(UMW Press Release) The Montana Western indoor track team made its 2022 season debut at the Mountain State Games in Holt Arena. Senior Eireann O'Connor finished 15th in the women's mile race with a time of 5:26.72. In the 800-meter race, she came in 11th with a time of 2:27.19. Annie Taylor finished 16th in the women's 800-meter with a time of 2:38:78. Three Bulldog women competed in the 3000-meter race, and they all finished one after another— Morgan Baseley finished 23rd with a time of 11:33.44, Mason Baseley finished 24th with a time of 11:34.51, and Liz Varner finished 25th with a time of 11:37.64. Montana Western sophomore Jonathan Harrison placed 10th in the men's 800-meter with a time of 2:00.42. Freshman Isaiah Powell finished 24th with a time of 2:20.92. Bulldog sophomore Jesse McMurtrey finished the men's 3000-meter with a time of 9:56.46 and placed 21st. "[I'm] happy with the early results and happy to get to compete," coach Dylan Zitzer said. "I think we have a great foundation to build on." Please check the website regularly for up-to-date schedules​. All Bulldog Athletics home events can be streamed at www.bulldogsports.com/watch

(UMW Press Release) A strong second half for the Montana Western Bulldogs (15-11, 5-9) pushed them past the Skylights of MSU-Northern (8-20, 1-13), 75-62. The Skylights jumped out to a 22-13 lead in the first quarter. In the second, the Bulldogs outscored the Skylights 19-16, but the Skylights still led by six—38-32—at the half. Montana Western had an incredible third quarter with 26 points on 67 percent shooting from the field, 50 percent from the arc, and 80 percent from the foul line (8-10). The Bulldogs held MSU-Northern to 12 points on 33 percent shooting from the field. In the fourth, Montana Western added another 17 points to the board, while the Skylights only added 12. "Gritty bunch," coach Lindsay Woolley said. "Northern came out on fire and played great in the first half. I thought we did a much better job being patient offensively in the second half." Inside the Box Score Montana Western shot 55 percent from the field and 48 percent from the arc. The Skylights grabbed 10 offensive boards; the Bulldogs only had two. Montana Western tallied eight turnovers, about half their game average. Brynley Fitzgerald led the Bulldogs with season-high 35 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. She played all 40 minutes. Sydney Sheridan had three assists for the Bulldogs. L'Tia Lawrence had 24 points for the Skylights. Please check the website regularly for up-to-date schedules​. All Bulldog Athletics home events can be streamed at www.bulldogsports.com/watch

During the 67th Legislative Session last spring, House Bill 5 appropriated $2.495 million to the University of Montana Western for heating plant upgrades. This fall, GPD Engineering from Great Falls completed the engineering design and construction drawings. In a competitive bid process, 4Gs Plumbing and Heating from Missoula has been selected as the general contractor by the State Architecture and Engineering Division. The primary scope of the project is to replace the existing biomass (wood chip) boiler with a dual fuel natural gas boiler. The project scope also includes replacement of ancillary equipment including the deaerator tank, surge tank, feed water pumps, new equipment controls, upgraded environmental controls, and building envelope improvements. This new boiler, coupled with two other existing natural gas boilers, will result in a best-in-class heating plant. A pre-construction meeting was held recently on campus with the general contractor and numerous sub-contractors. The sub-contractors selected include several Dillon contractors who have been awarded substantial portions of the project. The local contractors include Bridger Creek Development, West Electric, Beaverhead Glass, and Van Marter Interior Finishing. It is expected that contractors will begin on-site work in early March 2022. Work will continue throughout the spring and summer with expected project completion to be September 2022. Delivery lead time for many of the larger equipment purchases are forecasted as being 25-30 weeks out, so orders have already been placed for these items. A slow-down in on-site work during the May/June timeframe is expected as contractors will most likely be in a holding pattern waiting on equipment deliveries at that time. Construction activity is confined to the heating plant and the immediate vicinity. This area of campus sees high usage in terms of vehicle and foot traffic. The construction areas will be clearly marked and cordoned off as required with temporary fencing, barriers, and caution tape. Additional updates will be forthcoming as construction progresses. “This is a very exciting project for the campus. About 95% of the campus heating and hot water needs are provided using steam as the heating medium. This project will provide redundant systems, a high level of reliability, and accommodate a 40% increase in user demand as our campus needs grow,” said Montana Western Director of Facility Services, Michael Brown. For more information about the project, please contact Michael Brown: michael.brown@umwestern.edu or 406-683-7145.

