The two Billings photojournalists who captured the Chinese surveillance balloon told their story Monday, Feb. 6, to a national television outlet and are talking with a statewide radio show as well. Chase Doak, who provided his photo of the balloon last week to the Daily Montanan, told Fox News he thought the ground stop Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Billings airport was “kind of suspicious.”

When the state released the current unemployment rates in Montana last week, Roosevelt County ranked 45th out of Montana’s 56 counties with an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent. Counties tying for the lowest unemployment rate at 1.5 percent were Sheridan, McCone, Fallon and Carter. Daniels placed sixth at 1.7 percent and Dawson was eighth at 1.8 percent. The state’s overall unemployment

The Roosevelt County commissioners approved a proposal from Motorola for new radios and a system upgrade for sheriff and emergency responses during their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 25. The project will include improvements at four 911 stations in the county. Commissioners say that the systems are about five years older than their recommended lifespan. Commissioners note the plan also includes

With Optimist Day recognized on Wednesday, Feb. 2, the Wolf Point Optimist Club is taking the opportunity to announce that the club will conduct the Optimist Oratorical Contest in the area. Optimist Club members Carol Neutgens and Gloria Sande said the contest gives students, under the age of 19, the opportunity to earn generous amounts of scholarship funds. Club president AJ Olson said deadline

( Publisher’s Note: Each week, the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office distributes an inmate roster with the names of persons incarcerated at the jail and does not necessarily mean there is a new charge or conviction.) Prisoners housed in the Roosevelt County Detention Center included: Wilbert Ackerman, 32, Frazer, hold for Fort Peck Tribes. James Allen, 28, Lame Deer, hold for other agency.

( Publisher’s Note: The following blotter includes the activities of the Wolf Point police and fire departments Jan. 23-29. All those cited or arrested are presumed innocent.) January 26 Fourteen-year-old male, 200 block of Sixth Avenue South, minor in possession, municipal court. Michael Magnan, 59, male, 100 block of Third Avenue South, theft and forgery, tribal court. January 27

Porter James Hudshon, 23, of Tacoma, Wash., made a plea of not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston in Great Falls on Jan. 26. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted of the most serious crime,