Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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Dear Valley County, As I sit at my desk this afternoon, the 31st of December 2018, to consider what might be important to convey to the residents of Valley County, I can not help but consider where we have come from. In a short time, I will be taking Retired Sheriff Vernon Buerkle home to drop him off. How weird it must feel for him, after over 40 years of service in this county, to watch his patrol vehicle drive away. To say his final “off shift” to dispatch over the radio. Sheriff Buerkle, like those who came before him, gave his best eff...
“The safety net is going to be having a strong border because we are going to be safe....... I really believe that these people, many of the people we are talking about, many of the people you’re discussing, I really believe they are agreeing with what we are doing.” This was said by President Trump in a Jan. 4 media conference in response to a reporter’s question of “Do you have a safety net for federal workers, for those who need their checks?” In response to a reporter’s question on Jan. 7 of “Can you relate to the pain of federal workers wh...
Dear Editor, As former House Speakers and Senate Presidents of the Montana Legislature, we question the wisdom of making significant changes to the rules of operation in the Montana House. Currently, there is a group of legislators trying to change the House rules. One of the proposed changes would allow a simple majority (51 members) to "blast" a bill out of committee and on to the House floor. Their logic is that the Montana Senate operates under simple majority rules so the House should...
The Montana Legislature is set to convene Jan. 7, in Helena. Similar to the 2017 session, the state’s budget is set to experience another round of belt tightening. Money will be tight, but the policy agendas will be plentiful. Legislators will be forced to make tough decisions between balancing a realistic budget and potentially slashing programs and policies or making law changes to accomplish that. A tight budget year makes the job of lobbying for Montana’s farm and ranch families challenging. Our top priority will be protecting existing fun...
Dear Editor, The success of Montana’s agriculture industry is dependent upon water and water right certainty. It is easily the single most important resource for people across Montana, which is why ratification of the negotiated Montana CSKT Water Compact is critical. Contrary to what compact opponents are saying, the negotiated CSKT Compact provides water right certainty, protects Montana’s water users, and ensures a reliable source of water. When the Flathead Reservation was established, wat...
Remember all the hours spent wrapping Christmas gifts? The rolls of wrapping paper, the “to/from“ tags, the ribbon & bows? And the boxes. You saved boxes all year so you would have the right size for the gift. Many gifts were homemade so you needed boxes for those too. Now we have the luxury of gift bags. These bags sure help reduce clutter, as well as free up storage space. I am working on my old habit of saving all of that stuff. Any of you need to join me?...
The other day a gentleman came into the Courier to check out the archives. He had been coming in on and off for months looking for a certain article. He had a partial clip but no date. So, taking what information he did have he started combing through the countless pages of text in the general timeframe he thought the piece had been published. It took some time but he finally found the article and more, some dating back to the 1940s. Eventually, he would have copies of those pages recreated to keep for future generations as they provided backgr...
Dear Editor, The Valley County Commissioners are seeking public opinion on a possible county ordinance dealing with medical marijuana dispensaries. The county had ordinances in effect in 2011 and 2012, but when the state tightened the requirements; the ordinance was allowed to lapse. Currently there is one dispensary in operation in Valley County; this business is seeking to expand, as described in the Courier article in this issue. Under the state law, cities and counties can adopt ordinances o...
Time for an update. I’ve not written my column for a while because of health issues. The first thing I want to do is say thank you to our children and grandchildren for the wonderful party they gave us for our 50th wedding anniversary. Next, thank you to all who attended the party, sent us cards, and extended their congratulations. We’ve been asked at times what our secret is for being married 50 years. As other couples who have been wed for 50 years or more will tell you, there really is no secret. For us it was taking life one day at a tim...
Since my topic for the week is Remember, do you remember when the years, months and days took longer to fly by? As you read this it will be only days before Christmas. Where oh where does time go? I guess time goes hand in hand with age – when we are 12 we can’t wait until we are 15 – then we get to 15 and the goal is 21, and from then on it seems to be a downhill slide. Soon it will be time to take our Christmas decorations down and I just barely got a few up. So enjoy each day, make more memories to treasure and enjoy those fast moving days....
Former President of the United States Barack Obama, once said, “Our collective futures depend on the willingness to uphold your duties as a citizen to vote.” Obama was stressing the importance of voting as an opportunity to take responsibility and be an influence. Many people don’t stop and think about the true significance of voting. Many people don’t appreciate why voting matters. Many people don’t know why voting matters. I sometimes wonder if my vote matters. Simply put, my vote matters because it is my right, my voice, and my legacy. My vo...
Back in October, I set out on a long-anticipated road trip. Years had passed since I last ventured out alone on an extended journey out of state. I was excited to travel and to see relatives after many years. Nestled into my new-to-me car, one that wouldn’t leave a slug-like trail of oil everywhere, I settled in my snacks and podcasts. I made it all the way to a mile outside Nashua before my gremlin gene kicked in. The check engine light had come on. Knowing that I know nothing about cars, I returned to Glasgow and found Josh Sillerud of Hi-Lin...
Remember when youth groups and others had Christmas caroling on their agendas? First, I must admit that I do not live in town and there may still be many carolers, however I think this might be a thing of the past. I am pretty sure the means of transportation for the young people is a thing of the past. I have vague memories of Christmas carolers singing from a sled pulled by a team of horses. This of course progressed to a wagon (complete with straw bales for seating) being pulled with a pickup, or “truck” depending on your location. The upd...
