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Halloween is just around the corner, and we’ve gathered all the exciting happenings in Southwestern Montana in one convenient place! From spooky events to festive activities, we’re here to help you make the most of this Halloween season. Stay tuned for updates on local events, trick-or-treating hotspots, haunted attractions, and everything else that will make this Halloween unforgettable. Don’t miss out on the fun—check back often for the latest information and let’s celebrate Halloween together!   Thursday 10/24 Ghost Stories of Beaverhead County Enjoy a night of ghost stories based on real events and real people from the past. Doors open at 6:00 P.M. and Program beings at 6:30 P.M.ONLY 100 tickets Available!$10 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the event. Enter for raffle with purchase of ticket. Raffle and Refreshments to follow sponsored by NV Salon. All proceeds go to future programs at the Beaverhead County Museum & Old Depot Theatre.For more information call (406)683-5027, email bvhdmuseum@hotmail.com Books and Babies are all about pumpkins on October 24th! BOOKS and BABIES every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at the Dillon Public Library. Call 683-4544 with any questions Friday 10/25 Bannack Ghost Walk Bannack Association in cooperation with Bannack State Park presents the ghost walk through the deserted streets of Bannack! Friday & Saturday, Oct. 25-26, 2024 Adults: $15 Children 12 & Under: $10 Tours are limited to 110 people each to afford adequate protection against spirits and ghosts! Call Reserve America (855) 922-6768 or go online at [ fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/bannack-state-park ] fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/bannack-state-park under Events & Programs to buy tickets STARTING SEPTEMBER 3rd. Tickets are non-refundable. Not recommended for children 6 & under and please leave your dogs at home. TICKETS GO ON SALE September 3rd! Neon Halloween Party Join us for a FREE family-friendly Neon Halloween Party at The Science Mine on Friday, October 25th, starting at 6:00 PM. Costumes are encouraged, so get ready for a fun and spooky night of glowing activities and hands-on science. The event will feature neon lights, interactive exhibits, and Halloween-themed activities for all ages. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season with your family while enjoying science in a festive atmosphere. If you have any questions, feel free to message us here on Facebook or call us at 406.992.4208. We hope to see you in your best costumes for a fun and spooky night at The Science Mine! Saturday 10/26 Ru n The Boo Kids Race is Saturday October 26, 2024 at Beaverhead Brewing Company at 10 AM. We hope to bring back the 10k and 5k next year. Run The Boo is a Halloween themed race so get your kids and yourself dressed up and come run the one-mile course. Starts and finishes at Beaverhead Brewing Company. Everyone is welcome to this FREE event. Monday 10/28 Trunk or Treat AWARE is hosting Trunk or Treat at the Butte Civic Center from 3-5 pm on Monday, October 28th. There will be candy, treats, and lots of spooky fun! Don't forget to wear your costume! Copper City Shockers This tour with Chris Fisk, will walk you through many of the Butte stories you mother wouldn't tell you. The 6:00pm tour will start and end at Headframe Spirits, 21 S. Montana Street. What's included Two-hour Trolley Tour. Wednesday 10/30 It seems the witches are convening again this year, if the dark musings may be trusted (who are we kidding, the dark musings can ALWAYS be trusted). 6pm sharp on the night before Halloween, 10/30, all witches, warlocks, young witches, old witches, wizards, tiny witches, large witches, and all witches of any style have been called to Depot Park across from the Brewery for mischief and low-grade wickedness as they ride their witchy bicycles around town. All are welcome, free to everyone.  