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Divide, Mont. — A fatal crash occurred late Saturday night, November 8, on Interstate 15 near mile marker 99. According to authorities, a Kenworth semi traveling southbound left the roadway while negotiating a curve. The passenger side of the semi struck a guardrail, causing the vehicle to overturn onto the barrier and slide several hundred feet on its top before coming to rest. The tractor came to a stop on the right shoulder, with the trailer remaining partially on the guardrail. Emergency responders arrived on scene and found the driver deceased. The crash remains under investigation.

DILLON, Mont. — The Montana Western Bulldogs closed out their regular season in spectacular fashion Friday, steamrolling Arizona Christian 66–14 on Senior Day at Vigilante Field. The win capped the Bulldogs’ regular season at 7–3, setting a high note heading into postseason consideration. Quarterback Michael Palandri delivered a performance for the record books, throwing eight touchdown passes and racking up 423 passing yards, breaking his own single-game touchdown mark of seven set last year—also against the Firestorm. Western raced to a 42–7 halftime lead and never looked back. The Bulldog receiving corps was unstoppable. Eli Nourse hauled in 154 yards and a touchdown, while Seth Shook added 117 yards and two scores. Aidan Lammers, Jakob Humphrey, Jonathan Kirkley, and Mason Rasmussen each found the end zone as well, spreading the offense’s dominance across the field. On the defensive side, Western’s unit set the tone early and never relented. The Bulldogs totaled 75 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and three sacks, while forcing three fumbles and recovering one. Keegen Muffich led the way with 12 tackles and a sack, while Reece Stanish added seven tackles and another sack, with six stops behind the line. Arizona Christian managed just 295 total yards and was held to 35% on third down, not scoring again until the game’s final 14 seconds. “This was a great way to finish the season off,” said head coach Ryan Nourse. “This team has practiced and prepared well all season—one of the best I’ve ever had in that regard. They deserved to get a resounding victory in their last home regular-season game.” With momentum and confidence on their side, the Bulldogs now turn their focus to what’s next—potential postseason play and a chance to keep their red-hot offense rolling.

The University of Montana Western Foundation is excited to announce that Dr. John Micha, and his wife, Vicki, have transferred ownership of the historic Andrus Hotel to the Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity and forward thinking of Dr. Micha, the future of the Andrus Hotel will continue to be an important part of our community,” said Phil Willett, Chair of the Montana Western Foundation Board of Directors. “This remarkable gift ensures that the Andrus remains both a thriving local business and a lasting part of Dillon’s rich heritage.” With this generous donation, the Montana Western Foundation will continue to partner with the Drew Family, owners of Sparky’s Garage, who have now also assumed operations of the Andrus Hotel. The partnership will also allow the university to explore new opportunities for internships, hands-on learning experiences, and academic programming, while also preserving the hotel’s role as a cornerstone of Dillon’s downtown. Dr. Micha’s longstanding relationship with the University of Montana Western has been marked by a shared commitment to education, innovation, and community success. His goal in making this gift was to ensure that the Andrus Hotel continues to thrive—both as a business and as a legacy for future generations. As a gift to the Montana Western Foundation, no state or institutional funds from the University of Montana Western will be used in the hotel’s operations or maintenance. The Foundation and their partner will continue to pay all expenses associated with the property. A dedication ceremony honoring the Micha Family and their extraordinary generosity will be held in the spring. More details will be announced as plans are finalized for the event.

UMW Sports BILLINGS, Mont. –  The Montana Western cross-country teams wrapped up their 2025 season Friday at the Frontier Conference Championships. The women placed 10th in the 6k while the men were 11th in the 8k. Olivia Heiner was the top women's finisher for UMW, clocking a season-best 23:14.6 in the 6k to finish 13th out of 84 runners. It marks her highest finish of the season. In the men's 8k, Brant Heiner ran to a 27:03.8 to place 33rd out of 102 runners. Other finishers for the Bulldog women were Justene Santi (51st, 25:16.4), Ashley Murnion (74th (29:00.5), Madison Faulkner (78th, 31:45.7), and Kylee Wyatt (79th, 32:08.8). Harrison Silverio (64th, 28:23.3), Brody Henry (76th, 29:21.7), Noah Rovente (82nd, 29:43.2), Cael Thilmony (83rd, 29:47.4), Tristan Von Bargen (87th, 30:04.6), Kreg Butler (88th, 30:08.7), Wyatt Yeager (91st, 30:37.1), Mason Lynch (94th, 32:20.7), and Bridger Wheeler (95th, 32:43.4) round out the finishers on the men's side.

