BILLINGS – A Charleston, South Carolina, man convicted in a Montana sex trafficking ring was sentenced Monday. A judge ordered Louis Gregory Venning, also known as “December,” to 30 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He was convicted in a large sex trafficking and drug investigation that involved more than a … Read more
MISSOULA – A small single-engine airplane crash landed at the Missoula airport just after 10 a.m. on Monday, sending the lone occupant to the hospital. Airport officials said in a release that it was a homemade experimental aircraft and that the pilot reported engine problems shortly before the crash. The airstrip was closed for about … Read more
HELENA, Mont. – Chestnut Street will be closed this week, and motorists who rely on that roadway will have to find an alternate route. Beginning Tuesday, June 28 the street will not allow traffic between Harris St. to the east dead end while crews complete asphalt work in the area. Traffic will be impacted from … Read more
A visitor analysis shows how much Montana benefits from tourism dollars. According to a new National Park Service (NPS) report, visitors to national parks in Montana spent $728,800,000 in the state in 2021, and led in more than 11,000 jobs being created, with a $1 billion benefit to the state economy. Hotels and restaurants had … Read more
Montana’s congressional delegation is asking the federal government for a little leeway in the permit process following devasting floods in the Yellowstone area. Officials say flexibility in obtaining permits will help avoid severe economic damage to Montana’s rural communities and small businesses impacted by recent floods. With key infrastructure connecting Montana to Yellowstone damaged or … Read more
HELENA – Just ahead of Independence Day organizers announced the return of the popular Capital City 4th of July celebration in Centennial Park. Helena Ambassadors and of the Old Glory Landmark Committee says family fun will kick off on July 4th, at 10:30am at the park where they’ll have bounce houses, music, and vendors. East … Read more
HELENA – Since severe flooding began across Montana early last week, leaders have been coordinating resources from the State Emergency Coordination Center at Fort Harrison, outside Helena. Officials said teams will be going out to the areas affected by the flooding Thursday to do damage assessments. That information will help the state make the case … Read more
BILLINGS – A Billings man who admitted to stealing firearms from a dealer after breaking into the business by using a construction excavator to tear a hole in the wall was sentenced Wednesday. Erik Stephen Deaner, 46, pleaded guilty last year and was sentenced yesterday to five years and two months in prison, the U.S. … Read more
RED LODGE – It takes a village. That familiar proverb is put into action after recent floods in Red Lodge left many homeless and businesses recovering. The flooding also displaced workers at a local restaurant, and now the owner of Prerogative Kitchen is putting her own worries aside and doing everything possible to help others … Read more
WEST GLACIER – Fun in the water ended fatally for a rafter in Northwest Montana Tuesday afternoon. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office said officers responded to reports that a man had falenl out of his raft north of West Glacier on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River where the raft rolled in the rapids … Read more