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The Bookstore, Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, Dillon Merchants Association and KDBM/KBEV radio stations have teamed up for Business After hours at The Bookstore on Thursday, August 17th. There will be a meet and greet reception welcoming all new teachers to the schools in Beaverhead county and honoring all educators in the area. Shine Studio dancers will provide entertainment. This is the 25th year that KDBM/KBEV radio stations have sponsored the school supply drive. During business after hours there will be an area where supplies can be donated to this great cause. This event will take place on Idaho Street in front of The Bookstore on Thursday from 5-7. Some planned activities include: A dedication of a Dick and Jane Quilt created by longtime Lima teacher, Kathleen Martinell, a back to school themed photo booth, games, after school snacks, door prizes, posters and books for teachers to use in their classrooms. Help us write a collaborative story -- each attendee will contribute by building on what others have written, using a manual typewriter. Please join us in welcoming new teachers to the area and celebrating all teachers as we prepare to head back to school. If you have any questions please call The Bookstore at 683-6807

UMW Sports Press Release DILLON, Mont. – The University of Montana Western has announced the hiring of Taylor Grove as the next Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field head coach. “I am extremely excited to welcome Taylor to the Bulldog family and the city of Dillon. She has made a name for herself with her hard work and dedication to her student-athletes and the results speak for themselves.” Director of Athletics Michael Feuling said. “I have no doubt that she will strengthen our programs and help current and future Bulldogs achieve their goals.” Grove joins the Bulldogs from Campbellsville, Ky. where she served as the assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s cross country teams and the track and field teams at Campbellsville University. Grove assisted in bringing the distance program back to a competitive level, finishing as a receiving votes team by the end of last season. Grove also earned Mid-South Conference Assistant Coach of the Year honors twice during her tenure with the Tigers as a distance and mid-distance coach. “I feel blessed by the opportunity to be back in Montana coaching cross country and track and field.” Head Coach Taylor Grove said. “Already getting to know the staff at Montana Western has been a great experience. I am looking forward to getting to work with all the athletes on the team this year in helping them accomplish their goals.” Prior to Campbellsville, Grove completed a two-year stint as a graduate assistant at Whitworth University where she completed her masters with a degree in administration and non-profit leadership. During her time with the Pirates, she oversaw working with the distance athletes and constructing workouts for the team. Grove is a 2019 graduate of Concordia University Nebraska, where she accomplished numerous accolades and earned numerous titles as a student-athlete in the sport of cross country and track. During her senior campaign, she placed fourth at the conference championships to qualify her for the 2018 NAIA Cross Country Championships. On the track, Grove was a two-time conference champion. Grove still holds a school record at Concordia with the record in the half marathon which stands at 1:25.04. She was named USTFCCCA Academic All-American in 2018 as well as earning NAIA Scholar Athlete honors in 2017, 2018, and 2019. “I think this is great opportunity for me as a coach to strengthen the program here at Montana Western and provide athletes with an amazing athletic experience and the opportunity to compete during college.” Grove continued. A native of Billings, Mont., Grove earned a bachelor of science in exercise science with a minor in sport psychology from Concordia University Nebraska in 2019. She has since continued her success in running with qualifying for the 2022 Boston Marathon. She ran her Boston qualifier at the Governor's Cup Marathon running a time of 3:11. “I would like to thank the incoming and returning cross country, track and field student-athletes for their patience and commitment to the program throughout this process, the future is bright.” Feuling added.

DEER LODGE– Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on a mule deer buck shot and left off the Old Stage Road, just west of Deer Lodge. The buck was shot and left to waste sometime between late Wednesday, Aug. 9 and early Thursday, Aug. 10. FWP game wardens say that wildlife crimes like this one are often solved because of leads from the public and encourage anyone with information to make a report. To provide information about this case or other crimes involving fish, wildlife, or park regulations, visit myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/tipmont or call the FWP violation reporting hotline at 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668). Callers may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

UMW Sports Press Release DILLON, Mont. – Montana Western Volleyball opens up the season on Friday, August 17 with a scrimmage at North Idaho College. Following the scrimmage, they will take on Walla Walla University and Lewis-Clark State College in a tri-match hosted by Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho from Aug. 18 through Aug. 19. The Bulldogs return 12 players from last season's squad, including all four 2022 all-conference players and all-freshman team honoree. "We are excited to start this year with a lot of experienced athletes and pick up this season where we left off." Head Coach Katie Lovett said. "The team worked extremely hard in the off-season and pushed each other to get out of their comfort zones. We have a tough schedule as always, but I believe in each of these players to give their full effort and rise up to the challenge. A full preview of the 2023 squad can be found here.