The University of Montana Western’s Education Department and Alumni Office, in partnership with Stockman Bank, present the Ninth Annual Night of Stars, to be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022 on the Montana Western campus. The schedule of events includes the Education Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. in the Beier Auditorium, followed by drinks and hors d’ourves at 8:00 p.m. in the Lewis and Clark room, located in Mathews Hall. This year’s Night of Stars will induct five Montana Western alumni into the Education Hall of Fame in recognition of their phenomenal dedication to education and will honor twelve current education students as Outstanding Teacher Candidates. The recipients are: Anke Davis, Kent Paulson, Jim Keef, Christina Sieminski and the Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented to Earl Barlow. The Friends of Education Award recipients are: Vickie Lansing, Donna Rouse, Karyle Contway, and Linda Lucero. The Outstanding Teacher Candidates are: Anita Crowshoe, Jade White Clay, Katherine Brown, Josie Jenkins, Holly Rumsey, ShayAnne Boyes, Mattea Burke, Emily Gardner, Dennara Godfrey, Bridger LaPierre, Kyrah Jones, and Devin Turner. For additional information or to purchase tickets to the Night of Stars, please contact the University of Montana Western Alumni Office at 406-683-7306 . Education Hall of Fame Inductees Earl Barlow- Lifetime Achievement Award Earl Barlow received his Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education in 1948 from Montana State Normal College (now the University of Montana Western) with honors, followed by his Master’s Degree in Education in 1959 from the University of Montana. During his time at Montana State Normal College (MSNC) in Dillon, Barlow was elected as President of the Student Body in his senior year, served as President of the Chanticleers, and was a sports editor. In 1979, Montana State University awarded Barlow with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in recognition of his accomplishments in the field of Indian Education. Barlow’s career in education spanned thirty years in public education in Montana, followed by fifteen years of federal service outside the state. After graduating from MSNC, Barlow worked in Hot Springs, Montana, on the Flathead Indian Reservation as a teacher, elementary principal, and Superintendent of Schools for 18 years from 1948-1966. He then worked as a Superintendent of Schools in Stevensville, Montana from 1966-1969, as Supervisor of Indian Education of the State of Montana from 1969-1972, and as Superintendent of Schools in his hometown of Browning, Montana, from 1973-1978. Following his work in Montana, he served as the Director of the Office of Indian Education at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, in Washington, D.C. from 1979-1981. After his work in Washington, D.C., he was the Area Director for the Minneapolis Area Office for the Bureau of Indian Affairs starting in 1982, concluding with Barlow’s retirement in 1994. In 2019, Governor of Montana, Steve Bullock, proclaimed every June 2nd to be recognized as Earl J. Barlow Day in Montana and “to call on all Montanans to recognize his lifetime of dedication towards enhancing Indian Education, Native American Rights, and for providing an endless source of knowledge and wisdom to future generations.” Anke (Dhane) Davis Anke Dhane Davis, from Choteau, Montana, received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1968 from Western Montana College in Dillon (now the University of Montana Western). Davis began her teaching career in Wisdom, Montana in the fall of 1968. She taught there for three years and then in 1985, began teaching again in Jackson, Montana. She remained teaching there until the spring of 1990. In the fall of 1998, Davis took a teaching position as the first and second grade teacher at Greenfield Elementary School located near Fairfield, Montana. Davis was chosen as the 2008 Montana Rural Teacher of the Year and served as the Treasurer of the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. Upon receiving the Rural Teacher of the Year Award, she shared her thoughts on being an educator. “In the teaching profession, it goes without saying that to have a humble heart opens your life to all kind of possibilities. When you love to teach, you teach from your heart, and it is from there that you truly reap your rewards,” Davis said in an article published in the Choteau Acantha . “Anke’s heart and soul are involved in educating young children,” Teton County Superintendent Diane Inbody wrote in the nomination she submitted to the Montana Association of County Superintendents of Schools for the award. “She makes every moment a ‘teachable moment.’ Everyone should be so lucky as to have a teacher with Anke’s heart, spirit and dedication.” Currently, Davis continues to teach at Greenfield Elementary School. Jim Keef Jim Keef, from Butte, Montana, graduated from Western Montana College in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. After graduation, Keef furthered his education by earning his Master’s Degree in Education in 1962, followed by receiving his Doctorate of Education in 1976. Keef worked as a secondary education science and social studies teacher for 13 years in Montana and Oregon. Then he served as an elementary and secondary education building principal for 21 years. Keef has left a lasting impression in every school he has been, including: serving as a K-12 Montana School District Superintendent in Choteau, Montana, for two years and three years in Livingston, Montana. He served as President of the Shelby, Montana Kiwanis Club and Richland, Washington Kiwanis Club, as well as Key Club advisor at Shelby High School for four years. He also served as a Tri-Cities, Washington United Way Campaign Loaned Executive, and the Washington State Elementary Principals State Convention Planning Board and served as President of the Southwest Retired Educators Association in Dillon for five years and has delivered the commencement address at both Shelby High School and Park High School. He has published educational articles in the Clearing House Journal, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Bulletin, the Montana Standard, the Dillon Tribune, and the Dillonite Daily in support of public education. Kent Paulson Kent Paulson, from Outlook, Montana, received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (Biology and Health & Physical Education) in 1973 from Western Montana College followed by his Master’s degree in Education with a Guidance and Counseling Endorsement in 1979. While at Western, he was a proud member of the Bulldog Track & Field and Basketball teams and is a member of the university’s record-holding mile relay team as well as holding the record in the 440. He was inducted into the Montana Western Athletics Hall of Fame with his fellow teammates on the 1970 Bulldog Track & Field team. Paulson has received many different awards since his time at the university. Serving as the Commissioner of the Frontier Conference since 2009, he has received the Charles Morris NAIA Administrator of the Year Award (2014-15), NAIA Conference Commissioner’s Award (2014-16), the NAIA Award of Merit (2016) and the Montana Coaches Association Outstanding Contributor Award (2016). Christina (David) Sieminski Christina (David) Sieminski, from Clancy, Montana, graduated with high honors from the University of Montana Western in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (Biology and Earth Science). Since completing her degree at UMW, Sieminski has served as a science teacher at Capital High School in Helena, Montana. She furthered her education by earning her Master’s Degree in Education in 2010. She has been a member of the Safety Committee, Response to Intervention and Differentiated Instruction teams, and served as an advisor for the Key and Science Travel Clubs, the founder of the Niceness is Priceless program for the Helena School District, Department Coordinator, and a class sponsor. Sieminski is also a Track and Field and Volleyball coach for Capital High School and a middle school basketball coach. Sieminski has had the honor of presenting at the National Conference on Differentiated Instruction and has earned the Helena Education Foundation’s 2018 Great Conversations Educator Award and the 2009 and 2017 Distinguished Educator Award and was recently nominated as Helena Educator of the Year.

