KPAX.com

SIDNEY- It's been almost 10 months since Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold went missing, and reporter Marnee Banks traveled to eastern Montana to see how the community is recovering from the tragic even… Click to Read More and see additional updates

SIDNEY- It's been almost 10 months since Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold went missing, and reporter Marnee Banks traveled to eastern Montana to see how the community is recovering from the tragic events that unfolded earlier this year.

The Sidney School District has had its fair share of trouble this past year, and superintendent Daniel Farr told us that this year marks a brand new chapter.

"Sherry always loved the beginning of a new year. We're approaching this new year and keeping in the back of our minds that she was an excellent educator and she would always want to do her best for students regardless of their background and academics," Farr explained.

"Ultimately that is what we are trying to do and that's provide students with the best possible education that we can," he added.

Sidney school teacher Sherry Arnold disappeared on January 7th while out for her morning run. Her family, friends, and the entire community spent the next two months looking for clues that would help bring Sherry home.

But at the end of March, investigators found the body of Sherry Arnold just across the border in North Dakota.

"If I tried to do anything during the Sherry Arnold case, and she was a good friend of the family and a friend of mine, was to remain calm and say this was an isolated incident. Yes, crime is up but it's up proportional to the population growth," Sidney Mayor Bret Smelser said.

The oil and gas boom in eastern Montana has attracted workers from all over the country. The wages are good and the jobs are plentiful, and the small rural town of Sidney, Montana is feeling the impacts.

Farr says it's important to make sure the students in the school district know they are safe.

"A lot of what we have tried to do is diminish and not create that kind of bias or prejudice toward a group of people who are coming here, in a lot of cases just because of the economy."

Richland County EMS Director Josh King says he is responding to more medical emergencies than ever before. He interacts with the oil workers on a daily basis and to stereotype them as dangerous would be totally inaccurate.

"I think that most of these people are family oriented people, they are excellent people. I think that the very few bad people that come up with them are giving them the bad name," King told us.

So, now a new school year begins and the town of Sidney is picking up the pieces of a tragedy which shattered their world.

The two suspects Micheal Spell and Lester Waters are in jail, one in Richland County and one in Dawson County. If they are found guilty, they could face life in prison or even the death penalty.

BILLINGS- The next hearing for the two men who are charged with kidnapping and murdering Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold has been rescheduled.

The omnibus hearings for Michael Keith Spell and Lester Van Waters, Jr. were originally scheduled for Tuesday, July 17th, but have been moved to January 7, 2013.

Waters and Spell both pleaded not guilty on May 15th to deliberate homicide and attempted kidnapping charges.

On January 7, Sherry Arnold went for a jog in Sidney and never returned home with court documents giving conflicting statements about who killed Sherry Arnold.

SIDNEY- The two suspects in the kidnapping and murder of Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold will be in court next Tuesday to officially face murder charges.

KX News out of Bismarck, North Dakota reports that Michael Spell and Lester Waters, Jr will appear in court to enter their pleas to the murder charge.

The prosecutor in the case has filed official paperwork that the state intends to seek the death penalty.

Spell and Water have pleaded not guilty to the kidnapping charge.

The two men are charged with abducting Sherry Arnold as she took a morning jog in Sidney back in January.

The men were just arriving in the region from Colorado to look for work in the oil industry.

Court documents say the two admit to using drugs in the hours leading up to Arnold's kidnapping.

BILLINGS- New information in the case of Sherry Arnold has been released.

Michael Spell and Lester Waters Jr., both of Parachute, Colorado, are now facing deliberate homicide charges in addition to attempted kidnapping charges.

Court documents reveal new details surrounding the kidnapping and murder of the Sidney woman who went out for an early morning jog on January 7 and never returned home.

On January 13, Spell told investigators that he was the one who grabbed Arnold as she ran jogged by their vehicle on the "Truck Route" in the northeast part of Sidney, but Waters was the one who "choked her out" in the backseat of their vehicle.

However, on February 28 a man who had a conversation with Spell while both were incarcerated together in the sick bay area of the Williams County Law Enforcement Center Jail, was interviewed by an investigator.

According to the man, Spell told him that he approached Arnold as she jogged towards him on a path. Spell said Sherry said "hi" as they passed each other. Then, Spell said he turned around and speared Arnold in the back of the head and knocked her down.

Spell said he "choked her out" and pushed her face into some water and drowned her to make sure she was dead. He then picked her up and carried her to the vehicle. Spell told the man the reason for the abduction was he and Waters were high on drugs and Waters wanted to have sex.

According to Spell's girlfriend, who spoke with him on the phone prior to his arrest in Rapid City, South Dakota, Spell told her that Waters "made him shove her face in a puddle of mud, like water, until she was dead."

In January, Spell told investigators that Waters was smoking crack cocaine during the entire trip from Colorado to eastern Montana. Waters supposedly told Spell that crack cocaine brought "the devil" out in him and he was capable of doing anything while using crack cocaine. Spell said Waters began talking about kidnapping a killing a female. Spell said Waters identified a female in a public laundry who they intended to kidnap, but the lady left before they could carry out their plans.

The two men buried Arnold's body east of Williston in a shelter belt.

On March 19, Waters drew a map from the Williston Walmart to the burial site. He then guided investigators to the exact location of her shallow grave. Court documents say Waters became emotional, cried and stated, "I didn't kill that lady."

The two men left Parachute, CO on January 4, to look for work in the oil fields around Williston, ND.

Arnold's body was sent the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula. The autopsy revealed an unidentified material which was black and gritty in Arnold's stomach. A similar material was also observed in her trachea.

Thousands of people came together on March 30 for the funeral service of Arnold. The funeral was held at Sidney High School where the 43-year-old had taught for many years.

SIDNEY- Nearly four months after teacher Sherry Arnold went missing the community of Sidney will gather on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. to remember her life.

A couple thousand people are expected to fill the Sidney High School gymnasium. Additional rooms at the school will also be open for people to watch the service via video.

Arnold will be buried at the Sidney Cemetery after the service at Sidney High School and a reception will be held at the Richland County Fairgrounds Event Center.

Arnold was a beloved math teacher, coach and mother of five children and step children. She grew up on a ranch outside of Sidney.

She went for an early morning jog on January 7th and never returned home. Court documents state that one of the suspects, 22-year-old Michael Spell told authorities he and 48-year-old Lester Waters were high on crack when they came through the small town of Sidney and abducted and killed Arnold.

Spell says Waters choked her to death and then proceeded to take her body across state lines and buried her body in a rural area near Williston, North Dakota.

Federal and multi-state law enforcement recovered Sherry Arnold's body last week.

SIDNEY- A funeral is set for Friday to remember Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold. The service is set for 2 p.m. in the Sidney High School gymnasium.

The Sidney Herald reports in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Sherry Arnold Scholarship Fund for her children at the Stockman Bank in Sidney.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared the family at www.fulkersons.com.

Earlier this month, human remains found near Williston, North Dakota were positively identified as Arnold's. She went for a jog in Sidney at around 6:30 a.m. on January 7th and never returned home.

Two Colorado men are being held in connection with her disappearance. Lester Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Spell, 22, are behind bars in the Richland County Jail awaiting trial.

Court documents say Spell confessed the men were high on crack when they came through Sidney on their way to the oil fields of North Dakota. Spell says Waters wanted to kidnap and kill a female.

The two spotted Arnold, 43, jogging along Ninth Ave., commonly known as the Truck Route, and Spell grabbed her and pulled her into their vehicle, according to court documents. Spell told authorities Waters got in the back seat and "choked her out."

According to the report, Spell says Waters told him he would kill Spell and his family if Spell ever told anyone what happened.

The two then drove across state lines to Williston, North Dakota. Spell told authorities that they threw Arnold's clothing in a Dumpster at Lonnie's Truck Stop across the street from Walmart in Williston.

Spell said he and Waters drove to a rural area outside of Williston and dropped off Arnold's body. The two then reportedly returned to Williston and purchased a shovel at Walmart. The two returned to the body, and Spell said Waters made him dig a hole two or three feet deep, and then they placed the her body in the hole.

Spell said the grave site was at the end of a shelter belt on an old farmstead in a rural, isolated area outside of Williston.

BILLINGS- The FBI announced last Wednesday it had found the body of Sidney school teacher Sherry Arnold, who had been missing since January 7th.

Law enforcement apprehended two suspects early in the investigation, but Sherry was still missing.

A family member said to Arnold's pastor that it was either the best bad day or the worst good day to learn that news.

Pastor David Warner of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sidney says the family is very relieved and saddened.

"It hasn't stopped being hard for anybody particularly the family, but we're very pleased to be able to give Sherry a Christian burial. Our strength and our great thanks is that God's justice for us in Christ is finished, is complete. That's what carried Sherry through this and that's what will carry us through this," Warner told us.

He will lead the funeral that is set to take place on Friday at Sidney High School starting at 2:00.

MISSOULA - The doctors performing the autopsy on Sherry Arnold are the only two state medical examiners in Montana. They are forensic pathologists who work on trying to figure out how someone died.

They perform autopsies for federal and state law enforcement agencies. The crime lab administrators say the two medical examiners perform about 215 autopsies each year, which breaks down to one autopsy every other day.

"They take samples, they document everything through photographs or dental records and they provide the lab itself with samples to test for toxicology, DNA or other further scientific testing," Montana State Crime Lab Administrator Dave McAlpin said.

One of the doctors at the lab also specializes in forensic anthropology which helps in determining the cause of death by examining bones.

The FBI has confirmed that the body found outside Williston, North Dakota earlier this week is that of missing Sidney school teacher Sherry Arnold.

Officials say the body was positively identified after being brought to the Medical Examiner's Office at the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula.

The body was found east of Williston on Tuesday, more than two months after Arnold was reported missing.

Arnold was reported missing on January 7th after she failed to return from a Saturday morning run.

Lester Waters, Jr., 47, and Michael Spell, 22, both from Colorado, have been charged with felony kidnapping in the disappearance of Arnold, and are behind bars in the Richland County Jail awaiting trial.

The FBI says in a news release that "no further information regarding the ongoing investigation can be released" at this time.

BILLINGS- Sidney school teacher Sherry Arnold was kidnapped in Montana and the FBI said Wednesday they believe that her body was found in North Dakota, but that does not necessarily mean the case will now be handled by the federal government.

Former U.S. Attorney for Montana Bill Mercer says the odds are substantially higher that it will become a federal case, but if the state of Montana wants to request to keep the Sherry Arnold case in state jurisdiction, it can do that.

However, Mercer says that does not mean the federal government cannot override that request and still take over.

If the federal government handles the case, Billings will become the venue for the court appearances of Spell and Waters. If it stays a state case, Mercer says it's highly unlikely that the venue stay in Richland County.

As for punishment, the death penalty is possible under either jurisdiction.

"A big question at this point is whether it's going to stay in state court or federal court, and regardless of where it is, whether the government is going to seek the death penalty. I think, with respect to Spell, he's cooperated, it appears that he's got a relatively low competency level, I find it hard to believe that given those facts that the government will seek the death penalty against him," Mercer explained.

"But Waters, given everything we know from the affidavit that according to Spell they smoked crack cocaine coming all the way up from Colorado, that Waters told Spell that he was capable of doing crazy things if he's smoking crack, and that it was his intention to kidnap a woman. Very premeditated. They're the sort of factors that the government looks to in tipping it in the director saying, 'on these facts, it's appropriate to seek the death penalty," Mercer added.

Mercer says he does not expect to see Waters or Spell go to trial in 2012, but he 2013 is a good possibility for a trial.

BILLINGS - Life was turned upside down for the small Montana community of Sidney om January 7th after beloved teacher, friend, and mother Sherry Arnold went for a jog and never returned home.

A confession later linked two men to her gruesome kidnapping and Wednesday's news that authorities recovered a body, believed to be Sherry's, the community is continuing to grieve.

"It's been an emotional roller coaster for everyone," said Sidney Assistant Police Chief Bob Burnison.

Burnison has been involved in the investigation since day one and says Sherry's disappearance has made for a trying time for this small Montana town.

"It was really hard. Any time like this a case is hard but when you know the person is the victim, it makes it harder," Burnison said.

Sidney Mayor Bret Smelser says for months, the entire community has prayed to find Sherry.

"I think this is what we were looking for. Definitely some closure for the community and hopefully closure for the family," Smelser told us.

The Arnold and Whitted family has gone through the unthinkable over the past two and a half months.

Back in early January Gary said, "It's been a very difficult day, a very difficult series of days," he said full of emotion.

"The toughest thing any of us have gone through. The toughest," said Sherry's sister Rhonda Whited Rupp back in January.

The community has been there to support them along the way. From the 1,000 students and friends that scoured the town for any sign of Sherry the weekend she went missing to the hundreds of students and friends who filled the Sidney gym to remember her at a prayer vigil; it's evident Sherry touched the lives of many.

"She was one of the most caring people that you could've ever imagined," said Nichole Peters, a former student of Sherry.

Gary told Montana's News Station that the support of Sidney and the entire state of Montana has given his family the strength to get by.

"It's hard, but they've helped all of us," Gary said back in January.

And although it's been a long road, it appears Sherry Arnold is now closer to coming home for the final time.

BILLINGS -Federal and multi-state law enforcement officers have recovered a body believed to be that of missing Sidney, Montana, teacher Sherry Arnold.

The body was found east of Williston, North Dakota, on Tuesday, more than two months after Arnold was reported missing.

On Wednesday morning, the body was flown to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Montana, where it will be examined and positively identified.

