Dark skies around Dillon held some unfamiliar lighting Friday evening when a drive in movie returned to Beaverhead County. The Be the Change 406 Youth Coalition sponsored their third outdoor movie night by projecting “Sing II” onto a special screen attached to the back wall of the Town and Country Food building. BTC youth provided complementary popcorn and refreshments to each of the roughly two dozen cars jostling for space in the back parking lot. In some cars moms, dads, and grandparents settled down their eager passengers, ranging from tots to pre-teens, and repeatedly answered the question: “Is it dark yet?” Other carloads with teen and young adults patiently waited for the movie while checking mobile phones for how long it takes to get dark after sunset or “astronomical twilight” time. About 50 people attended. Adult BTC Coalition members assisted by providing parking directions for optimal viewing, technology assistance (car radios carried the audio), and mounting the large white tarp, aka screen, to Town and Country’s back wall. “It was definitely a joint effort by all”, BTC Executive Board member Charise Lemelin said. “Kids were engaged and parents were happy and thankful.” Most importantly, there’s more to come, she said. As it starts to get darker earlier it’s a great option to do more drive in movie nights. Those interested are encouraged to learn about the next movie night by regularly checking the group’s website at: www.bethechange406.org and selecting “youth coalition” from the main menu.

Beaverhead Little League is hosting a tournament this weekend, July 15-17 at the ball diamonds in Dillon. 15 teams will be here, or close to 225 people will be staying and eating in our area. Some may arrive Thursday and leave on Monday. Please welcome them and show them our Beaverhead County hospitality! For more information on the Beaverhead Little League/Tournament, please contact President Alyssa Creighton at 406-660-0512. Go Beaverhead Little League! SWMT News will be livestreaming this as well.

“The Natural Horsemanship Revolution” will be held at the Montana Center for Horsemanship and the University of Montana Western in Dillon, Montana, September 8-10, 2022. Focusing on a global understanding of Natural Horsemanship, this conference will feature a wide range of clinics, presentations, keynotes, award-winning films and leaders in the field with a goal of sharing knowledge to advance the horse-human relationship. Featured speakers include: Buck Brannaman Ty Murray Dr. Glenn Blodgett Olympian James Wofford Breeder Stan Weaver of Weaver Quarter Horses Kansas Carradine, an international equestrian and performer Dr. Stephen Peters Natural Horsemanship trainers and teachers from Haras de la Cense in France Manu and Caroline Godin Dr. Ann Perkins, founder of Anthrozoology Filmmaker Stephen Latham Film Producer Bud Force The conference will include an in-depth look at saddles and feature a raffle to win a custom saddle, presented by Contour Saddles and Natural Horseman Saddles. Rodeo icon, Ty Murray, a Natural Horsemanship advocate, will be part of the saddle program. “My horses’ comfort is important to me. When they are comfortable, they are going to be better physically, mentally and emotionally. I sure don’t want to walk around all day in boots that dig in or rub a blister. The design of the underside of the saddle and the interface (pad) is the most important part. Education is key,” said Murray. In addition to a deep dive into saddles and saddle fit, the conference will feature renowned hoof care professional, Chris Mason. “Current leaders in the hoof care profession have developed a fully integrated approach, which beyond the understanding of the barefoot horse includes a sophisticated array of protocols that include modern plastic shoes, dietary protocols, improved diagnostic methods and a holistic understanding of the entire horse, which has substantial effects on the feet,” said Mason, who will demonstrate and share extensive evidence-based knowledge and research at the conference. “Key to this conference, which includes award-winning films from EQUUS International Film Festival, is the development of a blueprint for advancing every aspect of the horse-human relationship, to create happier horses and riders, and to establish a new vision for the future,” said Montana Center for Horsemanship Director of Development, Janet Rose. 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. To learn more about UMW, please call 877-683-7331 or visit www.umwestern.edu . The Montana Center for Horsemanship (MCH) 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 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 and to register for the conference, please visit www.tinyurl.com/ydw9rhmx . Early bird registration will continue through July 31.

