News

Later announces retirement after 40+ years on fire

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The career of one of Dillon’s longest-serving city officials and public servants comes to a close tomorrow. Earlier this month, Rick Later—Dillon’s fire marshal and a longtime member of the

Weather closes Monida Pass

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A multi-day winter storm forced the closure of Monida Pass Monday night and ushered in an severe weather travel advisory Tuesday morning. The closures slowed down travel and led local

Miles’ cases conclude, no charges filed in DCI investigation

Open cases related to the administrative leave and firing of Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Miles against the sheriff’s office and former sheriff were settled Feb. 18. Separately, the Montana

County settles human rights bureau complaint related to Deputy Knox

A political discrimination, age and disability complaint involving Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Knox was settled Feb. 18. Knox filed the complaint with the Department of Labor and Industry Employment

Judge denies motion for new trial in road, fence dispute

A long-running road dispute that convicted two area residents of criminal stalking and endangerment charges will now proceed to sentencing both parties, with the judge’s denial of a request to toss the jury’s verdict and order a new trial.

Dillon residents Jeffry Nelson and his wife, Cheryl Hren, will be sentenced Feb. 13 in Fifth Judicial District Court. Judge Luke Berger denied their motion to throw out the jury’s verdict from a September trial from their efforts to impede the Meine and Blake families from accessing property off Small Horn Canyon Road.

Re-committee-ment: Council set to sustain committees tonight

Unless a diapered infant is brought into City Council Chambers, change won’t be in the air or on the agenda at tonight’s Dillon City Council meeting.

At their second regularly scheduled get-together of 2020, Dillon City Council members will consider a new set of council committee assignments drafted by City Council President Don Hand.

That are exactly the same as the last set of committee reassignments recommended by Hand in November:

Cemetery (meets second Monday of month at 4 p.m.): Matt Kenworthy (chair), Don Hand, Bill Shafer.

Jury finds local not guilty of insurance fraud

A Dillon man was found not guilty of insurance fraud Friday in Fifth Judicial District Court.

Wade Hulet was charged with felony criminal insurance fraud exceeding $1,500. A six-female, six-male jury deliberated for three hours and unanimously determined Hulet did not try to mislead his insurance company when he considered filing an insurance claim on an engagement ring, which went missing in 2018.

District Court

Jan. 7 • William Jared Austin of Helena pleaded guilty and was sentenced on misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in Fifth Judicial District Court. Judge Luke Berger sentenced him to six months in jail, with two months suspended, and credit for 120 days served; $1,577.49 in restitution; $15 service charge; $50 victim advocate fee; $10 technology user fee; and probation conditions.

Justice Court

Torgerson, Shaina (Dillon) pleaded guilty to the offense of Careless Driving, and was fined $85.

Seas, Erica (Billings) forfeited bond in the amount of $85 for the offense of Basic Rule – Reasonable and Prudent.

Hoover, Brynn (Darby) forfeited bond in the amount of $85 for the offense of Basic Rule – Reasonable and Prudent.

Byrne, Luke (Dillon) forfeited bond in the amount of $85 for the offense of Basic Rule – Reasonable and Prudent.

Byrne, Luke (Dillon) forfeited bond in the amount of $20 for the offense of Seatbelt Violation.

Road Report

Beaverhead County road work for the weeks of Jan. 5-Jan. 11:

Dillon area – Plowed snow on all area roads. Cleaned snow ridges. Mowed willows on Highway 324, Bachelor Mountain and Bannack Bench Roads. Removed snow piles. Burned brush piles. Moved equipment. Road checked Dillon area roads. Equipment service and repair.