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2 Mont. Teens Arrested Following Facebook Posts
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LIVINGSTON, Mont. (AP) - Two high school students in Montana have been arrested over comments on Facebook.
The Livingston Enterprise reports 18-year-old Samuel Winston Galer and a 17-year-old fellow student at Park High School face charges of felony criminal incitement based on allegations that their Facebook pages included violent threats against the school vice principal. Prosecutors say some postings made references to putting poison or drugs in the vice principal's coffee.
An attorney for one teen says his client only spurred a discussion and couldn't control what others wrote in responses on his Facebook page. The mother of the other teen says her child's comments were "stupid, machismo comments."
Livingston School District Superintendent Rich Moore said Wednesday he will meet with the teens and their families to determine "the appropriate school consequence."
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Anaconda Men Get Metal Detecting Pilot on Nat Geo
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ANACONDA, Mont. (AP) - Two Anaconda men with an interest in metal detecting have turned their hobby into two pilot episodes on the National Geographic Channel.
The Montana Standard reports the show, called "Diggers," is scheduled to premiere with back-to-back episodes at 8 p.m. on Feb. 28.
When Tim Saylor and George Wyant were learning about metal detecting, they bought some instructional videos they found to be pretty boring. So they created a website, anacondatreasure.com, and started filming their own adventures in search of gold, silver and coins and self-produced DVDs. Clips posted on YouTube caught the eye of several production companies.
Half Yard Productions, creators of "Modern Marvels," met with Saylor and Wyant last year and pitched "Diggers" to Nat Geo.
The episodes were filmed in Montana and South Carolina.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Avalanche Kills Snowmobiler In Southern Montana
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COOKE CITY, Mont. (AP) - Sheriff's officials say an avalanche in southern Montana has killed a snowmobiler on Daisy Pass, north of Cooke City.
Park County sheriff's officials say several snowmobilers were riding a trail Wednesday afternoon when the avalanche hit, partially burying at least two people.
The victim's name wasn't immediately released.
Avalanche danger has been high across much of the West. In Montana, officials had warned that recent heavy, wet snow falling on a weaker layer of colder, lighter snow would raise the avalanche potential in the backcountry.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Avalanche Warnings Issued for West Central, SW MT
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HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Avalanche warnings are in effect for the Bridger Range in southwestern Montana and the mountains of west central Montana after heavy, wet snow fell on a weaker layer of colder, lighter snow.
The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center issued a backcountry avalanche warning for all slopes in the Bridger Range, saying natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely.
The West Central Montana Avalanche Center issued an avalanche warning for the mountains of west central Montana above 5,000 feet. High winds and heavy snowfall were forecast for Wednesday.
The center also extended its avalanche warning for the northern mountains in the Rattlesnake, southern Swans and southern Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake.
The center says the new snow, warmer temperatures and wind have formed a dangerous slab of snow in most locations.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Billings Man Claims $30K Montana Cash Jackpot
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BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Montana Lottery officials say a Billings man has claimed the $30,000 Montana Cash jackpot from Saturday's drawing.
Richard Edwards bought his ticket at the 24th Street Cenex in Billings. He didn't realize he'd won until Tuesday when he had his ticket scanned and was told to file a claim.
Edwards says he regularly plays all of the lottery's draw games.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Canadian On Montana Death Row Says He's Changed
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DEER LODGE, Mont. (AP) - A Canadian awaiting execution in Montana for killing two men in 1982 says he thinks there is a good chance the governor will spare his life.
Ronald A. Smith of Red Deer, Alberta, is asking for life in prison instead of the death penalty.
Smith has exhausted his legal appeals. He says leniency from Gov. Brian Schweitzer is his only remaining option to avoid the death penalty, and he believes the governor will recognize that he is a changed man.
The Canadian government also now formally supports clemency for Smith.
