News

Albertsons recognizes front line workers during pandemic

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“Thank you Albertsons Heroes!” said the banner displayed outside the local supermarket Wednesday afternoon, a few feet above a grill where general manager Bob Agostinelli cooked T-bone steaks for his employees.
It wasn’t an ideal day for a barbecue, as the rain – albeit more of a sprinkle – didn’t seem to let up. The undesirable weather, however, seemed fitting, as it’s an undesirable time to work at a grocery store.

2020 Central Montana Fair will look different, yet feel familiar

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The Fergus County Fair Board held a meeting on Tuesday, May 19 to discuss the ramifications of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  
“The good news is we are going to have a fair,” said Fair Board Chair Candi Zion.  
The bad news, Zion said, is that “based on the Governor’s press conference regarding Phase 2, we felt that for the safety of the community we had to cancel the carnival, Night Show, BGM, demolition derby and the rodeo.”
“We couldn’t make it work financially and keep up the social distancing,” Zion added.

Thinking big

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Every school, every teacher, every administrator hopes to make a difference in the lives of their students. But it’s not quite as common for a student to want to make a difference to the school. Yet that’s exactly what is happening in Winifred, where former student Norm Asbjornson is engaged in creating the “best school” in Montana.

Lewistown Chamber adapting to pandemic-related changes

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The Charlie Russell Chew Choo will keep on rolling.
It may be starting late, but train season will be off and running Friday, July 3.
“We had to cancel the June trains to get the cars up to date,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jo McCauley. “We will be looking at filling the trains at half capacity, unless the Governor opens up phase two, which would put us at 75 percent capacity.”

Has the internet replaced the extension service?

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The pending retirement of a long-time Fergus County Extension Service agent has led to debate over whether or not County Commissioners should maintain the position.
Approximately 20 people attended the Fergus County Community Council meeting Monday in support of keeping the position, while others made comments on social media. Meanwhile County commissioners say if they don’t rehire, funds could be made available for other County needs, such as mental health.

Driven by compassion

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The last thing Teresa Majerus expected was being selected as Counselor of the Year.
“On May 8 I thought we were having a curriculum meeting at the junior high,” Majerus said. “Some of the teachers were asking me what it was about and I figured it was about where we left off with the eighth grade students and where the freshman teachers need to pick up to make sure we don’t have any learning gaps.”
Majerus didn’t seem to understand how chipper her colleagues were about this meeting, especially fellow school counselor Karen Durbin.

Fergus Senior to earn coveted Girl Scout Gold Award

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Fergus Senior Jo Zapata-Brown just achieved the practically unachievable by becoming the recipient of a Girl Scout Gold Award.
“Only one percent of Girl Scouts complete their Gold Award,” she said during a phone interview Wednesday.
Completing a Gold Award project takes an immense amount of focus, concentration and perseverance, Zapata-Brown said.
It also takes a lot of time.
“I started outlining this project sophomore year,” she said, “It’s crazy I’m finishing it now, at the end of senior year.”

Coming Back

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It might be an uncertain time, and there may be cases of COVID-19 still popping up in the state and nation, but here in Central Montana employees are ecstatic to get back to work.
Tony Brown, owner of Doc’s, said he’s pleased to see all his staff return.
“Everyone came back,” he said,” and we’re excited to be back in full swing.”
Brown said his employees feel safe returning to his bar, restaurant and casino, as safety guidelines are in place and social distancing is enforced.

Inspiration in a time of uncertainty

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There have been a lot of impacts from COVID-19, not the least of which are those felt by the graduates of the Class of 2020. Normally graduation is a time of community support and celebration, but plans have been tempered this year by the need for social distancing. Still, the unusual situation hasn’t stopped two Fergus seniors – class co-valedictorians Levi Boyles and Sam Fulbright – from carrying out their role.

Back to normal?

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As the workforce returns to bars and restaurants throughout the state, employees of Fergus County are grateful to have the chance to work, and owners and managers are thrilled to reopen.
“It’s good to be back,” said Eagles manager Teresa Lamphier, a sentiment shared by the majority of people in the industry around Central Montana.
Still, it’s not quite the same, Teresa said. Only parties of six or less can be served, everything must be sanitized, people can’t sit at the bar and the list goes on.

Poll

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