NNO was a good time
By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
Despite the cool temperatures and wind that actually made it chilly out, the first National Night Out (NNO) in Conrad was a good time.
The NNO is a national event put on by communities and taking place around the country from Hoboken, N.J. to San Diego and points in between.
The events go on throughout the U.S. every year, starting 26 years ago. This is the first time the event has been put on in Conrad.
The theme of “America’s Night out against Crime” afforded local, state and federal law enforcement agencies the opportunity to work with the community to raise awareness of the law enforcement mission and to try and develop the partnerships that are critical to keeping our communities safe.
Law enforcement agencies had a wide variety of informational tables set up and could talk one-on-one with community members, or have demonstrations, such as the Crash Machine from the MHP with Sgt. Bob Bender who is stationed in Shelby and the K-9 demonstration with J. Taylor (Not to be confused with Dr. J. Taylor) and his dog Diana from the Border patrol, also in Shelby.
Taylor told the I-O that Diana, a three-year-old German Shepherd, is a drug sniffer and detection dog.
She came from a training center in El Paso, Texas, by way of Germany and cost about $40,000 to train.
On a typical day, the Border Patrol may have (nationally) 2,796 apprehensions at and in between our nation’s ports of entry; make 73 criminal arrests, intercept 76 fraudulent documents, seize 7,621 pounds of drugs and close to $300,000 in undeclared currency.
“It’s all in a day’s work,” said Taylor who had been stationed in southern California before being posted at the Port of Sweet Grass.
Another neat place to visit was the crime lab trailer, kind of obscure in the corner of the park.
Their trailer had over $2 million of high tech equipment packed into it and the “lab rats” as they called themselves were more than happy to tell you all about it.
They can test for dirty bombs, DNA, bio-hazard materials and spills and a variety of other things.
There are only 50 such labs in the U.S. one in each state, so Conrad was lucky to have the lab on site.
Admittedly one night out is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence.
However, NNO does represent the kind of community spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make neighborhoods safer throughout the year.
In future years, NNO can only get better in putting out its crime prevention messages and successes.
BOWLING FOR POP Naomi Yeager, a third grader, lets a watermelon bowling ball rip across the grass to pins of Coca-Cola. This was a popular kids game at the National Night Out on Tuesday. I-O Photo by Buck Traxler
The NNO is a national event put on by communities and taking place around the country from Hoboken, N.J. to San Diego and points in between.
The events go on throughout the U.S. every year, starting 26 years ago. This is the first time the event has been put on in Conrad.
The theme of “America’s Night out against Crime” afforded local, state and federal law enforcement agencies the opportunity to work with the community to raise awareness of the law enforcement mission and to try and develop the partnerships that are critical to keeping our communities safe.
Law enforcement agencies had a wide variety of informational tables set up and could talk one-on-one with community members, or have demonstrations, such as the Crash Machine from the MHP with Sgt. Bob Bender who is stationed in Shelby and the K-9 demonstration with J. Taylor (Not to be confused with Dr. J. Taylor) and his dog Diana from the Border patrol, also in Shelby.
Taylor told the I-O that Diana, a three-year-old German Shepherd, is a drug sniffer and detection dog.
She came from a training center in El Paso, Texas, by way of Germany and cost about $40,000 to train.
On a typical day, the Border Patrol may have (nationally) 2,796 apprehensions at and in between our nation’s ports of entry; make 73 criminal arrests, intercept 76 fraudulent documents, seize 7,621 pounds of drugs and close to $300,000 in undeclared currency.
“It’s all in a day’s work,” said Taylor who had been stationed in southern California before being posted at the Port of Sweet Grass.
Another neat place to visit was the crime lab trailer, kind of obscure in the corner of the park.
Their trailer had over $2 million of high tech equipment packed into it and the “lab rats” as they called themselves were more than happy to tell you all about it.
They can test for dirty bombs, DNA, bio-hazard materials and spills and a variety of other things.
There are only 50 such labs in the U.S. one in each state, so Conrad was lucky to have the lab on site.
Admittedly one night out is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence.
However, NNO does represent the kind of community spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make neighborhoods safer throughout the year.
In future years, NNO can only get better in putting out its crime prevention messages and successes.
