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Associated Press Montana News Summary
Sunday, March 14th 2010 
AP-MT--Right Now,1035

Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment: POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED

Laurel police officer arrested, placed on leave

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - The Laurel Police Department says a 12-year veteran of the agency has been arrested on suspicion of assault after a family disturbance.

Thirty-six-year-old Joel Kent Sauter was taken into custody early Saturday morning.

Authorities say they responded to a home after a report of an assault on a woman at a residence. Authorities say the woman was gone but Sauter was in the house, intoxicated and possibly armed.

The Billings and Laurel police departments, the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, and the Billings SWAT and negotiators team responded.

Officials say Sauter came out of the house after about an hour and was arrested.

Laurel Police Chief Rick Musson says Sauter has been placed on administrative leave with pay during an investigation.

Police say no injuries were reported.

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Information from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com

GAS STATION ATTACK

Suspect in ND gas station attack held without bond

MINOT, N.D. (AP) - A Montana man is being held without bond in an attack at a gas station in North Dakota.

Peter Maki of Kalispell appeared confused during a teleconference Friday in Northwest District Court. He's charged with attempted murder.

A judge denied bond for Maki and ordered a mental evaluation.

The local sheriff said a 51-year-old man was slashed in the neck by with a box cutter or knife Thursday morning at a gas station east of Minot. Maki was later arrested in the Granville area.

The name of the victim has not been released. He was treated at a local hospital. He's told police he didn't know his attacker.

Maki is being held in the Ward County jail. It was not immediately known whether he had an attorney.

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Information from: KXMC-TV, http://kxmc.com

OSPREY NEST

Power company builds platform for osprey nest

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A power company has removed an osprey nest from atop one of its power poles and erected a 60-foot platform next to the Yellowstone River in hopes of enticing the osprey to use that as a nesting area instead.

Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative last week put up the platform with the support of the Yellowstone Audubon Society, as well as state and federal agencies.

Last year the osprey raised two young in the nest atop the power pole.

The nest was one of 30 that Audubon Society members counted from Big Timber to Billings.

Society member Monty Sullins says the group wants to work with power companies and landowners to reduce hazards for osprey and relocate problem nests.

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Information from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com

CELL TOWER REJECTED

Judge rejects cell phone tower permit

OVANDO, Mont. (AP) - A Powell County judge has reversed the approval of a 200-foot cell phone tower in the town of Ovando.

Powell District Court Judge Ray Dayton recently ruled the Powell County Planning Board failed to explain why it approved the permit.

Clearview Tower Co. is seeking to build the tower next to Trixi's Antler Saloon, saying it's the only location where a tower can provide cell phone coverage to the town and nearby highway.

But some residents oppose the location, saying the tower will scar the scenic landscape and harm the town's rural appeal.

Clearview attorney Michael Strand says the company is considering its options.

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Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com

MEDICAL MARIJUANA-TERMINATION LAWSUIT

Medical marijuana user sues after being fired

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - A Great Falls man who says he was wrongly fired from his job for using medical marijuana has filed a $500,000 lawsuit against his former employer.

Mike Babbitt in a complaint filed earlier this month against Loaf-n-Jug says he was discriminated against, lost wages and suffered other monetary damages.

The company declined to comment.

Babbitt says he is HIV-positive and is qualified to received medical marijuana.

He says he told the company he received a medical marijuana card and the company told him it wasn't a problem.

But Babbitt says he was fired in November after a drug test from the previous month showed the presence of marijuana.

Babbitt's attorney says marijuana use falls under the company's definition of legal medication.

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Information from: Great Falls Tribune, http://www.greatfallstribune.com

HEAVY-DUTY HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT

Billings hospitals adding heavy-duty equipment

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Health care providers in Billings are joining those around the nation in purchasing heavy-duty equipment so they can better treat obese patients.

