucky we are to have such dedicated officers in our community. Just hours into the new year, my husband was severely injured, resulting in the severing of two arteries in his hand. Officer Rumsey was the first to arrive. He expedited the ambulance, but then made the decision to immediately transport via patrol car. Officer Rumsey returned to check on us and stayed with us to offer support. The ER team struggled to manage the severity of the situation and while they worked diligently, Officer Rumsey assisted to relay information. The weather impeded a speedy transport to a trauma center and Officer Rumsey kept me calm as the hours wore on and the situation became more dire. 6 hours later the plane landed in Hamilton, and then they ambulance my husband to St. Pats where he underwent over six hours of surgery. Multiple trauma surgeons explained to me the gravity of the situation and the amount of blood that was lost. They also said that Officer Rumsey saved my husband's life by rushing him to the ER and not waiting for the ambulance. Though we have a long road to recovery, he is still with us. Officer Rumsey's quick thinking, calm and professional response is the only reason why my husband is still with us. Officer Rumsey, from the bottom of our hearts, we may never be able to convey how thankful we are that you are for the reason our family is still whole. Sincerely Kodi, Chance & Lilith Laird A Meal Train account has been set up to help with meals for the family as they negotiate these times. If you would like to help out you can do so here .

The Montana Western Athletic Department announced early Wednesday that it will be donating all gate proceeds from Thursday's home basketball games against the University of Providence to former UMW women's basketball player Paige Paffhausen (Holmes). Paige's Story Paige was a member of the 2019 NAIA National Championship women's basketball team. She was named Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year twice and finished with 864 career points. She is tied for third all-time in the UMW record books with 185 career steals. Paige and her husband Mick delivered a beautiful and healthy baby girl named Parker on December 15 via c-section with no major complications. A few days later, Paige developed an infection near her incision and things took a turn for the worse as the infection had started to spread. Doctors recommended surgery to clean and rinse the infection, though they wanted her transferred to a higher level of care for surgery. Unfortunately, they were not able to get Paige out of Dillon that night due to weather. By this point, Paige spiked a fever and they recommended surgery immediately. After surgery, Paige and Mick were able to be life flighted to Salt Lake City where she quickly underwent another surgery and was admitted to the ICU. Due to the significance of her wounds, Paige has been transferred from the ICU to the burn unit so that they can assist in management. Paige and her family will be in Salt Lake City for at least four to six weeks where she will likely undergo several more surgeries and start the skin grafting process. Once a Bulldog always a Bulldog and the UMW athletic department and the women's basketball team are coming together to support one of their own. We invite all Bulldog fans and community members to come cheer on the Bulldogs and support Paige and her family. Other Ways to Support To follow Paige's journey to recovery, click here. Donations can be made directly to the family via Venmo to @mick-paffhausen. An account is also setup at Pioneer Federal Savings in Dillon, Mt.

Joining small business owners at a standing-room-only event hosted by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Governor Greg Gianforte today shared his pro-jobs, pro-family, pro-business priorities for the 68th Legislative Session and year ahead, including his proposal to provide Montanans with $500 million in property tax relief in 2023 and 2024. “Our budget, built for hardworking Montana families, will deliver the largest tax cut in state history, create more good-paying jobs, and bring the American Dream into greater reach for more Montanans,” Governor Gianforte said. “All Montanans deserve to keep more of what they earn, and Montana taxpayers at every income level will see relief from our proposals.” Participating in a fireside chat with Tagen Vine, chair of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, 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 $500 million in property tax relief for Montanans for their primary residence over the next two years. “Montanans need property tax relief, and we’re delivering that with our budget proposal, $1,000 this year to Montanans for their primary residence and $1,000 next year,” Gov. Gianforte said. “With a $2,000 property tax rebate over the next two years, the average Flathead County property taxpayer will have a property tax cut of about 37%.” Recognizing the overwhelming bulk of property taxes go to local government, the governor has also called for property tax reforms, including greater transparency and accountability in local government spending, an option to pay property taxes monthly, and greater fiscal responsibility from local governments. To make Montana more competitive and help Montanans keep more of what they earn, the governor’s budget reduces the income tax rate most Montanans pay from 6.5% to 5.9% and substantially increases the state’s earned income tax credit. When the governor took office, the top income tax rate was 6.9%. “Our Budget for Montana Families cuts the tax rate most Montanans pay, encourages work by greatly expanding the earned income tax credit, and makes it easier for families to raise their kids with the child tax credit,” the governor continued. To support hardworking families, the governor’s budget also provides families with a $1,200 child tax credit for children under six years of age, as well as a $5,000 adoption tax credit to make it easier for Montanans to open their homes to children. “When a young family in Kalispell gets a $1,200 tax credit for each young child to help cover the cost of child care, food, and clothing, that’s real relief,” Gov. Gianforte said. Notably, the governor’s budget also makes Montana debt-free in ’23, paying down all general obligation debt and saving taxpayers $40 million over the biennium. In addition to providing Montanans with $1 billion in tax relief, the governor’s budget invests the state’s surplus to make needed, overdue repairs, save for emergencies, and pay off debt. The governor’s balanced, fiscally responsible budget also invests to spur job creation, build safer communities, address the substance use epidemic, recruit and retain teachers, promote trades education, and repair state-run facilities. In the discussion, the governor also touted his plans to cut taxes for Montana’s small businesses, farmers, and ranchers by expanding the business equipment tax exemption from $300,000 to $1 million, which would build on similar reforms from 2021 to eliminate the business equipment tax burden for more than 5,000 small businesses, farms, and ranches. “By further reforming the business equipment tax this session, we’ll remove more than 5,000 small businesses, farms, and ranches from the business equipment tax rolls,” the governor said. “With those savings, these small business owners, family farmers, and family ranchers can invest in their operations and create more good-paying Montana jobs.” Under Governor Gianforte’s leadership, more Montanans are working than ever before. On Monday, the governor announced Montanans created a record number of new businesses in 2022, which follows a year of record-breaking business creation in the governor’s first year in office.

