DILLON, Mont., Oct. 5, 2024 – On Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, the University of Montana Western women’s basketball team under the direction of the Kiwanis Club of Dillon, Montana completed the first leg of the Kiwanis’ Highway Cleanup on Interstate 15.   “I would like to thank coach Britt Cooper and the Bulldog women's basketball team,” Mike Miller, the chair of the highway cleanup committee and president of the Dillon Kiwanis club said. "They did in two hours what it might take our club all day to do. We'd never get this done without the volunteers who help us."   The players were divided into three groups, one working the middle and one on each side of road. The players worked from mile marker 59 to mile marker 57.   “Our team is extremely appreciative of the support the community shows us,” Cooper said. “Doing a community service event is a small way we can give back to this great community. We were thankful Wally Feldt and Mike Miller included us in this cleaning project to help make the Dillon area look a little better.” The Montana State Highway Department provided bags and colorful vests to increase the visibility of the workers. Signs, also provided by the state, were posted at each end to warn drivers of the presence of the 'pickers' along the highway.   The Montana Department of Transportation’s Adopt a Highway Program allows groups such as Kiwanis or families to help keep the highway area free of trash.   Trash can pose a traffic hazard, especially items that blow onto the highway. Highway litter can also injure wildlife, especially small animals that may become trapped in plastic tossed out of a speeding automobile. And finally, we all know that highway litter can be unsightly.   The Kiwanis Club of Dillon has been serving our community since 1940.   - Dillon Kiwanis -

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information BILLINGS, Mont. —  The Montana Western cross country teams continued their 2024 season on Friday afternoon with the Frontier Conference Preview Meet. The race gave the Bulldogs a preview of the Frontier Conference Championships to come in a few weeks. "Being in the middle of our season, this race was a good opportunity for our team to challenge themselves a little more during the race, whether it was going out a little faster or being able to push harder during the middle of the race," Head Coach Taylor Grove said. "I think all of our athletes did well today. We had our two top men Harrison and Carlin run big season bests. Our women ran their first 6k of the season and most of them were able to run right around their 5k season best and hold on for another kilometer. Overall, it was a good race for this point in the season." Results The women's race saw the Bulldogs led by sophomore  Olivia Steadman , running a race time of 24:22.6 and placing in 27th. Freshman  Destiny Vogl  followed behind, finishing in 43rd with a time of 25:40.5, with freshman Ruby Smith close behind in 46th finishing with a time of 25:47.2. Freshmen  Olivia Canney  and sophomore Justene Santi rounded out the scoring for the Bulldogs, with times of 26:03.8 and 26:26.0. Freshman Kylee Wyatt competed in her first race and finished with a time of 31:54.5. Sophomore  Harrison Silverio  led the way for the Bulldogs with a 27:14.4 and a 41st place finish. Junior Carlin Onstad was the second fastest Bulldog runner on the day, placing 64th in a 28:35.1 time. Freshman  Kreg Butler  and Noah Rovente  were the third and fourth Bulldogs to cross the line. Butler ran a time of 29:37.4 and finished in 71st with Rovente running a 30:32.2 to finish in 79th. Sophomore  Kaden Hennessey  ran a 33:00.5 to close out the scoring for UMW. Bridger Wheeler  also competed in the race, finishing with a time of 32:28.7. Up Next Western will hit the road for their next race at the LC State Invitational on Oct. 19 in Lewiston, Idaho.

DILLON, MT  – The Dillon Beavers returned to Vigilante Field Friday night, determined to celebrate Homecoming with a decisive victory against the Corvallis Blue Devils. The Beavers delivered on their promise, securing a commanding win with a final score of 42-6. With the hometown crowd cheering them on, the Beavers wasted no time establishing their dominance on the field. They struck early, ending the first quarter with an impressive 21-0 lead. The offensive onslaught continued, as the Beavers piled on more points, closing the second quarter with a staggering 42-0 score. The halftime festivities added to the excitement, as the Beavers crowned their Homecoming King and Queen. Congratulations to sophomore class representatives Marcus Lagunas and Kylie Konen for earning the titles, adding a celebratory touch to the evening’s events. As the second half unfolded, the Beavers began to mix in their second-string players, giving them valuable game experience while maintaining control of the contest. The game concluded with the Dillon Beavers triumphing 42-6 over the Blue Devils. Looking ahead, the Beavers will take to the road next Friday for a matchup against the Hamilton Broncs, seeking to continue their winning momentum.

