The 24th ranked Montana Western Bulldogs (5-2, 4-2) defeated the Southern Oregon Raiders (3-3, 3-3) 38-7 Saturday afternoon in Dillon. The Raiders scored on their opening drive, but Western was able to take over the game from there and never look back, racking up 38 unanswered points. Jon Jund threw for 164 yards and two scores, rushed for 101 yards and a score. For the first time this season the bulldogs didn't turn the ball over and forced two SOU turnovers. Congratulations to Jon Jund for getting offensive player of the game and defensive players of the game Tanner Harrell, Latrell McCutcheon, and Braden Swank.

Beaverhead County Sheriff's office is seeking help in locating a missing person the Facebook post reads: MISSING PERSON: Derek Lee Gore (29) (6’0) (170) was last seen in Dillon MT on Saturday, Oct 2, 2021. Derek is likely riding his motorcycle (2014 KTM ENDURO, Orange and Black). No direction or destination has been determined. Derek usually keeps in daily contact with his parents but has not contacted them at all. His phone has been deactivated. Any information please immediately contact Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office at (406)683-3700.

PDF Court Calendar

You may have noticed an increase in air traffic over Dillon yesterday. This was from the Montana Youth Challenge educator airlift event that was being held in Dillon. Find out more from the MYC press release below. On Thursday, October 7th, residents across the State of Montana, particularly the southwest counties, noticed two pairs of helicopters, two Boeing CH-47 (Chinooks) and two Sikorsky UH-60 (Black Hawks) passing over. The 1-189th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) has training requirements that include transportation missions. The Department of Defense (DOD) authorized the Montana National Guard to transport cadets at the Montana Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) and education staff as a part of Defense Support of Civil Authorities and Civil Military engagements. The aircraft provided transportation to educators from across the state in support of MYCA’s Educator Airlift event while completing training hours. The Airlift Event was designed for Montana educators, counselors, and administrators as an opportunity to observe MYCA cadets and staff with the purpose of creating partnerships to better assist students, from across the state, with high school completion. The birds flew in approximately sixty guests to the Academy, located on the University of Montana Western (UMW) campus. A memorable sight was their touchdown on the UMW football practice fields. As the state educators made their way towards UMW’s Lewis and Clark room, the Montana National Guard’s 1-189th Aviation crews provided an orientation flight to a select group of MYCA cadets and UMW staff. “Western staff have always gone above and beyond to make cadets feel welcome and supported. Having the ability to extend the orientation flight to UMW’s staff was a unique opportunity we were grateful to take advantage of,” stated Trent Gibson, MYCA’s Academy Director. The Airlift experience continued with a greeting by Montana’s Adjutant General, John (Pete) Hronek and opening remarks by Elsie Arntzen, Superintendent for the Office of Public Instruction (OPI). Guests learned more about Montana Youth Challenge through a briefing provided by Director Gibson as they enjoyed a lunch catered by the University’s dining services. The day’s agenda provided the guests with a tour of MYCA’s classrooms, dining hall, various offices, and dorm building; all located throughout the University campus. After the tour, educators enjoyed time catching up with current MYCA cadets (many of the cadets being from the educators’ high schools). The event was concluded with speeches by cadets currently enrolled in the Academy and a former graduate who is currently a student at UMW. Cadet Fallgreen reflected on his transformation and progress made in the Academy and acknowledged that the greatest thing he’s learned while at Youth Challenge so far, is that “the point where your comfort zone ends, success begins.” The event came to an end with the guests reloading onto the various aircraft for return flights (Kalispell, Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, Bozeman, and Billings aviation facilities). From there they traveled on to their respective hometowns... some as distant as Plains, Malta, and Plevna and many places in between. Montana Youth Challenge Academy looks forward to continuing this event in the future. “We are grateful for the support of the Adjutant General and the 1-189th. Being able to bring in educators to see the Academy in a state as large as ours would be impossible without the airlift capabilities. The National Guard gets valuable required training conducted and we get educational leaders on campus. It is really a win-win,” says Gibson. The Montana Youth Challenge Academy is a residential academic intervention academy on the campus of the University of Montana-Western for 16 to 18 year old students who are at risk of high school dropout. Designed by the National Guard Bureau and run through a cooperative agreement between the federal government and the state of Montana, the Academy offers military-style structure and discipline along with academic, professional, and life-coping skills students need to become productive citizens. Following graduation from the residential phase, students continue to build on the gains made and apply the new skills they have learned to their home environment. Mentors, who have been matched with the cadets during the Residential Phase, play a critical role in ensuring their continued success. Challenge conducts two class sessions per year. The upcoming winter/spring session begins January 18, 2022 and the next summer/fall session is scheduled to begin July 19, 2022. For more information about the Challenge Academy to include mentoring, employment or enrollment opportunities, please contact 1-877-367-6927 or visit their website at www.mycacademy.org .

