January 2017

Diana Ruth Tresch

Diana Ruth Tresch, 76, passed away peacefully, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Viewing will be held at Creel Funeral Home on Sunday, Jan. 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. Vigil Service will be at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Sunday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m., with the Rosary prayed at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Leo’s Catholic Church on Monday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m. with Rite of Committal to follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. A full obituary will be shared in the next edition. Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home.

Elias J. Walter

With heavy heart, we announce the peaceful passing of Elias J. Walter, 91, of Spring Creek Colony on Monday evening, Jan. 2, 2017 at his home. Elias was born May 3, 1925 in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada to Jacob and Susanna (Hofer) Walter. The family moved to the Spring Creek Colony in 1944, where he worked and made his home until the time of his death. He was united in marriage to Kathryn Stahl on Nov. 1, 1964. Dad was an avid gardener, he took pride in growing flowers especially roses and the colony’s garden for some years.

James ‘Dee’ Miller

James “Dee” Miller, 98, of Lebanon, Indiana, passed away Dec. 31, 2016, at Signature Healthcare at Parkwood in Lebanon. James was born on April 28, 1918 in Lebanon, the son of the late Ollie and Mary (Fine) Miller. He married Anna May Isenhour in 1938. She passed away in 2003. James served as a private in the United States Army during World War II. He enjoyed travelling, fishing, golfing and woodworking; he was also proud of the fact that he got to meet Bob Dole. James was a machine operator who worked for Stanworth Tool, and eventually retired from Allison General Motors.

What this year looks like is up to us

It seems no matter who you are or where you stand, 2016 was an emotional year. For me, 2016 certainly had extremely highs and scary lows, as I got married and June and then almost lost my father when he was involved in a horrific head-on in Yellowstone in September. We lost Prince, Bowie, Princess Leia, Willy Wonka and the great Muhammad Ali.

Art Center starting 2017 in good shape, director says

Strong, but with challenges. That’s how Lewistown Art Center Director Linda Tullis describes the organization’s position going into the new year.

“Like any organization, we have challenges but none of them is insurmountable,” Tullis said.

As with any non-profit, fundraising takes up a considerable amount of Tullis’s time and attention. However she is about to get help with that aspect of the job. Leah Grunzke, formerly education director for the LAC, is taking on broader responsibilities as well as a new title: Program Director.

A look back at 2016 sports stories in Central Montana

Although there was only one Central Montana team to win a state championship during 2016, several Central Montana athletes earned gold at the state level. But this year’s top story is about two young athletes who competed at a national and regional level. The two boys reached heights that no other Central Montana athlete had ever accomplished.

Golden Eagles look for conference wins against Havre

Friday night’s games against Conrad for both the Fergus boys’ and girls’ basketball teams will be a great warm-up for Saturday’s conference matchups against Havre. Both of the Golden Eagles’ teams know that one of the keys to a successful season is through the Blue Ponies. Both Blue Pony girls and boys won conference titles last season.
The Fergus girls’ basketball team will host Havre at the FHS Fieldhouse on Saturday with the freshman game scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. The tip-off for the varsity game should be about 5 p.m.

Important 8C basketball contests kick off 2017

The Tri-City and Denton-Geyser-Stanford basketball teams will start the 2017 portion of the basketball season with important conference matchups against each other in Stanford on Thursday. The Lady Titans enter the contest against the Lady Bearcats with a 1-1 conference mark, while the Lady Bearcats are 0-2 and looking for their first conference win of the season. DGS did pick up a non-conference win over Big Sandy prior to the holiday break.

Athlete of the Week

Fergus junior Andrew Lalum is one of the reasons the Fergus boys’ basketball team has enjoyed some early season success so far this season. Last year, the team struggled to win games and did not even make the Eastern A Superdivisional Tournament. This year heading into 2017, the Golden Eagles have won three of their four games prior to the holiday break. The loss was a game they may have also won, as they led Hardin most of the game during the Eastern A tip-off tournament held in Havre.

Sports Schedule

Thursday, January 5
• FHS wrestling at Choteau Mixer, 6 p.m.
• DGS GBB & BBB hosts Tri-City at Stanford
• Roy-Winifred GBB & BBB hosts Dodson at Roy

Friday, January 6
• FHS GBB at Conrad, varsity only, 6 p.m.
• FHS wrestling at Cut Bank Invitational
• FHS BBB hosts Conrad, 4, 5:30, 7 p.m.
• DGS GBB & BBB hosts Geraldine-Highwood at Geyser
• Winnett-Grass Range GBB & BBB hosts Dodson in Grass Range

Poll

Who would you like to win Montana's election for the U.S. House of Representatives?