The Historic Preservation Office’s 2022 Christmas Ornament is now available and commemorates Gibson Park. The park has been a part of the city since 1883. Business Bites: Barges on the river; Loading Zone closing; car wash proposed for former Ryan’s Cash and Carry; Nourish kitchen moving; Signature Med Spa open; bakery opens; fitness equipment installed in Gibson Park; Jazz Night

City Commissioners unanimously approved a request for $150,000 in downtown tax increment financing funds for the design and installation of alley lighting. The Downtown Business Improvement District submitted an application for the funds, which was recommended by the Downtown Development Partnership. The project will design and install alley and mural lighting on 10 buildings. Commission approves downtown group funding request

The Great Falls Housing Authority board has opted not to renew their management agreement with the city. The housing board voted in August to discontinue the agreement and the transition of management will be effective Dec. 1. The housing authority paid a $40,020 management fee to the city for services including legal, administrative and human resources. The agency also paid

Cascade County has implemented Phase 1 fire restrictions. “Due to the ongoing increase in fire danger and a pattern of high winds throughout Cascade County our DES coordinator has polled the rural fire chiefs regarding the implementation of Stage 1 fire restrictions. The chiefs overwhelmingly support the immediate implementation of these restrictions,” according to a county release. Cascade County lifts

The C.M. Russell Museum is hosting the annual Saddles and Spurs family event on July 16, at the museum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free, all-ages celebration gives the local community a chance to experience the best of cowboy culture and heritage in advance of the National Day of the Cowboy. Saddles and Spurs has expanded to include the Artist Stampede featuring artist

City Commissioners gave City Manager Greg Doyon a favorable review and a raise during a June 21 meeting. Commissioners conducted the review in closed session, but returned to open session to give an overview and vote on the raise. Commissioners renewed Doyon’s contract in 2020 for three years, expiring in March 2023. In 2020, his base salary was $161,500. Doyon

Updated 4:20 p.m. Jan. 27 On Jan. 27, the Great Falls Police Department was made aware of a potential threat to C.M. Russell High School, according to a GFPD release. The threat was specific to CMR and  stated the action would take place the morning of Jan. 28th. By the 4 p.m. update, GFPD arrested Henry Douglas Lenning, 56, and

Great Falls Public Schools is again proposing additional pay for substitute teachers in an effort to recruit more and the encourage them to work more consistently, in part due to COVID. For the first six days back to school since the holiday break, the average daily substitute county is 41 for a fill rate of 65 percent, according to GFPS

During their Dec. 28 meeting, the city planning board will consider a conditional use permit to allow a community center in the R-3 single family high density zoning district for a property south of an existing church at 3400 Flood Road. Foothills Community Christian School submitted the application with a plan to build a 16,100 square foot indoor athletic facility