Happy News Year!

Of the over 1,100 stories posted on the Phillips County News website in 2016, 10 of them far and away had more reads than the rest. Using the analytics from the website, these were the top 10 read stories, in order, in the last 365 days. Thank you readers and advertisers, here is to making 2017 a great news year.

Deputy back home

after stabbing

Phillips County Sheriff’s Deputy Alan Guderjahn returns home to Malta after being in a Great Falls hospital for five days in July. Deputy Guderjahn was stabbed several times by a former Malta resident on Highway 191. Deputy Guderjahn lost much blood following the incident and if not for the timely help of two good Samaritans and the prompt actions of both the sheriff’s office and the Phillips County Hospital’s staff, the deputy would have likely lost his life.

Malta’s Knudsen seeks HD 33 Seat

In May, Malta's Casey Knudsen annouced he would be running for Montana's 33rd House District to replace Mike Lang. Knudsen would go on to win the republican primary in June and then win the seat in November's general election.

Carnegie Library to become B&B

In April, Kim Hudson and Rachel Liff, originally from southwest Montana, announced they had purchased the historic Carnegie Library and had plans of moving to Malta and turning the building into a bed and breakfast. As of December, the duo's plans are still on track.

Enjoying retirement at the Hi-Line

In October, following the departure of a firm in charge of the Hi-Line Retirement Center in Malta, several of the center's residents met with the PCN to talk about the positive changes that had already occurred under the leadership of Duane Murray and his new staff (though most admitted broccoli still wasn't there favorite vegetable.)

Play us a song

Malta School's Choir Director Larry Swingen was named the 2014-15 National Federation of High School Association's Outstanding Music Educator at the Montana High School Association's Annual Meeting held in Helena.

"It's a great honor," Swingen told the PCN. "There is such a list of amazing teachers through the years who have received it, so it is a great honor."

Dodson’s Terri Cole earns 'Cape & Tiara'

Unbeknownst to her, Dodson's Terri Cole was nominated by her children for the Cape and Tiara Award at 35th Annual Montana Women's Run in Billings

Cole found out about the nomination the night before the run, at the event's kick-off dinner, when she named the Cape and Tiara Award runner-up.

"I started crying, because, you know, that's me," she said. "I can cry at a Kodak commercial on TV."

Customer appreciation at Westside

To help thank their loyal customers, Malta's Westside Self Service held a summer blowout with free food, live entertainment and a street dance.

The day of the event, the last week in August, nearly 500 people showed up for the event and Trial by Fire played throug out the night. At one point, about 90 minutes into the feed, food ran out and the staff at Westside Self Service started cooking corndogs, pizza and other food from inside the store's deli to help feed the masses.

"Would you look at these people," Tom Golik, longtime Westside employee said. "What a great turnout."

Hi-Line Has-Beens looking to defeat Harlem Ambassadors

When it was announced that the Harlem Ambassadors basketball team was coming to Malta last April, a rag-tag group of locals was assembled to offer the undefeated visitors (boasting a record of 3,000-0) a challenge.

Coached by Tony Boos and Greg Kielb, the locals liked their chances of beating the unbeatable," said Coach Kielb.

We can win by the eight points that Jake (Stuart) is predicting as long as Jake remembers he doesn't have to shoot...at all."

The Has Beens put on quite a show as they not only refused to get blown out, they lost by a respectable amount as Harlem won 92-89.

Skatepark for Malta

The Malta City Council was forced to make a quick decision; approve the building of a local skatepark or lose the money donated by rocker Jeff Ament to another town. Two months later, the park was built (see next story.)

Large Crowd welcomes Ament

Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament came to town to see what his $100,000 donation for a skatepark in Malta had built.

Over 200 people showed up in late June for the grand opening of the Malta Skatepark and enjoyed food, music and said 'thank you' to Ament for making the dream a reality.

"The turn-out is incredible," said Ament. “I am just amazed with what's been done in the area around (the skatepark) with the concrete and the sod, picnic tables and everything here. This is really nice."