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Governor Steve Bullock today announced a new crisis counseling hotline funded by a $1.6 million federal grant is now available to aid Montanans struggling with their mental health due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency. “We know Montanans in every corner of the state have been impacted by this virus in various ways and I’m pleased this hotline is available to support anyone in need,” Governor Bullock said. “I encourage Montanans to use the hotline now to receive confidential assistance and get connected to the appropriate services in their community.” The Montana Crisis Recovery hotline is funded and available for at least the next nine months. Montanans in need of crisis counseling can call 1-877-503-0833 to receive free and confidential counseling services from trained crisis counselors Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The free service is meant to help people navigate feelings of isolation, loss, fear, uncertainty, depression, and anxiety they are experiencing during this time. The new service is available to all Montanans, with target populations identified as healthcare workers and first responders, school officials, veterans, elderly individuals, Native Americans, and farmers and ranchers. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) partnered with Disaster and Emergency Services to pursue the grant to address the growing need for mental health services. “As COVID-19 cases rise across Montana, the impacts on mental health can be devastating to a wide range of the population,” Zoe Barnard, DPHHS Addictive and Mental Disorders Division Administrator, said. “A crisis counselor can offer an empathetic ear and provide support.” Counselors on the other end of the line will be there to listen without judgement, offer emotional support, comfort, console, offer information and education on stress and coping, and direct callers to additional support and community resources. DPHHS is contracting with Mental Health America of Montana to manage the hotline. The phone line, when fully staffed, will include 12 trained crisis counselors. Efforts are currently under way to recruit and hire two counselors who are Tribal members. In addition to Mental Health America of Montana, DPHHS will work closely with four additional project partners including the Montana Hospital Association, Voices of Hope, Kauffman & Associates Inc., and the Montana Public Health Institute. The team will work together to hire counselors and will provide outreach to communities across the state through this opportunity. The grant is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Other mental health resources that are already available to Montanans include the Montana Crisis Text Line, Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Montana Warmline and Thrive by Waypoint Health. The Crisis Text Line is available 24/7 by texting MT to 741 741; the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 800-273-TALK (8255); the Warmline is available Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. at 877-688-3377; and information about Thrive by Waypoint Health, an online cognitive behavioral therapy for those actively working to manage anxiety and stress, is available at https://thriveformontana.com/ . Over the past several months, DPHHS has expanded these services to assist Montanans through the ongoing pandemic.

This year's Festival of Trees will be having a different take on it. With COVID restrictions in place they will not have the dinner as they did in the past. The Festival of Trees will be located at 34 North Idaho. Organizers ask those attending to please wear a mask and practice social distancing. The preview will begin on December 02 at 12 P.M. and go to 4 P.M. They will also have a preview on the 3rd with the same time slots. Bidding will be Friday December 4th from 12 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. This years Festival of Trees is to benefit the Business Builders.

With the understanding that private lands, particularly working landscapes, are a vital component for wildlife habitat, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has developed a new strategy addressing wildlife movement and migration. The new strategy was developed over the last year out of experience working with conservation organizations, landowners and others in response to growing public interest in conserving habitat for wildlife movement and migration. FWP will use the new strategy to further integrate efforts related to wildlife movement and migration into its existing policies and programs. The intent is to better highlight the work FWP staff already do related to wildlife movement and migration, and to strengthen that work where necessary.   “For decades wildlife conservation work in Montana has focused on preserving important wildlife movements between winter and summer range,” said FWP director Martha Williams. “In fact, that was the impetus behind our very first game ranges. We know this work has to be done in partnership with private landowners whose working lands often represent important habitat for Montana’s wildlife.” The strategy allows FWP and partners to continue to balance the positive aspects of wildlife movement, such as ensuring wildlife populations can access crucial seasonal habitats and remain connected, with challenges such as competition on private lands with livestock for critical winter range and disease transmission. The strategy brings into focus how FWP will be inclusive by bringing partners and diverse values together to conserve wildlife in a way that is driven by local communities, private landowners and conservation interests. “The viability of our ranch business and others like it is essential to maintaining an intact Montana landscape conducive to wildlife movement,” said Heath Martinell, a rancher in southwest Montana. “We enjoy wildlife and consider them an indicator of land health, and at the same time they bring substantial costs and challenges to our business. That's why I appreciate that FWP and partners are seeking out landowner feedback and perspectives on managing wildlife movement and migration across the state." Historically, wildlife movement and migration conservation has been a crucial piece of FWP’s focus. However, as human development increases across the West, public interest in the work is increasing. Recently, a group of hunting, conservation and private landowner organizations recommended that FWP formally address big game migration in policies and programs with suggestions such as selecting an agency lead for big game migration, updating prioritization criteria for big game in existing programs like Habitat Montana and requesting the Private Lands/Public Wildlife Council to facilitate public discourse around difficult issues related to wildlife movement and migration like disease transmission. Some of these recommendations were incorporated into the strategy. “Like many of the conservation challenges here in Montana, safeguarding our big game migration corridors depends on strong collaboration and cooperative efforts between private landowners and Fish, Wildlife & Parks,” said Scott Laird, Montana field representative for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “This strategy provides a blueprint for the continued success of these partnerships, which provide tremendous benefits to working lands and families, sportsmen and women, our wildlife and Montana’s economy.” To view the terrestrial wildlife movement and migration strategy, please visit fwp.mt.gov .

