News Staff A squirrel caused a power outage on Helena’s Westside Tuesday afternoon, impacting 3,447 customers, including some large customers such as Fort Harrison and some schools, NorthWestern Energy reported. The squirrel got into the Westside sub-feeder equipment a NorthWestern spokeswoman said. Service was quickly restored. -0-
Baxendale Volunteer Fire Department recently promoted four of its volunteers to the rank of captain, but only one made history. Audrey Todd-Davis, a 62-year-old professional photographer by trade, became the first woman to achieve the rank of captain since the department’s founding in 1988. Audrey Todd-Davis accepted her captain’s hat, a traditional symbol of the … Read more
Teacher shortages continue to plague schools in Montana since the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s report from the Office of Public Instruction shows some improvement, but noted recruiting and retaining teachers is still a problem this year, as seen in elementary schools, special education and mathematics. -0-
Capital Transit riders will be relieved to know service to East Helena, which was suspended Jan. 6, has resumed. The Helena Transportation Systems Department announced Tuesday that the East Valley bus route will operate on a limited basis, weekdays from 8 to 10 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., according to a city news release. … Read more
Staffing shortages at some local post offices is leaving customers without their mail. USPS officials said they have several unfilled positions in the Bozeman area including the Belgrade office and there may be days when a neighborhood may not receive mail delivery. Senator Daines and Senator Tester issued statements saying they are pressing the USPS … Read more
KALISPELL – Three juvenile grizzly bears tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus this fall, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks said in a recently issued alert. The bears, including one spotted near Kalispell, were euthanized due to their sickness and poor condition. FWP reports the three bears were the first documented cases … Read more
TOWNSEND – Some unforeseen consequences to laws governing streets that are also highways in Townsend are being addressed. Broadway Street is also a major highway for the state, Highway 12, and it’s roadway, parking and sidewalks are all under MDT’s jurisdiction, and requires a state permit to set up displays on the sidewalk. However, a … Read more
RED LODGE – Apple Watches calling 911 in Red Lodge when skiers crash are causing false alarms on area roadways. The smart watches can’t always differentiate between a vehicle crash and just wrecking on the ski hill, which is creating a unique challenge for Carbon County dispatchers and Red Lodge Mountain. Carbon County says they’re … Read more
Soaring egg prices are putting pressure on Helena businesses and consumers. Several Helena-area grocery stores on Friday were selling eggs for $4.88 to $8.49 per dozen. Egg costs for Helena-area restaurants and bakeries, some owners say, have tripled and quadrupled, and those costs are usually passed on to the customer. The higher egg prices are … Read more
A controversial Republican backed “school choice” bill was introduced at a hearing before the House Education committee on Monday. House Bill 203 would clarify the law for how Montana school districts handle and decide requests from parents and kids who want to attend a school outside their district. The committee did not take immediate action … Read more