The Witching Time Written and Directed by Stephen Alan Seder Facilitated by the students from THTR 120: Introduction to Acting and THTR 276: Play Production and Introduction to Directing Synopsis: Enter a mesmerizing world of immersive shadow theatre, where the captivating stories of real-life witches unfold through interactive media, live performances, dance, and enchanting melodies. Spectators will explore the untold narratives of these witches through short vignettes held in repetition like echoes of history laid bare. Audience members will be transported back in time to witness these stories of courage and resilience that reverberate through the ages. Immersive Exhibit: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Ticket Prices: General Admission: $16 Senior (65+), Youth (18 & under), and Military: $12 UMW Faculty/Staff: $10 UMW Students: FREE ADMISSION with Student ID Thursday 10/31 Waypoint Church Sugar Fest we are again hosting our annual trunk or treat, Sugar Fest and Chili cook-off fundraiser for CHISM on Halloween/Oct 31st. Haunted Library!!!! Tour 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Be The Change 406 Here to SCARE Enter if you DARE! Halloween Night October 31st 2024 Punch and Cookies and a treat bag Dillon Public Library 683-4544 Trick-or-Treating Both Clinics Barrett Hospital and Healthcare Calling All Little Monsters and Magical Creatures! Join us for a spook-tacular afternoon of trick-or-treating right here at the Clinic and the Hospital! Bring your enchanted wands, superhero capes, and adorable costumes for a frightfully fun event! Date: October 31st Time: 3:00-5:00 PM Locations: At Both-Barrett Hospital & HealthCare Clinic and the Hospital Our corridors will be filled with treats and staff with friendly faces, all eager to see your creative costumes! Whether you're a wizard, a witch, or a whimsical creature, everyone is welcome to gather treats and enjoy the festive spirit. Spread the word, tag your friends, bring your family, and come have a hauntingly good time. It’s going to be a boo-tiful afternoon to remember! See you there! Trunk or Treat Butte Plaza Mall Butte Cars & Coffee in conjunction with Butte Plaza Mall and Mining City Mud Presents our 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat event open for all cars and ages! come on out starting at 6:30pm for Ghouls and Gals (Trunk or Treating). Come out and stay warm with some wonderful drinks from Mining City Mud! _____For those that want to participate_____ Do you have a car and want to pass out candy? Come on out at 4:30pm and get setup for a Scary night out with Butte Cars and Coffee, Butte Plaza Mall, and Mining City Mud. Do you feel like helping out but dont want to participate? Donating some candy is a great way to help us out. Last year we went through over 20 thousand pieces of candy! If you feel like Donating candy You can do that, just message one of Butte Cars & Coffee Admins and we will pick it up before the Event. Donate more then two bags and you will get a Butte Cars & Coffee sticker on us! We will only accept sealed candy. Thank you to all that come out to participate and to all those Ghouls and Gals out there that make our event a success every year! Treat Street 2024 Treat Street is back for the 18th year! We will be at the World Museum of Mining handing out candy from 1-4pm or until the candy runs out. Please remember to leave your pets at home, they will not be allowed into the Museum. See you there! 1st Annual Rocky Horror Picture Show Get ready for an unforgettable night of bold performances and full audience participation! We're blending live, on-stage action with on-screen fun, inviting YOU to bring your favorite props and dive into the Rocky Horror experience like never before. ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW When: October 31st, 2024 Doors 8:00PM | Show 9:00PM Where: The Covellite Theatre, Butte, MT https://theticketing.co/e/rocky24 What to Expect: A live cast bringing the iconic characters to life! Bring your own props and participate in the show! An inclusive and immersive art experience for ALL! Open casting to all genders, with characters reimagined in exciting new ways. Whether you're a longtime fan or a Rocky Horror newbie, this will be a night to remember! Let’s make magic, mischief, and memories together! FYI: A "Rocky Horror Show" is a live stage play/musical production, such as the Wilma and Montana Actor's Theatre put on every October in Missoula! our production is a "Rocky Horror Picture Show," meaning we will show the 1975 movie, with enthusiastic cast members silently pantomiming the storyline on stage, in front of the film, and throughout the theatre, during the movie showing. If you've never seen "Rocky Horror," be advised the movie was rated R in the 70s by the Motion Picture Association, and the staged antics are scattered with mature content, including swearing, seggsy comedy, and partial nud!ty (topless with pasties, fishnets over underwear, etc). Bikini areas are covered! We encourage parental permission for minors, but in the end, this show at the Covellite is open to all ages! Tickets on sale now! Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind performance! https://theticketing.co/e/rocky24

