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The Montana general big game season opened Oct. 24, and hunters from around the state submitted lymph nodes from the lower jaw of their harvested animals to be tested for chronic wasting disease. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks collected a total of 352 samples. Most of the samples came from the northwestern Montana, where CWD was discovered last year. Here is an FWP regional breakdown of sample numbers: Region 1: 173 Region 2: 7 Region 3: 56 Region 4: 6 Region 5: 11 Region 6: 39 Region 7: 60 CWD is a contagious neurological disease that infects deer, elk and moose. It is always fatal and there is no known cure. It was first found in wild deer in Montana in 2017. It is not known to infect humans, but it is strongly recommended that people not eat meat from infected animals and to have their harvested animals tested before eating them if they were taken from an area where CWD is known to exist.   FWP is continuing CWD surveillance this year in priority surveillance areas located in northwest, southwest and eastern Montana. Hunters who harvest deer, elk or moose in these areas are asked to voluntarily submit a sample from their animal to help gather additional data for that area. This information will be used to help inform the best management strategies for the affected hunting districts. FWP will cover the cost of testing hunter-harvested animals for CWD. Hunters should look online for information on how to take a sample themselves and submit it for testing or bring animals by an FWP regional office for sampling. FWP will have CWD check stations in the priority surveillance areas. Sample submission is voluntary throughout Montana. For more information on these surveillance areas and how to submit samples for testing, visit fwp.mt.gov/cwd .

What is Red Ribbon Week ? It is the nation's largest and longest- running drug use prevention campaign. It began after the kidnapping, torture, and murder of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, and his pilot in 1985. After the men were found murdered, citizens in the town of Calexico, California donned red ribbons in his honor. The red ribbon became a symbol to reduce the demand for illegal drugs. California Congressman Duncan Hunter along with teacher David Dhillon launched "Camarena Clubs" in California high schools. In 1986, club members presented a proclamation to Nancy Reagan , First Lady of the United States, who had initiated nationwide anti-drug programs. The following year, parent-teacher organizations in California, Illinois, and Virginia wore the red ribbons in late October and November. In 1988, the first National Red Ribbon Week was organized. This year Red Ribbon Week runs from October 23-31 with the theme Be Happy, Be Brave, Be Drug Free. Tricia Nelson of Locust Corner Elementary School in Cincinnati was the creator of this year’s theme. According to the Redribbon.org website: Tricia's theme was chosen from hundreds of submissions through our National Red Ribbon Theme Contest which runs from January 1 through December 2. Her winning theme will help amplify the campaign's mission, which is to encourage children, families and communities to live healthy, happy and drug-free lives. It also serves as a reminder that we are all empowered with shaping the communities around us through positivity, bravery and strength. We hope the theme encourages everyone to express themselves and their feelings no matter what. For more information and ways you can participate in Red Ribbon Week we suggest you check out Be The Change 406

Rick Park made his first appearance in Gallatin County Justice Court on Tuesday. He is charged with deliberate homicide and assault with a weapon in the death of 36-year-old Nicole Watson from Helena. According to court documents, Watson and her husband arrived at Park's residence for a child custody exchange involving a 5-year-old. Watson's husband told police in a witness interview that after a minute of knocking on the door, Park came out with a pistol and pointed it directly at her. Watson's husband stated Park then shot Watson in the face. She fell to the ground and was attempting to get back up when Park allegedly shot her again in the head. Court documents say Park then pointed the pistol at Watson’s husband and said he had better call 911. The husband fled the scene on foot, called 911, and ran to the residence of a nearby off-duty Madison County sheriff’s deputy to summon help. When police arrived on the scene, they escorted park inside to retrieve his gun, a Springfield XD .45 caliber pistol. Two fired .45 caliber casings were found near Watson's body. Park was taken into custody by Ennis Police and a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer and was transported to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Park was transported back to Madison County after his court appearance in Gallatin County on Tuesday. He was denied bail and remains in custody.

