KLTZ/MIX-93 Local News


Rain Helps Firefighters Battling Phillips County Blazes (7/31)

Highway 2 Meeting Set For Thursday (7/31)

Alberston's Plans Will Have Little Effect In Montana, Official Says (7/31)

Cool Temps Will Help But Winds Could Hurt Firefighting Efforts (7/31)

Fort Peck Reservation Among Grant Recipients (7/30)

More Severe Weather (7/27)

Albertson's In Malta Is Store Of The Year (7/27)

Nurses' Strike Averted By Mediation Agreement (7/27)

Improving Border Strength Treasury/Postal Appropriations Bill Has Strong Impact In Montana (7/26)

Piping Plover Habitat Proposal Draws Criticism From Some Landowners (7/26)

Poplar ManCharged In Death Of Infant Son (7/26)

Fwp Commission Restricts Antlerless Whitetail Deer B Licenses In Fwp Region Six (7/25)

Walleye Stocking Complete on Fort Peck Lake (7/25)

Severe Weather Pounds Northeast Montana Again (7/24)

Pioneer Museum Heritage Wall Plaque Addition (7/24)

More Pictures Added Online (7/24)

Damage In Eastern Montana Estimated At $1 Million (7/24)

2001 Loan Deficiency Payments (7/24)

Grain Variety Plot Tour Held Friday (7/23)

Missouri River Country Tourism Growing (7/23)

Busy Weekend For Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center and Museum; Groundbreaking August 20 (Posted 7/23)

Tribal Business Plans To Expand, Hopes To Double Its Work Force (7/23)

Circle-area Ranch Family Survives Violent Storm, Barely (7/23)

Severe Weather Wrap-up (7/20)

Clue Continues At Fort Peck Summer Theatre (7/20)

Reinhardt Resigns From School Board To Take Treasurer Position (7/19)

Severe Weather Hits Northeast Montana Again (7/19)

Glasgow Resurfacing Project Awarded (7/18)

Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center And Museum Bid Awarded (7/18)

Water Prospectors File Claims To Produce Power At Montana Dams (7/18)

Supermarket Giant To Close 165 Stores, Eliminate Jobs (7/18)

Senate Drops Dry Prairie Funding From Bill (7/18)

Transportation Commission To Review Policy on Senate Bill 3 (7/16)

UM Teams With NASA To Map Lewis And Clark Trail (7/16)

Paleontologist Leads Effort To Reconstruct Ecosystem (7/16)

Talent Show Lineup Announced (7/16)

River Battle Headed To Senate Floor (7/15)

Crash Near Malta Kills Billings Man (7/15)

Plentywood School Infested With Bats (7/15)

North Dakota Team Wins Governors Cup (7/15)

Accused Brockton Man Has Violent Past (7/15)

Garfield County Pounded By Thunderstorms (7/15)

Big Sky President Vows Better Service (7/15)

Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center And Museum Bids Open (7/13)

Burns Announces Transportation Committee Appropriations (7/13)

Commissioners Appoint Reinhardt As Valley County Treasurer (7/13)

Valley County has New Sewer/Water District (7/13)

Valley County Approved For CRP Haying (7/13)

Fort Peck Fisheries Management Plan Update (7/13)

Lamb Meat Adjustment Assistance Program (7/13)

Native American Children to Benefit from Health Grant (7/13)

Acreage Reporting Deadline July 16 (7/13)

Baucus Applauds CRP Haying Opening (7/13)

State Organic Committee To Meet In Wolf Point (7/13)

Bids To Open Soon For Confluence Visitors Center (7/9)

Dinosaur Skeleton Named Elvis Unveiled In Malta (7/6)

Strong Thunderstorms Move Through Roosevelt County (7/6)

Montana Pioneer Dies (7/6)

Mayor Zeller To Perform In Talent Show (7/5)

FWP Home Study Course For Boating Available (7/5)

New OB/GYN Office Opens In Glasgow (7/4)

Knife River Volunteers To Ride Amtrak To Malta (7/3)

Kitzenberg Optimistic About Four-lane Highway Two After Summit (7/3)

Four People Die In Crashes On Montana Highways Monday (7/2)

Valley County Approved For Emergency Conservation Program (7/2)

DEQ Settles On Sleeping Buffalo Tank System (7/2)

Glasgow Man Sentenced In Burglary (7/2)

Fourth Of July Starts Busy Month For Chamber (7/2)

July Obituaries


Rain Helps Firefighters Battling Phillips County Blazes (Posted 7/31/01)

(AP) Overnight rain helped firefighters widen their edge over three blazes in southern Phillips County. Altogether, they've burned about three-thousand acres.

The largest of the fires is the Castle fire, and the Bureau of Land Management says it's likely to be contained tomorrow night. It's burned just over 28-hundred acres.

The fire north of Fort Peck Lake started Saturday, after a storm hit the area. Fire officials have reduced their estimate of the Killwoman fire from 500 acres to about 350 acres. It's also on B-L-M land, and partly on the C-M Russell Wildlife Refuge, six miles east of the Castle Fire.

The Monument Peak fire near Landusky was contained last night. It burned 45 to 50 heavily timbered acres in the Little Rocky Mountains, three miles north of Landusky. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Highway 2 Meeting Set For Thursday (Posted 7/31/01)

The Montana Transportation Committee will be meeting in Glasgow on Thursday to review a draft policy on implementation of Senate Bill 3.

The Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 3 this past session which requires the Montana Department of Transportation to start planning the expansion of U.S. Highway #2 into a four-lane highway. The legislation also states that the Department of Transportation seek federal funding for the project which does not require a state match, and that the department may not expend any resources on the project that would jeopardize any future highway projects.

The meeting will outline the commissions assumptions and interpretations regarding the components of Senate Bill 3.

State Senator Sam Kitzenberg of Glasgow is encouraging the public to turn out in numbers to support the 4-lane proposal. He told Kltz/Klan radio that this is an important meeting that could decide whether the Transportation Commission takes the four-lane proposal seriously.

Kitzenberg has been busy all summer traveling the Hi-Line garnering support for the proposal. The long dormant Highway-2 Association has been activated and hundreds of highway signs supporting the four-lane proposal have been erected along Highway 2.

The meeting gets underway at 8:00am on Thursday at the Glasgow Elks Club.


Alberston's Plans Will Have Little Effect In Montana, Official Says (Posted 7/31/01)

(AP) -- An official of the Albertson's grocery chain told Governor Martz today, that Montana will feel very little effect from Alberston's plans to close 165 supermarkets in 25 states.

But in a phone conversation with Martz, Albertson's senior vice president Ertharin Cousin declined to indicate whether any Montana stores are targeted for closing. Cousin said the company does not want to identify the targeted stores because Albertson's wants to sell the outlets, and any buyer will want to keep the experienced employees. She said naming stores could result in an exodus of those workers.

The phone call was in response to a letter Martz sent to Albertson's officials, after the announcement 12 days ago about the store closures. Martz is concerned about the potential loss of jobs in Montana. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Cool Temps Will Help But Winds Could Hurt Firefighting Efforts (Posted 7/31/01)

(AP) Temperatures dropped overnight and helped raise humidity levels, slowing three wildfires that have burned 25-hundred acres in southern Phillips County. No buildings or private properties have been threatened. While continued cool temperatures are expected, officials are on the lookout for sporadic winds that could fan the flames.

The largest blaze is the Castle Fire, which began Saturday after dry thunderstorms and high winds raked the area. About 150 firefighters remain on that fire, which has burned about two-thousand acres of Bureau of Land Management property north of Fort Peck Lake.

About 50 firefighters remain on the Killwoman, which has burned 500 acres of B-L-M land, and some of the C-M Russell Wildlife Refuge, six miles east of the Castle Fire.

The Monument Peak Fire has burned about 40 heavily timbered acres in the Little Rocky Mountains, three miles north of Landusky. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Fort Peck Reservation Among Grant Recipients (Posted 7/30/01)

(AP) The federal Department of Agriculture has awarded four grants totaling over 563-thousand dollars to Montana programs in housing, nutrition, education and health care.

The grants include over 197-thousand dollars to the National School Lunch program and Child and Adult Care Food Programs.

Another grant of over 330-thousand dollars will be used for nonprofit organizations and American Indian tribes for self-help housing applicants. The funds will help 20 families construct homes in Elmo and Big Arm on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Community health and wellness centers on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation will get 46-thousand dollars in a rural development grant.

And 20-thousand dollars will go to the Crow Reservation, to help build a library and computer center at the elementary school. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


More Severe Weather (Posted 7/27/01)

(AP) Torrential rain, damaging hail and high winds accompanied a string of thunderstorms that skipped across eastern Montana yesterday and last night. Some areas had flooding; and some crops were flattened by hail.Tennis-ball sized hail was reported in Hathaway.

And in Garfield County, a 15-foot high wall of water moved along normally dry Wildcat Creek. Hail the size of half-dollars was reported in Shawmut.

The National Weather Service says radar showed up to three inches of rain in the Ryegate area. A weather service survey team was caught in a storm near Rosebud.

Golf-ball-sized hail, driven by 50-mile-an-hour winds, cracked the windshield and dented their vehicle. In the Miles City area, wind knocked down a tree, which took with it a street light and power line; and an underpass was flooded.


Albertson's In Malta Is Store Of The Year (Posted 7/27/01)

(AP) The Albertson's store in Malta is this year's recipient of the company's store-of-the-year award for exceptional customer service.

The Malta store was chosen from the more than 25-hundred Albertson's stores nationwide. The Malta store was one of the original Buttrey's locations, and it's been in operation since the early 1900s. Albertson's acquired the store in 1998. The company employs about 30 Malta-area residents.

Idaho-based Albertson's is the nation's second-largest food and drug retailer. In Montana it has 34 Albertson's stores and ten Osco Drug stores.

Last week, Albertson's announced it will close about 165 stores in 25 states. The company would not say which stores will close. The cost cutting will also target up to 20 percent of managerial and administrative jobs, including an undisclosed number of jobs at the Big Sky Division office in Great Falls. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Nurses' Strike Averted By Mediation Agreement (Posted 7/27/01)

(AP) A threatened nurses' strike at a hospital and nursing home in Culbertson was averted when the new union agreed to mediation.

