Elk numbers strong, white-tailed deer on the rise

Elk numbers in western Montana are robust. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife biologists counted 26,226 elk this spring, the second-highest total in 53 years of annual aerial surveys. Numbers of bull elk in the surveys were notably strong, probably reflecting the light harvest last fall.

Protect Election Day voter registration

Montana’s election system has been a shining example of ease and accessibility in allowing everyone to have their voice heard. This November, LR-126 seeks to place unfair hurdles in front of students, veterans, seniors and rural Montanans by eliminating Election Day registration.

Auto insurance requirements, pricing out of sync

Montana law requires auto insurance.

Montana Legislature should address low wages

Letter to the Editor:

Legals for February, 21 2020

Legals March 3, 2020

INVITATION TO BID AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS LIBBY, MONTANA Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received and publicly opened at 10:00 a.m., local time on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, by the Lincoln County Commission at the Lincoln County Commissioners' Office, North Lincoln County Annex, Door 5, 52 Highway 37 North, P.O. Box 2012, Eureka, MT 59917, for the following "Airport Improvement" to include: ACQUISITION OF SNOW REMOVAL EQUIPMENT ALL WHEEL DRIVE SNOW PLOW TRUCK WITH 14'BLADE Bids must be sealed and delivered to the Lincoln County Commissioners' Office, North Lincoln County Annex, Door 5, 52 Highway 37 North, P.O. Box 2012, Eureka, MT 59917 at or before 10:00 a.m., local time on Wednesday, March, 18, 2020, and marked "Bid for Snow Removal Equipment at the Libby Airport, AIP 3-30-0049-014-2020." The bidder's name, address and state Contractor's Registration number shall appear on the envelope. All bids must be accompanied by lawful monies of the United States or a Cashier's Check, a Certified Check, Bid Bond, Bank Money Order or Bank Draft, drawn and issued by a National Banking Association located in the State of Montana, or by any Banking Corporation incorporated under the Laws of the State of Montana, in an amount equal to not less than ten (10) percent of the amount of the base bid, payable to the order of the Lincoln County Airport Commission as liquidated damages in the event said successful bidder shall fail or refuse to execute the contract in accordance with the terms of his bid. Complete electronic Project Specifications, and Bid Proposal Packet are available on the Morrison-Maierle, Inc. website "www.m-m.net", scroll down and click on the "Project Bidding" banner, follow the link, "Browse Projects" as needed, and select this project from the project list. Documents can only be viewed on the Morrison-Maierle, Inc. website, and cannot be downloaded or printed without purchasing. To purchase and download the project documents in pdf format, click "Download Project PDF" and sign on to QuestCDN.com or join for a free membership. Plan documents can be downloaded for a fee of $30. Please contact QuestCDN at 952-233-1632 or email "info@questcdn.com" for assistance in the free membership registration, downloading, and working with this digital project information. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive informalities or irregularities in any bid. The Bidder must supply all the information required by the bid documents and specifications. Funding for This Contract is Federally Assisted. Contractors at every tier must comply with applicable federal requirements including but not limited to: the Buy American Preference, Foreign Trade Restriction, Affirmative Action, Government wide Debarment and Suspension, Government wide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace, and Procurement of Recovered Materials, as contained in the bid documents. This contract will be funded in part by a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration. Therefore, award of the Contract by the Sponsor will be made subject to concurrence of FAA. Bidders may not withdraw Proposals for a period of ninety (90) days after the bid opening date. Signed: /s/ Mark Peck Chairman, Lincoln County Airport Board Published In The Western News February 28, March 6, & 13, 2020. MNAXLP

Legals May 4, 2018

Jane E. Cowley, Esq. REEP, BELL, LAIRD & JASPER, P.C. P.O. Box 16960 2955 Stockyard Road Missoula, Montana 59808-6960 Telephone: (406) 541-6960 Facsimile: (406) 541-4101 Email: cowley@westernmontanalaw.com Attorneys for Personal Representative MONTANA NINETEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LINCOLN COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAY F. OLSEN, Deceased. Cause No.: DP-2018-30 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Dorothy A. Olsen has been appointed Personal Representative of the above named estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Dorothy A. Olsen, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, c/o REEP, BELL, LAIRD & JASPER, P.C., P.O. Box 16960, Missoula, Montana 59808-6960 or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court. DATED this 16th day of April, 2018. REEP, BELL, LAIRD & JASPER, P.C. By Jane E. Cowley Attorneys for Personal Representative Published In The Western News April 20, 27, May 4, 2018 MNAXLP

Feral hogs encroaching on northern border

Looming among our neighbors to the north is an invasive species Montana experts say would cause extensive environmental degradation to the Big Sky state, should they ever successfully saunter across the border.

Knudsen calls laws ‘ridiculous’ and says he got opponent to run so he could raise more $

But those remarks may have given audience members more than information about the race for the top law enforcement officer in the state. They may have provided the basis for several campaign violations.

Asked for basic data, agency hides behind HIPAA

Guest Commentary:

Montana liability bill intended to limit virus litigation

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana Senate committee is considering a bill that would provide liability protection for businesses and health care providers against lawsuits related to the pandemic.

Cuts threaten drug enforcement

Cutbacks in federal grant programs are threatening law enforcement agencies¹ fight against methamphetamine locally and across Montana.

Hunting opener average in Northwest Montana

Hunters took to the field on Sunday across northwest Montana for the opener of the general deer and elk season. At the six northwest Montana check stations, a total of 2,958 hunters checked 185 white-tailed deer, 21 mule deer, and 30 elk for an 8 percent rate of hunters with game. This compares to a nearly identical 8.1 percent rate of hunters with game last year.

Time to sue, again

Just under 11 years ago, then Gov. Marc Racicot sent a 60-day notice that the State of Montana intended to sue nearly a dozen federal agencies for violating the Endangered Species regarding the proposed management of Libby and Hungry Horse Dams under the biological opinion for endangered salmon in the Columbia River.

City budget meeting may have been illegal

Troy City Council budget meeting, held Sept. 8 in Mayor Don Banning’s absence, could still be construed as illegal, according to information provided by Montana legal advisors this week.

Montana Fallen Soldier Memorial at UM receives special dedication

MISSOULA — The Fallen Soldier Memorial at the University of Montana has been dedicated as the state’s official Iraq and Afghanistan veteran memorial.

Trapping is part of our Montana heritage

Letter to the Editor,

State launches contest for new Montana migratory bird stamp

FWP launches new migratory bird stamp, issues call for submissions...

Beagle part of Griz runner-up 4x400 relay team

The most exciting event in almost any meet proved to be the highlight of the day for the Montana men's 4x400 relay team.

Landowner, hunter relationships critical to access

It’s up to us. Respect access. Protect the hunt.