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DILLON — First responders were called out Sunday afternoon to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Ramshorn Street and Montana Street. The crash involved an older Ford pickup and a white Subaru. According to information from the scene, the Subaru was traveling through the intersection when the Ford pickup allegedly ran a red light and collided with the vehicle. Both drivers were able to get out of their vehicles following the crash and were evaluated for injuries on scene. Neither driver was transported by ambulance. The driver of the Ford pickup was later arrested and taken from the scene by police. Traffic in the area was temporarily affected while first responders worked the scene and cleared the vehicles from the intersection.

The Beaverhead County Varsity Beavers continued their strong start to the season Saturday, rolling to a 10-0 win over the East Helena Vigilantes to remain undefeated with one tie. Beaverhead County wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning. Trenton Moreni drew a walk and later scored, while Levi Stonebraker added an RBI on a groundout to make it 2-0 early. The Beavers extended their lead in the second when Cohen Hartman drove in another run with a groundout. An East Helena error helped Beaverhead County tack on another run in the third, before the Beavers broke things open in the fifth. Beaverhead County plated five runs in the inning, capitalizing on timely hitting and defensive miscues. Kanin Engelhardt and Sawyer Tackett each drove in runs on fielder’s choices, Hartman added a sacrifice fly, and Andrew Bartlome delivered an RBI single to cap the scoring. Logan Fox was dominant on the mound, earning the win after tossing five shutout innings. The right-hander allowed just two hits while striking out seven and walking four. The Beavers finished with nine hits on the day, led by Jase Alvarez, who went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. Trenton Moreni and Garrett Tackett each recorded multiple hits, while Hartman drove in a team-high three runs. On the base paths, Beaverhead County stayed aggressive, swiping seven bases, including two from Sawyer Tackett. For East Helena, Breydon Adams and Kash Walker each recorded a hit in the loss. Beaverhead County will look to keep the momentum going Monday when they take on the Broadwater Bulldogs.

The Beaverhead County Lady Beavers struck first Friday, but a big third inning from Frenchtown proved to be the difference as the Broncs pulled away for the win. Mya Creighton gave the Lady Beavers an early spark in the bottom of the first, blasting a solo home run to left field to put Beaverhead County on top. Frenchtown answered in the top of the third, stringing together hits and capitalizing on opportunities to take control of the game. Aspen Courtney and Jezzy Palmer each singled to get things started, while Brooklyn Smith and Sophie Lebsock drove in runs on groundouts. Makenzie Brush added an RBI single, and a Beaverhead County error allowed another run to cross as the Broncs surged ahead. Dizzle Smith earned the win for Frenchtown, going the distance in the circle. Smith allowed five hits and two runs (one earned) over seven innings while striking out 10 and walking two. Tymber Barnes took the loss for the Lady Beavers, surrendering six runs (four earned) on seven hits over three innings, striking out four. Creighton came on in relief and pitched four solid innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out two. At the plate, Creighton led Beaverhead County, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Reese Jensen also drove in a run. Frenchtown tallied 11 hits in the game, with Aspen Courtney, Delanie Magnuson, and Jezzy Palmer each recording two hits. The Broncs were aggressive on the base paths, swiping nine bases, with Magnuson and Miley Lieshman each recording multiple steals. Beaverhead County will look to bounce back in their next outing.

The Beaverhead County Varsity Beavers broke the game wide open with a massive 10-run third inning, cruising to a 12-1 victory over the Frenchtown Broncs on Friday. Beaverhead County got on the board early when Trenton Moreni ripped a double on an 0-2 count in the bottom of the first. But it was the third inning where the Beavers did the bulk of their damage, stringing together timely hits and taking advantage of opportunities at the plate. Cohen Hartman tripled and later singled in the inning, Jase Alvarez drove in two runs with a base hit, Kanin Engelhardt added an RBI double, and Levi Stonebraker knocked in two more. Sawyer Tackett was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in a run, and Andrew Bartlome capped the rally with a sacrifice fly that plated two. Sawyer Tackett picked up the win on the mound, allowing just two hits and one unearned run over four innings while striking out two and walking four. Andrew Bartlome came on in relief and tossed a scoreless inning, giving up one hit. The Beavers finished with nine hits in the game, led by multi-hit performances from Cohen Hartman and Garrett Tackett. Hartman and Alvarez each drove in two runs, while the defense turned two double plays behind the pitching staff. For Frenchtown, Gabe Gibbs recorded two hits, while Brooks Day drew two walks as the Broncs showed patience at the plate with six total walks. Beaverhead County improves its momentum heading into Saturday, when they host the East Helena Vigilantes.

