Breaking News: Justice of the Peace Sam Harris Resigns

“Justice of the Peace Sam Harris announces resignation” is the headline over at the Trib site. Some background on the events leading up to this from the Trib, and some thoughts from GeeGuy and his numerous commenters (just keep scrolling). More from the Trib here, from KRTV here, from AJ here, Firefly here, and blogging newcomer Free Thought weighs in, too, at Mountain Range Observations.

October 31, 2006 | Filed Under politics | Leave a Comment

Assault Update

Turns out that the person who stabbed three Malmstrom Airmen was, sadly, a fellow Airman.

Authorities arrested Stephen A. Lloyd, 24, on Monday morning in connection with three weekend stabbings at a Great Falls bar, said Great Falls Police Department Sgt. Glen Stinar. The suspect and victims are from Malmstrom Air Force Base. (Tribune)

Damn. I don’t know which sounds worse: Airmen fighter with locals, or Airmen fighting with each other. Talk about a “lose-lose” situation.

October 31, 2006 | Filed Under around town | 1 Comment

Cash On Hand

How much money have municipal and county candidates raised - and spent - in their efforts to get elected? The Trib has a complete wrap-up of the dollars involved.

October 31, 2006 | Filed Under politics | Leave a Comment

Trouble At The Brick

Three Airmen from Malmstrom were stabbed over the weekend after a bar fight moved outside of the The Brick. Police have leads to catch the two people who stabbed them, but I’m sure that they would welcome any more witnesses or information - if you know anything about the incident, please call 771-1180.
This story has actually generated a few responses at the GF Tribune forums, including this bone-headed comment from someone who posts under the handle of gtdrecords: “Well if them outtatowners quit actin like people from great falls are bitches they wouldnt be in that situation.” Implying, of course, that the Airmen were somehow “asking” for trouble. Well, unfortunately I know that some Malmstrom folks often complain that Great Falls is a lame, back-water, hick town, but that definitely is a minority view. And believe me - no matter where you go, young people will *always* complain that there is nothing to do in any given city. BUT - if someone is talking trash about your community or your fellow citizens, I don’t think that STABBING them is going to change their mind.
And as for The Brick - sadly, this isn’t the first time that there has been trouble there, and as another commenter at the Trib forum pointed out, at one time Malmstrom Airmen were prohibited from entering The Brick; this incident surely won’t help matters.

October 29, 2006 | Filed Under news, military | 1 Comment

Get Ready…

Snow & Blowing Snow Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 5 am Monday…
Rest of Today
Partly cloudy in the morning…then becoming mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow in the afternoon. Windy. Highs 25 to 35…35 to 45 in the mountains. North winds 15 to 25 mph.
Tonight
Snow. Areas of blowing snow. Windy. Snow accumulation 2 to 5 inches…6 to 10 inches in the mountains. Lows 10 to 15. North winds 20 to 30 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph in the evening.
Updated: 10:10 am MST on October 29, 2006

October 29, 2006 | Filed Under weather | Leave a Comment

Van’s Grand Opening

The former County Market on 10th Avenue South officially became Van’s IGA today, and there were a few celebrities (!) on hand to help with the fun! I walked through the store and noticed that it did appear a bit cleaner, brighter, and cheerier than when it was County Market. Best of luck to them!

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October 28, 2006 | Filed Under around town, business | 1 Comment

The Big Game!

Tonight is The Big Game: the CMR Rustlers versus the GFH Bison! The Rustlers have won 29 of the games, and the Bison have won 17 games, but there’s no guarantee tonight. Last year it was the Bison on top, defeating the Rustlers with a score of 14-7.

UPDATE at 10:24pm: BISON WIN! The final score is Bison 13, Rustlers 9. Yeah, I was rooting for CMR, but in sports, there’s always next year. Summary from Trib right here.

GO CMR!

October 27, 2006 | Filed Under sports | Leave a Comment

“Average”

Ever wonder how your ZIP code stacks up against others in your community, or national averages? Wonder no more! For example, in 59404 the median home price is $151,000; household size is 2.4 people; and median age is 37.4. Politically, 59404 breaks down to 40% Democrat, 56% Republican, and 2% Independent. Check out other facts about 59404 - or your area - over at Neighboroo!

October 27, 2006 | Filed Under news | Leave a Comment

(Almost) Showtime!

Remember back in June when we learned that Great Falls would be getting a basketball team in the Continental Basketball Association? Well, it’s almost time: the Great Falls Explorers, our very own pro minor-league basketball team, is almost ready for the first season. According to the Tribune:

The Explorers will open training camp in mid-November and have three exhibition games slated. The first one is Nov. 17 in Shelby, followed by a game Nov. 24 at Carroll College in Helena, and a final practice outing Nov. 24 at Four Seasons against a Malmstrom Air Force Base squad.

I assume that these games will be open to the public (?). The Explorers’ website is up & running, although still a bit empty. Some of our opponents during the season include the Wolverines, the Xplosion (no “E”!), and our fellow Montanans down in Butte, the Daredevils. Our first game will be on December 1 at the home of the Yakama (not a typo) Sun Kings. Many of you know that I’m not much of a sports fan, but I’ll probably be at a few games to cheer on our Explorers!

October 26, 2006 | Filed Under sports | Leave a Comment

Flat-Top

*originally posted June 8, 2006; reposted to top today for our British visitors arriving courtesy of The BBC Reporters Blog - cheerio, blokes!*

Now that Jon Tester has won the Democratic primary and will compete against Senator Burns in November, maybe we’ll start seeing a few more flat-top haircuts, as highlighted in Tester’s recent TV commercials. Interesting to learn that his signature style is based right here in Great Falls, courtesy of Bill Graves at the Riverview Barbershop on Division Road!

October 23, 2006 | Filed Under politics | 2 Comments

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