Judge says Lewis-Clark County proper venue for Virginia City dispute

Virginia City businesses lose bid to block state lease terminations

VIRGINIA CITY A Madison County judge has dismissed a preliminary injunction filed by two Virginia City businesses seeking to stop the state from terminating their lease contracts for historic properties.The ruling states that the temporary restraining order and injunction that would have prevented the state from ending lease contracts were declined on Feb. 3. The judge determined that Lewis and Clark County District Court is the proper venue for…

Judge: Lewis-Clark County proper venue for Virginia City dispute

Virginia City, Montana. (Katheryn Houghton/KHN)A 5th Judicial District judge has dismissed a petition by Virginia City business owners against the state Department of Commerce and the Montana Heritage Commission. The order, from Judge Luke Berger, says that Lewis and Clark District Court was the proper venue for legal proceedings over the contract. The business owners had previously filed an emergency petition to stop the termination of contract…