The Dillon Jaycees are excited to announce the acts for the 5th annual Dillon Jaycees Summer Kickoff Concert. Headlining the 5th annual Summer Kickoff Concert on Saturday, June 4th will be none other than country star Chauncey Williams. Saddle bronc athlete turned neo-traditional country music sensation, headliner Chauncey Williams was recently crowned IheartRadio’s Rocky Mountain Music Awards 2022 Entertainer of the Year. Williams also won album of the Year for his latest release, 3rd Street, and Songwriter of the Year on, “The Saint.” He is currently doing multiple dates with Parker McCollum. Additional information and upcoming shows can be found at https://chanceywilliams.com/ Opening for Chauncey Williams will be local favorite Levi Blom who was born and raised in Butte, Montana. Levi became serious about writing and performing after his hockey career ended due to an injury and the loss of one of his best friends in an automobile accident. For more information visit www.leviblom.com For more event information, visit www.dillonjaycees.com Tickets go on sale Monday April4th and can be purchased online or at these places Napa, Stockman Bank, Womack's, The Mini, Carquest, 3-D.

Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana is the fourth best state in the nation for doctors, according to a recent study conducted by WalletHub. “We’re fortunate to have dependable, hardworking health care workers providing Montanans with high-quality care, and I’m proud Montana is recognized as one of the best states in the nation for doctors to practice medicine,” Gov. Gianforte said. Weighing 19 key metrics, including opportunity, competition, and the medical environment in each state, WalletHub ranked Montana the fourth best state in the nation for doctors. “We invite outstanding doctors and other health care providers to join us in Montana, care for Montanans, serve in our communities, and enjoy our way of life,” Gov. Gianforte said. Gov. Gianforte announced the creation of the CARE (Claim Allowance for Relocation Expenses) in Montana program in November 2021 at Billings Clinic. CARE in Montana is an innovative health care workforce recruitment program to address Montana’s longstanding health care workforce shortage and stabilize Montana’s health care system. Through CARE in Montana, participating employers can offer new employees reimbursement of up to $12,500 for moving expenses, plus an additional 35% to offset taxes associated with the reimbursement amount. An employee is eligible for reimbursement if they accept an offer of employment for a qualifying health care job, move to Montana, and pledge to work in the qualifying job for at least 12 consecutive months. Candidates and health care employers interested in participating in the CARE in Montana program should visit CareInMontana.com .

Public Service Announcement Ray Lynch Park The City of Dillon, the Dillon Cubs, and Beaverhead Little League ask that the community (as well as your pets) not go out onto the fields at Ray Lynch Park at this time. We are trying to get the fields ready for the upcoming baseball/softball seasons and we want to have the best and safest playing fields for our kids. If you have any questions please contact Todd Hazelbaker, Director of Operations, at 683-4245.

Monday, April 4th the Soroptimist Club of Dillon will be bringing Donkey Basketball to Dillon. Games start at 7:00 P.M. at the BW Lodge Gym. Cost of admission Adults $8.00 Student (7-12) $6.00 Children (k-6) $6.00 Gate tickets go up $2.00 If you would like to purchase advance tickets they are available at The Mini, Womack's Printing Place, 3-D Store, and Rocky Mountain Supply. Come out and cheer on Dillon Jaycees, Beaverhead FFA, Beaverhead Motors, Shepherd’s Garage, BCHS Rodeo Team and Dillon Volunteer Fire Department.

The City of Dillon would like everyone to be careful when driving and walking on Noble Avenue and Swenson Way for the next week. There are several projects that are taking place along those streets that will have people and machinery on the edge of those streets. The streets will remain open during this time. With the warmer weather more and more people are getting out to enjoy the outdoors so please be aware of your surroundings when walking and driving. If you have any questions please contact Todd Hazelbaker, Director of Operations, at 683-4245.

