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The Montana Department of Revenue is warning all Montanans to watch out for scams related to the recently announced federal stimulus package. With recent news of direct payments to Americans based on their 2018 or 2019 tax information, scammers are already contacting individuals, and especially tax preparers, by phone, email, and text, trying to solicit personal, financial and tax information that can be used for identity theft and financial fraud. "It's tragic that even...
As a reminder to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing guidelines should be followed at all Fish, Wildlife & Parks sites. Keep your distance from fellow recreators. FWP has closed group-use sites. This includes all fishing piers at Montana state parks, fishing access sites and wildlife management areas due to the risk of high congregation. While state parks, fishing access sites and a few wildlife management areas (check for seasonal closures) remain open...
Governor Steve Bullock’s stay at home order related to the spread of COVID-19, lasting from March 28 through April 10, expanded on his March 20 order to close certain establishments and to enforce social distancing. The new order closes all but essential businesses and bans all but essential travel. Most businesses in Lincoln that were open under the original order fall into the essential business category, but there are some exceptions and some that remain open have a...
March 14, 2020 – NorthWestern Energy activated a company-wide plan to address the implications of the COVID 19 outbreak while providing reliable energy service for our customers in Nebraska, South Dakota and Montana. Our business continuity and pandemic plans are designed to protect people and ensure energy operations and infrastructure are supported properly. “NorthWestern Energy is prepared and we will continue to provide you with reliable, safe energy service as we all work together through this,” said NorthWestern Energ...
Lewis and Clark County Commission Susan Good Geise joined the Montana 2020 Senate race as a Libertarian candidate on March 18. When Libertarian candidate Eric Fulton withdrew his candidacy on the last day to file, the Montana Libertarian Party had one week to find a replacement. At a special meeting on March 17, the Libertarian party nominated Geise to step in as the party's replacement candidate. "This was absolutely not on my radar, but I have given my life to public...
The Lincoln School Board met Wednesday, March 18 to ensure the school was on the right course in what trustee Jay Terman called uncharted waters. The board passed a trio of motions that will ensure the school maintains its funding after Gov. Steve Bullock's ordered schools statewide to close from March 16-27to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The school board formally declared an unforeseen emergency, authorized the staff to provide off-site instruction and authorized Superin...
HELENA, Mont. (March 26, 2020) - Personal firewood cutting will be free to the general public from April 1 through June 1, 2020, on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. No permit will be required during this time. Woodcutters can take up to 12 cords of firewood for personal use. A cord is the amount of tightly piled wood in a stack four feet high by four feet wide by eight feet long. Personal use firewood cutting allows you to remove downed timber or to cut standing...
Montanans are lucky to have so many opportunities to get outdoors and recreate, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. And while Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks encourages recreation outside, we also encourage careful planning and prudence. The safety of the public and FWP staff is of utmost concern. As a reminder, social distancing guidelines should be followed at all FWP sites. Keep your distance from fellow recreators. If a parking lot at a fishing access site or state par...
Over the past 10 days, we have fielded many phone calls in our office regarding the Lincoln Solid Waste transfer site. Solid waste is an essential service and as such, the Lincoln transfer site will remain open at this time during our normal days and hours; Saturday through Monday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Services have not been suspended but some operational changes may occur. One such change is that the attendant will ask you to see your permit but will not ask you to sign the ticket at this time. To prevent the spread of germs, we...
Governor Steve Bullock today announced emergency rules March 17 to make unemployment benefits accessible to workers laid off due to COVID-19 and waive the typical one week waiting period before receiving benefits. “The rules we’ve implemented today will ensure that workers impacted by COVID-19, whether it’s because they’ve been laid off, are quarantined, or need to take care of a family member, can do so without worrying about how they will make ends meet during these difficult times,” Governor Bullock said. “We will continue...
Governor Steve Bullock today issued a directive to extend closures of public schools and dine-in food service and alcoholic beverage businesses through April 10 and mandate social distancing measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Montana. "Montanans have an obligation to slow the spread of this virus. Our fellow Montanans can all continue to set a good example for each other in adhering to social distancing directives – and know that it will save lives," Governor B...
SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 21 – The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to all Montana small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today. SBA disaster assistance is now available in all counties within the state of Montana and the neighboring counties below. Neighboring Idaho counties: Bonner, Boundary, Clark, C...
The Montana History Foundation has awarded the Upper Blackfoot Valley Historical Society a grant of $10,000 in support of the Matt King House Project. Carissa Beckwith, Grants Manager for the MHF, notified the UBVHS of the grant -- the maximum yearly amount awarded to any one project by the MHF -- in a March 18 e-mail. "I was sick with a head cold and didn't see the email until two days after it was sent," said acting UBVHS President Erin Dey. "I was so happy and excited and...
