Week of November 1, 2024
On October 5th David and Ijkalaka Russell were inducted into the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame. There to receive the framed award were David and Ijkalaka's great-grandsons, Tom Carroll and Les Kreitel. The Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame awards rodeo scholarships to students. More details can be found at montanaprorodeo.org or by finding Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame on social media. A full article about the MPRHWF 2024 class of legend inductees...
Tom Lawrence Special to the Nation's Center News BILLINGS, Mont. - A third trial date has been set for Sterling Brown, the Camp Crook man charged with murdering a Montana man. Brown, who has been charged with murdering Isaac Carrier at his Fallon, Mont., home on Jan. 23, 2023, is now set for trial on Aug. 11-22, 2025. The case was originally set for March and then scheduled to start on Sept. 30, but it has been pushed back once again. In addition, the trial has been moved...
Whoever wins the race for Montana's Superintendent of Public Instruction in the general election on Nov. 5 - Republican Susie Hedalen or Democrat Shannon O'Brien - they will inherit an office in disarray. A recent legislative audit of the Office of Public Instruction, which the superintendent leads, found more than $67 million in questionable spending of federal education funds, including one school district that used the money to buy massage chairs for the teachers' lounge....
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center (MCHF & WHC) recently announced their 17th class of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. The inductees were chosen from a field of candidates nominated by the general public. Inductees are honored for their notable contributions to the history and culture of Montana. "The Hall of Fame exists to honor those who have made an impact in their part of the state and represent Montana's authentic Western heritage...
Many Americans express concern about how the political system is or is not working, but Montana voters will get a chance to change up the way elections are run in a way supporters hope will benefit more moderate candidates. The changes are included in two separate constitutional amendments, CI-126 and CI-127, on this fall's ballot. CI-126 would amend the Montana Constitution to change the voting process to a "top four" primary election. This means that all candidates...
With political polarization strengthening across the country, even the races far down on Montana's ballot are feeling the heat of identity politics. The state auditor is arguably the lowest-ballot race there is, but the position is responsible for supervising the state's insurance and securities industries and investigating fraud. Two years ago, Republican Jim Brown mounted a campaign for the state Supreme Court, trying to secure a spot on the high court by stressing his...
The annual open enrollment period for Medicare D and Medicare Advantage plans start October 15, 2024 and ends December 7, 2024 to change your plan effective January 1, 2025. The plan you are currently enrolled in should send you a packet of information in October regarding the plan’s benefit for 2025. Each year Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans can restructure their benefits. They are allowed to change their premium cost, deductibles, copayments and what drugs they will cover. If you are happy with the plan you have,...
With early voting already begun in Montana, the League of Women Voters of Montana offers voters a nonpartisan election resource: VOTE411.org. This “one-stop shop” for election information provides Montana voters with simple, accessible tools to help them navigate the voting process. VOTE411 provides personalized candidate information, voter registration details, polling place locations, and other helpful election information for all voters nationwide. “From local ballot initiatives to important state races, it is...
CCHS Volleyball wrapped up regular season play with matches versus Forsyth on October 24th in Ekalaka and at Wibaux on October 26th. The JV girls lost to Forsyth in three sets; 18-25, 22-25, and 13-15. The varsity Lady Bulldogs dropped their match to Forsyth on senior night in four sets; 21-25, 18-25, 25-18, and 19-25. As a team, CCHS had 8 aces, 33 kills, 6 blocks, 61 digs, and 25 assists. Ayla Yates led the team in aces (4) and Danica Shepherd led in assists (21). Nasya...
Despite their best effort, the Carter County Bulldogs' high school football season ended on October 25th in Scobey. The Bulldogs and the Spartans were in a clash for playoff glory. The winner would head to the Montana 8-man playoffs as the fourth seed from the east-the loser would be done with football until next season. CCHS scored the first touchdown of the game, but they wouldn't score again until late after Scobey had all but secured the victory. The final score was 20-44...
The CCHS Bulldogs fell to the Fairview Warriors On October 18th at Rowley Field. The 'Dogs were driving the ball on the ground throughout their first possession until a fumble gave the ball to the Warriors. The Bulldog defense was holding number one ranked Fairview on the next series as well, at least until the Warriors connected on a 36-yard touchdown pass. 'Dog defensive back Ethan Mellon was in a good position on the play, but wasn't able to make a play on the ball and...
CCHS Volleyball played three matches in Buffalo, SD on October 15th. The Lady Bulldog C Squad lost in two sets, 17-25 and 19-25. The JV 'Dogs also lost in two sets, 13-25 and 11-25. The varsity team lost their match in three sets, 12-25, 18-25 and 20-25. Nasya O'Connor had a team high in aces (2 of 4), kills (9 of 19) and blocks (2 of 3); Kendra Tooke had 10 of the team's 33 digs; Danica Shepherd had 14 of 16 assists. The varsity Lady Bulldogs played a match at Plevna on...
Junior High Basketball season is already in full swing as young Ekalakans in 5th-8th grade played a full slate of weekend games after only four days of practice last week. On October 18th, Ekalaka traveled to Broadus. Ekalaka B, 2, 4, 11, 16 Broadus B, 7, 21, 29, 39 Ekalaka B: Holly Walker 6, Clover Beach 3, Peighton Matthews 2, Daisey Kratzer 2, Layla Pace 2, Rose Rost 1 Ekalaka A, 0, 2, 5, 5 Broadus A, 18, 34, 48, 56 Ekalaka A: Cai Jesperson 4, Lily Schallenberger 1 On October 19th, Ekalaka battled Jordan at home. Ekalaka...