The City of Dillon encourages everyone (homeowners, businesses, renters) to keep their sidewalks clear of debris. With nicer weather, more and more people are getting out to enjoy walking and running throughout our community. Lets’ all make it safe for everyone. Also, please when walking your dog, cleanup after them if they have to stop and relieve themselves. No one likes to pickup dog waste, particularly when it does not belong to your pet. Be a responsible dog owner and clean up after your dog! Your neighbors yard and city parks are not restrooms for your pets. If you have any questions please contact Todd Hazelbaker, Director of Operations, at 683-4245.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks seeks public comments on the department’s recommendations for the 2022 Recreational Trails Program awards. Public comment on the recommended awards is open through Monday, April 26. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federally funded program which provides funding for trail and trail-related projects across the state. The program is administered by FWP and eligible projects include development and rehabilitation work on urban, rural, and backcountry trails; planning and construction of community trails; snowmobile and cross-country ski trail maintenance and grooming operations; and a variety of trail stewardship and safety education programs. This year, FWP received 48 RTP applications requesting over $2.6 million. For 2022 about $1,525,000 is available for funding and 32 projects are proposed for funding. A complete list of recommended projects is available online at: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/recreational-trails , under the “2022 Grant Application Cycle” tab . All recommended 2022 RTP awards are eligible for a FHWA Categorical Exclusion under NEPA (23 CFR 771.117(c)(23)) and MEPA (ARM 18.2.261(2)(w)). Public comments on funding the proposed projects are due by 5 p.m. April 26. To comment, email FWPFACB@mt.gov . Comments by regular mail should be sent to: Adam Brooks, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

A full closure of Valley Garden Fishing Access Site and a partial closure of Burnt Tree Hole Fishing Access Site have been lifted. These closures were in place due to ice jams and flooding. Conditions have improved, allowing public access to resume at these sites. Ennis Fishing Access Site is still closed. It has been inundated with ice jams and flooding for several weeks. Maintenance staff at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will reopen the site as soon as possible after repairs are completed. Floating on the Madison River between Burnt Tree Hole and Valley Garden fishing access sites, as well as in other areas, could still be hazardous because of unpredictable and rapidly changing conditions.

Together with the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI), Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana is a national leader in employment growth in the construction sector, growing 12.3% between February 2020 and February 2022. “A thriving construction sector is critical to Montana’s growing economy. That’s why we’ve prioritized investing in the trades and increasing apprenticeship opportunities to empower Montanans with in-demand skills,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We’ll continue this momentum so we can ramp up housing capacity, get fiber in the ground, and modernize Montana’s water and sewer infrastructure.” Data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics this month shows that 34,700 Montanans were employed in the construction sector in February, up from 30,900 in February of 2020. Over 80% of this growth has taken place since the governor’s first full month in office. Montana’s rate of growth in construction-sector employment only trails Idaho’s, and comes as 18 states and the District of Columbia are still below their pre-pandemic construction employment levels. “The strong growth in Montana’s construction sector highlights the success of the pro-job policies of the governor’s first year in office and reiterates the importance of apprenticeships, rapid retraining efforts, skills-based learning and Career and Technical Education,” Montana Commissioner of Labor & Industry Laurie Esau said. “Growing our construction workforce and helping employers meet their needs will continue to be a top priority for the future.” Since taking office, Gov. Gianforte has prioritized workforce development in critical industries like construction, making targeted investments in trades education , rapid workforce retraining , Career and Technical Education , and apprenticeships . Working with DLI, the governor is also building public-private partnerships to close the skilled labor gap. Montana’s statewide unemployment rate of 2.6% in February is an all-time low and the fifth-lowest in the nation.

Governor Greg Gianforte today announced a 50-percent increase in meat processed in Montana to date this fiscal year in facilities inspected by the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL). “Increasing meat processing capacity here in Montana is a top priority as we work to add value to our commodities and preserve the Montana brand through the supply chain,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We’ll continue to make targeted investments in local processing throughout the state to help Montana producers capture more of the tremendous value they create.” According to data collected by DOL Meat and Poultry Inspectors at state-inspected and custom exempt processing establishments, a fiscal year-to-date comparison shows 34,942 more animals have been processed in state Fiscal Year 2022 (FY2022) than state Fiscal Year 2021 (FY2021). To this point in state FY2022, state-inspected processing facilities have processed 68,906 animals, up from 33,964 animals in state FY2021. “The increases can be directly attributed to substantial investments that have been made in local processing and greater consumer interest in buying local food,” DOL Executive Officer Mike Honeycutt said. “Even considering the improvements that have been recognized so far, there is still far more consumer demand for local processing than capacity. We will continue to search for ways we can assist with tapping a tremendous unmet economic opportunity for our state’s processors and livestock producers.” News of the increase comes as the governor recently announced Montana finalized a Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. With the CIS agreement now finalized, Montana is only the tenth state in the nation where state-inspected meat and poultry processors can ship their products across state lines.

Governor Greg Gianforte today invited U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to Montana to chart a clear path forward to address the state’s unprecedented wildland fire risk and forest health issues. “Montana is facing unprecedented wildland fire risk and forest health conditions that threaten our homes, communities, and economy,” Gov. Gianforte wrote in a letter to Sec. Vilsack. “Through cross-boundary coordination and initiatives funded and prioritized by both of our agencies, we’re taking action to mitigate the risk of fire to Montanans. But more must be done.” The Montana Forest Action Plan identifies 3.8 million acres as the state’s highest priority for management, 60% of which are on federal land. Under the governor’s leadership, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation more than doubled the number of forested acres treated in 2021 from 2020. As the state of Montana increases the pace and scale of active forest management, the governor asks the USDA to commit to doing the same. “When I took office, I made forest management a top priority,” wrote Gov. Gianforte. “To succeed with our forest management and wildfire reduction goals, we need the USDA to commit to increasing the pace and scale of management with us. Not only is collaboration the Montana way, but it is the only way to accomplish our shared goals.” The governor specifically asks for the USDA’s commitment to: Formalize the use of the Montana Forest Action Plan Commit to directing more funds and resources towards private land work Continue to support and expand the Good Neighbor Authority Complete the Lincoln County Shared Stewardship agreement and follow suit on other local projects “By working on these priorities together, we will make our forests more resilient and healthier for generations of Montanans to come,” Gov. Gianforte concluded. The governor’s letter to Sec. Vilsack can be found here .

Spring is here and it’s time for the Ruby Valley Medical Center’s annual Health Fair! This is an excellent opportunity to get a variety of blood tests at a significantly reduced cost. Annual blood tests provide early detection for serious diseases and conditions. The Ruby Valley Medical Center has modified the testing schedule to facilitate more community participation and there are changes for some of the testing options. All April Health Fair! The 2022 Health Fair will be held every weekday in April! Ruby Valley residents won’t have to mark a couple days on their calendars as a reminder to get tested. Just circle the entire month! “By running our Health Fair for the entire month, we are hoping to reach out to more patients and bring in as many community members as we can,” said laboratory manager, Laura Belisle. “It’s also easier for our lab to run this program through April and a benefit for everyone!” The lab will draw blood samples from 7am until noon. As in the past, no appointment is needed and there is no insurance billing. Check-in at the Ruby Valley Medical Center’s registration desk. Payment is due at the time of service and credit cards are accepted. Patients can expect to receive their test results by mail within two weeks. Health Fair Test Options The Ruby Valley Medical Center’s Health Fair will be offering a Basic Metabolic Panel, a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, a Lipid Panel, TSH, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Complete Blood Count and Hemoglobin A1C. It helps to know what the different blood tests analyze when deciding which tests are appropriate. Checking with your healthcare provider about these tests is also recommended. For accurate test results, fasting for 8- 12 hours is recommended prior to Basic Metabolic Panel, the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel and the Lipid Panel. Basic Metabolic Panel This is a combination of tests that evaluates blood sugar, kidney function and electrolytes. The glucose blood sugar test is used to detect hyperglycemia (high), hypoglycemia (low) and diabetes. Kidney function is evaluated by the BUN, Creatinine and eGRF tests and determines how well your kidneys are filtering toxins or waste from your blood. Sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, and calcium are electrolytes that are important for muscle, heart, nerve and other organ functions. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel This combination of tests includes all the tests in the Basic Metabolic Panel plus tests for liver function such as albumin, ALT, AST and Alkaline Phosphatase. Lipid Panel The tests in this combination measure various blood fats such as HDL-cholesterol (good), LDL-cholesterol (bad), total cholesterol and triglycerides which is blood fat made from fatty acids. These tests help determine the risk of building up fatty deposits in the arteries which can lead to blockages and coronary artery disease. TSH The TSH test measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone in the blood which is an indicator of thyroid disease. Over 5% of Americans have thyroid disease and 60% of those with thyroid disease are undiagnosed. While most thyroid disease can be treated with medication, untreated thyroid disease can lead to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and infertility. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) This test is used to help detect and monitor prostate cancer and other diseases of the prostate in men. Elevated levels of the PSA can indicate prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that men of average risk get baseline tests starting at age 50. African American men and men who have had a close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer should start baseline testing at age 45. Complete Blood Count The Complete Blood Count or CBC tests for the white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet counts, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. White blood cells act as defense agents against infections and cancer. High white blood cell counts can indicate that the body is fighting an infection or disease and the count is useful in monitoring the progress of the condition. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein. Platelets are vital for normal blood clotting. Hematocrit is the proportion of the red blood cells versus the fluid or plasma component of blood. The CBC can help identify anemia, bacterial or viral infections, bone marrow disorders, autoimmune conditions, allergic reactions and nutritional deficiencies. Hemoglobin A1C Hemoglobin A1C is the minor component of hemoglobin that is bound to glucose and is used to diagnose and monitor diabetes. Please invest a little time in your physical well-being this spring. Whether you’re checking your kidneys and electrolytes or your prostate and lipids, you’ll feel better knowing where you stand on your health. Please discuss the testing options with your healthcare provider or call the Ruby Valley Medical Center at (406) 842-5453, if you have questions. About the Ruby Valley Medical Center The Ruby Valley Medical Center is a critical access hospital and Montana designated trauma receiving facility serving Sheridan, Twin Bridges, Alder, Laurin, Silver Star, Virginia City, Nevada City and Waterloo. The Medical Center offers five in-patient beds, two observation beds, diagnostic imaging, laboratory, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, swing bed, 24 hour emergency care and a highly qualified nursing staff. Our healthcare providers support patients through the Ruby Valley Medical Center and the clinics in Sheridan and Twin Bridges. Our clinics offer a wide range of healthcare services including pediatrics, well-woman exams, sports physicals, geriatrics, mental health, chiropractic care, non-surgical pain management and tele- medicine to off-site specialists. Our visiting specialists provide podiatric, surgical, interventional cardiology and hearing services. The Ruby Valley Medical Center also provides mobile emergency medical services through Ruby Valley Emergency Medical Services. The Ruby Valley Medical Center receives financial support from the Ruby Valley Healthcare Foundation and the Ruby Valley Medical Center Auxiliary.

Tom Anderson, Assistant Project Manager with RES Company, will speak to Rotarians and guests at noon Wednesday, March 30, 2022. RES is installing the Solar Farm Project in Dillon this summer. RES Company is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company. Tom and his associate, Matt Keown, will share a brief overview of the Solar Farm project, its scope, the company’s expectations, and the opportunity his team is bring to Beaverhead County. Visitors are welcome. Anyone interested in learning more about Rotary should come at noon to be a guest for lunch. The Club meets in the Guild Hall of St. James Episcopal Church, 203 East Glendale St. For more information, email Mike Blando at mikeblando0717@gmail.com or Tina Giem at tgiem@barretthospital.org .

The University of Montana Western has received the 2022-2023 Military Friendly Schools Designation and silver ranking. First published in 2009, Military Friendly Schools is a comprehensive resource for veterans and service members to assist them in the selection of a college, trade school or additional training to pursue a civilian career. Montana Western opened the doors of the Veterans Military Exchange (VMX) in the fall of 2013. Since then, the VMX has provided support and resources for current and past service members and their families and advocates. The VMX offers access to computers, reintegration support and financial aid assistance along with other services. The center also brings together veterans and active duty service members to create peer-to-peer support. Military Friendly Schools cited Montana Western’s military scholarships and credits for military service and training, online and distance learning opportunities and the university’s VMX program for the designation. The Military Friendly Schools list is created each year based on research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans and responses to the Military Friendly Schools survey from participating institutions. The fields of academic study at Montana Western include Biology, Business and Technology, Environmental Sciences, Education, English, Equine Studies, Health and Human Performance, Fine Arts, Mathematics and History, Philosophy and Social Sciences. Students at the University of Montana Western enjoy a tight-knit community atmosphere and small class sizes where they work closely with peers and professors alike. Montana Western focuses on serving students, achieving academic excellence, and promoting experiential education. The 20-acre campus is an excellent choice for students to take advantage of the immersive learning opportunities offered by the nation’s only Experience One program, where they can build on critical and creative thinking skills to prepare for real-world job and graduate school opportunities. With Experience One, students at Montana Western take one course at a time for 18 days, take a short break and then move on to their next course. By utilizing block scheduling combined with immersive learning, UMW is the only public four-year university in the country to employ this model that is focused on student success. For more information about Experience One and the University of Montana Western, or to schedule a visit, call 877-683-7331 or visit www.umwestern.edu . To learn more about the VMX at Montana Western, visit www.umwestern.edu/veterans-military-exchange/ .

