Author: Dennis Pyburn

Top Two Coolest Things

6 November 2024
Dennis Pyburn
No comments

Not long ago The Montana Chamber of Commerce asked the public to submit nominations for “The Coolest Thing Made in Montana.”  The contest was to celebrate and promote the innovation, craftsmanship, and economic impactof Montana’s thriving manufacturing industry.

The Chamber has announced the winners in two categories – – one representing small business and another for larger businesses.

After three rounds of voting and over 15,000 votes cast the winners are Rattlesnake Cable Company and Nomad Global Communications Systems (GCS).

More than 60 Montana-based companies were nominated for the competition, showcasing a wide range of locally-made products, from high-tech innovations to handcrafted goods. The contest, open to the public for voting, highlights the rol manufacturing plays in Montana’s economy, which according to the 2023 Montana

Manufacturing Report by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, supported 22,700 jobs and contributed $3.3 billion to the state’s economic growth.

Small Business Winner: Missoula-based Rattlesnake Cable Company with four full-time employees, claimed victory in the small business category. Specializing in high-quality, custom hand-made guitar cables, Rattlesnake Cable Company is driven by the belief that every musician deserves exceptional equipment paired with equally outstanding customer service. Known for its premium craftsmanship and dedication to serving musicians around the world, the company has become a go-to brand for those seeking reliable and durable stage and studio cables.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as The Coolest Thing Made in Montana’s small business category,” said Hank Donovan, Co-Owner/Co-Founder of Rattlesnake Cable Company. “Our mission is to not only provide the best cables but to build strong relationships with our customers. This award is a testament to the hard work and passion we put into every product.” Large Business Winner: Nomad GCS in Columbia Falls earned the top honor in the large business category. With a workforce of over 300 skilled professionals, the company engineers and manufactures cutting-edge Connected Mobile Operations Centers (CMOCs) for defense, public safety, emergency operations, and telco organizations worldwide. Nomad’s Tactical Command Vehicle (TCV) is a unique concept in the industry, designed with satellite and cellular connectivity, high ground clearance for off-pavement performance, and Nomad Total Command™ (NTC) software for vehicle management and automation. Trusted by federal, state, local, and private sectorcustomers alike, the TCV reflects Montana’s spirit of innovation, ingenuity, and resilience.

“To be named ‘The Coolest Thing Made in Montana’ by a large business is an honor,” Nomad CEO Will Schmautz said. “Our Tactical Command Vehicle, and every customer solution delivered, represents the best of Montana engineering and manufacturing. Knowing that people statewide recognize our work is humbling, and a testament to the efforts of our stellar team for over two decades.”

“Montana consistently ranks as one of the top entrepreneurial states, and the Montana Chamber of Commerce is committed to keeping us there, said Todd O’Hair, president & CEO of the Montana Chamber. “The Coolest Thing Made in Montana contest highlights the strength and diversity of our economy. On behalf of the business community, congratulations to our inaugural winners, and thank you for choosing Montana as your place to do business.”

Billings Building Permits – November 1, 2024

6 November 2024
Dennis Pyburn
No comments

Commercial

Billings Clinic – Mitch Goplen |Jones Construction Inc, 2800 10th Ave N, Com Remodel, $3,472,000

Wl Zimmerman LLC, 3601 Avenue D, Com Footing/Foundation, $400,000

Don Grewell Ira|Donald A Grewel,l 4190 S Frontage Rd, Com New Warehouse/Storage, $250,000

Bill Co Investment LLC Inc|Fargo Roofing & Siding, 2020 Overland Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $248,228

Pelican Constance D Trustee|G & L Enterprises Inc, 1819 Montana Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding,  $159,870

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran C|A-Team Roofing And Solar, 2802 Belvedere Dr, Com Remodel, $135,000

Harbor Freight |Centimark Corp, 1400 Grand Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding $104,357

Michael W Ryan Trust|Cucancic Construction Inc, 2600 6th Ave N, Demolition Permit Commercial, $50,000

Rocky Mountain Oil LLC|Cucancic Construction Inc., 515 N 27th St, Demolition Permit Commercial, $50,000

