The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
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Fort Harrison, Mont. – Victory in Europe, or V-E Day is the day celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allied Nations of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces. German military leaders signed the surrender documents at various locations in Europe on May 7. The surrender prompted mass celebrations in European and American Cities. President Harry S. Truman dedicate V-E Day to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had died just weeks earlier, and is quoted wi...
Governor Steve Bullock today announced that families, small businesses, non-profits, health services centers and individuals across Montana hardest-hit by impacts of COVID-19 will be eligible to apply for grants through nine new programs created in response to the emergency. Guided by more than 1,400 public comments and his Coronavirus Relief Fund Advisory Council, Governor Bullock is making $123,550,000 available in the first round of emergency grants funded through the... Full story
Lewis and Clark Public Health announced Thursday that public and private developed campgrounds in the county may reopen beginning Friday, May 1. Health Officer Drenda Niemann rescinded the order she issued two weeks ago, which closed some campgrounds as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “We’ve heard loud and clear that some people in our community want to be responsible for their own personal health choices,” Niemann said. “Given that state campgrounds are reopening this weekend, we’ve decided to give them... Full story
People looking to get outside and enjoy spring will continue to have ample opportunities with Gov. Steve Bullock's phased approach to re-opening the state, which was announced Wednesday. Most of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' sites typically open and operational at this time of year remain so. This includes all FWP fishing access sites, most state parks and those wildlife management areas that don't have seasonal closures. People heading outside still need to keep in mind Mon... Full story
Helena - The Lewis and Clark County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is accepting requests for cloth masks from individuals and essential businesses in need. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the general public wear cloth face coverings - not surgical masks or N-95 respirators - in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (like grocery stores, pharmacies, medical facilities, clinics, etc.). The Lewis and Clark Public Health Department encourages all... Full story
After a long winter, bears are out and about. And, as COVID-19 quarantines continue, humans are seeking solace and activity in the outdoors. Where bears and humans share the same space, conflicts are bound to occur. Whether you're heading outdoors to hike, fish, hunt or hang out, please be bear aware. Grizzlies can be found throughout western Montana, not just the Rocky Mountain Front, Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Yellowstone Ecosystem. In recent years, grizzly bear...
HELENA – Today, Attorney General Tim Fox cautioned Montanans that cyber actors are ready to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic by exploiting increased usage of virtual environments. As more Montanans telework and attend school on-line, Fox says it's important to be aware of telework software vulnerabilities, education technology platforms, trending schemes and scams cyber actors intend to exploit. "Cyber scammers focus on all areas of consumer vulnerability in an a... Full story
Governor Steve Bullock Tuesday announced he has secured hundreds of thousands of face masks, shields and gloves from private market distributors to protect Montana health care workers on the front lines of the response to COVID-19. "Ensuring enough supplies of personal protective equipment for Montana's frontline health care workers is something I fight for every single day in response to this public health crisis," Governor Steve Bullock said. "Protecting the people who take... Full story
A young, male grizzly bear was euthanized Thursday, April 16, after it was captured by USDA Wildlife Services for calf depredations on the Rocky Mountain Front southwest of Augusta. "Besides causing calf depredations, it was coming in close to ranch homes," said Mike Madel, Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear management specialist. Madel said the bear was five-and-a-half years old and weighed 586 pounds. The bear had not been captured previously, Madel said, but its removal was...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks euthanized a young male grizzly bear on Monday, April 13, after it killed three calves over a period of several days on a ranch east of Ovando in the Blackfoot Valley. The grizzly killed three calves between Friday, April 10 and Sunday, April 12. The bear was also suspected to have been responsible for another livestock injury in the same area the week before. Because the bear remained in the area, continuing to pursue livestock, wildlife officia...
MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today announced the establishment of the Coronavirus Relief Fund Task Force to provide guidance and advice on how to best use $1.25 billion appropriated to Montana through the Federal CARES Act to assist workers, businesses, and sectors of the economy impacted by COVID-19. "While we continue to prioritize the health and safety of Montanans, we know many residents are financially impacted by this crisis and need assistance now," Governor B... Full story
Public health officials in Lewis and Clark County today issued an order requiring developed public and private campgrounds in the county to close to recreational use. The order listed two exceptions when campgrounds can stay open: · Private developed campgrounds that are used for residential or sheltering purposes; and · Non-developed campgrounds where proper social distancing practices are possible, including backcountry camping. The local order goes above and beyond the gove... Full story
For background, we have received dozens of reach-outs from school leaders asking for our opinions or guidance on how the remainder of the school year will proceed in light of the COIVD-19 outbreak. If the Governor's "Stay At Home" and "School Closure" orders are not extended through the remainder of the school year, of course, local districts are welcome to proceed however they would like as Montana is a local control state. However, we cannot imagine a scenario where social...
