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The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission will meet today, June 24 using the video conferencing platform Zoom. The meeting will also be audio streamed online at fwp.mt.gov . The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. After the call to order and Pledge of Allegiance, the commission will elect a vice-chairman. Fisheries- Presented by Dr. Eileen Ryce, Division Administrator Montana Rail Link Clark Fork River Temporary Closure, R2 Brown’s Lake FAS Peninsula Acquisition, R2 26 Mile MDT FAS Lease, R3 and more Wildlife Presented by Ken McDonald, Division Administrator TNC Recreational Access Agreements Avista, Recreational Access Agreements Stimson Recreational Access Agreements and more To view full agenda click here. FWP ensures its meetings are fully accessible to those with special needs. To request arrangements, call FWP at 406-444-3186. For the full agenda and background on the scheduled topics, go to the visit FWP website at fwp.mt.gov ; under the “About FWP” menu, click on “ Fish & Wildlife Commission. ” FWP’s website offers live streamed audio of each Fish & Wildlife Commission meeting.

The Weekend is approaching, its getting hot outside and there are plenty of things to do both inside and out. Today June 24th also marks the first day they can sell fireworks. Check out the stand at DRM Motors I hear they are going to be having some great deals on both cars and fireworks. Thursday, June 24th Public Forum: Atlantic Street Renovation & Current Project Updates starts at 5:30 P.M. The University of Montana Western will be holding a community forum and Q/A session on Thursday, June 24th at 5:30 p.m. in the Lewis and Clark Room in Mathews Hall on campus for an update on current and upcoming campus projects including: -Atlantic Street Renovation Project -Boiler Plant Upgrade -Parking Lot Updates -Bulldog Card Door Swipe Project -Student Union Building Project -MYCA Dining Hall Renovation and New Entrance UMW Director of Facilities, Michael (Embee) Brown, along with Senior Director of Auxiliary Services, Mike Piazzola, and Bulldog Card Manager, Brittney Ferris, will be present to answer any questions you may have about these projects. For more information, please email michael.brown@umwestern.edu. Community Dinner & Bingo PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO DINNER & BINGO No membership is required to attend! Community dinner is served from 5:30-7:00 p.m. If you're running late, please call 683-5552 and we'll save it for you. $10 adult / $6 children under 10 Veterans pay half price! ~Chicken Fried Steak~ [photo is a representation] Dinner includes entree, potato, crisp green salad, fresh roll, coffee or tea, and dessert. Stay for bingo at 7 p.m. (must be over 18 to play) Lounge is open on Thursday night from 5 p.m. to close! Sheridan, MT Cruise-In On Main Starts at 6 P.M. we will be hosting a classic car/motorcycle Cruise-In on main every Thursday throughout the summer. This year we will be changing it up a bit by offering season ending prizes for most attended, furthest travelled and most cars entered. The prizes will be awarded at the KENNY STEINER MEMORIAL on September 11th. Come show off your classic cars or motorcycles and enjoy an evening in our beautiful town of Sheridan, MT. Even if you are interested in cars or just a passer-by, come hang with us! This is a free event to all. Our local Street Bazaar will be taking place at the same time! Please pass on the good word and we look forward to lining main street with some old time classics! Friday, June 25th Tai Chi starts at 9:30 A.M. Free Tai Chi classes continue. Please practice social distancing Light as a Feather Exhibit Opening Reception June 25th, 6-8pm Join us for a night with the artists! Art Exhibit June 21 - August 6th LIVE MUSIC w/ Steve Rose Starts at 5:30 P.M. Delicious Spirits, Great Atmosphere, Good Ol' Country Music. What more could you ask for? Join us Friday for music from Steve Rose at our tasting room in Ennis, MT. Road Agents at Beaverhead Brewing Starts at 6 P.M. these guys are a must see. Just two desperados singing songs and sticking up wagon trains. The Road Agents write lots of songs that praise Beaverhead County, and complain about the rest of them. They use the power of music to transport you back to 1983 2021 BB memorial rope and stroke The schedule as usual will be Calcutta at The Den Friday night June 25th, Golf will be Saturday June 26th, roping will be June 27th. Look forward to a fun weekend with everyone! Dalton Lemburg Live at Rocky’s Roadhouse starts at 6 P.M. Swing out to Rocky’s Roadhouse to grab some great food and drink and enjoy some live music with Dalton Lemburg! Live Music with Amanda Stewart Starts at 6 P.M. Live music with Amanda Stewart. Amanda is a Rock/Americana songwriter currently residing in Bozeman, MT. Reptiles & Amphibians of Montana 8 