Montana
Montana man reported to be killed in bear attack died by homicide in ‘a vicious attack’
A man was found dead in a tent in Montana in a case of apparent homicide and not a bear attack as initially reported.
Shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday, a caller reported “discovering a deceased male in a tent” approximately 2.5 miles up Moose Creek Road, north of Big Sky about 150 miles west of Billings, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Tuesday.
“The caller indicated that the death may have been caused by a bear attack,” the news release said.
Multiple agencies, including the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and U.S. Forest Service responded to the incident. However, an FWP officer with expertise in bear attacks “did not find any signs of bear activity at the scene,” the news release said, prompting investigators to “treat the case as a homicide.”
The victim was identified as Dustin Mitchell Kjersem, 35, of Belgrade, Montana.
Further evidence, including an autopsy indicated the incident to be a homicide, authorities said. Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer, at a news conference Wednesday, said the autopsy showed the victim sustained “multiple chop wounds,” including to his skull. While authorities do not have an exact idea of the weapon used, Springer said it was “hard enough to cause significant damage to the “skull as well as some flesh areas.”
“This incident was a vicious attack, and detectives are working hard to develop and track down leads,” the news release said.
Victim last seen two days before
Kjersem was found dead by his friend in a tent at a makeshift campsite, after he went searching for Kjersem when he didn’t show up as per their plan on Friday, Springer said at the news conference. The friend was the one who called and alerted 911, telling responders the death appeared to have been caused by a bear attack, Springer said.
Kjersem was last seen in the afternoon on Oct. 10, authorities said, and was driving a black 2013 Ford F-150 with a black topper and a silver aluminum ladder rack. Detective Nate Kamerman said Kjersem was in contact with people Thursday afternoon as he drove up to the campsite, where service is limited, adding he was missing between Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning.
Kamerman said Kjersem’s tent was well-kept and had “lots of equipment” in it, indicating he had planned to spend the weekend with his friend there and had set it all up.
‘A skilled tradesman and a loving father’
Speaking at the press conference, Kjersem’s sister Jillian Price requested the community to step forward and help determine her brother’s killer. Price said Kjersem, who was born in Bozeman and worked all over the Gallatin Valley, was a skilled tradesman and a loving father.
“I asked our community to please find out who did this,” Price said. “There is someone in our valley who is capable of truly heinous things.”
Authorities seek public assistance
No suspects have been identified or arrested and Springer said the remote location of the crime scene made the investigation more challenging than most cases.
Authorities have requested anyone with information on the case or with game or trail cameras in the area to “please come forward” and contact the sheriff’s office at 406-582-2121 or via email at detectives@gallatin.mt.gov.
“Even the smallest detail could be crucial to the investigation,” the sheriff’s office said Wednesday. “Your assistance is invaluable, and all information is greatly appreciated.”
The sheriff’s office also warned residents and visitors to remain vigilant in they are out in the woods and alert authorities immediately if they observe any suspicious activity.
“People have asked me if there’s a threat to this community and the answer is we don’t know,” he said. “We don’t have enough information to know at this time, but we do know that someone was out there who killed someone in a very heinous way.”
“No information is too small,” Springer said. “If there’s something, please call us.”
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Montana
Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Nov. 16, 2025
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 16, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Nov. 16 drawing
03-11-26-32-45, Lucky Ball: 02
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Nov. 16 drawing
10-13-17-27, Bonus: 11
Check Big Sky Bonus 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.
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.
Montana
Griz roll past Portland State to stay unbeaten – University of Montana Athletics
The Griz exploded for 35 unanswered points in the second half to put the game away early and play everyone on the travel roster as UM capped the regular season with an unblemished record on the road.
“Our guys got after it today. It was good. I’m excited with the way we played. I thought all three phases played well today,” said Hauck.
“Tonight was our night, and it was a good. We’re excited to come here, get to 11-0, for the fourth time in school history in all these years of Griz football.”
The Grizzly defense was the difference, picking off five Vikings passes – the most in a single game in the FCS this season – and harassing the signal callers with five quarterback hurries while holding PSU under 100 rushing yards until the last five minutes of play.
The Griz entered the game with a Big Sky-best 13 interceptions on the year and having scored 59 points off turnovers so far this season. Both of those numbers ballooned against PSU, with the five picks accounting for 35 combined points.
“We got our act together defensively,” said Hauck after UM allowed EWU to hang around last week. “We gave up a few catches in the second quarter, but other than that we were pretty on the money. We played hard.”