Smith was 24 when he robbed and shot two men who offered him a ride. He says he looks back on that killing with deep regret.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Ex-Husband Of Slain Mont. Woman Arrested In Ariz.
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HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Montana authorities say a man suspected in the 2008 death of his ex-wife has been arrested in Phoenix.
The Montana attorney general's office says Walter Larson was arrested Wednesday morning while he was leaving his home for work.
He is being held on $500,000 bail pending extradition to Montana on charges of deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence.
Susan Casey of Glendive was reported missing on April 12, 2008. The 34-year-old woman's body was found in the Yellowstone River the next month near Fallon.
Officials have not said how Casey died.
Larson was arrested two days after Casey's disappearance for violating a restraining order she had filed against him in 1998. A judge dismissed the charge because Larson had not been notified of the restraining order.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Florida Men Sentenced In MT Poaching Cases
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BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Three Florida men, including the president of The Villages retirement community, have been sentenced for misdemeanor poaching violations in Montana.
Mark Morse pleaded guilty Tuesday to hunting without a license in both Yellowstone and Big Horn counties. James Rainey and Lenard Powell entered a similar plea in Big Horn county.
Morse, president of the Orlando-area retirement community, was ordered to pay $4,500 in fines and restitution. Rainey was ordered to pay $4,000 and Powell $2,000.
Prosecutors alleged the violations occurred on a ranch co-owned by Morse and Rainey that straddles the two counties. Rainey and Powell own construction companies.
The men did not lose their hunting and fishing privileges.
Morse's wife, daughter, business partners and employees were among 10 people who were charged.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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High Court Rules for Power Company Over Mont. Dams
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WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court has sided with a power company in a dispute with Montana over who owns the riverbeds beneath 10 dams on three Montana rivers.
In a case that reached back to the travels of Lewis and Clark more than 200 years ago, the court voted unanimously to throw out a state court ruling that could have cost PPL Montana more than $50 million.
The power company had appealed a Montana Supreme Court ruling that the state owns the submerged land beneath the dams on the Missouri, Clark Fork and Madison rivers, and that PPL owes back rent and interest.
The justices said the Montana court was wrong to conclude that the state owns the riverbeds and ordered the state court to take another look at the case.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Holding Company Buys Back Loan On Bitterroot Ranch
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MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - A financial holding company was the high bidder on a Bitterroot Valley ranch it foreclosed upon in 2009 after the owner failed to make payments on a $23 million loan.
The Missoulian reports Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. Asset Holdings bid $22.5 million Wednesday to recover its investment in the 3,000-acre property southwest of Lolo that Tom Maclay had proposed turning into a major ski resort and housing development. However, he was unable to obtain permits to gain access to another 11,000 acres of Forest Service land in the basin above his ranch, near Lolo Peak.
Maclay now has one year to redeem the loan from Met Life. Maclay's spokesman, Tim Newhart, said Maclay hopes to negotiate a new price for the property, which includes his personal home.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Insurance Commissioner Approves New West Sale
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HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Montana's insurance commissioner has approved the $1.5 million buyout of a portion of New West Health Services, Montana's third-largest health insurance company.
Securities and Insurance Commissioner Monica Lindeen on Tuesday approved PacificSource's takeover of New West's commercial business of 8,600 policyholders. It was the final regulatory hurdle in a government antitrust case that called for the breakup of New West.
Federal and state prosecutors intervened last year after Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana proposed a $26 million buyout of New West insurance policies for nearly 11,000 employees at five hospitals across the state.
Prosecutors say the deal would have stifled competition and driven up policy costs.
After the sale is completed, U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull is expected to sign a final judgment in the antitrust settlement.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Lawsuit Filed Over Lake County Sheriff's Dispute
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POLSON, Mont. (AP) - Five current or former members of the Lake County Sheriff's Office have filed a lawsuit against the current sheriff, undersheriff, a detective and a deputy claiming they were retaliated against over efforts to expose corruption.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Missoula. The workers claim some members of the department illegally shot and killed big-game animals and one had illegally altered a firearm from a rifle to a machine gun.
