Hello again, it's time for the news. Police need your help to find a woman before she cleans out her victim's bank account. We'll tell you what to look for.
It's a picture as old as the system itself. Mailman comes to your door, dog chases him out of the yard.
I'm Joe LaPage in the newsroom. I'll tell you why the post office is trying to take a bite out of delivery.
Some kids in Conrad win a nationwide contest. I'm Lindsay Mailman. Coming up, I'll show you why they were hot-dogging it today.
Improving weather as we talk about the Memorial Day weekend. Charlie Heidenweather, Central, I've got a great forecast in a bit.
Plus, Jason Walker with an exclusive report on set-up for the Academy of Country Music Awards, all the way from Sin City.
We'll see just how much trouble Jay Walk is getting into. That's straight ahead. The news starts now.
Now, live from Great Falls, Casey Kelley, Charlie Height with weather, Chris Nettleton on sports.
Just you watch. This is ABC5 News.
5.30 in Great Falls, time for news. I'm Casey Kelley. Here's your top story for tonight. A lesson in remembering to lock your car door.
Police are looking for a woman in connection with a string of stolen checks.
Detective Larry Brooks of the Great Falls PD says this woman got the checkbook and an entire wallet after a Great Falls woman left her car unlocked and her purse was stolen.
She didn't even know it was missing until a friend of hers who works at the Brick Casino recognized the victim's ID when this woman tried to cash one of the checks.
In all, the suspect has hit seven casinos, cashing in on more than just chips, then trying to spend the money on games.
Great Falls police say she'll be charged with felony forgery and theft. They're also looking for a man who's been with her on the spending spree.
Here's a look at their descriptions. The woman is a Native American with brown hair. She's in her 20s or 30s and is about 5'7".
In their surveillance videos, she's wearing glasses. The man wanted for questioning is a white male. He's six feet tall and weighs around 170 pounds.
He has long hair and has been seen wearing it in a ponytail.
If you have any information, please ask you call Detective Brooks at 455-8401.
Today kicks off an annual campaign urging adults and kids to buckle up.
Thousands of law enforcement agencies are partnering up with the National Highway Traffic Association to enforce seatbelt law and educate the public.
Several members of the community held a media event today showing the partnership between law enforcement and several other agencies to help increase seatbelt awareness.
The goal of the campaign? To save lives and reduce the risk of injury and cost resulting from accidents where victims aren't using their seatbelts.
It is extremely important. We have an opportunity here, not only in Montana, but at the national level, to save lives and to show that this kind of educational effort can make a difference.
After last year's campaign, there was a 2% increase in seatbelt use. Montana recently passed a bill requiring kids under the age of six weighing 60 pounds or less to be in a booster seat when riding in a car.
3,070. That's how many letter carriers were bitten by dogs in the U.S. last year.
May 18th through the 24th has been deemed National Dog Bite Prevention Week to raise bite awareness.
Joe LaPage has been researching this story. He joins us from the newsroom. Joe.
Cased this past year 164 people, not just male carriers, experienced dog bites.
Alarmingly, this spring already seven letter carriers had been bitten, including one on Saturday, more than double the total number from 2002.
We told you dog bites just don't affect postal workers. In fact, children rank number one for dog bite injuries, followed by the elderly and then male carriers.
According to the Humane Society, of the 44 people who died because of a dog attack between 99 and 02, more than half were under the age of 12.
The post office says preventing dog bites is a major public safety and health issue and it's important for dog bite prevention to have its own awareness week.
Whenever you have one week, people tend to focus on it and anytime that there's a focus, you get a little bit more attention from the people.
And because dog bite affects so many people, it affects not only letter carriers, but they also affect all of your other utility people who would come to your home.
Dog bites in general affect most people.
Tomorrow, ABC 5 is going to get a first-hand look at dogs versus mailmen.
We're going out with a couple of postal workers as they go out to do their business and complete their routes.
