Week of March 27, 2024

  • Montana State receives $1 million grant to test snowpack measurement methods

    Diana Setterberg, MSU News Service

    With a nearly $1 million grant from the federal Bureau of Reclamation, snow and water scientists at Montana State University have begun testing new methods of measuring snowpack levels with the goal of improving water forecasting for drought, flood and irrigation management in the U.S. Eric Sproles, assistant professor in MSU's Department of Earth Sciences in the College of Letters and Science, said the MSU-led project is one of 15 similar proposals funded by the bureau's Snow Water Supply...

  • Montana Supreme Court allows abortion ballot proposal to proceed

    Mara Silvers, Montana Free Press

    After two months of litigation and consideration, the Montana Supreme Court on Monday overruled the state attorney general’s January finding that a constitutional initiative to explicitly protect abortion rights is “legally insufficient,” resolving one of many obstacles to the proposal being placed before voters on the November ballot. The ruling, signed by six of the court’s seven justices and authored by Justice Ingrid Gustafson, found that the proposal submitted last fall by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana did not...

  • Intermountain Health Announces New President of St. James Hospital

    Intermountain Health announced that Karen Costello has been named President of Intermountain Health St. James Hospital. She will assume her new role on April 1, 2024. Costello has been with the organization for more than 45 years and most recently served as the president of Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana. Under her leadership, Holy Rosary has achieved significant improvements in patient satisfaction, employee engagement, clinical quality, and financial performance. She was also instrumental in the development of the new Holy...

  • Secretary of State issues veto override poll on long-in-limbo marijuana revenue measure

    Arren Kimbel-Sannit, Montana Free Press

    Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen last week complied with a state district court order by sending a poll that could give lawmakers the ability to override Gov. Greg Gianforte’s veto of a marijuana tax reallocation measure, a significant step in a now almost yearlong fight about the separation of powers and proper veto procedure. Lawmakers now have a month to respond to the mail poll, which asks whether they want to override Gianforte’s veto of Senate Bill 442, legislation that initially passed the Legislature with broad...

  • Bozeman ranked as nation's best college town

    MSU News Service

    The home of Montana State University has ranked as the No. 1 college town in America, according to the website RentCafe.com. The ranking stems from a combination of factors, including educational opportunities and quality of life, which set Bozeman apart from others on the list. The website also points to the value of the education MSU provides and Bozeman’s location relative to an abundance of national forests and parks. MSU’s enrollment for the spring 2024 semester set a record at 16,110. The university offers more than 250...

  • 2 School Levies on the May 7 ballot

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    With a projected budget shortfall due to the rising costs in general operations, the Three Forks School Board of Trustees voted last week to place two general fund mill levies on the May 7 ballot. After just a 1.5% salary increase in the previous budget, the two levies would also raise the teacher salary base by 5%. The board voted to place a $504,234 per year levy, approximately 25.31 mills, for the Elementary District and a $176,154 levy, approximately 8.99 mills, for the High School... Full story

  • Gallatin County Sheriff's Report March 24, 2024

    Page 1 of 5 GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on March 25, 2024 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 03/24/24 00:00 CFS24-041541 TRANSPORT S 16TH AVE and W DICKERSON ST (54.7 LE - Documented 00:01 CFS24-041542 PATROL CHECK DRIVEWAY and W DRY CREEK RD (99.1 LE - Documented 00:05 CFS24-041544 PATROL CHECK 4 DOT LN and FRONTAGE RD (24.4 feet) LE - Documented 00:13 CFS24-041548 PATROL CHECK MILL ST and ADAMS ST (29.3 feet) LE - Documented 00:23 CFS24-041552 PATROL CHECK ELK GROVE LN and MORGAN CREEK LE - Documented 00:38 CFS24-041557... Full story

