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The deadline for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks new Migratory Bird Stamp art contest is now Jan. 31. The Wetlands Protection Advisory Council will select the winning piece of art in February. The winning artist will receive a $2,000 cash prize and be featured on promotional materials throughout 2024. In addition to the extended deadline, some changes have been made to contest rules, including artwork previously used in production or entered into any state or federal stamp competition can be submitted. Details on contest rules and entry information can be found here . The winning artwork will be on display in the Capitol in Helena and announced by Gov. Greg Gianforte in late February. The 2024 migratory bird stamp will not be required to hunt migratory birds in Montana. To hunt migratory birds, hunters will need a current Montana migratory bird license and their federal duck stamp, the same as in years past.  However, beginning in 2024 those who purchase a migratory bird license will receive a free collectable sticker showing the winning artwork, information about the Migratory Bird Wetland Program and information about how to make additional contributions. Purchasing a migratory bird license is a great way to support wetland habitat conservation. FWP will work with the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation and other partners to provide other ways to donate to wetlands conservation. More information on other donation opportunities will be available in early 2024. The 2024 Migratory Bird Stamp will help raise additional awareness of the importance of wetland habitat and the benefits to wildlife, landowners, and water quality. Wetlands are critical for many wildlife and aquatic species, as well providing critical ecosystem functions like flood control, groundwater recharge and water purification. FWP’s Migratory Bird Wetland Program helps landowners and other conservation partners develop and fund projects that protect, conserve, enhance or create high-quality wetland habitat.

No additional reservations available TWIN BRIDGES – Due to high interest from hunters and limited space, all available hunting opportunity on private lands in the Ruby Valley chronic wasting disease (CWD) management hunt area has been booked for the remainder of the season. The management hunt area includes almost exclusively private lands south of Twin Bridges along the Beaverhead and Ruby rivers. Hunting on private lands within the management hunt area is by reservation only, and no additional reservations are available. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff are grateful to landowners and hunters for their participation in the management hunt to continue studying and managing CWD in this area. The lower Ruby Valley is known to have a high prevalence of CWD. The goals of the management hunt are to reduce the white-tailed deer population and increase the CWD test sample size from a localized herd of mule deer to improve the accuracy of prevalence estimates. CWD is a fatal, contagious neurological disease that infects deer, elk and moose. CWD surveillance across southwest Montana over the past three years, including broad CWD management hunts, continues to illustrate a localized area of high prevalence among deer in the lower Ruby Valley, surrounded by an area of low prevalence. To learn more about CWD management in Montana, visit fwp.mt.gov/CWD . If hunters are looking for additional hunting opportunities in Montana, late-season elk hunts are open in several hunting districts in the state. For more information, check the current hunting regulations or visit fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations .

Applications are being accepted for the 2024 pheasant release program through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program (UGBEP). As part of the program, pen-raised birds are released in areas suitable for ring-necked pheasants with the intent to enhance wild pheasant populations. Landowners interested in releasing pen-reared pheasants have until Jan. 15 to submit an application. Projects must comprise at least 100 contiguous acres of land and contain a combination of suitable habitat components, including cover and food, that pheasants need to survive.  Suitable habitat includes a combination of small grains, idle grasses and forbs, such as lands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, and effective winter cover, including shrubby or riparian habitats adjacent to food sources. Eligible UGBEP pheasant releases take place on agricultural lands east of the Continental Divide except in Fergus, Richland and Roosevelt counties due to requirements of Administrative Rules of Montana. Lands enrolled in the UGBEP pheasant release program must allow free public access to hunt upland game birds during the season the releases take place. Applicants will be notified in late March of their enrollment status and the number of pheasants pre-authorized for release. Applicants are responsible for obtaining pheasants for release either by raising birds on their own or by purchasing the from National Poultry Improvement Program certified stock. Hunting preserves, lands that host a commercial hunting enterprise, and lands where hunting rights are leased or paid for are not eligible. Approved applicants will be reimbursed at a rate established in March.  UGBEP releases will take place between Aug. 1 and Sept. 15.  For more information and to download an application form , visit FWP’s UGBEP webpage and click on “Pheasant and Turkey Releases.” Those interested in applying can also contact Debbie Hohler, UGBEP coordinator, at 406-444-5674 or by e-mail to dhohler@mt.gov .