But we should emphasize that it's not just mailmen and women who are directly affected by dog bites. It's everyone.
Tomorrow we'll tell you what steps to take to take care of your dog and to prevent dog bites as well.
Casey.
And I'm sure news reporters aren't off limits, are they either, Joe?
Absolutely.
Alright.
If you've got kids, you say it all the time. Look both ways before you cross the street.
Now some Great Falls residents don't have to worry about that anymore.
It's just a sign now, but the members of the Heron Park Development Committee are taking steps to make the 7.2 open plot of land much more.
The Heron Park project has been broken up into three phases.
Part one includes a sprinkler system, grass, landscaping, and a walking path. That's nearly complete.
So far the committee has raised just over $30,000, but they need more.
A swing set that will have benches. It'll have a path so the local people can walk around the path there and get their exercise.
It'll have a picnic table that'll have a cover over it.
Swing sets for the kids to play on and a safe park for the kids to have fun in.
If you'd like to make a donation to the Heron Park Fund, contact Darla Deck at the number on your screen.
Please keep in mind the Heron Park Committee isn't just asking for money.
What if someone gave you $10,000 to sing the Oscar Mayer Weiner song? Sound tempting?
That's what the fourth graders at Prairie View Elementary in Conrad thought. So they entered the National Schoolhouse Jam Contest and won.
Lindsay Mammon took a trip out to Conrad where a special surprise was waiting for the kids.
Casey Vampp, fourth graders were very excited. Not only did they get a check, but they got to see the inside of the Wienermobile, which took a trip to Conrad.
Oscar Mayer Weiner, that is what I truly like to be.
Oscar Mayer has made stars out of lots of little kids for performing their signature song, and even you may have hummed it a time or two.
The fourth graders at Prairie View Elementary decided to try their luck at show business and enter the Schoolhouse Jam Contest.
As the winners for Montana, they got a visit from the Wienermobile and a check for $10,000.
Our teacher, she was looking at a magazine and she saw the article, yeah, and she asked Ms. McCrae if she wanted to do it, and she asked us too and we said yeah.
Today they performed the winning song.
Oscar Mayer, that is what I truly like to be.
Kids were surprised when they heard the news.
I never knew that could happen.
They were just screaming. They were so excited.
We did a dance. We danced for probably 30 minutes in music class, just danced.
If you ask the kids what their favorite hot dog is, this is what they'll tell you.
Oscar Mayer Weiner.
There were 1,200 schools all across the nation that participated, and one was taken from each state, of course, and that would be Prairie View and Conrad.
Now the $10,000 would go towards the music programs at Prairie View.
The grand prize winner, $20,000 was in Arkansas, so I'm sure that both schools, all schools, will be able to spend that money no problem.
Especially with some education funding down this year.
Oh definitely.
It is one of those little ditties that just gets stuck in your head.
That's what I said.
Definitely. Everyone knows that song.
Everyone does know it, and tonight all of our viewers are going to be coming in again.
Alright, Lizzie, thanks.
Quite a different picture out there today from yesterday.
Let's check in with Charlie in the Weather Center to see how the differences compare.
Charlie.
You see we are some 15 degrees warmer today than we were yesterday when the high was a 36.
Today we turned it at 50 W, and the weather finally catching up with the calendar as we are going to have spring by the end of the week.
Let's take a look at some current conditions right now.
57 at Haver, also in Missoula for the warm spot.
Butte coming in with a 46.
We're at 50 in Great Falls, and by the end of the week, temperatures hang on into the 80s.
Yes.
Alright, Charlie, thanks.
Country music fans, listen up.
The countdown is on for the best of the best to face off in Las Vegas, crowning this year's winners of the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Jason Walker joins us right after the break with exclusive scenes as the stars warm up their voices and their instruments.
Coverage you'll find only on ABC 5 News.
We'll be back in a flash.
The amazing thing about kids is that they're so creative.
Give them a little time alone or with their siblings and they'll come up with all sorts of interesting ways to express themselves.
