Articles written by Bill Vander Weele


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  • Richland County Senior Athletes of the Year Awards June 27

    Bill Vander Weele|Jun 12, 2024

    Six finalists in each division have been selected for this year's Roundup/Kiwanis Senior Athletes of the Year awards. The presentation will be made during the Sidney Kiwanis Club's luncheon, which starts at noon, at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, June 27. Athletes and their parents should RSVP to Jessica, 406-794-2304. Boys Kevin Hutzenbiler, Sidney: Hutzenbiler was a talented three-sport athlete for the Eagles. He played well at wide receiver and defensive back for Sidney's football team. He was...

  • Fairview FFA Presents Awards During Banquet

    Bill Vander Weele|Jun 5, 2024

    The Fairview FFA Chapter awarded five area adults with honorary chapter degrees for their contribution to the program during its awards banquet April 29. Honored were Mark and Sheila Neu, Shaun and Michelle Jensen and Vicky Cayko. Officials said that the Neus have been strong supporters of the Fairview FFA chapter for many years. They have provided a lot of behind-the-scenes help because of their love for FFA. Mark was even an FFA officer himself. The Jensens, parents of 2023-2024 Fairview FFA...

  • Council Approves Indoor Shooting Range Request

    Bill Vander Weele|May 29, 2024

    Sidney City Council approved a request from 406 Freedom for permission to have an indoor shooting range in Sidney’s city limits. The proposal is for the range to be located in the former Shopko and Reynolds’ south buildings. Crystal Strait said the gun range will meet NRA standards and organizers have also received input from another range owner in the area. A lot of steel infrastructure and sound barriers are planned. Sidney Chief of Police Mark Kraft said he doesn’t have problems with the p...

  • Information Provided For Local Government Issue

    Bill Vander Weele|May 29, 2024

    Area officials provided information regarding the local government ballot issue during the Sidney Chamber's power hour held at the Extension building on May 21. The requirement of asking the public for a government review at least every 10 years was a result of the 1972 Constitution Convention in Montana. The goal is to make sure political power is from the citizens. Area voters will have the decision to make regarding Richland County, the City of Sidney and the City of Fairview. Stephanie...

  • Group Aims To Improve Savage Cemetery

    Bill Vander Weele|May 29, 2024

    The Savage Cemetery Board delivered a well-prepared budget request to the Richland County Commissioners on May 20. New members of the committee include Dianne Etzel, Sandie Jepsen, Hanna Jepsen and Joe Slack. They noted that the funding request was higher than in previous years due to one-time needed projects. “We will be respectable of all funds we are getting,” Slack said. He added that if there are any leftover funds, they will be carried over to the next year. Projects could include rep...

  • Kids Fishing Day Held May 21

    Bill Vander Weele|May 29, 2024

    About 140 Richland County sixth-graders took part in the annual Walleyes Unlimited MonDak Chapter's kids fishing day at the Gartside Reservoir on May 21. Kevin Mayer and Justin Jones of the MonDak Chapter believe it was the 28th year of the activity to encourage youngsters to fish. The local event was created through the early leadership of Mayer, Russ Wells and Doug Hill. "A lot of chapters do this," Mayer said. "It introduces the kids to fishing." For the past several years, the Montana...

  • Sidney Celebrates Graduation

    Bill Vander Weele|May 22, 2024

    Sidney High School's small but talented Class of 2024 held its commencement exercises on Sunday afternoon. Co-valedictorians for the class of 69 graduates included Hailey Holzworth, Aren Larson, Ella Norby and Abigail Schilling. Salutatorian was Corben Holler. Holzworth and Norby shared the stage for their valedictorian speech. They used lessons learned from the BeReal photo sharing app as a theme for their presentation. Their advice included embrace the unexpected, perfection is over-rated,...

  • Fairview Recognizes Young Authors

    Bill Vander Weele|May 22, 2024

    Parents, students and staff members in Fairview got a rare opportunity last week when they met an impressive group of published authors. First-grade students gained author recognized when their class developed a book through Student Treasures Publishing. The endeavor featured each student writing a page about their "life advice" and also make an accompanying illustration. "There was a lot of different life advice from first graders," teacher Rylie Olson said. Time was set aside on Wednesday...

