November 2016

Library Happenings

“Community Connections” 

by LaVonne Limpus-Jurack, nonfiction librarian

On our Facebook page recently I posted a short video that was sent to us from another library. For those of you who have no access to it, I wanted to share its message because it is so important:

“Life is about connections…family, friends, learning and growth.

Our connections help us thrive and flourish.

Spanish foreign exchange student enjoying “different” experience

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Belen Montesino of Madrid, Spain didn’t know what to expect when she moved from Europe to the little town of Grass Range, Montana as a foreign exchange student.

“When I was told I was going to Montana, I was like ‘where’s that?’ I didn’t really know anything about it,” she said. “I like it, but it’s different.”

Used to living in a big city (Madrid has more than three million people), Belen said there was much to Grass Range that was uncommon for her, from the slow pace to the people to school and beyond.

Veterans find solace at American Legion

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For the second consecutive year, American Legion Fergus Post 16 Commander Don Bost is the state and district “Top New Member Getter.”

Winning this award a second year in a row is a big accomplishment for Bost, and he said it means a great deal to him to see the local Legion get attention from the national Legion commanders and adjutants are taking.

But recruiting members around Central Montana, Bost said, is not much of a challenge, as there are a lot of veterans in the area, and most are happy to get involved.

ELECTION RESULTS: Fergus County voters choose Republicans for state and local races

Around 78% of registered voters in Fergus County cast a ballot in Tuesday's election. As of 1 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the unofficial results for the HD 29 race showed Republican Dan Bartel with a lead of 3,709 to 963 over Democrat Dryn Durley, a roughly 80-20 percent split. In Senate District 15, Republican Ryan Osmundson held a 4,473 to 1,308 lead over Sean McConnaha. 

ELECTION RESULTS: Lewistown's form of government too close to call

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As of 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, it remains unknown what form of government the city of Lewistown will have moving forward. 

Fergus County  Clerk and Recorder Rana Wichman told the News-Argus that just 12 votes separate the number of votes for the existing commissioner-manager form of government and the proposed commission-mayor form. 

The unofficial totals are 1,310 votes for the existing commissioner-manager form of government and 1,298 votes for the proposed commission-mayor form. 

ELECTION RESULTS: Judith Basin County reports high voter turnout; chooses Republican candidates

As of 10:15 p.m. on Tuesday, unofficial results are in for Judith Basin County. 

Voter turnout was excellent with 86% of registered voters casting a ballot. 

On the national level, county voters went strongly for Donald Trump with 867 votes or 72%, compared with 232 votes for Hilary Clinton. In the race for U.S. House of Representatives, Republican Ryan Zinke received 870 votes or 71%, compared with 321 votes for Denise Juneau. 

Greg Gianforte received the most votes 717 (58%) in the race for governor while Steve Bullock earned 481 votes. 

ELECTION RESULTS: Petroleum County votes for Trump and state Republicans

Unofficial results are beginning to trickle in on Tuesday night. As of 8:50 p.m. results from Petroleum County show strong support for Donald Trump. Unofficial results indicate the Republican candidate earned 276 votes (84%) compared with just 30 for Hillary Clinton. The Liberatarian candidate Gary Johnson received 12 votes. The turnout was 79%. 

Decision time is here!

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Election day has arrived and the News-Argus will provide local and state results on our website as soon as they are available. 

The results will not be available in the Wednesday print edition but we will provide complete results and analysis in the Saturday edition of the newspaper. 

Feeling the love: Reporter appreciative of community support during a difficult time

 

On Sept. 13, my father was in a terrible car crash in Yellowstone National Park. He was life-flighted to Idaho Falls, where he spent three weeks in Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center’s intensive care unit.

My family has never experienced something quite so tragic. After hearing the news from my mom about the accident, I tried to stay calm, not freak out, and hit the road early the next morning, picking my mom up in Big Sky and driving the rest of the way together. It was the quickest six-and-half-hour drive I’d ever done.

Volume of drug busts increasing inside City limits

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Lewistown Assistant Police Chief Ryan Berry does not like what he’s seeing.

In the last year, the number of arrests for dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia has increased, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

“Last year we had 21 arrests for dangerous drugs and 21 for drug paraphernalia,” Berry said. “Already this year we are at 30 dangerous drug arrests and 28 for drug paraphernalia. And, of course, the year’s not over.”

Poll

Do you think Montana is ready to move on to the next phase of the governor's re-opening plan?