New briefs

Jan. 22, 2009

Wreck kills Ronan man

A 66-year-old man from Ronan is dead after a car accident this past Thursday in Perma.

The wreck happened near mile marker 89 in an area known as the “Perma curves” at around 1:30 p.m.

The victim, who’s name has not yet been released, was pronounced dead at the scene after wrecking his baby blue 1967 Mustang.

Montana Highway Patrol dispatch said the driver appeared to have lost control and crossed into an oncoming lane, going into a ditch and then rolled his car into a pine tree.

The name will be released after the cororner’s report is finished and released, MHP said.

First responders attempted to resuscitate the victim at the scene. He was wearing his seatbelt when the accident occurred and the Montana Highway Patrol is still investigating if speed or alcohol where involved in the accident.

The roads were icy, which also may have contributed to the single vehicle accident.

Ronan stabbing  victim released from hospital

A truck driver from Ronan who was stabbed at a rest area in Moorhead, Minn., on Jan. 11 was released from Innovis Hospital in Fargo, N.D. on Saturday.

Dale Morigeau, 51, was reportedly stabbed repeatedly with a knife at the I-94 reststop by a 32-year-old Canadian man from Alberta on the afternoon of Jan. 11.

Due to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy regulations, the hospital spokesperson could not give additional information about his condition on release or medical procedures undergone at Innovis Health. According to a police report, the Ronan victim was transported to the hospital where he underwent surgery for multiple severe stab wounds.

According to Lt. Joel Scharf of the Moorhead Police Department, the felony assault took place for several minutes as the assault was still reportedly in progress when officers arrived, responding to the 911 call.

Harmit Bhangu, was subdued by officers with a taser and taken into custody at the Clay County Jail. Charges of second degree attempted homicide are pending, and second and fourth degree assault against a police officer were strongly requested after Bhangu reportedly assaulted a detective in a post-arrest interview.

Morigeau could not be reached for comment by press-time as he is unlisted in the phone directory.

Reporter Ty Hampton

Second Bison Range suit planned

The Department of the Interior may be looking at a second lawsuit to be filed against it regarding the joint management plan for the National Bison Range in Moiese. The Blue Goose Alliance is  planning on filing the lawsuit in response to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe and federal government’s joint National Bison Range management 2008 Annual Fundering Agreement.

“We’ve been opposing this business of AFA for more than four year now on refuges simply because they’re basically contrary to federal mandates for the management of national refuges,” Blue Goose Alliance president Don Redfearn said.

The suit has not been filed, but a letter issued by Blue Goose attorneys was sent on Jan. 5 to the Interior establishing a 60 period where the AFA could be rescinded and stating the group’s intent to sue if it was not. Redfearn said he believed the 60 days began on Jan. 5.

“We are defenders of the refuge system and felt hat intrusions of this nature, it’s a precedent setting thing, that does not bode well for the refuge system,” he said.

Redfearn has been the president of Blue Goose for a little more than two years, and said he spent his career working within the refuge system, managing refuges in Utah and Wyoming, and was the supervisor of refuges in Alaska. He now lives in Tallahassee, Fla.

The employee protection organization Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility filed a lawsuit against the Interior in early December, claiming the 2008 Annual Funding Agreement signed by CSKT and the Federal Wildlife Service giving the tribe shared management rights violates the federal oversight and employment laws.

The Blue Goose website states that its mission is “to promote the establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge System as a separate agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior.” Redfearn said the nonprofit group also aims to improve and educate the public about the system.

The Blue Goose organization is based primarily around electronic membership. Redfearn could not say how many members, total or from Montana specifically, the group has, but said the board included people from across the country.

CSKT did not release a statement about the possible Blue Goose lawsuit.

Reporter Jenna Cederberg

Water rights commission bill goes to House

Senate bill proposing to extend the duration of the reserved water rights compact commission currently negotiation water rights issues with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe has passed through the Senate Natural Resources Committee and with a 50-0 vote in the Montana Senate, moved through to the House, according to the Montana bill tracking website.

This past Thursday, SB 39 was read  and referred to the House Federal Relations, Energy and Telecommunication Committee.

The Senate voted on Jan. 12 to pass the bill, as amended, to the House. On Jan. 7 after a hearing to discuss the reasons for extending the commissioned to July, 1 2013 allowing negotiations between the Tribe and the governments to continue. The bill passed through the Natural Resources committee with a 10-0 vote.

The commission is set to expire on July 1, 2009. The end of the committee would stop negotiations. SB 39, sponsored by Sen. Carol Juneau, D-Browning. Rep. Frosty Calf Boss Ribs, district 15, Rep. John Brueggeman and Rep. John Fleming, both representing district 12, are listed as legislators who introduced the bill.

If the bill passes the House, it will be sent to the governor.

Reporter Jenna Cederberg

PHS BPA places at regionals

Polson’s new chapter of Business Professionals of America placed three students at the Regional Conference Jan. 12.

“I was real happy for having them go and participate for the first time in Polson,” said BPA advisor Dennis LaBonty. He teaches business related classes at the high school, and was an adviser for the chapter in White Pine County High School in Nevada before coming to Polson.

Five Polson High School students - senior Amanda James, sophomore Larissa Hanson, senior Sabrina Nystrom, sophomore Nina Araos and sophomore Lilia Ramos - went to the BPA regional conference, held at Flathead Community College. The events ranged from computer tests to oral interviews.

“These girls are very conscientious and academic,” LaBonty said.

James, Hanson and Nystrom all qualified for states and will go on to compete at FCC, and if qualified will move to nationals in Dallas. Over 200 students showed up to compete and students from Ronan, Arlee and Charlo also placed.

“I’m sure the competition is very stiff,” LaBonty said of state and national competitions. “Nonetheless, we’re just hoping to get a good experience.”

Reporter Erin Scott