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125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana 59725 HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE MEETING CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS August 15th , 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

RED LODGE – Around 10 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11, a subadult female black bear attacked and injured a child inside a tent at a private campground south of Red Lodge. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens and bear specialists responded to the incident. The bear was caught and euthanized the following day. The child was transported to a medical facility in Billings. FWP staff set a trap at the campsite on Sunday night and worked with the campground owner to evacuate the campground by the morning of Aug. 12. Additional traps and snares were set when the campground was fully evacuated. The bear was captured on the afternoon of Aug. 12, and was shot and killed. FWP found unsecured attractants, including garbage, a cooler, and human food, around and inside the tent where the attack occurred. The black bear involved in the incident had no history of conflicts. However, the bear had likely become food-conditioned and human-habituated after accessing unsecured attractants in the area. Evidence at the site matched the physical characteristics of the bear and FWP believes the bear killed was the bear involved in the attack. FWP received support from the Red Lodge Police Department, Wyoming Game & Fish Department and the Carbon County Sherriff’s Office on this incident. Be bear aware Montana is bear country. People should be prepared to encounter grizzly or black bears in Montana. Avoiding conflicts with bears is easier than dealing with conflicts. Here are some precautions to help avoid negative bear encounters while camping: Keep food and anything with a scent out of tents. Dispose of garbage in bear resistant bins; otherwise, take it with you and dispose of it properly elsewhere. Do not bury or burn garbage. Follow local land management agency  food storage orders  and properly store unattended food and anything else with a scent. Food storage options: Bear boxes Hard-sided vehicles (car, truck, RV). Avoid leaving attractants in vehicles for extended periods of time (backcountry trips). IGBC-certified bear resistant containers Temporary electric fencing   For more information on bear safety, visit: fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware .

GROUSE FIRE Incident Commander: Bill Waln, Incident Commander Location: 10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT Start Date: 7/25/2024 Cause: Undetermined Size: 4,166 acres Containment: 22% Resources on Site: 1 hotshot crew; 2 Type 2 hand crews; 10 engines; 1 skidgens; 1 dozer Total Personnel: 288 KEY MESSAGES: Containment of the Grouse Fire has increased to 22 percent as firefighters continue to make progress along the southern edge of the fire. Most of the fire is burning in inaccessible, very steep, and rocky terrain that was hit hard by the mountain pine beetle several years ago. Many of the beetle-killed trees have fallen, but many remain standing, weakened, and are prone to falling over during wind events. These hazards are preventing firefighters from taking direct action on the fire perimeter. Firefighters have been creating fuel breaks along trails and along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. These indirect control lines will assist firefighters to prevent the fire from impacting critical values at risk. Other natural features like scree fields and rocky outcroppings create barriers to the spread of fire. This fire will continue to burn throughout the summer and into the fall until the first major snow fall. Current Status/PLANNED ACTIONS: Today, crews will be patrolling and monitoring the containment line on the Pettengill Road. The fire module spiking out near the Reservoir Creek Drainage will continue with cleanup work and monitoring the fire’s perimeter for any hot spots or activity. Watch for firefighters, equipment, and large vehicles as they continue to load and haul debris from the shaded fuel break work along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. The structure group is working to complete the structure assessment in the Wise River community and along the Hwy 43 corridor. They will remove protective equipment (pumps, sprinklers, hoses) placed around structures in sections, package it up on pallets, and label each with layout instructions. This will make it easy to deploy each package to the appropriate location if needed in the future. An infrared flight was flown over the fire last night to locate heat signatures and provide an accurate mapping of the fire. This resulted in a slight increase in acres. Weather and Fire Behavior: West winds at 4-8 mph in the lower elevations, southwest winds at 10-15 mph with gusts up to 23 mph on the ridgetops. There is a 60 percent chance for thunderstorms between 1:00-3:00 p.m., bringing lightning and wind gusts up to 40 mph and 50 percent chance of rain. CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has issued an Area/Road/Trail Closure (Closure #01-02-03-24-05) effective July 31, 2024. This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the Grouse Fire. Closure information and maps are posted on the Forests’ website and the fire’s Inciweb page as they are in place. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.../mtbdf-grouse . A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. The Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are allowed only in a permanent metal fire grate/ring provided by the Forest Service in a designated, developed recreation site. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, in buildings, or in an area clear of flammable materials. Devices with an on/off switch that use LPG fuels are allowed in an area clear of flammable materials within three feet of the device.

