Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment:
FARM BILL
Congress passes farm bill, defying Bush
WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress has sent the White House an
election-year farm bill that includes a boost in farm subsidies
and more money for food stamps amid rising grocery prices.
The Senate passed the bill 81-15 yestserday, a day after
the House approved it with 318 "yes" votes, which was enough to
override a presidential veto.
President Bush has threatened to veto the 290
billion-dollar bill, saying it is fiscally irresponsible, and too
generous to wealthy corporate farmers at a time of record crop
prices.
About two-thirds of the bill would pay for domestic
nutrition programs such as food stamps and emergency food aid for
the needy, amid rising grocery prices.
An additional 40 billion dollars is for farm subsidies.
CROW LAND
Feds object to $380 million Crow Tribe land bill
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - The head of the Bureau of Indian
Affairs says he opposes a Congressional measure that would loan
Montana's Crow Tribe $380 million to consolidate land on the
reservation.
The tribe owns less than a quarter of its 2.2 million acre
reservation along the Montana-Wyoming border. The rest is owned
by individuals, including 700,000 acres by non-Indians.
A bill introduced last year by Montana's Democratic U.S.
senators, Max Baucus and Jon Tester, would loan the tribe money
to purchase non-tribal land and put it into a trust. The land
could then be put to use for agriculture or other purposes that
would generate tribal revenue.
But Indian Affairs Director Jerold Gidner told a Senate
panel Thursday that his agency is concerned about the size of the
loan and who would pay for property appraisals.
WOLF KILLED
Wolf illegally shot in northwest Wyoming
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department
reports a wolf has been illegally shot in northwest Wyoming.
It is the first known illegal killing of a wolf in the
state since the animals were removed from federal protection
under the Endangered Species Act and their management was taken
over by Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.
Sixteen other wolves have been killed legally in Wyoming
since late March.
Environmental groups have been critical of the decision to
remove the wolf from federal protection, saying it would lead to
too many wolf deaths.
Wyoming Chief Game Warden Jay Lawson says the state agency
takes its wolf management responsibility seriously and is
offering a $3,000 reward for information about the illegal
killing.
GRIZZLIES RELOCATED
Grizzly bears relocated
CODY, Wyo. (AP) - Four grizzly bears have been relocated to
the Yellowstone National Park region because of conflicts with
humans and livestock in northwestern Wyoming.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department trapped and relocated
an adult female grizzly bear, one yearling male cub and one
yearling female cub that had been found frequenting private
property near Dubois (DOO'-boyce). The agency also trapped and
relocated an adult male grizzly bear after it had killed a
domestic calf west of Dubois.
Dubois is about 45 miles southeast of Yellowstone.
Game and Fish spokesman Dennie Hammer says the sow and two
cubs were relocated 10 miles east of Yellowstone while the adult
male was relocated about five miles east of the park.
MARAUDING LION
Lion's origins investigated
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Researchers are trying to
determine the origin of a mountain lion that was shot last month
by police in Chicago.
An initial test of the lion's DNA matched many
characteristics of lions in the Dakotas, Wyoming and Montana.
Scientists are now zeroing in on additional genetic traits,
to see if they specifically match those of mountain lions in the
Black Hills National Forest area in western South Dakota and
northeast Wyoming.
A U.S. Forest Service lab in Montana is analyzing a
specimen from the animal, and results are expected within a
month.
ENVIRONMENTAL PENALTY
Seattle company says it's working to prevent more violations
HELENA, Mont. (AP) - A Seattle-based recycling company --
Emerald Services -- was penalized for storing hazardous waste in
Montana without a permit. Now the company says it has taken steps
aimed at preventing similar problems.
Emerald Services Vice President Jerry Bartlett says the
company installed an environmental management system, and has
given employees additional training.
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality says
Emerald Services paid a penalty of $67,500 for storing hazardous
waste, well beyond the ten days allowed without a permit.
The DEQ says the company stored paint waste it received in
the summer of 2006, first keeping it in Missoula for about six
months, and then transferring it to Helena. It was stored there
for a little over two months.
HEALTH INSURANCE-ANALYSIS
Analysis: Insurance initiative would save state money
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A University of Montana professor
says an initiative that would expand health insurance coverage to
30,000 Montana children also would save the state 35 million
dollars a year.
Steve Seninger is a research professor with Montana Kids
Count in the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at UM. He
says Initiative 155 would cost the state about 20 million dollars
a year to operate. He also says the state would save 50 million
in other costs -- mostly from a reduction in uncompensated health
care provided to uninsured children.
And he says it would generate five-and-a-half million
dollars in new tax revenue.
Seninger says The initiative would generate up to 75
million in matching federal dollars -- some of which would be
used for new jobs in health care and supporting industries.
ENERGY CONSERVATION
Report: Northwest energy conservation hits high in 2007
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Last year was a record year for
energy conservation in the Pacific Northwest.
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council says the
energy saved was equivalent to the electricity used by 146,000
homes - or a city the size of Eugene.
The 200 average megawatts saved in 2007 boosts the energy
efficiency improvements the Pacific Northwest has been making
since 1978.
Overall, the region has saved about 3,700 average megawatts
in the last 30 years, or enough power for all of Idaho and
western Montana.
New energy efficiency standards for major appliances like
washing machines, dryers and dishwashers should help save even
more electricity in the future.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.)
AP-NY-05-15-08 1622EDT
Associated Press Montana News Summary
Thursday, May 15th 2008
AP-MT--Right Now,1093
Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment:
STUDENT LOANS-AUDITS
Loan group agrees to give regents past audits
HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The Montana Higher Education Student
Assistance Corporation will furnish copies of its past audits to
the state Board of Regents.
The MHESAC (muh-HEE'-sack) board voted unanimously during a
conference call Wednesday to furnish the past financial and
performance audits to the regents, probably at their meeting in
Havre later this month.
Last month, the Board of Regents voted 5-2 to ask the
Legislative Auditor's Office to conduct a performance audit of
MHESAC and its business manager, the Student Assistance
Foundation.
However, Legislative Auditor Scott Seacat said he couldn't
audit SAF and MHESAC because they are private entities, not state
agencies.