P.M. What is the difference between reptiles and amphibians? How many turtle species are native to Montana? Which snake has a pointy snout perfect for digging up toads? In this talk, you will dip your toes into the exciting world of herpetology and learn about the reptile and amphibian species that call Montana home! This is the fifth presentation in Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park’s annual Friday Summer Speakers Series, which introduces a new speaker each Friday at 8 p.m. throughout the summer. About the speaker: Corie Rice is the program specialist at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Park’s education center, Montana WILD. Corie studied organismal biology at Montana State University and has been working in outdoor education ever since she graduated in 2016. She will be presenting on Montana’s reptiles and amphibians, some of her favorite types of species to encounter while out fishing, kayaking, or hiking around her home in Helena! Pilates & Pints Starts at 5:30 P.M. cost is $14 includes pilates class, mat, and a draft beer Saturday, June 26th Farmers Market 9 A.M. - 1 P.M . South Washington St by the Splash Pad. Hand made and locally grown items up for sale. tel 406-683-6735 for more info or their website . Montana Shorthorn Association Annual Meeting starts at 10 A.M. Join us in Dillon, Montana for the Montana Shorthorn Association Annual Meeting! Guest speakers, great cattle and fellow Shorthorn producers!! Butte Mineral & Gem's Annual Rock Show Are you looking for a fun and family-friendly event this summer in southwest Montana? Come visit our rock show and check out some cool rocks and mineral specimens! The Butte Mineral and Gem Club's annual rock show is finally back after the COVID pandemic! Like our shows in the past, we will have 13 mineral and gemstone dealers selling their wares of material from around the world. We will also have mineral displays put together by our club members. Our show will be on Saturday, June 26, from 10AM to 5PM and on Sunday, June 27, from 10AM to 4PM. Admission is $3 for adults and children under 12 are free. Set up day will be on Friday, June 25 and will be strictly limited to ONLY dealers and club members. Tear down will be on Sunday after the show ends at 4PM. Dust to Dazzle Tour & Silent Auction 2021 Butte Citizens for Preservation and Revitalization’s annual tour of historic Butte homes and buildings returns Saturday, June 26, from noon to 5 p.m. Three “dazzle” properties and three “dust” properties will be featured, and pandemic safety protocols will be followed to ensure a safe event. Masks will be required along with social distancing, and there will not be a tea this year. “We’re just really happy to be able to hold this popular event again,” said Butte CPR Board member Noor Parwana. “We were really sorry we had to cancel last year.” Tour properties will be announced soon. “This year’s roster is shaping up to be a great one,” Parwana said. “It’ll be something to look forward to for sure.” Greer Gulch Nature Hike Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is pleased to continue our 2021 events with a guided hike through the Greer Gulch Loop Trail. This area boasts a unique level of diversity that cannot be found elsewhere in the park due to is positioning in an intersection between dry scrubland, riparian forest, and conifer forest. This hike will focus on the natural aspects of the trail, and taking some time to slow down and notice the little details as we go out experiencing nature. To sign up either email Zack Story at zack.story@mt.gov or call the caverns at (406)-287-3541. There is a $4 dollars per person fee that will be paid ahead of time, and there will be no refunds available after purchase. From the visitor center the hike will last around 2.5 hours and will cover a 2-mile loop on park trails. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, clothes for a variety of weather conditions, water, and a light snack for the trail. Please contact us if you have any questions. The hike will take place on Saturday June 26th at 1:00 PM please call the park by Friday June 25th to reserve a spot for this event. Road Agents at The Bale of Hay Saloon 5 P.M. Two strange cowboys set up in the corner, singing songs about how maybe things used to be worse. Live Music W/Kailey Marie Starts at 6 P.M. at The Star Resturant The Hometown Classics 7 P.M. Hometown Classics, this group of local talented musicians and unique performers will be playing classic country, western, gospel and bluegrass tunes. Dillon Jaycees Demolition Derby starts at 5:30 P.M. Beaverhead County Fairgrounds Prices: Adults: $15 - Advanced $20 - Day of Children: (6-12 yrs) $5 - Advanced $10 - Day of 5& under - Free Have a safe and fun weekend, as always if you have an event you would like included on our event calendar or the Weekend Rundown please email us at southwesternmtnews@gmail.com .

