Donna Miller

.R. Brown, a senior at Turner Public School (TPS), has been selected to participate in the prestigious Big Sky LEAD Program. Brown is among the fifteen students from across Montana who were chosen. He will travel to Missoula December 4-5 to meet with Montana politicians, University of Montana professors, and nonprofit leaders to build skills for civic engagement. An acronym for Leadership, Engagement, and Development, LEAD is a program focused on empowering Montana's Future Leaders.

Although Montana Actors' Theatre (MAT), with sponsorship from Gary and Leo's IGA, opened with a production of The Sound of Music this past weekend, there are additional opportunities to see the show on December 13-14 and December 19-21. at 7:30 p.m. The curtain will also rise for matinee performances on December 14 and 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the theatre on the campus of Montana State University-Northern.

Milk River Winter Districts took place for FFA members in the area on December 10. Hosted by the Fort Benton Chapter, the event included contests in Agronomy, Mechanics, and Vet Science. Representing Chapters from Havre, CJI, Fort Benton, Dodson, Malta, Big Sandy, Turner, and Chinook, approximately 115 members competed. From the two Blaine County schools, various competitors walked away as winners, and Chinook's team captured fourth place in all three contests.

Smart technology is a term for devices and systems that can communicate and work with other technologies to perform tasks automatically or adapt to changing conditions. From smart thermostats and lighting that can optimize energy usage in homes to smart watches and medical devices with the ability to monitor and enhance personal health, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how we live.

Featuring music, a short play, a visit from Santa Claus, and a variety of cookies and confections, Turner Public School held its Christmas program on Thursday, December 19. In addition, high school and junior high students organized a white elephant-style gift exchange that also took place.

rd Annual Eastern Montana Women's Conference from January 31 through February 2 in Malta. According to MFU representatives, "this conference is about food, farming, and beyond, from connections in rural communities to the science of our farms."

In preparation for the upcoming season, Montana Actors' Theatre (MAT) will be holding its 2025 Company Auditions this Saturday, January 11 for adults and on January 13-14 for youth. Adult auditions will occur at the MSUN/MAT Theatre on Cowan Drive while those for youth will take place at Havre High School.

I own a farm in Augusta County, Virginia that has been in my family for 75 years. We’re proud of it and it’s a legacy I’d like to pass down to my children, just like my father did for me. But in today’s economy, keeping the farm isn’t easy. Costs keep rising, and each season […]

"We need policies that allow farms like ours to survive in today’s economy, even as we help meet Virginia’s energy needs," says Augusta County farmer Donna Miller.

On January 8-9, Turner Public School Senior JR Brown joined other Big Sky Leadership, Engagement, and Development (LEAD) team members for their second meeting. The group congregated in Helena, not only to watch government in action at the state capitol but to meet with elected leaders and to hear featured speakers Marc Racicot and Marc Johnson celebrate the career of Mike Mansfield.