Mt Angel Properties LLC|Highsmith Construction, 3041 Boulder Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $45,000

Montana Map LLC|Centimark Corp, 303 N Broadway, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $44,330

Hess Steven & Judy|KJ Construction, 440 Josephine Dr, Com Addition, $20,000

Griffin Farrel|TRH Construction, 320 N 30th St, Com Remodel, $2,100

Maria Santana |Beartooth Holdings & Construction Inc, 1670 Shiloh Rd, Restaurant/Casino/Bar, $950,000

Wl Zimmerman LLC, 3602 Spring Wheat Ln, Com Footing/Foundation, $400,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1745 E Seahawks Pl, Com New Office/Bank, $105,000

Billings Clinic|Summit Fire & Security LLC, 801 N 29th St, Com Fire Systems, $73,054

Sisters Of Charity Of Leavenworth|Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP, 2900 12th Ave N, Th Com Fire Systems, $6,123

Less Tropican Inn-Vestments 2.0 LLC|Environmental Contractors LLC, 5500 Midland Rd, Demolition Permit Commercial, $3,850

JE Nessan Camp 1|Lanter Const, 608 N 29th St, Com Remodel $3,600

Residential

AKR Development LLC|Emineth Custom Homes, 2988 Ridgefield Dr, Res New Single Family, $650,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 4081 N Seahawks Pl, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 4087 N Seahawks Pl, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1715 Packers Ln, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1721 Packers Ln, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1727 Packers Ln, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1733 Packers Ln, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Infinity Home LLC |Infinity Home LLC, 2232 Lindero Blvd, Res New Single Family, $176,872

Infinity Home LLC |Infinity Home LLC, 2226 Lindero Blvd, Res New Single Family, $174,158

Taggart Christopher J & Eliza|Jorden Construction, 4812 Silver Creek Trl, Res New Single Family, $1,700,000

Steward Land Holdings LLC|Beartooth Holdings & Construction Inc, 3680 Avenue D, Res New Townhome, $837,756

Steward Land Holdings LLC|Beartooth Holdings & Construction Inc, 3670 Avenue D, $837,756

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 4075 N Seahawks Pl, Res New Two Family, $350,000

CDH LLC |CDH LLC, 5220 Rich Ln, Res New Single Family, $311,231

Trails West Homes LLC|Trails West Homes LLC, 5718 Bear Track Trl, Res New Single Family, $247,732

Shanley Caitlin E & Tyler L|Miller Construction & Remodel LLC, 2525 Lyndale Ln, Res Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage, $5,000

States Purge Polls

16 September 2024
Dennis Pyburn
No comments

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Aug. 26 that more than 1 million ineligible voters have been removed from the state’s voter rolls in the past three years, including more than 6,500 noncitizens and 457,000 people who are dead. Of the 6,500 potential noncitizens removed from the voter rolls, about 1,930 have a voter history.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said this month that he issued an executive order removing 6,303 noncitizens from voter rolls. Likewise, Alabama removed at least 3,251 noncitizens and Ohio removed 137.

BSED Gets Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award

14 September 2024
Dennis Pyburn
No comments

Big Sky Economic Development received a 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award was bestowed specifically for the organization’s work in the Digital Media category. Big Sky Economic Development, Marcell Bruski and Kayla Vokral will be acknowledged and honored at the IEDC 2024 Annual Conference in Denver, CO, September 15-18.

“Big Sky Economic Development is setting the standard of excellence for economic development with its The Vault at 201 N Broadway Podcast project. This award highlights Big Sky Economic Development’s commitment to its community and demonstrates the transformative impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO.

 “We are absolutely thrilled to announce this year’s award winners. These exceptional projects showcase remarkable dedication and ingenuity within the field,” said Kevin Kramer, Chair of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards Advisory Committee. “Big Sky Economic Development’s contributions will leave a lasting impact and demonstrate its commitment to creating positive change for its residents.”

Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.

