COMMUNITY BRIEFS

From Jenny Kauffman

Condon Librarion

The November Condon Library Book Chat is about “Down from the Mountain, the life and death of a grizzly bear” by Bryce Andrews We meet at the library at 1pm. Nov. 9.

This is the description on the back of the book: An “ode to wildness and wilderness” (Outside), Down from the Mountain tells the story of one grizzly in the changing Montana landscape. Millie was cunning and a fiercely protective mother to her cubs. But raising those cubs in the mountains became harder each year as the climate warmed and people crowded the valleys. There were obvious dangers, like poachers, and subtle ones, like the cornfield that drew her toward a collision with the agricultural world.

That trouble is where award-winning writer, farmer, and conservationist Bryce Andrew’s story intersects with Millie’s. In a “welcome and impressive work,” Andrews shows how this drama is “the core of a major problem in the rural American West- the disagreement between large predatory animals and invasive modern settlers’’ - an entangled collision where the shrinking wilds force human and bear into ever closer proximity (Barry Lopez).

We will also be hosting a Swan Valley History Presentation by Steve Lamar at 1p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the Swan Valley Community hall.

Here’s a blurb to describe the presentation: “Ancient Hunting Grounds, Homesteader’s Paradise, Outfitter’s Dream, Logger’s Workplace, Guest Ranch Mecca. At some time in the past all of these were true about the Swan Valley of Montana. Local historian, Steve Lamar, will be presenting a history lesson on the Swan Valley.”

For more information, call 406-754-2521 or email JennyK@missoula.lib.mt.us.

Annual Ovando Harvest Dinner

Join the Fall Festivities with the Annual Ovando Harvest Dinner hosted by the Sew & So Club Friday, Nov. 12 at the Ovando High School Gym.

5:30 p.m .: Doors Open & Start of Silent Auction (donations for auction still accepted):

6 p.m .: Potluck Dinner (bring a main or dessert dish.)

7 p.m .: Live Auction (Bring a megaphone & your wallet.)

Recently proceeds of $21,500 have been passed along to 5 local families to assist in their times of need; all through your generosity.

Seeley Lake Library news

The next monthly Book Club Meeting Thursday 10 a.m., Nov. 3 at the Seeley Lake Library

The Book Club meets the first Thursday of every month.

This month’s book is Case Histories by Kate Atkinson. Description from the library catalog: Private detective Jackson Brodie finds his own need for resolution sparked by three investigations, including that of two sisters who discover a shocking clue to the disappearance of their third sister thirty years earlier.

Stop by the library to pick up your copy.

Podcasting Studio

This month the library has incorporated a new podcasting studio for locals to use in the library. Come by to check out the equipment. If you have content to record, the equipment is ready for you - bring your own USB drive! This new offering is thanks to a partnership with MCAT - Montana Cable Access Television, who’s office and studios are now housed in the new Missoula Public Library building.

For more library information, contact Carrie Benton at 456 Airport Rd, Seeley Lake, or call 406-677-2309.

Local history presentation

Steve Lamar will present a Swan Valley History Presentation at 1 p.m., Nov. 16 in the Swan Valley Community Hall.

Ancient Hunting Grounds, Homesteader’s Paradise, Outfitter’s Dream, Logger’s Workplace, Guest Ranch Mecca. At some time in the past all of these were true about the Swan Valley of Montana. Local historian, Steve Lamar, will be presenting a history lesson on the Swan Valley.

Swan Valley Community Hall is located at 6803 Highway 83. The number is 406-754-2521.

Big horn hunting to close

HELENA – By order of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, the hunting of all bighorn sheep will close in hunting district 303 one-half hour after sunset on Sunday, Oct. 30.

For more information, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov/hunt/by-species to check the current quota status, or call the toll-free number at 1-800-385-7826.

Missoula County Poll locations

Polling location hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 8.

