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Articles written by Paul Dragu


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  • From the courts: District Court

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 25, 2018

    A Havre man received one-year probation for drunkenly crashing and rolling over a vehicle, injuring the two passengers. Keiffer T. Nordgulen, born in 1989, was sentenced Wednesday in state District Court in Havre, after a multi-day sentence hearing, to one year in the county jail — all suspended — for the offense of misdemeanor negligent endangerment. He received credit for one day served. Nordgulen’s sentence is part of a last-minute plea deal that dismissed a felony criminal endangerment charge, as well as two misde...

  • From the courts: District Court

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 23, 2018

    A Havre woman who allegedly rammed her vehicle into a Havre police cruiser in January was sentenced in state District Court in Havre Monday to 10 years in plea agreements on multiple cases. Rebecca S. Denson, born 1964, is being held at the Chouteau County Jail — while waiting on a pending Hill County case — because of her assault on a Hill County DetentIon Officer in 2017. Denson is accused of ramming a vehicle into a police cruiser Jan. 31 after getting stuck as a result of her fleeing officers. Court charging doc...

  • Hi-Line Living: Bullhook Bottoms to Havre: Celebrating Havre's incorporation year

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 23, 2018

    Before there was Havre, there was an area south of the Milk River called Bullhook Bottoms, which got its name from the butte southeast of present-day Havre that regional Native Americans called Bullhook, from the legend of a bull bison gouging out the middle of the butte. The lowland, where the creek that starts at the butte flows into the Milk River, was known as Bullhook Bottoms. Great Northern Railway head James J. Hill, the "Empire Builder," wanted the name of the area cha...

  • From the courts: District Court

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 20, 2018

    A local man received six months in the county jail for stealing several items from a local ranch. Brett Matkovich, born in 1982, was sentenced last week in state District Court in Havre to six months in the county jail for the misdemeanor offense of criminal mischief, and five years, all suspended, to the Department of Corrections, for felony theft. Matkovich’s sentence is part of a plea agreement. Matkovich also has a 2014 conviction in Cascade County for criminal endangerment. Hill County Sheriff’s deputies responded July 1...

  • From the courts: District Court

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 20, 2018

    A local man received seven years probation Monday in District Court in Havre for being found impaired and in illegal possession of a pistol and prescription medication. Eric William Brewer of Havre, born in 1993, was sentenced to seven years with the Department of Corrections, all suspended, for the felony offense of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted person; three years with the DOC, all suspended, for the felony offense of criminal possession of dangerous drugs; and six months in the county jail for...

  • Aiming for solutions

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 16, 2018

    When school shootings happen, the ripple effect of those waves wash up on Havre's prairie shores. "There are multiple layers of effects. School is supposed to be a safe place, for one thing," said District Superintendent Andy Carlson Tuesday. "There's an element of fear and I don't think anybody can deny that. I think there's a realization that it can happen." The first known national school shooting is believed to have happened July 26, 1764, in present day Greencastle,...

  • The joys of calving on the Hi-Line

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 16, 2018

    As a scientist, Livestock Operations manager for the Northern Agricultural Research Center Cory Parsons, an Idaho native, "objectively" believes that Montana beef is superior. No, he said he can't prove it with science or research, but he has his reasons. "I think it's a combination of the weather, genetics and the grass. These calves," Parsons said Tuesday, "they'll go any place in the Pacific Northwest, in the Midwest, and compete in a feedlot." Montana beef, annually, is a...

  • Wacee the warrior: A 7-year-old Chinook boy combats cancer

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 13, 2018

    It all happened so fast. Before Feb. 9, the Simenson’s 7-year-old “spitfire” of a son was boisterously enjoying life. Within two days, the Simensons had been flown to a Colorado hospital after finding out their son had a football-sized tumor in his chest. On Feb. 9, Wacee Simenson was having “flu-like” symptoms, his mother, Tomi Simenson, said. So she took him to a clinic in their hometown of Chinook, which then led to a visit at Havre’s Northern Montana Hospital. Tomi and Justin Simenson were wholly unprepared for what ha...