Montana put together a complete game, keeping the pedal down for all four quarters with 42 points in the second half alone. The Grizzlies’ 63-point outburst matches their highest point total of the year against Indiana State. 63 points was also the most scored against the Vikings of an FCS team this season, and second-most only to BYU.
Montana remains undefeated at 11-0 on the year and 7-0 in Big Sky Conference play while the Vikings fall to 1-10 on the year and 1-6 in league play. The 2025 Griz are now one of just four teams in nearly 130 years of Montana football to start the year 11-0. Two of the other three teams to hit the milestone have also been coached by Bobby Hauck, with the 2007 and 2009 teams hitting the mark.
“We have a structured, detailed, and mature, competitive guys,” said Hauck. “These guys, they want to win, they believe in their coaches and they listen. And I think that’s probably why we’re fortunate to win.”
Hauck also made some personal history against PSU as well with his 86th career Big Sky Conference win. He’s now the all-time conference leader in both overall wins (149) and league wins (86) in his 14 seasons at the helm in Missoula.
The win sets up a titanic battle against No. 3 Montana State, with a potential Big Sky title at stake in the 124th Brawl of the Wild game next week in Missoula.
“This is going to be a big game,” Hauck said. “As big as it gets in FCS football and in all of college football next week.”
Portland State took advantage of an early Grizzly miscue to get on the board first. Viking kicker Mathias Uribe squibbed the opening kickoff, and it bounced off a Grizzly chest before PSU scooped up the loose ball for a turnover on the opening play.
Two plays later, QB Tyrese Smith pulled the handoff and ran up the middle for the opening score and the Vikings went up 7-0 after less than a minute to play.
Montana’s defense then set up the offense for its first score of the day when TJ Rausch picked off John-Keawe Sagapolutele for Montana’s 14th interception of the season and returned into Viking territory to swing the momentum back with the Grizzlies.
Two plays later Ah Yat found Wortham for a connection along the right sideline for a 23-yard gain that set up Gillman for his 15th rushing TD of the season from three yards out and it was a 7-7 tie ballgame halfway through the first quarter.
Montana struck again in the first period when Gillman burst through the A gap and found nothing but green in front of him, sprinting 60 yards untouched for his second score of the game, and the Griz ended the period up 14-7.
The score also bumped Gillman up in the record books, passing Hall of Famer Yohance Humprey to move into third on UM’s all-time rushing touchdown list with the 44th of his career.
Montana’s increased pressure on the QB led to more points in the second quarter. Micah Harper got his hands on a Smith pass for UM’s second interception of the day and was off to the races before being tripped up in PSU territory.
The takeaway would again lead to offense in a short order as Ah Yat pulled a handoff and sprinted around left tackle for Montana’s third score of the day, putting the Grizzlies up 21-7.
The Vikings would add a field goal just before halftime, however, as UM went into the locker room with a two-score lead up 21-10, with the home team slated to receive the second half kickoff after winning the coin toss and deferring to start the game.
But it was defense to offense again to start the second half as the former Viking Peyton Wing intercepted a Smith pass across the middle at the 36 and returned it all the way to the PSU two-yard line for Montana’s third interception of the day.
Soon after, Ah Yat found freshman Brooks Davis wide open in the end zone and Montana jumped out to a 28-10 lead early in the second half.
The defense again went back to work and again it was Rausch with Montana’s fourth and the senior from Missoula’s second interception of the day three plays into the PSU drive that set up more scoring for the Griz.
UM capitalized on the pick one play later when Ah Yat had his second-straight passing touchdown, this time finding tight end Josh Gale open along the left sideline for a 27-yard touchdown pass that put the Griz up 35-10 with more than 13 minutes to play.
After some defensive back and forth, Montana struck again and extended the lead, capping a five play, 70-yard drive with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Ah Yat to Stevie Rocker Jr. – the first TD catch of his career. The score put the Griz up 42-10 with still five minutes left to play and 21 points on the board in the third quarter alone.
Montana’s short fields had been keeping the Grizzly offense from racking up big numbers, putting 42 points on the board but having run just 41 total offensive plays late in the third quarter.
Montana’s defense got its fifth pick late in the game when Cy Stevenson was Jhonny on the spot to haul in a tipped pass deep in PSU territory to again set up the offense with primo field position.
UM kept the pedal down when the backups came in with Jake Jensen throwing the first touchdown pass of his career, connecting with Korbin Hendrix on a 25-yard fade to put UM up 56-10 with just under 10 minutes to play.
A touchdown pass from Jake Jensen to Korbin Hendrix added to the scoreline, and the first career TD run for true freshman Hashim Jones completed the scoring blitz for the Grizzlies.
Montana
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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