As expected, lodging numbers were much improved in northeastern Montana during the second quarter of this year compared to the same time period of 2020. In Roosevelt County, the gross lodging tax total was $17,506 from April 1 through June 30. Revenue collected is 4 percent of lodging price. That $17,506 figure is 78 percent more than the 2020 figure of $9,868 for that quarter. The 2019

The homicide trial for Dorattelo “DJ” Fischer has been postponed until October in Great Falls. Fischer was charged by a federal grand jury for first degree murder and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Fischer is accused of killing Cody Weeks-Combs in Wolf Point on Nov. 27, 2020. Chief District Judge Brian Morris granted the unopposed motion to continue

A Poplar woman suspected of being a long-time distributor of oxycodone pills on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation admitted drug trafficking and money laundering crimes last week, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said. Kaycee Lynn Menz, 31, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging her with possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and with money laundering. Menz faces a maximum 20 years

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte said that he will not mandate COVID vaccination shots during a press conference last week. Gianforte, a Republican, urged Montanans to get vaccinated and is pleased that the state has gone over 50 percent as far as residents getting vaccinated. He noted that both former president Donald Trump and current president Joe Biden are telling people to get vaccinated.

Roosevelt County Health Department received the first positive Delta variant report for a Roosevelt County COVID-19 case on Aug. 26. Delta is highly transmissible and is currently the most common COVID-19 variant circulating in the United States. The three COVID-19 vaccines available are known to provide significant protection against the Delta variant, especially against hospitalization and

The Interior Department will make significant steps toward restarting its leasing programs for onshore and offshore oil and gas development in the coming months, the Biden administration said in a court filing last week. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management anticipates holding a sale for offshore leases in October or November, the administration said. The Bureau of Land Management, which