DILLON, Mont. –  The no. 19 ranked Montana Western women's volleyball team (11-5, 3-3) got a win over the visiting RV Carroll College Saints (12-4, 2-4) in a 3-0 sweep. Jazi Smith led the Bulldogs with an impressive double double. She went on to rack up 15 kills and 10 digs in the match. "It was a great team win tonight. Our defense did a great job just working together. Not only backing each other up in the back court, but also our blocking and setting up real solid," Head Coach Katie Lovett said. "Our serve receive and our defense gave us great options on offense and they definitely took advantage of it. The team played awesome." How It Happened After battling for ground early in set one, the Fighting Saints were the first to grab momentum and take a 17-14 lead over the Bulldogs. Down two, Kelsey Goddard helped the Bulldogs to a 5-0 run, serving Western to a 21-18 lead. Back-to-back kills from Jordan Olson and Peyton Vogl gave UMW the fire they needed to close the set 25-20. Montana Western stayed one step ahead of Carroll for much of the second set, riding behind the powerful arm of Smith from the outside. Smith would rack up six kills for the Bulldogs on their way to a 25-20 set two victory. It was Smith once again who got the Bulldogs out on the right foot in the third frame, adding two kills on their way to a quick 4-0 lead. After running on a 7-0 scoring run that saw a pair of kills from Maxine Hoagland , the Bulldogs would take a 20-12 lead. Carroll made a late push, running on a 5-1 run to close the gap. Western ultimately won the final frame by a score of 25-19 as Olson and Vogl put an exclamation mark on the win with a big block on the outside. Notables Montana Western is now 5-1 in the last six matchups with the Saints, dating back to the 2022 season. The Bulldogs outhit the Saints .198 to -.016 in the matchup. Vogl had a solid night, totaling nine kills and three blocks. Madisyn Frazier led the Bulldogs in the back row with 21 digs.   Up Next Western will hit the road for the weekend and head to Havre, Mont. for their second matchup with MSU-Northern. The game will be at 2 p.m. in the Armory Gymnasium on Saturday Oct. 5. Pictures by Terri Haverfield

The University of Montana Western is excited to announce its participation in Montana College Application Weeks, running through October 11, 2024. This statewide initiative gives high school seniors the opportunity to explore their postsecondary options and apply to colleges for free during school hours using the Montana University System's centralized application portal. Montana Western encourages prospective students to take advantage of this event and consider UMW’s unique Experience One block schedule. With  Experience One , students focus on a single course at a time, attending class for three hours a day over an 18-day block before moving on to the next course. As the only public university in the nation with this model, UMW provides a distinctive and immersive learning experience. This hands-on approach is perfect for students who thrive in a focused, personalized learning environment, allowing them to dive deep into each subject without the distractions of juggling multiple classes. This event is a partnership between the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education and the state’s high school counselors, who will guide students through their options and facilitate the next steps as they plan their futures. Applications to all 16 campuses in the Montana University System are free and easy through  ApplyMontana.mus.edu . Event details vary by school, so students and their parents or guardians are encouraged to check with their school counseling offices for more information. Apply Montana is designed to simplify the college application process for students applying to Montana’s public universities and colleges. It serves as a centralized online platform where students can complete one application to apply to multiple Montana institutions. “Together with our K-12 partners, we’re removing barriers and expanding opportunities for Montana’s young people,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian. “We encourage all Montana high school graduates to seek a postsecondary education and to seek it here in Montana. Just a few years down the road, these students will build our state’s future workforce and help drive a strong economy.” After submitting your application, UMW’s dedicated staff will be there to support you every step of the way. From financial aid guidance to registration assistance, our team is ready to help with any questions you may have. For more information about Experience One and the University of Montana Western, or to schedule a tour, visit  www.umwestern.edu  or call 877-683-7331.

