News

Wildland fire season

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Wildland fire season kicked into gear last Friday with the LE Peterson blaze in the Park City area that drew crews from Columbus Fire Rescue, Park City, Molt, Laurel, Red Lodge, DNRC, BLM, USFS, two helicopters and one dozer. The fire burned a little more than 200 acres, said CFR Chief Rich Cowger. Later that day, crews scrambled east towards Reed Point to battle the Svenson Road Fire. Columbus Fire Rescue, Red Lodge and Sweet Grass crews provided assistance. On Saturday morning, a blown tire on I-90 near Pine Crest sparked a 1.5 acre fire.

 

Shelter-in-Place order given by governor

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Montana’s first COVID-19 death was announced Thursday night by Governor Steve Bullock, just hours after he imposed a shelter-in-place order for 1 million Montanans.

Social Distancing

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation. The information that is printed in the SCN is accurate at the time of deadline. We will update information as often as possible.

The coronavirus — technically called Covid-19 — officially arrived in Montana Friday, March 13, with now four cases reported in Yellowstone, Gallatin, Silverbow and Lewis & Clark counties.

So far this week, seven more have been added, bringing to a total 11 positive tests.

GUILTY

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A Florida man arrested in March with 78 pounds of methamphetamine on I-90 near Columbus has pleaded guilty in federal court.

It is the largest meth seizure ever made in Montana on a traffic stop.

Nicholas James Imhoff, a 30-year-old from Cape Coral, Fla., appeared in federal court in Billings last week and pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute meth.

A Drug Enforcement Administration lab determined the meth was 98 percent pure and equaled more than a quarter of a million doses, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Billings.

Probationer arrested for DUI in a stolen minivan near McDonald’s

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A man who ecently got out of jail is back behind bars after having been arrested driving drunk in Columbus in a stolen mini van.

Dallas M. Wills, 37, appeared in 22nd Judicial District Court last month and denied one felony count of theft and misdemeanor counts of aggravated DUI and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Bond was set at $5,000, which remains in place and by order of Judge Matt Wald, will run concurrent to any other bond set elsewhere.

Law Enforcement Blotter

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The Columbus Police Department, Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol and the state livestock inspector responded to 240 calls for service during the seven days listed below. The following is a representation of some of those calls:​

MONDAY – SEPTEMBER 7

Young man gets probation in head-on drug-fueled crash

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A young man who hit another car head-on while under the influence of drugs last spring will spend the next three years on probation.

Nathan John Goddard, 20, appeared in 22nd Judicial District Court last month and received a 3-year deferred sentence for one felony count of criminal endangerment and one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of drugs.

Volunteers come together to fight suicide

Billings — In the era of Covid-19, as we all try to protect our mental health and cope with uncertainty, it’s more important than ever that we be there for each other and take steps to prevent suicide.

Residents from the Billings area will be joining the thousands of people who are gathering in towns across the United States to draw attention to the suicide prevention movement.

Probationer from DUI meth and marijuana case jailed for alleged violations

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A man who was placed on probation for speeding through Columbus at twice the speed limit while impaired and in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana is back in jail on alleged probation violations.

Michael Wipf, 30, appeared before 22nd Judicial District Judge Matt Wald from jail via video last week and denied moving without the permission of his probation officer and using drugs.

STILLWATER STATS

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As of Wednesday, Sept. 16, Stillwater County has 14 COVID-19 cases involving two deaths, 35 cases recovered and 14 cases that are still active. The governor’s mask directive remains in effect.

STATE STATS

Statewide, 292,401 COV-ID-19 tests have been administered, with 9,431 positive cases. That is a 3.2 percent positivity rate on those tested. Using the population number of 1,068,771, the state positivity rate would be .88 percent.

There were 190 new cases reported for Tuesday and 2,035 tests administered on that day as well.