The Montana Department of Commerce announced Tuesday a new partnership with the Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) to form the Montana Eviction Intervention Project, a new program that will provide civil legal assistance for Montanans facing evictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This partnership is to make sure Montana renters have access to free legal resources that can provide information, guidance and support so people can stay in their homes and not have to worry about possibly being evicted,” Montana Department of Commerce Director Tara Rice said. “The Montana Eviction Intervention Project will help financially stressed Montanans who are facing an eviction with free legal representation before or during an eviction proceeding.” The COVID-19 public health emergency has more adversely affected people who normally live paycheck-to-paycheck and are suddenly out of work and struggle to pay for food or rent. Although there are some civil legal solutions available for struggling renters, they are often too complicated to navigate without support from legal or housing experts. For example, the current nationwide Centers for Disease Control eviction moratorium contains numerous complex legal requirements. Through the Montana Eviction Intervention Project, MLSA will work with Justices of the Peace and Clerks for Limited Jurisdiction Courts across the state, as well as the Supreme Court's Office of the Court Administrator to develop a referral system for people who are representing themselves in an eviction and connect those people with an attorney to provide legal services. "We are excited to be able to launch the Montana Eviction Intervention Project with the support of the Department of Commerce and the Governor's Office,” MLSA Executive Director Alison Paul said. “This project will provide valuable legal representation to Montanans struggling to get by in these difficult times. Through the project, the Montana Legal Services Association will help Montanans avoid illegal evictions, negotiate with landlords to obtain additional days to move out and plan an alternative home, connect with available social services, educate judges on the new eviction ban and avoid negative legal judgements for tenants. The goal of these services is to decrease the number of homeless Montanans during the coronavirus public health emergency " The Montana Eviction Intervention Project is supported by a $70,000 grant provided by the Montana Department of Commerce using federal CARES Act funding. The program will continue to assist Montanans who are facing an eviction and need legal assistance until December 30, 2020. For more information visit MONTANALAWHELP.ORG or call 1.800.666.6899. Montana renters who have lost income due to COVID-19 may be eligible for monthly rent assistance through the Emergency Housing Assistance program. The deadline to apply is Nov. 10, 2020. Apply at COVIDRELIEF.MT.GOV .

The Dillon Volunteer Fire Department responded to a trailer House on fire call today. Currently the cause of fire is unknown, smoke was seen coming out of the back half of the trailer. All occupants of the trailer house are safe and accounted for. We will update this story as more info is available.

October 25th, 2020 Media Contact: John Moore Ennis Police Chief (406) 748-7478 (o) (406) 848-0601 (f) jmoore@ennispolice.com ** UPDATED 10/25/2020 ** Joint Press Release from Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Ennis Police Department The Madison County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim as Nicole Watson a 36-year-old female from Helena, Montana. Watson died at Madison Valley Medical Center in Ennis, Montana. The investigation is ongoing and information will be released as it becomes available. Previously released information: On October 23rd, 2020 at approximately 1401 hours the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received information regarding a gunshot within Ennis Town Limits. The Ennis Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and United States Forest Service Law Enforcement with Ennis Ambulance responded to the scene. A female has died as a result of the gunshot wound. One male suspect is in custody and there is no threat to the community. Rick Park a 53-year-old male from Ennis Montana is being held on charges of Deliberate Homicide and Assault with a Weapon. Thank you, John Moore Chief of Police Ennis Police Department Phil Fortner Sheriff Madison County Sheriff’s Office

