Week of December 6, 2024
On November 25th, Ekalaka Public Schools teamed up with Hulett School, Crook County School District #1, and Alzada School to create an exciting learning opportunity for 7th and 8th grade students. The group traveled to the iconic Devils Tower, where students explored the natural beauty and historical significance of the landmark. This partnership between the schools highlights the power of collaboration and hands-on learning, offering students a unique opportunity to connect...
At the end of November in Montana, there were 51 openings for special education teachers, and a report on the state's teacher shortage last year identified special education as one of the top three critical shortage areas in Montana. At the same time, many Montana children need and benefit from the services that special education teachers provide, according to Leslie Rogers, assistant professor in the Montana State University Department of Education and an expert in special...
The number of acres enrolled in Block Management, a hunting access program managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, has continued its gradual decline despite efforts to bolster landowner interest in the program. Hunters have been tracking revisions to Block Management, hopeful that changes to the landowner reimbursement payment structure authorized by the last two Montana Legislatures can reverse flagging participation in the program and help alleviate concerns about...
Muzzleloader heritage season opens on Saturday, Dec. 14, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 22. This season is for heritage muzzleloaders only; no other means of taking game, such as archery, is allowed. Note that some areas have elk shoulder seasons through Feb. 15, where firearms and archery equipment may be allowed. Hunters should also note that many of Montana's Block Management Areas (BMAs), even though they are open for upland bird or waterfowl through Jan. 1, are not...
Cutting your own Christmas Tree is a great way to create lasting memories with family and friends. The Custer Gallatin Forest is offering tree permits in a variety of ways this holiday season. Permits are good Forest-wide on the Custer Gallatin National Forest, except at cabins, campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, wilderness, within 100 feet of main roads, streams, or wetlands, natural landmarks, timber sales and areas where trees have been planted for reforestation...
Fresh off a reelection win, Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte has proposed that Montana lawmakers adopt a two-year state budget that prioritizes further tax cuts alongside investments in public safety and education. The proposal represents a starting point for budget negotiations that will occur in and out of public view through the 2025 Legislature. Highlights of the $17.9 billion proposal include a top-bracket rate cut for state income taxes and a homeowner property tax relief...
The summer of 2024 presented another active fire season, especially across Southeastern Montana and Northwestern Wyoming. The Remington Fire started in late August 2024 in Sheridan County, WY, and burned thousands of acres, quickly crossing into Montana. In response to this large, fast-moving fire, affecting many cattle producers in the area, the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) reactivated its Wildfire Relief Fund, to raise funds to assist landowners in their recovery and rebuilding. As a 501(c)(3), MSF provided a...
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen said roughly 4,900 new businesses registered with the Secretary of State's Office in September, while almost 5,500 more registered in October, according to the Montana Business Economic Report. In total, more than 10,000 new business registrations were filed in September and October. "Several new customers visited our office to register their business in the last two months, while many more took advantage of our 24/7 online filing system. Our team was honored to serve them all in...
As Montanans prepare for holiday shopping this Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Attorney General Austin Knudsen is sharing a reminder to stay vigilant and be aware of common scams, which usually increase this time of year. “Scammers will be looking to take advantage of unsuspecting Montanans doing their Christmas shopping online. Please, stay vigilant and trust your gut. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” Attorney General Knudsen said. “Don’t let bad actors wreak havoc on your holiday season....
All-State Tyler Loan, Fairview, Sr.; Deacon Gackle, Fairview, Sr.; Wyatt McPherson, Fairview, Sr.; Brody Bushnell, Fairview, Sr.; Keegan Skogas, Fairview, Sr.; Cooper Axtman, Scobey, Jr.; Brecken Maher, Scobey, Jr.; Reese Moon, Culbertson, Sr.; Bridger Salvevold, Culbertson, Sr.; Gavin Deen, Culbertson, Sr.; Mark Kirkaldie, Culbertson, Sr.; Conner Guldborg, Circle, Jr.; Breckyn White, Circle, Sr.; Ben Hagan, Plentywood, Sr.; Connor Rhodes, Forsyth, Sr. All-Conference First...
The Montana High School Association (MHSA) executive board made significant decisions regarding sports realignment at its regularly scheduled meeting recently, addressing football classifications and other sports changes for the upcoming seasons. Football Realignment One of the most notable actions was the approval of football realignments. Several schools will be moving between classifications to better fit their student-athlete numbers and competitive levels. According to a...
