The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved two rule changes on Monday concerning recreational and commercial use on the Madison River. In addition, commissioners approved an adjustment to brown trout regulations on a section the Big Hole River. In a relatively short meeting, the commission dealt with two recommendations from the current Madison River Work Group, which has met several times during the past six months. The work group recommended administrative rule changes that would keep the walk/wade sections in place, as they have been for decades: Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge and Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake. In 2020, the previous commission approved a rule that would have adjusted the long-standing walk/wade sections starting Jan. 1. Today’s commission action reverses the previous 2020 commission decision and keeps the walk/wade sections on the Madison River as they are described in the 2021 fishing regulations. The work group also recommended repealing the rule passed by the 2020 commission that established a rest/rotation system for commercial use on the upper Madison River. On Monday, the commission followed the work group recommendation and repealed that rule as well. On the Big Hole River, the commission adjusted 2022 fishing dates for the stretch of river from the Bureau of Land Management Maiden Rock fishing access site to the Browne’s Bridge FAS. That section will be open for fishing April 1 through Sept. 30.

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ~ AGENDA ~ Thursday, December 30, 2021 3:00 P.M. 1. Approval of December 2021 Claims 2. Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not on The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction of The City 3. Adjournment Committee Members: Don Hand, Chairperson Dan Nye Russ Schwandt

It’s that time of year when ice anglers and other recreationists head out to Montana's “hard” waters for the winter season. Whether ice fishing, ice skating, hunting, snowmobiling or just taking a walk, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff reminds recreationists that safety should be the number one concern during a day out on (or near) the ice. And when on the ice, remember: Anglers and other recreationists should be familiar with the water body they plan to fish or recreate on. Pay close attention to the changing conditions of the ice. If you have even the slightest doubt about the safety of the ice—stay off of it. Nothing is ever worth a fall into frigid water. Blue or “clear” ice is usually hard. Watch out for opaque, gray, dark or porous spots in the ice that could be weak, soft areas. Ice also tends to thin more quickly at the shorelines. Note areas on the ice that look “different” —they usually are. Many times, thinner areas of ice (caused by springs, gas pockets, sunken islands, points, etc.) have a different color or look to them. Use extreme caution or stay away from these areas. The following are recommended minimum ice thickness guidelines (for good, clear ice*): Under 4 inches: STAY OFF 4 inches: ice fishing or other activities on foot 7 inches: snowmobile or ATV 10 inches: small car** 12 inches: truck or SUV** *for white ice or “snow ice,” double the above minimums **not recommended, but if you must, proceed at your own risk. Watch for pressure ridges. These are areas of open water or thin ice where the ice has cracked and heaved due to expansion from freezing. Test the ice ahead of you with an ice spud bar or an auger. Don’t leave children unsupervised on the ice. Lakes and ponds do not freeze at the same thickness all over. Some ponds have windmills to aerate water for fish survival, and ice may be thin near these areas. Moving water — rivers, streams and springs — weaken ice by wearing it away from underneath. Avoid going on ice on rivers and streams, or where a river or stream enters a lake, pond or reservoir. The least safe ice usually occurs early and late in the season, when the weather is warmer and less predictable. Remember, NO ICE is 100 percent safe! Some other common ice-safety reminders to keep in mind include: Search for videos on ice safety and “what to do” if you should fall through the ice. One can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gOW8ZaYqHA Consider changes in the weather (and ice conditions) during the prior 24 hours. It’s a good idea to wear a life jacket (PFD) or carry a throwable floatation device while out on the ice — safe ice anglers and recreationists do it all the time. Dress warm but practical. Many styles of ice fishing jackets and bibs provide extra buoyancy to help keep you afloat if you do fall through. Before you leave the house, tell someone where you plan to go and when you plan to return. Carry a pair of ice picks (long spikes on a heavy string around your neck). If you break through the ice, you can use the spikes to grip the ice and pull yourself out of the water.

Winter Weather Advisory from WED 5:00 PM MST until FRI 6:00 PM MST Action Recommended Execute a pre-planned activity identified in the instructions Issued By Great Falls - MT, US, National Weather Service Affected Area Beaverhead, Gallatin and Madison Counties Description ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 PM MST FRIDAY FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 6500 FEET... WHAT ...Snow expected for elevations above 6500 feet. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches for most locations, 2 to 6 inches for Big Hole and Chief Joseph Passes, 6 to 12 inches for Raynolds and Targhee Passes, with localized amounts over 12 inches south of West Yellowstone. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. WHERE...Beaverhead, Gallatin and Madison Counties. WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 6 PM MST Friday. IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. Roads will likely become slick and hazardous. Blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. ADDITIONAL DETAILS ...Periods of snow expected tonight through Friday evening. The period of heaviest snowfall will be Thursday afternoon and evening. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or visiting the MDT Road Report website.

