Senator Sam Kitzenberg Web Site

May Obituaries

Rural Fire Department Levy Up For Vote (Fri, May 31, 2002)

Aerial assessment of Milk River upcoming (Thu, May 30, 2002)

Balloon Lift Set For Today At Valley View (Wed, May 29, 2002)

Another Fire For Long Run (Wed, May 29, 2002)

Governor Martz To Hold Capital For a Day in Glasgow (Tue, May 28, 2002)

Relay For Life To Become Annual Event; Captain's Meeting Is Thursday (Tue, May 28, 2002)

Open House To Discuss Rail/Highway Grade Separation (Tue, May 28, 2002)

Talent Show Returns To Fair (Tue, May 28, 2002)

Primary Election Coming Up June 4th (Tue, May 28, 2002)

Communities chip in to bring business back to town (Tue, May 28, 2002)

Glasgow Man Charged With Sexual Intercourse Without Consent (Tue, May 28, 2002)

Mummified dinosaur new centerpiece for Phillips County Museum (Tue, May 28, 2002)

Ms. Walleye Queen Contest Announced (Tue, May 28, 2002)

Fort Peck Tourism Season Starts (Fri, May 24, 2002)

North Dakota man charged with negligent homicide (Fri, May 24, 2002)

FW&P Offices Open Extra On June 1 (Fri, May 24, 2002)

Canadian Pacific Railway wants to ship Montana grain west (Fri, May 24, 2002)

Fry Stocking Complete on Fort Peck Lake (Thu, May 23, 2002)

Fish, Wildlife & Parks Meeting Agenda Set (Thu, May 23, 2002)

37 Drought Counties Named (Thu, May 23, 2002)

Governor says river fight may end up in Supreme Court (Thu, May 23, 2002)

More Calls For Long Run (Wed, May 22, 2002)

Corps Freed From Court Order (Thu, May 23, 2002)

Underpass One-Lane Traffic Only This Morning (Wed, May 22, 2002)

Senate to hear testimony on disaster relief (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Windy Spring Not That Unusual (Tue, May 21, 2002)

City Awards Police Car, Street Improvement Bids (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Department Of Livestock Touts Brand Enforcement Division (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Online Access To Driving Records Convenient And Secure (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Grand Unveiling Of Dinosaur Set For Friday (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Fort Peck Fine Arts Council To Host George Winston As Fundraiser (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Oliver Cast Set; Play Debuts June 14th (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Over 2,200 Pounds Received In Local Letter Carrier Food Drive (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Nashua American Legion Post To Have Memorial Day Parade (Tue, May 21, 2002)

American Legion To Start White Cross Maintenance (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Unemployment Statistics For April Released (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Army Corps agrees not to release extra water for at least a week (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Long Run & Hinsdale Fire Departments Spend Day Battling Blaze (Mon, May 20, 2002)

Dinosaur remains to be displayed at Phillips County Museum (Mon, May 20, 2002)

Lewis And Clark Meeting Set For June 1-2 (Sat, May 18, 2002)

Busy Clean Up Day In Glasgow (Fri, May 17, 2002)

Construction Season Well Underway In Glasgow (Fri, May 17, 2002)

FMDH Employees Join In Bike To Work Day (Fri, May 17, 2002)

Another Controlled Burn Escapes Containment (Fri, May 17, 2002)

Friday Declared Bike To Work Day At Hospital (Thr, May 16, 2002)

Friday Is Spring Clean Up Day (Thr, May 16, 2002)

Government prepares response to chronic wasting disease (May 16, 2002)

Governors plan to meet on Missouri River water (Thu, May 16, 2002)

School Board Awards Asbestos Bid; Keeps Cross Country (Thr, May 16, 2002)

Irrigation District To Flush Canal Between May 25-28 (Thr, May 16, 2002)

Glaser Returns To GHS (Thr, May 16, 2002)

Interpretive Center Volunteer Training Set (May 16, 2002)

AP Releases County House Value & Income Rankings (May 16, 2002)

Hatchery Groundbreaking Details Released (Tue, May 14, 2002)

Prairie Ridge Construction (Tue, May 14, 2002)

Long Run Battles Another Blaze (Tue, May 14, 2002)

Govs want changes in Burlington Northern customer dealings (Tue, May 14, 2002)

Water dispute widens; Montana blocks increased releases (Tue, May 14, 2002)

House panel answers Amtrak's pleas for $1.2 billion (Thu, May 9, 2002)

Glasgow Woman Picks Up Prize (Thu, May 9, 2002)

Kiwanis Update (Thu, May 9, 2002)

Mainwaring Sentence Reduced (Thu, May 9, 2002)

Purchase Your License Early (Wed, May 8, 2002)

Nebraska asks to weigh in on water dispute (Wed, May 8, 2002)

Glasgow School District Purchases Cruiser (Wed, May 8, 2002)

Commissioners Terminate Ambulance Contract Due To Poor Wording (Wed, May 8, 2002)

Storm Brings Hazardous Travel To Montana (Wed, May 8, 2002)

Fort Peck Summer Theatre Schedule Set (Wed, May 8, 2002)

Winter Storm Brings Welcome Moisture To Northeast Montana (Tue, May 7, 2002)

Preliminary School Board Election Results (Tue, May 7, 2002)

City Council Approves Remus To Police Commission, Awards Contracts & Opens Bids; Paving Projects Outlined (Tue, May 7, 2002)

Irrigation District Membership Meeting May 13 (Tue, May 7, 2002)

Ft. Peck Walleye Egg-Take Wrapping Up (Tue, May 7, 2002)

Former Frazer Teacher Pleads Guilty To Theft (Tue, May 7, 2002)

Annual Crop Survey Now Online (Tue, May 7, 2002)

Holocaust Survivor To Speak In Glasgow (Tue, May 7, 2002)

Glasgow Woman Wins Montana Lottery (Tue, May 7, 2002)

Valley Public TV Board Meets (Mon, May 6, 2002)

School Elections On Tuesday (Mon, May 6, 2002)

Political Forum Set For Thursday (Mon, May 6, 2002)

Night (Mon, May 6, 2002)

Long Run Battles Another Blaze (Thu, May 2, 2002)

Markle Hired As New Middle School Principal (Thu, May 2, 2002)

Free Entrepreneurial Development Workshops (Thu, May 2, 2002)

Guard Hands Out Awards (Wed, May 1, 2002)

Rural Fire Department Levy Up For Vote (Fri, May 31, 2002)

Voters going to the polls on Tuesday will be voting on a levy that would increase funding for the Valley County Long Run Fire Department.

Earlier this year the Valley County Commissioners agreed to put to the voters an opportunity to increase the funding for the fire department from 1 mill to 3 mills.

Currently the department receives $22,754 in tax money to operate the fire department. If approved by the voters, the department would receive $68,262.

This money would be used for the purchase and maintenance of equipment and for the maintenance of current equipment.

The Long Run Fire Department operates 18 fire trucks: 7 from the Long-Run Fire Hall in Glasgow, and 11 stationed throughout the county. The levy would also pay for protective clothing, liability insurance, workers compensation coverage, and training.
Residents of Glasgow, Nashua, Opheim, and Fort Peck will not be able to vote on the levy because they live in an incorporated city or town and already have city or town fire departments.

Aerial assessment of Milk River upcoming (Thu, May 30, 2002)

(Havre-AP) -- A study is being launched to determine if too many demands are being placed on the Milk River as it winds through Montana, Canada and back into Montana. The river is used for irrigation, drinking water and fishing.

Jim Thompson is project coordinator at Fort Peck. He says officials know the Milk River is the lifeline of the Hi-Line. He says the aerial assessment of the valley -- from Fresno Reservoir into its confluence with the Missouri River -- will be used to determine what resources and what problems exist in the river valley.

The survey also is designed to provide information about problems like erosion or saline seep. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Balloon Lift Set For Today At Valley View (Wed, May 29, 2002)

There will be a balloon lift today at Valley View Nursing Home in Glasgow at 2:30 p.m. Messages written by residents or guest will be attached to the balloons. Dorothy Draeger and Delvin & Cami Hackwith will be entertaining with their music. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Another Fire For Long Run (Wed, May 29, 2002)

The Valley County Long Run Fire Department responded to a fire Tuesday afternoon on the Billingsley Road on the way to Tampico.
The department was called out at 2:30pm and spent about four hours battling the controlled burn that got out of control.

The blaze burned in a hay field, irrigation ditch and got into some trees before the department extinguished the blaze. The fire burned an estimated five acres.

