The City of Dillon has closed the pedestrian bridge on Normal Street that crosses the Dillon Canal between South Washington Street and Pacific Street for safety reasons. It is unsafe to use at this time. It has been fenced off at this time for every ones safety. If you have any questions please contact Todd Hazelbaker, Director of Operations, at 683-4245.

First responders were called out Monday morning to a two vehicle wreck on I-15 Northbound. The accident happened just north of the Apex exit near MM 76. A spring hailstorm had moved through the area leaving slick spots along the road. A minivan came upon one of these spots, lost control, slid off the road and when they tried to get back onto the highway they hit a passing Hyundai car. Those involved in the accident sustained minor injuries. Side note as we were on scene we witnessed a vehicle fail to slow down and move over to the left. The vehicle struck several road cones near one of the first responders. Please remember to slow down and move over when you see an accident or a vehicle with it's emergency lights on.

If you have a pride and joy you want to show off, head on over to the Big Hole River Retreat. They are having a car show going on tell 4 P.M. today Sunday, June 5. If you don't have a ride you would like to show off head out and see the many other cars and tractors on display. They also have concessions available. Bring the family out, get some food and check out the cars and tractors on display. Admission to the event is free head out on highway I-15 North and take the Brownes Bridge Road exit #85 and follow the signs.

Early Friday afternoon a driver attempting to merge onto Montana street from Laknar Lane hesitated when she went to pull out onto Montana Street. The driver coming up behind the car didn't notice that she had stopped and ended up rear ending the car with his truck. The two vehicles then became stuck together leading to local law enforcement and volunteer firefighters to be called out to free the vehicles. All parties involved reported no injuries.

Indigenous Peoples of Southwest Montana – An Archaeological History A grand opening of a new exhibit at Beaverhead County Museum in Dillon, Indigenous Peoples of Southwest Montana – An Archaeological History , is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, 2022. The exhibit, two years in the making, was inspired by the book, Six Hundred Generations: An Archaeological History of Montana , by Carl M. Davis, Dillon native and former Regional Archaeologist for the U.S. Forest Service. To help tell the story, this exhibit uses artifacts from many eras of Indigenous Peoples that have been donated to the museum. At the end of the last Ice Age 12,000 years ago, major changes in climate set the stage for the migration of Eurasian people into the western hemisphere. Visitors can learn how the major extinctions of mammoths, giant bison and other megafauna required people to adapt to the changing environment and plant and animal species. Exhibits cover an extensive time period, from a 13,000-year-old spear point found locally to tiny arrow points discovered at nearby buffalo jumps. Highlights include mammoth bones uncovered within Dillon’s city limits in 1906 along with one of the largest mammoth tusks to be exhibited in any museum. A beautiful atlatl (throwing spear) made for this exhibit is a “must see” item. Viewers will gain a new appreciation of the resilience, creativity and adaptability of people who lived and thrived in this area from their first arrival at the end of the Ice Age until they were displaced by Euro-Americans 100-150 years ago. Ticketed events on June 24th begin with an afternoon tour of the Wheat Bison Jump. The evening reception offers an overview by the exhibit’s curator, Ron Loge, and a talk about the archaeology of Beaverhead County by Carl M. Davis. Saturday events include free access to the exhibit at the Depot Museum, atlatl skill talks and throwing demonstrations, flintknapping, bison hide processing, fire starting and other presentations. Davis’ talk on archaeology will be presented again. Additional ticketed tours to the Wheat Bison Jump will be offered on Saturday morning and afternoon. To assure transportation to the site, tickets should be purchased by June 15th. For tickets or more information, call the Beaverhead County Museum (406-683-5027).