  • From the courts: District Court

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 13, 2018

    A Havre man was sentenced March 5 in District Court in Havre to a six-month suspended sentence for kicking in the door, entering a residence with a gun and scaring those inside. John A. Morsette, born in 1985, received six months in jail, all suspended, credit for five days served for the misdemeanor offenses of criminal trespass and assault. Morsette was first charged with felony charges aggravated burglary and assault with a weapon. A jury found him innocent of those charges Jan. 12 but guilty of the lesser including offens...

  • Bad boned: A local child's battle with a degenerative disease

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 9, 2018

    Karter Scheele's parents enrolled him in a wrestling program when he was 4, hoping to find a fitting outlet for their high-energy boy who was driving his mother crazy. Everyone was happy with the results. His parents got a more docile child, and Karter found an activity he loved. Two years later, Karter was diagnosed with the degenerative joint disease Perthes in his left hip and hasn't wrestled since. "The blood flow is interrupted to his left hip bone and it doesn't get...

  • Man charged with assaulting detention officer, causing a concussion

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 8, 2018

    A prisoner at the Hill County Detention Center allegedly punched a detention officer in the face, causing a concussion. Joseph Raymond Moore, charged with felony assault of a peace officer, is scheduled to appear in District Court in Havre March 21 at 10 a.m. for his arraignment hearing, to plead guilty or not guilty. Moore is listed in the HCDC on a $25,000 bond. Court charging documents say officers with the HCDC decided to move Moore to another pod Feb. 26 because he was threatening to fight with another inmate. An HCDC...

  • From the courts: District Court

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 8, 2018

    A Box Elder man received four years probation for drunkenly crashing into another vehicle. John LaSalle, born in 1948, received Monday in District Court in Havre four years, all suspended, with the Department of Corrections, with credit for ’8 days. LaSalle’s sentence was part of a plea deal that dismissed a felony charge of driving under the influence, fourth or subsequent offense. A Montana Highway Patrol trooper responded Nov. 2, 2016, to a report of a two-vehicle crash at Seventh Avenue and Second Street in Havre. A Hav...

  • Havre man pleads guilty to fireworks heist

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 7, 2018

    A Havre man pleaded guilty Monday to stealing nearly $3,000 in fireworks last year. Daniel Baranyai, 29, admitted in District Court in Havre to felony theft as part of plea deal that dismissed a felony burglary charge. Baranyai’s sentence has been scheduled for April 16 at 1:30 p.m. A deputy responded and began conducting an investigation after receiving a call July 2 from the manager of the Pyromania fireworks stand. The manager reported that his stand had been broken into the night before. The keyed padlock had been cut o...

  • Park board waits to move on with business

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 6, 2018

    Decisions are hanging in the air as the Hill County Park Board waits for answers from various groups and entities before conducting further business. During a special meeting Feb. 22, the park board agreed to send a cabin lease draft to the county attorney for review. During Monday night's meeting in the Timmons Room of the county courthouse, Beaver Creek Park Secretary Aubrey Williams read to those in the room Deputy Hill County Attorney Karen Alley's responses to some of...

  • Local church donates money to ranchers

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 5, 2018

    Thanks to a Nevada man and a new local church, a group of Bear Paw ranchers received money to help them recover from the ravages of the East Fork Fire just as spring, hopefully, comes around the corner. Chad and Mary McKenzie of the Hi-Line Nazerene Worship Church handed out three checks Saturday afternoon of $1,133.33 to Dave and Judy Molitor, Joe and Lisa Toth, and Clint Bradbury, who works with his father, Bill Bradbury, on the family ranch. “We wanted to get it to them b...

  • FOI attorney: Commission should have given clearer notice fair manager firing

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 5, 2018

    A Montana freedom of information attorney said the Hill County Commission should have been more specific on Thursday's agenda about their decision to fire Great Northern Fair grounds manager Dave Brewer. The decision to release Brewer because of the fairgrounds' financial problems was made during the "Employment Review" portion of Thursday's meeting. The fair board is holding a special meeting Wednesday. Attorney Mike Meloy of Montana's Freedom of Information Hotline Inc. said...

  • From the courts: District Court

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 2, 2018

    A Havre man received three years probation for having more than a gram of methamphetamine. Eric William Koop, born in 1982, received a three year deferred imposition of sentence for the felony offense of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Koop’s sentence is part of a plea deal and he can have the offense struck off his record if abides by his conditions. Officers went over to a residence Nov. 1, 2016, after Koop reported to police that a 17-year-old girl needed attention. When they arrived, officers noticed that Koop w...

