Review 2021
The following are highlights from the previous year in the pages of the
Community News.
June
The Culbertson School board replaced two varsity coaches during its monthly meeting held on Tuesday, June 15. Mark Pederson was hired to become the new head boys’ basketball coach. He was one of the program’s assistant coaches this past season. Trustees unanimously approved Pederson being hired. Colby McGinnis was hired as the school’s new head girls’ basketball coach. McGinnis was hired on a 3-2 vote.
Wolf Point and Culbertson were two of the 34 Montana communities that were announced as receiving federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Communities were told they will be receiving a total of $14 million.
Trick riders Paige Werthiemer of Big Timber and Scobey’s Olivia Leininger performed together for the first time at Frontier Days Rodeo June 11-12. It was a crowd pleaser.
Dry Prairie Rural Water donated 90 feet of 2-inch water line in June for a new water feature at Ike’s Fishing Pond and Walking Trail in Culbertson. The feature was installed with help from Gordon and Kevin Miller and Town of Culbertson public works director Bob Jasper.
July
Shayne Dollarhide joined Roosevelt Medical Center’s medical team as the new radiology supervisor. She has over 41 years of experience and is licensed in computerized tomography, mammography and X-ray. “I have always enjoyed working in small communities. I think people appreciate a familiar face when they are seeking care,” she said.
The Culbertson Town Council held their regular monthly meeting Monday, July 12. Councilman Nick Oelkers stepped down from his position with the Culbertson Town Council, leaving an east side vacancy on the council.
The Cloverbud Day Camp program was held on Wednesday, July 14, at the fairgrounds in Culbertson. It provided age-appropriate activities such as making cards for the nursing home residents, grass growing seed “people” and a bird feeder.
Incoming Brockton School District superintendent Josh Patterson has a background in Montana education. He served as football coach, English teacher, junior high principal and eventually superintendent at Noxon Public Schools beginning in 2011 and he was principal for Miles City Unified School District from August 2016 to June 2019. “I know there have been ups and downs in Brockton,” said Patterson. “The biggest thing is just getting kids into school.”
Roosevelt County commissioners approved a resolution opposing the 30x30 programs during their meeting on Tuesday, July 20. The 30x30 program aims to set aside 30 percent of the nation’s land and water for conservation by 2030.
August
Roosevelt County Fire Warden Mike Olson said area fire halls emptied twice to fight fires in McCabe Aug. 4 and 8. Sparks from a combine plus tinder-dry conditions started a fire on farmland near Mc-Cabe Wednesday, Aug. 4. Departments from Bainville, Culbertson and Froid contained the blaze with 487 acres burned. On Sunday, Aug. 8, all three departments returned to the site to combat a rekindle, which eventually burned another 622 acres. “When the wind changed,” said Olson, “embers from some cottonwood trees likely rekindled the fire.” McCabe resident Beth Hekkel said it was an all-out effort from area crews. “The little town of Mc-Cabe’s homeowners and those near McCabe are grateful that no one was hurt and no one lost homes,” said Hekkel.
Clovis Geno was sentenced to serve 50 years in the Montana State Prison on Wednesday, Aug. 18, for the murder of Ramona Naramore in Culbertson during January 2020. District Judge David J. Cybulski announced the sentencing after hearing comments from both state and defense attorneys.
Bainville’s Sara Harmon (Wild Calf Coffee) took away Best In Hand-Crafted Beverages Aug. 23 at the first Montana Beverage Awards in Helena.
April Wills, fifth-grade teacher at Bainville Public School, was the winner of the Montana Statehood Centennial Bell Award honoring the Montana History Teacher of the Year at the fourth- through sixthgrade level for 2020-2021. Chosen by a panel of Montana History experts, Wills is the 32nd annual winner of the award.
The 2021 Roosevelt County Fair concluded Saturday, Aug. 14, at 3 p.m. The final day of events included an open livestock show, “money in the straw,” inflatables for the kids and a ranch rodeo at the Culbertson Saddle Club.
Kalia Featherston of the Centennial Clovers 4-H Club was a double champion during this year’s Roosevelt County Fair. “I’m really happy with my animals,” Kalia said after her accomplishments.
A trio of Culbertson High School students presented a scholarship donation to local family members of Caleb Fell, Bryan Pederson and Joseph Hanson on Aug. 17. A scholarship fund has been established in their memories.
September
The Fort Kipp Celebration took place Aug. 27-29. The powwow was held over three days and featured specials for tiny tots, junior boys’ grass, old style jingle and a cowboy special.
Fort Peck Tribal Court associate judge Imogen Lilley reproted that the celebration was a good time after a break due to COVID-19 last year. “Fort Kipp was where I grew up,” said Lilley. “It was a really good powwow and fun to see friends and family again.”
Wendy Becker started her duties at the Extension office in Culbertson on Sept. 1. She has been the Fort Peck Extension agent for the past 11 years.
Ken Forbregd noted that a Culbertson Chamber of Commerce request for signage modification has been granted, adding the town to two key locations east of the state line. In his request for the modifications, Forbregd shared that Montana Newspaper Hall of Fame member Ila Mae Forbregd tried to get the job done more than two decades ago. “My mother tried to get Culbertson added to these signs approximately 25 years ago,” Forbregd said. “Last Wednesday, the North Dakota Department of Transportation installed the new signs! I stopped in at Joel Wilt’s office in Williston and