The wolf harvest in FWP Region 3 is approaching the threshold of 82 wolves, which will trigger the end of the wolf trapping and hunting season in Region 3. The harvest as of today is 80 wolves. Last month, the Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to close wolf hunting and trapping in Region 3 upon meeting the threshold of 82 wolves in the region. The closure will go into effect immediately after FWP announces the harvest of the 82nd wolf in Region 3. At that time trappers in the region must remove their equipment from the field as quickly as possible. The commission established harvest thresholds in each of FWP’s administrative regions, which total 450 statewide. If harvest meets any of these thresholds, the commission convenes to revisit the regulations and potentially adjust the season structure. Those interested in up-to-date information on the status of Montana’s wolf harvest can view FWP’s wolf dashboard , which shows the number of wolves harvested by region and wolf management unit (WMU). The dashboard is updated multiple times per day. For all wolf hunting and trapping regulations and information, visit FWP's wolf webpage .

Judiciary Committee Meeting ~ Agenda ~ Tuesday, February 15, 2022 4:00 p.m. 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Discuss/Recommend Recreational Marijuana in City of Dillon 3. Discuss/Recommend Amending Title 12 4. Public Comment On Items Of Significant Public Interest Not On The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction Of The City 5. Adjourn Committee Members: Dan Nye, Chairperson Mary Jo O’Rourke Raymond Graham PLEASE NOTE: The City of Dillon understands that citizens have the right under the Montana Constitution to observe and participate in local governmental affairs by personally attending all public meetings of the Dillon City Council and other City boards and committees. This meeting will be open as normal (pre-virus) to the public. If anyone would like to physically attend the meeting, please wear a face covering and practice 6-ft social distancing at the meeting. For anyone that is cautious about physically attending, a Zoom link will be available so you can stay home while attending the meeting. To use Zoom just join meeting with id: 770-316-6528 allowing permission for mic and camera (or if using a computer go to https://zoom.us/j/7703166528 ) and using Passcode 4245. For courtesy, please mute until you want to talk. Any problems or questions, call City Hall at 683-4245.

