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Articles written by eliza mclaughlin


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  • School board seeks, approves new hires

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Jul 27, 2022

    The Three Forks School Board approved four new hires and a bus driver signing bonus for the 2022-23 school year, during its July 19 meeting. The board hired Sarah Dolan and Sarah Sapp as the middle school's and high school's secretary, respectively. Aaron Lattimore was also hired as the district's behavioral support and in school suspension supervisor. Craig Potts was rehired as the district's transportation and grounds manager. "He puts in 100% and doesn't gripe about it," Superintendent Rhonda Uthlaut said, adding that Potts takes pride in... Full story

  • Three Forks ambulance district no more

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Jul 20, 2022

    The Gallatin County Commissioners terminated the interlocal agreement that formed the Three Forks Area Ambulance District at their July 12 meeting following months of discussion and a decision by the Three Forks City Council to end the agreement at its June 14 meeting. All three commissioners voted in favor of discontinuing the district. “The more we’ve gotten involved, the less our involvement is appreciated,” Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown said during the hearing. Brown explained to the public in attendance at the meeting. “I wi... Full story

  • Marijuana discussion dies at city council meeting

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Jul 20, 2022

    A motion to allow residents of Three Forks to vote on whether to allow certain marijuana businesses within city limits died at the Three Forks City Council on July 12. Councilwoman Nancy Todd motioned to draft the language on the ballot and Councilman Steve Dahl seconded the motion. The motion died with four council members–Gene Townsend, George Chancellor, Debra Mickelberry and Brooke McLees–voting against it. Todd and Dahl voted in favor of adding the language to the ballot. Had the mot... Full story

  • Headwaters Bank run kicks to the starting line

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Jul 20, 2022

    On Saturday, July 23, the Headwaters Bank Run will make its "COVID comeback" and take to the trails with approximately 100 runners. Racers can still register to participate in a 5K, 10K and a half-marathon online or at the event for $30. Same-day registration will take place at Veterans Park in Three Forks, across the street from the Sacagawea Hotel parking lot. The half-marathon, which passes through the Headwater Trails System, starts at 7:30 a.m. while the 5K and the 10K starts at 8 a.m. Pat... Full story

  • Significant headway on school construction

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Jul 13, 2022

    In the spring of 2020, the Three Forks Schools passed a $25 million building bond for the elementary school and high school. Two years later, the project has made significant headway. On June 21, Project Manager Andy Becker updated the school board on recent progress that has taken place, financial aspects and potential risk factors. As of June 21, the project spend was at about $14.09 million and the construction contingency within the guaranteed maximum price was at 97% utilization;...

  • Council proposes maintenance ordinance

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Jul 6, 2022

    The Three Forks City Council approved first readings of ordinance that authorizes the city to take action when city residents neglect to remove weeds on their property and a resolution of intent proposing changes to the tax assessment methods for street maintenance district #1 at its June 28 meeting, following the approval of changes to the tax assessment methods of the city's street lighting district in May. The city will levy the cost of removing weeds as a special tax against the property, ad...

  • City council approves marijuana business permit

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Jun 22, 2022

    The Three Forks City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit to Top Shelf Botanicals Montana LLC. for a marijuana dispensary within the city zoning limits along with a conditional use permit for an existing non-permitted apartment and a minor subdivision request by RCREI Inc. for a RV park in town, during its June 14 meeting. The marijuana dispensary will open inside a building, which TSB Montana LLC. will remodel, located at the 279 Frontage Road property owned by Rob Norman. The... Full story

  • Headwaters heritage museum celebrates 40th anniversary at current location, new updates

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Jun 15, 2022

    Both the Headwaters Heritage Museum and the Railroad and Trident Heritage Center will receive some long-awaited updates and installments this summer, according to Three Forks Area Historical Society President Pat Townsend. At the Headwaters Heritage Museum, construction on a time period appropriate roof extension on the back of the building will begin sometime this June. The back area will be closed during the three days required to complete the structure. Townsend said the new roof will help... Full story