SEELEY LAKE –  Fortunately, two hunters are uninjured after an encounter with three grizzly bears on the morning of Nov. 5 on the Pyramid Pass Trail east of Seeley Lake. The hunters had harvested a mule deer buck earlier in the morning and were hiking to retrieve the deer when they encountered the bears. They were about two miles from the Pyramid Pass Trailhead when they saw three grizzly bears approximately 100 yards away, running towards them. The hunters reported that they yelled at the bears and waved their arms, but the bears continued running towards the hunters without slowing down. One hunter shot at and possibly killed two of the grizzly bears, and the third bear retreated towards the mule deer carcass. The hunters left the site right away and immediately reported the incident as self-defense to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The U.S. Forest Service has posted signs at the Pyramid Pass Trailhead to alert visitors of the recent bear activity. Be bear aware during hunting season Bears will continue to be active during hunting seasons this fall. Here are some precautions to help hunters avoid bear encounters: Carry bear spray and have it accessible. Watch for and be extra cautious around bear sign, creeks and areas with limited visibility. Most incidents happen in surprise, close encounters. Hunt with a group of people. This can help you make localized noise to alert bears to your presence, and groups of people are more likely to deter a bear than a solo hunter. Be aware that elk calls and cover scents can attract bears. When retrieving a harvested animal, use extra caution. Bring the equipment and people needed to help field dress game, and remove the meat from where it was harvested as quickly as possible. If you need to leave part of the meat in the field during retrieval, hang it at least 10 feet off the ground, if possible, and at least 100 yards from the gut pile. Leave it in an open area where it can be observed from a distance. Upon your return, observe the meat with binoculars. Make noise while approaching the meat. If it has been disturbed or if a bear is in the area, leave and call FWP. Follow food storage orders from the applicable land management agency. To learn more about how to be safe in bear country, click visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware .

DILLON, Mont.  – Tuesday night, the Dillon Jaycees held their 67th Annual Distinguished Service Award (DSA) and Outstanding Young Man/Woman (OYM)  Banquet at the Dillon Elks Lodge. Each year, the Jaycees recognize an outstanding man and woman in the community, along with an outstanding young man and young woman. Nominees are selected by their peers for their dedication, service, and impact on the Dillon community. Distinguished Service Award – Russ Schwandt This year’s Distinguished Service Award winner takes great pride in his community and helps wherever he sees a need. Friends have referred to him as “one of Dillon’s best friends.” Russ spends much of his time supporting youth in the community as a gymnastics coach at Shine Studio and a national gymnastics judge. He is an active member of Friends of Jaycee Park , volunteering to maintain the splash pad, clean restrooms, and empty garbage so that the park is ready for the Farmers Market  and Sunday Church Services . Russ oversees the Senior Commodities Food Program , helping distribute food boxes to seniors each month, unloading trucks, and providing storage. He’s formed strong bonds with many of the seniors he helps—assisting with heating needs in winter and helping them apply for home improvement programs. He is a Life Member and Officer of the VFW Bill Carroll Post 9040 Auxiliary , has served on the Friends of the NRA Board , and regularly volunteers with the Elks Lodge , Montana Folk Festival , and An Rá Rí Festival  in Butte. Russ has served three terms on the Dillon City Council , where he currently presides as Council President. He also serves on the City/County Health Board , is President of Dillon Main Street LLC , and sits on the Beaverhead Development Corporation Board , working to strengthen economic development. He is a founding member of the Dillon Community Affairs Committee , which organizes Dillon History Days  each July. As President of the Southwest Montana Pink Heals Chapter , Russ helps raise funds for cancer patients. The pink fire truck, “Sharon Grace,”  was named after his mother. He also chairs the annual National Cancer Survivors Dinner  and participates in Relay for Life . Professionally, Russ is a dedicated realtor known for going above and beyond for clients—sometimes even baking brownies before showings to make a house feel like home. He serves on the Montana Association of Realtors  and Rocky Mountain Association of Realtors , and has been honored multiple times as “ Realtor of the Year .” Russ quietly gives his time and heart to Dillon without seeking recognition. His tireless dedication makes him this year’s Distinguished Service Award Winner – Russ Schwandt. Outstanding Woman – Debbie Sporich This year’s Outstanding Woman has been described as the “definition of Dillon.” Debbie is a tireless cheerleader for her community and a passionate advocate for all things Dillon. She is a long-time member of the Chamber of Commerce , planning beloved events like Crazy Days  and the Christmas Stroll , often single-handedly. She is active in Saint James Episcopal Church , helps with the Festival of Trees , and is known for her creative contributions to Bras for a Cause . Debbie also helps plan Dillon History Days  and supports the Dillon City Library , organizing fundraisers like the Read-a-thon  and No Run Fun Run , and selling used books to benefit the Friends of the Library . During COVID, Debbie began a weekly reading series with Southwestern Montana News , which she continues today for the community. As owner of The Bookstore  in downtown Dillon for more than three decades, Debbie has hosted countless author events, drawing visitors downtown—including a record turnout last summer for Beyond the Map’s Edge  author Justin Posey . She regularly partners with the Beaverhead County Museum  to bring relevant titles to their speaker events. Debbie champions literacy and community spirit in everything she does. She is truly the heart of downtown Dillon.This year’s Outstanding Woman Award  goes to Debbie Sporich! Outstanding Young Man – Michael Stuart This year’s Outstanding Young Man is a leader, volunteer, son, husband, father, and friend to many in the Dillon community. A Dillon native and Beaverhead County High School Class of 2005  graduate, Michael has dedicated his life to family, hard work, and community service. After working in corrections and for the Deer Lodge County Weed Department , he returned home to Dillon in 2014 to work for Pivots Plus , allowing him to spend more time on the family ranch—something that deeply connects him to his roots. Michael has been a lifelong member of Farm Bureau , where he currently serves as President of the Southwest Counties Farm Bureau  and has represented Montana on both the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee  and the State Sheep and Goat Committee . As a third-generation Dillon Jaycee , he has served as Director, Concessions Chair, Grounds Chair, and is best known as Tailgate Chairman  for UMW home football games—the “official voice” of the Dillon Jaycees. After a work-related injury, Michael returned to school at Montana Tech , where he’s studying Cybersecurity and Networking, earning straight A’s with plans to graduate in 2026. Michael and his wife Becky  married in 2015 and are proud parents to Jimmy (9)  and Molly (7) . Michael serves not for recognition, but out of genuine care for his community. He embodies the spirit of service, leadership, and family.Your 2025 Outstanding Young Man Award Winner  is Michael Stuart! Outstanding Young Woman – Klaire Kramer This year’s Outstanding Young Woman exemplifies strong character, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to community. Klaire is a talented local artist who donates her artwork to fundraisers and designs marketing materials for local events, including for the Tweedy Mountain Fan Club . She played a key role in organizing the Stick Horse Stampede Rodeo , bringing joy to families across Dillon. At the Women’s Resource Center , she supports survivors of domestic and sexual violence with care and compassion—helping build furniture, stock shelters, and create public awareness campaigns. She’s also active in Beaverhead County 4-H  and runs her own business, Montana Vogue Hat Co. , crafting custom handmade hats. Klaire’s creativity, generosity, and humility shine through everything she does. She gives freely of her time and talents to make Dillon a stronger, kinder place.This year’s Outstanding Young Woman Award  goes to Klaire Kramer!

The University of Montana Western is proud to announce the launch of the “Fick Faculty Speaker Series”, celebrating faculty innovation across teaching, service, and scholarship. The inaugural event will feature Dr. Katrina Kennett, who will present on community-based literacy projects on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Andrus Hotel Gathering Place. Each semester, one faculty member will be recognized with an honorific title and award and will share their work through a public presentation in Dillon. The series highlights the many ways UMW faculty enrich student learning and the greater community while celebrating excellence, boosting morale, and strengthening the connection between UMW and Dillon. The first award recipient, Dr. Kennett, will discuss her work on community-based literacy projects, including the Story Stroll collaboration and the emerging Garden Bank initiative. Dr. Kennett earned a B.A. in Secondary English Education from Connecticut College in 2008, an M.A.T. in K–12 Language Arts & Literacy from San Diego State University in 2013, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, Language & Literacy with a concentration in Writing Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2017. Since joining UMW in 2018, Dr. Kennett has served as an Associate Professor of Education in the Education Division. She teaches courses in literacy and technology education and supervises student teachers in the field. Dr. Kennett has also collaborated with Katie Miller at Dillon Middle School and Lori Cannady at the Dillon Public Library to develop the Dillon Community Story Stroll. The “Fick Faculty Speaker Series” is more than an honor—it is a bridge between campus and community. By recognizing faculty contributions, the series fosters a culture of motivation and collaboration, demonstrates UMW’s commitment to student success in a changing world, and upholds the core values upon which our universities were founded. We invite you to join us in celebrating this new series and hope to see you at the upcoming event.

