Montana Highlights

• Montana Highlights March 15 2025 +

  The Yellowstone Business Coalition, formed in 2016, representing more than 400 businesses and landowners in Paradise Valley, Gardiner and Livingston, is mobilizing in response to recent Yellowstone National Park staff reductions. These layoffs could affect both park operations and the local economies that depend on them. The coalition initially came together to protect the local economy from two proposed gold mines near the northern entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone maintains around 300 permanent employees and hires more than 200 seasonal workers each year.

  Seven years ago Andy and Kailey Armor opened Compass Chiropractic in Whitefish. Demand for the chiropractic practice has grown, leading to the February opening in downtown Kalispell. The new location is located on 1st Ave. E in Kalispell.

  The nonprofit ski area, Bridger Bowl, rolled out a master development plan to the community in recent weeks. The plan includes ideas such as increased snowmaking, more parking, base-area improvements, new lifts and night skiing. When it comes to a plan for future development options at Bridger Bowl some skiers are concerned with keeping the feel of Bridger Bowl.

  Montana FWP has released a draft environmental assessment in order to solicit comments about a new campground slated for an area near the Gunner’s Ridge trailhead. It is about 1/2 mile into Makoshika State Park. The campground will add 16 RV sites with electric hookups, four primitive hiker and biker tent sites, day-use facilities, latrines and a playground to the lower half of the park. Construction on the project is tentatively expected to begin between the middle of May or early June this year, with completion planned for this fall.

  The Williams County Commission has approved a conditional use permit for Ramsey Hill Exploration to construct and operate a frac sand facility. The facility will be located in the Hofflund Township. The processing facility’s purpose will be to aid in oilfield production by locally storing frac sand needed for operations. The property spans approximately 1,109 acres, but Exploration Company made it clear it only intends to utilize 593 acres of the land.

  A study commission in Butte-Silver Bow County wants the current commission to consider big changes in the way local government is run here. They are suggesting a city manager position overseeing day-to-day operations of the county. Voters did authorize a study commission in 2024. Nine people were elected to serve on the commission. The group has through most of 2026 to decide on what, if any, changes it wants to see in local government. Recommendations will go before voters in the November 2026 election.

  The Helena Public School District is considering multiple proposals for long-term planning and dealing with aging school facilities. One plan would potentially close Hawthorne Elementary at the end of the academic year.

  At a Feb. 25 board work session held at Bryant Elementary School, some community members spoke up about their worry regarding the possible closing of a neighborhood elementary school, Hawthorne.

  Toyota of Helena has announced plans to move the dealership to 3135 Prospect Ave. Some work to the old Nissan location. There will be a complete Toyota dealership in about 10 weeks.

  Highway 55, a Butte burger restaurant, closed in early January less than a year after it opened. The owner is searching for a new tenant for the practically brand new building on Harrison Ave. Butte-Silver Bow County designated more than $240,000 in taxpayer funds toward the project.

  A new coffee stand called Glacier Peaks Bagels and Espresso is opening in Missoula. It will be located in front of Westside Lanes bowling alley.

  VIM & VIGR, a Missoula-based company that sells compression leg wear, is building a new 14,000-square-foot warehouse near the Wye. Company founder Michelle Huie recently announced the expansion, stating the need for a larger space.

  Opportunity Bank of Montana has opened a new branch location in Missoula.

  Tractor Supply Co. is planning Helena and Butte locations. Both set to open in November. They will be TSC’s ninth and 10th locations in Montana. The Tennessee-based company sells power tools, pet supplies and the titular tractor parts and accessories plus other farm items.

  A new journal focusing on the economic and entrepreneurial trends that shape Northwest Montana’s business communities will make its debut in April. Hagadone Media Montana is launching Insights with an eye toward connecting the economic hubs that are Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Sanders and Mineral counties.  This five-county region is home to more thousands of businesses and a growing labor force with 200,000 consumers.

  The City of Miles City Public Service Committee voted to recommend a change to the city ordinance that deals with liquor liability coverage at city parks. The committee voted unanimously on recommending the revision to the City Code of the City of Miles City, Section 17-114, and requiring liability insurance in specified amounts prior to issuance of a Park Use permit.

• Montana Highlights March 1, 2025 +

  A private home on the banks of McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park can remain standing. The court ruled in favor of John and Stacy Ambler of San Diego, who built a house on a slice of land on lower McDonald Creek. Once the home was largely built, the Flathead Conservation District, responding to a host of complaints about the structure, found the home was in violation of the Montana Streambed Protection Act and ordered it removed. The court ruled the conservation district lacked authority to enforce state law inside of Glacier National Park. 

  Amazon is hiring workers for its future facility in Belgrade. People seeking the position need to be able to lift up to 49 pounds. Schedules may include 40-hour weeks, 30- to 36-hour weeks or 20 hours or less with the option of working additional hours if needed. Pay per hour is $18.50.

  Field & Stream Bozeman will open it’s hotel in Bozeman in May. The old Holiday Inn at 5 Baxter Lane, just off Interstate 90, was renovated as the new Field & Stream Bozeman. The hotel will have 179 rooms and suites are available for booking at an introductory rate for $289 per night. Summer rates will range from $400 per night to $800 per night.

  Snowpack monitoring done by federal agencies shows above average amounts of snow in and around Lewistown. Amounts range from 167% of normal in the Snowies to around 137% of normal in the Little Belts. The National Weather Service does not measure snowfall at the Lewistown Airport.

  Clydesdale Creamery opened in Whitefish in September, offering menu items from over-the-top milkshakes to a scoop of ice cream. The shop also features a full coffee bar, fancy s’mores and Liege waffle sandwiches. The owner, Arnold-Ladensack, along with his partner Benjamin, own Clydesdale Outpost near Whitefish. Whenever possible the ingredients are sourced locally.

  The new license year opens March 1. That is the day you can buy your 2025 hunting, fishing and conservation licenses and begin applying for permits and special licenses. The deadline to apply for deer and elk permits is April 1. Applications for most species – deer, elk, antelope, deer B licenses, elk B licenses, antelope B licenses, moose, sheep, goat and bison – can be made beginning March 1.

  The Dawson County local government study commission is continuing in its mission to determine whether to put a fundamental change in the form of county government on next year’s ballot. Some attendees were in favor of establishing a commission-manager form of government, saying it would create accountability in the person of a manager position to be established by the county board of commissioners. Under the commission-manager and commission-executive forms of government allowable under Montana Code Annotated, there is a specific line item describing the manager or executive’s “duties”, whereas under the straight commissioner form there is no such language.

  An area, commonly called “Egg Mountain,”  southwest of Choteau, has been named an International Geoheritage Site. The site has been noted as the home of many fossil discoveries, including ones by paleontologists from Montana State University’s Museum of the Rockies. The designation identifies such sites “as being of the highest scientific value. They are sites that served to develop the science of geology, particularly its early history. The science organization awarded the designation to the “Cretaceous Dinosaur Nesting Grounds of the Willow Creek Anticline” at its international congress last summer.

  A Whitefish fitness and wellness center, Peak Fit, has opened a second location on East Idaho Street in Kalispell.  The new location features an outdoor space that the owners hope to turn into a community space where outdoor workouts, coffee hours and more can take place. It is a way to expand the community aspect of their usual workouts.

  The Custer County Commissioners approved a counter offer to the proposal by the City of Miles City for continued ambulance service from Miles City Fire Rescue and Ambulance Service to the entirety of the county. The City of Miles City is proposing the county provide $200,000 for the cost of sharing its ambulance service with the county for Fiscal Year 2025. The counter offer from the county was to pay a total of $350,000 to last through fiscal June 30, 2026.

  Over the past several months Williston has been without locally stationed air medical transportation services. The region’s most recent provider discontinued operations in July of 2023. Shortly the Williston’s area air medical transportation services will return thanks to a collaboration between the City of Williston, CHI St. Alexius Health Williston, and Williston Care Flight.

