Search Results

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana STREET & ALLEY COMMITTEE MEETING ~ AGENDA ~ Tuesday, December 3, 2024 4:00 PM 1. Call to Order 2. Discussion of Railroad Street 3. Discuss Whirlwind Sweeper 4. Discuss Pavement Preservation 5. Public Comment on Items Not on Agenda but Within The Jurisdiction of The City 6. Adjournment Committee Members Russ Schwandt Joleen Schultz

Annual Holiday Party Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Lewis & Clark Room in Mathews Hall   The students, faculty, and staff of Montana Western invite all of Dillon and the surrounding communities to attend and enjoy a free and delicious holiday dinner with desserts and refreshments!   Dining Services Annual Holiday Dinner Monday, December 9th, 2024 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. Dining Services in Mathews Hall   Dining Services invites all community members, faculty, staff, and students to enjoy our annual holiday dinner featuring prime rib, salmon, and ham! Overflow seating will be available in the Lewis & Clark Room.   Adult - $16 Bulldog Bucks - $14 Children ages 3-12 - $8 Children ages 0-2 – Free   Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year from the University of Montana Western!

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana STUDY COMMISSION MEETING City Council Chambers December 2, 2024 7:00 P.M.     1.          Call Meeting To Order 2.          Elect Presiding Officer and Vice Presiding Officer 3.          Review Budget 4.          Discus/Approve Administrative Representative 5.          In-person Training in Bozeman       6.       Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not On the        Agenda and Within the Jurisdiction of the Study Commission 7.       Adjournment   Committee Members: Bill Dwyer, George Johnston, Mark McGinley, Ed Mooney, Tim Stoker, Jolene Schultz – ex-officio

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. –  The Frontier Conference has announced its postseason football awards for the 2024 season. Montana Western had 13 players receive all-conference honors, two honorable mentions, and two individuals given yearly awards. The all-conference teams are chosen in voting by the league's coaches. Head coach Ryan Nourse was the conference Coach-of-the-Year after guiding Montana Western to their back-to-back outright Frontier Conference title.  The Bulldogs are 9-1 overall record prior to their second round of NAIA Football Championship Series Second Round home contest versus Dickinson State (N.D.) on Saturday.  UMW had won six straight games to conclude their regular-season and earned a No. 4 ranking in the final NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 national poll. Bulldog first team all-conference selections: Michael Palandri  – QB (Maple Valley, Wash. / R-SO) Eli Nourse  – WR & PR (Dillon, Mont. / FR) Marcus Lombard  – OL (Laie, Hawaii / R-JR) Rocco Beccari – OL (Kalispell, Mont. / SR) Dylan Shipley – WR (Maple Valley, Wash. / JR) Kenai Liua – DL (Hauula, Hawaii / SR) Jace Fitzgerald – LB (Dillon, Mont. / R-JR) John Mears  – K (Belgrade, Mont. / R-JR) Bulldog second team all-conference selections: Jake Humphrey – RB (Walla Walla, Wash. / R-SO) Eli Wells – OL (Hyrum, Utah / SR) Keegen Muffich – LB (Butte, Mont. / JR) Braden Swank – DB (Maple Valley, Wash. / SR) Coby Tanioka – KR (Kaneohe, Hawaii / SO) Bulldog honorable mention selections: Brady Mounts – DB (Bozeman, Mont. / R-JR) James Ochs – LB (Laurel, Mont. R-JR) Montana Western Champions of Character selection: Pete Gibson  - RB (Dillon, Mont. / R-SR)  The full list of All-Conference selections can be found  HERE.

