MISSOULA - Rachel Markovich, of Missoula, is launching a new non-profit organization. Named VEO Guardians, this charitable initiative comes as a response to the pressing need for assistance for families grappling with Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease (VEO-IBD). The organization aims to aid families in securing immediate medical treatment by covering costs upfront, as they deal with the challenging process of ongoing insurance denials and appeals.

VEO Guardians was founded by parents who have experienced firsthand the complexities and struggles associated with securing timely and appropriate medical care for children undergoing treatment for VEO-IBD.

Markovich’s son, now 3 years old, was diagnosed with VEO-IBD at 22 months. After enduring symptoms since nine months old, they spent more than a year searching for a diagnosis. Following an ER visit due to a high fever, suspected bowel perforation and emergency surgery they met with a pediatric GI specialist, underwent a grueling day of preparation for a colonoscopy and endoscopy and ultimately received a VEO IBD UC diagnosis. Following were numerous medical procedures and a stay at Seattle Children's Hospital.

Markovich’s son has not required hospitalization for the past year, prompting her to seek change for families facing similar challenges. “This grace of my son’s health has led me to want to change the future for children and families in similar circumstances,” said Markovich. “Instead of the endless hours families face trying to get insurance approval for medication, our charity will pay upfront for their child to receive treatment immediately.”

Throughout this journey, Markovich connected with other Montana families who were confronting similar challenging circumstances. Among them were:

Lindsay Warner, Whitefish, MT
Kelly King, Hamilton, MT
United by their shared experiences, they collectively dedicated themselves to supporting others facing similar trials.

"Every child deserves access to timely treatment and compassionate support," said Markovich. "Through our organization, we aim to alleviate the burden of medical costs and lengthy timelines so that children facing VEO-IBD can access the care they need immediately to thrive."

VEO Guardians will work closely with Pediatric GI Specialists to facilitate communication and support between patients and the organization through the VEO-IBD diagnosis and treatment process. By providing assistance with navigating insurance appeals and denials, VEO Guardians seeks to ensure that children receive the vital biologics and infusions necessary for their treatment without unnecessary delays.

A launch celebration and fundraising event will be held April 5th at the Wilma Theater in Missoula. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.veoguardians.com.

Last year, the Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) concluded that for tax year 2023, 77.9 mills would be sufficient to meet the budgetary requirements of the State School Equalization Funds rather than 95 mills, which have been billed in previous years. The property tax bill you received from Gallatin County in November reflected that reduction.  

However, Governor Gianforte sued Missoula County, which eventually resulted in a ruling from the Montana Supreme Court that authorized DOR to levy the maximum mill amount regardless of the budget. Gallatin County has thus been directed to collect the full 95 mills, and second-half tax bill have been amended accordingly.  

The Gallatin County Treasurer’s Office mailed these amended second-half tax bills to property owners on Friday, March 22. Property owners can expect to see these arrive in their mailboxes soon. 

Property owners should disregard the second-half payment due on original bills, sent late last year, and pay the amount that comes with the amended bills instead. Do not pay both.  

Folks who paid the full year’s taxes in December will still need to pay the amount indicated on this bill. These additional tax collections mandated by the Governor’s Office will be sent to the State of Montana and not to any local jurisdictions.  

Second half property taxes are due May 31.  

If you pay your property taxes through your mortgage, please verify with your lender that they will handle paying this amended bill. 

Property owners can also view amended bills online at https://itax.gallatin.mt.gov.  

If you have questions about your bill, please contact the Gallatin County Treasurer’s Office by phone at 406-582-3033, by email at treasurer@gallatin.mt.gov, or in person at the Gallatin County Courthouse located at 311 W. Main St. in downtown Bozeman. 

Property tax information, including bills and history, can also be found at https://itax.gallatin.mt.gov. 

Moving day can be both exciting and overwhelming. It marks the culmination of weeks or even months of planning and preparation, but it can also be a source of stress and anxiety. However, with careful organization and attention to detail, you can ensure that your moving day goes smoothly and without a hitch. In this article, we'll explore ten essential tips to help you have a stress-free moving day.