The workers say they have been reprimanded, suffered demotions, been denied promotions and subjected to a hostile work environment because of their efforts to expose what they say is law-breaking and corruption within the sheriff's office.
Sheriff Jay Doyle told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the officers have not been retaliated against.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Madison Cnty Commissioners Want Ennis School Audit
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BUTTE, Mont. (AP) - Madison County commissioners say they're going to strongly encourage the Ennis school board have its finances audited after the attorney general determined the school improperly used taxes levied for adult education and transportation to help pay for a new elementary school.
Commissioner Dave Schulz tells The Montana Standard the commissioners want the third-party audit done, but agree the school district should pay it. Schulz says commissioners are going to suggest the school use a different auditor than they have used in the past.
Board Chairman Marc Glines did not return a telephone call from the newspaper seeking comment Tuesday.
Ennis recently completed a $10 million grade school that was primarily funded with taxes that were levied without being voted on.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Man Withdraws Guilty Plea for Arson Fire
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BUTTE, Mont. (AP) - A 32-year-old man who had pleaded guilty to arson by accountability for an August 2010 fire at a Butte apartment building has withdrawn his plea after the judge rejected the plea agreement.
The Montana Standard reports Jeffrey R. Mizerski was scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday in District Court for felony arson by accountability for the fire at the National Hotel building, but withdrew his guilty plea after District Judge Brad Newman rejected an agreement that called for a seven-year sentence with the Department of Corrections.
Newman set a trial date for May 29.
Mizerski and 37-year-old Billy Brasher were charged with intentionally setting a fire in their second-floor apartment that caused so much damage the building had to be demolished.
Brasher has pleaded not guilty to arson.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Montana PSC's Molnar Hit Again For Brochures
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HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar of Billings is receiving more sanctions over brochures he used during his 2008 campaign.
A judge recently upheld a $21,000 fine that said Molnar violated ethics laws by using state government equipment for re-election campaign work.
The case stems from the Billings Republican's 2008 campaign, when his opponent charged him of improperly soliciting and receiving $1,000 from PPL Montana and NorthWestern Energy to print brochures for a Billings energy conservation event in 2007.
The Commissioner of Political Practices says in a Wednesday ruling that there is also enough evidence to believe campaign finance laws were broken by not reporting the donations, and not putting a political disclaimer on the brochures.
The commissioner cleared the two companies of any wrongdoing.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Pat Williams, Jeffrey Krauss Appointed to Regents
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HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Former U.S. Rep. Pat Williams and former Bozeman Mayor Jeffrey Krauss have been appointed to the state Board of Regents, which oversees the Montana university system.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer announced the appointments Wednesday.
Williams spent 30 years as a classroom teacher and education administrator and served in the U.S. House from 1979-97, where he was chairman of the post-secondary education committee. Following his retirement from Congress, Williams taught at the University of Montana.
Krauss is the director of finance and administration for the Museum of the Rockies and Bozeman's deputy mayor. He is a former Gallatin County treasurer and former Bozeman City Commissioner.
Williams is a Democrat whose term will run through February 2019. Krauss is a Republican whose term runs through February 2015.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Stillwater Mining Reports Record Earnings In 2011
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BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Montana's Stillwater Mining Co. is reporting record earnings based on strong precious metals prices.
The company's annual report released Tuesday shows 2011 revenues of $906 million. That's up more than 60 percent from 2010 revenues for the Billings-based mining company.
The report shows 2011 net income of $144 million, or $1.30 per share. That's more than double the company's 2010 income.
Stillwater operates two underground mines in south-central Montana that produce platinum and palladium for use in jewelry, vehicle catalytic converters and for industrial purposes.
The mines produced 517,900 ounces of platinum and palladium last year. Stillwater also runs a precious metals recycling operation.