Almost one-third of American adults are overweight, another third are obese and 6 percent are extremely obese, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Just over a year ago, St. Vincent Healthcare installed a new CT scanner that can accommodate patients weighing up to 650 pounds. Twice in that time, trauma patients have been flown in from other parts of the state to use it.

Billings Clinic's inpatient oncology unit was designed with rails in the ceilings for motorized lifts to help staff handle obese patients. Now the hospital is planning to retrofit its intensive care unit.

RiverStone Health is planning to build an inpatient hospice home that can accommodate large people and three years ago, American Medical Response ambulance service invested in gurneys that can haul 650-pound patients.

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Information from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com

INTERNET SPEED

State looking to test speed of Internet service

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The Department of Commerce says it wants Montanans to help test the speed of the state's broadband Internet infrastructure.

The agency says their is an online speed test at www.mtspeedtest.org.

The goal of the project is to identify the deficiencies in Montana's high speed Internet service, provided either through fiber optic, copper phone lines, cable, or wireless technology.

People who take the test will be told the Internet connection speed they are at, while simultaneously collect data to help the state map broadband availability.

Agency director Anthony Preite says the information will help the state plan for broadband services.

The state plans to release a map with the results to help planners and consumers.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-03-14-10 0530EDT

Associated Press Montana News Summary
Saturday, March 13th 2010 
AP-MT--Right Now,0658

Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment: STATE BUDGET-MONT

Mont. contractors, counties fight stimulus freeze

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Contractors say the state's move to freeze local stimulus spending comes at a bad time for the beleaguered construction industry.

The Montana Contractors Association says that an industry that leads the state in unemployment can't afford to lose out on money that was supposed to be used to spur the economy.

County leaders also told a legislative committee Friday that it disliked the decision by Gov. Brian Schweitzer's administration to withhold $3.5 million in stimulus money and a similar amount in historical preservation grants.

Budget Director David Ewer says the decision to freeze the funds indefinitely was necessary to make sure the state has enough money to make ends meet.

LEASES SUSPENDED

61 oil and gas leases to be suspended

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Sixty-one oil and gas leases on more than 30,000 acres in Montana would be suspended under an agreement proposed Friday by federal officials and environmentalists.

Two years ago, the Western Environmental Law Center filed a federal lawsuit saying the Bureau of Land Management failed to consider the potential climate change impacts of oil and gas drilling when it sold the leases.

In a settlement proposal filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Missoula, the government agreed to suspend the leases pending further environmental review.

Another party in the case, the Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States, has reserved the right to oppose the agreement.

LEVEE REGS-MONTANA

Stricter levee regs looming for MT communities

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Representatives of riverside communities in Montana say looming federal requirements that they upgrade or certify local levee systems could overwhelm small town budgets.

Homeowners in areas that don't meet the requirements would see flood insurance rates increase.

The government is in the midst of re-mapping what parts of the country are vulnerable to flooding - and including many areas once considered outside of floodplains. Communities grappling with the issue include Great Falls, Glendive, Miles City and Malta.

After hearing concerns from local officials at a Friday meeting in Great Falls, Sen. Jon Tester said he would press the Army Corps of Engineers to cover certification costs.

Rep. Denny Rehberg also wants more help for small communities, while Sen. Max Baucus this week introduced a bill requiring the government to pay most of the costs.

SAGE GROUSE

Federal govt pledges money for sage grouse in West

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to allocate up to $16 million through two programs to encourage farmers and ranchers in 11 western states to protect sage grouse and its habitat.

The funding announcement comes a week after Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the sage grouse deserves federal protection, but won't be listed because other species were in greater danger.

Landowners can sign up until April 23 with county Natural Resources Conservation Service offices to seek money.

Sage grouse live in the sagebrush in California, Colorado, the Dakotas, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and western Canada.

