The Billings Gazette from Billings, Montana • 7

2. traffic hearing 2B -bandy warning 3B Political 4B Stat Section Friday, November 2, 1 990 ffudleeifts iimsuiFcaifiice pondered 3 MM 1 'Jcr HELENA (AP) Half the students attending Montana's universities, colleges and vocational-technical centers may not have health insurance, and state officials are considering a program that would provide affordable and -adequate coverage. Uninsured students face financial catastrophe that could permanently end their chance for an education, and that makes the problem one of social responsibility, David 1 Evenson, director of benefits for the Montana University System, said Thursday. "Students attending college without health insurance'- -is like playing Russian roulette," he said. "If they have to drop out, society loses an educated person." The issue raises questions of responsibility, said John Hutchinson, state commissioner of higher education.

While some may say parents have an obligation to pro- vide insurance for their children, others argue that it is -the duty of the student or the university system to ensure 7 that students are adequately protected, he said. Their comments came at a meeting of higher education officials from across the state in which they began exploring the possibility of a systemwide health insurance program for university, college and vo-tech students. Each of the six schools in the university system has its own insurance program. Participation ranges from 4 percent at Montana Tech to 45 percent at the University of Montana. At UM, Montana State University and Western Montana College, students must sign up for coverage unless they have existing insurance.

The other schools have optional programs. Premiums, which are in addition to mandatory student health service fees, range from $53 a quarter at UM to $138 at Tech. Most of the campuses have different insurance companies. About 8,600 students are covered by the programs. Evenson said coverage could be improved and costs -could be reduced with a single program for all schools that covers all students unless they have other insurance.

A likely premium under that scenario might be $300 a year, depending on the benefit limits, he said. Hutchinson said health insurance is becoming more important because of the growing number of older stu- (More on Health, Page 2B) Gazette photo by James Woodcock The car driven by Teresa Risser, 32, struck the Sixth Avenue overpass support wall. City woman hurt in accident said that Risser suffered head and internal injuries and several broken bones in the accident at 6:48 a.m. Risser was driving west on State Avenue at high speed when she apparently lost control of her car, a 1985 Subaru, Dreeszen said. The car ran into a solid cement wall that supports the Sixth Street West overpass, Dreeszen said.

The car continued down the wall until ramming into a metal light pole, Dreeszen said. There was "massive damage" to the car, and emergency workers with the Billings Fire Department had to "literally tear the vehicle from around the victim" to remove Risser, Dreeszen said. Risser was the only person in the car, Dreeszen said. Police investigating the accident said later Thursday that Risser had been drinking heavily sometime before the accident. No tickets have been issued.

By NICK EHLI Of the Gazette Staff A 32-year-old Billings woman was severely injured early Thursday morning when she lost control of her car and hit a light pole, police said. Teresa Risser, of 31 MacArthur was taken to Deaconess Medical Center, where she was in critical condition Thursday night, a hospital official said. Billings Police Capt Doug Dreeszen Zoo seeks county grant ZooMontana is trying again to get grant money to help build an amphitheater for various events. In an application approved Thursday by Yellowstone County commissioners, ZooMontana is seeking $50,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund of the state Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department The total cost of the amphitheater is $156,600, according to Joan Hendricks, ZooMontana's director of development. If approved, the grant would be matched with $50,000 from ZooMontana and in-kind contributions.

ZooMontana applied for a similar grant earlier, but was denied in 1988 and there was no money available in 1989. The agency is accepting grant applications for 1992. BLM looking for nominations The Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management is seeking nomination to fill seven vacancies on the National Public Lands Advisory Council The 21-member council advises the interior secretary through the BLM director on issues concerning national policies and programs for the management of the more than 270 million acres of public lands. The council meets at least three times a year, with meeting locations usually rotated among the 11 Western states where most BLM-managed surface lands are located. Council members serve without salary, but are -reimbursed by BLM for travel and per diem expenses.

To nominate a candidate, send biographical data including name, address, profession and other relevant information about the qualification to Director (150), Bureau of Land Management, MS-5558, Department of Interior, 1849 C. St. N.W, Washington, D.C. 20240. Tribal coordinator names submitted Montana tribes have given Gov.

Stan Stephens a list of candidates from which to choose a new state Indian affairs coordinator, a position that has been vacant since former coordinator Don Wetzel resigned in June. The candidates are: Bonnie Knowshisgun, Albuquerque, N.M, who has a background in education. Kathy Flury, a Billings attorney. Minnie Fritzler, a Crow Tribe member from Lodge Grass. Polly LaTray of Cut Bank.

Leonard Smith of Billings. Billboards to show most wanted IS IU little i administrator Cheryl Davis said Missoula has been using the program with success. Police Sgt. Dennis Trimbo said the top 10 list will be continually updated as suspects are arrested. Davis said the boards will be posted at the K-Mart store on 24th Street West in the West End, Albertsons at West Park Plaza and in the lobby of the courthouse.

Davis said she is still working to find a Heights location. The billboards will be going up during the next three weeks. Sheriff Mike Schafer said he was excited about the new program. He said it shows the cooperation between the agencies and the council "It's a good program," he said. The Breakfast Exchange Club also is sponsoring the program by paying for the cost otbuilding the billboards.

