LAW ROUNDUP: First Amendment gets road tested

A Flathead Sheriff’s Office deputy told a protester on U.S. 2 East that he did have the right to hold signs and exercise free speech against a business, but noted that he could not enter the business’s property and that he should not cross the road in a dangerous fashion while protesting.

A person called from McMannamy Draw to ask if a deputy could give two women a ride to a burger joint in Kalispell. The parties were advised that law enforcement does not offer taxi services.

People on Aero Lane in Bigfork were separated after a husband and wife got into a drunken argument and allegedly ripped up a home that did not belong to them.

A man was told to leave customers alone and not come back to a business after he repeatedly tried to bum money off customers.

Columbia Falls Police responded to 16th Avenue West, where a woman reported that an acquaintance walked into her home, punched her in the face, and walked back out. The victim was taken to the hospital.

An officer gave a man a ride away from a business after personnel complained that he would not stop panhandling customers when asked. The transient was allegedly wearing a mask and had a jug of water in his hand.

Whitefish Police gave a woman advice about how to handle a collection agency that was hounding her.

Kalispell Police responded and determined that there were only minor injuries when a school bus and another vehicle collided at Second Avenue East and Eighth Street East.

An officer could not determine whether or not damage to a park picnic table was recent after a person claimed to have seen four youths damage the table and continue along their way.

A man called from Ninth Street West to report that suspects had some of his belongings and would not return them, and that he was being threatened with a tire iron. The man called back and said that the situation had resolved itself and he no longer wanted to make a report.