Page 24 - Flathead Beacon // 5.25.16

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MAY 25, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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downtown
BILLINGS
downtown Kalispell
TROY
1. Man Killed, Woman Injured in ATV Crash
A 37-year-old man was killed and a 36-year-old woman was injured in an all-terrain crash on wet roads near Troy.
The Montana Highway Patrol says the two were riding on Iron Grouse Road south of Troy on the afternoon of May 20 when the ATV went o the road on a curve and struck a tree. The patrol says neither was wearing a helmet.
The man died at the scene and the woman was injured. Both are from Troy. Their names have not been released.
BLACKFEET INDIAN RESERVATION
2. Oil Company Asks Judge to Toss
Criminal Charges Over Spill
An oil company should not have been criminally charged for an accidental oil spill in Montana that its employees took immediate steps to x when it was dis- covered in 2011, attorneys for the com- pany said in their request to dismiss the charges.
Federal prosecutors allege FX Drilling Co. and eld supervisor Quay Geza Torok failed to clean up the spill after they dis- covered the leak at an oil eld on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The mix- ture of oil and production uid spread nearly a mile over the next month to a waterway that ows into Cut Bank Creek, according to the indictment.
A grand jury indicted FX Drilling and Torok with negligent discharge of oil into waters of the United States and failure to immediately notify federal author- ities. The company and Torok pleaded not guilty last month, and on Wednes- day led motions to dismiss the charges against them.
Failing to remove oil is a violation of the federal Clean Water Act that is sub- ject to civil penalties, but it is not a crim- inal o ense, attorneys for Torok and the subsidiary of Salt Lake City-based FX Energy Inc. said in the court documents. In ling criminal charges, the U.S. gov- ernment is expanding the reach of the Clean Water Act, they said.
The new court documents are the
company’s rst opportunity to give its version of what happened after the leak was discovered in an underground ow line connecting two oil wells in June 2011. Torok immediately turned o two wells and he and two other workers xed the cracked line the next day, attorneys for FX Drilling and Torok wrote.
The oil and production uid that had already leaked appeared to stop in the tall grass down a grassy slope, the attor- neys said in the ling. The amount of the leak is disputed by the two sides: The U.S. government estimates up to 840 gallons spilled, while FX Drilling says it was only up to 630 gallons.
CONDON
3. Town’s Only Grocery Store, Gas
Station Burns Down
An early morning re destroyed the only grocery store and gas station in Con- don, a town of about 350 along Montana Highway 83 between Seeley Lake and Swan Lake.
Missoula County o cials say the re at Mission Mountains Mercantile was reported just before 12:30 a.m. May 18.
Deputy Bob Purcell tells KGVO-AM that re ghters did a good job of keeping the re away from the gas pumps, two propane tanks outside the store and the power lines above the building.
Leanna Grubaugh told the Missou- lian her husband worked at the mercan- tile. She says the nearest store is now 30 miles away in Seeley Lake.
The cause of the re is under investigation.
GREAT FALLS
4. Interest in Solar Power Soaring
While Utility Seeks Rate Cut
Interest in solar power is soaring in Montana because of the state’s sunny skies and pro t potential.
But NorthWestern Energy, the larg- est public utility in Montana, is seeking a sharp cut in rates set by the Public Ser- vice Commission, the Great Falls Tri- bune reported. That could curb some of the enthusiasm.
Kalispell
• Listing on our website
• Discounted rates at Red Lion
• Cooperative print advertising for downtown businesses
• Discounted booth rate for Thursday!Fest
• Advance noti cation and opportunity to participate in downtown signature events
• Elevated visibility through sponsorship of events
• A venue for you
• Enhanced investment downtown
• Contribute to shaping the future of downtown
Just to name a few!
business owners:
You don’t have to be located in Downtown Kalispell to support the heart of the community, but you CAN reap the bene ts of being a KDA member!
Member Benefits:
406-253-6923 • DOWNTOWNKALISPELL.COM
NorthWestern currently pays $66 per
ROUNDUP
FROM BEACON STAFF AND WIRE SERVICES
1
3
90
2
2
HELENA
6
BUTTE
BOZEMAN
15
93
2
1547 2
94
90
KALISPELL
93
5
MISSOULA
90
15
GREAT FALLS