Members of the Crow Tribe of Montana met on Wednesday to discuss issues affecting a grocery store on the reservation.

The Little Horn IGA in Lodge Grass closed temporarily last week in response to an increase in shoplifting incidents. Tribal members say the permanent loss of the store would be devastating -- the nearest full-service grocery is 40 miles away.

“A bad situation doesn’t have to bring us together,” Scott Russell, the tribe's secretary, said at the meeting, The Billings Gazette reported.

Store owners say law enforcement has done little about the problem. The tribe has posted a security guard at the building on a temporary basis.

Get the Story:
Lodge Grass residents look for answer to keep store open (The Billings Gazette 5/22)