News

Money matters, projects and claims

Article Image Alt Text

The following are matters handled by the Stillwater County Commissioners at the last three agenda meetings:

ABSAROKEE SEWER

Commissioners approved an extension of the Montana Renewable Resource Agreement Amendment No. 2.

Commission Chairman Mark Crago said the Absarokee sewer project is not “going smoothly” as crews are already past the targeted August finish date.

The extension extends a grant from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

Absarokee Angel Tree project underway

Article Image Alt Text

There will be an Angel Tree at the Main Street Commons in Absarokee from Nov. 20 through Dec. 10. Those with needs can fill out an “Angel” and hang it on the tree before the Wild West Snowflake Fest on Dec. 3.

Angels can be picked up at the Main Street Commons or by messaging at lgood@msn.com. All Angels will be hung on the tree and all Angel gifts will have to be delivered to the Main Street Commons by Dec. 10 in order to ensure delivery before Christmas Eve.

Free breakfast and Advent learning Saturday, Dec. 4

The Season of Advent began this year on Sunday, Nov. 28.

Its focus has evolved over 2000 years, but in modern times, the season of Advent is the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and involves “preparation for Jesus’ coming.”

For Pastor Kate Stulce’s first Advent in Montana, the Columbus Community Congregational Church is hosting a breakfast and “mini retreat” on Saturday morning, Dec. 4, at 8:30 a.m., to learn more about Advent.

All are welcome to this free event, named “A Call to ADVENTure” with breakfast featuring ham, eggs, biscuits and fresh fruit.

Young man gets probation, treatment court in what judge calls a “unique” case involving the death of a family member

Article Image Alt Text

A young man has been ordered to complete a specialized treatment court program and spend five years on probation for a DUI accident in which his father was killed and his brother was thrown from the vehicle.

Malachy Camon Black, 20, appeared in 22nd Judicial District Court last Wednesday for sentencing by Judge Matt Wald for one felony count of criminal endangerment and one misdemeanor count of DUI in connection with the April 2020 crash.

Shepherd man charged with 18 misdemeanor crimes related to a 3-day poaching spree

BILLINGS FWP – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens charged a Shepherd man with 18 misdemeanor crimes last week as the result of three deer poaching incidents investigated at the Ah-Nei Recreation Area northeast of Billings in early October.

LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOTTER

Article Image Alt Text

The Columbus Police Department, Stillwater County Sheriff ’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol and the state livestock inspector responded to 173 calls for service during the seven days listed below. The following is a representation of some of those calls:​

MONDAY NOVEMBER 22

•A reported child sex crime is under investigation.

•An assault investigation is underway involving a juvenile that was reportedly choked by a parent.

Hunter numbers, harvest generally lower in south central Montana

Article Image Alt Text

BILLINGS — The 2021 general big-game hunting season ended with generally fewer hunters and animals harvested than in past years in south central Montana.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists staffed check stations at four regional locations during six weekends of the season to gather information about hunters and scientific information about the game they harvested.

Weather played a part in the hunter and harvest numbers with warmth, wind and dry skies generally prevalent over the area for all five weeks of the season.

JAIL ROSTER

Article Image Alt Text

As of Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, the following people were incarcerated at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility (YCDF) on Stillwater County criminal charges at a rate of $100 per day or at another jail:

NAME: Jarred L. Saunders, 23

INCARC. DATE: Feb. 18, 2021

CHARGE(S): Assault with a weapon, felony theft, assault on a minor, possession of dangerous drugs

BAIL: $7,500

NAME: Brian Patrick Taylor, 35

INCARC. DATE: April 15, 2021

CHARGE(S): Probation violation

Temporary traffic plan compromise reached by mine

Article Image Alt Text

The Sibanye-Stillwater mining company has reached a compromise on its traffic reduction plan that will cut the number of carpool vehicles allowed on the Nye Road daily from 63 to 50, at least until the end of the year.

EARLY MORNING OBSTACLE COURSE

Article Image Alt Text

At 6:44 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 25, multiple callers reported a large rockslide across Highway 10 west of Columbus that blocked both lanes. The reporting party stayed on scene with the vehicle flashers on to warn other motorists until emergency crews arrived, according to Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office dispatch records. Deputies, MHP, CFR and the Montana Department of Transportation responded. Extensive road damage was initially reported, requiring the closing of the road. Montana Rail Link was also advised as a piece of rock might have hit the rail.