It's looking like we could have a cool weekend with a chance of showers on Saturday. But don't worry we have still found some events happening around Southwestern Montana. Friday, 10/08/2021 Silent Witnesses - Jaycee Park Take a stroll through Jaycee Park to read about the real victims of domestic violence homicides in Montana. Be sure to check-in and share your experience on our events page! LIVE MUSIC w/ Fan Mountain Frog Dogs Join us Friday for music from Fan Mountain Frog Dogs at our tasting room in Ennis, MT. Beaverhead County vs Stevensville HighSchool Football Live HD Beaverhead County vs. Stevensville HighSchool Football Live HD WATCH HERE : https://rebrand.ly/FullHD The Stevensville (MT) varsity football team has a home conference game vs. Beaverhead County (Dillon, MT) on Friday, October 8 @ 7p. UMW Cross Country at MSU-Billings Open Cross Country at MSU-Billings Open Billings, Mont. / Amend Park Women 11 a.m. Men 11:45a.m. Beaverhead Maze & Pumpkin Patch We are open annually the month of October, Thursdays through Sundays from Noon to 8 PM. Saturday, 10/09/2021 Beaverhead Maze & Pumpkin Patch We are open annually the month of October, Thursdays through Sundays from Noon to 8 PM. Safe Sitter Dillon Class fee: $50 Payment due by start of class. Register by October 4th Call Outreach today at 406-683-7537 to reserve a seat. ☐ Minimum number of students: 5 ☐ Students need to bring a sack lunch, water bottle and baby doll/stuffed animal for diapering. Safe Sitter® is designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 (finished 5th grade or 11 years old) to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. Students learn: Safety Skills: Students learn how to prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies. Child Care Skills: Students learn tips to manage behavior that will help them stay in control of themselves and the children in their care. Students also learn the ages and stages of child development, as well as practice diapering. First Aid & Rescue Skills: Learning skills such as choking rescue and CPR is often students’ favorite part of the class. Students also learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses. (CPR included in Safe Sitter® Essentials with CPR and Safe Sitter® Expanded.) Life & Business Skills: The ability to screen jobs, discuss fees, and greet employers will set students up for success now and in the future. Students practice these skills through various role plays. Climb Out of the Darkness Montana is climbing! Join us on October 9th to "climb" and show that there is light beyond the darkness. The Climb Out of the Darkness is a nationwide annual event to raise funds and awareness for perinatal mental health. This is a FREE family friendly event! There will be a kid's corner hosted by the Early Childhood Coalition of Beaverhead County. Light refreshments will be provided! Many local resources will be represented, offering information to help support parents and families in practicing good self-care and promoting healthy living. There will also be a raffle for some great prizes donated by local individuals and businesses. Prizes to include: - a painting by a Dillon artist - a gift basket from a local salon, LOADED with goodies - gift certificates from several local businesses - genuine Climb out of the Darkness t-shirts and coffee mugs - a free dryer clean-out from Blacktail Appliance Repair We will continue fundraising throughout the year with the goal to create resources, education and support for families in our community. UMW Football HOME vs Southern Oregon Football HOME vs Southern Oregon Vigilante Field 12:07 p.m. UMW 29th Annual Bulldog Bash The 29th annual Bulldog Bash is scheduled for Saturday, 10/09 in the Keltz Arena starting at 5:30 PM That is all we were able to find, don't forget the weather is changing and the leaves are falling, right now is a great time to take a drive and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery. We hope you have a fun and safe weekend Southwestern Montana.

