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Articles from the December 19, 2024 edition


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  • XCELLing No More

    Jeb Boettger, Courier Reporter|Dec 19, 2024

    Cascade Public Schools' after-school program, formerly and commonly known as the XCELL program, has officially been terminated. The decision was finalized at the regular school board meeting on December 17, following ongoing funding challenges. The XCELL program had served as a vital resource for the community for many years, offering after-school academic support, snacks, and childcare for students until 6 p.m. For several years, the program was funded through the 21st Century Community...

  • Snow Day!

    Ray Castellanos|Dec 19, 2024

    Always an extravaganza, the Cascade Elementary Christmas Program of 2024 did not disappoint! From the opening number performed by the 5th-grade band to the grand finale, which included all classes from kindergarten to 5th grade, the entire program was thoroughly entertaining. Director Jeff Skogley and the elementary and kindergarten teachers did a great job preparing the children, and you could tell how proud they were of their classes as the students performed with enthusiasm. The program was...

  • Christmas 2024

    Edward Martin|Dec 19, 2024

    Christmas is one of those times balanced between memory and expectation. For most of us, the days and weeks prior point toward that day and then, once it is passed, we look toward the new, leaving the past behind until it is resurrected next December. It is unfortunate that we pile so much expectation onto the special days. Almost invariably, the day cannot fully live up to the idealized memory. Children live in such expectation, which they learn from adults, that they are overwhelmed emotionall...

  • Government Data Collection Overreach in the Guise of Student Achievement

    Elsie Arntzen, Superintendent of Public Instruction of Montana|Dec 19, 2024

    Op-Ed: The Office of Public Instruction currently collects nearly 200 points of information for school accreditation, funding, and assessing the quality of programming and student well-being. This data, which includes student data, is protected by federal and state privacy laws and our state constitution. During the 2023 legislative session HB 949, Generally revise education laws related to data governance, by Representative Dave Bedey, was passed. This bill proposed to create “a strong and transparent education and workforce data governing b...

  • Tariffs Make Governments Bigger and Consumers Smaller

    Roger Koopman|Dec 19, 2024

    Op-Ed: Some bad ideas, despite centuries of consistently negative consequences, come back to haunt the human race over and over again. The economic warfare of “protective” tariffs is one such bad idea that belongs in the dustbin of history, yet incoming president Donald Trump has given it a veneer of patriotic polish, while trotting out all the tired pro-tariff cliches that have been proven so wrong for so long. When a bad idea appears to have eternal life, you can bet its life support is coming from two major factors: (1) widely accepted myt...

  • Christmas: A Celebration on the Intersection of Timelessness into Time

    Reverend Dr. Jose Panickomveli, Sacred Heart Catholic Church|Dec 19, 2024

    Once again, Christmas is at our doorsteps with its aura and setting. Who doesn’t appreciate it? For children, Christmas seems to be more about receiving gifts and enjoying something other than the usual. Adults may recall their favorite Christmas memories. The sacred liturgy in the church and the bright lights around may help the grown-ups recall the memories of Christmas past. Christmas, no doubt, is the greatest universal feast; it’s celebrated worldwide not only by Christians, but others as well, irrespective of religion or faith. The gra...

  • Holiday Hours for Local Businesses

    Jeb Boettger, Courier Reporter|Dec 19, 2024

    The holidays are just around the corner! Plan ahead to visit local businesses and city offices before holiday closures take effect. Here’s the updated schedule: 468 Market: Open for regular business hours on December 24, closed on December 25, and open for regular business hours on December 26. Kitson’s Clothing & Gift: Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on December 24, closed on December 25 and 26, and open for regular business hours on December 27. Trout Montana Fly Shop: Open for regular business hours on December 24, closed on December 25, and open for...