Here is information from the FBI press release:

On March 20, 2012, Special Agents assigned to the FBI Evidence Response Team began efforts to recover human remains in the vicinity of Williston, North Dakota. During this operation the FBI received support and assistance from several Montana and North Dakota law enforcement agencies to include, the Sidney Police Department, Richland County Sheriff's Office, Williams County Sheriff's Office, Williston Police Department, and the North Dakota Highway Patrol. By the early morning hours of March 21, 2012, Special Agents had recovered the physical remains of a female. While a positive identification has not been made at this time, it is believed the remains are those of Sherry Arnold of Sidney, Montana. Further efforts to verify the identity of the remains are currently underway by law enforcement. After a positive identification is made, a news release will be issued.

Arnold was reported missing on January 7th after she failed to return from a Saturday morning run.

Lester Waters, Jr., 47, and Michael Spell, 22, both from Colorado, have been charged with felony kidnapping in the disappearance of Arnold, and are behind bars in the Richland County Jail awaiting trial.

In court documents, Spell confessed that the men were high on crack when they drove through Sidney on their way to the oil fields of North Dakota. Spell says Waters wanted to kidnap and kill a female. The two spotted Sherry jogging along Ninth Ave., commonly known as the Truck Route, and Spell grabbed her and pulled her into their vehicle. Spell told authorities Waters got in the back seat and "choked her out."

According to the report, Spell says Waters told him he would kill Spell and his family if Spell ever told anyone what happened.

The two then drove across state lines to Williston, North Dakota. Spell confessed that the two men then apparently threw Arnold's clothing in a dumpster at Lonnie's Truck Stop across the street from Walmart in Williston.

Spell said he and Waters drove to a rural area outside of Williston and dropped off Sherry Arnold's body. The two then returned to Williston and purchased a shovel at Walmart. The two returned to the female's body, and Spell said Waters made him dig a hole two or three feet deep, and then they placed the her body in the hole. Spell said the grave site was at the end of a shelter belt on an old farmstead in a rural, isolated area outside of Williston.

We will update you as we learn more.

SIDNEY - The suspects in the Sherry Arnold case have filed a request for a new judge.

The Sidney Herald reports Michael Spell and Lester Waters Junior's attorneys both filed a motion to substitute a judge, just this past week.

The men each appeared before District Court Judge Katherine Irigoin last Tuesday.They each pleaded not guilty to a felony count of aggravated kidnapping in the disappearance of teacher Sherry Arnold, who was last seen January 7th. Sherry is presumed dead and her body is believed to be buried somewhere near Williston, North Dakota.

The men have been scheduled for trial in mid and late July.An omnibus hearing is scheduled for April 17. However, it's unknown if that hearing will stand.

SIDNEY- The two men who are facing felony kidnapping charges in the Sherry Arnold case pleaded not guilty in a Sidney courtroom on Tuesday.

Lester Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Spell, 22, appeared in District Court Tuesday afternoon for their arraignment. A trial date was also set for both men.

This was the suspects' second court appearance in Montana after being extradited from North Dakota to Montana on February. 14.

However, this time around, the courtroom was filled with spectators. Security was increased at the courthouse floor because of the sentiment in the community.

Many are outraged over allegations that the men allegedly high on drugs kidnapped, killed and buried the 43-year-old teacher and mother of five children and stepchildren.

Just after 2 p.m., the men appeared before District Court Judge Katherine Irigoin.

Michael Spell appeared with his public defender Randi Hood. Spell admitted to the court that he was illiterate and could not read the charges against him, but was informed by his attorney. When questioned by Judge Irigoin, Spell's response was slow, causing the judge to tell Spell if he needed clarification on questions she asked.

Waters then appeared with his public defender Cynthia Thornton. Waters showed no emotion as the charges were read. Waters entered a plea of not guilty to the felony aggravate kidnapping charge. A trial date was set for July 30 to August 3.

Richland County Attorney Mike Weber told the court the discovery process had just started and due to the amount of information received from federal authorities he would need to hire more staff to help with the process. He estimated that would take six to eight weeks.

Court documents state that Spell confessed that the men were high on crack during a road trip from Colorado to North Dakota to find work. Spell says Waters wanted to kidnap and kill a female.

On January 7 the two spotted Sherry Arnold jogging along the truck route. Spell says he grabbed Sherry and that Waters choked her to death. They later buried her body near a shelter belt on an old farmstead near Williston. To date, Sherry Arnold's body has not been recovered.

Right now this case is in state court, with the men facing a kidnapping charge. If her body is found across state lines, it will most likely become a federal case and the men would be charged with murder.

SIDNEY- The two Colorado men who are accused of kidnapping and possibly killing teacher Sherry Arnold are set to be back in Montana courtroom Tuesday.

Lester Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Spell, 22, are scheduled to appear before a district court judge in Sidney for their arraignment at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The men are each facing a felony charge of aggravated kidnapping. The FBI says it continues to search for Sherry's body and that the investigation is still ongoing.

BILLINGS- The following is a timeline of events known to have taken place in the case of Sidney school teacher Sherry Arnold's disappearance.

The events compiled in this timeline come from a court affidavit based on information from a statement made by one of the suspects, Michael Spell, and physical evidence such as surveillance videos and receipts.

TIMELINE:

• January 4th:

-Michael Spell and Lester Van Waters, Jr. leave their homes in Parachute, Colorado with an expressed interest in seeking employment in the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota near the Montana border.

-The men leave in a green 1993 Ford Explorer with Colorado license plates.

• January 5th-January 7th:

-Spell later tells investigators that during the two day drive to Montana, Waters had smoked crack cocaine throughout the entire trip and that Waters told Spell that the drug brought out "the devil" in him.

-It was during the trip when Spell says Waters began talking about kidnapping and killing a female.

• January 7th:
  

-Gary Arnold, a resident of Sidney, Montana, returns home from a walk and notices that his wife, Sherry Arnold, is not home.

-Gary assumes his wife is out jogging, which she normally does in the morning for about 30 minutes.

-At approximately 6:34a.m., a security camera outside of the Ranger Lounge catches a dark colored Ford Explorer drive by.

-Two minutes later, at approximately 6:36a.m., Sidney resident Lonnie Lyttle also drives by the Ranger Lounge's camera.

-Lyttle tells authorities when asked on January 9th that while he drove south down Central Avenue approaching Holly Street, he saw a jogger traveling east on Holly near where evidence was found of Sherry Arnold's abduction.

-Spell says that he and Waters also observed a jogger, Sherry Arnold, and Waters identified her as a person to kidnap. Waters drove down the road and pulled over, telling Spell to grab the woman as she passed. Spell grabbed her and threw her in back of the Explorer.

-Waters then climbed into the back of the vehicle and, according to Spell, "choked her out".

-At 7:25a.m., Waters picks up $100 via Western Union from the Valley View IGA in Sidney.

-Gary Arnold becomes concerned and begins searching around Sherry Arnold's normal running routes. After he does not find her, Gary Arnold informs family, friends and local law enforcement that Sherry had gone missing.

- A search begins for Arnold made up of 100 people, including 40 members of the Montana National Guard and two planes searching by air.
- One of Sherry Arnold's running shoes is later recovered. Spell will tell the FBI that the shoe slipped off of Sherry while she struggled against him. Waters had punished Spell for losing the shoe by throwing his (Spell's) knit hat with tassels into a nearby ditch. The hat was also recovered.

-Spell says he and Waters travel to Williston, North Dakota. The trip, on average, takes approximately 50 minutes to complete if the driver does not make a stop.

**COURT DOCUMENTS SHOW THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN WHAT SPELL TELLS INVESTIGATORS AND THE VIDEO AND RECEIPT EVIDENCE GATHERED BY INVESTIGATORS **

-According to court documents, at 9:36p.m., Waters purchased bread, bologna and a shovel from the Walmart in Williston.

-At 9:54p.m., video surveillance shows the green Explorer leave the Walmart parking lot.

-Reviewed surveillance video form Lonnie's Truck Stop, located across the street from the Walmart, shows the green Explorer arrive at the gas pumps at 9:58p.m. . Spell is seen retrieving paper towel and wiping down the windows of the vehicle.

-Spell says it was at Lonnie's Truck Stop that they threw the clothes that Sherry Arnold was wearing into a dumpster. Spell also says that Sherry Arnold was dead underneath a blanket in backseat of the car when this happened.

-Spell says following dumping Sherry Arnold's clothes, he and Waters drove to a rural area outside of Williston and dropped off Sherry Arnold's body.

-It is at that point that Spell says the two men returned to Williston and purchased a shovel at Walmart.

-After buying the shovel at Walmart, Spell says he and Waters returned to Sherry Arnold's body, dug a two or three foot hole, and placed the body in the hole.

-Spell says the grave site was at the end of a shelter belt, which is a line of trees used as a windbreak, on an old farmstead in a rural and isolated part of Williston.

• January 9th:
  

-The FBI becomes involved in the search for Sherry Arnold.

-The Department of Justice issues a Missing Persons Alert for Sherry Arnold. During the previous weekend, nearly 1,000 people turn up for the search effort, and some are turned away.

• January 10th:
  

-The Williston Police Department pulls over Spell and Waters in a green Ford Explorer following a bar fight in a strip club. The officer noted that it appeared the men were living out of the car.

-Waters and Spell go to the Walmart in Williston and return the shovel they purchased on January 7th.

• January 11th:
  

-Spell says he calls his girlfriend, Angel Cruz, and other family members because he was scared Waters would kill him. Spell tells his family about his involvement in Sherry Arnold's death. He tells family members he saw missing person posters for Sherry Arnold and felt remorse.

-Spell says he then stole Water's cell phone and began hitchhiking until he reached Rapid City, South Dakota.

-A tip line is set up by investigators for information leading to the whereabouts of Sherry Arnold (406) 433-4027. Also, a "Help Find Sherry Arnold" page on Facebook gains popularity.

-Investigators gain a lead in the case when a tipster calls law enforcement and says that Cruz told them that Spell had been stranded in North Dakota and was trying to get home by obtaining money for a bus ticket. The tipster also told investigators that Cruz told her Spell had admitted involvement in kidnapping and murdering Sherry Arnold.

-The tipster also tells investigators that Spell told Cruz he and Waters were high on drugs when they abducted Sherry Arnold.

• January 12th:
  

-Search efforts for Sherry Arnold are suspended until authorities receive new information.

-The FBI contacts Cruz and she confirms the information she told the tipster and tells them that Spell is currently in Rapid City.

-At 2:21p.m., Waters buys a new cell phone in the Walmart in Williston, North Dakota.

-Police in Williston locate the green Ford Explorer and are able to identify Waters.

-At 10:45p.m., police detain Waters at Lonnie's Truck Stop in Williston, North Dakota. They advise Waters that he is being questioned in a homicide investigation. Later that night, Waters decline interview without an attorney.

• January 13th:
  

-Spell is located and interviewed by the FBI in Rapid City, South Dakota and tells investigators the details provided in the above timeline.

- The Sidney School District posts on their website that it had informed students and teachers that Sherry Arnold had died. The school says they were informed by Sherry Arnold's family.

-A press conference is held by the Sidney Police in conjunction with the FBI. Sidney Police chief Frank DiFonzo says a 47-year-old man is in custody in Williston, North Dakota and a 22-year-old man has been detained for questioning in Rapid City, South Dakota-- both in connection to Sherry Arnold's disappearance.

• January 14th:
  

-Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo confirms that the two men in custody were arraigned on charges of aggravated kidnapping and are being held at the Williams County Jail in Williston, North Dakota. Bond is set for the men at $2.5 million dollars.

• January 15th:
  

-The men being held on the charges of aggravated kidnapping are identified as Lester Van Waters Jr. and Michael Spell.

• January 16th:
  

-Montana and North Dakota law enforcement, as well as the FBI, ask landowners in northeast Montana and northwest North Dakota to look for disturbed soil on their property. Authorities say they believe Sherry Arnold is deceased but they have not recovered a body. They believe her body may be located near a shelter belt of trees.

• January 17th:
  

-The original citation issued to Waters and Spell from the Sidney Police Department is released. The citation sets the time of the alleged kidnapping at 6:40a.m. at 900 East Holly Street, which is located along the truck route Arnold may have been jogging.

-Waters and Spell appear in District Court and bond is set at $2.5 million dollars for each man. The men did not agree to be extradited to Montana, so a formal extradition hearing must be scheduled.

• February 6th:
  

-Montana's Governor, Brian Schweitzer, signs extradition requests for Spell and Waters.

• February 7th:
  

-North Dakota's Governor, Jack Dalrymple, signs the extradition request from Governor Schweitzer.

• February 11th:
  

-People from around the world participate in virtual runs for Sherry Arnold.

• February 14th:
  

-Waters and Spell are extradited to Montana and make initial court appearances in Sidney.

• February 17th:
  

-Court documents are released detailing investigation into Sherry Arnold's disappearance.

• February 28th:
  

-Waters and Spell are scheduled to appear in District Court in Sidney, Montana for preliminary hearings.

** The discrepancy between Spell's story and the physical evidence happens on the evening of January 7th. Spell claims the men first went to the truck stop with Sherry Arnold's body before dropping it off and going to Walmart to purchase a shovel. Video surveillance shows Spell and Waters at Lonnie's Truck Stop at approximately 9:58p.m.. A receipt found on Waters shows the shovel used to bury Sherry Arnold was purchased at 9:36p.m. on January 7th.

SIDNEY- Some new information in the Sherry Arnold case has shocked many Montanans, but is weighing most heavily on the community of Sidney.

Many in the Sidney community and across the country have wondered what happened to Sherry for over a month and court documents are now revealing that she was kidnapped, choked to death and then buried in North Dakota.

The Sidney community is feeling heartbroken and sick. MTN affiliate KTVQ in Billings spoke with Sidney Mayor Bret Smelser by phone Friday evening about the new information and he was shocked.

"It just sets us back a ways in the healing process. I guess because now that we know that it was such a violent act. We have to absorb that and go from there. I don't understand. I don't understand it," said Mayor Bret Smelser about the alleged killing of Sherry Arnold and the circumstances that led to her death.

