Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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For sixteen years, conservative policies have met their demise via Democrat governors' veto pens, blocking significant progress to move Montana forward. But now, Republicans in Helena are poised to build a better Montana for all Montanans. We are reviewing liberal policies that were put into law and rule. but with the first Republican governor in sixteen years, we will finally put our critical, conservative priorities into law. Somewhere along the way, some have forgot that Helena works for the... Full story
Dear Editor, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep thanks and gratitude to Montana-Dakota Utilities for the quick response to our emergency in Hinsdale. On Friday March 19 at 5:30 the natural gas supply was cut off to our little town because of numerous gas leaks, and by Monday morning construction had begun to repair the problem. MDU was upfront and transparent about what needed to be done and were very apologetic for the inconvenience experienced by our community. Our small... Full story
Last week, the House passed our main budget bill (House Bill 2) to fund state government for the next two years. It will now go to the Senate for further consideration. As it stands, it is one of the most responsible state budgets that we have seen in recent history and comes in well below the maximum threshold that conservative think-tanks have set for a conservative Montana budget. It adequately funds state government and gives Governor Gianforte the tools that he needs to continue finding... Full story
This week is National Library Week. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and observed in libraries across the country each April. The theme for this year is "Welcome to Your Library". During the pandemic, library workers continue to exceed their communities' demands and adapt resources and services to meet their users' needs during these challenging times. Whether people visit in person or virtually, libraries offer endless opportu... Full story
Dear Editor, The Gianforte Administration and the GOP majority in the legislature campaigned and were elected because they said they would bring jobs to Montana, support small businesses and improve our infrastructure. What is actually happening is multiple tax breaks for the wealthy, and budget cuts for the rest of us. There are bills cutting services for Montanans with disabilities, seniors, Child Protective Services, and other essential public services. This comes in the middle of a pandemic... Full story
One year into this pandemic, Montanans are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our vaccines are safe and effective, COVID cases are falling thanks to the tireless efforts of our frontline health care workers, and Spring is on the horizon. But even with this good news, we still have work to do before we get through the worst public health and economic crisis in generations. Over the past year I've had hundreds of conversations with families, workers, doctors, educators,... Full story
The Valley County Conservation District has been trying to alert their constituents, and others, about how the federal government is succeeding in taking the vested water rights away from the Federal Grazing District allotment holders without any just compensation. The feds were aided by our Montana Water Court and the Montana Supreme Court which both ruled in favor of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Beaver Creek (south Phillips and Valley counties) adjudication. These courts may... Full story
This month, American Prairie Reserve shared with the Phillips County Conservation District that, as before, our bison herd has been given a clean bill of health. As Senior Bison Restoration Manager for American Prairie, I am one of several members of our team that's living and working in Phillips County, supporting the day-to-day management of the bison herds that graze on our properties. The health of our herds is just as important to us as it is to our neighbors in Phillips County. Earlier... Full story
When I disagree with my party, I defend Montana and say so. President Biden's decision to cancel the presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline was a mistake-one that I am fighting tooth and nail to overturn. Working Montana families are depending on the jobs and economic benefits that building the pipeline would bring, and we rely on the energy the oil that will flow through the pipeline will provide to heat our homes and run our equipment. And that's not to mention the much-needed tax... Full story
Dear Editor, We all know what happens to the frog in a gradually warming pot of water. Too slow to react it eventually boils to death. Since the Industrial Revolution humans have been steadily turning up the heat in this big pot we call planet earth with ever increasing carbon pollution from the burning of fossil fuel. Even hard core climate change skeptics are finding it harder to deny the harsh reality of global "weirding," as dramatized by the recent extreme winter storm in Texas where... Full story
Every two years, tens of thousands of Montana hunters gather in community centers, school cafeterias, and church basements to comment on proposed deer and elk hunting regulations. It's Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' biennial "season-setting" process, and I'm eternally surprised at the passion and knowledge that hunters bring to these meetings. They push back against department proposals to raise cow-elk permit quotas by as few as 25 tags. They alternatively admonish biologists to cut back or... Full story
Montana hunters are being shut out of major decisions on future access to elk. The new approach in Helena, led by Speaker Wylie Galt and Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director Hank Worsech, is to spring legislation on us. Making major wildlife management changes without public input benefits few and hurts Montana hunters. I never thought it would happen here, but we must meet this full-on effort to limit public hunter involvement in wildlife management decisions if we are to maintain the title of... Full story
