The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
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COVID-19 remains a matter of great concern for Montana medical and public health communities. As of mid-June, Montana’s COVID-19 case rates are the lowest in the continental U.S.; yet disease prevention remains the state’s top priority. Robust testing efforts are underway in Montana. The State of Montana is conducting sentinel surveillance among those living in high-risk settings such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and correctional facilities, among others. Rapid, effective contact tracing, a cornerstone of...
Letter to the Editor I'd like to take a moment and thank Sheriff Dutton in his role in ensuring the annual Independence Day Parade and the Lincoln Rodeo are able to move forward as planned. I appreciate his, (and his staff's) commitment to our town and trusting the community and its' guests over the holiday weekend to practice safety and respect during the festivities. In his words, "if you're sick, stay home, if you're more comfortable wearing a mask, do so, and practice...
As the country celebrates its birth as a nation, one of the most patriotic things Montanans can do is stand up and be counted--in the 2020 Census. Or, more accurately, go online and be counted. Or mail in the census form. Or chat with a census worker. Every 10 years, the country counts how many people live in the United States of America. The stakes are large. Results of the census determine how much money Montana gets from the federal government. That's about $2 billion a...
America's Founders regarded a free press as so vital to the new nation that they took care to include that right in the First Amendment to the Constitution. Founders spoke glowingly about the press as a pillar of democracy and guarantor of liberty. Thomas Jefferson, for instance, famously wrote in 1787 that "were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the...
Fake news. Those two words have likely created more confusion and distrust of the news media than any other. While it is easy to understand why those of us who work in the news media despise the term, it should also be apparent that the general public has a vested interest in discerning facts from falsehoods. Some of the louder news voices of the past few decades have been the cable news networks that provide news, analysis and opinion. But the opinion side now dominates on...
There will be modifications coming to the way the Blackfoot Valley Dispatch does business, but like it or not, you're still stuck with us Rather than pull the plug on the BVD before it reaches its 40th birthday this December, we decided in April to survey both our readers and advertisers, and to take some time to re-evaluate our business model and our future in the wake of the COVID-19 economic downturn. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your opinions in our surveys, which brought us a better response than we...
Right up front I have to admit a positive bias toward the LVA. My wife had a medical emergency that required the Ambulance to Helena. The care and dedication of Bill Frisbee and the entire crew was remarkable. Regardless of my feelings about the LVA, I can see several reasons why leasing space in the ambulance building and having the Sheriff onsite is good for Lincoln. The ambulance building and Parker Clinic have expensive equipment and probably narcotics onsite. A conspicuous Sheriff’s office may act to deter any m...
Who's tired of hearing about coronavirus? The last few weeks have been a challenge for everyone, with so many stories, so much uncertainty and myriad updates from every corner revolving around COVID-19. We hope the reopening of the state will inch us toward something resembling normal, and we're looking forward to covering stories that aren't centered around coronavirus. Nevertheless, we recognize we're far from seeing the end of the pandemic, and we may see restrictions...
During this coronavirus pandemic, access to accurate and trustworthy information in your community is as critical to life under quarantine and as sought after as hand sanitizer and face masks. Your local newspaper provides the news and information unique to your community. Where are the testing sites and who's eligible, which businesses are open, what is the local online unemployment benefit application process, and much more. But your access to local news and information is... Full story
I'd like to take a few moments and thank several people and organizations who helped make this Easter a special one for our kids in Lincoln. First, to Lincoln Fire and Rescue and the Power House for supplying candy, trinkets and eggs to fill egg packs that were distributed to more than 60 kids in the community this past Friday, and to Zach Muse and Rick & Patty Freeland for going into town and purchasing all those supplies. I'd like to thank Laura Butler and Linda Daugherty fo...
HELENA, MT – Local Government is at the front lines of the COVID-19 response, including our law enforcement, health departments, health officers, county-owned medical facilities, and through our work with local private providers and facilities. Montana's counties are working hard to ensure continuity of operations and service delivery during this nation-wide pandemic while keeping the public as safe as possible. County operations are being modified to comply with protective m... Full story
To the Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Crew, Thank you so much for taking time on Easter to be away from your family to do something sweet for the community. You didn’t get to see the people inside confused as to what was happening and then smiling from ear to ear when we figured it out. You guys are a blessing to Lincoln and we are thankful for you! T and Crew on behalf of the Lincoln Community...
For those of us old enough to remember or to watch reruns of the 1950s classic Dragnet, we can easily recall Sgt. Friday's quote, "Just the facts, ma'am." That quote became locked into America's lexicon, highlighting a simple ask of all of us to be honest with each other. The facts unfolding before us regarding COVID-19 are no different. The risks are real. Epidemiologists have estimated the virus will attack 30 to 40 percent of us, and five percent of those cases will be...
