The PCN's Top Stories of 2020

Top Five on PCN Website (by views).

#1 The Tragedy of Sally Demarais-Smith

PCN Issue Date: October 14, 2020 Views: 4062

Sadly, the search for Sally Demarais Smith has ended, according to Sheriff Jesse Slaughter of the Cascade County Sheriff and Coroner's office in a news release on Sunday night, October 11th.

"Today around 2:30 p.m., Sally Jane Demarais Smith, and her 2005 Toyota Corolla were found in a storage unit located at 3033 Malmstrom Drive. Sally was found inside of her vehicle deceased. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday in Missoula."

The storage facility is located outside the city limits of Great Falls in Cascade County and not within the boundaries of Malmstrom Air Force Base. The cause of death is not yet known, and Slaughter will provide additional updates as the investigation continues.

Smith, a speech pathologist from Great Falls and a former Malta resident was last seen on September 25th. Her disappearance became the focus of a nationwide search that was backed by a Facebook community that counted over 4,500 members. Volunteers posted flyers and searched highways, parking lots, county roads, and transit stations in Montana and throughout the northwest for any sign of the beloved mother of four.

Please keep her family and friends in your hearts as they mourn her passing.

#2 Easton Corbin to headline PC Fair Concert

PCN Issue Date: May 6, 2020 Views: 2939

The Phillips County Fair Board has proudly announced that Country Music's Easton Corbin will be headlining the 2020 Phillips County Fair Concert in Dodson this summer, July 31, 2020.

With two No. 1 singles, four Top 5 singles, multiple awards, and nominations, performances on some of the biggest stages in the world, according to his bio, Corbin recently had a spot on one of the biggest tours in country music, Carrie Underwood's 2016 The Storyteller Tour, where Corbin made a lasting impression on the country music landscape. He is lauded for his traditional country sound, authentic lyrics, and mastery of understatement. American Songwriter says, "Easton Corbin has one of those rare, glorious voices that was made - just made -for singing country music." Easton is known for his signature hits including "A Little More Country Than That," "Roll With It," "Lovin' You Is Fun," and "Baby Be My Love Song" from his No. 1 debuting album About To Get Real, and his emotional "Are You With Me" was the most added song onradio the day it was released.

The PCN has learned that the Phillips County Fair Board is planning this summer's fair as it normally would and will deal with anything having to do with potential COVID-19 restrictions if that should arrive. The Fair Board also said that a full list of events for this year's fair will be made available soon on their website -phillipscountyfair.com.

#3 Burger Boys, LLP to open in Malta

PCN Issue Date: December 2, 2020 Views: 2684

Burger Boys, LLP is a small butcher shop owned by Jory Schipman, Katherine Schipman, and Matthew "Shane" Anderson, all of Malta, that focuses on providing local cattle ranchers with an outlet for their beef. They specialize in hamburger processing and custom smoked meat products.

Every business has to start somewhere, and for Burger Boys, it all started with a cold beer and a bright idea. A couple of years ago, Shane was telling Jory about an injured bull of his that was in pretty tough shape. Unsure what to do with it, he and Jory devised a plan, and decided to turn that bull into burger and fill their freezers with it.

The plan was missing only a couple of key ingredients. They needed a cooler to hang the bull in for a few days, and a meat grinder to turn it into burger. Jory contacted his good friend Joe Holt with River Bend Ice and got permission to hang the beef in his walk-in cooler. Not thinking that his wife Katherine's Kitchen Aid attachment would be sufficient enough to grind the meat, Jory decided to try and replicate an old grinder that his uncle had put together many years ago for processing wild game. Jory remembers that thing working like a champ!

#4 Confirmed COVID-19 cases hit County

PCN Issue Date: August 12, 2020 Views: 2541

After months of no positive COVID-19 virus cases in Phillips County, last week that changed when on Tuesday, August 4, the first five positive cases were reported and since then, the number has climbed to a total of 45 as of Monday morning, August 10. (Editor's Note: The total cases as of August 11 is now 52.)

The announcement was made of the first five cases by the Phillips County Health Department who have been working overtime to make sure the public is informed, surface testing is being conducted, people who have been in possible contact with people with COVID-19 have been interviewed and given instructions on how to proceed.

"The incubation period for the virus is 14 days," a Health Department press release states. "That means that someone who has been exposed to the virus is likely to get sick within 2 weeks, if at all. We hope residents of Phillips County will continue to practice good personal hygiene, and distance themselves socially to prevent the spread of the disease now that its officially here in the county."

