Montana/Region

Montana experiencing shortage of volunteer firefighters

Published on Fri, 09/16/2016 - 3:42pm

BILLINGS, Mont. — The state forester says the number of people joining volunteer fire departments in Montana's rural districts is on the decline, which could impact efforts to combat wildfires.

The Billings Gazette reports that Bob Harrington with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation discussed the shortage Thursday with the Environmental Quality Council.

Harrington says the agency will work to address some of the challenges during the offseason.

The DNRC trained 4,000 across the state in 2015.

Montana lawmakers push for tribal bison hunts inside Yellowstone Park

Published on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 4:00pm
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BILLINGS, Mont. — A Montana legislative committee says American Indian tribes should be allowed to hunt bison inside Yellowstone National Park.

Supporters say such hunts would better control herds of the animals that migrate into Montana during winter.

The Environmental Quality Council issued a letter on Thursday to Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk asking him to honor hunting requests from tribes. Democrats on the council objected, saying no tribes have asked to hunt inside the park.

Bozeman mayor: MSU housing should keep up with enrollment

Published on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 3:58pm

BOZEMAN — Bozeman's mayor suggests Montana State University shouldn't continue increasing its enrollment without having housing for the additional students.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports Mayor Carson Taylor made his remarks at a public forum this week.

Montana State's enrollment increased by more than 2,100 students between 2010 and 2015. The university opened the 72-bed Gallatin Hall in 2013 and the 400-bed Yellowstone Hall this fall and made some renovations to accommodate more students.

Bear attacks Wyoming hunter after he calls elk

Published on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 3:56pm

JACKSON, Wyo. — Wildlife officials say the Casper man who was maimed by a bear near Jackson had been calling for elk before the attack.

The Jackson Home News and Guide reports that Reggie Riebe was reported to be in good condition Wednesday, though he suffered injuries to his hands, arms, buttocks and scalp. Riebe was attacked Tuesday morning while bow hunting with a friend.

Hollywood stuntman to attempt to jump Snake River Canyon

Published on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 3:55pm

BOISE, Idaho — A Hollywood stuntman is hoping to do what famous daredevil Evel Knievel never could: jump the Snake River Canyon.

Eddie Braun is planning to strap into a steam-powered rocket and travel 430 mph to soar to the other side of the canyon this weekend. The launch had been slated for Saturday, but the crew says they're being flexible due to thunderstorm activity in the area.

The jump is not open to the public because the launch pad and landing site are located on private property. The jump will be live-streamed on the Internet.

Forrest Fenn treasure hunters hit a dead end in Yellowstone

Published on Thu, 09/15/2016 - 3:54pm
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SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Don Dickens reached a peak on The Promontory at Yellowstone National Park, certain he would saunter down a few hundred feet and find the 40-pound chest of treasures that Santa Fe author and artifacts collector Forrest Fenn says he hid six years ago, somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.

What Dickens discovered, like thousands of other treasure hunters, was disappointment. The box wasn't there, reported The New Mexican (http://bit.ly/2ccy6OJ).

Diving into Yellowstone Lake's underwater world

Published on Wed, 09/14/2016 - 4:45pm
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JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Ocean explorer Dave Lovalvo's underwater robot Yogi, custom made to probe the depths of Yellowstone Lake, gives him a fancy new tool to find something.

"Something" being the operative word. What it will be, Lovalvo is not exactly sure: His find, perhaps, might be well outside the bounds of what science knows today, or even suspects.

The ambiguity, lack of direction and license to look wherever for whatever reason is all by design, reported the Jackson Hole News and Guide.

Convicted murderer given clemency won't face sex charges

Published on Wed, 09/14/2016 - 4:41pm

BILLINGS, Mont. — A Montana man will not face misdemeanor charges after he was accused of sexually propositioning a 12-year-old girl shortly after he was granted clemency in a 1979 slaying, authorities said Tuesday.

Billings City Attorney Brent Brooks announced the decision following a monthslong investigation by city and county prosecutors into the accusation against Barry Beach.

Montana Supreme Court rules against water well 'loophole'

Published on Wed, 09/14/2016 - 4:38pm

HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Supreme Court has ruled against what conservationists call a loophole that allowed residential subdivision developers to draw a large amount of water from a limited source by drilling numerous small wells without a permit.

Billboards urge vote against relaxing medical marijuana law

Published on Wed, 09/14/2016 - 4:37pm

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Organizers of a failed effort to ask voters to overturn Montana's medical marijuana law are now campaigning against a ballot initiative that seeks to reverse restrictions the Legislature passed in 2011.

Safe Montana has purchased billboards in Kalispell, Missoula, Helena, Billings and Bozeman that read: "Vote No I-182. No Pot Shops."

Initiative 182 asks voters to allow medical marijuana providers to have more than three clients and for doctors to be able to prescribe to more than 25 patients.