The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
Sorted by date Results 276 - 300 of 489
MISSOULA – In 2019, nonresident travelers spent $3.77 billion throughout Montana, a 5.4 percent increase from the previous year. More than 12.6 million nonresidents visited in 2019. Research by the University of Montana's Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research reveals a different story in 2020. Nearly all of the second quarter was shut down to travelers this year due to the pandemic, creating a jolt to that yearly injection of money and visitors into Montana's e... Full story
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is offering online hunter and bowhunter education courses this year in response to social distancing requirements and restrictions on group gatherings related to Covid-19. To take the online hunter education course, students can register at https://www.hunter-ed.com/montana/. For bowhunter education, please go to https://www.bowhunter-ed.com/montana/. The online courses, which are developed and administered by the outdoor education company... Full story
Several wildfires are active in Montana, and this can affect land access for hunters in some areas. Wildfire activity can change rapidly, and some fires may limit public access to roads and areas of public land. Wildfires can also cause closures on block management areas during hunting season. Hunters should check for closures due to wildfires before traveling. Recreationists can view an interactive map of active wildfires in Montana by visiting https://inciweb.nwcg.gov./ If...
In keeping with its goal of providing education and enjoyment of the shooting sports, the Lincoln Sportsmen’s Club hosted a Beginning Handgun Shooters’ Seminar Aug. 8. Held at the club’s Weaver Range, it was led by Rich Debick, with Dennis Hefti and Tim Sowa. Various types and sizes of handguns were displayed and identified. Pros and cons of the different styles were discussed. Participants then shot at targets at distances of two, seven, and ten yards, with the leaders helping those who needed it with loading, correct hold,...
The Montana Department of Transportation would like to announce and invite the public to comment on a proposal to improve about 10.5 miles of Highway 200, northeast of Lincoln The project begins at the Rogers Pass Continental Divide sign, at reference post 89.9 and extends north for 10.5 miles ending near the intersection between Highway 200 and Route 434 at reference post 100.3. Proposed work includes crack sealing and finishing with a seal and cover (chip seal). The purpose of the project is to preserve the life of the...
Resident and nonresident hunters will be able to sign up for the new Surplus License List, with some sign-ups starting next week. Surplus licenses are leftover licenses from the special license and permit drawings FWP conducts each year. To sign up for the Surplus License List, resident and nonresident hunters can sign up through the MyFWP portal: https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpExtPortal/login/login.jsp. As licenses become available, the list will be randomized. Hunters at the top...
Missoula - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking input on a proposed fisheries conservation project on the North Fork Blackfoot River that would establish a conservation population of native westslope cutthroat trout upstream of North Fork Falls. FWP will host an online meeting Wednesday, July 22, beginning at 6:30 p.m., to discuss the proposal, answer questions and take comment. The proposal calls for first reducing the number of hybrid trout above North Fork Falls to the... Full story
Helena – Effective Wednesday, July 8, at 12 am, Lewis and Clark Public Health is issuing a Public Health Order limiting events and gatherings to no more than 250 people. Governor Bullock's Phase 2 "Reopening the Big Sky" directive says non-essential social and recreational gatherings of individuals outside of a home or place of residence of greater than 50 people is not advisable, if a distance of at least 6 feet between individuals cannot be maintained. Events with groups lar... Full story
Helena, Mont— Montana Veterans enrolled in the Montana VA Health Care System (MTVAHCS) are eligible for free COVID-19 testing in a second round of swabbing events across Montana. The first round of COVID-19 testing under Governor Bullock’s surveillance program for asymptomatic Veterans began on Thursday, June 25. As of July 1, 680 Veterans have been swabbed at thirteen different MTVAHCS sites across Montana. Starting July 7 through July 14, swabbing will be available in Cut Bank, Billings, Glendive, Hamilton, Helena, and Kal... Full story
Grizzly bear populations continue to become denser and more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in new places each year. That means being prepared for such encounters is more important than ever, both to keep people and property safe and to cultivate healthy bear behavior. In a recent example, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks became aware of a video depicting a bear in the Highwood Mountains, east of Great...
The Lincoln Branch Library will be open June 22for browsing Monday-Wednesday from 3-6 p.m. and Thursday – Saturday from noon-3 p.m. One individual or family of up to three will be allowed in the building at a time. Curbside holds pickup and Library Pack pickup will also be offered during these times. Patrons will be able to make an appointment to use a public computer for 30 minutes but must make an appointment 24 hours in advance. "One computer will be available for two 30 m...
Lincoln American Legion Post 9 started our twentieth year of the Flag Program on Friday, May 22. We placed 83 American Flags between the Hi Sign Road and Dorothy Drive. This year, when it came time to write the letter asking for the annual donations, Post 9 found it difficult to ask for money while seeing the hardships of the times affecting so many of our community’s businesses and residents. We decided to give back to all of you who have supported us for so many years. T...
