We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
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Since 1899, “to have a beef” has indicated more than just owning cattle, taking on significance outside the field or corral and meaning to harbor a complaint, grievance, or objection. Today, those who raise cattle and many who eat beef have a beef with the fact that they may not be eating meat raised in the United States. According to Bill Bullard, CEO of Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA), if a consumer buys off the grocery store shelf, the chances are very high that such beef is from South Ame...
On behalf of the Department of Commerce, Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney, who also chairs the Montana Complete Count Committee, contacted Blaine County officials this past week about the seriously low numbers of people in Blaine County completing the 2020 Census. The Montana Complete Count Committee (MTCCC) is panel of state leaders who represent the diverse communities, geographies and populations across our state. In a bipartisan effort, Greg Jergeson, who chairs the central committee in...
In a press conference on May 19, Governor Steve Bullock announced that beginning on June 1, Montana will move from Phase One to Phase Two of the Reopening the Big Sky plan. Among other changes, the transition will mean lifting the 14-day out-of-state travel self-quarantine since Montana continues to have the lowest number of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations per capita in the United States. Although travel restrictions will subside on June 1, the Montana National Guard remains authorized to assess travelers in airports and train depo...
Officials at Montana State University-Northern announced on May 20 that a task force has determined that the start date for fall semester will remain as published, and classes will begin on August 31, 2020. The first regular summer session will begin on June 8 and will run fully online as planned. According to MSUN Chancellor Greg Kegel, the university remains committed to fulfilling its mission and meeting its standards of excellence while protecting the health and safety of the campus and community. Consequently, the university’s fall s...
Upon learning last February that she had received a National FFA Living to Serve grant in the amount of $800.00, Robin Allen, Advisor of the Chinook Chapter of the FFA, set to work with FFA members to make that money grow. Piggybacking on an order with agriculture education teacher Chad Massar in Jolliet, the process began with purchasing 200 petunia plugs, which arrived in March. These small-sized seedlings were then transplanted into container trays by the Exploratory Ag class and cared for...
Ambitious, energetic, and creative are three words that aptly capture the character of Adrianna Standiford. A 2015 graduate of Chinook High School, Standiford recently graduated from the University of Montana Western (UMW) on May 9, 2020, with two bachelor's degrees. Her first is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Art Education; the second is a Bachelor of Arts with a Visual Arts option and a Drama Related Area as a minor. Because of COVID-19 risks, UMW's 123rd Commencement Ceremony was held...
Last week, the Blaine County Journal-News-Opinion joined local school administrators in celebrating area teachers who have faced the school closure challenge with a level of professionalism and dedication to their students. This installment, which captures the perspectives of junior high and high school teachers-those teaching grades seven through twelve-represents the second in a three-part series. To celebrate their efforts and to share their perspectives, we asked teachers to reveal not only...
Even though Cascade County Commissioners voted 3-0 on May 19 to cancel the 2020 Montana State Fair due to health and financial concerns tied to COVID-19, Blaine County planned to stay the course with their fair dates, announcing recently: "We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Blaine County Fair August 12-16 2020." That announcement captured the view of Blaine County Fair Board until Tuesday night, May 19, when Fair Board President Don Richman received two separate phone calls. "The...
Chinook has a new postmistress, and this one, in her words, is "here to stay." Kasha Jeide's first day on the job was April 27, and she expressed pleasure at being "back home in Montana." Jeide began her career with the United States Postal Service in Lewistown, Montana, on February 6, 2007 as a Post Office Clerk, and she quickly climbed the corporate ladder. After performing on the customer service side of the postal service in Lewistown, Jeide went on to serve in Deer Lodge and then Havre....
While some businesses are struggling in these times replete with regulations and social distancing guidelines, new businesses are finding a footing. The Harlem area will soon be seeing and hearing a novel business that has been travelling some streets since the 1920s: an ice cream truck. Bliss Ice Cream, which will open this week, is owned and operated by Jessica Cochran. As a nine-year-old living in Seattle, Cochran fondly remembers the ice cream truck and its recognizable music that stopped...
On May 7, the Chinook FFA Chapter held its 2020 FFA Banquet in a virtual format. During the video conference program, multiple awards were presented, accomplishments recognized, new members graduated into the Chapter, and another slate of officers installed to ensure that the traditions of the FFA are carried on. After the traditional meeting opening, led by President Alyssa Gruszie, the Chapter honored its senior members: Alyssa Gruszie, Jase Pursley, Rielly Wiegand, Kurtis Hamilton, Shane Friede, Saige Olmstead, and Kendra McMaster....
Chinook High School Planned in conjunction with the Blaine County Health Department and approved by the Chinook School Board of Trustees, the Chinook High School (CHS) graduating class of 2020 will celebrate their commencement exercises in a Drive-in Style Graduation at 8:00 p.m. on May 17. The ceremony, which will take place in the parking lot behind the grandstand at the Blaine County Fairgrounds, will also be broadcast using the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)...