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana Tuesday, August 13th, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. ZONING COMMISSION Regular Meeting Agenda   1.    Call To Order   2.    Review and Approval of the Minutes of July 23rd, 2024 Regular Meeting   3.    Director of Operations Report a.     Public Comment will be taken after discussion of item 4-5 by the Zoning Commission; followed by final discussion by the zoning commission; and final vote by the commission if necessary.   4.    Applications for Zoning Compliance Certificates for Review:   2024-021      Angler’s Village        335 S Atlantic               Patio/Pergola/Fence   2024-022            Wall                64 Thomas Drive                 Single Family Residence   5.    Review of 411 Vine Street Project   6.    Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not on the Agenda and Within the Jurisdiction of the Zoning Commission.   7.      Adjournment   PLEASE NOTE : A Zoom link is available. Join the meeting with Zoom ID: 770-316-6528,  allowing permission for mic and camera (if using a computer go to            https://zoom.us/j/7703166528 ) and use Passcode 4245.   z oning Commission Members:   Justin Rooley (Chair), Raymond Graham, Russ Schwandt, Mike Watson

The University of Montana Western is excited to hold New Student Orientation from Thursday, August 15, to Sunday, August 18. Orientation at Montana Western is designed to welcome first-year and transfer students to campus as well as prepare them for the academic year. Throughout the four days, students will have the opportunity to engage with their peers, faculty members, and staff through a series of interactive sessions, icebreaker activities, and team-building exercises before classes begin on Monday, August 19. These experiences not only help build new friendships but also lay the foundation for a supportive network that extends throughout their academic journey. “By participating in New Student Orientation, students will be introduced to Experience One through immersive hands-on activities, acquire skills to help them succeed in their university journey, and develop a sense of belonging and connection with other students, faculty, and staff,” said Mike Piazzola, Senior Director of Auxiliary Services. The weekend of festivities begins on Thursday, August 15, as students settle into their new homes in the UMW Residence Halls. Members of the campus and Dillon community are invited to volunteer on Move-In Day to help welcome new students to Montana Western. To sign up, please visit  https://www.umwestern.edu/orientation/  and submit the “Montana Western Moving Company” online form. The ceremonial beginning of the academic year, Convocation, will take place on Friday, August 16, at 10:00 a.m. in the Straugh Gymnasium, followed by the Legacy Plaza Ceremony. A Welcome Lunch for students, families, faculty, and staff will follow on the campus lawn in front of Mathews Hall. Orientation events will continue through the weekend with engaging sessions dedicated to student success and many other activities designed for students to explore Dillon and the surrounding areas. For the full schedule of events, please visit  https://www.umwestern.edu/orientation/ .

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. -  In a preseason poll of Frontier Conference football coaches, the Montana Western football team was picked to finish second for the 2024 season. The Bulldogs finished up the 2023 season going 9-2 on the season and a perfect 7-0 in the back end of the Frontier gauntlet, earning the outright conference title for the first time since 1995 and their first championship since 2021. The Bulldogs will play ten games this season, with a balanced slate of five home and five away games. The defending Frontier Conference champions will kick off the historic season in the newly built Bulldog Stadium. They will begin the season with a pair of home games, opening with a non-conference matchup against Eastern Oregon. They will follow up with their home conference opener against the College of Idaho. COI enters the season coming off of a deep playoff run that saw the Yotes top the Bulldogs in the second round of the playoffs, but then ultimately fall in the semifinal to Keiser University who was the national title runner-up. UMW will follow up the first two home games with a pair of road games in Oregon, but will return on October 12 for a rivalry matchup with the Montana Tech Orediggers at home. Down the line on Nov. 9, the Bulldogs will host the Carroll College Saints for the first time since the 2021 season. The Bulldogs have won four straight over the Saints at home, dating back to 2016. "To have two historic rivalry games at home this year versus Montana Tech and Carroll College, two well-coached and talented teams, gives our supporters and fans an awesome opportunity to see some of the best small college football played right here in Dillon Montana," continued Nourse. The College of Idaho is the preseason favorite to win the 2024 Frontier Conference football championship for the second year in a row. Southern Oregon follows in third place followed by Montana Tech, Carroll College, Rocky Mountain, Eastern Oregon, Arizona Christian, and MSU-Northern. 2024 Frontier Conference Football Preseason Coaches Poll Rank School (First-Place Votes) Points 1st College of Idaho (7) 63 2nd Montana Western (1) 57 3rd Southern Oregon (1) 43 4th Montana Tech 42 5th Carroll College 37 6th Rocky Mountain College 36 7th Eastern Oregon 23 8th Arizona Christian 15 9th MSU-Northern 8