  • City helping with sidewalk replacements

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Jun 8, 2022

    Three Forks residents can get assistance replacing their dilapidated sidewalks from the city as part of a project to beautify the streets while making them safer, according to an email sent by the city on June 1. "The City is committed to the replacement of deteriorated and/or trip hazard sidewalks by tearing out and hauling away the debris as our contribution to your sidewalk replacement project," the email reads. The city's concrete removal contribution will create savings in terms of labor... Full story

  • 'Murica -Trailer Trash Bash' themed rally June 16 in Cardwell

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Jun 8, 2022

    Dozens of trailer trash themed camper trailers will converge at the Cardwell Campground on June 16 for the sixth annual Big Sky Vintage Trailer Rally. The 2022 Big Sky Vintage Trailer Rally welcomes trailers built in or before 1979 to participate in the "Murica - Trailer Trash Bash" themed event. Those interested in viewing the trailer trash themed, vintage trailers can attend the rally's open house event on June 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The open house is free to the public; however, the rally... Full story

  • City council approves new lighting district boundary

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Jun 1, 2022

    The Three Forks City Council passed a resolution to exclude properties within city limits larger than one acre from the town’s special improvement lighting district tax rolls during its May 24 meeting. The decision to amend the district boundaries came after the council compared various tax assessment methods at previous meetings. While other methods were considered, the council chose to maintain their current method and revise the district boundaries to create more equitable assessments. The resolution removed fifteen properties from the d... Full story

  • Board approves 4-day school week

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|May 25, 2022

    The Three Forks school board unanimously adopted a four-day school week for the 2022-2023 school year during its May 18 meeting, following the trend set by many other small town, Montana schools. With the new schedule, students will begin their first class at 8 a.m. and their final class will end at 3:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The upcoming school years calendar change also accommodates ongoing construction and renovations with a later start and end date. The district will continue to provide Friday care for students whose parents work;... Full story

  • Board discusses high school softball team

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|May 25, 2022

    More than a dozen community members approached the Three Forks High school board with the request to consider a high school girls softball team for the next spring sports season and to share their softball experience during the board's May 18 meeting. At the moment, Three Forks Fastpitch Softball, a local recreational league, has operated for seven years and only accommodates players under the age of 14. The Montana High School Association deadline for adding a sport to the 2023 spring season... Full story

  • City Council approves zoning changes

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|May 18, 2022

    The Three Forks City Council unanimously passed three changes to local zoning ordinances which will allow conditional use permits for adult-use marijuana dispensaries and work-live structures, during its May 10 meeting. The council also held a public hearing on the decision to issue a conditional use permit for a home business for facials and massages. After more than a month of discussion on the matter, adult-use marijuana dispensaries can now apply for a conditional use permit in any district, except those zoned for agricultural use. The... Full story

  • Final draft growth policy chapters released

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Apr 27, 2022

    After months of preparation and anticipation, the final chapters of the Three Forks draft growth policy plan, which focus on plans for future land use as well as the goals and policies that will guide development for years to come, are ready for public review on the Envision Three Forks website. City officials described the final two chapters released last week as the "meat and potatoes" of the policy. The zoning and planning board will hold a public hearing and approve a recommendation to... Full story

  • Three Forks Schools face staffing shortages

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Apr 27, 2022

    The Three Forks School system is continuing to deal with significant staffing difficulties. In recent editions, the Three Forks Voice has addressed the challenges that the Three Forks School District faces when hiring staff to fill classrooms. While the district has struggled to hire enough personnel, at the April 19 school board meeting the trustees recognized three staff resignations: Kristy Powell, a High School Counselor; Jenna Fromme, a fifth-grade teacher; and Shawn Lehr, a cross country...

