Search Results

The Dillon Rotarians will conduct their business meeting on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. 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 .

The 2020-21 Frontier Conference volleyball tournament is Tuesday, Apr. 6; Thursday, Apr. 8 and Saturday, Apr. 10. Topseeded University of Providence is the defending tournament champion. No Spectators: Due to Frontier Conference COVID-19 protocols, spectators will not be permitted. Each host school is responsible for a free web cast of conference tournament matches. Regular season champion University of Providence (18-2) is the No. 1 seed and Rocky Mountain College (15-3, 16-3), the second seed. Both receive first round byes. Tuesday, Apr. 6, Quarterfinal Matches No. 5 Montana Western (3-15) at No. 4 Montana Tech (8-10), 7 p.m. No. 6 MSU-Northern (2-18) at No. 3 Carroll College (10-8), 7 p.m. Thursday, Apr. 6, Semifinal Matches No. 1 University of Providence (18-2) hosts lowest remaining seed, 7 p.m. No. 2 Rocky Mountain College (15-3, 16-3) hosts highest remaining seed, 7 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 10, Championship Match Championship match is hosted by the highest remaining seed at 7 p.m. The tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the 2020-21 NAIA national tournament beginning Apr. 17.

Have an old car in your yard collecting rust? Well get it ready for the Dillon Jaycees demolition derby. Last year the derby was cancelled due to COVID, but it is back. Scheduled for Saturday June, 26 at 5:30 P.M. it will be held at the Beaverhead County Fairgrounds. This years events are: Main Event (Heavy Cars) 1st - $2000 2nd - 1500 3rd - 750 Heat winners door prizes Consolation (Heavy Cars) entry into prize drawing ​ Stock car 1st - $1500 2nd - 750 3rd - 250 ​ Herbie 1st - $500 + entry into prize drawing ​ Powder Puff 1st - $500 + entry into prize drawing ​ ​UTV Barrel Racing 1st - $500 + entry fees\ Tickets can be purchased at NAPA Dillon Auto Parts, Womack's Printing Place, Dillon Video, 3-D Store, CarQuest, BVHD Home Center, Remedy's Hair and Nail Salon, The Mini, Stockman Bank. For More information got to the Dillon Jaycees website.

Governor Greg Gianforte today issued a directive to reduce barriers to vaccine administration in pharmacies across Montana. “As we expand vaccine eligibility to all Montanans on April 1, we’re focused on reducing barriers Montanans face to get the vaccine and increasing access to it,” Governor Gianforte said. “To that end, the directive I issued today will make it easier for pharmacies to efficiently administer doses to more Montanans.” The directive authorizes pharmacists to use any health care provider, who is licensed by Montana or another state and who is qualified to administer vaccines under his or her scope of practice, to assist in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines for the duration of the state of emergency. The directive also temporarily waives a restriction on the number of pharmacy technicians a registered pharmacist may supervise for the purpose of administering the COVID-19 vaccine and conducting associated administrative duties and procedures. The directive is in effect for the remainder of Montana’s state of emergency per Executive Order 2-2021 and can be viewed here .

