News

Montana officials seek stay on campaign contribution limits

Published on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 3:30pm

HELENA, Mont. — Montana officials said they will ask a federal judge for an immediate stay on a Tuesday ruling that allowed political parties to contribute unlimited amounts of cash to campaigns.

In seeking the stay, state Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl said he worried about the chaos that could result if political parties launch a spending frenzy.

Montana man pleads no contest to neighbor's shooting death

Published on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 3:29pm

HELENA, Mont. — A Montana man who pleaded no contest to negligent homicide in the October 2013 shooting death of his neighbor has been given a 20-year suspended prison sentence in an agreement with prosecutors.

The sentence says he may not handle firearms or travel within 10 miles of the rural subdivision where prosecutors say he threatened his neighbors and locked gates in an ongoing land access dispute.

Grand Prismatic — Federal charges filed against men who walked off boardwalk

Published on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 3:28pm
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Three young men who walked off a boardwalk got a hard lesson in how passionate and protective people are about Yellowstone National Park. 

Prosecutors drop assault charge against man shot by police

Published on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 3:28pm

KALISPELL, Mont. — A Montana judge has dismissed a charge of assault on a peace officer that was filed against a military veteran after his defense attorney argued Kalispell officers did not give him enough time to react to an order to drop his weapon before shooting him.

Police were called to Ryan Pengelly's house on Jan. 13 to a report of a suicidal and homicidal woman. Officers were trying to take his mother into custody when she yelled. Pengelly has said he was asleep when he heard the commotion and grabbed a rifle.

Montana sets up 13 satellite voting offices for tribes

Published on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 3:26pm

HELENA, Mont. — Montana's secretary of state has announced that more than a dozen satellite voting offices have been established on the state's American Indian reservations ahead of the June 7 primary election.

The Great Falls Tribune reports the 13 offices will serve six tribal nations in nine counties. The announcement Tuesday comes after tribal leaders called on Secretary of State Linda McCulloch last year to open the offices to ensure American Indians had equal access to voting.

Condon's only grocery store, gas station burns down

Published on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 3:24pm

MISSOULA, Mont. — An early morning fire destroyed the only grocery store and gas station in Condon, a town of about 350 along Montana Highway 83 between Seeley Lake and Swan Lake.

Missoula County officials say the fire at Mission Mountains Mercantile was reported just before 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Deputy Bob Purcell tells KGVO-AM that firefighters did a good job of keeping the fire away from the gas pumps, two propane tanks outside the store and the power lines above the building.

A WOMAN’S TOUCH: Female anglers learn the sport of fly-fishing

Published on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 3:21pm
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A strict rule of no mansplaining was in effect Tuesday night as 46 area women enjoyed the instruction of experienced local female anglers who have engaged in the sport for years.  

Joe Brooks Trout Unlimited hosted its first free Women’s Casting Clinic at Livingston’s Hatchfinders Fly Shop drawing beginners, intermediates and expert women fly-fishers from Park County and nearby areas to learn the art of the outdoor recreation.

Dry winter means more dust storm danger in Arizona, beyond

Published on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 3:16pm
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TUCSON, Ariz. — It's that time of year in the Southwest - and as far as Alaska - when dust storms take shape, raising health and safety risks as plumes of dirt take to the sky.

A dry winter means the Southwest is seeing a greater number of dust storms. Experts say the infamous haboobs, as they're known in the Phoenix area, will likely be active this summer when monsoon season begins.

New owner and style revival at Old Saloon

Published on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 3:13pm
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The Old Saloon in Emigrant is not only under new management, it is also getting a revival to an updated Wild West style.

Recently purchased by Brett Evje, owner of Plonk, a wine bar in Bozeman, the Old Saloon has been apart of Park County culture since 1902. Evje, a fifth-generation Livingston resident said he enjoyed spending time at The Old Saloon as a child, so buying the business seemed like the right thing to do.

Trump says his business flourishing since presidential run

Published on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 3:04pm

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump has told the government that his myriad businesses have flourished with rising revenues since his improbable political success, according to financial documents released Wednesday.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee said revenue at his businesses grew by $190 million over the past 17 months, and he had $557 million in earned income.