News briefs, April 8

Two cases of robbery

POLSON - Two incidents of burglary and vandalism at local churches Sunday night marred an otherwise quiet weekend, Polson Police Chief Doug Chase said.

Monday morning, the PPD was busy investigating a crime scene at the Masonic Lodge on 4th Ave. East in Polson. Chase said the suspects gained entry by breaking a window at the building and going on to cause "considerable vandalism." He said "ceremonial robes, flags and other Masonic material" was strewn throughout the building, and a 29-inch TV and a VCR were found in the yard. The scene was "left in disarray," he said.

"We are of the opinion that it is youth, 15 years or younger," Chase said, adding that the department believes there are multiple suspects.

In addition to the Masonic Temple, the LDS Church next door was also broken into. Chase said a window in the back of the building was broken, and that it appeared a projector was stolen. The estimated cost of replacing the stolen equipment would be $800, he said. The PPD believes the two incidents are connected and that they happened "after the hours of darkness" Sunday night. Chase said if caught, the suspects' will face charges of burglary and vandalism and "a hell of a restitution bill."

The investigation is currently on going.

-Reporter Sasha Goldstein

Cherry growers land some help

LAKE COUNTY - The Flathead Cherry Growers received a $9,900 grant last month from the Montana's Growth Through Agriculture Program, a program that was started by the Department of Agriculture.

Pat McGlynn, a Flathead County Agriculture and Community Development Extension Agent for Montana State University said the grant will fund research concerning the success of alternative cherry varieties in Montana, as compared to the predominant Lambert cherry.

"Many growers would like to find out if there is a cherry variety that could be harvested earlier [in the season] or later because they want to extend their season," McGlen said.

An extended harvest period would allow growers to sell produce for longer periods of time and prevent growers from having to process it all at the same time.

"Our cherries are processed in Washington, and they did not do well in the Washington market [last year]," McGlen said, referring to the oversaturated cherry market.

McGlen, who applied for the grant December 30, said she will be collaborating with Dr. Matt Whiting, a top northwest cherry researcher.

The researchers will begin their five-year study by planting trees on June 1.

"The first year we will collect data on disease resistance, pest resistance, hardiness, and growth habits," McGlen said. "It's going to be a long-term project."

-Reporter David Flores

Results from alcohol compliance checks

LAKE COUNTY - The initial 2010 round of alcohol compliance checks, headed by the Flathead Reservation and Lake County Alcohol Enforcement Team (AET), proved successful, as the majority of local businesses passed the test.

"We hope our alcohol server training is playing a role in the positive results," said Sergeant Randy Owens of the Montana Highway Patrol. "We know our continued enforcement on the Flathead Reservation and Lake County keeping businesses alert and aware of the laws and their responsibilities. This is a pro-active step to keep kids safer in our community, especially at a time when more kids will be out of school and looking for things to do."

Held on the evening of March 25, the five-hour operation tested 21 of the 90-plus county establishments that serve or sell alcohol, with a total of 14 businesses refusing to sell alcohol to the underage subject. Seven establishments failed the check, meaning they sold alcohol to the under-21 minor; these businesses were subsequently written tickets for a fine.

"The results from March 25 are encouraging," Tribal Law and Order Chief Craige Couture said. "We hope to increase the requirement of retailers to attend the Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service training, and gain a full compliance to prevent sales to minor. The goal is to keep our kids safe and avoid preventable alcohol related crashes and injuries."

Members of the AET emphasized that the goal of the compliance checks is not to trick businesses in to selling alcohol to underage customers. Ivy McGowan, project coordinator for the Montana Community Change Project, said that prospective underage buyers are given money by the enforcement team, and bring their real state-issued driver's licenses. If asked their age or for identification, the buyers are instructed to verbally tell the cashier their true age or show them their ID, whichever is asked.

Polson Assistant Police Chief John Stevens said the point of the checks was to help reduce underage drinking.

"We're not hiding anything. We're doing this to cut down on the alcohol being given to juveniles," he said, adding that he hopes the area can avoid an incident like in Helena, where five teens were killed during a suspected drunk driving wreck. "We'd like to have 100 percent compliance and that's our goal, so hopefully as this continues we'll get there."

The compliance checks will continue indefinitely and are funded by the Lake County DUI Task Force. Other agencies involved in the operation include Tribal Law Enforcement, Polson City Police, Montana State Highway Patrol, Mission City Police, the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Montana Community Change Project.

-Reporter Sasha Goldstein