Former Ivy
Cottonwood Healthcare, based in Utah, received approval from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to reopen the former Ivy facility at 1130 17th Ave. S. as Sun River Health and Rehab.
The project is an estimated $6.5 million.
The company received approval through the Montana Certificate of Need process, which is separate from facility licensure.
The certificate of need allows the project to proceed, but the applicant must complete all required state licensure and applicable certification steps before operating, according to DPHHS.
Under the certificate of need approval, Cottonwood has six months to obtain licensure/certification, with a deadline currently set for Aug. 18.
Music at Fire Pizza
Fire Pizza is hosting two music events in May with Chuck Fulcher.
At 6 p.m. May 5, Fulcher will be playing and Fire is offering happy hour priced drinks all night.
On May 30, Fulcher will be playing for a wine-paired dinner event by reservation.
Park and Rec fun runs
Great Falls Park and Recreation is hosting a series of five 5K fun runs this summer.
Run in three of the five races and get a t-shirt courtesy of the River’s Edge Trail Foundation.
At each race, gift cards and prizes will be raffled courtesy of Scheels.
Well-behaved dogs on leashes are allowed. Strollers, bikes and kids on scooters are also permitted.
Check-in begins at 6 p.m.. and the run starts at 6:30 p.m.
- May 13: starts at the bandshell in Gibson Park
- June 17: begins at the Coach Brady Statue in West Bank Park
- July 15: begins at the caboose on the River’s Edge Trail. Park on 19th Street North
- Aug. 12: begins at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
- Sept. 2: begins at the Girl Scout House at Elks Riverside Park
For questions, email parkrequests@greatfallsmt.gov.
Road closure for gas main replacement
NorthWestern Energy begins a project to replace a section of natural gas main along 32nd Street North, between 1st Avenue North and 3rd Avenue North on May 4.
The project includes replacing a 6‑inch natural gas main with a new 8‑inch line in the alley north of 3rd Avenue North. Crews will replace about 400 feet of pipe, improving the system to support future growth in the area.
Traffic impacts are expected during construction. Flaggers and temporary lane closures will be in place to help manage traffic, and some detours may be required.
The project is expected to take about two weeks to complete. There will be no interruption to natural gas service for customers during construction.
River’s Edge Trail closure
The River’s Edge Trail and North River Road on the north shore near Black Eagle Dam will be closed May 7.
The closures are needed so crews can safely use equipment for work on the Black Eagle Dam spillway project.
The project includes installing new support structures and spillway components to strengthen the dam and improve safety.
Friends of the Library book sale
The Friends of the Great Falls Public Library‘s annual used book sale starts the second week of May on the third floor of the Great Falls Public Library at 301 2nd Ave. N.
The sale dates and times are:
- Full price days
- May 7: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- May 8: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- May 9: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Half price days
- May 14: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- May 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Last call sack sale
- May 16: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., anything you can fit in a sack for $5
Items available this year include used books, movies, music, games, puzzles and more.
This year, the Friends of the Great Falls Public Library received a donation of two rare and out-of-print copies of the local ‘Cooking Is Love Cookbook‘ by Mama Cassie.
The two books will be raffled with tickets for $1 each or six for $5.
Winners will be drawn May 16 and you need not be present to win.
All money raised supports the library.
In past years, funds from the Friends book sale supported:
- GFPL participation in Partners by paying for courier service and supplies
- continuing to pay for the complimentary parking spots on 2nd Avenue North
- supporting purchase of book sets for library book clubs
- Wowbrary subscription for weekly electronic newsletter
Second Chances community panel
A Second Chances community panel on recovery and re-entry is scheduled for May 14 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Marshall Hall at Alliance for Youth, 3220 11th Ave. S.
GFDA date center task force meeting
The Great Falls Development Alliance is hosting its third data center task force meeting on May 18 from 5-6:30 p.m. in Heritage Hall at Great Falls College MSU.
Alan Bronec, director of infrastructure for Cushing Terrell, is the guest speaker.
Bronec is a licensed professional engineer in 21 states and has more than 30 years of experience designing complex electrical systems both domestically and internationally. He’s designed a number of data centers of varying sizes and has expertise in data center trends, challenges, evolving technologies and regulations.