Nurses and certified nurses aides at Roosevelt Memorial Medical Center and Nursing Home voted to unionize in early 2000, and are negotiating their first contract.

Officials say the nurses planned to strike tomorrow, but will instead renew negotiations. The nurses are in disagreement with the hospital board over issues such as pay increases, union security and shift exchanges. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Improving Border Strength Treasury/Postal Appropriations Bill Has Strong Impact In Montana (Posted 7/26/01)

Montana Senator Conrad Burns today announced the Treasury and Postal Appropriations Bill for FY2002 had been approved by the Appropriations Committee. The bill provides funding for customs and drug interdiction in the United States.

Burns said, "This funding will go a long way toward providing the higher staffing levels we need at our northern borders. States like Montana have to expeditiously address border deficiencies in order to facilitate customs and drug interdiction efforts in the U.S."

Emphasis on border and customs strength is expected to increase the number of agents in Montana as well as the overall emphasis of drug interdiction along the northern tier states. The bill sets aside $25 million for the hiring of 285 new customs officers to staff the northern ports in Montana as well as Washington, North Dakota, Michigan, New York and Vermont.

The Port of Raymond, approximately 16 miles north of Plentywood in Sheridan County, is slated to receive a new border station with an appropriation of $693,000. The Raymond station will be one of only five new border stations expected to be built in the U.S. this year, and is a continuation of the effort to provide higher staffing levels along the northern tier states. The bill also directs the U.S. Customs Service to expeditiously address deficiencies in the other border stations between Montana and Canada.

Senator Burns is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee which sets the funding levels for federal agencies. Burns also secured over $4 million for the Border Patrol, including construction funds for the Raymond station, in the FY2002 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Bill which passed the Appropriations Committee last week. Treasury/Postal is one of 13 spending bills authorized by Congress every year.


Piping Plover Habitat Proposal Draws Criticism From Some Landowners (Posted 7/26/01)

( AP) Some property owners are criticizing a U-S Fish and Wildlife Services plan to classify parts of the Missouri River as critical habitat for the piping plover.

The plan would designate nearly 200-thousand acres of habitat and more than one-thousand, 300 river miles in Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Nebraska as critical habitat for the migratory shore bird.

Some property owners see the plan as an attempt to ban river use and take over private lands. Others are concerned the proposal will get in the way of cleaning up silt deposits in the river.

Corps of Engineers biologist Casey Kruse says the endangered bird has made a comeback since management began in 1988. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Poplar Man Charged In Death Of Infant Son (Posted 7/26/01)

(AP) A Poplar man is charged with negligent homicide, after accusations that he drank so much that he passed out on top of his infant son, suffocating him.

Police were called to the home June 22 after neighbors reported the eight-week-old boy was not breathing.

The father -- Elmer Sterling Red Eagle the second -- has been arraigned in Fort Peck Tribal Court.

The F-B-I conducted an investigation, but no federal charges were filed. Red Eagle was released after posting bail. A trial date has not been set. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Fwp Commission Restricts Antlerless Whitetail Deer B Licenses In Fwp Region Six (Posted 7/25/01)

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission ruled recently that Anterless Whitetail Deer B Licenses in the 600 series of hunting districts will not be valid in Hunting Districts 641 and the portion of hunting district 640 lying east of Highway 16. Severe winter weather and late season game damage hunts in the eastern part of Montana around Sandhills and Medicine Lake near Dagmar substantially reduced white-tailed deer numbers below the long-term average population size.

"White-tailed deer in other areas in the eastern portion of FWP Region Six did fine, but winter took a toll on whitetails in 641 and a portion of 640. This move will help these populations rebuild," said Glenn Erickson, FWP wildlife management bureau chief.

Fawns were hit especially hard. In an area where the population averages 34 fawns to 100 adults, FWP counts in late February showed 28 fawns to 100 adults in the Sandhills area and 19 fawns to 100 adults in the Medicine Lake area.

Other nearby populations were not impacted in the same way. To the west of Highway 16 in hunting district 640 in the Whitetail Creek area, the total number of whitetails counted was the highest since 1979 at 85 percent above the long-term average.

"We're seeing the impact of a severe snow and ice storm that hit the specific area east of Highway 16 and north of the Missouri River. The snowy, icy conditions continued into March, while in other areas of the region the winter was near normal," Erickson said.


Walleye Stocking Complete on Fort Peck Lake (Posted 7/25/01)

A total of 24.1 million fry and 2.1 million fingerling walleye were stocked for the year on Fort Peck Lake. By late June, fish had been stocked at various sites throughout the reservoir. All walleye planted into the reservoir and throughout the state are a result of the annual walleye spawn that takes place at Nelson Creek on Fort Peck Lake each year.

The annual walleye spawn is accomplished with public volunteers and their effort is responsible for the success of the walleye fisheries throughout the state.

In addition to the walleye, the stocking of approximately 134,000 chinook salmon and 87,000 northern pike fingerlings were also completed. MFWP fisheries crew raised the salmon in holding pens located at the Ft. Peck Marina and spillway. The northern pike fingerlings were hatched and reared by the Miles City Fish Hatchery and hatcheries located in North Dakota.


Severe Weather Pounds Northeast Montana Again (Posted 7/24/01) (Updated 7/25)

Another round of severe weather for northeast Montana. Thunderstorms that produced baseball size hail and torrential rains moved through northeast Montana Tuesday night. The reports of baseball size hail came from the Fort Peck power houses area, while accompanying rain caused flash flood conditions, washing gravel from the ditch onto Highway 24 about 4 miles south of Glasgow. Water was not covering the highway as of 8pm, but it was right up to the roadway, and another set of thunderstorms was bringing even more rain to the area as of 10pm. Water did cover roads about 4 miles south of Hinsdale as 8-10 inches of water was reported flowing over the roads at 6pm last night.

Flash flood warnings were in effect for Valley County Tuesday night, and a tornado warning was issued for McCone County near Vida as Doppler radar detected a possible tornado southeast of Wolf Point earlier in the evening.

Winds also broke power poles south of Glasgow, snapping some polesoff at the base. Wind gusts were recorded as high as 60mph with hail reported as big as 1.75 inches near Fort Peck and 2.75 inches about 42 miles northwest of Circle in McCone County.

Power still wasn't on in some areas south of Glasgow as crews for Valley Electric continued to work on replacing power poles. For storm reports, please visit our weather page.


Pioneer Museum Heritage Wall Plaque Addition (Posted 7/24/01)

William F. & Irna P. Norby Andersen

William F. Andersen was born in Glasgow, Montana on September 10, 1915 to Carl and Katherine Andersen who homesteaded in the Rose Hill Community north of Glasgow in 1911.

In 1945 William bought the Hill Ranch on Cherry Creek and was a life long rancher in the Glasgow area. William F. Andersen passed away on August 5, 2000.

Irna P. Andersen was born November 1, 1913 at Alkabo, North Dakota to Peder and Ingeborg Norby. William and Irna were married in Glasgow on October 23, 1937. Irna was a rancher’s wife and the mother of three sons; Wayne, Dennis and Bill Jr. Irna Andersen passed away on July 13, 1995.

The Andersen Ranch remains on Cherry Creek and is still an active ranch.

Waldo and Eleanor Wetterling

Waldo Jerome Wetterling was born to Ernest and Ruth Wetterling on October 16, 1905 in Kensington, Minnesota. He was an only child but had lots of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Eleanor C. Larson was born in Alexandria, Minnesota on April 6, 1907. She lost both her parents, Edward and Marion Larson, at a very young age and helped to raise her brother, Lawrence, who was seven years younger.
On June 1, 1936, Waldo and Eleanor were married and lived in Kensington until 1945, when they moved to Glasgow. Prior to that they ran a restaurant in Kensington and Waldo also worked on the Alcan Highway in Alaska for two years in 1942 – 1943. In 1944 he came and farmed for Henry Osterberg, a cousin of his mother. In 1945 he moved the family and always said it was the best thing he ever did. Later he bought some land on the bench between Glasgow and Nashua. He was very active in the Farmer’s Union, First Lutheran Church, the Mason’s and served many years on the school board. One funny story about my dad: I went on a trip back to Minnesota with my parents and we had to go out of our way to find a Farmer’s Union gas station to buy gas.

In the 40’s and 50’s he sang with the Glasgow Barbershoppers. Music was a highlight in his life. His way of relaxing after a hard day’s work was to sit down at the piano and play. I lived to listen to him playing.

Eleanor was a homemaker, and was active in the First Lutheran Church, a home demonstration club and a teacher for many years in the Glasgow school system. She loved teaching and when she retired she often would say she wished she was back in the classroom. Life was never the same for her after she retired.

They had four children: Joan Helland, who married Ronald Helland and had seven children and has made Glasgow her home; John, who worked for Town and Country for many years, has one daughter and two stepchildren and now lives in Washington; Sharon, who lives in Eugene, Oregon, has taught for many years; and Charles, the only one who was born in Glasgow. He now lives in Phoenix, Arizona and has two children.

Waldo died on April 19, 1988 in Glasgow at the age of 83 and Eleanor on April 24, 1985 in Glasgow at the age of 78.


More Pictures Added Online (Posted 7/24/01)

We have added a lot of the pictures to the site over the past few days. Check the funnel cloud pix on the weather page, Bump And Run pix from Sunday, Valley County Grain Tour pix from Friday, the Nashua Car Club pix from Saturday and the 2001 4H Horse Show pix from over the weekend. Remember you can usually click on the small images for a larger view.


Damage In Eastern Montana Estimated At $1 Million (Posted 7/24/01)

(AP) Damage is estimated at one million dollars, from a storm that pounded northeastern Montana last Friday night.The storm brought hurricane-force winds, hail and tornadoes.

Near Circle it mangled grain elevators, toppled high-voltage transmission towers, peeled roofs, stomped crops and shattered windows. Winds were clocked at 112 miles per hour at the Circle Airport. A rancher southeast of Circle reported the winds were strong enough to move the family pickup truck 20 to 30 feet. Vehicle windshields were shattered by softball-sized hail.

