The 2002 Chamber president was introduced in January. Jim Steinbeisser, a third generation rancher of Sidney succeeded Brad Franklin of 1st Bank as president of the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture for 2002.

Area families deal with loved ones deployed to the Middle East.

After several years of dealing with Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad the Friends of the Fairview Railroad Bridge and Tunnel finalized a multi-million dollar deal. BNSF turned over the historic lift bridge to a not-for-profit corporation. BNSF provided an endowment to help pay for initial improvement, insurance and maintenance. The FFRBT formed because of fears that the bridge and tunnel would be dismantled. The end of an era came to a close when Sidney Mayor Harold Mercer stepped down from the position and newly elected mayor Brett Smelser took the oath of office.

Six local National guardsmen traveled to Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics in February. The Montana National Guard deployed 100 soldiers to support security operations at the games.

The Sidney school system asked the town to support a $6.9 million bond issue for building improvements for the high school.

The Sidney Police Department, in cooperation with other agencies, uncovered a methamphetamine laboratory in Sidney. It was the first time a meth lab was discovered in the city.

Sidney attorney Donald L. Netzer announced his candidacy for District Judge in the Seventh Judicial District in March.

Promoter Al Franzen and the Richland Youth Hockey Association signed a three-year contract to hold the Bulls-R-Us at the RYH facility.

Sidney attorney Katherine Irigoin announced her candidacy for District Judge. Irigoin faced Judge Richard Phillips and Donald Netzer in the primary election.

The Richland County Tavern Association brought the head-banging Quiet Riot and rock/heavy blues group Zwarte to the Richland County Youth Hockey facility for a concert in April. It was the first concert held there.

Mayor Bret Smelser announced that the National Arbor Day Foundation selected Sidney as a 2001 Tree City USA.

Lambert's Loren Drivdahl was recognized as the Advisor of the Year at the Montana USA V.I.C.A contest held in Havre.

Sidney Education Association named Tamara Linder, Michelle Monsen, Sandy Vetter and Mark Tollefrson the teacher of the year at the SEA dinner and banquet held in May.

Montana State University School of Architecture students returned to Sidney and presented project proposals for downtown renovations and renewal. The students suggested that the area in front of the mall be developed into an open dining area, additional retail space, street furniture banners, lighting and colorful paving could celebrate the concept of a plaza.

A new fair office and restrooms started construction between the commercial building and the Sidney baseball food stand.

Hearing Examiner Howard Heffelfinger recommended to the Department of Revenue that the Regal Eagle be allowed to purchase a liquor license from the Moose Lodge.

Major General John E. Prendergast, Montana National Guard, presented the Sidney Herald-Leader with the honorable Montana National Guard Minutemen Award in recognition and appreciation of outstanding and sustained support showed to the Montana National Guard and the 1-190th Field Artillery Battalion.

In the June primary, Katherine Irigoin received the most votes in Richland County for district judge race. Overall, incumbent Richard Phillips took first with 1,874 votes and Irigoin also advanced through the primary with 1,869 votes. Don Netzer finished with 1,167 votes.

Despite the sweltering heat and last-minute headliner cancellation, Sidney SummerFest carried on according to schedule in July. More than 2,000 spectators were in attendance over the weekend to take in the entertainment.

The Richland County Health Department received an $88,718 federal grant to establish an RSVP program (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) in Richland and McCone counties.

The dedication of the USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory's expansion was held in August. The ceremony featured several dignitaries as well as between 400-500 visitors showing their support for the lab.

The Montana Department of Livestock reported the first equine case of West Nile virus in Montana in August. The 17-year-old gelding quarter horse from Glendive died from the disease.

The West Nile virus caused 149 confirmed cases of illness in the United States since 1999, there were no reported human cases in Montana, but the disease would enter the state in the upcoming months

A public hearing held in September established a tax increment industrial infrastructure district in Richland County for a Busch Agricultural Resources malting barley elevator handling facility in Sidney.

Richland County residents honored the Sept. 11 victims as well as current emergency personnel during ceremonies in Sidney, Fairview and Savage.

October homecoming royalty candidates in Sidney included Brittny Kallevig, Danielle Hagen, Keri Peterson, Mandy Norby, Becky Huskamp, Cole Fink, Levi Weltikol, Mike Livers, Jay Sunwall and Jake VanEvery.

Gov. Judy Martz and Busch Agricultural Resources announced in November the building of a new barley handling and storage facility in Sidney.

For the third straight year, Central Intermediate School is offered its unique Club Friday to fifth and sixth-graders. Starting in December for one hour on Fridays, students picked from a variety of clubs hosted by some teachers and many community members. They included "Snip and Clip Scrap Booking Club," "Cracked Pots Ceramics Club," "Babysitters Club," "Look Your Best Beauty Club," "Dare to Dance Club," "Horsing Around Club," "Helping Hands Club," "Super Sports Club," "Internet for Kids," "Creative Cooking Club," "Central Gymnastics Club," "Photography Club," "Sketch and Drawing Club," "Model Airplane Club," "Playful Pet Club" and "Central Drama Club."

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