Although the weather wasn’t ideal for outdoor recreation, aquatic invasive species stations around the state conducted more than 2,000 inspections over the Memorial Day weekend. So far this year, FWP and its partners have inspected 14,000 watercraft, 21 of which were mussel-fouled. One of those detections happened Saturday when a mussel-fouled boat was intercepted at Wibaux. The boat was a recent purchase and was being commercially transported from Michigan to Seattle. The driver failed to stop at the inspection station and was intercepted by a FWP game warden and required to return to the station for inspection. After the boat was decontaminated and locked to the trailer, inspectors contacted officials in Washington to coordinate a follow-up inspection. “FWP Law Enforcement takes the threat of AIS to Montana waters very seriously,” said Dave Loewen, chief of FWP’s Law Enforcement Division. “Our officers work closely with the Montana Highway Patrol and other enforcement entities to enforce AIS regulations.” As a reminder, all boats must stop at all open watercraft inspection stations they encounter. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $500. FWP and partner agencies operate more than 25 road-side watercraft inspection stations across the state. To find a watercraft inspection station or to learn more, go to CleanDrainDryMT.com or call the FWP Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau at 406-444-2440. In addition to stopping at all watercraft inspection stations, boaters need to follow these rules: Be sure to always clean, drain and dry your boat. Non-residents transporting watercraft into Montana must purchase a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass before launching. The fee is $30 for motorized and $10 for nonmotorized watercraft. The pass is valid until Dec. 31. Inspection is required for Montana residents before launch IF : the boat is entering the state, crossing west over the Continental Divide or entering the Flathead Basin.

The University of Montana Western named 508 students to the 2022 spring semester Dean’s List. The University of Montana Western named 508 students to the 2022 spring semester Dean’s List. To achieve this honor, students must be enrolled full-time or for 12 semester credits and carry a minimum 3.33 grade point average. An asterisk after a name indicates a student received Dean’s List high honors. The listing below is divided into In-state and Out-of-State/International students, alphabetically by city and state.

The Montana Department of Commerce today announced the awarding of $662,500 in grant funding to assist five job-creating businesses in Montana in generating greater opportunity for local residents. The job creation grant funding is provided by Commerce’s Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF). “At Commerce, we are proud to support growing Montana businesses through the creation of sustainable, good-paying jobs that will help keep our economy expanding, and enable the innovative companies of our state to reach their full potential,” said Montana Department of Commerce Director Scott Osterman. “These grants assist businesses to generate new jobs for Montanans, and to propel future economic growth and stability for communities across the state.” BSTF Job Creation grants are awarded to local and tribal governments to create good paying jobs for residents. In addition to grants, BSTF also provides funding for loans. BSTF Job Creation grant funding has been awarded to: Butte-Silver Bow County received $7,500 in BSTF job creation funds to assist Audaciter Consulting, LLC with the creation of one job. Audaciter Consulting, LLC is a fractional CFO firm offering professional services to organizations on a part-time, retainer, or contract arrangement. Butte-Silver Bow County also received $135,000 in BSTF job creation funds to assist BioSqueeze, Inc. with the creation of 18 jobs by April 2023. BioSqueeze, Inc. is a leader in the commercial application of biomineralization technology. The company leverages this technology to seal methane leaks in oil and gas wells. Cascade County received $225,000 in BSTF job creation funds to assist Touro College Montana, LLC with the creation of 30 jobs by April 2023. Touro College Montana, LLC is an osteopathic medical education program. Park County received $215,000 in BSTF job creation funds to assist Glassybaby, LLC with the creation of 43 jobs by April 2023. Glassybaby, LLC manufactures hand-blown glass votives. Missoula County received $80,000 in BSTF job creation funds to assist onXmaps, Inc. with the creation of 16 jobs in the first year. The company offers hunting mobile applications for outdoor adventurers, enabling them to navigate public and private lands. “We’re thrilled to be a recipient of the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund grant; we’d like to thank the Montana Department of Commerce, as well as all those who helped us achieve this milestone,” said Keith Giordano, onX Operations Manager. “We’re very passionate about our Missoula roots, and care deeply for the area’s economic health, its workforce, and its residents. We look forward to growing alongside our hometown well into the future.” More BSTF funding opportunities are available. The next application deadline for Job Creation and Planning projects is June 15, 2022 . For more information, contact Annmarie Robinson at the Montana Department of Commerce at 406.841.2250, or visit MARKETMT.COM .

