Week of January 15, 2025
Week of January 15, 2025
In 2024, a string of wrong-way driving incidents on Interstate 90 in the Gallatin Valley, including a fatal accident near Three Forks, sent shockwaves through the community. Just days into 2025, things have not gotten any better. According to Montana Highway Patrol Sergeant John Metcalfe, there have been six reports of wrong-way drivers in Gallatin County since January 1. Metcalfe said one motorist was arrested for DUI, one was arrested on dangerous drug charges, and in three instances, MHP... Full story
The Broadwater County Sheriff's Office will host three public meetings later this month regarding the possible Mill Levy renewal. The meetings, which will begin at 6 p.m., will take place on Wednesday, January 22, at the Winston Fire Hall, Tuesday, January 28, at the Townsend Community Room, and Thursday, January 30, at the Headwaters Livestock Auction in Three Forks. According to Broadwater County Sheriff Nick Rauser, when local residents passed a levy five years ago, they wanted a few things... Full story
Family members, politicians and members of the Montana Supreme Court welcomed newly elected Chief Justice Cory Swanson during a swearing-in ceremony last week in Helena, marking the beginning of a new leadership chapter for the state's highest court. Swanson, 48, comes to the bench after serving 10 years as the Broadwater County attorney. Prior to that role, he worked in private practice and the attorney general's office under Republican Tim Fox. Speaking to a room full of supporters and media...
Water year 2025 got off to a dry start in the mountains of Montana and northern Wyoming with minimal precipitation recorded across the region for the first half of October. Moisture arrived in mid-October, but abnormally warm temperatures meant it fell primarily as rain or a mix of rain and snow, even at upper elevations. For most basins, the first snow at all elevations occurred late October. November brought a mixture of snowstorms that benefitted the mountains of southwest and northwest...
All grizzly bears in the Lower 48 United States would be federally managed as a single population under a proposed U.S Fish and Wildlife Service rule released on Wednesday. That DPS, or distinct population segment, would retain the grizzly's threatened status under the Endangered Species Act and reject petitions from the states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming to delist the bears. In its Wednesday announcement, FWS said it found the states' petitions "not warranted" for the two largest...
GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on January 11, 2025 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 01/10/25 00:00 CFS25-004434 PATROL CHECK LE - Documented 00:13 CFS25-004440 PATROL CHECK AMSTERDAM RD and LINNEY RD (14.6 LE - Documented 00:37 CFS25-004443 PATROL CHECK BULL TROUT RD and JACKRABBIT LN LE - Documented 00:40 CFS25-004445 PATROL CHECK E VALLEY CENTER RD and FREMONT LE - Documented 00:52 CFS25-004449 PATROL CHECK HIDDEN VALLEY TRAILER COURT TRPKLE - Documented 00:53 CFS25-004451 ALARM GOSHAWK TRL and DRIVEWAY (121.8 LE - 00:56... Full story
Page 1 of 7 GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on January 15, 2025 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 01/14/25 00:02 CFS25-006420 PATROL CHECK VENTURE WAY and REEVES RD W (38.9 LE - Documented 00:07 CFS25-006421 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Warning 00:18 CFS25-006426 PATROL CHECK COUNTRYSIDE LN and BAKER ST (37.1 LE - Documented 00:23 CFS25-006428 OUT W/ VEHICLE DONJO AVE and JACKRABBIT LN (75.7 LE - Documented 00:26 CFS25-006430 DISABLED INTERSTATE 90 HWY and ACCESS LE - Documented 00:27 CFS25-006431 PATROL CHECK BUSINESS HUB DR and... Full story
GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on January 10, 2025 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 01/09/25 00:03 CFS25-003862 PATROL CHECK E VALLEY CENTER RD and FREMONT LE - Documented 00:15 CFS25-003866 PATROL CHECK OFF RAMP and AMSTERDAM RD (15.3 LE - Documented 00:20 CFS25-003867 PATROL CHECK BUSINESS HUB DR and DRIVEWAY LE - Documented 00:24 CFS25-003869 PATROL CHECK LE - Documented 00:26 CFS25-003871 WELFARE CHECK TOWN CENTER AVE and HUNTLEY DR LE - Documented 00:29 CFS25-003872 PATROL CHECK MAPLE AVE and SECOND ST (51.7 feet) LE -... Full story
GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on January 13, 2025 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 01/12/25 00:05 CFS25-005454 DUI BUSINESS HUB DR and DRIVEWAY LE - GOA / UTL 00:09 CFS25-005455 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Warning 00:16 CFS25-005460 DVN LONE MOUNTAIN TRL and SLEEPING LE - Documented 00:23 CFS25-005465 TRAFFIC STOP HUFFINE LN and GOOCH HILL RD (162.3 LE - Warning 00:35 CFS25-005470 FOLLOW UP JARDINE AVE and CORWIN ST (50.1 LE - Documented 00:38 CFS25-005471 OUT W/ VEHICLE JACKRABBIT LN and SPANISH PEAK DR LE - Documented 01:11... Full story
GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on January 12, 2025 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 01/11/25 00:08 CFS25-004948 DISABLED GALLATIN RD and DRIVEWAY (0.1 miles) LE - Documented 00:09 CFS25-004949 PATROL CHECK MILL ST and ADAMS ST (29.3 feet) LE - Documented 00:12 CFS25-004952 PATROL CHECK GALLATIN RD and MILL ST (51.0 feet) LE - Documented 00:13 CFS25-004954 PATROL CHECK GALLATIN RD and COTTONWOOD RD LE - Documented 00:15 CFS25-004956 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Warning 00:17 CFS25-004958 DUI LE - GOA / UTL 00:26 CFS25-004965 TRAFFIC... Full story
GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on January 14, 2025 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 01/13/25 00:01 CFS25-005881 PATROL CHECK OUSEL FALLS RD and SOUTH FORK RD LE - Documented 00:10 CFS25-005885 COMMS PROB VAQUERO PKWY and DRIVEWAY (57.1 LE - Documented 01:35 CFS25-005905 PATROL CHECK E VALLEY CENTER RD and FREMONT LE - Documented 01:36 CFS25-005906 PATROL CHECK NORRIS RD and JACKRABBIT LN (103.3 LE - Documented 01:47 CFS25-005909 PATROL CHECK BUSINESS HUB DR and DRIVEWAY LE - Documented 02:11 CFS25-005916 PATROL CHECK HUFFINE... Full story
MEDIA REPORT Printed on January 13, 2025 CFS Date/Time Street Name Code : Description 01/05/25 02:26 HWY 287 NB Traffic Complaint : Traffic Complaint 01/05/25 06:23 TEST CALL 911OPN : 911 Open Line 01/05/25 07:23 24 : 24/7 01/05/25 08:39 24 : 24/7 01/05/25 09:37 SAR TRAINING SAR : Search & Rescue 01/05/25 10:13 LIPPERT GULCH RD ACC : 911-Accidental 01/05/25 10:44 45.918281, -111.593006 Traffic Complaint : Traffic Complaint 01/05/25 12:40 911OPN : 911 Open Line 01/05/25 12:54 THAZ : Traffic Hazard 01/05/25 12:56 THAZ : Traffic Hazard 01/05/25... Full story
Page 1 of 7 GCSO Calls for Service Yesterday Printed on January 16, 2025 Time Call # Type of Call Location Result 01/15/25 00:14 CFS25-006960 PATROL CHECK TOWN CENTER AVE and LONE LE - Documented 00:17 CFS25-006963 PATROL CHECK TAWNY BROWN LN and BOBCAT DR LE - Documented 00:19 CFS25-006964 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Warning 01:06 CFS25-006973 TRAFFIC STOP LE - Warning 01:11 CFS25-006975 PATROL CHECK JACKRABBIT LN and RAMSHORN DR LE - Documented 01:29 CFS25-006978 PATROL CHECK DRIVEWAY and E CAMERON BRIDGE LE - Documented 01:35 CFS25-006979 PATROL... Full story
In a matchup between two of the premier Class B Programs in Montana, the Three Forks High School Boys’ Basketball team had a six-game win streak start to the season end on January 11 with a thrilling 88-81 overtime loss at Lodge Grass. Trailing 59-47 at the end of the third quarter and by ten with 1:15 left in regulation, the Wolves caught fire and erased the double-digit deficit to send the game to overtime, where they were outscored by the Indians, 9-2. “The team showed a ton of... Full story
The Three Forks High School Girls' Basketball team took care of business on the road last week with two wins. The Lady Wolves (5-3, 2-2 Southern B), who have now won three in a row, defeated Whitehall 47-39 on January 10 and one night later picked up a 52-46 victory at Lodge Grass. Three Forks opened emphatically at Whitehall, scoring the game's first 11 points and taking a 13-3 lead at the end of the third quarter. Whitehall would storm back in the second quarter to cut the Three Forks lead to...