  Community Hospital of Anaconda was recently recognized as a 2025 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. Chartis annual Top 100 award program recognizes outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals. CHA, a 25-bed critical access hospital, is located at 401 W. Pennsylvania St., in Anaconda.

  Red Lodge Mountain will host its first Total Archery Challenge event from June 27-29, 2025. This three-day outdoor archery event promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for participants of all skill levels. The Total Archery Challenge is an archery event featuring professionally designed courses with over 100 lifelike 3D targets. Archers are tested on their marksmanship as they adjust for varying distances, angles, and natural obstacles. This event is designed to challenge and entertain archers from beginners to professionals.

  The Wood Duck Project in the Big Belt Mountains. has been challenged by several environmental and wildlife organizations. The suit asks the court to declare that the project violates the law and to vacate the project decision or stop implementation of the project. The plaintiffs say it is in a wildlife corridor that is critical for the recovery of grizzly bears, and highly desirable for elk hunting. The project is on 1,241 acres and will consist of logging activities and road reconstruction.

  During January, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff captured 52 elk in the Crazy Mountains northwest of Big Timber. None of the elk tested positive for exposure to brucellosis. Sixteen of the captured elk were outfitted with GPS collars that will be active for one year to help wildlife managers understand their seasonal ranges, migration routes and potential mixing with other elk herds.

  Barrett Hospital & HealthCare of Dillon has opened a second clinic in Butte on Busch St. The clinic focuses on urological care.

  A Madison County commissioner has floated possible eminent domain for the seizure of the privately held Jack Creek Road that connects Ennis and the Madison Valley to the peaks of Big Sky. The commissioner made the comment at a recent state Senate taxation committee hearing on a bill that could potentially be detrimental to the county. The threat of eminent domain may be nothing more than a political position since, it would likely cast Madison County into a lengthy and expensive legal battle against one of the state’s wealthiest communities.

  The U.S. Postal Service announced recently that it will continue some local mail processing at the Missoula postal facility. It means that a single piece of mail that is sent from Missoula to be delivered in Missoula won’t travel out of Montana to be processed. A previous Postal Service decision would have shifted all Missoula mail processing operations to Spokane.

  Sampling last year found that an overwhelming number of trout from rivers in the upper Missouri River Basin were healthy according to a news release recently from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks about field work conducted in 2024 by FWP and Montana State University. FWP reported that of the nearly 8,000 adult trout captured in the fall, only three exhibited signs of an infection.   

• Montana Highlights January 15, 2025 +

  Pusuit has acquired the Montana House in Apgar Village in Glacier National Park. The  Montana House has celebrated and showcased over 500 local and indigenous artisans for nearly 65 years. The company said it will continue to showcase local artists under Pursuit ownership. 

  A recent study provides reassurance that Yellowstone Park’s famous supervolcano will unlikely erupt anytime soon. The journal Nature states that while a significant amount of magma is beneath the Yellowstone Caldera, it is stored in small, separate pockets rather than a flowing reservoir, reducing the likelihood of a major eruption.

  Guns N Things in Glendive will close. A recent sale opportunity did not pan out so Ernie and Karel Huether decided to close.

  River City Brews Rafting Tours, a Missoula company that offers guided raft trips along with local craft beverages, has been bought by Sara and Jared Forsythe.

  Applications for a permit to float the Smith River began on Jan. 2, and will be accepted through Feb. 15. The permit drawing will be held on Feb. 19. Applicants can apply for a Smith River float permit online at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Automated Licensing System. Successful Smith River applicants will be notified via email shortly after the permit drawing is conducted.

  Zero to Five Montana, in partnership with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Bright Futures Birth to Five program, is offering a one-time grant opportunity for Montana employers through the Family Forward Montana initiative to develop an employer-sponsored child care program. Grants will range from $10,000 to $100,000 depending on the size and scope of the employers project plan.

  The permit issued by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to Tintina Montana Incorporated (now Sandfire Resources) to manipulate approximately 250 million gallons of groundwater in pursuit of a 14 million-ton copper deposit in Meagher County has cleared its second and final legal challenge before the Montana Supreme Court.

  Acropolis Gyros, a Greek food restaurant at 117 South Avenue W. in Missoula, has announced it is closing. The final day will be when supplies run out. The business has been listed for sale since July.

  A new oven weighing 84,000 pound oven has arrived at Tech Woods USA in Ronan. This Moldrup thermal modification oven is used by Tech Woods USA to produce hardwood gunstock blanks, as well as flooring and other wood products. The oven was designed in Denmark and Singapore and manufactured in Vietnam.

  Several transportation projects are in underway in the Flathead. Glacier Park International Airport is moving ahead with the next phase of its expansion project, West Reserve Drive in Kalispell is being rebuilt with additional traffic lanes and Columbia Falls is in the first stages of a multi-million-dollar road reconstruction project.  

  The Sibanye-Stillwater mine vice president Heather McDowell grew up in Bridger, near the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River. McDowell has become the face of the company over the last two months. McDowell has been the vice president for legal and external affairs for Sibanye-Stillwater,  for seven years. She has served as the spokesperson for the mine, communicating news of the layoffs to local communities.

  Big Sky Resort is opening the new year with a new gondola and the longest eight-person lift in the world. This is part of the expansion of  Montana’s biggest ski area. The Madison 8 replaces the older Six Shooter lift, offering a high-speed eight-person option with heated seats and weather shields, which has become a resort standard.

  First Interstate Bank has donated their former branch building, located at 402 N. Center, to One Health in Hardin. One Health provides in-person and virtual healthcare services to anyone in need.

  The owner of the Dakota Access Pipeline recently became the latest party to join the defense in the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s new lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Dakota Access LLC asked to join the lawsuit to protect its private business interests in the pipeline’s operation. Dakota Access spent billions developing the pipeline and has standing contracts requiring DAPL to continue transporting oil.

  Youth Dynamics Inc., a statewide children’s mental healthcare provider merged with Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch last fall. Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch is a statewide agency founded in 1957 and headquartered on a 410-acre campus west of Billings.

  Josh O’Connor, who currently serves as a senior vice president and regional publisher of Carpenter Media, has been named the next CEO of Wick Communications, owner of the Williston Herald and Sidney Herald.

  The Williston Basin International Airport has seen a steady increase in boardings so far in 2024. XWA recorded 10,239 boardings in October 2024, a 14.63% increase from 8,932 boardings from the same month in 2023.

  Choteau’s Magon Miller is purchasing Meraki Coffee from Mary Shore. She is renaming the drive-up coffee shop “Latte Lane”

  .

  Workers in Montana’s manufacturing sector saw their wages increase by nearly $8,000 on average over the past year, according to a report by the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center at Montana State University.

  The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation and Roosevelt Center will Red Lodge Summer Fest 2025 on Aug. 1-2, 2025. Headliners and additional acts will be announced in January with ticket sales. Red Lodge Summer Fest will be held at the Roosevelt Center and adjacent property at 519 S Broadway.

  The Montana Department of Commerce has issued grants more than $350,000 to agricultural operations to support and promote agritourism. Montana Moments, LLC, an agritourism business based on the Mahlstedt Ranch east of Circle, was one of 17 recipients of the grant. Montana Moments’ grant will be used to permanently expand attendance capacity at Montana Moments by funding the purchase of tables, chairs and tents, a utility trailer and riding helmets. Montana Moments offers branding weekends, women and girls’ cattle handling retreats on foot and on horseback, a family ranch and rodeo package, children camps, homestead homemaking retreats plus a variety of other

  Logan Health in Kalispell is closing its inpatient rehabilitation facility in February with plans to turn the facility into a surgical unit.

  Jacksons Food Stores, a convenience store chain based in Idaho, has taken over the operation of three Noon’s convenience stores in Missoula.