DILLON — Braxtyn Turney has signed to continue his basketball career at University of Montana Western while pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Small Business Management. Turney was a three-year letterman for the Beaverhead County High School Beavers and earned Academic All-State honors during each of those seasons. During his high school career, the Beavers advanced to three consecutive State Championship games, capturing two state titles and finishing with a runner-up finish this past season. In his senior season, Turney earned both All-Conference and All-State honors while leading the team at point guard.

DILLON — The Beaverhead County Weed Board will hold its next meeting Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m. in the Tom Welch Room at the Treasurer’s Building. Items on the agenda include board reorganization, review of the county weed plan, seasonal hiring recommendations and discussion on potentially removing Cyprus and Myrtle Spurge from the county noxious weed list. The meeting will begin with public comment on agenda items followed by approval of minutes from the Oct. 27, 2025 meeting. Board members are also expected to elect a chair and vice chair as part of the board reorganization process. Other agenda items include a financial report, non-compliance discussions and review of the Box S Pit Expansion Noxious Weed Management and Revegetation Plan. The board could approve, amend or reject the proposal during the meeting. The board will also consider recommending the hiring of seasonal weed crew employees for the 2026 season. Another proposed action would recommend to the Beaverhead County Board of County Commissioners the removal of Cyprus and Myrtle Spurge from the Beaverhead County Noxious Weed List. The meeting will conclude with coordinator and assistant coordinator reports along with public comment on items not listed on the agenda before adjournment.

DILLON — Friday morning the Dillon Tree Board, along with Matt Allen of Edge Tree Care, DNRC firefighters and student volunteers gathered near the tennis courts across from Dillon Middle School to celebrate Arbor Day with a community tree planting project. The morning began with a short presentation about the history of Arbor Day along with trivia questions focused on the oldest tree in America and the oldest tree in Montana. Following the presentation, several students were recognized for their artwork and awarded T-shirts featuring their winning designs. Those students included Gunner Throckmorton, Levi Taylor, Luke Rowe, Timmy Hazlewood, Brynnlynn Barnes, Remi, and Ari Navarrete. After the awards were handed out, students split into five separate groups to help plant three Honey Locust trees and two Ginkgo trees near the tennis courts. Organizers said the tree species were selected partly because they are relatively low maintenance and produce smaller leaves than many other tree varieties. The choice will help reduce leaf buildup on the tennis courts during the fall while still providing future shade to the area. Once the planting was complete, Matt Allen gave students a demonstration of what his work as an arborist involves, including how he safely climbs trees while on the job. The event brought together local organizations, DNRC firefighters and students for a hands-on learning opportunity focused on conservation, tree care and community involvement.

DILLON — Dillon Public Library will welcome the community to meet three local artists during the downtown Art Walk on May 8 from 5-8 p.m. The featured artists — all from Dillon and related to one another — will showcase a variety of artistic styles and mediums ranging from acrylic and mixed media to epoxy resin and fine arts. Caitlyn Feldt will display artwork created through acrylic and mixed media techniques inspired by thousands of nature photographs she has captured over the years, along with photography taken by her father. Her work focuses on small, fleeting moments in nature that often go unnoticed. Jaime Feldt, an epoxy resin artist with about seven years of experience, will also be featured during the evening. While continuing to grow and experiment as an artist, she said she especially enjoys creating Halloween-themed pieces. Also featured will be Beatrice Penn, a student at University of Montana Western pursuing a degree in fine arts. Penn hopes to use her artwork as a bridge for those struggling with mental illness. Her work draws influence from ecology, horror, chronic illness and printmaking. Community members are encouraged to stop by the library during the Art Walk to meet the artists, view their work and support local creativity in Dillon’s downtown businesses.