The Dillon Public Library had puppeteer Markie Scholz today at the Old Depot Theater. Markie is one of the founders of Dragons are too Seldom Puppet Productions . She has been doing this for over 30 years. Besides known for her puppet production company she is also famous for behind the scenes work on Baby Einstein's from 1999-2001. Today’s show was “Imagining Dragons”, a puppet show for the whole family. “Imagining Dragons” is about Liza, a young girl who volunteers at her local library. She wants a pet, a kitty, but her mom does not. So, she decides to conger up one from a book she found while volunteering at the library. Only problem is, she gets a dragon instead of a kitty. So now she has to figure out how to sneak a dragon into the house past the grouchy neighbor, Mrs Crylon and her grouchier dog, Slubber, and figure out what a dragon eats and where to get it! Both young and old where entertained throughout the show, the library will be hosting Tails and Tales tomorrow June 24th at 10 a.m. along with an adoption drive with the Beaverhead County Animal Shelter at the Old Depot.

The University of Montana Western has announced the hiring of Melvin Ewing as Director of Information Technology Services. Ewing earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics with a Computational Option from Montana State University – Billings in 1996. Ewing also served in the Montana Army National Guard from 1993-1999. “We are excited to welcome Mel to the University of Montana Western in this new role,” said UMW Interim Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance, Susan Briggs. “We look forward to his leadership and focus on collaboration across the Montana Western campus.” A software engineer for over 25 years, Ewing has worked for a variety of companies and organizations including Education Logistics, Inc., WAM!NET, Dantis, Inc., the University of Montana, Vann’s Inc., Modwest, and Quest Software. He currently serves as Project Director at Quest Software in Missoula, Mont., a role he has had since 2006. As part of this role, Ewing manages multiple software development teams with the delivery of over two dozen products focused on data protection and management. For the past year, he has also served as the Project Director for the University of Montana Western’s Banner 9 transition project in coordination with the University of Montana. “In my short time working with the faculty and staff of Montana Western over the past year, I have been inspired by their dedication to serving students and I look forward to continuing to be part of the university community. My family and I are excited about the move to the welcoming community of Dillon,” said Ewing. Ewing will begin his new position on July 1, 2021.

Governor Greg Gianforte today issued an executive order waiving requirements for certain commercial trucks that support fire suppression efforts. “Recent wildfire activity has spiked demand for fuel to assist in fire suppression efforts,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Today’s executive order helps ensure our wildland firefighters and other first responders have the resources they need to contain wildfire and protect Montanans and their homes.” The governor’s executive order relieves “hours of service” requirements for commercial motor carrier vehicles in Montana to more quickly distribute petroleum products. The products include aviation fuel for airports and tanker bases to support aerial assists in fighting wildfires. The governor’s executive order may be found here .

Issued By Great Falls - MT, US, National Weather Service Affected Area Beaverhead County A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL MADISON AND EAST CENTRAL BEAVERHEAD COUNTIES... At 645 PM MDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 5 miles southwest of Dillon, moving northeast at 35 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Dillon and Beaverhead Rock State Park. This includes Interstate 15 between mile markers 50 and 72. If outdoors, seek shelter inside a building until the lightning threat has passed. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They can relay your report to the National Weather Service office in Great Falls.

