News

CHS art teacher escorted from school, resigns amid allegation of giving students “inappropriate materials”

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A Columbus High School art teacher was escorted from the school grounds last week and is no longer employed by the district following allegations that he gave students “inappropriate” materials.

“I GOT YOUR BACK”

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This pair of eagles in the Nye area has a new eaglet. As told by photographer Bud Chenault, “Dad was up riger a hundred yards or so. Apparently it was hi turn to watch the baby, and he wasn’t ready. Mom straightened him out in short order.” Photos by Bud Chenault

Baum, Meier win Columbus School Board trustee seats

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Unofficial May 3 school election results around Stillwater County brought a mix of news Wednesday morning.

19 local nonprofits to be featured at May 2-6 MTGives

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Nineteen Stillwater County nonprofit groups will be featured May 2 through May 6 during the seventh annual ColumbusMTGives event.

Car hit by train in Columbus

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A local man was injured Wednesday morning when he apparently drove his passenger car through the railroad crossing arms in Columbus and collided with a passing train.

4,500 Fentanyl-laced pills, 1.2 pounds of suspected heroin and a stolen firearm at Town Pump stop

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A routine traffic stop made by a Columbus Police officer earlier this month led to the discovery of 4,500 Fentanyl-laced pills, 3.5 ounces of cocaine, 1.2 pounds of suspected heroin, 2 pounds of pot and a stolen firearm.

The traffic stop occurred March 5 at 2:35 p.m. when the driver reportedly failed to stop at a stop sign. When Columbus Police Officer Jarod Vance got to the driver’s side window, he could immediately smell the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, said Columbus Police Chief Gary Timm in a press release.

JUSTIFIED

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A Stillwater County jury took approximatley 15 minutes at a coroner’s inquest on Monday to decide that two U.S. Marshals are “not criminally responsible” in the shooting death of Georgia fugitive Christopher Eric Cook last March on I-90.

February storms help mountain snowpack

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Thanks in large part to the 7.9 inches of snow that fell in Columbus last week, February finished the month with above normal snowfall.

The National Weather Service (NWS) officially reported 14.1 inches of snow last month in Columbus. Normal February snowfall is 8.8 inches.

With the snow also came lower than normal temperatures. The daily average temperature in Columbus was 23.9 degrees, compared to the normal daily average of 26.7 degrees.

Subzero temps were present on eight days, with six of those in the double-digits.

Apples Versus Donuts: For a good cause and some old fashion fun

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There have been thousands of basketball games played in the Absarokee High School gym before.

But none quite like what went down last Thursday.

A squad of teachers — named “The Apples” — did battle with a squad of local law enforcement officers, named “The Donuts.” What ensued was nothing short of side-splitting fun and a game that in the end, was one by the Donuts — 52 to 49 — or somewhere in that vicinity.

With 2:29 left to go in the game, the Apples were down by more than 20 points. That’s when regular Columbus Cougar announcer Blake Haug instituted a new rule.

BEC annual meeting shows “Good Growth”

On Saturday, May 7, Beartooth Electric Cooperative (BEC) held its Annual Meeting at the Roosevelt Center in Red Lodge. There was also access on Facebook for members to attend. President Jim Neu brought good news about the gains BEC has made and its current good standing holding up ethics, equitable standards and transparency. There were three board trustee candidates up for election: Roxie Melton, District 2, Dan Yates, District 4 and Arleen Boyd, District 5. All were elected. Subject to term limits, this will be Melton and Boyd’s last terms.