Tag Archives: Big Horn County

Sheriff’s employee to be charged

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Sheriff’s employee to be charged | The Lovell Chronicle – your local online news source.

Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn announced this week that a sheriff’s dept. employee has been placed on administrative suspension as the result of an investigation into the diversion of county funds for the employee’s personal use.

Blackburn said the checks and balances system of the county grants and clerks offices noticed an anomaly in an invoice and brought it to the sheriff’s attention. An internal investigation was begun, and when sufficient probable cause had been developed that a crime had been committed, the sheriff’s office hired an independent investigator to conduct the investigation.

On Monday, an employee admitted that approximately $5,500 had been diverted from county funds when the employee allegedly created false invoices and submitted them for personal reimbursement.

Blackburn said the case will be turned over to the Big Horn County Attorney’s Office for review and formal criminal charges. Blackburn would not release the name of the suspect at this time because formal charges had not yet been filed.

“I want the public to know, first and foremost, that nobody is above the law,” the sheriff said. “I don’t care how much I like somebody or the position they hold, I will do my duty that the voters have elected me for, including prosecuting a county officer if it is warranted. Second of all, I also won’t hide the facts of any case involving my department, and when something is credible and serious, as in this case, I will be the first to bring it forward.

“I regret this black mark on the sheriff’s department and I expect the remaining officers and staff to work hard to regain the trust of the public we serve. I hope people will realize that police officers are human and they are also not exempt from the law.”

Blackburn said more information will be released when charges are filed.

“This is also a good reminder that good people make bad decisions, and it’s easy to judge from a distance, but until we’ve walked in another person’s shoes it’s difficult to understand those motives,” he said. “Nonetheless, I have a job to do, and I will do it.

“I would like to thank the county commissioners, the clerk’s office, the grants office and the county attorney’s office for their support during this investigation.”

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Museum fundraiser Sat. | The Lovell Chronicle – your local online news source

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Museum fundraiser Sat. | The Lovell Chronicle – your local online news source.

An evening of lively entertainment and home style cooking is planned for the Lovell-Kane Area Museum fundraiser to be held Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Lovell Community Center, starting at 6 p.m. Already more than 300 tickets have been sold. More tickets are available at the door for those wanting to attend the fun-filled evening and to support efforts to raise money that will be used to either obtain a building or build a new structure to house a museum offering historical artifacts and information about the area.

Poet, singer, songwriter Bret Marchant will perform his original music about events in the area, including songs about the Big Horn County Fair, the Pryor Mountain fire, Devil’s Canyon and a tune about the legendary hermit John Blue. Marchant was born in Lovell and spent his summers at the Dryhead Ranch with his grandfather, who piqued his interested in local history. Also performing with Marchant will be country western music performer Kathy Allred Leonhardt. Both Marchant and Leonhardt have roots going back to the original settlers of this area.

Bret Marchant

Mallory Estes of Deaver and Olivia Frost of Cowley will add their own unique performances to the evening’s lineup of entertainment. Frost, a third grade student from Rocky Mountain Elementary School, has already attracted local interest with recent performances at other events in the area. Frost writes and performs her own music after only one year of musical study and will debut a new song she wrote at the event. Estes is known locally for her country western style performances.

Bob Acton is cooking one of his famous pulled pork dinners. The dinner will also include baked beans, coleslaw, dessert and drinks.

Wilma Scott Terrell will be on hand to autograph a book written by her father Bill Scott entitled, “Pioneers of the Big Horn,” which was recently reprinted.

A raffle will be held for a quilt featuring old photos of Lovell, Kane, Hillsboro, the ML Ranch and other historical locations. A knife made by Wayne Spragg will also be raffled. The winner will have his or her choice of either a folding or hunting style knife.

A silent auction will include an antique gumball machine filled with antique marbles, a bear sculpture made by artist Jeff Rudolph of Cody, an 18-inch wooden Indian figurine, a collector’s stein from Germany, a beautiful watercolor painting of a horse by Betty Hubbell, Janice Fink’s homemade “krautburgers,” a unique folding wooden basket, framed old photos from the area, numerous gift baskets, gift certificates and other donated items.

Tickets for the fundraiser are $10. All proceeds will go directly to a museum building fund.

A museum board was formed in February and is working to establish non-profit status, though the organization is incorporated.

Citizens are welcome to become a member of the Lovell-Kane Area Museum organization for $10 per year. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month at the Lovell Fire Hall at 7 p.m.