Archives for July 2018

Q2 reports the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics women’s basketball tournament will continue to be held in Billings through 2020, a year longer than its original contract, according to local officials. Visit Billings and Rocky Mountain College said the success of the 32-team tournament the past two years at MetraPark convinced NAIA officials to add the 2020 tournament, which was originally scheduled only through 2019.

Longtime Carroll College coach Bob “Putter” Petrino Sr. has died at the age of 81. A 1955 Butte Central alumnus, Petrino won three state championships in the Mining City, one in football and two more in baseball. He continued at then-Western Montana College in Dillon before entering coaching. Petrino returned to the Butte Central Maroons in 1965, before becoming the head coach at Carroll College, mentoring the Fighting Saints from 1971 to 1998.

Montana’s November ballot will include more than the hotly contested races for U.S. House and Senate, as voters will weigh in on proposals to increase tobacco taxes and create new water standards for hard-rock mines. Secretary of State Corey Stapleton’s office announced Wednesday that Initiatives 185 and 186 both received enough voter signatures to qualify for the ballot. I-185 would increase the state tax on cigarettes to $3.70 a pack. It would also raise taxes on nicotine delivery products, including snuff, vaping and e-cigarettes. Up to $26 million in revenues would be earmarked for extending Montana’s Medicaid expansion, which is currently scheduled to expire next year. I-186 would require Montana’s DEQ to deny permits for any new hard-rock mines if reclamation plan requires “perpetual treatment” of water affected by acidic drainage or other runoff. Get more at KTVQ.com.

Q2 reports that on July 18th, Yellowstone National Park Rangers responded to a 911 call of a sexual assault in progress. Meanwhile, multiple 911 and Emergency Medical Service calls were received about a fight between two men. According to reports, Jackson Coombs assaulted a woman and wrapped toilet paper covered in bear spray around the unidentified man’s neck and face. Coombs was identified as the man who committed the assault in the community bathrooms near the cabins on Cottage Lane. He’s facing two charges of assault with a dangerous weapon after using bear spray on the couple. When rangers arrived on the scene, the boyfriend and another man were holding Coombs down on the ground. The woman’s boyfriend told rangers that he heard his girlfriend screaming for help, then opened the door and saw Coombs assaulting the unidentified woman.

Posted to kctr.vncnews.com
Jul. 26, 2018 12:33 AM CST
by rhancock

Q2 reports that on July 18th, Yellowstone National Park Rangers responded to a 911 call of a sexual assault in progress. Meanwhile, multiple 911 and Emergency Medical Service calls were received about a fight between two men. According to reports, Jackson Coombs assaulted a woman and wrapped toilet paper covered in bear spray around the unidentified man’s neck and face. Coombs was identified as the man who committed the assault in the community bathrooms near the cabins on Cottage Lane. He’s facing two charges of assault with a dangerous weapon after using bear spray on the couple. When rangers arrived on the scene, the boyfriend and another man were holding Coombs down on the ground. The woman’s boyfriend told rangers that he heard his girlfriend screaming for help, then opened the door and saw Coombs assaulting his girlfriend.

Vice President Mike Pence was joined in Billings by Secretary of the Interior and former Congressman Ryan Zinke in speaking to a crowd of about 400 people at the MetraPark Pavilion Wednesday morning. The emcee of the campaign event was former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, who faces allegations reported by Fox News that Maria Butina– charged recently with conspiracy as a Russian agent in connection with activities associated with the National Rifle Association– and her group, The Right to Bear Arms, covered $6,000 of Clarke’s hotel, meal and transportation expenses, according to the ex-sheriff’s financial disclosure form. Pence was in Big Sky Country to promote the agenda of President Donald Trump and support Republican Senate candidate Matt Rosendale, who is running against Jon Tester, Montana’s incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator. You can watch video of the entire event at; KTVQ.com.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Marshal Service, FBI, state and local law enforcement agencies announced Tuesday they’ve completed the first ever sex offender compliance check on both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations. The Marshals Service office in Billings reports that, during the week of July 16th, federal, state, and local jurisdictions assisted Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement on the reservations in completing the operation. The compliance checks on the Crow Reservation resulted in 45 total offenders contacted with 21 offenders being non-compliant. Additionally, two people were arrested on tribal warrants and one person was arrested on charges brought by the state. The operation on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation resulted in 48 offenders checked with 24 non-compliant. One person was arrested on tribal warrants and one was arrested on state charges. Learn more at KTVQ.com.

Vice President Mike Pence arrived at Billings Logan International Airport at around 4:30 Tuesday afternoon aboard Air Force Two, before attending a private fundraiser for Republican Senate candidate Matt Rosendale, who is challenging incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. Pence is also in town for a campaign rally at MetraPark today. Learn more about the Vice President’s visit and agenda online at; KTVQ.com, or at their Facebook page.

Q2 reports the Big Sky International Balloon Rendezvous is returning to Billings. The event begins Friday morning as more than a dozen hot air balloon enthusiasts will launch at 6 a.m. from the Pierce RV Supercenter field at 3800 Pierce Parkway. Events continue through the weekend, with the popular balloon glow on Saturday evening that includes live music, food trucks, activities for the kids and a movie under the stars.

Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to arrive in Billings today for a fundraiser, followed by a campaign rally Wednesday. The advance team for Pence arrived Monday at Billings’ Logan International Airport to prepare for today’s arrival. The VP is scheduled to touch down in Air Force Two this afternoon and attend a private fundraiser for Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Matt Rosendale. The event will conclude with Pence delivering keynote remarks. The rally, scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Montana Pavilion at MetraPark, will be hosted by a conservative group supporting President Donald Trump’s agenda. Tickets are available, but you must pre-register, print out a ticket and present a photo ID. Doors open at 7:30 am. Former Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke will emcee the event. The controversial Clarke visited Billings in March, speaking at a Yellowstone County Republican dinner.

Posted to kctr.vncnews.com
Jul. 24, 2018 12:02 AM CST
by rhancock

Q2 reports that officials at Yellowstone National Park on Monday raised the fire danger to high, though no new fire restrictions have been put in place. The increase in danger was in response to drier conditions and indicates wildfires are likely. It’s the third highest ranking of five possible levels of danger. Campfires are permitted, but only in fire rings at campgrounds and back country sites. They must be extinguished and cold to the touch.

Alpha House Men’s Prerelease Center in Billings reports an inmate walk-away on Sunday evening. A warrant has been issued for 22-year-old Zachary Johnson, who was serving a sentence for theft from Stillwater County. He arrived at the Billings prerelease center on June 9th. Johnson is described as a white male, 6-foot-3, 205 pounds with red hair and hazel eyes. Get more at; KTVQ.com

Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to arrive in Billings today for a fundraiser, followed by a campaign rally Wednesday. The advance team for Pence arrived Monday at Billings’ Logan International Airport to prepare for today’s arrival. The VP is scheduled to touch down in Air Force Two this afternoon and attend a private fundraiser for Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Matt Rosendale. The event will conclude with Pence delivering keynote remarks. The rally, scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Montana Pavilion at MetraPark, will be hosted by a conservative group supporting President Donald Trump’s agenda. Tickets are available, but you must pre-register, print out a ticket and present a photo ID. Doors open at 7:30 am. Former Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke will emcee the event. The conrtoversial Clarke visited Billings in March, speaking at a Yellowstone County Republican dinner.