The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
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HELENA - Governor Steve Bullock today announced that in the coming days and weeks, he will extend federal food assistance to more than 100,000 Montanans, increase food supplies at emergency food pantries and food banks, and streamline nutrition assistance for new mothers and children. All of these changes are made available through flexibility and funding provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and will be implemented by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. “Montana f...
Lincoln School teachers adapted quickly to Governor Bullock's March 15 announcement that schools would be closing for two weeks, rallying together and compiling materials to ensure students at all grade levels would continue to receive quality instruction. "Everyone was really great about getting their plans put in place quickly, and by Wednesday, our students had packets or online classes to work with," Laura Allen-Bullis, the business and technology teacher, said. Annette Ga...
Life may now seem turned upside down by coronavirus and the recent school closure and event cancellations, but Alpine Artisans would like to encourage parents and high school seniors to think positive. Does your K-12 student want to attend a summer camp in music, drama or any part of the arts? Are you a graduating senior who is interested in majoring or minoring in any aspect of the arts? AAI is interested in helping you! Since 1995, AAI has awarded more than 23 senior scholar...
Information is key during any crisis, and the current COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Finding accurate and relevant resources during a crisis can be a daunting task, especially for individuals and businesses already overwhelmed with new concerns and problems. To support local businesses, the Lincoln Valley Chamber of Commerce has compiled the following list of resources and tools to help weather the crisis. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act,...
Helena -- The Lewis and Clark County Board of County Commissioners today voted unanimously to request the June 2, 2020 Primary Election be conducted by mail ballot in accordance with a directive issued by the Governor last week. Under normal circumstances, the June 2 Primary election would be a polling place election. In a polling place election, ballots are only mailed to voters who have signed up to receive absentee ballots; voters who haven't signed up for an absentee...
Today marks the eighth year of our ownership of the Blackfoot Valley Dispatch, and we're hoping it won't be our last. No, that's not an April Fool's joke. Right now, things are tight for everyone, and we're no different. We haven't taken the straightforward hit from the COVID-19 restrictions that some local businesses have, thanks to our core advertisers who have stuck with us through the last three weeks. We can't thank them enough. But we're looking down the barrel of a...
Governor Steve Bullock today announced a Directive that allows Montana hospitals and related facilities to receive financing to remain open and acquire the supplies needed to respond to COVID-19. “For weeks both urban and rural hospitals have served on the frontlines of this crisis and they need our support to continue protecting Montanans,” Governor Bullock said. “Today’s Directive offers resources to keep hospital doors open, purchase supplies, and will ensure health care workers provide lifesaving care across the state.” G...
Spend time outside every day, rain or shine. Make a recess time for the kids to get out. And then have another time where you all go together, maybe, or a nature exploration. Even better, drive to a new place and go for a walk there. It will help keep everyone healthy and sane. Also, remember to keep things fun. If you or the kids start to get grumpy or stressed, change it up. Take a break, get a snack, play a game, build a fort. Relationships first!...
Local law enforcement and public health officials have established a procedure for enforcing an order issued last week by the governor to help stop spread of COVID-19. The governor directed people to stay home through April 10, except to conduct essential activities like working in an essential businesses, grocery shopping, caring for family members, and recreating outdoors while keeping a 6-foot distance from others. The governor also ordered all “non-essential” businesses to close except for “minimum basic opera...
Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Sheila Hogan announced today an expansion of mental health services to help Montanans who may be experiencing a range of emotions including loneliness, sadness and fear as a result of the current COVID-19 situation. "We continue to monitor and make adjustments as necessary to meet the needs of Montanans during this challenging time," Hogan said. "While we are focused on limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our state, we mus...
The sign on the D&D Variety store says "I'll be closed till further notice," relaying a message that has become common in Lincoln due to the efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19. Montana Governor Steve Bullock's statewide stay-at-home order went into effect March 28, ordering residents and visitors to limit travel, ordering the closure of businesses not considered essential and mandating social distance measures. While the initial closure orders affecting bars and restaurant...
Sending out a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to all the folks who are still out there working during these uncertain times. The first responders and healthcare workers who are on the frontlines of this virus and the high traffic areas, such as the gas stations and grocery and hardware stores, banks, post office, phone company, liquor store, coffee shops etc. From right here in Lincoln and beyond. Also, I want to send out a big thanks to the folks who are still providing meals...