More than $260,000 was raised for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ conservation and restoration programs during a wildlife auction held Sept. 25 in Billings. The auction included antlers, horns, hides and skulls that were confiscated by FWP over the last four years. Most of the items came from poaching incidents. Montana statute requires FWP to sell seized items at public auction. This includes all birds, animals, fish, heads, hides, teeth or other parts of any animal other than a grizzly bear. When a carcass is confiscated, FWP donates the meat to a charitable organization and removes the antlers to be sold at auction. When enough inventory is collected, FWP holds an auction. The last auction was held in 2017. The auction, which was hosted but National Auction, grossed $311,740. After payout to the auction house for commission and expenses, the sale netted $260,479. Typically, these auctions net around $100,000. However, since it’s been four years since the last auction, the revenue was expected to be more. “Our enforcement staff work hard throughout the year to protect Montana’s natural resources,” said FWP director Hank Worsech. “The money raised in the auction goes right back into the critical conservation work we do across the state.”

Tuesday October 12th, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. City Council Chambers ZONING COMMISSION Regular Meeting Agenda *The City of Dillon recording of this meeting is the official recording* a. Call To Order b. Review and Approval of Minutes of the September 14th, 2021 Regular Meeting; and September 28 th , 2021 Public Hearing c. Director of Operations Report *Public Comment will be taken after discussion of item d 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 and Action: 2021-032 Linduska 215 East Morse Street Single Family Dwelling 2021-034 Miles 605 Chestnut Single Family Dwelling e. Review/Discussion/Recommendation of Proposed Change in Zoning Designation of Parcel CB-A2, Certificate of Survey No. 1797BA; 10 East Reeder St. f. Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not on the Agenda and Within the Jurisdiction of the Zoning Commission. g. 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. Thank you, Michael L. Klakken, Mayor Zoning Commission Members: Tim Stoker, Raymond Graham, Doug Frank, Jackie Erfle, Russ Schwandt

Have you driven or walked by Jaycee park and noticed the red figures strewn about? The Montana Silent Witness Initiative was established in 1999, with a goal to eliminate murder and domestic violence in Montana. Currently they have 120 figures made of plywood that represent Montana women who were murdered by a domestic partner since 1990. The display travels around the state of Montana and is available to any group or organization who is interested in presenting it in a public program designed to address anti-domestic violence. The Community Support Center has the display going on till Friday, October 8th. Each figure has the name and story of the victim. The community Support Center has a Facebook Event set up in which they ask you to take a stroll through the display, check in, and share your experience.

Small-scale farmers, food processors or distributors, or farmers markets financially impacted by Covid-19 can now apply for up to $20,000 to recover costs related to the pandemic. The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is helping food producers access these dollars through the USDA’s Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program . Applications are now open until Nov. 22, 2021. If you operate a small farm producing specialty crops whose annual revenue is less than $1 million, run a farmers market, food hub, community supported agriculture (CSA) farm, a small food processing business or food manufacturing operation, you may be eligible for grant funding. According to the USDA, the pandemic-related costs that are recoverable through this grant program relate to the following areas, and include estimating staff time to implement: Workplace Safety : Implementing workplace safety measures to protect against COVID-19 such as providing personal protective equipment, thermometers, cleaning supplies, sanitizers, hand washing stations, installation and purchase of air filters or new signage. Market Pivots : Implementing market pivots to protect against COVID–19. Though not exactly well-defined market pivot are related to cost of changing how you had to operate your enterprise to make it more COVID-19 safe including the staff time to implement these changes. For example, a farmers’ market may have had to restructure their layout to ensure one-way traffic and improve social distancing. Retrofitting Facilities : Retrofitting facilities for worker and consumer safety to protect against COVID–19 such as installation and purchase of protective barriers, walk up windows, heat lamps/heaters, fans, tents, propane, weights, tables chairs and lighting. Transportation : Providing additional transportation options to maintain social distancing and worker and consumer safety to protect against COVID-19 such as securing additional transportation services for workers or establishing new delivery routed or distribution services. For instance, a food hub might have had to shift to delivering food directly to consumers rather than just having to have common distribution point. Worker Housing : Providing additional worker housing resources or services to maintain social distancing or to allow for quarantining of new or exposed employees. Medical : Providing health services to protect workers against COVID-19 including offering or enabling vaccinations, testing, or healthcare treatment of infected employees, including paid leave. This is not a competitive grant program; grants will be awarded based on eligibility. Funding is not awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis, and the 45-day application period opened October 6. Before applying, all applicants must obtain a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number. This DUNS number will be required to receive this grant. More information on how to obtain a DUNS number, plus full eligibility criteria can be found at the USDA’s website: https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov/usda . You can also ask further questions about this program by emailing usda.ams.prs@grantsolutions.gov or call 301-238-5550. NCAT’s ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program will provide additional support related to accessing this new grant program. Check our website at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG or sign up for our weekly e-newsletter for updates.

Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture Board Meeting Thursday, October 14th at 8:30am 4B’s Restaurant in Dillon Join Us! Chamber’s Lunch n’ Learn: Electoral Candidates’ Forum MEET THE CANDIDATES Thursday, October 21 at 12:00 Noon The Den Steakhouse We have 6 Candidates speaking and sharing their platforms for the offices of Mayor and City Council Wards. Won’t you join us to ask questions and learn more about who will be leading Dillon! Participate in this honored privilege our great nation offers!

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING City Council Chambers Wednesday, October 13, 2021 12:00 PM ~ AGENDA ~ 1. Call to Order 2. Continue with plans for 2022 (Duck Race, Dillon History Days, etc.) 3. Continue with setting up the Dillon, Montana Community Foundation and 501 (c)(3) 4. Public Comment On Items Of Significant Public Interest Not On The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction Of The City 5. Adjournment Committee Members: Stan Smith, Chair Bill Shafer Cory Birkenbuel Stacey Roundy, Vice Chair Debbie Sporich Raymond Graham Brenda Womack Rebecca Jones

WATER - SEWER COMMITTEE MEETING City Council Chambers Tuesday, October 12, 2021 4:00 P.M. ~ AGENDA ~ 1. Discuss/Recommend Animal Shelter New Buildings on Wastewater Treatment Plant Property 2. Discuss/Recommend Adjusting Water Sewer Bill Database 3. Public Comment On Items Of Significant Public Interest Not On The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction Of The City 4. Adjournment COMMITTEE MEMBERS Don Hand, Chairperson Russ Schwandt 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 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. Please mute your mic until you desire to comment. Any problems or questions, call City Hall at 683-4245. Thank you, Michael L. Klakken, Mayor

The 29th Annual Bulldog Bash is scheduled for this weekend on Saturday, October 9, 2021 in the Keltz Arena on the Montana Western campus starting at 5:30 p.m. If you are not able to join us in person and would like to preview and bid on a Live Auction item, you can do so online at: https://one.bidpal.net/bulldogbash2021/browse/all . We will start taking bids online at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 9. You will need to Sign In and create an account for bidding and checkout. We hope you will join the fun online or in-person and help support our Bulldog student-athletes! Thank you so much for everything you do to support our students. If you would like to attend the event and dinner in person, seats are still available- please call 406-683-7306 to reserve your seat. This event is sponsored by the University of Montana Western Department of Athletics and the Bulldog Club.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The current Northern Rockies Type 2 team will begin transitioning to a local Type 3 team over the next few days. The new team will shadow on Thursday and take control of the fire on Friday at 6:00 a.m. Hunters, please watch for fire personnel. There may be firefighters designated as lookouts working outside the closure areas. Don’t mistake them for the game you are hunting! Please obey all closure signs. Law enforcement is patrolling the closure areas. TRAIL CREEK FIRE | Start Date: July 8, 2021 | Cause: Lightning | 61,992 acres | 69% complete: Overall, the Trail Creek Fire is quieting down, with less smoke and fire activity. May Creek continues to burn out, and fire in Smithy Creek is burning back into itself. Helicopters continue with water drops at the head of Nugget Creek to slowly bring it into the creek bottom. Longer nights and shorter burn periods are helping keep the fire in check. Crews continue to monitor the Morgan Jones Lake area and Nez Perce Creek. Suppression repair continues around all sides of the fire. ALDER CREEK FIRE | Start Date: July 8, 2021 | Cause: Lightning | 36,968 acres | 45% complete: On Tuesday, firefighters worked on a 10-acre slop over in the head of Sawlog Creek. They were able to get in and anchor it, utilizing helicopter support to keep the fire in check. Firefighters have a good handle on it and conditions are favorable today. Some heat remains in Tucker Creek, but crews are using helicopter water drops to keep the humidity’s up until the weather changes. Crews are monitoring Calvert Creek and doing suppression repair around the northwest and southwest sides of the Sawlog area. Suppression repair work is complete on the northeast perimeter. On the southern perimeter, little smoke was observed yesterday and is looking good. SAND LAKE FIRE | Start Date: September 1, 2021 | Cause: Unknown | 228 acres: Fire growth and activity on the Sand Lake Fire has been minimal and is being monitored by air. Despite the critical fire weather conditions Monday and Tuesday, no activity was observed. WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Another breezy day is in store, with humidity values on the rise. Temperatures will be in the mid-50’s to 60’s, with humidity’s in the upper-20’s to 30’s, and winds 7-13 mph with 20-25 mph gusts. Fire activity should be low. An unsettled weather pattern and cold front will move in starting this afternoon, and some precipitation is expected over the next several days. EVACUATIONS & SAFETY: The Lemhi County Sheriff has lifted all stages of evacuations for Gibbonsville, Idaho. The Beaverhead County Sheriff has lifted all stages of evacuations in the Alder Creek Fire area. U.S. Route 93, Highway 43 (Chief Joseph Pass to Wise River), and the Pioneer Scenic Byway are open to through traffic. Please be careful of fire crews working in these areas. CLOSURES: • The Big Hole National Battlefield visitor center has reopened. The lower parking lot, trails, and picnic area remain closed for public safety and resource protection. • Gibbonsville Road is closed at FS Road 944 (Big Moosehorn Creek Road) coming from the east, all the way to Dahlonega. Big Hole Pass is also closed. • Portions of the Continental Divide Trail remain closed. • May Creek Campground and Steel Creek Campground are closed. • Closure orders remain in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest ( www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/scnf/alerts-notices ), the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest ( www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices ), and the Bureau of Land Management. FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Public lands in southwest Montana and central Idaho are in varying stages of fire restrictions. Check www.mtfireinfo.org and www.idahofireinfo.com for the latest information.