Governor Martz To Hold Capital For a Day in Glasgow (Tue, May 28, 2002)

Helena, MT - Governor Judy Martz has announced that her tenth "Capital For a Day" will be held in Glasgow on June 19, 2002. As a part of this event, Governor Martz will proclaim Glasgow as the Official Capital for the State of Montana.

"We are excited about traveling to Valley County to address local ideas, issues and concerns," said Governor Martz. "We have an incredible opportunity in this state to bring government to individual communities. This not only helps the residents of Glasgow, but it also helps us to gain information about local community issues."

Lieutenant Governor Ohs and members of the Governor's cabinet will also participate in the program throughout the day, so that constituents who have concerns or issues to raise with regard to a particular agency will have time to discuss their problems one-on-one.

"We have been pleased with the success of this event in our past sites of Laurel, Hamilton, Sidney, Havre, Roundup, Townsend, Circle, Deer Lodge, and Lewistown" Governor Martz said.

"Montana is such a diverse state, and we need to understand the impacts of the decisions we make in Helena at every level and in every community."

The public is encouraged to participate in all of Glasgow's Capital For a Day activities.

The schedule:
10:30AM Welcome & Opening: coffee & donuts with the public at the Pioneer Museum
11:00AM Local Officials Meeting: meeting with county and city leaders at the City Council Chamber
Cabinet Visits: cabinet meets with state offices in Glasgow
Noon Lunch with the Kiwanis Club at the Cottonwood Inn (public is invited)
1:30PM Cabinet Meetings: opportunity to meet one on one with agency directors
Business visits: Governor Martz, Lieutenant Governor Ohs & Cabinet
3:00PM Business Walk

Relay For Life To Become Annual Event; Captain's Meeting Is Thursday (Tue, May 28, 2002)

There will be a team captain's meeting May 30th at 5:30 p.m. at the Glasgow Job Service office. We do not yet have a local chairperson for this committee, but Kristi Oaks with the American Cancer Society (1-800-252-5470) from Billings plans to attend the meeting. Also, the co-chairs for the Northeast Montana Planning Committee, Mona Amundson (263-4176) and Rod Karst (228-8757), will be available. If you have any questions, or are interested in helping with the team recruitment committee, please contact Kristi, Mona or Rod.

The 2002 NE Montana Relay will be held August 9th and 10th, starting at 7:00 p.m. Friday night until 11:00 a.m. Saturday. If you have a team, can organize a team or just want to be on a team, you should attend the May 30th meeting.

Team registration fee is $100.00, and it is suggested that you have from 8 to 10 walkers on your team to share walking time on the track. Each team member is also encouraged to raise $75.00 in the form of pledges or through the sale of luminaries, and qualifies the member for a Relay for Life t-shirt and other prizes. There are also corporate sponsors that you may be able to use as your team sponsor and registration fee.

In the past we were the only biennial Relay in Montana, all others are held annually. However, with the high rate of cancer incidents in our area, the local Committee felt the need to focus on cancer education on a year around basis. All other Relays in the State are held annually and Glasgow's has been one of the more successful Relays in the State. In 2001 we were ranked #2, per capita.

Also, for consistency and budget purposes, we decided to sponsor an annual Relay for Life.

Since 1946, the American Cancer Society has contributed more than $2.2 billion to the fight to cure cancer. This year alone, the ACS will give more than $100 million to continue the battle.

In fact, the American Cancer Society dedicates more money to cancer research than any other private, nonprofit, non-government source of funding in the United States.

To date, the ACS has funded 32 Nobel Prize winning cancer researchers.

Some of the more notable accomplishments funded by the ACS include treatments for childhood leukemia, the creation of the Pap test, bone marrow transplants and gene therapies.

While the ACS is diligently working every day to help find a cure, the true heroes are the hundreds of thousands of volunteers and contributors who give of their time, talents and money to meet that goal.

The two major fundraisers put on by the ACS each year are Daffodil Days and Relay For Life, with Relay being the signature event for the organization. This year, more than 3,300 Relays will be held nationwide to raise money and awareness in each community.

Money raised through fundraisers and contributions by individuals and businesses also goes to assist community programs such as Man to Man prostate support group, Reach to Recovery for breast cancer patients, and I Can Cope for cancer survivors, just to name a few.

Educational programs such as Look Good … Feel Better and the annual Colorectal Satellite Broadcast are just two of the ways the ACS helps educate the public.

Finally, the ACS is proud to promote its role in legislative advocacy. The Society traditionally takes the lead in the passage of anti-tobacco legislation, both on a statewide or national level.

The American Cancer Society is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, toll-free at 1-800-ACS-2345 or by logging on to the Web at www.cancer.org.

Open House To Discuss Rail/Highway Grade Separation (Tue, May 28, 2002)

The Montana Department of Transportation and Interstate Engineering, Inc. are holding a public open house about the Statewide Rail/Highway Grade Separation Needs Study. The open house is scheduled Tuesday, June 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Glasgow Civic Center Council Chambers located at 319 3rd Street South.

The Montana Department of Transportation hired Interstate Engineering, Inc. to conduct a needs study of railroad-highway grade crossings around the state. The study will examine the potential benefits and constraints associated with grade separations and rank them based on an evaluation and weighting scale. The railroad crossing on 4th Street in Glasgow is one of twenty locations being studied statewide and will be discussed at Tuesday’s open house.

For more information or to comment on this open house, please contact:
Charles Strum, P.E., Interstate Engineering, Inc.
Kris Christensen, Planner, Rail, Transit and Planning Division, MDT
Telephone (406) 256-1920 Helena, MT 59620-1001
Telephone (406) 444-9240For the hearing impaired,
the TTY number is (406) 444-7696 or 1-800-335-7592

Talent Show Returns To Fair (Tue, May 28, 2002)

If you are interested in showing off your talent take part in the 2nd Annual "New Stars in the Western Sky: Talent Show to be held on July 30, 2002, during the Northeast Montana Fair.

Valley County Coalition is again offering musicians and singers the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience. So take out your fiddle, exercise your voice, tune up your guitar, and join in the fun! Performers will be accompanied by Dave Pippin and the Borderline Band. Sound equipment will also be available for those performers who prefer to perform as a Karaoke event. All performers will be expected to attend two rehearsals in July, one during the week of the show.

Last year's Talent Show was a smash. Anyone who attended would agree the evening was filled with fun and the performers were excellent. This year promises to be even better.

Anyone interested in performing at the Talent Show must complete an application and return it to the Valley County Coalition office no later than July 1, 2002. If you have questions or need an application call 228-2489, please leave a message if there is no answer. You may also pick up applications at the Valley County Coalition office located in the Glasgow Civic Center.

Primary Election Coming Up June 4th (Tue, May 28, 2002)

Voters will go to the polls on June 4th to elect the Democratic and Republican nominees for the November General election.

The Republican and Democratic parties have completed their filings for precinct committeeman and committeewoman posts in Valley County.

These positions are mostly ceremonial and involve little or no work.

Here are the Republican filings:
Precinct #1-Becky Erickson and Charles Wilson
Precinct #2-Lloyd Eide and Ione Brownson
Precinct #3-Erin Glennie
Precinct #4-Darwin Johnson
Precinct#7- William Silver

Here are the Democratic filings:
Precinct #3-Stan Ozark and Virginia Bortas
Precinct #4-Art Buen and Pat Hill
Precinct #8-Jerry Arnold

Communities chip in to bring business back to town (Tue, May 28, 2002)

(Plentywood-AP) -- Residents of small towns along Montana's Hi-Line watched as stores such as Anthony's and J-C Penney's closed due to a decline in business.

Ann McKenzie managed the Anthony's store and then the Stage store in Plentywood for 15 years. She says she liked raising her children in Plentywood and didn't want to leave. So she came up with the idea of starting a community store -- one that would provide basic clothing. At least 19 investors put up ten-thousand dollars each to start "Little Muddy Drygoods."

Malta borrowed the basic idea, and opened "Family Matters." However, it sought just 500 dollars from investors. The store sold 550 shares. The stores in Plentywood and Malta work together to get volume discounts on purchases. Malta's idea spawned two more community stores. Powell, Wyoming and Glendive hope to open stores this July. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Glasgow Man Charged With Sexual Intercourse Without Consent (Tue, May 28, 2002)

An 18 year old Glasgow man has been arrested and charged with five counts of felony Sexual Intercourse Without Consent and one count of misdemeanor Unlawful Restraint.