We also spoke with Sherry's husband Gary Friday evening who said that he's still having a hard time wrapping his head around the situation.

SIDNEY- Detailed court documents have been released in the abduction and murder of Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold.

The documents reveal that Michael Spell confessed to investigating agents that he and Lester Waters Jr. abducted Sherry Arnold while she was jogging and killed her.

According to Spell confession, Waters was smoking crack cocaine on the morning of Saturday, January 7th, the same morning Arnold went missing.

Spell told authorities Waters told him crack cocaine brought "the devil" out in him and he (Waters) was capable of doing anything while using crack cocaine. Spell said that Waters then began talking about kidnapping and killing a female.

The documents state that Spell said Waters was driving through a town when they observed a female running along the road. Spell said Waters told him to grab the lady and pull her into the Explorer as she jogged by.

When Spell forced her into the vehicle, Spell said the female struggled and her shoe fell off. Spell said Waters got into the back seat with the female and "choked her out."

According to the report, Spell advised that Waters said he would kill Spell and his family if Spell ever told anyone what happened.

Spell confessed that the two men then apparently threw Arnold's clothing in a dumpster at Lonnie's Truck Stop across the street from Walmart in Williston.

Spell said he and Waters drove to a rural area outside of Williston and dropped off Sherry Arnold's body. The two then returned to Williston and purchased a shovel at Walmart.

The two returned to the female's body, and Spell said Waters made him dig a hole two or three feet deep, and then they placed the her body in the hole. Spell said the grave site was at the end of a shelter belt on an old farmstead in a rural, isolated area outside of Williston.

Evidence collected has been submitted to the federal crime lab for testing. Authorities are continuing to search for Sherry Arnold's body.

Both Waters and Spell are facing a charge of felony aggravated kidnapping.

SIDNEY- The two Colorado men who are accused of kidnapping and possibly killing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold are now back in custody in Montana. Lester Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Spell, 22, made their initial appearances in a Sidney courtroom Tuesday afternoon. The men are each facing a felony charge of aggravated kidnapping.

According to the Sidney Herald, Spell was represented by Randi Hood. He waived reading of the charges and opted to have charges filed in the Seventh Judicial District Court. He is scheduled to appear in District Court at 2 p.m. Feb. 28 with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. The Herald says bond was set for Spell at $2.5 million.

The Herald says Waters was represented by attorney Cynthia Thornton. A preliminary examination was set for Feb. 24 at 10:30 a.m. in Sidney City Court. He will then appear in District Court at 2 p.m. Feb. 28. Mohr also set his bond at $2.5 million.

The quick court appearance comes after a North Dakota Court Judge granted a motion to extradite Waters and Spell to Montana after verifying that the men are the suspects in the case. The judge ordered that both men be transported today from North Dakota to Montana.

Just last week, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer signed an extradition warrant for the two men, requesting they be brought back to Montana. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed the warrants, authorizing the extradition.

In the North Dakota courtroom Tuesday morning, the suspects showed no emotion as arguments were heard. Tuesday's hearing uncovered no new information in the case. Waters' and Spell's attorneys tried to argue that Montana authorities did not have a probable cause in its arrest warrants and there was not evidence linking them to the crime.

The North Dakota State Attorney said it was not for the state of North Dakota to question the cause, but to verify the men are the suspects in the case and return them to Montana.

The suspects have been in the Williams County Detention Center since Jan. 13. They are being held on a $2.5 million bond each.

In January, authorities took Waters into custody in Williams County and Spell was originally detained for questioning in Rapid City, South Dakota and returned to Williams County.

Waters and Spell face felony aggravated kidnapping charges in Montana for the kidnapping of Arnold. Court documents state on or about Jan.7, the men kidnapped Arnold along the Truck Route in Sidney. If found guilty, they could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Authorities have not recovered the body of the missing teacher. Her body is believed to be buried somewhere in extreme northeast Montana or northwest North Dakota. If her body is found in another state, the case would then become a federal case for crossing state lines.

UPDATE: The two Colorado men who are accused of kidnapping and possibly killing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold are set to appear in a courtoom in Sidney at noon on Tuesday.

Lester Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Spell, 22, will make an initial appearance in city court. The men are each facing a felony charge of aggravated kidnapping.

WILLISTON, N.D. - Two Colorado men accused of kidnapping and possibly killing Montana teacher Sherry Arnold have been ordered to return to Montana to face charges.

Tuesday morning, Lester Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Spell, 22, appeared in Williams County District Court for a formal extradition hearing. District Judge David Nelson granted the motion to extradite Waters and Spell to Montana after verifying that the men are the suspects in the case. The judge ordered that both men be transported today from North Dakota to Montana.

Just last week, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer signed an extradition warrant for the two men, requesting they be brought back to Montana. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed the warrants, authorizing the extradition.

In court, the suspects showed no emotion as arguments were heard. Tuesday's hearing uncovered no new information in the case. Waters' and Spell's attorneys tried to argue that Montana authorities did not have a probable cause in its arrest warrants and there was not evidence linking them to the crime. The North Dakota State Attorney said it was not for the state of North Dakota to question the cause, but to verify the men are the suspects in the case and return them to Montana.

The suspects have been in the Williams County Detention Center since Jan. 13. They are being held on a $2.5 million bond each.

In January, authorities took Waters into custody in Williams County and Spell was originally detained for questioning in Rapid City, South Dakota and returned to Williams County.

Waters and Spell face felony aggravated kidnapping charges in Montana for the kidnapping of Arnold. Court documents state on or about Jan.7, the men kidnapped Arnold along the Truck Route in Sidney. If found guilty, they could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Authorities have not recovered the body of the missing teacher. Her body is believed to be buried somewhere in extreme northeast Montana or northwest North Dakota. If her body is found in another state, the case would then become a federal case for crossing state lines.

Topics: Sherry Arnold, Montana, North Dakota

WILLISTON, N.D. - Two Colorado men who are accused of kidnapping and possibly killing Montana teacher Sherry Arnold have been ordered to return to Montana to face charges.

Lester Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Spell, 22, appeared in Williams County District Court on Tuesday morning for a formal extradition hearing.

District Judge David Nelson granted the motion to extradite Waters and Spell to Montana after verifying that the men are the suspects in the case. The judge ordered that both men be transported today from North Dakota to Montana.

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer signed an extradition warrant for the two men last week, requesting they be brought back to Montana. North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple signed the warrants, authorizing the extradition.

Tuesday's hearing uncovered no new information in the case and Waters' and Spell's attorneys tried to argue that Montana authorities did not have a probable cause in its arrest warrants and there was not evidence linking them to the crime.

The North Dakota State Attorney said it was not for the state of North Dakota to question the cause, but to verify the men are the suspects in the case and return them to Montana.

The suspects have been in the Williams County Detention Center since January 13th. They are being held on a $2.5 million bond each. Authorities took Waters into custody in Williams County and Spell was originally detained for questioning in Rapid City, South Dakota and returned to Williams County.

Waters and Spell face felony aggravated kidnapping charges in Montana for the kidnapping of Arnold. Court documents state on or about January 7th the men kidnapped Arnold along the Truck Route in Sidney. If found guilty, they could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Timeline: Sherry Arnold case

January 7th: Sherry Arnold, a 43 year old teacher in Sidney, Montana is reported missing after failing to return from a morning jog.

January 7th: A search begins for Arnold which includes 100 people, including 40 members of the Montana National Guard and two planes searching by air.

January 7th: Authorities recover one of Arnold's jogging shoes in northeast Sidney along Ninth Avenue. A substance which has not been identified by law enforcement was found on the shoe.

January 9th: The Montana Department of Justice issues a Missing Persons Alert for Arnold.

January 10th: The Federal Bureau of Investigation becomes involved in the investigation into Arnold's disappearance due to proximity to North Dakota and potential of kidnapping.

January 11th: A tip line is set up by investigators for information leading to the whereabouts of Sherry Arnold (406) 433-4027. Also, a "Help Find Sherry Arnold" page on Facebook garners thousands of visits.

January 12th: Formal search efforts are suspended until authorities receive new information.

January 12th: Arnold added to the FBI Missing Persons List.

January 13th: The Sidney School District posts on their website that it had informed students and teachers that Sherry Arnold is dead. The school says they were informed by Arnold's family.

January 13th: A press conference is held by Sidney police in conjunction with the FBI. Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo said a 47-year-old man is in custody in Williston, North Dakota, and a 22-year-old man had been detained for questioning in Rapid City, South Dakota, both in connection with Arnold's disappearance.

January 13th: Hundreds pour into the gym at Sidney High School for a memorial vigil.

January 14th: Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo confirms that the two men in custody have been arraigned on charges of aggravated kidnapping and are being held at the Williams County Jail in Williston, North Dakota.

January 15th: The two men held on charges of aggravated kidnapping are identified as 47-year-old Lester Waters Jr. and 22-year-old Michael Spell. Both men are most recently from Parachute, Colorado.

January 16th: Montana and North Dakota law enforcement, as well as the FBI, ask landowners in eastern Montana and western North Dakota to look for disturbed soil on their property. Authorities say they believe Arnold is deceased but they have not recovered a body. They believe her body may be located near a shelter belt of trees.

January 17th: The original citation issued to Waters and Spell from the Sidney Police Department is released. The citation sets the time of the alleged kidnapping at 6:40 a.m. at 900 East Holly Street, which is located along the truck route Arnold may have been jogging.

January 17th: Waters and Spell appear in District Court and bond is set at $2.5 million dollars for each man. The men do not agree to be extradited to Montana, so a formal extradition hearing must be scheduled.

January 18th: An arrest warrant and complaint are released. If Waters and Spell are found guilty of aggravated kidnapping they could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.

January 19th: Court records from Colorado reveal that suspect Michael Spell had been granted court permission to travel to Texas for a family emergency only two days before Arnold's disappearance.

February 6th: Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer formally asks the suspects be returned to Montana to face charges.

The kidnapping of Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold has deeply affected residents across Montana and around the country.

On Saturday, thousands of people laced up their shoes to run in honor of a woman many do not know, but are now connected to.

The mother of five went for a jog January 7th in Sidney and never returned home. It's a tragic ending that has gripped the hearts of Montanans.

"Even though I didn't know her, I feel like one of our own is down," said Rick Lopes, Great Falls runner.

Many Great Falls runners participating in the worldwide virtual run for Sherry Arnold, wanted to show their support during a sad time.

"I not only ran for Sherry, I ran for her family. I can't imagine what that family is going through," said Rick Tyler, Great Falls runner.

In Frenchtown, more than 120 people showed up for the run.

"We had a couple off students that had her and her husband as a teacher so we had a couple of parents show up because they had her and knew her," said Dennis Normand, Frenchtown runner.

Former Sidney residents and students of the Arnolds spoke to the crowd about her legacy.

In Bozeman, runners also hit the pavement.

"Think about love, momentum, energy and honor of the woman that Sherry was," said Angela Kociolek, Bozeman runner about what propelled her to do the run.

"Just out of respect for what's going on for Sherry and all the things that she and the family are dealing with and going out and enjoying the day and honoring a pretty neat individual and all the adversity the family's going through," said Kurt Buchl, Bozeman runner.

Members of the Butte YMCA did their part in remembering Sherry Arnold as well.

"She was a good person and the community of sidney really cared for her a lot and her family and friends. If we can do our part here in Butte and help honor her and such. I think it's good for her family, but also Montana," said Greg Hergogg, Butte YMCA CEO.

Across Montana, people showed their support in freezing temperatures walking in towns like Cohagen, Harlowtown and Denton. Montanans took time with a brief moment of silence and then ran their hearts out.

In Billings, residents proudly wore their Sherry running bibs .

"What hit me was the fact that we're nearly the same age, both teach math and are runners," said Robyn Cummings, who helped organize a run at Rocky Mountain College.

Some Sidney natives, who couldn't be home, were also on hand to share in the moment.

"It's gut wrenching, but it brought the town closer together," said Mary Leibach, a Sidney resident who ran in Billings

And with every step, they say Sherry was on their mind.

"I didn't know if I could do it and I thought of Sherry. It really motivated me to finish and I know it really did to others," said Hope Barker, a former student of Sherry Arnold that helped organize the Rocky run.

In total, 41 cities and towns across Montana ran for Sherry, but the heaviest hearts were in Sidney, where almost 500 people turned out at the high school.

They walked to the stadium and full of balloons embraced each other and remembered the woman they called a friend, mother and teacher. And promised never to always keep her memory alive.

Last week, Amanda spoke with Sherry's husband Gary Arnold. He was grateful for the prayers and support of so many Montanans.

The two men expected of kidnapping and possibly killing Sherry Arnold are set to appear in a North Dakota District Courtroom on Tuesday morning.

FRENCHTOWN- Thousands of runners across Montana, the United States and the world stepped outside on Saturday and dedicated their run to missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold.

The power of Facebook helped link the running community together to honor Sherry Arnold with the Virtual Run/Walk for Sherry Arnold Facebook page started up at the end of January and well over 4,000 people have "liked" it.

All day Saturday people posted photos of their run and also told how many miles they dedicated to Sherry. Runners from as far away as Florida and even Rome, Italy shared their photos.

"Runners just feel this commitment to each other and it just shows the response of these people. It's pretty neat," said Frenchtown High School teacher Dennis Normand.

Arnold went missing on January 7th while out for her early morning jog and while she has not been found and two men are being held in connection with her disappearance.

"For something that's not a positive situation, it's been a positive response," said Frenchtown High School student teacher Mary Kettering.

Over 120 people showed up in Frenchtown for the run, joining dozens of other organized runs across Montana. Organizers say it's important to keep her memory alive.

