Articles from the June 23, 2014 edition

The Associated Press|Updated Jun 24, 2014

Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today. CHARGES IN FATAL AUGUSTA SHOOTING: An Augusta man has been charged with deliberate homicide in the shooting death of a neighbor. Joseph Campbell was charged Monday in the Oct. 18 slaying of Timothy Newman following years of legal disputes between Newman, Campbell and other neighbors over access to public land. Campbell has said he shot Newman in self-defense. CRASH VICTIMS IDENTIFIED: Authorities say a 4-year-old boy and 3-year-old... Full story

Updated Jun 24, 2014

Highway 2 in downtown Chester was closed to traffic Monday afternoon because of a gas line break. Traffic is now resumed on the highway. Stricks Ag was evacuated, though employers remained inside the business. Officials said they might evacuate other businesses. But an engineer arrived on the scene shortly before 5 p.m. Monday and estimated that things would return to normal by 6:30 p.m., area residents said. A NorthWestern Energy spokeswoman said that a third party contractor was boring in the area, perhaps to install fiber... Full story

John Kelleher|Updated Jun 23, 2014

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During the last two weeks, the story of an alleged sexual harassment at Montana State University-Northern was brought out in public. The general outline of what happened at Northern is not a surprise. Rumors of the incidents have been spreading in the community, especially at Northern, for some time. The allegations detailed in the testimony are perhaps not as torrid as had been rumored. Northern is not the first employer in Montana to be faced with these kinds of problems. Employees at workplaces throughout the state have fe... Full story

Updated Jun 23, 2014

HELENA (AP) — A state judge has struck down most of a voter-approved law requiring government officials to conduct immigration checks on anybody seeking services from unemployment benefits to crime-victim assistance. The law aims to deny services to people who are in the U.S. illegally. District Judge Jeffrey Sherlock says in his Friday order the law makes up its own definition of "illegal alien" and conflicts with federal immigration laws. Immigration attorney Shahid Haque-Hausrath said Monday state agencies won't be a... Full story

Updated Jun 23, 2014

The people of Montana were the winners in an out-of-court settlement announced last week that let Charter Communications keep $9 million of the $34 million the state says it is owed. Going forth, Charter will pay a tax rate of 6 percent that the state charges other telecommunications firms, not the 3 percent charged cable television companies. To us, that sounds like a victory for the state and its taxpayers. Charter and its predecessor companies had been charged at the 3 percent rate over the years, but the company expanded... Full story

Tim Leeds|Updated Jun 23, 2014

A man accused of having nearly 300 prescription painkillers he planned to sell in the Havre area has agreed to change his plea on the charges. Richard W. Vanzant III, born in 1984, is scheduled to change his plea next Monday in a case charging him with three felony counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute them, a felony count of possession or use of property subject to forfeiture and a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana. Vanzant was pulled over while driving on a road in Rocky...

Tim Leeds|Updated Jun 23, 2014

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A case against one man accused of selling drugs to a man who then was found “freaking out” has been resolved, with the trial of another defendant in the case still pending. Wesley J. Hansen, born in 1987, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement to felony charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of property subject to forfeiture, with a felony count of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia dismissed under the agreement. State Dis...

John Paul Schmidt|Updated Jun 23, 2014

Range Days, a three-day event to teach students of all ages about identifying plants and assessing land for ranch use, begins today at Camp Kiwanis. Jennifer Kenck, administrator at Hill County Conservation District, said that this year is the second year the event will be held in Hill County “It’s been 10 years since this event was even close to Havre,” Kenck said. The event spends two years at a town and then moves to another host. Range Days is part of a state-wide program and changes host towns every two years. “It’s... Full story

Updated Jun 23, 2014

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Beloved husband, father, and friend David Blackwolf Belcourt died on June 13, 2014 after a tough battle with Lymphoma. David is a proud member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy Montana. David leaves behind his wife, Tina Belcourt, and his four children, Will, Tyler, Graylyn, and Gavrik. David was the son of Allan Nault and Betty Belcourt. A Celebration of Life will be held on June 28 in Michigan. Email Mrs. Belcourt at [email protected] with questions.... Full story

Updated Jun 23, 2014

Havre Police Department Gloria Jean Brown, 43, of Chinook was issued a summons on a charge of shoplifting after officers responded to a 9:10 a.m. Friday call from a 1st Street business about a noncombative shoplifter. ——— Officers investigated a 12:34 p.m. Friday call about a man posting defaming statements on Facebook. ——— Officers investigated a 1:59 p.m. Friday call from 3rd Street about items missing from the calling party’s house. ——— Jodi Marie Werk, 26, of Havre was issued a summons on charges of speeding, driving w... Full story

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