Author Archives: Jenn Rowell

Sunday Reads: Dec. 10

This week’s reading list. Have a great week Great Falls. The Washington Post: E.U. reaches landmark deal on the world’s most sweeping bill to regulate artificial intelligence, racing ahead of U.S. The Economist: At last, a convincing explanation for America’s drug-death crisis Foreign Policy: Israel may end up reoccupying Gaza after the Hamas War The Atlantic: The dark side of Christmas

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County meeting on proposal to remove election duties from clerk and recorder’s office moved to Expo Park

In anticipation of a crowd, Cascade County has moved next week’s normal commission meeting to Exhibition Hall in Montana Expo Park. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 12. Among other items, to include proposed rental rate increase for Expo Park, is a resolution removing election duties from the clerk and recorder’s office. Commissioner Joe Briggs asked to add the

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The History Museum receives gift for remodel; hosting Second Saturday event Dec. 9

The History Museum has received a $500,000 donation to remodel the second floor of their building to create a research center. Owen and Gayle Robinson of Great Falls donated the funds that will be used for the Robinson Research Center that will have climate control in overflow archives and artifact collections storage, a visible vault where guests and see preservation

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Neighborhood councils Dec. 11-14

Three neighborhood councils meet next week. Neighborhood Council 2 will not hold it’s regular meeting on Dec. 13. Neighborhood Council 7 meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 in the Civic Center Gibson Room. Agenda items committee reports and neighborhood concerns. More information on NC7, including boundaries and contact information, is here. Neighborhood Council 1 meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 12

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City approves contract, CDBG funds for street reconstruction project

City Commissioners awarded a $763,784 contract to United Materials for a street reconstruction project during their Dec. 5 meeting. The project will improve pedestrian traffic and meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, according to city staff. The proposed project will provide ADA compliant routes by installing curb ramps and sidewalk from the intersection at 7th Avenue Northwest and 12th Street

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City approves contract update for Natatorium demolition

Demolition of Morony Natatorium began this week. City Commissioners approved the demolition contract to Shumaker Trucking and Excavation in July for $289,775. Initially, the project included the demolition of the Natatorium with the restoration of the impact area and sidewalks for a future play structure and pavilion. In February, commissioners approved a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant agreement with the

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City officials discuss public safety after levy, bond failure

City officials spent the last few years discussing public safety needs and challenges in the community. In 2021, they created a crime task force to look at those needs and develop recommendations. That task force met for months and among their recommendations were to ask for a public safety levy. City staff and commissioners then spent months developing the details

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City approves CDBG, HOME plan amendment

City Commissioners unanimously adopted the amended 2023 annual action plan for the federal Community Development Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships Act programs. The federal programs are overseen by the U.S. Housing of Urban Development, which requires that the city develop the annual plan that outlines allocated uses of the funds. Commissioners adopted the plan during a May 2023 meeting, but

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County considering rental increases for Montana Expo Park

Staff at Montana Expo Park are proposing increased facility rental rates. Susan Shannon, Expo Park manager, said that rental rates have not changed since 2009. She said the cost of utilities have increased and there have been facility improvements. Business Bites: Touch-A-Truck; Ginger Day; author events; NWGF survey; Luminaria Walk; Nitro Creamery; OverHere Consulting; mental health training; Circus on Ice;

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120th Airlift Wing locked down this morning after threatening phone calls

Personnel at the 120th Airlift Wing at the Montana Air National Guard received threatening phone calls around 8 a.m. Dec. 6 and the base was placed into lockdown. The base went into Force Protection Condition Delta status, which according to DOD, applies in the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence has been received that terrorist

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