Montana
Service door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says
The French owner of the Swiss bar where 40 people died in a fire during new year celebrations has told investigators a service door had been locked from the inside.
Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Constellation bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, was taken into custody on Friday, as prosecutors investigated the tragedy.
Most of the 40 people who died were teenagers, and another 116 people were injured.
Moretti told the Valais public prosecutor’s office that he had found out about the locked door just after the deadly fire.
When he arrived at the scene, he forced open the door, according to excerpts from police reports published by several French and Swiss media outlets confirmed to AFP by a source close to the case.
Moretti said he had found several people lying behind the door after opening it.
Initial findings suggest the fire was caused by sparklers coming into contact with soundproofing foam installed on the ceiling of the establishment’s basement.
Questions are also being raised regarding the presence and accessibility of fire extinguishers, and whether the bar’s exits were in compliance with regulations.
No safety inspections at site of Swiss bar fire for past five years, mayor says
“We always add a sparkler candle when we serve a bottle of wine in the dining room,” said his wife and co-owner, Jessica, who was released after Friday’s hearing.
Moretti told investigators he had carried out tests and the candles were not powerful enough to ignite the acoustic foam.
He said he bought the foam in a DIY store and installed it himself during renovations carried out after buying the establishment in 2015.
Regarding the presence of numerous underage kids in the bar at the time of the tragedy, Moretti said the establishment prohibited anyone under the age of 16 and that customers aged 16 to 18 had to be accompanied by an adult.
He said he had given these “instructions” to the security staff, but acknowledged that “it is possible that there was a lapse in protocol”.
The couple is suspected of “negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson”.
The Forest Service’s decision to move its headquarters back to the West is gathering some expressions of support, with the plan to shut down the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., and relocate to Salt Lake as soon as next year.
But a lot of questions remain over how that will affect Region 1, the oldest of the Forest Service regions and a legacy in Western Montana for more than a century.
The transition to a “state model” will mean the closure of the regional office at Fort Missoula. However, the agency says an operations center will stay in Missoula, along with research functions, like the Fire Science Lab. Local offices for land management, recreation, and fire protection aren’t expected to see changes.
But the change has been on the minds of Missoula leaders since the proposal was first made last year. Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis told me previously that the city is concerned about losing some high-paying jobs.
“We value our Forest Service employees in the way that that organization and agency has contributed to the culture of Montana and in Missoula and in particular.”- Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis
Mayor Andrea Davis; Dennis Bragg photo
Mayor Davis says it’s also going to be critical for the Forest Service to maintain a presence in Missoula to help with fire safety concerns in a warmer climate.
“Obviously, we’re very fortunate in Missoula to be living next to the largest contiguous wilderness in the Lower 48 states,” Davis observed. “And we all know that with increasing temperatures and increasing wildfire risk, wildfire management and wildfire science are essential to the health of our communities, and we rely on the Forest Service for that.”
Bye-bye to the “Border Road”
One of the most iconic backroads in Montana is set to close this summer, with the Trump Administration announcing the short route known as the “Border Road” will be shut down in July.
The road stretches for 9 miles right along the Montana-Canadian border east of the Coutts-Sweet Grass crossing, and has served both Montana and Canadian ranchers for generations. It’s a symbol of the peaceful, “open border” and is actually maintained by Alberta’s Warner County.
But the BBC is reporting Warner County officials are preparing to build a replacement on the northern side after learning the route will close. That’s expected to cost nearly $6 million. There’s been no comment from DHS on the decision.
Supreme Court rejects Gianforte tax suit request
The Montana State Supreme Court won’t take expedited action in that fight over property tax reform.
Last month, Governor Gianforte had asked for the justices to make an expedited ruling in the fight with some conservative GOP lawmakers, who claimed SB 542 violates the Montana Constitution.
Gianforte had said the suit could derail plans for $95 million in rebates and skew property tax rates.
But the Daily Montana is reporting all the justices ruled against the request, saying the Governor hadn’t provided proof of the urgency for stepping into the case, which is filed in Gallatin County.
