Latest news with #Bozeman-based
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Authorities raise red flag after tick discovered on dog in Montana: 'We should be on the lookout'
A tick found on a bird dog in Montana could forewarn of Lyme disease spreading into the state. A Bozeman-based hunter recently alerted local health officials in the state to a tick that he found on his French Brittany dog after a pheasant-hunting excursion. The Spokesman-Review reported the news, explaining that the tick was plucked from the dog and shipped to a National Institutes of Health facility, which confirmed it was a deer tick, a Lyme disease-carrying species that has traditionally been found on the East Coast and in the Midwest. In addition, the lab found that the tick may have actually been carrying Lyme disease and relapsing fever, another tick-borne disease. Health officials said that the evidence isn't enough to prove that Lyme disease has moved into the state, however. "What it does say is, 'Well, guess what? We should be on the lookout for these Ixodes scapularis ticks in Eastern Montana,' which is where this tick was from, as well as other parts of the state," Marshall Bloom, a scientist with Rocky Mountain Laboratories, the Montana-based lab that first received the tick and sent it to the NIH, told the Spokesman-Review. Deer ticks have long made themselves at home in the East and Midwest, but they are expanding their range westward, largely due to rising global temperatures that allow them to remain active and survive for longer as the number of days with warm enough temperatures increases slightly, scientists say. In people, Stage 1 Lyme disease can cause symptoms including fever, headache, extreme tiredness, joint stiffness, muscle aches and pains, and swollen lymph nodes, according to the Mayo Clinic. Without treatment, the disease can progress to Stage 2, with more serious symptoms like immune-system activity in heart tissue that causes irregular heartbeats. Stage 3 leads to more severe consequences that can last for months and in some cases years, potentially causing permanent joint, heart, or neurological damage. In dogs, the disease can cause lameness, fever, swollen lymph nodes and joints, and a kidney disease called Lyme nephritis that can lead to edema, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes death, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Montana isn't the only place on the alert as deer ticks continue to expand their range outside of their normal territory. For instance, Lyme disease risk has doubled in the Canadian province of Quebec and tripled in Manitoba between 2000 and 2015, according to one study. Do you worry about getting diseases from bug bites? Absolutely Only when I'm camping or hiking Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The best way to avoid Lyme disease is to avoid ticks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people to walk in the middle of trails to avoid these tiny external parasites and keep legs covered. Another preventative action is spraying footwear, clothing, and camping gear with insecticide that includes 0.5% permethrin — though as always, avoid resorting to chemicals when possible and look to this option more for times when engaging in serious tick risks. There are already a number of medicines on the market that kill ticks that have bitten dogs before they can spread Lyme disease. Make sure to invest in one of these medications to protect your dog. Meanwhile, scientists are working on a new tick-repelling drug for humans that works similar to the chewable tablets we give our dogs. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal court says Bozeman municipal judges don't have immunity in bail bonds case
John Looney, Sr., owner of Bad Boy Bail Bonds, speak to the A federal judge has rejected the claims of two Bozeman municipal court judges who said a lawsuit brought by a bail bonding company should be dismissed because of judicial immunity. Meanwhile, the state's judicial standards commission has dismissed a similar complaint against the two judges, according to a letter from the commission's chairman. Bozeman municipal court Judges Karolina Tierney and J. Colleen Herrington told U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy that judicial immunity — or the concept that protects individuals or companies from suing judges for doing their jobs — should apply to the ongoing dispute with John J. Looney, Sr., and his company, Bad Boy Bail Bonds. However, Molloy rejected that argument in a 40-page order filed on Monday, saying their actions were outside the scope of a legal case before them, and therefore, judicial immunity does not apply. The case stems from a dispute stretching back five years to when Bad Boy Bail Bonds was owned by a different company, and posted a bond in Bozeman Municipal Court for a man who later failed to appear. In 2022, Looney bought only the name, not the rest of the company, from a Helena-based bonding service. On Jan. 30, 2024, the court tried to collect the forfeited bond, but Looney told the court and the clerk the bond had been made by another company, and he wasn't responsible for it. The municipal court, comprised of Tierney and Herrington, disagreed and suspended his ability to write bonds in Gallatin County. After his business started collapsing, Looney said he paid the bond so that he could resume issuing bonds, but not before filing a complaint with the state's judicial standards commission. After paying the bond, Looney assumed that he could resume business, but the court said that it would not consider that until the complaint was withdrawn. Meanwhile, the Bozeman Municipal Court also filed a complaint against Looney's company with the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, which