With the closure of local food and business establishment,s as well as the school, community members and families may be finding it difficult to make ends meet. To top it off, with limited supplies in town and our elderly population at risk, it may be difficult for people in the community to get what they need right now. To help, a few community members have gotten together to organize an effort to help those in the community who may be in need now. Beginning this week, to fil...
The Lincoln Volunteer Ambulance performs well above the national average when giving life-saving CPR. This year alone, the LVA team has made two CPR saves, meaning patients made it to the hospital with a pulse. Over the past five years, they've had at least nine saves. The national average cardiac arrest survival rate, also called the Utstein rate, is just 33 percent. LVA President Aaron Birkholz said that he expects the survival rate for patients treated by the Lincoln...
Know How it Spreads *There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). *The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. *The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. -Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). -Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. *These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Take steps to...
Following Lewis and Clark Public Heath's March 19 expanded order to close certain establishments, including churches, and Gov. Steve Bullock's March 20 statewide order to close bars, restaurants and certain other businesses, we've updated the list of establishments affected and the service they do have available. We're aware the list isn't comprehensive. If we missed anyone, please let us know. Businesses not listed are, to the best of our knowledge, open regular hours...
Lewis and Clark Public Health Officer Drenda Niemann today extended until March 31 an order closing some food, drink, and fitness establishments in Lewis and Clark County. She also expanded the order to include theaters, churches, and other faith-based gatherings. The original order, issued Monday and effective until March 23, specifically applied to bars, breweries, distilleries, casinos, restaurants, fitness centers, athletic centers, gyms, and workout studios. It exempted f...
Parker Medical Center PureView Health Centers is coordinating with the Lewis and Clark County Public Health Department and Centers for Disease Control in their efforts to protect their patients and the community against the spread of COVID -19. PureView Chief Executive OfficerJill Steeley said patients at Parker Medical shouldn't see too much in the way of change, but they are taking precautionary measures. "We'll still be seeing people there. We'll just be calling them first...
Lewis and Clark Public Health confirmed on Friday the first case of COVID-19 in a county resident. The man, in his 30s, has been instructed to remain isolated at home until he has fully recovered. The health department will release no other identifying information about the patient to protect his privacy in keeping with federal law. "We wish this gentleman our best and hope he makes a quick and complete recovery," said Drenda Niemann, health officer. "Our nurses will be interv...
Helena, March 20 - To curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montana, Governor Steve Bullock today announced measures to close dine-in food service and alcoholic beverage businesses and other activities that pose enhanced health risks, effective at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2020. This Directive expires at 11:59 p.m. on March 27, 2020, the same day that school closures are set to expire, though the date will likely be extended. "Both young and older Montanans, in urba...
Lincoln started to feel the pinch of efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 this week, on the heels of a series of emergency declarations, restrictions and closures. Monday morning, Lewis and Clark Public Health Officer Drenda Niemann ordered the closure of most food, drink and fitness establishments throughout the county from Tuesday morning, March 16 at 6.a.m. until 8 a.m. March 23. The order, approved by the City-County Board of Health closed bars, casinos and gyms, and...
The Lincoln Valley Chamber of Commerce met Thursday, March 12 to discuss several upcoming events. It was the first meeting with the new full board present. Major topics discussed at the meeting included the upcoming 4th of July Festivities and the Lincoln Bike Rally. The Tenacious Dames came to the meeting to discuss their plans for the upcoming Lincoln Bike Rally planned for the weekend of July 10-12. Currently, they have Hell’s Belles scheduled to perform in the baseball fields at Hooper Park on Friday evening a Poker R...
Montana residents who are off-highway vehicle operators are required to purchase a Resident OHV Trail Pass. The pass, which costs $20, can be purchased from many local vendors or online at http://stateparks.mt.gov/recreation/ohvProgram.html. The pass is required on all public lands where Montana residents ride OHVs on designated motorized routes and trails. The pass must be attached and visible on the OHV. The pass is valid for up to two calendar years, expiring on Dec. 31 of the second year of purchase. In addition to the...
HELENA – Attorney General Tim Fox cautioned Montanans today about coronavirus-related scams that have been emerging in other parts of the country, and urged them to be aware of potential impacts to their financial health as well. “Scammers are taking advantage of coronavirus fears in other parts of the country, and it’s important to be wary of con artists who want to capitalize on the uncertainty that accompanies this time of heightened concern,” Attorney General Tim Fox said. “Montanans should be cautious of bogus claims fo...