HELENA – To celebrate our hunting heritage in Montana, Gov. Greg Gianforte launched the third annual Youth Hunting Story Contest in August for Montana youth and apprentice hunters ages 10 to 17. The deadline to enter the contest is Monday, Dec. 2, 2024.  To enter the contest, hunters must submit a story of no more than 500 words and a photo from their 2024 hunt. Hunters must be Montana residents and licensed hunters or apprentice hunters between the ages of 10 and 17. Eligible entries include harvesting any legal game, furbearer animals or birds in Montana. The governor will select 10 hunters, five aged 10 to 13 and five aged 14 to 17, and announce the winners in late December. The winners will be invited to the Capitol to celebrate with the governor and receive their prizes in January of the new year. The 2024 contest's prize partners include Sitka, Stone Glacier, Kenetrek Boots, J2 Taxidermy, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Murdochs and the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association. Learn more and enter at youthhunting.mt.gov .

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING October 31, 2024 1:00 P.M. ~ AGENDA ~ 1. Approval of October 2024 Claims 2. Set Date for November 2024 Meeting 3. Public Comment on Items of Significant Public Interest Not on The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction of The City 4. Adjournment Committee Members: Russ Schwandt, Chairperson Anneliese Ripley Diane Armstrong

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information Photo Credit Terri Haverfield DILLON, Mont.  - The NAIA released its week ten Women's Volleyball National Player of the Week honors on Tuesday Morning. Montana Western's Jazi Smith has been named National Attacker of the Week. Smith is the third women's volleyball athlete in program history to earn an NAIA Player of the Week honor. Smith had an astounding weekend after the Bulldogs went a perfect 2-0 after winning a pair of five-set matches against RV Carroll College and Rocky Mountain College. She led the 17th ranked Bulldogs to a 2-0 record after racking up 44 kills on a .350 hitting percentage. She averaged 4.4 kills per set for the week and also added five blocks, two service aces and three assists. Smith became the first UMW in the rally scoring era to top 1,000 career kills in a career after their 3-2 victory versus Rocky Mountain. This is also the third time in the coaching career of coach  Katie Lovett  to have a player achieve NAIA National Player of the Week honors.

LIMA, MT  – A domestic dispute reported on the side of the road near Lima escalated into a significant drug-related incident on Monday morning. Responding officers from various agencies, including a Motor Carrier Services Officer, a Bureau of Land Management Law Officer, a Beaverhead County Sheriff's Deputy, and a Dillon Police Officer, quickly team up to regain control of the situation. The incident led to the arrest of a Billings woman who was wanted on drug-related charges and was suspected of trafficking fentanyl. A male companion, also from Billings and with a history of drug offenses, was placed under a 72-hour hold. During the confrontation, a variety of drug paraphernalia and fentanyl were seized from the woman, along with items that had been discarded from the vehicle during the dispute. Law Enforcement Officers took precautions when handling the items and wore protective gloves. Following the seizure, the Deputy and Police Officer who handled the drug-related items reported experiencing symptoms such as overheating, headaches, and respiratory issues. The Officer responsible for transporting the seized items noted having teary eyes, an increased heart rate, and severe coughing. Due to the potential risk associated with the exposure, the Officer had Narcan readily available for use. Both officers subsequently sought medical attention at the emergency room, where one officer was administered medication to help lower their heart rate due to exposure to chemicals. In a concerning turn of events, a Detention Officer who had come into contact with the woman's clothing also required transport to the ER for feeling unwell. This officer was assisted by an off-duty Detention Officer who was also evaluated for possible exposure. All officers involved were later released from the hospital and are reported to be in good health. As the investigation continues, both suspects are expected to face charges of criminal endangerment, along with multiple drug-related charges. Law enforcement is reminding the public of the dangers posed by fentanyl and the importance of taking precautions when handling suspected drug-related items.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information KANSAS CITY, Mo. –  The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the results of the NAIA Football GoRout Top 25 Poll No. 8. The Bulldogs leapfrogged into the no. 4 position in the poll. Western remains the highest seeded Frontier Conference team in a poll that featured four other Frontier schools. The no. 4 ranked Montana Western Football team (6-1, 4-1) routed the Arizona Christian Firestorm this past weekend in a 69-7 homecoming victory. The Bulldogs finished off with a whopping 740 yard of total offense, breaking the team record for total offensive yards in a game that was set in 2021 against Rocky Mountain College.  Michael Palandri  threw for seven touchdowns, recorded a rushing touchdown, and totaled 431 passing yards in the game. Palandri's seven touchdowns broke the individual record for touchdown passes in a game set by three Bulldog alumni at six total. In addition,  Eli Nourse  broke the single game touchdown reception record that was held by 11 Bulldog alumni (three in a game) as Nourse recorded four touchdown receptions.  The Bulldogs will prepare for a road trip this week to Havre, Mont. where they will face the MSU-Northern Lights on Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. FRONTIER IN THE TOP 25 No. 4 Montana Western BulldogsNo. 8 Southern Oregon RaidersNo. 13 Montana Tech Orediggers No. 21 Carroll College Fighting Saints No. 24 College of Idaho Yotes

