Sorted by date Results 2053 - 2077 of 4831
WASHINGTON – Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) and U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will ensure more Montana taverns have access to federal emergency relief resources amid the COVID-19 outbreak. “Like small businesses throughout Montana, bars and taverns have been shut down by government order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. We need to help them keep workers on payroll and set them up to reopen after the public health threat has passed,” Gianforte said. “I appreci...
Helena, Mont. – The Montana Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the Montana Agriculture Student Loan Assistance Program. The program was established with the signing of HB 431 during the 2019 legislative session. Applications can be submitted at funding.mt.gov and the application deadline is June 1, 2020. More information, including eligibility requirements can be found on MDA’s website. “Montana’s young ag producers are the future of our industry, and there are tremendous opportunities out there,” said MDA Director...

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...
WASHINGTON – Following a request from Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced it will award $30 billion to nearly 320,000 health care providers nationwide, including more than $110 million to nearly 1,500 providers in Montana. “As our nation and state confront the COVID-19 outbreak, Montana health care providers, including our hospitals and health centers, need resources to keep their doors open, treat patients, and protect our communities,” Gianforte said. “I appreci...
It’s time for landowners enrolled in the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to sign up for the state-sponsored Open Fields for Game Bird Hunters. Open Fields is a voluntary extra incentive offering aimed at further conserving productive game bird habitat enrolled in CRP and expanding access to hunters. Open Fields is offered through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program and is available to private landowners with existing and newly enrolled CRP that have a minimum of two years left on their federal contrac...
Following the extension of Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s directive that out of state travelers must quarantine for 14 days, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks director Martha Williams has suspended nonresident hunting seasons for spring turkey and black bear until at least April 24. On Tuesday, Gov. Bullock extended the mandatory quarantine directive related to COVID-19 through April 24 for travelers arriving in Montana from another state or country. The quarantine directive for out-of-state travelers applies to public outdoor recreation, grocery s...

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,...
Total Cases in Montana 296 6 Deaths Gallatin County 115 Cases --- Yellowstone County 40 Cases --- Flathead County 25 Cases 1 Death Missoula County 21 Cases 1 Death Toole County 16 Cases 3 Deaths Lewis and Clark County 14 Cases --- Silver Bow County 11 Cases --- Cascade County 11 Cases --- Madison County 9 Cases 1 Death Lincoln County 7 Cases --- Park County 4 Cases --- Broadwater County 4 Cases --- Lake County 4 Cases --- Deer Lodge County 3 Cases --- Jefferson County 2 Cases --- Ravalli County 2 Cases --- Carbon County 1 Case --- Beaverhead...
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,...
Scams related to the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, are rapidly increasing as the public health emergency develops. Scammers are targeting older adults and those with serious long-term health conditions who appear to have a higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19. Fraudsters are attempting to bill Medicare for sham tests or treatments related to the coronavirus and are targeting individuals to illegally obtain money or Medicare numbers. What can you do to stop COVID-19 fraud? • Do not give out your Medicare number to anyone other t...
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks held a public meeting on March 12 in Havre to address concerns over fisheries management in Fresno Reservoir. Nearly 60 members of the public attended the meeting and voiced their opinions on topics ranging from stocking more fish and angling pressure to reservoir water level management and improving fish habitat in the reservoir. “It was a very good conversation and we heard loud and clear that folks want a change in management direction on Fresno,” says Steve Dalbey, FWP Region 6 Fisheries Manager in Gla...
The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking applications from growers interested in serving on an Oilseed Advisory Committee. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2020. MDA received a verified petition from 25 Montana growers to create a Montana Oilseed Advisory Committee in 2019. After receiving the petition, MDA held two listening sessions, the first in Great Falls on December 3rd, and the second in Glendive on February 14th. Growers present at those meetings unanimously expressed their support for proceeding with the...
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,...
During these uncertain times, MSU Blaine County Extension is striving to provide an even higher level of service as we try to manage in this unknown time we are living in. Here at the MSU Blaine County Extension Office, we are still trying to work as “normal.” We are being directed by MSU Extension to begin working remotely as of Monday, March 30th until told to return to our normal operation. During this time, we will be able to be reached by email at: Juli Snedigar (MSU Blaine County Ag & 4-H Extension Agent) - julianne.snedigar@montana.edu S...

On February 1 the average price of gas across the Hi-line was between $2.40-2.50 per gallon. The price per barrel of oil was already at lows not seen in 10 years. With the implementation of travel restrictions and social distancing due to the COVID-19 Pandemic the bottom has fallen out. Oil prices have dropped to all time lows, trading for less than $25 per barrel. As a result for the first time in nearly two decades the price for 87 octane gas is below $2 and is expected to keep falling. Some...
Havre, Montana – Northern Montana Health Care (NMHC) would like to remind the public that their Flu Clinic will remain open all weekend in order to assist folks who are dealing with flu-like symptoms. It is located on the east side of the NMHC campus in the building formerly known as Medical Group East, and they will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm both Saturday and Sunday. Patients who feel that they may need to be assessed by a healthcare professional are asked to please report to the parking lot of the clinic at 124 13th Street and then t... Full story

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...
With the health of our community in mind, Tammy Williams, Blaine County Clerk & Recorder/Elections Administrator would like to inform people that they may request an absentee ballot for the upcoming School Election on May 5nd and Primary Election on June 2nd. Absentee ballots will be mailed out approximately three weeks before each election. You may call the Clerk & Recorders office if you are unsure you are on the absentee list at 357-3240. To request a ballot you may go to the county website: www.blainecounty-mt.gov and print off the form...
Chinook High School-Junior High 3rd Quarter Honor Roll 12th Grade Wylee Brown Alyssa Gruszie Sally Halingstad Raynee Hasler Jasmine Klingaman Kendra McMaster Hunter Neibauer Natalia Pomeroy Jase Pursley Kurtis Slaughtner 11th Grade Hailey Bell Jade Cecrle Brittney Cox Reese Elliot Covenant Governor Damon Hannum Virginia Hauer Crystal Hofer Delaney Kellam Gavin Lemro Jayden Miller Garrett Pruttis Erik Pula Allyssa Schoen Rebecca Stroh Lily Surber Grace Ymzon 10th Grade Robyn Chaffin Liam Edwards Braden Eoff Shay Hauer Anna Morrow Allison Powell...
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists completed their surveys of the Missouri River Breaks elk hunting districts (HD) 621, 622, 631, and 632 in February. Overall, the surveys showed that elk numbers are over the current population objectives for each respective portion of the Breaks. 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 movements between HDs. To aid in survey quality between...

Directive permits food delivery and take-out MONTANA – To curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montana, Governor Steve Bullock today announced measures to close dine-in food service and alcoholic beverage businesses and other activities that pose enhanced health risks, effective at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2020. This Directive expires at 11:59 p.m. on March 27, 2020, the same day that school closures are set to expire, though the date will likely be extended. "Both young and o...
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...