Horses to go to Willing Servants

In response to the outcry over their decision to place the three horses, now in County custody following the Heydon animal abuse convictions, into the hands of Willing Servants Inc., rather than the Bitter Root Humane Association, the commissioners held another hearing to gather additional public comment on the matter. However, after listening to a roomful of people expressing divided opinions on the issue, the Commissioners declined to change their decision. See full story…

Stevi to pass interim pot ban

At its last meeting on March 22, the Stevensville Town Council approved the wording of an Interim Zoning Ordinance that would prohibit the opening or operation of a medical marijuana establishment in town or within one mile of the town limits. If adopted following a public hearing, which is scheduled for April 12, the ordinance would become effective immediately and remain in effect for six months while the council considers permanent zoning regulations governing the establishments. The Interim Zoning Ordinance could be extended for up to one year. See full story…

Search and Rescue building purchase moves forward

The County has moved one step closer to purchasing a new building to house the Ravalli County Search and Rescue (RCSR) operation when the Commissioners agreed last week to sign a buy/sell agreement with Farmers State Bank for $600,000. See full story…

Hamilton Council corrects process

The Hamilton City Council voted unanimously, at its March 16 meeting, to rescind the resolution passed on February 16 that abolished the sewer lift station maintenance fees for homeowners in the Stonegate Meadows subdivision. The council did this, not because it wants to see the fees reinstated, but because it did not exactly follow the requirements in state law governing how to proceed with rate changes and needs to do it over again correctly. See full story…

Homeowners reconstruct river

A couple of homeowners with homes perched atop a high bluff along the west bank of the Bitterroot River north of Tucker Crossing are undertaking a massive river reconstruction project to try and keep their houses from falling into the river. See full story…

County to reconsider fate of confiscated horses

Last Wednesday, March 17, the County Commissioners voted to place the three horses that were recently confiscated from two Georgia men who were convicted of animal abuse charges into the custody of Willing Servants, Inc., a local horse care group that was formed in response to the abuse incident. Following complaints about the decision, primarily complaints from members of the Bitter Root Humane Association, the Commissioners are going to consider rescinding their decision at a meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24. See full story…

New Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor

Julie K. King is the newly appointed Supervisor of the Bitterroot National Forest. She will officially take the helm in mid-April. But King is not new to the Bitterroot National Forest. She has been serving as Acting Supervisor on the Forest since last September after former Supervisor Dave Bull took another assignment as Northern Region Director of Recreation, Wilderness, Lands, Minerals and Cultural Heritage Programs. See full story…

County funds Stevi Main Street improvements

The Ravalli County Commissioners agreed on Tuesday, March 16, to use $432,900 in Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) funds for a Main Street improvement project in Stevensville. The Stevensville Main Street Association, which developed the project idea along with help from WGM engineering of Missoula, succeeded in getting promises from local businesses, residents, organizations and the Town to make the matching fund contribution of about $67,000. See full story…

Escapees captured

Two youths who escaped from the Ravalli County Detention Center last Friday around noon were captured by Ravalli County Sheriff’s deputies and a Highway Patrol officer after a foot chase through fields along Sleeping Child Road that same evening. See full story…

Construction permits now required in Stevi

Until March 1, the only construction permits the Town of Stevensville was able to issue were those related to residential foundations, framing and some miscellaneous permits such as fence, shed, etc. All commercial projects as well as electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permits for residential projects were handled by the State of Montana. Under Montana law, a jurisdiction can only inspect those areas for which they are qualified and then only after being reviewed and approved by the state. With the hiring of Dennis Monroe as the town’s new building official, the Town of Stevensville recently received that approval. See full story…