Former Holy Spirit Catholic School for sale
The former Holy Spirit Catholic School at 2820 Central Ave. is listed for sale.
The 2.135-acre site with 54,614 square feet of building space is listed at $4.25 million. It includes the rectory at 2816 Central Ave.
The property includes a church, rectory/housing, the school with the gymnasium, commercial kitchen, playground, basketball courts and paved parking lot.
The Catholic Church Diocese of Great Falls-Billings closed the elementary school at the end of last school year in the spring.
The diocese is not operating the high school this year, but said in August that the property, which is directly south of the Touro University medical campus, is not for sale and there had been no discussions about selling.
Last week, the University of Providence, the local private Catholic university, announced it was closing at the end of the school year in August.
University of Providence ceasing operations at end of school year
Lee Brice playing Montana State Fair
Lee Brice is opening the Montana State Fair at Montana Expo Park on July 30 at 7 p.m.
The 2027 fair runs July 30 to Aug. 7 and the county will announce more acts and ticket sale dates soon.
Bites continue below
NorthWestern dam spillway
NorthWestern Energy completed the Black Eagle Spillway Project in October.
The project improved the integrity of the dam and reduces the need for hydro crews to manually remove ice buildup during frigid winter conditions.
Restoration work included paving sections of the River’s Edge Trail used by heavy equipment during construction.
The barge used for the project has been removed from the Missouri River.
Black Eagle Dam project underway with road, trail closures [2025]
The barge launch on NorthWestern Energy property on the north shore was permitted as a temporary facility to support the project and the section of the launch extending into the river will be removed to meet the requirements of the temporary permitting.
NorthWestern Energy is in preliminary discussions with local entities interested in potentially maintaining this location in a modified form for other uses. No permanent plans have been finalized. The existing permits are for a temporary facility.
NorthWestern spokeswoman Jo Dee Black told The Electric in October 2024 that since the barge had been installed, there’d been some interest in maintaining it long-term for river recreation, but that would require more discussion and would not be a factor until the project is completed.
The Black Eagle Spillway Project is complete, but NorthWestern Energy has other work underway at the dam. The Forebay Bridge, which connects the spillway area to the north shore of the Missouri River, is being upgraded. That project is widening the deck of the bridge and adding additional loading strength.
Crow Places and their relationship to Sacagawea
Marvin Dawes, Sr. will present Stories of Crow Places and Their Relationship to Sacagawea on Nov. 10 at the Great Falls Public Library, 301 2nd Ave. N.
The presentation starts at 7 p.m., with a reception at 6:30 pm. Both are free and open to the public.
Dawes is a Crow Nation tribal member and historian, and a former lead park ranger at the Little
Bighorn National Battlefield.
He’s from Hardin and known primarily for his work in preserving and sharing Crow history through public programming and educational offerings. He is active in Crow Nation cultural preservation, and his work connects historical events to place and identity, engaging both local and broader audiences through lectures, events, and educational materials.
The program is hosted by the Portage Route Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance and is part of the Ida Johnson Speaker series.
PRC programs are normally held at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, but the Center is closed for exhibition remodeling until April 2027.
For more information, contact the Lewis and Clark Foundation at 406-899-7993.
Veterans Day ceremony
The Montana Veterans Memorial Association is hosting its 21st annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 in the University of Providence Theater.
U.S. Navy veteran Art Taft will serve as master of ceremonies and retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Edward E. “Ed” Saunders will deliver the keynote address.
Saunders helped establish the Yellowstone County World War I Women’s Memorial at the Yellowstone County Courthouse in Billings.
Capt. Sean A. Barley, 341st Missile Wing chaplain, will deliver the invocation, and the Malmstrom honor guard has been requested to present the colors.
Local U.S. Air Force Junior ROTC students will lead attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Sound of the Falls Chorus will perform the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and “America the Beautiful.”
Great Falls Pipe Band Leader Jesse Callender will play a bagpipe salute.
