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Driver with prior DUIs crashed into another car while trying to urinate into beer can

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Driver with prior DUIs crashed into another car while trying to urinate into beer can


A Montana man with four prior impaired-driving convictions told police he slammed into another vehicle because he was trying to pee into a Budweiser can while behind the wheel, according to a probable cause affidavit.

James Howard, 53, was arrested Nov. 8 after his Chevrolet Suburban plowed into the back of a Volkswagen at an Interstate 90 exit ramp in Missoula, the affidavit, which was posted by the news site The Smoking Gun, states.

“I’m going to jail for a f–king long time,” Howard, who had been driving with a suspended license, told the arresting officer.

James Howard, 53, was arrested by law enforcement officials in Montana on the evening of Nov. 8 in Missoula. weerapat1003 – stock.adobe.com

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Van Kerkove spotted Howard holding a large Budweiser can in his right hand when he arrived at the Grant Creek Town Pump gas station just after 9 p.m. local time on Nov. 8.

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Van Kerkove also noticed that Howard had wet his pants and was alleged to have slurred his speech while his breath reeked of alcohol, according to the affidavit.

Both drivers had pulled over to the gas station in Missoula after their crash, which resulted in no injuries, the affidavit read.

Howard then moved the beer can into the center console of his vehicle, according to the document.

When Van Kerkove asked for it, Howard handed it over and said it contained urine, not suds. He told the trooper he’d rear-ended the other car while attempting to relieve himself into the can, the affidavit read.

The Volkswagen’s driver, Scott Drury, told officers he had exited I-90 and stopped at a light on North Reserve Street when he saw headlights approaching rapidly in his rearview mirror.

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He “told his girlfriend to brace for impact” before the vehicle was hit, the filing notes.

Van Kerkove reported a “strong smell of alcoholic beverage coming from Howard’s breath,” and that Howard’s speech was “slow and slurred,” according to the affidavit.


Howard was arrested after his Chevrolet Suburban plowed into the back of a Volkswagen at an Interstate 90 exit ramp in Missoula.
Howard was arrested after his Chevrolet Suburban plowed into the back of a Volkswagen at an Interstate 90 exit ramp in Missoula. Stephen Fore – stock.adobe.com

The trooper also noted that “Howard’s pants were wet with urine.”

Howard stated he had consumed one beer. He also said he had “more than a couple of DUIs” and was not supposed to be driving.

Howard did not agree to perform the walk-and-turn or one-legged-stand tests, stating, “I just can’t do it,” according to the filing.

A preliminary alcohol screening test showed Howard had a breath alcohol concentration that was more than three times Montana’s legal limit, it was alleged in the document.

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A check of Howard’s criminal record showed one impaired-driving conviction in North Dakota earlier this year as well as three others in Montana in 1994, 1995 and 2007.

Howard was arrested on charges of aggravated DUI, driving while his license was suspended or revoked and careless driving, according to the affidavit and charging information.

The Post has sought comment from Howard and Drury.



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Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 10, 2025

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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 10, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 10 drawing

10-16-29-33-69, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 10 drawing

05-07-14-16-45, Lucky Ball: 11

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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 10 drawing

03-13-37-42-44, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 10 drawing

02-16-18-31, Bonus: 06

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Montana Cash numbers from Dec. 10 drawing

02-12-27-29-34

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
  • Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
  • Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

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You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Montana energy task force tackles future power demands amid AI data center proposals

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Montana energy task force tackles future power demands amid AI data center proposals


Gov. Greg Gianforte’s Energy Task Force is looking to address growing energy needs and the potential for hyperscale artificial intelligence data centers.

Sonja Nowakowski, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality director, serves as the task force’s chair, and says the group is still in the early phases.

“Right now we’re kind of looking at problem statements and defining what barriers are out there to energy development in Montana, and then the next steps will be moving towards solutions,” said Nowakowski.

