🌱 Bond Set For Man Accused Of Rape + Rare Baseball Achievement

Good morning, neighbors. I'm Sean Peek, and I'll be your host of the Helena Patch newsletter. Here's everything that's happening in town these days, in five minutes or less.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Sun and some clouds. High: 70 Low: 48.
• Saturday: Cooler; a few morning showers. High: 61 Low: 47.

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Here are the top three stories in Helena today:

1. A bond of $150,000 has been set for a Helena man accused of raping a child. Benjamin William Dean appeared before Judge Michael Swingley on Tuesday and is facing charges of sexual intercourse without consent, sexual abuse of children, and tampering with witnesses. Court documents share the child’s parents met with the school resource officer after the child notified them of the alleged abuse. Benjamin is expected to enter a plea on May 23 in District Court. (KTVH)
2. On Saturday, Helena Reps’ Colt Tietje accomplished a rare achievement in baseball: a no-hitter! In an 8-0 win against the Bozeman Bucks’, Tietje threw the team’s first no-hitter since 2015. During the game, 41 of his 68 pitches went for strikes and he averaged just three point two pitches per batter. Tietje said, “I’ve always wanted to throw a no-hitter, it’s one of the coolest things in baseball.” The team’s performance advanced the Reps 6-0 in the early season. (406mtsports.com)
3. Are you looking for a new job opportunity? The Helena Lewis and Clark Communication Center is hiring a Public Safety Communicator! The job entails answering emergent and non-emergent calls, as well as operating multiple phones and radios. Learn more about the position. (Helena Montana Police Department via Facebook)

Today and tomorrow in Helena:

Friday, May 12

• Spring Art Walk At Sole Sisters (4:00 PM)
• Taste Catering Food Truck At Headwaters Crafthouse (5:00 PM)

Saturday, May 13

• Hoot Owl Market At Montago Coffee Co. (8:00 AM)
• Helena Farmers Market At Fuller Avenue (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• According to recent data, the state of Montana had the sixth-highest rate of U.S. teen driver fatalities in 2022. Bumper.com reports that “young drivers are statistically more likely than other age groups to be involved in fatal accidents.” (Bumper.com)
• The Lewis and Clark Library is hosting author Shelby Van Pelt on May 16 at 7:00 p.m.! Shelby will discuss her novel and sign books after the presentation. The event is free and open to the public. (Lewis and Clark Library via Facebook)
• Superintendent Elsie Arntzen congratulated Montana’s two 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars, a prestigious recognition for top-performing scholars. The students recognized were Jessica Bough from Lone Peak High School and Marten Hartshorn from Bozeman High School. (The State of Montana NewsRoom)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.