Plan Ahead: The key to a successful moving day is careful planning. Create a detailed moving schedule that outlines all the tasks that need to be completed before, during, and after the move. Make sure to include important details such as the time for the arrival of the moving truck, the schedule for loading and unloading, and any other logistical considerations.

Pack Strategically: Proper packing is crucial for a smooth moving day. Pack your belongings in sturdy boxes, making sure to label each box with its contents and the room it belongs in. Keep essential items, such as medications, important documents, and a change of clothes, in a separate box or suitcase that you'll keep with you during the move.

Confirm Details with Your Moving Company: If you're using a professional moving company, confirm all the details of your move with them in advance. Make sure they have the correct address for both your old and new homes, as well as any special instructions or requirements you may have. It's also a good idea to exchange contact information with the movers so you can stay in touch throughout the day.

Prepare Your Home: Before the movers arrive, take some time to prepare your home for the move. Clear pathways and remove any obstacles that could impede the movers' progress. If possible, reserve a parking spot for the moving truck near your home to make loading and unloading easier.

Stay Organized: Keep all your moving-related documents, such as contracts, moving estimates, and contact information, in one place. This will make it easier to access important information as needed throughout the day. Use a clipboard or folder to keep everything organized and easily accessible.

Stay Hydrated and Well-Fed: Moving day can be physically demanding, so make sure to stay hydrated and well-fed throughout the day. Keep a cooler stocked with water, snacks, and easy-to-eat meals to keep you fueled and energized. Taking regular breaks to rest and refuel will help you stay focused and alert.

Communicate with Your Movers: Effective communication is essential on moving day. Stay in touch with your movers and keep them informed of any changes or developments that may arise. If you have specific instructions or concerns, don't hesitate to communicate them to the movers so they can accommodate your needs.

Take Care of Your Pets: Moving can be stressful for pets, so make sure to take extra care of them on moving day. Keep them confined to a safe and secure area away from the hustle and bustle of the move. Provide them with food, water, and familiar comforts to help reduce their anxiety.

Inspect Your Belongings Before Loading: Before your belongings are loaded onto the moving truck, take some time to inspect them for any damage or signs of wear and tear. Make a note of any pre-existing damage and take photographs for your records. This will help you identify any new damage that may occur during the move.

Stay Positive and Flexible: Finally, remember to stay positive and flexible throughout the moving process. Unexpected challenges may arise, but maintaining a positive attitude and a sense of flexibility will help you navigate them with ease. Keep your eye on the end goal – settling into your new home – and remember that the challenges of moving day are temporary.

In closing, while moving day can bring its share of challenges, it also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your life. By implementing these ten essential tips, you can navigate the process with greater ease and confidence. Remember to stay organized, communicate effectively, and maintain a positive attitude throughout the day. With careful planning and preparation, you'll soon be settling into your new home and embracing the opportunities that lie ahead. Here's to a smooth and stress-free moving day, and to the adventures that await in your new surroundings!

BOZEMAN – Additional Hunter Education classes have been scheduled in several locations throughout southwestern Montana. Many of these classes are or will soon be open for registration.

All in-person classes are free. Students must be at least 10 years old to take a Hunter Education classroom course. Students must be at least 11 years old to take a Bowhunter Education course.

The following Hunter Education classroom courses are scheduled in the region:

• Twin Bridges: starting March 25
• Whitehall: starting April 3
• Butte: starting April 8
• Bozeman: starting April 8
• West Yellowstone: starting April 13
• Dillon: starting April 22
• Logan: starting May 6
• Helena: starting May 17
• West Yellowstone: starting June 10
• Logan: starting July 15
• Livingston: starting Aug. 1

A Bowhunter Education classroom courses is scheduled in Twin Bridges starting April 8. Bowhunter Education classes in Butte and Ennis are also being planned but have not yet been finalized.

Students ages 12 through 17 who take Hunter or Bowhunter Education online are required to pass an in-person field day. There will be a field day for online Hunter Education students in Logan on April 20.

