30
Oct
2025
30 October 2025
Northeastern Montana Grower Wins Ag Award
As Montana State University’s annual Celebrate Ag event approaches, the MSU College of Agriculture has named Gordon Stoner, a pulse and durum wheat grower and agricultural advocate from northeastern Montana, as the recipient of the university’s highest agricultural honor. Stoner is the 2025 recipient of the college’s Outstanding Agricultural Leader award. Each year ahead of Celebrate Ag, members
Northeastern Montana Grower Wins Ag Award
As Montana State University’s annual Celebrate Ag event approaches, the MSU College of Agriculture has named Gordon Stoner, a pulse and durum wheat grower and agricultural advocate from northeastern Montana, as the recipient of the university’s highest agricultural honor. Stoner is the 2025 recipient of the college’s Outstanding Agricultural Leader award. Each year ahead of Celebrate Ag, members
Melvin Gorder
Melvin Edward Gorder, 70, of Poplar died Oct. 13, 2025, at his home.
He was born Feb. 22, 1955, to Mary Alice and Chris Gorder. He grew up in Poplar and attended Poplar Schools, graduating with the class of 1973. Soon after, he joined the Navy, which took him traveling to various places including Scotland — which he often talked about. He was proud to be a veteran.
Upon returning home after his service, he went to work at West Electronics where he was employed for many years. Melvin was currently in his 15th year working at Poplar schools. He always enjoyed visiting his coworkers and teasing with the ladies in the office. He had a very unique sense of humor, never sugar coated anything and told it just how he thought it was.
He faithfully visited his mother multiple times a week, always delivering her mail, and was there to just keep her company. Although he never had children of his own, “Uncle Mel” was a great uncle to all of his nieces and nephews.
He enjoyed visiting family and friends, drinking coffee, playing poker and riding his motorcycle. He enjoyed many rides with his friends Greg Norgaard and the late Doug Colgan.
A highlight for him was attending the Sturgis Rally seven times. Another was traveling to Las Vegas, Nev., with Pat Brunelle to play in the World Poker Series.
He loved music. He played guitar and keyboard and was always working on a song. The first band he played in was Eve’s Mission with all of his Glasgow buddies. He was currently in the band Harvest Moon. As the title of a song he was writing/working on goes, he’s only a Heart Break Away.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Alice Gorder of Poplar; brothers, Paul Gorder of Pittsburgh, Pa., Gene Gorder of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Mike Gorder of Poplar; and sister, Alice Smoker of Poplar.
He was preceded in death by infant brother, Christopher Gorder.
A memorial service was held Thursday, Oct. 23, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Inurnment followed at the Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.
Melvin Gorder
Melvin Edward Gorder, 70, of Poplar died Oct. 13, 2025, at his home.
He was born Feb. 22, 1955, to Mary Alice and Chris Gorder. He grew up in Poplar and attended Poplar Schools, graduating with the class of 1973. Soon after, he joined the Navy, which took him traveling to various places including Scotland — which he often talked about. He was proud to be a veteran.
Upon returning home after his service, he went to work at West Electronics where he was employed for many years. Melvin was currently in his 15th year working at Poplar schools. He always enjoyed visiting his coworkers and teasing with the ladies in the office. He had a very unique sense of humor, never sugar coated anything and told it just how he thought it was.
He faithfully visited his mother multiple times a week, always delivering her mail, and was there to just keep her company. Although he never had children of his own, “Uncle Mel” was a great uncle to all of his nieces and nephews.
He enjoyed visiting family and friends, drinking coffee, playing poker and riding his motorcycle. He enjoyed many rides with his friends Greg Norgaard and the late Doug Colgan.
A highlight for him was attending the Sturgis Rally seven times. Another was traveling to Las Vegas, Nev., with Pat Brunelle to play in the World Poker Series.
He loved music. He played guitar and keyboard and was always working on a song. The first band he played in was Eve’s Mission with all of his Glasgow buddies. He was currently in the band Harvest Moon. As the title of a song he was writing/working on goes, he’s only a Heart Break Away.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Alice Gorder of Poplar; brothers, Paul Gorder of Pittsburgh, Pa., Gene Gorder of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Mike Gorder of Poplar; and sister, Alice Smoker of Poplar.
He was preceded in death by infant brother, Christopher Gorder.
A memorial service was held Thursday, Oct. 23, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Inurnment followed at the Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.
Red Hawks Defeat Thunder
The Froid/Lake Red Hawks fought off the Thunder to earn a conference volleyball win on Thursday, Oct. 23. Froid/Lake defeated MonDak by a 25-21, 25-11, 23-25, 25-16 final.
The visiting Red Hawks were behind early in the first set, but a kill by Atley Jensen and two aces by Avery Johnson closed the margin to 1917.
