LOCAL NEWS IN BRIEF

WINTER STORM CAUSES MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, ROAD CLOSURE ON US 191

EBS STAFF

U.S. Highway 191 was closed at 11:23 a.m. March 15 from Four Corners to the intersection with Lone Mountain Trail in Big Sky because of multiple accidents, according to the Montana Department of Transportation and Sgt. Dan Haydon with the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office. Authorities cleared the accidents and reopened the road by 2:23 p.m. on March 15.

At 10:15 a.m. a six-vehicle accident blocked both lanes of traffic at mile marker 66 prompting MDT to close the road, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Office. The release reported 16 total traffic incidents in the Big Sky area due to the weather between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on March 15. No injuries were reported.

CHANGE TO MONTANA CONSTITUTION WOULD EXPAND HUNTING, FISHING AND TRAPPING PROTECTIONS

EBS STAFF

Republican state lawmakers are pushing to amend Montana’s constitution to expand protections for hunting and fishing, while making trapping more challenging to regulate.

The amendment proposed under House Bill 372 would make hunting and fishing a constitutional “right” rather than the existing protected “opportunity.” Trapping, which is not currently protected in the Constitution, would also become a right. Proponents of the bill argue that constitutional protection for trapping is needed to prevent interest groups from seeking to regulate it. However, critics of the bill contend that it would give undue power to trappers and could impede wildlife management policies.

Versions of the bill have circulated the Legislature since 2017. The bill needs twothirds approval in the Legislature to move on to a public vote. The House Judiciary Committee has yet to take action on the bill.

Public Notice

Robert “Bob” Vozar passed away on Oct. 6, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 2 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Riverhouse BBQ & Events, 45130 Gallatin Rd, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730.

State Lawmakers Move To Criminalize Drone Flights Over Wildfires

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Flying drones over wildfires could soon result in criminal penalties under a bill gaining momentum in the Montana Legislature.

Unauthorized drone flights often force fire managers to suspend aerial firefighting efforts, according to reporting from Montana Public Radio. These drone pilots are currently subject to civil penalties, but Senate Bill 219 would make the infraction a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,500.

The bill moved into the House after passing the Senate with a 37-10 vote in February.

Walgreens Will Not Distribute Abortion Pills In Montana

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Walgreens says its pharmacies will not distribute medication abortion pills in Montana, despite a federal rule adopted in January allowing pharmacies to dispense the pills.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen was among 20 attorneys general from across the country that signed a letter threatening legal action against pharmacies that distribute Mifepristone, the drug used in abortion pills.

Patients previously had to obtain the medication directly from a healthcare provider, but the federal rule could expand access to rural communities. Walgreens has decided not to distribute the medication in the 20 states that threatened to take them to court.

Gallatin County Forms Task Force To Handle Unprosecuted Sex Crimes

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The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office has formed a joint task force to handle more than 100 unprosecuted sex crimes and domestic violence cases that were found in an empty office in January.

The case files stretch back to 2008 and total 113 cases, including 52 that involve some form of sexual violence against children, according to a Gallatin County press release. The files are “Request for Prosecutions,” which are investigations submitted by law enforcement agencies to the county attorney’s office for review. Once reviewed, the office decides whether to prosecute.

“Once I realized what they were, it made me sick to my stomach,” Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell stated in the release.

Cromwell, who took office in 2023, stated that the cases were deprioritized by the former administration. Cromwell emphasized in the press release that “law enforcement did everything properly” and that the failure occurred at the county attorney’s office.