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Hele Public schools leaders are giving the green light to a plan to lease property to St. Peter’s Health and Queen City Football Club. Superintendwent Rex Weltz had recommended the board lease land that the hospital is already using at the former Ray Bjork Learning Center. The hospital runs it’s Pete’s Place employee childcare out … Read more

Helena commissioners discussed the need for a third city fire station

HELENA – Helena commissioners discussed the need for a third city fire station. The Helena Fire Departments Master Plan proposes the addition of a third fire station and remote training facility, and during their August administrative meeting commissioners reviewed the infrastructure and potential location of a third fire station as a building. The fire chief … Read more

Sextortion scam resulted in Missoula teen’s death

MISSOULA – A sextortion scam that resulted in a Missoula teen’s death has local law enforcement on high alert. The scam tricks teens into sharing naked photos with someone they believe they’re in an online relationship with, and then the scammers threaten to post those photos unless they get money. Waylon Scheffer, 16, of Missoula, … Read more

Great Falls Fire Rescue will be upgrading four of their stations

GREAT FALLS – Great Falls Fire Rescue will be upgrading four of their stations. Great Falls Fire Chief Jeremy Jones said about $2.9 million allocated through federal ARPA funds will be used to replace the 53 year old stations core services, such as HVAC, plumbing, and electric which have “really gone downhill.” GFFR also received … Read more

Rogers Pass fire shuts down Continental Divide Trail

The Continental Divide Trail between Flesher Pass and Rogers Pass has been closed until Rogers Pass fire activity subsides, the U.S. Forest Service said Friday. The lightning sparked Rogers Pass fire has been burning just southeast of Lincoln since Aug. 1. Lincoln District Rangers said the trail was closed for public safety and hikers and … Read more

Capital Transit fares could be going up

The Helena City Commission is mulling a potential increase to Capital Transit fares that could amount to a more than 250% rate hike. According to Helena Transportation Systems Department leadership, the rate, which currently sits at 85 cents, has not been adjusted since 1979. The city has also considered expanding the service into adjacent areas … Read more

Overcrowding forcing largest Montana jail to turn away hundreds arrested in Billings

Overcrowding at the largest jail in Montana has forced the facility’s commanders to turn away hundreds of people arrested in Billings over the past year. The Billings Police Department says Billings has outgrown its jail and noted that has been exacerbated by a staff shortage at YCDF. BPD officers have now been “forced to transition … Read more

Federal funding aimed at cleaning up drinking water systems at schools across the state

New funding will soon be made available for schools across the state to identify elevated levels of lead in their drinking water systems. During this year’s session of the Montana Legislature, lawmakers added $3.7 million to a major long-range spending bill, to provide additional grants to reimburse schools for lead remediation. Also this week, the … Read more