Connect With Your Community!
Connect With Your Community!
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Hunting may be losing popularity nationally, but in the West the number of hunters is climbing. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in 2022 there were 10% fewer hunters across the country than there were when hunting peaked in the 1980s. At the same time, four Western states - Colorado, Montana, Idaho and Utah - saw more hunters than ever before. A key driver of this trend is out-of-state hunters who have run out of luck in their home states: elk, deer and other big game species have declined precipitously in many parts of the... Full story
When Melissa and I started the Three Forks Voice in October 2018, one of the first road trips we made was to cover the Wolves football team playoff game at Missoula Loyola High School. While Three Forks could not pick up the victory on that unseasonably warm day, it was fun to get out and experience the playoff atmosphere. I was excited about their next playoff opportunity, and when the team locked up a spot in the opening round, I made plans to go, no matter how far of a journey it was. We used to own the paper in Whitehall, which at the time... Full story
Thanksgiving holds a special place in my heart. It’s my favorite Holiday. When asked why, my response is simple: “There is no pressure. It’s the one day of the year when families come together, uniting around a table overflowing with an abundance of delicious food.” The magic of this day lies in its ability to foster connection and deepen quality time with our precious family and treasured friends. One tradition I’ve cultivated, perhaps without even realizing when or why it began, is the practice of asking meaningful questions or asking ev... Full story
Montana collects $2.1 billion in property tax, with allocations as follows: 56% to schools, 28% to counties, 11% to cities/towns, and 5% to special districts. The 6 statewide university mills stay at the state, while the 95 statewide school mills are redistributed to local community schools, accounting for 35-40% of the $1.1 billion annual state school funding distribution. According to the latest Department of Revenue (DOR) appraisal, Montana properties have a total market value of $259 billion, spread across 18 tax and rate classes.... Full story
Over the past several weeks, I’ve read a couple of stories about short-term rentals in Bozeman, and there have been a lot of passionate opinions on the issue. I know quite a few people who have sworn off hotels and will only stay at short-term rentals when they are on vacation. Looking back at my experiences in short-term rentals, I think I would fall into the I’m just going to stay in a hotel category. I certainly understand the appeal of renting a house, condo, or apartment, but it’s just not my cup of tea. A few years ago, we decided to he...
Even the closest friendships have moments of hurt - distance, misunderstandings, and disagreements. Losing a friendship can shake your world, weaken your confidence, and challenge your identity. The pain from these experiences can linger for years. Friendships hold immense value, worth fighting for, praying about, and working through. Despite our best and imperfect efforts, many of us have faced the heartache of failed friendships. When a friendship dissolves, it feels like a lonely loss, a private grief hidden from the world. No one will send...
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know water - and rivers - run downhill. That would be just fine if all we still got from our majestic snow-capped mountains was some of the cleanest water on the planet. But that's not the case because water picks up and carries downhill all the vast variety of pollutants modern civilization so callously exudes. The gut-wrenching email from an old friend hit the inbox with the pictures of what was once a gin-clear stretch of the Gallatin now filled with weeds. Gone was the healthy population of trout that... Full story
Have you ever witnessed a simple act of kindness that left a lasting impression? How we treat others matters, and kindness is a courageous gesture that holds significance not only in our daily lives but also in the eyes of our Creator. As Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Kindness is indeed one of the fruits of the Spirit—a quality we are called to cultivate. We may even believe that what we have to offer is inade...
A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about how I was getting nervous about finding a new home and the process of moving. After a few weeks of searching, we found a place and have already started packing things to be ready to move by the end of the month. Because we are moving somewhere smaller, we’ve already had to get rid of many things and spend a little time each day piling the things we will keep in various places around the house. As I navigated the mess that had become my closet the other day, I thought about a move years ago. I was l... Full story
Last week’s edition of the Three Forks Voice marked the fifth anniversary of the weekly newspaper. It was an exciting milestone for the publication, and we wanted to take some time in this edition to thank all those who advertised,purchased the newspaper, and those who have helped us with stories and pictures. To all of our advertisers in the Three Forks Voice and Lewis and Clark Journal, thank you so much for doing business with us; we could not have reached the five-year mark without you. Whether it is a classified or a full-page ad in the p... Full story
It doesn’t matter the time of day. If I’m sitting in my recliner, I could grab a blanket and take a nap. Often, I don’t even need to be tired. The moment I sit in that chair, I’m ready for bed. There are plenty of afternoons when I’m waiting on information for a story or cannot find the right words to complete an article that I’ll sit down and be asleep within minutes. 30-minutes later, I will be awakened by the sound of a phone ringing or a cat being mischievous and find a nice puddle of drool. Things are entirely different at night. Perhaps s... Full story
Life…it happens. Situations arise, and it’s a series of ups and downs, and sometimes, those downs hit really close to home. You may find yourself wrestling with sadness or disappointment stemming from your family or friends, as we all encounter moments that test our resilience. In my own journey, there has been a sadness that has lingered for months. I have a dear friend who is dealing with a divorce, another is mourning a loss, yet another is navigating financial setbacks, one is diagnosed with an illness, and a friend is experiencing hea... Full story
The recent spate of headlines about grizzly bear attacks and human-bear conflicts highlights the need for the federal government to return management of grizzlies to the State of Montana. Grizzly bears are still listed under the federal Engendered Species Act despite their populations having been recovered, robust, and growing in both the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) for years now. When grizzlies were listed on the Endangered Species Act, there was good reason for it, but the reality... Full story
