News

The Nov. 6 Madison and Gallatin Counties Joint Commission Meeting was to capacity – more seats had to be brought in.  

The public comment period was robust, with a variety of projects and organizations represented. 

As for agenda items, the most notable to Madison County was the debate of Jack Creek Road. 

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is investigating a grizzly bear mortality in the Eureka Basin of the south Gravelly Mountains, after a hunter reportedly shot the bear in self-defense Oct. 26. 

When a fire, which consumed a house in Pony and killed a dog, was dispatched to the Harrison-Pony-Norris-Summit Valley Volunteer Fire Department in the early morning hours of Oct. 30, the full roster of six volunteers reported to the fire department in Harrison. 

Former Madison County Sheriff Roger Thompson was found guilty of official misconduct, a misdemeanor, in Madison County’s District Court in Virginia City Nov. 7

Town of Ennis

Municipal General Election-Four-year commission seats

-Cory Hardy: 188

-John Bancroft: 136

-Misty Wright Ranson: 133

-Carl Kautz: 112

Town of Twin Bridges

Virginia City’s very own playwright Allyson Adams has always been bold. Afterall, she was the mayor who arranged for 400 goats to come to the town to clean-up noxious weeds in lieu of using chemicals long before such a move was fashionable. The story hit international news.

The 2019 municipal general election ballots were mailed to all qualified voters in Ennis, Virginia City and Twin Bridges Oct. 18. Sheridan’s elections are canceled because seats that are eligible for reelection are uncontested. 

Mental health affects everyone, regardless of gender or occupation. Suicide rates are higher in rural America and Montana leads the nation in number of suicides. The isolation and job factors associated with agricultural work in rural Montana, and the stigma tied to identity, makes seeking out help difficult.