Fourteen film productions will share $500,000 through the Big Sky Film Grant from the Montana Film Office to film on-location across the state, the Montana Department of Commerce announced today. “Film, television and commercial productions have a direct economic impact in Montana, creating good-paying jobs and infusing outside dollars into Montana communities,” Montana Film Commissioner Allison Whitmer said. “The Big Sky Film Grant is one of a suite of incentives the state offers to filmmakers that makes Montana competitive with other states and countries as the ultimate filming location.” The 14 film projects have a total estimated production cost of almost $126 million and expect that they will spend an estimated $72 million in Montana. A total of 42 projects requested more than $5 million in grant dollars this year, with only $500,000 available through the competitive Big Sky Film Grant for fiscal year 2021. The productions will film at locations across Montana, from Dupuyer to Missoula to several places in eastern Montana. The Big Sky Film Grant builds and supports partnerships with filmmakers and production companies to create good-paying Montana film industry jobs. The grant program enhances the marketing efforts of Montana’s tourism regions and advocates for the state’s people, history and overall quality of life. The following projects will receive funding: Feature Film and Television Grant “Buds Eternal” (Feature film – Ryan Dickie, Producer/Writer/Director; Jeri Rafter, Producer) will receive $25,000 to film in Missoula. “Buds Eternal” is a story about three best friends who come to Montana when one of them inherits his late grandfather’s luxury mountain estate. The guys find themselves dazzled by the gorgeous landscape and serene nature, but quickly come to realize the house is haunted by the grandfather’s benevolent spirt. “Defending our Defenders” (Documentary – J. Lazarus Auerback, Producer/Director) will receive $25,000 to film in various locations across Montana. Synopsis: Montanans are 22 percent more likely to become a suicide statistic than anywhere else in the United States. This means that for soldiers who are dealing with PTSD, there is no place more likely for them to have an attempt at suicide. Through exploring every aspect of both what causes PTSD and the long-term effects on these soldiers, this documentary will strive to show the reasons that lead these brave people to thoughts of suicide, which treatments are available, which therapies are working and how those who need it can find help. “Diamondback” (Feature film – Jennia Fredrique Aponte, Director; Jennifer Julian, Producer; Holly Payberg, Producer; Rene’ Haynes, Casting Director) will receive $100,000 to film in southwest Montana. “Diamondback” is an action-packed, redemptive revenge drama, set in the stunning backdrop of 1880's Montana and featuring a fiercely independent, Black, Apache-trained warrior determined to take down the outlaws who killed her father. “Sooyii (Creatures)” (Feature film – Paige Rasmussen, Producer; Pat “Judge” Hall, Producer; John Murray and Jesse Derosier, Historical Consultants; Krisztian Kery, Writer/Director) will receive $40,000 to film in Dupuyer. “Sooyi” is a historical drama taking place in the early 18th Century in the Americas about a young Blackfeet man, the lone survivor of a deadly disease that decimates his camp, who joins forces with the daughter of an enemy tribe. The film will be cast entirely of Native Peoples and will be one of the first films to use only the authentic Blackfeet and Shoshone languages with English subtitles. “Wild Animal” (Feature film – Joseph Marconi, Writer/Director; Lysette Urus, Producer) will receive $45,000 to film across Montana. Synopsis: This story is inspired by Montana's own Ireland Moran who started fighting in the cage at only 13 years old. “Wild Animal” seeks to tell a relevant and authentic story to those already steeped in the world of MMA and strives to reach audiences outside the fighting community by focusing on the emotional, human quest towards the greatness and enlightening of oneself. “Yellowstone” (Television series – Taylor Sheridan, Writer/Director/Producer; Kevin Costner, Actor/Producer; Art Linson, Producer; John Linson, Producer) will receive $50,000 to film near Darby and Hamilton. Synopsis: A ranching family in Montana faces off against others encroaching on their land. “Yellowstone” follows the Dutton ranch and its family members in land and business conflicts with the local Native American tribe, land developers, other family members and outside forces. Resident Filmmaker Grant “Aaron” (Feature film –Travis Fine, Writer/Director/Producer; Jenna Ciralli, Amber Rose Mason, Nina Alviar and Don Teschner, Producers) will receive $15,000 to film across Montana. Synopsis: When a 13-year-old boy is orphaned in his remote Montana home by World War I and the pandemic of 1918, he must fight the elements to not only stay alive, but also to find meaning and hope in a world that seems to be teetering on the edge of destruction. “Do You Know Where Your Parents Are?” (Feature film – Michelle Hartly, Executive Producer; Linda Metcalf and Scott Rosenfelt, Screenplay) will receive $50,000 to film across Montana. Synopsis: “Do You Know Where Your Parents Are?” portrays the dynamics within a three-generational family against the backdrop of a multimillion-dollar empire and what it really means to care for senior citizens in a direct, honest way. The movie is heartwarming, funny, and you’ll laugh and cry as you root for those who want to do the right thing against overwhelming odds. “Landscapes of a Western Mind: The Story of Ivan Doig” (Documentary – Produced by Kristina Martin, Nic Davis, Scott Sterling, and Aaron Pruitt in partnership with Montana Public Broadcasting Service) will receive $30,000 to film across Montana. Synopsis: The story of how an iconic author saw the world, through the landscapes that shaped him. “Mankind’s Greatest Story” (Documentary – Seth Warren, Producer/Director; Shane Doyle, EdD, Native Nexus/Cultural Consultant/Tribal Navigator/Narrator) will receive $25,000 to film in various locations across Montana. Synopsis: “Mankind’s Greatest Story” will be a mosaic of discovery stories and historical revelations chronicling the first inhabitants of Montana from the period of 10-15K years ago. “Stolen Sisters” (Documentary – Scott Duthie, Producer) will receive $25,000 to film across Montana. Synopsis: This documentary will explore the issues that involve tribal women and how this has affected them. “Stolen Sisters” will showcase how the Montana task force is really making a positive difference in tribal women’s lives and helping them finally find justice. Development Grant “The Adventures of Nicholas Gnome” (Television, streaming – Nick Greil, Director/Producer; Jenny Greil, Writer/Producer) will receive $25,000 to film in Missoula. Synopsis: Entirely written, filmed, and produced in Montana, “The Adventures of Nicholas Gnome” provides high-quality, educational content for children. Part live-action, part animation, and part musical, each episode uses memorable narratives, music, and fun to teach essential lessons based on the Montana Office of Public Instruction’s Early Learning Standards. “The Program” (Documentary – Ann Rogers, Director/Producer) will receive $25,000 to film in eastern Montana. Synopsis: When an unexpected Facebook friend request unearths decades of male child sexual abuse at a rural Montana high school, former student athletes and their lawyers seek justice in the courtroom and fight for future victims in the state legislature. “The Story of Us: A History of the Women Who Help Shape Montana” (Television – Kimberly Hogberg, Producer) will receive $20,000 to film across Montana. The mission of this project is to highlight and feature the history of Montana’s women and bring their stories to life. The production of films, television shows and commercials contributed $47.6 million to Montana’s economy from January 2019 to June 2020, according to an independent report on the film industry’s impact commissioned by Commerce. Over that same time, 117 productions were filmed in Montana, directly spending $23.9 million in Montana communities, supporting 280 jobs, and contributing $1.3 million in local tax revenue. For more information about the Big Sky Film Grant, visit MONTANAFILM.COM .