Press Release UMW No. 21 Montana Western Bulldogs (9-3, 1-1) topped No. 17 Dakota State Trojans (11-5, 1-0) in a competitive top-25 matchup for the Bulldogs' second round of the Cactus Classic. The Bulldogs performed well in the first quarter—six of twelve from the field (50 percent), three of five from the arc (60 percent), and held the Trojans to just eight points (four of 17 from the field and zero of seven from the 3-point line). Dakota State nearly matched the Bulldogs in the second quarter with 18 points compared to the Bulldogs' 19, but Montana Western still held a nine-point lead at the half, 35-26. The Bulldogs struggled to get on the board in the third quarter; Dakota State held them to 11 percent shooting from the field (two of 19) and nine percent from the 3-point line (one of 11). The Trojans surpassed the Bulldogs by one point with two-and-a half minutes left to play in the third—but a 3-point shot by Jenni Weber on the next possession put Montana Western back on top. In the fourth, the Bulldogs extended their two-point lead (40-38) to ten (50-40) with two made 3-pointers and a shot down low. Dakota State added three layups to the scoreboard to trail behind the Bulldogs 53-49 with a minute left in regulation. The Trojans fouled four times in the last minute, sending Brynley Fitzgerald and Shainy Mack to the free throw line where they went seven of eight. The Trojans trailed by two, 58-56, with three seconds to go. A missed three pointer, and Mack's foul shots, secured a Bulldog win, 60-56. "They were so gritty and connected tonight," head coach Lindsay Woolley said. "Dakota State applies so much pressure; it's hard to prepare for…total team effort." Inside the Box Score The Bulldogs had 23 turnovers; the Trojans had 17. Montana Western had 22 points from the bench; Dakota State only had five. Fitzgerald led the Bulldogs with a double-double—18 points and 12 rebounds—and tallied six assists. Savannah Walsdorf led Dakota State with 15 points. The Bulldogs finish up the Cactus Classic tomorrow with a game against Bushnell (Ore.) at 4 p.m. Please check the website regularly for up-to-date schedules​. All Bulldog Athletics home events can be streamed at www.bulldogsports.com/watch

The Montana State Library is pleased to announce the release of the Montana State Library COVID-19 GIS Data Hub . The ArcGIS Hub will serve as an open data platform that will allow users to view, query, and download Montana COVID-19 case and vaccination data. In partnership with data providers from the Montana Joint Information Center and the Department of Health and Human Services, the Montana State Library COVID-19 GIS Data Hub will help increase transparency and keep the public informed about rapidly changing information from the COVID-19 pandemic. The data provided in the COVID-19 GIS Data Hub is derived from local health officials at the county level who report cases to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services. DPHHS tabulates case data and then gives the data to the Montana State Library to publish every weekday through this open data ArcGIS Hub. Montana public health agencies and the Governor's Coronavirus task Force are actively working to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus in Montana. The Montana State Library is aiding this effort by geo-enabling public health information and emergency response data to help decision-makers understand the spread of the disease.

After monitoring grizzly bear activity across much of the state, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is opening wolf trapping in Wolf Management Units 100, 101,110,130 and 150 in Region 1; WMUs 313, 316 and 390 in Regions 3 and 5; and WMU 400 in Region 4. These WMUs are open effective Dec. 21. FWP biologists have been monitoring grizzly bear activity with a variety of methods since early November. This includes monitoring collared grizzly bears, sightings of bears in the field, weather assessments and reports from the public. The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted final changes to the 2021 wolf trapping regulations at its Oct. 28 meeting. The adoption included a “floating” start date for wolf trapping in areas with grizzly bears to be no earlier than the Monday after Thanksgiving, and no later than Dec. 31. The commission directed the department to assess grizzly bear activity outside of dens to determine the potential for trapping conflicts and to open the wolf trapping season in grizzly areas when that risk is low.  However, trappers need to be aware that grizzly bears could still be active and should avoid any area where bear sign is observed. For up-to-date information on the wolf trapping season, click here .