MHESAC has been caught up in the national credit and
liquidity crunch, and auctions for nearly all of its $1.3 billion
of auction bond notes have failed several times since February.
YELLOWSTONE BIZON-HAZING
Environmental groups slam bison hazing plan
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - An effort to force hundreds of bison
back into Yellowstone National Park, from land around the park's
western edge, has prompted intense opposition from half a dozen
environmental groups.
State and federal officials on Wednesday began hazing 370
bison grazing on and around Horse Butte, an isolated peninsula on
Hebgen Lake. The hazing is part of an Interagency Bison
Management plan, adopted in 2000, designed to protect cattle from
the potential spread of the bacterial disease brucellosis.
Six environmental groups sent a joint letter to Gov. Brian
Schweitzer on Wednesday, demanding the hazing cease immediately.
They said the plan should be amended to allow the animals to
range on lands outside the park that are not used for cattle
grazing.
MUSHER-NEGLECT
Suspect's father can care for neglected dogs
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - A judge has ruled that 33 sled dogs
found abandoned without food, water or shelter near West
Yellowstone, can be released to the owner's father in Maine,
while a criminal case is pending.
Twenty-four-year-old John Hessert has pleaded not guilty to
one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty and 33 misdemeanor
counts of animal cruelty. His father -- 56-year-old Stephen
Hessert -- said he'd keep the animals at his home in Maine.
District Judge Holly Brown ruled this week that the dogs
could be moved because they're not needed as evidence. She also
said Hessert's father would follow court orders, including caring
for the dogs and keeping his son away from the animals.
PHARMACY ROBBERY
Man charged with robbing Missoula pharmacy
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - Missoula police have arrested a
23-year-old man who allegedly robbed a drug store for the
powerful painkiller OxyContin.
Joseph Raisanen was charged with felony robbery and was
being held on $50,000 bail.
Authorities say a man wearing a mask and a hooded sweat
shirt entered a Sav-Mor Pharmacy yesterday morning, brandished a
handgun and demanded the drug.
Police traced dealership records of the getaway car to a
home where Raisanen was staying. Another man at the home eluded
authorities after running down an alley.
Officers recovered OxyContin in a pillowcase in a trash bin
behind the house.
MEDICAID THEFT-PLEA
Woman pleads guilty to stealing from Medicaid
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - A 54-year-old Browning woman has
pleaded guilty to using her job at a health care center on the
Blackfeet Indian Reservation to steal money from Medicaid.
Judy Racine pleaded guilty to theft from a local government
receiving federal funds and to theft from a health care facility.
Racine was the business office director for the Blackfeet
Care Center, which received about $725,000 in Medicaid funds from
January 2007 to November 2007.
Court documents say Racine deposited Medicaid checks into
the center's banking account and got cash back for herself.
Prosecutors say she also wrote several Blackfeet Care
Center checks to herself and used the center's debit card to
withdraw money from ATMs and to pay for personal items and
vacations.
PEACE OFFICERS-FLAGS (TOPS)
MHP trooper among those to be honored in Washington, D.C.
HELENA, Mont. (AP) - A Montana Highway Patrol trooper will
be honored today in Washington, D.C. as part of National Peace
Officers Memorial Day.
Trooper David Graham died last October, when a pickup
swerved into the path of his car east of Kalispell.
May 15th has been National Peace Officers Memorial Day
since since President John F. Kennedy signed it into law in 1962.
The first National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service was
held on May 15th, 1982 in Washington, D.C.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall in
Washington is inscribed with the names of more than 17,000 law
enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
Governor Schweitzer has ordered flags in Montana to be
flown at half staff today, in observance of Peace Officers'
Memorial Day.
STIMSON MILL
Stimson workers' final week extended
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - About 100 employees at the Stimson
Lumber Co. sawmill in Bonner will work slightly longer than
anticipated before operations end at the 122-year-old mill.
Company officials say that roughly 56 hourly workers at the
sawmill are likely to wrap up by the middle of next week, instead
of Monday, as they work through the remaining logs.
The planer crew of another 40 workers will also work a few
days longer - most likely until the final week of May - as the
wood goes through the dry kiln and planer.
Stimson, based in Portland, Ore., says another half-dozen
workers will prepare the final batches of wood for shipment.
Stimson officials announced in March that the Bonner mill
would close because of the nation's lagging housing market and
depressed lumber prices.
SUPERINTENDENT RELEASED
Frazer releases high-paid superintendent
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - Montana's most highly paid school
superintendent, from one of the state's smallest and poorest
districts, won't be back this fall.
Trustees of the Frazer School District, on the Fort Peck
Indian Reservation, voted this week not to renew the contract of
Superintendent Lynn Mavencamp.
The Frazer district has just 100 students in kindergarten
through 12th grade. Last year, the district paid Mavencamp
$184,000.
Mavencamp could not be reached for comment, but district
business manager Harold Blount said Mavencamp was paid only about
$6,000 in his first year, so the board increased his salary for
the second year to $184,000.
But the board's chairwoman, Rita Talk Different, said the
district couldn't afford that kind of salary.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.)
AP-NY-05-15-08 1158EDT
Associated Press Montana News Summary
Thursday, May 15th 2008
AP-MT--Right Now,0936
Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment:
FARM BILL
$290 billion bill heads to Senate
CAPITOL HILL (AP) - The Senate is taking up debate on a
290-billion-dollar farm bill that sailed through the House with a
veto-proof margin.
The bill doles out more subsidies for farmers and includes
money for lawmakers' pet projects. About two-thirds of the bill
would pay for nutrition programs such as food stamps and
emergency food aid for the needy. Some 30 billion dollars would
pay farmers to leave their land idle and to other environmental
programs.
The president is promising to veto the five-year bill
saying it's too expensive and gives too much to wealthy farmers.
Bypassing the president's veto may prove an even easier
task in the Senate where farm states have greater representation
than in the House.
ENVIRONMENTAL PENALTY
Washington company pays Montana environmental penalty
HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The Montana Department of
Environmental Quality says a Seattle-based recycling company that
stored hazardous waste in Montana without a permit has paid a
penalty of $67,500.
Emerald Services was penalized for storing waste well
beyond the ten days allowed without a permit.