Trent Kinzell was arrested on May 13th by law enforcement officials. He was later released on $7500 bond.
Kinzell is set to make his initial appearance in front of District Court Judge David Cylbuski on June, 4th. District Court Judge John

McKeon has withdrawn from the case.

According to court documents, Kinzell is charged with five felony counts of Sexual Intercourse Without Consent. These charges stem from incidents that allegedly occurred with a Glasgow girl who was under the age of 16 at the time of the alleged encounters. These incidents occurred between September, 7th of 2001 and March 4th, of 2002.

According to court documents there were five incidents with 4 of them occurring at Kinzell's home and 1 incident occurring in a remote location on Skylark Road.

Kinzell is being represented by Attorney Terry Toavs of Wolf Point.

If convicted, Kinzell could face up to 100 years in prison on each of the five felony charges.

The arrest was a result of an investigation conducted by the Valley County Sheriff's Office with the assistance from the Glasgow Police Department, the Women's Resource Center, and the Montana Highway Patrol.

Mummified dinosaur new centerpiece for Phillips County Museum (Tue, May 28, 2002)

(Malta-AP) -- More than 100 fossil fans from the Hi-Line crowded into the Phillips County Museum at Malta for the weekend unveiling of the museum's new centerpiece.

"Leonardo" is a 77 million-year-old baby duck-billed dinosaur that was discovered less than a year ago. He rocketed to stardom because of his remarkable state of preservation. He is one of only three dinosaur fossils in the world classified as mummies because of the soft tissue that is preserved.

Museum Director Nate Murphy told the assembly that Leonardo is so well-preserved that his stomach contents can be identified - a salad of ferns and conifers, garnished with something like magnolia.

The guests at Friday night's unveiling, meanwhile, grazed on chocolate-dipped strawberries, dinosaur-shaped cookies and cold cuts. They washed it down with wine and a beer brewed especially for the occasion by Yellowstone Valley Brewing. It's called, of course, Old Bone Ale. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Ms. Walleye Queen Contest Announced (Tue, May 28, 2002)

The Montana Governor's Cup Walleye Committee is announcing the first annual Ms. Walleye Queen Contest to take place during the 15th Annual Montana Governor's Cup Walleye Fishing Tournament on July 12th and 13th at Fort Peck Lake. The contest rules and guidelines:

1. Ladies age 18-100 are eligible to enter.
2. No previous experience with Queen Contests is necessary.
3. Contestants must type an essay titled "The Ideal Fisherman" in 100 words or less.
4. Essays may be turned in to the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture office at 23 Highway 2 East or mailed to P.O. Box 832, Glasgow, Montana, 59230.
5. Essays are due on Monday, July 1, 2002.
6. The Montana Governor's Cup commmittee will then select 5 essays to advance to the final competition to be held during the Fish Fry on July 12th at Kiwanis Park.
7. The 5 finalists must read their essays to the fish fry crowd and the audience will select the winner.
8. The 5 finalists will be encouraged to dress appropriately to enhance their essays.
9. The winner will be asked to help on Saturday, July 13th, during the final weigh-in at the Fort Peck Marina.

Fort Peck Tourism Season Starts (Fri, May 24, 2002)

Summer programs are starting in the Fort Peck area. Vicki Silcox, ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, spoke with KLTZ/KLAN on Friday. She said that on Saturday night, Nate Murphy paleontologist from Phillips County Museum, will be the speaker at the evening campfire at 9pm. Nate will show slides from fossil find, Leonardo, for the ampitheatre campfire program.

Silcox also noted that summer tours of powerhouse are starting this weekend; 2 guides are available and special security restrictions are in place. If you want more information on the tours call 406-526-3431.

Silcox also said that camping sites are open and gate attendants are in place. For more information on camping at Kiwanis Park, call 406-526-3224.

Silcox also updated the progress on the building of the Fort Peck Interperetive Center and Museum. Sletten

Construction continues working on it, although the weather has not been cooperative. A lot of culvert work and line work has been done along with 2 sections of concrete. The plan is to have the majority of the work done this year.

North Dakota man charged with negligent homicide (Fri, May 24, 2002)

(Glasgow-AP) -- A 23-year-old North Dakota man is charged with negligent homicide, after an accident that took a young woman's life in northeastern Montanan.

The prosecutor says Travis Kirchendorfer, of Minot was driving when he swerved to miss a deer on Montana Highway 117, between Nashua and Fort Peck. The car went off the highway and crashed, causing the death of a passenger, 18-year old Terri Ann Young of Glasgow.

According to court documents, two other people in the car were seriously injured. It happened in November 2000. Court documents say that Kirchendorfer, at the time, had a blood alcohol content above the legal limit of point-one-oh. Along with the negligent homicide charge, he's charged with negligent vehicular assault for injuries to one of the passengers.

Kirchendorfer has an omnibus hearing June 3rd in District Court. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Pioneer Museum Opens Sunday (Fri, May 24, 2002)

Pioneer Museum Week starts Sunday, as the museum in Glasgow opens and kicks off the official summer tourism season. The museum will be open this and every Sunday 1-5, and then 9-7 Monday-Saturday for the summer. Brenna Sundby of the museum noted that many improvements have been made to the museum during the winter, and invites everyone to stop by during museum week.

FW&P Offices Open Extra On June 1 (Fri, May 24, 2002)

Most Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, June 1, to assist hunters meet the special-drawing application deadline for Montana's coveted elk, deer, and antelope hunting licenses and permits.

"FWP staff will be on special duty on Saturday, June 1 to help handle the additional traffic we expect and to answer questions from hunters and license providers around the state," said FWP spokesman Ron Aasheim.

"The best advice we have for hunters is to buy hunting licenses early, but we know June 1 is an important deadline, so we'll keep our doors and phone lines open to assist our customers on that Saturday."

The FWP Helena headquarters office, 1420 East Sixth Ave., and regional headquarters in Kalispell, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Billings, Glasgow and Miles City will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. FWP area resource offices in Butte, Lewistown and Havre will also be open. The Butte office will be open from 12:30-4 p.m., while offices in Lewistown and Havre will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Helena Area Resource Office on Custer Ave. will not be open.

Aasheim said applications for special drawings must be postmarked no later than June 1. Applicants should check with their local post office to determine the deadline for obtaining a June 1 postmark.

The new Automated Licensing System that FWP launched this year ran smoothly through two recent license deadline rushes, but it caused delays earlier this year at high traffic times. "We've made several improvements to the system already this year to address delays, but we still want to take additional steps to help make things as convenient as possible," Aasheim said.

Aasheim said ALS offers a number of benefits, including greater privacy for the license buyer and quick reporting of license sales statistics.

Canadian Pacific Railway wants to ship Montana grain west (Fri, May 24, 2002)

HELENA, Mont. - Canadian Pacific Railway executives told state officials this week they would like to ship Montana grain over their system, providing a new rail shipping option for producers now limited to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.

"Canadian Pacific informed us that they are indeed interested in moving Montana grain to markets on the West Coast," said Governor Judy Martz.

Martz is optimistic that details will be worked out in the coming months, as Canadian Pacific gains a better understanding of opportunities and barriers to entering the Montana market.

Currently, Canadian Pacific does not have access to Burlington Northern tracks in Montana. However, the company is willing to load grain at its facilities just across the border, providing an alternative shipper for producers in northern Montana, said Ralph Peck, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture.

CP officials said they already work closely with Union Pacific Railroad in several other locations, and likely could work with UP to route the cars from Canada down the West Coast to Portland, Oregon, or other U.S. ports.

Martz said the meeting May 22 was a follow-up to a visit to Canada earlier this year by Peck, Commerce Director Mark Simonich and Transportation Director Dave Galt. "In both meetings, we informed Canadian Pacific that Montana is 'open for business,' and offered any assistance we could provide to help them bring rail competition back to Montana," Martz said.

Montana will work with government officials in Canada to remove any barriers to grain movement by truck into Canada, Peck said. State officials plan to work over the coming weeks to present economic and agricultural data to CP so that they can more accurately determine what advantage they would have to expanding in Montana.

Peck returned Tuesday from meetings with BNSF officials in Fort Worth, Texas. One topic discussed a BNSF rate structure that gives large discounts "shuttle train" shippers in Minnesota and eastern North Dakota, making it cheaper for them to ship grain to the West Coast than it is for shippers in Montana.

The BNSF meeting produced no immediate solution to the grievances cited by grain shippers in Montana, Peck said. "We had a good exchange of ideas," he said. "We will continue to aggressively pursue any options that will reduce the economic disadvantage current rates place on the grain industry in this state."