CANDIDATE FILINGS FOR THE CITY OF DILLON: John K. McGinley Mayor 4 year term Kaylan A. Minor City Judge 4 year term Paul Pilgrim City Judge 4 year term Diane Armstrong Ward 1 Council 4 year term Kimberly Francis Ward 1 Council 4 year term Cameron Haworth Ward 2 Council 4 year term David Klein Ward 2 Council 4 year term Russell Schwandt Ward 2 Council 4 year term Joe Brandon Ward 3 Council 4 year term Lloyd Lesperance Ward 3 Council 4 year term Hank Muntzer Ward 4 Council 4 year term Mary Jo O’Rourke Ward 4 Council 4 year term No filings to date Ward 4 Council 2 year term (Write-in candidates can file up until August 30th for the general election) CANDIDATE FILINGS FOR THE TOWN OF LIMA: David D. Olsen Mayor 4 year term Kent L. Craven Mayor 4 year term Travis Wilson Council 4 year term Jacqueline L. Sutton Council 4 year term *Candidates have five (5) days from the day of filing their “Declaration for Nomination” to file online with the Commissioner of Political Practice. www.politicalpractices.mt.gov

Dr. Robert Thomas is a Regents Professor of Geology in the Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Montana Western and co-author of “Roadside Geology of Montana.” The publication was recently nominated for the 2021 High Plains Book Award in the Medicine & Science category. According to the High Plains website, “the High Plains Book Awards recognize regional authors and/or literary works which examine and reflect life on the High Plains. The High Plains region includes Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.” The “Roadside Geology of Montana” book is a complete guide to the geological history of Montana designed to be utilized from the state’s many roadways. Whether a professional or a curious traveler, this book is intended to be used by anyone fascinated by the geology of the Big Sky state. The publication is a revised second edition of the original “Roadside Geology of Montana” authored by Don Hyndman and Dave Alt in 1986. Hyndman is a recently retired Professor of Geology at the University of Montana and taught Thomas when he earned his master’s degree in the late ’80s. Hyndman approached Thomas about being a co-author for the updated second edition. “It was a great honor to be asked to be the co-author of this book, especially given the high profile of the book with the general public and the fact that I was replacing Dave Alt, one of the most well-known geologists in the profession in Montana,” Thomas said. Thomas worked on the publication for five years, traveling to almost every corner of the state gathering data, taking photos, and creating many of the illustrations used throughout the book. Thomas’s focus was on his backyard of southwest Montana, but he has traveled from the Yaak in the northwest to Alzada in the southeast, filling in new road guides and any other gaps in the book. Thomas says that even though it is technically a second edition, everything is new and is an entirely different book. The Roadside Geology series originated in 1972 with “Roadside Geology of the Northern Rockies.” Now, nearly every state and one Canadian province have a book. According to Thomas, no other Roadside Geology book in the series has been nominated for a literary award like the High Plains award. Winners for all Book Awards will be announced at an Awards Banquet held in conjunction with the High Plains BookFest in September 2021 in Billings, Montana, circumstances permitting. To view the complete list of 2021 High Plains Book Awards Finalists, visit highplainsbookawards.org . Thomas hopes to tour the book this fall at local bookstores for signing events and presentations on Montana geology. For more information, please contact Robert Thomas at Rob.Thomas@umwestern.edu . To purchase a copy of the “Roadside Geology of Montana,” call The Bookstore in Dillon, Mont., at 406-683-6807 or visit mountain-press.com.