The DEQ says the company stored paint waste received in the
summer of 2006, first keeping it in Missoula for about six
months, and then transferring it to Helena. It was stored there
for a little over two months.
Calls seeking comment from Emerald Services were not
returned immediately.
HAMILTON-DRUG ARREST
Victor man charged with criminal endangerment in drug case
HAMILTON, Mont. (AP) - A 48-year-old Victor man is charged
with criminal endangerment after Ravalli County deputies say
another man overdosed from an opiate injection.
Sheriff Chris Hoffman says authorities were called to Dan
McCrossin's house on Saturday, where 25-year-old Alex Ames was
unconscious from a drug overdose.
Ames' brother told a deputy that he had to force his way
into the house and that McCrossin was preventing others from
calling 911.
Ames' brother told deputies McCrossin told him that he had
injected Alex Ames with Fentanyl, a strong opiate extracted from
a prescription pain patch.
McCrossin is also charged with possession of dangerous
drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Alex Ames was treated at the hospital and released. He is
charged with possession of dangerous drugs, fraudulently
obtaining dangerous drugs and theft.
BISON KILLED
Roaming bison from national park killed by southwest ND
rancher
MEDORA, N.D. (AP) - Two bison bulls that breached the fence
surrounding Theodore Roosevelt National Park in southwestern
North Dakota were shot and killed by a rancher.
Park chief ranger Tom Cox declined to name the shooter, who
hasn't been charged in the case.
Cox says Billings County, North Dakota man told him the
bison were distressing his cattle.
The ranger says he doesn't know how long the bison had been
gone from the park, but that the animals are capable of covering
a lot of distance in a short time.
The bison will be donated to Badlands Ministries, a
Lutheran bible camp south of Medora.
---
Information from: Bismarck Tribune,
http://www.bismarcktribune.com
WYOMING DEMOCRATS
Screenwriter to address Wyo. Democratic convention
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Screenwriter Bill Broyles of Wilson,
Wyoming says he's mostly steered clear of personal involvement in
politics.
But that's changing: Broyles took part in the Teton County
Convention in March and is scheduled to speak at the upcoming
Wyoming Democratic Convention in Jackson.
Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal (FREE'-den-thawl) and
Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer also are slated to speak at the
convention.
Broyles wrote the screenplay for the acclaimed 2000 film
"Cast Away," which stars Tom Hanks as a FedEx employee who
becomes stranded on a deserted island.
Broyles also helped with the screenplays for the films
"Apollo 13" and "The Polar Express."
RESCUERS HONORED
Four BLM firefighters honored for saving pilot's life
LEWISTOWN, Mont. (AP) - Four Bureau of Land Management
firefighters based in Lewistown have been honored for their role
in rescuing a pilot who had crashed in the path of a Nevada
wildfire.
Scott Meneely, Andrea Robinson, Steven Spellberg and Andrew
Rishavy accepted their Valor Awards from the Department of the
Interior during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.
The four were members of a BLM engine crew that was working
with two other crews to create a buffer between the Barrel
Springs fire and homes in Winnemucca, Nev., on July 17, 2007.
They saw a single engine air tanker that was attempting to
make a retardant drop get caught in a cross wind and crash.
While some of the firefighters scrambled to slow the fire's
advance, others pulled the pilot -- soaked in slurry and jet fuel
-- to safety.
VIRTUAL GRADUATION
Malta man to watch daughters' graduation by streaming video
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - A Malta man who is hospitalized
in a Utah burn unit will be able to see his twin daughters
graduate from high school this weekend via streaming video.
Rick Starkey suffered second- and third-degree burns over
40 percent of his body on April 15. He sustained a 14,400 volt
electric shock when he accidentally contacted a live wire while
working to restore power after a car struck a utility pole.
Starkey, who has worked for Big Flat Electric Co-Op for 27
years, is hospitalized at the University of Utah's burn center in
Salt Lake City.
But he will be able to watch daughters Samantha and Amanda
graduate Sunday on a donated laptop computer. Montana-based
Vision Net is donating the streaming video technology and a
technician is installing and managing the video feed in Malta.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.)
AP-NY-05-15-08 0432EDT
Associated Press Montana News Summary
Wednesday, May 14th 2008
AP-MT--Right Now,1087
Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment:
MONTANA DEMOCRATS
Bill Clinton takes Hillary's case to Missoula
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - Bill Clinton made the case today for
his wife's presidential hopes during a campaign stop in Missoula,
saying she has the best plan to provide health care to all and
improve the economy.
Clinton's visit to Missoula wrapped up a two-day swing
through Montana. The former president held a rally in Kalispell
last night.
Hillary Clinton is coming off a big win in West Virginia -
but observers say it could be too late to seize the nomination
from Barack Obama.
But Bill Clinton says his wife can still win with just a
few primaries to go, and is fighting back against those who say
she should exit the race.
Both campaigns say they will fight for the 16 Montana
delegates at stake in the June 3rd primary. It is the last in the
nation, along with South Dakota.
HAMILTON ATTEMPTED MURDER
Woman charged with attempted murder, shot at husband
HAMILTON, Mont. (AP) - A 43-year-old Hamilton woman has
been charged with attempted murder. Ravalli County authorities
say she shot at her husband during an argument.
Officers say Deborah Haynes fired a shot at her husband
Friday as he was driving away from their house. Witnesses say
Haynes drove off in another direction and deputies arrested her.
Investigators determined the couple had been arguing and
that she had been breaking dishes. Investigators believe she used
shards from the broken dishes to cut her arms.
When deputies found Wendell Haynes, he was uninjured and
said his wife had threatened to kill herself before she shot at
him.
Sheriff Chris Hoffman says Deborah Haynes was taken to the
hospital for treatment and evaluation before being jailed. Her
bail was set at $10,000 during a hearing Monday.
HAMMER ATTACK-SENTENCED
Man sentenced for hammer attack
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - A Missoula man who attacked a
co-worker with a hammer last September has been sentenced to five
years in state custody, to be followed by 15 years of probation.
Richard Callaway had earlier pleaded guilty to charges
burglary and assault with a weapon.
The pleas came as part of an agreement that saw prosecutors
drop a charge of attempted murder.