The annual Fireman's Ball, which was originally scheduled for this past weekend has been tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, May 16. The Ball, which is the main fundraiser for the Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department, had to be postponed due to county-wide imposed safety precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. "We hope to have the event on May 16, but that will all depend on the county and what we're allowed to do. Depending on how everything goes, we'll need to...
Early 1960’s, Dad finally got a good one. He trained Field Trial Dogs, so growing up you didn’t get attached to them. They’d come and go. Just dogs after all. I’d help him with his hobby, when I was younger. As I got into my teens, I was in pursuit of my own adventures. Beau, we called him; his full name was Lord Bomar. His muscles rippled when he walked, he was the epitome of the Labrador breed. He’d pick-up the laundry one piece at a time when Mom was hanging the wash. Dad was kinda heavy handed with the strap, even used...
Two weeks ago, when school closures were announced with little warning, Lincoln Telephone stepped in to work with Lincoln Schools to get internet access to all students in the district. Lincoln Telephone manager Aaron Daniel said Governor Bullock encouraged telephone companies to work with their school districts to ensure students would have access to internet from their homes to continue their education during school closures. "We waived all costs, installs, and equipment...
Governor Steve Bullock issued a statewide stay-at-home order for the state of Montana during a press conference Thursday afternoon. March 26. The order, referred to by some states as a shelter-in-place order, is set to begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, March 28 and last through Friday, April 10, the same date the extended closure order for schools and certain businesses was set to expire. Montana is the 23rd state to implement a stay-at-home order. The measure is designed to...
HELENA – Montana Attorney General Tim Fox issued a letter of advice in response to a request for guidance on how government entities should conduct open meetings during the COVID-19 state of emergency. "The COVID-19 pandemic and social-distancing measures taken to contain its spread have created unique challenges for public participation in their government," Fox said. "It is imperative that state and local agencies adapt to the new circumstances while upholding Montanans' c...
Governor Steve Bullock today directed that travelers arriving from another state or country to Montana for non-work-related purposes undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. The Directive follows the governor’s prior travel advisory and last week’s Stay at Home Directive. “While we love our visitors, we would ask that you not come visit while Montanans are watching out for one another by staying at home,” said Governor Bullock. “This is important not only to protect our health care system, but also to protect against the spread of...
The Lincoln Loggers Wrestling Club, with the help of coaches Ezra Schwalm, Shane Smith and Nick Hessler wrapped up their 2020 season with a trip to the State Tournament last weekend. The team of 12 local kids aged 5-13 have been hard at work this wrestling season. "Everybody throughout the season gave a lot of effort and wrestled tough. Three of the four older wrestlers are first-time wrestlers this year. Overall they did really well and had some very good moments during the...
Lewis and Clark County 911 Center received sixteen calls for service during the week of March 22 through March 28, 2020. Deputies performed six traffic stops in the Lincoln area. One call for service generated a case report last week: A deputy responded to the 100 block of Sucker Creek Road for a report of fraudulent activity. Wednesday, March 25, 2020. This case is currently under investigation with the help from our Criminal Investigation Division. Other calls for service...
Chester Coleman “Chet” Johnson, 95, of White Sulphur Springs passed away Wednesday, March 25 at Elkhorn Health and Rehab, Clancy, MT. He was born February 23, 1925 in White Sulphur Springs to Chester Allen and Elizabeth (Wharton) Johnson. He served in the United States Navy. He is survived by his cousins, Ray and Wilhelmina Johnson, White Sulphur Springs. Urn burial will take place at the National Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence or share a memory of Che...
Debra A. Maberry, age 72 Born July 7, 1947 passed away March 17, 2020 at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula. Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Married to Ray Maberry. Celebration of life to be held at a later date....
William "Bill" E. Reiling of Lincoln, passed away March 20, 2020, at 84 years old. Bill was married to Lea Goode for 30 years and they both retired to Lincoln in 1994. Bill was born in Newell, S.D. on May 18, 1935, to Phillip Reiling and Emma Litz and was raised in Salem, Ore. Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1955. He served throughout the United States, as well as in Germany, Vietnam and other countries during his career. He retired from Malmstrom Air Force Bas...
As April comes around each year, I always look back to the years 2000-2001. You may remember those days. The end of the world from Y2K did not happen. The power grid did not fail. The world did not spin off its axis or orbit into the sun. Yes, we survived that period where people were buying all the generators, guns and ammo, stock-piling food, etc. You know I do not remember people hoarding toilet paper or hand sanitizer though! Ha, we did not know how good we had it back...