Dillon Volunteer Fire Department responded to 15 calls for service during the month of December 2022. 12-1 Hwy 91 N @ Anderson Ln MVA 12-2 I-15 Glen exit Semi Accident 12-6 Laknar Ln Structure Fire 12-7 Buffalo Dr Gas Odor 12-12 I-15 MM 55 Ambulance Assist 12-15 Blacktail Rd Structure Fire (False Alarm) 12-16 W Center St Smoke Alarm 12-18 W Center St Smoke Alarm 12-20 Bond Rd Structure Fire 12-21 Stone Creek Rd Powerline down 12-22 I-15 MM 44 Vehicle Fire (False Alarm) 12-23 Skyline Dr Smoke Alarm 12-23 Hwy 41 Fire Alarm 12-24 S Nevada St CO Alarm 12-29 Pioneer Dr Ambulance Assist We started the firefighter 1 classes for the new members & other members who wanted to attend for a refresher on December 8th. Firefighter 1 is a nationally recognized certification & a baseline for safety and knowledge for firefighters. Craig Jeppson with the MSU Fire Services Training School conducted fire trivia for our members while we had a small potluck for the members & our families. On Dec 21 we conducted another training on our new SCBA’s, this will help to further our comfort & familiarization with these life saving devices. The DVFD would like to thank the community for all the continued support during 2022 & wish you and your families a healthy & happy 2023!!

BEAVERHEAD COUNTY PLANNING BOARD THURSDAY January 12 th , 2023 COMMISSIONER’S ROOM, COUNTY COURTHOUSE 1:00 PM REGULAR MEETING AGENDA **All times are approximate** 1:00 P.M. Minutes and Reports  Minutes of November 17 th meeting  Planning Board Member Reports  Planner’s Report  Public Comments & Questions 1:30 P.M. Election of Board Chairman, Co-Chairman 2:00 P.M. Discussion on updating County Subdivision Regulations (Jerry Grebenc, Cody Marxer - Great West Engineering) 3:30 P.M. Public Comments & Questions of Non-Agenda Items Adjourn

Montana Running Company is hosting the 6th Annual Beaverhead Marathon and Half Marathon on May 13, 2023 in Dillon, Montana. We will open registration on January 1, 2023 at NOON. Make this race your "New Years Resolution" and sign up for the Beaverhead Marathon for $65 and the Half Marathon for $45 from January 1- January 8th. Prices go up each month! Plan ahead and make a goal to run a race in 2023. https://www.montanarunningcompany.com/

Ky Kouba was selected as the ERCK Hotels/Frontier Conference Player of the Week after the Bulldogs lost in a close game to the (RV) The Master's University 74-68 for the final game of the Cactus Classic. Kouba, a sophomore 6-foot-3 guard from Billings, Mont., scored 25 points and recorded four rebounds and two steals in the matchup against the Mustangs. He was 8 of 13 from the field (61.5 percent), 6 of 9 (66.6 percent) from the 3-point line and 3 of 5 from the free throw line. The Bulldogs pick back up with conference play on January 5 against Providence University at 7PM MST.

Time: Tuesday, December 27th, & Monday, January 2nd (starts) 9:00 A.M How: Call or text (406) 479-9959 and leave a message with the day you want your tree picked up or call us on the designated days Cost: $7 Why: To help raise money for the Junior classes trip to Fairmont in Butte then ski at Discovery Ski resort the next day.

Press Release: December 21, 2022 Update on the Michael Fontz missing person case: Due to the circumstances surrounding the case, this update is in hopes to shed some light to the community, family, and friends of Michael. Michael’s Vehicle was located next to the Big Hole River near Melrose. As a result of the evidence that was collected and the ice conditions of the river it is a high probability of an ice/water related accident. The entire area surrounding that section of river has been greatly canvassed by Beaverhead County Search and Rescue. The open water portion of the river including parts of the ice shelf were searched by the brave men and women of the Ruby Valley Search and Rescue team. At this point all attempts to recover Michael Fontz have been unsuccessful. The area surrounding this search has been closed off by the Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office. We are asking the community to stay out of this area for safety and evidence integrity reasons. Continued attempts and strategies to recover Michael are being worked through by a joint agency effort. I would personally like to thank the community that has been of great assistance to the search effort, as well as Beaverhead County Search and Rescue, Ruby Valley Search and Rescue, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office. If you have any further information regarding this case, please call (406)683-3701, Joel Stewart Asst. Chief of Police

The Dillon Volunteer Fire Department was called out to a structure fire off Bond Road. A shop located off the main residence was engulfed in flames. Responders acted quickly after arriving on scene to keep the fire contained to just the shop. As of now, it is looking like the shop is a complete loss, as flames can be seen coming out of the roof. Firefighters have been able to keep the fire contained to the shop and stop it from spreading. Firefighters were able to save a few tools from the shop. Cause of the fire has not yet been fully determined but it may have been from the pellet stove.

BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM MST THURSDAY What For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. For the Wind Chill Warning, dangerously cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 50 below zero. Where Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft. When For the Blizzard Warning, until 3 PM MST this afternoon. For the Wind Chill Warning, from Noon today to 6 PM MST Thursday. Impacts Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Plan on slippery road conditions. The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. Exposed skin may become quickly frostbitten or frozen. Tips Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or visiting the MDT Road Report website. Issued By NWS GreatFalls

Tonight’s City of Dillon Council Meeting has been canceled because of safety issues. With the extreme temperatures and wind chill it is not safe for anyone to be out in this weather.

The College Sports Communicators (CSC) released the Academic All-America teams Tuesday morning. Montana Western kicker John Mears was named First Team Academic All-America. Mears is the second athlete in Montana Western history to achieve a first team selection and the third to earn Academic All-America honors. Mears, a redshirt sophomore kicker from Belgrade, Mont., currently boasts a 3.87 grade-point average while majoring in Physical Education and Health K-12 at Montana Western. This season, Mears was 42 for 47 on PATs. He was also 8 for 10 on field goals this season with a career long field goal of 46-yards made against Rocky Mountain in the final game of the season. CSC members vote on Academic All-District teams within their division and district. All-District selections advance to the national ballot where members vote for Academic All-America teams within their division. The NAIA All-America program is financially supported by the NAIA national governance structure to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2022-23 NAIA Academic All-America team program. For more information regarding the Academic All-America program, visit https://academicallamerica.com/ .

The University of Montana Western Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Lee E. Orr Scholarship. This scholarship was established by his loving family in honor of their devoted husband and father. Lee E. Orr was born and raised in Dillon, Montana. After graduating from Beaverhead County High School, Orr attended Western Montana College for two years, then transferred to Montana State University earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture in 1958. Shortly after, he accepted a position at Fredricks Development Corporation and moved to Southern California. He retired as Executive Vice President at FDC in 1988 and spent his semi-retired years as a private business investor. A man of many interests and hobbies, Orr was a global traveler who made two around the world trips in his lifetime as well as visiting all 50 states. He enjoyed life to the fullest and in 85 years he managed to accomplish everything on his bucket list plus more. One of his greatest joys in life was being a father to his children, Leanne and Lee W. After Orr’s passing in February 2021, Carol, his wife of 50 years, and his children established this scholarship in his memory at Montana Western. Some of Lee’s fondest memories from childhood and early adulthood revolved around his experiences and relationships in Dillon and Western Montana College (now the University of Montana Western). The University of Montana Western Foundation is grateful for this generous gift to establish the Lee E. Orr Scholarship and privileged to remember his legacy through his scholarship. “The Orr family has an enduring history with Montana Western and the Dillon community. We are honored to remember this remarkable man knowing that his scholarship will make a tangible difference in the lives of Montana Western students in perpetuity,” commented Roxanne Engellant, Executive Director of the UMW Foundation. Applicants can visit https://umwfoundation.academicworks.com/ to learn more and apply by the priority deadline of January 15, 2023. All graduates from Montana high schools planning to attend or currently attending Montana Western are eligible to apply. To learn more about the University of Montana Western Foundation, please visit https://www.umwfoundation.org .

Rotary Club of Dillon has placed the ice float for their annual fundraiser event. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club scholarship fund and community improvement projects. Tickets may be purchased from Rotary Club members, or by contacting President Matthew Fullerton at matthewfullerton@me.com . Tickets are $2.00 per ticket, or six tickets for $10.00. Participants guess the date and time when the ice will thaw and the clock will stop. Prizes to be awarded to the individuals who guess the closest date and time to when the thaw occurs are: $500 first place, $250 second place and $100 to the third-place winner.

With more cold weather predicted, the City of Dillon would like to remind homeowners to take measures to prevent their pipes from freezing. Here are several tips: (1) allow a small trickle of water from your cold water faucet in your kitchen to run to keep pipes from freezing. The cost of the extra water is low compared to the cost to repair a broken pipe; (2) keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage; (3) open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air circulation around the plumbing and also remember to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of reach of children; (4) If you will be going away during the cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Last winter was an unusual winter with so many service lines freezing throughout the community. The City of Dillon recommends to citizens to keep a small trickle running as a preventative measure to keep their service lines from freezing. If you have had problems in the past we encourage you to run a small trickle of water from your cold water faucet in your kitchen. This of course is at the customers discretion, as the cost of running water is at their expense. The City of Dillon would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!