Fry Stocking Complete on Fort Peck Lake (Thu, May 23, 2002)

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks personnel have recently finished stocking a total of 26,700,000 walleye fry at various locations throughout Fort Peck Lake. In conjunction with the Miles City Fish Hatchery, Fort Peck fisheries crews completed the fry stocking early this week. Fort Peck fisheries crews will now turns its efforts towards raising 850,000 fingerlings currently located in rearing ponds near Fort Peck Lake. Later in June these fingerlings, along with others being reared at the Miles City Fish Hatchery, will be released in Fort Peck Lake

The fry and fingerlings stocking is a result of the annual egg take that was wrapped up in late April near McGuire Creek.

Fish, Wildlife & Parks Meeting Agenda Set (Thu, May 23, 2002)

The Fish, Wildlife & Parks State Parks Futures Committee will be traveling to Glasgow on May 29th to host a meeting on the distribution and allocation of state parks across Montana. Here is the tentative agenda:

May 29th, Wednesday -- Glasgow
1:00 p.m. Welcome, Review Agenda and Expected Outcomes; Introductions
1:15 Overview of the Distribution of State Parks in Montana, Doug Monger Discussion
1:30 Presentation by the Committee to Create a State Park in Region 6 Discussion
4:00 Review the Suggested Outline of the Committee’s Final Report (this document will be distributed prior to the meeting) Provide direction to staff on the structure and content of the report.
5:00 Adjourn
7:00 Public Meeting

37 Drought Counties Named (Thu, May 23, 2002)

Despite Recent Precipitation, Drought Committee - Identifies 37 Severe Drought Counties
The Montana Governor's Drought Advisory Committee made its first formal assessment of the extent and degree of 2002 drought conditions for the state at its May 16 meeting in Helena, identifying 37 counties that meet the criteria for "Severe Drought Status", according to Lieutenant Governor Karl Ohs, the committee's chair.

"Much of eastern Montana is facing its fourth year of drought," said Lt. Governor Ohs. "We have experienced modest gains in precipitation in recent weeks. However, without continued improvement in water supply and moisture conditions, the cumulative effects of years of severe drought mean we can easily slip back from the improvement we have seen."

The committee identified 37 counties that meet the plan's criteria for intense level of drought - the "Severe Drought" status. Counties that meet the Severe Drought status cut a broad swath through the middle of the state, stretching from Canada to Wyoming, including: Beaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Choteau, Custer, Fallon, Fergus, Gallatin, Glacier, Golden Valley, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lewis & Clark, Liberty, Madison, Meagher, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, Yellowstone

All counties in Severe Drought status lie east of the Continental Divide.

The eight counties that currently warrant the "Drought Alert" level of preparedness include: West of the Continental Divide Granite, Powell, Deer Lodge, Lake
East of the Continental Divide McCone, Richland, Prairie, Rosebud

The remaining eleven counties, absent from the Alert or Severe county lists are:
West of the Continental Divide Lincoln, Flathead, Sanders, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli
East of the Continental Divide Daniels, Sheridan, Roosevelt, Garfield, Dawson

The committee noted close to normal fall and spring precipitation for the eleven counties without alert or severe status in setting them apart from the 37 counties listed as Severe Drought counties, where drought remains firmly entrenched. The improvements are based upon recent precipitation events. Given the extensive background period of moisture deficits, these noted improvements are fragile and could be easily reversed.

In making its assessment, the committee compared current water supply and soil moisture conditions with criteria set forth in the Montana Drought Response Plan. The plan identifies specific actions for the committee and local drought committees depending upon the severity of conditions.

A late season boost in the snow water content of the state's mountain snowpack improved surface water supply forecasts, but Roy Kaiser of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Snow Survey cautioned that dry upland and valley soils will intercept a significant amount of the runoff from mountain snowfields where much of the winter's snow remains due to unusually cool temperatures during March, April and early May.

"At the same time that we classify the drought status of the state's counties in strict accordance with our plan, it is still too early to confirm that recovery is underway in given counties and will be lasting," said Lt. Governor Ohs.

The committee will continue to monitor changes in conditions and will report when it meets again, June 13, at the Capitol.

Governor says river fight may end up in Supreme Court (Thu, May 23, 2002)

(Pierre, South Dakota-AP) -- South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow says the fight over management of the Missouri River may ultimately end up in the U-S Supreme Court.

Janklow says the Army Corps of Engineers has been mismanaging the river for the benefit of a non-existent barge industry between Sioux City, Iowa, and St. Louis. He says only five barges a day have operated on that stretch in recent days.

Janklow says it'll be several days before the state decides its next legal move in the battle over control of the Missouri. But he says an appellate court ruling against the Dakotas and Nebraska came just one day short of the state's initial goal, to protect the smelt spawn on Lake Oahe. From that standpoint, Janklow says South Dakota has already won this round. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

More Calls For Long Run (Wed, May 22, 2002)

The Long Run Fire Department and Nashua Fire Department responded to another downed power line fire on Monday afternoon. A power line south of Highway 2 on the Gary Dix land was knocked down by high winds. Twelve firefighters with six trucks responded; the fire was controlled within an hour, with mop-up taking until 5:30p.m. One firefighter sustained a leg injury and was taken to Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital.

As trucks were returning to Glasgow they were notified of a natural gas leak at the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 24. A construction company trenching machine apparently struck an MDU gas line. No injuries were reported; a crew from MDU in Wolf Point repaired the line.

On Tuesday morning, Long Run, Nashua and BIA firefighters were called at 2:34a.m. to a grass fire south of Oswego. Long Run sent 5 firefighters and 3 trucks. The trucks were back in the barn by 5:00 a.m.

Corps Freed From Court Order (Thu, May 23, 2002)

(Pierre, South Dakota-AP) -- A federal appeals court has freed the U-S Army Corps of Engineers from three court orders that restricted how the agency operated the Missouri River in South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska.

The Eighth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a stay -- which blocks orders issued by federal judges in the three states. South Dakota Assistant Attorney General Charlie McGuigan says that means the corps is no longer under any court order involving its operation of the river in those three states.

A federal judge's order in Montana may still be in effect. Montana is part of the Ninth Circuit. Federal judges in South Dakota and North Dakota had issued orders preventing the corps from lowering some Missouri River reservoirs to protect fish eggs deposited in shallow water. A federal judge in Nebraska ordered the corps to maintain adequate flow to support barge traffic below the reservoirs. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Underpass One-Lane Traffic Only This Morning (Wed, May 22, 2002)

According to Montana Department of Transportation, due to road construction work, the underpass in Glasgow was open to one-lane traffic only for a period Wednesday morning. The underpass was open to two-lane traffic by mid-morning.

Senate to hear testimony on disaster relief (Tue, May 21, 2002)

(Washington-AP) -- The Senate has called ranchers and farmers to Washington, to testify later this week about the need for federal drought assistance. The hearing is set for Thursday before the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Lawmakers from the northern Rockies and the northern plains failed to convince their colleagues to insert drought disaster aid into the new farm bill. Now some lawmakers want to add two-point-three billion dollars in disaster assistance to another spending bill. The money would cover crop and livestock losses from 2001.

Senator Conrad Burns says Montana is entering its fifth year of drought. He says, for Montana farmers, the relief bill is their only ray of hope.

The Bush administration has said it does not support more farm spending. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Windy Spring Not That Unusual (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Wondering if this is the windiest spring ever? Well, the answer is probably no.

According to Don Simonson, climatological specialist at the National Weather Service office in Glasgow, spring is typically windy in northeast Montana, and this year seems windier than most. Some of that has to do with the colder than normal temperatures, making it feel a lot worse than usual.

The 2-month period of March and April was the coldest in recorded history for those 2 months combined. Even the first 10 days in May were the coldest on record for that period.

If you’re looking for some wind records, though, last weekend may have done it. The 3 day period of May 18th through May 20th had to stack up as one of the windiest periods in the Glasgow record books.

The average speed for the entire day on Saturday was 26 mph; Sunday’s average was 30.6 mph and Monday’s was 29.1 mph. And keep in mind, that was the average for the entire 24-hour period!

City Awards Police Car, Street Improvement Bids (Tue, May 21, 2002)

An issue that has come up over several months at the Glasgow City Council meetings was resolved Monday night.

The council on Monday night awarded the bid for a police car for the city of Glasgow to Newton Motors, the lowest bidder.

Also on Monday evening, the council awarded the street improvement bid to Century Paving, the only company to offer a bid on the job.

