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By the Associated Press - 02/12/07
Woman killed in crash near Rockvale
BILLINGS (AP) — A sport utility vehicle went out of control on icy U.S. Highway 310 near Rockvale Saturday morning and slid into the side of an oncoming pickup truck, killing the driver of the SUV, the Montana Highway Patrol said.
Ari Thompson, 40, of the Joliet area, overcorrected when her SUV started to fishtail and it slid into the pickup, said Trooper Eric Gilbert. She died at the scene.
The driver of the pickup truck, Howard Wegner, 68, of Billings, was flown to a Billings hospital with injuries including a broken pelvis. He was listed in satisfactory condition Saturday evening, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Rockvale is south of Laurel.
The death raises the state highway fatality toll to 22, compared with 20 on Feb. 10, 2006. Missoula woman pleads guilty in fraud case
MISSOULA (AP) — A woman accused of running up $16,600 in bills by using a check card intended for someone else has pleaded guilty in federal court.
Stephani L. Cook of Missoula is to be sentenced May 17 for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Cook pleaded guilty last week before U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy.
Prosecutors said they were prepared to show that a Glacier Bank of Bigfork Visa check card and personal identification number were obtained by Cook, after being mailed to someone else at an incorrect address. The address was that of an unoccupied house.
Between late 2005 and early 2006, the check card was used for 94 transactions totaling about $16,600, the U.S. attorney’s office said. The card’s intended recipient contacted the bank and law enforcement officials about unauthorized use of the check card.
Examination of surveillance tapes and photos showed Cook completing transactions, and copies of sales receipts would have shown that she forged the name of the person for whom the card was intended, prosecutors said.
Page says earnings will go to school
HELENA (AP) — A Great Falls teenager who spent a week as a legislative page and earned about $250 says he will give the money to his parochial school’s building fund.
Administrators of Central Catholic High School in Great Falls expect to offer classes in a new building at the start of the 2007-08 school year.
Doug Waite, 15, is a sophomore at the school.
The money from his work as a page ‘‘won’t make that much of a difference, but even a student can give for the betterment of their educational experience,’’ Waite said.
Central Catholic Principal Hugh Smith said Waite ‘‘represents our school down there (at the Capitol) and hopefully sets the example for others.’’
Waite said he hopes to be a congressional intern. His father is a field representative for Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont.
Lottery drawings yield two six-figure prizes
HELENA (AP) — Here are results of the Saturday Feb. 10 Montana Lottery drawings:
JACKPOTS WON: One $100,000 winner in Montana Cash. Ticket sold at Van’s State Avenue IGA in Billings.
MAJOR PRIZES WON IN MONTANA:
One $200,000 winner in Powerball. Ticket sold at TJ’s Gas N Convenience in Livingston.
THE WINNING NUMBERS DRAWN:
Montana Cash: 12, 13, 18, 22, 36.
Wild Card: 16, 20, 23, 27, 31. Wild Card King of Clubs.
Hot Lotto: 02, 03, 08, 09, 33. Hot Ball 09.
Powerball: 02, 11, 16, 41, 42. Powerball 16. Power Play 03.
ESTIMATED JACKPOTS FOR NEXT DRAWINGS
Montana Cash: $20,000
Wild Card: $1,030,000
Hot Lotto: $2,020,000
Powerball: $46,000,000
Judge who quit amid obscenity controversy returns former chambers for stint as sub
GREAT FALLS (AP) — A man who resigned from a judgeship following reports that he made coarse comments online returned to his former chambers for stint as a substitute judge.
Sam Harris stepped down as a justice of the peace in Great Falls on Dec. 31. His departure followed reports the previous month that through an Internet chat room, he made comments that included profanity, references to the size of male genitals and use of the word ‘‘fools’’ to describe couples at whose weddings he officiated. Harris apologized for the comments.
On Friday, Harris filled in for Justice of the Peace Kathleen Jensen. The state court system granted the clearance necessary for Harris to be a substitute.
