Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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With suicide rates topping most other states in the nation, mental healthcare in Montana has never been more important, especially in rural areas such as Valley County. “Montana has the third highest rate of suicide in the country. It used to be fifth, but the most recent rankings have us up to third.” The prevalence of substance and alcohol abuse is a factor in comorbidity rates for many suicides, according to experts. Then, substance abuse which coexists and becomes co-morbid with the mental health issues. “But if you just narrow in on suicid...
As the raw water transmission main connecting the Missouri River with the city of Glasgow’s water treatment plant continues to erode, the city may face costly spot repairs to keep the system running, engineers say. The current 20” main — stretching 7.8 miles to a valve vault Southeast of town — was installed in 1987, and has experienced seven leaks since 2003, according to Jeff Ashley, Morrison Maierle senior process engineer. Morrison Maierle is a consulting firm which provides infrastructure planning for city, county and state governm...
Ranchers, farmers, irrigators and Native Americans have given a resounding thumbs down to a planned increase, then reduction, in water flow next year from Fort Peck Dam. The augmented flows are meant to stimulate the natural spawning cycle of the Pallid Sturgeon, one of three endangered species found in the Missouri River between Fort Peck Dam and Lake Sacajawea. The other two are the Least Tern and the Piping Plover. Area farmers are worried about how the augmented flows may result in expensive repairs or retrofits to irrigation systems,...
As a retiree, one might think Virgil Rauch would have plenty of extra time on his hands. Such an assessment would be wrong. Rauch, 69, of the Lustre area, has been repairing old school wind-up wall clocks and grandfather clocks for decades. He also cares for elderly aunts, aged 86 and 90, who live nearby the house his father, Jacob, built in the 1950s. Walking into Rauch's home for the first time, visitors will find dozens of clocks hanging in most rooms, tick-tocking away in perfect...
Local News Valley County Pioneer Museum Open House The Valley County Pioneer Museum, 816 US Highway 2 West, will host an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday May 16. The reception will feature an ice cream social. During the event, the Niedringhaus Center will be dedicated. Jay Michael Roberts, chief designer of the early street scene, circa 1915, will be recognized for his creative achievement. The museum proper, housing the authentic Assiniboine tepee as its centerpiece, will also be open for patrons to enjoy. The Stan Kalinski Room, the...
State News Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021 Unveiled Would Expand Rural Services WASHINGTON D.C. — Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) have unveiled legislation to expand access to mental health care for rural veterans. The Senators’ Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans’ Mental Health Act of 2021 would establish three new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement (RANGE) program centers to provide community-based care and services for rural v...
A citizen committee is in the process of being formed to address complaints about youths on dirt bikes disturbing the tranquility of homeowners north of Glasgow. Dirt bikers are a common sight in the undeveloped area between Airport and Skylark roads, and have been for decades, residents say. Now, a large portion of the city owned parcel of land there has been closed to public use due to liability issues and allegedly poor behavior by some riders. That leaves only the 40-acre recreation area one mile north of the city, owned by the Bureau of...
Community ire over the recent disbanding of the former Valley County Refuse District Board was on full display during the April 28 County Commissioner meeting. "To dissolve a board is your last resort," said Kristi Brabeck, Valley County Airport commissioner. "I understand everybody has personality differences. It is like a divorce. You have parents, and you have your child, which is Valley County. So, as a board who works under your guidance at will, I don't understand why it came to this....
Brian “Auzzie” Austin has been chosen to fill the new position of Valley County Refuse District Manager. Austin was formerly the Valley County Landfill manager, a position eliminated in effort to tackle massive indescrepencies with how customers countywide are assessed for refuse removal services. “Brian is doing an excellent job of managing the actual landfill part,” said Commission Chairman Paul Tweten during a public meeting April 28. “ It was not in his job description to manage the finances in the refuse district.” The three Valley Coun...
Valley County has eight active cases of COVID-19 as of May 3. Between April 26 and May 3, the county registered six new cases. Three were aged 11-20 and three were between the ages of 51-70. The cases were split evenly between males and females. The Health Department stated in a release that 882 have recovered from the virus or are no longer considered infectious. The total number of cases in the county stands at 901, with 11 deaths. On April 26, Glasgow Schools Superintendent Wade Sundby notified the community the school was notified of two... Full story
FMDH to Host Drive-Up Movie In Celebratin of Hospital week In celebration of Hospital Week, FMDH will be hosting a drive-up movie with Valley Cinema popcorn and water provided while supplies last. The movie, “The Croods: A New Age,” will be screened at 7 p.m. Friday at the Valley Event Center Parking Lot. Commerce Dept. Awards Tourism Grants City of Glasgow to receive $16,833 The Montana Department of Commerce has announced $750,000 in Tourism Grant Award funding to strengthen local economies in 26 communities by enhancing tourism and rec...
Montana to Launch Return-to-Work Bonuses Opting Out of Federal Unemployment Benefit Programs HELENA — Governor Greg Gianforte has announced two measures to address the state’s severe workforce shortage and incentivize Montanans to reenter the labor force. The state of Montana will launch a return-to-work bonus program, utilizing federal funds authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act. Return-to-work bonuses will be paid to unemployed individuals who rejoin the labor force and accept and maintain steady employment for at least one month. The...