  • Public hearings fill the Council Agenda

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Apr 20, 2022

    The Three Forks City Council held a public hearing for the first reading of four amendments regarding adult marijuana use, city water system regulations and proposed zoning changes. The city council will host public hearings for the second reading of these topics at their upcoming May 10 meeting. Adult-Marijuana Use In November 2020, Gallatin County voters passed Initiative Measure 190 with a 65.6% favorable vote. This new law authorizes recreational marijuana businesses to operate within–and b... Full story

  • Headwaters Area Food bank asks residents to 'grow a row'

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Apr 6, 2022

    With hints of spring flowing through Three Forks air, many residents have begun preparing their gardens. To help provide a balanced diet to their clients, the Headwaters Area Food Bank asks that gardeners consider growing a row of fruits and vegetables to donate to those in need. "We would love to have folks with gardens grow a row for us," the food bank operations manager Kim Gelder said. According to Gelder, the Headwaters Area Food Bank hopes to receive carrots, peppers, tomatoes, beans,...

  • Canine Companion: Student seeks permission for 'Abe' to come to school

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Mar 30, 2022

    A Three Forks High School student approached the school board at their March 15 meeting seeking permission to bring her 17-week-old puppy Abe to school with her. Abe isn't just any ordinary dog. He is a Canine Companion in training. Canine Companions is an organization that trains and provides service dogs to disabled people at no cost to them. Canine Companions operates only one chapter in Montana, based in Big Sky. Before a puppy can become a service dog, it must receive preliminary training.... Full story

  • School Board approves recommendation to general fund mill levies for $640k

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Mar 23, 2022

    The Three Forks School Board unanimously passed a motion to recommend that voters approve $640,000 in General Fund mill levies at their March 15 meeting. The district will use the funds from this mill levy to increase salaries for both certified and classified staff, fund new staffing positions created by the building bond project, address district needs and make necessary updates or replacements. School districts can only levy so much money for their operation. The Three Forks School District... Full story

  • Three Forks City Council approves additional $15,000 for well expenses, streets superintendent steps down

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Mar 16, 2022

    The Three Forks City Council approved allocating an additional $15,000 for costs associated with the digging and testing wells for the public water supply at their March 10 meeting. The city will use $12,000 for conducting a 72-hour pump test of Test Well #6 and the remaining $3,000 for analysis. If Test Well #6 proves to have an adequate water supply, the city hopes to add it to the public water supply. Three Forks needs an additional water source to keep up with demand; however, several existing wells are out of commission due to poor water...

  • Willow Creek School Board discuses changes

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Mar 16, 2022

    The Willow Creek School Board met Tuesday afternoon to discuss potential changes for the district. With only 17 staff members in the Willow Creek School District, many find themselves working multiple positions. However, the Willow Creek School District is looking for applicants to fill two positions: a full-time custodian and a part-time secretary. Those interested in applying can call or go to the school for more information. High School Track Coach In the past, Willow Creek High School track coaches have stepped up because no one else...

  • Let the Freedom ring–or roll–in the Gallatin Valley

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Mar 9, 2022

    Residents of the Gallatin Valley and law enforcement officials welcomed the western group of the People's Convoy–dubbed the Montana Freedom Convoy by many–that passed through the area on March 2. The People's Convoy, a trucker-led rally inspired by the January 2022 Canadian Freedom Convoy, announced its plans for a cross-country trek on Feb. 23. The main convoy would start in Southern California and finish their journey in Washington, D.C. "The People's Convoy is a non-partisan, trucker-led eff... Full story

  • Townsend Tire breaks ground on new location

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Mar 2, 2022

    Townsend Tire has broken ground on their new Three Forks/Wheatland location. Mike Larson, the owner of Townsend Tire, says that the shop's grand opening will be in June 2022; however, construction supply shortages may delay it. Even though the power lines are just across the street, North Western Energy predicts that it will be 24 months before the shop gets power. "If I have a building up in June, I'll figure out a way to run it," Larson said. The Three Forks/Wheatland location has been in the... Full story

  • Three Forks Dog License Renewals Due April 15

    Eliza McLaughlin, Three Forks Voice|Mar 2, 2022

    Three Forks residents with dogs need to relicense their dogs before April 15, per city ordinance 6-4A-2. Dog licenses cost $15 per dog and need renewal every year. Owners with four or more dogs must apply for a kennel license. The kennel license is an additional $50 annually on top of the individual dog licenses. To license a dog, bring a copy of the animal(s)' rabies certificate and the proper payment to City Hall before the April 15 deadline. There are no late fees for registering after the... Full story

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