Hunter and Bowhunter Education courses are being planned in other areas. FWP’s website will be updated periodically as classes are arranged. To see what classes are available or to sign up, visit fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education.

Hunter, Bowhunter and Trapper Education classes are taught by skilled volunteer instructors, offering hands-on learning experiences and opportunities for students to ask questions of experienced instructors. Students learn how to handle firearms and archery equipment safely, basic survival skills, hunting ethics, wildlife management, game identification, landowner-hunter relations, and Montana hunting laws and regulations.

Montana law requires that anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985, complete a Hunter Education class or qualify as a youth apprentice hunter before purchasing a Montana hunting license. All first-time bowhunters must complete a Bowhunter Education course or show proof of a prior year’s archery license from another state or province.

Montana State University assistant professor Eric Sproles, left, and graduate student Briana Whitehead, are pictured Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Bozeman, Montana. They have begun testing new methods of measuring snowpack levels with a grant from the Bureau of Reclamation. MSU photo by Colter Peterson

BOZEMAN – With a nearly $1 million grant from the federal Bureau of Reclamation, snow and water scientists at Montana State University have begun testing new methods of measuring snowpack levels with the goal of improving water forecasting for drought, flood and irrigation management in the U.S.

Eric Sproles, assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Earth Sciences in the College of Letters and Science, said the MSU-led project is one of 15 similar proposals funded by the bureau’s Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program to evaluate advanced snow-monitoring technologies for water supply forecasting and it’s the only one with fieldwork based in Montana’s Upper Missouri Headwaters basin, from which water for irrigation and other uses flows downstream to significantly populated areas.

That work will be conducted over three years by Sproles and Briana Whitehead, an earth sciences doctoral student who holds a master’s degree from MSU’s Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences. Scientists at Syracuse University and the University of Texas, who are partners on the grant, will assist with collecting and analyzing the data.

“We’re testing a lot of new approaches to measure snowpack to see if and how much we improve streamflow predictions,” Sproles said. “We’re looking at new ways to better measure snowpack across the western U.S.”

For decades, he explained, snowpack has been measured by antifreeze-filled bladders known as “snow pillows,” which are placed on the ground at elevations where the average annual snowpack accumulates. The pressure of the snow on the pillows is recorded and transmitted via telemetry to the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which operates the SNOTEL monitoring and reporting system. While snow pillows continue to operate and provide meaningful water resource data, this project looks to identify and test newer technologies to augment the existing SNOTEL network, Sproles said.

MSU’s project will evaluate emerging sensor technologies that measure snow water using gamma and cosmic rays, which are naturally occurring energy sources that become muffled or attenuated by snowpack. The sensors will measure the degree of attenuation, and scientists will run a series of calculations on those data to determine snow water measurements.

The testing is taking place at the Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest in central Montana, where stream gauges are already in place to measure snowmelt runoff. The team recently placed a permanently mounted cosmic ray sensor in the forest, which will continuously transmit real-time data.

“And while the snow pillow measures only several square feet, the cosmic ray sensor will measure approximately 22 acres – it will give us a much better representation at hourly intervals,” Sproles said.

By contrast, tests also will be performed with a drone-mounted gamma ray sensor capable of measuring hundreds of acres at a time, but only while the drone is in the air.

The team will test another drone-borne sensor with light detection and ranging, or lidar, technology. Sproles explained it will measure snow depths at a very high resolution – every 4 square inches – and be able to differentiate snow depth in proximity to various landscape features like trees and meadows.

“We will compare the snow-pillow method with these new approaches to see if and how much we improve streamflow predictions,” Sproles said. “We’ll see which is better, and how much water is coming out at the end.”

He noted that average snowpack elevations are rising under current climate trends, and that some of the technologies being tested by the MSU team will be able to access those higher elevations more easily than is possible with current methods.

A Bureau of Reclamation fact sheet on the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program states that the agency seeks to develop a portfolio of complementary technologies to enhance snow monitoring and water supply forecasts.

“We’re trying to improve SNOTEL, not replace it,” explained Whitehead, who has worked for USDA/NRCS as a geographic information specialist and soil conservationist in the Bozeman region since 2019 and plans to conduct her doctoral research on the project.