Each spring, FWP receives calls from people who have picked up deer fawns or other wildlife. It’s important to remember that Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks no longer accepts, holds or rehabilitates moose, deer, elk and most other animals. Often times, people think they are rescuing an orphaned animal. However, it’s important to understand that wildlife care for their young much differently than humans. They have strategies to provide the highest chance of survival for their young. One strategy that some species, particularly those species that are more commonly seen as prey (deer, rabbits, birds), use is to distance themselves from their young for many hours at a time. This helps to keep predators away from their young. For example, fawns are born without a scent and it is safer for them if their mother, who has a scent, is not nearby. This also can potentially distract a predator into focusing on the doe vs. their offspring. FWP believes wild animals thrive better in the wild where they have plenty of natural habitat (food, water, shelter, space) and thrive better with other wildlife than with humans, who they consider an apex predator. Nature provides them the best options for survival and a better quality of life. The potential to spread wildlife disease is also a good reason to leave young wildlife alone. Baby ground squirrels, racoons and rabbits can carry zoonotic diseases, which means diseases that are infectious for humans. Examples include plague, hemorrhagic diseases and tularemia. If you see a baby animal, whether a goose or a grizzly, keep your distance and leave it alone. Handling baby animals can be dangerous, and usually once young animals are picked up by people they can’t be rehabilitated. What can you do? Leave It There.  It’s natural for deer and elk to leave their young alone for extended periods of time. Control Your Dog.  Keep your dog under control, especially in the spring when newborn wildlife is most vulnerable. Pet owners can be cited and dogs that harass or kill wildlife may by law have to be destroyed. Keep Cats Indoors. Many birds nest and feed on the ground. Young birds are also learning how to fly, making them vulnerable to cats. The bacteria in cat saliva are toxic to birds, so even if a cat does not immediately kill a bird, its bite often leads to infection and death. Keep in Mind.  It is illegal to possess and care for a live animal taken from the wild. As a wildlife agency, FWP’s priority is to keep wild animals wild. When people keep and raise elk, deer or other animals, it habituates wildlife to humans, potentially causing problems once released back into the wild. Should someone bring a deer or elk to FWP, they'll be asked to take the animal back to the site where it was found.  If the animal can't be returned, it may need to be humanely euthanized.

