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Uhrich changes plea to guilty Uhrich changes plea to guilty

POLSON — A Polson man is facing 80 years in the Montana State Prison after pleading guilty to deliberate homicide. Tyler Uhrich, 20, entered the guilty plea during a change of plea hearing at District Court in Polson on Oct. 20 as part of a plea agreement. The agreement calls for a joint recommendation of 80 years in the Montana State Prison with none of that time suspended. It also calls for one count of felony criminal endangerment being dismissed at sentencing. Prosecutor Brendan McQuillan with the Lake County Attorney’s office says Uhrich will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years. According to court records, shortly before 10 p.m. on May 10, Lake County 911 took ...


Federal judge says Montana campaign rules apply to out-of-state super PAC Federal judge says Montana campaign rules apply to out-of-state super PAC

News from Alex Sakarissen Montana Free Press MONTANA — A federal judge in Missoula last week resolved a recent legal dispute between an out-of-state super PAC and Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan, ruling that Mangan’s application of state disclosure requirements to the...


Irvine committed for criminal mischief

POLSON — A Ronan man was committed at District Court in Polson on Oct. 12 to the Montana Department of Corrections for a period of four years, with all that time suspended, on one count of assault on a peace officer. That man, Clint Headdress Irvine, 30, was also committed to the DOC for six years with...


Johnson arrested for child sex abuse Johnson arrested for child sex abuse

POLSON — According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, on Oct. 5 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Lake County 911 took a report of a suspicious male in a work truck attempting to lure a girl under the age of 16 to his home in the Polson area. Deputies responded and in the ensuing investigation de...


Ruling permanently enjoins election laws, protecting Election Day Registration

News from Niki Zupanic, Upper Seven Law BILLINGS — The Thirteenth Judicial District Court ruled today that three voter suppression laws passed during the 2021 Montana Legislative Session violate the Montana Constitution and unreasonably restrict Montanans in exercising their right to vote.   ...


Malatare sentenced for aggravated assault Malatare sentenced for aggravated assault

POLSON — A Pablo man faced sentencing on Sept. 28 on charges stemming from what court documents describe as a brutal attack on a woman. Joseph Pierre Malatare Jr., 24, entered a plea of guilty at District Court in Polson on Aug. 10 to felony aggravated assault. According to court records, on April 2...


Garza sentenced to five years

POLSON — A Washington state man was committed at District Court in Polson on Sept. 7 to five years with the Montana Department of Corrections, with none of that time suspended, for dealing drugs in Lake County. Luis Alfredo Garza, 35, entered a plea of guilty at District Court in Polson to criminal ...


Religious vax exemption rule temporarily blocked by lawmakers

News from Mara Silvers / Montana Free Press HELENA — The legislative committee that oversees the state health department voted Friday to delay implementation of the agency’s proposed rule expanding religious exemptions to required vaccines at childcare and daycare centers. The 9-1 vote to...


Heavy Runner sentenced for endangerment

POLSON — A Pablo man, formerly of Browning, was committed at District Court in Polson on Sept. 1 to the Montana Department of Corrections for a total of 10 years with five years suspended. Curtis James Heavy Runner, 40, entered a plea of guilty during an earlier court appearance to felony charges of cr...


Ruling says 18-year-olds must be allowed to access their ballots

News from Rylee Sommers-Flanagan, Upper Seven Law BILLINGS — Judge Moses of the Thirteenth Judicial District Court held Wednesday that House Bill 506, which restricts ballot access for voters who turn 18 in the month before Election Day, violates the Montana Constitution. Youth plaintiff groups...


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