She said her longtime interest in water resources was strengthened when she served with the Peace Corps in Ghana from 2014 to 2016.

“I saw first-hand how water resources can impact subsistence farming, soil health and agroforestry,” she said.

In the Upper Missouri Headwaters, Sproles added, it’s equally important that people recognize the importance of snow.

“Snow is a resource – snow is water,” he said. “What’s really important about these projects is we’re hoping to advise and better inform water resource management.”

Bozeman – The Gallatin County Fairgrounds is excited to announce the next step in the ‘Fairgrounds Future’ Master Planning process with the opening of the online public sentiment survey. This is the second part of the initial public engagement for this large-scale project that began with focus groups and an open house at the fairgrounds in late February/early March of this year.

The fairgrounds asks that people limit survey responses to one per person, but to please share the link widely to anyone who would like to offer feedback and be a part of this exciting process. The survey will be online at GallatinCountyFairgrounds.com or using this link between March 21 and April 29.

The purpose of the ‘Fairgrounds Future’ Master Planning Project is to update the fairgrounds facility so that it can better serve the community of Gallatin County year-round. “There are so many wonderful memories that have been made on these grounds,” said Caitlin Quisenberry, Fairgrounds Director, “but many of the buildings on site are in a state of disrepair or too small to be able to fully serve the population of user groups anymore.”

The feedback from this survey will be used to guide the vision for future improvements and development on the fairgrounds property, located in northeast Bozeman. “At the end of this project, we’ll see some new and improved spaces that honor our current users and community while also welcoming some new ones. This survey will be helpful in understanding how best to do that,” said Quisenberry.

The Gallatin County Fairgrounds is a department of the Gallatin County Government and hosts the annual Big Sky Country State Fair in July. This project is not related to the annual fair or its programming, but rather the year-round facilities and their users. The fair will continue to be hosted at the fairgrounds every year, but it might see some impacts from this project during the different phases on construction.

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment related to the environmental impacts of the proposed list of funding awards for the 2024 Trail Stewardship Program (TSP) grant cycle. This year the program is recommending $2,000,000 in grant funds to 36 projects around the state.

In total, FWP received 40 applications requesting $2.33 million in funding. Applications were submitted by federal and state agencies, towns, cities, counties, recreational clubs and nonprofit organizations. Eligible projects include development and rehabilitation work on urban, rural, and backcountry trails; construction of new trails and facilities; and snowmobile and cross-country ski trail maintenance and grooming operations.

The 2024 application process was highly competitive with many strong projects proposed. FWP staff conducted an internal review and scoring of applications. In addition, State Trails Advisory Committee (STAC) members reviewed applications and met March 5 and 6 in Great Falls to provide feedback on projects and make recommendations to FWP for distribution of the funds.  

A list of the proposed grant recipients is available at: fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/trail-stewardship/public-comment. Some projects are proposed to receive full funding, while others are proposed to receive partial awards.

Comments will be accepted in writing to P.O. Box 200701 Helena, MT 59620-0701, and by email to: TSPGrants@mt.gov.

Comments will be accepted until April 3, at 5 p.m.

As you age, your bodies naturally produce less of certain hormones. This decline can lead to symptoms that greatly impact your quality of life. Fortunately, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) offers a solution for many people. But with various HRT options available, how do you know which is right for you? This article explores hormone pellet therapy, a unique and increasingly popular method for HRT, to help you decide if it might be the key to regaining your balance.

Understanding Hormone Decline and Its Effects:
The hormones play a vital role in regulating numerous bodily functions. Estrogen and testosterone, for example, influence energy levels, mood, metabolism, and sexual health. As you age, the production of these hormones naturally declines. In women, this decline is most pronounced during menopause, typically between the ages of 45 and 55. Men, on the other hand, experience a more gradual decrease in testosterone levels throughout their lifespan, often referred to as andropause.
 
The symptoms of hormone decline can vary depending on the individual and the specific hormones affected. However, some common issues include:
 

 
These symptoms can impact your daily life, leaving you feeling drained, frustrated, and disconnected from yourself.