“We our honored by this national recognition. Congratulations to Marcell and Kayla – co-hosts of The Vault – our tool to share the stories of entrepreneurs, businesses, community initiatives, and leaders that are influencing the economic and community development of our community” said Steve Arveschoug, Executive Director at BSED.

Big Sky Economic Development (BSED) is a public-private partnership. The Big Sky Economic Development Authority (EDA), the public agency, evolved from the Montana TradePort Authority launched in 1989 by the Yellowstone County Board of Commissioners. Big Sky Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the private business side, was started in 2002. Over 145 of the county’s top businesses are member-investor partners in the EDC. Together, the organization’s mission is to sustain and grow Yellowstone County’s vibrant economy and outstanding quality of life, by providing leadership and resources for business creation, expansion, retention, new business recruitment and community development.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers.

Nobody talks about freedom anymore

13 September 2024
Dennis Pyburn
No comments

By Roger Koopman

“The Divine Knowledge has ebbed out of us, and we do not know enough to be free.”

   Daniel Webster

Have you noticed?  When the election season rolls around, nobody talks about freedom anymore.  Sure, that word is sometimes still dropped into campaign speeches, sprinkled like salt over a bland plate of political platitudes.  But freedom is never the primary subject, let alone the goal of modern political messaging.  It’s just a rhetorical enhancement, that leaves the scene as quickly as it arrived. 

Why do you suppose that is?  What does that tell us about the personal convictions and motivations of most political candidates who flash across our TV screens?  What hearts beat in their chests?  What passions and convictions guide their souls?

Maybe we’re asking the wrong question.  Yes, politicians have their own beliefs and agendas.  A rare few have beliefs that run deep enough to not be shaken.  But most politicians are pragmatists.  Their goal is winning elections.  They are mostly a reflection of the political marketplace where they sell their services.  When candidates have nothing deep or important to say about freedom, that may be saying more about us than about them.  The “sellers” are concluding that freedom, beyond being a quaint abstract, has no buyers.  That freedom and liberty are irrelevant to us, the voters — throw-away lines for speeches only.  Not something to truly contemplate and embrace, let alone apply to today’s issues.

When we lose our yearning for freedom, we lose respect for the freedom of others at the same time, and the animus and social chaos we see around us should be of no surprise.  Freedom has been replaced by the secular, the superficial and the selfish.  When the flame of freedom dies in our own hearts, who but we ourselves are to blame for a culture of control that now smothers free expression and free thought?  Is it not the utter disrespect for the freedom of others (upon which our own freedom depends) that has brought us to a place where corporations, city governments and college campuses dictate to employees, citizens and students exactly what they cannot think, cannot hear and cannot say?  Meanwhile, we signal to the politicians that freedom isn’t that important anymore. 

Perhaps we do this because we no longer understand the meaning of the word itself.  To the extent that it is spoken, it is profoundly corrupted by the political establishment of both parties, but especially by the Democrats and the political Left.  For it is the ideology of the Left that is dedicated to expanding the size, power and coercive influence of government in our lives – the extreme opposite of personal freedom.  The ideology of take whatever you want from others and call it a “right.”

Case in point: the Montana Democrat Party’s Montana Freedom Rally, held in Bozeman the same night as the Trump event.  The primary “freedom” they were promoting was something they call “reproductive freedom.”  Maybe I’m dense, but I can’t think of a single politician who wants to stop men and women from reproducing.  Last I heard, America isn’t even reproducing at a replacement rate for its population.  So reproduce away!

But no.  The Democratic message is not about pink and blue baby booties.  It’s a much darker theme, painted in the color of death.  They’ve turned the word freedom on its head, to mean the denial of human life to another human soul.  It’s the claim that your personal desires and demands are more important than another person’s very life.   Jefferson said, “the God who gave us life, gave us liberty,” so the first freedom is life itself, or all our other God-given freedoms are meaningless. 

Freedom requires faith in a free society and in our ability to thrive and prosper in an “unplanned” state of liberty under law.  It calls for a belief in something far bigger than ourselves, and requires that we respect the freedom of others as more important than our own.  The miracle of freedom is how it produces the very best in all of us, establishing a foundation for mutual respect and genuine peace, without the government spying on us and without angry elites telling us how to live. 

