Ravalli County Detectives Hope to Break Fatal Arson Case

Ravalli County detectives are hoping some new photos might help spark some memories for Corvallis residents, as investigators hope for a breakthrough in a 5-year-old arson case that killed three people in an apartment blaze.

The July 2020 fire killed David and Shandell Dewey and William Gay, when their four-plex was destroyed by fire, a blaze which detectives have always believed may have been tied to other "set" fires around the same time. New pictures released Sunday by the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office are aimed at looking for new information to help re-boot the case.

Rash of Montana fatal crashes continues

Montana Highway Patrol is saying it was a 26-year-old Helena man who was killed when his pickup went flying off Interstate 15 last week, hitting a bridge and guardrail and rolling over.

The crash happened on Friday afternoon outside Jefferson City. Troopers say the victim was impaired and speeding when he lost control of his Ford pickup, with the truck slamming into the bridge and guardrail and then rolling several times. He wasn't wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the pickup.

Browning crash leads to prison

A Browning man will spend just over a year in federal prison after causing a crash that killed another man on the Blackfeet Reservation.

Investigators say 41-year-old Joseph Wayne Cree Medicine was under the influence at the time of the crash in December 2023. They say he was driving too fast for conditions, and he lost control of his Dodge Durango and overcorrected, sending it into a roll. His passenger died later at the hospital.

      Cree Medicine was sentenced last week after pleading guilty last fall.

Montana Bobcat Day

Tuesday was "Bobcat Day" across the Treasure State… even in Missoula… as Governor Gianforte issued a proclamation today honoring the Montana State football team for capturing the school's first FCS National Championship in 41-years.

During the presentation in Helena, Gianforte paid special tribute to Coach Brent Vigen, noting he's heard from lots of former players since the win, acknowledging the character they had learned from him.

"Not only did you build unity on the team, but you also encourage good character off the field. And it makes a difference in producing a well-rounded student athlete. And that's quite a legacy to have," Gianforte told the coach during the presentation.

The governor tells me he also took an opportunity to press league officials on their brackets, which led to the best showdown of the playoffs between the Grizzlies and the 'Cats a week BEFORE the actual championship game.

"I saw the chairman of the NCAA at the game down in Nashville and I said, you made a big mistake because the real final was the Super Brawl, and it should have been in Nashville. Figure out your brackets, would you?"- Gov. Gianforte

   🏈  Diplomatically, the Governor does say he's proud of both teams.

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