CITY BUDGET JUST ABOUT SET (6/29)
The city of Glasgow continues to work on budgets for the new fiscal year,
which begins July 1. According To Glasgow Mayor Willie Zeller, the city council
has been busy working with city department heads in formulating a new budget.
Although the fiscal year begins July 1, the mayor stated that the city does
not have to have preliminary budgets done until close to the end of July. However,
he said that they have been working hard on the budget and have most of it finished
for the next fiscal year.
Each department in the city had to cut 7% from their budget, but the mayor said
that none of the departments lost any major programs. He did note that the police
department will cut down on extra part-time help and overtime wages.
The Glasgow city council is also being forced to reckon with the Montana Legislature
and their tax cutting actions from the legislative session, which ended earlier
this year. The legislature cut property and business equipment taxes along with
the taxes paid to license vehicles. Much of those taxes goes to pay for services
provided by cities, counties and schools. The city of Glasgow will lose an estimated
$54,000 in tax revenue due to the tax decreases. However, the Legislature did
authorize local governments to raise that lost tax money by raising taxes themselves.
Local governments can now raise local taxes through a floating mill levy and
that money would be used to replace the tax money lost through the state tax
decrease.
So, overall, taxpayers in the city of Glasgow won’t see major reductions,
but will get a tax break through a reduction in vehicle license taxes.Back
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DEADLINE FOR RURAL SBA ASSISTANCE IS MONDAY (6/27)
Valley County Commissioner Dave Reinhardt has announced that some disaster
funding may be available to those in rural areas surrounding Fort Peck and Opheim,
after the severe weather last week. He stated that according to the Montana
Department of Emergency Services, low interest Small Business Association loans
are available if there are 25 damages homes or businesses (including farms),
and if 40% of those are uninsured. The deadline to apply, however, is Monday
afternoon, June 28th, at the Valley County Courthouse. Call 228-8221
Ext.19.Back to top
LONG RUN RESPONDS TO FIRE (6/23)
The Valley County Long Run Fire Department responded to a fire at approximately
1:20pm on Wednesday, at the Kendall & Tracy Vaughn residence, 1 mile south on
the Billingsley Road, about 6 miles west of Glasgow on the Tampico Highway.
11 firefighters, 3 pumper trucks, 1 tanker and 1 utility truck all responded
to the fire. A small shop and a storage building were both destroyed by the
blaze. No injuries were reported. The cause is still under investigation. Back
to top
FORT PECK RURAL WATER DISTRICT ELECTIONS SET FOR TUESDAY (6/21)
The Fort Peck Rural Water District will be holding an election on Tuesday at
the Valley County Courthouse in Glasgow. Voters in the district will be voting
on giving permission to the board of directors to issue and sell 1.5 million
dollars in revenue bonds. Approval by 60 percent of the votes cast is required
for passage of the revenue bond. Proponents of the water system say that a successful
bond election is necessary to show local commitment to the project. Such a commitment
is required before the release of a $1.5 million dollar federal appropriation
and a $500,000 Treasure State Endowment Project grant from the Montana Department
of Commerce.
The estimated cost of the water project is $7.6 million. Federal and state funds
will pay 82 percent of the project, and a state grant will contribute to the
local cost share, reducing the water district's input at 18 percent.
The planned water district calls for upgrade of the town of Fort Peck's water
treatment plant, a pumping system and a 42 mile pipeline delivery system to
users, including the town, rural homes, the Fort Peck cabin area and Park Grove.
It is possible that the water system could be in use by December 2000.
