Page 21 - Flathead Beacon // 4.15.15

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS APRIL 15, 2015 | 21 The Roundup
From Beacon wire and news services
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COLUMBIA FALLS WOMAN SUES AFTER POLICE SHOOTING DURING STANDOFF
A 56-year-old Columbia Falls wom- an is suing the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, arguing a SWAT team member used excessive force in shooting her in October 2013 and that no one in the de- partment stopped him.
The federal lawsuit, filed April 3, said officers responded to Michelle Gentry’s home after she locked herself inside and threatened suicide.
Gentry’s lawsuit said when she came out of her house holding a gun a deputy fired 15 shots at her without warning, hitting her in the shoulder and back.
The deputy has said Gentry made eye contact with him, pointed her handgun at him and said “do it.”
The sheriff’s office has said the depu- ty reacted appropriately.
The Flathead County attorney’s of- fice agreed to defer prosecution on a charge of assault on a peace officer.
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORTS MINOR EARTHQUAKE NEAR SOMERS
The U.S. Geological Survey reported a minor earthquake struck southeast of Kalispell.
There were no reports of damage fromthe3.6magnitudeearthquakethat struck about 12:45 a.m. April 11.
The epicenter was near Somers, on the northwest end of Flathead Lake.
A second, 1.6 magnitude earthquake was detected about 8 hours later north- west of Columbia Falls.
WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT INVESTING $1.2M IN SUMMIT IMPROVEMENTS
Whitefish Mountain Resort is plan- ning to invest over $1.2 million in im- provements at the summit of Big Moun- tain pending approval from the U.S. For- est Service.
Included in the proposal is a $1 mil- lion renovation to the Summit House. The project would add seating to the res- taurant, add restrooms to the main floor and renovate the exterior of the building with a new façade.
The resort also plans to build a new ski patrol headquarters at the summit.
If approved, this would be the third consecutive summer of major construc- tion, which previously included the new Flower Point chairlift, new terrain and a renovation of the Base Lodge.
“I’m so pleased that our owners continue to support the improvement of our resort infrastructure consider- ing we just finished two years of rather large scale projects,” Whitefish Moun-
tain Resort President Dan Graves stat- ed in a press release. “Even after the roller-coaster season we’re completing, it’s very gratifying to be able to tell our guests that there are more improve- ments to come. This remodel of the Summit House will have a noticeable improvement to seating and ambience, not to mention the convenience of main floor restrooms.”
The proposed Summit House reno- vation will include the addition of a mez- zanine level, adding 1,700 square feet and approximately 150 seats, as well as new windows providing northwestern views.
Additionally all of the building’s win- dows are planned to be replaced, while an entire exterior remodel will add new siding, stonework, trim and lighting. Plans for restrooms on the main floor and an expansion of the main entry are also in the scope of work for this sum- mer.
A new ski patrol headquarters building is also part of the proposal. This planned two-story, 800-square- foot building would replace the cur- rent 175-square-foot cabin and include plumbing, a patient treatment area, and a private office for the ski patrol manager.
AUTHORITIES ID COLUMBIA FALLS MAN KILLED IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH
Authorities have identified the 51-year-old Columbia Falls man who died in a weekend motorcycle crash near Hungry Horse.
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office said Craig Donald Becke died after he lost control of his Harley-Davidson bike, crashed on the north side of the road and died at the scene near Berne Park. He was not wearing a helmet. It is unknown whether alcohol was involved.
The Montana Highway Patrol says Becke was speeding westbound on U.S. Highway 2 Friday night when he failed to negotiate a left-hand turn.
FORMER TRIBAL FIREFIGHTER DENIES ARSON CHARGE
A former Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribal firefighter faces allega- tions that he set six wildfires over the past two summers.
Phillip Cody Haynes pleaded not guilty to felony arson last week during a court hearing in Polson.
Charging documents say Haynes told a Lake County detective that he set a total of seven fires in 2013 and 2014, including the Firestone Flats fire near Arlee in July 2013 that burned over two square miles and forced the evacuation of 21 homes and several campgrounds. As many as 384 firefighters battled that blaze.
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