Debbie Sorenson author of Beyond the Jumpshot will be signing copies of her book at The Bookstore during shop small Saturday November 30th starting at 1:00 pm. Have you ever heard the name Kenny Sailors? Didn’t the jump shot always exist in basketball? When Kenny Sailors was born in 1921, his dad didn’t want another mouth to feed. Ed Sailors left the family. Kenny and his brother were raised by a single mother on a starvation operation farm in Wyoming. With faith in God and grit, the family preserved and overcame. If the boys had any free time on the farm, they played ball in the dirt corral in front of a wooden windmill. To score against his bigger brother, Kenny used his ingenuity, and speed, to jump and shoot. His jump shot helped him to succeed on the hardwood and propelled him into basketball leadership; in high school, college, and eventually pro ball. After leaving the pros, Kenny and his wife made their way to the interior of Alaska, where he taught high school and volunteered to coach basketball in the town of Glennallen. While in Alaska, Kenny developed the girls' basketball program in the public school system of that state. Basketball continued to be a springboard for Kenny to encourage many folks, especially young people until he died in 2016. Even if you are not a basketball fan you will enjoy this book.   Beyond the Jump Shot is a story of basketball and life that will elevate and inspire you to believe, and try something different.  If you have any questions or would like to reserve a copy call The Bookstore at 683-6807

Dear Citizens of Dillon, Montana, We are excited to announce the Dillon Police Department’s latest community initiative: the addition of a new patrol vehicle funded through a generous grant opportunity. On July 25, 2024, we submitted a grant request to the Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Grant Program (METAP), offered by the Department of Commerce. We are thrilled to share that we have successfully secured $76,192.27 for a fully outfitted 2025 Police Interceptor, tailored to meet the needs of our department. This vehicle will feature a custom wrap that reflects Dillon's unique identity and promotes the incredible tourism opportunities in our area. To make this project truly representative of our community, we are inviting you, the citizens of Dillon, to help select the theme for this new patrol car’s design.  Options for the wrap include: Lewis & Clark Expedition Theme Rodeo Theme Blue Ribbon Trout Streams/Hunting Bannack University of Montana Western/Dillon Beavers 1889 Beaverhead County Historical Courthouse By pursuing this grant, we aimed to minimize the financial impact on Dillon’s taxpayers while enhancing our community's safety and showcasing our local pride. To gather your input and celebrate this exciting milestone, we invite you to join us for a Meet & Greet on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 6:50 PM at Dillon City Hall , just before the City Council meeting. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about the project, meet our officers, and cast your vote for your favorite patrol car design. We value your involvement and hope you’ll join us in making this initiative a success. Together, let’s create a patrol vehicle that not only serves but also celebrates our wonderful community. Thank you for your continued support of the Dillon Police Department. We look forward to seeing you on December 18! Sincerely, Jeremy Alvarez Chief of Police, Dillon Police Department

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING November 27, 2024 9:00 A.M. ~ AGENDA ~ 1. Approval of November 2024 Claims 2. Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not on The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction of The City 3. Adjournment Committee Members: Russ Schwandt, Chairperson Anneliese Ripley Diane Armstrong

