Three Mexican men who entered the U.S. illegally were recently sentenced in federal court. Marco Antonio Contreras-Delira was sentenced Dec. 15 to time served, 31 days, and remanded to the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. Contreras-Delira, 40, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of illegal reentry. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over
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Updated Dec. 19 to correct taxable value and taxes owed amounts The Cascade County Zoning Board of Adjustment will consider an appeal on Dec. 18 from Madison Food Park on the planning director’s denial of their permit extensions. Earlier this fall, Michael Harris, county planning director denied an extension request for three special use permits issued to Madison Food Park.
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The Great Falls Public Schools board formally accepted the donor funded renovation of the Sunnyside Elementary School library during their Dec. 15 meeting. The Great Falls Public Schools Foundation received estate funds from Nancy Cameron for the completion of library renovations at two elementary schools earlier this year, with some funds left that were put toward the Sunnyside library project.
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The River’s Edge Trail on the north and south shores near Black Eagle Dam will be closed Dec. 16. The closure is needed so crews can safely use heavy equipment to pour concrete and move materials as part of the Black Eagle Dam spillway project. The project includes installing new support structures and spillway components to strengthen the dam and improve
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The Cascade County Planning Board will review proposed amendments to the zoning regulations during their Dec. 16 meeting. The regulations were last updated in February 2021. In a Dec. 11 staff report for the board meeting, Michael Harris, county planning director, wrote that the county is “required to update our regulations to comply with updates to state statutes and along
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The Montana Department of Transportation has made updates to the proposed pavement preservation project on 57th Street on the east side of Great Falls. The project begins at the intersection with 2nd Avenue North, and extends south, ending near the intersection with 10th Avenue South. MDT seeking public comment on regional transportation plan related to Sentinel ICBM activities Proposed work
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ProPublica: Federally qualified health centers are suing patients over unpaid bills Associated Press: U.S. Steel to resume steel production at Illinois plant shut 2 years ago Reuters: U.S. utilities lock in data center supply deals as AI powers demand surge Reuters: U.S. solar installations jump 49 percent in third quarter, report says Route Fifty: State social media laws run into familiar challenges StateScoop: State
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Matt Ehnes of Jared’s Detours captured some boys basketball action at the Great Falls High School game on Dec. 12 and the C.M. Russell High School on Dec. 13. The Electric is looking for a few high school/college students to help out with sports coverage this school year. That can include photos and/or stories. If you’re an interested student, email
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The internet can be a deeply dark and depressing place, even during the holidays. I was covering a school board work session on school safety and student wellness this fall, and for the second, possibly third year in a row, I teared up a bit listening to the data and student anecdotes about rising anxiety, depression and especially suicidal ideations
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Municipal Court Judge Steve Bolstad is retiring on Jan. 1 after 11 years on the bench. Bolstad was appointed to the Great Falls Municipal Court in 2014 by the City Commission after Judge Nancy Luth retired. For the next nine years, Bolstad as the city’s sole judge at Municipal Court, which is a court of limited jurisdiction under state law,
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