We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Sorted by date Results 1036 - 1060 of 1340
In the upcoming primary election, two candidates are running for the position of District Clerk of Court in Blaine County. Tami Mitchell, the incumbent, is being challenged by Jim Doyle. The current Blaine County District Clerk of Court, Mitchell interacts directly with the judiciary system. To the position, she brings her years of experience served as well as more than seventeen years of experience as a Blaine County Employee. During her service with Blaine County, she has worked as an...
Located at 112 Sixth Street West in Chinook, the Chinook Food Pantry is a member of the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN). As a partner agency, it provides direct service to individuals and families in need by distributing food and grocery products to clients in their service area. During this time of economic insecurity, the volunteers of this donation-based entity remind the community that the Food Pantry is a resource available to them. One of those volunteers, Wilma Melville reported that there has been no increase in those requesting the se...
Many people are respecting social distancing and even wearing masks when they go out into the public to conduct essential business. Grocery shopping is one of those essentials, and three of Blaine County’s grocery store managers report that things are starting to level out as supply chains regain their health and merchandise continues to flow into stores. However, shoppers are spending less time in the stores so as to minimize potential exposure for themselves and others. In two area stores—Albertsons in Harlem and Finley’s Food Farm in Chino...
Enumerating several reasons and believing that the best way to get the largest attendance, the Zurich Association of Parents (ZAP), who are planning the Zurich Elementary School All-Class Reunion, has announced that the event will be postponed. The tentative reschedule date is June 19, 2021. “For those wondering what we’re going to do, I guess we have a plan,” Committee Chair Betty Billmayer stated. “Not that plans necessarily go the way we expect!” In a Zoom video conference meeting held on Monday, April 13, members considered feedback from mu...
The 2020 Montana Winter Fair, which was billed as the premier event "Celebrating Montana Agriculture and Our Western Way of Life for 75 Years," is in the books. From the exhibition, four Blaine County livestock showmen and women brought home several awards. With over twenty-five attractions, Montana Winter Fair took place at numerous locations throughout Lewistown on January 18-26. With events like Skijoring, Polar Plunge, Ranch Rodeo, Arm Wrestling, Savor the Flavors of Montana, Fiddle...
For the first time in history, election polls in Blaine County and across Montana will be closed on Election Day. Montana's June 2 primary will be conducted primarily through the United States Postal Service in an effort to allow people to vote without being exposed to large groups in close quarters. Citing concerns about exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Governor Steve Bullock used his emergency powers and signed a directive on March 25, allowing counties to expand voting by mail and early voting in the June 2 primary election....
Applying what they know about infection control and adhering to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home administration and staff are making the necessary adjustments amid the COVID-19 crisis to protect their vulnerable population. In providing an update on how the COVID-19 situation has affected the residents of the rest home, Rebecca Shackelford, Administrator at the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home (SMNH), reported that during the week of March 9, staff inventoried what they had on hand for...
Like most every other organization in the country right now, the Montana Actors’ Theater (MAT) is in “wait-and-see” mode. According to MAT’s Executive Director, Jay Pyette, that status simply means that MAT is enthusiastically looking to the future. “Yes, things have changed, but we’re moving forward with plans and strategies and lots of new ideas. After all, the show must go on!” Pyette stated. The show that was slated to open before closures began and social distancing orders implemented, Mamma Mia will open as soon as the theater company rec...
The word beacon has its origin in Old English when its meaning referred to a signal or lighthouse. Beacons were used not only by ships and later by airfields as a warning or guidance system but as a means for carrying news. A fire or light set up in a high or prominent position could also provide a sign of celebration. Since the 1600s, the word beacon has figuratively referred to a person or thing that illuminates or inspires. Drawing from these historical meanings, once a month, the Journal...
Over the past weeks, we have all likely heard news reports about healthcare professionals using recommended disposable equipment in unprecedented fashion. When these supplies were no longer keeping up with demands, nurses and other hospital professionals across the nation began reporting that they were at times working without adequate access to personal protective equipment (PPE). That's when community activism took the form of several mask construction projects. In Blaine County, quilters,...
As conditions continue to evolve and shelter-in-place mandates grow more intense, Blaine County residents are feeling the pinch of inconvenience, economic strain, and escalating stress. Several entities shared reports on the pandemic and how we might all remain committed to coping. According to officials at the Sweet Medical Center, social distancing should not keep a person from enjoying the beauty Montana has to offer. Their Facebook page announced that National Take a Walk in the Park Day, which is celebrated on March 30 each year,...
Since the COVID-19 situation took up residence in our lives, it has required us all to adjust and adapt. As the circumstances demanded, we have taken on new roles that are testing our patience, flexibility, and resilience. Many parents had to add school teacher to their duties, teachers had to learn online curriculum delivery methods, and students had to learn a new routine for home schooling without the added social component. Despite this “new normal,” area school administrators report that positive progress is occurring on the education fro...
As conditions continue to evolve and shelter-in-place mandates grow more intense, Blaine County residents are feeling the pinch of inconvenience, economic strain, and escalating stress. Several entities shared reports on the pandemic and how we might all remain committed to coping. According to officials at the Sweet Medical Center, social distancing should not keep a person from enjoying the beauty Montana has to offer. Their Facebook page announced that National Take a Walk in the Park Day, which is celebrated on March 30 each year,...
Last month, Colette Werk, who works in the Fort Belknap Environmental Protection Department, received notification from the Montana Native Plant Society (MNPS) that the Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC) will be the benefactors of a $1500 grant as a result of the Environmental Protection Department's successful grant proposal: Revitalizing Sweetgrass for the Fort Belknap Indian Community. The FBIC proposal was selected for funding by the MNPS Board of Directors after receiving recommendations...
Helping others has always been one of Rob Klingaman's life-long motivations. That affinity, coupled with his desire to be one of those that the public looks to in a time of need, may explain why he initially pursued and was accepted to attend the Naval Academy in June 2013. However, after learning that two shoulder injuries would limit his service selection to only the supply corps, he separated from the military in January 2015 and enrolled at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman to...
The school closure order implemented by Governor Steve Bullock late on Sunday, March 15, came as a surprise to administrators of K-12 schools in Blaine County, who had been told by the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) just four days previous to prepare a plan for continuing classes—as either take-home coursework or online options—in the event of a school closure because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Without any significant time to formulate such a plan, that order has put the area community’s in upheaval. While some school districts are scramblin...
In response to a news conference last Thursday, when growing concerns about the coronavirus prompted Governor Steve Bullock to declare a state of emergency. During his news conference at the state Capitol, Bullock said: “Now is still the time to continue to plan, not panic. Just like we do with any challenging situation when it hits our communities: we stick together, we make sure we mitigate the impact, and we have an appropriate response. If we do all that, we can slow the spread when it comes.” In consultation with Governor Bullock, the MUS...
In a science unit on ecology, Ms. Emily Scofield’s third graders at Meadowlark Elementary School studied biomes. To assess their understanding of the information taught, Ms. Scofield invited each of her students to create a diorama of a biome—an ecosystem where plants, animals, insects, and people live in a certain type of climate. The Earth supports multiple biomes, with the five major biome classifications being aquatic, desert, grassland, forests, and tundra. However, scientists typ...
Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often referred to as "the Nation's Report Card," prove that those who read the most, read the best. Without reading comprehension skills, the reader is limited in his or her ability to gather information and use it effectively. For school age readers, however, the idea of reading for pleasure often gets derailed by various assigned readings for school subjects and the sometimes over-scheduled commitment to extracurricular activiti...
To mark the opening of their newly remodeled physical therapy space and to showcase what they offer, the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home (SMNH) will hold a Grand Re-Opening event on Wednesday, March 25 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Sweet Home Administrator Rebecca Shackelford, who has been on the job since December, invites the community to come out to see the facility, to enjoy cookies and punch, and to meet and visit with the physical therapist and his staff. Physical Therapist Christopher Jenness, known as...
During their meeting late last month, the Zurich Association of Parents (ZAP) stuffed 382 envelopes with an information letter and registration form about the Zurich Elementary School's All-Class Reunion to be held this summer on June 13. The group was especially grateful to Keith Hanson, who donated envelopes and stamped them. Through that gesture of generosity, the group saved $100 in postage. In other event-preparation business, Brandon Nissen reserved the Chamber of Commerce's big tent,...
For the next three weeks, March 13-14, 19-21, and 26-28, area residents are in for a theatrical treat with evening showings of Mamma Mia, a Montana Actors' Theater (MAT) production directed by Angela Pratt and featuring three individuals with Blaine County roots. Bonnie Ortner will play the role of Rosie, Jay Pyette will personify Harry, and Michelene Edwards will sing in the choir. The two characters will be joined on stage by the following cast members: • Donna – Angela L Murri • Tanya – Rac...
In an Awards Ceremony on Monday, March 2, several students at Meadowlark Elementary School were recognized for their achievements earned during the month of February, which had been designated as I Love to Read Month. Seven students were also awarded with Kindles for their reading achievement. School librarian Mrs. Kelsey Harry announced that Meadowlark Elementary students took and passed a total of 901 Accelerated Reader (AR) tests. The class with the most tests taken was Mrs. Edwards' first...
The Chinook Chapter of the FFA and fourteen other schools in the Judith Basin district travelled to Harlem High School on Tuesday, February 4 to compete in the Judith Basin Spring District Contest. In a report of their performance, Advisor Robin Allen shared that Chinook's Senior Mechanics Team-comprised of Ryan Meenely, Christopher Jungers, Ben LaVelle, and Rielly Weigand-placed sixth, Rielly Weigand captured ninth overall as an individual, and Landen Beck tried Agronomy for the first time....
The Zurich Association of Parents (ZAP), the group planning the Zurich Elementary School All-Class Reunion scheduled for June 13, met on February 5 to firm-up their reunion plans. They discussed issues related to getting the word out, developing a registration form, executing a pie-making plan, finding a new Master of Ceremonies, designing t-shirts, and designating other event-related tasks. Their next meeting is scheduled for February 24. As a result of their fundraising efforts and the generosity of the community, ZAP has $2,400 in the bank....
