Montana/Region

New fires sparked in Yellowstone

Published on Tue, 08/16/2016 - 12:19pm

CHEYENNE, Wyo.— Firefighters are working to contain two new wildfires in Yellowstone National Park, but no major tourist areas are affected.

Both fires began Monday.

One is about 4 miles north of West Yellowstone and the other is near West Thumb just off the Grand Loop Road. The cause of both fires is unknown at this time.

Firefighters are attacking both fires with air tankers and helicopters.

Several other fires are burning in remote areas of the park and are being monitored.

Yellowstone River whitefish death count surpasses 1,000

Published on Tue, 08/16/2016 - 12:18pm

BOZEMAN, Mont.— State wildlife officials have now counted more than 1,000 dead mountain whitefish in the Yellowstone River, but have yet to determine what's caused the die-off.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/2b81PIv ) that the first sightings of dead fish were reported to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks last Thursday. Staffers have since found hundreds of dead whitefish and suckers on the west and east banks of the river.

Plans revealed for major downtown Billings development

Published on Tue, 08/16/2016 - 12:18pm

BILLINGS, Mont.— Billings officials are set to consider a $120 million development proposal that would add what would be the state's tallest building to the city.

Developers revealed plans for the multiuse project Monday, which include a hotel, housing and retail and office space. There would also be two high-rise towers, one of which would be 324 feet tall.

According to the plan, the development would include both private and public investment, with some funds generated through the downtown tax increment funding district.

Seattle man gets 13 years for promoting prostitution

Published on Tue, 08/16/2016 - 12:16pm

GREAT FALLS, Mont.— A Seattle man who pleaded guilty to promoting prostitution in Montana has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

The Great Falls Tribune reports (http://gftrib.com/2bo6dkp) Joseph Llewllyn Johnson was sentenced Monday to 40 years in prison with 27 suspended. He was charged in October 2015 and pleaded guilty in June to one count of aggravated promotion of prostitution and "no contest" to a second count.

Webcam whale research buoyed by viewers around the world

Published on Mon, 08/15/2016 - 12:11pm
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HELENA, Mont.— The underwater webcam attached to Hayley Shephard's boat captures what at first appear to be green glowing orbs as she motors through an estuary in remote Canada. Then the orbs come into focus, revealing some of the more than 3,000 beluga whales that gather near that western part of Hudson Bay each summer.

The white whales, which resemble oversized dolphins, nuzzle and clown for the camera. They feel the lens with their teeth and blow bubbles at it. Sometimes they swim upside down for a better view.

Mineral County sheriff's office ends strike with agreement

Published on Mon, 08/15/2016 - 12:09pm

SUPERIOR, Mont.— Mineral County sheriff's employees who went on strike for 10 days this summer after working for more than a year without a contract have ratified an agreement.

The Missoulian reports (http://bit.ly/2bsFVP4 ) that sixteen employees went on strike between May 30 and June 9 over salary, overtime and other issues stemming from the end of their contract on July 1, 2015.

Fire destroys commercial building in Great Falls

Published on Mon, 08/15/2016 - 12:08pm

GREAT FALLS, Mont.— A commercial building in Great Falls has been destroyed by fire.

The Great Falls Tribune reports an employee of Gerber's of Montana Machine and Fabrication was working on his personal vehicle in a shop on Sunday afternoon when sparks from a grinder ignited the fuel line on the truck. The fire spread to the main building.

Great Falls Fire/Rescue Battalion Chief Bob Shupe says the building's roof burned through very quickly and was hot enough to twist metal supports inside the building.

Wildlife officials say wildfires may be good for elk habitat

Published on Mon, 08/15/2016 - 12:07pm

MISSOULA, Mont.— Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologist Kelly Proffitt says a study has found that wildfires may be good for elk habitat.

Fourteen years after a fire burned in the East Fork of the Bitterroot River drainage, a 2014 study found elk in that area had had better body fat, more pregnancies and higher calf survival going into the winter months than elk that spent their summers along the West Fork of the Bitterroot.

Wildlife researchers found elk benefited from a wider variety of summer range vegetation in the burned areas.

Land Board approves solar lease, armory land swap

Published on Mon, 08/15/2016 - 12:07pm

HELENA, Mont.— The state Land Board has approved the lease of 450 acres near the Billings airport for a possible solar development that would produce 70 megawatts of power.

The lease approved Monday includes a two-year option to MTSun LLC while regulators to conduct an environmental study.

If the company decides to proceed, the commercial lease will run for 30 years with an option to renew.

Water fills Glendive school basement, class start delayed

Published on Mon, 08/15/2016 - 12:06pm

GLENDIVE, Mont.— About 5 feet of water flooded the basement of a Glendive elementary school late last month, causing damage that is delaying the start of classes for students in kindergarten through second grade.

Glendive Superintendent Ross Farber tells The Billings Gazette (http://bit.ly/2b6yhLk) they suspect a water main from the school well failed and the pump didn't shut off. The water didn't trip electrical breakers, either, so electricity surged through the water, heating it up.