General antelope season opens Saturday, Oct. 12, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 10. For information about what to expect this season, check out Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks  hunting forecast .   FWP provides  online information  about hunting access, including our popular Block Management Program, which provides hunting access to more than 7 million acres of private land.  FWP’s interactive  Hunt Planner  is a mapping tool that allows users to look at information for various species, including hunting districts and regulations. The hunt planner interactive map is a great way to access our block management information. If you’re planning a hunt in a certain region of the state, you can see if there are Block Management Areas available to expand your opportunity.  Remember, regulations may change a bit from year to year depending on hunting district. Double check the  regulations  to be sure.  FWP’s  Hunter FAQ  is another great resource to help you prepare to go out into the field.

Katie Raffety Just wanted to pass on that we had six band students selected for the All Star Band Festival in Missoula this November!  Students are nominated by me, and are chosen based on their musical resume, including things like their festival scores, past participation in All State and All Northwest, and their contributions to the Band program during their time in high school.  They will be performing in three ensembles with kids from multiple states under the direction of University of Montana faculty and guest composer Steven Bryant.  They will also get to spend third quarter of a Grizzly game with the Marching Band!   Severen Meier, Flute, Maroon Band Alexy Navarrete, Alto Saxophone, Silver Band Izzy Regan, Tenor Saxophone, Silver Band Kaycee Pilon, Flute, Silver Band Hunter Wigen, Trombone, Silver Band Rowdy Mattison, Clarinet, Copper Band

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information KANSAS CITY, Mo. –  The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the results of the NAIA Volleyball Coaches Top 25 Poll No. 3. Montana Western Volleyball remained in the top 25, falling to the no. 19 slot. This week's poll features three Frontier teams in the top 25 with one Frontier team knocking at the door with receiving votes nationally. The Bulldogs are currently 10-5 this season and are 2-3 in Frontier Conference play thus far and sit in the middle of the pack in conference play. As it currently stands, the University of Providence and Montana Tech both sit at 4-1 in the first round with three other teams sitting at 2-3 in the tough conference slate. MSU-Northern rounds out the rankings at the bottom at 1-4. This week, UMW has a pair of conference matchups, with one school featured on this list. Kicking off the weekend with a home matchup in Dillon with the RV Carroll College Fighting Saints. They will then take a road trip to Havre where UMW will take on the MSU-Northern Skylights.  FRONTIER IN THE TOP 25 No. 13 University of Providence Argos No. 19 Montana Western Bulldogs No. 20 Montana Tech Orediggers OUTSIDE THE POLL RV Carroll College Fighting Saints

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.  ZONING COMMISSION Regular Meeting Agenda   1.    Call To Order   2.    Review and Approval of the September 24th, 2024 Meeting Minutes   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:   COU24-003        Johnson        102 E Helena           Change of Use COU24-004        Johnson        102 E Helena           Change of Use for Casino   5.    Discuss SB528 Regulations and Review Changes Necessary to Title 17   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

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana Judiciary Committee Meeting ~ Agenda ~ Tuesday, October 8, 2024 4:00 PM 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Discuss/Recommend Noise Ordinance 3. Discuss/Recommend Electronic Participation Policy 4. Discuss/Recommend Changes on Title 2.08.150 – 2.08.220 5. Public Comment On Items Of Significant Public Interest Not On The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction Of The City 6. Adjourn Committee Members: Raymond Graham; Diane Armstrong

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana STREET & ALLEY COMMITTEE MEETING ~ AGENDA ~ Monday, October 7th, 2024 4:00 PM 1. Call to Order 2. Review Minutes from Sept 9th, 2024 3. Discuss/Recommend Montana Street Parking Lot 4. Discuss/Recommend Renaming of South Leggett Street 5. Discussion of Railroad Street 6. Discuss Whirlwind Sweeper 7. Public Comment on Items Not on Agenda but Within The Jurisdiction of The City 8. Adjournment Committee Members Russ Schwandt Joleen Schultz

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information KANSAS CITY, Mo. –  The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the results of the NAIA Football GoRout Top 25 Poll No. 4. Montana Western Football dropped to no. 9 in the poll. The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season this past weekend in a road matchup against the then no. 14 ranked Southern Oregon Raiders. Despite racking up 438 yards on offense in the game, the Bulldogs struggled in the red zone and on third and fourth downs, going two of 12 on third downs and two of four on fourth down attempts. UMW's defense held the Raiders to a below average 332 total yards on offense. SOU has averaged 462.5 yards per game this season. The Bulldogs will take this week off from action to prepare for a top-25 matchup with no. 16 ranked Montana Tech on Oct. 12. FRONTIER IN THE TOP 25 No. 7 Southern Oregon Raiders No. 9 Montana Western Bulldogs No. 14 College of Idaho Yotes No. 16 Montana Tech Orediggers

