Helena, MT

Columbus, OH

Belgrade, MT

Gallatin County, MT

Montana Free Press

BOZEMAN — The man law enforcement officials say is responsible for the long-unsolved death of 15-year-old Danielle Houchins at a popular fishing access site a few miles south of Belgrade nearly 28 years ago has been identified. Investigators, family members and other sources with direct knowledge of the details...

Gallatin County sheriff says 28-year-old cold case solved

Great Falls, MT

After his Great Falls gun store was raided by IRS agents last summer, Tommy VanHoose said he felt he was targeted for political reasons due to the kinds of guns he sold. But according to charging documents made public by federal prosecutors Friday, the raid came after VanHoose spilled the beans to an undercover agent about under-reporting more than $1 million of income to the IRS. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Montana released a grand jury indictment charging VanHoose with five counts of submitting a false tax return.

Great Falls gun shop owner who drew national attention following IRS raid charged with tax fraud

Massachusetts State

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Dianna Carney

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, has recently introduced a tiny six-pound dog named Alistair who is looking for his forever home. At only one year old, this little boy is a sweet dog who is thought to be a Maltese, "but we can’t make any guarantees that he would be suitable for those with allergies," explains the nonprofit animal rescue.

Meet The Tiny 6lb Dog Looking For Love

Montana State

Montana’s relatively modest 2024 fire season escalated quickly over the weekend with the rapid growth of the Remington Fire and an increase in fires across the state’s western half. The Remington Fire is burning over more than 100,000 acres in southeast Montana, threatening to single-handedly double the total...

Remington Fire grows into the largest fire of the season while blazes continue in western Montana

This excerpt is published by agreement with The Permissions Company, LLC on behalf of Milkweed Editions, milkweed.org. Copyright © 2024 by Chris La Tray. All rights reserved. It may not be republished without the express consent of The Permissions Company, LLC. Chris La Tray wil host book release events...

‘They were always here’

Coffee County, GA

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Daily Coffee Press

Last week, two individuals from Coffee County were charged with trafficking methamphetamine following a search at a residence on Willacoochee Highway. On August 13, detectives with the Coffee County Drug Unit conducted an operation involving Charles Black, which led to a search of his residence on Willacoochee Highway. According to the report, Black left his residence before the warrant was served and was subsequently detained.

Two Charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine After Search in Coffee County

This story is excerpted from the MT Lowdown, a weekly newsletter digest containing original reporting and analysis published every Friday. As of Aug. 1, the Office of Public Instruction’s employment portal listed 853 active job postings for licensed public school positions in Montana. The postings include openings for teachers, counselors, administrators and paraprofessionals in school districts across Montana, and may capture some redundant listings or positions that have recently been filled.

Teacher head count comes up short again

Anaconda, MT

Even before setting off on a six-day, seven-night trek through the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness, Darren Wilson and the six hikers accompanying him knew there might be fire ahead. Wilson, a Hamilton resident who works as a biomedical equipment technician with a budding musical career under the name Dag Zaggenz, understood the significance of Stage Two fire restrictions: Conditions could not have been more prone to wildland fires.

How hikers quashed a budding wildfire

This story is excerpted from the MT Lowdown, a weekly newsletter digest containing original reporting and analysis published every Friday. Over the last week, Montana’s rainy weather held off new fires and rapid growth of those already burning. Though a large number of personnel continue working to contain blazes across the state, no fires grew at a substantial pace.

The Montana Fire Report: Aug. 10–16

Maine State

Sagadahoc County, ME

Lewiston, ME

The Maine Monitor

Editor’s note: This story contains references to suicide. When a bill to strengthen Maine’s yellow flag law went into effect earlier this month, Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry said he felt a sense of relief.

Law enforcement officers can now get a warrant to take someone into protective custody

After a nearly 21-year career with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the agency’s lead fisheries expert has resigned. Eileen Ryce, a fisheries biologist with a PhD, said inadequate support from her superiors while she ran a division that touches on two areas of critical interest in Montana — water and wildlife management — led her to resign.

FWP ‘fish chief’ Eileen Ryce resigns, citing lack of support from upper management.

Tennessee State

Wise River, MT

Brandi Bartscher bustled around the back room of H Bar J Saloon and Café, looking over long rows of paper bags for the last time that day. Over the last few hours, she and a small team of friends and family members had prepared and neatly organized 350 meals. It was Wednesday, which meant this was one of the last mass assemblies she would perform. She flitted back and forth between the backroom and bar, busy with the dual responsibilities of restaurant owner and dinner-bag organizer.

Feeding the firefighters

This story is published by agreement with the Associated Press. It may not be republished without the express permission of the Associated Press. At least 973 Native American children died in the U.S. government’s abusive boarding school system, according to the results of an investigation released Tuesday by officials who called on the government to apologize for the schools.

‘A forgotten history,’ remembered

Florida State

Lake Panasoffkee, FL

Akeena

Catfish Johnny’s, a beloved seafood restaurant known for its fresh catches and lively atmosphere, faced a temporary shutdown following a state inspection. This popular dining destination, which has delighted locals and tourists alike for 33 years, was briefly closed after the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) flagged multiple violations.

Florida’s Favorite Seafood Spot Closed After State Inspection

Georgia State

Crisp County, GA

On Wednesday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of 24 individuals following Operation Shyne Down. The GBI and other agencies served a total of 120 warrants on the suspects involved in the investigation, which targeted the criminal street gang G-Shyne Bloods and their involvement in criminal activities in Crisp County, Georgia.

Operation Results in More than 20 Charged with Gang Offenses, RICO, and more

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said he will consider more DUI patrols if voters legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida. Voters will consider Amendment 3 in November. It would allow adults 21 or older to possess, purchase or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical purposes.

More DUI patrols possible if marijuana issue passes

“Great Falls This Week” is reported and written by Matt Hudson. Send your news and tips to mhudson@montanafreepress.org. Outsourced November election printing likely to cost more. Elections officials scrambled to find an alternative service earlier this year when the county printing office’s sole employee quit while the school district’s...

Costly closure of the county print shop

North Carolina State

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Chapel Hill, NC

Town Talks

A solid education is crucial, often leading to better job opportunities and higher salaries. While educated individuals can be found across the country, some regions have a particularly high concentration of educated residents.

These 2 North Carolina Cities Are The Most Educated In America

East Helena, MT

Clancy, MT

Canyon Creek, MT

Marysville, MT

Jefferson City, MT

Elliston, MT

Winston, MT

Basin, MT

Boulder, MT

Avon, MT

NewsBreak

Helena City Commission puts safety levy, new fire station to voters

The Helena City Commission voted unanimously Monday night to add a safety levy and a 20-year bond onto the June 4 ballot to pay for new...

Helena City Commission puts safety levy, new fire station to voters

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