Page 17 - Flathead Beacon // 10.22.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS OCTOBER 22, 2014 | 17 Polson Newspaper Editor Denies Obstructing Officer
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A weekly newspaper editor in Lake County has denied charges that he in- terfered with a Montana Highway Patrol investigation while taking photographs of a two-vehicle crash south of Polson on Oct. 1.
Vince Lovato of the Lake County Leader appeared in Justice Court in Lake County on Oct. 15 and pleaded not guilty to three misdemeanors — ob- structing a peace officer, disorderly con- duct and resisting arrest.
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Tony Isbell cited Lovato on Oct. 1 for disobeying a lawful command inside a crime scene boundary, screaming ob- scenities while being arrested and pull-
ing away from arresting officers. Lovato’s attorney, Mike Meloy of Helena, declined to comment when a re- porter with the Missoulian asked if law enforcement officers had established a boundary around the crash site that made it clear where authorized person-
nel were not allowed.
Clem Work, a professor emeritus at
the University of Montana’s School of Journalism who taught media law at the school for more than two decades, said the incident in Polson was the first time in recent history that he remem- bers a Montana journalist being arrest- ed while working. However, he said it is tough to say if the reporter’s rights were
violated without knowing all the details of the case.
“If he was just taking a photo of the police doing their investigation, then he is protected by the First Amendment and the Montana Constitution,” Work said. “There is no law against taking pic- tures or taking notes.”
Lovato has been a reporter for more than 30 years and was hired to head up the Lake County Leader earlier this year. Prior to that he served as editor for the Lake Chelan Mirror and Quad City Herald in Washington and was a report- er for the San Bernardino Sun.
- Beacon Staff
Charge Dropped in Glacier Park Bear Shooting
Federal prosecutors have dismissed a misdemeanor charge filed against a 57-year-old Texas man who shot at a grizzly bear that was charging him on a trail in Glacier National Park.
Attorney Jason T. Holden of Great Falls tells the Missoulian the U.S. At- torney’s Office was right to dismiss the
charge of illegally discharging a fire- arm in a national park because his client was defending himself. He says Brian D. Murphy didn’t fire his gun until after he tried pepper spray.
The shooting happened on July 26 on Mount Brown Lookout Trail. The wounded bear was never located.
Holden says Murphy saw the bear running down a hill toward other hikers. When he yelled to warn them, the bear turned around and came at him.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong dismissed the charge on Oct. 9.
- Associated Press
Municipal Matters
A recap of recent city council and county commission meetings
KALISPELL
• The city’s Architectural Review Committee has named the winners of its annual design awards, which go to businesses that show original- ity and innovation in their architec- ture and enhance the city’s charac- ter and appeal. The Kalispell Brew- ing Company was awarded for its new storefront in downtown, and Glacier Eye Clinic received hon- ors for its new facility near Glacier High School.
• At its meeting on Oct. 20 after the Beacon went to print, the city coun- cil decided which firm to hire to update the South Kalispell Urban Renewal Plan. A five-member com- mittee recommended the council choose CTA Architects Engineers.
• Fire Chief Dave Dedman handed out Life Saver Awards and Com- munity Life Saver Awards to sev- eral members of the fire and police departments on Oct. 20. Dedman handed out the award to Jon Camp- bell, Greg Daenzer, Kirk Peder- son, Don Thibert, Mike Chappuis, Trent Cook, Ben Graham, Jason Schwaiger, Adam Clifton and Jon-
athan Hall. The individuals work for the Kalispell Fire Department and were all involved in saving an individual’s life in three separate incidents this summer. Dedman handed out the community award to officers Michelle O’Neil, Jor- dan Venezio and Eric Brinton for their efforts in the three incidents that involved cardiac arrests. The city began handing out Life Saving Awards to members of the fire and police department who helped save someone’s life during an incident. Since July 2013, there have been 13 awards handed out.
• The city council will hold a work session on Oct. 27 to discuss pro- posed changes to the ordinance involving pawn shops and second- hand stores. To read about the pro- posal, visit www.kalispell.com.
WHITEFISH
• The city council reviewed septic leachate in Whitefish Lake at its work session on Oct. 20 after the Beacon went to print.
• The city council also reviewed the
efforts to prevent aquatic invasive species in the area’s lakes, and dis- cussed future efforts.
• The Whitefish Planning Depart- ment is considering new zoning measures that would prohibit pri- vate helicopters from landing in residential areas after receiving a number of complaints. According to a planning department report, a public hearing is set before the Whitefish City Council on Nov. 17 to review an amendment that intro- duces heliports and helipads into the zoning code so they can be reg- ulated. “The Whitefish City Coun- cil received several complaints this summer regarding private helicop- ters landing in Whitefish residen- tial neighborhoods,” according to the report.
COLUMBIA FALLS
• The city council decided whether to approve a conditional use permit for Randy Jones Construction to build a series of six-plex condomin- ium units on five existing lots in the Hilltop Homes Subdivision.
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