VOLUME 99
ISSUE 21
TIMES
FALLON County
BAKER, MONTANA 59313
fctimes@midrivers.com 406-778-3344 $1.00
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015
Spartan State Track Contenders
Back row: (l-r) Scotti Robinson, Melissa Breitbach, Amber Durden Back row: (l-r) Brady Varner, Nic Bohle, Dallas Arnell, Luke Gonand Mariah Miller. Front: Solenn Jacobsen, Madison Reddick, Mor- sioroski and Seth Barkley. Front: Spencer Losing, Matt Packer, gan Miller, Tayler Stinnett and Lauren Wang. Austin Braun, Daniel Rost and Chase Huelle.
Morris longtime music teacher retiring By Lori Kesinger Laura Morris, music teacher at Baker Elementary Schools, plans to retire after years of introducing students to the wonders of music. Morris studied elementary education at the University of Montana at Missoula and about five years ago earned her Masters in Arts Education. She started her career in Montana then taught first grade in Rock Springs, Wyoming. There she also began teaching private piano lessons and a class for piano teachers at the community college. Morris joined the Baker staff in 1986 as a remedial teacher. She was also hired as an accompanist for junior high and high school choir and helped with an extracurricular piano program. When Mrs. Tuggle retired, Morris moved into the elementary music
position. She has been responsible for teaching kindergarten through sixth grade. Morris has also continued to give private piano lessons and been an accompanist. Reflecting on her career of 29 years, Morris said seeing many of her students excel has been very rewarding to her. She has also greatly enjoyed working with the Missoula Children’s Theatre to bring a fullproduction play together in one week for public performance. “I’m going to miss the job a lot. It’s such a creative job. You get some students who just love to do it. They show you their appreciation and give you hugs,” Morris said. “I feel like it has been such a big part of my life. I’m going to miss teaching. It’s always been something I’ve loved to do, especially the music because there is so much creativity to it.” Though the location is undecided, Morris said by summer’s end she plans to move closer to family and spend more time with her children and grandchildren. She also plans to stay involved in music.
County property taxes to increase Regional and area managers from the Department of Revenue Property Assessment division met this week with city and county officials to discuss the 2015 reappraisal process and how it will affect county property taxes. The reappraisal shows an increase in market value for Fallon County at approximately 28 percent with commercial and residential properties having the largest increase. The figure property owners need to be most aware of is the increase in taxable value which is 6 percent county-wide. Taxable value on ag
land is down 6 percent, commercial property is up 15 percent, and residential property up 23 percent. Senate Bill 157 changed the taxable rate and changed the reassessment to every two years instead of every six years. Assessment notices will be mailed out mid-June and a public meeting will be held in early July to help property owners understand their assessment notice and how it will affect their taxes. All taxpayers are encouraged to attend the meeting.
Nicole Allerdings
Fallon County Times closed
Girls State delegate
The Fallon County Times will be closed Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day. Deadline will remain the same, Tuesday at 2 p.m. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Nicole Allerdings has been selected as a delegate to attend Montana American Legion Auxiliary Treasure Girls State. The 65th session of Girls State will be held May 30 through June 5 at Carroll College in Helena. Girls State is concerned primarily with government, citizenship, and leadership. Delegates from all over Montana will be in charge of city and state government within Girls State. They will be able to work on the newspaper, participate in chorus, talent night, or participate in the mock court. Leadership and informational seminars will also be available. Through participating in Girls State, students are encouraged to gain knowledge, friendship, and a keener sense of value about the American way of life.
Memorial Day observance . . . May 25 By Lori Kesinger Though most people use the weekend before Memorial Day to mark the beginning of summer with camping and barbecues, the day is actually an American holiday observed to honor men and women who died while serving in the military.
Russell’s Clothing Baker, Montana 406-778-2427
Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. Eventually it was extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. Many people visit cemeteries and
memorials placing flowers or wreaths in honor of loved ones, even if they were not in military service. Memorial Day should not be confused with Veterans Day, which celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.
LOTS OF GREAT GIFTS FOR GRADS!
Mangold retiring after 41 year teaching career By Lori Kesinger It’s the end of an era for the science department at Plevna High School. For 40 years Wayne Mangold has led the science studies and will soon grade his last paper to end his tenure. Mangold grew up in Inverness. With a rich family history of teachers, he followed that lineage by attending Montana State University-Northern at Havre for his degree. He received his Masters from Montana State University at Bozeman in 1999. A job opportunity teaching science brought Mangold to Plevna. Years of teaching and interacting with students brought demands he met with innovation and learning himself. He attended workshops, kept up with new techniques and learned from other teachers ways to communicate to students to keep them interested. Those efforts paid off as he saw the success of his students, including several becoming nurses and doctors. Mangold was head track coach for about 35 years, and coached some basketball. He was also actively involved in Academic Olympics every year and always enjoyed the competition. “I’m going to miss the camaraderie with the teachers,” Mangold said. In retirement, Mangold is looking forward to spending time with his wife, Mary, and their children, who all have successful careers. Chasing around a granddaughter in Iowa is also at the top of the list. He doesn’t have plans to stay idle, either. A small computer business and providing technical support to Fallon County and Plevna Schools will all be considered a day’s work in the future.
Memorial Day Services Memorial Day Services will be held at the Community Union Cemetery in Plevna at 9 a.m. Monday, May 25. A service will also be held at the Bonnievale Cemetery in Baker at 11 a.m. speaker for the services will be Pastor Jim Biswell, Medicine Rocks Church.
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