BOZEMAN — Bozeman has taken another step towards managing their water supply and demand. Last night, Bozeman City Commission adopted the 2023 Water Conservation Plan, a tool that will serve as a roadmap for the water conservation program through 2040.
 
“This plan is truly forward-thinking and ensures that the city implements cost-effective program measures,” Jessica Ahlstrom, Water Conservation Program Manager explained. “Bozeman is drought-prone and located in a closed basin that poses a challenging legal framework to developing new water supplies, making conservation a key component of the city’s water resource management strategy. Existing program efforts have been successful in reducing water use, thanks to community members doing their part to conserve. Because of these improvements in water conservation, we have been able to see stable levels of water usage, despite having more residents move here.”

 
The Plan includes a water demand analysis, an evaluation of the existing water conservation program as well as additional program measures for future implementation and an implementation plan and schedule. The Plan recommends seven new measures be implemented in addition to existing ones, including a landscape ordinance that requires new development to install landscape features that reduce water use. That ordinance is set to be reviewed by the Commission in the coming months.

 
In 2013, the City Commission adopted an Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP), which identifies water supply and use policies and practices for future consideration and recommends that water conservation be a cornerstone of Bozeman’s water resource management. Specifically, the IWRP recommends that water conservation measures reduce the projected water supply/demand gap by fifty percent by the year 2062. 

 
The City has implemented numerous water conservation education and incentive-based initiatives, including education campaigns, four indoor rebates, six outdoor rebates, free product giveaways, free sprinkler system assessments, free commercial site assessments, five drought-tolerant demonstration gardens, a free customer water use portal, free publications, and community event participation in which over 9,000 people have been reached.

 
Some of the major regulatory measures that have passed include drought management plans, water conservation-based rates and drought rates, and permanent time of day and day of week outdoor watering restrictions.
 
More information on water conservation, including a link to the full Plan, is available at www.bozemanwater.com.

For medical practices, maximizing revenue realization requires effective management of the entire billing lifecycle. From patient intake to claim submission to reimbursement, inefficiencies at any step can impact the bottom line. Historically, medical billing relied on manual processes and spreadsheets. Today, purpose-built software offers a more modern approach with potential advantages in productivity, compliance, data access and analytics. 

Claim Preparation and Submission

Traditional billing manually creates claims by entering details from patient and EHR systems. This leads to errors from repetitive data entry, taking significant time to reconcile. Software like ClaimGenix imports details electronically to auto-populate accurate claims faster. Tools also verify completeness against payers’ published requirements to reduce rejections.

Tracking and Follow Up

Following up on pending, rejected or denied claims is challenging with traditional notes and tickler systems. Software centralizes claims data for easy status tracking. Users get notifications when actions are required to work claims. Reporting details areas needing follow up like pending statuses and common denial reasons.

Code and Charge Entry

Choosing billing codes and charge amounts correctly is imperative yet complex. Traditional billing references printed code books and fee schedules. Software integrated with EHR systems pulls in approved codes and charges to remove manual searching and pricing. Tools like ClaimGenix also recommend codes and bundles based on payer rules to maximize reimbursement.

Reporting and Analytics

Limited reporting in traditional billing hinders data-driven insights. Software produces detailed reports on denial trends, payer performance, unpaid claims, and other key metrics. Dashboards highlight areas needing attention. Data analytics uncover new opportunities to drive revenue.

Audit Protection

Manual billing workflows and spreadsheets pose compliance risks during audits. Software provides detailed tracking on claims handling with audit trails showing edits, users, and timestamps. Reports demonstrate billing activities follow published rules and internal protocols.

Administrative Overhead

Traditional billing requires significant administrative tasks like copying and filing claims. Software eliminates paper-based processes for direct electronic submission. Patients can also access portals to reduce overhead on eligibility checks and collections.

Scalability and Cost

Adding billing staff is expensive with traditional methods. Software offers economy of scale, allowing a few experts to manage higher volumes. Automation handles repetitive tasks to reduce labor needs. Cloud deployment lowers IT infrastructure costs.

Patient Payments

Collecting patient payments is disconnected from hospital billing. Integrated solutions like ClaimGenix centralize receivables data to facilitate both self-pay collection and balance recovery following insurance payments. Patients can pay online through payment portals.

Conclusion

In today’s complex, fast-changing billing environment, outdated manual processes expose providers to lost revenue and compliance risks. Purpose-built software brings accuracy, efficiency, data access, scalability and automation that transforms billing. While traditional methods sufficed in the past, integrated solutions are needed to maximize revenue in the modern healthcare landscape.

Starting Monday, Oct. 30, regular public office hours at the Gallatin County Motor Vehicle offices in Bozeman and Belgrade will be reinstated.  

The Gallatin County Motor Vehicle Department is responsible for titling, registration and collection of fees associated with motor vehicles in the county.  

Starting next week, public office hours will return to 8 AM to 5 PM at the Bozeman office (Gallatin County Courthouse, 311 W. Main St.) and 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Belgrade office (312 W. Main St., suite B-8). Both are open Mondays through Fridays except for legal holidays.  

Both offices have had temporarily reduced public hours since June due to short staffing. While the Motor Vehicle Department is still down two full-time positions, additional employees have been brought on board to ease the workload. And the county continues to recruit for those vacant positions.  

We also recently launched online titling and registration services, which are available for dealership purchases to save customers a trip to our offices. Those services can be found on our website.   

We greatly appreciate the public’s patience during these last few months. Long wait times in our lobbies are frustrating, but we’ve been working tirelessly to hire and train new staff and add more online services to better serve all our customers.  

For information on job openings in the Motor Vehicle Department, and all other county departments, please visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gallatinmt. There you can see detailed job descriptions and apply today! 

And a friendly reminder that we do not provide driver’s licenses – those are handled by the state in a separate office. 

There are several unique chicken jerky flavors available in the market today. The best thing about these unique flavors is that you will always find something that suits your taste. Also, they allow you to unleash your inner foodie.

Continue reading to learn more about these chicken-based jerky:

Why Chicken Jerky?

Chicken jerky is one of the best snacks available in the market today. It is because this chicken jerky is:

• Nutritious and wholesome.
• Packed with amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and proteins, ensuring a wide range of health benefits.
• Convenient and does not require refrigeration.Portable, making it one of the best on-the-go snacks.
• Has a long shelf life.
• Has a low spoilage risk.
• The best snack alternative for individuals looking forward to reducing their carb intake.

Health benefits of chicken jerky

Chicken jerky is incredibly popular in the market. Their popularity arises because they have several health benefits. These healthy jerky benefits include the following:

• They have high protein levels. Proteins are one of the most essential nutrients for human beings. They help repair and build tissues, maintain a healthy immune system, and support muscle growth. In addition, the high protein levels allow a quick recovery from exercises and ensure one grows stronger in time.
• They are rich in essential nutrients. Chicken provides an incredible source of essential oils, such as selenium, niacin, vitamin B6, and phosphorus. These essential nutrients are vital in several body functions. For example, they provide immune and metabolism support.
• They are low-fat foods. Chicken has a naturally low-fat content. This low-fat content is essential as it helps individuals to manage their body weight.
• They are gluten-free. Chicken is naturally gluten-free. Therefore, the chicken jerky will make the perfect snack for gluten-sensitive individuals. 

Traditional chicken jerky flavors

Traditional chicken jerky flavors often comprise a mixture of slightly sweet, smoky, and savory profiles. Here is a list of some of these traditional flavors:

• Barbecue flavor. The barbecue flavor is savory, spicy, and sweet. This flavor is perfect for any occasion.
• Peppered flavor. The peppered flavor often comprises black pepper seasoning. This black pepper adds a slightly spicy and bold flavor to the jerky.
• Original flavor. The original flavor comprises blended pepper, salt, and other spices seasoning. It facilitates one of the most natural jerky flavors.
• Teriyaki flavor. This flavor promotes a savory and sweet taste. It comprises mirin, sugar, soy sauce, and various seasonings.
• Smoked flavor. This flavor is prepared using a smoking process. 

Exploring Unique Chicken Jerky Flavors

Apart from the traditional flavors, there are a variety of unique jerky flavors that you can try. These unique chicken-based jerky flavors include the following:

Classic Chicken Jerky Flavors

The classic jerky is incredibly popular. It uniquely balances sweet, savory, and slightly peppery elements. This jerky flavor caters to a wide range of taste preferences and includes the following flavors:

• Honey-glazed
• Lemon-pepper
• SpicySesame-ginger
• SpicyGarlic parmesan
• Soy ginger

Exotic Chicken Jerky Flavors

Exotic chicken jerky flavors are perfect for anyone with adventurous taste buds. They often feature a unique combination of ingredients, seasonings, and spices. Thus, some of the unique exotic flavors include the following:

•Sriracha
• Mango habanero
• Curry
• Pineapple jalapeno
• Maple bourbon
• Wasabi soy

Fusion Chicken Jerky Flavors
As the name suggests, the fusion flavors come from a blend of different culinary traditions and cuisines. The result of this fusion is an innovative and unique flavor that leads to a novel snacking experience. Some examples of these flavors that you may find in the market are:

• Mango chili lime
• Korean BBQ
• Thai curry
• Hawaiian luau
• Chimichurri lime
• Sweet chili basil

Gourmet Chicken Jerky Flavors
The gourmet chicken-based jerky flavors cater to individuals with sophisticated tastes. They feature unique combinations and high-quality ingredients that guarantee a premium snacking experience. Some of the most unique gourmet jerky flavors include the following:

• Balsamic glaze
• Truffle infused
• Fig and prosciutto
• Ginger soy glaze
• Parmesan garlic
• Smoked paprika

Homemade Chicken Jerky Flavors
The best thing about homemade chicken jerky is that you make it in the comfort of your own home. Also, you get to use the locally available ingredients. One vital thing that you should note as you make your homemade chicken jerky is that you can experiment with a wide range of flavors. These flavors may include:

• Lemon herb
• Tandoori masala
• Classic teriyaki
• Soy ginger
• Honey mustard
• Spicy mango

In Conclusion

The healthy jerky benefits are one of the most attractive features of chicken jerky. The benefits arise because chicken-based jerky has several nutritional values. A significant part of this nutritional value is that it has a high protein concentration level. The high protein concentration level facilitates a healthy immune system.

ENNIS – A hunter killed a grizzly bear Saturday during a close encounter in the Gravelly Range.

The hunter was reportedly charged by the bear before shooting and killing the bear at close range in self-defense. The hunter was not injured.

Staff from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks visited the scene the next day and confirmed the bear mortality. The bear was an adult female grizzly with no known conflict history. The bear was in good body condition and appeared to be digging a den near where the encounter took place.

This incident is still under investigation by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Be bear aware

Montana is bear country. Grizzly bear populations continue to become denser and more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in more places each year.

This time of year is when bears are active for longer periods as they prepare for hibernation. This period overlaps with hunting season and other fall recreation activities. Hunters should be aware that bears will remain active throughout the general season.

Avoiding conflicts with bears is easier than dealing with conflicts. Here are some precautions to help residents, recreationists and people who work outdoors avoid negative bear encounters:

• Carry bear spray and practice to be prepared to use it immediately.
• Make noise to alert bears to your presence and travel in groups.
• Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears.
• Follow food storage orders from the applicable land management agency.
• Keep garbage, bird feeders, pet food and other attractants put away in a secure building. Keep garbage in a secure building until the day it is collected. Certified bear-resistant garbage containers are available in many areas.
• Never feed wildlife. Bears that become food conditioned lose their natural foraging behavior and pose threats to human safety. It is illegal to feed bears in Montana.
• If you are attacked by a bear and you are without a deterrent or the deterrent hasn’t worked, stay face down on the ground, protecting your face and neck with your arms. Stay still until you’re certain the bear has moved away.

People who hunt in places that have or may have grizzly bears—which includes areas of Montana west of Billings—should take special precautions:

• Carry bear spray and practice to be prepared to use it immediately.
• Look for bear sign and be cautious around creeks and areas with limited visibility.
• Hunt with a group of people. Making localized noise can help alert bears to your presence.
• Be aware that elk calls and cover scents can attract bears.
• Bring the equipment and people needed to help field dress game and remove the meat from the kill site as soon as possible.
• If you need to leave part of the meat in the field during retrieval, hang it at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 150 yards from the gut pile. Leave it where it can be observed from a distance of at least 200 yards.
• Upon your return, observe the meat with binoculars. If it has been disturbed or if a bear is in the area, leave and call FWP.

Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzlies rests with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, working closely in Montana with FWP, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, Wildlife Services, and Native American tribes. This collaboration happens through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.

For more information and resources on bear safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware.

 Residents around Bozeman, and commercial haulers, may have a closer place in the future to dispose of trash rather than heading to the landfill in Logan. Gallatin County and the City of Bozeman have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a solid waste transfer station. The city will donate a plot of land located by the Water Reclamation facility to the county, who will construct and operate the project through its Solid Waste District.

“We’re grateful for this important partnership with Bozeman,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown. “Seeing this project through will be an enormous benefit to our citizens, now and into the future.”

A solid waste transfer station is a midpoint for trash and acts as a temporary holding area. Currently, when garbage trucks collect trash, they must make the nearly 30-mile drive to the landfill each time for disposal, then 30 miles back to the urban center. By having a smaller area nearer to the population center where the trash can be compacted prior to transport, the overall number of trips to the landfill is greatly reduced.

These sites reduce wear and tear on collection vehicles and resident cars as people do not need to travel as far for disposal, resulting in cost savings in fuel and vehicle maintenance and replacement. They also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, free up congestion at the landfill itself, save time for residents and haulers, and reduce litter along the highway.

While Bozeman also has the Bozeman Convenience Site for solid waste disposal, it only accepts regular household materials in small quantities, not bulk trash or trash from haulers. It cannot be set up to be a transfer site as that is not permitted under the operating license and the site is not large enough nor have the ability for appropriate traffic flow for a transfer station. The county is making plans to close that site.

“The county has been great stewards of our solid waste, and we’re excited to be able to provide the land and partner with them on this new project,” Bozeman Mayor Cyndy Andrus stated. “This change alone will cut emissions by more than 350 metric tons, which goes a long way in helping us meet our climate action goals. We hope residents will use the site too and find it a lot more convenient than heading out to Logan.”

Find more information on solid waste management in Gallatin County at https://www.gallatinsolidwaste.org/.

BOZEMAN — After 34 years of teaching at Montana State University while concurrently producing dozens of films and raising two children, Dennis Aig is ready for bed.

The 73-year-old left his mark on the film industry through his own work and by influencing generations of young filmmakers in the classroom and on film sets. In nearly every project Aig worked on, he included students, allowing them to gain valuable hands-on experience and strengthen their resumes.

“I always tell my production management class, I can teach you process but I can’t teach you what it’s really like,” Aig said. “I can tell you what to do, but I can’t tell you how you’re going to have to do it, because every film is different. Immersing the students in an actual movie that is being made with experienced filmmakers and at a very high level, that’s really the best way to learn because you see how they handle the situations.”

In recent years, students have returned the favor by hiring Aig to produce their films. He co-produced the award-winning documentary “Youth v. Gov” — now available on Netflix — with former student Christi Cooper, who directed, produced and wrote the film.

“One of the biggest compliments I’ve ever had was that I’ve had my former students ask me to help them produce their films,” Aig said.

For his documentary “Unbranded,” Phil Baribeau, an MSU graduate and founder of Implements Productions, tapped Aig to run production while Baribeau traveled with cast members as they drove a group of wild mustangs from Mexico to Canada, through the Rocky Mountains.

When filming for “Unbranded” was about to begin, Aig was asked to take over as director of MSU’s School of Film and Photography, which he did, from 2013 to 2016, while simultaneously teaching and producing.

“So, I didn’t sleep for like three years,” Aig said.

This exemplifies his motto of “embrace the chaos,” a line that resonated with Aig’s students and reflects the work of a film producer, where one minute everything can be going smoothly and the next, pandemonium erupts.

“You have to love that — the idea that if you make a mistake, the deep end is not too far away, but if you do it right, higher ground is there, too,” Aig said.

Cindy Stillwell, an MSU film professor who worked alongside Aig for 24 years, was impressed with his persistence, levelheadedness and almost photographic memory. She reflected fondly on listening to him share knowledge with students in his office next door to hers.

“I remember him being the voice of reason when passions ran high on the set from various stress or whatever,” Stillwell recalled. “Dennis talked me off a ledge more than once. He just embraces chaos and rolls with it.” 

Aig accepted a job at MSU in 1989 to teach in the College of Arts and Architecture and produce films for Montana PBS. He was born in New York but moved to Montana from Ohio, where he attended graduate school and made marketing videos for a chemical information company. The 1970s “second golden era of film,” which included several Martin Scorsese movies, “The Godfather” series and “Star Wars,” inspired Aig to pursue a film career.

His first big hit, 1992’s “Shadow Casting: The Making of ‘A River Runs Through It,’” jumpstarted his career as a filmmaker. Aig has won five regional Emmys while also overseeing the film school’s MFA  program and its rise to the nation’s No. 1 ranked program in science and natural history filmmaking .

While most known for his work on documentaries, Aig has also produced dramatic feature films, commercials and even music videos. Olivia Andrus, a former student of Aig’s, learned from him how to diversify.

“I’m a better producer because of him,” she said. “He’s been in the industry and has done everything. He thinks filmmaking is filmmaking, regardless of genre. He taught us to be open to all of the opportunities that come our way.”

Although Aig’s retirement from MSU leaves a hole in the film department, his legacy endures among the students and faculty he positively influenced during the last four decades, according to Alexis Pike, interim director of MSU’s School of Film and Photography. She noted Aig’s perseverance, work ethic and generous sharing of information as key factors that led to his success as a professor, producer and administrator.

“I think the one thing about Dennis is that his legacy continues in the students he has mentored and the opportunities that they have been able to carve out for themselves in the industry,” Pike said. “He is very supportive of those students and also serves as an example of working in the industry while working in academia.”

However, she questioned his sleeping habits.

“Dennis sends emails at the crack of dawn – 4 a.m. sometimes. I don’t know if he sleeps. I really don’t,” Pike said.

Baribeau added, “When you’re on a project with him, you can pretty much expect you’re going to get an email at 11 p.m. or midnight, and then your next email is going to be at 4 or 5  in the morning.” 

Aig’s former students and coworkers agreed: The man deserves some rest.

But he’s not done yet. “I only have one job now,” Aig said with a smirk.

He’s still working on films. He recently produced a thriller that is looking for distribution, “Thine Ears Shall Bleed,” and is collaborating with another former student, Cynthia Matty-Huber, on a documentary about the Montana photographer Barbara Van Cleve. He plans to continue producing, “as long as I can see and stand up.”

With his career as a professor in the rearview mirror, Aig plans to spend more time with his wife, daughters and grandchild. And maybe get some rest.

“It’s one reason I decided to retire,” he said. “I have to get some sleep. You can only do this for so long.”

BOZEMAN – Montana State University will be part of a new, federally designated regional technology hub focused on photonics and smart sensor technology, research areas in which MSU has decades of experience.

The Economic Development Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, announced today that the state of Montana has been named a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub. The program is designed to drive regional growth by strengthening the region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize and deploy critical technologies, according to the program’s website.

The Tech Hub designation and its accompanying strategic development grant will allow the state of Montana to compete for millions of dollars in new federal and private funding to advance smart photonics sensing systems for autonomous systems that can be applied to critical defense, resource management and disaster prevention applications.

Montana was chosen from among nearly 200 applicants to receive one of 31 designations and 29 strategic development grants. Montana State University will be a member of a statewide consortium to develop the Headwaters Regional Technology and Innovation Hub along with companies; state, local and tribal governments; regional economic development organizations; and other academic institutions in the state.

“This designation affirms Montana State University’s status as a top-tier research university,” said MSU President Waded Cruzado. “Montana State University is excited to offer our expertise in photonics and optics to the Tech Hub, whose goals aligns tightly with Montana State’s own longstanding commitment to serving our state and benefitting our local economies with new technologies and innovations.”

The Tech Hub program was enacted as part of the federal and Science Act of 2022. Montana’s U.S. Sen. Jon Tester secured an important provision in that law to ensure the Tech Hubs program included rural states, which paved the way for Montana to be included. Montana U.S. Sen. Steve Daines was a co-sponsor of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, also known as the Endless Frontier Act, which became the CHIPS and Science Act.

Montana State University’s staff and faculty include leading experts on smart photonic sensing, which is the core technology for the Headwaters Technology Hub, said Alison Harmon, vice president for research and economic development at Montana State University.

“That Montana State University expertise has stimulated the growth of a robust photonics industry in the Gallatin Valley,” Harmon said. “The technologies have wide-ranging applications from autonomous vehicles to precision agriculture.”

“The Tech Hub and Montana State University will help strengthen local economies in Montana and bolster our national security in terms of food, water and energy,” she said. “And we’re very excited about the new opportunities for our students as they engage in workforce preparation to become future industry leaders.”

This isn’t the first funding Montana State University has received as part of the federal CHIPS and Science Act. In May, the university announced that it had received two grants from the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines Program, another CHIPS-funded program focused on catalyzing partnerships to positively impact regional economies, accelerate technology development, address societal challenges, advance national competitiveness and create local, high-wage jobs.

The first of those two grants funded research by Montana State University and its partners into how the region can position itself as a leader in quantum technology, which is set to play a critical role in 21st century communications, computing and other related fields. The university is already part of the MonArk Quantum Foundry, supported by a $20 million NSF grant in 2021 focused on developing the specialized materials needed for quantum devices.

The second Engines grant will let Montana State University, as part of a project led by the University of North Dakota, explore ways to leverage its expertise in photonics to grow a regional economy for autonomous systems, such as self-driving cars and drones for precision agriculture.

“The Tech Hub designation is another exciting opportunity for Montana State University,” said Joseph Shaw, distinguished professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering and a member of the Montana consortium team.

“We have world-class expertise in the kind of optical technologies that are the key to making these smart-sensing autonomous systems work,” Shaw said. “Because of that groundwork, Montana State University is in a position where, in just a few years, we’re going to be on the short list of places to go to when you need this kind of technology.”

Montana State University’s research on lasers and other optical tools goes back to the 1980s and has helped spin off dozens of local companies, including some now making sensors for guiding self-driving trucks, mapping invasive weeds and more. Those and related technologies could allow for drones suited to applications in agriculture, self-driving farming machinery and other tools that could benefit rural communities, said Shaw, who also directs the university’s Optical Technology Center, or OpTeC.

“This is about mapping out how we could help create these technologies with rural applications but also how we can spread the economic benefit around the state and the region to create good high-tech jobs,” Shaw said. “We’re really committed to that.”

HELENA – By order of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, the hunting of all mountain lions will close in Lion Management Unit (LMU) 411, one-half hour after sunset today, Oct. 23. 

The mountain lion quotas in this LMU have been met. This LMU will re-open for the hunting of all mountains lions for the winter season beginning Dec. 1.

For more information, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov/hunt/by-species to check the current quota status, or call the toll-free number at 1-800-385-7826.