U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., increased his aggressive push last week to restore Amtrak service to Montana’s Hi-Line communities by introducing legislation to reinstate furloughed Amtrak employees and return complete long-distance service to routes like the Empire Builder. “Montana is a huge state. Long-distance rail is really important,” Tester said during a press conference call.

The National Weather Service Glasgow Reported Feb. 28 that the period from December 2020 through February 2021 has brought the least amount of snow for a Meteorological Winter in the Glasgow area with only 1.5 inches. The normal amount of precipitation for the period is 20.4 inches. NWSG meteorologist Ted Jamba told the Northern Plains Independent that despite the grim reading, regional precipitation

( Publisher’s Note: The following blotter includes the activities of the Wolf Point police and fire department for Feb. 22-28. All those cited or arrested are presumed innocent.) Citations were issued to: February 22 Jalen Robinson, 22, male, 300 block of U.S. Highway 2, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia and warrant, tribal court. February

( Publisher’s Note: Each week, the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office distributes an inmate roster with the names of everyone incarcerated and persons booked into the jail during the previous week and does not necessarily mean there is a new charge or conviction.) Prisoners housed in the Roosevelt County Detention Center Feb. 14 through March 1 include: Clifford Briscoe, 40, Poplar, warrant.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 102 into law Thursday, Feb. 18. The governor says the new law protects Montanans’ Second Amendment rights and promotes public safety. “Every law-abiding Montanan should be able to defend themselves and their loved ones. That’s why today, I’m signing H.B. 102 into law,” Gianforte said. The new law allows law-abiding Montana gun owners to

Wednesday, March 3, marks the middle of the 67th Legislative session and a key deadline for general bills. Lawmakers held committee hearings on more than 360 bills between Feb. 22 and 26. Many will not become law. Some like House Bill 455, were tabled in committee. That bill would have made getting and voting with an absentee ballot more difficult. It was tabled unanimously. Rep. Geraldine Custer,

A trial date was scheduled for Kai Irwin Leigh Underdahl during a hearing in district court on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Underdahl is facing three counts of assault with a weapon and two charges of criminal endangerment. District Court Judge David Cybulski scheduled the trial for April 15. During Tuesday’s hearing, Roosevelt County Attorney Frank Piocos and defense attorney Terrence Toavs each

Jeff Wivholm of Medicine Lake has been appointed to Montana’s Board of Oil and Gas Conservation. “I’m honored to be on it,” Wivholm said. He noted that he has worked with oilfield activity for most of his life. His experience includes being president of the Montana Association of Conservation Districts for four years and he is an agricultural producer of small grains. “I thought

The trial for Richard Lamar Rutledge, 47, Culbertson, has been rescheduled for July. Rutledge is facing two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and two counts of incest. The trial was scheduled to start March 15. “I think there’s a good chance we will have a normal trial if we wait that long,” Defense attorney Matthew Claus said of changing the dates to July. With social

Clifford Evan Briscoe of Poplar changed his plea to guilty for the charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs during a hearing in district court on Tuesday, Feb. 23. He had made not guilty pleas for the charge and for criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, during his initial appearance on Jan. 26. On Tuesday, Briscoe testified that on Jan. 14, law enforcement