Montana/Region

Community Roundup

What’s Happening

Push for inclusive art after the Confederate fountain’s removal

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HELENA (AP) — When Helena’s controversial Confederate fountain was removed from Hill Park last summer, there were no plans to install a new monument in its place. A Helena resident is hoping to change that.

Ron Waterman is currently in the process of funding what he calls “The Equity Fountain Project.”

“After the fountain was taken out, I thought it was time for the community to refocus itself,” Waterman said.

Wyoming governor: Fiscal prudence but fund diversification

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming lawmakers should be prudent about state spending amid a looming budget deficit but not neglect efforts to diversify the state’s economy, Gov. Matt Mead said Monday in his final state of the state address.

Mead highlighted accomplishments over nearly two terms as governor, including how by every measure Wyoming state government is smaller than when he took office.

“This is remarkable, because as you know governments tend to grow, not shrink. Wyoming has bucked the trend,” Mead told a joint session of the Wyoming Senate and House.

Federal judge upholds Montana prohibition on most robocalls

HELENA (AP) — A federal judge has upheld the constitutionality of Montana’s law prohibiting most robocalls after a challenge by a political consulting firm that sought to do business in the state.

Victory Processing LLC of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Dave Deshaw filed a complaint last year arguing the state law violated their right to free speech and hampered their ability to convey political messages to Montana voters.

Extension office offers pressure cooker class

For anyone who has one of the new pressure cookers and doesn’t quite know what to do with it, Montana State University Extension will be offering a “Mastering the Pressure Cooker” class on Tuesday, March 13.

The class will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, 1401 Main St. This will be a hands-on class with samples of a variety of foods cooked in the pressure cooker. To register for “Mastering the Pressure Cooker” call the Custer County Extension office at 874-3370 or stop by the office in the basement of the courthouse.

New panel looks into child deaths

HELENA (AP) — A new panel has begun looking into recent deaths of children in Montana’s child protective services system.

The Child Abuse and Neglect Review Commission, which held its first meeting Thursday, is believed to be the first in the U.S. with the power to dig deep into how those deaths happen, the Helena Independent Record reports .

State lawmakers established the commission last year amid frustration that 28 children since 2015 had died since coming to the attention of Montana’s Child and Family Services Division.

Wyoming legislation seeks a conservation fee at Yellowstone

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A proposal introduced in the Wyoming Legislature advocates for imposing a fee at Yellowstone National Park to help pay for wildlife conservation efforts in the states surrounding the park.

Sublette County Rep. and cattleman Albert Sommers, the proposed resolution’s primary sponsor, said the idea is to generate money for the states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho to deal with issues like wildlife collisions, largecarnivore conflicts and preserving migration routes.

Workshop focuses on workers who are in support positions

A Setting Others for Success Workshop is planned in Miles City on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

This workshop is designed for those who work in support positions, according to a news release from Montana Health Network. Participants will improve their communication, personal management, and collaboration skills, as well as learn how to make a good first impression, set the right expectations, and drive performance through effective teamwork.

The workshop is from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Montana Health Network, 519 Pleasant St. Lunch is included in the session.

University of Wyoming Army ROTC trains in cavalry tactics

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming history came to life as the University of Wyoming U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corp mounted color guard rode their horses to practice battle tactics developed 150 years ago.

With the help of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, a Casper-based cavalry recreation group, the ROTC cadets spent several hours becoming familiar with their horses.

Judge hears testimony on pipeline’s environmental impact

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A federal judge heard testimony Thursday that construction of a crude oil pipeline in a Louisiana swamp is tearing down irreplaceable, centuriesold trees, destroying animal habitats and jeopardizing fishermen’s livelihoods.