BILLINGS (AP) — A sport utility vehicle went out of control on icy U.S. Highway 310 near Rockvale Saturday morning and slid into the side of an oncoming pickup truck, killing the driver of the SUV, the Montana Highway Patrol said.
Ari Thompson, 40, of the Joliet area, overcorrected when her SUV started to fishtail and it slid into the pickup, said Trooper Eric Gilbert. She died at the scene.
The driver of the pickup truck, Howard Wegner, 68, of Billings, was flown to a Billings hospital with injuries including a broken pelvis. He was listed in satisfactory condition Saturday evening, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Rockvale is south of Laurel.
The death raises the state highway fatality toll to 22, compared with 20 on Feb. 10, 2006. Missoula woman pleads guilty in fraud case
MISSOULA (AP) — A woman accused of running up $16,600 in bills by using a check card intended for someone else has pleaded guilty in federal court.
Stephani L. Cook of Missoula is to be sentenced May 17 for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Cook pleaded guilty last week before U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy.
Prosecutors said they were prepared to show that a Glacier Bank of Bigfork Visa check card and personal identification number were obtained by Cook, after being mailed to someone else at an incorrect address. The address was that of an unoccupied house.
Between late 2005 and early 2006, the check card was used for 94 transactions totaling about $16,600, the U.S. attorney’s office said. The card’s intended recipient contacted the bank and law enforcement officials about unauthorized use of the check card.
Examination of surveillance tapes and photos showed Cook completing transactions, and copies of sales receipts would have shown that she forged the name of the person for whom the card was intended, prosecutors said.
Page says earnings will go to school
HELENA (AP) — A Great Falls teenager who spent a week as a legislative page and earned about $250 says he will give the money to his parochial school’s building fund.
Administrators of Central Catholic High School in Great Falls expect to offer classes in a new building at the start of the 2007-08 school year.
Doug Waite, 15, is a sophomore at the school.
The money from his work as a page ‘‘won’t make that much of a difference, but even a student can give for the betterment of their educational experience,’’ Waite said.
Central Catholic Principal Hugh Smith said Waite ‘‘represents our school down there (at the Capitol) and hopefully sets the example for others.’’
Waite said he hopes to be a congressional intern. His father is a field representative for Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont.
Lottery drawings yield two six-figure prizes
HELENA (AP) — Here are results of the Saturday Feb. 10 Montana Lottery drawings:
JACKPOTS WON: One $100,000 winner in Montana Cash. Ticket sold at Van’s State Avenue IGA in Billings.
MAJOR PRIZES WON IN MONTANA:
One $200,000 winner in Powerball. Ticket sold at TJ’s Gas N Convenience in Livingston.
THE WINNING NUMBERS DRAWN:
Montana Cash: 12, 13, 18, 22, 36.
Wild Card: 16, 20, 23, 27, 31. Wild Card King of Clubs.
Hot Lotto: 02, 03, 08, 09, 33. Hot Ball 09.
Powerball: 02, 11, 16, 41, 42. Powerball 16. Power Play 03.
ESTIMATED JACKPOTS FOR NEXT DRAWINGS
Montana Cash: $20,000
Wild Card: $1,030,000
Hot Lotto: $2,020,000
Powerball: $46,000,000
Judge who quit amid obscenity controversy returns former chambers for stint as sub
GREAT FALLS (AP) — A man who resigned from a judgeship following reports that he made coarse comments online returned to his former chambers for stint as a substitute judge.
Sam Harris stepped down as a justice of the peace in Great Falls on Dec. 31. His departure followed reports the previous month that through an Internet chat room, he made comments that included profanity, references to the size of male genitals and use of the word ‘‘fools’’ to describe couples at whose weddings he officiated. Harris apologized for the comments.
On Friday, Harris filled in for Justice of the Peace Kathleen Jensen. The state court system granted the clearance necessary for Harris to be a substitute.
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