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Judge rules against suspending Montana wolf hunts while lawsuit proceeds

News from Amanda Eggert  Montana Free Press A Helena judge reinstated the 2022-2023 wolf hunting and trapping regulations passed by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission Tuesday in a ruling that rejected environmental groups’ request for an order halting wolf hunting and trapping while the larger issue of Montana’s wolf management is weighed by courts. Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Christopher Abbott’s order also dissolved his Nov. 15 restraining order that had temporarily reinstated regulations from 2020-2021, before the Legislature passed four bills aimed at reducing wolf populations. The management framework adopted by the Montana Fish and...


Malatare sentenced for assault Malatare sentenced for assault

POLSON — A St. Ignatius man was sentenced at District Court in Polson on Dec. 1 to the Montana State Prison for 5 years on a domestic assault charge. Shawn Wayne Malatare, 54, entered a plea of guilty to felony partner or family member assault during an earlier court appearance. That was just before th...


Fentanyl trafficking sends Pablo man to prison for four years

News from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana MISSOULA  — A Pablo man who admitted to trafficking fentanyl pills in the community was sentenced on Dec. 1 to four years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Donald...


Butte man sentenced for trafficking meth in Lake County

News from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana MISSOULA  — A Butte man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the Lake County community was sentenced on Dec. 1 to 66 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich sa...


Labissoniere pleads guilty to possession Labissoniere pleads guilty to possession

POLSON — District Judge Molly Owen set a sentencing date of Jan. 18 for a Spokane man who admitted to possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine that made its way into the Lake County jail. Thomas Labissoniere, 44, entered a plea of guilty at District Court in Polson on Nov. 30 to two counts of felony cri...


Montana VA reports shooting incident at Fort Harrison campus

News from the Montana VA Health Care System HELENA — A shooting incident occurred at the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center campus at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 17. The situation has been cleared and the incident is currently under joint investigation by the VA Police and the Lewis & Clar...


Challenge filed to state-sanctioned sex, marital status discrimination in insurance ratemaking

News from Upper Seven Law Firm HELENA — Several individuals and organizations filed suit Wednesday to invalidate House Bill 379, a law that allows insurance companies to discriminate on the basis of sex and marital status when setting insurance premium rates for Montanans.   For nearly 40 ...


Ohara pleads guilty to burglary

POLSON — A Bigfork man has admitted to breaking into a state-owned building for the purpose of committing a theft. Colby Glenn Ohara, 32 entered a plea of guilty at District Court in Polson on Nov. 2 to one count of felony burglary. Ohara was initially charged with three counts of burglary, but two ...


Breese sentenced for impersonation

POLSON — A Polson man was committed at District Court in Polson on Nov. 3 to the Montana Department of Corrections for three years with all that time suspended for impersonating a public servant during the Boulder 2700 fire on Aug. 1, 2021. In addition, Donald Stephen Breese, 49, was sentenced to a six...


Cleveland sentenced for possession

POLSON — A Lolo man was committed at District Court in Polson on Nov. 2 to 10 years with the Montana Department of Corrections with all but time served suspended. Jay Le Cleveland, 46, had entered a “no contest” plea to one count of criminal possession with intent to distribute during an...


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