News

Sport Center sees uptick in guns and ammo sales

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Sport Center Manager Colby Tognetti doesn’t want to give COVID-19 too much credit.
Yes, guns and ammo sales have been up, but they usually are this time of year. It’s late March: the ice is melting, the sun is shining, tax returns are coming in and the bull elk tag deadline is fast approaching.
“We always sell a lot of guns in the spring,” Colby said, “but we are definitely up a little more than normal.”

Local therapist offers advice for the isolated

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Licensed counselor Lance Eller has been seeing a lot of patients and taking a lot of phone calls during this unprecedented time in our world’s history. The spread of COVID-19 (or coronavirus) has escalated quickly, and Montanans – as well as much of the rest of the nation – are ordered to stay at home.
This is not a problem for everyone. “Social distancing” is nothing new for some Central Montanans.
“I’ve been social distancing for years,” one person told me at Albertson’s the other day.

Burned and Blinded

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A flag will probably be flying outside the Grass Range home of Dan and Macie Ahlgren this Sunday. It’s been over 50 years since the war in Vietnam ended and it took until 2017 for March 29 to be declared as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Nine million Americans served during the war that lasted from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 7, 1975. Some of these veterans made the ultimate sacrifice. Others like Ahlgren, served of their own volition and returned home never to be the same.

Governor issues “stay at home” order through April 10

 

 At a press briefing on Thursday, Governor Steve Bullock issued a Directive requiring Montanans to stay home, temporarily closing all nonessential businesses and operations to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Faith community goes digital

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As a result of the coronavirus churches have closed their doors, as leaders in the state and the nation strongly advise against both large and small gatherings in order to prevent spreading the virus. This method – an attempt to “flatten the curve” – has forced pastors, deacons and elders to come up with creative ways to continue Sunday morning worship, and they’ve done so with Facebook Live, YouTube, Zoom and other streaming services.

Community members join the fight against COVID-19

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When CMMC reached out to Lewistown’s Sew Pieceful to make fabric masks for hospital staff, the response was very quick and tremendous. Tammy Eckhardt, Lewistown Sew Pieceful’s proprietor employed social media rather than social distancing to call for assistance.  
“CMMC contacted me and requested assistance in making fabric masks. The response from volunteers has been overwhelming,” said Eckhardt.  

Prehistoric homework

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CMMC provides drive through respiratory symptom check

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Restaurants are not the only businesses providing a drive-through to maintain social distancing. CMMC, in an effort to meet the community’s needs and limit exposure through close contact, has a “contained” solution.
 “We have a process in place to help with respiratory illness,” said ER Manager and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Cindy Birdwell.

Kindness in Crisis

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Although there may be students who celebrate the schools shutting their doors, there are some who face serious uncertainties, especially when it comes to what they are going to eat for lunch.
That’s where Supplemental Meals In Lewistown Elementary Schools comes in, as Kelsi Hoversland, Tasha Lahr, Ashley Descheemaeker and others are compiling extra food for the children who could use it.
Hoversland asked the community for help putting these lunches together, and the community has responded remarkably.

Restaurants trying to adapt during early stages of pandemic

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During this troubling time, it’s easy to panic, it’s easy to go stir crazy with cabin fever, and it’s easy to feel like you’ve lost your sense of community.
That’s what Doc’s owner Tony Brown was hoping to avoid.
Now is the time when the community needs a safe spot, a place they can go they know is clean, and a place they can enjoy the company of others.
That place, he said, is Doc’s Casino Sports Bar Grill.

Poll

Do you think the coronavirus will spread into Central Montana?