Week of June 17, 2026
Week of June 17, 2026
Sheriff Tyler Padilla served one term in Toole County and the majority agree, he did a fantastic job of serving the community, being available to the citizens and increasing the Toole County Sheriff's Office presence and participation in community events. Unfortunately, due to the Shelby School District not renewing Mrs. Padilla's teaching contract the Padilla family will be moving and Sheriff Padilla is stepping down as of June 25, 2026. The following is a Facebook post by...
The open flags are flying outside Conrad's thrift store, now operating under new ownership and a fresh new name: Thrift•A•Bit. Owners Tanya and Ken Gjullin recently shared the story behind their new venture, which has quickly been embraced by the community. "Tanya always wanted to open a thrift store," Ken said. When the opportunity arose, the couple decided to take the leap. Although semi-retired, they were ready for a new challenge. "We owned a trucking company in...
The Liberty County Council on Aging is thrilled to announce that Karen Graham has been named the 2026 Liberty County Senior of the Year - a welldeserved honor for a woman whose energy, generosity, and community spirit seem absolutely endless. Karen spent many years at the Brown Law Office, where she quickly became known as the person who could master anything. The Brown family remembers her as a lightningfast learner, a steady problemsolver, and the one who always stepped up...
By Bonnie Wiegand The American Red Cross shared the results of Shelby’s most recent blood drive on May 28 at the Shelby Civic Center. The goal of 51 donors was exceeded. There were 49 units of whole blood and 15 power red units collected. After separation into three hospital products-Red Cells, Platelets, and Plasma- this drive produced 162 livesaving products ready for distribution to hospitals after three days. These contributions boosted the blood inventory levels and are a testament to the power of teamwork. The...
Valier Community Members, Greetings from the Board Chair of Valier School District 18. I would like to take a moment to share an update on the many positive developments within our school. Our current administrator, Josh Reed, has worked very hard and demonstrated strong leadership over the past three years. When the board of trustees hired him, we charged him with addressing several key challenges, most notably, improving student academic performance. I am pleased to report that we have made significant progress in this...
A Special Board meeting was held on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Administration Conference Room. Meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. The board agenda was approved with no changes. Certified teachers provided public comment on their concerns on the recent decisions of the leadership week and math planning contracts. The following item was approved: Purchases Over $10,000. There were no personnel issues. Board went into closed session for each of the following items: Consideration and possible action on...
The following are the dispositions settled in Toole County Justice Court from May 29 - June 11, by the Honorable Judge Donna Whitt. Sumanpreet S. Natt, no/bad/inadequate load securement, pled not guilty, dismissed by court. Amarveer S. Jhalli, driver failing to use seatbelt, pled not guilty, dismissed by court. Kanwaryog Singh, unlawful use of mobile phone, pled not guilty, dismissed by court. Nathan R. Small, speeding on non-interstate, exceeding nighttime limit, 94/70, $50 fine. Jacob L. Wieles, speeding on...
The following are the dispositions settled in Shelby City Court from May 29 - June 11, by the Honorable Judge Donna Whitt. Matthew P. Clark, operating without liability insurance in effect, first offense, dismissed by court. Jared M. Anderson, speeding, 25 mph Urban District, daytime, 35/25, $20 fine. Brenton D. Busby, speeding, 25 mph Urban District, daytime, 67/35, $100 fine. Adam M. Caballero, speeding, 25 mph Urban District, daytime, 47/25, $70 fine. Robert H. Treat, disorderly conduct, guilty, two days jail, two days...
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is announcing and inviting the public to comment on a proposal that will resurface about 12 miles of US Highway 2 (US 2), between Cut Bank and Ethridge. The project begins at the east end of the Cut Bank Creek Bridge, and extends 12 miles, ending east of Ethridge. Proposed work includes sealing cracks in the pavement followed by a seal and cover (chip seal) and new pavement markings. The purpose of the project is to extend the service life of the roadway. Construction is...
Logan Health is offering a 12-week hybrid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course beginning June 20, at 9 a.m. in Conrad in the main conference room of Logan Health - Conrad. The program is a 12-week course with eight-hour classes each Saturday. The program combines online learning with hands-on, in-person training held every Saturday at Logan Health – Conrad, providing students with essential skills to respond in emergency situations. The cost per student is $341,...
Thursday, Claudia, Marian, Joan, Norm, Keith, Sharon, Annie, D'Arlene, John, Myrt, JeanAnn, Ray, Myra, Juanita and Nila joined Lisa Leck, RN / Administrator and Becki Meek, Dietary Manager in Resident Council where they can voice any concerns they may have. Ila, Myra, Ray, Georgia, JeanAnn, Myrt, D'Arlene, John, Claudia and Joan played Bingo with Jana Judisch, Activity Director. Friday, Joan, Marian, Leona, D'Arlene and Ray started their morning off with exercise with...
