Year In Review
Highlights through the year in Roosevelt County include the following: March
Wolf Point School Board trustees conducted a tour of Wolf Point’s two elementary schools to learn about potential improvements needed to the buildings.
The Wolf Point Elks Lodge #1764 presented awards during its annual ceremony. Winners included Shirley McCrea as Citizen of the Year, T’Elle Evans as First Responder of the Year, Larry Greufe as Lodge Officer of the Year, Penny Presser as Elk of the Year, and scholarship winners Neveah Graham and Kaylee Johnson.
Lustre’s boys’ basketball team repeated as champions of the Eastern C divisional basketball tournament.
Candidate filings included Theresa Diekhans as county attorney, Dan Sietsema as county commissioner, Doug Marottek for county commissioner and Ralph “Jim” Patch for county attorney.
T’Elle Evans was promoted to the position of sergeant and leads the Wolf Point dispatchment for the Montana Highway Patrol. Jeff Kent was earlier promoted to the position of captain.
Keith Erickson was selected the new superintendent of schools in Poplar. He has been the school’s assistant superintendent for the last two years.
Officers elected for the Wolf Point Community Organization included Holly Hamilton as chair and Thomas Bauer as vice chair.
The Wolf Point Area Museum completed about half of the flooring for its expansion project.
April
Candidates filing for the Wolf Point School Board included Michael Turcotte, Cody Larson and Sarah Copenhaver.
U.S. Army of Engineers’ representatives provided information about plans for the Fort Peck test flow during a Missouri River water management meeting held in Poplar.
Through a state project, the Wolf Point Elks Lodge #1764 assisted county fire departments by making donations.
Wolf Point’s drama students presented Revenge, A Pirate’s Tale,
written by Wolf Point teacher Jacob Boysun.
County commissioners discussed with Wolf Point Mayor Chris Dschaak having a memorandum of understanding to combat blight, including a ranking of potential properties provided by the city.
May
County commissioners conducted a call with Cyan H2 regarding the possibility of the Eastern Montana Fertilizer Company to be built east of Culbertson. Commissioners, Mayor Dschaak and Gov. Gianforte supported the project.
The Roosevelt County DUI Task Force recognized its 10-year anniversary. The team is dedicated to assessing and mobilizing a county- wide injury prevention plan and encourages safe driving habits.
The Jordan World Circus made an appearance in Wolf Point on May 13. The circus was well attended by area residents, young and old alike.
The Poplar High School had 36 graduate from high school on May 19.
Wolf Point High School’s graduation featured 48 students on May 26.
June
It was announced that Don Whitmus will serve as the grand marshal for the Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede. He served on the Stampede committee for 57 years.
After a break of about three years, Roosevelt County entered into a new contract to provide law enforcement in Poplar. The contract, which runs from June 30, 2024, to June 30, 2025, calls for the county to provide 10 hours per day of general law enforcement services. The county sheriff serves as Poplar’s chief of police under the agreement.
Incumbent Frank Smith was among the local winners during the primary election on June 4.
The community of Frazer celebrated the opening of the Freda Fourstar Community Hall. The facility includes a basketball court, volleyball court, kitchen, treadmills and weights.
A memorial service for Nettie Wirth Mail, a member of the leg- endary 1904 Fort Shaw girls’ basketball team, was conducted at the Poplar cemetery.
The Northern Plains Independent and Community News received 10 first-place honors at the Montana Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.
July
The Wolf Point School Board unanimously agreed to reward Superintendent Dr. David Perkins with a $10,000 bonus.
Wolf Point and visitors celebrated its 101st Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede on July 10-13.
Michael Holen was appointed as a new trustee for the Wolf Point School Board.
Long-time county clerk of district court and superintendent of schools Jeri Toavs resigned from the positions, citing health issues for her decision.
Jan Bryan was presented a star quilt from the Wolf Point Stampede Committee for her many years of support for the Stampede.
Laurie Evans, deputy clerk, was appointed by county commissioners to be interim clerk of court/county superintendent of schools.
August
County commissioners approved the addition of a fence for about three-fourths of the fairgrounds.
Progress was made on the crow’s nest and bleachers at the Wolf Point High School football field.
The late Pearl Swank and The Welcome Stop were saluted by the Roosevelt County 4-H Council during the county fair’s livestock auction.
Wolf Point school officials announced the hiring of Jacob Bradshaw as the school district’s new band and choir teacher.
Jeri Toavs announced her decision to officially withdraw from the 2024 general election for the positions of clerk of district court and county superintendent of schools.
Keith Hays started the school year as Frontier’s superintendent and principal.
Sarah Ruff began her duties in Frazer as the school district’s superintendent.
Brianna Jensen-Rowe, 18, was charged with deliberate homicide for allegedly killing her sister, Jalinn Marie Jensen-Rowe, in Wolf Point. According to court reports including an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice officer was dispatched at approximately 8:18 p.m. on Aug. 3 for a reported stabbing.
The 700 Club of the Christian Broadcasting Network interviewed Darryn Ricker Sr. for a story regarding his recovery from a near-death experience.