Between Circle and Lindsay, 25 high-voltage transmission line towers were knocked over. Tower damage is estimated at half a million dollars, and replacing them is expected to take six months. Power was knocked out between Jordan and Glendive, when at least 42 power poles near Lindsay were snapped by the winds. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


2001 Loan Deficiency Payments (Posted 7/24/01)

The Valley County FSA Office would like to remind producers that the 2001 LDP season will begin with the new crop harvest. New crop that will be hauled direct from the field to the elevator must have a CCC-709 form on file prior to harvest to be eligible for a LDP. The forms used to request LDP’s have been changed for the 2001 crop year. Please destroy all CCC-709 and CCC-666-LDP forms that you may have on hand from a prior year. LDP payment rates are dependent upon the daily posted county price.
If you have any questions, please call the Valley County FSA Office at 1-406-228-4321.


Grain Variety Plot Tour Held Friday (Posted 7/23/01)

The Valley County Extension office held a variety plot tour on Friday, featuring Reeves Petroff, Extension Pesticide Education Specialist, and Joyce Eckhoff of the Eastern Ag Research Center, as well as a tour of the county. For tons of pix from Valley County Extension Agent Verlin Koenig, visit our Plot Tour page.


Missouri River Country Tourism Growing (Posted 7/23/01)

According to figures recently released by Travel Montana, Missouri River Country tourism grew by 22% during January through March of 2001. The Board of Directors of Missouri River Country attributes this growth to their aggressive marketing efforts targeting out of state visitors to the region.

Missouri River Country, along with their ad agency, Banik Creative Group of Great Falls, have published ads in Readers Digest, Family Circle, USA Weekend, Friendly Exchange, Home & Away, Travel America, and Historic Traveler magazines.

As of June 30, 2001, 14,218 responses have been received by Missouri River Country requesting information about the area. Promoting Missouri River Country at out of state trade shows may also attribute to the increase.

For the marketing year of July 2001 through June 30, 2002, Missouri River Country and Banik are once again planning a media advertising campaign to bring more visitors to northeastern Montana.

Missouri River Country is Montana’s northeastern tourism region. It covers Garfield, McCone, Phillips, Valley, Sheridan, Daniels, Richland and Roosevelt Counties along with the Fort Peck Reservation. The Missouri River Country tourism office is located in Wolf Point and is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday. A Board of Directors appointed by their respective County Commissioners manages the organization. For more information on Missouri River Country, please contact Kim Lacey at 406 653-1319.


Busy Weekend For Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center and Museum; Groundbreaking August 20 (Posted 7/23/01)

The Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center and Museum hosted an open house on Saturday with over 400 people getting an opportunity to tour the field station where dinosaur fossils are being prepared for display in the actual interpretive center.

Visitors from 17 states, one Canadian Province and 31 communities from across Montana attended the open house.

The ground breaking for the Interpretive Center is set for August 20th with dignitaries including Senator Max Baucus in attendance for the event.

The Nashua Car Club also held a car show on Saturday, in conjunction with the open house. Visit our Car Show page to see lots of pictures.


Tribal Business Plans To Expand, Hopes To Double Its Work Force (Posted 7/23/01)

(AP) A Fort Peck tribal business says it plans to double its work force by the end of the year, as it expands into private industry.

A-and-S Tribal Industries chief executive officer Leonard Smith says his company is moving from defense contracts into commercial projects.

A-and-S now makes a variety of products, such as pump parts and netting for wildlife management. Smith says the company plans to move into such areas as plastics and information technology. He says A-and-S will have 125 employees and a two million-dollar payroll by the end of the year.

Smith says at in the late 1980s, the company employed 560 people, and had won many awards for quality. A-and-S fell on hard times soon after, and by 1999, the company was in debt and had only five people on its payroll. But last year the company broke even, and Smith says it should turn a profit this year.
(Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Circle-area Ranch Family Survives Violent Storm, Barely (Posted 7/23/01)

(AP) One of the storms that raked Montana in recent days caught Jim and Jan Wolff in the open, and they're grateful to have lived through it. Their 22-year-old daughter, Jenny, was safe at home but says it was the scariest thing that has ever happened to her.

The Wolffs farm ten miles southeast of Circle. Jim was baling hay when Jan saw it coming, and she drove out to get him. By the time he got into the pickup, the rain was so heavy that they couldn't see to drive to the house. A protective band across the rear window kept them from being hurt, but the wind moved the truck 30 feet. It blew big round hay bales half a mile and destroyed three metal grain bins, a garage and most of the family's wheat and barley crops.

Jenny sat out the storm in the family basement. The wind, rain and hail were so loud she didn't hear it tearing off part of the roof. Jim estimates they lost two-thirds to three-fourths of their crop.

A dozen neighbors and friends showed up yesterday to help clean up the yard and get a temporary roof on the house, which sustained considerable water damage.

(Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Severe Weather Wrap-up (Posted 7/20/01)

The National Weather Service has provided KLTZ/Mix-93 with more information and some pictures from the severe weather that hit northeast Montana this week (see story below). You'll also find more pictures on our weather page.

The car pictured above was swept off Highway 2 near Brockton in a flash flood early Wednesday morning.

A total of 79 thunderstorm or tornado Warnings were issued for Glasgow’s County Warning area from July 1st through July 18th. One event on July 17th had 35 warnings issued for Flash Flooding, Severe Thunderstorms and Tornados. Several damage surveys were conducted as a result of some of these significant storms.
Norm Parrent (MT District 4 DES Coordinator) and Tanja Fransen (Warning Coordination Meteorologist, WFO Glasgow) went and surveyed Garfield County on Monday July 16th after a severe thunderstorm dropped torrential rain and hail west of Jordan on Thursday July 12th. That night, the National Weather Service had a report of 6 feet drift of hail in the coulee 20 miles west of Jordan from the Garfield County Sheriff and DES Coordinator Carol Hellyer. While the storm had occurred on Thursday night, by Monday afternoon Norm and Tanja still found drifts of hail 2-3 feet tall with some golf ball size hail remaining. (It was insulated by straw and mud, and hadn't completely melted yet.)

Flooding was also a problem with the normally dry Steve's Fork Creek now running at full capacity, and carving out more and more of its channel. Many of the culverts in the region were still underwater and holding back quite a bit of water behind them. Also, a few culverts were blocked by debris and not draining very well. If they get more heavy rain, the water will rise back over the roads in many areas.

As for damage, nothing significant was noted structurally, but there were several fields that had over 50 percent crop loss. Only one road was damaged, and needed to dry out before significant repairs could be made. Otherwise, all the water had receded back off the roads it had covered, and caused no washouts.

Another storm on the night of July 12th caused some flooding, and significant hail damage in the Bjornberg Bridge area (Phillips/Valley County Line) and was surveyed by WCM Tanja Fransen and Meteorological Coop Student Patrick Gilchrist. They found a 1.5 mile wide swath of wheat that was 100% knocked down. There were also areas where water had flooded some of the gravel roads, but they found no washouts. There were some piles of hail remaining that still contained hail up to 3" in size, 16 hours after the event. The Frenchman dam was reportedly filling up pretty good, but the dam tender opened all the gates up that night to allow the water out fairly quickly.

Two NWS meteorologists surveyed the flooding the next day after talking to Dan. WCM Dan lead Tanja Fransen and Forecaster Tom Wright to an area where two vehicles were swept off of Highway 2, east of Brockton. Rainfall totals over 3 inches in less than a few hours caused significant runoff that culminated in the area near Brockton. The first car had two out of state females in it. After the car was caught in the current of the water, they only took a few moments to get themselves out, only to watch the car be swept through a railroad bridge and end up 400 feet downstream. The women reported that when they finally got out of the vehicle, they could not touch the ground as they swam to a small point. Other reports that night include wind gusts to 70 mph, and large amounts of dime and nickel size hail.


Clue Continues At Fort Peck Summer Theatre (Posted 7/20/01)

Was it Mr. Green, Miss Scarlet, or the affable Professor Plum? The cast from Clue won't tell until it's solved. And it's a secret every night, since every performance has a different ending. Clue, The Musical plays through Aug. 5 at the Fort Peck Theatre in Fort Peck. The cast includes, clockwise from left, Jesse Robinson as Green, Carly Booth as Mrs. White, Christopher Kristant as Mr. Boddy, Bobby Gutierrez as Col. Mustard, Erika Anderson as Scarlet, Ryan Grigg as Plum, and Brittiny Hollow as Mrs. Peacock. Becky Bowler of Scobey plays the detective. Performances are Friday, Saturday and Sundays evenings at 8 p.m. Visit our Fort Peck Summer Theatre page for more information.

 

A murder mystery needs to be solved this weekend in Fort Peck as Clue, The Musical takes to the stage at the Fort Peck Theatre. The popular Parker Brothers' board game Clue is the basis for the musical and words such as Colonel Mustard, Mrs. Peacock, the conservatory, the billiard room and the candlestick will revive fond memories for many.

The plot revolves around a group of people holed up in the home of the charismatic Mr. Boddy, who is the show's narrator and the murder victim. Artistic Director Bobby Gutierrez encourages everyone to come often because there is a different ending each night.

The outcome is set as the evening starts when an audience volunteer selects a "who, what, where" scenario from three decks of cards. With the outcome concealed, performers drop specific clues pertaining to the ending. Throughout the evening, the audience tries to determine which of six characters committed the murder, where in the mansion it took place, and what weapon was used.

The Theatre's professional company makes up the cast, lead by Christopher Kristant who plays Mr. Boddy. The part of Professor Plum is played by Ryan Grigg and Mr. Green by Jesse Robinson. Erika Anderson is Miss Scarlet, with Carly Booth as Mrs. White, Gutierrez as Col. Mustard and the company's choreographer Brittiny Hollow as Mrs. Peacock.
Performances are scheduled Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings through Aug. 5, and the curtain rises at 8 p.m. Refreshments following Friday's performance will honor the cast and technical crew. Tickets may be purchased at the door priced at $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens and $6 for students. Reserved seating is available for an additional charge of $5 per ticket. Call the Theatre at 406-526-9943 for more information.

The Theatre, which opened in 1934 as a movie house, seats over 900 people for live theatre productions. The Fort Peck Fine Arts Council, Inc. has produced musicals and dramas there since 1970.


Reinhardt Resigns From School Board To Take Treasurer Position (Posted 7/19/01)

Glasgow School Board member Jenny Reinhardt has announced her resignation from the board so she can assume the position of Valley County Treasurer.