  • Search for Alicia Wood Suspended

    Jesse Slaughter, Sheriff, Cascade County|Dec 19, 2024

    December 16, 2024 - On Saturday, December 14, 2024, the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office suspended the search for 46-year-old Alicia Wood of Conrad. Wood was reported missing on November 30, 2024. The reporting party said she had last been seen on November 22, 2024. Based on a lead from the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the search for Wood at the High Plains Landfill, approximately seven miles north of Great Falls, began on December 5, 2024. The Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, along with its partners, spent nine days combing thr...

  • Mrs. Stevens' Kindergarten Class Enjoys Apple-Themed Projects

    Sharon Stevens, Cascade Public Schools|Dec 19, 2024

    Mrs. Stevens' kindergarten class explored apple-themed projects on Tuesday, engaging in activities like making sentences, reading words, painting apple trees, and working with numbers. A big thank you goes out to the parents, grandparents, and community members who lent a helping hand with each station. Their support was greatly appreciated, and the kids had a wonderful time completing the various projects. The day concluded with a special treat-apple pancakes for snacks!...

  • Paramotor Accident Kills Great Falls Man

    Jesse Slaughter, Sheriff, Cascade County|Dec 19, 2024

    On December 12th, 2024, at around 1542 hours, Deputies were sent to 245 Gerber Road for a report of a male who was killed in a paramotor accident. The male later identified as James Michael Bialczak (40 years of age) of Great Falls. (NTSB) he and the FAA would not be investigating this accident as the paramotor did not classify as an aircraft. Cause of Death: Hemorrhagic Shock Manner of Death: Accidental...

  • Ulm News: Festive Celebrations Mark the Holiday Season

    Sandy Harshaw|Dec 19, 2024

    Merry Christmas! The Ulm community is very festive, with quite a few houses beautifully decorated. The party season has begun, and I, for one, am partied out. I love this holiday, but this year snuck up on me, and I had lots of parties all in one week. The Ulm Pinochle Club had a great time last Monday at Carol's house. She always decorates so nicely and had quite a spread of sweets. Loretta even made sourdough pecan rolls on top of it. We played cards, visited, laughed, and then ate a...

  • Badgers Split at Tip-Off

    Nick Ethridge, Coach Cascade Public Schools|Dec 19, 2024

    The Cascade Tip-Off Tournament took place this past weekend. Thanks to everyone who organized and donated their time-it's a great privilege to open our season with a hometown tournament! The boys were excited to get started on Friday night as we faced a tough St. Regis squad coming off an impressive 4th place finish in last season's Western Divisional tournament. The game sure looked like a season opener as we played sloppy, but our effort was strong throughout. In the end, we made too many...

  • Can Teen Athletes Stay a Step Ahead of Torn ACLs?

    Dr. Andrew D. Pearle|Dec 19, 2024

    I can always tell when school sports are back in full swing by the steady stream of athletes who limp into my office with torn ACLs. Every year, I have to tell heartbroken players that they'll have to spend the rest of their season on the bench. Sadly, these conversations are becoming more frequent: The number of high school athletes who suffered ACL tears increased 26% between 2007 and 2022. The incidence of torn ACLs has increased with the growth of youth sports. Kids are playing at younger ages and year-round. They're training harder. Yet we...

  • Cascade's New State Champ Banner

    Jeb Boettger, Courier Reporter|Dec 19, 2024

    Cascade Public School unvelied a new state championship banner at the Fall 2024 End-Of-Season Banquet held in the North Gym on December 16. Athletes from the football, volleyball, and track teams were honored and the banner was placed among the rest of the school's state champion banners in honor of the Boys' Badgers track team winning state this year. Congratulations Badgers!...

  • Fusion Fight League Ends Year with "Season's Beatings"

    Jeb Boettger, Courier Reporter|Dec 19, 2024

    Fusion Fight League brought Great Falls their final fights of the year with the "Season's Beatings" event on Saturday, December 14. Held at the Four Seasons Arena in the Great Falls ExpoPark, fight fans were treated to an exciting card of skilled fighters, headlined by a bout between Tommy "Gun" McMillen and Genier Penagos. McMillen, fighting out of Great Falls and representing Team WolfPack, secured a lightning-fast victory, winning via submission just 1:10 into Round 1. Another standout match...

  • Wedsworth Minutes November 14

    Town of Cascade|Dec 19, 2024

    Call to Order: 5:30 p.m. Attendance: Mayor Wes Seabolt, Trustee Jason Cornelius, and Town Clerk Melanie Bissell were present. Approval of the Minutes from October 10, 2024: Trustee Jason Cornelius moved to approve. Mayor Seabolt seconded. Ayes: All. Nay: None. Motion approved. Public Comment: Public comments are encouraged during each agenda item. Discussion on Wedsworth Land: Public Works Director Joe Voss reported that the land has been winterized. Discussion on Wedsworth Hall: Pancake Supper Dates: Trustee Jason Cornelius reported that the...

  • Town Council Meeting Minutes November 14

    Town of Cascade|Dec 19, 2024

    Call to Order: 6:03 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance: Was said. Attendance: Mayor Wes Seabolt, Councilor Becca Wood, Councilor Ralph Schenider, Councilor Kristin Riley, Councilor Scott Clinger, Public Works Director Glen Howendobbler, and Town Clerk Melanie Bissell. Minutes Review and approve the following: October 10, 2024, Regular Meeting October 17, 2024, Special Meeting on Floodplain Ordinance October 22, 2024, Streets and Sidewalks Committee Meeting October 22, 2024, Water and Sewer Committee Meeting October 9, 16, 23, 30, and November 6, 2024,...

  • NOTICE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

    Town of Cascade|Dec 19, 2024

    Call to Order Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. Attendance Present: Mayor Wes Seabolt Councilor Becca Wood Councilor Ralph Schneider Councilor Kristin Riley Councilor Scott Clinger Town Clerk Melanie Bissell Agenda Items Notice for Public Comment Second Reading of the Updated Floodplain Hazard Management Ordinance Mayor Seabolt opened the discussion for public comment. Discussion: None. Motion: Councilor Wood moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Clinger seconded. Vote: Ayes: All. Nay: None. Motion Approved. Public Comment Encouraged...

  • Town Council Minutes November 18

    Town of Cascade|Dec 19, 2024

    Call to Order Meeting called to order at 6:01 p.m. Attendance Present: - Mayor Wes Seabolt - Councilor Becca Wood - Councilor Ralph Schneider - Councilor Kristin Riley - Councilor Scott Clinger - Town Clerk Melanie Bissell Agenda Items 1. Ordinance 2024-02: Floodplain Regulations - Second Reading - Discussion: Mayor and Councilors discussed the ordinance. - Motion: - Councilor Schneider moved to approve. - Councilor Clinger seconded. - Vote: Ayes: All. Nay: None. - Motion Approved. 2. FSA Elections - Mayor Seabolt asked for recommendations. -...

  • Montana Football Wrap-Up

    Karl Koontz, Belt Valley Voice|Dec 19, 2024

    Capital High in Helena has only been around for about fifty years, yet the Class AA powerhouse has amassed a total of 13 state titles on the gridiron. The most recent came last Friday night when the Bruins eclipsed the Glacier Wolfpack in the championship game at Vigilante Stadium in the Queen City. Coach Kyle Mihelish and his quarterback son relished the 34-21 home victory, their second in three years. It was close early, tied after one quarter and still a one-touchdown game at the break, but Capital opened things up in the third with a two-to...

  • The Scenery Tax

    Jim Elliot, Montana Viewpoint|Dec 19, 2024

    Remember the “scenery tax”? We used to joke that it was the tax we paid in the form of low incomes for living in a place as remote and beautiful as Montana. Well, now we are paying higher property tax because our scenery has become a marketable commodity for the people who have been buying up our state. Scenery is a real factor in the increase in home values and property taxes. But how do you value something like location? The market is a pretty good way to do that. Buyers value scenery and are willing to bid up the price of a parcel of lan...

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