Prep Volleyball Nov 4, 2009
Helena Capital 5-7 8-14. Kalispell Glacier 5-7 12-11. (Montana Standard, MT)
Work-comp benefits cut off at retirement Nov 4, 2009
HELENA The Montana Supreme Court Tuesday upheld a state law ... Two other permanently disabled workers James Zenahlik of Anaconda and Joseph Foster of Helena also were plaintiffs in the case. (Montana Standard, MT)
SPECIAL REPORT: Recession & Recovery focuses on Montana's struggle to rebound from economic downturn Nov 4, 2009
"Recession & Recovery" is a joint production of the Billings Gazette, the Missoulian, the Helena Independent Record, and the Ravalli Republic. The report focuses on 12 major industries in Montana and the struggles and triumphs each has faced during the economic downturn. (Montana Standard, MT)
PSC Molnar's ethics hearing begins Wednesday Nov 3, 2009
HELENA Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar, facing ethics charges on his alleged misuse of state equipment and corporate donations, finally gets his day in court this week. Molnar, a Republican representing Billings and southeast Montana, will defend himself beginning Wednesday at a hearing before a state examiner at the Capitol, more than a year after the initial charges were filed. (Montana Standard, MT)
Maroons, Panthers host Saturday Nov 3, 2009
Missoula Big Sky (6-4) at Helena Capital (10-0), 7 p.m. ... Saturday, Nov. 7 Missoula Sentinel (6-4) at Helena (7-3), 1 p.m.. (Montana Standard, MT)
Jail con man too sick to auction off assets Nov 3, 2009
HELENA Michael Hilton, a California con man who aspired to run an unopened jail in Hardin, failed Monday to turn over to authorities what he said are now his only assets: Four pieces of art, including a self-portrait. The art is to be auctioned off to repay part of an older fraud judgment against him. (Montana Standard, MT)
Fish and Wildlife Service to review grayling status Nov 1, 2009
Wildlife Service, Montana Field Office, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, Montana. 59601. (Bozeman Daily Chronicle)
Computer museum clicks Nov 1, 2009
The museum also includes pieces of Montana's history an operator's switchboard from Red Lodge; Montana's oldest telephone, from Fort Shaw; and Montana's oldest calculator, which was used to figure the gold content of ore from the mines at Helena. The first computer used at MSU stretches across the wall of one room. (Montana Standard, MT)
Men accused of pawning stolen items for bail cash Nov 1, 2009
Helena Police Chief Troy McGee said the two 21-year-old men arrived at a pawn shop Saturday morning with about $20,000 worth of goods including bikes, televisions and tools. The store's clerk was suspicious and called police. (Albany Times Union)
Political notebook Nov 1, 2009
Schweitzer is always quick to tell reporters that he is content focusing on his work in Helena. Nevertheless, Schweitzer s post-gubernatorial political ambitions are always a favorite topic of speculation amongst political junkies. (Bozeman Daily Chronicle)
Spherion Corp. Nov 1, 2009
The company has one other office in the state in Billings, leaving the Butte office to service companies in Butte, Bozeman, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula. The Butte office has two staff positions, with a range of 50 to 200 contract employees placed through-out southwest Montana at any given time. (Montana Standard, MT)
Landowners increasingly shut down popular spots Nov 1, 2009
The hunter, from Helena, had drawn the tag, said Charles, landowner-sportsmen relations coordinator for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Yet days before he planned the trip of a lifetime, the man learned that the Hirschy Ranch in the west valley a prime spot for moose where he was planning to go was shut down to a popular hunting access program. (Montana Standard, MT)
143rd returns home to Montana Nov 1, 2009
HELENA A company of Montana soldiers spent the past week demobilizing from a year-long tour in Iraq, a mission that took several members of the Belgrade-based police force back to the war for a second and much different time. The 49 soldiers assigned to the Montana National Guard's 143rd Military Police Company left Montana last year and arrived Saturday in Bozeman. (Montana Standard, MT)
Schweitzer rejects call for special session Oct 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009. (Created: Friday, October 30, 2009 12:10 PM MDT). (Havre Daily News, MT)
Western looking for breakthrough Oct 31, 2009
Still, Western has played Carroll as tough as anyone the last few seasons, and though it seems the Bulldogs play the Saints tougher in Helena than in Dillon, a closer look shows that Western tends to play better against Carroll in their second meeting of the year regardless of location. If that trend holds for Saturday's game, fans could be in for a treat, especially considering how close the first game was back in September. (Montana Standard, MT)