Reinhardt is currently in her third term as a school board member for the Glasgow School District but because the Treasurer position is an elected one she must give up the school board position.

Glasgow School Superintentend Glen Monson told Kltz/Klan that the school board will appoint a person to Reinhardts position at the August 7th school board meeting. The person appointed to the position will serve until the next scheduled school election.


Severe Weather Hits Northeast Montana Again (Posted 7/19/01)

More severe weather pounded northeast Montana on Tuesday night, but Valley County remained mostly unscathed. Garfield County, however, got hit again with thunderstorm wind gust from 60-70mph. Also, there was some flash flooding in Roosevelt County, where a car was swept off the road on Highway 2 at about 1am Wednesday morning. No injuries were reported in that incident.


Glasgow Resurfacing Project Awarded (Posted 7/18/01)

The Montana Transportation Commission awarded 17 contracts for road repairs and improvements worth about $22.9 million at their July 13th meeting. The Glasgow North project was one of theose awarded.

Glasgow North involves resurfacing 16.9 miles of Montana 24 in Valley County, beginning with the intersection of Montana 42 and Montana 24 southeast of Glasgow and extending north approximately 17 miles. The low bidder, Riverside Contracting, Inc. of Missoula, was awarded the contract for approximately $1.6 million. MDT anticipates that work will start later this year.


Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center And Museum Bid Awarded (Posted 7/18/01)

The Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center and Museum will become a physical reality as of next month.

The construction bid to build the Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center and Museum has been awarded, with groundbreaking ceremonies set for August 20.

Sletten Construction of Great Falls was awarded the project. The bid was awarded to Sletten Construction at a total of $4,083,000 which includes several option additions to the original project.

Also, coming up this Saturday, the Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center and Museum will be hosting an open house of the field station. The open house is from noon - 6pm and visitors will get so see exhibit material and talk with the staff at the field station, including Dr. Keith Rigby. The Nashua Car Club will be showing their classic vehicles at the field station that day as well.


Water Prospectors File Claims To Produce Power At Montana Dams (Posted 7/18/01)

(AP) High energy rates, and Montana's move to deregulate electricity, have prompted renewed interest in possible production at dams across the state.

Power prospectors have filed a flood of requests to use or study the dams, to produce electricity. Montana has about 28-hundred dams of varying sizes, but only about two dozen generate power. At least four companies are vying for the rights to power possibilities on water systems across Montana, which is already the nation's fifth-largest producer of hydropower.

Symbiotics L-L-C of Logan, Utah, is looking at sites across the region. They've examined 30 to 40 sites in Montana, and filed permits on eleven locations.

If granted by the F-E-R-C, the preliminary permits would start a three-year clock ticking. During that period, a company would have an exclusive right to study the feasibility of a hydropower project at its chosen site. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Supermarket Giant To Close 165 Stores, Eliminate Jobs (Posted 7/18/01)

(AP)Supermarket giant Albertson's will close about 165 stores in 25 states.

The cost cutting will also target up to 20 percent of managerial and administrative jobs.

The company would not say which stores will be closed. A spokeswoman says the closings will begin in the third quarter, and continue for about 12 months.

Ertharin Cousin says announcing a particular store's closure almost a year ahead of time, would likely hurt sales as customers begin looking for alternatives. But Cousin says about 25 percent of the outlets closed will be stand-alone drug stores, which Albertson's operates under the names Osco Drug and Sav-On.

The cuts are aimed at reducing operating costs as the nation's second-largest food and drug retailer continues to struggle with its acquisition of American Stores. The 1999 purchase more than doubled the number of Albertson's-owned outlets to more than 25-hundred. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Senate Drops Dry Prairie Funding From Bill (Posted 7/18/01)

The U.S. Senate passed their version of the Energy and Water appropriations bill this week, which includes $4.3 million for the operation and maintenance of Fort Peck Dam and Fort Peck Lake, along with nearly $1 million allocated for the Milk River irrigation project in north-central Montana.

However, according to the Great Falls Tribune, the Senate has removed $4 million in funding to get the Fort Peck Rural Water System project underway.

The House version which passed on June 28th included $4 million to begin building the $26 million project which would bring Missouri River water to about 30,000 people in northeast Montana.

Senator Conrad Burns stated that he was disappointed in the action, noting, "This is the place we need to work on water the most."

A committee of senators and representatives will try to add the money back into the bill, however. A lawyer for the Fort Peck tribes said the committee probably will approve about $2 million.

The Fort Peck tribes originally requested $7.5 million for the project, which is projected to cost $172 million over the next ten years.


Transportation Commission To Review Policy on Senate Bill 3 (Posted 7/16/01)

The Montana Department of Transportation announced Monday that the Montana Transportation Commission will be reviewing a draft policy on implementation of Senate Bill 3 at its August 2nd meeting in Glasgow.

The policy, entitled Guidance for the Interpretation of SB 3 enacted by the 57th Legislature which Directs the Department of Transporation to Construct a Four-Lane Highway Generally along the Present Route of U.S. Highway 2, outlines the commission's assumptions and interpretations regarding three key components of Senate Bill 3: planning for U.S. Highway 2 projects in future fiscal plans, seeking additional federal funding that does not require a state funding match and not expending any resources on the U.S. Highway 2 project that would jeopardize any future highway projects.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. August 2nd at the Elks Club, 309 2nd Avenue South, in Glasgow, with the U.S. Highway 2 delegation appearing at 8:40 a.m.
Interested parties are encouraged to attend.


UM Teams With NASA To Map Lewis And Clark Trail (Posted 7/16/01)

(Missoula-AP) -- The University of Montana is teaming with NASA to produce a high tech map of the Lewis and Clark Trail.

The Terra satellite software was originally developed to help scientists look at global climate changes. Now that satellite and other NASA satellites is being used to develop high tech maps of the Lewis and Clark Trail. The Lewis and Clark Education Center at the University of Montana has been working to put their high-tech maps on a website. Users of the website can zoom into very specific areas of the Lewis and Clark Trail, such as the Traveler's rest campsite.

The main goal of the website is to bring the very best information about Lewis and Clark to one place. The university hopes teachers and others will use it as a source of information on Montana's role in the Lewis and Clark expedition.

You can view the website at:
http://www.lewisandclarkeducationcenter.com/


Paleontologist Leads Effort To Reconstruct Ecosystem (Posted 7/16/01)

(AP) Some experts believe the Hell Creek Formation, in northeastern Montana, was home to a thriving dinosaur population that was wiped out by an asteroid.

Dinosaur hunter Jack Horner plans to collect fossil evidence from rocks in the Hell Creek Formation, to reconstruct the ecosystem as it appeared about 68 (m) million years ago. The technical adviser to the "Jurassic Park" movies has gathered a team of top scientists from across the country for the project. The scientists want to learn more about the "lifestyles" of the dinosaurs, from diets to behavior.

Horner is curator of paleontology at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman. He searched sites around the world before settling on eastern Montana, near Jordan. He says the final three million-year period of the dinosaurs is preserved distinctly in the Hell Creek Formation and, because of erosion, many bones and fossils are already exposed. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Talent Show Lineup Announced (Posted 7/16/01)

The Valley County Coalition announced today a list of local performers who will be performing at the Talent Show at the Northeastern Montana Fair.

Glasgow talent that will be performing at the "New Stars in the Western Sky" Talent Show on July 31st are: Diana Canen and May O’Hara; Cara Morehouse; Marcie Fahlgren, Amanda Leonard, and Debra Berger; Denny Campbell; Samantha Mayhew, Jenni Winsky and Amanda Bond; Joe Gauthier; and a band composed of Todd Archambeault, Dyan Newton, Adam Arneson and Jeff Herringer.

Area performers are: Tricia Hammond, Whitewater; Hi-Line Harmony which includes Joy Linn, Roberta Christopherson and Robyn Albus of Saco and Hinsdale; Kirbi Siewing of Saco; Jenna Novak from Nashua; Virgil LaPell, Hinsdale; and Angie Carem from Fort Peck.

"The Talent Show Committee is really encouraged by the response," said Co-Chair Cindy Taylor. "Along with Borderline, it should be great family entertainment!"

Co-Chair Sharon LaBonty adds, "Don’t forget our big names: Sam, Sam, the Singing Man Kitzenberg and Wild Willie Zeller. And rumor has it that Elvis Lives. If the rumor is true, he’ll be on our stage!"

Tickets are available at the Fair Office and from Valley County Coalition board members. The Talent Show is sponsored by the Valley County Coalition and the Glasgow Courier.


River Battle Headed To Senate Floor (Posted 7/15/01)

(AP) A battle for control of the Missouri River is headed to the floor of the U-S Senate.

The House-passed version would block creation of a more natural flow. But the Senate Appropriations Committee removed the ban from its version of the energy and water bill. The bill faces rough going on the Senate floor.

Majority Leader Tom Daschle favors altering the Missouri River's flow. He and colleagues from upstream states, including Montana, say the flow changes would improve recreation and tourism.

Downstream lawmakers fear the change would ruin the barge industry. They also say flow-changes would make farm fields too wet for planting, and increase the risk of major flooding.


Crash Near Malta Kills Billings Man (Posted 7/15/01)

(AP) The Phillips County sheriff says a motorist, killed in a crash near Malta, was 31-year-old Leon Long Fox Junior, of Billings.

The Montana Highway Patrol says a fast-moving vehicle, driving by Long Fox, shot off of Highway 191, became airborne and overturned, killing the driver and injuring a passenger. Long Fox died at the scene of yesterday's crash. The female passenger was taken to Lewistown for medical care.

The patrol says neither person was using a seat belt.

The death pushed Montana's traffic fatality count for the year to 105, compared to 117 on the same date a year ago. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Plentywood School Infested With Bats (Posted 7/15/01)

(AP) Officials have closed Plentywood School because swarms of bats have taken up residence in the ceiling.

District Superintendent Arlyn Sunsted expects the school to be closed about a week while workers from a private laboratory eradicate the bats and seal the building so more can't fly in.

Sheridan County Sanitarian Ron Smith closed the building on Monday, one day before summer school classes were scheduled to end. Those classes were not in the part of the building with the bats.

Smith says he found bat droppings piled high, and the smell is powerful. The infestation seems to be centered over the mechanical room, where droppings were so heavy that one tile fell out of the ceiling.