Maybe we need to start reaching for something higher, something nobler than just asking politicians what the government can do for us today.  Maybe we need to begin talking about freedom again.

A former Bozeman small businessman, Roger Koopman is president of Montana Conservative Alliance.  He served four years in the Montana House of Representatives and eight years as a Montana Public Service commissioner.

Firefighters Stand Against Proposed OSHA Mandates

13 August 2024
Dennis Pyburn
No comments

Governor Greg Gianforte recently raised the alarm about a proposed federal rule which could have a “catastrophic” impact on firefighting in the state.

In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed replacing the existing “Fire Brigade Standard” with the new “Emergency Response” standard, unprecedentedly expanding the agency’s role over firefighters.

In a press release, Gov. Greg Gianforte said he is standing with Montana firefighters in opposition to the proposed rule change. He said it could have a “catastrophic” impact on firefighting in the state.

In a letter to a senior official at the U.S. Department of Labor, Gov. Gianforte cautioned that a newly proposed federal regulation from OSHA could undermine wildland firefighting and harm the effectiveness of volunteer fire departments across Montana and the nation.

The governor expressed appreciation for OSHA’s “good intentions” in aiming to improve firefighter safety, but he highlighted the “unintended consequences” of the rule. Regarding the proposed rule’s impact on wildland firefighting, the governor warned of OSHA’s “bureaucratic creep” and that “OSHA is stretching its long arms into something with which it has no historical experience and expertise.”

At a recent meeting with volunteer firefighters in Conrad, the governor heard directly about the issues impacting the firefighting community, including OSHA’s proposed rule. Highlighting the meeting in the letter to Deputy Assistant Labor Secretary James Frederick, the governor wrote that “the topic of OSHA’s proposed rule dominated the conversation.”

He continued, “Those volunteer public servants are concerned, as am I, about the impact the proposed rule could have on them and their continued viability in their community.”

Citing OSHA’s estimate that the new rule could cost a volunteer fire department more than $14,000 per year, Gov. Gianforte cautioned that OSHA’s proposed rule includes “a price tag too many of our volunteer fire departments cannot afford to bear, and I fear, facing those high costs of compliance, they may not be able to operate fully and serve their community.”

Gov. Gianforte’s letter to Deputy Assistant Secretary Frederick included public comments on the proposed rule from Department of Natural Resources Director Amanda Kaster and Department of Labor & Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson.

State Grants $2.6 million to Film Industry

11 July 2024
Dennis Pyburn
No comments

Since the Montana State Legislature created a taxpayer funded program in the hopes of attracting Hollywood –style business to Montana, the Montana Department of Commerce recently announced $2.6 million in grants to 67 film creations statewide.

The program is called the Big Sky Film Grant program and this year there were 150 projects requesting $9 million in funding.

The Montana Department of Commerce announced that 67 film creations will share more than $2.6 million in subsidies to film on-location productions across the state.

Grants were made available from Feature Film and TV; Feature Film and TV – Resident Only; Short-Form Content; and Short-Form Content – Resident Only categories.

A sampling of some of the recipients include:

—  7030 Entertainment, LLC  – –  $50,000 for the production of “Cold Storage.”

— Attack Team Entertainment Inc.  – –  $50,000 for the production of “Where the Wild Horses Live.”

—  Eat Different, LLC will revive $100,000 for the production of “Inhuman.”

—  FMLY Films, Inc.  – –  $50,000 for the production of “Lunatic.”

—  Hold The Map Productions, LLC  – –  $50,000 for the production of “Breaking the Silence.”

—  Justin Olson, ETC FILM, LLC  – –  $150,000 for the production of “Earth to Charlie.”

—  Last Chance Pictures, LLC  – –  $50,000 for the production of “Good Kids.”

—  Michael Polish, There There, LLC  – –  $100,000 for the production of “There, There.”

—  MMM MT, LLC  – –  $50,000 for the production of “Swimming Hole.”

—  Nathan Norby, LLC  – –  $50,000 for the production of “The Price of Paradise.”