Feds: Stimulus creates 6,427 jobs in Montana Oct 31, 2009
HELENA The Obama administration said Friday that federal stimulus spending has created or saved 6,427 jobs in Montana as of Sept. 30, although the state's budget director said Friday at least some of the job total is artificially high. The White House issued a press release saying recipients of federal money from President Barack Obama economic recovery plan reported creating 640,329 direct jobs nationally, including those in Montana. (Montana Standard, MT)
Bulldog kickers rally back Oct 31, 2009
Butte High goalkeeper Chuckie Richards, center, celebrates the Bulldogs' win over Glacier after he kicked the game-winning penalty kick in a shoot-out Friday afternoon at the state Class AA soccer tournament at Siebel Fields in Helena / The Independent Record. HELENA In a historic day for Butte High's soccer program, the Bulldog boys shocked both Kalispell Glacier and Helena Capital en route to earning a berth in the consolation final match ... Butte High will play Helena High for third place in... (Montana Standard, MT)
Bengals tag Bulldogs with first-round loss Oct 30, 2009
Butte High's Brett Powell battles for the ball with Helena High's Brent Harlen during their opening-round soccer match at the State Class AA tourney Thursday at Siebel Fields in Helena ... HELENA Butte High's boys' soccer team suffered some bad luck Thursday, along with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Helena High in the first round of the Class AA state tourney ... Bulldog coach Joe Griffin was busier than a Las Vegas card dealer, shuffling his lineup after a pair of injuries left two of his... (Montana Standard, MT)
Tester talking health care reform Oct 30, 2009
In response to a caller from Helena, Tester said he agrees that benchmarks should be included in the bill, such as to track whether the legislation is meeting its goal of not adding to the federal deficit a requirement Obama has set. Congress should be watching the impacts of the bill and making changes as needed, Tester said. (Havre Daily News, MT)
Tonbridge Power Board of Directors Elect John Etchart to Position of Chairman Oct 30, 2009
A resident of Helena, Montana, Mr. Etchart has been a member of Tonbridge Power's Board of Directors since the Company's inception in 2005. As an experienced executive and advisor to various levels of government and business in Montana and the Northwestern US, his guidance has been essential in steering the Company through the highly complex regulatory and political challenges faced during the development of the MATL project. (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Hunting season opens; elk harvest up Oct 30, 2009
Silver City check station northwest of Helena had a big opening with 58 elk checked by hunters. This two-day harvest is about 75 percent of the total for all of 2008. (Big Sky Lone Peak Lookout, MT)
Jury backs family over metal baseball bat danger (47) Oct 29, 2009
A Helena jury today sided with the parents of former Miles City Legion baseball player Brandon Patch in a civil suit over the player's death during a 2003 game in Helena. The jury decided that bat maker Hillerich by failed to provide adequate warning about the dangers of the bat a Helena Senators player used during the game. (Montana Standard, MT)
More of this story Oct 29, 2009
Harasser is in Helena. 10:07 a.m. Caretaker at East Glacier Lodge called and said there is a squatter around there. (Cut Bank Pioneer Press - Golden Triangle, MT)
Mont. jury awards $850,000 in aluminum bat lawsuit Oct 29, 2009
They argued their 18-year-old son did not have enough time to react to the ball being struck before it hit him in the head while he was pitching in an American Legion baseball game in Helena in 2003. Debbie Patch says she hopes the decision will make more people aware of the dangers associated with aluminum bats and that more youth leagues will switch to using wooden bats. (FindLaw News)
Taco joint opening Uptown Oct 29, 2009
Three operate in Missoula and one in Helena, Great Falls and Whitefish. The last step toward moving ahead with a project was to secure money from Butte's Urban Revitalization Agency on Wednesday. (Montana Standard, MT)
Local / State Snapshots Oct 29, 2009
Sac State player suspended HELENA (AP) The Big Sky Conference has suspended a Sacramento State football player for his actions in a game last weekend against the University of Montana. Avery White, a freshman linebacker from Manteca, Calif. (Montana Standard, MT)
Jury awards $850,000 in bat lawsuit Oct 29, 2009
