The Big Timber Pioneer

1 week ago | bigtimberpioneer.net | Dan Astin

The 2025 Sweet Grass County school board elections are on May 6. The March 27 filing deadline is past for registering as a Sweet Grass County school trustee candidate. All countywide school board races are uncontested, with the exception of Big Timber Grade School District #1, where four candidates are vying for two positions, according to the Sweet Grass County Election administrator’s office.

1 week ago | bigtimberpioneer.net | Dan Astin

The Montana Department of Criminal Investigation uncovered presumptive drugs and a firearm after searching a Melville man’s vehicle, as the result of a warrant with the Sweet Grass County Sheriff’s Office, according to county Sheriff, Alan Ronneberg. Ronneberg confirmed Melville resident Michael Loomis, 44, was pulled over and arrested by DCI in Butte while on parole/probation late the past week, on a Sweet Grass County warrant for a probation violation.

1 week ago | bigtimberpioneer.net | Dan Astin

The Pioneer Meats Garlic Kielbasa with Pepper Jack Cheese sausage won first place, achieving ‘grand champion’ status at the Northwest Meat Processors Association Cured Meats Championship in late March. Bryan Engle, owner of the Big Timber-based meats processor, confirmed his top-three selling product did not ‘meat’ its match in the event, which included other butcher operations from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. kAm“%96C6 H6C6 abe AC@5F4ED :? E96 4@>A6E:E:@? :?

1 week ago | bigtimberpioneer.net | Dan Astin

The town of Pray, a 5-acre property about 45 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, is for sale for $2.6 million, with potential owner financing with a half downpayment, according to Colin Burke, 34, owner and self-proclaimed mayor. Complete with a running U.S. Post Office and its own zip code of 59065, the town has a population of 1,018 residents in the postal service area, per the 2023 U.S. Census. kAmkDA2? 4=2DDlQ%6IE#F?

2 weeks ago | bigtimberpioneer.net | Dan Astin

Sweet Grass County’s Big Timber FFA chapter earned success at the 95th Montana FFA State Convention this past week in Bozeman. The Big Timber FFA team, placed second overall at the competition, and was the only Class B school to place top-five, according to Austin Standley, Sweet Grass County High School FFA advisor. The achievement qualified the team for the prestigious Sweepstakes award, the top “all-around” competitive teams in the event.