DILLON — Local author Devienne Weekes will debut and sign copies of her first novel, What the Lake Knows, during the upcoming Art Walk at The Bookstore on Friday, May 8 from 5-7 p.m. The novel is rooted in the landscapes and histories of small-town Montana, blending mystery with emotional storytelling centered around memory, faith, resilience and the lasting impact of the past. Readers familiar with Southwest Montana may recognize inspiration drawn from the area’s rural communities and scenery. What the Lake Knows follows Emily and her friends after a receding Montana reservoir reveals the remains of a long-forgotten town beneath the lake bed, including weathered foundations, a cemetery and unanswered questions buried for decades. As the water slowly begins to rise again, the group races to uncover the truth before the evidence disappears once more. According to the book description, Emily soon begins to feel an unsettling connection to the vanished town and the secrets hidden beneath the surface. “Some towns disappear beneath the water. Others refuse to be buried,” the novel’s description states. Weekes, who lives near Lima with her husband and son, brings more than a decade of experience in education to her writing. Organizers describe her as “an exciting new voice in literature,” with stories shaped by land, memory and truth. Copies of the book will be available during the signing event at The Bookstore as part of the Art Walk festivities. Those wishing to reserve a copy or learn more can contact the bookstore at 683-6807.

HELENA — Students from Beaverhead County High School earned multiple Superior ratings at the Montana State Music Festival held May 1-2 in Helena after months of preparation and extra rehearsals outside of school hours. According to instructors, many of the ensembles met weekly outside of regular school time beginning in February to prepare for festival performances. Several BCHS ensembles received Superior (1) ratings during the festival. The BCHS Woodwind Ensemble earned Superior honors with members Leah Kenealey, Amelia Maki, Kaylee Fuller, Rowdy Mattison, Aspen Walker, Kelly Webster, Guy Holt, Toni Stoker, Izzy Regan, and Sam George. The BCHS Brass Choir also received a Superior rating. Members included Daria Adkins, Max Hagenbarth, Cooper Morganthaler, Drew Morganthaler, Aven Pflieger, Kelly Webster, Braden Doner, Aidan Ferguson, Hunter Wigen, Emma Lovaas, James Seidensticker, Tess Simonsen, Rowdy Mattison, and Tanner Reis. The BCHS Percussion Ensemble also earned Superior honors with Bryce Choco, MJ Hendrickson, Emma Lovaas, Landon Lovaas, Zoey Mickelson, Avi Reynolds, Aliyah Riener, Evie Tolman, and Ivy Warren competing as part of the group. The BCHS Sax Quartet rounded out the Superior performances with Rowdy Mattison, Toni Stoker, Izzy Regan, and Sam George earning top marks. Festival organizers and instructors also recognized accompanists Laurie Hagenbarth and Janeen Leonardson for their support of the student musicians throughout the season. Congratulations were also extended to Charlene Loge for the success of her piano students during festival competition. The State Music Festival brings together top student musicians from across Montana to compete and perform in front of adjudicators in both individual and ensemble categories.

DEER LODGE, MT — Beaverhead County High School vocal students turned in an impressive performance at the 2026 District Music Festival in Deer Lodge, earning numerous superior and excellent ratings across solos, duets, ensembles, and choir performances. BCHS students competed in 37 entries, along with two choir performances, and brought home a large number of Superior “I” ratings. Among the top honors, all BCHS choir ensembles received Superior ratings. The Treble Chorus, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Ensemble, Men’s Ensemble, Teen Tones, and Mixed Ensemble all earned Superior marks during the festival. In choir performances, both the Treble/Teen Tones Chorus and Men’s Chorus received Superior ratings in performance and sight-reading categories. The school also had strong showings in trio and quartet competition. Superior ratings were awarded to the Men’s Senior Quartet featuring Dansie, Platt, Stanton, and Valach, along with the Burton, Ferguson, and Lovaas group. Students earning Superior ratings in vocal duets included Burton/Lovaas, Clarke/Pape, Ferguson/Kidd, Florence/Kenealey, Jorgensen/Kenealey, Kenealey/McLaughlin, Kidd/Lovaas, Lovaas/Valach, Malesich/Warren, and Platt/Valach. Superior vocal soloists included Briana Burton, Cooper Clarke, Tania Currie, Sheridan Ferguson, Leah Kenealey, Hannah Kidd, Emma Lovaas, Lily Malesich, Kyle McLaughlin, Stephanie Pape, Sawyer Platt, Casey Stanton, Chris Valach, and Amelia Warren. Festival totals for BCHS included: 18 vocal solos, with 14 Superior and four Excellent ratings 12 duets, with 10 Superior and two Excellent ratings Three trios/quartets, with two Superior and one Excellent rating Four ensembles, all receiving Superior ratings Students earning Excellent ratings included Karlaanne Barta, Kaelyn Cowan, Raelynn Hauck, and Alexcis Jorgensen in solo competition, along with Barta/Cowan and Bergeson/Cowan in duet performances.

