Richland County commissioners agreed in January to contribute $300,000 to the Fairview pool project.

The Yellowstone Mercantile, one of Sidney's oldest business establishments, announced it was up for sale. Shortly there after, the Homestead, another solid Sidney business specializing in women's apparel, books and health products, also gave word of it going out of business.

Fairview's Warriors won the District 2-C boys basketball tournament in February at Sidney High School. AnnDee Taylor, Fairview, became a new member of the Richland County Fair Board.

The Montana Ambassadors named Blue Rock the Business of the Year.

Yellowstone Mercantile was sold to Western Asset Management in March.

Kyle Welnel, a 2005 Sidney High School graduate, was living his dream when he joined The Sammus Theory, a hard rock band originating in Phoenix, Ariz.

Richland County enjoyed a light increase in population from 2005 to 2006, according to figures released in April by the Census and Economic Information Center of the Montana Department of Commerce. Richland County's population went from 9,163 in July 2005, to 9,295 in July 2006, a 1.4 percent increase.

The end of May brought the demolition of the old damaged gym floor and the bleachers in the Sidney High School gym.

Matt Strozewski, the Sidney area game warden, was selected as the 2007 Warden Excellence Award recipient. This prestigious honor was bestowed to one warden in Montana by a vote of his and her peers.

An open house for Sidney's swimming pool and new water slide facility was held June 2. People enjoyed the pool and slide free of charge for the day.

The old Fairview News' sign was moved to the University of Montana's journalism department in honor of Kevin Boehler's father, Virgil Boehler. Virgil Boehler was a publisher at the Sidney Herald in the 70s and 80s. Moving the sign was a way for the younger Boehler to memorialize his father.

A bridge, constructed in 1908 was moved from its longtime location near Crane to the canal next to the fairgrounds east of the exhibit and agriculture buildings to provide access from an overflow parking lot.

Approximately 1,000 acres were damaged from hail and strong winds throughout Richland County.

The town of Lambert has transformed in the last few year. New houses, office buildings, updated homes and a renewed water system have brighten up the small town. The improvements were designed to attract people to town.

Quilling's Market, a small local grocery store on Third St. S.E., was torn down in July. On May 21, the store closed after 83 years of service, originally opening in 1924.

Sidney's Amanda Van-Every was one of 10 winners of a scholarship from the Northern International Livestock Exposition in August. Each scholarship was $500.

Ruth Pontiero, Fairview, was awarded a $1,000 Robert and Louise Tendeland Betzner Scholarship from the University of Montana.

Laura Schieber, executive director for the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, announced her resignation from the position. Schieber served as executive director for nearly two years.

The Department of Revenue awarded a beer/wine consumption licenses to Montana Lil's Casino of Sidney.

The Big Muddy River Drug Task Force conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of 11 individuals from eastern Montana and western North Dakota, the seizure of several thousand dollars in cash and eight vehicles.

A severe fire took place at Bostana Dairy near Crane that destroyed many of the dairy's essential buildings. The milking parlor, compressor room, sickbay and veterinarian building were destroyed. Numerous workers' vehicles were also destroyed.

Wade VanEvery was selected as the new executive director for the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture in September. He took over the duties Oct.15.

The multi-use facility and weight room was completed at Sidney High School. The complex, located behind the high school gym, includes an estimated 7,400 square foot multi-purpose room and 3,500 square foot weight/training area.

Eunice Lathrop received the Presidential Lifetime Service Award during a ceremony at the MonDak Heritage Center in October. She received the award for contributing more than 4,000 hours to volunteer service in Richland County.

Rick Norby defeated incumbent Wayne Swigart in the city council race for Ward III in November. Norby received 368 votes compared to Swigart's 210. Swigart completed his 24th year on the Sidney City Council.

In order to provide better security for students and staff, a video surveillance system was installed on the exterior of Sidney High School. The system, consisting of 16 cameras, covers all entrances to Sidney High School as well as the school's parking lots.

After 30 and half years with the Sidney Police Department, Lloyd Dopp retired his position as an officer to become the adult probation and parole officer for Richland, Sheridan and eastern Roosevelt counties.

Footnote: Information provided by the MonDak Heritage Center's archives. Previous years can be found on the Herald Web site www.sidneyherald.com/herald_facts