The Giving Tree helps families that may be in need during the holiday season. Children's request are put on a tag then placed on the tree. Interested Santa's are then able to pick a tag and go shopping for a child in need. If you would like to include a child on the tree or go shopping for one the tree is Located at Rattlesnake Alpacas. Gift delivery will be Saturday, December 19, gifts need to be turned in by December 17th. If you have any questions please call 406-660-2528.

The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers of a special new provision that will allow more people to easily deduct up to $300 in donations to qualifying charities this year. Following special tax law changes made earlier this year, cash donations of up to $300 made before December 31, 2020, are now deductible when people file their taxes in 2021. "Our nation's charities are struggling to help those suffering from COVID-19, and many deserving organizations can use all the help they can get," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The IRS reminds people there's a new provision that allows for up to $300 in cash donations to qualifying organizations to be deducted from income. We encourage people to explore this option to help deserving tax-exempt organizations – and the people and causes they serve." The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enacted last spring, includes several temporary tax changes helping charities, including the special $300 deduction designed especially for people who choose to take the standard deduction, rather than itemizing their deductions. Nearly nine in 10 taxpayers now take the standard deduction and could potentially qualify for this new tax deduction. In tax-year 2018, the most recent year for which complete figures are available, more than 134 million taxpayers claimed the standard deduction, just over 87% of all filers. Under this new change, individual taxpayers can claim an "above-the-line" deduction of up to $300 for cash donations made to charity during 2020. This means the deduction lowers both adjusted gross income and taxable income – translating into tax savings for those making donations to qualifying tax-exempt organizations. Before making a donation, the IRS reminds people they can check the special Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) tool on IRS.gov to make sure the organization is eligible for tax-deductible donations. Cash donations include those made by check, credit card or debit card. They don't include securities, household items or other property. Though cash contributions to most charitable organizations qualify, some do not. Check Publication 526, Charitable Contributions , and the TEOS for more information. Though cash contributions to most charitable organizations qualify, those made to supporting organizations and donor-advised funds do not. The IRS reminds everyone giving to charity to be sure to keep good records. By law, special recordkeeping rules apply to any taxpayer claiming a charitable contribution deduction. Usually, this includes obtaining a receipt or acknowledgement letter from the charity, before filing a return, and retaining a cancelled check or credit card receipt. For details on these recordkeeping rules, see Publication 526 , available on IRS.gov. In addition, the CARES Act includes other temporary provisions designed to help charities. These include higher charitable contribution limits for corporations, individuals who itemize their deductions and businesses that give food inventory to food banks and other eligible charities. For more information about these and other Coronavirus-related tax relief provisions, visit IRS.gov/coronavirus .

Beginning Nov. 24, the citizens of Beaverhead County, Mont., will be able to buy a burn permit without leaving home. Developed in partnership with NIC Montana, the Beaverhead County Burn Permit service is available online at burnpermits.mt.gov . Through the new website, citizens will have instant access to purchase permits, add multiple burn locations to a single permit and print permits at home or send permits to themselves electronically by email. The online service accepts both debit and credit cards as well as electronic checks (eCheck). Citizens can activate a permit online or by calling the county’s new automated phone system at (833) 216-3454. The Burn Permit service displays real-time updates on an interactive county map when a customer activates a permit by entering the permit number and the start and stop times of the burn. County fire and emergency personnel can use the service to monitor current burn activity within the county. Citizens may still obtain a burn permit in person at the Beaverhead County DES Office, 2 South Pacific St., Suite 12, in Dillon. Payment must be made with cash or check for permits purchased in person. Both new and renewed permits cost $3 and are valid through the current calendar year. Renewed permits will not be available for purchase until the beginning of the new burn season on Jan. 1, 2021.