Dillon Concert Association’s 2022-23 concert series will ignite imaginations and delight senses. The live performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at UM-Western Beier Auditorium. On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, a tribute to James Taylor, “How Sweet It Is”, will be performed by Steve Leslie on guitar with piano accompaniment. Leslie’s genuine craftsmanship provides an authentic event portraying James Taylor’s incredible catalog of songs. Classical pianist Jeeyoon Kim provides sensitive artistry through an engaging and innovative concert experience, including beautiful videos to complement the music. She will take the stage on Monday, December 5, 2022. The hottest new classical group from New York City, Frisson Ensemble, will present jazz, folk, popular, and classical music on Friday, February 17, 2023. Frisson is French for “a shiver, or a thrill”, and thrill you they will! Backtrack Vocals is a 5-person, mixed a cappella group that transforms familiar pop, fun, Motown, standards, and Broadway songs with all-new vocal (and beatbox) arrangements. Enjoy this talent on Monday, March 20, 2023. The purchase of a season ticket provides membership in the Dillon Concert Association and admittance to performances. All tickets will be mailed prior to the first concert. Season ticket, or membership, fees are as follows: Adults - $50; College Student - $10; Student/Youth - $6; Single performance: $20/$10/$6. As a bonus, the Anaconda Community Concert Association will grant admission to their concerts upon showing your DCA membership card! If you are interested in purchasing a Dillon Concert Association membership/season ticket and/or would like to volunteer, please contact Laurie Hagenbarth at (406) 683-5050 or Pat Brown at (406) 925-0618. Your support of this fine series and all live performances is appreciated.

A Shepherd man lost his hunting privileges for 16 years and will pay fines and restitution exceeding $6,000 after pleading guilty to 16 state and federal charges of poaching mule deer and leaving some parts at a federal recreation area. Brayden Reed, 19, pleaded guilty in Yellowstone County Justice Court to four counts of unlawful possession of deer, two counts of wasting game, three counts of hunting during a closed season, two counts of unlawful use of equipment, two counts of hunting without a license and one count of killing more than a limit of deer. He also pleaded guilty in federal court to the crimes of littering and resource damage. In state court he was fined $4,405 and ordered to pay the state $2,000 in restitution. He also lost his privilege to hunt in Montana for 16 years. Because of reciprocal agreements between states, he will not be able to hunt legally anywhere in most of the country. In addition, he will pay $400 on the federal charges. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game warden Connor Langel, who investigated the crimes, also confiscated the rifle Reed used to kill the deer. Reed was convicted of spotlighting and shooting two mule deer bucks on Oct. 2 and taking them to the federal Bureau of Land Management’s Ah-Nei Recreation Area, where he removed antlers and backstraps, then left the rest of the animals to waste. Also that evening, a live tree was cut down and burned and numerous beverage cans were scattered in the recreation area. Damage to the recreation area was investigated by Bureau of Land Management ranger Jeff Herriford. He is also convicted of spotlighting and shooting a third deer on private property, where he did not have permission to trespass on Oct. 8 and taking it to the Ah-Nei Recreation Area, where the backstraps were removed and the rest was left to waste. Reed did not have a Montana deer license at the time of the poaching incidents, which occurred before the general deer season opened on Oct. 23. Langel later found a fourth deer that Reed had killed illegally. The case originated with information called in to 1-800-TIP-MONT, the FWP call-in line to report crimes involving fish, wildlife, parks and other natural resources. Anyone with possible information about such crimes is encouraged to visit https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/tipmont to provide details or call the FWP violation reporting hot line at 1-800-TIP-MONT. They may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

The plan for the week is to install service lines from Sebree to Glendale today and tomorrow. They will be pulling concrete for ADA ramps and graveling them in at the intersection of Bannack and Idaho. Concrete crew should be in this week to begin work on ADA ramps. Hopefully we can get the street cut down between Bannack and Glendale and get it graveled this week pending getting information to build a GPS model for our grader from the engineer. Let me know if you have any questions. Kipp Shumway Mungas Company 406-860-8155 kipp@mungas.net P.O. Box 1390 Anaconda, MT 59711