UMW Press Release: The Chancellor’s Leadership Scholars Award is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship awarded to exceptional students residing in the state of Montana who will be attending the University of Montana Western in the fall. Montana Western is proud to announce the six following high school seniors as the 2022-23 award recipients: Jenna Anderson Born in Billings, Anderson grew up in Sidney after her family moved when she was a young child. Anderson attributes her character to growing up in a friendly rural community. She lettered all four years of high school in both volleyball and basketball for the Lady Eagles and was captain of both teams. She is a volunteer basketball coach during the off-season for the Little Eagles program as well as an assistant coach at a nearby country elementary school and is active in numerous school clubs. UMW’s block schedule and Experience One program was exciting to her and she plans to pursue a degree in Kinesiology. “I want to pursue a career in health and human performance and stay active while helping others do the same,” Anderson said. Bridgett Ellis Barely five years into her life, Ellis was competing and winning at rodeos right alongside her mother. Ellis was raised around many different kinds of animals, including a water buffalo, zebra and coatimundi. Growing up, she enjoyed helping to take care of the animals and playing “vet” and had the goal of someday becoming a veterinarian. “The experiences throughout my life have shown me the importance of hard work and the benefits of striving to go above and beyond what is expected of me, not only in the arena but in all other aspects of my life. Every failure and every fall has taught me the value of dedication to my dreams,” Ellis said. Josiah Hull Graduating this spring with honors from Dawson County High School in Glendive, Hull enjoys music, art and sports and has been involved in several honor choirs, an advanced art program, and played both varsity football and Legion baseball. “I am excited to continue my educational journey at Montana Western because I love learning new things about the world and sharing that knowledge with others. By doing so, I believe I can make the world a better place,” Hull said. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he plans to pursue a career in teaching. Kennadie McMahon McMahon was born and raised in Butte. While attending Butte High School, she was a four-year varsity starter in volleyball as a right-side hitter. In her athletic career, she received Academic All-State honors each year and an All-Conference Honorable Mention to wrap up her senior year. She has also made appearances in the high jump and javelin during track season. A member of both the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society during high school, she also loves to go camping, fishing, hunting and hiking. While attending the University of Montana Western, Kennadie intends to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology to pursue her dream career as a counseling psychologist. Gabryele Veltkamp Veltkamp grew up outside of Three Forks and attended school there since the first grade. “My friends and family play a huge role in my life and I enjoy camping, fishing and hunting with them,” she said. Her family’s agricultural background is one of the main reasons she wants to become a livestock veterinarian and is very excited to begin her educational journey at Montana Western. Ryan Yeske Yeske will be graduating from Capital High School in Helena this spring and is the class Valedictorian with a current class ranking of 1 out of 283 students. During high school, Yeske played Bruin football and was a member of the CHS Cheer and Stunt Team. He received varsity letters and Academic All-State Awards in every sport he participated in and was chosen as the 2021-22 Team Captain for the Cheer and Stunt Team. Yeske also played rugby on the Helena Hooligans team for three years. Yeske is a peer mentor for students with disabilities and is a member of the National Honor Society. Yeske was selected to attend the 2021 FBI Salt Lake City Teen Symposium. He plans to attend Montana Western in the fall and will be studying business and accounting and hopes to be a Forensic Accountant with the FBI after he graduates. “Congratulations to the recipients of this scholarship that recognizes leadership, community service, and academic excellence. We look forward to seeing you on campus at Montana Western this fall,” said UMW Chancellor Michael Reid.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) would like to announce and invite the public to comment on a proposal to resurface about 11 miles of Interstate 15 (I 15), north of Dillon. The project begins near the North Dillon Interchange, and extends north for 11 miles ending near the Apex Interchange. Proposed work includes milling the existing surface, applying a new overlay, and finishing with a seal and cover (chip seal), upgraded pavement markings, signage, and guardrail. The purpose of the project is to extend the service life of the highway, provide additional skid resistance and take a cost-effective action to preserve and maintain the existing highway. The project is tentatively scheduled for construction in 2023, depending on completion of all project development activities and availability of funding. No new Right-of-Way or utility relocations will be needed. An important part of properly planning for future projects is partnering with the community. The Montana Department of Transportation welcomes the public to provide ideas and comments on the proposed project. Comments may be submitted online at http://www.https://mdt.mt.gov/contact/comment-form.aspx or in writing to Montana Department of Transportation, Butte office at PO Box 3068, Butte, MT 59702-3068. Please note that comments are for project UPN 10005000. The public is encouraged to contact Butte District Preconstruction Engineer Dave Gates at (406) 494-9636 or Project Design Engineer Joe Walsh at (406) 494-9622. Alternative accessible formats of this document will be provided on request. Persons who need an alternative format should contact the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Transportation, 2701 Prospect Avenue, PO Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620. Telephone 406-444-5416 or Montana Relay Service at 711. of this document will be provided on request. Persons whoneed an alternative format should contact the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Transportation, 2701 Prospect Avenue, PO Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620. Telephone 406-444-5416 or Montana Relay Service at 711.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is seeking applications for grants to help owners of rental housing repair and rehabilitate their units, if they make them available for low- and very-low-income rural residents. USDA is providing the funding through the Housing Preservation Grant program . Eligible applicants include town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations. USDA encourages applicants to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities: Assisting rural communities recover economically from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly disadvantaged communities; Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to USDA Rural Development (RD) programs and benefits from RD-funded projects; and, Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities. USDA does not provide funding directly to individual homeowners under this program. Paper pre-applications are due by 4:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on July 11, 2022 and should be sent to the following address: USDA Rural Development Billings Area Office Attn: Cindy Coleman 1400 S. 24th Street W., Suite 8 Billings, MT 59102 Electronic pre-applications are due by 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time // 2:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time, July 11, 2022. See page 31976 of the May 26, 2022, Federal Register for additional information. For more information about this program, please contact Cindy Coleman at at (406) 812-0721 or Cindy.Coleman@usda.gov . USDA Rural Development is an investor, ally and advocate for rural America and provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mt .