School staff have found dead bats in the courtyard. Smith says bats have been a continuing problem, and several buildings in Plentywood probably have them, but not to the extent that ceiling tiles have fallen. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


North Dakota Team Wins Governors Cup (Posted 7/15/01)

William Vukelic of Mott, North Dakota, and Marley Sprecher of Carson, North Dakota, teamed up to win the 2001 Governors Cup Walleye Tournament at Fort Peck Lake on Saturday.

The pair were in 8th place on Friday, catching 25.52 pounds of fish on the first day. They caught another 24.40 pounds on Saturday to beat out the team of Bill Porter (Cheyenne, Wyoming) and Allen Jensen (Park City, Utah). The North Dakota pair caught a total of 59.92 fish, followed by Porter and Jensen's 58 pounds. Steve Jellum and Jack DeBerg of Gillette, Wyoming, were third with 51.08 pounds of walleye.

Norm Sillerud and Gene Crawford, both of Glasgow, only caught 1.06 pounds of walleye on Saturday to fade to fifth, after taking the lead Friday. For more Governors Cup results and pictures, visit our 2001 Governors Cup page.


Accused Brockton Man Has Violent Past (Posted 7/15/01)

(AP) A Brockton man accused of fatally stabbing a man to death last month in Poplar has a criminal past that includes the slaying of another man six years ago who died from a stab wound.

Harold Dean Dupree Jr., 24, was arrested June 29 by the FBI, 10 days after the body of 23-year-old Ira Daryl Diaz DeLeon was found in a residential area Poplar. Federal prosecutors are seeking an indictment charging Dupree with second-degree murder.

In an affidavit filed by the FBI, investigators say DeLeon was stabbed 13 times, with seven of the wounds potentially fatal. Several of the wounds penetrated his heart, lungs and bowel. His body was found on a road in a residential area.

In 1995, Dupree pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the stabbing death of 23-year-old Jonathan Walking Eagle. Federal prosecutors initially charged Dupree with second-degree murder but agreed to the lesser charge based on evidence that Walking Eagle may have initiated the conflict.

Dupree was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison. He was released in 1998, but was twice returned to prison for violating conditions of his parole — including using a knife to threaten several women — before his arrest last month in the death of DeLeon. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Big Sky President Vows Better Service (Posted 7/15/01)

(AP) The president of Big Sky Airlines last week vowed to provide better information to customers in the future but defends the regional airline’s reliability record.

Kim Champney spoke with Havre customers in Billings Wednesday at a meeting of the governor’s Essential Air Service task force.

Some Havre customers have complained that Big Sky’s service to and from the city has grown erratic and unreliable, and that the airline often does not alert customers to schedule changes.

The Billings-based airline provides service to Havre and six other Eastern Montana towns including Glasgow under a $4.9 million Essential Air Service contract with the federal government.

Champney promised Wednesday that the airline will notify Havre customers the night before a scheduled flight if it is canceled or changed, which is already standard procedure at the other cities. He noted that the Havre manager position has not been stable, which has lead to a lack of communication.

Champney also stated that overall, the airline's records show it is performing well. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Garfield County Pounded By Thunderstorms (Posted 7/15/01)

(AP)The heavy rain and flash flood conditions that moved through Garfield County Thursday night left many county roads impassable, Sheriff Charles Phipps said.

There was still water flowing over some county roads Friday evening.

Some people have been able to traverse the roads with four-wheel drives, but many roads continue to be almost impossible to travel.

Phipps encouraged people with boats and campers to avoid county roads. Among the worst-hit roads is the Hooker or Edwards cut across which is turns off Highway 200 and leads to the Devil’s Creek area.

Phipps said some roads simply need to dry out to be passable, but others will required quite a bit of work to return them to county standards.

Meanwhile, on Saturday night, Garfield County was pounded with hail up to 1.75 inch diamater and 60mph thunderstorm gusts. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center And Museum Bids Open (Posted 7/13/01)

The construction bids have been opened for the construction of the Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center and Museum. According to Roy Snyder the Lake Manager at Fort Peck, the apparent low bidder for the project is Sletten Construction of Great Falls.

The base bid by Sletten Construction totals $3,865,000 which was lower than the other bid put in by Tooz Construction of Dickinson, ND. Tooz Construction bid $4,355,000.

The bidding process also included three options which included one option for 1600 extra feet of display space another option included 1600 more feet of display space and another option called for carpeting of the conference room. Sletten Construction bid $92,000 for the first 1600 feet of display space, $99,000 for the next 1600 feet and $24,000 for the carpeting.

The executive committee of the Interpretive Center will make the decision on whether these additional options will be included in the construction.

According to Snyder, the official awarding of the contract should take place within the next 30 days and groundbreaking could occur sometime in August.


Burns Announces Transportation Committee Appropriations (Posted 7/13/01)

Montana Senator Conrad Burns today announced the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Transportation Appropriations spending bill for next year. Burns, who is a member of the Appropriations Committee, said the legislation includes $25,650,000 for transportation-related projects in Montana, which he requested.

"Montana is a large state with many infrastructure needs," Burns said. "This legislation contains much-needed funding to help with our highways, airports and recreational opportunities."

The projects Burns received preliminary approval for northeast Montana are detailed below:
$1 million to conduct a feasibility study on the expansion of Highway 2 along the Hi-Line. $1 million for the expansion of Highway 2 along Montana's Hi-Line.
$1 million for a Fort Peck Lake public access road to the Charles M. Russell Refuge.

Other projects include;
$5 million for an environmental assessment of the Miller Creek road design near the Bitterroot River in Missoula. $5 million for an environmental assessment of the I-90/94 Billings bypass to Highway 3.
$3 million for Billings Buses and a Transfer Facility.
$3 million for a runway relocation study at the Missoula International Airport.
$2,725,000 to complete the Billings Logan International Airport tower project.
$1,200,000 to complete construction on the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center access road in Great Falls. $1,100,000 for a bus facility in Great Falls. This project is in conjunction with the State of Montana Area VII Agency on Aging.

$625,000 to the Ravalli County Council on Aging Bus Facility.
$500,000 for the Butte-Silver Bow Bus Facility.
$500,000 for the Billings Alkali Creek Bike and Pedestrian Trail.

The Transportation Appropriations bill is one of 13 annual spending bills, which must be approved by Congress. The legislation must now be approved by the full Senate.


Commissioners Appoint Reinhardt As Valley County Treasurer (Posted 7/13/01)

The Valley County Commissioners have appointed Jenny Reinhardt to the position of Valley County Treasurer.
Reinhardt currently serves as the board secretary for the Northeast Montana Fair, the Valley County Airport Commission and the Valley County RefuseBoard.

She will fill the unexpired term of Marla Debray, who is retiring after 29 years in the treasurer's office. She has held the top job for the past 16 years.

Her four-year term expires on Dec, 31, 2002.


Valley County has New Sewer/Water District (Posted 7/13/01)

According to Valley County Clerk and Recorder Lynne Nyquist Valley County now has a new water and sewer district.

The Pines County Water and Sewer District had a mail ballot election on July 10th with a 79 percent voter turnout. State law requires a 40 percent voter turnout to have a valid election with a majority vote to create the district and to elect the board of directors.

The final vote was 42-0 to create the Pines County Water and Sewer District. Members also elected a five member board to oversee the district and Matt Bruce, Rob Campbell, Eric Langen, William Lierow and Dan Wetzel were elected to the board of directors.


Valley County Approved For CRP Haying (Posted 7/13/01)

Valley County has been approved for haying of CRP acreage. Interested producers must contact the Valley County FSA office prior to haying any CRP acreage.

All CRP participants in Valley County are eligible to hay eligible CRP acreage regardless of the degree of production loss suffered by the producer.

CRP participants who do not own or lease livestock may rent or lease the haying privilege to an eligible livestock producer. Haying privileges may not be subleased.

50% of each field or contiguous fields must be left unhayed for wildlife. Uncut portions must be left in a contiguous block.

The CRP annual payment will be reduced by the number of acres hayed times 25 %.

CRP participants may not rent or lease the haying privileges for an amount greater than the applicable payment reduction and shall not sell the hay harvested.

This authorization is valid through September 30, 2001. Only one cutting of hay is allowed on eligible acreage. Producers must receive approval in writing from the County FSA Committee prior to haying any CRP acreage.


Fort Peck Fisheries Management Plan Update (Posted 7/13/01)

Fort Peck Fisheries Management Plan Update by Bill Wiedenheft
As most readers are aware, FWP is in the process of rewriting the fisheries management plan for Ft. Peck Reservoir and has outlined for public review and comment, its proposed management for the near future.

One specific issue that presently appears to be receiving considerable attention involves proposed walleye stocking. The draft plan states that FWP will: "Strive to maintain annual stocking of 2 million fingerlings and up to 30 million fry. Incrementally stock more fingerlings when Fort Peck Hatchery comes on line. Consideration of the forage fish abundance, condition factors and relative weight of walleye will be made to determine maximum number of walleye fingerlings and fry to be stocked annually. (If conditions are favorable, up to a 15% increase in fingerling stocking will occur followed by a 3-4 year evaluation)." What is being said here is that FWP will at minimum stock 2 million fingerlings and up to 30 million fry annually. Fulfilling this quota of course is contingent on adequate water levels and good weather conditions during spring egg-take. Prudent management requires that as the number of fry and fingerlings are increased, other conditions such as abundance of forage fish, health and condition of the walleye population, abundance and condition of other predator fish populations remain stable. If these items look good, the number of walleye stocked will be increased by 15% increments over time, with critical evaluation to determine impacts to the overall fishery. This process will proceed with deliberate increases followed by evaluation with sampling surveys to measure impacts to the fishery.

Public comments regarding the first draft of the Fort Peck Fisheries Management Plan have been received, reviewed and summarized. Managing a multi species fishery as diverse as Fort Peck and balancing with a wide spectrum of public opinion can be a real challenge. In an attempt to address the vast array of angler needs and desires the department and the Fort Peck Fisheries Advisory Committee requested input from the anglers via a questionnaire, which was attached to the draft management plan and mailed out on May 7th to 410 interested individuals. The questionnaire asked specific management questions regarding the plan and of those sent out, a total of 75 forms were returned by the end of the comment period on June 8th.

