Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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The Three Valley Commissioners have approved a resolution opposing the federal government’s “30x30” land preservation goal. President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Jan. 27 he said would help restore balance on public lands and waters, create jobs and provide a path to align the management of America’s public lands and waters with the nation’s climate, conservation and clean energy goals. “We are concerned because we have this sudden goal with huge changes,” Chairman John Fahlgren said during the regular commission meeting May 1...
The three Valley County Commissioners have lifted the burn ban, allowing farmers to burn their fields with a permit from the fire department. “A burn ban means we won't give any permits for burning,” said Chairman John Fahlgren. “With our recent rains, we've had people call us with situations where it looks like a totally safe thing to do. When we lift the burn ban, what happens is they still have to get approval through dispatch.” Dispatch all weather information before giving approval on any permits. “One of the reasons I will vote to lift t...
LOCAL NEWS Valley County Free Tree Day 1,000 Trees Donated Thursday, May 13 ws another successful Valley County Free Tree Day. Resilient friends, supporters and volunteers turned out to get in on the action. One thousand seedlings in the five different varieties of trees were handed out, again in record time. A little over two hours depleted the supply. What a great project. Be proud of what you can to beautify the community. Signed, Linda Sibley. Disaster Assistance for 2021 Livestock Forage Losses Disaster Assistance for 2021 Livestock...
STATE NEWS 100 Year Sentence in Homicide Case Montana DOJ Secures 100-year Sentence in Madison County Homicide Case The Montana Department of Justice (DOJ) Prosecution Services Bureau secured a 100-year sentence yesterday in a Madison County murder case. Stanley Gordon Bernadini, 58, was sentenced to 100 years in the Montana State Prison, with no time suspended for the deliberate homicide of Michelle Sorrows of Ennis. He also received a concurrent sentence of 10 years for tampering with physical evidence. On the first day of his October 2020...
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...