—  Paradise Valley Pictures  – –  $100,000 for the production of “The Gift of the Game.”

— Stillwater Historical Society, Museum of the Beartooths will receive $50,000 for the production of “Moccasins, Mining and Montana’s 34th County.”

“Commerce’s Film Office promotes Montana as a business destination for film production companies to expand production in our state, increase job opportunities, promote small business growth and to promote tourism,” said Paul Green, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “These 67 film projects are expected to spend an estimated $35 million in Montana and will bring in productions that will help boost the economies of many rural Montana communities, including Plentywood, Cohagen, Lame Deer, Poplar, Dillon, Clyde Park, Choteau, Pryor, Roberts, Virginia City and Pray.”

The richest in Montana…

Based upon the average net worth of its citizens, the richest city in Montana – not surprisingly —  is Bozeman followed by Whitefish. Belgrade comes in as the third richest – undoubtedly as spillover from Bozeman. Then its Columbia Falls, followed by Billings, Helena, Missoula, Laurel, Livingston, and Kalispell.

Trebro Plans for Resumption of Turf Market

21 May 2024
Dennis Pyburn
No comments

For 30 years Billings has been home to a small home-grown manufacturing business that has rapidly grown to selling their innovative product for turf growers around the world.

Trebro Manufacturing was highlighted during the recent Small Business Week celebration. Those attending the events surrounding the visit of Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, were invited to tour Trebro’s facility at 6840 S. Frontage Rd.

They were guided by company owner, Chris Jackson, and John Wetzel, General Manager.

Trebro manufacturers turf harvesters that reduce the manual labor involved in harvesting and transporting the turf that is most commonly used to landscape residential homes. Besides dominating the US market with their patented machines they sell to 22 countries around the world – -and it all began in Billings, Montana, some 30 years ago.

Trebro was started by the Tvetene family, who moved their turf growing business to Billings from Minnesota in 1968. It is hard to say exactly when the manufacturing business started, because Ted Tvetene and his three sons, Mike, Gregg and Don, drew upon their experience and expertise as turf growers, which began many years before. They spent a couple of decades designing, experimenting and planning the process of developing the machines, which they patented and now market for between $400,000 and $600,000, depending upon the specifications of their customer.

One of their sub-contractors for many years in the production of the harvesters was Craftco Manufacturing Solutions, a fabrication and machining company in Sheridan, Wyoming. Rather recently, Craftco purchased Trebro from the Tvetene brothers, because it seemed a perfect fit with Craftco, said Jackson.

Interestingly, the Tvetene family began focusing on inventing a harvester that could be operated by one person in response to labor shortages they were experiencing – an issue that remains problematic today, Jackson told SBA Director Guzman. In a round table discussion, Jackson said that besides acquiring the labor needed, the biggest problem for his industry is getting financing, when it is needed.

Trebro’s business naturally follows the trends of the housing market, so it is currently down considerably from peaks of the past. Currently they are manufacturing about two units a month, when normally, in a more robust housing market, they were producing six to eight a month. When housing regains its footing, Jackson said the goal is to increase production beyond even eight a month.

Trebro currently employs 28 people, which includes marketing representative who travel the world. The company also maintains fully stocked warehouses in several locations in the world from which they sell online parts, 24 hours a day.

At times in the past the company employed more than 60 people.

Jersey Mike’s Opens Shop on Grand

15 January 2024
Dennis Pyburn
No comments

Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs opened at 1640 Grand Ave., in Billings on December 27.  

Franchise owner John Vagner  held a grand opening and fundraiser in the new year from January 3 to Sunday, January 7, to support the Boys & Girls Club of Yellowstone County. Customers who receive a special fundraising coupon distributed through a grassroots effort prior to the opening can make a minimum $3 contribution to Boys & Girls Club of Yellowstone County in exchange for a regular sub. Customers must have a coupon to be eligible.

Guests can place orders in-store or for pickup through the website or through the Jersey Mike’s app. Additionally, delivery is available in most areas through the Jersey Mike’s app or through third-party delivery partners. Curbside pickup is available for orders placed in Jersey Mike’s app. 