Stillwater Chairman Frank McAllister says the company's mining accident rate dropped in 2011 despite the death of a worker in October in an underground vehicle crash.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Tester Confident of Record in Election Challenge
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HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Sen. Jon Tester says he is confident his record will stand in his re-election challenge from Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg.
Tester formally filed with state officials Tuesday to appear on the ballot. The Democrat who came from behind to topple former Sen. Conrad Burns in 2006 is seeking a second term.
The race between Tester and Rehberg is already a multimillion-dollar slugfest expected to only receive more attention as November draws near.
Tester is being attacked as an ally of President Barack Obama. Tester says he does not regret votes in favor of health care reform because he argues it will help fix a broken system.
Tester counters that he thinks Rehberg has been guilty of "irresponsible decisions" while serving in Congress for more than a decade.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Woman Struck By Train In Billings
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BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Police in Billings are investigating after witnesses say a woman appeared to have intentionally stepped in front of a freight train.
Lt. Kevin Iffland tells The Billings Gazette (http://bit.ly/zkmRL7 ) the woman, believed to be in her 60s or 70s, suffered life-threatening injuries when she was hit at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Iffland says witnesses reported the woman walked up to the crossing arm, saw the train coming and waited until it got close before stepping out onto the tracks.
BNSF Railway spokesman Gus Melonas says the eastbound train was traveling at 23 or 24 mph and its whistle was blowing. He says the crew saw the woman and applied the emergency brakes but the train was unable to stop in time.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Billings Woman Denies Hiding, Drugging Teen
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BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A 36-year-old Billings woman is denying charges that she hid a 13-year-old runaway at her house, gave him drugs and lied when the boy's parents and police officers asked if he was there.
Nicole Lynn Hutchinson pleaded not guilty to felony charges of custodial interference, distribution of drugs and tampering. She also denied misdemeanor charges of obstruction and possessing drug paraphernalia during a hearing via video before District Judge Gregory Todd on Tuesday.
Todd maintained Hutchinson's bail at $100,000.
Hutchison was arrested Feb. 8. Prosecutors allege she hid the boy at her house between Oct. 17 and Nov. 8 until school officials received a tip about his location.
The boy told police he that he smoked marijuana and Hutchinson gave him pills that made him feel "loopy" and sleepy.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Bozeman Woman Pleads No Contest In Marijuana Case
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LIVINGSTON, Mont. (AP) - A Bozeman woman accused of having 182 marijuana plants growing in a Livingston-area home has pleaded no contest to two felonies.
The Livingston Enterprise reports Rae Ann Frase pleaded no contest Tuesday to criminal possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to distribute and use or possession of property subject to criminal forfeiture.
That came as part of a plea bargain in which she also agreed to pay the Missouri River Drug Task Force $25,000 in lieu of forfeiting the house where the plants were found.
Prosecutors say the house has extensive water damage and mold issues.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Feds Loan $638M For Health Co-Ops In 8 States
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HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The Obama administration is awarding loans totaling more than $638 million to start up new health care cooperatives serving eight states.
The government says the new nonprofit health insurers will be run by their customers and will be designed to offer coverage to individuals and small businesses.
Awards were announced Tuesday for co-ops serving Montana, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Wisconsin.
They are envisioned as a way to offer affordable coverage when President Barack Obama's health care reform law requires everyone to carry insurance.
Starting in 2014, millions of people now uninsured will buy private coverage in new state markets. The co-ops will compete in these state-run insurance exchanges.
Tax-credit subsidies will help customers with the cost of the insurance.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Judge: Ravalli County Violated Open Meeting Laws
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HAMILTON, Mont. (AP) - A state judge has ruled Ravalli County commissioners violated open meeting laws when they signed a settlement with a former deputy county attorney.
However, District Judge Jim Haynes ruled that Bitterroot Star publisher Michael Howell and Lee Tickell of the Ravalli County Watchdog website waited too long to file their petition to void the county's $180,000 separation agreement with Geoff Mahar.
