The Billings Gazette from Billings, Montana • 10

1NTERM TAIN Section Hie Billings Gazette THE SOURCE Saturday, October 4, 1997 NEW WORLD MINE OUN 8) innn jtULILIIj A.M. Extra. BOZEMAN (AP) An agricultural and environmental group is opposing a plan proposed by Rep. Rick Hill, to make half a billion tons of Eastern Montana coal part of the New World Mine buyout agreement. Hill has proposed giving 500 million tons of federal coal to Montana as a condition for funding the.

New World Mine buyout now before Congress. He says transferring the coal will create new jobs in Montana, making up for jobs that may have been provided by the mine. The Northern Plains Resource Council doesn't agree. It is one of the groups that sued Crown Butte Mines over pollution at the New World site near Cooke City. That legal victory made Crown Butte liable for potential fines and set the stage for the buyout agreement reached in 1996 between the company, environmental groups and President Clinton.

The council never signed the agreement, though, because of concerns that environmental impacts would be shifted to Eastern Montana. within a few miles of the proposed railroad route. But the research council believes transferring the coal into, the Tongue River area will create "an illusion of movement" on the stalled railroad, and attract more investors to the project. "It's not just NPRC," said Mike Clark, director of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. "We stand with them on this." Bob Ekey of the coalition commented, "If the ransom note says Tongue River Railroad, we're not going to negotiate." So if the group and any others who didn't sign the agreement object to the coal component proposed by Hill, they could stop the deal.

The resource council criticized the plan in a recent bulletin to its members. It said offering the coal would "prop up speculative business ventures" like the Tongue River Railroad. The group has been fighting the railroad project for 20 years. The proposed route bisects a scenic, sparsely settled valley from Miles City to the Wyoming border. FLOATING INTO FALL -fat, $t' "WsD I i zl .1 MILES CITY Skull could clear up mystery MILES CITY (AP) Officials in Miles City are waiting for dental records from Longmont, in hopes of identifying a human skull found east of Miles City.

Custer County Sheriff Tony Harbaugh said the skull may be from a man who has been missing for nine years and whose disappearance was featured on the television show "Unsolved Mysteries." Officials found a white Chevrolet Spectrum 15 miles east of Miles City on Aug. 27, 1988. The car belonged to Daniel Robert Wilson, who had been on his way from Spokane, to Longmont, where his family lives. Wilson had a history of mental problems. An extensive search found no sign of the man, and an episode on the disappearance aired a few months later on "Unsolved Mysteries." Harbaugh said he requested Wilson's dental records Wednesday, two days after the skull was found.

He said if the records are still available, there should be enough teeth left in the skull to make a positive identification. The skull also has a distinguishing mark on the forehead. Harbaugh said the skull was found by a ranch worker about six miles south of where the car was found in 1988. The skull was near a creek, and Harbaugh said it could have been moved by high water or animals. No other remains were found.

Harbaugh determined from the shape of the skull that it belonged to a Caucasian man. He said he doesn't suspect foul play and believes the man may have become disoriented and died from exposure. Harbaugh said the identification process shouldn't take long once the dental records arrive. If they prove the skull belonged to Wilson, Harbaugh said he will notify "Unsolved Mysteries." "I would like to see closure on l. this case," he said.

LIFE'S A PARADE "If the ransom note says Tongue River Railroad, we're not going to negotiate." Bob Ekey Greater Yellowstone Coalition The council is concerned because part of Hill's plan for transferring the coal includes taking over parcels of land that lie Gazette photo by Bob Zellar fall colors provide a to give you the chance to make your life better. I want you to have stain-free carpet and chandeliers made of elk antlers and picture windows so big you would take your pet rock to the Humane Society Quarry just so there wouldn't be any accidents. "Maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but we drove by your house on the way out here," the sign said, letting out a sigh. "It is old and not that big. The paint is peeling.

And when I peeked in the window, I believe I saw orange shag carpeting." "Well, that is all true," I said, hanging my head. This was not a banner moment "We rent that old farmhouse, so there are things we can't change and a few others that even if we could change them we couldn't afford to do it. At least not do it the way you would want it" "That is all very touching," the sign said, turning up one corner into a sneer. pt Todays Highlights ix'c Billings Symphony Orchestra: 8 p.m., Alberta Bair Theater Antique Flea Market: to benefit Boys and Girls Club 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, 505 Orchard Lane 1 Feline and canine rabiesdistemper clinic: by Animal Welfare League 1 to 5 p.m., YWCA, 907 Wyoming for information, call 628-6019 i Yellowstone Valley Farmers' Market: 8:30 a.m. to noon, Poly Drive, MSU-Billings T.v Auction and harvest hoe-down: to benefit Chase Hawks Memorial Association Crisis Fund, doors open at 4 p.m., Shiloh Bam, 2121 S. 48th St.

W. Walktoberfest: to fight diabetes 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. walk, Veterans Park, call 256-0616 or 1-800-254-WALK Belgrade woman killed in crash BELGRADE A Belgrade-area woman was killed Thursday afternoon when her vehicle went otjt of control and rolled several times along the East Cameron Bridge Road, the Highway Patrol said. The victim was identified as Raunell Ann Thomas-Hall, 41.

I The patrol said the woman lost control of the speeding vehicle and was ejected as it rolled. Alcohol was a factor, the investigating officer said. The death pushed the Montana road toll to 202 compared with 160 on Oct. 3, 1996. Bear removed from tree near Main in Bozeman BOZEMAN A 300-pound black bear in a tree near Main Street was tranquilized and moved by a state official, who had just picked up a trap holding a bear caught elsewhere in town.

