GREAT FALLS – A local man won the Montana Lottery’s top prize this week of $75,000, according to a press release. “It paid off really well,” said Arnie Depping, who bought the winning Slingo Trio Treasure ticket at the Holiday Station Store on 1428 3rd Street NW. He had cashed in a few winning lottery Read More…
A Montana State Fair carnival worker has been arrested in connection to a 2017 sexual assault. Lyle Oka made his initial appearance for one count of sexual intercourse without consent. In July of 2017, the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office responded to Benefis Health System for a report of a sexual assault, according to court documents. Read More…
BOZEMAN – Crews are working on the Upper Gym roof on Montana State University, cleaning snow off and assessing damage after the roofs of two adjoining gyms collapsed on Thursday and Saturday. In a post on the MSU website, President Waded Cruzado apologized for the events and expressed gratitude to students, facility, staff, and parents Read More…
BOZEMAN- Nonprofit Serenity Ranch, which provides equine therapy for women veterans, is trying to raise $300,000 after a barn roof caved under heavy snow. The Serenity Ranch’s double mission is to take in unwanted horses while providing equine therapy programs for female veterans. The owners were asleep in bed in the early hours of the Read More…
Though some of its walls still are adorned with pink floral wallpaper, the old Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana building on Fuller Avenue in downtown Helena is looking more like a law enforcement office each day. After several months of planning and renovation work, the Helena Police Department and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Read More…
Repairs on two broken water mains in Crow Agency were completed by Monday afternoon, but additional measures still need to be taken to see if the water is safe to drink. The process of flushing the water lines to ensure their cleanliness, testing the water and then assessing test results could take another week, said Read More…
Wisconsin-based retail chain Shopko Stores plans to close its remaining 120 department stores by mid-June. ShopKo said Monday the company was unable to find a buyer for its business. The company plans to begin winding down its retail operations this week. WLUK-TV reports those closings will affect an additional 5,000 employees. Fifty-four employees will be Read More…
Students in Helena’s PEAK gifted and talented program are hoping their recent project can change people’s perception of what it means to be homeless. High school students from the “Real Authentic World” unit spent a day with residents of God’s Love homeless shelter in early February. Residents were given complimentary makeovers, enjoyed lunch with the Read More…
“It’s going to feel great to sleep in my own bed again,” U.S. Army Captain Dan Bushnell said, in a telephone interview from Fort Hood, Texas, on Friday. “And I’m anxious to see the snow again.” Bushnell is among 65 Montana Army National Guard soldiers from the 495th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion who arrived in Read More…
For some people in Butte this St. Patrick’s Day, the holiday didn’t start in a bar — it started in a Catholic church. Just after 9 a.m., St. Patrick’s Catholic Church was filled with people dressed in various shades of green. A large Irish flag stood at the front of the church, and members of Read More…
Listening and responding to customer feedback is a key aspect of running a successful business, according to Sleeping Giant Lanes owner Ron Bolan. It presents opportunities business owners can capitalize on and gives options for how to diversify offerings. By fostering a community among customers, Bolan has managed to increase the profitability and success in Read More…
By the numbers counted, it has. But many school districts weren’t counting in the past. For example, 200 homeless students did not suddenly appear in Lame Deer two years ago. Nor were there no homeless students in Hardin in 2016. And more than 150 homeless students didn’t arrive overnight in Poplar. The districts simply started Read More…
The town of Crow Agency has been without water since Friday morning after multiple water line breaks caused the distribution system to shut down, according to a press release sent out by the Crow Tribal Executive Branch. The Crow Tribal Disaster and Emergency Services were working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Read More…
It took more than 3 ½ hours and 19 rounds to crown the 2019 Treasure State Spelling Bee on Saturday, but Clara Harmon, a sixth-grade home-schooler from Helena, finally prevailed. Clara, who attends school through the Helena Area Christian Home Educators, will represent Montana at the Scripps National Spelling Bee May 27-30 in Nation Harbor, Read More…
It was a sunny fall afternoon a few years ago. A friend posed a very interesting question as we ate our dinner on the deck at a local restaurant. “What do you think, Chris, about the possibility of a whole group of people experiencing a reaction to trauma? Like, maybe our whole nation is still Read More…