The questionnaire specifically outlined the proposed stocking plan mentioned above in the 2nd paragraph, and the majority (63%) of anglers responding to the question, agreed. These were individuals who we assumed had read the management plan, as all these responses were received on the form stapled to all management plans distributed to the public.

FWP has every intention of eagerly utilizing production from the proposed Fort Peck Hatchery. Since inception, this facility was advertised and supported as a multi-species hatchery. While at present, it is premature to detail specific quantities of walleye that will be destined for Fort Peck Reservoir, it can be assumed that walleye will be the predominant species hatched and reared, and the majority of the stocking will occur in Ft. Peck. If interested you may contact the FWP Glasgow Regional Headquarters for a list of waters proposed for stocking by the new hatchery.

The next phase in the process of rewriting the Fort Peck Fisheries Management Plan will involve the review and discussion of public comments of the 1st draft by the Advisory Committee. Once their comments have been evaluated, a second draft will be written and again be distributed to the public for input. The final plan will not be completed until late September. If you have an interest in reviewing and commenting on the next draft of the Management Plan scheduled for release in August, please call or send in your name to be added to our mailing list. Phone 228-3700 or write MFWP, RT 1- 4210, Glasgow, MT 59230.


Lamb Meat Adjustment Assistance Program (Posted 7/13/01)

Facility improvements to sheep and lamb operations that were applied for in year 1 must be completed by July 31, 2001. Producers may request in writing a waiver of this deadline from the County Committee if there were construction delays due to inclement weather or other meritorious circumstances. These waivers must be requested before the July 31, 2001 deadline. Facility improvements will be determined to be ineligible, and the payment must be refunded if the facility improvement is not completed or a waiver has not been obtained by the deadline.

Phase II of the LMAAP program began August 1, 2000 and ends July 31, 2001. Producers with feeder and slaughter lambs sold during this time period must have their applications for payment in the office by August 15, 2001. Phase III begins August 1, 2001 and ends July 31, 2002. These two phases of LMAAP provide $5 per slaughter lamb and $3 per feeder lamb that meet high quality grading standards at the slaughter and feeder lamb markets. An Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) agent must certify at the farm that the applicable standards are met. (An additional $3 per slaughter lamb is available if marketed during June and July.)

Please remember that a notification sheet for location of self-certified feeder lambs must be faxed at least 2 working days prior to the 24 hour viewing opportunity to AMS. This gives AMS the opportunity to view the lambs, if they choose to do so. You may get this notification sheet at the FSA Office and fax it at that time. After the lambs are sold, you must fill out an application for payment (FSA-383) at the FSA Office.


Native American Children to Benefit from Health Grant (Posted 7/13/01)

Montana will receive a $318,000 federal grant this year to develop pilot programs that improve the health of Native American children on selected Montana reservations and to initiate a state obesity prevention program.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) of the grant award on July 6. The three-year grant, developed in coordination with pilot reservation sites, is anticipated to bring similar funding amounts in the next two years. Funding will be used to develop nutrition and physical fitness programs for Native American children and their families.

Montana was the only state that submitted an application identifying Native Americans as the priority population. DPHHS data sources have shown that Native Americans in Montana are at high risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

Physical inactivity and poor nutrition are two major risk factors associated with these illnesses, "but the good news is that both risks can be reduced through education and lifestyle modification," said DPHHS Director Gail Gray. "Montana is becoming recognized nationally for its efforts at working with Native Americans to improve their health status, and this grant broadens that working relationship."

DPHHS, in conjunction with the Indian Health Service and Montana State University, will work with tribes to develop pilot health promotion programs on selected reservations. Emphasis will be on improving children's eating habits and physical activity, and will involve community, family and school environments.

The pilot project will integrate tribal cultural values and preserve Native American traditions.


Acreage Reporting Deadline July 16 (Posted 7/13/01)

The Valley County Farm Service Agency would like to remind producers who wish to file acreage reports for the 2001 crop year should do so before the July 16th, 2001 deadline.

Acreage reports are required by the final reporting date for the following purposes:
-AMTA program when FAV (Fruits and Vegetables) are planted on the farm
-Price support loans and loan deficiency programs
-NAP crops
-CRP acreages.

If you would like to file an acreage report or you have any questions, please contact the Valley County Farm Service Agency at (406) 228-4321 prior to July 16, 2001.


Baucus Applauds CRP Haying Opening (Posted 7/13/01)

U.S. Senator Max Baucus today applauded U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman for opening Conservation Reserve Program land to emergency haying in 37 Montana counties between July 10 and September 30.

The USDA announced today that the counties of Blaine, Broadwater, Carbon, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Hill, Judith Basin, Liberty, McCone, Meagher, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and Yellowstone will be opened to emergency haying applications. These same counties were approved for emergency grazing earlier this spring.

But Baucus noted that many of Montana's ag producers wanted the lands to be available to harvest hay as well as graze livestock because of the continued drought conditions in the state. In a June 5 letter to Veneman,

Baucus urged the ag chief to approve emergency haying on CRP acreage, saying haying on CRP lands is vital to Montana's ag producers. "In June, I asked Secretary Veneman to open these CRP lands to haying because our ag producers are really hurting right now," Baucus said.

"I applaud her decision to approve haying in these counties and am glad folks are going to get some relief from this drought." Baucus said CRP lands could be a much-needed source of feed, but not for long because of hot summer conditions.

"The reality is that if these lands are not opened in the next couple of days we‚ll have missed our chance to help Montana‚s ag producers who are selling their stock to keep from going under," Baucus said. Emergency haying of certain CRP acreage may be made available in areas suffering from weather-related natural disasters.

"The lack of adequate moisture during the past three years coupled with last year‚s wildfires has resulted in a critical shortage of acceptable haying lands in Montana," Baucus said.

"The severe and prolonged drought conditions in Montana are having a significant impact on the stability of the agriculture community."

Reduced hay production combined with abnormally longer feeding periods have resulted in the reduction of base livestock herds in Montana, Baucus noted. Further reductions are expected unless relief is received.

"Agriculture is the backbone of Montana’s economy. We need to get our producers all the help we can as soon as possible," Baucus said.


Bids To Open Soon For Confluence Visitors Center (Posted 7/9/01)

(AP) -- A three-and-one-half million-dollar visitors center is moving ahead near Fort Union, on the Montana-North Dakota state line.

Fort Union Chief Ranger Randy Kane says the visitors center will be at a park, at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers. He says a historic barracks at nearby Fort Buford is being rebuilt as part of the package.

Michael Casler is the Lewis and Clark celebration director at Fort Union. He says a number of groups have been working for years to get funding, and their work is paying off. Casler says most of the money has now been secured and the North Dakota Historical Society will soon be opening bids for the project.

The confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers was an important destination for explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in the early 1800s.


State Organic Committee To Meet In Wolf Point (Posted 7/13/01)

The newly formed Montana State Organic Certification Advisory Committee will hold it's second meeting at 10 a.m. on July 20, 2001, at the Sherman Inn in Wolf Point, Montana.

Committee spokesperson Keith Lutnes says the role of the committee is to gather input from across the state to formulate a state organic program plan.

"This plan provides another option for all Montana producers, processors and handlers."

The advisory committee's first meeting was held in late June 2001 in Great Falls and the state organic plan has already begun to take shape. Because the state organic plan will impact both current and future organic producers, processors and handlers, the committee is seeking input from the public. People are encouraged to attend planning meetings to take advantage of the opportunity to help create the state organic program. Written comments are encouraged and also being accepted.

Ralph Peck, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture says the department welcomes input from the committee and the public.

"Input from the public meetings will assist the department in developing effective organic certification services," says Peck.

The committee is made up of producer representatives throughout the state and includes organized organic chapters, farmers, livestock producers, retailers, inspectors, handlers and one representative from the Montana Department of Agriculture. All meetings of the Montana State Organic Certification Advisory Committee are open to the public. Future meetings of the committee include August 25 in Missoula and a September meeting in Helena.

For more information about the July 20 meeting in Wolf Point, contact committee member Keith Lutnes, Westby, at 385-2295.

Other committee members include: Chairman Mark Mackin, Helena; Ernie Carlson, Circle; Barry Flamm, Polson; Robert Boettcher, Big Sandy; Clay McAlpine, Valier; David Oien, Conrad; Rima Nickell, Kalispell; Margaret Scoles, Boadus and Steve Baril, Montana Department of Agriculture at 444-3730. Written comments on the plan can be mailed to: Advisory Committee Chairman, Mark Mackin, 4286 Hart LN, Helena, MT 59601, phone (406) 227-5237.


Dinosaur Skeleton Named Elvis Unveiled In Malta (Posted 7/6/01)

(AP) The skeleton of a duckbilled dinosaur, named Elvis, is now on display at the Phillips County Museum in Malta.The unveiling featured music from the movie "Jurassic Park."

The county museum's paleontologist -- Nate Murphy -- discovered the 24-foot remains about 35 miles north of town in October 1994. The skeleton of the brachylophosaurus -- or "short-crested reptile" -- is 95 percent complete.

The duck-billed dinosaur was a plant eater, that lived about 75 million years ago. The skeleton is on permanent loan, from the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Strong Thunderstorms Move Through Roosevelt County (Posted 7/6/01)

Strong thunderstorms developed Thursday night in Roosevelt County, producing hail in some areas and winds up to 80mph in others. The National Weather Service storm report is listed below.

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Glasgow Mt 1022 Pm Mdt Thu Jul 5 2001
Time(Mdt) .....City Location.....state ...Event/remarks...
....County Location....
0840 Pm 15 N Brockton Mt 60 Mph Tstm Wind Gust
07/05/01 Roosevelt
0840 Pm 17 N Brockton Mt 80 Mph Tstm Wind Gust
07/05/01 Roosevelt
0840 Pm 18 W Froid Mt 80 Mph Tstm Wind Gust
07/05/01 Roosevelt
0850 Pm In Town Glendive Mt .88 Inch Hail
07/05/01 Dawson
0850 Pm 10 W Froid Mt Wind Damage
07/05/01 Roosevelt Tractor/trailer Blown Over
0852 Pm 11 W Froid Mt 80 Mph Tstm Wind Gust
07/05/01 Roosevelt
0920 Pm Homestead Mt 60 Mph Tstm Wind Gust
07/05/01 Sheridan
0921 Pm 25 Nw Sidney Mt Tornado
07/05/01 Richland


Montana Pioneer Dies (Posted 7/6/01)

(AP) A Montana pioneer is dead at the age of 108. Maria Cathrina Eschenbacher died Monday at the Culbertson nursing home where she lived for the past seven years.