The election will take place at the Valley County Courthouse community room
and will run from 7am to 8pm. Those who are eligible to vote are those who have
ownership or reside in the Fort Peck Rural Water District. Back
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STATHOS WINS COMPUTER (6/20)
During the Dino-o-thon last fall to raise money for the Fort Peck Dam Interpretive
Center and Museum, Hi-Line Computer Systems donated a computer system to be
drawn from all contributors of $200 or more. 39 generous contributors to the
interpretive center had their name in the hat. The lucky winner was Tom Stathos,
who received his new computer from Wes Allen and Hi-Line Computer systems.Back
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MALTA FIRE CALLED "SUSPICIOUS" (6/20)
(AP) A fire that gutted three downtown Malta businesses last week is being called suspicious. Phillips County officials say the blaze appears to have started in a specific area of the Mustang Lanes Bowling Alley. The fire started early last Wednesday morning, and quickly spread to Jerry's Barber Pole and Stockman's Bar. No one was injured in the blaze, but damage was estimated at 750-thousand dollars. Phillips County authorities will continue to consider the possibility of arson, as they continue the investigation. Back to top
ALGAE KILLS COWS IN PHILLIPS COUNTY (6/17)
(Malta-AP) -- Authorities in Philips County say a blue-green algae (AL'-jee) bloom killed 13 cows and two calves, that drank from the Nelson Reservoir near Malta. The animals died Tuesday night. Dr. Anne Johnson is county health officer in Malta. She says when conditions are right for a bloom, the algae create a toxin, a quick-acting poison that could be fatal if ingested. She says the toxic blooms can be sporadic, and could occur throughout the summer when conditions are right. Health officials say it's risky to swim or ski in the reservoir while the algae is blooming -- and pets could be in danger if they're allowed to drink the water. Back to top
SHED FIRE ON NORTH SIDE (6/17)
Glasgow firefighters responded to a shed that was on fire in north Glasgow,
about 6:15 Tuesday night. The shed was in the backyard of #6 3rd Avenue North.
The Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department had the blaze out within a couple minutes.
The fire was apparently started by 2 juveniles playing with a lighter.
COMMISSIONERS WORK ON BUDGET (6/16)
The Valley County Commissioners have been busy recently putting together
the county budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. However, the
commissioners have been handcuffed by the actions of the Montana Legislature.
The Legislature cut a variety of taxes including property taxes. With the cuts
in taxes, local governments are expected to see a shortfall in revenue in the
next budget year which begins in July but this means that counties, cities and
school districts will lose millions of dollars over the next year in tax revenue.
Along with the tax cuts, though, the state is sending money back to local governments
to fill in an estimated 54% of the lost revenue. The remaining 46% will have
to be made up by the local governments. The Legislature is allowing cities and
counties to raise taxes in the form of a floating mill levy to make up for the
lost revenue.
Another twist to the story is that the state revenue department will not have
budget figures available to local governments until sometime in the middle of
August. This is causing some confusion among cities and counties because their
budget year starts in July and they won’t have any revenue figures until
August.
The Valley County Commissioners are proceeding with their budgets and have instructed
all of their department heads to figure budgets based on last year's revenue.
The commissioners do not have any numbers on how much money they will be losing
because of the tax cuts enacted by the legislature. But they said it is likely
that will have to enact the floating mill levy to come up with the same amount
of tax money that they have had in the past budgets but no decision can be made
until the figures are obtained from the state revenue department.
In other county news, as you may have noticed on the station Events
page, the county demolished the Cal's Napa Auto building last week. The county
owns the property and paid for the demolition that was done by the road department
and Fossum Ready Mix. They do not yet have a cost on the demolition but the
county will have to pay for the costs of putting the building in the county
landfill as well.
The commissioners also said that they plan to have the property appraised and
put up for sale as soon as possible. Back to top
DRUG BUST IN GLASGOW (6/15)
The Glasgow Police Department issued 15 citations during a drug bust on
June 10. According to the Police Department, they received a tip regarding possible
drugs being located at 13B Montana Street here in Glasgow. The Department executed
a search warrant from City Court and searched the residence at 10:30 that evening.
During the course of the search, the investigating officers found marijuana
seeds as well as marijuana residue. They also seized drug paraphernalia including
marijuana pipes and a marijuana bong. Three adults were issued citations. 19
year old Glasgow resident Joshua Sleeper was cited for possession of dangerous
drugs. 20 year old Jebadiah Cole of Fort Peck was cited for possession of dangerous
drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. 18 year old Glasgow resident Bradley
Watson was cited for endangering the welfare of a child, illegal possession
of alcohol and possession of dangerous drugs. Also cited were four Glasgow juvenile
males ranging in age from 16 to 17. Nine citations were given to the four juveniles
with one juvenile alone getting four citations. Back to top
CITY CRACKING DOWN ON WEEDS (6/11)
The City of Glasgow is cracking down on city residents who own or reside on weedy lots. According to public works director Jon Bengochea an estimated 40 notices have been sent out to property owners informing them that they must have the weedy lots cleaned up or action will be taken against them.
