The Big Timber Pioneer

The Big Timber Pioneer Serving Big Timber and Sweet Grass County, Montana. Send us your news, story ideas and tips at [email protected].

Your weekly news, business and entertainment source exclusive to Sweet Grass County, Montana. The Pioneer is published every Thursday and is available at local Big Timber businesses and mail boxes across the country.

You read it in the Pioneer first. A canceled trial and change-of-plea date regarding a Montana Army National Guard membe...
12/11/2025

You read it in the Pioneer first. A canceled trial and change-of-plea date regarding a Montana Army National Guard member accused of landing in a UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter and taking elk antlers from private ranch land, suggests lesser or no trespassing charges.

Defendants Michael Vincent Bray, 30, a Helena business owner; Perry Wray Woodland, 30, a Montana Highway Patrolman from Great Falls; and Deni Lynn Draper, 36, from Clancy, originally pled not guilty to criminal trespassing charges regarding the May incident.

A canceled trial and change-of-plea date regarding a Montana Army National Guard member accused of landing in a UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter and taking elk antlers from private ranch

Cars crushed, trees toppled, roofs ripped askew—Near 100 mile-per-hour gusts tore through Big Timber during Tuesday’s ‘W...
12/11/2025

Cars crushed, trees toppled, roofs ripped askew—Near 100 mile-per-hour gusts tore through Big Timber during Tuesday’s ‘Windmageddon,’ leaving parts of town without power in one of the most destructive wind events seen in decades.

The National Weather Service recorded a peak 97 mile per hour gust amid sustained 76 mile per hour gusts at Howard Field Airport 5:15 a.m. on Tuesday. Comparatively, Livingston only received a maximum 82 mile per hour gust at the city’s Mission Field Airport station. The Livingston measurement is far slower than the city’s official 94 mile per hour record holding wind gust at Mission Field from December, 1978. Click the link to read more.

Cars crushed, trees toppled, roofs ripped askew—Near 100 mile-per-hour gusts tore through Big Timber during Tuesday’s ‘Windmageddon,’ leaving parts of town without power in one of the most destructive wind

Two grizzly attack survivors are sharing their stories, describing the moments they came face-to-face with one of Montan...
11/28/2025

Two grizzly attack survivors are sharing their stories, describing the moments they came face-to-face with one of Montana’s most powerful predators. Click the link to read more.

Two separate grizzly attack survivors are sharing their stories, describing the moments they came face-to-face with one of Montana’s most powerful predators.

Big Timber resident Ann Willems devoted herself to the American Legion Auxiliary Post #19 on East Third Avenue for more...
11/28/2025

Big Timber resident Ann Willems devoted herself to the American Legion Auxiliary Post #19 on East Third Avenue for more than five decades. The Legion celebrated her community involvement, bestowing an Honorary Life Membership and 50-year commemoration pin, honoring her outstanding loyalty and commitment to the auxiliary’s mission.

Big Timber resident Ann Willems devoted herself to the American Legion Auxiliary Post #19 on East Third Avenue for more than five decades. The Legion celebrated her community involvement, bestowing

Santas, snowmen and Christmas trees again grace the McLeod Street panes at Gust’s of Big Timber, a family-owned departme...
11/28/2025

Santas, snowmen and Christmas trees again grace the McLeod Street panes at Gust’s of Big Timber, a family-owned department store on Big Timber’s main street, after the mercantile’s annual Christmas window reveal celebration last Friday.

An annual tradition, management tore down brown paper sheets unveiling a festive display rivaling big city storefronts. Click the link to read more.

Santas, snowmen and Christmas trees again grace the McLeod Street panes at Gust’s of Big Timber, a family-owned department store on Big Timber’s main street, after the mercantile’s annual Christmas

The Big Timber City Council voted this week to complete demolition of the remnants of the prior City Hall building durin...
11/24/2025

The Big Timber City Council voted this week to complete demolition of the remnants of the prior City Hall building during the council’s bimonthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 17.

The only nay vote came from Justin Ferguson, who cited a lack of documentation supporting demolition.

The decision does not settle the larger question of how the city replaces its office space, record storage, meeting rooms, and animal-control area, and if there will be future senior pantry space. Council members remain divided on whether the city should construct a facility or purchase an existing building.

The Big Timber City Council voted this week to complete demolition of the remnants of the prior City Hall building during the council’s bimonthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 17.

Crazy Mountain Ranch an 18,000-acre members-only resort, is disputing an $8,000 fine for purchasing approximately 106,00...
11/13/2025

Crazy Mountain Ranch an 18,000-acre members-only resort, is disputing an $8,000 fine for purchasing approximately 106,000 gallons of irrigation well water owned and illegally sold by the City of Boulder in Jefferson County to irrigate its bourgeoning 112-acre, 18-hole golf course in Park County.

The guest ranch disagreed with a Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation letter stating CMR violated a July agreement with the DNRC via a motion filed in Park County District Court on Oct. 1. The motion asks the court to declare it was not in violation of the agreement.