STREET & ALLEY COMMITTEE MEETING ~ AGENDA ~ Tuesday, October 12th, 2021 2:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Discuss/Recommend Title 10 Chapter 76 – Load Limits 3. Discuss/Recommend Abandonment of Portion of Normal Street Between the 800 and 900 Blocks of South Pacific Street. 4. Discuss/Recommend Leasing Parking Lots to Businesses 5. Public Comment on Items Not Agenda but Within The Jurisdiction of The City 6. Adjournment Committee Members Dan Nye, Chair Don Hand Russ Schwandt 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. Please mute your mic until you desire to comment. Any problems or questions, call City Hall at 683-4245. Thank you, Michael L. Klakken, Mayor

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Infrastructure Advisory Commission is pleased to announce the opening of a second round of competitive grants for water and sewer infrastructure grants. The second round opened today, Oct 5, 2021 and closes January 14, 2022. In addition, the Commission will be allocating $10 million in ARPA water and sewer infrastructure funds to eligible agricultural irrigation specific projects. Go to grants.dnrc.mt.gov for more information. The ARPA Infrastructure Advisory Commission will meet Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 10 a.m. in the State Capitol. The meeting will be held in Room 152 as well as virtually, and livestreamed at  https://leg.mt.gov/audio-video/ . Click the “Streaming For Today” button. Please email dnrarpa@mt.gov by 8 a.m., Monday, October 18; if you would like to join the meeting via Zoom. During the October 19 meeting, the Commission will review Minimum Allocation Grants and receive updates on Departmental ARPA Water & Sewer Grant activities as well as review the new ARPA Section 604 guidance for funding Capital Projects. Public comments or letters of support regarding a specific project application can be e-mailed to dnrarpa@mt.gov or submitted in the Public Comment Form at https://arpa-mtdnrc.hub.arcgis.com/pages/commission-meetings . The Infrastructure Advisory Commission is responsible for review of applications for water and sewer grants and state capital projects using American Recover Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Commission members must certify that the projects are necessary investments in water and sewer infrastructure, or a qualifying capital project as defined in ARPA. Their recommendations are submitted to the governor for consideration. Infrastructure Commission members include: Sen. Doug Kary, R-Billings; Sen. Mike Cuffe, R-Eureka; Sen. Ellie Boldman, D-Missoula; Rep. Dan Bartel, R-Lewistown; Rep. Sue Vinton, R-Billings; Rep. Jim Keane, D-Butte; Amanda Kaster, Director, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation; Chris Dorrington, Director, Department of Environmental Quality; and Rachel Meredith, Council to Governor Greg Gianforte. The new ARPA Commissions Director is Scott Mendenhall, replacing Mike Foster. Publicly available information on ARPA funds is updated regularly and can be found here (see “Funds Distributed to Date”).