The 29-year-old Callaway was arrested last September, after
kicking down the door to a co-worker's motel room in Missoula and
assaulting the man with a hammer.
According to court records, victim Brian Sparks worked a
construction job with Callaway, and told his bosses that some
employees - including Callaway - were using drugs at the job
site.
That resulted in mandatory drug tests.
SPILL LAWSUIT
Yellowstone County OKs lawsuit to collect for spill cleanup
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Yellowstone County commissioners
have authorized the county attorney to sue a New Jersey trucking
company, that's refused to pay for the cleanup of a New Year's
Day chemical spill.
On January 1st, a semitrailer drifted off Interstate 90
near Lockwood, shattered an electrical pole and spilled 1,460
gallons of aluminum chloride and 60 gallons of diesel fuel.
The cleanup and salvage cost about $60,000.
Ryder, the company that owns the truck, has agreed to pay
its share, but IBI Secure Transport is disputing the bill.
Company officials say the Lockwood Fire Department inflated its
hourly salaries and the cleanup company double-billed for its
work.
Commissioners hope the possibility of a lawsuit will give
the county leverage in negotiating with IBI.
TAX FRAUD CHARGE
Contractor indicted on federal charges
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A North Dakota contractor that
operates in Montana has been indicted on federal tax fraud and
conspiracy charges.
Fisher Sand and Gravel is accused of avoiding income tax
payments between 2001 and 2004. The company is charged with
eleven counts of conspiracy and tax fraud.
Company vice president Michael Fisher and chief financial
officer Amiel (uh-MEEL') Schaff are also named in the indictment.
Comptroller Clyde Frank says the company is disappointed in
the grand jury indictments. He says the company will defend
itself, and is confident it will be exonerated.
Frank says the company operates in North Dakota, South
Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, California,
Nevada, Colorado and Arkansas.
HUMANITARIAN WORK
Montanan heads to central Asia for humanitarian work
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - A Montana avalanche specialist is
traveling to central Asia, where he plans to do humanitarian
work.
Doug Chabot (shuh-BOH') manages the Gallatin National
Forest Avalanche Center for a good part of the year. With that
work complete for the season, he's going to Pakistan and
Afghanistan for a couple of months, on behalf of the
Bozeman-based Central Asia Institute.
Chabot will trek to some of the institute's schools that
provide basic education for children.
He left Bozeman yesterday for Washington, D.C., and is
scheduled to fly out of there late tonight, for Pakistan.
Chabot has traveled previously in central Asia, as a
representative of the institute.
He describes this trip as an opportunity to identify needs
by meeting with teachers and village religious leaders.
MALMSTROM COMMANDER
New commander to take over at Malmstrom
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - A new wing commander will begin
his duties May 21 at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls.
Col. Michael Fortney will assume command of the 341st Space
Wing.
Fortney is currently vice commander of the 30th Space Wing
at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. He was previously commander
of the 576th Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Flight Test
Squadron at Vandenberg, and commander of the 90th Operations
Group at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.
The current wing commander at Malmstrom, Col. Sandra Finan
(FINN'-un), will become deputy director of nuclear operations for
Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
CREEK RESTORED
Blackfoot Valley creek being restored
LINCOLN, Mont. (AP) - A troubled tributary of the Blackfoot
River, Lincoln Spring Creek, is being restored along its course
through ranches and farmland in the Blackfoot Valley.
Its waters have been muddied by cattle, depleted by
irrigation and overheated by a loss of shade trees. Vegetation
along the creek has been trampled by livestock.
Now, officials are using heavy equipment and a mix of
public and private funds to, in effect, rebuild the creek,
restore its flows, attract native fish and prevent the waterway
from being degraded again - all without interfering with
landowner Paul Grosfield's ranching business.
It's part of a statewide Future Fisheries Improvement
Program, a statewide partnership of government agencies,
landowners, nonprofit groups and private foundations.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.)
AP-NY-05-14-08 1620EDT
Associated Press Montana News Summary
Wednesday, May 14th 2008
AP-MT--Right Now,0954
Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment:
LIBRARY THEFTS
Woman arraigned on charges of stolen documents
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - The wife of alleged library thief
James Brubaker has been arraigned in Great Falls, accused of
helping her husband sell stolen documents on the Internet auction
site eBay.
Caroline Brubaker appeared Tuesday in U.S. District Court
on charges of conspiracy to traffic in stolen property and
possession and sale of stolen property. Brubaker is 64.
Her husband, 73-year-old James Brubaker, was arrested on
similar charges in March.
Federal prosecutors believe James Brubaker stole rare
books, maps and other documents from libraries and universities
in the Western United States and Canada from 2003-2007.
An article in the April edition of Smithsonian magazine
detailed the efforts of a Western Washington University librarian
to find documents allegedly stolen from that university.
HAMILTON ATTEMPTED MURDER
Woman charged with attempted murder, shot at husband
HAMILTON, Mont. (AP) - A 43-year-old Hamilton woman has
been charged with attempted murder for shooting at her husband
after an argument.
Ravalli County authorities say Deborah Haynes fired a shot
at her husband Friday as he was driving away from their house.
Witnesses say Haynes drove off in another direction and deputies
arrested her.
Investigators determined the couple had been arguing and
that she had been breaking dishes. Investigators believe she used
shards from the broken dishes to cut her arms.
When deputies found Wendell Haynes, he was uninjured, and
said his wife had threatened to kill herself before she shot at
him.
Sheriff Chris Hoffman says Deborah Haynes was taken to the
hospital for treatment and evaluation before being jailed. Her
bail was set at $10,000 at a hearing Monday.
ICE CREAM BREAK-IN
Woman pleads not guilty to ice cream shop break-in
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - A 24-year-old Missoula woman accused
of breaking into an ice cream shop to satisfy a sweet tooth after
a night of drinking has pleaded not guilty to felony burglary.
Katherine Moon allegedly used a small rock to break the
glass front door of the Big Dipper Ice Cream Shop on April 17th
-- then fixed herself an ice cream cone.
While police were investigating, Moon called 911 to turn
herself in. Court records state that she told officers she'd been
drinking beer and shots of whiskey throughout the night when she
developed a craving for ice cream.
