Longtime Lewis and Clark County health official stepping down

After leading Lewis and Clark County to the highest vaccination rate in the state and one of the highest in the country, Eric Merchant is calling it quits. The longtime Lewis and Clark County health official is stepping down after 23 years on the job. Merchant retired from his post Wednesday. Collegues said Merchant’s more … Read more

Helena Civic Center celebrating 100-years

The Helena Civic Center will mark its 100-year anniversary by planting two spruce trees Friday. The event is part of an Arbor Day ceremony and will be held this Friday morning. The public is invited and people are asked to follow current COVID-19 guidelines, including wearing a mask. The trees replace 100-year-old spruce trees that … Read more

Helena Farmers’ Market making comeback in 2021

The Helena Farmers’ Market is set to kick off its 48th season Saturday. The local farmers’ market, like many businesses, had some challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic this past year, but now, with less restrictive COVID-19 safety measures, organizers say the event is making a comeback and they’re excited to get the new market season … Read more

Local businesses having problems finding workers

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the service industry over the past year. While crowds have been returning in Montana, many businesses aren’t able to reopen at full hours because they can’t find the employees to fill empty positions. Eight out of ten job applicants haven’t shown up for interviews in recent … Read more

Home Values are Surging in Helena and so are demands for housing

Home Values are Surging in Helena and so are demands for housing. In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. home sales slumped. Since then, however, the market’s rising demand, attributed to Helena’s population growth, but relatively low supply of housing, has caused home values to climb. According to estimates from Zillow between March … Read more

Helena man charged in construction scheme

A 43-year-old Helena man is accused of stealing more than $91,000 in a construction scheme. Bobby Francis Lowry is charged with felony theft and felony deceptive practices after several people reported they had hired Lowry to do home repairs but he never completed the work even though he had already been paid, according to court … Read more

MHP headquarters makes move from Helena to Boulder

About 40 people gathered Thursday at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Boulder to welcome the Montana Highway Patrol to its new home. The MHP and attorney general’s office met with Boulder officials and residents for about an hour at what was billed as a “Coffee with a Cop” event. The state recently announced it was … Read more