Meeting set to discuss repeal of program By Michael Howell Having bumped up to the limit of the initial issuance of $2.5 million in bonds as part of the $10 million Open Land Bond Program approved by the voters in 2006, the County Commissioners agreed to issue another $2.5 million last week. A “friendly amendment”…
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Stevi vet wants neighbor to light flag at night
By Michael Howell Stevensville resident and veteran Anthony Pace showed up in full dress uniform, supported by family, friends, and neighbors last Thursday evening to see if the Stevensville Town Council could help him out in his effort to get his neighbor, Stevensville firefighter Brandon Dewey, to shine a light on the American flag…
Stevensville modifies weapons ordinance
By Michael Howell The Town of Stevensville, in its continuing effort to codify its ordinances, passed a Weapons Ordinance at its last meeting that bans weapons from public assemblies and public buildings, parks, and schools whether carried openly or concealed. The ordinance also prohibits the discharge of firearms within the town limits. Although the…
Two conservation easements awarded funds from Open Lands Bond Program
By Michael Howell In back to back meetings last week, the Ravalli County Board of Commissioners gave approval to grant some of the county’s Open Lands Bond Program (OLPB) to help fund the establishment of conservation easements on two family ranches that have each been in operation for more than a century, the Holloron…
Bitterroot Youth Home looking to add rooms
By Michael Howell The Bitterroot Youth Home (BYH) is a coeducational, dual-licensed home that provides shelter and longer term group care for local youth. It is located on Providence Way, north of Hamilton High School. The program combines the qualities of short-term sheltering and longer term group care in one program and offers immediate…
Stevensville family charged with running multi-million dollar phone billing scam
By Michael Howell Lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission filed a civil complaint in January of this year against Stevensville couple Steven Sann and Terry Lane (Sann), their son Nathan Sann and their accountant Robert Braach, both from Missoula, accusing them of unfair and deceptive acts and practices for “cramming” $70 million worth of unauthorized…
Title X under scrutiny
By Michael Howell Having fallen completely out of the unanimously approved House Budget Bill, Title X funding – federal money that funds family planning and preventive health – has become a topic of concern as HB2 goes to the Senate. Passage of the House budget bill by a unanimous vote, rather than haggling over…
Hamilton School District reduces work force
By Michael Howell Faced with a $370,000 budget shortfall, the Hamilton School Board at a special meeting held March 28 decided a reduction in the district’s workforce was in order. The previous decision to close the Grantsdale Elementary School is expected to save about a third of that shortfall, but Superintendent Tom Korst warned, at…
County completes re-districting
By Michael Howell Every ten years a legislative committee re-assesses House and Senate Districts. This process was completed on February 12 and each county has 45 days to set new precinct boundaries. Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder Regina Plettenberg said her office completed the new district map last Wednesday. The number of voting precincts…