Press release from the Ennis Police and the Madison County Sheriff's office, at approximately 2:01 pm the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received information regarding a gunshot within Ennis town limits. The Ennis Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Forest Service Law Enforcement with Ennis Ambulance responded to the scene. A woman died as a result of a gunshot wound. One male suspect is in custody and there is no threat to the community. We will update this as more information is available NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **Update** October 24th, 2020 Media Contact: John Moore Ennis Police Chief (406) 748-7478 (o) (406) 848-0601 (f) jmoore@ennispolice.com ** UPDATED 10/24/2020 ** Joint Press Release from Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Ennis Police Department. On October 23rd, 2020 at approximately 1401 hours the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received information regarding a gunshot within Ennis Town Limits. The Ennis Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and United States Forest Service Law Enforcement with Ennis Ambulance responded to the scene. A female has died as a result of the gunshot wound. One male suspect is in custody and there is no threat to the community. Rick Park a 53-year-old male from Ennis Montana is being held on charges of Deliberate Homicide and Assault with a Weapon. Thank you, John Moore Chief of Police Sheriff Ennis Police Department Phil Fortner Sheriff Madison County Sheriffs Office

On January 17th, 2001 Dillon was greeted with the first broadcast from a station known as KDWG. It was new and fresh; I know it quickly became my go to radio station at the time. You could tune into it and hear a variety of music that the local radio station never played. Best of all, the DJ’s were students and local community members who would produce their own shows and maybe introduce you to a new band or type of music. A few concerned people have reached out to SWMT, asking for the public’s help and voice. If you would like to see the station stay a fixture on this campus, as well as the air waves, now is the time to be heard. You can send your questions or concerns to brock.doty@umwestern.edu. The Student Senate will vote on the future funding of the station on 10/26/2020. (Updated) It seems we are receiving conflicting viewpoints from this story. We had a few concerned people reach out to us. Wanting the public to know they are looking into defunding the KDWG radio station. After looking over emails we had received from the people it looked as if they had taken a vote by the Student Senate. We were told our article was incorrect, but nothing to back what we had previously reported on. Today we were able to talk with both Brock Doty and Jake Kunze to hear the other side of the story. Please see the updated comments below. This is what we had been told by the Chair of the KDWG Board: Sadly, last spring the Student Senate took a vote to defund the station. They did this even though they had not included the status of the station on their agenda, and without inviting the station staff to participate in the discussion about KDWG's future. The motion to defund the station passed by a majority vote. The Dean of Students then convinced the Senate officers to abandon that decision until they could poll the entire student body and hold forum so both sides could be heard. Unfortunately, COVID hit and the campus went to online classes, which pushed the agenda back to now. The Student Senate will again be voting on this issue on October 26, 2020. Update 10/24/2020 After speaking with Brock Doty ASUMW president and Jake Kunz ASUMW Vice president we have views from both sides of the story. Unfortunately, as we were writing the story we could not get in contact with Brock Doty. Today I was able to talk to him over messenger and this is what he had to say. Jake Kunze: "First off, I would like to mention that ASUMW over the past 2 years had invited KDWG to meetings to discuss the future of the radio and its financials. This year, the radio has been involved in the creation and review of the radio survey. The review took place on Monday the 19th where senators asked question and the radio was given time to speak to their side. We have also given the campus community the opportunity to state their opinion on the radio. Many of the responses have been from faculty members who don't pay for the station. The students who have responded to the email stated they don't listen to the radio station or attend their events. This article is factually incorrect. KDWG has been given ample time to over the past 2 years to work with us to find a resolution." Brock Doty: "In the spring there was a former member of student senate that did an internship with the vice chancellor of finance. They we’re looking over fees because this year is a fee year. The administration suggested to that student that maybe look at defunding the radio station because nobody on campus utilizes it to its full potential. So we put out a survey last year about student union building improvements and on there was a question about the radio station. We put out a survey just before spring break and then Covid hit so we never got a chance to vote on what we should do with the radio station. So that was our priority this year we sent out a radio station survey to the students because they are the ones that pay for it not the faculty and staff. On there we had asked 6 different questions. One of the questions was do you know the University has a student funded radio station? That question resulted in a 68.5% yes they know about it. Another question was do you listen to the radio station and that was 81.9% said no. We are currently asking for public comment and we will discuss it with the senate at our next meeting. Ultimately it’s up to the students as it is their fees that fund the radio station."

