Wednesday Wrap: Feb. 26
This week’s wrap up of local news from the last week.
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County Attorney’s office commits attempted homicide defendant to state hospital, asks court not to dismiss charges: The Cascade County Attorney’s Office has filed a response to Jeremiah Gideon’s motion to dismiss the attempted deliberate homicide case against him on the basis of the significant delays at the Montana State Hospital.
Ryan Ball, the county prosecutor, filed the response on Feb. 20 asking the court to deny the dismissal.
Gideon is also charged with assault on a peace officer from an Oct. 9 incident in which Gideon hit a Montana Credit Union employee with his vehicle and during subsequent interviews, threatened investigators.
Feasting in the Falls 2025: It’s Feasting in the Falls, Great Falls restaurant week, and this year’s theme is breakfast for dinner, so check the list for all the participating locations and their creative breakfast inspired specials.
Chickens remain prohibited in city limit, no petitions filed to send chickens back to ballot: There’s been quite a bit of chatter on social media recently regarding the city’s rules on chickens. Take a look back at the chicken history of nearly the last 20 years and what’s required to put chickens back on the ballot.
Calumet receives first portion of federal loan funds; Pondera County, resource group ask Calumet to reconsider wastewater disposal plan: Calumet received its first drawdown of about $782 million on Feb. 18 from its $1.44 billion U.S. Department of Energy loan, which is funding construction and expansion of the Montana Renewables facility, co-located with Calumet in Great Falls and a subsidiary of Calumet. Pondera County Commissioners oppose Calumet’s plan to inject its wastewater in their county and Cascade County Commissioners are set to consider Calumet’s newest tax abatement request.
GFFR responds to house fire, rescues unresponsive occupant; continuing effort to replace training center: Great Falls Fire Rescue pulled an unconscious resident from a house fire over the weekend and GFFR is continuing its effort to replace the training center, which is currently unusable.
Bill would allow communities to create local-option sales tax: The Legislature is considering a bill that would allow Montana cities and towns to send a local option tax to the ballot. The tax is designed to tax tourists and reduce the property tax burden for residents.
City Commission approves shelter renovation contract change, shelter office relocates temporarily: City Commissioners approved a change order for the animal shelter renovation after contractors cut through electrical conduit, necessitating the office to move ahead of schedule.