Bengochea told Kltz/Klan news that after June 17 if the lots have not been cleaned up the owners of the lots will have to appear before the city council and explain their situation. Otherwise city crews will take care of the weedy lots and the owners will be charged for the service by the city of Glasgow. If you have any questions about the weedy lot problem, you are urged to call the City of Glasgow.
In other news with the City of Glasgow, residents of Valley County are reminded that the city is still selling cemetery plots in the new cemetery addition at a reduced price until September 16. In the past, those people who reside outside the city limits have had to pay more for lots in the Highland Cemetery. Last year the city passed an ordinance that reduced the prices on lots in the new cemetery addition for non-residents. Non-residents until September 16 will only have to pay $250 for a cemetery lot compared to the normal price of $500. City residents can purchase the new lots for $100 compared to the regularly price of $125. The new lots are located in the new cemetery addition, which is located to the east of the Highland cemetery. If you want more information on the reduced prices for the cemetery, you are urged to call the city of Glasgow. Back to top
SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSES RETROFIT (6/11)
The Glasgow School Board met in regular session Wednesday evening. Keith Myhre, architect for the high school retrofit project, updated the school board on the progress of the construction at the high school. He told the board that the bleachers have been removed from the gymnasium and that the new bleachers should arrive in Glasgow on June 21. The new lockers for the hallways and locker rooms will be arriving in July and the hallway lockers will be installed by the end of July.
Braden/Pehlke Construction who is the general contractor for the project has started the remodeling of the boys and girls locker rooms and the gymnasium will be painted this month.
The school board spent a considerable amount of time discussing the resurfacing of the high school track. Braden/Pehlke is also the general contractor for the track and they have received two bids for the resurfacing project. The Atlas Company has bid $57,882 for a black surface and $87,882 for a red track surface. The Le Court company bid $62,000 for a black surface and $84,000 for a red track surface. The board put off a decision on the color of the track until it could be found out how much money needs to be spent on asphalt for the foundation of the track.
Also at Wednesday night's meeting the school board is looking at installing a new alarm system at the Glasgow High School. This new system would have an alarm in each classroom that could be pushed if an emergency occurs in the classroom. The district is also looking at installing surveillance cameras in selected areas at the high school. The board has yet to approve the project but a portion of the money could come from technology funds that have to be used by the end of June.
The school board approved the hiring of six new employees for the school district. Clint Croy has been hired as the new high school math teacher to replace Ron Shumway who retired this fall. Croy, who spent the last five years in Nashua, will also coach football at track at the varsity level.
Jennifer Cunningham has been hired as the new elementary music teacher replacing Angie Page who resigned this spring. Cunningham has spent the last two years at Whitehall and before that was a music teacher in Hinsdale. Rachel Erickson has been hired as a third grade teacher at the Irle School. This teaching position is a federally funded position that will last only one year. Erickson previously taught in the Saco school system.
Robert Miler has been hired as the new half time high school art teacher and half time special education instructor and he will be the high school annual adviser. Miller previously taught art in the Missoula school system. Claudine Jamba was hired as the half time ESEA instructor at the South Side school and Sheri Daggett has been hired as the secretary at the south side school replacing Avis Needham who has retired.
Glasgow School Superintendent Gary Martin also updated the board on the status of the budgets. It appears that the budget for the next school year will be $4,349,495, which is down $4,516,509 from last year's budget. This means the district will have to cut $197,000 out of the current budget. Large savings will come from the early retirement of several teachers; in addition, several other vacancies that will not be filled but the school board will still have to cut $30,000 out of the budget. Martin told the board that incoming superintendent Glenn Monson is already working on cutting the $30,000 and will report to the board at the July or August meeting. By the way, this was Gary Martins last meeting as school superintendent and his last day on the job will be June 30.
School board chair Dr. Charles Wilson also updated the board on the status of negotiations between the board and the Glasgow Education Association. They are currently working on a two-year contract and have met four times in negotiating sessions including once last night.
At last night's negotiation session the school board presented another proposal to the teachers and after about 45 minutes of negotiating several changes in language were agreed upon in the contract. The board is currently offering the teachers no raise in pay for the first year of the contract but a small increase in the second year for teachers who currently have their pay frozen in the existing contract. This proposal would also offer an incentive to teachers who work towards their masters degree by increasing the pay for teachers who have done graduate work. The two sides have agreed to meet again on June 16 at 7pm to try to finish work on the contract. It appears that the two sides are very close to reaching an agreement on a new two-year contract for the teachers. Back to top
Lockheed Martin (6/11)
Lockheed Martin executives plan to be in Helena on July 7 to discuss Montana's
fore proposed landing sites for the Venture star space vehicle. The four-hour
briefing will be closed to the public. Lockheed plans to focus on detailed aspects
of its plans for a reusable commercial spaceship to replace the space shuttle.
Executives are stopping in all the states seeking one of the two 500 million
dollar spaceports.
Senator Conrad Burns says three Lockheed officials will discuss the status of
the VentureStar and X-33, the half- scale model scheduled to make a few test
landings at Malmstrom Air Force Base next year. Back to top
Fire investigators go through rubble in Malta (6/10)
Two state fire marshals are in Malta today, sifting through the rubble of a fire that destroyed three businesses. The blaze swept through a bowling alley, a tavern and a barber shop yesterday, causing an estimated 750-thousand dollars in damage. Firefighters patrolled the site overnight. Today's investigation includes the help of a trained dog. (Contributed by Greg Kielb, KMMR) Back to top
(Copyright 1999 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
(6/9)
(AP) Three downtown businesses were on fire early this morning in Malta. Firefighters received the call at about 3:30am to the main downtown business block. The fire apparently started in Malta's bowling alley, Mustang Lanes. It then spread to the Stockman Bar and to a barbershop.
Firefighters said they hoped to contain the blaze to those 3 businesses.
No cause has been determined and there were no injuries reported as of 7 this morning. Back to top
(Copyright 1999 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)
TWO YOUTHS APPEAR IN DISTRICT COURT (6/8)
The two Glasgow youths who have been charged in the Glasgow Middle School
bomb threat made appearances in District Court in Glasgow on Tuesday.
Twelve years old Jacob Fassett and Thirteen-year-old Evan Hall both pleaded
not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, a felony. The
two have been charged with agreeing to damage, injure or destroying the Glasgow
Middle School by placing a bomb in it. The two were arrested on April 28 after
other students in the school overheard them talking about placing a bomb in
the school. An investigation by the Glasgow Police Department and Valley County
Sheriffs Department found that the two had made drawings of bombs, made maps
of the school indicating placement of bombs and also signed a document indicating
that they were serious about placing bombs in the school.
District Court Judge John Mckeon agreed to release Jacob Fassett to the custody
of his mother who lives in Choteau Montana where will be under house arrest.
Since his arrest in April, Fassett has been held in detention at the Yellowstone
Youth Services Center in Billings.
Evan Hall has been under house arrest since the incident with his guardian in
St. Marie, Montana.
If found guilty the two could be placed on probation until age 18, placed in
a residential rehabilitation center, put under house arrest or be sentenced
to a state youth corrections facility until age 18. Back to top
SCAM HITS AREA (6/8)
The Valley County Sheriffs Department is advising county residents to be
wary of credit card scams over the telephone. The Sheriffs Department told Kltz/Klan
that in the past couple of weeks several residents have complained to law enforcement
that they have been contacted by companies asking for their credit card numbers
over the phone. The Sheriffs Department advises county residents to not give
out credit card numbers over the phone unless you have checked the company out
first. If you are contacted by a company asking for your credit card number
please contact the Valley County Sheriffs Department at 228-4333.Back
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DISTRICT COURT (6/4)
District Court in Glasgow has been a busy place this week with several individuals
making appearances before District Court Judge John Mckeon.
On Tuesday, Joy Detienne appeared in court and gave her pleas to the three charges
that have been filed against her in relation to an incident that occurred November
25, 1998.
Detienne pleaded not guilty to the charges of negligent vehicular assault, a
felony. According to court documents, Detienne allegedly was under the influence
of alcohol when she caused serious bodily injury to Chloe Eckes, a pedestrian
crossing an intersection when Detienne’s vehicle hit Eches.
Eckes was injured seriously and spent almost two months in the hospital recovering
from injuries.
Detienne also pleaded not guilty to the charge of negligent vehicular assault,
a misdemeanor. Allegedly, Detienne, in the same incident, also caused injuries
to Mark Bunn who was crossing the intersection.
Detienne also pleaded not guilty to the charge of failure to have liability
vehicle insurance on her vehicle when the accident occurred. On the felony charge,
if convicted, Detienee could face a prison term of up to five years and be forced
to pay restitution charges.
She has been out on $2500 bail and faces an omnibus hearing on July 6. Malta
attorney Alan Johnson represents her.
Also in District Court on Thursday, Valley County resident Tater Mcdonald appeared
in court, making an initial appearance on two charges.
Mcdonald is charged with aggravated assault, a felony.
According to court documents, Mcdonald purposely or knowingly caused serious
bodily injury to Hinsdale resident Chris Barstad by striking him in the face
with his fist and causing severe trauma and damage to his face, which required
corrective surgery.
Mcdonald also faces charges of misdemeanor assault. According to court documents,
Mcdonald caused bodily injury to Hinsdale resident Cody Palm by striking him
in the face with his fist. Bail was set at $1000, which Mcdonald met; he was
released, to his employer.
He will make another appearance in District Court on June 7. If convicted on
the felony charge Mcdonald could be sentenced to not less than 2 years and not
more than 20 years with the Montana Department of Corrections. Back
to top
Montana Senator Max Baucas was in Glasgow on Tuesday hosting a town meeting,
and visiting with the people involved in the Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center
and Museum.
Baucas is currently on a tour of eastern Montana visiting with constituents
in a series of town meetings.
Senator Baucus said that most of the discussion dealt with jobs, economic development,
the low ag prices, and how to boost the economy in northeastern Montana. Baucus
noted that there are a lot of good ideas in the area but they need to be followed
up. Topics included everything from the Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center and
Museum to the fish hatchery and Venture-Star.
After the meeting, Baucas met with a group representing the Fort Peck Dam Interpretive
Center and Museum. Baucas was instrumental last year in getting six million
dollars appropriated for the design and construction of the interpretive center.
Last year Congress failed to pass legislation that would have appropriated ten
million dollars for the interpretive center. Baucus said that he will try once
again this year to get the ten million dollars.Back to top
FORT PECK DAM INTERPRETIVE CENTER AND MUSEUM OPEN MEETING TUI (6/2)
The Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center and Museum will hold an open public
meeting Tuesday night, June 2nd at 7pm, for the public to share concerns &
desires for the center.
Larry Meiers stated that the meeting is a planning & design session. Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, BLM and Fish, Wildlife & Parks will be there; "just about everyone involved," according to Meier. will be there.
He also noted that the board does want public input, as to where it should be built, and what people want in the facility, plus any more concerns or desires people have for the center. Meier noted that this is a "community project."
Meier stated that this is a major planning phase of project. He said this week they hope to come up with a plan for the structure to give to the architects and designers. Back to top
12-YEAR OLD MAKES COURT APPEARANCE IN BOMB PLOT (6/1)
Twelve year old Jacob Fassett made a preliminary appearance in District Court
in Glasgow on Tuesday morning.
Fassett has been charged with conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, a felony. The charges indicate that Fassett and Evan Hall agreed to damage, injure or destroy the Glasgow Middle School by placing a bomb in it and that they acquired information about bombs, made drawings of bombs, told person they planned to place bombs, indicated placement of bombs on a map of the school, discussed the time for placement of bombs, and/or signed a document indicating they were serious about placing bombs at the school.
Since the incident Fassett has been in detention at the Yellowstone County Youth Services Center in Billings. The appearance before District Court Judge John Mckeon was mainly to explain the charges that have been filed against Fassett and to appoint an attorney to represent him.
Tracey Crater, Fassett's mother, had petitioned the court asking for a court appointed attorney to represent her son. Judge Mckeon questioned the mother about her financial situation after a short deliberation ordered that the county public defender, Alan Johnson, represent Fassett in the legal proceedings. Mckeon also explained to Fassett that if found guilty of the charges that he could order Fassett to be classified as a delinquent youth. He also explained the penalty for being found guilty of the charges. If found guilty, Fassett could be placed on probation until age 18, placed in a residential rehabilitation center, put under house arrest or be sentenced to a state youth corrections facility until age 18.
Judge Mckeon did not ask Fassett to enter a plea on the charges because he had yet to meet with the attorney who will represent him. He will be required to appear before the court again on June 7th at 10am when he will enter a plea to the charges. The judge also ordered him to return to the Yellowstone County Youth Services Center in Billings until his next appearance in court. The other youth charged in the incident, Evan Hall, has yet to make an appearance in District Court and his first court date is also set for June 7th at 10am.Back to top