Mayor Zeller noted that the City's plan is to overlay the pavement on 6th avenue south, the Irle School area and to use millings from the Highway 2 project to pave 6th avenue south from 10th street to the dike, which is currently only gravel. Also, millings would be used to pave the area around Valley View Nursing Home.

Zeller also said that the current Highway 2 project is going as scheduled, with the milling to start on May 28th. A little additional work is also being done on Highway 2 west, in front of Quick and Tasty and CB's Detailing. The construction crew needed to repair some soft spots in the gravel there.

Zeller stated that the City will do its own patching job on some bad spots of pavement and save anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000 by doing the job themselves.

Also on Monday night, the council authorized the City's participation in a pre-disaster mitigation program.

Department Of Livestock Touts Brand Enforcement Division (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Montana Department of Livestock's Brands Enforcement Division brought together over 6,000 strays and their rightful owners in 2001, according to Brands Enforcement Administrator Jack Wiseman. The 6,030 strays were valued at more than $5 million.

DOL's Brands Enforcement includes 18 district livestock investigators and detectives who are certified law enforcement personnel in the State of Montana. In 2001, they traveled 422,021 combined miles to inspect cattle and enforce laws regarding livestock in the State of Montana. Brands Enforcement also employs 55 market inspectors, and relies on 500 deputy state stock inspectors and 140 permit writers to help inspect the livestock throughout Montana. Deputy state stock inspectors are not state employees and they are not paid by the state or by the DOL, but are trained by the DOL to complete inspections. They receive a fee for inspecting livestock and are paid directly by the producers at the time of the inspection.

In 2001, over 2.6 million cattle were inspected. Livestock are required to be inspected whenever there is a change of pasture into a different county, a change of ownership, or at slaughter. Cattle are also inspected in and out of the livestock markets.

"If the deputy state stock inspectors find anything questionable concerning the livestock, the brands, or owner identification, they contact a DOL division investigator, market inspector, or local law enforcement," Wiseman said.

"At sale barns all across the state, there's somebody checking for the right brand on the right cow every day," Wiseman said. "Every arriving load is listed in the brand inspector's tally book, and every tally is entered in the State's registry of cattle transfers."

There are 15 livestock markets that cover the state. Montana livestock markets are located in Baker, Bozeman, Chinook, Dillon, Glasgow, Glendive, Great Falls, Kalispell, Lewistown, Miles City, Missoula, Ramsay, Sidney, and two in Billings.

Online Access To Driving Records Convenient And Secure (Tue, May 21, 2002)

HELENA - Businesses and agencies that routinely check driving records can now access that information online, Attorney General Mike McGrath announced Tuesday. The Driving Record Search service is available to businesses, insurance companies and government agencies authorized to use the information.

"We are always working to provide more convenient, efficient services to Montana's business community," McGrath said. "This is one more step in that ongoing effort."

"This online service will be a real boon for businesses that supply drivers to school districts, and for bus and trucking companies that need to know if drivers have any violations on their records," Motor Vehicle Division administrator Dean Roberts said.

Roberts noted that personal driving record information won't be available to just anyone who is curious. The Driving Record Search at www.DiscoveringMontana.com is accessible only to registered users who have signed a restricted use agreement and paid the $50 annual registration fee. Registered users are charged $6 for each driving record requested online.

According to Roberts, beginning June 1, driving records will no longer be available at local driver license stations. However, he said that individuals who need one or two driving histories can still request them through the mail or in person at the Motor Vehicle Division office in Helena, at a cost of $4 for each record.

Roberts also noted that the form needed to request a driving record in person or by mail is now available on the Division's downloadable forms web page at www.doj.state.mt.us/mvd/Forms.htm <http://www.doj.state.mt.us/mvd/Forms.htm

The Driving Record Search service resulted from a cooperative undertaking between state government and the private sector. The system was cooperatively developed and is supported by the Montana Department of Justice, the Montana Department of Administration's Information Technology Services Division, and Montana Interactive, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment provider NIC (Nasdaq:EGOV).

For more information on the Driving Record Search, visit www.DiscoveringMontana.com

Grand Unveiling Of Dinosaur Set For Friday (Tue, May 21, 2002)

The Phillips County Museum is holding a Grand Unveiling of Leonardo the Mummy Dinosaur, Friday, May 24th at 7p.m. at the museum in Malta. Live music, hors d’oeuvres, and a special beer brewed by the Yellowstone Valley Brewing Company cost is $15 per person, with proceeds going to Phillips County Historical Society.

The duck-billed dinosaur remains were found by a Minot man, amateur paleontologist Dan Stephenson. The two-and-one-half ton dinosaur is believed to have died some 77 million-years ago.

Curator Nate Murphy says the dinosaur is amazingly well preserved, and is one of just a few remains found that is actually mummified; the last mummmified dinosaur remains were found in 1908.

Murphy says Stephenson was a volunteer worker for the museum's Judith River Dinosaur Institute, and came across the mummified fossil on a guided museum trip. Murphy says the dinosaur is so well preserved that even its stomach contents are still intact, allowing researchers to see what it ate.

For more details on the find, the excavation and the uniqueness of this find, listen to our newscasts all this week. We also have some pictures we posted from Nate last fall during the Dino-thon; you can access them here. (Copyright 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Fort Peck Fine Arts Council To Host George Winston As Fundraiser (Tue, May 21, 2002)

George Winston will present a benefit solo guitar concert at First Lutheran Church in Glasgow the evening of June 3, beginning at 7 p.m. Hosted by the Fort Peck Fine Arts Council, proceeds will be used for the handicapped restroom building project at the Fort Peck Theatre.

It is an honor for the Council to host George Winston, said Patt Etchart of Glasgow who chairs the event. She emphasized that the concert will be at the Church in Glasgow and not at the Theatre in Fort Peck.

Winston is known throughout the world as one of the finest musicians on both guitar and piano. His concerts and recordings feature original compositions, along with his interpretations of work by others. He spent his childhood in Montana and it continues to inspire him. The Great Plains of eastern Montana inspired his latest work, Plains, while the forests of western Montana as they appear in November, inspired Forest, a work released in 1996.

Tickets will be sold at the door, priced at $10 for adults and $5 for students. Anyone bringing a non-perishable food item for the Valley County Food Bank will receive $1 off the price of admission. There will be no advance ticket sales.

To top off the evening, Sandy Archambeault of Glasgow is coordinating a reception featuring desserts from the cookbook Desserts To Die For, with an additional donation of $5 per person.

Oliver Cast Set; Play Debuts June 14th (Tue, May 21, 2002)

Two young people from Glasgow will lead the cast of Oliver!, the year’s first production at the Fort Peck Summer Theatre, announces artistic director Bobby Gutierrez. Rebecca Rogeness will play the part of Oliver Twist and Luke Hystad, The Artful Dodger. The musical opens June 14 at the Theatre in Fort Peck.

The two were selected during auditions May 17 and 18 at the Glasgow Middle School. Nearly 60 people tried out, and each will have a part in either Oliver! or South Pacific, which opens July 12. Gutierrez called the first rehearsal Tuesday evening at the Theatre for local performers and the professional company.

Local residents who will appear in Oliver! are: Nick Grobel as Noah Claypole and Dr. Grimwig; Mike Turner, as Mr. Sowerberry/Undertaker; Melissa Greenhagen, as Mrs. Sowerberry; Marcie Fahlgren as Charlotte and an oom-pah-pah girl; Christen Etchart as Charles Bates; Marie Fahlgren as Bet; Coral Campbell as Old Annie and a merchant; Misty Heringer, as Mrs. Bedwin; Jeff Irving as the Bookkeeper Boy and a workhouse kid; and Josh Feller as Chairman and a merchant.

Cast as merchants, vendors and patrons are: Savannah Peters, Ashley Mader, Sarah Wilshire, Brandy Morehouse, Anneva Uphaus, Sarah Szczepaniak. The workhouse kids will be: Nickolas Campbell, Quniton Greenhagen, Hunter Vegge, Jocelyn Peters, Isabelle Garrison, Erica Simonson, Kaitlin Hagfeldt, Kylie Heringer, Quinn Vaira, Krissy Greenhagen, Emily Braaten, Karlee Guttenberg, Jonathan Braaten, Patrick DeCoudres, Alison Dahl, Casey Johnston, Carly Tatoo, Cassie Toavs, Lachlan Vaira, Lindsy Nix, Emily Etchart, Cassidy Dahl, Josephine Braaten. Workhouse assistants will be Dolly Tatoo, Ashley Fossum, Jori Guttenberg and Sara Fisher.

