Several defendants made not guilty pleas during adjudication hearings in district court on Wednesday, Dec. 14. Matthew Lavelle Harris provided not guilty pleas to the charges of attempted escape, two felony criminal mischief charges and four charges for misdemeanor criminal mischief. An omnibus hearing was scheduled for Jan. 11, 2023. A trial was set for March 16, 2023. Thea Jo Michaelsen

Although eastern Montana was hit hard with a snow storm, the Montana Highway Patrol is thankful that there were few reported crashes in the area. Sgt. Jeff Kent of the Montana Highway Patrol said, “So far, we’ve been fortunate.” A crash on Montana 16 near mile marker 2 north of Culbertson took place at around noon on Saturday, Dec. 17. Kent said he is also aware of minor injury crashes

Wolf Point native Paul Kermit Gysler, 40, has been found guilty of felony assault on a peace officer for attacking a Whitefish Police officer in 2021. A jury deliberated for a little under an hour before returning with the verdict on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Gysler’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2023. After a police officer allegedly saw Gysler urinating in public near city hall during

As the area is hit with its first major snowstorm of the season, the Montana Department of Transportation reminds drivers to give snow plows adequate room for when they are clearing highways and roads. The department provides the following reminders regarding snow plow safety. * Don’t crowd the plow. Plow drivers have limited visibility so don’t assume your vehicle is in view. * Maintain

About 23,500 Montana workers will experience a pay increase at the start of the new year. Montana will increase its minimum wage to $9.95 an hour, an increase of 75 cents, starting on Jan. 1, 2023. Montana statute requires the minimum wage be adjusted annually based on changes in inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index all Urban Consumers from August of the year in which the calculation