The Missoulian from Missoula, Montana • 15

Missoulian, Friday, November 12, 2010 B3 MONTANA HELENA Man pleads not guilty to ax attack QWEST, CENTURYLINK Businesses likely to merge dispatchers received a call from the victim's girlfriend saying someone broke into the home and tried to kill her boyfriend with an ax, according to court documents. Wilkinson faces a charge of assault on a peace officer because he allegedly punched a sheriff's deputy in the face when authorities attempted to take him into custody. The deputy's nose was broken. Jan. 24.

Wilkinson is accused of breaking into an acquaintance's house along with his accomplice, Jacob C. Banschbach, who also has pleaded not guilty to felony charges. Banschbach allegedly pointed a rifle at the man's girlfriend and struck the man with the butt of the rifle during the attack. His trial on a charge of aggravated burglary and two counts of assault with a weapon is set for Jan. 10.

Wilkinson is accused of attacking the man with the ax, which he found in the home The male victim attempted to defend himself with a knife. The man nearly had his left thumb severed and received a deep laceration to his right forearm in the attack, according to authorities. Just after midnight on Aug. 20, law enforcement BRIEFS Friday for a due process hearing, a step in the city's disciplinary procedures. Anthony had been on paid leave since May.

In early June, St. John announced that an internal affairs investigation was under way after police commanders discovered questionable purchases. He said at the time that televisions had been ordered and not all had been found. Anthony's duties included ordering supplies and equipment. She was paid $21.59 an hour.

COMMUNITY 3:30 p.m.; World Wide Cinema, 7 p.m. YOGA, 4 p.m., Missoula Public Library, 301 E. Main St. For more information, call Rissa at 370-2918. FILM SCREENING of "Sundancing with the Muse: Heyoka Merrifield's Sacred Art Story," 7 p.m., Hamilton Performing Arts Center, Hamilton.

Tickets $12 advance, $15 at the door. For tickets and more information, go to www.sundancingwiththe muse.com. Money raised benefits the Garden of 1,000 merger and we thought they were pretty good ideas, and we've adopted almost everything they asked for," he said. Gibson said the state Department of Administration also has signed off on the merger, as the companies agreed on conditions to protect 9-1-1 emergency calling in Montana. "I think we have a lot of momentum here going," Gibson said.

"Hopefully it's pretty straightforward after this." The state PSC must decide whether to accept the various agreements on the merger and grant its final approval. A hearing on the Qwest-CenturyLink merger in Montana is scheduled to begin Nov. 22. For the merger to go forward, the two companies need approval from utility regulators in the various affected states. Qwest also has reached an agreement with Integra Telecom, which operates a local telephone "exchange" or company in Montana, stating that the merged CenturyLink -Qwest company would not change current charges for Integra to use Qwest's lines for transmitting voice or data.

Gibson said the agreement with Integra states that other local telecoms and cooperatives that buy wholesale space on Qwest or CenturyLink lines will get the same deal. Once the merger is complete, Qwest will become a wholly owned subsidiary of CenturyLink, but current services and prices will remain the same, Gibson said. It's not yet known whether the combined company will change its name, he said. The agreement with the Consumer Counsel says if any name -change occurs, affected customers will be notified. Missoulian State Buiea reporter Mike Dennison can be reached at 1-800-525-4920 or at mike.dermisonlee.net.

By MIKE DENNISON Missoulian State Bureau HELENA Qwest and CenturyLink, the two largest land-line telephone companies operating in Montana, have agreed to merger conditions endorsed by the Montana Consumer Counsel, likely paving the way for state regulatory approval of the companies' proposed merger. The proposed agreement, filed late Tuesday with the state Public Service Commission, requires the two companies to file detailed information on their cost of service in Montana no later than January 2014, so regulators can see whether rates still line up costs at that time. Until then, current telephone rates would remain in effect. "It's intended to allow us to see at that point whether their rates continue to be just and reasonable," said Mary Wright, an attorney with the Consumer Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues before the PSC. CenturyLink, based in Monroe, is proposing a $10.6 billion acquisition of Qwest, which operates in 14 states.

Qwest has about 217,000 telephone lines in Montana. CenturyLink, which operates in 33 states, has 50,000 lines in Montana, mostly in the Kalispell, Poison and Whitefish areas. A consultant hired by the Consumer Counsel said in September that without the financial filing requirements, CenturyLink and Qwest could realize substantial savings from the merger and not pass those savings on to customers in Montana. David Gibson, Montana state president for Qwest, said Wednesday the company is "very pleased that (the Consumer Counsel) is now considering this merger to be in the public interest." "The Consumer Counsel had some suggestions on the GREAT FALLS OBITUARIES By ANGELA BRANDT Independent Record HELENA -A 24 -year-old Helena man accused of attacking an acquaintance with an ax entered not guilty pleas to three charges in District Court on Wednesday. David W.

