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CRIME NEWS
Ronan man charged with 9th DUI
A Ronan man with eight prior DUIs is facing charges of a ninth. Michael A. Buck, 56, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson Sept. 18 to a felony charge of DUI, 4th or subsequent.According to court records, on Feb. 22 law enforcement officers observed Buck driving a white van in the Pablo area. His passenger was known by the officers to have a warrant out for their arrest, giving them probable cause to stop the van. However, when the officers approached the van, Buck and his passenger allegedly swapped seats. Initially, Buck denied switching seats with...
Polson murder suspect upset after estate left to victim, court docs say
A Polson man accused of shooting and killing a Ronan man appeared in District Court in Polson last week for an arraignment hearing. James Phillip Lawrence, 70, entered a plea of not guilty to felony deliberate homicide and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.According to court records, Lawrence shot and killed Edwin Loder, 67, sometime Aug. 30. A possible motive emerged because Loder was named the beneficiary of the Mendenhall estate, documents state. The case began when Lake County Undersheriff Ben Woods responded to a report of a missing person on Sept. 4. Blood was identified in an area east of Loder’s...
Plea deal struck for woman accused of shooting at vehicle
Judge Molly Owen set a sentencing date of Nov. 11 for a Ronan woman who admitted to firing a weapon during a domestic dispute.Lucy Laryn Smith-Cluff, 26, entered a plea of guilty to the amended charge of criminal endangerment during a change of plea hearing District Court in Polson Sept. 18.Initially, she was charged with two counts of assault with a weapon. The plea was entered as part of a plea agreement that amended one the charges to criminal endangerment and will dismiss the second charge of assault with a weapon at sentencing. The agreement comes with a joint recommendation...
Mineral County Help Line prepares for fall bazaar
The Mineral County Help Line is a nonprofit organization that started in 1990 to focus on domestic violence and sexual assault victims. “We help with orders of protection, safety plans and help people sign up for state benefits. We’re a support system with the focus on domestic violence and sexual assault that can provide shelter through motel arrangements for both men and women,” explained Cassie Hewitt who is an advocate and has been the administrative coordinator since December. Amy Kelsey is the program director and crime victims advocate. The two make up the paid staff with the office on the backside of...
BLOTTER: Kicking son out of cabin
September 14 A black truck was reported for flashing their lights, driving across lanes and passing on the right in Somers. September 15 A fist fight was reported in Lakeside, about seven people helped break it up before law enforcement was dispatched and no charges were pursued. September 16 A verbal argument between a man and woman was reported in Lakeside. In Bigfork, a young male driver was reported for reckless driving; fishtailing around corners, speeding, and waving a gun at the caller as he passed. September 17 In Lakeside, a domestic dispute was reported. A caller reported their son was being harassed on the internet in Bigfork. September 18 A dog was reported chasing and biting at horses in Somers. A caller reported his mother broke into his home in Bigfork, claiming he was being evicted from the guest cabin. His mother allegedly cleaned up broken glass he had placed to keep the family out, an in-person response was requested as the suspect may have started a fire.
Vitek sentenced to 100 years for murder of Tammi Jordan
Matthew Vitek of Bigfork was sentenced to 100 years in Montana State Prison on Wednesday, Sept. 18 for the deliberate homicide of Tammi Jordan. Vitek entered a guilty plea at Lake County District Court in Polson in August for felony charges of deliberate homicide and two counts of attempted deliberate homicide after initially pleading not guilty in January. He was also convicted for the deliberate homicide charges Wednesday, each a 100-year sentence. On Dec. 10, 2023, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office was the first on the scene after reports of shots fired in Ferndale. According to charging documents, Vitek was captured on...