Anaconda, 10/27/24 A single vehicle accident occurred Sunday afternoon involving a Subaru Legacy that resulted in the death of the driver. The vehicle was traveling northbound on S-569 when it approached a left-hand curve. According to initial reports, the driver was unable to negotiate the curve, causing the vehicle to veer off the right side of the road. After briefly reentering the roadway, the driver overcorrected, leading the vehicle to go off the right side again. The Subaru then tripped and began to roll multiple times. The driver was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled and sustained critical injuries. Emergency services transported the individual to a local hospital, where they were pronounced deceased. Authorities suspect excessive speed may have been a contributing factor to the accident. The identity of the driver has been confirmed as a resident of Butte.

From Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department Mutual Aid Rescue At 9:30pm last night, Brush 1/UTV1 (B Shift) A-1 Ambulance, Life Flight Network, and Ruby Valley Search & Rescue were called to Madison County south of Melrose for an injured hunter. The injured person was unable to make their way down the mountain. Lifeflight was able to locate the patient and guide ground crews into the area and then found a landing zone. UTV 1 was utilized to transport the patient to the landing zone and the patient was transported by helicopter to the hospital. The incident was an example of how extremely important it is to know the area you will be recreating in, somebody who knows where you are going to be and most importantly a phone or GPS so you can call for help with your coordinates.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information Photo Terri Haverfield DICKINSON, N.D. –  The Montana Western women's basketball team (0-1, 0-0) fell in their season opener this evening against the Dickinson State Blue Hawks (2-0, 0-0) by a final score of 70-61. Today's loss marks the first loss to the Blue Hawks since the 2014-15 season. How It Happened The Bulldogs got on the board early in the game, taking a seven-point lead behind a triple from Ava Bellach in the first four minutes of the first quarter. Joelnell Momberg drained the Bulldogs' third triple to cap the quarter and take an 18-14 lead into the second frame. Despite the promising start, Western hit a lull as the Blue Hawks went on a 10-1 run across the first three minutes of the second quarter. DSU would extend their lead and hold Western to just 12 points in the frame and take a 37-30 lead into the half break. DSU continued their run into the third, pushing out to an 11-point lead with five minutes to go in the third. It was Momberg once again who got Western's offense back rolling, hitting a pair of free throws to break the spell. Isabella Lund followed, hitting on back-to-back trips to the hoop and Maddy Moy added another layup to cut the lead back to five. Dickinson would retain the edge at 53-48 heading into the final ten minutes of the game. UMW's less than ideal fourth quarter led to the Blue Hawks outscoring the Bulldogs 17-13 in the final stretch and win by a final score of 70-61. N otables The Bulldogs are now 9-1 in their last ten matchups with Dickinson State and prior to tonight, had not lost to DSU since 2014. Western will get another shot at the Blue Hawks on Nov. 8 in UMW's home opener. Momberg led the Bulldogs with 18 points and four rebounds. Trinidie Nichols racked up four steals and four rebounds in the matchup. Up Next Montana Western will head to the University of Montana on Friday Nov. 1 for an exhibition matchup with the Griz. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in Dahlberg Arena.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information Photo Credit Terri Haverfield DILLON, Mont. —  The no. 17 ranked Montana Western women's volleyball team (18-6, 8-3) won their third straight five-set game tonight with a 3-2 reverse sweep over the Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears (12-15, 2-9). Tonight's five-set win marks their ninth five-set win this season, going 9-0 in games that have gone the full five frames. "The team did a great job coming back in the third, fourth and fifth set just really playing how we know how. We did a really good job not letting those first two sets get to us," Head Coach Katie Lovett said. "Jazi and Jordan played awesome for us tonight, offensively and defensively. They were really dialed in. It was exciting to see that and to see everyone come together as a team." How It Happened Rocky took the edge early and remained in the driver's seat through the first set. Jordan Olson knocked down a kill to bring the game back within one at 16-15, but Rocky rattled off four straight to close the door and run on to a 25-20 set win. Mirroring set one, the second frame