NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The purpose of this PUBLIC HEARING is to receive public comment on the proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the City of Dillon, Montana The City of Dillon City Council will hold a public hearing on April 6th, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 125 N. Idaho Street, Dillon, Montana, for the purpose of taking public comment on the proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) A copy of the proposed Capital Improvement Plan is on file for public inspection at City Hall, 125 N. Idaho Street, Dillon, Montana as well as the City of Dillon website www.dillonmt.org Any person may appear at the public hearing or submit written comments prior to or during the public hearing relating to the proposed plan. For further information regarding the hearing contact Todd Hazelbaker, Director of Operations, at City Hall, 125 North Idaho Street, Dillon, Montana, or by telephone at (406) 683-4245.

The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that more than $51 million in rent and utility assistance has been distributed to help Montanans who have experienced financial hardship directly or indirectly or during the COVID-19 pandemic and are at risk of housing instability. The federally funded assistance is provided by the Montana Emergency Rental Assistance Program (MERA) in the agency’s Montana Housing Division. “Having a stable place to live and call home is foundational for families and individuals to succeed and retain vital connections to their communities,” said Montana Department of Commerce Director Scott Osterman. “The MERA program has helped thousands of our Montana friends and neighbors remain in their homes and get back on their feet, and we are privileged to serve our fellow Montanans requiring this support. I am grateful for the diligence of our staff to make that a reality and for reaching this significant milestone,” Osterman added. MERA provides financial support to help eligible Montanans pay future and past due rent up to a monthly maximum of $2,200. Additionally, it provides for up to $500 per month for past due and future utilities, including gas and electric, plus $50 per month for internet. The program can also provide assistance for past due late rent fees, unpaid rental security deposits, and rental application fees. Eligible households can receive assistance for rent and utility bills dating back to April 1, 2020. "This program has helped us to keep from being homeless while we try to regain our financial stability in this uncertain and difficult time. It has been a true blessing, and we probably would have lost our rental if we hadn't found the program," said a Montana Emergency Rental Assistance Program recipient. The program serves Montanans whose gross household income does not exceed 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Applicants can check their income eligibility using Montana Housing’s online tool . Other eligibility conditions include: One or more individuals in the household has qualified for unemployment benefits, experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs or experienced other financial hardship due directly, indirectly, or during the COVID-19 emergency. And: The household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability which may include a past due rent notice, eviction notice, or unsafe or unhealthy living conditions. “Over the last year, the program has assisted more than 6,880 Montanans with more than $51.3 million total funding awarded, averaging over $7,450 per household. Currently, there are approximately 1,000 applications submitted for assistance under eligibility review,” said Montana Housing Division Administrator Cheryl Cohen. “Our MERA team at Montana Housing, along with our statewide housing partners, look forward to continuing to assist Montanans who may be facing housing instability,” Cohen added. The MERA program, which launched on April 5, 2021, is funded through the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and American Rescue Plan Act, appropriated to Montana Housing, a division of the Montana Department of Commerce, by the 2021 Montana Legislature through HB 3, HB 630, and HB 632. The Department of Commerce has partnered with the Montana Legal Services Association on the Montana Eviction Intervention Project, a program that provides civil legal assistance for Montanans facing evictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit WWW.MTLSA.ORG or call 1-800-666-6899. For more information about the program and how to apply, visit HOUSING.MT.GOV .

Starting April 11th, Mungus Construction will once again be working on the waterline project in the downtown area. They will be starting on Idaho Street between Virginia Street and Helena Street and Helena Street and Center Street. Those areas will be closed to traffic beginning April 11th. Helena Street will remain open. Upon completion of these areas they will be moving down Idaho Street towards Bannack Street and Glendale Street. The City will keep you informed of the project as it moves along. The City of Dillon would like to thank you for your patience during this project. Mungus Construction will be doing their best to complete the project as soon as possible to minimize the impact on our businesses. If you have any questions please contact Todd Hazelbaker, Director of Operations, at 683-4245.