A couple of years ago, we stopped at Stageline Pizza to get dinner before attending a Three Forks High School Football game. This was the first time we ordered the "Moose" pizza, and I'm thrilled we made that decision; it has been our go-to order since. Something unique about the combination of garlic and jalapenos makes me not want to order another pizza on the menu. If I find something I like at a restaurant, I don't need to try anything else. Perhaps this is close-minded thinking, but I don't plan on getting anything besides the "Moose". On... Full story
In 1888, Alfred Nobel picked up his morning newspaper on a cold January in Switzerland. At the time, Alfred was known globally as the inventor of dynamite and one of the world’s leading weaponry manufacturers. He read the headline: “Today, Alfred Nobel has passed away.” Completely confused, he called the newspaper to report the error. It turned out that a rushed, overly keen reporter had failed to check the names and wrote the mistaken headline. It was an unusual chance to see his life as others saw it, and Alfred was stunned to find out he was... Full story
A Bozeman television station recently had a story about recent accidents between Three Forks and Belgrade in which Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer discussed an uptick in cell phone use while driving. While this was very alarming to read, it certainly was not surprising. Whether it is a trip on Interstate 90 or driving through any community in the Gallatin Valley, it is hard not to spot someone using their cell phone while driving. And this needs to stop. There will always be accidents that will happen because of horrible conditions.... Full story
We have an innate desire to belong in families, at work, and in our communities. We want to belong in such a way that others would go out of their way to pursue us. But, of course, it looks different in marriage, friendships, and even relationships within our family. Longing to be pursued is not a sign of self-admiration, as God placed that desire deep within our hearts because we were created in His image. If you are feeling lonely, abandoned, or unwanted because of what the world says, it’s time to stop. You are valued, treasured, and l... Full story
Montana is facing a growing housing crisis, driven by an influx of out-of-state home buyers and telecommuters. This is pushing up prices, making it difficult for Montanans to find affordable housing, and increasing residential property taxes. A solution I propose for consideration is to change the way property taxes are calculated for vacation homes and short-term rentals. Currently, all residential properties are taxed at the same rate, regardless of whether they are owner-occupied, rented out long-term, rented out short-term, or vacation... Full story
As I sit here at my desk writing my weekly, it is raining cats and dogs, and for the first time in months, my heater kicked on. While I am not looking forward to using propane because filling the tank can devastate my budget, I look forward to the tradition of “Soup Sunday” at our home during the year’s colder months. It’s always quite a bit of fun to put together a soup on a cold Sunday between the plethora of NFL games we watch rooting on our favorite teams or hoping for a great day for our fantasy squad. Last week, Melissa and Shayla... Full story
Grief is an inescapable facet of the human experience—a journey that can catch us off guard, leaving us with unsettled emotions. I, too, found myself in this uncharted territory when I first experienced the loss of my father. In the years that followed, I would grieve, saying goodbye to my oldest sister, my mother, and another sibling, my brother. These deeply personal encounters with grief taught me that we are not alone in our pain. Although I had witnessed loss in various forms throughout my life, facing it within my own family brought grief...
As a past Paramedic/firefighter I want to acknowledge another 1st Responder that is rarely recognized or thanked. Recently one of our County Newspaper articles had a thank you given only to the Police, Fire, and ambulance. We do not seem to value our Tow Truck Drivers. They too face the horrors of every bad accident scene; get called out at all hours of the night and work in the worst weather, longer than the other 1st responders. More Tow Truck Drivers are killed or injured every year on these calls than police or fire personnel. WHY? Because... Full story
During the past legislative session, the Montana Taxpayers Association was excited to support the Gianforte administration's ideas that improved Montana's tax systems and provided tax relief. We look forward to continuing that working relationship. However, unless the administration decides soon on the level of the state's property tax collections, when tax bills go out this coming November the state of Montana could receive a windfall collection of $65 million in ongoing property tax revenue. This windfall is in addition to the $22 million... Full story
While I was plenty excited my mom visited earlier this month; I was not as thrilled that I would have to make a stop at the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. The older I get, the list of things that drive me crazy seems more extended than a trip to the DMV. Near the top of the list is a visit to any airport. I wasn’t even flying the other day, but I knew that my blood would be boiling when I walked into the building. It turns out that I started to get irritated a few minutes before I arrived. I know nothing about engineering, but I don... Full story
Have you ever felt like your hard work went unnoticed, or maybe you feel as though you aren’t making a difference? You’re not alone. In times of feeling overlooked, it’s important to remember that even the most extraordinary individuals face moments of rejection. Let’s draw inspiration from the story of King David, a man who defied the odds and embraced his purpose with a pure heart. King David, a shepherd boy, felt overlooked in the eyes of his family and the world. When the prophet Samuel was tasked with choosing the next King of Israel,...
The uppermost switchback on the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park is eight feet wide. Yet the last time I hiked out, I was stymied by a group of young hikers walking down shoulder to shoulder, tapping on their phones. Even when I said, "Ahem, excuse me," I was unceremoniously nudged out of the way - not on the cliff side, but still. It shouldn't need mentioning, but while walking on a rocky trail where one may fall to one's death, it is best not to be watching one's phone. And in case you were wondering, uphill has the right of... Full story