kicked off with the Battlin' Bears pushing out once again to an early 8-4 lead. Western worked back into the set, tying the game at 10 apiece with an ace from Madisyn Frazier . Back-to-back kills from Jazi Smith gave the Bulldogs some momentum to claim their first lead of the set. Battling for ground down the stretch, it was Rocky who found enough energy to ride a 9-4 scoring run to win 25-22. Down 2-0, the Bulldogs dug their heels in and hit a game-high .382 in the set to win the third frame decisively 25-17. It was Smith's five kills and a block that fueled Western in the fourth frame to take a 16-11 lead that the Battlin' Bears were unable to overcome. Though Rocky grabbed two straight to close the gap to three points, Savana Warburton and Danyel Martin sealed the deal with a critical set-ending block to win 25-20. Western put an exclamation mark on the end of the game, racking up nine kills as they pushed past Rocky to win 15-8 in the final frame. Notables UMW is now 9-0 in games decided in the fifth set, including two reverse sweeps this season. The Bulldogs have won three straight matches over Rocky Mountain. Smith led the Bulldogs with an impressive 23 kills, 20 digs, and two service aces. Olson raked in 18 kills from the right side, hitting an impressive .317 in the game. As a team, the Bulldogs totaled 11 blocks in total. Peyton Vogl led the way with six total. Setters Kaylee Fritz and Petersen combined for 57 assists, good for 11.4 assists per set. Up Next With just four conference games remaining in the regular season, the Bulldogs will be on the road to face the no. 13 ranked Providence in Great Falls, Mont. on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. They will then return on Nov. 2 for a home matchup with MSU-Northern on Nov. 2.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information DILLON, Mont. —  The no. 6 ranked Montana Western football team (6-1, 4-1) routed the Arizona Christian Firestorm this afternoon in a 69-7 homecoming victory. The Bulldogs finished off with a whopping 740 yard of total offense, breaking the team record for total offensive yards in a game that was set in 2021 against Rocky Mountain College. Michael Palandri threw for seven touchdowns, recorded a rushing touchdown, and totaled 431 passing yards in the game. Palandri's seven touchdowns broke the individual record for touchdown passes in a game set by three Bulldog alumni at six total. In addition, Eli Nourse broke the single game touchdown reception record that was held by 11 Bulldog alumni at three in a game when we recorded four touchdown receptions. How It Happened After forcing a turnover on downs on the opening drive, Montana Western pushed down the field in just two minutes to score on a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Shipley . The following UMW drive saw a quick pass to Shipley for 51-yards, followed by a touchdown pass to Coby Tanioka from 24 yards out. Nourse capped off the quarter by closing out a six-play 73-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to take a 21-0 lead into the second quarter. UMW would cash in on two quick scores in the beginning of the second quarter. The first on a 77-yard touchdown rush by Jake Humphrey . The second coming on a 63-yard touchdown pass to Nourse. Nourse was the target twice more before the end of the first half. The first on a 31-yard touchdown reception and the second on a 33-yard touchdown reception to send UMW into the half up 49-0. Palandri was the hero in the opening drive of the second half, rushing it in for a five-yard touchdown rush that capped off a seven-play 75-yard drive. UMW's defense continued to hold down the fort and James Ochs recovered a fumble on UMW's 15-yard line to bring the offense back on the field. Palandri once again helped UMW to find the end zone, this time on a touchdown pass to tight end Matthew Heer from five yards out. Up 62-0, Kaden Jenks  checked into the game at quarterback for the fourth quarter, tossing up an 11-yard touchdown pass to Seth Shook that capped off a seven play, 45-yard drive. Despite ACU recording their lone score of the game, the Bulldogs would close the game out on top at 69-7. Notables UMW recorded 740 yards of offense, with an impressive 457 yards through the air. Palandri threw for 431 passing yards and seven touchdowns. Jenks stepped in and threw a touchdown of his own with 26 passing yards. Nourse led the Bulldogs with nine receptions for 214 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Humphrey led on the ground with 134 rushing yards and a 77-yard touchdown rush. Nine Bulldog defenders recorded tackles for loss in the game, with Jace Fitzgerald recording 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Up Next The Bulldogs will prepare for a road trip next week to Havre, Mont. where they will face the MSU-Northern Lights on Nov. 2 at 1 p.m.

