A tragedy that occurred in Bainville last May and others across the Hi-Line have helped led to a proposal that seeks to bolster safety at the nation’s rural train crossing. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont, and U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., are teaming up to reintroduce two bipartisan bills improving safety at rural train crossings and addressing instances of blocked highway-railroad crossings

Roosevelt County commissioners seem more comfortable with a House bill regarding tribal voting after a new amendment was approved. House Bill 613 originally was requiring two satellite election offices on each reservation. The amendment changed the bill to require at least one satellite election office. Rep. Sharon Peregoy, D-Crow Agency, is the bill’s sponsor. The bill is called the Montana

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and 11 other state attorneys general have filed to block the Biden administration’s ongoing violation of the Mineral Leasing Act and Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. In January, President Biden issued Executive Order 14008 declaring a moratorium on future oil and gas leasing and drilling permits on federal lands.

( Publisher’s Note: The following blotter includes the activities of the Wolf Point police and fire department for March 21-28. All those cited or arrested are presumed innocent.) Citations were issued to: March 22 James Murphy, 51, male, 1100 block of Fourth Avenue North, no insurance and driving without a license, tribal court. March 24 Luke Jackson Sr., 46, male, Third Avenue South

Christian Alexander Perez and Hattie Lei Turcotte each made their initial appearances in district court on Tuesday, March 23. Perez made not guilty pleas for the charges of criminal possession of drugs, a felony, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. His omnibus hearing was set for April 14, and his trial was scheduled for June 17. Defense attorney Sally Kay Hickok

A California man convicted in a methamphetamine distribution ring that supplied pounds of the drug to the Sidney area was sentenced last week to 121 months in prison and five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson said. Marc Buetow, 53, of San Diego, Calif., pleaded guilty on Oct. 22, 2020, to possession with intent to distribute meth. U.S. District Judge Susan P.

Christpher Michael Lee Friede, 20, of Culbertson changed his plea to guilty for the charge of witness tampering. He changed his plea in district court on Tuesday, March 23. Maximum penalties for the offense is 10 years in prison, a $50,000 fine or both. A pre-sentencing investigation has been ordered. During the hearing, Friede admitted that he attempted to have a third party talk with an

Amanda Jo Marie Gourneau changed her plea to guilty for the charge of criminal endangerment during a hearing in district court on Tuesday, March 23. Maximum penalties for the offense are 10 years in prison, a $50,000 fine or both. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered. During the hearing, Gourneau testified that she was driving with someone who she thought was a friend but didn’t