"I think any time when people can kind of get together and honor someone because so often things happen and people don't really recognize it," said Kettering.

The runners made sure to recognize Sherry Saturday and some of her former students even said a few words before the start of the run.

"They're showing up today to run because they knew her and it's kind of neat to have those people here," said Normand.

The organizers of the Frenchtown event say the turnout from people across the world is proof that people care.

Meanwhile, over 250 participants at Saturday's Catch 'em if you Can race in Missoula also sported "running for Sherry" bibs.

Click here to check out more posts on the Virtual Run/Walk for Sherry Arnold Facebook page

BILLINGS- There were a pair of events taking place in Billings which caught the attention of the entire state on Saturday.

The first was the all-class high school state wrestling tournament taking place at the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.

The other event, which actually was held at numerous locations around the world, was the virtual run held in honor of Sherry Arnold.

However, there was a very special group caught in the middle of both events: Sidney Eagles wrestling fans.

We caught up with one group which was able to both remember Sherry and help their high school wrestlers create new lifelong memories on the same day.

The virtual run was held all across the Treasure State including in Bozeman, Frenchtown, Great Falls and Libby.

Over 120 people showed up in Frenchtown for the run - joining dozens of other organized runs across Montana. Arnold disappeared on January 7th while on her early morning run.

Organizers say it was great to have the extra support from those who personally knew Sherry Arnold.

MISSOULA- Runners at the annual Catchem if You Can 5K Run will be sporting a special bib on Saturday in honor of missing Sidney school teacher Sherry Arnold.

Run Wild Missoula is holding their annual pre Valentine's Day run on February 11th, the same day as the Virtual Run and Walk for Sherry Arnold event.

When the local organization realized the two events were happening at the same time, they decided to print bibs of Sherry Arnold for runners to wear during the race.

Arnold went missing in January after she went for her morning run and she still has not been found.

Run Wild Missoula Executive Director Eva Dunn-Froebig says it's important for the running community in Missoula to show their support.

"We really want to support her and her family. We're really lucky to live in a safe place where that doesn't happen very often. We want to honor her nonetheless. And promote running safety in our community."

Proceeds from the race will benefit the Hellgate High School cross country program. Race day registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at Toole Park and the Catchem if You Can 5K run kicks off at 9:30 a.m. for women and at 9:33 a.m. for men.

Meanwhile, s group of Lolo runners are running for Sherry at the Lolo Community Center on U.S. Highway 93 South at 9 a.m. and runners should bring their own bibs.

Another group is meeting at Frenchtown High School at 9 a.m. and you call Dennis Normand for more information on that event at (406) 626.4012.

A race will also step off at 9 a.m. in Libby.

MISSOULA- What started as a small race to honor the life of missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold has now turned into a nationwide run after a family member started a Facebook page asking runners in Montana and beyond to gather this Saturday and run for Sherry.

"In Montana, a community so close-knit, I feel like people in Montana should run for her," Mary Kettering, a student teacher at Frenchtown High School explained.

She's an avid runner and a teacher and she has a lot in common with Sherry Arnold. Mary told us that when she found out about the run for Sherry on Saturday morning she didn't hesitate to lace up and get involved.

"It's times like these that people ban together and do something to help a family. In times of crisis and times of tragedy. And that's what this is, a tragedy. I hope this brings them some sort of comfort, knowing that people, actually are getting up and doing something for them," Mary told us.

Sherry's husband, Gary Arnold, says he's touched by how many people- even outside of the U.S.- who are going to be running for Sherry on Saturday morning .

"I am absolutely astonished. I am pleased and I am very, very grateful for the kindness and big heartedness that so many people have shown our family. The outpouring of love in such an evil situation that caused this has been marvelous," Gary said.

Mary told us that she went running down the same streets Sherry used to run everyday.

"Everyday people get out and run on their own. I went running when I was in Sidney and you feel really safe being there and you feel safe, basically running in most small towns in Montana. And just knowing that something this tragic can happen, just really hits close to home."

A picture will be taken this Saturday just before the run at Frenchtown High School to post on Facebook for Sherry's family and friends to see, to help remind them that they are loved and supported in the most difficult of times.

"If I was asking people to do this for my two sisters- I have two sisters- [then] seeing a photo of everybody who actually did it, would really mean a lot to me," Mary concluded.

Libby will also participate in a run this Saturday, at 9 a.m. at the Libby Montana Athletic Club.

BILLINGS- What started as a small race to honor the life of missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold has now turned into a nationwide run.

Sherry's cousin, Beth Risdon of Colorado, posted the run on her blog and has received hundreds of e-mails from people planning to run in places across the country and as far away as Thailand and Egypt.

Risdon is encouraging runners to visit her website, print out a bib with Sherry's picture on it, pin it on their shirt, and then go for a run.

"My hope for that day is that people simply wear the bib with her picture on it and go out there with the intention to think about her, and for healing and for positive energy," said Risdon.

Sherry's husband, Gary, says the family is getting by and is grateful to see Sherry's memory honored in such a beautiful way.

"I am absolutely astonished. I am pleased and I am very, very grateful for the kindness and big heartedness that so many people have shown our family," Gary said. "The outpouring of love in such an evil situation that caused this has been marvelous."

Gary plans to walk in Sidney with friends, family and the community.

There are several locations across Montana and the country that are hosting organized runs.

Arnold's former student, Hope Barker, now a sophomore at Rocky Mountain College, is organizing a run that will take place at RMC. She's hoping that this event is just the beginning of many more runs to come in honor of Arnold.

"We want to make this a yearly thing hopefully, so she's never forgotten," Barker says. "We don't want to forget her, we want her memory to live on since she was such an amazing woman."

A run is planned in Frenchtown on Saturday. Check out their Facebook page to see where the virtual runs are taking place.

North Dakota's governor has officially signed extradition warrants issued by Montana's governor for Michael Spell and Lester Waters, Jr., accused of kidnapping and possibly killing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold.

A spokeswoman for North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple says the governor received the requests on Tuesday from Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, and signed the warrant requests.

The signing of the governors' warrants affirms the upcoming extradition hearing and the fact that the state wants the men back in Montana to face charges.

Spell and Waters are set to appear at an extradition hearing in Williams County, North Dakota, on February 14th, where the public is expected learn more about what connection the suspects have to Arnold's disappearance.

The status of the Arnold investigation has not changed; Sherry Arnold's body has not yet been found.

Arnold's family and law enforcement believe that she was killed shortly after she disappeared during a morning run on January 7th, triggering a multi-state search that ultimately resulted in the arrest of Spell and Waters.

SHERRY ARNOLD TIMELINE

January 7th: Sherry Arnold, a 43-year-old teacher in Sidney, Montana is reported missing after failing to return from a morning jog.

January 7th: A search begins for Arnold which includes 100 people, including 40 members of the Montana National Guard and two planes searching by air.

January 7th: Authorities recover one of Arnold's jogging shoes in northeast Sidney along Ninth Avenue. A substance which has not been identified by law enforcement was found on the shoe.

January 9th: The Montana Department of Justice issues a Missing Persons Alert for Arnold.

January 10th: The Federal Bureau of Investigation becomes involved in the investigation into Arnold's disappearance due to proximity to North Dakota and potential of kidnapping.

January 11th: A tip line is set up by investigators for information leading to the whereabouts of Sherry Arnold (406) 433-4027. Also, a "Help Find Sherry Arnold" page on Facebook garners thousands of visits.

January 12th: Formal search efforts are suspended until authorities receive new information.

January 12th: Arnold added to the FBI Missing Persons List.

January 13th: The Sidney School District posts on their website that it had informed students and teachers that Sherry Arnold is dead. The school says they were informed by Arnold's family.

January 13th: A press conference is held by Sidney police in conjunction with the FBI. Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo said a 47-year-old man is in custody in Williston, North Dakota, and a 22-year-old man had been detained for questioning in Rapid City, South Dakota, both in connection with Arnold's disappearance.

January 13th: Hundreds pour into the gym at Sidney High School for a memorial vigil.

January 14th: Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo confirms that the two men in custody have been arraigned on charges of aggravated kidnapping and are being held at the Williams County Jail in Williston, North Dakota.

January 15th: The two men held on charges of aggravated kidnapping are identified as 47-year-old Lester Waters Jr. and 22-year-old Michael Spell. Both men are most recently from Parachute, Colorado.

January 16th: Montana and North Dakota law enforcement, as well as the FBI, ask landowners in eastern Montana and western North Dakota to look for disturbed soil on their property. Authorities say they believe Arnold is deceased but they have not recovered a body. They believe her body may be located near a shelter belt of trees.

January 17th: The original citation issued to Waters and Spell from the Sidney Police Department is released. The citation sets the time of the alleged kidnapping at 6:40 a.m. at 900 East Holly Street, which is located along the truck route Arnold may have been jogging.

January 17th: Waters and Spell appear in District Court and bond is set at $2.5 million dollars for each man. The men do not agree to be extradited to Montana, so a formal extradition hearing must be scheduled.

January 18th: An arrest warrant and complaint are released. If Waters and Spell are found guilty of aggravated kidnapping they could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.

January 19th: Court records from Colorado reveal that suspect Michael Spell had been granted court permission to travel to Texas for a family emergency only two days before Arnold's disappearance.

February 6th: Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana formally requests that Spell and Waters be extradited from North Dakota.

BILLINGS - North Dakota's governor has officially signed extradition warrants issued by Montana's governor for two men accused of kidnapping and possibly killing missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold.

A spokeswoman for North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple says the governor received the requests Tuesday from Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and signed the warrant requests for Michael Spell and Lester Waters Junior.

The signing of the governors' warrants affirms the upcoming extradition hearing and the fact that the state wants the men back in Montana to face charges.

The suspects are set to appear in Williams County, North Dakota District Court on Feb. 14. If found guilty of aggravated kidnapping, the men could face the death penalty or life in jail.

Arnold has not been seen since she went on an early morning run - and never returned home.

The FBI, Montana and North Dakota law enforcement believe her body is buried somewhere near Williston, North Dakota.

Governor Brian Schweitzer (D-MT) has officially signed extradition requests for Michael Spell and Lester Waters, Jr., the two men accused of kidnapping missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold.

Schweitzer signed the requests and sent them to North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple.

Spell and Waters are set to appear at an extradition hearing in Williams County, North Dakota, on February 14th, where the public is expected learn more about what connection the suspects have to Arnold's disappearance.

The status of the Arnold investigation has not changed; Sherry Arnold's body has not yet been found.

Arnold's family and law enforcement believe that she was killed shortly after she disappeared during a morning run on January 7th, triggering a multi-state search that ultimately resulted in the arrest of Spell and Waters.

Sherry's cousin, Beth Risdon of Colorado, wants to honor Sherry by sponsoring what she calls a "virtual run" that anyone can participate in.

The event will be held on Saturday, February 11th, at 9 am (MT time); the rules of the virtual run are simple:

Print out a running bib and pin it to your shirt

Gather your friends, your running club members, your families

If it's wet where you are, "laminate" your bib with postage tape and punch holes in it

If that time doesn't work, go when you can

Run as far and as long as you want. Walk, hike, cycle, rollerblade if you don't want to or can't run.

Please share this on your blogs, Facebooks and Twitters

Keep it simple. Just run with Sherry on your minds and hearts.

Beth writes that Sherry's disappearance and "heinous death" has shocked, angered and saddened Sidney, and adds that on a broader scale, it has also rocked the running world, with many runners wondering how "something so random, violent and senseless could happen to someone so giving, someone loved by so many."

Read more about Beth's "virtual run" at her website. Beth has also created a Facebook page for the event.

BILLINGS - The disappearance of Sherry Arnold has rocked the eastern Montana community of Sidney, while also having an impact in the world of running.

Arnold went for a run on the morning of Saturday, January 7 and hasn't been seen since.

In the time since Sherry Arnold was last seen, two Colorado men have been arrested in connection with her disappearance.

Lester Waters Junior, 47, and Michael Spell, 22, are being held at the Williams County Jail in Williston, North Dakota as they await their extradition hearing later this month.

Investigators believe the 43-year-old math teacher is dead, but her body has not been found.

"It's really hit our town really hard," says Arnold's former student, Hope Barker. "She was honestly an amazing woman. It didn't matter if she had something else going on or if she was busy that day, if you needed help, you were her first priority."

It's a case that has not only devastated the community of Sidney, but has also shocked the running world.

"I had hundreds of people reach out to me and say how much her story touched them as runners, as mothers, as teachers," explains Arnold's cousin, Beth Risdon, of Longmont, Colorado. "People really felt this on a very personal level."

Although Beth Risdon only saw her cousin occasionally over the years, she and Arnold shared a bond through running.

"That was something we had in common," Risdon explains. "We both just had sort of this energy around it."

While the search continues for Arnold, Risdon is organizing an event to help family and friends find peace.

She is planning a virtual run in memory of Arnold next weekend. She's encouraging other runners to visit her website, print out a bib with Sherry's picture on it, pin it on their shirt, and then go for a run.

"My hope for that day is that people simply wear the bib with her picture on it and go out there with the intention to think about her, and for healing and for positive energy," says Risdon.

The news of the virtual run has spread from coast to coast, with several group runs planned here in Montana.

Barker, now a sophomore at Rocky Mountain College, is organizing a run that will take place at RMC. She's hoping that this event is just the beginning of many more runs to come in honor of Arnold.

"We want to make this a yearly thing hopefully, so she's never forgotten," Barker says. "We don't want to forget her, we want her memory to live on since she was such an amazing woman."

Here's a list of a few group runs happening in Montana:

Sidney - Sidney High School (wrestling families plan to walk at Rimrock Auto Arena during the state wrestling tournament that weekend)

Glendive - Dawson County High School

Hysham - Hysham School

Circle - McCone County Courthouse

Colstrip

Cohagen

Billings - RMC, Montana Cycling, Fitness 19

The virtual run is scheduled for 9 a.m. Mountain Standard Time on Saturday, February 11.