• Bonner School

HD89, HD92

• Chief Charlo (moved to Old Cold Springs) HD90

• Clinton School

HD89, HD92

• Jeannette Rankin School

HD89, HD99

• CS Porter School HD98

• East Missoula Community Center HD92

• Evaro (moved to Bucksnort Restaurant) HD94

• Franklin School HD100

• Frenchtown Fire Station

HD14, HD94, HD96

• Hawthorne School

HD95, HD98

• Hellgate Elementry

HD94, HD95, HD96, HD97

• Lewis & Clark (moved to Washington School)

HD89, HD90

• Missoula Library HD91

• Lolo School HD89, HD97

• Lowell School

HD94, HD95

• Meadow Hill (moved to Old Cold Springs) HD99

• Paxson School HD89

• Petty Creek Fire Station

HD97

• Potomac Community Center HD92

• Rattlesnake School

HD91

• Russell School

HD90, HD99

• Seeley Lake School

HD92

• Senior Citizens Center

HD91, HD95

• Spring Meadows Fire Station HD94, HD96

• St Joseph School

HD100

• Swan School HD92

• Target Range School

HD97, HD98

• University Center (UM)

HD89

Powell County Polling Place Locations

The Location of Powell County Precinct Polling Places and Accessibility Designations for the Nov. 8, 2022, General Election:

**Polling places marked with an asterisk will be open for voting from noon to 8 p.m.

All other polling places will be open for voting from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Precinct Number Polling Place Name and Location Accessibility Designation (A – Accessible, I – Inaccessible)

• 1** Avon Community Center, 208 Main St., Avon, MT 59713

• 3 Cottonwood – Deer Lodge Community Center, 416 Cottonwood Ave., Deer Lodge, MT 59722 A

• 4 Deer Lodge – Deer Lodge Community Center, 416 Cottonwood Ave., Deer Lodge, MT 59722 A

• 5 Deer Lodge – Deer Lodge Community Center, 416 Cottonwood Ave., Deer Lodge, MT 59722 A

• 6 Deer Lodge – Deer Lodge Community Center, 416 Cottonwood Ave., Deer Lodge, MT 59722 A

• 7 Deer Lodge – Deer Lodge Community Center, 416 Cottonwood Ave., Deer Lodge, MT 59722 A

• 8** Elliston – Elliston School, 205 W. Main St., Elliston, MT 59728 A

• 10** Garrison – Garrison School Gym, 33 Schoolhouse Rd, Garrison, MT 59731 A

• 11** Gold Creek – Gold Creek Community Hall, 653 Gold Creek Rd., Gold Creek, MT 59733 A

• 12** Helmville Comm. Center, 105 Main St., Helmville, MT 59843 A

• 14** Ovando – Ovando School Library, 108 Birch St., Ovando, MT 59854 A

• 16** Race Track – Race Track Fire Hall, 6887 S Frontage Rd., Race Track, MT 59722 A

Missoula County mailing tax bills

Missoula County mailed 2022 tax bills to all property owners in the county Oct. 28.

Tax bills are currently available online at missoulataxes.us.

Tax payments for the first half of the year must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 30. Tax payments for the second half of the year are due Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

The Clerk and Treasurer’s office is accepting tax payments online via credit card, debit card or electronic check (eCheck). Service fees apply when paying online by credit or debit card. There is no fee to pay by eCheck, and the Clerk and Treasurer’s Office recommends property owners use this option if possible.

Other options for submitting payment include:

• By mail: Clerk and Treasurer’s Office, 200 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT, 59802

• Online: missoulataxes.us

• By drop box: Blue courthouse drop box is located in the west parking lot off Woody Street

To access tax bills online:

• Visit missoulataxes.us

• Click “pay my taxes”

• Search by last name, property address, geo code or taxpayer ID • After the query has run, click “Detail” to view a pie chart that breaks down taxes among the different jurisdictions

• You can also visit missoulaproperty.us for a visual search • Then click the “Taxes” tab in the property information box once a parcel has been selected.

Because Missoula County collects taxes for all taxing jurisdictions within the county, property owners will likely see a portion of their taxes supporting several jurisdictions and districts. For example, Missoula County and the City of Missoula each set their own budgets and tax rates, and property taxes also support local school districts. Property taxes also fund districts that provide services like fire protection, bus service, irrigation, water and sewer. A portion of property taxes also supports schools statewide, including the Montana University System.

Missoula County created a document called the Budget in Brief, to help residents to understand the County budget and how it’s reflected in their taxes. The Budget in Brief can be found online at missoula.co/budgets.

If property owners have specific questions regarding their tax bills, it’s important that they contact the appropriate jurisdiction. Here are the six largest taxing jurisdictions likely to appear on a tax bill:

• Missoula County Public Schools: 728-2400, x 1024

• City of Missoula: 552-6122

• Missoula County: 258-4847 (Clerk/Treasurer) or 258-4918 (Financial Services)

• Missoula Urban Transportation District (Mountain Line): 406-543-8386

• Missoula Rural Fire District: 406-549-6172

• Montana University System: 406-449-9124.