Deer and elk hunters will take to the field Oct. 24 for the general big game season and they’ll all need to keep in mind a few important pieces of information. Be bear aware Grizzly bear populations are continuing to expand in western Montana, and though we often say that anywhere in the western half of the state is grizzly bear country, not all recreationist, particularly hunters are ready to encounter a grizzly bear. Carry bear spray, be prepared and know how to use it. Hunt with a partner and let someone else know your plans. Pay attention to fresh bear sign. Look for bear tracks, scat, and concentrations of natural foods. Use caution when hunting areas that have evidence of bear activity or areas with scavenging birds such as magpies, ravens or crows. Get harvested big game out of the woods quickly. Upon returning to a site where harvested game is left unattended, study the site at a distance for any movement or changes and signal your approach by making plenty of noise. Never attempt to frighten or haze a bear from a carcass. Contact FWP if a bear has consumed a carcass or covered it with debris rendering it unsalvageable. For more on bears, visit FWP's website . Bear spray – carry it, know how to use it The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee recommends the use of bear spray and urges hunters to learn other bear-aware safety measures. Most grizzly bears will leave an area if they sense human presence. Hunters who observe a grizzly bear or suspect a bear is nearby should leave the area. If you do encounter a grizzly, stay calm, don't run, and assess the situation by trying to determine if the bear is actually aware of you. Is it, for instance, threatening or fleeing? Always keep the bear in sight as you back away, and leave the area. Guidelines for using bear spray: Bear spray should be used as a deterrent only in an aggressive or attacking confrontation with a bear. Each person should carry a can of bear spray. If a bear is moving toward you from a distance of 30-60 feet direct the spray downward toward the front of the bear so that the bear spray billows up and creates a cloud that acts as a barrier between you and the bear. If the bear is within 30 feet spray continuously at the front of the bear until it breaks off its charge. Spray additional bursts if the bear continues toward you. Sometimes just the noise of the spray and the appearance of the spray cloud is enough to deter a bear from continuing its charge. Spray additional bursts if the bear makes additional charges. A full canister of bear spray is essential for bear encounters. The expiration date on the spray should be checked annually. Purchase products that are clearly labeled “for deterring attacks by bears,” and that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. No deterrent is 100 percent effective, but compared to all others, including firearms, bear spray has demonstrated success in a variety of situations in fending off threatening and attacking bears and preventing injury to the person and animal involved. For more on living with bears and being bear aware, visit FWP website at fwp.mt.gov; then click Be Bear Aware. For more on bear resistant products, go to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee website. If you do shoot something and have to come back to pack out all or part of it, make sure to move the meat away from the entrails, if possible. TIP-MONT works 24-7 to stop poachers Montana's outdoor crime-stopper help line, TIP-MONT, has an online option to report poachers and other hunting-season violators. Now alert citizens can report poaching and violations of hunting regulations by going to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov. Click "TIP-MONT" to use the online report form. The TIP-MONT toll-free number—1-800-TIP-MONT or 1-800-847-6668—is the best way to report crimes that are in progress, or where immediate assistance is needed. While the online service isn't a real-time TIP-MONT connection, the reports are checked several times a week. Online TIP-MONT reports remain confidential and are managed under the same guidelines that protect all crime-stopper callers. TIP-MONT callers most often report violations of Montana's hunting rules and regulations. Other important calls pertain to vandalism at Montana state parks and on public lands. Here are some of the most common hunting season violations reported: failure to obtain permission from landowners before hunting on private property wasting any part of a game animal suitable for food failure to properly validate a license or tag, or securely fasten it visibly to a game. animal immediately after it is taken and before it is moved or transported from the kill site taking game from the wrong hunting district using someone else's tag on a harvest game animal failure to leave evidence of sex attached. Callers to 1-800-TIP-MONT, and those who file reports online, may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash award of up to $1,000 if the information leads to a conviction.

