Fallon County
T IMES March 20, 2020
BAKER, MONTANA
◊
Check out our Facebook page or Website for updates.
$1.00
www.falloncountyextra.com
Governor closes all schools in Montana Local school activities postponed By Brad Mosher
bmosher@countrymedia.net
Baker and Plevna Schools will be closed until March 27, by order of Montana Gov. Steve Bullock. They will not be the only schools closed. They will join the rest of the schools in Montana after the governor issued a recent executive order in an effort to halt the spread of COVID-19 in the Treasure State. The closure will remain in effect until March 27, according to state officials. Gov. Bullock cited the fact that the World Health Organization has declared the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus as a pandemic in his declaration. The declaration March 10 also cited the fact that the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated there were over 125,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide with over 900 confirmed cases in the United States. The CDC also identified the potential public
health threat posed by COVID-19 both globally and in the United States as “high,” and has advised that person-to-person spread of COVID-19 will continue to occur globally, including within the United States, the governor stated. The first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Montana March 13. Among the suggestions for the people of Montana on how to prevent the spread of the virus are; •Stay home if you’re sick •Cover your cough, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth •Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects. •For more helpful hints please visit the MT DPHHS COVID-19 webpage Plevna lunches The Plevna School District will provide a “grab and go” lunch for any kid who would like to have one, starting Tuesday, according to a district letter. In Plevna, the students are invited come to the “playground” or “kitchen” door between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. “We will greet you with a smile and provide you with a sack lunch. In Is-
Virus shuts down Montana prep sports Staff Report
By March 18, the number of positive tests for the COVID-19 virus was eleven. It had increased from just one, tied to a resident who had contracted the virus while staying in Maryland. The sharp jump in virus statistics mean a sharp change in the state’s high school sports world, especially with winter basketball tournaments in full swing. By March 13, Montana became one of the few states allowing prep sports to continue with no rules regarding fan attendance. Thirty other states had canceled or postponed competition, including nearby North Dakota and Wyoming. That didn’t last long.
TODAY’S FORECAST High: 29 Low: 16
Mostly Sunny
Less than an hour later after the release saying the tournaments and sports would continue, the state basketball tournaments were canceled by the Montana High School Association, according to an announcement by the association’s executive director. The announcement came after four cases of the virus were confirmed in the state. The MHSA announcement read, “the Montana High School Association has no choice but to cancel the remainder of our state basketball tournaments.” The winners of the state semifinals would be considered to be co-champions, the statement added. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock made an emergency declaration Thursday, citing the need to prepare for the spread of the virus.
Files of the Times..............3 Letter to the Editor............5 Cougar Tracks....................7 Classifieds.........................9-10
may, please meet the school expedition at the front of the Joe Montana Center between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. You too will be greeted with a smile and a sack lunch,” the district announced in a letter to parents. Starting Tuesday, March 17, the District will be providing breakfast and lunch to students in both Ismay and Plevna. Breakfast at both sites will be available from 8:30 - 9 a.m. Lunch at both sites will be available from 12:30 - 1 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be available at both locations on the following dates: March 17, March 18, March 19. March 23, March 24, March 25, March 26 and March 27, the letter added. According to Plevna Superintendent Nick Schumacher, the district and school are trying to follow all the protocols to keep the students safe. “We are trying to be flexible and work within the parameters established by our board policy,” he said Friday. There are local, county and state levels involved in the emergency response, he added. “We also have a board policy regarding communicable diseases. It is not (designed specifically)
for COVID-19, but it absolutely is applicable.” The district and school will provide information regarding any changes in upcoming status, he explained. “We will communicate anything that needs communicating using the media that we normally use,” he said. “We post things on our district website. Often, we put things on the district Facebook page. We have direct email.” The district also has specific COVID-19 information on a separate website (www.plevnacougars.com), he added. “As we receive it, we put it out to our families.” According to superintendent, the district wants to reinforce the idea of cleanliness. “We want everybody to make sure that they are washing their hands well and frequently. Additionally, we hope our students and our adults will stay home when they are feeling sick or running a temperature. This is a very good time for us to re-prioritize our hand washing and personal hygiene,” Schumacher added.
Baker activities postponed The closure of schools across the state has forced Baker to postpone its planned activities. The math meet that had been scheduled for March 17 has been postponed, along with the staff blood draw and the after prom party luncheon. The end of the third quarter at the school is still March 20. The activities planned for the following week have also been postponed, including the parent-teacher conferences scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, along with a planned tennis match against Glendive and the Prom scheduled for March 28. According to a post on the
school’s Facebook page, Baker will be offering meals. “We will be offering “grab and go” breakfast and lunch for any student who would like to have one. Breakfast will be ready for pick up weekdays from 7:30 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be ready for pick up weekdays from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. “Please use the South lunchroom entrance. Staff will be excited to see you and provide you with your meal to go,” the post said. The meal plan will extend from March 17 through March 27. In addition, the school posted
that the Rec Center as well as the gymnasiums will remain closed to the public (including FOB access) during the mandated closure issued by Gov. Bullock. The Montana High School Association (MHSA) has announced that all spring activities will be indefinitely suspended until further notice. This includes practices and contests/ meet/festivals. The Executive Board will reevaluate this situation on April 13. Additional information regarding spring activities will be provided as it becomes available, the school’s Facebook post added.
For up-to-the-minute news visit falloncountyextra.com We want to hear from you: See how to contact us on Page 3
Page 4
Daily Lunch Specials Mon.- Steak Sandwich w/gems Tues.- Finger Steaks w/ fries Wed.- Chicken Strips w/ fries Thurs.- Double Cheeseburger w/fries Fri.- Fish & Chips
Vol. 104 No. 12
Try Your Luck in our Casino
©2020 Country Media Inc.
Large SeLection of tap Beer