Press release Be The Change 406: Beaverhead County young filmmakers walked an actual red-carpet Saturday as their short videos, targeting healthy, drug-free youth, premiered at Big Sky Cinema in Dillon, part of the second annual Beaverhead County Red Carpet Video Project. The Be the Change 406 Coalition, which targets reducing underage substance use, sponsored the event. Videos, created on cell phones and laptops, took on Hollywood proportions when shown to an admiring audience of the filmmakers, parents, and interested community members. Six student teams from Beaverhead County High School, Dillon Middle School, and the Lima School District created and directed their individualized interpretation of the Red Ribbon Week theme: “Drug Free Looks Like Me.” BCHS “Beavers” team” juniors and twin sisters Jo and Co Niglio, took home the top prize of $1,000 for their haunting, thought-provoking anima submission. The winning Middle School TEM Time team of DMS sixth graders, Marissah Stoddard, Madison Sampson, and Tilly Kreiner used humor and an original rap song to make their video stand out and receive $500. Red carpet video judges considered content, originality, videography interest, clarity, and the use of references and credits for each submission. The local Red Carpet event is the brain child of BTC406 Executive Board member Andrea Schurg who works closely with the Youth Coalition and is the Project AWARE coordinator for Dillon Elementary School District #10. Schurg wanted to inspire and empower youth to find their natural high and develop the skills and courage to live healthy drug free lives. “These videos show remarkable creativity and innovation in reinforcing the theme of “Drug Free Looks Like Me”’” she said. Big Sky Cinema manager Stan Smith welcomed future filmmakers to the “big screen” premiere of their videos, encouraged their efforts, and told the audience these shorts will soon be a part of every movie showing’s opening “trailer” in the Dillon cinema. Other competition contenders included submittals from the eighth grade Lima Bears team: Kalen Martinell, Luke Wendt, and Gus Huntsman. Dillon Middle School contenders are all seventh-grade teams: Dino-Mites - Milee Vezina, Bailey Blake, and Cameron Delaney; Drug Free Looks Like Us - Sophie Nelon, Violet Rhodes, Winona Wagoner, and Zoey Mickelson; and Rap Schoolers - Aven Pflieger and Jordyn Martinez. Filmmakers, their families, and friends walked an actual red carpet, adorned with large helium balloons, and posed in front of a Hollywood stylized backdrop for their “paparazzi” – like photos before settling into their theater seats. Each team’s video generated a round of applause and shouted encouragement from the audience. Dennis Schurg of Edward Jones, Big Sky Cinemas, and the Beaverhead DUI Task Force co-sponsored the event. Red Carpet winners: High school winners: Co & Jo Niglio, BCHS juniors won $1,000 for first place in the high school division Sixth Grade winners of Middle School award of $500: Marissah Stoddard (l) and Madison Sampson (r). Missing Tilly Kreiner.

