Phillips County News Top Stories of 2021

Out of all of the stories posted on the Phillips County News website in 2021, 10 of them far and away had more reads than the rest. Using the analytics from the PCN website -phillipscountynews.com - the following stories were the top 10 read stories, in order, in the last 365 days. Thank you readers and advertisers and here is to making 2022 another great news year at your award-winning community newspaper.

Some of the stories have been cut down for space. The full story can be found online at the PCN website.

#1 Raymond family update: Faith pushing family through battle with COVID

PCN Issue Date: February 27, 2021

"It is completely eye-opening to see the number of people in the ICU due to COVID," Malta's Trinity Raymond told the PCN. "I think that our community has been pretty fortunate. We have had some deaths, which is extremely heartbreaking. What I want people to realize is that it is a real thing. And it is scary. It has completely changed our lives."

Trinity's husband of 16 years, Bryan Raymond of Malta, is in intensive care and has been since before Christmas of 2020. They are currently at the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver, Colo., and the couple is hoping and praying for the healing of his lungs.

Bryan has been in Denver since Thursday, January 7. Prior to his flight to Denver, he was in the intensive care unit in Billings on December 9.

He first tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, November 30. He was flown from Malta to Billings due to lung issues.

According to Trinity, Bryan needed high flow oxygen. He was treated with convalescent plasma and Remdesiver.

December 17, Trinity received a phone call at their home in Malta stating that Bryan was having trouble breathing even with the high flow oxygen. At that point, Bryan needed to be intubated.

Trinity was told that Bryan would benefit from the use of an Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine (EMCO).

According to medlineplus.gov, ECMO is a treatment that uses a pump to circulate blood through an artificial lung back into the bloodstream of a very ill (person).

The treatment is used to help support a person who is awaiting a heart or lung transplant.

The ECMO machine helps to take carbon dioxide out of the patient's blood before placing fresh oxygenated blood back into the patient.

"It gives his lungs a chance to rest," Trinity said.

Trinity also said that during his time at the Billings Hospital, doctors had been trying to send Bryan to another state in order to better solve his needs, but at the time no beds were open. Bryan's bout with Multiple Sclerosis was a secondary reason hospitals were refusing him.

Billings Hospital currently has only eight nurses with training to run the ECMO machine.

"They weren't accepting him, which was hard," Trinity said. "It was so amazing to see the Billings staff pull together and break my fear of them not having enough staffing."

On Tuesday, January 5, Trinity had received a call from a lung transplant doctor in Denver stating that a bed had opened up for Bryan. (Continued Online)

#2 Malta Names 2021 Top Students

Smith and Meeks named Valedictorian, Salutatorian.

PCN Issue Date: May 12, 2021

Malta High School has announced that Erica Smith has been named the 2021 class valedictorian and Sidney Meeks has been named the class salutatorian.

Erica is the daughter of Earl and Shonna Smith. In her high school career, she achieved All-State in volleyball, basketball, and track. She was also in student council, National Honor Society, and pep band, all while maintaining the A-Honor Roll. Outside of school, Smith likes to spend time with family and friends, go to the lake, and play basketball. Post-high school, she plans to attend Montana Tech in Butte to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in radiologic technology.

Sydney is the daughter of Scott and Lori Meeks. In high school, she participated in student council, academic Olympics, Rough Riders 4-H club, 4-H Teen Leader, band, pep band, drumline, volleyball, basketball, track and field, National Honor Society, and class president all four years. Outside of school, Meeks likes going to the lake, fishing, and hanging out with her friends. Her post-high school plans are to attend Montana Tech in Butte to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

#3 PCH announces Riggin as new CEO

PCN Issue Date: January 6, 2021

The Board of Directors of Phillips County Hospital and Family Health Clinic are pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Andrew Riggin to serve as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Mr. Riggin most recently served as CEO of the Bennett County Hospital and Nursing Home in Martin, South Dakota, a 14 bed Critical Access Hospital, 3 ER bed, 50 bed Nursing Home, 6 medical providers, and a Rural Health Clinic.  The organization employed more than 120 FTEs and served 3,600 residents in Bennett County and the surrounding Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian Reservations.

"We are pleased to welcome Andrew to PCH and the community of Malta!" commented Terry Skones, PCH Board.  "He has previous senior leadership in frontier healthcare organizations is a good fit for our rural community hospital and clinic.  We believe he is someone who can assist the board of trustees in providing a clear vision for the future of health care in Malta and Phillips County"

Mr. Riggin has more than 7 years of executive healthcare leadership experience.  Riggin earned his bachelor's degree and master's in health administration from the University of Phoenix. He has served in administrative capacity with the Good Samaritan Society and Golden Living Center.

"I look forward to working together with the board of trustees, medical providers, and care team members at PCH," stated Riggin, "I am excited to relocate to Malta and explore opportunities to become involved in the community."

#4 He made a wish, and it was granted: An update on Saco's Chayten Pippin

PCN Issue Date: February 3, 2021

The past week has been filled with great news for Saco's Chayten Pippin, relating to his fight with cancer.

