The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
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HELENA - From the early-season Pasqueflower and Yellow Bells to the mid-season Arrowleaf Balsamroot, wildflowers are in bloom across central Montana! In partnership with the Montana Discovery Foundation, City of Helena, Prickly Pear Land Trust, and Montana Native Plant Society, folks will be able to participate in a free wildflower self-guided tour on the north side of Mount Helena from May 13-31. "This is our 20th year of partnering with local agencies and organizations to...
AVON – Wildlife officials euthanized a male grizzly bear on May 24 in the Ophir Creek area northeast of Avon. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife specialists said the bear had been in the area consistently for the past month and killed several cows on a local ranch earlier this week. The most recent cattle depredation was confirmed on May 23, and USDA Wildlife Services crews set traps on the site that evening. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made the decision to have t...
Missoula – Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) is asking for help from the public in reporting snapping turtle sightings in west-central Montana. In Montana, snapping turtles are a native species east of the continental divide, but they are non-native west of the divide and can cause significant harm to native populations of pond- dwelling species like frogs, turtles, snakes, ducks, and fish. Snapping turtles likely end up in waterways in western Montana through illegal r...
HELENA – Hunters interested in participating in game damage hunt opportunities need to register online for the Hunt Roster beginning Tuesday, June 15, through MyFWP. The roster is used by Fish, Wildlife & Parks to quickly respond to landowners who are eligible for game damage assistance in the prevention or reduction of property or crop damage primarily caused by deer, elk and/or antelope. To register, hunters can log into their MyFWP account or click "look up draw results, re...
FWP keeps traps in Ovando area, more details released OVANDO – After two days of searching by helicopter and on the ground, the grizzly bear that killed a woman Tuesday morning has not been found. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear specialists and wardens are continuing to monitor culvert traps set in the area. The search even included the use of infrared technology from Two Bear Air Rescue out of Kalispell, but efforts to find the bear are now focusing on traps near O... Full story
OVANDO – Wildlife officials shot and killed a grizzly bear early Friday morning less than two miles from Ovando, where a woman was killed in a grizzly bear attack early Tuesday morning. The bear was killed at the scene of a second chicken coop raid that was very similar in nature to the one that happened in Ovando the night of the fatal attack. Given the proximity to Tuesday's attack, the evidence found at the scenes and the fact another chicken coop was raided, Montana Fish,...
MISSOULA – DNA results received Wednesday confirmed the bear killed by wildlife officials last Friday was the same bear who fatally attacked a camper in Ovando early on the morning of July 6. The DNA samples from the bear, saliva sample at the scene of the attack and samples from two chicken coops that were raided in the area all match up. Montana is bear country and recreationists can be bear aware by following some simple guidelines: Carry bear spray and be prepared to u... Full story
GREAT FALLS - As air and water temperatures continue to climb, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff urge anglers to use extra care when handling fish during the continuing hot summer days. "Water temperatures have been steadily increasing, and with warm overnight temperatures and no major cool down in sight, we want to remind people how important it is to minimize handling any fish that they intend to release," said Jason Rhoten, FWP fisheries manager in Great Falls. "One...
Helmville, Montana (August 5, 2021) - The Montana Department of Transportation and LHC, Inc. will begin construction on MT-141 in Powell County in mid-August. The project begins near the northwest end of Nevada Lake and extends northwest for 12.5 miles ending at the junction of MT-141 and MT 200. The project will improve the roadway and bridges along roughly 12.5 miles of MT-141. Roadway improvements include minor bridge upgrades, crack seal, plant mix overlay, and seal and...
Seeley Lake - The Lolo and Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forests announced Aug. 12 the withdrawal of the North Fork Blackfoot River Indigenous Fish Restoration project decision, which was signed June 2, 2021, to approve a permit authorizing Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to implement the project. Therefore, project implementation will not occur this summer. Instead, the Forest Service will take additional time to further consider public concerns regarding this project. The...
HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is beginning the biennial hunting regulations review process, and this year the department is looking to take a fresh approach. In the past, the biennial hunting regulation process typically had few changes to the existing regulations. This year, FWP will tackle more significant changes such as combining hunting districts and simplifying license structures, while still keeping focused on statewide wildlife population management goals. "...
Grizzly bears have the potential to be found anywhere in the western two-thirds of Montana (west of Billings), and their distribution is denser and more widespread than in previous years. Some areas with dense concentrations of grizzly bears are very accessible to hunters, especially during the archery season. Keep these precautions in mind when hunting in grizzly country: Carry and know how to use bear spray. Keep it within easy reach and be prepared to use it immediately....