Wilkinson faces charges of aggravated assault, aggravated burglary and assault on a peace officer. A trial date is slated for Police administrator resigns after probe BILLINGS (AP) A senior administrator with the Billings Police Department has resigned as the city wrapped up an investigation into the possible misuse of city funds. City Administrator Tina Volek told the Billings Gazette that Deanna Anthony resigned Wednesday. Anthony was scheduled to meet with Police Chief Rich St. John and other city officials Government MISSOULA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: MCCC conference call, 10 a.m., Aging Services, 337 Stephens Ave.

Partnership Health Center board, noon, Health Department Conference Room, 301 W. Alder St. Public events MISSOULA PUBLIC LIBRARY, 301 E. Main St. Call 721-2665: Tiny Tales, preschool storytime, 10:30 a.m.; young adult writers' group, Patricia Ann 'Patty' Schmidt BOZEMAN Patricia Ann "Patty" Schmidt, 77, passed away Saturday, Nov.

6, 2010, surrounded by loved ones. She is remembered as energetic, warm and witty, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, family member and friend. Her gift for humor lightened the darkest situation and her generous Schmidt heart found her always eager to lend a hand or an ear. Patty had the unique ability to express her feelings in poetic form as many will remember in her novel, "Christmas Letters." Born June 8, 1933 to Myrtle and Bill Clark in Wall, S.D., Patty grew up there with five beloved siblings near the homestead of her Norwegian grandparents. Myrtle Aktepy MISSOULA Myrtle Elvina Aktepy passed away Tuesday, Nov.

9, 2010. Our beloved wife, mother and grandmother left this world to be with her lord. She was born Aug. 5, 1929, in Reeder, N.D., to parents Marion and Andrew Boe. Myrtle is survived by her husband of 60 years, Charles N.

Aktepy. Together they raised four daughters, Lynn Schmidt (Bruce) of Prescott Valley, Deann Cowart (Kim) of Missoula, Kathy Putnam (James) of Columbia Falls and Terry Aktepy of Missoula. She has five grandchildren, Breann Beverly Braach PHILIPSBURG No services will be held for Mrs. Beverly Braach, 79. Private inurnment will be held later in the Philipsburg Cemetery.

Beverly passed away Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, at Granite County Medical CenterNursing home. Beverly Jean was born in Butte on Sept. 24, 1932 to Bud and Dorothy Mirich. On Aug.

13, 1950, she Us neighbor she had hit her husband in the head with a hammer. The neighbor found the man on the living room floor, bleeding from head and facial injuries. Court records say Lotter told investigators she hit her husband "with a hammer multiple times over a period of several hours during an altercatioa." The man was airlifted to a Great Falls hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. He was listed in critical condition. Club, noon, DoubleTree Hotel, 100 Madison St.

Speaker: Andrea Montee, Montana Veterans Affairs Division. CELEBRATE RECOVERY, 6 p.m., Christian Assembly Foursquare Church, 1001 Cleveland St. For more information, call Jerry at 240-4414 or 721-6884. WESTERN MONTANA MILITARY Officers' Association, 6 p.m., DoubleTree Hotel, 100 Madison St. Cover charge $5.

Speaker: Bob Whaley, three tours in Vietnam. Bozeman. She is survived by three sisters, Evelyn (Charles) Rush of Anchorage, Alaska, Margaret "Peggy" (George) Hauk of Grindstone, S.D., and Jean (Lanny) Myers of San Jose, Calif. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Aspen Gonzalez, Collin Griffiths, Lacey Griffiths, Mykal Schmidt, Megan Schmidt, Sydney Schmidt, Shealyn Schmidt, Mariah Schmidt, Nolan Schmidt, Hunter Schmidt, Brynn Schmidt and Cameron Schmidt; three greatgrandchildren, Addy Teusink and Copper and Cord Gonzalez; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 11 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 13, at First Lutheran on Black Avenue. A private family interment will precede this service. Donations, if desired, may be made to LWML co First Lutheran Church, 225 S. Black 59715, or the Help Center, 421 E.

Peach, 59715. Memories and condolences maybe shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com. Roy is survived by his sister, Darlene Goake; his children, Ray Elmer (Tammy), Roy (Marilyn), Theresa Cox (Brian), Peggy Rayome (Ken), Dale Orsborn, and Ted and Iwa Maner; 13 grandchildren; and many greatgrandchildren. Visitation will be 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov.

14, at the Schnackenberg Nelson Funeral Home in Libby, with services at 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. DEATH NOTICES Roy 0. Hanson PLAINS Roy O. Hanson, 64, died Thursday, Nov.

11, at his home in Plains. Sunset Hills Funeral Home will announce arrangements. Every minute. Every day. Missoulian Helena woman accused of assaulting husband HELENA (AP) A 50 -year-old Helena woman is charged with aggravated assault after her husband was beaten with a hammer, suffering extensive injuries to his head and face.

The Independent Record reported Jill M. Lotter was released from jail Wednesday after posting $50,000 bond. Prosecutors say a neighbor called authorities Tuesday afternoon, when Lotter allegedly told the CALENDAR BuddhasinArlee. Organizations MISSOULA SENIOR CITIZENS, 705 S. Higgins Ave.