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 07 at 1:​39​PM MDT until July 07 at 9:​00​PM MDT by NWS Storm Prediction Center SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 447 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM MDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS MT . MONTANA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BEAVERHEAD BIG HORN BLAINE BROADWATER CARBON CASCADE CHOUTEAU FERGUS GALLATIN GLACIER GOLDEN VALLEY HILL JEFFERSON JUDITH BASIN LEWIS AND CLARK LIBERTY MADISON MEAGHER MUSSELSHELL PARK PETROLEUM PHILLIPS PONDERA STILLWATER SWEET GRASS TETON TOOLE WHEATLAND YELLOWSTONE

Don’t let an encounter with a harmful algal bloom (HAB) ruin an outing on a beautiful Montana summer day. Blooms can impact human health and the health of freshwater ecosystems. Harmful algal blooms most often occur in Montana’s reservoirs and lakes, although water users should also be cautious about water flowing immediately downstream of a HAB. Common characteristics of HABs include green, blue, or gold coloration and the appearance of grass clippings or paint spilled on the water’s surface. Harmful algal blooms happen when cyanobacteria, also known as blue green algae, rapidly grow out of control. These organisms are native to Montana and are naturally found at low, safe densities in many freshwater systems. HABs can form under certain conditions including when too many nutrients are available, when winds are low and water is calm, when the sky is clear and sunny, and when the growing season is long or hot. HABs can produce cyanotoxins that can cause skin irritation or sicken humans and even kill pets and livestock if ingested. Toxins do not always occur with a HAB, but it’s impossible to tell without taking water quality samples. When in doubt, it’s best to stay out. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Public Health and Human Services maintain a website where people can submit reports of suspected HABs at: HAB.mt.gov Before recreating in a waterbody, Montanans and visitors can check the website and view a map of all blooms reported, any health advisories or monitoring data associated with that report, and plenty of photos and information to educate yourself and others on what to look for. If you suspect a HAB, submit a report and state agencies will work with the local jurisdiction to monitor the incident. These reports are important for the health and safety of recreators and water users in the state, and they also help state agencies track where nutrient pollution may be an issue. Last summer, 29 out of 47 citizen reports were confirmed to be harmful algal blooms. Waters that commonly experience HABs include but are not limited to: Clark Canyon Reservoir (Beaverhead County), Cooney Reservoir (Carbon County), Hebgen and Hyalite Reservoirs (Gallatin County), Beaver Creek Reservoir (Hill County), Canyon Ferry, Hauser Reservoir, Holter Reservoir, and Lake Helena (Lewis and Clark County), Harrison Reservoir (Madison County), Seeley Lake (Missoula County), Nevada Creek Reservoir (Powell County), and Noxon Reservoir (Sanders County). When in doubt, stay out. Do not drink, swallow, or swim in water that shows signs of a HAB and keep kids and pets or livestock out. Direct contact, ingestion, or inhalation of cyanotoxins may irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat and respiratory system, or cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache or liver and kidney damage. If you suspect a HAB-related illness in a person or animal, including livestock, call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222. Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus fuel algae growth and potential HABs. Below are actions you can take to reduce nutrient pollution in Montana’s waters: Reduce your use of lawn or crop fertilizer. Avoid trampling streamside vegetation when you’re recreating. If you’re lucky to live alongside a stream or lake—restore and protect native woody plants, flowers and grasses because they filter pollution and stabilize land. If your home relies on a septic system, have it regularly serviced and consider upgrading it to a higher level treatment system. Report a suspected HAB at www.hab.mt.gov , call 1-888-849-2938, or by email to HAB@mt.gov