• Montana Highlights November 1 2024 +

  Glacier Park International Airport was awarded another $2.5 million in federal funding recently for its ongoing terminal expansion project. Awarded through the FAA Airport Terminal Program, the dollars will expedite work on the expansion. A portion of the latest grant will go toward a third bag claim device which costs around $1 million.

  U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced recently that the first sections of the 90-inch replacement pipe for the St. Mary Siphon had arrived. This sets the stage for replacing the infrastructure that delivers water to the Milk River Project, a lifeline for north-central Montana. As an irrigation project the Milk River Project and the St. Mary Diversion and Conveyance works were one of the first projects the Bureau of Reclamation was authorized to build after it was created in 1902. The St. Mary Canal Siphon suffered a catastrophic failure June 17, 2024. It was constructed in two phases, with the downstream barrel completed between 1912 and 1915 and the upstream barrel after 1925.

  The Stafford/McClelland Ferry will be removed from the Missouri River on October 31.

  Whitefish’s Stack Financial Management climbed from #72 to #57 on the 2024 CNBC Financial Advisor 100 list. Stack Financial Management is a nationally recognized, independent Registered Investment Advisor based in Whitefish managing over $1.9 billion in assets for individuals, families and business owners across the U.S.  

  The University of Montana has hired Dr. Jeffrey Michael to serve as the next director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research. Michael joins BBER from the University of the Pacific where he has served as director of Public Policy at the McGeorge School of Law. Michael has decades of experience in regional economic forecasting,

  Independence Bank has announced the promotion of Lauren Kato to Teller Supervisor and Accountant Relations Specialist. Lauren is a native of Havre.

  Independence Bank recently announced the promotion of Sydne Haider to Account Relations Supervisor. Sydne joined the bank October 13, 2021, as an Account Relations Specialist.

  Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has finalized its plan for managing grizzly bears. Last month, FWP Director Dustin Temple formally adopted a 326-page outline for how the state will address conflicts between bears and people, approach an eventual trophy hunt and respond to the state’s growing grizzly population.

  Sarah and Rob Ratkowski, owners of the Montana Milk Moovers home delivery service, are now offering   regular access to fresh, local goods through the Neighborhood Market. The market opened recently off Montana 35. The shop offers dairy products, eggs, produce, meat and other pantry items . The market receives its goods through the Western Montana Growers Cooperative.

  Stephanie Cole, a fourth-generation Montanan from Bozeman, is the new chief executive officer of Red Ants Pants, the company announced. Red Ants Pants, based in White Sulphur Springs, sells work wear for women.

  The Montana Public Service Commission announced that as of Oct. 1, a typical NorthWestern Energy residential electric customer using 750 kilowatt-hours per month saw a decrease of $6.13 or 5.57% of their monthly electric bill. The decrease comes due to a recent submission to the PSC of NorthWestern’s Annual Power Costs and Credits Adjustment Mechanism (PCCAM).

  Glacier National Park saw a record number of visitors in September, according to data from the National Park Service. More than 600,000 visitors passed through one of Glacier’s entrances during September, nearly 50,000 more than in 2023. So far in 2024, 3,001,595 people have visited the park, just the third time that number has eclipsed 3 million and a 9% increase over last year.

  The Montana Public Service Commission denied an interim rate increase requested by Montana-Dakota Utilities earlier this year. MDU filed a rate case with the PSC in July requesting a natural gas rate increase of 16.4% for residential customers. As the PSC considers the rate case as a whole, the utility company requested an interim rate increase. The temporary increase would bring the cost to the average residential customer using 78 dekatherms of natural gas up $5.17 per month.

  Yellowstone National Park hosted 838,458 visitors in September. So far in 2024, the park has hosted 4,349,689 recreation visits, up 5% from 2023. The year-to-date numbers are just 120,000 lower than in 2021, the park’s record-setting year.

  Sagebrush Boutique, a new business has opened in Miles City. Owned by Shawna Christofferson, the boutique celebrated its opening on Saturday, Oct. 26.

  Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport set a September record for passenger traffic. In all, 249,773 passengers came through the Belgrade airport in September up 6.5% over the previous mark of 234,589 set in 2023. The busiest month was July, with 322,732 passengers.

   The Treasure Chest of Hobbies and Crafts in Missoula is closing after over 45 years in business.

  The Montana Department of Transportation has applied for federal funding to reduce collisions along U.S. Highway 191, one of Montana most wildlife collision-prone highways. The Center for Large Landscape Conservation, a Bozeman-based nonprofit announced that MDT has submitted a grant application.

  The Missoula Family YMCA has received a $500,000 matching grant from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation. The gift was given in honor of Mike Halligan, the foundation’s outgoing executive director, who is set to retire in January of 2025.

  Bloom Montessori School in Helena has announced it will close its child care center in December. Bloom is licensed to serve 132 students aged 0-6 years old.

  Gov. Gianforte presented his annual Forest Products Award to the Weyerhaeuser Raw Materials Team at their Flathead Valley facility during Montana Forest Products Week. While the forest products marketplace continues to evolve, companies like Weyerhaeuser Raw Materials are helping support our economy and responsibly manage our forests,” Gov. Gianforte said. The honorees of the award included Weyerhaeuser team members Shaney Neuharth, Zack Miller, Milo Funk, and Jacob Parent. Miller and Parent focus on sustainable forest management and raw material procurement to ensure non-sawlog materials are used productively. Funk manages by-product procurement, handling over 400,000 tons annually, and Neuharth leads initiatives to utilize slash material for heating systems, reducing reliance on natural gas and lowering emissions. 

  The North Dakota Public Service Commission voted to approve a Certificate of Site Compatibility for Cerilon GTL North Dakota. Cerilon has proposed a gas-to-liquids facility that will transform natural gas into synthetic products. These products include Group III+ base oils, ultra- low sulphur diesel and naphtha. The site, near Trenton ND, was selected for several reasons— its proximity to abundant natural gas supplies, access to road and rail transportation, and existing local infrastructure. It also has access to sufficient electrical power for startup and interconnection to the power grid.

  Four landmark properties are for sale in Livingston. They are Riverside Hardware and The Stockman Bar on Main Street, the 49er Diner, Bar and Casino on Park Street, and the former Livingston Enterprise building on South Main Street.

  The Cascade County Detention Center in Great Falls is facing many of the same changes as Yellowstone County faces with overcrowding and having to detain inmates who should be treated for mental illness. Typical population numbers are over 400 inmates, occasionally exceeding 500, while the official jail capacity is 372. Officials are instituting two programs that could help relieve the jail of low-level offenders and offering mental health care.

  North Dakota and South Korea will work together on energy and carbon capture technologies. North Dakota and South Korean officials signed a memorandum of understanding during North Dakota’s trade mission to South Korea. Their goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030, in part through carbon capture, utilization and storage. One of North Dakota’s largest manufacturers, Fargo-based Bobcat Co., is part of the South Korea-based Doosan Group.

  Missoula has been awarded over $130,000 of federal funding to “improve energy efficiency and meet the city’s climate goals.” Missoula city government wants to make its operations carbon neutral by 2025, and to require the broader community be carbon neutral by 2050. The funds will pay for staff to develop new voluntary construction codes for building projects that improve weatherization and electrification above state requirements.

  The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its monthly report detailing airline passenger traffic at the state’s eight commercial service airports. With 98,371 passengers boarding flights within North Dakota this past month, it marks the busiest September on record, surpassing the previous high of 92,703 passengers set in September of 2014. The September 2024 figures reflect a year-over-year increase of 7,101 passengers, representing an 8% rise over September 2023. Additionally, this marks the fifth consecutive month of record-breaking passenger numbers for the state. 

  Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) Region 7 staff is increasing public access at the Isaac Homestead Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Hysham. The WMA was purchased by FWP in 1969 and was recently expanded with a purchase of a 414-acre parcel, totaling to 1,532 acres of native wildlife habitat and cultivated farm ground. The Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation (MOLF), acting as Trust Manager for the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust has finalized the sale of a 414-acre tract to FWP from the Lackman Family. The acquisition is located between the two existing units of the Isaac Homestead WMA, connecting the east and west portions and providing the only land-based access to the Yellowstone River.

  Montana Knife Manufacturing in Missoula is building a $18 million, two-story, 50,000-square-foot facility that the owner says will eventually house 150-200 employees. Co-founded  in a garage just four years ago, by Josh Smith and Brandon Horoho, the new state-of-the-art facility will include corporate offices, a coffee shop, and a viewing area to observe the knife-making process. They manufacture knives for various purposes, including hunting, professional cooking, and tactical use for law enforcement and the military.

  Enrollment at the University of Montana jumped nearly 6% this fall. When including Missoula College, total enrollment at UM increased nearly 5%, marking the largest year-over-year jump in 15 years. In total, the university has 484 more students enrolled this fall when compared to last year, bringing total enrollment to 10,811.

• Montana Highlights October 15, 2024 +

  As of June, Forever French, a baby and lifestyle brand owned by Chantelle French of Arizona, now has roots in Kalispell, offering the local community a boutique children’s and lifestyle store. Forever French began as an online business in 2019 after Chantelle French received her daughter’s autism diagnosis. Inspired by the beauty and resilience of her daughter, French began selling the store’s iconic soft, stretchy and breathable fabrics from her home in Arizona. Over time, the brand grew. In 2021, French opened her first physical store in Gilbert, Arizona. Then Arcadia, Arizona followed suit with a new storefront in July of 2023. Kalispell.

  The Sidney-Richland Regional Airport will receive $3.1 million in funding to help repave and repair its runway. The funding, which totals $3,3134,500, will be used for a project involving milling the runways and resealing them. The construction will take place until next summer.

  The City of Glasgow has decided to return part of the downtown parking to angle-in parking. Angle parking will be implemented on the south side of 2nd Ave. S., and the east side of 3rd St. S. The other side of the street will remain parallel parking. This project will increase available parking in downtown Glasgow by 20 to 30 percent. The project was awarded to LSC, Inc., in the amount of $27,850.80.

  Plum Creek Timber Company opened a fiberboard plant in Columbia Falls in 1974. The plant cost Plum Creek, which was spun off from a division of Burlington Northern Railroad, $10.5 million and was expected to utilize 108,000 tons of wood waste annually. The initial plant was expected to produce about 70 million square feet of fiberboard a year and would employ about 115 workers.

  Alliance for the Wild Rockies has announced its intent to sue the U.S. Forest Service over potential impacts to endangered species in the area of the Gold Butterfly Project located in the Sapphire Mountains. The Gold Butterfly project aims to harvest, thin, and prescribe burn forest stands to improve resilience to insects, disease, and wildfire and restore the fire return intervals.

  The new Town Pump has opened recently on Huffine Lane outside of Bozeman. It is the largest of the businesses 200 plus locations in the state. The store offers the usual items besides fuel – beer cave, coffee, casino, sports bar and liquor store. 

  Celebrated rodeo entertainer Flint Rasmussen will be among rodeo greats inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame in November. The award tradition will continue as rodeo icons are recognized at the Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend at The National Cowboy Museum on Nov. 8-9. Rasmussen grew up in Choteau, where he was an all-state football and track star in high school.

  The one-year anniversary of one of the largest structure fires in downtown Glendive anticipates the pile of rubble that was once the Jordan Inn is set to be cleared. The cleanup of the property at the corner of Merrill Avenue and Benham Street will begin Sept. 30, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The cleanup effort will also include debris from the adjacent lot where the former Rose Theatre once stood.

  The Wallace Works project is located at Wallace Avenue and Tamarack Street in Bozeman The developers got a boost recently when city commission planners voted to approve an urban renewal plan that will reimburse the developers for $2 million in taxes.

  The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved the Essential Air Service proposal that provides  subsidies to SkyWest airlines to provide daily flights to and from Salt Lake City and Denver into Butte.

  The United States Supreme Court will not hear an emergency appeal effort by power plant owners and utility companies that requested the high court to halt new pollution rules set out by the Biden administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.

  The Miles City Parks Initiative is searching available options for a more sustainable way to maintain public spaces in and around Miles City. Funds for parks projects are often being redirected to fill in gaps in other general fund areas, such as police or fire.

  Montana will raise the minimum wage by 2.53%. The minimum wage will be $10.55 starting January 1, 2025. In 2023, the industry with the largest number of workers earning minimum wage was the accommodations and food services industry.

  Recently the Carbon County Planning Board approved a Development Permit for Croell, Inc., to establish a Concrete Batch Plant in Carbon County. the permit was approved with conditions by the Carbon County Planning Board acting as the County Zoning Board.

  Montana State University officials have acknowledged that the university’s online learning platform, Desire2Learn (D2L), allows  the faculty to monitor student activity and potentially track their locations using their Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. IP addresses can be used to determine approximate user location such as city and zipcode.

  Kalispell-based Mann Mortgage, operating as a family-owned business, has announced a deal to merge with a national lending company. The business will merge with Synergy One Lending of California.

  Cousins Pub has the goal of being a welcoming door to walk through. Cous ins opened recently on  East Main Street in Bozeman.

  A group of local, state and nonprofit entities is several years and millions of dollars into a project to clean up and redevelop the 180-acre railyard in Harlowton. The coalition plans to transform the land into a recreation area with trails, campgrounds and fishing access on the Musselshell River.

  Rock Creek Resort, in Red Lodge is set to reopen next summer. The property, was sold in April to RCR Holdings, LLC., which includes David and Simona Krug of Krug Development and Daniel Cauley. Columbia Hospitality is acting as the hotel operator. Plans also include bringing the ballroom and the swimming pool closer to the creek experience by updating the windows in the ballroom and swimming pool and installing an outdoor hot tub.

  The City of Miles City has adopted its budget for Fiscal Year 2025. The City is preparing for the impacts of significant cuts it had to make. When approved during a special meeting of the city council the budget for the next fiscal year included cutting three positions in the Miles City Police Department and three more in the Fire and Ambulance Department. Chief of Police Doug Columbik provided a statement in which he warned that demand for his department’s service are outpacing the city’s ability to provide them.

  Chanelle Hayden has recently promoted to Operations Officer for Stockman Bank in Sidney. Her responsibilities include supervising all operations-related functions for Stockman Bank Sidney. Hayden has been with Stockman Bank since 2014, starting as a CSR and most recently serving as Teller Supervisor.

  Misty Anderson has been promoted to Eastern Montana Cash Management Officer for Stockman Bank, Sidney. Her responsibilities include providing assistance to customers and continuing development of Stockman Bank’s eBiz/cash management online banking services.

  The North Dakota Public Service Commission has approved a Certificate of Site Compatibility for Calgary, Alberta-based Cerilon Inc. to house its future gas-to-liquids (GTL) facility location southwest of Williston. The press release states the project will include two GTL facilities on the same site. Each facility will be capable of converting 240 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas to 24,000 barrels per day of liquid hydrocarbon products. It will also generate electric power as a secondary benefit.

  The excitement with which Big Sky has greeted a report about more flights out of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is an indication of why there is such an emphasize on improving connectivity for Bozeman – it’s called skiing.  The airport will offer flights to Washington, D.C. , on Saturdays, flights to Boston and New York Friday through Sunday and flights to Boise all week. The flights to Boise will increase connectivity between California and the southwest through Alaska Airlines. There will also be flights from Los Angeles, Boston, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, Denver and Washington, D.C., that land in Bozeman before noon.

