S erving the R egion S ince 1907
www.bowmanextra.com NEWS, 3
PHOTOS: Rodeo returns to Bowman for strong year
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016
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OPINION, 6
MARTIN: Spread love, not hate in wake of Orlando
JAMES WINS 2016 ELECTION
After contentious race, incumbent declares victory By BRYCE MARTIN
FULL ELECTION COVERAGE | INSIDE
Pioneer Editor bmartin@countrymedia.net
It was 60 votes that handed incumbent Bowman City Commission President Lyn James another four-year term on Tuesday. The 12-year veteran of the city board defeated her fellow commissioner, Chuck Whitney, to retain her spot. Whitney, who was elected onto the city commission in 2012, lost with only 45 percent of the vote, or 298 votes. James earned 363 total votes. “I will do my very best to lead the city of Bowman into the future over the next four years,” James told The Pioneer on Wednesday. “I ran a strong, clean campaign based on merit and respect for the voters. That is what Bowman deserves.” The race for city commission president was a contentious one. Both candidates took to social media in the months leading up to the primary to attract and encourage voters but the discourse sometimes turned controversial, and supporters on either side made sure their opinions — sometimes combative in nature — were heard. Firm opinions of the candidates’ voting records and behavior were also laid out for the public in letters sent to The Pioneer.
City vote recount could be imminent Page 2
JAMES Page 2 Bowman City Commission President Lyn James speaks during a 2015 public meeting on the industrial park, a pivotal issue in her campaign. (Pioneer File Photo/Bryce Martin)
The results Page 2
EF-3 tornado ravages parts of Baker, Mont. Widespread damage, no fatalities reported By SHERRY VOGEL For The Pioneer
It had already proven to be a busy weekend for Baker, Mont. — the city was host to the 2016 Montana High School Rodeo Finals and hundreds of people had flocked to the area for the excitement. But instead of cleaning up after a rodeo, the community had to sort through the havoc of a tornado that ripped across the area Saturday evening. Baker was hit by an EF-3 tornado around 6:30 p.m. June 11, injuring seven residents and demolishing at least two houses, damaging up to 50 more homes. The National Weather Service issued tornado alerts earlier Saturday that indicated severe thunderstorms containing large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornados would be possible over portions of the central and northern high plains. Shortly before the tornado touched down, the Baker Little League was playing softball on the
WEATHER, 5
Emergency crews do their best to respond to the emergency Saturday evening. Photo Courtesy Fallon County Times. field at the south end of the Baker Lake. At the neighboring country club, 50 golfers were unwinding
Index TODAY
High: 84 Low: 60 A couple of thunderstroms
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after a golf tournament. The local fairgrounds, which is also in close proximity to where the tornado
OPINION, 6 Puzzles ...................9 Briefs .......................2 Sports ..................... 10 Community ..........4
touched down, was hosting the rodeo finals. Approximately 900 people from across the state were
SOLA: Celebrating fatherly love, for Father’s Day
seated under an outdoor, covered
TORNADO Page 12 For up-to-the-minute news: www.bowmanextra.com We want to hear from you: See how to contact us on Page 6 Vol. 111, No. 24 ©2016, Country Media Inc.