Week of December 4, 2024

  • Sampling the work day of a CWD technician

    From the FWP If you ask Yvette Bonney to describe the grossest thing she's seen during her job, she talks about the time she removed an abscessed lymph node from the neck of a mule deer, which Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff occasionally sees in deer.  "All this green stuff oozed out," Bonney says.   She'll also tell you about other times when she examined tick-infested heads, deer with injuries or heads that were no longer fresh but still sampleable.  The job of a wildlife... Full story

  • PSC votes to lower NorthWestern Energy's electricity rates

    Amanda Eggert, Montana Free Press

    The typical NorthWestern Energy residential customer will see a $7.96 decrease in their monthly electricity bill following the Montana Public Service Commission's decision to adopt a temporary rate structure. Last week, commissioners authorized the 7.2% rate decrease at the recommendation of PSC staff, who determined that falling natural gas prices and a shifting regional energy market are working in electricity consumers' favor. The PSC is the elected utility board tasked with balancing the...

  • Kjersem murder suspect pleads not guilty

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    In an appearance last week in the 18th Judicial District Court in Bozeman, 41-year-old Daren Abbey pleaded not guilty on a charge of deliberate homicide for the October 10 killing of former Three Forks resident Dustin Kjersem. Appearing before Judge Peter Ohman, Abbey claimed self-defense on the deliberate homicide charge and also pleaded not guilty to two counts of tampering with evidence. On October 31, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer announced that Abbey had confessed and was arrested...

  • Block Management continues slow decline despite increased payment cap

    Amanda Eggert and Jacob Olness, Montana Free Press

    The number of acres enrolled in Block Management, a hunting access program managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, has continued its gradual decline despite efforts to bolster landowner interest in the program. Hunters have been tracking revisions to Block Management, hopeful that changes to the landowner reimbursement payment structure authorized by the last two Montana Legislatures can reverse flagging participation in the program and help alleviate concerns about crowding as sales of hunting licenses climb. As the last week of the...

  • Gallatin County Sheriff's Report December 3, 2024

    Page 1 of 6 GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on December 4, 2024 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 12/03/24 00:08 CFS24-167586 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Citation 00:08 CFS24-167587 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Warning 00:14 CFS24-167595 LE - Documented 00:25 CFS24-167598 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Citation 01:16 CFS24-167616 RECKLESS INTERSTATE 90 HWY and OFF RAMP LE - Referred 06:16 CFS24-167653 OUT W/ VEHICLE OUSEL FALLS RD and SOUTH FORK RD LE - Documented 06:19 CFS24-167654 RECKLESS GALLATIN RD and LOWER DUDLEY LE - Documented 06:38 CFS24-167658... Full story

  • With remodel planned, Three Forks City Hall will get temporary location

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    With a remodel planned for early 2025, Three Forks City Hall will have a temporary location to start the new year. According to City Clerk Crystal Turner, they will be moving to the Three Forks Community Library basement at 607 S. Main St. on December 30 and 31. They plan to open the temporary space on January 2 when they return to work after the holiday. "We expect to be there at least three months," Turner said. In 2023, the Montana State Legislature passed the State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act (SLIPA), which appropriated $20... Full story

  • Representative Ken Walsh Prepares for the 69th Montana Legislative Session

    Representative Ken Walsh is ready to take on new responsibilities as the Montana Legislature prepares to convene for its 69th session on January 6th. Following recent preparatory meetings in Helena, Walsh has been assigned to the influential Appropriations Committee, where he will play a critical role in shaping the state's budget. Walsh, who represents House District 69, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming session and the opportunities it presents. "The Appropriations Committee is tasked...

  • Results of the Gallatin County Local Government Review Commission Race Recount

    A recount of the Gallatin County local government study review commission race has affirmed the original election results while slightly narrowing the margin between the seventh- and eighth-place candidates. Last week, the Gallatin County Elections Office conducted a hand recount of all 71,027 ballots counted in the Nov. 5 federal election. The recount focused on the local government study commission race, where 22 candidates competed for seven seats on the nonpartisan commission. This...

  • Gallatin County Sheriff's Report December 1, 2024

    GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on December 2, 2024 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 12/01/24 00:03 CFS24-166692 PATROL CHECK GALLATIN RD and BEAVER CREEK RD LE - Documented 00:12 CFS24-166696 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Warning 00:28 CFS24-166698 PATROL CHECK LONE MOUNTAIN TRL and DRIVEWAY LE - Documented 00:31 CFS24-166700 TRAFFIC STOP MEADOW VILLAGE DR and MARKET PL LE - Warning 01:15 CFS24-166712 TRAFFIC STOP LONE MOUNTAIN TRL and DRIVEWAY LE - Warning 01:28 CFS24-166714 OUT W/ VEHICLE GALLATIN RD and LONE MOUNTAIN TRLLE -... Full story