licenses bail bonding companies. It later dismissed the complaint, and no action was ever taken against Bad Boy Bail Bonds or Looney. That led to Looney filing complaints in the state court as well in federal court, where an injunction by Molloy ordered the court to continue to honor Bad Boy Bail bonds, something that Bozeman-based attorney Matthew Monforton, who represents Looney, said it has since reneged on. Molloy found that state and federal laws protect judges from being sued if they are acting within the scope of a case or their job. But since Looney had paid the bond, even though he disputed it, and he was licensed by the state, that the judges weren't covered by judicial immunity for refusing to honor Looney's bonds. In court, Monforton has argued that Montana law only allows the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance to license and regulate bail bonding companies. Furthermore, Looney said that he tried repeatedly meeting with the judges to resolve the dispute, but they refused, waiting apparently until he removed the complaint from the state's judicial standards commission. Clerk of the Municipal Court Michelle emailed Looney, according to court files: 'The judges are confused as to whether this payment means that the ethics complain filed against Judge Tierney is resolved and will be withdrawn. With the pending complaint and potential litigation you have referenced, the judges would not be able to meet with you to discuss anything that may be handled pursuant to the complaint or pending litigation.' Looney has said repeatedly that he viewed this as a demand, and replied, 'The court's decision to reinstate my bonding privileges is now being tied to the status of the ethics complaint I filed against Judge Tierney. The implication that my business will continue to face penalties unless I withdraw the ethics complaint is troubling … and gives the appearance that the court is exerting undue pressure on me to withdraw the complaint.' Court filings show that neither the judges nor the clerk responded to the allegation. 'Bad Boy was apparently in compliance with Montana law and authorized to conduct business as a commercial surety, it was not a normal judicial function to suspend its bonding privileges,' Molloy said. The judge also found that not only did they attempt to regulate a function that belonged to another branch of government, but when Looney appealed the decision from municipal court, Tierney wiped the appeal from the case file. While Molloy agreed that judges have the ability to set bonding amounts or requirements, he said they cannot issue 'a ban on all bail bonds written by a specific commercial surety company.' 'When the Montana Constitution, state law, and caselaw are read together, Montana law establishes that a judge does not have jurisdiction to suspend a licensed surety's bonding privileges,' the court order said. 'Accordingly judicial immunity is lost.' The court file confirmed that Looney filed a grievance against both judges with the Montana Judicial Standards Commission, which has the oversight and authority to discipline judges. Those hearings and the decisions, unless forwarded to the Montana Supreme Court, remain confidential. However, in a Dec. 12, 2024, letter from Judge Mike Menahan, the chairman of the JSC, he told Looney that the three complaints he had lodged had all been dismissed, but the details surrounding the dismissal, including any voting records, remain confidential under state law. 250317 (45) Order Denying Muni Judges Mtn to Dismiss (1)
Associated Press
04-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Montana court backs pro-construction housing laws
A district court judge in Bozeman ruled Monday against most of the claims made by a homeowners group that sued to challenge four pro-construction housing laws passed by the 2023 Legislature. But he also concluded that provisions of one law intended to prevent not-in-my-backyard-style activism from derailing development proposals violate the Montana Constitution's right of participation. District Court Judge Mike Salvagni additionally concluded the 2023 laws, which include measures forcing cities to permit more accessory dwelling units and duplexes, can't override homeowner association covenants. The split ruling was applauded Monday by supporters and detractors of the housing laws, with Gov. Greg Gianforte and free-market housing advocates focusing on three zoning laws passing constitutional muster and a plaintiffs' attorney stressing the judge's ruling on public participation in project-specific development decisions. 'Today's ruling by Gallatin District Court to uphold critical pro-housing reforms is a victory for all Montanans striving for affordable, attainable housing,' Gianforte said in a statement, adding that the laws 'address our state's housing crisis by increasing supply and expanding access to homeownership, a key part of the American dream.' Whitefish-based Shelter WF, a housing advocacy group that had intervened in the case, and the Frontier Institute, a free-market think tank that had advocated for the 2023 bills, also applauded the ruling in statements Monday. Both had participated in Gianforte's housing task force, which had helped develop the legislation. 'This ruling is good news for any Montanan looking to own or rent a home here, because more accessory dwelling units, duplexes, and small apartments will mean more affordability for regular working people,' said Shelter WF President Nathan Dugan. Conversely, an attorney for the plaintiffs, Bozeman-based Montanans Against Irresponsible Densification — or MAID — said the court had correctly struck down provisions of 2023's Senate Bill 382 that cut the public out of the land use decisions. 'Public participation is required constitutionally,' said MAID attorney Jim Goetz. 