A little over halfway through October, the weather is getting colder and the mountain tops are starting to get a dusting of snow. With that is the opening weekend of hunting season. If you are not into hunting, there are a few things to do this weekend. Friday, October 23rd Friday Night Music at Jackson Hot Springs Lodge 8 PM to Midnight Come soak and eat and listen to music Joliet vs Sheridan High School Football Starts at 7 PM Click Here For Watvhing : https://t.co/fdTsE86FfV?amp=1 The Sheridan (MT) varsity football team has a home conference game vs. Joliet (MT) on Friday, October 23 @ 7p. Like and Share, Thank you Have a good time watching...! Ennis vs Twin Bridges - Football 2020 Live Starts at 7 PM Ennis vs Twin Bridges - Football 2020 Live Mustangs vs Falcons Watch Live Match : http://sports11.karanghau.us/hs-football.php Game Location: Twin Bridges Montana High School The Twin Bridges (MT) varsity football team has a home conference game vs. Ennis (MT) on Friday, October 23 @ 7p. >>>>>> Ennis Montana School Twin Bridges Montana School The streaming link will start at the moment the game will start Please like and share, Thank You Saturday, October 24th KneeJürk! At the Knotty Pine! 8 PM to midnight Hey! You! Get out to Dillon’s fun spot for A little KneeJürk! this Saturday night, won’t cha now?! See ya at 8! Sunday, October 25th Foreigner 2020 starts at 7:30 PM Foreigner - The Hits On Tour October 25th, 2020 at 7:30pm Pre sale is Thursday from 10am-10pm Tickets go on sale Friday at 10am That is all we could find, as always if you have an upcoming event email us at southwesternmtnews@gmail.com so we can get it on our calendar.

WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING... WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches possible at lower elevations, with 6 to 12 inches possible in the mountains and over mountain passes. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. WHERE...Beaverhead. WHEN...From Friday evening through Saturday evening. IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The heaviest snow and strongest winds are expected from midnight Saturday through Saturday afternoon. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

Gov. Steve Bullock along with Yellowstone County Health Officer John Felton, announced a new way to enforce state and county orders aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. Bullock said the state has set up a new Online form that allows a person to anonymously report violations of health protocols, including ignoring the governor's face mask order inside businesses, place holding large gatherings without practicing social distancing, or places that stay open past the mandated closing hours. In a news conference today (10/22/2020) Gov. Bullock stated that State Public Health Officials looked at many businesses across Flathead County. The teams did observational visits to gas stations, convenience stores, retail stores, and grocery stores. They found some businesses with no signage, some with customers with no mask. Some did not have health measures in place to prevent the spread. He stated the goal is to make sure that businesses are following the measures to keep people safe. This website will allow citizens to report their concerns. The reports submitted to this website will be reviewed by the DPHHS then sent to the appropriate local authority reviews and investigations. Gov. Bullock said while enforcement efforts this week were focused on Flathead County, they will be looking at other counties in the next week. Extending the offer he made last week to provide support to local county attorneys and health departments by making state resources available.

A short city council meeting was held last night, starting off with the appointing of officer Codie Plotner to permanent full time. Next on the Agenda was the DNRC Flood Plain presentation. This is a joint project with Beaverhead County, City of Dillon, Lima, and other partners. FEMA was the bulk provider of funding for this project. This project is to produce flood plain maps that help protect people and keep them out of harm’s way. The flood plain maps are based off a hundred-year study. These maps help determine floodplain regulations, help insurance agencies to determine if flood insurance is needed, and local emergency planning. These maps will however need to be updated from time to time. 1982 was the last time Dillon had a flood plain map update. All this can be seen from the 3:30 min mark to the 26-minute mark. Citizen Request forms council person Mary Jo O'Rourke had a question on a form that was not on the agenda, Todd Hazelbaker made the statement it was an ongoing process, and it is being addressed. He said they would include it on the next report. This can be seen at the 28 min mark. 58 Minute mark a discussion came up about parking on Ore and Pacific street, Council Person Mary Jo O'Rourke wanted to know what the discussion was about. Council Person Don Hand, and Dan Nye both stated they have drove by and did not see a problem with parking. O’Rourke was under the impression that this had been on the agenda for three months now, and the problem was different than parking. O’Rourke also stated: “That he came down and spoke to a couple of neighbors and that possibly a couple of their trees would be cut down.” Council Person Kenworthy asked “When you refer to, he who is he?” Council Person O’Rourke responded, “Um Mr. Wassell” A few more revelations are made on this topic, we invite you to view this and see for yourself. After this discussion, the move to adjourn was given and the meeting ended. The next meeting, we will Live Stream will be the planning and zoning on October 27th. We invite you to watch it either by Facebook or YouTube. A full copy of the City Council Meeting can be found here.

