Page 23 - Flathead Beacon // 1.14.15

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS JANUARY 14, 2015 | 23
The Roundup
From Beacon wire and news services
FLATHEAD
DRUG TASK FORCE INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN FOUR ARRESTS
Four teenagers were arrested last week after they tried to rob an under- cover agent at gunpoint in Evergreen, according to Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry.
The meeting between the undercover agent and the four teens was the result of a Northwest Montana Drug Task Force investigation. Jacob Sauls, 18, from Eu- reka, Kellen McGarry, 19, of Whitefish, Riley Landwehr, 19, of Kalispell, and an unnamed 14-year-old, also from Ka- lispell, were all arrested and charged with armed robbery on Jan. 7.
Early last week, the undercover agent responded to an ad on Craigslist imply- ing that the advertiser had methamphet- amine for sale. The agent agreed to meet in an Evergreen parking lot on Jan. 7 at about 5:30 p.m. During the transaction, Sauls indicated that he had a gun and de- manded money from the agent. The un- dercover agent handed the money over and the four teens tried to flee the scene in their vehicle but were stopped by oth- er agents and arrested without incident. A handgun was recovered from Sauls. No methamphetamine was recovered.
ARSON INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AS ARENA POSTPONES SECOND EVENT
The Majestic Valley Arena post- poned last weekend’s Cinch Winter Ro- deo Series while law enforcement search for the suspected arsonist or arsonists who set the lobby and office on fire Jan. 3.
On Jan. 8, Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said authorities were talk- ing to several “people of interest” but had not identified any suspects.
The West Valley Fire Department responded to a fire at the arena along U.S. Highway 93 shortly after 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 3. According to officials, the fire started inside the office and lobby area and although firefighters were able to quickly knock the blaze down, it caused significant damage. Curry also said there was extensive water and smoke damage in other parts of the facility.
Firefighters from West Valley, Smith Valley, Kalispell, South Kalispell and Evergreen all responded to the blaze.
The fire and the investigation forced Majestic Valley to cancel the Wrangler Team Roping Championships event that began Jan. 2 and was scheduled to con- tinue the following day. Although arena officials had hoped to hold the Cinch Winter Rodeo Series, on Jan. 8 they an- nounced on Facebook that it would be
Vegas
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postponed until Jan. 23 and 24. Officials said although the fire did not impact the main arena and stall barn, they were not able to reset the fire sprinkler system be- cause of the massive winter storm that hit the area.
MAN DIES IN HOUSE FIRE NORTHWEST OF WHITEFISH
A man in his 50s died in a weekend house fire in Olney, northwest of White- fish.
Olney Fire Chief Ken Morehead says the fire was reported at 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 11 and the house was fully engulfed when fire crews arrived. He says crews could only work to keep the fire from spreading.
Morehead tells KECI-TV that the victim apparently was sleeping when the fire was sparked by a wood burn- ing stove. He was the only person in the house. His name has not been released.
Officials say two dogs in the house escaped the fire and one is unaccounted for.
MONTANA
MONTANA GOP VOTES TO JOIN LAWSUIT CLOSING PRIMARIES
Valley
After nearly three hours of comment and debate, Montana Republicans voted overwhelmingly Jan. 10 to join a lawsuit seeking to limit their primary elections to those registered with the GOP.
The Republican State Central Com- mittee approved the motion by an 83-43 vote in Helena. They will join a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court against the state and its open primaries.
Filed by attorney and Rep. Matthew Monforton of Bozeman in September, the suit includes 10 Republican county central committees. It asks a federal judge to strike down as unconstitutional Montana laws allowing any registered voter to participate in any party prima- ry.
Many Republicans said at the meet- ing closed primaries are needed because people not in their party have been vot- ing in their primaries and influencing election outcomes for years.
Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke sent state- ments in support and in opposition of the motion, respectively.
Daines said requiring primary vot- ers to declare their party affiliation will allow Republican candidates to more easily identify which voters they need to get to the polls and will strengthen the party.
Zinke said joining the lawsuit may relegate the GOP party to minority sta- tus.
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