News

Harvest delays not affecting grain quality so far

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Harvest is running late across parts of Central Montana, but the overall feeling is, it will be a good one.

Weather is the culprit in the delay, both the lingering cold in the spring and the relatively cool summer. Recent rains have not helped, either.

“How impactful the rains are depends on what part of the county people are in,” said Fergus County Extension Agent Emily Standley. “I’ve heard from people up by Winifred that their harvest was not on track, and I’ve heard from growers out by Moore that it’s delayed.”

A good buzz

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Lewistown is growing.

Although there isn’t yet Census data to prove it, City Manager Holly Phelps said Lewistown is seeing an uptick in new businesses and additional residents, which gives her the distinct impression Lewistown is growing. 

“There are a lot of new faces in our community,” she said, “and there is a lot of reshaping of businesses downtown and elsewhere around Lewistown. It’s been great to see and makes me optimistic to see the results of this next Census.”

FHS senior a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist

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Shy but self-assured, Fergus High senior Sam Fulbright smiled when congratulated for becoming a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, one of 20 in the state. 

He was humbled by the honor, and nearly speechless.

“It’s exciting for me,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity for scholarships for colleges and it could open a lot of doors.”

Illegal drug use is biggest problem facing Montana, Attorney General says

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Montana’s Attorney General Tim Fox knows about many of Montana’s problem areas, including the one he feels is the most significant challenge facing the state today: substance use disorder. 

Fox, who visited the News-Argus Friday afternoon, said he knows what it will take to address what he calls a “crisis” of drug misuse, and it includes several approaches.

 “We need education and prevention work, early intervention, law enforcement and better treatment options,” Fox explained.

Winifred’s Jason Wickens returns

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Winifred native Jason Wickens admits he gets homesick.

The singer/songwriter who produces and hosts Bozeman’s “Live From the Divide” – a public radio broadcast that continues to grow in popularity – often misses small-town Central Montana life, so having the opportunity to return last weekend and headline the sixth annual Chokecherry Jam meant a great deal to him.

This is where he got his start. This is where his love for music began.

Rain and shine, Chokecherry Festival a success

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The rain did not dampen the mood of the more than 4,000 attendees at 30th annual Chokecherry Festival this past weekend.

Both new and returning vendors were pleased with the turnout. 

Connie Fry, executive director of the Lewistown Area Chamber of Commerce said, “Most of the vendors said that after the sun came out, they were pleased with the crowds. We also had inquiries about how to be a vendor for next year’s event.”

Art Center aims at increasing community engagement

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“The Art Center is in a good place, but we are always looking for ways to reach more of the community,” said Director Mary Baumstark, recapping her message from last week’s annual meeting. 

“Our overarching goal is to expand the definition of art,” Baumstark added. By that she means bringing in different art forms, such as “avante garde dance performances” or “kids making ‘slime.’”

“We’re keeping it broad,” she said, explaining she hopes the Art Center is perceived as a place to “go and do things,” rather than a place to “go and buy things.”

Turning problems around: Cathy Barta accepts new role

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Serving the community. It’s a passion for Cathy Barta, and one that has led her to a brand new career. The former City Planner is now working fulltime for Snowy Mountain Development Corps, coordinating their brownfields program.

“It was an opportunity to learn something altogether different, and to serve the community outside of government positions,” Barta said.

Barta said she was impressed with the economic development work done at SMDC.

“I saw them as leading innovators  in our region,” Barta said. 

Mission accomplished

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After 18 years, Veterans Memorial Park is complete, as bronze plaques are up with the names of Central Montanans who fought for their country.

The names of those from Central Montana who served in the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War are listed on the plaques, as is a celebratory quote by retired U.S. Col. Albert J. Nahas:

“It mattered not what politicians argued. It mattered not what history would reveal. We had no expectation but to serve where duty called us. We asked for no reward except a nation’s thanks.” 

There’s a new deputy in town

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Deputy DES Coordinator Sarah Hodge relocated to Lewistown the first week in August. She began her half-time position assisting DES Coordinator and Fire Warden Ben Phillips on her second week in Central Montana. 

Hodge, the former DES coordinator for McCone County, was eager to move to Lewistown with her husband Kevin and their two small boys, 2-year-old Hayden and 4-year-old Layton.

“We have been wanting to move to Lewistown and never thought it would be this soon. This position was open and it was very exciting to continue with DES,” said Hodge. 

Poll

Do you think the 2020 census will show that Lewistown is growing or shrinking?