Memories for Wednesday, August 11, 2021

10 years ago-

Wednesday,

August 10, 2011

School officials try to minimize the effects of budget cuts in Malta

Despite a budget cut of approximately $120,000 required by a failed voted mill levy, students returning to school in the Malta District on August 17 shouldn’t notice much difference.

One change is that libraries at the high school/middle school and elementary school will be under the supervision of one librarian now.

A second librarian fell victim to budget cuts, as did two other non-tenured teachers.

Supt. Kris Kuehn said the district will have the same course offerings as last year, but some will have fewer sections.

“That’s driven more by enrollment than by the budget,” he said.

A total of 485 students are expected to show up for the first day of school, compared to an enrollment of 502 last year, he noted, while cautioning that enrollment numbers can change.

Dodson starting the school year with a 4-day schedule

August 23 will be a day of changes for elementary and high school students in Dodson this year.

“We are going to the four-day school week – as are many other schools in the area,” said Superintendent Dolly-Ann Wilcutt. “The first bell is at 7:55 a.m., and the students will be dismissed at 3:45 p.m.”

An estimated 65 students are expected to begin the new school year.

Showing at the Villa

Bad Teacher starring Cameron Diaz

------------------------------------

25 years ago-

Wednesday,

August 7, 1996

Local Ben Franklin ‘hindered’ by the action of a national supplier

The chapter 11 bankruptcy filed recently by Ben Franklin Retail Stores, Inc., a national firm, will hinder the operation of the Ben Franklin store in Malta, even though it is an independently-owned franchise store.

Ben Franklin Retail Stores, Inc. has announced that it will be closing 34 company-owned craft superstores as part of the bankruptcy, but hopes to reorganize as a core merchandise wholesaling business supplying franchised stores such as the one in Malta.

Swim Team second at the state competition

The swimming season came to a close last weekend for Malta Swim Team, with a strong second-place win at the State Class B Swim Meet in Fort Benton, bringing home a trophy from the State meet for the first time in several years.

Columbia Falls took first with 94 points, Malta had 84, and Choteau came in third with 77.

“I was really proud of the swimmers. They did a great job,” said team coach Laura Matthews. “It was a nice way to finish off the season.”

LeeAnn Pekovitch tied for high points with Crystal Lee of Fort Benton, with 28 points. Pekovitch broke the federation record in the Individual Medley with a time of 2:52.53. She broke another federation record in the 100-meter Butterfly with a time of 1:16.83.

Showing at the Villa Theatre

Multiplicity starring Michael Keaton and Andie MacDowell

--------------------------------------------

50 years ago-

Thursday,

August 19, 1971

Burglars Hit Valley Drug For Drugs, Cash, and Tapes

The Valley Drug Company of Malta was burglarized Saturday night or in the early hours Sunday. Hard drugs, money, stereo tapes, and other merchandise were taken.

First estimates of the loss involved were set, conservatively, at $1,000.

The burglary was discovered shortly after three o’clock Sunday afternoon when Carl Lanzendorfer, pharmacist, went to the store. He entered by the front door and walked to the rear of the store, where the pharmacy is located. He saw a pharmaceutical scale, usually on the counter, in the middle of the floor. He then noticed that a drawer, always kept locked and contains hard, or morphine-type, drugs had been completely removed. A small display case for stereo tapes was also on the floor, and the safe had been opened. Its contents were scattered on the floor of the office.

30 Day Sentence for Swiping Roast, Rifle

Warren Doney, 26, of Billings, was given a 30-day suspended sentence in the justice of the peace court after pleading guilty to stealing a rifle from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Sjostrom in the Wagner community.

The .22 caliber Winchester rifle was taken from the Sjostrom home last Thursday afternoon, along with a beef roast from the kitchen.

The incident was investigated by the Phillips County Sheriff’s office.

----------------------------------------

75 years ago-

Thursday,

August 8, 1946

The Thirty-first Annual Phillips County Fair gets underway in Dodson Saturday

Night shows will be climaxed by the Ernie Young Revue. The Follies of 1946, staged by Ernie Young, who for several years brought “best shows” to the fair.

The current Follies appears to have won wide acclaim already this year. Fairgoers are assured a performance up to the previous standard of fireworks by the same company, who will again put on an elaborate display as the windup number on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Other shows promising good entertainment are Marie’s Pets. A trained dog act which is always popular with people of all ages. For those who cannot get enough animals with the dogs, there is also a trained pony act, said to be one of the best of its kind in the business, and still more thrills will be provided by two aerialists and high wire acts.

Soap Box Derby About Ready, Says Lodge

According to present prospects, at least a dozen local “scooter” designers and builders will have entries ready for the big soap box derby to be held in Malta on Saturday afternoon, August 17.

All entrants are notified that they should see “Bun” Lodge, race supervisor, before Tuesday of next week to complete arrangements for the race.

The racecourse will be Highway 19, the “solid road” leading to Lewistown. The finish line will be near the bridge across the irrigation ditch. The race will be preceded by a parade at 11 o’clock Saturday morning, at which the best-looking job will receive a $5 special award. The grand prize for the race itself is $25, with $20 for second place, and $15 for third place.

Showing at the Palace Theatre

Tarzan and the Leopard Woman starring Johnny Weissmuller and Brenda Joyce

---------------------------------------

100 Years Ago - 1921

- Residents of Malta were somewhat disappointed, when after preparing to welcome Theodore Roosevelt’s Social Touring Club of Duluth with a band concert, speeches, and a special welcoming committee, only 12 cars and 52 people who started the trip arrived in Malta. Theodore Roosevelt was not with the party. Wolf Point had staged a fake hold-up of the auto caravan and other cities and towns had also prepared some form of entertainment for the group.

- The first load of wheat had been hauled to Malta. It weighed 62 ½ pounds to the bushel. The price of wheat was $1.04.

- A successful stampede was held at the Durston farm in the Waleston community.

- The first military funeral for a World War fatality was held in Malta when the body of Harold Clark was buried in the family plot in Malta. Clark was killed in France.

- Employees of the U.S. Reclamation service from Malta to Tampico held a picnic at the Bjornberg Bridge north of Saco.

---------------------------------

118 Years Ago – 1903

- Swift justice was handed out when “Six Shooter” Bob Walsh was tried, convicted, and lodged in the state prison for the shooting of Joshua Truax during a drinking bout. Walsh was sentenced to life imprisonment.

- “Pecos” Christin slashed Danny McVey in a fight on the north side after ‘Pecos’ had made an attempt to seal McVey’s mouth shut with flypaper. McVey had objected.

- F.F. Bossuot of Havre was building a brick residence for J.F. Murray.

- The last sheep had passed through the local shearing pens, making a total of 250 for the season. Some 50,000 had been hand sheared.