'This is a real dagger in the heart of that statute.' MAID filed the legal challenge in late 2023, arguing the laws would force its homeowner-members to live in more-densely populated areas with larger buildings, more traffic and 'any number of other changes that spur uninterrupted development under the guise of affordable housing.' Salvagini had previously ordered that some of the laws be put on hold while the challenge was litigated, a decision that was overturned by the Montana Supreme Court in September. The three laws upheld in their entirety by Salvagni's ruling are as follows: 1. 2023's Senate Bill 245, which requires cities of 7,000 residents or more to allow apartment-style housing in most areas set aside as commercial zones. 2. 2023's Senate Bill 323, which requires cities to allow duplex housing on any home lot in cities with 5,000 residents or more. 3. 2023's Senate Bill 528, which requires cities to adopt regulations allowing more construction of accessory dwelling units, or secondary housing structures that share parcels with larger homes. The other bill, SB 382 or the Montana Land Use Planning Act, is a broad rework of the state's land use planning rules. Supporters, including the Montana League of Cities and Towns, called it an effort to modernize the development permitting process as municipalities plan for the housing necessary to accommodate growing populations. Among other provisions, that law sought to increase public involvement as high-level growth plans are written and dial participation back once specific projects are proposed — a shift supporters said would help keep NIMBY-style activism from gumming up the works. For example, the new land use planning act specifies that development proposals deemed to be in 'substantial compliance' with previously adopted zoning regulations and subdivision requirements should be subject to administrative approval by city staff rather than subjected to public hearings in front of elected officials — hearings that sometimes provide a venue for neighbors to rally against proposed developments. Supporters had argued that the new approach would provide a system where developers have more certainty about what they can build in particular places and would speed approvals of projects that don't rock the boat. Goetz said Monday that approach doesn't match the reality of complex planning challenges. 'The problem with land use planning is that it's not that clear cut and simple. It's not that black and white, when you set out general provisions in your growth policy, whether a later project applies,' he said. 'The public should have the right to get involved — and has.' While the new land use planning law does provide for an appeal process for contentious projects, Salvagni agreed with MAID that dialing back opportunities for post-proposal public comments violates the Montana Constitution's right of participation. 'These provisions of the law precluding public participation without notice and opportunity to be heard at the decision making stage by the planning administrator on a proposal for a site-specific development are facially unconstitutional,' Salvagni wrote. 'This blanket prohibition for notice and opportunity to be heard offends the Constitution.' Kelly Lynch, the executive director of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, said in a Monday interview that she was disappointed in the ruling on the participation shift, noting that the law had added many opportunities to solicit public input earlier in the process. 'Obviously, we don't think this is the right decision,' said Lynch, who lobbied for the new approach in 2023, assuring lawmakers it would past constitutional muster. 'We're looking at our options, which could include appealing.'
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stillwater Christian School gets $1M grant from Gianforte Family Foundation for Early Learning Center project
Feb. 18—Stillwater Christian School has received a $1 million grant from the Gianforte Family Foundation for its Early Learning Center construction project, which is slated to start in the spring. The grant will be used for site work, including expansion of the septic system and parking lots in addition to new vehicle pick-up and drop-off areas. "As we grow, we recognize the need for increased parking for teachers, staff, parents and visitors, including more accessible parking spaces. New drop-off areas will enable safer vehicle entry and egress from campus," Stillwater Head of School Laura McCollum said at a state of the school address Feb. 13. Also funding the Early Learning Center construction project is a $5 million donation from local businessman Paul Wachholz, which was announced in September 2024. McCollum unveiled updated architectural renderings of the new center last week alongside LSW Architects Chief Innovation Officer Casey Wyckoff. The new 18,000-square-foot building will include two kindergarten and three pre-kindergarten through kindergarten classrooms, restrooms, teacher and support staff workrooms, a gymnasium/multipurpose room for elementary physical education and a dedicated space for music classes. "The new and reconfigured spaces will allow us to open up more enrollment for children in Pre-K through K, with a developmentally appropriate design, so that all grade and age levels are best served," McCollum said in a statement. "The valley has been growing, with many new, young families moving into the area, so we anticipate increased enrollment, especially at the pre-school level." The new Early Learning Center is anticipated to open in fall 2026. McCollum thanked general contractor, Tadd Nicely, owner of Nicely Construction, subcontractors and donors for their support, financial assistance and collaboration on the project. "We