An ace by Jordyn Breuer and two kills by Isabelle Nordwick put Froid/Lake up
Red Hawks Defeat Thunder
The Froid/Lake Red Hawks fought off the Thunder to earn a conference volleyball win on Thursday, Oct. 23. Froid/Lake defeated MonDak by a 25-21, 25-11, 23-25, 25-16 final.
The visiting Red Hawks were behind early in the first set, but a kill by Atley Jensen and two aces by Avery Johnson closed the margin to 1917.
An ace by Jordyn Breuer and two kills by Isabelle Nordwick put Froid/Lake up
Lustre News
U.S. Navy Captain Retired Neil Zerbe spoke at the annual Fall Appreciation Dinner for the LCHS Foundation on Monday, Oct. 20. He is an alumnus of the class of 1972 in LCHS.
After graduating from college in Havre and Georgia Institute of Technology as an electrical engineer, he enlisted in the Navy to become a fighter pilot. He graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School and the Defense Acquisition
Lustre News
U.S. Navy Captain Retired Neil Zerbe spoke at the annual Fall Appreciation Dinner for the LCHS Foundation on Monday, Oct. 20. He is an alumnus of the class of 1972 in LCHS.
After graduating from college in Havre and Georgia Institute of Technology as an electrical engineer, he enlisted in the Navy to become a fighter pilot. He graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School and the Defense Acquisition
Shakespeare In Schools Hits The Road Throughout State
Watching William Shakespeare’s plays come to life is a bit like walking into a dark room. The longer someone is immersed, the more everything comes into focus.
Montana Shakespeare in the Schools, a branch of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks and an outreach program of Montana State University’s College of Arts and Architecture, shares this analogy with middle and high school students before
Shakespeare In Schools Hits The Road Throughout State
Watching William Shakespeare’s plays come to life is a bit like walking into a dark room. The longer someone is immersed, the more everything comes into focus.
Montana Shakespeare in the Schools, a branch of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks and an outreach program of Montana State University’s College of Arts and Architecture, shares this analogy with middle and high school students before
Gary Stromberg
Gary John Stromberg, 73, of Reserve died Oct. 17, 2025.
He was born March 19, 1952, in Great Falls to Clifford and Carol Stromberg, the second born of six siblings. After high school, he attended college in Billings and received an associate’s degree in diesel mechanics which came in very useful during his life as a truck driver, rig worker and farmer which was his primary occupation for the past 57 years.
In 1979, he was married to Kay Norwood and they had three children: twin boys, Patrick and Andrew, and daughter, Amanda.
He saw all of the good times and bad times in farming in his tenure. Drought, grasshoppers and high interest in the ‘80s, hard winters in the late ‘90s, more damp years in the 2000s along with some very high prices, more grasshoppers later in the 2000s and terrible grain prices lately. During all of that, he managed to get through it, be almost cheerful and grow the farm.
He had many passions, especially later in life when he had more time to relax. Some of these included riding his Harley, cruising around the farm or the desert in Arizona in his side-by-side, driving his Chevelle or his convertible, spending the winter in Yuma in his motorhome or simply keeping an eye on things around the farm.
He had many traits to admire. Just a few examples are that his work ethic was second to none, he was always an advocate for not doing things half ass, he treated all machinery as if he was going to own it until the wheels fell off and was always willing to help out a neighbor. He was never scared of a practical joke.
He is survived by his three children; six grandchildren; sisters, Cindy, Gail and Tammy; and his brother, Neil.
He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Amy and Ann.
Services were Friday, Oct. 24. A graveside interment was held at the Nathanael Cemetery west of Dagmar and celebration of life followed at the Fire Hall in Medicine Lake.
Gary Stromberg
Gary John Stromberg, 73, of Reserve died Oct. 17, 2025.
He was born March 19, 1952, in Great Falls to Clifford and Carol Stromberg, the second born of six siblings. After high school, he attended college in Billings and received an associate’s degree in diesel mechanics which came in very useful during his life as a truck driver, rig worker and farmer which was his primary occupation for the past 57 years.
In 1979, he was married to Kay Norwood and they had three children: twin boys, Patrick and Andrew, and daughter, Amanda.
He saw all of the good times and bad times in farming in his tenure. Drought, grasshoppers and high interest in the ‘80s, hard winters in the late ‘90s, more damp years in the 2000s along with some very high prices, more grasshoppers later in the 2000s and terrible grain prices lately. During all of that, he managed to get through it, be almost cheerful and grow the farm.
He had many passions, especially later in life when he had more time to relax. Some of these included riding his Harley, cruising around the farm or the desert in Arizona in his side-by-side, driving his Chevelle or his convertible, spending the winter in Yuma in his motorhome or simply keeping an eye on things around the farm.
