2025 Was Memorable Newsworthy Year For Roosevelt County
June
The Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board approved Val Moran on Friday, May 30, to serve as the acting director for the Fort Peck Housing Authority. Moran has been serving as the administrative assistant at the housing authority. She has worked with the housing authority for 30 years.
After attending the National Association of Counties’ conference held in South Dakota, Roosevelt County Commissioner Gordon Oelkers feels the county should add a visual crisis program that allows law enforcement to connect people in crisis with mental health officials. The system, already used in Montana by Custer County, gives individuals in crisis the chance to communicate through an iPad to obtain fast assistance.
The Wolf Point School Board decided to accept a bid of $1.495 million for a post-tensioned track by Tarkett Sports on Wednesday, June 4. The motion, which ended up being unanimously approved, was made by trustee Michael Holen and seconded by trustee Liara Braaten.
The Culbertson Women’s Club was organized in September 1924 by Kate Whitcomb and her sister Mary Franklin. They put an article in The Searchlight for all women interested in forming a women’s club to meet at the school on a certain evening. To quote Mrs. Whitcomb, “Their purpose was to form an organization of women who would work together for the good of the community.” Twenty-three women responded and they organized, adopted a constitution and by-laws, elected officers and appointed committees. The officers elected were Kate Whitcomb, president; Mary Stahl, vice president; and Jeanette Brooks, secretary/ treasurer. In May 1925, they joined the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Roosevelt County commissioners approved funds for a building at the Culbertson airport and various delivered meal programs during their meeting on Tuesday, June 10. Commissioners agreed to provide $37,500 for a snow removal equipment building for the airport in Culbertson. The winning bid for the project was $1.099 million from Corland Construction. FFA pays 95 percent of the costs for the building while the county and city split the remaining 5 percent.
Roosevelt County commissioners requested a speed study on Highway 2 after a request was made by Wolf Point Mayor Chris Dschaak. Commissioners received a letter from Dschaak that asked for a highway study for the east entry of Highway 2 coming into Wolf Point. Dschaak said he has received a few complaints regarding the speed of traffic coming into Wolf Point. Due to the speed zones, the concern pertains to the hill coming into Wolf Point.
Although many people might not even know the nationally respected West Electronics is located in Poplar, the Fort Peck Tribes’ company is celebrating its 50th year of existence this year. Rodney Miller of Fort Peck Tribes Economic Development acknowledges the longevity and achievements of West Electronics. “In economic development, we don’t celebrate our successes enough. This is a great one,” Miller said of West Electronics. “It’s basically the best kept secret in America.”
Betty Hendrickson served as grand marshal for the allschool reunion in Medicine Lake. She was a member of the class of 1951.
Roosevelt County’s elected officials will see an increase of $2,600 to their salaries for the fiscal year, after a meeting of the county’s compensation board. The increase amounts to $1 an hour or 2.3 percent for employees in deputy positions. The base salary for the clerk and recorder’s position increased from $71,237 to $73,837. Other elected officers’ salaries are based on the clerk and recorder’s salary.
July
Cities and towns in Roosevelt County experienced small population declines between 2023 and 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Wolf Point’s population decreased from 2,554 in 2023 to 2,522 in 2024, a decrease of 32 residents. Poplar also went down in population slightly from 731 in 2023 to 722 in 2024. On the eastern side of the county, Culbertson saw its population decrease from 715 in 2023 to 706 in 2024. Bainville’s population went from 265 in 2023 to 261 in 2024. Froid’s population decreased by one individual, as the town went from 186 residents in 2023 to 185 residents in 2024.
The Roosevelt County commissioners approved continuing with their contract with the Healthy is Wellness program during their meeting on Tuesday, July 8. Being part of the program is voluntarily for employees. The county and its health provider each pay half of the fees for the program. Cost for the county is about $1,100 a month.
The 102nd annual Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede on July 10-12 was a great ride, according to local officials. “I think it was overall really good,” said Jayden Diener, executive director of the Wolf Point Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. She noted that the Wild Horse Ranch Rodeo attracted a good crowd on Wednesday, July 9, and all three nights of the Wild Horse Stampede rodeo went very well.
