News

Corey Stapleton engages with Fergus AP students

 

Secretary of State Corey Stapleton made a special visit to Fergus County during his 56-county “Things that Matter” outreach tour.

For Stapleton, one “thing that matters” is visiting with students, so he took time Wednesday morning to speak to Luke Brandon’s AP Government class.

Stapleton’s 50-minute talk Wednesday morning focused on legislative issues, national issues, world issues, capitalism, populism, public service and more. He also tested the students on their political science knowledge.

“Do we have a Democracy or do we have a Republic?”

Norm Asbjornson: not your typical Winifred resident

Winifred native Norm Asbjornson has big plans for his small hometown. Asbjornson, recently in the news for donating $50 million to Bozeman’s Montana State University, is now empowering young minds and his Winifred hometown with an annual scholarship for students, funding water projects and a new fully equipped ambulance. 

JR Killham thrilled for opportunity as Public Works Director

 

JR Killham couldn’t be happier to be back home and take on the role of City of Lewistown Public Works Director.

A 1988 Fergus High School graduate and 20-year Century Construction employee, Killham has spent quite a bit of his 50 years in Lewistown, but after 15 years elsewhere he’s glad to be home.

A job with the Montana Department of Transportation brought Killham back to town in 2017, and he enjoyed the work, but the Public Works Director job intrigued him, so he threw his hat in the ring.

News Briefs

FCCC to discuss Sheriff-Coroner issue The Fergus County Community Council will be having a meeting on, Monday, March 18 at 2 p.m. at the Central Montana Community Center, 307 West

Commissioners, Sheriff/Coroner grapple with coroner agreement

 

 

Monday Fergus County inched closer to defining a process for avoiding conflicts of interest in coroner’s cases when county commissioners, the Sheriff/Coroner, the County Attorney and members of the public gave input on a Memorandum of Understanding with the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Medicaid expansion, infrastructure focus for second half of Legislative session

 

Montana’s Legislature has passed the halfway mark in the 90-day biennial session and some of the most controversial debates, like Medicaid expansion and infrastructure funding, are yet to come.

Sen. Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville, said in a press conference he’s optimistic the Legislature will be able to close up shop before May 1. He said he’s pleased with the legislation that’s moved through the body. 

“This is one of the more innovative sessions I think we’ve seen in a long time,” Thomas said. 

‘Enough is enough’

Anger was on display during Monday’s school board meeting, as parents and students alike spoke up during public comment about the detrimental impacts of bullying at Fergus High School.

“We are here for retaliation,” said the stepmother of a bullied student.

“We have a voice, and you will hear it,” another woman yelled. 

As the women spoke, a group of students and parents stood up and walked toward the podium, gathering in solidarity.

House Joint Resolution sparks property rights debate

 

 

House District 29 Representative Dan Bartel has received a lot of publicity recently. Last week, the House passed a resolution he sponsored requesting the U.S. Bureau of Land Management deny a bison grazing permit proposal, sparking headlines around the state.

“A house joint resolution is not a law, but it can send a strong message,” Bartel said, “and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Air Force to the rescue

 

 

Monday was not going well for Central Montana Foundation Director Carrie Mantooth. Not only had she learned a highly anticipated vacation must be cancelled due to illness, but she was diagnosed with influenza. The Denton resident, having driven to Lewistown to see the doctor, picked up a prescription and was headed home, feeling “exhausted and feverish.” 

That’s when her day got a lot worse.

“I turned off the highway onto our regular route and quickly realized it hadn’t been plowed,” she said.

Lawmakers debate bison grazing, vaccines and Country of Origin Labeling

 

 

 

The 66th Montana Legislature is at its halfway mark, and that means that any general bills that did not pass in the chamber they started in, either the House or the Senate, before the transmittal deadline are effectively killed.

About 60 bills have passed both houses and have reached the governor’s desk. Gov. Steve Bullock said one of the most impactful laws he’s signed is House Bill 159, which will add about $77 million in funding for K-12 education. 

“I’m glad that the education committee got that to me early on,” Bullock said. 

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