DILLON – The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has temporarily closed several developed recreation sites for the health and safety of visitors and staff. Effective at midnight, the following group-use areas are closed and unavailable to rent via Recreation.gov: Dillon Ranger District Brownes Lake Campground Crystal Park Dinner Station Campground East Creek Campground Grasshopper Campground Price Creek Campground Reservoir Lake Campground Sacajawea Memorial Campground Birch Creek Cabin Bloody Dick Cabin Horse Prairie Guard Station Butte Ranger District Toll Mountain Campground Whitehouse Campground Beaver Dam Campground Pigeon Creek Campground Lowland Campground Delmoe Lake Campground Bas
DILLON – Personal firewood cutting will be free to the general public from April 1 through June 1, 2020, on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. No permit will be required during this time. Woodcutters can take up to 12 cords of firewood for personal use. A cord is the amount of tightly piled wood in a stack four feet high by four feet wide by eight feet long. Personal use firewood cutting allows you to remove downed timber or to cut standing dead trees under most conditions on National Forests and Grasslands, within Montana, Northern Idaho, and portions of North and South Dakota. It’s important to check with the local ranger district to see if there are any specific local re
PHILIPSBURG – In an effort to maintain social distancing and yet still include residents in their weekly meeting, the Granite County Commissioners will live stream their March 31st meeting. In a statement that was part of their weekly agenda, the Granite County Commissioners are prohibiting the public from attending their meeting next week because of the COVID-19 outbreak and quarantine. According to the agenda, the entire meeting will be live streamed. Those wishing to view the meeting may do via a conferencing program called Zoom and they may join the meeting at https://zoom.us/j/879196757. Questions and comments may be sent during the meeting to Granite County Attorney Blaine Bradshaw at
Granite County Commissioner's Agenda: March 31, 2020
HELENA – Thursday Montana Governor Steve Bullock issued an order to shelter in place that will take effect Saturday at 12:01 a.m. The order puts more restraints on the activities that Montanans can do during the COVID-19 quarantine. Residents are now ordered to not gather at all in groups, down from the under 10 regulation from the previous edict. It also dictates that going anywhere except for absolutely necessary trips is to be avoided. For local businesses, not much will change. Restaurants are still forbidden from having sit-down guests but can serve take-out orders. The official list of essential businesses is listed below. In his briefing this afternoon, Bullock stated that the order w
PHILIPSBURG – The Granite County Commissioners made an official declaration of a ‘Disaster’ Tuesday regarding the COVID-19 virus. The declaration (posted below) is a second, necessary step by the governing body to access needed emergency funds when they become available. The Commissioners also extended the closures of all businesses, schools and other gathering spots until Friday, a move that was made secondary when Governor Steve Bullock extended his closure order through April 10 that also included public schools. He noted that the April 10 date could be extended as well. Mark Ransford, Chairman Granite County Board of Health, clarified that the closures were the same as those issued March
(StatePoint) – With many kids out of school and spending more time at home, finding ways to fill the time is essential. As most parents know, it can be tempting to allow children to pass some of the extra hours using digital devices, however, research shows that managing screen time is vital for developing minds. When used in moderation and under parental supervision, devices of course can be incredibly powerful learning and communication tools, and in many cases, they will be vital to kids’ continued academic progress while campuses are closed. However, people aren’t meant to spend all their time in front of screens, especially kids. Excessive screen time can lead to: Impaired mental and ph
GRANITE COUNTY – As government officials at every level work to keep the public safe from the growing COVID-19 outbreak, citizens are stepping up to help their neighbors in a variety of ways. One such person is Jean McKinney, a Philipsburg resident who posted a letter on social media last week offering to help seniors in her area with getting necessities and making sure they’re okay. “I’m worried about some of our locals that aren’t getting meals or needing something because they didn’t think we were going to run out of toilet paper and paper towels,” said McKinney, who works for the Philipsburg Senior Center. “Most people are OK for right now, but they’re gearing up for what may be coming.
GRANITE COUNTY – a two car crash occurred Sunday afternoon on Flint Creek Pass. According to reports from the Granite County Sheriff’s Department two vehicles collided on the road Sunday afternoon. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene at 4:23 p.m. located south of Philipsburg. One person - Arian Flanders, 31, of Anaconda – died as a result of the accident. Three more were injured and flown to area hospitals for treatment of life threatening injuries. The report indicated that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the crash. The Granite County Sheriff’s Office and Highway Patrol are continuing to investigate.
GRANITE COUNTY - The following is an official update from the Granite County COVID-19 Task Force and was released by the Public Information Officer Bill Slaughter.
GRANITE COUNTY – Six local athletes found their way onto the 12C All-District Team for the 2019-2020 basketball season just passed. Granite’s Kade Cutler was the sole boy’s player to land on the First Team. Teammates Daniel Brabender and Brian Ward were tabbed as Second Team selections. Drummond and Granite dominated the girl’s roster, capturing five of the seven spots on the First Team roster. Lady Trojans Sydney Phillips, Hannah Bradshaw and Rylee Hilmo each made the squad while the Lady Prospectors landed Amelia Hill and Asha Comings. Granite sophomore Reece Pitcher was named to the Second Team as was Drummond freshman Holly Hauptman. 2019-20 12C All-District Basketball Boys Basketball Te
HELENA - In accordance with guidelines for social distancing related to COVID-19 and to protect the public as well as staff, Fish, Wildlife & Park strongly encourages hunters and anglers to make licensing purchases online at fwp.mt.gov. For those who need assistance with their purchase, please call the FWP licensing center at 406-444-2950 or your regional or area office: Region 2 (Missoula): 542-5500 Region 3 (Bozeman): 577-7900 Helena Area Office: 495-3260 Butte Area Office: 494-1953 Region 4 (Great Falls): 454-5840 Lewistown Area Office: 538-4658 Region 5 (Billings): 247-2940 Region 6 (Glasgow): 228-3700 Havre Area Office: 265-6177 Region 7 (Miles City): 234-0900 FWP Headquarters (Helen