HELENA A jury on Wednesday found that the maker of Louisville Slugger baseball bats failed to adequately warn about the dangers the product can pose, awarding a family 850,000 for the 2003 death of their son in a baseball game ... They contended that their 18-year-old son did not have enough time to react to the ball being struck before it hit him in the head while he was pitching in an American Legion baseball game in Helena in 2003. (Montana Standard, MT)
Blattie's death ruled a homicide Oct 29, 2009
Harold Blattie and his wife, Betty, now live in Helena, where he is the executive director of the Montana Association of Counties. In initial reports of the death, the sheriff said investigators consider the death suspicious. (Laurel Outlook, MT)
Boys' soccer tourney Oct 29, 2009
Bulldogs take on Helena in state Class AA ... The Butte High's boys' soccer team will take its game to Helena on Thursday for the first round of the Class AA state tourney ... The Bulldogs will face perennial power Helena High at noon at Siebel Fields near the Helena Airport. (Montana Standard, MT)
Injured Safina pulls out; Serena is No. 1 Oct 29, 2009
A Montana jury found that Hillerich & Bradsby, maker of Louisville Slugger baseball bats, failed to adequately warn about the dangers of aluminum bats, awarding the family of Brandon Patch $850,000 for his 2003 death in an American Legion game in Helena. Hockey Canucks Luongo out with rib fracture Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo will miss at least the next two games after sustaining a hairline fracture in one of his ribs. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Tester says maybe to ‘public option' Oct 29, 2009
The Montana Standard. The Montana Standard. (Montana Standard, MT)
Highland Park issues plague school board Oct 29, 2009
In a phone interview Monday, she said she questioned the Havre Public Schools Board of Trustee s decision to choose an out-of-town contractor instead of local contractor Clausen and Sons Inc., which submitted a proposal in competition with Dick Anderson Construction Inc. of Helena and Sletten Companies of Great Falls. She is co-owner of Bear Paw Technologies, and her husband owns Schine Electric Schine subcontracts for Clausen, but not for the majority of its jobs, Rhines said but she's... (Havre Daily News, MT)
Letter: Grasshopper Creek road case warrants a second look Oct 28, 2009
Corey Baker P.O. Box 3005 Helena. Civil Dialogue. (Montana Standard, MT)
Details on public option elusive; Montana senators mum on position Oct 28, 2009
HELENA Montana's two U.S. senators on Tuesday declined to say specifically whether they support the new government health- insurance plan proposed this week by their majority leader, as part of an overall health-reform bill. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. (Montana Standard, MT)
New Montana legislative fiscal analyst named Oct 28, 2009
HELENA (AP) Amy Carlson, the governor's assistant budget director, has been named the new legislative fiscal analyst, the Legislative Finance Committee said Monday ... Galen Hollenbaugh, D-Helena, said he hopes Carlson's hiring will help achieve more of a consensus between the Legislature and the governor's office in building the 2011 budget, ``so we don't give off the perception that all we do is fight. (Montana Standard, MT)
Even Odds: Bulldogs out but not down Oct 28, 2009
The last time Western beat Carroll was a 26-17 Bulldog win in Helena Oct. 16, 2004 ... When I worked at the Helena newspaper a few years back, I spent a lot of time talking with then-Carroll head coach Bob Petrino ... Since beating Carroll four years ago in Helena, the Western Bulldogs have played the Saints tougher there than at home. (Montana Standard, MT)
Lawyer wants client's case dismissed Oct 28, 2009
Helena lawyer Greg Jackson filed a motion in Butte district court Tuesday to dismiss the charge against William Bruce Ellis, claiming that by the time his trial is expected to start next month, it will be more than 1,000 days since allegations were first made against Ellis. Ellis, 61, faces a felony charge of sexual assault in connection with fondling a 13-year-old girl at his residence in October 2006. (Montana Standard, MT)
Opening weekend successful for hunters Oct 28, 2009
The kill was up for deer and elk throughout the region, which covers southwest Montana from the Idaho border to north of Helena and runs from east of Livingston to just west of Butte ... Silver City, near Helena, led the way with 58 elk killed, followed by Cameron in the Madison Valley, which had hunters check 28 elk. (Montana Standard, MT)
New rules changing Montana cabin-lease rents Oct 27, 2009
