By TOM DIDDEL
Homeless men fight over pork chop
An additional assault charge was filed against a Missoula transient after a physical altercation over a pork chop. The incident left another homeless man with head wounds and that man’s girlfriend suffering from a punch in the face. Justin Dwayne King, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, appeared in court Monday to answer to both the misdeamenor assault charge and a felony assualt with a weapon charge. King, allegedly, hit David Colaprete in the head with a metal pipe in a transient camp near Reserve Street Bridge after King accused Colaprete of stealing his pork chop. Colaprete’s girlfriend, Mozelle Stewart, said she heard the two men arguing over the other white meat about twenty yards from her tent. King suddenely became enraged and yelled, “It’s the principal!”, according to Stewart. King continually shouted his warcry as he repeated hit Colaprete over the head, even after the victim had fallen to the ground. When Stewart tried to intervene, King punched the woman in the face. (read more) other links: Pork
Lolo resident shoots wolf hybrid
Wolf sightings are increasing in and around the Missoula Valley, something livestock owners in the area are accutely aware of. So, when a Lolo resident spotted what he thought was a wolf threatening his horses, he did what he was legally allowed to do in order to protect his animals, he shot it. The wolf, however, turned out to be a wolf-dog cross. The animal was identified as such by a Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks employee, Liz Bradly. Bradly, a wolf biologist, stated that the animal, “looked very wolfy, but it was nuetured.” (read more)
Missoula woman brings meth to meeting with probation officer
Roxanna Marie Smith forgot to empty her pockets before going to her court appointed meeting with her Missoula probation officer. It turned out to be a costly mistake for Smith, who after failing a urine analysis test, was found to be carrying a meth pipe and two baggies along with meth crystals. A narcotics test on the residue found in the woman’s coat pocket turned up positive for the drug. The accused faces a possible five years in prison and a $50,000 fine. (read more)
Beautiful Fall weather is due to change early next week
This week’s weather has been nothing short of spectacular. The clear crisp mornings gave way to warm sunny afternoons, the leaves on Missoula’s trees began to slowly turn a magnificent reddish-brown, and area mountains still maintain a hint of early season snow. However, the quintessential Missoula Fall weather is due for a change, a big one. A Canadian front is due in the valley late Sunday and early Monday, bringing highs down to the mid-30’s with a strong chance of snow. So, before you find the perfect Halloween costume for your kid, make sure you can fit a winter coat under it. (read more)
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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.
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