The following are highlights from ….
The following are highlights from the previous year in the pages of the
Northern Plains Independent.
April
Although it featured a different format than in previous years, Schmeckfest was back at Lustre Christian High School on Friday, March 26. Due to social distancing concerns, the celebration was held in three different segments. Serving took place in three shifts as was musical entertainment. Another change was that the auction was held online this year.
Poplar fire chief Dave Mathison, the Poplar Volunteer Fire Department and numerous other fire agencies from around the area fought off several fires threatening homes on the east end of Poplar over the holiday weekend. Locals were evacuated and flames came within three feet of several residences on the east end of Poplar. A grass fire threatening the town was started April 3 but was put out the same day. Mathison said he was en route to a vehicle fire on Highway 251 in the afternoon April 4 when the first indications of a rekindle threatening residences in Poplar came to his attention. The department fought the blaze to a standstill with assistance from fire and EMS crews from Froid/Medicine Lake, Bainville, Brockton, Culbertson, Valley County and Wolf Point. Rekindles in the early hours of April 5 again threatened homes, but were quickly extinguished. Mathison said efforts to protect the town were complicated by other fires in the area, including a blaze located south of town on a island near the confluence of the Poplar and Missouri rivers.
With the purpose of remembering Fort Peck Reservation members who lost their lives because of COVID-19, a teepee ceremony was held at Wolf Point High School on Friday, April 2.
The Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Optimist Club of Wolf Point was a huge success at Faith Home on Saturday, April 3. Optimist Club members put together between 2,000 and 3,000 eggs for the event. The eggs contained candy or small prizes. The youngest participants received little stuffed toy bunnies.
The Wolf Point Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture agreed to sell about 15 acres of its BNSF property to Wolf Point Sand and Gravel. Wolf Point Sand and Gravel will pay $30,000 to purchase the lots, located near the lumberyard, in order to expand its business.
May
The Wolf Point School board has made a decision that should delight Wolves’ football fans throughout the nation. During the special meeting on Tuesday, April 27, trustees
approved bids for a fiber cable project to the track/football field’s crow nest for wifi capabilities.
Jerald and Louise Petersen were selected to serve as grand marshals for the 98th Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede coming in July.
Students from Northside Elementary School and Wolf Point High School combined efforts to put fresh paint on the underpass in Wolf Point. Northside students were part of the influencers and high school students were from the Power Rangers’ organization. The clubs were formed under the guidance of consultant William Henry, who was also encouraging students with the painting project on May 10.
Lustre Christian High School held a joyful celebration on Sunday, May 16, as the 2021 commencement was held for six graduates.
The Frontier School board voted to purchase a modular home to use for teacher housing during the board’s monthly meeting on Thursday, May 13. Trustees approved up to $70,000 for the purchase of the 14-by-40 Skyline home that will be placed on the school grounds.
Amtrak announced that it would resume full service for the Empire Builder on Monday, May 24. That means that the Empire Builder is available for travel either east or west on a daily basis.
Poplar High School held its commencement exercises, which featured 45 students, on May 23. Top students included co-valedictorians Alexus Culbertson and Keandra Martell along with salutatorian Macey (Dionne) Stump.
The Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board unanimously passed a motion to change the language about marriage in the code of criminal justice from “a man and a woman” to “persons.” The language in the motion declared that marriage is a fundamental right.