Harlem High School Earlier this month, in a letter mailed out to members of the Harlem High School Senior Class of 2020, Doug Komrosky, Principal, and Bonnie Nesslar, Assistant Principal, shared details about the initial planning for graduation ceremonies. The seniors' big day will be May 17, and the Commencement Ceremony will take place at Harlem High School (HHS) Gymnasium at 1:00 p.m. Given the guidelines that schools must meet to remain in compliance with Governor Steve Bullock's Reopening...
Turner High School After working with the Blaine County Health Department in developing guidelines, Superintendent of Turner Public Schools, Tony Warren announced that graduation for the Turner Class of 2020 and the 8th grade Class of 2024 will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 4:00 p.m. at the Turner Park. Commencement speaker, Alan Van Voast will address members of the senior class, Jack Harmon and Sarah Billmayer, and members of the 8th grade class: Trent Billmayer, Ryan Doyle, Gracie Honey,...
Through their collective efforts, the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Montana Agricultural Business Association, East Helena High School FFA Chapter, and Montana State University (MSU) Extension are challenging people across the state to start their own home gardens. The "Get Out and Grow" campaign encourages everyone to get outside and garden this spring. During the month of May, the "Get Out and Grow" campaign will provide multiple resources and webinars to help people understand...
Former Sugarbeeter and 1999 Chinook High School graduate, Eric Tilleman, has been named the Agricultural Education Specialist at the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) in Helena. To his new position, Tilleman will bring not only sixteen years of teaching experience gained in the Agriculture Education program at Cascade Public Schools but also his service as the FFA advisor for that same number of years. According to Tilleman, OPI tried to recruit him a couple of times. "I filled in for one guy...
On May 9, Shores Floral held a Garden Party in celebration of mothers. Adding to the festive atmosphere, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Tara Hofeldt served Wine-A-Ritas in several different flavors. Both the flower cooler and the greenhouses were fully packed at opening time, and by day's end, the shelves were looking a bit picked over. The sunny Saturday-even though it was a bit blustery-drew quite a number of people out who mingled and visited. Bonnie Weber, owner of Shores Floral & Gift,...
Montana Actors’ Theater (MAT) received ten script submissions for their First Five Pages Project. Local writers submitted the first five pages of a script they developed. Now, the public is invited to read and comment on them. According to MAT Executive Director Jay Pyette, readers can let the playwrights know what they’re interested in – what caught their curiosity, as well as help emerging playwrights develop their writing. MAT asked playwrights who’ve started scripts to submit the first five pages (only) along with a character list and set...
While the residents of Sweet Memorial Nursing Home have been abiding by the Governor's Directives, the staff has learned to be creative in providing socialization that meets distancing guidelines. From horsing around to requesting cards, blowing bubbles, and celebrating National Skilled Nursing Care Week, the crew at the Home has proven that social distancing doesn't mean isolation. Now, perhaps more than ever, we need to make sure we are checking in with one another and providing support. To...
During this challenging chapter in education while we all navigate the obstacles imposed by the COVID-19 situation, Colleen Overcast, who teaches grades six through eight at Zurich School, wishes to credit a couple of students who are doing their best job: Elayna Adams of Harlem and Micah Conner of Chinook. Students in grades 6-8 at Zurich School were given the assignment to build a scale model of the solar system. After working through the math for appropriate diameters and distances, they set...
On May 6, two C-130 airships from the 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard at Great Falls conducted flyovers in 21 Montana cities as a tribute to healthcare workers and first responders in the COVID-19 response efforts. One of the air craft took a western route, while the other followed an eastern route. Harlem was one of the cities on the fly-over itinerary. As part of the Air Force Salutes flyover program, the two C-130s flew in a salute to Montana's first responders on the...
In response to educators’ emerging needs for addressing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching and learning, the National Education Association (NEA) Foundation is offering three new grant opportunities: COVID-19 Rapid Response Grant, COVID-19 Response Student Success Grant, and COVID-19 Response Learning & Leadership Grant. A COVID-19 Rapid Response Grant will support school initiatives to address the unique challenges presented by COVID-19. The grant application process, which opened on April 23, will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Tim...
Under Governor Steve Bullock’s Directive for a Phased Reopening of Montana, beginning May 7, all schools were given the option to return to in-classroom teaching delivery. However, none of the area schools will be opening their buildings for the remainder of this school year. This new gubernatorial directive rescinded the school closure directive and essentially returned education back to local control by districts. Nothing in the Directive, however, prevents a local school board from declaring a local emergency as provided in § 20-9-806, MC...
The Plant a Seed . . . READ Program is holding its Third Annual Fundraising Raffle with a grand prize of $1,500 cash and 32 additional chances to win! With only 500 raffle tickets being sold, a person’s odds at winning increase. The drawing will be held on June 24. The Plant a Seed . . . READ Program is an educational community impact project that not only advocates for literacy but supports children in North Central Montana with readiness skills prior to kindergarten. This proactive nonprofit encourages and educates communities and families a...
National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4—May 8, with National Teacher Day being observed on Tuesday, May 5. Given their recent efforts at stepping into a teacher’s role, many parents are more than ready to show their appreciation to teachers. On their website, the National PTA encourages the celebration of teachers by saying, “Teachers change the lives of millions of children every day—their immense work and impact move us beyond words. . . . And with the abrupt end to the physical school year, our teachers have done even more to continue ed...
