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Articles from the February 1, 2023 edition


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  • How to spend a $2.5 billion surplus?

    Eric Dietrich, Montana Free Press|Feb 1, 2023

    As lawmakers negotiate Montana's next state budget this winter, the Republican-controlled Capitol has a once-in-a-generation windfall to spend - the state's $2.5 billion surplus. Naturally, opinions on what to do with the pile of cash vary. Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte has proposed a budget that would fill the state's reserve accounts, patch up health and social service programs, and put $525 million into short-term property tax rebates. Various factions within the legislative GOP have their o... Full story

  • Three Forks Schools FFA Chapter hosts District Leadership Event

    Connie Olsen, Three Forks FFA|Feb 1, 2023

    The Three Forks FFA Chapter had the monumental task of hosting this year's SW District Leadership Development Event on Friday January 20, 2023. Nearly 200 people converged on the Three Forks High School. Students compete in Sales, prepared public speaking, extemporaneous speaking, junior and senior creed speaking, conduct of meeting and parliamentary procedure. The purpose of these competitions is to challenge students to develop critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills,... Full story

  • 'Blessed' by Joan O'Brien now available

    Feb 1, 2023

    Joan O'Brien of Three Forks, who became a nun as a young woman, but ultimately left the sisterhood to get married and have a family, has completed her new book "Blessed": a riveting book that follows the author throughout her very interesting life. O'Brien writes, "What lay ahead for this young woman who had vowed her life to God? She still felt God's spirit awakening her, pushing her, breathing his life into her soul, yet what was his message now? Could she go on this way, having these feelings... Full story

  • Three Forks Speech, Drama finish third at State

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice|Feb 1, 2023

    It was a fantastic end to the season for the Three Forks Speech and Drama programs, with both finishing in third place at last weekend's State Meet. "I am proud of the student effort during the State Meet in Manhattan this past weekend," said Head Coach Johnathan Sutton. Leading the way for Three Forks were Zoe Pyfer and Taeyana Gesker, who won a state championship in Classical Theater. Cadence Brown was third in Impromptu, Lance Demaray was third in Spontaneous Interpretation, Lydia Kluin was... Full story

  • Guest Editorial: Fighting for Montana Values

    U.S. SENATOR STEVE DAINES|Feb 1, 2023

    With the holidays behind us and Congress gearing up for a new session, I look forward to continuing my mission fighting for our Montana way of life in Washington, D.C. Under President Biden and Democrat congressional leadership, Montanans are facing the highest inflation rate in three decades, driving up prices of everything from groceries to used cars. In addition, the wide-open southern border is allowing record amounts of fentanyl to devastate our communities, and the attacks on made in... Full story

  • Coaches Corner by Ellie West: Decluttering

    Feb 1, 2023

    When we think of decluttering, most think of removing junk and cleaning our closets, drawers, garages, or storage areas. The start of a new season is often the perfect time to get rid of stuff and reorganize. Or perhaps, the new year is an invitation to refocus, re-center, recharge, and continue what you have already started. Many years ago, a very dear and close friend told me that if your home is cluttered and chaotic, so is your heart. I had to ponder that for quite some time, and the more I thought about it, the more I believed it to be... Full story

  • Gallatin County Attorney Withdraws Notice of Intent to Seek Death Penalty in West Yellowstone Homicide Case

    Feb 1, 2023

    Audrey Cromwell, Gallatin County Attorney, filed a Withdrawal of Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty today in the Patricia Batts case. Batts is charged with deliberate homicide, aggravated kidnapping, criminal child endangerment and strangulation of partner or family member, all felonies, related to the death of her 12-year-old grandson, James Alex Hurley, in West Yellowstone in 2020. “After consultation with law enforcement, with the victim’s mother, and with the Attorney General Prosecution Services Bureau, we have decided the bes... Full story