Beaverhead Search and Rescue News Submitted by: Mel Rice-Public Relations On Wednesday, May 22, around 9:30 a.m. the Beaverhead Search and Rescue was called out for a missing individual. A 36 year old gentleman from Michigan was reported missing by his brother, also from Michigan and his aunt in Stevensville, MT. The lost individual was staying with the aunt and had gone out for the day, May 21, to put trail cameras out in the Harrison Lake, Harrison Peak area. When he hadn’t returned to his aunt’s home the next morning, Beaverhead County Sheriff was notified via the Ravalli County Sheriff’s department that we may have a lost individual in Beaverhead County. According to information from the parties involved, the lost individual left Anaconda at 2:45 p.m. on the 21st heading for the Big Hole Valley and then to Big Hole Pass. At 6:30 p.m. that evening his cell phone was pinged at a location around the Big Hole Battle Field. On the morning of the 22nd three hasty teams were sent to the upper Grasshopper/Big Hole divide area to see if a vehicle might be located. No vehicle was located. Around mid-afternoon the missing party called in to report he was in good shape and that he had become stuck in a snowbank at the head of Trail Creek trying to get back to Hwy 93 in the Bitterroot Valley. The hasty teams were returned to Dillon and all was well. Please remember there is still a lot of snow in some of the higher elevations and there is still that possibility of getting stuck. Make sure you have the proper equipment and be prepared for the worst scenario. Enjoy our great outdoors, “In the Business of Saving Lives”, your Beaverhead County Search and Rescue…

The game started early Saturday afternoon at Ray Lynch Park as baseball fans hoped an early start would help beat the rain. The Dillon Cubs came out of the second inning with a 5 to 0 lead over the Mariners as the game progressed, they were unable to get the win as the Mariners held the Cubs at 5 and went on to score 7 taking a 7 to 5 win over the Cubs. Game two just wasn't in the books as lightning and rain delayed the game before they called it due to weather conditions. MISSION VALLEY MARINERS (7) AT 2022 DILLON CUBS A (5) MISSION VALLEY MARIN AB R H BI 2022 DILLON CUBS A AB R H BI Xavier Fisher 4 1 0 1 Sawyer Tackett 4 1 0 0 Alex Muzquiz 4 1 1 1 Conner Vezina 3 1 3 1 Dawson Dumont 4 1 1 0 Kale Konen 4 1 1 1 Espn Fisher 3 0 2 2 Anthony Macias 3 1 1 1 Dylan Davis 4 1 1 1 Tyler Lagunas 3 1 1 1 Ethan McCauley 4 0 1 1 Cohen Hartman 3 0 0 0 Cole Wadsworth 4 1 1 0 Andrew Bartlome 3 0 0 1 Brock Henriksen 3 1 1 1 Taylor Handlos 3 0 0 0 Wyatt Wadsworth 2 1 1 0 Damon Skradski 3 0 2 0 TOTALS 32 7 9 7 TOTALS 29 5 8 5 MISSION VALLEY MARINERS 001 231 0 -- 7 2022 DILLON CUBS A 500 000 0 -- 5 LOB--MISSION VALLEY MARINERS 6, 2022 DILLON CUBS A 4. ERR--Wyatt Wadsworth (2), Xavier Fisher, Cohen Hartman, Taylor Handlos, Damon Skradski, Sawyer Tackett. 2B--Alex Muzquiz, Cole Wadsworth, Ethan McCauley, Tyler Lagunas. 3B--Kale Konen, Conner Vezina. HBP--Wyatt Wadsworth. SB--Kale Konen, Tyler Lagunas (2). MISSION VALLEY MARINERS IP H R ER BB SO HR Espn Fisher (W) 7.00 8 5 3 1 5 0 2022 DILLON CUBS A Damon Skradski (L) 7.00 9 7 5 1 5 0 WP--Damon Skradski. SO--Xavier Fisher, Cole Wadsworth (2), Dawson Dumont, Brock Henriksen, Anthony Macias, Cohen Hartman (3), Taylor Handlos. BB--Espn Fisher, Conner Vezina.