Montana’s second mussel-fouled watercraft was intercepted at the Dillon watercraft inspection station on March 29. Inspectors drained water from the live-wells and found mussels in the screens. Due to freezing temperatures a full decontamination could not be completed. The boat owner was returning to Montana from Lake Mohave, Ariz., a heavily mussel infested waterbody. All watercraft (motorized and non-motorized) coming into Montana from out of state must be inspected. Watercraft must be drained of all water before transporting. Watercraft inspection stations are Montana’s first line of defense to prevent the movement of aquatic invasive species (AIS) which can have devastating impacts on Montana waterways. Boaters must stop at all watercraft inspections stations they encounter. Learn more at CleanDrainDryMT.com or call the FWP Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau at 406-444-2440.

Traffic on I-15 has been facing tough driving conditions as the high wind warning remain in effect. Beaverhead County Sheriff’s office responded to a semi tipped over by the wind on mile marker 83 north bound. Shortly after arriving they were dispatched to another call of a box truck blown off the road and into a fence on north bound mile marker 81. Multiple road signs have been blown over on I-15 and winds are extremely high, use caution while traveling.

Seth Wiley, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Wound Therapist at Barrett Hospital & HealthCare, will speak to Rotarians and guests at noon Wednesday, March 31, 2021. He will provide information on the wound therapy program at Barrett Hospital. 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 .

The Dillon Volunteer Fire Dept. responded Sunday night to a call of a car on fire. A late 90's early 2000 Ford Explorer was reported to be on fire next to the Dairy Queen on Southside Blvd. Firefighters were able to put out the fire, but the vehicle is a total loss.

The Dillon Youth Connections Mentorship program held their annual Polar Dip today at the Blacktail Meadows Kids Pond. Participants can either choose to take the plunge or the chicken out route. A few brave souls decided to take the plunge. We hope you enjoy this Community Moment

The JCA ladies held the annual Easter egg hunt today. After being postponed last year due to Covid, the kids were ready to hunt eggs and get as many goodies as they could in their Easter basket. With the dinging of the Firetruck bell, the kids were off. The youngsters cleared the Easter egg field in under ten minutes.

Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the funding of 14 forest management projects across Montana that will reduce wildfire risks, improve forest health and wildlife habitat, and support local economies with good-paying jobs in the forest industry. “Our Montana Comeback Plan calls for using all tools available to reduce wildfire risk across the state,” Governor Gianforte said. “Today’s announcement helps to advance that goal to improve forest health, which in turn protects critical habitat and watersheds and supports good-paying jobs in our local communities.” The projects range in size from 100 to 1,000 acres and correspond with the recently completed Montana Forest Action Plan, which reassessed statewide forest conditions, identified priority areas for treatment, and developed a cross-boundary plan to accomplish landscape-scale forest restoration. Amanda Kaster, director of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, said the state has committed $4.5 million for the new projects and received $500,000 in grant funds from the USDA Forest Service. “In order to qualify, all of these projects were to provide matching funds and carry out management activities in a collaborative manner across ownership boundaries,” Kaster said. “That’s a critical element of active management, because problems of forest health and wildfire risk don’t stop at the fence line.” A total of 47 projects were submitted through the RFP process requesting nearly $14 million in funding. “It is critical to continue to work with our partners to identify opportunities to utilize all available authorities and options to actively facilitate forest management work across Montana,” Gianforte said. A complete list of awarded projects and their locations are listed below and may be found at https://www.montanaforestactionplan.org/ . Bozeman Municipal Watershed Cross-Boundary Forest Collaboration Project Project Area: Bozeman, MT Chalk Buttes Forest Fuels Mitigation Project Area: Carter County Fort Belknap – Bear Gulch Project Area: Fort Belknap Indian Reservation Gird Creek Stand Improvement and WUI Project Project Area: Hamilton, MT Lone Pine State Park Forest & Grassland Improvement Project Area: Lone Pine State Park Missouri Headwaters Habitat Restoration and Biomass Utilization Project Project Area: Beaverhead County Pines Recreation Area Cross Boundary Project Project Area: Valley County Piquette Creek Project Area: Bitterroot National Forest, Ravalli County Rabbit Tracks Forest Partnership Project Area: Troy, MT Red Lodge Mountain Restoration Project Project Area: Red Lodge, MT Sorrel Springs Good Neighbor Authority Project Project Area: Frenchtown, MT South Helena – Capital 360 Project Project Area: Helena, MT Statewide Urban Reforestation Project Area: Various municipally owned public lands across Montana Wildfire Adapted Missoula Twin-Gold Creek Project Project Area: Missoula County

The Friday, Mar. 26 and Saturday, Mar. 27 Frontier Conference volleyball matches between Montana Tech at Montana Western at Dillon, Mont., and Rocky Mountain College at Carroll College in Helena, Mont., have been cancelled due to Covid issues.