Every artist, musician, and poet started off as a kid who was inspired to use their imagination.
Help your children express themselves through the arts, and they can explore the most interesting place of all, their imaginations.
Brought to you by the Montana Refining Company, keeping Montana resources local.
ABC 5's continuing coverage of the 38th Academy of Country Music Awards from Las Vegas rolls on.
Jaywalk is there and begins his look at this year's nominees, plus a surprise visit from one of their performers.
When you watch an award show on TV, all you see is the finished product.
What you may not realize is that rehearsals actually begin Sunday night for a Wednesday night performance,
and this afternoon Keith Urban and Wynonna did their rehearsing.
And right after Wynonna got done offstage, I had a chance to ask her about her involvement with charities including St. Jude,
and her nomination for Humanitarian of the Year.
I've just been involved as a person who really feels helpless.
I can sing, but who am I offstage? And so I got involved, and now all of a sudden this award feels very strange.
Brooks and Dunn, Lone Star and Wynonna are all nominated for Humanitarian of the Year, but right now we start our look at the nominees, top female vocalist.
But kicking off our list is the first of our neighbors to the north.
The Minnesota Star Tribune has called Terry Clark's latest album, Pain to Kill, a triumphant return to stardom, and they are right on.
Her fifth album could be her biggest, and an ACM trophy would look great on her mantle.
The second lady nominated grew up in Timmins, Ontario, but has since moved to Switzerland, had a baby boy named Asia.
She's broken records with her album sales, a three-time ACM winner including Entertainer of the Year, Shania Twain.
I just want someone to remember me.
Leanne Womack is also nominated with Willie Nelson for Vocal Event of the Year, but a female vocalist win here would solidify her as one of the best.
Could you cry a little?
Tim McGraw calls himself the luckiest man on earth, and not too many would argue with him.
His wife has helped bridge the gap between country and pop music. Her latest album, Breathe, has put her on top of the charts and in the hearts of many, there's Faith Hill.
And last but certainly not least is a little lady from Kansas with a big voice.
She got her start selling t-shirts for Garth Brooks, but has proven herself among the big names. The multi-platinum star is my pick to win the Female Vocalist Trophy.
And Martina McBride also the answer to tomorrow morning's trivia question on the Max Country Morning Show.
Be listening with Scott Hershey, a Max Country 94.5 for your chance to win a great prize package. Jason Walker, ABC5 Entertainment, Las Vegas.
ABC5's coverage of the ACMs is brought to you locally in Helena by The Leather Store.
Jason Walker having a little too much fun. Coming up at 10, he previews the male vocalist nominees. We'll take a look then.
Charlie's just over the horizon with a look at how the weather week is shaping up and a weight loss miracle in a patch. Is it possible? We'll take a look in Health Beat.
You're watching ABC5 News. Stay with us.
A new across from Walmart. Charlie, a record low for us this morning with tides warmed up pretty nice. Tied the record low this morning. I thought we were looking for a new record, but we came in at 30 degrees. Tied the record in 1997.
Butte new record low this morning, 22 degrees, eclipse the old mark of 23 in 1997. So definitely some chilly air over the weekend and four inches of snow here in Great Falls.
That wasn't a shock when I woke up for church Sunday morning. I laid low. I felt like the Maytag repairman yesterday. I was the loneliest guy in town. I didn't venture too far.
Four hundredths of an inch precipitation in Lewistown since midnight trace here in Great Falls in Helena. But the good news is 80s by the weekend. Yes. I won't be here this weekend though, so you'll have to enjoy them for me. I will enjoy them for you.
Let's take a look at the time lapse afternoons. It would be got we have mostly sunny skies over Great Falls. Did have some morning snow in the city around five o'clock. But again, high pressure came in and scooted all that precipitation out into the Dakotas.
And even some snow in the Black Hills of South Dakota this afternoon. What it all means, it means warmer temperatures headed our way with that high pressure.