  • Three Forks students named to MSU Fall Semester Honor Roll

    Feb 1, 2023

    From MSU News Service BOZEMAN - Montana State University has announced its undergraduate honor rolls for fall semester 2022. There are two MSU honor roll lists: the President's List and the Dean's List. To be eligible for the lists, students must be enrolled in at least 12 college-level credits. This honor roll list was current as of Jan. 17 and includes all registration corrections or grade changes processed to that date. Students with a 4.0 GPA for the semester were named to the President's... Full story

  • Three Forks players have strong day as Ice Dogs make statement

    Feb 1, 2023

    The 14U Ice Dogs made a big statement in Kalispell on January 28. The ladies braved the 16-degree weather and played a doubleheader at the Kalispell outdoor rink. A couple of Three Forks players had a phenomenal day. Acie Kelly and Aislynn Gifford of Three Forks had their season's best showing. Acie Kelly scored an impressive 5 goals and Aislynn Gifford also secured her first shutout with a 6-0 win over Helena. Emerson Krueger scored a beauty of an unassisted goal on a breakaway to close the... Full story

  • Wolves dominant in victory over Whitehall

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice|Feb 1, 2023

    The Three Forks High School Boys' Basketball team was dominant from start to finish in a 68-26 home conference victory on January 26 over Whitehall. The Wolves came out of the gates strong, taking an 18-4 lead at the end of the first quarter and extending the lead to 43-12 at halftime. Head Coach Terry Hauser praised how coachable this year's team is after the game. "They work so hard. They want to get better, and they want to improve. They want to be coached, and it shows," said Hauser. "They... Full story

  • Huge fourth quarter propels Three Forks to win

    Jack H. Smith, Three Forks Voice|Feb 1, 2023

    The Three Forks High School Girls' Basketball team saved the best for last in a 44-38 home win on January 26 over Whitehall. Trailing at the end of each of the first three quarters, the Wolves outscored the visiting Trojans 18-9 in the final quarter. "We figured out our defense by the fourth quarter, and that really helped us out. We got some key steals, and they just played smart defensively in the fourth, which helped us turn it around on offense. I felt a little more maturity from the team ca... Full story

  • Montana Pharmacists May Get More Power to Prescribe

    Keely Larson, KHN|Feb 1, 2023

    Mark Buck, a physician and pharmacist in Helena, Montana, said he’s been seeing more patients turn to urgent care clinics when they run out of medication. Their doctors have retired, moved away, or left the field because they burned out during the covid-19 pandemic, leaving the patients with few options to renew their prescriptions, he said. “Access is where we’re really hurting in this state,” Buck said. Senate Bill 112, sponsored by Republican Sen. Tom McGillvray, would address that need by expanding the limited authority Montana already... Full story

  • Mission Mountain Classic Wrestling Results

    Feb 1, 2023

    TEAM 1 Three Forks 116.0 2 Ronan 100.5 3 Plains 91.0 4 Saint Ignatius 85.0 5 Superior 79.0 6 Arlee 22.0 7 Powell County 0.0 7 Simms 0.0 103 Brummie Boggus (2-0) placed 1st and scored 22.0 team points. • Quarterfinal - Brummie Boggus (Three Forks) 2-0 received a bye • Semifinal - Brummie Boggus (Three Forks) 2-0 won by fall over Thomas Dillard (Ronan) 8-15 (Fall 0:18) • 1st Place Match - Brummie Boggus (Three Forks) 2-0 won by decision over Ian Dillard (Ronan) 17-10 (Dec 8-4) 103 Braden Gruber (1-1) placed 3rd and scored 12.0 team points. • Quar...

  • NBC's Dateline to revisit 2017 murder of Broadwater County Deputy Mason Moore

    Justin Franz, Montana Free Press|Feb 1, 2023

    The 2017 murder of a Broadwater County Sheriff's Office deputy will be revisited this week during a special two-hour episode of NBC's Dateline. Producers of the episode say they expect to reveal new information about the perpetrators behind the killing of Deputy Mason Moore along Highway 287 near Three Forks early on the morning of May 16, 2017. After the early morning shooting, the father and son behind it, Lloyd and Marshall Barrus, continued west. Shortly after, officers spotted the two men n... Full story