Jersey Mike’s premium meats and cheeses are sliced on the spot and piled high on in-store baked bread. Jersey Mike’s fans crave their subs made Mike’s Way® with the freshest vegetables – onions, lettuce and tomatoes – topped off with an exquisite zing of “the juice,” red wine vinegar and an olive oil blend. Authentic cheesesteaks are grilled fresh. 

Jersey Mike’s is looking for individuals interested in career opportunities to join their team. Candidates are invited to apply at jerseymikes.com/careers.

The restaurant’s hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

Jersey Mike’s Subs, with more than 2,500 locations nationwide, serves authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs on in-store freshly baked bread — the same recipe it started with in 1956

Montana Highlights January 15, 2024

15 January 2024
Dennis Pyburn
No comments

Nelson’s Ace Hardware of Whitefish is celebrating 75 years in business. The family broke ground for a new location in July 2018 and opened the doors in March 2019 on US Highway 93. Ace Handyman is a new service that began operating in October.

The Lucia de Brito Franco Art Gallery has opened in Columbia Falls. The Gallery is located at 638 Nucleus Avenue, Suite 103. It contains the works of de Brito Franco but also that of local artists. De Brito Franco has displayed work in Portugal, the Azores and Switzerland.

Café Zydeco is for sale as its owner looks to move on from his 25-year career at the restaurant. Listed for sale last spring the cafe’s owners hope to sell the property and the business for close to $3 million. Café Zydeco’s menu features a variety of Cajun-style items.

NorthWestern Energy customers will see rate increases in January. Montana’s Public Service Commission voted unanimously to allow NorthWestern the opportunity to recover $2.9 million under terms approved by commissioners last fall. At issue is the $208 million base cost used to determine whether customers have paid too much, or too little for power over the previous year.

Restaurateurs Shadd and Amanda Cullinan have finalized the purchase of Sidney’s Rodiron Grill at 520 N. Central Ave., completing the sale on Dec. 14. Soon thereafter the crowds formed a line waiting in anticipation of trying restaurant’s menu. Renamed Saloon 27, owner Shadd Cullinan, expects to supply great service with quality food.

Williston Basin International Airport has recorded an almost 32% increase in boardings during last month compared to a year ago. According to statistics provided by the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, the airport saw 8,461 enplanes in November 2023, up 2,041 passengers from the 6,420 enplanements recorded in November 2022. 8,030 passengers deplaned up from the 6,011 number of passengers who deplaned in November 2022.

After years of new arrivals swelling Montana’s population and straining its housing supply, new data released recently by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that the volume of net migration into the state has declined. As of July 1, 2023, the agency estimates Montana had 1,132,800 residents. That’s about 9,900 more than a year prior, or a 0.9% increase. Data published by the Census Bureau estimates that, as of July 2023, Montana had about 527,800 housing units — one potential home for every 2.1 residents. Since the 2020 census, however, the agency’s figures indicate Montana’s housing supply has grown by a comparatively slim 13,000 units, adding only one home for every 3.7 residents of population growth.

The Teton Airport Commission has signed a five-year lease with Scapegoat Aviation L.L.C. of Choteau to operate a fixed-base operation at the Choteau airport. Scapegoat Aviation’s owners are Ben and Chrissy Hodgskiss and Bill and Heather Hodgskiss. Scapegoat Aviation approached the Airport Commission last fall with a proposal to lease property at the airport for the operation of an aviation-based business that will provide initially jet fuel and aviation fuel sales, hangar and ramp rental.

A ballot initiative to change how elections are won in Montana to a majority vote system is a step closer to appearing on the ballot. Legislators took a 9-1 vote to support the proposed change in a special State Administration and Veterans’ Affairs Interim Committee meeting. Proponents now need to gather enough signatures for the issue to go to the voters this November. Some committee members expressed concern about what they see as lack of clarity in some of the definitions– including to which elections this Constitutional amendment would apply.