The disappearance of Sherry Arnold has rocked the eastern Montana community of Sidney while also having an impact in the world of running.

Arnold, a 43 year old teacher in Sidney, went for a run on the morning of Saturday, January 7th, and hasn't been seen since. Two men have been arrested and charged with kidnapping in her disappearance; officials are continuing to search for her body.

Now Sherry's cousin, Beth Risdon of Colorado, wants to honor Sherry, by sponsoring what she calls a "virtual run" that anyone can participate in.

The event will be held on Saturday, February 11th, at 9 a.m. local time and the rules of the virtual run are simple:

Print out a running bib and pin it to your shirt

Gather your friends, your running club members, your families

If it's wet where you are, "laminate" your bib with postage tape and punch holes in it

If that time doesn't work, go when you can

GO. Run as far and as long as you want. Walk, hike, cycle, rollerblade if you don't want to or can't run.

Please share this on your blogs, Facebooks and Twitters

Keep it simple. Just run with Sherry on your minds and hearts.

Beth writes that Sherry's disappearance and "heinous death" has shocked, angered and saddened Sidney, and adds that on a broader scale, it has also rocked the running world, with many runners wondering how "something so random, violent and senseless could happen to someone so giving, someone loved by so many."

Read more about Beth's "virtual run" at her website. Beth has also created a Facebook page for the event.

SHERRY ARNOLD TIMELINE

January 7th: Sherry Arnold, a 43 year old teacher in Sidney, Montana is reported missing after failing to return from a morning jog.

January 7th: A search begins for Arnold which includes 100 people, including 40 members of the Montana National Guard and two planes searching by air.

January 7th: Authorities recover one of Arnold's jogging shoes in northeast Sidney along Ninth Avenue. A substance which has not been identified by law enforcement was found on the shoe.

January 9th: The Montana Department of Justice issues a Missing Persons Alert for Arnold.

January 10th: The Federal Bureau of Investigation becomes involved in the investigation into Arnold's disappearance due to proximity to North Dakota and potential of kidnapping.

January 11th: A tip line is set up by investigators for information leading to the whereabouts of Sherry Arnold (406) 433-4027. Also, a "Help Find Sherry Arnold" page on Facebook garners thousands of visits.

January 12th: Formal search efforts are suspended until authorities receive new information.

January 12th: Arnold added to the FBI Missing Persons List.

January 13th: The Sidney School District posts on their website that it had informed students and teachers that Sherry Arnold is dead. The school says they were informed by Arnold's family.

January 13th: A press conference is held by Sidney police in conjunction with the FBI. Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo said a 47-year-old man is in custody in Williston, North Dakota, and a 22-year-old man had been detained for questioning in Rapid City, South Dakota, both in connection with Arnold's disappearance.

January 13th: Hundreds pour into the gym at Sidney High School for a memorial vigil.

January 14th: Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo confirms that the two men in custody have been arraigned on charges of aggravated kidnapping and are being held at the Williams County Jail in Williston, North Dakota.

January 15th: The two men held on charges of aggravated kidnapping are identified as 47-year-old Lester Waters Jr. and 22-year-old Michael Spell. Both men are most recently from Parachute, Colorado.

January 16th: Montana and North Dakota law enforcement, as well as the FBI, ask landowners in eastern Montana and western North Dakota to look for disturbed soil on their property. Authorities say they believe Arnold is deceased but they have not recovered a body. They believe her body may be located near a shelter belt of trees.

January 17th: The original citation issued to Waters and Spell from the Sidney Police Department is released. The citation sets the time of the alleged kidnapping at 6:40 a.m. at 900 East Holly Street, which is located along the truck route Arnold may have been jogging.

January 17th: Waters and Spell appear in District Court and bond is set at $2.5 million dollars for each man. The men do not agree to be extradited to Montana, so a formal extradition hearing must be scheduled.

January 18th: An arrest warrant and complaint are released. If Waters and Spell are found guilty of aggravated kidnapping they could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.

January 19th: Court records from Colorado reveal that suspect Michael Spell had been granted court permission to travel to Texas for a family emergency only two days before Arnold's disappearance.

An extradition hearing date has been set for the suspects who've been arrested in connection with the case of missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold. Lester Van Waters Jr.,47, and Michael Keith Spell, 22 appear in front of North Dakota District Judge David Nelson on February 14th at 8 a.m. according to the Williams County Clerk of Court.

Both men are from Colorado and have been behind bars in Williston since January 13th while fighting extradition to Montana. The two are charged with of kidnapping 43-year-old Sherry Arnold of Sidney. The Sidney High School teacher was last was seen leaving her home to go for a run the morning of January 7th.

Timeline: Sherry Arnold case

January 7th: 43-year-old Sidney, Montana high school teacher Sherry Arnold goes missing after leaving her home for a morning jog at 6:30a.m.

January 7th: A search begins for Arnold which includes 100 people, including 40 members of the Montana National Guard and two planes searching by air.

January 7th: Authorities recover one of Sherry Arnold's jogging shoes in northeast Sidney along Ninth Avenue, which is commonly known as the Truck Route. A substance which has not been identified by law enforcement was found on the shoe.

January 9th: The Department of Justice issues a Missing Persons Alert for Sherry Arnold. During the previous weekend, nearly 1,000 people turn up for the search effort, and some are turned away.

January 10th: The Federal Bureau of Investigation becomes involved in the investigation into Arnold's disappearance due to proximity to North Dakota and potential of kidnapping.

January 11th: A tip line is set up by investigators for information leading to the whereabouts of Sherry Arnold (406) 433-4027. Also, a "Help Find Sherry Arnold" page on Facebook gains popularity.

January 12th: Search efforts are suspended until authorities receive new information.

January 12th: Sherry Arnold added to the FBI missing persons list.

January 13th: The Sidney School District posts on their website that it had informed students and teachers that Sherry Arnold had died. The school says they were informed by Sherry Arnold's family.

January 13th: A press conference is held by the Sidney Police in conjunction with the FBI. Sidney Police chief Frank DiFonzo said a 47-year-old man was in custody in Williston, North Dakota and a 22-year-old man had been detained for questioning in Rapid City, South Dakota, both in connection to Sherry Arnold's disappearance.

January 13th: Hundreds pour into the gym at Sidney High School for a memorial vigil.

January 14th: Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo confirms that the two men in custody were arraigned on charges of aggravated kidnapping and are being held at the Williams County Jail in Williston, North Dakota.

January 15th: The two men held on charges of aggravated kidnapping are identified as 47-year-old Lester Waters Jr. and 22-year-old Michael Spell. Both men are from Parachute, Colorado.

January 16th: Montana and North Dakota law enforcement, as well as the FBI, ask landowners in northeast Montana and northwest North Dakota to look for disturbed soil on their property. Authorities say they believe Sherry Arnold is deceased but they have not recovered a body. They believe her body may be located near a shelter belt of trees.

January 17th: The original citation issued to Waters and Spell from the Sidney Police Department is released. The citation sets the time of the alleged kidnapping at 6:40a.m. at 900 East Holly Street, which is located along the truck route Arnold may have been jogging.

January 17th: Waters and Spell appear in District Court and bond is set at $2.5 million dollars for each man. The men did not agree to be extradited to Montana, so a formal extradition hearing must be scheduled.

January 18th: An arrest warrant and complaint are released. If Waters and Spell are found guilty of aggravated kidnapping they could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.

January 19th: Court records from Colorado reveal that 22-year-old suspect, Michael Spell, had been granted court permission to travel to Texas for a family emergency only two days before Sherry Arnold's disappearance. Spell is scheduled to be arraigned in Garfield County, Colorado next week. He faces charges related to a 2009 incident in which he allegedly tried to sell marijuana to middle schoolers.

SIDNEY- Sherry Arnold's disappearance and presumed death is now the subject of a feature article in People magazine.

The article detailing the story of the missing Sidney High School teacher was posted on the magazine's website Friday night.

The story features a picture of Arnold and her husband Gary, and chronicles the mystery that has people in Sidney, Montana on edge, wondering if their small town has lost its innocence in the oil boom that has gripped western North Dakota and eastern Montana.

The story chronicles the multi-state search, and the two men being held in Williston, North Dakota waiting to be extradited to Montana to face charges of aggravated kidnapping.

The article states that Arnold's "family members" have been told that one of the men in custody has confessed to killing her, but that authorities are still desperately waiting to hear how and why.

Authorities have released little details in the investigation. They do believe Sherry Arnold is dead and have asked landowners between Sidney and Williston to look for disturbed soil on their property.

GRAND JUNCTION, CO - A man who was arrested in North Dakota in connection with the January 7th disappearance of a Montana teacher had received court permission to leave Colorado just two days earlier to go to Texas for a family emergency.

Michael Keith Spell, 22, is scheduled to be arraigned in Garfield County [Colorado] next week on charges related to a 2009 incident in which he allegedly tried to get a Battlement Mesa middle-school student to find fellow middle-school buyers for marijuana. That case languished partly because of two psychological competency evaluations, and now it will take a back seat to Spell's prosecution in the Montana case.

Timeline: Sherry Arnold case

January 7th: Sherry Arnold, a 43 year old teacher in Sidney, Montana is reported missing after failing to return from a morning jog.

January 7th: A search begins for Arnold which includes 100 people, including 40 members of the Montana National Guard and two planes searching by air.

January 7th: Authorities recover one of Arnold's jogging shoes in northeast Sidney along Ninth Avenue. A substance which has not been identified by law enforcement was found on the shoe.

January 9th: The Montana Department of Justice issues a Missing Persons Alert for Arnold.

January 10th: The Federal Bureau of Investigation becomes involved in the investigation into Arnold's disappearance due to proximity to North Dakota and potential of kidnapping.

January 11th: A tip line is set up by investigators for information leading to the whereabouts of Sherry Arnold (406) 433-4027. Also, a "Help Find Sherry Arnold" page on Facebook garners thousands of visits.

January 12th: Formal search efforts are suspended until authorities receive new information.

January 12th: Arnold added to the FBI Missing Persons List.

January 13th: The Sidney School District posts on their website that it had informed students and teachers that Sherry Arnold is dead. The school says they were informed by Arnold's family.

January 13th: A press conference is held by Sidney police in conjunction with the FBI. Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo said a 47-year-old man is in custody in Williston, North Dakota, and a 22-year-old man had been detained for questioning in Rapid City, South Dakota, both in connection with Arnold's disappearance.

January 13th: Hundreds pour into the gym at Sidney High School for a memorial vigil.

January 14th: Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo confirms that the two men in custody have been arraigned on charges of aggravated kidnapping and are being held at the Williams County Jail in Williston, North Dakota.

January 15th: The two men held on charges of aggravated kidnapping are identified as 47-year-old Lester Waters Jr. and 22-year-old Michael Spell. Both men are most recently from Parachute, Colorado.

January 16th: Montana and North Dakota law enforcement, as well as the FBI, ask landowners in eastern Montana and western North Dakota to look for disturbed soil on their property. Authorities say they believe Arnold is deceased but they have not recovered a body. They believe her body may be located near a shelter belt of trees.

January 17th: The original citation issued to Waters and Spell from the Sidney Police Department is released. The citation sets the time of the alleged kidnapping at 6:40 a.m. at 900 East Holly Street, which is located along the truck route Arnold may have been jogging.

January 17th: Waters and Spell appear in District Court and bond is set at $2.5 million dollars for each man. The men do not agree to be extradited to Montana, so a formal extradition hearing must be scheduled.

January 18th: An arrest warrant and complaint are released. If Waters and Spell are found guilty of aggravated kidnapping they could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.

January 19th: Court records from Colorado reveal that suspect Michael Spell had been granted court permission to travel to Texas for a family emergency only two days before Arnold's disappearance.

GRAND JUNCTION, CO - A man who was arrested in North Dakota in connection with the Jan. 7 disappearance of a Montana teacher had received court permission to leave Colorado just two days earlier to go to Texas for a family emergency.

Michael Keith Spell, 22, is scheduled to be arraigned in Garfield County [Colorado] next week on charges related to a 2009 incident in which he allegedly tried to get a Battlement Mesa middle-school student to find fellow middle-school buyers for marijuana. That case languished partly because of two psychological competency evaluations, and now it will take a back seat to Spell's prosecution in the Montana case.

Spell and Lester Vann Wa­ters Jr., who both are from the Parachute area, are being held in Williams County, N.D., on suspicion of kidnapping math teacher Sherry Arnold, 43, of Sidney, Mont. Montana authorities Wednesday began extradition proceedings in the case.

Authorities believe Arnold is dead, but her body has not been found.

With Spell free on $500 bond in the Garfield County case, he successfully requested permission from a judge Jan. 5 to go to Texas after saying a brother was in a car accident there, court records show. Prosecutors in Garfield County didn't object.

Parachute Police Chief Cary Parmenter said Waters and Spell lived outside Parachute town limits in the unincorporated residential area of nearby Battlement Mesa.

Waters, 47, has a criminal record in Florida, where he had worked in construction.

Spell was arrested in 2007 in Garfield County and faced felony charges of drug distribution and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and a misdemeanor charge of no-consent sexual contact. But after Spell was found to be under the age of 18, the charges were dismissed and the case closed, and a new case was reopened in juvenile court on one charge of drug possession with intent to distribute, said Jim Bradford, clerk of court in Garfield County. That charge also ultimately was dismissed.

Criminal records variously list Spell as having been born in 1987 and 1989.

Spell was arrested in 2009 after allegedly asking a student at what was then St. John Middle School (now an elementary school) in Battlement Mesa to text fellow students and ask them if they wanted to buy marijuana. An arrest affidavit also said the student, then 14, said Spell had provided him with marijuana, and the two had smoked it.

