The nationwide rollout of the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program is underway and the owner of Mountaina Mudd Espresso in Billings appears to be the first business owner in Montana to qualify meaning 50 employees will continue to get paid for the next eight weeks and the crew will likely stay intact after the coronavirus pandemic ends. Se...
MT State Fund Defers Premium Payments
Montana State Fund has announced that policyholders impacted by COVID-19 will have the flexibility to defer premium payments on their workers’ compensation insurance without cancellation of their policy through June 30th. No cancellations will occur during this period unless requested by the policyholder.
Browning – Dog Rescue Organization Sees an Increase In Drop Offs
Leetta Gobert’s Rez Dog Rescue Home just outside of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation helps dogs find homes and takes in abused animals and nurses them back to health. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are taking a toll on her efforts. Some people have been dropping their dogs off at her place because they are afraid of contracting COVID-19 ...
Hamilton – Bitter Root Brewing Joins in the Efforts to Produce Hand Sanitizer
In Hamilton Bitter Root Brewing and Higherground Brewing have joined forces to produce hand sanitizer in hopes of keeping those on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis safer. The first batch is going to first responders like the sheriff’s office an police department as well as local nursing home facilities.
Hutterite Colony Assisting in Production of Masks
With facemasks in short supply for healthcare workers many people have turned to making them in order to help including the Miller Hutterite Colony near Choteau. They’re knocking out 775 masks every two days.
Great Falls – Resources are Limited for Spring Flooding
Lewis and Clark County is reminding residents to be prepared for spring flooding and know the resources that are available and remember safety should always be a top priority during a flooding event. If COVID-19 is still a community concern people should practice social distancing protocols should they need to pick up water or sand. Health car...
Top Petroleum Corporation Files for Chapter 11
As the nation’s oil industry struggles to deal with record low oil prices and the coronavirus, one of the top producers in the Bakken filed for bankruptcy protection this week. Whiting Petroleum Corporation based in Denver decided Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection is the best path forward for the company. Whiting Petroleum has been involved in ...
East Helena – Truss Manufacturing Plant a Total Loss
An East Helena truss manufacturing plant owned by Casey Truss Company went up in flames during a fire that started late Thursday evening. The roughly 40 by 100 foot building was a total loss but no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Hamilton – Free Meals Program to Restart
Family Shelter of the Bitterroot will restart its successful free meals program Monday. They will be made and packaged to go by the Triple Creek Guest Ranch. Meal service starts at 5:30 in the afternoon and drive-through delivery will be available Monday through Friday at the Cornerstone Church in Hamilton.
Changes to the Ecomomic Outlook
The University of Montana’s Patrick Barkey saw no reason for a 2020 downturn last month when the economist crisscrossed Montana offering economic forecasts for the year. Now Main Street has shut down to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. According to Barkey what happens from this point basically depends on what we do next.