  • Havre tourism rolls out new campaign

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 2, 2018

    A group promoting Havre tourism has rolled out a new campaign to promote the jewel of the Hi-Line. This week, the Tourism Business Improvement District began making available fresh decal souvenirs, complete with a new slogan part of a new logo. "Find yourself in Havre" are the words encapsulated in a blue outline of Montana. The outline is topped with a red heart where Havre's geographical location is. The logo has been stamped on bumper stickers, postcards and magnets, now...

  • Commissioners fire fairgrounds manager

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 2, 2018

    Since news broke that Great Northern Fair Board members had discussed making big changes such as seasonally shutting down the fairgrounds, people have taken to social media with comments, suggestions and complaints en masse. In a recent twist, those changes have already begun, as county commissioners voted during their Thursday meeting to fire fairgrounds manager Dave Brewer. Hill County Commissioner Mike Wendland said this morning the decision was all about money....

  • Hi-Line Living: The roots of skiing: Bear Paw Ski Bowl

    Paul Dragu|Updated Mar 2, 2018

    The Bear Paw Ski Bowl is not a typical ski hill. There's no posh resort tucked into it. It's not operated by transplants who've moved to the area just for the skiing. And it's one of only two ski hills in the U.S. on an Indian reservation, the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation. The book, "Montana Skiing, The Last Best Place" says the Ski Bowl is "unquestionably the most unique ski area in the state." In addition to its location, the Ski Bowl's novelty includes its January to Marc...

  • Water restored in Rudyard, school back in session

    Paul Dragu|Updated Feb 28, 2018

    Water was restored in Rudyard Tuesday afternoon after a water main break Monday left the town dry. The break resulted in school closures of the North Star middle and high school in Rudyard. Students are back at school today, Hill County Commissioner and Rudyard resident Mike Wendland said this morning. The concern with the repair, which was being worked on near the railroad track by Wells Fargo and Farmer’s Union store, was if the leak was too deep. The frozen ground had made it difficult for C & C Excavation Inc. to make h...

  • Man accused of molesting relative

    Paul Dragu|Updated Feb 28, 2018

    A local man who is accused of sexually molesting a relative for a prolonged period of time was arrested Feb. 14 and is in the Hill County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond. Isaac Dale Wardell, born in 1986, is charged with in incest, sexual intercourse without consent, sexual abuse of children, sexual assault and indecent exposure to a minor. He is scheduled to appear for his arraignment hearing, where he will plead guilty or not guilty, March 19 at 9:15 a.m. in District Court....

  • School board holds planning meeting

    Paul Dragu|Updated Feb 28, 2018

    A strategic meeting Tuesday night indicates Havre Public Schools district leaders will schedule community listening sessions regarding school safety protocols and class reconfiguration, as well as votes on whether to approve upgrading school bathrooms and three athletic venues. District Superintendent Andy Carlson told school board members during the evening’s meeting in the Robins Administration Building that he’d had more than one conversation about school safety protocols recently. Board members agreed a community lis...

  • Police arrest 15-year-old at Havre High

    Paul Dragu|Updated Feb 27, 2018

    A 15-year-old was arrested Monday at Havre High School at 11:06 a.m. on pending intimidation charges and being held at the Cascade Juvenile Detention Center, says a release from the Havre Police Department issued Monday. The subject of the release is “Threat at Havre High School,” and it was issued days after graffiti was found Thursday in the Havre High school bathroom saying a shooting would occur at the high school the next day. The threat spurred heavy police presence the next day at all public schools, and an inv...

  • Water main break in Rudyard leaves town dry, closes school

    Paul Dragu|Updated Feb 27, 2018

    Everyone in the town of Rudyard remains without water today and likely into Thursday after a water main break Monday cut off the area’s water source. The break has left the town’s approximate 200 residents without water. Reason for the break is undetermined, Hill County Commissioner and Rudyard resident Mike Wendland said this morning. The ground is so frozen it took C & C Excavation Inc. hours Monday to get a foot into the ground, Wendland said. The digging will likely continue into tomorrow as the crew tries to find and...

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