News

Fergus commissioners vote to leave Health District

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Fergus County will leave the Central Montana Health District by the end of the year, following a unanimous vote by the three commissioners Thursday afternoon. The commissioners also approved setting up a Fergus County health board.
At least 16 people attended the commission meeting in person, with an unknown additional number listening to the proceedings on the phone. None of those who spoke seemed in favor of the County withdrawing from the health district, and some were adamant it was a bad idea.

Second wave hits home

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Just before 9 a.m. each morning, doctors and administrators at Central Montana Medical Center gather for COVID incident command; debriefing, troubleshooting and making changes for the day ahead. The pandemic has added a level of complexity to their jobs, and now topics such as the number of tests on hand, the configuration of the COVID unit, and how they can better predict future waves of hospitalizations have become a daily discussion.

12 candidates on ballot for City Commission

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City Commission Candidate Forum

Thursday, Sept. 30 • 6:30 p.m.
Yogo Inn Sapphire Room
All 12 candidates have been invited. The event is free to the public. Everyone welcome.
Hosted by the Yogo Inn and
Lewistown News-Argus.

 

The News-Argus contacted all 12 candidates running in the November Lewistown City Commission race, and asked them to provide information on their backgrounds and to answer the question: Why are you running for this position?

OPI extends free meal program for schools

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More school children are able to enjoy hot breakfasts and lunches this year, thanks to an extension to the program sponsored by the Montana Office of Public Instruction. That includes students in the Lewistown Public Schools
“We are again offering free breakfast and free lunch,” said Amie Friesen, Lewistown’s Food Service director, adding the district typically feeds about 850 kids for lunch and 350 for breakfast.

Senator discusses infrastructure bill while in Lewistown

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United States Senator Jon Tester was in Lewistown Friday afternoon after visiting Billings earlier in the day, where he spoke in favor of reinstating the Country of Origin Labeling Bill.
“We had COOL in 2015, and we need to get it back again,” Tester told the News-Argus.
Before touring Spika Design and Manufacturing in Lewistown late Friday, Sen. Tester stopped in at the News-Argus to discuss several topics, including the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Elk Extravaganza

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The annual spectacle of the gathering of the elk at the Slippery Ann viewing area in the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge is underway.
Typically, the second and third weeks of September mark the highest numbers of elk in the area. According to the CMR elk viewing hotline, (406) 535-6904, between 250 and 300 elk are currently gathered there.

Healthy and poised for growth

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Lewistown area businesses fared well throughout the pandemic compared to other places in Montana and the country, according to a recent assessment.
Conducted between January and July 2021, “The Lewistown Area Business and Economic Wellness Assessment” revealed area businesses were resilient in the face of challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Bullseye!

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Four-time state archery champion CJ Greene is going for number five, hoping to add yet another medal to his collection after this year’s state competition.
The 15-year-old student from Fergus High School credits his grandfather, lots of practice and the support of family and fellow archers with helping him achieve the high level of results.
Shooting a bow is something CJ has been doing nearly his entire life.
“I got my first bow when I was 3 or 4 years old,” CJ remembered.
“It was a toy,” his mother, Rebecca, was quick to add.

One in a million

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The odds:
Struck by lightning while playing golf, 1:3,000
Make a hole-in-one while playing golf, 1:12,500
Make an albatross, or double eagle, 1:1,000,000

Chasing ‘wild birds,’ top spot at local field trial

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For the past three years, eager pointing dogs and their handlers have packed up and headed to King Colony Ranch from all over the U.S. for the Purina Endurance Classic National Championship Field Trial.
For the first few weeks each September, pickups with dog boxes, campers and trailers flood town as handlers arrive to compete for top dog over four days of competition.
Most will tell you it’s one of their favorite events of the year because of the location, the hospitability and great food provided by King Colony, and the set up of the competition.