As there are now a total of 52 cases in Phillips County, masks are mandatory in Phillips County per Montana Governor Steve Bullock's July 15 directive (children under five do not need to wear a mask at this time.) People are encouraged to stay home unless for essential trips and to maintain six feet of distance from other people. There are currently no active hospitalizations in Phillips County and none of the 45 people infected have as yet recovered.

The Montana Response website, which tracks many COVID-19 statistics in the state of Montana, only lists 28 active cases in Phillips County as of Monday and includes one person aged 0-to-9, two children ages 10-to-19, 10 adults ages 20-to-29, seven ages 30-to-39, three ages 40-to-49, three ages 50-to-59, one ages 60-to-69, and one person ages 80-to-89.

#5 16 new COVID-19 cases in Phillips County

PCN Issue Date: August 5, 2020 Views: 2541

The Phillips County Health Department announced on Thursday night another 16 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the county, pushing the total active cases to 21.

Contact tracing and interviews are currently being conducted. None of the 21 positive cases have yet to recover.

The Billings Tribune on Thursday night also reported that the TC Energy, the Canadian company working on the Keystone XL oil pipeline in Phillips County, had two workers test positive for the COVID-19 virus on July 28.

The infected workers were in quarantine and not expected to return to the worksite, where construction is expected to wrap up in the coming days, the company said. TC Energy has started work on camps in Montana and South Dakota, but it's uncertain if all the camps will be built because of the pandemic, the Gazette reported.

The Phillips County News learned this morning that Saco School's Open House that was planned for August 17 where parents would be made aware of how opening the school would proceed has been canceled. Information on the 2020-2021 school year will be mailed to parents on August 12th. Parents of Saco students are encouraged to call the school at 527-3531 with any questions or concerns.

EDITOR'S CHOICE

#1 Confirmed COVID-19 cases hit County

PCN Issue Date: August 12, 2020

As the obvious and most important story of the year, it is hard to pick one article in particular. But looking back and watching the progression and how it has affected Malta at each step along the way has been both horrible, and fascinating. From the very beginning, the disease has been bewildering, and frustrating, at times devastating, at the same time it has challenged us to find creative solutions to each twist and turn along the way.

As we spent those first months in lockdown, and the kids missed dances and graduation, businesses were shuttered, we learned all about zoom meetings and ran out of toilet paper at the same time, it all just seemed surreal. Then, Malta saw its first five confirmed cases on Tuesday, August 4. By the 11th, that number climbed to 52. It was the moment that it all became real.

"The announcement was made of the first five cases by the Phillips County Health Department who have been working overtime to make sure the public is informed, surface testing is being conducted, people who have been in possible contact with people with COVID-19 have been interviewed and given instructions on how to proceed.

"The incubation period for the virus is 14 days," a Health Department press release states. "That means that someone who has been exposed to the virus is likely to get sick within 2 weeks, if at all. We hope residents of Phillips County will continue to practice good personal hygiene, and distance themselves socially to prevent the spread of the disease now that its officially here in the county."

The article proceeds to list the closures and cancellations. "As the news of positive COVID-19 cases in Phillips County spread last week, local businesses and organizations have been modifying their hours or closing altogether.

The Tin Cup Bar and Grill have closed their doors, but the Marian Hills Golf Course is still open for play and cart rentals.

The Phillips County Library has closed until further notice, as has the main office at Malta Public High School.

"Please check back in the next few days for information about potential rescheduling of ImPACT Testing, student scheduling, and tours in case this becomes necessary," school officials announced.  

The Malta Boys and Girls Club, Malta Opportunities, Inc. (aside from the laundromat), Prairie DeSign, The Great Plains Dinosaur Museum, Family Matters, The Villa Theatre, Phillips County Museum, Spare Change, and The Lucky Bullet, are but some of the businesses that are closed as of Monday afternoon."

#2 Cruising Malta

PCN Issue Date: April 12, 2020

If one event in 2020 epitomized the resilience, giving nature, and the shared experience of being from Phillips County it was the 'Cruising Main-6ft apart-Social Distancing" event at the end of April.

The brainchild of Rhonda Dalby, the event was a major success as "hundreds of Phillips County's finest spent the better part of two hours last Friday evening driving up and down Central Avenue, flying flags from their cars, music blaring (from the new speakers atop the Villa Theatre), as many pedestrians lined the streets to watch the parade."

Local restaurants opened for the night, and the pandemic weary citizens came out in droves to cruise like it was the good old days. As "classic cars, junkers, the every-day driver, motorcycles, dune buggies, and four-wheelers all shared the streets. Montana Highway patrol Dan Ohl and Phillips County Sheriff Jerry Lytle directed traffic on Highway 2, "Not a single complaint about the event from anyone," Sheriff Lytle told us after the event."

