News

Man sentenced to prison for possession with intent to distribute meth

Michael Christopher Laird, 26, of California, was sentenced on Nov. 29 to 10 years in prison and five years supervised release for conviction on methamphetamine charges.

U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided at the hearing.

Laird pleaded guilty on Aug. 23 to possession with intent to distribute meth.

CMMC receives a trust fund loan for renovation

The Montana Department of Commerce is proud to announce 35 years of the Montana Facility Finance Authority. Recently, the program reached a lifetime milestone of providing more than $3 billion of financing and low-interest loans for non-profit health care organizations in Montana.

“MFFA is an important partner of Commerce, and we congratulate them on reaching this milestone,” Commerce Director Pam Haxby-Cote said. “In addition to keeping us healthy, medical facilities are pillars of local economies across the state. When they thrive, our communities thrive as well.”

Mediation ordered in livestock cruelty case

A November jury trial for Lewistown resident Lexi Lea Folda has been cancelled, pending the outcome of mediation. Folda is charged with nine counts of felony animal cruelty dating back to last winter.

Court documents show Folda was charged with failing to provide food and water sufficient to keep animals in good health. The animals in question, some of which were found dead and others in bad condition, include a goat, a donkey, a miniature horse and six horses, all pastured at 100 Cowboy Way in Lewistown.

Century helps ‘get the ball rolling’ on the new soccer park

Century Companies, Inc. and Tim and Nadine Robertson are well known for their generosity throughout the community and the Lewistown Soccer Club is proud to be the latest beneficiary of their community-minded spirit. As a special Thanksgiving gift, the LSC received a $50,000 commitment from Century and the Robertsons towards the development of the planned Lewistown Soccer Park.

Linda Rinaldi: ‘shining through’

For 25 years, Linda Rinaldi worked in the special education department at Fergus High School.

“I enjoyed every single day that I worked,” she said. “It was challenging, but very rewarding. Over the years it was fun to see the children come in as freshmen, go out as seniors and actually be successful. It was wonderful to see them go on to their next chapter, whether it was a trade, a two-year school or a four-year school.”

Ugh, chlorine

As people across Lewistown find their morning cups of tea or coffee ruined by the unpleasant flavor of chlorine, City Manager Holly Phelps struggles to find other ways to achieve the required goal of decontaminating the water supply.

“Partly this is coming from an EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] rule change a few years back,” Phelps said. “That federal rule change caused the State to change the way they deal with water systems by revising the coliform rule.”

Businessmen pleased with Tuesday’s sign ordinance meeting

The Lewistown Design Review Board held an open meeting Tuesday evening, where they held discussions and walked through the proposed sign ordinance.

“We took a different approach with this meeting,” City Planner Cathy Barta said. “We asked those who wanted to propose a change to write their name, address, phone number and section of ordinance they were interested in on a comment form.”

Those present at Tuesday’s meeting filled out comment forms, Barta said. There was also some back-and-forth between the Design Review Board and the public, which Barta said went well.

Sounds of the Season

The winter concert season for Lewistown schools kicked off with a wonderful performance by the fifth-and sixth-grade students from Lewis and Clark Elementary on Thursday. Under the guidance of Band Director Karl Ortman and Choir Director Lauren Ortman, along with accompanist Tom Wojtowick, the students performed a mix of holiday songs in front of a big crowd at the Fergus Center for Performing Arts.

News Briefs

Lewistown Municipal Airport Board to meet Wednesday

The Lewistown Municipal Airport Board will meet at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5, in the Airport Terminal Meeting Room. Items to be discussed include, airport lease agreements (Torgerson and Evans), Gerri Campbell (frontage road), Dr. Gallea donation (vehicle parking) and board member reports. This meeting is open to the public. The next Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 3 p.m.

Come learn about Opportunity Zones

Montana Federal Court arraignments announced

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the following persons were arraigned before U.S. magistrate judges last week. Indictments handed down by the Grand Jury were unsealed. Indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan in Billings on Nov. 20 and entering Not Guilty pleas were:

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