Commissioner Pinocci Busted In Great Falls, MT Dem Running For Gov, And More

ECB Staff on September 14, 2023

Our weekly feature highlighting a few of the latest and most interesting local and national news items from various sources.

Montana PSC Commissioner, Republican Randy Pinocci, arrested in Great Falls on warrant, from the Helena Independent Record:
https://helenair.com/news/state-regional/randy-pinocci-arrested-public-service-commission-disorderly-conduct/article_8e7b9b3c-5187-11ee-91fe-7f4d5519d07b.html

Democrat Ryan Busse seeks to unseat Governor Gianforte in 2024, from the Missoula Current:
Former firearms exec Busse launches run for Montana governor (missoulacurrent.com)

Scheels donates a million dollars to Great Falls new indoor aquatics and recreation center, from KRTV:
https://www.krtv.com/news/lions-park-recreation-center-receives-largest-donation-to-date

GF Dem Drops Out Of Race, Citing ‘Authoritarian Bigots’ And State Dem Party Leadership

ECB Staff on September 11, 2023

Great Falls Democrat Barbara Bessette recently posted on her Twitter page that she was dropping out of the 2024 race for state legislature in HD 20, a seat she previously held, losing reelection in 2020 then failing to win back the seat again in 2022.

Here are some excerpts from Bessette’s full statement which can be read on her Twitter page, linked above.

“It has been harder and harder for a lot of us here to make ends meet due to the failed policies enacted by the current rich white ruling class in power.”

“…I have been told that my outspoken advocacy for issues important to me and my community are at odds with the current message and direction the Montana Democratic Party leadership wishes to portray.”

“…We need structural change in both the Montana Democratic Party and state government.”

“…Too much is on the line for us to let political elites lose even more ground to the authoritarian bigots seeking to dismantle the state government whose first duty is to protect all of its citizens.”

Killer Griz Put Down, MT Dem Tax ‘Charade’, Judge Delays State Charter Schools

ECB Staff on September 7, 2023

Our weekly feature highlighting a few of the latest and most interesting local and national news items from various sources.

Columnist Ochenski brings Democrats’ dilemma to forefront, from the Montana Standard:
George Ochenski: Tester, Schweitzer, special session (mtstandard.com)

Helena judge rules against public charter schools, from MTPR:
https://www.mtpr.org/montana-news/2023-09-07/judge-blocks-the-state-from-approving-new-public-charter-schools

Montana FWP euthanizes killer bear, from KRTV:
https://www.krtv.com/grizzly-bear-that-killed-woman-near-west-yellowstone-in-july-euthanized-after-breaking-into-home

Meth Head Tries To Buy Gun In Great Falls, MT Gov’s Charter School Panel, And More

ECB Staff on August 31, 2023

Our weekly feature highlighting a few of the latest and most interesting local and national news items from various sources.

Man could face 10 years and is held in jail until January sentencing, from ABC/FOX Great Falls:
https://www.montanarightnow.com/great-falls/great-falls-man-hid-five-years-of-meth-use-to-attempt-gun-purchase/article_fd9d8646-477e-11ee-93e2-ab54b9894296.html

Governor Gianforte names members for panel approving charter schools, from MTPR:
https://www.mtpr.org/montana-news/2023-08-29/gianforte-appoints-members-to-the-panel-tasked-with-forming-new-charter-schools

Report ‘White Lives Matter’ graffiti in Great Falls, from KMON:
https://560kmon.com/ixp/1107/p/this-can-not-be-happening-in-great-falls-is-it/

Great Falls Mayoral Candidates Political Party Affiliations

ECB Staff on August 28, 2023

A question that is frequently asked of local candidates running for non-partisan seats for mayor and city commission is, “What political party do you belong to?”.

Party designation is not required for commission/mayor candidates and there will be no ‘D’ or ‘R’ by their names on the upcoming November ballot. Nevertheless, many voters consider party affiliation and history as a factor in their decision even when voting for non-partisan offices.

The following is a rundown of on-record political party affiliation for the Great Falls mayoral candidates. Commission candidates will be featured in the next installment on E-City Beat.

All campaign finance reports can be found here.

Abby Brown

Past political party experience: None.
Brown is the only mayor/commission candidate to list a party affiliation (Republican) on her State COPP C1 report.

Party associated campaign donors: None

Joe McKenney

Past political party experience: Served 4 terms as a Republican legislator in the Montana House of Representatives. Active in the Cascade County Republican Central Committee and the local Pachyderm Club.

Party associated campaign donors:

  • Fred Anderson, GOP state representative.
  • Russ Miner, GOP state representative.
  • Mark Noennig, former GOP state representative.
  • Ron Devlin, former GOP state representative.
  • Gene Thayer, former GOP state senator.
  • Steve Fitzpatrick, GOP state senator.
  • Scott Sales, former GOP state legislator.
  • Kristen Juras, GOP Lt. Governor.

Cory Reeves

Past political party experience: Ran as Undersheriff with Jesse Slaughter on Democrat ticket, Slaughter changed parties to GOP during his first term.

Party associated campaign donors:

  • Fred Anderson, GOP state representative.
  • Jesse Slaughter, GOP Cascade County Sheriff.

Casey Schreiner

Past political party experience: Served 4 terms as a Democrat legislator in the Montana House of Representatives, including as Democrat House Minority Leader. Ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for MT Governor (dropped out), ran unsuccessfully for MT Lt. Governor on 2020 Democrat Cooney ticket, ran unsuccessfully for MT state senate in 2022 as a Great Falls Democrat. Active in Cascade County Democratic Central Committee.