Eschenbacher attributed her longevity to hard work, heredity and clean living. She was born in Russia, and lived in Mexico and Kansas before moving to eastern Montana in 1906. Eschenbacher married in 1914, and lived on a farm east of Froid for many years.

The funeral will be Saturday in the Froid High School gymnasium.


Mayor Zeller To Perform In Talent Show (Posted 7/5/01)

There are several country western performers named Willie: Boxcar Willie and Willie Nelson come to mind. The Valley County Coalition will be introducing a new country willie at the "New Stars In The Western Sky" talent show: "Wild Willie" Zeller.

Mayor Zeller has been rehearsing with borderline, a professional four-piece band. His performance is top secret. It will be worth the $5.00 ticket just to see the mayor strut his stuff. He will be joining 12 talented local performers and other local dignitaries at the Northeastern Montana Fair on July 31st.

The talent show is truly a family event, according to co-chairman Cindy Taylor. "We have talented people coming from Whitewater, Nashua, Fort Peck, Saco, Hinsdale, and Glasgow."

"The line-up looks to be a really good show", adds Sharon Labonty, co-chair. Watch for a list of the performers in later articles.

The "New Stars In The Western Sky" talent show is sponsored by the Valley County Coalition. It is co-sponsored by the Glasgow Courier. Tickets are on sale at the fair office and from coalition members.


FWP Home Study Course For Boating Available (Posted 7/5/01)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers a home-study course on boating to help families comply with state law requiring youngsters 13 and 14 years old to have a motorboat operator’s certificate while piloting a motorboat without an adult on board.

The law includes operation of all motorboats as well as personal watercraft, like a jet ski, with a motor greater than 10 horsepower. No one 12 or younger can operate a motorboat alone. An adult, 18 years or older, must be on board. There are no certification requirements for youth age 15 and older.

FWP's home study course, which is available at all FWP offices, consists of a 71-page safe-boating manual, a workbook and test, and a registration card. After completing the home study course, students return the test, workbook and registration card to the FWP Helena office.

A motorboat operator's certificate will be sent back to students with a passing score. The boat operator must carry the certificate whenever driving a motorboat or jet ski. Many other states also have such a program. Youth from other states and Canada, operating a motorboat in Montana, will need an operator's certificate either from their home state or province, or from Montana.

FWP’s course allows youth from Montana to operate a motorboat in other states with similar laws. In addition to the FWP home-study course, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliaries in Great Falls, Kalispell and Helena offer a one-day classroom course.


New OB/GYN Office Opens In Glasgow (Posted 7/4/01)


Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital and Glasgow Clinic are happy to announce the opening of Milk River Obstetrics and Gynecology on July 16, 2001. Dr. Tamara Simon and Dr. Lawrence Palazzo will be practicing in the new office.

Dr. Palazzo opened his private obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Glasgow in 1981. In 1977 he moved his practice in with the Glasgow Clinic.

Dr. Simon is just moving to Glasgow. She comes from a large family of eight children and was raised in the Boise Idaho area. She has one son, Adam who attends the University of Montana. Close family living and a sense of community are very important to Dr. Simon were among the strongest influences in her decision to come to Glasgow.

May of 1984 found Tamara graduating from Boise State University as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She then continued and graduated May 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from Boise State. In December 1991 she graduated with a Masters in Public Health from the University of California, School of Public Health at Berkley, California. Finally she received her Doctor of Medicine from Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk Virginia in May 1996. Her first two years of residency were completed at William Beaumont Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Oak Michigan. And most recently Dr. Simon is graduating from her final year of residency at Saint John's Mercy Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Simon has spent several years working with programs dealing with AIDS and other infectious diseases. She has a strong interest in infertility and will be treating patients with infertility problems. "I am looking forward to coming to a community where people know each other and feel an obligation to their community," Dr. Simon said. "I want to know my patients and I want them to know they can trust me. I am especially concerned about our adolescent population and am willing to offer guidance for teens during pregnancy."

Milk River Obstetrics and Gynecology will begin seeing patients on July 16 at Glasgow Clinic. Their new office located in Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital is under construction and will be completed later this summer. Appointments can be made by calling 228-3684 or 800-322-3634 extension 3684.


Knife River Volunteers To Ride Amtrak To Malta (Posted 7/3/01)

(AP) -- Volunteers from North Dakota's Knife River Indian Villages will be riding Amtrak, starting this weekend.

The volunteers will join the passenger train in Minot, North Dakota and ride to Malta, Montana, on Sundays and Fridays through Labor Day.

They'll give lectures and provide information about the Knife River historic site, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It's part of a cooperative program between the National Park Service and Amtrak called "Trails and Rails," that provides educational programs on several train routes across the United States.

Programs will be presented over the train's public address system, and in the sightseer lounge car. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Kitzenberg Optimistic About Four-lane Highway Two After Summit (Posted 7/3/01)

(AP) State Senator Sam Kitzenberg says he returned from the weekend economic summit in Great Falls enthusiastic about the chances of converting U-S Highway Two into a four-lane economic corridor across Montana's northern tier.

The Glasgow Republican says he spoke with all three members of Montana's congressional delegation. He says Senator Conrad Burns sounded "very positive" about it, and Congressman Denny Rehberg said he'd look into a possible "demonstration project" along Highway Two.

Kitzenberg says Senator Max Baucus has been an ardent supporter of the project, and has submitted a request for 26 million dollars to begin construction.

The four-lane highway project was pushed through the last session of the state Legislature. It has strong support among Hi-Line communities that consider it necessary for their economic survival. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Four People Die In Crashes On Montana Highways Monday (Posted 7/3/01)

(AP) The Montana Highway Patrol says two Great Falls men died in a one-vehicle crash on Montana 200 near Jordan at about two o-clock Monday morning. The patrol says the driver apparently fell asleep and drifted off the roadway, then woke up and overcorrected. The vehicle overturned and both people were ejected and died at the scene. The victims were a 73 and 51, but their names were not released.

And at 2:15 Monday morning, a 28-year-old West Yellowstone woman died in a head-on crash with a semi tractor trailer on U-S 191 near Big Sky. The patrol says the driver may have fallen asleep, and the vehicle veered into the path of an oncoming semi. A man in the vehicle was hospitalized in Billings in critical condition.

Also Monday, a 53-year-old Prescott, Arizona man was killed when the van he was driving pulled out in front of a semi tractor-trailer on Interstate 90 near Deer Lodge. Powell County Coroner John Pohle says Justice of the Peace Robert W. Kuebler Junior died at the scene. His wife is hospitalized in Missoula in critical condition, while their son is being held overnight for observation.

The deaths raise the state highway fatality toll to 91, compared with 107 on this date last year. (Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Valley County Approved For Emergency Conservation Program (Posted 7/2/01)

Valley County has been approved for the Emergency Conservation Program due to severe drought conditions in the county. Producers with livestock, suffering water shortages, may be eligible for cost-share assistance under ECP to provide water for livestock.

Practices include constructing and deepening wells, pipelines, and developing springs for livestock water. Producers who have experienced severe drought conditions requiring outside assistance to provide supplemental emergency livestock water may contact the Valley County FSA Office.

Requests for assistance will be accepted from June 25, 2001 to August 24, 2001.

At this time, funding has not been received. To be eligible for cost-share, practices shall not be started until a request has first been filed and an onsite inspection of the problem area has been made by FSA. The FSA County Committee will review the inspection findings when considering the request for approval of cost share.


DEQ Settles On Sleeping Buffalo Tank System (Posted 7/2/01)

Permanent closure of underground storage tank systems and payment of a penalty of $500 marked the recent settlement of a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) enforcement action against Roger F. Ereaux, Saco, MT, at the Sleeping Buffalo Resort in Phillips County, for violations of Montana's Underground Storage Tank Act (Act).

On February 7, 2001, DEQ issued an Administrative Order on Consent to Take Corrective Action (consent order). Ereaux agreed to correct the violations and come into compliance with the Act. Under the Act, underground storage tank (UST) systems failing to comply with the December 22, 1998 upgrade requirements were to be placed into temporary closure for a period not to exceed 12 months.

If Ereaux did not upgrade during this time period, the law required the non-compliant UST systems to be permanently closed by December 22, 1999. DEQ cited Ereaux for failing to permanently close the non-compliant UST systems located at the Sleeping Buffalo Resort by the December 22, 1999 deadline. Ereaux has fulfilled the requirements of the consent order.


Fourth Of July Starts Busy Month For Chamber (Posted 7/2/01)

The Glasgow Chamber of Commerce is preparing for a big Fourth of July celebration this year at the Valley County Fairgrounds.

A barbecue will be served from 6pm to 9:30pm and a dance will take place from 7pm to midnight with a beer garden flowing from 6pm to midnight. The fireworks display will occur at dark.

In other chamber news, Crazy Days is set for Saturday July 28th with a western theme to this year's promotion. This is the same weekend as the divisional swim meet and the opening of the Northeast Montana Fair.

The Chamber is also preparing for the 2001 Montana Governors Cup Walleye Tournament which begins on Wednesday July 11th and runs through Saturday July 14th. The actual tournament fishing begins on Friday and continues through Saturday. There will also be a guys and gals tourney on Thursday, July 12th, a fish fry on Friday, July 13th, and a youth fishing tourney on Saturday, July 14th.


Glasgow Man Sentenced In Burglary (Posted 7/2/01)

A Glasgow man has been sentenced to the Montana Department of Corrections for his involvement in a local burglary last December.

Darwyn Barnett was sentenced for his role in a burglary that occured at Treasure Trail Processing on December 22nd of 2000.

According to court documents, Barnett unlawfully removed a safe, containing cash and other valuable documents from Treasure Trail Processing.

Barnett pleaded guilty to the charges of burglary and theft both felonies.

District Court Judge John Mckeon sentenced Barnett on the burglary charge to 5 years with the Montana Department of Corrections with all but 96 days suspended. On the theft charge he was also sentenced to 5 years with the Montana Department of Corrections will all but 96 days suspended.