  • Richland County Commissioners Discuss Temporary Addition To Attorney Staff

    Bill Vander Weele|May 22, 2024

    Richland County commissioners approved advertising for a temporary employee to assist in the county attorney’s office during a meeting held May 13. Richland County Attorney Charity McLarty said that position would be beneficial especially with one staff member anticipated to miss time because of a surgery. The temporary legal assistant can be hired for only up to one year. Duties will include preparing jury instructions and helping cover the office. Both commissioners Loren Young and Duane M...

  • Gianforte Campaigns In Sidney

    Bill Vander Weele|May 22, 2024

    Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte emphasized the successes of his first term during a campaign stop in Sidney on Wednesday. The Republican said to supporters at the meeting held at the Meadowlark, "We did what we told you we were going to do." Gianforte explained that he brought in new leadership for every state department. He added that he introduced quality customer service in every agency. The governor said he hasn't increased the size of government and the state has a fiscally conservative...

  • Wiltzen, Tharp Honored As Friends Of Health

    Bill Vander Weele|May 22, 2024

    The Richland County Health Department honored Rev. Dr. Tim Tharp and Wendy Wiltzen, APRN, FNP-C, with Friends of Public Health awards on May 13. "They are two phenomenal individuals who give of their time and expertise for Richland County's health," health department administrator Brittney Petersen said at the presentation. The Friend of Public Health Award is given by the Health Department to individuals or organizations in recognition of outstanding support of public health efforts in the comm...

  • Women's Wellness Collective Features Variety Of Speakers

    Bill Vander Weele|May 22, 2024

    The Women's Wellness Collective organized by the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce attracted a good attendance at the Yellowstone Mercantile Company on Friday. Dr. Shari Twigg presented one of the TED Talks during the afternoon. She shared her expertise in botox and injectable aesthetic procedures. Her office is located in Fairview, but it's part of Sidney Health Center. Twigg provided a list of her treatments which includes botox and jeuveau, dermal fillers, skinfinity RF, skinpen microneedling,...

  • Busy Beavers Hold Graduation

    Bill Vander Weele|May 22, 2024

    Sidney High School was the scene as 14 pre-school students graduated from the Busy Beavers' program last week. Busy Beavers is a creative and educational pathway for high school and pre-school students to learn. The program allows high school students a guided pathway to success and potential careers relating to teaching. A goal is preparing the children for kindergarten. Lessons learned during the year for the young students included writing their names, reciting the alphabet, knowing the days...

  • Sidney School Board Approves Request From Drill, Cheer Program

    Bill Vander Weele|May 22, 2024

    The Sidney School Board approved allowing eighth-grade students to be part of the high school's drill and cheer teams during its monthly meeting on May 13. Drill team coach Weslie Zoanni explained that she is losing seven dancers, or about half of her team, due to graduation. In addition, she was disappointed with the amount of participants at a recent tryout. "Right now, if we have eighth graders, we would have 10 on the team," Zoanni said. Cheer coach Alyssa Cadwalader added that an extra year...

  • Lambert Graduates 11 Students

    Bill Vander Weele|May 22, 2024

    Lambert High School honored 11 graduates during its commencement ceremony on Saturday afternoon. Graduates included Gracelyn Gonsioroski, Lillian Herbst, Jerome Hughes, Austin Lien, Landin Ligon, Brie Mullin, Corbin Mullin, Halley Mullin, Lauren Prevost, Sage Spinner and ShaeLyn Williams. In her valedictorian address, Gonsioroski's advice was to always be kind, that's life's too short to be negative and the importance of having a good relationship with Jesus Christ. Co-salutatorians were...

  • County Obtains Mobile Command Unit

    Bill Vander Weele|May 15, 2024

    Richland County is now in possession of a Mobile Command Unit, EM-3, that could be worth its weight in gold if a high priority or time extended emergency occurs in the area. "It's something that we have talked about for a long time," Brandon Roth, Richland County's emergency management director, said. "Having this in our own toolbox will benefit the residents of Richland County. It's awesome." A grant from the Department of Homeland Security is paying about 90 % of the purchase. DES...

  • Torch Run Attracts Good Participation

    Bill Vander Weele|May 15, 2024

    Area law enforcement along with athletes from Richland Opportunities Inc., were enthused to participate in the Richland County leg of the Special Olympics' Torch Run on Wednesday, May 8. Sidney police officer Brett Norby reports that representatives from the Fairview Police Department, Richland County Sheriff's Office and Sidney Police Department all took part in the annual event. Norby has served as the leg leader since 2020. He explained that the program helps fund a Special Olympics' team in...