Helena Ranger District: All campgrounds will be open for Memorial Day weekend May 22. All cabins will be open by May 29 to renters except Miller Cabin which will remain closed. Jefferson Divide: All campgrounds will be open for Memorial Day, however, no water at this time, all are pending water samples. Kings Hill and Crystal Lake are the only two campgrounds that will not be open for Memorial weekend due to snow/access. All cabins will be open on May 23 to renters, except Monument Peak which opens June 1. All roads higher... Full story
Butte, Mont. – May 21, 2020 – Today NorthWestern Energy announced another $100,000 in aid to assist the communities we serve working to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing our aid to the crisis recovery efforts to $400,000. This is in addition to NorthWestern Energy’s annual charitable donations, economic development, local sponsorships and employee match programs, which were more than $2 million in 2019. “The response to the COVID-19 pandemic is being defined by our support for one another... Full story
A man was attacked by a female grizzly bear on Sunday morning near the Sun River. The attack left the man with non-life-threatening injuries. The man was part of a group who were floating and camping on the Sun River, west of Augusta. The group was packing up their campsite when the attack occurred at about 8:30 a.m. After stepping into some brush, the man found himself between the female grizzly and her 2-year-old cub. The group was able to call 911, and the man was carried out by helicopter and taken to a hospital. Montana...
HELENA, Mont. (May 19, 2020) – The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest reminds the public to be alert and check the weather, road and trail conditions before going out to the forest. Forecasters are predicting a stormy week with heavy rains this combined with warmer weather at higher elevations has primed remaining snowpack for melt and release. Anyone planning on recreating on area waterways should maintain awareness and use an abundance of caution when in or near the wate...
With the smell of spring in the air, we hope this finds our Lincoln community well. In these strange and challenging times, we at Lewis and Clark County want to assure you we continue working hard to serve our community and want to take this opportunity to provide you with some updates. Roads, Bridges & Signs The Lewis and Clark County Road and Bridge Department successfully made it through another Lincoln winter. Starting with one plow truck early in the season, a second w...
Governor Steve Bullock today announced the state will move to Phase Two of the Reopening the Big Sky plan and will lift the 14-day out-of-state travel quarantine beginning June 1 as Montana continues to have the lowest number of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations per capita. “Montana has been an example for the rest of the nation in our response to this global pandemic. I have no doubt that we can continue to be that example, but only if Montanans, businesses, and vi... Full story
Many recreationists look forward to May 15 every year as the opening day of many of Montana's Wildlife Management Areas that are closed between Dec. 1 and May 15 to minimize disturbance to wintering big game. This year is no different, with the exception of the need for people to follow protocols for social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the more popular spots -- the Beartooth WMA, between Great Falls and Helena -- has curtailed overnight camping and will be...
Each spring, FWP receives calls from people who have picked up deer fawns, baby birds or other newly born wildlife. It's important to remember that Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks no longer accepts, holds or rehabilitates moose, deer, elk and most other animals. Diseases (such as Chronic Wasting Disease) are a concern when moving moose, deer and elk, and rehabilitating fawns and calves is often unsuccessful because the animals become quickly habituated to people. If you see...
HELENA, Mont. – The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest will not require a Personal Use Mushroom Permit for the 2020 season which runs May 15, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Under this free use program an individual is allowed to harvest up to 5 gallons of mushrooms for the season provided they follow all terms and conditions in our 2020 Mushroom Guide. Reminders for enjoying the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest: · Beware of falling snags and stump holes in burned a...
Hunters can now check the results of the 2020 moose, bighorn sheep, bison and mountain goat license drawings to see if they were successful. To view drawing results online go to MyFWP and click on "Lookup Draw Results, Register for Lists" tab, or login to your MyFWP account. To sign up for an account go to fwp.mt.gov/myfwp. Applicants can also call the FWP licensing office at 406-444-2950. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' deadline to apply for elk B, deer B and antelope license drawings is June 1....
Lewis and Clark Public Health has developed a list of criteria to help it decide whether the county is ready to move to phase two of the governor's "Reopening the Big Sky" plan for COVID-19, once the state has moved in that direction. The criteria include: · the ability of the health department, hospital, and medical providers to manage COVID-19 cases without impacting regular business; · enough staff and supplies available to test all residents with COVID-19 symptoms; · the n... Full story
HELENA, Mont. – Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest staff is working hard to reopen developed campgrounds by Memorial Day weekend, or shortly after depending on current conditions. The target date for having many Forest campgrounds open is May 22. Additionally, rental facilities like cabins will begin a phased reopening after May 15 based on seasonal availability and facility conditions. Recreation areas and campgrounds may not be immediately open and available for use. E... Full story
As part of a larger effort to revitalize the look and feel of Blackfoot Challenge materials, we are excited to unveil our new logo. Early in 2019, the Blackfoot Challenge's Outreach Committee began the process of updating our iconic logo. As the primary symbol of our identity, we felt our logo was due for a refresh – a new look that brought us into the current era while still maintaining a connection to the past. After more than 40 different styles and nine rounds of edits, w...