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information, P.C. Terri Haverfield DILLON, Mont. –  The Montana Western men's basketball team (5-2) came back from down 13 points to take down the Dickinson State Blue Hawks by a final score of 75-68. Kyle Gruhler led the Bulldogs in the effort with 22 points and nine rebounds. How It Happened Jalyn Stepney and Alan Kane were the first to find the hoop, connecting for 4-0 Western lead in the first minute of the game. Dickinson answered and the two teams continued to battle for position across the ensuing minutes. After falling by two points, UMW's Kane forced a turnover and tied the game at 20 on a fast break layup with 11 minutes left in the half. The Blue Hawks answered, taking the first big edge of the game at 29-22 behind five points from DSU's Cordell Stinson. Dickinson continued to stretch their lead, taking a 49-37 lead into the half break after hitting 57 .6 percent from the field. Following the half break, Western found momentum behind seven points from Jalyn Stepney . They would narrow the gap to 61-53 with 11 minutes left in the game. Despite a three-minute scoring drought, the Bulldogs fought to stay in it as Gruhler added a pair along with a triple from the top of the arc. It was Gruhler once more who utilized a screen to take it to the basket to cut the deficit to three with under seven to play. Abi Adedo threaded the needle with a pass to Stepney who slammed it down to tie the game at 63 all, pushing the Bulldogs into a power struggle with the Blue Hawks down the stretch. Western would gain the edge and go on to finish the game on a 10-0 scoring run to take the 75-68 win. Notables Western has won the last three straight games over the Blue Hawks in the series and eight of their last ten. After being outscored 49-37 in the first half, the Bulldogs held DSU to just 19 points across the second half in a big defensive stand that forced the Blue Hawks to shoot just 17 percent from the field. Alan Kane had an impressive game tallying 17 points and seven rebounds. Stepney and Adedo each surpassed double digits in scoring in the game with 15 and 13 points respectively. Up Next The Bulldogs will hit the road for a neutral matchup with the Eastern Oregon Mounties on Nov. 27 at 3pm.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. –  The no. 19 ranked Montana Western women's volleyball team (22-10) came back from a first set defeat to take down Oregon Tech 3-1. "The team played really good tonight. We knew Oregon Tech was going to be a really tough opponent and they really showed that in full force today as their blocking was phenomenal," Head Coach Katie Lovett . "They have some really great athletes on that team." The Bulldogs made history as they won their first ever home NAIA Opening Round playoff game, a year after they won their first ever NAIA playoff game. "It was just a really exciting thing for our team to be really determined. We knew we wanted to get back to Sioux City and in the second set they really showed that determination and after that we just felt that momentum swinging our way," Lovett continued. How It Happened Jordan Olson got the Bulldogs off to a strong start, slamming down four kills to put UMW out 9-7 early in the first set. The Owls battled back and took a 4-0 run to a 16-13 lead. They would continue to put pressure on the Bulldogs as they closed the set on a 9-2 scoring run to win 25-17. Oregon Tech continued to show their strength, taking a 10-4 lead in the early part of the second set. Jazi Smith broke the OIT run with a big swing to close the gap to five points, but the Owls continued to utilize the big swing from outside hitter Molly Grace to keep UMW chasing. Down 21-12, Smith knocked down a kill that sparked Western on an epic 13-2 scoring run to close the set on top 26-24. Western utilized the momentum gained in the second set to start off the third frame hot. Kelsey Goddard served up an ace to give the Bulldogs a 13-5 lead early in the set. The Owls refused to give up though, fighting to close the gap within one late in the set at 23-22. Despite the late magic, Montana Western was able to gain a point on an error and close the set behind a kill from Smith at 25-23. Montana Western combined for 10 kills in the fourth frame as they battled across the set with the Owls. Despite trailing 19-15 late in the set, the Bulldogs were able to tie it up following a solo block from Peyton Vogl . Tied at 23 all, UMW would get a point from Vogl once more and capture the win on the next point to win 25-23. Notables Tonight's win is the first home playoff win in Bulldog history and their first win in the series with OIT since the series began in 2010. This is the second year in a row the Bulldogs have qualified for the NAIA final site. The Bulldogs were led by Smith who tallied 20 kills and 23 digs in the matchup. Danyel Martin was a key to the Bulldog defense, totaling eight blocks at the net. Kaylee Fritz and Taylor Petersen combined for 40 assists in the match, good for 10 assists per set. Up Next The Bulldogs advance to the 2024 NAIA Volleyball Championships in Sioux City, Iowa that will be played from Dec. 4 through Dec. 10 at the Tyson Events Center. Pool play assignments will be announced this upcoming week.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. —  The no. 4 ranked Montana Western football team and Frontier Conference champions are set to take on the No. 14 Dickinson State (N.D.) in the second round of the NAIA Football Championship Series, the NAIA national office announced on Saturday evening. The Bulldogs will welcome the Blue Hawks to Dillon on Saturday, November 30 for a kickoff at 12 p.m. The game is part of an eight-game slate across the NAIA with a trip to the quarterfinals up for grabs. Dickinson State earned their way into the Second Round game after they defeated the visiting Kansas Wesleyan 27-20 following a last minute score with under a minute remaining in the game. The Bulldogs are 5-0 against the Blue Hawks since 2012, with their most recent win coming during the 2022 season when the Bulldogs defeated DSU 35-14 in a preseason matchup. Details on the matchup can be found  here.