First responders were called out Monday afternoon to MM52 Northbound I-15 for an accident involving a single motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle lost control in the first turn going into the canyon and crashed. The driver had injuries but was alert and talking with first responders as he was being loaded into the ambulance.

BEAVERHEAD FIRE DIST. #2 405 N. IDAHO STREET DILLON, MT MEETING NOTICE TUESDAY August 15, 2023 5:00 PM AGENDA: I. Call to order II. Approval of Minutes from 07-18-2023 meeting Public Comment III. Approval of Warrants Public Comment IV. Old Business Public Comment V. New Business Discuss/recommend policy for billing MVA’s for out of district drivers. Public Comment Discuss/recommend disposition of surplus equipment 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

The weekend has snuck upon us once more and that means it is Weekend Rundown time. A lot of things are going on this weekend and as always we try to get them gathered up in one convenient spot for you. Friday, August 11 Madison County Fair County Fair, Ranch Rodeo, NRA Rodeos, 4-H, FFA, horseshoe tourney, open class shows, entertainment, vendors, etc. Dance The Magic - Pint Night! Please join us on Friday, August 11th starting at 5pm, at the Beaverhead Brewing Company for some great music by Tom Catmull and to help our dancers of Shine Studio make dreams come true to go to Disneyland to perform and learn from the professionals of Disney!! Beaverhead Brewing Company has graciously offered to host a Pint Night and donate partial proceeds to our dancers!! Live Music - Tom Catmull! If you haven't had the chance to listen to Tom Catmull play, you should really mark this one down in your calendar! Elkhorn Hot springs We are having a comedy night at the pool house Friday August 11th! We are going to be starting up around 7:00pm! An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival We are so excited to greet all of you in Butte America next weekend for the greatest Irish celebration in the Western United States! Come see and celebrate the Irish in the most Irish town in the country! Bring your friends for this amazing event with FREE ADMISSION Saturday, August 12 Dillon Farmers Market Join us every Saturday from June 24 through September 16 on Washington Street by Jaycee Park! Grasshopper Half Marathon Montana Running Company is hosting the 1st annual Grasshopper Half Marathon on August 12, 2023 in the beautiful Grasshopper Valley in Polaris, Montana. The race will be a half marathon (13.1 miles) starting on the Pioneer Scenic Byway by Elkhorn Hot Springs and participants will run south to Highway 278 near the Harrison Ranch. The course is a rolling down hill that follows the Pioneer Scenic Byway through the valley with views of the Pioneer Mountains. Register at: https://runsignup.com/.../MT/Polaris/GrasshopperHalfMarathon Race day packet pickup at Elkhorn Hot Springs – 8AM Start of race- 9AM on Pioneer Scenic Byway Price $60 We have a no refund policy. No dogs on the course. Rooms and Cabins available at: Elkhorn Hot Springs – elkhornhotsprings.com Grasshopper Inn Bed and Breakfast- thegrasshopper-inn.com Camping: Grasshopper Campground Price Creek Campground After Race Party at 6PM with live music by The Road Agents. Free Show! The Three Musketeers in Dillon, MT Join Montana Shakespeare in the Parks for a free performance of The Three Musketeers on August 12th in Dillon, MT Outdoor location: UM Western Legacy Plaza Indoor location: Beier Auditorium Performances are FREE and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served. A swashbuckling tale filled with action and adventure, The Three Musketeers will enthrall all generations of audience members as they get swept away to 17th century France, following a young hero’s journey as he embarks to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a Musketeer. Adapted by Robert Kauzlaric, this play is sure to delight audiences of all ages. This is the company’s first time producing The Three Musketeers. This summer, the company will perform in 63 communities across 5 states including Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming, making this summer MSIP’s largest tour to date. Ushering Shakespeare’s immortal stories of life, love, and tragedy into a modern era, MSIP is dedicated to preserving the cultural traditions of theatre and literature through live, free performances every summer across the Rocky Mountain West. For the most up to date tour schedule, please visit shakespeareintheparks.org or call 406-994-3310 Grasshopper Half Marathon- After Party Grasshopper Half Marathon - After Party featuring live music by The Road Agents at Elkhorn Hot Springs. 6PM into the evening! That is all we could find for this weekend, as always if you have an event you would like to include on our calendar you can email us at southwesternmtnews@gmail.com

