Officials pursuing solution for center

City and county officials said they were surprised by the announcement of the H. Earl Clack Foundation that management responsibility of the Heritage Center would be returned to the city on July 1.

"I didn't know until I got the letter," Havre Mayor Bob Rice said today. "Elaine Morse asked if it was a surprise to me, and I said, 'Absolutely.'"

Morse, president of the Clack Foundation, did not return phone calls seeking comment.

The Clack Foundation on Friday sent letters to Rice, City Attorney Jim Kaze and the Hill County Commission saying it was planning to relinquish control of the Heritage...