The National Guard has begun work at the Marias Medical Center in Shelby to help with a staff shortage at the local assisted living facility as part of a regional response to help Toole, Pondera, and Glacier Counties and others along the Hi-line deal with the coronavirus. Three of the state’s six COVID-19 deaths were residents. The 21 bed cen...
Billings – Animal Shelter Prepares for Influx of Surrendered Animals
The Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter in Billings began pushing to place animals in foster care about three weeks ago in an attempt to free up kennel space. The shelter which is now about half-empty is preparing for an influx of surrendered animals whose owners are hospitalized due to the coronavirus.
Kalispell – Free Paper Shredding Event for NWMT Veterans Food Pantry
The Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry and Stand Down will hold a free paper shredding event Saturday April 18th from 10 to 4:30 in Evergreen. The fraud-theft risk awareness event is free to the community where people can get paperwork shredded. It’s also an opportunity to obtain free services and engage with veteran and community resource...
MetraPark Pavillion Transformed into Quarantine Site
The Montana Pavilion at MetraPark in Billings is now a make shift quarantine site for unsheltered individuals during the coronavirus pandemic. Spots are reserved for people who do not have a home to isolate in. They’ll be able to shower use the restroom and get food at the facility while keeping their distance from others.
Missoula – Food Bank Making Home Deliveries
Missoula residents who are hesitant to leave their homes out of fear of being exposed to COVID-19 can now get food and essential items delivered to them with the help of a new hotline and warehouse full of donated goods. The Missoula COVID-19 Home Delivery Hotline connects homebound at-risk residents to volunteers willing to drop off grocerie...
Montana Ranks 22nd in Fight Against COVID-19
With nearly all of the 50 states in some form of lockdown to fight the spread of COVID-19 the personal finance website Wallet Hub dot com today released update rankings for the most aggressive states against the Coronavirus. It compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 51 key metrics. Montana ranks 22nd on the list of the most...
Missoula – Changes to Mountain Line Service
Missoula Mountain Line bus service will alter two of its routs beginning Wednesday and is asking riders to wear face masks and coverings as COVID-19 continues to spread in Missoula. Mountain Line will expand its Route 2 frequency and suspend its Route 1 service until further notice.
Helena – Major Overhaul on Beattie Street Trailhead Moves Ahead
Helena is moving forward with a major overhaul of the Beattie Street Trailhead. It includes the addition of a paved 20-spot parking lot at Beattie Street’s southern terminus and street work such as new sidewalks and gutters which began Monday morning. Construction is expected to last until late June or early July.
Bozeman – Increase in Those Seeking Help
Social safety nets in southwest Montana are seeing an increase in people seeking help after the coronavirus stalled thousands of jobs. Monday at the Gallatin Valley Food Bank workers delivered prepared boxes of food to those behind the wheels in a line of cars. Only a few weeks ago families wandered through the Bozeman location’s store-like sh...
Expanded Unemployment Benefits
Montanans will be eligible as soon as this week to receive expanded unemployment benefits made possible through the Coronavirus Economic Recovery package for Montana workers who lost their jobs due to COVID-19. Since March 16th 51,545 Montanans have filed for unemployment. Monday the federal government issued guidance necessary for the State o...