Week of February 3, 2026
Week of February 3, 2026
After a busy January 29 schedule that included campus and community tours, meetings with administration, staff, and area residents, and two public interviews, the Three Forks School Board voted unanimously to hire Colby Fitzgerald as the Superintendent for the 2026-27 school year. Currently, the Principal at Big Sky Elementary School in Billings, Fitzgerald has 17 years of administrative experience. He also served as the Superintendent and K-12 Principal in Hobson (MT), and as Associate Middle...
A pair of environmental groups and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are challenging the federal government's approval of a measure Montana lawmakers passed last year that loosens water quality standards. In a lawsuit filed in federal district court in Great Falls on Monday, Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, Flathead Lakers and CSKT contend that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision to approve House Bill 664 is "inconsistent with" the Clean Water Act. The complaint also argues...
In a statement issued on January 27, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer did not mince his words in discussing what he called a "dangerous trend" in public activity regarding reports he described as an attempt to "create fear and chaos within the community." Springer reported that on January 26, a Sheriff's Office Captain pulled over a vehicle in his issued, unmarked, police vehicle wearing his issued vest with clear and unobstructed markings that said "SHERIFF". The driver was pulled over for...
The Broadwater County Commission announced last week that they have been notified by the Montana Department of Administration (DOA) that certain state funds are being withheld due to unresolved cash reconciliation issues. According to a release from the governing body, the withheld funds result from accounting discrepancies that have not been fully reconciled or corrected. "Simply put, these accounts are out of balance," states the release. In a letter sent to Broadwater County on January 15,...
GCSO Daily CFS - Media Printed on January 26, 2026 CFS Date/Time CFS # Nearest Code Command Log - Only Log Commands 01/25/26 08:57:16 CFS26-012099 TRAFFIC CRIME 01/25/26 08:57:26 - Tomczyk, Meghan - UNK MODEL 01/25/26 08:57:30 - Tomczyk, Meghan - UNK STYLE 01/25/26 08:57:34 - Tomczyk, Meghan - UNK PLATE 01/25/26 08:57:41 - Tomczyk, Meghan - SERVING 01/25/26 08:57:46 - Tomczyk, Meghan - DRIVING ERADTICALLY 01/25/26 08:57:57 - Tomczyk, Meghan - PASSING UNSAFELY 01/25/26 08:58:41 - Tomczyk, Meghan - LINKED TO LATE 911 QUEUE 01/25/26 08:59:10 -... Full story
GCSO Daily CFS - Media Printed on February 2, 2026 CFS Date/Time CFS # Nearest Code Command Log - Only Log Commands 02/01/26 00:47:58 CFS26-015429 INTERSTATE 90 HWY TRAFFIC CRIME 02/01/26 00:48:04 - Greer, Andrew - I90 MM 303 02/01/26 00:48:08 - Greer, Andrew - RED TK SWERVING 02/01/26 00:48:25 - Greer, Andrew - SUSPECT INTOX / DRIVING 02/01/26 00:48:34 - Greer, Andrew - UNK PLATE 02/01/26 00:48:46 - Greer, Andrew - SWERVING OFF RD 02/01/26 00:49:09 - Greer, Andrew - MHP 02/01/26 00:49:17 - Olsen, Jason - 593 02/01/26 01:04:23 - Toresdahl,... Full story
Gallatin County, Montana Sheriff's Office 30 Day Call Log Select a date Call Type: PATROL CHECK Date: 01/31/26 Time: 14:48 Responding Agencies: GCSO Incident Number: Result: LE - Documented Call Type: FOLLOW UP Date: 01/31/26 Time: 14:49 Responding Agencies: GCSO Incident Number: Result: LE - Documented Call Type: PATROL CHECK Date: 01/31/26 Time: 14:50 Responding Agencies: GCSO Incident Number: Result: LE - Documented Call Type: PATROL CHECK Date: 01/31/26 Time: 14:50 Responding Agencies: GCSO Incident Number: Result: LE - Documented Call... Full story
Gallatin County, Montana Sheriff's Office 30 Day Call Log Select a date Call Type: WELFARE CHECK Date: 01/30/26 Time: 12:57 Responding Agencies: GCSO Incident Number: Result: LE - Documented Call Type: WELFARE CHECK Date: 01/30/26 Time: 12:59 Responding Agencies: GCSO Incident Number: Result: LE - Documented Call Type: PUBLIC ASSIST Date: 01/30/26 Time: 13:07 Responding Agencies: GCSO Incident Number: Result: LE - Documented Call Type: FOLLOW UP Date: 01/30/26 Time: 13:09 Responding Agencies: GCSO Incident Number: Result: LE - Documented Call... Full story
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is announcing and inviting the public to comment on a proposal that will resurface about 10 miles of US Highway 287 (US 287), between McAllister and Norris. The project begins just south of the post office in McAllister, at mile marker 55.3, and extends north, ending near the US 287/US Highway 84 (US 84) intersection, at mile marker 65.2, in Norris. Proposed work includes milling the existing surface, applying new overlay, and finishing with a seal and cover (chip seal), upgraded pavement...