At its Feb. 4 meeting, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved hunting regulations for the 2022 and 2023 hunting seasons with a significant focus on changes to elk hunting opportunities. All final regulations approved at the meeting will go into effect when the new license year begins on March 1. New regulation booklets for moose, sheep, mountain goat, bison, deer, elk and antelope will be available online this month and in print by mid-March. Hunters should make sure to read through the new regulations before applying for permits and licenses this spring. The first application deadline for deer and elk permits is April 1. “Friday’s commission meeting was the culmination of hard work by staff and an amazing amount of input from hunters, landowners, and outfitters across the state,” said FWP Director Hank Worsech. “My hope was to engage the public on improving hunter access to elk and elk distribution across public and private land. And though some proposals were controversial, the commission and the department heard from more people than ever before with input and ideas on how to improve elk management. I think we have made progress and will focus now on implementing and monitoring the effectiveness of these regulation changes.” FWP continues to focus on improving elk management. This includes elk plan development , work ongoing with the Private Lands Public Wildlife Committee , and organizing the Elk Management Citizen Advisory Group which is currently seeking applicants. A recap of decisions from the Feb. 4 Commission meeting follows. Elk regulations The commission set quotas for limited archery-only elk permits in hunting districts 411, 412, 417, 426, 447, 502, 535, 555, 590, part of 701, 702, 704, and 705. In these hunting districts, the archery-only permits will be the first and only choice for applicants, which means if people want to hunt in one of these districts, they will only be able to apply for that specific district. The commission also set quotas for limited archery-only permits in hunting districts 410, 620, and 700. In these hunting districts, the archery permits will be available as the first or second choice for applicants. The commission also set new quotas for limited rifle permits for either-sex elk in hunting districts 411, 417, 426, 535, 702, 704, and 705. Permits in these districts will be available as first and only choice for applicants. They commission increased the quota in hunting district 590 but didn’t limit those permits to first and only choice. The commission also limited hunters who draw a bull elk or either-sex permit to only hunt bull elk within that hunting district for the period of time that the permit is valid (antlerless elk hunting would not be restricted). The exception is hunting district 270. Hunters who draw that unlimited permit may still hunt bull elk elsewhere in the state. Additionally, antlerless elk 004 and 005 regional B licenses have been adjusted to unlimited over-the-counter opportunity. Late antlerless elk seasons will continue as they were adjusted by the commission last summer. Black bear regulations The commission reviewed options for implementing a law passed during the 2021 Legislature that allowed hunting black bears with hounds. Additionally, the commission also looked to adjust reporting requirements for hunters who successfully harvest a black bear. After much deliberation and public comment, the commission approved the use of hounds in the spring with the requirement for hound hunters that dogs must wear tracking collars while hunting and training with the ability to send GPS location information and receive transmissions from hound handlers. This is intended to ensure hound handlers can electronically recall hounds and allow the hound handler to receive GPS location data from the collars. Additionally, the commission determined hound hunting would occur only outside of occupied grizzly bear habitat, as defined in the bear regulations, and would end on May 25, except in areas that close earlier to all spring black bear hunting. Hound training can continue from May 26 through June 15. The commission made changes to reporting requirements for bear hunters in FWP Region 1 (northwest Montana). All hunters who harvest a bear in Region 1 are required to report their harvest by phone within 48 hours and submit a premolar tooth from the bear to FWP but do not have to present the hide and skull for inspection as they have in the past. This will help to test a new way of reporting and collecting data for bear harvest. Hunters who harvest black bears elsewhere in the state are required to report the harvest within 48 hours and still submit the hide and skull for inspection in-person by FWP staff within 10 days of harvest as they have in the past. Deer regulations The commission adopted hunting district boundary changes proposed by the department as well as some other minor season structure changes. The biggest change to deer regulations will be in FWP Region 2 (western Montana). Here unlimited mule deer permits will be replaced by a general license opportunity, but for only the first three weeks of the general hunting season. Turkey and upland bird regulations The commission approved the use of air rifles for forest grouse and fall turkey season. Under new regulations, air rifles must meet certain feet per second requirement and use Performance Ballistic Alloy pellets of .22 or .177 caliber. The commission also approved a spring general turkey season for FWP Region 4 (central Montana) and eliminated a fall turkey season for Region 4. The commission voted to not extend the pheasant, sharp-tail grouse, partridge, and forest grouse seasons to Jan. 31, so the seasons will stay as they are and close on Jan. 1. Background on regulation process FWP and the commission review and update hunting regulations and seasons for most species every two years through a public process. This year that process involved an extra effort by the department to engage the public through two rounds of public comment. First, the public commented on science-based proposals FWP staff developed with an eye toward simplifying the regulations through a focus on improving elk availability on public land, opportunities for hunters, and reducing elk numbers where they are over objective. During the first round of public comment this fall, FWP received hundreds of comments submitted online, through email and via virtual meetings. Staff took that input and made some adjustments to the proposals that went back to the commission in December for more review and public comment. The commission approved a set of more formalized draft regulations to go back out for public review at its December meeting. During the second public comment period from mid-December through mid-January, FWP held meetings around the state, both in-person and virtual, and received more than 1,000 comments on the regulation proposals. At its meeting on Feb. 4, the commission considered those comments in passing the suite of regulations for the 2022 and 2023 hunting seasons. FWP offers a variety of opportunities for the public to comment on issues, rules, grants, environmental assessments, land acquisitions, development or enhancement projects, hunting and fishing regulations, and more that FWP administers. Public participation is essential to our processes and decisions. For a list of public comment opportunities, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities . To sign up for FWP news and information updates, visit https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MTFWP/subscriber/new

Local author Jessica Kidd will be signing copies of her new book Rebound: A Twist of Fate Novel at the Bookstore on Valentines day. The heroine of the story has her life all mapped out and on track. She has a stable job, money in the bank and know which man she wants to spend the rest of her life with.....until the day she watches her "perfect" boyfriend propose to another woman. Suddenly single she stumbles into the Twist of Fate bookshop where she buys a book, her first impulse decision in years. What happens next turns her life upside down. Jessica will be signing copies of her book from 4:00-6:00 at The Bookstore on Monday, Feb 14th. A book is the perfect gift for Valentine's day. Call 683-6807 if you would like to reserve a copy!!