Light winds also daytime high temperatures will continue to increase through the week, eventually reaching the 80s by Friday. A few clouds, maybe a mountain sprinkle Tuesday night. Highest tomorrow 50s and 60s. So indeed enjoy it.
Nice temperatures right now for Great Falls. We're at 50. Sunshine. Southeast wind at nine. Relative humidity 33 percent. Dew point 22. Rising barometer at 30.46 inches of mercury.
103 degrees. That was at noon time today at Wink Texas. So we'll have indeed some triple digits in the Lone Star State. 12 this morning. Rusty Yellowstone captured the nation's low temperature. It was a chilly morning with the high pressure coming in.
Cold front right through here in Goodland, Kansas this afternoon. It was 49 degrees. On the other side in Coffee, Kansas it was 79. So you can see the difference. Thunderstorms all the way up into Minnesota.
Anoka, Cambridge, Glencoe all picking up some thunderstorms today. 1.2 inches of rain in Litchfield, Minnesota gets the Soggy City Award. Thunderstorms down in Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Florida.
Continues. They got some flooding problems in the peninsula of Florida. Also Alabama because of the saturated ground. Flash flood warnings are out for Alabama and also Florida.
Precipitation of Montana. Little bit. You can see this morning this is the last eight hour loop in southeastern Montana up in the northeastern corner. Pretty much done now. Everything over into the Dakotas.
And we're talking some warm temperatures. 30 tonight. Cut bank. 35 tomorrow night. Look at a 60. Then a 65. Hardly any winds and hardly any precipitation.
Less tomorrow night. That one's about 10 percent. 34 for Haver. 4 tonight. 38 tomorrow night. Look at a 65 and a 70 on Wednesday. Lewistown in the mix. 32 tonight. 35 tomorrow night.
Look at a 61 and a beautiful 65 on Wednesday. For Glasgow though, they got a chance of a record low tonight with that 28. 39 tomorrow night. Look at a 63. Then a 71 on Wednesday.
And Helena tonight. 34 tomorrow night. A 38. Look at a 66 and a 70 on Wednesday. And Thursday, Friday, even better. 32 tonight. Great Falls. Dry. We'll have some light winds. Enjoy.
Tomorrow partly cloudy. A 62. Goose eggs for precipitation. And again light winds. Tomorrow night. 36. Maybe a mountain sprinkle. Just a 10 percent chance light winds.
And on Wednesday, 68. No rain or snow and light winds. Look at the futurecast. A few clouds coming in from that system parked off the coast right now.
That's about it. Maybe a sprinkle or two along the Rocky Mountain front Tuesday night. Takes us through Wednesday at about 5 o'clock. The extended outlook.
Here we go. Smiles a mile wide as we look at temperatures moving into the 80s. Friday, Saturday. A little cooler though. Sunday and the Memorial Day observance on Monday.
Good day to have off though, Hunter. Yes, it will be. All right. Thanks.
This health feed is brought to you by the Apothecary Drugstore. Nicotine patches have helped smokers kick the habit for years.
Now there's one for birth control. But can they really help people lose weight? Elizabeth Kellan has the skinny on the so-called fat patch.
Could it really be this easy? Look at these websites selling fat patches. They say put it on and burn the fat.
The miracle you've been waiting for. Lose two to four pounds per week.
What's nice about the diet patch is that you can just put it on your skin. It's easy to use. No pills, no dieting.
So do these things really work? The patches contain seaweed and herbs. Many claim they stimulate the thyroid to boost metabolism.
We showed these websites to Jim Hill, a nutrition and weight loss expert at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Putting a patch on isn't going to help you lose weight. People are wasting their time and their money on products that aren't going to give them success.
Hill says people should be careful about taking products that claim to affect the thyroid.
I would be very leery of taking something that affected my thyroid because it's equally likely it can affect it in a bad way.
You want to go ahead and try the patch? Carla Jarrett runs a company that sells patches.
She and other people who sell these patches point to a study they say shows the patch works and is safe.
