Stillwater County News

Stillwater County News The Stillwater County News is a weekly newspaper based out of Columbus, Montana, published every Thursday. 7K followers

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS — Stillwater County Republican PrimaryZachary Thornley has defeated incumbent Nancy Rohde fo...
06/03/2026

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS — Stillwater County Republican Primary

Zachary Thornley has defeated incumbent Nancy Rohde for Stillwater County Attorney, 1,307 to 1,100 — ending Rohde’s 12-year run in the office.

Chris “Joe” Grover wins the open District 1 County Commissioner seat with 1,081 votes, ahead of Jeremiah Winsted (729) and Kisha Cornell (628).

Sheriff Chip Kem wins re-election decisively over challenger Daniel Palmer, 1,739 to 726.

Voter turnout was approximately 41 percent. All results are unofficial pending certification.

Full coverage here: https://www.stillwatercountynews.com/news/thornley-unseats-rohde-grover-wins-commissioner-race/article_9eadb764-422b-41d3-8895-37ebbfb76494.html

STATE CHAMPS! The Columbus Cougars boys track team claimed the MHSA Class B State Track and Field Championship in Missou...
06/02/2026

STATE CHAMPS! The Columbus Cougars boys track team claimed the MHSA Class B State Track and Field Championship in Missoula, finishing with 63 points — 21 ahead of runner-up Plains. Sophomore Buck Prather set a Class B state meet record in the 200 and the 4x100 relay team did the same. Congrats, Cougars!

The story is online now at stillwatercountynews.com, with complete coverage coming of all Stillwater County track teams — Columbus, Absarokee, Park City and Reed Point/Rapelje — in the June 4 issue of the Stillwater County News.

Today is Election Day, Stillwater County. Republican Primary polls close at 8 p.m. — mail ballots must be received by th...
06/02/2026

Today is Election Day, Stillwater County. Republican Primary polls close at 8 p.m. — mail ballots must be received by the Clerk and Recorder's office by 8 p.m. as well. One important reminder: your return envelope must include your birth year or your ballot cannot be counted. And if you want to have a say in local races, you'll need to vote Republican — that's where the deciding action is in Stillwater County.

Same-day registration is available all day today. A recent court injunction blocked new restrictions on voter registration, reverting to 2024 procedures. As long as you are in line by 8 p.m. you can register and vote.
Here's a quick look at who's on the ballot:

District 1 County Commissioner
Three candidates are vying for the seat being vacated by Steve Riveland. Jeremiah Winsted brings private sector procurement and budget experience and is running on accessibility and economic development. Chris "Joe" Grover works in the county treasurer's office and is running on optimism, inclusivity, and bridging the gap between commissioners and county employees. Kisha Cornell is the county's Finance Director and Administrator to the Commission with 20 years of local government experience, running on fiscal responsibility and institutional knowledge.

Stillwater County Sheriff
Incumbent Chip Kem, a fifth-generation Stillwater County resident with 36 years in law enforcement, is seeking re-election. Deputy Daniel Palmer is challenging him, running on mentorship, team culture, and expanded community presence across the county.

Stillwater County Attorney
Incumbent Nancy Rohde is seeking a fourth term after 15 years serving Stillwater County, building a fully staffed office and working across multiple agencies on complex cases. Challenger Zachary Thornley is a criminal defense and civil attorney making his first run for public office, running on accountability, law enforcement training, and a fresh perspective.

Your vote matters. Get it in by 8 p.m.

Here's this week's meeting schedule for the Stillwater County Commissioners:
06/01/2026

Here's this week's meeting schedule for the Stillwater County Commissioners:

Here's a look at Monday's Columbus City Council meeting agenda:
05/29/2026

Here's a look at Monday's Columbus City Council meeting agenda:

05/29/2026
Important info on the Stillwater Montana Balloon Rally — May 29-31 at Woltermann Memorial Airport in Columbus!WEATHER UP...
05/28/2026

Important info on the Stillwater Montana Balloon Rally — May 29-31 at Woltermann Memorial Airport in Columbus!

WEATHER UPDATES:

The Jonn Beer Memorial Foundation Fly-In has been postponed to June 13 due to weather.

Saturday afternoon's balloon glow, food trucks and live music have been canceled due to weather.

Saturday & Sunday morning launches are TBD — pilots will make the call after their weather briefing.

Here's where things stand for the weekend:

Friday, May 29 — 7 a.m. balloon launch, then street dance at the Palladium 6-10 p.m. with MOJO and Logan Liebert & the Light Blue (featuring Columbus's own Garrick Conner!)

Free admission. Free parking. No pets.
Presented by the Columbus Fire Rescue Association. Check the Columbus Fire Rescue Association page for more updates.

This week's Stillwater County News is out! A Ghanaian pastor arrived in Absarokee on a cane and left with 500+ pairs of ...
05/28/2026

This week's Stillwater County News is out!

A Ghanaian pastor arrived in Absarokee on a cane and left with 500+ pairs of donated eyeglasses — headed back to villages in Northeast Ghana where that's the only eye care people will ever see. Rev. Nicholas Salifu's story of 50 years of ministry is one you won't want to miss.

Also inside: wildfire researchers share sobering findings about local homes — and what you can do before fire season hits. Stillwater County paused to honor the fallen at ceremonies in Columbus, Park City, Absarokee and Reed Point. And the Columbus Cougars baseball team made history, clinching the program's first-ever state tournament berth.

All that, track and field state qualifiers, the highly anticipated law enforcement blotter, and more.

Pick up your copy or subscribe: (888) 232-9231.

Stillwater County paused Monday to remember those who gave everything. From Reed Point to Park City to Columbus to Absar...
05/27/2026

Stillwater County paused Monday to remember those who gave everything. From Reed Point to Park City to Columbus to Absarokee, communities across the county gathered at cemeteries to honor the men and women who didn't come home — and to hear from those who did.

Full coverage here:

From Columbus to Park City to Absarokee and Reed Point, Stillwater County marked Memorial Day on Monday with ceremonies that drew hundreds of residents to cemeteries across the region —

The Columbus municipal swimming pool will not open this summer after a Public Works investigation revealed an active lea...
05/27/2026

The Columbus municipal swimming pool will not open this summer after a Public Works investigation revealed an active leak that is preventing the pool from filling to a safe operating level. More here:

The Columbus municipal swimming pool will not open this summer after a Public Works investigation revealed an active leak that is preventing the pool from filling to a safe operating

Address

38 N 4th Street
Columbus, MT
59019

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Stillwater County News posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Stillwater County News:

Share

Category