  • Gallatin County Sheriff's Report November 29, 2024

    GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on November 30, 2024 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 11/29/24 00:06 CFS24-165892 77 GALLATIN RD and JEEP TRAIL (0.1 LE - Referred 00:16 CFS24-165895 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Warning 00:16 CFS24-165896 PATROL CHECK OUSEL FALLS RD and SOUTH FORK RD LE - Documented 00:20 CFS24-165898 ALARM DRIVEWAY and YELLOWSTONE LE - Documented 00:32 CFS24-165899 OUT W/ VEHICLE GALLATIN RD and PENNY LN (153.3 feet) LE - Documented 01:18 CFS24-165903 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Citation 01:36 CFS24-165906 PATROL CHECK GALLATIN... Full story

  • Broadwater County Sheriff's Report November 24 - 30, 2024

    MEDIA REPORT Printed on December 2, 2024 CFS Date/Time Street Name Code : Description 11/24/24 00:25 I 90 EB DUI : DUI 11/24/24 07:32 24 : 24/7 11/24/24 08:01 24 : 24/7 11/24/24 08:04 24 : 24/7 11/24/24 08:10 24 : 24/7 11/24/24 08:15 BROKEN SPUR TRANS : Transport 11/24/24 08:30 24 : 24/7 11/24/24 08:34 I 90 WB THAZ : Traffic Hazard 11/24/24 08:57 WHEATLAND RD PROPATROL : PROACTIVE PATROL 11/24/24 09:05 PROPATROL : PROACTIVE PATROL 11/24/24 09:09 DUCK CREEK THAZ : Traffic Hazard 11/24/24 09:38 THREE FORKS TOWN PUMP PROPATROL : PROACTIVE PATROL... Full story

  • Gallatin County Sheriff's Report December 2, 2024

    Page 1 of 6 GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on December 3, 2024 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 12/02/24 00:01 CFS24-167072 PATROL CHECK BUSINESS HUB DR and DRIVEWAY LE - Documented 00:05 CFS24-167074 PATROL CHECK RIVER ROCK RD and NORTH SHORE DRLE - Documented 00:12 CFS24-167076 PATROL CHECK COUNTRYSIDE LN and BAKER ST (37.1 LE - Documented 01:01 CFS24-167079 911 HANG UP CANYON VIEW RD and CANYON VIEW LE - Documented 01:21 CFS24-167081 PATROL CHECK INTERSTATE 90 HWY and OFF RAMP LE - Documented 01:47 CFS24-167088 PATROL... Full story

  • Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service and Gallatin County Coroner's Office to Bury Unclaimed Remains at Sunset Hills Cemetery

    Each year, approximately 630 people die in Gallatin County. Of those who die, some people go unclaimed at the funeral home or coroner’s office for various reasons. Many attempts are made to find family, friends, or other individuals willing to make final arrangements for the unclaimed person. After arrangement attempts are exhausted, the unclaimed decedent is cremated, and the remains are stored at the funeral home or coroner’s office. Over the years, many unclaimed urns have been stored at Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service and the Gallatin...

  • Gallatin County Sheriff's Report November 30, 2024

    GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on December 1, 2024 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 11/30/24 00:14 CFS24-166308 BURGLARY CRUISER LN and SPOONER RD (57.2 LE - Documented 00:55 CFS24-166313 WELFARE CHECK POWDER LIGHT DR and DRIVEWAY LE - Documented 00:57 CFS24-166315 PATROL CHECK LE - Documented 01:00 CFS24-166317 WELFARE CHECK BLACK LABEL WAY and JOHNNY Fire - Clear EMS 01:00 CFS24-166318 PATROL CHECK ACCESS and FRONTAGE RD (0.1 miles) LE - Documented 01:04 CFS24-166319 OUT W/ VEHICLE ACCESS and FRONTAGE RD (0.1 miles) LE -... Full story

  • Gallatin County Sheriff's Report December 4, 2024

    Page 1 of 7 GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on December 5, 2024 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 12/04/24 00:09 CFS24-168074 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Warning 00:11 CFS24-168076 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Warning 00:19 CFS24-168078 PATROL CHECK RIVER ROCK RD and NORTH SHORE DRLE - Documented 00:23 CFS24-168079 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Citation 00:25 CFS24-168081 PATROL CHECK COUNTRYSIDE LN and BAKER ST (37.1 LE - Documented 00:35 CFS24-168085 TRAFFIC HAZARD LE - Documented 00:43 CFS24-168087 ALARM GALLATIN RD and DRIVEWAY (0.1 miles) LE - 00:54... Full story

  • Talented Three Forks Boys' Basketball team to open season at Magris Tourney

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    After a great offseason, the Three Forks High School Boys' Basketball team will open the 2024-25 season on December 13 with a home Magris Tournament matchup against Drummond. According to Head Coach Terry Hauser, the team went 5-0 at this summer's Manhattan Christian Tournament. He added they also took the squad to the Gonzaga team camp, where they made it to the 'elite bracket.' "This put us in the top eight out of 54 teams. Every team in the elite bracket had an enrollment between 1,000 to... Full story

