Hi-Line Darts and Laurels

Laurel — Bart Hawkins will start July 1 as superintendent of North Star Schools. He replaces Ken Halverson, who is retiring after five years as superintendent. Hawkins knows the area. He's from Fort Benton, his wife is from Chester. He knows small-town schools. He has been superintendent at Custer. He is inheriting a good school district that has a fine reputations as a school with good curricular and extracurricular activities. He wish him the best of luck.

Laurel —People who know Kathy Bessette figured she wouldn't stay retired for long. She stepped down Jan. 1 as a Hill County commissioner after 22 years. Now, she's back in public life. Gov. Steve Bullock named her to the Montana Board of Investments. She will represent the agricultural community, a cause she has championed her entire political career. The governor made a good pick.

Laurel —You've got to admire Cole Hanson and Madison Wolfchief. It took 12 rounds for Cole to beat out Madison in the annual Hill County Spelling Bee. He spelled parmesan correctly. In a world where most of us depend way too much on spell check, it's good to know that there are some in the next generation who can spell things the old-fashioned way. Best of luck to Cole when he goes up against the best spellers in the state at the Montana Spelling Bee championship.

Laurel — Best of luck to Brenna Neinast as she retires as chief patrol agent of the U.S. Border Patrol's Havre sector. She and thousands of other Border Patrol officers have been responsible for turning the agency, which was an after-thought in the eyes of many law enforcement officer, into a first-class operation that is patrolling our borders for terrorists, drug dealers and other illegals. She has overseen a massive increase in the size of the staff at the Havre sector and has helped the organization become more community-oriented.