Cohen Hartman delivered a standout performance on the mound Tuesday, striking out 12 batters to lead the Beaverhead County Beavers to a 7-1 win over Butte Central. The right-hander went six innings, allowing five hits and just one run while working through six walks in a dominant outing. Offensively, Jase Alvarez had a perfect day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a double and three singles to pace the Beavers’ 14-hit performance. Butte Central struck first with a Colt Hassler double in the top of the first inning. Beaverhead County answered in the second when Garrett Tackett singled down the left field line to tie the game at 1-1. The Beavers broke the game open in the fifth inning. Alvarez doubled to center field and Kanin Engelhardt followed with an RBI single to give Beaverhead County the lead for good. Garrett Tackett added a strong relief appearance, tossing one inning of scoreless baseball while allowing no hits. Andrew Bartlome, Trenton Moreni, and Tackett each collected multiple hits in the win, while Tackett also added two stolen bases. Beaverhead County swiped four bases overall and showed consistent offensive pressure throughout the game. For Butte Central, Gunnar O’Brien recorded two hits, while Hassler drove in the team’s lone run. The Maroons drew seven walks but were unable to capitalize against Hartman’s strong outing. The Beavers will return to action Friday at home against Frenchtown.

DILLON, MT — Firefighters were called out Tuesday afternoon to the Beaverhead Senior Citizens Center for a reported gas leak. Crews evacuated the building and secured the area while working to locate and contain the leak. First responders remained on scene until they were able to ensure the situation was safe and all potential hazards had been cleared.

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING FRIDAY, May 8th, 2026 12:30 P.M. ~ AGENDA ~ 1. Approval of April 2026 Claims 2. Review/Recommend Implementation of HB-231 And SB-542 to Revise Fixed Mill Levies Maximums 3. Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not on The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction of The City 4. Adjournment Committee Members: Russ Schwandt, Chairperson Mary Jo O’Rourke Jeremy Crawford

Dillon, MT, May 5, 2026—The City of Dillon and the Dillon Tree Board were awarded a $49,000 non-matching grant from a federal award of the Inflation Reduction Act Grant (IRA), sub-awarded by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Forestry Division. The grant is for the pruning and removal of boulevard and city park trees in federally designated areas of Dillon that were identified as being underserved. The grant will include the pruning of 73 trees, 19 in city parks and 54 boulevard trees. In addition, nine trees will be cut down and removed due to hazardous conditions and thirteen stumps will be ground. A Request for Proposal (RFP) is being developed, and a bidding process will take place to determine the contractor. The contractor will have 2 years to complete the work. All work will be performed by a licensed, bonded, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist and adhere to ANSI- A300 pruning standards. Since 2008, the Dillon Tree Board has secured over $200,980 in funding to enhance Dillon’s urban forest. The mission of the Tree Board is to preserve, enhance, and expand our community forest through educating the public and promoting community involvement and individual dedication. For additional information, contact City Hall at 406-683-4245 or call the DNRC office at 406-683-6305. Information can also be found on the Dillon Tree Board website at www.dillontrees.org.

A section of Atlantic Street between Normal Street and Poindexter Street was temporarily shut down Monday evening after a two-vehicle collision prompted a response from local first responders. According to scanner traffic, a blue Pontiac traveling northbound on Atlantic Street struck a parked Chevy truck. The impact caused the vehicle’s airbag to deploy. Police, fire, and EMS responded to the scene to assess for injuries and assist with traffic control while the area was cleared. No official word has been released on the extent of any injuries.

PSA FROM THE BEAVERHEAD COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE MONDAY, MAY 4, 2026 Reminder that all ballots for the 2026 Special District Election, which includes the Beaverhead Ambulance Service Special District and the Jackson Water & Sewer District, need to be dropped off to the Election Office no later than, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The ballot must be received by 8pm in order to be counted. For questions, please call the Election Office at 406-683-3720. Stacey Reynolds Election Administrator