Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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March has brought us winter storms like we haven’t seen in a few years. I am sure there are residents of the Opheim area that will remember winters of snow banks higher than your car along the side of the road. These were quite fascinating to a young kid, but not so much in my senior years. I am sure it was not just the North Country that experienced those snow piles along the roads and equally sure that none of us have any desire to see banks quite that high as we drive to our destinations. I am quite thankful for the snow removal equipment a...
Dear Editor, As we enter the third year of the Biden-Harris administration, we're fortunate to have a president who understands the vital role women entrepreneurs play in our economy. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) supports the president's business advocacy by nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit and making sure small business has a voice at the table in Washington, D.C. During Women's History Month, and International Women's Day, we salute women entrepreneurs who take a risk in...
Do any of you remember doing term papers in your high school days? I just found one that I had written all of those years ago. Even had a good grade on it! As I read through it I couldn’t help but think how much time it must have taken us to do those papers. Our small town had a school library but that was it. Some of us were fortunate enough to have parents that were able to afford a set of encyclopedias which were a great help but think how easy it would have been to do all that research today on our computers! I would hate to be a teacher t...
How about the nickel candy bar? It is hard for me to believe what they do cost today. I am sure there are still a few of us around that remember going to the grocery store or maybe stopping at the local drug store for a treat for yourself. I remember my high school days when we would stop at the drug store after school for a bottle of Coke or Pepsi and a bag of salted peanuts. I do not remember for sure the cost, but I do remember asking my Dad for a quarter one day so that I could make the stop and I was told that he was sure there were some...
Does anyone remember the herd of wild horses that used to run the prairies around the present day location of St. Marie? At least that was the perception of a few of the young persons that got to make the Opheim-Glasgow trip with their parents back in the day. It was some years before I was able to put 2 and 2 together. I am sure that these horses probably belonged to the Etchart Ranch or maybe several of the area ranchers, but it was a good fantasy for a youngster that was into western movies....
As eastern Montana has been attending wrestling and basketball events, the legislature continues to move legislation that will help all Montanans. Competition is heated with debates and is very fast-moving. Rules and decorum keep us in order, but sometimes the crowd, like during an athletic event, voices their opinion I do it every day here, whether in committee or on the floor, with a green (yes) or a red (no) vote on the issue at hand. We have reformed some of the government regarding...
Dear Editor, There is no singular cause for Montana's housing crisis. Rising costs of land, materials, and labor combined with people moving into our communities, further straining our infrastructure, has made for an increasingly critical housing situation. On top of that, developers, builders, and local governments are trying to build housing under old, outdated land use and planning statutes from the 1920s. As an attempted quick fix, many of the housing bills this legislative session mandate...
My fellow Northeastern Montanans, For the 68th legislative session, I was elected to a new role as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Montana House of Representatives. This gave me the opportunity to collaborate with Leadership to create the House committees. The makeup of these committees is crucial to efficiently and effectively passing conservative legislation. As Speaker Pro Tempore, I am also responsible for reviewing each piece of legislation and assigning it to the appropriate committee. As a...
Dear Editor, Last year, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched an initiative to establish national standards of practice for health professionals serving veterans to improve efficiency and consistency in the delivery of care across the VA health system. As part of its process, the VA is considering if it can safely expand the scope of practice of certain non-physician health practitioners. Current VA policy dictates that only ophthalmologists can perform eye surgeries in VA health...
To Senate District 117 We just completed our 30th day in this 68th Montana Legislature. The halls continue to be full of lobbyists and Montana citizens. Committee bills are still being processed in both the House and the Senate. With the budget surplus, we plan to improve Montana's education, economy, rule of law, and tax policies. Regarding District 17, here are some specific bills that could enhance our way of life. Senator Kenneth Bogner is sponsoring Senate Bill 203, which is an act...
Dear Editor, The editors and columnists in Ag Publications have often stated that if the ranching community hopes to get anything done they have to speak with one voice. I agree. However, some large organizations claiming to represent the cow/calf producers and feeders are not representing our interests. One of the main issues that are dividing us is mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) of beef and pork. Frankly, I am baffled as to why these organizations are opposing it if the cattle...
Dear Editor, Montana farmers and ranchers face numerous challenges. Some of these challenges such as weather, commodity prices, and bank loan rates are beyond a single farmer's ability to manage. On the other hand, there are challenges faced by Montana producers, which one could reasonably consider as manageable, yet in reality are not. One of the biggest challenges thrown in the face of Montana agriculture that falls in this category is when original equipment manufacturers lock farmers and...
Dear Editor, Making predictions is never easy, especially for small business owners and their managers. Unlike their larger counterparts, small firms do not always have the resources necessary to monitor and adapt to new consumer trends and/or changes in the economy. Even entrepreneurs who've experienced numerous business cycles face new circumstances that confound their instincts and knowledge. As we enter the new year, it is important to assess the economic landscape to determine the best...
