Bitterroot Valley news you may have missed this week

Here are some news stories from the Bitterroot Valley you may have missed this week...

Ravalli County officials to hold meeting on proposed roads levy

The Ravalli County Commissioners are holding a public meeting at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 9,  to discuss a proposed mill levy for the 2026 June ballot regarding county roads.

The commissioners have determined they are short on funds for county roads by $2.9 million per year. There are 300 miles of paved road and 250 miles of gravel road that the county is in charge of upkeep for.

According to the resolution posted in the agenda for the meeting, the proposed levy is for 10 years, up to $2.9 million per year, raising around 26.66 mills each year "for the purpose of improving public safety by paying for the cost materials ONLY, not to include labor or equipment, related to the expenses of constructing, maintaining, repairing and/or improving County maintained roads" the document states.

Ravalli County officials to hold meeting on proposed roads levy

Who's running: A roundup of Bitterroot Valley candidates for the Montana Legislature

As the 2026 election cycle heats up in Montana with a flurry of last-minute maneuvering during Wednesday’s filing deadline, the races to represent Ravalli County in the Montana Legislature are taking shape.

Ravalli County consists of four House Districts (HD 85, HD 86, HD 87, HD 88) and two Senate Districts (SD 43 and SD 44). All four Ravalli County House seats as well as one Senate seat, all currently held by Republicans, will be up for grabs in the 2026 election. The filing deadline to run for office in the 2026 election was March 4.

Senate District 43 is currently represented by Hamilton Republican Sen. Jason Ellsworth, whose term expires at the end of the year. He will be running to represent House District 34 in eastern Montana. Ellsworth provided a Hamilton P.O. Box to the Montana Secretary of State’s office as his mailing address with his candidate filing. He has until May 3 to establish residency in HD 34. Ellsworth is currently the subject of an ongoing criminal case following alleged misconduct as the previous Senate president.

Who's running: A roundup of Bitterroot Valley candidates for the Montana Legislature

GOP to maintain grip on Ravalli County as no Dems file to run in local elections

Local races in Ravalli County's 2026 election cycle are taking shape and many are already a done deal after the deadline to file to run for office closed on Wednesday without a single Democrat running for a seat in the deep red county.

Several local elected positions were up for grabs including two county commission seats, county sheriff, county attorney, clerk and recorder/superintendent of schools and treasurer — none of which saw a single Democratic challenger. Many candidates for office in Ravalli County are running unopposed for reelection, and all candidates for local office in Ravalli County are Republicans.

GOP to maintain grip on Ravalli County as no Dems file to run in local elections

Less snow, new strategies: How Bitterroot businesses are adapting to weather uncertainty

For the past four years, Elizabeth Griffin’s daffodil buds she grows for her flower farm, Bizzy Blooms, haven’t come out of the ground until April. This year, the warmer weather pushed the buds up early, already emerging by about 3 inches in late February. But instead of feeling delighted about the early bloom, Griffin was worried.

“It’s really strange because normally it’d be really exciting,” Griffin said. “But I don’t have water for irrigation right now.”

At her Hamilton-based farm, Griffin uses ditchwater to irrigate her crops, which typically isn’t turned on until late spring. With the daffodils — which make up more than half of her flower sales — blooming early, she’s been brainstorming ways to pivot.

Less snow, new strategies: How Bitterroot businesses are adapting to weather uncertainty

Townhome development in the works after Hamilton officials approve annexation, zoning change

The City of Hamilton gave final approval for the annexation of a 3-acre property at the corner of Kurtz Lane and Marcus Street at a March 3 meeting, making way for a proposed townhome development.

The Hamilton City Council held public hearings on Feb. 17 and March 3 where they also gave approval for a high-density zoning change at the location.

Dillon Pigman of Pigman Builders said they are proposing to build 33 townhomes on the property. The homes would be in groups of three to four units with connected walls. Pigman says it could end up being less depending on what happens in the next phase of planning.

“We just got the zoning approved tonight, we still have to run the whole subdivision through the city planning office,” said Pigman.

Townhome development in the works after Hamilton officials approve annexation, zoning change

Hamilton City Council Updates: 2026 baseball season, Happy Trees Initiative

The Hamilton City Council covered various topics at a Tuesday, March 3, meeting including the 2026 Bitterroot baseball season contracts and updates on grants which fall under the Happy Trees Initiative.

Hamilton City Council Updates: 2026 baseball season, Happy Trees Initiative