Dillon, Mont. – The University of Montana Western men's basketball begins an uncertain 2020-21 season eager to hit the hardwood. After months of uncertainty and a constantly shifting schedule, the Bulldog men's basketball team is set to open its season at home Nov. 28 and 29. ​Hosting the eighth ranked College of Idaho Yotes in ​a nearly empty Straugh Gymnasium. what we are trying to do." "I'm excited," head coach Mike Larsen said. "I feel like we have a really exciting team this year with a lot of new guys who we bought in, and really understand Although the Bulldogs usually start their season at the end of October, Montana Western has seen games come and go and the schedule get pushed back. ​Finally, they are ready to see some game action. The Bulldogs know that things can, will​, and have changed at a moment's notice, they haven't let the uncertainty of games being canceled, COVID protocols and all the other distractions mess with their focus. "COVID hasn't affected us too bad," Larsen said. "We've made the most of it, we have had 27 practices so far unscathed and haven't had any issues." "Our biggest thing is just ​to get one percent better every day," Larsen added. "We can't dictate when games are played or who we play or anything. So, if we can just continue to get better and take advantage of the opportunities presented for us, which is practice right now, and as games slowly come in and we get to play then it's just a matter of putting the product on the floor and seeing what we do." The Bulldogs will have a new look this season as they return just two starters from last year's squad: Tanner Haverfield and Max Clark. "Having those guys back is huge, they have really pushed our program to the next level," Larsen said. "Max has really elevated himself and has a goal to be the best player in our program. He's in shape and is shooting the ball at a high, high level." Clark was 10th in the nation with an assist/turnover ratio of 2.8, dishing out 98 assists ​during the 2019-20 ​season. "Max continues to pass the ball as he always has," Larsen said. "I think he's going to have a great senior year." After losing 10 players from last year's squad, Larsen has brought in 11 fresh faces including a plethora of guards. "I'm excited about our guards," Larsen said. "Bringing in guys like Jamal Stephenson, Treyton Paxton and Michael Haverfield. They all fit into what we do. We are a very unselfish team and pass the ball really well. Mix in guys like Carlos Allen and I feel confident that our guards have the length to guard on the defensive end of the floor but can really score on the offensive end." Larsen has brought in some size with a couple of 6-7 bigs that play well around the basket. "Grayson Nelson is a big guy who can put the ball in anywhere around the basket," Larsen said. "He reminds me of Connor Burkhart who doesn't miss a whole lot around the rim. Jok Jok is big kid who just shoots the heck out of the ball. He plays so hard and he's so long and fits our system really well." Redshirt freshman Colter Miller has also worked his way into the rotation with a strong effort in practice. "I feel good about us," Larsen said. "I'm confident and anxious to get out on the floor and see how it all shakes out." The Bulldogs make their season debut on Saturday​, Nov. 28 against the College of Idaho. Opening Tip is set for 4 p.m. The game can be heard on KDBM AM 1490 and can be streamed online. Due to Frontier Conference COVID-19 protocols, spectators will not be permitted in the Straugh Gymnasium until further notice. All Bulldog Athletics home events can be streamed at www.bulldogsports.com/watch Please check the website regularly for up-to-date schedules​ at www.umwbulldogs.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule For the latest on Montana Western Athletics, follow the Bulldogs on social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

