On October 21, 2022, at 1:26 P.M., Gallatin County Dispatch received a call that a rock climber had fallen approximately 20 feet and sustained injuries to their ankle and lower back near the base of Blackline in Big Sky.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section, Valley Section, SAR Heli Team, and AMR responded to assist with the call. SAR Big Sky and Valley ground teams deployed on foot to the patient with ropes and a one wheel litter. When they arrived and assessed the patient the ground teams requested a SAR Heli Team shorthaul due to the patient’s condition and location. The patient was packaged and short hauled to an awaiting AMR ambulance. The patient was then transported to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the other climbers for staying with, and helping the injured climber, until help arrived. He would also like to remind everyone that accidents can happen to anyone, to bring plenty of supplies, a communication/location device, and a first aid kit in case of emergencies.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

The Downtown Bozeman Association, Sweet Pea Festival, and First Security Bank Present the 2022 Christmas Gingerbread House Contest.

The Christmas Stroll Gingerbread House Contest has been a community tradition for well over 20 years and this year is no exception. We invite you to participate in this fun activity! 

• Children: 6 and under
• Children: 7-12
• Teens: 13-17
• Adults: 18 and over
• Professional Baker/Pastry Chef

The Downtown Bozeman Association is looking for an artist to create the 2022 Christmas Stroll poster!

Please email a high resolution (300 dpi or greater) .tiff or .jpeg image of 2-D
artwork in 18x24” format by 5 PM on Monday, November 7th.

As a thank you, the winning artist will receive $200 in cash funded by the Downtown Bozeman Association. The artist will also be recognized on our website, social media, and press releases throughout the season.

To submit your piece, please email cache@downtownbozeman.org.
For questions, please call 406-586-4008.

LOGAN, Utah (October 20, 2022) -- Al’s Sporting Goods, a full-line specialty sporting goods retailer, announced today the acquisition of Bob Ward & Sons, a sporting goods retailer based out of Missoula, Montana.

“We have approached this deal more like a merger than an acquisition,” said Jason Larsen, President of Al’s Sporting Goods. “We are thrilled to welcome the current staff to the Al’s family, and will work to preserve the Bob Ward & Sons name, reputation, and legacy throughout the state of Montana.”

Al’s Sporting Goods will take over operations of all five of the Bob Ward & Sons locations (listed below).
 
• 3015 Paxson St, Missoula, MT 59801
• 3011 Max Ave, Bozeman, MT 59718
• 1925 Dewey Blvd, Butte, MT 59701
• 3323 Dredge Dr, Helena, MT 59601
• 1120 N 1st St, Hamilton, MT 59840
 
“Montana is a gorgeous state, a great place to be in the outdoors and to do business in,” said Dustin Smith, vice president of Al’s Sporting Goods. “We are so excited to continue to build on the stellar reputation that Bob Ward & Sons has earned serving the people of Montana for over a century.”  

There are no plans to change the company name, however, Al’s Sporting Goods will integrate certain operations and processes that have proven successful in its Utah and Idaho stores. Through the strategic brand partnerships that Al’s Sporting Goods has with so many industry vendors and suppliers, it’s likely that many of the product lines currently offered at the Bob Ward stores will be expanded upon.   

“We have known the Ward family for years and are honored that they have entrusted us to continue their legacy,” said Larsen. “Similar to Al’s Sporting Goods, Bob Ward & Sons has been a family-owned and operated business that began over 100 years ago.  Bringing these two retailers together – we now have over 200 years of combined retailing experience.”

For more information visit www.als.com.

About Al’s Sporting Goods
Al’s Sporting Goods was founded in 1921 in Logan, Utah, by Alvin Moroni Larsen, who borrowed $500 using only a $10 Mexican coin and a handshake as collateral to purchase inventory for a cycling and fishing store. His shop, originally called Al’s Bike, has developed into the oldest full line sporting goods retailer in the state of Utah. Al’s Sporting Goods currently operates in Utah and Idaho, with more stores coming soon. Al’s Sporting Goods offers gear and clothing for "Every Sport. Every Season.", and a unique shopping experience rarely found in sporting goods stores. For more information visit https://www.als.com.

Southwest Montana hunters can help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) by properly disposing of game animal carcasses at three locations across Gallatin County this hunting season.

Dumping carcasses is illegal, unethical, and can spread numerous diseases, including CWD, a fatal disease of deer, elk, and moose.

