The Sidney Country Club began remodeling the clubhouse in January. The work included a 20-foot expansion to the west end providing additional seating and expansion to the bar, the kitchen was moved and a new pro shop was added. The new clubhouse complimented and enhanced what is thought to be the finest 18-hole golf course in eastern Montana.

The impact of the devastating Dec. 26 tsunami was felt around the globe, and had even touched home locally for friends and family of Mary Jo Brunsvold. This Sidney native, who resided in Bangkok, Thailand, was visiting Montana when the tragedy occurred. Brunsvold's husband was still in Thailand finishing up some business before joining his family. The day the tsunami hit, Lance was safe on the unaffected eastside of the mainland.

Sidney wrestlers earn third consecutive state championship in February. Unlike the previous two titles, the Eagles didn't run away with the team race because of a talented Havre club. Sidney won the championship by 19.5 points. Sidney's Louie Kuylen was selected as a recipient for a Tough Rider Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in March; the award was new to the program to help improve recruiting efforts.

People of all races and religions across the world mourned the loss of Pope John Paul II in April.

The Sidney Herald published its first Tappin' the Bakken oil section, which was and still is a very popular section.

A fire destroyed portions of the elevator complex owned by Specialty Export Products in East Fairview. The facility is the former Fairview Bean and Seed. A fire also destroyed Thirud Office Supply.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in May for USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory's quarantine research facility and greenhouses. Building of Greenway Dairy began in April. Steve and Melanie Oliver moved from Virginia to start the Dairy.

Knut Hoversten celebrated his 100th birthday.

The Sidney High School class of 2005 featured 126 graduates, and nine co-valedictorians and one salutatorian. The class was one of the highest achieving groups in the school's history during the last decade. The nine co-valedictorians had 4.0 grade-point averages.

Jacqueline Irigoin, Lambert, was crowned Miss Montana Outstanding Teen 2005 in June. Irigoin was a senior at Lambert High School in fall 2005.

2002 Sidney graduate Sophia Steinbeisser was crowned the 2005 Miss Montana. Steinbeisser was a senior at the University of Nebraska, but put her studies on hold to serve as Miss Montana.

The Senate passed CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement) by a 54-45 margin in July.

Sidney residents Nathan Roth and Sam Bieber approached the Sidney City Council to discuss the possibilities of a future skate park in the city.

The Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project held its 100th anniversary celebration in Veterans Memorial Park.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Central American Free Trade Agreement by a margin of two votes.

An obstetrics/gynecology physician, Dr. Constantine Scordalakes, started a new practice at Sidney Health Center in August.

The Sidney elementary school relocated from Central to the West Side School building.

Higher fuel prices impacted business in the county; fuel costs were about 29 percent higher than a year ago.

Hurricane Katrina, the costliest hurricane, as well as one of the five deadliest in the history of the United States, formed over the Bahamas and crossed southern Florida as a moderate Category 1 hurricane, before strengthening rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm weakened before making its second landfall as a Category 3 storm on the morning of Aug. 29 in southeast Louisiana. It caused severe destruction along the Gulf Coast from central Florida to Texas, much of it due to the storm surge.

In response to the devastation, Gov. Brian Schweitzer urged Montanans to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Locally, donations were accepted at all Edward Jones locations and County Market.

Fairview's Lyndsey Taylor and Scott Sponheim were crowned homecoming queen and king while Jacqueline Irigoin and Nathan Diede were named Lambert's queen and king in September.

The Herald published its second Tappin' the Bakken oil section in October.

Winter hit eastern Montana early when a snowstorm created havoc in the region. The National Weather Service, Glasgow, reported Sidney had between 8 and 10 inches of snow. Sioux Pass received 10 inches of snow.

Emergency medical services started recruiting individuals to join Richland County's team of true heroes. Help was needed to meet the county's need, especially in Lambert and Fairview.

In April, voters approved a $750,000 bond request to help pay for a 3,487-square foot addition and improvements to the school's science wing. The wing was finished in November. The remainder of the $1.498 million project was paid from the school district's oil and gas revenue.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer presented two checks totaling $800,000 to be used as a loan for Sustainable Systems in Culbertson. Sustainable Systems was an oilseed crush and refining plant.

The city narrowly approved plans for a water slide in December.

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