Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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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 On top of that, developers, builders, and local governments are trying to build housing under old, outdated land use and planning statutes from the 1920s.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?...
Dear Editor, As Montanans, we care for each other. Across the rural-urban divide, generational divide, and Brawl of the Wild divide. Of all our constituents across Montana, the most deserving are our elderly neighbors who are on Medicaid benefits. They have served Montana well, and at this final stage in their lives seek the promise of compassionate, medically appropriate care. Most of them are out of money, have used up their care options with family members and loved ones, and cannot afford...
How many of you mothers received a bottle of Evening in Paris Cologne, in that lovely blue bottle, for a Christmas gift or a fancy lace handkerchief for Christmas? Many men receive hankies for gifts also. If hubby or Daddy was an outside person his hankie was usually blue or red but if you were an inside professional, the choice would have been a white hankie. I have seen the colored men’s hankies in stores today, but I don’t see the fancy boxed hankies. These must all be a thing of the past. I am sure that there is a list of present-day fav...
Dear Valley County Voters, Elections are still in the news. After our last election, Stan Ozark reported over 700 mail ballots were not returned. That is sad and shameful. Voting is our responsibility. Stan also made mention, maybe impressed, that the majority of votes in Valley County are absentee (mail) ballots. Well, no wonder! Several years back, the commissioners approved the Election Administrators request to combine all polling places into Glasgow, in order to save the cost of voting...
Dear Lynn, I was remiss today when I received my booster vaccination and did not personally thank you for all that you have done during this pandemic. As we have discussed, this has been the most difficult of times. Yet, for so many of us you and your staff were supportive, you provided helpful information, you obtained the vaccines and timely provided the distribution and you did it all in the most professional manner. Again, thank you and wishing you the best always. Sincerely, David L....