Do you remember when the Case dealership in Glasgow was on Hwy 2? As I remember, the building was about in line with the stop light where turning to cross the railroad tracks. This facility was marked by two large eagles outside the building. These were not flying eagles, rather two standing eagles. This was rather a fascinating draw in my childhood days. It might have been so as my Dad worked there at one time but I doubt it. Those eagles marked that site for many years and I have often wondered what happened to them. Might they still be in...
A continuation of the shipping memories. I would like to visit with one of those cattle producers of the past. To my knowledge the livestock owners got to accompany their product to market by riding in the caboose of that train. I do remember that many folks made purchases of furniture, groceries, and other supplies to be brought back home. My question, were they furnished an empty car, courtesy of the railroad, or did they have to “rent” a car for the trip home? I bet that they carried a bedroll for the trip coming and going. Maybe it was the...
Dear Editor, With the holidays behind us and Congress gearing up for a new session, I look forward to continuing my mission fighting for our Montana way of life in Washington, D.C. Under President Biden and Democrat congressional leadership, Montanans are facing the highest inflation rate in three decades, driving up prices of everything from groceries to used cars. In addition, the wide-open southern border is allowing record amounts of fentanyl to devastate our communities, and the attacks on...
Dear Editor, "What does American Prairie do for the community?" As the organization's Senior Outreach Manager, and a Lewistown resident, I'm grateful to reflect on that question at the start of a new year. First, American Prairie is part of this community. The same number of employees live in Fergus and Phillips Counties as in Bozeman – and this number will grow. Seven of us reside in Fergus County along with our partners and spouses, kids, parents, and even grandparents. We own and rent h...
Memories for you cattle and maybe pork producers that market at Glasgow Livestock Sales. Do you as producers, or more likely the outside staff of workers at the sales yard, remember when cattle were loaded directly into railroad stock cars for shipment? This may have been a year-round procedure but was definitely used in the fall of the year. I do not remember, nor was I ever involved in that process, but did cattle spend the night on board before departure time? Yes, I do remember the placing of hay bales in the cars, so I am sure they...
Dear Editor, Recently there has been a media blast by John Deere claiming a Memorandum of Understanding signed with American Farm Bureau Federation provides right to repair for farmers, ranchers, and independent repair shops. A closer look at the non-legally binding document shows the devil is in the details. John Deere signed a similar MOU in 2018, with the California Farm Bureau, when the California legislature was on the verge of passing a right to repair bill. Their strategy worked as the bi...
Dear Editor, I have just come back from giving testimony on the Medicaid rates for nursing homes in Montana. It was a well-run hearing. The Governor presented his budget proposal. There were over 40 opponents stating that their nursing home or assisted living facility would be closed or stop providing for Medicaid residents if they didn't get more help than the Governor is proposing. The Governor said the people want to have home care, so he proposed significantly cutting the home care budget?...
I listened to Brian Austin on “Under the Big Sky” and noted that he did forget to mention the rendering plant at the old Milk River Bridge site. This was in operation during the early days of my marriage. This building was used to render the lard from the fat from processed pork. These renderings were used for pet food as well as human consumption. We often purchased some renderings for dog food and stored them in our basement way. One evening while we were playing cards with relatives, my girls and their cousins entertained themselves by thr...
Dear Editor, What do hunting, huckleberries, honoring our veterans, and accountability for taxpayer money have in common? Two things. The first is that they're all strongly supported by Montanans. The second is that we're already well on our way to putting big wins on the board this legislative session that involve all of them. Let's start with hunting. We recently had the first hearing on a bill that will double the annual cap on money that private landowners can receive for allowing public...
Dear Editor, The 68th Montana Legislature is officially in session, and the House has already gaveled in. This year the state faces a unique challenge of deciding how to spend a $2 billion surplus. As Leadership of the Montana House, our response to that challenge is supporting House Bill 192, introduced by Representative Bill Mercer of Billings. The bill entails three initiates: refund taxpayers on overpaid income taxes, alleviate the property tax crunch and reduce the state's debt. This...
Dear Editor, The 68th Montana Legislature is officially in session. As Senate leadership, we're excited to see Senate Republicans getting to work on enacting conservative policy for our state. The last time the Legislature met, we successfully passed a conservative balanced budget, cut taxes for individuals and businesses, secured our Second Amendment rights, invested in public access to public lands and high speed broadband, and passed legislation to protect the unborn and further secure our el...
Do you remember when Monday was wash day and Tuesdays were for ironing? Before ironing you needed to sprinkle the clothing. Does anyone remember this handy sprinkling device and are they available anymore?...