The ceremony includes a six -minute video highlighting the history of the Montana Veterans Memorial and its role in honoring those who have served.
The ceremony will conclude with a benediction by A.J. Hoy, UP’s vice president of mission, and Great Falls Municipal Band trumpet player Kurt Mueller will perform taps.
The ceremony is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the Montana Veterans Memorial Association’s Facebook page beginning at 11 a.m. and broadcast on 89.9 FM KGPR, Great Falls Public Radio.
Touro Law Center open house
Touro Law Center is hosting a free virtual open house for prospective law students at 2 p.m. Nov. 18 when attendees can learn about J.D. programs, attend a mock law class and meet with admissions and financial aid.
The event gives prospective students a chance to learn about Touro Law’s new Great Falls program, which welcomes its first cohort in August 2027 and brings in-person law classes to campus on Sundays.
Register here.
GF Clinic/Hospital career open house
Great Falls Clinic and Great Falls Hospital is hosting healthcare careers open house events to connect talented healthcare workers with career opportunities throughout the organization.
The events will be held at the Great Falls Clinic Specialty Center Conference Room located at 3000 15th Ave. S.:
- Nov. 17 from 5-7 p.m.
- Nov. 23 from 5-7 p.m.
Attendees will be able to meet hiring leaders, learn about available positions, participate in on-the-spot interviews, explore career pathways and take facility-wide tours. Hors d’oeuvres provided.
Attendees should bring their resume.
Great Falls Clinic property ownership changes; Clinic operations remain unchanged
The organization is currently recruiting for a variety of clinical and non-clinical roles, including nursing, clinic support, therapy services, social workers, diagnostic imaging, and other healthcare professions.
The events are open to healthcare professionals interested in learning more about employment opportunities. Attendance does not require a formal application and confidential conversations with recruiters and hiring leaders will be available.
More information about current openings is here. Don’t see a position you are applying for? Use the contact form at the bottom of the careers page and staff will work with you to find a position.
KellerGeist Krampus run
The Kellergeist Krampus Run is Nov. 28. If you need help or inspiration with your outfit, come to Kellergeist any Wednesday in November after 6 p.m.
Tracy’s Thanksgiving meals
Tracy’s Family Diner is offering take and bake family meals that serve four to five people for $129.99.
The meals include:
- turkey
- homemade stuffing
- candied yams
- green bean casserole
- mashed potatoes
- cranberry sauce
- whole baked pie
Other Thanksgiving options available:
- individual plate: $27.99
- kids plate: $16.99
- whole pumpkin or huckleberry cheesecake: $34
The pre-order deadline is 3 p.m. Nov. 22 and pickup is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 25.
Order online here.
Downtown drainage project construction sequence changing for winter
A Time or Two
A Time or Two is closing in mid-November.
The shop owner posted that she’s lost her lease to her current space so has decided to close the shop.
Everything is on sale. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday 12-5 p.m. or longer by appointment.
Proposed traffic signal project
The Montana Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on a proposal to upgrade the traffic signals on 10th Avenue South from 2nd Street South to 32nd Street South.
Proposed work includes installation of updated pedestrian push buttons, radar detection, signal cabinets, protected left-turn arrows, flashing arrows, and signage. The purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow and safety at the intersections.
Construction is tentatively planned for 2030, depending on completion of design and availability of funds. No new right-of-way or utility relocations will be needed.
Comments may be submitted online here or in writing to Montana Department of Transportation, Great Falls office, PO Box 1359, Great Falls, MT 59403-1359. Note that comments are for project UPN 10717000.
For questions, contact Great Falls District Project Development Engineer Jim Combs at 406-788-2773 or Project Engineer David Relph at 406-444-1280.
More information about active MDT projects around the state, is on MDT’s website and in the five-year tentative construction plan.
To request an alternative accessible format of this document, contact MDT’s ADA coordinator at 406-444-5416, Montana Relay Service at 711, or by email at mdtaccessibilityrequest@mt.gov.