Junior High Basketball season is already in full swing as young Ekalakans in 5th-8th grade played a full slate of weekend games after only four days of practice last week. On October 18th, Ekalaka traveled to Broadus. Ekalaka B, 4, 6, 14, 19 Broadus B, 7, 11, 22, 31 Ekalaka B: Jenry Walker 6, Kaden Loudermilk 5, Bentley Jardee 4, Zavier Allison 2, Joby Owen 2. Ekalaka A, 7, 13, 17, 34 Broadus A, 15, 28, 43, 52 Ekalaka A: Jaxen Walker 16, Grady Stieg 8, Landry Shepherd 6, Bentley Jardee 2, Joby Owen 2 On October 19th,...
Enjoy a special night at Carter County Museum on Monday, November 4th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This family-friendly event is a collaboration between Ekalaka Public Schools and Carter County Museum, promising an evening of fun, learning, and community. All families are invited to attend this exciting event. Participants will have the opportunity to receive free books, free admittance and delve into the fascinating world of dinosaurs, and explore the wonders of Carter County...
Richard A. Schneider, age 65 of Ekalaka, MT, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 25, 2024 at his hunting camp in the Township of Harrison, Waupaca County. Richard Alan Schneider was born to John and Joen (Romanowicz) Schneider on September 21, 1959 in Milwaukee, WI. He spent his early years in Butler where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, playing hockey and various made up games with his buddies. He attended Hamilton High School in Sussex where he enjoyed...
A funeral service for Lenore Beach, 94, of Ekalaka was held October 26, 2024 at Medicine Rocks Church with Pastor Jim Biswell officiating. Burial followed at Beaver Lodge Cemetery. Lenore passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Dahl Memorial in Ekalaka. Lenore Marie Hartse was born on May 18, 1930 in Wibaux County, Montana; the first of Arthur and Myrtle Mae (Bryson) Hartse's five daughters. She was raised on the homestead northwest of Carlyle, attending grade school in...
Funeral Services for Marvin Gookin, 89, long-time resident of Fallon County were held October 22, 2024 at the Ismay Community Church in Ismay. Burial followed at Custer County Cemetery. Marvin passed away in Billings, Montana on Monday, October 14, 2024. Marvin Horace Gookin was born September 23, 1935 in Ismay, MT, the son of Samuel Lyle and Anna Belle (Johnston) Gookin. He joined siblings Anna Marie and Mary Lou. Another sister, Donna, joined the family a year later....
I remember well the winter of 1978-79. I was a sophomore in college, and it had been a beautiful fall like this one right up until winter hit on November 9. It was brutal, and it stayed until mid-March. I personally hope this year's predictions of an extreme winter are wrong, but we will know for sure next spring. I wrote this diary one year when the fall had been balmy in the back country, and then Mother Nature unleashed winter on us. Diary of a Hunting Camp Cook Day #1: It...
September, 2024 Sunday, September 1st Betty Cline and Valorie O'Connell represented the Lutheran Church by coming in and having a gospel sing. Thank you, ladies, for sharing your Sunday afternoon with us. Betty also shared some of her garden produce with the dietary dept. Monday, Labor Day, was the last 4-day weekend for the summer. For the most part I feel people who did not have to come to work just stayed home and worked, truly it was Labor Day! Tuesday, Sept. 3, Gloria Preuss along with her daughter Lisa made the...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: You know, Lord, in a few days a 'time-change' is coming up – like when we get up and when we go to bed. Not everyone likes to deal with 'Time Change'! Oh – it probably only affects people; it probably doesn't 'bother' birds, beasts, beavers or bears' – 'nor the chickens', one gal added. But remembering WAY back when we were kids at home and had to 'help' do the chores; milking the cows, for a while, we got a bit less milk in the milk bucket...
October 28, 2024 Another Indian summer week at Capitol and on Tie Creek. Still we are wishing for some rain. When we saw frost on the windows one morning, we were so excited about having that much moisture. Erma Albert was a little sad on Wednesday when she went to the chiropractor in Buffalo. She knew it was his last day of appointments in Buffalo. He is busy in Sturgis, so he won’t be making the trip out to Buffalo. On Friday, Dick and Erma went to the monthly chicken dinner at the Senior Center. There were a couple of...
I am writing this column as a public educator who has served my community as a teacher and administrator for 44 years. I care deeply about our public schools, but I know that there are many who seek to undermine public education even further this legislative session than they did during the last few sessions. Now is the time to get ahead of a snowball headed for public education hell--the introduction of the voucher system. In Montana, we have always had school choice-public,...
October 21, 2024 Last week, when Ronda Cordell was coming home from the Methodist Bazaar in Camp Crook, she noticed a car on the Exie Road, but it never came out. Denise had noticed a guy and two dogs that were walking in her pasture. It appeared they were bird hunting since the guy was carrying a gun. Denise had assumed that Ronda had given someone permission to hunt, but she hadn’t. Ronda doesn’t like archery hunting, especially because many animals are hit, but are found later having suffered lingering deaths. She...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: You know, Lord, while walking by a group of ladies, one spoke a little loudly saying: "I'm not just a warm body!" That heated comment in a small group was a few church gals; they probably had a few MORE comments but - what, for goodness sakes, is wrong with having a 'warm body'? Don't we all have a warm body? If we take a moment to THINK ABOUT IT, we're all "just warm bodies" doing various acts of volunteer service as unto to You, Lord. Nevertheless,...