Recently released survey results examining Montana’s rural teacher shortage didn’t contain any big surprises. Instead, it reinforced something backed up by research in other states. Money matters. More than twice as many teachers pointed to salary as a factor in what jobs they applied for than any other category like community roots, chances to move Read More…
Skincare products, bubble scoops, barbed wire art, boot bling, kimchi and coffee are just a few items that can be found at the Made in Montana Tradeshow for Food and Gifts today in Helena. “There are 40 new hand-selected vendors this year displaying their artistic wares,” said Jan Stoddard, bureau chief at the Montana Department Read More…
Helena business Sage & Oats Trading Post and its owners, Major and Michelle Robinson, were honored by their peers Friday night as they were recognized as the 2019 Made in Montana Retailer of the Year. Major and Michelle Robinson, owners of Sage & Oats Trading Post in Helena received the the 2019 Made in Montana Retailer Read More…
KTVH anchor and reporter Dennis Carlson of Helena died Friday after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last spring, the TV station announced. He was 58. “We will remember Dennis as an incredible journalist, a wonderful mentor, a trusted colleague and friend,” the announcement says. Carlson spent most of his career in broadcasting and has been Read More…
Over the last 65 years, temperatures in Montana have increased by 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s according to Kelsey Jensco, assistant professor of forestry at the University of Montana. And during the Save the Snow Summit at the University of Montana Western Friday, Jensco said rising temperature are just one of many effects brought about by Read More…
A federal appeals court has upheld a Montana judge’s ruling barring construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada. TransCanada had asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to put the ruling from U.S. District Judge Brian Morris on hold while its appeal is pending, and allow the Calgary-based company to begin building Read More…
The Trump administration on Friday finalized changes to sweeping federal land use plans for Western States to ease energy industry restrictions in a way officials say will protect a struggling bird species. The changes by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management will guide future efforts to conserve greater sage grouse, ground-dwelling birds that range across Read More…
Montana’s governor and Canada’s consul general based in Denver will participate in a Helena conference on best practices and approaches to opioid issues on both sides of the border. Tuesday’s conference at Carroll College has already filled up with a total of 130 people registered, and registration is now closed. The event will bring together Read More…
GREAT FALLS – A local man won the Montana Lottery’s top prize this week of $75,000, according to a press release. “It paid off really well,” said Arnie Depping, who bought the winning Slingo Trio Treasure ticket at the Holiday Station Store on 1428 3rd Street NW. He had cashed in a few winning lottery Read More…
A Montana State Fair carnival worker has been arrested in connection to a 2017 sexual assault. Lyle Oka made his initial appearance for one count of sexual intercourse without consent. In July of 2017, the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office responded to Benefis Health System for a report of a sexual assault, according to court documents. Read More…
Helena-area officials to speak at Chamber of Commerce lunch Join the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, March 21, from noon to 1 p.m. at Jorgenson’s Inn and Suites, 1714 11th Ave., to hear from the city of Helena commissioners, the mayor, city administrator, and the Lewis and Clark County commissioners and county administrator. Read More…
Every frozen river has places that whisper its secrets of ice jams and early spring floods. On the Yellowstone, downstream from Miles City, such a place is Tusler. When it speaks, Bud Peterson listens. Tusler sits just east of Miles City, where the railroad bridge crossed to Kinsey, Peterson described Monday. There’s a rock shelf Read More…
Thousands of Montana students have had information from their ACT tests inappropriately released since 2016, potentially violating Montana law. The vast majority of high school juniors take the college entrance exam in Montana, both for federal accountability purposes and for those planning to go to college. Montana’s contract with the ACT prohibited the release of Read More…
GREAT FALLS — A Montana carnival worker has been arrested and charged with sexual intercourse without consent. The Great Falls Tribune reports 28-year-old Lyle Oka allegedly raped a young woman during the 2017 Montana State Fair. Oka maintains he never had sexual contact with the woman and provided a DNA sample. The DNA matched a Read More…
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry has opened an investigation into a residential teen treatment program near Eureka after the Missoulian inquired about its claim that it was licensed. On its website, Turning Point Behavioral Academy For Boys claims to be a “licensed 12-18 month therapeutic boarding school” for boys as young as 8 Read More…
