04 February 2021

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Dustin Smith Sr.

Dustin Smith Sr.


Dustin, 'Baby,' 'Brother,' William Smith Sr., 35, died Jan. 13, 2021. He was born Jan. 10, 1985, to Eddy O. Smith Sr. and Connie Crowe-Smith in Williston N.D. He grew up and attended school in Poplar, graduating from Poplar High School in May 2003. During his high school years, he played basketball, which he greatly enjoyed, getting pointers from his personal coach, his brother, Ed. Playing basketball is where he acquired the nickname 'Baby.' Although he didn't run cross country, he could always be found at home running many miles on the dirt roads. In his boyhood years, he was quite the daredevil. One time, he climbed onto the top of the trailerhouse and dove into a snow bank at the daring of his brothers. Another time, he came into the house all excited with the 'treasure' he and a friend had found. To the horror of the moms, they each had a handful of baby hairless mice which they had to promptly go and dispose of. He attended Fort Peck Community College, where he received certificates in building trades. He eventually began work with the Fort Peck Housing Authority, where he earned many certificates in various areas of training, of which he was very proud. He married Amber Black Dog July 7, 2012. From this union, Dustin Jr. was born on Feb. 26, 2010, followed by Dillinger who was born Dec. 20, 2012. They later divorced, but remained friends. He later met Butterfly De-Marrias and, together, they had their daughter, DeShaunti Louise, on Nov. 2, 2018. He enjoyed doing various activities and fishing with all his children. He made many friends in his short life and never had a bad word for anyone. Always laid back and willing to visit, he was a mean barbecue cook, cooking outside on the wood grill even when it was raining. If his brother Eddy wanted grilled food, Dustin would be out there firing up the grill, even in the winter. Tragic events that led to his losing full use of his hands led to his depression, but he always greeted family and friends with a hug and “hi” when they showed up. He is survived by his sons, Dustin Jr. and Dillinger; his sons’ mother, Amber; daughter, DeShaunti; his daughter’s mother, Butterfly; grandmother, Louise Smith; and sister, Carrie Pribbernow. A funeral service for him and his mother was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment followed at the Smith Family Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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Reverend Enright Bighorn Sr.

Reverend Enright Bighorn Sr.