The Dillon Rotary Club announced the clock has fallen through the ice and the timer has stopped. The annual event is a way for the Rotary to raise funds that go to local scholarships and other projects. The winners are: 1st: Anna Cossel 2nd: Harvey Lake 3rd: Nathan Alexander

Dillon Volunteer Fire Department responded last night around 8 P.M. to a chimney fire 5 miles North on Highway 41. According to Fire Chief Klose there was no structural damage.

Montana’s first watercraft inspection stations are opening for the 2021 season. Inspection stations near Dillon and Ravalli opened earlier this month. The Anaconda station opened Saturday, March 20, and intercepted the first mussel fouled boat of the year. A used motorboat that had been recently purchased in Wisconsin was found with zebra mussels attached to the anchor. The Anaconda inspectors reported the mussels were dry and dead. The motorboat was en route to Sandpoint, Idaho. In addition to roadside watercraft inspection stations the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 1 office in Kalispell offers inspections from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Starting April 5, the Kalispell office will expand its availability with inspections offered on weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Watercraft inspection stations are Montana’s first line of defense to prevent the movement of aquatic invasive species (AIS) which can have devastating impacts on Montana waterways. Boat owners should ensure their watercraft, trailers and gear are clean, drained and dry before transporting and need to be aware of Montana’s inspection rules: All watercraft coming into Montana from out of state must be inspected prior to launching. All watercraft traveling west across the Continental Divide into the Columbia River Basin must be inspected prior to launching. All watercraft launching anywhere within the Flathead Basin that were last launched on waters outside of the Flathead Basin must be inspected. Anyone transporting watercraft must stop at all open watercraft inspection stations they encounter. Snowbirds returning to Montana with a watercraft must seek out an inspection. Watercraft that have been used in mussel-infested waters in other states are of major concern. Boat owners coming to Montana must have their vessel inspected at a Montana watercraft inspection station prior to launch. To accommodate these rules, inspection stations are set up across Montana during the boating season. Additional inspection stations will open in April and May as the weather warms and boat traffic increases. Montana will accept inspections conducted in Idaho and Wyoming, too. Watercraft can also be inspected at some FWP offices. For a map and list of inspection stations, visit CleanDrainDryMT.com or call the FWP Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau at 406-444-2440.

On February 26th, local 2nd grader, Wyatt Storey competed in the State USA Swimming meet and came home with a cash of medals. Wyatt brought Home 3 Gold medals in the 50 meter butterfly, 50 meter breast stroke, and the 25 meter butterfly. 1 Silver in the 50 meter freestyle, and two bronze medals 25 meter back stroke and 25 meter freestyle.

Dan Cahill, local flight instructor, will speak to Rotarians and guests at noon Wednesday, March 24, 2021. He will provide information about the Dillon Airport. 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 .

St Patrick’s day in Dillon, and The Frontier Events Center was the place to be. With a little controversy swirling around the event, and a lot of hard work and last minute of pulling things together, they opened the doors to host the St Patrick’s Day Bash. With main headliners Tim Montana and Blistered Earth, it was sure to be a show no one would soon forget. Doors opened at 2 P.M. and with other bands playing throughout the night, this offered an array of different music choices suited to anyone’s taste. Talking with event promoter Ted Deshner of the Party Palace, he said he wanted to bring this to Dillon, with the help of helping the local economy, hotels and other service-based industries that have taken a hit from the pandemic. “Butte is still planning on having festivities, but I wanted to bring this here to this venue.” As many know, the Frontier Events Center was once the former Shop Ko building and an Alco store before that. Many had hoped a new chain would take it over, but after finding no one, owner Ron Johnson turned it into a place that could host larger crowds and events. In the past they have hosted the Mechanical Bull Riders, the NRA Banquet, and has been home to the Dillon Assembly Church. The building has potential, and as they improve the space bringing it fully up to code, it can turn into a great place to draw crowds and events to Dillon. Watching last night’s show, one can see the benefits of having the events center as a way to draw new business to Dillon.