The proposed easement will conserve and enhance riparian habitats associated with the Milk River Valley and Buggy Creek drainages as well as their associated uplands, perpetuate agriculture as the principle use of these productive river bottoms and uplands, and maintain public access to this land.

Wildlife species commonly observed on the Cornwell properties include whitetail and mule deer, antelope, sharptail and sage grouse, ring-necked pheasants, Merriam’s wild turkeys, morning doves, and a variety of waterfowl. This stretch of the Milk River Valley, Buggy Creek drainage, and associated uplands also support a rich diversity of songbirds and small mammals.

The easement will maintain the present agricultural use of the farm and ensure free access for hunters and other recreationists. A rest-rotation grazing system, as well as habitat conservation and restoration projects will be implemented to maintain and improve wildlife habitat on the property.

This project is outlined in an Environmental Assessment located on the FWP Website at http://fwp.mt.gov.publicnotices/ or available from Region 6 FWP by calling 228-3700. Comments on the Environmental Assessment will be accepted through May 28, 2008. A public meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, at 7:00 PM, at the Cottonwood Inn in Glasgow. The meeting will detail terms of the easement. Comments will be collected at the meeting or can be made by writing:

MFWP
Attn: Olsen Property Conservation Easement
54078 Highway 2 West
Glasgow, MT 59230

Comments can also be emailed to jelletson@mt.gov.

Between May 20 and May 23, the Glasgow Field Station will essentially be closed in order to pack the office and relocate to the new location. On those days, the Glasgow BLM will not conduct over-the-counter transactions or phone business.

The Glasgow BLM will resume full services on Tuesday, May 27 at their new address, 5 Lasar Drive, Glasgow, MT 59230. The office phone number will remain the same (406) 228-3750. Their general mail address will remain the same (BLM, Glasgow Field Station, PO Box 871, Glasgow, MT 59230-0871) for the next month, and then will change to 5 Lasar Drive, Glasgow, MT 59230.

“We look forward to serving the public from this new location beginning on May 27, and hope the down time does not create any serious inconvenience. Due to the size of our staff and high tempo workload, I highly encourage the public to schedule appointments so we may serve your needs efficiently,” offered Casey Buechler, the recently appointed Glasgow Field Station manager.

Mr. Buechler transferred to the Glasgow BLM from the Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Region (where he worked as a biologist) in March 2008.

The Valley County Attorney is alleging that Whitten used a fuel credit card belonging to Valley County to obtain clear diesel fuel from the cardtrol pump at Agland Co-op in Nashua on 36 different occasions. It's alleged that Whitten stole 604 gallons of diesel fuel at a cost of $2,055.82.

Whitten has pleaded not guilty to the charge and an omnibus hearing has been set for July 21st. Whitten is free on $2000 bond.

Court documents state that Whitten was a member of the Nashua Volunteer Fire Department and allegedly took the gas credit card from a fire truck used by the fire department and used the card to purchase fuel for his own vehicle.

A Valley County Commissioner noticed the high charges on the credit card in December of 2007 and thought the charges were unusual because the Nashua Fire Department hadn't responded to any fires in the time period the charges were made.

An Ag-Land Co-op employee noticed Whitten using the cardtrol pump on January 15th and after checking the pump it was realized that Whitten was using the county credit card to fuel his own vehicle.

Whitten was confronted by the Valley County Sheriffs Office on January 15th and according to court documents, he admitted to taking the fuel card and using it for his personal use.

If convicted on the felony charge, Whitten could be sentenced up to 10 years in prison and fined up to $50,000.

To those of us in the fire suppression business, our goals are the same no matter what fire season brings. We do our utmost to control all fires at the initial attack stage. The BLM and its interagency partners suppress the vast majority of wildland fires during initial attack. One of the reasons for this success is the great working relationship among all the firefighting agencies.

As we approach the 2008 summer fire season, we would like to recognize the entire fire service which protects eastern Montana. The federal firefighting agencies, along with the Montana Department of Natural Resources, support the local fire service through federal grants such as the Rural Fire Assistance and Volunteer Fire Service programs.