In a heartfelt celebration of his 75th birthday, local adventurer Wade Hansen took to the trails once again, climbing Baldy Mountain. This was not just any ordinary hike for Wade; it marked the seventh time he has reached the summit of this beloved peak, which once housed a forest service lookout building. Accompanied by his son Ron, Wade made his way up the mountain, where the remnants of the old lookout still stand as a testament to the area's rich history. The rocky foundation at the summit serves as a reminder of the lookout’s past, adding a layer of nostalgia to their climb. Wade's determination to conquer Baldy Mountain at 75 exemplifies his adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors. Each climb holds special memories for him, and this latest ascent was an opportunity to create new ones with his son by his side. As they reached the top, the breathtaking views were a fitting reward for their effort, allowing Wade to reflect on a lifetime of adventures and the importance of family in making those moments memorable. Wade Hansen’s birthday climb serves as an inspiration to others, reminding the community that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing one's passions and exploring the great outdoors.

Dillon, Montana – September 30, 2024 – Barrett Hospital & HealthCare proudly announces the launch of its cancer infusion services, significantly enhancing rural healthcare access for cancer patients within Dillon, Beaverhead County, and surrounding rural areas. This innovative approach to delivery of cancer services ensures that rural patients no longer need to endure extensive travel to larger cities to receive critical cancer treatments away from their homes and their support systems. Originally envisioned as a collaborative project in 2022, with Montana State University, Bozeman Health, Barrett Hospital & HealthCare, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), has now culminated as a trailblazing model for rural cancer care that can be replicated throughout rural communities nationwide. This framework will bring critical cancer treatments to people in rural areas instead of residents traveling long distances to urban places of care. “Increasing access to oncology care is our steadfast commitment at Bozeman Health Cancer Center, and we recognize this innovative and transformational partnership as another example of how we are carrying out this mission,” said Bozeman Health oncologist and ASCO pilot program medical director Dr. William Conkright. “With the introduction of our cancer infusion services, Barrett Hospital & HealthCare is addressing a crucial gap in necessary healthcare accessibility for our rural community,” said Carolyn Hansen, Chief Clinical Officer at Barrett Hospital & HealthCare. “We are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care in Dillon that is equivalent to the care anyone would receive at a larger cancer center in Bozeman, Billings, or out of state. Our new cancer care services will allow patients to receive critical therapies close to home, surrounded by the support of their local community and loved ones, which contributes to better health outcomes.” Cancer care accessibility has long been a challenge in rural Montana. According to ASCO, rural regions across the nation, including Montana, face significant disparities in cancer care access. Limited local services often mean that rural patients are forced to travel long distances to urban centers, adding to the physical and emotional burdens of cancer treatment. “Traveling to larger cities for cancer treatment is not only exhausting but can also be a financial burden for many families,” said Taylor Rose, Chief Executive Officer of Barrett Hospital & HealthCare. “By bringing these treatments to Dillon and surrounding communities, we are removing barriers to essential care and supporting our community in a profound way. This initiative reflects our mission to improve lives by providing local healthcare.” Barrett Hospital & HealthCare emphasizes patient-centered care, ensuring that each patient's unique needs and preferences guide their cancer treatment journey. The organization is equipped with the latest technology and staffed by a team of highly trained oncology specialists and nurses dedicated to delivering personalized care. Patients will have access to a broad spectrum of infusion therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other targeted treatments, all within the comfort and convenience of a local setting. In addition to infusion therapies, Barrett Hospital & HealthCare also offers a highly experienced multidisciplinary treatment team with supportive services, including nutritional counseling, support groups, a dedicated pharmacist, surgical oncology, and other complementary services to support individuals and their families during their cancer journey. For more information about the cancer infusion services at Barrett Hospital & HealthCare, please visit www.barretthospital.org or contact our oncology department at 406-683-1109.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. —  The Montana Western men's and women's rodeo teams closed out the fall rodeo season after competing Friday and Saturday in the Montana Western Home Rodeo. The Bulldog men finished in second for the weekend, just behind Montana State University. The Bulldog women finished in third overall in the team standings behind both Montana State and the University of Montana. Top Performers Saddle bronc rider Cade Costello had a solid weekend, finishing in first in the average standings after he recorded a pair of rides for a total of 158 points. He won both the long go and short go rounds. Racin Allen and Rance Allen won Saturday night's go-round with an 8.7 in team roping, placing them in first in the average standings with a combined 18.3. Two Bulldog women finished in the top three of the goat-tying average standings. Tavy Leno took first place after she won the short-go round with a weekend arena best of 6.5. Charlee Resch followed with a time of 15.1 in the average to place third. Freshman Tatum Hansen finished first in the long go in steer wrestling with a weekend best of 4.5, helping him to a second-place finish in the average standings. Jeremy Kay finished second in the average standings in bareback riding after he finished in first place in the short-go with a 72-point ride. Cooper Olaveson finished third on the weekend in bareback riding with a combined 123 in two rides. In steer wrestling, Cooper Pavkov finished fifth in the average standings after he recorded a time of 6.1 and a 10.2. Paul O'Hair and Chase Martin each recorded rides in the first night and finish in fifth and sixth in the saddle bronc riding average standings. Racin Allen finished in sixth in the tie down roping average with a 35.9 combined. The team roping pair of Cole Trexler and Kyler Erickson finished in sixth in the average standings with an 8.4 in the long go.   