Municipal Court canned food day
The annual Canned Food Day in Great Falls Municipal Court Dec. 4 from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
During the event, defendants who are making monthly payments on fines have the option of bringing in canned food in lieu of December’s payment.
For 10 donated non-perishable food items, a month’s payment, up to $50, will be credited
towards total fines owed.
Regardless of the number of cans brought in, the maximum amount credited on Canned Food Day is one month’s payment.
Defendants who meet any of the following are not eligible to participate in Canned Food Day:
- not current on fines
- paying only restitution
- are in collections for entire balance of fines/restitution
- have an active warrant
- have a deferred prosecution agreement
- completing a work project (community service) in lieu of their fines
Food collected during Canned Food Day will be donated to the Great Falls Community Food
Bank and on the day of the event, Set Free Ministries volunteers will help with food collection.
All food items donated during the event must be non-perishable.
Donated food will not be returned if a defendant is determined ineligible.
For more information, contact Municipal Court at 406-771-1380.
Day of Giving
The Great Falls Community Food Bank’s Day of Giving is Dec. 8 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., when staff and volunteers will be at both Albertson’s locations collecting food.
The event also benefits Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army.
You can bring your donation to the front of the store or gather items while shopping and drop them off on your way out.
Citizens Alliance Bank
Citizens Alliance Bank is undergoing a leadership transition within its Montana markets as part of broader organizational changes designed to support the Bank’s continued growth, strengthen local leadership, and create greater clarity across the organization.
As part of the transition, Kyle Herda is assuming Montana market leadership responsibilities, while Ryan Fritz takes on expanded responsibilities within the senior management team.
Chad Forkrud, bank president, said the transition is intended to provide continuity for customers, employees, and communities throughout Montana.
The Montana transition is part of a broader update to the bank’s leadership structure as it grows.
Over the past five years, the bank has grown about 50 percent while expanding its number of locations by roughly a third.
The updated structure is intended to create greater clarity and accountability, strengthen collaboration, and empower leaders to make decisions closer to the teams and customers they serve.
Fritz, Nathan Louwagie, Steve Condon and Aaron Thiemann are taking on new roles and responsibilities within the updated senior management team structure.
For Montana customers, Forkrud said that the leadership transition does not change the Bank’s commitment to the communities it serves.
Health for the Holidays
Cascade City-County Health Department is seeing both influenza and COVID early this year.
Since the beginning of September, 11 Cascade County residents have been hospitalized with influenza and 5 with COVID.
At this time last year, there was only one hospitalization of either influenza or COVID, according to CCHD.
The illnesses may have different symptoms but can largely be prevented in the same way.
CCHD recommends taking these steps to stay healthy and prevent work or school absenteeism:
- wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water (an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
works if soap and water is not readily available) - completely cover your coughs and sneezes
- set a routine to clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces and objects, like telephones
and doorknobs - don’t prepare food if you are sick
- sick individuals should stay home and avoid close contact with others
- seek help if you or your child is experiencing prolonged or severe symptoms
- get immunized
CCHD is hosting a special clinic on Nov. 9 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. to get people immunized in time for holiday gatherings. Residents can walk in, or schedule an appointment by calling 406-454-6950, option 2.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Caring Foundation of Montana is covering the costs of the annual influenza and COVID vaccines, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccinations.
Zesty Eats
Zesty Eatz, located in the former Dairy Queen at 1651 Fox Farm Road is hosting a grand opening on Nov. 16 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Owned and operated by Rocky Galloway, Zesty Eatz brings a Mediterranean concept and a custom beverage bar to the community.
On Nov. 16, every guest who makes a purchase will receive a free side of house-seasoned Greek fries and a free sample cup of mango and pomegranate raspberry soft serve sorbet twist.
Zesty Eatz is the first restaurant in Montana to deploy “Flippy,” an AI-powered robotic fry cook from Miso Robotics.
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