The meeting agenda is:
- Bronec presentation
- Q&A
- debrief on notes from the last meeting
- next steps
Currently, there are no active data center proposals in Cascade County.
GFDA said that “as the surge in data centers continues, we know our community will be approached again,” and is asking for public participation to help:
- identify in advance what questions to ask potential projects
- what would make for an exciting project we can be proud of
- what do we want to avoid
GFFCMSU receives $637k grant for animal care training programs
Great Falls College has been awarded a $637,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to strengthen Montana’s veterinary workforce and expand opportunities for students pursuing careers in animal care.
A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, awarded through the Agricultural Workforce Training Grant program, will help the college remove barriers that prevent students from completing their training and entering the veterinary workforce. The funding will support several key student needs, including:
- travel arrangements and accommodations for required bootcamp courses to study exotic and large animals, providing students with hands-on learning opportunities that may not be available in all local clinic settings
- licensing exam fees and costs associated with attending the annual Montana Veterinary Medical Association conference, allowing students to build professional connections and engage with leaders in the veterinary field
- purchase of specialized equipment needed for students to practice and master essential clinical skills
- peer-to-peer mentoring program, pairing first-year students with second-year students for guidance, support, and academic success
- rabies vaccinations for students, ensuring safety and compliance for those working closely with animals during their training
GFCMSUs veterinary technician program allows students to take the classroom portion of their learning online and the hands-on, skills-based portion at approved veterinary partners, so students don’t have to uproot their lives and can stay in their hometowns.
This model also means students are gaining real-world experience by working alongside practicing veterinary professionals in their own communities. This not only strengthens workforce partnerships but also ensures graduates are well prepared to meet the needs of veterinary practices throughout Montana and beyond.
The grant also helps Great Falls College by providing funding for the college to visit the network of veterinary partners across the state and ensure they have what they need to support the students.
The approved partners are key to the success of the program and a vital part of the strategy to make sure the state’s only Veterinary Technician program is accessible to students and communities in every corner of the state.
Montana faces a significant shortage of trained veterinary assistants and technicians. With an annual program capacity of 16 students, the enhanced pathway will help close that gap by preparing more graduates for roles in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals and other agriculture-related settings.
Another key component of the grant is integrating industry-recognized credentials directly into the college’s existing Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Technician pathways.
GFCMSU students who complete the certificate of applied science in veterinary assistant after the first year in the program will now be eligible to sit for the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America Veterinary Assistant exam and earn the associate veterinary assistant credential — a nationally recognized certification that opens doors to immediate employment.
The grant will also fund a peer-to-peer mentoring program called Near Peer that will pair first-year students with second-year students for support. The peers will also work on initiatives in their home communities to spark community interest. The veterinary technology program director will oversee the program.
CMR girls basketball coach resignation
Haley Vining, head girls’ basketball coach at C.M. Russell High School, submitted her resignation.
Vining has led the Lady Rustler basketball program for the past four years.
She served as an assistant coach for the two years prior.
“The GFPS Athletic Department and C.M. Russell High School thank Coach Vining for her dedication to C.M. Russell basketball and the young basketball players in our community. She is committed to continuing to grow the sport for the next generation. We appreciate all of the work that she put in on behalf of Rustler basketball and wish her all the best in her future endeavors,” Mike Henneberg, GFPS’ athletic director, said in a release.
Applications for the position may be submitted via the GFPS website until the position is filled.
Missouri River Breaks summer programs, schedule
The Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center will reopen to the public on May 4, welcoming visitors Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The MBIC will shift to its summer schedule on May 18, open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Judith Landing Campground will open on May 15.
Coal Banks Landing Campground and James Kipp Campground opened April 1.
The summer season will also feature a variety of free, public programs within the monument and surrounding gateway communities.
Monument education specialists are teaming up with Great Falls Public Library staff for Migratory Bird Day on May 9 from 11 a.m. to noon, at the library. Attendees will learn about birds and how they migrate. The program will include an interactive migration game for kids. Groups are welcome. For more information, contact GFPL’s Youth Services staff at 406-453-0349, ext. 215, or cmillsap@greatfallslibrary.org.