He must also pay full restitution to Treasure Trail Processing in the amount of $1,196.85 and must reimuburse Valley County $400 for his court appointed attorney.


John "Tom" Yecovenko

John "Tom" Yecovenko, 62, died Wednesday, July 25 at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow of Emphysema. Services will be held Thursday, August 2 at 11:00 a.m. in the Calvary Baptist Church in Glasgow with Reverend Jerry Overholt officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery with Bell Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Tom was born April 13, 1939 in Scobey, MT, to John Thomas Yecovenko, Sr. and Agnes Hanson Yecovenko. A lifetime Valley County resident, he lived in Ekalaka for 9 years where he was a lineman for the power company. In 1980 he bought Rose Hill Trailer Court north of Glasgow. Tom also worked for the Valley County Road Department, retiring in 1998. On August 20, 1966 he married Shirley Briltz in Opheim, MT. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, snowmobiling, and camping. He was also a rodeo enthusiast.

Survivors include: his wife Shirley of Glasgow; a son, Terrence of Glasgow; a daughter, Twila of Billings; two sisters: Carol; and Shirley Fietz of Scobey; and one granddaughter, Daniel Yecovenko of Billings.


Tasheena Hoda Wiya
Nellie Gray Clark

Tasheena Hoda Wiya (Nellie Gray Clark) passed away on Saturday, July 28 at Northeastern Montana Medical Center in Wolf Point. Family wake services will be held in Frazer at the Clark residence on July 29. Community wake services will be held at the Oswego Community Hall on Monday evening, July 30 with funeral services on Tuesday, July 31 at 10:00 a.m. in the Oswego Community Hall with pipe ceremony and a four day feast following the services.

Taheena was born on October 4, 1929 to Esther Boy Chief Gray and Oscar Gray in Lodge Pole, MT. She attended school in the Lodge Pole Community. She moved to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in 1951 and lived her remaining life in the Oswego and Frazer communities.

Nellie married Clarence (Bob) Hamilton of Klamath Falls, OR, in 1950. They had a daughter, Deborah Hamilton. He, Bob, preceded Nellie in death. She met and married Lawrence Joseph Wetsit of Oswego in October of 1951. They had four children, Diane, Larry, Gayle and Harold. He preceded her in death in 1956. She met and married Kenneth (Rooky) Lewis of Seattle in 1957. They had five children, Toni, Kenny, Lori, Loren and Resa. They divorced in 1971. Nellie married Donald Clark in 1971.

Nellie worked in various jobs throughout her life including 20 years as a Head Start Teacher's Aide. A highly respected elder and fluent speaker of Nakoda, she is a great loss to the Assiniboine community.

She is survived by her husband of thirty years, one sister, Sarah Doney of Fort Belknap; her ten children and three step-children, 37 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by eleven siblings.


Yvonne L. Omvig

Yvonne L. Omvig, 69, died July 26 at Deaconess Hospital in Billings, MT. Services will be held Tuesday, July 31 at 2:00 p.m. at Bell Chapel in Glasgow with Reverend David Rogenes officiating. Burial will be in Lawndale Cemetery in Opheim, MT with Bell Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Yvonne was born August 29, 1931 in Harlowton, MT to Warren C. and Iva G. (Bolgen) Gilbert. She was raised in Montana, moved to Opheim in 1944, and graduated from Opheim High School in 1949. She attended cosmetology school in Havre, and owned and operated Beauty Shops. She married Bill Omvig at Glasgow on August 10, 1957. They lived on their farm Northwest of Opheim since 1955. She enjoyed reading, singing and played the piano. Yvonne liked Christian Books and Gospel singing.

Survivors include: her husband Bill Omvig of Opheim; 2 daughters, Kristin Omvig of Billings and Wendy of Houston; and 2 grandchildren.


Arvie Watters

Funeral services for Arvie Watters is Monday, July 30, 2:00 PM at the Glasgow First Lutheran Church. Rev. Chris Flohr will officiate. Bell Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Watters passed away July 25, 2001 at the Billings Deaconess Medical Center of natural causes.


Ida G. Combs Sturdevant

Ida G. Combs Sturdevant, 89, passed away Thursday, July 19 in her parents homestead in Glasgow of natural causes. Services will be held Wednesday, July 25 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bell Chapel in Glasgow with Reverend Chris Flohr officiating. Burial will be in Northwest Memorial Gardens in Spokane, WA with Bell Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Ida was born March 3, 1912 in Glasgow to Elber Combs and Anna (Nord) Combs. She was raised in Glasgow and attended Glasgow High School. After she finished school she went to work at the Eat Shop in Glasgow. Ida married Ernest Sturdevant on January 16, 1932. They both traveled and cooked for road crews. She worked at Wheeler, near Fort Peck, MT, for the building of the Fort Peck Dam and Anderson Dam. Later she moved to Washington and worked for the Boeing Company building planes. She also worked cooking at the Bon Marche in Spokane, developing her special Ida Burger. After her husband passed away in 1961 she retired and moved back to Glasgow to be the caretaker of her mother, the late Anna Combs.

Ida enjoyed baking, doing all the fancy knitting, and crocheting until her hands and eyesight started to fail. She always enjoyed sitting around talking about old times, dancing, and playing cards.

Survivors include: two sisters, one brother, and many nieces and nephews.


Robert Hansen

Robert Hansen, 79, died of cancer at Valley View Nursing Home in Glasgow on July 12. Services will be Tuesday, July 17 at 10am at First Lutheran Church in Glasgow with Reverend Martin Mock officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery. Bell Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Robert was born in 1921 in Scobey and was raised on the family farm south of Richland. He worked with the CCC for 1 year, then attended Northern Montana College until World War II started. He then served in the U.S. Air Force as a meteorologist. After the War, he graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Industrial Chemistry. he worked for the Food and Drug Administration in San Francisco and then came back to Montana to farm in 1946.

In 1950 he married Jean Hill in Hamilton. He farmed the family farm until retiring in 1986. He taught Vocational Agriculture to the Veterans after World War II and was a substitute teacher in the Glasgow School System. He was a member of the Elks Club and the American Legion. As a hobby, Bob enjoyed prospecting and he was instrumental in developing the bentonite deposits in South Valley County and South Phillips County.

Survivors include his wife Jean of Glasgow, 2 sons: Steve& his wife Peggy Hansen of Glasgow, and Bill and his wife Karyn Hansen of Nevada; 3 daughters: Mary Hansen of Billings, Laurie Hansen of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Kay Hansen of Kalispell; 1 sister, Kay Hansen of Kalispell, and 5 granddaughters. He was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Margery, in 1994, and by his brother James in 1992.


Gale Billingsley

Gale Billingsley, 79, died at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow of natural causes. Services will be held on Thursday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Glasgow, with Reverend Emory Robotham and Reverend Dave Hodsdon officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Glasgow with Bell Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Gale was born August 14, 1921 in Glasgow to Charles Hulse and Estella Cline Hulse. He attended grade school at the Billingsley Country School and graduated from Glasgow High School in 1940. He attended Montana State University in Bozeman. Gale returned to the family ranch located west of Glasgow on Antelope Creek where he and his father raised sheep and black angus cattle.
Gale married Donna Combs on November 2, 1945. Together they continued to run the ranch. He was President and Director of the Milk River Production Credit Association. He was a lifetime member of the Valley Ridgerunners Saddle Club and the Glasgow Elks Club, and he was also a pilot. His proudest event of the past year was the birth of his first great granddaughter, Peyton Marie Kimmel born on Gale's birthday in 2000.
He is survived by his wife Donna of Glasgow; daughters, Cheri Doll of Malta and Roxanne Barone of Billings; a son, Don Jones of Glasgow; sisters: Pauline Henningsen of Glasgow and Florence Armstrong of Boise, ID; numerous grandchildren, and three stepchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.


Charlotte L. Kolstad

Charlotte L. Kolstad, 65, died Sunday, July 8, at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow after a struggle with cancer. Services will be held Thursday, July 12, at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Glasgow with Pastor Chris Flohr officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Glasgow with Bell Mortuary in charge of arrangements.
Charlotte was born May 27, 1936, in Glasgow to Charles Wood and Elva Wood. She graduated from Glasgow High School in 1954. She married her war hero, George Kolstad June 12, 1954 in Augusta, Montana. They built a home west of Glasgow and raised five children.
She belonged to the VFW Auxiliary, Cowbelle's, and Far and Wide Demonstration Club. She was very active in VFW Auxiliary, serving as treasurer for 18 years.
Charlotte was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. Her grandchildren were her life. She never missed a birthday. She also enjoyed gardening, card parties, playing bingo, and camping at Fort Peck Lake. Her home was always open to visitors. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.
She is survived by her husband George of Glasgow; two daughters: Janet Black of Anaconda, MT and Carolyn Rees of Fort Peck, MT; three sons: Dean, Darryl, and Gene all of Glasgow; eleven grandchildren; her mother Elva Wood of Glasgow; two sisters: Joyce Peck of Glasgow and Lynn Ediger of Wolf Point; and one brother, Bill Wood of Glasgow.


Pete Hockhalter

Pete Hockhalter, age 77, passed away July 1, 2001 at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow. Funeral services are set for Saturday, July 7, 11:00 AM at Bell Chapel in Glasgow with Rev. David Rogenes officiating. Burial will take place at Nashua City Cemetery in Nashua, MT. Bell Mortuary in Glasgow is in charge of arrangements.

Hockhalter was born April 27, 1924 in the Baylor community to John and Albina (Lehr) Hockhalter. He was raised in that community, working as a ranch hand and did butchering was was a collector. He also worked for the City of Nashua. He married Violet Miller. She preceded him in death in 1978. Pete lived in the Glasgow and Nashua areas.

Survivors in clude a son, Larry Hockhalter (wife Barb) of Glasgow; four daughters, Yevonne and Clarence Norcutt of Glasgow, Evelyn and Travis Howell of Jacksonville, FL, Gloria and Scott Labonte of Grand Forks, ND and Donna Sherwood of Grand Forks, ND; two sisters, Tene Hockhalter and Kay of Washington; three brothers, Fred Hockhalter of Harlem, MT, Adolph Hockhalter of Baltimore, MD and John Hockhalter of Milwaukee, WI, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

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