Madison County Sheriff's Office On August 8th, 2024 at 07:49 hours the Madison County Communications Center (MCCC) received a report of a suspicious package/crate outside of a residence in Laurin, Montana. A Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the location, and deemed the crate to be a possible threat to the community. Additional units were requested to respond to the location. Upon their arrival, the residents and immediate surrounding residences near the location of the crate were evacuated for safety concerns. Documentation on the crate indicated there was a possible contagion present, and there were materials in the crate that were consistent with an improvised explosive device. Multiple local, state, and federal agencies were notified of the potential hazards. The Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Missoula County Sheriff’s Bomb Squads were contacted and responded to the scene. The Madison County Public Health Department was notified as well concerning the contagion element to the incident. The Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad arrived on scene and determined the crate suspicious enough to warrant further investigation. The Missoula County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad arrived on scene in conjunction with a U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau Investigation Special Agent Bomb Technician. Moments before the Missoula units arrived at the location, a local subject arrived and provided information that the incident was ultimately a prank. The Madison County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Madison County Communications Center, the Madison County DES Office, the Madison County Public Health Department, the Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as several other local, state and federal agencies who assisted. The investigation is currently ongoing, and there is no current public threat.

The Beaverhead Headhunters will host a cemetery walk this Saturday, August 10th at the Mountain View Cemetery. This year’s walk will focus on the graves and history of past Beaverhead County Sheriff’s. The public is invited to come and learn about the history and lives of our past Sheriff’s. The walk will start at 2 P.M.

Facebook Post from Gallatin County Sheriff's Office After nearly three decades, the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office has announced the resolution of a cold case involving the murder of 15-year-old Danielle “Danni” Houchins from Belgrade, Montana. Houchins was tragically killed on September 21, 1996. On that day, Houchins left her home around 11 AM. When she failed to return, her worried family reported her missing to the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office. Her mother discovered Houchins’ truck at the Cameron Bridge Fishing Access on the Gallatin River, and later that night, Houchins’ body was found face down in shallow water. In a significant breakthrough last month, DNA evidence collected at the time of Houchins’ death was matched to 55-year-old Paul Hutchinson of Dillon, Montana. The day after Gallatin County law enforcement had their first interview with Hutchinson, he died by suicide. Investigators have determined that Hutchinson and Houchins had no prior connection. Describing it as a crime of opportunity, they believe Hutchinson and Houchins randomly encountered each other at the river, where Hutchinson raped then suffocated her in shallow water. Despite numerous suspects being interviewed over the years, Hutchinson was never connected to the case until DNA results identified him. He was a Montana State University student beginning in September of 1996, later graduating in fisheries wildlife biology. He then worked for the Montana Bureau of Land Management in Dillon for 22 years. He had no criminal or traffic history and was married with two adult children. “This case exemplifies our relentless pursuit of justice. We never gave up on finding the truth for Danni and her family, exhausting all means necessary to bring closure to this heartbreaking chapter,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer. “Our commitment to justice for victims and their loved ones is unwavering, and we will continue to use every resource at our disposal to solve these cases, no matter how much time has passed." This investigation highlights the importance of preserving evidence in order for future technologies to identify suspects. “Stranger” homicides are the most difficult to solve and rely heavily upon physical evidence. In this case, materials were preserved, and over time, the pieces of evidence were able to be analyzed and DNA extracted using current technology that was not available in the past. The investigation stalled over the years as suspects, known to Danni, were eliminated. “The investigation remained open because we knew Danni was murdered and someday, we were going to have the tools available to solve this case,” Springer said. In 2019, the sheriff’s office renewed efforts to solve the case. In 2021, when Springer became sheriff, he believed there needed to be new, fresh and outside eyes on the case. He hired private investigator Tom Elfmont, a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer with decades of experience, to assist. Elfmont was remotely aided by Sergeant Court Depweg of the Newport Beach Police Department, who specializes in solving homicides using DNA technology. During the initial investigation, four hairs were collected from Houchins’ body. That preserved evidence was sent to Astria Forensics in California for analysis. A partial DNA profile from one of the hairs was developed and run through the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, but no matches were found. The profile was then sent to Parabon NanoLabs in Virginia, where genealogists used additional DNA databases to identify Hutchinson as the suspect. On the evening July 23, 2024, Elfmont and Depweg interviewed Hutchinson. During the nearly two-hour interview, Hutchinson, who had lived in Bozeman at the time of Houchins’ death, displayed extreme nervousness. Investigators noted he sweated profusely, scratched his face, and chewed on his hand. When shown a photo of Houchins, Hutchinson slumped in his chair and exhibited signs of being uncomfortable. Upon release, his behavior was observed to be erratic. Early the next morning, at 4:17 AM on July 24, Hutchinson called the Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office, informing them he needed assistance before hanging up. Deputies found him shortly thereafter on the side of the road, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation continues in an attempt to tie up loose ends. The information we’ve received will be shared with federal and local law enforcement agencies in an attempt to locate possible victims of similar crimes. This resolution brings a long-awaited sense of closure to Danni’s family and the community. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to justice and thanks all those who assisted in bringing this case to a close.