  • Under the direction of new Head Coach Shayla Stemple, Lady Wolves to open season on December 5

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    Under the direction of first-year Head Coach Shayla Stemple, the Three Forks High School Girls’ Basketball team will open the 2024-25 season at home with a December 5 matchup against visiting West Yellowstone. A two-time All-State player for the Wolves and 2012 Three Forks High School Valedictorian, Stemple said she is beyond excited for the opportunity to return to her alma mater. “Coming back to Three Forks and coaching the Girls’ Basketball program has been a goal and dream of mine,... Full story

  • 6 Wolves earn postseason accolades

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    After a second consecutive trip to the Quarterfinals, the Three Forks High School Football team was well-represented on the 2024 Southern B All-State and All-Conference teams. Sophomore Kanon Reichman was named to the All-State Team and second-team All-Conference at quarterback. Reichman had a massive year for Three Forks, finishing with 1,861 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and 156 carries for 1,050 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns. On defense, Reichman had 35 tackles and two interceptions....

  • Headlining acts announced for 2025 Headwaters Country Jam

    The headlining acts have been announced for the 2025 Headwaters Country Jam, which is scheduled for July 24 to 26 at the "Bridge" near Three Forks. After headlining in July 2023, Koe Wetzel will return to the festival and is the headline act on Thursday, July 24. Dwight Yoakam is the headliner on Friday, July 25, and the final headlining act on Saturday, July 26, is Flatland Cavalry. Other acts announced for this year's festival are Treaty Oak Revival, The Mavericks, Tucker Wetmore, Ole 60,... Full story

  • Guest Opinion: We still have the pen to write our future headlines

    EJ Porth

    We as Montanans have a special sauce, a secret weapon, a social compact. Nobody gives you official Montanan status but you know a Montanan when you meet one. Whether you moved here last year or are fifth-generation, one learns how to be a Montanan from other Montanans, and from being on the land. In 1934, famous Western writer Zane Grey tried to put words to this unspoken “Code of the West” that guided the behavior of the hardy pioneers. The West is far less wild today, but the rules still ring true. Live each day with courage. Always... Full story

  • Column: Traveling during the holidays

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    Airports and interstates were packed last week with people traveling for Thanksgiving. As much as it would have been nice to see family, I’m glad I wasn’t one of the millions traveling at one of the busiest holidays of the year. The older I get, the more I try to avoid that madness. I can’t even imagine the absolute chaos at the airport on the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Just thinking about the packed lines and the loud talkers on their phones making sure everyone within a 20-mile radius knows they have landed and are just...

  • Enjoying Christmas Again: Year 2 of 'Sox for Seniors' underway, donations being accepted

    Emily Smith, Contributing Writer

    Sandy O'Rourke is again collecting items for her "Sox 4 Seniors" project. Last year, longtime Three Forks resident Sandy O'Rourke, alongside a good friend and local artist, worked together to fundraise and distribute almost 40 Christmas stockings to local senior citizens. Each stocking holds a pair of warm socks, mini personal care items, Christmas Cards prepared with postage, candy, and more. Donations from local businesses such as Three Forks Floral, Family Dollar, and Hollowtop Heating and... Full story

  • Exploring rural: Montana State students gain teaching experience in Gallatin County schools

    Anne Cantrell, MSU News Service

    A group of seven elementary and middle school-aged students gather around a triangle of three tables in the center of Malmborg School, an octagonal building that has stood on this land on Jackson Creek Road near Bozeman Pass for nearly 120 years. The students – in first, second, fourth, sixth and eighth grades – use crayons to draw airplanes, flowers, fish and more on their own kite-shaped piece of Tyvek. Some cut lengths of ribbon to serve as streamers. Two Montana State University...

  • Three Forks Area Historical Society Christmas Party set for December 12

    The annual Christmas Party for the Three Forks Area Historical Society will be Thursday, December 12, at 6:00 PM in the Methodist Church Annex. We will have a potluck dinner with baked ham and punch provided. Please bring a salad, hot dish or dessert to share with the group. We will be playing a very fun dice game, so please bring 3 wrapped white elephant gifts! The gifts can be from fun to ridiculous to nice (but definitely not expensive)! Everyone is encouraged to bring a food donation for our local Headwaters Food Bank. ALL are invited to...

  • Stanley E. Cooper

    Stanley E. Cooper of Three Forks, Montana passed away peacefully at home on December 1, 2024, after a short battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was 72 years old. His four daughters were by his side during his final moments. An adventurous spirit defined Stan's life. He left school early to travel the country. It was during this time that Stan met Marilyn Denham in Lee's Summit, Missouri. They married in 1971, and the three-year union was blessed with two daughters. Stan served in the Army... Full story