Powell County Sheriff's Office

09/29/2026

‼️UPDATE AS OF 1932 on 9/29/26 Christopher Kepler has been located and is currently in custody. Thank you to all the agencies that assisted in locating him.‼️

We are currently attempting to locate an individual who has walked away from a group home at Montana State Hospital.

Name: Christopher Michael Kepler
Age: 54
Description: 5’8”, 160lbs, long black hair, recently shaved face.
Clothing: UNKNOWN

If you see Christopher, DO NOT ENGAGE, APPROACH, OR ATTEMPT TO DETAIN HIM.

Please maintain a safe distance and immediately contact your local law enforcement agency or call 911 with his location and direction of travel.

Please do not attempt to intervene or follow him yourself.

📞 If you have any information that may assist in locating him, please call 911 or your local law enforcement agency.

Thank you for helping us keep our community safe.

09/23/2026

Message from the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest:

Fire Personnel on the Helena National Forest are looking at several opportunities to conduct prescribed burns this week, including the Lincoln Ranger District (Dalton Prescribed burn). They will be burning 70 acres just south of Lincoln in two nearby units in the Dalton Mountain area - starting Wednesday Sept. 23rd.

This prescribed burn will probably be visible along Highway 141 as well as Hwy 200 and possibly Hwy 12.

Send a message to learn more

09/08/2026

The Montana Department of Corrections, the Powell County Sheriff’s Office and Powell County Emergency Services will be conducting a planned emergency training exercise at the Montana State Prison.

09/02/2026

Anyone recognize this bike? We are trying to get it back to its owner! Please call the Sheriff's Office at 406-846-2711 if you know who it belongs to.

08/21/2026

THE FOLLOWING RESIDENTS OF THE POWELL COUNTY FAILED TO COMPLETE A JURY QUESTIONNAIRE FROM THE POWELL COUNTY JUSTICE COURT
Per MCA 3-15-501(7): “The Clerk of Court has certified to the Sheriff, who shall make reasonable efforts to require the person to appear as required by the summons.”

IF YOUR NAME IS ON THE LIST BELOW, PLEASE CALL THE JUSTICE COURT AT 406-846-9793 TO RECEIVE A NEW QUESTIONNAIRE AND APPEAR IN THIS COURT ON THE FOLLOWING DATE.

Justice Court- Trial Date 9/9/2026 at 8:30 am

Renea Conklin
Kelly Crichton
Misty Jaeger
Timothy Squires

Personnel from the Powell County Sheriff’s Office may have or will be calling you in regard to this notice. Personnel from the Powell County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER ask for money or threaten
to arrest you regarding this notice. If you receive a call and you are asked for either, IT IS A SCAM!
For more information, please contact the Clerk of Court: (406) 846-9793.

07/30/2026

Please join us in welcoming George Smith – newly appointed Deputy Sheriff for Powell County. With 14 years of experience as a Correctional Officer and 8 years of Law enforcement - including the former Chief of Police for Deer Lodge, he will be a great addition to our team.

06/24/2026

Attention all river users: In the past five days, there have been five accidents in the Strainer Tree Area, about one mile downstream from the Harry Morgan FAS. Thankfully, no major injuries have occurred, but there have been several near misses, with two people almost drowning. Please stay extra vigilant—keep your head on a swivel, hands on the oars, and pay close attention. As water levels drop, strainers and trees become harder to avoid. We had three rollovers just today. FWP is aware and will conduct an assessment soon. The blue dot marks the approximate problem spot. Stay safe out there!

06/20/2026

06/20/2026