News briefs, Sept. 16

Duryee reinstated

POLSON — Lake County Undersheriff Jay Doyle confirmed Tuesday morning that Dep. Dan Duryee has been reinstated to work at the Sheriff’s Office.

“The investigation is complete,” Doyle said. “We complied with all of the state’s requests.”

Duryee had been placed on administrative leave on Aug. 25 during a investigation into allegations that he lied about serving during the first Gulf War as a U.S. Marine. The Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council received a complaint and looked into the issue, POST Director Wayne Ternes said.

“The county sheriff has sent confirmation of what we asked them to do,” Ternes said Monday.

Doyle said all avenues had been pursued, leading to Duryee’s reinstatement.

“We should be receiving a letter [Tuesday] that we complied and [POST] is OK with that,” Doyle said.

-Reporter Sasha Goldstein

 Vandal changes plea

POLSON — Two weeks after pleading not guilty to three charges related to a vandalism incident, a man agreed to a plea deal that includes a hefty restitution requirement.

Geoffery Baldridge, 21, pleaded guilty to felony burglary and the amended offense of misdemeanor criminal mischief in District Court last Wednesday. Baldridge originally faced a felony count of criminal mischief and a third count of misdemeanor theft was dropped as part of the plea.

Baldridge and former co-defendant Jacob Seibert, both 18 at the time of the incident, originally had the same charges dropped after agreeing to pay restitution in a March 2009 plea agreement. The deferred prosecution agreement required each man to pay $10,000 each, per year, for four years to the Charlo School. Baldridge failed to pay any restitution in the 17 months since the agreement and thus, charges were re-filed, deputy county attorney Cory Allen said.

According to court documents, Baldridge and Seibert are suspected of discharging multiple fire extinguishers inside several classrooms, damaging computers, spray-painting doors in a graffiti fashion and mutilating an American flag on the night of May 23, 2008. The alleged vandal attack on public school property caused an estimated $76,000 in damages.

The agreement says the prosecution and defense will jointly recommend a deferred sentence of six years with the stipulation that Baldridge be jointly responsible for restitution of $76,484.84.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 13.

-Reporter Sasha Goldstein

Car chase through Pablo

POLSON — A running car allegedly proved irresistible to a man accused of stealing the vehicle and leading law enforcement officers on a high speed chase last Friday morning.

Richard Downing, 19, allegedly entered a Chevy Suburban with its engine running on the 1300 block of 5th St. East around 5:40 a.m. Friday, Polson Asst. Police Chief John Stevens said.

“Officer Luke Brandeberry was dispatched and observed the vehicle heading east on Hillcrest,” Stevens said. “He attempted to stop the vehicle, but it continued on to Pablo on U.S. Highway 93.”

Brandeberry reported the pursuit and Lake County Sheriff’s Dep. Glen Miller responded by setting up stop sticks at Northwood Rd. and Hwy. 93. Speeds of the chase reportedly reached 100 miles per hour.

The stolen Suburban punctured the two front tires once it contacted the stop sticks, Stevens said, and continued southbound before hitting a steel fence post at Mission Valley Power. The suspect fled on foot before being tackled and subdued by Tribal Officers Haynes and Adams, Stevens said.

Downing is charged with felony counts of criminal endangerment and motor vehicle theft, in addition to misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass to a motor vehicle and fleeing and eluding a peace officer. The Suburban had to be towed from the scene, Stevens said, and a Polson patrol car sustained minor damage.

“It was brought to a good, safe conclusion,” Stevens said. “No one was hurt and the property was returned.”

Stevens lauded the efforts of the three different law enforcement agencies involved —PPD, LCSO and Tribal —during the incident.

-Reporter Sasha Goldstein

Phillippi and Courville graduate

Army National Guard Pvt. Travis Phillippi and Army Pfc. Nicholas X. Courville have graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training.

During the nine weeks of basic combat training, the soldiers received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

The Advanced Individual Training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area.

Phillippi is the son of Dale and Linda Phillippi, of Ronan, and a 2009 graduate of the Montana Youth Challenge Program in Dillon.

Courville is the son of Julian Courville, of Charlo, and grandson of Kurt McPherson, of St. Ignatius, and a 2008 graduate of Ronan High School.

-Courtesy of Charleen Crenshaw

Mollman closed

The Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation has extended the temporary closure to all human use for the entire 3.5 miles of the Mollman Pass Trail in the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness (also known as the Mollman Lake trail). On Aug. 19, Tribal Game Wardens confirmed a report of dead horses near the trail. Mollman Lake Trail is located east of Kicking Horse Job Corp Center and southeast of Ronan.  The closure will protect wildlife that may be in the area.

“This type of closure is common for all trails in the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness when there is a report of a dead horse near the trail,” Dale Becker, Tribal Wildlife Program Manager said.

This closure will remain in effect until officials have determined that there is no longer potential for human/bear conflict.

Visitors to the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness can contact the Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation for the most current information regarding bear activity in the Mollman area.

For additional information on the closure contact Germaine White, Information and Education Specialist or Pablo Espinoza, Chief of Tribal Game Wardens at 883-2888.

-Courtesy of Germaine White

Lake Mary Ronan State Park closed

Lake Mary Ronan State Park campground is currently closed, as a major improvement project is underway. Improvements will include electricity at individual campsites, paving of campground roads and spurs, a new and improved group camping area, new vault toilet and additional boat trailer parking. The project is scheduled to be completed by May 1, 2011. While the project is underway, access to the day use area and boat ramp will remain open.  Boaters will still be able to launch. For further information, contact Jerry Sawyer, 250-6117.

-Courtesy of John Fraley

Make it with wool

Make It With Wool, District one competition will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Ronan High School Library. All ages may enter this contest. The garments must be made from material at least 60 percent wool. The garments made and modeled by the contestant. The garments made for others must be modeled by the intended wearer.

The application forms must be filled out and sent to Jean Harrison, state director 615 Highland Ave., Dillon, Mt. 59725. The first place winner in the adult, senior, and junior division will advance to the state competition in Billings on Dec. 3 and 4.

Afghans and quilts have been added to the state competition. The quilt may be constructed by an individual or a group. Any construction technique or combination may be used (machine and or hand) the yarn for afghan must be 60 percent wool. It may be knitted or crocheted.

For more information contact Bernadine Lake, 676-2173.

-Courtesy of Bernadine Lake