Spell faces charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, attempted distribution of marijuana and solicitation to commit distribution of marijuana.

Spell was being represented by a public defender, who twice successfully requested psychological evaluations for him. The results are under court seal.

Spell initially was free on a personal-recognizance bond co-signed by his father, with whom he was living. In 2010, Spell was arrested on a failure to appear warrant in the 2009 case. The bond carried a $5,000 penalty in case of default, and the father was issued a notice of forfeiture.

In applications for public defenders in North Dakota, Spell and Waters indicated they had no money. Spell's application suggested he is married with a 1-year-old son. Waters said he isn't married but has two children, ages 5 and 15.

Dennis Webb is a reporter for the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel -- Story used with permission

BILLINGS - Still no sign of missing Sidney schoolteacher Sherry Arnold as wind chills dip below 40 degrees across northeast Montana and northwest North Dakota.

The Williston Police Chief says authorities are following up on all leads, but so far, no new developments.

We'll likely learn more about what led law enforcement to the two suspects in Sherry Arnold's disappearance when an extradition hearing takes place later this month or next month.

Lester Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Spell, 22, face felony aggravated kidnapping charges in Montana.
If found guilty, they could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Court documents state on or about Jan.7, Waters and Spell allegedly kidnapped Sherry Arnold along the truck route that Arnold often ran on.

In new documents including an arrest warrant and complaint received Wednesday, the suspects are accused of "knowingly or purposely and without lawful authority restraining Sherry Arnold by either secreting or holding her in a place of isolation or by using or threatening to use physical force, with the purpose to inflict bodily injury on or to terrorize her."

From the court documents we received, we also learned that Waters is a father of two children, ages 15 and 5. Spell has a one-year-old child.

BILLINGS- The search for the body of missing Sidney schoolteacher Sherry Arnold continues in northwest North Dakota and northeast Montana despite windchills reaching as cold as 40 below.

The search spans seven counties of vast land in the two states but so far, law enforcement has not released any details on how the search is going or if any tips have been called in.

Due to information law enforcement has received, officials believe Arnold is deceased and her body may be buried in a shelter belt that contains mature or rotted trees.

Law enforcement is asking property owners to check shelter belts and vacant farmsteads on their land for disturbed soil. Investigators say if you see anything unusual to please call Williams County law enforcement at (701) 774.9191.

The criminal proceedings in the Sherry Arnold case are moving forward, while investigators search for her body.

The two men accused of kidnapping and possibly murdering Arnold remain behind bars in the Williams County, North Dakota jail. Lester Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Spell, 22, are facing felony aggravated kidnapping charges in Montana. Tuesday afternoon, the two men appeared before District Judge Joshua Rustad and fought extradition to Montana. Their bonds have been set at $2.5 million.

Because both men did not agree to extradition, a formal extradition hearing will held later in Williams County. That date has not yet been set, but is expected to be scheduled within 30 days.

Court document state on or about January 7th Waters and Spell allegedly kidnapped Sherry Arnold. A Sidney city citation lists the location at 900 East Holly St., which is along the truck route that Arnold often ran on.

The Montana code for aggravated kidnapping states "a person commits the offense of aggravated kidnapping if the person knowingly or purposely and without lawful authority restrains another person by either secreting or holding the other person in a place of isolation or by using or threatening to use physical force."

If found guilty of aggravated kidnapping, Waters and Spell could be punished by death or life imprisonment.

The state says "imprisoned in the state prison for a term of not less than 2 years or more than 100 years and may be fined not more than $50,000, unless the person has voluntarily released the victim alive, in a safe place, and with no serious bodily injury, in which event the person shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a term of not less than 2 years or more than 10 years and may be fined not more than $50,000."

Two men accused of kidnapping Sidney schoolteacher appeared before a North Dakota District Judge Tuesday afternoon for an extradition hearing.

Lester Waters Jr. 47, and Michael Spell, 22, appeared before District Judge Joshua Rustad with court appointed counsel. Judge Rustad set an extradition bond at $2.5 million.

Q2 has not been able to obtain state District Court documents, but we have obtained a citation (below) out of the city of Sidney on aggravated kidnapping charges issued to both Waters and Spell.

The citation states the offense happened Jan. 7 at 6:40 a.m. for knowingly or purposely or negligently "commit the offense of aggravated kidnapping by without lawful authority, restraining Sherry Arnold." The citation lists the location at 900 East Holly St., which is along the truck route that Arnold often ran on. The document does not indicate when it was issued.

The two Colorado men accused of kidnapping Arnold remain in custody at the Williams County Correction Center in North Dakota.

Spell's estranged brother spoke with CBS affiliate KREX-TV. He says he has spoken with his brother since he was detained and believes Spell was threatened by Waters.

"He [Spell] was going up there to work with this guy and came to find out the guy threatened Michael, my brother, that if he didn't do what he said and everything, he would come back and kill his little baby and his wife," he said.

Lester Waters has a rap sheet filled with multiple pages of felony charges that date back to 1986. Waters served three separate prison sentences in Florida between 2002 and 2010. His long list of charges range from disorderly intoxication to distribution and sale of drugs, leaving the scene of an injury accident, driving without a valid license and a weapons charge.

In 2007, In Colorado, Michael Spell was charged with careless driving and driving without a license. Two months later he was charged with possession and intent to distribute drugs, as well as sexual contact without consent.

Meanwhile, the search for the body of missing Sidney schoolteacher Sherry Arnold continues in northeastern Montana and northwestern North Dakota.

Law enforcement is asking property owners to check shelter belts and vacant farmsteads on their land for disturbed soil. The areas of northeastern Montana include northern Richland County, as well as Roosevelt and Sheridan Counties. Law enforcement is also requesting North Dakota property owners in Williams County, McKenzie County, Mountrail County, and southern Divide County to search their properties for any sign of Arnold. The FBI has reason to believe that Sherry Arnold's body may be buried in a shelter belt that contains mature or rotted trees.

Investigators say if you see anything unusual to please call the Williams County Law Enforcement at 701-774-9191.

BILLINGS- The investigation into the disappearance of Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold continues, several days after law enforcement officials took two men into custody and asked for help from the public in locating Arnold.

Authorities have released very few details about how the two men may be connected to Arnold's disappearance, other than to note that they were alerted by a tip from the public.

Lester Waters, Jr., 47, and Michael Spell, 22, both from Parachute, Colorado, most recently, remain in custody in Williston, ND, awaiting further court proceedings on charges of aggravated kidnapping.

Bill Mercer, the former U.S. Attorney for Montana, talked with reporter Nikki Laurenzo of MTN affiliate KTVQ in Billings on Tuesday.

Mercer noted that the investigation currently involves at least two states - Montana and North Dakota - and said that if Arnold's body is found outside of Montana, it would likely trigger federal charges against the suspects, versus state charges if she is located in Montana.

Mercer also noted that the public and the media want to know details of the investigation, but stressed that law enforcement officials can't release any information that may jeopardize their investigation or any future prosecution.

He explained that the obligation of law enforcement officials is to "get it right," and there is no time clock involved in the case - only the search for answers.

BILLINGS- A criminal investigation is moving forward even as the search for the body of missing Sidney schoolteacher Sherry Arnold continues in northeastern Montana and northwestern North Dakota.

The two Colorado men who are accused of kidnapping Arnold remain in custody at the Williams County Correction Center in North Dakota. Lester Waters Jr. 47, and Michael Spell, 22, are behind bars on a no bond warrant.

Montana authorities say Waters has made an appearance in an extradition hearing while Spell is expected to make an appearance in the coming days.

Spell's estranged brother spoke with CBS affiliate KREX-TV and says he has spoken with his brother since he was detained and believes Spell was threatened by Waters.

"He [Spell] was going up there to work with this guy and came to find out the guy threatened Michael, my brother, that if he didn't do what he said and everything, he would come back and kill his little baby and his wife," he said.

Lester Waters has a rap sheet filled with multiple pages of felony charges that date back to 1986. Waters served three separate prison sentences in Florida between 2002 and 2010. His long list of charges.. range from disorderly intoxication to distribution and sale of drugs, leaving the scene of an injury accident, driving without a valid license and a weapons charge.
The criminal history information also shows that Waters went by multiple aliases.

Michael Spell was charged with careless driving and driving without a license in Colorado back in 2007. Two months later he was charged with possession and intent to distribute drugs, as well as sexual contact without consent.

Authorities are asking property owners to check shelter belts and vacant farmsteads on their land for disturbed soil. The areas of northeastern Montana include northern Richland County, as well as Roosevelt and Sheridan Counties.

Law enforcement is also requesting North Dakota property owners in Williams County, McKenzie County, Mountrail County, and southern Divide County to search their properties for any sign of Arnold.

The FBI has reason to believe that Sherry Arnold's body may be buried in a shelter belt that contains mature or rotted trees.

Investigators say if you see anything unusual to please call the Williams County Law Enforcement at (701) 774.9191.

BILLINGS - North Dakota and Montana authorities believe missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold is dead and buried on a property in extreme northeast Montana or around the Williston area. The Williston Police Department,

The Williams County Sheriff's Office and the Sidney Police Department held a joint press conference Monday in Williston, but few new details were released.

Law enforcement officials are asking property owners to check shelter belts and vacant farmsteads on their land for disturbed soil.

The areas of northeastern Montana include northern Richland County, as well as Roosevelt and Sheridan counties. Law enforcement is also requesting North Dakota property owners in Williams County, McKenzie County, Mountrail County, and southern Divide County to search their properties for any sign of Arnold.

The FBI has reason to believe that Sherry Arnold's body may be buried in a shelter belt that contains mature or rotted trees.

Investigators say if you see anything unusual to please call the Williams County Law Enforcement at (701) 774.9191.

Lester Waters Jr. 47, and Michael Spell, 22, of Parachute, Colorado are behind bars on a no bond warrant at the Williams County Correctional facility and are facing aggravated kidnapping charges out of Montana.

Authorities are revealing very little information on the Sherry Arnold case at this time, saying that they do not want to jeopardize the investigation.

Sherry Arnold went for a jog the morning of January 7th in Sidney and never returned home. Authorities were able recover her running shoe along Ninth Ave., commonly known as the Truck Route where thousands of semi-trucks and vehicles travel down everyday.

(CNN) -- Authorities in North Dakota reached out Monday for the public's help in finding the body of a missing Montana teacher they believe is dead and buried in their area, offering a plea on the same day two men were in court in connection with the woman's disappearance.

"We feel it prudent to request help from landowners," Williston, North Dakota, Police Chief Jim Lokken told reporters. "We have reason to believe that she may be buried in an area that contains trees that may be matured, dying or rotting."

The two men being detained were in a North Dakota court Monday and are being held "on no-bond warrants out of the state of Montana for aggravated kidnapping," said Williams County, North Dakota, Sheriff Scott Busching.

Their apparent victim is Sherry Arnold, a 43-year-old mother who was last seen nine days ago while out on a morning jog in her small town of Sidney, Montana. Police found one of her running shoes along her route.

The Sidney Public Schools, where Arnold was a math teacher at the town's high school, announced Friday on its website that she was dead. But two days later, the FBI issued a statement in which they said that, while they believe Arnold is dead, her body still has not been found.

"This is a crime of the century for us," Mayor Bret Smelser told HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell on Monday night. "We're still grieving, we're still somewhat frustrated. At this point in time, we want to get closure -- for the family especially, and the community."

Authorities have offered little information about the two men charged in her disappearance, including why they were in Sidney, how they might have come across Arnold, and what they allegedly did to her.

Busching, the county sheriff, said that the 47-year-old Lester Vann Waters was arrested in Williston, about 50 miles northeast of where Arnold went missing. The other man -- Michael Keith Spell, 22 -- was taken into custody in Rapid City, South Dakota, and then transported to North Dakota. Their arrests were announced last Friday.

Waters has been arrested for numerous offenses over the years including illegal weapon possession, fraud, theft and various drug-related charges, according to a criminal background check.

Both he and Spell are from Parachute, Colorado, and are now in the Williams County jail, Williams County Deputy Cindy Gergen told CNN.

The pair are being held at the request of Montana authorities and could soon be extradited to that state, according to the sheriff. "At this particular time," neither man is in a position to help locate Arnold's body, Busching said.

Arnold's disappearance prompted hundreds to turn out last week to look for her, until the FBI announced Wednesday that it was scaling back its search efforts.

Frank DiFonzo, the police chief of the eastern Montana town of about 5,200 people situated 100 miles south of the Canadian border, on Monday praised the response from the public and other law enforcement agencies.

"It's just been amazing, how many people have stepped up and offered their assistance and sent out condolences," DiFonzo said from Williston, where he attended the press conference with Buschin and Lokken. "It's all over the country. We appreciate that."

Lokken, the Williston police chief, stressed Monday that authorities aren't asking volunteers generally to launch another search "because of the cold and public safety."

"We don't want the public out there, running around the countryside," Lokken said of the proposed search area in northwest North Dakota. "If they see anything that's disturbed, we'd like them to call."

Sidney's mayor said that, once Arnold's body is found, it is time to have a "serious discussion as to where we go from there." Specifically, he mentioned that the community may want to take a different approach to the influx of outsiders coming to the area for oil industry-related jobs.

"We're not going to point the finger at anybody, (but we could consider) asking, maybe you can run a criminal background check," Smelser said. "I think that's something that we need to discuss."

The town's police chief, though, said it could be unfair to jump to too many conclusions about those who haven't been long-time residents, based on Arnold's apparent kidnapping. He urged the public to maintain an open mind and perspective about how rare this incident was.

"What we have here are a couple of individuals that somehow decided to come through our area and, we believe, commit a crime," said DiFonzo. "I just don't think it's fair to criticize one group of people and eliminate anybody else."