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana Judiciary Committee Meeting ~ Agenda ~  Tuesday, August 13th, 2024 6:00 PM (Special Time)     1.            Call Meeting to Order 2.            Review/Recommend City of Dillon Business Registration Title 5.16 3.            Public Comment On Items Of Significant Public Interest Not On The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction Of The City 4.            Adjourn   Committee Members: Raymond Graham; Diane Armstrong

Location: 10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT Start Date: 7/25/2024 Cause: Undetermined Size: 3,700 acres Resources on Site: 3 hotshot crews; 5 type 2 hand crews; 10 engines; 2 skidgens; 1 dozer Total Personnel: 290 KEY MESSAGES: Rocky Mountain Team 3, a Complex Incident Management Team, will be shadowing the current Type 3 Management Team today and taking command of the fire at 0600 Friday morning. Heavy equipment will be working along the Scenic Byway. Continue to slow down, drive 35 miles MPH and yield to firefighting equipment, engines and vehicles. Fire activity and smoke will be visible in the area. The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway remains OPEN but there will be intermittent delays and one lane of traffic with heavy equipment and log trucks moving material on and near the Byway. CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: Active fire behavior was observed in the Grouse Lakes basin with short runs and group torching. Crews utilized aviation support in the form of Large Air Tankers and Type One Helicopters on the ridge to the south of Stine Creek, successfully keeping fire from progressing to the north into Stine Creek drainage. Heavy equipment continued fuels reduction work to protect infrastructure from the Harriet Lou Road to the south on the Scenic Byway. Crews will continue to hold and secure established control lines in the Reservoir Creek drainage and around structures on the fire perimeter. Heavy equipment will continue to construct a fuel break from the Harriet Lou Road progressing to the south. Crews and air resources will look for opportunities to keep the fire along the ridge south of the main Stine Creek drainage. WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: On Wednesday, wind gusts and low relative humidities were present in the fire area. Thursday is calling for a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Active fire behavior is expected with smoke visible in the fire area. CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has issued an Area/Road/Trail Closure (Closure #01-02-03-24-05) effective July 31, 2024. This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the Grouse Fire.

HELENA –  Do you plan to train your dog on wild game birds this season? If so, a bird dog training license is required, and you must abide by season dates when training on public land.  This is the second year that this license has been required, after it was created during the last Montana legislative session. In addition, a slight change was made to the nonresident season dates (from a start date of Aug. 15 to a later start date of Sept. 1).   Below are a few reminders:  Who needs this license:  Anyone training bird dogs on wild game birds needs to hold a bird dog training license, whether they are training on private or public land (note training season dates below for public land).  How to obtain this license:  Licenses can be purchased online, at an FWP office, or at any license provider.  Licenses are: $5 for any Montana resident over age 18                      $10 for any nonresident over age 18  Note: A special recreational use license (SRUL) from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) may be needed to train on state school trust lands.  Public land bird dog training dates:  Resident training dates are Aug. 1-March 31.  Nonresident training dates are Sept. 1-March 31.