GCSO Daily CFS - Media Printed on January 29, 2026 CFS Date/Time CFS # Nearest Code Command Log - Only Log Commands 01/28/26 06:55:06 CFS26-013266 BRIDGER CANYON RD TRAFFIC CRIME 01/28/26 06:55:29 - Pratt, Amanda - BLK PRIUS , STOPPED RP AND ASKED WHERE HE WAS 01/28/26 06:55:34 - Pratt, Amanda - RP PROVIDED DIRECTIONS 01/28/26 06:55:43 - Pratt, Amanda - M LOOKED LIKE HE HAD STUCK HIS FINGER IN AN OUTLET 01/28/26 06:55:50 - Pratt, Amanda - VEH SMELLED OF ALCOHOL 01/28/26 06:56:04 - Pratt, Amanda - NOT ERRATIC DRIVING 01/28/26 06:57:34 - Greer,... Full story
GCSO Daily CFS - Media Printed on January 28, 2026 CFS Date/Time CFS # Nearest Code Command Log - Only Log Commands 01/27/26 08:45:00 CFS26-013137 DRIVEWAY and ASPEN THREATS 01/27/26 20:58:23 - Nyquist, Bridgette - RE-ENTRY 01/27/26 20:58:25 - Nyquist, Bridgette - 01/27/26 07:45:37 Hartman, Kate New CFS - RP HAS A MUTUAL FRIEND THAT HE WENT TO SCHOOL WITH IN 07 01/27/26 07:46:19 Hartman, Kate MALE IS POSTING SUSPICIOUS POST ON FACEBOOK ABOUT BUYING GUNS AND THREATING POLITICIANS WITH THEM 01/27/26 07:47:09 Hartman, Kate MALE- JOSHUA BRYON... Full story
Gallatin County, Montana Sheriff's Office 30 Day Call Log Call Type: PATROL CHECK Date: 02/02/26 Time: 00:01 Responding Agencies: GCSO Incident Number: Result: LE - Documented Call Type: TRAFFIC STOP Date: 02/02/26 Time: 01:27 Responding Agencies: GCSO Incident Number: Result: LE - Warning Call Type: OTHER Date: 02/02/26 Time: 02:20 Responding Agencies: AMR, CSAFD, GC911, GCSO Incident Number: Result: Fire - Clear EMS Call Type: PATROL CHECK Date: 02/02/26 Time: 02:35 Responding Agencies: GCSO Incident Number: Result: LE - Documented Call... Full story
Almost two minutes into the Three Forks High School Girls' Basketball team's 64-51 home win on January 30 against Townsend, Madelyn Tesoro received a pass from a teammate and dribbled behind the three-point line. The senior standout would then quickly rise for a picture-perfect three-point shot to give Three Forks a 3-0 lead. For those who have watched Tesoro excel on the basketball court for the past four seasons, it was no surprise to see her open the scoring with her patented jump shot. This... Full story
After a successful opening day for the Three Forks/Ennis High School Wrestling team, going 3-1 at the Class A Duals on January 30 at the Butte Civic Center, Head Coach Ryan Henry said by the time they went to compete the following day, the flu came in and affected numerous members of the team. Despite dealing with the sickness, the Wolves showed tremendous heart, finishing the prestigious two-day event in sixth place and earning wins over ranked Corvallis and Libby teams. Henry said he was very... Full story
The Three Forks High School Boys' Basketball team had a five-game win streak come to an end with a 62-54 overtime loss on January 31 at Red Lodge. The night before, the Wolves moved to 7-1 in 5B play with a 63-45 home win over Townsend. Three Forks would take a 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter on January 30 against the visiting Bulldogs and took a 31-24 advantage into halftime. It was a big second half from the Wolves that included two clutch three pointers from Mannix Woodland and... Full story