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana City Council Chambers Wednesday, November 5th, 2025 7:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA     PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE   A.        PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA   B.        MINUTES 1.         Approve the Minutes of the Special City Council Hearing of August 20, 2025 2.         Accept the Transcript of the Public Hearing of October 15, 2025, Affirming and/or Establishing City Fees 3.         Approve the Minutes of October 15 th , 2025 Regular City Council Meeting   C.        PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS                 D.        MAYOR’S REPORT 1.         Confirm Appointment of Joel Stewart as Chief of Police 2.         Confirm Appointment of Gabriel Wiese as Patrolman 3.         Resolution #1502 Affirming and/or Establishing City Fees 4.         Resolution #1503 Authorizing a $1,623,653 Special Improvement District NO. 38 Bond, Fixing the Form and Details and Providing For the Execution and Delivery of the SID No. 38 Bond to Stockman Bank and Security Therefore and Providing For the Annual Levying of Special Assessments in the District 5.         Approve Work Order #7 from WWC Engineering for SID #38 6.         Discuss/Recommend HB 231 & SB 542; Property Tax Changes 7.         Accept Michael Saunders Resignation from Planning Board   E.        REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARDS OF THE CITY 1.         City Attorney – Ed Guza 2.         Planning Board - Bill Shafer, Raymond Graham 3.         Zoning Commission - Russ Schwandt, Anneliese Ripley                         a.         Accept the Minutes of October 14, 2025 Regular Meeting                                     i.   First Reading Ordinance #489 4.         Board of Adjustments - Diane Armstrong, Joleen Schultz                         a.         Accept the Minutes of October 2 nd , 2025 Regular Meeting                         b.         Accept the Transcript of October 16 th , 2025 Public Hearing – 7 Springs/Probst                         c.         Accept the Transcript of October 16 th , 2025 Public Hearing - Haverfield 5.         Director of Operations – Kristina Abbey 6.         Police Department –Police Chief Joel Stewart                         a.         Accept the October 2025 Incident Report 7.         Fire Department -- Fire Chief BJ Klose                         a.         Accept October 2025 Activity Report                         b.         Approve City Clerk Report for Fire Hall for October 2025                         c.         Approve Budget vs. Expenditures Report for Fire Hall for October 2025 8.         City Court – Judge Bill Knox 9.         Library Board - Diane Armstrong, Council Member; Kim Denny, Library Director                         a.         Accept the Minutes of September 30, 2025 Regular Board Meeting 10.       Tree Board              F.        REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL 1.         Ordinances & Facilities – Bill Shafer, Chair; Joleen Schultz, Mary Jo O’Rourke                         a.         Approve Minutes of October 16, 2025 Regular Meeting 2.         Finance Committee – Russ Schwandt, Chair; Diane Armstrong, Mary Jo O’Rourke a.         Approve Minutes of October 30 th , 2025 Finance Committee-Budget                                     i.          Approve Fund Summary for Claims for October 2025                                     ii.         Approve Claims by Vendor Report for October 2025                                     iii.        Approve Mayor’s Report to the Finance Committee for October 2025                                     iv.        Approve Budget vs. Actual Report for October 2025 v.         Discuss/Approve Amendment of Memorandum of Agreement for the MFPE Dillon City Employees 3.         Public Services – Diane Armstrong, Chair; Bill Shafer, Don Deem                         a.         Approve the Minutes of October 20, 2025 Regular Meeting                                     i.          Approve the Contract Nurse’s Quarterly Report 4.         Open Spaces – Raymond Graham, Chair; Anneliese Ripley, Joleen Schultz                         a.         Approve Minutes of October 15, 2025 Regular Meeting 5.         Public Works – Russ Schwandt, Chair; Anneliese Ripley, Raymond Graham   G.        PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS OF SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INTEREST NOT ON THE  AGENDA AND WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY   H.        ADJOURNMENT   PLEASE NOTE: The City of Dillon understands that citizens have the right under the Montana Constitution to observe and participate in local governmental affairs by personally attending all public meetings of the Dillon City Council and other City boards and committees. This meeting is open to the public as normal. Join the meeting with Zoom ID: 770-316-6528, allowing permission for microphone and camera (if using a computer go to https://zoom.us/j/7703166528 ) and use Passcode 4245. Please mute your microphone until you desire to comment. Any problems or questions, call City Hall at 683-4245.