The nostalgia and the freedom of getting out even turned into something bigger the following Friday, when Dalby challenged cruisers to "Fill the Box for the Food Bank." It was one night in 2020 that will not be forgotten anytime soon.

#3 Alan Guderjahn honored in Malta with Purple Heart

PCN Issue Date: August 26, 2020

Of course, it wasn't just the pandemic that made 2020 such a difficult year. The country also faced riots, and difficult questions and some uncomfortable realities about law enforcement, social justice, and the balance required that those that walk the dangerous "thin blue line."

In another article that speaks to resiliency, bravery, and tragedy, highlighted retired Phillips County Deputy Alan Guderjahn, who was honored with a Purple Heart after being critically injured in the line of duty in July of 2016.

Malta is proud of our law enforcement officers and first responders, and to see one of our own honored for their service was another bright moment in 2020.

Each year, members of the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association have the opportunity to nominate dedicated and deserving colleagues for awards. MSPOA recognizes officers for lifetime achievement in law enforcement, on-going contribution to the profession, agency, and community, and for specific incidents. Due to COVID-19, the annual awards banquet was canceled. In place of the annual banquet, MSPOA board members traveled the state and gave out awards at the recipients' home agency.

All of the award recipients are public officials dedicated and committed to being the professional and honorable law enforcement officers and civil servants the citizens of Montana expect.

#4 Larry Simpson honored as Grand Marshall of 2020 Saco Fun Days

PCN Issue Date: September 2, 2020

"Larry Simpson has ridden in every Saco Fun Days parade, except for one, maybe two. One year he had to "go train the Wagon Train" and there might have been a knee surgery one year but that one doesn't count. It did take two years to "train the wagon train," but the second time they came right through town with the parade before heading onto Malta, so he made both."

Full disclosure: I chose this one in part because it was my first interview as a PCN reporter, and I was so incredibly nervous. Larry and his boys made me feel instantly at ease, and despite some embarrassing glaring errors in the final copy, I learned so much that day both from the experience and from and about the man himself.

The Simpsons spent time reminiscing about Fun Days past and some of the greater adventures and wiser words of the Simpson patriarch.

"One time, a car stopped Larry as he was riding down the road and asked him if there was anywhere that a person could rent a horse. Larry simply told him to hop on his and took over driving. That was how Larry met Andy Mueller, a German who came back every year for about 20 years to learn how to cowboy. Larry even went to Germany during Oktoberfest one year. "Did anyone call ahead and warn them?" I asked. Larry just grinned and said, "Oh boy, did we have some fun."

And he's funny: "By far Larry's greatest memories are from the Big Cattle Drive of '89. He made sure he stepped into Canada before they started their 28-30 day trip to Roundup. When asked if he had to open a gate, he just looks at us like we are silly and says, "We didn't need fences back then, and I had Phyllis with me."

And he is also wise. When I asked Audie and Larry Ross what they had learned from their dad, they had plenty to say.

"Always be willing to lend a hand to the neighbors. Treat people the way you want to be treated.

It doesn't cost anything to just say, "Hi".

It ain't gonna break ya to feed someone who is hungry. It doesn't matter how much you have, it matters how much you have shared.

Get the job done and enjoy what you are doing. If you can't enjoy it, make it fun.

When I asked Larry the biggest lesson he learned from his sons, he just put his head down and grinned, "Oooh . . . boy."

Grand Marshall Larry Simpson lead the 2020 Saco Fun Days parade on horseback, surrounded by friends and family.

"We didn't think we'd need a convertible this year," says Clint. "Nope," Larry says. "I've got my own."

#5 TIE: Original Villa marquee comes down in Malta

PCN Issue Date: March 18, 2020

After nearly 65 years of anchoring the corner of South Central Avenue and South 2nd Street West, the original Villa Theatre marquee was torn down last week in Malta. Villa owner Greg Kirkwood said a portion of the old sign would be given to the local museum and a new marquee will be installed in the coming weeks. Photo by Mark Hebert.

#5B Light up the Night

PCN Issue Date: May 27, 2020

The Villa Theatre in Malta lights up Central Avenue on Thursday night, the first time the new sign was turned on since being installed over the past week. The lighting of the marquee coincided with the re-opening of the Villa following months of closure due to Covid-19 restrictions. The total cost of the new marquee was approximately $40,000. The Villa will be open this week with two features, one for children, the other for adults.