Just north of Cut Bank, about 40 miles, still within Glacier County, sits a small farming community known as Del Bonita. They are right on the edge of the Canadian border. 

(Editor’s Note: This is the first in a three-part series designed to detail the problems facing many small businesses in Glacier County impacted by COVID-19. The series will also present possible solutions to these problems.)

Since the days of Pac Man and Donkey Kong, video games have grown tremendously, taking on a life of their own. They have become way more elaborate, more life-like and even more intense. They are still made to entertain, but many of them are also delivering a message to their players.

Montana State University Ranch Management Systems Team in collaboration with local MSU Extension agents have put together a series of workshops to address potential strategies to reduce the effects of drought in 2021. The closest workshop for the Hi-Line area will be held in Havre on April 2…

The State of Montana recently provided an “updated status on compliance with state laws” to Glacier County officials. The letter pointed out: 

It’s back! The Valier Public Library will hold Story Hour with Miss Linda starting on Wednesday, April 21, at 10 a.m. Story Hour is open to children of all ages.

One of the nation’s oldest annual powwows will be held virtually this year. The University of Montana student-organized Kyiyo Pow Wow will present the 53rd annual week of dancing, singing, story sharing and events started on Monday, April 12, and continue through Sunday, April 18.

The Northern Rockies Medical Center (NRMC) Board of Directors voted unanimously on March 30 to “strengthen healthcare services” to Glacier County and the surrounding area by “partnering with the Kalispell Regional Healthcare System (KRHS)/Logan Health system.”  To achieve that goal, the memb…

Marias River Livestock Association has two meet and greet sessions planned for Monday, April 12, to help introduce the community to the newest members of our area’s grizzly bear and predator management team. The first meet and greet will be held at the Whitlash Hall, in Whitlash, at 1 p.m. T…

When Doug and Kim Norman of Norman’s Sports purchased P & K Athletics in 2000, one of the cornerstones of the company’s business was the Jordan brand. Since 1978, when Pat and Karen Winterrowd landed the Nike retail license, the Nike brand has been a staple of the Cut Bank store. Since t…

On April 1, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra announced additional savings and lower health care costs are available for consumers on HealthCare.gov. 

The Cut Bank Education Foundation & Alumni Association (CBEFAA) has been working hard this last year, often times behind the scenes, to support the students, staff and facilities of the Cut Bank Public School District No. 15. 

Glacier National Park has announced a decision to implement a Going-to-the-Sun Road temporary ticketed entry system for the 2021 season. Going-to-the-Sun entry reservation tickets will be available at www.Recreation.gov starting April 29, barring any unforeseen delays.

Ahead of a key deadline on April 8, the Montana Legislature is quickly advancing a bill to spend billions in federal COVID-19 dollars as guidelines for how that money can be spent continue to roll in.

The Blackfeet lands have supported hundreds of calf births these past few weeks, and in turn the calves born will support the Blackfeet community. It is the ranchers, though, who have taken the responsibility to see all those new lives successfully entered into this world. 

What came first, the chicken or the egg? For Kaden Kipp, it was the chicken. His first one showed up on Easter morning six years ago. Since then, there have been a few more added to the brood and in the very near future, another 20 hens will join the feathered group. 

We want to let our patrons know that we are busily working behind the scenes right now to get the libraries ready for reopening. With budget and staff cuts and also being closed for eleven months we have a lot of catching up to do! 

A hidden Cut Bank gem is the City Bark Park. The City Bark Park is located on Nyhagen Road, not quite a mile from the Nyhagen turn-off on Central Avenue. It is located between the State of Montana maintenance office and the city’s roll-off site. If you end up at the roll-off site, you have g…

Annually over 3,600 runners, joggers and fitness walkers gather each year in Montana’s largest road race.  Although participants won’t be able to gather in a large group, don’t miss out on participating in Ice Breaker Virtual Road Race.  

The Montana Coaches Association (MCA) is pleased to announce that five Montana coaches, including Dell Meuchel, will be inducted into the MCA Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be a part of the 2021 MCA Awards Ceremony (in conjunction with the MCA Coaches Clinic), on Thursday, July 29…

We at the Blackfeet Care Center have great news. We are officially off of quarantine as Glacier County’s positivity rate has been under 10% for several weeks. This means that effective Monday, March 22, we began scheduled face-to-face visits between residents and their family and friends. If…

A bill to help fund “farm-to-school” local food programs garnered widespread support and no opposition during an initial hearing in the Montana House Education Committee after proponents said the programs would benefit both farmers and students.