BKW--BSKY-PORTLAND ST-MONTANA

Portland St. beats Montana in Big Sky semifinals

CHENEY, Wash. (AP) - Eryn Jones scored 13 points and Kelli Valentine came off the bench to add 12 in Portland State's 62-47 win over Montana in the semifinal round of the Big Sky Conference tournament Friday night.

Claire Faucher had 11 points and a game-high nine assists for the Vikings (17-14), who held a solid lead for most of the game.

Kelly Marchant's 3-pointer with 7:05 to play in the first half put Portland State ahead 26-15, but the Lady Griz (15-14) narrowed the gap to 34-29 at halftime. Montana came to within four points early in the second half but could get no closer.

Lauren Beck scored 13 points and Sarah Ena added 10 for the Lady Griz. Stephanie Stender led the team with eight rebounds.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-03-13-10 0430EST

Associated Press Montana News Summary
Friday, March 12th 2010 
AP-MT--Right Now,1075

Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment: EPA-MONTANA DIRECTOR

Montana EPA office has new director

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency has named Julie DalSoglio the director of its Montana office.

DalSoglio joined the EPA 20 years ago. She takes over the top job after serving as deputy director under John Wardell, who died last August in a climbing accident. She says Wardell was a wonderful mentor.

DalSoglio spent 10 years in the Superfund program, overseeing work on the Milltown, Anaconda, Libby and Clark Fork River sites. She notes a new Superfund site was proposed at Black Eagle last week and another is upcoming.

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Information from: Independent Record, http://www.helenair.com

HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Gov. tries to motivate Helena leaders over museum

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Gov. Brian Schweitzer is challenging Helena city leaders to develop a proposal to keep the Montana Historical Society museum in the Capital City.

Democratic Sen. Steve Gallus of Butte has proposed using $40 million from the state's pool of natural resource damage funds to build the museum in Butte.

Schweitzer says Helena will need to have a plan before the Legislature convenes next year if it wants to keep the museum.

The current museum has long been considered overcrowded. A plan to buy and raze a Helena mall and build a new museum there stalled for lack of money and the state is now focusing on a piece of property near the current museum, but still does not have enough funding.

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Information from: Independent Record, http://www.helenair.com

MINISTER CHARGES

Minister reacts to homicide charges being dropped

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A former Billings minister who had been charged with killing his wife on a hunting trip nearly 20 years ago says he was relieved this week to learn the charges had been dropped.

Cary Greenlee was charged last June with deliberate homicide in the October 1990 death of 34-year-old Anita Greenlee.

On Wednesday, retired Montana Supreme Court Justice John Warner dismissed the charges, saying the state reopened the case "for no good reason," did not find any new evidence and evidence Greenlee could have used in his defense had been lost.

In a statement e-mailed to KULR-8 television in Billings on Thursday, Greenlee said Anita Greenlee's shooting was a "tragic accident," and that the past nine months have been extremely stressful on his wife and 11 children.

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Information from: KULR-TV, http://www.kulr8.com

YELLOWSTONE-TETON-VISITORS

Yellowstone's visitation steady; Teton's drops

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) - Officials with Yellowstone National Park say visitor numbers are holding mostly steady this year, but Grand Teton National Park has seen slightly fewer visitors than it had at this point last year.

Yellowstone's recreation visits increased 2.7 percent in February compared with the same month last year. In Grand Teton, visitation dropped 6 percent.

Since the start of the year, Yellowstone has tallied more than 54,000 visitors while Grand Teton has counted more than 81,000.

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Information from: Jackson Hole News And Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com

SUSPICIOUS POWDER

Powder in envelope just crushed pain pill

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Helena police say the white powder in an envelope that was mailed to the Department of Labor was a pain relief tablet that likely accidentally fell into the envelope before a Butte woman mailed some paperwork to the state.

Assistant Police Chief Dave Jeseritz says the possible "triggering device" was a lollipop stick.

When the envelope was opened Tuesday and the powder was released, three state workers and a Helena police officer were isolated for several hours while emergency response workers performed an initial test on the substance that ruled it out as a threat to safety.

