Free and Reduced Lunch Program is back at Helena Public Schools

HELENA – The Free and Reduced Lunch Program is back at Helena Public Schools for the 2022-23 school year.. The district is encouraging parents to apply now before the school year begins. Unlike past years during the pandemic, school meals will no longer be covered unless the family qualifies for the free or reduced program. … Read more

Residents of the East Rosebud Lake community are getting some unwelcome guests

BILLINGS – Residents of the East Rosebud Lake community are getting some unwelcome guests. Squatters, police say, have been caught on camera pitching tents and hiking through people’s yards. Even after flooding wiped out roads in the area, policy say that hasn’t deterred these trespassers. Residents hope a new road will eventually take care of … Read more

Sanders County man pleads not guilty to international parental kidnapping in Missoula Court

MISSOULA – A Sanders County man who is facing charges of conspiracy and international parental kidnapping pleaded not guilty when he appeared in a Missoula courtroom on Friday. The FBI reported on Thursday that Strong was arrested earlier this summer in Costa Rica on a US warrant, after he failed to return his 4-year-old son … Read more

Crews continuing to battle fires in Bitterroot National Forest

HAMILTON – Crews are continuing to battle the Hog Trough and Fuse Lake fires in the Bitterroot National Forest. The blazes – which were both sparked by lightning – have burned a combined 1,287 acres. The fires are burning in rugged and remote terrain 18 miles southeast of Hamilton. No structures are currently threatened. Stage … Read more

Electric fence blamed for sparking Garceau fire

UPDATE: The latest update from the CSKT Division of Fire states the Garceau Fire was started by an electric fence. The blaze – which sparked on Tuesday afternoon outside of the town of Hot Springs has grown to over 1,500 acres. There are 245 people assigned to the fire. The CSKT Division of Fire reports … Read more

Rock climber in Big Sky hospitalized after falling 100 feet

A rock climber in Big Sky near Bear Basin fell 100 feet Tuesday (August 16) and sustained severe injuries. After being rescued and brought to safety, the man was taken to Bozeman Health on a Life Flight helicopter for medical care, according to the Gallatin County press release. -0-