CNN's Antoinette Campbell and Greg Morrison contributed to this report.

^TM & © 2012 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

BILLINGS - North Dakota and Montana authorities say they believe missing teacher Sherry Arnold is dead and buried in a shelter belt, but few new details were released during a Monday morning news conference.

Law enforcement officials are asking property owners in North Dakota and extreme northeastern Montana to check shelter belts and vacant farmsteads on their land for disturbed soil.

The areas of northeastern Montana include northern Richland County as well as Roosevelt and Sheridan counties.

The FBI has reason to believe that Sherry Arnold's body may be buried in a shelter belt that contains mature or rotted trees.

Representatives from the Williston Police Department, the Williams County Sheriff's Office and the Sidney Police Department took part in the press briefing.

Investigators say if residents see anything unusual not to disturb anything and call Williams County law enforcement at (701) 774.9191. The FBI is also putting the word out that they do not need volunteers to help in the search.

Lester Waters Jr. 47, and Michael Spell, 22, both of Parachute, Colorado are behind bars on a no bond warrant at the Williams County Correctional facility, facing aggravated kidnapping charges out of Montana.

Authorities are revealing very little information on the Sherry Arnold case at this time, saying that they do not want to jeopardize the investigation.

Arnold went for a jog early in the morning on January 7th and never returned home.

SIDNEY- There have been some more developments in the Sherry Arnold case.

The FBI says they believe Arnold is dead but her body has not been recovered and they are asking property owners in North Dakota and extreme northeastern Montana to check their land for her body.

In the meantime Sidney Police have identified the two men facing charges in connection with her death. Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo identified the men as 47-year-old Lester Waters Junior and 22-year-old Michael Spell, both of Parachute, Colorado.

The men have been arraigned in Williams County, North Dakota on charges of aggravated kidnapping in connection with the disappearance of Arnold.

Chief DiFonzo says authorities received tips that led them to the two men. But he does not know if Waters or Spell were passing through the town of Sidney or working in the nearby oil fields of North Dakota when the crime occurred.

Authorities have a truck in their custody at this time and the FBI released a letter Sunday night in regards to Arnold.

FBI officials say that "based on investigative evidence gathered over the last few days, it is believed that Ms. Arnold may be deceased; her body has not been recovered."

They are asking residents in Williams County, McKenzie County and Mountrail County to check shelter belts and vacant farmsteads on their land for disturbed soil. FBI officials say Arnold's body may be buried in a shelter belt that contains mature or rotted trees.

Local authorities say they can not confirm her death at this time and as far as the investigation goes, DiFonzo says law enforcement is searching for Sherry in the Williston area.

"We believe she was kidnapped and taken from Sidney. We don't know whether she was immediately transported into North Dakota, it's a matter of what can be determined once we locate Sherry. We would like to hold out hope that she might still be alive, but it appears that may not be the case. It's been quite a while."

Meanwhile, the pastor of Sherry Arnold's church says her death has been devastating to the congregation and the community. She was long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sidney and much of Pastor David Warner's Sunday sermon addressed Sherry's death.

"It's as bad a situation as I've ever been involved in, gut wrenching for everyone involved. We can hang onto the fact that Christ has already defeated evil and that Sherry's a baptized believer in Christ and he never left her," Warner said.

Warner added the church and the community have come together to pray, search and help the Arnold family.

The FBI said in Sunday's news release that local law enforcement in Williams County, North Dakota have scheduled a press briefing on the Arnold case for 11 a.m. local time on Monday at the Williams County Law Enforcement Center.

We will bring you more on this developing story as information becomes available.

SINDEY- Law enforcement officials are requesting help from northeastern Montana property owners in the case of missing Montana school teacher Sherry Arnold.

The FBI says in a press release that based on investigative evidence gathered over the last few days, it is believed that Ms. Arnold may be deceased and that her body has not been recovered.

Law enforcement officials are requesting North Dakota property owners in Williams County, McKenzie County, Mountrail County, and extreme northeastern Montana check shelter belts and vacant farmsteads on their land for disturbed soil. The surrounding grassy area may also appear to be matted.

A shelter belt is a line of trees that protects soil from the wind. Ms. Arnold's body may be buried in a shelter belt that contains mature or rotted trees.

Officials are only requesting help from property owners and is not requesting volunteers to come search. Property owners are advised not to put themselves at risk.

Property owners who discover something unusual are asked not to disturb the site and immediately contact the Williams County Law Enforcement Center at (701) 774.9191.

Ms. Arnold went missing Saturday, January 7, 2012, at about 6:30 a.m., while on her morning run in Sidney.

Lester Van Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Keith Spell, 22, both of Parachute, Colorado, have been arraigned in Williams County, North Dakota, on charges of aggravated kidnapping in connection with the disappearance of Sherry Arnold.

Sidney Police Chief DiFonzo said Friday that authorities received tips that led them to the two men. On Friday, the family of Sherry Arnold also notified the Sidney School District, where Sherry taught, that she was dead.

DiFonzo does not know if Waters or Spell were passing through the town of Sidney or working in the nearby oil fields of North Dakota when the crime occurred. Authorities have a truck in their custody at this time.

SIDNEY- Authorities have released the identities of the two men who are being held in a North Dakota jail in connection with the death of schoolteacher Sherry Arnold.

Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo identified the men as Lester Van Waters Jr., 47, and Michael Keith Spell, 22, both of Parachute, Colorado.

The men have been arraigned in Williams County, North Dakota on charges of aggravated kidnapping in connection with the death of Sherry Arnold.

DiFonzo said on Friday that authorities received tips that led them to the two men.

Arnold went for a jog along Ninth Avenue, also known as the Truck Route, early Saturday and was never seen again. All officials were able to find was a running shoe that was left behind.

We'll have more on this developing story as information becomes available.

SIDNEY - Full of shock and heavy hearts, the Sidney community came together and turned to their faith to help them cope with the loss of beloved teacher, coach and community member Sherry Arnold.

The prayer service was held by several local spiritual leaders, wanted to shine light in a dark time. "can't even think clearly. We've been devastated," said Pastor George Karres of Pella Lutheran.

Sherry's children, stepchildren and husband also attended the service. They were no doubtedly full of emotion. After almost a week of searching for their mother, they received an answer they were not hoping for.

While the service focused on praying for the family of Sherry Arnold and the community, local pastors also took time to focus on supporting Sidney students. Sherry had taught math at the middle and high school for more than a decade, touching many lives.

"You've had something taken from you, but the love Mrs. Arnold gave you guys, that can never be taken from you," said Rev. Matt Nelson of Lutheran Brethren.

Sidney High School Senior Nichole Peters had Sherry Arnold as a teacher and says students will miss her familiar face at school.

"She was one of the most caring people that you could've ever imagined. When you wouldn't understand a math problem, she would just sit down with you and be so patient and she just believed that every student could succeed and it was just fact that she cared so much," said Nichole Peters.

The group stood when singing Amazing Grace and the Lord's Prayer and held hands.

"We're getting through this with each other and most of all with God," Pastor Karres said.

As the service wrapped up, many found themselves coming to grips with her death and the realization that they will never see her again.

"We love you and miss you and you're never going to be forgotten," Peters said.

A heart breaking loss for this entire community, but they say together they will get through this difficult time.

BILLINGS- The two men who have been connected to the death of Sherry Arnold are currently being held in Williston, North Dakota on charges of aggravated kidnapping.

Williams County jail officials confirm that they have two men being held on those charges.

Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo said during a Friday afternoon press conference that one man, a 47-year-old, had been arrested in the case. He added that nother man, a 22-year-old, was being detained for questioning.

That news came hours after the school district in Sidney posted on its website that it had been told Sherry Arnold had died.

DiFonzo apologized to those gathered at the news conference about the lack of information being shared about the case.

"Sorry we can't provide you with anymore at this time," said DiFonzo. "But you need to understand this is a work in progress and that we need to do this in a manner that will bring a conclusion to this matter."

Arnold went running around 6:30 a.m. on January 7th in her small town in eastern Montana, but never returned home.

Other than one of her running shoes found along her route, authorities had not indicated, until Friday, that there had been any sign of her.

The woman's disappearance shocked Sidney, located about 100 miles south of the Canadian border. It has a population of just below 5,200 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

MISSOULA- News of Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold's death is being felt across the state with many of her former students remembering how she helped them to actually like math class.

We spoke with a University of Montana student who tells us about the last time he saw his beloved teacher. Matthew Brenner grew up in Sidney and sat in Arnold's classroom twice.

He describes her as the kind of teacher who made sure her students really learned and said when you asked a question, she'd answer it. She was a very well respected teacher.

Brenner, a senior in accounting at UM, went home for the holidays and not surprisingly, saw his former teacher out on a walk. "You just go used to seeing her around," he recalled.

But Brenner didn't know he'd never see her again. "[I] gave her my token wave this last break because she knows who I am and it was good to see her again. I saw her that Friday."

He knows the next few days and weeks are going to test his town. "I don't even know how to begin to try and start school again, but I can tell you this, she was one of the most respected people in that school system. [And] it's gonna be rough."

The two men who have been connected to the death of Sherry Arnold are currently being held in Williston, North Dakota on charges of aggravated kidnapping.

SIDNEY- The news of missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold's death sent shock waves across the close knit community and prompted many of them to come together to grieve the loss of a beloved teacher.

Hundreds of people gathered at Sidney High School Friday night as ten local spiritual leaders led a memorial at the school.

Those leaders said they wanted to help the community come together and grieve, but also they wanted to send a strong message that they will rise around the fear and this tragedy.

The community became especially emotional during the memorial when they sang Amazing Grace and held hands during ‘The Lords Prayer'.

One pastor told the students, many of whom have known Mrs. Arnold for years, that they have had something taken from them, but what Mrs. Arnold gave to them can never be taken away.

"We can't even think clearly," said Pastor George Karres of Pella Lutheran Church. "We've been devastated, but we're getting through it with each other and, most of all, with God. And we're leaning on each other right now."

SIDNEY - After the confirmed death of missing Sidney school teacher Sherry Arnold on Friday, the Sidney Eagles have postponed three of this weekend's scheduled basketball games.

Friday's games between Laurel and Sidney are now set to be played at a later date. The boys have been confirmed to play January 30th in Sidney.

At the time of this story, a later date was still being arranged for girls games between Billings Central, Laurel and Sidney.

Central's boys are in Glendive for a Friday night game, and at this point will play at Sidney as scheduled Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

SIDNEY- Law enforcement officials confirmed the death of missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold during a Friday afternoon press conference in Sidney.

The speaker confirmed that they have detained two men in connection to the case, a 47-year-old man who was arrested in Williston, North Dakota and a 22-year-old man arrested in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Arnold went running around 6:30 a.m. last Saturday in her small town in eastern Montana, but never returned home. Other than one of her running shoes found along her route, authorities had not indicated, until Friday, that there had been any sign of her.

The woman's disappearance shocked Sidney, located about 100 miles south of the Canadian border. It has a population of just below 5,200 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

A massive search effort involved hundreds of volunteers, as well as law enforcement authorities and National Guard members. Authorities on Wednesday "determined the prudent course of action is to scale back the ground search."

"We're such a small community, and crime is absolutely unheard of," said Christine Mullen, 26, who joined the search effort, even though she didn't know Arnold personally. "We don't lock our car doors. (We're) completely shocked."

The FBI said Friday that "dozens of tips were called into (a) tip line", one of which led to the arrest and questioning.

Sidney Public Schools said that all sporting events for Friday had been canceled and "additional counselors (were) on hand" to help students cope.

SIDNEY- The family of Sherry Arnold is in shock over the news that they will never see her alive again.

Speaking by phone, Karen Arnold Truax, Gary Arnold's oldest daughter says the family is "trying to wrap their heads around this tragedy."

Truax says its been a "long, grueling past six days and the answer we got was not the answer we were hoping and praying for."

She says the family is spending time together as a family right now. Truax adds the family would like to express thanks to the Sidney community and beyond for supporting, helping and praying for them.

MISSOULA- The news of Sherry Arnold's death is affecting people across the state.

Matthew Brenner is a senior at the University of Montana, grew up in Sidney and had Arnold as his math teacher twice.

He says she was a well-loved and humble woman who was a great teacher and a great mother.

She was a fixture around town on her walks and Brenner saw her for the last time while he was home over the holiday break.

"I gave her my token wave this last break because she knows who I am and it was good to see her again. I saw her that Friday before she got abducted," Brenner recalled.

"It's a shock to me and a shock to them. I don't even know how to begin to try and start school again, but I can tell you this, she was one of the most respected people in that school system. It's gonna be rough," he added.

Brenner told us Arnold was a cancer survivor and that the town of Sidney rallied around her when she had to have a bone marrow transplant several years ago.

He also can't remember the last time there was a murder the small town near the North Dakota border, assuming that's what happened to his teacher.

Contact Jill Valley

SIDNEY- With time ticking by and an apparent dearth of clues, an eastern Montana family clung Thursday to hopes of finding a 43-year-old schoolteacher, last seen five days earlier out on a morning jog through her small town.

An FBI official noted that investigators have received "dozens and dozens" of calls about Sherry Arnold, agency spokeswoman Deborah Bertram said Thursday by e-mail. But the woman remains at large, and there have no named suspects in her disappearance.

"Our thoughts are focused on her, we want her to return, we want to get her back," her husband, Gary Arnold, told HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell on Thursday. "That's what keeps hope alive."

Sherry Arnold went running around 6:30 a.m. Saturday, but never returned home, the FBI said.

Other than one of her running shoes that was found along her route, authorities have not indicated there's been any sign of Arnold.