DILLON, MT – First responders were summoned on Friday afternoon after reports of an oven fire in the alley off South Atlantic Street. The incident brought the Dillon Volunteer Fire Department to the scene.   Firefighters discovered that the wiring of the oven had ignited, producing smoke that could be seen coming from the appliance. Fortunately, the fire was contained to the oven, which was located outside, sparing the nearby appliance repair shop from any damage.   Thanks to the swift actions of the Dillon Volunteer Fire Department, the fire was quickly extinguished. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

Updated MELROSE, MT – Authorities are conducting an investigation following a tragic incident on the south end of Melrose in Silver Bow County, where a male adult was struck and killed by a northbound Union Pacific train. Preliminary findings indicate that the 58-year-old man was standing on the railroad track as the train approached. Despite the train crew sounding an audible alarm and applying the brakes, they were unable to stop in time. Eyewitness reports suggest that the man was aware of the approaching train but did not move from his position on the tracks. The identity of the deceased male, a resident of Melrose, is being withheld pending notification of his family. Local authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. MELROSE, MT  – A pedestrian was tragically struck and killed by a train on Friday morning, October 25, 2024. The incident occurred near the train's intersection with Trapper Creek Road at approximately 10 a.m. Details surrounding the circumstances of the accident remain limited as authorities continue their investigation. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, but unfortunately, the pedestrian did not survive the incident. No further information has been released at this time. We will provide updates on this developing story as more information becomes available. Local authorities urge residents to exercise caution around railroad crossings and remain vigilant for their safety.

HELENA –  Hunters will again have the opportunity to thank landowners who allow hunting access on their land. The “Thank a Landowner” web portal is an easy way for hunters to pass on a note of thanks and a photo to landowners who have allowed them access.   FWP collects these submissions and mails the letters and photos to all landowners who were identified. Last year, nearly 600 hunters submitted a thank you note to private landowners through the portal.    This portal is part of the “It’s Up To Us” campaign to promote ethical hunting and help improve relationships between hunters and landowners. This campaign is an annual effort with FWP and several partner organizations to encourage hunters to take the initiative to promote good hunter ethics and behavior, particularly on private lands. The campaign website is  fwp.mt.gov/ItsUpToUs . Here hunters can find tips on ethical hunting, links to informative video content and the “Thank a Landowner” portal.    The page also features access to the Hunter Landowner Stewardship Project and links to campaign partners.

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information HELENA, Mont. –  The no. 17 ranked Montana Western women's volleyball team (17-6, 7-3) won a five-set battle against RV Carroll College this evening by scores of 25-22, 25-19, 20-25, 22-25, and 18-16. Senior Kelsey Goddard broke the UMW career digs record in the match, a record previously held by Bulldog alumni Dylan Fowler. She totaled 26 digs in the game, putting her at a career total of 2,098. "The girls played through a ton of adversity tonight and did a great job staying poised," Head Coach Katie Lovett said. "Everyone stepped up when they needed. Kelsey achieving the all-time digs record was just icing on the cake." How It Happened Western took control early in set one with a 9-6 lead. Carroll fought their way back in the set and tied the game at 14 all and the two teams battled for position mid-set. A block from Savana Warburton and Peyton Vogl gave UMW the lead at 19 and they would go on to outscore the Saints 7-4 down the stretch to win 25-22. Carroll wasted little time in flipping the script, taking a 4-0 lead to force a UMW timeout early on in the set. The Bulldogs got back on track and tied the game at seven with a kill from Jazi Smith . Once again, the power struggle continued down the stretch. Tied at 15 all, UMW took a 5-0 run to claim a much-needed edge and finish the set on top once again at 25-19. The pattern continued, with the Saints once again claiming an early lead. This time, the Bulldogs would be unable to overcome the Saints' powerful set. Carroll would total an impressive 18 kills with just one hitting error in the set to win 25-20. Despite taking an early lead at 12-8 in the fourth frame, Carroll rode a 6-0 run to a lead change and kept the edge for the remainder of the fourth. They would force a fifth and deciding set after winning 25-22. The final set proved to be a battle for both teams, with Western leading 7-6 mid-set. Carroll took an edge when they rattled off three straight points to take a two-point lead, but the Bulldogs fought back on their own 3-0 run immediately following. Down 16-15 to the Saints, Western put the nail in the coffin as Smith recorded a pair of kills and Danyel Martin paired with Olivia Rosborough for a block to win 18-16. N otables Western is now 8-0 this season in games that have gone to a fifth set, with five of their last seven games going to a fifth set. Smith led the Bulldogs with an impressive 21 kills and a career-high 36 digs. She also added a pair of blocks. Kaylee Fritz and Taylor Petersen led the Bulldogs, combining for 68 assists and 13.6 assists per set combined. Martin was impressive at the net, earning six blocks in the match with the Bulldogs' only solo block of the night.   Up Next Montana Western returns for Homecoming weekend this Saturday to take on the Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears for Dig Pink Night. The game is set for 6pm in the Straugh Gymnasium.