Tuesday March 22nd the Friends of the Jaycee Park held their annual fundraiser and Gala at the UMW Lewis and Clark room. The evening started off with a cocktail hour and bidding on silent auction items. Next up was introductions of the night with a dedication of changing Reeder Street to Neely Way as it goes by the park. Up next was a small speech from Brenda Womack and a follow up on projects for this year, which include Sunshades, Sidewalks, and a picnic shelter. Attendees enjoyed a fine meal of Roast beef or Chicken Cordon Bleu. Cocktails hosted by Macs Last Cast and UMW serving the food. The main draw of the night started around 7:30 with the Val Prophet memorial Auction held by Jeff Welborn and Gary Ordish. As the auction progressed the bids on the items came pouring in. One such item was a half a beef which Judy Tash was the lucky highest bidder on and in the spirit of the night she donated it back to the school lunch program. The night progressed as attendees bid on an Alaskan Trip, Buck Knife Package, and many more fine items. At the end of the night the unofficial tally put the auction earning close to $27,000 to go towards the improvements at Jaycee Park. This money will come in handy as the bids on these projects increased over $43,000 from just three years ago. If you missed the gala and would still like to donate you may do so here . This night was a very good eyeopener and reminder as one watched the bidding as well as looked at the items donated. It reminds you why we live in Dillon and what can happen as a community comes together to improve itself. Thank you to all those who donated, attended the Gala, and those who either donated or purchased items that day.

University of Montana Western senior, Emily Engen, has received the 2022 Montana Student Volunteer Award. Fourteen Montana college and university students were recently honored by the Governor’s Office of Community Service and Campus Compact board for their volunteer work. Montana college students invest time, energy and passion into their communities; this award recognizes the civic contributions students make all year long. Emily Engen, a senior majoring in English, has been an active member of Montana Western’s campus community for the past four years, as well as in her home community of Fort Benton. She has helped write, direct and produce two youth play productions for children of all ages and serves as the director of summer reading at the Chouteau County Library, where she hosts crafting workshops, story time, and games for an average of fifty children every week. Engen also plays the clarinet in Fort Benton’s Community Band each summer. On-campus, she has supported fellow students in many ways, including serving as a writing tutor in the UMW Learning Center for five semesters and as a mentor for incoming freshmen as part of Montana Western’s First-Year Experience program. She is also an active member of Montana Western’s Honors Program and has served as Vice President of the Honors Student Association for the past three years. In addition, she has presented her work at two regional honors conferences and has helped organize a variety of events and fundraisers. 2022 Montana Student Volunteer Award Winners: University of Montana Western | Emily Engen Blackfeet Community College | Tyler Brown Aaniiih Nakoda College | Xavier Hawley Flathead Valley Community College | Savannah Phillipson and Kylee Dougherty Fort Peck Community College | Dusti Marottek Great Falls College Montana State University | Hannah Johnson Miles City Community College | Laurel Bartos Montana State University Billings | Jessica Tiry Montana Technological University | Baylie Phillips Dawson Community College | Robert Franks Peterson The University of Montana Missoula | Mark Spring Salish Kootenai College | Courtney Mitchell Montana State University | Isabelle Cuthbertson For more information about the Montana Student Volunteer Award, please visit mtcompact.org and serve.mt.gov .

Birkenbuel Brands will be hosting an Opening Night Art Show on April 1, 2022 from 5- 7PM for Cleo Anderson. Cleo Anderson is an oil painter from Helena, Montana. She will be showing her oil paintings at Birkenbuel Brands Art Gallery the whole month of April. Come check out Birkenbuel Brands new location at 34 N. Idaho St. Suite 1 in Downtown Dillon.

Most wildlife management areas open May 15; block management areas not open for shed hunting without landowner permission. With warmer temperatures and snow quickly disappearing, shed-antler hunters are anxious to get into the field. Buck deer and bull elk and moose grow antlers each year, some to magnificent size, which drop off to regrow each spring. Hunting for and collecting these "shed" antlers in spring has become a popular activity. Many of Montana’s wildlife management areas (WMAs) provide security to wildlife during the winter. However, shed hunters need to be aware that Montana’s big game winter range WMAs are closed to public use after hunting season and do not reopen until springtime. Many WMAs open at noon on May 15. Most block management areas (BMAs) are closed this time of year. BMAs are strictly for commissioned approved hunting seasons only. Access to BMAs for any other activity requires landowner permission including shed hunting. Additionally, collecting antler sheds or other natural objects is also prohibited in Montana State Parks. To learn more about Montana’s WMAs — and to confirm specific opening dates — the Wildlife Management Area page on FWP's website at fwp.mt.gov .