We’re preparing for the 2008 fire season as we fully staff our BLM fire engines and helicopter crews, train our new firefighters, and ready our equipment. In addition to stationing fire crews in Billings, Lewistown, and Miles City, we have fire stations in such far-flung communities as Camp Crook, S.D., and Fort Howes, Bridger, and Zortman, Mont. These crews, along with firefighters from the rural fire departments and local landowners, are the front lines of fire response.

We encourage all citizens of Montana to support their local fire departments while we continue to build interagency relationships and enhance suppression response.

Gene R. Terland
BLM Montana State Director

The National Weather Service in Glasgow and the Valley County Search and Rescue will be hosting a free Skywarn-Severe Weather Spotter class at the Long Run Fire Department on May 15th from 7 to 9 pm. This training is for anyone with an interest in weather, or those who need to work outdoors, and for whom safety is a priority.

The first 90 minutes will cover thunderstorm specifics, identification of severe storms and safety. The final 30 minutes will cover the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network, showing how to measure snowfall, hail and rain. No RSVP is necessary. For more information contact Tanja Fransen, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service Glasgow, 406-228-2850.

The snowpack in the Rocky Mountains peaked in late-April slightly above normal. Above Fort Peck, it topped at 111 percent of normal, and 110 percent in the reach between Fort Peck and Garrison, essentially the Yellowstone River basin.

“Cool temperatures have slowed the melt of the mountain snowpack,” said Larry Cieslik, Chief of the Water Management office here. “This, coupled with the very dry plains, has impacted our ability to keep rising water levels in each of the big reservoirs during the forage fish spawn this spring. The forage base is what supports game fish such as walleye and salmon.”

Garrison, the favored reservoir this year, declined half a foot in the second half of April, despite efforts to maintain a steady or rising water level. This included higher releases from Fort Peck and lower releases from Garrison. The Corps did not implement additional reductions because of potential impacts to municipal water intakes and the walleye fishery in the river below the dam.

“We have seen more rain in the Garrison drainage and the mountain snowmelt has begun, so we expect to be able to keep the reservoir steady to rising through the remainder of the smelt spawn in May,” said Cieslik.

Runoff for 2008 is forecast to total 20 million acre feet (MAF). The storage in the reservoirs was 37.1 MAF on the first of the month, 0.5 MAF higher than last year at this time. The May spring pulse from Gavins Point Dam will not be conducted this year because storage was below the preclude level of 40 MAF on May 1.

The Missouri River navigation season opened at St. Louis, Mo., April 1. Because of the low system storage, only minimum service flow support will be provided this year for navigation and other downstream uses. Forecasts show that the season will be shortened by 30 to 58 days. The final decision on season length will be made following the storage check on July 1.

The releases from a number of the reservoirs will again be regulated from late spring through most of the summer to protect the nests and chicks of the least tern and piping plover. Both birds are protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Last year, the average release from the system set an all-time record low due to drought conservation measures and high downstream tributary inflow. Corps officials expect that releases will continue to be much-below average this year as efforts continue to conserve water during this extended drought.

Releases from Gavins Point Dam averaged 14,800 cfs in April. This is compared to the normal 25,500 cfs. Releases in May are expected to average 16,400 cfs, compared to the long-term average of 28,800 cfs. They will be adjusted as necessary if high downstream flows pose risks of low land flooding.

Fort Randall releases averaged 12,000 cfs in April. They will be adjusted in May as necessary to maintain Gavins Point reservoir near its desired elevation.

Big Bend reservoir will remain in its normal range of 1420 to 1421 feet. Releases will be adjusted to meet hydropower needs.

Oahe reservoir fell less than half a foot in April, ending at elevation 1582.8 feet msl. Releases in May will average 9,700 cfs, compared to the long-term average of 22,000 cfs. The reservoir is expected to rise nearly two feet, ending the month at 1584.5 feet. That is 20 feet below its normal elevation. The reservoir is currently nearly 7 feet higher than it was last year at this time.

Garrison releases averaged 12,500 cfs during April compared to the long-term average of 19,600 cfs. Releases will average 14,000 cfs during May, compared to the average of 19,200 cfs. Garrison reservoir ended April at 1807.3 feet. It is expected to rise nearly 2 feet this month, ending at 1809 feet, 26 feet below normal. The reservoir is currently 1.3 feet lower than last year at this time.

Fort Peck releases averaged 6,000 cfs in April, compared to the long-term average of 7,500 cfs, and will be maintained at 7,500 cfs this month, compared to the long-term average of 9,200 cfs. The reservoir fell half a foot in April, ending at elevation 2198.7 feet msl. It will rise 1.5 feet in May, ending the month at elevation 2200.2 feet, 30 feet below normal. It is currently 0.6 feet higher than last year at this time.

The six main stem power plants generated 424 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity in April, only 60 percent of normal because of lower pool levels and reduced releases from the dams. Total energy production for 2008 is forecasted to be 5.6 billion kWh, compared to the average of 10 billion kWh.

According to the fire department, the house fire was contained to the kitchen area but the house suffered plenty of smoke damage. The damage estimate was over $25,000.

Early indications are that the fire started in the kitched with an electrical short.

No injuries were reported and 2 fire trucks and 6 firemen responded to the fire.

Jon Bengochea-343
Suzanne Billingsley-211
David Irving-362
Jenny Jennings-227
Rod Ost-49

Glasgow Mill Levy Request:

For-434
Against-201

Nashua- 2 Trustee positions available

Kirk Sibley-92
Ryan Williams-94
Daryl Peters-132

Nashua Mill Levy Request:

For:115
Against:47

Hinsdale-

High School Mill Levy Request for $12,202.11
For:61
Against: 9

Elementary Mill Levy Request for $10,161,48
For:59
Against:10

Frazer- 2 Trustee Positions available

Gracie Ackerman-35
Dorian Talks Different-58
Yancy Beston-50
Donna Johnston-59
Ed Bauer-66

High School Levy

For-114
Against-47

Amber Buckles was charged with the misdemeanor after the owner of a downtown Glasgow clothing store notified police that she believed that Buckles and several other people had stolen clothing from the store.

The owner of the store gave a complete description of the vehicle that the alleged shoplifter got into after leaving the store. The Valley County Sheriff's Office spotted the vehicle and the Glasgow Police Department responded and made the arrest.

Buckles was charged with misdemeanor theft from buildings and posted bond in Glasgow City Court. The value of the clothing that was taken from the store is valued at $352.00. She is scheduled for an appearance in City Court on Monday.

Suzanne Billingsley
Dave Irving
Jon Bengochea

For the past 3 years Valley County has been looking at ways to solve the problem of the current detention center in the basement of the Valley County Courthouse. The current jail doesn’t meet federal or state jail standards and the county is fearful of being liable in a lawsuit if changes aren’t made to the way Valley County incarcerates its inmates.

The commissioners had been looking at a 40 bed detention center which would be located next to the airport in Glasgow. The cost of that facility would be $5.7 million on a lease purchase agreement. The lease purchase financing package would have the county basically lease the detention center and they would pay a yearly payment. But since the county wouldn’t be borrowing the money for the facility no public vote would have to be taken for approval. And if the county were to not make the yearly payment the facility would be turned back over to the bondholders and the county would have no responsibility.

During a conference call on Wednesday the commissioners were told by representatives of the financial company D.A. Davidson that the lease purchase financing might not be available anymore. The commissioners were told that the financial bond market has collapsed and credit is now very tight with less money available. When the lease purchase financing was first proposed over a year ago credit was very loose across the country but the bubble has now popped and it might not be possible to do the lease purchase.

The commissioners were told another possible option to finance a new detention center is to issue a general obligation bond request. This bond request would have to be approved by the voters of Valley County. The interest rate on a general obligation bond request would be an estimated 5% compared to 7% for a lease purchase. The commissioners estimate that the 2% difference in interest rates could save the county almost $1.5 million in finance charges.

So this latest development leaves the county back at square one with the financing of the proposed detention center. The commissioners were left pondering the next step after the conference call on Wednesday. They are still considering a 40 bed jail next to the airport at a cost of $4 million. If they elected to go with a general obligation bond request it could be unique in the fact it would be a floating bond. This means that if the yearly payment for the detention center was $400,000 the county would be able to use any profits derived from the facility to make the payment. For example, if the county would have a profit of $200,000 on the detention center that money could be used for the yearly payment which would require $200,000 to be assessed on the taxpayers of Valley County.

The Valley County Commissioners have another conference call scheduled next week with their financial advisors to map out a plan for Valley County to build a new detention center.

Boys- Bull Riding, Tie Down Roping, Breakaway Roping, Chute Dogging, Team roping, Ribbon Roping, and Goat Tying

This is an opportunity for 6th, 7th, & 8th, grade youth to earn thousands of dollars in college scholarships and prepare them for next level of competition in High School Rodeo.

On Friday night the Glasgow Rodeo Committee has partnered with the Northeast Montana Fair Board and the Valley County Optimist club to bring Patrica Ryan to town for an evening of entertainment in the Valley Event center. Once again more information will be given as details are finalized; “ Willie Plouffe is are chairman for this event”.

The Wrangler Jr. Rodeo will bring people from all over the State of Montana to Glasgow so any promotional information you’d like to provide to place in the goody bags would be greatly appreciated.

The Feather Fest is a fun time for families and individuals interested in learning more about Northeastern Montana’s birds and the habitats they live in. We welcome all people to learn more about the birds around them-from people with a budding interest to advanced birders.

Four field trips are offered, including North Valley Grasslands, which was recently featured in Montana Outdoors as one of the top 10 birding spots in Montana. Trips are also offered to Missouri River Cottonwoods, South Valley County Sage, and new this year Manning Lake Wetlands. The weekend includes a canoe trip, bird banding demonstration, birding for kids ,and a picnic at the Fort Peck Interpretive Center.

Registration is $15.00 for students,$25.00 for adults and $45.00 for a family of four. For More information contact the Glasgow Chamber at 406-228-2222 or chamber@glasgowmt.net.

They are inspired by the soft, sensitive songwriting of John Mayer, the funky quirkiness of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the in-your-face proclamations made by the country stars Big & Rich.

The Dirty Shame has been rocking audiences throughout Montana for the past two years. They know how to please a crowd. They perform traditional two steppin ballads to rowdy rockin outlaw favorites. Their sets are well executed modern renditions of classics from Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash as well as catchy original material woven throughout.

The 4th Street Band is some of Glasgow’s home town boys that play a variery of covers ranging from Van Halen to Clapton.

Participants will be able to sample Micro Brews from Montana and National brands. Food will be provided by Foodservices of America and Sysco.

The Festival will be held at the Cottonwood Inn, Highway 2 East in Glasgow Montana, from 4PM-midnight on May 10, 2008. The cost is $30.00 pre-sale and $35.00 at the door. Tickets for the evening include Fun, Food, and Entertainment. For more information contact the Glasgow chamber at 406-228-2222, email: chamber@glasgowmt.net

The charges are the result of incidents that allegedly occurred in January of 2008. According to the court documents Spencer allegedly entered a home located at 1300 3rd Avenue South in Glasgow and took money and prescription drugs without consent.

Spencer has been charged with stealing $20 from the home and also the prescription drug Ritalin. She allegedly entered the home when the parent was gone but the children were home. When the parent noticed that the prescription drug was missing she notified the Glasgow Police Department. The GPD eventually set up a hidden camera in the home and caught Spencer allegedly stealing the prescription drug from the home.

When confronted by the GPD, Spencer denied stealing the drugs but admitted to stealing the $20 and some quarters from the residence.

Spencer is free on $5000 bond and will make a court appearance on May 19th in Glasgow in front of Judge John McKeon.

The writing selections include: Emma Andrus’ short story "Light as a Feather," Kyla Wall’s essay "Time Taken," Wyatt Shipp’s poem "The Golden Sea," Sarah Grobel’s untitled poem, and Tess Fahlgren’s "Memoir." Eighth graders Haley Lipszyc and Berkley Svingen created the art selections.

The purposes of the magazine are to provide a showcase for young Montana writers and artists and to provide a model of student excellence for use in the classroom. Each year, teachers of kindergarten through twelfth grade are encouraged to enter the very best work submitted to them to a regional selection committee. That committee’s choices are then forwarded to the state level where a second selection occurs. This year’s edition features work from 118 teachers in 86 schools in 56 towns.

Complimentary copies have been sent to each public school library and 25 participating private school libraries, which numbers nearly 900 libraries. Members of the public may purchase copies for $6 from Signatures From Big Sky, 928 4th Ave. Laurel, MT 59044.

The contest is offered to students at three levels: grades 4-6; grades 7-8; and grades 9-12. State winners in each category compete at the national level for prizes and a trip to the Library of Congress.

"Kayla won the national Earth Team Individual Award in recognition of all the help she provided as a part of the NRCS field team in Jordan," said Dave White, Montana State Conservationist. "Kayla helped manage the office and developed conservation plan maps that saved NRCS employees' time and provided a quality product to NRCS customers."

Kayla has done all this even though she has Osteogenesis imperfecta or brittle bone disease. Kayla is two and a half feet tall and motors around in an electric chair. She is very mobile and quick with a keyboard and mouse.

Kayla's award ceremony is open to the pubic and the media is welcome to attend.

The NRCS is proud of Kayla and all the Earth Team volunteers in Montana working to help people help the land. For more information about the Earth Team or the Earth Team volunteer serving in Montana, please contact Robert Moler, Montana Earth Team Coordinator, at 406-587-6842 or robert.moler@mt.usda.gov.

There has not been a deadline set for the Program. However, the FSA Office wants to remind livestock producers who have not made an application they should contact the office for further information and to schedule an appointment for filing an application.

You may call the Valley County FSA Office at 228-4321 Extension 2.

Glasgow is located in Valley County, on the Milk River in Northwestern Montana, situated just 60 miles south of the Canadian Border and 125 miles West of North Dakota. The population of Glasgow is 3,284, and the population in Valley County is 7,349 residents, making it Montana's 27th most populous County.

As a small rural Montana community, Glasgow has overcome many obstacles to growth. In response to the Glasgow Air Force Base closing in the late 1960's, an entity called Valley County Development Council was formed. This was done so the Economic Development Administration would recognize Valley County as a designated redevelopment area. The EDA provided funding for Valley County Development Council until 1988 when they stopped recognizing single-county development areas and encouraged participation in multi-county development regions. Unfortunately when the funding ceased, the council faltered. Then in the early 1990's when Boeing Corporation was attempting to purchase the former air force base, community leaders recognized the need for a local development organization to facilitate the deal, and in October 1991, Two Rivers Economic Growth was born. The purpose of this organization was to provide for economic stability and growth in Glasgow and Valley County in order to make it a more appealing place to live, work and play.

Two Rivers actively supports, promotes and advocates for small business retention and development in Glasgow and Valley County. They work closely with Great Northern Development Corporation which is the certified regional development corporation for the six counties in Northeastern Montana, making appropriate referrals for emerging and existing businesses that need assistance with financial management, bookkeeping, workforce development issues, and other financial and technical business issues.

Recreation is a large industry in the area and Glasgow has representatives on the Missouri River regional tourism board, as well as other statewide boards that work to attract and retain residents and businesses in rural Montana communities. Incentives for development in Glasgow/Valley County include low cost land, ample water supply and a wide array of job training funds from the State of Montana. In addition, the City of Glasgow will extend city water and sewer services when necessary for new development and offers revenue bonding authority. Valley County offers partial property tax abatement and revenue bonding authority.

Millions of dollars in federal, state, county, local, foundation and private funds have been leveraged in Glasgow and Valley County to create community resources including, the Valley Event Center, Home Run Kids Fishing Pond, Fort Peck Interpretive Center, Fort Peck Paleontology Center, The Children's Museum of Northeast Montana, Hi-Line Grind Skate Park, Valley Public Television, and New Trends in Agriculture Seminars to name a few. These essential community facilities make Glasgow and Valley County an attractive place to live, work, and play. They also contribute substantially to the local economy as well as small businesses throughout the region. Numerous small businesses have been created and others have been able to stay in business as a result of the revenue these remarkable facilities generate.

The CAC is a general advisory committee that meets between three and four times annually and works with FWP on all issues and programs. Citizen advisors serve in a voluntary capacity with meals and travel expenses provided for a three-year term. The meetings, which are open to the public, are held in various communities around the region and generally are devoted to two or three main topics, though citizen advisors come to meetings prepared to discuss the whole breadth of FWP business, from wildlife and fisheries management to access, recreation and law enforcement.

Applicants are being sought to fill vacancies created by the expiration of the terms of Fran Buell of Gildford, Darlyne Dascher of Fort Peck, Tom Burch of Fort Peck, Howard Pippin of Saco and Dustin Hill of Scobey. Residents of those communities are encouraged to apply for the vacancies, though applicants will be considered from across Region 6. Applicants will be asked to provide an overview of their interests and involvement in natural resource issues plus write a few sentences on why they are interested in serving on the CAC. To obtain an application, either call FWP at 228-3700, email Judy Elletson at jelletson@mt.gov, write CAC Application, FWP, 54078 U.S. Highway 2 West, Glasgow MT 59230 or go online to http://fwp.mt.gov/news/article_6697.aspx

Completed applications must be received by FWP by May 31. Candidates will be selected by a panel comprised of FWP managers, members of the public and incumbent CAC members. Finalists will be notified by July 1 and should be prepared to attend their first meeting in the fall.

The cost is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members.

The session can benefit all businesses in our community. Employers and employees will learn specific information about Glasgow and Valley County. It's an opportunity to learn how to make your employees and customers a profitable combination.

RSVP the Chamber office to sign up by April 21st at 228-222 or e-mail: chamber@glasgowmt.net

Established by the Class of 1938 in 1964, the Trust now holds assets valued over $2.4 million dollars. The interest on these funds is distributed semi-annually through an application process administered by the trustees. Students may apply by June 15th for both semesters of the upcoming school term or by October 15th for the spring semester only. The interest is also used to purchase enrichment programs and equipment for GHS that cannot be financed within the school's regular budget.

Whenever the trust receives donations that total $500 or more in honor, memory, or recognition of a specific individual, a gift is made in that person‚s name. Donations of $10,000 or more entitle the giver to an annual naming opportunity.

For more information about the trust, or an application, please contact: Danielle Anderson (406) 228-4203; Jeanine Markle (406) 228-2858 jjmark@nemontel.net; Doris Leader (406) 228-9391 or (406)747-3432; or Linda Allie (406) 228-8561.

In 2007 first place winners Mike & Reg Gibbs took home $7000 with a total two day weight of 66.72 pounds. 466 Walleye were caught in the two day tournament, the largest walleye caught was 13.69 lbs, there were no zero weights, and the top 34 teams caught at least 15 lbs. The MT Governor’s Cup pays back 80% of the entry fee in cash and prizes. The MT Governor’s Cup is now a part of the Walleyes Unlimited Montana Walleye Circuit. The entry fee for the two day event is $400.00. Mike Dempsey from Glasgow was the winner of a $400.00 entry fee raffle. Another entry fee raffle will be drawn for May 6 at the Gateway in Fort Peck.

The 2008 MT Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament is the Premier walleye tournament in Montana. This year’s tournament has something for everyone, the Guys & Gals Tournament, Kid’s Fishing, the Friday Fish Fry, a day at the Fort Peck Interpretive Center, and an evening at the Fort Peck Summer Theatre.

For more information call the Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce & Ag at 406-228-2222 or go to http://www.mtgov.com

Once again it is time to do the Annual Spring Cleaning at the Pioneer Museum. Friends Of The Pioneer Museum heads up this project every spring. This year we will be meeting at the Pioneer Museum on Saturday, April 26th at 8:30 A.M. to get that job done. We will be working until everything is all done. We need all the helping hands we can possibly get.

This year we will also be cleaning the Quast House. We really enjoy this project because we get to see so many of our friends and spend time with them. We are also going to be cleaning up outside around the Museum. For that we may need you to bring whatever rakes and yard tools that you can.

We will also being serving refreshments. So please come join us and bring a friend. You will have a good time and you will also be helping us out as we prepare for guests who will be showing up soon.

Any maps not picked up before April 30th, 2008 will be sent in the mail.

For further information, contact the Valley County Farm Service Agency at (406) 228-4321.

For the past four years the retrofit has been a work in progress. Since Friends Of The Pioneer Museum does not do a project until the money is in hand it sometimes takes a while to get a project done. We are very pleased and grateful for the support that you have shown throughout the process. You are the ones that have made it all possible. We felt it was appropriate to add the motto of the Pioneer Museum as part of the sign because we truly do cover many, many aspects of our history between those periods.

On display in the Museum you will find the complete spine of a Plesiosaurs which was located just south of Glasgow on the Engstrom Ranch many years ago. At the other end of the time period we have two local men, Terrence Cleveland and Alfred Opheim, who were pioneers in the space program. They were instrumental in making the landing on the moon possible. We are hoping the sign will help attract people off of the highway and through the doors. We also have an amazing number of local people in Valley County who have never stopped and we would love to see each and every one of you. I know you will be amazed at what you will find there.

What is coming next? There are plans to do a mural on the south wall of the Pioneer Museum. This mural will represent many of the periods between the dinosaurs and the moon walk. Hopefully this will also be an added incentive to get people to stop and check us out. Once they do that the Pioneer Museum pretty much sells itself. At this time it is in the planning stage. So be watching for new things to come.

“The 2008 conference speakers that will bring their expertise to our 18th annual conference represent a wide range of knowledge in the renewable fuels industry. Areas represented include construction and engineering companies, support associations, transportation interests, research institutes and co-product studies. EPAC has been educating and promoting the issue of Food AND Fuel as opposed to Food VERSUS Fuel since 1991 and we are very excited by the recent research and studies using Distiller Grains that will be shared at this year’s conference” said Ball. “Each year the annual EPAC conference provides the very latest information about the ethanol and biodiesel industry and continues the discussion of the essential roles of agriculture, industry and the environment in the ethanol and biodiesel industry.”

Registration for the 18th Annual EPAC Conference, Food AND Fuel, is open to the public and registration forms and additional conference information is available at www.ethanolmt.org or call 406-785-3722.

EPAC is a national grass roots non-profit organization, founded in 1991, with the main office at Nashua, Montana. EPAC has members across the United States and in many foreign countries.

The event is equal parts service project for the boys of Pack 898 and auction to help raise funds for pack projects over the next year. Each boy will bring a home-baked cake that will be sold to the highest bidder by auctioneer Luke Strommen.

These aren’t typical cakes. They are edible works of father-son effort. According to the Cub Scout’s rules, the cakes can take any shape – in the past there have been porcupines, castles, archery targets, cars and stars – but everything on the cake, from the frosting to the decorations, must be edible. Scouts and their fathers have been planning these delicacies for the past month, and the public is encouraged to come Sunday to St. Raphael’s to see the cakes and to participate in the auction.

“The Scouts operate on a shoestring budget,” says Pack 898 Cubmaster Andrew McKean. “In addition to our annual popcorn sale, this cake auction is one of the only ways we fund our programs that teach boys about teamwork, loyalty and responsibility in a way that’s fun and rewarding. The cake bake also funds our May program, which this year is going to be an Olympics theme, and any prospective Scout is invited to come participate and learn about Scouting.”

This Sunday’s Cub Scout program will begin at 4 p.m. with a traditional flag ceremony and introductions, then move to the cake auction. So bring your checkbooks and your sweet teeth and come to St. Raphael’s Sunday afternoon to promote Scouting in Valley County.