  • Council approves bid for chip seal project

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    Chip sealing will take place later this year in the City of Three Forks for the first time in about a decade. At a meeting earlier this month, the Three Forks City Council unanimously voted to approve the City Engineer's and Streets & Alley's Committee recommendation of Street Maintenance District #1 Chip Seal Project Bid Award to Hollow Contracting Inc. for $286,785.35. According to City Treasurer Kelly Smith, this will be the first time the municipality has done a chip season in around... Full story

  • Gallatin County Sheriff's Report March 23, 2024

    Page 1 of 6 GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on March 24, 2024 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 03/23/24 00:14 CFS24-041027 PATROL CHECK ACCESS and FRONTAGE RD (0.1 miles) LE - Documented 00:18 CFS24-041030 FP ASPEN LEAF DR and RAINBOW TROUT LE - Documented 00:28 CFS24-041038 911 HANG UP HIDDEN VALLEY RD and E VALLEY LE - Documented 00:35 CFS24-041040 TRESPASS MILKY WAY DR and ANDROMEDA CT LE - Documented 00:35 CFS24-041041 DUI LE - Referred 00:37 CFS24-041043 PATROL CHECK TALC RD and DRIVEWAY (156.1 feet) LE - Documented... Full story

  • Gallatin County Fairgrounds Opens Public Survey to Continue the Community's Involvement in 'Fairgrounds Future' Master Planning Project

    The Gallatin County Fairgrounds is excited to announce the next step in the ‘Fairgrounds Future’ Master Planning process with the opening of the online public sentiment survey. This is the second part of the initial public engagement for this large-scale project that began with focus groups and an open house at the fairgrounds in late February/early March of this year. The fairgrounds asks that people limit survey responses to one per person, but to please share the link widely to anyone who would like to offer feedback and be a part of...

  • Application deadline for deer and elk permits is April 1

    Hunters have until April 1 to apply for deer and elk permits and nonresident combination licenses. Hunters can buy licenses and apply for permits on the FWP website; click on “Buy and Apply.” Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers several tools to help hunters navigate the application process. To see a playlist of all FWP’s hunting license video tutorials, click here. For help with understanding how bonus points are used, you can visit fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/hunting-licenses/bonus-points A new online feature this year is the option for...

  • Gallatin County Sheriff's Report March 25, 2024

    GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on March 26, 2024 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 03/25/24 00:00 CFS24-041966 PATROL CHECK GALLATIN RD and MILL ST (51.0 feet) LE - Documented 00:15 CFS24-041971 PATROL CHECK BUSINESS HUB DR and DRIVEWAY LE - Documented 00:17 CFS24-041972 AGENCY ASSIST N 11TH AVE and W LAMME ST (154.0 LE - Case Generated 00:36 CFS24-041976 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Citation 01:00 CFS24-041982 PATROL CHECK E VALLEY CENTER RD and FREMONT LE - Documented 01:44 CFS24-041991 FLAG DOWN S 16TH AVE and W DICKERSON ST (37.6 LE... Full story

  • Gallatin County Sheriff's Report March 26, 2024

    Page 1 of 7 GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on March 27, 2024 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 03/26/24 00:03 CFS24-042492 FRAUD SPRUCE CONE DR and BIG PINE DR LE - Documented 00:05 CFS24-042495 PATROL CHECK BUSINESS HUB DR and DRIVEWAY LE - Documented 00:11 CFS24-042497 PUBLIC ASSIST GALLATIN RD and BEAVER CREEK RD LE - Public Assist 00:36 CFS24-042510 28 EMS:HOT FIRE:HOT RAIN SHADOW DR and PINNACLE DR Fire - Clear EMS 00:38 CFS24-042512 FLAG DOWN S 16TH AVE and W DICKERSON ST (37.6 LE - Public Assist 00:50 CFS24-042518... Full story