The idea was brought to the last City Council meeting by Jack Eddie. During the discussion, some council members brought up the cost of the project. In his letter Eddie stated he would be willing to pay for the cost of this. Mayor Klakken said he would pay for the paint out of his own pocket if it would help with the approval to paint the line. Eddie suggested that they paint the line on Montana Street, starting from Helena down to Reeder Street. As the solid double line would make a great place for the blue line to run with. After checking with Chief Guiberson the city gave the go ahead. This morning at 7 A.M. city crews fired up the paint sprayer and ran the blue line starting at The Club Bar and running down to Beaverhead Brewing. Fellow business owners Cory Birkenbuel and Ron Carroll helped lay cones down, as well as chipping in with the cost to cover the paint and the labor.

Clark's Lookout State Park is closed to all public occupation and recreation. A large cottonwood tree has blown over and is leaning onto the latrine, posing a threat to persons entering and parking in the park due to the instability of the tree until it is remove.

Montanans who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for rent and mortgage payment assistance, but time is running out to apply for the monthly assistance. The Montana Department of Commerce announced Wednesday all applications must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 10. “Montanans who have been hard-hit financially from the pandemic may be able to receive rent, deposit or mortgage payment assistance that will allow folks to stay in their homes and remain current on housing costs,” Commerce Director Tara Rice said. “ We encourage Montanans who have lost income because of COVID-19 to apply for Emergency Housing Assistance to provide some financial relief and comfort in knowing their housing costs are covered.” The Emergency Housing Assistance Program was created by Governor Steve Bullock by using a portion of Montana’s allocation of federal CARES Act dollars. The purpose of the program is to help Montanans financially impacted by COVID-19 stay current on rent and mortgage payments to avoid possible eviction and foreclosure. Since the program’s May inception, Montana Housing, with assistance from NeighborWorks Montana , has approved more than 1,300 applications and awarded more than $4.5 million in rental and mortgage assistance to Montana families and individuals statewide. Montana Housing will provide payments to landlords or mortgage service providers the difference between 25 percent of the household’s reduced net monthly income, up to $2,000 a month. Household income limits range from $75,000-$125,000. Montanans who receive other forms of housing assistance are not eligible. Apply before November 10, 2020. The Emergency Housing Assistance Program will fund approved assistance through December 30, 2020. For more information and to apply visit COVIDRELIEF.MT.GOV . If you need help applying for Emergency Housing Assistance, email NeighborWorks Montana at covidrelief@nwmt.org or call 406.604.4500.

