Valley Event Center Radio-thon Is Huge Success (Posted Friday, October 1, 2004 02:09 PM)

Volunteers from the Valley Event Center hosted a radio-thon to benefit the multi-purpose building on Friday on Kltz/Klan.

The radio-thon was supposed to raise money for insulation for the ceiling of the event center. At a cost of $25 per bag, Valley Event Center representatives were hoping to sell 660 bags of insulation to insulate the ceiling. Generous people from all around the county and even beyond gave over $20,000 before 9am on Friday, easily surpassing the 660 bags needed for the ceiling.

Calls still continue to pour in from those who support the vision of the Valley Event Center; as of 5pm Friday, 959 bags were sold; a total of $23,975 was donated. The excess donations will go towards insulating the walls of the Center.

If you are interested in donating toward the project, you may call KLTZ/MIx-93 at 406-228-9336, email us at , or send a check to the Valley Event Center at P.O. Box 933, Glasgow, MT 59230. All contributions are tax deductible.

Corps Meeting On River Plan Set For October 13 (Posted Thursday, September 30, 2004 06:47 AM)

The Army Corps of Engineers will discuss its 2004-2005 draft operating plan for the Missouri River in October including a meeting in Glasgow on October 13th.

The meeting will begin at 11:00am at the Cottonwood Inn and the Corps of Engineers will explain to the public the draft operating plan for the Missouri and how this will affect lake levels on Fort Peck Lake.

The public is invited to comment on the draft plan or ask questions of Corps of Engineers personnel.

The draft plan is available at http://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc

County Deputy Fired (Posted Wednesday, September 29, 2004 05:29 PM)

Valley County Sheriff Glenn Meier has told Kltz/Klan that he has terminated the contract of Valley County Deputy Carl Laumeyer.

Meier said a letter of termination was sent to Laumeyer on September 29th informing him that him employment with Valley County is terminated effective immediately.

Montana law allows law enforcement officers to have their job terminated for any reason at any time within one year of their hiring. Laumeyer was hired October 21, 2003 so his one year probationary period had not yet ended.

Sheriff Meier told Kltz/Klan that state law also forbids him from disclosing the reason for the dismissal.

Meier said that the Valley County Sheriffs Department will begin advertising for the open position statewide immediately.

County Searching For New Fair Manager (Posted Wednesday, September 29, 2004 05:26 PM)

Valley County is searching for a new manager for the 2005 Northeast Montana Fair. On September 15th the Valley County Commissioners unanimously accepted the resignation of Sharon Labonty who was currently serving as fair manager.

According to the Valley County Commissioners, Labonty gave the commissioners a verbal resignation on May 17th. This resignation would of been effective on September 1st. But on August 17th, Labonty wrote a letter to the Valley County Commissioners outlining some of the issues involved in her verbal resignation on May 17th. In the letter she also withdrew her resignation writing that she enjoyed managing the Northeast Montana Fair and particularly enjoyed the planning and excitement of organizing the events.

The Valley County Commissioners though did accept her verbal resignation which she gave them on May 17th.
Valley County Commissioner Dave Pippin told Kltz/Klan that the commissioners in conjunction with the Valley County Fair Board are currently advertising for a manager for the Northeast Montana Fair. Pippin also said the they are looking at different ways to conduct the fair including moving the dates of the fair to earlier in the year and bringing back a carnival.

Political Forum Scheduled For October 5 (Posted Monday, September 27, 2004 05:48 PM)

The Valley County Republicans, Valley County Democrats, Kltz/Klan, Glasgow Courier and Two Rivers Economic Growth are sponsoring a political forum featuring local Valley County candidates and local legislative candidates on October 5th at 6:30pm at the Cottonwood Inn.

The event is a candidate forum and not a debate and is an opportunity for local citizens to become more informed about the candidates on the November 2nd General election campaign.

The forum is open to the public and coffee and cookies will be provided by the AAUW.

One Killed In Early Morning House Fire In Frazer (Posted Sunday, September 26, 2004 06:35 PM)

A 36-year old Frazer man died Sunday morning in a house fire in the community of Frazer according to the Valley County Sheriffs Department.

Lynwood Big Leggins was a quadriplegic in a wheelchair who could not escape the fire that completely destroyed the home at 8:20am Sunday.

The residence housed 3 adults and 4 children and all the occupants escaped with the exception of Big Leggins. One adult was injured when he attempted to enter the home and rescue Big Leggins. He is reported as suffering burns as the result of the attempted rescue.

The VCSO told Kltz/Klan that one of the children residing in the home woke up and reported the fire to the rest of the occupants.

The fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshall and also the Fort Peck Tribal Police.

Glasgow Education Association Files Grievance Over Prep Time (Posted Sunday, September 26, 2004 06:34 PM)

The Glasgow Education Association has filed a grievance against the Glasgow School District over the amount of prep time teachers receive in the school district.

The grievance was filed on August 17th and states that certain teachers in the district are not receiving 45 minutes of prep time each day as allowed in the collective bargaining agreement between the school district and Glasgow teachers. The term prep time is defined as the amount of time each teacher receives each day to prepare for upcoming classes.

Glasgow Superintendent Glenn Hageman told Kltz/Klan that Montana Accreditation Standard stipulate that each certified teacher receive 225 minutes per week in prep time and that even though some Glasgow teachers don't receive 45 minutes per day they do receive the state standard of 225 minutes per week.

The Glasgow School Board held a hearing on the grievance on September 22nd and discussed the matter as part of a regular meeting. No representatives of the Glasgow Education Association were present at the meeting and the school board has 20 days to render a decision on the grievance.

If the school board and the Glasgow teachers can't come to an agreement then an arbitrator will be asked to work out a solution to the grievance.

Two Wolf Point Women Plead Guilty On Theft Charges (Posted Thursday, September 23, 2004 08:40 AM)

(AP) - Two Wolf Point women have pleaded guilty to federal charges in the skimming of more than 30-thousand dollars from the Silverwolf Casino in Wolf Point.

Former casino bookkeeper Jacqueline Moran pleaded guilty to employee theft from an Indian gaming establishment. Prosecutors say Moran padded her time cards, or overpaid herself for time worked. They say she also abused vacation pay, and took money from the casino's bingo proceeds. The casino is owned by the Assiniboine-Sioux tribe.

Former maintenance supervisor Lucy McGeshick also pleaded guilty to employee theft. McGeshick says she knew about Moran's embezzlement and accepted up to four-thousand dollars from Moran. Moran will be sentenced December 30th. Sentencing for McGeschick is January 3rd. (Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Farm Bureau Holding Farm Safety Class (Posted Thursday, September 23, 2004 06:05 AM)

Attention Farmers and Ranchers. Are you interested in reducing your Workman’s Compensation Insurance premium by 4 percent? Plan to attend the Valley County Farm Bureau annual meeting.

There is a no host dinner beginning at 6:30 PM, at the Cottonwood Inn on Wednesday, September 29th, with a free Farm Safety Class given by Les Graham.

Les Graham is self employed. He is a lobbyist for all Farm & Ranch organizations and auction markets. He is presently doing a Homeland Security Analysis for the Montana Departments of Agriculture and Livestock. He represents the Montana Grain Growers, Stock Growers, Wool Growers, and Montana Farm Bureau Federation.

Attendance of employees at the Farm Safety Class will entitle employers a certification for a savings of 4 percent on your Workman’s Compensation Insurance premium. Call 228-9534 by Monday, September 27th, to reserve your place for the dinner and class attendance. 

More Details Released On Glasgow Water Funding (Posted Wednesday, September 22, 2004 11:04 AM)

Montana Senator Conrad Burns has announced that the United States Senate Appropriations Committee has given approval to legislation that would provide $500,000 to the City of Glasgow for water infrastructure improvements.

The Appropriations Committee passed the legislation on Tuesday and now goes to the full Senate for approval.

Jon Bengochea, Public Works Director for the City of Glasgow told Kltz/Klan that there are a few hurdles to pass before the funding is finalized and there is a possibility of the $500,000 figure increasing.

The City of Glasgow has been working on a project that would connect the two Glasgow water storage facilities. This project would enhance the Glasgow water system and stabilize water pressure for all Glasgow residents and at the same time improve fire protection at the Glasgow Airport. Bengochea told Kltz/Klan that the current water storage system isn't fully used because the two facilities aren't connected. The entire project is estimated at just over a million dollars so even with the $500,000 from the federal government the city will have to pay for a portion of the project.

Glasgow Among Cities Set To Receive Funds (Posted Wednesday, September 22, 2004 06:20 AM)

U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), a senior member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today that Montana is slated to receive $20,050,000 in Veterans Administration – Housing and Urban Development appropriations projects for FY05. The total funding included for our veterans across the nation for FY05 is $32,951,348,000. This legislation passed out of Subcommittee last week and out of the Full Committee today. 

“ These funds help maintain basic infrastructure in Montana—safeguarding our water, housing and transportation needs that many people don’t think about,” said Burns. “I am glad to see these important projects protected as we come out of committee, and I will work to make sure this funding remains secure for Montana throughout the entire appropriations process.”

George Bailey, Director of Inland Northwest Space Alliance said: "Senator Burns is building the backbone for Montana's high-tech industry and the Inland Northwest Space Alliance is proud to play a role in his efforts to bring highly skilled jobs to the state. Through his continued leadership he is ensuring that our economy becomes one of the fastest growing in the nation and that Montana's will have opportunities for quality jobs now, and for many years to come. We are very fortunate to have Senator Burns working for a better Montana."

Tom McCoy Vice President of Research at MSU said: “The funding for the Microdevice Facility will enable us to complete the facility which will not only benefit University researchers, but also numerous other hi-tech companies in Montana. This is great news. MSU, and the entire state of Montana, is indebted to the leadership of Senator Burns and his role on the Appropriations Committee.” 

John Kramer, President of the Great Falls Development Authority said: “This funding will go a long way in helping develop the facilities we need. We owe a great deal of thanks to Senator Burns for his work in bringing this funding to Great Falls.”

Included are the following projects for Montana:

Technical Assistance for Small Water Systems, MSU, Bozeman $4,000,000
Inland Northwest Space Alliance Free Flyer Program, Space Sciences, Inc., Missoula $3,000,000
Mine Waste Technology Program, MSE, Butte $2,140,000
Microdevice Fabrication Facility, MSU, Bozeman $1,500,000             
Life in Extreme Environments, MSU, Bozeman $1,500,000
City of Bozeman, Montana, for water infrastructure improvements $1,000,000
Missouri River Water Project, Helena, for water treatment project $1,000,000
National Space Privatization Program, UM, Missoula $750,000
Town of Seeley Lake, Montana, for wastewater system improvements $750,000
Big Sky Economic Development Authority, Billings $700,000
City of Glasgow, Montana, for water infrastructure improvements $500,000
Northern Rockies Center for Senior Health, Billings $500,000
Chippewa Cree Tribe, Box Elder $350,000
Great Falls Development Authority, Great Falls $300,000
Story Mansion, Bozeman, Montana, for historical renovations and improvements $300,000
Rocky Mountain Development Council/PenKay Eagle Manor Renovation, Helena $300,000
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Missoula $300,000
City of Billings, Montana, West Side planning and development project $300,000
Billings Child and Family Intervention Center, Billings $250,000
Montana Technical Enterprise Center, Missoula $250,000

Also included in the report is language strongly condemning the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Section 8 program and its relationship with local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). The report echoed concerns expressed in a letter sent by Senator Burns last month, pointing to the significant flaws in the funding mechanism HUD uses for PHAs, and suggests that HUD notify PHAs at the beginning of every fiscal year of any funding changes. Last year, HUD’s retroactive application of funding changes immediately put many PHAs in the red, a problem members of the Subcommittee, including Senator Burns, hopes to remedy. Additionally, the report also reminds HUD of their mandate to serve those who need housing the most, and that they should strongly reconsider any attempt which forces people out of the program. In addition, $360,000 was included for the EPA Tribal Portal Program.  The EPA has a relationship with S & K Technologies, Inc. S & K Technologies has been working with the EPA since December 2002 on the Tribal Portal concept.

The legislation will now be voted on by the full Senate. Upon passage, it will go to a joint House-Senate conference committee where the differences between the House and Senate versions will be reconciled. Once reconciled, the bill then goes back to the House and Senate respectively for final passage, then on to the President for his signature. The VA-HUD appropriations bill is one of 13 annual spending bills passed by Congress.

Summary Judgement Recommended In County Attorney Lawsuit (Posted Wednesday, September 22, 2004 06:10 AM)

A motion in support of a summary judgment has been filed in the case of Oster vs Valley County. Jim Rector, who is representing Valley County Attorney Ken Oster in the lawsuit against Valley County filed the motion on August 31st. The motion is asking for Judge David Cybulski to render a judgment in the case.

Earlier this year, Valley County Attorney Ken Oster filed the lawsuit against Valley County claiming that the county was not paying the full amount of his salary as authorized by the Valley County Commissioners in July of 2003. In July of 2003 the Valley County Compensation Board recommended a salary of $69,382 for the county attorney position. The Valley County Commissioners then approved that salary in a resolution. Oster soon noticed that there was a shortfall in his check from Valley County that would total $2,269 per year.

Montana statute allows for the county attorney position to be funded 50% by the county and 50% by the state of Montana. The state of Montana though didn't fund their entire 50% and that was the reason for the shortfall in Ken Osters' paycheck.

On four separate occasions Oster petitioned the Valley County Commissioners to readjust his salary and pay the entire $69,382 per year. The commissioners on each occasion refused to pay the $2,269.00 saying it wasn't their obligation to pay the state of Montana's share.
Oster has argued that in 2001 and 2002 the state of Montana didn't pay all of their share of his salary but Valley County paid the difference in the salary. It was only in 2003 when Valley County refused to pay the extra money that state would nor. Oster also argues that the state of Montana cannot increase the amount paid to the county attorney until it has been budged and appropriated by the Montana Legislature.

Oster is asking for the increase in salary of $2,269 retroactive to July of 2003 along with penalties in the amount of 110% of the contested money and attorney fees and costs.
Valley County is being represented by Great Falls attorney Max Davis who has argued that the Montana Department of Justice should pay the extra costs of Osters pay and not Valley County. Davis has also petitioned for a jury trial in this case. Davis hadn't responded to the motion for a summary judgment as of September 21st.

Judge David Cybulski of Plentywood is hearing the case after Judge John McKeon recused himself.

According to the Valley County Commissioners, Valley County as of September 21st had paid Max Davis $2932.72 to represent the county in this lawsuit.

Opposition Gathers For Burns River Legislation (Posted Wednesday, September 22, 2004 06:05 AM)

(AP) - Nebraska Congressman Lee Terry and Iowa's Steve King are joining opposition to a provision in a Senate interior appropriations bill. It would drastically reduce releases from Missouri River reservoirs. The reduced flows upstream would lower the river's flow to the point that opponents say it would end barge traffic on the river in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.

Montana Senator Conrad Burns added the provision to the Senate legislation to reduce releases because of drought conditions, dropping levels of the upstream reservoirs in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. King and Terry say they'll try to block the Burns language from the fiscal year Interior House-Senate Conference report. (Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Fish, Wildlife & Parks News (Posted Monday, September 20, 2004 07:59 PM)

Surplus antlerless deer tags available

More than 1,500 antlerless white-tailed deer licenses that were not distributed in the summer drawing are still available for hunters in northeastern Montana’s Region 6.

Fish, Wildlife & Parks will sell the surplus antlerless deer tags, valid for both resident and non-resident hunters and for both the archery and rifle seasons, until they are gone. As of Monday, more than 600 699-00 licenses (resident antlerless whitetail licenses valid in all of Region 6) remained. Additionally, more than 900 698-00 licenses (non-resident antlerless whitetail licenses valid in all of Region 6) were available.

Cost for each Deer B license is $11 for residents, $75 for non-residents. The surplus licenses are available for purchase at FWP offices, license agents and over the internet at http://www.fwp.state.mt.us or https://app.discoveringmontana.com/elicensesales/.

The quota for these regionwide antlerless whitetail deer licenses was increased to 1,250 for both resident and non-resident categories this year, according to Harold Wentland, Region 6 wildlife manager.

“Based on our spring aerial surveys, white-tailed deer populations are at or above the levels we saw last year,” says Wentland. “That’s especially true of deer populations along the Milk River, which is somewhat surprising given last year’s tough winter. We increased the antlerless whitetail quota to allow hunters to harvest this surplus of deer. The alternative is extending seasons, as we did last year, or issuing post-season kill permits to landowners who have significant depredation. If we have another harsh winter, we could lose much of this surplus.”

Wildlife biologists note that whitetail population is especially high in the Milk and Missouri river bottoms in the central portion of the region. Hunters can expect to see fewer whitetails in the upland CRP and grain habitat, especially in the extreme northeastern corner of the region.

October meetings will discuss elk management, legislation

Fish, Wildlife & Parks has scheduled four meetings next month across northeast and north-central Montana to discuss elk management, the future of Block Management, FWP’s proposed license-fee proposal and other legislative proposals.

The main topic at the meetings is FWP’s draft Elk Management Plan, a comprehensive review of elk populations, land ownership and access patterns, hunting regulations and management directions that will guide management of elk into the future. Population objectives for each of Montana’s 35 elk-management units (EMUs) will be discussed, along with hunting strategies designed to keep populations within those objectives.

Region 6 contains all or parts of three EMUs – the Hi-Line, Missouri River Breaks and Bears Paw. Specific population objectives, hunting regulations and harvest strategies for each of these units will be reviewed at the Region 6 meetings, and attendees will also have the opportunity to visit with FWP game managers and wildlife biologists.

If you would like a copy of the Elk Management Plan, you can pick one up at a meeting, go online at HYPERLINK "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us" or request one by writing FWP, Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701. Public comments on the plan will be taken from Sept. 24 through Nov. 8. You may submit comments electronically to fwpwld@state.mt.us or at the meetings. Only written comments will be recorded at the meetings.

The Region 6 meetings will also provide opportunities for hunters, anglers, landowners and other interested citizens to learn more about proposed legislation expected to be submitted to the 2005 Legislature for consideration. Information on the proposed resident license-fee increase and reauthorization of both the Block Management program and Habitat Montana, the department’s conservation easement and habitat enhancement program.

All meetings will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Here are the dates and venues of the sessions:

Glasgow: Monday, Oct. 4 at the Cottonwood Inn, Highway 2 East
Malta: Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 1st State Bank, 1st St. East, in upstairs meeting room
Havre: Wednesday, Oct. 13 at Great Northern Inn
Plentywood: Wednesday, Oct. 20 in Sheridan Co. Courthouse, Jubilee Room

Final Hunter Education class of season offered in Glasgow

The final Hunter Education class before the fall hunting seasons open will be held in Glasgow during the week of Oct. 4 at Fish, Wildlife & Parks Quonset classroom.

Parents or guardians can pre-register their students at any time before the first night of class by stopping by FWP’s Region 6 headquarters located on Highway 2 West in Glasgow. Classes, taught by certified volunteer instructors, will be held on weeknights starting Monday, Oct. 4 and continuing through Friday, Oct. 8. Class will run 5:30 to 9 on Monday, 5:30 to 8:30 the remainder of the week. A mandatory field day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 9.

Any prospective hunter born after Jan. 1, 1985 who hasn’t passed a Hunter Education certification course won’t be able to buy hunting licenses or hunt this fall. Hunter Ed graduates under age 18 are eligible for a free Youth Combination License, which includes conservation license, deer A and elk tags and upland bird license.

DNRC & DEQ Announce Completion of $125,000 Loan to Hinsdale County Water & Sewer District (Posted Friday, September 17, 2004 10:27 AM)

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Conservation and Resource Development Division (CARDD), and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced today the completion of a $125,000 loan to the Hinsdale County Water & Sewer District for the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility as well as the rehabilitation of their existing wastewater treatment facility. The twenty-year, low interest loan of 2.75%, has been made available through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Loan Program, a federally subsidized loan program administered by the DNRC and DEQ.

The loan will assist in paying for a variety of expenses associated with the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility for the nearly 300 citizens in the Hinsdale area. The new system will tout a new extended aeration wastewater treatment package, UV disinfection, a 58,000 aerated sludge holding tank and approximately 300-feet of new sewer main. The total cost of the project is approximately $700,000.

The old system, according to Project Engineer Jeff Hintz, of Interstate Engineering, was simply beyond its useful life. "The old extended aeration treatment plant was built in 1974. These systems are designed to only last between twenty and thirty-years without severe rehabilitation, so the citizens of Hinsdale have definitely gotten the useful life out of this system."

The new system will be online by the end of the month. Planning for the project started in 1999. "This new system has the capacity to handle right around 30,000 gallons of wastewater effluent per day very easily," explained Hintz. "And the system is designed to handle a ten percent population growth in the area. So this system is capable of handling the treatment needs of the area for the next twenty-five years."

Once the new system is on-line, the old system will be rehabilitated. According to Hintz, approximately $38,000 has been set aside for rehab on the old plant. "This will give Hinsdale a back up wastewater treatment system. Something they've never had before. This helps ensure that the Town of Hinsdale will never go without a treatment facility."

Planning, design and construction have been as cost conscious as possible, without sacrificing quality. "The SRF loan was the soundest alternative to ensuring that the citizens of Hinsdale had a treatment facility that would meet state and federal standards for the years to come and would be cost effective enough to keep rates down. Now they have a system that works properly and safely. There really were no feasible solutions to the problems other than this new system," Hintz explained.

The CARDD of the DNRC has been providing low interest loans to cities, towns and water/sewer districts throughout Montana since 1991. Anna Miller, CARDD Financial Advisor, explained that during fiscal year 2004, CARDD financed 19 projects for a total of $26.6 million.

"We help entities facilitate the rehabilitation of their existing water or sewer systems in the most cost effective manner so that the end user has the least cost burden," she stated.

The DNRC works cooperatively with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to ensure that projects meet state requirements for water infrastructure improvements. For more information regarding the Conservation and Resource Development Division or the State Revolving Fund Program, contact Anna Miller at (406) 444-6689.

Commissioners Negotiating With EPA Over Tank Spill Plan (Posted Wednesday, September 15, 2004 06:16 PM)

The Valley County Commissioners are currently in negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency over a complaint filed against the county by the EPA.

The EPA has alleged that the Valley County Road Department failed to prepare and implement a Spill, Prevention, Control and Countermeasure plan for the road department facility in Glasgow. The EPA discovered the alleged violations during an unannounced inspection in September of 2003. The EPA is proposing a penalty of up to $22,461 for the alleged violations.
The road department facility is located on Highway #2 in Glasgow and includes one 2,000 gallon storage tank of gasoline, one 4,000 gallon storage tank of diesel, and one 10,000 gallon storage tank of road oil.

The EPA in the written complaint against Valley County states that spills from any of the tanks located on the property could travel approximately one quarter of a mile west into Cherry Creek which flows into the Milk River. This would then violate applicable water standards or cause a film or sheen or discoloration of the surface of the water or adjoining shoreline.

When the EPA inspected the road department facility they found that the county did not have a written Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plan. They also found several implementation measures that were deficient at the facility including a failure to conduct inspections in accordance with written procedures. Also failure to provide fencing or other security measures for the facility and failure to secure the master flow valve on the 10,000 gallon road oil storage tank.
The EPA also alleges that Valley County failed to prepare and implement an SPCC plan in writing and in accordance with EPA regulations from September 22, 2003, through and including May 31, 2004.

Valley County Commissioner Dave Pippin told Kltz/Klan that Valley County did provide the EPA with a SPCC plan within 30 days of the inspection but the EPA ruled that the plan didn't meet EPA requirements. Pippin told Kltz/Klan that it's regretful that this has happened but Valley County is currently in negotiations with the EPA over the amount of the proposed fine. Pippin said that Valley County is currently providing the EPA documents in favor of the county that hopefully will dismiss the case.

Pippin said he hopes to hear from the EPA within a week to resolve the conflict and complaint.

Trial Date Set For Fort Peck Man On Drug & Theft Charges (Posted Wednesday, September 15, 2004 09:29 AM)

A date has been set for the trial of Fort Peck resident Devan Bessette who is facing two felony drug charges and a misdemeanor theft charge.

The trial date has been set for December 8th in Glasgow with Judge John McKeon presiding.

Bessette is facing the felony charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, the felony charge of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and the misdemeanor theft charge. If convicted on the drug possession charge he could be sentenced up to five years in prison and if convicted of the drug distribution charge he could be sentenced to life in prison.

The charges are the result of an incident that occurred on June 13th at a Nashua residence. According to the Valley County Sheriff's Department, Bessette is charged with possessing, distributing and stealing the drug Hydrocodone which is a opium derivative.

An omnibus hearing was held on September 7th and Bessette pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Glasgow Man Sentenced On Sex Charge (Posted Wednesday, September 15, 2004 08:55 AM)

A Glasgow man has been sentenced in state District Court after pleading guilty to the charge of sexual intercourse without consent.

Evan Fessler was sentenced last month after reaching a plea agreement with the Valley County Attorney. The charge of sexual intercourse without consent is the result of an incident that occurred on July 23rd of 2002. According to court documents, Fessler had a sexual relationship with a female who was 13 at the time.

Fessler was sentenced to the Montana State Prison for a period of six years with all time suspended except for 337 days. Fessler was credited with all 337 days he spent in the Valley County Jail.

Judge John McKeon also ordered Fessler to enter a sexual offender treatment program and to register as a sex offender.

Fessler was also ordered to pay $55 in court surcharges.

Dale Plumbing & Heating Among MSU Award Winners (Posted Wednesday, September 15, 2004 07:18 AM)

(AP) - Montana State University has announced six businesses as winners of 2004 Montana Family Business Awards. Winners are selected by the Family Business Program at the M-S-U College of Business.

This year's winners are: Northern Home Essentials of Havre; Dale Plumbing and Heating of Glasgow; TowHaul vof Belgrade; Central Plumbing and Heating of Great Falls; Stockman Bank of Miles City; and Bouma ) Post Yards of Choteau.

The business owners will be honored at a luncheon September 24th. Winning businesses are now eligible for national awards. (Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Committee Clears Halt On River Releases (Posted Wednesday, September 15, 2004 06:50 AM)

(AP) - A U-S Senate committee has cleared a measure that would immediately halt Missouri River releases for downstream states. Montana Senator Conrad Burns added the legislation to an Interior Department spending bill which has cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The U-S Army Corps of Engineers had already planned to end shipping earlier than usual this year as a conservation move. But Burns says that's not enough.

Chad Smith of the conservation group American Rivers says a significant part of northeast Montana's economy revolves around lake recreation and is suffering from low levels at Fort Peck Lake.

Missouri Senator Kit Bond says stopping barge traffic would be devastating for his state. A St. Louis shippers' group says grain producers would have to pay an extra eight-to-12 dollars a ton to cover alternative transportation. (Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Unmanned Aerial Technology In Use Over Valley County (Posted Wednesday, September 15, 2004 06:46 AM)

Residents of Valley County today can have the opportunity to view the latest technology in unmanned aerial vehicles at the Glasgow Airport.

The Inland Northwest Space Alliance from Missoula and the Space Dynamics Laboratory from Utah State University and the Navy Research Center in Washington D.C. will be demonstrating the latest unmanned aerial vehicle technology and command and control center capabilities.

An estimated 25 people from these groups have been in Glasgow for the past three days testing the unmanned aerial vehicles. They hope that the UAV's might be helpful in fighting wildfires, terrorism on the U.S. Canadian border and fighting weeds in Montana.

Local officials got a sneak peek at the demonstration on Tuesday at the Glasgow Airport and were served lunched courtesy of Big Sky Airlines, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Two Rivers Economic Growth.

The demonstration today is set for 9am to 11am at the Glasgow Airport and is open to the public.

The public will get an opportunity to see two unmanned aerial vehicles in action. The smaller of the vehicles is called the Dragon Eye and has a 48-inch wing span and weighs less than six pounds. It cruises at 35 knots and can fly to a maximum elevation of about 500 feet for flights up to one hour. The United States military is currently using the Dragon Eye in operations in Iraq. U.S. Marines can carry the Dragon Eye in backpacks and use it for reconnaissance. The military pays an estimated $100,000 for a Dragon Eye system.

The other unmanned vehicle on demonstration today is the TERN vehicle which has a 10.2-foot wingspan and weighs 95 pounds. The TERN can hit a top speed of 60 mph with an altitude of 6000 feet and can stay in the air for up to four hours.

Both unmanned vehicles also broadcast a live video feed to a central location. Those people attending the demonstration today will watch the two unmanned vehicles locate mock military targets and will see all the action on large outdoor screens.

Locally, promoters of the unmanned vehicles hope that the technology can assist in the mapping of the noxious weed salt cedar. Valley County Commissioner Dave Pippin would like to use the technology for low cost mapping of the salt cedar on the shores of Fort Peck Lake.

George Bailey who is the president of the Inland Northwest Space Alliance in Missoula said they chose Glasgow for the ability to have unrestricted FCC radio frequencies and unrestricted airspace.

The demonstration on Wednesday is open to the public and is set for 9am to 11am. Valley County officials hope that future testing of unmanned vehicles will take place in Valley County whether it's at the Glasgow Airport or Boeing Field at the former Glasgow Air Force Base.

Ewe Lamb Replacement And Retention Payment Program (Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2004 09:37 PM)

On January 27, 2004, the Secretary of Agriculture announced that USDA will provide the U.S. lamb industry with $18 million in payments to sheep and lamb producers to encourage the replacement and retention of ewe lamb breeding stock. Proper clearance is still being sought for the proposed regulation and application form (FSA-384).  

Earlier it was announced that this form would be available in September. However, the ELRRPP proposed rule with request for comments was not published in the Federal Register until September 7, 2004. There is a 30-day public comment period on the proposed rule and a 60-day public comment period on the information collected on the application form.

The information collection package has not been approved by the Office of Management and Budget. Therefore, an application sign-up period for program benefits has not yet been determined.

August 1, 2003 through July 31, 2004 is the time period when the ewe lambs should have been purchased or retained.

Maintaining adequate records is imperative to being eligible for program benefits. For further information or questions, please contact Sheri at the Valley County FSA Office. (406) 228-4321

Construction Continues On Hatchery (Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2004 09:31 PM)

Construction continues on the Fort Peck Warm Water Fish Hatchery. The $20 million dollar project is estimated to be completed by the end of 2005. The first warm water fish to be produced at the hatchery should be ready to go in early 2006. The project is overseen by the United States Army Corps of Engineers with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to manage the facility once it is completed.

Valley County In Top Ten Per Capita Income (Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2004 09:23 PM)

Figures from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry show that Valley County is in the top ten counties when it comes to per capita income. The numbers released this month indicate that the per capita income in Valley County is $26,050. This compares to the Montana average of $25,920. Daniels County has a per capita income of $28,286 which is among the highest in the state while Phillips County is at $20,496, Roosevelt County at $19,113 and Sheridan County at $24,882. Yellowstone County has the highest per capita income at nearly $29,000.

Other numbers released show that the average unemployment in Valley County in 2003 was 3.5 percent. This compares with Roosevelt County at 7.8 percent, Phillips County at 4.6 percent and Sheridan County at 3.5 percent.

Students Above National Average In Test Scores (Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2004 07:18 AM)

Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction has released the 2003-2004 test scores for 4th, 8th, and 11th grade students for all Montana schools and school districts. Montana students in all grades scored above the national average in all  five subject areas of reading, math, science, language arts and social studies.

This was the fourth year all Montana students participated in the same tests. The Montana Board of Public Instruction requires all credited Montana schools to annually report student achievement scores for grades 4, 8, and 11. The test scores are for the 2003-2004 school year. A total of 34,515 Montana 4th, 8th, and 11th grade students participated in the test.

Glasgow students scored well above the national average of 60% of students performing at the combined proficient and advanced levels in all subjects and grades.

For example, 95% of the Glasgow 4th grade students who took the science test were proficient and advanced. 93% of the 4th grade students were proficient and advanced in the social studies test.

Test results for all Montana school can be found at this website.
http://www.opi.state.mt.us/PDF/Assessment/Results/04SchoolResults.pdf

Loan Completed For Dry Prairie Rural Water Authority (Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 10:06 AM)

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Conservation and Resource Development Division (CARDD), and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced today the completion of a $313,000 loan to the Dry Prairie Rural Water Authority to pay for the first leg of the off-reservation portion of the Dry Prairie Regional Water System.

The twenty-year, low interest loan of 2.75%, has been made available through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Loan Program, a federally subsidized loan program administered by the DNRC and DEQ. The loan will assist in paying for a variety of expenses associated with the construction of this segment of the system. This includes a pumping station to assist in maintaining pressure from the Culbertson Water Treatment Facility. In addition, some of the remaining construction and hook-up to residential lines will be paid for from this loan.

According to Dry Prairie Regional Water Authority Director, Clint Jacobs, this leg of the system will be completed by September 15th. "We'll have all the main line in place and all the pressure testing, disinfecting and residential hook-ups completed by that date."

Upon completion of this leg, the next step is to begin legs headed due east toward Bainville, ensuring that all residents are hooked up to the system. Until the main intake on the Missouri River, near Wolf Point, and the subsequent treatment facility is completed, folks attached to this leg of the system will receive their drinking water via the Culbertson Water Treatment Facility.

Upon completion, the new system will be providing clean, high-quality drinking water to approximately 650 people in the Medicine Lake/Froid area. This kind of water has not been seen in the area for some time as it has been affected by poor ground water quality and high levels of sulphur. This gives the water a terrible taste and smell. This is not unusual for many communities in northeastern Montana. This is the reason behind the regional water system.

According to Jacobs, this initial leg of the system was due to a lot of hard work by many folks and organizations. "We're finally moving forward on this project (Dry Prairie) after all the meetings, planning and efforts. It's very rewarding to see it get off the ground."

The SRF Loan is the local match, along with the state of Montana's portion, will be used to leverage the remaining federal match dollars, all to the tune of approximately $4.5 million dollars for this portion of the regional system. The CARDD of the DNRC has been providing low interest loans to cities, towns and water/sewer districts throughout Montana since 1991.

Anna Miller, CARDD Financial Advisor, explained that during fiscal year 2004, CARDD financed 19 projects for a total of $26.6 million. "We help entities facilitate the rehabilitation of their existing water or sewer systems in the most cost effective manner so that the end user has the least cost burden," she stated.

The DNRC works cooperatively with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to ensure that projects meet state requirements for water infrastructure improvements. For more information regarding the Conservation and Resource Development Division or the State Revolving Fund Program, contact Anna Miller at (406) 444-6689.

Senate Panel Ok's Essential Air Service Money For Montana (Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 10:02 AM)

(AP) - For the second straight year, the Essential Air Service program is fully funded in the transportation appropriations bill that has passed out of a Senate subcommittee.

The E-A-S funds subsidize flights from Billings-based Big Sky Airlines to seven Montana cities: Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Lewistown, Miles City, Sidney, and Wolf Point. The Bush administration had announced plans -- again -- to slash the funding.

Montana's legislative delegation vowed to fight that effort, and Senator Max Baucus is praising the decision to include the funds in the appropriations bill. It's about five-million-dollars for Montana.

The bill next has to pass the full Appropriations committee. Then, it will go to the full Senate. (Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Fort Peck Access Road Funding Released (Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 05:37 AM)
(Washington, D.C.) –Montana Senator Max Baucus announced today the U.S. Department of Transportation has released $525,000 to help repair roads in the six counties that provide access to Fort Peck Lake.

The funds are an installment of a $1.4 million appropriation Baucus and the delegation secured as part of the fiscal year 2004 transportation spending bill.

The funds will be used to help continue to repair and improve 262 miles of roads in the counties of: Phillips, Fergus, Petroleum, Garfield, McCone, and Valley.

Baucus said the access roads need repair because of intense use during summer months, and because the roads also provide access for hunting in the fall, ice fishing in winter.

“ I’m very proud to have helped secure these important funds,” said Baucus, who is Montana’s senior U.S. Senator. “Improving access roads to Fort Peck Lake will help improve safety, provide valuable access to our public lands, and help create jobs in the area.”

Baucus secured the funds at the request of government officials, concerned citizens, and business owners in the six-county area.

Don Phau, chairman of the Fort Peck Advisory Committee, praised the news, saying years of work are starting to pay off.

“ We’ve worked for years on having good road access into Fort Peck Lake, and this will allow us to continue to upgrade and make all of Fort Peck Available to the public,” Phau said. “Our thanks to Max Baucus for his staying with us on this important road program. It’s taken a lot of effort and work.”

“ We are absolutely ecstatic,” Fergus County Commissioner Vern Peterson says. “These funds will go a long ways.

Baucus Vows Fight To Maintain Quality Rail Service, Empire Builder (Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 05:35 AM)

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –Sen. Max Baucus said today a Senate panel fell short of fully funding the nation’s passenger rail service provider, vowing a fight to increase funds for Amtrak and Montana’s Empire Builder route.

Baucus said the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, and General Government set aside $1.2 billion for Amtrak, about $600 million shy of what the rail provider asked for to maintain the transportation system – including Montana’s Hi-Line route -- for next fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1, 2004.

Baucus said keeping Amtrak up and running is vital to rural states like Montana because people rely on it to travel across the state for work and to visit family and friends. He said Montana’s Empire Builder, which provides rail service from Whitefish across the Hi-Line, is also critical to the state’s economy, accounting for thousands of good-paying jobs and a steady stream of commerce.

“ Millions of people across the country, and especially those of us in rural communities, rely on Amtrak,” Baucus said. “That’s why I’m disappointed the committee failed to fully fund the program. But it’s not over yet. We’ll have a chance to get the funds restored and keep Amtrak running for another year.”

Earlier this year, Baucus joined several of his Senate colleagues in urging lawmakers to increase funding for Amtrak to $1.8 billion. Baucus noted that the Bush Administration requested only $900 million in its fiscal year 2005 budget request to Congress and that the House of Representatives Appropriations bill has also only set aside $900 million.

“ Nine hundred million would guarantee an end to this vital transportation program,” Baucus said. “As the appropriations process moves forward I’m committed to working together with members of the Appropriations Committee and the Montana delegation to protect the Empire Builder.”

The Empire Builder in Montana serves 12 communities along the Hi-Line, contributing an estimated $13 million per year to the economy of those communities, Baucus said.

Baucus said the full Senate Appropriations Committee as well as the full Senate must still approve the funding level before the bill is reconciled with a similar House version. He said he will work at every step of that process to get Amtrak funded at $1.8 billion.
           

Subcommittee Funds EAS Program Despite Administration Attempts To Cut Service (Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 05:34 AM)

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Despite the Bush Administration’s attempts to kill it for a second year in a row, a Senate panel has fully funded the Essential Air Service program for fiscal year 2005, Montana Senator Max Baucus announced today.

“ We’ve cleared the first major hurdle,” Baucus said, noting the program still has a ways to go in the legislative process.

The Bush Administration proposed cutting the air program that serves seven Montana communities by more than 50 percent, but today the appropriations subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, and General Government set aside $102 million for the program nationally in fiscal year 2005, which starts on Oct. 1, 2004.

If approved by Congress, Montana will likely get about $5 million for its EAS program, Baucus said.

EAS channels funds directly to commuter and regional airlines to provide affordable air service to small communities. In Montana, Big Sky Airlines provides air service to the seven EAS communities of Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Lewistown, Miles City, Sidney and Wolf Point.

“ EAS is such an important program to rural states like Montana,” Baucus said. “Folks in rural areas shouldn’t have to pay more for services than those in urban areas of the country.” 

Baucus and Montana’s Congressional delegation have to fight every year to save the program. This year is no exception.

“ Year after year, we have to make the case that Essential Air Service is just that – essential,” Baucus said. “It’s essential to Montana and our state’s economy. And it’s worth fighting for.”

Baucus said now the full Senate Appropriations Committee as well as the full Senate must approve the measure before it is reconciled with a similar House of Representatives version.

Nearly 300 Attend Funeral Of GHS Grad (Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 05:23 AM)

CARTHAGE, Miss. (AP) - About 300 family members and friends attended funeral services in Mississippi for a soldier formerly from Montana who was killed in Iraq a week ago.

Staff Sergeant Aaron Holleyman -- a Glasgow High School graduate -- died when his vehicle hit a land mine on August 30th in Iraq. He was a member of the 5th Special Forces Group in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

An honor guard from Fort Campbell attended the funeral at Trinity Baptist Church in Carthage, Mississippi, on Tuesday. Holleyman was buried in Monticello Baptist Church cemetery in Lawrence County.

The 26-year-old Holleyman enlisted in the Army in 1996. Aaron Holleyman was survived by two daughters and a son in Fayetteville, North Carolina. (Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights

Two Men Await Trial On Drug Charges (Posted Thursday, September 9, 2004 11:32 AM)

Two men are awaiting trial in District Court in Glasgow on drug charges filed against them after their arrest in Glasgow on March 25th.

James Bush and David Erwin were arrested along with Sarah Crater at a south side Glasgow residence when authorities raided the residence after receiving a tip that a meth lab was in operation in the home.

James Bush is facing four charges including 2 counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, 1 count of criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs and 1 count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. A trial date for James Bush has been set for October 19th and Bush is still residing in the Valley County jail on $15,000 bond. If convicted of one or all of the charges, Bush could be sentenced to life in prison.

James Bush has a criminal history including a past drug conviction. In 2003, Bush was found guilty in Roosevelt County on the charge of criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs. He was given a 10 year suspended sentence with all 10 years suspended.

David Erwin is facing 2 criminal charges including criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs by accountability and criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Erwin could also be sentenced to life in prison if found guilty on one or all of the charges filed against him. His trial date is set for December 8th. Erwin also has a criminal past involving drugs. In 1996 he reached a plea agreement on the charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and was given a 3 year suspended sentence.

The other individual involved in the March 25th drug bust, Sarah Crater, reached a plea agreement with the Valley County Attorney and was given a deferred sentence.

Virginia Bortas Named Public Administrator (Posted Thursday, September 9, 2004 06:04 AM)

The Valley County Commissioners have appointed Virginia Bortas as Valley County Public Administrator. Bortas succeeds Stan Ozark who resigned the position in August. Bortas was the only Valley County resident who expressed interest in the position and she will serve until the November 2nd General Election.

It is expected that Bortas will be the only candidate on the ballot for the General Election and if that is the case she will automatically serve the remaining portion of Ozarks term which will expire in 2006.

Glasgow Resident Sentenced On Assault Charges (Posted Thursday, September 9, 2004 06:02 AM)

Judge John McKeon has sentenced Valley County resident Pat Dunn to a 4-year deferred sentence plus 50 days in the Valley County jail after a jury found him guilty of felony assault with a weapon and misdemeanor criminal trespass.

Dunn was found guilty on July 21st and was sentenced in the Valley County courtroom by Judge McKeon on September 7th.

Pat Dunn was involved in an incident on March 8th in a Glasgow bar where he pulled a knife on a bartender after being told to leave the bar.

Man Seriously Injured In Rollover (Posted Tuesday, September 7, 2004 05:08 PM)

The Montana Highway Patrol today investigated a one vehicle roll-over approximately 4 miles east of Glasgow on U.S. Highway #2.

The MHP told Kltz/Klan that the accident occurred at 12:30pm when a 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass driven by William Robideau of Portland, Oregon overturned on Highway #2.

Robideau was the lone occupant of the vehicle and received serious injuries. He was transported to the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow and then flown by air ambulance to Billings for further treatment. Robideau was 86 years old. The accident is still under investigation.

Enrollment Remains Steady (Posted Tuesday, September 7, 2004 12:53 PM)

Glasgow School Superintendent Glenn Hageman is reporting that enrollment in the Glasgow school system is remaining steady with K-12 enrollment at 781 students. This is the same amount of students that the school system had in September of the 2003-2004 school year.

Hageman had expected a decline in enrollment this year but told Kltz/Klan that small increases in the junior high and high school level have brought the enrollment level up. The 7th and 8th grade have seen a increase of 12 students while the 9-12 grade has seen an increase of 4 students.

Hageman said this is important because the funding mechanism that provides the school district money to operate pays more for students in grades 7-12. The state of Montana pays $5000 per student for those grades compared to $3500 per student for grades K-6.

The Glasgow school enrollment appears to have leveled off after several years of decline. Here are the school enrollment figures since 1995.

School Year Enrollment
1995-1996 997
1996-1997 1,020
1997-1998 1,005
1998-1999 937
1999-2000 891
2000-2001 851
2001-2002 798   
2002-2003 767
2003-2004 781   
2004-2005 781

River Flow May Be Hurting Trees (Posted Tuesday, September 7, 2004 10:57 AM)

(AP) - Scientists say changes in the Missouri River's natural rise and fall have left stands of native cottonwoods aging, and dying.

Cottonwoods have long been the dominant tree species along the Missouri. But existing trees in North Dakota now make up a fraction of their former population.

Experts say it's probably an inevitable consequence of modern moves to dam the Missouri. Those changes have brought industrial, agricultural and recreational benefits.

But some say damming the river has harmed the ecosystem. Jackson Bird is a forestry coordinator for the North Dakota Forest Service. He says the oldest cottonwoods along the Missouri are in a slow decline -- and there's probably not much that can be done about it. The cottonwoods don't respond well to regulated river levels because they need seasonal flooding to spread seeds and create habitat. (Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Rehberg Urges Army Corps of Engineers to Maintain Fort Peck Position (Posted Tuesday, September 7, 2004 07:33 AM)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to call off it’s plans to eliminate the Lake Manager position at Fort Peck Lake with the retirement of current manager Roy Snyder at the end of September. Rehberg objected to the Corps’ plan to merge the duties of Fort Peck Lake Manager into an existing position at this time.

“I am very concerned at the Corps' decision to take those essential duties that Roy performed and merge them into the existing Power Plant Manager's role. This will undoubtedly strain the already stretched personnel resources at Fort Peck. I question whether this will help the condition at Fort Peck - a situation that is already compromised because of the extreme issues facing that facility,” wrote Rehberg, in a letter to Brigadier General William Grisoli, Commander and Division Engineer of the Northwest Division.

Rehberg, a member of the House Resources Committee, noted a number of important issues facing the Corps in regards to Fort Peck Lake:

“In this instance, the Fort Peck facility already faces such daunting challenges as extreme and prolonged drought, endangered species mitigation and management, misplaced and insufficient federal funding, and on-going cabin site privatization efforts. With all of these controversial and challenging projects, Fort Peck is not a project that can afford to have its personnel resources stretched any further.”

Along with the letter, Rehberg is also calling for public meetings to discuss the possible changes with the surrounding communities.

Schweitzer Promises To Support Highway Two (Posted Tuesday, September 7, 2004 07:31 AM)

Gubernatorial candidate Brian Schweitzer today issued the following statement in response to Governor Judy Martz and the Montana Department of Transportation’s disappointing decision to suddenly drop support for a four-lane expansion of US Highway 2 between the Hi-Line cities of Havre and Fort Belknap.

"This is just another indication that the politicians in Helena are not listening to the folks on the Hi-Line. Somewhere along the way, the failed leadership in Helena decided to ignore a quarter of our state compromising the highway safety and infrastructure we need to grow the Hi-Line’s economy. You deserve a Governor in Helena who won’t turn his back on the people of the Hi-Line.

"Now, because of the Martz administration’s decision to cancel this important project, any improvements to Highway 2 will be delayed for at least another 5 years. That’s just unacceptable.     

"Nobody is saying we can expand the entire highway all at once, but we need to start somewhere. As Governor, I will work with the congressional delegation to maximize federal highway funds so we can give Montana a road that is safe and can help grow our economy along the Hi-Line. We need to be forward thinking about this approach. The right investment today will reap sound economic gains down the road.”

In July, Schweitzer met with Hi-Line residents in Havre to announce his support for a four-lane expansion of US Highway 2 between Havre and Harlem. Calling it a "first step forward,” Schweitzer discussed the need to improve dangerous sections of the road and create an economic corridor stretching across the Hi-Line helping bring new businesses and industries into northern Montana. 

Seven Valley County Residents Tour Military Bases (Posted Tuesday, September 7, 2004 07:12 AM)

(please click on any of these small images for a larger view.)

	The C-5 Galaxy which is the largest operational aircraft used by the United States Air Force. The aircraft is as long as a football field and the cockpit is 35 feet above the ground. It costs $19,000 an hour to operate.
	Tim Newton, Glenn Meier, Stan Ozark, Shirley Trang and Jeff Cole stand next to one of the aircraft used by the Air Force to train their flight instructors.The Air Force estimates it costs over $2 million dollars to train each of their pilots.
	On the way home from Texas, the KC-135 tanker refuels a B-1 bomber at 21,000 feet over Colorado. The Montana group got a chance to lie on the floor of the tanker and watch the refueling process.
	Tim Newton sits in the cockpit of the KC-135 tanker which was flown by a Air National Guard flight crew from New Hampshire. The crew let members of the Montana delegation sit in the cockpit during take-off and landing and also during the flight.

Seven Valley County residents had an unique opportunity to tour military bases in the San Antonio, Texas area as part of a boss lift courtesy of the Montana Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Shirley Trang, Jeff Cole, Tim Newton, Glenn Meier, Larry Mires, Stan Ozark and Linda Nielsen traveled to San Antonio August 25th-27th for a tour of several military bases. The group sampled a rare change of command ceremony, listened to military briefings and got a chance to try out various high-tech military machines.

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment.

The Valley County group met up with 25 other Montana residents early August 25th at the Montana Air Guard Base in Great Falls to prepare for the flight to San Antonio. A KC-135 Stratotanker from New Hampshire was used to transport the Montana crew to San Antonio. The KC-135, which was built in 1958 is used primarily for in-air refueling and is similar to a Boeing 707.

After a three- hour flight the group disembarked the KC-135 to find the San Antonio heat quite stifling at over 100 degrees. After a military briefing the group received a tour of the world’s second largest plane, the C-5 Galaxy. The C-5 is as long as a football field and is capable of transporting up to 6 Black Hawk Helicopters or two M-1 tanks. The aircraft is quite expensive to operate at $19,000 an hour. The C-5 is used around the clock to transport supplies to the American military around the world including Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Montana group also visited the C-5 aircraft simulator which is used to help train pilots who the fly the Galaxy. It was explained that it costs $450 an hour to use the flight simulator which seems expensive until the Air Force explained that it costs nearly $19,000 an hour to actually fly the C-5 Galaxy. The simulator cost $27 million dollars but is significantly cheaper than having Air Force pilots get actual flying time on the C-5 Galaxy. The simulator operator gave the Montanans a wild ride over the Pacific Ocean, barely avoiding a collision with another jet and also flew under the Golden Gate Bridge before landing in Honolulu.

On August 25th the Montana group visited Randolph Air Force Base and received a briefing on the 349 Flying Training Group, which is located at Randolph Air Base. This group trains all the flight instructors in the United States Air Force. The group was told that it costs nearly $2 million dollars to train a single pilot in the Air Force. After the briefing the group received a tour of the different planes that are used to train Air Force flight instructors. The group was able to get up close and personal with the planes and ask questions of flight instructors who were on hand.

San Antonio is also home to the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas National Guard. The Montana delegation traveled to the headquarters of the division and toured the facility and received a briefing on their activities. The briefing explained the different types of artillery that the division uses in combat. Most of the division’s equipment though was not on hand at the headquarters because a large portion was either in combat in Iraq or being retrofitted after returning from Iraq.

August 24th was the final day of the boss lift with a visit to Fort Sam Houston. The group viewed a rare ceremony involving a change of leadership in the Army Medical Command, as the highest- ranking non-commissioned officer in the command was retiring. The ceremony involved hundreds of troops in drill formation and an inspection of the troops.

The Montana group received an educational briefing on military medicine as Chief of Staff Col. Dick Agee told the Montana delegation that 73 percent of the soldiers wounded in the Vietnam War survived. The survival rate in the Iraq War has increased to about 89 percent due to better battlefield medical care and technology. He also told the group that Army military hospitals with 242 beds can be set up anywhere in the world in five days and the military is working on developing artificial blood that won’t need refrigeration.

On the flight back to Montana on the KC-135 the Montana delegation was treated to a mid-air refueling of a B-1 stealth bomber.

The Montana group witnessed the B-1 fly up behind the tanker, hook onto a boom and download over 1000 gallons of fuel. The actual refueling took just over a minute but since it was a training mission the B-1 locked onto the boom several times so the Montanans had an opportunity to watch the delicate process.

During the trip the group was told several times that the military couldn’t function without the guard and reserves. One out of every 10 American soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan are reserve or guard soldiers. In Montana, 25 percent of the state’s guard and reservists are now currently in active duty with the American military.

The air- crew from New Hampshire that flew the delegation to Texas told the group that they were getting a rare glimpse into military life. They said they couldn’t even get their family onto the KC-135 to tour the plane but that the ESGR program is a very special program to help employers understand their worker needs a weekend off for the guard or more.

For more information on the ESGR you can contact Shirley Trang at 228-9336; she serves on the Montana Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee.

State Rejects Four-Lane Option For U.S. Two (Posted Thursday, September 2, 2004 09:17 AM)

(AP) - The head of the state Transportation Department today announced the department won't support widening a heavily traveled portion of U-S Highway Two into four lanes.

Director Dave Galt says his preference for improving the two-lane road between Havre and the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is to add some passing and turn lanes. Galt says that alternative was dictated by findings in an extensive environmental study of various options.

The report supports a two-lane project for the 45-mile stretch of highway. Galt says the Federal Highway Administration won't approve transforming U-S Two into a four-lane highway.

Whether to widen the 700-mile highway across the Hi-Line has been hotly debated for almost four years.The 2001 Legislature passed a law requiring a four-lane road. But the law also says the state can use only federal funds, and cannot take money from any other highway projects. (Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Police Department Receives Taser Training (Posted Wednesday, September 1, 2004 12:50 PM)

The Glasgow Police Department received training September 1st on the use of taser guns. A Sheriffs Deputy from Phillips County is instructing the officers of the Glasgow Police Department on how to properly use the taser guns. All officers must past a written exam before receiving certification to use the weapon.

Glasgow Police Chief Lyndon Erickson told Kltz/Klan that the police department has already purchased two taser guns with the intent to purchase two more. The guns will be assigned to each car in the department fleet.

Erickson said it is common place for law enforcement officers to carry taser guns as a supplement to other weapons that are used. The taser gun carries quite a wallop as it shoots out 50,000 volts of electricity.

Fish, Wildlife & Parks News (Posted Wednesday, September 1, 2004 09:42 AM)

Escaped elk from alternative-livestock facility all recovered

All three bull elk that escaped from a Phillips County alternative livestock ranch have been recovered. The elk, all sub-adult bulls, apparently dislodged a gate latch and walked away from the facility.

Fish, Wildlife & Parks enforcement officers were notified immediately of the Aug. 24 escape. Two of the bulls were rounded up by the game-farm owners on Aug. 25 and returned to the enclosure. The third bull returned to the enclosure on Aug. 26. The facility’s gates have been engineered to prevent a similar escape in the future.

Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Montana’s Department of Livestock cooperatively manage the state’s licensed alternative-livestock ranches.

Missouri Breaks bighorn sheep survey indicates strong population

A recent aerial survey of bighorn sheep populations in the Missouri Breaks indicates record-high numbers of sheep, and numbers of mature rams were especially high.

The survey of Hunting District 680 was conducted in late July by Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife biologist Mark Sullivan, who observed 386 sheep in the unit. That’s the highest population biologists have ever observed in HD 680, which extends along the north side of the Missouri River from eastern Chouteau County east through southern Blaine and Phillips counties. The eastern boundary is the Fred Robinson Bridge, U.S. Highway 191 and State Highway 66.

Sullivan observed 78 rams per 100 ewes and 46 lambs per 100 ewes, and noted that overall ram numbers were good, especially the number of ¾-curl to full-curl rams. Sullivan observed 63 of these ¾-curl rams, which typically range from 3 to 9 years of age.

“I made a subcategory of the ¾- to full-curl rams that I label as ‘pigs’ and I placed 29 sheep in that pig category,” says Sullivan. “These are rams that have heavier bases and broomed-back horns. Such rams are typically 6 or more years old.”

Breaking down the observed population into age and sex classes, Sullivan observed 172 ewes, 80 lambs and 134 rams. The previous high population observed in the summer survey was in 2001, when 373 total sheep were observed in Hunting District 680.

Upland game bird seasons open Sept. 1

Hunters will have more days to hunt some species of upland game birds this year. The season for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge and wild turkey extends through Jan. 1, 2005. In the past, the seasons for these species closed Dec. 15.

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission extended the season to provide hunters with more opportunity to harvest birds and to give families an opportunity to hunt together over the Christmas holidays. Not all upland bird seasons extend through the first of the year. Sage grouse season closes Nov. 1 and mountain grouse season closes Dec. 15.

Opening day is upon us. The opener for sharp-tailed and sage grouse, Hungarian partridge, wild turkey, dove and mountain grouse is today, Sept. 1. Pheasant season opens Oct. 9.

Rock Creek fish-cleaning station is operational

Fort Peck Lake anglers have another facility where they can fillet fish and dispose of carcasses. After two years of construction, the Rock Creek fish-cleaning station is completed and the facility is usable. This new facility will benefit all anglers in the Dry Arm area of the lake, and will be an added bonus for the Rock Creek area cabin owners.

The fish-cleaning station is located in the north shore of Rock Creek Bay, in the Rock Creek Recreation Area just north of the concrete boat ramps.

Development of this facility was a cooperative partnership with Walleyes Unlimited of Montana, Fort Peck Lake Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). The COE will maintain the site.

Fall 2004 Hunting Season Dates

Season dates for 2004 fall bird and big-game seasons:

Mourning Dove: Sept. 1-Oct. 30
Sage Grouse: Sept. 1-Nov.1
Sharp-tailed Grouse: Sept. 1-Jan.1
Hungarian Partridge: Sept. 1-Jan.1
Pheasant: Oct. 11-Jan.1
Wild Turkey: Sept. 1-Jan. 1
Archery Deer/Elk: Sept. 4-Oct. 17
Archery Antelope: Aug. 15-Oct. 9
General Antelope: Oct. 10-Nov. 7
General Deer/Elk: Oct. 24-Nov. 28

CRP Signup In Valley County (Posted Wednesday, September 1, 2004 09:41 AM)

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced a general CRP signup period from August 30, 2004 through September 24, 2004. 

In Valley County, the 1783.0 available acres have been committed to participation under the Wetland Reserve Program. 

Therefore, Valley County is only able to process CRP offers for continuous CRP for marginal pastureland on practices CP22, CP29, and CP30 and land which is physically located in Roosevelt or McCone County that is administered in the Valley County FSA Office. Roosevelt and McCone counties have not reached or exceeded the 25 percent cropland limitation. If you have any questions contact the Valley County FSA Office at 228-4321.

Salmon Derby Winners (Posted Wednesday, September 1, 2004 09:39 AM)

The 3rd Annual Salmon Derby on Fort Peck Reservoir was held on Saturday, August 28th with thirteen teams of two fishermen participating in the event.

Here are the results:

1st Place: Jacob Morris and Garrick Olson from Williston, North Dakota- 1 salmon @ 6.25 pounds.

2nd Place: Max and Kitty Chase from Emigrant, Montana- Drawn Winner

3rd Place: Ron And Berney Morris from Williston, North Dakota- Drawn Winner

The Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture would like to thank all of the fishermen that participated and the sponsors; Mon-Dak Marine, Scotty Downriggers, The Fort Peck Credit Union, Coca-Coca Bottling, D & G Sports and Western, Cottonwood Inn, Sinclair Distributors and Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture.

Montana USDA Officers Move Lending To The Web (Posted Wednesday, September 1, 2004 09:36 AM)

Helena City, Mont. (August 31, 2004) – Montana's Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will begin administering federal loans via the Internet beginning Monday, Sept. 6. FSA lenders are in Omaha, Neb the week of August 30 to learn the new system, which is designed to simplify the federal guaranteed loan program for Montana lenders and farmers.

The online system uses Web Equity Manager software created by ECI. Many of Montana’s 93 community banks, credit unions and farm credit service associations are reviewing the program via webcasts conducted by the company. Starting Sept. 6, Montana lenders will have the option of using the Web Equity Manager to provide loans guaranteed by the FSA, a division of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"Montana’s training is among the first steps to creating better information exchange between farmers and the lenders and community partners who help them receive government loans," said Gary Kruse, chairman and CEO of ECI, the Glenwood, Iowa-based developer of Web Equity Manager. "Web Equity Manager has made lending more efficient for private banks across the country, and we're confident the USDA will see similar benefits."

In October, when all 1,000 FSA offices have completed training, the FSA will be able to track financial data at the national, state or county levels to examine the impact of livestock-price fluctuations, floods or droughts.

Farmers will begin using Web Equity Manager in 2005 to update information on their operations, view projections for income and net worth and apply for agency loans online.

The FSA administers $16 billion in loans to 100,000 agricultural producers in more than 3,000 counties across the country, including nearly all 57 counties in Montana. There are 27,880 farms in Montana, according to data from the 2002 Census of Agriculture.

Gubernatorial Candidate Bob Brown Attends St Mary Rehabilitation Working Group Meeting in Chinook

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Brown met with the St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group during their meeting on August 25 at the Chinook Motor Inn. Both candidates for Montana’s governor were invited to attend last Wednesday’s meeting to discuss the need for the next administration in Helena to continue the rehabilitation effort spearheaded by Lt. Governor Ohs. Due to a scheduling conflict, Democratic candidate Brain Schweitzer was unable to make the trip to Chinook.

The morning’s discussion began with a PowerPoint presentation on the history of the St. Mary Facilities and a look at some of the issues the Working Group faces in getting the diversion system rehabilitated. Working Group members Randy Reed, Mike Barthel, Mike Tatsey, Randy Perez, and Dave Peterson spoke on the importance of having the next administration provide the same high level of support for the St. Mary rehabilitation effort as the project has been given by the current administration. Secretary Brown said he “applauded Lt Governor Ohs for his leadership in the effort to save the St. Mary's diversion system.” In addition Brown said he “will put the full force of the governor's office behind finishing what [Lt Governor Ohs] and the St. Mary's Rehabilitation Working Group have begun.” Brown suggested that revenue from Montana’s Coal Tax Trust Fund might be a source of funds to support the rehabilitation effort.

The Funding Subcommittee reported that the Working Group has received pledges totaling $103,100. This amount includes $40,800 from communities and counties along the Hi-line, $12,300 from Montana Walleye’s Unlimited, and $50,000 from the Milk River Joint Board of Control. Pledges from Walleye’s Unlimited have come from five different chapters of the organization. According to Ex Officio member John Tubbs, the willingness of Walleyes Unlimited to step up to the plate shows a true spirit of community cooperation. Money raised in the basin will be used to match $100,000 in State funds that Governor Judy Martz has pledged to the effort.

Members of the Working Group’s Engineering Review Subcommittee will hold a conference call with DNRC on Thursday September 2 to begin reviewing the qualifications of engineering firms that have expressed an interest in providing multi-disciplinary, professional engineering services for the rehabilitation and replacement of the St. Mary Diversion Facilities. DNRC is currently drafting the review and ranking criteria for selecting the most qualified firm. Members of the Engineering Sub-committee and DNRC are scheduled to report the results of their review back to the Working Group at September’s meeting.

For additional information visit the Working Group’s web site at www.dnrc.state.mt.us/stmarycover.htm or contact Paul Azevedo at the DNRC office in Helena, 406-444-6635.

1996 GHS Grad Killed In Iraq (Posted Wednesday, September 1, 2004 09:25 AM)

A 1996 Glasgow High School graduate, Aaron Holleyman, was killed in military action in Iraq on Monday when his convoy encountered an explosive device in western Iraq near the Syrian border.

Holleyman, 26, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Holleyman enlisted in the army right after graduating from Glasgow High School in 1996.

The Hollyemans lived in Glasgow from 1993-1997 while Aaron's father, Ross, was pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church. Aaron worked part-time at KLTZ/Mix-93 while he was in high school.

The military has reported that Holleyman's four-Humvee convoy was traveling down a dry riverbed Monday when a explosive device detonated on the last vehicle. Three other soldiers were thrown from the Humvee but suffered only minor injuries.

The military says four soldiers with Montana connections have died in Iraq since the beginning of military operations in March 2003.

Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.

Glasgow Woman Sentenced On Drug Charges (Posted Wednesday, September 1, 2004 09:22 AM)

Glasgow resident Sarah Crater has been sentenced by Judge John McKeon for her role in a drug bust in Glasgow earlier this year.

Crater had originally been charged with criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs by accountability and criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Both charges are felonies and could of resulted in life imprisonment for Crater if found guilty on the charges. The charges are the result of a drug bust that occurred in Glasgow on March 25th. Crater was arrested along with James Bush and Dave Irwin at a Glasgow residence that allegedly housed a clandestine drug lab.

On June 21st, Crater reached a plea agreement with the Valley County Attorney and agreed to plead guilty to the charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. The charge of criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs by accountability was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Crater was sentenced by Judge John McKeon on August 16th. She was given a 3 year deferred imposition of sentence and probation with the understanding she would be able to have the opportunity to clear her record of the felony charge. She was ordered to pay a fine $375.00 and also ordered to serve 17 days in the Valley County Jail. Judge McKeon gave Crater the opportunity to serve the jail time in increments of just 2 days a month. He also gave her the opportunity to receive credit for jail time by performing community service. For every 8 hours of community service she is to receive credit for one day of jail time.

The drug charges against Bush and Irwin are still pending in District Court in Glasgow.

Esther Grace Keough

Esther Grace Keough, age 92, passed away from natural causes on Wednesday – September 29, 2004 at the Valley View Nursing Home in Glasgow, Montana. Services are planned for Monday – October 4, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. at the Highland Cemetery in Glasgow, Montana with Rev. Jay Ashbaucher officiating. Interment will take place at Highland cemetary. Bell Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

BORN: April 21, 1912 in Seattle, Washington PARENTS: Chrest Nielsen and Christina (Kristensen) Nielsen Esther Grace Keough was born April 21, 1912 to Danish parents Chrest Nielsenand Christina Kristensen Nielsen in Seattle, Washington. She lived with her parents on the homestead southwest of Opheim attending a country grade school and High School in Glasgow, graduating in 1931. She also attended college in Dillon, MT for 1 year. On August 22, 1934 Esther married Frank Keough at the Nielsen family farm. They then moved to California where she was employed at the Hillman Dude Ranch as a housekeeper. Frank and Esther and daughter moved back to the Nielsen farm in 1938. They were raising sheep so she baked many loaves of bread for the sheepherders and cooked many meals. She belonged to the Baylor Homemakers Never Late Club. In 1961 Frank and Esther moved to the East Shore of the Flathead Lake. Esther helped with their cherry orchard and had many flowers which she enjoyed. In the summer, when the grandchildren visited she took them to swimming lessons in Polson so they could learn to swim even though she didn’t know how. Esther made many crocheted afghans for the family. In 1999 Frank and Esther moved back to Glasgow to the Nemont Manor. Esther and Frank had a long and good marriage and enjoyed playing cards and going to dances. In 2001 Esther lived with her daughter until moving to Valley View.

SURVIVORS: Daughter: Grace Oliver of Glasgow, MT Grandchildren: Larry (Mendy) Oliver of Danville, California Vicki (Dennis) Sulser of Billings, MT Linda Oliver of Bend, Oregon Vonnie (Steve) Pattison of Glasgow, MT Great Grandchildren: Masie Sulser, Chelsie Pattison, Leo Pattison, Shielda Pattiosn, Ryan Oliver, Katherine Oliver Several nieces and nephews and 3 sisters-in-law.

Debra Jean Peltier

Debra Jean Peltier, age 50, of Glendive, passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at the Glendive Medical Center. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, October 1, 2004 at the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive with Pastor Larry Phalen officiating. Interment will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, October 2, 2004 in the Fort Peck Cemetery in Fort Peck, Montana, with Reverend Marty Mock officiating. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at; www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com.

Deb was born on February 9, 1954 in Glasgow, Montana, the daughter of Ronald Joseph and Laura Alice (Dolson) Wallem. She attended school in Fort Peck until the eighth grade when she continued her education in Glasgow, graduating from Glasgow High School with the class of 1972. Deb attended Dawson Community College in Glendive. Deb was married to Jim Peltier on March 6, 1984 in Elko, Nevada. They moved to Glendive in 1995 where Deb worked for geological survey for a short time and at Eastmont Human Services Center. She also went to Justin Handran’s home three days a week to help him. She cherished him very much. Deb’s hobbies included fishing, painting and she loved picking rocks and collecting frogs.

Survivors include her husband, Jim, of Glendive; two sons, Jeremy Pliley and his wife Heather of Fort Morgan, Colorado and Michael Peltier of Glendive; two daughters, Amanda Peltier and Allison Peltier, both of Glendive; one brother, David Wallem of Renton, Washington; two sisters, Cheryl Wallem Feezell of Mansfield, Texas and Shelly Riggin of Glasgow, Montana; two granddaughters, Cora Whisper Wilke and Dacey Katheryn Pliley, whom she loved very much.

Calvin "Jim" Gray

Calvin "Jim" Gray, age 5, passed away on Friday- September 24, 2004 in Glasgow, MT. Services are planned Thursday, September 30, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Lutheran Church in Glasgow, Montana. Interment will take place on Friday- October 1, 2004 - Scobey Cemetery in Scobey, Montana at 11:30 A.M. with Rev. Marin Mock officiating. Bell Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Jim was preceded in death by brother Palmer Gray in 1994.

BORN: November 2, 1948 in Scobey, Montana PARENTS: Gordon and Lena (Huebert) Gray Calvin "Jim" Gray was born on November 2, 1948 in Scobey, Montana to Gordon and Lena (Huebert) Gray. He was raised in Richland, Montana. Jim Graduated from Opheim High School. He farmed and ranched in North Eastern Montana. He enjoyed playing cards, reading, loved to dance, play music, play the guitar, banjo, and fiddle. He never missed a dance and enjoyed country western music.

Survivors Father: Gordon Gray of Glasgow Mother : Lena Gray of Glasgow One Sister: Sandra and (Milo) Turner of Minneapolis, Minnesota Two Brothers: Les and (Patty) Gray of Glasgow, MT Dennis Gray of Peerless, MT Several Nieces and Nephews.

August Hylka Dooper

August Hylka Dooper, age 85, passed away from natural causes at the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow, Montana on Wednesday - September 22, 2004. Services are planned for Monday - September 27, 2004 at 10:00 A.M. at the St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Glasgow, Montana. Interment will take place at Highland Cemetery in Glasgow, MT. Bell Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers will be Mark Dooper, Eric Thorp, Roger Waarvik, John "Buster" Wing, and August's grandsons T.J. Poulsen, Matt and Cole Dooper. A memorial has not been established; the family asks that memorials be made to a charity of the donor's choice. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Irene Smith and Marie Ouren, brothers Bernard and Edward Dooper and a grandson Lucas Hunter Dooper.

August arrived in Glasgow 50 years ago in June of 1954 when construction of the Air Base runway began. He married Carrol Davenport in Wolf Point on June 17, 1955. They had five children: Terri Payseno of Pocatello, ID, Tom Dooper and his wife, Candy, of Lusk, Wyo., Kim Dooper of Cody, Wyo., Darla (Pokey) Dooper of Great Falls, and August (Tinker) Dooper of Laurel, and a daughter-in-law Paula Dooper of Laurel, MT. Gus was born September 16, 1919 in Amery, Wisconsin. He was one of eight children born to Bernard Helka and Catherine Dosch Dooper. He attended country school up until his freshman year when he transferred to the high school in Amery, graduating in 1938. His father died when he was nine and he became responsible for milking cows and feeding cattle before school and then came home to relieve his mother in the fields after school. He said it would take him two days to seed 20 acres behind two horses and that could now be done by tractor in less than 20 minutes. Following his high school graduation, he continued to work on the family farm until he was drafted into WWII in 1942. He crossed the English Channel on his 23rd birthday and served in the 754th Field Artillery Battalion (Ruffey's Outlaws) in England, France, Germany, Belgium, and Austria, supplying ammunition to the big guns. He was involved in the Battle of the Bulge and remembered hearing the shells overhead when the Germans were firing at the English and French across the English Channel. Upon his discharge from the Army in Iowa in 1944, Gus relocated to Phoenix to find relief for his asthma. After working at several odd jobs, he began his career in road construction when he went to work for his brother-in-law, Ray O'Meara with Northwestern Engineering. He later began working for Gus Albert of Miles City as a blade operator on construction jobs in South Dakota, Oklahoma and Montana. Gus was known as the best blade operator in the state before retiring for health reasons in 1981. Pops, as he was known to many, was an avid hunter and continued to enjoy the thrill of the hunt up until his death. He also enjoyed making trips to Ft. Peck, Nelson Reservoir and the Fred Robinson Bridge to watch the boys catch their limit. Gus was a regular at garage sales, the local grocery stores, and at his "supermarket" in his beloved car, the Bonnie.

He is survived by his wife, children and six grandchildren: T.J. Poulsen, Katie Payseno, Matt, Dani, Cole and Bailey Dooper, and sisters Sister Magdalen Dooper of the Order of St. Benedict, Duluth, Minn.; Elizabeth Coy, Portland, Oreg.; and Dorothy O'Meara, Tucson, Ariz.

Isabelle Marie Runsthrough Ackerman

Isabelle Marie Runsthrough Ackerman, age 75, passed away on Saturday - September 18, 2004 at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point, Montana. Services are planned for Tuesday - September 21, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. with Graveside at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Frazer, Montana with Rev. Verle Follett officiating. Interment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery in Frazer, Montana. Bell Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. She was preceded in death with two daughters, her husband, mother, father, 1 brother and 1 sister.

Mrs. Ackerman was born July 19, 1929 in Wiota, MT and lived in Frazer all her life. She married Wilbert Ackerman Sr. in 1953. Isabelle enjoyed working at the Air Force Base in Glasgow and A&S Industries. She enjoyed sewing, playing keno/bingo, playing cards, watching grandchildren play basketball, watching her favorite TV shows, talking on the phone with her brother Floyd, her grandchildren, and watching her favorite baseball team the Chicago Cubs. Isabelle raised a lot of children throughout her years of living, including Apollo and Izzy Ackerman, Elijah and Douglas Jr, Charlette, Leo, and Helen Runsthrough, Neva Spotted Wolf, Rocky Desjarlais, Merle and Wayne Smith, Ken Clampitt, Garrett Bigleggins, Jr., Gary Wells, Todd Bauer, Harvey Campbell, Phillip Barria, Sam Boxer, Ervin Blue Earth, Marian Johnston/Follett, Colleen Campbell, Jr. Campbell, Mason Runsthrough Jr., Aaron Ackerman and many others. Isabelle was a very loving and caring mother, grandmother, and sister. She will be greatly missed.

Surviving children: Douglas (Lisa) Runsthrough, Cordellia Ackerman, Jewel (Milo), Stanley (Lori) Ackerman, Wanda (Gary), Floyd Sr. (Lisa) Ackerman, Ray Ackerman and Wilbert Jr. (Gracie) Ackerman, all of Frazer. MT. Surviving Brothers and Sisters: Floyd Runsthrough of Bedford, Texas; Wallace Runsthrough of Frazer, and Wilma Christiansen of Frazer, MT. Surviving Grandchildren: Douglas Jr., Elijah, Ember, Sacred, and Lucy Runsthrough, Thelma, Gary, Aaron Sr. and Kevin Ackerman, Phillip Sr., Tasha, Sasha, Philisha, and Shilo Fourstar, Lovell, Landyn, Tyler, and Floyd Ackerman Jr., Cassandra, Katie, Catrina, Oclaviee, Gretchen, and Stanley Ackerman Jr., Wilbert III, Gage, Xander, Nicole Ackerman, Marquita, Ashely and Gavin Bigleggins, Izzey, Apollo, and Wilbert Ackerman, and numerous great grandchildren.

Rita Track

Rita Track, age 74, passed away on Friday - September 17, 2004 of natural causes at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point, MT. Sercices are planned for Tuesday - September 21, 2004 at 10:00 A.M. at the Frazer Presbyterian Church in Frazer, Montana with Pastor Danny Lindsey officiating. Interment will take place at the Clark Family Cemetery in Frazer, MT. Bell Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roy, and brothers Ernie and Calvin Clark.

BORN: March 16, 1930 in Poplar, Montana PARENTS: Walter Clark and Nellie Clark Rita attended schools in Frazer through the eleventh grade and then moved to Wolf Point, MT and graduated from Wolf Point High School. Rita married Roy Track on December 28, 1948 in Seattle, Washington. He worked for the Civil Service and they lived in Oklahoma and Arizona. Roy passed away on February 2, 1990. Rita moved to Wolf Point in 1994 and has lived their since. She loved to read and enjoyed crossword puzzles. She loved magazines and watching sports on television, especially football. Her favorite team was the Parker Broncs in Arizona.

SURVIVORS: Sons: Kenton Track and his wife Etta of Phoenix, Arizona Donald Track of Phoenix, Arizona Gale Track of Phoenix, Arizona Step-son: Roy Track Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona Special niece/daughter: Danna Runsabove of Frazer, MT Sister: Bernadine Wallace of Frazer, MT Brothers: Donald Clark of Frazer, MT Walter Clark of Frazer, MT Uncle: Joseph Clark of Frazer, MT 11 Grandchildren 7 great grandchildren Several nieces and nephews.

Myrna R. Newton

Myrna R. Newton, age 65, passed away from cancer on Monday, September 13, 2004 at the Valley View Nursing Home. Services are planned for Thursday - September 16, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Glasgow, Montana with Rev. Dave Hodsdon officiating. Interment will take place in Highland Cemetery in Glasgow, MT. Bell Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Preceded in death by a sister Carol Rice in 1991.

BORN: July 18, 1939 in Glasgow, Montana PARENTS: Walter K. Newton and Frances (Sandvig) Newton Myrna attended the Newton School south of Glasgow and then Glasgow High School. She lived at home on the family farm south of Glasgow and then moved into Glasgow in 1965. Myrna very much enjoyed her independence and especially loved her cats. She collected every trinket she could find. She also enjoyed sewing, embroidery, and made pot scrapers. Myrna walked everywhere in Glasgow everyday, even if it was 40 degrees below zero. She loved to eat at Eugene's Pizza.

SURVIVORS: Parents: Walter and Frances Newton of Glasgow, MT Sister: Helen Squires and (Leon) of Glasgow, MT Brother: Carl Newton and (Cheryl) of Freeport, Maine Gale Newton and (Cheryl) of Oxford, Ohio Brother In Law: Sid Rice and (Pat) of Glasgow, MT, Many nieces and nephews, including Juanite Morehouse (Kent) of Glasgow, Jerry Rice (Ginger) of Belgrade, MT, Joan Murr of Glasgow, Jay Rice (Miranda) of Glasgow, Kate Newton of Washington D.C., Elliot Newton of Oxford, Ohio, Gary Squires (Dawn) and Dale Squires (Kathy) of Billings, M