Montana is no stranger to data centers. With Atlas Power in Butte drawing 75 megawatts of computing power, Beowulf Energy in Harden drawing 100 megawatts in crypto-mining load and smaller state and private centers that draw less than five megawatts.

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But Nowakowski says the state’s power infrastructure isn’t ready for larger proposals — pointing to Sabey Data Centers proposed 250 megawatt datacenter in Butte, Beowulf Energy’s proposed 300 megawatts of data center load, and Quantica Infrastructure as high as 1,000 megawatts in Yellowstone County.

“We know that NorthWestern’s balancing authority isn’t really set up to deal with that. We have to make some moves and some changes if projects like that are going to move forward and be viable and so that’s why we’re having these hard conversations,” said Nowakowski.

Nowakowski says the state is discussing innovative uses of geothermal and nuclear power to increase supply, but says everything is on the table including wind, solar, coal, natural gas and enhanced hydro, which are already in use.

“It wholeheartedly has to be some of the all of the above, with a recognition though, that you’re going to have some of that baseload thermal power potentially, unless we’re going to make this big transition into nuclear,” said Nowakowski.

Nowakowski says the state and region have been slow to move toward new generation, due to efficiency gains and lack of economic demand growth. But the task force hopes to pivot toward rapidly increasing generation.

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“We haven’t done that in 30 years at least or 40 years even, where we’ve been on that incline where we are building generation and we’re recognizing all that comes with that,” said Nowakowski.

Nowakowski says mitigating generation and transmission are critical to the task force’s discussion, but solutions aren’t short-term projects.

“How we make sure we protect Montana’s ratepayers Have those hard conversations and then have the larger broader conversation about how do we quicken some of these timelines? What steps can we as government take to facilitate Private market discussions that move these projects along a little bit more quickly,” said Nowakowski.

The task force will provide detailed reports to Gianforte in September 2026 and January 2027.



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Great Falls woman competing for ‘Ms Wheelchair America’ title

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Great Falls woman competing for ‘Ms Wheelchair America’ title


Great Falls resident Liz Alford was recently selected as Ms. Wheelchair Montana. The national program is not a beauty pageant; it focuses on elevating the voices of women with disabilities and empowering them to advocate within their communities.

“It’s a chance to educate and advocate within our state,” Alford said. “I wanted to make change not just for myself, but for others.”

Madison Collier reports – watch the video here:

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Great Falls woman competing for ‘Ms Wheelchair America’ title

Alford, who has an incomplete spinal cord injury, says accessibility issues in Montana are far more common than many people realize. Something as simple as a cracked sidewalk, tight doorway, or blocked parking access line can make everyday tasks significantly harder, and often impossible for wheelchair users.

“If the sidewalks are messed up and you can’t get into certain businesses… suddenly you’re not independent anymore,” she said.

Alford shared one example from a recent doctor’s appointment: someone parked on the striped access lines next to her van, leaving no space for her wheelchair ramp to deploy. She couldn’t get into her vehicle until staff helped move it.

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“That one small decision can trap us,” she said. “Education would make a huge difference.”

Shyla Patera, Policy and Peer Coordinator for North Central Independent Living Services, says the disability community has been raising concerns for years.

“Sometimes accessible projects don’t become reality quickly,” Patera said. “Lack of sidewalks forces many of us into the street.”

She adds that accessibility is not simply a convenience; it’s a civil right guaranteed under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

“People with disabilities have the civil right to live in and access their community,” she said.

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As Ms. Wheelchair Montana, Alford hopes to spark more conversations and real changes throughout the state. Some of her goals include:

  • Improving sidewalks and downtown accessibility
  • Expanding accessible parking spaces
  • Advocating for more disability education in schools

She says the heart of her mission is restoring independence.

“If I can help people get even a little bit of independence back, that’s all I want,” Alford said.

Alford will represent Montana at the Ms. Wheelchair America national competition next August. Until then, she plans to travel the state, work with local leaders, and continue building a program Montana hasn’t had in more than 30 years.

Her message is simple: Make Montana accessible.

You can follow Alford on Facebook.

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