This morning with the help of R.E. Miller the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks began draining the Blacktail Meadows kids fishing pond. Partnering up with the Beaverhead Outdoors Association they are beginning to improve the fishery at the pond. Common carps, longnose suckers and white suckers were introduced to the pond during a flooding event in the nearby Pigtail Slough several years ago. Since then, the quality of fishery at the pond has declined. According to a press release by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: The proposed action is to draw the pond down by pumping and remove these fish using rotenone. The pond would be actively or naturally detoxified within 7 days, and rainbow or cutthroat trout would be stocked multiple times the following spring and in subsequent years. FWP received no comments during a 30-day comment period ending on September 30, 2020. Based on the Environmental Assessment and need to improve this fishery, it is my decision to proceed with the removal of common carp, longnose sucker, and white sucker from the Blacktail Meadows Kids Fishing Pond. I find there to be no significant impacts on the human and physical environments associated with this project. Therefore, I conclude that the Environmental Assessment is the appropriate level of analysis, and that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required. For more information on this project you can contact, Matt Jaeger Hydropower, Native Species & Beaverhead-Ruby Program Manager Fisheries Division Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Region 3 730 N. Montana Dillon, MT 59725 O: (406) 683-9310 | C: (406) 925-1343

Hunters can find more information at fwp.mt.gov/cwd Earlier this month Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks was notified of 18 deer from across the state that tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The positive deer all come from areas where CWD was previously known to exist, including hunting districts in Madison, Liberty, Daniels and Gallatin counties. All but two of the deer were hunter-harvested animals. All but one were white-tailed deer. The samples were tested at the Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Bozeman. This year FWP will use this laboratory as the primary testing facility. Hunters who submit samples should have results back within three weeks. Results will be posted online as in past years. Hunters will be notified directly if they have a positive animal. The positive deer came from the following hunting districts: 322, 309, 640, and 401. CWD is a contagious neurological disease that infects deer, elk and moose. It is always fatal and there is no known cure. It was first found in Montana in 2017. It is not known to infect humans, but it is strongly recommended that people not eat meat from infected animals and to have their harvested animals tested before eating them if they were taken from an area where CWD is known to exist.   FWP is continuing CWD surveillance this year in priority surveillance areas located in northwest, southwest and eastern Montana. Hunters who harvest deer, elk or moose in these areas are asked to voluntarily submit a sample from their animal to help gather additional data for that area. This information will be used to help inform the best management strategies for the affected hunting districts. FWP will cover the cost of testing hunter-harvested animals for CWD. Hunters should look online for information on how to take a sample themselves and submit it for testing or bring animals by an FWP regional office for sampling. FWP will have CWD check stations in the priority surveillance areas. Sample submission is voluntary throughout Montana. For more information on these surveillance areas and how to submit samples for testing, visit fwp.mt.gov/cwd . A critical change this year is the state will not have transportation restriction zones, as it did last year. Instead, to better prevent the spread of CWD, hunters are required to properly dispose of their carcass waste. The Fish and Wildlife Commission has directed hunters to choose one of two options for carcass waste disposal: Any waste carcass parts removed from the field, particularly brain, eyes, spleen, lymph glands, and spinal cord material, must be bagged and disposed of in a landfill. Leave all carcass waste at the kill site. Dumping carcasses is illegal, unethical and can spread diseases, including chronic wasting disease. Proper carcass disposal is critical to protecting Montana’s herds.