Party associated campaign donors:

  • Jacob Bachmeier, former Democrat state legislator and candidate.
  • Anders Blewett, former Democrat state legislator.
  • Sheila Hogan, Executive Director Montana Democratic Party.
  • Helena Lovick, Chairman Cascade County Democratic Central Committee.
  • Rio Aagaard-Shively, field representative for Senate Democrat Jon Tester.
  • Schreiner uses ActBlue to raise funds for his mayoral campaign. According to Wikipedia ActBlue is “…an American nonprofit technology organization established in June 2004 that enables left-leaning nonprofits, Democratic candidates, and progressive groups to raise money from individual donors on the Internet by providing them with online fundraising software.”

National Website Slams GF Crime Rate, New Traffic Measures On Westside, Local Woman Stealing Mail

ECB Staff on August 22, 2023

Our weekly feature highlighting a few of the latest and most interesting local and national news items from various sources.

New traffic control in Northwest Great Falls, from KRTV:
https://www.krtv.com/news/great-falls-news/traffic-change-on-16th-avenue-nw-in-great-falls

National website says Great Falls crime rate “…42% higher than the national average…Violent crime 25% higher than the national average”, from KMON:
Any Surprise This Montana City Is The Most Miserable To Live In? (560kmon.com)

Great Falls woman pleads guilty to stealing local mail, from ABC FOX Local:
https://www.montanarightnow.com/great-falls/great-falls-woman-admits-possessing-stolen-mail-wire-fraud-crimes/article_6653e2a6-3d4e-11ee-86fd-5b40f3387ea5.html

FBI Flash-Bang In Great Falls, Suit To Nix GF Library Levy, MT Greenies Win In State Court

ECB Staff on August 14, 2023

Our weekly feature highlighting a few of the latest and most interesting local and national news items from various sources.

FBI deploys flash-bang while executing search warrant in Great Falls Sunday night, from KRTV:
https://www.krtv.com/news/crime-and-courts/fbi-executes-search-warrant-in-great-falls

Two local voters file lawsuit to void Great Falls Public Library mill levy election, from The Electric:
Lawsuit filed over library levy election | The Electric (theelectricgf.com)

Climate activists win in MT court, from the Washington Post:
Judge rules in favor of youths in landmark Montana climate trial – The Washington Post

Great Falls Man Fired From Job After Protesting At LGBTQ+ Event

ECB Staff on August 7, 2023

Editors note: E-City Beat received the following email on July 28th. The ‘blog’ referred to in the email from Mr. Ross published a post which urged the public to contact his employer. The blog is run by Cascade County Democratic Central Committee Chair Helena Lovick and former/current Democrat Party candidate and precinct captain Jasmine Taylor.

“My name is William Ross and I live in Great Falls. On June 24th, I protested against the first ever “Pride Festival” in Great Falls. I acted within the law and was exercising my First Amendment right on my own time. I was not arrested nor was I questioned by the police.

During my protest, I was threatened multiple times and was twice assaulted. On July 18th, the organizers of the “Pride Festival”, led by failed local politician Jasmine Taylor, published a blog post with my information, including where I worked. The post encouraged others to call in and complain about me. By the 21st, I had been fired from my job.

My former boss informed me that I was being terminated, not for my work performance, but because of the wording on my sign. I lost my job because I exercised my rights in a lawful manner, on my own time. What is the point of having free speech if people can lose their jobs over it?

People should not be afraid to voice their opinions, regardless of what they are.  

Thank you,
William Ross”

Grizzly Kills Woman In Montana, MT Dems Aim To Dig Out Of Hole, Another Fire In Great Falls, And More

ECB Staff on July 25, 2023

Our weekly feature highlighting a few of the latest and most interesting local and national news items from various sources.

Montana Dems “trying to dig us out of this hole” by reelecting party leadership, from MTPR:
https://www.mtpr.org/montana-news/2023-07-24/the-montana-democratic-party-convenes-to-elect-new-officers

Woman mauled and killed by bear near West Yellowstone, from KRTV:
https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/victim-of-grizzly-bear-attack-near-west-yellowstone-has-been-identified

Fire at National Laundry in Great Falls, from Local ABC FOX:
https://www.montanarightnow.com/great-falls/firefighters-respond-to-fire-at-laundry-company-in-great-falls/article_3cde6012-2af3-11ee-8338-1b595c86ef1c.html

Amtrack derails in Montana…again, from KRTV:
https://www.krtv.com/neighborhood-news/hi-line/amtrak-empire-builder-passenger-train-is-stopped-east-of-shelby

Great Falls In Top 3 MT Cities For Fentanyl Trafficking According To U.S. Attorney

ECB Staff on July 17, 2023

From KTVQ in Billings last week:

“Billings, Helena and Great Falls are top hotspots for drug trafficking of fentanyl, while Missoula falls in fourth, U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana Jesse Laslovich said Monday at a public forum.”
U.S. Attorney: Billings, Helena, Great Falls top cities for fentanyl (ktvq.com)

Great Falls appears to be the hub for drug trafficking on area Indian reservations, “…Great Falls traffickers are going to Blackfeet, Fort Belknap, and Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservations, Laslovich said.”

In addition, according to the New York Times:

“Nearly 110,000 people died last year of drug overdoses in the United States, according to preliminary federal data published on Wednesday, a staggering figure that nonetheless represented a plateau after two years of sharp increases.

The preliminary count of 109,680 overdose deaths was only slightly higher than the figure for 2021, when 109,179 people were estimated to have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overdose deaths had climbed significantly that year and the prior year, increasing by roughly 17 percent in 2021 and 30 percent in 2020.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/17/us/politics/drug-overdose-deaths.html