Officials learned of the bear in the tree after a Montana State University student saw the animal Thursday morning, as she rode her bicycle. Kevin Frey of the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said the bear is "about as lajtge a black bear as you'll see in Montana." -f Frey said the tranquilizer took effect after about five minutes, and thp bear then slipped down the trunk. The animal landed on cgpcrete and was picked up by four men. Frey said the bear was not injured. Jt probably followed a stream info town, and then became confused, he said.

Both of the bears Frey handled Thursday were to be released in thfe Gallatin National Forest. Zonta dub sponsors reception for German Zonta Club of Billings is sponsoring a reception for Beate AVeber, mayor of Heidelberg, Germany, at 530 p.m. Tuesday at the Bair Family Student Center at Rocky Mountain College. The pjjblic is invited. Weber, a German Marshall Fund-Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow, will be in Billings Oct, 5-10 to meet with students and faculty atRMC and MSU-Billings and to speak to community groups, ii- Weber has been a member of the European Parliament, during which she served as vice president of the Committee of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection.

She was elected mayor of Heidelberg in 1990 and has participated as a member of the independent Commission on Population and Quality of life. Weber currently serves as president of the German Section of the International Institute of Administrative Science. Persons interested in attending the reception are encouraged to i RSVP by Monday to Ellen Marten, 657-1004. 'DAILY millions I white :2 17-18 I 1-15 ifzt 0PHEIM FARMER i Freeman I sentencing delayed By NICK EHU Of The Gazette Staff A federal judge on Friday post poned the sentencing of Freemar associate Lavon T. Hanson, giving the Opheim farmer more time tci make good on his promise to coop! erate with federal authorities.

2 "I don't want to send you tg prison unless I have to," U.S District Judge John CoughenouS told Hanson at the conclusion ol what was supposed to be the first sentencing related to the anti-gov; ernment movement. "But that'5 going to turn entirely on whethej they are satisfied that you've helped them." Hanson spoke with FBI and IR5 agents and federal prosecutors foe five hours Thursday, but RobinsorJE Park, a trial attorney for the? Department of Justice, tola Coughenour that it was prematura to access Hanson's cooperation. Rather than sentence HansorJ without that information, the Seattl judge ordered a continuance unti Dec. 5, and in a somewhat unusual speech from the bench, urgedj Hanson to cooperate with investigaj tors. Coughenour described HansorS as a fringe player "who got suckedj into something in desperation to trj to save his family's farm." "People who are desperatU sometimes do really stupid things," the judge said.

Jj Hanson, 47, pleaded guilty toj one count of bank fraud last July after making a deal with the U.S. attorney's office. In return, the gov ernment agreed to dismiss two other counts of mail fraud and not to take! any position on Hanson's request! for probation, rather than prisorj time. The bank-fraud count allege that Hanson submitted a bogus cer2 tified money order for $428,000 to bank in Spokane, in 1993 ir an effort to pay the loans of a neigh bor. Federal sentencing guideline? call for Hanson to go to federal prison for between 18 to 24 months, (More on Freeman, Page 2B) message "Watch it, poster boy," I said "Sorry," the sign muttered.

care too much. I just want you to be-happy. It seems that I have failed." "But I am happy," I said. "My! house might not be a looker, bu there is a waterfall inside that I built-myself and there is a painting chickadee above the kitchen sink-that I smile at every morning. "You have an important job and; you are doing it well," I told the sign, not wanting it to feel bad for-touting success.

"You get peopled excited about improving their sur roundings. Look at all the folks you have persuaded to look at this mag-i nificent home. I'm sure it is just the! right spot for somebody. You keepC up the good work, but remember" that of designer-wallpaper is not for everyone. 2 "I'm going home now," I told thafi merry messenger.

"Stay out of the rain; and well see you again next year." New-home sign delivers convincing Kayakers take advantage of backdrop in Riverfront Park Commentary Joe Kolman Generation home or even one remotely similar to it" This sign had a blunt streak. It was setting me up to make a point, or a pitch, although I was not yet sure which it would be. "But for this one week, and this week only, the owners of this magnificent home are allowing you to see what you have been missing. Come on in, but please, do not park on the grass, which is finely manicured by the area's leading lawn stylist" I was skeptical. I was also in the a quiet cove on Lake Josephine as Friday afternoon.

way. So I pulled off the road. "That is a great house," I said. "But if I see what I've been missing, won't I start to miss it?" "Oh, that's just some poppycock my cousin, the cliche-ridden calendar, would like you to believe," the sign said. "There is a chance, although by the look of your tattered jeans and slightly out-of-shape baseball cap it is a small chance," the sign said, making me feel uncomfortable with its unwavering stare, "that by observing what these magnificent people have done with their home, you could upgrade your humble abode to a notch above pathetic." "Hey, now that is going beyond blunt straight to nasty, you stupid sign," I told that poor excuse for a placard.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the sign said. "Sometimes I do get carried away. But I want so much for you. I want The small white sign with orange lettering was talking to me. When I first spotted it, it said "Parade Home." Under that phrase was an arrow pointing west.

As I slowed down to peer at the sign and allow my eyes to follow the arrow, the sign said, "Head into the sunset to see a magnificent home on a magnificent 12-acre lot with magnificent neigh bors who own a magnificent gas grill and, if you were their neighbor, would invite you over for a magnificent two pound hot dog." This was a very talkative sign and I was starting to block traffic by listening. But what else can you do when a sign has got a hold on your ear? "Of course, you do not live in this magnificent home," the sign continued. "And realistically, with your less-than-magnificent earning ability, you never will live in this mmmmtmimMMtmimmw.