HELENA Last week, the Montana Land Board voted to endorse a new rent structure for those leasing cabin sites on state property. Under current rules, the rent is 5 percent of property's "appraised value," as determined by the state Department of Revenue. (Montana Standard, MT)
Man charged with crashing truck into Helena home Oct 27, 2009
A 61-year-old man convicted of negligent homicide after a 1995 crash that killed a 15-year-old girl and seriously injured another teenager is now accused of driving under the influence and crashing his pickup truck into a Helena home. Norman C. Slead of Helena appeared in Justice Court on Friday on felony charges of DUI and criminal endangerment ... He is accused of driving drunk Thursday night and crashing into a home in the northeast Helena Valley. (Montana Standard, MT)
Updated: Plea agreement reached in Florence triple slaying Oct 27, 2009
HELENA (AP) The federal government dropped murder-related charges against a man in the 2001 deaths of three women at a Florence hair salon shortly after attorneys filed a motion alleging prosecutorial misconduct and outrageous government conduct ... and Greg Jackson of Helena, did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment. (Montana Standard, MT)
Cabin-site leaseholders don't like Land Board solution Oct 27, 2009
HELENA Missoula resident Louis Erck, who's leased a Placid Lake cabin site from the state since 1973, says he's not convinced that the new rent structure endorsed by the state Land Board is fair to leaseholders ... "I can handle it, but a lot of people I know cannot," says Dan Fillinger of Helena, who has a lease on Echo Lake near Bigfork. (Montana Standard, MT)
Carlson up for fiscal analyst's post Oct 27, 2009
HELENA A legislative subcommittee has recommended that Amy Carlson, an assistant budget director in the governor's budget office, be hired as the top legislative fiscal analyst for the state ... Galen Hollenbaugh, D-Helena, de facto chairman of the four-member subcommittee that recommended Carlson for the job. (Montana Standard, MT)
Prep Football Roundup Oct 27, 2009
Helena Capital (9-0) beat Billings Senior 47-14 ... Missoula Sentinel (6-3) lost to Helena 35-6. (Montana Standard, MT)
Man taken into custody after shooting dog Oct 26, 2009
HELENA (AP) A 57-year-old Helena man has been arrested on suspicion of felony criminal endangerment after police say he shot his dog in an alley behind his house and the bullets traveled toward other homes. Edward Herbet Green was taken into custody Thursday after police, who were called by Green's former wife, heard two shots behind Green's house. (Montana Standard, MT)
Young Ag Leaders experts give advice in new economy (33) Oct 26, 2009
On Oct. 2-3, the young faces of agriculture's newest working generation met in Helena for the 6th annual Young Ag Leaders Conference. Over 130 attendees enjoyed socials, speakers, workshops and an evening of dancing at the Kleffner Ranch outside of Helena, Mont. (Great Falls Prairie Star, MT)
Bulldog harriers cruise at state Oct 25, 2009
Though Helena's Matt Barker posted the top time, Bozeman's boys had the depth to claim a team title with a 56. Flathead was second with 89. (Montana Standard, MT)
On the Books Oct 25, 2009
Rhonda Sullivan, 49, of Helena, pleaded guilty Sept. 23 to a DUI, per se, and was fined 685. Sullivan also received a one-day jail sentence, must attend alcohol awareness class, and seek treatment. (Montana Standard, MT)
Slashed dreams Oct 25, 2009
It was for a state job in Helena, and they wanted him to interview. "The timing, huh?" he said. (Montana Standard, MT)
Iraq casualties Oct 25, 2009
Forces: U.S. tion/Casualties - Special Reports from CNN.com. There have been 4,671 coalition deaths -- 4,354 Americans, two Australians, one Azerbaijani, 179 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, five Georgians, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, three Latvians, 22 Poles, three Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, one South Korean, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the Iraq war as of October 23, 2009, according to a CNN... (CNN -- Specials)
Fuel prices may be falling but so is the mercury Oct 25, 2009
For Harris at the AAA office in Helena, the thermostat will largely determine whether prices at the pump stay steady. "If this winter is really cold, crude will be used to make heating oil rather than gasoline," Harris said. (Montana Standard, MT)
SPECIAL REPORT: Recession & Recovery focuses on Montana's struggle to rebound from economic downturn Oct 25, 2009
"Recession ery" is a joint production of the Billings Gazette, the Missoulian, the Helena Independent Record, and the Ravalli Republic. The report focuses on 12 major industries in Montana and the struggles and triumphs each has faced during the economic downturn. (Montana Standard, MT)
Another Brown running for governor? Oct 25, 2009
HELENA Is the third Brown the charm for Montana Republicans ... "There's a ground movement of youth that understands their future is in jeopardy." "said one of the leaders, Mitch Staley of Dillon, who's studying at Brigham Young University.The other student leaders are Shelby DeMars at Carroll College and Sam Cornthwaite at Montana State University.Brown emerged from his first legislative session this year "as a guy who wants to help, but doesn't like the political games in Helena," Staley... (Montana Standard, MT)
Dear Betty: Have heart-to-heart about breast cancer Oct 25, 2009
Please mail your questions on senior issues to Betty at Mountain-Pacific Quality Health, 3404 Cooney Drive, Helena MT 59602 or e-mail them to. Civil Dialogue. (Montana Standard, MT)
Bulldogs heading to state tourney Oct 24, 2009
GREAT FALLS Butte High's boys earned a trip to next weekend's state Class AA tourney in Helena with a 1-0 upset win over Great Falls Russell Friday in the Electric City ... That leaves the Bulldogs with a first-round matchup against Helena High, the second seed out of the Western AA. ... "Well, Helena won't be a walk in the park either," Griffin noted, adding that his team will go back to work preparing for Thursday's opening round of the tourney. (Montana Standard, MT)
Building suit stirs ‘separation of powers' Oct 24, 2009
HELENA Forcing the state to pay millions of dollars to a spurned developer would soften the very foundation of Montana's style of government, lawyers for the state argued Friday in filings for a lawsuit that could cost taxpayers tens of millions ... The state has asked Helena District Judge Jeffrey Sherlock to dismiss the case, saying there is nothing for a judge to decide: The contract included a termination clause that allowed the state to cancel the agreement if the money behind it did not... (Montana Standard, MT)
Stockgrowers apologize for poor relations Oct 24, 2009
MATT GOURAS Associated Press Writer HELENA. The president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association apologized Thursday to Gov. Brian Schweitzer for a "distressed relationship" as the conservative-leaning group said it wants to stop quarreling with the Democrat. (Havre Daily News, MT)
Copperheads win in finale Oct 24, 2009
Helena 35, Missoula Sentinel 6 ... Helena Capital 47, Billings Senior 14. (Montana Standard, MT)
Butte High ready to run Oct 24, 2009
Helena is also expected to finish among the top teams, with individual contender Josh Osborne leading the way. Though he had the flu a coupe weeks ago, Dennehy said she hopes to see Osborne at full strength Saturday. (Montana Standard, MT)
Columbia Falls Aluminum to shut down plant Oct. 31 Oct 23, 2009
megloff wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:25 AM:" I remember when that plant employed around 1000 people. Folks worked there from age 18 to retirement, earned a damned good living and damned good retirement. Those were CAREERS.The politicians promise these new "green" jobs but where are they and do they even last? Nowhere and no. We won't add base load power generation. We let the idiots in California who refuse to make their own, suck away our power and raise our rates thereby.What happens when China,... (Montana Standard, MT)
Aluminum Baseball Bat Safety on Trial in Montana Oct 23, 2009
By BROCK VERGAKIS Associated Press WriterHELENA, Mont ... Fighting off a Helena Senators' fifth-inning rally, pitcher Brandon Patch checked the runner on first base. (ABC News -- Wire)
Golden Bear kickers end Butte High girls' season Oct 23, 2009
The Bears advance to the state tourney in Helena next weekend with the win. West will be the No. 2 seed from the Eastern AA.. (Montana Standard, MT)
Aluminum bat safety on trial in Montana Oct 23, 2009
HELENA Fighting off a Helena Senators' fifth-inning rally, pitcher Brandon Patch checked the runner on first base. The 18-year-old Miles City Mavericks' southpaw then went into his windup, delivering what looked sure to be another strike. (Montana Standard, MT)
Bus carrying volleyball team crashes near Helena Oct 23, 2009
The northbound lanes of Interstate 15 near Helena were shut down for nearly an hour Thursday night after two separate accidents, including one that involved a bus carrying Westminster's volleyball team. Josh Fisher, a Westminster athletics spokesman, says the women's team was on its way from Utah to Havre, Mont. (Montana Standard, MT)
Authorities search for Helena casino robber Oct 23, 2009
Authorities are looking for a man who robbed a casino in Helena. Police Chief Troy McGee says the man asked a clerk at the Magic Diamond Casino to change a $20 bill at about 1:40 a.m. Thursday. (Montana Standard, MT)
