News

Who’s watching the children?

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Ninety-four. That’s the number of children on the waiting list to get into Small Wonder Day Care. According to Director of Operations Kylie Downs, those on the list are looking at waits as long as six months to a year before there will be an opening for their child. Other childcare providers in the area report their situation is similar.

The lack of childcare frustrates families, creates dilemmas for employers and hampers economic growth.

Third time’s a charm

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After winning the Eastern A Divisional championship in the 126-pound weight class last weekend in Lewistown, Fergus junior Cooper Birdwell is eyeing the state title, for the third time.

The state championship wrestling tournament takes place at MetraPark in Billings this weekend. Cooper won the state championship as a freshman and a sophomore, and he’s vying for a three-peat as a junior. He said having more experience competing at the state tournament as a junior has been easier than when he was younger.

In harm’s way

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The fire was raging, filling the apartment building with choking black smoke and flames. The heat was intense. No one in his right mind would go inside, and yet that’s exactly what three Lewistown firefighters did, on Sept. 8, 2014, pulling a badly burned tenant to safety and saving his life.

This action earned all three firemen Medals of Honor, presented Thursday night by Chief Rich Cowger, chairman of the Montana State Fire Chiefs Association. 

Ready to make the move

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Bridget Demaline is moving to Lewistown, and boy, is she excited. Demaline is the store manager for Town and Country Foods’ newest market on the west side of Lewistown, planned to open in June. Demaline said she is happy to move to a smaller town than Bozeman, where she lives now.

“I’ve been visiting Lewistown, looking at houses,” Demaline said. “I’m moving up there the last week of March, along with my boyfriend, who also works for Town and Country. I’m hoping to buy a house. We tell everyone how great the town is. Everyone in town has been amazing.”

I love to read

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The month of February has one day dedicated to love. However, both Highland Park and Garfield schools are devoting the entire month (and a little bit into March) to celebrate the love of reading.

“I love to read,” said Brenda Gruener, librarian at Highland Park and Garfield schools.

As a former teacher and a school librarian, she knows her way around great books and shares her enthusiasm for the practice of reading with all of her students.

CWD is creating a ‘new reality’ in Montana

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The prevalence of chronic wasting disease in Montana has created “a new reality” for hunters and wildlife managers, just two years after it was first detected in the state.

Wylie Galt responds to inflammatory comments by fellow representative

 

Last Friday, during a Republican Party gathering in Helena, State Representative Rodney Garcia (R-Billings) shocked some of his constituents with an unusual comment during a question and answer session following keynote speaker Ryan Zinke’s speech.

“It was more of a statement than a question,” recalled House Speaker Pro Tempore Wylie Galt, who represents HD30, including parts of Fergus and Judith Basin counties.  “He said the U.S. Constitution allows us to shoot socialists.”

Galt was there when the comments were made.

A new beginning

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“Even through conflict you can work toward finding peace and finding unity.”

After some internal conflict, Russell Epperson and his members have discovered a renewed passion for ministry by creating the new, nondenominational Central Montana Church of Christ.

Locking horns

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On Jan. 7 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks issued a decision setting parameters for proposals regarding the restoration of publicly-managed bison. FWP’s Record of Decision states it “desires to fulfill its statutory obligations to manage all wild ungulates in the state, while recognizing bison management presents additional challenges compared to other species.”

This decision has some singing praises and others furrowing their brows. 

National School Counselors Week

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“During times of crisis, school counselors are like EMT’s on the front lines serving our school population,” said Teresa Majerus, one of four counselors responsible for the academic and emotional needs of local students. 

Poll

Do you think the worst of the winter weather is behind us or ahead of us?