🌱 Annual Strawberry Festival + Underpass Avenue Closed For Weeks

Hello, hello. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through all the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 90 Low: 62.
• Tuesday: More clouds than sun. High: 91 Low: 60.

Here are the top three stories today in Billings:

1. A reward of $2,000 is being offered for information that can help identify the individuals responsible for setting off fireworks in the Urapeein Porta Pots toilets, causing over $7,500 in damages to multiple portable toilets in Northwest Billings. Law enforcement is examining video footage of a white vehicle in the Yellowstone Country Club subdivision as part of their investigation. The Billings Police and Yellowstone County Sheriff's offices are actively documenting reports, and once the individuals are identified, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. (KULR-TV)
2. The 32nd annual Strawberry Festival in Billings drew a large crowd on Saturday, with over 100 vendors and numerous attendees gathering in the downtown area. Described as the largest street festival in Billings, the event showcased a wide range of offerings, including the longstanding candy store Brockel's Chocolates, which has been a part of every festival since its inception in 1978. The festival serves as a catalyst for bringing people to the downtown area and holds special significance for the Brockel family, who continue to operate the shop even after the passing of their founder, Gary Brockel, in 2022. (KULR-TV)
3. Underpass Avenue, located south of State Avenue, will be closed for several weeks to facilitate various construction activities including water main replacement, stormwater facility installation, roadway upgrades, retaining wall construction, and sidewalk replacement. Motorists are advised to use Orchard Lane as an alternative route. The Montana Department of Transportation, in collaboration with Riverside Contracting Inc., is working on the reconstruction of intersections at Underpass Avenue with State Avenue and 6th Street West with Central Avenue, aiming to enhance traffic operations, improve pedestrian facilities, upgrade lighting and signage, and mitigate flooding issues. (Subscription: Billings Gazette)

Calling Billings business owners: reach local readers, attract a crowd, and make a splash with your events this summer! We have a limited number of sponsorships available to amplify your events and increase attendance among your target audience. Click here to learn more about our sponsorships.

Today and tomorrow in Billings:

Monday, July 10

• City Council Regular Business Meeting At City Hall Council Chambers (5:30 PM)

Tuesday, July 11

• Music Of The West African Kora At Billings Public Library (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On the Fourth of July, a film titled "Sound of Freedom" was released to raise awareness about human trafficking. Project Stand, a Billings group, aims to educate parents and children about avoiding traffickers through this film. According to BoxOfficeMojo.com, the film ranked as the top-grossing film on Tuesday. (KTVQ)
• New homes have been listed for sale in the Billings area! Get all the property details at the link. (Billings Patch)
• Unveil the captivating story behind the renowned photographer Larry Mayer as you delve into "The Photography of Larry Mayer" exhibition at the Western Heritage Center! Mayer, a skillful photojournalist from the Billings Gazette, has captured significant news events over the past half-century, including the Yellowstone Fire, Hale-Bopp Comet, and the Chinese Spy Balloon. (Western Heritage Center via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• FREE WEBINAR | "Siena: Medieval Majesty" (July 11)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. See you all soon for another update!

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.