The Local Breeze - Big Hole Valley

10/14/2026

📣Upcoming Events📣

10/14/2026

20° at 5:30 this morning… looked out the front door just now and saw these visitors😊

10/14/2026

From Brook Erb…
The Beaverhead County Local Government Study Commission was established in 2024 by voter mandate to review the structure, powers, and procedures of Beaverhead County’s local government. The commission’s charge, as defined by Montana state law, was to compare the existing county government, which is a Commission Form of Government, with alternative forms available under state statutes and, if warranted, propose changes to the electorate.

The elected commission of Brooke Erb, Rebecca Jones, and Taylor Rose conducted a review through public surveys, public meetings held in Dillon, Lima, and Wisdom, and received opinion from county commissioners, county department managers, and elected county employees. Comparative data was obtained from various Montana counties, as well.

After extensive review and public consultation, the Study Commission concluded that there is public interest in commissioner’s expanded ability to exercise more flexibility and make decisions with more efficiency and responsiveness locally. We concluded that a Self-Government Charter would best facilitate these objectives.

For example, an ordinance for building codes could be enforced, requiring construction projects to adhere to state building codes. Fireworks could be restricted in fire prone areas when drought conditions are present. Situations that require expediency in decision making would produce timely results.

To support the recommended change in local government to “A Self-Government Charter”, a ballot would be marked: [X] For adoption of the commission form of government with a self-government charter proposed for Beaverhead County proposed by the Beaverhead County Local Government Study Commission.

Thank you for entrusting this elected Study Commission to review existing local government and recommend this proposed change to the citizens of Beaverhead County.

10/13/2026

10/13/2026

We are so excited about this years line up for our 4H and FFA steer sale!
This sale is by reservation only, so let us know if you would like to come and check them out!

10/13/2026

Jamie Lode was up in Montana's Pioneer Mountains with about 500 cows and their calves when a second wildfire started and left the herd between two fires.

She's the range rider for the Holland family of Grasshopper Valley, near Dillon, and a range rider spends the summer on the high pasture with the cattle. On August 2 of this year the Bobcat Lakes Fire was already burning when lightning set off the Sand Creek Fire. Lode saw it start.

The Hollands rode up, and neighbors and local cowboys came along. For five days they pushed cattle down through smoke and ash, some bunches as far as 28 miles in a day. Calves that couldn't go another step got loaded into trucks. Horses lay down and stock dogs overheated on those long days.

Finding every animal took two weeks. The Hollands didn't lose a single cow, calf or bull, the Tri-State Livestock News reported.

This fall the family started fitting its mother cows with satellite collars, paid for by a federal conservation grant. They want to find the herd faster the next time those mountains burn.

10/12/2026

With The Nez Perce Motel Wisdom Montana – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉

10/12/2026

Get your tickets today! 🍁🍂🍁