Governor Steve Bullock today issued a Directive to provide emergency rental assistance to help families with limited financial resources make ends meet during the unprecedented economic situation caused by COVID-19. “COVID-19 is taking a significant economic toll on families, businesses and our entire state, and finding ways to mitigate those hardships is one of my top priorities,” Governor Steve Bullock said. “For families that can’t make their housing payment right now because they’ve lost income due to COVID-19, this Direc...
MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today released a report produced by state epidemiologists examining 377 cases of COVID-19 in Montana that helps the state understand who is impacted by the new virus, how it spreads, and patient outcomes. The report will help the state continue to make data driven decisions to aggressively respond to COVID-19 in Montana. "The report released today sheds light on how this virus is impacting Montanans and provides data we can use to examine what'... Full story
If you are worried about how you are going to pay your home energy bill as a result of issues related to COVID-19, please contact Energy Share of Montana. Energy Share is a statewide nonprofit organization whose purpose is to help Montanans facing loss of heat or lights in their home, and who have no resources to pay the bill themselves. Energy Share is fuel blind so helps people no matter what their heat source is. If you or someone you know needs help: • Contact Rocky M... Full story
HELENA - The recreational opportunities available on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest are important resources for you and your loved ones to help maintain physical and mental health and wellness during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. As the Forest sees an increase in use from members of the public seeking fresh air and outdoor places it is important to remember to practice physical distancing in the outdoors as you would anywhere else during this... Full story
A graph of COVID-19 cases over time in Lewis and Clark County shows a curve that's been "encouragingly flat," according to public health officials. Since the first local case of COVID-19 was confirmed March 31, the county has had a total of 16 cases, with two hospitalizations and no deaths. "While that's still 16 too many, we're heartened that our numbers have been relatively low," said Drenda Niemann, health officer with Lewis and Clark Public Health. "Our strategies seem to... Full story
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials are concerned about a sharp decrease in the number of calls to the child abuse and neglect hotline in the past several weeks related to the current COVID-19 emergency. DPHHS Director Sheila Hogan said from March 8-14, the week prior to the required closure of public schools, a total of 765 calls a week were being made to the hotline at 1-866-820-KIDS (5437). However, since March 15 the number of calls made to... Full story
Governor Steve Bullock today extended through April 24 Directives he issued to protect Montanans from COVID-19 by slowing the spread of the virus in Montana. The Directives were set to expire on April 10. "We know that staying home will help to flatten the curve. For every person we take out of the chain of transmission of this virus, the more likely our health care facilities can handle the capacity to respond, and the more likely we can beat back this virus sooner rather... Full story
HELENA - Governor Steve Bullock today announced that in the coming days and weeks, he will extend federal food assistance to more than 100,000 Montanans, increase food supplies at emergency food pantries and food banks, and streamline nutrition assistance for new mothers and children. All of these changes are made available through flexibility and funding provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and will be implemented by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. “Montana f... Full story
Local law enforcement and public health officials have established a procedure for enforcing an order issued last week by the governor to help stop spread of COVID-19. The governor directed people to stay home through April 10, except to conduct essential activities like working in an essential businesses, grocery shopping, caring for family members, and recreating outdoors while keeping a 6-foot distance from others. The governor also ordered all “non-essential” businesses to close except for “minimum basic opera... Full story
Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Sheila Hogan announced today an expansion of mental health services to help Montanans who may be experiencing a range of emotions including loneliness, sadness and fear as a result of the current COVID-19 situation. "We continue to monitor and make adjustments as necessary to meet the needs of Montanans during this challenging time," Hogan said. "While we are focused on limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our state, we mus... Full story
HELENA – Montana Attorney General Tim Fox issued a letter of advice in response to a request for guidance on how government entities should conduct open meetings during the COVID-19 state of emergency. "The COVID-19 pandemic and social-distancing measures taken to contain its spread have created unique challenges for public participation in their government," Fox said. "It is imperative that state and local agencies adapt to the new circumstances while upholding Montanans' c... Full story
Governor Steve Bullock today directed that travelers arriving from another state or country to Montana for non-work-related purposes undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. The Directive follows the governor’s prior travel advisory and last week’s Stay at Home Directive. “While we love our visitors, we would ask that you not come visit while Montanans are watching out for one another by staying at home,” said Governor Bullock. “This is important not only to protect our health care system, but also to protect against the spread of... Full story