Interpretive events at the MBIC begin in June. Follow the BLM-Montana/Dakota’s Facebook page for announcements.
For more information or to get help planning your monumental adventure, call the MBIC at 406-622-4000, or visit the monument’s webpage.
River Fund Trust grants awarded
NorthWestern Energy and the Missouri-Madison River Fund Trust awarded funding for six public recreation improvement projects on the Missouri and Madison rivers. The grant and matching funds will supplement public agency and partner contributions for projects to be implemented in 2026.
A combination of $34,125 from NorthWestern Energy and $376,576 from the Missouri-Madison River Fund will be combined with $118,900 from agency and project partners to complete projects totaling $529,601.
NWE will supplement these funds by contributing an additional $584,897 to state, federal, and local agencies for operation and maintenance efforts at many existing recreation sites in 2026.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a license to operate the hydroelectric project on the Missouri and Madison rivers in 2000.
NWE currently owns and operates the project, which includes the public recreation sites and facilities.
The Missouri-Madison River Fund Trust ensures public recreation opportunities along the river corridors will remain available long into the future.
2026 projects funded by the River Fund grant and MWE matching funds program include:
Great Falls region
- redecking of the historic King’s Bridge on the River’s Edge Trail near Black Eagle Dam.
- planning and permitting for a new double vault latrine at the MidCanon Fishing Access Site on the Missouri River near Dearborn
- construction of a gravel pedestrian trail, signage, and lighting to link the Fort Benton Canoe Campground to an existing shoreline trail that extends to the waterfront area of Fort Benton
Hebgen-Madison region
- road, parking area, and boat ramp improvements at Clute’s Landing on Ennis Lake
- site improvements at Varney Bridge Fishing Access Site on the Madison River, including widening the boat ramp, establishing a rigging lane, and delineating parking
- collecting updated lakebed elevation data on Hebgen Lake for public use maps
Since 2007, 181 projects have received $7.2 million in funding from the River Fund Trust, about $350,000 per year. NWE contributed another $1.85 million in matching funds.
River Fund grants and NWE matching funds have leveraged public agency and partner funding to provide $14.7 million in public recreation improvements in the Missouri-Madison Corridor since 2007.
The Missouri-Madison River Fund trust for public recreation, currently valued at $8.5 million, was created through the collaborative efforts of NWE; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Bureau of Land Management; Madison, Gallatin, Broadwater, Lewis and Clark, Cascade and Chouteau counties; and numerous other public and private partners.
This year marks the 20th year in which earnings from the trust have been awarded to recreation improvement projects through the River Fund grant program.
Created as a public-private partnership to meet public recreation needs along the Madison and Missouri rivers, the River Fund supports ongoing efforts to protect and enhance recreation from Hebgen Reservoir downstream to Fort Benton, excluding the Broadwater and Canyon Ferry hydroelectric plants and the river segment between them. River Fund awards for qualifying projects will continue on an annual basis, with grants awarded each December.
Law Day at Pre-Release
May 1 is recognized as Law Day in the U.S., and in 2005, the Great Falls Pre-Release Center awarded its first Law Day award to Thomas McKittrick, district court judge.
Since then, this award has been given to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated exceptional achievement in fields such as corrections, education, law enforcement and community support.
The Great Falls Pre-Release Center has selected the Great Falls Police Community Foundation as the recipient of the 2026 Law Day award.
The foundation was established in 2007 to support and promote public safety through partnerships that provide resources to help the GFPD perform at its highest level of service to the community.
The money raised by the foundation supports programs designed to help the GFPD keep pace with rapidly evolving technology, strategies and training. To date, more than $470,000 has been invested in the GFPD programs and equipment.
The 2026 Law Day award will be presented at the Great Falls Pre-Release Center’s Women’s Campus at 3 p.m. May 28.
Fisher’s building for sale
The Fisher’s building at 819 Central Ave. is listed for sale for $550,000.
Downtown Summer Jam
The 2026 Downtown Summer Jam lineup is:
- June 17: Matt Schuster
- July 15: Sons of Habit
- Aug. 12: Hayden Blount
The July 4 Hootenanny headliner is Cooper Alan.
Tickets are available here.
