Page 8 - Flathead Beacon // 11.19.14

8 | NOVEMBR 19, 2014 NEWS FLATHEADBEACON.COM
Just
Sayin’...
“The budget is a reflection of the values of our state. Montanans recognize that our state is outperforming the nation, and we can continue this through responsible fiscal management and thoughtful investments in priorities like jobs, education, healthcare and infrastructure.”
Gov. Steve Bullock after releasing his proposed state budget.
“It took Canada seven months to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, but Montanans have been waiting six years for the U.S. Senate and President Obama to act.”
Republican Rep. and Senator- elect Steve Daines urging the passage of the controversial oil pipeline.
“The last thing I want to do is endanger anybody. I think the good (of going public) outweighs the bad.”
Butte native Robert O’Neill, a former Navy SEAL who has gone public about killing Osama bin Laden, responding to criticism that he should’ve remained quiet about the historic mission.
Caleb Keilen Buzzell appears in Flathead County District Court. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Punching Whitefish Police Chief
Caleb Buzzell appeared in Flathead County District Court on Nov. 13
By JUSTIN FRANZ of the Beacon
The Kalispell man who allegedly punched Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial in the face on Halloween night has pleaded not guilty to assault on a peace officer.
Caleb Buzzell appeared in Flathead County District Court on Nov. 13.
According to Dial and court docu- ments, the Whitefish Police Department had received a report of an intoxicated man stumbling in the middle of Spokane
Avenue and jumping out of brush and scar- ing children who were trick or treating on the evening of Oct. 31.
Dial was the closest officer and went to investigate. Dial said he found Buzzell stumbling around near the First Inter- state Bank and yelling at passing cars and pedestrians. The suspect became agitated when Dial approached.
“I just wanted to know who he was so I could give him a ride home but then things escalated,” Dial said.
When Buzzell continued to scream and yell obscenities at people, Dial said he decided to use a Taser to subdue him and place him under arrest. But the Taser was ineffective because Buzzell had a heavy coat on. Dial said he then tried to physi-
cally subdue the suspect, but Buzzell then allegedly punched the police chief two or three times in the face, resulting in a bro- ken nose, two black eyes and a few cuts.
Upon seeing the Buzzell punching the police chief, two onlookers ran over and helped subdue the man until another offi- cer arrived. Buzzell was placed under ar- rest and charged with assault on a peace officer. If convicted Buzzell could face up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
According to Dial and various news re- ports, this was not the first time Buzzell has been charged with assault on a police officer. Earlier this year, Buzzell was given a deferred sentence after assaulting a Flat- head County sheriff’s deputy in 2013.
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