Traditional HRT Options and Their Limitations:
Traditional HRT comes in various forms, including pills, creams, gels, and patches. These methods deliver synthetic hormones, aiming to replace the declining levels in the body. While they can be effective in mitigating symptoms, there are some limitations to consider:
 
Fluctuations in Hormone Levels: Oral medications can lead to spikes and dips in hormone levels throughout the day, potentially causing side effects.
 
Delivery Methods: Creams, gels, and patches may have inconsistent absorption rates, impacting effectiveness.
 
Bypassing the Digestive System: Oral medications can strain the liver as the digestive system processes them.

Understanding This Therapy:
It offers a unique approach to HRT. Here's a breakdown of this method:
 
The Pellets: Tiny pellets, typically made from bioidentical hormones (hormones with a similar molecular structure to those produced by the body), are used in this therapy.
 
The Procedure: A healthcare professional inserts these pellets during a simple in-office procedure. The insertion site is usually the buttocks or hip area. The method is minimally invasive and typically involves local anesthesia.
 
The Release: Once inserted, the pellets slowly release hormones into the bloodstream over several months, providing a steady and consistent dose.

Potential Benefits of This Therapy:
Compared to traditional HRT options, hormone pellet therapy offers several potential advantages:
 
Consistent Hormone Levels: The continuous release from the pellets helps maintain stable hormone levels throughout the day, potentially reducing side effects associated with fluctuations.
 
Reduced Dosing Frequency: With pellets lasting for several months, the need for frequent medication administration is eliminated.
 
Bypassing the First-Pass Effect: Unlike oral medications, pellets release hormones directly into the bloodstream, avoiding processing by the liver.
 
Potential for Improved Sexual Function: Studies suggest it may improve sexual function in both men and women experiencing a decline due to hormonal changes.

Exploring if it is Right for You
While it offers promising benefits, it's important to remember that it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some factors to consider when deciding if it's right for you:
 
Your Health: Discuss your medical history and current health status with your doctor. Certain medical conditions may make hormone therapy unsuitable.
 
Your Symptoms: Be aware of the specific symptoms you want to address through HRT.
 
Your Expectations: Hormone therapy is not a magic bullet. Discuss realistic expectations with your doctor regarding symptom improvement and potential side effects.
 
It's crucial to find a qualified healthcare professional experienced in this therapy. They can assess your needs, determine if you're a good candidate for this therapy, and monitor your progress throughout treatment.

Summing it Up:
In conclusion, hormone pellet therapy presents a unique option for individuals seeking relief from symptoms associated with hormonal decline. Offering potentially more stable hormone levels and a convenient dosing method can improve the quality of life for many people.
 
However, the decision to pursue this therapy or any form of HRT should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. They can guide you through the process, address your needs and concerns, and ensure the chosen HRT approach is safe and effective.
 
Remember, taking charge of your health includes asking questions, understanding your options, and advocating for yourself. With open communication and a collaborative approach with your doctor, you can explore if it can help you regain balance and live a more fulfilling life.
 
 

BOZEMAN — A Montana State University researcher was recently awarded a $2.76 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to help find pre-symptom evidence of the onset of osteoarthritis, a disease that affects one in seven Americans.   

Osteoarthritis, or OA, is an often-painful disease resulting from the breakdown of joint cartilage and the underlying bone, according to Ron June, professor of mechanical engineering in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. A degenerative disease, OA is the fourth most common cause of disability globally and can often require joint-replacement surgery.   

“This project has the potential to lead to earlier diagnosis of osteoarthritis, which might allow patients to improve their joint pain before the disease becomes irreversible.” said Dilpreet Bajwa, head of MSU’s Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. 

June said the fluid that surrounds joints, known as synovial fluid, may hold the key to early diagnosis of OA.   

“The first symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in the affected joints. But we think there could be molecular changes at least 10 years before the onset of symptoms,” June said. “There are a lot of signals of the disease inside a joint’s synovial fluid.”  

Also on the project are Mark Greenwood, MSU professor of mathematical sciences; Brian Bothner, director of MSU’s Mass Spectrometry Core Facility; and Don Smith, manager of the core facility. June said his lab and MSU’s Mass Spectrometry Facility have teamed up in the search for pre-symptomatic signs of the disease, which would enable affected patients to take potentially beneficial steps to reduce the severity of symptoms.   

“My lab has developed the ability to measure thousands of small molecules called metabolites in human synovial fluid, which is a thick, viscous fluid that surrounds joints,” June said. “Mark Greenwood has developed a particular method for statistical learning based on these metabolites, which helps us to identify microscopic abnormalities in the metabolites that would indicate the onset of OA.”   

June is also working with researchers at Oxford University.   

“Oxford has the largest set of clinical synovial fluid from osteoarthritic patients in the world,” he said. “They have samples of people from before they had symptoms all the way through the end stages. We have access to their samples.”  

June, who won a prestigious CAREER award from the National Science Foundation in 2016, expects those samples to help him develop metrics to identify arthritic joints as early as possible. The first stage, he said, is to profile the metabolites from more than 1,000 patients with and without OA. From that data, he will develop predictive algorithms to detect early-stage OA. 

“We will then profile the blood of a subset of those patients and hope to also develop a predictive algorithm using a simple blood sample, as opposed to needing synovial fluid, which is more invasive to the patient to obtain,” June said.   

He said he chose to focus his research interest exclusively on OA because it was an opportunity for his work to make a meaningful impact on society.   

“When I was finishing my Ph.D., I asked myself what problem is worth spending my career on,” said June, who came to MSU in 2011. “I thought with the demographic of having an aging population, and osteoarthritis being one of the world’s most widespread diseases, if I could figure out how to detect its onset earlier or to help improve care, it would be an important contribution.”  

Early detection, June said, would allow pre-symptomatic OA patients to take preventative measures to limit potential negative outcomes.   

“It has become clear that for as many as 50% of OA patients, appropriate intervention, including physical therapy and activities that promote movement such as yoga, can help prevent the need for joint replacement surgery,” he said.

BOZEMAN -- The Bozeman Symphony’s fifth classical concert of the 2023/24 season, Elgar’s Enigma Variations, in April will also include Principal Oboist Sandy Stimson’s performance of Nigel Westlake’s Spirit of the Wild.

This concert opens with Hailstork’s An American Port of Call, unleashing the energy of a busy North American port city. Sandy Stimson, the Bozeman Symphony’s beloved principal oboist will then take center stage to perform Westlake’s Spirit of the Wild. This work utilizes the oboe to depict the diverse majesty of Western Tasmania’s wilderness. Rounding out the program is a classic masterpiece, Elgar’s Enigma Variations. The concert will conclude with Variations for Orchestra on an Original Theme, Op. 26 “Enigma,” an orchestral work comprising 14 variations on an original theme.

Guest conductor Chelsea Gallo will guide the audience on an extraordinary musical journey introducing a colorful cast of musical characters. Labeled a “rising star,” Gallo has been praised for her ability to lead the orchestra with grace and fiery command. She has served as Assistant Conductor to The Florida Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and a Cover Conductor for the New York Philharmonic. She will be a regular Guest Conductor with the Virginia Symphony and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

In addition to the Bozeman Symphony, Stimson performs on English horn with the Billings Symphony. She also performs locally with the Montana Ballet Company, and Intermountain Opera Company, and performs chamber music with the Rosewood Duo and the Bridger Winds woodwind quintet. She holds a Master of Music degree from Yale University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Ithaca College.

Performances are Saturday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 14, at 2:30 p.m., at the WillsonAuditorium, 404 West Main Street in downtown Bozeman. These concerts would not be possible without the support of sponsors Cal and Tricia DeSouza, Rick Sanders and Janice Hand, Robyn Erlenbush-ERA Landmark Real Estate, and Renee and Stuart Westlake.

Individual tickets are available at https://www.bozemansymphony.org/enigmavariations.html or by calling the office at 406-585-9774. Adult tickets start at $29 and discounted student tickets (K-12 and college) are available.