This is despite an extensive search effort launched by authorities and aided by throngs of people around the area. Sidney police Chief Frank DiFonzo said earlier this week that teams had been using dogs and aircraft and have gotten help from National Guard members as well as volunteers.

Christine Mullen, 26, a CNN iReport contributor, said earlier this week that she went to the site of one of the searches, where thousands turned up to help. Some set out on horses, others on ATVs and more on foot covering "a lot of pasture, dirt roads and farmland."

Arnold's disappearance has hit the small community hard, including at Sidney High School, where she is a math teacher. Situated near North Dakota and about 100 miles south of the Canadian border, Sidney has a population of just under 5,200 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

"Everybody is involved," said Mullen, adding she doesn't know Arnold but still feels the impact. "We're such a small community, and crime is absolutely unheard of," Mullen said. "We don't lock our car doors. (We're) completely shocked."

But this type of extensive effort was called off Wednesday, when the FBI announced that "law enforcement officials determined the prudent course of action is to scale back the ground search."

The focus, instead, will shift toward "other investigative efforts," though the FBI did not specify in its statement what those would be.

"I think the FBI is on top of it, as much as they can be.," said Gary Arnold, adding that he believed his wife's running route has been "very, very thoroughly searched."

"They're going to do the right thing and ask the right questions from the right people. We just need to get that one tip."

On Thursday, the FBI put out a poster of Arnold and added her to its "kidnapping and missing persons" website. It noted that she was wearing running clothes, mittens, earbuds and a grayish-blue iPod at the time of her disappearance.

"We are hopeful this will generate more tips in the case," Bertram said. "Our goal is to keep her information and picture out in the public."

Frigid temperatures have heightened concerns. The low temperature Thursday night in Sidney was expected to dip to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, with day-time highs over the next two days forecast to be in the 30s, according to the National Weather Service.

Gary Arnold said his wife's disappearance has been "very difficult" on the couple's children, though he claimed they are staying optimistic.

"Their mother has raised them well," he said. "They are troopers, they are hanging in there, and they are not giving up hope either."

SIDNEY- Missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold has officially been added to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's missing persons list.

The FBI has posted a missing persons poster on FBI.gov, which features a photo of Arnold with a full of her.

FBI spokeswoman Deborah Bertram said, "We're hoping that poster reaches folks beyond and outside of Montana. It keeps her face and her name out there in the media and in the spotlight. Hopefully somebody can recognize her and call us with some information."

Arnold, 43, has been missing since Saturday, January 7, when she was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt with a white stripe, and red nylon pants with black leggings. She went out for her morning run around 6:30 a.m. and never returned.

According to Bertram, Sidney law enforcement officials have received dozens of calls on their tip line. Bertram could not release information the types of tips they're receiving, but she says they are relevant and very important to the investigation, adding, "They are looking over that information, reviewing it, and determining if any of the information is valid and should be followed up on."

Bertram said the FBI continues to encourage residents of Sidney and anyone else who thinks they may have seen something or heard something to contact law enforcement.

The tip line can be reached at 406-443-4027 for anyone who might have information. Bertram said, "Even if they don't know if it somehow may help, we would certainly encourage them to let law enforcement determine that. These types of investigations sometimes can turn on one bit of information."

The formal search was suspended on Wednesday, with authorities now concentrating more on the investigation into what might have happened to her.

Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo said that the longer authorities investigate this case, the more likely it seems possible that Arnold may have been abducted.

Aside from finding one of Arnold's running shoes in the northeastern part of town along 9th Avenue, known as the Truck Route, little information has been released about the ongoing investigation.

Bertram explained, "Unless we feel like there's a need to release certain evidence, we don't generally speak about it for a variety of reasons, but mostly to protect the integrity of the investigation."

A reward is now being offered for any information leading to the return Arnold, or the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for her disappearance.

A Facebook page has also been created.

Online: FBI Missing Persons page

SIDNEY- The search for missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold has been suspended, that is for now. Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo tells Montana's News Station that the search has been put on hold until authorities receive new information.

Local authorities have been searching by ground and air for any sign of the missing 43-year-old woman, who disappeared Saturday after jogging. Although the search is at a standstill, Chief DiFonzo says there is work being done.

"There have been people interviewed and talked to by investigators, but at this point I don't know of any particular suspect that's been named," said Sidney Police Chief Frank DiFonzo.

"The longer you go and the more area you cover, you have to start looking at the possibility that maybe she was abducted," he added.

Local authorities want the public to know that the investigation is still underway.

"Absolutely, we're not done with this by any stretch of the imagination and right now we're following leads, getting leads in here and people have observed things we need to know about and we're following those things up with actual contact and we do have some state officials in who are coordinating all the leads we're getting," DiFonzo said.

Sherry's disappearance has left many in the community shocked. "This is just not something that happens here. We're not used to this kind of a thing especially with local people who have lived here all their lives," DiFonzo commented.

During this difficult time, DiFonzo says he is thankful for the overwhelming generosity of the community and hard work of multiple law enforcement agencies. But DiFonzo says he knows they are all searching for answers.

"I don't believe there's anyone that wants answers more than I do."

Anyone with information about the disappearance is urged to call (406) 433.4027.

SIDNEY - It's been five days since Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold went missing after a jog and no new clues have been uncovered. The Sidney Herald is reporting that the search has concluded for the time being.

The Herald says the Federal Bureau of Investigation is taking over the case and is looking into the possibility of abduction. Search crews were called of Tuesday to focus on a fire that blazed a nightclub. The Herald also reports that a search will resume if investigators find other evidence.

So far the only piece of evidence found has been her running shoe. Sherry Arnold was reported missing Saturday after she failed to return home after her jog. A tip line has been set up at (406) 443.4027 for anyone who has information about Arnold's disappearance.

SIDNEY- The search for missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold continues with the FBI now leading the five-day old investigation with a spokesperson saying the case is being considered as a possible kidnapping.

A tipline has been set up for anyone that may have information about the whereabouts of Sherry at (406) 433.4027 and a "Help Find Sherry Arnold" page on Facebook page now has more than 5,500 members.

Captain Ray Hitchcock of the Cascade County Sheriff's Office says the use of social networking sites such as Facebook can create a ripple effect and help reach more people.

"Until this is resolved it is good to keep the communication going. Anything that is spotted should be reported, nothing should be left to chance if possible. The information that comes from the public is very critical for law enforcement," Hitchcock noted.

Captain Hitchcock also notes when people are passing along information, it is important they are certain the information is accurate.

SIDNEY- The FBI has now joined the search for a missing Eastern Montana teacher. An FBI spokesperson says because of the potential of kidnapping and the proximity of North Dakota, agents are now on the ground in Sidney.

The small town of Sidney is holding onto hope, as they search for missing teacher Sherry Arnold. Day three of the search for missing teacher Sherry Arnold saw a smaller team of law enforcement officers and firefighters comb rural areas outside of Sidney, hoping to uncover clues as to what happened to Sherry Arnold.

The search focused on four areas, and included a 12-mile stretch from Sidney to Fairview. But so far, authorities have only recovered one piece of evidence - the shoe Sherry wore on Saturday when she last seen.

Searchers, friends, and family all gathered at the Richland County Events Center as a command post and source of support. Sherry's older sister Rhonda Whited Rupp says her family is in shock over her sister's disappearance in this tight knit community.

Sherry was well known in the community as a math teacher and coach with Sidney Schools Superintendent Dr. Daniel Farr saying school resumed Monday and Sherry's presence was missed.

Law enforcement says they will start up again Tuesday morning. However, they are concerned incoming weather could hamper their efforts to find Sherry Arnold.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Sherry Arnold is asked to call the Sidney Police Department at (406) 433.2210 or the Richland County Tipline at (406) 433.4027.

SIDNEY - The search for a missing teacher continues in eastern Montana as dozens of law enforcement officers are searching by ground and air for any sign of 43-year-old Sherry Arnold, who went missing Saturday morning after a jog.

A smaller civilian search effort will also take place in the town. Law enforcement officers combed the town and investigated more of the rural area hoping to find clues about the disappearance of Arnold. The last piece of item authorities have recovered is her shoe, which was found along the Truck Route.

Even with Sherry's disappearance, school resumed Monday for all Sidney students. Sherry is a well liked math teacher and coach for the school.

Sidney Superintendent Dr. Daniel Farr says counselors are at the school for students and staff. He says other teachers are on standby to give teachers breaks if they need time to compose themselves. Dr. Farr says he is thankful for the assistance of sister schools during this difficult time.

Stay with us for more information on this developing story.

SIDNEY- The Montana Department of Justice has issued a Missing Persons Alert for Sherry Arnold, a teacher from Sidney in eastern Montana who has been missing since Saturday morning.

Over the weekend, hundreds of people combed Sidney and the surrounding area for Arnold, but came up empty handed.

Arnold went for a jog early Saturday morning and never returned home.

That same day, law enforcement found a shoe believed to be Arnold's on the northeastern side of Sidney, along Ninth Avenue or what is commonly known as the Truck Route.

"That shoe is the last thing we have found that is her possession," said Sidney Assistant Police Chief Bob Burnison said.

Within hours of her disappearance, friends, family and law enforcement became more concerned about the well-known teacher and coach.

"Everything's accounted for, her personal things, her vehicle is accounted for. We just feel that there's something drastic, either happened to her or something to that effect, why she wouldn't have made contact back," Burnison said.

As law enforcement searched for Arnold by ground and air and with K-9 units from several agencies, the community of Sidney moved into action combing the town.

Nearly 1,000 volunteers turned up at Sidney High School on Sunday to help find Arnold, and 500 people were then bussed out in groups all over the town to search.

On Monday, a smaller search team will comb a larger area. Authorities say time is of the essence in this investigation.

"We're going to keep going until we can get some answers here. We just want to find her you know. Our hope is she's okay," Burnison noted.

BILLINGS- Eastern Montana authorities say after a second straight day of searching, no new clues have been revealed into the disappearance of a Sidney teacher.

Hundreds of people scoured the Sidney area for a sign of Sherry Arnold, but could not find any clues on Sunday.

Sidney Police Assistant Chief Bob Burnison says items have been turned into the office, but none of them belong to Sherry.

However on Saturday, officials were able to identify a shoe that Sherry was last seen wearing. The shoe was found on the northeastern part of town near Ninth Avenue, which is commonly known as the Truck Route.

Sherry Arnold was last seen jogging Saturday morning around 6:30 am. She is described as 5'10", 140-pounds with black hair. Arnold was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt with a white stripe, red nylon pants with black leggings.

More than 500 people and law enforcement officers from the region, the Montana National Guard and Border Patrol agents spent Sunday searching the town for a sign of Sherry Arnold. Three canine units from across the area were brought in to search for the popular math teacher and community member.

A massive civilian search effort has been centered at Sidney High School, for volunteers and responders. As many as 1,000 people showed up to the school to help, but some had to be turned away because it was simply too much.

Longtime resident and Sidney Herald Publisher Libby Bernt joined in on the search effort. She says this incident has just shocked the community.

"We're covering residential, we're covering rural, we're covering everything, looking underneath everything and just trying to see if we can find some sort of clues. We spent about four hours out and on the way back on the bus, it was complete silence. There was no talking because nothing was found," Berndt said..

The search will continue Monday with law enforcement searching into the county and adults who want to volunteer can call the Law and Justice Center at (406) 433.2919. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Sherry Arnold, you are asked to call the Sidney Police Department at (406) 433.2210.

SIDNEY- One day after a popular Eastern Montana teacher went missing, hundreds of people descend into the town of Sidney to find Sherry Arnold.

Sherry Arnold was last seen jogging Saturday morning. She is described as 5'10", 140-pounds with black hair. Arnold was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt with a white stripe, red nylon pants with black leggings.

Authorities recovered Arnold's shoe Saturday in the northeastern part of town, known as the Truck Route.

On Sunday, more than 500 people and law enforcement officers from the region, the Montana National Guard and Border Patrol agents spent the day searching the town for a sign of Sherry Arnold.

Three canine units from across the area were brought in to search for the popular math teacher and community member.

A massive civilian search effort has been centered at Sidney High School for volunteers and responders and on Sunday, people were bussed out in groups all over the town to search for Arnold.

Longtime resident and Sidney Herald Publisher Libby Bernt joined in on the search effort. She says this incident has just shocked the community.

"We're covering residential, we're covering rural, we're covering everything, looking underneath everything and just trying to see if we can find some sort of cLues. And we spent about 4 hours out and on the way back on the bus, it was complete silence. There was no talking because nothing was found," Berndt commented.

The search will continue Monday and adults who want to volunteer can call the Law and Justice Center at (406) 433.2919. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Sherry Arnold should call the Sidney Police Department at (406) 433.2210.

SIDNEY- Authorities in Eastern Montana say they have recovered a shoe belonging to missing Sidney teacher Sherry Arnold. She was last seen around 6:30 am jogging in the town.

Sidney Police Assistant Chief Bob Burnison says the shoe was found in the northeastern part of town, near what is known as the truck route on Ninth Avenue. Assisstant Chief Burnison says Arnold was wearing the shoe Saturday, when she went missing.

Local authorities have requested a canine unit from the Border Patrol to scour the area. Burnison says law enforcement and the Border Patrol will work Saturday evening in the hopes of picking up clues about Arnold's disappearance.

More than 100 members of the community formed a civilian search effort to find the well-known teacher and coach on Saturday. Burnison added the community is "very worried" about Arnold and local churches have held prayer vigils.

The police department, Richland County Sheriff's Department and Sidney Fire Department spent the day searching for her by ground and two planes searched for her by air.

Sherry Arnold went for a jog Saturday morning at about 6:30 and has not returned home. She is described as 5'10" tall, 140 lbs. with black hair. She was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt with a white stripe, red nylon pants with black leggings.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Sherry Arnold, you are asked to call the Sidney Police Department at (406) 433.2210.