Week of July 26, 2024
Week of July 26, 2024
On July 13th, the Sioux Ranger District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest experienced a thunderstorm event with winds exceeding 100mph, causing damage to some developed sites, power outages, as well as blocked roads and trails. Progress has been made to clear roads, but more assessment of the damage and work remains. "We are grateful to everyone who worked this week to evaluate damage from the storm and clear roads," said Sioux District Ranger Kurt Hansen. "There is...
On July 13th, a severe thunderstorm event with winds reportedly exceeding 100 mph swept through the county - and entire region - causing widespread damage to trees, crops, outbuildings and many homes. Downed power poles south of town caused some to be without power for multiple days following the storm. The city transfer site was open Sunday morning for crews and individuals to dump loads of fallen trees, debris and branches. Outside of Ekalaka, there were additional reports...
Governor Greg Gianforte recently announced that Montana's unemployment rate remained at 3.1% in June. The national unemployment rate rose to 4.1%. "With more Montanans working now than ever before, we saw another month of steady employment increases across industries," Gov. Gianforte said. "Thanks to our pro-business, pro-jobs policies, we're creating an environment where businesses can thrive, create more good-paying jobs, and increase opportunities for all Montanans." Total...
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public input as it overhauls mule deer management and works to understand what's driving down mule deer populations in eastern Montana. In a news release last week, FWP began soliciting public input on 11 guiding principles that the Mule Deer Citizen Advisory Council has developed to form the foundation of a new mule deer management plan. The principles include increasing mule deer populations, using the best available science to...
The Bureau of Land Management is approving seven herbicide active ingredients to control noxious weeds and invasive species on public lands. The decision published recently in the Federal Register, and BLM field and district offices can now begin considering the use of these tools in efforts to control and eradicate noxious weeds and invasive plant species on the public lands they manage. "One of BLM's highest priorities is to promote ecosystem health, and one of the greatest...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is looking for public feedback on work from a citizen advisory council tasked with developing guiding principles for developing a new Mule Deer Management Plan. "We know how concerned people are with mule deer numbers across the state," said FWP Director Dustin Temple. "Our focus is developing a new plan that will guide our efforts to manage herds well into the future. The council's work is a critical first step for our planning process." In...
Mid-Rivers accepted a new Universal Service Funding (USF) offer and a new associated build-out obligation in late 2023, providing revenue certainty for the next fifteen years and allowing the cooperative to cut the timeline nearly in half for the remaining rural fiber build-out. The new Enhanced A-CAM support program includes an historic 100 percent build-out obligation in traditional rural service areas, with an aggressive deadline of December 31, 2028. This presents a...
A hot day didn't seem to bother the large crowd attending the youth rodeo at Ekalaka Track and Arena on Saturday. Following are the results from a jam-packed day full of events. Boys 7 & Under Key Hole Race 1) Stetson Rahn 2) Tucker Dahl 3) Dallas Spencer 3) Kash Bail 5) Tildyn Stirling Barrel Race 1) Kash Bail 2) Tucker Dahl 3) Clancy Bainter 4) Dallas Spencer 5) Tildyn Stirling Barrel Crawl 1) Kash Bail 2) Tucker Dahl 3) Stetson Rahn 4) Riggins Kittelmann 5) Ty Smith Mutton...
On the evening of July 13, 2024, a nasty storm came through our territory, damaging a lot of members’ property and taking out numerous Southeast Electric lines. Operations crew members and office staff worked through most of the first night. The few employees out of town cut their leave short and returned to Ekalaka to assist in the restoration process. First, I would like to thank all Southeast Electric employees for their dedication and hard work day in and day out, as well as during the long days put in to restore...
submitted by the Montana Farm Bureau Federation During meetings in Washington earlier this month, the Montana Farm Bureau continued to stress the need for grasshopper control while visiting with Congressional leaders. In talking with Senator Jon Tester and Representative Matt Rosendale, and with the staff of Senator Steve Daines' and Representative Ryan Zinke's offices, Farm Bureau leaders explained the negative impact of the destructive insects and the need for help with...
Dear Editor, Please accept this statement as a formal retraction of my letter submitted in the June 20th, 2024 Edition. Thank you, Libby...
Plans for the Days of '85 are continuing as the event draws nearer. The annual county fair and rodeo is slated for Thursday, August 8th through Sunday, August 11th this year. On Thursday, sheep dog trials will be taking place at Ekalaka Track and Arena, a silent auction will begin at Ekalaka Public Library, and animal shows will be taking place at the fairgrounds throughout the day. On Friday at noon, the pet parade will begin at the fairgrounds. At 1 p.m. Carter County...