are so excited and proud to celebrate the many entities who have come together, captured by our vision, to enhance Christian education in the Flathead Valley," she said. Located at 225 FFA Drive in Kalispell, the private school offers a "Christ-centered education" for grades pre-kindergarten through 12th. Current enrollment stands at 400 students. The Gianforte Family Foundation is a Bozeman-based nonprofit founded in 2004 that has supported various education, school choice and Christian ministry programs/initiatives through grants and scholarships. Foundation trustees are Gov. Greg Gianforte and his wife, Susan. "We're thrilled to provide this grant to partner with Stillwater Christian School on its new Early Learning Center," Gianforte Family Foundation Executive Director Catherine Koenen said. "The campus expansion will directly address demand for increased options in education." Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@ Stillwater Christian School Early Learning Center construction project will include five classrooms and a gym geared for elementary students. The project recently received a $1 million grant from the Gianforte Family Foundation. (Drawing by LSW Architects)
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate swaps counsel for ethics investigation; Ethics Committee lays out rules
Photo illustration by Getty Images. Senate President Matt Regier is changing lawyers after Senate Democrats objected to his pick as outside counsel to help in an ethics investigation into Hamilton Sen. Jason Ellsworth. Earlier this week Regier announced he'd hired Matthew Monforton, a Bozeman-based lawyer, to work for himself and the GOP majority leadership and take on a 'prosecutorial' role in the ethics committee. However, Senate Democrats expressed reservations about Monforton's role with the committee due to his contract naming Regier as the client, his history of partisanship, and recent social media posts disparaging Ellsworth. Sen. Laura Smith, D-Helena, a former prosecutor, told the Senate Ethics Committee on Wednesday she was not comfortable working with Monforton, and wasn't sure they even needed outside counsel. 'Our citizens need to see an ethics process that's fair,' Smith said, saying any outside counsel should guide the committee by being 'unbiased, diligent and fair.' Smith suggested they use in-house attorneys, or find someone mutually agreeable to all members of the committee. On Thursday morning, Regier sent out an email to reporters indicating he is in the process of hiring a new attorney, Adam Duerk from Missoula, a highly qualified attorney 'without any of the political history' that Monforton had. 'Senator Ellsworth has his own outside legal counsel. I believe very strongly that it's important for the Senate to also have legal counsel in this matter,' Regier said in his email. 'There is no reason at this point for further objections or delays to the Senate Ethics Committee's important work. The people of Montana expect the Legislature to investigate and resolve allegations of impropriety in a timely manner, and it's time for the Ethics Committee to proceed accordingly.' Reached by phone on Thursday morning, Duerk said he would not comment on a matter pending before the Senate. Monforton, who attended the organizational meeting of the Ethics Committee Wednesday afternoon, told the Daily Montanan that based on what he heard, he believes 'Democrats are heavily invested in Ellsworth and don't want a prosecutor advocating for anything more than a slap on the wrist.' At the start of the 69th Legislature, Senate Democrats, Ellsworth and eight other Republicans joined in a vote to change Senate rules related to committees, opposing Regier and GOP leadership. A spokesperson for Senate Democrats said they are more optimistic about Duerk, appreciate the good-faith effort by Regier to address their concerns, and hope to meet with Duerk before fully endorsing his work with the Ethics Committee. At its organizational meeting Wednesday, the Senate Ethics Committee discussed its rules and schedule for the investigation into Sen. Ellsworth. The bipartisan Senate committee, comprising two Republicans and two Democrats, will hold hearings in February to determine whether actions Ellsworth took to enter a $170,100 no-bid contract with a business associate last year violated the state's code of ethics, or any legislative or state laws. Members of the committee emphasized that their role is to be an independent fact-finding body, which will ultimately make a report and recommendation to the full Senate chamber to vote on 'whether good cause is shown to expel or punish' Ellsworth. 'We want to get to the facts of the case. We want to do it expeditiously,' Senate Majority Leader Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, said. 'We don't want to drag this out forever.' Under the rules adopted by the committee, Ellsworth will have four days after an initial meeting on Feb. 3 to provide a written response to the allegations of misconduct against him, and a list of witnesses, documents and records that pertain to the investigation. The committee will then conduct hearings Ellsworth tried to speak during the committee's meeting, but was overruled by chair Sen. Forrest Mandeville, R-Columbus. The contract Ellsworth signed tasked his associate to analyze a series of judicial reform bills and their implementation after the session, but was flagged by legislative staff and senate leadership for skirting normal procurement rules. A recent report form the Legislative Audit Division concluded Ellsworth abused his powers as then-Senate president, and wasted government resources. The next meeting of the Senate Ethics Committee will be on Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. in the old Supreme Court chambers.
