Story from https://gasprices.aaa.com/

The national average for a gallon of gas has not fallen for nearly a month. Gasoline has either remained flat or risen every day since April 24 and has set a new record daily since May 10.That was the day gas eclipsed the previous record high of $4.33, set earlier this year on March 11. The national average for a gallon of gasoline is now $4.59 and all 50 states are above $4 per gallon.

“Gasoline is $1.05 more than it was on February 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “That sent shock waves through the oil market that have kept oil costs elevated. Domestically, meanwhile, seasonal gas demand is rising as more drivers hit the road, despite the pain they face paying at the pump.”

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 4.8 million bbl to 220.2 million bbl last week. Meanwhile, gasoline demand increased from 8.7 million b/d to 9 million b/d. Tighter supply and increased demand have pushed pump prices higher. This supply/demand dynamic and volatile crude prices will keep upward pressure on pump prices.

Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $4.59, which is 47 cents more than a month ago, and $1.56 more than a year ago.

The average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Montana is $4.36 per gallon and $4.22 per gallon in Valley County.

The Glasgow City Council met in regular session on May 23rd. Decisions made by the council:

The council agreed to assist the Glasgow Downtown Association in watering trees planted in downtown Glasgow. The GDA recently planted several new trees in downtown Glasgow and the city will provide the equipment and manpower to help the association water trees.

The council instructed city staff to seek bids for gasoline and diesel fuel for 2022-2023. The city will seek bids for approximately 12,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline, 5,000 gallons of No. 1 diesel fuel and 5,000 gallons of No. 2 diesel fuel.

Appointed Patrick Beer as a firefighter with the Glasgow Fire Department following completion a term of probation.

Agreed to raise the cost of bulk water sold by the city from $.25 for 60 gallons of water to $10.00 per 1000 gallons of water. The increase will also include a $30.00 annual bulk water card fee. This will begin on January 1st of 2023.

Glasgow Mayor Rod Karst announced that the city has reached a tentative agreement with a new Public Works Director. The PWD will replace Robert Kompel who resigned the position in February. It's expected the new employee would start the job in July.

Story Credit To Northern Plains Independent.

Roosevelt County residents will have the chance to vote on June 7, to establish a special local option tax on medical marijuana and non-medical marijuana in the county.

One vote is to have a 3 percent tax on the retail value of all medical marijuana and medical marijuana products. The other vote is a 3 percent tax on the retail value of all non-medical marijuana and non-medical marijuana products sold within the county.

County commissioners don’t know the exact additional funding the taxes could bring to the county. Funds are split up with 50 percent going to the county, 5 percent to the state and the rest divided among the cities.

Commissioners estimate the amount could be about $60,000 a year.

Commissioners say they know of three dispensaries in Wolf Point and one starting on the edge of Culbertson.

If the measures pass, commissioners will then decide where to use the funds. Public safety is the probable area for funding, they said.

In the first year of legal recreational marijuana sales in the state. monthly sales have been fairly steady in Roosevelt County and throughout Montana.

According to the Montana Department of Revenue, Roosevelt County experienced $174,625 in estimated cannabis sales to adults during March. In addition, there were $204,364 medical sales for a total of $378,990.

Those figures are significant increases in relationship to the previous two months. Roosevelt County had estimated cannabis sales to adults of $117,303 and medical sales of $214,698 during

January. The figures were $137,921 in estimated adult sales and $201,388 in medical sales during February.

For Roosevelt County, adult use sales amounted to $161,600.86 during April. Medical sales were $158,324.45.

During the month of April, adult use sales amounted to $25,374,623 and medical sales were $9,062,420 in Montana.

540 or 16% of the absentee ballots sent out for the June 7th Primary Election have been returned to the Valley County Election Administrator.

3328 ballots were sent out by the Valley County Election Administrator to all registered voters in Valley County who are signed up to vote absentee.

There are 4843 registered voters in Valley County. 68% of registered voters in Valley County are signed up to receive their ballots in the mail.

The Memorial Day Program will be broadcast on Memorial Day at 10:00am May 30, on KLTZ. The program will be in the same format as when they were held in the Civic Center. Scot Renville will be Master of Ceremonies as well as guest speaker. He is an Iraqi Freedom veteran and current Quartermaster of VFW Post 3107.

Saturday May 28, volunteers will meet at Highland Cemetery in Glasgow to place American flags on nearly 1000 veterans’ grave sites beginning at 9:00am. All volunteers are welcome. The flags will be removed Monday, May 30 at 3:00pm.

Story credit to Glasgow Courier:

Valley View Nursing Home (VVNH) administrator Wes Thompson spoke to the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital Board on April 27 requesting consideration to aid the nursing home financially in their operating expenses. In 2019, the home was cash flowing positive, however as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the nursing home was $1.2 million short in 2020 and $1 million short in 2021. In addition to asking the FMDH board as well as other entities, Valley County voters are also being asked to support a three-year, $300,000 levy to help keep the nursing home open. Absentee ballots were mailed out last week for the June 7 primary election.

According to meeting minutes from the meeting, as of April 27, 71 percent of the residents are on Medicaid, and VVNH’s cost per resident per day is $370 to $390, however the state reimbursement is only $211 per day. However neighboring states have a higher Medicaid reimbursement, with Washington currently at $350 per day reimbursement while Oregon has a $400 per day reimbursement. At this time, the Home has resources to remain open for approximately one year and three months, due to Valley County gifting the home with $500,000 and the county has committed to giving an additional $500,000 after July 1. If the nursing home were to close however, Thompson anticipates only being able to find placement for 15 of their 55 residents, as most facilities are not accepting bariatric patients, patients who have experienced abuse or those with mental issues.

Thompson reiterated the main issue is state and federal reimbursement and any financial help from FMDH will aid in sustaining them until “there is light at the end of the tunnel with state and federal support.” He also continues to check the Provider Relief Phase 4 Funding on a weekly basis to see if they qualify.

After hearing Thompson, FMDH CEO Randy Holom stated he would recommend trying to help Valley View as it would be very expensive if it were to close and then try to open it back up again for the community. “We have a role to meet that need if VVNH is not there and this would buy us time in hopes that they can make it,” he stated. In order to incentive the tax levy to pass by Valley County voters, Holom would like FMDH to match the tax levy, $300,000, for up to three years. It would max at three years and then financials would be looked at every single year thereafter to decide on the continued gifting. “Our contribution would be dependent on the vote passing through,” he stressed.

Board member Don Fast then made the motion, based on Holom’s recommendation to mirror the three-year tax levy and if it passes, FMDH would give VVNH $300k for up to three years with an annual evaluation of VVNH and a report of how they are doing. The motion was amended by Patrick Menge, stating at the end of two years, FMDH leadership will make a plan and present it to the Board of how to meet the need for long-term care for those who reside in VVNH should their facility cease to be able operate financially. Board member Fast was agreeable to the amendment and the motion to match the tax levy funding for $300k for up to three years was unanimously approved.

In addition to helping fund the nursing home, it was decided the hospital’s Governance Committee will continue to pursue advocacy in the legislature and the Board is committed to address the lack of funding that state government is failing to address.

“Valley View Home did a tremendous job in establishing a balanced budget in 2019. It was a success story that was years in the making. Then the rug got pulled out from beneath the skilled nursing facility as the pandemic took hold. The Board, administrator and staff have poured their hearts and souls into tackling every challenge that arises whilst maintaining a high quality of care for our loved ones, but they are facing a near-term fiscal battle. It’s our goal to bring back the stability of 2019. We have a road map in place. Now we are asking for our community to give us a fighting chance to bring it to fruition,” stated Haylie Shipp, with the Vote Yes Valley View campaign.

“The Valley View Board has been working tirelessly to come up with funding options for the facility and are aware that the only chance we have of surviving long term is through increased Medicaid reimbursement through our state government. We are working with the state legislators to bring awareness to this problem, not only for ourselves, but for all nursing homes. We are requesting another tax levy, which will be on the June ballot. The hospital board has agreed to match the tax levy funds, if the levy is approved,” stated VVNH Board President Lisa Wiltfong.

The FMDH Board of Trustees stresses that, in their opinion, the situation VVNH is in is due to policy problems, not management or COVID, and that the responsibility for the situation rests firmly with the state representatives “who have so far refused to adjust the reimbursement rates for nursing home to a viable level and have left additional federal match on the table in the process. They are forcing taxpayers and local businesses, your local hospital, to step in where they have refused to act.”

The FMDH Board of Trustees encourages those who want to do something to help, in addition to voting, to contact Senator Mike Lane at mike.lang@mtleg.gov and Representative Rhonda Knudsen at rhonda.knudsen@mtleg.gov.

Seven Valley County high-school graduates have received Jeff Jurgens Memorial Scholarships to enable their studies at colleges and universities in Montana and neighboring states.

The scholarships are awarded annually by the Scottie Booster Club in memory of the late Jeff Jurgens, Glasgow student and rabid sports fan whose namesake basketball tournament is the source of the funds. The Jeff Jurgens Memorial Tournament, presented by the Scottie Booster Club and widely supported by the community, is held annually in March and attracts dozens of youth basketball teams in grades 4-8 from across northeastern Montana.

In order to be eligible for the Jeff Jurgens scholarship, students must have graduated, or be graduating this spring, from a Valley County school and either played varsity basketball or are entering a medical or health-related field of study at a college or university in Montana or a neighboring state. This year, the Scottie Booster Club selected six scholarship recipients with a wide range of accomplishments and future plans.

Applicants’ sports backgrounds are considered, along with academic achievement, community service, citizenship, and financial need.

The seven 2022 JJMT Scholars are:

Hadynn Adkins – A 2022 graduate of Nashua High School, Adkins plans to attend Montana State University-Bozeman in the fall to pursue a pre-med undergraduate degree. Adkins played three years of basketball for the Nashua Porcupines and also played in the Jeff Jurgens Tournament for a Nashua team. She’s been involved in volleyball and track in addition to basketball and has been active in FCCLA, National Honor Society, and served as class president for three years.

Mandy Fuhrmann – Opheim High School graduate Mandy Fuhrmann will attend Montana State University-Billings this fall where she plans to pursue a degree in elementary education; she’ll also compete in track-and-field for the Yellowjackets. Fuhrmann played Vikings basketball for two years, has been a standout in track and field, and also participated in the JJMT. Fuhrmann has been deeply involved in FFA and 4-H.

Tyann Graham – Scottie basketball standout Tyann Graham will continue her basketball career at Miles Community College, where she’ll be pursuing a degree in elementary education. Graham played four years of basketball at Glasgow High and suited up for both Glasgow and North Country in many years of JJMT tournaments. She’s been active in G-Club, student council, National Honor Society, and the Scottie trading card program. Athletically, she competed for the Scotties in volleyball and track, where she’s an all-state pole vaulter, in addition to basketball.

Klaire Krumwiede – A 2022 graduate of Glasgow High School, Klaire Krumwiede plans to pursue a nursing degree at the University of North Dakota. Krumwiede participated in four years of Scottie volleyball, served as basketball manager, was involved in band, and has been in integral part of both hockey and swim teams in Glasgow. She has served as president of National Honor Society and a member of BPA, Key Club, G-Club, and student council. Outside of school, she’s worked as a lifeguard, EMT, and CNA. She also served as a page in the Montana State Senate.

Iris McKean – McKean, a 2022 graduate of Glasgow High School, will attend the University of Montana this fall, where she intends to pursue a degree in wildlife biology while running track and cross country for the Griz. She played a year of high school basketball and was on seven JJMT teams. McKean is a multiple all-stater in both cross country and track and served as vice-president of student council, a member of National Honor Society, Key Club, G-Club, and has volunteered for a number of community events, including Warriors on the Water, Glasgow Paint Run, and the Montana Governor’s Cup.

Trey Johnson – Hinsdale High School graduate Trey Johnson plans to attend Carroll College, where he will play football for the Saints while pursuing a degree in anthrozoology (study of the interaction between humans and animals). Johnson played high school basketball for both the Hinsdale Raiders and North Country Mavericks and played several years in the JJMT. As a co-op athlete, he also played football for the Scotties. Johnson has been active in FFA, 4-H—where he’s held most leadership positions—and volunteers to play taps during funerals and community events. He’s active in many church and community functions.

Blaire Westby – Glasgow High School basketball standout and 2022 graduate Blaire Westby is undecided on her collegiate plans, but she intends to pursue either biology/pre-vet or engineering degrees. Westby played all four years of varsity basketball for the Scotties and also played on a number of JJMT teams. She’s been a leader in volleyball and track and has also played in both honor and pep bands. She’s a member of G-Club, Key Club, National Honor Society, student council, and has been a class officer. She’s also been a top placer for four years in Business Professionals of America competitions.

Story credit www.montanafreepress.org

Montana’s largest railroad company is making changes to a controversial new employee attendance policy after receiving pushback from railroaders and unions. But even with the changes, labor officials remain unimpressed and said BNSF Railway’s new policies could lead to unsafe working conditions on the railroad.

Railroaders already lead chaotic work lives — one day they might go to work at 9 a.m. and the next at 5 p.m. — but BNSF employees alleged that the company’s new “Hi-Viz” attendance policy made it even worse by penalizing them for taking time off for a family emergency, illness or fatigue. Union officials say more than 700 railroaders have quit since the policy was implemented in February. Among those who walked was Brady Wassam, a Columbia Falls man who came from a family of railroaders and worked for BNSF for eight years.

“It felt offensive,” Wassam told MTFP last month. “I gave so much to this job, and this new system made it seem like it wasn’t enough.”

Under the Hi-Viz system, every employee was assigned 30 points, with points deducted for unplanned time off. The exact number of points deducted depends on the type of absence and where it falls on the calendar (weekend days and holidays cost more points). An employee can get four points back if they’re available to work 14 days in a row. If an employee loses all their points, they can be disciplined. If they lose their points multiple times they can be fired.

Union officials have called Hi-Viz “the worst and most egregious attendance policy ever adopted by any rail carrier” and threatened to go on strike earlier this year until a federal judge stopped them. But that ruling hasn’t stopped railroaders from expressing frustrations with the policy, and last month union members protested the policy at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting in Omaha. BNSF is owned by Berkshire.

BNSF officials said they planned to review the attendance policy after three months, and on Friday announced that the company will make some changes starting June 1 in response to employee feedback.

“Over the last three months, you have raised concerns about the program’s details. We hear you,” said Matt Garland, BNSF’s vice president of transportation, in a video posted to YouTube. “We are grateful for the constructive feedback we have received.”

Starting next month, employees will not be penalized for taking an unplanned day off before or after a scheduled vacation or personal day. Because railroaders often overnight at an away terminal, they’ll sometimes need to call out of work before a scheduled day off so that they can make appointments or meet other commitments.

“Over the last three months, you have raised concerns about the program’s details. We hear you.”

The railroad is also introducing more ways for employees to earn points under the Hi-Viz system. For example, those who do work on the day before or after a paid leave day will earn one point. Points can also be earned by employees who work on “high impact days” (holidays and other dates on the calendar that people traditionally want off) or who report to work on the weekend between 12 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. Sunday. Finally, the top 10% of employees at a terminal who are available more than their co-workers can earn an additional seven Hi-Viz points per month.

The railroad also announced that it is changing the points limit so that employees will be able to earn up to 37 points.