Do you remember when we didn't have 24 hour access to the news? Maybe the news was accessible many hours of the day, but most families gathered around the radio in the evenings. Some of you may remember the radios of early days, probably before electricity. A couple memories shared were radios using car batteries (makes me wonder just what size a vehicle battery was back then) or maybe a dry cell battery was used. Maybe that is what we need today, it might be less depressing to only have once a... Full story
Dear Valley County, The Valley County Commissioners have asked the County Planning Board to undertake an update to the Valley County Growth Policy. The current policy was first adopted in 2006. The County Growth Policy will serve as the County's guidance document for economic development, local services, infrastructure, and land use. The updated County Growth Policy will assist the County in applying for public grants and other funding sources for infrastructure improvements and as the basis... Full story
Dear Editor, In the February 24th Courier article about Andrew McKean being ousted from the FWP Commission, Senator Lang is quoted defending his vote to not confirm Andrew. He seems to defend what appears to be cronyism on the current governor's part by stating that previous Governor Bullock did it. Even if that were true, it doesn't make it right for current Governor Gianforte to do it. However, the accusation that the previous Democratic governor made FWP Commission appointments based... Full story
The Valley CARE Coalition proudly presents stories from Valley County residents who have struggled, continue to struggle, or have found peace surrounding mental health, substance use disorders, or behavioral health. Battling this is a symbol of strength and courage and should be highlighted as such. I was in middle school when I first went face-to-face with anxiety. I was constantly worried about little things like what I was wearing, if someone was mad at me (even if they had no reason to be),... Full story
This week marks the mid-way point of the legislative session, 45th day. It corresponds with a deadline requiring bills that do not have money associated with them to be sent to the opposite chamber of the legislature. Many great bills survived the “transmittal” deadline, but others did not. One that did pass the Senate is SB 100, it adds fraud prevention measures to Montana’s welfare programs. This will make it harder for those individuals trying to take advantage of our system that was set up to provide support for the members of our commu... Full story
Dear Northeast Montana, This Friday, coming home from the District Tournament in Malta, Zora and I had car trouble. It was late; it was dark; the temperature was 8 degrees and falling. There were all the usual calculations: how far still to Hinsdale? (8 miles) How long does a very small person retain core body temperature? When will someone realize something is wrong? Unbeknownst to us, there under the cold stars, from the instant the car stopped, we were already held in a web of caring and... Full story
Dear Editor, As a high school library assistant, I witness the importance of making every student feel safe, welcome and supported. HB 112 would ban transgender students from participating in athletics that align with their gender identity. This bill would affect athletes in elementary school through the collegiate level. A report released this month by the Center for American Progress found that trans-inclusive athletic policies (2011-2019) did not negatively affect cisgender girls (those whose... Full story
Feb 21, 2021 Moving of bills has been slow. We are required by law to have the Senate bills referred to the House at the end of the 45th day, March 3rd. Committees and the floor sessions will be long for the next 10 days. Little fun on the floor today. The State Tax Appeal Board (STAB) got Senate approval to become the Montana Tax Appeal Board. The Treasure State Endowment Program is now the Montana Coal Endowment Program. TSEP, now called MCEP is from the production of Montana coal. Fund is dow... Full story
February 19, 2021 HELENA- We are less than two weeks away from Transmittal which is the halfway point of the legislative session, which is the time when all general House bills must be voted on and sent to the Senate and Senate bills to the House. Committees are quickly working to ensure that all bills get acted on. The highlight of this week was Governor Gianforte signing House Bill 102 into law, which ensures every Montanans’ right to self-defense is now protected from state barriers. This l... Full story
I am thinking of "Strong Women" today. Over the years we have heard a lot about Women's Rights, strong women, etc. I found an old, old photo of a township plat showing all sections of land with the name of the person that had filed. Some of these filings were listed as 1903. This of course was a Township and Range where my family currently has property. Most names were unknown to either my husband or me, but what did catch my attention was the number of women that filed for homestead filing....
Dear Editor, Consumers have the right to know the origin of their beef purchases, and ranchers have the right to a fair and competitive market. This is a reasonable expectation. However, since 2015 Congress specifically exempted beef and pork from labeling laws. Consumers do not know where their beef comes from, and ranchers do not have fair prices. If you are a consumer learning of this for the first time, you might be incredulous. The last time you purchased beef from the supermarket, the... Full story
February 8th was the 26th day of the 67th Montana legislature. Montana law says that we can meet for 90 days and must approve a balanced budget. Thank all of you who have reached out with phone calls or emails. I appreciate your input and will vote my conscience, experience and most of all with God as an advisor. Committees have confirmed the director positions and governmental boards. In Senate Ag we confirmed, and await the final vote of the Senate floor, Mr. Mike Foster. Mr. Foster is from... Full story
The Valley CARE Coalition proudly presents stories from Valley County residents who have struggled, continue to struggle, or have found peace surrounding mental health, substance use disorders, or behavioral health. Battling this is a symbol of strength and courage and should be highlighted as such. It wasn't all bad in the big city. I got married and was clean for years. I went to classes, was working, made money, and lived the American dream. Then I relapsed and I couldn't get back. I struggle... Full story
