Michael Howell

Co-Publisher, Co-Editor and Reporter at The Bitterroot Star

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Articles

County commissioners updated on Rocky Mountain Laboratory

Jan 7, 2025 | bitterrootstar.com | Michael Howell

Dr. Marshall Bloom, Associate Director of Science Management at Rocky Mountain Laboratory (RML) in Hamilton, recently delivered an end of the year update to the Ravalli County Commissioners regarding the RML Master Plan, the laboratory's noise guidelines and monitoring program, damages and remediation efforts following an August 23 windstorm, and new and ongoing building construction.
County adopts new dog ordinance

Nov 19, 2024 | bitterrootstar.com | Michael Howell

by Michael Howell Ravalli County Commissioners adopted a new dog control ordinance on Thursday, November 7. The new Ordinance No. 46, titled "Vicious Dog, Dog-At-Large, Dog Bite & Rabies Control," replaces the existing ordinance No. 37 titled "Dog Protection and Control" that was adopted in April, 2013. The new ordinance will take effect 30 days following the adoption of the ordinance, that is December 7, 2024.
State grizzly bear management plan released

Oct 22, 2024 | bitterrootstar.com | Michael Howell

by Michael Howell Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) released the final Statewide Grizzly Bear Management Plan on September 30, 2024. According to an FWP press release, the statewide management plan replaces two existing management plans - those for western Montana and for southwest Montana - with one statewide plan.
Gold Butterfly forest project challenged

Oct 15, 2024 | bitterrootstar.com | Michael Howell

by Michael Howell The Gold Butterfly Project, a Bitterroot National Forest project covering 55,147 acres in the Sapphire Mountains east of Corvallis, is facing its second lawsuit since scoping on the project began in 2017. The Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Native Ecosystems Council filed the latest suit last month in U.S. District Court in Missoula on September 9, seeking to stop the project that was finally approved in August of 2023.
Corvallis teachers prevail in 'unfair labor practice' complaint

Oct 8, 2024 | bitterrootstar.com | Michael Howell

It's important to read a contract before signing it. Members of the Corvallis Faculty Group, which includes the Montana Federation of Public Employees, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organizations, are back on the job for the current school year 2024-2025 in the Corvallis School District, but working without a current contract. The 2023-2024 contract expired on July 1 of this year.
County commissioners oppose roundabout

Oct 8, 2024 | bitterrootstar.com | Michael Howell

The Ravalli County Commissioners approved a motion on Monday, September 30 to send a letter to Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) expressing the county's opposition to the plan to build a roundabout on Highway 93 at Bell Crossing Road north of Victor.
Winter Kissed Farm awarded $180k expansion grant

Oct 1, 2024 | bitterrootstar.com | Michael Howell

Max Smith and Katelyn Madden, owners and operators of Winter Kissed Farms, located south of Stevensville, recently received a USDA grant for $180,000 to expand and enhance their business. Winter Kissed Farm is primarily a vegetable farm but not your ordinary farm.
Pesticides linked to local wildlife population decline

Sep 24, 2024 | bitterrootstar.com | Michael Howell

A recent article linking population declines in multiple ruminant species in Montana and surrounding states from 1995-2013 to the use of pesticides was published last month in the peer reviewed scientific magazine Chemosphere (Vol. 359).
Homeless shelter septic dispute poses church versus state issues

Sep 18, 2024 | bitterrootstar.com | Michael Howell

A dispute between Harris Himes and his company Holy Ground and the Big Sky Christian Center over the septic system serving the Holy Ground property in Hamilton and being used by the Big Sky Christian Center, which is being used as a homeless shelter, has erupted into a dispute between God's will and the demands of Ravalli County government, according to Himes.
Bitterroot National Forest ramps up stream, fishery restoration

Jul 23, 2024 | bitterrootstar.com | Michael Howell

The Bitterroot National Forest has recently ramped up its stream and fishery restoration efforts by hiring a new Fisheries and Watershed Program Manager and backing her up with an "Aquatic Team" consisting of multiple hydrologists, fishery biologists, forestry technicians and a natural resource specialist.