News Around The Big Sky: A collection of the week's top stories

Assault Alert — On Friday, the University of Montana sent out an email to students and faculty alerting them to a "possible threat to the community." The school said it had been alerted to two cases of sexual violence that occurred on or near campus on Feb. 10. Under the Clery Act, the University is required to give students and staff adequate notification of incidents of sexual violence that happen around the campus. Both women were allegedly sexually assaulted by a male acquaintance. UM has reason to believe the perpetrator is the same for both cases. The women were each allegedly forced to drink alcohol and possibly drugs before being taken to a residence near campus where the perpetrator "attempted to or did sexually assault them."

Zoo City Stats — A study by the Missoula City-County Health Department concluded that Missoula has a higher rate of suicide than anywhere in Montana, reported KPAX. The assessment also found the city's suicide rate is above the national average. The report also said child obesity in Missoula is higher than the rest of the state. The report did find, however, that Missoula had good drinking water, and with some exceptions, good air quality.

Downtown Mugging — A man was robbed in downtown Missoula early Saturday, reported the Missoulian. The individual accosted by another man on the 200 block of North Higgins Avenue around 1:30 a.m. and was told to hand over his money. After a short fight, the perpetrator ran off with the man's wallet. The victim was cut across the stomach in the altercation and was treated at the hospital.

Body Identified — Remains found in Sawmill Gulch in 2004 have been positively identified as those of a former University of Montana student, the Missoulian reported. The skull and lower jaw of John David Depatie, a pharmacy student who disappeared in 2001, were tied to him after DNA evidence was examined by the University of North Texas. In 2004, prior to the DNA testing, a Helena doctor who had examined the remains and decided they were not a match to Depatie.

Corporate Campaign Costs — The U.S. Supreme Court blocked a Montana Supreme Court ruling that limited corporate campaign spending on Friday, reported the Great Falls Tribune. In December, the Montana Supreme Court upheld the state's 1912 Corrupt Practices Act, which was enacted to limit the influence of corporations in the state's political sphere. The law was challenged on the grounds that the ruling in Citizen's United invalidated its limits on corporate spending. It is unclear if the stay issued by the U.S. Supreme Court means that it will eventually take up the case in appeal or not.

Mayor Recall in Troy — Two members of the Troy City Council have filed a petition to recall the mayor, Donald Banning, the Great Falls Tribune reported. The petition required 125 signatures to be filed. After being alerted to the existence of the petition, Banning issued an injunction blocking it from moving forward. On March 14, a judge will decide if the recall petition is legitimate. If it is upheld, a special election will occur to vote on the removal of the mayor from office.

UM Athlete Named Player of the Week — Montana sophomore Kareem Jamar has been named the Big Sky Conference men's basketball player of the week, reported the AP. Jamar recorded a triple-double, the first to happen in the league in 12 years, in the game against Hawaii on Saturday. Montana won that game 94–79.

$1.3 billion is the value of Montana's 2011 wheat crop. This amount fell short of the 2010 crop, which was valued at $1.4 billion. Flooding is blamed for a late planting season.

$3.16 is the average price for a gallon of gas in Montana. The price has been steadily increasing for several weeks, but still trails the national average by 40 cents.

7 is the number of times George Fode of Butte has been charged with a DUI. Fode was arrested on the latest charge Friday after driving recklessly down Interstate 90 with his three children and wife in the car. He also faces four counts of felony criminal endangerment.

6 hikers were rescued by a helicopter Sunday after being trapped in the Bridger Mountains overnight due to a snowstorm. The group called for help after weather conditions and avalanches made it difficult for them to get out.