SOLID WASTE BOARD MEETING Wednesday, November 5, 2025 3:00 PM COURTHOUSE, COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING ROOM AGENDA  Establish a quorum  Review and Action on August 14, 2025 meeting minutes  Landfill Manager’s Report  Discussion- Dell Canister Site  Discussion & Action- Madison County  Discussion & Action- UMW Donation  Engineers Report  Public Comment or other business  Next Meeting date – January 19, 2026  Adjourn

DVFD responded to 14 calls for service during the month of October 2025. 10-01 I-15 MM 57 MVA 10-02 Cottom Drive Possible Structure Fire 10-02 Hwy 91 N & Saddle Dr Vehicle Fire 10-02 Hwy 41 MM 8 MVA 10-07 E Sebree St Possible Structure Fire (smoker) 10-08 Adams Ln Grass Fire 10-10 I-15 MM 87 MVA 10-12 S Idaho St MVA 10-12 N Montana St Gas Leak 10-19 Southside Blvd Gas Leak 10-22 I-15 MM 85 MVA 10-30 Hwy 91 S False Alarm 10-31 N Montana St Ambulance Assist 10-31 Hwy 41 MM 7 Vehicle Fire Our October training started on the 13th with Communications training as well as a leadership training for the officers. On the 20th we had a speaker come to the firehall & discuss distracted driving. 2 members of the department went to Butte to the Montana State Fire Services convention. We had 1 member attend the O-305 All Hazards Team class in Helena. October was Fire Safety month; we had members visit the Dillon Library as well as numerous classes & daycares visit the Firehall for a tour! Thanks to all our firefighters & officers for their continued dedication to the City of Dillon & Beaverhead Fire District #2 Thank you for your continued support of the Dillon Volunteer Fire Department. Please be safe & take extra time while traveling this time of year as the road conditions can become dangerous without warning.

DILLON, Mont. – Monday afternoon, first responders were dispatched to a two-vehicle accident on Highway 91 North. According to reports, a truck was attempting to back out of a driveway when it sideswiped a passing vehicle. The impact caused the struck truck to slide along the highway and roll off the roadway, coming to rest upside down in a ditch alongside the road. Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene. Minor injuries were reported, and both vehicles sustained damage. Traffic has slowed while the scene is being cleared.

DILLON, Mont.  – The No. 20 Montana Western Bulldogs (6–3, 3–2 Frontier West) delivered a commanding performance Saturday afternoon, overpowering Eastern Oregon 56–14 at Bulldog Stadium . “We clicked in all three phases of the game today,” said head coach Ryan Nourse . “The guys played confident and physical. Defense dominated the line of scrimmage again this week, and offensively we ran the game plan very well and connected on the vertical pass game that we knew we would have to in order to set up scoring opportunities.” Western rolled up 508 total yards of offense —377 through the air and 131 on the ground—while converting nine third downs and scoring on all seven red-zone trips. The Bulldogs found the end zone eight times and moved the chains for 21 first downs in a balanced and efficient display. Quarterback Michael Palandri  was electric, accounting for 418 total yards and five touchdowns . He threw for 352 yards and two scores while adding a team-high 66 rushing yards and three more touchdowns on the ground. Running backs Aidan Lammers  (44 yards, 2 TDs) and Jakob Humphrey  (26 yards, 1 TD) added punch to the rushing attack, with Humphrey also hauling in a two-yard touchdown reception. In the receiving corps, Jonathan Kirkley  led the way with 142 yards on five catches, followed by Eli Nourse  with 83 yards and a touchdown. Seth Shook  contributed 71 yards, Colton Cornwell  added 23, and Mason Rasmussen  chipped in 22. Defensively, the Bulldogs stifled the Mountaineers at every turn. Tyler Walker  and Manuel Variz IV  each notched six total tackles to pace the team, with Walker leading all players in tackles for loss (2.0). Variz IV, Reece Stanish , Tyler Schoen , Keegan Muffich , and Connor Dunlea  each tallied a tackle for loss, while Stanish, Schoen, and Variz IV recorded one sack apiece. Muffich finished with four solo stops, and Dunlea forced the lone fumble of the contest. Special teams remained flawless. Maclain Burckley  went 8-for-8 on PATs, averaged 44.0 yards per punt (long 61), and booted kickoffs an average of 66.4 yards. Edward Deward  added two kickoffs at a 55.5-yard average. Western exploded out of the gates with 21 points in the opening quarter and extended the margin to 35 by halftime. The Bulldogs tacked on another 21 points in the third to take full control before Eastern Oregon broke through in the fourth, recovering a fumble in the end zone and capping the day with a 53-yard touchdown drive. Up Next Montana Western closes out the regular season at home on Saturday, Nov. 8 , hosting Arizona Christian . Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. MT  at Bulldog Stadium .