HELENA - As students across our state return to the classroom, Attorney General Austin Knudsen and the Montana Highway Patrol are reminding motorists to follow all school bus and school zone traffic laws, including new laws going into effect this year. By simply following the law and taking necessary precautions, motorists can help ensure Montana students get to and from school safely. "If one child gets injured on their way to or from school this year, it will be one too...
Rocky Mountain Development Council and AmeriCorps Seniors is inviting the community to gather during the 1st annual 9/11 Flag of Honor Across America Memorial meant to honor the lives lost 20 years ago. Helena is one of sixty communities around the nation that will be participating in this 9/11 memorial. The 9/11 Flag of Honor, which includes the names of all 2,983 victims who lost their lives, will be displayed at the memorial. On Saturday, September 11, at 9:02 am a...
Helena – In recognition of the recent shift to cooler and wetter weather patterns, as well as changes to longer range forecasts, the Lewis and Clark County Commissioners today approved a resolution to rescind Stage Two fire restrictions for the entire county and return to Stage One restrictions for areas east of the Continental Divide. Areas west of the Divide will not be under fire restrictions. Debris burning remains closed county-wide. The resolution will go into effect a...
Helmville, Montana (August 5, 2021) - The Montana Department of Transportation and LHC, Inc. will begin construction on MT-141 in Powell County in mid-August. The project begins near the northwest end of Nevada Lake and extends northwest for 12.5 miles ending at the junction of MT-141 and MT 200. The project will improve the roadway and bridges along roughly 12.5 miles of MT-141. Roadway improvements include minor bridge upgrades, crack seal, plant mix overlay, and seal and...
Helena – Lewis and Clark County is now considered an area of substantial community transmission for COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Based on guidance from the CDC, Lewis and Clark Public Health recommends all individuals wear a face covering when in public indoor areas, regardless of their vaccination status. LCPH Health Officer, Drenda Niemann said the community must, once again, come together to ensure our cases don't rise h...
Wooly mammoth tusks, a bison jump diorama and a fascinating collection of Charlie Russell artwork are a few of the treasures to behold at the Montana Historical Society in Helena. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to learn more about the Treasure State at the MHS museum and research center in Helena. Its galleries hold hundreds of exciting and unusual objects, some dating back thousands of years. The Historical Society also has re-opened the Original Governor's Mansion for...
For the last 18 years, Lincoln resident and pilot Jerry Cain has hosted an annual fly-in barbecue / potluck at his Lincoln Airport hangar for Montana and out-of-state pilots to enjoy. For the last five years (2020 canceled due to COVID) and continuing this year under the sponsorship of the newly formed public charity Lincoln Airport Foundation, there will be a Community Airport Open House and Fly-in BBQ Potluck to which the public is invited at no charge, to become familiar...
State and local public health officials are reminding Montanans to take steps to avoid mosquito bites and prevent infection from West Nile Virus. In Montana, WNV season usually begins in July and ends in October, as this is when the mosquitoes responsible for it emerge. "As we head into West Nile Virus season all Montanans are encouraged to take the necessary precautions," Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) epidemiologist Erika Baldry said. "There was only...
Helena - The pandemic has highlighted the power of partnerships and this Friday, Veterans and their families and caregivers are invited to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from Montana VA Health Care System at the American Legion of Montana's Department Convention. "I encourage all attendees and their families to take advantage of the MTVAHCS vaccine clinic this Friday," said American Legion Department of Montana Commander Jeff Nelson. "If you have a Veteran friend who has not y...
BOZEMAN – USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced June 11that the Department is accepting applications for grants to help start, expand, or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses in rural America. USDA is making $5.8 million in grants available under the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program to help improve economic conditions in rural areas through cooperative development. Nonprofit corporations and i...
Now in its 73rd year, The American Legion Boys State program is accepting applications for 2021. Boys State will be held June 6th- 11th, in Helena. The American Legion Boys State is a unique summertime educational program for boys entering their senior year of high school. The program focuses on participation and personal experience in a model state, complete with governmental bodies and elected public officials. It is designed to mirror the structure and operation of state go...
Butte - Osprey nests can cause power outages and even fires, and their proximity to energized equipment puts the birds at risk of electrocution. NorthWestern Energy has installed hundreds of platforms to maintain service reliability and to provide a safe place for ospreys to raise their offspring. This is the time of year when osprey begin to build nests and NorthWestern Energy asks member of the public who observe nest building on power poles to report their observations by...
HELENA, Mont. – Montana will regain its second congressional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to the 2020 Census state population count released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. The count reveals that Montana's population grew from 989,415 people in 2010 to 1,085,407 people in 2020 – an increase of 95,992 residents over 2010, or nearly 10 percent. "Thanks to the efforts of Montanans across the state, the 2020 Census shows what we've known to be true – M...
