Yellowstone County’s public health officer told the Billings City Council Monday evening the closure of dining areas bars and casinos and the state order to stay inside appear to be making a difference in the fight against COVID-19. John Felton said there’s evidence we’re getting good results and have successfully pushed down the curve. It wa...
Keystone Pipeline Construction Underway in Montana
TC Energy said Monday it has started construction across the U.S. – Canada border on the Keystone XL oil pipeline at a border crossing in northern Montana. A hearing on a request to block the Canadian company’s work is scheduled for April 16th before U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls.
Billings – Virtual Art Walk Drew a Crowd
Montana’s stay at home order forced the cancellation of the Billings Art Walk but some of the art can be seen online. Stapleton Gallery in downtown Billings put a virtual art walk on its website. According to Gallery Owner Jeremiah Young the virtual tour drew more than the few hundred that would visit on a normal art walk night. Young said he ...
Fatal Crash North of Columbus
One man is dead and two others injured after a rollover crash north of Columbus, MT Sunday afternoon. The accident occured on a gravel section of Big Timber Road just west of Rapelje. The vehicle lost control and rolled several times before coming to a stop. Speed and alcohol are suspected factors in the crash.
Continuing Ed Course Available for Science Teachers
Academic Technology and Outreach at Montana State University will offer a non-credit course for science teachers looking for continuing education. The course will run from April 20th until May 24th and is fully online.
Whitefish – City Council Prohibits Lodging Reservations
Whitefish City Council passed an emergency ordinance prohibiting motels, hotels, short-term rentals, and other lodging facilities from accepting reservations or walk-ins for non-essential purposes during the COVID-19 emergency for stays through April 30th. Violation of the ordinance may result in revocation of the business license issued by th...
BCBS Sponsors Child Abuse Prevention Program
The Montana Children’s Trust Fund has received a $10,000 sponsorship from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana. These funds will support virtual Strengthening Families Month activities and help raise awareness of the prevention of child abuse and neglect across Montana. Activities will include virtual Pinwheels for Prevention and Go Blue Mondays ...
Colstrip – NorthWestern Energy and Puget Sound Energy Reach Agreement on Unit 3
Shutting down Colstrip Unit 3 becomes much easier under an agreement between power plant owners Puget Sound Energy and Northwestern Energy according to regulatory filings in Washington. They reveal Puget expects to dictate the Montana utility’s vote when it comes to closing Unit 3 sometime in the next five years. Puget plans to sell its 25% ...
Whitefish – City Council to Discuss Permit for New Town Pump
This evening the Whitefish City Council will discuss awarding a conditional use permit for a new Town Pump gas station at a major intersection on the south end of Whitefish. The meeting will be held remotely though WebEx due to the closure of City Hall during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Great Falls – Interim Public Works Director Named
Mike Judge has been named interim Public Works Director of Great Falls while the city completes its search for a permanent replacement and he assumed his roll April 1st. The position became vacant after the former director Jim Rearden retired after 33 years of service. His last day was March 31st.