We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
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Several more Blaine County students have qualified for the Blaine County Spelling Bee which will convene tomorrow, February 5 at 10:00 a.m. in the Lloyd Sweet Auditorium at Chinook High School. Seven will represent Meadowlark Elementary School, including their champion: Wyatt Boyce, and another seven will represent Harlem Elementary, along with their top speller: McKearen Stiffarm. Meadowlark Elementary School held its Spelling Bee on January 27 at 9:00 in the morning. Two Chinook High School...
On January 22-25, the 15th Annual Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair took place at Windsor Beach 4, Arizona State Park. The event featured over 60 hot air balloons, including special shapes and corporate balloons. Public gates opened at noon, following the National Anthem and Marine Corps League Flag Presentation on Thursday. The first mass balloon ascension occurred at 4:15 in the afternoon of January 22 at the Balloon Field. A carnival, tethered balloon rides, and a "Glowin' on the River" Night...
In honor of I Love to Read Month, Zurich Elementary School will be celebrating during the entire month of February. To further promote reading, students will participate in various activities which revolve around the chosen theme: mystery. Collaborating with teachers at the school, Zurich School’s Librarian, Ms. Savanna Brown has organized a month of mystery. When asked how the group of educators conceived of that theme, Brown replied: “We try to choose themes to help students broaden their choice of books. Most students, when given the cho...
Just prior to the 2025 holiday break, Meadowlark Elementary School was due to hold an awards assembly to honor several students. However, because of a power outage in town precipitated by up to 77 mph wind gusts, school officials had to cancel school on Thursday, December 18, postponing the December awards, which were rescheduled for January. Among the awards bestowed on January 8 in an assembly at 12:30 p.m. were a Mountain Mover Award, a Recess Award, and the Principal's Award. Students of...
The word is exceptional. That's how Blaine County spellers have been performing with spelling bee season well under way. January has been abuzz with school bees taking place all month in order to identify top spellers who will compete in the Blaine County Spelling Bee scheduled for February 5 in Chinook. When Zurich held their local contest on Friday, January 16, Kyleejai Baird came away the winner. For their spelling bee, they invited former Zurich Elementary School Teacher Mrs. Colleen...
Blaine County Deputy Clerk & Recorder/Election Manager, Savannah Wendeln announced earlier this month that her office is currently holding an "I Voted" Sticker contest election. This is the office's first-ever sticker contest, and winners will be announced in February. For anyone interested in viewing the designs and voting, Wendeln has a poster display at the courthouse that features the art of the finalists. The public is invited to vote on their favorites when they are in the building or to...
Last May, Governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 207 into law. Because this new legislation has shortened the candidate filing period, Blaine County Deputy Clerk & Recorder/Election Manager, Savannah Wendeln wishes to remind residents that the filing period opens February 17 and runs through March 4. The previous filing period was 60 days. “Also, the write-in period overlaps with the candidate filing period, so there will no longer be an opportunity for people to decide to file as a write-in after they see who has or hasn’t filed,” Wende...
Avid history enthusiasts and social justice activists are likely aware that Sunday, February 1 is National Freedom Day, but many of us have probably never heard of the designation. Although not a public holiday, National Freedom Day is an observance in the United States that honors the signing of a resolution that proposed the 13th amendment to the nation’s constitution. On February 1, 1865, Abraham Lincoln, who was president at the time, signed the resolution to outlaw slavery and involuntary servitude. According to the National Today w...
The Turner/Hogeland Lions Club held their annual New Year's Eve celebration at the Old Gym in Turner on December 31. The community gathered to usher in 2026, and the Lions announced awards. The Lion of the Year Award was presented to Alan Van Voast. New Year's Eve began with a meal for which the Lions provided meat and buns, while community members contributed side dishes. For both dancing and listening pleasure, the Whiskey River Band, a Western and Outlaw Country band from Jordan, Montana,...
A local veteran in Chinook has initiated a newsletter campaign for the purpose of information sharing. The campaign proposes not only to recognize the work of local veterans groups, such as VFW Post 4620, American Legion Post 48, and their two Auxiliary units, but also to alert people to important military holidays, historical dates, and upcoming events that affect and involve veterans. In addition to information distribution, the newsletter, Vet News will contain activities such as word searche...
The University of Montana (UM) News Service recently released the Dean’s List and President’s 4.0 List for Fall Semester 2025. Among the more than 3,000 students who made the lists, four are from Blaine County. According to UM officials, to qualify, students must be undergraduates, earn a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher, and receive grades of A or B in at least nine credits. Students who receive any grade of C+ or below or no credit (NC/NCR) in a course are not eligible. From Chinook, Liam Edwards earned academic status, as did Serena Cha...
Both the Turner and North Harlem Hutterite Colonies will soon be in the egg production business. After realizing that diversification was necessary to remain viable in the agricultural markets, Colony officials studied their options and hatched a plan. Although egg production on a small scale is one of the oldest animal farming enterprises in recorded history—according to the Pennsylvania State University’s Extension Service—the two new facilities in Blaine County will not be small scale. The Turner Colony operation, which plans to be up and r...
Mrs. Kelsey Harry, Librarian for Chinook schools, announced recently that with the return to classes in 2026, the Meadowlark Elementary Library will begin its Mock Caldecott unit. According to Harry, the activity is something both she and the students look forward to every year. The Caldecott Medal is an award named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott who was known for his colorful and lively children's book illustrations. Awarded annually by the Association...
On December 16, the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) announced its 2026 Board of Directors. Composed of thirteen members, including two directors from each district and three elected officers, the board represents ranching families from across Montana. One of the two North Central District Directors is Kevin Elias from Chinook. MSGA directors volunteer their time and travel across the state to participate in meetings, where they provide leadership and ensure the interests of ranchers are...
From 5:30 p.m. until approximately midnight on December 20, the Chinook Rod and Gun Club held its Annual Winter Solstice Block Party on Chinook's main street. One event organizer, Joe Kennedy-Zarn reported that all went well. "The Block Party is really just an excuse to get out and say hi to your neighbor. This time of the year the weather isn't always conducive to extended stays outdoors, so many people just came for a hot drink, a bowl of soup, and a visit with Santa. We also like to give...
Just past the stroke of midnight in New York’s Times Square, the celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday, which officially began on Memorial Day 2025, continued. Following the traditional midnight countdown and the iconic Times Square Ball Drop, another momentous event occurred. The Times Square Ball was relit in a red, white, and blue America250 design and rose above the illuminated numerals 2026. The moment included a video “America Turns 250,” a release of 2,000 pounds of red, white, and blue confetti, and a festive firewor...
Something about a new year hints at possibility. The notion of fresh starts and clean slates inspires us to make intentional changes in our lives. New Year’s resolutions are also a chance to reflect on past achievements and challenges, identify areas for growth, and establish clear goals for personal and professional development. According to information gathered by Talker Research/Talkspace, 2025 was a year most Americans would like to forget, perhaps because of political and economic strife. However, the widespread dissatisfaction with 2...
On Sunday, December 21, 8:03 a.m. the Winter Solstice officially began. That time and date mark the shortest day and longest night of the year. For all creatures inhabiting Earth, the length of daylight is fundamental to life. After all, the sun is our ultimate source of light and warmth. The psychologically effect of this event is that starting on December 22, 2025, we stopped losing daily sunlight, a loss which has been progressing since June 20. Finally, daylight will begin to increase. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, during the wee...
On December 16, Mrs. Mitzi Cecrle's third period Animal Science class played host to two State FFA Officers. Their guests: Morgan Bisel, State Secretary from Corvallis, and Kylee Finn, State Treasurer from Cascade, shared inspiration with Chinook students. The state officers' next stop was Turner Public School, where they visited with members of the Big Flat Chapter of the FFA. Bisel and Finn are members of the Montana FFA Association's eight- member officer team who, during their year of...
On November 14, when Commissioner Shane Fox read an email from the Local Government Center, suggesting that he was a Local Impact Award Recipient, he doubted the message's authenticity. A follow-up phone call confirmed the award's legitimacy, although the specifics of the award would remain a surprise until its presentation. During the Montana State University Local Government Center's (LGC) 40th Anniversary Gala held on December 11 at the Delta Colonial Hotel in Helena, Fox received the Public...
Following a week of rehearsals, the Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) supported nearly 40 local students in presenting The Jungle Book, an original musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic. Directed by MCT Tour Actor/Directors Alex Webster and Pablo Fulbrook, the cast performed in Chinook High School's Lloyd Sweet Auditorium on Saturday, December 13. Giving life to the story, the local cast consisted of several colorfully reenacted characters. Bentley Hallett played the role of Mowgli...
The Montana Association of Counties (MACo), in cooperation with the Local Government Center (LGC) at Montana State University in Bozeman, presented their 2025 Elected County Officials Training from December 10-12 at the Delta Colonial Hotel in Helena. Intended for all elected officials who wished to attend, three officials from Blaine County took part in the professional development opportunity. According to event organizers, the purpose of the training was twofold: to be both educational and engaging while providing practical insights and tool...
On Saturday, December 6, Chinook High School held its annual Winter Ball. The theme for this year's Snoball was Country Christmas. Because the sophomores were hosting this year's festivities, their class president Bryce Elliot led the group through the organization of various event details. Based on the Country Christmas theme, the decorating scheme captured a rustic, western feel. The decoration that stood out, according to a number of the students who attended, was the backdrop photo op. To...
A 1999 graduate of Chinook High School and an eight-year U.S. Navy veteran, Brandon Nissen had a vision two years ago that he has recently brought to life. On October 15 as president, he led his first founder's meeting at the home of Barb and Don Ranstrom. On that day, The Sugarbeeter Foundation (TSF) was formed, and the Foundation's first meeting was attended by his newly formed board: Members Barb Ranstrom, Jack Mattingly, and Rita Surber. The Foundation Board met again on December 9 to discus...
The Hill County Christmas Revue, which opened at the Montana Actors’ Theatre (MAT) in Havre on December 12 and 13, continues this week and into next month. Back for its third year, this holiday edition of locally written original skits features brand-new comedy, yuletide musical numbers, and cheerful stories inspired by local traditions, winter tales, and the colorful characters who make Hi-Line communities shine. Although Catfish Carl has passed, music lovers and theatre goers can experience Izaak Opatz on December 19-20 and Wailing Aaron J...
