News Around the Big Sky: Jan. 23-30

NEW MISSOULA FLIGHTS TO SAN FRAN

Allegiant Airlines announced that it will be adding non-stop flights from Missoula, Kalispell, Bozeman and Billings to San Francisco, Calif. The flights will start on April 27, with a special introductory price of $39.99 plus tax and certain restrictions. The Missoula flights will leave on Fridays and return on Mondays. Missoula Airport Director Cris Jensen also said that Allegiant will be unveiling direct flights to Hawaii soon. While he doesn't expect Missoula to be in the first group to receive those flights, he hopes to convince the company to bring them to Missoula in the future. Allegiant currently offers direct flights to Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas from Missoula.

TWO WOMEN DEAD, MAN ARRESTED

A man has been arrested after two women were found dead in a Billings apartment Sunday, reported the Billings Gazette. Police searched the apartment after a co-worker of one of the women called to say that she had not shown up to work and was not answering phone calls. Early Monday morning, police arrested Andrew Scott Denning, 20, charging him with two counts of deliberate homicide. The names of the victims, aged 21 and 22, have not been released.

CONVICT CAN'T KEEP HIS GUNS

The Montana State Supreme Court has ruled that a man who was convicted on three counts of attempted deliberate homicide for shooting at cars on U.S. Highway 93 in 2006 is not entitled to have his guns back, reported the Associated Press. Blaine Christopher Fadness had requested his weapons be returned to his parents to sell, rather than be sold at auction.

BUTTE JUDGE CHARGED WITH DRUG FRAUD

A Butte judge has been charged with 12 felony counts of fraudulently obtaining dangerous drugs, reported the Associated Press. Robert Lee, a Butte justice of the peace, had allegedly received multiple prescriptions for the drug methadone from several physicians and had filled each at a different pharmacy. Records show that Lee had received prescriptions from 35 physicians and pharmacies throughout 2010.

POLICE LOOKING FOR MAN SERVING SENTENCE FOR

BURGLARY, THEFT

Authorities are looking for a man who did not return to Missoula's pre-release center after leaving to look for a job, reported the Associated Press. Angelo Averill Gowdy, who is serving a three-year sentence for bail-jumping, burglary and theft, is described as white, 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, a blue hat with blue plaid squares, blue jeans, white tennis shoes and a distinctive red backpack.