TOWNSEND – Three people were charged this month in Broadwater County courts following an almost year-long investigation by game wardens into several animals killed in 2023.  The investigation began with a tip to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks from a concerned citizen. During the investigation, FWP game wardens uncovered evidence indicating three elk and three deer were killed unlawfully on public and private land in Broadwater County. This led to three people facing a mix of felony and misdemeanor charges.  All three individuals have made initial appearances in court and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Every person accused of a crime is presumed to be innocent until and until his or her guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt.  Montana Highway Patrol, the Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.   No further details about the investigation are available at this time.  Montana game wardens rely heavily on tips from the public. Anyone with information about crimes against wildlife or state lands is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov to provide details. You may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that 26 local safety agencies will share more than $1.4 million of grant funding to support tourism-related emergency service projects in rural areas. The funding is through Commerce’s Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Grant Program. “Emergency services are critical in rural areas of the state that may have experienced an increase in visitation recently,” said Paul Green, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “At Commerce, we’re proud to support first responders and others who help save lives and improve public safety in our rural communities.” The METAP program is designed to support services provided by public or private safety agencies including law enforcement, firefighting and ambulance or medical services. The following will receive METAP grant funding: 15-90 Search and Rescue will receive $42,140 for the purchase of a Polaris utility terrain vehicle with tracks to assist with search and rescue efforts. Beaverhead Rural Fire District #2 will receive $69,344.31 for the purchase of a Type 5 wildland fire engine. The Big Horn County Search and Rescue will receive $65,948.72 for the purchase of a drone, two Polaris Rangers and a Medlite transport bed to aid in search and rescue efforts. The City of Big Timber Volunteer Fire Department will receive $47,440 for the purchase of a generator and construction of a concrete mounting pad. Cooke City Silver Gate Emergency Services will receive $75,000 for the purchase of an emergency services wildland fire truck. The Dillon Police Department will receive $75,000 for the purchase of a patrol vehicle. Elkhorn Search and Rescue will receive $75,000 for the purchase of an enclosed trailer, a Polaris Expedition ADV side-by-side and communication radios. Jefferson City Volunteer Fire Department will receive $9,232.05 for the purchase of clothing and rescue outfitting for firefighters. The City of Libby Police Department will receive $75,000 for the purchase of a police vehicle. The Libby Volunteer Fire Department will receive $75,000 for the purchase of a self-contained breathing apparatus compressor system and fill station. The Northeast STAT Ambulance Cooperative will receive $46,693.08 for the purchase of an advanced monitor/defibrillator to upgrade emergency services equipment. The Paradise Valley Fire and Emergency Services will receive $57,395 for the purchase of rescue and extrication tools. The Park County Sheriff’s Office will receive $75,000 for the purchase of a patrol truck and emergency equipment for the vehicle. The Philipsburg Volunteer Fire Department will receive $75,000 for the purchase of a fire engine and supporting equipment. The City of Polson Fire Department will receive $66,000s for the purchase of advanced life support equipment, including cardiac monitors and Lucas auto-pulse devices. The City of Polson Police Department will receive $50,701 for the purchase of two trailers, a variable message sign and supporting equipment. Red Lodge Fire & Rescue Department will receive $64,478.76 for the purchase of mobile command and communication equipment. Richland County Search and Rescue will receive $27,196.40 for the purchase of search and rescue trailer and equipment. The Roundup Volunteer Fire Department will receive $57,798 for the purchase of extrication equipment for fire response vehicles. Sanders County will receive $62,858.25 for the purchase of a police vehicle. Seeley-Swan Search and Rescue will receive $21,075 for the purchase of a search and rescue snowmobile. The Sheridan Volunteer Fire Department will receive $4,000 for the purchase of emergency incident signs, hi-visibility vests and personal lights. The City of Thompson Falls will receive $65,814.25 for the purchase of a police vehicle. The City of Thompson Falls will receive $75,000 for the purchase of two police vehicles. The Thompson Falls Rural Fire Department will receive $61,685 for the purchase of extrication tools and accessories to assist with emergency responses. The Town of West Yellowstone will receive $66,756 for the purchase of a police vehicle. Eligible applicants for METAP funding include rural incorporated cities or towns, counties, consolidated governments, tribal governments and any entity that provides emergency services or response units to a rural area. METAP is a state-funded opportunity authorized by the 2023 Legislature’s enactment of Senate Bill 540 . For more information about METAP grants, visit commerce.mt.gov .