Jeseritz says it is suspected that the pill and the lollipop stick fell into the envelope as the woman carried it around in her purse for about a week before mailing it. No charges will be filed.

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Information from: Independent Record, http://www.helenair.com

STIMSON LUMBER-CLEANUP

Toxic mill soil to be dumped at Missoula landfill

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - The Montana Department of Environmental Quality says nearly 65,000 tons of toxic soil from a lumber mill will be trucked from the banks of the Blackfoot River to a Missoula landfill 12 miles away.

Keith Large with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality says the work could start in September, with as many as 25 to 30 truckloads brought to the landfill every day. It's part of a $6 million settlement ending a lawsuit brought by the state against Stimson Lumber Co. over a toxic cooling pond.

State officials say the soil from the pond is contaminated with PCB, a chemical that was used in engine oils before it was banned by the federal government in the 1970s over concerns it causes cancer.

UNION EMBEZZLEMENT

Mont. woman gets 5 years probation for embezzling

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - A federal judge has sentenced a former labor union president from Butte to five years of probation for embezzling more than $7,700 from the group.

Forty-two-year-old Laura Ann Brown apologized to the court for taking the money, saying it wasn't for her personal benefit and that at the time she was faced with emergency situations.

Prosecutors said Brown took the money from the American Federation of teachers Local Union 5095 over four years, using electronic fund transfers to pay personal debts, writing checks for her personal benefit and making cash withdrawals from the union account.

Brown's attorney John Rhodes told the court that probation would help her pay restitution.

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Information from: Independent Record, http://www.helenair.com

LES SCHWAB-SEX DISCRIMINATION

Les Schwab pays $2 million to settle EEOC suit

SEATTLE (AP) - Les Schwab Tire Centers has paid $2 million to settle a hiring discrimination suit brought four years ago by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The EEOC says the company denied tire bay job to women, and those positions were a prerequisite for moving up the ladder into management.

In a statement Thursday, the EEOC said Les Schwab has also agreed to provide the commission with periodic reports showing it is in compliance with anti-discrimination policies.

Slightly more than 200 women - denied "sales and service" jobs in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Utah since 2004 - will be eligible for a share of the settlement.

Bend, Ore.-based Les Schwab is one of the largest tire and automotive businesses in the West.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-03-12-10 1631EST

Associated Press Montana News Summary
Friday, March 12th 2010 
AP-MT--Right Now,0630

Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment: STIMSON LUMBER-CLEANUP

Toxic mill soil to be dumped at Missoula landfill

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - The Montana Department of Environmental Quality says nearly 65,000 tons of toxic soil from a lumber mill will be trucked from the banks of the Blackfoot River to a Missoula landfill 12 miles away.

Keith Large with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality says the work could start in September, with as many as 25 to 30 truckloads brought to the landfill every day. It's part of a $6 million settlement ending a lawsuit brought by the state against Stimson Lumber Co. over a toxic cooling pond.

State officials say the soil from the pond is contaminated with PCB, a chemical that was used in engine oils before it was banned by the federal government in the 1970s over concerns it causes cancer.

SUSPICIOUS POWDER

Powder in envelope just crushed pain pill

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Helena police say the white powder in an envelope that was mailed to the Department of Labor was a pain relief tablet that likely accidentally fell into the envelope before a Butte woman mailed some paperwork to the state.

Assistant Police Chief Dave Jeseritz says the possible "triggering device" was a lollipop stick.

When the envelope was opened Tuesday and the powder was released, three state workers and a Helena police officer were isolated for several hours while emergency response workers performed an initial test on the substance that ruled it out as a threat to safety.

Jeseritz says it is suspected that the pill and the lollipop stick fell into the envelope as the woman carried it around in her purse for about a week before mailing it. No charges will be filed.