With the drama and tension from a few days ago many tuned into the Beaverhead County Health Boards long overdue meeting on Wednesday, Nov 23. With the mayor coming in having the power to remove the City of Dillon from the board tensions seemed to be high. The meeting started out with Beaverhead Public Health nurse Sue Hanson giving a breakdown of the current COVID numbers in Beaverhead County. They are as follows: Averaging 20 Cases/day 563 Total Cases in Beaverhead County that is 6% of our population, 1% of the state’s population 95 Active cases 20 total hospitalizations with 3 current Last 2 weeks they have tested 500 people The board next reviewed the Governors new restrictions put in place, Sheriff Paul Craft discussed how they have tried to educate businesses on the mask mandate and as far as the mask mandate goes they have no way to enforce it. This can be seen around the 12 min mark on the accompanying video. Next a presentation by Dr Charlotte Quist starting at the 17 Min mark. This presentation shows why mask work the effectiveness of them and the way the COVID virus is transmitted. The presentation has slides and opened up a discussion on other published articles and the ever-changing facts of COVID. 1 Hour 3 min mark opens the floor to questions from people via Zoom. This lead to the discussion of ways to enforce the mask mandate, Sheriff Craft stated as a business you can ask customers to wear a mask, if they refuse to you can ask them to leave, if the person becomes hostile you can have them trespassed. At the 1 Hour 55 Min mark Pioneer Care had an update on the nursing home, they have been negative for COVID they have had only one staff member test positive in Oct. They are taking new residents with special precautions. Two-week quarantines and multiple tests for COVID before they are allowed with the other residents. 1 Hour 57 Min mark discussion involving isolation vs quarantine. Mayor Klakken had questions on what the difference is and why he has a few problems with it. Main problem was if you become a contact case you are not given information on who may have exposed you. Sue Hanson said many people give consent that they can say who it is but if they do not, they cannot give out names because of HIPPA. 2 Hour 28 Min mark they begin discussing ways to reach out and educate the public with mask usage as well as more data on CORONA virus. Many members believe this is something that needs to be put out ASAP, this has been one thing lacking during these times. Overall, this has been one of the most productive health board meetings we have streamed. It was nice to see people put their differences aside and discuss in a civil manner opposing views and come together for a common goal. The next meeting is scheduled for 12/07/2020 at 2 P.M.

Governor Steve Bullock today announced that over 100 contracted medical staff from across the country are deployed in Montana to assist hospitals with responding to COVID-19 and filling in gaps in healthcare worker shortages due to quarantine or isolation. “The situation in Montana is serious. Hospital capacity is stressed and our healthcare workers are exhausted, with many unable to work from being exposed to the virus,” said Governor Bullock. “I know I join all Montanans in being incredibly grateful for this additional medical staff to ensure critical care continues during this time. For these national teams and our frontline workers here at home to be successful, we need every Montanan to stay home as much as possible, wear masks, social distance, and avoid gatherings.” The medical staff have been deployed to Montana through a partnership between the State of Montana and talent solution NuWest Group to help respond to the rising caseload and a rising number of Montana healthcare workers in quarantine or isolation. The medical staff come from across the nation and will not pull from existing employees within the medical system in Montana. Medical staff include registered nurses and respiratory therapists. There are currently 110 medical staff on the ground that arrived throughout the weekend working in hospitals at or nearing capacity in Montana, with an anticipated total of 200 staff deployed before Thanksgiving. They will serve until the end of this year. The majority of the medical staff are currently assisting Benefis Health System, Billings Clinic, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, and St. Vincent Healthcare. Medical staff are also deployed at Bozeman Health, Community Medical Center, Great Falls Clinic Hospital, Livingston Healthcare, Providence St. Patrick Hospital, and St. James Healthcare. “Hospitals are in critical need of travel RNs and RRTs that are ready and able to take rapid response assignments throughout the State of Montana this week,” said NuWest. “We are urgently deploying RNs with Covid experience within the ICU, ED, Med Surg, or Tele, as well as Respiratory Therapists.” When Kirkland Lifecare Center, the hub of the very first U.S. coronavirus outbreak, needed to replace their entire staff, NuWest Group answered the call with their travel healthcare staff. Since then, thousands of healthcare responders have deployed to the most critical locations across the country. Medical Surgical “NuWestee” nurse Joshua Lippincott has been saving lives on the frontlines since April, first in New York City and then Miami. Now, he joins a team of travel nurses answering the call to aid health systems in Montana. Eligible healthcare responders are encouraged to apply on NuWest's crisis hotline web page .

