The Oddest Montana State News Stories We Could Find

10/13/2011

A Montana man thought he could get a charge by poking a dead bear, but he got more of one than he expected when he was zapped by thousands of volts of electricity -- because the bear was lying on live wires. Edward Garcia stuck his hunting knife into the carcass of the animal, which had been dead for some time -- and got hit with enough of a jolt to cause injuries to his torso, face and hands. The sheriff's office says NorthWestern Energy has turned off power to the line. No word on whether or not medium rare bear steaks are being served up in the meantime.

Source: WTSP

5/5/2011

A Montana woman who was hit by a drunk driver is facing charges herself -- because she was wasted when she was run down! Witnesses say that Chessa Reichert sprinted across the street at 2 a.m. when she was hit by Michael Amundsen's vehicle. She's currently hospitalized in fair condition, and has been charged with underage drinking and being an intoxicated pedestrian. If she gets a hard-nosed judge, she could lose her walking license for a long spell.

Source: Great Falls Tribune

10/15/2011

A Shelby, Montana, man made his grandmother's day after he found her wedding ring, which she had lost eight years ago. Norma Welker claimed that she lost the ring while arranging flowers in her backyard. When she asked her grandson to till the soil so she could plant glass, he uncovered the lost gem. Nick Welker decided to surprise her with the ring as a gift on her birthday.

Source: UPI

4/11/2011

A Montana judge who was set to preside over a courtroom specializing in DUI cases was arrested on charges of driving while stoned. Robert E. Lee, who failed a field sobriety test, agreed to a blood test -- which showed the presence of methadone, a drug often used to treat heroin and morphine addicts. He denied the charge, but an empty methadone bottle was found at his home. Maybe he was just doing research for his new job?

Source: Associated Press

4/1/2011

A conservative Republican legislator in Montana has gone on the record to say that drunk driving laws are taking all the fun out of life. Alan Hale of Basin, Montana, says that DUI laws are "destroying a way of life" among his constituents, who he believes are entitled to get behind the wheel when wasted. Hale says that laws against drunk driving hurt bars and taverns, because people in his state need to get home after drinking, and there's no public transportation in Montana.

Source: AOL News

10/11/2011

A Great Falls, Montana pig wrestling competition was canceled after county fair officials failed to be able to round up the swine. The wild pigs used in the competition spend the year on a 10-mile free-range property. About 30 pigs are usually used, but this year only one boar was rounded up. Organizers promise that next year a different strategy will be used.

Source: AOL News