Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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Glasgow Middle School eighth-graders demonstrated their command of physics, motion, design, construction and flare Jan. 11 in the middle school gym. The challenge was part of their science class, taught by Wade Nelson, in which they were to design a car using any means of propulsion available to them that would travel quickly and accurately across the gym floor. Students were assessed for speed, how straight and how far the car travelled. If a car veered off course then the total distance off...
The partial government shutdown is now officially the longest government shutdown in history, currently on day 24 as of press time, breaking the previous shutdown record of 21 days, which occurred at the end of 1995 through the beginning of 1996 under President Clinton. Certain agencies within the federal government, including the Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, Departmentn of Interior, Department of Homeland Security, among others, ran out of funding when the budget for these agencies expired on Dec. 22. Employees of the...
Former Valley County Undersheriff Luke Strommen pleaded not guilty to the charge of Felony Sexual Intercourse Without Consent Jan. 14, in District Court in Glasgow. Strommen also maintained his plea of not guilty on an earlier charge of Felony Sexual Abuse of a Child from back in October. As a result of the plea and in light of the new charges, Missoula-based Judge Jon Larson vacated trial dates set in May and will allow both counsels for Strommen and the State of Montana to pursue trial dates i...
Glasgow High School senior Taylor Johnson was just one student of many who took part in the 39th Montana Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) commencement ceremony on Dec. 15, 2018, on the University of Montana-Western campus in Dillion, Mont. The graduation ceremony was the end of a 22-week process where Johnson learned the academic and life skills necessary to not only be a better person but to also be successful in whichever life endeavor he chooses. Johnson decided to enroll in the MYCA and start...
The Valley County USDA Farm Service Agency office, 54059 US Hwy 2, Suite 1, Glasgow, will be open temporarily Thursday, Jan. 17, Friday, Jan. 18, and Tuesday, Jan. 22, during normal business hours, to assist producers with specific services including processing payments made on or before Dec. 31, continue expiring financing statements and open mail to identify priority items. While staff are available in person during this three-day window, most available services can be handled over the phone by contacting the office at 406-228-4321. Services...
The Valley County Search and Rescue, in partnership with the three local wrecker services (Thompson & Sons, Glenn’s Automotive and Hi-Line Collision), gave rides to 206 New Year’s Eve celebrants Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. According to Search and Rescue director Rob Brunelle, that number more than doubled the 2018 New Year’s celebration. As a result of the ride program, the Valley County DUI Task Force will donate $500 to Valley County Search and Rescue. According to Sheriff Tom Boyer, the program likely contributed to a New Year’s Eve that saw no...
In what is becoming a much-anticipated annual tradition, the Johnny Holm Band once again rocked Glasgow. The band, well-known to many residents of the area, performed at the Glasgow Civic Center this past Friday, Jan. 4. The group did not disappoint, launching into classics and getting bodies on the dance floor. And as has become tradition, they "outsourced" some singing to exceptionally talented locals. While ticket sale numbers aren't yet finalized, a Chamber of Commerce board member said, "Fr...
The Glasgow City Council is expected to take up the issue of expanding the Glasgow Police Department’s arrest authority out five miles from the current city limits at their next regular meeting on Jan. 21. The measure, if approved, would add roughly 100 square miles to the current GPD coverage area. According to Chief of Police Brien Gault, the reasoning is to alleviate concerns the department and the city have regarding liability for Glasgow police officers. Gault asserts that as it stands now questions on the liability of officers could c...
A vehicle was riddled with bullet holes during the night of Jan. 5 or morning of Jan. 6, while it sat parked on the side of Highway 24 heading north towards Saint Marie about a half mile past mile marker 4, according to Valley County Sheriff Tom Boyer. The owner of the vehicle was traveling along the highway when his tire went flat the evening of Jan. 5. After determining he would not be able to fix the vehicle he made his way home and upon returning the next morning found the car full of bullet...
The Pankratz family from Malta received a special Christmas present with the birth of Augustus Sage Pankratz, at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow, on Tuesday, Dec. 25, at 10:15 p.m. Augustus' birth was to the surprise of his parents, Dustin and Megan Pankratz, and brother, Wylie, however oldest brother Cooper was more proud of the fact of being right as he had been telling his family for awhile there would be a new addition to the family on Christmas day. Augustus was not due to make...
With the farm bill being signed into law by President Trump reauthorizing a number of programs to help farmers and ranchers get back on their feet, receiving word the second round of direct payments for those who were affected by the trade war with China were going to be distributed and resolutions were being made between the U.S., Canada and Mexico, farmers seemed like their luck was turning around as 2018 came to an end. However when the government shutdown as a result of lapse in funding, direct payments for farmers who haven’t yet c...
On Dec. 26, the Montana Department of Justice amended charges against former Valley County Undersheriff Luke Strommen adding the charge of Sexual Intercourse Without Consent, a felony. Strommen has already been charged with the offense of Sexual Abuse of a Child, a felony, as a result of allegations of improprieties of a sexual nature with a 17-year-old victim four years ago. Strommen pled not guilty to that charge in District Court on Oct. 16. According to the amended court documents, Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was contacted in...
Retiring Sheriff Verne Buerkle hadn't always wanted to be a cop. He just always was a cop. After sitting through a presentation from the then Glendive Chief of Police Gary Olson during his high school career day in Southeast Montana, Buerkle thought, "You know what, that's something I'd be interested in." That thought would translate into a 46-year long career in public service culminating in his being appointed Sheriff of Valley County in 2017. Initially, Buerkle enlisted in the Army in 1972...