Butte police are preparing for St. Patrick’s Day, Undersheriff George Skuletich said. Extra officers will be out on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and the Montana Highway Patrol plans to have their DUI team in town for the Irish holiday. But while Skuletich said he expects a big crowd to mingle around Uptown Butte on Sunday Read More…
State investigators are examining whether a Musselshell County commissioner misused public resources, following accusations by local politicians that she directed county road crews to construct a road on private land leading to her family’s property. The state Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into allegations that Nicole Borner misused county resources. The investigation was prompted Read More…
State investigators are examining whether a Musselshell County commissioner misused public resources, following accusations by local politicians that she directed county road crews to construct a road on private land leading to her family’s property. The state Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into allegations that Nicole Borner misused county resources. The investigation was prompted Read More…
Helena residents are stepping up to help their neighbors after Lewis and Clark County announced it will no longer be providing sandbags to homeowners this year. Anyone who has lived in the Helena area for more than a year knows that with spring fast approaching comes a significant risk of flooding. Last year, the Helena Read More…
Montana Wilderness Association Published 9:46 a.m. MT March 14, 2019 Jim Haggerty, who has been riding the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, will share his experiences at a presentation on Thursday, March 28, at 6 p.m. Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art. (Photo: Courtesy photo) Jim Haggerty, who has been riding the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Read More…
No longer playing in Helena We travelers have all heard the familiar warning: “Please do not leave your baggage unattended.” TSA doesn’t have a sense of humor about a lonely bag. I found that out at the Helena airport a few weeks ago, when I realized I’d left a coat in my car, so I Read More…
A proposal to strip gray wolves of their remaining federal protections could curtail their rapid expansion across vast swaths of the U.S. West and Great Lakes, yet the predators already are proving to be resilient in states where hunting and trapping occur. Thursday’s Interior Department proposal to remove threatened and endangered species protections for wolves Read More…
The High Kings of Ireland sail into Helena right on the heels of St. Paddy’s Day festivities with a concert 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at the Helena Civic Center Ballroom. This Starz on Stage concert will be the last performance in their whirlwind, monthlong U.S. tour that’s seen more than half their shows sold Read More…
Wildlife adventures within 10 miles of Helena Join us at from 6-7 p.m. today at Montana Wild, 2668 Broadwater Ave., for an after dinner program that will open your eyes to a whole new kind of adventure that is right out your back door. A Montana Wild employee will showcase his favorite wildlife adventures within Read More…
Captain Marvel At the Cinemark So, I loved the tributes to Stan Lee, Marvel’s dear old dad, who passed in November. And I also loved Brie Larson, an actress of substance and subtlety invited to shoulder a super-hero movie. But that’s about all I loved about the latest Marvel adventure, “Captain Marvel.” An actress with Read More…
Wild and wacky experiments are part of the show performed by Helena High School’s science students at the annual Science Circus on Friday and Saturday. Each year, students from the school’s science seminar class host the circus as a fundraiser for their annual trip. The circus features students from all grades performing zany experiments and Read More…
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A window-rattling late winter storm brought blizzards, floods and a tornado across more than 25 states Wednesday, stretching from the northern Rocky Mountains to Texas and beyond. “This is a very epic cyclone,” said Greg Carbin, chief of forecast operations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Prediction Center. “We’re looking Read More…
Denver International Airport canceled hundreds of flights, including several to and from Helena, as a late winter storm brought blizzards, floods and a tornado across more than 25 states Wednesday. “This is a very epic cyclone,” said Greg Carbin, chief of forecast operations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Prediction Center. “We’re looking at Read More…
Bill Geer, Montana Wildlife Federation Published 2:45 p.m. MT March 13, 2019 Elk cow grooming her calf in Yellowstone National Park (Photo: NPS / Jacob W. Frank) There’s an old saying in Montana that elk make people do stupid things. There’s a lot of truth to that saying. Whether you’re a dedicated elk hunter, a landowner Read More…