A community update from the Beaverhead Community Wood Bank Ministry Wood Bank Wanderings for Autumn 2020 With the cold months upon us, we hope everyone is prepared to keep their home warm, but if you struggle to pay the heat bills and other expenses, and you have a wood heat stove in your home, you can call the folks at the Beaverhead Community Wood Bank Ministry for help. The Wood Bank gives gifts of firewood to households in need. Last winter, 121 cords of firewood were given by the Wood Bank, to warm 51 homes in Beaverhead County. At 6 cents per KWH, this wood had an estimated heat value over $19,000. The firewood isn’t free – it is priceless. It is a gift made possible by funds donated by many individuals and organizations, to purchase log-truckload of wood, buy fuel and maintain equipment. The Wood Bank also receives donations of wood, and enjoys the use of a wood processing yard and a log stockpiling yard thanks to the generosity of local residents. Contributions and grants this year have raised over $16,000 for the Wood Bank. It isn’t just cash that makes the Wood Bank work, of course - it is thousands of hours of volunteer time contributed by individuals working throughout the year to cut, split, and deliver firewood to warm the homes of households in need. The “log” book shows more than 133 days of activity this year at the wood yard so far, and there is a heap of firewood to show for it. 35 volunteer Wood Chucks and 28 Montana Youth Challenge Academy Cadets “logged” a total of more than 1,160 hours processing logs into firewood since January 1. With more than 100 hours each, “lead” wood chucks are Ray Patterson, Rick Hartz, and Bob Bump. Whether it is one hour or one hundred, it is all time well spent: some outdoor exercise in good company, with a lot to show for it. Wood Bank work days are generally Monday and Wednesday mornings. If you are interested in volunteering, contact President Rick Hartz at 406-683-4506. Deliveries started in September, with several households picking up wood at the yard by appointment, and ten deliveries made so far by wood bank volunteers. As of this week, 37 cords of wood have been distributed to 28 households in Beaverhead County. Applications have been coming in for review and approval by the Board of Directors. Income information from applicants is needed, in order to be sure the wood is being distributed appropriately. Generally, a household may receive up to 3 cords of wood per season. For more information about the Wood Bank, call 406-596-3690. Above: Blaine VanMeter and Ray Patterson splitting wood at the Wood Bank last January. (Photo Credit: Beaverhead Community Wood Bank Ministry) Above: Rick Hartz, Geoff Roach, and Bob Bump splitting wood at the Wood Bank. (Photo Credit: Beaverhead Community Wood Bank Ministry) Above: Gerry Meacham and Ed Mooney guide another log from the Mooney Ranch onto the Bobcat driven by Bob Bump. (Photo Credit: Beaverhead Community Wood Bank Ministry) Above: Rick Hartz, Ray Patterson, and Geoff Roach at the wood splitter. A cord of firewood is a pile four feet by four feet by eight feet. How many cords are in this pile? (Photo Credit: Beaverhead Community Wood Bank Ministry)

Growing up as a child of the 80s, we had the Big Sky Cinema as our main place to watch movies. But then one day, that all changed. My dad brought home our first VCR when I was a kid, and it was a magical device that held a VHS tape. We could now go to the video store to choose movies—movies that we may not have even known existed to those classic favorites we would watch on repeat and destroy our parents’ sanity with. You see, the video store allowed it so that if you missed seeing a movie in the theater, you could find it a couple months later and rent it at your own convenience. And in fact, Dillon, at one time, had three video rental stores. In today’s world, we have a plethora of sources to watch movies, from streaming online to Redbox or Netflix. However, Dillon is incredibly lucky and unique in that we still have a special video store. Dillon Video has been a staple to this community for decades, and this small business has survived the changing times by providing great customer service, along with changing up and reworking their business model. With over 16,000 titles to choose from, if there is a movie you are dying to find, rest assured, Dillon Video will have it, and it will be at a cheaper price than any other service out there. Today is the 10th annual International Independent Video Store Day. But if you’re like me, you may be asking, what is International Video Store Day? According to International Independent Video Store website, it is: “In an attempt to consolidate the power of the thousands of independently owned video stores still in operation across the continent and worldwide, we’ve created VIDEO STORE DAY! This international event will be celebrated and observed the third Saturday of October each year. It’s purpose is to promote the idea of supporting your local, independent video stores. Stores owned and staffed by human beings who can be relied upon for reviews and recommendations and who truly love what they do – otherwise, why else would they still be doing it? Film fans, Directors, actors, producers, screen writers, distributors, labels and anyone in the home entertainment film industry who has a vested interest in working together to promote this industry from the bottom up, should take this day to join with us as independently owned video stores across the world act together, unified in purpose to take a stand and to celebrate the rich history and promising future of home video!” To celebrate this day, our local video store, Dillon Video, will be having great specials all day October 17, along with the chance to win some great prizes, which include a snazzy car. Specials are going on from 11am until closing time at 9pm. Don’t miss out on this fun and come help support this local legendary video store!