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission is seeking public comment on a proposal for mountain lion regulations and peregrine falcon take. 2022-2023 mountain lion hunting regulations, season structures and boundaries At its Feb. 4 meeting, the Fish and Wildlife Commission identified a new season structure for mountain lion and asked the department to solicit public comment on it. This new season structure would allocate harvest between unlimited licenses that will end when a quota is reached and a special limited license that would allow hunts during the same period. The special limited license would allow the hunter to hunt throughout the season without limitation by quota. Both the unlimited and special limited licenses would restrict the hunter to a specific hunting area. In addition to the overall structure, the commission is seeking public input regarding the percentage of harvest that should be allocated to the special license hunters ranging from 10 to 30 percent. The commission is also seeking public input on whether the licenses should be valid for an entire region or only for a subset of Lion Management Units. Peregrine falcon falconry take FWP is proposing no changes to last year’s regulations for peregrine falcon take, which is a 10-bird quota for resident falconers with one additional permit for non-resident falconers. Between 2012 and 2021, resident falconers captured 17 peregrine falcons total. Three additional birds were taken during the same timeframe by non-residents. FWP has been urged by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service not to alter the current quota system until the agency completes an environmental assessment that will address take across the falcon’s entire range. To make a comment For further clarification or additional materials, please call the Wildlife Division office at 406-444-2612 or send an email to fwpwld@mt.gov . Comments will be accepted online at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities , in writing sent to the address above, and by email to fwpwld@mt.gov . Comments on the proposed items will be accepted until Friday, March 18, at 5 p.m., with final adoption at the April 19 commission meeting.

Arctic grayling in Upper Red Rock Lake will have a better chance of surviving the winter when a project is completed to increase the amount of oxygen in the water. Westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout will be kept in the Blackfoot River and out of an irrigation ditch when a diversion is upgraded and a fish screen is installed to separate diverted water from the fish. These projects are two of 11 that recently received funding by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program (FFIP). Approximately $340,000 in funding was approved to improve Montana fisheries. The fisheries improvements include restoration of streams to a natural condition, stream habitat installation, restoring streambanks, improving grazing management, keeping fish out of irrigation diversions and more. Projects will help both native and non-native fish, including Arctic grayling, bull trout, mountain whitefish, westslope cutthroat trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. This year’s funding was matched by $1.6 million from outside sources. Watershed organizations, governmental agencies, nonprofits and others submitted a total of 13 proposed projects. Eleven projects were approved across Montana, including six that are west and five that are east of the Continental Divide. Applications for the FFIP summer-cycle grants are due May 15, 2022, to FWP’s Fish Habitat Bureau. Application forms are available on FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov/FFIP or at FWP offices. Any individual or group with a project designed to restore or enhance habitat for wild or native fish may apply for FFIP funding. Applicants are encouraged to work with local FWP fisheries biologists. Landowners and other project partners usually share project costs, extending FFIP dollars. More information and FFIP applications are available on FWP's website at fwp.mt.gov/FFIP . Approved FFIP projects Butte Area Browns Gulch fish screen (Silver Bow County) Upper French Gulch fish passage and restoration (Deer Lodge County) Dillon Area Upper Ruby River restoration project phase 2 (Madison County) Upper Red Rock Lake overwinter habitat (Beaverhead County) Drummond Area Flint Creek riparian restoration phase 2 (Granite County) Lincoln Area Blackfoot River fish screen (Powell County) Murphy Spring Creek instream flow restoration renewal (Powell County) Nevada Creek restoration project phase 5 (Powell County) Livingston Area Mill Creek 5 Bar 6 restoration project (Park County) Shields River Chadborne Diversion retrofit (Park County) Missoula Area East Fork Lolo and Lost Park creeks instream habitat enhancement (Missoula County) Johnson Creek fish screen (Missoula County)

Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the state is now accepting applications for up to $266 million in ConnectMT funds to expand access to reliable broadband and close the digital divide throughout Montana. Last May, Gov. Gianforte announced the landmark investment, signing Senate Bill 297 into law to connect unserved and underserved Montana communities. “Too many of our communities, particularly in our rural and frontier areas, lack access to reliable broadband. That’s why we’ve made a historic investment to get fiber in the ground and close the digital divide,” Gov. Gianforte said. “With this investment, Montanans will have greater access to opportunities for employment, health care, and education, and businesses in every corner of our state will be able to grow, prosper, and create more good-paying Montana jobs.” According to the Federal Communications Commission, about 1 in 3 Montanans do not have access to broadband, which is three times the national average. The digital divide is even greater in Montana’s rural communities where 3 in 5 Montanans do not have access to broadband. To ensure ConnectMT funds are directed toward unserved and underserved Montana communities, the Montana Department of Administration contracted Lightbox Parent, L.P. to build a statewide broadband map. The statewide broadband map shows both where current federal funding is already committed to reach unserved areas in the state and where Montana’s underserved, unserved, and frontier areas are located. The map will help providers best assess need for broadband deployment and close digital divide throughout the state. “In less than 60 days, Lightbox received data from Montana’s internet service providers and integrated it into their program to visually reflect where current service is being provided throughout the state,” Director of Administration Misty Ann Giles stated. “I applaud the collaborative effort by our state’s internet service providers and Lightbox to complete this phase of the project in a timely manner.” Pursuant to Senate Bill 297, eligible applicants for this program are nongovernmental entities with demonstrated experience in providing broadband services or other communications services to end-user residential or business customers in the state. The ConnectMT Program will conduct a series of informational webinars beginning February 10, 2022 to support applicants through the submission process. Applications are due April 8, 2022. More information on how to register for an event and apply for ConnectMT funds can be found at connectmt.mt.gov .

Tuesday February 8th, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. City Council Chambers ZONING COMMISSION Regular Meeting Agenda a. Call To Order b. Review and Approval of Minutes of the January 25 th , 2022 Meeting c. Director of Operations Report *Public Comment will be taken after discussion of items d through f by the Zoning Commission; followed by final discussion by the zoning commission; and final vote by the commission if necessary. d. Applications for Zoning Compliance Certificates for Review: e. Discussion of Impact Fees f. Update/Discussion of Proposed Changes to Uses for All Zones g. Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not on the Agenda and Within the Jurisdiction of the Zoning Commission. h. Adjournment PLEASE NOTE: The City of Dillon understands that citizens have the right under the Montana Constitution to observe and participate in local governmental affairs by personally attending all public meetings of the Dillon City Council and other City boards and committees. This meeting is open to the public as normal (pre-virus). Any who would like to physically attend, are asked to please wear a face covering and practice 6-ft social distancing at the meeting. For those who are cautious about physically attending, a Zoom link is available. Join the meeting with Zoom ID: 770- 316-6528, allowing permission for mic and camera (if using a computer go to https://zoom.us/j/7703166528) and use Passcode 4245. Any problems or questions, call City Hall at 683-4245. Zoning Commission Members: Tim Stoker, Raymond Graham, Jackie Erfle, Russ Schwandt; Mike Watson, Justin Rooley Next Regular Scheduled Meeting is February 8th, 2022 at 7:00