But no one we asked could actually show us a published copy of the study or lead us to the doctor who wrote it.
Usually finding the author of a medical study is easy, but in this case when we tried to locate the doctor we couldn't find him or any trace of him.
Another company, which has since stopped running this ad, says other studies show their patch works when used as part of their four part program that includes diet and exercise.
Hill says it's the diet and exercise that work, not the patch.
It's not easy. It's hard work. It takes time and it takes consistency.
A message it seems Americans would rather not hear.
Judging by the proliferation of patches, they'd rather hear about the quick, the easy, and the effortless.
Elizabeth Cohen, CNN Atlanta.
To learn more about the fat patch, just check out WeightLoss.com.
So Chris, summer is pretty much upon us now, almost.
For the most part, yes.
And that means swimming, swimming pools.
Yes, for some reason the swimming pools always come up for the summer. What's that all about?
Winter I wouldn't think it'd be a combination.
Well, you know, some people do it, those crazy people that jump into the frozen lakes.
Polar bears?
Yeah, something like that. Those random people. But anyway.
There is a point to that.
Yes, there is a point, I swear.
We're talking about the importance of teaching young people how to swim.
Right.
And also, the Frontier Conference may let a few more things slide next season. We'll tell you why the few zebras may become extinct next season.
KBC 5 Sports is next.
The Fierce and Superstar Memorial Day countdown liquidation tale is going on now.
We're burning the blue book on used car, trucks, and van so we can lower the prices like never before.
Over 400 pre-owned vehicles will be at what giant location for you to select from.
And every weekend during the sale you can join us for a barbecue.
Hey, where's the beef?
No beef, just great prices on pre-owned vehicles.
Hey, this barbecue's out of control.
This'll cool you off, sonny.
Our gigantic liquidation tale at the fairgrounds. Don't miss it!
Good news for cheaters. They could be getting away with more next year.
That is, if the Frontier Conference passes a new cost-cutting proposal that would reduce the number of officials at the men's and women's basketball games from three to just two.
Most of the Frontier Conference agrees with them, but League Supervisor of Officials Gene McMahon says he will resign if the conference passes this measure.
The presidents of each Frontier Conference school will vote on this plan during their meeting in Dillon on June 5.
It's Monday and that means every other week. It's time for the bi-monthly tip of the week from our friends at the peak.
Today we're talking about swimming and the importance of teaching young children how to stay afloat. It could save their lives.
I think that here in Montana sometimes we feel like we are landlocked, that there aren't that many bodies of water that we have to worry about.
We don't live by the ocean. We don't have that kind of a draw for our children.
But I think here in Montana we would be amazed to see the amount of water we live around.
Not only do we have pools here in the area, we have rivers that flow right through our community,
and there are many, many lakes that a lot of people recreate around in the summer times.
So I think that teaching your children to swim is probably one of the greatest gifts you can give them.
It could save their life. It could save the life of another child, possibly even their parents.
I was actually reading some information from probably one of the largest learn to swim programs called Swim America,
which is part of the USA swimming program.
And they found that of older children, especially teenage boys, drowning is second only to car accidents and accidental deaths.
And so they believe that if people commit to teaching their children to swim around between the ages of 3 and 5,
and will commit to 2 to 3 years of swimming lessons, and give their children a chance to do some endurance swimming,
that commitment could be the thing that's going to save their life later on down the line.
Our theory on swim education and on swimming is really swimming towards a better quality of life.
We have swimmers here who come in and swim laps, some of them in their 80s, and they're so committed.
And those are the people that learn to swim as children, really enjoy the sport,
and find that it really contributes to their overall health, to their aerobic fitness.
And, you know, some, I even have some swimmers here that call it their daily meditation.
We'll be right back. Stay with us.
I'm a Fortroth man. That's all I need.
It's the big 5-0 for ABC tonight, so we will join you here after the birthday bash.
Until then, have a great night. We'll see you then.
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