By CLAIR JOHNSON Of the Gazette Staff Billboards with mugs of Yellowstone County's 10" most wanted suspects soon will be going up around Billings in an effort to encourage the public to help local lawmen arrest suspects wanted for crimes. The 51-inch-square oak boards feature 10 suspects wanted by the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Department and Billings Police Department, complete with five-by-seven glossy color photographs of the suspects, a physical description and the crime for which they are wanted. The board also encourages anyone knowing the whereabouts of the suspects to call the Crime Stoppers number. The program is being provided through the Community Crime Prevention CounciL Programs Gazeft photo by Larry Mayw Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Schafer, left, and Billings police SgL Dennis Trimbo look over the 10 most wanted board Thursday. Letters of batile-loving Custer found a- Serious Indian difficulties call me quickly to the Dacotas.

George Custer In a letter to his cousin but "if I answer for myself alone, I must say that I shall regret to see the war end. I would be willing, yes glad, to see a battle every day during my life." The letters may be worth several thousand dollars, local historians said. Custer's signature alone on a letter may be worth between $500 and $1,000, said Benedict Maryniak, president of the Buffalo Civil War Roundtable. If the letters contain new historic information, they could be worth much more. "You dont run across 110-year-old letters very often," said Jim Court, executive director of the Custer Battlefield Preservation Committee in Montana.

"Just having them is worthwhile." School Without Walls teacher Charles Benoit, whose class is researching the letters, said finding the letters was a bonanza for students. "Rarely does one come across this kind of thing," he said. "This is the kind of stuff doctoral dissertations are made of ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) Six letters from George Armstrong Custer, some written just before the cavalry officer's death at the Battle of Little Bighorn, have been found in the Rochester Public Library. The letters, written by Custer to a cousin in Canandaigua, were found last week when students at Rochester's School Without Walls asked the library for materials on Custer.

According to library records, the handwritten letters were bought 26 years ago from a private collection for $100. They were written in the 1850s, '60s and 70s to Augusta Frary, who lived about 30 miles southeast of Rochester in Canandaigua. In the last letter, written less than two months before Custer's death in Montana in 1876, Custer writes: "Serious Indian difficulties call me quickly to the Dacotas." Custer and about 200 of his men were killed in fr, c-y? the battle against Sioux and Cheyenne warriors on June 25, 1876. Custer had distinguished himself during the Civil War as a daring cavalry officer. In a letter written to Frary on Oct 3, 1862, after a visit to Army officers by President Abraham Lincoln, Custer writes about his love of combat He knows he must wish for peace, he writes, LT.

COL GEORGE CUSTER regrets Civil War's end Jazz vocalists Manhattan Transfer to play ABT benefit businesses and in-kind donations Bonif as believes the $55,000 profit is a realistic goaL He noted that the ABT was dark only about half the year for its 1989-90 season, with more than 100 scheduled events and about 50-plus nights performances. "We continue to increase our number of users each year." More than 110 events are planned for the theater's fifth season, 1990-91, which already is underway. While most theaters generate about 56 per cent of their income through ticket sales, rentals, benefits and playbill ads, the ABT raises nearly 80 per cent, "so, in that regard we are way ahead of the game. It's a symbiotic relationship we raise the monies that nourish the operations budget so we can offer attractive rental prices to users and attract more of them," Bonif as said. "It all comes back to the quality and number of performances." Past galas have featured Bobby McFerrin, Dionne Warwick, Harry Belafonte and Burt Bacharach.

For tickets, can the ABT beginning Monday at 2564052. Gala co-chairmen Syd Olson and Karin Smith said they hope to raise $55,000 from the gala, which once again features three prices for tickets. For $100, party-goers will attend a pre-show reception at First Bank, the concert and an after-show party at the Radisson Northern HoteL Holders of the $25 and $35 tickets win enjoy the pre-show reception of wine and hors (foeuvres and the concert, which will be about 90 minutes. The evening is starting earlier this year to get people to the gala dinner earlier. The pre-show party is at p.m, the performance at 7:30 p.m.

and supper at 9 m. The 200 volunteers who organized the gala have added a new "table-rental" option, too. Tables may be reserved by groups or businesses at time of ticket booking. The Manhattan Transfer's musical repertoire ranges from 30s to "90s tunes, with bebop, big-band, rock-laced pop and a new Brazilian-inspired sound from their new album. Because of generous underwriting from city By CHRISTENE C.

MEYERS Gazette Arts and Travel Editor Jazz buffs can aid a cultural cause and get their musical fix at the fifth annual Alberta Bair Theater Gala. Manhattan Transfer headlines the Jan. 26 bash the most lavish benefit in the city. The popular, Grammy-winning quartet is known for its jazzy, bluesy harmonies and scat-seared style of singing the blues, jazz and pop tunes of several eras. "We've wanted to book them for several years, but they've been out of our price range," said ABT manager Barry Bonif as.

"But we could get them for our budgeted price because they're under new management, and we found a Montana connection." The singers also play Phoenix, Ariz and Boise, Idaho, the same week, "so they'll be in the neighborhood," Bonif as said. Transfer was booked for a $40,000 fee The annual bash raises money for the theater's operating fund, thus helping to keep rental costs down to user groups. i'Ufc- EM Manhattan Transfer's vocals are quick and catchy..