---

Information from: Independent Record, http://www.helenair.com

UNION EMBEZZLEMENT

Mont. woman gets 5 years probation for embezzling

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - A federal judge has sentenced a former labor union president from Butte to five years of probation for embezzling more than $7,700 from the group.

Forty-two-year-old Laura Ann Brown apologized to the court for taking the money, saying it wasn't for her personal benefit and that at the time she was faced with emergency situations.

Prosecutors said Brown took the money from the American Federation of teachers Local Union 5095 over four years, using electronic fund transfers to pay personal debts, writing checks for her personal benefit and making cash withdrawals from the union account.

Brown's attorney John Rhodes told the court that probation would help her pay restitution.

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Information from: Independent Record, http://www.helenair.com

YELLOWSTONE-TETON-VISITORS

Yellowstone's visitation steady; Teton's drops

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) - Officials with Yellowstone National Park say visitor numbers are holding mostly steady this year, but Grand Teton National Park is seeing slightly fewer visitors.

Yellowstone's recreation visits increased 2.7 in February compared with the same month last year. In Grand Teton, visitation dropped 6 percent.

Since the start of the year, Yellowstone has tallied more than 54,000 visitors while Grand Teton has counted more than 81,000.

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Information from: Jackson Hole News And Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com

LOTTERY PRIZES

Billings man claims $10K Powerball prize

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Montana Lottery officials say a Billings man has claimed a $10,000 prize from the Feb. 17 Powerball drawing.

Benjamin Tracy bought his winning ticket at a Billings Holiday. He matched four of the five white balls and the Powerball to win $10,000.

Lottery officials also announced that Jack Tolan of Great Falls was the first 10 Spot player to win $2,500. He matched nine of 20 numbers in the March 2 evening drawing. Players who match 10 of 20 numbers in the keno-type game win the top prize of $25,000.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-03-12-10 1228EST

Associated Press Montana News Summary
Friday, March 12th 2010 
AP-MT--Right Now,1167

Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment: HUMAN REMAINS

Human remains found in Missoula identified

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - Authorities say human remains discovered in the Clark Fork River in Missoula over the weekend are those of a transient man who was last seen in March 2008.

Missoula County Sheriff's Capt. Greg Hintz says the skeletal remains of 59-year-old Jesus Garza had probably been in the water for a year and a half until a man walking his dog found them washed up in a log jam Sunday.

Hintz says Garza was never reported missing, but last had contact with law enforcement two years ago.

The man's family in Washington state has been notified of the death.

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Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com

COCAINE TRAFFICKING

3 men convicted in Billings cocaine conspiracy

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A cocaine conspiracy that brought down Carbon County Attorney Robert Eddleman and Billings designer Terri Jabs Kurth has led to the convictions of three men accused of supplying the drug.

On Thursday, a federal jury convicted 40-year-old Billings resident Domingo Baez and two co-defendants -- 30-year-old Maurisio Ramirez and 32-year-old Gilberto Acevedo, both of Wenatchee, Wash. -- of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

The jury found that the men conspired to bring between approximately a pound and 11 pounds of the drug to the Billings area between January 2007 and September 2008.

They face a minimum mandatory sentence of five to 40 years in prison and up to a $2 million fine.

Eddleman and Kurth acknowledged giving cocaine to friends at parties in their Red Lodge and Billings homes.

Kurth is serving an eight-month sentence, and Eddleman was sentenced to 2 1/2 years.

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Information from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com

MEDICAL MARIJUANA-BOZEMAN

Bozeman OKs interim zoning for marijuana stores

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - The Bozeman City Commission has ruled that new medical marijuana businesses will not be allowed to set up shop within 1,000 feet of a school, and such businesses currently operating within the new boundaries can't accept any new patients.

Commissioners voted 3-1 Thursday to adopt the interim ordinance, which will be in effect for six months. In the meantime, city officials say they hope to draft permanent rules for where medical marijuana can be grown, sold and used.