Call 543-7154: program committee, 9 a.m.; quitters, Wii games, 10 a.m.; tai chi, 10:30 a.m.; pinochle, 12:15 p.m.; cribbage, 12:30 p.m.; bridge, 1 p.m.; birthday party, 2 p.m.; pinochle, 7 p.m. HAMILTON SENIOR CENTER, 820 N. Fourth Hamilton. Call 363-5181: line dancing, 9:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m. FIVE VALLEYS PACHYDERM colleagues, foreign students and strangers into the family home.

She and Wyman made the Schmidt home a warm gathering place full of love, laughter and a full fridge. Mom's own struggles gave her an insightful empathy that helped many of our friends through their most difficult times with her compassionate heart. She volunteered for many years at the Crisis Help Center in Bozeman, where she employed her unique empathy and compassion to assist troubled callers. We love you, Mom; your warmth, love, wit and humor will be forever a part of each of us. Patty was preceded in death by her parents and by brothers, Bill and John Clark.

Patty is survived by her husband of 57 years, Wyman C. Schmidt of Bozeman; one daughter, Roxi (Richard) Morris of Austin, Texas; son, Carl (Marielle) Schmidt of Missoula; son, Roland (Leslie) Schmidt of Bozeman; son, Martin Schmidt of Missoula; and son, Kurt (Julie -Anne) Schmidt of Roy 0. Orsborn Sr. LIBBY Roy Ordell Orsborn 74, passed away Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010.

He was born March 23, 1936, to Barbara and Raymond C. Orsborn. He married Elvina Jean Billadeau on Jan. 3, 1957. He served in the Navy from 1954-58 and was a veteran of the Korean War.

William Hickenbottom POLSON William Hickenbottom, 77, of Poison, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010, at the VA Medical Center in Fort Harrison. Visitation will be held 9 a.m. -8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov.

16, at the Grogan Funeral Home, Poison. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will occur at Lakeview Cemetery, Poison, and a reception will follow afterward at the funeral home.

Company applies to build wind farm After graduating as salutatorian of her high school class, she attended the Black Hills Teachers College and shared her love of knowledge by teaching at a remote one-, room country schoolhouse before marrying Wyman C. Schmidt on March 1, 1953. After Wyman completed his U.S. Air Force service, she tended home and hearth while he pursued his education in Idaho, South Dakota and Montana. In 1960, they settled in Missoula, where Wyman established his career as a research scientist with the U.S.

Forest Service. Patty stayed busy raising their five children, and shared her faith through leadership in Lutheran Women's groups and as a longtime Sunday school teacher at First Lutheran Church. In 1975, Patty and Wyman moved to Bozeman, where Patty continued her active membership in the Lutheran Church. Patty, known for her warm hospitality and generous meals, welcomed hundreds of kids, friends, Silverman (Mark) of Tucson, Taylor Putnam of Columbia Falls, Cody Cowart (Krystal) of Missoula, Colin Cowart of Missoula and Cory Cowart of Missoula. Myrtle was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Marion Boe; sister, Dorothy Boe; and niece, Darlene.

Myrtle, we all love and will miss you. May you be in the arms of the lord, with eternal peace. No services are planned at this time. Donations may be made to Hospice of Missoula, or the Humane Society of Western Montana. married Clifford Braach.

Memorials can be made to the Granite County Medical CenterNursing Home, Activity Department, Philipsburg. Survivors include her sons, Joe (Ronda), Mike (Pam), Lee and Bert(Tyra) Braach; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law; and nieces and nephews. Cremation arrangements by KT Riddle Funeral Homes. Associated Press GREAT FALLS -A Chicago-based company has applied for a permit to build a $50 million, 24-megawatt wind farm southeast of Great Falls. In its application filed Wednesday, Invenergy said the project would bring an $18 million economic benefit to the area over 20 years in the form of property taxes, construction contracts and landowner royalties.

Company spokesman Mark Jacobson described the location's wind resource as "screaming," the Great Falls Tribune reported. "It's very similar to the Judith Gap wind regime," Jacobson said, referring to the company's 135-megawatt Judith Gap Wind Farm in Wheatland County. The Big Otter Wind Energy Project is proposed on 3,500 acres of leased private land just south of Belt, about 20 miles from Great Falls. The power would be shipped to an existing 100-kilovolt transmission line. The company said it has an additional 40,000 acres for future phases of the project, which it said demonstrates support from surrounding landowners.

The wind farm would create 100 jobs during construction, and up to four wind technicians would be hired to operate it. To limit the impact on views, the 400-foot-tall turbines will have tubular towers and be painted gray or off white, company officials said. It said the project would fall within the national range of bird mortalities of 2.2 birds per turbine per year, based on the company's initial analysis. Invenergy has asked that construction be allowed to begin within 18 months of the issuance of a special-use permit, rather than the usual six months. Jacobson said the start of construction will depend on whether Invenergy reaches an agreement to sell the power..