The Valley County Refuse District Board, in operation since 1973, is no more. During their regular meeting April 21, the three commissioners voted to disband the refuse board — effective April 23 — based on legal counsel indicating the nine member volunteer body has not had any actual legal authority in almost 25 years. “Functionally, the refuse board is an administrative orphan and there is nothing that actually creates you as board members,” Dylan J. Jensen, County Attorney, said during the meeting. “My recommendation to the commissio...
CHRIS MCDANIEL THE COURIER Many little girls dream of being royalty. For four lovely ladies, that fantasy is now a reality. "I have been dreaming for it my whole life," said Lyndsey Plummer, 6, a kindergartner who earned medals for her Vintage Wear, Casual Wear and Occupational Wear during the Our Little Miss state competition. The pageant happened April 16 to 18 in Billings. Guinevere Grace Turner was awarded Montana's Sweetheart and Prettiest Smile. Samantha Combs received medals for Leather... Full story
With ongoing drought and potential government regulations in the works, one Wolf Point bison rancher is concerned his way of life may someday be just a page in the history books. "There are a lot things going on in Montana right now that are affecting how the bison are treated," said Lyle Wall, proprietor of 5 Diamonds Bison Ranch. "Are they an amiable species, or are they wildlife? That is getting to be a real stickler. My future as a bison rancher is going to be dependent on how they...
During their regular meeting April 19, the Glasgow City Council awarded a $225,506 paving bid to Century Companies, Inc., for the 2021 Street Improvements Project, voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2021-22 wages for city employees and accepted a three year audit contract with Anderson ZurMuehlen & CO., P.C.. Century Companies, of Lewistown, was the only business to submit a bid for the project. Hardrives Construction, Inc., of Billings inquired about the project but did not submit a bid. “Century provided a reasonable bid that came in within 4.1...
FOR THE COURIER STATE NEWS Montana Regains Second Congressional Seat With 2020 Census Montana’s Population Grows to 1,085,407 HELENA — Montana will regain its second congressional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to the 2020 Census state population count released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. The count reveals Montana’s population grew from 989,415 people in 2010 to 1,085,407 people in 2020 – an increase of 95,992 residents over 2010, or nearly 10 percent. “Thanks to the efforts of Montanans across the state, the 2020 Cen...
LOCAL NEWS Respiratory Clinic to be moved into FMDH’s Main Facility Move follows higher vaccination rates As local COVID-19 cases decrease and vaccination rates rise, Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital continues to move forward toward a new normal. On Friday, April 30th FMDH will be moving the Respiratory Clinic from the Norma Oakland House (across from the hospital) into their main facility. The new process will include parking in the main entrance parking lot and being screened by the door monitors at the front door. Respiratory Clinic p...
Valley County will apply for $5 million in federal monies to make improvements to Duck Creek Road via the Federal Land Access Program (FLAP). “It is available to us because it accesses federal lands,” Mary Armstrong, Valley County commissioner, said during a discussion and decision meeting at the courthouse on April 14. “We have agreed to provide a $50,000 match. A13.64% match is required.” US Fish and Wildlife Services will provide about another $267,000 for the project and the Army Corps of Engineers about $220,000, Armstrong said. “In exc...
Trying to find a balance between the livelihood of farmers and an ancient fish on the verge of extinction is not an exact science, but a best guess based on available data. Area farmers are worried about how a planned increase then reduction in water flow next year from Fort Peck Dam to stimulate the natural spawning cycle of the Pallid Sturgeon may result in expensive repairs or retrofits to irrigation systems. But, the flows may also allow the sturgeon to reproduce in Upper Missouri River Basi...
During their regular meeting April 14, the Glasgow School District Board of Trustees voted to increase activity fees for athletes at all schools. Board Chair, Mona Amundson, cast the sole dissenting vote. "Everybody is in tough shape right now, and I just have some concerns about raising the fees that much," Amundson said. According to Brenner Flaten, Activities Director, the district has not raised the fees since 2011, even as associated costs have increased. "Fees continue to go up all the...
FOR THE COURIER ’21-’22 School Calendar Approved Students will attend four days a week Following lengthened discussions and negotiations, the Glasgow School District Board of Trustees voted last week to adopt a four day week for students beginning when pupils return to school in the fall. The first day of school for students will be on Aug. 23. “It is very similar to this year’s [calendar],” said Superintendent Wade Sundby. “Graduation stays on May 30, as it has in the past.” Students will attend school Mondays through Thursdays most weeks. D...
Wishes do come true, it seems. A year after COVID-19 abruptly dropped the curtain mid-run on the Glasgow Middle School production of The Lion King, the young thespians are once again stepping into the limelight. This time around, the drama students will embark to a "whole new world" with the musical, "Aladdin JR." "I am very happy, because last year we only got to do two out of our three shows," said 8th grader Adam Mickelson, 14, who stars in the title role. "After our second show, we never...
Excursionists headed to Billings can say goodbye to terra firma in style aboard a brand new Tecnam P2012 Traveller. Cape Air, which provides twice daily flights to and from Wokal Field and Billings Logan International Airport, has purchased 20 Tecnam P2012s for its fleet, which operates in the Northeast, the Midwest, the Caribbean and Montana. The airline landed a Tecnam P2012 for training purposes at Wokal Field April 6, with regular flights scheduled to begin April 8. The sleek aircraft is of...
