Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte issued Executive Order 4-2021 last week to declare a state of energy emergency to make it easier for carriers to supply much-needed propane, heating oil and diesel fuel during harsh winter conditions. “Montanans have seen harsh winter weather this week, affecting families who depend on propane and heating oil to warm their homes,” Gianforte said. “This executive

Christopher Michael Lee Friede, 20, of Culbertson was in district court for the charge of witness tampering on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Maximum penalties for the charge are 10 years in prison, a $50,000 fine or both. Bail was set at $25,000. Friede is scheduled for trial on May 13 for the charge of sexual intercourse without consent. According to court documents, when an officer reviewed

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont, each issued statements on the acquittal of former President Donald J. Trump. The Senate’s vote on Saturday, Feb. 13, was 57 senators, including seven Republicans, making “guilty” votes while 43 senators made “not guilty” votes. Two-thirds of the Senate was necessary to convict the former president. “Jan. 6, will

A Wolf Point woman who admitted entering a hotel and beating up the desk clerk during a robbery was sentenced on Thursday, Feb. 11, to 30 months in prison and to two years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson has announced. Jalissa Haley Fern Spotted Bird, 32, pleaded guilty on Oct. 15, 2020, to robbery. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. According to

Andrew Michael Heser and Christopher Lee Gustafson each submitted changes of plea in district court on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Heser changed his plea to guilty for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, second offense. He testified that he was at home during a day off when his probation officer came to the residence. The probation officer searched his home and vehicle. There was meth discovered

The COVID-19 Task Force plans to meet next on Monday, Feb. 22. This united effort between Roosevelt Medical Center, Northeast Montana Health Services, Indian Health Services, Fort Peck Tribes and Roosevelt County seeks to mitigate the ongoing effects of the pandemic in Roosevelt County and the Fort Peck Reservation. All partners continue to assist residents with COVID-19 testing and infections,

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte issued two new directives and an executive order on Friday, Feb. 12. The first directive rescinds and replaces all prior directives implementing Executive Order 2-2021, which the governor issued on Jan. 13. Consistent with the governor’s announcement on Wednesday, Feb. 10, the new directive allows the statewide mask mandate to expire. Local jurisdictions may

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed Senate Bill No. 65 into law on Wednesday, Feb. 10. The new law shields businesses, health care providers, nonprofit organizations and places of worship from coronavirus-related lawsuits, provided they take measures to protect individuals from COVID-19 and follow public health guidelines. “On Jan. 5, I addressed how critical it is to protect businesses, nonprofit

Canada is extending requirements for international travelers at the northern border. They may provide a negative COVID-19 test to land border crossers as early as Feb. 15. Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, told media that the test must have been conducted within 72 hours and must be a Polymerase Chain Reaction test. Travelers who come to the border without showing proof of a negative