The University of Montana Western is excited to announce the Beaverhead Bulldog Bundle, a special offer for high school seniors graduating in Spring 2025 who are residents of Beaverhead County. The Beaverhead Bulldog Bundle provides free on-campus housing for these students who choose to attend Montana Western, helping local students save significantly as they begin their college journey. Graduates eligible for the Beaverhead Bulldog Bundle will receive complimentary accommodations in either JDC, a savings of $3,424, or Mathews Hall, a savings of $3,506, for their freshman year. This offer covers the cost of a double room but does not include a $200 housing deposit or additional fees. All Beaverhead County students graduating in Spring 2025 are eligible, including homeschooled students.  To take advantage of the Beaverhead Bulldog Bundle, graduates can apply to Montana Western by visiting  https://apply.umwestern.edu/apply/  or contact UMW’s Admissions Office at 877-683-7331. UMW is the only public four-year university in the country with the Block Schedule, where students take one course at a time for 18 days, then move on to their next course, in an immersive and supportive environment with small class sizes and dedicated faculty. This unique model, referred to as Experience One, combined with the lowest tuition in the state of Montana, provides students with an affordable pathway to a high-quality education.    The fields of academic study at UMW include Biology, Business and Technology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Education, English, Equine Studies, Farm & Ranch Management, Kinesiology, Fine Arts, Glass, Mathematics, Natural Horsemanship, and Modern History, Psychology, and Sociology.  For more information about Montana Western or to schedule a campus tour, call 877-683-7331 or email  admissions@umwestern.edu .

WISDOM – Improved flows have allowed a section of the Big Hole River to be reopened to fishing. The reopened section extends for 46 miles from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to the river’s confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River. The section from the North Fork down to Dickie Bridge was reopened on Oct. 21 . An annual fishing closure on the Big Hole River remains in effect from Dickie Bridge to the Jefferson River. Annual fishing closures began Oct. 1 for sections of the Big Hole, Ruby and Beaverhead rivers to protect trout during spawning seasons. The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted new regulations last year in response to struggling fish populations in the three rivers. These restrictions limit fall and spring angling during trout spawning season in some stretches of the rivers. To see where these spawning-related fishing closures apply, check the current fishing regulations here . For more information about ongoing research and fisheries management in the upper Missouri River Basin, click here .

University of Montana Western Press Release DILLON, Mont. -  Five UMW rodeo team members are set to compete this weekend in Kalispell, Montana, October 24-26 at the Northern Rodeo Association (NRA) finals. The top ten finalists from the season's NRA rodeos compete in the final competition. The event is being held at Majestic Valley Arena with performance times set for 7 PM MST each night of the event.  The NRA finalists from Montana Western include: Kyler Erickson , Team Roping Jhet Murphy , Steer Wrestling Tatum Hansen , Steer Wrestling Paul O'Hair , Saddle Bronc Riding Jeremy Kay , Bull Riding For more information about the Northern Rodeo Association and full event schedule, please visit  https://www.northernrodeo.com/ .

Through traffic between Melrose and Glen can detour via I-90. DILLON, Mont. — The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has closed the Big Hole River Bridge on Highway 91 (Hwy 91) approximately 22 miles north of Dillon. All traffic is prohibited from using the bridge. After a scheduled inspection determined the structure cannot continue to carry traffic safely or reliably, MDT immediately implemented the closure. Previously, the structure was load posted for 3 tons, and traffic was restricted to one lane. The bridge was built in 1940 and is a steel through truss with reinforced concrete approach spans. A project to replace the bridge is included in MDT’s tentative construction program with a target contract letting for Fall 2026.