WHITEHALL – Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park will once again host candlelight tours of the entire developed cave route.   This special event allows visitors to see and enjoy the caverns by the warm, festive glow of candle lanterns—the same way the first explorers viewed them. Participants must make a reservation and purchase tickets prior to their tour.   Tours will be offered from Dec. 20-22 and Dec. 27-29. The starting times of these tours will vary, depending on park staffing for the day.   Park staff will provide tour guides, candles, lanterns and hot drinks. The cost for this unique event is $25 for visitors ages 15 and older, and $15 for visitors ages 5 to 14. All participants must be at least 5 years of age. Nonresident visitors must pay an $8-per-vehicle entrance fee as they enter the park.  Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and must be purchased online or by phone starting Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. Mountain Standard Time. To purchase tickets, click here or call 1-855-922-6768. No tickets will be sold at the park visitor center.  What to expect   Candlelight tours follow the entire developed cave route, with a ¾-mile uphill walk on a potentially icy and snowy path to reach the cave entrance. Visitors must complete this within 30 minutes to be eligible for the tour. Participants are encouraged to be prepared for winter conditions on roads and trails at the park.   Walking the ¾-mile underground trail involves turning, bending, duck waddling and a slide. The first half will use the cave lights, and the second half will use the glow of candle lanterns. The tour provides an intimate look at cave formations, known as speleothems. Visitors will visit Decision Rock, the Cathedral Room, the Pit, Garden of the Gods, the Brown Waterfall Room and the Paradise Room. The tour concludes with a flat, half-mile walk back to the visitor center on a potentially icy or snowy path. The total walking distance is 2 miles.   During the tour, visitors will pass near hibernating bats. White-nose syndrome, a fungus that affects bats but not people, has reached Montana. Bat mortalities from the disease have exceeded 80 percent in some areas. Managers are requiring precautions from visitors to reduce additional stressors to this fragile cave resource. Visitors cannot bring any clothing or other items that have been to another cave or mine in the past five years.   All tours are by a trained guide. No self-guided tours are available. The cave has an average temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit and over 90 percent humidity year-round, regardless of outside weather. Most areas are dimly lit, and some are narrow and enclosed. Visitors should consider bringing a warm jacket, good walking shoes and bottled water. Pets, strollers, backpacks and purses are not allowed.  Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is about 15 miles southeast of Whitehall, along Montana Highway 2. For more information about the park, click here or call 406-287-3541.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. -  The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced the pairings of the 2024 NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS) this past weekend. The Montana Western football team (9-1, 7-1 Frontier), ranked no. 4 in the nation in the final week of the regular season, was selected for a first-round bye and will host an FCS second round matchup as the no. 4 seed. This is the second home NAIA playoff berth since the 1994 season and the sixth playoff berth in school history. It is also just the second time in program history that the Bulldogs have appeared in back-to-back championships (1994, 1995). The Bulldogs still await their opponent following the completion of Saturday's First Round games. Game Information There will be no passes or pass lists for this game. Tickets must be purchased to enter. Sideline Passes -  All regular season credentials (sideline passes) are invalid, new credentials will be issued and UMW Athletics will be reaching out to those individuals. Tailgating -  Those who have purchased season tailgate spots will have them for the playoffs with no additional charge. Tailgate Information - Montana Western, University of ( umwbulldogs.com ) Tickets –  Tickets are required for all attendees and can be purchased online in advance. UMW students, staff and faculty ID cards, as well as all other passes, are not valid for entry to NAIA playoff games. You can purchase your tickets  here. Season ticket holders will receive an email with instructions on how to purchase their reserved tickets for this game. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, November 25, 2024 online. We encourage you to secure your tickets early to avoid any delays at the ticket booth on game day. Prices for the game are listed below: Reserved Seating Admission: $25 General Admission Adult (18-59): $20 General Admission Senior (60+)/Student (K-College): $15 Livestream –  The game will be available on the  Bulldog Sports Network - YouTube