UMW Sports DILLON, Mont. –  The Montana Western men's basketball program (3-0) plays host to NAIA preseason #1 and reigning national champion College of Idaho (1-0) Monday. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. MT. GAME COVERAGE Monday vs College of Idaho | Watch Live | Live Stats LAST TIME OUT UMW improved to 3-0 on the year with back-to-back 20-point wins over Warner Pacific (90-66) and #14 Southern Oregon (85-65 at the Western Classic. Against the Knights, the Bulldogs shot 50.0 percent (30-60) from the floor, 44.4 percent (9-27) from three, and 61.8 percent (21-34) from the foul line. Kyle Gruhler led the team with 21 points on 81.8 percent shooting (9-11) and added three rebounds, one assist, and a steal. Emanuel Steward (16), Quincy Taylor (11), and Joshua Whiteside (11) were also in double figures. David Young led the team with six rebounds, Steward and Taylor dished out a team-best three assists each, and Jacob Ankeny swatted two blocks. Five players earned one steal apiece in the contest. Against the #14 Raiders, Western shot 50.8 percent (30-59) from the field, 30.8 percent (8-26) from deep, and 77.3 percent (17-22) from the charity stripe. Gruhler went off for a game-high 32 points, followed by Steward and Whiteside with 14 and 10, respectively. Whiteside and Ankeny shared the team-high with five rebounds apiece while Gruhler and Steward earned three assists each to lead the team. Ankeny and Steward both tallied two blocks while three different players snagged a steal. BEHIND THE BARK UMW is putting up 83.7 points, 40.7 rebounds, and 13.0 assists so far in 2025-26. The Bulldogs are shooting 45.2 percent from the floor, 33.3 percent from three, and 68.0 percent from the foul line. They are also earning 5.3 steals. 4.3 blocks, and just 9.7 turnovers per game. HOT START Western has started the season 3-0 for the first time since the 2021-22 season. LIGHT WORK The Bulldogs beat both Warner Pacific and Southern Oregon by 20 or more points and Evergreen by 15 points. They are outscoring opponents by an average of 19.7 points through three games. FROM DOWNTOWN UMW has hit at least eight threes in every game this season, averaging 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. CRASH THE BOARDS Western has pulled down 35 or more rebounds in each contest so far, including 40 or more in two of them. The team is averaging 5.7 more boards per game than opponents. GUARD THE ROCK The Red and Black are handing out 13.0 assists per game while committing just 9.7 turnovers for a 1.3 assist/turnover ratio. SHARING THE WEALTH 11 different Bulldogs have tallied an assist this season, with four recording five or more. Additionally, 12 players have pulled down a rebound and nine have snagged a steal.   30-PIECE Kyle Gruhler matched his career-high with 32 points against Southern Oregon. It is his second 30-point game of the season after dropping 31 in the season opener against Evergreen. COUNT 'EM UP Emanuel Steward has earned at least 13 points in every game this season, posting 13 at Evergreen, 16 against Warner Pacific, and 14 against Southern Oregon. GET THAT OUTTA HERE! Jacob Ankeny swatted two blocks against both Warner Pacific and Southern Oregon. He leads the Bulldogs with five blocks on the year. MEET THE OPPONENT College of Idaho (1-0) Named NAIA Preseason Men's Basketball #1 after capturing the 2025 NAIA National Championship. The Yotes defeated Carroll 92-63 in their season opener. They shot 54.0 percent (34-63) from the floor, 35.3 percent (6-17) from three, and 75.0 percent (18-24) from the foul line against the Fighting Saints. They grabbed 46 rebounds while tallying 11 assists, four blocks, and seven steals. Tucker Tiddens led the team with 18 points, followed by Alex Germer and Rey Johnston at 14 and 13, respectively. Chance Winter earned a double-double, leading the team with 10 rebounds to go with 11 points. He also earned all four blocks for College of Idaho. Utrillo Morris paced the team with four assists. Dougie Peoples and David Kludt earned two steals each.   SERIES HISTORY Western is 10-20 all-time against College of Idaho. The last matchup between the two sides saw UMW fall 79-70 away on 11/25/23. LOOKING AHEAD Following Monday's game, the Bulldogs head to Butte, Mont. to compete in the Montana Tech Tip-off Classic. They will take on LC State (11/7) and OUAZ (11/8).

