TRG

As the school districts prepare to pose an advisory question regarding consolidation on the spring ballot, the district administrators from each district have taken the opportunity to provide an update on where the discussion stands currently. To that end, Greenwood District Administrator Joe Green and Loyal District Administrator Chris Lindner issued a letter January 3.

Tribune-Phonograph

Local police will be able to identify and track individual vehicles based on their license plates and other features after the Abbotsford City Council approved a trio of high-tech traffic surveillance cameras on Monday. The purchase of two license plate readers and a high-definition, AI-assisted camera from Flock Safety will enable the Colby-Abbotsford Police Department to spot vehicles involved in crimes and locate those that have been stolen.

The Abbotsford City Council approved a motion to use $5,000 from the CAPD’s K-9 fund for a titanium tooth implant for Hemi, the department’s police dog. Hemi broke one of his canine teeth while biting on his cage, and the implant was deemed necessary.

Stanley Republican

Emotions ran high at the Edson Town Board meeting on December 30 as residents voiced concerns over a proposed chicken barn in contract with an unnamed company on Wayne Zimmermann’s property along County Road MM. The 50x500 foot barn, which would house up to 20,000 chickens, raised questions about air and water quality, disease risks and potential impacts on property values.

It’s a brand new year, the first council meeting of 2025 held January 6. Contained in Monday night’s approved consent agenda, is a resignation letter by Stanley Fire Captain Nate Samplawski. Going on to allege “illegal actions” by Fire Chief Ron Patten and Mayor Mike Henke, Samplawski said he would not take part. Regarding allegations of “illegal actions,” Fire Chief Ron Patten said that someone had turned the department in but that state officials hadn’t found anything to substantiate the claims. The Stanley Fire Chief was due to meet with a state auditor Tuesday, January 7 to hand over additional paperwork that wasn’t collected the first time. The locks have been changed, an action he said was recommended by the people who performed the audit.