Do you remember the big Sear's Christmas wish book? We want to create the same idea but more of a Dillon Christmas wish book to encourage shopping local. We are looking into adding a page on our website that will include Dillon Businesses that want to participate. The page will have your logo or business name along with a couple items you want to highlight. The person can also click on your logo and it will take them either to your website or Facebook page so they can see all you offer. If you are a business owner and would like to participate in this it would cost, you $25 for the month of December. We would need your information by at least the 30th of this month and a minimum of 10 Businesses that want to participate. We will market the page push it out to our audience and get people talking about it. If you are interested, please call us at (406) 660-7041 or stop by our office at 34 N. Idaho street Suite B. (Next to Brit’s Bakery) UPDATE: This is a go, we have had great interest in this. Thank you to all the businesses that have already signed on. We will also include videos of the Holiday happenings in and around Southwestern MT. Also if any business who places an ad on the page would like to do a holiday shout out we will be including those on the page as well. https://www.southwesternmontananews.com/shop-local-wish-book

The Board of Health, with the assistance of the Clerk of Court, has made this meeting available to the public via ZOOM. If you would like to attend the meeting, please utilize the internet link below. Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the size of the group, and the space limitations of the facility, only members of the Board and staff will be physically present in the room . Public participation is encouraged and will be facilitated via ZOOM. Thank you for your understanding and patience. The ZOOM link can be utilized by going to Beaverhead County’s web page and using the District Court link: https://beaverheadcounty.org/departments/district-court/ If you have any problems connecting with this link, call 683-3727 for assistance. Southwestern Montana News will be livestreaming this on both our Facebook page as well as our YouTube page. Meeting starts at 10:30 A.M. on Monday the 23rd. AGENDA Call meeting to order ~ Establish Quorum State of Beaverhead County Public Health Discussion on Governor’s new Statewide Directives 11/17/20 effective Friday, 11/20/20 at 4:00p.m. Hospital Update Pioneer Care Update Discuss Proposed COVID-19 Position of City/County Health Board Isolation and Quarantine Orders Public Education on “flattening the curve” COVID-19 Vaccine Review of Phase II Executive Orders *Discussion of possible future changes and what it means for Beaverhead County School Update DISCUSSION and/or ACTION ITEMS Old Business ~ Approval of August 21 Minutes Public Discussion/Comments on Subjects Under BOH Jurisdiction Not on Agenda Meeting Schedule ~ Next meeting Tentatively?? New business Adjourn the meeting

Governor Steve Bullock this week announced the launch of the Interim Pandemic Assistance program, directing the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) to issue an extra $200 weekly payment to unemployed Montanans impacted by COVID-19 using up to $25 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF). “Providing an extra $200 per week so unemployed Montanans can better care for their families in the near term is critical,” Governor Bullock said. “If Congress cannot agree on another pandemic stimulus package as the nation heads into winter with COVID infections surging, we must do what we can to help Montanans today.” Montana joins only a handful of states to use CRF funding to create a new program to supplement unemployment benefits. Payments issued under the new Interim Pandemic Assistance program will be available for four benefit weeks, beginning the UI week ending November 28 through benefit week ending December 19, 2020. Claimants must submit their weekly payment requests and certify their claim for those benefit weeks by December 28. In accordance with the federal CARES Act, all possible disbursements under the program will be completed by December 30, 2020, meaning retroactive payments will not be issued after that date. DLI has begun making the programmatic changes needed to issue payments under the new state program. The extra $200 payment will be issued to any eligible Montanan who is unemployed or partially unemployed due to COVID-19 disruptions and who is receiving unemployment benefits under the regular UI, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs. While claimants do not need to fill out a separate UI claim for these benefits, these additional funds will be paid in a separate direct deposit or check from their regular UI payments. DLI is in the process of issuing emails to claimants to explain the effective dates and payment changes. Using current claim figures, the economic activity generated from these additional UI benefits is estimated to be at $30.4 million, due to claimants spending funds at local businesses, helping to further Montana’s economic recovery. Additional information on the new state IPA stimulus program for UI claimants is available here: http://dli.mt.gov/Portals/57/Documents/covid-19/InterimPandemicAssistance.pdf . Montanans impacted by COVID-19 can file a UI claim online at MontanaWorks.gov or mtpua.mt.gov for those who fall under the PUA eligibility guidelines . A resource page for those with technical, eligibility, or benefits questions is available at dli.mt.gov/covid-19 .