• Montana Highlights – September 15 2024 +

  The Montana Department of Corrections is considering a 90-bed prerelease facility in Kalispell. The center would be located on East Oregon Street at the former Greenwood Village Inn & Suites hotel. Prerelease centers are designed to assist offenders with their transition from a secure facility back into the community and provide an alternative to incarceration. The state has 10 such facilities..

  Seth Soley and the Hageness family have purchased Whitefish-based Rocky Mountain Transportation Company from Dale Duff. The company has grown from a taxi service  started in 1946 to offer additional services including a tow service, the only ambulance service in town, volunteer fire department trucks and interstate bus schedules. They also operate the shuttle up Big Mountain named the SNOW bus and private charters, shuttles around Glacier National Park and transfers from Glacier Park International, plus school bus contracts.

  United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts  may hold the fate of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant in his hands. Lawyers for Talen Montana and NorthWestern Energy, the owners of the power plant, have asked the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court for temporary stay of two rules that owners of the plant say leave them with two terrible choices: Either invest $350 million in upgrades to the pollution controls, or shutter the plant, leaving power customers in Montana facing high energy rates or unreliable power. Colstrip’s owners warn that without a halt to the EPA’s rules, Colstrip will not have enough time to comply with the law; and, that even if Colstrip does agree to foot the $350 million in estimated upgrades, the company won’t have enough time to recoup the costs before the plant eventually ceases operation.

  United Airlines has announced a new seasonal flight between Bozeman Yellowstone (BZN) and Washington-Dulles International Airport. Flights will kick off Dec. 21 and run through March 29, according to BZN. United already offers daily service to Bozeman from Chicago-O’Hare, Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco, and Denver. The Bozeman airport has  released its winter schedule with seven airlines serving 20 destinations. That includes JetBlue Airways adding its premium JetBlue Mint service during weekend ski season flights to Bozeman-Yellowstone from Boston Logan International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

  A victim of the 2022 Red Lodge flooding, Rocky Fork Inn, has been acquired by the City of Red Lodge and is set to be demolished this fall.

  With the start of fall there are many opportunities for travelers to explore Montana’s less visited communities and  events across the state. Events such as the Makoshika Music and Arts Festival (Sept. 14) in Glendive, the Music and Arts Festival (Sept. 14) in Boulder, Hi-Line Harvest Festival (Sept. 20-21) in Chester and Havre Festival Days (Sept. 20-22) in Havre are just a few of the possibilities. Other itinerary highlights include enjoying locally sourced burgers from local stops on the Visit Southeast Montana Burger Trail; viewing the fall colors on a scenic drive through the Seeley Swan Corridor; viewing some of the darkest skies and brightest stars in the lower 48 along Montana’s Trail to the Stars; and going back in time by embarking on a dinosaur dig or stopping in at a museum along the Montana Dinosaur Trail. 

  The Williams County Commission in North Dakota met recently to hear plans for a potential power plant project by Basin Electric Power Cooperative to be located in Williams County. A representative spoke to the board about the project and the company’s involvement in the region, which includes the Pioneer Generation Station  which is in the process of having more generators added to the site. Basin has donated approximately $25,000 to local charitable causes in Williams County.

  The National Weather Service in Bismarck has released projections for the upcoming winter season. Residents in the MonDak region can expect a colder winter than usual. The NWS released the report to give residents in the region an idea of what to expect as fall gives way to colder weather. One of the findings is that La Niña conditions are expected to emerge this fall and have a 74% chance of continuing through the winter. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), under La Niña conditions winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the southern continental United States and cooler than normal in the north

  Owners Ethan and Kayla Giles have returned to Teton County to raise their family and establish their business, EK Giles Electric. Ethan is a licensed master electrician with 20-plus years of experience in all aspects of electrical work. His experience ranges from large commercial projects to airfield/runway lighting to high-end residential. The new business is located at 10 Second Road NE. 

  Stillwater Christian School, Kalispell  marked a back-to-school open house by celebrating a $5 million donation for a building expansion from local businessman Paul Wachholz, a local real estate agent in Kalispell.

  Big Sky Economic Development is leading the charge to develop Coulson Park as a gateway park on the bank of the Yellowstone River, in selling raffle tickets to raise funds. The goal is to build a pump track at Coulson Park, as well as pursue five other projects in local parks. Raffle prizes include tickets and trips to sport events, gas for a year, a side of beef, etc. Tickets are $50 and only 2,000 tickets will be available. The drawing will be September 19. Call 869-8409, or email dianne@bigskyeda.org

  Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is recommending 48 fishing regulation changes this year ahead of a fall Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting. While most of the changes are aimed at simplifying regulations, there are a few significant changes that anglers could see for the 2024-25 season. Those changes include a single hook only restriction on the Flathead River, the removal of the west district northern pike standard limit and the ability to fillet a fish on the water. At its Oct. 10 meeting, the state Fish and Wildlife Commission is expected to vote on whether to accept, amend or reject the changes. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is accepting public comment on the proposals in anticipation of the meeting. 

  Stockman Bank has opened a new Hutton Ranch Bank location. The Hutton Branch is the Stockman Bank fifth Flathead Valley location. The bank offers new accounts, and loan products for commercial development, construction, real estate, agricultural and consumer lending. The branch also has a drive-up and ATM. Stockman Bank is Montana’s largest, family-owned, community bank, with locations across the state.

  Air Force officials at a recent town hall meeting in Lewiston could provide few details about the new plans for the Sentinel Missile project. The Sentinel program, designed to remove the aging Minute Man III missiles and replace them with the Sentinel missile. The project also includes updating silos and communications. The project exceeded its budget, which ballooned to an estimated $141 billion. That triggered a mandated review of the project. Lewistown will be the site of a workforce hub which house 2,500 to 3,000 construction staff and support personnel, although not all at the same time. Belt, Stanford, Denton, Judith Gap and Winifred will each have construction storage areas of 10 to 20 acres that will be in place for several years.

  Missoula County, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new $13.5 million National Conservation Legacy Center. The two-story, 26,000-square-foot building will be constructed using mass timber at the museum’s 31-acre campus at 6305 Highway 10 West. The Center should be completed by late 2025.

  Two technology companies based in Missoula were named to Inc. Magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in America for 2024. Submittable, which provides a social impact platform for companies looking to do good and Pathlabs, which provides services to independent agencies, both ranked high on the prestigious list. According to the magazine, the rankings are based on a percentage of revenue growth from 2020 through 2023. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 2020. Submittable reported an annual growth over three years of more than 370%. It was the fifth time the company has made the list.

• Montana Highlights August 15, 2024 +

  The Northern Lights Saloon in Polebridge proudly lacks cell service and Wi-Fi which creates more opportunities for patrons to connect with nature, music, and fellow diners. Catering to a wider variety of diets, the improved  menu features several fresh, wholesome, and vegetarian options such as the rainbow bowl which is comprised of avocado, roasted yams, peppers, and onions served over a bed of quinoa and black beans. Other touches at Northern Lights Saloon consist of made-in-house sauces and dressings, and locally sourced pulled pork.

  Crazy Mountain Whiskey LLC is bringing an aspect of their bourbon whiskey production to Big Timber. Owners of the bourbon whisky named Lazy K Bar, bought a property in Big Timber to bring parts of the business closer to the namesake. The whisky is named after the Lazy K Bar Ranch in Melville. Crazy Mountain Whiskey LLC launched Lazy K Bar Bourbon Whiskey in December, 2023. With plans to bring distilling operations to Montana, the owners hinted there is a possibility bottling and later distilling operations could come to Big Timber in the long-term.

  The new Albertsons store in Glasgow opened its doors to the public in late July 2024. The new store is located at 54151 US Highway 2 E. The grocery store was previously a Shopko store.

  Running a restaurant in the middle of nowhere is no easy feat, especially when the area runs on generators and solar energy. Home Ranch Bottoms is a quaint spot in Polebridge, offering quality food and drink, and aiming to be a cultural hub for music, comedy and art. According to the owners the menu is focused on simple food made thoughtfully, such as burgers, chicken, hot dogs and salads. In addition to the classic pub fare, the kitchen makes a bison chili bowl and bison nachos. Home Ranch Bottoms is open seasonally and is located at 8950 North Fork Road.

