Peterson was first elected to the commission in November of 2006 but was appointed a Valley County Commissioner in January of 2006. He was appointed to the commission replacing Ron Gilbertson who had resigned in September of 2005.

Peterson is a former school teacher and administrator in the Nashua School System and is a resident of Fort Peck.

He is the only candidate to have filed as of February 2nd.

The other Valley County office up for election this is year is Valley Clerk of District Court. Shelly Bryan is the incumbent and has filed for re-election.

March 12th is the final date to file for political office.

Aliperto was arrested in June of last year along 16 other people in a drug bust conducted by the Valley County Sheriff's Office. The drug bust labeled "Operation High Tide" involved arrests in Glasgow, Hinsdale, St. Marie, Nashua and also Billings, Bozeman and Livingston.

Aliperto had been charged with Criminal Distribution of Dangerous Drugs. According to a press release from Aliperto's attorney, Terry Toavs, the prosecutor in the case asked for the dismissal because of newly discovered evidence. Futher investigation into the case revealed evidence which cleared Aliperto of the alleged wrongdoing.

An investigating officer found evidence leading to the residences of the juveniles.

According to the police department, “young kids do not realize how expensive it is to have the paint removed or the buildings repainted. And in most cases, it is the parent's responsibility, to pay the restitution. The restitution amount in these cases is over $10,000 at this point”.

One of the juveniles was charged with 2 Felony Counts of Criminal Mischief and 2 Misdemeanor Counts of Criminal Trespass. The other Juvenile was cited with One Felony Count of Criminal Mischief.

6 Tribal College Fairs throughout the state will feature colleges, universities, military branches, agencies, and many career options and a chance to win scholarships and prizes!

The Montana Post Secondary Educational Opportunities Council (MPSEOC) and the Montana Tribal Colleges will host 6 College/Career Fairs in Montana starting February 6, 2012 (see schedule attached and below). We are very excited to offer this Tribal College/Career Fair Circuit for the first time in Montana! It is our goal to serve hundreds of college students, high school students, nontraditional students, families, guidance counselors, and community members with this event. Everyone is invited to attend for free!

The college fairs give students an opportunity to contemplate their higher education and career options. Students can visit with representatives from in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities, technical and trade schools, military branches, agencies, and career representatives.

Although the fairs are geared to college students and high school students, they are open to the general public and parents are encouraged to attend as well! Anyone who is interested in pursuing post-secondary education and career research is welcome to attend.

Another highlight of the college fairs is the Scholarship Program and Door Prizes. Each fair will have scholarship and door prizes given away to attendees of each fair. The scholarships and prizes are awarded by a random drawing from the names of people who attend these Tribal College Fairs. Therefore, by just attending a fair, students can walk away with money to put toward their education.

FAIR DETAILS - Wednesday, February 8, 2012
o Fort Peck Community College
o Campus Address: 605 Indian Avenue, Poplar, Montana, 59255
o Time:
§ Welcome and Campus Tour: 9:30 am
§ Table Set Up: 10:30 am
§ Fair: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm (lunch will be included)
o Location: On FPCC Campus – @ the GTD Auditorium in Poplar, Montana
o Hospitality: Continental food service will be provided @ the fair
o Parking: On Campus Parking is Free – no parking pass is required
o On-Site Coordinator Contact Information: Rhonda Mason - rmason@fpcc.edu / (406) 768-6345 / (406) 768-5453

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Florida man suspected in the death of a man whose body was found in a ditch in northeastern Montana has made an initial court appearance in North Dakota.

Forty-six-year-old Charles Bowman Bowen appeared Monday before District Judge David Nelson in Williston. The judge continued the extradition proceedings without making a decision.

Bowen was arrested Friday in the death of 49-year-old Brian Doyle, also of Florida.

The hometowns of the victim and the suspect were not clear.

Doyle's body was found Jan. 20 near Bainville, Mont., in a ditch along U.S. Highway 2.

Investigators say he was run over by a motor vehicle but are not releasing further details.

Montana authorities are seeking a $100,000 bond on Bowen.

(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Glasgow also set a record minimum low on Monday - the temperature only got down to 34 degrees, breaking the previous warmest low temp for the date of 30 degrees, set in 2009.

4 other locations in northeast Montana set new record highs and 2 more tied their records for the day.

OLD RECORD NEW RECORD

SIDNEY.........................53 IN 1998..............55
FORT PECK POWER PLANT..........52 IN 1989/1992.........53
SAINT MARIE....................43 IN 1997..............51
GLASGOW........................48 IN 1948/1992/2006....49
BROCKWAY 3 WSW.................52 IN 1998..............52...TIED
WOLF POINT.....................50 IN 1987..............50...TIED

A few other locations barely missed setting a new record for Monday. Those sites include...

RECORD FOR 30TH OBSERVED

GLENDIVE WATER PLANT...........56 IN 1931..............54
CIRCLE.........................54 IN 1992..............53
SCOBEY 4 NW....................46 IN 1993..............45
OPHEIM 10 N (BORDER STATION)...46 IN 1989..............45

Sample project experiments include:

What Fertilizer do plants grow best in?
Comparing Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes
What Paper Towel Absorbs Most?
What Stain Remover works best?
How does chlorine bleach affect jeans?
How many adults pass a Middle School test?
What soda have more carbonation?
How many licks for a Tootsie Pop?
Which diaper is the most dependable?
Sprite vs. 7-Up
What Brand of Nail Polish Lasts Longest?
What cleans up grease the best?

For years Friends Of The Pioneer Museum has been working with Glasgow Alumni as well as groups from all other schools in Valley County. We use these lists as a fund raising tool for our work for the Museum. Every year we send out a mailing that reaches about 10,000 people. This is done with an “Address Return Request”. That means if someone has moved and left a forwarding address we can up-date these lists or we get them back undeliverable so we know to take these individuals off the lists until we somehow get a current address again. For Glasgow we post the list of Missing Alumni as well as our Memorial list on the KLTZ/KLAN website.

When we have the lists for the schools up-dated then they are furnished every year up-dates so they can stay current as possible on their list and are better prepared when it comes time to plan their own reunions. They can get off to a much easier start. Friends Of The Pioneer Museum will be happy to give you a list of addresses for your class. We will also furnish you with a Registration Form. All we ask in return is that you register your people when they come to check in and furnish us with an up-dated list as you have it. You would be amazed at how many of your group moves about and does not leave a forwarding address or call or E-Mail us with an up-date. It is really wonderful when they contact us because then we do not have to pay to get their address up-date. You would also be surprised at how upset people can get when they do not get word of a reunion.

However, if you have not kept people informed on how to locate you it makes it impossible to keep you informed. We also appreciate when anyone lets us know if someone has passed away so we can add them to the Memorial List. Each class that asks for an address list to help plan their reunion also gets a copy of their Memorial List.

The newly up-dated Missing Alumni List and the Memorial List for Valley County is now posted here.. If you have any questions or want to add your address you can call Doris Franzen at 406-228-2082 or E-mail her at franznad@nemont.net.

Montana State University Extension and North Dakota State University are collaborating to present MonDak Pulse Day on February 15, 2012 at the Elks Club in Wolf Point, Montana. More than twelve years ago, Extension personnel in both Montana and North Dakota saw a need to address agronomic questions related to the rising amount of pulse production (peas, chickpeas and lentils) being done in Western North Dakota and Eastern Montana. Today this area, known as the MonDak area, produces 88% of the peas, 86% of lentils and 18% of chickpeas grown in the United States. The annual MonDak Pulse Day is the result of that shared effort. The workshop strives to bring together producers, researchers and industry in an atmosphere of collaboration and commonality. Montana is proud to be hosting the twelfth occurrence of this highly successful program. Registration begins at 8:30 am (MDT) at the Elks Club in Wolf Point, Montana. Lunch, sponsored by Northern Pulse Growers and educational materials are included. Three private applicator credits and five commercial/governmental credits in the Dealer, Demonstration & Research, Ag Plant Pest, Right of Way, Regulatory Weed and Aerial categories, are being offered for attending the program.

The meeting begins with the top three challenges in pulse production. Brian Jenks, Weed Scientist for NDSU North Central Research Extension Center (NCREC) will start off the program with a discussion of pulse production’s number one challenge- weed management; followed by the number two challenge - disease issues and management presented by Michael Wunsch, Plant Pathologist for NDSU at the Carrington Research Center. Pulse productions third challenge; pest problems will be presented by Dr. Daniel Waldstein, NDSU Area Extension Crop Protection Specialist.

Learn how pulse production improves wheat yields, soil health and a producer’s bottom line in the afternoon. Dr. Perry Miller, MSU Professor; Land Resources and Environmental Sciences will discuss the long term value of pulses in rotation with wheat. Soil biology and the importance of soil quality will be presented by Dr. Catherine Zabinski, MSU Associate Professor; Land Resources and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Brian Jenks steps up to the podium again and offers a discussion of desiccation research and restrictions. Shannon Berndt, Executive Director or Kaye Effertz, Marketing Director of Northern Pulse Growers Association will provide an industry update and Leta Campbell will be speaking live from India via Skype where she will be attending the India Pulse Conclave. Leta will talk about Pulse Check-Off dollars and how they help to breathe life into the pulse industry – from farm to table.

Please join us for this valuable day of learning, connecting and networking. For more information please contact Ann Ronning, MSU Roosevelt County Extension Ag Agent: aronning@montana.edu 406-787-5312; Keith Brown, NDSU Extension Agent in Divide County: Keith.Brown@ndsu.edu 701-965-6501; or Shelley Mills, MSU Valley County Ag Agent: smills@montana.edu 406-228-6241.

Roosevelt County Sheriff Freedom Crawford says police took 46-year-old Charles Bowman Bowen into custody Friday in Williston, N.D., and he's being held in the Williams County Detention Center.

The body of 49-year-old Brian Doyle was found Jan. 20 in a ditch along U.S. Highway 2 near Bainville, a small community near the North Dakota border.

Crawford says Doyle, who worked for an oil field maintenance company in North Dakota, died after he was run over by a vehicle.

Home towns of the two Florida men have not been released.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

The Glasgow High School Speech & Drama team competed at the Montana State B-C Forensic Meet at MSU-Billings on Friday and Saturday. They finished their season with a strong showing against the top competitors from across the state in the B-C ranks. All seven Glasgow Scotties placed first in at least one preliminary round and all earned the right to compete in the semi-finals.

The highlight of the two-day competition was crowning of the Serious Duo state champions: Jessica Carson and Danielle Belleau from Glasgow! Danielle and Jessica have had a great season with wins at six invitational meets, Eastern Divisional B-C championship, and now State! They performed “A Shadow on the Photograph” a piece originally written by teammate Janine Chalmers. All three girls are seniors at GHS.

An up and coming freshman Hailey Stone took her many years of stage experience and turned it towards competition. She took fourth place in Humorous Solo with her piece entitled “Remotely Related”.

Also competing at the State Meet were:

Senior Devyn Bell in Serious Solo
Senior Janine Chalmers in Humorous Solo
Junior Dakota Buerman in Original Oratory
Sophomore Haylee Safranski in Pantomime

This win by Jessica and Danielle in Serious Duo is the fourth state champion that Coaches LaBonty have produced in their six years leading the Scottie Speech & Drama Team. The first was Blake Bowker, Serious Solo in 2008; next was Anne Mirich, Pantomime in 2010; and last year (2011), Sydney Hayward was state champion in Serious Oral Interpretation of Literature.

Coaches John and Sharon LaBonty said that they are very proud of the whole team and have enjoyed working with these students. “Although the four strong seniors will surely be missed, we are looking forward to coaching some very talented underclassmen.”

Competition which started on October 1st is now over for the season. The team will be together once more for their annual awards dinner on February 7th.

The Roosevelt County Sheriff and Coroner’s Office, the Montana Highway Patrol and the Montana Department of Criminal Investigations worked together from the beginning of this investigation. Through the investigation it was determined that Brian Doyle died after being ran over by a motor vehicle.

On January 27, 2012 an arrest warrant from the 15th Judicial District Court of Montana was issued, charging Bowen with Negligent Homicide. A $100,000.00 bond has been placed on Bowen.

On this same day Bowen was arrested in the Williston, North Dakota area by the Williams County Sheriff’s Office. Bowen is currently being held in the Williams County Detention Center pending extradition back to Montana.

The Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the agencies who have and will continue to assist in this investigation to include the Williston Police Department, Williams County Sheriff’s Office, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Montana Department of Criminal Investigations, Montana Highway Patrol and the Fort Peck Tribes Law & Justice.

As of late Saturday morning, there were no reports of injuries.

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The Roosevelt County Sheriff and Coroner’s Office, the Montana Highway Patrol and the Montana Department of Criminal Investigations worked together from the beginning of this investigation. Through the investigation it was determined that Brian Doyle died after being ran over by a motor vehicle.

On January 27, 2012 an arrest warrant from the 15th Judicial District Court of Montana was issued, charging Bowen with Negligent Homicide. A $100,000.00 bond has been placed on Bowen.

On this same day Bowen was arrested in the Williston, North Dakota area by the Williams County Sheriff’s Office. Bowen is currently being held in the Williams County Detention Center pending extradition back to Montana.

The Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the agencies who have and will continue to assist in this investigation to include the Williston Police Department, Williams County Sheriff’s Office, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Montana Department of Criminal Investigations, Montana Highway Patrol and the Fort Peck Tribes Law & Justice.

First place is guaranteed for $2000. The first and largest fish of walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, carp, sucker, burbot, lake trout or bass weighing in will win prizes as well. You must have a current MT fishing license to participate.

In 2010, over $5200 in cash and prizes was awarded.

A $400.00 MT Governor’s Cup Entry fee is being raffled off and will be drawn for at 4PM at the Park Grove Bar & Café. Hot cocoa, hot dogs and bratwursts & kraut will be for sale during the Derby. The ladies will also be holding the 50/50 drawing.

Entry forms are available at the Glasgow Chamber office, 406-228-2222, The Park Grove Bar, or online at http:www.glasgowmt.net.

Bring the kids, sleds, skates and bait for a fun Ice Day at Fort Peck Lake MT. Join us for an afternoon of fishing and fun.

A top State Department official told Congress Wednesday that the bill "imposes narrow time constraints and creates automatic mandates that prevent an informed decision" on the Keystone XL pipeline.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., would transfer authority over the 1,700-mile pipeline to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Obama blocked the $7 billion pipeline last week, saying officials did not have enough time to review an alternate route that avoided environmentally sensitive areas of Nebraska.

The plan by Calgary-based TransCanada Corp. would carry tar sands oil from western Canada across six U.S. states to refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast.

(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Authorities are setting up a tip line at http://www.rcso17.org for any tips or information about Doyle’s death. Anyone with information can also call Crime Stoppers in the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office at (406) 653-2811.

No additional details are available at this time

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Extradition hearings have been set for two men held in North Dakota in the kidnapping of a Montana teacher who is presumed dead.

A judge in Williston, N.D., on Monday set the hearings for Feb. 14.

The men — 47-year-old Lester Waters Jr. and 22-year-old Michael Spell, both of Parachute, Colo. — have been jailed in Williston since Jan. 13. They are fighting extradition to Montana, where they face charges of aggravated kidnapping, which carries a maximum sentence of death in that state.

The two are accused of kidnapping 43-year-old Sherry Arnold of Sidney, Mont. She last was seen leaving her home to go for a run on the morning of Jan. 7.

Waters and Spell qualified as indigent and were appointed public defenders.

Each has a bond of $2.5 million.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

The Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation was contacted by Sheriff Freedom Crawford for assistance in the investigation. Law enforcement authorities spent two days processing the scene where the body was discovered. One lane of traffic on US Highway 2 was blocked during that time. The body was transported from the scene to the forensic examiner’s office for an autopsy. US Highway 2 was reopened on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.

No additional details are available at this time.

The Christmas Cash Script was available starting on October 17, 2011 at First Community Bank in Glasgow/Hinsdale, Valley Bank and Independence Bank. The purpose of the Christmas Cash program is to encourage people in our area to “Shop Locally”. The Glasgow merchants offer a variety of quality products along with outstanding customer service.

In 2011 68 Chamber business members participated in the program with 83 loans totaling $83,174 from Valley Bank, 38 loans totaling $24,500 from FCB, and 21 loans totaling $18,700 from Independence Bank for a total of $126,374 dollars Spent Locally! The Chamber Big Bucks program was also very successful. From November 2011 thru December 2011 $23,070.00 of Chamber Big Bucks was purchased from the Chamber office. With both programs $149,444.00 was spent LOCALLY during the 2011 Holiday season in Glasgow.

The Chamber thanks everybody for participating in these programs and supporting our local merchants! “BUY LOCALLY AND THE BUCK STAYS HERE”

Coach John LaBonty said, “All their hard work paid off with the team peaking at the right time.” The team was lead once again by Senior Devyn Bell, first in Serious Solo with a cutting from “Piece of My Heart”; Seniors Jessica Carson and Danielle Belleau with “Shadow on the Photograph” taking first in Serious Duo; and Freshman Hailey Stone’s “Remotely Related” Humorous Solo again taking first.

Strong performances that earned points toward sweepstakes were also turned in by Senior Janine Chalmers, third in Humorous Solo; Sophomore Haylee Safranski, second in Pantomime; and Sophomore Kyle Cook, eighth in Serious Solo. Valuable experiences was gained by Sophomores Amanda McDonald and Paige Schmitt who competed in Humorous Duo.

Only three GHS students competed this week in Speech but two earned points for their team. Junior Dakota Buerman took third in Original Oratory while Sophomore Sija Laffin placed eight in Serious Oral Interpretation of Literature. Sophomore Kat Geer also gained valuable experience competing in Humorous Oral Interpretation

The Glasgow team will be leaving at noon on Thursday to compete in the Montana State B-C Forensic Meet on the MSU-B campus in Billings. This two-day meet brings the top six finishers in each of the 15 events from the three divisions together in competition.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Officials with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks say the agency's revenue has steadily declined over the past two years and they need to find a way to cut spending or increase income by a combined $10 million a year.

FWP finance division administrator Sue Daly told agency commissioners meeting in Helena Thursday that they need to take action because the department's savings account will be drained by 2015.

The Billings Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/xAVSCI) if the agency wants license fee increases to take effect by 2015, it would need to start drafting legislation this spring.

Increasing the prices of resident hunting and fishing licenses are an option, as are ending discounts on licenses sold to senior citizens and children. (Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Roosevelt County Sheriff Freedom Crawford said Friday that the body was found in a ditch along U.S. Highway 2 near the town of Bainville.

Crawford said deputies responded and are trying to determine the cause of death. Investigators from the state Division of Criminal Investigations are being asked to help with the case.

Crawford declined to say if foul play was suspected. He would not immediately offer any more details including the age of the deceased male.

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — One of the suspects in the alleged kidnapping of a Montana teacher now presumed dead received court permission to leave Colorado just two days before the woman disappeared.

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports 22-year-old Michael Spell of Parachute, got approval from a Garfield County judge on January 5th to go to Texas, saying his brother had been in a car accident there.

Forty-three-year-old Sherry Arnold disappeared two days later in Sidney, Montana.

Spell is awaiting arraignment in Garfield County on charges he tried to persuade a middle school student to text fellow students and ask them if they wanted to buy marijuana.

He was arrested January 13th in Rapid City, South Dakota, and is being held on aggravated kidnapping charges in Williston along with 47-year-old Lester Vann Waters.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Richland County Attorney Mike Weber says he expects a hearing within the next 30 days on whether to extradite 47-year-old Lester Vann Waters, Jr. and 22-year-old Michael Keith Spell.

The pair face aggravated kidnapping charges in the Jan 7 disappearance of Sherry Arnold. The 43-year-old Sidney High School teacher left her house for a morning run and never returned.

Arnold's body has not been found, and authorities won't say why she is presumed dead or what led to the arrest of Waters and Spell.

Both men have been identified as residents of Colorado although Waters is originally from Florida, where he has an extensive criminal record.

(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

(Information in the following story is from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com)

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Montana Highway Patrol says the driver of a semi-trailer that was struck by a freight train in northeastern Montana is recovering at a Billings hospital.

Trooper Ross Tuggle told The Billings Gazette (http://bit.ly/yHO62s) it appeared 56-year-old Patrick Francis Parker of Sidney either didn't see the train or thought he could beat it across the track at a crossing between Culbertson and Bainville on Tuesday afternoon.

Tuggle says the Burlington Northern Santa Fe train crew says it looked like the driver was going to slow down, and then the truck pulled in front of the westbound train. BNSF officials say the train crew activated the emergency brakes, but could not stop in time.

Parker suffered broken ribs and teeth during the collision, but Tuggle says he is expected to go home on Friday.

(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Obama: No on oil pipeline, more review needed

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says he's denying an application for a Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline because a GOP-mandated deadline didn't allow time for a full review.

Obama says his decision isn't a judgment on the merits of the proposed $7 billion pipeline. Rather, he's citing the "arbitrary nature" of the Feb. 21 deadline that was set by a GOP-written provision in a recent tax bill that Obama signed.

The president says in a statement that he's disappointed that Republicans in Congress forced the decision. Obama had until late next month to decide whether the pipeline was in the national interest.

Administration officials says the looming deadline cut short the time needed to conduct environmental reviews after the State Department ordered the project developer to find an alternate route to avoid environmentally sensitive areas of Nebraska.

The 1,700-mile pipeline would carry oil from tar sands in western Canada to refineries in Texas.

It would pass through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.

OIL PIPELINE-BOEHNER

Boehner: Keystone breaks Obama's jobs promise

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner says President Barack Obama is breaking his promise to create jobs by rejecting a plan to build an oil pipeline from Canada to Texas.

Boehner says Republicans will keep fighting for the Keystone XL pipeline because the project is good for the U.S. economy because it would create thousands of jobs.

The president says he's turning down the project not because it isn't worthy, but because of what he calls an arbitrary Feb. 21 deadline he was given by Congress to make a decision.

The deadline was set by a GOP-written provision as part of a tax bill that Obama signed into law just before Christmas.

OIL PIPELINE-TRANSCANADA

Canadian company to reapply for pipeline permit

HOUSTON (AP) — The Canadian company seeking to build a Canada-to-Texas pipeline says it will reapply for a permit after President Barack Obama announced he had rejected the current proposal.

TransCanada's CEO and president Russ Girling says Obama's announcement on Wednesday was not entirely surprising. He says the company plans to reapply for a presidential permit for the proposed 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline.

Obama says he turned down the proposal because Congress gave him a 60-day deadline that did not allow for a thorough review of the project. He made clear the company was free to reapply for the permit.

TransCanada says it is working with officials in Nebraska to find a route through the state that avoids environmentally sensitive areas.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas says the semi driver was airlifted from the scene after the collision shortly before 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Roosevelt County officials weren't immediately available for comment.

Melonas says there were no serious injuries among the train's crew.

Ten of the train's 40 cars carrying everything from diapers to washers derailed along with four locomotives, including two that were on their sides. Melonas says about 500 gallons of diesel fuel spilled, but the spill was contained and wasn't threatening waterways.

At least 13 trains have been rerouted while the track is repaired. The track could reopen as early as Wednesday.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

North Dakota District Judge Josh Rustad on Tuesday set bonds of $2.5 million each for 47-year-old Lester Vann Waters and 22-year-old Michael Keith Spell.

The two men are currently being held in Williston, N.D. They want an extradition hearing before they can be sent to Montana to face aggravated kidnapping charges in the Jan. 7 disappearance of math teacher Sherry Arnold of Sidney.

Authorities say Arnold is presumed dead but are offering no insights into how she might have died or why Waters and Spell are considered suspects.

Helena, MT - Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau announced the Montana schools who will receive $7.6 million in federal grant funding for the 2011-2012 school year to advance literacy skills, reading and writing for students from early childhood through grade 12. This competitive grant was awarded to only six states and will be renewed for the 2012-2013 school year. More than 10,000 students will benefit from the Striving Readers grant.

Superintendent Juneau said, "Reading and writing are vital skills every child must have for their future academic and economic success. This grant will allow Montana to build on successful programs and seek out innovative strategies to improve literacy for children of all ages."

The goal of The Montana Striving Reader's Project is to dramatically improve literacy achievement for all students and to provide support systems for districts, special education preschools and Head Start programs. Twenty-eight districts and eight established preschool and Head Start Programs applied for the grant. The Office of Public Instruction is awarding 10 grants to school districts, which includes 29 schools, and five grants to Head Start and preschool programs throughout the state.

Juneau continued, "We know that students who struggle with reading are at a higher risk of dropping out of school. This grant is going to provide us with another tool to ensure Montana students are achieving at high levels and earning their high school diploma."

The Office of Public Instruction is using this grant to improve school readiness and success from early childhood through grade 12 in the area of language and literacy development with an emphasis in closing the achievement gaps among all student groups including low-income students, students with disabilities, American Indian students and limited-English proficient students.

Additionally, the OPI will work with grantees to decrease the percentage of students who drop out of high school and implement a data-driven decision-making process to collect, analyze, and use high-quality data to assess the effectiveness of literacy programs.

More information on the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program:
[ L]http://www2.ed.gov/programs/strivingreaders-literacy/awards.html#ppt [EL]

K-12 Schools Receiving Striving Readers Grants:

Charlo Public Schools: $299,732
Charlo Elementary: $78,069
Charlo 7-8: $107,093
Charlo High School: $120,600

Kalispell Public Schools: $140,639
Elrod and Russell Elementary Schools: $140,639

Wolf Point Public Schools: $971,774
Northside and Southside Elementary Schools: $473,486
Wolf Point 7-8: $226,641
Wolf Point High School: $271,647

Butte Public Schools: $836,500
Whittier and West Elementary Schools: $504,000
East Middle School: $332,500

Great Falls Public Schools: $1,136,171
Chief Joseph and Valley View Elementary Schools: $508,582
East Middle School: $257,089
Great Falls High School: $370,500

Libby Public Schools: $306,310
Libby Elementary School: $204,782
Libby Middle School: $101,528

Lone Rock Schools: $314,998
Lone Rock Elementary: $218,202
Lone Rock Middle School: $96,796

Hardin Public Schools: $730,845
Crow Agency School and Hardin Elementary School: $380,834
Hardin Middle School: $157,672
Hardin High School: $192,339

Anaconda Public Schools: $496,620
W. K. Dwyer School: $225,661
Anaconda High School: $270,959

Browning Public Schools: $399,414
K. W. Bergan, Vina Chattin, Napi and Browning Elementary School: $199,414
Browning Middle School: $100,000
Browning High School: $100,000

Preschools/Head Starts Receiving Striving Readers Grants:*

Hardin Special Education Preschool: $181,469
Rocky Mountain Development Council (Helena) $189,854
Central Montana Head Start (Lewistown, Roundup, Harlowton) $250,000
Human Resource Development Council (Gallatin Gateway, Bozeman, Livingston, Belgrade) $167,018

*One additional preschool award is still pending.

Authorities are staying tight-lipped about their investigation into a Montana teacher who is missing and presumed dead, as they call on landowners in North Dakota's northwest corner and in far northeast Montana to look for her buried body.

Williston, N.D., Police Chief Jim Lokken said at a news conference Monday that officials are asking "landowners and landowners only" to search for signs of 43-year-old Sherry Arnold. He says they should be on the lookout for soil or grasses that appear disturbed — especially in areas with lines of mature or rotted trees.

The Billings Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/AAQq7e) authorities said little of the two Colorado men believed to be involved in the Jan. 7 disappearance of the Sidney, Mont., math teacher.

The two — 47-year-old Lester Vann Waters Jr. and 22-year-old Michael Keith Spell — are awaiting extradition to Montana.

Waters was arrested in Williston, and Spell was arrested in Rapid City, S.D.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Earlier Sunday, authorities released the names of two Parachute, Colo., men being held in a North Dakota jail in connection with the Jan. 7 disappearance of 43-year-old Sherry Arnold of Sidney, Mont.

The FBI issued a statement late Sunday saying Arnold's body might be buried in an area with a line of mature or rotted trees, and the surrounding grass might be matted.

The agency requests that North Dakota property owners in Williams, McKenzie and Mountrail counties, and in extreme northeastern Montana, check such areas.

Authorities say 47-year-old Lester Vann Waters Jr. and 22-year-old Michael Keith Spell are in the Williams County Correctional Center in Williston, N.D., awaiting extradition to Montana.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Coach John LaBonty said, “The team had a great day winning five first places – two in speech and three in drama.” On the Drama side, the team was lead by three seniors and a freshman. Devyn Bell placed first in Serious Solo; Jessica Carson and Danielle Belleau continued their winning streak with another first in Serious Duo; while freshman Hailey Stone won in Humorous Solo. The Speech team was lead by senior Daniel Dunn who placed first in Serious Oral Interpretation of Literature and Junior Dakota Buerman who won Original Oratory.

Others earning points toward the drama trophy were:

Kylie Cook – fourth in Serious Solo
Janine Chalmers – fifth in Humorous Solo
Amanda McDonald and Paige Schmitt – eighth in Humorous Duo

On the Speech side, points were also earned by Sija Laffin who took third in Serious Oral Interpretation.
Kat Geer competed in Humorous Oral Interpretation

LaBonty said Glasgow is taking a strong team to the Eastern Divisional Speech & Drama Meet in Colstrip on Saturday, January 21st. He also reminds the public to attend Senior Night on Tuesday, January 17th.
All of the team members will be performing their events. The curtain opens at 7:00 p.m.

Freedom From Smoking provides a supportive and structured approach to quitting smoking. Based on the latest research on addiction and behavior change, this medically sound program addresses the difficulties of quitting with a focus on how to quit rather than why to quit. The ultimate goal of the program is to help individuals overcome their addiction and enjoy the benefits of better health.

The program is delivered in a small group setting (up to 16 people), which allows participants to get personalized attention and the support of their peers. The program also includes a variety of evidence-based cessation practices to ensure that each participant has a technique that works for them.

FFS consists of eight sessions over a 7-week period to introduce participants to key stages of behavior change:
Preparation phase: laying the foundation for success
Quit day: affirming the decision to quit
Maintenance phase: providing skills and support to stay smoke free

Julie Lawson attended training to facilitate the Freedom From Smoking Clinics last April. She quit smoking 25 years ago using this program, so she has first-hand knowledge of its effectiveness.

The first clinic will be offered beginning Monday, January 16, 2012, at 7:00 pm in the FMDH Conference Room. The cost for the clinic will be $125.00, which is roughly two cartons of cigarettes.

Contact Julie Lawson at 228-3626 for more information or to register for the clinic.

Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo has identified the men as Lester Van Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Keith Spell, 22, both of Parachute, Colorado.

The men have been arraigned in Williams County, North Dakota, on charges of aggravated kidnapping in connection with the death of Sherry Arnold.

On Friday, Police Chief DiFonzo says authorities received tips that led them to the two men.

Law enforcement officials are requesting assistance from northeastern Montana and western North Dakota property owners in the case of missing Montana school teacher Sherry Arnold.

The FBI says in a press release that based on investigative evidence gathered over the last few days, it is believed that Ms. Arnold may be deceased but that her body has not been recovered.

Law enforcement officials requested that North Dakota property owners in Williams County, McKenzie County, Mountrail County, and extreme northeastern Montana check shelter belts and vacant farmsteads on their land for disturbed soil. The surrounding grassy area may also appear to be matted. Ms. Arnold's body may be buried in a shelter belt that contains mature or rotted trees.

Officials are only requesting help from property owners and are NOT requesting volunteers to come search. Property owners are advised not to put themselves at risk.

Property owners who discover something unusual are asked not to disturb the site and immediately contact the Williams County Law Enforcement Center at (701) 774-9191.

McKean, 45, has served as Outdoor Life’s Hunting Editor for the past four years, coordinating and contributing content in the magazine and online, reporting from the field, and anchoring integrated programs such as Record Quest, Save-a-Stream, and Outdoor Life’s Grand Slam Adventure series. McKean has handled numerous feature assignments, including “The Homecoming Buck,” an award-winning account of a final hunt on his family farm, and “The Trophy Trap” which looked at the pitfalls of our collective obsession with record bucks. He remains Hunting Editor, and also retains his role as Outdoor Life’s Optics Editor.

“Andrew’s solid editorial instincts and outdoor credentials are obvious in his stories,” said Licata. “He has a strong grasp of what our readers want which is something he has displayed in his written work as well as the marquee programs and new media brand extensions he has worked on. With Andrew as Editor, Outdoor Life will benefit from his expertise to an even greater degree then it already has.”

In his new role, McKean joins Licata and a talented staff in delivering informative, provocative and insightful content in Outdoor Life and online at http:www//outdoorlife.com . The February issue of the magazine, McKean’s first issue as editor, debuts a brand-new look for the publication as well as a year-long project looking at ways to improve public access to hunting and fishing resources.

“I started reading Outdoor Life when I was a young boy,” said McKean. “The elements of the magazine that appealed to me then are the same ones that make Outdoor Life just as essential today: hard-core hunting, fishing and shooting instruction, how-to outdoor skills, adventure yarns and reporting on issues that affect sportsmen across the country, all packed with powerful photography and a smart design. Being able to continue to contribute to that114-year tradition of excellence is an honor.”

Prior to joining Outdoor Life as a staff editor, McKean contributed to the magazine as a freelancer for several years. Previously, he worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and served as an editor with Fishing and Hunting News.

McKean resides in Glasgow, Montana, providing Outdoor Life with a key staff member in the very heart of America’s best hunting and fishing country.

Outdoor Life is the source for hunting and fishing adventure. Outdoor Life provides technical information and insight to the more experienced outdoorsman, including field reports and gear guides to supply hands-on hunters and anglers with the most current knowledge about their passion, supplemented with the latest techniques, tactics and tips. Outdoor Life achieves this by featuring how-to articles written by the experts in the field, the best and most captivating adventure stories from the woods or on the water, comprehensive regional coverage of the best hunting and fishing opportunities in specific areas and annual gear tests conducted by the Outdoor Life editors. Outdoor Life is published 10 times a year by the Bonnier Corporation.

The Bonnier Corporation http://www.bonniercorp.com is one of the largest consumer-publishing groups in America and the leading media company serving passionate, highly engaged audiences through more than 40 special-interest magazines and related multimedia projects and events.

According to the Gazette, the Williams County Jail in Williston did confirm that 2 men were being held there on charges related to the case, but no names were released.

The Gazette story also stated that investigators in North Dakota are continuing to search the area and gather evidence. Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo also stated that rumors that Arnold may have been killed in a hit-and-run accident was only speculation.

The high school teacher from Sidney disappeared while on an early morning run last Saturday, January 7th.

http://www.billingsgazette.com

Sidney Public School officials posted a statement online saying they learned of Sherry Arnold's death Friday morning. She went missing on Jan. 7 while on a morning run.

Sidney police Chief Frank DiFonzo said Friday a 47-year-old man is in custody in the Williams County jail in North Dakota while a 22-year-old man is being questioned in Rapid City, S.D. He did not identify them and declined to answer any questions about the investigation.

FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson, of Salt Lake City, said a tip from the public led to the two men.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

He addressed the media at 3 p.m. at the Richland County Law and Justice Center, but answered few questions.

He did note that 2 suspects were being held: a 47 year-old male in Williams County, North Dakota, (in Williston) and another, suspect, age 22, being held in Rapid City, South Dakota.

The chief said the investigation was moving too rapidly to answer any questions.

The Billings Gazette was on scene at the conference and is expected to write up a story this (Friday) afternoon. at http://www.billingsgazette.com

Friday games are cancelled.

Sidney Law Enforcment and the FBI will provide a more complete announcement later today. Posted at 10:25 AM, Friday, January 13, 2012.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The FBI says dozens of calls have come into an automated tip line set up to help find missing Montana teacher Sherry Arnold.

Agency spokeswoman Deborah Bertram says authorities are reviewing all tips that have come in so far. She urged people to continue calling with any information in the case.

The FBI on Thursday issued a missing person poster for Arnold, a 43-year-old math teacher from the oil boom town of Sidney near the North Dakota border. Authorities are investigating the possibility Arnold was abducted.

She's been missing since Saturday morning when she left her house for a run. The only clue to her disappearance that's been publicly released is that one of Arnold's shoes was found along her running route.

(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Last year, heavy snowfall in the mountains was a big factor in floods downstream when heavy late spring rain struck the upper plains.

So far, snowpack in the Missouri River headwaters is only 69 percent of normal. But the governor warns the key time for accumulation doesn't come until February, March and April.

Schweitzer says the Army Corps of Engineers that controls the downstream flow of water with a series of dams is monitoring the figure and making decisions on how much water to release as the picture unfolds.

The Montana governor has sparred with downstream governors who have asked the Corps for more aggressive flood-prevention measures.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Robin Roy Martell, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sam Haddon in Great Falls for assault with the intent to commit murder, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault with a weapon for the August 2010 attack on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

Federal prosecutors said Martell put the woman in a headlock during an argument late on Aug. 4 as the two walked to a bar after drinking at the house they shared. Martell had also huffed gasoline, court records said. The woman called tribal police, who spoke with her and then gave Martell a ride to his cousin's house in Wolf Point.

The cousin told investigators that Martell said he was angry at his woman and left to return to Frazer, court records said.

Meanwhile, someone walked the woman home at about 3 a.m. on Aug. 5. She continued to drink alcohol and then went to bed. She woke up to Martell punching and hitting her with his fists and a 1-inch diameter pipe. She told investigators she lost consciousness after he hit her in the mouth with the pipe.

Sometime later she got up and ran to her grandmother's house with Martell chasing her, prosecutors said.

The woman was taken out of her grandmother's house on a backboard while Martell was sitting in the back of a patrol car. During the ride to jail, an officer said Martell told him that the woman should have come out of the house in a body bag, court records said.

Keynote speakers for 2012 are Roger D. Bernard, a Policy Analyst/Speaker from Iowa. Mr. Bernard came to Informa with nearly 30 years of experience in print and broadcast journalism, focusing his efforts on Informa Economics’ Issue Monitor and a multi-client product monitoring the development of the new farm bill. He also contributes to other products and publications such as Morning Comments. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Bernard spent over 24 years with Pro Farmer Newsletter, including 11 years in Washington DC, in the company’s Washington Bureau working with Informa’s Jim Wiesenmeyer when both were employed there. Mr. Bernard is very familiar with Washington agriculture, trade and government policy. His roles included providing news and information for several Far Journal Media properties, including as Washington and Policy Editor for Farm Journal magazine, a role he served in since 2007. Mr. Bernard began his career in broadcast journalism after attending the University of Minnesota and receiving a certificate in broadcasting from Brown Institute in Minneapolis.

James A. Vannet was born and raised on a cash grain/feedlot operation in the Red River Valley of Minnesota. He attended Moorhead State University and North Dakota State University. He has spent over 35 years in agribusiness and over 25 years in the seed industry. Jim has held numerous positions in the agricultural seed industry including Alfalfa Breeder, Corn Breeder, Product Manager, Forage Specialist, Director of Agronomy Services, District Sales Manager, Regional Sales Manager, National Sales Manager, General Manager and was the managing partner of a foundation corn seed company. He has been credited with developing the first true silage specific corn hybrids and now these hybrids are planted on over 20% of North America’s silage corn acres. Jim has given over 750 forage management seminars in North and South America. In the spring of 2009, Jim started a new company, Superior Marketing & Training LLC, focusing on the marketing and management of forages, specifically alfalfa and corn silage.

Austin Knudsen, an attorney with O’Toole Law Firm in Plentywood will also be on hand to give an update on “oil and gas procedures”.
The seminar will be held January 18, 2012 from 8:30A-3:30P at the Cottonwood Inn in Glasgow, MT, registration is $15.00. For more information contact the Chamber at 406-228-2222 or chamber@glasgowmt.net

The FBI has posted a missing persons poster on FBI.gov, which features a photo of Arnold with a full of her.

FBI spokeswoman Deborah Bertram said, "We're hoping that poster reaches folks beyond and outside of Montana. It keeps her face and her name out there in the media and in the spotlight. Hopefully somebody can recognize her and call us with some information."

Arnold, 43, has been missing since Saturday, January 7, when she was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt with a white stripe, and red nylon pants with black leggings. She went out for her morning run around 6:30 a.m. and never returned.

According to Bertram, Sidney law enforcement officials have received dozens of calls on their tip line. Bertram could not release information the types of tips they're receiving, but she says they are relevant and very important to the investigation, adding, "They are looking over that information, reviewing it, and determining if any of the information is valid and should be followed up on."

Bertram said the FBI continues to encourage residents of Sidney and anyone else who thinks they may have seen something or heard something to contact law enforcement.

The tip line can be reached at 406-443-4027 for anyone who might have information. Bertram said, "Even if they don't know if it somehow may help, we would certainly encourage them to let law enforcement determine that. These types of investigations sometimes can turn on one bit of information."

The formal search was suspended on Wednesday, with authorities now concentrating more on the investigation into what might have happened to her.

Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo said that the longer authorities investigate this case, the more likely it seems possible that Arnold may have been abducted.

Aside from finding one of Arnold's running shoes in the northeastern part of town along 9th Avenue, known as the Truck Route, little information has been released about the ongoing investigation.

Bertram explained, "Unless we feel like there's a need to release certain evidence, we don't generally speak about it for a variety of reasons, but mostly to protect the integrity of the investigation."

A reward is now being offered for any information leading to the return Arnold, or the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for her disappearance.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The FBI and local officials say the ground search for a missing high school teacher has been suspended but law enforcement will continue to pursue leads in the case.

Sidney Mayor Bret Smelser said Wednesday's decision follows an "exhaustive" search for 43-year-old Sherry Arnold in the eastern Montana town and surrounding areas. Hundreds of residents, police, firefighters and others participated.

The popular high school math teacher was last seen Saturday, when she left her home for a pre-dawn run. Authorities are investigating the possibility she was abducted.

FBI spokeswoman Deborah Bertram says law enforcement personnel will be redirected to other parts of the investigation. She says the agency cannot discuss any evidence in the case.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call a (406) 433-4027.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An executive with a Canadian company attempting to build a $7 billion pipeline to carry oil from Canada to refineries in Texas says a new proposed route will be proposed soon.

Speaking Wednesday in Bismarck, TransCanada Corporation's Alex Pourbaix told North Dakota officials and oil industry representatives that the company would present its amended plan to federal regulators "in a matter of a very few weeks."

The U.S. government in November delayed a decision on granting a permit for Keystone XL, largely because of worries about the pipeline's environmental impact, especially in Nebraska.

The disputed route runs through South Dakota and five other states between Alberta and Texas' Gulf Coast. So-called feeder pipelines would connect the Keystone XL to the rich oil fields in North Dakota and Montana.

(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Opponents of a plan to relocate 68 wild bison to two American Indian Reservations in Montana have filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the transfer of the animals.

Wednesday's lawsuit was filed in state District Court in Blaine County by a coalition of property owners, ranchers, public land access advocates and a state lawmaker.

The suit alleges bison cause property damage such as tearing down fences.

The plaintiffs contend Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks should be blocked from relocating the animals until the agency crafts a statewide bison management plan and conducts further environmental reviews.

The bison slated for relocation to the Fort Peck and Fort Belknap reservations are being held in a government quarantine near Corwin Springs.

(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Weaver had left Valley County and travelled to Texas where he was found by law enforcement authorities. He was then extradited back to Montana and sent to the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge.

Weaver is serving time in Deer Lodge after being found guilty on the felony charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs and criminal distribution on dangerous drugs.

Judge John McKeon found Weaver guilty on the charge of jumping bail during a bench trial that concluded on Wednesday.

Weaver will be sentenced by Judge McKeon within the next 30 day.

The Chamber is pleased to honor Dick & Bonnie Cotton of Valley Seed Company with the Annual Del Strommen Agriculture Award. They are being recognized for their innovation in Agriculture and community involvement.

Volunteer of the year for the 2011 goes to Traci Sibley for her dedication and involvement with the Montana Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament and the Glasgow Chamber.

Rod Karst will receive the President’s award. Rod is being recognized for his dedication and community involvement in Valley County.

Two Rivers Excellence Awards winners are Red Foxx Real Estate for New Business Venture, Mirror Image for Business Excellence, Sam Knodel for Advocacy Leader, and the Cottonwood Inn for Most Valuable Partnership.

An awards ceremony will be held during the Annual Banquet for the recipients.
We invite you to join us for a fun-filled night honoring the citizens of Valley County and the Glasgow community at the 2012 Annual Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture and Two Rivers Economic Growth banquet/Comedy Club. The cost is $35.00 per person or $60.00 per couple. Tickets are available at the Chamber office or at the door, Friday evening @ 5:30pm. You do NOT need to be a member to attend. Take this opportunity and join us -to learn about Glasgow/Valley County and the contributions the Chamber, Two Rivers and individuals make to promote our local economies and community.

First, its newly appointed officers include Vice President Tom Klotz of Valley View Home and Treasurer Sam Brelje of First Community Bank. New board members are Lacey Brelje of Nemont Telephone Cooperative, and Lisa Olk of the Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture.

More changes are expected to take place in the coming weeks as Two Rivers seeks to fill three seats on the Board and an executive director position. “With the turn of the New Year, we are experiencing some shifts in leadership,” said Chris Helland, Two Rivers’ president. “We are looking for self-motivated strategic thinkers to join our team.”

Directors are considered key partners in the planning and growth of Valley County and its communities. The Board meets every first Tuesday of the month at noon at the Cottonwood Inn in Glasgow. If you’re interested in joining the team, please contact Alyson Reddig at (406) 228-2224 or email trg2@nemont.net.

The only publicized clue into 43-year-old Sherry Arnold's disappearance Saturday was a single running shoe, found by a ditch along her running route in her hometown of Sidney, near the North Dakota border

FBI agent Deborah Bertrand said late Tuesday that tips were starting to come into an automated hotline set up for the case, but would not offer any details.

Hundreds of residents, police, firefighters and others have been combing the town and surrounding countryside, but Bertrand said the operation may shift gears Wednesday, with authorities going door-to-door seeking information.

The FBI and local law enforcement are investigating the possibility that Arnold was abducted.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

The Glasgow School Board has approved spending $3500 to have the Montana School Board Association help with the search. The position is being advertised with a salary range of $75,000 to $90,000.

The closing date for applications is February 17th.

The person who is hired for the job will start the job on July 1st of 2012.

The annual Glasgow High School Speech & Drama Team’s Community Night is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17th. The evening’s show is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Glasgow High School Auditorium.

The Tuesday show is Glasgow’s last opportunity to enjoy and congratulate the Senior performers. This is the Speech & Drama’s Senior / Parent Night. The seniors performing are:

Janine Chalmers – Humorous Solo
Devyn Bell – Serious Solo
Daniel Dunn – Serious Oral Interpretation of Literature
Jessica Carson and Danielle Belleau – Serious Duo

Also performing on Tuesday evening are the underclassmen team members. Taking to the stage will be the following students:

Dakota Buerman – Original Oratory
Kylie Cook – Serious Solo
Kat Geer – Humorous Oral Interpretation of Literature
Sija Laffin – Serious Oral Interpretation of Literature
Amanda McDonald and Paige Schmitt – Humorous Duo
Haylee Safranski – Pantomime
Hailey Stone – Humorous Solo

The Community is invited to attend Tuesday’s performance. The Speech & Drama Team has been working very hard this year and these performances are the only opportunity the community has to enjoy this hard work. Refreshments will be served following the performance.

Officials from the BLM and the Montana Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission will present an overview of the compact process and the BLM’s proposal, answer questions, and take public comment, said Bill Schultz, Program Manager for the state’s Compact Commission. The meeting will kick off negotiations between the state and the federal government over the BLM proposal.

The 2001 proclamation designating the Monument limits the BLM’s water compact proposal to the Arrow Creek and Judith River basins. The Montana Legislature approved a water compact for the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River in 1997.
“The Bureau of Land Management has submitted a federal reserved water right compact proposal for the Judith River and Arrow Creek basins. The proposal requests a minimum instream flow for the Judith River and Arrow Creek and quantifies an available water supply for future state-based development. This meeting represents the first of several negotiation sessions between the State and BLM on that proposal,” Schultz said. “The Compact Commission negotiates on behalf of the Governor of the State of Montana and represents the interests of State-based water right holders. All negotiation sessions are open to the public, with opportunity for questions and comments.”

The Yogo Inn is located in downtown Lewistown at 211 East Main Street.

An online copy of the BLM proposal, along with a supporting technical report, may be viewed at the Compact Commission Web site, http://dnrc.mt.gov/rwrcc/Compacts/UpperMissouriBreaks/Default.asp. For more information on the meeting, contact Commission Staff Hydrologist Stan Jones at (406) 444-1270.

Authorities say no solid evidence has emerged to indicate 43-year-old Sherry Arnold was kidnapped. But an FBI spokeswoman said the possibility of abduction was under investigation.

The search for Arnold was focused on a 10-square-mile area north of the town of Sidney near the North Dakota border. That's in the general vicinity of the roadside ditch where Arnold's shoe was discovered Saturday along one of her running routes.

Officials said the search was to resume Tuesday morning but might be suspended at the end of the day if no other clues in Arnold's disappearance are found.

An automated tip line has been established by local authorities to collect information on the case.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Missing Person Alert
Sherry Arnold, a math teacher at Sidney High School is reported as missing. Sherry was last seen at 6:30 AM Saturday morning, January 7, 2012 at her residence. Sherry is 5’10”, 140 lbs, slender build, black hair, brown eyes, and has scarring on her left leg from cancer treatment. Sherry went walking Saturday morning and has not returned home. She was wearing a blue hooded sweat shirt with white stripes, red nylon pants with black leggings. If you have seen Sherry or have any information concerning her whereabouts, please contact Sidney Law Enforcement at 433-2210 or call 911.

Full table of the record temps in northeast Montana

Many great roles available for all ages:

THE ODD COUPLE (female version)
Rehearsals begin: May 14
Performances: May 25 – June 10

A new spin on Neil Simon’s classic! Fort Peck is looking for females to fill out Simon’s infamous “poker club”, now transformed into the female bridge club! We are seeking fun, out-going females of any age to play the gossipy group of female friends.

ALL SHOOK UP
Rehearsals begin: May 26
Performances: June 15 – July 1

The story is all new! The hits are all Elvis!
The show featured incredible, high energy dance numbers. Fort Peck is also looking forward t welcoming a nationally recognized choreographer for this production.
In Search of:
-Strong singing and dancing teenagers to play the restless high school students in a small fictional town (very similar to Footloose!)
-Adults to play the provincial town leaders who think that music should not be allowed, as it leads to corruption!

GYPSY
Rehearsals begin: June 16
Performances: July 6 - 22

One of the greatest American musicals even written, Gypsy follows the story of Mama Rose and her two daughters, trying to make it in Show Biz! The show offers TONS of roles of kids and adults alike, including two large roles for girls, Baby June and Baby Louise.
Roles include:
-Many great child singer and dancers to play The Balloon Girl, Uncle Jocko’s Contest Kids and Newsboys
-Older Teenagers to play featured roles as The Farmboys and the Hollywood Blondes: groups that June and Louise perform with as they grow up and perform on stages across the country. All must be strong singers and dancers.
-Like with last summer’s Big River, we see Rose travel and meet many great characters. We need adults to play many featuring roles of varying sizes. A great opportunity for adults who want to try FPST for the first time, including some non-singing roles!

WILLY WONKA
Rehearsals begin: July 7
Performances: July 27 – August 12

Featuring all of the iconic character’s from both the original Ronald Dahl novel and the classic movie, we are searching for many great kids to play Charlie, Veruca, Violet, Augustus and Mike, as well as Wonka’s band of fun and mischievous Oompa-Loompas.
In addition to many kids, we need adults to play the parents!

Any questions about the roles being cast, can be directed to FPSTAndy@hotmail.com or to the Fort Peck Theatre at fptheatre@nemont.net or by calling (406) 228-9216. If you are unable to make the Jan. 22 audition date, you can video your monologue and song and send via email or drop off your video at the Fort Peck Summer Theatre office.

“The earlier nomination deadline of December 15th landed squarely in the busy end of year holiday season, said Christy Stensland, executive director of the MCHF & WHC. “This extension will better allow folks interested in making a nomination the needed time to work through the nomination process. Many might be surprised that nominations can be made by anyone. So if you have someone special in mind to be considered, we welcome you to get involved.”

Nominees can be men, women, ranches, stage coach lines, animals, hotels, etc.—anyone or anything that has made an impact on Montana’s western heritage. Past inductees have included historical figures such as Sitting Bull, Evelyn Cameron, the N Bar N Ranch, Charles M. Russell, Plenty Coups, Granville Stuart, Nelson Story, the Grant-Kohrs Ranch, Alice Greenough, the Montana Stockgrowers Association, Fannie Sperry Steele, Frank Bird Linderman and the Vigilantes of Montana. Full biographies of all inductees from 2008-2011 are available online at http://www.montanacowboyfame.com.

2012 will mark the second year the MCHF & WHC will honor living historical figures and the fifth year of honoring legacy inductees. An unlimited number of nominations may be submitted from each of the MCHF & WHC’s 12 state-wide districts, of which one living inductee and two legacy (non-living) inductees will be chosen from votes cast by the MCHF & WHC Trustees. (Visit the MCHF & WHC website for a list of the Trustees and a map of the twelve districts of the MCHF & WHC.)

Anyone with an interest in Montana’s history and Western heritage is invited to submit a nomination. Requirements include a cover letter with details about the nominee, the submitter, and a contact person or next of kin for the nominee; a two-page-or-less computer generated document detailing the nominee’s background and contributions to Montana’s western heritage (in hard copy and CD copy); and a copy-ready photo if available. Please contact the MCHF & WHC at (406) 653-3800 for full details about submission requirements. All nomination documents must be postmarked by February 24, 2012.

The 2012 Class of the MCHF & WHC will be announced by press release in June of 2012. Next of kin or an establishment representing the award recipient will receive a MCHF & WHC certificate and will be invited to be recognized at the 2013 Annual “Circle the Wagons” Gathering.

The GHS Speech & Drama Coach LaBonty said, “The team is peaking at the right time with the divisional meet only two weeks away.” Others earning points toward the drama trophy were:

Devyn Bell – second in Serious Solo
Hailey Stone – second in Humorous Solo
Kylie Cook – third in Serious Solo
Haylee Safranski – third in Pantomime
Janine Chalmers – fourth in Humorous Solo

On the Speech side, points were earned by:

Dakota Buerman – third in Original Oratory
Daniel Dunn – fifth in Serious Oral Interpretation

Also competing in Saturday’s meet was Kat Geer in Humorous Oral Interpretation, and Amanda McDonald and Paige Schmitt who competed again 30 other duos in Humorous Duo.

The Speech & Drama season which started on October 1st is drawing to a close. The Scotties will be competing in Malta on Saturday in the last meet before post-season competition. January 21st is the Eastern Divisional Meet in Colstrip. The top six competitors in each event earn the right to compete at the State Class B-C Forensic Meet in Billings on January 28th and 29th.

To prepare for this finale and to honor their five seniors the Team is inviting the community to attend their annual Senior / Parents Night on January 17th. All team members will be performing their events. The curtain opens at 7:00 p.m.

Thanks to technology, and the cooperation of our community partners, nonprofit Student Assistance Foundation (SAF) has scheduled more than 50 College Goal Montana webinars across the state during January and February.

In Glasgow, the College Goaal Montana webinar will take place on Wednesday, January 11th and Wednesday, January 25th, starting at 6pm each night, in the GHS computer lab. Space is limited to 20 online participants.

Participants in these free webinars will listen to a 30-minute presentation about the FAFSA, log on to fafsa.gov and complete the form. Assistance will be provided by site hosts and subject matter experts via telephone.

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The second concert in the 2011/2012 Big Sky Series is Monday, January 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the Glasgow High School auditorium. The String Jumpers bring an exhilarating new approach to the timeless melodies and rhythms of a uniquely American art form – JAZZ! Classics from the swing and big band eras along with new compositions performed with violin, guitar, mandolin, bass, drums, and pure vocals, bring energy and ambiance to any concert stage.

The String Jumpers are a collection of Bozeman jazz musicians who share a great affinity for early jazz classics and swing standards. With a mix of highly accomplished jazz veterans and Montana’s hottest young acoustic musicians, they bring energy and ambiance to a wide variety of venues. Members of the band are Craig Hall on upright bass; Krista Arledge, vocal; Adam Greenberg, percussion; Sean Lehmann, lead guitar; James Schlender, violin; and Doug Schlender, rhythm guitar. They came together as a band with a common affinity for swing and early jazz, believing that the first half of the twentieth century was one of the greatest eras of songwriting and genre-creation ever.

Montana Craig Hall is a jazz guitarist and acoustic bassist who has carved out an existence as the definitive sideman of the upper mountain states. He has played in recent years in over 30 states and on four continents with a diverse array of groups, from The Montana Mandolin Society to Eden Atwood groups, the Jeni Fleming Trio and others. Closer to home he gigs with Michael Myers, Bob Britten, Kristin Korb, John Alexander, festival headliners, good singers, bad singers, in between sax players …. and teaches a few private students. With Ann Tappan he co-leads the group Springhill, with whom he toured in Eastern Europe three times, playing progressive modern jazz drawing on rock and folk influences. He has appeared on over 50 CD’s.

The violin solos of James Schlender who was 15 when The String Jumpers started, help define the band. Still the youngest member of the group and a freshman at the University of Miami Frost School of Music on a full tuition scholarship for Instrumental Performance, James started playing the fiddle when he was nine years old. By the time he was 13, he had won two National Fiddle Championships. Since then he has won many regional and state fiddle contests and placed in the top 10 for the last four years in the prestigious Grandmasters Fiddle Contest held in Nashville, Tennessee. He is proficient in classical, jazz and bluegrass and has won many awards including the VSA International Young Soloist Award where he recently performed at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.

Krista Barnett grew up in a musical family in Akron, Ohio. She sang in a variety of ensembles throughout her childhood and high school years including a madrigal group, a Doo-wap group and a show choir. Krista attended Indiana University where she got a degree in Vocal Music and Theatre. At IU, Krista studied classical and jazz voice. She also formed a band called Guest House. After five years, three albums and a few tours, the band went their separate ways. Krista moved to Bozeman and joined the String Jumpers in 2009. She also performs with the tribute band Pinky and the Floyd.

Adam Greenberg is a professional drummer, percussionist, and instructor. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, Adam studied at the Cleveland Music School Settlement as well as summer programs at Interlochen Center for the Arts and Berklee College of Music. Adam studied drums/percussion at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati under the instruction of John Von Olen. Since moving to Bozeman in 2002, Adam has performed with Jeni Fleming, Six Strings Down, The Montana Mandolin Society, the Glen Johnson Big Band and various other rock and jazz bands, as well as his own experimental project, the A.G.B.

A Bozeman native with nearly 20 years of musical experience, Sean Lehman focuses on both electric and acoustic bass and is currently working on an album with the Jeni Fleming Sextet. He is a founding member of several local bands including Pinky & the Floyd, Blue Matter, and the Golden Grenades. In addition to his musical endeavors, Sean maintains a career as a culinary professional and also does side work as a live sound engineer.

Doug Schlender is the rhythm guitarist / sound man / manager/ and father of James. He learned the luthier trade making Mossman guitars in Winfield, Kansas in the 1970’s. While there, he learned to play the guitar and mandolin from bluegrass musicians who worked there. In the 1980’s he went to work for Flatiron Mandolin, and later with Gibson Mandolin and Guitar. Although working in all aspects of the construction business through the years, providing for his growing family of seven sons, he is enjoying the ongoing outcome of the band that he and James started, The String Jumpers.

Tickets for the The String Jumpers concert are available at the door. It is number two on the Big Sky Series ticket.

The Big Sky Series is made possible in part by the Montana Performing Arts Consortium Presenter Development Program which is supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Montana Arts Council, and Montana’s Cultural Trust.

Hundreds of people have joined in the search for missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold, who has been missing since Saturday morning in eastern Montana.

Arnold was last seen jogging Saturday morning. She is described as 5'10", 140-pounds with black hair. Arnold was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt with a white stripe, red nylon pants with black leggings.

Authorities recovered one of Arnold's shoes on Saturday in the northeastern part of town, known as the Truck Route. The Sidney Herald quoted authorities as saying some "items" had been found, but there were no new leads as to the whereabouts of Arnold.

On Sunday, more than 500 people and law enforcement officers from the region, the Montana National Guard and Border Patrol agents spent the day searching the town for a sign of Sherry Arnold.

Three K-9 units from across the area were brought in to search for the popular math teacher and community member.

A massive civilian search effort has been centered at Sidney High School for volunteers and responders and on Sunday, people were bussed out in groups all over the town to search for Arnold.

Longtime resident and Sidney Herald Publisher Libby Bernt joined in on the search effort. She says this incident has just shocked the community.

"We're covering residential, we're covering rural, we're covering everything, looking underneath everything and just trying to see if we can find some sort of cLues. And we spent about 4 hours out and on the way back on the bus, it was complete silence. There was no talking because nothing was found," Berndt commented.

The search will continue Monday and adults who want to volunteer can call the Law and Justice Center at (406) 433.2919.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Sherry Arnold should call the Sidney Police Department at (406) 433.2210.

Authorities in eastern Montana say they have recovered a shoe belonging to missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold, who was last seen around 6:30 a.m. jogging in the town.

Sidney Assistant Police Chief Bob Burnison says the shoe was found in the northeastern part of town, near what is known as the truck route on Ninth Avenue. Burnison says Arnold was wearing the shoe Saturday, when she went missing.