The Gallatin Solid Waste Management District is proud to assist Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks by providing safe places to dispose of game animal carcasses. In southwest Montana, the Gallatin Solid Waste Management District offers three sites for disposal:

Logan Landfill

10585 Two Dog Rd., Manhattan
Hours:
Until Oct. 31
 Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM
Saturday, 7 AM to 4:30 PM

After Nov. 1
 Monday to Saturday – 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Disposal fees:
Minimum fee – $5 per vehicle

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) (all deer, elk and moose carcasses and whole animals will be disposed as MSW) – $27 per ton

Bozeman Convenience Site

2143 Story Mill Rd., Bozeman
Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday, 8 AM to 3:30 PM
Disposal fees:
Minimum fee – $10 per vehicle
Bulky/oversized item fee – $5

Municipal Solid Waste – $27 per ton

West Yellowstone Transfer Station

263 Ecology Ln., West Yellowstone
Hours:
Until Oct. 31 
Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 4 PM
 Saturday – 9 AM to 1 PM

After Nov. 1
Tuesday to Thursday – 10 AM to 4 PM
Saturday – 9 AM to 1 PM
Disposal fees:
Minimum fee – $8 per vehicle up to 120 pounds

Regular Household Waste – $126 per ton
 
This year, Montana FWP is continuing CWD surveillance in specific areas known as Priority Surveillance Areas, which includes southwest Montana.

Carcass disposal requirements include the following: carcass parts such as brain, eyes, spleen, lymph glands, and spinal cord material, should be left at the kill site when possible. If the animal is transported for taxidermy or meat processing, the brain and spinal tissue must be bagged and disposed of in a landfill. A carcass may be transported within the state regardless of where it was harvested if the carcass parts of disposed of in a landfill after butchering and processing.

This requirement applies to all deer, elk, and moose carcasses wherever in the state they are harvested by hunters or as vehicle-killed salvage.

Protect our herds: property dispose of carcasses!

To learn more about chronic wasting disease in Montana, collecting and submitting samples, surveillance efforts, and what you can do to prevent the spread of the fatal disease, please visit fwp.mt.gov/cwd.

For more information on disposing of game animal carcasses at the three Gallatin Solid Waste Management locations, contact the following:
• Logan Landfill – 406-284-4029
• Bozeman Convenience Site – 406-587-7890
• West Yellowstone Transfer Station – 406-646-9383

HELENA – In Montana, good relationships between hunters and landowners are integral to our opportunities, lead to proper wildlife management and ensure that our hunting traditions continue.

Landowners play an important role in sustaining healthy wildlife populations, contributing to our economy and communities by creating jobs, and providing valuable habitat and treasured open spaces. But the relationship between hunters and landowners can start to fray when just a few hunters abuse the privilege of hunting on private land.

To promote the importance of hunter ethics and improved hunter behavior, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is partnering with other conservation and agriculture organizations to “protect the hunt.”

The campaign is focused on hunter responsibility and respect for private land and the access landowners provide. The slogan is: It’s up to us. Respect access. Protect the hunt.

“Through programs like Block Management, Montana ranch families provide free public hunting experiences across the state. We ask sportsmen to remain diligent in their actions and to protect access by respecting the places they hunt and holding one another accountable,” said Jim Steinbeisser, Montana Stockgrowers Association President.

“While hunters in Montana enjoy a wealth of hunting opportunity on our public lands, private lands in the state offer irreplaceable hunting access and vital habitat for our public wildlife. But access to private lands is a privilege that can be swiftly taken away from us,” said Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Montana Coordinator Kevin Farron. “We must show the utmost respect for these properties and their owners, know – and follow – the rules, and thank landowners for providing access whenever we can.”

While excellent hunter behavior might be the norm in Montana, poor behavior, like not following landowner rules, trespassing, abusing access privileges, littering, and a host of other offenses, can lead to a decline in access opportunities. In fact, many hunters don’t know that not following rules for a block management area can result in a citation for hunting without landowner permission.

“We all know that most hunters do it the right way. That’s why it’s up to us,” said FWP Director Hank Worsech. “Improving hunter and landowner relationships by promoting hunting ethics will enhance the critical relationships between hunters and landowners and allow us to better manage wildlife. It’s good to see both hunters and landowners stepping forward to make it happen.”

Along with an outreach campaign, hunters and landowners can visit the FWP website for more information on hunting ethics, working with landowners, and to link to all the partners involved

When it comes to choosing a topic for a research paper or presentation, the options can seem endless. How do you know which one is the right fit for you? And more importantly, how do you make sure that your topic will be engaging for your audience? In this blog post, we will explore some tips for choosing a research topic.

Why it's important to choose a relevant topic
The best research papers are those that are based on a topic that is both interesting to the writer and relevant to the class or assignment. A paper that is not properly researched or that does not address the prompt in an insightful way is likely to receive a failing grade.

Furthermore, a paper that is based on a topic that is not of interest to the writer is likely to be poorly written and lack the passion that is necessary to persuade readers. Therefore, it is essential to choose a topic for your research paper that you find appealing and that will allow you to produce a high-quality, well-researched paper.

