News

Frost heaves going down, city contemplates $500 grafitti bounty

The City of Dillon began finalizing repairs on some of the frost heaves that popped up on city streets last winter— despite some drivers’ worst efforts to derail the process.

“It’s interesting how people can see a sign that says, ‘Road Closed’—it’s right in front of you,” said City Director of Operations Todd Hazelbarker at last week’s city council meeting of reports of motorists driving through frost heaves in the final stages of repair.

Museum group sells property, hours change considered

Storage improvements at the Beaverhead County Museum may be able to move forward due to the sale of its associationowned property.

Association board Chair Dale Giem said the association’s .135-acre lot across the street from the museum is final. He reported the sale to the museum’s trustee board at its Sept. 18 meeting.

The association board handles fundraising for the museum; the trustee board manages operations.

School board approves owner’s rep for building project

Beaverhead County High School will soon get another pair of eyes on its leftover building project frustrations.

The school board unanimously approved a contract to hire Building Mind and Body, LLC to provide “owner’s rep” services for the district’s building project at its Monday meeting. The approval is pending a background check and the final OK on contract wording from the district’s legal counsel.

Billings man gets 10 years for police assault, fleeing

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A Billings man who conducted a high-speed chase – endangering the public and law enforcement – through Dillon, Beaverhead and Madison counties last year was sentenced to 10 years in prison last week.

Dan Hastings, 37, of Billings, was sentenced on two counts of felony assault on a peace officer, misdemeanor reckless driving, misdemeanor fleeing from or eluding a peace officer, felony criminal endangerment, felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and misdemeanor criminal possession of drug paraphernalia in Fifth Judicial District Court Sept. 17.

“Save the Cowboy, STOP American Prairie Reserve” Ag producers give many reasons for displaying banners

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Since summer 2018, banners stating “Save the Cowboy, STOP American Prairie Reserve” have been showing up across the state and are clearly visible in Central Montana. In some places, it seems there are signs every couple miles along a given stretch of highway. Altogether, 1,079 banners have been distributed to date, with more requests coming in, said the organizers.

Coffee with a Cop starts next week

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A new sort of specialized social space where members of the public can interact with law enforcement officers in a new sort of way will open up next week in Dillon.

“This is about helping create a greater comfort level between the public and law enforcement. It’s about breaking down barriers and building bridges,” said Andrea Schurg of Dillon’s inaugural Coffee With A Cop event set for 9–11 a.m. next Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Sweetwater Coffee in downtown Dillon.

Commission moves forward with grant requests, projects

The Beaverhead County Commissioners approved several items to either get grants or approve ones previously awarded at their Sept. 9 meeting. The first action was to sign a task order

Two public hearings tonight at council

A pair of public hearings tonight will allow people to offer their initial comments on proposals that could dramatically impact areas of the City of Dillon. At 6:30 p.m. today,

Idle mines portend dark days for top US coal region

GILLETTE, Wyo., Sept. 15 (AP) – At two of the world's biggest coal mines, the finances got so bad that their owner couldn't even get toilet paper on credit. Warehouse

Montana State Fund declares $30M dividend

HELENA, Sept. 14 (AP) – The Montana State Fund board of directors has declared a $30 million dividend to be paid to its safest policyholders. The Great Falls Tribune reports