The AP NAIA All-America team presented by Regions Bank was released Friday and was chosen by a panel of sports writers and sports information directors in conjunction with COSIDA. Simkins, a Dillon native, was the top in all receiving statistical categories for the Frontier Conference, with the exception of yards per catch. He tallied 83 receptions, 1,122 receiving yards, 93.5 receiving yards per game, and 16 touchdowns in overall play this season. In addition, he holds five Montana Western program records: single-season passes caught (83), career passes caught (222), single-season touchdown receptions (16), career touchdown receptions (39), and total touchdowns (39). Simkins also received the following honors this season: Frontier Conference First Team All-Conference Offense and American Football Coaches Association NAIA All-America Honorable Mention. For the full list of AP NAIA All-American Selections, click here . Please check the website regularly for up-to-date schedules​.

Students are safe at this time and the school district is making arrangements for them. A crack in a gas pipe leading to the heating system in the Dillon Middle School led to an early morning evacuation for students and teachers. The DVFD is on scene assessing the situation and all students have been evacuated safely. This is a developing story and we will have more information when it becomes available. ROBO CALL-TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2021 - Gas Leak Good morning, this is Randy Shipman, Superintendent at Dillon Elementary School District with an important announcement. This morning at 8:45 a.m. we detected a gas leak at the school and had to evacuate the building while the fire department came to assess the situation. All students and staff evacuated to the football field and were getting ready to go to the high school when the leak was found, capped, and the building was cleared for re-entrance. I would like to thank our staff and students for a job well done with the evacuation. They all did a great job with the exercise. I also want to thank the police department, the fire department and Northwestern Energy for all of their help and expertise. Our fire and police departments are top notch and were extremely helpful. Finally, I want to thank Jack Bergeson at the bus barn and our high school for being willing to take us on a moment’s notice. As our district remains committed to maintaining timely and relevant communications with staff, families and the community, please contact the office if you have any questions. Just a reminder that all robo call transcripts can be found on our district school website and facebook page. Thank you and have a great rest of the day.

God’s Country, with scenes filmed at the University of Montana Western last spring, has been selected to premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival in January in Park City, Utah. Screenwriter Shaye Ogbonna and director Julian Higgins adapted the script from James Lee Burke’s short story Winter Light . Burke is The New York Times bestselling author of the Dave Robicheaux detective series and numerous other novels. Julian Higgins is a Los Angeles–based writer and director whose short films have screened around the globe and won dozens of prizes, including the gold medal Student Academy Award, two Student Emmy Awards, and the grand prize for Canon and Ron Howard’s Project Imaginat10n contest. His most recent short, Winter Light , was a top 10 finalist for the Academy Award. The feature-length film headlines Emmy-winning actress Thandiwe Newton. Newton is an English actress known for starring in HBO’s science fiction western series Westworld , for which she has earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Filming for God’s Country began in spring 2020 before production was halted due to COVID-19. Production company Cold Iron Pictures filmed several scenes in the Livingston, Mont., area and then came to Dillon, Mont., in late March 2021 to film several scenes on the University of Montana Western campus. According to the Sundance Institute website, the organization is a champion and curator of independent stories for the stage and screen and provides and preserves the space for artists in film, theater, film composing, and digital media to create and thrive. Robert Redford founded the Institute in 1981 to foster independence, risk-taking, and new voices in American film. Each January, the Sundance Film Festival introduces a global audience to groundbreaking work and emerging talent in independent film. Today, the Sundance Institute staff of 180 employees works year-round from offices in Park City, Los Angeles, and New York City to provide labs, grants, and ongoing mentorships that support more than 900 artists each year. To learn more about the film and the upcoming festival to be held January 20th-30th, visit https://festival.sundance.org . For more information, please contact communications@umwestern.edu .