Authorities have requested a K-9 unit from the Border Patrol to help scour the area.

On Saturday, more than 100 members of the community formed a civilian search effort to locate the well-known teacher and coach. Burnison adds the community is "very worried" about Arnold and local churches have held prayer vigils.

The police department, Richland County Sheriff's Department and Sidney Fire Department spent the day searching for her by ground and two planes searched for her by air.

Arnold went for a jog Saturday morning at about 6:30 and has not been seen since. She is described as 5'10" tall, 140 lbs. with black hair. She was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt with a white stripe, red nylon pants with black leggings.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Sherry Arnold, you are asked to call the Sidney Police Department at 433-2210.

Search parties were called back to Sidney High School just before sundown after hundreds of volunteers went on foot to search for missing 43-year-old Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold. Arnold is 5'10" with a slender build, and dark hair and brown eyes.

Sidney police told the Herald at 5:15 p.m. that a piece of clothing was found but no body, despite budding rumors. An all-day search included airplanes and volunteers on four-wheelers scouring streets, fields and the irrigation canal. Sidney and Richland County law enforcement were joined by volunteer fire departments from Sidney and Savage, and the Montana National Guard.

Police report Arnold went on a run at 6:30 a.m. Saturday and wasn’t seen since. Last seen in red leggings, nylon tights, black leggings underneath, blue hooded sweatshirt with a strip down the arm and the hood, dark blue or black mittens, and a headband. Her normal running route includes Holly Street, near the Sidney Country Club, the walking path, the truck route and cemetery road.

Earlier this afternoon, authorities were given information that led them to focus search efforts in northeast Sidney, near Blue Rock and Sidney Sugar businesses.

Search parties were organized at Sidney High School, the main information hub, that were sent out throughout the day.

Anybody with any information should call Sidney police at 433-2210.

A prayer service is being held at 7 p.m. at Trinity Luthern Church Saturday. A search will begin again at 8 a.m. Sunday. Volunteers will meet at the Sidney High School gymnasium.

Police report Arnold went on a run at 6:30 a.m. Saturday and wasn’t seen since. Her normal running route includes Holly Street, near the Sidney Country Club, the walking path, the truck route and cemetery road.

At about 4:30 p.m., Sidney assistant police chief Bob Burnison reported authorites received some information and because of that were concentrating their efforts in the northeast part of Sidney near the Blue Rock and Sidney Sugar businesses.

Search parties were organized at Sidney High School at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and after two hours returned to the school to regroup. Later in the afternoon, some of the groups went to check the ditches near the fairgrounds. An email after 5 p.m. requested all search teams to return.

Burnison said the search consisted of planes, the fire department, National Guard and more than 100 volunteers. Newspaper, radios and televisions provided information about the missing person.

Anybody with any information, should call Sidney Police at 433-2210.

School officials stated that student safety is the number one priority and the decision was made to cancel classes.

Superintendent Kris Kuehn says he received a call at approximately 4:30 p.m. Thursday informing him that a threat had been called into the elementary school.

The Phillips County Sheriff's Department is working with school administrators to investigate the threat.

KRTV noted that it was a specific threat to the elementary school and that the middle and high schools were not included.

Both Malta Middle School and Malta High School were scheduled to be open on Friday.

Kuehn says every precaution has been taken at this time and he anticipates that elementary classes will resume on Monday.

http://www.krtv.com/news/malta-elementary-closed-on-friday-after-bomb-threat/

The corps released its final management plan for the river Friday morning.

The corps says the 2012 plan doesn't include additional flood-storage space beyond the normal amount because officials wanted to end last year's flood as early as possible so repairs could be made.

The corps says the system of levees and flood-control barriers along the river remains vulnerable because more repairs are needed.

The corps says that if it gets any sign of heavy runoff in 2012 it will try to aggressively release water.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Jan. 1 represents about 45 percent of the expected seasonal snowfall, so more than half of the snowfall season remains. “Although La Nina like temperatures exist in the Pacific Ocean, weather patterns indicative of La Nina, which are typically wetter and colder than average, have been rare,” said Brian Domonkos, NRCS snow water supply specialist.

Generally, precipitation in Montana started off well in October, predominately in the form of rain, yielding to drier conditions in November and even drier during December. The early season rain helped wet soils dehydrated from the summer dry spell and soaked soils to near levels experienced in October 2010.

According to NRCS data, current overall conditions compare closely with the start of the water year two seasons ago, which remained dry across the region until early spring 2010 when wetter than average conditions prevailed. “In order to recover from the current snowpack deficit, winter precipitation would need to be near 120 percent of average prior to spring runoff,” Domonkos said. Last season snowfall amounted to 170 percent of average through the end of the snowpack season due to above average precipitation and below average temperatures extending into early June.

Southwest Montana snowpack has fared the worst up to this point, below 80 percent, while the Yellowstone River Basin has several sub-basins, most particularly in the Lower Yellowstone River Basins, above 100 percent of average.

% OF............................................% OF
RIVER BASIN..............................AVERAGE......LAST YEAR

COLUMBIA......................................80..............106
KOOTENAI, MONTANA....................88..............101
FLATHEAD, MONTANA....................69..............111
UPPER CLARK FORK.........................82..............110
BITTERROOT...................................90................94
LOWER CLARK FORK........................90..............112
MISSOURI........................................80..............113
MISSOURI HEADWATERS..................77..............117
JEFFERSON......................................78..............110
MADISON........................................73..............121
GALLATIN.......................................77..............116
MISSOURI MAINSTEM ......................93..............108
HEADWATERS MAINSTEM................105............106
SMITH-JUDITH-MUSSELSHELL.........89..............117
SUN-TETON-MARIAS......................81................90
MILK (Bearpaw Mountains)..............50..............134
ST. MARY.......................................78................94
ST. MARY and MILK........................76...............103
YELLOWSTONE...............................97...............114
UPPER YELLOWSTONE.....................90...............121
LOWER YELLOWSTONE..................103..............107
STATEWIDE....................................82................112

For detailed basin snowpack information, go to: www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/.

Streamflow prospects are slightly more optimistic with more than half of the snowpack accumulation season remaining. Still, Domonkos said that streamflow forecasts are projected to be below average and, thus, water managers need to pay particular attention to their local area and plan for possible low streamflows in the event that mountain precipitation continues to be poor.

Below are the averaged River Basin streamflow forecasts for the period April 1 through July 31. THESE FORECASTS ASSUME NEAR NORMAL MOISTURE AND RUNOFF CONDITIONS JANUARY THROUGH JULY.

.............................................April-July.........................April-July
............................................THIS YEAR........................LAST YEAR
RIVER BASIN.....................% OF AVERAGE...................% OF AVERAGE

COLUMBIA................................84....................................104
KOOTENAI................................79......................................94
FLATHEAD................................83....................................116
UPPER CLARK FORK..................88......................................99
BITTERROOT.............................91......................................95
LOWER CLARK FORK..................82.....................................99
MISSOURI..................................81.....................................99
JEFFERSON................................71....................................106
MADISON..................................83....................................111
GALLATIN.................................89....................................100
MISSOURI MAINSTEM.................80....................................103
SMITH-JUDITH-MUSSELSHELL....77....................................97
SUN-TETON-MARIAS.................93....................................82
MILK..........................................79...................................112
ST. MARY...................................97...................................98
YELLOWSTONE...........................99...................................97
UPPER YELLOWSTONE.................90..................................107
LOWER YELLOWSTONE..............107..................................86
STATEWIDE.................................86..................................101

NOTE: The APRIL-JULY LAST YEAR % OF AVERAGE column above is what was forecast last year, NOT what actually occurred.

For detailed basin streamflow forecast information go to: ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/support/water/provisional_forecasts/montana/mt.txt

Former State Rep. Julie French, D-Scobey,
said in a news release Thursday that she
plans to challenge Republican Sen. John
Brenden, also of Scobey, for the Senate
District 18 seat.

French represented House District 36 in
the 2007 and 2009 legislative sessions,
during which she served on the Health and
Human Services, Judiciary, Agriculture and
Rules committees. French also served on
the interim Environmental Quality Council.

During the 2009 session, French served as
vice chair of the Agriculture Committee and
was in leadership as the Majority Whip.

Brenden, a longtime farmer and rancher,
served in the Senate from 1993-1994 and
successfully ran again in 2008. He was
chairman of the Committee on Committees
and the Fish and Game Committee and
served on the Finance and Claims, Natural
Resources and Rules committees, as well
as the Joint Subcommittee on Natural
Resources and Transportation.

French said she decided to run for elected
office again because of her strong
conviction that "northeastern Montana not
only needs a strong legislator, but one who
is independent and willing to listen as well."

"This last session saw issues brought forth
with an extremist agenda while important
issues to Montanans were pushed aside,"
French said. "We need a legislator who will
work on issues that truly matter to Senate
District 18, not divisive partisan politics."

French has worked in the health care field
for more than 23 years and is presently
working part time as the town clerk for
Flaxville.