Governor Steve Bullock today announced that Montana will again partner with the SANS Institute to provide high school students with a free and fun opportunity to learn cybersecurity skills and qualify for the National Cyber Scholarship Competition. “CyberStart America gives high school students across Montana an engaging opportunity to unlock their cybersecurity skills,” Governor Bullock said. “Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field, and this competition is a great way for students who are looking towards their next steps to start exploring a rewarding career in cybersecurity.” Montana participated in Girls Go CyberStart the previous two years. That initiative focused on girls and continues as a girls-only community within this year’s expanded competition called CyberStart America which is open to high school boys and girls. Girls Go CyberStart is featured as a exclusive community within CyberStart America and can be selected on the registration page. The Girls Scouts of Montana & Wyoming have created an innovative companion program called GirlSCOUTS Go CyberStart which provides Girls Scouts registered for the Girls Go CyberStart competition with additional opportunities for collaboration and supplemental activities to aid Girl Scouts in completing the requirements for their Cybersecurity badges. More information about GirlSCOUTS Go CyberStart will be on the Girl Scouts of Montana & Wyoming website. “Innovative programs like CyberStart America and GirlSCOUTS Go CyberStart are essential to introducing cybersecurity to the next generation that will protect our data,” said Andy Hanks, Montana’s Chief Information Security Officer . “I am glad that we have partners like SANS and the Girl Scouts of Montana & Wyoming to inspire interests in cybersecurity.” Registration for CyberStart America is open now at www.cyberstartamerica.org/ , students must reach the qualifying level in the CyberStart Game by March 8, 2021 to be invited to the National Scholarship Competition.

Eleven small Montana businesses have been awarded Workforce Recovery grants to bring employees back to work who were laid off due to impacts of the pandemic. The Montana Department of Commerce announced Thursday the businesses will share $195,000 to support the rehiring of 31 full-time employees. “Commerce’s temporary Workforce Recovery program was launched to support businesses that are ready to bring jobs back,” Commerce Director Tara Rice said. “Businesses will be reimbursed for rehiring workers and sustaining those jobs into the future.” The Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund Workforce Recovery program will reimburse a business for the wages of full-time, permanent jobs that are created and retained for at least six months, up to a maximum of 25 jobs per business. Businesses apply directly to the program. A reimbursement of up to $7,500 per job is available to businesses in high-poverty counties. The business must match $3,750 per job. A reimbursement of up to $5,000 per job, with a $5,000 match, is available for businesses in all other counties. The following 11 businesses are the first to access the new temporary program and will rehire 31 employees: Business Location Award Montana Monster Munchies Bozeman $20,000 Mountain Property Management, Inc. Bozeman $15,000 Eagle Bear Inc. Browning $22,500 Savvy LLC Busby $15,000 Enbar, Inc. Great Falls $7,500 Rockwell Scales, Inc. Great Falls $7,500 Koller, Inc. Kalispell $5,000 Judy Niemeyer Quilting Kalispell $25,000 The Murray Condominium Association Inc Livingston $10,000 Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs & Resort Saco $30,000 Clarks Family Restaurant Shelby $37,500 The Workforce Recovery program is in direct response to supporting businesses impacted by the economic effects of the pandemic. The ability to create the temporary program has been made possible by a governor’s directive which allows for flexibility in the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund program. Funding for the temporary program comes from reverted BSTF Job Creation awards, it is not a replacement for or pausing of the well-established business development program. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been committed or December 31, 2020; whichever comes first. Apply at MARKETMT.COM/BSTF/WorkforceRecovery.

As COVID cases rise in Montana and hospitals have reached maximum capacity, many hospitals have set up additional beds, but cases are still climbing. This has exhausted medical resources. Governor Bullock has enacted a new set of COVID mandates that will go into effect on Friday, November 20th. They are as follows: Expanding mask directive, every county no matter the case count mask are mandatory. Limit public gatherings, restaurants, bars, breweries, and casinos can only be at fifty percent capacity, and must close by 10 P.M. Restaurants can have a maximum of 6 people per a table, with mandatory 6' social distancing between tables. All public gatherings that social distancing cannot be adhered to is limited to 25 people. This does not affect schools, or places of worship. Gov. Bullock stated that a complete shutdown is not possible due to the lack of action on the federal government's part. Businesses that have received previous grants will be eligible for a third round of grants. This time around they will have to check a box saying they will be following the mandated COVID guidelines. For people who are on unemployment due to loss of job related to COVID, they will be eligible for an additional $200 payment that will last a four-week period. He also announced an additional three million in funding for the foodbank networks to help families in need during the holidays.

Montana Running Company is hosting their Thanksgiving Fun Run 5K on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, 2020 at 10AM. Everyone is welcome to run, walk, or just to stop by and donate some food! Entry is FREE but we ask everyone to bring non-perishable items to be donated to the Beaverhead Community Food Pantry. We will be following the Run The Brew Group Run route that starts at Beaverhead Brewing Company- W. Reeder to Ten Mile Road. We will be turning around right after Smith Stables on the Beaverhead River. Montana Running Company is very thankful to the Dillon Community for all the support over the years! Happy Thanksgiving! We will be COVID cautious by wearing masks and social distancing.