During the fall semester, the University of Montana Western added new online counseling and mental health resources for students, faculty, and staff, and welcomed Morgan Bialis to the university counseling team. Counseling services are available year-round for students, including during the winter break. Bialas received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Dakota and a master’s degree in family studies and human services with a specialization in marriage and family therapy from Kansas State University in 2017. Before coming to Montana Western, Bialas provided in-home and school based services to children, and their families, within the Lead and Deadwood communities of South Dakota. She continues to work remotely with clients form South Dakota, part time, via telehealth giving her vast experience in eCounseling services. “I have felt incredibly at home, supported, and happy from the moment I began introducing myself to our community at UMW! We know that remote students are just as much a part of our community as those who are on-campus, and we want to provide the same opportunities for them despite the distance. I look forward to continuing to build the already established connectedness, authenticity, and support within our Montana Western community,” said Bialas. In addition to in-person and online counseling options year-round, UMW Counseling Services is now offering three free new ways for students, faculty, and staff to receive mental health support. ThrivingCampus ThrivingCampus is a web-based application that gives students, faculty, staff, and the community access to a nationwide network of off-campus mental health providers. Montana Western’s goal is to make it easier to access off-campus mental health care in the community, across the state of Montana, and across state lines, including telehealth options. UMW’s on-campus and online counseling services for students are always available, year-round, but access to this comprehensive mental-health care providers listing is an easy-to-use tool to explore what other counseling options may be available and the specialties of hundreds of providers currently accepting new patients. Community providers can also list their practices on the ThrivingCampus website. Visit the ThrivingCampus website to learn more and view the providers directory: https://tinyurl.com/ThrivingCampusUMW Kognito Kognito is an online training tool centered around mental health and suicide prevention. Kognito’s Mental Health At-Risk Training was developed to bring awareness to mental health issues that college students may face, and to give students, faculty, and staff practical strategies for responding when they recognize students in distress and to respond with appropriate support. To access the Kognito site for Montana Western, go to: https://mus.kognito.com/ The “enrollment” keys that faculty/staff and students will use are: Faculty and Staff: westernfaculty, Students: westernstudent. Once your account is created, you can explore the site and try out the simulation scenarios. After completing the training, participants receive a printable certificate. Students who complete this training earn 600 paw print points! You@UMWestern All students, staff, and faculty are invited to login to the new online platform, YOU@UMWestern , a 24/7, anonymous online well-being platform. This is a space for users to check in with themselves, set goals, and explore personalized resources created specifically for the University of Montana Western. Users can create a completely confidential account with their campus credentials and begin exploring the portal. A few of the things that YOU can help with include: tips to adjust to distance and in-person learning, coping with stress and anxiety in a changing world, and maintaining and growing social connections. New content is being added to YOU on a weekly basis to help support all members of the Bulldog Community. Visit ( https://you.umwestern.edu ) to create an account. Make an Appointment If you are a student at Montana Western and would like to make an eCounseling or in-person appointment, please contact: Heidi Peterson at 406-683-7180, or email heidi.peterson@umwestern.edu Morgan Bialas at 406-683-7181, or email morgan.bialas@umwestern.edu To learn more, visit the Student Counseling Services webpage: www.umwestern.edu/section/student-counseling-services.

Firefighters with the Dillon Volunteer Fire Department are currently working to put out a fifth wheel camp trailer that is on fire. The camper is still attached to the vehicle that was pulling it. Use caution on I-15 Southbound as it is currently at the Jackson Road Interchange. This is a developing story and we will have more info as it becomes available.

Marking the final day of his 12 Days of Giving campaign, Governor Greg Gianforte and his staff today donated new sports equipment to children and staff at the Intermountain Children’s Home. “Each Christmas across Montana, community groups, churches, schools, and offices come together and give back to neighbors in need,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We saw a need right here in Helena, and our office was proud to contribute some new sports equipment to the children and staff at the Intermountain Children’s Home.” Intermountain Children’s Home is a nonprofit organization based in Helena dedicated to providing hope and healing to children, youth, and families in need of improved mental and behavioral health. Originally the Montana Deaconess School, Intermountain has been providing care for young Montanans since 1909. Announced by the governor at the Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, Gov. Gianforte’s 12 Days of Giving campaign highlighted the work of a dozen organizations serving Montanans in need. On the 1st Day of Giving , the governor established a One Warm Coat drive at the State Capitol to help ensure no Montanan goes cold this winter.  On the 2nd Day of Giving , the governor launched a canned food drive competition among state agencies and encouraged Montanans to consider giving to the Montana Food Bank Network or their local food bank.  On the 3rd Day of Giving , the governor visited the Great Falls Rescue Mission to meet with and help distribute donated boots to shelter guests.  On the 4th Day of Giving , the governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the cabinet donated toys to the Helena area Toys for Tots. On the 5th Day of Giving , public health leaders and the governor encouraged Montanans to help address the nationwide blood shortage and become a blood donor through the American Red Cross of Montana. On the 6th Day of Giving,  the governor volunteered at the Livingston Food Resource Center and contributed a quarter of his annual governor’s salary to the organization.  On the 7th Day of Giving , the first lady visited the Human Resource Development Council’s Warming Center to sort and organize donated items for residents and tour its Housing First Village.  On the 8th Day of Giving , the governor encouraged Montanans to donate new or gently used books to Hopa Mountain’s StoryMakers Holiday Children’s Book Drive.  On the 9th Day of Giving,  the governor and first lady decorated gingerbread houses with young Montanans at Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena.  On the 10th Day of Giving,  the governor contributed a quarter of his annual governor’s salary to the Denton Fire Relief Fund to support the community of Denton in the wake of the West Wind Fire.   On the 11th Day of Giving,  the governor and first lady volunteered at the North West Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry.  On the 12th Day of Giving, the governor and his staff contributed items to children and staff at the Intermountain Children’s Home, which has served young Montanans for over a century.

Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s unemployment rate decreased 0.3% in November to 2.8%, tying the lowest unemployment rate ever recorded in the state. Strong job growth continued in November, with over 3,000 jobs created. “Montana is closing out the year with yet another month of record-setting employment and strong growth in our labor force,” said Governor Greg Gianforte. “As we enter a new year, we’ll continue enacting our pro-jobs, pro-growth agenda to complement the unmatched work ethic of Montanans.” Since Governor Gianforte was elected in November 2020, Montana’s unemployment rate has dropped from 4.5% to 2.8%, matching a record low from February 2007. Montana’s unemployment rate is well below the national rate of 4.2%. Meanwhile, Montana’s total employment, which includes payroll, agricultural, and self-employed workers, grew by 3,069 in November, which is the fastest job growth recorded for the year. For the third consecutive month, the number of employed Montanans hit a new record high of 528,142. The number of unemployed Montanans also continued to drop, hitting 15,403 – the lowest number of job seekers without work since 2007. The number of available workers in Montana’s labor force, a critical metric of concern during the current labor shortage, increased by 1,543. Montana’s labor force has grown by more than 10,000 workers since the governor took office in January. Private payroll employment increased by 3,100 jobs, with construction, retail, healthcare, and professional services posting meaningful job gains of 500 jobs or more. Public sector payroll employment posted a small decline for the month. While celebrating November’s historic jobs report, the governor again called on the federal government to address rising inflation. “Inflation is rising at a record pace not seen in nearly 40 years, and it’s robbing hardworking Montanans of what they earn. Every Montanan feels it, and we can’t afford for the federal government to continue driving up inflation with trillions more in new government spending,” Gov. Gianforte said. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased by 0.8% in November with broad-based increases in most goods. Gasoline prices increased 6.1%. The index for all items less food and energy, referred to as core inflation and an important metric for future inflation expectations, increased 0.5% in November.

Public Service Announcement With winter rapidly approaching and snow in the air, The City of Dillon would like to remind all homeowners and businesses again about the requirements of clearing sidewalks. The City of Dillon Ordinance 12.40.040 requires that all sidewalks in the Central Business District be freed from the night’s accumulation of snow before 10:00 a.m. of the same day. All other areas of the city must be kept clean of snow and not be allowed to remain on the sidewalks for a period longer than 12 hours. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall pay a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars and not more than one hundred dollars. If you have any questions please contact Todd Hazelbaker, Director of Operations, at 683-4245.

Public Service Announcement With more cold weather predicted, the City of Dillon would like to remind homeowners to take measures to prevent their pipes from freezing. Here are several tips: (1) allow a small trickle of water from your cold water faucet in your kitchen to run to keep pipes from freezing. The cost of the extra water is low compared to the cost to repair a broken pipe; (2) keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage; (3) open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air circulation around the plumbing and also remember to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of reach of children; (4) If you will be going away during the cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Last winter was an unusual winter with so many service lines freezing throughout the community. The City of Dillon recommends to citizens to keep a small trickle running as a preventative measure to keep their service lines from freezing. If you have had problems in the past we encourage you to run a small trickle of water from your cold water faucet in your kitchen. This of course is at the customers discretion, as the cost of running water is at their expense.

Ron Carroll, owner of Emporium 406 announced earlier this week on the store's Facebook page. "This Saturday, December 18th, 100% of sales at Emporium406 will be donated to the relief fund established at Opportunity Bank in Denton to help the victims of the devastating fire that destroyed 24 homes and 2 grain elevators in Denton, Montana recently. Please stop in on Saturday 12/18/2021 and help us to help the community of Denton." Along with this great idea Emporium 406 has been doing auctions everyday with items that have been either donated by local businesses. This is the spirit that makes our Dillon Businesses so great helping others when in need.