Office of Public Instruction Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and Sergeant (R) Ray Shaw, Montana Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commissioner (MIC3) will “Purple Up! For Military Kids” on April 12th, 2022. Since 2017, Superintendent Arntzen has proudly partnered with MIC3 to elevate military-connected children in the celebration of Purple Up! Day. The designation of April as the Month of the Military Child acknowledges the significant role military-connected students play in our communities. In 2011, the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Military Youth and Family Program started the “Purple Up! for Military Kids” as a visible way to thank military youth for their strength and sacrifice. Because purple represents joint service operations and is a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Air Force, and Navy blue, it is the appropriate color for military children from all branches. Montana has nearly 3,800 school-age (6-18) military-connected students, according to data pulled from DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) through the Majoring Communities program at Purdue University. There are also nearly 6,000 military-connected children in Montana with a parent currently serving in the United States Military located. “It is my honor to recognize the sacrifice Montana military families, especially our children, make each and every day,” said Superintendent Arntzen. “In acknowledgment and gratitude, every second Tuesday of the year will be celebrated in Montana as our Purple Up! Day. Join me in lifting up and thanking Montana’s military families every day, as they often endure unprecedented hardship for the safety of our nation. For this we honor them.” “The official flower of the military child is the dandelion because like the dandelion, these children are resilient and adaptable, they are survivors,” said Commissioner Shaw, Sergeant (R). “We know military families have a great deal to do with the success of our military. Wearing purple this April 12th is a great way to express our appreciation to these incredible people.” In 2013, Montana’s Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) was adopted by the Montana legislature with the purpose to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families. The MIC3 is a quasi-governmental entity operating under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children . With 50-member states and the District of Columbia, the Compact ensures the uniform treatment of military-connected children transferring between states and enrolled in public and U.S. Department of Defense schools.

Dillon's Chief of Police Donny Guiberson will be retiring at the end of the month. After 25 1/2 years as a police officer, assistant Chief of Police, and now Chief of Police, his last day will be April 30th. Donny will not enjoy retirement to the fullest as he has taken a job with the Montana Department of Justice as a Criminal Investigator. SWMT News and The Dillonite want to wish Donny the best of luck with his retirement and pursuit of his new job. If we at SWMT News have ever had questions regarding an incident, he has always gotten back to us in a timely manner. We have watched him request pay raises with the City Council for the officers as well as budget increases for items the police have needed to do their job both effectively and efficiently. We will have more information on his replacement as it becomes available.

Monday night April 4th the BW Lodge Gymnasium was host to the soroptimist donkey basketball. crowds were back to be entertained as local clubs and businesses competed to see who would come out on top and be crowned the donkey basketball champs. After the dust settled, Shepherd's Garage was able to take home the bragging rights.

The Beaverhead FFA was named the #1 Star Chapter for the entire State of Montana for the fifth consecutive year ! 17 BCHS FFA members received their State FFA Degree: Peyton Abbey, Cord Hahnkamp, Tauryn Hankinson, Brock Hansen, Weston Hansen, Madelyn Kirkpatrick, Daniel Martin, Emily Matamoros, Emma Mitchell, Chase Pulliam, Cole Raymond, Daisy Rhodes, Bree Sampson, Austin Schuett, Luke Sherwood, Theo Van Deren, and Asher Voss Agriscience Fair: Theo Van Deren, 1st place individual in Plant Systems Category, and 1st place overall project in the Agriscience Fair. As a State Winner, Theo will be invited to submit his project to Nationals this fall! Agronomy: Team consisting of Faye Holland, Tel Holland, and Tawni Schmauch, placed in the Bronze division as a team. Ag Mechanics: Team consisting of Jack Gibson (3rd individual), Cord Hahnkamp, Luke Sherwood, and Asher Voss, 5th place overall team. Ag Sales: Team consisting of Ryleigh Plovanic (7th individual), Peyton Abbey, Cord Hahnkamp, and Luke Sherwood, 9th place overall Horse Evaluation: Katie Johnson (9th individual) Forestry: Gavin Garrison (9th individual), Daniel Martin, Garrett Wahl, Joel Harvey, Andy Egan Vet Science: Dakota Abbey (1st individual), Kylee Lewis (2nd individual), Bree Sampson (5th individual), and Peyton Abbey (7th individual), 1st place team overall, State Winners! Extemporaneous Public Speaking: Gavin Garrison, semi-final qualifier Creed Speaking: Olivia Kailey, semi-final qualifier Livestock Evaluation: Team consisting of Katie Johnson, Dakota Abbey, Clinton Ford, and Tucker Sitz, placed in the Silver division as a team State Officer Candidate: Jack Gibson represented our chapter extremely well last week throughout the grueling State Officer interview process State Proficiency Awards: Peyton Abbey, Bree Sampson, Gavin Garrison, and Emily Matamoros were all recognized as State Proficiency Award recipients in their respective SAE projects Montana FFA State Courtesy Corps members: Kyle Jones and Savanna Freitas FFA Foundation Scholarship Recipients: Dakota Abbey, Jack Gibson, and Daniel Martin each received a $1000 college scholarship from the Montana FFA Foundation Alpha Gamma Rho SAE Grant Recipient: Gavin Garrison received a $500 SAE grant to further improve his beef cattle SAE project

A semi-truck heading Northbound on I-15 mm 49 this morning lost control and slid off the roadway. The truck was heading North when the driver lost control taking out about 20 yards of guard rail, sliding off the road and coming to rest in the ditch. The trailer slid around and was facing southbound still attached to the semi. The driver was not injured, and crews are on scene working to get the wreck cleared. Roads on I-15 Southbound are slick with snow and ice on them starting about mile marker 55. Please use caution while driving in this area.

Dillon Volunteer Fire Department responded to 8 calls during the month of March, 2022. 03-01 Christine Ln Outlet fire 03-03 I-15 MM 54 MVA 03-04 I-15 MM 67 MVA 03-08 Hwy 91 N MM 14 MVA 03-14 N Utah St Oven Fire 03-22 Helena St Gas Odor 03-23 Swensen Way MVA 03-30 Fairway Dr CO Call Training for the month of March was very diverse. We trained on the wildland apparatus in preparation for the upcoming wildland fire season as well as training on our Heavy Rescue truck. We also had members attend a CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) class, Montana Mutual Aid Symposium & Staff & Command. Total training hours by our members for the month were 135.

Join Barrett Hospital & HealthCare for our annual Community Lab Screening event in April on these days only: Tuesday, April 5th Tuesday, April 12th Wednesday, April 20th Thursday, April 28th WHEN: 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Please do not arrive ahead of the scheduled opening time of 7:30 a.m.) WHERE: Hospital Location only, access through the main entrance • No appointment is necessary • Easy access: Lab screenings conveniently located at Barrett Hospital. • A provider’s order is not needed to obtain lab screenings. • Payment by cash, check or credit card is required at the time of service. • Results are found in your electronic medical record, called MyChart or they will be mailed directly to you. Lab Screening Tests and Their Cost Complete Metabolic Panel $16.00 Lipid Panel $15.00 Vitamin D $25.00 Insulin $16.00 A1C $15.00 TSH $23.00 CBC $15.00 Hepatitis C Screening (HCV Ab) $25.00 CRP $22.00 C-Peptide $19.00 Vitamin B12 $21.00 Blood Type & Rh (ABO & Rh) $25.00 Magnesium $12.00 PSA $23.00 Ferritin $20.00 Iron $13.00 Uric Acid, Blood $10.00 HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab 4th Gen $20.00 What to Do Before Screening? • Fast for at least 10 hours prior to your lab screening • Drink plenty of water 24 hours prior to your lab screening • Take medications as prescribed • Do not attend if you have COVID-19 symptoms • If possible, wear clothes with loose fitting sleeves

High winds on Saturday afternoon reaching gusts up into the 30 mph caused a Chevy pickup truck pulling a fifth wheel trailer to tip over. The accident occurred on I-15NB just past mile marker 59. First responders are on scene working to get the trailer right side up. If you are traveling Northbound in this area please use caution. This is a developing story and we will have more information if it becomes available. (Update) No injuries where reported.

Montana Western kicked off their annual Colt Sale yesterday at 9 A.M. at the Horsemanship Center. Students and colts compete in a series of events that demonstrate their wide range of abilities on the first day, and today was the public auction on these horses, with all proceeds reinvested in the program in order to provide scholarships to Natural Horsemanship majors at the University of Montana Western. The results of todays auction as per the Northern Livestock Auction are as follows: 22 WEAVERS MISSBLUEBOON Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 12,000.00 Weavers Missblueboon is a 14.1 hand, 6 yr old bay roan mare donated by Weaver Quarter Horses. Merada Ima Boonsmal has LTE of more than $180,000, with offspring LTE earnings over $1 million. Smart Little Lena is a NCHA triple crown champion. Peppy San Badger is in the AQHA & NCHA Hall of Fame. Royal Blue Boon was the #1 producing broodmare in teh NCHA. This mare has a hard working disposition, a great mind, and athletic abilities. This mare has tracked and roped the dummy and been in and out of the arena. Don't miss out on this flashy mare who is ready to head in any direction. 1 BIT O HONEY FROSTED Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 9,500.00 Bit O Honey Frosted is a flashy 3 yr old buckskin mare donated by the Erb Ranch. She stands 14.3 and is built like a tank. Brennas Golden Dunit earned over $39,000 in the NRCHA. Hollywood Dun It, the famous buckskin reiner, had LTE of $65,000 and was the 2nd All Time Leading Sire in National Reining Horse history with over $4 million in offspring earnings. This filly tracks the dummy well and will be successful in any direction you take her. She is a horse who always aims to please and is a snappy learner. She is fun to watch and is sure to catch your eye. 11 SACOS TRUE GRIT Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 6,000.00 Sacos True Grit is a stout 5 yr old gelding standing at 15.2 hands from the Holland Ranch. Reven Montana Smoke has $250,000 in NCHA earnings along with holding a spot in the NCHA Hall of Fame. This gelding's athletic potential from his papers shows up when you ride him. He has tracked and roped the Hot Heels and dragged logs. He grabs your attention with his size and color and lives up to his name, he has grit. Due to no fault of his own, this colt only has about sixty rides. He has traveled in the mountains and should be a nice ranch horse. 17 RSR HUFFYS PLAYGUN Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 10,500.00 RSR Huffys Playgun comes from the Roaring Springs Ranch out of Oregon. He is a 4 yr old bay gelding standing at 15.1 hands. Playgun is a proven cutting horse sire with offspring earnings over $8 million. Miss Silver Pistol also had an impressive cutting career and earned herself a spot in the NCHA Hall of Fame. On the dam's side, Brinks Leo Hickory earned nearly $60,000 in the NCHA. This colt has a nice head, inside and out. He is quiet, smooth, and put together nicely. He is hard to rattle and is just as comfortable outside as he is in the arena. 21 WEAVERS GENUINELYLEO Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 18,000.00 Weavers Genuinelyleo is a 3 yr old sorrel gelding that stands 14.2 hands, donated by Weaver Quarter Horses. Tuf N Busy offspring have won at all levels of roping, and maintained earnings in the NCHA, NRCHA, and the NRHA. Genuine Leigh Wright was an outstanding calf roping horse. Lenas Wright On has LTE of $109,995, won the NRHA futurity as a 3 yr old, and was an AQHA World Champion Working Cow Horse. This colt has a good gas pedal when asked and is athletic. The is smart, flashy, and ready to go in a variety of directions. This colt is also eligible for the brand new Riata Buckle. 16 IRISH MITZI Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 10,500.00 Irish Mitzi is a 3 yr old bay roan mare standing at 14.3 hands donated by R Lazy 6 Quarter Horses. She is sired by Peps A Dynamo who was lightly shown in the NRCHA and has a nice temperament seen in his offspring. Shining Starlite had an impressive career in the reining world. Cinderella Chex has earnings in teh cutting and reining pen. As Smart As The Fox offspring have earnings from the AQHA World Championship Show, the NCHA, the NRCHA, and the NRHA. Her papers are filled with some AQHA greats. This mare is easy to catch and ready to work. She is smooth to ride with lots of potential in the arena. 9 DOCS SPITSHINE Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 11,000.00 Docs Spitshine is a 4 yr old gelding from the Holland Ranch. He is 15.3 hands and flashy. Reven Montana Smoke made his mark in the NCHA. Cashin Man has LTE of over $30,000. Dash for Cash has a speed index of 114, LTE of over $500,000, and has sired 827 winners with $39 million in offspring earnings. MT Glasgow was raised on teh Holland Ranch and was selected for good conformation and a great disposition. This colt isn't afraid of the big country and has a motor that can last all day. This gelding is sure to catch your eye as an easy and pretty mover with a lot of float to him. 4 EC REMICAT Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 14,500.00 EC Remicat is a palomino gelding from Greg and Carly Goggins that stands 14 hands tall. High Brow Cat is an All-Time leading sire of cutting horses, the NCHA-AQHA sire of the year for 10 consecutive years, and has offspring earning over $70 million. Reminic and Peppy San Badger also made their fame in the cutting pen. This colt is quiet minded and does not let anything bother him. He has been ridden both inside the arena and outside in the hills and takes everything in stride. If you are looking for a good minded gelding to put your kids on to tag along while doing ranch work or play in the arena, he is your guy. 24 WEAVERS TONKA GEM Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 12,500.00 Weavers Tonka Gem is a 7 yr old bay gelding donated by Stan and Nancy Weaver. This gelding is sired by Gems And Starlight, a well-made, smooth to ride, athletic, and cowy sire. Boogers Mytee Tonka is a AQHA Superhorse Contender and the 2002 AQHA Reserve World Champion Tie-Down Roping Horse. This gelding has rodeo royalty in his blood. He is 15 hands, flashy, and knows how to be athletic. He has been in the mountains, tracked the roping dummy, and drug logs. This horse will be an excellent addition to anyone's herd. 14 JAYWOOD DRIFTER TKM Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 6,000.00 Jaywood Drifter TKM is a 3 yr old gelding from the Hollenbeck Ranch standing at 15 hands. Drifts Chip is the sire of 6 money earners and 11 AQHA point earners. Collins Jessie was successfully shown in halter, has sired multiple reining and ranch versatility champions, and is an AQHA Hall of Fame Sire. This colt has a quiet and gentle demeanor with a lot of work ethic. He has cow sense and intelligence. If you're looking for a ranch horse or a rodeo prospect this would be a great choice for you. 25 PERKSTER BREEDINGS Start Price: 250.00 High Bid: 900.00 We have 2 vials of Perkster semen available for auction. Perkster was an extremely well-built and heavy-boned palomino stallion that is five panel N/N. His style and conformation, pedigree, ability to breed color, and calm, easy-going manner made him a favorite Weaver Stallion. Perkster colts are easy to halter break and make all-around great saddle horses. He is a recognized sire of rodeo and ranch horses, and is a great prospect to add to a breeding line. He has sired the top selling weanlings at the Weaver Sale four times and our sale twice. Perkster offspring are eligible for the Riata Buckle Series. 26 PERKSTER BREEDINGS Start Price: 250.00 High Bid: 950.00 We have 2 vials of Perkster semen available for auction. Perkster was an extremely well-built and heavy-boned palomino stallion that is five panel N/N. His style and conformation, pedigree, ability to breed color, and calm, easy-going manner made him a favorite Weaver Stallion. Perkster colts are easy to halter break and make all-around great saddle horses. He is a recognized sire of rodeo and ranch horses, and is a great prospect to add to a breeding line. He has sired the top selling weanlings at the Weaver Sale four times and our sale twice. Perkster offspring are eligible for the Riata Buckle Series. 10 STRAWS OF REMINISCE BULL SEMEN Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 300.00 Bryan and Marcia Mussard operate the Big West Management and Reminicse Angus Ranch in Dillon, Montana. Reminisce Angus started in 1984 with the purchase of 2 registered heifers from Schultz Angus in Sheridan, Montana. The herd continued to grow with females purchased from other herds, including: Felton Angus, Sitz Angus, Vermilion Ranch & Jolly Roger Angus. They focus on producing sustainable, quality beef. They continue to grow by tracking other maternal and performance traits necessary to raise predictable, repeatable, and sound seed stock. Don't miss the chance to add these amazing genetics to your cattle herd. 10 STRAWS OF SITZ ANGUS BULL SEMEN Start Price: 250.00 High Bid: 650.00 "The Look" is important to Sitz Angus. They want bulls to be stout made, wide bodied, loaded with muscle, have body length, big testicles and good feet. They want females to have good udders, be deep bodied, broody and feminine. At Sitz Angus, every breeding and management decision is based on the core principles of producing Seedstock genetically programmed to be profitable in every segment of the industry. These core principles instilled 95 yrs ago have been carried out along the way by 4 generations of Sitz family. Sitz Angus has earned the reputation of producing genetics that will excel downstream in the industry, throughout the Feeding Sector and on the Rail, rapid growth, desirable feed conversions and a carcass that earns premiums not discounts. Don't miss out on this opportunity to bring the desirable Sitz cattle genetics into your herd. 12 CUSTOM HAT Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 600.00 Use this certificate to build your own custom hat made by Ericka of Montana Mad Hatters. Own a piece of cowboy tradition made with honesty and integrity. This gift card is not just a hat, but shows a way of life. All of the proceeds from the sale of this gift card goes directly to the Colt Challenge Scholarship of the University of Montana Western. 10 DOCS TIA Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 11,000.00 Docs Tia is a 5 yr old mare standing at 15.3 hands from the Holland Ranch. Cashin Man has over $30,000 in LTE. Dash For Cash has LTE of over $500,000 from his racing career and is known worldwide as a racehorse sire. Little Brown Eyes was known for his cow sense and boy does that show up in this mare. She is big boned, gritty, and knows how to work. She has a pleasant trot for those long distance days out in the mountains and we haven't found a hill she steers away from yet. She would be a nice ranch horse. 7 PEPTO STYLIN ECLIPSE Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 11,000.00 Pepto Stylin Eclipse is a 15 hand 3 yr old gray gelding donated by Fred and Lynn Hirschy. This gelding goes back to Peptoboonsmal, whose offspring have brought in over $3 million in earnings, and Doc O'Lena, the famed NCHA sire and that's just on the top half! From the dam's side, this colt goes back to First Down Dash, the all-time leading race horse sire. This colt is quiet and easy to be around. Whether it's in the arena or on the ranch he is ready for whatever you throw at him. Don't miss out on this gelding. 6 LOUS LITTLE ROAN Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 10,000.00 Lous Little Roan is a 15 hand 3yr old mare from Mark and Barb Harrington. She goes back to some cutting horse royalty, such as Peptoboonsmal, Peptos Stylish Oak, Doc O'Lena and Doc O Dynamite. This quiet mare is easy to get along with and puts a lot of try into her work. She is stout. She has traveled in the mountains, tracked the dummy, and is comfortable being by herself. She would be successful in the ranch or rodeo world. 19 WEAVERS COWBOY PERK Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 6,750.00 Weavers Cowboy Perk is a quiet 3 yr old sorrel gelding standing at 13.3 hands. This is our only colt from Perkster, the well-known late sire of the Weaver's. Dash for Perks has won over 3.4 million in barrel racing. Frenchmans Guy is a top leading barrel horse sire, a leading All Around Performance Sire, the 2019 Future Fortunes Stallion of the Year, and has offspring earnings in excess of $14 million. This colt has a laid back temperament and is easy to be around. He has a great foundation and will be a solid, honest horse. This colt is eligible for the brand new Riata Buckle. 3 ROCKIN BARMAID Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 9,000.00 Rockin Barmaid is a 3 yr old red dun mare standing at 15 hands donated by the Galt Ranch. Both Mr Baron Red and Two Id Bartender had successful rodeo careers. Doc O'Lena and Peppy San Badger had successful NCHA careers and famed offspring. This frosty eared filly is turning into a fantastic horse with her athletic ability and mind. This mare likes to track the roping dummy and has spent time outside. She is a quick learner and eager to please. If you can get by with a little less ear, she would be a great choice. 18 RSR SWALLOW RIDE Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 10,500.00 RSR Swallow Ride is a 5 yr old Roaring Springs gelding standing at 14.3 hands. Playgun is a proven cutting horse sire with offspring earnings over $8 million. This gelding has already shown great promise for being an all-around prospect. He has a lot of work ethic and a nice stop. You could ride his lope all day. He has solid confirmation, a good mind, cow sense, and athletic ability. This gelding is going to make a great prospect for a working job, in or out of the arena. 13 JACK BE DRIFTEN Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 9,250.00 Jack Be Driften is a 3 yr old gelding from the Hollenbeck Ranch standing at 15 hands. Drifts Chip is the sire of 6 money earners and 11 AQHA point earners. Along with athletic ability, this colt has a quiet mind and a lot of try. The mix of speed and cow sense along with the confirmation to back it all up, this horse is bound to be a good prospect in or out of the show ring. If you are looking for a quiet and reasonable gelding he would be a great choice. 2 MS FROSTED HERSHEY Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 10,500.00 MS Frosted Hershey is a 14.2 had, 3 yr old dun mare donated by the Erb Ranch. She goes back to Nu Cash, a sire who earned over $38,000 in the National Cutting Horse Assocation himself and has offspring earnings of over $1.8 million and a cumulative 2,955 AQHA points. This mare is athletic and a quick learner. She has natural talent and a cowy disposition. Her compact size would make her a fun arena horse and she is confident outside. She could excel in any direction you take her. 8 DOCS MISTER VELVET Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 9,500.00 Docs Mister Velvet is a 4 yr old, 16 hand gelding from the Holland Ranch. Cashin Man has LTE of over $30,000. Dash for Cash has a speed index of 114, LTE of over $500,000, and has sired 827 winners with $39 million in offspring earnings. This gelding has tracked the hot heels, been roped off of, drug logs, and rode outside by himself. He is not afraid of big country. This stout gelding is ready for long days on the ranch and is easy to get along with. He is looking to please and could excel in any direction. 20 WEAVERS DEE LENA Start Price: 1,500.00 High Bid: 7,750.00 Weavers Dee Lena is a 4 yr old dun mare from Stan and Nancy Weaver, standing at 14.2 hands. Ima Tuf Lena was honored in 2019 by the Montana Quarter Horse Association as the Broodmare Sire of the Year. Weavers Smart Dee was used mainly as a ranch horse after a brief reined cow horse career where she earned $3000 and was noted for being extremely cowy. Weavers Dee Lena is a very gentle, independent, smooth horse and would be an excellent arena and ranch mount.