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information KANSAS CITY, Mo.  – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) released the 2023 Daktronics NAIA Football Scholar-Athletes. Montana Western had thirteen athletes named to the list. The 2023 list features 968 student-athletes, spread across 79 schools, who achieved at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at their institution. In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, must appear on the eligibility certificate for the sport and have attended one full year at said institution. 2023 NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes Angel Navarrete , Kicker (Rupert, Idaho / SO) Ben Howerton , Linebacker (Horseshoe, Idaho / SR) Bridger Polk , Wide Receiver (Great Falls, Mont. / R-FR) Chucky Braverock , Offensive Line (Browning, Mont. / R-SO) James Ochs , Linebacker (Laurel, Mont. / R-SO) John Mears , Kicker (Belgrade, Mont. / R-JR) Jon Kirkley , Wide Receiver (Dillon, Mont. / R-FR) Kody Colvin , Defensive Line (Pocatello, Idaho / R-FR) Noah Rimmer , Defensive Line (Saratoga, Wyo. / R-SO) Raef Newbrough , Wide Receiver (Great Falls, Mont. / SO) Reese Artz , Defensive Line (Battle Mountain, Nev. / R-SR) Tanner Harrell , Defensive Line (Shepherd, Mont. / R-SR) Taten Ells , Linebacker (Tacoma, Wash. / R-FR)

TUESDAY December 19th, 2023 5:00 PM   AGENDA:   I.                   Call to order II.                Approval of Minutes from 11-21-2023 meeting         Public Comment III.              Approval of Warrants         Public Comment IV.             Old Business                      Public Comment V.                New Business          Public Comment VI.             Chiefs Report                      Public Comment VII.          Public comment on subjects under the jurisdiction of Beaverhead Fire District #2 that is not on the agenda. VIII.       Adjournment

Hunt runs from Dec. 15 through Feb. 15 TWIN BRIDGES – A chronic wasting disease (CWD) management hunt will be held for all white-tailed deer and antlerless mule deer in a portion of Hunting District 322 in the lower Ruby Valley. The hunt will run from Dec. 15 through Feb. 15. Valid licenses, which will be available for purchase during the hunt, will include: General deer license: valid for antlerless mule deer or either sex white-tailed deer 003-00 white-tailed deer B license: valid for either sex white-tailed deer 399-00 white-tailed deer B license: valid for either sex white-tailed deer The area of the hunt is known to have a high prevalence of CWD. The goals of the management hunt are to reduce the white-tailed deer population and to increase the CWD test sample size from a localized herd of mule deer to improve the accuracy of prevalence estimates. CWD is a fatal, contagious neurological disease that infects deer, elk and moose. CWD surveillance across southwest Montana over the past three years, including broad CWD management hunts, continues to illustrate a localized area of high prevalence among deer in the lower Ruby Valley, surrounded by an area of low prevalence. So far this season, CWD has been found in 71 percent of white-tailed does, 73 percent of white-tailed bucks and five of 10 adult mule deer harvested within the management hunt area. The management hunt area includes almost exclusively private lands south of Twin Bridges along the Beaverhead and Ruby rivers. A map of the hunt area can be downloaded here:  Southwest Montana CWD Hunt Area 2023-24 . As always, landowner permission is required before hunting on private lands. The relatively small hunt area will limit the number of hunters who can participate. All other 2023 hunting regulations apply, including regulations on carcass disposal. Information on proper carcass disposal can be found online at fwp.mt.gov/CWD . Due to high CWD prevalence in this area, FWP recommends that hunters have their harvested animals tested. Some participating ranches will require testing as a condition of hunting. FWP pays for the testing, making it free for hunters. FWP has provided resources to help hunters collect and submit samples for testing on their own. These resources can be found online at fwp.mt.gov/CWD . Hunters can also call a regional FWP office to schedule an appointment if they need help collecting a CWD sample. CWD was first detected in Montana’s wild cervids in 2017. It has since been detected widely along Montana’s northern and southern borders. CWD was first detected among white-tailed deer in the Ruby Valley in 2019 and is now known to occur in the Ruby, Beaverhead, Big Hole and Jefferson watersheds. CWD is not known to infect humans. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people not eat meat from infected animals and have their harvested animals tested before eating them if they were taken from an area where CWD is known to exist. For more information on CDC recommendations, please visit go.usa.gov/xAcnc .