SUTTON'S-LAYOFFS
Billings sportswear company lays off 47
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Sutton's Sportswear in Billings has
laid off 47 employees because of increasing competition and a
changing business strategy.
Harvey Stewart is Sutton's president and chief executive.
He says Monday's layoffs were necessary to bring expenses under
control. The company makes customized hats, shirts and other
sportswear by using screen printing and embroidery.
The layoffs account for about a quarter of Sutton's
203-person work force.
DISCRIMINATION RULING
Butte-Silver Bow appeals discrimination ruling
BUTTE, Mont. (AP) - Butte-Silver Bow is appealing a recent
ruling that the city-county government discriminated against a
longtime employee on the basis of age.
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry ordered
Butte-Silverbow to pay courthouse secretary Linda Raiha $4,830 in
back wages and $5,000 in emotional distress damages.
A hearing officer also ordered that Raiha be given the job
of city court clerk.
Butte lawyer Thomas Welsch is representing the city, and
said Tuesday he is appealing the ruling.
Welsch says Raiha's age had nothing to do with that fact
that she wasn't hired for the court clerk's job. Welsch says
Raiha just wasn't the best applicant.
Raiha's attorney, Geralyn Driscoll, says it's unfortunate
Butte-Silver Bow plans to continue arguing the matter.
MONTANA POWER LAWSUIT
Trial date set in Montana Power lawsuit
BUTTE, Mont. (AP) - Former employees who sued Montana Power
Co. ten years ago will finally get a trial - but it's still two
years away.
District Judge Kurt Krueger set a trial date Tuesday of
Jan. 11, 2010, in the lawsuit filed by past Montana Power
employees. They are seeking workers' compensation benefits they
claim they were due from Montana Power.
Montana Power eventually went bankrupt and was bought by
several entities, including NorthWestern Energy.
The lawsuit alleges the company breached its contract with
the former employees.
BEARTOOTH-MULE DEER
Mule deer population down along Beartooth Front
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - The mule deer population has dropped
dramatically in an area along the Beartooth Front that was
severely damaged by a 2006 fire.
The long-term average for the census area is 1,161 mule
deer. But current numbers are down more than one-third to an
average of 756 deer.
The Beartooth Front is bounded by Red Lodge and the Rock
Creek Valley to the east and Nye and the Stillwater River Valley
to the west.
Shawn Stewart is the Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologist in
charge of the count. He says the 2006 Derby fire scorched about
40 percent of the census area. It destroyed about 75 to 80
percent of the sagebrush and about one-third of the conifers. The
plants provide forage as well as a shield from snow, cold and
wind.
YELLOWSTONE-CAMPGROUND
Opening of YNP's Norris Campground delayed
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - Because of the
heaviest snowfall in a decade, the opening of Norris Campground
in Yellowstone National Park will be delayed.
Norris Campground was scheduled to open on Friday, May 16.
But park officials Wednesday said the campground has current snow
depths of 18 to 24 inches, making it inaccessible to campers.
Individual sites at Norris will open intermittently as the
snow melts and conditions allow, with all sites expected to open
in about two weeks.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.)
AP-NY-05-14-08 1217EDT
Associated Press Montana News Summary
Wednesday, May 14th 2008
AP-MT--Right Now,0851
Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment:
MONTANA DEMOCRATS
Bill Clinton stumps in Kalispell
KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - Bill Clinton told a large crowd in
Kalispell that his wife's big win in West Virginia was "a great
night" for a campaign that's promising to run through the last
primary in the nation and finish in Montana.
Clinton was on his third campaign trip to Montana
yesterday. He said Hillary Clinton has -- quote -- "fought
virtually to a draw."
She has been under increasing pressure to bow out, but
she's adamant she will finish so all states can vote.
Bill Clinton told Democrats in the crowd not to worry about
the ongoing race between his wife and Barack Obama, which some
say could fracture the party. He assured the audience that the
party would be united.
The former president also argued that the electoral map
favors his wife, who he predicted could "rout" Republican John
McCain. Bill Clinton is scheduled to speak today in Missoula.
SMITH-DEATH PENALTY
Schweitzer: No deal to commute Canadian's death sentence
HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Governor Brian Schweitzer says there
was no deal on the table to commute the sentence of a Canadian on
death row in Montana and recent reports to the contrary are just
"Canadian domestic politics."
His comments follow reports by a Canadian news agency that
the governor told a top Canadian consular official last year that
he was prepared to consider commuting Ronald Smith's sentence --
and transferring the convicted killer to a Canadian prison -- if
Canada would agree to keep Smith behind bars for at least five
years.
Schweitzer said yesterday there was no such deal.
He says officials with the previous Canadian administration
told him they wanted him to commute Smith's sentence. He says he
listened to what they had to say but made it clear that the state
Board of Pardons and Parole would first have to consider the
case.
FARM BILL-FOOD CRISIS
Farm bill has little aid for needy children abroad
WASHINGTON (AP) - Critics say a five-year farm bill in
Congress this week does little to address the growing global food
crisis.
Instead, they say it diverts money that could be spent
feeding poor children abroad, to give more subsidies for U.S.
farmers now enjoying record high crop prices and incomes.
The 300 billion dollar bill was crafted by House and Senate
negotiators.
The bill has widespread bipartisan support in both the
House and Senate, but President Bush has promised to veto it.
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer says the bill is
incompatible with the world economy. He says poor weather, high
fuel prices and growing need are contributing to higher food
prices and severe hunger in developing nations.
Bush contends the bill is too expensive and too generous to
wealthy U.S. farmers.
YELLOWSTONE BISON-HAZING
Hazing of bison to begin in West Yellowstone
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Several hundred bison will be hazed
back into Yellowstone National Park beginning today and lasting
for several weeks under a program to prevent the spread of a
livestock disease.
Park spokesman Al Nash says the hazing will be done
differently than last year, when hazed animals kept pushing back
out of the park and into areas where cattle range. That stoked
fears among the livestock industry that the bison could transmit
brucellosis, a disease that causes cows to abort their young.
Nash said this year's hazing will be carried out more
slowly, to make sure bison are not moved too fast to higher
elevations where snow still covers forage. He said that should
allow the animals to remain in the park once they are moved.