For the 44th year, area farmers and producers headed to rural Roosevelt County for the Swank Variety Test Plot Tour on Wednesday, July 16. Lois (Swank) Weber explained that the farm features 26 varieties of wheat and 12 varieties of durum.
A cold spell during the middle of July was one of the highlights mentioned during the National Weather Service’s weather-ready briefing for the Glasgow and Billings stations. It was noted that several locations in the region set record low temperatures during July 1516. Record low temperatures were reported in Billings at 61 degrees for July 16, Miles City at 64 degrees for July 16, and Baker at 63 degrees for July 16.
August
Roosevelt County commissioners approved a request to prohibit guns on the third floor of the courthouse, which includes the district courtroom, during a meeting on Tuesday, July 29. District Judge Benjamin Fosland explained that since being elected he has been working with a court security coordinator out of Helena. That individual has been conducting surveys and making recommendations regarding courthouses in the state. Fosland said that judges can put a standing order in place to prohibit guns in a courtroom, but he wanted to work with the county commissioners.
The path to recovery may very well be on a horse for some individuals. That’s what Fort Peck Reservation officials are aiming for as they hope to assist residents in their strive for sobriety. The Fort Peck Tribes recently purchased land to be used by the Spotted Bull Resource and Recovery Center for equine-assisted services training and equine-assisted wellness training. Spotted Bull will pay the lease on the property.
The Roosevelt County Community Foundation presented three donations to area non-profit organizations. Recipients included $1,000 for the Wolf Point Pound Puppies, $1,000 for the Roosevelt Medical Center and nearly $900 for the Northeast Montana Health Services Charitable Foundation.
Being the grand champion for market steer isn’t anything new for Froid FFA member Lilly Johnson. After winning the honor in 2023, Johnson came away with the title again at this year’s Roosevelt County Fair.
Roosevelt County 4-H honored Oil Field Waste Logistics, Bob Jasper and C& B Operations during the county fair.
Angela Miller resigned as the Roosevelt County Fair manager. Officials said that she submitted her resignation on Aug. 8, the last day of the fair, and finished working until the end of that day’s activities. Roosevelt County commissioners officially accepted the resignation during their weekly meeting on Aug. 19. Miller has been manager of the Roosevelt County Fair since 2012.
September
City of Wolf Point officials are still waiting for a reply from the National Park Service whether it’s possible for the city to move forward with plans for selling the Triangle Park property. If approval is granted, Mayor Chris Dschaak said officials still aren’t sure if the selling process would require a vote of city residents.
Two new single family homes for Fort Peck Community College employees were placed near the Dollar Tree in Wolf Point. Craig Smith, president of the college, said that the total housing for college employees is now eight units, four each in Poplar and Wolf Point.
Two local Montana Highway Patrol troopers recently received Hedstrom Awards for their service. The Hedstrom award is the division’s second highest award. The honor is typically awarded to troopers who attempt to save a life using their first responder skills. The honor is given for going above and beyond the normal call of duty. Area troopers receiving the honor were T’Elle Evans and Joseph Oliver for District 5.
Without any major changes from last year’s budget figures, the Roosevelt County Commissioners adopted the 2025-2026 budget during a hearing conducted on Sept. 3. The budget features a slight increase in county wide property taxes. Those increases include $7.39 for a house valued at $100,000, $22.16 for a house valued at $300,000 and $44.30 for a house valued at $600,000.
The Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office will always remember Sgt. Michael Ellerton who died on July 1, 2025, after a four-year battle with cancer. County commissioners approved the sheriff’s office’s request to retire Ellerton’s badge, #13. Ellerton served Roosevelt County for six years and was known as the K-9 officer and drug enforcement deputy.
Roosevelt County commissioners approved the bid from Bishop Inc., for the Shotgun Creek Bridge, Bridge 1010, replacement project during their weekly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The bid from Bishop was $496,780. There were five total bids received.
One man was killed and another injured in a shooting that occurred on Blaine Street in Wolf Point at the Albertsons store’s parking lot. According to the Wolf Point Police Department, an officer responded to a reported shooting at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Sept. 28. Upon arrival, the police officer found one deceased individual and another person with a gunshot wound. The police officer provided immediate medical assistance to the injured person until emergency medical assistance arrived. The injured person was taken to Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point and later flown to Billings for additional care. Ethan Murphy, the suspect in the case, was successfully detained.
October
Discussion of a future Fort Peck Tribal School included plans and goals during a meeting in Wolf Point. The group received a three-year fellowship to design a tribal school and this fall is the start of the second year of the fellowship.
Roosevelt County Commissioner Gordon Oelkers was been elected president of the Montana Association of Counties during the organization’s 116th annual conference. Oelkers’ election places Roosevelt County at the forefront of county government leadership across Montana. MACo represents all 56 counties, providing a unified voice on statewide issues affecting local government, infrastructure, public safety and economic development.
During a tour stop in Roosevelt County, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said his office continues to work on decreasing the use of fentanyl throughout the state. Knudsen reports that there was a 2,000 percent increase in fentanyl seizures in Montana from 2019 to 2023. During the first six months of this year, the percentage is down by 80 percent.
Bainville Superintendent of Schools Darin Hannum has been selected the North East Region Superintendent of the Year. The announcement came during the fall administrators conference held in Helena.
A new Tribal Executive Board was sworn in at Fort Peck Community College’s Greet the Dawn auditorium on Monday, Oct. 27, in Poplar, along with two tribal judges and a new chairman. Former chairman Floyd Azure was re-elected by a wide margin, defeating challengers Bryce Kirk, Samson E. Boyd, John Morales and outgoing chairman Justin Gray Hawk Sr. Charles Headdress was re-elected as vice-chairman. TEB saw significant turnover, with eight new members elected including Adrian Spotted Bird Jr., Darren Long Hair, Melvin Scott III, Charles Knowlton, George W. Blount. Michael Headdress, Barry Bighorn Sr. and Vernice Chopper. Returning TEB members are Marva Chapman, Jestin Dupree, Carolyn Bighorn Brugh and Roxanne Gourneau.
Culbertson’s Anna Steppler, a freshman, earned All-State honors by taking eighth place at the Class C state cross country meet in Helena on Saturday, Oct. 25. Steppler finished with a time of 21:22.90.
November
The Fort Peck Community College recently received a grant that will continue to encourage students to pursue a career in education. A $1,570,560 grant has been awarded to the college from the Department of Education’s Indian Education Professional Development Program. The grant covers five years and provides funding for three years of teacher training to 15 students.
Law enforcement arrested an individual believed to be connection with the death of Wolf Point’s Stanley Moran Jr. on Sept. 28, 2024. Anthony Flynn was arrested in Columbia County, Ore., at about 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10. He is facing charges of murder and arson.
After serving breakfast to veterans and their families at American Legion Post #14 on Veterans Day, Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced the recipients of the 2025 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation. One of the recipients is Peter Olson of Culbertson, who served with the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1964 to 2004.
Cyan H2 announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with KBR to support the development of its Eastern Montana Fertilizer Project, a major initiative aimed at producing, annually, 650,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer from natural gas. The MOU follows Cyan H2’s establishment, on July, 31, of an off-take agreement with a publicly-traded American company for 100 percent of the plant’s fertilizer production, ensuring revenue through 2044.
December
Roosevelt County received more funds from oil revenue in the second quarter, April through May, than it did in the year’s first quarter. For the second quarter, the county received $731,922.24 compared to $657,800 in the first quarter. Roosevelt County had $4,109,220.71 in collections, and the state returned $1,878,324.52 to Roosevelt County entities. Richland County topped the state with $16,067,789.05 in collections.
Football at Bainville High School will feature a large difference next year. Thanks to local donations, the Bulldogs will now have lights on their home field, Sgt. Michael Picard Memorial Field. Superintendent of Schools Darin Hannum said, “The Booster Club worked hard to get donations to get lights for the football field.”
A huge fire, which could be viewed through many parts of Wolf Point, destroyed a grain elevator during the late morning of Dec. 10.