He had many traits to admire. Just a few examples are that his work ethic was second to none, he was always an advocate for not doing things half ass, he treated all machinery as if he was going to own it until the wheels fell off and was always willing to help out a neighbor. He was never scared of a practical joke.
He is survived by his three children; six grandchildren; sisters, Cindy, Gail and Tammy; and his brother, Neil.
He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Amy and Ann.
Services were Friday, Oct. 24. A graveside interment was held at the Nathanael Cemetery west of Dagmar and celebration of life followed at the Fire Hall in Medicine Lake.
FWP Needs Help In Detecting, Managing CWD
Hunters are Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ strongest asset in managing chronic wasting disease. The FWP need your help in gathering information about the disease in Montana and we need your help in managing the disease to ensure we keep its prevalence low where it’s possible.
An important way hunters can help with CWD management is by submitting samples from deer and elk. Your sample
FWP Needs Help In Detecting, Managing CWD
Hunters are Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ strongest asset in managing chronic wasting disease. The FWP need your help in gathering information about the disease in Montana and we need your help in managing the disease to ensure we keep its prevalence low where it’s possible.
An important way hunters can help with CWD management is by submitting samples from deer and elk. Your sample
Roosevelt County Jail Roster
Prisoners housed in the Roosevelt County Detention Center over the past week included: Harry Azure, 25, Wolf Point, hold for Fort Peck Tribes.
Vincent Bell, 33, Billings, hold for other agency.
Ryan Beston, 44, Frazer, hold for other agency.
Shanley Leonard Bighorn, 41, Wolf Point, hold for other agency.
Antone Birdtail, 20, Billings, hold for other agency.
Roger Bissonette III,
Roosevelt County Jail Roster
Prisoners housed in the Roosevelt County Detention Center over the past week included: Harry Azure, 25, Wolf Point, hold for Fort Peck Tribes.
Vincent Bell, 33, Billings, hold for other agency.
Ryan Beston, 44, Frazer, hold for other agency.
Shanley Leonard Bighorn, 41, Wolf Point, hold for other agency.
Antone Birdtail, 20, Billings, hold for other agency.
Roger Bissonette III,
James Crowe
James Francis Crowe, 41, of Brockton died Oct. 14, 2025.
He was born Feb. 24, 1984, to Dolly Crowe in Williston, ND. In his childhood days, he was raised by his “Kidi” great-grandmother Ruby RedBoy and his grandmother Bette Iron Ring in Brockton.
As a boy, he enjoyed being in Riverside playing with his cousin/brother Eddy O. Jr., Dustin and Darren RedBoy. They were wild and crazy boys — always with some kind of shenanigan up their sleeves.
As an adult, he moved to Spokane, Wash., and attended Spokane Community College in July 2009. In February 2010, he moved to Alabama where he made his home for 16 years until recently returning to his homeland in Montana.
He is survived by mother, Dolly Crowe; brothers, Jordan and Michael Crowe, Marcus Red Thunder, Jory DeMarrias, Donovan Jr., and Darren RedBoy and Allery Black Dog; auntie Delores Crowe; sister, Tamara and Brandon Jefferson; brother, Doug Todd; grandparents, Donovan RedBoy Sr. and Audrey Ghost Dog.
His funeral service was held Monday, Oct. 27, at the Brockton Cultural Center. Interment was at the Red Boy Family Cemetery, south of Brockton. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.
James Crowe
James Francis Crowe, 41, of Brockton died Oct. 14, 2025.
He was born Feb. 24, 1984, to Dolly Crowe in Williston, ND. In his childhood days, he was raised by his “Kidi” great-grandmother Ruby RedBoy and his grandmother Bette Iron Ring in Brockton.
As a boy, he enjoyed being in Riverside playing with his cousin/brother Eddy O. Jr., Dustin and Darren RedBoy. They were wild and crazy boys — always with some kind of shenanigan up their sleeves.
As an adult, he moved to Spokane, Wash., and attended Spokane Community College in July 2009. In February 2010, he moved to Alabama where he made his home for 16 years until recently returning to his homeland in Montana.
He is survived by mother, Dolly Crowe; brothers, Jordan and Michael Crowe, Marcus Red Thunder, Jory DeMarrias, Donovan Jr., and Darren RedBoy and Allery Black Dog; auntie Delores Crowe; sister, Tamara and Brandon Jefferson; brother, Doug Todd; grandparents, Donovan RedBoy Sr. and Audrey Ghost Dog.
His funeral service was held Monday, Oct. 27, at the Brockton Cultural Center. Interment was at the Red Boy Family Cemetery, south of Brockton. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.