HELENA – Following conversations with officials in Stillwater County and area utility companies, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is opening the Yellowstone River from Columbus to Buffalo Mirage Fishing Access Site, the Stillwater River, East Rosebud Creek to Rosebud Creek, and Rosebud Creek to the confluence with the Stillwater River. These rivers and creeks reopen June 28.

The area still has many hazards that could be life threatening including large log jams in side channels. For example, there is a log jam in a large flood plain side channel on river right starting at the downstream end of the BLM parcel upstream of White Bird Fishing Access Site. There is also a pipeline downstream of the Absaroka Fishing Access Site about 0.75 miles along North Stillwater Road.

An 8-inch gas line is exposed upstream of the Jeffries Landing FAS. NorthWestern Energy evacuated the gas from the line and it is not being used. Recreationists may see the orange and yellow line and should avoid it.

While these are known examples, there may be bridge decks, structures and other debris being exposed daily. Recreationists should use caution when deciding whether to float.

Some fishing access sites are open to walk-in only. Port a potties will be delivered to some sites, such as Jeffries Landing FAS, in the coming days to provide temporary latrines while work is done on the vault latrines. 

For current information about water restrictions and closures, visit the FWP website.

On June 26, 2022 at 12:55pm, Gallatin County 911 received a call for an injured skier on the Great One couloir in the Bridger Range. As a group of skiers made their way down the slope, one hit a hard, icy, patch of snow. The skier lost control and fell about 100ft down the slope and was eventually stopped by another member of the party. The individual sustained injuries to their head, neck, hands and legs.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section and Heli Team responded to the area, along with American Medical Response (AMR), and Bridger Canyon Fire Department. With coordinates from the 911 call, the Heli Team flew a shorthaul team to the area, while a ground team made their way to the patient from the Fairy Lake Trailhead.   The patient was shorthauled to the awaiting ambulance, where they were ultimately taken to Bozeman Health for further evaluation. Ground teams made contact with the other parties to ensure the person who helped stop the initial patient was ok.  After a patient evaluation, the teams walked the remaining group back to the trailhead and provided transportation to their vehicles.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind everyone recreating in the mountains to always travel in groups, in case someone is injured. It is also a good idea to have plenty of food, water, communication devices, and medical supplies in case of an emergency. If you are skiing during this time of year, be prepared to have changing snow conditions in different areas on the mountain.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

LIVINGSTON – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, in consultation with Park County and Park Electric Cooperative, has closed a small section of the Yellowstone River near Livingston to all recreation due to overhanging power lines that were damaged by recent flooding.

The river closure extends a total of about 3 miles, from Highway 89 Bridge Fishing Access Site to Sheep Mountain Fishing Access Site. These two sites and several others remain closed while repairs continue.

Recent flooding damaged a power pole, causing power lines that cross the river to hang down close to the water’s surface. Park Electric Cooperative has disconnected power to these lines and will be making necessary repairs.

This section of the river will reopen as soon as conditions allow safe floating. Recreationists can avoid accidents and injury to themselves and others by observing all safety closures and avoiding areas with high flows.

Some fishing access sites that were impacted by flooding have reopened. However, several sites remain closed due to sediment and debris deposits, damaged infrastructure, and site erosion. FWP is working to reopen closed areas as soon as conditions allow. For a current list of closed sites, please visit go.usa.gov/xJ7DY.

On June 23, 2022, at 4:08 pm. Gallatin County Dispatch received a call from Big Sky Ski Patrol requesting assistance for a stranded hiker on Lone Peak.

Big Sky Ski Patrol had communication with the hiker and were able to determine the hiker could not self-extricate. Big Sky Ski Patrol assessed the situation and immediately called for SAR due to the location of the hiker and the terrain.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers responded from the Big Sky Section, Valley Section, and Heli Team. Big Sky Ski Patrol and SAR units staged on the mountain in support of the helicopter short haul mission. Big Sky Ski Patrol directed the helicopter to the hiker who was transported off the mountain by the Heli Team. The hiker was uninjured and required no further medical evaluation.

Sheriff Springer would like to commend the teamwork of Big Sky Ski Patrol working in conjunction with GCSSAR team members. Sheriff Springer recommends having a plan for unexpected events, having clothing appropriate for changing conditions, and bringing food and water when recreating in Gallatin County, even if only for a day hike in the mountains.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Big Sky Ski Patrol.