The University of Montana Western Fine Arts Gallery is proud to present “Work on Paper” by renowned artist David Korty. The gallery will host an opening reception on Friday, September 8, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Fine Arts Gallery located in Main Hall. In this new group of works on paper, the artist has chosen his own experience as an avid fly tyer and fisherman as a springboard from which to draw and paint. Although the subject of fishing in art has a long and well-trodden history, Korty approaches the subject from an unorthodox angle. The image of a fisherman’s box of flies is translated into something close to a hieroglyphic field of marks. Some resembling actual flies and others reduced to small geometric notations that seem to interact according to their own pattern of logic. Like an abacus of miniature “bric-a-brac,” each rectangular box becomes a container for stored information. Whether it’s a form of anglers Morse Code or something far more esoteric, these paintings highlight the magic and alchemy that can be found both on rivers and in the artist’s studio. David Korty was born in San Francisco in 1971 and has been living and working as an artist in Los Angeles since 1996. Korty’s work has been shown extensively in Los Angeles, in solo exhibitions at Night Gallery, China Art Objects, Kohn Gallery and LAXART; at Derek Eller Gallery and Greene Naftali in New York; and at Sadie Coles HQ in London. Korty’s work has been acquired by the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; the Grunwald Center for Graphic Arts, Los Angeles; the Judith Rothschild Foundation; and the Rubell Collection. His work has been covered in Artforum, The New York Times, The Guardian , and Modern Painters , among other publications. A monograph of Korty’s work entitled Blue Shelves was published by Sadie Coles and Night Gallery in 2016. In 2020, he was awarded the Frederick Hammersely Visiting Artist residency at the University of New Mexico. The reception is free for all to attend and will feature light refreshments and live music by the Stake Pullers. The “Work on Paper” exhibition will be open for viewing from September 8 to October 20, 2023. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. “I am excited to open the academic year with this stunning exhibition by artist David Korty. It is my hope that this exhibition resonates strongly with Southwest Montana,” said Montana Western Fine Arts Gallery Coordinator and Adjunct Instructor, Jennifer Boysen. “Being able to connect with the campus and community in this new role and organizing a variety of events at the gallery this year will provide something for everyone to experience and enjoy.” For more information about the exhibition, please contact Montana Western Fine Arts Gallery Coordinator, Jennifer Boysen: jennifer.boysen@umwestern.edu .

DILLON, Mont. – The University of Montana Western announces fall 2023 ticket sales are now open for online purchase. UMW Athletics also introduces a new 2023-24 all-sport pass for the upcoming year. Season Passes 2023 Football General Admission Season Pass: $65 2023 Volleyball General Admission Season Pass: $40 2023-24 All-Sport Season Pass: $150 *Additional Member: $25 Single Game Tickets Football: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and non-UMW students Volleyball: $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and non-UMW students. Children five and under are allowed free admission, as are UMW students and faculty. To purchase tickets and passes for the upcoming year, click here . Fans can also purchase their reserved tailgate season pass for the upcoming football season. Click here to purchase.

BIG SKY – A grizzly bear was captured and euthanized earlier this month after repeatedly seeking and accessing unsecured attractants in Big Sky. Over the course of several weeks, the bear became accustomed to accessing garbage stored in bear-resistant containers that were not secured. The bear also found unsecured food in a vehicle. Attempts to haze the bear after attractants were stored properly and secured with electric fencing were unsuccessful. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff captured the bear on Aug. 4. In consultation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, FWP euthanized the bear on Aug. 6 because it had become conditioned to seeking food from unnatural sources, which creates human safety risks. The bear was a female grizzly without cubs, estimated to be between 3 and 5 years old. Unsecured attractants, such as garbage and bird feeders, can lead to human safety risks and property damage from bears. Relocating bears that have associated human activity with food usually leads to further conflicts and safety risks because bears often return to the same area where they were captured to look for food. Unfortunately, bears in these situations can’t be rehabilitated. Montana is bear country. Grizzly bear numbers continue to increase, and grizzlies are becoming more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in more places each year. Bears also become more active in late summer and fall as they spend more time eating in preparation for hibernation. Avoiding conflicts with bears is easier than dealing with such conflicts. Here are some precautions to help residents, recreationists and people who work outdoors avoid negative bear encounters: Keep garbage, bird feeders, pet food and other attractants put away in a secure building or certified bear-resistant container. Keep garbage in a secure building until the day it is collected. Certified bear-resistant garbage containers are available in many areas. Never feed wildlife. Bears that become food conditioned lose their natural foraging behavior and pose threats to human safety. It is illegal to feed bears in Montana. Carry bear spray and be prepared to use it immediately. Travel in groups whenever possible and make casual noise, which can help alert bears to your presence. Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears. Follow food storage orders from the applicable land management agency. If you encounter a bear, never approach it. Leave the area when it is safe to do so. Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzlies rests with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, working closely in Montana with FWP, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, Wildlife Services and Native American tribes. This collaboration happens through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee . For more information and resources on bear safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear .

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently completed extensive public opinion surveys of elk and deer hunters in Montana to gauge their satisfaction with hunting and harvest opportunities. The surveys were each sent to 5,000 randomly selected resident hunters. The elk survey allowed FWP to take the first comprehensive look at elk hunter opinions . Overall, 73 percent of the respondents from this survey are satisfied with elk management in Montana. Generally, hunters surveyed were also satisfied with current elk hunting regulations and support the timing of the current general elk hunting season. However, many resident elk hunters shared their concerns about a variety of elk hunting related issues, including hunting access on private land and too few elk on public lands. Crowding in the field was also a concern. The survey also indicated that while important to many, harvesting a mature bull was the least important reason for hunting elk in Montana. Hunters preferred less restrictive elk hunting regulations across the state compared to more restrictive regulations that would limit opportunity in favor of hunting for older age class bulls. A comprehensive report of the survey can be found here. The 2023 deer survey focused on mule deer hunting and was nearly identical to one conducted in 2011. Results were similar to results from the 2011 survey , and showed continued support for current mule deer management in Montana, including season length, timing and the opportunity to hunt mule deer every year. However, the survey also indicated that some hunters are looking for changes. For instance, when asked about hunting bucks every year or hunting them once every several years, about 60 percent of hunters liked the ability to hunt mule deer bucks every year, which is generally the current framework in Montana. Alternatively, nearly 40 percent of hunters said they would choose to hunt mule deer bucks once every several years if it meant having the opportunity to harvest a mature buck. A comprehensive survey report can be found here. “These surveys are important ways for us to gauge hunter opinion on our elk and mule deer management,” said FWP Director Dustin Temple. “We’re currently working on regulation proposals for the public’s review early this fall. We hope hunters take the time to review the proposals and let us know what they think.” Regulation proposals will be out for public comment in October and will be in front of the Fish and Wildlife Commission for a final decision in December. FWP also sent surveys to nonresident elk and deer hunters (800 surveys each). In general, nonresident hunters expressed satisfaction with hunting opportunities in Montana and trust in FWP’s game management. Results from nonresident surveys can be found here: nonresident elk hunters, nonresident deer hunters .