On Monday, April 4ᵗʰ, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) will implement an updated policy for recording, transferring, and rerecording of brands. The policy was developed by a committee of state legislators, representatives of industry organizations, members of the Board of Livestock, and MDOL staff in response to the industry’s requests for increased availability of 2-character brands. Major changes include additional acceptable characters, more lenient format guidelines, and the elimination of over 40% of regional character conflicts. “The new Brand Policy will greatly increase the options for recording a livestock brand in the state of Montana,” said Brands Administrator Ethan Wilfore. “The development of the policy is also a great example of cooperative work done by different branches of government and industry organizations in the state.” The “Department of Livestock Policy for Recording, Transferring, and Rerecording of Brands” is available to view on the website at liv.mt.gov . The mission of the Montana Department of Livestock is to control and eradicate animal diseases, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to humans, and to protect the livestock industry from theft and predatory animals. For more information on the MDOL, visit liv.mt.gov .

New Zealand mud snails were discovered earlier this month at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Park’s Bluewater State Fish Hatchery south of Laurel. To eliminate the threat of further spread, nearly all of the rainbow trout and largemouth bass at the facility will be destroyed. New Zealand mud snails are an aquatic invasive species found in a variety of waterbodies across Montana. The snails have the ability to expand in population size and in distribution very rapidly, potentially changing the ecology of waterbodies where they are located. Once established in waterbodies, they are hard, if not impossible to eradicate. Mud snails were discovered at FWP’s Bluewater Hatchery in 2020. The hatchery was quarantined then and decontaminated. The source of the new infestation is unknown, though FWP staff believe cracks in older concrete tanks might have allowed mud snails from the previous infestation to survive decontamination. “We are conducting a full decontamination and our oldest concrete settling basins, where this infestation was discovered, will no longer be used,” said Eileen Ryce, FWP fisheries division administrator. The largemouth bass that will be destroyed are brood stock and large enough to eat. FWP staff will hand out the dead bass to youth under 12 or anyone with a fishing license on Friday, April 2, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. There is a limit of 5 bass per individual. That hatchery is located at 700 Bluewater Creek Road, Bridger, MT. People who pick up fish need to make sure to dispose of the entrails and carcasses in the household garbage, not in a waterway or down the drain into a wastewater system. Some rainbow trout at the facility will be stocked as planned. These fish are in an interior part of the hatchery that is not connected with the area where the mud snails were found. No mud snails were found in the interior part of the hatchery. The loss of investment in the hatchery stock, the value of the fish and the cost of decontamination is estimated at $225,000. The effect on FWP’s stocking program will be mitigated as much as possible by stock from other hatcheries.