The FBC, Ekalaka, is planning to celebrate their 75th anniversary on September 14th and 15th, 2024. The church was founded around Christmas, 1949. A kickoff brunch will take place on Sat., September 14th from 10 a.m. until noon. Sourdough pancakes with all accouterments will be served. There will be visiting, a slide show, singing and personal testimonies. A supper will round out Saturday at around 5:30 p.m followed by a Paul family concert at 7 p.m. Gary Henderson will be...
Mary Zeiss Stange, a beloved professor, writer, and feminist scholar, passed away on July 6, 2024, at the age of 74. Born on July 5, 1950, Mary dedicated her life to exploring and advocating for women's equality and shared a unique space in the academic world linking feminist theory, ecofeminism, religious studies, and women as hunters. Mary's academic career as a professor included teaching at several higher educational institutions including Clarkson University, St....
Grace Eva McKnight passed away peacefully on July 19, 2024, in Cleburne, TX. She was born on February 9, 1926, in Ridge, MT, the daughter of Ernest and Reathel (Craft) Cadwell. Grace's early years were spent in the rolling landscapes of Montana. She graduated from Miles City High School and later from Black Hills State College, setting the stage for a lifelong commitment to teaching. In 1946, Grace's heart found its match in Arthur McKnight, and together they embarked on a...
July 22, 2024 Well, last week at Capitol and on Tie Creek, things had gotten more exciting than most people would desire. Karen didn’t write news, couldn’t call neighbors, and couldn’t email the news, because of the storm that came through, on Saturday evening, wiping out the electricity. A bingo night had been planned in Camp Crook for Saturday, and some people enjoyed bingo, but a few had stayed home to avoid the predicted weather. The cool air from the east felt good after the hot day. Then things got completely...
Imagine a classroom bursting with chaos. A clown juggles in one corner, balloons twisting into improbable shapes. Students huddle in another, competing in a game of cornhole, beanbags flying through the air. Meanwhile, a student uses a giant whiteboard to broadcast messages, both kind and cruel, to the entire class. In the center, others pose for pictures, their cameras flashing like miniature lightning storms. The teacher, amidst this whirlwind, tries desperately to maintain...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: You know, Lord, Jonna, shared a 'story' her friend, Sally, told her, which happened a few years back, at the birth of Sally's third baby, when she'd lost her newly born baby girl. It was a cold autumn day when they stood at the graveside service of baby Shenna. Sally recalled the open grave looked like a wound in the ground. Her dad held firstborn Gary, then only four years old. Little eighteen-month-old MaryJo wriggled in her grandma's arms, trying...
It is county fair season. My hope is that all moms and dads remember there is a fine line between extremely supportive and downright crazy! Having been both a 4-H member and a 4-H mom, I can tell you that fairs are a huge success every year due to the hard work of the Extension staff, the FFA advisors, the kids, the parents, the grandparents, and a lot of supportive volunteers. I must admit that I enjoy the fair more now than I used to when my kids were in 4-H. As a 4-H'er,...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: You know, Lord, we're into SUMMER- big time! Some out-of-state company popped in, wanting to view the City Scenes – said their grandparents used to live here – YEARS ago! So, off we went. They'd never been to this town so were surprised to know there was an Airport, even a Train Station, let alone Taxicabs, and more schools than their grandma had mentioned; many years back. More chuckles when they saw several benches along the streets for folks...
June, 2024 On the 3rd day of June one of our newest residents passed away, Catherine Smith. Catherine lived here only a few short weeks. She is the grandmother of Willow Meyer, one of our nurses. Catherine was a very sweet gracious lady. Extending our deepest sympathy to her family. The 4th and 5th Dahl Memorial hosted a health fair. Overall, it was successful, all the lab work was able to be processed right here in our own lab. In years past everything had to be shipped out to a larger lab. Tuesday afternoon Bingo was on...
The best job I ever had was working as a camp cook for Brett and Julie Todd of the K Lazy 3. This time of year I get very homesick for those mountain trips, but I also remember how difficult it could be at times. It was a truly fine and pleasant misery at times, but mostly it was an amazing experience that I feel lucky to have had. The only job description I ever received was from Guy Gravert, one of the guides, who told me, "The cook rides in the back and gets two buckets...
