By Cohen, Betsy It has a commanding name, and even sounds as if it's an actual place, but the University of Montana's Hamilton Higher Education Center is a "center" in name only.

By Briggeman, Kim A Z-shaped chunk of white turned blue on the Bitterroot National Forest map this week.

By Cohen, Betsy Bitterroot Valley residents leading the charge to establish a community college are pushing Montana education leaders and state officials into uncharted territory. It's been 40 years since such a venture has been launched, and over those years, state law and processes have changed.

By Cohen, Betsy The Bitterroot Valley is one step closer to having a community college because of the inspired work of Hamilton residents who want access to higher education without leaving their hometown.

By Backus, Perry Rancher Tom Maclay submitted a special-use permit application this week for what would be the first phase of a destination ski resort on federal land adjacent to his family's spread in the Bitterroot Valley.