As the Robertson Draw fire near Red Lodge continues to burn, boaters and others planning to recreate at Cooney State Park this weekend should be aware that Cooney Reservoir will be a water source for firefighters and will be closed to recreational use. Aerial firefighters will scoop water from Cooney Reservoir to drop on the fire, requiring an emergency closure of reservoir. The park will remain open to camping and day use. On Thursday, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced that campfires are banned at all Fish, Wildlife & Parks properties in Carbon, Yellowstone and Stillwater counties starting this week because of fire danger. UPDATED 06/22/2021 Anglers and water skiers can return to Cooney Reservoir following an emergency closure. Aerial firefighters had been scooping water from the reservoir to drop on the Robertson Draw fire near Red Lodge. The fire is now 45 percent contained, and firefighters are using the Buffalo Bill Reservoir in Wyoming as the primary water source to treat the fire. Cooney Reservoir is open until further notice. Cooney State Park is open to camping and day use. Campfires are still banned at all Fish, Wildlife & Parks properties in Carbon, Yellowstone and Stillwater counties starting this week because of fire danger. FWP followed the lead of Carbon, Yellowstone and Stillwater county commissioners, who voted this week to enter Stage I fire restrictions countywide. The restrictions are in response to dry, warm weather that could increase the danger of human-caused wildfires. They will be in effect until further notice.

The Zoning Meeting will be held Wednesday, June 23rd at 7:00 PM

The Bulldogs brought two cowboys back to the short-go at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR). Bryce Harrison had an impressive 4.6 second run to place third in the nation in the steer wrestling. Brody Smith was locked in all week in the bareback. He scored an 80.5 point ride Saturday night to finish eighth in the country. Final Results Bryce Harrison placed third in the nation in the steer wrestling with time of 29.2 on four ( 6.5, 8.8, 9.3, 4.6 - 29.2). Brody Smith finished eighth in the nation in the bareback riding with a score of 307.5 on four (74.0, 73.5, 79.5, 80.5 - 307.5). Ryland Lufkin finished 18th in the breakaway roping (NS, 2.6, 3.0 - 5.6). Breanna Jenkins finished 27th in the breakaway roping (NS, 12.0, 2.1 - 14.1) Emmy Ilgen placed 33rd in the goat tying (7.9, 8.0, 9.9 - 25.8). Mikayla Witter placed 35th in the breakaway roping (3.5, NS, 12.6 - 16.1) Ethan Stensrud finished 40th in the tie-down roping (31.5, NS, NS - 31.5) Jake Cerini and Jame Ramirez placed 41st in the team roping (18.2, NS, NS - 18.2) Alonzo Skunkcap tied for 43rd place in the team roping (NS, NS, NS - NS) Coach Lahaye's Thoughts "I was very proud of how well everyone represented Montana Western. It was sad to be my last college rodeo but I couldn't have asked for a better bunch to go with. To have two representatives end up in the top 10 in the country was a great way to end the season." Up Next The Bulldogs will begin the 2021-22 season this September at the Trapper Stampede in Cody, Wyo.

The City of Dillon has released a project prioritization matrix, this will help them better understand which projects need to be worked on first. We have included a copy of the CIP project prioritization matrix below, you can download it and fill it out. You will need to rank each category for each project on a scale of 1 to 5 and then total each row. WWC will add the information in and the average of each score will outline the priorities for the City. We will be holding a public hearing later this summer for further input. When completed please return to the City by email or drop it off at the City by Friday, June 25th, 2021.

Kevin Engellant will speak to Rotarians and guests at noon Wednesday, June 23, 2021. He will provide updates of current events for the junior golf program in Dillon and his vision for the junior golf program in the future. 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 .

Friday night a local downtown Dillon Business had a window broken when a passerby decided to punch and knock over one of the cigarette ashtrays. The ashtray can be seen in the video below bouncing off the window and breaking it. High Country Glass is asking for help in identifying the person, and or for the person involved to come forward. (Update 06/19/2021) We have been notified the individual involved has came forward and agreed to make things right. (Video was removed)

The first Beaverhead Territory Days is going on now, the festivities started off last night with Henry Plummer Ransom Karaoke at Macs Last Cast. Today's festivities started off with the Truck & Learn going on tell 1 P.M. along with a pie eating contest that was held at the old Mary Innes building. Today at 4 P.M. they will have an alpaca parade along with an Ugly truck contest. If you have an ugly truck, muddy truck, and or a very abused truck full of dents you are encouraged to enter the parade. A street dance will take place from 7 to 11 P.M. Vendors at the Old Depot Park today and tomorrow. Followed by a sporting Clays trap shoot Sunday at the White Lane Trap Club from 2 to 5 P.M.