  • Broadwater County Sheriff's Report March 17-23, 2024

    Page 1 of 5 MEDIA REPORT Printed on March 25, 2024 CFS Date/Time Street Name Code : Description 03/17/24 00:17 FRONT AND 5TH ST TSTOP : Traffic Stop 03/17/24 00:45 YORK ISLAND CITASST : Citizen Assist 03/17/24 00:51 HWY 287 SB TSTOP : Traffic Stop 03/17/24 01:13 THREE FORKS EXIT TSTOP : Traffic Stop 03/17/24 01:47 TSTOP : Traffic Stop 03/17/24 02:40 DTRN : DEPUTY TRAINING 03/17/24 09:47 EXPATROL : Extra Patrol 03/17/24 10:03 FOLLOWUP : Follow up 03/17/24 11:07 FOLLOWUP : Follow up 03/17/24 11:27 N PINE ST WELFARE : Welfare Check 03/17/24... Full story

  • Gallatin County Sheriff's Report March 27, 2024

    Page 1 of 6 GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on March 28, 2024 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 03/27/24 00:11 CFS24-042982 AGENCY ASSIST LAURA LOUISE LN and DRIVEWAY (73.4 LE - Documented 05:10 CFS24-043019 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Warning 05:22 CFS24-043020 TRAFFIC HAZARD LE - Documented 06:27 CFS24-043025 77 LE - Documented 06:59 CFS24-043027 DVN LONE MOUNTAIN TRL and BROWTINE LE - Documented 07:23 CFS24-043030 PATROL CHECK E NEAL ST and ALLEY (29.9 feet) LE - Documented 07:23 CFS24-043031 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Warning 07:29... Full story

  • Spring Sports Preview: Record turnout for Three Forks High School Track and Field Team

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    To say there has been a positive turnout of student-athletes for the 2024 Three Forks High School Track and Field Team would be an understatement. Under the direction of first-year Head Coach Dillon Gongliewski, there are over 50 members of this year's team who will open the season on March 28 at the Frenchtown Invitational. "Turnout for this year has been extraordinary. We had initial interest of 60 kids, and are still, heading into our second week of the season, sitting at 56 student athletes... Full story

  • Spring Sports Preview: Strong senior class leads the way for talented Three Forks tennis team

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    The Three Forks High School Tennis team reached new levels of success, winning the 2023 Southeast Divisional Championship in Billings. As the program continues to ascend, the Wolves will welcome back 12 returning players for the 2024 season. As the team prepared for their season-opening event on March 22 in Manhattan, Head Coach Janna Lauver said that the weather was great for the first two weeks of practice, which was incredible. "Getting everyone on the court quickly to do drills and work... Full story

  • Spring Sports Preview: Girls' return wealth of experience, squad opens season April 4

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    The Three Forks High School Golf team will open the 2024 season on April 4 in Hamilton. According to Head Coach Aaron Harkins, while the turnout is a little lower than in years past, with six girls and 17 boys, they have a great bunch of student-athletes on the 2024 squad. On the girl's side, the Wolves will welcome back Ari Judd, Paige Lien, Kennedy Rogers, and Claire Van Vleet. "All four of those girls played in the state tourney last year, so we are hoping to we can get back there again this... Full story

  • Spring Sports Preview: Three Forks Softball looks to build on successful inaugural season

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    There was plenty of excitement last March as the Three Forks High School Softball readied for the first season in program history. The Wolves did not disappoint in their inaugural campaign, finishing just one win away from qualifying for the state tournament. With season two underway, Head Coach Clay Feliciano said the players and coaches are excited to start. "Playing as well as we did last year, they definitely will enter the season with more confidence and higher expectations," he said.... Full story

  • Guest Editorial: A bill for all Montanans

    Senator Mike Lang

    The legislative session in Montana is a full-contact sport. Bills get introduced that stoke controversy and debate. My bill (SB 442) was no different to begin with, but we ended up with a bill Montanans could be proud of. Thousands of Montanans were able to convince 130 of 150 legislators to vote for SB 442. It was popular because Montanans were able to put aside long-standing disagreements and work with their neighbors to help craft a bill that invests in every single one of us. As legislators get ready to override Governor Gianforte’s... Full story