This week the House Appropriations Committee focused on creating the framework for appropriating the $3 billion American Rescue Plan (ARP) package that Montana will receive from the Federal Government. While there are those that suggest sending this money back, the reality is that it will ei…

Agriculture has been considered the foundation of the Montana economy. Over the last few years, other sectors of the economy, especially tourism and business services, have become increasingly important as well. MSU recently completed a research study headed up by Joel Schumacher that focuse…

“The last meal we served at the Center in 2020, was corned beef and cabbage on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. We were directed by the State to close our doors and to say it was a sad day, would be an understatement,” said Laura McKenna, Director at Parkview Center. 

It was last Easter when First Interstate Bank made the announcement their popular Easter egg hunt would not take place. That event had taken place each spring for 19 years, but not in 2020, thanks to the rapid spread and threat of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought anxiety and stress to the people of Montana. The news outlets and coffee shops filled with tales of chaos and anger. Nationwide turmoil, including riots, burning, looting, and the storming of our nation’s capital shook us to the core. The story of our democracy …

Glacier Care Center, in accordance with Lantis Enterprises, recently released information on their new visitation guidelines.

A bill gaining momentum at the legislature would allow Montanans to sell food from their homes directly to consumers without any government oversight. It would also legalize the direct sale of raw milk.

The first meeting of the Valier Public Library’s Cook-book Club will be Monday, March 29, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Valier Public Library. Please bring your “favorite comfort dish.” 

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation is offering $1,000 grants to public libraries in Montana to help fund summer youth-reading programs.

 UPDATE: Harrison finishes second in voting

The Cut Bank Golf and Country Club (CBGCC) is busy planning for the opening of the 2021 season after receiving word last week the Blackfeet Tribal Council has approved moving to Phase 3 of reopening the Blackfeet Reservation. 

“I thought it was time to start making a difference in a different way.”

Curbside pickup and delivery of alcohol could soon be legal if lawmakers approve two bills heard on Friday, March 12 in the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee.

The Cut Bank Creek Brewery will be hosting a bingo night on Tuesday, March 23, from 6-8 p.m. in support of the Cut Bank Community Garden. There will be live bingo for $5 with all proceeds going towards the community garden. The Cut Bank Creek Brewery will also donate $1 for each drink sold. 

The Coutts-Sweet Grass Lions Club will be hosting their annual pancake supper on Tuesday, March 23. This year’s event will be take-out and order forms are available at the Early Bird, City Hall, the Sunburst Library, Sunburst Merc and KW, to be filled out between March 15 and March 22. One c…

There are reports of a new COVID-19 vaccine email scam where people are asked to complete a survey. They offer a free reward but ask people to pay a nominal fee “to cover shipping.” Survey scams like this are a creative way to steal your identity or money. Many survey scams offer a reward an…

The first-ever virtual Great Falls College MSU Science and Engineering Fair for area middle school and high school students was notable for the quality of the projects and the enthusiasm of the students. 

During the evidentiary hearing in Glacier County District Court this morning, District Court Judge Robert Olson ordered convicted sex offender Larry Bomar remanded back to the Montana State Prison to complete the remaining 12 years of his sentence for the sexual assault of a 6-year-old. Boma…

Retirement is a time to step away from careers and professions done well over the years. It is a time to start enjoying a life without work schedules, work weeks and in the case of two Cut Bank teachers, classroom time.

The Blackfeet Nation recognizes that if our agriculture prospers, the whole community does too. To support our producers, our agriculture partner organizations host many opportunities for producers. This week we will take the time to highlight a few resources that may be slipping under the r…

Businessmen and women, whose financial livelihood was severely impacted by the eastside closure of Glacier National Park last tourist season, met in person and via teleconference to ask the Glacier County Commissioners to support the safe re-opening of Glacier National Park for the 2021 seas…

“As always, we are pleased to support our Glacier Care Center with their activities,” said Sonja Ray, President of the Wishing Well organization.

Not a single person spoke against the need to have a Glacier County Satellite Office in Browning during the March 4 public hearing held by the Glacier County Commissioners. Several comments, however, addressed the County’s financial position, questioning if now is the right time to purchase …

The political authority of the state is constitutionally separated into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. To defend and promote liberty, these three branches must maintain separation and act independently. 

The Toole County Extension office will be hosting a training open to ag producers looking to get their Private Applicators License to purchase Restricted Use Pesticides. 

Northern Rockies Medical Center is very fortunate to have a number of very good ancillary departments within their walls, one of those being their Physical Therapy Department. And within that department, they are very fortunate to have a great team of therapists, including their newest addit…