TWIN BRIDGES – Fishing restrictions and closures have been updated for sections of the Big Hole River on Tuesday. The following restrictions are now in effect for the Big Hole River: A new full fishing closure from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River. Hoot-owl restrictions from the river’s confluence with the North Fork to Tony Schoonen Fishing Access Site, commonly known as Notch Bottom. Portions of this stretch of the river had previously been closed to fishing. An existing full fishing closure will remain in effect from Tony Schoonen Fishing Access Site to the confluence with the Jefferson River All fishing is prohibited during full fishing closures. Hoot-owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight daily. These closures and restrictions come in response to low river flows in accordance with the Big Hole River’s drought management plan and will remain in effect until conditions improve. Fishing restrictions and closures like these are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when low flows and high water temperatures combine with other stressors, including catch-and-release fishing. Anglers can reduce stress on fish at all times of the year by getting fish to the net or in hand quickly, keeping them in the water, and reviving them prior to releasing them back into the river. Along with monitoring stream temperatures, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks also monitors stream flows, and in some streams, holds instream flow water rights. FWP’s water program can issue a call on junior water users, when appropriate, to contribute to stream flows through the late summer and early fall. For more information on FWP water rights, click here . For a list of current fishing restrictions and closures in Montana, click here .

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. - The Frontier Conference released the preseason volleyball coaches' poll. The coaches from the league selected Montana Western as the preseason favorite. Montana Western received two first place votes. Providence and Montana Tech each also tallied two first place votes. The Bulldogs enter the 2024 season as the reigning Frontier Conference tournament champions after they capped off the historic 2023 campaign with an overall 22-8 record. The Bulldogs posted their highest win percentage since the 1996 season and made their first ever appearance in the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Tournament and went 1-2 overall. UMW will be returning 15 players from last season's conference championship squad, including all-conference players  Danyel Martin ,  Jordan Olson ,  Jazi Smith , and all-freshman team selection  Sophie Worden . In addition, the Bulldogs return standout libero  Kelsey Goddard  who was third in the conference for total digs (556) and fourth in the conference for digs per set (5.20) after last season. "We are really excited about this year. We are bringing back a lot of our core after graduating only two seniors," Head Coach Katie Lovett said. "We have a really tough schedule ahead of us, not only in the Frontier Conference, but also with our out of conference schedule as well. We are really optimistic about it and excited about going against some really tough competition early on." 2024 Preseason Coaches' Poll Montana Western (2)            22 Providence (2)                         21 Montana Tech (2)                   15 Rocky Mountain                     15 Carroll College                        10 MSU-Northern                        7 Players Mentioned: #3 Kelsey Goddard L/DS 5' 7" Junior #8 Danyel Martin MB 6' 2" Redshirt Junior #19 Jordan Olson RS 6' 1" Sophomore #11 Jazi Smith OH 5' 11" Junior #1 Sophie Worden S/5' 8" Freshman

HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that more than $10 million of grant funding has been allocated to communities and affordable housing organizations to help reduce homelessness and increase housing stability. The funding is through Commerce’s HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program. “In Montana, we always believe it’s important to help our neighbors who are in the most need. This includes making sure that all our state’s residents have a safe and secure place to call home,” said Paul Green, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “This grant funding will help construct and rehabilitate nearly 100 affordable homes for those who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness or fleeing domestic violence.” Montana’s State allocation of HOME-ARP funds is a one-time federal block grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Montana Department of Commerce granted these funds to eligible applicants who proposed activities to benefit qualifying populations. In December of 2023, four projects were allocated funds; this month, two additional projects were funded to utilize Commerce’s remaining HOME-ARP funds. The following entities received HOME-ARP funding: Butte-Silver Bow received $1,485,000 of HOME-ARP grant funding for the construction of permanent supportive homes in Butte to help those experiencing chronic homelessness. Crow Tribe received $2,350,000 of HOME-ARP grant funding for the rehabilitation of the Western Motel in Hardin. District XI Human Resource Council, Inc. received $1,917,528 of HOME-ARP grant funding for construction of the Skalkaho Place Apartments in Hamilton. Family Promise of Gallatin Valley, Inc. received $835,000 of HOME-ARP grant funding for the rehabilitation of the Journey Home campus in Bozeman. The Human Resource Development Council of District IX received $2,256,973 of HOME-ARP grant funding for the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Wheat Suites in Bozeman. Samaritan House, Inc. received $1,500,000 of HOME-ARP grant funding for construction of the Samaritan House Family Living Apartments in Kalispell. “Housing is a symbol of hope, dignity and a place where dreams can happen and futures can be built,” said Ruth Burke, Executive Director, District XI Human Resource Council. “Skalkaho Place is one of three area projects that have recently received financial support through different funding streams by Commerce’s Montana Housing Division, a long-standing and true partner in affordable housing initiatives.” For more information about the HOME-ARP program, visit housing.mt.gov .