Jayson Evenson, Alexa Guttenberg, Lynsey Grobel, Jordan Zorn, Kyra Flatow, Taylor Calamar, Alex Smithers, Kyle Boyer, Ethan Lee, Taylor Markle and Tess Fahlgren will play thieves. Cast as the Oom-Pah-Pah Girls are: Jenna Novak, Jess Hall, Janielle Derden, Jessica Neumiller, Katie Anderson, Alexa Etchart and Taylor Strommen.

Members of the professional company cast in Oliver! are Steve Hodgsen as Mr. Bumble – The Beadle; Carly Booth as Widow Corney; Ryan Grigg as Fagin; Brittiny Hollow as Old Sally; Katie Truscott as Nancy; Christopher Kristant as Mr. Brownlow; and Gutierrez as Bill Sykes. Rounding out the company are Shawn Newton, Dana Donovan, Theresa "T.J." Jenson, Julie Easton, Tyrell Lundman, Brian Harms, Taskar "Tassie" Morton and Alan Hanson.

Season tickets save $2 per admission and are on sale now from Summer Board members. Three admissions for an adult is $24, student $15, and seniors $21. For more information, call the Theatre at 406-526-9943.

Summer Theatre is a production of the Fort Peck Fine Arts Council, Inc., which has presented live entertainment in Fort Peck since 1970.

Over 2,200 Pounds Received In Local Letter Carrier Food Drive (Tue, May 21, 2002)

The U.S. Post Office's annual food drive on May 11th was a huge success. Over 438,00 pounds was donated across the state, with Glasgow letter carriers gathering 2,268 pounds, 591 more than a year ago.

The Glasgow post office also received 143 pounds from the Fort Peck office and 63 pounds from the Larslan office. All food gathered locally went to the Food Bank in Glasgow, which had been struggling with low donations since moving to their new location.

This was the 10th year of the postal food drive, in which over 500 million pounds has been delivered to feed America's hungry.

Nashua American Legion Post To Have Memorial Day Parade (Tue, May 21, 2002)

American Legion Post 104, in Nashua, Montana will have a Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27. The Parade will start at 9:00 AM, and will take place along Front Street. A Memorial Day Ceremony will be held in the Nashua Civic Center following the parade, at approximately 9:30 AM. Any club or organization interested in putting a float in the parade should contact Post Commander Robert Jensen at 406-785-2237.

American Legion To Start White Cross Maintenance (Tue, May 21, 2002)

With the coming of Spring, local American Legion Posts will be starting their annual White Cross maintenance. Legion members will be removing decorations from the White Crosses and discard them in order to clean and repaint the crosses. People are reminded that the White Cross program is a highway safety awareness program, and the crosses are not to be used as memorials. It is a violation of State regulations to place or hang anything directly on the crosses. The State Department of Highways has warned the American Legion that if people continue violating this regulation, the White Cross Program will be canceled, and the crosses removed. The State has compromised by allowing that decorations may be placed on the post, below the crosses, as long as the decorations are reasonable and not gaudy or distractive.

Unemployment Statistics For April Released (Tue, May 21, 2002)

The Montana Department of Labor has released the preliminary April unemployment statistics for the state. Powder River County had the lowest rate, at 1.1%. The highest rate in the state was in Lincoln County, with an unemployment rate of 15.2%. The state average was 4.5%, nearly identical to April, 2001.

Valley County's rate was up to 3.5%, from 3.2% in 2001. Here are the full statistics for Valley County and the neighboring counties:

Army Corps agrees not to release extra water for at least a week (Tue, May 21, 2002)

(Billings-AP) The U-S Army Corps of Engineers won't be releasing any extra water from Fort Peck reservoir for at least another week.

The Corps agreed to have a temporary restraining order extended to May 28th, while it pursues an appeal of litigation involving management of the Missouri River.

Last week, the state of Montana sought and received an order, temporarily keeping the corps from increasing releases from Fort Peck reservoir, beyond the operating plans it announced earlier in the month.

Yesterday, U-S District Judge Richard Cebull agreed to an unopposed motion to vacate the hearing set for tomorrow (Wednesday). An assistant U-S attorney in Billings -- Victoria Francis -- says the two sides agreed to vacate the hearing. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Long Run & Hinsdale Fire Departments Spend Day Battling Blaze (Mon, May 20, 2002)

(tip from Mike Boyer) The Long Run Fire Department was called to yet another fire on Sunday, battling a blaze northwest of Hinsdale.

At 1:34 p.m. Long Run and Hinsdale fire departments were called to a fire northwest of Hinsdale near the Lacock Ranch. A downed power line ignited heavy brush and trees along the Milk River.
Winds gusting over 40mph spread the fire to the other river bank. Seventeen firefighters with 7 engines, a water tanker and a Cat dozer from Fossum Ready Mix, along with many area farmers and ranchers battled the blaze. Long Run returned to Glasgow around midnight and the Hinsdale Fire Department stayed on scene to monitor flare-ups.

The wives of firefighters provided the crews with Gatorade, water, pizza and sandwiches during the long day. Fire trucks used float pumps to get water out of the river until portable tanks were set up on both banks. Tank trucks shuttled thousands of gallons of water to the scene after filling in Hinsdale. The Milk River was low enough that trucks were able to cross in two locations.
Long Run also lost use of Truck#12, a 1972 International, with a 1500 gallon tank, due to engine failure.

No structures were damaged and fire fighters protected an irrigation pump site.

The crews also responded to Hinsdale Livestock and helped extinguish a two-day old smoldering fire in the feedlot area.

Long Run has responded to 27 fires so far this year, compared to just 19 last year.

Dinosaur remains to be displayed at Phillips County Museum (Mon, May 20, 2002)

(Billings-AP) Dinosaur remains found by a North Dakota man two years ago are being unveiled this week in Montana.

Amateur paleontologist Dan Stephenson found the remains of a two-and-one-half ton dinosaur believed to have died some 77 million-years ago. His discovery came north of Malta, in north central Montana, and it will be unveiled Friday at the Phillips County Museum in Malta.

Curator Nate Murphy says the dinosaur is amazingly well preserved. A leg, a foot and part of the tail were brought to Billings for a weekend display. Murphy says Stephenson was a volunteer worker for the museum's Judith River Dinosaur Institute. He came across the mummified fossil on a guided museum trip. Murphy says the dinosaur is so well preserved that even its stomach contents are still intact, allowing researchers to see what it ate. (Copyright 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Kiwanis Program Features Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital (Sat, May 18, 2002)

In conjuction with National Healthcare Providers Week May 13-17, "Where Miracles Happen Every Day", representatives from Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital (FMDH) spoke to members and guests at a recent noon luncheon meeting of Glasgow Kiwanis Club. In addition to Patsy Krause (pictured), Randall Holom, Deb Guenther and Earl Carson explained ongoing improvements at the local facility as they work towards their goal of making FMDH the best place to work, the best place to practice medicine and the best place to get care. Kiwanis Club meets at noon every Wednesday at the Cottonwood. For membership information, call Lila at 228-4346 or Bill at 228-9225.

Lewis And Clark Meeting Set For June 1-2 (Sat, May 18, 2002)

As Lewis and Clark traversed along the Missouri River during the last week of May 1805, they wrote:

"Set out early this morning, the frost was severe last night, the ice appeared along the edge of the water, water also freised on the oars just about the entrance to Teapot Creek on the stard, there is a large assemblage of burros of the Burrowing Squirrel. The wild rose which is not in blume are very abundant"

Relive the epics of the Corps of Discovery along the historic Missouri set among the cottonwoods at the James Kipp Recreation Area on US 191 at Robinson Bridge (70 miles south of Malta or 70 miles north east of Lewistown), at the annual Lewis and Clark Encampment June 1 and 2 2002.

Sponsored by the Missouri Breaks Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission the Encampment will feature all new demonstrations and noon barbeque meal featuring buffalo provided by the Fort Belknap Tribal Council. The Lewis and Clark Honor Guard and Native American Primitive Campsite will provide continual demonstrations on "life in camp" throughout the two-day event. Educational presentations will feature birds, fish and prairie animals documented by the Corps of Discovery, candle dipping, Dutch oven cooking beginning each day at 10 am.

Friends of Boy Scout Troop #482 will provide a pancake breakfast each morning from 7-9:30 and the White Feather Dancers and Grandma's Little Dancers of the Fort Belknap Communities will close each days activities at 4:30 pm.