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After what proved to be an impressive season and posting their first outright conference championship since the 1995 season, the Montana Western football team had two players named as NAIA All-Americans. UMW quarterback Michael Palandri and UMW offensive lineman Marcus Lombard each earned a selection on the NAIA Coaches' All America Third-Team. Palandri, a 6-1, 215lb quarterback from Maple Valley, Wash., earns his first career All-American nod following a breakout season for the young quarterback. Palandri was also chosen as the Frontier Conference Offensive Player of the Year after he led the conference with 269.0 passing yards per game (eighth in the NAIA). His pass efficiency rating of 165.5 also ranked him at sixth in the country. He found himself in the top 15 for total completions, completion percentage, total passing yards, yards per game, and total touchdowns. Lombard, a 6-1, 300lb offensive lineman from Laie, Hawaii, earnes his first All-American honor after another impressive season on the offensive line. He was also previously named Frontier first team all-conference offense. This season, the Bulldog offense led the conference and was fifth in the NAIA with 455.5 yards of offense per game. UMW also led the Frontier after they averaged 176.9 rushing yards per game (22nd in NAIA) and averaged 36.8 points per game (2nd in FC, 15th in NAIA).

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced the 2023 NAIA All-America Teams today. Redshirt junior middle blocker Danyel Martin was named an Honorable Mention All-American. Martin earned her spot on the list after she was previously named AVCA All-Region first team. Martin, a 6-2 junior middle blocker from McAllister, Mont., was selected after she proved to be an offensive powerhouse this season, totaling 258 kills for 2.26 kills per set with a .344 hitting percentage. After finishing 20th in the NAIA for hitting percentage, Martin broke the UMW season record with her impressive hitting percentage. Not only an offensive powerhouse; she was excellent on defense for the Red and Black. Throughout her 114 sets played, Martin was a strong presence at the net. She totaled 113 blocks this season for 0.99 blocks per set and ranked at 21st in the NAIA for solo blocks with 32 on the season. She also became the UMW all-time career block leader with a total of 279 total and counting. This year's selection is her first career All-American nod. To view the full release,  click here.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. -  The 2023 Academic All‐District® Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student‐athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. Four Bulldogs from the women's volleyball team earned Academic All-District honors. The CSC Academic All‐America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. To be nominated, the student-athlete must have a 3.5 GPA and higher, must compete in 90 percent of the institution's games/contests/sets played or must start in at least 66 percent of the games/contests/sets, and must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically. Academic All-District Selections Kaylee Fritz - Setter (Kalispell, Mont. / JR) KayLee Kopp - Outside Hitter (Fort Collins, Colo. / R-SR) Peyton Vogl - Middle Blocker (Townsend, Mont. / JR) Jordan Olson - (Billings, Mont. / SO)

From coach Jordan Plutt Amelia and Cayenne placed 1 st  in dramatic theatre and Emily, Lexie, Brooke and Ellamay placed 3 rd  in the same event.  Our humorous theater group missed the finals round by a couple of points. For our solo competitors: Amelia Pflieger-Currey 4th dramatic solo Alexy Navarrette 5th dramatic solo Cayenne McCabe 2nd humorous solo Kaycee Pilon 8th spontaneous oral interpretation We took 1st place in Class A Drama AND Speech!  But only because there were no other Class A schools.....STILL A WIN IN MY BOOK!

Need a break from the holidays, stress, or adulting in general? A great option to check out is The SpongeBob Musical, from The Bank of Commerce Performing Arts Series. This quirky, fun performance is sure to sweep you on a journey away from all you have ever known. Whether you’re familiar with SpongeBob and his friends at Bikini Bottom or a new visitor, you will be treated to music, dance, and an array of whimsical colors to let the inner child free for a few hours. From the youngest performer to the oldest, each cast member brought their A game and entertained the crowd. The singing was a delight, with some breakout performances by our hero SpongeBob SquarePants played by Jaymes Broughton, a charming Sandy Cheeks performed by Amanda Burgstrom, and a, dare I say likeable villain, Sheldon J. Plankton brought to you by Sara Stevenson. These three, along with their castmates, shined on the stage and magnetized the crowd. Both kids and adults alike seemed to find this Musical entertaining from start to finish. The nuances of the characters portrayed really shown through and helped transform the stage into the cartoon world we all know and love. This attention to detail helped illuminate the storyline and made the time fly by. Before you knew it, it was intermission time. One of the highlights of the performance was the hilariously fun Patchy the Pirate singing and dancing us back into our seats after the intermission. The themes of this story weren’t too in your face to ignore the performance, but made for an innocent, enduring backdrop of the performance. The value of friendship highlighted by Patrick and SpongeBob to the daunting challenge of likeability shown through Squidward and his gloomy outlook is relatable to all audiences. Whether you’re looking for new earworms to delight your December in lieu of holiday tunes or a fresh new take on a familiar character, this performance is sure to stick with you. The cast and crew should be proud of what they have accomplished and presented to the community. We thank them for bringing us yet another outstanding performance to delight the senses. Be sure to check out the remaining performances , showing Thursday-Saturday, December 8-17 at the UMW Beier Auditorium.