Boulder area rancher Edward McCauley filed the initial complaint with the DNRC regarding the city selling unauthorized water from a well to CMR on Aug. 18.

The Big Timber hunter check station experienced an especially busy weekend for the third week of general season. Hunter ...
11/12/2025

The Big Timber hunter check station experienced an especially busy weekend for the third week of general season. Hunter numbers and harvests for all species were above long-term averages for this point in the season. Hunter success was at 69%, the highest since 2003.

Montana’s general big game hunting season has reached the midway point for 2025. In south-central Montana, hunter numbers and animal harvests have been consistent with last year at this point.

Rancher, county superintendent of schools, business woman, and mother Susan Metcalf says the Crazy Peak Boutique, her fa...
11/12/2025

Rancher, county superintendent of schools, business woman, and mother Susan Metcalf says the Crazy Peak Boutique, her family’s downtown shop and eatery could remain permanently closed following the death of her daughter, Brooke Bare (39).

Metcalf and Bare first opened the business in 2021, which was founded on the duo’s love for cooking. The business gained a reputation for community involvement, supplying lunches to Big Timber schools for nearly a month during a staff shortage in 2024.

Metcalf maintains her cooking column in the Pioneer. Her columns in this and last week’s editions are dedicated to Brooke. Click on the link to read more:

Rancher, county superintendent of schools, business woman, and mother Susan Metcalf says the Crazy Peak Boutique, her family’s downtown shop and eatery could remain permanently closed following the death of

Big Timber native Eric Lowe, co-owner of the Boulder River Roadkill bar and grill, general manager Jade Schafer, kitchen...
11/03/2025

Big Timber native Eric Lowe, co-owner of the Boulder River Roadkill bar and grill, general manager Jade Schafer, kitchen manager Ethan Peterson, and other staff are raising a glass celebrating one year running the iconic McLeod watering hole.

“We are bringing this back to a community center, a place for friends to gather, as it has been in the past,” said Lowe, crediting Schafer with maintaining the business, and Peterson with revamping the menu with specials, and home-made sauces.

Lowe said the bar and grill served plenty of locals and tourists, filling the stools and outdoor seating area in the year proceeding the takeover. He explained premiere summer success guarantees the Roadkill is staying open during its second winter with minimized hours. Click the link to read more: https://www.bigtimberpioneer.net/news/roadkill-bar-grill-celebrates-one-year-under-new-management/article_31c92097-698f-44bb-b8c8-ab977e013de6.html .

Big Timber native Eric Lowe, co-owner of the Boulder River Roadkill bar and grill, general manager Jade Schafer, kitchen manager Ethan Peterson, and other staff are raising a glass celebrating

With Election Day approaching, the Sweet Grass County Elections office is working to clarify recent ballot changes to en...
10/24/2025

With Election Day approaching, the Sweet Grass County Elections office is working to clarify recent ballot changes to ensure voters know what to expect when they cast their votes on or before Nov. 4.

City election ballots were mailed on Oct. 16 and can be returned anytime between now and 8 p.m. election day. In addition, a new law mandates voters put their birth year including their signature on the ballot affirmation envelope.

“If you don’t, we will try to track you down, but if we can’t in time for the election, your ballot will be rejected,” said the county elections office in a community release.

In addition, the generic instructions sent with ballots conflict slightly with the ballots themselves, stating not to mark an “X”, per the office.

“This is not true; any marking is sufficient on our ballot, be it an “X” or a checkmark or completely filled in,” states the county elections office in another release. “[Ballots] will be counted.”

Voters can still register until election day, but must go to the county election office in person at 115 West fifth Avenue. Voters with questions can call the elections office at (406) 932-5152.

With Election Day approaching, the Sweet Grass County Elections office is working to clarify recent ballot changes to ensure voters know what to expect when they cast their votes on

Big Timber Ward 1 residents will chose between incumbent Leonard Woehler and newcomer Dulcie Bue-Clavarino on Nov. 4. Wi...
10/24/2025

Big Timber Ward 1 residents will chose between incumbent Leonard Woehler and newcomer Dulcie Bue-Clavarino on Nov. 4. Winning candidates take office on Jan 1. 2026.

Ward 1 is east of the centerline of McLeod Street and north of the centerline of East 7th Avenue, according to the county election office. The election for the Ward 2 city Councilman, currently held by Justin Ferguson, is uncontested. Therefore, candidate Mike Duval is slated to be elected by acclamation, according to the Sweet Grass County Elections office. Ward 2 is west of the centerline of McLeod Street and south of the centerline of East Seventh Avenue.

Wohler and Bue-Clavarino sat down with the Pioneer at the beginning of the election cycle. Reach more about the two candidates positions on different local issues by clicking on the link.

Big Timber Ward 1 residents will chose between incumbent Leonard Woehler and newcomer Dulcie Bue-Clavarino on Nov. 4. Winning candidates take office on Jan 1. 2026.

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105 W 2nd Avenue
Big Timber, MT
59011

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Your weekly news, business and entertainment source exclusive to Sweet Grass County, Montana. The Pioneer is published every Thursday and is available at local Big Timber businesses and mail boxes across the country.