WHITEFISH, Mont., Nov. 13, 2020 – Today, Friday, Nov. 13, the Frontier Conference Council of Presidents (COP) approved the Frontier’s COVID-19 Return to Play policy. “The document was authored by the league’s athletic directors and athletic trainers, conference Commissioner Kent Paulson said. “The document was designed to supplement and further detail the health protocols that have been in place for the fall sports. By following these health protocols through the support of contest administration and medical training staffs, the league was able to successfully complete play in both cross-country and golf.” Specific tenants of this document include: weekly COVID-19 testing of all in-season student-athletes followed by documented verification that will be communicated between medical training staffs of opposing schools in a given athletic contest. Mandatory health screening will be required at each of our league’s athletic facilities. In order to decrease the transmission of COVID-19 the Frontier Conference will require that each institution work with local health authorities to follow established contact tracing protocols. Additional safety precautions will be instituted regarding facilities, suggested health sanitations and face coverings. All local and state health authorities will be regularly consulted at our various institutional locations. At this time, the Frontier Conference institutions will NOT have spectators at hosted events through December 31, 2020. This decision will be evaluated by each institution at a later point in time as conditions change. “The safety of our league’s student-athletes, coaches and staffs will always be first and foremost on our list of priorities,” Paulson said. “By continuing to follow our proven successful health protocols it is the goal that the upcoming sports of basketball, indoor track and field, volleyball and football can be successfully carried out to a positive completion.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a public hearing via a telephonic Zoom platform on Dec. 1, at 10 a.m., to consider a new rule pertaining to banning the use of remote-controlled devices and drones while fishing. Fish, Wildlife & Parks has increasingly been asked the question of whether it is permissible to use a remote-controlled boat, drone, or other remote-controlled device to fish. Currently, Montana law does not specifically address remote-controlled devices or drones, and gives the commission discretion to allow or prohibit this activity. Possible uses of remote-controlled devices and drones while fishing include transporting bait and hooks long distances beyond where anglers can physically cast, transporting bait and hooks to areas that normally are unable to be accessed such as closed areas near dams, scouting large areas above water quickly for fish and filming fish in real time, dropping hooks or bait with exceptional accuracy, and landing fish.  The proposed rule represents a proactive approach in regulating this activity and would make it clear that the use of remote-controlled devices for the purposes of fishing is prohibited.  To view the proposal notice and submit written comments online please visit http://fwp.mt.gov/news/publicNotices/rules/. Public comment will be taken during the public hearing. Written data, views or arguments may also be submitted to: Phil Kilbreath, FWP Enforcement Division, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, Montana, 59620-0701; or e-mailed to pkilbreath@mt.gov . Comments must be received no later than Dec. 4, 2020. To participate in the telephonic public hearing, call 1-646-558-8656, enter the meeting number: 956 6313 6821, followed by the password: 198904.

The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission will meet Nov. 18 using the video conferencing platform Zoom. Details on how to access the meeting will be posted on fwp.mt.gov closer to the meeting date. The meeting will also be audio streamed online at fwp.mt.gov. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. The commission will hear the following petition: Tepee Lake Petition The commission will hear the following proposed rule: Madison River Recreation Rule 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 FWP website at fwp.mt.gov; under “Quick Links” click “ Commission .” FWP's website offers live streamed audio of each Fish & Wildlife Commission meeting.

Weather Alerts -Dillon, MT Winter Weather Advisory from FRI 3:00 PM MST until SAT 5:00 PM MST 1 of 2 Action Recommended Execute a pre-planned activity identified in the instructions Issued By Great Falls - MT, US, National Weather Service Affected Area: Gallatin, Madison and Beaverhead Counties above 6500 feet Description: WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 5 PM MST SATURDAY ABOVE 6500 FEET... WHAT...Snow expected above 6500 feet. Total snow accumulations of up to 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph today. WHERE...Gallatin, Madison and Beaverhead Counties above 6500 feet. WHEN...From 3 PM this afternoon to 5 PM MST Saturday. IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult over mountain passes. Snow and blowing snow could reduce visibility. Plan on slippery road conditions. ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Bozeman is not included in this advisory. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling