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Winter driving is here Blaine County. I’ll beat the dead horse: That means giving yourself a little more time to account for driving conditions. The roads in town are slick and likely to stay that way for a bit. We go through these conditions every year. This should not be a surprise for anyone. The newcomers to Blaine County may qualify for a waiver but that’s only temporary. If you’re new to Chinook, did you know there are better choices you can make besides driving north on Indiana Street (that’s towards the choo-choo noise if you struggle w...
The Fort Belknap Community Economic Development Corporation (FBCEDC) is spearheading a groundbreaking geothermal greenhouse initiative at the Wasay Wakpa Community Gardens, located in Lodgepole on the south side of the Fort Belknap Reservation. The project, one of only four in Montana, is a first-of-its-kind, DIY endeavor designed to provide a comprehensive blueprint for others interested in replicating this model. With a 162-foot “Greenhouse in the Snow” already purchased, the greenhouse will promote year-round food production, sus...

The Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation are extremely excited to announce that another donor has come forth with a Challenge Grant to the Community! The Browning Kimball Foundation has so graciously pledged $50,000 towards the Chinook Pool Project if we can raise $50,000 in match funds from individuals, businesses, community and civic groups, local governments or through fundraising projects or events. The Browning Kimball Foundation has set a timeline to have the funds raised of September 1...

Featuring music, a short play, a visit from Santa Claus, and a variety of cookies and confections, Turner Public School held its Christmas program on Thursday, December 19. In addition, high school and junior high students organized a white elephant-style gift exchange that also took place. A musical written by John Jacobson and Walter Jack provided the central element for the program. The dramatic presentation Gnome for the Holidays highlights a cast of funny gnomes who come to Santa's rescue...

Recently at the North Harlem Hutterite Colony three second graders shared the story of Christ's birth. It's a tradition that's gone on since the time the colony was founded. Two old stars, played by Pierce Hofer (with the beard) and Taya Hofer told the Christmas story as they answered questions by new star, Neal Hofer. Per Colony minister Eli Hofer, the annual tradition of a Christmas program put on by the colony's children has been presented annually since 1965, just a few years after the...

Keen observers of happenings around Chinook likely noticed that for some time the bell was missing from the belfry of the United Methodist Church. The church sits just northeast of downtown Chinook and its steeple is a part of the downtown horizon looking east and north. I'm not exactly sure when the bell came loose from its base, but it was a few months ago. More recently those same keen viewers described above, and perhaps others, may have noticed a shiny, silvery bell is now in the place...
Smart technology is a term for devices and systems that can communicate and work with other technologies to perform tasks automatically or adapt to changing conditions. From smart thermostats and lighting that can optimize energy usage in homes to smart watches and medical devices with the ability to monitor and enhance personal health, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how we live. Because such electronic devices perform some level of computing, they connect with other devices via the internet. While these devices create all sorts of...

It was three Christmas seasons ago when the Milk River Churches celebrated their first joint worship. The churches' first combined worship was on Christmas Eve. The Milk River Churches fellowship was created partially to deal with the fact that the four churches were all losing ministers at about the same time. Theresa Danley, a Certified Lay Pastor, has been leading the group solo a year or so. The four churches that make up the Milk River group are United Methodist, First Presbyterian, and...
The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, some 4,000 years ago. They were also the first to hold recorded celebrations in honor of the new year—though for them the year began not in January but in mid-March, when the crops were planted. During a massive 12-day religious festival known as Akitu, the Babylonians crowned a new king or reaffirmed their loyalty to the reigning king. They also made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed. These promises cou...

Hello Harlem! Harlem had a very busy December and one that was full of Christmas spirit. Many thanks to everyone who helped make life in this small town warm and welcoming this past month. Now that the town activities are over, it is time to relax with family and friends as we celebrate the Christmas holidays. When driving around Harlem, there are plenty of nice Christmas light displays decorating the homes along with many trees glistening in front windows. Where did this idea about decorating...
Milk River Winter Districts took place for FFA members in the area on December 10. Hosted by the Fort Benton Chapter, the event included contests in Agronomy, Mechanics, and Vet Science. Representing Chapters from Havre, CJI, Fort Benton, Dodson, Malta, Big Sandy, Turner, and Chinook, approximately 115 members competed. From the two Blaine County schools, various competitors walked away as winners, and Chinook's team captured fourth place in all three contests. Some of the top performances for Chinook occurred in Mechanics, where two individual...
CHINOOK, MT – PAWS of Chinook is pleased to announce it has been awarded $1,500 through AgWest Farm Credit’s Rural Community Grant program to be used towards its winter shed project. The funds granted to PAWS of Chinook will impact its current canine residents at the shelter by providing materials to renovate a shed that can be used during times of inclement weather. “We are so honored to be awarded this grant from AgWest. Our shelter is currently over capacity with 5 of our 11 dogs lacking their own kennels. They have had access to the commo...