Tuesday December 12th, 2023 at 7:00 P.M. City Council Chambers ZONING COMMISSION Regular Meeting Agenda 1. Call To Order 2. Review and Approval of the Minutes of the November 28th, 2023 Public Hearing and November 28th, 2023 Regular Meeting 3. Director of Operations Report a. Public Comment will be taken after discussion of items 4, 5, 6 and 7 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: 5. Discussion/Recommendation of the Striking of 17.64.30(b) of Chapter 17 of the Dillon Municipal Codes 6. Update of the Clover View Minor Subdivision 7. Update of the Zoning and Annexation of Athletic Field at the University of Montana Western. Proposed Public Hearing for January 9 th , 2024 at 6:45 8. Discussion of Fred Nelson Request 9. Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not on the Agenda and Within the Jurisdiction of the Zoning Commission. 10. 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. Zoning Commission Members: Tim Stoker, Raymond Graham, Russ Schwandt; Mike Watson, Justin Rooley

Submitted By: Mel Rice, Public Relations Officer The December meeting of the Beaverhead Search and Rescue took place on Wednesday, December 7. Commander Lawrence Morrisroe called the meeting to order at 7:10 with 32 members in attendance.  The first order of business was to welcome two new probationary members to the unit.  Their names are Keri Carson and Aaron Beard.  Welcome aboard.  When you see them out and about, please take the time to thank them for their service.  Next on the agenda was the critique of two searches/rescues the unit had in the last month.  The first being the search for a 15 year old young man In the Warm Springs drainage outside Jackson, MT.  The second one was a rescue of two gentlemen in the Gibbons Pass area west of Wisdom. After discussion of the incidents, training officer Alex Dunn presented training opportunities for members that will be happening this month and next month.  On December 9th there will be rope training put on by member Steve Mock and others.  The next training will take place on the 12th of January.  This is an Aerie Wilderness Medicine training sponsored by the UM Western School of Outreach.  Then on January 27th there will be an Avalanche Rescue class. Tara Remely, ice fish derby chairperson, talked about the upcoming derby.  Tickets are available from S&R members and may also be purchased at various businesses around town. Once again it will have the same exciting payouts for the largest trout and ling by weight.  There will also be two tagged fish that will pay big money if caught.  The kids fishing contest is back, as well as the 50/50 pot splits and door prizes.  Come join in the fun on the 14th of January, 2024… After a lengthy discussion on communications, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45.  After the general meeting, communications officer, Brad Wagner, had a short training explaining the use of our repeaters, locations of these repeaters, and the ground coverage of each repeater.  Looking on a map of the coverage area for each repeater it is obvious there are multiple areas in our county that communication during incidents is very sketchy at best.  Brad has been working very hard to improve our comm. coverage with the addition of new radios, repeaters, and working with the Forest Service to use their repeaters.  Thank you Brad for your dedication and hard work.  He puts in many extra hours to keep us up and running. Even though our winter has been pretty mild so far, we can only hope that it will change at some point in time.  Before that happens and catches everyone of guard, please get things and be prepared for whatever may come.  Oh yes, get that ice fishing gear out and ready for some fun.  “In the Business of Saving Lives”, your Beaverhead Search and Rescue.

Candidate filing for the May 2024 Special District Elections opens on Thursday, December 14, 2023 and closes on Monday, February 12, 2024 at 5:00 PM.  Those who wish to file will need to complete a “Declaration of Nomination” and file it with the Election Office no later than 5:00 PM on February 12, 2024.  The following special districts have openings: Beaverhead County Public Hospital District /East Bench Irrigation     Fire District #1 – Lima/Fire District #2 – Dillon                                   Fire District #3 – Big Hole Valley/Wisdom/Fire District #4 – Grasshopper Valley      Fire District #5 – Wise River/Jackson Water & Sewer                              Red Rock Water/Wisdom Water & Sewer Candidate filing for the May 2024 School District Elections opens on Thursday, December 14th and closes on Thursday, March 28, 2024.  School Board Trustee Candidates MUST file with the School District Clerk.  Please contact your school districts for more detailed information. Signed this 7th day of December, 2023 Stacey Reynolds Beaverhead County Election Administrator