HELENA, Mont. (AP) – Gov. Greg Gianforte mobilized the Montana National Guard Thursday to assist in wildfire response as the entire state faces abnormally dry conditions contributing to fire risk. The governor ordered two helicopter support crews, including 24 soldiers, to enter active duty. The Montana DNRC requested military support to aid in wildland fire … Read more
The Montana VA is among 14 federal veterans facilities named in a lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation. The AFP Foundation said the VA failed to provide records it requested within 20-30 business days, the allotted time frame, and they are suing to get the information. They want the court to order … Read more
After issuing a second deficiency notice earlier this month [June 10], the Montana Department of Environmental Quality has officially rejected an application for a gravel pit in the Helena Valley. The 61.5-acre gravel pit was proposed for a site in the north valley, referred to as McHugh 2 in DEQ documents, and was expected to … Read more
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A state Senate leader who told a Montana Highway Patrol trooper after being stopped for speeding that he couldn’t be arrested because he was a lawmaker was officially charged Tuesday for the May 23 incident. Republican Sen. Jason Ellsworth of Hamilton faces misdemeanor charges of speeding or reckless driving and obstructing … Read more
Bond was set at $40,000 for a Helena man accused in a child sexual abuse case. 38-year-old Christopher Warren Deckelbaum made his initial appearance in Lewis and Clark Justice Court Tuesday and faces six felony charges, including the alleged rape of a child. The County Attorney’s Office has filed two counts of sexual abuse involving … Read more
HELENA, Mont. – Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) Trooper Amanda Villa received the Medal of Valor for rushing toward a burning Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation helicopter that experienced a hard landing, and for helping four of its passengers to safety. The Medal of Valor is the agency’s highest award. -0-
MISSOULA, Mont. – The Montana DEQ is seeking commuity feedback on proposed exploration near Walkerville. Butte Blackjack Operating wants to drill 37 holes from 12 drill pads and fix the Chief Joseph Portal to extract 500 tons of material for testing, all which would be done on private land. DEQ prepared a draft EA on … Read more
A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect for Lewis and Clark County until 9pm tonight. Wet and dry thunderstorms will create wind gusts and frequent lightning causing dangerous fire conditions. -0-
A Helena man accused in a pharmacy robbery attmept in which he claimed to have a bomb will spend 5 years behind bars. Richard Vernon Fox, 38, of Helena was recently sentenced to separate cases following the incident in which he passed a note through the drive through window at Family Pharmacy in May asking … Read more
HELENA, Mont. – Crews spent Sunday battling two new wildfires burning in the northeast of the Crazy Mountains. A Type 3 incident team was ordered, with resources being shared with the O’Hearn Creek Fire located just north of the American Fork Fire. The American Fork Fire burned actively in timber scorching hundreds of acres, officials … Read more