UMW Sports DILLON, Mont. –  The Montana Western women's basketball program (2-0) held off a late surge from College of Idaho to take the 78-75 win Sunday afternoon in Straugh Gymnasium. "Super proud of our effort this weekend," head coach Ryan Sullivan said. "We played two quality teams from the Cascade and to go 2-0 with this being our first live reps is really incredible. I'm really proud of the girls and how they have bought in. We need to get a lot better but it's great to learn and win at the same time." STAT BREAKDOWN Western shot 48.2 percent (27-56) from the floor, 50.0 percent (9-18) from distance, and 68.2 percent (15-22) from the foul line in the contest. The Bulldogs pulled down 34 rebound and tallied 13 assists, two blocks, and five steals. They put up 34 points in the paint, seven off turnovers, nine second-points, and 20 bench points. NOTABLES Kyle Pancost was one rebound away from a double-double. Five Bulldogs scored in double figures. Four Bulldogs shot 50.0 percent or better from the floor. LEADERBOARD Isabella Lund paced the team in points (17), assists (four), and steals (two). She shot 50.0 percent (4-8) from the floor, 50.0 percent from three (1-2) and 80.0 percent (8-10) from the line. Ava Bellach (13), Bailee Sayler (12), Keke Davis (11), and Pancost (12) rounded out the top five scorers for Western. Pancost tied for the game-high with nine boards, followed by Bellach and Sayler with five apiece. Sammi Love and Sayler each swatted one block for the Bulldogs. GAME SUMMARY The visitor's led by as many as seven early in the game, but the Bulldogs pulled ahead 22-19 at the end of the first thanks to a Sammi Love buzzer-beater three. UMW increased their lead to as many as 12 at the four-minute mark of the second quarter and led by nine, 45-36, as the teams headed to the locker rooms. Western shot 55.2 percent (16-29) from the field, 50.0 percent (6-12) from three, and 77.8 percent (7-9) from the foul line in the first half. The Bulldogs led by 12 twice more in the third quarter, and settled for an eight-point lead, 57-49, at the end of the frame.   The Yotes chipped away at the lead all throughout the fourth, even retaking the lead 68-67 with less than three minutes remaining in the game. The Red and Black didn't waver, however, pulling ahead again by three and fighting off a last-ditch shot from CI to seal the win. THE OPPOSITION  The Yotes shot 39.1 percent (27-69) from the floor, 43.8 percent (14-32) from three, and 63.6 percent (7-11) from the charity stripe. They registered 41 rebounds, 18 assists, three blocks, and eight steals. Anna Mooney led the game with 21 points, all coming from beyond the arc. Mia Austin (13) and Kylie Waltermeyer (10) were also in double figures. Maiya Hardy tied for the game high with nine rebounds. Riley Beck earned two blocks and three steals to lead the team. Four players tallied three assists each. LOOKING AHEAD Up next, the Bulldogs travel to Lewiston, Idaho to compete in the Twin Rivers PT Classic where they will face of against host LC State (11/7) and Eastern Oregon (11/8).