BOZEMAN — A faculty member in Montana State University’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing has been invited to Washington, D.C., to discuss “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness,” a new documentary from Ken Burns, Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers.

Stacy Stellflug, associate professor with the MSU nursing college’s Billings campus, attended a screening June 22 at the White House for President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, as well as a screening today at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center for members of Congress. Following both screenings, Stellflug is participating in discussions about the film. Stellflug is a nurse practitioner, does research on nursing workforce issues, specializes in pediatric/adolescent health and is the principal investigator for two grants whose purpose is to increase the nurse practitioner workforce in rural Montana. Stellflug’s colleague Kee Dunning, a licensed clinical professional counselor in Billings, also consulted on and is featured in the documentary.

“Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness” tells the story of the mental health crisis among American youth. The film follows more than 20 young Americans from across the country, including two students from Montana, Maclayn Clark and Gabe Peaslee.

The film is set to premier on PBS stations nationwide June 27 and June 28.

In Montana, Montana PBS will broadcast the film in two parts: Part One at 8 p.m. Monday, June 27, and Part Two at 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 28. Part One of the program will be rebroadcast at 1 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, and Part Two will be rebroadcast at 1 a.m. Thursday, June 30. More information is available at the Montana PBS member program guide, which can be accessed at montanapbs.org.

In addition, the Friends of Montana PBS is working with the Hiding in Plain Sight: Montana Committee to co-host a public screening of the film at the Alberta Bair Theater in Billings. The events will be held beginning at 7 p.m. June 27 and beginning at 6 p.m. June 28. More information about the public screening is available at hidinginplainsightdocumentary.com/. Additional public screenings are anticipated on MUS campuses across the state this fall, according to Aaron Pruitt, general manager of KUSM-TV/Montana PBS.

After its initial broadcast, the film will also be available through July 25 for viewing online. Viewers can access the online viewing page at pbs.org/show/hiding-plain-sight-youth-mental-illness/.

Finally, Montana PBS’s director of education, Nikki Vradenburg, is collaborating with Kee Dunning, a Billings-based therapist featured in the film, to host professional learning opportunities for K-12 teachers throughout the coming year. Efforts aim to assist teachers in identifying and supporting youth with mental illness, and segments from the film will be used. The series of in-person and virtual professional learning opportunities are supported by a grant from WETA, a public broadcasting station in the nation's capital, and teachers can earn Montana Office of Public Instruction credits for participating. More information is available at montanapbs.org/education/professional-learning-for-educators/.

On June 22, 2022 at 8:45pm, Gallatin County dispatch received a call for a hiker located above the M on the College M Trail, who thought they might be having a heart attack.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley, Bridger Canyon Fire Department, and American Medical Response responded to the trailhead.  Search and Rescue sent a hasty team with an AED up the trail first and made contact with the patient.  After an initial patient evaluation, the patient felt stable enough to walk slowly down the hill with assistance from SAR and medical personnel.

Additional SAR teams met the group at the M, where the patient was again feeling nauseas and pain in their right arm.  Crews decided to package the patient and wheel them down in the one wheeled litter.  All crews and SAR members made it back to the trailhead where the patient was transferred to the care of AMR and transported to Bozeman Health for further evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind hikers that accidents and medical emergencies can happen at any time and on any trail.  With warmer temperatures and longer days, remember to take more water than you think is necessary, make sure you have a reliable communication device, try to hike with at least one other person, and always tell someone where you are going and when you should be back.

Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

Helena, Mont. (June 23, 2022) – The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, an internationally renowned nonprofit creative center dedicated to the ceramic arts known as The Bray, has announced that Rebecca Harvey will be its new executive director, beginning July 1. The Bray worked with Arts Consulting Group, which specializes in national leadership searches for arts organizations, to conduct the international search. 

Harvey is a seasoned leader in arts education. Her career includes more than 25 years at The Ohio State University in numerous roles, including chair of the Department of Art, professor and chair of the senate steering committee. She also served at the Royal College of Art in London as head of programme, applied arts. Most recently, she has been director and professor at Ball State University’s School of Art. 

“Rebecca is wholly committed to collaborative, transparent and transformative leadership, always striving to create an environment where the community can thrive, and we believe she will bring an exciting, fresh perspective to The Bray,” said Steven Young Lee, director emeritus and special projects manager of The Bray. “With her extensive leadership experience at complex educational institutions, her passion for students and her commitment to the ceramic arts, she is the ideal person to lead us in our next phase of growth and vision, and we are honored to welcome Rebecca to The Bray.” 

“I am thrilled to be joining The Bray. I see my role as executive director as a way to take all of my skills and experiences, from boots-on-the-ground work to future planning, and help further evolve this storied organization,” said Harvey. “I am over the moon about the possibilities ahead—building upon The Bray’s tremendous history and continuing its essential work for an inclusive and collaborative future—and delighted to be able to center that conversation on all things ceramic.” 

Harvey received her MFA in Ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and her BFA from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She has received international recognition for her artistic practice, including residencies in Dresden, Germany; Uppsala, Sweden; Jingdezhen, China; and Olafsfjordur, Iceland.

Harvey is replacing Steven Young Lee, who spent 15 years at the helm of The Bray as resident artistic director. Lee has now transitioned to the newly created roles of director emeritus and special projects manager. As director emeritus, Lee will help transition the management and artistic leadership of The Bray to Harvey, and will continue to help build the organization’s foundation and maintain relationships with key donors. As special projects manager, he will help establish innovative programs that further The Bray’s reach into diverse communities.

“We are immensely grateful to Steven Young Lee for his many years of steady and impactful leadership. During his tenure, he has guided The Bray through a period of exceptional growth and evolution,” said Sue Tirrell, board chair at The Bray. “With new leadership and the recent, transformative $15 million endowment by the Windgate Foundation, The Bray is at an exciting and pivotal moment in our 71-year history.”
 

About The Bray

The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, known as The Bray, is a public, nonprofit creative center solely dedicated to the ceramic arts. Founded in 1951 by brickmaker Archie Bray, the mission of The Bray is to enhance commitment to, and investment in, the ceramic arts. Located in Helena, Montana, near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the 26-acre former brickyard serves as a gathering place for emerging and professional ceramic artists. Its programs include an international artist-in-residence program, workshops and community classes, curated exhibitions, an on-site and virtual sales gallery, and a ceramic supply facility that provides “Bray Clay” and technical support to artists from around the world. The Bray | Bray Clay | Bray Gallery

Camper Stephanie prepares for a flight with Summit Aviation President, Ben Walton, during the company's annual Cancer Survivor Flight Camp.
Photo credit: Capture Now Studios

Belgrade, MT—June 23, 2022 – Summit Aviation is thrilled to announce the kickoff of our 8^th Annual Cancer Survivor Flight Camp June 27^th- July 1^st. Hosted in conjunction with local non-profit Eagle Mount Bozeman, the camp offers the unique opportunity for young cancer survivors to get into the cockpit and fulfill their dreams of flying while training with Summit Aviation’s Certified Flight Instructors as well as company owner, Ben Walton.
 
“The event is such a special experience,” says Walton, “All of our campers have missed out on fun or cool opportunities during their treatments, and some of them still deal with limitations from that to this day. This camp provides an incredible opportunity for those young cancer survivors to not only explore their love of aviation, but also boost their confidence and show them what they’re capable of. We’re really excited to celebrate our 8^th year of camp and I’m sure it will be the best yet.”
 
            The Flight Camp brings four young cancer survivors to Summit Aviation’s award-winning flight school in Belgrade, MT for a five-day immersive camp. This year’s campers include Parker, a Lymphoblastic Leukemia survivor, Brianna, an osteosarcoma survivor, Seamus, a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor and Quinn, a bone cancer survivor.
 
Each day begins with a flight over Montana’s beautiful landscapes, followed by themed lunches donated by various local restaurants and grocery stores, ground courses by Summit’s instructors, and behind-the-scenes private airport tours. The week culminates in a “graduation flight” to Driggs, Idaho, during which campers get a bird’s eye view of the majestic Yellowstone National Park and Grand Tetons.
 
This program would not be able to be a soaring success without the generosity of Flight Camp’s many donors. Sponsors donate both monetarily and through needed food and supplies to make the Flight Camp come to fruition. This year’s donors include Jet Aviation, River Bend Threads, Bozeman Yellowstone Airport Fire Station & Maintenance Crew, Embraer, Warbirds Café, Town & Country Foods, New Day Bakery, Rise and Shine Café & Bakery, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Roost Fried Chicken, McKenzie River Pizza Co., Albertsons, Montana 99s, Rocky Mountain Surgical Center, Billings Clinic and our many individual donors. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this camp possible! Without your generosity and passion for this community, our Cancer Survivor Flight Camp would remain grounded.
 
About Summit Aviation
Founded in 2001, Summit Aviation, Inc. is a comprehensive aviation center specializing in aircraft sales, charter operations, aircraft management, and pilot training with retention.  The company is one of the Northwest’s premier charter operators, the official flight training provider for Gallatin College MSU’s aviation program and has become a leader in the general aviation safety community.

WHITEHALL – More events are coming up in July as part of Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park’s summer speaker series.

A full list of this summer’s events at the Caverns can be found at fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/lewis-and-clark-caverns.

July 1 through 4

On Friday, July 1, the park will welcome Franco Littlelight to speak about Native American History. Littlelight’s presentation will begin at 8 p.m. in the campground amphitheater.

Join park ranger Ramona Radonich on Saturday, July 2, for a closer look at the skulls of several animals that live in the park. This presentation will be at 8 p.m. in the campground amphitheater. It has been said that form follows function, and a study of skulls gives credence to this statement. In this talk, visitors will discover what different forms of skulls can teach about how animals function. Visitors will have the opportunity to look straight up the nose of a bear skull and deep into the eye orbits of a cougar. Visitors will also have the opportunity to touch the furs that protect these animals.

On Sunday, July 3, park ranger Radonich will lead a hike and discussion on some of the park’s smallest wildlife: insects. While all bugs are insects, not all insects are bugs, Radonich says. Visitors will learn why this is and much more about the park’s six-legged critters. This program will begin at 1 p.m. at the main visitor center.

On Monday, July 4, park ranger Radonich will teach an orienteering course. Come learn how to use a compass, then set out on a course to see if you can find your way home again. Compasses will be provided for those who do not have one. This program will begin at 9 a.m. at the main visitor center.

Planning your visit

Ranger Ramona almost never cancels a program. If visitors come, she will do the program. If the weather is bad, she will simply move the program to a sheltered area. For evening programs, notification of a change in location due to weather will be posted on the signboard at the amphitheater entrance 30 minutes before the program starts.

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is about 15 miles southeast of Whitehall, along Montana Highway 2. For more information about the park, please visit stateparks.mt.gov/lewis-and-clark-caverns or call 406-287-3541.

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, in close consultation with Park and Stillwater county officials, is re-opening the closed sections of the Yellowstone River to recreation on Thursday.

However, river levels continue to be high and at potentially dangerous levels. Several FWP sites along the river are closed or have restricted access while crews assess and repair these sites. FWP is actively assessing local impacts at sites along the Yellowstone River and its tributaries and will re-open or remove restrictions as soon as conditions are safe. Visitors can find the latest information on closures and restrictions on the FWP website.

“The conditions continue to be hazardous, and so we encourage people to exercise an abundance of caution when around the river,” said FWP Director Hank Worsech. “Our staff is working hard to get sites back open for the public.”

Though the Yellowstone River opens tomorrow, in Stillwater County closures are still in place for the Stillwater River, West Rosebud Creek from Rosebud Isle Fishing Access Site to the confluence of Rosebud Creek, and Rosebud Creek to the confluence with the Stillwater.

Even though FWP sites in these areas may be opening soon, visitors should be prepared to encounter impacts from the flooding, including soft or rough roads, flooding debris, and flood-impacted latrines.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Montana Department of Health and Human Services, and FWP are advising recreationists to use extreme caution around floodwaters due to the potential exposure to bacteria such as E. coli. The recommendations are to avoid contact with floodwaters for two weeks after the flood. (See press release.)

Waters continue to be high elsewhere in the state as well, including areas of western and northwest Montana. For the latest restrictions and closures, please go to the FWP website.