The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
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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...
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...
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...
Sending a little Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to all the wonderful folds who make the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Thrift Store what it is today. Coordinator Diane Ironi started this little store ten years ago in the Methodist Church garage. She wanted to be able to help people out and make money for the community. And all proceeds that are made do just that. Along with the help of her dedicated volunteer’s Becca O’Leary, Joyce Ferguson, Rosaire Hoffman, Ron Lydiard, Susie Ruff, Syl...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has a rich history of working with the people of this state to restore elk, moose, mountain goats, bears, wolves, lions, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and other wildlife species that had all but disappeared by the early half of the 20th century. One reason for these successes is the landowners who steward habitat and provide hunting access and the hunters who pay for wildlife management agree that Montana is a state defined by healthy and abundant...
Seven days ago we celebrated the birth of Christ. Some 30 years later, Christ was crucified, which gave rise to the Christian religion. We also adopted the Ten Commandments as part of our religion that changed the course of the world for the better. We just observed one of the holiest days in our religion, So now I ask you, how many at this impeachment claim to be Christian and how many follow this commandment: Thou Shalt not bear false witness? Have a Happy New Year. Mike Dey Missoula...
To me, it was a thunderclap. Years ago, when I was in Congress, we were in the midst of a tense, contentious debate. Members had gotten irritated, levying charges back and forth, and tempers were rising. It was starting to look like we might just go off the rails. Then one member stood up, asked for our attention, and said to us, "Let's remember: trust is the coin of the realm." His statement at that moment hit me broadside: If we were to have any hope of progress, we had to...
A little over a month ago, Dr. Carter at St. Patrick’s, spent three-and-a-half hours on my left lung surgery. It still hurts, but not as much as that next night in ICU. I had to cough up some mucus, if not, you get sick. The nurse sat with me for an hour, she kept saying it’ll come, it’s getting closer – even holding my hand at times. I couldn’t have done it without her. The pain was intense, but after that I knew it could be done. Had two nurses that night, watched the last game of the World Series with them. I find base...
Martha Williams MTFWP Rich Janssen CSKT Natural Resources Dept. Montanans from all walks of life have a deep connection to our state’s fish and wildlife. Those of us lucky enough to live here and visitors from all over the world enjoy unmatched hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching opportunities. Fish and wildlife don’t see government borders, and the state of Montana shares authority to manage wildlife with Montana’s tribal nations. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks works in partnership with tribal agencies like the Natur...
One of the not-so-small gifts of living in a representative democracy is that you can’t accomplish things alone. Whether you’re trying to get a stop sign put up on a dangerous corner or to change US policy on greenhouse gas emissions, you have to reach out to others. And learning how to persuade, motivate, and involve them — learning the skills of active citizenship, in other words — makes this a stronger, more resilient country. So I want to make a case for building and usi...
I am so sad that apparently decent, intelligent Americans like Larry Dillree can be so unwilling to accept facts. (BVD 11/13/19). Facts are not political, but often our opinions are shaped by facts so we have a responsibility as citizens to get the facts right. Before Mr. Dillree says, “ the Democrats have spent the last three and one half years doing nothing,” he should look at the record. Dozens of bills, many with bipartisan support, have been passed: criminal justice ref...
The Public Service Commission has always been a somewhat surly bunch. The PSC's devoted staff has often had to deal with varying degrees of political game-playing, deception, threats and intrigue. Sure. Politicians politic. The question is, at the end of the day, can elected officials bury their egos and ambitions long enough to put the people's business ahead of their own? Recent events would suggest that where the Montana PSC is concerned, the answer is "no." That might...
I wanted to send out a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to the many member of our local Lincoln Ambulance. These men and women must put in many hours of training before they are able to serve as a member. EMR’s need to put in 70 hours of training. EMT’s 150 to 200 hours, AEMT’s have even more. They are all required a certain amount of training hours every year to keep their license current. The licensing can cost around $200 but they are reimbursed when they commit to be apart...
Kudos to Jim Oly for showing his appreciation to the snow-plow drivers. Thank you! Ice and snow – take it slow and please give the plows room to work safely for everyone. Ron McDunn Pete Dempster...
The holiday season is upon us. Montana families across our state are giving thanks and enjoying quality time with their families and loved ones. As we gather around the dining table this year to express our gratitude, let us not forget the extraordinary privilege we have as free Americans. I want to give thanks to our Montana service members currently deployed, unable to be home for the holidays this year. Thank you for protecting our nation. I also want to express my...
Two and a half years ago, Attorney General Tim Fox and I stood on the steps of the state capitol with other lawmakers announcing a major long-term initiative to address the impacts of drugs (Aid Montana). Since then, our successes outnumber our defeats, and we are ready for the next phase to combat the addiction crisis in Big Sky Country. On the success front, we can point to several victories in the areas of prevention, treatment, and enforcement. We led the charge on passing...
If you are a customer of NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern) then you should be interested in its latest Resource Procurement Plan. Publicly owned utilities like NorthWestern are required to periodically prepare these Plans that lay out how the utility will meet energy demands over the next twenty years. Given the rapid changes that are happening in energy markets, this is a challenging task and a moving target subject to revisions over time. The process includes the utility...
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R) and Fred Wacker, president of the Montana Stockgrowers Assoc. As United States Senator from Montana, and as a rancher from Miles City serving as the president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, we took a major step forward last week for Montana ag. Together, we worked to accomplish a historic trade deal between the U.S. and Japan - one that will benefit Montana's farmers and ranchers for generations to come. Farming and ranching is tough...