Ladies and Gentlemen: I am a student at Cascade Christian Schools and I am writing a report on the state of Montana. We are responsible for gathering as much information as we can about our state. If any of your readers would like to help me by sending any pictures, postcards, used license plates, facts, products, etc. from your state, it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much, Yours Truly, Tyler Fifth-grader Cascade Christian School 601 9th Ave S.E. Puyallup, WA 9...
The winter holidays are a time to enjoy the company of family, friends and coworkers. Whether you are planning a dinner, informal gathering, or holiday party, your job as host is very important. Your many responsibilities include planning the menu, entertainment, gifts and games. However, some of the most crucial details can be overlooked in all of the frenzy. Perhaps your most important responsibility as a host, specifically for a gathering where alcohol is involved, is to take steps to ensure your guests’ safety both during and after the c...
Dear Editor, This letter is to update the public regarding the Opheim Public School gymnasium roof. First, both CTA Architects and Engineers from Billings and Southland Construction from Scobey have been hired to complete the gym project. Second, per Kevin Feldman, Structural Engineer with CTA, we are entering the final phases of the gymnasium roof repair. We fully anticipate that our gym will reopen in time for our first home basketball game on Dec. 20. Our Athletic Director has coordinated...
I think it’s great the Glasgow Chamber puts together a Christmas Stroll in order to get families together and kick off the holiday season. I have had the pleasure of attending two Christmas Strolls since moving to Glasgow and enjoyed the hayrides put on by Cornwell Ranch, the Festival of Lights parade and seeing Santa. I loved how the Chamber expanded the stroll this year to include free hot chocolate from the Durum and face painting in front of the Children’s Museum by Brianna Overbey. Unfortunately this year, I could not make the event due to...
A Christmas Confession – I really do not care for the holiday, or the extended celebration of consumerism. For years I’ve tried to follow my own rule of allowing only two Christmas-related activities prior to Thanksgiving: making travel arrangements for the holiday and bemoaning how Christmas sales have encroached into other holidays. Last week, however, I broke my own rule. I attended a Christmas-themed record release party hosted by the Glasgow High School Swing Choir. The group proved why some rules are meant to be broken. Presenting rec...
One important story got lost last month in the incessant election coverage. Millennials, those prolific killers of all things Boomers love, are at it again. This time they are killing American cheese, preferring “fancier” cheeses, such as asiago, fontina and smoked gouda. Thank you, Millennials. American cheese is trash. The time is long past for its demise. The long-running trope regarding all the things Millennials are killing has become farcical. Our culture worships capitalism, content to leave our fate in the invisible hand of the mar...
Some weeks ago I mentioned a friend that has shared old memorabilia with me. I sincerely hope this person did not take offense from my “who needs enemies” remark. I love to have readers and friends share thoughts and memories with me, and I will admit that the some sections of our Pioneer Museum have nothing over on me, as I treasure and keep most old items that trigger memories of our ancestors. This friend has shared many memories that trigger my thoughts for these articles, and I do owe that person many thanks. I will readily admit there are...
Montana hunters have been afield pursuing deer, elk and other big game, just as we have done for decades. But new this year is the knowledge that chronic wasting disease (CWD) is present in our state’s mule deer and white-tailed deer. Last year’s first-ever detection of this devastating disease was a huge blow to our state, although its arrival was considered inevitable. This fall, more harvested deer have tested positive for this always fatal neurodegenerative disease. For years, Montana has been surrounded by states and provinces with CWD...
You remember the feeling: Standing up in front of the class, palms sweating, trying to remember the words you had so carefully memorized the night before; waiting on the edge of the dance floor; the test you absolutely didn’t study for; the first day of school; the big game; the red and blue lights in the rearview mirror. Stress. Teens today are overwhelmed by stress and influences that have not been seen in past generations. While teens are still impacted by the traditional short-term stress that occurs when preparing for a test, a school danc...
All parents wish they could protect their children from experiencing pain or stress. A teenager today will be faced with new challenges and stessors continually. The national Child Traumatic Stress Network reports that 4 out of 10 adolescents have witnessed violence, 17 percent have been physically assaulted, and as many as eight percent have experienced secual assault. Teen stress management involves developing healthy coping skills and creating a mindset and environment that diffuses stress and provides positive resources. Learning to...
Dear Editor, Now that the elections are over for a time, we need to be thankful for all that we have this Thanksgiving season and the Christmas season ahead. We are a very generous community in responding to the many fundraisers throughout the year - Fireworks, Relay for Life and now Block of Bucks to provide winter clothing for children. There are numerous charities to donate to but when we know how many families have lost everything and many are now planning funerals we must teach our children to be very thankful as they receive brand new... Full story
Throwback jerseys. Alternative sweaters. Old school sweaters. The NHL recently announced the list of teams who will be rocking some uniforms inspired by those of “old time hockey, eh?” and I am here for it. Paying homage to days gone by, Orginal Six teams to relative newcomers, several NHL teams will debut third jerseys this year. A classicly simple New York Rangers sweater stands in stark contrast to an … let’s say ... embellished (yes, that will work) Phoenix Coyotes jersey. Some sweaters will draw praise, others derision, but as with an...
