October 2018

Sheriff’s office, Search and Rescue responds to hunting season calls on opening weekend

The Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office received four Search and Rescue calls Oct. 19-21. Two resulted in a full response from Search and Rescue and assistance from Lifeflight and the Montana Army National Guard.

New bus and vehicle drop off setup earning extra credit at SD #10

As the sun peaks into view, lighting and warming the air, school buses pull to a stop behind concrete barriers stationed between a section of Cottom Drive and the Dillon School District #10 campus.

Schoolchildren get off the buses and head through a new opening in the fence by the sidewalk in front of the SD #10 campus, and then toward their respective schools.

On the other side of the concrete Jersey barriers, traffic flows with motorists, most of them parents dropping their kids off for school. Many smile and wave.

‘Bells of Peace’ to ring November 11, 2018 around the USA

The World War One Centennial Commission – along with the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, the Society of the Honor Guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the National Cathedral, The American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars – has announced a nationwide bell-tolling on Nov. 11 as a solemn reminder of the sacrifice and service of veterans of the Great War, and all veterans.

“Bells of Peace: A World War One Remembrance” encourages citizens and organizations across the nation to toll bells in their communities 21 times at 11 a.m. local time on Nov. 11.

Montana American Legion opposes I-185

The Montana Department of The American Legion, at its annual Fall Conference of the Executive Committee in Helena, October 27th, unanimously voted to oppose Initiative 185 (I-185). The Initiative would raise taxes on cigarettes from $1.70 per pack to $3.70 per pack.

The Montana Department Commander, Richard Klose of Laurel said; “Our members’ concerns are multiple. The greatest issue is the negative impact this Initiative would have on future funding of our veteran homes. Additionally, degrading the veteran home funding priority is of great concern.”

Clerk’s job emerges as unlikely Supreme Court fight

Decisions about the U.S. Supreme Court have turned into an intense partisan battle in Washington, but in Montana the only contested race for the state’s high court is for the job of clerk.

Three candidates are in the running for the seat. Rex Renk is a Democrat who has worked as the deputy clerk for more than 20 years and now seeks the top job. Bowen Greenwood is a former executive director of the Montana GOP and Roger Roots is an outspoken Libertarian activist.

Requests for absentee ballots grow, despite the concerns behind LR-129

By the numbers alone, absentee ballots are a big hit with Montana voters – and getting bigger.

As of Oct. 22, with two weeks of campaigning still to go, officials reported sending out more than 406,000 absentee ballots. That’s almost 50,000 more than were sent to voters in Montana’s 2016 presidential election.

Not all of those absentee ballots will be cast, but trends show that upwards of 90 percent will be.

PSC files comments on Affordable Clean Energy Rule

HELENA, Mont. – October 25, 2018 – The Montana Public Service Commission filed comments with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency in support of the newly proposed Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule. Introduced in August, the plan replaces the Obama administration’s “Clean Power Plan,” which was stayed by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016. The EPA set a deadline for public comment of October 31.

Superintendent of Schools

Hello, I am Linda Marsh, Beaverhead County Superintendent of Schools. As a Montana native, I attended a two-room rural school in Fergus County. I graduated from Denton High School and obtained a degree in Elementary Education from UM Western. (Then it was called Western Montana College). Later, I completed an endorsement in Special Education from the University of Montana and a Master’s Degree from Western Montana College, as well. Since then I have continued to stay abreast of the changes in education by attending conferences and workshops every year.

County Commissioner

Hello to all residents of Beaverhead County! My name is John H. Jackson. I applied for and was appointed to fill the term of deceased former Commissioner Garth Haugland in District 3 of Beaverhead County. I assumed that position on March 6, 2017.

I attended many meetings that Garth was involved with over his 23+ years as County Commissioner. I always admired his ability to handle every situation that came to him. Garth, by the way, was the longest serving commissioner in Beaverhead County’s history. I am honored and humbled to have served out his term.

Justice of the Peace

First of all, thank you to the Dillon Tribune for providing the candidates this opportunity. I am Candy Hoerning, Beaverhead County Justice of the Peace. I was originally appointed to my position by the Beaverhead County Commissioners in 2001, was elected by the citizens of Beaverhead County in 2002, and have been elected every 4 years thereafter, running unopposed each time.