It was a fantastic week for the Three Forks High School Girls' Basketball team, with a big-time 64-51 home conference win on January 30 against Townsend and an impressive 63-33 road win on January 30 at non-league foe Red Lodge. Leading 13-9 at the end of the first quarter and 28-21 at halftime on January 30 against the visiting Bulldogs, the Lady Wolves (7-6, 5-3 5B) came out of halftime strong and took as big as a 19-point lead in the third quarter. Head Coach Shayla Stemple was proud of the... Full story
The Folkvord Family of Three Forks has announced the sale of the historic Sacajawea Hotel. This iconic property, originally constructed in 1910, was built using components from the Old Town Hotel. These materials were relocated to Three Forks and incorporated into a new design inspired by Southern Plantation-style architecture. During their stewardship of the hotel, the Folkvord Family collaborated closely with the local historical society. Together, they documented the hotel's extensive...
Property taxes were addressed in the last legislative session through HB 231 and HB 542, creating a new framework for how property taxes are calculated in Montana. HB 231, brought forward by Llew Jones, is a 44-page bill that reset homeowner property taxes into four tiers. On the surface, this sounds reasonable: higher-valued properties pay higher rates. That is the theory. In practice, however, this approach is deeply flawed. First, many homeowners have owned their properties for 10 years or...
Sometimes I feel like about half my time is spent running errands. Despite usually having a detailed list of what I need to get, I usually end up forgetting something. This was certainly the case the other day after I finished up newspaper deliveries and just wanted to get home to my recliner and cats. Needing a very specific item, I had to go to a store I despise, but I bit the bullet and did it anyway. This store has had a porta-potty outside for well over a year, which I have always found odd but never really thought much about. This...
It was a tremendous Class B/C State Tournament in Townsend for the Three Forks High School Speech, Drama, and Debate team. Zaida Bertrand had a phenomenal state meet on January 30 and 31, finishing second in Humorous Interpretation. Amanda Wilcox and Brooke Crowe were fourth in Humorous Theater, Leilani Ellis was fifth in Dramatic Interpretation, Max Brown-Beard was sixth in Program Oral Interpretation, and Dani Kober was eighth in Spontaneous Oral Interpretation. Zane Pauzauskie, Zoe Dabling,...
The Three Forks Community Library is taking part in the "1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program". According to information from Library Director Joanna Boys, the free program was started by the 1,000 Books Foundation and encourages reading among newborns, infants, and/or toddlers. The foundation aims to have children read 1,000 books before starting kindergarten. "Does it sound hard? Not really, if you think about it. If you read just one book a night, you will have read 365 books in a year....
Have you ever been driving down a gravel county road and thought, "Wow, this is nice. I wonder who graded it?" Chances are, William J. "Willy" Wertz had a hand in it -either running the grader himself or mentoring the person who did. Willy approached every mile of road as though he would be the one driving it every day. He took tremendous pride in delivering safe, smooth, and dependable roads for the people of Broadwater County. Willy began his career with the county in March 1978, working...
