Billings judge censured over rape comments

HELENA (AP) — The Montana Supreme Court on Tuesday publicly reprimanded a judge who gave a lenient sentence to a rapist after suggesting the 14-year-old victim shared some of the responsibility for the crime. 

Vernon W. Bunyea, 78

Vernon W. Bunyea, 78, went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Feb. 1, 2010, after spending his last seven months at the Hospice Care Program at the Spokane VA Medical Center. Vern was born on Aug. 1, 1931, and graduated from Flathead High School in 1949. While in high school he played for the Braves and was picked to play in the East-West Shriner game in Great Falls, where he was First Team, All State. Vern joined the U.S. Army in 1951 and served in Korea. While serving, he received two Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Good Conduct Medal. He returned home in 1953 as sergeant first class. In 1956, he met and married Sharon Lou Parkison and together they raised their four children. The family moved to Omak, Wash., in 1960, where he owned Vern s McCulloch Shop for many years. The family has many happy memories of Omak, including time spent at horse shows, fairs and rodeos. He brought his family back to Kalispell in 1973 to be under the Big Sky and beautiful mountains where he loved to fish and hunt with his family and friends. After moving to Kalispell, Vern worked for Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, in the logging industry, and Pioneer Northwest. One of the greatest joys in Vern and Sharon s life was their family at Bible Baptist Church. They were one of the first families to help establish the church and their love for Pastor and Louise Bemis was tremendous. Vern was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; his father, Vernon C. Bunyea; mother, Grace G. Bunyea; and brother, Leroy Bunyea. He is survived by his two sons, Steve and his wife, Jolene Raybourn, of Kalispell, and Rick Raybourn of Vicksburg, Miss.; and daughters, Joni Bunyea, Patty (Bunyea) Foster and husband, Todd Foster, of Kalispell, and Shaunna Hill of Missoula; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Vern s brothers, Gene Bunyea and wife, Barbara, of Bigfork, and Melvin Bunyea of Santa Maria, Calif.; sister, Nancy Fryer, of Kalispell; brother-in-law, Larry Parkison and his wife, Shelley; sister-in-law, Jean Halverson, and husband, Ron; and numerous nieces and nephews. Vern is also survived by his loving companion of the last eight years, Geraldine Wagner, who took such good care of him. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home in Spokane. Memorial services are at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at Bible Baptist Church, 64 Dove Lane, in Evergreen.

Myrtle J. (Solsten) Veile, 96

Our dear sweet momma was gently swept up by God’s angels and taken home on the evening of June 4, 2021, with her daughter by her side and her sons with her in loving spirit.

Germany: G7 rejects Russia’s demand to pay for gas in rubles

Germany: G7 rejects Russia’s demand to pay for gas in rubles

Soccer roundup: C-Falls, Whitefish boys battle to 5-5 tie

Valley prep standings and statistics

Soccer standings, statistical leaders for soccer, football and volleyball

Shrine Game: West roster stocked with area talent

Glacier and Bozeman, the two combatants in November’s State AA football championships, each had five players selected to the 77th Montana East-West Shrine game.

Bengals bounce Braves 5-0; Bravettes hold on

By COLIN GAISER

Artist's choice exhibit showcases Montana talent

The Bigfork Art & Cultural Center presents “Artist’s Choice,” an exhibition featuring 29 of Montana’s most gifted artists, painters, craftsmen and photographers. The exhibit will run from Aug. 1-31 with a reception on Friday, Aug. 3 from 5-6:30 p.m.

Mary Martilliar Freese, 68

George R. Lund Sr., 71

George R. Lund Sr., 71, passed away March 4, 2008, in Spokane.

Edna J. David, 94

Edna David died March 31, 2008, in Ashland, Ore., due to complications from a stroke. She was born to parents Torkel T. and Laura Nissen on May 9, 1913, in New Effington, S.D.

Margaret L. Torgerson, 75

Margaret L. Torgerson passed away Jan. 29, 2008.

Robbin Mecelia Lee, 86

Robbin Mecelia (Chervenka) Lee, 86 of Columbia Falls, gracefully passed into her next great adventure into Jesus arms on April 21, 2024.

Legals for July, 9 2021

Wildkats draw Wednesday nightcap at State A

MISSOULA — The Columbia Falls Wildkats are the late show Wednesday, taking on Billings Central in the 8 p.m. nightcap on the first day of the combined State A tournament.

Legals September 7, 2017

No. 24812 L. Jason Bryan BRYAN, DISTEFANO & MATTINGLEY, PLLP 423 1st Avenue East PO Box 2341 Kalispell, MT 59901 Jason@nwmontanalaw.com P: (406) 890-1880 Attorneys for the Estate of Aaron Eugene Vorhies MONTANA ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, FLATHEAD COUNTY IN RE: THE ESTATE OF AARON EUGENE VORHIES Deceased. Probate No. DP 17-176B NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by and through attorney of record, L. Jason Bryan, Bryan, diStefano & Mattingley, PLLP, that Eric Sebastian Vorhies has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Eric Sebastian Vorhies, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, c/o BRYAN, DISTEFANO & MATTINGLEY, PLLP, P.O. Box 2341, Kalispell, Montana 59903, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court. DATED this 1st day of September, 2017 By: /s/ Francesca DiStefano L. Jason Bryan September 7, 14, 21, 2017 MNAXLP

Legals for July, 14 2023

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Glacier Twins A suffer pair of setbacks in Belgrade

BELGRADE — Alex McSmith broke a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the fourth inning and the Boise Gems pulled away for a 9-5 win Saturday night at the Boys of Summer Invitational.

Swim teams qualify six more for state

The Daily Inter Lake