Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Sorted by date Results 1312 - 1336 of 4022
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...
The Glasgow Police Department is investigating the origin of highly concentrated THC oils—commonly called DABS—that sent four Glasgow teens to the hospital on April 2 after they smoked the oils. According to a press release from Chief of Police Brien Gault, officers arrived at a southside Glasgow home Friday afternoon after a 911 call indicated the teens were unresponsive from possible drug use. “The Officer was advised that there were four unresponsive juveniles at the location that had ingested drugs possibly laced with an unknown subst...
Work continues to finalize a job description for the newly created position of Valley County Refuse District Manager. During a meeting on April 7, the three county commissioners spoke at length with representatives from the Valley County Refuse Board about the job description, which must be finalized before the position is advertised to the public. Brian Austin, Valley County Landfill manager, would need to reapply for the newly created position, and would face competition should other candidates apply as well. The commissioners voted to table...
Should students attend only four days a week in the fall, or continue to be in classrooms for five? That is the million dollar question facing the five school board trustees. As the board mulls the decision, they must account for other issues, including changing teachers from a daily paid time off schedule to that of an hourly one. The long and complicated process has led some teachers to become frustrated no decision has been made either way. “I think some of the conversations I’m having [with teachers is] it is kind of a frustration with a n...
The Valley County Care Coalition has taken their mission over the past year to heart. As the world faced a pandemic, the health issues that face Valley County have not faded away and the coalition has pushed programs, events and support for issues like substance abuse, mental health, fitness and nutrition and, looking forward, youth needs and even a youth coalition. In 2019, Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital conducted a community needs assessment survey and identified a number of public health concerns from the county’s residents. At that t...
As of April 6, Valley County’s number of active COVID-19 cases has dropped to two, with 863 residents qualified as recovered from the disease. The county’s death toll from the coronavirus stands at 11. Three new cases were recorded in Valley County between March 29 and April 6 toward the total number of 877 cases. One case was reported in the 10-19 age range, one in the 50-59 range, and one in the 80 to 89 years old range. Two cases were females and one was male. The Valley County Health Department has fully vaccinated 1,411 persons for a vac... Full story
There will be no Glasgow School District No. 1A general fund levy request for the 2021-22 school year because of finanacial implications from the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to forego a levy this year was made by the board of trustees. The 2021 Glasgow School Election has been cancelled, as Ryan Fast and Chrissa Nelson have been duly elected to the board of trustees by acclamation because no opposing candidates remain. Ryan Budde, who had initially sought a position as trustee, has withdrawn his trustee candidate paperwo... Full story
Chris McDaniel has taken up the mantle of news reporter for the Glasgow Courier. This long time newspaper veteran has previously reported for four newspapers in four counties in three states. His most recent gig was as arts editor for the Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader in Washington State. At the Courier, McDaniel will cover most hard news beats, focusing mainly on government and education news. McDaniel has earned several accolades for his journalism, including best news article...
The County Commissioners gave the Hinsdale Ambulance Service the final boost needed to purchase a new ambulance for western Valley County. Using monies raised from payments on low-interest rural development loans from decades past in Hinsdale, the commissioners were able to present the ambulance service with a check for $50,230.77 and bringing the campaign to the total amount needed to buy a new ambulance for just under $150,000. County Commissioner John Fahlgren told the public while presenting...
It was a different kind of year for the Fort Peck Summer Theatre and the Fort Peck Fine Arts Council thanks to COVID. Had everything been normal in 2020 and 2021, they would have been hosting their 20th annual auction fundraiser, but last year they were forced to cancel their 19th and this year they were forced to change the format, broaden the timeline and compensate for an upcoming season that will take place amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In a normal year, the fundraiser includes a...
