Ethan Gregory Pirkle is facing the felony charge of strangulation of a partner or family member. His initial appearance in District Court was scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12. The charges read that Pirkle purposely and knowingly impended the normal breathing or circulation of blood of a partner while applying pressure on her throat or neck. If convicted of the felony, Pirkle faces a sentence

According to the Williston Herald, Maverick Stanton of Williston, N.D., has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide regarding the Feb. 1 death of Poplar’s Paul Vernon FourBear. Stanton’s criminal history includes past DUI convictions in North Dakota and Wyoming. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12. The Williams County, N.D., Sheriff’s Office reported that FourBear

Prisoners housed in the Roosevelt County Detention Center over the past week included: Elias Adame, 38, Billings, hold for other agency. Maria Archdale-Hernandez, 33, Wolf Point, warrant. Jesus Avitia, 32, Aurora, Colo., possession with intent to distribute fentanyl/meth. Shanley Leonard Bighorn, 40, Wolf Point, hold for other agency. Elijah Bullcalf, 21, Browning, hold for other

The Roosevelt County Commissioners agreed to adopt a resolution on Thursday, Feb. 6, to oppose pending proposed Montana legislation that would prohibit tax-funded associations to lobby in Helena. The legislation would prohibit lobbyists for the Montana Association of Counties, which represents the stances of county commissioners throughout the state. Commissioners say if such a bill passes,

Four current members of the Wolf Point School Board are due to have their positions up for re-election this May. The terms are expiring for board chair Roxanne Gourneau in district 2 and trustee Sarah Copenhaver as an atlarge trustee. Both terms are for three years. The positions currently held by Robert Manning in District 1 and Michael Holen in District 4 are also up for election. The

The Bureau of Land Management Montana-Dakotas State Office has opened a 30day public scoping period to receive public input on 29 oil and gas parcels totaling 9,102 acres that may be included in a September 2025 lease sale in Montana and North Dakota. The comment period ends March 3. The parcels the BLM is analyzing, as well as maps and instructions on how to comment are available on the BLM’s

Running for public office as an independent or minor- party candidate in Montana would get harder under a bill gaining early support in the state Legislature. House lawmakers on Friday, Jan. 31, gave early approval to House Bill 207, which would double the number of signatures independent and minor-party candidates need to qualify for office. The bill would also shorten by 50 days the amount

The American Indian Higher Education Consortium celebrated the week of Feb. 3, as National Tribal College Week with visits to U.S. legislative leaders who have Tribal Colleges and Universities in their respective states. Each year, AIHEC hosts its member TCUs at a legislative summit with Capitol Hill visits to meet with lawmakers face-to-face and share information about their college’s successes,

Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced last week an updated Sexual and Violent Offender Registry that will provide Montanans with additional information on the whereabouts of offenders in their area. In addition to an offender’s home address which was previously provided on the registry, the registry will now include an offender’s work and/or school addresses. Montana’s Sexual or Violent