Admission is free each day and raffle tickets on a homemade quilt and Lewis and Clark Collector license plate will be sold by the Missouri Breaks group to help offset expenses. For additional information, contact the Fort Belknap Tourism Office at 406-353-2205, the Lewistown Chamber of Commerce at 406-538-5436 or the Malta Chamber of Commerce at 406-654-1776. You may also get information via e-mail at .

Busy Clean Up Day In Glasgow (Fri, May 17, 2002)

It was a beautiful day for cleaning up on Friday as area students bagged garbage that had blown along the highway and parks in Glasgow. The Chamber also noted that this is a good time to look around your business and see what needs improvement before the busy summer season hits. Does your paint need a fresh coat? Is your signage attractive and well-maintained? Is there trash and junk lying around? Do the trees need to be trimmed and the grass cut?

Construction Season Well Underway In Glasgow (Fri, May 17, 2002)
	Construction season is well underway in Glasgow, with crews replacing sidewalks along Highway 2 and with work on Highway 2 itself between Uncle Milt's and Jody's Conoco.

Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital employees pedaled in to work on Friday to wrap up the festivities of National Healthcare week. Avid biker Randy Holem, CEO, rode approximately 60 miles in a loop from Glasgow to Nashua to Fort Peck and back in to Glasgow. Heather Hartsock, Mary Volk and Roger Fisher all biked in from Frazer, while Connie Schultz and Ellen Gutternburg pedaled in from Fort Peck. Kent Kirby also logged 25 miles on the bike Friday morning.

Over 30 employees commuted to work, with 18 taking part in the noon 6-mile ride from the hospital. The hospital will tally all the mileage from Friday, as well as another Bike Day on May 31st, and compete against other organizations across the country in the Bike To Work Challenge. For more information on the Challenge, visit bicycling.com. The hospital has been hosting all kinds of fun events for employees throughout the week, including a display of foods Lewis & Clark may have eaten and canoe trips down the Milk River. The hospital is also hosting an employee fun night at the Boy Scout Park in Fort Peck Friday night.

The Long Run Fire Department was called at 7:10 p.m. on Thursday night to a structure fire at the Mike Flannery residence, the old Heikens place on Whatley Road. Nashua firefighters also responded with 1 truck & 2 firefighters, and Long Run responded with 5 trucks & 9 firefighters.

A garage/shop combination was on fire after a controlled burn got away from the owners. No injuries were reported and trucks were back at the firehouse at 11p.m.

Friday has been named Bike To Work day for all the employees at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital. KLTZ and Mix-93 will have some fun on-air reports as Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow finishes off Hospital Week.

Friday, May 17th is set for Spring Clean Up Day in Glasgow. The school kids and teachers are organizing a ground crew to sweep the tourist road routes clean.

The winter winds have not been kind to our appearance. We need additional adults to help out on Friday, with picking up trash bags and taking them to the landfill. To help out, please call Terry at 228-8746 or the Chamber at 228-2222.

Are you a business owner? This is a good time to look around your business and see what needs improvement before the busy summer season hits. Does your paint need a fresh coat? Is your signage attractive and well-maintained? Is there trash and junk lying around? Do the trees need to be trimmed and the grass cut? Let us all set May 17th as the day for some improvements.

Government prepares response to chronic wasting disease (May 16, 2002)

(Washington-AP) -- The Bush administration is trying to figure out prevent the spread of a fatal brain disease that is threatening deer and elk herds in at least eight states.

The federal plan includes more tracking of herds and mapping of cases. It would also develop better diagnostic tests and research on how chronic wasting disease spreads.

The disease has been discovered in wild or captive deer and elk in Colorado, as well as in Wisconsin, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, Oklahoma and South Dakota and in Canada. Researchers believe commercial shipments of deer and elk may have helped spread the illness. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

(Pierre, South Dakota-AP) -- South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow says an effort is underway to arrange a meeting of officials from eight states, on short-term management of the Missouri River. He says the session may be held in Nebraska and would include the governor of that state as well as himself and governors from Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas.

Janklow says moisture is short in the Missouri River Basin, and the Corps of Engineers has been ignoring federal law on management of the river. The South Dakota governor says he hopes the eight-state governors' meeting will result in an agreement on how to use the mainstem dams to handle Missouri River flows until the end of the year. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

School Board Awards Asbestos Bid; Keeps Cross Country (Thr, May 16, 2002)

The Glasgow School Board voted to award Braden-Pehlke Enterprises a $187,800 contract for asbestos removal at the Glasgow High School.

Braden-Pehlke was the lowest bidder for the project which is being done with the help of grant monies. Glasgow Superintendent Glenn Monson wrote a grant for $192,500 which will pay for most of the project. A small amount of money from the general fund will be needed to complete the project.

The removal will begin shortly after school is released and will shut the school down for most of the summer as the asbestos is removed.

In other action the board voted down a motion to drop Boys Cross Country and add Boys Golf to the athletic program.

Board members Tom Schmidt and Mark Falcon voted to add golf while dropping cross country and members Charles Wilson and Dennis Dawson voted against the motion.

Glasgow Irrigation District is gearing up for the 2002 irrigation season. The water allocation will be .4 acre foot per acre for May-June 2002. We will begin flushing the main canal beginning some time between May 25 and May 28, 2002. All fences across the main canal must be removed. Glasgow Irrigation District would also appreciate knowing water user plans. Please call (406) 228-2346 and advise us.

The Glasgow High School has hired a familiar face to be the head girls basketball coach for the Glasgow Scotties.

Wednesday night the board approved the hiring of Todd Glaser to run the Scottie girls program.

Glaser was head coach of the team in 1998 and 1999 when he compiled a 30-19 record as head coach. Glaser also spent several years as the freshman coach for the program.

Glaser left the school system in 2000 to take a job with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
He will be rejoining the Glasgow school system as a junior high math teacher this fall.

Glaser replaces Ryan Rebsom who resigned from the girls program to concentrate on his duties as head boys basketball coach.

There will be a Training Session for anyone interested in volunteering at the Fort Peck Interpretive Center Field Station this summer (June, July August).

The Training Sessions are scheduled for Wed. May 29th from 7-9p.m. at the Courthouse & Thurs. May 30th from 7-9p.m. at the Field Station in Fort Peck. If you are interested, you are asked to please try to attend both sessions. For more information or questions call Carolyn Bachtold at 228-4429.

The Field Station will be open Thurs. June 13th & will be open each Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 11a.m. to 4p.m. through Saturday August 10th

The Associated Press has compiled a listshowing the relative rankings of Montana counties based on home values and income, according to information collected in the 2000 Census.

The first two columns rank counties based on median home value. The second two columns rank counties based on median household income.

The information was collected from the 2000 Census "long form," which is completed by roughly one in every six households. Valley County ranked 17th in income and 39th in the median home value list.

The ground breaking for the Fort Peck Warm Water Fish Hatchery is set for July 6th at Fort Peck.

Montana's Congressional delegation is set to be on hand for the ground breaking and a picnic will follow the event.

Tickets are now available for the picnic at a cost of $5. The picnic will be held at Kiwanis Park in Fort Peck.Tickets may be purchased at D&G, First Community Bank, Valley Bank and Mon-Dak Marine.

The ground breaking will start at 2pm with the picnic set to begin at 5pm.

Construction is expected to start soon on the Prairie Ridge assisted living complex located on the south side of Glasgow.

Earlier this month the construction contract was awarded to Clausen Construction of Havre. The bid that was accepted totaled $3.26 million dollars.

Prairie Ridge is a joint effort between Valley View Home and the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital. According to Tom Klotz, all subcontractors for the project are local and a majority of materials are to be purchased locally.

The expected completion date is the spring of 2003.

The building is located on the grounds of the former South Side Elementary School.

(Tip from Mike Boyer) The Long Run Fire Department and Frazer firefighters were called Sunday morning at 2:43 am to a house fire just north of US #2 at Frazer. The house had been owned by Earl and Lois Nefzger.

When firefighters arrived the house was totally engulfed in flames. Firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to a nearby building, truck and grove of trees.

Long Run responded with 5 trucks and 9 firefighters Frazer with 1 truck and 3 firefighters. No injuries were reported and Long Run trucks were back at the barn around 7:30 am. The fire cause is under investigation.

(Helena-AP) Several governors are asking the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad to take another look at shipping rates.

The governors say the B-N is giving unfair advantages to the biggest grain elevators. They say that, if things don't change, they may support new federal regulation of railroad shipping. North Dakota Governor John Hoeven drafted a letter to send to Burlington Northern. It was signed by Montana Governor Judy Martz, and the governors of South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming.