CONSERVATION EASEMENT
FWP pursuing conservation easement on NE Montana ranch
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - The state Department of Fish,
Wildlife and Parks is taking public comment on a proposal to pay
about $5 million for a conservation easement on a 24,000-acre
ranch in northeastern Montana.
The Cornwell Ranch lies mostly northwest of Glasgow.
The conservation easement would allow the Cornwell family
to continue operating the ranch for cattle while protecting
wildlife habitat and public hunting access.
The environmental assessment says a conservation easement
would allow the land to remain locally owned and kept in
agricultural production at a time when ranches are being sold at
prices unaffordable to agricultural producers. Public comment is
being taken through May 28th.
---
Information from: Billings Gazette,
http://www.billingsgazette.com
DUNCAN SLAYINGS
Duncan trial to be delayed further
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - The federal death penalty hearing for
Joseph Edward Duncan III will be delayed again while Duncan
undergoes additional mental evaluations.
U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge ordered the additional
evaluation yesterday. The court is trying to determine if Duncan
is competent to represent himself in his sentencing hearing for
the 2005 kidnapping and abuse of Shasta and Dylan Groene and the
slaying of Dylan.
Most of the recent filings in the case have been kept under
seal by Lodge, and the attorneys are under a gag order. Duncan
has already been evaluated by a Boise-area psychiatrist, and it
was not immediately clear why the additional mental evaluation
was needed.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.)
AP-NY-05-14-08 0431EDT
Associated Press Montana News Summary
Tuesday, May 13th 2008
AP-MT--Right Now,0896
Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment:
FARM BILL-FOOD CRISIS
Farm bill has little aid for needy children abroad
WASHINGTON (AP) - Critics say a five-year farm bill in
Congress this week does little to address the growing global food
crisis.
Instead, they say it diverts money that could be spent
feeding poor children abroad, to give more subsidies for U.S.
farmers now enjoying record high crop prices and incomes.
The 300 billion dollar bill was crafted by House and Senate
negotiators.
The bill has widespread bipartisan support in both the
House and Senate, but President Bush has promised to veto it.
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer says the bill is
incompatible with the world economy. He says poor weather, high
fuel prices and growing need are contributing to higher food
prices and severe hunger in developing nations.
Bush contends the bill is too expensive and too generous to
wealthy U.S. farmers.
CLINTON-KALISPELL
Former President Clinton speaks in Kalispell tonight,
Missoula tomorrow
KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - Former President Bill Clinton will
visit Kalispell tonight and Missoula tomorrow as he campaigns for
his wife, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
The former president will attend a campaign event this
evening at Flathead Valley Community College, followed by a stop
at the University of Montana tomorrow.
The campaign trip will be Clinton's third visit to Montana
this year.
He was in Billings over the weekend, wooing Democrats at an
annual Yellowstone County dinner. In April, he stumped in Havre,
Great Falls, Helena and Butte.
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continue to battle in
Montana, home of the nation's last primary on June 3rd. At stake
in the Montana primary are 16 delegates to the Democratic
national convention.
U.S. SENATE-DEBATE
GOP Senate hopefuls to hold Bozeman debate
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - At least three of the five Republican
U.S. Senate candidates are expected Wednesday at a forum in
Bozeman. It may be the only time the candidates will appear in a
debate-like setting before the June 3 primary election.
A Bozeman Republican group, the Big Sky Pachyderm Club, is
hosting the forum.
The club's Matt Monforton says candidates Kirk Bushman,
Michael Lange and Anton Pearson are expected for the event, which
begins at noon at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman.
Bushman, Lange and Pearson are vying for the Republican
nomination to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, who is
running for a sixth consecutive term.
The other two Republican candidates in the race are
Missoula accountant Patty Lovaas and Butte attorney Bob Kelleher.
CONSERVATION EASEMENT
FWP pursuing conservation easement on NE Montana ranch
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - The state Department of Fish,
Wildlife and Parks is taking public comment on a proposal to pay
about 5 million dollars for a conservation easement on a
24,000-acre ranch in northeastern Montana.
The Cornwell Ranch lies mostly northwest of Glasgow.
The conservation easement would allow the Cornwell family
to continue operating the ranch for cattle while protecting
wildlife habitat and public hunting access.
The environmental assessment says a conservation easement
would allow the land to remain locally owned and kept in
agricultural production at a time when ranches are being sold at
prices unaffordable to agricultural producers. Public comment is
being taken through May 28.
PROPERTY REAPPRAISALS
State tax chief says Montana property prices holding
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - Housing prices may be plummeting
elsewhere, but state Revenue Director Dan Bucks says a strong
state economy is dampening those negative effects in Montana.
The Department of Revenue is getting ready to do a
statewide reappraisal of the property values of more than 1
million homes, businesses and farms. It does that every six
years, to meet a constitutional requirement that property taxes
should be fair, equalized and accurate.
Bucks says Gov. Brian Schweitzer and lawmakers are
committed to taking action in the 2009 Legislature so that
increases in market values won't mean a huge increase in overall
tax collections.
HATCHERY-CONTAMINATION
Big Spring Creek landowners reach $6 million settlement
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - A judge has approved a 6 million
dollar settlement in a class action lawsuit by landowners,
against the state and two private companies.
The agreement includes $3.3 million for 202 landowners
living downstream from Big Springs Hatchery at Lewistown, the
source of pollution downstream in Big Spring Creek.
District Judge Kurt Krueger approved the settlememnt
Monday.
Still to be settled is how much the defendants must pay for
the clean-up of the creek.
Defendants in the case are Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks,
Columbia Paint & Coating Co. and Monsanto Chemical Co. FWP owns
Big Springs Hatchery. Its raceways were painted in the 1960s and
paint flakes containing PCBs washed downstream for miles,
contaminating fish.
YELLOWSTONE ROAD
Yellowstone Park road subsides, is temporarily closed
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - A section of
Yellowstone National Park's Grand Loop Road south of Canyon
Junction has been temporarily closed after the road collapsed.
Park officials say no one was traveling on that section of
the road when it slumped Monday.
When the roadbed subsided Monday afternoon, it caused a
break in the underlying water main which serves the Canyon area.