Up Next The Bulldogs will take the winter break off from competition and return to action in the spring at the MSU Spring Rodeo.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information BUTTE, Mont. –  The no. 13 ranked Montana Western women's volleyball team (10-5, 2-3) fell this afternoon to the RV Montana Tech Orediggers in a 3-1 matchup by scores of 18-25, 25-16, 25-27, and 22-25. How It Happened Montana Tech came out swinging in the opening set of the game, rattling off 14 kills as a team and recording just one hitting error. They would win the set 25-18. Leading 14-12 in set two, the Bulldogs rode a pair of kills from Peyton Vogl and Kaitlyn Van Well to a 19-12 lead over the Orediggers. They would maintain momentum and thanks to an ace and kill from Taylor Petersen , claim a 25-16 set win to tie the match. As a team, the Bulldogs hit .429 in the set and totaled 17 kills across the second set. The third frame featured another battle between the two evenly matched teams. After trailing 24-22 to the Orediggers, the Bulldogs refused to lay down and utilized a kill from Jordan Olson to tie the game at 24 all. Despite the late rally, the Orediggers claimed the final two points to take a 27-25 win. Despite remaining one step behind MT for much of the final frame, the Bulldogs showed grit and utilized late set magic as they trailed 24-17 and fought on for five straight points. Down 24-22, the Orediggers picked up the final point to close the final frame. Notables The Bulldogs hit .178 across the match and totaled 57 kills as team. Vogl had a monster night, leading the Bulldogs with 18 kills from the middle and adding two blocks. Jazi Smith followed with 17 kills and 13 digs. UMW served up five service aces in the game, seeing three come from Petersen. Up Next Western will return to Dillon next week for a home conference match with RV Carroll College on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 7pm in the Straugh Gymnasium. Last time out, the Fighting Saints took the match in a 3-0 sweep after UMW struggled to find their groove.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information ASHLAND, Ore. – The no. 4 ranked Montana Western Football (3-1) suffered their first loss of the season this afternoon in a road matchup against the no. 14 ranked Southern Oregon Raiders. Despite racking up 438 yards on offense, the Bulldogs struggled on third and fourth down, going two of 12 on third downs and two of four on fourth down attempts. "Our guys played hard today. SOU has a really good team and we missed several scoring opportunities on the goal line and a few stops on defense that disabled us from pulling it off in the end," Head Coach Ryan Nourse said. "I am proud with the effort and fight and we will get back after it and improve in the areas we fell short." How It Happened After forcing the powerful Bulldog offense to a quick three and out on their opening drive, the Raiders were the first to put points on the board. They would score off of the NAIA rushing leader Gunner Yates' 22-yard touchdown rush that capped a short five play and 56-yard drive. With 5:16 left in the first, John Mears got the Bulldogs their first score of the game with a 43-yard field goal. The Bulldog defense held strong to give the ball to the Bulldog offense with two minutes remaining in the first. After an 11-play drive that brought the Bulldogs down to the 10-yard line with 10:49 left in the second quarter, the Raiders defense stood tall and stopped the Bulldogs on fourth down to force the Bulldogs' second turnover on downs of the season. After forcing a three and out, the Bulldogs hit their stride on offense and took their first lead of the matchup at 10-7 when Michael Palandri hit Jake Humphrey for a 24-yard touchdown pass, the first receiving touchdown of Humphry's career. With 11 seconds on the clock until half, the Raiders reclaimed the lead and took a 13-10 lead into the half. SOU got the ball to start the second half and ran close to six minutes off the clock prior to scoring on a pass to the corner of the end zone to take a two-score lead at 21-10. They would add another score after forcing the Bulldogs to a quick three and out on the following drive, taking a 28-10 lead with 6:19 left in the third. The Bulldogs were able to bring the game back to a two-possession game when Mears hit his second field goal of the game from 33 yards out with under five minutes to play in the third. A sack by Noah Rimmer on SOU's following drive stopped the Raiders in their tracks and gave the Bulldog offense some life heading into the fourth quarter. Despite the positive drive, UMW was stifled by penalties and the Raider defense held the Bulldogs to a turnover on downs on the SOU 1-yard line. After getting a stop once more on defense, the Bulldogs scored on the following drive on a 23-yard pass to Eli Nourse to close the gap back to 28-19. Late excitement came as the Bulldogs recovered a successful onside kick and scored once more as Palandri connected with Nourse on a 19-yard pass. Despite closing the gap back within two at 28-26, the Bulldogs were unable pull off a second onside kick and SOU closed the game out on top. N otables The Bulldogs remain winless in their nine games in Ashland and are now 5-12 in the history between the two schools. UMW's defense held the Raiders to a below average 332 total yards on offense. SOU has averaged 462.5 yards per game. Palandri threw for 371 yards in the air and three touchdowns. Nourse led the Bulldog receiving corps with 111 yards in the air on eight receptions and had two touchdowns. Jace Fitzgerald led the defense with 11 total tackles. Up Next Western will take next week off from action and will prepare for another top ten matchup with the no. 10 ranked Montana Tech at Bulldog Stadium on Oct. 12 at 1 p.m.

The Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the beginning of a new K9 Program. Beginning in fall 2024 to spring 2025, we will be adding two dogs to our patrol team, who will be assigned to existing deputies as their handlers. We are adding two dogs to provide the best possible service to the citizens of the Beaverhead County Area and across Montana. Our dogs will be trained in Tracking (Criminal and Search and Rescue), Narcotics Detection, and Human Remains Detection. In 2022/2023, Law Enforcement in Beaverhead County responded to: 71 -Assaults 7 -Assaults with firearm 27 -Break Ins 26 -Burglary 2 -Robbery 57 -Criminal Mischief 62 -Disorderly Conduct 54 -Drug Offense 217 -DUI – Alcohol/Drugs 1 -Escaped Prisoner 45 -Search and Rescue 27 -Missing Person 9 -Shooting 38 -Shots Heard 59 -Trespassing 73 -Unattended Death 85 -Wanted Person 826 -Welfare Check 10 -Probation Violation 40 -Assist Probation and Parole In Total, Dispatch received 15,169 Calls for service in this time frame. This list only covers a small amount of our call volume where having a K9 available could prove necessary. In 2024, we are already exceeding previous call volume for many categories and are seeing an increase in drug related activity in Beaverhead County. We are currently seeking funding for our program through grants, community support, and local government funds. We hope to make our program self sufficient through funding acquired outside of the budget of Beaverhead County to ensure the long-term success of the program. The following is a breakdown of the estimated costs for the program: (Costs reflect totals for entire program) K9 Training and Handler School: $24,800 Basic Equipment (Toys, Leashes, Training tools, ect): $4,000 Continued Care: $3,000 annually Continued Education: $600 Future K9 Replacement Vehicles: $230,000 Future K9 Replacements: $30,000 For more information about the K9 Program, please email: Deputy Dan Fields at dfields@beaverheadsheriff.com or Deputy Cade Dairy at cdairy@beaverheadsheriff.com.