Last March, Mahar filed a discrimination complaint alleging newly elected County Attorney Bill Fullbright discriminated against him on the basis of his political support of former County Attorney George Corn.
The Ravalli Republic reports Haynes ruled the county didn't give adequate public notice of the settlement meeting. The newspaper reported the settlement on Sept. 2. The petition to void it was filed on Oct. 9, missing a 30-day deadline.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Lawsuit Over Exxon Spill Sent Back to State Court
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BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A federal judge has returned to state court a lawsuit by Montana landowners whose property was contaminated with crude oil from a broken Exxon Mobil pipeline.
U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull's Feb. 16 ruling is an early victory for the plaintiffs.
They are seeking damages against Exxon for not preventing the July 2 spill and then allegedly botching the cleanup. More than 1,500 barrels spilled into the river, fouling 70 miles of shoreline.
The case originally was filed in state court IN Yellowstone County, then transferred to federal court at the request of Exxon.
Plaintiffs' attorney Cliff Edwards says he wanted the case heard by a jury made up of residents of Yellowstone County, where the spill occurred.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Man Charged with 7th DUI, Endangering Family
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BUTTE, Mont. (AP) - A 37-year-old Butte man faces his seventh DUI charge after his wife called 911 to report he was driving erratically on Interstate 90 with her and their three children in the SUV.
Butte-Silver Bow County officials say George Fode was driving from Butte to Anaconda Friday evening when he and his wife began arguing. She reported he began swerving and driving up to 90 mph.
The Montana Standard reports Fode exited the highway and headed back toward Butte on the frontage road. At one point, his wife and two children were able to get out of the SUV. Officers say the woman could not get their youngest child out of a car seat before he drove off.
Officers arrested Fode at his house. He also faces four counts of felony criminal endangerment.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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MT Gas Prices Going Up, Still Below Natl Average
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HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Gas prices in Montana have been increasing over the past week, but AAA Montana says they're still well behind the national average.
AAA's fuel gauge report says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Montana was $3.13 on Monday, which is 44 cents below the national average of $3.57.
AAA spokeswoman Tara Hanely says Montana is generally slow to follow the national trend.
Surrounding states also have lower prices than the rest of the country, including Wyoming at $3.05, Colorado at $3.08 and Utah at $3.11.
AAA says escalating tensions with Iran, economic instability in Europe and a disruption in crude oil distribution are factors in the increased price of gasoline, along with the fact that lagging demand has refineries planning to cut back production.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Publisher Named for Daily Advertiser, Daily World
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LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Richard Roesgen has been named president and publisher of two newspapers in Louisiana, The Daily Advertiser in Lafayette and The Daily World in Opelousas.
Roesgen, who had worked as general manager/executive editor of The Reporter and Action Publications in Fond du Lac, Wis., takes over March 19. He succeeds Ali Zoibi, who is retiring.
Roesgen is past president and board member of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and served on the boards of a number of community organizations such as the Fond du Lac Area United Way, the Literacy Council and the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate of the University of Montana with a bachelor's degree in political science.
The Louisiana newspapers are owned by Gannett Co.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Sam McDonald, Wendy's of Montana Founder, Dies
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BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Standout athlete, successful businessman and philanthropist Sam McDonald of Billings has died. He was 76.
Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary said McDonald died Monday.
The Billings Gazette reports McDonald and his wife, Judy, became Wendy's franchisees in 1976. Their company, Wendy's of Montana, has 23 restaurants in several states.
In 2000, the McDonald family established the Wendy's Foundation, which donated millions of dollars to causes and organizations, including $1.4 million to the College of Business at Montana State University Billings in 2002. In 2006, the foundation donated $400,000 to put turf on the field at Daylis Stadium in Billings.