BNSF officials said they believe the revised system will help employees better manage their time off and help the railroad achieve the staffing levels it needs to move freight. But union officials were not moved by the changes.

“BNSF Railway’s newly announced changes to its Hi-Viz attendance policy are little more than fluff,” said Dennis Pierce, national president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. “Hi-Viz has been an abject failure. This unreasonable policy [that] keeps locomotive engineers and other railroaders on call day after day, around the clock, has caused hundreds of BNSF’s employees to quit and it has made recruitment of new employees a nightmare.”

“Hi-Viz has been an abject failure. This unreasonable policy [that] keeps locomotive engineers and other railroaders on call day after day, around the clock, has caused hundreds of BNSF’s employees to quit and it has made recruitment of new employees a nightmare.”

Union officials said the railroad has brought its labor woes on itself by making deep staffing cuts to appease shareholders. According to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, America’s largest freight railroads have reduced their workforce by a combined 45,000 people, or 29%, in the last six years.

Greg Regan, president of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, called BNSF’s attendance policy changes “unimpressive” and worried that instituting a points system was incentivising employees to work while fatigued, a practice that could lead to dangerous mistakes and accidents.

“It is appalling that BNSF’s response to widespread reports of worker fatigue is to incentivize this exhaustion,” Regan said. “BNSF’s proposal to reward the ‘top performers’, or those who have the top 10% of work hours, is a clear attempt to incentivize these fatigued workers to double down.”

Since Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased by 11 cents to $4.59. According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 4.8 million bbl to 220.2 million bbl last week. On the other hand, gasoline demand increased from 8.7 million b/d to 9 million b/d. Tighter supply and increased demand have pushed pump prices higher. This supply/demand dynamic, combined with volatile crude prices, will likely continue to keep upward pressure on pump prices.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI decreased by $2.81 to settle at $109.59. Crude prices dropped yesterday as market concerns about the likelihood of a recession increased. If a recession occurs, crude demand would likely decrease amid decreased economic activity and cause crude prices to decline. Additionally, crude prices decreased despite EIA reporting that domestic crude supply decreased by 3.4 million bbl to 420.8 million bbl. The current level is approximately 13.4 percent lower than during the second week of May 2021.

The nationwide average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $4.59 per gallon. In Montana, the average price is $4.34 per gallon. In Montana, diesel fuel is $5.50 per gallon.

Glasgow School District announced today that it has been recognized as a 2021-22 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished District for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities for students through its PLTW programs. It is one of just 282 districts across the U.S. to receive this honor. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S.

The PLTW Distinguished District recognition honors districts committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, Irle Elementary had to meet the PLTW Distinguished School Program criteria for the 2020-21 school year.

Through PLTW programs, students develop in-demand knowledge and skills that they will use both in school and for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take. As PLTW students progress through grades PreK-12, they are empowered to engage in problem-solving and process thinking, develop technical knowledge and skills, build communication skills, and explore career opportunities. The Glasgow School District offers PLTW Launch (K-5).

“We are honored to recognize Irle Elementary for their unwavering commitment to provide students with an excellent educational experience despite the last two years having been some of the most challenging in recent history for students and educators across the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. David Dimmett, Interim President and CEO of PLTW. “Irle Elementary should be very proud of their achievements in unlocking their students’ potential and equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in life beyond the classroom no matter what career path they choose.”

Department of Transportation funding will be used for expansions, repairs

(U.S. Senate) – Today, U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced $13,602,102 in Department of Transportation (DOT) funding for 19 Montana airports to expand and repair facilities.

“Montana is booming, and it’s critical that the Treasure State has up-to-date infrastructure to support our growing economy,” said Tester. “This funding will allow our airports to expand operations and support the increasing demand for reliable, affordable flights in and out of Montana. Improved facilities will pave the way for more flights to the region, allowing Montana to stay connected and support good paying jobs here for years to come.”

The funding awarded by the DOT will be used for a wide variety of facility expansions and repairs. Recipients and intended uses include:

Great Falls International: $4,800,519
· Construct deicing pad with associated facilities, construct taxiway

Missoula Montana: $2,149,521
· Construct terminal building

Lewistown Municipal: $1,780,000
· Rehabilitate taxiway

Helena Regional: $1,150,000
· Acquire aircraft rescue & fire fighting safety vehicle and equipment

Cut Bank International: $600,000
· Construct/modify/improve/rehabilitate hangar, improve/modify access road, seal apron pavement surface/pavement joints, seal runway pavement surface/pavement joints, seal taxilane pavement surface/pavement joints, seal taxiway pavement surface/pavement joints

Wokal Field/Glasgow-Valley County: $503,575
· Seal apron pavement surface/pavement joints, seal runway pavement surface/pavement joints, seal taxilane pavement surface/pavement joints, seal taxiway pavement surface/pavement joints

Scobey: $450,000
· Install miscellaneous navigational aids, install weather reporting equipment, reconstruct or replace airport lighting vault

Stanford/Biggerstaff Field: $443,655
· Construct taxiway

Mission Field: $354,102
· Construct taxilane

Conrad: $192,510
· Construct taxilane, install miscellaneous navigational aids, reconstruct airfield guidance signs, reconstruct apron, reconstruct runway, reconstruct runway lighting, reconstruct taxiway

Big Sky Field: $183,678
· Construct terminal building, construct/rehabilitate/modify/expand snow removal equipment building

Lincoln: $171,161
· Acquire snow removal equipment

Harlem: $166,500
· Install apron edge lights and/or flood lighting, install runway vertical/visual guidance system, install taxiway lighting, rehabilitate access road

Choteau: $150,000
· Reconstruct airfield guidance signs, seal apron pavement surface/pavement joints, seal runway pavement surface/ pavement joints, seal taxiway pavement surface/pavement joints

Plains: $150,000
· Install weather reporting equipment

Shelby: $150,000
· Install weather reporting equipment

Thompson Falls: $106,000
· Reconstruct access road

Billings Logan International: $50,881
· Conduct or update miscellaneous study

L M Clayton: $50,000
· Seal apron pavement surface/pavement joints, seal runway pavement surface/pavement joints, seal taxilane pavement surface/pavement joints, seal taxiway pavement surface/pavement joints

Tester recently secured an additional $28,610,817 in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Fiscal Year 2022 funding for 69 Montana airports as part of his bipartisan infrastructure package for repairs and upgrades. The funding is a part of approximately $144 million secured by Tester that will be awarded over five years to Montana airports through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, which can be used to construct or repair runways and taxiways as well as make terminal and gate improvements.

Tester worked across the aisle for months to negotiate this agreement with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and the White House, and he was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to vote for it. Tester’s law is projected to create more than 800,000 American jobs and lower costs for businesses by making targeted investments that will strengthen our nation without raising taxes on working families

U.S. SENATE – At a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing Tuesday. U.S. Senator Steve Daines questioned Alberta Premier Jason Kenney on the widespread effects of the Biden administration’s cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline on energy security, the economy and the United States’ relationship with Canada.

Daines said, "That’s why Alberta filed a suit against the United States seeking $1.3B in damages. Let me just read a line from that filing: The Biden Administration’s decision to revoke the Keystone XL Pipeline ‘resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs, caused systemic harm to the American, Canadian and Albertan economies, and diminished the highly integrated North American energy system..."

More evening sessions with Valley View administrator Wes Thompson and Haylie Shipp continue this week into next.

The meetings include information on the upcoming ballot measure to extend the previously approved $300,000 annual levy.

For more information, visit voteyesvalleyview.com

Deadlines are coming soon for two Valley County Community Foundation scholarships that will be awarded this summer. Students studying for degrees beyond a bachelor’s are welcome to apply for the Thomas and Cynthia Markle Scholarship for advanced Degrees. This year’s recipients will be the first to receive the Markle scholarship, according to VCCF Chair Doris Leader.

The Charlotte and Clarence Fuhrman Scholarship is available to those seeking bachelor or trade school degrees.

Requirements vary for each scholarship so please visit www.valleycountycf.net for details and application forms.

The deadline for both scholarship applications is June 17, 2022. Only mailed paper copies of the application will be accepted. They must be postmarked by the June 17 due date. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

For more information, contact Maggan Walstad at 724-7163

Valley County Health Department has received reports confirming twelve (12) positive COVID persons. Symptoms began May 7 through this past weekend, which means that these persons were contagious in our community beginning May 5. Each of these twelve (12) persons have been sick enough to seek medical care.

Please - if you have any symptoms, if you think it's just a cold or allergies - stay home. COVID is transmitted by breathing - everyone breathes and ANYONE can easily catch this highly infectious disease.

VCHD has MANY free tests to give away - pick one up at any time during our regular business hours. Test yourself, stay home, and seek medical care if your symptoms worsen. Please continue to assess your own risk before attending events.

Remember our prevention measures - hand washing, 6 feet social distancing, hand washing, limit exposure to non-household members, hand washing, and don't forget that pesky mask is still an effective option. Stay healthy, Valley County!

MISSOULA – About 12.5 million nonresidents visited Montana in 2021 and spent around $5.15 billion in the Treasure State, according to estimates by the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana.

The number of travelers visiting the state in 2021 increased 12.5% from 2020, bringing the number nearly back to the pre-pandemic visitation levels. This recovery performance far exceeded most of the nation.

Those 12.5 million travelers made up 5.6 million travel groups in Montana during the year. Nearly half of those travelers were here during the third quarter from July through September.

“Overall for 2021, slightly larger group sizes, longer lengths of stay and higher daily average spending per group resulted in the significant increase in spending compared to previous years,” said Jeremy Sage, ITRR interim director.

As is generally the case, money spent on fuel is the highest category, accounting for nearly a quarter of average daily spending for travel groups. Restaurant and bar spending and accommodations make up another third of the average daily travel budget for nonresidents.

Visitor spending during 2021 supported an estimated 47,800 jobs directly. Associated with those jobs is $1.3 billion of labor income directly supported by nonresident spending.

An additional $734 million of labor income is indirectly supported by nonresident travel spending. These travelers contributed more than $387 million in state and local taxes in 2021.

All information and reports published by ITRR are available online at http://www.itrr.umt.edu.

“Breathe Well Learn Well” project will assist schools in Tribal communities on the Fort Peck, Blackfeet, and Crow/Northern Cheyenne reservations in Montana

WASHINGTON (May 16, 2022)— To commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the landmark Executive Order Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks signed in 1997, today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the award of the first four cooperative agreements under the Children’s Healthy Learning Environments in Low-Income and/or Minority Communities competition. This $2 million grant program competition was funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to support children’s environmental health by building capacity through activities that identify and address disproportionate environmental or public health harms and risks in underserved communities.

“We know children are especially vulnerable to environmental health risks as they grow, and we also know not all children face the same risks – black and Latino children still have higher rates of asthma compared to white children and have higher rates of lead exposure,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “It’s time to focus on addressing those disparities so that all children, no matter their race or income, have a safe, level playing field.”

The four grantees who have been awarded $200,000 each are:

Health Resources in Action whose project, “Healthy Environments Advance Learning (HEAL): Building Capacity for Resilient Schools in Massachusetts,” will build knowledge and capacity to improve environmental health conditions within schools across Massachusetts, optimizing outcomes related to healthy childhood development particularly for districts where students are most burdened by asthma and extreme heat. HEAL will provide training and technical assistance on policies and practices to address environmental asthma triggers, extreme heat, and ventilation to 5-7 school districts in low-income communities. HEAL will also leverage partner networks to disseminate resources to all MA public school districts and across New England.

Women for a Healthy Environment whose project will complete over 200 eco-healthy assessments and offer solutions and technical assistance to address environmental risks at childcare centers in low-income and minority communities across Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Additionally, childcare center staff across Philadelphia will participate in webinars focused on relevant environmental health topics. Through this cooperative agreement, Women for a Healthy Environment will form a statewide partnership with childcare centers to strategize bringing additional resources and mitigation strategies to centers across the commonwealth.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston whose project will conduct “Outreach for Healthy Learning Environments in West Texas.” Through this project, UTHealth will partner with the Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health to build capacity for healthier learning environments within low-income schools in the Paso del Norte Region. The main objectives are to provide culturally relevant information for school decision-makers to identify health risk drivers, demonstrate best practices for maintaining an environmentally safe school, and share preparedness procedures in anticipation of an adverse event.

The American Lung Association’s “Breathe Well Learn Well” project will build awareness and capacity for schools in Tribal communities on the Fort Peck, Blackfeet, and Crow/Northern Cheyenne reservations in Montana to establish lung-friendly schools (LFS) policies and practices, thereby reducing children’s exposure to environmental health contaminants. These tribal communities are on the front-line of climate change-related health impacts and face disproportionate environmental health hazards from intense wildfire smoke episodes. Bolstering the role of schools to provide a clean air respite based on their own priorities will improve the health of everyone at the school. Many of the mitigation strategies and trainings available through the ALA provide evidence-based and best practice efforts that also help reduce COVID-19 transmission risk. Montana also has naturally high levels of radon, prompting the need for education and awareness on this EH hazard that can work to improve public health.

EPA is currently processing six additional cooperative agreements of $200,000 each from the competition which will fulfill the objective of funding one cooperative agreement per EPA region. EPA is pleased to announce that the following recipients have been selected to receive funding to support children’s environmental health in learning environments. EPA anticipates it will award these organizations cooperative agreements of $200,000 each once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (U.S. Virgin Islands)
University of Mississippi Medical Center (central Mississippi)
Milwaukee Public Schools (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Wichita State University (Kansas)
Northern Arizona University (Cocopah Tribe)
Child Care Aware of America (Oregon)

This grant program is part of EPA’s funding to address environmental health disparities head on; in addition, EPA also used ARP funding to support the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units across the country, a network of health care practitioners who address children’s health issues that arise through environmental exposures. PEHSUs work to “address historical injustices and ongoing environmental racism and address the existential threat of climate change.”

In 1997, EPA established the Office of Children’s Health Protection (OCHP). OCHP leads the Agency’s work to ensure that all children, especially those in underserved communities, thrive by living, learning, and playing free from environmental exposures like hazardous chemicals, indoor and outdoor air pollution, and unsafe drinking water that contribute to harmful health effects. Watch this video to learn more about the importance of children’s environmental health and EPA’s role in protecting it.

Last October, EPA issued its first-ever revision to the Policy on Children’s Health. The 2021 policy expands the definition of children’s environmental health to include not only conception, infancy, adolescence, and early adulthood, but also the impact that early exposures may have later in life. This policy also reinforces the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to equity and threats to children’s health caused by climate change.

Background

The 1997 Executive Order instructed all federal agencies to “make it a high priority to identify and assess environmental health risks and safety risks that may disproportionately affect children;” and “ensure that its policies, programs, activities, and standards address disproportionate risks to children that result from environmental health or safety risks.” This order brought increased federal focus on the crucial topic of children’s health, the foundation of all people’s growth and development.

The Executive Order also established the President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children, a cabinet level group of 17 agencies and departments co-chaired by EPA Administrator Regan and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. The principals of the Task Force met in October 2021 to renew the federal commitment to the goals of the interagency workgroup. The Task Force leverages each Agency’s unique expertise to address issues such as childhood asthma disparities, lead poisoning, and climate and disasters, and exposure of children to pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

To commemorate the past 25 years of children’s health at EPA, OCHP Director Jeanne Briskin published an EPA Perspectives article on children’s environmental health. It includes resources for parents, caregivers and teachers on protecting children from environmental threats where they live, learn and play. Director Briskin also hosted a discussion with former EPA Administrator Carol Browner, current deputy EPA Administrator Janet McCabe and Ramona Trovato, the first OCHP Director, to discuss EPA’s work to protect children’s health. The discussion highlighted key milestones that influenced how EPA protects children from environmental exposures, actions to protect children’s health in the future, and emerging children’s environmental health issues. View the discussion broadcast.

America’s Children and the Environment, a useful tool for evaluating children’s environmental health, was recently updated with the latest data and enhanced the online features. The update features a modernized digital format to analyze trends, download data, inform decisions to improve children’s health, and identify ways to minimize environmental impacts on children. EPA has maintained this data for nearly 20 years and will continue to add additional updates in the years to come.

The U. S Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2020 and 2021 will soon begin receiving emergency relief payments totaling approximately $6 billion through the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) new Emergency Relief Program (ERP) to offset crop yield and value losses.

Agricultural producers and handlers who are certified organic, along with producers and handlers who are transitioning to organic production, can now apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic and Transitional Education Certification Program (OTECP) and Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), which help producers and handlers cover the cost of organic certification, along with other related expenses. Applications for OTECP and OCCSP are both due October 31, 2022.

Helena, Mont., May 13, 2022 – The Montana Community Foundation (MCF) announces a new fund to benefit the community of Valley County forever. The Valley County Masonic Endowment Fund was established through a $1.25 million gift from the Nemont Manor Foundation, Inc. Grants from the fund will support charitable organizations making a positive impact in Valley County.

The Valley County Masonic Endowment Fund was established with proceeds from the sale of Nemont Manor, an affordable housing facility in Glasgow that has 100 housing units available to HUD qualified individuals. The Manor was built more than 40 years ago and managed by the Valley County Masons that provides subsidized housing units to qualified tenants.

The Nemont Manor was purchased by Silver Tree Residential, a group that acquires, rehabilitates, and permanently preserves affordable housing units which were originally developed under HUD programs. Their goal is to ensure the long-term affordability of units for current and future residents. They have also extended the Section 8 contract with HUD for an additional 20 years.

“After running the Nemont Manor for more than 40 years, we were ready to pass the baton on management of the Manor but also wanted to ensure the proceeds of the sale would continue to make a lasting impact in the community,” says James Rector, secretary and treasurer of Nemont Foundation. “We look forward to supporting our community forever in this way.”

As an endowment, the fund will generate returns each year forever that can be used for community grantmaking in the areas of economic development, conservation, education, arts and culture, and support of basic human needs. The first grant cycle for the fund will be in 2023.

“We are honored to partner with Nemont Manor Foundation on this fund that will provide lasting support to the Valley County community,” says Mary Rutherford, MCF president and chief executive officer.

The mission of MCF is to cultivate a culture of giving so Montana communities can flourish. Founded in 1988, MCF has reinvested more than $90 million in Montana through grants and services to charitable causes across the state. MCF manages more than $175 million in assets and administers more than 1,400 philanthropic funds and planned gifts. Learn more at mtcf.org.

EPA’s Brownfields Grant Program to award funding to 11 Montana projects

(U.S. Senate) – As a part of his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, United States Senator Jon Tester today announced that he secured $15,148,199 in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields grant funding for 11 Montana projects to clean up pollution and spur economic development.

“When industries change and communities develop, Montana’s towns and cities are often left to foot the bill on cleanup efforts,” said Tester. “My bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is helping change that by reinvesting in the communities that have been most affected by leftover contamination and pollution. By working across the aisle with five Republicans and four other Democrats, I was able to secure critical funding to repurpose old or abandoned properties in the Treasure State and create good paying Montana jobs in the process.”

EPA’s Brownfields Program provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, Tribes and others to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties. A Brownfield is a property, which the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Funding for Montana’s Brownfields projects will be delivered in the form of Assessment grants, Cleanup Grants and Programs, and Revolving Loan Funds.

Montana recipients include:

Snowy Mountain Development Corporation; Hilger, Winnett, Roundup, Fergus and Lewistown: $3,900,000 Revolving Loan Fund
· Snowy Mountain Development Corporation, on behalf of the Central Montana Brownfields Coalition, plans to perform several cleanups throughout a six-county area in Central Montana. Cleanups will help clean up legacy contamination, provide affordable housing and eldercare and stimulate economic development in the towns of Hilger, Winnett, Roundup, Fergus and Lewistown. A priority site will be the Crowley Block in Lewistown, which when completed will provide 14 affordable housing units. SMDC has already leveraged revolving loan funds to clean up asbestos at the Crowley Block with $4.5 million in state, local, and federal resources to bring the One Health Community Health Center into the formerly vacant building. The project will result in the creation of 132 new jobs while addressing two critical housing and rural health care needs. Over the past 10 years, EPA has provided SMDC $3.8 million in funding to complete 23 cleanups throughout Central Montana.

Great Falls Development Authority; City of Great Falls and Cascade County: $2,650,000 Revolving Loan Fund
· Great Falls Development Authority plans to use supplemental funding under the Brownfields RLF program to provide cleanup loans and grants at multiple properties throughout the City of Great Falls and Cascade County. A priority site for the funding is the Baatz Building, a historic vacant downtown building planned for a multiuse development with permanent, affordable supportive housing. Two cleanups currently underway include a $50,000 subgrant to clean up the Great Falls Rescue Mission Women’s Shelter and a $424,000 subgrant for the Rocky Mountain Building. After 12 years of vacancy, Alluvion Health will clean up and begin a complete restoration and remodel of the Rocky Mountain building for their Health Care Center. Over the past 16 years, EPA has provided GFDA $2.9 million in funding leading to the completion of seven loans and 12 subgrants for cleanup. A few highlights include the West Bank Landing, True Brew Coffee Shop, Miracle Mile, Arvon Block and the Great Falls Community Food Bank.

Bear Paw Development Corporation of Northern Montana; Havre, Chinook and Chester: $2,150,000 Revolving Loan Fund
· Utilizing RLF Coalition grant funds, Bear Paw plans to perform cleanups in Havre, Chinook and Chester.

Headwater Resource Conservation & Development Council; Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Butte-Silver Bow, Granite, Jefferson, Madison, and Powell counties: $1,000,000 Revolving Loan Fund
· Headwaters Resource Conservation & Development Council (HRDC) plans to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which the HRDC will provide loans and subgrants to support cleanup activities. HRDC will use funds to oversee site cleanups, plan redevelopment, and conduct community involvement activities. RLF activities will focus on the seven-county region in southwest Montana that includes Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Butte-Silver Bow, Granite, Jefferson, Madison, and Powell counties. Priority sites are located in old, blighted commercial corridors and include former gas stations, auto repair shops, a former hotel building, and a former junkyard located in a federally designated floodplain. Coalition members are the Butte Local Development Corporation and the Anaconda Local Development Corporation.

Montana Department of Environmental Quality; Anaconda, Billings, Libby: $2,000,000 Assessment Grant
· Funds will be used to conduct 38 Phase I and 19 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop ten community brownfield site inventories and five reuse plans or market studies. The target areas for this grant are the town of Anaconda, the City of Billings, and the Town of Libby. Priority sites include the 20-acre Anaconda Railyard, a 45,000-square-foot underutilized former paper company building in Billings, and the Libby Food Pantry.

Big Sky Economic Development Authority; East Billings: $500,000 Assessment Grant
· Funds will be used to conduct nine Phase I and seven Phase II environmental site assessments and develop four cleanup plans. Grant funds also will be used to prepare a Community Involvement Plan, conduct public meetings, and conduct other community outreach activities. The target area for this grant is the East Billings Urban Renewal District (EBURD). Priority sites include eight brownfields within the EBURD in old commercial and industrial areas, including an auto repair shop, a trucking business, steel facilities, and a warehouse.

Fort Belknap Indian Community: $500,000 Cleanup Grant
· Funds will be used to clean up a former school in Lodgepole, a former Water Treatment Plant and the Sacred Heart Catholic School in Harlem, and the Old Agency Dump on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. The former Lodgepole School is a vacant 16,225-square-foot building contaminated with metals and inorganic contaminants. The former Water Treatment Plant was closed in 2010 and is a vacant 3,750-square-foot building. There are vault tanks and drums inside and near the building containing known and unknown chemicals. The Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a 3,322-square-foot building contaminated with inorganic contaminants. The Old Agency Dump is a 24-acre site that became an unofficial dump for debris such as concrete, pipes, and cars after its closure in the 1980s; its soil is contaminated with organic contaminants. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community involvement activities.

Harlowton: $500,000 Cleanup Grant
· Funds will be used to clean up the Harlowton Roundhouse and Railyard located at 308 A Avenue in the City of Harlowton. The cleanup site was a former railyard and depot that included a 17,000-square-foot roundhouse, an office, switching yards, track, and repair and refueling operations. The 180-acre vacant brownfield is contaminated with metals and organic and inorganic contaminants. The condition of the site restricts access to the Musselshell River. Grant funds also will be used to develop a community relations plan, update an existing project website, and conduct other community involvement activities.

Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development; Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Butte-Silver Bow, Granite, Jefferson, Madison, and Powell counties: $1,000,000 Revolving Loan Fund Coalition Grant
· The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which the HRDC will provide loans and subgrants to support cleanup activities. Grant funds also will be used to oversee site cleanups, plan redevelopment, and conduct community involvement activities. Priority sites are located in old, blighted commercial corridors and include former gas stations, auto repair shops, a former hotel building, and a former junkyard located in a federally-designated floodplain. Coalition members are the Butte Local Development Corporation and the Anaconda Local Development Corporation.

Missoula County: $500,000 Assessment Grant
· Funds will be used to conduct seven Phase I and 11 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop three cleanup plans and one reuse plan and to support community outreach activities. The target areas for this site are the neighborhoods of East Missoula, Bonner, West Riverside, Milltown, Piltzville, and the Fort Missoula/Target Range. Priority sites include the East Missoula Town center complex, which includes former fueling stations, a truck repair facility, and a junk vehicles yard; a former school building that has been vacant since 2004; a 108-acre former sawmill and industrial landfill; and an 86-acre former gravel mine complex.

Northern Cheyenne Tribe: $448,199 Assessment Grant
· Funds will be used to inventory sites and conduct eight Phase I and eight Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop three cleanup plans and support community outreach activities. The target areas for this grant are tribally-owned lands within the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Priority sites include three vacant and unutilized fueling stations in the Town of Lame Deer that contain underground storage tanks, and a site consisting of 16 residential units donated by a military base.

Tester worked across the aisle for months to negotiate the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and the White House, and he was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to vote for it. Tester’s law is projected to create more than 800,000 American jobs and lower costs for businesses by making targeted investments that will strengthen our nation without raising taxes on working families

GLASGOW – Volunteer instructors are hosting Bowhunter Education in-person courses in Wolf Point, Malta, Glasgow, and Sidney.

Wolf Point: May 21-22
Malta: June 1-3, 6
Glasgow: June 6-8
Sidney: June 10, 16, 17, 18

Students can sign up for Hunter and Bowhunter Education courses by visiting fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education and look for an in-person course. Students MUST be registered before the class begins. Please print, sign, and bring the documents listed on the registration page. All hunter and bowhunter education courses are free of charge.

Who needs bowhunter education?

All first-time bowhunters in Montana must complete a Bowhunter Education course or show proof of a prior year’s archery license from another state or province. Students must be at least 12 years old by Jan. 16, 2023, to take a Bowhunter Education class (either in-person or online) and be fully certified to hunt during an archery-only season.

It is recommended that students only take this course if they are ready to bow hunt (already have equipment and are physically capable and ready to hunt with a bow) so they can incorporate the valuable lessons learned in the field. Otherwise, students should wait to take the course until the year they are planning to start bow hunting.

Bowhunter Education classes are taught by skilled volunteer instructors and offer hands-on learning experiences, mentoring opportunities, and the ability for students to ask questions of experienced hunters.

Students learn how to handle archery equipment safely, various archery tactics, basic survival skills, hunting ethics, wildlife management, game identification, landowner-hunter relations, and Montana hunting laws and regulations.

Some of these courses require the student to pick up and complete the student manual before class. For more information and details on the courses, refer to the course registration page or contact the course instructors listed on the registration page.

For many Montanans, Memorial Day weekend kicks off the start of summer travel, culminating with Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately, these summer months can also be some of the deadliest on Montana’s roads due to increased motor vehicle crashes. As part of a nationwide “Click It or Ticket” mobilization running from May 23 through June 5, 2022, Valley County Sheriff’s Office, Glasgow Police Department, and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) will be out to educate motorists and enforce Montana’s seat belt law statewide.

Before you make plans to travel this Memorial Day weekend, commit to always buckle up before you go, and insist your friends and family do the same. Using your seat belt is your best defense against serious injury or death in the event you’re in a crash.

“There are no excuses for not wearing your seat belt,” said Chris Richter, Undersheriff. “At the end of the day, we want all Montanans to make it to their destination safely, and the best way to increase your chances of surviving a crash is by wearing your seat belt. It’s simple: Seat belts help save lives.”
In recent years, Montana’s seat belt usage has improved. However, still almost half of the people killed in crashes each year were not wearing their seat belts (2011- 2020 average 49% ). Remember to buckle up – every person, every trip, every time. There’s plenty of reasons to wear your seat belt, and no excuse not to buckle up!

This is a Vision Zero Message from the Montana Department of Transportation. As the summer driving season kicks off, MDT would like to say “thank-you” to our fellow Montanan’s and visitors to Montana that help keep themselves and their passengers safe while traveling by remembering their reason for buckling up every trip, every time.

The Glasgow School Board had their organizational meeting and regular May board meeting on May 11th.

The board canvassed and approved the May 3rd school election results which included electing Stan Ozark to a Trustee position and the rejection of a general fund levy request.

Mona Amundson completed her 9th year on the school board and attended her last meeting as a Trustee.

Ozark was sworn in as a Trustee and will serve a 3-year term.

Angie Page was re-elected Chairman of the Board and Ryan Fast was elected Vice-Chair.

Kelly Doornek was appointed Clerk of the Board.

The board then adjourned and opened up their regular May board meeting.

The board approved a request to add Opheim to the Glasgow/Nashua/Hinsdale Wrestling Cooperative which will allow Opheim students to compete in wrestling in the Glasgow School System.

The school district will conduct a obsolete property sale in the month of June after the board approved a resolution allowing this to happen.

Valley County will conduct the 2023 school election in May of 2023. Valley has conducted the elections for the Glasgow School System since 2019.

The board gave tentative approval to a negotiated agreement with the Glasgow Education Association. The GEA is currently voting on the agreement. The agreement will provide an increase of 2.25% on the base salary for Glasgow educators. The school district will provide up to $26,000 in leftover general fund monies (if available) for the GEA to distribute to its members. The contract will be for the 2022-2023 school year.

Press Release From Valley County Long Run Fire Department:

If you’re going to have a campfire please make sure it’s completely out. The fire Tuesday was contained to 6 acres but crews didn’t get back until 9:30pm. There was extensive mop up that needed to be done.

The fire was back in heavy trees along the Milk River, it was almost inaccessible. Crews had to walk in with water backpacks, hand tools and chainsaws. We responded with 5 trucks and 18 fire department members. Thompson & Son’s also sent a crew along with heavy equipment. It was a great group effort Tuesday!

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement celebrating the news that Amtrak will restore daily service to the Empire Builder line across northern Montana beginning May 23:

“This announcement is long overdue, and it’s great news for folks living on the Hi-Line who depend on daily Amtrak service to support our state’s rural economies and to stay connected to family and friends. I’ve been fighting to defend Montana from attempts to cripple Amtrak service in rural America, and I have been proud to lead the fight to return full, daily service to our state, which will grow our economy along our Northern Tier.”

Today’s announcement reverses system-wide service reductions imposed in January due to COVID-driven workforce shortages.

According to the Northern Plains Independent, the Wolf Point School Board and the Wolf Point educators are negotiating a new contract which could increase the starting salary for a teacher in the Wolf Point School System.

A proposal put forth by the school board would increase the base salary to $38,000 which is an increase of 15.14%. For the 2023-2024 school year, the base salary would increase to $39,000 and to $40,000 for the 2024-2025 school year.

Wolf Point Superintendent Loverty Erickson said the proposal would make the base salary the highest for the Montana's nine reservation schools and 19 Class B schools of similar size.

According to the Northern Plains Independent, representatives of the Wolf Point Education System argued that the proposal doesn't provide suitable increases for the school district's more experienced teachers. Teachers are also concerned that the amount of pay percent increases isn't consistent across the board in the proposal.

The Wolf Point Education System plans to submit a new salary proposal a the next meeting on Tuesday, May 10th.

The Glasgow School Board and the Glasgow Education Association last week reached a tentative agreement that needs approval of the membership of the GEA and the Glasgow School Board. The tentative agreement posted on the school website would provide a 2.25% salary increase to the base salary of educators in the Glasgow School System.

The 10-year fisheries management plan for Fort Peck Reservoir will expire in 2022, prompting Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to begin updating the plan for next 10 years. FWP is seeking anglers’ assistance with this plan, starting with an online survey.

This will be the fourth 10-year management plan for the popular reservoir. Each of these plans have been developed with regional and state-wide public involvement to establish clear management direction for the Fort Peck fishery.

The current management objective states that the fishery will be managed primarily as a walleye fishery while also setting goals to maintain a quality multi-species fishery.
The biologically-based components for fisheries management of the Fort Peck fishery include relative abundance targets for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, sauger, lake trout, chinook salmon, shoreline forage, and pelagic forage (cisco). In addition, there are guidelines for fishing tournaments on Fort Peck.

During 2022, FWP is providing several opportunities to obtain public input for the plan. The first step is conducting an online user survey. Anglers interested in providing input are encouraged to visit the FWP website and look under the conservation fisheries-management tab. The home page for the plan can be found directly here: https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/fisheries-management/fort-peck-reservoir

After the survey, there will be several other opportunities for anglers to contribute to the Fort Peck Plan, including public meetings, to ensure that everyone has a chance to comment.

Over the last decade, walleye populations and other gamefish species in Fort Peck Reservoir have been at or slightly above their long-term average. Favorable runoff from higher elevation snowpack and generally increasing reservoir water levels has resulted in very good habitat and forage conditions. These conditions have greatly benefited the sportfishery and have led to Fort Peck becoming a destination fishery for large walleye, lake trout, Chinook salmon and smallmouth bass.

Those interested in the planning process or that have any questions about the fishery are encouraged to call FWP in Glasgow at 406-228-3700.

The Montana Department of Revenue has announced that marijuana sales in Valley County jumped to $98,839 in Valley County in the month of April.

There were sales of $65,472 for adult use marijuana in April and $33,366 in medical sales.

This compares to $82,000 in sales for both adult use and medical in March and $65,000 in sales for February.

The state of Montana has recorded over $98 million in sales for 2022 and the total amount of tax revenue generated at $13.5 million.

Since Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased by seven cents to $4.27. According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 2.2 million bbl to 228.6 million bbl last week. However, gasoline demand increased slightly from 8.74 million b/d to 8.86 million b/d. Increasing gas demand and rising oil prices have pushed pump prices higher. Pump prices will likely face upward pressure as oil prices remain above $105 per barrel.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by $5.40 to settle at $107.81. Crude prices rose after the European Union announced a proposal to ban Russian oil imports within six months, while refined product imports would be prohibited by the end of 2022. It’s not clear if the plan will be approved as some members of the 27-nation bloc, such as Slovakia, have stated they will seek exemptions because they need more time to find alternatives to Russian oil. However, given that global crude supply remains tight, crude prices will likely remain volatile amid the news that supply could get tighter if the ban is implemented.

The average price for regular unleaded gasoline is now $4.27 per gallon which is an increase of 12 cents from last week.

In Montana, the average price is $4.20 per gallon which is an increase of 8 cents from last week.

In Glasgow, the average price is $4.13 per gallon.

Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials announced today that due to the low level of COVID-19 transmission in Montana at this time, updates to the COVID-19 cases and vaccine dashboards will move to a weekly reporting cadence effective Friday, May 6.

Updates to both dashboards will now be posted every Friday beginning May 13 to include updated data of cumulative cases, new cases, hospitalizations, total deaths, vaccine doses administered, etc. from the previous week. After the Friday, May 6 update, the next update will be on May 13.

The COVID-19 weekday emails will also conclude this week, with the last one to be sent on Friday, May 6.

Additionally, the CDC COVID-19 community levels will be displayed on the COVID-19 dashboard. The COVID-19 community levels are a tool to help communities decide what prevention and mitigation steps to take based on the latest data.

DPHHS also recently scaled back or discontinued various data reports that have been posted on the COVID-19 webpage regularly over the past two years.

Changes to the following reports include:

The weekly surveillance report will continue. The report provides a weekly snapshot of COVID-19 activity in Montana. However, the report now include long-term care (LTC) and assisted living facilities (ALF) data.

DPHHS will pause on publishing updated separate weekly reports of COVID-19 cases in schools, LTC and ALF, and the hospital occupancy report. However, as mentioned above, information related to LTC and ALF will be included in the weekly report.

The demographic tables will now be updated on a weekly basis instead of daily.

The vaccination report by county will now be updated every other week.

These changes do not mean that public health officials have scaled back COVID-19 surveillance efforts. DPHHS will continue to closely monitor COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in Montana. Local public health officials will continue to investigate COVID-19 outbreaks and cases in settings which may expose individuals at high risk for severe outcomes. Health officials request that the public follow COVID-19 precautions recommended by the CDC given their community’s COVID-19 transmission and hospitalization levels, including being current on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.

Good news from the drought monitor this morning! The D3 category for extreme drought went down from 39% of the state last week to 19% this week.

Here in Glasgow, we're at about 64% of normal for 2022. The monthly outlook for May has our drought remaining but improving.

Dry conditions in April resulted in well-below average runoff in the upper Missouri River Basin. April runoff was 1.5 million acre-feet, which is 51% of average. The updated 2022 upper Basin runoff forecast is 17.8 MAF, 69% of average, which, if realized, would rank as the 23rd lowest calendar year runoff volume.

“Despite recent snow and rainfall events, 84% of the upper Basin continues to experience abnormally dry conditions. Current drought conditions, dry soils, and below-normal mountain snowpack, resulted in the below-average 2022 calendar year runoff forecast,” said John Remus, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’, Missouri River Basin Water Management Division.

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center indicates increased chances for cooler and wetter-than-normal conditions for most of the Basin for the month of May, potentially providing much needed moisture to the area. However, long range forecasts for the months of June, July, and August indicate warmer and drier-than-normal conditions.

System storage is currently 48.3 MAF, 7.8 MAF below the base of the Annual Flood Control and Multiple Use Zone. System storage is expected to remain in the Carryover Multiple Use Zone during 2022.

Mountain Snowpack:

The mountain snowpack appeared to have peaked in late April, but recent storms and cooler temperatures have resulted in additional snowpack accumulation. Snow over the weekend increased the snow water equivalent in both reaches, with the May 1 snowpack in the reach above Fort Peck and in the Fort Peck to Garrison reach at 86% and 94% of their normal peaks respectively. The late season mountain snowpack has slightly increased runoff projections for May, June, and July in the Fort Peck and Garrison reaches. The mountain snowpack graphics can be viewed at: http://go.usa.gov/xARQC.

Navigation:

Gavins Point Dam releases will provide minimum-service navigation flow support at all four target locations (Sioux City, Omaha, Nebraska City, and Kansas City) through July 1. Flow targets may be missed to conserve water if there is no commercial navigation in a given reach. Minimum-service flow targets range from 25,000 cfs at Sioux City, Iowa to 35,000 cfs at Kansas City. Flow support for the second half of the navigation season, as well as the navigation season length, will be based on the actual System storage on July 1. The current forecast indicates that minimum service flow support will be required throughout the navigation season and flow support may be shortened by about 2 weeks.

Fort Peck Dam
Average releases past month – 5,700 cfs
Current release rate – 6,000 cfs
Forecast average release rate – 8,500 cfs
End-of-April reservoir level – 2222.6 feet
Forecast end-of-May reservoir level – 2222.1 feet
Notes: Releases will be increased to 8,500 cfs in mid-May.

Valley County School Elections:

Glasgow School District Election:

Trustee Election (One 3-year term available)
Donald Pansegrau 73
Erin Aune 412
Stan Ozark 618
Larraine Eiland 252

Levy Election:
$49,116.48
Yes: 692
No: 706

Frazer School District Election:

Trustee Election:

1-year term:
Lillie Cox- 44
Michael Cole- 53

3-year term:
Yancy Beston-47
Mary Sue Jackson-57
Adeline Smoker-68

Hinsdale School Election:

Hinsdale Elementary levy request is $27,906
Yes:102
No:17

Nashua School District Election:

Two candidates for one trustee position.
Michelle Fromdahl 179
Joe Laumeyer 120

North Valley County Water & Sewer District (Top 3 are elected)

Director: Nick O Chiechi 36

Phillip DeFelice 46

DeLee Hustad 64

Russell Kolpin 59

Carl Millerick 61

Superintendent Elsie Arntzen released the final 2021-2022 public school enrollment data. Montana public schools are required to send enrollment data, per Montana statute, to the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) to calculate school funding. These enrollment numbers are part of the Average Number Belonging (ANB) calculation, through our state public school funding formula.

During 2020-2021, school year enrollment numbers dropped by 2.4% due to COVID. The final fall enrollment number shows that public school enrollment has returned to pre-COVID levels:
• The final fall Montana public school enrollment is 149,198, a 2.5% increase over last year
• Public K-8 enrollment is 103, 836, an increase of 7% over last year
• Public high school enrollment is 44,588, an increase of 4% over last year

“Our Montana students and families are returning to our public schools, which reinforces the priority of learning,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Last spring’s test scores in math were 34% proficient and in reading were 46% proficient. These test scores don’t reflect the true learning of our students, and as we return to the classroom we must prioritize the basics of math and reading.”

Montana’s K-8 grade levels grew the most, with kindergarten being the highest growing single grade, while grades 6 and 7 had slight drops.

The Glasgow School Enrollment for 2021-2022 came in at 802 compared to 788 during the 2020-2021 school year.

Public school enrollment over the last eight years reflects the population movement level of Montana.
• Student enrollment in Gallatin County since the 2014-2015 school year has grown by 15.3%
• Flathead County public school enrollment has grown by 9.4% since the 2014-2015 school year
• Rosebud County public school enrollment dropped 6.5% since the 2014-2015 school year
• Toole County public school enrollment dropped 5.4% since the 2014-2015 school year

At the Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center in Valley County, Governor Greg Gianforte Friday met with patients, staff, and providers as he continued his 56 County Tour.

“For too long, there’s been a stigma associated with mental health challenges and seeking treatment,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Facilities like the Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center in Glasgow have helped reduce that stigma, helping Montanans overcome mental health or addiction challenges.”

While at the health center, the governor met with patients and heard their deeply personal stories about seeking help and working to overcome mental health or addiction challenges. Through the Montana Assertive Community Treatment (MACT) program, Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center is helping patients recover and regain their health.

“MACT allows us to provide an array of services to help people remain in their community, access networks of healthy support contacts, find employment, and get back on their feet,” Office Manager Mary Hughes said. “Thanks to the immense support of the Glasgow community, we’re seeing people blossom and begin reaching their full potential.”

Confronting the drug epidemic, expanding prevention programs, and increasing access to mental health and treatment services are central elements of the governor’s Montana Comeback Plan.

While at the Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center, Gov. Gianforte proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Montana. The governor’s proclamation can be viewed here.

Also in Glasgow, the governor met with high school students participating in a workforce training program at Valley View, a licensed skilled nursing home facility. Through a partnership between Miles Community College and Glasgow School District, the program provides Career and Technical Education (CTE) students hands on-training opportunities while they serve their community and begin health care careers as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

In Malta earlier Friday, the governor joined business owners for breakfast to discuss local economic development efforts as well as the administration’s work to spur job creation and economic growth.

After leaving Montana for five years, Derek Davis returned to Malta and launched his business, Davis Glassworks. Davis emphasized the importance of community in his decision to move back to Malta.

“I wouldn’t trade what our family has in Malta for the world. The community supports one another by shopping local, our business is growing, our family is together, and we’re raising our kids in a tight-knit community that truly feels like home.”

After breakfast, the governor toured Family Matters Inc., a co-op clothing store in Malta that serves customers along the Hi-Line and from Saskatchewan. Family Matters Inc. also works to promote business and recreation in Phillips County.

“Family Matters is a community staple, providing practical and quality clothing and footwear for the entire family, not only in Malta but all across the Hi-Line,” said Family Matters Inc. store manager Avery Sorensen. “With the community in mind, we keep prices within reason to help provide an affordable shopping experience.”

The Glasgow School District is finishing up a school year in which they are using a four-day school week. The District is planning to stay with the 4 day week for at least the next 2 years. Here are how the four candidates for the Glasgow School Board view the 4-day school week calendar for the Glasgow School System:

Larraine Eiland: https://soundcloud.com/kltz-glasgow/lorraine-eiland-four-day-school-week?

Stan Ozark: https://soundcloud.com/kltz-glasgow/stan-ozark-four-day-school-week?

Erin Aune: https://soundcloud.com/kltz-glasgow/erin-aune-four-day-school-week?

Donald Pansegrau: https://soundcloud.com/kltz-glasgow/donald-pansegrau-four-day-school-week?

From National Weather Service:

The latest drought outlook is out and it shows a significant improvement for SE Montana while areas north of the Missouri have largely maintained their current drought status.

Most of our locations are approximately 1 to 3 in. below normal for this time of year.

Glasgow High School JMG (Jobs for Montana Graduates) showing up and showing out at STATE in Helena!

Results:
Harley Edwards 10th Grade
2nd Meme
2nd Career Exploration
Addison Zoanni 11th Grade
1st Critical Thinking
1st Career Exploration
Hailee Richardson 12th Grade
Individual Civics award
Mason Donaldson 11th Grade
3rd Critical Thinking
1st Meme
2nd Career Exploration
Brielle Partridge 11th Grade
3rd Career Exploration
Chairmans Recognition Award
He’Lena Stulc 12th Grade
Sang the National Anthem received the challenge award from Mrs. Page for tackling this for the first time
Isabelle Hood 12th Grade
Round 2 Qualifier in Employment Prep

GHS JMG class took 2nd this year in the Chapter Civic Award. This is an award for our service hours during the school year. Some of the projects they support are as follows: Red Cross Blood Drive, Snack Pack or Cole’s Pantry, meals at Christmas or Thanksgiving, Super Hero and Pennies for Patients.

GHS Grad Amy Nelson was a guest speaker at the event.
The group also toured Boeing in Helena.
GREAT job kids and Mrs. Page!

This year's Glasgow School election is a poll election and the polling place is at the Valley County Courthouse Community Room. Voting will take place from noon until 8 pm. Absentee ballots were mailed on Friday, April 15, 2022. There is still time to vote absentee by contacting the Valley County Clerk & Recorder's Office no later than noon the day before the election.

The election has both a trustee position and a general fund levy proposition. The four candidates for the one 3-Year Term are:

Erin Aune, Larraine Eiland, Stan Ozark, & Donald G Pansegrau.

The general fund levy is asking for $49,116.48 for the purpose of operating and maintaining the schools. This will increase the taxes on a home with the market value of $100,000 by approximately $4.21 and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by $8.42.

All 4 candidates for the Glasgow School Board explained their position on the levy request:

Stan Ozark: https://soundcloud.com/kltz-glasgow/stan-levy?

Erin Aune: https://soundcloud.com/kltz-glasgow/erin-aune-levy?

Donald Pansegrau: https://soundcloud.com/kltz-glasgow/donald-pansegrau-levy?

Larraine Eiland: https://soundcloud.com/kltz-glasgow/lorraine-levy?

A 51-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday in Miles City in connection with the January murder of a Sidney man, police in Sidney announced Tuesday.

Lyndsee Colette Brewer was arrested in connection with the homicide of Christopher Arthur Wetzstein, 50, whom police described as her friend and business associate.

She was booked into the Richland County Detention Facility in Sidney. She has not been formally charged. Bail was set at $500,000.

Police said in a news release that Wetzstein was found dead Jan. 28 at his apartment with a gunshot wound to the head. Police had responded to a welfare check because he missed work.

Sidney police said authorities found a 9mm handgun later determined to have fired the fatal bullet at the Forsyth home of Brewer, who had been identified as a person of interest early in the investigation.

The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation assisted in the case.

Brewer is scheduled to make her first court appearance 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in district court in Sidney.

For the Glasgow School District Election, 2,193 absentee ballots have been mailed to voters on the absentee voter list.

There are 2,965 active registered voters in the Glasgow School District. 562 ballots have been returned to the Election Office for a turnout percentage of 19%.

For those voters who don’t receive an absentee ballot you will need to request one or vote on May 3rd at the Valley County Courthouse.

This year's election is a poll election and the polling place is at the Valley County Courthouse Community Room. Voting will take place from noon until 8 pm. Absentee ballots were mailed on Friday, April 15, 2022. There is still time to vote absentee by contacting the Valley County Clerk & Recorder's Office no later than noon the day before the election.

The election has both a trustee position and a general fund levy proposition. The four candidates for the one 3-Year Term are:

Erin Aune, Larraine Eiland, Stan Ozark, & Donald G Pansegrau.

The general fund levy is asking for $49,116.48 for the purpose of operating and maintaining the schools. This will increase the taxes on a home with the market value of $100,000 by approximately $4.21 and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by $8.42.

Story credit to Glasgow Courier:

The Glasgow School Board met on April 13 and the agenda included personnel action report, M.U.S.T. Health Insurance renewal, a request to close the activity account for the Middle School Science Club as well as a request to transfer the activity funds checking account. Also on the agenda were reports by the various committees, student representative, GEA, principal and superintendent.
The meeting started off with the public comment period in which Chair Angie Page read from the policy handbook regarding public comments while stressing those who wished to provide a public comment would not be allowed to make comments about any student, staff or member of the general public in order to avoid violations of individual rights and privacy. “We are not, by law, allowed to take any action on any item brought before us during the public comment portion of the meeting. We will likely not engage in dialogue regarding the public comment. We will listen and if required direct you to the appropriate person or part of the district to address your concern,” stated Page.

Jennifer Jackson, who has two kids enrolled at Irle Elementary, provided the first public comment of the evening, talking about concerns in the curriculum she has noticed as her children have moved up in grades. She specifically talked about a report a fourth-grade class was doing on an individual for Black History Month. She stated upon further research, there were topics attributed to the individual being researched that she felt were not appropriate for this age group.

“I come to you guys today to hopefully start a conversation and open some eyes to what’s actually out there, what our kids can see and what can be given to them, without really, maybe teachers, not even really knowing it’s out there…..A teacher should be teaching reading, writing and arithmetic, not the world of stuff that’s out there that they [the students] don’t need to boggle their minds with at this point,” Jackson said. ”For us, as being a small community in northeast Montana, we should be able to teach our kids proper learnings in school.”

In accordance to policy, the board did not engage after Jackson shared her comments and Chair Page thanked her for her time.

The second public comment of the evening was from Candy Lagerquist, who addressed the school board regarding what, she said, is a lack of communication regarding an incident that occurred at Glasgow High School. As she started explaining the situation that occurred, Chair Page stopped her stating she felt the situation needed to be dealt with administratively first and she wasn’t sure if all of the proper channels had been gone through. “We’re involving a lot of people who are identifiable by the information you’re giving…..We’re hearing this third hand by you and I don’t think that’s the correct procedure for us to follow for an incident like this,” stated Page. Though they expressed appreciation for Lagerquist being there and speaking up, they stated they did not feel it was the correct forum to address her concerns. “We need to maintain an independent judgement and we also need to be able to hear from everyone involved because we can’t do anything with a one-sided story,” explained Page. Information was provided on how to locate the school district’s complaint procedure and Lagerquist was advised to follow the process outlined.

After no further public comment, the school board followed the agenda, with the personnel action report and approving the student attendance agreement for a student moving from Opheim to Glasgow. The school board also approved the M.U.S.T. Health Insurance Policy for the 2022-23 school year, which will have a zero percent premium increase for the third year in a row. Also, it was mentioned the retiree rate will not affect the employee rate, so a retiree will pay the same as an employee, as opposed to previously when the retiree had to pay double the employee rate.

The Board also approved the closure of the Middle School Science Club funds due to the club being obsolete, and the funds are to be transferred to the Glasgow Middle School improvement account. Christina Hunter also recently discovered the district’s activity funds checking account at Wells Fargo was being charged an outrageous amount of fees, approximately $300 to $500 per month. In contacting Wells Fargo, they did waive the fees for the months they were charged for however after doing some research, Hunter found a no-fee account can be opened at the Bank of Glasgow. Glasgow High School principal Brett Huntsman applauded Hunter’s diligence in researching these fees. “Kudos to Christina….for her to take the initiative to go find it was awesome,” he said. The board approved the change and authorized Hunter to close the Wells Fargo account and open a new account with Bank of Glasgow.

The Board also discussed the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school calendars which were approved by the school board. The teacher work days for 2023-24 will be negotiated next year however in both school years the last day of school will be at the end of May. “It’s a first time in a long time that we actually get out of school in May,” stated Vice Chair Mona Amundson.

After going through the agenda items, Student Representative Dalton Sand provided an update on the various student groups at the high school, each principal provided an update on registration for the incoming classes to their school for the fall as well as upcoming spring programs and Superintendent Sundby provided information on a few conferences he has attended recently as well as looking into the track/football facility to see what can be done to improve the conditions.

The next school board meeting will be held Wednesday, May 11, 6 p.m., in the District Board Room.

The Montana Legislature will not hold a special session next month to set up a committee on election security, after the required number of legislators failed to approve the proposal.

Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen’s Office released the results Tuesday of a poll, asking all 149 sitting legislators whether they supported holding a special session on May 2. A total of 44 lawmakers, all Republicans, supported the call. 60, including 22 Republicans and 38 Democrats, voted against it. The remaining 45 lawmakers did not return their ballots by the deadline.

75 votes – a majority of legislators – were needed to call a special session.

State Representatives Casey Knudsen R-Malta and Rhonda Knudsen R- Culbertson voted for the special session while State Senator Mike Lang R-Malta vote against.

In March, ten Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Jacobsen, calling for the poll. They wanted to propose a “Select Special Interim Joint House and Senate Committee of Election Security,” to investigate the state’s election procedures. In their letter, they pointed to “the continuing and widespread belief, among a significant majority of Montana voters, that sufficient irregularities in election security in Montana create serious doubt as to the integrity of elections in our State.”

The lawmakers said the committee should have subpoena powers and come with funding for legal staff and frequent meetings. They said a special session should be held in May because the Legislature needs “as much time as possible to determine the integrity of the election system” before the June 7 primary.

The lawmakers who signed the letter were Sen. Theresa Manzella and Reps. Paul Fielder, John Fuller, Steven Galloway, Jane Gillette, Fiona Nave, Bob Phalen, Jerry Schillinger, Derek Skees and Brad Tschida.

This was the second attempt this year to have a special session. In February, Gov. Greg Gianforte offered to call a special session to redraw districts for the Montana Public Service Commission, but only if lawmakers promised not to expand it to include other issues. Some Republican legislators had wanted that session to also focus on setting up the election security committee.

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks reported highly pathogenic avian influenza found in wild birds.

It was first detected in a snow goose at Canyon Ferry and a Canada goose near Belgrade last week.

FWP released the following on Monday:

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus was detected in a snow goose from Canyon Ferry and a Canada goose from near Belgrade last week. HPAI was detected earlier this month in domestic poultry in Judith Basin and Cascade counties. Several more birds from around the state are currently undergoing testing for the virus.

Avian influenza (AI) virus is a naturally occurring virus in birds. AI viruses are classified into two groups, based on the severity of disease they cause in infected poultry. Low pathogenic AI viruses generally cause no clinical illness, or only minor symptoms in birds. HPAI viruses are extremely infectious and fatal to poultry and some species of wild birds.

Detection of HPAI in Newfoundland and Labrador in eastern Canada was announced in December 2021. Since it was first detected in the eastern United States in January 2022, it has spread to all four bird migration flyways, including the Central and Pacific flyways which include parts of Montana. This is the first time since 2015 that HPAI has been detected in Montana, when it was identified in a captive gyrfalcon and then shortly afterward in in a backyard poultry flock in Judith Basin County.

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers risk of HPAI spread to humans to be very low, Montanans should take precautions when handling game birds or any sick or dead bird they find. Whenever possible, avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife. Even if a bird is not suspected to have died from a contagious disease, gloves should always be worn if a dead animal must be handled for disposal.

The public is encouraged to report unusual or unexplained cases of sickness and/or death of wild birds by calling their local wildlife biologist or the wildlife lab in Bozeman at 406-577-7880 or 406-577-7882.

Bird hunters and those who maintain bird feeders should follow these simple precautions when processing or handling wild game:

Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.
Wear disposable latex or rubber gloves while cleaning game or cleaning bird feeders.
Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game.
People and equipment that have been in contact with wild game birds should avoid contact with back yard poultry flocks.
Wash hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes immediately after handling game or cleaning bird feeders.
Wash tools and work surfaces used to clean game birds with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10 percent solution of chlorine bleach—one part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water.
Separate raw meat, and anything it touches, from cooked or ready-to-eat foods to avoid contamination.
Cook game meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 165F.
Wild birds don’t need supplemental feed this time of year. Taking feeders down prevents concentrations of birds that sometimes lead to disease transmission.

The Glasgow City Council met on Monday for a regular meeting and discussed water and sewer rates for the next five years. The council agreed to a five-year rate schedule which will increase the base rate for water and sewer 2% each year.

The current base rate for a residential water line is $28.15 per month. This will increase 2% each year and by year 2027 the base residential water rate will be $31.08 per month.

The current base rate for residential sewer is $44.85 per month and this will increase 2% each year and by year 2027 the base residential sewer rate will be $49.52 per month.

The City Council also agreed to hire Adam Morehouse and David Hill as operators for the City Water Department.

The council agreed to implement a employee retention schedule for city employees. The retention plan will reward city employees for their longevity. The schedule will pay $50 per year for those employees who have worked 0-5 years, $75 per year for employees who have worked 6-10 years, and $100 per year for those who have worked 11 years and up.

The employee with the longest tenure with the city will receive a longevity payment of $2900 on July 1st while 5 employees will receive payments of over $1000. The total cost to the city will be $16,632.03 for all city employees receiving the longevity payment. City police officers aren't part of the longevity plan because state law has them making longevity of .09 cents per hour for each year served in law enforcement.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks honored the service of its Region 6 Hunter and Bowhunter Education volunteer instructors at the annual workshop, which was held on Saturday, April 2 in Havre and Sunday, April 3 in Wolf Point. This was the first in-person instructor workshop since 2019, as they last two were cancelled due to the pandemic.

The workshop has been an annual event that invites all the volunteer instructors across the region for a day filled with visiting, updates to the program, demonstrations of new equipment and ideas, and most importantly, honoring years of service.

All service award recipients receive a plaque, with other milestones receiving special awards. Receiving awards at this year’s workshop were numerous instructors with service ranging from 5 to 55 years (please see the list below).

Highlighting this year’s awards were Mischelle Fisher of Chinook and Mark Sullivan of Fort Peck, receiving their 30-year award for hunter education, and John Demarais of Malta with 30 years of bowhunter education. Lastly, Howard Pippen of Saco, who has been a hunter education instructor for 55 years, received a special plaque and shirt.

“As evidenced by the decades of service our instructors give to our programs, there’s an incredible amount of dedication and commitment out there in our communities,” said FWP Region 6 Information and Education Program Manager Marc Kloker.

“These volunteers play a key role in shaping future Montana hunters by providing training in safety, ethics, conservation, and the proper use of firearms and archery equipment. Mischelle Fisher, Mark Sullivan, John Demarais, Howard Pippen, and others like them, have worked tirelessly over many years to pass the state’s rich hunting heritage on to the next generations. Please be sure to thank your local hunter and bowhunter education instructors when you see them.”

FWP is thankful to have hundreds of qualified instructors across the state, and always welcomes new additions. For information on becoming a Hunter, Bowhunter, or Trapper Education instructor in Region 6, please contact Marc Kloker at 406-228-3704, or go to the website at fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter/instructors/ to learn more and apply.

2022 Region 6 Hunter and Bowhunter Education Award List

5 Year Hunter Ed
Jerry Davenport, Opheim
Charles Evans, Havre
Russell Gregoire, Havre
Steven Harada, Wolf Point
Jason Hellie, Whitewater
Scott Hemmer, Havre

5 Year Bowhunter Ed
Tim Hagen, Havre

10 Year Hunter Ed
Rick Harman, Havre
David Rummel, Malta

30 Year Bowhunter Ed
John Demarais, Malta

30 Year Hunter Ed
Mischelle Fisher, Chinook
Mark Sullivan, Fort Peck

55 Year Hunter Ed
Howard Pippin, Saco

Montana’s unemployment rate fell to a new record low in March to 2.3%, the fourth lowest rate in the nation. Montana’s labor force and total employment are at record highs. Inflation, however, has reached a 41-year high, undermining Montanans’ wage growth and threatening Montana job creation and economic growth.

“Because of Montanans’ hard work, we’re at our lowest unemployment rate ever, and more Montanans are working than ever before,” Governor Greg Gianforte said. “While Montana’s rapid economic growth has lowered our unemployment rate and driven wage growth, a well-skilled workforce has never been more important. We’ll keep working with Montana’s employers to bring new people into the workforce and make sure they get the training and skills they need to succeed, thrive, and prosper.”

Since Gov. Gianforte was elected, Montana’s unemployment rate has dropped from 4.2% to 2.3%. Four of the 5 months with the lowest unemployment rate in Montana history have been on Gov. Gianforte’s watch – March 2022, February 2022, January 2022, and November 2021.

The unemployment rate for the U.S. was at 3.6% for March.

Nearly 26,000 jobs have been created in Montana since Gov. Gianforte was elected in November 2020. Montana’s total employment is at its highest level ever recorded with 545,360 Montanans working. Montana’s total employment, which includes payroll, agricultural, and self-employed workers, continued to experience rapid growth, posting gains of 3,267 in March.

Montana’s labor force is also at its highest level ever recorded at 558,466. In March, roughly 2,105 new workers entered Montana’s labor force.

The unemployment rate in Valley County in March was 2.9% which is down 1.3% from March of 2021. There are 4008 people employed in Valley County which is an increase of 141 since March of last year.

1. Frazer School District is running their own election. This is a trustee election only. They have two trustee positions open, one for a 1-year term and one for a 3-year term. The Frazer School election is a polling place election; absentee ballots will be mailed on Friday, April 15, 2022. The polling place on May 3, 2022 will be at the Frazer School Annex; hours will be noon until 8 pm. Candidates are:
1-Year Term: Lillie Cox
Michael Cole
3-Year Term: Yancey Beston
Mary Sue Jackson
Adeline Smoker

2. The Clerk and Recorder’s office is running the Glasgow School District election. This is a polling place election. The polling place on May 3, 2022 is the Valley County Courthouse community room; hours are from noon until 8 pm. Absentee ballots will be mailed on Friday, April 15, 2022. The election has both a trustee position and a general fund levy proposition. The four candidates for the one 3-Year Term are:
Donald G Pansegrau
Erin Aune
Stan Ozark
Larraine Eiland

The general fund levy is asking for $49,116.48 or approximately 3.12 mills for the purpose of operating and maintaining the schools.

3. Hinsdale School District is running their own election. This is a general fund levy only, no trustee election. The general fund levy is asking for $27,906.00 which is approximately 8.11 mills for the on-going operation and maintenance of Hinsdale Elementary. The Hinsdale School election is a polling place election; absentee ballots will be mailed on Friday, April 15, 2022. The polling place on May 3, 2022 will be at the Hinsdale School lunch room; hours will be from noon until 8 pm.

5. The Clerk and Recorder’s office will be running the Nashua School District election. Nashua will vote on a trustee only; no levy election. Nashua School District is a mail-ballot election. The ballots will be mailed on Friday, April 15, 2022. There are two candidates for one trustee position (3-year term):
Michele Fromdahl
Joe Laumeyer

6. Opheim School District isn’t having an election this year.


There is also one Special District Election on May 3, 2022. This election is a mail-ballot election for the North Valley County Water & Sewer District and is being run by the Clerk and Recorder’s office. Ballots will be mailed on Friday, April 15, 2022 for this election as well. There are five candidates for three 3-Year Terms:
DeLee Hustad
Nick O Chiechi
Russell Kolpin
Phillip DeFelice
Carl Millerick

Valley County Sheriff Tom Boyer told Kltz/Mix-93 today that a single vehicle rollover motor vehicle accident Thursday morning claimed the life of the driver of the vehicle. The accident occurred on the North Hinsdale Road.

Boyer said the driver died from injuries sustained in the accident. The Montana Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. The victim has been identified as Ryan Patrick Conley, age 32 and working in the Hinsdale area as a ranch hand.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists completed their surveys of the Missouri River Breaks elk hunting districts (HDs) 621, 622, and 630 in February.

Overall, the surveys indicate that elk numbers are below current population objectives for each respective portion of the Breaks. Appropriate management actions, such as adjusting antlerless B-licenses for this fall, may occur in some districts.

These elk surveys are done on an every-other-year basis in conjunction with bighorn sheep surveys. The surveys for neighboring HDs were flown within similar time periods to minimize any issues with elk movement between HDs.

HD 621 and 622
Statewide deer and elk coordinator Lindsay Parsons surveyed HDs 621 and 622 over six days, from Feb. 17-23, and totaled nearly 23 hours of helicopter flight time. Patchy snow in 621 and the western portion of 622 made for more difficult survey conditions but improved further east in 622 with good snow cover and good observability.

In HD 621, 552 elk were observed, which is 29% below the 2020 survey and 44% below the long-term average of 991. There were 39 bulls per 100 cows, which is below the average of 52 bulls per 100 cows. Also observed were 22 calves per 100 cows, which is well below the average of 46 calves per 100 cows.

For HD 622, a total of 740 elk were observed. This is 39% below the 2020 survey and 39% below the average. There were 88 bulls per 100 cows, which is well above the average of 45 bulls per 100 cows. The calf to cow ratio was 25 calves per 100 cows, which is below the average of 45 calves per 100 cows.

“Fewer bulls were observed in the eastern portion of HD 621 as compared to previous years. This corresponds with more bulls observed just to the east in HD 622,” says Scott Thompson, Region 6 Wildlife Manager. “This suggests a slight change in winter distribution of bulls during this survey.”
In total, 1,292 elk were observed in 621 and 622, a decrease of 35% from the 2020 survey. Elk numbers are below the population objective level of 1,400-1,650 set by the 2005 Montana Elk Management Plan. The calf to cow ratio for this portion of the Missouri River Breaks is 23 calves per 100 cows, which is lower than the average of 45. The ratio of 64 bulls per 100 cows is above the average of 46 and above the Breaks Elk Management Unit objective of 30 bulls per 100 cows.

HD 630
During the 2022-2023 season setting process, the 622/630 hunting district boundary was moved from Timber Creek east to Burke Ranch and Ridge Roads. Hunting districts 630, 631 and 632 were combined into the new HD 630. Survey data was adjusted in years 2014-2020 for hunting districts 622 and 630 to place historic observations in the current hunting district for comparisons.
Biologist Ryan Williamson surveyed HD 630 over two days, from Feb. 22-23, for 13 hours via helicopter. Ground cover varied from patchy to complete snow cover across the district, and animals were easily observable.
I
n HD 630, 254 elk were observed. This is 14% below the average, and below the objective of the 300-350 elk that is identified in the Elk Management Plan from 2005. There were 55 bulls per 100 cows, below the average of 63 bulls per 100 cows, but still well above the objective of at least 30 bulls per 100 cows. There were 55 calves per 100 cows, which is slightly higher than the average of 54 calves per 100 cows.

Missouri River Breaks overall numbers
In total, 1,546 elk were observed during the 2022 Missouri River Breaks survey in Region 6. This represents a decrease of 35% from the 2020 survey. Elk numbers observed this year for the three HD’s are below the objective level of 1,700 – 2,000, set by the 2005 Montana Elk Management Plan. This is the lowest number of elk observed during the survey in the past 25 years.

“Lower total elk numbers, combined with low calf to cow ratios, will result in FWP recommending a more conservative antlerless harvest this fall,” noted Thompson. “While the 2022 fall hunting season dates and structure including shoulder seasons have been set, we still have an opportunity to adjust antlerless B-licenses in response to lower elk numbers.”

“The recent drought conditions may also be affecting the elk population to some degree,” adds Thompson. “We will keep an eye on elk numbers and continue to adjust license quotas as necessary to correspond with any significant changes in elk populations.”

The climate in northeast Montana the last few years hasn’t been the best for our area fishing ponds. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is asking anglers to help identify ponds that may have winterkilled.
Following a very dry winter in 2020-2021, the summer of 2021 was one of the driest on record and was followed by another winter of less than average precipitation. This has left fish populations in many ponds and small reservoirs across northeastern Montana with little room to breathe.
What causes fish to winterkill?

There are many factors that influence a pond to winterkill, but it usually starts with low water and increased vegation.

“Unfortunately, the ongoing drought left many ponds and small reservoirs in Eastern Montana five to ten feet lower going into the 2021-22 winter,” says Jared Krebs, Glasgow-area biologist. “These lower water levels allowed for greater light penetration through the water column and created conditions for increased aquatic vegetation growth.”

While this vegetation growth is not necessarily a bad thing during the summer, snow-covered ice during the winter prevents sunlight from penetrating the water, causing the aquatic vegetation to die. This dead vegetation then begins to decompose, a process which consumes oxygen from the water. Like humans, fish need oxygen to survive.

As more oxygen is consumed from the water, there is less available for fish. If oxygen levels become too low, fish may begin to die. As these dead fish decompose, more oxygen is removed from the water and the entire process begins to escalate.

“All of this points to the stark reality that numerous ponds likely winterkilled in recent months, and anglers should not be surprised if they find dead fish this spring as the ice has melted off,” adds Krebs.
How do FWP fisheries biologists deal with waters that winterkill?
FWP will work to stock fish into those ponds which have winterkilled. For rainbow trout fisheries, this usually means stocking hatchery trout as soon as conditions are favorable, if biologists determine a pond is still habitable for fish.

Another option is to move fish, such as bluegill or perch, to winterkilled ponds from other healthier ponds. These “donor” ponds are productive and can support the removal of many fish if necessary.
Additionally, biologists actively install and maintain windmill aerators on area ponds. Windmill aerators generate oxygen for fish through tough winter months and work best on waters that have good depth and generally good habitat. They do not work well in shallow ponds with marginal habitat.
“If a pond enters the winter with already low water levels, especially if its max depth is less than 12 feet, even this supplemental aeration may not be enough to guarantee fish survival through a winter,” notes Krebs.

Lastly, biologists are continually looking for pond restoration projects where they can drain, dry and dredge an existing pond to increase depth and improve fish habitat.
“These projects are extensive and involve several years of planning and coordination to complete,” adds Krebs. “They also can be quite expensive but can result in long term fisheries benefits.”
How can anglers help? Anglers are asked to notify FWP if they find dead fish in area waters. Notifying FWP of a winterkill allows us to adjust stocking rates accordingly and ensure anglers have productive places to fish in the future.

If anglers notice a fish kill, or have other questions or concerns, please call your local FWP office:
o Glasgow: 406-228-3700
o Havre: 406-265-6177

The bell that will be placed aboard the future USS Montana is scheduled to be in Glasgow on Thursday.

The event will be held at the Cottonwood Inn at 11:30 on Thursday.

During the presentation, information on the vessel will be provided, as well as updates on the crew, which will include Montanans.

This is part of a statewide tour across the state being presented by the USS Montana Committee.
The bell is a submarine-sized replica of the bell that was aboard the first and only other USS Montana, which was commissioned in 1908. The bell is cast in bronze and contains gold and silver. It is rung during presentations in honor of veterans, future veterans and first responders

The bell will eventually be installed in the new submarine.

The Montana Department of Justice announced last week that in fiscal year 2021 the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) helped Montana non-profit organizations raise $5,669,311 million through the highly popular specialty plate program.

Currently, customers can select from more than 200 specialty plates. The wide variety of designs represent organizations ranging from veterans, first responders, colleges and universities, service groups, youth groups, community support initiatives, and a variety of other non-profit organizations across Montana.

“The MVD's specialty plate program is a great way for Montanans to support their favorite non-profits including first responder, veteran, and agricultural organizations,” MVD Administrator Laurie Bakri said. "The amount of donations the program sends to charitable organizations each year makes it clear that Montanans care about their communities and we're proud to be a part of that.”

During the vehicle registration process, Montanans have the opportunity to select a specialty plate. The donation fee between $20 and $35 is set by the plate sponsor and goes to the non-profit organization associated with the license plate in addition to the $10 administrative cost and $10 production cost.

The Glasgow Scottie Booster Club has a specialty plate and according to the Motor Vehicle Division, 511 of these license plates have been sold. The Booster Club receives $20 for every plate sold or renewed.

The Northeast Montana Fair Rodeo Committee also has a specialty plate and there are 768 plates that have been sold benefitting the rodeo.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of County Commissioners of Valley County, Montana, will receive sealed written bids for congregate meals in Fort Peck, Glasgow, Nashua, Hinsdale, and Opheim for the elderly for July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. Meals served must be acceptable to the elderly consumer and meet 1/3 RDA. Meals will be served on days and times mutually agreed upon by the two parties. The following meal pattern is required:

Meat or meat alternative - 3 servings
Serving = 1 oz. cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish, ½ v beans, 1 egg
Vegetables and Fruit - 3 servings
Vegetable serving = 1 cup leafy greens or ½ cup cooked
Fruit serving = ½ cup or 1 serving
Grains - 2 servings (whole grains: 100% whole wheat breads, pasta, brown rice)
Milk or dairy equivalent - 1 serving
Coffee or hot tea

The caterer is responsible for following all safety and sanitation regulations as established by the State of Montana. The caterer is responsible for paying all costs of food, supplies, labor, and other costs as necessary in providing the meals. Meals may be served on site or at another location. The location of meals served on site must be accessible to people with disabilities. Bids must be received in the courthouse by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 23, 2022. Bids will be opened at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in the Office of the Valley County Commissioners with bids being awarded at the Commissioner meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday May 25, 2022. Special consideration for the home delivered meal bid will be given for the services of a dietician.

Valley County reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

DATED this 31st day of March 2022.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
VALLEY COUNTY, MONTANA

Fifty-seven new officers who will serve in 40 agencies across the state graduated Tuesday from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), which is part of the Montana Department of Justice. MLEA provides basic and advanced training for state, county, city, and tribal law enforcement officers throughout the state.

Attorney General Knudsen addressed the class and was in attendance to congratulate the new officers as they received their awards and diplomas.

“I’m very proud of today’s graduates who have answered the call to protect Montana citizens,” Attorney General Knudsen said. “As illicit drugs and crime are on the rise, I know the road ahead won’t be easy, but it will be fulfilling. We know they have our backs, and they know we have their backs. Thanks to Montana’s law enforcement officers, Montana is a great place to visit and to call home. ”

The number of homicides, rapes, robberies, and violent assaults in Montana has increased 91 percent from 2013 to 2020, according to the Montana Board of Crime Control.

Area graduates from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy:

Jesse Moon- Valley County Sheriff’s Office
Wyatt Uphaus- Phillips County Sheriff’s Office
Gideon Buck- Elk Ft. Peck Tribes Fish & Game
Dalyn Schmid- Ft. Peck Tribes Fish & Game

Reservoir inflows in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa, were well-below average in March. The March runoff of 1.5 million acre-feet was 48% of average for the month. The updated 2022 upper Basin runoff forecast is 17.8 MAF, 69% of average, approximately 2.6 MAF less than the March 1 forecast.

“Runoff was well below normal due to dry soil conditions and well below normal precipitation across the entire Missouri River basin,” said John Remus, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’, Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. “Due to the lack of plains snowpack in 2022, below-average mountain snowpack, and dry upper Basin conditions, we expect upper Missouri River Basin runoff to be below average.”

The runoff forecast is based on soil moisture conditions, plains snowpack, mountain snowpack, and long-term precipitation and temperature outlooks.

“System storage is currently 48.4 MAF, which is 7.7 MAF below the top of the carryover multiple use zone. That zone is designed to provide service to the eight Congressionally authorized purposes, though at reduced levels, through a long-term drought,” said Remus. “Water conservation measures, such as minimum winter releases and reduced flow support for navigation, are implemented as the amount of water in the reservoir system declines.”

Mountain and Plains Snowpack:

Mountain snowpack in the upper Basin is accumulating at below-average rates. The April 3 mountain snowpack in the Fort Peck reach was 75% of average and the mountain snowpack in the Fort Peck to Garrison reach was 71% of average. By April 1, about 95% of the total mountain snowpack has typically accumulated. Mountain snowpack normally peaks near April 15. The mountain snowpack graphics can be viewed at: http://go.usa.gov/xARQC. Currently, plains snowpack in the upper basin is essentially non-existent with only trace amounts in southern North Dakota and northern South Dakota remaining.

Navigation:

Gavins Point Dam releases were increased near mid-March to begin flow support for Missouri River navigation. As part of water conservation measures, minimum service flow support for Missouri River navigation will be provided for the first half of the 2022 season, in accordance with the guidelines in the Master Manual. Minimum-service flow targets range from 25,000 cubic feet per second at Sioux City, Iowa to 35,000 cfs at Kansas City. Flow support for the second half of the navigation season, as well as the navigation season length, will be based on the actual July 1 System storage. The current forecast indicates that minimum service flow support will be required throughout the navigation season and flow support may be shortened by as much as 3 weeks.

Reservoir Forecasts:

Fort Peck Dam
Average releases past month – 5,000 cfs
Current release rate – 4,500 cfs
Forecast average release rate – 6,000 cfs
End-of-March reservoir level – 2222.9 feet
Forecast end-of-April reservoir level – 2222.5 feet
Notes: Releases will be raised to 6,000 cfs in early April

Spring Public Meetings:

Seven public meetings will be conducted throughout the basin April 11-13 and April 15. The purpose of these meetings is to update the region on current hydrologic conditions and the planned operation of the mainstem reservoir system during the coming months. Meeting times and locations are listed below.

Monday, April 11 – Fort Peck, Montana

Start time: 10:30 a.m. (MDT)
Fort Peck Interpretative Center
Lower Yellowstone Rd.

The Glasgow City Council met on Monday and here is a synopsis of the meeting:

Received a report from Kyle Gibson of Precision Varmint Control who spoke about the nuisance pigeons in Glasgow. Gibson is being contracted by private property owners in the city to humanely eliminate the nuisance bird problem in Glasgow. The Glasgow City Council gave their blessing to Gibson to conduct his business.

A representative from Northwestern Energy spoke to the council about eliminating trees in the Highland Cemetery that are causing issues with power lines. Northwestern Energy will work with Cemetery Supervisor Dan Miller along with residents on Aberdeen Street to develop a plan to remove trees interfering with power lines.

The council voted unanimously to pay up to $850 per month for city employees to have health insurance.

Glasgow Compliance Officer Rod Dees updated the council and the public on removing abandoned buildings and vacant buildings in the City of Glasgow. The council has been receiving complaints from Glasgow citizens regarding the large number of abandoned and vacant buildings in the city limits. Dees noted that a new ordinance passed by the Glasgow City Council in August gives the city the authority to take action on abandoned and vacant buildings and he has started reaching out to property owners.

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that ranchers who have approved applications through the 2021 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) for forage losses due to severe drought or wildfire in 2021 will soon begin receiving emergency relief payments for increases in supplemental feed costs in 2021 through the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) new Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP).

“Producers of grazing livestock experienced catastrophic losses of available forage as well as higher costs for supplemental feed in 2021. Unfortunately, the conditions driving these losses have not improved for many and have even worsened for some, as drought spreads across the U.S.,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.? “In order to deliver much-needed assistance as efficiently as possible, phase one of the ELRP will use certain data from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), allowing USDA to distribute payments within days to livestock producers.”

Background?

On September 30, 2021, President Biden signed into law the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 117-43). This Act includes $10 billion in assistance to agricultural producers impacted by wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, winter storms and other eligible disasters experienced during calendar years 2020 and 2021. Additionally, the Act specifically targets $750 million to provide assistance to livestock producers for losses incurred due to drought or wildfires in calendar year 2021. ELRP is part of FSA’s implementation of the Act.

For impacted ranchers, USDA will leverage LFP data to deliver immediate relief for increases in supplemental feed costs in 2021. LFP is an important tool that provides up to 60% of the estimated replacement feed cost when an eligible drought adversely impacts grazing lands or 50% of the monthly feed cost for the number of days the producer is prohibited from grazing the managed rangeland because of a qualifying wildfire.

FSA received more than 100,000 applications totaling nearly $670 million in payments to livestock producers under LFP for the 2021 program year.

Congress recognized requests for assistance beyond this existing program and provided specific funding for disaster-impacted livestock producers in 2021.

ELRP Eligibility – Phase One

To be eligible for an ELRP payment under phase one of program delivery, livestock producers must have suffered grazing losses in a county rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor as having a D2 (severe drought) for eight consecutive weeks or a D3 (extreme drought) or higher level of drought intensity during the 2021 calendar year, and have applied and been approved for 2021 LFP. Additionally, producers whose permitted grazing on federally managed lands was disallowed due to wildfire are also eligible for ELRP payments, if they applied and were approved for 2021 LFP.

As part of FSA’s efforts to streamline and simplify the delivery of ELRP phase one benefits, producers are not required to submit an application for payment; however, they must have the following forms on file with FSA within a subsequently announced deadline as determined by the Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs:?

CCC-853, Livestock Forage Disaster Program Application?
Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.?
Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.??
Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable).??
Form FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs (if applicable).
Form CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, if applicable, for the 2021 program year.?
A highly erodible land conservation (sometimes referred to as HELC) and wetland conservation certification (Form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification) for the ELRP producer and applicable affiliates.?
ELRP Payment Calculation – Phase One

To further expedite payments to eligible livestock producers, determine eligibility, and calculate an ELRP phase one payment, FSA will utilize livestock inventories and drought-affected forage acreage or restricted animal units and grazing days due to wildfire already reported by the producer when they submitted a 2021 CCC-853, Livestock Forage Disaster Program Application form.?

Phase one ELRP payments will be equal to the eligible livestock producer’s gross 2021 LFP calculated payment multiplied by a payment percentage, to reach a reasonable approximation of increased supplemental feed costs for eligible livestock producers in 2021.

The ELRP payment percentage will be 90% for historically underserved producers, including beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers, and 75% for all other producers.? These payments will be subject to a payment limitation.

To qualify for the higher payment percentage, eligible producers must have a CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, form on file with FSA for the 2021 program year.???

Payments to eligible producers through phase one of ELRP are estimated to total more than $577 million.?

ELRP - Phase Two

Today’s announcement is only Phase One of relief for livestock producers.? FSA continues to evaluate and identify impacts of 2021 drought and wildfire on livestock producers to ensure equitable and inclusive distribution of much-needed emergency relief program benefits.

Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Assistance for Crop Producers

FSA is developing a two-phased process to provide assistance to diversified, row crop and specialty crop operations that were impacted by an eligible natural disaster event in calendar years 2020 or 2021.

This program will provide assistance to crop producers and will follow a two-phased process similar to that of the livestock assistance with implementation of the first phase in the coming weeks. Phase one of the crop assistance program delivery will leverage existing Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program data as the basis for calculating initial payments.

Making the initial payments using existing safety net and risk management data will both speed implementation and further encourage participation in these permanent programs, including the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program, as Congress intended.

The second phase of the crop program will be intended to fill additional assistance gaps and cover eligible producers who did not participate in existing risk management programs.

Through proactive communication and outreach, USDA will keep producers and stakeholders informed as ERP implementation details are made available.

Additional Livestock Drought Assistance

Due to the persistent drought conditions in the Great Plains and West, FSA will be offering additional relief through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) to help ranchers cover above normal costs of hauling livestock to forage.? This policy enhancement complements previously announced ELAP compensation for hauling feed to livestock.? Soon after FSA announced the assistance for hauling feed to livestock, stakeholders were quick to point out that producers also were hauling the livestock to the feed source as well and encouraged this additional flexibility.?

It is important to note that, unlike ELRP emergency relief benefits which are only applicable for eligible losses incurred in the 2021 calendar year, this ELAP livestock and feed hauling compensation will not only be retroactive for 2021 but will also be available for losses in 2022 and subsequent years.

To calculate ELAP program benefits, an online tool is currently available to help producers document and estimate payments to cover feed transportation cost increases caused by drought and will soon be updated to assist producers with calculations associated with drought related costs incurred for hauling livestock to forage.

Montana's marijuana industry ended its first quarter of recreational sales on April 1st.

In January, DOR recorded $14,141,896 in adult-use marijuana sales and $10,143,749 in medical sales. Those numbers were $13,533,697 and $9,357,698 respectively in February – slightly lower overall, but higher average daily sales. The sales numbers for March had not yet been released by Friday afternoon.

The first two months’ sales totaled $27,675,594 for recreational marijuana and $19,501,448 for medical. DOR estimates that could bring in a total of $6,315,176 in state revenues, based on the 20% tax on adult-use sales and 4% tax on medical sales.

January sales in Valley County:
Retail Sales: $41,376.26
Medical Sales: $30,602.97

February sales in Valley County:
Retail Sales: $38,073.78
Medical Sales: $27,008.22

On Monday, April 4th, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) will implement an updated policy for recording, transferring, and rerecording of brands.

The policy was developed by a committee of state legislators, representatives of industry organizations, members of the Board of Livestock, and MDOL staff in response to the industry’s requests for increased availability of 2-character brands. Major changes include additional acceptable characters, more lenient format guidelines, and the elimination of over 40% of regional character conflicts.

“The new Brand Policy will greatly increase the options for recording a livestock brand in the state of Montana,” said Brands Administrator Ethan Wilfore. “The development of the policy is also a great example of cooperative work done by different branches of government and industry organizations in the state.”

The “Department of Livestock Policy for Recording, Transferring, and Rerecording of Brands” is available to view on the website at www.liv.gov

The mission of the Montana Department of Livestock is to control and eradicate animal diseases, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to humans, and to protect the livestock industry from theft and predatory animals.

U.S. Senator Jon Tester Thursday announced $101.5 million in investments from his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for the Rocky Boy’s/North Central Montana Regional Water System, the Musselshell-Judith Rural Water System, and the Fort Peck Reservation/Dry Prairie Rural Water System.

Tester negotiated the IIJA and helped pass it into law last year, and specifically secured the provision that includes these investments for Montana rural water projects. Tester was the only member of Montana’s Congressional delegation to support the bipartisan legislation.

“These rural water systems are essential to growing communities and creating jobs in central and eastern Montana,” said Tester. “I wrote this bipartisan legislation so that these long-delayed infrastructure projects can finally be completed and we can provide long-term water certainty for folks across our state. I’m going to keep holding the Administration accountable to getting these targeted investments out the door and into communities as quickly as possible so we can growing our state’s rural economy.”

The IIJA investments announced by Tester include:

• $57.5 million for the Rocky Boy’s/North Central Montana Regional Water System to support continuing the build-out of the system. This includes core and non-core pipeline segments and the water treatment plant that will serve the Chippewa Cree Tribe, Havre, Tiber, Big Sandy, and Loma service areas.
• $37 million for the Musselshell-Judith Rural Water System to support phase 2 of the rural water distribution network, which will ultimately serve six incorporated communities, several unincorporated communities, and many rural families in central Montana.
• $7 million for the Fort Peck Reservation/Dry Prairie Rural Water System to support continued advancement of the Fort Peck Reservation Western project distribution pipelines.

Thursday's announcement is the first round of $1 billion in total funding to complete all authorized rural water projects through the Bureau of Reclamation. In total in the IIJA, Tester secured approximately $194 million for the Rocky Boys/North Central Water System, approximately $56 million for the Musselshell-Judith Water System, and approximately $17 million for the Fort Peck/Dry Prairie Water System. He also secured, up to $100 million for rehabilitating the Milk River Project, and he announced $85 million of that funding earlier this week.

Tester worked across the aisle for months to negotiate his bipartisan package with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and the White House, and he was the only member of Montana's congressional delegation to vote for it. Tester's law is projected to create more than 800,000 American jobs and lower costs for businesses by making targeted investments that will strengthen our nation without raising taxes on working families.

Tester secured significant wins for Montana in the legislation, including $2.82 billion for Montana's roads, highways and bridges; $2.5 billion to complete all authorized Indian water rights settlements; $42.45 billion for broadband deployment to low-connectivity areas across the country; and $3.37 billion to reduce wildfire risk nationwide, among others. Tester also worked to ensure that all iron, steel, and construction materials used for these projects must be made in America.

Story Credit: https://www.ktvq.com/news/blm-gives-initial-approval-to-american-prairie-bison-grazing-plan-in-montana

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has given initial approval to a proposal to graze bison in north-central Montana. It’s the latest step in a process that started five years ago – and it’s likely not the end.

American Prairie – a nonprofit formerly called American Prairie Reserve – proposed bison grazing on 63,065 acres of BLM land in Phillips County, south of Malta. The BLM’s proposed decision, issued Wednesday, would allow bison, behind fences, on six of the seven areas the organization proposed.

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“We are extremely pleased with this decision, which will enable us to exercise our grazing privileges to sustainably grow our conservation herd of bison, protect the health of the land, and create more outdoor opportunities for visitors to experience Montana’s prairie lands and wildlife,” said American Prairie vice president and chief external relations officer Pete Geddes in a statement.

The decision would allow bison to graze seasonally in three locations and year-round in three others – including two that are already approved for bison. The seventh location would remain open only to cattle.

American Prairie says they plan to increase their bison herd from around 800 animals to 1,000.

BLM leaders said in a statement that their decision was justified by an analysis that showed the plan wouldn’t have a significant environmental impact. They also identified some potential benefits for wildlife habitat and vegetation, including the removal of some internal fencing and the different grazing patterns of bison allowing for more diversity.

“Ultimately, the overall goals of any grazing decision are to ensure the health of BLM-administered public lands and implement the law,” said Theresa Hanley, the agency’s acting Montana/Dakotas state director. “This proposed grazing decision will help us continue to achieve those goals, providing for multiple-purpose use and enjoyment, now and in the future.”

American Prairie first submitted a plan for bison grazing in 2017. They scaled it back significantly in 2019, saying they wanted to address public concerns and have more time to demonstrate how their grazing system works.

The proposal has gotten a lot of attention from people in the area. Groups like the Montana Stockgrowers Association have raised concerns.

“When we saw the decision, we were fairly disappointed with the decision,” said executive vice president Jay Bodner.

Bodner questioned whether the BLM could lease land for grazing bison, saying that federal law specifically designates it for livestock and doesn’t include bison in that definition. He also said ranchers are worried about the impacts of having bison in close proximity to cattle, from possible interbreeding to injuries if the animals end up in the same pasture.

“They are a different species than cattle, they’re going to graze differently, and so they’re going to have impacts on the rangeland differently,” Bodner said. “If you have less control over them, I think certainly rangeland health standards – are you going to be able to meet those? – that calls into question.”

He said the Stockgrowers want to make sure the BLM did its due diligence in responding to the public’s concerns.

“When you look at these kinds of pretty significant proposals that the American Prairie Reserve did propose, we really think that needs a full environmental impact statement,” he said.

In the decision, the BLM said it did analyze and consider all the public comment. For example, they responded to the concerns about the federal definition of livestock by pointing to other rules that allow privately owned “indigenous animals” like bison to graze at regulators’ discretion. They said they have issued grazing permits for bison in other states, and previously for American Prairie.

“We understand that not everyone agrees with allowing bison grazing on public lands, but the BLM’s decision makes it clear that our proposal is based on sound science and will benefit wildlife, the rangeland, and riparian areas,” Geddes said.

A spokesperson for Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office said the state has started reviewing the BLM decision.

“The governor shares Montanans' hope that BLM took submitted comments to heart and bolstered its analysis to reach a legal, well-reasoned decision,” the spokesperson said.

A 15-day protest period is now open. The BLM will consider any protests they receive, then make a final decision. After that, there will be another 30 days during which the decision can be appealed.

Glasgow Kiwanis presented 22 BUG Honor Roll Awards to students at the Middle School Bringing Up their Grades from Quarter 2 to Quarter 3, and were served ice cream with toppings by students of the Builders Club, also sponsored by Kiwanis, assisted by Principal Mike Zoanni, Kiwanis Club President Wade Sundby, and Kiwanis Secretary Charles Wilson.

Receiving awards were Bailey Billingsley, Cash Stulc, Pyper Brandt, Liam Chapman, Gryffen Collins, Carter Holte, Haleigh Huntsman, Gavin Redstone, Drew Simensen, Avyiah Baadsgaard, Roman Fast, Addison Jones, Ava Kelm, Kayden Marsh, Cameron Nelson, Gabriell Nickels, Rebecca Nickels, Cash Nybakken, Jacob Potter, Adrienne Red Dog, Elisabeth Tryan, and Kaylly Turner.

Bring Up Grade awards are one of the programs of Kiwanis International whose motto is Serving the Children of the World.

U.S. Senator Jon Tester this week announced $85 million for the St. Mary’s Diversion and Headworks as a part of up to $100 million he secured for the Milk River Project through his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Tester negotiated and helped pass into law last year.

Tester was the only member of Montana’s Congressional delegation to support the legislation.

“This is a critical, targeted investment in the Milk River Project that will update essential water infrastructure for our state and provide certainty and economic growth for communities, producers, and future generations in North Central Montana,” said Tester. “I worked for months to negotiate the bipartisan infrastructure legislation, and I personally fought for this funding because, as a 3rd generation farmer from Big Sandy, I know how critical this project is to our state’s economy. I’m going to keep pushing until the entire Milk River Project is repaired and rehabilitated so Montanans have access to the water they need for years to come.”

This funding will be allocated through the Bureau of Reclamation and used for the St. Mary’s Canal diversion and headworks replacement project, which will include a large fish bypass structure to mitigate impacts to bull trout. The first round of funding, $2.5 million, was announced in January and will be used for planning and project design in 2022.

Tester directly negotiated and wrote the provision of his legislation that will provide up to $100 million to rehabilitate the Milk River Project, and in December 2020, he urged Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton to make the St. Mary's diversion a top priority and get the resources out the door as quickly as possible.

Press Release from Valley County Election Administrator Marie Pippin:

Due to an oversight, the Glasgow School District trustee and general levy election on May 3, 2022 will no longer be an all-mail ballot election.

Voters who do not request an absentee ballot will vote at the polling place. The location of the polling place has yet to be determined.

Meat processed in Montana has increased 50% as of Tuesday during the 2022 fiscal year in facilities inspected by the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL).

“Increasing meat processing capacity here in Montana is a top priority as we work to add value to our commodities and preserve the Montana brand through the supply chain,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a release from his office. “We’ll continue to make targeted investments in local processing throughout the state to help Montana producers capture more of the tremendous value they create.”

In the 2022 fiscal year there has been a total of 68,906 animals, whereas the 2021 fiscal year had a total of 33,964 animals--an increase of 34,942 animals, according to statistics gathered by DOL.

“The increases can be directly attributed to substantial investments that have been made in local processing and greater consumer interest in buying local food,” DOL Executive Officer Mike Honeycutt said in the release. “Even considering the improvements that have been recognized so far, there is still far more consumer demand for local processing than capacity. We will continue to search for ways we can assist with tapping a tremendous unmet economic opportunity for our state’s processors and livestock producers.”

As the cost of a barrel of oil has remained near $110, the gas price decline has slowed. After hitting $4.33 on March 11, the national average for a gallon of gasoline is now $4.24, but only down a penny since last week. Domestically, gasoline demand is again defying seasonal trends and has dipped for the second straight week, perhaps due to higher pump prices and consumers altering their driving habits.

The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Montana is $4.09 per gallon and the average price in Valley County is $3.99 per gallon according to AAA.

“The global oil market reflects the volatility caused by the war in Ukraine grinding onward,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “And with oil prices refusing to fall, the price at the pump is likewise meeting resistance at dropping further.”

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks fell by 3 million bbl to 238 million bbl last week. Gasoline demand also decreased from 8.94 million b/d to 8.63 million b/d. The drop in gas demand is contributing to price decreases. However, the steady increase in the price of oil is slowing that decline. If oil prices continue to rise, pump prices will likely follow suit, reversing course from the current downward trend.

From Glasgow National Weather Service Office:

The recent warm weather has melted the ice on Fort Peck Lake. The close up satellite image from March 28 showed some areas of thin ice with areas of open water. The white north of the lake is cloud cover.

Story from www.billingsgazette.com

Half of Montana’s counties reported more deaths than births in 2021, but overall the state experienced a population increase in the second year of the pandemic thanks in part to domestic migration, according to new data released from the U.S. Census Bureau.

There was a natural decrease of 1,520 residents in the state from 2020 to 2021 as deaths exceeded births for the second time in recorded history. From 2020 to 2021, 1,787 fewer births than deaths occurred in the state. And from 2019 to 2020, about 300 fewer babies were born.

Declining birth rates can negatively impact communities, especially as Montana leads the West in the "silver wave" as the state's population ages. A diminished work force and fewer consumers could spell future economic trouble, but despite the imbalance in natural population growth, overall there was an increase in Montana's population.

Over 21,000 Americans moved into Montana from April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021. Montana was third in the nation for population growth while the U.S. experienced the lowest growth rate since the nation’s founding.

Valley County saw a population decline from 7578 to 7537. Phillips County saw a decline from 4217 to 4192. Roosevelt county increased from 10,794 to 10,821. Daniels County saw an increase from 1661 to 1686.

Much of the western part of the state saw gains of 1.6% or more from 2020 to 2021 while parts of eastern Montana lost 0.5% to 1.6% of its population.

Flathead County saw 4,337 individual instances of domestic migration, the highest increase in population in the state from April 2020 to July 2021. Gallatin, Yellowstone, Ravalli and Missoula counties followed.

Richland County saw the greatest decrease in population losing 208 residents. The county saw a natural change of 34 residents due to 165 reported births and 131 deaths in the first 15 months of the pandemic. Rosebud and Big Horn counties followed with the next most significant population losses of 205 and 167 respectively.

Four candidates have filed the necessary paperwork to appear on the ballot for the May 3rd School Election. Ballots will be mailed out April 15th.

Glasgow School Board: 1 position available

Larraine Eiland
Stan Ozark
Erin Aune
Donald Pansegrau

Last week, the Government of Canada announced that effective April 1, 2022 at 12:01 AM EDT, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land or water. Fully vaccinated travellers seeking to arrive in Canada before April 1, 2022, must still have a valid pre-entry test.

As a reminder, travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, may need to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival if selected for mandatory random testing. Travellers selected for mandatory random testing are not required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.

For partially or unvaccinated travelers who are currently allowed to travel to Canada, pre-entry testing requirements are not changing. Unless otherwise exempt, all travellers 5 years of age or older who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must continue to provide proof of an accepted type of pre-entry COVID-19 test result:

a valid, negative antigen test, administered or observed by an accredited lab or testing provider, taken outside of Canada no more than one day before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry; or

a valid negative molecular test taken no more than 72 hours before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry; or

a previous positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry. It is important to note that positive antigen test results will not be accepted.

All travelers continue to be required to submit their mandatory information in ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) before their arrival in Canada. Travelers who arrive without completing their ArriveCAN submission may have to test on arrival and quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status. Travelers taking a cruise or a plane must submit their information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours before boarding.

Senator nominated Sand and 19 other Montanans for Army, Navy, Air Force, and Merchant Marine Academies’ classes of 2026

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester congratulated Glasgow’s Dalton Sand today on his appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Dalton is a student at Glasgow High School, where he is a state champion swimmer, varsity athlete, National Honor Society member, and senior council state president. He is also a Glasgow Youth Coalition member and has participated in Boys State and Nation, where he held various leadership positions.

“Montana has a strong history of producing some of our nation’s finest leaders in the armed services, and it’s a great honor as Montana’s Senior Senator to help students in the Treasure State continue that legacy by attending one of our prestigious military service academies,” said Senator Tester. “Dalton is an exceptional student who is dedicated to serving his country, and I look forward to watching him make our state proud at West Point and beyond.”

Tester nominated Dalton—along with 19 other Montanans—in December based on their academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and commitment to serving and leading in the United States military. A nomination from a member of Congress is a student’s first step in applying to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Scholarship recognizes and encourages volunteer service

HELENA, MT- The Governor’s Office of Community Service (ServeMontana), Reach Higher Montana, and Montana Campus Compact (MTCC) are pleased announce 83 Montana high school seniors have been awarded a $1,200 Youth Serve Montana Scholarship.

The Youth Serve Montana Scholarship was created to promote volunteerism among high school students. Funds are available through support from Montana Campus Compact, a network of Montana campuses committed to community service; Reach Higher Montana, a nonprofit dedicated to helping students pursue and fund post-secondary education; and the Governor’s Office of Community Service, the state agency tasked with expanding and promoting community service in Montana. The Governor’s Office of Community Service administers the scholarship funds.

We are excited to see another class of freshmen coming into Montana's colleges and universities equipped with the passion and skills for community engagement,” said Josh Vanek, Executive Director of MTCC. “As we emerge from COVID, these students embody the spirit of service on Montana campuses.”

Scholarship recipients completed at least 50 hours of volunteer service during the past year. Many awardees exceeded 75 and even 100 hours.

“We are proud of these outstanding students and offer our sincere gratitude for their service across Montana” said Kelly Cresswell, Executive Director of Reach Higher MT.

2022 Youth Serve Montana Scholarship Recipients

Cole Taylor Opheim High School Montana State University
Sophie Archibald Butte High School The University of Montana
Lea Aye Powder River County District High School MSU Northern
Madison Bachmeier Havre High School Montana State University
Cassidy Bagnell Frenchtown High School Miles Community College
Dayne Barbie Cut Bank High School Carroll College
Zoe Belinda Red Lodge High School The University of Montana
Bailey Binando Red Lodge High School Montana State University
Brooke Binando Red Lodge High School Montana State University
Jordyn Bolton Butte High School Montana Technological University
Kayla Botkin Frenchtown High School Carroll College
Kaya Calder Gallatin High School Montana State University
Gavin Carmichael Whitefish High School The University of Montana
Katelyn Christensen Hot Springs High School Carroll College
Joscelyn Cleveland Butte High School Montana State University
Taylor Cornwell Capital high school Montana State University
Reese Covington Bozeman High School Montana State University
Noah Dahlke Gallatin High School Montana State University
Cara DeMarois Anaconda High School Carroll College
Ryan Dolan Billings West High The University of Montana
Brady Drummond Belt High School The University of Montana
Ahna Eisenbraun Rapelje High School MSU Billings
Gabe Felton Flathead High School Montana State University
Olivia Fletes Home School MSU Northern
Elena Garrard Frenchtown high school Montana State University
Katherine Glennie Harlowton High School Montana State University
Nora Goodwin Victor Public high school Montana State University
Cassie Green Superior High School The University of Montana
Amiya Griffith Big Sandy High School Montana State University
Siera Guffey Fromberg High School City College-MSUB
Cade Hanson North Toole County High School The University of Montana
Gabriel Headley Billings Senior High The University of Montana
Hayden Hedges Cut Bank High School The University of Montana-Western
Rhett Hoffer Dawson County High School Montana Technological University
Brenna Holgate Helena High School The University of Montana
Sierra Holleman Gallatin High School Montana State University
Vanessa Horner Noxon High School Montana State University
Carter Jasper Saint Regis High School The University of Montana
Asa Jassen Belt High School Carroll College
Sage Jeude Flathead High School Montana State University
Samantha Johnson Anaconda Junior Senior High School Helena College-UM
Rachel Jutzi Glacier High School The University of Montana
James Kinsey Butte High School Montana Technological University
Victoria Kirby Cascade High School Montana State University
Makayla Kombol Melstone High School Montana Technological University
Gracie Leiva Jefferson High School Montana State University
Dawson Lindeen Huntley Project The University of Montana
Anna Locke Granite High School Montana State University
Ahmia Lords Belt High School Montana State University
Lilyann MacFarlane Bozeman Gallatin High School Montana State University
Walker McDonald Seeley Swan High School The University of Montana
Emma McMillan Frenchtown High School The University of Montana
Isabella Mecklenburg Fergus High School The University of Montana
Analise Migliaccio Big Sky High School Montana State University
Benjamin Moldenhauer West Yellowstone k-12 Montana State University
Kyer Munroe Conrad High School Great Falls College-MSU
Kylie Munsinger Flathead High School Carroll College
Jaedyn Murray Noxon Highschool Flathead Valley Community College
Makinlee Naffziger Gallatin High School Carroll College
Colton Noyes Broadwater High School Montana State University
Caitlin Olson Broadwater High School Montana Technological University
Joshua Petersen Capital High School Montana State University
Paphada Phansombun Fergus High School Carroll College
Laura Power Harlowton High School Montana State University
Morgan Sandau Sentinel High School The University of Montana
Mackenzie Serrano Roundup High School Montana State University
Ainsley Shipman Beaverhead County High School The University of Montana
Kate Simonson Plentywood High School The University of Montana
Demi Smith Frenchtown High School The University of Montana
Sadie Smith Frenchtown High School The University of Montana
Kendall Stokes Skyview High School MSU Billings
Taryn Thompson Libby Middle High School The University of Montana
Abbie Tietz Gallatin High School Montana State University
Aidan Torgerson Shelby High School Flathead Valley Community College
Bianca Torney Anaconda Junior Senior High School Helena College-UM
Mariya Tregidga Butte Central Catholic High School The University of Montana-Western
Maggie Vann Hellgate High School Montana State University
Ava Wagner Belgrade High School Montana State University
Marissa Ward Dawson County High School The University of Montana
Riley Werk Hays Lodgepole High School The University of Montana
Zoey Wickens Broadwater High School Carroll College
Asia Wilson Flathead High School Montana State University
Kya Wood Flathead High School The University of Montana-Western