Last October, Pippin, son of Chris and Heidi Pippin od Saco, was diagnosed with DSRCT (Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors), a rare form of cancer that grows in the abdomen.

Since then, Pippin and his family have lived in Denver, Colo., fighting cancer at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, a part of Presbyterian St. Luke's.

Monday, January 25, Pippin, age 18, was able to realize a dream of his; or a wish. He was gifted parts to build a brand new gaming computer by Make-A-Wish Colorado.

"The computer I had before was prebuilt, so I never had the chance to build one," Pippin said. "I thought that it would be a fun activity to do."

His wish was granted by Wish Granter Jamie Castle with the help of The Youth Leadership Council of Colorado.

He admitted that he didn't know the specifications of the new gaming computer, but his older brother Chandler set him up with the latest in gaming technology.

"Chayten's PC has a top of the line AMD CPU, 32 gigabytes of RAM, as well as a powerful Geforce 2080 graphics card," Chandler told the PCN.

Now he can play some of his favorite games like Minecraft and Yakuza.

He made his wish early last November, but due to some of the parts being harder to access, due to COVID-19, Pippin's wish may have taken longer than others. For most wishers, COVID allowed dreams to come true faster.

"I think that meeting a celebrity would've been quicker because I think they do it over Zoom," Pippin said. (Continued Online)

#5 New Independent Family Practitioner In Malta

PCN Issue Date: July 14, 2021

Jessica Domire has come back to Malta and is putting out her shingle as an independent Family Practitioner. She is seeing patients at the Newbern Family Healthcare location.

Jessica is the daughter of Roger French and LeeAnn French of Malta and the granddaughter of Bill and Corky French of Malta, and Linda and George Ortner of Chinook, MT.

She is married to Randy Domire, who is the Farm and Feed Manager at Equity Co-op. Together they have six children, Brendan and Trenton Domire (of Nevada), Wyatt Dunbar (Chinook), plus Lela, Nathan, and Edan Domire (living at home in Malta).

Jessica was born and raised in Malta. She completed her Associates and then Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from MSU-Northern. She earned her Registered Nurses license in 2012 and her first position as an RN was at the Hi-Line Retirement Center in Malta, where she enjoyed two and a half years serving the residents there.

She then moved on to work in the Emergency Room for North Eastern MT Health Services at Poplar, MT, where she spent almost two years before starting as a traveling nurse while she worked on her Master's Degree.

While traveling, she worked in many different specialties from fast-paced, post-surgical in Reno, NV, to an ICU in Los Angeles, CA, as well as at small rural critical access hospitals in between.

"Working in LA was a completely different universe," Domire said. "I learned a lot there in the ICU."

She also returned to Poplar, Malta, and Scobey to complete clinical hours. A couple of her notable clinical preceptors were Sherry Gairrett, FNP, and Judy Lauridsen, FNP.

Gairrett said of Domire, "I have known Jessi for many years. She has always been an excellent nurse and provided exceptional care to her patients. As one of her preceptors for her clinical training as a nurse practitioner, I have seen that carry over into how she performs as an NP. She is very conscientious, knowledgeable, and respectful of her patients and has a great relationship with them. She holds herself to high standards and this shows in the quality of care she provides. She will do very well, I have no doubt." (Continued Online)

#6 Fire Breaks Out Eight Miles South of Malta

PCN Issue Date: July 28, 2021

The Malta Volunteer Fire Department received a call at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, for a field fire approximately eight miles south of Malta.

Some of the landowners affected by the fire were Esther Ruud, Scott Waters, Brent Waters, and Jamie and Jason Ulrich.

Jamie Ulrich said, "There was a small flare-up on Friday and another one on Sunday. We just really need a nice rain shower to put it out for good. We are so grateful for everyone that showed up to help put out the fire and those that came over to help move cows."

Many area fire departments, local farmers, and ranchers were on hand right away to aid in the fight.

Malta Fire Chief Josh Newman said, "A big thanks to everyone who helped locally. Numerous farmers, ranchers, and locals. Also thanks to the following who made the trip out: Glasgow Long Run, Fish and Wildlife (Bowdoin), Fort Belknap, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Big Flat Electric, Phillips County Sheriff's Office, and the Phillips County Road Crew. And to any of those that I may have missed, thank you. It takes all of us to protect what we have."

The above firefighters fought the blaze for about five hours to get it contained and had it out completely in six.

When all was said and done, the fire consumed approximately 1,340 acres.

#7 Malta Elementary School Celebrates Three Retirements and One Moving On

PCN Issue Date: June 2, 2021

There was a party in the cafeteria of the Malta Elementary School on Wednesday, May 26, at 3:15 p.m. The kids had left school for home, and the teachers started to migrate to the cafeteria to honor four of their co-workers. Some of the family members of the honorees were there as well. Punch and coffee were served with a decorated cake that read thanks for your service.

Barb Buechler, Mary Mangus, Jackie Schwartz, and Corey Clark were being honored. The first three retiring, and Mr. Clark moving on to a different school district.