Danielle Kinsey Martin joined the staff of Chinook Dental in early fall. She grew up on Fort Belknap and graduated from Harlem High School in 2007. She is married to Nathan Martin and they have two children: Roman, a freshman at Harlem High and Rochelle, a second grader at Harlem Elementary. Dr. Robert Chafin, DDS, owner of the Chinook-based dental service, said he was very happy to have a seasoned dental hygienist on staff after nearly a year without the position being filled. Changing career...

Friday morning, December 13, 2024, Blaine County swore in elected officials. Left to right are Julie Campbell; Clerk of District Court, Mari Anne Skoyen; Deputy Blaine County Superintendent of Schools, Jen Metcalf; Substitute Blaine County Justice of the Peace and City Court Judge, Yvonne Laird; District Court Judge, Kendall Harwood; County Superintendent of Schools, and Miles Hutton; Blaine County Commissioner. Unable to attend was Jim Doyle; Justice of the Peace and City Court...
The Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) recently released new guidelines to improve access to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for families who receive the traditional Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship. Families who have been determined eligible for traditional Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships are now automatically financially eligible for WIC. “Both of these programs serve many of the same families, so as a way to improve customer service we made the decision to streamline the eligibility process for f...
HAYS — A new fund to help Native American businesses get of the ground and grow has started on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. The Mountain | Plains Regional Native CDFI Coalition (Mountain | Plains Coalition) introduced a new capital source for Native entrepreneurs: the Mountain | Plains Regional Revolving Loan Fund, or RLF. Seeded by a five-year, $45 million investment from the EDA’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge, $21 million is designated for RLF capital. The RLF offers a new opportunity for Native business owners in the region to...

The second annual Blaine County Fur Fest was held Friday December 6-Sunday December 8th. The Blaine County Fair Foundation holds this event to serve as a fundraiser for the foundation. This year they are raising money to do some much-needed repairs to the Grandstands. Years of wear and tear is taking its toll on the grandstands. The foundation plans to do repairs over the next few years as funds allow. They will be replacing the stairs on both sides, replacing the flooring, & numerous other upda...

A record-breaking crowd attended the annual Wine and Cheese fundraiser at the Harlem Public Library on Dec. 4th. This year's event, "Karolee's Kandy Kane Kristmas," was named in honor of Karolee Cronk, longtime events coordinator for the Friends of the Library. The theme and décor were envisioned by Karolee herself months previously, and her name was added with the permission of her family and the Friends Library Board. As usual, residents of Harlem and surrounding communities generously...

Recently, Steve Sargent of Louisville, Kentucky made a very generous $2,000 donation to the Chinook Pool and Park Project. Steve is a former CHS graduate from the Class of 1965 and the committee is extremely grateful for his donation and dedication to the Community of Chinook....

On November 30th, Turner kicked off the holiday season with their Big Flat Christmas Stroll and Poker Run. Christmas shoppers were able to complete their gift shopping list at the Old Gym, where around a dozen vendors sold their goods of all varieties and Christmas tunes provided by the Wet Weather Band filled the old hall. Big Flat 4H served chili and treats as well. Big Flat Grocery assembled a Christmas photo booth for those looking to get their Christmas card photos taken. Tenise Stewart...

As the clock struck midnight on Thanksgiving Thursday, the Christmas season began in Chinook with the 39th annual Parade of Lights. As Chinook's residents awoke from their turkey-fueled food comas to the Friday morning light, they were greeted by a frigid chill in the air and big fat globs of slowly falling snow, the likes of which you usually see in snow globes. While this weather may have called for a few additional layers of clothing, what would the parade of lights be without some nice...

od of Malta will be heading to Great Falls January 9-11 to compete in the 46th Annual Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals. Cox will be competing in the WPRA Barrels. She is currently ranked 5th in the standings and looking to climb the ranks in the finals. Cox is competing in her first circuit finals, following in her mother's footsteps. Cox's mother, Laurie Faber, competed in the first two circuit finals back in 1980 and 1981. Orahood will be competing in the WPRA Breakaway Roping. She is...

Thursday's Dinner was well attended by community members on Thanksgiving. According to committee organizer Betty Billmayer, while in house dining was low, 143 meals were delivered or picked up during the day throughout town. Still 77 pilgrims managed to make the journey to the commercial building to enjoy good conversation and a meal of dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and bacon, cranberries, and of course the traditional turkey. Traditional veggies were also available including...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking any information regarding a bull elk and whitetail buck that were shot, had their heads removed, and were left to waste in south Blaine County. Wardens received a report of the dead elk and deer, and after investigating, located them on private property about ¾ of a mile south of the junction of People’s Creek Road and Birdtail Road in south Blaine County, about 30 miles south of Chinook. The animals were shot with a firearm, and likely killed between the evening of Nov. 20 and early on...

This is a story about a bomb cyclone that hit Seattle while Sherry and I were out here doing our annual dog sitting gig. Since the last story I did was about Japanese balloon bombs from World War II, regular readers may think I'm fixated on writing about bombs. One big difference, besides a 75-year time gap, is that a bomb cyclone is a function of natural forces, not a manmade weapon like the bomb balloons. On Tuesday evening, November 19, a bomb cyclone hit much of western Washington, specifica...