  • Letter to the Editor - Families, freedom, and fairness

    Montana families deserve the financial freedom that comes from good health and a hard day’s work. It is only fair. Under Gianforte’s government the uninsured rate has increased by 127,000 Montanans of all ages. His approach to Medicaid redetermination has failed. We all will pay for Gianforte’s comedy of errors, but wait, there is nothing funny about human suffering. Or so most of us believe. As a matter of fact, the Governor is hurting defenseless children, making it harder to work for their parents, and further squeezing the small... Full story

  • Column: I'm completely fine with the same 3 movies

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice

    There are days when I literally roll out of bed and walk the short five feet to my desk to start writing stories. This usually happens when I’m on a deadline and have a lot to write for the next edition. Other times, I sit at my desk and stare off into space. Sometimes, it is because I’m waiting to hear back from someone, and other times, I cannot focus on putting together more than a paragraph. When I’m in the zone, it’s not uncommon to knock out three or four stories in a morning, but there are days when the blank Microsoft Word... Full story

  • FWP seeks public comment on recommended Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program funding award to City of Three Forks

    Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the environmental impacts of the proposed list of funding awards for the 2024 Trail Stewardship Program (TSP) grant cycle. The proposed list of recipients for 2024 includes an $87,000 grant to the City of Three Forks that would be used for the Headwaters Trail System. The recommended grant is for Trail Rehabilitation East of the Madison River Bridge. In 2022, the City of Three Forks received a $54,000 TSP grant for trail rehab.... Full story

  • Missouri Headwaters State Park to host March Hare Easter event

    Missouri Headwaters State Park will host a free March Hare Easter event for families on Saturday, March 30. Park ranger Sarah Lilly will kick off the event with a talk about rabbits and hares. Afterward, kids can pet bunnies, paint and dye Easter eggs, and participate in other fun events and crafts. Hot drinks and snacks will also be provided. The event will be from 1 to 3 p.m. in the picnic area of the park. Missouri Headwaters State Park is about 5 miles northeast of Three Forks on Trident... Full story

  • Registration now open for 2024 Peaks and Potentials summer camp at Montana State

    MSU News Service

    Registration is now open for Montana State University’s Peaks and Potentials, a weeklong camp for high-potential students entering grades 5-7 in the fall. The camp will be offered June 16-21 on the MSU campus in Bozeman. Peaks and Potentials allows students to explore special topics of interest and work with experts in various subject areas. Workshops for this summer's camp include health mysteries, programming, food science, astronomy, ceramics, the nervous system, computers, movie making, horses, STEAM with Lego and American Sign...

  • More Hunter Education classes offered in southwestern Montana

    Additional Hunter Education classes have been scheduled in several locations throughout southwestern Montana. Many of these classes are or will soon be open for registration. All in-person classes are free. Students must be at least 10 years old to take a Hunter Education classroom course. Students must be at least 11 years old to take a Bowhunter Education course. The following Hunter Education classroom courses are scheduled in the region: • Twin Bridges: starting March 25 • Whitehall:...

  • MDT asks for comments on proposed bridge project east of Manhattan

    The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) would like to announce and invite the public to comment on a proposal to replace the bridges that cross the Gallatin River on Interstate 90 (I-90), approximately 3 miles east of Manhattan. Proposed work includes bridge replacement, surfacing work, upgraded guardrail, and new signage. The purpose of the project is to replace the existing bridges with new structures that meet current design standards. Construction is tentatively planned for 2026 depending on completion of design and availability of...

  • Three Forks Area Historical Society to host first meeting of year on April 4

    The Three Forks Area Historical Society is having their first meeting of the 2024 season on April 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Methodist Annex. Agenda items include moving the dental room items back in the newly restored dental room, volunteer recruitment and planning for the new season in both museums. Patrick Finnegan will give a brief overview of the Past Perfect system that we are excited to begin soon! A light lunch will be served by Mike Lane and Gene Townsend after the meeting. Please come and enjoy our fun meetings! Call Pat O’Brien...

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