UMW Sports Press Release DILLON, Mont. — The University of Montana Western Volleyball Team is set to begin the 2023 campaign next week with their first road trip of the season. They were recently picked to finish third in the Frontier Conference preseason polls in a vote of the league’s coaches. Despite falling to a tough Rocky Mountain team in the conference tournament championship at the end of the 2022 campaign, the Bulldogs had their first double-digit win season since 2016. The Bulldogs also had their highest winning percentage since the 2005, finishing 12-17 overall. The Bulldogs return 12 players from last season's squad, including all four 2022 all-conference players and all-freshman team honoree. “We are excited to start this year with a lot of experienced athletes and pick up this season where we left off.” Head Coach Katie Lovett said. “The team worked extremely hard in the off-season and pushed each other to get out of their comfort zones. We have a tough schedule as always, but I believe in each of these players to give their full effort and rise up to the challenge.” First team all-conference outside hitter Jazi Smith, a 5’11 junior from Mossyrock, Wash., found herself on the single season leaderboards after last season, slotting in at third in UMW history for single season kills (305) and kills per set (2.88). Smith ranked third in the conference for kills per set after she averaged 2.88. “Jazi really got into a groove the last half of the 2022 season and hasn't slowed down since.” Lovett added. “We expect her to be one of our go-to hitters this season and she brings an incredible work ethic to the court.” Kelsey Goddard, a 5'7 junior from Las Vegas, Nev., returns after earning second team all- conference accolades. She totaled 535 total digs last season (fourth in the conference), surpassing 1,000 career digs during the Frontier Conference Tournament at just a sophomore. Jordan Olson, a 6'1 sophomore from Billings, Mont., earned her spot on the all-conference freshman team last season and will look to build on her early success into 2023. The Bulldogs bring back both middle blockers in Danyel Martin and Peyton Vogl. Martin, a 6'2 redshirt junior from McAllister, Mont. earned second team all-conference honors in 2022. Martin played in 26 matches last season, had an impressive .245 hitting percentage and totaled 82 blocks. Vogl, a 6’0 junior from Townsend, Mont., returns as a key asset for the Bulldogs. Vogl tallied 213 kills last season, ranking third in the Bulldogs arsenal. She also led UMW in blocks with 96, ranking fifth in the conference for blocks per set with 0.91. Rounding out the returners for the Bulldogs is Kaylee Fritz and KayLee Kopp. Kopp, a 5’9 redshirt senior from Fort Collins, Colo., totaled 2.52 kills per set and sat in second on the team for kills with 267. Kaylee Fritz, a 5’7 junior from Kalispell, Mont., had a big year in 2022. Back on October 20th, Fritz surpassed 1,000 career assists after just two seasons. She earned player of the week honors three-times while recording 940 assists during the 2022 campaign. Montana Western also welcomes transfer Morgyn Harrison this season. Harrison joins the Bulldogs from Western Washington University where she utilized her redshirt season last year. She is a 2022 graduate of Chelan High School where she was a two-time state champion who earned All-State honors twice. “Morgyn is our only transfer and will add depth to our defense. She has phenomenal range in defense and can read the offense with ease.” Lovett said. Lovett announced five incoming athletes in the 2023 recruiting class back on April 26th. To view the full class, click here . Looking Ahead The Bulldogs open the season on Friday, August 17 with a scrimmage at North Idaho College. Following the scrimmage, they will take on Walla Walla University and Lewis-Clark State College in a tri-match hosted by Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho from Aug. 18 through Aug. 19.

On Monday, August 7th a 44-year-old man was driving west on secondary highway 278 when he witnessed a man on a ATV. According to the Montana Highway Patrol report, the 44-year-old perceived the ATV driver to be a threat and swerved to avoid him, at this time the ATV went into the path of 44-year-old. The man hit the ATV on the shoulder of the road and the 21 year-old driver of the ATV was pronounced dead at the scene.

The new West-central Lion Ecoregional Population Objective Committee is convening for the first time on Aug 15-16 to discuss the management of mountain lions in west-central Montana. The committee will meet in Anaconda at Pintler’s Portal (218 W. Park St, Anaconda MT) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. The meeting will also be live streamed and recorded. The public is invited to participate in the meeting in-person or online. To join online, see the meeting details online at: fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/wc-mountain-lion-workgroup . A time for public comments is scheduled for Aug 16 at noon, but the exact time may vary. This committee consists of 13 citizens representing a broad spectrum of mountain lion stakeholders who reside within or close to the west-central Montana ecoregion. The committee will meet this month and again in October to deliberate and make recommendations that Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks can carry forward to the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission. The committee will work with FWP to define a planning strategy to manage the west-central mountain lion ecoregional population for sustainability at a target level that maximizes public satisfaction related to lion hunter opportunity, lion conflict, and ungulate population trends. The committee will specifically focus on developing recommendations regarding: Target population trend (increase, decrease, stable) Degree of ecoregional population size change (% up or % down) Lion Management Unit (LMU) emphasis (e.g., older-age class harvest, conflict reduction, aid ungulates, more opportunity, or others) The committee is not charged with recommending season structures, license types, or specific allocation of quotas among Lion Management Units (LMUs). In 2019, the Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the Montana Mountain Lion Monitoring and Management Strategy . This strategy outlines the scientific basis for conserving, monitoring, and managing harvest of mountain lions in Montana. An integral part of implementing this new strategy is the formulation of a committee in each of the three western ecoregions. For more information, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/wc-mountain-lion-workgroup .