B-N has been developing a network of large elevators -- capable of handling 110-car "shuttle trains." They can offer better prices to farmers. Hoeven says the rates need to have some economic justification. He says in some cases -- B-N is offering lower rates to ship grain longer distances. He says that doesn't make sense. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

(Billings-AP) A federal judge Monday granted Montana's request to temporarily prevent the U-S- Army Corps of Engineers from increasing releases from Fort Peck Reservoir.

Meanwhile, a federal judge in Nebraska ordered the corps maintain a sufficient water flow for barge traffic on the Missouri River.

Monday's developments were just the latest in the growing regional dispute over how water in the river is managed.

In Billings, U-S District Judge Richard Cebull signed an order that for ten days prevents the Corps from increasing flows from Fort Peck Reservoir beyond those planned by the agency on May Seventh.The state cited the prolonged drought conditions in Montana and contended an unexpected increase in releases would hurt the fishery at Fort Peck. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for May 22nd.

In Nebraska, U-S District Judge Laurie Smith Camp ordered that the corps maintain the minimum water flow spelled out in two previous river management agreements. Nebraska Attorney General Don Stenberg had asked for an order to require the corps to use water in Montana's Fort Peck reservoir to keep river levels up. But Camp's order was not that specific. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

(Washington-AP) Some good news for cash-starved Amtrak. A House subcommittee has answered Amtrak's pleas for a major boost in funding.

Yesterday's move sends a strong signal that the railroad will get the money it says it needs to avoid cutting routes. The proposal adopted by the House Transportation subcommittee on railroads would guarantee Amtrak's existence for another year. That gives lawmakers and the Bush administration more time to debate a long-term policy for passenger rail.

If approved by Congress and signed by President Bush, the bill would give Amtrak the one-point-two (b) billion dollars it requested for the fiscal year beginning October first. The bill would also provide 775 million dollars for security and safety upgrades. The subcommittee also approved a bill that would provide up to 59 billion dollars for development of new high-speed rail corridors. (Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

(Helena-AP) -- A Glasgow woman has claimed a 100-thousand-dollar prize from the Powerball lottery game.

Colleen Kittleson bought her ticket at Gordon's Foods in Glasgow. Kittleson says she plays the lottery three or four times a year, and plays her own numbers based on family birthdays. The winning numbers also included her birth date and her husband's.

The Kittlesons are Glasgow natives, and operate a wheat, hay and cattle farm near the city. They drove to Helena yesterday to collect their prize. It was the second awarded from Saturday's drawing. The other winner was Lee Clark, manager of the Town Pump in Columbia Falls.

Sharing his years of experience as a runner, and as a participant in the 2002 Boston Marathon, Tim Phillips entertained members and guests of the Glasgow Kiwanis Club at a recent noon luncheon meeting. Kiwanis, a community service organization focusing on the needs of the children of the world, meets each Wednesday at noon at the Cottonwood Inn. For membership information, call Lila at 228-4346 or Bill at 228-9225.

District Court Judge John McKeon has modified and reduced the sentence for Jonathon Mainwaring who was sentenced to 10 years in the Montana State Prison for the beating death of a Glasgow resident in 1999.

Mainwaring, who was 16 at the time, pleaded guilty to the charge of mitigated deliberate homicide in the beating death of Randy DeTeinne. As part of a plea agreement on July 6th, 2000, Judge McKeon sentenced Mainwaring to 30 years in prison with 20 suspended.

But at a sentence review hearing in April, personnel from the Montana State Prison testified that Mainwaring has been substantially rehabilitated. McKeon then modified the sentence and suspended all 30 years of his sentence and ordered that he be placed in a pre-release center in Billings for the next 12 months. If Mainwaring completes all the programs at the pre-release center he will be set free in 12 months.

Mainwaring had been imprisoned at the Montana State Prison since July of 2000.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks encourages license buyers to purchase licenses early and allow extra time for the transaction because of the new technology provided to the license agents and FWP personnel. All 2002 hunting and fishing licenses and State Parks Passports are available now at all license providers and FWP offices.

Hunting and fishing regulations and special permit applications for antelope, deer and elk are available. Hunters should try to avoid the busy times around the permit application deadline of June 1st.

The 2002 licenses will be the first purchased through the new Automated Licensing System recently installed in FWP offices and at license agent establishments across the state. The computer generated licenses will have a new look and the automated system will help improve wildlife management, communication and enforcement.

(Lincoln, Nebraska-AP) Nebraska wants to join the fight over water flows on the Missouri River.

Nebraska will ask a federal judge tomorrow (Thursday) to allow the state to intervene in a lawsuit filed by South Dakota.

South Dakota wants a judge to prevent the U-S Army Corps of Engineers from lowering the water levels on reservoirs in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota until after baitfish eggs have hatched in shallow water. The baitfish are a source of food for walleyes and other game fish, which are key to the sport fishing industry.

Nebraska's attorney general -- Don Stenberg -- says low river flows on the Missouri will adversely impact several Nebraska cities that get drinking water from the river. That could also adversely affect recreation and power plants, which use the water. (Copyright 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Glasgow School District Purchases Cruiser (Wed, May 8, 2002)

	The Glasgow School District has purchased a used cruiser for their bus fleet. The cruiser is 12 years old with 647,000 miles but has a new motor with just 30,000 miles. The school paid $86,000 for the bus from a transportation company in Helena. The bus was used for touring as well as by the Helena school district. Glasgow traded in a cruiser which was 27 years old and Superintendent Glenn Monson said he was unsure how many miles were on the trade-in but it was well used with well over a million miles. Monson said the school looked long and hard for the best deal and a bus that was inexpensive but practical. A new cruiser prices out at over $600,000.
The new bus joins two other cruisers that are 18 years old and were purchased in 1995. Scottie decals will be attached to the bus and it has already made it's first trip, as it traveled to Billings for the State Music Festival. Standard equipment on a cruiser such as this included 3 televisions and a vcr. The school district paid for the bus out of the transportation budget.

Commissioners Terminate Ambulance Contract Due To Poor Wording (Wed, May 8, 2002)

The Valley County Commissioners last week notified the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital that the county planned to terminate the Emergency Medical Services Agreement between Valley County and the hospital.

According to the letter sent to the hospital from the commissioners the agreement will end on July, 1st of 2002.

Valley County Commissioner Dave Reinhardt told Kltz/Klan that the county currently pays an estimated $26,000 to the FAD to support the ambulance service in the county. This funding is not mandatory but is done to help provide the service to county residents.

The FAD currently owns and operates the ambulance service and collects any profits made from the service.

Reinhardt told Kltz/Klan that the commissioners had some problems with the wording of the current contract and felt the best way to change that wording would be to terminate the contract.

On Monday the commissioners met with representatives of the hospital and they agreed to meet in the next couple of weeks to iron out some of the differences the two sides have in the contract.

KLTZ/Mix-93 received several calls on Wednesday morning regarding hazardous travel conditions. Slush, ice, snow and low visibility were the main hazards. We received several reports of cars in the ditches between Wolf Point and Glasgow on Highwy 2, including a van on its side in the ditch outside of Wolf Point.

Calls also came in regarding poor traveling conditions from Malta to Saco and Hinsdale to Glasgow on Highway 2, as well as from Glasgow north on Highway 24.

The National Weather Service still had a winter storm warning in effect until late this afternoon as snow continues to fall.

Road conditions should improve some as the temperature warms above freezing.

Fort Peck Summer Theatre Schedule Set (Wed, May 8, 2002)

Two musicals, one comedy-melodrama, another comedy, and a guest musical performance are on the playbill for this summer’s season at the Fort Peck Theatre, announces Kari Lee Knierim of Glasgow. She serves as president of the Fort Peck Fine Arts Council, Inc., producer of summer theatre in Fort Peck since 1970.

The season begins June 3 with a guitar concert at the Theatre by George Winston. Theatre productions begin June 14 with Oliver!, followed by South Pacific opening July 12 and Arsenic and Old Lace on Aug. 9. Each will have a four-weekend run, the season concluding Sept. 1. The Council will announce dates for Thursday evening performances of Greater Tuna soon.

Oliver!, South Pacific and Arsenic and Old Lace are scheduled Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 8 p.m. Season tickets save $2 per admission and they are on sale now.

General admission tickets are sold at the door, priced at $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 for students. Reserved seating is available for $5 additional.
At Fort Peck, professional and volunteer performers join to make up each summer’s company. Tradition carries on this year, explains Mary Strand of Fort Peck who chairs the Summer Theatre Board for the Council. Tryouts for volunteer performers are scheduled May 17 at 7 p.m. and May 18 a