  New restaurant, Hugkan is now serving up Asian cuisine at 33 S. Willson in downtown Bozeman. The family owned-restaurant opened up three months ago after the owners and chefs moved to the area with family from the Southwestern United States. A trip to Bozeman sparked the idea for the move after his wife’s friend and Bozeman resident gave them a taste of the area.

  Montana Governor Greg Gianforte toured Tuscano Machine, a fabricator on Makers Way, in Big Timber recently. The visit was part of the governor’s fourth annual 56-County Tour and a larger effort to spotlight Montana small businesses. Tuscano Machine’s 14,000 square foot high-volume lathing and milling facility has nine employees to run the site. The Big Timber location operates leading-edge 3-D printing and other advanced additive manufacturing equipment, including Swiss lathes, mills, laser cutters, welders, markers and etchers.

  Glendive Chief of Police Jeremy Swisher is no longer receiving pay while on administrative leave after a unanimous vote of the Glendive City Council. Depending on the verdict of his upcoming trial, he could receive at least four months of back pay. During a brief discussion at a recent meeting of the Glendive City Council budget constraints as a factor in the decision to stop paying Swisher while on administrative leave. Swisher was placed on administrative leave by order of the Mayor and the council beginning on June 17 after being charged with three felonies.

  The new Dollar General store in Williston closed as quickly as it opened recently. The store, located at 302 Bean Drive, is contracted by Goodman Construction and was shuttered Aug. 2 by the Williston Building and Safety Department due to not yet passing its final city inspection. A sign on the front doors of the Dollar General explains the circumstances behind the closure. The store is located at the intersection of Bean Drive and East Broadway in eastern Williston.

  Property taxes will go up across Lake County in November due to a $3.8 million judgement levy passed last week by the county commissioners to help cover the costs of expanding and remodeling the jail. As part of the settlement in a class-action lawsuit brought by inmates, the county was ordered to add around 960 square feet of space to the jail and provide a secure outdoor recreation yard. The county has the authority to pass a three-year judgement levy, without voter approval, to pay for the improvements.

  The Montana Secretary of State’s office announced it is again waiving fees for Montana businesses. The 2025 Annual Report filing fees will be waived for all Montana businesses. This action will result in millions of dollars in savings. The fees also were waived in 2024, allowing businesses to file their reports at no extra expense.

  Wickens Salt Creek Ranch of Hilger has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Montana Leopold Conservation Award. The award honors ranchers, farmers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in the management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land. Wickens Salt Creek Ranch’s owners, Eric and Emma Wickens, will be presented with the award at the Montana Farm Bureau Annual Convention in November. They will receive $10,000 for being selected.

  After being closed for six years, one of the Choteau area’s best antique stores is reopening with a new name. Rose Clark’s “Country Rose” antique store and Big Sky Antiques are becoming just Big Sky Antiques. The grand opening of Big Sky Antiques was in early August. Big Sky Antiques is located at 850 Fifth Lane NW outside of Choteau. The store will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

  Remedial construction is underway at the Grove Gulch site off Lexington Avenue in Butte. Work at the site will include, among other things, a stormwater basin to help remove contaminated sediments from Grove Gulch Creek. Atlantic Richfield/BP presented it current remedial plan at an open house in Butte. The plan pinpointed two sites under consideration to receive Superfund-related wastes. The highlighted locations were the Berkeley Pit and a Shields Avenue site on property owned by Montana Resources.

  Upgrades are planned for Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport following the completion of an environmental assessment. The airport held an open house to inform the public and gather feedback on a proposed expansion project recently. The airport is undergoing an environmental assessment a federal evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of expansion and possible mitigation alternatives.

  New statistics from the Montana Department of Transportation show that ridership on Cape Air Airlines has increased this year compared to 2023. The number of passengers using Cape Air in Glasgow has increased 4.3 percent compared to last year.

  The Cottonwood Inn of Glasgow has recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary. Community members turned out for food and drinks, as well as fun and music to celebrate the achievement.

  A single-engine Cessna 182K Skylane crashed in the Scapegoat Wilderness near Augusta recently. The crash occurred as the plane was enroute to Great Falls. The three people onboard were killed. The plane had departed from Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport, Washington.

   Missoula County is asking voters to approve a mill levy that would raise about $1.8 million annually for public infrastructure. Missoula County commissioners approved placing a five-mill levy on the Nov. 5 general election ballot to help fund construction, repairs and maintenance of public roads, bridges and trails

  . 

  Art Exhibit at Pictograph Caves

  Susan Nelson and Mana Lesman will hold an exhibit of their paintings “Pictograph Cave and Beyond” at Pictograph Cave State Park on August 29, 30, 31 and September 1, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  The park can be reached off I-90 East, Exit #452, turn right on Coburn Rd. just after exit. It is 3 1/2 miles to Pictograph Cave State Park.

• Montana Highlights August 1, 2024 +

  The University of Montana Medicine Residency Program has received $750,000 to expand its training site. It was one of 15 throughout the country to receive a subsidy to develop new residency programs in rural communities to address the need for physicians in rural communities. The three-year award will support the development of residency training sites in Butte and Helena, in partnership with St. James Hospital and Southwest Community Health Center in Butte and St. Peters Health and PureView Health Center in Helena.

  Nemont Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (Nemont) has sold its telecom properties in North Dakota to Northwest Communications Cooperative (NCC100%) fiber-to-the-home internet service and communications provider. Communities involved are Williston, Trenton, Fortuna, Ambrose, and East Westby.

  Gov. Greg Gianforte declared a disaster in Missoula and Mineral counties following a July 24 thunderstorm storm with high winds that toppled trees and downed power poles in the Missoula area, leaving many residents without power. Wind speeds of 81 mph, lightning, heavy rain, and gusts up to 109 mph – caused damages to power poles across western Montana leaving tens of thousands of customers of Missoula Electric and Northwestern Energy without power. The State of Montana will expend funds from the general fund to meet contingencies and needs arising from these conditions

  The U.S. Postal Service abruptly stopped air service in Montana last week even after Alpine Air, its air cargo contractor in the state, offered a roughly $3 million reduction in its contract. Alpine has worked with the Postal Service in Montana for some 35 years. Alpine Air anticipates having to look at layoffs in Montana. It employs 60 people in the state including 20 who have worked on the Postal Service contract. Two-day delivery will have to be obtained from companies other than the United Postal Service.

  Puget Sound Energy, a Seattle-area electricity provider has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Clearway Energy Group for a 315-megawatt wind farm under development in Wheatland and Meagher counties in Montana. The additional power buy will satisfy about 15% of what the Puget Sound Energy needs to meet Washington’s 2030 clean energy targets. Construction on the wind farm is expected to start in June 2026, and the project is slated to go online in 2028. Puget Sound Energy is als building a wind farm near Rapelje, about an hour west of Billings, that will generate 248 megawatts. The Beaver Creek wind project will help meet Washington’s clean-energy laws. a second phase of the project could add wind turbines in neighboring Sweet Grass County, complete with a a lithium-ion battery energy storage facility.

  Bridger Aerospace recently acquired Alabama-based FMS Aerospace in a $20.6 million deal. Sam Davis has become the interim CEO of Belgrade-based Bridger Aerospace.

  Montana-Dakota Utilities is requesting that the Montana Public Service Commission approve a natural gas rate increase of $9.4 million in annual revenues, which would increase the average residential customer’s annual bill by 16.4%.

  Justin and Kelsey Flake have recently taken on ownership of Sea Me Paddle. The business, under Tour Glacier, also offers a variety of tours in Glacier National Park and winter tours around the Flathead Valley. Since taking over, Justin and Kelsey have found that tourists enjoy the concierge experience and seeing sights as the locals do, so in addition to their outdoor adventures, the Flakes have started offering brewery and rodeo tours. 

