There’s a new way to visit Santa Claus in Great Falls

There’s a new way to visit Santa Claus in Great Falls. Alluvion Health in Great Falls and Blue Cross-Blue Shield are teaming up to offer a “Sensory Santa” event. Families can reserve a 10-minute “sensory-friendly” session with Santa at Alluvion’s clinic on First Avenue North in Great Falls. Sessions are free, but reservations are required … Read more

Names of two people found dead in apparent homicide in Bigfork made public

KALISPELL – Authorities have released the names of two people found dead in an apparent homicide in Bigfork this fall. Flathead County Sheriff’s officials say the victims of the Oct. 28 incident have been identified as, 62-year-old Tricia DeMotts and 65-year-old Stanley Grotberg, both from Bigfork. A preliminary report has determined both victims were shot … Read more

Technical difficulties delayed election results in a few of Montana’s larger counties

HELENA, Mont. – Technical difficulties delayed election results in a few of Montana’s larger counties. In Missoula the Elections Office reported some numbers from the tabulators didn’t match those from the reporting software. Flathead County had write-in candidates that had to be counted by hand, pushing back results. Gallatin County also lagged behind in getting … Read more

Big Sky post office closes it’s doors after 20+ years

USPS released a press statement this week [November 7] indicating that it will be terminating service at the post office located in Big Sky, Montana, next year, after having been at the current location for twenty+ years. The organization stated that it would be compelled to shut down this CPU as of February 28. The … Read more

Zinke claims victory in Montana’s western congressional district race

WHITEFISH – Just over 24 hours after the close of polls on Election Night, the campaign for Republican candidate Ryan Zinke declared victory in the race for Montana’s western congressional district. Zinke is running against Democrat Monica Tranel. The campaign released a statement Wednesday evening just after 9:00 p.m. after Decision Desk HQ, a national … Read more

Lewis and Clark County saw five contested races in Tuesday’s elections

HELENA – Lewis and Clark County saw five contested races on Tuesday for county positions, including sheriff, county commission, county attorney and clerk and recorder. All races in the county are nonpartisan. All precincts in the county were fully reported Wednesday afternoon. Results are considered unofficial until canvassed. Candace Payne is the projected to take … Read more

Helena City Commission hires consulting firm to help hire city manager

The Helena City Commission on Monday approved a contract with a local consulting firm to assist in recruiting its next city manager. Helena-based Communication and Management Services, LLC, will “provide consulting services” to the City Commission in the hiring process and will reccommend qualified candidates for the City Manager position. Six people have served as … Read more

Nursing home unexpectedly closing its doors

BILLINGS — A skilled nursing home in Columbus is unexpectedly closing its doors, making 10 nursing home closures across the state this year. Beartooth Manor announced this week that the facility, with 37 residents, will cease operations on Jan. 7. Rocky Mountain Care Center in Helena, attached to the old St. John’s Hospital on S. … Read more

Low voter turnout reported across Montana

HELENA – With this year’s general election now behind us, officials say not as many voters turned out to cast their ballot. Almost three hundred thousand people across the state voted early, but numbers at the polls fell behind recent elections. In Montana’s largest counties, the turnout ranges from a high of 45.1% in Yellowstone … Read more