Morning Update from the Incident Management Team (IMT) Cause: Undetermined Size: 3,006 acres Resources on Site: 2 hotshot crews; 4 type 2 hand crews; 9 engines; 2 skidgens; 1 dozer Total Personnel: 254 KEY MESSAGES: Although precipitation occurred over the fire yesterday, fire activity and smoke will be visible in the area. The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway remains OPEN. Those recreating or traveling in the fire area are encouraged to be aware of the situation and to pay attention to increased fire traffic. If traveling in the area please slow down, drive 35 MPH, and yield to firefighting equipment, engines, and vehicles. CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: Yesterday, there was observed fire growth on the north and west flanks, toward Grouse Lakes and fire backing toward Reservoir Creek. Hotshot crews and hand crews continued constructing fire line on the east flank of the fire progressing west toward lower Grouse Lake, utilizing natural features where opportunities were available. Additional resources are continuing mop up operations (eliminating heat sources in the burned area) and securing the fire line near structures along Pettengill Creek towards Reservoir Creek. Smoke is still visible throughout the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway and Wise River vicinity. WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Monday’s temperatures were warmer with gusty winds and thunderstorms. Fire behavior was active with growth primarily on the north flank. Today, near critical fire weather is expected with minimum relative humidities and gusty winds. Active fire behavior is expected to continue with movement primarily up the Grouse Creek drainage and sub-drainages. CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has issued an Area/Road/Trail Closure (Closure #01-02-03-24-05) effective July 31, 2024. This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the Grouse Fire. Closure information and maps are posted on the Forests’ website and the fire’s Inciweb page as they are in place. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtbdf-grouse . A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. The Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are allowed only in a permanent metal fire grate/ring provided by the Forest Service in a designated, developed recreation site. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, in buildings, or in an area clear of flammable materials. Devices with an on/off switch that use LPG fuels are allowed in an area clear of flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. — The excitement is building as the Montana Western Bulldogs, the defending Frontier Conference Champions, gear up for another thrilling season of college football. Fans have the opportunity to secure their seats at the brand-new Bulldog Stadium by purchasing reserved season tickets now. Season tickets are priced at $90 each and will be available for purchase until noon on Friday, September 6. This is a prime opportunity for Bulldog fans to lock in their seats for the entire season and support their team from the best vantage points. Located on the picturesque Montana Western campus, Bulldog Stadium promises to provide a whole new way of viewing and enjoying Bulldog football. Reserved seating will be on bleachers, and fans are encouraged to bring seat cushions, seat backs, and or blankets to enhance their comfort. Season ticket renewals will be offered each year, ensuring that dedicated fans can continue to enjoy the excitement and camaraderie of Bulldog football for seasons to come. Details regarding single-game tickets and game day parking will be released soon. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for more information to make their game-day experience even more enjoyable. Don't miss out on the action and the chance to cheer on the Montana Western Bulldogs as they defend their title. Secure your reserved season tickets starting August 6 and be part of the Bulldog legacy. Click here to purchase your reserved season tickets today.

The Old tall trees around Beaverhead County Highschool are just getting too big. With big trees come big problems and they must go. The pine trees are so big in fact they are starting to pose safety hazards for the school and the roots have begun to mess with the foundation. Leaving the school no other choice but to take down the trees.