Analog living—using physical, non-digital things like landline phones, paper maps, film cameras, vinyl records, snail mail was my thing and still is—it has a lot of charm. But it also has a quietly hilarious side once you compare it with modern digital life. Here are some of the funny realities we experienced with analog living Getting Lost Was a Normal Weekend Activity. Using a road map used to mean: Unfolding it like a bed sheet Arguing about where you are Refolding it incorrectly forever And if you took one wrong...
Shelby Senior Center, 739 Benton Avenue, is open to the public for lunch Monday through Friday at noon. The suggested price is $6 for ages 60 and over, and under the age of 60 the price is $7. Meal tickets can be bought in advance for $60 for 10 meals, or $70, depending on age. Please phone (406-434-2992) to let us know you are joining us. We ask you to make reservations or cancellations by 9:30 a.m. We also do home deliveries for qualifying seniors. Call for more information about getting a home delivery. This week’s...
The Montana State University-Northern’s Spring semester Dean’s List contains 333 students. To be included in the Dean’s List, students must carry a minimum of 12 credits and earn a grade point average of 3.25 or better. Students that received a pass, incomplete or “F” during this semester are not included on the honor roll listing. The following list of local students is organized alphabetically by hometown: Chester: Karson J. Pulst, Trevin J. Grammar Conrad: Ashlee N. Stokes, Tabitha D. Vermulm Cut Bank: Addisyn...
Shelby Public Schools are pleased to announce the following students were named to the second semester Honor Roll. A 3.25 GPA required, *Denotes 4.0 GPA. Class of 2026 Calista Calvery*, Kamaria Celander, Bryson Deeble, Aly Gardiner, Payton Gray*, Jasmine Hodge, Rylee Offe, Emma Peterich, Morgan Porter*, Addison Richman*, Bash Rosales, Addison Stevenson, Zophia Toth*, Dannaka Waddell*, Augusta Wray. Class of 2027 Grayson Barker, Hadley Clary*, Addison Faunce, Preslee Flesch*, Allison Flores, Eleanor Heaton, Lilian Hooker,...
Last weekend was sunshine and warm weather. What a perfect recipe for the second swim meet of the season. Twenty-six Sharks traveled to Conrad to try to improve on their times from last week. After a hard day of swimming on Saturday, eighteen Sharks advanced to swim in finals on Sunday. Ethan Gobert and Beau Murray raced for their first time and came out of the pool all smiles ready to continue working on their new skills for the next meet. West Singer and Henry Lewis showed...
The Conrad Cowboys and Cowgirls completed their season at the State AA/B Track & Field Championships held recently in Missoula. A total of nine boys and two girls qualified to compete for Conrad. Overcast skies and rain delays were a routine part of the three-day competitions. Leading the way for the Cowboys was junior Ledger Martin as he was crowned “state champion” in both the 400 and 800 meter races. In the 400 meter race, he broke his own school record and set a new State B record in a personal best time of 47.65....
It was my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I woke up that morning, told myself happy birthday and then it hit me. Mom wouldn’t be making macaroni and cheese and pickled beets for my birthday dinner this year. I shed a few tears and then picked up my phone to do Wordle before I headed to the Tailgate Garage Sale. The word that day was “SMILE.” That made me smile. Then I looked at the Connection puzzle – 16 words that you have to put in groups of four by figuring out the Connection between them. One of the words that...
Of the struggles we face in this life, droughts have to be one of the most difficult. Storms are dramatic with flashes of lightening and pounding rain. They can be overwhelming, but they soon pass. The rain stops, the clouds part, and the sun shines once more. Droughts, however, linger. That warm sun, once pleasant and invigorating, now feels overbearing and oppressive. Every day brings more cloudless skies, more unrelenting heat, more fruitless effort. Our strength is drained slowly, inevitably, and we are left feeling...
Dear Dave, My wife and her siblings each inherited about $10,000 when their dad passed away. One of her siblings, who was named executor of the estate, told my wife that she plans to withhold the money from one of their siblings. She said it’s because she thinks she’s financially irresponsible. My wife and I don’t think this is the right thing to do, and we’re wondering if it’s even legal. Can you give us some answers? -Mike Dear Mike, You and your wife are correct. What her sibling is planning isn’t right. On...
“There shall be showers of blessing/ This is the promise of love;/ There shall be seasons refreshing/ Sent from the Savior above./ Showers of blessing,/ Showers of blessing we need:/ Mercy-drops rounds us are falling,/ But for the showers we plead.” In 1883, American Civil War veteran, evangelist, and hymn writer Major Daniel Webster Whittle penned the words to the above song entitled “Showers of Blessing,” and in 1980, country music artist Willie Nelson sang it for his album Family Bible. Definitions of “to...