  • State Clerk Candidate Comes To Richland County

    Bill Vander Weele|May 15, 2024

    Candidate Erin Farris-Olsen wants to take politics out of the Clerk of Montana Supreme Court office. Farris-Olsen, one of two Democrats running for the position currently held by Republican Bowen Greenwood, spent time in Sidney last week to attend the state clerk of district courts convention. She said she is proud of the Democrat party's values of fairness and equality, but she feels the office should leave their politics at the door. "The clerk should serve all people and not be...

  • Sidney Native Inducted Into Hall Of Fame

    Bill Vander Weele|May 15, 2024

    Sidney native Mike Albin was recently inducted into the Rapid City, SD, Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements in distance running which includes competing in the world's six major marathons. "I'm very excited and very humbled that I was chosen from the entire Rapid City athletic community," said Albin, who was in Sidney for the Women's Wellness Collective event last week. Albin, a 1996 Sidney High School graduate, has competed in a total of 70 marathons including the six major world events...

  • New School Trustees Elected

    Bill Vander Weele|May 15, 2024

    Sara McMillen is a new Sidney School Board member after Tuesday’s election. Voters decided on two individuals to serve three-year seats during the election. McMillen received 484 votes as the top vote-getter. Josh McGahan was re-elected with 341 votes. Incumbent Kelly Dey received 330 votes. Trustee Randy Iversen ran unopposed for a two-year position and received 604 votes. Lisa Gorder will be re-appointed by acclamation to the outlying trustee position. Elected in Fairview were Marion K...

  • City Council Meets In New Chambers

    Bill Vander Weele|May 15, 2024

    Enjoying the first meeting in their brand new City Hall chambers, the Sidney City Council conducted business on Monday, May 6. “It’s kind of a special night for us,” Sidney Mayor Rick Norby said early in the meeting. Clerk/treasurer Jessica Chamberlin said the new chambers feature the technology needed for council and committee meetings to be professionally recorded and then put on the city’s website, cityofsidneymt.com, under the agendas and minutes tab. Montana legislators passed House B...

  • Update Provided For Test Flows

    Bill Vander Weele|May 15, 2024

    Test flows from Fort Peck Dam will be at 10,000 cubic feet per second through mid-June, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Test flows reached 18,000 cfs in Wolf Point on Wednesday, May 1, and held for three days. During weekly virtual meeting on May 8, Michael Swenson, Corps of Engineers, said the daily average flow was reduced to 12,000 on May 7, 11,000 on May 8 and 10,000 on May 9. “The plan is to hold the flow to 10,000 daily average through mid-June when we schedule the next h...

  • Local Donation Of Beanie Babies Will Cheer Children Around World

    Bill Vander Weele|May 8, 2024

    Love and caring can be seen in many different forms. One of the ways in Sidney is sharing the joy that Beanie Babies can bring to children all across the world. For many years, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Sidney, has served as the Operation Christmas Child collection point for northeastern Montana and western North Dakota. Operation Christmas Child, through Samaritan's Purse, sends gift shoe boxes to needy children around the world. The boxes contain toys, school supplies and...

  • Sidney Woman Prepares To Celebrate 100 Years

    Bill Vander Weele|May 8, 2024

    Sidney native Iona Hansen can tease that she isn't the oldest person among her friends. Hansen is celebrating her 100th birthday on Thursday, May 9, but her closest friend is Ruth Iversen, who is 103 years young. "She's 103. I call her amazing," Hansen said of Iversen. "She's a very good friend. I've known her since 1946." Reaching the age of 100 is pretty amazing, too. A party is planned at the Lodge on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. to celebrate Hansen's birthday and will even include music from the...

  • Trap Club Looks To Improve

    Bill Vander Weele|May 8, 2024

    Representatives of the Sidney Trap Club visited with Richland County commissioners about methods to increase interest in the activity on April 29. Kaden Everett, president, Frank Saalfeld, vice president, and long-time member Bill Nankivel said about only 10 individuals show up when opening shooting takes place on Tuesdays starting at 6 p.m. and Sundays beginning at 3 p.m. The range is located across from Continental Resources at the “old, old, landfill.” Nankivel said the club featured abo...

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