How to find a topic that is fun
There are a number of ways to find a research topic that you're passionate about. One way is to look for topics that are relevant to your field of study. Another way is to look for subjects that are currently being researched by other scholars. However, you can also look for matters that have been previously researched but that you feel have not been adequately explored. Whichever method you choose, the important thing is to ensure that you select a topic that genuinely interests you.

Checking your research for plagiarism
As any student knows, plagiarism is a serious academic offense. Not only can it result in a lower grade on an assignment, but it can also lead to disciplinary action from the school. Given the stakes, it's important to make sure that your work is free of any plagiarized material. While there are a number of ways to do this, one of the most effective is to use a plagiarism checker for students. These tools search through online databases and compare your work to others that have been published. If they find any matches, they will flag them for you so that you can make the necessary changes.

While no plagiarism checker is 100% accurate, they can be a useful tool for ensuring that your work is original.

Tips for narrowing down your topic selection
1. Know your audience: Before you start researching, it's important to know who your audience is. This will help you narrow down your topic selection to something that will be relevant to them.
2. Know your purpose: What are you hoping to accomplish with your research? Once you know your purpose, you can narrow down your topic selection to something that will help you achieve that goal.
3. Do some preliminary research: Once you have a general idea of what you want to research, do some preliminary research to see what's already been done on the topic. This can help you narrow down your focus and make sure you're not duplicating someone else's work.
4. Consider the scope of the project: How much time do you have to dedicate to this project? How much information do you need? These factors will help you determine how narrow or broad your focus should be.
5. Choose a manageable topic: It's important to choose a topic that is both fun and manageable. If the topic is too broad, you'll likely get overwhelmed; if it's too narrow, you may not be able to find enough information. Find a happy medium between the two extremes.
6. Be flexible: As you start researching, be prepared to adjust your focus as necessary. As new information arises, your perspective on the topic may change, which could result in needing to narrow or broaden your focus. Be flexible and willing to change as needed.
7. Get feedback: Once you've chosen a topic and started researching, get feedback from others who are knowledgeable about the subject matter. They may be able to provide insights that help you further refine your focus. following these tips should make narrowing down your research topic selection much easier and less daunting!

How to make sure your research is thorough
Research is a crucial part of writing any paper, but it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information that is available. How can you be sure that you are looking at all of the relevant data? And how do you know when you have enough information to start writing? Here are a few tips to help you make sure your research is thorough.

Start by brainstorming a list of keywords related to your topic. This will help you focus your search and make sure you are looking at all of the relevant material.

Next, use those keywords to search for articles, books, and other sources. Be sure to look at a variety of different sources, including both primary and secondary sources.

Once you have gathered a significant amount of material, take some time to read through it and take notes. As you read, look for patterns and common themes. This will help you start to see the bigger picture and identify the most important points.

Finally, don't forget to check your facts! Make sure all of the information you are using is accurate and up-to-date. Nothing ruins a good paper faster than inaccurate data.

Conclusion
Choosing a topic and conducting thorough research can be challenging, but following these tips should make the process a bit easier.

John Marlow is a freelance writer and researcher with a passion for education. He enjoys helping students improve their writing and research skills, as well as assisting them in finding the right topics.

At approximately 6:45 PM on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunshots at 20 Cliff Manor Ln., approximately 10 miles south of Gallatin Gateway in Gallatin Canyon. A witness reported a female had shot a male and fled the scene. When responders arrived, they found a male, identified as 53-year-old Jason Jones, deceased. Preliminary findings showed Jason died from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigation indicated the suspect to be 50-year-old Kimberli Jones, Jason’s spouse. Kimberli was later found near the Hyalite reservoir deceased due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident is still under investigation at this time.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jason and Kimberli Jones during this time.

BOZEMAN — Maple candies, glazes and the syrup drizzled on a hot stack of pancakes could all get a little sweeter and fresher-tasting thanks to research at Montana State University.

Backed by a new three-year, $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a team led by MSU researcher Stephan Warnat in MSU's Center for Biofilm Engineering is developing innovative sensor networks to monitor microbes that accumulate in equipment used to harvest maple sap and which are known to degrade the taste of finished products.

"What we want to know is, what’s happening with the microbes inside the sap lines, how does that relate to the quality of the sap and then the syrup, and what are the best practices we can recommend for cleaning the lines," said Warnat, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering.

With most syrup being made from sugar maples in eastern Canada and the U.S. Northeast, the Montana researchers may seem unlikely allies of the cause, according to Warnat, but the project is a natural extension of his work to create sensors for measuring microbes in tight, enclosed situations. Originally developed as part of a NASA-funded project to help the space agency study biofilms that form in the plumbing systems of spacecraft, the technology is in many ways ideal for tackling the challenge facing syrup producers, he said.

According to the USDA, maple syrup was a $132 million industry in the U.S. in 2020, with producers making 4.1 million gallons of the sweet liquid. But before syrup can be bottled, sap must be harvested from the trees, with farmers drilling small holes in the trunks and using networks of thin hoses to collect the fluid before boiling it down to concentrate the sugars and unique flavors. Although producers are aware that biofilm buildup can negatively affect syrup flavor, not much is known about the microbes themselves, according to MSU researcher Seth Walk, a co-leader of the new project.

"One thing we know is that microbes love eating sugar,” said Walk, professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology in MSU’s College of Agriculture. “But in this case, we don’t know what they convert it into that can have an off-putting taste and smell."

Walk received a $500,000 USDA grant last September to lead a project focused on sampling microbes from sap lines and using DNA analysis to better understand why biofilms form in some lines but not others. Nicholas Pinkham, an MSU bioinformationist in Walk's lab, is a partner on that project, and both projects include Warnat as well as Christine Foreman, professor of chemical and biological engineering and researcher in the Center for Biolfilm Engineering, and Jesse Randall, a forestry specialist at Michigan State University. The two projects are well aligned to make a positive impact on syrup production, Walk said.

“Right now, with just their limited observations in the field, there’s no way for farmers to know which of their lines have high microbial load and what they should do about it,” Walk said. Farmers typically run disinfectant and water through the lines at the end of the season, but if that proves ineffective, they may have to dispose of expensive but unusable equipment or sell a lower-quality batch of sap at a lower price for making products like candies.

The sensors, developed in Warnat’s lab by mechanical engineering doctoral student Matthew McGlennen, each consist of a small wafer of glass imprinted with very thin lines of gold. When a precise electrical current is passed through the metal, the resulting signal can be used to infer if biofilms are found on the glass surface. Knowing that would provide a wealth of information for tailoring disinfecting protocols, Warnat said.

The focus of the new project is to fine-tune sensors that can both detect the maple microbes and tolerate the temperature swings and other challenges of the sap-line environment as well as link them together so that the information can be displayed on a computer screen. The researchers will also host outreach sessions with maple producers to educate them about the potential for the new technology.

"We think we can get to a point where a farmer sitting in the office can see a readout of the current state of the harvesting lines and know what the protocol is for cleaning them,” Warnat said. The tool could also be used to monitor microbes in municipal water towers, air conditioning ducts and other hard-to-reach places, he added.

"It’s exciting to take these sensors to the field with a new application," Warnat said.

One of the fastest-growing fields for independent business owners is precious metals sales. Working adults who want to start a potentially profitable side job that can eventually transition into full-time work are exploring the viability of precious metal brokerage as a career path. While the niche is expanding at a relatively rapid pace, new entrants must understand not only the benefits but also the challenges of getting started.

The majority of startups in the sector are part-time, one-person entities. The pursuit works well for serious-minded people who are willing to spend the time and effort to slowly build up a client base, write a detailed action plan, and take out small business loans to cover initial expenses. Unlike hundreds of other entrepreneurial pursuits, setting up shop as a broker means making a modest upfront investment for a few items and then spending a lot of time acquiring those first few customers. Here are the essential things you'll need to do in order to improve your financial wellness and become a precious metal broker.

Making a Marketing Plan

In the metals brokerage field, a majority of the initial effort should center on marketing. That means every practitioner must craft a detailed plan of action that includes business cards, taking part in online discussion forums, and joining local social groups like chambers of commerce and entrepreneur societies. Consider buying paid local radio, print, and TV spots as an initial way to develop a regular customer base.

Getting a Small Business Loan

Starting a brokerage company in the metals sector is an exciting prospect, particularly because it offers long-term financial stability, total independence, flexible work schedules, and a chance to earn a living even in the worst economic scenarios. Fortunately, new entrants to the field can take out small business loans to cover any unique expenses. By far, your main cost is acquiring an inventory of gold and silver bullion and storing it in a secure location.

Be sure to apply for a loan as soon as you decide to become a broker. Keep an eye on the spot prices of silver and gold, and decide on how many ounces of each you want to purchase. Some owners choose to focus on just one of the two hot selling metals and make those kinds of decisions before applying for a loan. It's better to have a little more bullion in your bank safety deposit box than you think you'll need during the first few months of operations.

Acquire and Store Your Inventory

Store bullion in a bank's safe deposit box. You can also use the bank as a place to transfer metals to buyers. The cost of a safe box is very reasonable and offers huge advantages over home-based or locker storage. To acquire your first batch of bullion, try to find a local coin or metals dealer that offers bulk discounts and is willing to give you a price as close to spot value as possible. Establishing a relationship with a fair, reputable, and trustworthy wholesale seller is something you should focus on during your first year in business. Purchase two trade legal scales, several purity testing kits, and several high-quality magnifying glasses equipped with battery-powered lights.