The Ekalaka Wrestling Club is once again teaming up with the Baker Wrestling Club for the upcoming wrestling season. AAU sign-ups will take place on Monday, December 2nd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Baker High School main entrance. For more information, individuals can contact Coach Spring at 406-740-0523 or Chad at 406-978-2300. For questions related to the Baker Wrestling Club, please reach out to Polly Davis at 406-941-2070 or Donna Gorder at...
November 22, Sacred Heart end of season tournament - Ekalaka vs. Terry - Ekalaka lost Ekalaka A 7 15 21 23 Terry A 9 22 34 42 Ekalaka A: Grady Stieg 11, Cortland O'Connor 6, Landry Shepherd 2, Jaxen Walker 2, Ben Enos...
November 21, Sacred Heart end of season tournament - Ekalaka vs. Plevna - Ekalaka lost in overtime Ekalaka A 2 8 17 23 25 Plevna A 11 19 19 23 27 Ekalaka A: Cai Jesperson 8, Lily Schallenberger 6, Holly Walker 6, Aubri Ashbrook 3, Kinley Miller 1, Daisey Kratzer 1. Plevna A: Brynn Buerkle 10, Lily Eisele 6, Quinn Nemitz 5, Nati Nemitz 2, Emory Rieger 2, Sophie Mellon...
Dear Editor: Some of your readers may not know that if you own a corporation, LLC, partnership, or other entity registered with the Secretary of State, you are required to file a Beneficial Ownership Information Requirement (BOIR) report with the IRS, ostensibly to prevent money laundering or other financial crimes: The report must be filed online by January 1, 2025. Penalties for late filing begin at $500 per day. Go to www.fincen.gov/boi for more information. Kathie Marks,...
Bob Tanner born September 5, 1930 in Hot Springs, SD., passed peacefully October 30th with his family by his side. Bob was six years old when his parents moved to Wyoming, and the state filled his heart forevermore. He graduated from Newcastle High School in 1948, attended one year of college, then worked for Western Geophysical seismograph company for two years, where he traveled the western US and Canada-a wonderful experience for a very young man. Bob was forever a...
One of my favorite things to do when I am visiting my rural schools during the holiday season is to ask the younger students to help me write instructions on how to cook a turkey. The following instructions were given by the two youngest students at Melville School. Nodin Selke in first grade gave the following cooking directions: Get a million pound turkey. Take the turkey out of the wrapper and put it in a pot. Put salt and pepper and garlic on it. Cook it in the oven for...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: You know, Lord, a friend shared that she had read about slowing down time – and that so much has changed since the electric clock was invented in the 1840s! That was most interesting to watch or think about how we today keep time, no matter where we go or what we do, it seems like most folks, especial the younger ones, all know about smart watches, smart phones, and laptops. Chuckle chuckle! Seems like the entire pace of life seems faster now ...
December 2, 2024 Thanksgiving week was a chilly one, and stayed below freezing at Capitol and on Tie Creek, but the sunshine was happy and bright. Erma Albert needed work on her glasses, so on Monday, Dick took her to the Hills to the eye doctor. They stopped to get groceries and already had a turkey in the freezer for Thanksgiving. The Senior Citizen Thanksgiving dinner was last week. Dick and Erma stayed home and feasted on Thanksgiving with turkey and dressing. On Sunday, they went to church at the Catholic church in...
I absolutely love guest columns and teaching writing, so this week when I was subbing at Melville School, I asked my upper grade writing class to write guest columns complete with recipes. They did a great job, and hopefully they will be inspired to keep writing! This is week one of guest columns. Tune in next week for more! Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone! Semi Scandal by Dally Cosgriff One cool fall day, my Uncle Gregory was working on a motor in a shop in Greycliff,...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: You know, Lord, it's a blessing to say 'THANKS' – that's an honor to God. That thought popped up as several guys were discussing the cancer diagnosis of their uncle. 'Johnny' spoke, stating that he'd been in the room with his uncle when the Dr. came in, suggesting he start each day by giving thanks, "For at least three things," she suggested. 'Dan' stated that Uncle starts out each day with words of praise; Thank You, God, for a good night's sleep....