The Heart Butte School Board is set to terminate 31 staff members at an upcoming meeting next week likely in order to cut district costs. The board will also decide whether to accept five resignations. Terminations include 11 teacher’s assistants, two mental health professionals, a substitute art teacher, the sub-administrative secretary, a truancy officer and 15 custodial, maintenance and kitchen staff members. Resignations include two teachers, the athletic director, a truancy officer and Augare.

Starting Feb. 5, the U.S. Postal Service will be delivering the Great Falls Tribune as part of an effort to improve delivery consistency and optimize resources amid ongoing labor challenges, fluctuating fuel prices, competition for workers from door-to-door delivery services and increasing digital demand. The Great Falls Tribune will continue its coverage of local news, high school sports and other issues of interest to Cascade County readers from our journalists based in Great Falls and state partners.

According to a press release from the Williston Fire Department, they received an initial report of an explosion at a site with multiple injuries and dispatched at 6:11 p.m. The site was located southeast of 13 Mile Corner at the intersection of 131st Avenue NW and 62nd Street NW. The fire department responded to the scene. There, it was determined there were five workers present, with three sustaining injuries. The three injured parties sustained burns and were transferred by fixed-wing air medical services to Swedish Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado.

Hoping to preserve dwindling native bull trout populations, state wildlife officials are looking to remove lake trout from Swan Lake. Bull trout, which are native to the valley, have struggled since the introduction of invasive species like lake trout, rainbow trout and mysis shrimp in the region. The decision to develop a plan to remove lake trout came after state biologists observed a historically low number of bull trout redds, or spawning nests, in the Swan’s watershed system in 2023. The first step, which residents can comment on until Jan. 23, requires seeking the Fish and Wildlife Commission’s permission to initiate a public MEPA process where the removal of lake trout from Swan Lake will be evaluated.

According to Coal Zoom, Federal mine regulators have rejected a “citizen’s complaint” concerning state regulation of the Signal Peak Energy’s Bull Mountain Mine near Roundup. The complaint is a request for intervention, filed by Northern Plains Resource Council, Moms Clean Air Force, Montana Environmental Information Center, 350 Montana, Citizens for Clean Energy, Families for a Livable Climate, Montana Health Professionals, Sierra Club and WildEarth Guardians. The groups asked the OSM to inspect the mine or require DEQ to open the mine to public inspections.

Talks of consolidating Glendive City Court with the Dawson County Justice of the Peace have entered the sphere of the Dawson County Commission, as Mayor Deb Dion was present at its first meeting of 2024 to provide information regarding the effort. According to Dion, consolidating the courts and authorizing Justice of the Peace Stacey Nerison to preside over all respective hearings is one way the City of Glendive and Dawson County could potentially save money and resources. The idea to consolidate courts was first introduced by Dion during the meeting of the City of Glendive’s Ordinance Committee on Dec. 20, where she explained reasons for considering a consolidation of courts stem from a need to free up funds for better animal control in Glendive, at least within the city’s limits.

A low snow year is impacting local businesses and tourism to Yellowstone National Park, with the park temporarily barring some roads to snowmobile travel due to the lack of snow. The park’s winter season kicked off on Dec. 15 with a limited coating of snow on the roads but still enough to allow for snowmobile travel. But on Dec. 27, the park closed roads in the west side of the park to snowmobiling, specifically the popular 30-mile route from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful.

Take 5 Oil Change has opened at 52 N. Main St. in Kalispell. The opening marks the first of eight planned stores within Montana, currently making Last Best Oil Change, LLC the exclusive operator of Take 5 Oil Change garages in the Treasure State. 

With a new $26.7 million grant from the U.S. Air Force, Montana State University will establish a facility with the mission of moving advanced quantum technology applications in cybersecurity, communications technology and national defense from concept and testing to market. The 20-month grant from the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, New York, will support MSU’s Applied Quantum CORE facility, to be located within the INDUSTRY Bozeman building, which is currently under construction. The grant funding will purchase equipment to test prototype quantum components in the extremely cold environments in which they operate.

Construction of the Great Falls Civic Center is nearly finished, following three years of construction. The original infrastructure was built in the 1930s and a recent $5.7 mil investment will help preserve the civic center for decades to come, say officials.