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Dillon Zoning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday February 22 nd , 2022 at 6:30 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, 125 North Idaho Street, Dillon, Montana, to take public comment for a new proposed zoning district classification to be added to the Dillon Municipal Code, Title 17, The Unified Zoning and Development Regulations. The proposed district would be identified as the Agricultural Bulk Storage District; ABS, Agricultural Bulk Storage Zone Copies of the proposed new zoning district are available at the City of Dillon City Hall, 125 North Idaho Street, Dillon, Montana. Any person may appear at the public hearing or submit written comments prior to or during the public hearing relating to the proposed project. Written comments can be mailed to the City of Dillon, 125 North Idaho, Dillon Montana 59725. If you have any questions please contact Todd Hazelbaker at the City of Dillon Offices at 683-4245. City of Dillon Kami Hoerning, City Clerk PLEASE NOTE: The City of Dillon understands that citizens have the right under the Montana Constitution to observe and participate in local governmental affairs by personally attending all public meetings of the Dillon City Council and other City boards and committees. This meeting is open to the public as normal (pre-virus). Any who would like to physically attend, are asked to please wear a face covering and practice 6-ft social distancing at the meeting. For those who are cautious about physically attending, a Zoom link is available. Join the meeting with Zoom ID: 770-316-6528, allowing permission for mic and camera (if using a computer, go tohttps://zoom.us/j/7703166528) and use Passcode 4245. Please mute your mic until you desireto comment. Any problems or questions, call City Hall at 683-4245.

Dillon Montana Community Foundation Wednesday, February 9, 2022 12:00 PM Big Sky Cinema 560 N Montana Street, Dillon, MT ~ AGENDA ~ 1. Call to Order 2. Continue with plans for 2022 Duck Race, Dillon History Days 3. Adjournment Committee Members: Stan Smith, Chair Cory Birkenbuel, Vice Chair Stacey Roundy, Treasurer Debbie Sporich Raymond Graham Brenda Womack Rebecca Jones Bill Shafer Candi Whitworth

By: Wally Feldt, Frontier Conference, and Margaret Anderson, UMW Sports Information Frontier Conference Commissioner Kent Paulson released the 2021-22 Academic All-Conference Volleyball team today. To be eligible for the team, the student-athlete must be at least a sophomore in standing and maintain a 3.25 GPA. The University of Providence led the Frontier with 13 student-athletes selected. Ten Montana Western volleyball players landed spots on the academic all-conference team-- Katie Casagrande , KayLee Kopp , Rylee Nickodemus , Emmah Peterson , Abbey Schwager , Cady Siemion , Morgan Stenger , Peyton Vogl , Ramyia Wendt , and Kaitlyn White . "I am extremely proud of how this team did in the classroom and what they were able to accomplish," head coach Katie Lovett said. "Being a collegiate athlete is tough with learning how to balance school and volleyball, but having so many girls step up to that challenge is a great thing to see. Commitment and dedication are things we talk about a lot in our program and these athletes continue to raise the bar on everything we do." For the full list of the 2021-22 Academic All-Conference Volleyball team, click here (PDF) .

Sun is likely the culprit in an early morning fender bender. A driver exiting the parking lot at the Evergreen center collided with a yellow Nissan driving west on Skihi St. With first responders on scene this led to a few calls to the local radio station on what was happening. We will have more info if and when it becomes available.

Montana Running Company is hosting the 5th Annual Beaverhead Marathon & Half Marathon on May 14, 2022 in Dillon, Montana. The course will be the same as previous years starting at Clark Canyon Reservoir and finishing at Beaverhead Brewing Company. Register today at montanarunningcompany.com and start training.

Dillon Volunteer Fire Department responded to 15 calls during the month of January 2022. 01-01 Chimney fire Adams Ln 01-01 Structure fire Helena St 01-02 Structure fire Helena St (reignite) 01-03 Sprinkler alarm (water flow) Idaho St 01-03 Dumpster fire North Ln 01-04 Structure fire Helena St 01-06 MVA I-15 MM 42 01-07 Chimney fire Hwy 91 N 01-10 Structure fire Atlantic St 01-11 Gas leak Center St 01-16 Mutual Aid (Lima) Vehicle fire I-15 MM 30 01-20 Grease fire Adams Ln 01-21 Chimney fire Walnut St 01-21 CO call Parkview Ct 01-24 MVA Hwy 41 (false alarm) We had 23 of 32 members at our January monthly meeting. Our first training for January was on the use & placement of airbags for rescue. The second training was on blind self-rescue by following the hose line out.