It should come as no surprise that once again the Montana Chamber of Commerce has made preserving access to Medicaid expansion a priority. We have supported Medicaid expansion in the past and we support its renewal again in 2025. We want to see our state’s Medicaid program continue as it is today, providing health coverage to almost 80,000 low-income, working Montanans who are critical to our state’s workforce. Montana’s economy is growing despite challenges that are beyond our control. High interest rates, inflation, and workforce...
According to a recent study released by Truth in Accounting, the end of 2024 brought the US government 153 trillion dollars of total liabilities. Your government currently holds claim to $966,000 of future productivity for every citizen in the United States. Measures to correct a growing burden will require some pain that few will escape. The million-dollar question remains: What will you be willing to sacrifice? “If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation,...
I’m not sure if this is common for most people, but when I’m warm at night, I tend to have some pretty vivid and often unwelcome dreams. There is always a constant inner dialogue during the winter months, trying to decide if I want to be a little cold in bed when the temperatures are reaching single digits or if I want to be a little warmer and chance having some wild dream that will put me in a funk the first few hours after waking up. When I decide to stay a bit warmer through the night, my dreams often take me back to the time I’d...
The City of Three Forks Ice Rink at Stevenson Park is open for the season. Former Three Forks Mayor Sean Gifford, who was instrumental in creating the rink in 2021 and still volunteers at the facility, reported that it was "good to go" on January 8. Gifford shared several rules and tips for those utilizing the facility, including: · Being courteous and cautious of other skaters and bystanders. · Helmets and protective equipment are recommended, especially for younger skaters. · No skating... Full story
HRDC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing housing challenges and fostering community development across southwestern Montana, today announced it has received a $15,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation. The grant will provide general operating support, enabling HRDC to continue creating innovative solutions that meet the region’s housing and community development needs. “Creating equitable opportunities for our community requires resources, and we appreciate the support from the U.S. Bank Foundation, which helps us continue...
Three Forks Ambulance had 16 calls for service in December 2024. With two major holidays we were glad to see such a low call volume this month! Thank you for staying safe. Our December calls included: • 7 transports to the hospital with NO paramedic intercepts for pain medications • 3 calls where AMR came from Bozeman to provide needed back-up because our volunteer crew were unable to respond. • 2 refusals where the patient declined transport • 3 calls canceled before we arrived on...
Winter is great time to get outside and recreate. Ice fishing, ice skating, hunting, snowmobiling or just taking a walk are all great activities. But be careful not to fall through the ice. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff reminds winter enthusiasts to make safety a top priority. Here are some safety tips: • Anglers and other recreationists should be familiar with the water body they plan to fish or recreate on. Pay close attention to the changing conditions of the ice. • If you have...
Leonard "Andy" Vandolah found peace from his pain and complications of dementia when he passed on December 31, 2024. Andy celebrated his 77 birthday two days before his death surrounded by family. Andy was born in 1947 in Townsend, MT. He was born to Melvin Franklin Vandolah (Missouri) and Charlotte Isabelle Billman (Livingston). He was a miracle baby as he was the surviving twin and the youngest of 8 siblings. He was so small that they took him home in a shoebox. Andy grew up in the small... Full story