McDonald grew up in Billings, played basketball at Oklahoma State, worked in the oil industry in Texas and Kansas and in real estate in Denver and Billings before getting into the restaurant business.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Survey Finds Montanans Positive About Economy
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MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - Economists at the University of Montana say a recent poll shows residents of the Treasure State are more upbeat about the economy than folks elsewhere in the country.
Patrick Barkey is director of UM's Bureau of Business and Economic Research. He says Montana's Index of Consumer Sentiment was 106.6 in December, which is up from 100.8 in December 2010.
A University of Michigan poll, using the same questions, found the nationwide index was 69.9 in December, down from 70.6 in December 2010.
The index is benchmarked to a baseline of 100, and is based on a series of questions that ask people to evaluate their own economic status, the direction of the state economy and the climate for buying durable goods.
BBER's research department polled 414 adults from Dec. 8 to Jan. 5.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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UM President Lays Out Demands For Foresters' Ball
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MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - University of Montana President Royce Engstrom says changes must be made to the Foresters' Ball if the nearly century-old tradition is to continue.
About 140 students were kicked out of the dance this month for being intoxicated and unruly.
In a Tuesday letter to College of Forestry and Conservation Dean James Burchfield, Engstrom laid out the changes he wants. They include making the event earlier, eliminating venues that encourage inappropriate behavior, having a more manageable attendance size and planning to keep drunk people from entering.
Engstrom also says the dance must be family friendly for at least part of the time and it must be designed to be educational as opposed to a party.
Engstrom set an April 15 deadline to submit a plan for a redesigned ball.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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UM Reports Sexual Assault of 2 Women
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MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - The University of Montana notified students that two women reported they were sexually assaulted by an acquaintance after accepting a ride to on-campus housing.
The students received an email on Feb. 17 informing them of the separate assaults alleged to have occurred on Feb. 10. UM Vice President Jim Foley said police also were notified Friday afternoon.
University officials say the women reported the man forced them to drink alcohol and possibly ingest drugs.
The email urged students to be alert to the possible dangers of accepting rides from acquaintances and strangers and to take steps to protect themselves.
Missoula police told KECI-TV they know the suspect's name, but may not be able to take any action against him unless the women file a complaint with police.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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WA Snowmobiler Killed in MT Avalanche
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KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - Officials in northwestern Montana say two Washington state snowmobilers were caught in an avalanche that killed one of them.
The Flathead County sheriff's office says the slide occurred at 4 p.m. Monday about 12 miles east of Kalispell in the Lost Johnny drainage of the South Fork of the Flathead River.
Undersheriff Jordan White says 33-year-old Charles John Dundon III of Connell, Wash., triggered the slide as he rode his snowmobile across an open slope. Dundon and another man were caught in the slide, but the second man wasn't buried.
After searching for Dundon, the second man rode out to Hungry Horse, where he called 911.
The victim was located using the signal from his transceiver. His body was recovered and transported out of the area late Monday night.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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* KPQX Regional News *
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KPQX regional and state news emphasizes quality and substance. Audio is utilized to ensure accurate reporting - no misquotes or misinterpretations because listeners hear the actual quote and audio from the people and events making the news. You interpret this significance of the report yourself.
Our regional news brings relevance to issues of importance - news coverage that relates to residents of North Central Montana. Accurate, timely information delivered in a prompt and cohesive manner. Regional and State news are developed through a working relationship with other radio stations throughout the region and state of Montana.
Expanded hourly updates are delivered at the top of each hour at 6, 7, 8 and 9 a.m. and every afternoon at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. Headline news, breaking stories and updates available all other hours. "Montana at Noon" is a more in-depth review of the news starting daily at 12:15 p.m. daily.
Residents of North Central Montana have long recognized the quality and timeliness of our newscasts. Additional recognition of our news at the national, regional and state level comes from the Associated Press, Society for Professional Journalists, the Greater Montana Foundation and the Radio and Television News Director Association's prestigious Edward R. Murrow award.
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