Breanna Jenkins finished fourth in the third go round of the breakaway roping with a time of 2.1 seconds. Overall, she finishes in 27th place (NS, 12.0, 2.1 - 14.1) Emmy Ilgen had a 9.9 in her third attempt in the Goat Tying. she finishes in 33rd place (7.9, 8.0, 9.9 - 25.8) Today's Short-Go Action: Both Brody Smith and Bryce Harrison have a chance at a national championship tonight at 7 p.m. Brody Smith is in seventh place in the bareback (74.0, 73.5, 79.4 - 227.0). Bryce Harrison in seventh place in the steer wrestling (6.5, 8.8, 9.3 - 24.6). Event Schedule Daily Results Tonight's championship short-go will be broadcast on ESPN3

To the Dillon and surrounding communities, Due to the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Birch Creek Center has been closed since March 2020. Because of the continued impacts of the pandemic and the need for safety, plumbing, and cosmetic upgrades to allow the center to reopen to the public, we were also unable to open the Birch Creek Center for the 2021 season. If you have any questions about the Birch Creek Center, please direct them to Mike Piazzola, University of Montana Western Senior Director of Auxiliary Services: ( mike.piazzola@umwestern.edu or 406-683-7664).

Hunters interested in purchasing licenses or permits left over from the special license and permit drawing can do so from June 21 through July 21. This new process for the sale of surplus licenses began in 2020 in response to issues in years past. The old process was vulnerable to long lag times, confusion and a perception of inequity for those unable to use the first-come, first-served online option starting at 5 a.m. Hunters can sign up for leftover licenses and permits that were not distributed by the drawing through MyFWP on the FWP website . The resulting Surplus License List will be randomized with hunters at the top of the list contacted via email with instructions to finalize their purchase within a specified time.  To be placed on the Surplus License List, resident and nonresident hunters can sign up through the MyFWP portal:  https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpExtPortal/login/login.jsp . This new process requires hunters to keep their email address current in their ALS record. Payment of the license fee is not required to sign up on the Surplus License List. Obtaining a license from this list has no effect on your existing preference points. Hunters must finalize the purchase of the license/permit within the timeframe specified in the email, otherwise, your opportunity will be offered to the next hunter on the randomized list. FWP may offer opportunities that have not sold out through the Surplus License List to over-the-counter customers at our internal and external license sale providers. The timeframes to sign up for the various Surplus lists are as follows: Deer & Elk Permits, Deer B & Elk B License: June 21 – July 21 Antelope, Antelope B, Crane, Special Mountain Lion: August 9– Aug. 27 Nonresidents who hold a NR Native license, Youth Combo license, or NR College Student Combination license may purchase Deer B and Elk B licenses at half price. For more information, contact the FWP licensing office at 406-444-2950 or  fwplic@mt.gov .

The University of Montana Western is pleased to announce that Dr. Ashley Carlson, currently Professor of English and Division Chair for the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences at UMW, will begin a new role as Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. Dr. Carlson has a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of New Mexico and has published work on nineteenth-century literature, women’s studies, and popular culture. In 2019-20 she taught and conducted research in Madagascar as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. At the University of Montana Western, she has also served on Faculty Senate, as Vice President of the Faculty Union, and as Chair of the Department of English. “Although Ashley is already a member of the Montana Western community, please join me in welcoming her into this new role. We look forward to her leadership in this position on our campus,” said Chancellor Michael Reid. Current Interim Provost, Dr. Jenny McNulty, will begin her new position on July 1 at the University of Alaska Anchorage as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences after serving as the Interim Provost at UMW for the past year. Dr. McNulty will continue her responsibilities as Provost through June 22 while working with Dr. Carlson through the transition. Dr. Carlson will officially start her new role and duties as Interim Provost on June 23. A search for the next Provost will begin later this summer with the objective of identifying a permanent Provost by the end of 2021.