Opheim graduate Gwynn Simeniuk has been recently selected as the new executive director for the Montana FFA Foundation, taking the new post effective Jan. 1. Her primary role will be to continue to build relationships throughout the state to raise funds and provide leadership programming for FFA students and teachers throughout the state. "I am very excited for this new opportunity and can't wait to hit the ground running," said Simeniuk. Simeniuk is not new to the Montana FFA Foundation, as...
When I sat down to interview Luree Green-Chappell in her home over Christmas break, we met in her dining room amidst a flurry of dogs and kids. Green-Chappell is the Swing Choir director at Glasgow High School, the accompanist for the middle and high school choirs, and a recurring music director/band leader at Fort Peck Summer Theatre. Looking around her house, it is no secret that music plays a large part in her life. The walls are lined with musical instruments and memorabilia with the dining...
On Thursday, Dec. 20, friends, family and fellow county employees gathered to help county commissioner Bruce Peterson and Valley County Sheriff Vern Buerkle celebrate their upcoming retirement. Commissioner John Fahlgren kicked the festivities off reading a poem he had composed for Peterson, an homage to Peterson's proclivity for pondering, before presenting the outgoing commissioner a plaque in honor of his service. Commissioner Tweten then thanked Sheriff Buerkle for his service to the county...
The Glasgow School Board met in regular session on Dec. 12. The meeting was held at the GHS library. All trustees were in attendance, along with Rachel Erickson, Brenner Flaten and Mike Zoanni. GHS principal Brett Huntsman was absent. During the public comment period, Lexie Pehlke gave a brief presentation on her recent trip for JMG. Three trustees utilized the board comment period: Trustee Suzanne Billingsley advised that she has been trying to secure a transcript for one of her children via Power School, but has been unable; Trustee Mona...
Individuals, friends and families came together on Dec. 18 to decorate gingerbread houses and make memories during the Valley County Extension Office's yearly Gingerbread House Workshop. With bowls filled with frosting and a variety of cookies and candy, everyone was able to create a masterpiece to bring home. The event started 10 years ago on a whim by Extension Agent Roubie Younkin at the Valley County Courthouse Community Room and has grown every year since. "This year the basement of First...
Two Valley County students were among 20 students selected throughout the state to serve on the 2018-2019 Governor and First Lady Youth Leadership Council to address childhood hunger. On Nov. 30, Katie Kaiser, senior at Glasgow High School, and Kaitlyn Miller, eighth-grader at Nashua School, met with First Lady Bullock in Helena, as well as the other selected students, to not only learn about food insecurity in the state, but also plan, implement and sustain projects to address the issue. During a competitive application process, Kaiser and...
Due to fundraising efforts so far this school year, the Irle School PTO was able to give back to students and staff this holiday season. On Dec. 10, the PTO purchased fruit pizzas from the Apple Trolley as part of the PTO's Christmas gift to students and staff. The gift was so well received; classes even took the time to write thank you notes and draw pictures for the PTO. "I was so touched at the notes we received," said PTO President Kim Turner. On Dec. 21, students received an extra surprise...
The Montana Department of Justice have amended charges earlier this week against former Valley County Undersheriff Luke Strommen alleging that he not only committed the crime of felony Sexual Abuse of a Child but that he is also being charged with Sexual Intercourse Without Consent for a separate incident of inappropriate sexual contact that began when the alleged victim was 14-years old. According to court documents, around Sept. 1, 2009 through 2011, Strommen had repeated sexual intercourse...
The Valley County Commissioners met at their normal weekly meeting last Wednesday, Dec. 12, to discuss, in addition to their normal business, plans to seek input from the public regarding future county-wide regulations on the operation of a medical marijuana dispensary inside the county but outside the numerous town and city limits. According to the discussion held at the meeting, the County had allowed a previous ordinance, which barred the open operation of a dispensary outside the home, lapsed some time ago and the County had not taken up th...
At their regular meeting Monday, Dec. 17, at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, the Hospital Guild honored late member Rosalie Palazzo for her years of service to the guild and specifically for her initiation of the baby hat program. To honor Palazzo, the Guild unveiled a plaque featuring her photograph and a knit baby hat to memorialize her contributions. The Guild also donated a nursing chair to be placed in the nursery for all new parents to use. According to Guild members, Rosalie had...
Back in 2010, she joined the Long Run Fire Department as a member, a firefighter. In 2013, she became one of three captains in the all-volunteer force. After a stint as a captain, she continued to keep Valley County safe as a deputy chief, and then as an assistant chief. And after nominations in November and a vote in December, Sara Johnson Bryan will be taking over as chief in January, 2019. As she looks forward to the future of the department, Bryan doesn't anticipate drastic changes, but...
Residents of Valley View Home had a treat on Dec. 3, when the Lefse Ladies stopped by with ingredients and supplies to make lefse. The Lefse Ladies, comprised of Myrna Lauckner, her daughter, Gwyn Funk, granddaughters Teonna Funk, Tori Arnold and Kelcey Arnold, and other volunteers, rolled, fried and buttered over 200 lefse which were provided to residents throughout the building. "It was such a fun time," said Lauckner. Every year for close to 30 years, Lauckner, with a changing team of volunte...