  The Pickle Barrel is celebrating 50 years as a sandwich and pickles shop. Current owner Jenny O’Brien took over the Bozeman location in 2014. Over the years it has survived changes and even an explosion that caused the business to move to it’s current location, acroos the street from MSU.

  Miles City is currently attempting to remedy a budget shortfall of over $700,000 for Fiscal Year 2025. The preliminary budget information is warning officials to expect steep cuts to personnel and services that will likely need to be made to balance the budget. One update was delivered by Mayor Dwayne Andrews announcing that following a conversation with union leaders representing the city employees, the unions are willing to re-negotiate contracts to find a way to minimize the damage as much as possible.

  The Interim Transportation Committee of the Montana Legislature recently heard an update regarding cost estimates of the Federal Rail Administration’s Long-Distance Service Study for restoring passenger rail service across southern Montana. People associated with Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority presented updates to the Committee. The mission and goal are of seeing passenger rail service along the North Coast Hiawatha route restored to service southern Montana. The total estimated cost for restoration and operation of the North Coast Hiawatha route is approximately $3.9 billion.

  Last week film crews from America’s Best Restaurants will visit Outlaw’s Bar & Grill in Watford City and 3 Amigos Southwest Grill in Williston. The crew will highlight popular dishes and interview the respective owners. The episodes featuring these two restaurants will be aired at a later date on America’s Best Restaurants’ Facebook page and website. America’s Best Restaurants is a national media and marketing company focusing on bringing attention to local, independently owned restaurants.

  Connolly’s Nursery in Evergreen opened in April. The Nursery is located at 1654 Montana 35. From yellow to pink to green to white, everything that Connolly grows is made to grow in Montana. The business aims to provide quality plants for the Evergreen community and Northwest Montana in general.

  Hunter and Julie Nguyen have officially opened the doors to their nail salon AJ Nails in Evergreen. The couple says they are slowly growing their business after renovating the former restaurant location.

• Montana Highlights July 15, 2024 +

  Chef Andy Blanton has been selected to lead Flathead Valley Community College’s Culinary Institute. Blanton was the owner and executive chef at Cafe Kandahar on Big Mountain for many years. He left the restaurant business in June 2023. He will direct FVCC’s culinary program after the retirement of Chef Howard Karp. Karp assumed the executive chef role in 2012. 

  The Boys & Girls Club of Carbon County recently held a colorful carnival in Red Lodge to celebrate its 30th year. The Club’s development got started in 1993 when the Beartooth Front Forum organization was formed on the belief that when a community works together positive things happen. A committee recognized the need for a structured activities program and a place for kids to go to be safe, meet friends, and grow A year later and both the Boys & Girls Club of Red Lodge and the Beartooth Front were founded as a 501©(3) non-profits.

  Sacred Waters Brewing Company, entered several of its beers in the 2024 World Beer Cup competition also known as the “Olympics of Beer”. The company won a bronze medal in the “best chili beer” for its Lil Salmon Fire. Sacred Waters is now planning to increase its capacity to brew by adding 30 barrels, allowing it to take on new markets in Northwest Montana.

  A year after 10 Montana Rail link railcars plummeted into the Yellowstone near Reed Point, federal authorities have not released their findings on the cause of the crash. The accident sent close to 412,000 pounds of molten asphalt into the river. The Federal Railroad Administration stated  that the crash, which occurred on June 24, 2023, is still under investigation. A report Montana Rail Link provided to the FRA in the weeks after the accident says that a portion of its train derailed while crossing a bridge over the Yellowstone. Sixteen of the 35 rail cars derailed or were damaged in the incident

  A recent meeting of the City of Miles City’s Finance Committee turned solemn as the reality set in that significant budget cuts are going to have to be made. The Committee needs to deal with a large deficit. According to preliminary budget information, the city is anticipating a shortfall of approximately $560,000  of a projected $6 million budget. 

  The construction of a 74.5-megawatt solar energy generating facility west of Fairview –the Fairview I Solar Project has been announced. Other portions of the project components would include a 25-MW, four-hour battery storage initiative, overhead transmission line and internal access roads.”

  Gov. Greg Gianforte attended the ribbon cutting of a sanitation business in Belgrade. Big Sky Decon, in the process of changing its name from Kart Kleen, began working with Belgrade manufacturer Kevin Meyer, owner of MMC Inc. A new product for the Missoula-based company was delivered –their first coolant decontamination unit a wheeled cart that filters and disinfects manufacturing machinery coolant.

  A report from Headwaters Economics recently criticized overly cautious wildfire management strategies. The nonprofit research group argues that current approaches hinder communities’ ability to manage wildfires effectively, harming both natural environments and residents. The report points out that by balancing community protection, ecosystem health and maintaining resilient landscapes, communities can coexist more safely with wildfires while mitigating damage

  At a Red Lodge City Council meeting, Bone Daddy, the iconic emblem of the Beartooth Rally, informed the city that he is stepping down after this year’s 30th anniversary for health reasons.

  Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area, the only strictly summer ski area in the nation, is being sold. For sale is spelled out in large red letters on the ski areas website over the top of a photo of the steep mountainside and its lift towers.

  Merry Piglets is now opened in Bozeman.  Merry Piglets was the first restaurant concept that Joe and Denise Rice, founders of the Blue Collar Restaurant Group, began with back in 1989 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Since then the company has opened 13 restaurant locations with varying concepts, seven in Wyoming and six in Montana.

  Each year, Flathead Lake cherry growers produce between 2 million and 3 million pounds of the cherries. The Flathead cherries are valuable because they usually come later in the season than the huge crops from Washington State. Customers will generally pay a premium for those fresh cherries into late July and August. The Flathead cherry crop in western Montana was almost completely wiped out by a hard freeze in January 2024.

  Glacier Floral Design opened in downtown Columbia Falls recently. Glacier Floral Design is owned and operated by Alyx Wieringa and her family.

  Birch cafe is a blend of fast-casual comfort food; homemade sandwiches, baked goods, chocolates, coffees, teas and smoothies alongside a retail section for local art and goods. Owner Stephanie Meyers’s opened the business recently in Bigfork. The space on the second story  has a new kitchen, and bar.

  The Glasgow City Council voted recently to build a new skate park in Hoyt Park, where the new swimming pool is under construction.

  Gov. Greg Gianforte sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton requesting federal assistance in response to the St. Mary siphon failure. “The failure of the siphons not only flooded and damaged property in the immediate area but also jeopardizes drinking water for 14,000 Montanans and irrigation for over 18,000 water users,” Gov. Gianforte wrote. “The loss of over 121,000 acres of irrigatable land will be disastrous for Montana’s farmers and ranchers as well as Montana’s economy.”

  Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI)  announced the state secured a nearly $2 million investment to provide workforce retraining and support services for workers impacted by the closures of Pyramid Lumber in Seeley Lake and Roseburg Forest Products in Missoula.

   The City of Great Falls and Malmstrom AFB celebrated the opening of the Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic and Recreation Center. The center features an 8 lane lap pool, recreation pool with water slide, lazy river, full court gym with basketball, volleyball and pickle ball, weight and cardio equipment, fitness rooms, party and programming spaces, and a lounge with fire place.

  3 Rivers Communications recently installed equipment to provide free Wi-Fi service to outdoor community spaces in Choteau and Fairfield. 3 Rivers Communications is a rural telecommunications cooperative, originally founded in 1953, with corporate headquarters in Fairfield and offices in Big Sky and Conrad. 3 Rivers offers broadband Internet, telephone and digital voice services.