The ordinance defines a "school" as any public or private K-12 school or vocational school. Commissioners chose not to include Montana State University in the definition.

Several cities across the state have placed a moratorium on medical marijuana businesses while leaders decide zoning issues.

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Information from:

KBZK-TV, http://www.kbzk.com

Bozeman Daily Chronicle, http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com

CANADIAN DRUGS

Governor wants state to get drugs from Canada

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Gov. Brian Schweitzer says he is seeking federal permission to import cheaper drugs from Canada for use in the state insurance programs.

Schweitzer says the state spends about $100 million a year on prescription drugs for Medicaid, the children's health insurance program, state employees, and inmates at the prison.

He estimates $40 million could be saved by getting prescription drugs from Canada.

The governor says he envisions the state setting up a deal with a Canadian wholesaler who could mail the drugs to local pharmacies.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says it has not seen the request yet and couldn't comment.

The governor says he believes the agency director can legally grant such a waiver.

MOLNAR-ETHICS

Hearings officer: PSC's Brad Molnar violated ethics law

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - A hearings officer has found that Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar violated state ethics laws by accepting illegal donations and using state office equipment for campaign purposes.

University of Montana professor William Corbett recommended Molnar be fined $5,750 and pay for part of the proceedings against him because Molnar refusal to acknowledge any wrongdoing, was evasive, attacked the complainant and caused delays in the proceedings.

The complaint was filed by Mary Jo Fox of Billings, the campaign manager for Ron Tussing, Molnar's opponent in the 2008 election. The hearing was held in November.

Corbett found that Molnar illegally took $1,000 contributions from NorthWestern Energy and PPL Montana for pay for brochures that were later used as campaign materials.

He also found that Molnar improperly used his state computer and e-mail system in campaign activities.

REHBERG STAFFER-POACHING

Politics stir poaching case against Rehberg aide

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A top aide to Montana Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg on Thursday insisted he was innocent of elk poaching allegations and said they were fueled by partisan politics -- but a newly released affidavit in the case contradicts the aide's story.

Rehberg state director Randy Vogel is due in a Virginia City courtroom next week for alleged hunting violations that could land him in prison for up to six months if convicted.

Sorting out the truth could be difficult: Vogel says he has since sold to an anonymous buyer the rifle authorities suspect was used to shoot the young bull elk near Ennis last November.

Vogel said he didn't shoot the elk, that other hunters were in the area and that he later cooperated with investigators.

All of those claims run counter to an affidavit state wildlife officials submitted Thursday in state District Court in Madison County.

ROCKIES WOLVES-COUNT

Wolf population rose last year in Northern Rockies

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The wolf population in the Northern Rockies rose in 2009, but at the lowest growth rate in nearly 15 years.

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report released Thursday says there were a minimum 1,706 wolves inhabiting Montana, Idaho and Wyoming in 2009, compared to at least 1,650 wolves the year before.

The report says population growth has slowed to less than 4 percent. That's the lowest growth rate since 1995.

The report could bolster the federal government's assertion that wolves are doing fine since losing Endangered Species Act protections last year.

The exception is Wyoming, where federal protections remain in force.

Environmentalists are asking a federal court to overturn the loss of protections for wolves in Montana and Idaho.

SAGE GROUSE-LIVESTOCK GRAZING

Court favors sage grouse in Montana grazing lawsuit

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The U.S. Forest Service must re-examine how livestock grazing affects sage grouse habitat in southwestern Montana after an appeals court ruled its original assessment was not reliable.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the Forest Service on Tuesday to prepare a new environmental assessment for its livestock allotments in the 48,000-acre Antelope Basin.

Tens of thousands of acres have been identified as sage grouse habitat, but few of the chicken-sized birds can be found there.

Michael Garrity of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies says the ruling means the Forest Service must ensure that grazing will not harm the sage grouse's recovery.

The Forest Service did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press seeking comment.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-03-12-10 0332EST

 
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