Hewett named wing command chief
By Major Rick Anderson, Montana Air National Guard
Chief Master Sgt. Jayne K. Hewett of Conrad has been selected to the top enlisted officer position at the 120th Fighter Wing of the Montana Air National Guard.
She is the latest addition to Wing Commander Col. Pete Hronek’s senior leadership staff.
“My first reaction when I was told that I would be selected was one of humbleness,” said Chief Hewett moments after receiving the news. “I know the great responsibility that encompasses this position.”
Chief Hewett is the senior enlisted reserve component adviser of the military personnel appropriations program at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls.
She transitioned to the Air National Guard from the active-duty Air Force in 1986. She was first assigned to the medical group at the Montana Air National Guard, where she trained as a medical technician.
“I look forward to working for and getting to know the enlisted men and women who create this powerful force among our nation’s strength,” Chief Hewett said. “I will make it my business to visit all work areas and truly engage myself in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
She said that her philosophy as a chief stands firm: the airmen of today are the chiefs of tomorrow, and that now – more than ever leaders for guidance and support, and they should be mentioned as such.
As the wing command chief, Hewett will report directly to the wing commander on enlisted personnel issues, education, enlisted promotions, mentorship, morale, family, community relations and the esprit de corps for a 900-member enlisted force.
Her military decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, among others.
She has attended Basic Military Training airman Leadership School, Physical Therapy Specialist Technical School, Medical Services Technician Course, the NCO Academy, and the Senior NCO Academy.
Chief Hewett is a member of the Air Force Association of the National Guard of Montana.
She succeeds Command Chief Larry Seibel of Great Falls, who retired in June.
Chief Hewett and her husband Mike reside in Conrad.
Chief Master Sgt. Jayne K. Hewett of Conrad has been selected to the top enlisted officer position at the 120th Fighter Wing of the Montana Air National Guard.She is the latest addition to Wing Commander Col. Pete Hronek’s senior leadership staff.
“My first reaction when I was told that I would be selected was one of humbleness,” said Chief Hewett moments after receiving the news. “I know the great responsibility that encompasses this position.”
Chief Hewett is the senior enlisted reserve component adviser of the military personnel appropriations program at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls.
She transitioned to the Air National Guard from the active-duty Air Force in 1986. She was first assigned to the medical group at the Montana Air National Guard, where she trained as a medical technician.
“I look forward to working for and getting to know the enlisted men and women who create this powerful force among our nation’s strength,” Chief Hewett said. “I will make it my business to visit all work areas and truly engage myself in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
She said that her philosophy as a chief stands firm: the airmen of today are the chiefs of tomorrow, and that now – more than ever leaders for guidance and support, and they should be mentioned as such.
As the wing command chief, Hewett will report directly to the wing commander on enlisted personnel issues, education, enlisted promotions, mentorship, morale, family, community relations and the esprit de corps for a 900-member enlisted force.
Her military decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, among others.
She has attended Basic Military Training airman Leadership School, Physical Therapy Specialist Technical School, Medical Services Technician Course, the NCO Academy, and the Senior NCO Academy.
Chief Hewett is a member of the Air Force Association of the National Guard of Montana.
She succeeds Command Chief Larry Seibel of Great Falls, who retired in June.
Chief Hewett and her husband Mike reside in Conrad.
Recycling round table on Aug. 18
Submitted by Adele Stenson
Recycling is a concept that has been around for a long time. In rural Montana, it has traditionally been a challenging concept to put into practice due to the lack of recycling opportunities in our small communities. There is an effort in this region to change that reality and make it easier to recycle and reduce the amount of waste in our landfills.
For anyone who is interested in recycling, for profit and/or as a community service, a Recycling Round Table meeting will be held on Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Utterback Middle School library in Conrad, located at 201 S. Maryland.
The purpose of the discussion is to bring in some folks with expertise in the recycling field, who can answer questions and provide guidance to area residents who are working to develop recycling opportunities in this region.
Dusti Johnson, of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, will be on hand to discuss recycling markets, potential new opportunities, and some brand new grant funding that will be available to private, non-profit and governmental recycling entities. She is heavily involved in the recycling programs throughout the state and has a great deal of knowledge to share.
Merle and Mona Shortman, of M&M Recycling in Cut Bank, will also be featured speakers at the gathering. They have been in the recycling business for only about three years, but they have learned a lot in that time, and are willing to share anything that may help others.
In addition, there will be varying levels of recycling experience within the participants, and they will be encouraged to share knowledge throughout the evening as people have the chance to ask questions and develop new concepts.
The Round Table is free and open to everyone. The Pondera County Extension Office would appreciate a phone call or email if you plan to attend, so they can gauge the number of people for which to prepare. You may call the office at (406) 271-4054, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The event is sponsored by the Pondera County Recycling Coalition.
Another project the Coalition has taken on, in cooperation with MSU Extension offices in Pondera, Toole and Glacier counties, and the Blackfeet Reservation is developing a regional recycling flyer. This 2-page publication will attempt to list all recycling opportunities in Pondera, Toole and Glacier counties. Anyone with information to submit for this flyer should contact Adele Stenson at the number or email above by Aug. 14.
The Pondera County Recycling Coalition is also proud to announce the results of the Whoop-Up Aluminum Drive.
Nearly 600 pounds of aluminum was collected. Collection sites were located in several places around the community. A 40 cubic yard container was placed at the Pondera Village Shopping Center as well as smaller dumpster size containers at the rodeo grounds and plastic barrels placed at various locations on Main Street.
At 20 cents a pound the take was 120 dollars, not bad for material that would otherwise cost to throw away in the landfill. Proceeds will be split between the 4-H club and the coalition to use as “seed” money to continue our efforts at getting a bona fide recycling program off the ground.
The coalition decided to start with aluminum since it is recognized as an easily recyclable commodity. Many other materials are recyclable, including steel (tin) cans, glass, newspaper, office paper and cardboard.
Present economic conditions have depressed prices for these commodities but it still costs to throw them away.
FAMILY OF GOATS Looking down of the edge of a rocky precipice these mountain goats appear to be pondering their next move. Photo courtesy of Joan Farnstrom Editors Note: We understand that these goats have not much to do with recycling, but the picture was just too nice to not share!
For anyone who is interested in recycling, for profit and/or as a community service, a Recycling Round Table meeting will be held on Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Utterback Middle School library in Conrad, located at 201 S. Maryland.
The purpose of the discussion is to bring in some folks with expertise in the recycling field, who can answer questions and provide guidance to area residents who are working to develop recycling opportunities in this region.
Dusti Johnson, of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, will be on hand to discuss recycling markets, potential new opportunities, and some brand new grant funding that will be available to private, non-profit and governmental recycling entities. She is heavily involved in the recycling programs throughout the state and has a great deal of knowledge to share.
Merle and Mona Shortman, of M&M Recycling in Cut Bank, will also be featured speakers at the gathering. They have been in the recycling business for only about three years, but they have learned a lot in that time, and are willing to share anything that may help others.
In addition, there will be varying levels of recycling experience within the participants, and they will be encouraged to share knowledge throughout the evening as people have the chance to ask questions and develop new concepts.
The Round Table is free and open to everyone. The Pondera County Extension Office would appreciate a phone call or email if you plan to attend, so they can gauge the number of people for which to prepare. You may call the office at (406) 271-4054, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The event is sponsored by the Pondera County Recycling Coalition.
Another project the Coalition has taken on, in cooperation with MSU Extension offices in Pondera, Toole and Glacier counties, and the Blackfeet Reservation is developing a regional recycling flyer. This 2-page publication will attempt to list all recycling opportunities in Pondera, Toole and Glacier counties. Anyone with information to submit for this flyer should contact Adele Stenson at the number or email above by Aug. 14.
The Pondera County Recycling Coalition is also proud to announce the results of the Whoop-Up Aluminum Drive.
Nearly 600 pounds of aluminum was collected. Collection sites were located in several places around the community. A 40 cubic yard container was placed at the Pondera Village Shopping Center as well as smaller dumpster size containers at the rodeo grounds and plastic barrels placed at various locations on Main Street.
At 20 cents a pound the take was 120 dollars, not bad for material that would otherwise cost to throw away in the landfill. Proceeds will be split between the 4-H club and the coalition to use as “seed” money to continue our efforts at getting a bona fide recycling program off the ground.
The coalition decided to start with aluminum since it is recognized as an easily recyclable commodity. Many other materials are recyclable, including steel (tin) cans, glass, newspaper, office paper and cardboard.
Present economic conditions have depressed prices for these commodities but it still costs to throw them away.