  A Great Falls researcher at the Mclaughlin Research Institute has been awarded a more than $3.1 million grant to continue their study of Alzheimer’s disease. The McLaughlin Research Institute is a homegrown research center started by Dr. Tiffany Hensley-McBain which is considered among the finest. The grant is from the National Institutes of Health. Hensley-McBain who is an Assistant Professor at MRI and the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine-Montana.

  Bob Quinn has opened the Quinn Institute in Big Sandy,  a new research facility dedicated to promoting more sustainable ways to farm, cook, and live and to network with other producers and processors dedicated to this vision. 

  To make sure it’s done right, the Montana State University Extension’s Local Government Center will provide support to the 43 municipalities and 12 counties in Montana that are participating in the decennial local government review. The Center will provide training for study commissioners, including a July 24 online training, and guide municipalities and counties through the process.

• Montana Highlights July 1 2024 +

  Lake County commissioners sent a letter to President Biden recently to make compensation for “depredations” by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, pertaining to the low water level in Flathead Lake last summer. The letter references the Blackfeet Treaty, signed in 1855 by the leaders of the Flathead and Kootenai, and refers specifically to Article 8, which states in part “that the navigation of all lakes and streams shall be forever free to citizens of the United States.”

  Hot beeswax and watercolor artist Leisa Lewis has moved into a new studio in downtown Hamilton called “Leisa Lewis, connecting with feel good art.” The studio is open by appointment.

  The Northwest Montana Association of Realtors has named Brenda Miller the 2024 Realtor of the Year. Awards also included Realtor Rookie of the Year Sarah Meehan.

  The new Kyiyo Bakery and Mercantile has opened in Kiowa Junction. The business has been opened by owner Will Hammerquist, who has also run the Polebridge Mercantile with his wife Katerina for nearly 10 years. He didn’t have plans to expand the business, but when the opportunity arose to build something at the Kiowa Junction, he decided to go for it. Kiowa Junction is the area where Montana 49 meets U.S. 89 west of Browning. The land was on the market for several years before Hammerquist purchased it. There was a year of demo work, tearing down the dilapidated buildings that used to be a pit stop at the junction. Currently, Hammerquist and his team are building cabin rentals across from the mercantile.

  A major power transmission project linking Montana to energy markets in the Midwest picked up a commitment recently from Colstrip Power Plant shareholder Portland General Electric. The $3.2 billion North Plains Connector would bridge the Eastern and Western energy grids by running 415 miles of high voltage, direct current line between Colstrip substation and Center, North Dakota. North Plains is being developed by Texas-based Grid United.

  U.S. Bank has been at the corner of Main Street and Black Avenue in downtown Bozeman for 27 years. A renovation project uncovered the historic, Fred Willson-designed building underneath the façade. Work is continuing on the fourth and fifth floors of the building, but the U.S. Bank branch is open on the ground floor.

  Glendive Chief of Police Jeremy Swisher has been charged with three felony offenses alleged by the Montana Attorney General’s office. The police chief is on track for a jury trial by December. Assistant Montana AG Michael Gee filed with the 7th Judicial District Court last week. According to court documents, the State of Montana alleges Swisher committed unlawful possession, shipping or transportation of game animal on or between Jan. 30, 2023 and July 20, 2023, a felony.

  At a presentation before the North Dakota Public Service Commission, representatives for a gas conversion plant spoke about the impacts and benefits of the proposed facility to be located southwest of Williston.

  North Dakota Attorney General Drew H. Wrigley and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, along with 21 other states have filed a petition for review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, challenging the Biden EPA’s unconstitutional overreach aimed at killing North Dakota’s coal fired energy production. The recent Federal rule would require certain air toxin emission levels from coal-fired plants to be reduced drastically, with no corresponding health benefits and with great costs to the States and their industries.

  The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes recently received an Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The $7.7 million grant will fund a 3,000-square-foot plant in Ronan designed to process up to 25 animals a week. The three-acre building site, located along Mink Lane, was part of a 31-acre parcel of tribal land annexed by the city of Ronan last summer. CSKT Management predicts the facility will take between 18 and 24 months to complete.

  Whitefish-based Averill Hospitality is planning to develop a hotel on property in Sandpoint, Idaho. Once plans are approved work on a new hotel where the Edgewater Resort now sits could begin by this fall. The hotel is on Lake Pend Oreille. The project would be a $70 million, 150-room full-service resort.

  The Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic and Recreation Center is planning to open for business on June 29. It is located at 900 29th Street South in Lions Park just off of 10th Ave South in Great Falls. The rec center features a full-court gymnasium, eight-lane pool, sauna, cardio and weight machines, elevated walking track, a splash pad, group fitness, and a large water slide.

  Residents of the Swan Valley are investigating how to form their own central government in Condon, which would be the first new town in Montana since the 1990’s. Members of the Swan Valley Community Council met last week with a local government expert from MSU and the Missoula County commissioners for more information on making the idea a reality. Condon sits at the edge of Missoula County and is unincorporated. Some residents are interested in incorporating so they can refocus their taxes toward local issues. The process of creating a town has rarely been used since the turn of the last century, with Colstrip as the last town to incorporate in 1994.

  The new Dollar General location in Victor is open. The business is located at 2438 Railroad Ave., just off U.S. Highway 93. The Victor location will be one of around 5,400 to carry fresh produce along with health and beauty products, housewares, stationery and seasonal products. Dollar General operates four other locations in Montana including Columbia Falls, Eureka, Libby and Thompson Falls.

  The Montana Department of Commerce recently announced that 67 film creations will share more than $2.6 million in grant funding to film on-location productions across the state. Film Office promotes Montana as a business destination for film production companies to expand production in our state.

  Missoula is the 15th best-run city in America, according to personal-finance website WalletHub. The rankings compared the operating efficiency of the 148 largest U.S. cities. WalletHub used 36 metrics regarding education, the economy and the environment for the assessment. Nampa, Idaho, secured first place in the study, while San Francisco scored the worst. Billings, Montana, made the list at 16th place. Data from the website showed Missoula ranks 59th in the country for quality of city services, but 15th in its total budget per capita.

  ND Malting and Hops, Inc. began production near Williston on Thursday, May 23, 2024. The new plant is locally owned by two farmers , David Anfinson and Paul Weyrauch. The grains processed in the facility will be used for the 2 row malting process and then shipped to meet the demand for micro brewing facilities.“

  Kiplinger Personal Finance named Great Falls as one of the 25 Cheapest Places to Live: U.S. Cities Edition. Great Falls ranked 16th in the survey.

  A huge controversy is broiling near Gallatin Gateway regarding a proposed gravel mine. On a farm that has been in the Black family for generations, a 130-acre gravel mine is being proposed to build roads and highways for the burgeoning development in the Gallatin Valley. Third generation owner of the farm, Bayard Black says that the multi –million deal with Belgrade-based TMC Inc., is essential for the continued operation of the farm. Neighbors, many of whom are transplants to the valley, who have built “dream” homes with views of Spanish Peaks and the Bridger Mountains, and who are the reason for the need for the roads and highways, are trying to halt permitting for the gravel pit through the courts.

  New water restrictions in Idaho are having  a “profound effect” on local farmers. They are leading to “decreased crop yields, financial strain, and the potential long-term consequences for our farming community and the entire state.”

  Cerilon Gas-to-Liquids facility in Williams County, ND, is being developed to turn natural gas into specialty products. With a cost of $3.2 billion, phase one of the facility will turn 240 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day into products like diesel. Located near Trenton, the project is still undergoing permitting, but construction is expected to start in 2026, with the first phase operational by 2029.

  Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis – Since January 2020, employers across the United States have filled the job hole created by the pandemic, plus another 5 million jobs. That ability to hire suggests there is an expanding labor pool. The growing foreign-born1 population is a contributing factor. In 2010, North Dakota had the smallest foreign-born population in the region. By 2023, this population had grown by 176 percent, helping the state leapfrog Montana and South Dakota. Michigan saw the smallest growth rate among Ninth District states, at 16 percent.