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is accepting applications for cooperative agreements to help eligible entities provide planning, training and technical assistance to foster placemaking activities in rural and Tribal communities. The funds are being made available through the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC) . USDA is increasing RPIC funding to up to $4 million to assist more rural communities access placemaking assistance. The previous funding level was $3 million. USDA is inviting eligible entities to apply for up to $250,000 to help rural and Tribal communities create plans to enhance capacity for high-speed internet access; preserve cultural and historic structures; and support development in transportation, housing and recreational spaces. This technical assistance will help communities convene partners and identify community needs to develop placemaking plans. These plans will help rural areas build back better and stronger. The entities must support participating rural communities for up to two years. The Department seeks to partner with at least one entity in the Northeast, South, Midwest and West regions of the United States. Public or private groups, organizations or institutions that demonstrate experience in providing placemaking technical assistance and administering federal grants are eligible to apply. USDA is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, advance equity and combat climate change. These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding for projects that will advance these key priorities in rural America. USDA encourages applicants who will serve communities participating in the Rural Partner’s Network . USDA also encourages applications that support communities planning projects that enhance the capacity to build high-speed internet infrastructure, including investments under USDA’s ReConnect program . Electronic applications must be submitted via grants.gov by Aug. 15, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time / 9:59 Mountain Time. For more information, contact: RD.RPIC@usda.gov or visit page 39053 of the June 30 Federal Register . USDA will host an informational webinar for applicants on July 13, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time / noon to 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time. To register, visit: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_Pxqj9XCZQuu6I1wWs8cVSw . The Department will announce in the coming weeks a series of virtual office hours for applicants to ask USDA staff questions about the funding opportunity. If you would like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page .

Dillon Volunteer Fire Department responded to 14 calls for service during the month of June 2022. 06-03 MVA Laknar & Montana 06-05 Backyard burn investigation Vine St 06-06 MVA I-15 MM 66 06-09 MVA Montana St @ Murdoch’s 06-14 Smoke Alarm E Center St 06-16 Gas Line Strike East Bench Rd 06-17 Power Line Orr St & Argenta St 06-17 Dangerous Situation W Helena St 06-26 MVA Hwy 91 N @ Dutchman Ln 06-26 Smoke Alarm W. Center St 06-27 MVA 91 S @ Carrigan Ln 06-28 Dump Fire Beaverhead County Landfill 06-29 Smoke Alarm Smith Rd 06-30 Gas Odor N Montana St DVFD trained on the our newly acquired radios & worked with some of our Type 6 wildland engines. We also finished the RT-130 wildland refresher class & completed the physical standards wildland pack test in preparation for the upcoming wildfire season.

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is proud to announce that its Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE), will be making stops in Montana to honor those who served and welcome home Vietnam veterans. “The goal of the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is to bring the community together and teach patriotism while remembering the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “However, over the last year, in light of the current health crisis, we feel this exhibit has taken on even more meaning by providing the opportunity for people to safely participate in something that is both educational and inspiring while supporting and giving back to the communities it visits.” The MEE achieves this goal by bringing the local community, veterans, active-duty military and their families together through interactive exhibits, short films, and shared stories. The exhibit serves as a mobile museum, educating visitors about the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes as well as serving as an official ‘welcome home’ station for our nation’s Vietnam Veterans. The stops in Montana will include: MISSOULA, MT – Friday, July 22, 2022 – The Bitter Root Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution welcomes the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit national tour. The WAA MEE is free and open to the public from 10am - 3pm and will take place at 2975 Gen Foster Avenue. There will be a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Ceremony held at 11:00 at the Rocky Mountain Military Museum. HELENA, MT – Saturday, July 23, 2022 – The Oro Fino Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution are proud to announce a local stop for the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit national tour which started at the WAA Headquarters in Maine. It is free and open to the public locally at the Lowes Home Improvement Parking Lot located at 3291 N.Sanders Street, from 10am - 2pm. GREAT FALLS, MT – Sunday, July 24, 2022 – The Black Eagle-Assinniboine Chapter,, Daughters of the American Revolution are proud to announce a local stop for the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit national tour. The MEE started its tour at the WAA Headquarters in Maine and will be free and open to the public locally in the Target parking lot located at 2000, 10th Ave South, from 10am - 3pm. BUTTE, MT – Monday, July 25, 2022 – The Silver Bow Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution are proud to announce a local stop for the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit national tour. The MEE started its tour at the WAA Headquarters in Maine and will be free and open to the public locally in the Butte Civic Center, 1340 Harrison Ave., from 10am - 4pm. When the MEE pulls into the area, all veterans, active-duty military, their families, and the local community members are invited and encouraged to visit, take a tour and speak with WAA representatives and volunteers. They can also share more about the national nonprofit, and the work its volunteers do to support our heroes and their communities year-round. The public tours for the MEE are free and open to the public with social distancing, sanitation and COVID-19 safety procedures in place to protect the health of all visitors in accordance with the CDCs recommendation for large gatherings stemming from concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the media, dignitaries, veterans and other interested groups are urged to come, ask questions, share stories and experience this one-of-a-kind exhibit. To host the MEE in your community, whether it be for a parade, a school-related or veterans’ organization, or a public or private event, visit https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/mee to make a request. Wreaths Across America is the non-profit organization best known for placing wreaths on veterans’ headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. However, in 2021, the organization placed more than 2.4 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths at over 3,100 participating locations nationwide. Throughout the calendar year you can tune in to Wreaths Across America Internet Radio, 24/7, to learn more about the mission and those who support it across the country, as well as the hundreds of local charitable efforts nationwide that are funded through wreath sponsorships . You can sponsor a veteran’s wreath anytime for $15 at www.wreathacrossamerica.org . Each sponsorship goes toward a live, balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all veterans laid to rest at noon on Saturday, December 18, 2021, as part of National Wreaths across America Day. Click here to find a local participating cemetery near you to support go to and type in your town and/or state.

