Last Best News (https://montana-mint.com/lastbestnews/category/montana/page/21/)
When combat veteran Christine Bailey first discovered the lump in her breast, her first call was like that of any veteran. She dialed up to the VA Montana Health Care System, only to learn that it didn’t offer breast care for women. Bailey’s problems compounded when, under the CHOICE program, which allows veterans to seek care outside the VA, she was met with a tangle of red tape and lengthy delays in trying to get authorization to pursue mammograms and biopsies. (more…) Continue Reading →
The VA Montana Health Care System is looking at both short- and long-term solutions to address a number of challenges within the state, including a lack of providers, problems with tele-health screenings and the absence of physician training, its new director said Wednesday. Kathy Berger, director of VA Montana, answered questions from area veterans and Sen. Jon Tester during a town hall meeting at the Partnership Health Center in Missoula to gather feedback on problems within the VA. (See related story.) (more…) Continue Reading →
We cannot say for certain, but we are willing to bet that a Montana Supreme Court opinion issued Tuesday was the first one ever to bolster its conclusions by referencing the rapper Notorious B.I.G., the hip-hop group N.W.A. and two popular crime dramas, “The Wire” and “Scarface.” The opinion was written by Justice James Shea in an appeal of a Ravalli County District Court ruling in a case involving methamphetamine possession. The appeal was filed by Bruce Anthony Glass, who was handed a five-year sentence on Nov. 19, 2015. The basis of Glass’s appeal was a claim of double jeopardy. Continue Reading →
More than 45,000 students in 25 states and Puerto Rico are members of the Business Professionals of America this year. Just eight of those students were from Colstrip High School, and one of them, 18-year-old Bailey Quin Menahan, recently won the organization’s first ever Secondary Student of the Year Award. (more…) Continue Reading →
Until just about 24 hours before the polls closed, the race for Montana’s sole congressional seat seemed to be focused on health care, Donald Trump and gun rights. Republican businessman Greg Gianforte appeared to be headed for a victory in the race against another political newcomer, musician and Democrat Rob Quist. Then came Wednesday night. (more…) Continue Reading →
I find some discomfort thinking that we understand the words: “You can’t be too careful.” Other protective phrases like “It’s a scam,” “You’ll get screwed,” “A friend of mine was robbed” and “Watch your behind” diminish the values of faith and trust between people. Paranoia, fear and reluctance seem to take over. It doesn’t have to be that way. Stars shine from around the world when we look. (more…) Continue Reading →
I’m really only good at telling one story, and that’s the story of my car. Daily, it seems, I’m asked how I obtained such an odd machine. I drive a 1961 Dodge Lancer. I call him Ol’ Frank. He’s painted the same teal as when originally manufactured, has the original slant-six with a push-button transmission and has only 83,000 original miles. Continue Reading →
When Jennifer French was in first grade, she drew a horse. And after looking at the similar drawings of the other kids, she realized her horse looked a lot more like a horse. From that moment forward, Jennifer knew exactly what she wanted to do. When people asked her as a child, she told them straight up, “I want to be an artist and a part-time waitress.”
So even then, French had a notion that being an artist might represent a conflict between the creative and the practical. French’s father worked for Conoco, and because of his job, they moved every three years or so. Continue Reading →
The son of the accused killer of a Broadwater County sheriff’s deputy said the racist and extremist views of his father and half-brother had been simmering for years, starting with signs of violence and domestic abuse before escalating to threats against state authorities. (more…) Continue Reading →
I think the idea for this series of photos was born more than a year ago, when I laid eyes on the sign that leads off the gallery. I was walking my dog down by the sugar plant on State Avenue when I saw the old gray shed and the barely legible sign warning about the possible withholding of services. It was so odd that I went back later with my camera. (more…) Continue Reading →