Family help as SNAP changes
While parts of Montana continue to adjust to the SNAP changes of the past year, including the state’s decision to cut off “junk food and sugary drinks” this week, JD Knite reports some families are finding that another state program is a source of help.
Montana’s Top 10 Warmest Aprils since 1895
Montana’s Top 10 Warmest Aprils since 1895 according to NOAA
Gallery Credit: Chris Wolfe
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Friends cheer as former Livingston woman makes history aboard Artemis II moon mission
Friends cheer as Livingston native makes history aboard Artemis II moon mission
BILLINGS – Artemis II is now more than 43,000 miles from Earth, continuing its 10-day mission around the moon and back.
The four-person crew includes Christina Koch, who will become the first woman to ever orbit the moon.
Koch also once lived in Livingston. Friends and students back in Montana gathered to watch Wednesday’s launch, which aims to test life-support systems ahead of future lunar landings.
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Authorities investigating after Shepherd mother says 6-year-old vaped on school bus
Authorities investigating after Shepherd mother says 6-year-old vaped on school bus
SHEPHERD – Law enforcement is investigating after a 6-year-old brought a nicotine vape onto a Shepherd school bus, used it, and shared it with another student.
The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office initially charged the child’s guardian with endangering a child.
Those charges have now been dropped as prosecutors review the case.
School officials are now working with law enforcement on what parents are calling a disturbing trend.
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Drivers trapped for hours after semi crashes shut down I-90 near Columbus
Multiple semi crashes shut down Interstate 90 traffic near Columbus
COLUMBUS – The latest wave of winter-like spring weather caused major problems on Interstate 90 on Wednesday, with similar conditions on the way.
Several semi crashes led to a highway closure between Big Timber and Columbus.
All was clear by Wednesday afternoon and no one was hurt, but the incidents led to long waits at truck stops on both ends of the closure.
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Billings Forecast Wednesday evening Apr 1, 2026
Watch Montana This Morning
Q2 Montana This Morning with Hailey Monaco 4-2-26
LAVINA— Sheep grazing has been helping bee populations thrive at a Lavina sheep and cattle ranch.
Entomologist Hayes Goosey, who works as the Montana State University Extension forage specialist, said grazing reveals dirt patches, where bees can dig nests.
Watch how sheep are part of a bigger picture:
Montana Ag Network: Research finds sheep grazing benefits bees
He studied sheep and cattle grazing effects on the environment at Lehfeldt Land and Livestock in Lavina.
“Most bees are solitary, and they nest in the soil, and they need bare patches of ground to identify nest locations. And so periodic grazing then opens up that canopy of that detritus and gives native bees places to nest,” said Goosey.
Abi Saeed/ MSU Extension
“We found greater numbers of bees associated with areas where cattle grazing was present compared to places where a long-term idling or lack of grazing had been the dominant land management for about a decade,” he added.
Grazing also balances animal populations that have been there for years.
“To maintain historically what the range looked like, it requires grazing at varying levels,” added Goosey.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
Fifth-generation rancher Ben Lehfeldt, whose property Goosey studied, said taking care of sheep is a lot of work, but it is worth it.
“Sheep, cattle, agriculture, the whole is essential to the whole wildlife picture. Everything works together,” said Lehfeldt.
This week, Lehfeldt is working with a team of five shearers, two wool handlers and his family to shear 2,000 sheep, producing 20,000 pounds of wool.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
“It just kind of gives them a fresh start for the year to grow that coat,” said Lehfeldt.
Shearing sheep is also an important step before lambs are born because sheared sheep will be more likely to seek shelter during bad weather, meaning lambs will get the shelter they need too.
“If they had a big coat on, they wouldn’t want to go to a shelter if it’s raining. That lamb needs protection. So now… when they feel that rain, they’ll head and take their lamb for protection,” said Lehfeldt.
Vanessa Willardson/Q2
Working hard to maintain sheep populations in Montana, such as the work behind sheep shearing, contributes to a bigger picture.
“Not only does it help with the sheep and the grazing, but it also adds to the environment and the wildlife and the insects as a whole,” added Lehfeldt.
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