Reverend Enright Vernon Bighorn Sr. was called Home to be with the Lord on Jan. 23, 2021, following a short illness at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, N.D. He was born Nov. 5, 1950, to Jacob and Mabel (Foote) Bighorn Crowbelt in Poplar, Montana on the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Reservation. He was given the name “Wahinkpe Duta” (Red Arrow), which was passed down to be given to him by his father, Jacob. Enright attended Brockton Schools, Brockton, Mont., graduating as salutatorian in 1968. A talented basketball player for the Brockton Warriors, he was a member of the 1966 Warriors team along with his cousins that were conference, district and divisional champions and then consolation (third place) champs at the state tournament. He continued to play basketball after high school in independent basketball tournaments in the Phoenix valley and surrounding states, while on his brother Narcisse Bighorn’s independent basketball team. Following high school, he attended Cook Christian Training School in Tempe, Ariz. While there, he met the love of his life, his wife, Cyndi, who he was married to for 50 years. They were married May 8, 1970, in Tempe, Ariz. During Cook School, he did his internship in Idaho at First Presbyterian Church and First Indian Presbyterian Church on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. After graduating from Cook School, he served at Goodwill Presbyterian Church (Sisseton, S.D.) and Bdecan Presbyterian Church (Tokio, N.D.), as well as Ascension Presbyterian Church (Sisseton, S.D.) most recently. He spent most of his years as pastor at Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church (Poplar, Mont.), Makaicu Presbyterian Church (Riverside, Mont.) and Rev. Lloyd Red Eagle Memorial Presbyterian Church (Fort Kipp, Mont.) and, at times, he preached at United Dakota Presbyterian Church (Wolf Point, Mont.), Cansuska Presbyterian Church (Frazer, Mont.) and Mni-Sda Presbyterian Church (Chelsea, Mont). Enright attended the Navajo Police Academy and graduated as top cadet in 1975. He was employed with the Navajo Nation Police Department and Williston Police Department (North Dakota) in the mid-70s for a short time before he answered his calling to go into ministry full-time for 40+ years. He attended the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (Dubuque, Iowa) and then, in 1996, he was ordained as a minister for the Presbyterian Church (USA) at his home church, Rev. Lloyd Red Eagle Memorial Presbyterian Church, in Fort Kipp, Mont., serving in the Presbytery of Dakota (PCUSA). On Sept. 20, 2012, following the funeral services of Betty Ann Black Dog, Enright was honored by the Red Eagle and Good Bird families and bestowed the honor of Spiritual Chief for the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and he was presented a war bonnet. The Badland Singers made a song for him which was an honor he was so proud of. In his younger days, Enright enjoyed hunting, riding horseback, growing gardens, traveling to Arizona and New Mexico to visit relatives and farming/ranching. Every day, he liked reading the daily Bible devotions and scripture reading, visiting, reading the newspaper, telling old stories, sharing the family history, listening to all kinds of music such as, Steve Emery, old country, gospel, Selah and other Christian music, and watching John Wayne movies and other western movies, as well as Hoosiers, Rudy and The Waltons, to name a few. He was a doting grandparent and helped raise his four grandchildren, Rayanna, Chassidy, Ronnie and John, and he always wished he lived closer to his grandkids, Devin and Alexus, in Arizona. He loved to visit with his great-granddaughter, Willa Rose, whether on the phone or when she came to the house. Enright was preceded in death by his mother, Mabel Bernice Foote Bighorn; father, Jacob Maurice Bighorn Crowbelt Sr.; his sisters, Doris Ann Bighorn, Ione Bighorn and Doris Rae Bighorn Andrews; brothers, Maynard Bighorn, Narcisse Bighorn and Jacob Bighorn Jr.; his adopted brothers, Harold Buck Elk and Lionel Kinunwa; and his best friend in Sisseton, Francis “Punchie” Charging Cloud. Enright is survived by his wife, Cynthia (Martin) Bighorn (Sisseton, S.D.); his son, Enright Bighorn Jr. (Sisseton, S.D.); his daughters, Mary Bighorn (Sisseton, S.D.), Carrie Bighorn (Browns Valley, Minn.) and Jennifer (Kevin) Shorter (San Tan Valley, Ariz.); his grandchildren, Rayanna Bighorn, Chassidy Bighorn, Ronald “Ronnie” Eagle, John “JC” Bighorn, Devin Shorter, Alexus Shorter and his great-granddaughter, Willa Rose Renville; his sisters, LaVonne Looking Elk (Rapid City, S.D.), Iola Scott and Kristie (Elmer) Crowbelt DeCoteau, both from Poplar, Mont.; his brothers-in-law, Timothy Martin (Rehoboth, N.M.) and Murray Andrews (Brockton, Mont.); his sister-in-law, Deloria Bighorn (Duncan, British Columbia, Canada); his adopted sister, Eileen (Buck Elk) Buckman; his nieces, Verna (Patrick) Shilow, Alice Long Hair and Lynnette Long Hair; his adopted daughters, Joel Rae Ferguson (Poplar, Mont.), Audria Jordan (Chandler, Ariz.), Victoria (Mike) VanArsdale (Mesa, Ariz.), Stacey (John) Menz Summers (Wolf Point, Mont.) and Danelle (Matthew) Menz Olson (Fort Kipp, Mont.); and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. There are also many Hunka relatives: Charlotte Weston family, Lester and Louise Crawford family, Gene and Deborah Heminger family, the Menz family, the Red Fox family, Alta German family, the Jeanette Crawford family and many more. Sincere apologies for not being able to list everyone. Pallbearers were Dakota Johannessen, Kiyen Andrews, Darwin Longtree, Titan Pipe, Golden Walking Eagle and Myron Menz. Honorary pallbearers were Darrell Renville, Leonard Crowbelt Jr., Ernie Bighorn Jr., Ernie Joe Lambert, Sybil Doris Erickson, Darlene Left Hand, Carl Lufkins Sr. and Reverend Ken Lehman. A viewing was held Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Cahill Funeral Chapel, 516 East Cherry St., Sisseton, S.D. 57262. On Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, from 4 to 7 p.m., a public viewing will be held at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Wolf Point, Mont., immediately followed by an evening prayer service at 7 p.m. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, at the Red Eagle Memorial Presbyterian Church, Fort Kipp, Mont., followed by interment at Fort Kipp Community Cemetery. Services were officiated by Mr. Dean Bighorn, Commissioned Ruling Elder. Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, S.D., is entrusted with arrangements in collaboration with Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Wolf Point, Mont. (Paid Obituary)

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CBSA Makes Seizure Of  Record Amount Of Meth

CBSA Makes Seizure Of Record Amount Of Meth


The Canada Border Services Agency and Royal Canadian Mounted Police remain committed to protecting and supporting Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Dec. 25, while facilitating the entry of essential goods at the Coutts, Alberta, port of entry, CBSA officers referred a semi-truck hauling produce for further inspection. While examining the shipment, CBSA officers uncovered 228.14

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Piocos Appointed As  Roosevelt County Attorney

Piocos Appointed As Roosevelt County Attorney


The Roosevelt County Commissioners unanimously appointed Frank A. Piocos as the new county attorney on Monday, Feb. 1. Piocos will finish the term of Austin Knudsen, who was elected the state’s new attorney general in November. Piocos starts the new job immediately. His appointment will last under Dec. 31, 2022. The next general election is scheduled for Nov. 1, 2022, and then the elected

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Gary Antonson

Gary Antonson


Gary Eugene Antonson went to be with the Lord on Jan. 21, 2021, after a two- week battle with COVID. Gary was born Nov. 2, 1946, in Plentywood, Mont., to Art (Ding) and Wilma Antonson. His early years were spent growing up in northeast Montana. He graduated from Wolf Point (Mont.) High School. Gary served in the Montana National Guard for six years. He attended the University of Montana, graduating with a teaching degree. He married Barb Aldendice, moved back to Wolf Point and taught at Frazer High School. Wanting to work closer to home, he opened and owned a Sears outlet store in Wolf Point for many years. When Sears closed the store, he went to work for Montana Job Service. However, teaching was his true calling and he went to work for the Wolf Point School system, at first managing ISS, then teaching his passion, which was history. He also taught classes at Fort Peck Community College and taught driver’s ed for over 25 years in Wolf Point and surrounding communities. He met his dear Penny (Stephenson) in 1996 and they enjoyed 25 years together. Gary and Penny moved to Arizona in 2010 to escape the harsh Montana winters. He took up golfing and loved it! He worked as a substitute teacher for several years and at a golf course in Queen Creek, Ariz. He enjoyed golfing with his stepsons and especially with his son, Mark, at the Father’s Day golf tournament in Washington. He also enjoyed reading, finishing two to three books a week. He was always willing to help anyone who needed it. He was capable of fixing almost anything and enjoyed woodworking projects. Gary is survived by his wife, Penny; his sons, Chris (Christine) with grandsons Mason and Jordan, and Mark (Katrina); his daughter, Heather; his stepsons, Russell Stephenson and Beau Stephenson; stepdaughters, Mindy Stephenson (Todd) and Stephanie Rasmussen (Ron) with grandsons Aaron and Karsten; his brother, Allen (Jodi); and his best friend for over 60 years, Tracy Stone (Betty). He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Laura Ann. Graveside services at the Nashua, Mont., cemetery will be held in the summer of 2021 if able. (Paid Obituary)

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Judge Sees Reduced Travel  Time Due To Technology

Judge Sees Reduced Travel Time Due To Technology


District Judge David Cybulski keeps very busy presiding in courts throughout Montana’s northeastern corner, but he is glad that his courts aren’t as busy as the ones in urban locations. Gov. Greg Gianforte’s proposed budget includes adding judges in Flathead and Gallatin counties. Cybulski feels that’s a good decision. “They are so busy. They need more judges out there,” Cybulski