Barb Buechler started teaching in Malta in 1985, straight out of college. To put that into perspective, Malta Elementary Principle Corey Clark said, "Barb, I was born in 1985." That statement got a big laugh out of the group of teachers that had assembled to celebrate.

"I have taught almost every grade, from first grade to sixth. I'm still going to be around to substitute teach," Buechler said.

Mrs. Buechler has taught a countless number of students, and some of those students' kids as well. She has seen five different principles come and go.

When asked what she was going to do during her retirement, she said, "I have two sisters that are also retired teachers. We currently have three trips planned, and more to come after that. Also, I will be a grandma for the first time in November. I am really looking forward to that part of my life."

She added that the young teachers that we have now and that are coming up are so good at using and teaching with the Chromebooks and all of the new technology.

"We are in good hands." She said.

Mary Mangus has been a cafeteria employee at the elementary school for the past 16 years. She said she started part-time and then went full-time, hired by her sister.

Mangus said, "I will miss all of the teachers and most of the kids." When asked what her plans were, she said, "I'm going to relax and do yard and garden work this summer, and then just get out and enjoy life."

Jackie Schwartz has been a custodian at the school for six years. She said, "I'm not going to miss the work, but I'll miss the teachers."

She says her post-retirement plans are, "To be a full-time grandma." (Continued Online)

#8 Knudsen Retires From Malta School Board

PCN Issue Date: May 19, 2021

A special meeting was called to order of the Malta School Board on Wednesday, May 12, at 6:30 p.m.

Board Chair Mark Knudsen called the special meeting to order and asked if there was any public input. With none, he moved on to the action items for the meeting.

The first was to canvas the election. Business Manager Jane Knudsen read the results of the election. A motion to accept the results was made, seconded, and passed unanimously by vote.

The next action item was the swearing-in of Trustees/Board Reorganization.

Carter Clausen, re-appointed, and new trustee, Scott Meneely were sworn in.

At this time, Mark Knudsen stepped down from his position on the school board and turned the meeting over to Superintendent Matt Genger.

Mark Knudsen has spent the last 15 years as a member of the Malta School Board. The remaining board members awarded him with a bronze mustang. Carter Clausen thanked Knudsen by saying, "We would like to thank you for your many years of service and your immense knowledge of how the school system works. It has been my honor and privilege to serve 9 of those 15 years on the board with you."

Sensing a lull and a little sadness in the room, Greg Skiff added, "Now get out!" Which broke the room into laughter.

Knudsen shook hands and thanked each member of the board personally. He said, "It has been an honor to serve the school for as long as I have. It's time for me to step down and let the others carry on."

#9 Robinson Recognized for Leadership and Service to Montana

PCN Issue Date: April 7, 2021

On Friday, February 12, 2021, in Washington D.C., during the first session of the 117th Congress, Senator Steve Daines recognized Lesley Robinson of Phillips County for becoming the first woman elected as the Montana Stockgrowers Association's Second Vice President.

She received the award on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at the Phillips County Courthouse.

Robinson said, "I was honored to have Senator Daines recognize me for my leadership and service to Montana and place it in the Congressional Record. I do what I do to make a difference and I truly appreciate it."

The award reads;

Mr. President, this week I have the honor of recognizing Lesley Robinson of Philips County. Lesley recently made history when she became the first woman elected as the Montana Stockgrowers Association's Second Vice President.

Lesley is not afraid to be the first in any venture. Her past experience as a leader in Montana began in 1996 when she became the second woman ever elected to serve on the board of directors for the Montana Stockgrowers. Lesley also ran for office and was elected as a Phillips County Commissioner in 2005. During her 12-year tenure as a commissioner, Lesley was a strong advocate for Phillips County and rural Montana. She also had a leadership role on the Executive Committee for the National Association of Counties. Most recently, Lesley served as former Congressman Greg Gianforte's State Director.

As a fourth-generation rancher, Lesley knows the importance of hard work. She and her husband, Jim, own a commercial cow/calf and yearling operation near Zortman, Montana. Her past leadership roles and ranching experiences have led her to be a fierce voice for agriculture and the importance it has as Montana's number one economic driver.

It is my honor to recognize Lesley for her leadership and service to Montana. I look forward to hearing about her continued success.

Steve Daines-Montana

United States Senator

(Continued Online)

#10 Fire West of Dodson Near White Bear Dam

PCN Issue Date: April 14, 2021

On Saturday, April 10, a fire broke out next to Highway 2, about five miles west of the county line in Blaine County near White Bear Dam. The BIA(Bureau of Indian Affairs) and Fort Belknap Fire Departments were there on the scene and the Malta Fire Department was called out for support just in case the wind got things out of control. According to Malta FD Chief Josh Newman, there wasn't much damage done. It got to the top of a little hill and they had it under control. The ignition of the fire could not be determined.

Newman said "It could have been a cigarette butt, chains, or some other kind of metal scraping the road, sending off sparks."

A good reminder to extinguish all cigarette butts and check our vehicles over to make sure nothing is dragging.