Dillon Elks Lodge #1554 Hoop Shoot Results BW Lodge Gym-November 2, 2025 On Sunday, November 2, 2025, three girls and three boys, ages 8-13, were crowned Champions at the Dillon Elks Lodge “Hoop Shoot”® free throw contest, which took place at BW Lodge Gymnasium in Dillon. The participants, who qualified from their School Hoop Shoot, were from the following towns: Dillon, Ennis, Lima, Sheridan and Twin Bridges. The three first place boys and girls in age categories 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13 were awarded trophies and will advance to the South District Elks Hoop Shoot Competition in Dillon, at Montana Western on January 3, 2026. Below are the results: Girls 8-9 Score 1st – Kacee Staley (Dillon) 14/25 2nd – Sammi Staley (Dillon) 13/25 3rd – Kami Talbott (Lima) 2/25 Girls 10-11 Score 1st – Aspen Gibson (Dillon) 10/25 2nd – Keegan Porter (Dillon) 9/25 (2/5, 3/5) 3rd – Mariah Wilke (Twin Bridges) 9/25 (2/5, 1/5) Girls 12-13 Score 1st – Kansas Keller (Dillon) 19/25 2nd – Kate Feenstra (Dillon) 13/25 3rd – Audrianna Bernard (Lima) 10/25 Boys 8-9 Score 1st – Emmit Holbrook (Twin Bridges) 13/25 2nd – Tristen Landis (Sheridan) 9/25 (3/5) 3rd – Colt Roberts (Dillon) 9/25 (1/5) Boys 10-11 Score 1st – Cruz Medina (Dillon) 15/25 2nd – Ambrose Berger (Twin Bridges) 14/25 3rd – Cael Wright (Dillon) 11/25 Boys 12-13 Score 1st – Austin Blando (Dillon) 21/25 2nd – Macaill Wilke (Twin Bridges) 15/25 3rd – Cooper Martin (Dillon) 11/25

Beaverhead County Fair Board Meeting Agenda Monday, November 3, 2025 7:00 P.M. Beaverhead County Commissioner’s Room Call To Order Amendments or Changes to Agenda Introduction of Guests Approval of Previous Minutes Treasurer's Report Facility Director's Report Ex. Director's Report Board Member Reports Old Business       A. Fall Projects       B. Winterization       New Business A. Water Truck B. Winter Projects       C. Correspondence Adjournment

DILLON, Mont. –  The UMW men's basketball program (2-0) toppled Warner Pacific (0-1) 90-66 Thursday evening in Straugh Gymnasium. The win marks the 10th straight year that the Bulldogs have won their home opener, dating back to the 2016-17 season. "Really happy with our defensive effort tonight and how well we shared the ball on the offensive end," head coach Patrick Jensen said. "We have a really deep team with a lot of depth and that showed tonight with four guys in double figures and nobody over 23 minutes played." STAT BREAKDOWN Montana Western shot 50.0 percent (30-60) from the field, 33.3 percent (9-27) from beyond the arc, and 61.9 percent (21-34) from the charity stripe. The Bulldogs held the statistical advantage across the board, leading in rebounds (43-40), assists (16-7), steals (5-3), and blocks (5-2). UMW also outearned the Knights in points in the paint (32-22), points off turnovers (17-8), second-chance points (6-3), and bench points (46-20). NOTABLES Four Bulldogs reached double figures in scoring 11 players scored in the contest and every player that saw the court registered at least one rebound for Western. The team committed just seven turnovers. LEADERBOARD Kyle Gruhler paced the team with 21 points while Emanuel Steward (16), Quincy Taylor (11), and Joshua Whiteside (11) were also in double figures. David Young pulled down a team-best six rebounds, followed by Billy Carlson with five. Steward and Taylor dished out a game-high tying three assists apiece. Carlson, Gruhler, Whiteside, Jacksen Burckley , and Kolter Merritt each snagged a steal, and Jacob Ankeny swatted a game-best two blocks. GAME SUMMARY Gruhler got things going with five quick points for Western, but it was a back-and-forth affair for much of the opening 10 minutes. The Red and Black pulled ahead 14-13 with 13 minutes remaining in the half and slowly increased the gap to as many as 15 before taking the 42-30 lead into the locker room. Gruhler led the team with 14 points while Carlson paced the team in rebounds (five). Young and Stewart had two assists apiece. At the break, the Bulldogs were shooting 53.6 percent (15-28) from the floor, 36.4 percent (4-11) from deep, and 61.5 percent (8-13) from the line. They tallied 20 rebounds, eight assists, four blocks, and three steals in the period. UMW didn't let up in the second half, stretching its lead to as many as 28 midway through the period. After that point, the Knights never got closer than 21 and Western cruised to the 90-66 victory. THE OTHER GUYS Warner Pacific shot 32.3 percent (20-62) from the field, 27.3 percent (6-22) from three, and 76.9 percent (20-26) from the foul line in the contest. Jurrien Sparks posted a game-best 26 points while Terrin Dickey led all players in rebounds (eight). Demir Conliffe tied for the game-high with three assists. Darius Mason Robertson and Josh Lincoln each earned one block for the Knights while Conliffe, Sparks, and Isiah Salim each recorded one steal. LOOKING AHEAD Western returns to action tomorrow when they face off against #14 Southern Oregon. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. MT.