By TOM DIDDEL
University of Montana students receive text message warning of a suspicious man
With university life back in swing this week, students got a stark reminder that they need to be aware of their surroundings and strangers offering “help with school work.” Students received a text alert Wednesday warning them of a man offering to help with their studies and then touching them inappropriately in their dorms. Campus police received two reports from women who had been touched by a strange man after he came to their dorm rooms to help them with homework. Officials believe the two incidents involve the same suspect. (read more)
Whitefish bar patrons warned about drinks being spiked with drugs
After several unsubstantiated instances of men and women having their drinks laced with drugs, authorities advised attendees of local bars to never leave their glasses unattended. Although authorities do not have any leads in the case, they are still on the lookout for suspicious people in Whitefish’s many watering holes. If you think you or a friend has been drugged, the best course of action is to get to an emergency room and contact the police. (read more)
Firefighters Combat Challenge comes to Missoula after 15 year absence
Missoula’s downtown will play host to what some people have referred to as the toughest two minutes in sports. The 21st annual Firefighter Combat Challenge will be held on Pine Street in downtown Missoula this weekend. The regional event will be complete with a beer garden, dancers from the university, and live music. The competition was created to promote fitness within the firefighting community and to give the public a glimpse at the training firefighters go through to keep the public safe. (read more) other links: event details
Bitterroot farmers face possible water shortage
Officials are carefully monitoring a large reservoir near Hamilton used for the irrigation ditches in the Bitterroot Valley. The reservoir, which is currently running at 1,300 inches, usually runs around 1,600 inches at the end of September, according to Rhona King. Farmers have been warned that if the lake dries up, they will have to other resources to water their crops. The potential damage to crops has not been calculated, but officials suggest it could be significant. All this has left Bitterroot farmers anxiously awaiting rain. (read more) other links: Bitterroot irrigation
Billing’s teacher resentencing is blocked by the Montana Attorney General’s Office
The outcry over the sentencing of a former Billing’s Montana teacher for violating his parole made it into social media and national news. Judge Todd Baugh’s decision to sentence Stacy Rambold to just 31 days in prison with 15 years suspended was almost universally met with disgust for being too lenient. Judge Baugh scheduled a hearing to revisit Rambold’s sentence this Friday; however, the Montana State Attorney General’s Office has blocked the hearing citing that illegal sentences can only be remedied by appeal to the State Supreme Court. Rambold’s 14-year-old victim committed suicide a few weeks before her 17th birthday. (read more) other links: Hearing blocked
***************
Tom Diddel has lived in Missoula on and off for nearly thirty-eight years. He enjoys skiing, hiking, and many other outdoor activities. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Montana and is currently working as a Freelance Writer and a Para-Educator.
Like this blog? Don’t miss another one. Sign up for our E-Newsletter. It provides you with a list of all the week’s stories/blogs and is delivered to your inbox every Tuesday morning.