Gov. Greg Gianforte announced the following appointments on Friday, July 22: Board of Housing John Wright, Billings: A partner with Halverson, Mahlen & Wright, PC, Wright brings expertise in construction disputes, construction defect, and professional liability. His term will run through January 5, 2025. Board of Sanitarians Megan Bullock, Boulder: The Jefferson County Sanitarian

Joshua Kyle Burks has been charged with two felonies and one misdemeanor offense. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance in district court on Sept. 14. Felony charges are criminal possession of dangerous drugs, meth, and criminal possession of dangerous drugs, anabolic steroids. The misdemeanor charge is criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. Maximum penalties for the felony charges

As part of a plea agreement, Richard Lamar Rutledge made guilty pleas to two counts of incest during a hearing in district court on Monday, July 18. A pre-sentencing hearing has been ordered by District Judge David Cybulski. Penalties are not less than four years or more than 100 years in the state prison, a $50,000 fine or both. The charges read that between Oct. 15, 2018, and Jan. 9,

maintenance, conservation efforts, weed control, fire protection, and road/parking-area maintenance. Payment is not for access.” (Emphasis theirs.) But as the value of access increases, there has been a shift in the understanding of what the state’s payments should do. In the debate over HB 637, Rep. Denley Loge, R-St. Regis, argued in favor of increasing the cap to keep pace with private competition

Montana VA Health Care System encourages all Montana Veterans and non-Veterans to share the news — the Veterans Crisis Line is adding a new number. Veterans and their loved ones can dial 988 then Press 1 to reach the caring, qualified responders at the Veterans Crisis Line, 24/7. Even after the new number launches, Veterans will still be able to call 800-273-8255 and press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.