Easter, the day that changed the course of the world for the better. Take a moment to reflect what this world would be like had this not happened. You would not be reading this, as there would be no U.S.A. May God be with you on your travels. Mike Dey Missoula...
To the editor, Roger, Erin and staff of the BVD! First of all, I’d like to say thank you for the last eight years you have given us folks in Lincoln! I have read the paper for 25 years since I have lived in Lincoln! A couple of years ago I retired and let me tell you, if it wasn’t for the BVD, I wouldn’t know anything going on in town! I don’t have a computer or cell phone or satellite TV, so the BVD is a vital source of information to me. And since I retired, other than the BVD, my only other info comes from standing in line...
Go ahead and worry and ask questions. I learned that dealing with the cancer. The same thing can apply to Corona virus. Write down your concerns and seek answers. If you don’t write them down, you forget and the worry builds up. This simple thing can help you to not get sick. Like in a fight, lay back, be patient and learn your opponent’s weakness. Then turn it loose and knock the bugger out! COVID-19, we’re going to knock you out. Pepe Lincoln...
The COVID-19 virus isn’t stopping education in Lincoln! While checking in with Superintendent Jennifer Packer on Monday, she relayed that Lincoln’s school students are engaging in remote education. She noted that those students who hadn’t had access to the internet are being connected through the Lincoln Telephone Company, free of charge. My next visit was with Aaron Daniel, Manager of the Lincoln Telephone Company. He confirms that the schools have provided him with a list of students not currently connected, and if those...
As business executives, you have a deep connection with your communities, partners, customers, and employees. It’s your businesses, both large and small, that power Montana’s economy. As concerns and economic impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) get closer to home, please know that my state agencies and I are working tirelessly to keep Montanans safe, and to support you and your employees. I have created a multi-agency task force, to ensure Montana is prepared to respond to a local COVID-19 outbreak. This task force an... Full story
Every ten years we are asked to do one of the easiest, safest, and most important things we can do for our communities: fill out our census form. Since 1790, per Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution, the census has determined how federal dollars reach communities like ours, as well as ensuring those communities have a voice in Montana and our nation's capital. When you are counted, your community is counted. Starting in mid-March, Montanans will receive...
Dear Lincoln Ambulance Crew and our Fire Chief Zach Muse, Aaron Birkholz, Ernie Lundberg, Klara Varga, and Kristy Fry. We, here in Lincoln are so lucky to have these people taking care of us Last Saturday, I called Zach asking him to come check me out, he called the Ambulance crew. I believe they saved my life. Words are not enough to thank these people, but words are all I have. So, to Zach and the Ambulance crew…THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH. Sincerely, Rich Dempsey...
Some days, as a mother, are harder than others. There are minutes, hours, days, and even weeks that may seem insurmountable; a simple joy found in an unexpected place can lighten an entire month and bring you lasting memories of happiness and warmth when your children are grown and carrying on with their own lives. I felt inspired to chronicle one such moment with my oldest son Caleb. I have an outdoor plot at the Lincoln community garden at the east end of town. Since having my new baby in July, there have been a few...
Dear Editor: I watched the Prayer Breakfast and this is how I would have started it: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we also have forgiventhoise who trespass against us.’ The word of the lord is good enough for me/ Nancy Pelosi, I forgive you and will never bring the impeachment up again. So let us move forward and make this a nation God would be proud of and the world env...
Democrats claim taxing the "rich" is the way to help the middle class and poor. That the rich get rich by taking wealth from others. Norm would have said "idiots"! Bill Gates and Paul Allen; worth Billions, created an operating system for computers enabling the average person computer operation. Millions use his product on phones, tablets, computers, etc. for personal and business use. Microsoft products and stock have created millions of jobs, businesses and many...
When he was just a young teenage schoolboy, George Washington sat down and copied out 110 "Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior." Many of these had to do with simple manners. "Cleanse not your teeth with the tablecloth, napkin, fork or knife," reads Rule 100. Good advice at any time. But the first rule the future president wrote down and followed for the rest of his life was especially notable: "Every action done in company, ought to be with some sign of respect to those that...
The Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks is now formally recommending the introduction of free-roaming bison in Montana after the release of a long-awaited environmental impact statement. It's a move that dramatically intensifies conflict over wildlife management in Montana. And worse, it's a sobering message to the thousands of Montanans who provide habitat to wildlife. FWP has made clear it would rather advance the agenda of a radical, out-of-state environmental...