The rushing water further undercut the roadbed.
Park maintenance crews were assessing the damage Tuesday in
preparation for emergency repairs to the water line and the road.
Officials say they hope to have the road reopened to travel
Thursday morning.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.)
AP-NY-05-13-08 1630EDT
Associated Press Montana News Summary
Tuesday, May 13th 2008
AP-MT--Right Now,1050
Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment:
CLINTON-KALISPELL
Former President Clinton set to return to Montana on Tuesday
HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Former President Bill Clinton will
visit Kalispell tonight and Missoula tomorrow as he campaigns for
his wife, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
The former president will attend a campaign event this
evening at Flathead Valley Community College, followed by a stop
at the University of Montana tomorrow.
The campaign trip will be Clinton's third visit to Montana
this year.
He was in Billings over the weekend, wooing Democrats at an
annual Yellowstone County dinner. In April, he stumped in Havre,
Great Falls, Helena and Butte.
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continue to battle in
Montana, home of the nation's last primary on June 3rd. At stake
in the Montana primary are 16 delegates to the Democratic
national convention.
U.S. SENATE-DEBATE
GOP Senate hopefuls to hold Bozeman debate
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - At least three of the five Republican
U.S. Senate candidates are expected Wednesday at a forum in
Bozeman. It may be the only time the candidates will appear in a
debate-like setting before the June 3 primary election.
A Bozeman Republican group, the Big Sky Pachyderm Club, is
hosting the forum.
The club's Matt Monforton says candidates Kirk Bushman,
Michael Lange and Anton Pearson are expected for the event, which
begins at noon at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman.
Bushman, Lange and Pearson are vying for the Republican
nomination to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, who is
running for a sixth consecutive term.
The other two Republican candidates in the race are
Missoula accountant Patty Lovaas and Butte attorney Bob Kelleher.
PROPERTY REAPPRAISALS
State tax chief says Montana property prices holding
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - Housing prices may be plummeting
elsewhere, but state Revenue Director Dan Bucks says a strong
state economy is dampening those negative effects in Montana.
Bucks made that comment in Bozeman, where he met Monday
with about 20 real estate agents and appraisers.
The Department of Revenue is getting ready to do a
statewide reappraisal of the property values of more than 1
million homes, businesses and farms. It does that every six
years, to meet a constitutional requirement that property taxes
should be fair, equalized and accurate.
Bucks says Gov. Brian Schweitzer and lawmakers are
committed to taking action in the 2009 Legislature so that
increases in market values won't mean a huge increase in overall
tax collections.
HATCHERY-CONTAMINATION
Big Spring Creek landowners reach $6 million settlement
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - A judge has approved a $6 million
settlement in a class action lawsuit by landowners against the
state and two private companies over pollution in Big Spring
Creek.
The agreement includes $3.3 million for 202 landowners
living downstream from Big Springs Hatchery at Lewistown, the
source of pollution downstream in Big Spring Creek.
District Judge Kurt Krueger approved the settlememnt
Monday.
Still to be settled is how much the defendants must pay for
the clean-up of the creek.
Defendants in the case are Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks,
Columbia Paint & Coating Co. and Monsanto Chemical Co. FWP owns
Big Springs Hatchery. Its raceways were painted in the 1960s and
paint flakes containing PCBs washed downstream for miles,
contaminating fish.
BROCKTON STABBING-SENTENCE
Woman sentenced for stabbing boyfriend to death
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - A Brockton woman who was
convicted of fatally stabbing her boyfriend on New Year's Day has
been sentenced to almost three years in prison.
Twenty-one-year-old Stanette Crowe received 32 months in
prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
She was found guilty in January of involuntary manslaughter
for the 2007 death of 22-year-old Donald Eagleman at a residence
they shared in Brockton.
Crowe told investigators that Eagleman tried to choke her
before she grabbed a knife and stabbed him in the chest.
PARK BEATING
Teen pleads not guilty in park beating
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A 17-year-old boy charged as an
adult for the beating of another teenager has pleaded not guilty
to felony aggravated assault.
Mason Antonson's bail was maintained at $7,500 yesterday
before he was sent back to a youth detention facility.
Antonson was the second teenager to be charged as an adult
for the February 28th beating that left the victim with a
collapsed lung and other serious injuries.
Sixteen-year-old Emilio Lopez pleaded not guilty in April
to felony aggravated assault. Charges are pending against at
least two other teenagers.
Prosecutors say Antonson, Lopez and three other teens were
involved in the attack at Pioneer Park. One of the suspects
allegedly taped the incident and posted the video on the Web site
YouTube.
LIVINGSTON EMBEZZLEMENT
Park County woman sentenced for embezzlement
LIVINGSTON, Mont. (AP) - A Park County woman has been
sentenced to five days in jail and six years probation for
embezzling more than $24,000 from her former employer, the Park
Conservation District.
District Judge Nels Swandal also ordered 34-year-old Amy
Miller to pay $4,682 in restitution to cover overdraft fees and
fines, levied by federal and state tax agencies against the
Conservation District.
Miller paid back the $24,000 shortly after the embezzlement
was discovered by Conservation District board member Gayleen
Malone.
During sentencing Monday in Livingston, Miller's attorney
Kevin Brown asked if she could participate in work release
programs instead of being jailed. Swandal rejected the request,
saying Miller should sit and think about what she did.
SCHOOL NAME
Hyalite wins out as new school name in Bozeman
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - The Bozeman School Board has voted to
name its new school Hyalite Elementary.
The board voted 7-0 Monday night to adopt the name, which
won the most votes in an informal public poll. It will be the
only public school in Montana named Hyalite.
Winning nearly 25 percent of the 2,734 votes cast on the
Internet or in person, Hyalite beat out eight other finalists.
Meadowlark was runner-up with 20 percent, and Robert Frost came
in third with nearly 12 percent.
Hyalite is a translucent mineral of the opal family, as
well as the name of a mountain peak and a popular recreation area
south of Bozeman.
The new school is under construction and set to open in
August 2009.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.)