Dillon Friends of the Library & Dolly Parton Imagination Library Fraud. Sadly fraud happens and when it happens to a non-profit it can be costly. The Dillon Friends of the Library has a mission and that mission is to cooperate with and support the Dillon Public Library. The Dillon Friends will raise funds: receive and encourage gifts, endowment and bequests; and disperse funds that are directly beneficial to the library’s patrons, and to the operation of the Friends. The Dillon Friends of the Library sponsor the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Beaverhead County. This program is worldwide and provides free books for children from birth to the age of 5. The books are free for the child but the sponsoring organization is billed $25.00 per year per child for the shipping costs. The guidelines for the program are simple. A child residing in Beaverhead County aged five or under qualifies for the Imagination Library. Note, the child MUST live in Beaverhead County. As a grandparent, Aunt, or friend living in Beaverhead County you do not qualify. You should not sign up a child using your address with the intent to then ship the book out of Beaverhead County. Daycares also cannot sign up the children in their care using the daycare address to receive the books. Please do not change the child’s date of birth in order to get the books, please do not sign up the child prior to their birthdate. The books are geared for the specific age of the child and as the child grows the books advance with them. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a wonderful program that benefits children. The Friends of the Library is proud to offer this service in Beaverhead County. We have wonderful benefactors that help with the funding: including the Beaverhead United Way, Shakespeare Book Club, Dillon Elks Club, Private Donors, Great Harvest and the members of the Dillon Friends of the Library. Currently there are 187 children registered in Beaverhead County with 111 that have graduated from the program since its inception in 2018. At this time we are auditing the recipients of the books, verifying the information provided and in some cases we will be calling to get confirmation. We understand that there may be confusion regarding the process and welcome your questions regarding this matter. You can call the library at 683-4544 or Debbie at 683-6807. You can also call the above numbers if you are interested in becoming a member of the Dillon Friends of the Library or would like to donate funds.

Plan for the week is to get the intersection of Glendale and Idaho put back together and opened up. We will be installing services on the block of Idaho, between Center and Bannack. There will be another crew working on installing storm drain structures in the intersection of Bannack and Idaho. Testing will be taking place into the Bannack intersection for water lines as well. Once those pass we can install the services on Bannack between Washington and Idaho and up to Montana St. Concrete ADA corners should be starting to get poured next week.

Weather Alert Special Weather Statement issued July 02 at 2:45PM MDT by NWS GreatFalls Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of south central Madison and south central Beaverhead Counties through 3:15 PM MDT At 2:45 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 19 miles south of Dillon to 8 miles west of Lima. Movement was east at 15 mph. HAZARD ...Winds in excess of 40 mph. SOURCE ...Radar indicated. IMPACT ...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include... Lima, Monida, Dell, Bannack Pass and Snowline. This includes Interstate 15 between mile markers 1 and 26 . MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH