BOZEMAN – A groundbreaking event for a multi-use agricultural building off South 19th Avenue will be held Friday, May 24, hosted by the Montana Department of Livestock, Montana Department of Agriculture and Montana State University. 

The Combined State Laboratories groundbreaking will be held at 1 p.m. at the northwest corner of the intersection of 19th Avenue and Lincoln Street. The new, state building will house the Montana Department of Livestock’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Analytical Lab and the MSU Wool Lab. 

The Veterinary Diagnostic Lab provides disease diagnostic support to veterinarians, agricultural producers, animal owners, wildlife managers and other state and federal agencies. It is an accredited veterinary laboratory that also supports public health by testing for zoonotic diseases and ensuring safety and health of milk, eggs and other animal products.

The Montana Department of Agriculture’s Analytical Lab provides analytical services and data to farmers, ranchers, researchers and the public. It serves programs focused on feed, fertilizer, pesticides, groundwater and more to establish guidelines and maintain environmental and agricultural quality. Producers may submit samples to the lab at any time for analysis.

The Wool Lab is currently housed on the MSU campus in its original building, which was built in 1947. MSU’s is the only university-associated wool lab in the nation, conducting research on wool quality and analysis for wool producers around the state and region to assist their profitability, processing around 10,000 wool samples per year. The Wool Lab is collaboratively managed by MSU’s Department of Animal and Range Sciences and MSU Extension.

The joint lab complex was made possible by appropriations made by the Montana Legislature during the 2021 and 2023 sessions as well as action by the Montana Board of Regents to provide university land for a joint, state-agency facility. The new facility replaces existing lab facilities, some of which were more than 70 years old. The MSU Wool Lab portion also includes private funds 

Speakers at the event will include Mike Honeycutt, executive director of the Montana Department of Livestock; Christy Clark, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture; and Sreekala Bajwa, MSU vice president for agriculture, dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station; and Montana Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras; along with representatives from the Montana Board of Livestock and the Montana Wool Growers Association.

BOZEMAN – At the end of the game, Chris Kelley didn’t know the final score. But he knew Montana State’s men’s lacrosse team had scored more goals than the University of St. Thomas, and that was what mattered. Next came the frigid deluge of a cooler of Gatorade dumped over his head.

“I about dropped to my knees,” said Kelley, head coach of the club team, who also founded the squad back in 2003. “It was awesome.”

The Bobcats earned a national title on Saturday, defeating St. Thomas by a score of 12-7. It was in the team’s first-ever appearance in the championship game of the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association.

The team played four games over six days in the humid heat of Round Rock, Texas, during the MCLA tournament. On top of that, Kelley and his fellow coaches proctored more than two dozen exams for team members since the tournament overlapped with the final week of MSU’s spring semester.

Each of the Bobcats’ opponents posed a unique challenge. First-round opponent Tulane University was the conference champion of the Lone Star Alliance. The quarterfinal foe, the University of Rhode Island, won the Continental Lacrosse Conference. Playing the Air Force Academy in the semifinal rubbed salt in a fresh wound, as that team had beaten the Bobcats by a single goal just days earlier for the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference title.

MSU outscored those three teams by a combined 35 goals on their way to the title match against St. Thomas, never allowing an opponent to score in the double digits. They avenged their earlier loss to Air Force by stunning the No. 1 ranked Falcons 21-4.

“We came out of that conference championship a little disappointed in ourselves. We knew we were better than that,” said Ethan Zwickey, the team’s goalie and a newly minted MSU graduate — he missed Friday’s commencement ceremony to travel to the tournament.

“We just caught fire in the beginning of that [semifinal] game and made all the right adjustments, making a lot of defensive stops,” he said. “And our offense honestly couldn’t miss the cage all day.”

Lacrosse is a club sport at MSU, meaning it is overseen by a board of players and coaches and primarily funded by player dues and fundraising rather than a governing body like the NCAA. This year was the team’s sixth all-time appearance in the national tournament and third in a row. Their opponent in the championship, the Tommies of St. Thomas, hold MCLA records for both national tournament appearances (11) and titles (six).

MSU lost to St. Thomas in the early weeks of the season, falling by one goal in overtime, but MSU attack Jona Serrell said the memory of that close loss gave the Bobcats confidence in the title game.

“We knew we could beat them, but that if we were going to, we’d have to play a complete game,” said Serrell, a junior studying fish and wildlife ecology and management who is originally from Utah.

The Bobcats trailed 3-1 after the first quarter. Each time St. Thomas scored, Zwickey said, the MSU players reminded both themselves and each other why they were there: a love of the game and a love of playing together.

“St. Thomas capitalizes on whatever mistakes their opponent makes. They’re a very disciplined team, very determined and very talented,” he said. “We knew we were a lot better than how we played that first quarter. We took a step back and looked at the game, at how much fun we were having playing with each other, and let the game come to us.”

Coach Kelley called lacrosse “a game of runs” where momentum can shift at any time. When things are clicking, it’s important to capitalize on everything that’s working well. And for the Bobcats after the first quarter, that was most everything.

“It’s a lot of emotions. A lot of tears, a lot of hugging, too many pictures,” Zwickey recalled of the moment the game was over. “It still doesn’t even feel quite real. It was a long season, so to be able to end that way and enjoy that moment with our families around us, it was really special.”

Serrell scored the final goal of the game, giving the Bobcats their ultimate five-point margin of victory. Zwickey, the goalie, added 12 saves to the 19 he tallied against Air Force and was named tournament MVP. He was joined on that all-tournament team by Serrell at attack; midfielders Matt Bess and Vernon Loucks; short stick defenseman Auston Neubauer; long stick midfielder Sam Radke; and defenseman Andreas Lucero.

“Ethan Zwickey is the best goalie in the MCLA. He was astonishing in this tournament,” said Serrell. “He’s a team leader and very humble, but he really kept us in a lot of those games. He 100% deserved that tournament MVP. He played some of the best lacrosse that I’ve ever seen anyone play.”

Zwickey, who completed a degree in finance and management from MSU’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship this spring, said hoisting the championship trophy was bittersweet since he’s closing out his time as a Bobcat. He’s known Kelley since he was in middle school, receiving his first Bobcat lacrosse helmet from Kelley in eighth grade. And while the championship brings pride, Zwickey hopes he and the rest of the senior class leave a different legacy.

“The winning is great, and I hope they’re back in the national tournament every year from here on out,” he said. “But I really just hope everybody loves each other as much as this group does.”

Kelley credited assistant coach and team alum Connor Dack for his leadership during the season, along with the 2024 class of seniors. He said the graduating athletes shared memories the night before the title game, knowing they had the opportunity to accomplish something special.

“We knew what it meant to all the players in that group, and they were able to share that with the team before Saturday even started,” he said. “Ten years ago, we made our first national tournament appearance, and now 10 years later here we are, hoisting the trophy at the very end. It’s pretty monumental for us, but it’s a benchmark to hold ourselves to for a long time coming. They’ve taught me a lot, just from their hard work and focus. I am so proud of these guys.”

The process of locating and mapping concealed utilities beneath the surface is known as underground utility mapping. Essential systems, including electricity cables, gas lines, and water pipelines, are included in these utilities. Underground mapping makes it possible to see what is below the surface using specialist tools and processes, which helps to guarantee that these essential resources are properly managed and preserved.

Need for underground utility mapping software

Ensuring safety and preventing accidents

Because underground mapping makes the exact locations of buried utilities visible, it is an essential safety measure that helps to avert mishaps. Knowing the locations of gas lines, electrical wires, and water pipelines can make the difference between a potentially disastrous project and a successful one when building or excavation work is underway. In addition to requiring expensive repairs, inadvertently destroying these vital systems can put workers and the neighborhood at serious risk. Through precise mapping of subterranean utilities, we can reduce these hazards and guarantee a safe and efficient work process.

Enhancing efficiency in project planning

Precise subterranean mapping is like possessing a blueprint of the invisible infrastructure under our feet. Project managers can save time and money by using it to anticipate possible roadblocks. The unexpected discovery of subsurface utilities halfway through a building project can lead to delays, budget overruns, and difficulties for all parties concerned. Planners may foresee these challenges and modify their plans appropriately, preventing expensive surprises later on, with the use of accurate underground utility mapping software. Through the optimization of subsurface utility mapping for project planning, we can reduce disruptions, expedite construction, and deliver projects more effectively.

Challenges of underground utility mapping

Quality of utility data

One of the primary challenges in underground utility mapping is the quality of the data available. In many cases, utility records may be incomplete or outdated, making it difficult to accurately map underground infrastructure. Without reliable information about the location and specifications of buried utilities, mapping accuracy can suffer. This lack of accurate data can pose significant challenges for mapping professionals, as they must rely on limited or unreliable information to create their maps. Additionally, discrepancies between recorded data and the actual location of utilities can lead to errors and inaccuracies in the mapping process. Therefore, ensuring the availability of high-quality utility data is essential for improving the accuracy and reliability of underground mapping efforts.

Technology and equipment limitations

While advancements in scanning technologies have improved detection capabilities, the effectiveness of mapping services still relies heavily on the quality of equipment available. Different scanning technologies may have varying levels of accuracy and reliability, leading to inconsistencies in mapping results. Additionally, the availability of advanced mapping equipment may vary across different regions or service providers, further complicating mapping efforts. As a result, mapping professionals must carefully consider the capabilities and limitations of the equipment available to them when conducting underground mapping projects. By investing in high-quality equipment and staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in mapping technology, mapping professionals can overcome these challenges and improve the accuracy and effectiveness of their mapping efforts.

Benefits of using underground utility mapping software

Accurate underground utility mapping plays a vital role in helping organizations comply with safety and environmental regulations. By precisely locating and documenting underground utilities, organizations can ensure that their construction and excavation activities adhere to regulatory requirements. For example, before initiating a construction project, companies are often required to obtain permits and approvals from regulatory agencies. These agencies may require detailed information about the location and depth of underground utilities to ensure that construction activities do not pose risks to public safety or environmental health. Additionally, accurate mapping can help organizations avoid potential fines or penalties for non-compliance with regulatory requirements. 

Underground mapping also plays a crucial role in supporting emergency preparedness and response efforts. During emergencies such as natural disasters, accidents, or infrastructure failures, first responders rely on accurate mapping data to assess the situation and coordinate their response efforts effectively. For example, in the event of a gas leak or electrical outage, responders need to quickly locate and isolate the affected utilities to prevent further damage or danger to the public. By providing crucial data about the location and characteristics of underground utilities, mapping services enable responders to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions to mitigate risks and protect public safety. Additionally, accurate mapping can help emergency responders identify potential hazards and obstacles before they arrive on the scene, allowing them to plan and execute their response more efficiently.

PointMan - The Ideal underground utility mapping software

PointMan is a feature-rich and potent underground utilities mapping solution made to accommodate the different requirements of different sectors of the economy. PointMan provides precise mapping solutions that enable enterprises to efficiently manage their subterranean infrastructure thanks to its sophisticated features and user-friendly interface. PointMan offers the capabilities and resources required to produce comprehensive maps of subsurface utilities, from telecommunications networks to water supply lines, guaranteeing the continued safety, dependability, and efficiency of vital services.

PointMan is an essential tool for improving efficiency and safety in subterranean utility mapping operations. PointMan assists enterprises in employing modern underground mapping techniques reducing risks and preventing mishaps during construction and excavation operations by offering precise mapping data. Furthermore, PointMan's extensive features let businesses maximize project planning by anticipating potential roadblocks and saving time and money. Additionally, PointMan helps firms comply with regulations by guaranteeing that they have access to dependable mapping data that complies with environmental and safety regulations.

In summary, PointMan proves to be the best option for businesses looking for dependable and effective subsurface utility mapping software. PointMan's extensive feature set enables businesses to improve project planning, boost safety, and maintain regulatory compliance. PointMan provides the features and resources required to efficiently manage your subterranean infrastructure, regardless of your field of expertise—urban planning, emergency services, or construction. To fully realize the potential of precise and effective mapping solutions, give PointMan a try for your subsurface utility mapping requirements.

BOZEMAN -- Music Director Norman Huynh and the Bozeman Symphony announce its 2024-25 concert season:  a celebration of Music that Moves Us. The season is teeming with incredible programming showcasing the orchestra's talented musicians, choristers, and revered symphonic works that will move you to places only music can reach.

Featured guest artists include guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas; soprano Janai Brugger; internationally celebrated singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter Kishi Bashi; and local singer and songwriter Paige Rasmussen.

This season has something for seasoned symphonic music enthusiasts and brand-new orchestra-goers alike. An expanded seven-concert Classical Series promises to take listeners on an extraordinary musical voyage from timeless symphonic masterpieces to fresh and innovative compositions. Popular musical genres alongside classical favorites will be offered at two Bozeman Symphony Presents concerts and choral repertoire from all eras will be brought to life at two new Symphonic Choir series concerts.

Classical Series concerts include:

• September 21 & 22, 2024: OPENING WEEKEND: RACHMANINOFF’S THIRD PIANO CONCERTO
• October 12 & 13, 2024: THE RHYTHMS OF BEETHOVEN, ROSSINI, AND AKIHO
• January 18 & 19, 2025: KORNGOLD’S VIOLIN CONCERTO
• March 22 & 23, 2025: BEETHOVEN’S VIOLIN CONCERTO WITH CARRIE KRAUSE
• April 26 & 27, 2025: PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION
• May 17 & 18, 2025: A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING:  VERDI, SIMON, IVES
• June 7 & 8, 2025:  PABLO RETURNS AND COPLAND’S THIRD SYMPHONY

Bozeman Symphony Presents Series concerts include:

• December 13-15, 2024: HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
• February 14-16, 2025: KISHI BASHI AND THE BOZEMAN SYMPHONY

Bozeman Symphonic Choir Series concerts include:

• November 14-16, 2024: MOZART’S REQUIEM
• April 4 & 5, 2025: THE STONES SANG: CELEBRATING THE LAND

Details about concert programming and featured guest artists are available at bozemansymphony.org.

To experience the journey of the Bozeman Symphony’s 2024-25 concert season to the fullest, patrons are encouraged to subscribe to the entire season. Subscribers receive the lowest ticket prices and the first opportunity to retain seats year after year. They also have the first chance to reserve discounted tickets to the high-demand Bozeman Symphony Presents Series and new Symphonic Choir performances.

Season tickets are now available at bozemansymphony.org/subscribe or 406-585-9774. Individual concert tickets will be available to purchase starting August 5, 2024.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office invites the public to the dedication of a memorial highway in Bridger Canyon to commemorate a deputy lost in the line of duty in 2019. 

The 2023 Montana Legislature established the Jacob Allmendinger Memorial Highway, which is on Bridger Canyon Road (MT Hwy 86) from its intersection with Fairy Lake Road to its intersection with Brackett Creek Road. 

A public dedication of the memorial highway will take place on Monday, May 20 at 11:30 AM at the intersection of Bridger Canyon Drive and Fairy Lake Road.

Deputy Allmendinger was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 19, 2019 in a tragic motor vehicle accident while responding to a call for assistance near Fairy Lake.  

Allmendinger had been with the sheriff’s office since 2017. Prior to that, he worked as a 911 dispatcher with Gallatin County 911 for seven years and volunteered with Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue for eight years.  

Allmendinger left behind his wife Monica, their three children, and numerous family and friends.  

“Deputy Allmendinger’s courage, dedication, and sacrifice will forever be remembered as we dedicate this highway in his honor,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer. “Let Jake’s memory also serve as a chance to reflect on the sacrifices made by law enforcement across our nation, reminding us of their commitment to keep our communities safe.” 

BOZEMAN — The Bozeman Public Library has a summer calendar full of special events for all ages. The summer learning program, which has been running for over 50 years, is a nine-week interactive and free program. Events run from June 10 through Aug. 11.

“The summer learning program has something for everyone in every stage of life from little babies to elders,” Ellie Newell, Youth Services Department Head, explained. “Join us to explore stories, science, art, movement, and culture all summer long.”

Kids can enjoy activities such as storytime, STEAM play, and special guest programs from groups such as Tinworks Art, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and Museum of the Rockies. For teens, the Library has prepared a maker series that teaches skills through workshops in the new Creative Labs and ends in a teen lock-in. Adult programming includes book clubs, workshops exploring the Work Bench and Kitchen Table, guided nature walks, a movement series that includes yoga and gyrokinesis, and movie nights.

For people of all ages, the Library is hosting two lively concerts via the Music on the Green events in July and August. Mobile library services will also be provided throughout the summer.

Summer learning is especially important to combat “summer slide,” the phenomenon in which kids who do not read, do math and science, and learn during the summer lose educational skills. Summer reading is not just encouraged for kids; reading can improve health and happiness at any age.

Unfortunately, there will be no free lunch for youth at the library this summer. Funding for this program is based on federally-drawn economic maps, and the library’s neighborhood no longer qualifies for this service. Those interested in finding a lunch site can text “lunch” or “comida” to 304-304 or visit the Gallatin Valley Food Bank Summer Meals website at gallatinvalleyfoodbank.org/get-help/summer-meals/.

More information, including the full listing of events, can be found at bozemanlibrary.org and in the Summer Guidebook, available in the Library and bookmobile.

HELENA – Beginning tomorrow and running through June 30, nonresident hunters can register for the Alternate’s List on MyFWP. Every year, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks gets several unused nonresident combination licenses (big game, general elk and general deer combination licenses) returned by customers. FWP resells these returned licenses through the Alternate’s List. 

The Alternate’s List is an option for nonresident hunters to show their interest in purchasing one of these returned licenses. A hunter can register to purchase their choice of only one nonresident combination license per year (big game, general elk or general deer combination licenses). The list is randomized in mid-July. The hunter assigned the lowest number on the list will be contacted by email starting in August to finalize the purchase of the license. If that hunter declines the license, the next hunter on the list is contacted. This process continues until the returned NR combo licenses are eventually exhausted.

Payment for the license fee is not required to sign up for the Alternate’s List. If your randomized position falls at the top of the list, you will be contacted by email with instructions on how to complete the purchase of the license. Being on this list or obtaining a license from this list has no effect on your existing preference points.

MyFWP also allows you to check where your position lands on this Alternate’s List after the randomization process occurs in mid-July. Please be sure to check back then.

The odds of getting a license from these lists vary greatly from year to year. Refunds and issuance may occur at any time after mid-July, but availability of these licenses increase between early fall and the opening of general hunting season in late October. 

For more information, call 406-444-2950 or visit fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licensedraw/alternatesList.html.

HELENA – Recent results from an ongoing water quality study on the Clark Fork River show that pollution is more prevalent than initially thought.

Preliminary results of the new water studies show the presence of toxic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and furans, which are compounds associated with industrial activities, including the paper industry, but are also from some natural sources like forest fires.

In 2023 biologists with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks sampled for toxins on the Clark Fork River from Silver Bow Creek, near Butte, to Cabinet Gorge Reservoir on the Idaho border, including samples from the Clark Fork’s major tributaries – the Flathead, Bitterroot and Blackfoot rivers.

The compounds discovered are more widespread than previously thought. This includes their presence in headwater areas and also downstream of the Flathead River, which was previously the lower boundary of a fish consumption advisory issued in 2020.

FWP staff collected both water and fish samples looking for pollutants.

Depending on the results of the fish samples, FWP will work with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to evaluate a further need for an advisory on fish consumption. Currently, there is a fish consumption advisory on a 148-mile stretch of the mainstem of the Clark Fork River from the Bitterroot to the Clark Fork’s confluence with the Flathead River.

“Dioxins, furans and PCBs are stored in the fat and muscle of fish” said FWP fisheries biologist David Schmetterling. “Although they do pose risks for developmental problems, reproductive issues, and even endocrine system problems in fish, the main issue is with human consumption of the fish.”

To date, the recent findings have not been correlated with any particular site or source of contamination, and continued monitoring and investigation will help identify potential sources of the pollution. The current studies follow up on earlier studies of toxic compounds in the river system. For more than a century, water quality concerns in the Clark Fork River focused on the effects of heavy metals from hard-rock mining. After Smurfit-Stone closed its paper mill near Frenchtown in 2010, FWP biologists conducted preliminary surveys to determine if any contaminants associated with the pulping and paper industry were found in fish tissue downstream of the mill. This led to fish consumption advisories for northern pike and rainbow trout.

In 2018 and 2019, FWP worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to collect fish tissue samples from a larger area, and results led to a wider fish-consumption advisory.

The current studies are funded through a grant from the EPA. FWP worked with several partners to secure the grant of more than $221,000. Partners include the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Trout Unlimited, Missoula County Health Department, the Clark Fork Coalition, and the Montana Department of Justice Natural Resource Damage Program.

For more information, contact FWP Fisheries Pollution Biologist Trevor Selch at 406-444-5686 or tselch@mt.gov.

On Friday, May 10, the Gallatin County Elections Office mailed approximately 56,500 for the June 4 primary election to active registered absentee voters in Gallatin County. Ballots will begin arriving in mailboxes in the following days. 

Four ballots will be included in each envelope. Voters will have a choice to vote either a Democratic, Republican, Libertarian or Green party ballot this upcoming primary election. Voters must choose ONE party ballot to vote and then return just that ballot. Detailed instructions will be provided with ballots – please read them carefully! 

Absentee ballots must be returned by 8 PM on Election Day, Tuesday June 4. They may be returned in the Gallatin County Elections Office during normal business hours, or on Election Day at the Elections Office or any polling place between 7 AM and 8 PM. If you’re returning your ballot by mail, please return in mail no later than May 24 to ensure it arrives on time. Ballots postmarked on or before Election Day but received after Election Day cannot be accepted.  

We urge all absentee voters to promptly return their ballots. With the sheer volume of ballots we handle, this enables us to get to work processing ballots sooner. That helps streamline Election Day operations, including the swift release of results. 

Polling places for in-person voting will also be open on Election Day. Those locations in Gallatin County are:
 

• Bridger Canyon Fire Station – 8081 Bridger Canyon Rd. 
• Gallatin County Fairgrounds – 901 N. Black Ave. in Bozeman 
• Hope Lutheran Church – 5152 W. Graf St. in Bozeman 
• MSU Shroyer Gym – 1 Bobcat Cir. In Bozeman 
• Zoot Enterprises – 555 Zoot Enterprises Ln in Four Corners 
• Povah Community Center – 10 Geyser St. in West Yellowstone 
• Big Sky Water & Sewer District Office – 561 Little Coyote Rd. in Big Sky 
• Gallatin Gateway Community Center – 145 Mill St. in Gallatin Gateway 
• Belgrade Special Events Center – 220 Spooner Rd. in Belgrade
• River Rock Community Center – 101 River Rock Rd. in Belgrade
• Three Forks High School – 212 E. Neal St. in Three Forks 
• Manhattan Christian School – 8000 Churchill Rd. in Churchill 
• Manhattan High School – 200 W. Fulton Ave. in Manhattan 

Due to recent redistricting, you may now be in a different precinct or have a new polling place since the last election. Please visit www.MyVoterPageMT.com to double check your assigned location. 

Late registration for this election began this week. From now through Election Day, new registrations or updates to voter registration must be made IN PERSON at the Gallatin County Elections Office, located on the second floor of the Gallatin County Courthouse (311 W. Main St., Bozeman). 

Check your voter registration status and information at www.MyVoterPageMT.com.  

For questions or more information, contact the Gallatin County Elections Office at 406-582-3060 or gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov, or visit us online at www.GallatinVotes.com.