AP-NY-05-13-08 1220EDT
Associated Press Montana News Summary
Tuesday, May 13th 2008
AP-MT--Right Now,1119
Latest Montana news, sports, business and entertainment:
CLINTON-KALISPELL
Former President Clinton set to return to Montana on Tuesday
HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Former President Bill Clinton will be
in Kalispell this evening, campaigning for his wife.
The former president is scheduled to attend a campaign
event at Flathead Valley Community College.
The Montana campaign trip will be Bill Clinton's third this
year.
Over the weekend, he spoke to Democrats in Billings at an
annual Yellowstone County dinner. Last month, he stumped in
Havre, Great Falls, Helena and Butte.
Both Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama continue to fight it
out in Montana, home of the nation's last primary on June 3rd.
Both have opened campaign offices, and Obama has begun airing TV
and radio ads in the state.
At stake in the state's primary are 16 delegates to the
Democratic national convention.
VOTER REGISTRATION
Voter registration up for Montana's June 3 primary
HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The secretary of state's office
reports voter registration in Montana is up amid excitement over
the race between Clinton and Obama.
More than 626,000 voters are currently registered to vote
in Montana's June 3 primary. That surpasses the total of about
595,000 registered in 2004.
And this year, voters will be able to continue registering
right up until June 3. The secretary of state says local election
officials are expecting a big turnout.
Clinton and Obama have both been active in the state, and
part of the work has focused on registering voters and organizing
volunteers with local offices.
HARDIN JAIL-CROW
Crow looked to acquire empty Hardin jail
CROW AGENCY, Mont. (AP) - Crow Chairman Carl Venne says the
tribe looked into acquiring or arranging a federal takeover of an
empty 27-million-dollar jail in Hardin, but is no longer
interested after the city rebuffed the proposal.
Venne says the tribe was trying to find a use for the
464-bed facility and pitched the idea to the Bureau of Indian
Affairs, to gauge its interest.
But he says the effort is now over. Hardin's city attorney
sent the tribe a letter last week saying the city would fight to
keep control of the facility.
The maneuvering over the jail's future comes amid mounting
financial pressures spurred by its failure to bring in money. The
privately operated jail has been vacant since it was completed
last year, and defaulted on its bond earlier this month.
State and local governments say they have no use for more
jail space, and efforts to bring in out-of-state inmates remain
stalled.
---
By AP writer Matthew Brown
CHILD SHOT
Federal investigation into shooting death of Browning girl
BROWNING, Mont. (AP) - Federal officials are investigating
the shooting death of a 3-year-old girl in Browning.
Mya Angel Pepion died of a gunshot wound last Thursday,
according to her obituary.
Jessica Fehr (fair) is a spokeswoman for the U.S.
attorney's office in Billings. She confirmed that her office is
investigating the case with the FBI.
Fehr says the FBI has jurisdiction because the shooting
happened on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. She declined to
comment further.
The FBI and Blackfeet tribal police didn't immediately
return phone calls seeking comment.
MOTORCYCLE FATAL
Butte man dies in motorcycle accident
BUTTE, Mont. (AP) - A Butte man has died in a motorcycle
accident.
The Montana Highway Patrol says it happened Saturday at
2:25 p.m. on the Interstate 15 Frontage Road, 14 miles south of
Butte.
The Highway Patrol says the 52-year-old man was traveling
in the northbound lane when the motorcycle veered off the road
and hit an embankment. The driver was ejected and died of blunt
force trauma.
The Highway Patrol says he was not wearing a helmet and
that alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.
The driver's identity had not yet been released.
---
Information from: Laurel Staples/KXLF-TV, www.kxlf.com
MINING TRIAL
Mining company seeks billions from parent to pay creditors
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) - A U.S. mining company accused its
Mexican parent company of stripping it of its most valuable
assets and forcing it into bankruptcy.
Opening statements began yesterday (Monday) in a Texas
courtroom, in Asarco's 10.5-billion-dollar lawsuit against Grupo
Mexico.
Asarco's attorney says the leaders of Grupo Mexico knew
that transferring Asarco's controlling interest in a Peruvian
copper mine to another Grupo subsidiary, Americas Mining, would
leave Asarco with no way to pay an estimated one billion dollars
in asbestos claims, as well as environmental cleanup of 20
Superfund sites around the country. One of those sites is a
closed lead smelter in East Helena, Montana.
Asarco claims Grupo Mexico transferred its interest in the
copper mines to its subsidiary, so its value wouldn't be used to
pay the creditors.
But in his opening statement, the defense's attorney tried
to humanize German Larrea -- who heads up Grupo Mexico -- as a
businessman struggling through a downturn in copper prices.
He said that Larrea would testify that his biggest mistake
in life was allowing Asarco to file for bankruptcy.
NORTHERN BORDER PATROLS
US military eyes more northern border patrols
WASHINGTON (AP) - The chief of the U.S. Northern Command
says the Pentagon is working with civilian authorities to
increase monitoring of the northern border.
Air Force General Gene Renuart (REN'-yoo-ahrt) says defense
officials are working with the Federal Aviation Administration
and Canadian authorities on the project.
He told The Associated Press the groups are trying to
determine how unmanned aircraft can be used without interfering
with busy commercial air traffic routes.
The U.S. and Canada plan to use unmanned aerial vehicles
along the more than 5,000-mile long northern border. The military
has chosen a base in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to base the
Predator drones for that mission.
Pentagon officials say the increased military presence on
the northern border is in response to shrinking arctic ice, which
is expanding the amount of navigable waters. That makes it easier
for security threats to sail from overseas and travel over land
south into the United States.
LOTTERY PRIZES UNCLAIMED
Montana Millionaire, Hot Lotto prizes not claimed
HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Montana Lottery officials say three
major lottery prizes from December drawings have gone unclaimed,
and the tickets will expire next month.
No one has claimed a $10,000 Hot Lotto prize from a ticket
sold at Gehlen's IGA in Lewistown for the December 12 drawing.
The ticket expires six months after the drawing date, or on June
12.
Lottery officials say there are still two Montana
Millionaire tickets worth $100,000 each that haven't been
redeemed.
They were sold at Westside Grocery in Whitefish and
Quigley's Quickstop in Ulm. Those tickets were drawn on December
31st and expire at the end of June.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.)
AP-NY-05-13-08 0432EDT
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