On November 20, 2024, at 3:38 A.M., Lima fire and ambulance services were dispatched to the scene of a vehicle versus train collision just south of Dell. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a 46-year-old man from Hamilton seated in the front of the vehicle with minor injuries. Initial investigations revealed that the driver had been parked on the tracks and was reportedly "sleeping" when the incident occurred. The individual was subsequently transported to Barrett Hospital for evaluation. The Montana Highway Patrol is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have indicated that alcohol was a contributing factor in the incident. Further details are expected as the investigation continues.

DILLON – Cornell Park Fishing Access Site will be closed next week while crews reconstruct the parking lot and improve the picnic area. The closure is scheduled to last Sunday, Nov. 24, through Saturday, Nov. 30, though construction may last longer. The shoreline of the Beaverhead River at the site will remain open for wade angling, but only when accessed from the river itself. The boat ramp at the site will be closed. For a list of restrictions and closures of sites administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, click here . Cornell Fishing Access Site is along the Beaverhead River west of Dillon.

The University of Montana Western invites all interested area high school seniors, community members and UMW students to attend a free FAFSA Completion Workshop at the Lucy Carson Library on the Montana Western campus to be held in December and January. Workshop Dates: December 2nd, 3rd, and 5th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. December 3rd and 5th  from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30pm January 21st  from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. UMW wants to help everyone, no matter where they are planning to attend college, to successfully complete and submit the FAFSA application which is required for applying for grants, many private scholarships, work study and student loans. Participants (students and parents) should create and bring their FSA ID to the workshop. To complete an FSA ID, visit  https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch . The FSA ID is required to submit the FAFSA and needs to be created online at least three days prior to submitting the FAFSA.  For helpful tips and more information about creating and using the FSA ID, visit  https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/creating-using-fsaid.pdf .  Computer access will be available for workshop participants, or attendees may bring their own laptops or devices. Participants are also encouraged to bring a copy of their 2023 federal tax return and documents in case they are needed for the tax section of the FAFSA. For more information about the FSA ID creation process or other questions, please contact the University of Montana Western Office of Financial Aid: 406-683-7511 or  finaid@umwestern.edu .

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana CITY HALL COMMITTEE MEETING City Council Chambers  November 21st, 2024  4:00 PM  ~ AGENDA ~   1.   Call to Order 2.   Review/Recommend Surplus/Junk to be Sold 3.   Review/Recommend Garage Doors 4.   Discuss Univision 5.   Public Comment On Items Of Significant Public Interest Not On The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction Of The City 6.   Adjournment   City Hall Committee Members:              Raymond  Graham (Chair); Mary Jo O’Rourke

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana 59725 HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE MEETING CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS November 21,  2024 at 3:00 PM   AGENDA     1.     Call to Order   2.     Review/Recommend Nurses Quarterly Report   3.     Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not on the Agenda and Within the Jurisdiction of the City.   4.     Adjournment   Committee Members: Bill Shafer (Chair), Joleen Schultz