On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the Trump administration approved a right-of-way allowing the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline to be built, pushing the controversial $8 billion project closer to construction. Court challenges still loom. The approval covers about 45 miles of the line’s route across land in Montana controlled by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said

The Roosevelt County Commissioners held their regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 28. Minutes for the Jan. 21 meeting were approved, as were minutes for a special administrative meeting to discuss a new diesel engine for the weed district Jan. 22. The commissioners approved changes to the county’s credit card purchases policy. Employees will no longer be able to shop on Amazon with county resources.

Congressman Greg Gianforte recognized Elizabeth Rink and Monica Skewes of Bozeman and Adriann Ricker of Poplar with the Spirit of Montana commendation for their dedication to and pursuit of finding solutions to public health issues confronting Montana. Rink, Skewes, and Ricker, an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, have spent years working with members and leaders

Longtime local banking institution Western Bank of Wolf Point has officially transitioned to Opportunity Bank. The old Western Bank signage was replaced with a new Opportunity Bank sign in mid-January. According to vice president, IT officer and board secretary Cathy Wanderaas, the bank’s transition was official as of the first of the year. “The change was official on Jan. 1,” said Wanderaas.