Several agencies battle large fire in Elk Park

BUTTE, Mont. – It took several agencies to battle a large fire over the weekend in Elk Park. The Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department reports they were requested for to assist, and Engines 2 and 4 responded with Boulevard, Home Atherton, Terra Verde, and Floral Park. It took crews two and a half hours to contain … Read more

Montana VA Health Care System will host hiring event

The Montana VA Health Care System will host a hiring event at the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center in Helena this week. According to a Montana VA news release, the hiring event is “focusing on filling Medical Support staff positions.” The job fair will be held 1-7 p.m. this Thursday [March 23] at the Fort … Read more

Helena Regional Airport’s latest restaurant appears to be doing well

Helena Regional Airport’s latest restaurant appears to be doing well. The Retreat Kitchen & Bar opened last month [February], and Airport officials said the new eatery brought in as much revenue as any other operator. Officials attributed the early success to airport infrastructure upgrades, including an expanded terminal, meeting spaces and commercial kitchen. More improvements … Read more

Republican pushed charter school bills in Montana being debated

HELENA – Final plans are being debated on two Republican pushed charter school bills in Montana. House Bill 562, which would create charter schools with no govt. oversight, and House Bill 549, more similar to current school governing, are set for consideration in the House Appropriations Committee. Opponents say the charter school proposals would funnel … Read more

Big Horn hospital and fire dept. ask Helena Coal Board for funding

Representatives of Big Horn County traveled to Helena for the quarterly Coal Board meeting on Thursday. The hospital and the County fire department sought funds, but the hospital unfortunately was turned down. The County fire department requested $770,000 to purchase a small structure fire truck. They received the funds in full for the purchase. The … Read more

Billings has the highest crime rate in the state of Montana

Billings may be slightly more affordable to live than places like Bozeman or Missoula, but there’s a trade-off, law enforcement says, more crime. According to reports, Billings has the highest crime rate in the state of Montana. Part of the reason is that Billings is the state’s most populated city. Billings also has one of … Read more

Snow drift blamed for train derailing at Monida crossing

BEAVERHEAD COUNTY, Mont. – A train derailed at the Monida crossing, the Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook Wednesday. BCSO said only the first engine derailed after crashing into a snow drift. The train had five engines and 72 cars each engine weighing 412,000 pounds. Fortunately no serious damage or injuries were reported. -0-

Fatal shooting in Great Falls being investigated

UPDATE: Great Falls police are working to determine how an individual ended up with what appeared to be a gunshot wound at the intersection of Ninth Avenue S. and 15th Street early Thursday morning. According to the Great Falls Police Department the victim has died and it appeared the incident involved people who knew each … Read more