From a Beaverhead County Sheriff Office Facebook Post. MISSING: JASON MORRIS went missing after leaving his home near Dillon, MT early Friday morning, October 1. Jason is 46 years old, 5'7", and weighs approximately 190 pounds. Jason was wearing blue jeans and the blue denim shirt shown in the attached photo. Jason has been acting out of character recently and may be at risk of self-harm. A pistol is missing from his truck, which was found parked at Lone Tree Campground at Clark Canyon Reservoir in Beaverhead County, south of Dillon. Anyone having information regarding Jason Morris please contact the Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office at (406)683-3700.

The University of Montana Western has been selected as a 2022 Hidden Gem College in a recent announcement by College Raptor, a leading college planning platform. College Raptor is a website designed to help students, parents, counselors, and colleges resolve significant challenges in college planning. College Raptor is the only college search platform that enables students and families to discover quality, affordable college options based on personalized estimates of financial aid, scholarships, academic match, and acceptance odds at every four-year college in the country. College Raptor recognizes the University of Montana Western as one of the best colleges in the country, based on a combination of factors, including retention rates, graduation rates, student-to-faculty ratio, endowment per student, selectivity, and other key metrics as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently available enrollment year. To view the full list, visit https://www.collegeraptor.com. “Finding hidden gem schools for students is core to how we help families discover great college choices. We take pride in making it easy for students to make those connections through our Hidden Gems Rankings lists by highlighting excellent schools like Montana Western,” said Bill Staib, CEO of College Raptor. UMW offers in-state tuition of $2,261.50 per semester and an out-of-state tuition of $7,956.70 per semester, with tuition discount opportunities for Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) students. The fields of academic study at Montana Western include Biology, Business and Technology, Environmental Sciences, Education, English, Equine Studies, Health and Human Performance, Fine Arts, Mathematics, and History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences. Students at the University of Montana Western enjoy a tight-knit community atmosphere and small class sizes where they work closely with peers and professors alike. Montana Western focuses on serving students, achieving academic excellence, and promoting experiential education. The 20-acre campus is an excellent choice for students to take advantage of the immersive learning opportunities offered by the Experience One program, where they can build on critical and creative thinking skills to prepare for real-world job and graduate school opportunities. For more information about Experience One and the University of Montana Western, or to schedule a visit, call 877-683-7331 or visit www.umwestern.edu.

The University of Montana Western is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Feuling to the position of Athletic Director and Development Officer. Feuling currently serves at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Oregon as their Annual Fund Development and Community Relations Officer. Prior to working at Linn-Benton, Feuling worked at Western Oregon University for over ten years, serving as their Assistant Athletic Director for Development. During his time at Western Oregon, one of Feuling’s primary focuses was leading fundraising efforts for the university and athletic department. He was responsible for the management of fundraising campaigns, programs, events, and initiatives that generated funds and established a strong donor pipeline. By developing strategic relationships with alumni, friends, family, and community members in 2019, Feuling led fundraising efforts that brought in over $485,000, a record for Western Oregon University Athletics. Feuling was selected after a national search that brought several candidates to campus. “Michael’s commitment to students and passion for providing opportunities for growth through athletics and academics, as well as his successful background in fundraising, make Michael an excellent choice for Montana Western,” said UMW Chancellor, Michael Reid. “I’d like to thank the community of Dillon and our students, faculty, and staff, for their participation and input they provided during the search process. I’m looking forward to welcoming Michael and his family to the Bulldog Community.” Feuling earned a Master of Arts in Sports Administration from Lasell University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Western Oregon University. “I'm humbled and honored for this opportunity and can't wait to work with the terrific staff and student-athletes at Montana Western. The community support for the university and Bulldog athletics is incredible, and my family and I are excited to join the team,” said Feuling. “I want to thank the search committee and Chancellor Reid and as the next athletic director for UMW, I look forward to creating a ‘Championship Experience’ for the student-athletes and set them up for success in the classroom, in competition, and after they graduate.” “We are excited to welcome Michael, Jamee, and their sons to the Bulldog Community. Michael's experience in fundraising will help create new opportunities for our coaches to improve their programs and recruit outstanding athletes to Montana Western. His previous work in collegiate athletics has prepared him well to understand our culture and he brings in great energy and ideas to help us continue to advance each of our programs,” said Interim Athletic Director, Janelle Handlos. Feuling will begin his duties at Montana Western starting November 16, 2021.